DE2002290A1 - Chassis for toy vehicles - Google Patents

Description

THE METTOY COMPANY LIMITED, Harlestone Road, Northampton (UK)

Undercarriage for toy vehicles

The invention relates to an axle and wheel having Chassis for toy vehicles ο. the like, in which on at least two wheels are rotatably attached to an axle rod. The invention is particularly concerned with wheel structures and storage arrangements that the free and fast running of the toy or model vehicles to enhance.

In the construction of such vehicles there is a task in creating an axle-wheel chassis, in which the wheels turn freely on the axles, i.e. only have to overcome minor frictional resistance, and d * · inexpensive and easy in large numbers can be produced.

The inventive solution to this problem provides that the storage of the wheels on the axle rod is limited to two narrow storage areas,

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have a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction of the axis.

Each wheel can be made from a one-piece injection-molded synthetic plastic; every bike can too have a central hub made of this material, the wheel or hub having a through hole, which is provided with an annular rib at each end with a small clearance to the axle rod. With this construction the axle rods can easily be provided with heads at both ends over which the wheels be pushed onto the axle, whereby the elasticity of the wheel or hub material serves well. The wheels or hubs are expediently heated and slightly softened for this operation.

The invention is explained below with the aid of a few exemplary embodiments described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawing. Show it

1 shows a cross section through the chassis according to the invention, especially the wheel-axle arrangement ;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the arrangement from FIG

Fig. 1;

3 shows the cross section of a further embodiment of the invention; and

4 shows the cross section of a third embodiment of the invention.

In the chassis shown in Figures 1 and 2, each wheel 1 consists of a single casting a synthetic, plastic material · At both ends of the central bore of each wheel sits a inwardly protruding annular flange 2 from partially

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circular cross-section, the inner surface of which is a very little running clearance with the one passed through the hole Axle rod 3 leaves. The axis 3 is widened at its outer ends to form an enlarged head 4, which limits the outward movement of the adjacent wheel and with the wheel. 1 substantially is in line contact. The axially inside of the wheel has a small, protruding one Bead 6, which can come into contact with the chassis C or other vehicle parts, and which after inward movement of the wheel 1 relative to the axis 3 'and limited to the vehicle without substantial frictional engagement, so that the wheel can rotate freely on the axis can.

A preferred feature of the invention is that the inward movement of the running Wheel 1 is limited by its system on wire springs 7, which are arranged in the vehicle longitudinal direction and run over the corresponding axle rods 3 to to enable their compression. The wire springs 7 have circular cross-sections and are preferably plated or polished and have a very smooth finish Surface. For this reason and because the contact surface 6 with the impellers is very small and close the center line of the axis 3 results in a Thrust bearings with very low frictional resistance, so that the wheel can rotate freely on its axis 3. In Another alternative embodiment uses a plastic part as a spring and also as an inner end of the axial bearing for the wheels.

According to Figure 3, each impeller 1 has an injection molded part IA on that on the outside a rubber tire IB

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takes up, as well as a hub part IC made of synthetic plastic (nylon or polythene), which in an axial opening of the injection molded part IA is pressed in and forms the wheel bearing. The bore of the bearing points again two axially spaced annular flanges 2 which press on the axle rod 3. The outside surface of the bearing IC has a convergent or divergent truncated cone shape and corresponds by and large the profile of the central opening of the injection molded part IA. The IC bearing is best made of polythene or nylon, so that it is deformable and elastic and press into the injection molded part IA into a locking seat leaves.

The outer ends of the axle rod 3 are enlarged to heads so that the wheels remain on the axles. These Heads can be made after the wheels have been slid onto the axles, but are preferred preformed and are then forced past the annular flanges 2 through the bore of the bearing IC, which enables the elasticity of the bearing material. In some cases the wheels can be on the axles heated and softened bearing IC are applied. This assembly technique is of course the same Way applicable to the one-piece wheels (Figures 1 and 2).

The construction described above provides a very good storage, so that the wheels quickly and freely on the Axle rods run, but still allows the use of injection molded parts, which makes the realistic · Replica of a vehicle wheel is promoted. In an alternative design, a rotated or

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Replace the molded plastic part with the injection-molded part.

In Figure 3, the chassis for a toy vehicle is shown, which has a chassis plate C and a resilient part S made of synthetic plastic.

Figure 4. "explains a further variant of the invention, in which each wheel is composed of two U-shaped parts 11 and 12 so as to snap into place. Every U or The cup-shaped part has a narrow ring section HA, 12A, which is in freely rotating engagement on the axle rod 3 presses and a journal bearing for the compound wheel of essentially the same shape delivers as described above.

In all of the above-described embodiments of the invention, coatings with material of low coefficient of friction used, for example in the form of polytetrafluoroethylene on a or both bearing surfaces of the rotating parts.

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Claims (8)

Expectations Iy chassis arrangement for toy or model vehicles, in which two wheels are rotatably mounted on at least one axis, characterized in that the support each wheel on its axis (3) on two narrow bearing surfaces that are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the axis (2) is limited. 2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the whole wheel or at least the hub portion (IC) of the wheel consists of a one-piece molded body made of synthetic plastic material and a Has a central bore which is provided near its ends with an inwardly projecting annular rib (2), whose clear width leaves a very small amount of play for the axis. 3. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the axle rod (3) at its outer ends is enlarged to a head (4) and that at least the wheel hubs (IC) are made of elastic material that allows the heads (4) to pass through the bores past the annular ribs. 4. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each wheel consists of a hub portion (IC) in the form of a one-piece molded body 0Ü9830 / 0101 _ 7 - made of synthetic, plastic material and an injection-molded section (IA) with a central, press fit for the hub section (IC) and from one of the wheel section worn rubber or rubber-like tires (IB). 5. Arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that that the outer surface of the hub section (IC) and the inner surface of the wheel section (IA) are convergent or divergent frustoconical shape and that the both parts (IA, IC) can be joined together in a locking seat that fixes them. 6. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, " characterized in that a stop bead (6) is provided on the inside of each wheel, the The chassis or other vehicle parts. 7. Arrangement according to claim 6 in a toy vehicle, with the one attached in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and over the axes extending springs provided for its suspension are, characterized in that the stop bead (6) on the inside of each wheel rests against one of the springs (7), thus creating a thrust bearing for the Wheel is. . ■. 8. Arrangement according to claim 7, characterized in that that the springs are made of metal wire of circular cross-section consist and are preferably plated or polished and have a smooth surface. 00 9 830/0101 Blank page