GB2033765A

GB2033765A - Toy vehicle assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2033765A
Application number: GB7843899A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1978-11-09
Filing date: 1978-11-09
Publication date: 1980-05-29

Abstract

A wheeled toy has two side panels 8 with vertical slots 14, 16, (18) Fig. 4 (not shown) extending upwardly from their lower edges. Three transverse members 20, 22, 24 are also slotted and fit into the slots in the side panels. When so positioned their lower edges just clear longitudinal slots 12 on the inner surface of the side panels. A base member (28) is then fitted into these slots so that the transverse members are held in place and a solid frame structure is formed. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to childrens toys It is desirable to provide a kit of parts which enables a child toy to be assembled easily and conveniently, and desirably without the use of many separate fastening elements such as nuts and bolts. It is also desirable that the kit of parts be versatile, enabling perhaps the shape of the assembled toy to be varied somewhat.

Certainly available toys, and kits for the assembly of such toys, utilise the known slotted construction, in which two generally flat parts are provided with slots having a width generally equal to the thickness of the parts, enabling the two parts to be inter-fitted.

However, presently available systems utilising the slotted construction are generally unsatisfactory.

For example, in the assembly of a toy having a relatively small number of parts, difficulty may be encountered in providing a required degree of stability. In particular, difficulty may be encountered in affording a degree of restraint against accidental displacement and dissembly of the toy, and a consequent reduction in the strength of the toy as could cause it to be broken for example by a childs weight.

This problem is particularly encountered when the slots become worn with wear, allowing relative movement between the parts to occur more easily. Additionally, presently available systems do not in general afford the facility for changing one feature of the toy without disassembly of the whole of the toy, or a reduction of the toy by a significant amount from its assembled state.

The above and other problems are particularly encountered in a childs wheeled toy.

According to this invention a childs toy comprising a plurality of inter-fitting, slotted members assembled together, and including two spaced side members, each of which is provided with a slot extending from a lower edge thereof, and a transverse member provided with slots inter-fitted with and extending between the side members. Wherein each of the side members is provided, on an inside face thereof, and extending across the slots, with a groove, and a base member is slidable within said grooves, between the side members to prevent movement of the transverse member relative to the side members.

Preferably each of the side members comprises two slots and the toy comprises two spaced transverse members provided with slots, each inter-fitting with and extending between the side members.

Preferably the grooves in the side members extend across both of the slots, and the base member when in a medial position prevents movement of both of the transverse members relative to the side members. Conveniently, when the base member is moved to a position to one side of the medial position, relative movement between one of the transverse members and the side members may be carried out, and when the base member is moved to a position to the other side of the medial position, relative movement between the other of the transverse members and the side members may be carried out.

Alternatively, each side member may be provided on its inside face with two grooves, each extending across one of the slots, and the toy comprises two base members each slidable within one pair of oppositely-facing grooves in the two side members. Thus, one of the base members may be moved to permit or prevent movement of one of the transverse members relative to the side members, and the other of the base members may be moved to permit or prevent movement of the other of the transverse members relative to the side members.

In this manner, a high degree of stability may be afforded, together with restraint against undesired separation of the parts without significant reduction in the versatility of the toy. Thus, the two side members, transverse member and base member as aforesaid may provide a basic assembly, with other inter-fitting slotting members may be secured.

This invention is particularly useful in the assembly of wheeled toys such as a toy lorry, trailer, train or the like. In particular, since the basic assembly may be relatively rigidly secured together, the side members may carry an axle, to opposite ends of which a pair of wheels or may be secured. Conveniently the axle extends through holes in the side members below the grooves therein, and the wheels are adapted to be secured to the axle outward of side members. However, where the grooves are spaced a sufficient distance from the lower edge of the side members, the wheels may be secured in board of the side members.

It is envisaged that the wheels may be retained on axles by the use of numbers pressed-clipped onto the end regions of the axis, but if desired, the end regions of the axle may be threaded, and nuts may be used.

This invention also provides a childs wheeled toy comprising two side members each provided with a pair of slots extending over part of the height from a lower edge thereof and a groove or channel extending at least substantially the whole of the width of the side member on an inner side thereof and which extends adjacent to the lower edge across the slots, two slotted transverse members each of which interfits with one pair of oppositely-facing slots in the two side members, a base member slidable in the grooves between the two side members, a base mem ber slidable in the grooves between the two side members and which is moveable from a medial position in which it prevents movement of the transverse member to a position in which movement of the transverse member relative to the side members is permitted; and axle carried by and extending between the two side members and carrying at each end a wheel.

Preferably the axle extends through holes in the side members, which conveniently extend through the side members below the grooves therein. Advantageously separate fastening members, such as press on studs or screw on nuts, are used to secure the wheels to the ends of the axle.

This invention also provides a kit of parts for use in the erection of a childs toy according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 comprising two slotted side members each being provided with a plurality of slots extending from a lower edge thereof and a groove or channel extending at least substantially the whole of the width of the side member on an inner side thereof and which extends adjacent to the lowed edge across the slots, a plurality of slotted transverse members each adapted to interfit with a pair of slots in the two side members to contain the side members in spaced relationship, and a base member which may be inserted into and along the grooves of the two side members when the side members are held in such spaced relationship by the transverse members, to retain the transverse members in their interfitted relationship with the side members.

Preferably, the side members are provided with holes, and the kit of parts comprises one or more axles, which may be inserted into the holes, a plurality of wheels a pair of which may be mounted on each axle, and means to enable the wheels to be releasably retained on the axles.

There will now be given a detailed description, to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, of four inter-related toys which have been selected for the purposes of illustrating this invention by way of example.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view, showing a lorry, super structure and skip which constitute three of the four inter-related toys; Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the construction of the lorry at a rear corner thereof; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a trailer, which is in itself an embodiment of this invention; and Figure 4 is an inverted plan view of the lorry.

The lorry 6 comprises two generally flat, slotted side members 8, cut from plywood panels, each being provided with three slots, 14,16,18 extending from a lower edge 10 thereof. Extending parallel to the lower edge 10 on the inner face of each of the side members, being spaced a short distance from said lower edge, is a groove 1 2.

The two side members 8 are retained in spaced apart relationship, as shown in the drawings, by three generally flat, slotted transverse panels 20,22,24, each of which is provided with two slots 26 capable of mating engagement with the slots of the side members.

The length of the slots, 14,16,18 and 26 is such that when the transverse members 20,22, 24 are inter-fitted fully with the side members, lower edges of the transverse members just clear the grooves 12, (See Fig. 2).

The lorry also comprises a base member 28 which may be inter-fitted between the side members 8, with side edges of the base member within the grooves 1 2. Thus, with a base member in the position shown in Figs.

1,2 and 4, the transverse members are prevented from moving relative to the side members, affording a relatively solid frame structure for the lorry.

In the construction illustrated, the transverse members 20,22 and 24 afford a tail gate, central panel and front panel of the lorry. However, other slotted panels may be inter-fitted with the base structure, for example as illustrated in Fig. 1.

The base structure may not readily be disassembled other than by movement of the base member 28 from the medial position illustrated. Thus, by movement of the base member in a first, forward direction, the tail gate 20 may be removed from the lorry, and replaced by an alternative tail gate, such as the tail gate 120, which affords a simple end closure for the lorry, or the tail gate 220, which enables a trailer (hereinafter described) to be pivotally attached to the lorry.

Conversely, by movement of the base member in a second, rearward direction, the front panel 24 may be removed, and be repiaced by a front panel of a different design.

By movement of the base member 28 a sufficient distance in either direction, the central panel 22 may be removed and replaced.

By complete separation of the base member, the lorry may be disassembled into its component parts.

Alternate to the use of a single base member, two or more base members may be used, which may be interfitted between the side members 8, with the side edges of the base members within the grooves 12. Thus, one of the base members may prevent movement of the tail gate 20, whilst the other base member prevents movement of the central panel 22 and front panel 24.

By the use of this construction, a relatively rigid base structure can readily be provided, and in particular which can take the weight of a small child. Additionally problems of accidental disassembly of the toy, as would other- wise occur more frequently as the slots become worn through use, or reduced.

The base structure carries wheels 32, secured by removeable endcaps (not illustrated in detail) to the ends of axle 34 which extend through holes 36 provided in the side panels between the lower edges 10 and the grooves 1 2 thereof. Thus, movement of the base panel 28 does not interfere with the fitting of or removal of the wheels.

The principals of the present invention are also illustrated in the further constructions illustrated in the drawings, in which the same numerals with various suffixes have been used to identify like parts.

(a) In a super structure 6a, which may be mounted on the lorry 6, side members 8a are utilised, each of which is provided with two slots 1 4a, 1 6a . Two transverse members 20a,22a are utilised to retain the side members in their spaced relationship, and the base member 28a in fact affords a roof closure for the lorry.

(b) In a skip 6b, two side members 8b are utilised which are provided with slots 1 4b, 1 6b which diverge. Again a single base member 28b is utilised, to retain the transverse members 20b, 22b in their assembled position, and to prevent disassembly of the skip.

Additionally, each side member is provided with a pivot mounting 9b, enabling the skip to be pivotally mounted on the side members of the lorry.

(c) A trailer 6c comprises side members 8c, together with two transverse members 20c, 22c, and a base member 28c. The trailer 6c comprises a single axle supporting a single pair of wheels.

Claims

1. A childs toy comprising a plurality of inter-fitting slotted members assembled together and including two spaced side members, each of which is provided with a slot extending from a lower edge thereof, and a transverse member provided with slots interfitted with an extending between the side members, wherein each of the side members is provided on an inside face thereof, and extending across the slots, with a groove, and a base member is slidable within said grooves, between the side members to prevent movement of the transverse member relative to the side members.

2. A childs toy according to Claim 1 wherein each of the side members comprises two slots and the toy comprises two spaced transverse members provided with slots each inter-fitting with and extending between the side members.

3. A toy according to Claim 2 wherein the grooves in the side members extend across both of the slots, and the base member when in a medial position prevents movement of both transverse members relative to the side members, and when in a position to one side of the medial position allows relative movement between one of the transverse members and the side member, and when in a position to the other side of the medial position allows relative movement between the other of the transverse members and the side members.

4. A toy according to Claim 2 wherein each side member is provided on the inside face thereof with two grooves, each extending across one of the slots, and the toy comprises two base members each slidable within one pair of oppositely facing grooves in the two side members, movement of one of the base members permitting or preventing movement of the other of the transverse members relative to the side members.

5. A childs wheeled toy comprising two slide members each provided with a pair of slots extending over part of the height from a lower edge thereof and a groove or channel extending at least substantially the whole of the width of the side member on an inner side thereof and which extends adjacent to the lower edge across the slots, two slotted transverse members each of which interfits with one pair of oppositely facing slots in the two side members, a base member slidable in the grooves between the two side members and which is moveable from a medial position in which it prevents movement of the transverse member to a position in which movement of the transverse member relative to the side members is permitted; and an axle carried by and extending between the two side members and carrying at each end a wheel.

6. A childs wheeled toy according to Claim 5 wherein the axle extends through holes in side members.

7. A childs wheeled toy according to Claim 6 wherein the holes extend through the side members below grooves therein.

8. A childs wheeled toy according to any one of Claims 5, 6 and 7 wherein separate fastening members are secured to the ends of the axle.

9. A kit of parts for ise in the erection of a childs toy according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 comprising two slotted side members each being provided with a plurality of slots extending from a lower edge thereof and a groove or channel extending at least substantially the whole of the width of the side member on an inner side thereof and which extends adjacent to the lower edge across the slots, a plurality of slotted transverse members each adapted to interfit with a pair of slots in the two side members to contain the side members in spaced relationship, and a base member which may be inserted into and along the grooves of the two side members when the side members are held in such spaced relationship by the transverse members, to retain the transverse members in their interfitted relationship with the side members.

101 A kit of parts according to Claim 9 wherein the side members are provided with holes, and the kit of parts comprises one or more axles, which may be inserted into the holes, a plurality of wheels, a pair of which may be mounted on each axle, and means to enable the wheels to be releasably retained on the axles.

11. A childs wheeled toy, constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A kit of parts for use in the erection of a childs toy, constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.