MXPA06005303A - Toy vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

A toy vehicle (10) includes a housing (15);a chassis (20) having a rear end (24), a wing (150);a gear train cover (78), road wheels (54, 58) for running across support surface (S). The toy vehicle (10) further includes skid members (130,132), skid rails (144), a lift arm (62a) in retracted position with a second end (70), a strut (100).

Description

TOY VEHICLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to toy vehicles and, more particularly, to remote control toy vehicles capable of experiencing somersaults, jumps. Toy vehicles that include a mechanism for raising or lifting the vehicle during operation are known. For example, the prior art includes Japanese Patent Publication No. 10-066787 ("JP 10-066787"), which describes a toy vehicle with a jump mechanism. As illustrated in Figure 7 of JP 10-066787, the toy vehicle of that invention is capable of executing only a simple linear jump movement. In addition, the toy vehicle of JP 10-066787 does not disclose a toy vehicle capable of performing cartwheel maneuvers, controllable jumps. It is believed that a new toy vehicle having a body design and a lifting mechanism that allows the toy vehicle to undergo a somersault, controllable jump, would greatly improve the dynamic performance and would draw more attention to the game activity that the vehicles of previous toys.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In one aspect, the present invention is a toy vehicle having a front end and a rear end and first and second side edges, comprising: a housing including a vehicle body having a lateral outline in a generally arcuate shape; a plurality of road wheels supporting the housing for movement through a support surface and including at least one rear track wheel rotatably mounted proximate the rear end so as to support at least partially the rear end and for at least one front path wheel rotatably mounted proximate the front end so as to support at least partially the front end; at least one first motor coupled in a driving manner with at least one of the front and rear path wheels; and a lifting mechanism including a lifting arm having first and second ends and a lateral outline in generally arcuate shape, the second end of the lifting arm being free and the first end of the lifting arm being pivotally mounted with respect to the housing so as to allow the lifting arm to move between a generally retracted position against the housing so as to allow the toy vehicle to be supported on the supporting surface by the plurality of road wheels and an extended position generally away from the housing so as to make contact with the supporting surface and lift the plurality of road wheels from the surface, the toy vehicle having a lateral outline defined collectively by the arched lateral contours of the vehicle body and the lifting arm in the Extended position rounded enough to pe Allow the vehicle to roll from one end to the other. In another aspect, the present invention is a toy vehicle having a front end and a rear end and first and second side sides, comprising: a housing; a plurality of road wheels generally located below the housing and including at least one road wheel rotatably mounted proximate the rear end of the vehicle so as to at least partially support the rear end and at least one mounted road wheel rotatably proximate the front end of the vehicle so as to support at least partially the front end; a lifting mechanism supported at least partially by the housing, the lifting mechanism including: a lifting arm having first and second ends, the lifting arm being pivotally mounted proximate the first end so that it pivoted with respect to the housing between a retracted position so as to allow the toy vehicle to be supported on a surface by the plurality of road wheels and an extended position in contact with the surface supporting the toy vehicle so as to lift the plurality of road wheels from the surface; a lifting arm drive motor; a lifting arm drive screw operably coupled with the lift arm drive motor; a lifting arm drive nut in threaded engagement with the lifting arm drive screw; and a post operatively coupled between the drive nut and the lift arm at an intermediate point between the first end of the lift arm and the second end of the lift arm. In still another aspect, the present invention is a toy vehicle comprising: a vehicle chassis having a front end and a rear end and first and second side sides; at least one rear road wheel rotatably assembled with the chassis proximal to the rear end so as to at least partially support the rear end; at least one front road wheel rotatably coupled to the chassis near the front end so as to at least partially support the front end; at least one first motor coupled in a driving manner with at least one of the front and rear path wheels; a vehicle body connected to the vehicle chassis and having a lateral contour in generally arched form; and a lifting mechanism including a lifting arm having first and second ends and a lateral outline in generally arcuate shape, the second end of the lifting arm being free and the first end of the lifting arm being pivotally connected to the frame in a manner that allows the lifting arm to move between a retracted position that allows the vehicle to be supported on a surface by the road wheels and an extended position that makes contact with the surface supporting the vehicle and that lifts the wheels on the road from the surface, the vehicle having a lateral outline defined collectively by the arched lateral contours of the vehicle body and the lifting arm in the extended position rounded sufficiently to allow the vehicle to roll from one end to the other. In still another aspect, the invention is a toy vehicle comprising: a vehicle chassis having a front end and a rear end and first and second side sides; a plurality of road wheels including at least one road wheel rotatably coupled with the chassis near the rear end and located in the vehicle so as to at least partially support the rear end and at least one road wheel rotatably coupled with the chassis near the front end and located in the vehicle so as to support at least partially the front end; a lifting mechanism attached to the chassis including: a lifting arm having first and second ends, the lifting arm being pivotally connected to the chassis near the first end to move between a retracted position that allows the vehicle to be supported on a surface by the plurality of road wheels and an extended position in contact with the surface supporting the vehicle, and lifting the plurality of road wheels from the surface, a lifting arm drive motor; a lifting arm drive screw operably coupled with the lifting arm drive motor; a lifting arm drive nut in threaded engagement with the lifting arm coupling screw; and a post operatively coupled between the drive nut and the lift arm at an intermediate point between the first end of the lift arm and the second end of the lift arm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above summary, as well as the following detailed description of a currently preferred embodiment of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, some of which are schematic. For purposes of illustrating the invention, embodiments that are currently preferred are shown in the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentation shown. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a toy vehicle in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown with a lifting arm in the retracted position.

Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the toy vehicle of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a top plan view of the toy vehicle of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the toy vehicle of Figure 1. Figure 1. Figure 5 is a front elevational view of the toy vehicle of Figure 1. Figure 6 is a rear elevational view of the toy vehicle of Figure 1. Figure 7 is an exploded view of the toy vehicle. toy of Figure 1. Figure 8 is an exploded view of a central body of the toy vehicle of Figure 1. Figure 9A is a side view of an anti-shock assembly of the toy vehicle of Figure 1. Figure 9B is an exploded view of the anti-shock assembly of Figure 9A. Figure 10 is a side elevational view of the toy vehicle of Figure 1, shown with a lifting arm in an extended position.

Figure 11 is a schematic representation of the movement of the lift arm between the retracted position of Figure 1 and the extended position shown in Figure 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the following description certain terminology is used only for convenience and is not limiting. The words "right (a)", "left (a)", "upper" and "lower" designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words "inward" and "outward" refer to directions towards and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the vehicle and designated parts thereof. The word "a" is defined to mean "at least one". The terminology includes the words mentioned specifically above, derived from them, and words of similar meaning. Referring to the drawings in detail, where similar numbers indicate similar elements from beginning to end, a toy vehicle 10 includes a housing 15 which in this embodiment includes a chassis 20 and a body 120 mounted to the chassis 20, a plurality of wheels on the way 52-58 mounted rotatably to the housing 15 and located generally below the housing 15, a lifting arm 60 pivotally mounted to the housing 15, and a post 100. The term "housing" is intended to cover extensively body and body combinations. conventional frame (chassis) similar to a vehicle 10, as well as other combinations such as a monocoque or other constructions similar to a pair of molded half-sleeves. With particular reference to Figures 1-7, the vehicle 10, housing 15 and chassis 20 have a front end 22, a rear end 24, a first side side 26 and a second side side 28. Each of the front wheels 52, 56, mounted close to the front end 22, normally support at least part of the front end 22 of the vehicle 10 / housing 15 / chassis 20 while each of the rear wheels 54, 58, mounted proximate to the rear end 24, normally support at least part of the rear end 24 for movement through a support surface indicated by "S" in several figures. The term "chassis" 20 is intended to encompass any support frame that can receive a body-like body 120. The chassis 20 includes a chassis base plate 30. Referring to Figure 7, a motor support plate 32 mounts to the chassis base plate 30. Three drive motors are mounted to the motor support plate 32. A first motor 34 is drivingly coupled with at least the first wheel and preferably first and second / front and rear wheels 52 and 54 on the first sidewall, while a second motor 36 similarly is drivenly coupled with at least the first wheel and preferably first and second / front and rear wheels 56 and 58 on the second lateral side. The second motor 36 is preferably operable independently of the first motor 34. This provides "tank direction" in which the turn or direction occurs through differences in speed and / or direction between the motors. Other drive train arrangements could be used such as belts or shafts or other forms of power transmission. The arrangement described here does not mean that it is limiting. An expert skilled in the art of toy vehicles will appreciate that any known address arrangement could be used with the toy vehicle 10 and that the vehicle does not even need to provide steering control. The third motor is a lift arm drive motor 38, and is part of a lift mechanism 60, as described hereinafter. Each of the three drive motors is mounted on the motor support plate 32 by a clamping flange 40, which attaches the motor support plate 32 with a fastener, such as a screw or rivet, and which it has a portion formed to adapt the cylindrical shape of the motors 34, 36 and 38. The flange 40 is preferably made of aluminum, and serves not only to secure each drive motor in place, but also serves as a heat sink for dissipate the heat generated by the drive motors. In this embodiment, the chassis 20 further includes left and right gearbox housings 42 and 46, respectively, integral with the chassis base plate 30, and left and right gearbox covers 44 and 48, respectively, which engage with the left and right gearbox housings 42 and 46 for enclosing a drive gear train on the left 50 and a driving gear train on the right of the mirror image (not shown), respectively. The lifting mechanism 60 includes a lifting arm 62 operably coupled with a lifting arm drive motor 38 preferably via a gear train 74, a lifting arm drive screw 80, a driving nut lifting arm 88 and a post 100. More specifically, the lifting arm drive motor 38 rotates a lifting arm drive screw 80 through an operably coupled gear train 74. The gear train 74 is housed within the chassis base plate 30 and a gear train cover 78 and is operatively engaged with a worm gear 76 which is fixedly attached to the lift arm drive screw 80. The screw lift arm drive 80 has a first end 82 which is supported for rotation by a bushing 86. The arm drive screw of Lift 80 is in threaded engagement with a lifting arm drive nut 88, which travels over a portion of the length of lifting arm drive screw 80 as the lift arm drive screw 80 rotates. lifting arm 62 comprises a portion on the left 64 and a portion on the right 66 and has a lateral contour in generally arcuate shape. The lifting arm 62 has a first end 68 and a second end 70. The lifting arm 62 pivotally mounts the chassis 20 proximate the first end 68 so that it pivoted with respect to the housing 15 preferably by means of a pivot shaft 72 which it also serves preferably to support the front wheels 52, 56. The lifting arm 62 moves between a retracted position 62a (Figures 1-6) generally against the housing 15 so as to allow the toy vehicle 10 to be supported on the supporting surface by a plurality of road wheels. 52-58 and an extended portion 62b (Figure 10) generally away from the housing 15 so as to make contact with the support surface S and lift the plurality of road wheels 52-58 from the surface under the action of the drive motor lift arm 38. Limit switches 90 operate to prevent movement of the lift arm 62 beyond the desired retracted and extended positions 62a, 62b. Referring now to Figures 7, 9A and 9B, a post 100 is pivotally connected to the lifting arm drive nut 88 at a first end 102 and rigidly (rigidly in at least one direction of rotation corresponding to the movement of the arm. of elevation 62 from the retracted position 62a to the extended position 62b) connected at a second end 104 to the lifting arm 62 by means of a pivot shaft 112. The post 100 is also preferably an anti-shock assembly and includes a shock absorbing arm 106 which slides in a shock absorbing sleeve 108 which mounts a spring 110. The post 100 is biased by the spring 110 into a "standing blunt" position shown in Figure 9A, where the arm 106 is deflected in engagement with the sleeve 108. In this way, the post 100 can be lengthened, but not shortened, from its deviated position with nominal spring. This configuration operably couples the shock / pole assembly 100 and its spring 110 with the lift arm drive nut 88. With particular reference to Figures 1, 2 and 8, the body 120, which has a lateral contour in generally arched shape, preferably it is an assembly that includes a central body 122, a left body panel 124, a right body panel 126 and decorative panels 128. First and second arched harrow members 130, 132 preferably being generally radially extended from the central body 122 and being positioned outwardly from the central body 122 to protect the central body 122 during displacement. Each drag member 130, 132 has a first end 134 and a. second end 136. Each of the first ends 134 have a tangential line 134a which is almost coplanar with a tangential first plane 138 which is tangent to external positions of the front wheels 52, 56. Similarly, each of the second ends 136 has a tangential line 136a which is almost coplanar with a second tangential plane 140, which is tangent to external portions of the rear wheels 54, 58. The harrow members 130, 132 have a lateral outline in generally arcuate shape between first and second ends of the harrow members, the lateral contour of the harrow member having a radius 142. This design allows the toy vehicle 10 to experience a tumbling movement, smooth and efficient end-to-end jumps as the toy vehicle 10 rolls on the front wheels 52, 56, the dredge members 130, 132 and the rear wheels 54, 58. Dredge rails 144 can be attached to the or length of the outermost radial portions of the drag members 130, 132. A fin 150 is preferably provided pivotally mounted in the housing 15, more specifically in the central body 122. The fin 150 is biased by a spring twist 154 within a retracted position (not shown), essentially within the arcuate lateral contour of the vehicle body 120, when the lift arm 62 is in the extended position 62b. When the lifting arm is in the retracted position 62a, the second end of the lifting arm 70 engages a lower surface 152 of the flap, and pushes the flap 150 into an unfolded position 150a extending outwardly from the arched lateral contour of the vehicle body. In addition to the functional characteristics of the fin 150 described hereinafter, the fin 150 has an aesthetic function. With particular reference to Figure 10, when the lifting arm 62 is in its extended position 62b, the combination of the lifting arm 62, the outer perimeters of the wheels 52-58, and the harrow members 130, 132 have an outline lateral that has a generally arched shape. The arched contour has a diameter 160 which is approximately twice the radius 142. Figure 11 schematically depicts how the lifting arm 62 moves between the extended position 62a generally away from the housing 15 and the retracted position 62b generally against the housing 15. As the lift arm drive nut 88 moves from a first position 88a to a second position 88b, the lift arm 62 pivots about the base chassis plate 30 from the retracted position 62a to the extended position 62b. The length of the post 100 is constant as it moves between a first position 100a associated with the first position of the lifting arm drive nut 88a, and a second position 100b, associated with the second position of the driving nut of the lifting arm. lifting arm 88b, as the shock absorbing arm 106 is deflected in engagement with the shock absorbing sleeve 108 by the spring 110. Control of the toy vehicle 10 is conventional. Referring to Figure 7, the toy vehicle 10 includes a control circuitry 170 preferably mounted on a circuit board 172. The control circuitry 170 includes a wireless signal receiving circuit 174, a first control circuit. of motor 176, a second motor control circuit 178 and a lift arm drive motor control circuit 180, all operatively coupled with and together through a central processor 182. The control circuitry 170 it is operatively connected to an on-board electrical power supply 190, preferably a rechargeable battery, and in particular, a group of flexible segmented batteries 190a. A group of standard 190b rigid rechargeable batteries or conventional non-rechargeable batteries (not shown) can be used. The toy vehicle 10 is preferably additionally provided with an on / off switch 192. In operation, a user activates the toy by means of an on / off switch 192. The user can then proceed to use a wireless transmitter (not shown). ) to control the operation of the three drive motors 34, 36 and / or 38. The toy vehicle 10 can be governed in the conventional manner of a tank by varying the relative direction and / or rotation speeds of the first motor 34 and the wheels left side 52, 54 and the second motor 36 and the right side wheels 56, 58. The user can further command the lift arm drive motor 38 to quickly move the lift arm 62 between the retracted position 62a and the extended position 62b by the rotation of the lifting arm drive screw 80. In the extended position 62b the lifting arm extends m beyond a plane defined by the outermost lower surfaces of the wheels 52-58, in such a way that the lifting arm 62 hits a supporting surface S on which the toy vehicle 10 is traveling. In this way, the lifting arm 62 tends to impart a lifting force to toy vehicle 10 as lifting arm 62 moves from retracted position 62a to extended position 62b. Once the lifting of the wheels is carried out 52-58, given the sufficiently round lateral contour of the toy vehicle 10 defined collectively by the arched lateral contours of the vehicle body 120 and the lifting arm 62 in the extended position, the toy vehicle 10 has to roll or roll, jumps from one end to the other while the lifting arm 62 is in the extended position 62b and the toy vehicle 10 has sufficient movement to sustain the tilting movement. When the lift arm 62 is returned to the retracted position 62a by the operator and the road wheels 52-58 are allowed to make contact with a support surface S, the toy vehicle resumes the conventional four-wheel drive operation. An abrupt change in the direction of rotation of the wheels of the toy vehicle 10 can also initiate a somersault maneuver, even if the lift arm 62 is in the retracted position 62a. If the rotation is abruptly changed from forward propulsion to reverse propulsion, a rolling forward movement can be initiated. If the lifting arm 62 is in the retracted position 62a, the vane 150 is deflected by the lifting arm 150 in the deployed position of the vane 150a. As the toy vehicle 10 tumbles, jumps forward in the forward bearing, the toy vehicle 10 rolls on the fin 150. By doing so, the fin 150 is pushed against the lifting arm 62, tending to move the lever arm 62 within the extended position 62b or partially towards the extended position 62b and also tending to push the post 100 in tension against the deflection of the spring 110. In this way, when the toy vehicle 10 is engaged in a bearing towards forward and the lifting arm 62 is in the retracted position 62a, the lifting arm 62 can move momentarily at least towards the extended position 62b by the fin 150. Alternatively, if the rotation of the wheels of the toy vehicle 10 is changed abruptly from an inverse propulsion to a forward propulsion, a backward rolling movement can be driven. In this case, if the lifting arm 62 is in the retracted position 62a, the fin 150 remains in the unfolded position 150a, and extends radially beyond the radius of the harrow member 142. If the toy vehicle 10 has sufficient movement , the fin 150 acts as a vault member, and tends to elevate the toy vehicle 10 from a support surface S as the support surface S is in engagement with the fin 150. As yet another alternative embodiment, if the flap 150 is in the unfolded position 150a during a backward rolling and movement of toy vehicle 10 is sufficiently slow, toy vehicle 10 can take a stable position where toy vehicle 10 is supported by rear wheels 54 and 58 and flap 150. In such a position, the continuous operation of the rear wheels 54 and / or 58 can result in additional dynamic maneuvers, for example, maneuvers of a 360 degree turn From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention comprises a toy vehicle capable of performing entertainment and highly dynamic acrobatic maneuvers. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made to the embodiment described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiment described, but is proposed to cover modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (22)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A toy vehicle (10) having a front end (22) and a rear end (24) and first and second lateral sides (26, 28), characterized in that it comprises: a housing (15) including a vehicle body (120) having a lateral contour in generally arched form; a plurality of road wheels (52, 54, 56, 58) that support the housing for movement through a support surface (S) and that includes at least one rear road wheel (54, 58) assembled from rotating manner proximate the rear end so as to at least partially support the rear end and at least one front track wheel (52, 56) rotatably mounted proximate the front end so as to support at least partially the front end; at least one first motor (34) driven in a drive manner with at least one of the front and rear path wheels; and a lifting mechanism (60) including a lifting arm (62) having first and second ends (68, 70) and a lateral contour in generally arcuate shape, the second end of the lifting arm being free and the first end of the lifting arm being pivotally mounted with respect to the housing so as to allow the lifting arm to move between a retracted position (62a) generally against the housing so as to allow the toy vehicle to be supported on the supporting surface by the plurality of road wheels and an extended position (62b) generally away from the housing so as to make contact with the supporting surface and lift the plurality of road wheels from the surface, the toy vehicle having a defined arcuate lateral contour of collectively by the arched lateral contours of the vehicle body and the lifting arm in the extended position sufficiently round to allow the vehicle to roll from end to end.

2. The toy vehicle according to claim 1, further characterized in that it further comprises: a fin (150) mounted on the housing so as to move within an unfolded position (150a) extending outwardly from the contour arched side of the vehicle body when the lifting arm is in the retracted position and moving within a retracted position essentially within the arched lateral contour of the vehicle body when the lifting arm is in the extended position.

3. The toy vehicle according to claim 1, further characterized in that the lifting mechanism further comprises: a lifting arm drive motor (38); a lifting arm drive screw (80) operably coupled with the drive motor; and a lifting arm drive nut (88) in threaded engagement with the screw 2 lifting arm drive and operatively coupled with the lifting arm.

4. The toy vehicle according to claim 3, further characterized in that the lifting mechanism further comprises: a post (100) operatively coupled to the drive nut and the lift arm at an intermediate point between the first end of the lifting arm and the second end of the lifting arm.

5. The toy vehicle according to claim 3, further characterized in that the lifting mechanism further comprises an anti-shock assembly (100) with a spring (110) operatively coupled with the drive nut.

6. The toy vehicle according to claim 3, further characterized in that it further comprises a gear train (74) operatively coupled to the lifting arm drive motor and to the lifting arm drive screw.

7. The toy vehicle according to claim 3, further characterized in that the first motor is drivingly coupled with at least two road wheels (52, 54) on the first lateral side of the toy vehicle.

8. The toy vehicle according to claim 6, further characterized in that the first motor is coupled in a driving manner with at least one road wheel (52, 54) on the first side of the toy vehicle and the vehicle The toy comprises additionally: a second motor (36) coupled in a driving manner with at least one of the plurality of road wheels (56, 58) located on the second lateral side of the toy vehicle, the second motor being operable independently of the first engine.

9. The toy vehicle according to claim 8, further characterized in that it further comprises a set of control circuits (170) including a wireless signal receiver (174) operatively connected to a power supply (190). ), wherein the set of circuits with the receiver selectively and operably couples the electrical power supply with each of the first and second motors and the lifting arm drive motor.

10. The toy vehicle according to claim 1, further characterized in that the vehicle body is an assembly that includes: a central body (122); and first and second harrow members (130, 132) generally extending radially from the central body, each harrow member having a first end (134) and a second end (136) and having a generally shaped lateral contour arced between the first and the second ends, the first and second drag members being positioned outwardly from the central body to protect the central body during the bearing.

11. A toy vehicle (10) having a front end (22) and a rear end (24) and first and second lateral sides (26, 28), characterized in that it comprises: a housing (15); a plurality of road wheels (52, 54, 56, 58) generally located below the housing and including at least one road wheel rotatably mounted proximate the rear end of the toy vehicle so as to at least partially support the rear end and at least one road wheel rotatably mounted proximate the front end of the toy vehicle so as to support at least partially the front end; a lifting mechanism (60) supported at least partially by the housing, the lifting mechanism including: a lifting arm (62) having first and second ends (68, 70), the lifting arm being pivotally mounted proximate to the first end so that it pivoted with respect to the housing between a retracted position (62a) so as to allow the toy vehicle to be supported on a surface (S) by the plurality of road wheels and an extended position (62b) in contact with the surface supporting the toy vehicle so as to lift the plurality of road wheels from the surface; a lifting arm drive motor (38); a lifting arm drive screw (80) operably coupled with the lifting arm drive motor; a lifting arm drive nut (88) in threaded engagement with the lifting arm drive screw; and a post (100) operatively coupled between the drive nut and the lift arm at an intermediate point between the first end of the lift arm and the second end of the lift arm.

12. - The toy vehicle according to claim 11, further characterized in that it further comprises a gear train (74) operatively coupled to the lifting arm drive motor and to the lifting arm drive screw. 13.- The toy vehicle in accordance with the claim 11, further characterized by aionally comprising: a fin (150) mounted in the housing so as to move within an unfolded position (150a) extending outwardly from the housing when the lift arm is in the retracted position and that moves within the retracted position essentially against the housing when the lifting arm is in the extended position. 14. The toy vehicle according to claim 11, further characterized in that the post comprises an anti-shock assembly (100). 15.- The toy vehicle in accordance with the claim 11, further characterized in that the post is an assembly that includes a spring (110) operatively coupled with the drive nut. 16. The toy vehicle according to claim 11, further characterized in that it aionally comprises a first motor (34) coupled in a driving manner with at least one of the plurality of road wheels (52, 54) on the first side side. 17. The toy vehicle according to claim 16, further characterized in that the first motor is coupled in a driving manner with at least one second road wheel of the plurality (52, 54) on the first lateral side. 18.- The toy vehicle in accordance with the claim 16, further characterized in that it aionally comprises a second motor (36) engaged in a drive manner with at least one of the plurality of road wheels (56, 58) on the second lateral side, the second motor being operable independently of the first motor. 19. The toy vehicle according to claim 18, further characterized in that it aionally comprises a circuit set (170) that includes a wireless signal receiver (174) operably connected to an electrical power supply (190), wherein the set of circuits with the receiver selectively and operably couples to the electrical power supply with each of the first and second motors and the lifting arm drive motor. 20.- The toy vehicle in accordance with the claim 11, further characterized in that the housing comprises: a central body (122); and first and second harrow members (30, 132) generally extending radially from the central body, each harrow member having a first end (134) and a second end (136) and having a generally shaped lateral contour arcuate between the first and the second ends, the first and second drag members being positioned outward from the central body to protect the central body during the bearing, the lateral contours of the vehicle body and the lifting arm in the extended position collectively being sufficiently round to allow the vehicle to roll from end to end. 21. A toy vehicle (10), characterized in that it comprises: a vehicle chassis (20) having a front end (22) and a rear end (24) and first and second lateral sides (26, 28); at least one rear road wheel (54, 58) rotatably coupled to the chassis proximal to the rear end so as to at least partially support the rear end; at least one front road wheel (52, 56) rotatably coupled to the chassis proximal to the front end so as to at least partially support the front end; at least one first motor (34, 36) coupled in a driving manner with at least one of the front and rear track wheels; a vehicle body (120) connected to the vehicle chassis and having a generally arcuate lateral contour; and a lifting mechanism (60) including a lifting arm (62) having first and second ends (68, 70) and a generally arched lateral contour, the second end of the lifting arm being free and the first end of the lifting arm being pivotally connected to the chassis so as to allow the lifting arm to move between a retracted position (62a) that allows the vehicle to be supported on a surface (S) by the road wheels and an extended position ( 62b) which makes contact with the surface supporting the vehicle and which raises the road wheels from the surface, the vehicle has an arched lateral contour defined collectively by the arched lateral contours of the vehicle body and the lifting arm in the position extended sufficiently round to allow the vehicle to roll from one end to the other. 22. A toy vehicle (10), characterized in that it comprises: a vehicle chassis (20) having a front end (22) and a rear end (24) and first and second lateral sides (26, 28); a plurality of road wheels (52, 54, 56, 58) including at least one road wheel rotatably coupled to the chassis near the rear end and located on the vehicle so as to support at least partially the end rear and at least one road wheel rotatably coupled to the chassis near the front end and located on the vehicle so as to at least partially support the front end; A lifting mechanism (60) attached to the chassis includes: a lifting arm (62) having first and second ends (68, 70), the lifting arm being pivotally connected to the chassis near the second end to move between a retracted position (62a) which allows the vehicle to be supported on a surface (S) by the plurality of road wheels and an extended position (62b) in contact with the surface supporting the vehicle, and which raises the plurality of road wheels from the surface; a lifting arm drive motor (38); a lifting arm drive screw (80) operably coupled with the lifting arm drive motor; a lifting arm drive nut (88) in threaded engagement with the lifting arm drive screw; and a post (100) operatively coupled between the drive nut and the lift arm at an intermediate point between the first end of the lift arm and the second end of the lift arm.