US3751851A - Toy vehicle - Google Patents

Toy vehicle Download PDF

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Publication number
US3751851A
US3751851A US00289250A US3751851DA US3751851A US 3751851 A US3751851 A US 3751851A US 00289250 A US00289250 A US 00289250A US 3751851D A US3751851D A US 3751851DA US 3751851 A US3751851 A US 3751851A
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United States
Prior art keywords
wheel
frame
vehicle
front wheel
pinion
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00289250A
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English (en)
Inventor
Y Nagai
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Tomy Kogyo Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Tomy Kogyo Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Tomy Kogyo Co Ltd filed Critical Tomy Kogyo Co Ltd
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3751851A publication Critical patent/US3751851A/en
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H17/00—Toy vehicles, e.g. with self-drive; ; Cranes, winches or the like; Accessories therefor
    • A63H17/21—Toy vehicles, e.g. with self-drive; ; Cranes, winches or the like; Accessories therefor shaped as motorcycles with or without figures
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H17/00—Toy vehicles, e.g. with self-drive; ; Cranes, winches or the like; Accessories therefor
    • A63H17/26—Details; Accessories
    • A63H17/36—Steering-mechanisms for toy vehicles
    • A63H17/40—Toy vehicles automatically steering or reversing by collision with an obstacle

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A toy vehicle provided with a front driving and steering wheel is provided with a system permitting the front wheel to automatically change direction when hitting an obstacle so as to permit the vehicle to pass around the obstacle and continue its movement.
  • the vehicle includes a body provided with a source of energy and a motor.
  • the front wheel frame is mounted to freely rotate with respect to the body and a wheel is mounted for rotation about the axle of the frame.
  • the motor turns a drive shaft which is positioned along an axis intersecting the surface along which the vehicle moves at an angle less than 90.
  • the drive shaft terminates in a pinion wheel which meshes with a rack of continuous teeth formed as a part of the front wheel rotating same so as to propel the vehicle along the surface.
  • the motor rotates a second resilient pinion wheel positioned adjacent the top of the front wheel frame, which frame is provided with a raised portion including opposed curvilinear surfaces.
  • the rotating second gear wheel does not contact the curvilinear surfaces.
  • the front wheel frame is caused to rotate in turn causing one of the curvilinear surfaces of the raised portion to engage the rotating second pinion wheel at which time the front wheel is abruptly rotated causing the vehicle to immediately travel in a different direction to avoid further contact with the obstacle to the amusement of 3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENHEM 3.751 .851
  • the present invention relates generally to the class of toy vehicles in which the front wheel powers the vehicle along a surface and also rotates with respect to the vehicle so as to guide same.
  • trouble is frequently experienced in propelling the vehicle along a straight path and the childs interest is diminished when the vehicle strikes obstructions. It is apparent that the childs interest in the toy may only be maintained if the vehicle is able to negotiate obstructions, such as walls, in such a manner as to insure continuous action.
  • toy vehicles of the class described normally travel in a straight line while the front wheel is caused to automatically turn when hitting an obstacle so as to permit the vehicle to travel in a new direction.
  • the motor turns a drive shaft positioned along an axis intersecting the surface along which the vehicle moves at an angle less than 90.
  • the drive shaft terminates in a pinion wheel which meshes with teeth formed as a part of the front wheel for turning same.
  • the front wheel is mounted for rotation with respect to the remainder of the vehicle. As the front wheel of the vehicle strikes an obstruction, it is turned to one side. Raised curvilinear surfaces forming a part of the frame of the front wheel are then moved into engagement with a rotating resilient pinion wheel also powered by the vehicle motor at which time the front wheel is abruptly rotated causing the vehicle to immediately travel in a different direction to avoid further contact with the obstacle.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toy vehicle embodying the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a side elevational view in cross section taken along line 22 of FIG. 1 illustrating the vehicle motor and gear train, the rotatably mounted front wheel frame, the sloping drive shaft for turning the front wheel and the system for abruptly rotating the front wheel permitting the vehicle to move around obstacles, if necessary;
  • FIG. 3A is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 illustrating the front wheel during those times the vehicle is normally moving straightforward;
  • FIG. 3B is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 illustrating the front wheel being automatically rotated by action of the resilient pinion wheel against one of the curvilinear surfaces of the wheel frame as the vehicle strikes an object so as to cause the vehicle to abruptly change direction;
  • FIG. 4 is the side elevational view partly in section illustrating the driving and steering mechanisms of many conventional toy vehicles.
  • the reference numeral in FIGS. 1 and 2 designates generally the vehicle which, for example, may be a motor cycle.
  • the body of the vehicle 12 is provided with a compartment 14 within which batteries 16 are located, and, further, includes supports 18 within which a miniature electric motor 20 of conventional construction is mounted. Suitable electrical contacts 22 and wiring 24 are employed to energize the motor 20 by the batteries 16. Such construction is well known in the prior art and needs no further elaboration herein.
  • the body 12 is further provided with a rear axle 26 about which the rear wheel 28 is mounted for rotation.
  • the reference numeral 30 designates a frame pro vided with an axle 32 about which the front wheel 34 is mounted to rotate.
  • the front wheel 34 is provided with a rack 36 of continuous teeth, the purpose of which will be described in detail hereinafter.
  • a gear train generally designated by the reference numeral 38 is mounted within a chassis 40, as illustrated in FIG. 2.
  • the shaft of the motor 20 terminates in a pinion wheel 42 which meshes with and rotates the gear wheel 44 which is loosely mounted about the shaft 46 which is appropriately journaled within the chassis 40.
  • the gear wheel 44 is provided with a smaller gear wheel 48 which is also loosely mounted about the shaft 46 and which meshes with and rotates the gear wheel 50 rigidly secured to the shaft 52 which is also journaled within the chassis 40.
  • the shaft 52 terminates downwardly in pinion wheel 54 which meshes with the continuous rack of circular teeth 36 of the front wheel 34.
  • the pinion wheel 42 meshes with and rotates the gear wheel 44.
  • its smaller associated wheel 48 meshes with and rotates the gear wheel 50 which, in turn, causes the shaft 52 to rotate.
  • the rotation of the shaft 52 causes the pinion wheel 54 to rotate so as to mesh with the circular teeth 36 of the front wheel 34 rotating same propelling the vehicle 10 along any surface.
  • the shaft 52 terminates upwardly in a gear wheel 56 rigidly secured thereto which meshes with the gear wheel 58 which is rigidly secured to the shaft 46.
  • the shaft 46 passes loosely through gear wheels 44 and 48 terminating downwardly in a pinion wheel 60 constructed of resilient material, for example, rubber, the purpose of which will be explained in detail hereinafter.
  • a pinion wheel 60 constructed of resilient material, for example, rubber, the purpose of which will be explained in detail hereinafter.
  • the reference numeral 62 designates a bushing mounted about the shaft 52 and having one end thereof loosely supported against the bottom of the frame or chassis 40 and the other end thereof supported against an abutment 65 formed in the shaft 52.
  • the wheel frame 30 is mounted to the busing 62 so as to permit the wheel 34 to rotate freely about the shaft 52.
  • the raised portion 64 comprises flat front and rear surfaces 66 and curvilinear side surfaces 68 therebetween.
  • the front wheel 34 As will now be apparent, if the vehicle 10 is traveling forward in a straight line, as illustrated in FIG. 3A, and suddenly strikes a surface designated generally by the reference numeral 70, the front wheel 34, always free to rotate, will be turned to one side or the other, for example, counter clockwise as illustrated in FIG. 38.
  • the continuously rotating pinion wheel 60 never touches the flat front and rear surfaces 66 of the raised portion 64 of the frame 30.
  • the rotating pinion wheel 60 engages one of the curvilinear side surfaces 68 of the raised portion 64.
  • the wheel frame 30 and the front wheel 34 are abruptly rotated counterclockwise, as illustrated in FIG. 38, by the clockwise rotation of the pinion wheel 60.
  • the abrupt rotation of the frame 30 and the moving front wheel 34 cause the vehicle 10 to immediately move in a new direction determined by the position of the wheel frame 30. If, however, the vehicle 10 strikes an obstruction 70 and the wheel frame 30 is turned clockwise, as soon as the curvilinear surface 68 engages the rotating pinion wheel 60, the frame 30 and front wheel 34 will be immediately rotated counterclockwise.
  • the wheel frame 30 depending upon the geometry of the obstruction and the angle that the vehicle 10 strikes same may be caused to rotate varying degrees, for example, 180 reversing the direction of travel to the amusement of the child.
  • FlG. 4 is illustrated a conventional motor and gear train for operating toy vehicles similar to that of the present invention.
  • the shaft 72 for driving the front wheel 74 is positioned along an axis generally perpendicular to the surface along which the front wheel 74 moves.
  • the front wheel 74 and its frame 76 in such conventional toys thus rotates freely with respect to the body 78 of the vehicle.
  • the front wheel 74 and frame 76 frequently rotate even though the vehicle has not contacted an obstacle thus preventing the vehicle from running in a straight path.
  • This problem is avoided in the present invention by inclining the axis of the drive shaft 52 at an angle less than 90 with respect to the surface along which the front wheel 34 moves. The force exerted by the ground surface against the front wheel no longer being coincident with the drive shaft, the tendency of the front wheel to turn during normal travel is reduced.
  • the rotating pinion wheel 60 insures that the wheel frame 30 will be rotated sufficiently upon contact with an obstruction to permit the vehicle 10 to change direction immediately so as to work its way around the obstruction.
  • a toy vehicle provided with the present invention may literally maneuver its way around an infinite number of obstacles. The attention of the child is maintained since the vehicle 10 continues to move at will regardless of the number or nature of the obstacles placed in its path.
  • a toy vehicle comprising:
  • a body provided with a source of energy and a motor
  • a frame provided with an axle, means mounting said frame to rotate with respect to said body, said frame being provided with a portion having opposed curvilinear surfaces;
  • a wheel means mounting said wheel to rotate about said axle of said frame, said wheel being provided with a series of continuous teeth;
  • means operatively connecting said motor to said frame and said wheel including a gear train, a shaft operatively connected to said gear train and terminating in a pinion wheel meshing with said teeth of said wheel so as to rotate said wheel and a second pinion wheel operatively connected to said gear train and normally spaced from said curvilinear surfaces of said frame such that as said wheel strikes an object said frame is rotated with respect to said body until one of said curvilinear surfaces thereof engages said rotating second pinion wheel at which time said frame and said front wheel are abruptly rotated with respect to said body permitting said vehicle to immediately change its direc tion to continue movement around the object.
  • said portion of said frame wherein said curvilinear surfaces are located further comprises flat surfaces positioned between said curvilinear surfaces intersecting same and lying on opposite sides of said shaft generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of said body, said second pinion wheel being normally spaced from said flat surfaces when said frame is aligned with said body of said vehicle when said vehicle is moving in a straight path.

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  • Toys (AREA)
US00289250A 1972-03-16 1972-09-15 Toy vehicle Expired - Lifetime US3751851A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP1972032152U JPS5122799Y2 (en]) 1972-03-16 1972-03-16

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3751851A true US3751851A (en) 1973-08-14

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00289250A Expired - Lifetime US3751851A (en) 1972-03-16 1972-09-15 Toy vehicle

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US (1) US3751851A (en])
JP (1) JPS5122799Y2 (en])

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4232479A (en) * 1978-10-05 1980-11-11 Von Winckelmann Emil H Toy racing car
US4290228A (en) * 1980-02-13 1981-09-22 Adolph E. Goldfarb Toy vehicles with automatic banking
US4383388A (en) * 1980-11-26 1983-05-17 Icd Corporation Toy remote-control motor bicycle
US4445297A (en) * 1982-04-30 1984-05-01 Arco Industries Ltd. Toy motorcycle with lighting mechanism
USD276059S (en) 1982-07-13 1984-10-23 Kidco, Inc. Toy motorcycle
USD277771S (en) 1982-07-08 1985-02-26 Blue Box Toy Factory Limited Toy motorcycle
US4902271A (en) * 1988-02-12 1990-02-20 Tomy Kogyo Co., Inc. Radio controlled steering device for a two-wheeled vehicle toy
US4966569A (en) * 1989-02-01 1990-10-30 Green Corporation Radio controlled two-wheeled vehicle toy
US5368516A (en) * 1993-10-21 1994-11-29 Bang Zoom Design Inc. Radio controlled two-wheeled toy motorcycle
US5489232A (en) * 1995-01-03 1996-02-06 Chien Ti Enterprise Co., Ltd. Model motorcycle
USD399270S (en) 1996-01-31 1998-10-06 Mattel, Inc. Ride-on toy vehicle
US20060121824A1 (en) * 2004-10-26 2006-06-08 Lee Chun W Remote-controlled motorcycle and method of counter-steering
USD559332S1 (en) 2005-01-07 2008-01-08 Mattel, Inc. Toy motorcycle
US20110183577A1 (en) * 2010-01-22 2011-07-28 Anderson Model Co., Ltd. Remote control two-wheel model
US8925937B2 (en) * 2012-12-12 2015-01-06 Taiwan Jodani Industrial Co., Ltd. Toddler walker
CN109011624A (zh) * 2018-09-04 2018-12-18 昆明理工大学 一种双绕线轮s型无碳小车

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2091872A (en) * 1936-04-22 1937-08-31 Muller Heinrich Toy vehicle
US2698497A (en) * 1950-02-13 1955-01-04 Muller Heinrich Toy motorcyclist
US2814906A (en) * 1956-11-19 1957-12-03 Arthur H Orvis Toy outboard motor

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2091872A (en) * 1936-04-22 1937-08-31 Muller Heinrich Toy vehicle
US2698497A (en) * 1950-02-13 1955-01-04 Muller Heinrich Toy motorcyclist
US2814906A (en) * 1956-11-19 1957-12-03 Arthur H Orvis Toy outboard motor

Cited By (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4232479A (en) * 1978-10-05 1980-11-11 Von Winckelmann Emil H Toy racing car
US4290228A (en) * 1980-02-13 1981-09-22 Adolph E. Goldfarb Toy vehicles with automatic banking
US4383388A (en) * 1980-11-26 1983-05-17 Icd Corporation Toy remote-control motor bicycle
US4445297A (en) * 1982-04-30 1984-05-01 Arco Industries Ltd. Toy motorcycle with lighting mechanism
USD277771S (en) 1982-07-08 1985-02-26 Blue Box Toy Factory Limited Toy motorcycle
USD276059S (en) 1982-07-13 1984-10-23 Kidco, Inc. Toy motorcycle
US4902271A (en) * 1988-02-12 1990-02-20 Tomy Kogyo Co., Inc. Radio controlled steering device for a two-wheeled vehicle toy
US4966569A (en) * 1989-02-01 1990-10-30 Green Corporation Radio controlled two-wheeled vehicle toy
US5368516A (en) * 1993-10-21 1994-11-29 Bang Zoom Design Inc. Radio controlled two-wheeled toy motorcycle
WO1995011069A1 (en) * 1993-10-21 1995-04-27 Hoeting Michael G Radio controlled two-wheeled toy motorcycle
US5489232A (en) * 1995-01-03 1996-02-06 Chien Ti Enterprise Co., Ltd. Model motorcycle
USD399270S (en) 1996-01-31 1998-10-06 Mattel, Inc. Ride-on toy vehicle
US20060121824A1 (en) * 2004-10-26 2006-06-08 Lee Chun W Remote-controlled motorcycle and method of counter-steering
US7503828B2 (en) 2004-10-26 2009-03-17 Mattel, Inc. Remote-controlled motorcycle and method of counter-steering
USD559332S1 (en) 2005-01-07 2008-01-08 Mattel, Inc. Toy motorcycle
US20110183577A1 (en) * 2010-01-22 2011-07-28 Anderson Model Co., Ltd. Remote control two-wheel model
US8925937B2 (en) * 2012-12-12 2015-01-06 Taiwan Jodani Industrial Co., Ltd. Toddler walker
CN109011624A (zh) * 2018-09-04 2018-12-18 昆明理工大学 一种双绕线轮s型无碳小车
CN109011624B (zh) * 2018-09-04 2024-03-22 昆明理工大学 一种双绕线轮s型无碳小车

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS48108797U (en]) 1973-12-15
JPS5122799Y2 (en]) 1976-06-11

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