WO2003102415A1

WO2003102415A1 - Key activated toy vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2003102415A1
Application number: PCT/US2002/035898
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mary Ellen Gertrude Fosbenner; Robert Jude Henry; Matthew Felix Agostini; William Francis Michael Dougherty; Gregory John Sisolak
Original assignee: Mattel, Inc.
Priority date: 2002-05-31
Filing date: 2002-11-08
Publication date: 2003-12-11
Also published as: US6565411B1; CA2389263A1

Abstract

A key activated toy vehicle (320) includes a body (322) having a front end (322a), a rear end (322b) and an exterior. The toy vehicle also includes a chassis (324) that accommodates the body (322). At least one of the body (322) and the chassis (324) defines an opening (323) to an interior of the toy vehicle (320). The toy vehicle (320) includes a spring (332) supported within the vehicle (320) so as to be compressed by a key (350) inserted through the opening (323) and to propel the toy vehicle (320) away from the key (350) upon decompressing. The toy vehicle (320) includes a moveable part (336) being supported on one of the chassis (324) and the body (322) for movement between a first position and a second position. The toy vehicle (320) includes an actuator mechanism (360) operably coupled with the spring (332) and moveably mounted within the vehicle (320) so as to be coupled with the moveable part (336) to move the part (336) from the first position to the second position.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

[0001] KEY ACTIVATED TOY VEHICLE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to key activated toy vehicles and, more particularly, to a key activated spring propelled toy vehicle.

[0003] Spring actuated toy vehicles are fairly well known in the art. Some previously disclosed spring actuated toy vehicles have a spring mounted internally to the vehicle coupled to a hammer or a plunger. The spring and hammer are capable of being compressed by either an external "key" or by a handle or lever partially exposed on the exterior of the toy vehicle. A release mechanism on the key or on the toy vehicle allows the spring and hammer to extend rapidly within the vehicle thereby propelling the vehicle in at least one direction. [0004] In another, more complex version of spring actuated toy vehicles, the toy vehicle further includes a base or launching pad where the spring and the hammer are mounted within the base. The toy vehicle is pushed into the base so as to rest against the hammer with the spring in the compressed position. A release mechanism on the base allows the spring and hammer to extend rapidly pushing the toy vehicle and propelling the toy vehicle forward. [0005] In yet another, even more complex version of a spring actuated toy vehicle, the toy vehicle has a spring mounted internally to the vehicle coupled to a hammer and is used in combination with a base having a launching lever to release the toy vehicle and subsequently the hammer and spring to thereby propel the toy vehicle forward. [0006] Other toy vehicles that are not spring actuated are propelled by conventional electrical motors include figurines that are moved by a system of levers, gears and cams to simulate action by the figurines. The gears are in mesh with take-off gears from the drive motor to provide the power for movement. [0007] What is not provided by the previously disclosed spring actuated toy vehicles and toy vehicles with moving figurines is a toy vehicle that moves or actuates a moveable part of the vehicle in addition to propelling the vehicle from a common spring biased mechanism.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Briefly stated, in one aspect of the present invention is a key activated toy vehicle. The toy vehicle comprises a body having a front end, a rear end and an exterior. The toy vehicle also comprises a chassis that accommodates the body and has at least a front wheel proximate the front end and a rear wheel proximate the rear end. At least one of the body and the chassis defines an opening to an interior of the toy vehicle. The toy vehicle also includes a spring supported within the vehicle so as to be compressed by a key inserted through the opening and to propel the toy vehicle away from the key upon decompressing. The toy vehicle also includes a moveable part having at least a portion on the exterior of the body and being supported on at least one of the chassis and the body for movement between a first position and a second position. The toy vehicle further includes an actuator mechanism operably coupled with the spring and moveably mounted within the vehicle so as to be coupled with the moveable part so as to move the part from the first position to the second position as the actuator mechanism moves against the bias of the spring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. [0010] In the drawings:

[0011] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a key activated toy vehicle in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention with a moveable part in a first position; [0012] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the key activated toy vehicle of Fig. 1 with the moveable part in a second position; and [0013] Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the toy vehicle of Fig. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words "right," "left," "lower" and "upper" designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words "inwardly" and "outwardly" refer to directions toward and away from respectively, the geometric center of the device discussed and designated parts thereof. The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar import. Additionally, the word "a" as used in the claims and in the corresponding portions of the specification, means "one or more than one." [0015] In the drawings, like numerals are used to indicate like elements throughout. Referring to the drawings in detail, there is shown in Figs. 1-3 a key activated toy vehicle 320 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The key activated toy vehicle 320 has the overall appearance of either a police cruiser (Fig. 1) or an undercover police car (Fig. 2). The key activated toy vehicle 320 has a body 322, a chassis 324, and a plunger 326. The body 322 has a front end 322a and a rear end 322b. The body 322 is one of a police car, a fire rig, a fire truck, a tow truck, a sport utility vehicle, an off-road vehicle, a search-light vehicle, an ambulance, a helicopter, a boat, and a hovercraft. Preferably, the body 322 is a police car. The chassis 324 accommodates the body 322 and has at least a front wheel 328 at the front end 322a of the body 322 and rear wheel 330 at the rear end 322b of the body 322.

Preferably, the toy vehicle 320 has two front wheels 328 moveably mounted on a front axle 329 and two rear wheels 330 moveably mounted on two rear axles 331a, 331b. At least one of the body 322 and the chassis 324 defines an opening 323 to an interior of the key activated toy vehicle 320. Preferably, the chassis 324 defines the opening 323. At least a first spring 332 is supported within the key activated toy vehicle 320 so as to be compressed by a key 350 inserted through the opening 323 and to propel the toy vehicle 320 away from the key 350 upon decompressing. Preferably, the key activated vehicle 320 includes three springs 332, 348, 349. Preferably, one or more of the springs 332, 348, 349 are operably coupled with the plunger 326 and bias the plunger 326 toward the rear end 322b of the body 322. The key activated toy vehicle 320 also includes a moveable part 336 in the form of rotatable cab portion supported on at least one of the chassis 324 and the body 322 for movement between a first position and a second position.

[0016] The moveable part 336 is one of a door, a window, a vehicle hood, a vehicle cab, and a trunk lid, but preferably is a vehicle cab. In the presently preferred embodiment, the moveable part 336 is mounted to the body 322 to pivot about a horizontal axis H (dashed line in Fig. 3). Preferably, the moveable part 336 has a first surface 337 and a second surface 339 each having sufficiently different features, to differentiate the first and second surfaces 337, 339. The key activated toy vehicle 320 further includes an actuator mechanism 360 operably coupled with the first spring 332 and moveably mounted within the vehicle 320 so as to be coupled with the moveable part 336 to move the part 336 from the first position to the second position as the actuator mechanism 360 moves against the bias of the first spring 332.

[0017] Referring to Fig. 3 in detail, the actuator mechanism 360 includes a crown gear 327 connected to the moveable part 336 proximate a location along the horizontal axis H. The crown gear 327 is fixed to the moveable part 336 by known means and preferably has gear teeth 327a on an end extending away from the moveable part 336. A drive gear 343 is in engagement with the crown gear 327. The actuator mechanism 360 also includes a lever 333 moveably coupled with the drive gear 323, the first spring 332 is positioned to bias the lever 333 toward the rear end 322b of the body 322. Preferably, an end 333A of the lever 333 extends out of a second opening 323 defined by the chassis 324 to allow the lever 333 to be pushed from outside the toy vehicle 320.

[0018] The moveable part 336 is also moved from the first position displaying the first surface 337 to the second position displaying the second surface 339 against the biasing force of the springs 332, 348, 349 in response to movement of the plunger 326. Preferably, the plunger 326 is also accessible through the opening 323 to allow movement by the key 350 when the key 350 is inserted into the opening 323. Due to the length of the lever 333 and the weight of the moveable part 336, the second and third biasing springs 348, 349 are provided in addition to the first spring 332 to return the key receiver 334 and the lever 333 to a position toward the rear end 322b of the body 322 with sufficient force to propel the key activated toy vehicle 320 and to turn the moveable part 336 back from the second position to the first position. Obviously any number of springs could be utilized without departing from the broad inventive scope of the present invention. [0019] The key activated toy vehicle 320 also includes the circuit 40 having a battery or batteries BT1, BT2, BT3. The batteries BT1, BT2, BT3 are mounted within at least one of the moveable part 336, the body 322 and the chassis 324 and held in place by a battery compartment cover 321. Preferably, the batteries BT1, BT2, BT3 are mounted in the moveable part 336. A light 42 is connected to the circuit 40 so as to be selectively illuminated.

Preferably, the light 42 is mounted through a hole 319 in the first surface 337 of the moveable part 336 under a light bar or lens cap 338. Additionally, the key activated toy vehicle 320 includes a sound generator 44 electrically connected to the circuit 40 for generating sound such as sirens, horns, and the like. Preferably, the sound generator 44 is a conventional speaker. However, the sound generator 44 may be other known sound generating devices such

Piezoelectric ceramic disks, electromechanical reeds and the like, without departing from the broad scope of the present invention. The circuit 40 further includes a contact switch 46 which is a normally-open, single-pole, dry-contact-type switch having a cam 46a on one of the contacts such that upon contact of the cam 46a, the switch 46 is closed causing the circuit 40 to energize the light 42 and the sound generator 44. Preferably, the cam 46a on one of the contacts of the switch 46 engages a protrusion on the crown gear 327 to close the switch 46 and cause the circuit 40 to energize the light 42 and the sound generator 44. The switch 46 may be other known types of switches, such as motion switches, ball-bearing switches and the like without departing from the broad inventive concept herein. [0020] Preferably, the key activated toy vehicle 320 is used in combination with the key 350. The key 350 includes the elongate key member 52 configured for extension into the opening 323 and for moveable contact with the plunger 326, a clasp member 54 moveably attached to the elongate key member 52 to pivot between a locked position and a released position, and a key spring or first torsion spring 56 positioned to bias the clasp member 54 into the locked position. The elongate key member 52 has a first end 52a that is designed (sized and shaped) to be inserted into the opening 323 and may optionally have integrally molded or shaped markings similar to a real key. The clasp member 54 is pivotally attached to the elongate key member 52 by a pivot pin 57. The key 350 further includes a thumb switch or thumb rest 358 pivotally attached to the elongate key member 52 by another pivot pin 57a and is biased by a second torsion spring 56a. Preferably, the clasp member 54 includes a detent 55 suitable for engagement in a retaining slot 325 in the chassis 324 of the key activated toy vehicle 320. The thumb rest 358 of the presently preferred embodiment has the overall appearance of a policeman's badge. The thumb rest 358 may have the overall appearance of other badges and other devices without departing from the present invention. [0021] In use, a user can press an exterior portion 333A of the lever 333 into the key activated toy vehicle 320 causing the lever 333 to turn the drive gear 343 thereby rotating the crown gear 327. The moveable part 336 is moved from the first position displaying the first surface 337 to the second position displaying the second surface 339 against the biasing force of the first spring 332. The crown gear 327 also makes contact with the cam 46a of the switch 46 closing the switch 46 and causing the light 42 to illuminate the light bar 338 and the sound generator 44 to generate a noise such as a siren or a horn. When the user removes pressure from the exterior portion 333A of the lever 333, the first spring 332 biases the lever 333 toward the rear end 322b of the body 322 and allows the moveable part 336 to return from the second position displaying the second surface 339 to the first position displaying the first surface 337 and the circuit 40 turns off the light 42 and the sound generator 44 after a predetermined period of time. A user may also insert the elongate key member 52 of the key 350 into the opening 323 against the biasing force of the first, second and third springs 332, 348, 349 pushing the key receiver 334, the plunger 326, and the lever 333 inwardly. If the user releases pressure from the thumb rest 358, the detent 55 of the clasp member 54 engages the retaining slot 325 of the chassis 324. The key 350 is thereby retained in a locked position with the first, second and third springs 332, 348, 349 fully compressed (loaded) ready to release pressure on the plunger 326, the lever 333 and the key receiver 334. The moveable part 336 is in the second position or in this case the second surface 339 is displayed from the top of the body 322. When the user grasps the second end 52b of the elongate key member 52 and gently presses on the thumb rest 358, the clasp member 54 moves from the locked position to the released position against the biasing force of torsion spring 56. The detent 55 of the clasp member 54 moves out of the retaining slot 325 allowing the first, second and third springs 332, 348, 349 to fully extend biasing the plunger 326 rapidly towards the rear of the key activated toy vehicle 320 imparting a propulsion force on the key activated toy vehicle 320 and allowing the key activated toy vehicle 320 to move in the forward direction. In the presently preferred embodiment, the first, second and third springs 332, 348, 349 serve a dual role in biasing the key receiver 334, the lever 333 and the plunger 226 toward the rear end 322b of the body 322 and also as a propulsion mechanism. [0022] From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention comprises a key activated toy vehicle including a vehicle or moveable part in or on either the chassis or the body wherein the vehicle or moveable part is moved by mechanical power from a key receiver, a lever or plunger that is spring biased to also propels the key activated toy vehicle. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS We claim:

1. A key activated toy vehicle (320) propelled utilizing a key (350), the toy vehicle (320) comprising: a body (322) having a front end (322a), a rear end (322b) and an exterior; a chassis (324) that accommodates the body (322) and has at least a front wheel (328) proximate the front end (322a) and a rear wheel (330) proximate the rear end (322b), at least one of the body (322) and the chassis (324) defining an opening (323) to an interior of the toy vehicle (320);

a spring (332) supported within the interior of the toy vehicle (320) so as to be compressed by a key (350) inserted through the opening (323) and to propel the toy vehicle (320) away from the key (350) upon decompressing; a moveable part (336) having at least a portion on the exterior of the body (322) and being supported on at least one of the chassis (324) and the body (322) for movement between a first position and a second position; and an actuator mechanism (360) operably coupled with the spring (332) and moveably mounted within the vehicle (320) so as to be coupled with the moveable part (336) to move the part (336) from the first position to the second position as the actuator mechanism (360) moves against the bias of the spring (332).

2. The key activated toy vehicle (320) according to claim 1 wherein the moveable part (336) has a first surface (337) visible on the vehicle (320) in at least the first position of the part (336) and a second surface (339) visible on the vehicle (320) in at least the second position of the part (336), each surface (337, 339) having sufficiently different features to differentiate the first and second surfaces (337, 339), the moveable part (336) being mounted to pivot about a horizontal axis (H).

3. The key activated toy vehicle (320) according to claim 2 wherein the actuator mechanism (360) comprises: a crown gear (327) connected to the moveable part (336) proximate a location along the horizontal axis (H); a drive gear (343) in engagement with the crown gear (327); and a lever (333) moveably coupled with the drive gear (343) and being biased rearwardly by the spring (332), whereby the moveable part (336) is moved from the first position displaying the first surface (337) to the second position displaying the second surface (339) in response to movement of the lever (333) against the biasing force of the spring (332).

4. The key activated toy vehicle (320) according to claim 1 further comprising a plunger (326) moveably supported in one of the chassis (324) and the body (322) and being biased either rearwardly or forwardly by the spring (332), wherein the plunger (326) imparts a propulsion force on the key activated toy vehicle (320) from decompressing of the spring (332).

5. The key activated toy vehicle (320) according to claim 4 in combination with the key (350), wherein the key (350) comprises an elongate key member (52) configured for extension through the opening (323) and for moveable contact with the plunger (326), a clasp member (54) moveably coupled with the elongate key member (52) to pivot between a locked position and a release position, and a key spring (56) positioned to bias the clasp member (54) into the locked position.

6. The key activated toy vehicle (320) according to claim 5 wherein the key (350) further comprises a badge (358) connected to the clasp member (54) that serves as a thumb switch for a user.

7. The key activated toy vehicle (320) according to claim 1 further comprising a circuit (40) having a battery (BT1) mounted within at least one of the moveable part (336), the body (322) and the chassis (324).

8. The key activated toy vehicle (320) according to claim 7 wherein the key activated toy vehicle (320) further includes a sound generator (44) electrically connected to the circuit (40).

9. The key activated toy vehicle (320) according to claim 7 wherein the key activated toy vehicle (320) further includes a light (42) electrically connected to the circuit (40).

10. The key activated toy vehicle (320) according to claim 1 wherein the moveable part (336) is one of a door, a window, a vehicle hood, a vehicle cab, and a trunk lid.

11. The key activated toy vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the body (322) is one of a police car, a fire rig, a fire truck, a tow truck, a sport utility vehicle, an off- road vehicle, a search-light vehicle, an ambulance, a helicopter, a boat, and a hovercraft.