WO2008112264A1 - Vehicule-jouet pourvu d'un appareil de simulation de fumee - Google Patents

Vehicule-jouet pourvu d'un appareil de simulation de fumee Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2008112264A1
WO2008112264A1 PCT/US2008/003305 US2008003305W WO2008112264A1 WO 2008112264 A1 WO2008112264 A1 WO 2008112264A1 US 2008003305 W US2008003305 W US 2008003305W WO 2008112264 A1 WO2008112264 A1 WO 2008112264A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
toy vehicle
housing
container
vehicle
powdered substance
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2008/003305
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Kai Cheung Leung
Original Assignee
Mattel, Inc.
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 Mattel, Inc. filed Critical Mattel, Inc.
Publication of WO2008112264A1 publication Critical patent/WO2008112264A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • 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

Definitions

  • This invention generally relates to toy vehicles and, more particularly, to a toy vehicle having a smoke simulating apparatus for creating a smoky effect.
  • Toy vehicles are well known in the art. Toy vehicles often include one or more design features such as light, noise or projectile launchers to add to the play experience. Additionally, the design features often replicate or exaggerate a feature present in the full scale version or dramatizations of the full scale version that the toy vehicle is modeled after. Racecars and other vehicles in reality and in dramatizations often have smoke extending from the vehicle caused by engine exhaust, an overheating engine or spinning tires.
  • the present invention is directed to a toy vehicle that comprises a vehicle body and a plurality of wheels rotatably connected with the vehicle body for transporting the vehicle body across a surface.
  • a smoke simulating apparatus is mounted to the vehicle body and configured to expel a powdered substance at an ambient temperature to create a smoky effect without heating.
  • Fig. 1 is a side elevation view of a toy vehicle having a smoke simulating apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 2 is a schematic left side cross-sectional view of the smoke simulating apparatus shown in Fig. 1 ;
  • Fig. 3 is a right side perspective view of the back end of the toy vehicle of Fig. 1 with the protective cover removed;
  • Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the back end of the toy vehicle of Fig. 1 with the protective cover removed and a bottom plan view of a container of the toy vehicle of Fig. 1.
  • a preferred toy vehicle 10 of the present invention is generally similar in appearance and operation to known remote controlled toy vehicles but the present invention may be used in conjunction with any toy vehicle.
  • the toy vehicle 10 of the present invention preferably includes at least a front end 10a, a back or rear end 10b, a plurality of wheels 12 preferably each having tires 14 and a vehicle body 16. The wheels are rotatably connected directly or indirectly with the vehicle body 16 to transport the toy vehicle 10 and vehicle body 16 across a surface S on the plurality of wheels 12.
  • the operation of the preferred toy vehicle 10 is similar to other remote controlled toy vehicles found in the prior art in that the toy vehicle 10 may include one or more motors 11a, l ib (shown in phantom), or their equivalent, for steering and propulsion, a power supply 1 Ic in the form of one or more batteries 1 Ic (shown in phantom) and internal control circuitry 1 Id (shown in phantom) selectively connecting the motor(s) 11a, l ib with the power supply 1 Ic in response to control signals received from a separate remote control transmitter (not shown) to allow a user to propel and steer the toy vehicle 10 via remote control.
  • a separate remote control transmitter not shown
  • Fig. 1 depicts a four-wheeled vehicle having a non-functional and decorative spoiler 42 in the form typically found on racing cars.
  • the toy vehicle 10 can have any number of wheels 12 and be in the form of any cycle, truck, sport utility vehicle or other automobile without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
  • the toy vehicle 10 can be in the form of an airplane or any other motorized toy vehicle.
  • the present toy vehicle 10 allows a user to create a smoky or smoke-like visual effect emitting from the toy vehicle 10, preferably from the back end 10b of the toy vehicle 10, at ambient temperatures without heating.
  • a user can place an appropriate dry powered substance (hereinafter also "powder") 40, such as talcum powder or talc, into a smoke simulating apparatus 20 of the toy vehicle 10.
  • the powder 40 is expelled through a chute 18 providing an exit opening 19 at the back end 10b of the toy vehicle 10 as the toy vehicle 10 is driven or otherwise activated.
  • any type of powder having similar properties to talcum powder 40 can be used to create the smoky effect, including, but not limited to, corn starch, baking powder, baking soda, chalk dust, etc.
  • the smoke simulating apparatus 20 includes a housing 22, a container 24 for holding the powder 40, a Hd 26 and an impeller indicated generally at 27 in Fig. 2, preferably in the form of a fan 30 driven by a micro-motor 28.
  • the smoke simulating apparatus 20 is secured to a chassis 32 portion of the toy vehicle 10 at the back end 10b of the toy vehicle 10.
  • the vehicle body 16 includes the chassis 32 and a protective/decorative cover 33, which may be separate and connected to a chassis 32 as shown or integrally provided with a chassis in a monocoque construction.
  • the smoke simulating apparatus 20 may also be integrally formed from the chassis 32 or the cover 33.
  • the smoke simulating apparatus 20 is preferably substantially positioned within the vehicle 10 below the cover 33 when the toy vehicle 10 is fully assembled. However, an upper portion of the container 24 may be permitted to extend through a hole (not shown) in the cover 33 when the toy vehicle 10 is fully assembled. This configuration allows a user to place the powder 40 into the container 24 of the smoke simulating apparatus 20 when the toy vehicle 10 is completely assembled without removing the decorative cover 33.
  • the housing 22 of the smoke simulating apparatus 20 is secured directly to the vehicle chassis 32 at the back end 10b of the toy vehicle 10.
  • the smoke simulating apparatus 20 can either be permanently or removably secured to the chassis 32.
  • the housing 22 is generally in the shape of a hollow cylinder, but can be in any shape or form capable of enclosing and dispensing the powder 40.
  • the cylindrical-shaped container 24 is preferably removably secured to an upper portion of the housing 22.
  • the lid 26 is removably secured to the top of the container 24.
  • the micro-motor 28 is located at a front end 20a of the smoke simulating apparatus 20. Electrical wires 44 connect the micro-motor 28 to the power source 1 Ic or a separately provided power source (not shown).
  • the fan 30 is operatively connected to a rear end of the micro-motor 28 and is sufficiently located far inside the housing 22 of the smoke simulating apparatus 20 to expel the powder 40 in a diffused state.
  • the housing 22, container 24 and lid 26 are preferably made of a polymeric material. However, it is understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the housing 22, container 24 and lid 26 can be constructed of any other material, such as metal, wood, glass, fiberglass or other composite material, and even cardboard which is capable of withstanding the stress encountered in the interior of the toy vehicle 10. It is understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the mirco- motor 28 can be any type of motor or power source capable of creating a force to propel powder 40 out the back end 10b of the toy vehicle 10.
  • impeller 27 is preferably electrically operated and encompasses any type or style of fan, rotor, blower or ambient temperature operating percolator, for example, a piezoelectric wafer, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
  • the micro-motor 28 can be connected directly with the power supply 1 Ic or preferably connected through central circuitry 1 Id.
  • the container 24, shown in the preferred embodiment in a cylindrical form, can have various shapes and sizes that allow for powder 40 to be placed in the container 24.
  • the container 24 contains a plurality of holes 34 through or at least proximal to its bottom end 46 that are sized and spaced for the powder 40 selected to allow a limited amount of the powder 40 to transfer from the container 24 to the housing 22 in a relatively constant manner upon sufficient agitation of the container 24.
  • the lid 26, is preferably removably attached to the top of the container 24 and positioned outside of the vehicle body 16 or the cover 33 to allow a user to access the interior of the container 24. It also prevents powder 40 from escaping through the top of the container 24 and prevents an air flow entering the container 24 generated by the fan 30.
  • the toy vehicle 10 is shown with the protective and decorative cover 33 removed.
  • the smoke simulating apparatus 20 is secured to the chassis 32 proximate the rear of the toy vehicle 10.
  • the housing 22 of the smoke simulating apparatus 20 may rest entirely on the chassis 32 or may be partially or even fully supported from the cover 33 (or in or from the shell(s) of a monocoque constructed vehicle).
  • a rear end of the housing 22 preferably extends beyond the chassis 32 at the rear end 10b of the toy vehicle 10 and preferably tapers down to define the chute 18 and exit opening 19. The taper creates a Bernoulli effect to increase the speed of the expelled powder.
  • Supports 36 connect the sides of the smoke simulating apparatus 20 to the chassis 32. These supports 36 provide lateral stability to the smoke simulating apparatus 20 and transmit vibrations from the vehicle 10 to the housing 22 and container 24. It is understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the support 36 can be of any form or shape and be in a variety of locations to stabilize the smoke simulating apparatus 20 above the chassis 32.
  • a rear axle 39 operatively connects the wheels 12 toward the rear end 10b of the toy vehicle 10 in a similar manner as found in the prior art.
  • a reduction gear train 38 operatively connects the shaft of the micro-motor 28 to the fan 30 to control the speed at which the fan 30 rotates.
  • the housing 22 has one or more apertures 22a located toward the front end 20a of the apparatus 20 and its housing 22 that allow air to be freely drawn into the housing 22 by the fan 30 to expel the powder 40 from the exit opening 19.
  • the aperture(s) 22a are located so as to generate flow of outside air past the mico-motor 28 to the fan 30 to carry the powder 40 away from the motor 28.
  • the smoke simulating apparatus 20 of the toy vehicle 10 allows a user to create the effect of smoky exhaust or smoke caused by spinning tires, engine exhaust or the like from the rear 10b of the toy vehicle 10.
  • a user deposits a desired amount of a select powder 40 into the interior of the container 24.
  • the lid 26 is then snap-fitted back on to the top of the container 24.
  • the powder 40 remains in the container 24 in a compact state 40a without falling through the holes 34 in the bottom 46 of the container 24.
  • the inherent friction between the powder 40 granules prevents individual powder 40 granules from falling through the holes 34 when the toy vehicle 10 is not in motion.
  • the vibration and motion of the toy vehicle 10 agitates the container 24 sufficiently to cause the powder 40 granules, that are in a compact state 40a within the container 24, to separate sufficiently within the container 24 for some of the powder 40 granules to drop through the plurality of holes 34 at the bottom end 46 of the container 24.
  • the wind force W towards the back end 10b of the toy vehicle 10 created by the rotating fan 30 (or operation of other provided impeller) pushes the falling powder 40 granules out through the housing 22 into a diffused state 40b outside of the toy vehicle 10 to create a smoky or smoke-like effect.
  • the chute 18 of housing 22 is preferably tapered sufficiently in order to increase the speed and turbulence of the expelled powder 40 to diffuse the powder 40.
  • the fan 30 may run whenever the toy vehicle 10 is moving, may run when the toy vehicle 10 is turned on or may run when activated by a user either remotely or by activating a switch on the toy vehicle 10.
  • the toy vehicle 10 can be constructed of, for example, plastic or any other suitable material such as metal or composite materials.
  • the housing 22 container 24, chute 18, exit opening 19 and aperture(s) 22a may all be of a different size, shape and location and connection than depicted.
  • the dimensions of the toy vehicle 10 shown can be varied, for example making components of the toy vehicle smaller or larger relative to the other components. 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.

Abstract

L'invention concerne un véhicule-jouet comprenant une carrosserie et une pluralité de roues montées rotatives sur la carrosserie pour la transporter sur une surface. Un appareil de simulation de fumée est monté au moins partiellement à l'intérieur de la carrosserie. Ledit appareil comprend un contenant destiné à recevoir une substance en poudre dans un état compact. Le mouvement du véhicule-jouet agite le contenant suffisamment pour que la substance en poudre s'écoule à travers des trous dans l'extrémité inférieure du contenant et dans un logement situé en dessous du contenant. Un impulseur est placé suffisamment loin à l'intérieur du logement pour expulser la substance en poudre du logement à travers une ouverture de sortie, dans un état diffusé, à température ambiante, de sorte à créer un effet de fumée, sans chauffage.
PCT/US2008/003305 2007-03-12 2008-03-12 Vehicule-jouet pourvu d'un appareil de simulation de fumee WO2008112264A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US89438707P 2007-03-12 2007-03-12
US60/894,387 2007-03-12
US3565908P 2008-03-11 2008-03-11
US61/035,659 2008-03-11

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2008112264A1 true WO2008112264A1 (fr) 2008-09-18

Family

ID=39759853

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2008/003305 WO2008112264A1 (fr) 2007-03-12 2008-03-12 Vehicule-jouet pourvu d'un appareil de simulation de fumee

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2008112264A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN109908603A (zh) * 2018-12-19 2019-06-21 恒昌工業有限公司 一种具有离心式鼓风机的排气冒烟器及遥控坦克

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3415376A (en) * 1967-01-20 1968-12-10 Washburn Co Flour sifter
US5131880A (en) * 1991-04-17 1992-07-21 Nesbit Mark S Crushable toy car apparatus
US6053183A (en) * 1999-02-09 2000-04-25 Color Access, Inc. Loose powder sifter
US6485347B1 (en) * 2000-05-17 2002-11-26 Lionel, L.L.C. Puffing fan driven smoke unit for a model train

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3415376A (en) * 1967-01-20 1968-12-10 Washburn Co Flour sifter
US5131880A (en) * 1991-04-17 1992-07-21 Nesbit Mark S Crushable toy car apparatus
US6053183A (en) * 1999-02-09 2000-04-25 Color Access, Inc. Loose powder sifter
US6485347B1 (en) * 2000-05-17 2002-11-26 Lionel, L.L.C. Puffing fan driven smoke unit for a model train

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN109908603A (zh) * 2018-12-19 2019-06-21 恒昌工業有限公司 一种具有离心式鼓风机的排气冒烟器及遥控坦克

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