WO2013056017A1 - Toy vehicle with forward roll movement - Google Patents

Abstract

In one embodiment there is provided a vehicle having a chassis and a body assembly rotatably attached about a pivot mechanism located between front wheels. The mechanism first causes the back of the body assembly to move away from the chassis. Once it reaches a top position, the weight of the body assembly causes the vehicle to rotate lifting the rear wheels off the ground. The mechanism can then switch directions, causing the rear wheels of the chassis to move towards the body assembly.

Description

TOY VEHICLE WITH FORWARD ROLL MOVEMENT

Cross Reference to Related Application

[01] The present claims priority to US Provisional 61/547,279 filed October 14, 2011, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Field of the Invention

[02] The present invention relates to a vehicle with a rotatable body assembly and chassis and the ability to execute movements where a pivot mechanism assists in directing the vehicle to execute a forward roll.

Background of the Invention

[03] Conventional vehicles which include the ability to move from one or more positions are typically manual manipulated vehicles that require various skills and knowledge of the final positions. A need exists for a toy vehicle that includes motorized movements that control and move the vehicle into the various positioned including rolling the vehicle over.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[04] A fuller understanding of the foregoing may be had by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[05] FIG la is a front perspective view of a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; [06] FIG lb is a rear perspective view of FIG la with a portion of the vehicle removed illustrate components of the vehicle;

[07] FIG lc is a modified view of FIG la where a portion of the vehicle is removed to illustrate components of the vehicle;

[08] FIG Id is a side view of FIG lc;

[09] FIG 2a is a side view of FIG la;

[10] FIG 2b is a front view of FIG la;

[11] FIG 2c is a top view of FIG la;

[12] FIG 2d is a bottom view of FIG la

[13] FIG 3a is a front perspective view of the vehicle illustrating a pivot mechanism lowering a chassis of the vehicle to rotate a bed of the vehicle upward;

[14] FIG 3b is a rear perspective view of FIG 3a;

[15] FIG 3c is a side view of FIG 3a;

[16] FIG 4a is a side view the vehicle from FIG la;

[17] FIG 4b is a side view of the vehicle from FIG la illustrating a step in the forward roll movement;

[18] FIG 4c is a side view of the vehicle from FIG la illustrating a step in the forward roll movement;

[19] FIG 4d is a side view of the vehicle from FIG la illustrating a step in the forward roll movement;

[20] FIG 4e is a side view of the vehicle from FIG la illustrating a step in the forward roll movement; [21] FIG 4f is a side view of the vehicle from FIG la illustrating a step in the forward roll movement;

[22] FIG 4g is a side view of the vehicle from FIG la illustrating a step in the forward roll movement;

[23] FIG 4h is a side view of the vehicle from FIG la illustrating a step in the forward roll movement;

[24] FIG 4i is a side view of the vehicle from FIG la illustrating a step in the forward roll movement;

[25] FIG 4j is a side view of the vehicle from FIG la illustrating a step in the forward roll movement;

[26] FIG 4k is a side view of the vehicle from FIG la illustrating a step in the forward roll movement;

[27] FIG 41 is a side view of the vehicle from FIG la illustrating completion of the forward roll movement where the vehicle is in a static position;

[28] FIG 5a is a rear perspective view of FIG la;

[29] FIG 5b is a rear perspective view of the vehicle from FIG la illustrating a step in the forward roll movement;

[30] FIG 5c is a rear perspective view of the vehicle from FIG la illustrating a step in the forward roll movement;

[31] FIG 5d is a rear perspective view of the vehicle from FIG la illustrating a step in the forward roll movement; [32] FIG 5e is a rear perspective view of the vehicle from FIG la illustrating a step in the forward roll movement;

[33] FIG 5f is a rear perspective view of the vehicle from FIG la illustrating a step in the forward roll movement;

[34] FIG 5g is a rear perspective view of the vehicle from FIG la illustrating a step in the forward roll movement;

[35] FIG 5h is a rear perspective view of the vehicle from FIG la illustrating a step in the forward roll movement;

[36] FIG 5i is a rear perspective view of the vehicle from FIG la illustrating a step in the forward roll movement;

[37] FIG 5j is a rear perspective view of the vehicle from FIG la illustrating a step in the forward roll movement;

[38] FIG 5k is a rear perspective view of the vehicle from FIG la illustrating a step in the forward roll movement;

[39] FIG 51 is a rear perspective view of the vehicle from FIG la illustrating completion of the forward roll movement where the vehicle is in a static position;

[40] FIG 6 is a block diagram of a vehicle made in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[41] FIG 7a is a front perspective view of another embodiment of a vehicle in accordance with the present invention; and

[42] FIG 7b is a block diagram of the vehicle from FIG 7a. Summary of the Invention

[43] In one aspect of the invention, there is provided he a toy vehicle having a chassis with a set of front wheels at a first axle and a set of rear wheels. A body assembly is included with a weighted element at a rear portion of the body assembly. A pivot mechanism is in communication with a power source and rotatably attaching the chassis and body assembly about the first axle. A plurality of vehicle positions including a static position and a substantially vertical position are configured into the toy vehicle's electronics. The static position is defined as a position where the front wheels and rear wheels are in contact with a surface and a lower portion of the body assembly is in contact with the chassis. The substantially vertical position is defined as a position during a forward roll movement where the body assembly is rotated upward of the static position and momentum derived from the weighted element begins to raise the rear wheels off of the surface and roll the vehicle forward. A control system is also in communication with the power source and includes an integrated circuit in communication with the pivot mechanism. The control system has preprogrammed responses stored therein and is configured to direct rotation of the pivot mechanism to execute vehicle movements including the front roll movement. The forward roll movement is defined by the preprogrammed responses being configured to (a) direct power to the pivot mechanism to rotate in a first direction initiating rotation of the body assembly about the first axle and toward the substantially vertical position; and (b) direct power to the pivot mechanism to rotate in a second direction at the substantially vertical position to rotate the chassis upward, about the front axle and toward the body assembly as momentum derived from the weighted element assists in completing rolling the vehicle forward to the static position. [44] The toy vehicle may further define the forward roll movement to include (i) a first position further defined as a position where a front portion of the body assembly contacts the surface and the body assembly is perpendicular to the surface; (ii) a second position further defined as a position where the rear wheels are lifted off of the surface and the weighted element is forward of the pivot mechanism creating momentum; and (iii) a third position further defined as a position where an upper portion of the body assembly is in contact with the surface and the lower portion of the body assembly is in contact with the chassis. As such the preprogrammed responses can be further configured to: (a) direct power to the pivot mechanism to rotate in a first direction initiating rotation of the body assembly about the first axle and toward the first position such that the vehicle begins to roll forward to the second position, and (b) direct power to the pivot mechanism to rotate in a second direction to rotate the chassis upward, about the front axle and toward the body assembly to the third position. As such, momentum derived from the movement to the second position assists in completing the forward roll movement by rolling the vehicle forward from the third position to the static position.

[45] The toy vehicle may yet further include the body assembly having a cab secured to a frame and a bed rotatably attached to a rear portion of the frame at a bed axle, and the cab and bed each including a curved profile. A spring on the bed axle may be configured to bias the rotatable attachment between the bed and frame toward the frame such that the bias adds additional momentum to the vehicle when is in the third position.

[46] In yet other aspects, the control system may include at least one sensor in communication with the integrated circuit such that triggering the sensor directs the preprogrammed responses to initiate the forward roll movement. In addition, the control system may further include a receiver in communication with the integrated circuit and a remote control unit with a transmitter to send commands to the receiver such that a user is able to send a command to the integrated circuit from the remote control to trigger the sensor to direct the preprogrammed responses to initiate the forward roll movement.

[47] In still yet further embodiments, a drive motor may be provided for communication with at least one of the wheels and the integrated circuit such that a user is able to send a command to the integrated circuit to power the drive motor in a first or second direction to control forward and reverse movement of the vehicle.

[48] In other embodiments of the present invention there may be provided a toy vehicle having a chassis including a set of front wheels and a set of rear wheels, with a body assembly rotatably attached to the chassis about a pivot mechanism located between the front wheels, and the pivot mechanism is in communication with a power source and a control system. The control system includes an integrated circuit in communication with the pivot mechanism, and the control system has preprogrammed responses stored therein configured to direct rotation of the pivot mechanism to execute vehicle movements including a front roll movement. The forward roil movement is defined by a plurality of positions and further defined by the preprogrammed responses that are configured to: (i) activate the pivot mechanism in a first directidn causing a rear portion of the body assembly to move away from the chassis to a top position where the weight of the body assembly causes the vehicle to rotate and lift the rear wheels off of a surface; and (ii) activate the pivot mechanism in a second direction causing the rear wheels of the chassis to move toward the body assembly. As such, momentum derived from the preprogrammed responses causes the vehicle to continue to topple and fall onto the front wheels and rear wheels.

[49] Numerous other advantages and features of the invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims, and from the accompanying drawings.

Detailed Description of the Embodiments

[50] While the invention is susceptible to embodiments in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described herein, in detail, the preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the spirit or scope of the invention or the embodiments illustrated.

[51] Referring now to FIGS la and lb, in accordance to an embodiment of the present invention, there is illustrated a vehicle 100 that include a chassis 105, a body assembly 110 and a pivot mechanism 115 rotatably attaching the chassis 105 and body assembly 110 about an axis 120. In this embodiment, the vehicle 100 is in the form of a toy dump truck. However, the vehicle 100 may take on several different forms, such as other types of construction vehicles, trucks, animals or characters. A variety of forms may be used to incorporate the internal mechanics and electronics of the vehicle 100 to perform a variety of movements and actions as described herein. The vehicle 100 may be controlled utilizing a variety of control systems including on-vehicle switches utilizing preprogrammed responses of movements, audio and/or lights. Additionally, the vehicle 100 may be controlled via remote control utilizing a transmitter/receiver pair to direct movements and actions per a user's inputs. One such example of these movements is the ability of the vehicle 100 to execute a forward roll in a somersault fashion as the chassis 105 and body assembly 110 rotate about the axis 120. Further, as described in greater detail below, at least one switch 117 is positioned on or within the vehicle 100 to trigger preprogrammed responses of these movements such as the forward roll movement along with audio and/or lights if desired.

[52] Now additionally referring now to FIGS lc, Id and 2a through 2d, the chassis includes two segments 125 with a front set of wheels 130 and a rear set of wheels 132 rotatably attached thereto. The pivot mechanism 115 is positioned between the two segments 125 at a front end of the vehicle 100 and includes a pivot motor 140 meshed to a gear train 145. The gear train 145 is meshed to a transfer gear 150 fixed to a pivot axle 155 to drive rotation of the body assembly 110 fixed to the pivot mechanism 115. The body assembly 110 includes a frame 160, a cab 165 and a bed 170 rotatably attached to the frame 160 at axis 175. The curved profile of the cab 165 and bed 170 assist in facilitating the forward roll movement, however other profile shapes may be utilized. The rotatable attachment between the bed 170 and frame 160 may include a spring 180. Alternative springs may be used, such as a torsion spring on a bed axle 182. The spring 180 facilitates rotation of the bed 170 about axis 175 and is biased toward a static position where the bed 170 is at rest on the frame 160. Optionally, the bed 170 includes tabs 185 extending therefrom. These tabs 185 direct upward rotation of the bed 170 about axis 175 as the frame 160 rotates downwardly from the static position such that the two tabs 185 make contact with the two segments 125 and rotate the bed 170 in opposition to the bias of spring 180 as illustrated in FIGS 3a through 3c. This rotation of the bed 170 assists in the forward roll movement as described further below. Additionally, the weight distribution of the vehicle 100 assists in the forward roll movement. Positioning additional weight, for example a weighted element 187 at a rear portion of the body assembly enables the pivot mechanism 115 to utilize additional weight and momentum associated therewith as the pivot mechanism 115 rotates to further assist in executing the forward roll movement.

[53] FIGS 4a through 41 illustrate steps in the forward roll movement and include directional arrows to provide clarity on component movements. FIGS 5a through 51 illustrate steps in the forward roll movement from a rear perspective. It should be noted that the forward roll movement may be executed while the vehicle 100 is moving or when in a stationary or static position. In FIG 4a, the vehicle 100 is in the static position. Powering the pivot motor 140 in a first direction directs the pivot mechanism 115 to initiate rotation of the body assembly 110. The body assembly 110 rotates about axis 120 as shown in FIG 4b. When the body assembly 110 rotates to a first position as shown in FIG 4c, a front portion of the cab 165 contacts a surface 200 at a contact area 205 which begins to lift the front wheels 130 off the surface 200. When the body assembly 110 has rotated to or near a substantially vertical position, momentum derived from the weight of the element 187 begins to raise the rear wheels 132 off the surface 200 prior to (or simultaneously with) the activation of the pivot mechanism 115 in the second direction as shown in FIG 4d. Additionally, the pivot mechanism 115 may activate in the second direction at a selected time in the forward roll via preprogrammed content. As mentioned above, the curved profile of the vehicle 100 assist in the roll throughout the forward roll movement. When desired or in accordance to preprogrammed content and preferably at a position during the forward roll movement where the pivot mechanism 115 has rotated to a second position similar to FIG 4d, powering the pivot motor 140 in a second direction reverses rotation of the pivot mechanism 115. Here, element 187 assists the rollover movement as the pivot motor 140 directs the chassis 105 to rotate upward and about axis 120 due to the positioning of the element 187 forward of the pivot mechanism 115. This assists the pivot mechanism 115 to direct the chassis 105 upward instead of directing the body assembly 110 to rotate back to the first position. In FIGS 4e through 4j, the chassis 105 continues rotating causing the two segments 125 to contact the tabs 185 at contact area 230. This contact directs spring 180 to extend as the chassis continues to rotate which further directs the bed 170 to rotate about axis 175 and assists the momentum of the vehicle 100 through the forward roll as the spring 180 brings the bed 170 back to the static position where the tabs 185 are at rest on the two segments 125, thereby completing the forward roll movement.

[54] [does this paragraph need the element numbers?] Similarly viewed from FIGS 5A through 51, a vehicle is provided with a chassis and a body assembly rotatably attached about a pivot mechanism located between front wheels. The mechanism first causes the back of the body assembly to move away from the chassis {FIGS 5a - 5c). Once it reaches a top position, the weight of the body assembly causes the vehicle to rotate lifting the rear wheels off the ground (FIG 5d). The mechanism can then switch directions, causing the rear wheels of the chassis to move towards the body assembly (FIG 5e - 5g). Momentum causes the vehicle to continue to topple until the vehicle is on its rear portion of the body assembly {FIG 5h). The mechanism activates again causing the body assembly to move away from the chassis, rocking the vehicle to a position that causes its front end to be upwardly positioned (FIG 5i) and then to a point that the weight of the front end causes the vehicle to fall onto its wheels (FIG 5j - 51). [55] Referring now to F!GS 6 there is shown a block diagram provided for an embodiment of the vehicle 100. When one of the at least one switch 117 is triggered in response to a user's input (e.g. a user presses a switch included on the vehicle 100), a signal is sent via an electrical connection to an IC 230 included in the vehicle 100. The IC 230 contains a processor(s) 235 and a memory 240. The processors} 235 accesses preprogrammed signals and/or audio content stored on the memory 240. The IC 230 further includes programming and electronic components to facilitate and direct the signals and audio content. The processor(s) 235 accesses the preprogrammed control signals or audio content based on a program and/or in accordance to a user's input. The processor(s) 235 then generates a response that includes signals and may be in the form of audio or control signals. The iC 230 is in communication with the pivot motor 140 and may be in communication with a variety of components further described below. From the processor(s) 235 control signals are transferred to the pivot motor 140 to power in the desired direction to activate the pivot mechanism 115 to facilitate the forward roil movement as described herein. A power source (not shown) is included in the vehicle 100 to supply power where necessary.

[56] !t is also important to note that other embodiments of the vehicle 100 could include the capability for RC, IR or other remote control options utilizing a transmitter/receiver for communication from the user to the IC 230 to direct and trigger vehicle 100 responses. Referring now to FIGS 7a and 7b in accordance to another embodiment of the present invention, there is illustrated a vehicle 300 that include a chassis 305, a body assembly 310 and a pivot mechanism 315 rotatably attaching the chassis 305 and body assembly 310 about an axis 320. FIG 7b is a block diagram illustrating additional components for utilization by the vehicle 300. A wheel or wheels 316 may be motorized and the vehicle 300 may include components to facilitate audio and light effects. As illustrated, a drive motor 317 may be included to drive the wheel or wheels 316. Further, a controller 320 with operational controls 325 and a transmitter 330 may send user inputs to a receiver 335 in electrical communication with an !C 336 and included in the vehicle 300. The iC 336 includes a processor(s) 341 and a memory 342 to facilitate direction of signals and triggering content. In this embodiment, the IC 336 receives input from the controller 320 and/or an at least one switch 338 and outputs control signals to a pivot motor 339 and/or the drive motor 317 to direct movement of the components of the vehicle 300. Additionally, triggering one or more of the at least one switches 338 may direct the vehicle 300 in response thereto to execute a performance pattern through movement with audio and light effects. Audio signals are transferred to an amplifier 340 while control signals may be transferred to LED drivers 345 to illuminate a LED(s) 350 positioned on or within the vehicle. Audio is played through a speaker 355 when the IC 336 sends audio content to the amplifier 340. A power source (not shown) is included in the vehicle 300 to supply power where necessary.

[57] From the foregoing and as mentioned above, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concept of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific methods and apparatus illustrated herein is intended or inferred.

Claims

We Claim:

1. A toy vehicle comprising:

a chassis including a set of front wheels at a first axle and a set of rear wheels;

a body assembly including a weighted element at a rear portion of the body assembly; a pivot mechanism in communication with a power source and rotatably attaching the chassis and body assembly about the first axle;

a plurality of vehicle positions including a static position and a substantially vertical position;

the static position further defined as a position where the front wheels and rear wheels are in contact with a surface and a lower portion of the body assembly is in contact with the chassis;

the substantially vertical position further defined as a position during a forward roll movement where the body assembly is rotated upward of the static position and momentum derived from the weighted element begins to raise the rear wheels off of the surface and roll the vehicle forward;

a control system in communication with the power source and including an integrated circuit in communication with the pivot mechanism, the control system having preprogrammed responses stored therein and configured to direct rotation of the pivot mechanism to execute vehicle movements including the front roll movement;

wherein the forward roll movement is further defined by the preprogrammed responses being configured to: (i) direct power to the pivot mechanism to rotate in a first direction initiating rotation of the body assembly about the first axie and toward the substantially vertical position; and

(ii) direct power to the pivot mechanism to rotate in a second direction at the

substantially vertical position to rotate the chassis upward, about the front axle and toward the body assembly as momentum derived from the weighted element assists in completing rolling the vehicle forward to the static position.

2. The toy vehicle of Claim 1, further comprising:

the plurality of positions during the forward roll movement further including:

a first position further defined as a position where a front portion of the body assembly contacts the surface and the body assembly is perpendicular to the surface;

a second position further defined as a position where the rear wheels are lifted off of the surface and the weighted element is forward of the pivot mechanism creating momentum;

a third position further defined as a position where an upper portion of the body assembly is in contact with the surface and the lower portion of the body assembly is in contact with the chassis;

the forward roll movement further defined by the preprogrammed responses being configured to: (i) direct power to the pivot mechanism to rotate in a first direction initiating rotation of the body assembly about the first axle and toward the first position such that the vehicle begins to roll forward to the second position, and

{ii) direct power to the pivot mechanism to rotate in a second direction to rotate the chassis upward, about the front axle and toward the body assembly to the third position,

wherein momentum derived from the movement to the second position assists in completing the forward roll movement by rolling the vehicle forward from the third position to the static position.

3. The toy vehicle of Claim 1, further comprising:

the body assembly including a cab secured to a frame and a bed rotatably attached to a rear portion of the frame at a bed axle; and

the cab and bed each including a curved profile.

4. The toy vehicle of Claim 1 further comprising:

a spring on the bed axle biasing the rotatabfe attachment between the bed and frame toward the frame such that the bias adds additional momentum to the vehicle when is in the third position.

5. The toy vehicle of Claim 1 further comprising: the control system including at least one sensor in communication with the integrated circuit such that triggering the sensor directs the preprogrammed responses to initiate the forward roll movement.

6. The toy vehicle of Claim 1 further comprising:

the control system further including a receiver in communication with the integrated circuit and a remote control unit with a transmitter to send commands to the receiver; and wherein a user sends a command to the integrated circuit from the remote control to trigger the sensor to direct the preprogrammed responses to initiate the forward roll movement.

7. The toy vehicle of Claim 6, further comprising:

a drive motor in communication with at least one of the wheels and the integrated circuit;

wherein a user sends a command to the integrated circuit to power the drive motor in a first or second direction to control forward and reverse movement of the vehicle.

8. A toy vehicle comprising:

a chassis including a set of front wheels and a set of rear wheels;

a body assembly rotatably attached to the chassis about a pivot mechanism located between the front wheels;

the pivot mechanism in communication with a power source and a control system; the control system including an integrated circuit in communication with the pivot mechanism, the control system having preprogrammed responses stored therein and configured to direct rotation of the pivot mechanism to execute vehicle movements including a front roll movement;

the forward roll movement including a plurality of positions and further defined by the preprogrammed responses being configured to:

(i) activate the pivot mechanism in a first direction causing a rear portion of the body assembly to move away from the chassis to a top position where the weight of the body assembly causes the vehicle to rotate and lift the rear wheels off of a surface; and

(ii) activate the pivot mechanism in a second direction causing the rear wheels of the chassis to move toward the body assembly;

wherein momentum derived from the preprogrammed responses causes the vehicle to continue to topple and fall onto the front wheels and rear wheels.

9. The toy vehicle of Claim 8 further comprising:

the body assembly including a cab secured to a frame and a bed rotatably attached to a rear portion of the frame at a bed axle;

the cab and bed each including a curved profile.

10. The toy vehicle of Claim 9 further comprising: a spring on the bed axle biasing the rotatable attachment between the bed and frame toward the frame such that the bias adds add itional momentum to the pivot mechanism is activated in the second direction.

11. The toy vehicle of Cla im 8 further comprising:

the control system including at least one sensor in comm unication with the integrated circuit such that triggering the sensor directs the preprogrammed responses to initiate the forward roll movement.

12. The toy vehicle of Claim 11 further com prising:

the control system further includ ing a receiver in comm u nication with the integrated circuit and a remote control unit with a transm itter to send commands to the receiver; and wherein a user sends a command to the integrated circuit from the remote control to trigger the sensor to direct the preprogrammed responses to initiate the forward roil movement.

13. The toy vehicle of Cla im 12 fu rther com prising:

a drive motor in comm unication with at least one of the wheels and the integrated circuit;

wherein a user sends a command to the integrated circuit to power the drive motor in a first or second d irection to control forward and reverse movement of the vehicle.

14. The toy vehicle of Claim 8 further comprising:

audio content stored on the integrated circuit; and

a speaker in communication with the integrated circuit,

wherein triggering a switch in communication with the integrated circuit activates output of the audio content through the speaker.