Patent ID: 6083078
Filing Date: 2000-07-04
Classification: A63H

Abstract:
A toy comprising:a hollow first platform having a top side, a proximate edge, a distal edge, and first and second lateral edges interconnecting said proximate and distal edges;a moving body having a front end portion provided with a front wheel unit which is rotatable about a horizontal first rotary axis, a rear end portion provided with a horizontal transmission shaft parallel to said first rotary axis, and a bottom side provided with a turning wheel between said front and rear end portions, said transmission shaft having two opposite ends, said moving body further having a first rear wheel mounted securely on one of said ends of said transmission shaft, and a second rear wheel mounted rotatably on the other one of said ends of said transmission shaft, said turning wheel being rotatable about a horizontal second rotary axis perpendicular to said first rotary axis, said turning wheel having a bottom portion which is disposed higher than bottom portions of said front wheel unit and said rear wheels, said moving body being provided with a driving unit that is coupled to said turning wheel and said transmission shaft to drive movement of said moving body on said top side of said first platform, said turning wheel preventing said moving body from falling off said first platform when said driving unit drives movement of said moving body on said top side of said first platform;a second platform spaced apart from said first platform and having a top side;a connecting rail having a first end portion mounted on said proximate edge of said first platform and a second end portion mounted on said second platform, said connecting rail permitting movement of said moving body from said top side of said first platform to said top side of said second platform, said top side of said first platform being formed with a slot that extends toward said first end portion of said connecting rail;a first guiding unit mounted on said first platform and including a guiding rail which is mounted movably on said first platform in said slot and which is movable between a projecting position, where said guiding rail projects upwardly relative to said top side of said first platform through said slot, and a retracting position, where said guiding rail is retracted into said slot, said guiding rail blocking said second rear wheel when said driving unit drives said moving body to move on said top side of said first platform while said guiding rail is in the projecting position to result in turning of said moving body about said second rear wheel so as to align said moving body with said first end portion of said connecting rail and allow said moving body to move onto said first end portion of said connecting rail, andwherein said slot is disposed between said proximate and distal ends and extends in a direction from said distal edge toward said first end portion of said connecting rail said guiding rail having a rear end that defines a clearance with said distal edge of said first platform, said clearance having a size sufficient to permit movement of said front wheel unit and said turning wheel therethrough and to cause said guiding rail to block said second rear wheel when said driving unit drives said moving body to move on said top side of said first platform along said distal edge from said first lateral edge toward said second lateral edge while said guiding rail is in the projecting position.