Wall climbing toy

A wall climbing toy includes a frame body, a drive shaft, a plurality of spring-loaded release valves, a cam shaft, a drive unit, a left gear train, a shaft extension, a plurality of primary crank arms, a plurality of connecting rods, a plurality of suction cups, and a plurality of air tube units. When each of the spring-loaded release valves is displaced from a seal position to an open position, an air seal formed between a corresponding one of the suction cups and a flat surface is broken. When the drive shaft is driven concurrently with the cam shaft to rotate, the air seals formed between the suction cups and the flat surface are broken alternately so as to permit the connecting rods to be alternately pulled away from a flat surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from Taiwanese patent application no. 105102445, filed on Jan. 27, 2016.

FIELD

The disclosure relates to a wall climbing toy, more particularly to a wall climbing toy with a plurality of suction cups.

BACKGROUND

Japanese patent application publication no. 2000-245975A discloses a conventional wall climbing toy. As shown inFIGS. 1 to 3, the conventional wall climbing toy includes a main body90, a motor (M) mounted inside the main body90, an upper shaft91coupled to be driven by the motor (M) to rotate, a lower shaft92coupled to be driven by the motor (M) to rotate, an upper crank member93coupled to the upper shaft91to rotate therewith, a lower crank member94coupled to the lower shaft92to rotate therewith, front and rear bellows pumps95,96, a frame body97mounted on a lower surface of the main body90, four suction cups98,99attached to the frame body97, and four air tubes (P) each connecting an interior cavity of a corresponding one the suction cups98,99to a corresponding one of the front and rear bellows pumps95,96.

The front and rear bellows pumps95,96are mounted on a slider900. The slider900is slidably mounted on the main body900and has a slot900a. The upper crank member93has a connection pin931which is disposed radially offset from a rotation axis of the upper shaft91and which is slidably engaged in the slot900a. Each of the front and rear bellows pumps95,96is convertible between a collapsed state and an extension state. When the upper shaft91is rotated to permit the upper crank member93to rotate therewith, the front and rear bellows pumps95,96are alternately converted from the extension state to the collapsed state. When the front bellows pump95is converted from the collapsed state to the extension state, the suction cups98can be deformed to form an air seal with a flat surface (not shown). When the front bellows pump95is converted from the extension state to the collapsed state, the air seal is broken to permit the suction cups98to leave the flat surface. Similarly, when the rear bellows pump96is converted from the collapsed state to the extension state, the suction cups99can be deformed to form an air seal with the flat surface. When the rear bellows pump96is converted from the extension state to the collapsed state, the air seal is broken to permit the suction cups99to leave the flat surface.

The frame body97includes a front segment971and a rear segment972. The front segment971is pivotably mounted to the main body90by means of a front shaft973, and has an elongated slot974. The rear segment972is pivotably mounted to the main body90by means of a rear shaft975and has a protrusion976slidably engaged in the elongated slot974.

The lower crank member94has a connection pin941which is disposed radially offset from a rotation axis of the lower shaft92, and which is slidably coupled to the front segment971. When the lower shaft92is driven to rotate, the front and rear segment971,972are swung about the front and rear shafts973,975, respectively. When the front segment971is swung in a clockwise direction, the rear segment972is swung in a counterclockwise direction, and when the front segment971is swung in a counterclockwise direction, the rear segment972is swung in a clockwise direction. During operation, the upper shaft91and the lower shaft92are driven to rotate simultaneously, the front and rear segments971,972are swung relative to each other, and the suction cups98and the suction cups99are alternately converted from the extension state to the collapsed state. Thus, the conventional wall climbing toy can move on a wall.

SUMMARY

Therefore, an object of the disclosure is to provide a novel wall climbing toy which simulates the movement of a four-limb animal.

According to a first aspect of the disclosure, a wall climbing toy includes a frame body, a left drive shaft, a primary post, a first spring-loaded release valve, a second spring-loaded release valve, a cam shaft, a drive unit, a left gear train, a first shaft extension, a pair of first primary crank arms, a pair of first connecting rods, a pair of first suction cups, and a pair of first air tube units. The frame body extends in a longitudinal direction and has a left side frame and a right side frame opposite to the left side frame in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction. The left drive shaft is disposed rotatably on the left side frame. The primary post is disposed on the frame body and has a first inlet duct and a second inlet duct. The first and second spring-loaded release valves are located in the first and second inlet ducts of the primary post, respectively. Each of the first and second spring-loaded release valves is biased to a seal position and is displaceable to an open position. The cam shaft is disposed rotatably on the frame body and is configured such that when the cam shaft is rotated, the first and second spring-loaded release valves are alternately displaced from the seal position to the open position. The drive unit is disposed in the frame body and is configured to drive the left drive shaft and the cam shaft. The left gear train is disposed on the left side frame and is coupled to be driven by the left drive shaft. The left gear train has a first output shaft which is rotatably mounted on the left side frame and which has a first left end. The first shaft extension extends from the first output shaft and through the right side frame to terminate at a first right end. Each of the first primary crank arms has a crank region and a connecting region. The crank region is mounted on a corresponding one of the first left end and the first right end so as to permit each of the first primary crank arms to be rotated with the first output shaft. The connecting region is disposed radially offset from a first shaft axis of the first output shaft. Each of the first connecting rods has a lower segment and an upper segment which is opposite to the lower segment in an upright direction transverse to both of the longitudinal and transverse directions, and which is pivotally coupled to the connecting region of a corresponding one of the first primary crank arms. Each of the first suction cups has a non-deformable cap and a deformable cup body. The non-deformable cap defines an air hole, and is mounted to the lower segment of a corresponding one of the first connecting rods. The deformable cup body defines an interior cavity which is in fluid communication with the air hole such that when the deformable cup body is deformed to abut against a flat surface, a corresponding one of the first suction cups forms an air seal with the flat surface. Each of the first air tube units is configured to permit a corresponding one of the first and second inlet ducts of the primary post to be in fluid communication with the interior cavity of a corresponding one of the first suction cups such that when each of the first and second spring-loaded release valves is displaced to the open position, the air seal formed between the corresponding one of the first suction cups and the flat surface is broken, and such that when the left drive shaft is driven concurrently with the cam shaft to rotate, the air seals formed between the first suction cups and the flat surface are broken alternately so as to permit the first connecting rods to be alternately pulled away from the flat surface.

According to a second aspect of the disclosure, a wall climbing toy includes a frame body, a drive unit, a first drive shaft, a second drive shaft, a first module, a second module, a pair of first suction cups, a pump module, and a valve module. The drive unit is disposed in the frame body and includes a motor. The first and second drive shafts are disposed on the frame body and extend in different directions. The first and second drive shafts are coupled to be driven by the motor to rotate simultaneously. The first module is disposed on the frame body and is coupled to be driven by the first drive shaft to rotate. The second module is disposed on the frame body and is coupled to be driven by the first module to rotate. Each of the first suction cups has a deformable cup body defining an interior cavity, and a non-deformable cap interconnecting the deformable cup body and a corresponding one of the first and second modules. The deformable cup body is configured such that when the deformable cup body is deformed to abut against a flat surface, a corresponding one of the first suction cups forms an air seal with the flat surface. The pump module is disposed on the frame body and includes a pair of first air tube units that are in fluid communication with the interior cavities of the first suction cups, respectively. The valve module is disposed on the frame body and is coupled to be driven by the second drive shaft. The valve module is coupled to the first air tube units and is configured such that in response to rotation of the second drive shaft, the air seals formed between the first suction cups and the flat surface are broken alternately.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference toFIGS. 6 to 8, a wall climbing toy according to an embodiment of the disclosure is shown to include a frame body2, a first drive shaft (i.e., a left drive shaft32), a primary post71, a first spring-loaded release valve73, a second spring-loaded release valve74, a second drive shaft (i.e., a cam shaft33), a drive unit3, a first gear train (i.e., a left gear train81), a first shaft extension813, a pair of first primary crank arms45, a pair of first connecting rods41,42, a pair of first suction cups51,52(seeFIGS. 4 and 5), and a pump module6. The pump module6includes a pair of first air tube units61,62(seeFIGS. 4 and 6).

As shown inFIG. 6, the frame body2has a front end21, a rear end22opposite to the front end21in a longitudinal direction (X), a left side frame23, and a right side frame24opposite to the left side frame in a transverse direction (Y) transverse to the longitudinal direction (X). Each of the left side frame23and the right side frame24has a forward region201, a rearward region202opposite to the forward region201in the longitudinal direction (X), and amid region203disposed between the forward and rearward regions201,202.

As best shown inFIG. 7, the left drive shaft32is rotatably disposed on the left side frame23. In this embodiment, the left drive shaft32is rotatably disposed on the mid region203of the left side frame23.

The primary post71is disposed on the frame body2, and has a first inlet duct701and a second inlet duct702.

The first and second spring-loaded release valves73,74are located in the first and second inlet ducts701,702of the primary post71, respectively. Each of the first and second spring-loaded release valves73,74is biased to a seal position and is displaceable to an open position.

As shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, the camshaft33is rotatably disposed on the frame body2and is configured such that when the cam shaft33is rotated, the first and second spring-loaded release valves73,74are alternately displaced from the seal position to the open position. In this embodiment, the cam shaft33extends in an upright direction (Z) transverse to both of the longitudinal and transverse directions (X, Y), and has an upper cam surface331and a lower cam surface332. When the camshaft33is driven to rotate, the first and second spring-loaded release valves73,74are alternately displaced from the seal position to the open position by the upper and lower cam surfaces331,332, respectively.

As shown inFIGS. 6 to 8, the drive unit3is disposed in the frame body2and is configured to drive the left drive shaft32and the camshaft33. In this embodiment, the drive unit3has a motor31(seeFIG. 6), and the left shaft32(seeFIG. 7) and the cam shaft33are coupled to be driven by the motor31.

With reference toFIG. 7, the left gear train81is disposed on the left side frame23, and is coupled to be driven by the left drive shaft32. The left gear train81has a first output shaft811which is rotatably mounted on the left side frame23and which has a first left end812. The first output shaft811is rotatable about a first shaft axis (Y1) (seeFIGS. 6 and 7). In this embodiment, the left gear train81is disposed on the rearward region202of the left side frame23.

As shown inFIGS. 6 and 8, the first shaft extension813extends from the first output shaft811along the first shaft axis (Y1) and through the right side frame24to terminate at a first right end814.

Each of the first primary crank arms45has a crank region451and a connecting region452. The crank region451is mounted on a corresponding one of the first left end812and the first right end814(seeFIGS. 7 and 8) so as to permit each of the first primary crank arms45to be rotated with the first output shaft811. The connecting region452is disposed radially offset from the first shaft axis (Y1) of the first output shaft811(seeFIGS. 6 to 8). In this embodiment, the connecting regions452of the first primary crank arms45are angularly displaced from each other by 180° relative to the first shaft axis (Y1).

Each of the first connecting rods41,42has a lower segment401and an upper segment402opposite to the lower segment401in the upright direction (Z). The upper segment402is pivotally coupled to the connecting region452of a corresponding one of the first primary crank arms45.

With reference toFIGS. 6, 9, and 10, the first suction cup51has a non-deformable cap516and a deformable cup body511. The non-deformable cap516defines an air hole519, and is mounted to the lower segment401of the first connecting rod41. The deformable cup body511defines an interior cavity513which is in fluid communication with the air hole519of the first suction cup51. Similarly, the first suction cup52has a non-deformable cap526and a deformable cup body521. The non-deformable cap526defines an air hole529, and is mounted to the lower segment401of the first connecting rod42. The deformable cup body521defines an interior cavity523which is in fluid communication with the air hole529of the first suction cup52. When the deformable cup body511or521is deformed to abut against a flat surface (S), a corresponding one of the first suction cups51,52forms an air seal with the flat surface (S) (seeFIGS. 7 and 8). The flat surface (S) may be a wall surface or a floor surface.

With reference toFIGS. 4, 5, 7, and 8, each of the first air tube units61,62is configured to permit a corresponding one of the first and second inlet ducts701,702of the primary post71to be in fluid communication with the interior cavity513,523of a corresponding one of the first suction cups51,52such that when each of the first and second spring-loaded release valves73,74is displaced to the open position, the air seal formed between the corresponding one of the first suction cups51,52and the flat surface (S) is broken, and such that when the left drive shaft32is driven concurrently with the cam shaft33to rotate, the air seals formed between the first suction cups51,52and the flat surface (S) are broken alternately so as to permit the first connecting rods41,42to be alternately pulled away from the flat surface (S).

As shown inFIGS. 4 to 8, the wall climbing toy further includes a third drive shaft (i.e., a right drive shaft34), a secondary post72, a third spring-loaded release valve75, a fourth spring-loaded release valve76, a second gear train (i.e., a right gear train82), a second shaft extension823, a pair of second primary crank arm46, a pair of second connecting rods43,44, and a pair of second suction cups53,54. The pump module6further has a pair of second air tube units63,64.

As best shown inFIG. 8, the right drive shaft34is disposed rotatably on the mid region203of the right side frame24, and is coupled to be driven by the motor31of the drive unit3(seeFIG. 6).

With reference toFIGS. 6 to 8, the secondary post72is disposed on the frame body2and is spaced apart from the primary post71in the longitudinal direction (X). The secondary post72has a first inlet duct701and a second inlet duct702. The cam shaft33is disposed between the primary and secondary posts71,72. The primary and secondary posts71,72are proximate to the rear and front ends22,21, respectively. In this embodiment, the first and second inlet ducts701,702of each of the primary and secondary posts71,72are spaced apart from each other in the upright direction (Z).

The third and fourth spring-loaded release valves75,76are located in the first and second inlet ducts701,702of the secondary post72, respectively. Each of the third and fourth spring-loaded release valves75,76is biased to a seal position and is displaceable to an open position by a corresponding one of the upper and lower cam surfaces331,332(seeFIG. 4) such that when the cam shaft33is rotated, the third and fourth spring-loaded release valves75,76are alternately displaced from the seal position to the open position.

As shown inFIG. 8, the right gear train82is disposed on the right side frame24and is coupled to be driven by the right drive shaft34. The right gear train82has a second output shaft821which is rotatably mounted on the right side frame24and which has a second right end822. The second output shaft821is rotatable about a second shaft axis (Y2) (seeFIGS. 6 and 8). In this embodiment, the right gear train82is disposed on the forward region201of the right side frame24.

As shown inFIGS. 6 to 8, the second shaft extension823extends from the second output shaft821along the second shaft axis (Y2) and through the left side frame23to terminate at a second left end824.

Each of the second primary crank arms46has a crank region461and a connecting region462. The crank region461is mounted on a corresponding one of the second right end822and the second left end824(seeFIGS. 7 and 8), so as to permit each of the second primary crank arms46to be rotated with the second output shaft821. The connecting region462is disposed radially offset from the second shaft axis (Y2) of the second output shaft821. The second shaft axis (Y2) is parallel to and spaced apart from the first shaft axis (Y1). In this embodiment, the connecting regions462of the second primary crank arms46are angularly displaced from each other by 180° relative to the second shaft axis (Y2).

Each of the second connecting rods43,44has a lower segment401and an upper segment402which is opposite to the lower segment401in the upright direction (Z), and which is pivotally coupled to the connecting region462of a corresponding one of the second primary crank arms46. In this embodiment, the first connecting rods41,42serve as a rear left leg (first leg)41and a rear right leg (second leg)42of the wall climbing toy, respectively, and the second connecting rods43,44serve as a front right leg (third leg)43and a front left leg (fourth leg)44of the wall climbing toy, respectively.

As shown inFIG. 9, the second suction cup53has a non-deformable cap536and a deformable cup body531. The non-deformable cap536defines an air hole539, and is mounted to the lower segment401of the second connecting rods43(seeFIG. 6). The deformable cup body531defines an interior cavity533which is in fluid communication with the air hole539. The second suction cup54has a non-deformable cap546and a deformable cup body541. The non-deformable cap546defines an air hole549, and is mounted to the lower segment401of the second connecting rod44. The deformable cup body541defines an interior cavity543which is in fluid communication with the air hole549. When the deformable cup body531or541is deformed to abut against the flat surface (S), a corresponding one of the second suction cups53,54forms an air seal with the flat surface (S). In this embodiment, the first suction cups51,52are rear left and rear right suction cups51,52, respectively, and the second suction cups53,54are front right and front left suction cups53,54, respectively.

Each of the second air tube units63,64is configured to permit a corresponding one of the first and second inlet ducts701,702of the secondary post72to be in fluid communication with the interior cavity533,543of a corresponding one of the first suction cups53,54such that when each of the third and fourth spring-loaded release valves75,76is displaced to the open position, the air seal formed between the corresponding one of the first suction cups53,54and the flat surface (S) is broken, and such that when the right drive shaft34is driven concurrently with the cam shaft33to rotate, the air seals formed between the second suction cups53,54and the flat surface (S) are broken alternately so as to permit the second connecting rods43,44to be alternately pulled away from the flat surface (S).

In addition, because the connecting regions452of the first primary crank arms45are angularly displaced from each other by 180° relative to the first shaft axis (Y1), when one of the first connecting rods41,42is moved to be pulled away from the flat surface (S), the other one of the first connecting rods41,42is moved to be placed on the flat surface (S). Similarly, because the connecting regions462of the second primary crank arms46are angularly displaced from each other by 180° relative to the second shaft axis (Y2), when one of the second connecting rods43,44is moved to be pulled away from the flat surface (S), the other one of the second connecting rods43,44is moved to be placed on the flat surface (S). Therefore, the wall climbing toy can closely simulate the movement of a four-limb animal.

With reference toFIGS. 4 and 5, in this embodiment, the first and second air tube units61,62,63,64are grouped as a leftward pair of the air tube units61,64and a rightward pair of the air tube units62,63.

The leftward pair of the air tube units61,64(seeFIGS. 4 and 5) are disposed to permit the second inlet ducts702of the primary and secondary posts71,72(seeFIGS. 7 and 8) to be respectively in fluid communication with the interior cavities513,543of the rear left and front left suction cups51,54. The rightward pair of the air tube units62,63(seeFIGS. 4 and 5) are disposed to permit the first inlet ducts701of the primary and secondary posts71,72(seeFIGS. 7 and 8) to be respectively in fluid communication with the interior cavities523,533of the rear right and front right suction cups52,53.

In this embodiment, the first and second output shafts811,821are rotated in the same direction (e.g., a clockwise or counterclockwise direction) so as to permit all of the first and second primary crank arms45,46to rotate in the same direction.

In this embodiment, each of the air tube units61,62,63,64has a first air tube601, a second air tube602, and a third air tube603. The first air tube601is connected to a corresponding one of the first and second inlet ducts701of the primary and secondary posts71,72. The second air tube602is connected to the interior cavity513,523,533, or543of a corresponding one of the first and second suction cups51,52,53,54. The third air tube603is connected to be in fluid communication with both the first and second air tubes601,602.

The pump module6further includes a pair of left bellows pumps604, a left cam member66, a pair of right bellows pumps605, and a right cam member68.

Each of the left bellows pumps604is connected to the third air tube603of a corresponding one of the leftward pair of the air tube units61,64so as to be in fluid communication with the first and second air tubes601,602of the corresponding one of the leftward pair of the air tube units61,64.

The left cam member66is coupled to the left drive shaft32so as to rotate therewith, and is interposed between the left bellows pumps604. The left cam member66is configured to alternately actuate the left bellows pumps604when the left cam member66is driven by the left drive shaft32to rotate, thereby permitting a drawing force and a blowing force of each of the left bellows pumps604to be alternately applied to a corresponding one of the interior cavities513,543of the rear left and front left suction cups51,54.

Each of the right bellows pumps605is connected to the third air tube603of a corresponding one of the rightward pair of the air tube units62,63so as to be in fluid communication with the first and second air tubes601,602of the corresponding one of the rightward pair of the air tube units62,63.

The right cam member68is coupled to the right drive shaft34so as to rotate therewith, and is interposed between the right bellows pumps605. The right cam member68is configured to alternately actuate the right bellows pumps605when the right cam member68is driven by the right drive shaft34to rotate, thereby permitting a drawing force and a blowing force of each of the right bellows pumps605to be alternately applied to a corresponding one of the interior cavities523,533of the rear right and front right suction cups52,53.

In this embodiment, the wall climbing toy further includes four edge pressing members55(seeFIG. 9) each of which includes a plurality of radial ribs551extending from the non-deformable cap516,526,536,546of a corresponding one of the first and second suction cups51,52,53,54to terminate at a plurality of contact ends552that are to be brought to abut against the flat surface (S) and a marginal edge510,520,530,540of the deformable cup body511,521,531,541of the corresponding one of the first and second suction cups51,52,53,54so as to ensure the air seal between the flat surface (S) and the corresponding one of the first and second suction cups51,52,53,54along the marginal edge510,520,530,540.

In this embodiment, each of the edge pressing members further includes a plurality of curved ribs553interconnecting the contact ends552.

As shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, the left gear train81further has a third output shaft815which is mounted rotatably on the rearward region202of the left side frame23and which has a third left end816. The third output shaft815is rotatable about a third shaft axis (Y3) which is parallel to and spaced apart from the first shaft axis (Y1).

As shown inFIGS. 6 and 8, the right gear train82further has a fourth output shaft825which is mounted rotatably on the right side frame24and which has a fourth right end826. The fourth output shaft825is rotatable about a fourth shaft axis (Y4) which is parallel to and spaced apart from the second shaft axis (Y2).

In this embodiment, the wall climbing toy further includes a third shaft extension817, a fourth shaft extension827, and four auxiliary crank arms47.

The third shaft extension817extends from the third output shaft815along the third shaft axis (Y3) and through the right side frame24to terminate at a third right end818.

The fourth shaft extension827extends from the fourth output shaft825along the fourth shaft axis (Y4) and through the left side frame23to terminate at a fourth left end828.

Each of the auxiliary crank arms47has a crank region471and a connecting region472. The crank region471is mounted on a corresponding one of the third left end816, the third right end818, the fourth left end828, and the fourth right end826, so as to permit each of the auxiliary crank arms47to be rotated with a corresponding one of the third and fourth output shafts815,825. The connecting region472is disposed radially offset from a corresponding one of the third and fourth shaft axes (Y3, Y4), and is pivotally coupled to the lower segment402of a corresponding one of the first and second connecting rods41,42,43,44.

As shown inFIGS. 7 and 8, the wall climbing toy further includes a third gear unit (i.e., a right gear unit83) and a fourth gear unit (i.e., a left gear unit84).

The right gear unit83is disposed on the rearward region202of the right side frame24, and is coupled to both of the first and third shaft extensions813,817so as to permit the first and third shaft extensions813,817to rotate in the same direction.

The left gear unit84is disposed on the frontward region201of the left side frame23, and is coupled to both of the second and fourth shaft extensions823,827so as to permit the second and fourth shaft extensions823,827to rotate in the same direction.

In other aspect of the disclosure, a first module801is coupled to be driven by the first drive shaft32, and includes the first gear train81, the first leg41, the first output shaft extension813, the third output shaft extension817, and the crank arms45,47each coupling the first leg41to a corresponding one of the first and third output shafts811,815of the first gear train81. A second module802is coupled to be driven by the first module801, and includes the second gear train82, the second leg42, and the crank arms45,47each coupling the second leg42to a corresponding one of the first and third output shaft extensions813,817. A third module803is coupled to be driven by the third drive shaft34, and includes the third gear train83, the second output shaft extension,823, the fourth output shaft extension827, the third leg43, and the crank arms46,47each coupling the third leg43to a corresponding one of the second and fourth output shafts821,825of the third gear train83. A fourth module804is coupled to be driven by the third module803, and includes the fourth gear train84, the fourth leg44, and the crank arms46,47each coupling the fourth leg44to a corresponding one of the second and fourth output shaft extensions823,827. A valve module7is disposed on the frame body2and is coupled to be driven by the second drive shaft33. The valve module7includes the primary post71, the secondary post72, and the first, second, third, and fourth spring-loaded release valve73,74,75,76. In response to rotation of the second drive shaft33, the air seals formed between the first suction cups51,52and the flat surface (S) are broken alternately, and the air seals formed between the second suction cups53,54, and the flat surface (S) are broken alternately. The non-deformable cap516,526,536, or546and the edge pressing member55for each of the first and second suction cups51,52,53,54can be integrally formed into a non-deformable body500.