Toy vehicle

A toy vehicle is provided. The toy vehicle having: a vehicle chassis defining a first interior region; a leg movably secured to the vehicle chassis for movement from a first position to a second position, wherein the leg and a wheel rotatably secured to the leg is extended away from the chassis when the leg is moved to the second position; a spring for providing a biasing force to retain the leg into the first position; and an actuation unit received within the first interior region of the chassis and operably coupled to the movable leg member and a body portion movably secured to the chassis, the actuation unit being configured to overcome the biasing force of the spring and move the leg to the second position when the body portion is moved with respect to the chassis.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to toy vehicles and more particularly to mechanically actuated features of a toy vehicle that provides for enhanced play or options.

Toy vehicles are configured in a variety of styles to allow for enhanced play. Self-propelled toy vehicles have been provided that move without or with reduced inaction from the user. Other toy vehicles are known as transformable toy vehicles. A transformable toy vehicle converts from a first configuration, such as a sports car or truck for example, into a second configuration, such as a helicopter or plane for example. Vehicles with more than one mode or configuration that provide additional functionality are desirable since they enhance the creative play and skills developed by the user.

Toy vehicles having some form of extra functionality are popular among children. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide vehicles with functional features to allow simulation of actions by the toy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A toy vehicle is provided. The toy vehicle having a vehicle chassis defining a first interior region. A body portion is movably secured to the chassis. A leg member is movably secured to the vehicle chassis for movement from a first position to a second position, wherein the leg member and a wheel rotatably secured to the leg is moved relative to the chassis when the leg member is moved between the first position and the second position the second position. A spring is arranged for providing a biasing force to retain the leg toward the first position. An actuation unit is received within the first interior region of the chassis and operably coupled to the movable leg member, the actuation unit being configured to overcome the biasing force of the spring and move the leg member to the second position when the body portion is moved relative to the chassis.

In another exemplary embodiment, a toy vehicle is provided the toy vehicle having a vehicle chassis having a pair of wheels each independently secured to the chassis via a leg movably secured to the vehicle chassis for movement between a first position and a second position, wherein the leg and a wheel rotatably secured to the leg is extended away from the chassis when the leg is moved to the second position. A spring is arranged for providing a biasing force to retain the leg into the first position. A body portion is moveably mounted to the chassis wherein the body portion can be moved towards the chassis in a plurality of directions; and an actuation unit received within an interior region of the chassis and operably coupled to each leg member, the actuation unit being configured to selectively extend either or both of the pair of wheels from the toy vehicle by moving the leg members to the second position from the first position, wherein movement of the leg members from the first position to the second position is dependant upon one of the plurality of directions the body portion moves in as it is moved towards the chassis.

In still another exemplary embodiment, a method for selectively moving a pair of wheels of a toy vehicle away from a chassis of the toy vehicle is provided. The method includes the steps of independently securing the pair of wheels to the chassis of the toy vehicle with a leg movably secured to the vehicle chassis for movement between a first position and a second position, wherein the leg and one of the pair of wheels rotatably secured to the leg is extended away from the chassis when the leg is moved to the second position. Each leg is biased into the first position. A body portion is movably mounted to the chassis, wherein the body portion can be moved towards the chassis in a plurality of directions. The body portion is coupled to each of the pair of wheels with an actuation unit received within an interior region of the chassis, the actuation unit being operably coupled to each leg member and being configured to selectively extend either or both of the pair of wheels from the toy vehicle by moving the leg members to the second position from the first position, wherein movement of the leg members from the first position to the second position is dependant upon one of the plurality of directions the body portion moves in as it is moved towards the chassis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIGS. 1 through 7a toy vehicle that includes one or more functional features is described and shown.

Referring now to the FIGS., a toy vehicle10is provided in accordance with various embodiments. The toy10vehicle includes, but is not limited to, a body12, and a chassis14. In various embodiments, the body12is a replication of a vehicle, such as, a car, a truck, a bus, etc. As can be appreciated, the body12may also include vehicle components such as, doors, a windshield or windows, a hood, headlights, a bumper, etc. The body12couples to the chassis14. A plurality of leg members16are pivotally mounted to the chassis14for movement between a first position and a second position wherein the leg members16extend outwardly from the chassis14in the second position and the leg members16are in an un-extended or retracted position in the first position. In various embodiments, one or more of the leg members16are movable with respect to the chassis14and are spring biased toward the first position. A plurality of wheels18are rotatably mounted to the vehicle10and each leg member16has a wheel18rotatably secured thereto. In one embodiment, the wheels18include tires20that are configured to resemble large off-road type vehicle tires.

The chassis14defines an interior region22(as shown inFIGS. 3A, 4C, 5, and 6A). The interior region22houses an actuation unit24configured to move the one or more leg members16from the first position to the second position. In one embodiment, the movement of the leg members16to the second position can simulate a fighting move (i.e., punching or kicking) of the toy vehicle10. For example, as shown inFIGS. 2A-2Dthe movement can be outwardly extending a forward leg member in a side direction, outwardly extending a forward leg member in a front direction, outwardly extending a rear leg member in a side direction, or outwardly extending a rear leg member in a rear direction.

With reference now toFIGS. 3A-3B, and in one embodiment, a first actuation unit24acan include a spring biased gear system. For example, the actuation unit24acan include an actuating member26or members26aand26bpivotally coupled to the chassis14within the interior region22, the actuating member26or members26aor26beach have a rack or toothed portion27or any other equivalent surface configured to engage a gear28or gears28a,28brotatably mounted to the chassis14to couple to the actuating member26to the gear28or gears28a,28b.

In one embodiment, each gear28aand28bis also coupled to a respective leg member16a,16bsuch that rotation of the gears28aand28bby movement of actuating members26aand26bmoves the leg member16aand16boutwardly. Furthermore each gear28aand28balso couples to a spring such that rotation of the gear in a first direction against the biasing force of the spring will cause the gear and the leg member to return to a first or un-actuated position after an applied force is removed.

For example, a first movable leg member (e.g., a front right movable leg member16a), is coupled to the gear28aand the gear28ais coupled to an actuating member26awhile a second gear28bis coupled to a second movable leg member16b,(e.g., a front left movable leg member) and the second gear is coupled to a second actuation member26b.As can further be appreciated, the actuation unit24acan similarly include actuating members and gears that couple to rear mounted movable leg members (embodiment not shown).

In any of the embodiments, the body12can be mounted to the chassis such that the body is freely floating with respect to the chassis14and the body12may be manipulated in an essentially vertical downward direction with respect to the chassis14or an angled downward direction with respect to the chassis such that depending on the downward movement of the body12with respect to the chassis14either one or both of the actuation members26a,26bare manipulated to provide the effect of extending either the left front wheel or the right front wheel or both wheels simultaneously. In one non-limiting configuration and in order to provide the angled downward movement (i.e. toward the play surface) of the body, the body is mounted to the chassis so it may be pivoted left to right and/or right to left prior to it being depressed downwardly. In one embodiment, the toy vehicle10is lifted such that the forward wheels are lifted from a surface (so they can move outwardly away from the chassis14) while the rear wheels remain substantially on the surface and movement of the body12downwardly to the left, right or center with respect to the chassis14will cause the left and right leg members16a,16bto extend from the toy vehicle10, which as discussed above may resemble a simulated fighting move such as punching or kicking. It is, of course, understood that in an alternative embodiment, the rear wheels may be extended from the vehicle in a similar fashion.

Accordingly, the body12(FIG. 1A) is configured such that when the body12or a portion of the body12is depressed toward the chassis14in any one of the various directions mentioned above or equivalents thereof, one or more contact points of the body12actuate the one or both of the actuating member(s)26a,26band as discussed above the actuation of the actuating member(s)26a,26binduces the gear(s)28a,28bto rotate. The rotation of the gear(s)28a,28bfurther induces the movable leg member(s)16a,16bto extend. In one exemplary embodiment, the movable leg members further comprise an upper leg portion and lower leg portion wherein the upper leg portion is secured to the gear at one end and pivotally mounted to the lower leg portion at the other end and the wheel is rotatably secured to the lower leg portion.

As discussed above, each gear28a,28band accordingly each leg member16a,16bis spring biased toward the first position such that when the body12or portion of the body12(FIG. 1A) is released or allowed to move upwardly from the chassis14, the actuating member(s)26a,26band the gears28a,28bare moved in a reverse or opposite direction which causes the movable leg member(s)16a,16bto retract to the first position. In one embodiment, the body12may be spring biased upwardly and/or the springs coupled to the gears28a,28bmove the body upwardly.

In various alternative embodiments, a portion of the body12(FIG. 1A) can be configured to include one or more depressible buttons that, when depressed, actuate or depress the actuating member(s)26a,26bsuch that the leg members16a,16bextend from the chassis14.

In one exemplary embodiment, the movable leg member(s)16a,16bextend in an outward direction away from the front30of the chassis14. As shown inFIG. 3Cand in one non-limiting embodiment, each of the movable leg member(s)16a,16bhas a guide or feature32that is configured to be received in and slide in an opening34of the chassis14. Accordingly, the guide32is configured to assist in regulating the movement of the movable leg member(s)16a,16balong a first axis. As discussed above, springs36are coupled to the gears28a,28band provide a biasing force to the gears28a,28bto return the leg members16a,16bto the first position when the body12is moved upwardly away from the chassis14.

With reference now toFIGS. 4A-4F, an alternative exemplary embodiment is illustrated here actuation unit includes a spring loaded axle system. For example, the actuation unit24bincludes an actuating member40and an axle portion42coupled to the chassis14within the interior region22. The actuating member40includes a pivoting arm44that is biased into a first position. The pivoting arm is coupled to a tab46of the axle portion42and the axle portion42is biased into a first position by means of a spring48. The axle portion42may include an arm43that is pivotally coupled to the chassis14by a pin45.

Accordingly and when a force is applied to the pivoting arm44(via movement of the body12or any other equivalent device), the pivoting arm44is moved and contacts the tab46to extend the axle and the movable leg member16to a second position or laterally away from the chassis14as opposed to forward or rearward movement. When the force is released from the pivoting arm44, the axle and pivoting arm44retracts back to the first position by means of the biasing force of the spring48. In this embodiment, the movable leg member16extends in an outward or lateral direction away from the side of the chassis14. As can further be appreciated, the actuation unit24bof this embodiment can similarly include an actuating member and an axle portion that correspond to a rear movable leg member.

In various embodiments, the force can be applied to the pivoting arm44from a contact of the body12such that when the body12is depressed in a direction towards the chassis14, the body12applies the force to the pivoting arm44. Alternatively, an actuation button is provided. In various embodiments, the body12may have one or more biasing member, such as springs47for example, that allow the body12to be movably coupled to the chassis14.

With reference now toFIG. 5A-5D, another toy vehicle10having an another actuation unit24cis illustrated. Here the actuation unit24cincludes a linkage system. For example and in one embodiment, the actuation unit24chas at least first and second linking members50a,52aeach being pivotally coupled to each other wherein the first linking member50ais also pivotally secured to the chassis14and the second linking member52ais pivotally secured to the a leg member16a.In this embodiment, the first linking member50acan be coupled to a rear axle associated with the rear wheel such that movement of the rear wheel and axle will ultimately move the leg member16aoutwardly or the first linking member50acan be coupled to the body12or an actuation member movably secured to the chassis14.

Accordingly and when a force is applied to the rear of the vehicle10thereby moving the rear axle or alternatively the body12, the linkage system is manipulated and causes one or more of the front movable leg members16a,16bto extend to the second position. When the force is released a spring biased force returns the linkage system to a first position and the one or more of the front movable leg members16a,16bare retracted to the first position.

As can be appreciated and as illustrated, actuation unit24cin one non limiting exemplary embodiment, can include another pair of first and second linking members50b,52bthat are coupled to a movable leg member16b.As can be appreciated, the first actuation unit24ccan similarly include a linkage system associated with rear mounted movable leg members.

Referring now toFIGS. 6A and 6B, still another exemplary actuation unit24dis illustrated that includes a cam system. For example, and in one embodiment, the actuation unit24dhas a first pivotally mounted cam member56that is spring biased in a first position. The first cam member56has a cam surface for engaging a corresponding can surface of a second pivotally mounted cam member58. The second pivotally mounted cam member58also being spring biased into a first position. The second pivotally mounted cam member58is coupled to the leg member16a.

A pivotally mounted lever54is further provided for actuating the first pivotally mounted cam member56. The lever54actuates the first cam member56based on a force applied to the lever54. When actuated, the first pivotally mounted cam member56pivots to a second position. When in the second position, the cam surface of the first pivotally mounted cam member56engages the surface of the second pivotally mounted cam member58thereby causing the second pivotally mounted cam member58to pivot to a second position, and further causing the corresponding leg member16ato extend to a second position.

When the force is removed from the lever54, the first pivotally mounted cam member56pivots back to the first position by means of the biasing force of the spring, which causes the second pivotally mounted cam member58to pivot back to the first position by means of the biasing force of the corresponding spring, thereby causing the leg member16ato retract to the first position.

As can be appreciated, the actuation unit24din one non limiting exemplary embodiment can include another pair of cam members that are coupled to a movable leg member such that each front wheel is secured to a movable leg member spring biased into a first position and each leg member is coupled to a cam member58pivotally mounted to the chassis and having a cam surface positioned to engage a complimentary cam member of a first cam member56.

In this embodiment, there are a pair of first cam members56each being pivotally mounted to the chassis and being configured to engage a respective cam member58. Here each of the cam members58are positioned to be manipulated by a corresponding lever54pivotally mounted to the chassis. In this embodiment each lever is located such that if the upper body portion12is pushed downwardly towards the chassis in essentially a vertical direction tab member or feature61will engage both levers54and move them which in turn causes the cam member56to actuate cam members58and thus both leg members16are extended. Alternatively and if the body is angled with respect to the chassis as it is being depressed only one of the levers will be actuated and thus a left or right wheel and arm member is extended. Still further a user may rock the upper body portion12in a left to right manner with respect to the chassis such that the left and right wheels may extend and retract in an alternating fashion to resemble a punching action.

With reference toFIG. 6B, the upper body portion12has a pair of features57and59that allow the body to be secured to the chassis in a movable manner such that the upper body or body portion can be angled or pivoted and depressed downwardly towards the chassis at various angles such that selective movement of the levers54and accordingly the extension of the wheels may be provided. In one non-limiting embodiment, the features are spring biased with respect to the chassis or the upper body to allow for depression and subsequent upward movement of the upper body.

In addition, the openings the distal ends of the features are received in may be configured to allow for angular movement of the body as well as downward movement of the body so that various angles and movements are provided to provide for the selective actuation of each of the independently mounted wheels and associated leg members. Still further the features themselves may be pivotally mounted to the upper body and/or the features themselves may also be configured to be snap fitted into openings in the chassis while still allowing for the pivotal and angular movement of the body portion with respect to the chassis. Accordingly, various movement of the body with respect to the chassis allows a force to be applied to one or both of the levers in a selective fashion from a single contact or feature61of the body12such that, as discussed above, when the body12is depressed in various directions towards the chassis14, the body12applies the force to either one or both of the levers54. When two or more levers are depressed, the application of the force to the corresponding lever54can in one non-limiting embodiment be dependant upon the direction of the force applied to the body12.

Alternatively, one or more actuation buttons can be provided on the body for manipulation of the levers. In various embodiments, the force applied to the chassis14from the body12can be regulated by one or more spring biased members acting upon the upper body portion.

As can further be appreciated, the first actuation unit24dcan similarly include a cam system associated with rear mounted movable leg members or all four wheels of the vehicle may actuated.

Referring now toFIGS. 7A-7B still another alternative embodiment is illustrated, here the body12is configured to define an interior region60. The interior region60of the body12houses a second actuation unit62. The second actuation unit62is configured to actuate or cause the movement of a front component of the body12. In one non-limiting embodiment, the component can be, but is not limited to, a windshield63, headlights, or a hood. In various embodiments, the component is slidably coupled to the body12by one or more biasing member, such as springs65for example, that return the component to a first position.

For example and in this embodiment, the movement can be the flipping open of the hood, flipping up of the headlights, and/or exposing a particular windshield (e.g., a second windshield or the back side of the first windshield).

In the example ofFIGS. 7A-7B, the actuation unit62can be coupled to, for example, a bumper of the body12. The bumper can be spring loaded, and when depressed, can activate a linkage mechanism62that pulls down the first windshield and exposes the second windshield. The second windshield then displays a graphic that is different than what is displayed on the first windshield (if at all).

Referring toFIGS. 8A-8Cstill another alternative embodiment is illustrated, here the body12is configured to define an interior region. The interior region of the body12houses a third actuation unit70. The third actuation unit70includes a first pair of linkages72,74that rotate about a pivot in response to the body12being depressed. In one embodiment, the body12may be depressed to actuate the linkage72or the linkage74by the user depressing more on one side of the body12(FIG. 8C). Both linkages72,74may be actuated simultaneously by depressing in substantially the center of the body12. A biasing member, such as a spring80, is coupled to one end of each linkage72,74to return the linkage to a first position when the user releases the body12.

The third actuation unit70also includes a first leg member assembly76and a second leg member assembly78that are coupled between the tires20and the linkages72,74respectively. The leg member assemblies76,78is configured to actuate or cause the movement of a front component of the body12, such as the tires20for example. It should be appreciated that the leg member assemblies may further be coupled to actuate the movement of other components, such as the flipping open of the hood, flipping up of the headlights, and/or exposing a particular windshield (e.g., a second windshield or the back side of the first windshield) for example.

Referring toFIG. 9still another alternative embodiment is illustrated, here the body12is configured to define an interior region. The interior region of the body12houses a fourth actuation unit82. The fourth actuation unit82is configured to actuate or cause the movement of a front component of the body12. In one non-limiting embodiment, the component can be, but is not limited to, a hood84and a tongue member86that moves out from within the interior region. In various embodiments, the component is slidably coupled to the body12by one or more biasing member, such as springs88for example, that return the component to a first position.

In the embodiment ofFIG. 9, the component is coupled to the tires20by leg members90,92. In response to the user moving the tires20, such as laterally downward from the body12for example, the fourth actuation unit82leg members90,92translates the movement of the tires20into the forward movement of the tongue86. It should be appreciated that the movement of the tires20may be used to actuate the movement of other components, such as a tow truck hook88, flipping up of the headlights, and/or exposing a particular windshield (e.g., a second windshield or the back side of the first windshield) for example.

Accordingly and in one embodiment, the toy will have a fighting feature that may include a front or rear tire side kick, a front or rear dual wheel punching effect or single wheel punching action wherein the activation method can either be pressing down on rear or front tires, pressing activation buttons located on top of the body or pressing down on the entire body to produce any of these fighting/punching features. In the various embodiments spring loaded links using anyone of gears, cams, linkages or combinations thereon allow for this action to occur.