Toy vehicles

A toy vehicle configured to move across a support surface is disclosed. In some embodiments, the toy vehicle may include a body having a top portion and a bottom portion; a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to the body and configured to rotatably support the body on the support surface in a plurality of positions including an upright position, and an inverted position, wherein less than all of the plurality of wheels rotatably support the body on the support surface when the body is in the inverted position; and a stabilizing mechanism mounted to the body, the stabilizing mechanism being configured, when the body is in the inverted position, to move a portion of the body away from the support surface such that one or more of the plurality of wheels may be driven to return the body in the upright position.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is directed to toy vehicles, particularly toy vehicles that are configured to move on a variety of surfaces and/or include one or more stabilizing mechanisms. Examples of toy vehicles, including toy vehicles that are configured to move on a variety of surfaces and/or include one or more stabilizing mechanisms include U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,172,488; 6,939,197; 6,692,333; 6,648,722; 6,540,583; 6,502,657; 6,439,948; 6,227,934; 6,129,607; 5,618,219; 5,487,692; 5,019,009; 4,902,260; 4,773,889; 4,767,376; 4,744,781; 4,652,247; 4,547,166; 4,540,376; 3,600,847; 3,237,343; 3,001,601; 2,775,062; D529,967; and D527,772, and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2006/0089080; 2004/0092206; 2003/0224695; and 2003/0082990. The complete disclosures of the above patents and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Some embodiments provide a toy vehicle configured to move across a support surface. In some embodiments, the toy vehicle may include a body having a top portion and a bottom portion; a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to the body and configured to rotatably support the body on the support surface in a plurality of positions including an upright position in which the bottom portion is adjacent the support surface and the top portion is spaced from the support surface relative to the bottom portion, and an inverted position in which the top portion is adjacent the support surface and the bottom portion is spaced from the support surface relative to the top portion, wherein less than all of the plurality of wheels rotatably support the body on the support surface when the body is in the inverted position; and a stabilizing mechanism mounted to the body, the stabilizing mechanism being configured, when the body is in the inverted position, to move a portion of the body away from the support surface such that one or more of the plurality of wheels may be driven to return the body in the upright position.

In some embodiments, the toy vehicle may include a body having a top portion and a bottom portion; a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to the body and configured to rotatably support the body on the support surface in a plurality of positions including an upright position in which the bottom portion is adjacent the support surface and the top portion is spaced from the support surface relative to the bottom portion, and in an inverted position in which the top portion is adjacent the support surface and the bottom portion is spaced from the support surface relative to the top portion, the plurality of wheels including front wheels and rear wheels, wherein only the front wheels rotatably support the body on the support surface when the body is in the inverted position; and a stabilizing mechanism mounted to the body, the stabilizing mechanism being configured, when the body is in the inverted position, to move a portion of the body adjacent the rear wheels away from the support surface such that the front wheels may be driven to return the body in the upright position.

In some embodiments, the toy vehicle may include a body having a top portion and a bottom portion; a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to the body and configured to rotatably support the body on the support surface in a plurality of positions including an upright position in which the bottom portion is adjacent the support surface and the top portion is spaced from the support surface relative to the bottom portion, and in an inverted position in which the top portion is adjacent the support surface and the bottom portion is spaced from the support surface relative to the top portion, the plurality of wheels including front wheels and rear wheels, wherein the rear wheels do not rotatably support the body on the support surface when the body is in the inverted position; a drive assembly configured to receiving driving inputs from a user and to convey the driving inputs to one or more of the plurality of wheels; and a stabilizing mechanism mounted to the body, the stabilizing mechanism being configured, when the body is in the inverted position, to move a portion of the body with the rear wheels away from the support surface such that the front wheels may be driven to return the body in the upright position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

FIG. 1shows some embodiments of a toy vehicle20. The toy vehicle may include any suitable structure configured to allow the toy vehicle to move across any suitable support surface(s). For example, the toy vehicle may include a body22, a wheel assembly24, a drive assembly26, a control assembly28, and a stabilizing assembly30. In some embodiments, the toy vehicle may additionally, or alternatively, include a steering assembly32.

The body may include any suitable structure configured to support one or more other components of the toy vehicle. Additionally, the body may have any suitable shape and/or any suitable appearance. In some embodiments, the body may include one or more structures configured to ensure that the vehicle floats on water, such as one or more foam members (e.g., closed cell foam, etc.).

Wheel assembly24may include a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to the body and/or configured to rotatably support the body on one or more support surfaces in a plurality of positions. For example, the plurality of wheels may include at least one driven wheel34. In some embodiments, the plurality of wheels may alternatively, or additionally, include at least one steerable wheel36. The driven wheel may be configured to be driven by drive assembly26at any suitable speed(s) and/or direction(s). Steerable wheel36may be configured to be steered by steering assembly32toward any suitable direction(s).

The wheel assembly may include any suitable number of wheels, such as two wheels, three wheels, four or more wheels. Any combination of those wheels may be driven and/or steerable. For example, when the plurality of wheels includes two front wheels and two rear wheels, all wheels may be driven (all-wheel drive configuration) with one or more of those wheels being steerable. Alternatively, the two front wheels may be steerable and the two rear wheels may be driven (rear-wheel drive configuration), or vice-versa (front-wheel drive configuration).

Alternatively, all wheels may be driven but none of the wheels may be steerable. For example, the drive assembly may selectively and independently drive each of at least two pairs of a front wheel and a rear wheel, which may be referred to as tank-drive configuration. In a tank-drive configuration, the toy vehicle may be steered by selective rotation of the driven wheels, even though none of its wheels are steerable.

The wheels may include any suitable structure configured to allow the body to move across one or more support surfaces, such as asphalt, concrete, clay, sand, soil, brick, tile, carpet, and/or other outdoor/indoor support surfaces. In some embodiments, one or more of the wheels may include one or more structures configured to ensure that the vehicle floats on water, such as one or more foam members (e.g., closed cell foam, etc.).

Drive assembly26may include any suitable structure configured to selectively drive the rotation of the at least one driven wheel. For example, the drive assembly may include at least one motor38and at least one power supply40. The motor may be configured to drive the rotation of at least one of the driven wheels of the plurality of wheels.

Drive assembly26may include any suitable number of motors38. For example, the drive assembly may include two motors where a first motor may drive a subset of the plurality of wheels, such as a first pair of a front wheel and a rear wheel (or the front wheels), while a second motor may drive another subset of the plurality of wheels, such as a second pair of a front wheel and a rear wheel (or the rear wheels). Alternatively, drive assembly26may include more than two motors. For example, drive assembly26may include a motor for each driven wheel.

Motor38may additionally power other moveable components of vehicle20. For example, the motor may power one or more components of stabilizing assembly30. In some embodiments, the motor may activate a wheelie mechanism and/or self-right mechanism of the stabilizing assembly. For example, the motor may move one or more stabilizers of the stabilizing assembly toward an extended position and/or a retracted position.

Power supply40may include any suitable structure configured to provide power for the motor, such as one or more batteries, capacitors, etc. The drive assembly may additionally, or alternatively, be configured to receive driving inputs from a user, such as via control assembly28, and to convey those driving inputs to the plurality of wheels. Although drive assembly26is shown to include motor38and power supply40, the drive assembly may additionally, or alternatively, include any suitable components and/or assemblies configured to selectively drive the rotation of the at least one driven wheel, such as motor output linkage(s), user input device(s), etc.

Control assembly28may include any suitable structure configured to receive user inputs and/or to convey those inputs to drive assembly26and/or steering assembly32. For example, control assembly28may include a user interface44configured to receive user inputs, such as driving and/or steering inputs. The user interface may include control knob(s), button(s), lever(s), cord(s), keyboard(s), etc.

The control assembly may sometimes be referred to as being configured to be in control communication with the drive and/or steering assemblies. “Control communication,” as used herein, refers to the control assembly being physically connected, remotely connected, and/or connected in other suitable way(s) to allow the control assembly to convey user inputs to one or more other components of the toy vehicle, such as the drive and/or steering assemblies.

In some embodiments, the user interface may include a remote control receiver46and a remote control transmitter48. The remote control transmitter may be configured to receive user inputs, such as drive and/or steering inputs, and to transmit those inputs to the remote control receiver. Remote control transmitter48may include control knob(s), button(s), lever(s), cord(s), keyboard(s), etc. Remote control receiver46may receive those inputs and convey those inputs to the drive assembly and/or steering assembly.

In some embodiments, remote control transmitter48may be cordless or not physically connected with remote control receiver46and/or toy vehicle20. In those embodiments, remote control transmitter48may communicate with remote control receiver46via electromagnetic radiation, such as one or more infrared beams, one or more radio signals, one or more microwave beams, etc. Alternatively, remote control transmitter48may be connected via one or more cables or cords to remote control receiver46and/or toy vehicle20.

Although control assembly28is shown to convey user inputs to drive assembly26and steering assembly32, the control assembly may additionally, or alternatively, convey user inputs to other components of the toy vehicle, such as stabilizing assembly30. For example, the control assembly may move one or more stabilizers of the stabilizing assembly toward an extended position and/or a retracted position.

Stabilizing assembly30may include any suitable structure configured to stabilize and/or self-right the body of the toy vehicle. For example, stabilizing assembly30may include a self-righting mechanism50and a wheelie mechanism52. Self-righting mechanism50may include any suitable structure configured to self-right the body of the toy vehicle and/or move the body toward one or more positions relative a support surface. Wheelie mechanism52may include any suitable structure configured to support the body in a wheelie position or a position in which only one or more rear wheels rotatably support the body on a support surface.

Stabilizing assembly30may be operatively connected to the wheel assembly such that movement of one or more wheels of the wheel assembly triggers one or more components of the stabilizing assembly. Alternatively, or additionally, one or more components of the stabilizing assembly may be operatively connected to the drive assembly, the steering assembly, and/or the control assembly. For example, self-righting mechanism may be activated via user inputs through the control assembly.

Steering assembly32may include any suitable structure configured to selectively steer the at least one steerable wheel. For example, the steering assembly may include at least one steering column42and/or other mechanical linkage that receives steering inputs from control assembly28and steers one or more of the steerable wheels based, at least in part, on the steering inputs. Although steering assembly32is shown to include steering column42, the steering assembly may additionally, or alternatively, include any suitable structure configured to selectively steer the at least one steerable wheel. Although toy vehicle20is shown to include body22, wheel assembly24, drive assembly26, control assembly28, stabilizing assembly30, and steering assembly32, the toy vehicle may additionally, or alternatively, include any suitable structure configured to allow the toy vehicle to move across any suitable surface(s).

An example of toy vehicle20is shown inFIGS. 2-3and is generally indicated at100. Unless specifically excluded, toy vehicle100may include one or more components and/or one or more functions of components of toy vehicle20. The toy vehicle may include a body102, a wheel assembly104, a drive assembly106, a control assembly108, and a stabilizing assembly110.

The body may include any suitable portions, such as a top portion112, a bottom portion114, a front portion116, and a rear portion118. Additionally, body102may have any suitable shape(s) and/or appearance(s). For example, the body may have a curvilinear shape and may have the appearance of a toy alien beast, as shown inFIG. 2.

Although the body is shown to have a particular curvilinear shape, the body may alternatively, or additionally, have any suitable curvilinear, rectilinear, and/or other suitable shape(s). Additionally, although the body is shown to have the appearance of an alien beast, the body may alternatively, or additionally, have any suitable appearance(s). For example, the body may alternatively have the appearance of a particular car, sport-utility vehicle, and/or truck.

Wheel assembly104may include a plurality of wheels120, which may be rotatably mounted to the body and may be configured to rotatably support the body on a support surface in a plurality of positions. For example, the plurality of wheels may be configured to rotatably support body102in an upright position U in which the bottom portion of the body may be adjacent the support surface, and the top portion of the body may be spaced from the support surface relative to the bottom portion, as shown inFIGS. 2-3.

Additionally, or alternatively, the plurality of wheels may be configured to rotatably support body102in an inverted position I in which top portion112is adjacent a support surface S and bottom portion114is spaced from the support surface relative to the top portion, as shown inFIG. 6. In some embodiments, less than all of the plurality of wheels (such as only the front wheels) may rotatably support the body on the support surface when the body is in the inverted position. Alternatively, or additionally, the plurality of wheels may be configured to rotatably support body102in a wheelie position W in which only one or more rear wheels rotatably support body102, as shown inFIGS. 12-13.

Plurality of wheels120may include any suitable shape(s) and/or size(s). For example, one or more of the plurality of wheels may be concave-shaped or hemispherical-shaped, as shown inFIGS. 2-3. Alternatively, or additionally, one or more of the plurality of wheels may be spherical-shaped, cylindrically-shaped, convex-shaped, etc. One or more of the plurality of wheels may be equal or about equal in size. Alternatively, the plurality of wheels may include two or more wheels of different sizes. For example, plurality of wheels120may include one small front wheel and two large rear wheels, such as rear wheels that are about two to three times the diameter of the front wheel.

The plurality of wheels may include front wheels122and rear wheels124, as shown inFIGS. 2-3. In some embodiments, the plurality of wheels may be referred to as including at least two pairs of front wheel122and rear wheel124. Although plurality of wheels120is shown to include two front wheels122and two rear wheels124, the plurality of wheels may include any suitable number of front and/or rear wheels, such as one, three, or four front wheels and/or one, three, or four rear wheels.

Front and rear wheels122and124may include any suitable structure configured to rotatably support the body and allow the body to move across one or more support surfaces. For example, one or more of the wheels may include a base126, a traction nub ring128, and a retainer hub130, as shown inFIG. 4. The base may include a plurality of petals131, a plurality of paddles132, and a plurality of apertures134. The paddles may increase traction and/or grip on more variable support surfaces and/or allow the body to move across bodies of water. Apertures134may be sized to receive traction nubs from traction nub ring128.

The traction nub ring may include a ring136and a plurality of traction nubs138. The ring may support the plurality of traction nubs in a spaced relationship, while the traction nubs may increase traction and/or grip on various support surfaces. Retainer hub130may be configured to be mounted on base126and to maintain traction nub ring128on base126.

Although wheels120are shown to include discrete components, one or more components may be incorporated or combined into and/or onto other components. For example, traction nubs138may be incorporated, such as inserted molded, onto the petals of the base. Additionally, although each petal of the base is shown to include a single traction nub, one or more of the petals may include two or more traction nubs (or include no traction nubs). Moreover, although traction nubs138are shown to include a particular shape and size, one or more of the traction nubs may include any suitable shape(s) and size(s).

Furthermore, although wheels120are shown to include base126, traction nub ring128, and retainer hub130, one or more of the wheels may alternatively, or additionally, include any suitable structure configured to rotatably support body102on one or more support surfaces and allow the body to move across those surfaces. For example, one or more wheels120may include a base140, a plurality of petals141, traction nubs142, a floatation device144, and a paddle wheel146, as shown inFIG. 5.

Base140may include a plurality of openings148, a plurality of slits150, and a protruding portion152. The plurality of apertures may be sized to receive the traction nubs, while the plurality of slits may be sized to allow paddles of the paddle wheel to extend through the base. Protruding portion152may be configured to receive the flotation device and paddle wheel. Floatation device144and paddle wheel146may be configured to be attached to protruding portion152.

Drive assembly106and control assembly108may include one or more components and/or one or more functions of components of drive assembly26and control assembly28, respectively. For example, drive assembly106may include two motors (not shown) to selectively and independently drive each of at least two pairs of a front wheel and a rear wheel of the plurality of wheels.

Stabilizing assembly110may include any suitable structure configured to stabilize and/or self-right toy vehicle100. Additionally, or alternatively, the stabilizing assembly may include any suitable structure configured, when body102is in inverted position I, to move a portion of the body away from the support surface such that one or more of the plurality of wheels (such as the front wheels) may be driven to return the body in upright position U. For example, the stabilizing assembly may include at least one stabilizer154, at least one bias assembly156, and at least one lifter158, as shown inFIGS. 6-9.

The stabilizer may be movably connected to body102, such as pivotally-connected. Stabilizer154may be configured to move or pivot among a plurality of positions, such as between a retracted position R in which the stabilizer is adjacent the body, and an extended position E in which the stabilizer is spaced from the body relative to the retracted position.

The stabilizer may move any suitable portion(s) of the body away from the support surface as that bar moves from the retracted position toward the extended position, such as from urging from the bias assembly. For example, the stabilizer may move a portion of the body that is adjacent one or more of the plurality of wheels that do not rotatably support the body on the support surface when the body is in the inverted position, such as the portion adjacent the rear wheels. Additionally, or alternatively, stabilizer154may contact the support surface when body102is in the inverted position, such as to prevent the one or more of the plurality of wheels from rotatably supporting the body when in the inverted position, as shown inFIGS. 6-9. For example, stabilizer154may contact the support surface to prevent the rear wheels from rotatably supporting the body when the body is in the inverted position.

Stabilizing assembly110may include any suitable number of stabilizers, such as one, two, three, or four bars. Additionally, the stabilizer may be any suitable shape(s) and/or size(s). For example, the stabilizer may be shaped as a two-pronged wing as shown inFIGS. 6-9. Moreover, when stabilizing assembly110includes two or more stabilizers, those bars may have different shape(s) and/or size(s). Furthermore, stabilizer154may be movably connected on any suitable portion(s) of body102. For example, the stabilizer may be movably connected between the front and rear wheels of the body.

Although stabilizing assembly110is shown to include two stabilizers, the stabilizing assembly may have any suitable number of stabilizers. For example, stabilizing assembly110may have a single stabilizer or may have three stabilizers. Additionally, although stabilizers154are shown to have a two-pronged wing shape, one or more of the stabilizers may have any suitable shape(s).

Moreover, although stabilizers154are shown to be pivotally connected to body102, one or more of those bars may alternatively, or additionally, be sliding and/or rotatably connected. Furthermore, although stabilizers154are shown to be configured to move a rear portion of the toy vehicle, one or more of the stabilizers may alternatively, or additionally, be configured to move one or more other suitable portion(s) of the toy vehicle. For example, one or more of the stabilizers may be configured to move one or more side portion(s) of the toy vehicle, such as when the toy vehicle lands on one of its side portions. Alternatively, or additionally, one or more of the stabilizers may be configured to move the entire toy vehicle away from the support surface (such as propelling the entire toy vehicle into the air).

Bias assembly156may include any suitable structure configured to urge stabilizer154toward the extended position. For example, the bias assembly may include at least one coil spring160, as shown inFIGS. 6-9. In some embodiments, stabilizer154may be configured to move to the retracted position against the urging of the bias assembly when the body is in the inverted position.

Although bias assembly156is shown to include coil spring160, the bias assembly may include any suitable structure configured to urge stabilizer154toward the extended position. For example, bias assembly156may alternatively, or additionally, include piano wire(s), leaf spring(s), and/or other elastic device(s). Additionally, although bias assembly156is shown to include a single coil spring, the bias assembly may include any suitable number of springs, such as two, three, or four springs. Moreover, although bias assembly156is shown to be configured to urge stabilizer154toward the extended position, the bias assembly may alternatively, or additionally, be configured to urge stabilizer toward the retracted position and/or other positions.

Lifter158may include any suitable structure configured to move stabilizer154from the retracted position toward the extended position, such as when the body is in the inverted position. For example, lifter158may be in the form of a cam162rotatably coupled to one or more of the plurality of wheels, such as the rear wheels, as shown inFIGS. 6-9. The lifter may contact the stabilizer when the stabilizer is in the retracted position, as shown inFIGS. 6-7, and may continue to rotate with a wheel to move the stabilizer to the extended position, as shown inFIGS. 8-9.

Although lifter158is shown to be in the form of a cam, the lifter may alternatively, or additionally, be in the form of any suitable structure. Additionally, although lifter158is shown to be rotatably coupled to the rear wheel, the lifter may additionally, or alternatively, be rotatably coupled to the front wheel. Moreover, although lifter158is shown to be rotatably coupled to one or more of the plurality of wheels, the lifter may alternatively, or additionally, be coupled to the control assembly, the steering assembly, and/or other components of the toy vehicle. For example, control assembly108may allow a user to activate lifter158independent of the rotation of the wheels.

In some embodiments, stabilizing assembly110may be further configured to stabilize the toy vehicle in the wheelie position. For example, stabilizer154may be configured to contact the support surface when the toy vehicle is in the wheelie position. Although toy vehicle100is shown to include two stabilizing assemblies110, the toy vehicle may have any suitable number of stabilizing assemblies, such as one, three, or four stabilizing assemblies.

In operation, the toy vehicle may be configured to move in any suitable directions. As shown inFIG. 10, the toy vehicle may be moved from upright position U toward and/or to inverted position I. At A, the toy vehicle may be moved forward by rotating the front and/or rear wheel(s) in a clockwise direction. At B, while the toy vehicle is moving in a forward direction, one or both front wheels may be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction. The momentum of the toy vehicle in the forward direction may then cause a rear portion of the toy vehicle to rotate in a clockwise direction, which may lead to the toy vehicle in the inverted position at C.

Although some of the steps above involve rotation of only the front and/or rear wheel(s), in some embodiments those steps may involve rotation of both the front and rear wheel(s). Additionally, the steps discussed above may be performed in different sequences and in different combinations, not all steps being required for all embodiments of the toy vehicle.

As shown inFIG. 11, the toy vehicle may be moved from inverted position I toward and/or to upright position U. From the inverted position, one or both rear wheels may be rotated in a clockwise direction at A. At B, rotating one or both rear wheels may cause the lifter(s) to move the stabilizer(s) from retracted position R toward and/or to extended position E. At C, (1) movement of the stabilizer(s) toward and/or to the extended position and/or (2) movement of one or both front wheels in a clockwise direction may cause a rear portion of the toy vehicle to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction, which may lead to the toy vehicle in the upright position at D.

Although some of the steps above involve rotation of only the front and/or rear wheel(s), in some embodiments those steps may involve rotation of both the front and rear wheel(s). Additionally, the steps discussed above may be performed in different sequences and in different combinations, not all steps being required for all embodiments of the toy vehicle.

FIG. 12shows that the toy vehicle may be moved from upright position U to wheelie position W. At A, the front and/or rear wheel(s) may be rotated in a clockwise direction to move the toy vehicle in a reverse direction. At B, while the toy vehicle is moving in the reverse direction, one or both rear wheels may be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, which may rotate a front portion of the toy vehicle in a clockwise direction. Rotation of the front portion of the toy vehicle in the clockwise direction may lead to moving the toy vehicle to the wheelie position at C.

Although some of the steps above involve rotation of only the front and/or rear wheel(s), in some embodiments those steps may involve rotation of both the front and rear wheel(s). Additionally, the steps discussed above may be performed in different sequences and in different combinations, not all steps being required for all embodiments of the toy vehicle.

FIG. 13shows that the toy vehicle may be rotated in wheelie position W. In the wheelie position, one rear wheel may be rotated in a clockwise direction while the other rear wheel may be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, which may lead to the toy vehicle rotating in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction (depending on which rear wheel is rotated in the clockwise direction and which rear wheel is rotated in the counter-clockwise direction).

Although some of the steps above involve rotation of only the front and/or rear wheel(s), in some embodiments those steps may involve rotation of both the front and rear wheel(s). Additionally, the steps discussed above may be performed in different sequences and in different combinations, not all steps being required for all embodiments of the toy vehicle.

Inventions embodied in various combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed through presentation of new claims in a related application. Such new claims, whether they are directed to a different invention or directed to the same invention, whether different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of the inventions of the present disclosure.