Patent Publication Number: US-7722430-B2

Title: Toy vehicle with improved animated function

Description:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY 
   A variety of toys may be configured to provide different play configurations. In one example, a toy may provide a first play configuration simulating a vehicle and a second play configuration simulating an animal. For toy vehicles that simulate animals, it may be desirable for a play configuration to provide an action that is confrontational. In one approach, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,334,078 a toy may include a jaw or mouth that may be opened and closed, thereby providing confrontational play. However, the inventors herein have realized that this approach may provide only one type of confrontational play and may only confront toys of a particular size, for example. 
   The inventors herein have further realized that a single toy providing multiple forms of confrontation can be used to accommodate a variety of other toys, for example, of varying size and/or shape. In one approach a toy vehicle having a plurality of play configurations, comprising a frame; a vehicle body moveably coupled to the frame with at least two degrees of freedom of movement, said two degrees of freedom of movement including a longitudinal translation of the body relative to the frame for selecting at least a first play configuration of the plurality of play configurations; and a rotation of the body relative to the frame for selecting at least a second of the plurality of play configurations is provided. 
   In this manner, a toy vehicle may provide a plurality of play configurations. For example, when simulating an animal in a first play configuration, the toy may be able to confront toys that are smaller and/or lower to the ground via forward movement, enabling the mouth to access a lower region. In another example, when simulating an animal in a second play configuration, the toy may be able to confront other toys that are larger, enabling the mouth to access a higher region than the first play configuration. In this way it is possible to increase interaction with toys of varying size. Further, in one embodiment, the plurality of play configurations may be selected via a single hand position, thereby enabling a user to generate a variety of play configurations with improved ease and speed, thereby improving play. 
   While the toy may have a plurality of play configurations, it may also have only a single play configuration, such as rotation of the body relative to the frame, yet still provide play value via a user-actuatable mouth chomping feature, for example. Further, the toy may optionally include a retractable tongue that generates snake-like movement, thereby providing additional play value. These are just some of the variations and alternatives possible, and numerous more are described further herein. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1A  shows an example toy vehicle in a first play configuration. 
       FIG. 1B  shows the example toy vehicle of  FIG. 1A  with an example hand position for controlling the toy vehicle. 
       FIG. 2A  shows the toy vehicle of  FIG. 1A  with a retractable element simulating a tongue. 
       FIGS. 2B-2F  show cross-sections of example retractable elements simulating a tongue. 
       FIGS. 3-5  show the toy vehicle of  FIG. 1A  in different play configurations. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIGS. 1-5  show an example toy  100  having a variety of play configurations. In one example, as shown in  FIG. 1A , toy  100  may be configured as a vehicle simulating a “monster” truck and/or racing vehicle, while in at least one other play configuration, as shown in  FIGS. 2-5 , toy  100  may simulate an animal such as, for example, a predatory tiger, dragon, dinosaur, lizard, bird, snake or other such animal, that may provide confrontation. 
   The example toy  100  described herein may include a body  110  coupled to a frame  120 . In some embodiments, body  110  may include a decorative exterior finish indicative of an animal. For example, body  110  may include a plurality of spots, stripes, scales, and/or color variations to simulate an animal such as a tiger or monster. However, it should be appreciated that toy  100  may alternatively simulate other types of animals. A front portion of body  110  may further include front bumper portions  112  and  114 , which may be configured to simulate teeth or fangs of an animal in other play configurations. Body  110  may further include one or more side windows such as window  146 , which may be used to simulate an eye of an animal in other play configurations. Toy  100  may include two front wheels  132  and two rear wheels  134  rotatably coupled to frame  120 . As shown in  FIG. 1A , wheels  132  and  134  can be configured to simulate large or oversized monster truck wheels and/or tires. 
   Body  110  may also include one or more actuators such as, for example, spoilers  142  and  144 , and/or body panels  148 . One or more of these actuators can be actuated by a user to cause toy  100  to perform one or more operations as will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 2-5 . In some embodiments, actuation of at least one of the actuator(s) may cause toy  100  to produce sounds simulating an animal sound and/or a vehicle sound. For example, an animal sound may include a growling or chomping sound, while a vehicle sound may include a sound simulating an engine. In another example, the chomping or burping sounds may be produced upon closing of the vehicle&#39;s mouth (e.g. upon release of an actuator). Likewise, a different actuator, which may be coupled to a tongue to cause actuation of the tongue, may cause slurping or licking sounds. 
   In some embodiments, toy  100  may be configured to provide a plurality of play configurations that may be controlled by a single hand position.  FIG. 1B  shows the example toy  100  of  FIG. 1A  with an example hand position. In this example embodiment, the various actuators  142 ,  144 , and/or  148  may be arranged so that they may be actuated via fingers of a users hand from a single hand position. For example, spoilers  142  and  144  may be arranged so that each spoiler may be actuated by a same or different finger of the same hand, while body panel  148  located on the side of the vehicle may be actuated by a thumb of the same hand. Further, as will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 3-5 , the body of toy  100  can be moveably coupled to the frame such that the natural range of motion of the hand about the wrist can cause movement of the body relative to the frame, enabling a user to select from a variety of play configurations and/or cause the toy to simulate a variety of animal and/or vehicle movements. In this manner, a single hand position may be able to control a plurality of toy operations, as well as actuate a plurality of actuators causing sound, lights, and/or movement of vehicle components. Further, in some embodiments, the actuation and/or release of one or more actuators may cause toy  100  to generate growling, burping, and/or slurping sounds. 
     FIG. 2A  shows toy  100  including a retractable element  210  simulating a tongue that may be extended outward from the body of the vehicle. As shown in  FIG. 2A , element  210  may be extended to a position indicated at  270  in the direction indicated by vector  250  from a retracted position  272  within body  110 . In some embodiments, element  210  can be coupled to at least one actuator causing the element to extend outward by an actuation such as a depression of spoiler  144  in the direction indicated by vector  260 . Alternatively, element  210  may be actuated by spoiler  142  or side panel  148 . Further, when actuated, the element can unroll or uncoil from retraction system  280 , projecting outward from the vehicle to position  270 , thereby further simulating tongue action. The uncoiling of the tongue upon actuation of an actuator may be facilitated by a spring such as, for example, torsional spring. Upon release of the actuator, the torsional spring may be configured to return the element to a coiled position.  FIGS. 2E and 2F  show retraction system  280  in greater detail. 
   In some embodiments, element  210  may comprise a material that is translucent or transparent. Further, element  210  can be sufficiently flexible and resilient, to enable the simulated tongue to support itself when extended outwards, while also enabling the tongue to bend or flex if necessary. In some embodiments, element  210  may be configured to vibrate or oscillate when extended toward position  270 , thereby simulating a flicking of the tongue. For example, element  210  can temporarily vibrate in a lateral and/or vertical direction when extended outward from the vehicle upon actuation of the actuator. The level of flexibility and rigidity of material may be such that the uncoiling motion generates a vibration in at least an outer end portion (away from the mouth) to simulate flicking of the tongue, such as similar to that of a snake tongue. For example, the retractable element  210  may be configured to temporarily vibrate in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the vector  250  when extended outward from the vehicle upon actuation of the actuator. Element  210  may include materials such as plastic, vinyl and/or mylar, among other materials. Also, in some embodiments, the extending of element  210  may also be accompanied by sounds produced by the toy vehicle, such as hissing sounds. 
   As shown in  FIG. 2A , element  210  may simulate a tongue having a shape that is substantially flat or planar in a plane substantially parallel to the ground surface, enabling the element to be rolled or coiled when in a retracted position  272 . For example,  FIGS. 2B ,  2 C, and  2 D show example cross-sections for element  210 .  FIG. 2B  shows element  210  with a flat planar cross-section.  FIGS. 2C and 2D  show element  210  with a curved planar cross-section. For example,  FIG. 2C  shows element  210  with a convex side facing downward, while  FIG. 2D  shows element  210  with a convex side facing upward. However, it should be appreciated that the curved cross-sections of  FIGS. 2C and 2D  may be more or less curved 
   The various cross-sections shown in  FIGS. 2B ,  2 C, and  2 D, among others can be used to vary the ability of element  210  to retain a rolled position, maintain a self supporting position when un-rolled, and vary the vibration and/or lateral developed in the element when extended or retracted. For example, the cross section of  FIG. 2B  may provide more vibration or lateral motion of element  210  when extended than cross-sections  2 C and  2 D, at least under some conditions. In another example, the cross-sections shown in  FIGS. 2C and 2D  can provide more support to element  210  when in the extended position than the cross-section of  FIG. 2B , at least under some conditions. In some embodiments, element  210  may also include a pre-set curve or bend along the longitudinal axis of the element. This preset bend can be added no matter what the cross-section of element  210 , for example, as shown in  FIGS. 2B ,  2 C, and  2 D. The pre-set bend or curve can be included to better enable element  210  to unroll and/or to enable element  210  to curve upward when extended. 
   While  FIG. 2  shows a tongue that is fully contained within the vehicle in the retracted position, it may be more advantageous if the tongue sticks out slightly in the retracted position so that it does not become blocked. Thus, the tongue may extend outward even in the retracted position. Further details of an example mechanism for retaining and extending a tongue element is described herein with regard to  FIGS. 2E and 2F . 
     FIGS. 2E and 2F  schematically show an example system for retracting and extending element  210 . In particular,  FIG. 2E  shows a side view (i.e. longitudinal cross-section) of toy  100  including retraction system  280 , while  FIG. 2F  shows a front view and cross section of retraction system  280 . As shown in  FIG. 2E , spoiler  144  may be coupled to a linkage  290 , which may be moveably coupled to body  110  by joint  292 . In this way, when spoiler  144  is actuated via a downward motion indicated by vector  260 , linkage  290  may rotate as indicated to position  294 , for example, shown in  FIG. 2E  by a broken line. Further, linkage  290  can be coupled to an axle  286  of retraction system  280  via a flexible cord or cable  288 . 
   Retraction system  280  may include an outer drum  282  and an inner drum  284 . Inner drum  284  can be moveably coupled to outer drum  282  by an axle  286 , enabling rotation of inner drum  284  relative to outer drum  282  as indicated by vector  255 . Cord  288  may be coupled and/or wrapped around axle  286  as shown in  FIGS. 2E and 2F . Element  210  is shown coupled to inner drum  284  as shown at  285  and wrapped around the outer surface of the inner drum. Element  210  can be wound less than one full revolution around inner drum  284  when retracted, thereby reducing binding or kinking of the element during rotation of the inner drum. Element  210  may extend outside of outer drum  282  via an opening  278 . In this manner, movement of linkage  290  via an actuation of spoiler  144  can cause inner drum  284  to rotate in a first direction relative to outer drum  282 , causing element  210  to move or extend outward from position  272  toward position  270  as shown in  FIG. 2A . 
   In an alternate embodiment, actuation of spoiler  144  (or other actuator) may cause element  210  to extend from retraction system  280  via one or more gears. For example, spoiler  144  may be coupled to a first gear, which in turn may be mated with a second gear attached to axle  286 . In this manner, movement of spoiler  144  (e.g. a downward motion as indicated by vector  260  can cause rotation of axle  286 . Furthermore, it should be appreciated that one or more intermediate gears may be used to transfer motion of one or more actuators to the axle of retraction system  280 . 
   Retraction system  280  may also include a spring such as torsional spring  296  for retracting element  210  to position  272  when an actuator such as spoiler  144  is not depressed. For example,  FIG. 2F  shows torsional spring  296  wrapped around axle  286 , and having one end coupled to outer drum  282  generally at  297  and another end coupled to inner drum  284  generally at  298 . Torsional spring  296  can be sized or configured to provide sufficient force to cause inner drum  284  to rotate in an opposite direction, thereby causing element  210  to retract from position  270  to position  272 , for example. 
   It should be appreciated that the distance between outer drum  282  and inner drum  284  as shown by dimension  299  can be sized to reduce kinking and/or binding of element  210  when retracted and/or extended, while also enabling element  210  to move relative to the outer drum. Further,  FIG. 2E  shows element  210  in relation to body  110 , and more specifically to upper portion  320  and lower portion  330  for simulating an animal&#39;s mouth. Upper and lower portions  320  and  330  are shown (as broken lines) having a plurality of teeth  340 , as well as front bumper portions  112  and  114  for simulating fangs. Upper and lower portions  320  and  330  are shown moveably coupled by joint  317 . It should be appreciated that the various portions shown by broken lines in  FIG. 2E  reside on either side of element  210  and therefore do not obstruct element  210  when translating along vector  250  as shown in  FIG. 2A . For example, element  210  can pass between left and right rows of teeth  340 . Further, as shown in  FIG. 2E  generally at  274 , element  210  can protrude beyond various obstructions caused by upper and lower portions  320  and  330  when in the retracted position  272 . In this way, element  210  can be extended to position  270  without interference caused by various body portions, while being substantially hidden when retracted to position  272 . 
   In some embodiments, element  210  can be biased at an angle relative to the horizontal ground surface. For example,  FIG. 2E  shows how element  210  can be configured to project from retraction system  280  at a slight upward angle. This angle can cause element  210  to move or vibrate differently when extended and/or retracted. For example, a pre-set upward angle of element  210  can cause the end of element  210  to move first upwards rapidly, then downward, then up again and so forth in a vibratory manner to simulate a snake tongue. In some embodiments, element  210  can be formed in with a pre-set curved configuration along at least a portion of the longitudinal direction to provide the desired vibrational response and/or structural support when extended and/or retracted. Thus, either or both of the angle and pre-set can be used to initiate or amplify the vibration caused by the extension of element  210 , thereby providing amplified vibration to simulate a snake tongue. It should be appreciated that element  210  can be pre-set to bend and/or curve in an upward or downward direction when extended. Further, the pre-set or warping may be to all or only a portion of element  210 . 
   The relative size and/or arrangement of the various portions of the retraction system can be configured to cause element  210  to rapidly extend and/or retract, thereby causing vibration of element  210 . For example, joint  292  can be positioned along linkage  290  so that a relatively small actuation causes a relatively large movement of element  210 . Alternatively, if gears are used, a gear ratio may be selected to provide a desired response of element  210  when an actuator is actuated by a user. 
   Returning to  FIG. 2A , in some embodiments, front wheels  132  may be coupled to frame  120  by a common front shaft enabling rotation of the front wheels about the front shaft and also enabling rotation of the front wheels about a vertical axis along vector  220 . Similarly, in some embodiments, rear wheels  134  may be coupled to frame  120  by a common rear shaft enabling rotation of the rear wheels about the rear shaft and also enabling rotation of the rear wheels about a vertical axis along vector  230 . For example, in some embodiments, the front and/or rear shafts coupling front wheels  132  and rear wheels  134 , respectively may pass through frame  120  via a slotted opening, enabling the front and/or rear shafts to vary in position relative to the frame. In some embodiments, the front and/or rear shafts may be moveably coupled to the frame enabling the shaft to pivot about a central axis relative to the frame. In this manner, vehicle body  110  may have front and/or rear wheel steering capability, which may be used to enable the vehicle to simulate a crawling motion, thereby further simulating animal movement. Furthermore, body  110  may be moveably coupled to frame  120  in a manner that enables body  110  to rotate or rock about a longitudinal axis, providing side to side motion. The rotation of body  110  relative to frame  120  can enable toy  100  to further simulate animal movement, such as during crawling motion. 
     FIG. 3  shows toy  100  in another play configuration simulating an animal in a confrontational position. A rear portion of body  110  is shown moveably coupled to a rear portion of frame  120  generally at  315  enabling rotation of the body relative to the frame as indicated by vector  370 . Further, body  110  may include an upper portion  320  and a lower portion  330  moveably coupled generally at  317  for simulating an upper and lower jaw of a mouth, respectively. These upper and/or lower jaw portions may include one or more teeth generally at  340 . In this manner, upper and lower portions  320  and  330 , teeth  340 , and bumper portions  112  and  114  can simulate the mouth of an animal. In the play configuration shown in  FIG. 3 , the mouth simulated by upper and lower portions  320  and  330  are open in a region that is higher than the region of the play configuration shown in  FIG. 5 . In this manner, toy  100  can provide different types of confrontational play, where the confrontation may be made toward different positions/heights. 
   In some embodiments, window  146  may also be configured with a moveable portion  350  therein, including a visual design such as, for example, a simulated eye. This moveable portion can be coupled to lower portion  330  forming the lower jaw of the mouth such that when the mouth is opened, the moveable portion occupies the viewable window region, thereby exposing the eye. When the mouth is closed, the moveable portion may move outside of the viewable portion of the window and may be hidden within the body of the vehicle. Alternatively, moveable portion  350  may instead be activated in response to rotating or translating body  110  relative to frame  120  and/or by actuation of one or more actuators. 
   Toy  100  can be operated between the play configuration of  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 3  by rotating the body  110  relative to the frame  120  along vector  370 . It should be appreciated that toy  100  may be varied between these play configurations by a single hand position, for example, as shown in  FIG. 1B . In some embodiments, portions  320  and  330  may separate or open when the front end of the body is rotated upward relative to the frame, thereby simulating a first confrontational play. The opening of the mouth may be assisted by gravity, for example. Further, in some embodiments, the opening of the simulated mouth by the rotation of lower jaw portion  330  relative to upper jaw portion  320  may be accompanied by sounds such as, for example, an animal growling sound. 
     FIG. 4  shows upper and lower body portions  320  and  330  of toy  100  in a closed configuration. These portions simulating a mouth may be moved between the configurations of  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  as indicated by vector  360  by actuating at least one of the actuators, such as, spoilers  142 ,  144  and/or side panel  148 . In this manner, the toy vehicle may simulate an animal having a chomping or chewing capability. In some embodiments, the toy vehicle may produce a sound accompanying the opening and/or closing of the mouth. 
     FIG. 5  shows toy  100  in a play configuration simulating an animal having a confrontational forward stance. In this play configuration, body  110  may be translated forward relative to frame  120  longitudinally along vector  510  via a track  520 . The forward motion may be enabled by sliding of body  110  relative to frame  120  via track  520 . In this manner, body  110  may be moveably coupled to frame  120  via track  520 . In some embodiments, lower portion  330  simulating the lower jaw of the mouth may be configured to rotate downward from upper portion  320  simulating the upper jaw of the mouth when the vehicle body  110  is translated forward. In this manner, lower body portion can be rotated toward and/or contact the ground surface, enabling the mouth to be open in a region lower than the region shown above in  FIG. 3 . In this manner, toy  100  can provide another confrontational play configuration, enabling toy  100  to pick up and/or simulate eating other items, such as smaller vehicle  530 . Further, in some embodiments, the translation of body  110  relative to frame  120  may cause toy  100  to produce various sounds. It should be appreciated that toy  100  may be returned to the play configuration of  FIG. 1A  by translating the body rearward along vector  510  relative to the frame, while maintaining the same hand position as shown in  FIG. 1B   
   As described herein, toy  100  may be varied between play configurations simulating a vehicle and/or an animal having a variety of confrontational positions. In some examples, these play configurations may be selected or varied by rotating and/or translating the body relative to the frame and various actions may be selected by actuating one or more actuators disguised as vehicle body portions. These actuators may be arranged to enable the selection of various actions or operations via a single hand placement. Furthermore, the translation and/or rotation of the body, or actuation of one or more actuators may be accompanied by various sounds that may simulate the sounds produced by the selected play configuration 
   It will be appreciated that the configurations and embodiments disclosed herein are exemplary in nature, and that these specific embodiments are not to be considered in a limiting sense, because numerous variations are possible. The components, shapes, colors, etc. described herein are non-limiting examples and it should be understood that each of these features may be changed. 
   The subject matter of the present disclosure includes all novel and nonobvious combinations and subcombinations of the various systems and configurations, and other features, functions, and/or properties disclosed herein. The following claims particularly point out certain combinations and subcombinations regarded as novel and nonobvious. These claims may refer to “an” element or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof. Such claims should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. Other combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed features, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of the present claims or through presentation of new claims in this or a related application. Such claims, whether broader, narrower, equal, or different in scope to the original claims, also are regarded as included within the subject matter of the present disclosure.