Patent Publication Number: US-6988929-B2

Title: Speed wheel

Description:
INTRODUCTION 
   In practice, it has been observed that children lack the dexterity and coordination to start in motion a toy vehicle that is exactly in straight-ahead path of movement. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A miniature-sized toy vehicle that is set in motion with a push along straight-ahead path of movement and which rides on a wheel bearing in depending relation from the vehicle chassis, the revolving mode of which wheel bearing contributes to an optimum length of travel, and wherein the vehicle chassis has a straight movement about the wheel bearing and during its travel will not turn aside and keep a proper position for travel along straight-ahead path of movement, to further increase the length of travel of the toy vehicle. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The description of the invention which follows, together with the accompanying drawings should not be construed as limiting the invention to the example shown and described, because those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains will be able to devise other forms thereof within the ambit of the appended claims. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a typical use of the within inventive miniature-sized toy vehicle; 
       FIG. 2  is a front view of Speed Wheel; 
       FIG. 3  is side view of vehicle chassis with Speed Wheel bearing; 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective of the toy vehicle; 
       FIG. 5  is a plan view thereof; 
       FIG. 6  is a sectional view, as taken along line  4 — 4  of  FIG. 3 ; and 
       FIG. 7  is a front view of the within inventive toy vehicle. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Shown is the drawings in a preferred width 17.4 mm, length of 35.6 mm, and height of 13.2 mm, is a miniature-size toy vehicle, generally designated  10 , having a body  12  consisting of a wall  14  whose exterior surface simulates the appearance of a full-sized vehicle and an internal surface which bounds a compartment  16  for the positioning of a Speed Wheel bearing  18  which has a width of 0.8 mm flat surface on the wheel edge  19 , 9.4 mm in diameter, 6 mm in thickness and two axles with 1 mm in diameter. The structure is compatible with an operating mode of urging the toy vehicle  10 , in response to a manual push or thrust  20  of a user  22 , in a steady straight-ahead path of movement  24  and not going circular movement, the length of which, if of a maximum extent, contributes to the play value of the toy vehicle  10 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the compartment  16  is provided with a plurality of corners, at least one of wheels  50  being mounted adjacent each corner of the body. The speed wheel  18  has an axis of rotation  18   a  and comprises a body mass  18   b  formed centrally on the axis of rotation  18   a  and has opposed axial bearing portions  18   c ,  18   d  disposed on the axis of rotation. Each bearing portion  18   c ,  18   d  extends from the body mass  18   b  to a distal end  18   c ′,  18   d ′. As is illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the body mass  18   b  is formed with a circular cross section at a central portion  18   e  along the axis of rotation  18   a  and tapers from the central portion  18   e  to each of the axial bearing portions  18   c ,  18   d  towards a respective distal end  18   c ′,  18   d ′. The speed wheel  18  is formed with the circumferential wheel edge  19  at the central portion  18   e.    
   Appropriately attached, as by screws  31  or the like, as a closure for the Speed Wheel positioning compartment  16  is an aptly referred-to Roller Wheel bearing means in the specific form of a plate  32  which contributes to the low-friction revolving  34  of the Speed Wheel  18  and, which plate  32  to this end has a pair of knobs  36  which has a gap 4 mm in length that support a Speed Wheel  18  within the oval opening  38  of a selected size  40  which is slightly oversized with respect to the size  42  of Speed Wheel  18  allows Speed Wheel  18  moving up and down and so that reduces friction with the plate  32  and provides higher speed in revolving  34  of Speed Wheel  18 . 
   The body  12  is held in a horizontal position relative to the riding surface  48  by four simulated vehicle wheels  50  at opposite ends of axles  52  appropriately attached to internal walls  54  depending from the body  12 , but otherwise the wheels  50  are not functional in contributing to the length of travel of toy vehicle  10 . What is functional to the length of travel of the toy vehicle  10  is the Speed Wheel  18  in a revolving mode  34  in contact, as at  47 , with the knobs  36  integral to the plate  32 . 
   While the toy vehicle herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of attaining the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the detail of construction or design herein shown other than as defined in the appended claims.