Patent Abstract:
A motorized toy capable of linear movement along a horizontal support surface. The toy includes a body, power supply, first and second wheels/gears coupled to the motor each of which is provided with a shaft. Each shaft has an extension angled away from its ends such that when activated, the wheels, being in contact with the horizontal support surface act to move the toy linearly while selective extensions contact the horizontal support surface causing the toy to wobble from side to side thus emulating the action of a lizard running.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention is directed to a motorized toy which, because of its unique structural features, emulates the side-to-side wobble action imitating a running lizard. The toy is captivating not only for children but pets which find the action of the present toy intriguing. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    There are almost a limitless number of motorized toys designed to captivate both children and animals. Like the present invention, such toys are often times configured to replicate the look of a familiar bug or animal and move either linearly or haphazardly to meet the design goals of the toy&#39;s fabricators. 
         [0003]    One such animal that most observers find intriguing is a lizard. Reptiles, such as lizards, can scurry across a support surface with a front leg on one side of its body being coordinated with a rear leg on the other side of its body causing the reptile to move in a waddle-like fashion. Such motion is challenging to replicate although if it can be replicated, the toy would be captivating. 
         [0004]    It is thus an object to the present invention to provide a motorized toy which is self-propelled, structurally uncomplicated, and yet capable of replicating the waddle-like action of a lizard or similar reptile. 
         [0005]    This and further objects will be more readily apparent when considering the following disclosure and appended claims. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    A motorized toy capable of linear movement along a horizontal support surface, the motorized toy comprising a body, the body housing a motor, a power supply for the motor, a first wheel including a gear coupled to the motor, a first shaft fixed to the first wheel, the first shaft having first and second ends extending substantially equal distances from the body, the first end of the first shaft having a first extension and the second end of the first shaft having a second extension each angled to the first shaft such that when a first of the extensions extends toward the horizontal support, the second of the extensions is angled away there from, a second wheel including a second gear coupled to the first gear, a second shaft fixed to the second wheel, the second shaft having first and second ends extending substantially equal distances from the body, the first end of the second shaft having a third extension and the second end of the second shaft having a fourth extension each angled to the second shaft such that when the third extension extends toward the horizontal support, the fourth extension is angled away there from, the first and third extensions emanating from a first side of the body and the second and fourth extensions emanating from a second side of the body such that when in operation, the motorized toy travels over the horizontal support resulting from rotation of the first and second wheels in contact there with, the first and fourth extensions extending toward and contacting the horizontal support simultaneously and the second and third extensions extending toward and contacting the horizontal support simultaneously. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the motorized toy of the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a side view showing, in phantom, certain internal components of the motorized toy of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the motorized toy of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    Novel features which are characteristic of the invention, as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for illustration description only and are not intended as definitions of the limits of the invention. The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are recited with particularity in the claims. 
         [0011]    There has been broadly outlined more important features of the invention in the summary above and in order that the detailed description which follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form additional subject matter of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based readily may be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important therefore, that claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0012]    Certain terminology and the derivations thereof may be used in the following description for convenience and reference only, and will not be limiting. For example, words such as “upward,” “downward,” “left,” and “right” refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made unless otherwise stated. Similar words such as “inward” and “outward” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of a device or area and designated parts thereof. Reference in the singular tense include the plural and vice versa, unless otherwise noted. 
         [0013]    Turning first to  FIG. 1 , motorized toy  10  is shown having body  13 . Body  13  can take many different shapes and configurations to emulate a bug or animal although, as a preferred embodiment, the shape is generally that of a reptile, such as a lizard, having head  11  and tail  12  and having a plush outer cover  14  over rigid halves  27  and  28  ( FIG. 3 ). 
         [0014]    Body  13  includes a power supply such as batteries  62  for powering motor  61  and, a first wheel  52  including gear  54  coupled to motor  61 . 
         [0015]    First shaft  22  is fixed to wheel  52  which, in a first embodiment, can be substantially linear as depicted in  FIG. 3 . When motorized toy  10  is configured, first shaft  22  is characterized as having first and second ends  22   a  and  22   b  extending equal distances from body  13 , first end  22   a  of first shaft  22  having first extension  36  and second end  22   b  of first shaft  22  having second extension  38  each angled to first shaft  22  such that when first extension  36  extends toward horizontal support surface  7 , second extension  38  is angled away there from. 
         [0016]    Second wheel  51  including second gear  53  is coupled to first gear  54 . A second shaft  21  is fixed to second wheel  51 , the second shaft  21  having first and second ends  21   a  and  21   b  extending substantially equal distances from body  13 . First end  21   a  of second shaft  21  is provided with a third extension  35  and second end  21   b  of second shaft  21  is provided with fourth extension  37 , each angled to second shaft  21  such that when third extension  35  extends towards horizontal support  7 , fourth extension  37  is angled away there from. 
         [0017]    It is noted that first extension  36  and third extension  35  emanate from first side  71  of motorized toy  10  while second extension  38  and fourth extension  37  emanate from second side  72  of body  13  such that when in operation, motorized toy  10  is caused to travel over horizontal support  7  as a result of the rotation of first and second wheels  52  and  51  coupled together by idler gear  55 , first and second wheels  52  and  51  remaining in contact with horizontal support  7  throughout the operation of motorized toy  10 . Furthermore, it is noted that, in operation, first extension  36  and fourth extension  37  extend toward and contact horizontal support  7  simultaneously while second extension  38  third extension  35  extend toward and contact said horizontal support  7  simultaneously. 
         [0018]    It is further noted that because of the relative narrow “footprint” created by wheels  52  and  51 , when energized, motorized toy  10  tends to wobble, said wobbling action being encouraged further by the spinning action of first and second shafts  22  and  21  and the extensions appended thereto. As the motorized toy moves linearly, its wobble action is maintained while first, second, third and fourth extensions selectively contact horizontal support  7  as they selectively extend below wheels  51  and  52  causing motorized toy  10  to selectively tilt from one side to another, these extensions also preventing motorized toy  10  from tipping over. The action created by the synergistic interaction of the parts of motorized toy  10  is captivating as the toy&#39;s linear and wobble movement replicates that of a reptile, such as a lizard, which both children and animals find captivating. 
         [0019]    The above disclosure is sufficient to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention, and provides the best mode of practicing the invention presently contemplated by the inventor. While there is provided herein a full and complete disclosure of the preferred embodiments of the invention, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction, dimensions, relationships, or operations as described. Various modifications, alternative constructions, changes and equivalents will readily occur to those skilled in the art and may be employed as suitable without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. Such changes might involve alternative materials, components, structural arrangements, sizes, shapes, forms, functions, operational features or the like. Therefore, the above description and illustration should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0