Patent Description:
The specification relates generally to assemblies with inner objects that break out of housings.

There is a market desire for toys wherein there is some element of surprise in terms of what toy a user will end up with upon purchase. An example of such a toy is the Hatchimals line of products made and sold by Spin Master Ltd. There is also a desire for toys that at least appear to release themselves from the housings in which they reside, which in some instances lends an air of reality to the toy, whether or not the user knows which toy they are getting. <CIT> discloses a toy box.

In an aspect of the invention, a toy assembly is provided, and includes: a housing that is positionable on a support surface; an inner object inside the housing and is removable from the housing; an opening member that is positioned in the housing and is positioned to open the housing to expose the inner object; a motor that is connected to drive the opening member to open the housing; and an impactor member that is separate from the opening member and that is connected to the motor to be driven by the motor between an impact position in which the impactor member impacts at least one of the housing and the support surface to cause the housing to move on the support surface and a non-impact position in which the impactor member is spaced from the at least one of the housing and the support surface, characterised in that: the motor is inside the inner object and is operatively connected to a movable element of the inner object so as to drive movement of the movable element of the inner object.

For a better understanding of the various embodiments described herein and to show more clearly how they may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which:.

Reference is made to <FIG>, which shows a toy assembly <NUM> in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The toy assembly <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> and an inner object <NUM> that is positioned in the housing <NUM>. The toy assembly <NUM> is, in some embodiments, configured such that the inner object <NUM> is a toy character, which, in the present example, is in the form of a puppy or some other animal, or some other apparently sentient entity. In some embodiments, the toy assembly <NUM> is configured such that it appears to the user that the inner object removes one or more portions of the housing <NUM> in an attempt to get out of the housing or in an attempt to get the attention of the user. Other possible forms for the inner object may be a dinosaur, a robot, a vehicle, a person, an alien, a fictitious animal such as a unicorn, or any other suitable form.

The housing <NUM> may have the form of a box, a crate or any other suitable form, and may have any suitable shape. In the present example, the housing <NUM> has first, second, third and fourth sides 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d, and has a top 12e and a bottom 12f. For each side 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d a side corner <NUM> connects that side 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d with any of the other of the first, second, third and fourth sides 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d that are adjacent to that side 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d. In the present example, the fourth side 12d is opposite the first side 12a, and the second side 12b is adjacent one end of the first side 12a and (in this example) connects the first and fourth sides 12a and 12d, and the third side 12c is opposite the second side 12b, is adjacent an opposing end of the first side, and also (in this example) connects the first and fourth sides 12a and 12d. The housing <NUM> need not have four sides, however. For example, the housing <NUM> could alternatively have only three sides (e.g. the form of a triangular prism). In such a case, the housing <NUM> would have a first side, a second side and a third side, and it would remain true that the second and third sides are adjacent respective ends of the first side, but they wouldn't connect between the first side and a fourth side - they would instead connect between the first side and each other. Alternatively, a box may have five or more sides, wherein it remains true that the box has first, second and third sides in which the second and third sides are adjacent first and second ends of the first side, and may be considered opposite one another.

<FIG> shows the housing <NUM> in more detail. The housing <NUM> is preferably opaque so as to prevent the purchaser of the toy assembly <NUM> from knowing what inner object <NUM> they will get and from any mechanisms that are inside the housing. In an alternative embodiment, the housing <NUM> may partially but not fully enclose the inner object <NUM> so that the inner object <NUM> could be visible from some angles even when it is inside the housing <NUM>.

The housing has a main housing portion <NUM> and a set of at least one removable housing portion <NUM> that is at least partially removable from the housing <NUM>. An opening mechanism <NUM> is provided for at least partially removing the set of at least one removable housing portion <NUM>, which is described further below. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the set of at least one removable housing portion <NUM> includes one removable housing panel <NUM>.

A first series of eyelets <NUM> is mounted to the set of at least one removable housing portion <NUM>. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, there are two eyelets shown at 22a and 22b individually. The eyelet 22a is a first eyelet, and the eyelet 22b is a final eyelet in the series of eyelets. The eyelets <NUM> will be described in more detail further below.

The toy assembly <NUM> includes a motor <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>) that drives at least one drum <NUM> (<FIG>), which are part of the opening mechanism <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, the at least one drum <NUM> and the motor <NUM> sit in a drum chamber <NUM>, that is separate from a main chamber <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, so as to obscure the motor <NUM> and the at least one drum <NUM> from the user's sight. In the present example, a platform <NUM> divides the housing <NUM> into the main chamber <NUM> and the drum chamber <NUM>. The platform <NUM> supports the inner object <NUM> thereon.

It will be understood that the drum chamber <NUM> need not be positioned below the main chamber <NUM>. It is alternatively possible, for example, to provide the drum chamber <NUM> against one side wall of the housing <NUM> and to be separated from the main chamber by a vertical divider, for example.

The at least one drum <NUM> in the present example includes a single drum <NUM>. The single drum <NUM> will be referred to as the drum <NUM> for readability, however it will be understood that it could be one or more drums <NUM> as appropriate.

The drum <NUM> in the present example is a generally square shaft that is used to wind a tether thereon (described later on). The drum <NUM> alternatively can have any other suitable shape. For example, the drum <NUM> could be in the form of a plastic bobbin.

A first anchor <NUM>, which is part of the opening mechanism <NUM>, is provided on the main housing portion <NUM>. The first anchor <NUM> is shown in more detail in <FIG>. The first anchor <NUM> has a first anchor slot <NUM> which has a first exit <NUM> and a second exit <NUM>. As can be seen, the second exit <NUM> is larger than the first exit <NUM>. A first tether <NUM> (which is part of the opening mechanism <NUM>) is provided and has a connected end <NUM> that is connected to the drum <NUM> for winding of the tether <NUM> on the drum <NUM>. The tether <NUM> has a free end <NUM> which has an engagement member <NUM> that is unable to pass through the first exit <NUM> of the first anchor slot <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>) but which can pass through the second exit <NUM> of the first anchor slot <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>). The engagement member <NUM> may be any suitable type of engagement member for this purpose, such as an enlargement, as shown, or such as a hook, or a knot, or any other suitable feature.

In an initial state, as shown in <FIG>, the first tether <NUM> passes from the drum <NUM> sequentially through each of the series of eyelets <NUM> between the drum <NUM> and the first anchor <NUM>. A tether pass-through aperture <NUM> is provided in the platform <NUM> in order to permit communication between the drum chamber <NUM> and the main chamber <NUM> (for the tether <NUM> to pass through from the drum chamber <NUM> to the main chamber <NUM>). In the initial state the engagement member <NUM> is positioned in the first anchor slot at the first exit <NUM> of the first anchor slot <NUM> and is thus prevented from leaving the anchor <NUM>.

For each eyelet in succession in the first series of eyelets <NUM>, a first segment 40a of the first tether <NUM> is angled relative to the eyelet <NUM> and a final segment 40b of the first tether is angled relative to the first anchor slot <NUM> such that rotation of the motor <NUM> to wind the first tether <NUM> on the drum <NUM> pulls the free end <NUM> of the first tether <NUM> towards the first exit <NUM> of the first anchor slot <NUM>, and applies a first removal force F1 on each eyelet <NUM> in succession. The first removal force F1 is sufficiently strong to remove a portion of the set of at least one removable housing portion <NUM> from the housing <NUM>. The removable housing panel <NUM> that is shown in <FIG> is defined at least in part by at least one tear line <NUM>. The at least one tear line <NUM> may be formed in any suitable way, such as for example, by cutting through at least a portion of the thickness of the housing <NUM>.

An example of a portion of one of the at least one tear line <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. As can be seen, the tear line <NUM> includes a plurality of cut segments shown at 49a which extend from the inner face of the housing <NUM> (shown at <NUM>) through a majority of the thickness of the housing <NUM> to the outer face of the housing (shown at <NUM>), and which are separated from one another by a plurality of bridges shown at 49b. These bridges 49b represent regions between the cut segments 49a where there is no cut in the tear line <NUM>. The thickness of the housing <NUM> is represented in <FIG> at T. Extending 'through a majority of the thickness' means extending through more than half of the thickness. Preferably, the cut segments 49a extend almost all of the way though the thickness of the housing <NUM>.

The cut segments 49a may have any suitable length relative to the bridges 49b. For example, it has been found that, for some materials, a ratio of a length Lc of each cut segment 49a to a length Li of each subsequent bridge next 49b along the tear line <NUM> is at least about <NUM>:<NUM>.

It will be observed that, in some embodiments, the tear line <NUM> includes some tear line corners, shown at <NUM>. In some embodiments, there are no bridges 49b that bridge the corners <NUM>. In other words, every one of the tear line corners <NUM> is defined in the plurality of cut segments 49a and not in any of the bridges 49b.

Once an eyelet <NUM> is pulled and has brought a portion of the set of at least one removable housing portion <NUM> with it, the tether <NUM> realigns to extend towards the next eyelet <NUM> in succession. Thus, once the eyelet 22a is pulled, the tether <NUM> realigns at a new angle towards the eyelet 22b. The toy assembly <NUM> is configured such that the new angle is suitable for ensuring that a sufficient first removal force F1 is applied to the subsequent eyelet 22b. It will be noted that, for a tether to be able to successfully apply a suitable removal force F1 to an eyelet <NUM>, the tether <NUM> needs to be angled properly relative to the eyelet <NUM>. For example, if the tether <NUM> were oriented in a direction where it extended through an eyelet <NUM> and did not touch the eyelet <NUM> or was substantially parallel to the axis of the eyelet <NUM>, then the tether <NUM> will generate relatively little or no removal force on the eyelet <NUM>. However, if the tether <NUM> is angled as shown in <FIG> or <FIG> relative to the eyelet <NUM>, then the tether <NUM> will apply a more significant removal force on the eyelet <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the tether <NUM> oriented so as to successfully apply the first removal force F1 on the first eyelet 22a. <FIG> shows the tether <NUM> oriented so as to successfully apply the first removal force F1 on the second (and, in the present example, final) eyelet 22b.

After applying the first removal force F1 to the final eyelet 22b from the first series of eyelets <NUM>, the first tether <NUM> is angled such that rotation of the motor <NUM> to wind the first tether <NUM> on the at least one drum <NUM> pulls the free end <NUM> of the first tether <NUM> towards and through the second exit <NUM> of the first anchor slot <NUM>, so as to remove the first tether <NUM> from the first anchor <NUM> (<FIG>).

Continued rotation of the motor <NUM> after the first tether <NUM> passes through the second exit <NUM> of the anchor slot <NUM>, winds the first tether <NUM> on the drum <NUM> until the free end <NUM> of the first tether <NUM> passes through the eyelets <NUM> and leaves the main chamber <NUM> through the first tether pass-through aperture <NUM>. As a result, the tether <NUM> itself is hidden from view by the user after it has been used to at least partially remove the set of at least one removable housing portion <NUM>. <FIG> shows this state, which may be referred to as the actuated state. As will be understood, the eyelets <NUM> are preferably sized to permit the engagement member <NUM> on the tether <NUM> to pass therethrough.

The tethers <NUM> may be more broadly referred to as opening members that are positioned in the housing <NUM> and are positioned to open the housing <NUM> to expose the inner object <NUM>. In the examples shown, this is done by winding the tethers <NUM> on one or more drums <NUM>.

As can be seen in <FIG>, once a user accesses the interior of the housing <NUM>, it is not immediately obvious as to how the removable housing panel <NUM> was removed, increasing the appearance that the inner object was the cause, particularly in embodiments where the inner object is a character such as an animal.

<FIG> shows an alternative housing <NUM> with a first set of at least one removable housing portion 18a and a second set of at least one removable housing portion 18b. For simplicity and efficiency, the first and second sets of at least one removable housing portion 18a and 18b may be referred to as the first and second sets 18a and 18b respectively. In the present example, the first and second sets 18a and 18b each only include a single tear strip. The tear strip in the first set 18a is identified at <NUM>. The tear strip in the second set 18b is identified at <NUM>.

The first set of at least one removable housing portion 18a has a first series of eyelets mounted to it. In the present example the first series of eyelets <NUM> includes eyelets 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d and 22e. The second set 18b has a second series of eyelets mounted to it including eyelets 22a, 22b and 22c.

The eyelets <NUM> may be mounted in any suitable way to the first set of at least one removable housing portion 18a. For example, in <FIG>, each eyelet <NUM> includes a base <NUM> and a loop structure <NUM> that is mounted to the base 22a, and the bottom side of the base <NUM> is joined to the inside surface (shown at <NUM>) of the housing <NUM> (specifically of the removable housing panel <NUM>) by an adhesive.

The toy assembly <NUM> shown in <FIG> has a first tether <NUM> that passes through the first series of eyelets <NUM>, and a second tether <NUM> that passes through the second series of eyelets <NUM>. In the example shown, the first tether <NUM> passes through a first tether pass-through aperture <NUM> in the platform <NUM>, and the second tether <NUM> passes through a second tether pass-through aperture <NUM> in the platform <NUM>, however it is alternatively possible for the two tethers <NUM> to pass through a single tether pass-through aperture. The housing <NUM> in <FIG> (and in <FIG>) is shown as transparent so as to facilitate seeing the elements inside the housing <NUM>.

The tethers <NUM> wind onto at least one drum <NUM> (not shown in <FIG>, but which may be as shown in <FIG>. Pulleys shown at <NUM> may be used to guide the tethers <NUM> to the at least one drum <NUM> from the tether pass-through apertures <NUM> (not shown in <FIG>, but shown in <FIG>). In the example shown, the at least one drum <NUM> includes a first drum 26a (for the first tether <NUM>) and a second drum 26b (for the second tether <NUM>).

As with the arrangement shown in <FIG>, or each eyelet in succession in the first series of eyelets <NUM>, a first segment 40a of the first tether <NUM> is angled relative to the eyelet <NUM> and a final segment 40b of the first tether <NUM> is angled relative to the first anchor slot <NUM> such that rotation of the motor <NUM> to wind the first tether <NUM> on the drum <NUM> pulls the free end <NUM> of the first tether <NUM> towards the first exit <NUM> (<FIG>) of the first anchor slot <NUM>, and applies a first removal force F1 on each eyelet <NUM> in succession. The first removal force F1 is sufficiently strong to remove a portion of the first set of at least one removable housing portion 18a from the housing <NUM>.

Once an eyelet <NUM> is pulled and has brought a portion of the first set of at least one removable housing portion 18a with it (i.e. a portion of the first tear strip <NUM>), the tether <NUM> realigns to extend towards the next eyelet <NUM> in succession. Thus, once the eyelet 22a is pulled, the tether <NUM> realigns at a new angle towards the eyelet 22b. The toy assembly <NUM> is configured such that the new angle is suitable for ensuring that a sufficient first removal force F1 is applied to the subsequent eyelet 22b.

The second tether <NUM> and the second series of eyelets <NUM> may operate the same as the first tether <NUM> and the first series of eyelets <NUM>, wherein the second tether <NUM> applies a second removal force F2 to the eyelets <NUM> in succession from the second series.

After applying the first removal force F1 to a final eyelet (eyelet 22e) from the first series of eyelets <NUM> and the second removal force F2 to a final eyelet (eyelet 22c) from the second series of eyelets <NUM>, the first and second tethers <NUM> are angled as in <FIG>, such that rotation of the motor <NUM> to wind the first and second tethers on the at least one drum <NUM> pulls the free ends <NUM> of the first and second tethers <NUM> towards and through the second exits <NUM> of the first and second anchor slots <NUM> respectively, so as to remove the first and second tethers <NUM> from the first and second anchor <NUM>. Further rotation of the motor <NUM> passes the free ends <NUM> of the tethers <NUM> through the eyelets <NUM> and finally through the tether pass-through apertures <NUM> and into the drum chamber <NUM> so that the tethers <NUM> leave the main chamber <NUM> entirely.

The eyelets <NUM> may alternatively be joined in any other suitable way to the housing <NUM> (i.e. to the first set 18a). For example, the use of adhesive may be difficult to apply reliably and is relatively labour intensive. Reference is made to <FIG>, which shows an eyelet <NUM> that is mounted to the first set 18a in a different way. In the embodiment in <FIG>, the base <NUM> is positioned against an exterior surface (shown at <NUM>) of the housing <NUM>, and the loop structure <NUM> extends from the base <NUM> through an eyelet pass-through aperture <NUM> in the housing <NUM> into the main chamber <NUM>. The base <NUM> is larger than the eyelet pass-through aperture <NUM> so as to prevent the base <NUM> from being pulled through the eyelet pass-through aperture <NUM> during applying of the first removal force on said each eyelet <NUM> from the series of eyelets <NUM>. To mount the eyelet <NUM> in this way, the loop structure <NUM> may be compressed resiliently in order to fit through the eyelet pass-through aperture <NUM>, and then once through the eyelet pass-through aperture <NUM> the loop structure <NUM> can re-expand into the form shown in <FIG>.

It will be noted that in the embodiment shown in <FIG> the fourth side 12d of the housing <NUM> is not connected to the top 12e of the housing. As can be seen the fourth side 12d is disconnected from the top 12d along a line of disconnection <NUM> having a first end 57a and a second end 57b. The first tear strip <NUM> (which may be referred to as a second-side tear strip <NUM> since it is on the second side 12b of the housing <NUM>) extends between the first end 57a of the line of disconnection <NUM> and the first side 12a. The second tear strip <NUM> (which may be referred to as a third side tear strip <NUM>) extends between the second end 57b of the line of disconnection <NUM> and the first side 12a.

Once the second-side and third-side tear strips <NUM> and <NUM> have been at least partially removed from the housing <NUM>, the first side 12a may be bent away from the main chamber <NUM> so as to expose the inner object <NUM> (<FIG>). In some embodiments, the toy assembly <NUM> further comprises a first side drive structure <NUM> that is positioned to drive the first side 12a to bend away from the main chamber <NUM> so as to expose the inner object <NUM> once the first and second sets of at least one removable housing portion 18a and 18b have been at least partially removed from the housing <NUM>. The first side drive structure <NUM> may be made up of at least one biasing member <NUM>. In <FIG> and <FIG>, there are two biasing members <NUM> in the form of stiff wires that act as leaf springs. In an alternative embodiment shown in <FIG>, there is a cut <NUM> provided between the first side 12a and each of the second and third sides 12b and 12c so that the entire first side 12a unfolds down when the tear strips <NUM> and <NUM> are removed sufficiently to reach the cut <NUM>. The cut <NUM> in <FIG> extends from a bottom of the first side 12a to lower one of the tear lines <NUM> along the respective corner <NUM> for each of the tear strips <NUM> and <NUM>.

In the example shown in <FIG>, the tear strips <NUM> and <NUM> are shown completely removed from the housing <NUM> after the opening mechanism <NUM> has finished its operation.

While <FIG> and <FIG> shows the toy assembly <NUM> employing the tethers <NUM> which pass through the eyelets <NUM>, it is alternatively possible to employ tethers which pull the tear strips <NUM> and <NUM> off the housing <NUM> in other ways, while still providing the advantage of avoiding compromising the strength of the corners <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. For example, tethers could be employed that are buried in the tear strips <NUM> and <NUM> on the second and third sides of the housing <NUM>, wherein the motor <NUM> could pull the tethers which in turn pull the tear strips <NUM> and <NUM> from the housing <NUM>. Thus it may be said that the first tether <NUM> is positioned to apply a first removal force F1 to the first tear strip, without limitation on whether or not it employs eyelets and that the second tether <NUM> is positioned to apply a second removal force F2 to the third-side tear strip without limitation on whether or not it employs eyelets. Furthermore it may be said that, rotation of the motor <NUM> to wind the first tether <NUM> on the at least one drum <NUM> and to wind the second tether <NUM> on the at least one drum <NUM> drives the first tether <NUM> to apply the first removal force F1 to the first tear strip <NUM> and drives the second tether <NUM> to apply the second removal force F2 to the second tear strip <NUM>, so as to at least partially remove the first and second tear strips <NUM> and <NUM> from the housing <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates several ways of controlling the speed and torque applied in the operation of the tethers <NUM>. As can be seen in <FIG>, a drum shaft <NUM> is driven by the motor <NUM>. The drum shaft <NUM> in <FIG> holds the drums 26a and 26b thereon (unlike the embodiment shown in <FIG> wherein the drum shaft itself constitutes the drum <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the drum shaft <NUM> holding the drums 26a and 26b is a crankshaft, which means that the central axis of each drum 26a, 26b orbits about a central crankshaft axis. As a result of the presence of the crankshaft <NUM>, the torque (and therefore the force) applied to the tethers <NUM> (and therefore the removal forces applied by the tethers <NUM>) varies based on the rotational position of the crankshaft <NUM>. As well, the linear speed of the tethers <NUM> varies based on the rotational position of the crankshaft <NUM>. Thus, the presence of the crankshaft <NUM> permits temporal variation in the torque and speed of the tethers <NUM> even if the motor <NUM> drives the crankshaft <NUM> at constant speed.

Additionally, it can be seen in <FIG> that the diameter of the drum 26a is larger than the diameter of the drum 26b. The difference in the diameters of the drums 26a and 26b affects the torque and linear speed of the tether <NUM> relative to one another. A larger diameter drum reduces the torque applied, but increases the speed of the tether <NUM>, whereas a smaller diameter drum increases the torque applied to the tether but reduces its linear speed. Using such elements as a crankshaft and such elements as drums of different diameters, the toy assembly <NUM> can vary the amount of torque is applied to different tethers <NUM>, can vary the speed of the tethers <NUM> temporally. Using drums of different diameters permits different tethers in the toy assembly to have different torque and different speeds relative to one another. These variations in the performance of the tethers <NUM> lends an air of realism to the operation of the toy assembly <NUM>. In other words, it makes the operation of the toy assembly <NUM> appear more like the actions of a live animal or character inside the housing <NUM>. Optionally, a controller (shown at <NUM>) may be provided and a variable speed motor may be used as the motor <NUM>, whereby the controller can vary the speed of the motor <NUM> so as to provide the desired variability in the operation of the tethers.

Another structure that adds to the realism of the toy assembly <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. The structure includes a foot <NUM> that is at the bottom of the housing <NUM> and a foot driver <NUM>. The foot <NUM> is movably mounted to the housing <NUM>. In the present example, the foot <NUM> is mounted to a structure element of the housing via a living hinge <NUM> that also acts as an integral, cantilevered leaf spring. As a result, the foot <NUM> is biased towards a home position in which the foot does not extend beyond the bottom of the housing <NUM>. The foot driver <NUM> is driven by the motor <NUM> to drive the foot to extend beyond the bottom of the housing <NUM> at intervals to make the housing <NUM> appear as if it is being shaken by the character represented by the inner object therein. The foot driver <NUM> in the present example includes a foot driver wheel <NUM> that is mounted to the drum shaft <NUM> that is driven by the motor <NUM>. The foot driver wheel <NUM> has one or more rollers <NUM> thereon which are spaced from one another, preferably in a non-uniform way (i.e. without exhibiting polar symmetry). When the rollers <NUM> engage the foot <NUM>, they drive the foot <NUM> downward past the plane formed by the bottom 12f of the housing <NUM> (i.e. the plane of the bottom 12f of the housing <NUM> when the foot <NUM> is in the home position) so as to strike the surface on which the housing <NUM> is positioned, making the housing <NUM> jump slightly. The plane defined by the bottom side of the housing <NUM> may be represented by the surface <NUM>. The bottom 12f of the housing <NUM> may be open as shown in the figures, or may be covered. Where it is covered, the bottom 12f may be covered fully, or partially. In the present example, the bottom 12f is covered partially.

The position for the foot <NUM> may be referred to as the actuated position and is shown in dashed lines at 66a in <FIG>. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the foot driver wheel <NUM> contains only one roller <NUM>, however it has positions for up to <NUM> rollers <NUM>. In <FIG>, the foot driver wheel <NUM> is shown holding two rollers <NUM>.

In some embodiments, it is possible for the bottom side 12f to not have an aperture in it to permit the foot <NUM> to pass therethrough - it is possible that the foot <NUM> engages an interior face of the bottom 12f and pushes the bottom face 12f downward past the plane that was defined by the bottom 12f when the foot <NUM> was in the home position, so as to still cause the housing <NUM> to jump. As a result, rotation of the motor <NUM> and the drum shaft <NUM> repeatedly causes the rollers <NUM> to drive the foot <NUM> downwards to the actuated position to cause the housing <NUM> to jump, in a seemingly non-uniform (and therefore lifelike) way, and the foot <NUM> continues to be urged back towards its home position. If the toy assembly <NUM> is provided with a controller and a variable speed motor <NUM> then varying the speed of the motor <NUM> can further add to the variation in the jumping.

The foot <NUM> constitutes an impactor member that is separate from the opening members (i.e. the tethers <NUM>) and that is connected to the motor <NUM> to be driven by the motor <NUM> between an impact position (i.e. the actuated position 66a described above) in which the impactor member <NUM> impacts at least one of the housing <NUM> and the support surface on which the housing <NUM> is positioned to cause the housing <NUM> to move on the support surface and a non-impact position (referred to above as the home position) in which the impactor member <NUM> is spaced from the at least one of the housing <NUM> and the support surface. <FIG> shows the impactor member <NUM> in both the impact position and the non-impact position, in an embodiment in which the impactor member impacts the bottom 12f of the housing <NUM>. <FIG> also shows the support surface identified at S on which the housing <NUM> is positioned. The support surface S may be, for example, a tabletop, a floor or any other suitable support surface.

Another way of adding variation to the operation of the tethers <NUM> may be by the amount of slack that is present in the tether <NUM>. As a result of the amount of slack, the motor <NUM> can drive the tether <NUM> for some period of time until the slack is consumed at which point the removal force is generated by the tether. By varying how much slack is present in different tethers <NUM> (e.g. if a first tether <NUM> has less slack than a second tether <NUM>), the first tether <NUM> can be caused to actuate at a different time than (e.g. before) the second tether <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the toy assembly <NUM> may optionally have an input member <NUM> that is connected to a controller <NUM> that includes a printed circuit board 75a that has mounted on it a processor 75b and a memory 75c. The controller <NUM> is itself connected to the motor <NUM> in order to control operation of the motor <NUM> (e.g. to control current to the motor from a power source such as a battery or battery pack (not shown)). The input member <NUM> may be any suitable type of input member, such as a pushbutton <NUM>, that is directly mounted on the printed circuit board 75a. The user of the toy assembly <NUM> may initiate the process of opening the housing <NUM> by the opening mechanism, by actuating the input member <NUM> (e.g. by pressing the pushbutton <NUM>).

Methods of opening a toy assembly such as the toy assembly <NUM> are described below. In one example, the toy assembly includes a housing having a main housing portion, and a first set of at least one removable housing portion that is at least partially removable from the housing, a first series of eyelets mounted to the first set of at least one removable housing portion, an inner object inside the housing, a motor that drives at least one drum, a first anchor on the main housing portion, wherein the first anchor has a first anchor slot having a first exit and a second exit, a first tether having a free end which has an engagement member that is unable to pass through the first exit of the first anchor slot but can pass through the second exit of the first anchor slot, wherein the first tether passes sequentially through each of the series of eyelets between the at least one drum and the first anchor, wherein, in an initial state the engagement member is positioned in the first anchor slot at the first exit of the first anchor slot. The method comprises:.

In another example, the toy assembly includes a housing having a main housing portion, and a first tear strip that is at least partially removable from the housing, an inner object inside the housing, a motor that drives at least one drum, a first tether positioned to apply a first removal force to the first tear strip, wherein the housing has a first side, a second side, and a third side, wherein the second side and the third side are each adjacent the first side, wherein, for each side of the first, second and third sides, the housing further includes a side corner connecting said each side with any of the first, second, and third sides that are adjacent to said each side, and wherein the housing includes a top, wherein the first tear strip is a second-side tear strip extending along the second side between the first side and an opposing end of the second side, wherein the third side has a third-side tear strip extending between the first side and an opposing end of the third side, wherein the toy assembly further comprises a second tether positioned to apply a second removal force to the third-side tear strip. The method comprises:.

<FIG> shows a variation of the toy assembly <NUM>, in which the motor <NUM> is provided in the inner object <NUM>, and is connectable to drive the drum shaft <NUM> by any suitable means. For example, the motor <NUM> may drive an inner object output shaft <NUM>, which in the present example is a hollow, splined shaft. The inner object output shaft <NUM> may receive a housing input shaft <NUM> that is itself splined and which extends up through the platform <NUM> (or more broadly referred to as the divider) from the drum chamber <NUM> into the main chamber <NUM>. The housing input shaft <NUM> therefore transfers power from the motor <NUM> into the drum shaft <NUM> and into the drum <NUM> via a right angle gear arrangement <NUM> (in this example, made up of two bevel gears 79a and 79b), and may therefore be said to be operatively connected to the opening members (i.e. the tethers <NUM>), which is at least partially outside of the inner member <NUM> (and is entirely outside of the inner member <NUM> in the embodiment shown in <FIG>). The controller <NUM> is provided in the inner object <NUM> shown in <FIG>, and controls the operation of the motor <NUM> when driving the tethers <NUM>.

In the present example, the inner object output shaft <NUM> is directly mounted to the output shaft of the motor <NUM>. In order to ensure that rotation of the inner object output shaft <NUM> does not result in counterrotation of the motor's stator and the inner object <NUM> to which the stator is mounted, the inner object <NUM> may be braced when in the housing <NUM> when driving the drum shaft <NUM>. For example, two bracing posts <NUM> may be provided, which may sit immediately on either side of the inner object's front legs. One of the front legs of the inner object is shown at <NUM> in <FIG>.

As a result of providing the motor <NUM> in the inner object <NUM>, the motor <NUM> can be used to drive movable elements (e.g. the rear leg of the dog represented by the inner object <NUM>, shown at <NUM>) of the inner object <NUM> after the inner object <NUM> is removed from the housing <NUM>, thereby enhancing the play value of the inner object <NUM>. Furthermore, the housing <NUM> may then be discarded after it has been opened to reveal the inner object <NUM>, with little wastage having been generated, since the housing sides may be made from cardboard or the like, and the drum shaft <NUM>, pulleys <NUM> if provided may be made from plastic, and the structural components can be made from plastic. Glue and/or small screws may be used where appropriate to connect parts together. As a result, most or all of the housing <NUM> may be recyclable and may be relatively inexpensive, so that the cost of the toy assembly <NUM> is largely present in the inner object <NUM> itself, which continues to have play value after the opening operation has been carried out.

<FIG> shows an embodiment that is similar to that shown in <FIG>, but which provides an electrical connection between the inner object <NUM> and the housing <NUM>. A user can initiate the opening process by the opening mechanism by actuating the input member <NUM>, via the electrical connection. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the inner object <NUM> has the motor <NUM>, and the controller <NUM>, and the power source for providing power to the motor <NUM>. The motor <NUM> has a motor shaft <NUM> on which there is a motor gear <NUM>. The motor gear <NUM> is engaged with a driven gear <NUM>, which is mounted onto the inner object output shaft <NUM> which is again a hollow splined shaft. The inner object output shaft <NUM> has a pass-through aperture <NUM>, through which an inner object electrical terminal <NUM> passes. In the present example, the inner object electrical terminal <NUM> is a female terminal provided on a female terminal projection, however it is alternatively possible for it to be a male terminal. The inner object electrical terminal <NUM> is part of the inner object <NUM> and is connected to the controller <NUM> so as to transmit signals thereto. The inner object output shaft <NUM> receives the housing input shaft <NUM>. Put another way, the housing input shaft <NUM> removably extends into the inner object <NUM> to engage the inner object output shaft <NUM> such that rotation of the motor <NUM> drives the housing input shaft <NUM>, which in turn drives the opening members (i.e. the tethers <NUM>) to open the housing <NUM>. Suitable support elements, shown at <NUM> and <NUM> support the inner object output shaft <NUM> for rotation within the inner object <NUM>. The inner object housing is shown in <FIG> at <NUM>. It will be understood that the inner object housing <NUM> is not to be confused with the housing <NUM>, which may also be referred to as the toy assembly housing <NUM>.

A housing electrical terminal <NUM> in the housing <NUM> is in electrical communication with the inner object electrical terminal <NUM>, so as to communicate actuation of the housing input member <NUM> to the controller <NUM> in the inner object <NUM>. The controller <NUM> is connected to the motor <NUM> to control operation of the motor <NUM> based on actuation of the housing input member <NUM>. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the housing electrical terminal <NUM> is a male electrical terminal (e.g. a pin) although in an alternative embodiment, it could be a female electrical terminal. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the housing electrical terminal <NUM> passes through a central passage <NUM> in the housing input shaft <NUM> and into engagement with the inner object electrical terminal <NUM>. The housing electrical terminal <NUM> and the inner object electrical terminal <NUM> may be two-wire terminals, or terminals having any other suitable number of wires leading thereto.

As a result of the above-described structure, the user can initiate opening of the housing <NUM> by the opening mechanism <NUM>, by actuating the housing input member <NUM>, which sends a signal to the controller <NUM> to operate the motor <NUM> accordingly.

In other embodiments, the housing input member <NUM> may be electrically connected to the controller <NUM> in any other suitable way, such as, for example, by means of conductive pads on the platform <NUM> on which the inner object <NUM> sits, with conductive pads on the inner object <NUM> itself.

Instead of providing the drum <NUM> in a drum chamber <NUM> that is part of the housing <NUM>, the drum <NUM> and the drum shaft <NUM> could be provided directly in the inner object <NUM>. In such an embodiment, the tethers <NUM> would pass into the inner object <NUM> through one or more apertures in the inner object <NUM>. As a result, there would be no need transfer rotary power from the motor out of the inner object and into a housing input shaft <NUM> in the housing <NUM>. Accordingly, it will be understood that such elements as the housing input shaft <NUM>, and the right-angle gear arrangement <NUM> and other related elements could be eliminated. It will also be understood that it may still be possible in such an embodiment for the tethers <NUM> to pass underneath the platform <NUM> on which the inner object <NUM> sits through advantageously positioned apertures so that the angles of each tether <NUM> is arranged as needed for its operation. The tethers <NUM> could then pass up through one or more final apertures in the platform <NUM> proximate to the inner object <NUM> before passing into the inner object <NUM> for winding on the drum <NUM> that is contained therein in such an embodiment.

The anchors <NUM> have been shown to be provided on the main housing portion <NUM> in the embodiments shown in the figures. However, the anchors <NUM> could alternatively be provided on the inner object <NUM> itself, particularly in embodiments in which the drum <NUM> is provided in the inner object <NUM>.

Reference is made to <FIG>, which show another embodiment of the inner object <NUM>. In this embodiment, the inner object <NUM> is a vehicle, which is identified at <NUM>. The motor <NUM> (<FIG>) is mounted inside the vehicle <NUM>, and is connected to drive the opening members (i.e. the tethers <NUM>) to open the housing <NUM>, and is also connected to an inner object travel mechanism <NUM> that is part of the inner object <NUM>. The inner object travel mechanism <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG> includes a gearbox shown at <NUM> that drives a rear axle <NUM>, and a drive shaft <NUM> that drives a set of gears <NUM> that is used to drive a front axle <NUM>. The rear axle <NUM> has first and second drive wheels <NUM> thereon, while the front axle <NUM> has third and fourth drive wheels <NUM> thereon. It will be understood that it is alternatively possible to refer to the drive wheels <NUM> on the front axle <NUM> as the first and second drive wheels and the drive wheels <NUM> on the rear axle <NUM> as the third and fourth drive wheels <NUM>. While four drive wheels <NUM> are shown and described, it will be noted that there could be any suitable number of drive wheels <NUM> such as one or more drive wheels <NUM>. In other words, there is at least one drive wheel <NUM>.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the at least one drive wheel <NUM> includes a wheel shell <NUM> defining a wheel shell chamber <NUM> and having at least one wheel shell aperture <NUM>. In the embodiment shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, there are three wheel shell apertures <NUM>. A projection frame <NUM> is positioned in the wheel shell chamber <NUM> and holds at least one wheel projection <NUM>. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the projection frame <NUM> holds three wheel projections <NUM>, though in <FIG> and <FIG> only one wheel projection <NUM> shown, and other two are not shown. The connection between the projection frame <NUM> and each of the wheel projections may be pivotal connections via pins that extend through the projection frame <NUM> and each of the wheel projections <NUM>. A wheel shell biasing member <NUM> connects the projection frame <NUM> to the wheel shell <NUM> and urges the projection frame <NUM> towards a retraction position (i.e. the position shown in <FIG>) in which the projection frame <NUM> retains the at least one wheel projection <NUM> in the wheel shell chamber <NUM>. The projection frame <NUM> is rotatable by the motor <NUM>, such that during rotation of the projection frame <NUM> by the motor <NUM>, torque is transferred to the wheel shell <NUM> through the wheel shell biasing member <NUM>. During use on a support surface S, if a resistive torque applied by the support surface S against the wheel shell <NUM> exceeds a selected torque, relative movement between the projection frame <NUM> and the wheel shell <NUM> occurs, which causes the projection frame <NUM> to drive the at least one wheel projection <NUM> to extend from the wheel shell <NUM> through the at least one wheel shell aperture <NUM>. This relative movement causes flexure of the wheel shell biasing member <NUM>. The position shown in <FIG> may be referred to as an extended position. In the embodiment shown, the wheel shell biasing member <NUM> is a torsion spring however it could be any other suitable type of biasing member.

Such a selected resistive torque may occur when the vehicle <NUM> is moving over an obstacle, such as one of the hills shown at 135a and 135b in <FIG>. While the at least one wheel projection <NUM> is extended, it may provide the vehicle <NUM> with sufficient capability to overcome the obstacle.

Limit members <NUM> are provided on the wheel shell <NUM> to limit the range of relative movement between the projection frame <NUM> and the wheel shell <NUM> so as to keep the projection frame <NUM> in a range of movement that permits the wheel projections <NUM> to pass through the wheel shell apertures <NUM>.

Once the resistive torque drops back below the selected torque, the at least one wheel projection <NUM> retracts as the wheel shell <NUM> and the projection frame <NUM> return to their home position relative to one another, as shown in <FIG>.

Optionally, the at least one drive wheel <NUM> includes a lock (not shown) to hold the projection frame <NUM> and the wheel projections <NUM> in the extended position. Such a lock may simply be provided by a pin in the wheel shell <NUM> that aligns with a hole in the projection frame <NUM>. The user can manually turn the wheel shell <NUM> while pressing the pin in the wheel shell <NUM> until the wheel shell <NUM> is rotated sufficiently that the pin finds the hole in the projection frame <NUM>. At this point the wheel projections <NUM> remain in the extended position.

While the vehicle <NUM> is in a storage position (as shown in <FIG>), it may rest on an inner object support <NUM> that supports a body (shown at <NUM>) of the inner object <NUM>, such that the drive wheels <NUM> engage the floor of the main chamber <NUM> with less force than if the inner object support <NUM> were not present. In the present embodiment, the floor of the main chamber <NUM> is provided by the platform <NUM>, and the engagement of the drive wheels <NUM> with the platform <NUM> is through the wheel projections <NUM>, which may optionally be held in the extended positions by the aforementioned lock. The housing <NUM> further includes two inner object abutment surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> that abut the inner object <NUM> when the housing is closed, so as to inhibit the inner object <NUM> from moving forward while it is in the storage position. Rotation of the motor <NUM> drives the opening mechanism (to be described further below) to open the housing <NUM>, and optionally to form a departure path <NUM> (<FIG>) out of the housing <NUM>. In the example shown, the departure path <NUM> includes hills 135a and 135b, which are formed by the two inner object abutment surfaces <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. When the housing <NUM> is open (as shown in <FIG>), the inner object abutment surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> are separated from the inner object <NUM> so as to permit the inner object <NUM> to travel away from the storage position, and optionally out of the housing <NUM> on the optional departure path <NUM>.

The toy assembly <NUM> shown in <FIG> includes an opening mechanism <NUM> that is different than the opening mechanisms shown in <FIG>. The opening mechanism <NUM> for the toy assembly <NUM> shown in <FIG> is shown in <FIG>. The opening mechanism <NUM> may operate by drawing power from the motor <NUM> in the vehicle <NUM>. Specifically, the opening mechanism <NUM> has a housing input shaft <NUM> that is, in the present case, a hollow splined shaft, which receives the inner object output shaft <NUM> that is in the inner object <NUM> (shown in <FIG>), and which a splined shaft that is driven by the motor <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the housing input shaft <NUM> is coaxial with a main drive gear <NUM>. The main drive gear <NUM> is connected through a drive arrangement <NUM> (which includes, in the present example, a plurality of driven gears), to a final gear <NUM>, which controls the operation of a latch cam <NUM>. The latch cam <NUM> in turn controls a first latch <NUM>. In the present embodiment, a second latch <NUM> is provided and is also controlled by the latch cam <NUM>. The latches <NUM> and <NUM> engage housing locking elements <NUM> and <NUM> on the top 12e of the housing <NUM> and thus control the opening of the housing <NUM>. Optionally, first and second fasteners shown at <NUM> and <NUM> also control the opening of the top 12e of the housing <NUM>, and are also controlled by the operation of the motor <NUM> through the opening mechanism <NUM> (and specifically by the rotation of the final gear <NUM>).

The operation of the opening mechanism <NUM> with respect to the first fastener <NUM> will be described first. Initially, when the housing <NUM> is closed, the fastener <NUM> extends into a receiving aperture <NUM>, and is held by a fastener locking member <NUM> in the receiving aperture <NUM>. The fastener <NUM> is visible from outside the housing <NUM> and its removal from the receiving aperture <NUM> can form part of the play pattern for the toy assembly <NUM>. A fastener driver <NUM> urges the fastener <NUM> towards discharge from the receiving aperture <NUM>. The fastener driver <NUM> may be any suitable type of biasing member, such as a compression spring, which is shown schematically in the view shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

The fastener locking member <NUM> has a locking projection <NUM> thereon, and a fastener blocking projection <NUM> thereon. When the fastener locking member <NUM> is in a fastener locking position (<FIG>), the locking projection <NUM> is received in any one of a plurality of first fastener locking teeth <NUM> in the fastener <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) to hold the fastener <NUM> in the receiving aperture <NUM>. The fastener locking member <NUM> is movable between the fastener locking position shown in <FIG>, and a fastener release position shown in <FIG>. In the fastener release position, the fastener locking member <NUM> permits the fastener driver <NUM> to drive the fastener <NUM> towards discharge from the receiving aperture <NUM>. However, when the fastener locking member <NUM> is in the fastener release position, the blocking projection <NUM> is positioned to engage one of a plurality of fastener blocking teeth <NUM> on the fastener <NUM> that are separate from the plurality of fastener locking notches <NUM>. As a result, when the fastener driver <NUM> drives the fastener <NUM> towards discharge from the receiving aperture <NUM>, one of the fastener blocking teeth <NUM> will engage the blocking projection <NUM> to limit how far the fastener <NUM> is driven. Then, when the fastener locking member <NUM> is returned to the fastener locking position, the locking projection <NUM> moves to a position to engage a subsequent one of the fastener locking teeth <NUM> as the blocking projection <NUM> disengages from the fastener blocking tooth <NUM> that it was engaged with. The fastener locking member <NUM> may be biased towards the fastener locking position by a locking member biasing member <NUM>, which may be, for example, a compression spring, which is represented schematically in <FIG> and <FIG>. Repeated movement of the fastener locking member <NUM> between the fastener locking position and the fastener release position eventually brings the fastener <NUM> to the position in which the last fastener blocking tooth <NUM> is engaged with the blocking projection <NUM>. At this point, when the fastener locking member <NUM> is moved such that the blocking projection <NUM> is disengaged from the fastener blocking tooth <NUM>, the fastener driver <NUM> drives the fastener <NUM> to leave the receiving aperture <NUM>. Optionally, if the force applied by the fastener driver <NUM> is sufficiently strong, the fastener driver <NUM> will drive the fastener <NUM> out from the receiving aperture <NUM> with sufficient force to drive the fastener <NUM> into the air outside of the housing <NUM>. When this occurs, particularly if it is coupled with sounds emitted by the controller <NUM> through a speaker (shown at <NUM> in <FIG>) and/or other movement in the toy assembly <NUM>, can make it appear to the user that the inner object <NUM> is alive and has pushed the fastener <NUM> out, thereby adding to the play pattern for the toy assembly <NUM>.

In order to move the fastener locking member <NUM> back and forth between the fastener locking position and the fastener release position, the final gear <NUM> has a drive pin <NUM> thereon, that engages a locking member driver <NUM> during rotation of the final gear <NUM> though a selected angular range. The locking member driver <NUM> moves angularly about a locking member driver axis Almd between a first locking member driver position (<FIG>) in which the locking member driver <NUM> causes the fastener locking member <NUM> to move to the fastener release position (<FIG>) and a second locking member driver position (<FIG>), in which the locking member driver <NUM> causes the fastener locking member <NUM> to move to the fastener locking position (<FIG>). The locking member driver <NUM> may have a cam portion 188a that engages the fastener locking member <NUM>, and a pin engagement arm 188b that is engageable with the drive pin <NUM> on the final gear <NUM>. The locking member driver <NUM> may be biased towards the second locking member driver position by a locking member driver biasing member <NUM>, which may, for example, be a torsion spring or any other suitable type of biasing member.

Initially, as shown in <FIG>, the locking member driver <NUM> may be in the second locking member driver position, the fastener locking member <NUM> may be in the fastener locking position and the final gear <NUM> is positioned such that the drive pin <NUM> has not yet engaged the pin engagement arm 188b on the locking member driver <NUM>. During rotation of the final gear <NUM> through the selected angular range, the drive pin <NUM> engages and drives the locking member driver <NUM> to pivot from the second locking member driver position shown in <FIG> towards the first locking member driver position shown in <FIG>. As a result, the locking member driver <NUM> drives the fastener locking member <NUM> from the fastener locking position (<FIG>) to the fastener release position (<FIG>), thereby releasing the fastener <NUM> (i.e. thereby permitting the fastener driver <NUM> to drive the fastener <NUM> towards discharge from the receiving aperture <NUM>). Continued rotation of the final gear <NUM> moves the drive pin <NUM> past the point where it engages the locking member driver <NUM> (outside of the selected angular range), at which point the locking member driver biasing member <NUM> drives the locking member driver <NUM> back to the second locking member driver position, which in turn permits the fastener locking member <NUM> to be moved by the fastener locking member biasing member <NUM> back to the fastener locking position.

Continued rotation of the final gear <NUM> through several revolutions by the motor <NUM> through the drive arrangement <NUM> eventually releases the fastener <NUM> as described above, such that the fastener driver <NUM> drives the fastener from the housing <NUM>, optionally with sufficient force to drive the fastener <NUM> into the air outside of the housing <NUM>. The fastener <NUM> may be used to hold one of the sides of the housing with the top of the housing <NUM>. For example, in the embodiment shown, the fastener <NUM> holds the third side 12c to the top 12e of the housing <NUM>. To achieve this, the third side 12c includes a wall <NUM> and a top flap <NUM>, whereas the top 12e may simply be a wall. The fastener <NUM>, when the housing <NUM> is closed, passes through fastener apertures in the top 12e and the top flap <NUM> to hold the third side 12c to the top 12e. The apertures in the top 12e and the top flap <NUM> together make up the receiving aperture <NUM>. Similarly, the fastener <NUM> passes through fastener apertures in the top 12e and the top flap <NUM> of the second side 12b, so as to hold the second side 12b to the top 12e.

Referring to <FIG>, the opening mechanism <NUM> further includes a second fastener locking member <NUM> that works with the second fastener <NUM> in the same way that the fastener locking member <NUM> (which may be referred to as the first fastener locking member <NUM>) works with the first fastener <NUM>. A second locking member driver <NUM> may be provided, which works with the second fastener locking member <NUM> in the same way that the locking member driver <NUM> (which may be referred to as the first locking member driver <NUM>) works with the first fastener locking member <NUM>. The drive pin <NUM> on the final gear <NUM> engages the second locking member driver <NUM> through a second selected angular range of positions of the final gear <NUM> to drive the second locking member driver <NUM> to drive the second fastener locking member <NUM> in the same way that the drive pin <NUM> drives the first locking member driver <NUM> to drive the first fastener locking member <NUM>.

The operation of the opening mechanism <NUM> with respect to the first and second latches <NUM> and <NUM> will now be described. The latch cam <NUM> employs a ratchet mechanism <NUM> (<FIG>) internally, that permits it to be driven to rotate in a first direction only (clockwise in the views shown in <FIG>, counterclockwise in the view shown in <FIG>). The ratchet mechanism <NUM> includes a pawl <NUM> and a ratchet <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, the pawl <NUM> is connected to an arm (which may be referred to as a latch cam drive arm), shown at <NUM>, and the ratchet <NUM>, which is a ring of ratchet teeth <NUM>, is on the latch cam <NUM>. Rotation of the pawl <NUM> in the first direction engages the teeth <NUM>, while rotation of the pawl <NUM> in the opposite direction cause the arms of the pawl <NUM> to slide over the teeth <NUM>.

The latch cam drive arm <NUM> contains a drive slot <NUM>. A latch cam drive pin <NUM> may be provided on the first locking member driver <NUM>, and extends in the drive slot <NUM>. Each time the first locking member driver <NUM> is pivoted to the first locking member driver position, it drives rotation of the latch cam <NUM> by a selected amount. Then, when the first locking member driver <NUM> pivots back to the second locking member driver position, the latch cam <NUM> remains at its new position due to the lack of power transfer through the ratchet mechanism <NUM>. After a selected number of rotations of the final gear (the number of rotations being sufficient to have already caused ejection of the first and second fasteners <NUM> and <NUM> from the housing <NUM>), the latch cam <NUM> pivots sufficiently to disengage both the first and second latches <NUM> and <NUM> from the first and second housing locking elements <NUM> and <NUM> on the top 12e of the housing <NUM>, thereby permitting the housing <NUM> to open, and move to the position shown in <FIG>, which in turn permits the inner object <NUM> to drive out of the housing <NUM> or to at least drive away from its storage position.

The opening mechanism <NUM> shown in <FIG> may be provided in a separate chamber, which may be referred to as a fastener ejection mechanism chamber <NUM> or a latch release chamber <NUM>. A drum chamber <NUM> may be provided, and may draw power from a connection to the gear arrangement <NUM>, and may employ one or more tethers (not shown in <FIG>) to open a set of at least one removable housing portion <NUM>, which may, for example, include a panel on the front 12a of the housing <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, an alternative impact mechanism is shown, and includes a first impactor member <NUM> that is separate from the opening member (which in the example embodiment shown in <FIG> could be considered latch cam <NUM>, either of the fastener locking members <NUM> or <NUM>, or the one or more tethers <NUM> that are mentioned above as being optionally provided), and that is connected to the motor <NUM> to be driven by the motor <NUM> between an impact position (shown in <FIG>) in which the impactor member <NUM> impacts at least one of the housing <NUM> and the support surface S on which the housing <NUM> rests to cause the housing <NUM> to move on the support surface S and a non-impact position (shown in dashed lines at 218a in <FIG>) in which the impactor member <NUM> is spaced from the at least one of the housing <NUM> and the support surface S. In the example embodiment shown in <FIG>, the impactor member <NUM> is connected to an impactor gear <NUM>. An impactor member biasing member <NUM> (e.g. a torsion spring) urges the impactor member <NUM> towards the impact position. The motor <NUM> (<FIG>) is connected to an impactor gear drive gear <NUM> (e.g. via the housing input gear <NUM>), which is in turn engaged with the impactor gear <NUM>. The impactor gear drive gear <NUM> may be a sector gear that drives the impactor gear <NUM> to move the impactor member <NUM> to the non-impact position, such that continued rotation of the motor <NUM> drives the sector gear past the impactor gear <NUM> so as to permit the impactor member biasing member <NUM> to drive the impactor member <NUM> towards the impact position. In the present example, when the impactor member <NUM> is in the impact position, the impactor member <NUM> impacts a bottom 12f of the housing <NUM>.

A second impactor member is shown at <NUM> and is driven by the motor <NUM> via the housing input shaft <NUM> in the same way as the impactor member <NUM>.

Any of the gears that are driven directly or indirectly by the housing input shaft <NUM> may include a ratchet mechanism that is similar to the ratchet mechanism <NUM> for one or more purposes.

While the inner object is shown as a vehicle <NUM>, it will be understood that the inner object <NUM> could alternatively be any other suitable configuration that employs one or more drive wheels <NUM>. For example, the inner object could be in the form of an animal such as a dog, with a drive wheel <NUM> at the end of each leg, in place of its feet.

While the final gear <NUM> has been described as a gear, this is just an example of a suitable rotary member that it could be. It could alternatively be any other type of rotary member such as a friction wheel that frictionally engages other friction wheels instead of gears, or a pulley that engages other pulleys via one or more belts, or any other suitable type of rotary member.

As noted above, the tethers <NUM> may be more broadly referred to as opening members that are positioned in the housing <NUM> and are positioned to open the housing <NUM> to expose the inner object <NUM>. However, in alternative embodiments, the opening mechanism <NUM> need not incorporate tethers, and could instead be a completely different type of opening mechanism, such as for example any of the opening mechanisms shown in US patent <CIT>. In <CIT> the opening mechanisms are referred to as breakout mechanisms, because they open the housing described therein by breaking the housing. Regardless of how the housing is opened, (e.g. whether by tearing as described herein, or whether by breakage as described in <CIT>), the mechanism by which the housing is opened may be referred to as an opening mechanism. Similarly, the member that causes the opening to occur may be referred to as the opening member. In <CIT>, the opening member may be the element referred to as the hammer (shown at <NUM> in that patent), or the plunger member (shown at <NUM> in that patent), for example.

In such an embodiment, the housing would preferably be made from a material such as is disclosed in <CIT> instead of a cardboard material. It will be understood that several aspects of the toy assembly <NUM> shown and described are advantageous regardless of whether they employ the opening mechanism shown in the figures, or whether they employ a different opening mechanism such as any of the breakout mechanisms described in <CIT>. For example, it is advantageous to provide toy assembly <NUM> with any of the opening mechanisms and opening members described either directly herein, or in <CIT>, in which there is provided any of the impactor members described herein, which are separate from the opening member of the opening mechanism, and which cause movement of the housing <NUM> on a support surface, without breaking of the housing <NUM>. In another example, it is advantageous to provide the toy assembly <NUM>, wherein, initially the inner object <NUM> is in a storage position in the housing <NUM> and the housing <NUM> is closed, and rotation of the motor <NUM> drives the opening members (i.e. any one or more of the tethers <NUM>) to open the housing <NUM>, and form the departure path <NUM> out of the housing <NUM> for the inner object <NUM>, and wherein after the housing <NUM> is open, rotation of the motor <NUM> drives the inner object travel mechanism <NUM> and the one or more drive wheels <NUM> to move the inner object <NUM> away from the storage position and along the departure path <NUM> out of the housing.

Claim 1:
A toy assembly (<NUM>), comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) that is positionable on a support surface (S);
an inner object (<NUM>, <NUM>) inside the housing (<NUM>), that is removable from the housing (<NUM>);
an opening member (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) that is positioned in the housing (<NUM>) and is positioned to open the housing (<NUM>) to expose the inner object (<NUM>, <NUM>);
a motor (<NUM>) that is connected to drive the opening member (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) to open the housing (<NUM>);
and
an impactor member (<NUM>, <NUM>) that is separate from the opening member (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and that is connected to the motor (<NUM>) to be driven by the motor (<NUM>) between an impact position in which the impactor member (<NUM>, <NUM>) impacts at least one of the housing (<NUM>) and the support surface (S) to cause the housing (<NUM>) to move on the support surface (S) and a non-impact position in which the impactor member (<NUM>, <NUM>) is spaced from the at least one of the housing (<NUM>) and the support surface (S),
characterized in that:
the motor (<NUM>) is inside the inner object (<NUM>, <NUM>) and is operatively connected to a movable element (<NUM>) of the inner object (<NUM>, <NUM>) so as to drive movement of the movable element (<NUM>) of the inner object (<NUM>, <NUM>).