CA2651041A1 - Transformable toy vehicle - Google Patents

Transformable toy vehicle Download PDF

Info

Publication number
CA2651041A1
CA2651041A1 CA002651041A CA2651041A CA2651041A1 CA 2651041 A1 CA2651041 A1 CA 2651041A1 CA 002651041 A CA002651041 A CA 002651041A CA 2651041 A CA2651041 A CA 2651041A CA 2651041 A1 CA2651041 A1 CA 2651041A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
toy vehicle
wheels
tail
wheel
housing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA002651041A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
William Willett
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Mattel Inc
Original Assignee
Mattel, Inc.
William Willett
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Mattel, Inc., William Willett filed Critical Mattel, Inc.
Publication of CA2651041A1 publication Critical patent/CA2651041A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63HTOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H33/00Other toys
    • A63H33/005Motorised rolling toys
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63HTOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H17/00Toy vehicles, e.g. with self-drive; ; Cranes, winches or the like; Accessories therefor
    • A63H17/02Toy vehicles, e.g. with self-drive; ; Cranes, winches or the like; Accessories therefor convertible into other forms under the action of impact or shock, e.g. arrangements for imitating accidents
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63HTOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H33/00Other toys
    • A63H33/003Convertible toys, e.g. robots convertible into rockets or vehicles convertible into planes

Abstract

A toy vehicle includes a central housing having first and second oppositely disposed sides. A first wheel is rotatably mounted on the first side of the housing and a second wheel is rotatably mounted on the second side of the housing. Each of the fxrst and second wheels has a central hub. Each hub has a center disposed along a common first axis of rotation. A plurality of vanes are attached to the hub and form the first and second wheels. An end of each vane distal to the hub forms a circumferential surface portion of one of the first and second wheels. Each vane is individually and separately manually angularly repositionable about a second vane axis extending transversely with respect to the first axis.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Transfortnable Toy Vehicle CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0002] This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
60/797,790, filed May 4, 2006, entitled "MINI SHELL SHOCKER RC - Generally Spherical Transforming Toy Vehicle", the disclosure of which is incoiporated by'reference herein in its entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to toy vehicles, particularly those having unusual transforming characteristics. More specifically, the invention relates to transforrning toy vehicles having only two wheels for support and propulsion.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[00041 Briefly stated, the present invention is a toy vehicle coinprising a central housing having first and second oppositely disposed sides. A first wheel is rotatably mounted on the first side of the housing and a second wheel is rotatably mounted on the second side of the housing. Each of the first and second wheels have a central hub. Each hub has a center disposed along a common first axis of rotation. A plurality of vanes are attached to the hub and forrn the first and second wheels.
An end of each vane distal to the hub forins a circuinferential surface portion of one of the first and second wheels. Each vane is individually and separately manually angularly repositionable about a second vane axis extending transversely with respect to the first axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings.
For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings an embodiment which is presently preferred: It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
[0006] In the drawings:
[0007] Fig. 1 is a front perspective photographic view of a toy vehicle in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the preseiit inveution, the toy vehicle shown with a first configuration;

[0008] Fig. 2 is a right side perspective photographic view of the toy vehicle of Fig. 1, a tail of the toy vehicle shown in a retracted position;
[0009] Fig. 3 is a right side perspective photographic view of the toy vehicle of Fig. 1, the tail of the toy vehicle shown in an extended position;
[0010] Fig. -4 is a front perspective photographic view of the toy vehicle of Fig. 1, the toy vehicle shown with a third, paddle wheel configuration;
[0011] Fig. 5 is a right side perspective photographic view of the toy vehicle of Fig. 4; ' [0012] Fig. 6 is a top front right perspective photographic view of the toy vehicle of Fig. 4;
[0013] Fig. 7 is a front perspective photographic view of the toy vehicle of Fig. 1, the toy vehicle shown with a second wheel configuration;
[0014] Fig. 8 is a right side perspective photographic view of the toy vehicle of Fig. 7;
.[0015] Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the toy vehicle of Fig. 1;
[0016] Fig. 10 is a perspective photographic view of the toy vehicle of Fig.
1, the wheels being depicted as hemispheres rather than individual vanes for the sake of simplicity and an outer housing being removed to expose the drive mechanism therein;
[0017] Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional perspective photographic view of the toy vehicle of Fig. 10 taken generally along a central plane of the toy vehicle;
[0018] Fig. 12 is a perspective photographic view of a vane of the toy vehicle in Fig. 1;
[00191 Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional plan view of the toy vehicle of Fig. I
taken generally along a central plane of the toy vehicle, the toy vehicle having an alternate drive mechanism, the toy vehicle being shown with one vane turned outwardly;
[0020] Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional perspective photographic view of the toy vehicle of Fig. 13 taken generally along a central plane of the toy vehicle; and [0021] Fig. 15 is a-schematic diagram of a wireless remote control transmitter 105 and an on-board control unit 101 of the toy vehicle shown in Fig. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words "right," "left," "upper," and "lower" designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.
[00231 Referring to the drawings,'wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout, there is shown, in Figs. 1-15, a preferred embodiment of a generally spherical transforming toy vehicle in accordance with the present invention and indicated at 10. The toy vehicle 10 is intended to have a power source, such as one or more batteries 13 (see Figs. 10-11), for instance, to power movement of the toy vehiele=10. Furthermore, it is preferred that the toy vehicle 10 have control electronics or an on-board control unit 100 (Fig. 15) within a control electronics housing 11, having a lid 11 a, and be remotely controlled by a user using a generally conventional remote control device 105 spaced from the toy vehicle 10.
[0024] Referring specifically to Figs. 1-8, the toy vehicle 10 comprises a chassis, which is provided by a central outer housing 12, and first and second hemispheric "wheels" 14 and 16, respectively. Specifically, the outer housing 12 has first and second oppositely disposed sides 12a, 12b. The first wheel 14 is rotatably mounted on the first side 12a of the housing 12 and the second wheel 16 is rotatably mounted on the second side 12b of the liousing 12.
Specifically, each wheel 14, 16 has a central polygonal housing or central llub 20 and is preferably formed by a plurality (seven in the illustrated embodiment) of individual vanes 18 mounted around the circumferential edges or sides of the hub 20. An end of each vane 18 distal to the hub 20 forms a circumferential surface portion of one of the first and second wheels 14, 16. Each central hub 20 has a center generally disposed along a common first axis of rotation 20' that is a common axis of rotation of the two hubs 20. Preferably, each wheel 14, 16 comprises a plurality of identical vanes 18, each mounted to and extending through one of the planar circumferential walls or faces 20a of a preferably heptagonally shaped hub 20. Each vane 18 is mounted so as to be able to rotate at least about 180 with respect to the housing 12. Preferably, each vane 18 is rotatable about a second vane axis 18' extending transversely and generally radially from the first axis 20'.
[0025] The vehicle 10 is configured in a way to be described in greater detail below to permit individual and separate manual angular repositioning of each of the vanes 18 of the first and second wheels 14 and 16 about the second vane axis 18' of the vane 18 between a first extreme rotational position of each vane 18 yielding a first, ball-like, preferably generally spherical configuration 24 seen in Figs. 1-3. and a second, opposing, extreme rotational extreme position about 180 away from the first rotational position yielding a second configuration 26 seen in Figs.
6-8 in which each wheel 14, 16 has a generally hemispheric configuration with a cupped interior and large open end, formed by the interior of each heinispheric Wheel 14, 16 facing outwardly from the outer housing 12 and the other wheel. In the first rotational configuration 24 of the vanes 18, the first and second wheels 14, 16 are generally cupped with open ends directed inwardly toward one another.
In the second rotational configuration 26 of the vanes 18, the first and second wheels 14, 16 are generally cupped witli the open ends directed outwardly away from one another. The vanes 18 are preferably curved along and across their length whereby the first and second wheels 14, 16 are generally hemispherical in the first and second rotational positions 24; 26.
[0026] The vehicle 10 can further be configured in a third, "paddle wheel"
configuration 25, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, in which the vanes 18 are oriented intermediate between the first and second configurations 24, 26, and preferably halfway in between the first and second configurations 24, 26, i.e. in the same directional orientation around the hub 20 about 90 away from each of the first and second rotational positions 24, 26 of the vane 18 about its second axis 18' between the first and second configurations 24, 26.
[0027] Referring now to Fig. 12, each vane 18 preferably includes a detent or post 18a, which is preferably square in cross-section, and which is used to manually position each vane 18 to place the toy vehicle 10 in any of the first, second, and third configurations 24, 26, 25. Specifically, the post 18a preferably includes an elastomeric sleeve (not shown) therearound. The post 18a and sleeve are pressed into a complementary hole (not shown) in the face 20a of the hub 20, such that the sleeve funetions to retain the vane 18 in a particular, desired configuration, but, due to its resilience, also allows the vane 18 to be rotated within the hole when manipulated by a user.
In this way, the post 18a, sleeve, and hole effectively function in a detent-like manner to retain the vane 18 in a desired configuration but also allow the vane 18 to be rotated into a different configuration, if desired.
Because the post 18a preferably has a square profile, four vane positions are possible, i.e., 0 , 90 , 180 , and 270 . For definitional purposes 0 is the inward facing, spherical configuration 24 of Figs. 1-3; 90 is the third rotational position providing the third, "paddle wheel" configuration 25 of Figs. 4-5; and 270 is the second rotational position providing the second, outwardly cupped wheel configuration 26 of Figs. 6-8. While this is preferred, it is within the spirit and scope of the present invention that the post 18a have different profiles including but not limited to polygonal cross-sections with more or less than four sides to enable more or fewer different orientations of the vanes 18, respectively.
[0028] With the above-described configuration, when the user desires to reconfigure the toy vehicle 10, the user must individually rotate eacll of the vanes 18 to achieve the desired configuration. It is noted that, while only three configurations 24, 25, 26 are specifically described herein, any number of configurations can be achieved by simply rotating different vanes 18 to different orientations with respect to one another, rather than orienting all of the vanes 18 to the same position. While the above-described post 18, sleeve, and hole configuration is preferred, it is within the spirit and scope of the present invention that the vanes 18 be selectively retained/rotated in a different manner; including, but not limited to, mirror cruciform, or star or polygonal shaped hole and post configurations or a spring-biased detent mechanism with multiple contacted detent surfaces. Moreover, while it is preferred that the vanes 18 be retained in the hub 20 while manually rotated by the provision of a pliant post 18a and hole, it is also part of the invention that neither the post 18a nor the hole be sufficiently pliant to permit rotation of the vane 18 while connected with the hub 20, and that manual angular repositioning includes permitting manual removal and reinsertion of the post in the hole in any angular orientation permitted by the post and hole configurations.
[0029] While it is preferred that the post 18a be part of the vane 18 and the hole be in the hub 20, the invention includes a reversal of positions with the posts projecting generally radially outwardly from the hubs 20 and the vanes 18 being provided with the holes.
[0030] The vanes 18 can be made from any suitable material. If desired, the vanes 18 can each be formed from a foam polymer molded to a solid support shaft. Such foamed polymer vanes would not only be resiliently flexible themselves, providing considerable cushioning to the outer housing 12, but also would provide sufficient buoyancy to the vehicle 10 to enable it to be driven in water.
(00311 Referring again to Figs. 1-8, in any of the first, second, and third configurations 24, 26, 25, a preferably articulated tail 28 bearing a freely rotating reaction whee130 is extended transversely from the outer housing 12 preferably in a generally or nearly tangential direction with respect to the wheels 14, 16. The tail 28 has at least a first end 27a pivotally connected to the outer housing 12 and an oppositely disposed, free second end 27b proximate the wheel 30. The tail 28 is formed by at least two articulated segments, such that a first segment 29a is rotatably coupled to the housing 12 and at least a second segrnent 29b is rotatably coupled to the first segment 29a.
Preferably, the tail 28 moves between a retracted position 28a and an extended position 28b through centripetal force caused by and/or reaction to rotation of the wheels 14, 16 and functions to stabilize operation of the vehicle 10 by inhibiting rotation of the outer housing 12 with rotation of the wheels 14, 16 in a forward propulsion direction. The tai128 is preferably flexible, such that the tail 28, in the retracted position 28a, is generally wrapped at least partially around the housing 12 and, in the extended position 28b, extends outwardly from the housing 12 so that at least the second end is spaced from the housing 12 beyond the circumferences of the wheels 14, 16.
Further, in the retracted position 28a, the tail 28 is disposed between open ends of the first and second wheels 14, 16 even with the vanes 18 in the first position 24.
[0032j Referring to Figs, 9-11, a preferred drive mechanism for driving the wheels 14, 16 is shown. It is initially noted that, for the sake of simplicity, the wheels 14, 16 are shown in Figs. 10-12 as hemispheres and not as individual vanes. The drive mechanism includes first and second drive trains indicated generally at 40, 50, respectively, driven by first and second motors 42, 52, respectively, disposed within a gear liousing 22, which is disposed within the outer.housing 12.
Preferably, the first drive train 40 drives the first wheel 14, and the second drive train 50 drives the second wheel 16 independently of the first drive train 40 and first wheel 14.
It is noted that the first and second drive trains 40, 50 are essentially identical; therefore, only the first drive train 40wil1 be specifically described below.
100331 The first inotor 42 is actuated to rotate a first output shaft 42a with a first pinion 44a.
The first pinion 44a is the first gear of a first reduction gear train 44 that drivingly couples the first motor 42 to the first wheel 14. The first reduction gear train 44, depicted in detail in Figs. 9-11, includes a plurality of intermeshed gears, which are not individually described herein. The first reduction gear train 44 ultimately rotates a post 46 disposed'drivingly connected with the first wheel 14. Preferably, the post 46 is disposed within a complementarily keyed hole 20b within a tube 20c of the hub 20 extending inwardly toward a center of the toy vehicle 10. In this way, the post 46 and hub 20 are rotatably coupled by keyingto drivingly couple the first motor 42 with the first wheel 14.
In this way, the first and second wheels 14, 16 are individually driven separately and independently by the first and second motors 42, 52, respectively, so that the toy vehicle 10 can be driven forward or backward by actuating the first and second motors 42, 52 in the same direction at generally the same speed, or turned by actuating the first and second motors 42, 52 in different directions or in the same direction at different speeds.
(0034] While the above-described drive mechanisin configuration is preferred, it is within the spirit and scope of the present invention that other drive mechanism configurations be used, provided the alternate drive mechanism configuration functions to cause movement of the first and second wheels 14, 16 of the toy vehicle 10. For instance, a single motor and a drive train having a generally convention tlu-ow-out gear could be used. In this way, when the motor is driven in a first direction, both wheels rotate together in one direction (i.e., a forward motion of the toy vehicle), and, when the motor is driven in a second direction, the wheel on one side of the toy vehicle is caused to rotate in one direction, while the wheel on the other side of the toy vehicle, through operation of the throw-out gear, is caused to either rotate in an opposite direction or to stop rnotion, thereby allowing the toy vehicle to be turned.
[0035] Referring now to Figs. 13 and 14, an alternative drive mechanism is shown. The alternative drive mechanism is largely similar to the above-described drive mechanism except that first and second reduction gear trains 44', 54' are slightly differently configured and situated differently within the toy vehicle 10. The function of the first and second drive trains 44, 54' are largely similar to that described above, in that the first and second drive trains 44', 54' drivingly couple the first and second motors 42, 52 to the first and second wheels 14, 16, respectively.
Therefore, no further description of the first and second drive trains 44', 54' is included herein.
[0036] As shown in Fig. 15, the toy vehicle 10 of the above described embodiment is preferably configured to be operably controlled by a wireless remote control transmitter 105. Preferably the toy veliicle 10 is controlled via radio (wireless) signals from the wireless remote control transmitter 105. However, other types of controllers may be used including other types of wireless controllers (e.g., infrared, ultrasonic.and/or voice-activated controllers) and even wired controllers and the like.
Preferably, the on-board control unit 100 is operatively coupled with the first and second motors 42, 52 and configured to receive and process control signals transmitted from the remote source 105 spaced from the toy vehicle 10 to remotely control operation of the first and second motors 42, 52.
[0037] The toy vehicle 10 is provided with a control unit 100 mounted on a conventional circuit board 101. The control unit 100 includes a controller 102 preferably having a wireless signal receiver 102b and a microprocessor 102a plus any necessary related elements such as memory. The motors 42.and 52 are reversible and are controlled by the microprocessor 102a through motor control subcircuits 42' and 52' which, under control of microprocessor 102a, selectively couples each motor 42, 52 with an electric power supply 106 (such as one or more disposable or rechargeable batteries 13).
[0038] In operation, the wireless remote control transmitter 105 sends signals to the toy vehicle that are received by the wireless signal receiver 102b. The wireless signal receiver 102b is in comrnunication with and is operably connected rnotors 42, 52 through the microprocessor 102b for controlling the toy vehicle's 10 speed and tnaneuverability. Operation of the propulsion drive motors 42, 52 serve to propel and steer the toy vehicle's 10 through separate and individual control of each motor 42, 52. The drive motors 42, 52 and control unit 100 components are conventional devices readily known in the art and a detailed description of their structure and operation is not necessary for a complete understanding of the present invention. However, exemplary drive motors can include brushless electric motors, preferably providing a minimum of 1,360 revolutions per minute per volt.
[0039] In use, the toy vehicle 10 is driven on a surface by rotation in either rotational direction of the first and/or second wheels 14, 16. The toy vehicle 10 can be transfonned by manually rotating or otherwise repositioning the vanes 18 of the first and second wheels 14, 16 about the second axes 18' between the first position 24 in which the toy vehicle 10 is generally spherical in shape and the third position 26 in which the entire central housing 12 is exposed. Further, the tail 28 is able to be positioned in the extended position 28b or wrapped partially around the central housing 12 in the retracted position 28a with rotation of the outer housing 12 caused by driving of the first and second wheels 14, 16 in forward or reverse direction, respectively. The vanes 18 of the toy vehicle 10 can also be configured in the intermediate position 25 (Fig. 4), so that the first and second wheels 14, 16 resemble paddle wheels, or any other rotational position between the first and second positions 24, 26. While these tlzree configurations 24, 25, 26 of the wheels 14, 16 provided by unifonn angular orientation of all of the vanes 18 of both wheels 14, 16 are preferred, it will be appreciated that the individual vanes 18 of the individual wheels 14, 16 can be manually set in virtually any angular orientation permitted by the vane 18 / hub 20 coupling thereby permitting the angular orientations of the vanes 18 of each wheel 14, 16 to be mixed, wheel to wheel and in each wheel, thereby permitting more fanciful wheel design. For example, four of the vanes 18 can be arranged in 0 or 180 orientations while the remaining vanes 18 can be alternated among the four in 90 orientations. Of course, the provision of an even number of vanes 18 per wheel 14, 16 would permit symmetric alterations of angular orientations of vanes 18 on a given wheel.
[00401 If provided witli buoyant vanes 18 and tail 28, the toy vehicle 10, with the chassis/housing 12 otherwise sealed, can then be driven on the surface of water. Although intended to be driven on water when in the intermediate position 25, the toy vehicle 10 can also be driven on dry land with the vanes 18 in any position. Moreover, it is contemplated that the toy vehicle 10 can be driven on water with the vanes 18 in any position including but not limited to either of the first and second positions 24, 26, though not as effectively as the third position 25.
[00411 While remote control of the toy vehicle is preferred, it will be appreciated that the toy vehicle can be factory preprogrammed to perform a predetermined movement or series of-movements or configured to be selectively programmed by a user to ereate such predetermined movement(s). Alternatively or in addition, the toy vehicle can be equipped with sensors, e.g., switches, proximity detectors, etc., that will control the toy vehicle to turn away from or reverse itself automatically from whatever direction it was inoving in if or when an obstacle is contacted or otherwise sensed.
[0042] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiment described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is ) understood, therefore, that this invention is not liinited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but it is intended to cover modif.tcations within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claim.

Claims (16)

1. A toy vehicle (10) including a central housing (12) having first and second oppositely disposed sides (12a, 12b), a first wheel (14) rotatably mounted on the first side of the housing and a second wheel (16) rotatably mounted on the second side of the housing, each of the first and second wheels having a central hub (20), each hub having a center disposed along a common first axis of rotation (20'), a plurality of vanes (18) attached to the hub and forming the first and second wheels, an end of each vane distal to the hub forming a circumferential surface portion of one of the first and second wheels, characterized by each vane being individually and separately manually angularly repostionable about a second vane axis (18') extending transversely with respect to the first axis.
2. The toy vehicle of claim 1, wherein the vanes are curved, such that, in a first rotational position (24) of the vanes, the first and second wheels are generally cupped with open ends directed inwardly toward one another and, in a second rotational position (26) of the vanes, the first and second wheels are generally cupped with the open ends directed outwardly away from one another.
3. The toy vehicle of claim 2, wherein the first and second wheels are generally hemispherical in the first and second rotational positions.
4. The toy vehicle of claim 2, wherein the vanes are selectively rotatable to at least one intermediate rotational position (25) between a first rotational position and a second rotational position.
5. The transformable toy vehicle of claim 4, wherein in the intermediate configuration the wheels are converted into paddle wheels with the vanes rotated about ninety degrees from each of the first and second rotational positions.
6. The toy vehicle of claim 1, further comprising at least a first motor (42) operatively coupled to at least the first wheel to drive at least the first wheel.
7. The toy vehicle of claim 6, further comprising at least a second motor (52) operatively coupled to at least the second wheel to drive at least the second wheel independently of the first wheel.
8 The toy vehicle of claim 1, wherein each vane is coupled to the hub through a rotatable detent coupling (18a) to enable each vane to be selectively manually positioned in any of a plurality of discrete angular positions about the second axis.
9. The toy vehicle of claim 1, further comprising an control unit (100) operatively coupled with the first and second motors and configured to receive and process control signals transmitted from a remote source (105) spaced from the toy vehicle to remotely control operation of the first and second motors.
10. The toy vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a tail (28) movably engaged with the housing, the tail having at least a first end (27a) and an oppositely disposed, free second end (27b), the tail being movable between a retracted position (28a) and an extended position (28b).
11. The toy vehicle of claim 10, wherein the first end of the tail is rotatably attached to the housing.
12. The toy vehicle of claim 11, wherein the tail is flexible, such that the tail, in the retracted position, is generally wrapped at least partially around the housing and, in the extended position, extends outwardly from the housing so that at least the second end is spaced from the housing.
13. The toy vehicle of claim 12, wherein the tail is formed by at least two articulated segments, such that a first segment (29a) is rotatably coupled to the housing and at least a second segment (29b) is rotatably coupled to the first segment.
14. The toy vehicle of claim 13, wherein the tail, in the retracted position, is disposed between open ends of the first and second wheels with the vanes in the first position.
15. The toy vehicle of claim 10, wherein the tail is buoyant in water.
16. The toy vehicle of claim 10, wherein the tail includes at least one tail wheel (30) proximate the second end for contacting a surface in at least the extended position of the tail.
CA002651041A 2006-05-04 2007-05-04 Transformable toy vehicle Abandoned CA2651041A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US79779006P 2006-05-04 2006-05-04
US60/797,790 2006-05-04
US91571507P 2007-05-03 2007-05-03
US60/915,715 2007-05-03
PCT/US2007/010909 WO2007130617A2 (en) 2006-05-04 2007-05-04 Transformable toy vehicle

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2651041A1 true CA2651041A1 (en) 2007-11-15

Family

ID=38668352

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA002651041A Abandoned CA2651041A1 (en) 2006-05-04 2007-05-04 Transformable toy vehicle

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US8197298B2 (en)
EP (1) EP2012895A4 (en)
CA (1) CA2651041A1 (en)
MX (1) MX2008014107A (en)
WO (1) WO2007130617A2 (en)

Families Citing this family (39)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR101017924B1 (en) * 2008-08-01 2011-03-04 호야로봇 (주) Mobile robot included servo-wheel for topography conquest
JP2012511786A (en) * 2008-12-09 2012-05-24 レコンロボティクス,インコーポレイテッド Two-wheeled robot with enhanced climbing function
US8464665B1 (en) * 2009-01-13 2013-06-18 Keith Scheffler Pet toy convertible between a bone shape and a ball shape
GB2469561B (en) 2009-04-15 2013-03-27 Red Blue Ltd Foldable vehicles
US20110021112A1 (en) * 2009-07-24 2011-01-27 Masaki Suzuki Toy model with transforming tire mechanism
KR200461747Y1 (en) * 2009-09-30 2012-08-10 호야로봇 (주) two-wheel robot with assistance wheel
TWI370796B (en) * 2009-10-29 2012-08-21 Univ Nat Taiwan Leg-wheel hybrid mobile platform
US8517790B2 (en) * 2010-02-25 2013-08-27 Rehco, Llc Transforming and spinning toy vehicle and game
US8038504B1 (en) 2010-12-10 2011-10-18 Silverlit Limited Toy vehicle
US9218316B2 (en) 2011-01-05 2015-12-22 Sphero, Inc. Remotely controlling a self-propelled device in a virtualized environment
US9090214B2 (en) 2011-01-05 2015-07-28 Orbotix, Inc. Magnetically coupled accessory for a self-propelled device
US10281915B2 (en) 2011-01-05 2019-05-07 Sphero, Inc. Multi-purposed self-propelled device
EP3659681A1 (en) 2011-01-05 2020-06-03 Sphero, Inc. Self-propelled device with actively engaged drive system
US9429940B2 (en) 2011-01-05 2016-08-30 Sphero, Inc. Self propelled device with magnetic coupling
US20120244969A1 (en) 2011-03-25 2012-09-27 May Patents Ltd. System and Method for a Motion Sensing Device
FR2973335B1 (en) * 2011-03-29 2013-04-19 Inst Superieur De L Aeronautique Et De L Espace MICRO / NANO REMOTE CONTROL VEHICLE COMPRISING A SYSTEM FOR FLOOR, VERTICAL TAKEOFF AND LANDING
US8496077B2 (en) * 2011-04-28 2013-07-30 California Institute Of Technology Robotic two-wheeled vehicle
US8814629B2 (en) 2011-06-21 2014-08-26 Andrew Lewis Johnston Non-rollable to rollable transforming toy
US8574021B2 (en) 2011-09-23 2013-11-05 Mattel, Inc. Foldable toy vehicles
WO2013075045A1 (en) * 2011-11-17 2013-05-23 Jakks Pacific, Inc. Spinning toy with trigger actuated stop mechanism
US9292758B2 (en) 2012-05-14 2016-03-22 Sphero, Inc. Augmentation of elements in data content
KR20150012274A (en) 2012-05-14 2015-02-03 오보틱스, 아이엔씨. Operating a computing device by detecting rounded objects in image
US9827487B2 (en) 2012-05-14 2017-11-28 Sphero, Inc. Interactive augmented reality using a self-propelled device
US9061558B2 (en) * 2012-11-14 2015-06-23 Illinois Institute Of Technology Hybrid aerial and terrestrial vehicle
PL401730A1 (en) * 2012-11-22 2014-05-26 Przemysłowy Instytut Automatyki i Pomiarów PIAP Stabilizer for two-wheeled mobile robot
US9045177B2 (en) * 2013-02-27 2015-06-02 National Taiwan University Omni-directional terrain crossing mechanism
FR3012044B1 (en) * 2013-10-18 2015-12-11 Parrot TOY RUNNER AND HEADER MULTI-POSITIONS
US9829882B2 (en) 2013-12-20 2017-11-28 Sphero, Inc. Self-propelled device with center of mass drive system
US10390517B2 (en) * 2015-10-05 2019-08-27 Doskocil Manufacturing Company, Inc. Animal toy
US10549576B2 (en) 2015-11-03 2020-02-04 Carter Hurd Transformable wheel
US10124483B1 (en) * 2016-04-26 2018-11-13 Sebastien Cotton All terrain ground robot with compliant leg system, energy recycling features and zero turn capabilities
US10828973B2 (en) * 2017-08-15 2020-11-10 Reconrobtics, Inc. Two wheel robot with convertibility and accessories
WO2019035929A1 (en) 2017-08-15 2019-02-21 Reconrobotics, Inc. Throwable robot with improved drive system
WO2019035894A1 (en) * 2017-08-15 2019-02-21 Reconrobotics, Inc. Two wheeled robot with convertibility and accessories
US10696372B2 (en) * 2017-09-29 2020-06-30 Intel Corporation Transformable unmanned vehicles and related methods
US11571926B2 (en) * 2018-11-20 2023-02-07 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Vehicle with articulated wheel
US11020679B1 (en) * 2018-11-27 2021-06-01 Rory T Sledge Rotating flipping and grasping movements in mechanical toys
US11433959B2 (en) 2019-08-28 2022-09-06 California Institute Of Technology Four-wheeled articulated steering vehicle system
GB2599081B (en) * 2020-09-11 2022-12-28 Crover Ltd Device for moving through a granular medium

Family Cites Families (100)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1871297A (en) 1930-06-28 1932-08-09 Samuel I Berger Toy tank
US2104636A (en) 1937-08-27 1938-01-04 Burcham James Russell Advertising device
FR958795A (en) 1942-05-05 1950-03-17
US2949697A (en) 1957-06-14 1960-08-23 Glass Toy
US3312013A (en) 1964-01-15 1967-04-04 Graves Joseph Ross Motor driven rolling toy
US3226878A (en) 1964-02-24 1966-01-04 Marvin Glass & Associates Motor driven toy bug
US3327796A (en) 1965-11-24 1967-06-27 Butcher Polish Company Automotive vehicle
US3500579A (en) 1967-05-10 1970-03-17 Robert F Bryer Randomly self-propelled spherical toy
GB1292441A (en) 1968-09-16 1972-10-11 John George Tristram Almond Spherical entertainment apparatus
US3555725A (en) 1968-10-02 1971-01-19 Xerox Corp Self-traveling wheel
US3667156A (en) 1970-12-02 1972-06-06 Eijiro Tomiyama Motor-driven rolling toy
US3746117A (en) 1971-10-06 1973-07-17 R Alred Spherical vehicle
US3722134A (en) 1971-10-12 1973-03-27 C Merrill Self-propelled continuously moving toy
US3733739A (en) 1971-12-30 1973-05-22 Marvin Glass & Associates Motor operated toy vehicle
US3798835A (en) 1973-05-09 1974-03-26 Keehan R Mc Motor driven ball toy
US3893707A (en) 1974-02-19 1975-07-08 Raymond Lee Organization Inc Toy vehicle
US4057929A (en) 1976-06-09 1977-11-15 Takara Co., Ltd. Mobile reconfigurable spherical toy
JPS551664Y2 (en) 1976-07-22 1980-01-17
US4173096A (en) 1977-11-21 1979-11-06 Marvin Glass & Associates Wheeled toy
USD262224S (en) 1979-03-30 1981-12-08 Tomy Kogyo Co., Inc. Reversible toy car
JPS5942063Y2 (en) 1979-06-15 1984-12-06 株式会社トミー inverted running toy
US4310987A (en) 1980-04-24 1982-01-19 Chieffo Joseph M Amusement device
US4386787A (en) 1980-07-14 1983-06-07 Clifford Maplethorpe Spherical vehicle
US4391224A (en) 1981-07-27 1983-07-05 Adler Harold A Animal amusement apparatus
US4505346A (en) 1982-03-29 1985-03-19 Leonard E. Mueller Rolling vehicle
US4438588A (en) 1982-09-29 1984-03-27 Martin John E Remote control ball
US4471567A (en) 1982-12-10 1984-09-18 Martin John E Two-way operating ball enclosed vehicle
FR2539904A1 (en) 1983-01-25 1984-07-27 Giorgio Comollo Free sphere with controlled movements
US4501569A (en) 1983-01-25 1985-02-26 Clark Jr Leonard R Spherical vehicle control system
JPS59133297U (en) 1983-02-26 1984-09-06 株式会社トミー Swing walking animal toy
FR2549384B1 (en) 1983-07-18 1986-01-24 Michel Vuillard MODULAR TOY
US4541814A (en) 1983-12-23 1985-09-17 Martin John E Radio controlled vehicle within a sphere
US4568306A (en) 1984-03-26 1986-02-04 Martin John E Unicycle toy
US4601675A (en) 1984-05-25 1986-07-22 Robinson Donald E Mechanized toy ball
US4671779A (en) 1984-09-07 1987-06-09 Kabushiki Kaisha Gakushu Kenkyusha Running toy
US4609196A (en) 1984-10-11 1986-09-02 Zoran Bozinovic Zig-zag ball
US4547173A (en) 1984-12-04 1985-10-15 Marvin Glass & Associates Toy vehicle claw wheel
US4666420A (en) 1985-05-20 1987-05-19 Shinsei Kogyo Co., Ltd. Toy car of a front wheel driving type
JPS61268283A (en) 1985-05-22 1986-11-27 株式会社バンダイ Wireless operating running ball toy
US4601519A (en) 1985-10-04 1986-07-22 Andrade Bruce M D Wheel with extendable traction spikes and toy including same
US4648853A (en) 1985-10-09 1987-03-10 Lewis Galoob Toys, Inc. Wheel hub locking mechanism
US4773889A (en) 1985-11-13 1988-09-27 Marvin Glass & Associates Wheel for a toy vehicle
US4674585A (en) 1985-12-27 1987-06-23 Gordon Barlow Design Articulated unit vehicle
US4693696A (en) 1986-01-27 1987-09-15 Buck Gordon H Inflated balloon tire for toy vehicles
US4643696A (en) 1986-01-27 1987-02-17 Soma International Ltd. Vehicle wheel with clutch mechanism and self actuated extending claws
US4698043A (en) 1986-05-09 1987-10-06 May-Curran Associates Rolling egg toy
GB2194457A (en) * 1986-07-31 1988-03-09 Foundation Ind Company Limited A wheel for a toy vehicle
JPS63269701A (en) * 1987-04-27 1988-11-08 Yoshikata Rokusha Rotary foot wheel
US4892503A (en) 1987-08-05 1990-01-09 Apollo Corporation Action toy vehicle with controllable auxiliary wheel
US4897070A (en) 1989-04-14 1990-01-30 Wagstaff Ronald D Two-wheeled motorized toy
US4927401A (en) 1989-08-08 1990-05-22 Sonesson Harald V Radio controllable spherical toy
US5041051A (en) 1990-02-21 1991-08-20 Sonesson Harald V Spheroid shaped toy vehicle with internal radio controlled steering and driving means
US5131882A (en) 1990-03-21 1992-07-21 Namkung Promotions, Inc. Wheeled toy
US5102367A (en) 1991-02-08 1992-04-07 Breslow, Morrison, Terzian & Associates, Inc. Toy vehicle wheel and axle assembly
US5171181A (en) 1992-02-06 1992-12-15 Freeman Stanley W Spinner toy
US5228880A (en) 1992-07-23 1993-07-20 Meyer/Glass Design Climbing vehicle
US5267888A (en) 1992-08-17 1993-12-07 Mattel, Inc. Toy vehicle having articulated wheel portions
US5667420A (en) 1994-01-25 1997-09-16 Tyco Industries, Inc. Rotating vehicle toy
US5439408A (en) 1994-04-26 1995-08-08 Wilkinson; William T. Remote controlled movable ball amusement device
US5727985A (en) 1994-05-24 1998-03-17 Tonka Corporation Stunt performing toy vehicle
US5487692A (en) 1994-09-30 1996-01-30 Tonka Corporation Expandable wheel assembly
US6129607A (en) 1995-06-30 2000-10-10 Bang Zoom Design, Ltd. Self-righting remote control vehicle
US5626506A (en) 1995-08-15 1997-05-06 Mattel, Inc. Toy vehicle having concealed extendable jaws
US5769441A (en) 1995-09-19 1998-06-23 Namngani; Abdulatif Vehicle having two axially spaced relatively movable wheels
JP3025348U (en) 1995-11-30 1996-06-11 株式会社トミー Traveling body
US5618219A (en) 1995-12-22 1997-04-08 Hasbro, Inc. Remote control toy vehicle with driven jumper
US5692946A (en) 1996-01-11 1997-12-02 Ku; Wang-Mine Spherical steering toy
US5797815A (en) 1997-02-06 1998-08-25 Goldman Toy Group, Inc. Pop-open throwing toy with controllable opening delay and method of operating same
US5871386A (en) 1997-07-25 1999-02-16 William T. Wilkinson Remote controlled movable ball amusement device
US6024627A (en) 1997-08-19 2000-02-15 Tilbor; Neil Toy vehicle with gyroscopic action rear wheels
US6132287A (en) 1997-08-19 2000-10-17 Kuralt; Richard Blake Transforming tracked toy vehicle
US6439948B1 (en) 1997-08-19 2002-08-27 Mattel, Inc. Two-wheeled amphibious toy vehicle
US6086026A (en) 1997-10-06 2000-07-11 Pearce; Donald R. Bow holder
US5921843A (en) 1997-12-04 1999-07-13 Hasbro, Inc. Remote controlled toy vehicle
US6394876B1 (en) 1998-04-23 2002-05-28 Nikko Co., Ltd. Running toy with a pivotal undercarriage mechanism
US6227934B1 (en) 1998-07-09 2001-05-08 The Simplest Solution Toy vehicle capable of propelling itself into the air
US6414457B1 (en) 1999-08-16 2002-07-02 The University Of Delaware Autonomous rolling robot
NL1013353C2 (en) 1999-10-20 2001-04-23 Lely Res Holding Vehicle.
JP3986720B2 (en) 1999-11-20 2007-10-03 株式会社バンダイ Insect robot
US6475059B2 (en) 2000-01-28 2002-11-05 Jason C. Lee Single driving wheel remote control toy vehicle
US6264283B1 (en) 2000-01-31 2001-07-24 Steven Rehkemper Adjustable wheel for toy vehicles
US6672934B2 (en) 2000-02-04 2004-01-06 Trendmasters, Inc. Amusement device
US6481513B2 (en) 2000-03-16 2002-11-19 Mcgill University Single actuator per leg robotic hexapod
US6458008B1 (en) 2000-09-05 2002-10-01 Jamie Hyneman Remote control device with gyroscopic stabilization and directional control
US6502657B2 (en) * 2000-09-22 2003-01-07 The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc. Transformable vehicle
US6461218B1 (en) 2001-02-09 2002-10-08 Fisher-Price, Inc. Remotely controlled toy motorized snake
US6764374B2 (en) 2001-03-23 2004-07-20 Leynian Ltd. Co. Toy vehicle with multiple gyroscopic action wheels
US7249640B2 (en) 2001-06-04 2007-07-31 Horchler Andrew D Highly mobile robots that run and jump
US6964309B2 (en) 2001-06-04 2005-11-15 Biorobots, Llc Vehicle with compliant drive train
US6540583B1 (en) 2001-10-19 2003-04-01 Michael G. Hoeting Toy vehicle
US6648722B2 (en) 2001-10-26 2003-11-18 The Obb, Llc Three wheeled wireless controlled toy stunt vehicle
US6860346B2 (en) * 2002-04-19 2005-03-01 Regents Of The University Of Minnesota Adjustable diameter wheel assembly, and methods and vehicles using same
CA2502858A1 (en) 2002-10-31 2004-05-21 Mattel, Inc. Toy vehicle
WO2004041385A2 (en) 2002-11-01 2004-05-21 The Obb, Llc Toy vehicle with movable chassis components
US7234992B2 (en) 2002-11-01 2007-06-26 Mattel, Inc. Remotely controlled toy vehicles with light(s)
US7017687B1 (en) 2002-11-21 2006-03-28 Sarcos Investments Lc Reconfigurable articulated leg and wheel
US6752684B1 (en) 2003-09-30 2004-06-22 Jason C. Lee Radio controlled toy vehicle with transforming body
US7172488B2 (en) 2003-11-12 2007-02-06 Mattel, Inc. Toy vehicle
US6902464B1 (en) 2004-05-19 2005-06-07 Silver Manufactory Holdings Company Limited Rolling toy
US7217170B2 (en) * 2004-10-26 2007-05-15 Mattel, Inc. Transformable toy vehicle

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2007130617A3 (en) 2008-10-30
EP2012895A4 (en) 2010-07-28
WO2007130617B1 (en) 2008-12-18
EP2012895A2 (en) 2009-01-14
US20090124164A1 (en) 2009-05-14
MX2008014107A (en) 2008-11-14
WO2007130617A2 (en) 2007-11-15
US8197298B2 (en) 2012-06-12

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US8197298B2 (en) Transformable toy vehicle
US7794300B2 (en) Transformable toy vehicle
US7862400B2 (en) Toy vehicle
US6551169B2 (en) Toy vehicle with rotating front end
US4897070A (en) Two-wheeled motorized toy
US7255618B2 (en) Screw drive vehicle
US8430713B2 (en) Three wheeled toy vehicle
US5882241A (en) Toy vehicle with movable front end
JPH0632711B2 (en) Automatic standing traveling toy
US7563151B2 (en) Toy vehicle with big wheel
CN114264063B (en) Air outlet, shell and air conditioner
CN101437588A (en) Transformable toy vehicle
EP1827639A2 (en) Toy vehicle with big wheel
WO2000007682A1 (en) Toy vehicle with rotating front end
CN210631668U (en) Toy movement capable of moving straight and rotating and toy
KR200281723Y1 (en) Changing toy into a ball
JP4198457B2 (en) A toy that rotates by moving the center of gravity within the toy body
CA2091218A1 (en) Motorized ball toy with improved torque
JPH0324225Y2 (en)
JP2706153B2 (en) Rotation mechanism of hovercraft for toys
JP3078030U (en) Self-propelled swivel toy
JPH04119205U (en) amphibious boat
JPS62142392U (en)

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
EEER Examination request
FZDE Dead

Effective date: 20121130