US20030207648A1 - Keying toy vehicle accessories - Google Patents
Keying toy vehicle accessories Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20030207648A1 US20030207648A1 US10/137,663 US13766302A US2003207648A1 US 20030207648 A1 US20030207648 A1 US 20030207648A1 US 13766302 A US13766302 A US 13766302A US 2003207648 A1 US2003207648 A1 US 2003207648A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- keyed
- toy
- accessory
- vehicle
- toy vehicle
- 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
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
- A63H29/00—Drive mechanisms for toys in general
- A63H29/24—Details or accessories for drive mechanisms, e.g. means for winding-up or starting toy engines
Abstract
A toy vehicle includes a plug to recognize a keyed accessory of the toy vehicle, circuitry connected to the plug and operable to select a functional feature in response to recognition of the keyed accessory, and a feature generator to produce the selected functional feature.
Description
- This disclosure relates to the keying of toy vehicle accessories.
- Many children and adults enjoy playing with miniaturized vehicles. In order to make miniaturized vehicles more enjoyable, toy designers often endow miniaturized vehicles with functional features. Exemplary functional features include illuminated headlights on miniaturized cars, smoking stacks on miniaturized trains, blazoning sirens on miniaturized fire trucks, and firing cannons on miniaturized military vehicles.
- The range of functional features of a toy vehicle can be expanded by keying toy accessories for recognition by the toy vehicle. When the toy vehicle recognizes the keyed accessory, a selected functional feature may be exhibited.
- In one general aspect, a toy vehicle includes a plug to recognize a keyed accessory attached to the toy vehicle, circuitry connected to the plug and operable to select a functional feature in response to recognition of the keyed accessory, and a feature generator to produce the selected functional feature.
- In another general aspect, a combat toy includes a plug to recognize a keyed weapon, circuitry connected to the plug and operable to select a functional feature in response to recognition of the keyed weapon, and a feature generator to produce the selected functional feature.
- Implementations of the toys may include one or more of the following features. For example, the feature generator may be a speaker and the functional feature may be a sound. The selected functional feature may generally resemble a functional feature of a real accessory of a real vehicle.
- The circuitry may be operable to select a unique functional feature in response to recognition of each keyed accessory by the plug. The plug may be an electronic switch. The toy vehicle may also include a mount to mount the keyed accessory to the toy vehicle. The mount may be shaped to establish an interference fit with the keyed accessory. The mount may include an alignment guide, such as an asymmetric opening in the mount, to ensure alignment of the keyed accessory.
- The toy vehicle may be a toy combat vehicle, such as a toy helicopter, and the keyed accessory may be a keyed weapon, such as a missile or gun. The keyed accessory may be interchangeable with a second keyed accessory for recognition by the plug. The plug may include a pressure responsive surface or multiple pressure responsive surfaces.
- The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
- FIG. 1 is a side view of a toy vehicle with a detachable missile.
- FIG. 2 is a side view of the toy vehicle of FIG. 1 after detachment of the missile.
- FIG. 3 is an enlarged diagrammatic view of a plug of the toy vehicle of FIG. 1.
- FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of the keyed accessory missile of FIG. 1.
- FIG. 5 is an enlarged diagrammatic view of the key of the keyed accessory missile of FIG.
- FIGS.6-9 are side views of various keyed accessory weapons for use with the toy vehicle of FIG. 1.
- FIG. 10 is a block diagram of internal components of the toy vehicle of FIG. 1.
- FIG. 11 is a data structure for a sound feature database stored in the toy vehicle of FIG. 1.
- FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another toy vehicle with a plug for recognizing a keyed accessory.
- Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.
- Referring to FIG. 1, a
toy vehicle 100 generally resembles a combat helicopter and includes abody casing 105, acockpit 110, and ahelicopter blade 115.Body casing 105 houses various electronic components including aspeaker 120 and abutton switch 125.Toy vehicle 100 also carries adetachable missile 125 that is keyed for recognition by electronic components housed bybody casing 105. - Referring also to FIG. 2, which shows the
toy vehicle 100 with the missile detached, aweapon mount 200 extends from the side ofbody casing 105 to support akey plug 205. Plug 205 recognizes a key ofmissile 125 that causesvehicle 100 to play an associatedsound using speaker 120 whenbutton 125 is pressed. - Referring to FIG. 3,
plug 205 includes aflat top wall 300, abottom wall 305, and a pair ofopposing side walls 310 that together define akey receptacle chamber 315.Key receptacle chamber 315 opens at aslot 320 in the side ofplug 205. Eachside wall 310 includes apositioning groove 325 disposed a distance D belowtop wall 300 to makeslot 320 asymmetric about a centerlineC. Bottom wall 305 supports a row of fourkey switches 330. Eachkey switch 330 includes acontact face 335 that is substantially parallel to the top andbottom walls key switch 330 is displaceable downward to change state upon the application of a force F to contactface 335. - Referring to FIG. 4,
missile 125 includes acylindrical body 400 that extends between atip 405 and anexhaust 410 and is contoured to resemble a missile. Referring also to FIG. 5,missile 125 also includes akey 415 that extends longitudinally from the side ofbody 400.Key 415 is dimensioned to establish an interference fit withkey receptacle chamber 315 to mountmissile 125 tovehicle 100, as shown in FIG. 1. - As shown in FIG. 5,
key 415 includes afront face 505, a pair ofside faces 510, aflat face 515, and akeyed face 520 opposite theflat face 515. Eachside face 510 includes apositioning protuberance 525.Protuberances 525 are disposed a distance D fromflat face 515 and are dimensioned to slidably fit intopositioning grooves 325 when properly aligned. Key 415 also includes up to fourridges 530 that extend outward fromkeyed face 520 to define a pattern that is recognizable byplug 205 oftoy vehicle 100. Eachridge 530 includes a roundedfront portion 535 that slopes towardkeyed face 520 approachingfront face 505. - Referring to FIGS.6-9, other weapons that may be attached to
vehicle 100 include a first rifle 600 (FIG. 6), a second rifle 700 (FIG. 7), a speargun 800 (FIG. 8), and a chainsaw 900 (FIG. 9). Eachweapon ridges 530 that define a pattern recognizable byplug 205 oftoy vehicle 100.Weapons cockpit 110. Such joint sizing allows a child or other user to flexibly engage in a variety of play activities usingtoy vehicle 100. - Referring to FIG. 10, in addition to supporting
speaker 120,button switch 125, andkey switches 330,body casing 105 also houses abattery 1000, acontroller 1005, and amemory 1010.Battery 1000 supplies power to the components insidebody casing 105 and is replaceable upon removal of a face plate (not shown) onbody casing 105.Key switches 330,button switch 125,speaker 120, andmemory 1010 are coupled tocontroller 1005. - Referring also to FIG. 11,
memory 1010 stores, in a format that is readable bycontroller 1005, asound database 1100 of individually addressable soundfeature data records 1105.Records 1105 each encode sounds generally resembling the sounds associated with a real item. For example, Sound Feature 1 may encode the sounds of a missile launch, flight, and explosion, while Sound Feature 2 may encode the sounds of machine gun fire.Controller 1005 determines the state ofkey switches 330 to recognize an accessory that has been attached tokey receptacle chamber 315. Whenbutton switch 125 is pressed,controller 1005 selects an associatedsound feature record 1105 frommemory 1010 and controlsspeaker 120 to generate sound corresponding to a converted version of the sound feature record. - In use, a child first selects one
accessory slot 320 inbody casing 105. When key 415 is properly aligned, positioningprotuberances 525 smoothly enterpositioning grooves 325 as the operator slides key 415 intoslot 320. However, if the selected accessory is misaligned, for example, ifkey 415 is inverted so thatkeyed face 520 would abut flattop wall 300 when inserted, positioningprotuberances 525 are unable to enterpositioning grooves 325 and insertion is prevented. This prevents a young child from inadvertently preventing recognition ofkey 415 byplug 205 by slidingflat face 515 over contact faces 335. - As
key 415 slides intoslot 320, one or more roundedfront portions 535 ofridges 530 apply a force F to corresponding contact faces 335 to displace one or morekey switches 330 downward. This downward displacement changes the state of the correspondingkey switches 330 to define a pattern that is detected bycontroller 1005 to recognize the selectedaccessory button switch 125 is pressed,controller 1005 selects asound feature record 1105 corresponding to the pressedswitches 330 frommemory 1010, and causes thespeaker 120 to play the associated sound. Since accessories are keyed for recognition byplug 205, the range of sound features can be expanded to include unique or semi-unique sounds for a variety of accessories. - A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made. For example, more than four key switches may be used. The accessories need not be mounted to the vehicle at the plug. For example, non-contact wireless recognition plugs may be used. Functional features other than sounds, or additional sound features, also may be exhibited. For example,
vehicle 100 may play rotor sounds whenhelicopter blade 115 is rotated.Keys 415 may be mounted toaccessories armored vehicle 1200 may include aplug 205. The number of unique functional features may correspond to the number of unique keys recognizable by the plug. For example,sound database 1100 may include sixteen sound feature data records 1105. Of these soundfeature data records 1105, fifteen sound feature data records may encode sounds generally resembling the sounds associated with a real item, while the sixteenth sound may indicate the absence of a real item and may be selected bycontroller 1005 when the plug is empty. There may be more than one accessory for each functional feature. For example,rifles controller 1005 may select the same soundfeature data record 1105 when eitherrifle - Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.
Claims (30)
1. A toy vehicle comprising:
a plug to recognize a keyed accessory attached to the toy vehicle;
circuitry connected to the plug and operable to select a functional feature in response to recognition of the keyed accessory; and
a feature generator to produce the selected functional feature.
2. The toy vehicle of claim 1 wherein:
the feature generator comprises a speaker; and
the functional feature is a sound.
3. The toy vehicle of claim 1 wherein the selected functional feature generally resembles a functional feature of a real accessory of a real vehicle.
4. The toy vehicle of claim 1 wherein the plug comprises an electronic switch.
5. The toy vehicle of claim 1 further comprising a mount to mount the keyed accessory to the toy vehicle.
6. The toy vehicle of claim 5 wherein the mount is shaped to establish an interference fit with the keyed accessory.
7. The toy vehicle of claim 5 wherein the mount comprises an alignment guide to ensure alignment of the keyed accessory.
8. The toy vehicle of claim 7 wherein the alignment guide comprises an asymmetric opening in the mount.
9. The toy vehicle of claim 1 wherein:
the toy vehicle comprise a toy combat vehicle; and
the keyed accessory comprises a keyed weapon.
10. The toy vehicle of claim 1 wherein the keyed accessory is interchangeable with a second keyed accessory for recognition by the plug.
11. The toy vehicle of claim 1 wherein the plug comprises a pressure responsive surface.
12. The toy vehicle of claim 11 wherein the plug comprises multiple pressure responsive surfaces.
13. The toy vehicle of claim 1 further comprising the keyed accessory.
14. A combat toy comprising:
a plug to recognize a keyed weapon;
circuitry connected to the plug and operable to select a functional feature in response to recognition of the keyed weapon; and
a feature generator to produce the selected functional feature.
15. The combat toy of claim 14 wherein the combat toy comprises a toy combat vehicle.
16. The combat toy of claim 15 wherein the toy combat vehicle comprises a toy combat helicopter.
17. The combat toy of claim 14 further comprising the keyed weapon.
18. The combat toy of claim 14 wherein:
the feature generator comprises a speaker; and
the functional feature is a sound.
19. The combat toy of claim 14 wherein the selected functional feature generally resembles a functional feature of a real weapon.
20. The combat toy of claim 14 wherein the circuitry is operable to select a unique functional feature in response to recognition of each keyed weapon.
21. The combat toy of claim 14 further comprising a mount to mount the keyed weapon.
22. The toy vehicle of claim 14 wherein the keyed weapon is interchangeable with a second keyed weapon for recognition by the plug.
23. A method for entertaining a child comprising:
recognizing a keyed accessory of a toy vehicle;
selecting a finctional feature in response to the recognition of the keyed accessory; and
producing the selected functional feature.
24. The method of claim 23 wherein producing the selected functional feature comprising emitting a sound feature.
25. The method of claim 23 wherein selecting the functional feature comprises selecting a unique functional feature in response to recognition of each keyed accessory.
26. The method of claim 23 wherein recognizing the keyed accessory comprises closing an electrical switch.
27. The method of claim 23 further comprising mounting the keyed accessory to the toy vehicle.
28. The method of claim 27 wherein mounting the keyed accessory comprises guiding the keyed accessory into a mount on the toy vehicle.
29. The method of claim 23 further comprising interchangeably recognizing a second keyed accessory of the toy vehicle.
30. The method of claim 23 wherein recognizing the keyed accessory comprises recognizing a keyed weapon of a toy combat vehicle.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/137,663 US20030207648A1 (en) | 2002-05-03 | 2002-05-03 | Keying toy vehicle accessories |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/137,663 US20030207648A1 (en) | 2002-05-03 | 2002-05-03 | Keying toy vehicle accessories |
Publications (1)
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US20030207648A1 true US20030207648A1 (en) | 2003-11-06 |
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ID=29269127
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US10/137,663 Abandoned US20030207648A1 (en) | 2002-05-03 | 2002-05-03 | Keying toy vehicle accessories |
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Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9672668B2 (en) | 2012-09-28 | 2017-06-06 | Mattel, Inc. | Keyed memory device to record input user signals and output recorded user signals |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4314423A (en) * | 1979-07-09 | 1982-02-09 | Lipsitz Barry R | Sound producing toy |
US4820233A (en) * | 1986-01-26 | 1989-04-11 | Weiner Avish J | Sound-producing amusement devices |
US5389031A (en) * | 1993-10-05 | 1995-02-14 | Sharpe, Iii; Henry D. | Toy assembly |
US5451178A (en) * | 1992-03-26 | 1995-09-19 | Sony Corporation | Auditory playing device |
US6083104A (en) * | 1998-01-16 | 2000-07-04 | Silverlit Toys (U.S.A.), Inc. | Programmable toy with an independent game cartridge |
US6595780B2 (en) * | 2001-02-13 | 2003-07-22 | Microsoft Corporation | Method to detect installed module and select corresponding behavior |
-
2002
- 2002-05-03 US US10/137,663 patent/US20030207648A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4314423A (en) * | 1979-07-09 | 1982-02-09 | Lipsitz Barry R | Sound producing toy |
US4820233A (en) * | 1986-01-26 | 1989-04-11 | Weiner Avish J | Sound-producing amusement devices |
US5451178A (en) * | 1992-03-26 | 1995-09-19 | Sony Corporation | Auditory playing device |
US5389031A (en) * | 1993-10-05 | 1995-02-14 | Sharpe, Iii; Henry D. | Toy assembly |
US6083104A (en) * | 1998-01-16 | 2000-07-04 | Silverlit Toys (U.S.A.), Inc. | Programmable toy with an independent game cartridge |
US6595780B2 (en) * | 2001-02-13 | 2003-07-22 | Microsoft Corporation | Method to detect installed module and select corresponding behavior |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9672668B2 (en) | 2012-09-28 | 2017-06-06 | Mattel, Inc. | Keyed memory device to record input user signals and output recorded user signals |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: HASBRO, INC., RHODE ISLAND Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:AVILA, RAPHAEL;LEWINSKI, DAVID;VALERIO, FRANCIS;REEL/FRAME:013108/0068;SIGNING DATES FROM 20020711 TO 20020712 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |