Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6520829
-
Patent Number
6,520,829
-
Date Filed
Friday, July 28, 200024 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, February 18, 200321 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Banks; Derris H.
- Francis; Faye
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 446 434
- 446 409
- 446 436
- 446 435
- 446 4
- 446 6
- 446 75
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A model racing toy including a convertible model transport vehicle, a model vehicle and model vehicle accessories. The model transport vehicle may be converted by means of a push button or other such device into a model racing pit stop. The convertible transport includes a storable deployment ramp which is ejected when the conversion button is pressed, allowing the model vehicle to move from an exemplary position atop the model transport vehicle. The vehicle is equipped with activation points, motors and a speaker. The activation points compose a variety of different switches, designed to resemble vehicle parts. When a specific activation point is activated, it triggers a series of actions by the motors and speaker, prompting the user to make certain repairs. The successful making of repairs activates other activation points, which provide affirming messages and vehicle motion to simulate the continuance of a race after repair has been made.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of model vehicle toys. More particularly, the invention relates to a model race car with a convertible transport configured to simulate a racing team environment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Children enjoy model vehicles, the excitement of a race and the opportunity to play with mechanically-oriented toys. Furthermore, playing with spatially and mechanically challenging toys has been found to stimulate cognitive abilities. The present invention therefore attempts to combine the excitement of car racing with the mechanical challenge of vehicle repair in the form of a toy for children.
A multitude of model vehicle toys have been produced since the invention of vehicles themselves. Most of these have been limited to simple models of the outward appearance of the vehicle. A few more recent toys have had some level of interactivity, including motion and sound, produced on command from the user. Other vehicular toys have shown conversion capabilities, such as for example, trucks that can unfold into robots and vehicles that can be hidden inside other vehicles. Still other toys give children an opportunity to create things with their hands, thereby stimulating creative learning and providing enjoyment for the child. Some of these toys have also involved repairing mechanical devices. No toy, however, has provided an atmosphere where the child's contributions lead to success in an exciting team racing environment.
The present invention seeks to combine an interactive race car model toy with a convertible transport carrier, while at the same time providing a simulated race and racing team environment. This system also challenges the child to make simple repairs under time pressure. The toy is especially advantageous in that the child sees the fruits of his or her labors when a repaired racing vehicle re-enters a race.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved toy which challenges a child to achieve a specific goal through creative interaction.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a toy that stimulates learning.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a toy that captures the excitement of a race and a racing team environment.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a toy that allows children to make simplified repairs to a racing vehicle resulting in resuming the race.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a toy that can simulate a variety of vehicle malfunctions and instruct the child on which defect to repair.
It is another object of the present invention to provide accessories to the racing vehicle that make simulated repairs more realistic.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a transport vehicle which can be quickly converted to a racing pit stop.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide vehicles and accessories that prompt a child to make repairs to a racing vehicle, encourage the child through audible cues and vehicle motion and to provide excitement during play.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention, a model racing toy includes a convertible model transport vehicle, a model vehicle and model vehicle accessories. The model transport vehicle can be converted by means of a push button or other such device into a model racing pit stop. In one preferred embodiment, the convertible transport also contains a storable deployment ramp which is ejected when the conversion button is pressed, allowing the model vehicle to move from a position atop the model transport vehicle.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a model vehicle is equipped with activation points, motors and a speaker. The activation points comprise a variety of different switches which are designed to resemble actual vehicle parts. When a specific activation commences, and an activation point is actuated, a series of actions are triggered via the motors and speaker, prompting the user to make certain repairs. In a successful repair other activation points are actuated, which provide affirming messages to the child and vehicle motion simulates the continuance of a race after the repair has been made.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which:
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment, showing a model vehicle being carried by a model transport vehicle;
FIG. 2
is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment, showing a model vehicle deploying from the transport vehicle and a deployed repair compartment;
FIG. 3
is a perspective view of a model vehicle of a preferred embodiment, showing detachable model vehicle accessories;
FIG. 4
is a partial vertical cross-sectional view along the
4
—
4
axis shown in
FIG. 1
, showing the interior of a model transport vehicle of a preferred embodiment;
FIG. 5
is a vertical cross-sectional view along the
5
—
5
axis shown in
FIG. 4
, showing detail of a model transport vehicle conversion mechanism of a preferred embodiment;
FIG. 6
is a horizontal cross-sectional view along the
6
—
6
axis shown in
FIG. 3
, showing interior detail of a model vehicle of a preferred embodiment; and
FIG. 7
is logical circuit diagram, showing an exemplary circuit of a model vehicle of a preferred embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A model toy racing set
20
constructed in accordance with the invention is shown in FIG.
1
. Model vehicle
24
is positioned atop model transport vehicle
28
, in an exemplary transport position, held in place by transport wing
36
and wheel barrier
32
, which is best shown in FIG.
2
. Racing pit door
40
is shown in its closed position in FIG.
1
. As shown in
FIG. 2
, activation of functionalities and conversion of the model transport vehicle
28
can be accomplished by pressing push button
44
, which causes the downward opening of racing pit door
32
by rotation around pit door hinge
48
. Deployment ramp
52
is also deployed by the activation of the push button
44
, sliding out from the interior of the transport vehicle
28
. The deployment ramp
52
serves to allow the model vehicle
24
to move from the surrounding ground
56
to its exemplary transport position atop model transport
28
in a smooth rolling motion, that is, as a real vehicle might move.
FIG. 2
also shows a number of various model vehicle accessories
60
located behind racing pit door
40
that appear upon pressing push button
44
, which may be used with this embodiment. The model vehicle accessories
60
shown in
FIG. 2
can include, for example, model spare tires
64
, model replacement engine
88
, model gas can
72
, model headlights
93
and
95
and model hex-wrench
76
. In the present embodiment, the model vehicle accessories
60
are coupled to various attachment points (not shown). In this preferred embodiment, attachment is accomplished by a plastic peg attachment point that fits into a corresponding hole in each model vehicle accessory. Numerous such attachment schemes, however, are possible and will be ascertainable to those of skill in the art.
FIG. 3
further illustrates the model vehicle
24
and the various model vehicle accessories
60
. Model vehicle wing
80
can be removed by loosening hex bolt
84
, which can be accomplished with hex-wrench
76
(shown in FIG.
2
). The model replacement engine
88
can be removed by lifting model vehicle hood
92
by means of hood catch
96
, and pulling the replacement engine
88
from within the engine compartment (not shown). The replacement engine
88
can be attached through the above described attachment scheme used with the model vehicle accessories
60
. In this embodiment, model vehicle front tires
100
can be removed by loosening the hex bolt
104
, by means of the hex wrench
76
(shown in FIG.
2
).
FIG. 3
also shows model activation points
108
,
112
,
116
,
120
,
124
and
125
of the model vehicle
24
of the present embodiment. These various activation points, which also may be referred to as part of overall activation systems, can be activated by the user to invoke functions of the model vehicle
24
. For example, the model vehicle activation points
108
,
112
and
116
are buttons, which can be depressed. The activation points
120
and
124
are hex bolt sensors which are activated by the loosening of the hex bolts
84
and
104
, respectively. The model vehicle
24
can also have activation points
125
for the headlights
93
and
95
, respectively. Another activation point
126
present in the interior of the model vehicle hood space is activated by the removal of the replacement engine
88
. In one embodiment of the invention, activation points
120
and
124
resemble actual vehicle components, but it is also possible to have such points resemble other items or to resemble words that describe the component that is supposed to be manipulated by the user. Numerous types of such activation points are possible and will be readily ascertainable to those of skill in the art.
FIG. 4
shows an interior vertical cross section of the transport vehicle
28
, along the
4
—
4
axis as shown in FIG.
1
. The push button
44
serves as a means to initiate the conversion from a transport vehicle to a racing pit environment (see
FIGS. 1 and 2
for reference). The function of push button
44
could be accomplished by any of a variety of means ascertainable to those of skill in the art, including levers, retractable buttons, dials, slideable blocks, pins, wheels, rods, pulleys. Electronic or motor means are also possible. In this embodiment, depressing the push button
44
forces pin
132
downward, in turn deforming member
136
. Deformation of member
136
causes catch
140
to disengage, thus allowing the release of spring
144
. The spring
144
is an example of an actuating device, which may be used in conjunction with the embodiments to facilitate conversion to a model racing pit. Other actuating devices can include, for example, a deformed rod or member with good elastic memory, a motor or a chemical or electrochemically expansive material. The spring
144
thus releases and expands against interior horizontal edge
148
of the deployment ramp
52
, shown in its fully closed position. When in the fully closed position, the deployment ramp
52
is completely within the model transport vehicle
28
, such that only the exterior angled edge
152
of the deployment ramp
52
is visible. The deployment ramp
52
is slideably attached to deployment ramp exit cuff
156
of the model transport vehicle
28
, and through the release of the spring
144
, is forcibly ejected through the exit cuff
156
. Stop
160
serves to prevent the deployment ramp
52
from becoming detached from the transport vehicle
28
upon conversion, by breaking against another stop
164
. As the deployment ramp
52
exits the transport vehicle
28
, gravity pulls the leading edge downward, causing the deployment ramp
52
to rotate outward and into the fully open position shown in FIG.
2
. When the deployment ramp
52
is in its fully open position (as shown in FIG.
2
), it may be reset to its fully closed position (as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 4
) by pressing on the exterior angled edge
152
until the interior horizontal edge
148
recompresses the spring
144
and the catch
140
re-engages. The catch
168
is a minimal friction catch, serving to hold the deployment ramp
52
in place against the force of gravity should the transport vehicle
28
be lifted and rotated.
FIG. 5
shows a vertical cross section of the transport vehicle
28
, taken along the
5
—
5
axis shown in FIG.
4
. When the push button
44
is pressed, the deforming member
136
presses on hinged bar member
172
, which rotates in the direction of the arrows, working against spring
176
. This action serves to release catch
180
. Hinge
184
is placed slightly to the interior of the racing pit door
40
, allowing weight on the interior side of the racing pit door
40
to produce an opening torque around hinge
184
.
FIG. 6
is a horizontal cross section taken along the
6
—
6
axis as shown in
FIG. 3
of the model vehicle
24
. Switch
188
is an on-off-demo switch, serving as the primary power connection switch. The activation points
108
and
112
are “race begin” and “repair begin” switches, respectively. These activation points
108
and
112
are shown as button devices in the preferred embodiment. The activation point
116
is a refuel switch, also shown as a button. The activation point
120
is the stabilizing wing switch, shown as a hex-bolt release detector. This wing switch closes when the stabilizing wing hex bolt
84
has been loosened to a sufficient degree. The activation points
124
are wheel bolt switches, shown as a hex bolt release detectors, which close when wheel hex bolts
104
are loosened to a sufficient degree directly over the activation point
124
. An activation point
126
for the engine switch is closed when the engine is sufficiently loosened from its attachment points. The activation points of the present embodiment have been designated to simulate vehicle components. For example, the activation points
120
and
124
appear from the outside to be actual bolts. The activation point
116
appears in the position where a vehicle's fuel tank opening would normally appear. The activation point for the engine is not visible, being located underneath the model vehicle replacement engine
88
.
Also shown in
FIG. 6
are a number of mechanisms for the physical operation of the model vehicle
24
of the present embodiment. Actuating motor
188
serves to provide drive to rear wheels
191
(see
FIG. 3
) when activated. Actuator
192
as shown in
FIG. 6
serves to provide vibrations to the model vehicle
24
, simulating the vibration of a gasoline engine. Speaker
196
is used to generate race car sounds, such as engine idling, engine revving, gear shifting, engine malfunction, tire skidding and driver instructions. Circuit board
200
controls the logical flow of these operations and regulates voltage to mechanisms
188
,
192
and
196
. Further details will be provided hereinafter.
The mechanisms
188
,
192
and
196
are employed when the user activates, for example, one of the activation points
108
,
112
,
116
,
120
and
124
. When activation occurs, for example, pressing the button
108
, the present embodiment performs a series of functions: the race begin switch causes the speaker mechanism
196
to emit engine revving sounds, the mechanism
192
emits vibrations, and after a short delay, the actuating motor mechanism
188
provides drive to the rear wheels
191
. Pressing the activation point
112
(the repair begins switch) causes speaker mechanism
196
to emit high RPM engine noises, followed by one of four malfunction noises corresponding to engine failure, empty fuel tank, loose stabilizing wing or flat front tires. The driver's voice then instructs the user to return to the pit to make suitable repairs. It will be understood that other malfunction noises and responses can be implemented in other embodiments.
In the case of engine failure, the user must remove the replacement engine
88
to a sufficient extent to activate an engine activation point (the engine switch). In case of an empty fuel tank, the user must actuate the activation button
116
, preferably using the model gas can
72
. If the tires are flat, the user must loosen the hex bolt
104
, preferably using the hex wrench
76
, to such an extent that the activation points
124
and
131
(the tire switches) are activated. If the vehicle wing
80
is loose, the user must loosen stabilizing the wing hex bolt
84
to such an extent that the activation point
120
(the stabilizing wing switch) is activated. If the user performs the correct operation successfully, the driver speaks an encouraging message, and motor mechanism
188
is activated, causing the model vehicle
24
to move, according to engine acceleration sounds provided through speaker device
196
. If the user fails to make the correct repair within a certain time period, the driver speaks a warm but failure message, and the sequence is reset Of course, any imaginable variety of activation switches and accompanying functionalities can be used, according to the functions desired to be simulated by the manufacturer.
FIG. 7
is a logical diagram of an exemplary circuit board
200
of the preferred embodiment. This is in addition to connections to the various devices
108
,
112
,
116
,
120
,
124
,
188
,
192
,
196
, and the like which are to be found in the logical presentation of circuit board
200
, but are not entirely physically located on circuit board
200
. The diagram of
FIG. 7
can be roughly divided into four subcircuits. Subcircuit
204
consists of an integrated circuit, which provides memory and processing for pre-programmed functions via execution of one or more programs stored in memory. The subcircuit
204
includes a microcontroller
230
for processing the various signals in the system. In one embodiment of the invention, the microcontroller
230
is a W562S0 microcontroller, produced by Winbond Electronics Corp. It is possible, however, for other brands and varieties of microcontrollers to be used. Such chips are readily available, and can also be manufactured by those of ordinary skill in the art to a manufacturer's specification.
Subcircuit
204
provides episodic voltage control through various transistors to the three other subcircuits, depending on the state of inputs
208
,
212
,
216
,
220
,
224
, and
231
(corresponding to the actuation of the activation points
108
,
112
,
116
,
120
,
124
, and
131
, respectively). Subcircuit
214
supplies current and provides cycle control for the speaker device
196
. Subcircuit
218
periodically supplies current to the actuating motor device
188
depending on the output of the subcircuit
204
. Subcircuit
222
provides current to actuator
192
to induce vibration.
While exemplary embodiments have been described and illustrated, numerous departures therefrom can be contemplated by persons skilled in the art. For example, the model vehicle might include a pre-programmed race course or a variety of different repair features. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the foregoing description but only by the scope and spirit of the appended claims.
Claims
- 1. A model racing toy, comprising:at least one model vehicle including at least one activation point, circuitry means for detecting user activation of the at least one activation point, and means for providing an audible response appropriate for the activation point which was detected as having been activated; and a model transport vehicle including a transport position, a storable deployment ramp, at least one attachable model vehicle accessory and means for converting from a transport vehicle to a model racing pit stop.
- 2. The model racing toy of claim 1, wherein the means for converting the transport vehicle to a model racing pit stop also deploys the storable deployment ramp.
- 3. The model racing toy of claim 2, wherein the model racing vehicle further comprises circuitry and at least one actuator to provide at least one of motion and action in response to an activation of the circuitry with means for providing a pre-programmed sequence of activation responses simulating at least one of a race and a vehicle repair sequence.
- 4. A model toy racing set, comprising:a model racing vehicle; and a transport vehicle including model vehicle accessories that form a model racing pit stop, a deployment ramp slidably attached and stored inside the transport vehicle, an actuating device positioned near the deployment ramp in its fully closed position, such that activation of the actuating device moves the deployment ramp to a deployed position, wherein the actuating device is activated by a button and reset through the deployment ramp being movably disposed within the transport vehicle, whereby the racing vehicle is loaded on and off the transport vehicle in a smooth rolling motion.
- 5. The toy racing set of claim 4, wherein said toy racing set includes means for conversion of the transport vehicle into the model racing pit stop.
- 6. The toy racing set of claim 4, wherein the model racing vehicle further comprises one or more activation points, said activation points to be activated by a user, circuitry to detect activation and lack thereof and means for providing an audible response appropriate for user action.
- 7. The toy racing set of claim 6, further comprising means for activating the activation points.
US Referenced Citations (22)
Foreign Referenced Citations (2)
Number |
Date |
Country |
711289 |
Aug 1952 |
GB |
957006 |
May 1962 |
GB |