US3691670A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Toy vehilce and track
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-10-12
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Granted: 1972-09-19
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Expires: 1991-10-12
Abstract
Abstract A toy vehicle and track therefore are provided in which the vehicle is suspended on a layer of air disposed between the track and vehicle. In one form the vehicle contains own power supply and fan for generating flow of air therethrough and propelling same downwardly and readwardly to both float the vehicle on the track and propell it therealong. In another form, air is pressurized remote from the vehicle and fed to the vehicle through a duct which may comprise the track itself or a flexible line extending to the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Jerome H Lemelson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:22
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60V; B60V3/00; B60V3/02; B60V3/04; A; A63; A63H; A63H18/00; A63H18/002; A63H21/00; A63H21/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A toy comprising in combination: a toy vehicle having a light weight body, a toy track for guiding said vehicle, said track and the underside of said vehicle being configured to conform to each other whereby the track may guide the vehicle in travel along its length, means for flowing gas downwardly from said vehicle under sufficient pressure to support said vehicle off said track track on a cushion of said gas, and means for imparting thrust to said vehicle while it is so supported above said track to cause it to travel along said track.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A toy comprising in combination: a toy vehicle having a light weight body, a toy track for guiding said vehicle, said track and the underside of said vehicle being configured to conform to each other whereby the track may guide the vehicle in travel along its length, means for flowing gas downwardly from said vehicle under sufficient pressure to support said vehicle off said track track on a cushion of said gas, and means for imparting thrust to said vehicle while it is so supported above said track to cause it to travel along said track.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A toy in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for imparting thrust to said vehicle comprises means for directing part of said gas rearwardly of said vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
A toy in accoRdance with claim 1 wherein said means for flowing gas downwardly comprises a ducted fan supported within said vehicle and ducting means for carrying external air to said fan and directing it downwardly from said fan to react beneath the vehicle and support said vehicle on a cushion of air.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A toy in according with claim 3 wherein said ducting is shaped to direct air downwardly against said track at sufficient velocity to provide a cushion of air between said track and vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A toy in accordance with claim 4 wherein said ducting means is also operable to direct air against the surface adjacent the track on which said track is supported and to derive lift for said vehicle in reacting against said adjacent surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
A toy in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for flowing gas downwardly from said vehicle comprises a remotely located source of pressurized gas and a flexible tube connecting said source and said vehicle, and receiving means on the vehicle for receiving and directing said gas downwarly from the vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A toy in accordance with claim 6 wherein said flexible tube is thin flexible plastic film less than about 0.003 inch thick and is normally in a flat condition until gas from said source is passed therethrough.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
95 words
A toy in accordance with claim 6 wherein said vehicle has a hollow body, a channel-like passageway formed in the under side of said vehicle along the length of said vehicle body disposed over the upper part of said track, said channel being configured to conform to said track with at least a portion of the track disposed within said channel, means for connecting said tube to said body, a plurality of holes in the upper wall of said channel for directing gas from said hollow body downwardly against the upper surface of said track.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A toy in accordance with claim 1 wherein said track is flexible and may be shaped by hand to various curved configurations.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A toy in accordance with claim 1 including means at both ends of said track for connecting it to other sections of similar track.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-19 | 1976-03-20 | 1976-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-19 | 1980-03-20 | 1980-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-19 | 1984-03-20 | 1984-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |