US3698129A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Toy vehicles
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-01-24
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Granted: 1972-10-17
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Expires: 1992-01-24
Abstract
Abstract A vehicular toy having an inertially operated mechanism for driving the wheels of said toy to power operate the toy across a surface. The mechanism is composed of an inertia wheel having an input means including a circular gear which is rotated by means of a gear strip inserted through an opening and guideway accessible to the exterior of the toy. The gear strip is pulled rapidly past the gear, thereby accelerating the inertia wheel of the toy. The inertia wheel is coupled to one or more wheels of the toy and operates to rotate said wheel or wheels to cause the toy to be driven across a surface. Both direct and clutch-type coupling means between the inertia wheel mechanism and the wheels of the toy are provided.
Inventors
- 👤 Jerome H Lemelson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 03:38
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H29/00; A63H29/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
223 words
A self-propelled toy vehicle comprising a. a body shell having an external surface substantially in the shape of the toy vehicle and defining a chamber therein, said body shell having aligned openings in the opposite walls thereof, b. wheel means depending from said body shell for supporting the body shell as the toy vehicle is driven across a surface, c. drive means for said toy vehicle including a weighted inertia wheel rotationally supported by said body for driving said toy vehicle, d. input means for driving said inertia wheel, said input means including a pinion gear and means rotationally supporting said pinion gear spaced from the opposite walls of said body shell within said chamber, e. a drive member supporting an elongated gear strip having teeth formed along the length of said strip and defining a rack gear, and f. guide means for said gear strip comprising a channel-like formation defining a trackway in said chamber between and in alignment with said openings in the opposite walls of said body shell, said channel-like formation having an open side adjacent to said pinion gear, g. whereby when said gear strip is positioned in said channellike formation and is drawn therethrough, said teeth on said gear strip mesh with and drive said pinion gear to rapidly accelerate said inertia wheel and drive said toy vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
223 words
A self-propelled toy vehicle comprising a. a body shell having an external surface substantially in the shape of the toy vehicle and defining a chamber therein, said body shell having aligned openings in the opposite walls thereof, b. wheel means depending from said body shell for supporting the body shell as the toy vehicle is driven across a surface, c. drive means for said toy vehicle including a weighted inertia wheel rotationally supported by said body for driving said toy vehicle, d. input means for driving said inertia wheel, said input means including a pinion gear and means rotationally supporting said pinion gear spaced from the opposite walls of said body shell within said chamber, e. a drive member supporting an elongated gear strip having teeth formed along the length of said strip and defining a rack gear, and f. guide means for said gear strip comprising a channel-like formation defining a trackway in said chamber between and in alignment with said openings in the opposite walls of said body shell, said channel-like formation having an open side adjacent to said pinion gear, g. whereby when said gear strip is positioned in said channellike formation and is drawn therethrough, said teeth on said gear strip mesh with and drive said pinion gear to rapidly accelerate said inertia wheel and drive said toy vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A self-propelled toy vehicle as defined in claim 1 wherein said guide means is supported at its opposite ends by the opposite walls of said body shell whereby said channel-like formation extends between the aligned openings in the opposite walls.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A self-propelled toy vehicle as defined in claim 1 wherein said inertia wheel is housed within said chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A self-propelled toy vehicle as defined in claim 1 further comprising transmission means for operatively connecting said inertia wheel with said wheel means to drive said wheel means, said transmission means being housed within said chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A self-propelled toy vehicle as defined in claim 4 wherein said transmission means includes means for engaging and disengaging said wheel means from said inertia wheel.
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) | 1975-10-17 | 1976-04-17 | 1976-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-17 | 1980-04-17 | 1980-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-17 | 1984-04-17 | 1984-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |