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US3702037A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Toy vehicle system featuring pivotable toy vehicle

Assignee: Mattel Inc
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Filing: 1971-02-22
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Granted: 1972-11-07
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Expires: 1991-02-22
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Abstract

Abstract Several toy vehicle systems each featuring a toy vehicle capable of simulating a dragster wheelie. The vehicle has a forward portion and a two part rearward portion with one part being fixed to the forward portion and the other part being pivotally connected relative the forward portion. When the two parts are engaged, the moment of force of the rearward portion is greater than that of the forward portion, relative a pivot axis, causing the forward portion to assume an upwardly slanted position. When the two parts are not engaged, the forward portion is in a generally horizontal position. Launching mechanisms are provided for constraining the vehicle in a horizontal position even through the the two parts are engaged. Once the vehicle separates from the launching mechanism, the vehicle will do a wheelie. Connectors are also provided which bias the vehicle between its two positions.

Inventors

  • 👤 Raymond M Toy
  • 👤 John C Parker
  • 👤 Brian S Prodger

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 04:55
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H18/00

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim 100 words
A pivotable toy vehicle comprising: a vehicle body having a forward portion and a rearward portion, said rearward portion of said vehicle body being divided into first and second parts pivotally joined to each other. and said first part being fixedly attached to said forward portion; means connected to said body for movably supporting said body along a base surface; and means connected to said body and said supporting means for providing a pivot axis positioned so that the moment of force of said rearward portion of said body is greater than the moment of force of said forward portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 100 words
A pivotable toy vehicle comprising: a vehicle body having a forward portion and a rearward portion, said rearward portion of said vehicle body being divided into first and second parts pivotally joined to each other. and said first part being fixedly attached to said forward portion; means connected to said body for movably supporting said body along a base surface; and means connected to said body and said supporting means for providing a pivot axis positioned so that the moment of force of said rearward portion of said body is greater than the moment of force of said forward portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 32 words
A toy vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said supporting means includes a first set of wheels rotatable about said pivot axis and a support wheel for supporting said rearward portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 43 words
A toy vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein: said first part of said rearward portion includes a latching arm; and said second part includes means for receiving said latching arm, said first and second parts being pivotable between engaged and disengaged positions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 63 words
A toy vehicle as claimed in claim 3, wherein said forward portion of said vehicle body is pivotable between raised and lowered positions, whereby said forward portion is in its lowered position when said first and second parts are in said disengaged position and said forward portion is in its raised position when said first and second parts are in said engaged position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 39 words
A toy vehicle as claimed in claim 4, wherein: said arm of said first part is pivotally connected to said rearward portion; and including means connected to said arm for biasing said arm into engagement with said second part.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 89 words
A toy vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein: said location of the pivotal joint of said first and second parts is movable from a position forward of said pivot axis to a position rearward of said pivot axis; and said forward portion is movable between a raised position and a lowered position whereby said forward portion is in its raised position when said pivotal joint is in its rearward position and said forward portion is in its lowered position when said pivotal joint is in its forward position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 98 words
A toy vehicle having a pivotable body comprising: a body having forward and rearward portions, said rearward portion including a pivotally connected weighted part movable relative said forward portion, and a latch part movable relative said weighted part and selectively engageable with said weighted part; a first set of wheels mounted to a first axle, said axle connected to said body and forming a pivot axis; a second set of wheels mounted to a second axle, said second axle connected to said forward portion; and a support wheel pivotally connected to said body for supporting said rearward portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 98 words
A toy vehicle having a pivotable body comprising: a body having forward and rearward portions, said rearward portion including a pivotally connected weighted part movable relative said forward portion, and a latch part movable relative said weighted part and selectively engageable with said weighted part; a first set of wheels mounted to a first axle, said axle connected to said body and forming a pivot axis; a second set of wheels mounted to a second axle, said second axle connected to said forward portion; and a support wheel pivotally connected to said body for supporting said rearward portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 59 words
A toy vehicle as claimed in claim 7, wherein said forward portion is movable between a raised position and a lowered position, said forward portion being in said raised position when said latch part is engaged with said weighted part and said forward portion being in said lowered position when said latch part is disengaged from said weightEd part.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 114 words
A toy vehicle which is pivotable between a generally horizontal position and an upwardly slanted position comprising: an articulated vehicle body having a pivot axis; an axle extending along said pivot axis and connected to the body; two wheels connected to said axle to either side of said body; a weighted portion forming part of said body and being pivotally connected; and means forming part of said body for selectively engaging said weighted portion whereby said vehicle is in said generally horizontal position when said weighted portion is not in engagement with said engaging means, and said vehicle is in said upwardly slanted position when said weighted portion is engaged by said engaging means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 114 words
A toy vehicle which is pivotable between a generally horizontal position and an upwardly slanted position comprising: an articulated vehicle body having a pivot axis; an axle extending along said pivot axis and connected to the body; two wheels connected to said axle to either side of said body; a weighted portion forming part of said body and being pivotally connected; and means forming part of said body for selectively engaging said weighted portion whereby said vehicle is in said generally horizontal position when said weighted portion is not in engagement with said engaging means, and said vehicle is in said upwardly slanted position when said weighted portion is engaged by said engaging means.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US1363891A Cited
US2233116A Cited
US2380174A Cited
US3109645A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1975-11-07 1976-05-08 1976-11-07 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1979-11-07 1980-05-08 1980-11-07 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1983-11-07 1984-05-08 1984-11-07 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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