US3711989A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Chassis assembly
Assignee: Ideal Toy Corp
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Filing: 1971-10-27
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Granted: 1973-01-23
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Expires: 1991-10-27
Abstract
Abstract A chassis assembly is provided for use in subminiature wheeled toy vehicles or the like wherein the toy vehicle is adapted to coast due to gravity or to its own momentum upon the application of a pushing force. The chassis includes a relatively flat slug adapted to be secured to the underside of a vehicle body and has on its bottom surface a pair of downwardly opening recesses extending transversely to the direction of travel of the vehicle. A relatively flat elongated insert member formed of a plastic material is positioned on the bottom surface of the slug. The insert includes a pair of downwardly opening channels at opposite ends thereof, which channels are generally complementary to and received in respective ones of the slug recesses. The channels have opened end portions at opposite sides of the chassis and a wheel axis is loosely received in each of the channels with the ends of the axles extending through the openings and having a pair of wheels respectively secured thereto. A metal underplate is positioned on the bottom surface of the insert, substantially co-extensive therewith, with portions of the underplate covering the downwardly opened side of the channels to loosely retain the axles therein for rotation. Means are provided, integral with the slug, for securing the slug, insert and underplate together to form a unitary toy chassis assembly. The construction described is particularly suited for high speed assembly of sub-miniature toy vehicles.
Inventors
- 👤 E Nielsen
- 👤 V Carella
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 06:07
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H17/00; A63H17/26; A63H17/262
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
A chassis assembly for use in a miniature wheeled toy vehicle or the like wherein the toy vehicle is adapted to coast due to its own momentum, said chassis comprising a relatively flat slug adapted to be secured to a vehicle body, a relatively flat elongated insert member formed of a material having a low coefficient of friction and including a pair of bearing blocks formed respectively at opposite ends thereof, said bearing blocks defining a pair of downwardly opening channels, said channels having opened end portions at opposite sides of said chassis, a wheel axle loosely received in each of said channels with the ends thereof extending through said opening and having a pair of wheels respectively secured thereto, an underplate positioned on the bottom surface of said insert, substantially coextensive therewith, with portions of said underplate covering the downwardly open side of said channels to loosely retain said Axles therein, and means for securing said slug, insert and underplate together to form a unitary toy vehicle chassis assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
A chassis assembly for use in a miniature wheeled toy vehicle or the like wherein the toy vehicle is adapted to coast due to its own momentum, said chassis comprising a relatively flat slug adapted to be secured to a vehicle body, a relatively flat elongated insert member formed of a material having a low coefficient of friction and including a pair of bearing blocks formed respectively at opposite ends thereof, said bearing blocks defining a pair of downwardly opening channels, said channels having opened end portions at opposite sides of said chassis, a wheel axle loosely received in each of said channels with the ends thereof extending through said opening and having a pair of wheels respectively secured thereto, an underplate positioned on the bottom surface of said insert, substantially coextensive therewith, with portions of said underplate covering the downwardly open side of said channels to loosely retain said Axles therein, and means for securing said slug, insert and underplate together to form a unitary toy vehicle chassis assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The chassis assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said slug has, on its bottom surface, a pair of downwardly opening recesses extending across the slug transversely to the direction of travel of the vehicle and wherein said bearing blocks are generally complementary to and are received in said recesses.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The chassis assembly of claim 2 wherein said bearing blocks are movable relative to said recesses.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The chassis assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said underplate is formed of the same material as said slug.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The chassis assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said material is nylon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The chassis assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for securing said slug, insert and underplate together includes a pair of pins extending downwardly from the bottom surface of said slug, said insert and said underplate each having a pair of spaced apertures therein for receiving said pins.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The chassis assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the recess at the rear of said slug with respect to the direction of travel of said toy vehicle is deeper than the other recess whereby the rear axle in said chassis is located at a slightly higher elevation than the front axle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The chassis assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said wheels are formed of nylon and are rigidly secured to their associated axles.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The chassis assembly as defined in claim 8 wherein said channels have portions extending laterally of said slug.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The chassis assembly as defined in claim 9 wherein said wheels are each provided with inwardly directed hubs arranged to engage said channels with low friction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
260 words
A chassis assembly for use in a miniature wheeled toy vehicle or the like wherein the toy vehicle is adapted to coast due to its own momentum, said chassis comprising a relatively flat slug formed of die cast, relatively heavy material adapted to be secured to a vehicle body and having, on its bottom surface, a pair of downwardly opening recesses extending across the slug transversely to the direction of travel of the toy vehicle, and a unitary bearing assembly mounted on the bottom surface of said slug, said unitary bearing assembly including a relatively flat elongated insert member of bearing material having downwardly opening bearing channels formed respectively at opposite ends thereof, said channels being generally complementary in their exterior configuration, and received in respective ones of said recesses in said slug, said channels having opened end portions at opposite sides of said chassis, a wheel axle loosely received in each of said channels with the ends thereof extending through said openings, a wheel mounted adjacent each of said axle ends and an underplate on the bottom surface of said insert and substantially coextensive therewith, said insert having portions thereof covering the downwardly open side of said channels to loosely retain said axles therein and thereby permit free rotation of said axles under the momentum of the vehicle, said slug having at least one pin extending downwardly from the bottom surface thereof, for securing said unitary bearing assembly to said slug and said unitary bearing assembly having aligned openings in said insert and said underplate for receiving said pin.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
260 words
A chassis assembly for use in a miniature wheeled toy vehicle or the like wherein the toy vehicle is adapted to coast due to its own momentum, said chassis comprising a relatively flat slug formed of die cast, relatively heavy material adapted to be secured to a vehicle body and having, on its bottom surface, a pair of downwardly opening recesses extending across the slug transversely to the direction of travel of the toy vehicle, and a unitary bearing assembly mounted on the bottom surface of said slug, said unitary bearing assembly including a relatively flat elongated insert member of bearing material having downwardly opening bearing channels formed respectively at opposite ends thereof, said channels being generally complementary in their exterior configuration, and received in respective ones of said recesses in said slug, said channels having opened end portions at opposite sides of said chassis, a wheel axle loosely received in each of said channels with the ends thereof extending through said openings, a wheel mounted adjacent each of said axle ends and an underplate on the bottom surface of said insert and substantially coextensive therewith, said insert having portions thereof covering the downwardly open side of said channels to loosely retain said axles therein and thereby permit free rotation of said axles under the momentum of the vehicle, said slug having at least one pin extending downwardly from the bottom surface thereof, for securing said unitary bearing assembly to said slug and said unitary bearing assembly having aligned openings in said insert and said underplate for receiving said pin.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
The chassis as defined in claim 11 wherein said slug has two downwardly extending pins for securing said unitary bearing assembly thereto and said unitary bearing assembly has two pairs of aligned openings in said insert and underplate for receiving said pins.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The chassis assembly as defined in claim 11 wherein said bearing material is selected from the group of low coefficient of friction materials including nylon, acetal and Teflon.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
52 words
The chassis assembly as defined in claim 13 wherein the recess at the rear of said slug with respect to the direction of travel of said toy vehicle is deeper than the other reCess whereby the rear axle in said chassis is located at a slight higher elevation than the front axle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The chassis assembly as defined in claim 14 wherein said recesses are generally U-shaped and have relatively flat bight portions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The chassis assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said wheels are formed of a material having a low coefficient of friction and rotatably mounted on their associated axles.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The chassis assembly as defined in claim 11 wherein said wheels are formed of a material having a low coefficient of friction and are rigidly secured to their associated axles.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The chassis assembly as defined in claim 11 wherein said wheels are formed of a material having a low coefficient of friction and are rotatably mounted on their associated axles.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The chassis assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said wheels are formed of a material having a low coefficient of friction and are rotatably mounted on their associated axles.
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) | 1976-01-23 | 1976-07-24 | 1977-01-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-23 | 1980-07-24 | 1981-01-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-23 | 1984-07-24 | 1985-01-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |