Patent US3869825A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3869825A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Toy tank
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-05-30
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Granted: 1975-03-11
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Expires: 1994-05-30
Abstract
Abstract A toy tank is disclosed which is intended as a source of recreation for children. The tank consists of a body mounted upon a moveable chassis having a plurality of wheels secured thereto for allowing forward and reverse motion. A pair of rachet mechanisms convert the rotary motion of the wheels into linear motion which is used for cocking a projectile firing mechanism. A sear is provided for detaining the projectile firing mechanism in the cocked position. The projectile firing mechanism includes a spring-loaded air piston disposed inside of a piston housing. The spring is compressed when the projectile firing mechanism is cocked. A trigger mechanism, which is mechanically coupled to the sear, permits the selective activation of the projectile firing mechanism by the tank''s operator. Pulling of the trigger mechanism releases the spring-loaded air piston which produces a blast of air that forces a projectile from the firing mechanism. Each tank is provided with a plurality of targets which disintegrate when hit by a projectile.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold V Heberlein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 16:32
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H17/00; A63H17/045; F; F41; F41B; F41B11/00; F41B11/50; F41B11/51; F41B11/60; F41B11/64; F41B11/642; F41B11/646
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A toy tank which is movable in forward and reverse directions comprising in combination: a moveable chassis having a first means for respectively converting forward and reverse motion of said chassis into forward and reverse rotary motion; second means mechanically coupled to said first means for converting the forward and reverse rotary motion of said first means into linear motion, said second means being moveable between first and second positions; cocking means responsive to linear motion of said second means for detaining said second means in the second position in response to forward or reverse motion of said chassis; projectile firing means capable of selectively ejecting projectiles upon command of an operator, said projectile firing means being mechanically coupled to said second means; and a trigger mechanism mechanically coupled to said cocking means for selectively releasing said cocking means from detaining said second means in said second position upon pulling by an operator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
A toy tank which is movable in forward and reverse directions comprising in combination: a moveable chassis having a first means for respectively converting forward and reverse motion of said chassis into forward and reverse rotary motion; second means mechanically coupled to said first means for converting the forward and reverse rotary motion of said first means into linear motion, said second means being moveable between first and second positions; cocking means responsive to linear motion of said second means for detaining said second means in the second position in response to forward or reverse motion of said chassis; projectile firing means capable of selectively ejecting projectiles upon command of an operator, said projectile firing means being mechanically coupled to said second means; and a trigger mechanism mechanically coupled to said cocking means for selectively releasing said cocking means from detaining said second means in said second position upon pulling by an operator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
153 words
A toy tank which is movable in forward and reverse directions comprising in combination: a moveable chassis having a first means for respectively converting forward and reverse motion of said chassis into forward and reverse rotary motion; second means mechanically coupled to said first means for converting the forward and reverse rotary motion of said first means into linear motion, said second means being moveable between first and second positions; cocking means responsive to linear motion of said second means for detaining said second means in the second position in response to forward or reverse motion of said chassis; projectile firing means capable of selectively ejecting projectiles upon command of an operator, said projectile firing means being mechanically coupled to said second means; and a trigger mechanism mechanically coupled to said cocking means for selectively releasing said cocking means from detaining said second means in said second position upon pulling by an operator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
153 words
A toy tank which is movable in forward and reverse directions comprising in combination: a moveable chassis having a first means for respectively converting forward and reverse motion of said chassis into forward and reverse rotary motion; second means mechanically coupled to said first means for converting the forward and reverse rotary motion of said first means into linear motion, said second means being moveable between first and second positions; cocking means responsive to linear motion of said second means for detaining said second means in the second position in response to forward or reverse motion of said chassis; projectile firing means capable of selectively ejecting projectiles upon command of an operator, said projectile firing means being mechanically coupled to said second means; and a trigger mechanism mechanically coupled to said cocking means for selectively releasing said cocking means from detaining said second means in said second position upon pulling by an operator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
94 words
In a toy tank of the type recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second means respectively comprise: an axle coupled to a wheel rotatably supporting said chassis, said axle having a pair of ratchet wheels secured thereto and; a pair of racks each respectively coupled to a different one of said pair of ratchet wheels, each coupled ratchet wheel and rack respectively being responsive to a different direction of chassis motion whereby in response to forward or reverse chassis movement, said racks are moved from said first position to said second position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
78 words
In a toy tank of the type recited in claim 1 wherein said projected firing means comprises: a piston, a piston housing having two ends, a spring mechanically coupled to said piston and disposed between said piston and the first end of said housing; a section of hose having two ends, one end of said hose being connected to the second end of said housing, a barrel having a bore coupled to the other end of said hose.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
In a toy tank as recited in claim 3 wherein said projectile firing means further comprises a magazine coupled to said barrel for loading projectiles into said barrel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
108 words
In a toy tank as recited in claim 4 wherein said magazine for loading projectiles comprises a bin shaped for holding a stack of projectiles; said bin having two ends, an end plate having a spring secured thereto, said end plate and spring applying force on the end of said stack of projectiles farthest from said bore of said barrel and a stop interposed between the bore of said barrel and the other end of said stack of projectiles, said stop being removable from a position between said barrel and said stack of projectiles to permit said end plate and spring to force a projectile into said barrel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
81 words
In a toy tank as recited in claim 3 wherein said cocking means comprises: a connecting rod attached to said piston and extending away from said piston housing, Said connecting rod having a sear hole therein, a sear disposed in close proximity to said member and being extendable into said hole of said connecting rod to lock said second means in said second position and a sear spring for urging said sear against said connecting rod and into said sear hole.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
103 words
A toy tank as recited in claim 6 wherein said trigger mechanism comprises: a trigger; a cable attached to said trigger and to said sear and; an idler assembly being attached to said cable and located between said racks, said idler assembly having two possible positions between said racks, the first position of said idler assembly not splitting the racks to prevent their engagement with said ratchet wheels, the second position of said idler assembly splitting the racks to prevent engagement with said ratchet wheels, said idler assembly being biased in said second position when said second means is in said second position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
165 words
A toy tank as recited in claim 1 further comprising a target which disintegrates upon impact, said target comprising: a mounting assembly; a target which is fired upon; said mounting assembly being held in contact with the target by at least one channel located on said mounting assembly, and a latch at the other end, said latch having a latch spring secured thereto, said latch spring being stretched when said target is secured to said mounting assembly but being free to compress when said latch is not contacting said target; and a target separation spring secured to said target and compressed against said mounting assembly, said target separation spring having a compressed state when said mounting assembly and target are latched together, but upon impact of a projectile upon said target and the unlatching of said latch from said target; said target separation spring expanding to an uncompressed state which does not contact the mounting assembly whereby said target is separated from said mounting assembly.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
71 words
A toy tank as recited in claim 7 wherein the sections of cable between said sear and said idler and said sear and said trigger are taut when said gear is engaged in the sear hole in said member, and the section of said cable between said idler and said trigger being loose when said sear is engaged in the sear hole in said member except when said trigger is pulled.
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) | 1978-03-10 | 1978-09-09 | 1979-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-10 | 1982-09-09 | 1983-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-10 | 1986-09-09 | 1987-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |