Running toy

Claim 1

A self-propelled toy vehicle capable of both a translational and predetermined rotational movement in a play action mode of operation, comprising: a frame member having a longitudinal axis and a first and second end; a front wheel assembly attached to the frame member; a rear wheel assembly attached to the frame member; a spring-powered motor assembly attached to the frame member and capable of operatively driving one of the front and rear wheel assemblies for translational movement of the vehicle across a support surface, the wheel assembly driven by the motor assembly also providing an energizing mode of operation to provide a wind-up force for storing energy in the motor assembly, and means for intentionally propelling the frame member above the support surface and rotating the frame member about an axis traverse to the longitudinal axis while above the support surface during a predetermined period of its translational movement including a pivoting member attached to and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame member's lower surface, means for biasing the pivoting member to rotate from an initial position adjacent a first end of the frame member parallel to the longitudinal axis to a final release position also parallel to the longitudinal axis adjacent the second end of the frame member, and a release means connected to the motor assembly for initiating the rotational movement, the release means including a gear driven by the motor assembly, a cam rotatably mounted and a one-way-clutch mechanism to permit the gear to move the cam in one direction only, whereby the motor assembly can store energy without activating the cam and can activate the cam in a running mode of operation, when the cam is activated the pivoting member can rotate the vehicle above the support surface and can assume a released position parallel to the longitudinal axis whereby the vehicle can continue its translational movement when it contacts the support surface.