Self-propelled reconfigurable running toy
AssigneeTakara Co., Ltd.
InventorTakashi Matsuda
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A self-propelled, reconfigurable running toy that can be transformed from a running vehicle mode into a robot shaped toy mode is provided. In the vehicle mode, the toy can run with leg portions thereof folded up and locked in position above a body portion. During its running motion, the leg portions suddenly extend straight forwards, so that the toy is enabled to take up an upright (standing) position by the reaction force generated by the sudden movement of the leg portions.
Claims26
A self-propelled reconfigurable running toy capable of both a translational and predetermined rotational movement while it is being played with, comprising
- a frame member having a longitudinal axis;
- a wheel assembly attached to the frame member;
- a motor assembly attached to the frame member and which is capable of operatively driving the wheel assembly for translational movement across a support surface;
- means for intentionally rotating the frame member about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis so that the longitudinal axis is positioned at approximately a 90.degree. angle to its original initial position at the start of its translational movement during a predetermined period of its translational movement, including a base member for mounting the running toy on said support surface;
- and
- means for varying the force generated during rotation of the frame member including a member for varying the contact distance between one end of the frame member and the support surface when the base member is rotated, wherein said running toy can be stood up on said support surface by said base member when said frame member rotates about the axis traverse to the longitudinal axis during the predetermined period of its translational movement.
A reconfigurable toy that can be converted from a vehicle that can move across an approximately horizontal support surface into a robot comprising:
- a frame member having a longitudinal axis approximately parallel to a support surface in a vehicle configuration, the frame member also simulating the body of a robotic figure;
- means for translating the frame member across a support surface;
- a chassis member movably mounted to the frame member and capable of extending outward from the frame member by approximately 180.degree. from a vehicle position above the frame member to a robot position, the chassis member simulating the legs of a robotic figure;
- means for biasing the chassis member to an extended position in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the frame member, and
- means for releasing the chassis member when folded above the frame member during the translation of the toy in a vehicle configuration including means for moving the chassis member away from the frame member whereby the rotational forces created by the movement of the chassis member above the frame member rotates the frame member so that the longitudinal axis is automatically positioned at approximately a 90.degree. angle to its original initial position parallel to the support surface when the toy terminates its movement and assumes a robot configuration.
The invention of claim 15 wherein the physical configuration of the chassis member and frame member simulate an aircraft when folded together.
A reconfigurable toy capable of both a translational movement across a support surface in a first configuration and an automatic conversion into a second configuration at a predetermined time, the second configuration being positioned approximately 90.degree. rotated from the longitudinal axis of the first configuration, comprising:
- a first member having a longitudinal axis with a forward end and a rear end relative to direction of movement of the toy;
- wheel means for permitting movement of the first member in a first configuration across a support surface;
- a second member pivotally attached to the forward end of the first member;
- means for biasing the second member to an extended position in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the first member;
- means for retaining the second member in a folded position above the first member;
- means for releasing the second member, the second member having sufficient weight for rotation about its pivot point to initially lift the forward end from the support surface in a first direction and to cause a reaction force to then subsequently rotate it in a second direction whereby the second configuration is formed and is finally positioned upright at 90.degree. from the original position of the longitudinal axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.