Special effects drive mechanism for self-propelled toy vehicles

A special effects drive mechanism for propelling a toy vehicle, or the like, along a path of travel over a supporting medium, comprising:

• means comprising a coiled spring for storing a quantity of energy;
• a first circular toothed gear operably coupled to said storage means for rotational movement of said first gear by said storage means when said quantity of energy is released;
• a second circular toothed gear spaced from said first gear and operably coupled with said medium for rotational movement of said second gear sympathetic with movement of said vehicle along said path of travel;
• a third circular toothed gear shiftable between an engagement position wherein said first and second gears are operably coupled by said third gear, and a second position wherein said third gear clears engagement of said first and second gears such that said second gear may move independently of said first gear;
• said third gear being oriented relative to said first and second gears such that rotation of said first gear under the influence of said energy storage means urges said third gear into said engagement position and rotation of said second gear in the absence of rotation of said first gear by said energy means urges said third gear into said disengagement position;
• and
• means for selectively locking said third gear in said engagement position whereby movement of said second gear may be abruptly stopped by said coupling of said first and second gears when said storage means has fully released said quantity of energy.