EP0074765A1 - Spielfahrzeuge - Google Patents

Spielfahrzeuge Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0074765A1
EP0074765A1 EP82304635A EP82304635A EP0074765A1 EP 0074765 A1 EP0074765 A1 EP 0074765A1 EP 82304635 A EP82304635 A EP 82304635A EP 82304635 A EP82304635 A EP 82304635A EP 0074765 A1 EP0074765 A1 EP 0074765A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
stub
axle
wheel
stub axles
toy vehicle
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP82304635A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Paul Henry Springer
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Newey Goodman Ltd
Original Assignee
Newey Goodman Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Newey Goodman Ltd filed Critical Newey Goodman Ltd
Publication of EP0074765A1 publication Critical patent/EP0074765A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H17/00—Toy vehicles, e.g. with self-drive; ; Cranes, winches or the like; Accessories therefor
    • A63H17/26—Details; Accessories
    • A63H17/262—Chassis; Wheel mountings; Wheels; Axles; Suspensions; Fitting body portions to chassis

Definitions

  • This invention relates to toy vehicles, and is particularly, though not exclusively, concerned with toy road vehicles, such as motor cars, commercial vehicles and trailers, and with military vehicles, such as tanks.
  • toy vehicles is used in this description in a broad sense and includes model vehicles.
  • a disadvantage of that kind of construction is that the cost of the steel axle pins is relatively high. Another disadvantage is that the arrangements for mounting the axle pins in position are often relatively complicated.
  • An aim of the present invention is to provide an improved construction by means of which those disadvantages can be overcome or at least reduced.
  • the present invention consists in a toy vehicle comprising a body and body-supporting wheels mounted for rotation on stub axles, characterised in that the vehicle includes at least one wheel mounting which is formed as a unitary moulding of a plastics material and comprises an axle support and at least one of said stub axles.
  • body-supporting wheel is used herein to denote a wheel which in use supports part of the weight of the body of the vehicle; for example, it may be a ground-engaging wheel, with or without a tyre, or it may a wheel around which there passes an endless ground-engaging track.
  • the axle support of the wheel mounting may be formed integrally with the body of the vehicle. In that case there may be no clear demarcation between the body and the wheel mounting, one merging into the other. In a preferred form of toy vehicle, however, the wheel mounting is formed separately from the vehicle body and is attached to it subsequently.
  • Most toy vehicles have at least four body-supporting wheels, a different one of which is disposed at one adjacent to each of the four corners of a rectangle, the wheels being rotatable about axes that are at least substantially parallel.
  • each one of those four wheels is mounted on a stub axle constituting part of a wheel mounting which is formed as a unitary moulding of a plastics material and which also includes an axle support.
  • the wheel or wheels likewise tend to tilt. This tilting movement is not only uncharacteristic of the vehicles which the toy resembles, but also liable to damage the vehicle.
  • the axle support or each axle support is preferably such as to yield resiliently when a downward force is applied to the body of the vehicle, the body moving downwards relative to the stub axle or stub axles.
  • the stub axle or each stub axle preferably does not tilt or tilts less than would otherwise be the case when a downward force is applied to the body of the vehicle. If the axle supports are incapable of yielding in this way there is a danger that a downward force applied to the body will cause the axles to tilt in a manner that is unrealistic and that may cause them to be damaged.
  • the axle support or each support comprises a movable portion, from which the associated stub axle projects and which moves relative to the body when a downward force is applied to the body, a fixed portion, which remains substantially fixed relative to the body when a downward force is applied to the body, and a hinge portion integrally interconnecting said movable and fixed portions.
  • the hinge portion preferably comprises a portion of reduced thickness between said movable and fixed portions.
  • the hinge portion is preferably parallel to or substantially parallel to the axis of the associated stub axle.
  • the arrangement is preferably such that when a downward force is applied to the body, causing downward movement of the body relative to the stub axle or stub axles, substantially no tilting of the stub axle or stub axles occurs. This gives the vehicle a particularly realistic appearance as well as tending to avoid damage to the stub axle or stub axles.
  • the arrangement is preferably such that when a downward force is applied to the body of the vehicle, the resultant downward movement of the body is limited by the engagement between parts of the body and the body-supporting wheels.
  • an excessive downward force is applied to the body of the vehicle, it is transmitted to the ground or other surface beneath the vehicle by way of the body-supporting wheels; thus the only force applied to the wheel mountings is that required to deform them sufficiently for the body to engage the wheels.
  • the body may include projections constituting bump stops for engaging the body-supporting wheels.
  • a vehicle embodying the present invention would usually include at least two if not four stub axles supported in the manner characteristic of the invention. It would be possible for each such stub axle to form part of a separately formed wheel mounting.
  • two or more stub axles and their associated axle supports are formed as a unitary sub-unit which is incorporated in the toy vehicle.
  • the sub-unit may comprise a unitary moulding of a plastics material incorporating four wheel mountings and four stub axles, two of which project outwards in opposite directions, at least substantially along one axis, and two of which project outwards in opposite directions, at least substantially along a second axis parallel with said one axis and spaced from it.
  • At least one sub-unit formed as a unitary moulding of a plastics material and comprising two such wheel mountings and two associated stub axles projecting therefrom, the axles*being spaced apart lengthwise and being at least substantially co-axial, at least one body-supporting wheel being rotatably mounted on each of said two stub axles.
  • four or more stub axles are required there may be a first such sub-unit and a second such. sub-unit so disposed that the stub axles of the first sub-unit are at least substantially parallel to and are spaced from the stub axles of the second sub-unit.
  • first and second sub-units there may be further sub-units each of which affords a further pair of stub axles.
  • An advantage of the use of these sub-units is that similar sub-units can be used in the manufacture of different designs of toy vehicles, the sub-units being spaced at different distances apart lengthwise of the vehicle as required by the designs.
  • the moulding may include an axle-like portion between the stub axles so that the stub axles appear to be the end parts of a single axle.
  • At least one sub-unit formed as a unitary moulding of a plastics material and comprising a first such wheel mounting and a second such wheel mounting, the stub axles of said first and second wheel mountings being laterally spaced apart and at least substantially parallel with each other, and at least one body-supporting wheel being rotatably mounted on each of those two stub axles.
  • Each of the sub-units could include more than two stub axles if desired.
  • the stub axles on each sub-unit would preferably be aligned with corresponding stub axles on the other sub-unit.
  • the stub axle or each stub axle carries at least one body-supporting wheel.
  • the wheel or wheels can be retained on the stub axle in any suitable manner.
  • retaining means is formed integrally with the stub axle.
  • the retaining means may be in the form of a head, preferably disposed at the free end of the axle.
  • the retaining means may be formed in the initial moulding operation, in which case the wheel or wheels may be snapped over the retaining means onto the stub axle.
  • the retaining means may be formed or completed after the wheel or each wheel has been mounted on the stub axle.
  • the retaining means may for example be formed by a heading, riveting or upsetting operation which may be carried out either cold or with the application of heat.
  • the stub axle on each stub is preferably moulded in a tubular cavity in an associated-mould part and has a head formed on it subsequently to retain a body-supporting wheel or body-supporting wheels on the stub axle.
  • the stub axle can be formed without the possibility of there being any longitudinally extending mould lines on the stub axle such as might adversely affect the rotation of the wheel or wheels.
  • the retaining means is not formed integrally with the stub axle; it may, for example, comprise a spring clip attached to the stub axle.
  • a typical toy motor car embodying the invention is illustrated in Figures 1 to 3. It has a body 1 supported on four wheels 2 and is between about 80 mm and 90 mm in length.
  • the body 1 comprises a hollow shell formed as a metal die-casting and suitably painted.
  • the underside of the body is closed by a substantially planar chassis plate 3 to which the body is secured.
  • the chassis plate is formed as a unitary moulding of a plastics material.
  • a central part 4 of the chassis plate is of rectangular shape. In the completed toy the two longer sides of that central part 4 lie immediately beneath parts of the body resembling the sides of the vehicle.
  • the central one 5 of the three projections, both at the front and the rear of the central part, is approximately T-shaped, having a relatively narrow strip or stem 6, extending away from the rectangular central part of the plate, and a transverse strip 7 at the outer end of the stem.
  • the transverse strips 7 lie immediately beneath the front and rear edges of the body, and they may be formed to provide or to carry the vehicle's bumpers 8.
  • a self-tapping screw 9 is inserted upwards through a hole 10 in each of the projections 5, each of the two screws entering a downwardly opening tubular boss 11 formed as part of the body 1.
  • Each of the other four projections 12 constitutes part of an associated wheel mounting.
  • Each wheel mounting consists of an axle support and a stub axle.
  • Each axle support consists of a movable portion, which in this case is the projection 12, a fixed portion, which in this case is an adjacent portion of the central part 4 of the chassis plate, and a hinge portion 13 which is integral with the movable and fixed portions . and is constituted by a narrow band of reduced thickness.
  • each of the stub axles 14 and 15 is of cylindrical shape and is formed at its outer end with a head 16 constituting wheel-retaining means.
  • a preformed road wheel 2 is snapped over the head 16 of each stub axle.
  • Each road wheel may comprise a unitary plastics moulding, or it may comprise an assembly of components, in which case it may include a plastics hub portion.
  • the four wheels 2 are freely rotatable on the stub axles and are retained on them by the heads 16. The wheels are mounted on the stub axles before the chassis plate is secured to the body shell.
  • the chassis plate 3 described above is conveniently formed as a unitary moulding in a simple two-part mould having no moving cores. If the mould is well-made and unworn no difficulties should arise. If the mould is poorly made or becomes worn, however, flash may be produced between the mould halves, and in particular flash may be produced along one or more of the stub axles 14 and 15-. Such flash could give rise to problems and might prevent the free rotation of the wheels.
  • chassis plate may be moulded in a mould of more complex form, all of the plate 3, apart from the stub axles 14 and 15, being formed as before between two simple mould halves, but each of the stub axles 14 and 15 being moulded in a cylindrical (or slightly tapered) cavity in an associated mould part that can be withdrawn laterally. .
  • this method of manufacture it is impossible to mould heads 16 or other retaining means on the stub axles. The retaining means are therefore formed subsequently.
  • Figure 7 shows a portion of a wheel mounting comprising an axle support 18 and a stub axle 19 with a wheel-retaining head 20.
  • the wheel mounting is formed as a unitary moulding of plastics material, the moulding being effected in a two-part mould.
  • the outwardly directed face of the head 20 is tapered to assist its assembly with a wheel, but its inwardly directed face is flat so as to resist subsequent removal of the wheel.
  • Figure 8 is similiar to Figure 7 but shows a stub axle 21, in place of the stub axle 19, which is formed in an associated mould part of substantially cylindrical shape.
  • the axle 21 is moulded with no head as the presence of a head would prevent its withdrawal from the mould part.
  • a wheel 22 is placed on the stub axle 21 and a head 23 is then formed on it in a cold-riveting or upsetting operation.
  • the head 23 retains the wheel 22 on the stub axle.
  • the wheel is slipped onto the stub axle and the head is then formed at a single work-station of an assembly machine.
  • Figure 9 illustrates another possible modification construction.
  • a stub axle 24 of cylindrical shape but formed with an circumferential groove nears its outer end.
  • a wheel 25 is slid onto the stub axle and a circlip 26 or similar spring clip is snapped into the groove to retain the wheel in place.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative design of - chassis plate 27.
  • This is generally similar to the chassis plate 3 but differs in the following respects.
  • the holes 28 for retaining screws are in the central part of the plate.
  • Projections 29 constituting a movable portions of the wheel mountings are approximately L-shaped, unlike the rectangular projections 12, so that stub axles, 30, formed integrally with them, project beyond the adjacent edges of the central portion of the plate.
  • a range of different toy vehicles may be produced by attaching bodies of different shapes and colourings to chassis plates of a common form. Nevertheless, the use of a single design of chassis plate does afford some restriction in that the spacing between the stub axles, and therefore, the relative positions of the wheels, remains fixed. In order to overcome that limitation it may be preferred to substitute two or more sub-units for the single chassis plate 3 or 27 described above.
  • Figure 5 shows two sub-units 31. Each is formed as a unitary moulding of a plastics material and comprises a rectangular central part 32, with holes 33 for securing screws formed in it, and a pair of projections 34, each of which is connected to the central part by a hinge portion 35, similar to the hinge portions 13.
  • the projections 34 constitute the movable parts of wheel mountings and each carries an associated stub axle 36 which is integrally moulded with it.
  • the two stub axles 36 of each sub-unit are laterally spaced apart and are parallel with each other.
  • the sub-units can be attached to a toy vehicle body at any desired spacing so as to enable a wide range of designs to be produced.
  • the two sub-units 31 can be disposed one on either side of a central plate (not shown) of which the end parts resemble the central projections 5 of the chassis plate 3 shown in Figure 3.
  • each is formed as a unitary moulding of a plastics material and comprises a rectangular central part 38 with holes 39 for securing screws formed in it.
  • a pair of projections 40 project from the central part 38 and are connected to the central part by hinge portions 41 similar to the hinge portions 13.
  • the projections 40 constitute the movable parts of wheel mountings, the fixed parts of which are constituted by neighbouring portions of the central part 38 of the sub-unit.
  • the two projections 40 are interconnected by an integral strap 42 and each projection carries an associated stub axle 43.
  • the stub axle 43 are spaced apart lengthwise and are co-axial.
  • the use of two sub-units 37 enables the spacing between the axis of the front stub axles and the axis of the rear stub axles to be varied as between one toy vehicle and another, the spacing between the plates being varied appropriately.
  • Wheel mountings embodying the present invention may be made of any suitable plastics materials such a nylon, polypropylene or rigid pvc.

Landscapes

  • Toys (AREA)
EP82304635A 1981-09-05 1982-09-03 Spielfahrzeuge Withdrawn EP0074765A1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8126930 1981-09-05
GB8126930 1981-09-05

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0074765A1 true EP0074765A1 (de) 1983-03-23

Family

ID=10524341

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP82304635A Withdrawn EP0074765A1 (de) 1981-09-05 1982-09-03 Spielfahrzeuge

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0074765A1 (de)
JP (1) JPS5873380A (de)
ES (1) ES515469A0 (de)
GB (1) GB2105206A (de)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2003009769A1 (en) * 2001-07-25 2003-02-06 3M Innovative Properties Company Mechanism with formed stop for limiting relative movement
WO2018109591A1 (en) 2016-12-16 2018-06-21 Magic Production Group S.A. Toy
JP2019195989A (ja) * 2018-05-07 2019-11-14 ゲートウェイ・オートアート・リミテッドＧａｔｅｗａｙ Ａｕｔｏａｒｔ Ｌｉｍｉｔｅｄ 模型自動車ボディを製造する方法およびプラスチック製模型自動車ボディ

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN1308051C (zh) * 2004-10-28 2007-04-04 曾石允 四驱玩具车

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2597588A (en) * 1948-10-15 1952-05-20 Manoil Mfg Co Inc Toy vehicle wheel and axle
FR1133910A (fr) * 1954-05-28 1957-04-03 Hermann Steiner K G Véhicule-jouet
FR1309964A (de) * 1963-03-04
FR1342973A (fr) * 1962-10-05 1963-11-15 Perfectionnements aux voitures automobiles miniatures à suspension
DE1973338U (de) * 1962-06-04 1967-11-23 Mettoy Co Ltd Spielfahrzeug.
US3651764A (en) * 1969-10-29 1972-03-28 Tyco Ind Inc Model racing car
FR2115767A5 (de) * 1970-11-27 1972-07-07 Mattel Inc
US3720017A (en) * 1970-02-03 1973-03-13 Mattel Spa Chassis for a miniature toy vehicle
US3811218A (en) * 1972-03-16 1974-05-21 Buddy Corp L Modular toy vehicle

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1309964A (de) * 1963-03-04
US2597588A (en) * 1948-10-15 1952-05-20 Manoil Mfg Co Inc Toy vehicle wheel and axle
FR1133910A (fr) * 1954-05-28 1957-04-03 Hermann Steiner K G Véhicule-jouet
DE1973338U (de) * 1962-06-04 1967-11-23 Mettoy Co Ltd Spielfahrzeug.
FR1342973A (fr) * 1962-10-05 1963-11-15 Perfectionnements aux voitures automobiles miniatures à suspension
US3651764A (en) * 1969-10-29 1972-03-28 Tyco Ind Inc Model racing car
US3720017A (en) * 1970-02-03 1973-03-13 Mattel Spa Chassis for a miniature toy vehicle
FR2115767A5 (de) * 1970-11-27 1972-07-07 Mattel Inc
US3811218A (en) * 1972-03-16 1974-05-21 Buddy Corp L Modular toy vehicle

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2003009769A1 (en) * 2001-07-25 2003-02-06 3M Innovative Properties Company Mechanism with formed stop for limiting relative movement
US6589051B2 (en) 2001-07-25 2003-07-08 3M Innovative Properties Company Mechanism with formed stop for limiting relative movement
WO2018109591A1 (en) 2016-12-16 2018-06-21 Magic Production Group S.A. Toy
LU93378B1 (en) * 2016-12-16 2018-07-03 Magic Production Group M P G S A Toy
RU2744779C2 (ru) * 2016-12-16 2021-03-15 Ферреро Трейдинг Люкс С.А. Игрушка
TWI728211B (zh) * 2016-12-16 2021-05-21 盧森堡商魔幻產品集團公司 玩具
US11185789B2 (en) 2016-12-16 2021-11-30 Ferrero Trading Lux S.A. Toy
JP2019195989A (ja) * 2018-05-07 2019-11-14 ゲートウェイ・オートアート・リミテッドＧａｔｅｗａｙ Ａｕｔｏａｒｔ Ｌｉｍｉｔｅｄ 模型自動車ボディを製造する方法およびプラスチック製模型自動車ボディ

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS5873380A (ja) 1983-05-02
GB2105206A (en) 1983-03-23
ES8306444A1 (es) 1983-06-01
ES515469A0 (es) 1983-06-01

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5324056A (en) High performance automobile suspension
US4895542A (en) Toy automobile with attachments
US4466215A (en) Miniature toy vehicle assembly
EP0074765A1 (de) Spielfahrzeuge
EP0873249B1 (de) Einstellbare abstützvorrichtung für ein kinderfahrzeug
US3083499A (en) Spring suspension for toy vehicle
US3942285A (en) Miniature toy vehicle construction
US3720017A (en) Chassis for a miniature toy vehicle
EP0293346A2 (de) Auflagerungsanordnung für Stangen und Achsen in Spielzeugen aus Plastik
AR216610A1 (es) Vehiculo automovil de chasis monobloque dotado de cabina,soportado en la parte delantera por un tren de ruedas motrices y directrices y en la parte posterior por dos ejes
US2597588A (en) Toy vehicle wheel and axle
US5947794A (en) Adapter for carrying axled vehicles on model railroad flat cars
US5158415A (en) Brake caliper suspension system for golf cars and utility vehicles
US4042258A (en) Torsion bar mounting arrangement
US3482351A (en) Toy or model vehicles
US3483654A (en) Undercarriage for toy vehicles
JPS6240860Y2 (de)
JPH0122704Y2 (de)
GB2068751A (en) A toy vehicle
US3787071A (en) Towing ski attachment for snowmobiles and method of using same
JPH0319412Y2 (de)
JPS6327755Y2 (de)
JPS5821793Y2 (ja) 自動車用荷台の支脚取付装置
JPH0641991Y2 (ja) パンタグラフ型ジャッキ
JPH0319428Y2 (de)

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Designated state(s): DE FR IT

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19830912

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 19840928

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: SPRINGER, PAUL HENRY