Toy for collecting and dispersing toy vehicles

Abstract: Disclosed is a toy, comprising of rotating means for collecting and dispersing an item and power means coupled to said rotating means, said power means powering said rotating means at a first speed in a first direction to collect said toy, and powering said rotating means at a second speed in a second direction to disperse said toy, said first speed different from said second speed, and said first direction different from said second direction. (end of abstract)

Agent: Alleman Hall Mccoy Russell & Tuttle LLP - Portland, OR, US
Inventors: Miva Filoseta, Eric So, Dave Sheltman, Michael Nuttall
USPTO Applicaton #: #20060079150 - Class: 446431000 (USPTO)
Related Patent Categories: Amusement Devices: Toys, Rolling Or Tumbling (e.g., Wheeled)

Toy for collecting and dispersing toy vehicles description/claims

The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060079150, Toy for collecting and dispersing toy vehicles.

Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims

FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to methods, systems and apparatus for features of an inter-related toy item.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

[0002] Toys which interact with other toys are popular items. For example, toys may be provided which are configured to couple to other toys, transform other toys, gather or collect toys, etc.

[0003] One example toy vehicle that has the function of sweeping up smaller toy vehicles is the Galoob MICRO MUNCHER. This sweeper vehicle has a handle that controls a single rotating foam cylinder to either collect, or disperse, smaller toy vehicles depending on the direction of engagement. In this sweeper vehicle, the foam cylinder is rotated by an electric, battery powered motor, to drive the cylinder at approximately the same speed in both directions. The approximate scale of the smaller toy vehicles that are made for use with this sweeper vehicle are on the order of approximately 1:120.

[0004] The inventors herein have recognized several disadvantages with the above toy sweeper vehicle. As one example, the collection functionality may become degraded when adapted for larger scale vehicles, such as 1/64 scale vehicles. For example, it may be difficult to collect and/or disperse larger vehicles with the above design, since weight and volume do not scale equally. As another example, the foam cylinder tends to degrade quickly due to the single cylinder structure combined with low durability of foam when contacting (collecting or dispersing) jagged, hard metal and/or plastic vehicles. Moreover, the above toy sweeper vehicle does not interface to or operate with a track set, thereby limiting the amount of play available.

[0005] The inventors herein have also recognized that when using the above sweeper vehicle for collecting larger vehicles, the cylinder rotational speed that may work for collecting vehicles may be too slow to effectively disperse vehicles. Alternatively, the speed that is fast enough to effectively disperse vehicles may overload the motor when trying to collect vehicles.

[0006] One approach to address at least some of the above issues provides a toy, comprising rotating means for collecting and dispersing an item; and power means coupled to said rotating means, said power means powering said rotating means at a first speed in a first direction to collect said toy, and powering said rotating means at a second speed in a second direction to disperse said toy, said first speed different from said second speed, and said first direction different from said second direction. As such, the inventors have recognized that power means, such as electric motors, may have different torque outputs at different speeds, and thus by using a different speed for collecting than for dispersing, it may be possible to extend operation to different scale vehicles.

[0007] Another approach provides a toy vehicle, comprising: a cylinder configured to rotate about its circular axis, said cylinder configured so that when said toy is placed in a first position, said circular axis of said cylinder is substantially parallel to a surface on which the toy vehicle can travel, said cylinder having a plurality of cylindrical extensions extending from said cylinder. As such, the inventors have also recognized that for vehicles larger than approximately 1:120 scale, for example, a wheel comprising more than one extensions may provide improved collection and dispersion results, as well as improved durability.

[0008] Still other alternative approaches are described herein which may achieve alternative effects or advantages than those described above. For example, a toy that collects and disperses items that can couple with or interface with a track may be used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 shows an example toy vehicle;

[0010] FIG. 2 shows an example wheel and shaft assembly;

[0011] FIG. 3 shows an example wheel;

[0012] FIG. 4 shows an example part of the wheel of FIG. 3;

[0013] FIGS. 5A-B show example toy vehicle bodies, chassis, and other components;

[0014] FIG. 6A-K shows an alternative example wheel;

[0015] FIG. 7A-D shows alternative embodiment example wheels;

[0016] FIG. 8 shows an example method of manufacturing wheels;

[0017] FIG. 9 shows an example method of manufacturing and painting a plastic item;

[0018] FIGS. 10A-D show example packaging for a toy vehicle and card(s);

[0019] FIG. 11 shows various example cards and related aspects for a card game, as well as instructions;

[0020] FIG. 12 shows an alternative card that may be include in the package of FIG. 10;

[0021] FIGS. 13 and 13B show example carrier items;

Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
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