TITLE OF THE INVENTION [0001] Articulated, Steerable, Toy Vehicle BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [00021 The present invention relates generally to toy vehicles, and more particularly to an articulated toy vehicle that is steerable using a steering lever.

[0003] Steerable toy vehicles are generally known. One form of steerable toy vehicle consists of a wheeled vehicle with a steering assembly, generally a steering wheel and shaft, extending rearwardly therefrom. Actuation of the steering assembly generally causes pivoting of the front wheels independly from the toy vehicle. In this way, a user pushes the toy vehicle in front of him and turns the steering wheel to steer it.

[0004] Articulated toy vehicles are also generally known. Although some of the known articulated toy vehicles are also steerable, they are generally steerable using a similar mechanism to that described above which pivots the front wheels independently from the toy vehicle. However, none have steering assemblies that allow a user walking behind the toy vehicle to guide the toy vehicle along a surface by pivoting a first articulated member of the articulated toy vehicle. It is believed that a toy vehicle having such a steering mechanism would be desirable.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] Briefly stated, the present invention is an articulated, steerable, toy vehicle comprising a first wheeled vehicle portion. A second wheeled vehicle portion is pivotally coupled with the first wheeled vehicle portion. A steering lever has a free first end and an opposing second end pivotally coupled to the second wheeled vehicle portion for lateral side-to-side movement of the free first end over the pivotally coupled first and second wheeled vehicle portions and operably coupled to the first wheeled vehicle portion through the second wheeled vehicle portion. Lateral side-to-side pivotal movement of the free first end of the steering lever relative to the second wheeled vehicle portion pivots the first wheeled vehicle portion relative to the second wheeled vehicle portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS [0006] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings

embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

[0007] In the drawings: l0008] Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a toy vehicle in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention with a steering lever in a collapsed configuration; [0009] Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the toy vehicle of Fig. 1 with the steering lever in an extended configuration and a lid and rear door open; [0010] Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the toy vehicle of Fig. 1 with the steering lever and a first wheeled vehicle portion rotated; [0011] Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the toy vehicle of Fig. 1 with a portion of the toy vehicle cut away to show a geared steering embodiment; [0012l Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of the operable coupling of Fig. 4 taken along line 5-5 ; [0013] Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of the toy vehicle of Fig. 1 with a portion of the toy vehicle cut away to show an interference/slip clutch embodiment; [0014] Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of the operable coupling of Fig. 6 taken along line 7-7; [0015] Fig : 8 is a cut-away view of the toy vehicle of Fig. 1 having an alternative geared steering embodiment; and [0016] Fig. 9 is an exploded partial perspective view of the toy vehicle of Fig. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0017] Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words"right,""left,""upper,"and"lower"designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

[0018] Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in Figs. 1-7 an exemplary articulated, steerable, toy vehicle, indicated generally at 10, having a steering lever 60 in accordance with the present invention.

[0019] With particular reference to Figs. 1-3, the exemplary toy vehicle 10 is a fire truck including a first wheeled vehicle portion or tractor assembly 20 and a second wheeled vehicle portion or trailer assembly 40 pivotally coupled with the tractor assembly 20 using a pivot member 30. The tractor assembly 20 has a generally hollow tractor vehicle body 22 with a first plurality of

wheels 24 (preferably two) rotatably connected thereto. The tractor vehicle body 22 preferably has a hollow tractor storage compartment 28 (in phantom in Fig. 2) within which a user can store things, including miniature, diminutive toy vehicles 78 having a scale reduced even from the scale of the toy vehicle 10, such as 1/64-scale Matchboxe cars, for instance. Preferably, the tractor storage compartment 28 has a tractor storage compartment lid 26 at the top of the tractor vehicle body 22 and the tractor assembly 20 to selectively cover an opening of the tractor storage compartment 28.

The tractor storage compartment lid 26 is preferably pivotably engaged with the front of the tractor vehicle body 22 so as to pivot forwardly when opening. Although the tractor storage compartment lid 22 is shown as having the shape of a fire fighter's helmet, it is not intended to be limiting. As such, it is within the spirit and scope of the present invention that the tractor storage compartment lid 22 be of any shape.

[0020] The trailer assembly 40 has a trailer vehicle body 42 with a second plurality of wheels 44 (preferably four) rotatably connected thereto. Preferably, the trailer vehicle body 42 has a hollow trailer storage compartment 46 (in phantom in Fig. 2) for the storage of various items such as the diminutive toy vehicles 78. The trailer storage compartment 46 preferably has a trailer storage compartment door 48 at the back of the trailer vehicle body 42. Preferably, the trailer storage compartment door 48 pivots about a lower edge so as to form a ramp from the ground to the trailer storage compartment 46 when in an open position (Fig. 2) to enable the user to roll diminutive toy vehicles 78 in to and out of the trailer storage compartment 46.

[0021] Steering lever 60 is rotatably coupled to the trailer assembly 40 for rotation along mutually perpendicular axes in first and second directions. The steering lever 60 is preferably configured to have the appearance of an extensible or telescopic fire ladder, preferably mounted on the trailer assembly 40. The steering lever 60 has a free first end 60a and an opposing attached second end 60b pivotally coupled to the trailer assembly 40 for lateral side-to-side movement of the free first end 60a over the pivotally coupled tractor and trailer assemblies 20,40 and operably coupled to the tractor assembly 20 through the trailer assembly 40. A steering handle 72 preferably is connected to the first end 60a of the steering lever 60. The handle 72 is adapted to be comfortably grasped by the user. Pivotal movement of the steering lever 60 relative to the trailer assembly 40 is about a preferably substantially vertical first pivot axis 64 preferably parallel to another pivot axis 93 (see Fig. 4) about which the tractor assembly 20 pivots relative to the trailer assembly 40 so as to allow the toy vehicle 10 to turn either left or right. The steering lever 60 is further coupled to the trailer assembly 40 to pivot about a preferably at least substantially horizontal second pivot axis 66

such that a height of the free first end 60a and the angle of incline of the steering lever 60 to the horizontal can be adjusted.

[0022] The steering lever 60 is preferably adjustable in length and capable of movement between an extended configuration 62b (see Fig. 2) and a collapsed or stored configuration 62a (see Fig. 1). Preferably, the steering lever 60 is telescopic having a lower, outer portion 68 engaged with the trailer assembly 40 and an upper, inner portion 70 slidingly engaged within the lower portion 68.

Preferably, in the collapsed or stored configuration, the upper portion 70 is retained substantially entirely within the lower portion 68. Preferably, in the extended configuration, the upper portion 70 is minimally retained within the lower portion 68 so as to extend outwardly from the end of the lower portion 68.

[0023] Within the steering lever 60 is a channel or track 74 extending at least substantially along the length of the steering lever 60 at least to and through the second end 60b of the steering lever 60.

Preferably, the track 74 extends through the upper and lower portions 70,68 of the steering lever 60 and is sized so as to accommodate at least one miniature toy vehicle 78 therein. At least one of the upper and lower portions 70,68 (preferably the upper portion 70) of the steering lever 60 has an open top to allow a miniature toy vehicle 78 to be placed within the track 74 by the user. The miniature toy vehicle 78 is of a size that is sufficiently small to pass through the track 74 and exit the track 74 from a track discharge opening 76 at the second end 60b of the steering lever 60. The track discharge opening 76 can be aligned with the opening of the tractor storage compartment 28 so that, when the tractor storage compartment lid 26 is open, the tractor storage compartment 28 can receive miniature toy vehicles 78 or other objects passed along the track 74, as shown in Fig. 2.

Alternatively, the track discharge opening 76 can be oriented such that the miniature toy vehicles 78 exit from the vehicle 10 onto a surface (not shown) on which the vehicle 10 is supported, as shown in Fig. 3.

[0024] Referring now to Figs. 4 and 5, the toy vehicle 10 further comprises an operable coupling 80 including a first rotational drive member 82 drivingly engaged with a geared steering mechanism 90 between the second end 60b of the steering lever 60 and the tractor assembly 20. The first rotational drive member 82 preferably is fixedly coupled through the top of the trailer assembly 40 with a yoke 83 that pivotally receives the lower, second end 60b of the steering lever 60 for up and down pivotal movement of the steering lever 60 about a horizontal axis 66 (see Fig. 3). The yoke 83 and the first rotational drive member 82 rotate together as a single assembly about the axis 64 for pivotal movement or rotation of the steering lever 60 about the same vertical axis 64. The geared steering mechanism 90 preferably comprises a first sector gear 92, at least one idler gear 94, and a

second sector gear 96 : The first sector gear 92 is fixedly connected to the first rotational drive member 82, which, in turn, is fixedly connected to the steering lever 60, to enable the first sector gear 92 to pivot with the steering lever 60. The at least one idler gear 94 is operably engaged (meshed) with the first sector gear 92. The second sector gear 96 is operable engaged with the idler gear 94 and is fixedly connected to the tractor assembly 20. Preferably, the second sector gear 96 is fixedly connected to the pivot member 30 which is, in turn, fixedly connected to the tractor assembly 20. In this way, rotation of the steering lever 60 about the vertical first pivot axis 64 causes rotation of the first sector gear 92 which imparts rotation to the idler gear 94. Rotation of the idler gear 94 causes the second sector gear 96 to rotate, which consequently causes the tractor assembly 20 to pivot relative to the trailer assembly 40 about an axis 93.

[0025] Referring to Figs. 8 and 9, alternatively, a geared steering mechanism 90'may further comprise a third sector gear 97, which is fixedly connected to the trailer assembly 40', and a second idler gear 98, which is rotatably mounted to the tractor assembly 20'and is operably engaged with the third sector gear 97 and also with a fourth sector gear 99. Steering arms 91 are pivotably coupled with the tractor assembly 20', preferably with one steering arm 91 on either lateral side of the tractor assembly 20'. The steering arms 91 are also pivotally coupled with opposing ends of the fourth sector gear 99. One tractor wheel 24 is operably coupled to the each steering arm 91.

[0026] This alternate geared steering mechanism 90'pivots the tractor assembly 20'about axis 93 with rotation of the steering lever 60 in much the same way as described above for the first embodiment 10. That is, side-to-side movement of the steering lever 60 rotates the first rotational drive member 82, which causes rotation of the first sector gear 92. This, in turn, causes rotation of the first idler gear 94, which further causes rotation of the second sector gear 96 with respect to the trailer assembly 40'about the axis 93. Because the second sector gear 96 is fixed to the tractor assembly 20', the tractor assembly 20'similarly rotates with respect to the trailer assembly 40'about the axis 93, the tractor assembly 20'being pivotally connected to an extension 40a'of the trailer assembly 40'along the axis 93.

[0027] However, additionally, the pivoting of the tractor assembly 20'with respect to the trailer assembly 40'causes rotation of the second idler gear 98 within the tractor assembly 20 because of the interaction of the second idler gear 98 with the third sector gear 97, which is fixed to the extension 40a'of the trailer assembly 40'. Rotation of the second idler gear 98 causes side-to-side translation of the fourth sector gear 99. Movement of the fourth sector gear 99 causes the steering arms 91 to pivot in unison (both in the same direction) with respect to the tractor assembly 20', in turn causing the tractor wheels 24 to pivot with respect to the tractor assembly 20'. In this way, in

addition to pivoting the tractor assembly 20'about the axis 93 with respect to the trailer assembly 40', rotation of the steering lever 60 also causes the tractor wheels 24 to pivot with respect to the tractor assembly 20'to better simulate the turning of an actual articulated vehicle. It should be appreciated that the tractor and trailer assemblies 20', 40'differ from tractor and trailer assemblies 20,40 of the first vehicle 10 only to the extent to accommodate the geared steering mechanism 90'.

[0028] Referring now to Figs. 6 and 7, a toy vehicle 10"may alternatively comprise an operable coupling 80"having a steering mechanism 90"preferably including at least a slip clutch assembly 100 between the second end 60b of the steering lever 60 and the tractor assembly 20. The slip clutch assembly 100 comprises a first rotational drive member 82"and a second rotational drive member 110. The first rotational drive member 82"is fixedly coupled with the second end 60b of the steering lever 60 to pivot with the steering lever 60 about the first pivot axis 64. The second rotational drive member 110 is fixedly coupled with the tractor assembly 20"or, more specifically, to the pivot member 30, to rotate with the tractor assembly 20"about the first pivot axis 64.

Preferably, the second rotational drive member 110 is a collar having open upper and lower ends with a hollow interior volume having an interior perimeter 112. A cupped drive disk 102 is fixedly connected to the first rotational drive member 82"for rotation therewith. The cupped drive disk 102 has a circumferential outer perimeter 104 that is at least partially received in the hollow interior of the second rotational drive member 110. The outer perimeter 104 of the drive disk 102 is sized and shaped to engage the inner perimeter 112 of the interior volume of the second rotational drive member 110 to rotate the second rotational drive member 110 below a threshold torque and to release and rotate with respect to the second rotational drive member 110 above the threshold torque. Preferably, the inner perimeter 112 of the second rotational drive member 110 is of a first polygon shape having a first number of sides and the circumferential outer perimeter 104 of the drive disk 102 is of a second polygon shape having a second number of sides which is a multiple of the first number. Preferably, the inner perimeter 112 of the second rotational drive member 110 has twelve sides and the outer perimeter 104 of the drive disk 102 has twenty-four sides, although it is within the spirit and scope of the present invention that the drive disk outer perimeter 104 and the second rotational drive member interior perimeter 112 have any number of sides. It is further preferable that the drive disk 102 includes a plurality of slots 106 through the circumferential outer perimeter 104 to allow the outer perimeter 104 of the drive disk 102 to flex above the threshold torque. One or a pair of similar slip clutches or other slip clutches can be provided between the lateral sides of the second end 60b of the steering lever 60 and an inner side of the yoke 83 to allow the steering lever/ladder 60 to support itself in elevated position as shown in Figs. 2-4.

Alternatively, one or a pair of spring clutches (not shown) may be used with the steering lever/ladder 60. Specifically, the spring clutch has two interfacing disks (not shown), one engaged with the lateral side of the second end 60b of the steering lever 60 and the other engaged with the inner side of the yoke 83. The disks are spring biased toward each other with each disk having a face having radial ribs (not shown) thereon. When the steering lever/ladder 60 is raised or lowered, the spring is overcome to allow the ribs of one disk slip past the ribs of the other disk. However, when it is desired that the steering lever/ladder 60 be held in a particular position, the spring maintains the disks, and specifically the ribs, in engagement with each other and act as detents in order to support the steering lever/ladder 60 in elevated position. Other surfaces with other configurations, including frictionally engaging surfaces, can be used.

[0029] Although described separately, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the slip clutch 100 could be used within the operable coupling 80 of the geared steering embodiment.

Specifically, the first rotational drive member 82 of the geared steering embodiment could be replaced with the first rotational drive member 82", the second rotational drive member 110, and the cupped drive disk 102 of the slip clutch steering embodiment. It will further be appreciated that other slip clutch assemblies, with or without gearing, could be used to operably and steerably couple together the first and second pivotally coupled vehicle portions of an articulated, steerable, toy vehicle.

10030] The toy vehicles 10,10', 10"are preferably constructed of convention polymeric materials, such as Acrylonityile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) plastic and polypropylene using conventional fabrication techniques well known to those of ordinary skill in the art of toy manufacture.

[0031] In operation, the toy vehicles 10, 10', 10"can be played with by a user by grasping the handle 72 and walking behind the toy vehicle, steering it by manipulating the steering lever 60 to the right and to the left. Additionally, the toy vehicles 10,10', 10"can be used to store objects, such as the miniature toy vehicles 78, within the tractor storage compartment 28 and the trailer storage compartment 46. The track 74 within the steering lever 60 can be used to launch the miniature toy vehicle 78, either into the tractor storage compartment 28 (Fig. 2) or the ground (Fig. 3).

[0032] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. For example, it will be appreciated that individual components identified are likely to be constructed from assembling together smaller pieces for ease of overall assembly of the toy vehicles. It will further be appreciated that other forms of operable coupling can be provided and that the steering

ratios might be changed, for example, by varying the gear ratios. Also, by pivoting the steering lever 60 over the top of the yoke 83 to a forward position indicated in phantom at 60'in Fig. 6, any of the described vehicles 10,10', 10"can be steered while pulling the vehicle. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention.