TOY VEHICLE HAVING FANCIFUL FACIAL EXPRESSION

SPECIFICATION

Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority under 35 U. S. C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial Number 60/734,512 entitled TOY VEHICLE HAVING FANCIFUL FACIAL EXPRESSION filed November 7, 2005 in the name of Keith Hippely, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. This application also incorporates provisional patent application serial number 60/734,511 filed November 7, 2005 on behalf of Keith Hippely and entitled TOY VEHICLE HAVING FANCIFUL EYES which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates generally to toy vehicles and particularly to apparatus used therein to provide additional operative features for such toy vehicles.

Background of the Invention

[0003] Toy vehicles have proven to be an extremely popular and long lasting type of toy product. Not surprisingly, practitioners in the art have provided a virtually endless variety of toy vehicles to address this consumer popularity and industry need. Thus, toy vehicles have been provided which are free wheeling or unpowered as well as those which are self powered. Self powered toy vehicles have included wind up motor drives as well as vehicles having battery-powered electric drive apparatus. In addition to basic drive apparatus, practitioners have endeavored to incorporate a variety of features

within their toy vehicles. The objective in providing such featured toy vehicles is to increase the amusement and play value of the toy vehicle beyond simple movement play patterns. For example, U.S. Patent 6,645,037 issued to Choi sets forth a PROGRAMMABLE TOY AND GAME in which a toy vehicle has a keyboard which may be activated by a user to set up a motion or multiple different motions of the toy vehicle. Sounds and lights may be activated to coordinate with the movement. The toy vehicle may assume a number of appearances. The keyboard can also be used to play a game of skill, for instance, shooting at a target.

[0004] U.S. Patent 6,250,987 issued to Choi sets forth a PROGRAMMABLE TOY in which a programmable device such as a toy vehicle or novelty item includes a keyboard supported thereon which is accessible to a user. The user is able to input a motion or sequence of motion to the toy. Various sounds and light effects may be activated in coordination with the movements. While a toy vehicle is shown, different types of toys may be used.

[0005] U.S. Patent 6,083,104 issued to Choi sets forth a PROGRAMMABLE TOY WITH INDEPENDENT GAME CARTRIDGE in which a toy vehicle or the like supports a keyboard on an independent cartridge with a microprocessor which may be activated by a user to selectively cooperate with the toy vehicle and set up any one of multiple motions by the toy vehicle. Sounds and lights are also provided for additional effect and may be coordinated to the toy vehicle movement. The keyboard on the cartridge may also be used independently to play a game programmed into the cartridge microprocessor.

[0006] U.S. Patent 5,908,345 issued to Choi sets forth a PROGRAMMABLE TOY having a keyboard supported on the toy vehicle body. The keyboard may be activated by a user to set up a desired sequencing of motions, lights and sounds.

[0007] U.S. Patent 5,697,829 issued to Chainani, et al. sets forth a PROGRAMMABLE TOY which utilizes a graphic programming system implemented on a personal computer. The programmable toy comprises a vehicle that can be instructed to make various movements and turns and, additionally, may be programmed to track an infrared source. The graphic program is created by selection of graphic objects from the control panel which are presented on a cartoon-like graphic screen.

[0008] U.S. Patent 5,656,907 issued to Chainani, et al. sets forth a METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROGRAMMING TOYS utilizing a graphic programming system implemented on a personal computer. In the preferred embodiment, the programmable toy comprises a vehicle that can be commanded to make various turns and movements or to track an infrared source.

[0009] U.S. Patents 3,131,508 issued to Brown; 3,482,352 issued to Helm; 3,621,608 issued to Bosley, et al.; 3,648,408 issued to Terzian, et al. and 3,780,470 issued to Roberts, et al. set forth a variety of early attempts to provide programmable toy vehicles.

[0010] In an art area generally related to the fanciful expression portion of the present invention toy vehicle, practitioners in the art have provided a number of facial expression dolls and toy figures. For example, U.S. Patent 6,733,358 issued to Jacobs sets forth a TALKING ACTION FIGURE HAVING FACIAL EXPRESSIONS in which a body defining an internal cavity supports a head attached to the body. The head is deformable into a plurality of facial expressions. An electrical circuit disposed within the body cavity is operatively coupled to a sound generator. The sound generator and circuit cooperate to produce audible speech. An actuator is operatively coupled to both the head and the electrical circuit and is arranged to synchronize changes of facial expression with the sound produced.

[0011] U.S. Patent 6,544,098 issued to Hampton, et al. sets forth an INTERACTIVE TOY having a small fabric-colored toy creature which displays a variety of facial expressions and which undergoes various speech routines coordinated or related to the facial expressions.

[0012] U.S. Patent 6,068,536 and 6,352,464, a continuation thereof, both issued to Madland, et al. and both entitled MECHANISM FOR ANIMATED CHARACTER set forth a character generally resembling a food article such as an apple or the like within which a movement mechanism is supported. The figure defines a plurality of facial features which are moved by the movement mechanism.

[0013] U.S. Patent D464,382 issued to Hornsby, et al. sets forth a TOY having a fanciful somewhat robot-like figure supported by a plurality of wheels and having extending arms displays different features upon a facial screen supported on the figure.

[0014] U.S. Patent 6,616,503 issued to Fong sets forth an ANIMATION DEVICE FOR HEAD AND MOUTH OF A TOY having a cam assembly which is operative to engage the jaw of a toy figure. The cam assembly is configured for linear movement along a first axis concurrently with pivotal movement about second and third axes which extend in generally perpendicular relation to each other and to the first axis. The assembly is supported within a housing suitable for installment in a toy figure or the like.

[0015] U.S. Patents 5,823,847 issued to Gellman; 5,769,687 issued to Ko; 5,108,341 issued to DeSmet; 4,294,033 issued to Terzian; 3,828,469 issued to Giroud and 3,660,932 issued to Raffeli, et al. set forth examples of facial expression changing apparatus for dolls and the like which generally to the facial expression changing capabilities of the present invention toy vehicle.

[0016] Other prior art devices relating generally to the subject matter of the present invention are found in U.S. Patent 6,699,097 issued to Rudell, et al.; 4,775,352 issued to Curran, et al.; 4,767,374 issued to Yang and 4,683,669 issued to Greer, Jr.

[0017] U.S. Patent 6,354,842 issued to Frei sets forth a ROLLING TOY WHICH MOTION RECORDING AND PLAYBACK CAPABILITY while U.S. Patent 5,306,197 issued to Watanabe sets forth a KEY ACTION, MOVABLE TOY both of which relate generally to the subject of toy vehicles.

[0018] Additional prior art devices relating generally to the subject matter of the present invention are found in U.S. Patents 6,386,942 issued to Tang; 6,257,948 issued to Silva; 6,079,985 issued to Wohl, et al.; 6,053,798 issued to Tang; Published U.S. Patent Application 2005/0026537 filed on behalf of Hsieh, et al.; Published U.S. Patent Application 2005/0053909 filed on behalf of Chan and Published U.S. Patent Application 2001/0053651 filed on behalf of Wright.

[0019] While the foregoing described prior art devices have to some extent improved the art and have in some instances enjoyed commercial success, there remains nonetheless a continuing need in the art for evermore interesting, amusing and novel toy vehicles.

Summary of the Invention

[0020] Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved and more interesting toy vehicle. It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide an improved and more interesting toy vehicle which is programmable and which executes a plurality of movements in response to programming. It is a still more particular object of the present invention to provide an improved programmable toy vehicle which provides coordinated facial expressions in a fanciful and entertaining manner. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a toy vehicle having a

supporting chassis which in turn supports a plurality of rolling wheels. A battery powered drive mechanism is operative to impart rotational power to the rear wheels. The front wheels are controlled by a steering mechanism supported upon the chassis. A controller operative within the toy vehicle provides for drive and steering operations for the toy vehicle. In addition, the toy vehicle includes a flexible front bumper having an elongated "mouth" formed therein. Apparatus within the toy vehicle provides for stretching and manipulation of the resilient bumper to open and close the mouth aperture and impart a "mouthing" action. The mouth moving apparatus is coupled to a linkage combination which is further operative to control a pair of simulated eye pupils moveable within the toy vehicle windshield. A pair of simulated eyebrows are also moveably supported within the toy vehicle behind the windshield and are similarly controlled by the linkage mechanism. The controller within the toy vehicle responds to user inputs via a plurality of control buttons supported upon the vehicle body to provide preprogrammed or configured operation of the toy vehicle features such as mouth and eye movement as well as traveling movement of the toy vehicle itself upon the play surface.

[0021] In another respect, the present invention provides a toy vehicle comprising: a body having a windshield aperture, a windshield, a rear window, a plurality of wheels, drive means and steering means; a pair of moveable eye pupils and means for supporting and moving the eye pupils behind the windshield; a pair of moveable eyebrows and means for supporting and moving the eyebrows behind the windshield; a deformable front bumper defining a mouth aperture therein and means for supporting and deforming the front bumper upon the body; a controller operatively coupled to the drive means and the steering means to move and steer the toy vehicle upon a play surface and to control the means for moving and supporting the eye pupils and the means for supporting the eyebrows to create facial expressions for the toy vehicle; and a plurality of user inputs supported on the rear window for providing user programming inputs to the controller.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] The features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements and in which:

[0023] Figure 1 sets forth a front perspective view of a toy vehicle constructed in accordance with the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 sets forth a rear perspective view of the present invention toy vehicle;

[0025] Figure 3 sets forth a partial front view of the present invention toy vehicle showing the mouth bumper thereof;

[0026] Figure 4 sets forth a perspective view of the chassis and operative mechanisms of the present invention toy vehicle having the body and bumper removed therefrom.

[0027] Figure 5 sets forth a partial front perspective view of the operative mechanism of the toy vehicle chassis in Figure 4;

[0028] Figure 6 sets forth a further partial perspective view of the toy vehicle chassis and operative mechanism set forth in Figure 4;

[0029] Figure 7 sets forth a perspective rear view of the flexible bumper and mouth of the present invention toy vehicle.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

[0030] By way of overview, the present invention toy vehicle includes a molded plastic body supported upon a rolling chassis having a plurality of support wheels. The chassis further supports a battery powered motor drive mechanism as well as a steering mechanism operative upon the front wheels of the vehicle. Additional features are provided within the toy vehicle which include a resilient deformable bumper having a simulated moveable mouth formed therein. The vehicle features further include a windshield having a pair of simulated moveable eye pupils and a pair of simulated moveable eyebrows. The eyebrows and eye pupils are utilized to provide various expressions for the toy vehicle. The eye movement is coordinated with the stretching movement of the resilient bumper through a common internal linkage mechanism to provide complex "facial" features for the vehicle. A keypad having a plurality of user input buttons is situated in the rear window of the toy vehicle and provides user input for programming of the toy vehicle operation and the operation of the toy vehicles features.

[0031] More specifically, Figure 1 sets forth a front perspective view of a toy vehicle constructed in accordance with the present invention and generally referenced by numeral 10. Toy vehicle 10 includes a molded plastic body 11 supporting a resilient front bumper 12 having a mouth 13 formed therein. Body 11 further includes a roof portion 14 and a windshield 15. Windshield 15 is formed of a clear transparent plastic material. A white backing plate 30 is supported behind windshield 15 forming a space therebetween. Within the space between windshield 15 and backing plate 30, a pair of simulated eye pupils 31 and 32 together with a pair of simulated moveable eyebrows 33 and 34 are supported. An operative mechanism within the toy vehicle (seen in Figures 4 through 6) is configured to shape and distort bumper 12 in order to move mouth 13 for talking movement or various expressions. This mechanism is also coupled to the apparatus supporting moveable eye pupils 31 and 32 as well as moveable

eyebrows 33 and 34. In this manner, mouth movement and eye expressions may be coordinated. Body 11 further includes a roof 14 and a rear window which supports a user input keyboard 40 (better seen in Figure 2). Toy vehicle 10 further includes a drive mechanism set forth below which is operative to impart rotational power to rear wheels 17 and 19 and to impart steering to front wheels 16 and 18 (wheels 18 and 19 seen in Figure 2).

[0032] Figure 2 sets forth a rear perspective view of toy vehicle 10 which includes a molded plastic body 11 having a roof portion 14 and a keyboard 40. Toy vehicle 10 is supported upon a pair of front wheels 16 and 18 and is moved by rotational power applied to rear wheels 19 and 17 (wheels 16 and 17 seen in Figure 1). Keyboard 40 is operative to provide user inputs to controller 110 (seen in Figure 6) which is supported upon chassis 70 within the interior of body 11 in the manner set forth below in Figures 4 through 6. Keyboard 40 includes a plurality of expression input buttons 41, 42, 43 and 44 which are operative to cause the internal apparatus within toy vehicle 40 to configure the expression provided by mouth 13 of bumper 12 and moveable eye pupils 31 and 32 together with moveable eyebrows 33 and 34 (all better seen in Figure 1). Thus, the user simply presses a desired one of buttons 41 through 44 to cause toy vehicle 10 to assume a selected fanciful expression. A button 45 provides an input which allows the user to trigger the operation of a light feature (not shown). A pair of program buttons 58 and 59 are operative to input control information to for vehicle programming while button 57 is operative to initiate movement and operation. A plurality of directional buttons 50 through 56 are supported upon keyboard 40 and are utilized in programming controller 111 (seen in Figure 6) and set up the travel of toy vehicle 10 in a preprogramming mode. The programming is relatively straight forward in that the user manipulates buttons 58 and 59 and thereafter inputs directional signals and commands to be undertaken by toy vehicle 10 under the control of controller 110 in a sequential manner using buttons 50 through 56. Once toy vehicle 10 has been programmed, the user actuates button 57 and vehicle 10 moves on a pre selected or pre-programmed course as controller 110 executes each selected movement. Controller 111 is

conventional in fabrication utilizing a conventional microprocessor and associated memory. Each of the preprogrammed movements and the like are stored within the microprocessor memory.

[0033] Figure 3 sets forth a partial front perspective view of toy vehicle 10 showing an enlarged view of bumper 12 and mouth 13. As described above, toy vehicle 10 includes a molded plastic body 11 having a roof 14 and a windshield 15. Windshield 15 is formed of a transparent plastic material. A white backing plate 30 is supported behind windshield 15 and a pair of moveable eye pupils 31 and 32 are supported between plate 30 and windshield 15. Also supported between plate 30 and windshield 15 are a pair of moveable simulated eyebrows 33 and 34.

[0034] Bumper 12 is preferably formed of a resilient material such as plastic or the like and is secured to the remainder of body 11 in the manner described below. Bumper 12 defines a mouth 13 which is formed by an elongated aperture in bumper 12. In the preferred fabrication of the present invention, a bumper plate 90 (seen in Figure 4) is supported behind mouth aperture 13 to provide the appearance of simulated white teeth 29 viewable through mouth 13.

[0035] In normal operation, by means set forth below in greater detail, the resilient material of bumper 12 is distorted or deformed to cause a corresponding change in the shape of bumper 12 and mouth 13. This changing shape provides the appearance of mouth movement and mouth expressions for vehicle 10.

[0036] With simultaneous reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 together, the user operation and programming of toy vehicle 10 is set forth in the attached appendix to the present application. As set forth in the appendix, the user is able to provide a variety of toy vehicle operations and programming by simply manipulating and properly operating user input buttons 41 through 59. As mentioned above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the controller operative within toy

vehicle 10 which is referred to as program control 110 seen in Figure 6 utilizes conventional microprocessor apparatus for programming and control.

[0037] Figure 4 sets forth a front perspective view of toy vehicle 10 having body 11 removed therefrom to reveal chassis 70. Chassis 70 is supported by a plurality of wheels 16, 17, 18 and 19 with wheels 16 and 18 being steerable front wheels while wheels 17 and 19 are driven rear wheels. It will be understood that chassis 70 supports a conventional battery power supply and drive motor (not shown) which are constructed entirely in accordance with conventional fabrication techniques.

[0038] More specifically, chassis 70 includes a pair of trailing arm assemblies 72 and 73 which supports steerable front wheels 18 and 16 respectively. Trailing arm assemblies 72 and 73 are coupled together via a steering link 71. A lower cam 82 is rotatably supported upon chassis 70 and means not shown is connected to a source of battery powered motor drive via a plurality of gear teeth 83. Lower cam 82 further supports a cam lobe 94. A slide 84 is supported upon chassis 70 and is moveable front to back. Slide 84 is joined to a bumper attachment plate at its forward end. Slide 84 further includes a pair of cam followers 85 and 96 which interact with cam lobe 94. Thus, as lower cam 82 is rotated, cam lobe 94 interacts with cam followers 85 and 96 of slide 84 to move slide 84 upon chassis 70. Bumper attachment plate 86 further includes a pair of forwardly extending posts 88 and 89. Post 88 and 89 receive and support bumper 12 (seen in Figure 1). A bumper plate 90 is slideably moveable upon chassis 70 and is secured to the back side of bumper 12 by means better seen in Figure 7. Lower cam 82 is further coupled to a moveable traveler 100 which defines a slot 101 receiving a chassis post 102. Traveler 100 is coupled to lower cam 82 by a post 93. Traveler 100 is moved forwardly and backwardly within chassis 70 and includes a riser 103 which in turn supports a socket member 95. By means not shown, socket member 95 is coupled to the operative mechanism which controls simulated eye pupils 31 and 32 as well as moveable eyebrows 33 and 34 (seen in Figure 1). It will be understood that the operative mechanism

utilized in moving simulated eye pupils 31 and 32 as well as simulated eyebrows 33 and 34 comprises the mechanism set forth in the above referenced incorporated provisional patent application. Suffice it to note here that as traveler 100 is moved, socket 95 is correspondingly moved causing movement of the eyes and eyebrows of toy vehicle 10.

[0039] An upper cam 80 is supported by post 81 for rotation and by means not shown engages spline 89 of lower cam 82 (seen in Figure 5). Thus rotation of lower cam 82 produces a corresponding rotation of upper cam 80.

[0040] Referring to Figure 5 and 6 simultaneously, toy vehicle 10 is shown having body 11 removed to expose the details of chassis 70 and the operative apparatus utilized therein. In addition, upper cam 80 has been removed from post

81 to facilitate a better view of splines 89 and link 92. Link 92 is situated at the forward end of traveler 100. Link 92 is further coupled to a link 91 by a post 93 (better seen in Figure 5).

[0041] More specifically, chassis 70 includes a pair of trailing arm assemblies 72 and 73 which supports steerable front wheels 18 and 16 respectively. Trailing arm assemblies 72 and 73 are coupled together via a steering link 71. A lower cam 82 is rotatably supported upon chassis 70 and means not shown is connected to a source of battery-powered motor drive via a plurality of gear teeth 83. Lower cam 82 further supports a cam lobe 94. A slide 84 is supported upon chassis 70 and is moveable front to back. Slide 84 is joined to a bumper attachment plate at its forward end. Slide 84 further includes a pair of cam followers 85 and 96 which interact with cam lobe 94. Thus, as lower cam

82 is rotated, cam lobe 94 interacts with cam followers 85 and 96 of slide 84 to move slide 84 upon chassis 70. Bumper attachment plate 86 further includes a pair of forwardly extending posts 88 and 89. Post 88 and 89 receive and support bumper 12 (seen in Figure 1). A bumper plate 90 is slideably moveable upon chassis 70 and is secured to the back side of bumper 12 by means better seen in Figure 7. Lower cam 82 is further coupled to a moveable traveler 100 which

defines a slot 101 receiving a chassis post 102. Traveler 100 is coupled to lower cam 82 by a post 93. Traveler 100 is moved forwardly and backwardly within chassis 70 and includes a riser 103 which in turn supports a socket member 95. By means not shown, socket member 95 is coupled to the operative mechanism which controls simulated eye pupils 31 and 32 as well as moveable eyebrows 33 and 34 (seen in Figure 1). It will be understood that the operative mechanism utilized in moving simulated eye pupils 31 and 32 as well as simulated eyebrows 33 and 34 comprises the mechanism set forth in the above referenced incorporated provisional patent application. Suffice it to note here that as traveler 100 is moved, socket 95 is correspondingly moved causing movement of the eyes and eyebrows of toy vehicle 10.

[0042] Figure 7 sets forth a rear perspective view of bumper 12 showing mouth 13 together with a pair of generally cylindrical receptacles 20 and 21. Receptacles 20 and 21 receive posts 88 and 87 of bumper attachment plate 86 (seen in Figure 4). In addition, bumper plate 90 is positioned against the rear side of bumper 12 to provide further forming of bumper 12.

[0043] What has been shown is a novel toy vehicle which is capable of substantial fanciful facial expressions and programmed drive operations. The drive operation the vehicle and the facial expressions are further controllable by direct keyboard input.

[0044] While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.