Wheel assembly for a toy

• US 20040063384A1
• Filed: 09/30/2002
• Published: 04/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RadioShack Legacy Corporation
• Original Assignee: RadioShack Legacy Corporation
• Inventors: Hui, Wai
• Granted Patent: US 6,945,840 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 446/465
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 17/262 Chassis; Wheel mountings; Wheels; Axles; Suspensions; Fitting body portions to chassis
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 29/22 Electric drives power supply through track A63H18/12
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 30/04 using wireless transmission

Abstract

A mobile toy is described. The mobile toy includes a wheel assembly having a hubcap for removably engaging a wheel of the wheel assembly. The mobile toy may also include a transmitter having a charging pad for charging of a radio-controlled embodiment of the toy. The transmitter comprises an indicator showing certain states of the toy as well as a storage compartment for housing items associated with the toy. Additional embodiments include an assembly for retaining the toy on the charging pad during charging of the toy. A kit for storing the components of the radio-controlled embodiment of the toy is also described.

Claims

1. A wheel assembly for a toy car, comprising:

a wheel having a circumferential surface, the wheel comprising;

at least one bore disposed through the wheel;

a rim extruded circumferentially along the side of the wheel, the rim having a slot;

a hub concentrically extending from the wheel; and

an extruded ring formed on the circumferential surface of the wheel;

a hubcap adapted to couple to the wheel, the hubcap comprising;

at least one protrusion extending from the hubcap for engaging the at least one bore disposed through the wheel to form a removable connection;

a tab extending radially outward from the hubcap for aligning with the slot of the rim; and

and a bore disposed concentrically through the hubcap for aligning with the hub extending from the wheel; and

a tire having a channeled groove for fitting over the extruded ring of the wheel.

2. The wheel assembly of claim 1 wherein the hub is an annular flange.

3. A wheel assembly for a toy car, comprising:

a wheel having at least one bore disposed there through;

a hubcap having at least one protrusion wherein the protrusion engages the at least one bore of the wheel to form a removable connection between the hubcap and the wheel.

4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the removable connection is a quick-detachable connection.

5. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the hubcap further comprises a tab extending radially outward from the hubcap.

6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the wheel further comprises a rim extruded circumferentially along a side of the wheel.

7. The assembly of claim 6 wherein the tab is adapted to align with a corresponding slot formed in the rim to align the hubcap with the wheel.

8. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the wheel comprises a hub concentrically extending from the wheel for engaging a corresponding bore formed through the hubcap to align the hubcap with the wheel.

9. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the wheel comprises an extruded ring formed around the circumferential surface of the wheel.

10. The assembly of claim 9 further comprising a tire having a channeled groove to fit to the extruded ring of the wheel.

11. A toy car, comprising:

a body for connecting to a chassis;

a motor disposed in the chassis for providing power to the car; and

a wheel assembly operatively connected to the motor for providing the car with mobility, the wheel assembly comprising;

a wheel having at least one bore disposed there through; and

a hubcap having at least one protrusion wherein the protrusion engages the at least one bore of the wheel to form a removable connection between the hubcap and the wheel.

12. The toy car of claim 11 further comprising a tire wherein the tire is removably connected to the wheel assembly.

13. The toy car of claim 11 wherein the body is interchangeable with the chassis.

14. The toy car of claim 11 wherein the wheel further comprises a rim extruded circumferentially along the side of the wheel, the rim having a slot.

15. The toy car of claim 14 wherein the hubcap further comprises a tab extending radially outward from the hubcap for aligning with the slot of the rim.

16. The toy car of claim 11 wherein the wheel further comprises a hub concentrically extending from the wheel.

17. The toy car of claim 16 wherein the hubcap further comprises a bore disposed concentrically there through for aligning with the hub extending from the wheel.

18. The toy car of claim 16 wherein the hub is an annular flange.

19. The toy car of claim 11 wherein the removable connection is a quick-detachable connection.