Chassis for a track-guided toy vehicle

• US 20060172659A1
• Filed: 01/20/2006
• Published: 08/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dr Ing hc F Porsche AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: Dr Ing hc F Porsche AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Reuter, Uwe
• Granted Patent: US 7,837,532 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 446/444
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 17/14 Endless-track automobiles or trucks
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 17/262 Chassis; Wheel mountings; Wheels; Axles; Suspensions; Fitting body portions to chassis
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 17/36 Steering-mechanisms for toy vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 18/08 with mechanical means for guiding or steering

Abstract

A chassis is provided for a track-guided toy vehicle which is supported on a front axle and a rear axle and has a guide wedge that is movable about a first vertical pivot axle and cooperates with a groove in the raceway. The rear axle is driven by an electric motor, with the rear axle and the electric motor together forming an assembly. Steering capability of the vehicle, is optimized by arranging the assembly to be movable about a second vertical pivot axle. The assembly is operatively connected via a control unit to the chassis-mounted guide wedge.

Claims

1. Chassis arrangement for a track-guided toy vehicle having a front axle and a rear axle and a guide device is movable about a first vertical pivot axis and configured to cooperate with a groove in the raceway in a front area of the arrangement chassis, the rear axle being electric motor, driveable and the rear axle and the electric motor together forming an assembly, wherein the assembly is movable about a second vertical pivot axis and is operatively connected to the guide device mounted on the chassis via a control unit (20).

2. Chassis arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein the control unit comprises a gear transmission and a lever mechanism, said gear transmission having a first tooth element movable about the second pivot axis and a second tooth element rotatable about a third vertical pivot axis, said tooth element being mounted on a receptacle section of the chassis arrangement adjacent to the second pivot axis, and the lever mechanism is operative between the second tooth element and the guide device which is rotatable about the first pivot axis.

3. Chassis arrangement as recited in claim 2, wherein the lever mechanism has four articulated joints.

4. Chassis as recited in claim 2, wherein the lever mechanism has longitudinal control arms that are operatively connected to a transverse control arm of the guide device and lead away from the second tooth element.

5. Chassis arrangement as recited in claim 4, wherein the lever mechanism has longitudinal control arms that are operatively connected to a transverse control arm of the guide device and lead away from the second tooth element.

6. Chassis as recited in claim 4, wherein the longitudinal control arms are arranged on sides of a central longitudinal plane (A-A) of the chassis arrangement.

7. Chassis arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein the control unit comprises a lever mechanism configured to be operative between the assembly and the guide wedge device.

8. Chassis arrangement as recited in claim 7, wherein the lever mechanism (36) has five articulated joints.

9. Chassis arrangement as recited in claims 7, wherein the lever mechanism has a first longitudinal control arm operatively connected to the assembly and a second longitudinal control arm operatively connected to the guide device, said first and second longitudinal control arms being connected to a two-armed lever transverse control arm.

10. Chassis as recited in claim 9, wherein the transverse control arm is configured to be movable about a fourth vertical pivot axis mounted on a receptacle section of the chassis arrangement.

11. Chassis arrangement as recited in claim 7, wherein the lever mechanism is arranged outside a central longitudinal plane of the chassis arrangement.

12. Chassis arrangement as recited in claim 11, wherein the lever mechanism (36) has five articulated joints.

13. Chassis arrangement as recited in claim 12, wherein the lever mechanism has a first longitudinal control arm operatively connected to the assembly and a second longitudinal control arm operatively connected to the guide device, said first and second longitudinal control arms being connected to a two-armed lever transverse control arm.

14. Chassis arrangement as recited in claim 13, wherein the transverse control arm is configured to be movable about a fourth vertical pivot axis mounted on a receptacle section of the chassis arrangement.