Action toy

• US 5,041,049 A
• Filed: 08/16/1990
• Issued: 08/20/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: William C. Wax
• Original Assignee: William C. Wax
• Inventors: Wax, William C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hafer, Robert A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KENEALY, DAVID
• Application Number:
  US07/568,115
• Time in Patent Office: 369 Days
• Field of Search: 446/290, 446/169, 446/170, 446/465, 446/269, 446/270, 446/289, 446/271, 446/273
• US Class Current: 446/289
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 15/00 Other gravity-operated toy figures

Abstract

A directional control for small action toys. The toy includes a spherical ball lead element which directs the movement and direction of the toy in a downhill gravity path and a pair of trailing ground wheels which bear the weight of the body and chassis of the toy. The ground wheels are positioned at the balance point of the toy to keep the weight of the toy off of the spherical ball to enhance turning performance. A removable retainer secures the spherical ball in position and allows easy removal of the ball for cleaning.

Claims

1. A toy comprising:

a body having a front section an intermediate section, and a rear section;

wherein, the front section is provided with an enlarged socket defining a portion of a hemisphere;

the intermediate section is provided with a first groove; and

, the end section is provided with an enlarged cavity

an enlarged spherical ball disposed in said socket;

an axle equipped with a pair of ground engaging wheels wherein said axle is disposed in said groove; and

a counterweight operatively disposed in said enlarged cavity wherein the axle is positioned proximate the balance point of said body.

2. The toy as in claim 1 further including:

a retainer removably attached to said body and having a surface disposed adjacent said socket, said surface forming a continuation of said hemisphere disposed to contact and retain the spherical ball in the socket.

3. The toy as in claim 2;

wherein, said retainer is operatively connected to said counterweight.

4. The toy as in claim 3;

wherein, the operative connection between the retainer and the counterweight is provided with a second groove that is dimensioned similar to said first groove such that the axle is received within the first and second grooves.

5. The toy as in claim 1;

wherein, the axle is disposed below the center of said enlarged spherical ball.

6. The toy of claim 1;

wherein, the greatest distance between the wheels is greater than the distance of the axle from the center of the spherical ball.