Toy vehicle capable of propelling itself into the air
First Claim
1. A toy vehicle comprising:
- a chassis having an upper surface and a center of mass;
a set of front wheels;
a cam surface on the upper surface of the chassis, the cam surface lying on a curve that extends from a cam surface initiation point that lies at a relatively short distance from the center of mass to a rearward point that lies at a relatively long distance from the center of mass; and
means for braking the vehicle with a force sufficient to cause the vehicle to rotate forwardly to bring the cam surface into contact with the ground, the rotation of the vehicle with the cam surface in contact with the ground causing the center of mass to be lifted upwardly with sufficient force to cause the toy to subsequently become airborne.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A toy vehicle has a curved cam surface on the upper surface of its chassis, with a forward point on a tangent that is relatively close to the center of mass of the vehicle, and a rearward point on a tangent that is relatively far from the center of mass. The vehicle includes a breaking mechanism that can be used to start the vehicle rotating forwardly. As the vehicle rotates, the point of contact between the vehicle and the supporting surface moves from the front wheels to a leading edge and subsequently to the cam surface. As the vehicle rotates with the cam surface in contact with the supporting surface, the center of mass of the vehicle is forced upwardly, providing sufficient momentum to propel the vehicle into the air.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A toy vehicle comprising:
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a chassis having an upper surface and a center of mass;
a set of front wheels;
a cam surface on the upper surface of the chassis, the cam surface lying on a curve that extends from a cam surface initiation point that lies at a relatively short distance from the center of mass to a rearward point that lies at a relatively long distance from the center of mass; and
means for braking the vehicle with a force sufficient to cause the vehicle to rotate forwardly to bring the cam surface into contact with the ground, the rotation of the vehicle with the cam surface in contact with the ground causing the center of mass to be lifted upwardly with sufficient force to cause the toy to subsequently become airborne. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A toy vehicle comprising:
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a chassis having an upper surface and a center of mass;
a set of front wheels on an axis;
a leading edge on the chassis, the leading edge extending along a curve that traverses from a tangent to the circumference of the wheels to a cam surface initiation point on a tangent that lies at a relatively short distance from the center of mass;
a cam surface on the upper surface of the chassis, the cam surface lying on a curve that extends from the cam surface initiation point to a rearward point on a tangent that lies at a relatively long distance from the center of mass; and
means for braking the vehicle with a force sufficient to cause the vehicle to rotate forwardly to bring the cam surface into contact with the ground, the rotation of the vehicle with the cam surface in contact with the ground causing the center of mass to be lifted upwardly with sufficient force to cause the toy to subsequently become airborne. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification