×

Toy vehicle, launching apparatus therefor and methods of using the same

  • US 9,707,488 B2
  • Filed: 05/01/2014
  • Issued: 07/18/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2013
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A toy vehicle launching system comprising:

  • a toy vehicle, said toy vehicle further comprisinga housing; and

    a drive wheel rotatably mounted to said housing, said drive wheel having a channel extending through an axle of said drive wheel, and said axle comprising a multi-part drive mechanism comprising an inner bushing and a clutch, wherein said clutch moves in a direction parallel to and rotates about a central axis within said inner bushing;

    wherein said inner bushing further comprises a clutch plate configured to engage a hub on said clutch so as to translate rotation of said clutch into rotation of said inner bushing; and

    a cord comprising an elongate gear configured to drivingly engage said clutch;

    wherein said clutch moves in a first direction parallel to the axle to engage the hub against the clutch plate, translate rotation of the clutch into rotation of the inner bushing, and energize said drive wheel about said axle, when said cord is moved through said drive wheel in the first direction; and

    wherein said clutch moves in a second direction parallel to the axle to disengage the clutch plate and to spin freely, and does not energize said drive wheel about said axle, when the cord is moved through said drive wheel in the second direction.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×