Toy vehicle having smoking tire function

• US 8,491,351 B2
• Filed: 07/10/2009
• Issued: 07/23/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael Trzecieski
• Original Assignee: Michael Trzecieski
• Inventors: Trzecieski, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): Baldori, Joseph B
• Application Number:
  US12/500,626
• Publication Number:
  US 20100009591A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,474 Days
• Field of Search: 446/438, 446/437, 446/456, 446/460, 446/465, 446/466, 446/468
• US Class Current: 446/468
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 17/26 Details; Accessories drive mechanisms A63H29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 19/14 Arrangements for imitating locomotive features, e.g. whistling, signalling, puffing

Abstract

The embodiments of the invention provide for a toy vehicle having a smoking tire function where during play of the toy vehicle the simulated smoke gives the toy vehicle an appearance of the toy vehicle performing a burnout, such as that which is seen as being performed by high horse powered drift cars, where the simulated smoke is generated by heating of a smoke fluid or through a water fogger. In either case the simulated smoke is released proximate the at least a wheel thereof to give the toy vehicle an appearance of having smoking tires.

Claims

1. A remotely controlled toy vehicle capable of performing a fishtail or spin operation, the toy vehicle comprising:

a body;

first to fifth wheels rotationally coupled for contacting a ground and for rotating with respect to the body;

a first motor coupled between the fifth wheel and the body for rotating the fifth wheel with respect to the body for performing the fishtail or spin operation;

wherein in a first mode of operation, the fifth wheel contacts the ground, whereby the third and fourth wheels do not contact the ground, causing the toy vehicle to perform the fishtail or spin operation when the fifth wheel is rotated by the motor, and in a second mode of operation, the fifth wheel does not contact the ground, whereby the third and fourth wheels contact the ground;

an exhaust tube having an aperture disposed proximate the third or fourth wheels, or both; and

a smoke generating unit fluidly coupled with the exhaust tube for generating simulated smoke wherein the simulated smoke exits the exhaust tube at the aperture and proximate the third or fourth wheels when the toy vehicle is performing the fishtail or spin operation.

2. A toy vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the smoke generating unit comprises a blowing system for inducing a discharge of simulated smoke through the exhaust tube.

3. A toy vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the smoke generating unit comprises a reservoir for containing smoke fluid for use in generating the simulated smoke.

4. A toy vehicle according to claim 3 wherein the smoke generating unit comprises a heating element configured for having the smoke fluid be in a controllable contact therewith for having the smoke fluid heated to a temperature for facilitating the generating of the simulated smoke.

5. A toy vehicle according to claim 4 wherein the smoke fluid comprises water and at least one of glycol and glycerin.

6. A toy vehicle according to claim 4 wherein the smoke generating unit comprises a smoke actuator assembly for actuating a controlled release of the smoke fluid for contacting the heating element.

7. A toy vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the smoke generating unit comprises an ultrasonic water fogger and a reservoir for containing water, wherein the ultrasonic water fogger is fluidly coupled with the reservoir for generating a fog when controllably contacted with the water and wherein the simulated smoke comprises water vapor.

8. A toy vehicle according to claim 1 comprising a blowing system for facilitating travel of the simulated smoke through the exhaust tube.

9. A toy vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the body of the toy vehicle resembles a car.

10. A toy vehicle according to claim 9 further comprising a second motor coupled to the third and fourth wheels;

a steering assembly coupled with the first and second wheels; and

a steering actuator coupled to the steering assembly for actuating the first and second wheels to perform a steering operation.

11. A toy vehicle according to claim 1 comprising a control circuit coupled with the motor and the smoke generating unit, wherein the control circuit is coupled with a speaker for generating sound.

12. A toy vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the at least a wheel comprises a hub, the toy vehicle further comprising a propeller disposed proximate the aperture of the exhaust tube and coupled with the at least a wheel for rotating with respect to the body and for sucking the simulated smoke from the exhaust tube and venting it through the hub.