Powered toy

Abstract

The invention relates to a toy vehicle, which can be propelled along a surface via one or more wheels provided as part of the toy. The toy includes first and second parts, and a propulsion force generating means mounted within at least one of the parts. Relative movement, such as by rotation of the first and second parts causes storage of energy within the propulsion means. This propulsion force can be selectively released when the first and second parts are in a selected engaged position so as to move the toy across the surface.

1 . A toy, said toy having a body formed from at least two parts, and a propulsion force generating means which, when charged exerts a movement force on the toy and wherein the propulsion force generating means is charged by relative movement between the said first and second parts, following which the toy can be placed on a surface along which the same is propelled when released.  
   
   
       2 . A toy according to  claim 1  wherein the relative movement between the first and second parts is rotational.  
   
   
       3 . A toy according to  claim 2  wherein the rotational movement is about an axis parallel with the longitudinal axis of the body of the toy.  
   
   
       4 . A toy according to  claim 1  wherein the first and second parts are separable.  
   
   
       5 . A toy according to  claim 1  wherein the parts are movable to a first position in which relative rotation between the parts is possible, and a second position in which the first and second parts are mechanically located to form the toy body for play and in which position the toy is placed on said surface.  
   
   
       6 . A toy according to  claim 1  wherein the propulsion force is applied to the part of the toy in which the propulsion force generating means is located.  
   
   
       7 . A toy according to  claim 1  wherein the propulsion force is applied to at least one wheel provided as part of the toy so as to move the toy across the surface.  
   
   
       8 . A toy according to  claim 1  wherein the toy includes propulsion force generating means including a coil spring, said coil spring wound by relative movement of the first and second parts and, when released, the unwinding of the spring generates the propulsion force.  
   
   
       9 . A toy according to  claim 1  wherein the toy includes a plurality of wheels for contact with the surface to aid the movement of the toy along said surface under the influence of the propulsion force.  
   
   
       10 . A toy according to  claim 1  wherein the first and second parts are provided with matching engagement means to locate the first and second parts together.  
   
   
       11 . A toy according to  claim 10  wherein at least a part of the engagement means are rotatable so as to wind a spring of the propulsion force generating means via a gear system.  
   
   
       12 . A toy according to  claim 11  wherein the relative rotation is transferred to the spring via a gear system.  
   
   
       13 . A toy according to  claim 11  wherein the engagement means include a male spigot in one of the first or second parts of the toy and a female port in the other of the first or second parts for the reception of the spigot.  
   
   
       14 . A toy according to  claim 10  wherein the first and second parts can be moved between a first engaged position in which the propulsion force generating means can be charged and a second engaged position in which the propulsion force generating means cannot be charged.  
   
   
       15 . A toy according to  claim 10  wherein the engagement means include an assembly which ensures that when relative rotation between the parts in one direction occurs, charging of the propulsion force generating means can occur.  
   
   
       16 . A toy according to  claim 1  wherein the propulsion force generating means includes a limiter to prevent over rotation from causing damage.  
   
   
       17 . A toy according to  claim 1  wherein the toy is a scale toy vehicle.  
   
   
       18 . A toy according to  claim 1  wherein the toy can be hand held.  
   
   
       19 . A toy according to  claim 1  wherein location means are provided at the interface between the first and second parts which, when engaged prevent relative rotation of said parts.  
   
   
       20 . A kit of toy parts, said kit comprising one or more pieces of a first part of the toy and one or more pieces of a second part of the toy, engagement means provided to allow selected first and second parts to be connected together to form a toy vehicle and wherein the parts are provided with engagement means which are common for the pieces of the first part type and for the pieces of the second part respectively so as to allow the engagement of selected first and second parts from the kit and, when engaged relative movement of the first and second parts causes the charging of propulsion force generating means provided in the toy vehicle.  
   
   
       21 . A kit according to  claim 20  wherein the charging of the propulsion force generating means occurs regardless of which of the specific pieces of each of the parts is selected.  
   
   
       22 . A kit according to  claim 21  wherein the selected first and second parts are relatively rotatable to charge the propulsion force generating means within one of the first or second parts of the toy.  
   
   
       23 . A method of forming and propelling a toy model vehicle across a surface, said method comprising the step of forming the toy by engaging first and second parts at an interface via engagement means, at least one of said parts including at least one wheel connected to be driven by a propulsion force generating means located in said part, engaging said first and second parts in a first position, and moving said parts rotatably about a longitudinal axis of a spigot depending from one part into a port in the other part, said spigot engaged to allow the rotational movement between the parts to be transmitted to the propulsion force generating means to charge the same, moving the first and second parts to a second position in which the same cannot be relatively rotated and selectively releasing the at least one wheel to be driven, to allow the propulsion force from the propulsion force generating means to rotate the at least one wheel and hence drive the toy vehicle across said surface.  
   
   
       24 . A method according to  claim 23  wherein the method can be repeated for each occasion upon which the toy vehicle is to be propelled across a surface.