System for steering a toy vehicle

Abstract

A steerable toy vehicle includes a first steering plate having a proximal end and a distal end, the first steering plate having a first steering plate pivot point at its distal end, and a second steering plate having a proximal end engaged with the proximal end of the first steering plate so that rotation of the second steering plate in a first rotational direction causes the first steering plate to rotate in a second rotational direction. The vehicle includes at least one tire rotatably coupled to the first steering plate, and at least one tire rotatably coupled to the second steering plate. Rotation of either one of the first or second steering plates in a first rotational direction causes the toy vehicle to steer left, and rotation of the same one of the first or second steering plates in a second rotational direction causes the toy vehicle to steer right.

1 . A toy vehicle steering apparatus, comprising:
 a first steering plate having a proximal end and a distal end, said first steering plate having a first steering plate pivot point at said distal end;   a second steering plate having a proximal end engaged with said proximal end of said first steering plate so that rotation of said second steering plate in a first rotational direction causes said first steering plate to rotate in a second rotational direction;   at least one tire rotatably coupled to said first steering plate; and   at least one tire rotatably coupled to said second steering plate;   
       wherein rotation of either one of said first or second steering plates in a first rotational direction causes said toy vehicle to steer left, and rotation of the same one of said first or second steering plates in a second rotational direction causes said toy vehicle to steer right. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said second steering plate comprises a slot to receive a post extending from said first steering plate whereby said first steering plate and said second steering plate are slidably and rotatably engaged at said proximal ends. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said proximal end of said second steering plate comprises a plurality of gear teeth to receive a corresponding plurality of gear teeth on said proximal end of said first steering plate. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a body steering armature coupled to a vehicle body, said body steering armature engaged with one of said first or second steering plates;   wherein rotation of said vehicle body about a major axis of said toy vehicle causes said body steering armature to rotate about said major axis, thereby causing rotation of said one of said first or second steering plates through said engagement of said body steering armature with said one of said first or second steering plates.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , said body steering armature comprising:
 a post to engage a channel of one of said first or second steering plates, so that rotation of said body steering armature about said major axis of said toy vehicle pushes said post against side walls of said channel resulting in rotation of said one of said first or second steering plates.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a chassis to seat said first steering plate and said second steering plate.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein said first steering plate is rotatably coupled to said chassis at said first steering plate pivot point. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein said second steering plate has a distal end rotatably coupled to said chassis at a second steering plate pivot point. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein said first steering plate pivot point is aligned with the axis of rotation of said at least one tire. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein said chassis further comprises:
 a raised axle guide to raise an axle connected to one of said at least one tire rotatably coupled to said first steering plate and said at least one tire rotatably coupled to said second steering plate, as a respective one of said first steering plate and said second steering plate is rotated;   wherein said toy vehicle steering apparatus appears to walk when steered alternately right and left.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 an axle frame support coupled to said axle, said axle frame support rotatably coupled to said first steering plate.   
     
     
         12 . A method of steering a toy vehicle, comprising:
 rotating a first steering plate about a first steering plate pivot point in a first angular direction, said actuating causing at least one tire rollably connected to said first steering plate to change its axis of rotation;   rotating a second steering plate engaged with said first steering plate in a second angular direction directionally opposite from said first angular direction, said second steering plate rotating in response to said rotating of said first steering plate and said rotating said second steering plate causing at least one tire rollably connected to said second steering plate to change its axis of rotation in an angular direction opposite from the change in the axis of rotation of said at least one tire rollably connected to said first steering plate;   wherein said at least one tire rollably connected to said first steering plate and said at least one tire rollably connected to said second steering plate are steered in opposite angular directions to steer the toy vehicle.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 guiding an axle cam connected to one of said at least one tire rollably connected to said first steering plate over a raised axle guide as said first steering plate is rotated in said first angular direction.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 rotating a vehicle body about a major axis of said toy vehicle;   translating said rotating of said vehicle body about the major axis of said toy vehicle to said rotating said first steering plate.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein said rotating a vehicle body comprises grasping the vehicle body with a hand and applying force to rotate the vehicle body. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein said translating said rotating of said vehicle body comprises pushing said first steering plate about said first steering plate pivot point using a body steering armature coupled to said vehicle body. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein said rotating said second steering plate is accomplished by a post on said first steering plate pushing against side walls of a slot established in said second steering plate. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein said rotating said second steering plate is accomplished by gear teeth on said first steering plate driving complementary gear teeth established on said second steering plate. 
     
     
         19 . A toy vehicle steering apparatus:
 front and rear steering plates engaged at their respective proximal ends;   a chassis to seat said front and rear steering plates;   front left and front right tires rollably coupled to a front steering plate and positioned along a front tire rotation axis, said front steering plate rotatably coupled to said chassis at a point along said front tire rotation axis;   rear left and rear right tires rollably coupled to a back steering plate and positioned along a rear tire rotation axis, said rear steering plate rotatably coupled to said chassis at a point along said rear tire rotation axis;   a toy vehicle body rotatably coupled to said chassis along a major axis of said toy vehicle;   a body steering armature coupled to said toy vehicle body, said body steering armature engaged with one of said first or second steering plates;   wherein said front left and front right tires steer the toy vehicle in a first direction in response to rotation of said vehicle body about said major axis of said toy vehicle in a first rotational direction and said rear left and rear right tires steer the toy vehicle in a second direction in response to rotation of said vehicle body about said major axis of said toy vehicle in a second rotational direction.   
     
     
         20 . The toy vehicle of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a raised axle guide positioned to raise an axle connected to one of said at front left and front right tires rollably coupled to said front steering plate as a respective one of said first steering plate and said second steering plate is rotated;   wherein said toy vehicle steering apparatus appears to walk when steered alternately right and left.