Toy vehicle with adjustable mass that changes driving characteristics

Abstract

In an aspect, a toy vehicle is provided and includes a main body, wheels and a power source. The main body includes a fixed portion and a movable portion that is movably connected to the fixed position for movement between a first movable portion position and a second movable portion position, which moves the center of gravity of the vehicle to a first or second position respectively. When the movable portion is in the first position, the power source drives the toy vehicle into a wheelie. When the movable portion is in the second position, the power source drives the toy vehicle without driving the toy vehicle into a wheelie.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A toy vehicle, comprising:
 a main body, wherein the main body includes a fixed portion and a movable portion that is movably connected to the fixed position for movement between a first movable portion position and a second movable portion position;   a plurality of wheels that are rotatably mounted to the main body and positioned for rollably supporting the main body on a support surface, wherein the plurality of wheels includes at least one driven wheel; and   a power source that is supported by the main body and is operable to store energy therein, and is operatively connected to the at least one driven wheel so as to release stored energy to drive rotation of the at least one driven wheel, so as to drive the toy vehicle on the support surface,   wherein positioning of the movable portion of the main body in the first movable portion position moves a center of gravity of the toy vehicle to a first CG position, and positioning of the movable portion of the main body in the second movable portion position moves the center of gravity of the toy vehicle to a second CG position,   wherein, when the movable portion of the main body is in the first movable portion position, release of the stored energy drives the toy vehicle into a wheelie while driving the toy vehicle on the support surface,   and wherein, when the movable portion of the main body is in the second movable portion position, release of the stored energy drives the toy vehicle on the support surface without driving the toy vehicle into a wheelie.   
     
     
         2 . A toy vehicle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the main body includes a fulcrum feature that extends laterally on a first side of the main body, and wherein the fulcrum feature is positioned at a selected longitudinal position relative to the second CG position of the center of gravity so as to hold the toy vehicle with the at least one driven wheel in contact with the support surface, such that, when the movable portion of the main body is in the second movable portion position and the toy vehicle is tipped over onto the first side of the main body, the contact by the at least one driven wheel with the support surface drives the toy vehicle on the support surface while tipped over. 
     
     
         3 . A toy vehicle as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the fulcrum feature is a first fulcrum feature and the main body includes a second fulcrum feature that extends laterally on a second side of the main body, and wherein the second fulcrum feature is positioned at a second selected longitudinal position relative to the second CG position of the center of gravity so as to hold the toy vehicle with the at least one driven wheel in contact with the support surface, such that, when the movable portion of the main body is in the second movable portion position and the toy vehicle is tipped over onto the second side of the main body, the contact by the at least one driven wheel with the support surface drives the toy vehicle on the support surface while tipped over. 
     
     
         4 . A toy vehicle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the toy vehicle has exactly one front wheel and exactly one rear wheel and wherein the at least one driven wheel includes the rear wheel. 
     
     
         5 . A toy vehicle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the power source is a flywheel. 
     
     
         6 . A toy vehicle as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the flywheel is connected to the rear wheel via a plurality of gears. 
     
     
         7 . A toy vehicle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the main body includes a representation of a vehicle body and a representation of a vehicle driver, and wherein the representation of the vehicle driver includes a first vehicle driver portion that is articulatable relative to a second vehicle driver portion, wherein the first vehicle driver portion is the first movable portion. 
     
     
         8 . A toy vehicle as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the fixed portion of the main body includes a fork member that holds the front wheel, wherein the fork member is pivotable relative to a remainder of the fixed portion of the main body through a range of movement, wherein, in all positions of the fork member in the range of movement when the movable portion of the main body is in the first movable portion position, release of the stored energy drives the toy vehicle into a wheelie while driving the toy vehicle on the support surface. 
     
     
         9 . A toy vehicle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the movable portion is stable in the first movable portion position and in the second movable portion position.