Finger-Powered Toy Vehicle

Abstract

A toy vehicle that is configured to be propelled along a support surface by the force of a user's finger, including a chassis that carries at least one wheel that allows the vehicle to roll along the support surface, and a drum carried by the chassis such that the drum is able to spin about a horizontal drum spin axis relative to the chassis. The drum is carried at a height above the at least one wheel such that the drum does not touch the support surface. When the finger is moved down along a surface of the drum, a forward force is created on the vehicle that causes the vehicle to be propelled forward.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A toy vehicle that is configured to be propelled along a support surface by the force of a user's finger, comprising:
 a chassis that carries at least one wheel that allows the vehicle to roll along the support surface; and   a drum carried by the chassis such that the drum is able to spin about a horizontal drum spin axis relative to the chassis, wherein the drum is carried at a height above the at least one wheel such that the drum does not touch the support surface;   wherein when the finger is moved down along a surface of the drum, a forward force is created on the vehicle that causes the vehicle to be propelled forward.   
     
     
         2 . The toy vehicle of  claim 1  wherein the chassis comprises a drum support structure that defines the drum spin axis. 
     
     
         3 . A toy vehicle that is configured to be propelled along a support surface by the force of a user's finger, comprising:
 a chassis that carries at least one wheel that allows the vehicle to roll along the support surface; and   a backward angled ramp carried by the chassis at a height above the at least one wheel such that the ramp does not touch the support surface;   wherein when the finger is moved down along a surface of the ramp, a forward force is created on the vehicle that causes the vehicle to be propelled forward.   
     
     
         4 . A toy vehicle that is configured to be propelled along a support surface by the force of a user's finger, comprising:
 a chassis that carries at least one wheel that allows the vehicle to roll along the support surface; and   a propulsion surface that is configured to be pressed on downward and backward simultaneously by the user's finger, the propulsion surface carried by the chassis such that the propulsion surface does not touch the support surface;   wherein when the finger is moved down along the propulsion surface, a forward force is created on the vehicle that causes the vehicle to be propelled forward.