GB2194457A - A wheel for a toy vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The wheel has a plurality of spaced paddles (22) mounted for pivotable movement between retracted positions (Fig. 1) in which they extend circumferentially of the wheel from respective pivots (24) in the intended direction (A) of rotation of the wheel to define a part of a ground engageable peripheral surface of the wheel, and extended positions (Fig. 3) in which they project outwardly to in use convey the vehicle through water. The paddles (22) are preferably interconnected, such as by an angularly movable spider (19), so that they pivot in unison. The paddles may extend automatically when the vehicle enters water and retract automatically when the vehicle subsequently encounters ground. The wheel may contain buoyant material. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A Wheel for a toy vehicle This invention relates to a wheel for a toy vehicle and to a toy vehicle having at least one such wheel.

It is known to provide wheels for toy vehicles, which have extendable claws or lugs in order that the vehicles can overcome obstacles on the ground.

The present invention, however, seeks to provide a wheel for a toy vehicle, which will convey the vehicle on ground and in water.

According to the invention, there is provided a wheel for a toy vehicle, comprising a plurality of spaced paddles mounted for pivotable movement between retracted positions in which they extend circumferentially of the wheel to define at least a part of a ground engageable peripheral surface of the wheel and extended positions in which they project outwardly to in use convey the vehicle through water.

Preferred and/or optional features of the invention are set forth in claims 2-9.

In a preferred embodiment the paddles pivot automatically from retracted to extended positions when a toy vehicle provided with such a wheel moves from ground into water, and vice versa. Movement to the extended positions may be effected by centrifugal force, gravitational force, the flow of water under the paddles or any combination thereof. This movement is facilitated by arranging for the paddies, when in retracted positions, to extend from respective pivot axes in the intended direction of rotation of the wheels as the water will assist rather than hinder such movement. Moreover, in the preferred embodiment the paddles are interconnected so that they pivot in unison. This has the advantage that all paddles will remain in retracted positions as the vehicle is conveyed on land.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front view of one embodiment of a wheel according to the invention, with the cover plate removed and with the paddles in retracted positions, Figure 2 is a section taken along the line ll-ll of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a front view similar to that of Figure 1, - but showing the paddles in extended positions, and Figure 4 is a view taken from the right side of Figure 3 with the cover plate in position.

Referring now to the drawings, the wheel shown therein comprises a hollow shell 10 having a body part 11 and cover plate 12.

The body part 11 has an inner end portion 13 and a cylindrical wall 14 provided with eguiangularly spaced slots 15 extending parallel to the axis of the wheel and over the entire axial length of the wall 14. An elongate wheel hub 16 is formed integrally with the body part 11.

The hub 16 has a blind elongate bore 17 at its inner end for receiving an axle (not shown) as a press-fit and at its outer end it has a reduced diameter portion 18 for supporting a spider 19 and a threaded hole 20 which mates with the thread on a screw fastener 21 to secure the cover plate 12 to the body part 11.

The wheel also comprises a plurality of paddles 22. Each paddle has an arcuate blade portion 23, a pivot portion 24 provided at opposite ends with integral trunnions 25 and an inwardly projecting arm 26 at the outer end of the pivot portion 24. The trunnions 25 are located in holes provided in the end portion 13 of the body part 11 and the cover plate 12, respectively, and support the paddles 22 for pivotable movement relative to the shell 10 between retracted positions (shown in Figures 1 and 2) and extended positions (shown in Figures 3 and 4).

The spider 19 is mounted on the hub 16 for free angular movement relative thereto and has a plurality of radially extending arms 26' egual in number to the number of paddles 22.

The arms 26' have elongate slots 27 which slidably receive pegs 28 projecting outwardly from positions adjacent to the free ends of the arms 26 of the paddies 22. The spider 19 ensures that the paddles 22 pivot in unison and do not pivot independently of one another and also serves to limit the extent of pivotable movement of the paddles 22.

When in retracted positions the paddles 22 extend circumferentially of the wheel and bear against the outer surface of the wall 14. In these positions the paddles define a ground engageable peripheral surface of the wheel and as shown can be provided with a tread pattern comprising integral angularly spaced transversely extending ribs 29 in order to improve traction. Gaps 30 are provided between adjacent paddles 22 for a purpose which will become apparent later.

The wheels are mounted on a toy vehicle axle in such a way that the paddles 22, when in a retracted position, extend from their respective pivot portions 24 in the intended direction of rotation of the wheel indicated by arrow A in Figure 1. As the wheel enters water and the vehicle floats, the paddles 22 will automatically extend to the positions shown in Figures 3 and 4 as a result of the centrifugal force applied to the rotating paddles in conjunction with the force applied thereto by water which enters gaps 30 and acts on the undersides of the paddles. The paddles 22 will thus convey the vehicle through the water.

When the wheels again make contact with the ground the weight of the vehicle acting through the lowermost paddle or paddles will cause the latter to retract automatically to the position shown in Figure 1.

The wheels may contain buoyant material (not shown) such as a block of expanded polystyrene, in order to enhance the buoyancy of the wheels.

A preferred toy vehicle will have two axles both of which are driven by a battery operated motor contained within the toy vehicle and a wheel, as described above, mounted at each end of each axle.

The- above embodiment is given by way of example only and various modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (13)

1. A wheel for a toy vehicle, comprising a plurality of spaced paddles mounted for pivotable movement between retracted positions in which they extend circumferentially of the wheel to define at least a part of a ground engageable peripheral surface of the wheel and extended positions in which they project outwardly to in use convey the vehicle through water.

2. A wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the paddles are interconnected so that they pivot in unison.

3. A wheel as claimed in claim 2, wherein the paddles are interconnected by a spider mounted for angular movement about the axis of the wheel.

4. A wheel as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the paddles, when in retracted positions, extend from respective pivot axes in the intended direction of rotation of the wheel.

5. A wheel as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the paddles are arranged so as to pivot automatically from said retracted to said extended positions when in use a toy vehicle provided with such a wheel moves from ground into water, and vice versa.

6. A wheel as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the paddles are of arcuate shape.

7. A wheel as claimed in claim 6, wherein the outer surface of each paddle, as considered in its retracted position, has an imitation tread pattern.

8. A wheel as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims, wherein buoyant material is contained within the wheel.

9. A wheel as claimed in claim 8, wherein the buoyant material is expanded polystyrene.

10. A wheel for a toy vehicle, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

11. A toy vehicle having at least one wheel according to anyone of the preceding claims.

12. A toy vehicle having at least two driven axles and a wheel according to anyone of claims 1-10 mounted on opposite ends of each axle for rotation therewith.

13. A toy amphibious vehicle having at least one driven wheel provided with a plurality of paddles which extend automatically when the vehicle enters water and which retract automatically when the vehicle subsequently encounters ground.