Crane structure for a toy vehicle and crane toy vehicle with such a crane structure

Abstract

A crane assembly for a toy vehicle has a crane arm (5) and at least one crane functional component (12) connected to the crane arm (5) via a rope (10). A winding device (9) has a winding roller (37) for moving the crane functional component (12) between at least one raised position and at least one lowered position. This is achieved by either unwinding the rope (10) from the winding roller (37) or by winding the rope (10) onto the winding roller (37). The winding device (9) has a crank (39) rotatable around a connecting rod (38) as an actuating element for unwinding and winding the rope (10). The connecting rod (39) has a threaded crank section (40) that meshes with a gear section (41) of the winding roller (37). This results in a crane assembly for a toy vehicle with an enhanced play experience.

Description

[0001] The present patent application claims priority over German patent application DE 10 2024 137 360.1, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The invention relates to a crane superstructure for a toy vehicle. Furthermore, the invention relates to a crane toy vehicle with such a crane superstructure.

[0003] Crane-shaped toy vehicles are known from DE 10 2010 001 448 A1 and DE 10 2012 201 191 A1. EP 1 442 775 A1 discloses a toy portal crane. DE 11 06 656 A discloses a toy drive. DE 20 2010 001 558 U1 discloses an overload protection device for a shaft assembly of a toy. DE 299 01 806 U1 discloses a concrete mixer as a toy vehicle.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to further develop a crane structure for a toy vehicle and a crane-equipped toy vehicle of the type mentioned above in such a way as to improve the gaming experience.

[0005] This problem is solved according to the invention by a crane structure with the features specified in claim 1.

[0006] According to the invention, it has been recognized that, despite the difficult guiding properties of connecting ropes or cords, it is possible to provide a winding device for such a rope, with which the rope can be unwound and wound onto a winding drum by means of a crank. The playing child thus has the opportunity to reenact play situations in which a crane component, in the real-life model, is suspended, for example, from a steel cable.

[0007] An embodiment of the at least one crane functional component as a crane hook according to claim 2 enables an interesting gaming experience. Alternatively, instead of a crane hook, the crane functional component can also be designed, for example, as a magnet, a wrecking ball, or another functional component.

[0008] Multiple crane functional components according to claim 3 further enhance the play experience. The crane structure can then, for example, be designed as part of a tow truck toy, in which the two crane functional components engage on both sides of a vehicle being towed. Exactly two crane functional components can be present. The crane functional components can all be of the same design, for example, as crane hooks. Alternatively, a mixed design is also possible, in which, for example, one of the crane functional components is designed as a crane hook and the other as a magnet. Even with multiple crane functional components and associated connecting cables, exactly one rotatable crank can be provided as an actuating element for simultaneously unwinding and winding all connecting cables.Most ropes can be wound onto and unwound from the same winding reel, and in particular onto different sections of the winding reel.

[0009] A bearing housing according to claim 4 protects potentially sensitive gear components of the winding device. Furthermore, it prevents the rope from coming into unwanted contact with other components during winding or unwinding.

[0010] An embodiment of the bearing housing according to claim 5 prevents the unwanted ingress of the at least one rope between the gear components of the winding device. Undisturbed and, in particular, reproducible winding is thus enabled.

[0011] A multi-part design of the crank according to claim 6 has proven its worth in practice and simplifies the manufacturing of the individual parts.

[0012] The adjustability of a crank handle according to claim 7 prevents the crank from being unintentionally operated in the neutral position of the crank handle. The neutral position can, in particular, be a transport position. In the neutral position, the crank can be fixed in such a way that it cannot rotate around the crank rod. This can be achieved by a locking element that engages in a corresponding receptacle in the bearing housing and / or the crank body when the crank handle is in the neutral position. The crank handle can be locked in both the actuating position and the neutral position, thus making it difficult to unintentionally move the crank handle between the two end positions, i.e., the actuating position and the neutral position.

[0013] A transport receptacle according to claim 8 prevents the crane functional components from being moved into an undefined position during transport of the crane superstructure. If the crane superstructure is designed with multiple crane functional components, a corresponding number of transport receptacles can be provided to accommodate each of the crane functional components. The at least one transport receptacle can be designed as a transport eyelet into which, for example, a crane functional component designed as a crane hook engages.

[0014] The advantages of a crane-type toy vehicle according to claim 8 correspond to those already explained above with reference to the crane structure.

[0015] A crane-themed toy vehicle according to claim 9 can be designed as a crane vehicle, a crane trailer, or a crane semi-trailer. The toy vehicle and its components, in particular the crane superstructure and its components, can be made entirely of plastic, optionally with the exception of the cables.

[0016] An embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. This drawing shows: Fig. 1 a side view of a crane superstructure for a toy vehicle, with a driver's cab and wheels of the toy vehicle additionally indicated, and with one crane arm of the crane superstructure shown in a fully lowered position; Fig. 2 a perspective view of the crane superstructure obliquely from above; Fig. 3 a perspective view of the crane superstructure obliquely from below; Fig. 4 a top view of the crane superstructure with the crane arm in a partially raised position, with an actuating rotary element also visible, which is located in the Figures 1 to 3is concealed by a door flap; Fig. 5 shows a section along line VV in Fig. 4 ; Fig. 6 a section along line VI-VI in Fig. 4 Fig. 7: A top view of the crane structure with the crane arm in a maximally raised position; Fig. 8: A section along line VIII-VIII in Fig. 7 ; Fig. 9 a section along line IX-IX in Fig. 7 Fig. 10 shows a top view of the crane structure with the crane arm in the fully lowered position according to the Figures 1 to 3 ; Fig. 11 a section along line XI-XI in Fig. 10 ; Fig. 12 a section along line XII-XII in Fig. 10 ; Fig. 13 a rear view of a crane arm assembly, corresponding to a viewing direction XIII in the Figure 1in the fully lowered position, with two crane functional components designed as crane hooks shown in a lowered position in which ropes connecting the crane hooks to the crane arm are partially unwound by means of a winding device; Fig. 14 a top view of the assembly according to view direction XIV in the Fig. 13 ; Fig. 15 a section along line XV-XV in Fig. 14 ; Fig. 16 a section along line XVI-XVI in Fig. 14 ; Fig. 17 a section along line XVII-XVII in Fig. 14 ; Fig. 18 in a sectional view accordingly Fig. 17 , the assembly with the winding device with the crane functional components in a transport position, in which the crane hooks engage in transport eyes of the crane arm and the cables are tensioned, wherein a crank handle of a crank is also shown as an actuating element for unwinding and winding the cables in a neutral position; Fig. 19 a top view of the assembly according to view direction XIX in Fig. 18 ; Fig. 20 again shows a top view of the assembly according to the Fig. 14 and 19 , whereby the crank, as in the Fig. 14 , is in an operating position and the crane hooks (not visible in the Fig. 20 ) and the ropes in the transport position comparable to Fig. 18 present; Fig. 21 a section along line XXI-XXI in the Fig. 20 ; Fig. 22 a section along line XXII-XXII in the Fig. 20 ; and Fig. 23 a section along line XXIII-XXIII in the Fig. 20 .

[0017] Figs. 1 to 3 show a crane assembly 1 for a toy vehicle 2, of which in the Fig. 1 Additionally, a driver's cab 3 and wheels 4 are indicated. The toy vehicle 2 can be, as in the Fig. 1 It is implied that it is a crane vehicle. Alternatively, the toy vehicle 2 could also be a crane trailer or a crane semi-trailer.

[0018] The crane superstructure 1 has a crane arm 5, which is designed as a multi-functional arm. Part of the crane arm 5 is a telescopic functional boom 6, which can be extended / retracted telescopically relative to a base crane arm 7 by means of an actuating rotary knob 8. At the free end of the functional boom 6, the crane superstructure has a winding device 9 for unwinding and winding ropes or cords 10, 11 (see figure). Fig. 3 ), via which the two crane functional components in the form of crane hooks 12, 13 are connected to the crane arm 5, namely the functional boom 6. The crane hooks 12, 13 are in the Figures 1 to 3 shown in a transport position in which they engage in transport lugs 14, 15 which are fixed to the base crane arm 7.

[0019] Details of the changing unit 9 are described below, particularly in connection with the Figure 13 further described.

[0020] The crane assembly 1 also includes a superstructure frame 16. The crane arm 5 is attached to the latter via a base joint 17 (see e.g. Fig. 6 ) swivel-mounted.

[0021] At the end of the base crane arm 7 opposite the base joint 17, a holding fork device 18 with two holding forks 19, 20 is arranged. The holding forks 19, 20 serve to pick up tires from one axle of another vehicle, which can be towed by the toy vehicle 2. Such a vehicle tire of a vehicle to be towed is in the Fig. 1 indicated at 21. The holding fork device 18 is comparable to a real-world model, positioned between a folded transport position and one in the Figures 1 to 3 The depicted towing position is designed to be foldable.

[0022] To reposition a free end of the crane arm 5, which includes on one side the functional boom 6 and on the other side the holding fork device 18, between at least one in the Figs. 1 to 3A lifting device 22 serves to achieve the lowered position and at least one raised position shown. Details of the lifting device 22 are described below, in particular with reference to the Figs. 4 to 12 explained.

[0023] The lifting device 22 has an actuating rotary element 23 which is located in the Figs. 1 to 3 is not visible because it is concealed by a door 24 of the mounting frame 16. The actuating rotary element 23 is designed as a rotary knob. The actuating rotary element 23 can be moved between a retracted neutral position, in which the door 24 can be closed, and a position in the Figures 4 to 12 The actuating position shown can be moved. In the actuating position, the actuating rotary element 23 can be easily grasped by an operator for rotary operation.

[0024] The actuating rotary element 23 has a gear section 25 (see figure). Fig. 5), which meshes with a rack section 26 of a movable cam support 27. The movable cam support 27 is linearly displaceable relative to the superstructure frame 16, which in the Fig. 6 as indicated by a double arrow 28. The movable cam support 27 has a first, movable cam 29, which is designed as an elongated slot. This first cam runs at an angle α to a vertical axis of the crane superstructure 1, which is located, for example, in the Fig. 6 This is made clear. This angle α is in the range of 30°.

[0025] The actuating rotary element 23 and the movable cam carrier 27 are components of the lifting device 22.

[0026] The lifting device 22 also includes a transmission lever 30. One end 31 of the transmission lever 30 is designed as a cam end 31. This cam end 31 is guided, among other things, by means of the movable cam 29. The other end of the transmission lever 30 is designed as a pivot end 32. The pivot end 32 of the transmission lever 30 is pivotally mounted on the crane arm 5 about a lever joint 33.

[0027] The transmission lever 30 is designed as a double lever with two single transmission levers 30a, 30b guided on either side of the crane arm 5 (see e.g. Fig. 5 ) executed. This double-lever design of the transmission lever 30 is symmetrical, so it is sufficient to describe one of these two single levers 30a, 30b as transmission lever 30.

[0028] The lifting device 22 also includes a frame-mounted guide support 34. This frame-mounted guide support 34 is designed as an integral, one-piece component of the superstructure frame 16. The frame-mounted guide support 34 has a second, frame-mounted guide 35, which has a linear inclined profile. An angle β between this inclined profile of the second guide 35 (cf. again, e.g., Fig. 6 The angle to the horizontal is approximately 25°, with the second set of supports rising towards the rear of the crane superstructure 1. The angle between the slope of the second set of supports 35 and the slope of the first set of supports 29 is approximately 95°.

[0029] The cam end 31 of the transmission lever 30 is in a section of a total displacement path of the crane arm 5 between the lowered position after the Figures 1 to 3 and a fully raised position, for example after Fig. 9, also guided by means of the second, frame-fixed cam 35. The rising cam profile of the second cam 35 is such that the cam end 31 of the transmission lever 30 is itself raised when the crane arm 5 is moved between the lowered position and the raised position. This makes a comparison between the Fig. 9 , in which the backdrop end 31 is shown in the maximum raised position of the crane arm 5, and the Fig. 12 , in which the end of the scene 31 is shown in the maximum lowered position of the crane arm 5, clearly. In the position after Fig. 9 The end of the backdrop 31 lies in the uppermost position of the first backdrop 29 formed by the elongated hole and in the position after Fig. 12 in the lowest position of this first backdrop 29.

[0030] Near the fully lowered basic position of crane arm 5 after Fig. 12The frame-fixed second cam 35 is initially ineffective in a section of the crane arm 5's total displacement path between the lowered and raised positions. The cam end 31 of the transmission lever 30, together with the inclined, frame-fixed second cam 35, moves relative to the frame-fixed cam support 34 from the fully lowered basic position of the crane arm 5. Fig. 12 , that is, only after a certain displacement path does it intervene, in connection.

[0031] The function of the lifting device 22 is described below using the example of raising the crane arm 5 from the fully lowered basic position to Fig. 12 into the fully raised position after Fig. 9 via the intermediate position to Fig. 6 explained: Starting from the fully lowered basic position according to Fig. 12 will be in the Fig. 12The actuating rotary element 23 is rotated counterclockwise, so that, through the interaction of the gear section 25 with the rack section 26, the movable cam support 27 is moved relative to the frame-fixed cam support 34 and thus relative to the entire superstructure frame 16 in the Fig. 12 is shifted to the right. The amount of this linear shift of the movable cam carrier 27 relative to the mounting frame 16 depends linearly on the angle of rotation of a rotation of the actuating rotary element 23. This also shifts the cam end 31 of the transmission lever 30 in the Fig. 12Due to the driving effect of the first movable cam 29, the crane arm 5 is also displaced to the right, and the crane arm 5 begins to lift from the lowered position due to the supporting effect of the transmission angle 30 pivoting around the lifting joint 33. In the first section of the total displacement path, starting from the fully lowered basic position, a relatively strong lifting effect results as a function of the relative linear displacement between the movable cam support 27 and the frame-fixed cam support 34, since small angular changes in the position of the transmission lever 30 lead to a relatively large difference in stroke with respect to the lifting joint 33 and thus the crane arm 5.

[0032] The crane arm 5 pivots around its base joint 17 during lifting and lowering. From the first part of the total displacement path starting from the home position, the cam end 31 of the transmission lever also reaches the second frame-fixed cam 35, so that the cam end 31 of the transmission lever 30 is now also additionally lifted via the inclined path of the frame-fixed cam 35, which further supports the lifting action by pivoting the transmission lever 30 around the lifting joint 33. An instantaneous position in which this support effect ceases is shown by the Fig. 6 as an intermediate position between the basic position after Fig. 12 and the fully raised position of the crane arm 5 after Fig. 9 In the intermediate position after Fig. 6The cam end 31 of the transmission lever 30 is raised by the inclined, frame-fixed second cam 35 to such an extent that approximately half the stroke is achieved, which is specified over the entire displacement path of the movable first cam 29. In addition to the slew angle stroke contribution, there is then also a further cam inclination stroke contribution that the transmission lever 30 exerts on the crane arm 5. Fig. 9 Figure 5 shows the crane arm 5 in its fully raised position, where the cam end 31 of the transmission lever 30 has reached both the upper end of the first movable cam 29 and the inclined end of the second fixed cam 35. This results in a lifting movement of the crane arm 5, in which each increment of the angular adjustment of the actuating rotary element 23 approximately corresponds to the same lifting increment of the crane arm 5.

[0033] Based on the Fig. 13The following section describes the winding device 9 in more detail. Figs. 13 to 23 Each shows a sub-assembly 36 of the crane structure 1, which includes the crane arm 5 with the basic crane arm 7 and the functional boom 6, as well as the winding device 9 and the holding fork device 18.

[0034] The winding device 9 has a winding roller 37. The latter serves to reposition the crane functional components 12, 13 between an elevated position, for example the transport position, and the Figs. 1 to 3 , and a lowered position, for example, that after Fig. 13, by unwinding / winding the ropes 10, 11 from / onto the winding roller 37. Unwinding the respective rope 10, 11 from the winding roller 37 serves to lower the crane functional components 12, 13 from the raised position to the lowered position. Winding the ropes 10, 11 onto the winding roller 37 serves to raise the crane functional components 12, 13 from the lowered position to the raised position.

[0035] The winding device 9 has a crank rod 38 (see e.g. Fig. 17 ) rotatable crank 39. The crank 39 serves as an actuating element for unwinding and winding the ropes 10, 11. The crank rod 38 has a crank threaded section 40 which meshes with a gear section 41 of the winding roller 37. The gear section 41 (cf. e.g. Fig. 15) represents a central roller section of the winding roller 37. The two adjacent outer roller sections of the winding roller 37 are winding sections 42, 43 for winding the ropes 10, 11. These winding sections 42, 43 for winding the ropes 10, 11 can be designed as roller sections with smooth outer walls.

[0036] A bearing housing 44 serves to support the winding roller 37 and the crank 39 (see below). Fig. 16) of the winding device 9. In the bearing housing 44, a partition 45 serves to separate, at least partially, a winding chamber 46 of the bearing housing 44 from a gear chamber 47 of the bearing housing 44. The winding sections 42, 43 of the winding roller 37 are located in the winding chamber 46. In the gear chamber 47, a power-transmitting connection takes place between the crank thread section 40 and the gear section 41 of the winding roller 37. This separation of the bearing housing 44 into the winding chamber 46 and the gear chamber 47 prevents the cables 10, 11 from becoming undesirably entangled in the crank thread section 40 and / or in the gear section 41. The cables 10, 11 are designed as cords.

[0037] The crank 39 of the winding device 9 is designed in multiple parts. The crank rod 38 is designed as a separate component from a crank body 48, which is locked into the crank body 48 in a rotationally fixed manner. A crank handle 49 of the crank 39 is located, for example, in the Fig. 17 The illustrated actuation position, in which the crank 39 can be actuated at a free end of the crank handle 49, and one, for example, in the Fig. 18 The neutral position shown, in which the crank handle 49 rests against the crank body 48 or the bearing housing 44, is adjustable. This ensures that the crank 39 is not unintentionally actuated in the neutral position.

[0038] The function of the winding device 9 will now be explained using an example of operation. Starting, for example, from the neutral position of the crank 39 after Fig. 18With the crane hooks 12, 13 also in the transport position, the crank handle 49 is first moved from the neutral position to the operating position. For this purpose, the crank handle 49 is pivoted by approximately 90° relative to the crank body 48 about a joint connection 50 of the crank 39.

[0039] Following this, the crank 39 can be operated. After the crane hooks 12, 13 have been released from the transport eyes 14, 15, the crane hooks can be attached, for example, by turning the crank handle 49 around the crank rod 38 counterclockwise, downwards in the direction of the desired position, for example, to Fig. 13 be lowered. In this process, the crank thread section 40 meshes with the gear section 41 of the winding roller 37, and the latter rotates in the Fig. 16To unwind the ropes 10, 11, the crank handle 49 is turned clockwise around the crank rod 38. After actuating the winding device 9, the crank handle 49 can then be folded back from the actuating position to the neutral position.

[0040] The components of the crane structure and, in particular, the components of the entire toy vehicle can be made of plastic.

Claims

1. Crane assembly (1) for a toy vehicle (2), - with a crane arm (5), - with at least one crane functional component (12, 13) connected to the crane arm (5) via a rope (10, 11), - with a winding device (9) with a winding roller (37) for moving the crane functional component (12, 13) between at least one raised position and at least one lowered position by optionally -- unwinding the rope (10, 11) from the winding roller (37) to lower the crane functional component (12, 13) from the raised position to the lowered position or -- winding the rope (10, 11) onto the winding roller (37) to raise the crane functional component (12, 13) from the lowered position to the raised position, - wherein the winding device (9) includes a crank (39) rotatable about a crank rod (38) as The actuating element for unwinding and winding the rope (10, 11) has, - wherein the crank rod (39) has a crank threaded section (40),which combs with a gear section (41) of the winding roller (37).

2. Crane assembly according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the crane functional component (12, 13) is designed as a crane hook.

3. Crane assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by at least two of the crane functional components (12, 13) which are each connected to the crane arm (5) via a rope (10, 11), wherein the winding roller (37) is designed for unwinding and winding up the at least two ropes (10, 11).

4. Crane structure according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by a bearing housing (44) for supporting the winding roller (37) and the crank (39).

5. Crane assembly according to claim 4, characterized by the fact thatin the bearing housing (44) a partition (45) for separating at least a section of a winding chamber (46) of the bearing housing (44), in which winding sections (42, 43) of the winding roller (37) are housed, from at least one gear chamber (47) of the bearing housing (44), in which a force-transmitting connection takes place between the crank thread section (40) and the gear section (41) of the winding roller (37).

6. Crane structure according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by a multi-part version of the crank (39).

7. Crane assembly according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that a crank handle (49) of the crank (39) can be switched between an actuation position in which the crank (39) can be actuated at a free end of the crank handle (49) and a neutral position in which the crank handle (49) rests against the bearing housing (44) and / or against a crank body (48).

8. Crane assembly according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by the fact thatthe crane arm (5) has a transport receptacle (14, 15) for receiving the crane functional component (12, 13) in a transport position.

9. Crane toy vehicle (2) with a crane superstructure (5) according to one of claims 1 to 8.

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