Wheeled toy

Abstract

A wheeled toy (100) includes a body (102) and two wheeled steering axles (162a, 162b). Each steering axle is mounted to an underside (164) of the body (102) through a compliant suspension (166). The b

Description

[0001] WHEELED TOY

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] This invention relates to toys, and more particularly to wheeled toys.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Children (e.g., toddlers and preschoolers) can benefit from playing with wheeled toys to help with the development of balance, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, and coordination. Playing with such wheeled toys can promote leg movement, help strengthen the muscles needed for walking, and encourage cognitive development. Improvements in the design, configuration, and safety of such wheeled toys and their components are continually sought.

[0006] SUMMARY

[0007] In general, this disclosure relates to wheeled toys that include a body and at least one, preferably two, wheeled steering axles.

[0008] In one aspect, the present disclosure features a wheeled toy including: a body; and two wheeled steering axles, each steering axle mounted to an underside of the body through a compliant suspension that reacts to steer the steering axle in response to differential vertical loads applied to the top of the body, wherein the body defines left and right grip rails running longitudinally above front and rear wheels of the two wheeled steering axles, the grip rails spaced apart and configured to be grasped by a child with both hands while wheeling the toy along a surface, such that the wheeled toy turns in response to the child pushing down with a higher force on a selected one of the grasped grip rails, and wherein the two wheeled steering axles pivot in opposite directions in response to a same differential vertical load applied to the top of the body.

[0009] Embodiments may include one or more of the following features.

[0010] In some embodiments, each of the two wheeled steering axles have a protrusion integrally connected to and extending outwardly from the wheeled steering axle in a transverse direction with respect to the wheeled steering axle.

[0011] In some embodiments, the protrusion is a hollow, cylindrical protrusion.

[0012] In some embodiments, the compliant suspension comprises a torsion spring having a first leg and a second leg, the torsion spring coiled around the protrusion. In some embodiments, the compliant suspension comprises an anchor coupled to a housing of the wheeled toy and contacting a portion of the protrusion, the anchor defining a first notch and a second notch.

[0013] In some embodiments, in an undeflected state of the torsion spring, the first leg of the torsion spring contacts the first notch, and the second leg of the torsion spring contacts the second notch.

[0014] In some embodiments, in a deflected state of the torsion spring, the first leg of the torsion spring does not contact the first notch, and the second leg of the torsion spring contacts the second notch.

[0015] In some embodiments, each protrusion defines an axis of rotation about which each corresponding wheeled steering axle pivots when the torsion spring is in the deflected state.

[0016] In some embodiments, the same differential vertical load applied to the top of the body causes the first leg of the torsion spring to move laterally away from the first notch, thereby biasing the two wheeled steering axles to steer in opposite directions.

[0017] In some embodiments, the wheeled toy includes a plate integrally connected to each of the two wheeled steering axles.

[0018] In some embodiments, the plate is integrally connected to a center portion of each of the two wheeled steering axles.

[0019] In some embodiments, the protrusion is integrally connected to and extends outwardly from an upper surface and a lower surface of the plate in a transverse direction with respect to the plate and the wheeled steering axle.

[0020] In some embodiments, the body has outer side surfaces defining openings to accommodate the wheels of the wheeled steering axles, and wherein the outer side surfaces are comprised of a resilient material.

[0021] In some embodiments, the wheeled steering axles extend through holes defined by the housing, wherein the holes are defined within the openings.

[0022] In some embodiments, the body comprises one or more seats configured to receive a toy figurine.

[0023] In some embodiments, the one or more seats are coupled to the body, the one or more seats including a circular cavity defined by an upper surface of the one or more seats.

[0024] In some embodiments, the left and right grip rails have a height of about 6.5 cm to about 8.5 cm. In some embodiments, the left grip rail is spaced apart from the right grip rail by about 7 cm to about 9 cm.

[0025] In another aspect, the present disclosure features a wheeled toy including: a body; and two wheeled steering axles, each steering axle mounted to an underside of the body through a compliant suspension that reacts to steer the steering axle in response to differential vertical loads applied to the top of the body, wherein the compliant suspension includes: a protrusion integrally connected to and extending outwardly from each wheeled steering axle in a transverse direction with respect to the wheeled steering axle; and a torsion spring having a first leg and a second leg, the torsion spring coiled around the protrusion, wherein the body defines left and right grip rails running longitudinally above front and rear wheels of the two wheeled steering axles, the grip rails spaced apart and configured to be grasped by a child with both hands while wheeling the toy along a surface, such that the wheeled toy turns in response to the child pushing down with a higher force on a selected one of the grasped grip rails, and wherein the two wheeled steering axles steer in opposite directions in response to a same differential vertical load applied to the top of the body.

[0026] Embodiments may include one or more of the following features.

[0027] In some embodiments, the compliant suspension comprises an anchor coupled to a housing of the wheeled toy and contacting a portion of the protrusion, the anchor defining a first notch and a second notch.

[0028] In some embodiments, in an undeflected state of the torsion spring, the first leg of the torsion spring contacts the first notch, and the second leg of the torsion spring contacts the second leg.

[0029] In some embodiments, in a deflected state of the torsion spring, the first leg of the torsion spring abuts against a wall of the anchor, and the second leg does not contact the second notch.

[0030] Embodiments may provide one or more of the following advantages.

[0031] Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to wheeled toys, preferably intended for use by children (e.g., toddlers and / or preschoolers), that include two wheeled steering axles. Each steering axle is mounted to the wheeled toy through a compliant suspension that reacts to steer the steering axle in response to differential vertical loads applied to the top of the body. Thus, when the user (e.g., a toddler and / or preschooler) applies a vertical force to the top of the body on, for example, the right side of the wheeled toy, each steering axle is steered to rotate the wheels on the right side of the wheeled toy in opposite directions toward a central portion of the wheeled toy, thereby biasing the wheeled toy to turn to the right. Such design of the steering axles and suspension may, in some embodiments, advantageously facilitate turning the wheeled toy in the same direction as the vertical force being applied by the user.

[0032] Additionally, the body of the wheeled toy defines left and right grip rails that are configured to be grasped by the user while wheeling the toy along a surface. The user can, therefore, easily grasp the grip rails to direct the direction of travel of the wheeled toy. The grip rails may facilitate maneuverability of the wheeled toy in comparison to, for example, wheeled toys that lack grip rails.

[0033] Furthermore, the wheeled toy includes compliant edges around the openings that accommodate the wheels. The compliant edges can be composed of a flexible material such as an elastomeric material. Such compliant edges may provide increased safety by preventing the user’s (e.g., the child’s) fingers and / or hand from getting caught between a wheel and a fender of the wheeled toy when the wheels are moving.

[0034] In some embodiments, the wheeled toys of the disclosure may foster the development of fine motor skills in a child by enabling the child to locate the toy figurines disclosed herein and placing them into the cylindrical holes of the “seats” of the wheeled toys.

[0035] In some embodiments, the wheeled toy may include seats and toy figurines that have a same color, and the user (e.g., a child), during play, may match a toy figurine to a seat having the same color. Such features may advantageously provide an additional game or playing feature to the wheeled toy.

[0036] The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

[0037] Where values are described in terms of ranges, it should be understood that the description includes the disclosure of all possible sub-ranges within such ranges, as well as specific numerical values that fall within such ranges irrespective of whether a specific numerical value or specific sub-range is expressly stated. Further, the term “about,” when used in connection with a referenced numeric value, is intended to include the referenced numeric value plus or minus up to 10% of that referenced numeric value, including increments therein. For example, the language “about 50” covers the range of 45 to 55. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0038] FIG. 1 A is a rear, perspective view of the wheeled toy including toy passengers.

[0039] FIG. IB is a front, perspective view of the wheeled toy.

[0040] FIG. 1C is a top view of the wheeled toy.

[0041] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one of the toy passengers shown in FIG. 1 A.

[0042] FIG. 3 A is a partial, bottom view of the wheeled toy of FIG. 1 A showing the steering axles steered in a first direction.

[0043] FIG. 3B is a partial, bottom view of the wheeled toy of FIG. 1 A showing the steering axles steered in a second direction.

[0044] FIG. 4 is a partial, bottom view of the wheeled toy of FIG. 1 A showing the compliant suspensions of each steering axle.

[0045] FIG. 5 is a partial, perspective view of a compliant suspension of the wheeled toy of FIG. 1A.

[0046] FIGs. 6A and 6B are a top and perspective views, respectively, of the compliant suspension and steering axle of the wheeled toy of FIG. 1 A showing a torsion spring of the suspension in an undeflected state.

[0047] FIGs. 7A and 7B are a top and perspective views, respectively, of the compliant suspension and steering axle of the wheeled toy of FIG. 1 A showing a torsion spring of the suspension in a deflected state.

[0048] FIG. 8 is an image of a child playing with the wheeled toy of FIG. 1 A.

[0049] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

[0050] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] FIGs. 1 A-1C illustrate a wheeled toy 100 that can be used by a toddler (e.g., a child between 1 and three years of age) and / or a preschooler (e.g., a child between three and five years of age) for play and / or educational purposes. The wheeled toy 100 includes a body 102 having opposing front and rear ends 104, 106, opposing left and right lateral sides 108, 110 extending between the front and rear ends 104, 106, and opposing upper and lower portions 112, 114 extending between the front and rear ends 104, 106 and the left and right lateral sides 108, 110.

[0052] The upper portion 112 of the body 102 defines a left grip rail 116 and a right grip rail 118. The left and right grip rails 116, 118 extend along the left and right lateral sides 108, 110, respectively, and run longitudinally above a front wheel 120 and a rear wheel 122 of the wheeled toy 100. The left and right grip rails 116, 118 are spaced apart and configured to be grasped by the user (e.g., a child) with both hands while wheeling the wheeled toy 100 along a surface, such that the wheeled toy 100 turns in response to the user pushing down with a higher force on a selected one of the left and right grip rails 116, 118. The left and right grip rails 116, 118 typically have a same height h of about 6.5 centimeters (cm) to about 8.5 cm such that the total height h ’ of the wheeled toy typically ranges from about 14 cm to about 16 cm. The height h of the left and right grip rails 116, 118 spans from about the midline of the left and right lateral sides 108, 110 to the upper portion 112. The left and right grip rails 116, 118 are typically spaced apart by about 7 cm to about 9 cm, as measured from the inner surfaces of each grip rail.

[0053] The front end 104 includes a pair of toy headlights 158, and the rear end 106 includes a pair of toy rear lights 160. The toy headlights and toy rear lights 158, 160 are composed of a different material than most of the rest of the body 102. For example, the toy headlights and toy rear lights, 158, 160 are composed of an elastomeric material. The toy headlights and toy rear lights 158, 160 are not electronic devices and are not actuatable. The toy headlights 158 is a single, stadium-shaped (e.g., a rounded, rectangular- shaped) elastomeric component that is fixedly coupled to the front end 104. The toy rear lights 160 are two separate, circular elastomeric components that are fixedly coupled to the rear end 106.

[0054] Referring particularly to FIGs. IB and 1C, the body 102 defines a recess 124 and stairs 126 at the rear end 106 of the wheeled toy 100. The stairs 126 are disposed within the recess 124, which is centered along a central portion 128 of the body 102. The central portion 128 extends between the left and right lateral sides 108, 110 and between the left and right grip rails 116, 118. The stairs 126 include a pair of steps that are configured to support one or more toy figurines 130. For example, during play, the user (e.g., a child) can place a toy figurine 130 on the surface of the stairs 126. The stairs 126 simulate an entry and / or an exit to the central portion 128 of the wheeled toy 100.

[0055] Referring particularly to FIG. IB, each of the left and right lateral sides 108, 110 has outer side surfaces 152 that define a pair of openings 154 to accommodate the front and rear wheels 120, 122. The edge 156 of each opening 154 is composed of a different material than most of the rest of the body 102. For example, the edges 156 can be composed of an elastomeric material (e.g., rubber). In some embodiments, the edges can be composed of a flexible or compliant material. In some embodiments, the compliant edges 156 may advantageously prevent a user injury (e.g., a child’s finger getting caught between one of the wheeled toy’s wheels and fender when the wheels are in motion). Referring particularly to FIG. 1C, the body 102 includes three seats 132 fixedly coupled within the central portion 128 of the wheeled toy 100. The seats 132 are adjacent to each other and are aligned longitudinally with respect to a longitudinal axis (X-axis) running along a center line of the central portion 128. The seats 132 are centered within the central portion 128 and are arranged in a direction that is parallel to the left and right grip rails 116, 118. Each of the seats 132 is configured to receive a toy figurine 130. Each of the seats 132 include a backrest 134 and an upper surface 138 that defines a circular cavity 136. The circular cavity 136 has a diameter and a depth that are sized to receive a lower portion of the toy figurine 130. The circular cavity 136 typically has a diameter of about 3 centimeters (cm) to about 1 cm and a depth of about 2.5 cm to about 4.5 cm. During play, the user (e.g., a child) can place the toy figurine 130 into the circular cavity 136 and use the toy figurine 130 as a passenger of the wheeled toy 100.

[0056] Example materials from which the wheeled toy 100 may be made include a rigid plastic (e.g., polypropylene), wood (e.g., birch plywood), a flexible and / or resilient material (e.g., an elastomer such as rubber), or any combination thereof. For example, a portion of the left and right lateral sides 108, 110 is composed of a wooden material, the outer side surfaces 152 are composed of a flexible and / or resilient material, and the rest of the body 102, including the toy figurine 130 and the seats 132, is composed of a rigid plastic.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 2, the toy figurine 130 includes a figurine head 140 and a figurine body 142 that are integrally formed as a unitary component. The figurine head 140 has a spherical portion 144 and a flat portion 146 that simulates a face. The figurine body 142 is substantially cylindrical in shape. The lower portion 148 of the figurine body 142 defines a slot 150. In some embodiments, the slot 150 may help provide a semblance of “legs” to the toy figurine 130 and may help the toy figurine 130 appear more like a person. The lower portion 148 has a circular base that is sized and configured to be received within the circular cavity 136 of the seat 132, as mentioned above.

[0058] Referring to FIGs. 3 A and 3B, the wheeled toy 100 includes a front steering axle 162a and a rear steering axle 162b, which are coupled to a pair of front and rear wheels 120, 122. Each of the front and rear steering axles 162a, 162b is mounted to an underside 164 of the body 102 through a compliant suspension 166. Each of the suspensions 166 react to steer each of the front and rear steering axles 162a, 162b in response to differential vertical loads applied to the top of the body 102. For example, when a vertical load is applied to the top of the right grip rail 118, the suspensions 166 react to pivot the front and rear steering axles 162a, 162b in opposite directions such that the right front wheel 120a and the right rear wheel 122a are steered towards a center of the body 102, as shown by the wheels, steering axles, and suspensions in dashed lines in FIG. 3 A. Consequently, the direction in which the right front and rear wheels 120a, 122a are turned biases the wheeled toy 100 to turn to the right in an arcuate travel path. The wheels, steering axles, and suspensions of the wheeled toy 100 at rest, with no vertical loads being applied to the body 102, are also shown in solid lines in FIG. 3 A for reference.

[0059] Referring specifically to FIG. 3B, when a vertical load is applied to the top of the left grip rail 116, the suspensions 166 react to pivot the front and rear steering axles 162a, 162b in opposite directions such that the left front wheel 120b and the left rear wheel 122b are steered towards a center of the body 102, as shown by the wheels, steering axles, and suspensions in dashed lines in FIG. 3B. Thus, the direction in which the left front and rear wheels 120b, 122b are turned biases the wheeled toy 100 to turn to the left in an arcuate travel path. The wheels, steering axles, and suspensions of the wheeled toy 100 at rest, with no vertical loads being applied to the body 102, are also shown in solid lines in FIG. 3B for reference.

[0060] FIG. 4 is a partial, bottom view of the wheeled toy 100 and its front and rear steering axles 162a, 162b. Each of the front and rear steering axles 162a, 162b have a protrusion 168 integrally connected to and extending outwardly from a surface of the steering axle in a transverse direction with respect to the steering axle. Specifically, as shown in FIGs. 6B and 7B, each protrusion 168 is integrally connected to and extends outwardly from an upper surface and a lower surface of a plate 176 in a transverse direction with respect to the plate 176 and the wheeled steering axles. The protrusions 168 are hollow and have a cylindrical shape. Each of the suspension 166 include a torsion spring 170 that is coiled around the cylindrical body of the protrusion 168. The torsion spring 170 has a first leg 172 and a second leg 174. The front and rear steering axles 162a, 162b include the plate 176, which is integrally connected to a center portion each of the two steering axles. Each protrusion 168 is integrally connected to and extends outwardly from the plate 176 in a transverse direction with respect to the plate 176 and each of the front and rear steering axles 162a, 162b.

[0061] FIG. 5 is a partial, perspective view of the front end 104 of the body 102 showing the suspension 166 coupled to the body 102. The body 102 includes a housing 178 that is integrally joined to an internal surface 180 of each wheel well 182 that houses each wheel. FIG. 5 shows one of the wheel wells 182 housing the front left wheel 120a. Each of the four wheel wells 182 define a hole through which each of the wheeled steering axles is received and extends therethrough. The holes defined by the wheel wells 182 are defined within the openings 154 of the outer side surfaces 152, which are illustrated in FIG. IB. The suspension 166 includes an anchor 184, which includes a hollow cylindrical portion 194 that defines a first hole 186. The anchor 184 further defines a second hole 188. The housing 178 includes a hollow cylindrical channel 190 and a pin 192, both of which are integrally formed with the housing 178 to form a unitary component. The first hole 186 is configured to receive the hollow cylindrical channel 190, which is configured to receive a fastener. Therefore, the fastener is configured to be received by both the first hole 186 and the hollow cylindrical channel 190. The second hole 188 is configured to receive the pin 192. Thus, in an assembled state of the wheeled toy 100, the anchor 184 is secured to the housing 178 of the body 102 when the hollow cylindrical channel 190 in inserted in the first hole 186, the fastener is fastened within the hollow cylindrical channel 190, and the pin 192 is inserted in the second hole 188, as shown in FIG. 5. The housing 178 includes a flat surface 196 which, in an assembled state of the wheeled toy 100, is configured to sit above and cover the opening of the hollow protrusion 168.

[0062] In addition, the suspension 166 includes a vertical wall 105 that is disposed between the anchor 184 and the protrusion 168. A first portion 107 of the first leg 172 of the torsion spring 170 abuts and is supported by the vertical wall 105. The first portion 107 of the first leg 172 is disposed distally from the protrusion 168. A second portion 109 of the first leg 172, disposed distally from the first portion 107, is configured to be received in a first notch 198 defined by the anchor 184 and shown in more detail in FIGs. 6A-6B and 7A-7B.

[0063] FIGs. 6A and 6B illustrate a steering axle 162 and the suspension 166 having the torsion spring 170 in an undeflected state (e.g., without any load being applied to the steering axle and suspension). The anchor 184 defines opposing first and second notches 198, 199 that are disposed distally from the hollow cylindrical portion 194 of the anchor 184. The first and second notches 198, 199 are configured to receive the first and second legs 172, 174 of the torsion spring 170, respectively. In the undeflected state, a portion of the first leg 172 of the torsion spring 170 contacts and sits within the first notch 198, and a portion of the second leg 174 of the torsion spring 170 contacts and sits within the second notch 199. Thus, the first and second legs 172, 174 of the torsion spring 170 connect the steering axle 162 to the anchor 184 and housing 178 of the body 102. In the undeflected state of the torsion spring 170, and as shown in FIG. 6A, the steering axle 162 remains relatively fixed and is substantially aligned in the direction of a Z-axis extending perpendicularly relative to the wheeled toy.

[0064] FIGs. 7A and 7B illustrate the steering axle 162 and the suspension 166 having the torsion spring 170 in an deflected state (e.g., with a load being applied to the steering axle and suspension). In the deflected state, the portion of the first leg 172 of the torsion spring 170 has moved laterally away from the first notch 198 and no longer contacts the first notch 198. The lateral movement of the first leg 172 in each suspension 166, which is caused by a same vertical load applied to the top of the body 102, biases the front and rear steering axles to pivot in opposite directions. Furthermore, the portion of the second leg 174 of the torsion spring 170 continues to contact and sit within the second notch 199. As shown in FIG. 7B, the protrusion 168, about which the torsion spring 170 is placed, defines an axis of rotation, shown as the P-axis. The P-axis is an approximate kingpin axis about which the entire steering axle 162 pivots during spring deflection. Thus, in the deflected state of the torsion spring 170, and as shown in FIG. 6B, the steering axle 162 pivots about the P-axis and is no longer aligned in the direction of the Z-axis (shown in FIG. 6A) extending perpendicularly relative to the wheeled toy.

[0065] FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a user 101 (e.g., a child) using the wheeled toy 100. When in use, the user 101 grasps the left and right grip rails 116, 118 to wheel the wheeled toy 100 along the surface 103. The user 101 can wheel the wheeled toy 100 in a standing position while bending forward. Alternatively, the user 101 can wheel the wheeled toy 100 while sitting down and / or kneeling down. To turn the wheeled toy 100 to the left, the user 101 can apply a vertical load to the top of the left grip rail 116 and continue applying a force to “drive” and turn the wheeled toy 100 to the left without having to lift it off of the surface 103. The user 101 can, similarly, apply a vertical load to the top of the right grip rail 118 to turn the wheeled toy 100 to the right. Thus, steering is intuitively effected by a differential of vertical loads applied at the two grip rails. The user 101 can further place the toy figurines 130 in seats 132 as “passengers” of the wheeled toy 100.

[0066] While the above-discussed wheeled toy 100 has been described and illustrated as with respect to certain dimensions, shapes, arrangements, configurations, and material formulations, and with respect to certain methods, in some embodiments, a wheeled toy that is otherwise substantially similar in construction and function to the wheeled toy 100, may include one or more dimensions, shapes, arrangements, configurations, and / or materials formulations that are different from the ones discussed above or may be used with respect to methods that are modified as compared to the methods described above.

[0067] For example, the wheeled toy 100 has been described and illustrated as being composed of a combination of materials; for example, a wooden material, a flexible and / or resilient material, and a rigid plastic. However, a wheeled toy that is otherwise substantially similar in construction and function to the wheeled toy 100 may alternatively have different parts composed of different materials. For example, the alternative wheeled toy may have a flexible or resilient material incorporated onto the grip rails, or it may have the seats composed of a wooden material or a resilient material.

[0068] Furthermore, while the wheeled toy 100 has been described and illustrated as including three seats 132, in some embodiments, a wheeled toy that is otherwise substantially similar in construction and function to the wheeled toy 100 may include one, two, or more than three (e.g., four or five) seats.

[0069] In some embodiments, a wheeled toy that is otherwise substantially similar in construction and function to the wheeled toy 100 may have a height that is greater than about twice the height of the grip rails. For example, the wheeled toy may have a total height that is about three times greater than the height of the grip rails.

[0070] While a number of examples have been described for illustration purposes, the foregoing description is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. There are and will be other examples and modifications within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A wheeled toy (100) comprising: a body (102); and two wheeled steering axles (162a, 162b), each steering axle mounted to an underside (164) of the body (102) through a compliant suspension (166) that reacts to steer the steering axle in response to differential vertical loads applied to the top of the body (102), wherein the body (102) defines left and right grip rails (116, 118) running longitudinally above front and rear wheels (120, 122) of the two wheeled steering axles (162a, 162b), the grip rails (116, 118) spaced apart and configured to be grasped by a child with both hands while wheeling the toy along a surface, such that the wheeled toy (100) turns in response to the child pushing down with a higher force on a selected one of the grasped grip rails (116, 118), and wherein the two wheeled steering axles (162a, 162b) pivot in opposite directions in response to a same differential vertical load applied to the top of the body (102).

2. The wheeled toy of claim 1, wherein each of the two wheeled steering axles (162a, 162b) have a protrusion (168) integrally connected to and extending outwardly from the wheeled steering axle in a transverse direction with respect to the wheeled steering axle; optionally wherein the protrusion (168) is a hollow, cylindrical protrusion (168); and optionally wherein the compliant suspension (166) comprises a torsion spring (170) having a first leg (172) and a second leg (174), the torsion spring (170) coiled around the protrusion (168).

3. The wheeled toy of claim 2, wherein the compliant suspension (166) comprises an anchor (184) coupled to a housing (178) of the wheeled toy (100) and contacting a portion of the protrusion (168), the anchor (184) defining a first notch (198) and a second notch (199).

4. The wheeled toy of claim 3, wherein in an undeflected state of the torsion spring(170), the first leg (172) of the torsion spring (170) contacts the first notch (198), and the second leg (174) of the torsion spring (170) contacts the second notch (199).

5. The wheeled toy of claim 4, wherein in a deflected state of the torsion spring (170), the first leg (172) of the torsion spring (170) does not contact the first notch (198), and the second leg (174) of the torsion spring (170) contacts the second notch (199.

6. The wheeled toy of claim 5, wherein each protrusion (168) defines an axis of rotation about which each corresponding wheeled steering axle pivots when the torsion spring (170) is in the deflected state.

7. The wheeled toy of any one of claims 2-6, wherein the same differential vertical load applied to the top of the body (102) causes the first leg (172) of the torsion spring (170) to move laterally away from the first notch (198), thereby biasing the two wheeled steering axles (162a, 162b) to steer in opposite directions.

8. The wheeled toy of any one of claims 1-7, comprising a plate (176) integrally connected to each of the two wheeled steering axles (162a, 162b).

9. The wheeled toy of claim 8, wherein the plate (176) is integrally connected to a center portion of each of the two wheeled steering axles.

10. The wheeled toy of claim 8, wherein the protrusion (168) is integrally connected to and extends outwardly from an upper surface and a lower surface of the plate (176) in a transverse direction with respect to the plate (176) and the wheeled steering axle.

11. The wheeled toy of any one of claims 1-10, wherein the body (102) has outer side surfaces (152) defining openings (154) to accommodate the front and rear wheels (120, 122) of the wheeled steering axles (162a, 162b), and wherein the outer side surfaces (152) are comprised of a resilient material.

12. The wheeled toy of claim 11, wherein the wheeled steering axles (162a, 162b)extend through holes defined by the housing (178), wherein the holes are defined within the openings (154).

13. The wheeled toy of any one of claims 1-12, wherein the body (102) comprises one or more seats (132) configured to receive a toy figurine (130); and optionally wherein the one or more seats (132) are coupled to the body (102), the one or more seats (132) including a circular cavity (136) defined by an upper surface (138) of the one or more seats (132).

14. The wheeled toy of any one of claims 1-13, wherein the left and right grip rails (116,118) have a height of about 6.5 cm to about 8.5 cm.

15. The wheeled toy of any one of claims 1-14, wherein the left grip rail (116) is spaced apart from the right grip rail (118) by about 7 cm to about 9 cm.

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