Self-travelling toy

Abstract

To provide a hard-to-break structure capable of achieving exchange of a rubber band easily and to provide smooth travelling by reducing the number of parts of a driving device and simplifying the driving device.SOLUTION: There is provided a self-travelling toy equipped with driving means for driving a rear axle. A rear axle hole is of a long hole shape slidable in a front-back direction. A hollow space where a protrusion fixed to the rear axle is rotatably stored is formed on the bottom surface of an undercarriage, and a rubber band attached to an attaching part formed on the undercarriage is arranged in the hollow space. The rubber band is configured to be wound around the rear axle by the rotation of the protrusion in a state that the rear axle slides to the front side of the rear axle hole, and is released by the rear axle sliding to the rear side of the rear axle hole. The protrusion is composed of a tooth tip of a gear and, the attaching part is a protruding part suspended in the hollow space, to which the rubber band is attached. The protruding part is formed with a groove in a longitudinal direction into which the tooth tip can be fitted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a drive device using an elastic rubber band. [Background technology]

[0002] To realize a self-propelled toy, a drive mechanism is required to turn the wheels itself. Some toys have been realized that generate powerful power using springs and other tools to run. There have also been proposals to run toys using the drive force of rubber bands (see Patent Document 1, for example), but the emphasis is on a simple structure, and the rubber bands are directly connected to the drive unit, making it impossible to run long distances. For this reason, there has been a desire to realize a toy that can make the most of the drive force, has a simple structure that allows the rubber bands to be easily replaced, and can be played with safely. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent 7352054 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Therefore, the present invention aims to simplify the number of parts in the drive unit, making it less likely to break and making it easier to replace the rubber band.Furthermore, the objective is to provide a structure that can realize a mechanism for smoothly winding and unwinding the rubber band and to provide smooth running that makes maximum use of the drive force. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A self-propelled toy comprising a chassis, a front axle and a rear axle, each rotatably supported in a front axle hole and a rear axle hole formed in the front and rear of the chassis, and each having wheels on the left and right, and a drive means for driving the rear axle, wherein the rear axle hole is shaped as an elongated hole that can slide in the front-to-rear direction, and a hollow space is formed on the bottom of the chassis in which a protrusion fixed to the rear axle can rotatably be accommodated, and a rubber band attached to an attachment portion formed on the chassis is placed in the hollow space, and the rubber band is configured to be wound around the rear axle by the rotation of the protrusion when the rear axle has slid to the front side of the rear axle hole, and is released when the rear axle slides to the rear side of the rear axle hole, the protrusion being formed by the tip of a gear tooth, and the attachment portion is a protrusion hanging down into the hollow space and to which the rubber band is attached, and this protrusion has a vertical groove formed in it into which the tooth tip can fit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, the rear axle hole is shaped as an elongated hole, which allows the rear axle to slide in the fore-and-aft direction; when the rear axle is slid forward, the rubber band catches on the protrusion fixed to the rear axle, allowing the rubber band to be wound up; when the rear axle slides rearward, the rubber band does not come into contact with the protrusion fixed to the rear axle, so there is nothing to hinder the rotation of the rear axle, allowing for smooth rotation. Furthermore, by making the width of the attachment part smaller than the width of the hollow space and leaving a gap between the side wall of the hollow space and the attachment part, the rubber band does not come into contact with the side wall of the hollow space, allowing for smooth winding and unwinding without the rubber band touching the side wall of the hollow space and getting caught. Furthermore, by forming a straight-line assist groove, the tips of the gear teeth fit into and operate within this groove, compensating for the rear axle's tendency to wobble left and right due to the elongated shape of the rear axle hole, allowing for smooth straight-line running. As a result, the power of the rubber band is maximized, enabling stable straight-line running, further enhancing the enjoyment of players. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] A structural diagram of a toy car chassis from a bottom perspective in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2A] 1 is a structural diagram of the bottom of a toy car chassis according to the first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2B] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a toy car chassis according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a rear wheel according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4A] A diagram showing the operation of winding and unwinding a rubber band on a toy cart in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4B] A diagram showing the operation of winding and unwinding a rubber band on a toy cart in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4C] A diagram showing the operation of winding and unwinding a rubber band on a toy cart in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5A] Overall view of a toy according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5B] 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a toy according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] A structural diagram of a toy car chassis according to a second embodiment of the present invention, seen from a bottom perspective. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a rear wheel according to a second embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 8A] 10 is a diagram showing the operation of winding and unwinding a rubber band on a toy cart in the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8B] 10 is a diagram showing the operation of winding and unwinding a rubber band on a toy cart in the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8C] 10 is a diagram showing the operation of winding and unwinding a rubber band on a toy cart in the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] Overall view of a toy according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment of the present invention will be described using a toy car. The toy car A has a chassis 1 in the shape of a car with a window 4. A round front axle hole 1a and an elongated rear axle hole 1b are formed in the side of the chassis 1 (see FIGS. 1 and 5). A round, rod-shaped front axle 2 is inserted into the front axle hole 1a, and front wheels 2a, 2a are fixed to the left and right sides of the front axle hole 1a. A round, rod-shaped rear axle 3 is inserted into the rear axle hole 1b, and rear wheels 3a, 3a are fixed to the left and right sides of the front axle hole 1a (see FIGS. 4 and 5). A protrusion (gear) 8 is fixed to a center line B of the rear axle 3 in the lateral direction (see FIG. 3). The front axle 2 and the rear axle 3 are rotatable relative to the front axle hole 1a and the rear axle hole 1b formed in the chassis 1. The rear wheel axle 3 is capable of rotating and sliding in the longitudinal direction within the elongated rear axle hole 1b (see FIGS. 1 and 4).

[0009] A hollow space 5 is formed in the bottom surface of the chassis 1. This hollow space 5 is carved out around the periphery of the bottom surface of the chassis 1, leaving a predetermined width (see FIG. 2A). A gear 8 attached to the rear axle 3 as a driving means and a rubber band 10 attached to a mounting part 6, which is a protrusion hanging down into the hollow space 5 of the chassis 1, are accommodated in this hollow space 5 (see FIG. 2B).

[0010] When the rear axle 3 is located in front of the rear axle hole 1b, the tooth tips 8a of the gear 8 fit into the vertical grooves 6a formed in the mounting portion 6 (see Figures 4A and 4B), and when the rear axle 3 is located behind the rear axle hole 1b, the tooth tips 8a of the gear 8 are positioned so that they do not come into contact with the rubber band 10 attached to the mounting portion 6 (see Figure 4C).The width 6b of the mounting portion 6 is smaller than the width 5a of the hollow space, and is formed so that a gap 6c is formed between the side wall of the hollow space 5 and the mounting portion 6 (see Figure 2), which has the effect of allowing the rubber band 10 to be smoothly wound and unwound without coming into contact with the side wall of the hollow space 5 (see Figure 4).

[0011] Furthermore, a straight-line assist groove 5b is formed in the upper wall of hollow space 5, facing the ceiling of toy A, at the rear of mounting portion 6, at a position where tooth tips 8a of gear 8 of rear axle 3 fit, and tooth tips 8a fit into straight-line assist groove 5b, thereby preventing rattle of rear axle 3 caused by rear axle hole 1b being an elongated hole, and enabling smooth straight-line driving. The width of straight-line assist groove 5b may be approximately the same as the width of gear 8, and any width will do as long as gear 8 can fit appropriately into straight-line assist groove 5b and can move forward and backward without being too large or rattle (see FIGS. 2A and 4).

[0012] According to the configuration of Example 1, when toy A is placed on a surface such as a floor or table and slid backward, rear axle 3 moves forward of elongated rear axle hole 1b (see FIG. 4A). Rubber band 10 attached to mounting portion 6 catches on tooth tip 8a of gear 8 of rear axle 3 and is wound around rear axle 3 (see FIG. 4B). If you release your hand in this state, rubber band 10 unwinds (elastic) to return to its original state, causing toy A to move forward. After rear axle 3 moves rearward of elongated rear axle hole 1b and rubber band 10 unwinds, tooth tip 8a of gear 8 does not come into contact with rubber band 10 attached to mounting portion 6 (see FIG. 4C). Therefore, toy A can continue to rotate without any obstruction until it loses momentum. As a result, toy A can travel forward smoothly for a long period of time.

[0013] In the above embodiment, the gear 8 is described as the protrusion, but the protrusion may be configured as a rod 10 instead of the gear 8 (see FIG. 7). Also, the rubber band 10 is described as being attached to the mounting portion 6, which is a protrusion hanging down into the hollow space 5, but it may also be attached to the fixing grooves 7 of the line portions on both sides of the bottom surface of the dolly 1 (see FIGS. 6 and 9). The movement of the embodiment 2 configured in this way will be described with reference to FIG.

[0014] According to the configuration of Example 2, when toy A is placed on a surface such as a floor or a table and slid backward, rear axle 3 moves forward of elongated rear axle hole 1b, and rubber band 10 attached to fixed groove 7 of dolly 1 gets caught on the tip of rod 9 of rear axle 3 (see FIG. 8A). Further sliding backward causes rubber band 10 to be wound around rear axle 3 (see FIG. 8B). If toy A is released in this state, rubber band 10 is unwound (elastic) to return to its original state, causing toy A to move forward. After rear axle 3 moves rearward of elongated rear axle hole 1b and rubber band 10 is unwound, the tip of rod 9 does not come into contact with rubber band 10 attached to fixed groove 7 of dolly 1 (see FIG. 8C). Therefore, toy A can continue to rotate without any obstruction until the elastic momentum is lost.

[0015] The rear wheels 3a fixed to the left and right sides of the rear axle 3, which is directly connected to the drive unit of the present invention, are fitted with anti-slip rubber 3b so that the rear wheels 3a can transmit power to the top surface of a floor, table, etc. without spinning (see Figure 3).

[0016] Although the chassis 1 of the present invention is made of wood, it is not limited to wood and may be made of plastic or the like.

[0017] Although the present invention has been described with reference to automobiles, it is also possible to apply the invention to the design of vehicles other than automobiles, animals, insects, and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0018] A Self-propelled toy 1 chassis 1a Front axle hole 1b Rear axle hole 2 Front axle 2a Front wheel 3 Rear axle 3a Rear wheel 5. Hollow Space 5a Hollow space width 5b Straight auxiliary groove 6 Mounting part 6a Vertical groove 6b width 6c Gap 7 Fixing groove 8. Gears 8a Tooth tip 9 bars 10 rubber bands

Claims

1. A self-propelled toy comprising a chassis, a front axle and a rear axle, each rotatably supported in a front axle hole and a rear axle hole formed in the front and rear of the chassis, and each having a wheel on each side, and a drive means for driving the rear axle, wherein the rear axle hole is shaped as an elongated hole that can slide in the front-to-rear direction, and a hollow space is formed on the bottom of the chassis in which a protrusion fixed to the rear axle can be rotatably accommodated, and a rubber band attached to an attachment portion formed on the chassis is arranged in the hollow space, and the rubber band is configured to be wound around the rear axle by the rotation of the protrusion when the rear axle has slid to the front side of the rear axle hole, and is released when the rear axle slides to the rear side of the rear axle hole.

2. The self-propelled toy described in claim 1, characterized in that the protrusion is composed of the tip of a gear tooth, the mounting portion is a protrusion that hangs down into the hollow space and to which the rubber band is attached, and this protrusion has a vertical groove formed in it into which the tip of the tooth can fit.

Images