toy vehicles

Abstract

To provide a vehicle toy excellent in safety properties.SOLUTION: A vehicle toy 1 comprises: a vehicle body 10; a third wheel 23 which is provided on a third axle 23a which has a crank CR for converting a rotation motion into a vibration motion; and a vibration part 30 which has an engagement part 33 engaged to the crank CR, and vibrates by the crank CR following rotation of the third wheel 23a. The engagement part 33 is pressed by the crank CR thereby capable of bending in a vibration direction of the vibration part 30. When the vehicle toy 1 is made travel and the third wheel 23 rotates, a finger or the like is caught between a flue part 34 of the vibration part 30 and the vehicle body 10, the engagement part 33 engaged to the crank CR is pressed by the crank CR and is bent in the vibration direction of the vibration part 30, therefore it is possible to prevent pressing of the finger or the like caught between the part of the vibration part 30 and the vehicle body 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a toy vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Vehicle toys that use a crank to convert rotational motion into vibrational motion have been provided. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a mechanical educational train with a mechanism that uses a crankshaft to convert the rotational motion of wheels into the up-and-down reciprocating motion of pistons. In this mechanical educational train, animal blocks resembling animal faces or the like are attached to the upper end of a push-up shaft that moves up and down by the mechanism. As the wheels rotate, the animal blocks move up and down, appearing in and out of parts of the train body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3214174 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned Karakuri Educational Train, there is a risk that a child may accidentally get their fingers caught between the animal blocks and the train body when using it. In this case, if the train body is driven and the wheels are rotated with a finger or fingers caught in the train, the trapped finger or fingers will be pressed between the animal blocks and the train body when the animal blocks are hidden by part of the train body, which may compromise safety.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle toy that is excellent in safety. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A vehicle toy according to one aspect of the present invention includes a vehicle body, wheels attached to axles having a crank for converting rotational motion into vibrational motion, and a vibration unit having an engagement portion engaged with the crank and vibrating with the crank as the wheel rotates, the engagement portion comprising: The crankshaft has a lower engaging portion and an upper engaging portion, and the tip end of the lower engaging portion is a free end and is flexible relative to the upper engaging portion. The crank is sandwiched between the lower engaging portion and the upper engaging portion in the vertical direction, and the engaging portion moves up and down in response to the up and down movement of the crank, vibrating the vibration portion up and down. When the crank moves downward with the upper engaging portion fixed, and the lower engaging portion is pressed downward, the lower engaging portion The vibration section is flexible in the vibration direction. The vibration unit has a decorative part that repeatedly moves toward and away from the vehicle body due to the vibration, and when a finger or the like is pinched between the decorative part and the vehicle body, the lower engagement part bends to restrict vibration of the upper engagement part and, in turn, the decorative part downward. It is characterized by the following. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, a vehicle toy with excellent safety can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the overall appearance of a toy vehicle according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of the vehicle toy according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a front view of an axle with a crank. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration in the vicinity of a crank of the vehicle toy according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] 1A and 1B are side views showing the operating state of a vehicle toy according to an embodiment, in which (a) is a side view showing a state in which the smoke section is vibrating downward and the wing section is closed, and (b) is a side view showing a state in which the smoke section is vibrating upward and the wing section is open. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the internal structure of the vehicle toy according to the embodiment when the engagement portion is bent. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Fig. 1, in this embodiment, a toy vehicle 1 simulating a train will be illustrated. The toy vehicle 1 includes a body 10, a plurality of wheels 21 to 25 for moving the body 10, and a vibration unit 30 (see Fig. 2), part of which is disposed inside the body 10 and vibrates by a crank CR (see Fig. 3), which will be described later. A child or the like can play with the toy by pushing the body 10 with their hand to move it.

[0010] The car body 10 is configured with a locomotive section 12 and a passenger car section 14 connected in a front-to-rear direction. The locomotive section 12 is a vehicle modeled after a locomotive car, and has an engine room 12a. A chimney section 12b is provided in front of the engine room 12a. The passenger car section 14 is a vehicle modeled after a passenger car, and has a passenger compartment 14a. A roof section 14b is provided above the passenger compartment 14a. A front curtain 36 that forms part of the vibration section 30 is provided in front of the passenger compartment 14a, and a rear curtain 14c is provided behind the passenger compartment 14a. The front curtain 36 and the rear curtain 14c are components that resemble the curtains of a passenger car.

[0011] Furthermore, a pair of wing-like blade sections 16 are provided on the left and right outer surfaces of the passenger compartment 14a. The pair of blade sections 16 are provided so as to be rotatable and open outward to the left and right relative to the passenger compartment 14a by opening / closing hinges 16a provided on the left and right outer surfaces of the lower front side of the passenger compartment 14a. This allows the user to freely open and close each blade section 16, allowing them to play while imagining themselves as a flying locomotive.

[0012] 1 and 2, five pairs of left and right wheels are provided on the underside of the car body 10, each pair being provided at both ends of an axle and rotating together with the axle (hereinafter, the wheels are referred to as the "first wheel 21," "second wheel 22," "third wheel (wheel) 23," "fourth wheel 24," and "fifth wheel 25," in order from the front). Of these, the axles of the first wheel 21, second wheel 22, and third wheel 23 are rotatably attached to the underside of the locomotive section 12, and the axles of the fourth wheel 24 and fifth wheel 25 are rotatably attached to the underside of the passenger car section 14.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 3, the third wheel 23 is provided at both ends of an axle (hereinafter referred to as the "third axle (axle) 23a") having a crank CR. The crank CR is provided at approximately the center of the third axle 23a in the axial direction and is configured as an axle offset from the axis of the third axle 23a. As the third axle 23a rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the third wheel 23, the crank CR repeatedly oscillates up and down when viewed from the front of the third axle 23a shown in FIG. 3. In addition, circular plate portions (sandwich portions) 23b, which are circular when viewed from the axial direction of the third axle 23a, are provided on both sides of the crank CR. In addition, a plurality of grooves 23c are provided on the outer periphery of the third wheel 23 to prevent the third wheel 23 from spinning.

[0014] Of the wheels, the second wheel 22 and the third wheel 23 have approximately the same diameter and are larger in diameter than the other wheels, the first wheel 21, the fourth wheel 24, and the fifth wheel 25, resulting in a slower rotation period. The outer surfaces of the second wheel 22 and the third wheel 23 are decorated with star shapes, and protruding protrusions 22t and 23t are respectively provided on the outer sides. A connecting plate 28 is attached to both protrusions 22t and 23t, connecting them. Because the second wheel 22 and the third wheel 23 have approximately the same diameter and are connected to each other by the connecting plate 28, the second wheel 22 and the third wheel 23 rotate simultaneously with the same period.

[0015] Next, the configuration of the vibration section 30 will be described with reference to Figures 1, 2, and 4. The vibration section 30 has a frame section 32 arranged inside the locomotive section 12 of the carbody 10, a smoke section (decorative section) 34 connected to one end of the frame section 32, and a front curtain 36 connected to the other end of the frame section 32. The frame section 32 is made of a flexible synthetic resin. The frame section 32 is generally L-shaped overall, and is composed of a long shaft section 32a that forms the long axis of the approximately L shape and extends forward and backward, and a short shaft section 32b that forms the short axis of the approximately L shape and extends upward and downward. An engagement section 33 is provided on the frame section 32.

[0016] The long shaft portion 32a is disposed over substantially the entire lower interior of the locomotive section 12, and its front end is connected to the lower end of the short shaft portion 32b. The rear end of the long shaft portion 32a forms a rear end connection portion 32a1 that is connected to the front curtain 36. The short shaft portion 32b is disposed from the lower interior of the locomotive section 12 to the inside of the chimney section 12b, and its upper end forms an upper end connection portion 32b1 that is connected to the smoke section 34. A reinforcing rib 32c is provided between the long shaft portion 32a and the short shaft portion 32b to reinforce the bent portion where the long shaft portion 32a and the short shaft portion 32b are connected.

[0017] The smoke section 34 is a member that resembles smoke coming from a locomotive's chimney, and is provided from the top of the chimney section 12b to the front of the upper part of the roof section 14b. The front side of the smoke section 34 is provided with a front connection section 34a that extends downward and enters the top of the chimney section 12b to connect with the upper end connection section 32b1 of the short shaft section 32b. The rear side of the smoke section 34 is provided with an engagement hole 34b that is engaged with the upper end of the front curtain 36.

[0018] 2, the front curtain 36 has a lower end connection portion 36a at its lower end that connects to the rear end connection portion 32a1 of the long shaft portion 32a. The front curtain 36 has a locking piece 36b at its upper end that is inserted into and locked into a locking hole 34b of the smoke portion 34. In this way, in the vibrating portion 30, the frame portion 32, the smoke portion 34, and the front curtain 36 are interconnected and integrated, and are designed to move in conjunction with each other.

[0019] Next, the configuration of the engaging portion 33 provided on the frame portion 32 of the vibrating portion 30 will be described in detail. As shown in Fig. 4, the long shaft portion 32a of the frame portion 32 has a portion that branches downward from approximately the center in the front-to-rear direction and extends rearward. As a result, the rear portion of the long shaft portion 32a has a generally horizontal U-shape when viewed from the left-right direction (the axial direction of the third axle 23a). This generally U-shaped portion serves as the engaging portion 33 that engages with the crank CR of the third axle 23a.

[0020] The engagement portion 33 has a lower engagement portion 33a that branches off and extends downward from the long shaft portion 32a (forming the lower part of the horizontal, approximately U-shape), and an upper engagement portion 33b that forms part of the long shaft portion 32a (forming the upper part of the horizontal, approximately U-shape). The lower engagement portion 33a and the upper engagement portion 33b extend parallel to each other and face each other. The tip of the lower engagement portion 33a is a free end, and is able to bend relative to the upper engagement portion 33b when subjected to a vertical force while the upper engagement portion 33b is fixed.

[0021] The engagement portion 33 is engaged with the crank CR in a manner that it is close to or in contact with the crank CR so that the crank CR is sandwiched between the lower engagement portion 33a and the upper engagement portion 33b in the vertical direction. As the third wheel 23 rotates, the third axle 23a having the crank CR rotates, causing the engagement portion 33 to interfere with the crank CR and vibrate. Specifically, when the crank CR oscillates upward, the crank CR interferes with the upper engagement portion 33b and the engagement portion 33 is pushed upward. When the crank CR oscillates downward, the crank CR interferes with the lower engagement portion 33a and the engagement portion 33 is pushed downward.

[0022] In this way, the engaging part 33 performs a vibrating motion in which it repeatedly moves up and down, causing the entire vibrating part 30 (frame part 32, smoke part 34, front curtain 36) connected to the engaging part 33 to vibrate up and down in conjunction with the engaging part 33. In other words, the crank CR converts the rotational motion of the third wheel 23 into a vibrating motion (reciprocating motion) of the vibrating part 30 in the up and down direction.

[0023] FIG. 5(a) shows a side view of the toy vehicle 1 with the smoke section 34 and front curtain 36 vibrating downward and the blades 16 closed. FIG. 5(b) shows a side view of the toy vehicle 1 with the smoke section 34 and front curtain 36 vibrating upward and the blades 16 open. As shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), by watching the smoke section 34 vibrate up and down as the third wheel 23 rotates, i.e., by watching the smoke section 34 repeatedly move toward and away from the vehicle body 10, the user can enjoy the impression that smoke is actually coming out of the chimney 12b. Furthermore, by watching the front curtain 36 vibrate up and down, the user can enjoy the impression that the vehicle body 10 is actually moving and shaking.

[0024] Here, the pair of circular plate portions 23b on both sides of the crank CR described above are sized so that their plate surfaces sandwich the engagement portion 33 engaged with the crank CR in the axial direction of the third axle 23a. That is, the diameter of the circular plate surface of the circular plate portion 23b is larger than the distance D1 (see FIG. 4) between the lower engagement portion 33a and the upper engagement portion 33b of the engagement portion 33. Therefore, if the engagement portion 33 shifts left and right (in the axial direction of the third axle 23a) while vibrating up and down, the engagement portion 33 interferes with the circular plate portions 23b, preventing the engagement portion 33 from shifting left and right.

[0025] Furthermore, as described above, the second wheel 22 and the third wheel 23, which rotates simultaneously with the second wheel 22, have a slower rotation period than the other wheels, the first wheel 21, the fourth wheel 24, and the fifth wheel 25. As a result, even if the toy vehicle 1 is driven fast to increase the rotational speed of the first wheel 21, the fourth wheel 24, and the fifth wheel 25, the rotational speed of the third wheel 23 does not increase easily, and the vibration of the vibrating unit 30 accompanying the rotation of the third wheel 23 does not increase easily either. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the vibrating unit 30 from vibrating excessively quickly.

[0026] Next, the manner in which the lower engaging portion 33a of the engaging portion 33 bends will be described. As shown in Fig. 6, for example, assume that a user is pushing the vehicle toy 1 with their hand to make it run and accidentally pinches their finger F between the smoke portion 34 and the roof portion 14b. Fig. 6 illustrates a case in which the finger F gets caught between the smoke portion 34 and the roof portion 14b when the smoke portion 34 vibrates upward (when the crank CR oscillates upward). When the finger F gets caught between the smoke portion 34 and the roof portion 14b in this way, the smoke portion 34 and the upper engaging portion 33b (frame portion 32) connected to the smoke portion 34 are restricted from vibrating downward. In other words, the upper engaging portion 33b is fixed.

[0027] If the lower engaging portion 33a were not flexible, the crank CR would oscillate downward as the toy vehicle 1 continued to travel, applying a force to the lower engaging portion 33a by the crank CR, which would tend to push the lower engaging portion 33a downward. This force would then be transmitted to the smoke portion 34, causing the smoke portion 34 to oscillate downward, which would result in fingers being pressed between the smoke portion 34 and the roof portion 14b, creating a dangerous situation.

[0028] In contrast, in the vehicle toy 1 of this embodiment, when the crank CR oscillates downward while the upper engagement portion 33b is fixed, the crank CR presses the lower engagement portion 33a downward, causing it to bend downward (see FIG. 6). As a result, the downward vibration of the lower engagement portion 33a is absorbed by the lower engagement portion 33a. Therefore, the downward vibration force is not transmitted to the smoke portion 34, and the crank CR oscillates upward again, allowing the vehicle toy 1 to continue traveling. This prevents fingers from being pressed between the smoke portion 34 and the roof portion 14b, making it possible to provide a vehicle toy 1 with excellent safety.

[0029] According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle toy having the following features can be provided.

[0030] A vehicle toy according to a first aspect comprises a vehicle body, a wheel mounted on an axle having a crank that converts rotational motion into vibrational motion, and a vibration unit having an engagement portion engaged with the crank and vibrating due to the crank as the wheel rotates, and the engagement portion is capable of bending in the vibration direction of the vibration unit when pressed by the crank.

[0031] With this configuration, if a finger or the like becomes caught between a part of the vibrating part and the vehicle body while the toy vehicle is running and the wheels are rotating, the engaging part engaged with the crank is pressed by the crank and bends in the vibration direction of the vibrating part, thereby absorbing the vibration of the engaging part and preventing a finger or the like that becomes caught between a part of the vibrating part and the vehicle body from being pressed, making the vehicle toy that uses the crank excellent in safety.

[0032] In a vehicle toy according to a second aspect, the engaging portions are provided in a manner that sandwiches the crank in the vibration direction.

[0033] According to this configuration, the engaging portion vibrates as a result of interference between the engaging portion and the crank in the vibration direction, and therefore, a specific configuration can be provided for vibrating the engaging portion and the vibrating portion having the engaging portion by the crank.

[0034] In a vehicle toy according to a third aspect, the engaging portion is provided in a substantially U-shape having a free end.

[0035] According to this configuration, the portion of the substantially U-shaped engaging portion having the free end can be made to bend when pressed by the crank, thereby providing a specific configuration for making a portion of the engaging portion bendable when pressed by the crank.

[0036] In a vehicle toy according to a fourth aspect, the axle has a pair of clamping portions that clamp the engaging portion engaged with the crank in the axial direction.

[0037] With this configuration, if the engaging portion is displaced in the axial direction of the axle, the engaging portion will interfere with the clamping portion, preventing the engaging portion from displacing in the axial direction of the axle, thereby making the engagement between the crank and the engaging portion more stable.

[0038] In a vehicle toy according to a fifth aspect, the vibration section has a decorative section that repeatedly moves toward and away from the vehicle body due to the vibration.

[0039] With this configuration, even if the decorative part, which is likely to attract children's interest, vibrates and a child accidentally pinches a finger or the like between the decorative part and the vehicle body, the engaging part bends and absorbs the vibration of the engaging part, preventing the finger or the like pinched between the decorative part and the vehicle body from being pressed down, thereby making it possible to make a vehicle toy that is likely to attract children's interest with excellent safety.

[0040] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 1 vehicle toy 10 car body 12 Locomotive Department 12a Engine Room 12b Chimney section 14 Passenger car section 14a Guest room 14b Roof 14c Rear curtain 16 Blade 16a Opening and closing hinge 21 First wheel 22 2nd wheel 22t protrusion 23 3rd wheel 23a 3rd axle 23b Circular plate portion 23c Groove portion 23t Protrusion 24 4th wheel 25 5th wheel 28 Connecting plate 30 Vibration part 32 Frame part 32a Long shaft part 32b Short shaft part 32b1 Upper end connection part 32c Reinforcement rib 33 Engagement part 33a Lower engagement part 33b Upper engaging part 34 Smoke part 34a Front connection part 34b Locking hole 36 Front curtain 36a Bottom connection 36b Locking piece CR crank D1 Distance F finger

Claims

1. The car body and a wheel mounted on an axle having a crank that converts rotary motion into oscillatory motion; a vibration unit having an engagement unit engaged with the crank and vibrating with the crank as the wheel rotates; Equipped with the engaging portion has a lower engaging portion and an upper engaging portion, the tip of the lower engaging portion being a free end and capable of bending relative to the upper engaging portion, the crank is sandwiched in the vertical direction between the lower engaging portion and the upper engaging portion, the engaging portion moves up and down in response to the up and down movement of the crank to vibrate the vibration portion up and down, and when the lower engaging portion is pressed downward by the crank moving downward with the upper engaging portion fixed, the lower engaging portion is capable of bending in the vibration direction of the vibration portion, The vibration unit has a decorative part that repeatedly moves towards and away from the vehicle body due to the vibration, and when a finger or the like is pinched between the decorative part and the vehicle body, the lower engagement part bends, restricting the vibration of the upper engagement part and, ultimately, the decorative part downward.

2. 2. The vehicle toy according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portion is formed in a substantially U-shape having a free end.

3. 3. The vehicle toy according to claim 1, wherein the axle has a pair of clamping portions that clamp the engaging portion engaged with the crank in the axial direction of the axle.

Images