Variable-track rolling toy
US9381442B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 14, 2014 |
| Grant date | Jul 5, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 14, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60B35/1009
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention relates to a toy comprising at least two parallel wheels each comprising a hub (14), a rim (16) provided with a tread (18), and a plurality of spokes (20) made of an elastically deformable material. The unit formed by the hub and the spokes is mounted into the rim under compressive stress on the spokes, so as to produce, by buckling effect, a bending of the spokes curving these latter and offsetting axially the plane of the hub with respect to that of the rim. The unit can hence take two stable positions in the direction of bending of the spokes, i.e. an extended position with an enlarged track and a retracted position with a reduced track. It is just needed to apply an external mechanical effort on the rim, in one direction or the other, to reverse the direction of bending of the spokes, and thus to switch from the extended position to the retracted position, or vice versa.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.