US3914898A

US3914898A - Spoiler-jack for vehicle toy

Info

Publication number: US3914898A
Application number: US526553A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward M Ferguson
Original assignee: Mattel Inc
Current assignee: Mattel Inc
Priority date: 1974-11-25
Filing date: 1974-11-25
Publication date: 1975-10-28
Anticipated expiration: 1992-10-28

Abstract

A spoiler-jack is swingably connected to a vehicle for elevating at least a portion of the vehicle when the spoiler-jack is swung to a first position and for simulating a spoiler on a racing vehicle when the spoiler-jack is swung 180* to a second position.

Description

United States Patent 1 Oct. 28, 1975 Ferguson SPOILER-JACK FOR VEHICLE TOY 2,941,330 6/1960 Birdsall 1 46/204 x 3,757,459 9/1973 Buck et al v v 1 46/202 [75] Edward Fergumn, Torrance 3,844,557 10/1974 Pompetti 46/202 Callf.

[73] Assignee: Mattel, Inc., Hawthorne, Calif. Primary Examiner-Russell R. Kinsey Assistant Examiner-J. Q. Lever [22] Filed Nov. 1974 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Max E. Shirk; Stephen L [2!] App]. No.: 526,553 King [52] US. Cl. 46/202; 46/222 [57] ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl. A63 11/10 A S pollerack 1s swmgably connected to a vehicle for [58] Field Search 46/202 2' elevating at least a portion of the vehicle when the 6/ Oi spoiler-jack is swung to a first position and for simulating a spoiler on a racing vehicle when the spoiler-jack [56] References cued is swung 180 to a second position.

UNITED STATES PATENTS Dubitsky ll/l958 46/201 X 4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures SPOILER-JACK FOR VEHICLE TOY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The background of the invention will be set forth in two parts.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to the field of vehicle toys and more particularly to a new and useful spoilerjack for a vehicle toy.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Vehicle toys having spoilers provided thereon are known. The present invention exemplifies improvements over vehicle toys of this type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and useful vehicle toy.

it is another object of the present invention to provide a new and useful spoiler-jack for a vehicle toy.

According to the present invention, a vehicle toy is provided with a spoiler-jack which is swingably connected to the vehicle for elevating at least a portion of the vehicle when the spoiler-jack is swung to a first position. The spoiler-jack is shaped to simulate a spoiler on a racing vehicle when the spoiler-jack is swung 180 to a second position.

The spoiler-jack includes a pair of arms each having a first end pivotally connected to the vehicle and a free end. Airfoil means is affixed to the free ends approximately normal to the arm for simulating the spoiler on a racing vehicle when the spoiler-jack is in the second position and for engaging a vehicle-supporting surface when the spoiler-jack is in the first position.

The airfoil means includes a substantially horizontal airfoil having ends extending beyond the arms and a vertical airfoil plate affixed to each end of the horizontal airfoil.

The spoiler-jack is swingably connected to the vehicle body behind its rear wheels and includes detent means for maintaining the spoiler-jack in its jacksimulating position and in its spoiler-simulating position.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to like elements in the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle toy which is provided with a spoler-jack constituting a presently preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the toy shown in FIG. 1, but with the spoiler-jack rotated 180 from its FIG. 1 position;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the vehicle toy of FIG. 1 showing the spoiler-jack in an elevated position for simulating the spoiler on a racing vehicle; and

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view similar to FIG. 3, but showing the spoiler-jack rotated 180 to a vehiclesupporting position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring again to the drawing, a spoiler-jack constituting a presently'preferred embodiment of the invention, generally designated 10, is shown herein for purposes of illustration, but not of limitation, in combination with a vehicle toy 12 having a body 14, a pair of front wheels l6, l8 and a pair of

rear wheels

20, 22.

Spoiler-jack 10 is swingably connected to vehicle toy 12 for elevating at least a portion of the vehicle toy when spoiler-jack 10 is swung to a first position (FIGS. 2 and 4). Spoiler-jack I0 is shaped to simulate a spoiler on a racing vehicle when spoiler-jack I0 is swung from the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 to a second position (FIGS. 1 and 3).

spoilerjack 10 includes a pair of

arms

24, 26 each having a first end 28 pivotally connected to vehicle body 14 behind

rear wheels

20, 22 by suitable pivot pins 30.

Arms

24, 26 also have free ends 32 to which an airfoil 34 is affixed in a plane which is approximately normal to the plane of

arms

24, 26. Airfoil 34 includes

ends

36, 38 extend outwardly beyond vehicle body 14 for simulating a well-known, racing-car-type spoiler when spoiler-jack 10 is swung 180 from a first position, as shown in FIG. 4, to a second position, as shown in FIG. 3, where airfoil 34 is positioned above body 14. The simulation of a race-car-type spoiler may be enhanced by placing an airfoil plate 40 on each

end

36, 38 of airfoil 34.

Each

arm

24, 26 carries a detent 42 (FIGS. 3 and 4) engageable with body 14 for maintaining spoiler-jack 10 in its first and second positions.

While the particular spoiler-jack herein shown and described in detail is fully capable of attaining the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as defined in the appended claims which form a part of this disclosure.

Whenever the term means is employed in these claims this term is to be interpreted as defining the corresponding structure illustrated and described in this specification or the equivalent of the same.

What is claimed is:

1. In a vehicle toy, the improvement which comprises:

a spoiler-jack swingably connected to said vehicle toy for elevating at least a portion of said vehicle toy when said spoiler-jack is swung to a first position, said spoiler-jack being shaped to simulate a spoiler on a racing vehicle when said spoiler-jack is swung 180 to a second position, said spoiler-jack including a pair of arms, each of said arms having a first end pivotally connected to said vehicle and a free end, said spoiler-jack also including airfoil means affixed to said free ends normal to said arms for simulating a racingvehicletype spoiler when said spoiler-jack is in said second position and for engaging a vehicle-supporting surface when said spoiler-jack is in said first position.

2. An improvement as stated in claim I wherein said airfoil means includes a substantially horizontal airfoil having ends extending beyond said arms and vertical said rear wheels.

4. An improvement as stated in claim 3 including detent means for maintaining said spoiler-jack in said first and second positions.

Claims

1. In a vehicle toy, the improvement which comprises: a spoiler-jack swingably connected to said vehicle toy for elevating at least a portion of said vehicle toy when said spoiler-jack is swung to a first position, said spoiler-jack being shaped to simulate a spoiler on a racing vehicle when said spoiler-jack is swung 180* to a second position, said spoiler-jack including a pair of arms, each of said arms having a first end pivotally connected to said vehicle and a free end, said spoiler-jack also including airfoil means affixed to said free ends normal to said arms for simulating a racing-vehicletype spoiler when said spoiler-jack is in said second position and for engaging a vehicle-supporting surface when said spoiler-jack is in said first position.

2. An improvement as stated in claim 1 wherein said airfoil means includes a substantially horizontal airfoil having ends extending beyond said arms and vertical airfoil plates affixed to said ends of said horizontal airfoil.

3. An improvement as stated in claim 2 wherein said vehicle has a pair of rear wheels and wherein said spoiler-jack is swingably connected to said vehicle behind said rear wheels.