Instructive toy in form of a vehicle model to be assembled.

The present invention relates to an instructive toy consisting of a decomposable vehicle model.

Are known toys consist of vehicle models capable of being decomposed in some constituent structural parts, and is also known a toy which is an internal combustion engine comprising movable parts mounted in a transparent housing which allows to observe the movements. These toys have some informative character as the first highlight the relative positional relationships of the structural parts of a vehicle and the second shows, only for the motor, connections of either structural or functional between its components. However we do not know instructive toys and teaching aids can highlight a whole either the structure or the operation of all the essential components of a vehicle.

The purpose of this invention is to provide an instructive toy or teaching aid, in the form of a decomposable vehicle model, which in its assembled form allows observation of the structure and the coordinated operation of simulated all functional groups essential to a real vehicle, and also allows more in its decomposed form, singularly observe the structure and simulated operation of each functional group considered itself.

This object is achieved according to the invention, mainly in that the toy comprises a support structure, substantially simulating the chassis of a real vehicle, provided with means for separable connection and number of functional units, each functional unit being provided with means of complementary separable connection means for separable connection of the support structure, and being further provided with complementary functional connection means to corresponding means operative connection of belonging to the other units, each fonctonnelle unit simulating an essential functional group an actual vehicle, and each functional unit comprising movable components arranged in order to simulate the real functional group simulated, mounted in a transparent housing allows for observation.

Due to these characteristics, the vehicle model includes, in its assembled form, units moving parts, which can be observed through transparent their housings, and that simulate the essential functional groups of a real vehicle, such as engine , the shift, differential and steering mechanism, and therefore it allows the observation is the relative structural position of these functional groups in a real vehicle, or their functional relationships coordinated movement. Such an overall observation is relevant and useful for young people whose age is very small. In addition the toy used by young people of more mature, may be decomposed into its singular component units, each of which may then be observed separately in detail in its structure and in its operation, while the operation of decomposing the model in its constituent units and dial again is in itself an attractive and formative activity. A particular formative effect can be achieved by subjecting the decomposition operations and composition to defined rules, with the dismantling of the constituent units and their installation, can be made only according to the sequence in which it can not deviate.

Furthermore each constituent unit, in turn, can be performed so that it can be removed and mounted again, giving more attractive to the game also for young people whose age is more mature.

These and other features and advantages of the subject of the invention will emerge more clearly from the following description of an embodiment having the character of a non limiting example, shown schematically in the accompanying drawings, in which several portions were omitted or represented by their edges only to the benefit of representation clarity. In the drawings:<ul><li>Fig. 1 shows an isometric perspective embodiment of the following vehicle model to the invention as a whole;</li><li>Fig. 2 is a plan view of the support structure model simulating the chassis of a real vehicle, indicating the perimeter of the different functional units to be applied thereto;</li><li>Fig. 3 is a similar representation to that of Figure 2, in side elevational view with some parts sectioned;</li><li>FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 show, respectively in plan, side elevation and in vertical cross section, the unit simulating the internal combustion engine of an actual vehicle;</li><li>Fig. 7 shows the unit fixing means simulating the motor on the support structure;</li><li>FIGS. 8 and 9 show, respectively in plan and in side elevation, the unit simulating the rate of change of an actual vehicle;</li><li>Fig. 10 shows the fastening means of the unit simulating the shift on the support structure;</li><li>FIGS. 11 and 12 show respectively plan and front elevation, the unit simulating the differential of an actual vehicle;</li><li>Fig. 13 shows a detail of the embodiment of a support pad of a half-axle differential; and</li><li>Fig. 14 shows the unit fixing means simulating the differential on the support structure.</li></ul>

Referring first to Figure 1, note that the vehicle model includes: a support structure, simulating the chassis of a real vehicle and therefore will then be designated as a frame unit, indicated as a whole by number 1, which in this case also includes steering mechanisms and rocket carrier for the purposes of steering front wheels 5; a motor unit, indicated as a whole by the numeral 2, simulating the internal combustion engine of an actual vehicle, applied removably on the frame unit 1; a speed changing unit, indicated as a whole by the number 3, simulating the speed change of a real vehicle, applied in a removable manner on the chassis unit 1 and operatively connected with the motor unit 2; and a differential unit, indicated as a whole by the number 4, applied removably on the frame unit 1, operatively connected with the shifting unit 3 and comprising two half-axles for the application of the rear wheels 6, simulating the driven wheels of an actual vehicle.

The support structure or frame unit 1 is shown separately and in more detail in Figures 2 and 3. It comprises a plate box, formed by an upper plate 10 and a bottom plate 11 which can be connected between them by elastic trigger elements 11 ', as shown in Figure 3. the upper plate 10 includes surfaces suitable for receiving the motor unit 2, the shift unit 3 and the differential unit 4, of which only the edges are indicated in these figures. The top plate 10 is provided with bayonet openings, respectively 12, 13 and 14, for coupling said units, whose fixing will be further described. Furthermore, the frame unit 1 comprises vertical pads 15 in which are housed the guide pins 16 'of the wheel carriers 16 provided for mounting of the previous 5-wheel steering, which the binding to knuckles will be further described . The frame unit also includes an angled support 17 for a steering control 18 coupled by means of an eccentric 18 'to a transverse bar 19 hinged to the wheel carriers 16, so that actuation of the steering control 18 to orient ( within certain limits indicated by broken lines in Figure 2) the wheel carriers 16 and thus the front wheels 5 steered.

The engine unit 2, shown separately and in more detail in Figures 4 to 7, comprises a baseplate 20 on which is mounted a housing 22 simulating the one-piece and the head of an internal combustion engine. The housing 22 is made of a transparent material to permit observation of the structure, relationships and movements of the internal parts. The connection between the base 20 and the housing 22 can be made for an elastic triggering elements 20 ', as shown in Figure 7. The base 20 includes bayonet projections 21 capable of engaging the bayonet openings 12 of the chassis unit 1. the motor unit 2 can be mounted on the chassis unit 1 by engaging the projections 21 in the apertures 12 and then sliding the drive unit 2 to the rear. The mounting position can then be stabilized by means of the arrangement shown in Figure 7. A lever 7 is pivoted in the frame unit 1 and comprises, at one of its ends a pusher 8 which lowers the operating lever 7 against the action of a resilient appendage 7a of the lever 7. the lever 7 comprises a tooth 9 capable of fitting in the widest part of a bayonet opening 12. by this arrangement the tooth 9 carried by the lever 7 is pushed elastically when the motor unit 2 is inserted by its projections 21 in the openings 12 of the chassis unit 1, but after the engine unit 2 has moved backwards in its final position, the tooth 9 springs back above under the thrust of the elastic appendix 7A, preventing any forward movement of the motor unit 2. this, therefore, can not be detached by accident from the chassis unit 1. However it is always possible to voluntarily dismantle the engine unit 2. This is done by lowering the pusher 8, which in turn lowers the tooth 9, thus allowing forward movement of the motor unit 2 to clear the projections 21 openings 12 bayonet.

The transparent housing 22 includes bench supports 22 'in which a crankshaft is rotated 23 provided with crank pins 23'. On each crank pin 23 is pivoted a connecting rod 24 articulated to a 25 mounted slidably in a piston guide portion, partially cylindrical, of the housing 22. On the front end of the crank shaft 23 is mounted a flywheel 26 provided with a dog clutch 27; these portions stand out better in Figure 1. Similarly, the rear end of the crank shaft 23 is mounted a flywheel 28 provided with a dog clutch 29, intended to give rise to the functional connection of the unit 2 engine with the shift unit 3.

The speed change unit 3, shown separately and in more detail in Figures 8 to 10 comprises a base plate 30 on which is mounted a housing 32 simulating the housing of the gear change of a motor vehicle. The housing 32 is made of a transparent material to permit observation of the structure, connections, movement of the internal parts. The connection between the base 30 and the housing 32 may be made for an elastic triggering elements 30 ', as shown in Figure 10. The base 30 includes bayonet projections 31 capable of engaging the bayonet openings 13 of the chassis unit 1. the shift unit 3 can be mounted on the chassis unit 1 by engaging the projections 31 in the apertures 13 and then sliding the shift unit 3 backwards. The mounting position can then be stabilized by means of the arrangement shown in Figure 10, comprising a lever 7 'with a resilient appendage 7A', a pusher 8 'and a tooth 9'. This provision 7'-9 'is at all similar, or to the structure for operation, disposition 7-9 described for the motor unit 2 with reference to Figure 7, and for this reason it will not further described.

The transparent housing 32 includes two fixed pads 32 'and 32' ', and in its interior are mounted two oscillating pads 33' and 33 '', which can be moved horizontally by means of a cam 34 'integral with an operating handle 34 disposed outside the housing 32 and which is operable by turning. In the pads 32 'and 33' is pivoted a motor shaft 35 which carries two toothed wheels 35 'and 35' 'and, at its front end, a steering wheel 37 provided with a dog clutch 37' complementary to the dog clutch 29 of the wheel 28 Single engine 2. in the pads 32 '' and 33 '' is pivoted a driven shaft 36 which carries two toothed wheels 36 'and 36' 'arranged opposite to the wheels 35' and respectively 35 '' of the shaft motor 35. a steering wheel 38 provided with a dog clutch 39 is mounted on the rear end of the driven shaft 36.

Depending on the position imparted to the pads 33 'and 33' 'by the cam 34', whose position is adjusted by means of the handle 34, the shafts 35 and 36 may assume different relative positions in a horizonal plane. In the position shown in Figure 8, the shaft 35 is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing 32, while the shaft 36 is inclined; the toothed wheels 35 '' and 36 '' engage between them while the toothed wheels 35 'and 36' are at a certain mutual distance and do not mesh. Is thus produced between the shafts 35 and 36 a transmission ratio which depends on the pitch diameters of the gear wheels 35 '' and 36 '', which ratio in this case is multiplication. If one rotates the cam 34 '180 °, the positions of shafts 35 and 36 are changed between them; the shaft 36 has parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing 32, while the shaft 35 is now tilted. Therefore be between them mesh with gears 35 'and 36' rather than the gear wheels 35 '' and 36 '', and between the shafts 35 and 36 there is provided a transmission ratio which depends on the pitch diameters of the wheels gear 35 'and 36', which ratio in this case is reduction ratio. In the two possible positions of the handle 34 and the cam 34 ', rotated 90 ° in either direction relative to the position shown in Figure 8, the shafts 35 and 36 are inclined both relative to the longitudinal axis of the housing 32, and neither the gear wheels 35 'and 36', or the gear wheels 35 '' and 36 '' will engage between them. Thus, realized a crazy speed change condition, and there is no transmission between the trees 35 and 36. The shift unit 3 forms a drive transmission ratio between the flywheels 37 and 38, with two different transmission ratios and a crazy condition.

The differential group represented separately and in more detail in Figures 11 to 14 comprises a base plate 40 on which is mounted a housing 42 simulating the hindquarters of a motor vehicle. The housing 42 is made ​​of a transparent material to permit observation of the structure, relationships and movements of the internal parts. The connection between the base 40 and the housing 42 may be made ​​for an elastic triggering elements 40 ', as shown in Figure 14. The base 40 includes bayonet projections 41 capable of engaging the bayonet openings 42 of the chassis unit 1. the differential unit 4 can be mounted on the chassis unit 1 by engaging the projections 41 in the apertures 14 and then dragging the differential unit 4 laterally (down following Figure 2). The mounting position can then be stabilized by means of the arrangement shown in Figure 14, comprising a lever 7 '' with a resilient appendage 7A ', a pusher 8' 'and a tooth 9' '. This provision 7 '' - 9 '' is at all similar in structure and function, disposition 7-9 described for the motor unit 2 with reference to Figure 7, and therefore it will not de scribed later.

The housing 42 retains the correct position of the elements 43 that form a plurality of pads arranged as shown in Figures 11 and 12. In two coaxial pairs of these pads are mounted two coaxial half-axles 44, each of which carries at its inner end a toothed wheel tapered 44 'and at its outer end a rocket 44' 'for mounting one of the rear wheels 6 (shown with the differential unit, in Figure 11). With the two bevel gears 44 ', facing each other, engages a bevel gear 45 whose axis is perpendiculier the common axis of the bevel gears 44' and is supported by a cage 45 so as to rotate. The cage 45 is mounted on the inner ends of coaxial shafts 44 so as to be rotatable, and carries an external bevel ring gear 45 ''. 44-45 The mechanism now described as a mechanical differential between the ring gear 45 '' driving and half-axles 55, she led by a differential manner. The ring gear 45 '' is in turn meshes with a bevel gear 46 'carried by the inner end of a shaft 46 mounted in a pair of coaxial pads 43 of the housing 42. On the outer end of the shaft 46 is mounted a flywheel 47 provided with a dog clutch 48, which is complementary to the positive clutch 39 of the rear wheel 38 of the shift unit 3. It may be noted that all the described flying: 26, 28, 37, 38 and 47, may be the same among themselves in their construction.

Each rear wheel 6 comprises a hub 60 by means of which the wheel can be mounted on the spindle 44 '' of one of the half-axle 44 of the differential unit 4, and the wheel is shaped so as to engage, when is mounted, with a tooth 49 of the stub axle 44, so as to be rotationally fixed relative to the stub axle on which it is mounted. In addition, in each wheel is provided at least one elastic lock 61 (Figure 11), and in practice two diametrically opposed bolts is preferably (Figure 1). The latch 61 is arranged to relax elastically in a groove of the respective stub axle 44, to retain the wheel in the installed position. The latch 61, however, permits the removal of the wheel, which can be done by pulling the latches 61 outwardly and releasing the wheel of the rocket that supports it.

In a similar manner, each front wheel 5 comprises a hub 50 by means of which the wheel can be mounted on the stub axle 16 of the frame unit 1. The steering knuckle 16 is not provided with a similar tooth the tooth 49 of the stub axle 44, so that the nose sprocket 5 is free to rotate on the spindle carrier 16 supporting it. At least one latch 51 retains the wheel 5 in the correct position on the stub axle, without preventing rotation and allows disassembly. The layout is identical to the 60-61 arrangement described for the rear wheels 6, is not only the result and described later in Figure 1. Note that the front wheels 5 and rear wheels 6 can be identical among themselves the point of view of construction.

When the vehicle model is broken down into its component units described, each of these units can be particularly examined in its strucure, revealed through the transparent casing and by turning one of the flywheels which each unit is provided, one can look detail the functional relationships between the interior components. In particular, the motor unit 2 can understand the relationship between the rotary movement of the crankshaft 23 and the reciprocating rods 24 and pistons 25. From the shift unit 3 can be observed as the transmission is established or interrupted, and as the transmission ratio is changed. From the observation of the differential unit operation can lighten a mechanical differential, which is complicated in itself and could not be easily understood by intuition.

It should be noted that removal of different functional units is performed, in the preferred embodiment described, disengaging each unit by the pressure of a pusher which can be accessed from the upper portion e by the simultaneous displacement of the unit a predetermined direction. The use, as the disengagement control member, a pusher that control of the upper part, makes considerably easier this operation.

It should also be noted that, for the provision indicated the presence of each unit prevents disengagement units located behind the cogeneration unit. Thus, the dismantling of various units is possible only starting with the motor unit and then proceeding with each successive unit, while a reversed order must be respected when again made the model. The effect of this link is useful and formative as having the AC adapter is accustomed to suivir prééabli logical order and in the execution of operations.

The mounting operation of the various functional units on the chassis unit is itself an enjoyable and formative activity. After he has performed with the different units in order and in the manner established by setting them in their positions, and taking care of the dog clutch 29 operatively coupled to the motor unit 2 with the positive clutch 37 'of the unit shift 3 and the dog clutch 39 of the speed change unit 3 with the dog clutch 48 of the differential unit 4, it is possible to observe a whole functional relationships mechanisms, motor until 'to the vehicle wheels, in the various positions of the shift. Because this observation requires no manual skills, it is also accessible to young people in very small age, who are not yet capable of performing the disassembly and assembly of functional units, suitable for operations young people more mature.

In addition, as has been said, the various constituent units are assembled, in turn, by the use of elements with elastic triggering as 11 ', 20', 30 ', 40'. So, releasing these elements, it is possible to disassemble each unit in its singular components elements and then mount it again. Of course, such an operation is far more engaging than transactions involving decomposition and composition of the model described above. Such an operation can be performed only by young people whose age is already mature considerably, and it extends to these young people the attraction of the game, by increasing it.

Of course, various modifications may be brought to what has been described and shown by way of example, without changing the fundamental principle of the invention. For example, the model considered, which refers to a motor vehicle having front engine, rear wheel drive and deleted steered wheels, can be changed relative to a subsequent arrangement of the engine, to a previous position of the drive wheels, to an AWD on four wheels or even a character director of all four wheels, as performed in some special vehicles. The motor group, which has been shown by example with three cylinders in line, could have any number of cylinders arranged in line in a vertical or horizontal plane, or in V- or star. The shift unit could include more than two transmission ratios, and these reports could be obtained in a manner different from that shown, if appropriate in a more faithful way from the reality, and this is subject radial meshing, either by front Clabots. The differential unit may include mechanisms for differential lock, as provided in all-terrain vehicles. The hind could include both axles and / or dual tires, as used on trucks. The control unit management, which in the example is part of the chassis unit, could be a removable functional unit. The functional coupling between the different units may be realized in a manner different from that having flying with Clabots. Also the mounting and fixing releasable functional units on the frame unit may be made in any way different from that described.