Suspension device, suspension assembly including such a device, and method of use

[0002] 1. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure is related to a suspension device for a toy vehicle and, in particular, to a suspension device that allows the height of the chassis with respect to the wheels to be adjusted.

[0004] 2. Related Art

[0005] Toy vehicles are quite popular and are typically used on both smooth and rough road surfaces. Many suspension systems are inadequate for allowing the toy vehicle to maneuver well because they have inadequate height to ground clearance. Toy vehicles usually include some type of shock absorbing device such as springs, shock absorbers and the like, but even with such devices, many toy vehicles are simply unable to negotiate rough terrain, or tip over when the road surface becomes too rough. This, of course, can lead to accidental breakage of the toy vehicles, which is expensive to repair.

[0006] The patent literature includes many examples of attempts to improve suspension systems of toy vehicles. One example disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,696,655 to D'Andrade et al. is a suspension system formed of corrugated flexible hollow plastic tubes.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,850,929 to Genevey discloses a toy vehicle with an axle made in the form of a stirrup.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,108,126 to Banse discloses a parallelogrammic linkage between the vehicle infrastructure and the wheel mounting member.

[0009] Other suspension systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,306,038 to Henderson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,338,246 to Suto, U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,872 Simmons et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,576 to Belton.

[0010] None of the foregoing suspension systems allows the height of the chassis with respect to the wheels to be adjustably varied relatively quickly and in a reliable manner.

[0011] In one embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a suspension device for a toy vehicle having a chassis, a suspension assembly, and wheels. The suspension device includes a frame having a base member and first and second opposing side members supported on the base member. The suspension device also includes at least two notch pairs. Each notch pair includes a first notch disposed on the first side member and a second notch disposed on the second side member opposite the first side member. Each of the first and second notches of each notch pair may be configured and dimensioned to selectively engage a member of the suspension assembly. The distance between the chassis and the wheels is selectively adjustable by engaging a member of the suspension assembly with a selected notch pair.

[0012] In another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a suspension assembly for a toy vehicle having a chassis. The suspension assembly includes a suspension device supported on the chassis. The suspension device includes at least two notch pairs. Each notch pair includes a first notch disposed on the first side member and a second notch disposed on the second side member opposite the first side member. Each of the first and second notches of each notch pair may be configured and dimensioned to selectively engage a member of the suspension assembly. At least one wheel support member maybe operatively connected to the chassis. At least one shock absorber may be supported by the wheel support member and operatively connected to the suspension device. At least one bushing assembly may be operatively connected to the shock absorber and adapted to be selectively received within the suspension device. When a member of the bushing assembly is received within a first selected pair of notches, the chassis is a first selected distance from the wheels. When the member of the bushing assembly is received within a second selected pair of notches that is different from the first selected pair of notches, the chassis is a second selected distance from the wheels. The second selected distance is preferably being different from the first.

[0013] It should be understood that the drawings are provided for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to define the limits of the disclosure. The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the embodiments described herein will become apparent with reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a toy vehicle that includes suspension assembly and a suspension device according to the present disclosure;

[0015] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the suspension assembly of the toy vehicle shown in FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the suspension device and bushing assembly shown in FIG. 2;

[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the suspension device shown in FIG. 3;

[0018] FIG. 5 is a front view of the suspension device of FIG. 3;

[0019] FIG. 6 is a front view of the chassis in its uppermost position with respect to the wheels;

[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the chassis in an intermediate position with respect to the wheels; and

[0021] FIG. 8 is a front view of the chassis in its lowermost position with respect to the wheels.

[0022] The present disclosure is directed to a suspension device for a toy vehicle which allows a user to quickly and easily adjust or vary the height of the chassis with respect to the wheels. By increasing the distance between the chassis and the wheels, the ability to negotiate smooth, rough or uneven terrain is improved.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a partial view of an exemplary toy vehicle 10 which includes a suspension assembly 12 and a chassis 14. Suspension assembly 12 preferably includes a suspension device 16, at least one wheel support member 18, at least one shock absorber 22, and a bushing assembly indicated generally at 24. Preferably, suspension device 16 may be connected to chassis 14 as discussed in greater detail below. Also preferably, each shock absorber 22 maybe connected to suspension device 16 by a bushing assembly 24, and to wheel support member 18 by a fastener 26. In the present embodiment, a wheel 28 may be supported by each wheel support member 18 by supporting wheel 28 at its center (not illustrated).

[0024] FIGS. 2 and 3 show shock absorbers 22, bushing assemblies 24, and suspension device 16 in exploded view. As shown, each bushing assembly 24 preferably includes a shaft 30 having a threaded interior end surface 32 for receiving an end cap 34 which, in the present embodiment, is an externally threaded screw. A bushing 36 may be disposed on each shaft 30, preferably in fixed relation to shaft 30. Each shaft 30 may be adapted to receive a shock absorber 22 between bushing 36 and end cap 34. Each shock absorber 22 includes a first aperture 38 into which shaft 30 may be slidably received, for connecting shock absorber 22 to suspension device 16. Shock absorbers 22 also each include a second aperture 40 for receiving fastener 26 to connect shock absorber 22 to wheel support member 18.

[0025] Suspension device 16 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 4-5, when taken together. As shown, suspension device 16 preferably has a substantially symmetrical frame 42 including a base 44 and opposing side members 46a,b. In the present embodiment, suspension device 16 preferably includes a pair of connecting posts 48a,bextending downwardly from base 44. Preferably, each connecting post 48abincludes at least one aperture 50 for receiving fastener 26 (see FIG. 1). In this manner, frame 42 may be connected to chassis 14. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that any suitable fastener may be used, such as a screw or rivet. In the present embodiment, fastener 26 is an externally threaded screw.

[0026] If additional structural reinforcement is desired or necessary during use of the vehicle, it may be provided by including, for example, a header 52 and/or a reinforcing bar 54 extending between opposing side members 46a,b, as shown in the present embodiment. Body mounts 61, which are known in the art, may be included on the suspension device 16 as well.

[0027] Suspension device 16 also includes three spaced apart notch pairs 56, 58, 60. As shown in FIG. 5, notch pair 56 includes a first notch 56apositioned on first side member 46a, opposite a second notch 56bpositioned on the opposing second side member 46b. Similarly, notch pairs 58, 60 each include first notches 58a, 60apositioned on first side member 46a, opposite second notches 58b, 60bpositioned on the opposing second side member 46b. Preferably, first and second notches 56a,bof first notch pair 56 may be positioned substantially equidistantly from base 44. Similarly, it is preferred that first and second notches 58a,bof second notch pair 58, and first and second notches 60a,bof third notch pair 60, also may be positioned substantially equidistantly from base 44.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 6-8 when taken together, suspension device 16 preferably may be connected to chassis 14 of vehicle 10 using fasteners 26 inserted into apertures 40 of shock absorbers 22. Shock absorbers 22 may be connected to wheel supports 18 at apertures 40 using any type of fastener. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that any suitable fastener may be used, such as a screw or rivet. Shafts 30 of bushing assemblies 24 may be slidably received into one selected notch pair 56, 58, 60 and fixed in position in the selected notch pair by securing end cap 34 into ends 32 of shafts 30.

[0029] FIG. 6 shows a front view of toy vehicle 10 with the greatest distance between chassis 14 and the ground (not illustrated). As shown, shaft 30 of bushing assembly 24 may be slidably inserted into notches 60a,bof notch pair 60 of suspension device 16. Thus, in the present embodiment, the engagement of shafts 30 with notches 60a,brepresents the uppermost position of chassis 14 with respect to the center of each wheel 28 and the greatest distance between chassis 14 and the ground.

[0030] To change the ground clearance of chassis 14, a user may use an appropriate tool (not illustrated), such as a screwdriver or an allen wrench, to loosen end cap 34 from shafts 30 sufficiently to be able to remove shafts 30 from notches 60a,b. Once removed, shafts 30 are repositioned in another selected notch pair and end caps 34 once again may be secured into shafts 30.

[0031] FIG. 7 shows a front view of toy vehicle 10 with the chassis 14 at an intermediate distance between chassis 14 and the ground. As shown, shafts 30 are inserted in notches 58a,bof notch pair 58 of suspension device 16. Thus, in the present embodiment, the engagement of shafts 30 with notch pair 58 represents an intermediate position in which chassis 14 may be substantially parallel to the center of wheels 28, and in which chassis 14 is an intermediate distance to the ground.

[0032] FIG. 8 shows a front view of toy vehicle 10 with the least distance between chassis 14 and the ground. As shown, shafts 30 are inserted into notches 56a,bof notch pair 56 of suspension device 16. Thus, in the present embodiment, the engagement of shafts 30 with notches 56a,bof notch pair 56 represents the lowermost position of chassis 14 with respect to the center of wheels 28 and the least distance between chassis 14 and the ground.

[0033] Although particular embodiments of the disclosure have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. For example, suspension device 16 may include less than or more than three notch pairs in order to provide further incremental adjustments of the distance of the chassis with respect to the wheels. Other applications for which the suspension device may be used or adapted include recreational sports vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, and the like. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.