초록 ▼

The present invention wheels have extendable traction spikes (spike pins) which are contained within the wheels and are automatically extended to enhance wheel traction. The automatic extension of the spike pins occurs, in one embodiment, upon achievement of a predetermined torque. In another embodi

The present invention wheels have extendable traction spikes (spike pins) which are contained within the wheels and are automatically extended to enhance wheel traction. The automatic extension of the spike pins occurs, in one embodiment, upon achievement of a predetermined torque. In another embodiment, when a predetermined movement, i.e. forward motion of the vehicle, occurs, the spike pins are automatically extended. The invention also includes vehicular toys including such wheels.

대표청구항 ▼

A wheel, comprising: (a) a hollow external wheel member having at least one structural rim wall, having a central hub on said rim wall about a central axis and attachable to an axle, having an outer peripheral travel surface of a predetermined radius from said central hub, and having a plurality of

A wheel, comprising: (a) a hollow external wheel member having at least one structural rim wall, having a central hub on said rim wall about a central axis and attachable to an axle, having an outer peripheral travel surface of a predetermined radius from said central hub, and having a plurality of orifices located about said travel surface; (b) a cam disc of a lesser radius than the predetermined radius of said peripheral travel surface of said external wheel member, said cam disc being movably located about the central hub of said external wheel member and within said peripheral travel surface of said external wheel member, said cam disc having a plurality of arcuated slider slots fanning out from said central hub and toward said peripheral travel surface; (c) a plurality of spike pins being elongated and having a first end and a second end and having a length which is less than the predetermined radius of said peripheral travel surface of said external wheel member and having a cross section of shape and size small enough to pass through said orifices on said peripheral travel surface, said spike pins having a protrusion at said first end thereon and being slidably located within said arcuated slider slots of said cam disc, and the second end of said spike pins being located at least partially within the orifices of said peripheral travel surface; and (d) bias means connected to said cam disc and to said external wheel member so as to hold said cam disc in a first position with said plurality of spike pins being entirely located within the radius of said peripheral travel surface by the predetermined positioning of said arcuated slider slots relative to the orifices of said peripheral travel surface and to hold said cam disc in said first position even while said wheel is being moved along a surface up to a predetermined torque, and connected so as to allow said cam disc to rotate about said central hub up to a second position with said spike pins at least partially extending and protruding through said orifices when said predetermined torque is attained, and connected so as to permit the return of said cam disc to said first position when the torque falls below said predetermined position.