DE19903994A1 - Steering mechanism for pop-up toy motor vehicles of cardboard has steerable wheels on flat wheel suspensions, steering racks, and steering lever operated through cut-out in roof - Google Patents

Abstract

The steering mechanism can be folded-up completely together with the vehicle, and is operational at once when the vehicle is unfolded without requiring further handling and without catching or snagging on other parts Two steerable wheels (3) are held turnable on flat wheel suspensions (4), which are located on a centrally folded transverse wall (1) and turn about folds acting as joints. After unfolding, the wall is fastened to a base plate via press studs, and cardboard strips (5), acting as steering racks transmit steering forces. Steering is via a vertical piece of cardboard (6) having a steering lever (7) at the top, which is operated through a cut-out (8) in the roof.

Description

In utility model No. 296 20 048.4 of the Federal Republic of Germany I have for the first time described a mechanism for pop-up toys, which in Contrary to conventional pop-ups are of such high stability that after Models built according to this principle (detached from a book or another Pad) as full-fledged toys.

If these folding toys were designed as vehicles, they were not previously steerable or controllable, since all wheels are on the rigid side walls of the vehicles (and consequently around a rigid axis) must be rotatably fastened and thus to Steering can not be turned.

Without a doubt, the incentive to play a model vehicle is significantly greater if it is can be controlled and steered by a special mechanism.

In order to implement this project for folding toys, special design conditions must be met:

• - The steering and control mechanism must be completely collapsible or be foldable.
• - The steering and control mechanism should open the vehicle be fully functional immediately, i.e. without any further complicated steps.
• - The process of folding or collapsing must be without special Resistance (snagging, unintentional kinking, tearing or other damage components).
• - The latter requirement also applies to every conceivable steering angle; the Folding or folding the model must then be possible without any problems if the steering is not set to drive straight ahead.  
• - The steering and control mechanism must be so stable when opened be that an absolutely satisfactory function is guaranteed; this concerns in particular the transfer of control and steering forces and the clean Guidance of the steered wheels.
• - The steering and control mechanism should be in the folded state no more space in terms of the thickness of the folded model say than conventional pop-up models.
• - All of these design features are said to be in the "classic" materials for Pop-ups, i.e. (stronger in combination with thin) cardboard, paper, possibly fabric tape can be implemented, with the possibility of more complex models such. B. in wood and possibly to manufacture with hinge connections, is of course given.
• - The steering and control mechanics may be constructive despite these requirements do not turn out to be too complex to enable rational production.

In the first consideration it seemed impossible or at least very difficult to do so constructive requirements for a (preferably carried out in cardboard) opening model of a vehicle.

The special stability of the vehicle models, which according to my o. A. mentioned Utility models are made, but it also allows in such toys Install functional steering systems, which are otherwise only found in rigid vehicles models would be possible. Therefore it applies that the controls described here are basic could also be used in rigid models. you special appeal and its constructive peculiarity lie in the fold mechanics.

The steering systems described work on the principle of a simplified axle leg steering (four-wheel vehicles) or the principle of simplified turning Schematic steering (tricycle vehicles).

Variant 1 (steering for collapsible four-wheel vehicle models; Fig. 1 and 2)

The problem of designing a functionally satisfactory steering and control of two wheels of an axle can also be solved in the case of collapsible vehicle models if a stabilizing transverse wall ( 1 ) which can be folded forward in the middle is inserted in the area of the (steerable) front axle, the (9) is formed by a tab-like Übereckverbindung with any push-button or other fastening (10) to the vehicle floor rigidly connected and connected with the side walls (2), with which it is hingedly connected, and the bottom plates halves (9) to a rigid in three dimensions and sufficiently stable structures.

This means that in such a vehicle model, the side walls ( 2 ) and the base plate halves ( 9 ) in the area up to the transverse wall ( 1 ), and the transverse wall ( 1 ) itself made of sufficiently stable cardboard (or another thin but torsionally rigid material) must be made. These components give the vehicle model in the opened and as described fixed state sufficient stability so that the other body parts such. B. can be made of lighter cardboard.

The special thing is that the transverse wall ( 1 ) described no longer forms the front or rear wall of the model as in conventional opening models, but rather meets as a frame-like reinforcement inside the vehicle with the steerable axle (usually the front axle) in one plane , whereby the two wheels ( 3 ), which are pivotably mounted on this transverse wall ( 1 ), are fixed in their distance from each other when the model is opened.

Only the installation of such a transverse wall ( 1 ) allows an articulated attachment for pivoting the wheel suspensions ( 4 ) in the area of the wheels themselves. If one wanted to use the side walls ( 2 ) of the vehicle for articulated attachment of the wheel suspensions ( 4 ), this joint would have to be above the Wheel ( 3 ) are attached, since the wheel itself requires a sufficiently large wheel cutout in the area of the side walls ( 2 ) in order to be able to be pivoted in any direction.

This would cause the wheel suspensions to bend due to lateral forces react and the wheels are no longer sufficiently stable, and it would arise at this point with regard to the transmission of the steering forces Problems: The wheels would be coupled so imprecisely when the steering was turned, that such a solution must be considered mechanically unsatisfactory.

However, by installing a transverse wall ( 1 ), it is possible to perform steering and control in their mechanical function in a completely satisfactory manner.

The two wheels to be steered ( 3 ) are each rotatably mounted on two flat, rigid components, the wheel suspensions ( 4 ), which in turn are band-connected by tissue or by a cardboard or paper fold, another sharp kidney-like connection or (in more complex constructions ) kidney pivotally connected to the transverse wall ( 1 ) by a small group.

In the folded state, these wheel suspensions ( 4 ) on the one hand simultaneously represent a precisely fitting cutout of the respective transverse wall half ( 1 ), so they are folded together with this transverse wall ( 1 ) in one plane. Since the two halves of the transverse wall ( 1 ) in turn form a plane when folded together with the side walls ( 2 ) and the halves of the base plate of the model, this steerable suspension ( 4 ) of the steerable wheels ( 3 ) is not folded or is only insignificantly thicker at this point than a non-steerable earlier pop-up model.

The articulated connection of wheel suspension ( 4 ) and transverse wall ( 1 ) allows the two steerable wheels ( 3 ) to be swiveled around a vertical axis (swivel axis) AB, these swivel axes intersecting the wheel centers.

The wheel suspensions ( 4 ) of the two steerable wheels ( 3 ) are mirror images of one another in the vehicle. It must now be achieved that the two wheel suspensions ( 4 ) always remain parallel to each other even when pivoting the steerable wheels ( 3 ). For this purpose, connecting strips ( 5 ) are articulated (by folding or the like) on the front and rear edges of the wheel suspensions ( 4 ), which are at the same distance from the wheel center and from the swivel axis AB of the steerable wheels ( 3 ). attached, which run parallel across the vehicle and are articulated to the opposite wheel suspension ( 4 ) at the mirror-image point.

The two connecting strips ( 5 ) are preferably made of cardboard or fabric tape. Other materials are also conceivable. If the connecting strips ( 5 ) are made of rigid material, they must have a fold or other hinge-like connection in the middle in order to fold up when the vehicle is folded in the same way as the transverse wall ( 1 ), the rear connecting strip ( 5 ) can also be folded so that it folds the transverse wall ( 1 ) opposite. When using soft fabric tape, the fold is not necessary because the fabric tape folds "by itself".

It is now important that the connecting strips ( 5 ) tighten tightly between the wheel suspensions ( 4 ) when the model is opened, which is forced by the opened transverse wall ( 1 ) fixed to the base plate. Thus, the steerable wheels ( 3 ) are always satisfactorily aligned parallel to each other in their pivoting movements when the vehicle is opened. The forces acting laterally on the tensioned connecting strips are generated on the one hand by the transverse wall ( 1 ) which is rigid after opening, but on the other hand intercepted again, so that there is a well-functioning steering geometry.

Technically speaking, these connecting strips ( 5 ) have the function of track rods. The distances from the swivel axis AB from the front or rear edge of the wheel suspensions ( 4 ) thus form the steering levers. A rectangle forms between the wheel suspensions ( 4 ) and the connecting strips ( 5 ) when driving straight ahead; when the steering is turned, this rectangle inevitably deforms into a more or less oblique parallelogram.

Corresponding wheel cutouts must be provided in the side walls ( 2 ) and the base plate, which allow the wheels ( 3 ) to be steered.

In order to be able to control the steerable wheels ( 3 ), a vertical narrow cardboard strip ( 6 ) is inserted in the middle of the transverse wall ( 1 ) along the central fold, the material thickness of which corresponds approximately to the material thickness of the transverse wall ( 1 ). This cardboard strip ( 6 ) is glued to a transverse wall half ( 1 ) precisely in the area of the central fold of the transverse wall ( 1 ) by means of a cardboard fold or a fabric tape connection. The cardboard strip ( 6 ) has in its lower area exactly the width of a steering lever (i.e. the distance between the pivot axis and a connecting strip acting as a tie rod ( 5 )), whereby he also uses this connecting strip ( 5 ) in the area of the middle fold as with the transverse wall ( 1 ) is articulated. This cardboard strip ( 6 ) can thus be moved about a third pivot axis, which is arranged in the center and parallel to the two wheel pivot axes AB, and takes one of the connecting strips ( 5 ) acting as tie rods with it.

It is thereby achieved that this cardboard strip ( 6 ) also moves parallel to the wheel suspensions ( 4 ) and participates in their swiveling movements or, conversely, precisely transfers its own swiveling movements to the steerable wheels ( 3 ).

In the part protruding upwards over the transverse wall ( 1 ), this cardboard strip ( 6 ) is optionally designed towards the rear or towards the front to form a horizontal control lever ( 7 ), the last part of which is shaped so that it extends over the roof here protrudes from the finished model and can be gripped and moved through an arched roof cutout ( 8 ).

In addition, the vertical cardboard strip ( 6 ) on the side facing away from the control lever ( 7 ) can be configured to any driver figure, which (recognizable by window openings) turns the head and body in the respective direction of travel.

Steering a fold-out model in this way fulfills all of the conditions mentioned at the beginning; it is fully functional immediately after opening the model and can be folded in any steering position without getting caught or damaged. Even when the steering is turned, the steerable wheels ( 3 ) automatically turn straight ahead when the vehicle is folded and then lie folded flat and aligned with the side walls ( 2 ).

Fig. 2 shows the steering mechanism in the folded state. Here the base plate ( 9 ) is shown, which together with the transverse wall ( 1 ) by a push button or similar adhesive or plug connection ( 10 ) brings about the stability of the folded vehicle.

Variant 2 (steering for collapsible tricycle models; Fig. 3 and 4)

In a hinged tricycle vehicle, the prerequisite for installing a steering system is the presence of a center support ( 11 ), which must be as stable in terms of its material thickness as the base plate halves ( 9 ), the side walls ( 2 ) and which the vehicle has through a tab-like corner connection with a push button o . ( 10 ) fixing rear wall ( 13 ).

This center support ( 11 ) runs through the vehicle from back to front to form a hinge connection to which the wheel carrier ( 4 ) of the wheel ( 3 ) to be steered, which is made of sturdy cardboard, is attached. The arrangement and technical design of such a center support ( 11 ) are state of the art (Jackson, Paul; pop-up: cutting, folding, gluing; Callwey, Munich, 1996), so that a more precise description is unnecessary.

It is important that the center support ( 11 ) is connected upwards with the foldable roof or a foldable intermediate floor ( 12 ), which is constructed like the vehicle roof. In the latter case, there would be a free space between the roof and the mezzanine ( 12 ), which can be used as a hold.

In the example shown, the vehicle body is stabilized by a push-button connection ( 10 ) in the area of the rear of the vehicle between the foldable rear wall ( 13 ) and the foldable base plate ( 9 ), the rear wall halves ( 13 ) and base plate halves ( 9 ) being folded or the like. articulated with the side walls ( 2 ) are connected.

The center support ( 11 ) is always fixed in the middle and parallel to the side walls by the so-called "floating layer technology" (Jackson, Paul; pop-up: cutting, folding, gluing; Callwey, Munich, 1996) and enables a stable swivel axle AB for the steerable wheel ( 3 ) can be installed.

In contrast to variant 1, the wheel suspension ( 4 ) of the steerable wheel ( 3 ) is extended upwards and above this wheel ( 3 ) receives a connection acting as a hinge to the central support ( 11 ), which forms the pivot axis AB and the wheel center of the steerable wheel ( 3 ) cuts.

While I discarded this solution when steering two wheels on one axle otherwise there is no precise coupling of the steering movements of both wheels the articulated connection around a swivel would have been satisfactorily possible axle above the wheel with a single wheel unproblematic, if one off sufficiently long fold is selected (fold length approximately equal to the wheel diameter), because no high lateral forces occur below the wheel.

Here, too, the swivel axis can optionally be a cardboard fold, consist of fabric tape or, in the case of a more complex construction, can be formed by small hinges. The center support ( 11 ) receives a corresponding cutout in the area of the steerable wheel ( 3 ).

The wheel suspension ( 4 ) can be provided with a control lever as in variant 1 in its upper area, which is articulated with the central support ( 11 ) and which can also be operated through an arcuate cutout in the vehicle roof (not shown here). The remaining, forwardly facing upper part of the wheel suspension ( 4 ) can also be designed as a driver figure which rotates in the steering direction.

If the swivel axis is designed to be tilted slightly backwards, the vehicle can also be steered by swiveling it in the desired direction. The steerable front wheel ( 3 ) in turn now follows the steering movements of the vehicle, and the driver figure turns in the direction in which the vehicle is moving. With this version, it can be attractive to do without the control lever that can be operated through the roof cutout (corresponds to the drawing).

This steering variant also fulfills all of the requirements mentioned at the outset with regard to function and technical feasibility. In particular, the wheel suspension ( 4 ) automatically rotates into the starting position (straight ahead) when the folding toy is folded up, so that the vehicle can be folded up in any steering position without interference.

Fig. 4 shows the folded vehicle.

Claims (3)

1. steering and control mechanisms for folding vehicles designed as vehicles, characterized in that they

• - can be completely collapsed (or folded) together with the toy,
• - are functional immediately after opening, i.e. without any further manipulation,
• - When collapsing or unfolding in any steering position, do not cause any resistance due to jamming, canting, etc., i.e. cannot be accidentally damaged,
• - function in a mechanically satisfactory manner after opening,
• - after folding, are not (or not significantly) thicker than non-steerable folding toys,
• - Can be carried out in cardboard and
• - are rational to manufacture.

2. Steering and control for folding toys with four (or more) wheels, characterized in that the two steerable wheels ( 3 ) are rotatably mounted on flat wheel suspensions ( 4 ), which in turn can be pivoted about folds acting as swivel joints or the like on one Foldable transverse wall ( 1 ) is attached vertically in the middle.When the vehicle is opened, it forms a rigid, frame-like wall (by pressing the button on the base plate) in the plane of the front axle and thus keeps the two steerable wheels ( 3 ) at a mechanically reliable distance , so that cardboard strips ( 5 ), which act as tie rods and are folded vertically in the middle for folding, and articulatedly connected to the outer edges of the wheel carriers by folds or the like, can transmit the steering forces perfectly between the wheels, with a vertically arranged piece of cardboard ( 6 ) for steering. is used, which is preferably o along the middle fold of the transverse wall (1) with this by a further fold. . Hingedly connected and aligned parallel to the wheel carriers, just such a hinged connection with one of acting as tie rods cardboard strip (5), so that the piece of cardboard (6) which is formed at its upper end to a control lever (7), can be operated by means of an arcuate roof cutout ( 8 ) and the control forces can be transmitted to the steerable wheels via the cardboard strips ( 5 ). 3. Steering and control for folding toys with three wheels, characterized in that the steerable wheel ( 3 ) on a flat wheel suspension ( 4 ) rotatably mounted along an extension of the wheel suspension above the wheel by a hinge acting as a hinge or the like with a the center support ( 11 ) is pivotally connected from the rear to the front and is held pivotably between the side walls ( 2 ) after being opened, the wheel suspension ( 4 ) being shaped into a control lever on its upper part which projects above the center support, which, operated by an arcuate roof cutout, turns the steerable wheel in the desired direction.