U.S. patent application number 11/202902 was filed with the patent office on 2007-02-15 for egg-shaped toy cars and methods of making the same.
Invention is credited to Paul Jarck.
Application Number | 20070037480 11/202902 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37743123 |
Filed Date | 2007-02-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070037480 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jarck; Paul |
February 15, 2007 |
Egg-shaped toy cars and methods of making the same
Abstract
Egg-shaped toy cars are disclosed. Methods of making egg-shaped
toy cars are also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Jarck; Paul; (Gay,
GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WITHERS & KEYS, LLC
P. O. BOX 2049
MCDONOUGH
GA
30253
US
|
Family ID: |
37743123 |
Appl. No.: |
11/202902 |
Filed: |
August 12, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/470 ;
446/269; 446/465 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 17/002
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/470 ;
446/269; 446/465 |
International
Class: |
A63H 17/00 20060101
A63H017/00 |
Claims
1. An egg-shaped toy car comprising: an egg-shaped car chassis; one
or more wheels; and at least one axle joining the one or more
wheels to the egg-shaped car chassis.
2. The egg-shaped toy car of claim 1, wherein the egg-shaped toy
car further comprises an animal figurine.
3. The egg-shaped toy car of claim 2, wherein the animal figurine
comprises a figurine of an animal that hatches from an egg.
4. The egg-shaped toy car of claim 3, wherein the animal that
hatches from an egg comprises a snake, a lizard, a frog, a
dinosaur, a dragon, a bird, a duckbill platypus, an alligator, a
crocodile, a fish, a crab, a lobster, or a turtle.
5. The egg-shaped toy car of claim 2, wherein the animal figurine
is positioned within the egg-shaped car chassis.
6. The egg-shaped toy car of claim 1, wherein the at least one axle
extends through a portion of the egg-shaped car chassis.
7. The egg-shaped toy car of claim 1, wherein the at least one axle
is attached to a frame that extends below the egg-shaped car
chassis.
8. The egg-shaped toy car of claim 1, wherein the egg-shaped toy
car comprises three or more wheels.
9. The egg-shaped toy car of claim 1, wherein the egg-shaped toy
car comprises four wheels.
10. The egg-shaped toy car of claim 1, wherein the egg-shaped car
chassis comprises a metal or plastic material; the one or more
wheels comprise a rubber material; and the at least one axle
comprises a metal or plastic material.
11. The egg-shaped toy car of claim 1, wherein the egg-shaped car
chassis comprises at least one transparent portion extending along
an outer surface of the egg-shaped car chassis, wherein one or more
transparent portions provide a view of at least a portion of an
interior of the egg-shaped car chassis.
12. The egg-shaped toy car of claim 11, wherein the egg-shaped toy
car further comprises an animal figurine.
13. The egg-shaped toy car of claim 1, wherein the egg-shaped car
chassis comprises at least one door, wherein one or more doors
provide access to at least a portion of an interior of the
egg-shaped car chassis.
14. The egg-shaped toy car of claim 13, wherein at least one door
comprises a transparent door portion extending along an outer
surface of the egg-shaped car chassis, wherein the transparent door
portion provides a view of at least a portion of an interior of the
egg-shaped car chassis.
15. The egg-shaped toy car of claim 1, wherein the egg-shaped car
is motorized.
16. An egg-shaped toy car comprising: an egg-shaped car chassis
having an enclosed space surrounded by an outer periphery of the
egg-shaped car chassis; one or more wheels; at least one axle
joining the one or more wheels to the egg-shaped car chassis; and
an animal figurine positioned within the enclosed space of the
egg-shaped car chassis.
17. The egg-shaped toy car of claim 16, wherein the animal figurine
comprises a snake, a lizard, a frog, a dinosaur, a dragon, a bird,
a duckbill platypus, an alligator, a crocodile, a fish, a crab, a
lobster, or a turtle.
18. The egg-shaped toy car of claim 16, wherein the animal figurine
is removable from the enclosed space of the egg-shaped car chassis
via an opening, a door, a sunroof, a hatch, a window, a convertible
top, or a seam in the egg-shaped car chassis.
19. The egg-shaped toy car of claim 16, wherein the animal figurine
is permanently attached to the egg-shaped car chassis, and the
egg-shaped car chassis further comprises at least one hatch door
that provides access to the enclosed space.
20. An egg-shaped toy car comprising: an egg-shaped car chassis
having at least one hatch on an outer surface of the egg-shaped car
chassis so as to provide access to an interior space within the
egg-shaped car chassis; four wheels; two axles joining the four
wheels to the egg-shaped car chassis; and an animal figurine
positioned within the egg-shaped car chassis.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to egg-shaped toy
cars. The present invention further relates to methods of making
egg-shaped toy cars.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] There exists a need in the art for new toys having
structural features that provide functionality, an aesthetically
pleasing design, and joy to kids.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention is directed to egg-shaped toy cars and
methods of making egg-shaped toy cars. In one exemplary embodiment,
the egg-shaped toy car comprises an egg-shaped car chassis; one or
more wheels; and at least one axle joining the one or more wheels
to the egg-shaped car chassis. The egg-shaped car chassis may
comprise one or more features similar to features found on a
full-size automobile including, but not limited to, headlights,
fenders, windows, doors, a hood compartment, a trunk compartment, a
sunroof, etc.
[0004] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the
egg-shaped toy car comprises an egg-shaped car chassis having an
enclosed space surrounded by an outer periphery of the egg-shaped
car chassis; one or more wheels; at least one axle joining the one
or more wheels to the egg-shaped car chassis; and an animal
figurine positioned within the enclosed space of the egg-shaped car
chassis. In one exemplary embodiment, the animal figurine comprises
a figurine of an animal that hatches from an egg. For example, the
animal figurine may comprise a snake, a lizard, a frog, a dinosaur,
a bird, a duckbill platypus, an alligator, a crocodile, a fish, a
crab, or a turtle.
[0005] In yet a further embodiment of the present invention, the
egg-shaped toy car comprises an egg-shaped car chassis having at
least one hatch on an outer surface of the egg-shaped car chassis
so as to provide access to an interior space within the egg-shaped
car chassis; four wheels; two axles joining the four wheels to the
egg-shaped car chassis; and an animal figurine positioned within
the egg-shaped car chassis. In one embodiment, the animal figurine
comprises a snake, a lizard, a frog, a dinosaur, a dragon, a bird,
a duckbill platypus, an alligator, a crocodile, a fish, a crab, a
lobster, a turtle, or a combination thereof. The egg-shaped car
chassis may further comprise at least one transparent portion
extending along an outer surface of the egg-shaped car chassis to
provide a view of the animal figurine positioned within the
egg-shaped car chassis.
[0006] These and other features and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent after a review of the following
detailed description of the disclosed embodiments and the appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0007] The present invention is further described with reference to
the appended figures, wherein:
[0008] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary egg-shaped
toy car of the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 depicts a side view of the exemplary egg-shaped toy
car shown in FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 3 depicts a side view of another exemplary egg-shaped
toy car of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 4 depicts a side view of the exemplary egg-shaped toy
car shown in FIG. 3 in an open configuration;
[0012] FIG. 5 depicts a bottom view of the exemplary egg-shaped toy
car shown in FIG. 3;
[0013] FIG. 6A depicts a side view of another exemplary egg-shaped
toy car of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 6B depicts a top view of the exemplary egg-shaped toy
car shown in FIG. 6A; and
[0015] FIG. 6C depicts a side view of the exemplary egg-shaped toy
car shown in FIG. 6A in an open configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The present invention is directed to egg-shaped toy cars.
The present invention is further directed to methods of making
egg-shaped toy cars.
[0017] An exemplary egg-shaped toy car of the present invention is
depicted in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, exemplary egg-shaped toy
car 10 comprises an egg-shaped car body or chassis 11, wheels 12,
and wheel axles 13. In this exemplary embodiment, egg-shaped car
body or chassis 11 comprises a number of optional body components
typically found on a full-size automobile. For example, egg-shaped
car body or chassis 11 comprises doors 14, a hood 15, a trunk 16, a
windshield 17, a steering wheel 18, headlights 19, front fender 20,
door windows 21, rear window 22, rear bumper 23, and sunroof 25. As
discussed below, one or more of the optional body components may be
movable relative to a stationary portion of egg-shaped car body or
chassis 11 (e.g., side panel 29).
[0018] FIG. 2 provides a side view of exemplary egg-shaped toy car
10 as viewed along line A shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2,
exemplary egg-shaped toy car 10 may comprise many optional body
features typically found on a full-size automobile. In this
exemplary embodiment, wheels 12 comprise a rim portion 25 and a
tire portion 26.
[0019] As shown by exemplary egg-shaped toy car 10 in FIGS. 1 and
2, the egg-shaped toy cars of the present invention may comprise a
number of components. A more detailed description of some of the
individual components is provided below.
I. Egg-Shaped Toy Car Components
[0020] The egg-shaped toy cars of the present invention may
comprise one or more of the following components.
[0021] A. Egg-Shaped Car Body or Chassis
[0022] The egg-shaped toy cars of the present invention comprise an
egg-shaped car body or chassis, such as exemplary egg-shaped car
body or chassis 11 of exemplary egg-shaped toy car 10. As used
herein, the term "egg-shaped" is used to describe a car body or
chassis that substantially resembles the shape of an egg.
Desirably, the car body has an egg-shaped configuration such that
any dissection of the car body along a line perpendicular to a
length of the car body results in a substantially circular
cross-sectional area, while any dissection of the car body along a
line parallel to a length of the car body results in a
substantially oval cross-sectional area (i.e., a cross-sectional
area similar to a cross-sectional area obtained by dissecting an
actual chicken egg).
[0023] As discussed above, the egg-shaped car body or chassis may
comprise one or more features typically found on a full-size
automobile. For example, the egg-shaped car body may comprise one
or more features including, but not limited to, headlights,
fenders, windows, doors, a hood compartment, a trunk compartment, a
sunroof, a steering wheel, seats, other car interior components,
exhaust systems, fenders, spoilers, etc. One or more of the
above-mentioned car features may be movable (i.e., the part can be
moved relative to another portion of the car body) and/or removable
parts (i.e., the part can be separated from the car body).
[0024] In one exemplary embodiment, the egg-shaped car chassis
comprises at least one transparent portion extending along an outer
surface of the egg-shaped car chassis, wherein one or more
transparent portions provide a view of at least a portion of an
interior of the egg-shaped car chassis. The one or more transparent
portions may represent a car window, a windshield, a car door, a
car hatch, or any other portion of the egg-shaped car body or
chassis. For example, in exemplary egg-shaped toy car 10, any of
the above-mentioned components could be transparent. Typically, in
exemplary egg-shaped toy car 10, one or more of the following
components are transparent: windshield 17, headlights 19, door
windows 21, rear window 22, and sunroof 25.
[0025] In a further exemplary embodiment, the egg-shaped car
chassis comprises at least one door (e.g., doors 14 of exemplary
egg-shaped toy car 10), wherein one or more doors provide access to
at least a portion of an interior of the egg-shaped car chassis.
The door may provide access to the car interior (i.e., the driver
seat), the car trunk, the engine compartment, or any combination.
In some embodiments, at least one door comprises a transparent door
portion (e.g., door windows 21 of exemplary egg-shaped toy car 10)
extending along an outer surface of the egg-shaped car chassis,
wherein the transparent door portion provides a view of at least a
portion of an interior of the egg-shaped car chassis.
[0026] The egg-shaped car body or chassis may be formed from a
variety of materials including, but not limited to, plastics (i.e.,
thermosettable and/or thermoplastic materials), metals, ceramics,
fabrics, rubbers, cellulosic materials, and glass. Typically, the
egg-shaped car body or chassis is formed from a thermoformable
polymeric material or a metal. In one exemplary embodiment,
non-transparent portions of the egg-shaped car body or chassis are
formed from a metal, such as steel, aluminum, brass, or stainless
steel, while transparent portions of the egg-shaped car body or
chassis are formed from any polymer that provides a transparent
part. Suitable polymers may include, but are not limited to,
polyvinyl chloride, polyesters, polyolefins, polyamines,
polycarbonates, polymethyl methacrylates, methacrylate polymers,
polyethersulfones, etc. In a further exemplary embodiment, the
entire egg-shaped car body or chassis is formed from one or more
plastics to provide an egg-shaped car body or chassis having one or
more optional transparent portions as described above, wherein the
non-transparent portions and the transparent portions are both
formed from one or more of the above-mentioned polymeric
materials.
[0027] The egg-shaped car body or chassis may have any desired
dimensions. Although there is no limitation on the size of the
egg-shaped car body, the egg-shaped car body typically has an
overall length of less than 6 feet (ft.) and an overall diameter of
less than about 4 ft. In one exemplary embodiment, the egg-shaped
car body has an overall length of less than 12 inches (in.) and an
overall diameter of less than about 8 in. In a further exemplary
embodiment, the egg-shaped car body has an overall length ranging
from about 2 in. to about 6 in., and an overall diameter ranging
from about 1 in. to about 3 in.
[0028] B. Wheels
[0029] The egg-shaped toy cars further comprise one or more wheels,
such as exemplary wheels 12 of exemplary egg-shaped toy car 10. In
one exemplary embodiment, the egg-shaped toy car comprises three or
more wheels. In a further exemplary embodiment, the egg-shaped toy
car comprises four wheels. When two or more wheels are present, the
wheels may have a similar or different size. For example, the
wheel(s) on the front end of the toy car may have a smaller size
relative to wheel(s) on the rear end of the toy car.
[0030] Each wheel may comprise a rim portion (e.g., exemplary rim
portion 25 of exemplary egg-shaped toy car 10) and a tire portion
(e.g., exemplary tire portion 26 of exemplary egg-shaped toy car
10) similar to wheels on a full-size car. When the wheel has this
configuration, the rim portion is typically formed from a metal or
plastic material such as those described above, while the tire
portion is typically formed from a rubber material. Alternatively,
each wheel may comprise a single material, such as a metal or
rubber material.
[0031] Like the egg-shaped car body or chassis described above, the
one or more wheels may have any desired dimensions. Typically, each
wheel has an overall diameter of less than about 12 in., and an
overall width (or thickness) of less than about 2 in. In one
exemplary embodiment, each wheel has an overall diameter of less
than 6 in. and an overall width (or thickness) of less than about
0.5 in. In a further exemplary embodiment, each wheel has an
overall diameter ranging from about 0.1 in. to about 2 in., and an
overall width (or thickness) ranging from about 0.1 in. to about
0.4 in.
[0032] C. Axles
[0033] The egg-shaped toy cars further comprise one or more wheel
axles for joining the above-described wheels to the above-described
egg-shaped car body or chassis, such as exemplary axles 13 of
exemplary egg-shaped toy car 10. Each wheel axle may independently
extend through a given wheel or attach to one side of a given
wheel. In some embodiments, one wheel axle may be attached to or
extend through a single wheel. In other embodiments, one wheel axle
may be attached to or extend through more than one wheel (e.g., one
axle attached to two wheels on opposite sides of the egg-shaped car
body).
[0034] Each axle may extend through a portion of the egg-shaped car
body or be positioned below the egg-shaped car body. In one
exemplary embodiment, the axles extend through a portion of the
egg-shaped car body. In a further exemplary embodiment, the axles
are positioned below the egg-shaped car body. In yet a further
exemplary embodiment, at least one axle extends through a portion
of the egg-shaped car body (e.g., a front end of the car body),
while at least one other axle is positioned below the egg-shaped
car body (e.g., a rear end of the car body).
[0035] Each axle is typically formed from a metal or plastic
material such as those described above.
[0036] D. Frame
[0037] The egg-shaped toy cars may further comprise an optional
frame suitable for joining the above-described axles to the
above-described egg-shaped car body or chassis. An exemplary frame
43 is shown in exemplary egg-shaped toy car 30 of FIGS. 3-5. FIG. 5
provides a bottom view of exemplary egg-shaped toy car 30 along
line B shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 5, exemplary frame 43 may
be used to join axles 33, which are connected to wheels 32, to
egg-shaped car body 31. Exemplary frame 43 may be attached to
egg-shaped car body 31 using any known attachment device including,
but not limited to, adhesives, screws, etc. In exemplary egg-shaped
toy car 30, exemplary frame 43 is attached to egg-shaped car body
31 using screws 44.
[0038] Like the above-described wheel axles, a portion of the frame
may extend through a portion of the egg-shaped car body (not shown)
and/or be positioned below the egg-shaped car body (see FIG. 5). In
one exemplary embodiment, a portion of the frame extends through a
portion of the egg-shaped car body. In a further exemplary
embodiment, the frame is positioned below the egg-shaped car body.
In yet a further exemplary embodiment, a portion of the frame
extends through a portion of the egg-shaped car body (e.g., a front
end of the car body), while another portion of the frame is
positioned below the egg-shaped car body (e.g., a rear end of the
car body).
[0039] The frame is typically formed from a metal or plastic
material such as those described above.
[0040] E. Animal Figurine
[0041] The egg-shaped toy cars may further comprise at least one
animal figurine. The animal figurine may be positioned within an
interior space of the car or in the proximity of the car. The
animal figurine may be positioned in the driver seat of the car, or
may be positioned in some other location within the car. When
multiple animal figurines are present, at least one animal figurine
can be positioned in the driver seat and at least one other animal
figurine can be positioned in a location other than the driver
seat. An example of an egg-shaped toy car and an animal figurine is
depicted in FIG. 3.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 3, exemplary egg-shaped toy car 30
comprises an egg-shaped car body 31 having front end 27 and rear
end 28, wheels 32, and wheel axles 33. In this exemplary
embodiment, egg-shaped car body 31 comprises a transparent upper
half 37 and a non-transparent lower half 39 separated from one
another by seam 36. Transparent upper half 37 enables one to view
an interior of egg-shaped car body 31, which includes animal
figurine 35 and steering wheel 38. In this example, animal figurine
35 is shown as the driver of exemplary egg-shaped toy car 30,
wherein animal figurine 35 is holding on to steering wheel 38. In
this exemplary embodiment, exemplary egg-shaped car body 31 also
comprises exhaust 41 and spoiler 42.
[0043] In one desired embodiment, the animal figurine is a figurine
of an animal that hatches from an egg. In this embodiment, the
animal may comprise, but is not limited to, a snake, a lizard, a
frog, a dinosaur, a dragon, a bird, a duckbill platypus, an
alligator, a crocodile, a fish, a crab, a lobster, a turtle, any
other animal that hatches from an egg, or a combination of one or
more of the above-mentioned animals.
[0044] In one exemplary embodiment, the animal figurine is
separable or removable from the egg-shaped toy car. For example,
the animal may be removed from an enclosed space of the egg-shaped
car chassis via any opening in the chassis including, but not
limited to, a door, a sunroof, a hatch, a window, a convertible
top, or a seam in the egg-shaped car chassis. Such a seam may be
present, for example, to separate the egg-shaped car chassis into
two or more chassis components. The two or more chassis components
may be separable from one another or joined to one another at one
or more locations along outer peripheries of the two or more
chassis components, such as a hinge component that joins two
chassis components. An example of such an embodiment is shown in
FIGS. 3-4.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 3, exemplary seam 36 separates transparent
upper half 37 from non-transparent lower half 39. Exemplary hinge
40 is provided along a junction between transparent upper half 37
and non-transparent lower half 39 on rear end 28 of egg-shaped toy
car 30. As shown in FIG. 4, transparent upper half 37 may be
separated from non-transparent lower half 39 by moving transparent
upper half 37 away from seam 36, providing access to animal
figurine 35. As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, animal
figurine 35 is removable from exemplary egg-shaped toy car 30.
[0046] In a further exemplary embodiment, the animal figurine is
permanently attached to the egg-shaped toy car. An example of such
an embodiment is shown in FIGS. 6A-6C. As shown in FIG. 6A,
exemplary egg-shaped toy car 60 comprises an egg-shaped car body 61
having front end 27 and rear end 28, wheels 62, and wheel axles 63
(shown as dashed lines in FIG. 6B). In this exemplary embodiment,
egg-shaped car body 61 further comprises hatch doors 64, hinges 65
attaching hatch doors 64 to egg-shaped car body 61, and wheel
fenders 66. As discussed above, one or more components of
egg-shaped car body 61 may be transparent to provide a view of
interior space within exemplary egg-shaped toy car 60. For example,
hatch doors 64 may be transparent.
[0047] As shown in FIGS. 6B-6C, hatch doors 64 may be opened to
provide access to an interior portion 69 of exemplary egg-shaped
toy car 60, which includes animal figurine 67 and steering wheel
68. In this example, animal figurine 67 is shown as the driver of
exemplary egg-shaped toy car 60, wherein animal figurine 67 is
holding on to steering wheel 68. Further, in this embodiment,
animal figurine 67 is permanently attached to or an integral
component of exemplary egg-shaped toy car 60. For example, animal
figurine 67 may be die cast as an integral component of egg-shaped
car body 61.
[0048] As shown in FIGS. 6A-6C, wheel axles 63 (shown as dashed
lines in FIG. 6B) extend through egg-shaped car body 61. As
discussed above, in other embodiments, wheel axles may be attached
to egg-shaped car body 61 via a frame (such as in exemplary
egg-shaped toy car 30 shown in FIG. 3-5). Further, although
egg-shaped car body 61 of exemplary egg-shaped toy car 60 comprises
two hatch doors 64, it should be understood that a single hatch
door may be used in place of double hatch doors 64.
[0049] It should be understood that exemplary egg-shaped toy cars
10, 30, and 60 are just several examples of egg-shaped toy cars of
the present invention, and that many other configurations are
encompassed by the present invention. As discussed above, access to
an interior compartment of an egg-shaped toy car of the present
invention may be obtained through a door, a window, a sunroof, a
hatch, a truck, or a hood. Further, other egg-shaped car body
configurations that comprise multiple parts, other than that shown
in exemplary egg-shaped toy cars 10, 30, and 60, are encompassed by
the present invention.
[0050] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6A-6C, the animal figurine may
comprise one or more features that enable the animal figurine to be
temporarily or permanently attached to a component of the toy car.
For example, the animal figurine may comprise hands, feet or a tail
that can be formed so as to temporarily attach to a steering wheel
(as shown in FIG. 3) and/or a driver's seat of the toy car. In
other embodiments, as discussed above, the animal figurine may be
permanently attach to an interior space of the toy car (as shown in
FIG. 6C).
[0051] The animal figurine may have any desired dimensions.
Typically, each animal figurine has an overall size that permits
the animal figurine to be positioned within an interior space of
the toy car. In one exemplary embodiment, each animal figurine has
an overall height or length of less than about 3 ft. In a further
exemplary embodiment, the animal figurine has an overall height or
length of less than 12 in. In yet a further exemplary embodiment,
each animal figurine has an overall height or length ranging from
about 0.5 in. to about 2 in.
[0052] F. Electronics
[0053] The egg-shaped toy car may be motorized using an alternating
current (AC) or direct current (DC) power source. When motorized,
the egg-shaped toy car further comprises a motor and a power source
for the motor (e.g., a battery) (not shown).
[0054] In one exemplary embodiment, the egg-shaped toy car is
motorized. In other exemplary embodiments, the egg-shaped toy car
is not motorized.
II. Methods of Making Egg-Shaped Toy Cars
[0055] The present invention is further directed to methods of
making the above-described egg-shaped toy cars. Each of the
above-described components may be made and assembled using known
manufacturing processes. For example, many of the above-described
components can be formed using a shaping process when the component
is formed from a polymeric or metal material. Examples of shaping
processes include, but are not limited to, an injection molding
process, a die-cast molding process, and any extrusion process. The
components may be shaped in a molding or extrusion process so as to
snap together without the use of adhesives or mechanical devices
(e.g., screws). Alternatively, adhesives and/or mechanical devices
(e.g., screws, hinges, etc.) may be used to fasten components to
one another.
[0056] In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
method of making an egg-shaped toy car comprises (i) forming an
egg-shaped car body having one or more optional openings therein
using an injection molding step; (ii) optionally, forming one or
more car body components that attach to the egg-shaped car body
formed in step (i) (i.e., one or more doors, windows, etc.); (iii)
attaching the one or more car body components formed in step (ii)
to the egg-shaped car body formed in step (i); (iv) forming one or
more wheel axles; (v) forming one or more wheels; (vi) attaching
the one or more wheels formed in step (v) to the one or more wheel
axles formed in step (vi); and (vii) attaching the one or more
wheel/wheel axle combinations formed in step (vi) to the egg-shaped
car body formed in step (i). The method may further comprise one or
more additional steps to form other optional toy car components,
such as a steering wheel, car seats, a spoiler, etc.
[0057] In a further embodiment, the method of making an egg-shaped
toy car comprises one or more of the above-described steps, wherein
step (i) comprises forming multiple components that can be attached
to one another to form an egg-shaped car body (e.g., exemplary
egg-shaped car body 31), wherein at least one of the multiple
components is a transparent component. In yet a further embodiment,
the method of making an egg-shaped toy car comprises one or more of
the above-described steps, and further comprises a step (viii)
wherein an animal figurine if formed so as to fit within the
egg-shaped car body formed in step (i).
[0058] In yet a further exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the method of making an egg-shaped toy car comprises (i)
forming an egg-shaped car body having one or more optional openings
therein using an injection molding step or die-cast molding step,
wherein an animal figurine is molded as a permanently attached
component of the egg-shaped car body; (ii) forming one or more car
body components that attach to the egg-shaped car body formed in
step (i) (i.e., one or more hatch doors); (iii) attaching the one
or more car body components formed in step (ii) to the egg-shaped
car body formed in step (i) via hinges or some other mechanical
component; (iv) forming one or more wheel axles; (v) forming one or
more wheels; (vi) attaching the one or more wheels formed in step
(v) to the one or more wheel axles formed in step (vi); and (vii)
attaching the one or more wheel/wheel axle combinations formed in
step (vi) to the egg-shaped car body formed in step (i).
[0059] While the specification has been described in detail with
respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated
that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of
the foregoing, may readily conceive of alterations to, variations
of, and equivalents to these embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of
the present invention should be assessed as that of the appended
claims and any equivalents thereto.
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