Drive control mechanism for spring-driven toy

Abstract

A spring driven toy is described, including a base; an operation member movably mounted on the base; a spring unit for moving the movable operation member relative to the base; a speed control mechanism connected to the spring unit; a lever selectively movable between a position engaged to the speed control mechanism to prevent the spring unit from operating and a position disengaged therefrom to allow the spring unit to operate, said lever including a first magnetic substance; and a separate body having a second magnetic substance and being magnetically attachable to the movable operation member adjacent the first magnetic substance of the lever and movable with the movable operation member. When the body is positioned on the movable operation member adjacent the first magnetic substance of the lever, the lever moves due to magnetic forces of the first and second magnetic substance from the engaged position to the disengagaed position, thereby allowing the spring unit to operate and move the movable operation member with the body thereon relative to the base. When the body is removed from the movable operation member, the lever returns to its original position engaged with the speed control mechanism, thereby preventing the spring unit from operating and moving and movable operation member.