Toy vehicle with movable weapon and body shell halves

Abstract

A toy vehicle includes a chassis and a pair of shell halves rotatably attached to the chassis, which in a first position form a vehicle body that bounds an interior space. A four-bar linkage is attached to the chassis and is disposed at least partially within the interior space. A pair of external finger tabs is pivotally attached to the chassis and connected with the linkage by means of pinion gears and a rack. Movement of the finger tabs together drives the linkage to raise and project a simulated weapon on the linkage and releases the shell halves to separate. Reverse movement of the tabs reverses the operation. A second toy vehicle includes a chassis and a pair of rotatable body panels and a different four-bar mechanism attached to the chassis beneath the body panels in a first position. A pair of external finger tabs is pivotally attached to the chassis. The finger tabs rotate the body panels and two arms on the body panels which bear on and move the linkage such that a simulated weapon carried on the linkage is projected from beneath the body panels as the panels open. A third toy vehicle includes components of the first two vehicles. A simulated weapon on a four-bar linkage is rotated into view with the linkage upwardly and forwardly from an initial position covered by the shell halves as the shell halves separate.