abstract |
A toy vehicle (10, 1010, 1110, 1210) includes a central housing (12, 1134, 1234) having first and second oppositely disposed sides (12a, 12b, 1134a, 1134b). A first wheel (30, 1014, 1114, 1214) is rotatably mounted on the first side of the housing, and a second wheel (40, 1016, 1116, 1216) is rotatably mounted on the second side of the housing. Each of the first and second wheels has a central hub (50, 1020, 1120, 1220) and a plurality of individual vanes (20, 1018, 1118, 1218) rotatably attached to the hub. Each hub has a center disposed along a first axis of rotation (50’, 1032, 1132) common to the first and second wheels. Each vane is rotatable about a second vane axis (20’) extending transversely with respect to the first axis. An end of each van distal to the hub forms a circumferential surface portion of one of the first and second wheels. Motor (83, 85, 87, 1040, 1042, 1044, 1140, 1142, 1144) drive the wheels and rotate the vanes. |