Abstract

Toy motorcycle play apparatus comprising a toy motorcycle having an energy-storing drive-train mechanism, and a launcher for imparting energy to the mechanism and then releasing the motorcycle for forward movement. The motorcycle comprises aligned rotatable front and rear ground-engaging wheels and an intermediate flywheel, all rotatable about horizontal transverse axes. The energy-storing drive-train mechanism is formed by the flywheel, one of the wheels, and a gear train between them which reduces speed and increases power and duration of rotation at that drive wheel. In operation, the motorcycle is powered by the flywheel, which also serves to maintain it upright by gyroscopic action as it moves forwardly. The launcher holds the motorcycle in the desired upright orientation with the drive wheel elevated so that it can rotate freely while energy is being stored in the flywheel. Then the motorcycle is released, the drive wheel is allowed to engage the launcher platform and propel the motorcycle forwardly. In a motorized version, a movable arm on the launcher carries a motor-drive power-transmitting drum. Initially, the arm is moved so that the drum directly engages the periphery of the flywheel on the motorcycle to transfer energy to the flywheel. When the arm is moved away, the power-transmitting drum disengages and the motorcycle is released. In a hand-powered version, a device such as a toothed rack may be pulled by the user to impart energy to the flywheel, and also to then automatically lower and release the motorcycle.