Toy automobile and method of using the same

Abstract

A toy car and method provided with a base car portion and an exterior portion, where the design of the exterior portion may be changed by removing and reassembling multiple parts to create different automobile designs. A toy car that may be included in kits. The toy car may have a base automobile frame having connection fittings thereon. At least one non-interchangeable component releasably connected to the base automobile frame. The non-interchangeable component includes a frame cover having connection fittings thereon. A plurality of interchangeable components are releasably connected to the connection fittings of the frame cover or base automobile frame. Each interchangeable component includes a fitting structure connectable with one of the connection fittings of the base automobile frame or frame cover. Each interchangeable component includes an automobile design feature and/or functionality that may be replaceable by another interchangeable component having an equivalent automobile design feature and/or functionality.

1 . A toy comprising: 
 a base toy frame having connection fittings thereon;    at least one non-interchangeable component connected to the frame, the non-interchangeable component includes a frame cover, the frame cover having connection fittings thereon; and    a plurality of interchangeable components releasably connected to the base toy frame and the non-interchangeable component, each interchangeable components includes a fitting structure connectable with one of the connection fittings of the base automobile frame or the frame cover, wherein    each interchangeable component includes design aspects and functionality aspects, such that it may be replaced by another interchangeable component having an equivalent design feature or functionality aspects.    
   
   
       2 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the connection fittings comprises a tongue and groove connector.  
   
   
       3 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the connection fittings comprises a magnet.  
   
   
       4 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the connection fittings comprises a snap-fit connector.  
   
   
       5 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the connection fittings comprises an interference fit connector.  
   
   
       6 . A toy automobile comprising: 
 a base automobile frame having connection fittings thereon;    at least one non-interchangeable component connected to the frame, the non-interchangeable component includes a frame cover, the frame cover having connection fittings thereon; and    a plurality of interchangeable components releasably connected to the base automobile frame and the non-interchangeable component, each interchangeable components includes a fitting structure connectable with one of the connection fittings of the base automobile frame or the frame cover, wherein    each interchangeable component includes automobile design aspects and automobile functionality aspects, such that it may be replaced by another interchangeable component having an equivalent automobile design feature or functionality aspects.    
   
   
       7 . The toy automobile of  claim 6 , wherein the connection fittings comprises a tongue and groove connector.  
   
   
       8 . The toy automobile of  claim 6 , wherein the connection fittings comprises a magnet.  
   
   
       9 . The toy automobile of  claim 6 , wherein the connection fittings comprises a snap-fit connector.  
   
   
       10 . The toy automobile of  claim 6 , wherein the connection fittings comprises an interference fit connector.  
   
   
       11 . A method of assembling a toy automobile, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a base automobile frame having connection fittings thereon;    providing at least one interchangeable fitting structure; and    connecting said interchangeable fitting structure to a connection point on said base automobile frame.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 disconnecting an interchangeable fitting structure that is connected to a connection point on a base automobile frame; and    connecting another interchangeable fitting structure, having an equivalent automobile design feature or functionality aspects of said disconnected structure, to a connection point on said base automobile frame.    
   
   
       13 . A kit for a toy car comprising: 
 instructions for assembling a toy car; and    a toy automobile including: 
 a base automobile frame having connection fittings thereon; and  
 at least one non-interchangeable component connected to the frame, the non-interchangeable component includes a frame cover, the frame cover having connection fittings thereon.  
   
   
   
       14 . A kit for a toy car comprising: 
 instructions for assembling a toy car; and    a plurality of interchangeable components, wherein each interchangeable component includes automobile design aspects and automobile functionality aspects, such that it may be replaced by another interchangeable component having an equivalent automobile design feature or functionality aspects.    
   
   
       15 . A kit for a toy car comprising: 
 a toy automobile including: 
 a base automobile frame having connection fittings thereon;  
 at least one non-interchangeable component connected to the frame, the non-interchangeable component includes a frame cover, the frame cover having connection fittings thereon; and  
 a plurality of interchangeable components, each interchangeable components includes a fitting structure connectable with one of the connection fittings of the base automobile frame or the frame cover, wherein  
 each interchangeable component includes automobile design aspects and automobile functionality aspects, such that it may be replaced by another interchangeable component having an equivalent automobile design feature or functionality aspects; and  
   instructions for assembling the toy car.    
   
   
       16 . A kit for a toy car comprising: 
 a toy automobile including: 
 a base automobile frame having connection fittings thereon;  
 at least one non-interchangeable component connected to the frame, the non-interchangeable component includes a frame cover, the frame cover having connection fittings thereon; and  
 a plurality of interchangeable components releasably connected to the base automobile frame and the non-interchangeable component, each interchangeable components includes a fitting structure connectable with one of the connection fittings of the base automobile frame or the frame cover, wherein  
 each interchangeable component includes automobile design aspects and automobile functionality aspects, such that it may be replaced by another interchangeable component having an equivalent automobile design feature or functionality aspects;  
   label identifiers for each of the automobile base frame, the frame cover, and the interchangeable components; and    instructions for assembling the toy car.