Cartunes - Music box toy cars

Abstract

An educational and entertaining toy vehicle that includes a body member that is designed for including a mechanical music box. The music box is designed so it is coupled via a ratchet clutch and gears to at least one vehicle wheel. The forward rotation of such wheels drives the music box. Reversing the vehicle winds a spring. This spring drives the music box and vehicle forward on release. The release of said spring is controlled by a speed regulator. The toy vehicle of this invention includes rubber like material on the surfaces of the wheels with debossed numerals, letters or symbols. These replaceable rubber like tires provide increased friction and a means for printing such debossed characters when the vehicle is moved. The toy vehicle is further enhanced by including a toy figure that is representative of the included tune.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A toy vehicle wherein the molded rubber surface of the tires is replaceable and can contain debossed characters and symbols which can be printed on a surface after rolling over an ink or paint pad. 
     
     
         2 . A toy vehicle assembly that includes a mechanical music box. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2  wherein said music box includes at least a musical drum and a set of combs. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 3  wherein said music box also includes a spring, a speed regulator and ratchet gear. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 4  which is coupled to at least one wheel of said vehicle. 
     
     
         6 . A toy vehicle assembly of  claim 4  that produces a tune when said vehicle is moved forward. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 4  wherein said music box spring stores potential energy when said vehicle is moved in reverse. When said vehicle is released said energy drives the vehicle forward while playing a tune. The speed of such motion is controlled by said speed regulator. 
     
     
         8 . A toy vehicle assembly that includes a transparent hood or other surface areas that allows the music box and related gearing of the assembly in  claim 4  to be seen.