Importance

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Abstract

A wheel and control stick toy includes a wheel defining a transverse axis and a control stick for manipulating the wheel on a horizontal surface. The wheel includes a centrally disposed, transverse axle which is coaxial with the transverse axis of the wheel. The wheel further includes a peripherally disposed, transversely extending flange and a side wall extending between and connecting the axle and the flange. The exterior surface of the wheel preferably has a convex curvature so that the wheel can be tilted up to an angle of at least about 45 degrees from vertical. The axle of the wheel is preferably hollow and defines an opening extending through the wheel. The control stick includes an elongate rod having opposed ends. A handle portion is provided adjacent one of the opposed ends, and a stem portion is fixed to the other opposed end of the rod. The stem portion comprises a pair of opposed, inwardly extending fingers which define an opening therebetween for receiving the wheel therein. Preferably, the stem portion is C-shaped and further includes an arcuate portion extending between and connecting the fingers. The axle, side wall, flange and exterior surface of the wheel provide a variety of control surfaces to be engaged by the control stick so that the wheel can be manipulated using the control stick in a multitude of ways. Accordingly, both children and adults are challenged to devise original methods of manipulating the wheel using the control stick, and are unlikely to become disinterested with the toy.

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First Claim