US20030162597A1

US20030162597A1 - Interactive playset

Info

Publication number: US20030162597A1
Application number: US10/348,848
Authority: US
Inventors: Jack Horchler
Original assignee: Tek Nek Toys International Inc
Current assignee: Tek Nek Toys International Inc
Priority date: 2002-02-27
Filing date: 2003-01-22
Publication date: 2003-08-28

Abstract

An interactive toy. The toy includes a first vehicle, a second vehicle, and a control station operable to remotely control the first vehicle and the second vehicle. A selector switch is operable to select one of the first vehicle and the second vehicle to be controlled.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. provisional patent application Serial No. 60/359,854, filed Feb. 27, 2002.[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to children's toys and, more particularly, to children's toys including remote control vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Interactive children's toys are often designed to both entertain and teach the child while using them. Remote control vehicles can provide entertainment but provide little in the way of education. In addition, many remote control vehicles are far too complicated for young children, often resulting in the child becoming frustrated or bored.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In some aspects, the invention provides an interactive toy including a first vehicle, a second vehicle, and a control station operable to remotely control the first vehicle and the second vehicle. A selector switch is operable to select one of the first vehicle and the second vehicle to be controlled.

Also, in some aspects, the invention provides an interactive toy including a vehicle defining a first travel axis that extends from a rear to a front. The vehicle is supported for movement by a plurality of wheels and is operable between a first turned position and a second turned position. A control station is operable to remotely control the vehicle. The control station includes a steering switch operable between a first steered position and a second steered position. An adjustment assembly is operable to align the first turned position with the first steered position.

In addition, some aspects, the invention provides an interactive toy that includes a vehicle and a control station operable to remotely control the vehicle. The invention also includes a fixed structure having a movable member movable relative to the frame between a first position and a second position. An actuator is operable to move the movable member and the vehicle is operable to engage the actuator.

Further, in some aspects, the invention provides a method of operating a remote control vehicle using a remote control operable between a first steered position and a second steered position. The method includes the acts of adjusting an alignment member such that when the remote control is in the first steered position the vehicle travels in a first direction and broadcasting control signals from the remote control. In addition, the method includes the act of receiving the broadcast control signals at the vehicle.

Generally, in some aspects, the invention provides an interactive, electronic, talking playset for amusing and creatively stimulating children. The playset may include toy figures, emergency vehicles, buildings, a collapsing bridge and an infrared control panel. A child may press control buttons to activate talking features and various sound effects to create an emergency role-playing environment and imaginative play situations.

The toy figures may include a fireman, and an emergency medical technician (“EMT”). The emergency vehicles are a fire truck and an ambulance. The fireman and the EMT can ride on either of the emergency vehicles, or stand without assistance in the open or in either of the buildings.

In some aspects, the infrared control panel operates over an emergency role-playing environment that is about twenty feet in diameter. Within this environment, the control panel may be used, in some aspects, to start, stop, backup, and steer the emergency vehicles. The control panel may also be used, in some aspects, to activate messages and sound effects relating to the environment.

One of the buildings may be a fire station, which serves as home base for the emergency personnel and the vehicles. The fire station may include office space, a helicopter pad and a garage. A door to the fire station may open automatically when an emergency vehicle contacts an actuator in the garage.

The playset may also include a burning building. Plastic panels bearing images of flames may be displayed in the windows of the burning building. The flames may be extinguished when an emergency vehicle contacts an actuator located on the front of the building, to retract the plastic panels.

When an emergency vehicle weighs down upon the center span of the bridge, the bridge may collapse without warning. Surprisingly, the bridge may return to its original form when the weight is removed. The bridge may be reused indefinitely.

Independent features and independent advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description, drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which: [0015]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a control station; [0016]
FIG. 2 is a rear view of the control station of FIG. 1; [0017]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a vehicle; [0018]
FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the vehicle of FIG. 3; [0019]
FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the vehicle of FIG. 3 with the adjusting panel removed; [0020]
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fixed structure; [0021]
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the fixed structure of FIG. 6 with the vehicle of FIG. 3 actuating an actuating member; [0022]
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another fixed structure; [0023]
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the fixed structure of FIG. 8 with the vehicle of FIG. 3 actuating an actuating member; and [0024]
FIG. 10 is a side view of another fixed structure.[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides a toy for a child's use that both entertains and teaches the child. The toy includes a [0026] control station 10, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The control station 10 includes a housing 15 that provides support to the exposed controls and protects the internal electronics. A window 20, illustrated in FIG. 2, provides a broadcast point for the control signals from a controller (not shown). In the illustrated construction, the control station 10 broadcasts infrared control signals, thus requiring no physical connection between the control station 10 and the devices which it controls. In other constructions (not shown) and in some aspects, the control station 10 may control the devices with another type of control signal, such as, for example, a radio control signal, or may be hard-wired to the device. In the illustrated construction, the control station 10 operates to output control signals and to thereby control devices in a role-playing environment of about twenty feet in diameter.
A [0027] steering switch 22 is operated by a steering wheel 25 (resembling the steering wheel of a passenger vehicle) movably supported by the housing 15. The steering wheel 25 is turnable from a first steered position S1, such as, for example, a maximum left steered position, to a second steered position S2, such as, for example, a straight position. In the illustrated construction, the steering wheel 25 is also turnable to a third steered position, such as, for example, a maximum right steered position (not shown).
The [0028] steering wheel 25 is biased to a centered or straight steered position by a biasing device, such as, for example, a torsional spring, an electric motor, tensile springs, etc. The steering wheel 25 is operably connected to the controller to output steering control signals to the device controlled by the control station 10.
It should be understood that, in other constructions, the [0029] steering wheel 25 may be turnable to a greater or lesser degree than that shown in FIG. 1. Also, it should be noted that terms such as “maximum” and “minimum” as used herein are not intended to indicate the maximum or minimum position possible. Rather, the terms are meant to convey, for the purposes of description, an illustrated maximum or minimum position of the construction illustrated with greater maximums and smaller minimums still being possible. Therefore, the terms maximum and minimum should not be read as limiting the invention to the positions illustrated or described herein.
A [0030] selector switch 30 is also supported by the housing 15. The selector switch 30 resembles an ignition key for a passenger vehicle to enhance the experience for the child. In the illustrated construction, the selector switch 30 is turnable to three switch positions. In the first switch position (the counterclockwise position in FIG. 1) selects a first device to be controlled by the control station 10 and controls the output of signals by the controller to the first device. In the second switch position (the clockwise position in FIG. 1), the control station 10 outputs signals to and controls a second device. The third switch position (between the first position and the second position) is an off position, in which the control station 10 generates no control signals and thus, is unable to operate or control devices. In other constructions (not shown), the selector switch 30 may include additional switch positions, in which the control station 10 may control an additional device(s) or perform an additional function(s).
The [0031] control station 10 also supports a directional switch 32 actuated by the directional control lever 35 extending from the housing 15. The directional lever 35 includes a first directional position D1, in which a signal representing “forward,” is generated by the control station 10 and a second directional position D2, in which a signal representing “reverse,” is generated by the control station 10. A third position (between the first position and the second position) represents a neutral condition, in which the control station 10 generates neither the “forward” signal nor the “reverse” signal. In another construction (not shown), the control station 10 may transmit a “neutral” signal when the control lever 35 is in the neutral position (or in another position). Such a neutral signal may result in the device being controlled returning to a default condition (e.g., no forward or rearward motion, straight-line travel, etc.). The directional control lever 35 is operably connected to the controller to output directional control signals to the device controlled by the control station 10.
The [0032] housing 15 supports a speaker 40 that is operable to broadcast various sounds generated by the toy. In addition, the housing 15 supports a plurality of buttons 42, and each button 42 is operable to generate a different sound or effect. For example, one button 42 a may be operable to produce a siren sound that is emitted by the speaker 40. Another button 42 b may generate a control signal that causes a light to illuminate on the device being controlled.
Each [0033] button 42 may also have a separate function depending on the position of the selector switch 30. For example, one button 42 a may produce the siren sound when the selector switch 30 is in the first position (controlling a first device) and may do nothing, produce another sound (i.e., a voice message) or produce another signal (i.e., a flashing light) when the selector switch 30 is in the second position (controlling a second device). Each button 42 includes an image that aids the child in identifying the button 42 with its function. For example, one button 42 a may include an image of a vehicle with a siren. The image teaches the child to associate the image with the sound or output produced when the button 42 is actuated.
It should be understood that, in other constructions (not shown), the [0034] control station 10 may include additional control devices (not shown) operable to control different movements of the controlled device (i.e., the velocity of the device, etc.) and/or to control an operation of a portion of the controlled device (i.e., lights, doors, ladders, cranes, etc.).
A device that can be controlled by the [0035] control station 10 is illustrated in FIGS. 3-5. In the illustrated construction, the device is a vehicle 45. The vehicle 45 includes a body 50 resembling, in the illustrated construction, an emergency vehicle (e.g., fire truck, ambulance, police car, etc.). The vehicle 45 is supported by two rear wheels 55 that, in the illustrated construction, rotate about a fixed axis and two turnable front wheels 60 that, in the illustrated construction, are turnable between a first wheel position W1 in which the vehicle is in a first turned position T1 and a second wheel position W2 in which the vehicle is in a second turned position T2 to steer the vehicle 45. A motor (not shown) is supported by the body 50 and operates to rotate the rear wheels 55 in a forward direction or in a rearward direction to move the vehicle 45 generally in the driven direction.
In another construction (not shown), two motors drive the [0036] wheels 55, 60 of the vehicle 45. In such a construction, the two motors may be operable at different speeds to turn the vehicle 45, thus eliminating the need for turnable wheels.
A second motor or actuator is also disposed within the [0037] body 50 and operates to turn the front wheels 60 to a left turning position or a right turning position. The second motor (not shown) operates to rotate a semicircular gear 61 (shown in FIG. 5) between a left turn position and a right turn position. The semicircular gear 61 supports a steering pin 62 that is positioned away from the center of rotation of the semicircular gear 61 such that the steering pin 62 moves through an arc in response to rotation of the semicircular gear 61.
The [0038] steering pin 62 is positioned within an aperture 63 defined in a steering bar 64. Thus, rotation of the semicircular gear 61 produces translation (in the left direction or in the right direction) of the steering bar 61. The aperture 63 is sized to allow for some free movement between the steering pin 62 and the aperture 63. The freedom of movement facilitates alignment of the front wheels 60 as will be described below.
Each [0039] front wheel 60 connects to the steering bar 64 through an L-shaped turning member 65 with the steering bar 64 being connected to the end of one of the arms of the L-shaped turning member 65. The second leg of the L-shaped turning member 65 defines an axle that pivotally supports the respective front wheel 60. Each turning member 65 is also pivotally connected to the body 50 at the junction of the turning member arms. Thus, the translational movement of the steering bar 64 causes the L-shaped turning member 65 to pivot about the junction of the turning member arms and pivot or turn the wheels 60.
A biasing member biases the [0040] wheels 60 to a straight position. As shown in FIG. 5, the biasing member is a torsional spring 66. In another construction (not shown), another biasing member, such as, for example, two cooperating coil springs, may bias the front wheels 60 in the straight position.
To assure that the [0041] vehicle 45 travels in a straight line when the front wheels 60 are in the biased, straight position, the vehicle 45 includes an adjusting assembly 70. The adjusting assembly 70 is best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 and includes an adjusting panel 75 that supports an adjusting lever 80 and that covers the internal steering mechanism. The adjusting lever 80 is pivotable about an axis to pivot the front wheels 60 in one direction or the other direction. The adjusting lever 80 includes a pointer portion 85 that is exposed on the bottom surface of the vehicle 45 and that is positionable in one of a plurality of detents 90. Moving the pointer portion 85 pivots the front wheels 60 in the direction the pointer portion 85 is moved. For example, FIG. 4 shows (in phantom) the pointer portion 85 in an alternate position and the resulting position of the front wheels 60.
In FIG. 5, the adjusting assembly [0042] 70 is illustrated with the adjusting panel 75 removed and inverted. The adjusting lever 80 includes an adjusting end 95 that rotates with the pointer 85. The adjusting end 95 engages a biasing fork 100 and is operable to bias the fork 100 toward either one of the two front wheels 60. When the pointer portion 85 is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the vehicle 45, the adjusting end 95 positions the fork 100 in a central location. When the pointer 85 is turned toward one of the front wheels 60, the adjusting end 95 rotates and biases the adjusting fork 100 toward that same front wheel 60.
Movement of the adjusting fork [0043] 100 produces a corresponding movement of the steering bar 64 and of the front wheels 60. The steering bar 64 is able to move slightly left or right (to pivot the front wheels 60 slightly left or right) without requiring movement of the semicircular gear 61 out of the “straight” position. The gap between the aperture 63 and the steering pin 62 accommodates this slight relative movement. Thus, the adjusting assembly 70 is able to adjust the actual direction in which the vehicle 45 travels (the direction to which the front wheels 60 are pivoted) when straight-line travel is desired (and selected by the control station 10). The adjusting assembly 70 allows for the use of, in the illustrated construction, a three-position controller (the steering wheel 25) that accurately steers the vehicle 45 left, right, or straight. For example, if the front wheels 60 are initially in a misaligned position (for example, the position W2 shown in phantom in FIG. 4) with the pointer portion 85 in the center position A1 (shown in solid lines in FIG. 4), to move the front wheels 60 to the aligned position (for example, the position W1 shown in solid lines in FIG. 4), the pointer portion 85 would be moved in the counterclockwise direction (in FIG. 4) from the center position A1 to the A2 position, and the front wheels 60 would be pivoted in a counterclockwise direction from a misaligned position (i.e., W2 shown in phantom lines) to the aligned position (i.e., W1 shown in solid lines). It should be noted that wheel movement in the opposite direction would be facilitated by moving the pointer from the aligned position A1 to the misaligned position A3.
The adjusting assembly [0044] 70 thus provides an aligning adjustment of the front wheels 60 to align the “straight” wheel position to the “straight” turned position of the vehicle 45 and to the “straight” steered position of the steering wheel 25. Thus, when the steering switch 22 is in a first position, the vehicle 45 travels along a first travel axis A-A (such as in the direction of T1) and the turnable wheel 60 is in the aligned position corresponding to W1. When the wheel 60 is in a non-aligned position, such as that corresponding to W2, the vehicle 45 travels along a path different then A-A (such as in the direction of T2).
The [0045] vehicle 45 includes a receiver that receives the infrared signals transmitted by the control station 10 to allow the control station 10 to control the vehicle 45. The receiver receives signals when the selector switch 30 is positioned to control the vehicle 45. With the selector switch 30 in the position to select the vehicle 45, the receiver receives a control signal generated when the steering wheel 25 is turned, and the front wheels 60 are turned to a corresponding wheel position. The receiver also receives a control signal generated when the directional control lever 35 is moved to a directional position, and the rear wheels 55 are rotated in a corresponding direction to move the vehicle 45 in that general direction and in the direction of the front wheels 60.
A second vehicle [0046] 45A, substantially similar to the first vehicle 45, is also provided and is controllable using the same control station 10. The second vehicle 45A is substantially similar to the first vehicle 45, except for, in the illustrated construction, the form of the body 50. Generally, the vehicles 45 and 45A will have different bodies having a common theme (i.e., emergency vehicle theme, construction theme, racing theme, military theme, etc.). For example, the first vehicle 45 may resemble an ambulance, and the second vehicle 45A may resemble a fire truck.
When the [0047] selector switch 30 is positioned in the first position, the control signals emitted by the control station 10 act to control the first vehicle 45. When the selector switch 30 is moved to the second position, the control station 10 is operable to control the movements of the second vehicle 45A. The control station 10 is thus able to move the selected vehicle 45 or 45A forward and backward and to turn the selected vehicle 45 or 45A left or right, as desired.
It should be understood that, in other constructions (not shown), the vehicle may be supported for movement in another manner, such as, for example, by tracks over a solid play surface or by a propeller(s) in water, and the [0048] control station 10 may control movement of the tracks or of the propeller(s) of the vehicle to control movement of the vehicle.
It should also be understood that, in other constructions (not shown), the vehicle may not be movable relative to a play surface. In such constructions, the [0049] control station 10 may be operable to control movement of portions of the vehicle relative to other portions of the vehicle. For example, the vehicle (not shown) may be a helicopter, and movement of the steering wheel 25 may control the direction of rotation of the rotor blades of the helicopter.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6-[0050] 9, the toy also includes toy figures F which are supportable by the vehicles 45 and 45A to ride with the vehicles 45 and 45A. The toy figures F depict characters having the same common theme as the vehicles 45 and 45A. For example, in the illustrated emergency vehicle theme, the toy figures F are an emergency medical technician (“EMT”) (shown in FIG. 3) and a firefighter (shown in FIGS. 6-9) which ride in an ambulance (vehicle 45) and a fire truck (vehicle 45A), respectively. The toy figures F may be dismounted from and exchanged between vehicles 45 and 45A.
A first fixed structure, such as a [0051] building 125, is illustrated in FIGS. 6-7. The building 125 is formed to resemble an office or apartment building generally including walls defining a plurality of windows 130 and a roof 135.
A [0052] movable member 140 is supported by the building 125 and is movable between a first position and a second position. In the construction shown in FIG. 6, the movable member 140 includes a plurality of display portions 145 positionable, in the illustrated construction, within the windows 130 of the building 125 and above the building 125 on the roof 135. When the movable member 140 is in the first position (shown in FIG. 6), the display portions 145 extend into the windows 130 and above the building 125 and are visible. When the movable member 140 is moved to the second position (shown in FIG. 7), the display portions 145 move into the building 125 and are no longer visible. An actuator 150 is operable to move the movable member 140 between the first position and the second position.
Images placed on the [0053] display portions 145 enhance the experience and stimulate the child's imagination. For example, in the building 125 shown FIG. 6, images of flames are placed on the display portions 145 such that the building 125 appears to be on fire. The child, using the control station 10, guides the vehicle 45 or 45A into contact with the actuator 150 to move the movable member 140 from the first position to the second position and hide the display portions 145 and to put out the fire in the building 125. Alternatively, the child can manually actuate the actuator 150 to put out the fire in the building 125.
The [0054] actuator 150 and the movable member 140 are biased to the first position, thus requiring actuation to hide the display portion 145. The actuator 150 extends out of the building 125 and is movable to move the movable member 140 between the first position and the second position. The actuator 150 is positioned such that the vehicle 45 is able to move the actuator 150 to the actuated position (shown in FIG. 7) to move the movable member 140 to the second position.
A second fixed structure in the form of a [0055] fire station 155 is illustrated in FIGS. 8-9. Like the building 125, the fire station 155 includes a movable member 160 movable between a first position and a second position and an actuator 165 interconnected with the movable member 160 to facilitate movement of the movable member 160. The actuator 165 is positioned to allow for actuation with the vehicle 45, as illustrated in FIG. 9. In the case of the fire station 155, the movable member 160 is a door having a first closed position (shown in FIG. 8) and a second open position (shown in FIG. 9), and actuation of the actuator 165 is required in order to move the movable member 160 to the second open position, in which a display portion 168, a firefighter, is visible.
Another fixed structure in the form of a [0056] collapsible bridge 170 is illustrated in FIG. 10. The collapsible bridge 170 includes a movable portion in the form of a platform portion 175 supported in a first position (shown in FIG. 10) by a biasing member 180. The platform portion 175 provides the actuating member, and the vehicle 45 actuates the actuating member by traversing the platform portion 175. The weight of the vehicle 45 actuates and moves the platform portion 175 of the bridge 170 to the a collapsed position.
It should be understood that, in other constructions (not shown), the fixed structure may take another form appropriate for the common theme of the [0057] vehicles 45 and 45A, such as a structure with another type of “emergency” situation (i.e., a hospital with a patient for the ambulance vehicle 45).
It should also be understood that, in other constructions (not shown), the fixed structure may take another form appropriate to a different common theme of the [0058] vehicles 45 and 45A. For example, with a construction theme (not shown), the fixed structure may be a building having a partially-constructed condition and a fully-constructed condition, and the vehicle 45 or 45A may be a construction vehicle operable to move a portion of the fixed structure between the partially-constructed condition and the fully-constructed condition.
The invention thus provides, in some aspects an interactive, electronic, talking playset for amusing and creatively stimulating children. In some aspects, the playset includes toy figures F, [0059] emergency vehicles 45 and 45A, buildings 125 and 155, a collapsing bridge and an infrared control panel 10. With the illustrated playset, a child may control operation of the vehicles 45 and 45A and operate portions of the buildings 125 and 155 and the bridge 155 (through operation of the vehicles 45 and 45A) with the control panel 10. With the illustrated playset, the child may also press control buttons 42 to activate talking features and various sound effects to create and enhance a role-playing environment and imaginative play situations.
Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims. [0060]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An interactive toy comprising:

a vehicle supported for movement, the vehicle being operable between a first turned position and a second turned position;

a control station operable to control the vehicle, the control station including a steering switch operable between a first steered position and a second steered position; and

an adjusting assembly operable to align the first turned position of the vehicle with the first steered position of the steering switch.

2. The toy of claim 1, wherein the adjusting assembly is supported on the vehicle.

3. The toy of claim 1, wherein the vehicle includes a turnable wheel positionable in a first wheel position corresponding to the first turned position of the vehicle and in a second wheel position corresponding to the second turned position of the vehicle.

4. The toy of claim 3, wherein the adjusting assembly is operable to align the first wheel position of the turnable wheel with the first steered position of the steering switch.

5. The toy of claim 3, wherein, when the steering switch is in the first steered position, the turnable wheel is controlled to the first wheel position.

6. The toy of claim 5, wherein, when the steering switch is in the second steered position, the turnable wheel is controlled to the second wheel position.

7. The toy of claim 3, wherein the adjusting assembly is operable to align the turnable wheel to a wheel position, in which the vehicle travels along a first travel axis when the steering switch is in the first steered position.

8. The toy of claim 3, wherein the turnable wheel is positionable in an aligned position, in which the turnable wheel is in a position corresponding to the first steered position of the steering switch, and a non-aligned position, and wherein the adjusting assembly includes an adjustment member operable to move the turnable wheel from the non-aligned position to the aligned position.

9. The toy of claim 8, wherein the adjusting assembly includes a detent operable to maintain the turnable wheel in the aligned position.

10. The toy of claim 3, wherein the vehicle includes a vehicle housing, and wherein the adjusting assembly further includes a biasing member operable to bias the turnable wheel to the first wheel position, and an adjustment member operable to adjust the bias of the biasing member to thereby adjust the first wheel position relative vehicle housing.

11. The toy of claim 10, wherein the biasing member is a torsional spring.

12. The toy of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a first vehicle, wherein the toy further comprises a second vehicle supported for movement, and wherein the control station further includes a selector switch operable to select one of the first vehicle and the second vehicle for control by the control station.

13. The toy of claim 12, wherein the second vehicle defines a second travel axis extending from a rear to a front, the second vehicle being supported for movement by a plurality of wheels, the second vehicle being operable between a second vehicle first turned position and a second vehicle second turned position, and wherein the toy further comprises a second adjusting assembly operable to align the second vehicle first turned position with the first steered position of the steering switch.

14. The toy of claim 13, wherein the second vehicle includes a turnable second wheel positionable in a first second vehicle wheel position corresponding to the second vehicle first turned position and in a second second vehicle wheel position corresponding to the second vehicle second turned position.

15. The toy of claim 14, wherein the second adjusting assembly is operable to align the first second vehicle wheel position with the first steered position of the steering switch.

16. The toy of claim 1, wherein the control station is operable to remotely control the vehicle.

17. The toy of claim 16, wherein the control station includes an infrared controller operable to output an infrared signal to control the vehicle, and wherein the vehicle includes a receiver operable to receive the signal from the control station.

18. The toy of claim 1, wherein the vehicle includes a power supply operable to move the vehicle in response to control of the control station.

19. The toy of claim 1, wherein the control station includes a plurality of buttons each operable to produce an audio signal.

20. The toy of claim 1, wherein the first steered position of the steering switch is a straight steered position and the second steered position of the steering switch is one of a left steered position and a right steered position, and wherein the steering switch is biased to the straight steered position.

21. The toy of claim 20, wherein the steering control is operable to a third steered position, the third steered position being the other of the left steered position and the right steered position.

22. The toy of claim 1, wherein the control station includes a directional control operable between a first directional position, in which the vehicle is controlled to move in a first direction, and a second directional position.

23. The toy of claim 22, wherein, in the second directional position of the directional control, the vehicle is controlled to move in a second direction, and wherein the directional control is movable to a third directional position, in which the vehicle is controlled to not move in the first direction and to not move in the second direction.

24. The toy of claim 1, further comprising a fixed structure including a portion movable between a first position and a second position, and an actuator operable to move the portion between the first and second position, the actuator being positioned to be actuatable by contact with the vehicle.

25. An interactive toy comprising:

a vehicle supported for movement;

a control station operable to control movement of the vehicle; and

a fixed structure including

a movable member movable relative to the frame between a first position and a second position, and

an actuator operable to move the movable member between the first position and the second position, the vehicle being operable to engage the actuator.

26. The toy of claim 25, wherein the fixed structure is a building.

27. The toy of claim 26, wherein the movable member supports a display, the display being is visible when the movable member is in the first position, the display being hidden when the movable member is in the second position.

28. The toy of claim 26, wherein the movable member is a door having an open position and a closed position, the actuator being operable to move the door from the closed position to the open position.

29. A method of operating a toy, the toy including a vehicle supported for movement and operable between a first turned position and a second turned position, and a control station operable to control the vehicle, the control station including a steering switch operable between a first steered position and a second steered position, the method comprising the acts of:

aligning the first turned position of the vehicle with the first steered position of the steering switch;

operating the steering switch to the first steered position; and

operating the control station to move the vehicle in a direction corresponding to the first turned position.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the vehicle includes a turnable wheel positionable in a first wheel position corresponding to the first turned position of the vehicle and in a second wheel position corresponding to the second turned position of the vehicle, and wherein the aligning act includes the act of aligning the first wheel position with the first steered position of the steering switch.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising, after the act of operating the steering switch, the act of moving the turnable wheel to the first wheel position.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein the control station includes a controller operable to output a control signal, wherein the vehicle includes a receiver operable to receive the control signal, and wherein the act of operating the control station includes the acts of outputting a control signal with the controller, and receiving the control signal with the receiver.