FR2780298A1 - Child's ride-on and steerable toy - Google Patents

Abstract

The toy consists of a body with a seat and four wheels (4, 5, 6, 7) mounted in pairs on two axles (10, 11), one of which is connected to a steering handle. Each of the axles pivots about a vertical axis of rotation (A-A', B-B') and they are connected by a diagonal bar (50) which is connected to pivots (51, 52) on the axles on either side of the toy's lengthwise axis (X-X'), so that when the front axle (10) is turned in one direction the rear axle turns simultaneously in the other. Each axle is fastened to a steering column (20, 21), so that the direction can be controlled by the child through a handlebar at the front or by an adult holding onto a steering handle at the back.

Description

The invention relates to a pusher for children. This type of toy is more

  particularly intended for young children who appreciate being able to ride a toy, for example in the shape of an animal, to move forward using wheels. Such a toy can also be pushed by the child in front of it, which

  allows you to maintain your balance during the learning phases

wise walking.

  It is known to equip a pusher with a control handlebar.

  of, for example in the shape of an animal head, allowing

  direct the orientation of the front wheels around a global axis-

  vertical when this pusher rests on horizontal ground.

  This handlebar allows the child to acquire basic concepts of piloting which will be useful to him later to evolve on

a tricycle or a bicycle.

  The turning radius that can be obtained with such devices is relatively large, while young children want or need to make "tight" turns, especially when they have to operate in an environment of relatively small dimensions, such as the interior of a dwelling. As the turning radius of conventional devices is not suitable for the use made by young children, it is common for them to skid the vehicle in order to make a tighter turn. Such a maneuver can only be carried out by a child who already has a certain strength and a certain practice of pushers,

  so that the youngest and least experienced children

  mentés sometimes find themselves blocked, because the trajectory which they can obtain with the pusher is not compatible with their environment. In addition, the fact of getting into the habit of causing their pusher to skid to turn their instills inappropriate reflexes for the subsequent driving of a tricycle or a bicycle. In addition, it is known to equip certain toys for

  child, such as tricycles, a rod or handle

  vre by an adult, this rod generally extending from the rear of the toy to a height allowing its grip by an adult. With a rod of this type attached to the back of a known pusher, the adult can not exercise on the toy

  that a thrust effort generally parallel to a longitu-

  dinal of the pusher, the control of the direction being left on the initiative of the child or having to be carried out by skids of the toy which is then generally tilted backwards to rest on the ground only by its rear wheels. This can be dangerous for a young child who may fall. As before, this maneuver is not satisfactory on the kinematic level since it imposes a

  skidding when changing direction.

  It is to these drawbacks that the invention more particularly intends to remedy by proposing a pusher for a child whose

steering is made easier.

  In this spirit, the invention relates to a pusher for a child comprising a body, supporting a seat and resting on four wheels arranged in pairs on two axles each forming an axis of rotation of two wheels, and a steering member allowing the control of the position of a first axle in pivoting about an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the wheels of this first axle, characterized in that the second of these axles is mounted, relative to the body,

  pivoting about a generally perpendicular pivot axis

  laire to the axis of rotation of the wheels of this second axle, a connecting rod being articulated relative to the first and second axles on either side of a longitudinal axis of the pusher

  intersecting with the pivot axes of the axles and perpendicular to

  to these axes, so that the pivoting of an axle around its pivot axis, in one direction, induces a simultaneous pivoting of the other axle around its axis of

pivot, in the other direction.

  A pusher for children according to the invention constitutes a vehicle with four steered wheels whose turning radius is substantially less than that of known pushers. Indeed, the connecting rod makes it possible to postpone the control movement of the first axle, for example the front axle,

  to the second axle, for example the rear axle.

  According to a first advantageous aspect of the invention, the second axle is provided with means of cooperation with a steering member capable of controlling its orientation around its pivot axis. Thus, the pusher can be controlled, by an adult, from this organ because the orientation of the second

  axle determines that of the first axle.

  According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, each axle is mounted on a steering column pivotally articulated relative to the body, each column being suitable

  to cooperate with a management body. This aspect of the invention

  tion makes it possible to provide two steering members for piloting the pusher, one of these members being able to be used by a child while the other member is being used by an adult. One can in particular provide that at least one steering member is capable of being removably mounted on the corresponding steering column. In this case, the pusher advantageously comprises a decorative element capable of being mounted on a steering column in the absence of the corresponding steering member, this decorative element being designed to be rotated by the steering column around the pivot axis of the axle mounted on the steering column. According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, the steering member capable of cooperating with the steering column on which the second axle is mounted is an operating bar

  accessible by an adult near the pusher.

  This maneuver bar allows an adult to control

  simultaneously, thanks to the connecting rod connecting the two axles, the o

  orientation of the two axles of the pusher, which allows it to steer the pusher without having to resort to repeated skidding

  and despite any handlebar maneuvers by the child.

  In this case, provision can be made for the operating bar to include means for removable attachment of a playful accessory for the pusher. According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, the steering columns of the pusher are identical and each formed of a sleeve provided with two notches for receiving and locking an axle. This aspect of the invention makes it possible to achieve economies of scale and facilitates the mounting of the pusher during its first use, by reducing the risks of mounting errors. This particularly simple sleeve structure allows columns of

reliable and light steering.

  According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the

  connecting rod is articulated on the steering columns. The geo-

  sorting and the mechanical resistance of the steering columns can be adapted according to this articulation. According to another alternative embodiment, the connecting rod is articulated on

the axles.

  The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the light of the

  description which follows of two embodiments of a

  pusher for children in accordance with its principle, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a pusher according to the invention and its accessories; - Figures 2 to 4 are perspective views of the

  pusher of Figure 1 mounted according to three possibilities of use

  reading; - Figure 5 is a schematic horizontal section of the pusher of Figures 1 to 4 in a first position; - Figure 6 is a section similar to Figure 5 while the pusher is in a second position and - Figures 7 and 8 are sections similar to Figures 5 and 6 respectively for a pusher according to

  a second embodiment of the invention.

  The pusher according to the invention, shown in Figure 1, comprises a body 1 defining a trunk 2 whose opening is intended to be closed by a removable seat 3. The body

  1 is provided to rest on four wheels carrying respective-

  ment references 4, 5, 6 and 7. The wheels 4 and 5 are mounted on a first common axle 10 called the front axle while the wheels 6 and 7 are mounted on a second common axle 11, said

rear axle.

  A footrest 8 is provided to be fixed on the body 1

  and receive the feet of a child riding the pusher.

  A first steering column is formed by a plastic sleeve 20 provided with two notches, only one of which is visible in FIG. 1 with the reference 20a. The notches of the sleeve 20 are designed to be arranged around the axle 10 while their dimensions are such that they allow rotation of the axle 10 around its largest axis XI-X'l while retaining this axle by compared to the sleeve. The end 20b of the sleeve 20 which does not carry a notch is intended to be introduced into an orifice 25 of the body 1, so that it can receive a handlebar 30 and be made integral therewith. The handlebar 30 is essentially formed by two half-shells 31 and 32 whose geometry can be adapted to represent the head of an animal, such as a dog or a bear. The half-shells 31 and 32 are shaped so as to define handles 31a and 32a intended to be taken in hand by a child in place on the seat 3. It can be provided that one of the half-shells, for example the half-shell 32, is provided with decorative elements 33 and 34 one representing the muzzle of an animal, while the other half-shell can be fitted with other decorative elements 35 representing ears, these elements 35 being articulated around a boss 36 provided on

  an internal face of the half-shell 31.

  When the handlebar 30 is mounted in the position of FIGS. 2 and 3, it makes it possible to rotate the sleeve 20, therefore the axle 10, around an axis AA 'generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation Xi-X'1 wheels 4 and 5 defined by the axle 10. Thus, the handlebar 30 controls the orientation of the wheels 4 and around the axis AA 'relative to the body 1. A second steering column is formed by a second sleeve 21 , also provided with notches, only one of which is visible in FIG. 1 with the reference 21a. This sleeve 21 is provided to cover the axle 11, so that it is received in the notches 21a, while the upper part 21b of the sleeve 21, which does not carry a notch, passes through an orifice 26 in the body 2. A decorative element 40, representing a tail, is provided to be mounted on the upper end of the sleeve 21

and be united in it.

  We denote by X2-X 2 the axis of rotation of the wheels 6 and 7 defined by the second axle 11. Taking into account the mounting of the sleeve 21

  relative to the body 1, the axle 11 is capable of moving

  pivot elements about an axis B-B 'generally perpendicular

cular to the axis X2-X'2. -

  A connecting rod 50 is mounted between the axles 10 and 11, so that their respective pivoting around the axes A-A 'and B-B' are kinematically linked and simultaneous. More precisely, and as is more particularly apparent from FIGS. 5 and 6, the connecting rod 50 is connected, by a first

  end 50a, to axis 10 by means of a first nut of arti-

  culation 51 arranged near the right front wheel. The connecting rod 50 is connected, by a second end 50b, to the axis 11 by means of a second articulation nut 52 disposed near the left rear wheel 7. There is denoted X3-X'3 a central longitudinal axis of the pusher, this axis being perpendicular to the axes AA 'and BB' and intersecting with these axes. The connecting rod 50 is articulated relative to the axles 10 and 11, at its

  ends 50a and 50b on either side of the axis X3-X'3.

  F1 is noted the direction of advance of the pusher determined by the orientation of the wheels 4 and 5 around the axis AA ′. This

  direction is generally perpendicular to axle 10, that is

ie at the axis Xl-X'1.

  In view of the above, when a child imposes on the handlebar 30 a direction represented by the arrow F, in FIGS. 5 and 6 by means of the handles 31a and 32a, he controls the position of the sleeve 20 around the axis AA ' and, consequently, that of the axle 10. This position is transmitted by the connecting rod 50 to the axle 11, so that the position of the wheels 4 to 7 is determined by the sole action of the child on

the handles 31a and 32a.

  It is then possible for the child to pass from the position of FIG. 5 corresponding to a rectilinear progression, to the position of FIG. 6, corresponding to a turning position, by exerting a pivoting force around the axis A -A ', represented by the arrow P1 in FIG. 6. This force is transmitted by the connecting rod 50 to the axle 11, which induces a pivoting represented by the arrow P2 in this same figure. Thus, the connecting rod 50 makes it possible to control the rear wheels of the pusher as a function of the position of the front wheels. The minimum turning radius of the pusher of the invention is

  significantly lower than that of known pushers.

  The fact that the tail 40 is mounted on the upper end

  of the sleeve 21, as shown in FIG. 2, implies that it is set in motion around the axis BB 'during each pivoting of the handlebar 30. This gives the pusher of the invention an "animated" appearance, which has a character

  playful appreciated by a young child.

  A hoop 60 is provided to be fixed on the body 1 as shown in FIG. 2 and constitutes at the same time a backrest preventing the tilting of a child towards the rear, when the latter is astride the seat 3, while its substantially horizontal upper part constitutes a handle 61 of

  grip allowing a child to push the toy.

  A safety ring 70 is provided to rest both on the handlebars 30 and on the hoop 60 as shown in FIG. 4, in particular when the pusher is intended to be used by a very young child likely to fall from the seat. 3. This ring can be fitted with games such as an abacus equipped with balls or a telephone-type dial promoting the development of fine motor skills. Other playful elements can be provided, such as a vehicle 71 in the shape of an animal which can be snapped onto one of the sides of

the ring 70.

  The tail 40 is removably mounted at the upper end of the sleeve 21 and it can be disassembled to be replaced by an operating bar 80 provided with a handle 81 for gripping by an adult. When the operating bar 80 is in place on the sleeve 21 as shown in FIG. 3, it makes it possible to direct the pusher of the invention

  without resorting to repeated skids.

  Indeed, a pivoting movement of the bar 80 around the axis B-B ', as represented by the arrow P2 in FIG. 6, is transmitted by the sleeve 21 to the axle 11 and, through the connecting rod 50, at axle 10. This results in a pivoting of

  the axle 10 around the axis AA ′ represented by the arrow P1.

  Thus, the short turning radius previously mentioned, can also be used when the pusher is piloted by an adult

located at the back.

  When a child rides a pusher while an adult controls it using the operating bar 80, the orientation given by the adult to this bar is transmitted by the elements 21, 11, 50, 10 and 20 to the handlebars 30 The child sees the movements of this handlebar which correspond to the changes of direction of the pusher. The invention therefore has an educational aspect which allows a child to associate the movements of the handlebars 30 with changes of direction of the pusher and therefore to understand intuitively that the handlebars make it possible to steer

  the vehicle he sits on.

  The inclination of the maneuvering bar 80 is such that it can be installed and pivoted around the axis BB 'without interference with the hoop 60. The hoop 60 and the safety ring 70 could also be put in place. place in the

configuration of figure 3.

  However, provision can be made for the safety ring 70 to be provided with means (not shown) for fixing or clipping onto the handlebar 30, these means being such as the handles 31a and 32a.

  are fixed in orientation relative to the ring 70, that is to say

  tell the body 1. The orientation of the wheels 4 to 7 relative to the axes AA 'and BB' is then blocked, for example in the position of FIG. 4. In this case, the bar 80, when it is mounted at the place of the tail 40 cannot pivot around the axis BB ′ since it is kinematically linked to the handlebar 30 which is blocked. This configuration makes it possible to move the pusher at high speed in a rectilinear direction, for example when no child is seated on the element 3, the changes of direction being then obtained.

by skidding.

  It will be noted that the operating bar 80 carries notches 82 allowing the vehicle 71 to be jammed when the safety ring 70 is not used. It can also be provided that the transverse dimensions of the handle 61 are such that

  the vehicle 71 can be clipped or stuck on this handle.

  This allows to arrange the vehicle 71 according to the fantasy of

  the child or the choices of the accompanying adult.

  In the second embodiment of the invention represented

  felt in Figures 7 and 8, elements similar to those of the embodiment of Figures 1 to 6 bear identical references. In this embodiment, the sleeves 20 and 21 are provided with lateral extensions 20c, 20d and 21c, 21d which extend in the immediate vicinity of the wheels 4 to 7. The notches for receiving the axles 10 and 11 in the sleeves 20

  and 21 are advantageously provided in the lateral extensions.

20c, 20d, 21c and 21d.

  The sleeves 20 and 21 respectively carry a zone 20e

  or 21st of articulation of the connecting rod 50, these zones being possible

  tually reinforced to allow efficient transmission of the pivoting forces P'1 and P'2 between the axles 10 and 11 and the bar 50 without risk of deformation of the sleeves 20 and 21. Whatever the embodiment considered, the sleeves 20 and 21 can be identical, which allows economies of scale and facilitates the mounting of the pusher. Different methods of mounting the axles 10 and 11 on the sleeves 20 and 21 can be envisaged without departing from the framework

of the present invention.

Claims (10)

  1. Child pusher comprising a body (1) supporting a seat (3) and resting on four wheels (4-7), arranged in pairs on two axles (10, 11) each forming an axis (X1-X '1 X2 -X'2) of rotation of two wheels, and a steering member (30) allowing the control of the position of a first axle (10) in pivoting about an axis (A- A ') generally perpendicular to said axis (X1-X'1) for rotation of the wheels (4, 5) of said first axle, characterized in that the second axle (11) is pivotally mounted relative to said body   around a generally perpendicular pivot axis (B-B ')   the area of said axis (X2-X'2) of rotation of the wheels (6, 7) of the second axle, a connecting rod (50) being articulated, with respect to said first (10) and second (11) axles, on both sides other of a longitudinal axis (X3-X'3) of said secant pusher with the pivot axes (A-A ', B-B') of said axles and perpendicular to these axes, so that the pivoting of an axle (10, 11) around its pivot axis (A- A ', B-B'), in one direction, induces a simultaneous pivoting of the other axle (11, 10) around its pivot axis (B- B ', A-A'), in the other direction. 2. A pusher according to claim 1, characterized in that said second axle (11) is provided with means (21) for cooperation with a steering member (80) capable of controlling   its orientation around its pivot axis (B-B ').   3. Child pusher according to one of claims 1   or 2, characterized in that each axle (10, 11) is mounted on a steering column (20, 21) pivotally articulated (A-A ', B- B') relative to said body (1), each   column (20, 21) being able to cooperate with a steering member tion (30, 80).   4. Child pusher according to claim 3, character-   laughed in that at least one steering member (80) is able to   be removably mounted on a steering column (21).   5. Child pusher according to claim 4, character-   laughed in that it comprises a decorative element (40) capable of being mounted on a steering column (21) in the absence of the corresponding steering member (80), said decorative element being designed to be driven in rotation , by said steering column, about the pivot axis (B-B ') of the axle (11) mounted on said steering column.   6. Child pusher according to one of claims 2   to 5, characterized in that said steering member is an operating bar (80) accessible by an adult who is at proximity of said pusher.   7. Child pusher according to claim 6, character-   laughed in that said operating bar (80) comprises means (82) for detachably fixing a play accessory (71) said pusher.   8. Child pusher according to one of claims 3   7, characterized in that said steering columns (20, 21) are identical and each formed by a sleeve provided (20, 21) with two notches (20a) for receiving and locking a axle (10, 11).   9. Child pusher according to one of claims 3   8, characterized in that said connecting rod (50) is articulated on   said steering columns (20, 21).   10. Child pusher according to one of claims 1   8, characterized in that said connecting rod (50) is articulated on said axles (10, 11).