GB2096007A - Inflatable play device - Google Patents

Abstract

The device is simulative of a horse or car and has a bottom portion 18, an elongate child supporting portion 22 which is above the bottom portion and a front portion 28 which includes grasping means 36. A compartment may be formed in the bottom portion to retain a weight, eg sand, which provides stability for the device. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Inflatable, bounceable ride-on toy This invention relates to an inflatable, bounceable ride-on toy for young children, the toy being simulative of a transportation means, and also to a method of comforting a young child utilising such a toy.

Inflatable, bounceable ride-on toys for children are well known.

U.S. 2,526,786 discloses a ride-on horse for a child to bounce on. The toy of this patent however, is not a complete horse, but is a simulation of the head, neck, and shoulder portions of a horse. The toy is placed upon an adult's leg or upon a sofa cushion and the child then sits upon the toy. The child's feet do not touch the floor while riding upon the toy of this invention.

U.S. 3,098,317 discloses an inflatable play horse which stands upon a stationary base. Neither the horse of this invention, nor the horse of '786 are designated to be used with the child's knees bent and his feet touching the floor.

One problem of the afore-mentioned toys is that because the child's feet do not touch the floor the child cannot alternatingly exert and release pressure downwardly against the floor and thereby control the bouncing action of the toy.

Another problem of the afore-mentioned toys is that they are not as safe as is desirable. Because neither toy rests directly upon the floor, the child may accidently fall off the toy, a fairly large distance to the floor, and harm himself.

Other inflatable ride-on toys have been marketed which rest directly upon the floor. One example of such a toy is a round, rubber inflatable ride-on ball upon which a child can sit and bounce. One obvious problem of this toy, is that it does not resemble a transportation means with which a child is familiar.

This detracts from both the play and educational value of the bounceable ride-on ball. A second problem with the ride-on ball is that due to its shape, a child can easily slide off it while bouncing, and hurt himself.

It is an object of the invention to provide an inflatable, bounceable ride-on toy which is not subject to the drawbacks of the prior art toys.

It is another object of this invention to provide an inflatable, bounceable ride-on toy which is safely usable by a young child.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide an inflatable, bounceable ride-on toy upon which a child can sit with his knees bent and his feet touching the floor and thereby alternatingly exert and release pressure downwardly against the floor, controlling the bouncing of the toy.

Another object of this invention is to provide an inflatable, bounceable ride-on toy which can create a physical stimulus capable of comforting a young child.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide an inflatable, bounceable ride-on toy which is simulative of a transportation means, thereby enhancing the play and educational value of the inflatable, bounceable ride-on toy.

Other objects of the invention in part will be obvious and in part will be pointed out hereinafter.

In keeping with these objects, and others which will become apparent hereinafter, one aspect of this invention resides, briefly stated, in an inflatable, bounceable ride-on toyforyoung children which includes an inflatable body, the body simulative of a transportation means. The body has: a bottom portion which rests upon a support surface; an elongated child supporting portion which is elevated above the bottom portion at a distance such that a seated child's knees are bent while his feet touch the floor; and a front portion which contains a grasping means thereon, the front portion being attached to the child supporting portion.

In one preferred embodiment of the inflatable, bounceable ride-on toy, the inflatable body is simulative of a horse. The horse embodiment of the toy further contains weight means in the body portion for stabilizing the toy wherever it is placed on the supporting surface. The horse's head comprises the front portion and there are reins attached thereto which comprise the grasping means.

In another preferred embodiment of the inflatable, bounceable ride-on toy, the body portion is simulative of an automobile. The automobile contains a steering wheel attached to a steering column which comprises the grasping portion. The steering column is attached to a simulative dash board which comprises the front portion. The car embodiment of the toy further contains a rear support portion simulative of a car seat for firmly supporting and retaining the child on the toy. The car embodiment of the toy has four inflatable wheels which comprise its bottom portion. The wheels support the body portion of the car at a distance above the support surface.

Both embodiments of the inflatable, bounceable ride-on toy are dimensioned to allow a young child to sit thereupon with his knees bent and his feet touching the floor.

Further, both embodiments of the inflatable, bounceable ride-on toy are provided with squeakers for emitting a noise when the child squeezes or bounces upon the toy.

In summary, one aspect of the invention provides an inflatable, bounceable, ride-on toyforyoung children comprising an inflatable body of soft, limp plastic, said body simulative of a transportation means, said body having: a) a bottom portion for resting on a support surface; b) an elongated child supporting portion, to be elevated on inflation of the toy above the bottom portion to a distance such that a child can be seated thereon with his knees bent and his feet touching the support surface; and c) a front portion having a child grasping means thereon, said front portion attached to the child supporting portion.

According to a second aspect, a method is provided for comforting a young child, utilising the inflatable toy of the first aspect, comprising the steps of: a) inflating the inflatable, bounceable ride-on toy so that it is capable of supporting the child and not significantly distorting when the child's weight is applied thereon; b) placing the inflatable, bounceable, ride-on toy on a support surface; c) seating the child upon the elongated childsupporting portion of the toy so that the child's knees are bent and his feet are resting upon the support surface; and d) alternatingly exerting pressure by the child's feet downwardly against the support surface, and releasing said pressure, thereby causing the toy and the child to bounce, whereby the child and the toy can bounce repeatedly on the support surface to provide the child with a comforting physical stimulus.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure lisa perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention being used in accordance with the method of the present invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view as taken substantially along line 2--2 of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective drawing of another embodiment of the present invention being used in accordance with the method of the present invention; Figure 4 is a sectional view as taken substantially along line 4--4 of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a sectional view as taken substantially along line 5--5 of Figure 4; and Figure 6is a sectional view taken substantially along line 6--6 of Figure 3.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, and more particularly to Figures 1 and 3, the reference numeral 10 denotes an inflatable, bounceable child's ride-on toy of the present invention. The ride-on 10 has an inflatable body 12 of soft, limp, plastic, said inflatable body 12 being simulative of a transportation means.

As best seen in Figure 1, in one embodiment of the present invention, the inflatable body 12 is simulative of a horse. The horse embodiment of the inflatable, bounceable ride-on toy is denoted by the reference numeral 14.

Another embodiment of the inflatable, bounceable ride-on toy of the present invention is best seen in Figure 3. In this embodiment the inflatable body 12 is simulative of an automobile. The automobile embodiment of the inflatable, bounceable ride-on toy is denoted by the reference numeral 16.

The inflatable body 12 ofthe inflatable toy 10 has a bottom portion 18 which rests upon a support surface 20. The support surface may be any flat surface large enough to support the toy 10, but in accordance with the method of the present invention, the support surface usually is a floor. By resting the inflatable toy 10 on the floor, the possibility of accidental injury to a child is diminished. If the child falls off of the inflatable toy 10 to the floor upon which said toy rests, the child will only fall a very small distance.

The body portion 12 also contains an elongated child supporting portion 22. The child supporting portion 22 is elevated above the bottom portion 18 a distance such that a child 24 can sit on the child supporting portion 22 with his knees bent and his feet touching the floor. In the horse embodiment 14, the mid portion 26 of the child supporting portion 22 is about 101/2 inches (26.7 cm) from the support surface 20 upon which the toy rests, when the toy is fully inflated. In the automobile embodiment 16, the mid portion 26 of the child supporting portion 22 is also about 101/2 inches (26.7 cm) from the support surface 20 upon which the toy rests, when the toy is fully inflated.By so dimensioning the inflatable toy, a child between the ages of about one and four can easily sit upon the supporting portion 22 of the fully inflated toy with his knees bent and his feet on the floor.

Both the horse embodiment 14 and the automobile embodiment 16 of the inflatable toy 10, have a front portion 28 attached to the child supporting portion 22. In the horse embodiment, as seen in Figure 1, the front portion 28 is simulative of a horse's head 30. In the automobile embodiment, the front portion 28 is simulative of a dashboard 32.

Each front portion 28, has thereon a child grasping means 34 for the child to grasp onto while using the inflatable toy 10. The child grasping means 34 aids a child in staying on the toy 10 while bouncing. In the horse embodiment 14, the child grasping means 34 is simultive of a horse's rein 36. In the automobile embodiment 16, the child grasping portion is simulative of an inflatable steering wheel 38. The child grasping means 34 thus serves a dual purpose. In addition to helping the child to avoid slipping off the toy 10, the grasping means enhances the overall appearance of the toy.

As best seen in Figure 4, the steering wheel 38 of the car embodiment 16 is operatively connected to the car's dashboard 32 by an inflatable simulated steering column 40. As best seen in Figures 4 and 5, the steering wheel 38 and the steering column 40 of the car embodiment 16, are turnable by the child when the toy is fully inflated. The child can manually turn the steering wheel 38 in either a clock-wise or counter clock-wise direction. As the child moves the steering wheel 38, the material forming the steering column 40 partially collapses, thus enabling said turning motion to be performed. When the child releases the turned steering wheel 38, the steering wheel returns to its original position in response to the memory of the material forming the steering column 40. By forming the steering wheel 38 and steering column 40 so that the steering wheel is restorablyturnable, the toy 10 is made to more realistically resemble a transportation means.

Both embodiments of the inflatable toy further contain a rear support portion 42. The rear support portion 42 helps to firmly support the child on the toy 10 and thus prevent the child from accidentally slipping off the toy and hurting himself.

In the horse embodiment 14 as seen in Figure 1, the rear support portion 42 comprises the rear segment 44 of the child supporting portion 12 which is about two inches further above the support surface 20 than is the mid portion 26 of the horse embodiment when said horse embodiment is fully inflated. In other words, the child supporting portion of the horse embodiment 14 gently slopes upward from its mid portion 26 to its rear segment 44 at angle of between 15 -20 . In this way the rear segment 44 serves as a rear support portion 42 for supporting the child on the toy.

As best seen in Figure 3, in the automobile embodiment 16, the rear support portion 42 is a simulated automobile seat back 46. The automobile seat back 46 constitutes a separate inflatable chamber. The top surface 48 of the automobile seat back 46 is about six inches (15.24 cm) higher than the child supporting surface 22 and about eight inches (20.32 cm) wide, so that it can fully support a young child.

As best seen in Figure 2, the horse embodiemt 14 has sand 50 at its bottom portion 18. The sand 50 is contained within an envelope 52 attached to the inner surface of said bottom portion. The sand acts as a weight for retaining the toy 10 at whatever position it is placed on the floor.

Both embodiments of the toy 10 contain an inflating segment 54 for permitting introduction of air under pressure into the toy 10. The inflating segment consists of an externally projecting tube 56 into which a person can blow air, and a plug 58 frictionally engageable with the outer end of the tube to prevent the air from escaping from the inflated toy 10. Both embodiments of the toy are small enough to allow an adult to easily inflate them using only his own lungs as a source of pressurized air.

As best seen in Figure 3, the automobile embodiment 16 has four inflatable wheels 60 comprising its bottom portion 18. The fully inflated wheels 60 support the body portion 12 at a distance of about four inches (10.16 cm) from the floor. This enables a child to more easily bounce on the toy 10.

Both embodiments of the toy 10 contain a plurality of squeakers therein for emitting a squeaking sound when the child bounces upon or squeezes the toy 10.

As best seen in Figure 6, the squeaker comprises a conventional metal whistle 62. The whistle is placed in any internal partition segment. Partition segment 64 is exemplificative of all internal partition segments containing whistles.

The partition segment 64, together with the external walls 66 of any particular toy portion 68, constitute a closed chamber 70. When the closed chamber 70 is compressed, either by the child bouncing on the toy or squeezing the chamber 70, air is forced through the whistle 62 and a noise is emitted. Squeakers may be placed in as many portions of the toy as desirable, but each toy contains at least one squeaker.

A child may easily play with the inflatable toy 10 of the present invention, and such play by virtue of its monotonous repetitive mode provides a method of comforting a young child. To use the toy 10 of this invention, the toy first must be inflated, by introducing air into the inflating segment 54 until the toy 10 is filled with enough air so that the toy can support a child with minimal distortion from the child's body weight. The toy 10 is then placed on a support surface 20, preferably the floor, and the child is seated upon the mid portion 26 of the child supporting portion 22 with his knees bent and his feet touching the floor. The child holds onto the child grasping means 34 with his hands to safely stay on the toy 10. His back should rest against the rear support portion 42. The child can then alternatingly exert and release pressure with his feet, downwardly against the support surface 20, this action causing the inflatable toy 10 and the child 24 to bounce. The child and the toy 10 can thus repeatedly bounce on the support surface 20. This bouncing provides the child with both a source of amusement and a comforting physical stimulus. Additionally, the playvalue of the toy 10 is enhanced because the toy is simulative of a transportation means which is familiar to the child.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the embodiments above set forth, it is to be understood that all matters herein described or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limited sense.

Claims (13)

1. An inflatable, bounceable, ride-on toy for young children comprising an inflatable body of soft, limp, plastic, said body simulative of a transportation means, said body having: a) a bottom portion for resting on a support surface; b) an elongated child supporting portion, to be elevated on inflation of the toy above the bottom portion to a distance such that a child can be seated thereon with his knees bent and his feet touching the support surface; and c) a front portion having a child grasping means thereon, said front portion attached to the child supporting portion.

2. The inflatable, bounceable ride-on toy of claim 1, having a rear portion for supporting a child on the toy.

3. The inflatable, bounceable ride-on toy of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the inflatable body is simulative of a horse.

4. The inflatable, bounceable ride-on toy of any preceding claim, having a bottom weight means for retaining the toy at whatever position it is placed on the supporting surface.

5. The inflatable, bounceable ride-on toy of claim 3, wherein the front portion is simulative of a horse's head and the grasping means is a rein.

6. The inflatable,-bounceable ride-on toy of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the body portion is simulative of an automobile.

7. The inflatable, bounceable ride-on toy of claim 6, wherein the grasping means is an inflatable steering wheel which is operatively connected to the front portion by a simulated inflatable steering column.

8. The inflatable, bounceable ride-on toy of claim 7, wherein the steering wheel and the steering column are restorably twistable in response to a child's turning of the steering wheel and column and release thereof.

9. The inflatable, bounceable ride-on toy of any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the bottom portion comprises inflatable wheels, said wheels supporting the body portion at a distance above the support surface.

10. The inflatable, bounceable ride-on toy of any preceding claim, having a squeaker for emitting a sound when a child bounces upon or squeezes the toy.

11. A method of comforting a young child utilizing the bounceable, inflatable toy of claim 1, comprising the steps of: a) inflating the inflatable, bounceable ride-on toy so that it is capable of supporting the child and not significantly distorting when the child's weight is applied thereon; b) placing the inflatable, bounceable, ride-on toy on a support surface; c) seating the child upon the elongated childsupporting portion of the toy so that the child's knees are bent and his feet are resting upon the support surface; and d) alternatingly exerting pressure by the child's feet downwardly against the support surface, and releasing said pressure, thereby causing the toy and the child to bounce, whereby the child and the toy can bounce repeatedly on the support surface to provide the child with a comforting physical stimulus.

12. An inflatable, bounceable ride-on toy, substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as shown in Figures 1,2 and 6 or Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 ofthe accompanying drawings.

13. A method of comforting a young child, substantially as herein before described, with reference to and as shown in Figures 1,2 and 6 or Figures 3,4,5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.