GB2161711A - Amusement apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus comprises a substantially rigid body, which has a space inside large enough to accommodate a child and which is composed of two hemispheres. One of the hemispheres has an opening to allow a child to climb inside. A locking band joins the two hemispheres, and provides a cylindrical surface for stable rotation of the body. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Amusement apparatus This invention relates to playthings and to amusement apparatus using such playthings, for instance, in an amusement park.

According to this invention there is provided a plaything comprising a substantially rigid body for rolling across a flat surface which is at least partially hollow to define a space capable of accommodating at least one child, the body including in its surface an opening into the space, the outer surface of the body defining a circle in at least one plane passing through the body such that the body may be rolled about an axis of rotation passing through the centre of said circle, at least a part of the surface of the body being rounded so that the axis of rotation of the body may be changed to allow the body to be rolled in any desired direction.

The plaything is used by a child situated within the space inside the body manoeuvering himself around to change the centre of gravity of the body to make the body roll in the direction desired by the child.

The body may be barrel shaped but preferably comprises two hemispheres joined by a cylindrical portion in the centre to give a well defined surface for rotation. This means that the body can be rotated about the central axis of the cylinder very stably but by applying weight towards the hemispheres the direction of rotation may be quickly changed.

Preferably at least part of the plaything is transparent so that the child can see outside through the surface of the body to make him feel safe. More preferably substantially all of the plaything is transparent.

The body may be made of fibreglass but is preferably made of high impact fire retardant PVC which is very strong and allows a slight degree of flexibility.

Preferably a rubber trim is placed around the opening into the space so that there are no sharp edges.

The plaything could be used by a single child in a single body but preferably these playthings are used with other similar playthings in an amusement park.

According to this invention there is further provided amusement apparatus which comprises a plurality of playthings in accordance with the invention situated within an enclosure.

It is envisaged that such apparatus will be very popular in amusement parks where children will be within the playthings and can play a game similar to dodgems but with the substantially spherical bodies.

An example of a plaything in accordance with the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure lisa side elevation of the plaything; Figure 2 is a front elevation of the plaything; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the plaything; and, Figure 4 is a section through the edge of the plaything to show the locking band.

A plaything 1 comprises a body 2 of high impact fire retardant PVC. The body comprises two hemispherical halves 3 joined together in a cylindrical portion 4 and locked together by a locking band 5 made of PVC. The hemispheres 3 are transparent and hollow to define a space 6 large enough to accommodate a child. The diameter of the hemispheres is approximately 43 inches (1.09m). A round opening 7 in the surface has a 16 or 17 inch diameter (0,4m) to allow a child to climb into the hollow body 2. A rubber trim 8 is situated around the opening 7 to protect the edges of the opening 7. The rubber trim is glued on to the hemisphere 3 by silicon rubber glue.

The locking band 5 includes a groove 9 in to which the edges of hemispheres 3 may be inserted to give a good locking action. The locking band 5 is welded to hemispheres 3 using a PVC welding compound 10.

1.A A plaything comprising a substantially rigid body for rolling across a flat surface which is at least partially hollow to define a space capable of accommodating at least one child, the body including in its surface an opening into the space, the outer surface of the body defining a circle in at least one plane passing through the body such that the body may be rolled about an axis of rotation passing through the centre of said circle, at least a part of the surface of the body being rounded so that the axis of rotation of the body may be changed to allow the body to be rolled in any desired direction.

2. A plaything according to Claim 1 in which the body comprises two hemispheres joined by a cylindrical portion in the centre to give a well defined surface for rotation.

3. A plaything according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which at least a part of the body is transparent.

4. A plaything according to any of the preceding claims in which substantially all of the body is transparent.

5. A plaything according to any of the preceding claims in which the body is made of high impact fire retardant PVC.

6. A plaything according to any of the preceding claims in which a rubber trim is placed around the opening into the space so that there are no sharp edges.

7. Amusement apparatus comprising a plurality of playthings situated within an enclosure, each plaything being in accordance with any of the preceding claims.

8. A plaything according to Claim 1 and substantially as herein described.

9. A plaything substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Amusement apparatus This invention relates to playthings and to amusement apparatus using such playthings, for instance, in an amusement park. According to this invention there is provided a plaything comprising a substantially rigid body for rolling across a flat surface which is at least partially hollow to define a space capable of accommodating at least one child, the body including in its surface an opening into the space, the outer surface of the body defining a circle in at least one plane passing through the body such that the body may be rolled about an axis of rotation passing through the centre of said circle, at least a part of the surface of the body being rounded so that the axis of rotation of the body may be changed to allow the body to be rolled in any desired direction. The plaything is used by a child situated within the space inside the body manoeuvering himself around to change the centre of gravity of the body to make the body roll in the direction desired by the child. The body may be barrel shaped but preferably comprises two hemispheres joined by a cylindrical portion in the centre to give a well defined surface for rotation. This means that the body can be rotated about the central axis of the cylinder very stably but by applying weight towards the hemispheres the direction of rotation may be quickly changed. Preferably at least part of the plaything is transparent so that the child can see outside through the surface of the body to make him feel safe. More preferably substantially all of the plaything is transparent. The body may be made of fibreglass but is preferably made of high impact fire retardant PVC which is very strong and allows a slight degree of flexibility. Preferably a rubber trim is placed around the opening into the space so that there are no sharp edges. The plaything could be used by a single child in a single body but preferably these playthings are used with other similar playthings in an amusement park. According to this invention there is further provided amusement apparatus which comprises a plurality of playthings in accordance with the invention situated within an enclosure. It is envisaged that such apparatus will be very popular in amusement parks where children will be within the playthings and can play a game similar to dodgems but with the substantially spherical bodies. An example of a plaything in accordance with the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure lisa side elevation of the plaything; Figure 2 is a front elevation of the plaything; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the plaything; and, Figure 4 is a section through the edge of the plaything to show the locking band. A plaything 1 comprises a body 2 of high impact fire retardant PVC. The body comprises two hemispherical halves 3 joined together in a cylindrical portion 4 and locked together by a locking band 5 made of PVC. The hemispheres 3 are transparent and hollow to define a space 6 large enough to accommodate a child. The diameter of the hemispheres is approximately 43 inches (1.09m). A round opening 7 in the surface has a 16 or 17 inch diameter (0,4m) to allow a child to climb into the hollow body 2. A rubber trim 8 is situated around the opening 7 to protect the edges of the opening 7. The rubber trim is glued on to the hemisphere 3 by silicon rubber glue. The locking band 5 includes a groove 9 in to which the edges of hemispheres 3 may be inserted to give a good locking action. The locking band 5 is welded to hemispheres 3 using a PVC welding compound 10. CLAIMS

1.A A plaything comprising a substantially rigid body for rolling across a flat surface which is at least partially hollow to define a space capable of accommodating at least one child, the body including in its surface an opening into the space, the outer surface of the body defining a circle in at least one plane passing through the body such that the body may be rolled about an axis of rotation passing through the centre of said circle, at least a part of the surface of the body being rounded so that the axis of rotation of the body may be changed to allow the body to be rolled in any desired direction.

2. A plaything according to Claim 1 in which the body comprises two hemispheres joined by a cylindrical portion in the centre to give a well defined surface for rotation.

3. A plaything according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which at least a part of the body is transparent.

4. A plaything according to any of the preceding claims in which substantially all of the body is transparent.

5. A plaything according to any of the preceding claims in which the body is made of high impact fire retardant PVC.

6. A plaything according to any of the preceding claims in which a rubber trim is placed around the opening into the space so that there are no sharp edges.

7. Amusement apparatus comprising a plurality of playthings situated within an enclosure, each plaything being in accordance with any of the preceding claims.

8. A plaything according to Claim 1 and substantially as herein described.

9. A plaything substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.