GB2478584A

GB2478584A - Ride-on toy

Info

Publication number: GB2478584A
Application number: GB201004056A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Karen Bessant
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-03-11
Filing date: 2010-03-11
Publication date: 2011-09-14
Also published as: GB201004056D0

Abstract

A ride-on toy comprises a frame 2 suitable for seating a user and a roller member 3 rotatably mounted to the frame. The frame is provided with first and second stabilising means 15 and 16, whereby in use the roller member 3 contacts a floor surface and the frame 2 is movable by rotation with respect to the roller member 3 from a first position in which the first stabilising means 15 contacts the floor surface to a second position in which the second stabilising means 16 contacts the floor surface, wherein for at least part of the rotation both the first and second stabilising means are clear of the floor surface. This allows a user seated on the frame 2 to propel the toy along the floor surface through rotation of the roller member 3 with respect to the frame 2.

Description

RIDE-ON TOY

The present invention relates to a ride-on toy, and in particular a ride-on toy that can roll along a floor surface and be used as a rocking toy.

Rocking toys, such as a rocking horse, typically comprise a body mounted on a rocker. The rocker normally takes the form of a curved support that engages a floor surface and allows the body mounted thereon to rock to-and-fro. As such, the rocking toy allows a user seated on the body to rock to-and-fro by leaning in an appropriate forward or backward direction.

However, rocking toys are limited in that they are only suitable for conducting a rocking operation. In this sense, they could be described as stationary toys as it is not possible for the user to move along a floor surface whilst seated on the toy.

The present invention addresses this limitation of the known rocking toys.

According to the present invention there is provided a ride-on toy comprising a frame suitable for seating a user and a roller member rotatably mounted to the frame, the frame being provided with first and second stabilising means, whereby in use the roller member contacts a floor surface and the frame is movable by rotation with respect to the roller member from a first position in which the first stabilising means contacts the floor surface to a second position in which the second stabilising means contacts the floor surface, wherein for at least part of the rotation both the first and second stabilising means are clear of the floor surface, thereby allowing a user seated on the frame to propel the toy along the floor surface through rotation of the roller member with respect to the frame.

Beneficially, the ride-on toy of the present invention allows the user to rock to-and-fro on the toy between the first and second positions> and/or to roll along the floor surface. The latter is achievable through rotation of the roller member with respect to the frame and the floor surface when the first and second stabilising means are both clear of the floor surface.

The user seated on the frame may manually propel the toy along the floor surface.

For example, the user may push-off from the floor surface using their feet.

The roller member may comprise any suitable means capable of rotation so as to allow movement of the ride-on toy along a floor surface.

The roller member may be of any shape capable of rolling along a floor surface.

Preferably, the roller member has rotational symmetry about a central axis. The roller member may be mounted to the frame for movement about that axis. The roller member may be, for example> spherical or spheroidal.

In one embodiment, the roller member may be a spheroid shape, preferably a prolate spheroid shape. In such embodiments, the roller member rotates about its longitudinal axis. Advantageously, as the surface of the spheroid tapers inwardly from its centre to respective first and second apices, the user may more easily turn the ride-on toy in a new direction. In this regard, the inwardly tapered surface allows the roller member to roll towards a side when a user wishes to steer the toy in a different direction. Further, such a shape is advantageous for use by children, as their legs can more easily contact the floor surface.

The roller member may comprise a central portion and first and second end portions, the end portions tapering inwardly from the central portion to respective first and second apices. The surface of the central portion may be substantially flat or curved.

The roller member may be truncated, so as to reduce the overall width of the roller member and therefore the ride-on toy. The roller member may be truncated to provide flat first and/or second side faces. Typically, the flat side faces will be generally circular. In such embodiments, the diameter of the central portion is greater than the diameter of the side faces. Beneficially, this will provide increased space for the user's legs to hang down when in the seated position, thereby providing increased comfort.

Alternatively, the roller member may have a cylindrical shape.

The roller member may be made from a plastics material, such as an extruded plastics material, The plastics material may be a high density plastics material, to provide durability and therefore suitability for use on a wide range of different surface types. The roller member may be made from, for example, high density polyethylene (HDPE), although it will be appreciated that any suitable high density plastics materials may be used to make the roller member.

The roller member may have a rough or smooth outer surface. Preferably, the surface of the roller member is smooth. This provides a toy that is suitable for use on a wide range of different surface types. Further, the action of propelling the toy along during use will be facilitated by a smooth surface of the roller member.

The roller member may be rotatably mounted to the frame by any suitable means.

The roller member may comprise an axle, which is linked to the frame by connecting means. The connecting means may comprise any suitable means for linking the frame to the axle, such as, for example, a rod, tube or bar.

The axle may be linked to the frame by a plurality of connecting means. For example, there may be two or more connecting means located at each end of the axle.

The axle may pass through the roller member.

The axle may be fixed in relation to the roller member, being integral with or fixed thereto. In such embodiments, the connecting means moveably engages the axle, allowing the roller member and the axle to rotate with respect to the frame.

Alternatively, the roller member may rotate with respect to the axle. In such embodiments, the connecting means is fixed to the axle.

The connecting means may be concealed behind the frame.

The frame may enclose at least a part of the roller member. For instance, the frame may enclose the majority of the roller member, such that more than half of the surface of the roller member is covered. In such embodiments, the frame may conceal the connecting means from external view. Advantageously, this will prevent the user, such as a child, from easily accessing the connecting means. This will increase the safety of the ride-on toy during use.

The frame may be in close proximity to the surface of the roller member. For example, the frame and roller member may be arranged such that the clearance between the two is sufficient only to allow the roller member to rotate with respect to the frame, and vice versa. Beneficially, this will prevent the possibility of a user's fingers being placed between the frame and the roller member resulting in potential injury.

The frame may be made from a plastics material, such as an extruded plastics material. The plastics material may be a high density plastics material to provide durability. The frame may be made from, for example, high density polyethylene (HDPE), although it will be appreciated that any suitable high density plastics materials may be used to make the frame.

The frame may be provided with a seat to increase the comfort of the user during use of the toy. The seat may be located on an upper surface of the frame.

The frame may be provided with at least one foot support means. The foot support means may comprise at least one foot rest protruding from the frame.

Alternatively, the foot support means may comprise at least one recess for receiving a foot of the user, Alternatively or additionally, the foot support means may comprise, for example, a loop of material attached to the frame, said loop being of an appropriate size for receiving a foot of the user.

The frame may comprise a plurality of foot support means. The frame is preferably provided with at least two foot support means, located on opposite sides of the frame.

The frame may be provided with at least one hand support means, suitable for supporting a hand or hands of the user. The hand support means may comprise, for example, an outwardly protruding bar and handle or a loop of material. The frame may comprise a plurality of hand support means. In such embodiments, the frame is preferably provided with at least two hand support means, located on opposite sides of the frame.

The first and second stabilising means may be located at any point on the frame, whereby the frame is movable by rotation from the first position in which the first stabilising means is in contact with the floor surface, to the second position in which the second stabilising means is in contact with the floor surface.

The first and second stabilising means function to limit the extent of rotation of the frame with respect to the roller member during use. In this regard, the first stabilising means may be operable to limit rotation of the frame with respect to the roller member in one direction with the second stabilising means being operable to limit rotation of the frame with respect to the roller member in the opposite direction. The first and second stabilising means may outwardly extend from the frame, toward the floor surface.

The first and second stabilising means may be located on opposite ends of the frame.

The first and second stabilising means may each comprise a plurality of individual floor contacting elements. Each of the floor contacting elements may be provided with a shoe for contacting the floor surface. The shoe may be made from a material suitable to absorb a degree of the impact of the stabilising means contacting the floor surface, thereby increasing the user's comfort during use of the toy. The shoe may be made from, for example, a rubber, solid foam or the like. Advantageously, the shoe will prevent the stabilising means from marking the floor surface upon contact.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic representation of a side-view of a ride-on toy according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a diagrammatic representation of a front-view of the ride-on toy of Fig. 1.

The ride-on toy of the present invention may take the form of any novelty character, such as for example, an animal or creature such as a horse, a lion, a tiger, a bird, a dinosaur or the like, or a vehicle such as a bike, a car or the like, or any other character of a similar nature. In the example below, the present invention is described in relation to a horse.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown a ride-on toy 1 comprising a frame 2 connected to a roller member 3. The frame 2 has a front end 4, a rear end 5 and sides 6 and 7. The frame 2 in Figs. 1 and 2 takes the form of a horse. This adds significant visual appeal to the ride-on toy 1.

The frame 2 is larger than the roller member 3 and encloses the upper part of the roller member 3. The frame 2 is in close proximity to the roller member 3 whilst allowing the roller member 3 to move freely. With this arrangement, there is a significantly reduced chance of a user's fingers being trapped between the frame 2 and the roller member 3.

The frame 2 is mounted onto the roller member 3 by connecting means 8, 9 and 10, 11 (not shown). In the example shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the connecting means 8, 9 are located on the side 6 of the frame, and the connecting means 10, 11 (not shown) are located on the side 7 of the frame.

The connecting means 8, 9, 10, 11 comprise elongate bars, linking an axle 12 to the frame 2. One end of each of the connecting means 8, 9 is securely connected to the frame 2 at spaced apart points 13, 14 respectively. The other end of each of the connecting means 8, 9 is connected to the axle 12. The axle 12 lies along the central axis X-X, passing through the centre of the roller member 3. The roller member 3 has rotational symmetry about the central axis X-X.

The axle 12 is in a fixed relationship with the roller member 3. The connecting means 8, 9 pivotally engage the end of the axle 12, thereby allowing the frame 2 to rotate with respect to the roller member 3, and vice versa.

The orientation of connecting means 10, 11 (not shown) on side 7 of the ride-on toy 1 are substantially the same as described with respect to connecting means 8, 9.

The frame 2 comprises first and second stabilising means 15, 16. The first and second stabilising means 15, 16 are located towards the front end 4 and rear end 5 of the frame 2 respectively.

The first and second stabilising means 15, 16 extend outwardly and downwardly from the frame 2. In the example shown, the first and second stabilising means 15, 16 each comprise two surface contacting elements 17, 18 and 19, 20. The surface contacting elements 17, 18 and 19, 20 are integrated into the horse design as the horse's front and rear hooves respectively. The surface contacting elements are each provided with a shoe 21.

The stabilising means 15, 16 may take different forms as required by the shape of the frame 2. For example, where the frame 2 is in the form of a vehicle, the stabilising means 15, 16 may be represented by front and rear wheels respectively.

The stabilising means 15, 16 limit the extent of rotation of the frame 2 with respect to the roller member 3, when the roller member 3 is in contact with the floor surface. The first stabilising means 15 limits the extent of rotation of the frame 2 with respect to the roller member 3 in a forward direction. With reference to Fig. 1, this corresponds to an anticlockwise rotation of the frame 2 with respect to a side face 25 of the roller member 3. Similarly, the second stabilising means 16 limits the extent of rotation of the frame 2 with respect to the roller member 3 in a backward direction. With reference to Fig. 1, this corresponds to a clockwise rotation of the frame 2 with respect the side face 25 of the roller member 3.

Rotation of the frame 2 about the axle 12 is therefore possible between a first position in which the first stabilising means 15 is in contact with the floor surface and a second position in which the second stabilising means 16 is in contact with the floor surface. In use, the user seated on the frame 2 will be able to rock to-and-fro between the first and second positions. Such a rocking action will be most effective when the roller member 3 is stationary.

The frame 2 is further provided with a seat 22 for use by the user. In Figs. I and 2, the seat 22 is shown as a saddle on the back of the horse. It will be appreciated that the seat 22 may be of a different design, depending on the design of the ride-on toy 1. For example, where the ride-on toy I is in the form of a vehicle, the seat 22 may take the form of a vehicle seat.

The frame 2 is further provided with foot support means 23, 24. The foot support means 23, 24 are located on respective opposite sides 6, 7 of the frame 2. The foot support means 23, 24 are shown as foot rests protruding from the frame 2. In use, the user may place their feet on the foot support means 23, 24 whilst using the ride-on toy I to perform a rocking motion as described.

The roller member 3 in Figs. 1 and 2 has a spheroidal shape, truncated to provide flat, circular, side faces 25, 26+ The diameter Y of the roller member 3 is greater than the diameter of the respective side faces 25, 26.

It will of course be appreciated that the roller member 3 may be provided in a variety of different shapes. Non-limiting examples include a sphere, a cylinder, or a roller member having a central flat portion with two inwardly tapered end portions.

The roller member 3 has a smooth outer surface. This enables the ride-on toy 1 to be used both indoors and outdoors on any floor surface type. Further, a smooth surface facilitates cleaning for the situations where the ride-on toy 1 is used on a dirty or wet floor surface.

In use, the user can mount the ride-on toy 1 by sitting on the seat 22 and placing a leg on either side 6, 7 of the frame 2. When the user wishes to move along the floor surface on the ride-on toy 1, they may rotate the frame 2 with respect to the roller member 3, such that neither of the stabilising means 15, 16 are in contact with the floor surface. Movement of the toy 1 along the floor surface is preferable when the frame 2 is located at a mid-point between the first position in which the first stabilising means 15 is in contact with the floor surface and a second position in which the second stabilising means 16 is in contact with the floor surface, as depicted in Fig. 1. In such an arrangement, the only part of the ride-on toy 1 contacting the floor surface will be the surface of the roller member 3.

The user can manually move the ride-on toy 1 in forward and reverse directions by pushing off from the floor surface using their feet. When the user wishes to steer the ride-on toy 1 in a different direction whilst rolling along the floor surface, they may simply lean to their left or right as desired. The axis X-X will be inclined with respect to the floor surface, in the direction in which the user leaned. In such an action, the surface of either of the end regions 27, 28 will contact the floor surface. In order to increase the turning action, for example where the desired change in direction involves a sharp turn, the user can increase the degree of incline of the axis X-X with respect to the floor surface. Similarly, in order to decrease the turning action, the user can decrease the angle of incline of the axis X-X with respect to the floor surface.

To re-align the ride-on toy 1, the user can simply move back into an upright position by repositioning the roller member 3 so that the axis X-X is substantially parallel to the floor surface.

When the roller member 3 is stationary, the ride-on toy 1 can be used as a rocking toy. The user can rock the ride-on toy 1 to-and-fro about the axle 12, between the first position in which the first stabilising means 15 is in contact with the floor surface and the second position in which the second stabilising means 16 is in contact with the floor surface. During rocking, the user may place their feet on the foot rests 23, 24.

It is of course to be understood that the above embodiments have been described by way of example only and that many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A ride-on toy comprising a frame suitable for seating a user and a roller member rotatably mounted to the frame, the frame being provided with first and second stabilising means, whereby in use the roller member contacts a floor surface and the frame is movable by rotation with respect to the roller member from a first position in which the first stabilising means contacts the floor surface to a second position in which the second stabilising means contacts the floor surface, wherein for at least part of the rotation both the first and second stabilising means are clear of the floor surface, thereby allowing a user seated on the frame to propel the toy along the floor surface via rotation of the roller member with respect to the frame.
2. A ride-on toy as claimed in claim 1, wherein the roller member has rotational symmetry about an axis.
3. A ride-on toy as claimed in claim 2, wherein the roller member has a spherical or spheroidal shape.
4. A ride-on toy as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the roller member comprises a central portion and two end portions, the end portions tapering inwardly from the central portion to respective first and second apices.
5. A ride-on toy as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the roller member is truncated to provide flat first and/or second side faces.
6. A ride-on toy as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the roller member is made from a plastics material.
7. A ride-on toy as claimed in claim 6, wherein the plastics material is a high density plastics material.
8. A ride-on toy as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the roller member has a smooth outer surface.
9. A ride-on toy as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the roller member comprises an axle, the axle being linked to the frame by at least one connecting means.
10. A ride-on toy as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame encloses at least a part of the roller member.
11. A ride-on toy as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame is made from a plastics material.
12. A ride-on toy as claimed in claim 11, wherein the plastics material is a high density plastics material.
13. A ride-on toy as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame is in close proximity to the roller member, thereby providing a clearance between the frame and the roller member sufficient only to allow the roller member to rotate with respect to the frame, and vice versa.
14. A ride-on toy as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame is provided with a seat.
15. A ride-on toy as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame is provided with at least one foot support means for supporting a foot of the user.
16. A ride-on toy as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame is provided with at least one hand support means for supporting a hand or hands of the user.
17. A ride-on toy as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second stabilising means are located at opposite ends of the frame.
18. A ride-on toy as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and/or second stabilising means comprise a plurality of floor contacting elements.
19. A ride-on toy as claimed in claim 18, wherein the floor contacting elements are each provided with a shoe.
20. A ride-on toy substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as S illustrated in the accompanying drawings.