GB2495854A

GB2495854A - A sledge for use on multiple surfaces

Info

Publication number: GB2495854A
Application number: GB1220438.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony James Arnsby
Original assignee: XTA SOLUTIONS Ltd
Current assignee: XTA SOLUTIONS Ltd
Priority date: 2012-11-14
Filing date: 2012-11-14
Publication date: 2013-04-24
Also published as: GB201220438D0

Abstract

An apparatus, such as a childâs sledge, is provided for transporting an individual over a plurality of land surfaces comprising a base 801 for receiving the individual. The base has an underside configured to slide over a snow surface and one or more wheels 802, 803 attached to the underside of said base. The one or more wheels are configured to operate over a plurality of land surfaces. The base may comprise a sledge made from plastics materials such as polyethylene and/or polypropylene, and the wheels may be attached at the rear of the sledge. A further front wheel may be provided, said further wheel being detachably secured by means of a push fit connection. A rope may be attached to the front of the sledge to allow a person to pull the child and sledge along. The rear wheels allow the sledge to be pulled across areas of ground with no snow cover, and the front wheel may be attached when there is no snow present so that the sledge may be used on other surfaces.

Description

Apparatus for Land Transportation

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application represents the first application for a patent directed towards the invention and the subject matter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to apparatus for transporting an individual and more particulaily to a sledge for transporting a child over a plurality of land surfaces, including both snow and tarmac.

2. Description of the Related Art

it is known to use a plastic sledge to transport a child over a snow-covered surface during the winter. However, snow is frequently patchy and there are usually areas which are not covered in snow such as roads, pavements and driveways. The person pulling the sledge normally drags the sledge over these areas which are not covered in snow, causing damage to the plastic sledge. It is also hard work physically for the person pulUng the sledge to pull an occupied sledge over areas which are not covered in snow.

A number of vehicles also exist for transporting children on land, and these primarily have wheels and are designed to be used on a hard surface of tarmac or concrete. Some existing vehicles even have means for steering such as levers that are pulled to alter the direction of movement. It is known to fit runners mounted on axles to these vehicles to enable them to function on a snow-covered surface. It is also known to fit sledge runners and associated wheels to a perambulator. However, these existing vehicles are primarily designed for use on tarmac and require user interaction to change them over into a mode for use on snow. These existing vehicles neither operate on tarmac when in snow mode nor operate on snow when in tarmac mode. It is very awkward to keep changing these vehicles between a tarmac mode and a snow mode each time a tarmac surface or a snow surface is encountered.

The present proposal therefore provides a solution to this problem as no user interaction is required to change the apparatus into a suitable mode when the land surface changes from snow to tarmac or from tarmac to snow.

Furthermore, contrary to the prior art, the feature of the presently claimed apparatus which enables it to function on tarmac does not interfere with or impede the performance pf the apparatus on snow.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for transporting an individual over a plurality of land surfaces comprising: a base for receiving the individual, said base having an underside configured to slide over a snow surface, one or more wheels attached to the underside of said base, wherein the one or more wheels are configured to operate over a plurality of land surfaces.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing an apparatus for transporting an individual over a plurality of land surfaces comprising the following steps: manufacturing a base for receiving the individual, said base having an underside configured to slide over a snow surface, and attaching one or more wheels to the underside of said base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a child being pufled by an adult on a sledge of the prior art:

Figure 2 shows a plastic sledge of the prior art;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the underside of apparatus embodied by the present invention; Figure 4 shows a side view of apparatus embodied by the present invention; Figure 5 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 shows a front view of an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the underside of an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the underside of an embodiment of the present invention with one front wheel attached; Figure 9 shows a side view of an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 10 shows a rear view of an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 A chird 101 being putted by an adult 102 in a standard plastic sledge 103 of the prior art is illustrated in Figure 1. Sledges of the prior art work satisfactorily on snow covered surfaces. However, frequently snow cover is not ubiquitous as for example, certain areas such as roads, pavements and driveways may be cleared of snow, These cleared areas need, nevertheless, to be traversed by the sledge. Adult 102 is about to pull sledge 103 occupied by child 101 over a stretch of tarmac pavement 104. Once the child is in the sledge, it is easier for them to remain in it and be pulled across the road or pavement. However, plastic sledges of the prior art are not intended to be used on tarmac surfaces such as roads and pavements, but rather only on snow covered surfaces. Therefore, this pulling of the occupied sledge over roads or pavements is not only hard work far the adult but also causes damage to the base of the sledge. The alternative of removing the child from the sledge before crossing each area lacking snow is time consuming and awkward for both adult and child.

Figure 2 A plastic sledge 201 of the prior art is illustrated in Figure 2. The underside of the sledge is shown, which is designed to be operational on a surface covered in snow The underside of the sledge is smooth in nature with main ridges 202 and is intended to operate by merely sliding over a snow covered surface or down a slope covered in snow Figure 3 A plastic sledge 301 embodied by the present invention is shown in Figure 3. Plastic sledge 301 is targeted for use by children, namely the base of the presently claimed apparatus is designed to be occupied by a child, although an adult may use the sledge. Sledge 301 has main ridges 302 on the underside which aid in the movement of the sledge over a snow-covered surface. Sledge 301 is fabricated from polyethylene or polypropylene or a combination of both polyethylene and polypropylene. However, other suitable grade plastic materials are within the scope of the invention. Plastic sledge 301 embodied by the present invention is substantially rectangular1 although alternatively shaped sledges fall within the scope of the invention. Alternatively shaped sledges may be substantially square-shaped, substantially circular or substantially triangular.

In addition, in the illustrated embodiment, sledge 301 has two rear wheels 303. Rear wheels 303 enable sledge 301 to be pulled over surfaces which are not covered in snow, such as roads, pavements, driveways, patios, ramps and grass-covered areas. Wheels 303 do not interfere with or impede the movement of the sledge over snow-covered surfaces.

Wheels 303 are positioned towards the rear of the underside of sledge 301. However, in alternative embodiments, wheels may be positioned towards the centre of the underside of the sledge.

Although there are two rear wheels 303 in the iflustrated embodiment, a sledge with any number of rear wheels is within the scope of the present invention. In an alternative embodiment, there may be a single wheel or a single elongate wheel in the form of a roller (not shown) situated towards the rear of the underside of the sledge. In further alternative embodiments, there may, for example, be three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten wheels situated towards the rear of the underside of the sledge (not shown). A sledge having a plurality of rear wheels is therefore within the scope of the invention.

The embodied apparatus may comprise at least one point of attachment for a rope. In the illustrated embodiment, sledge 301 comprises a rope affixed to sledge 301 at point 304. However, in alternative embodiments, a rope may be attached at two points at the front of the sledge, such that the rope forms a U-shape. This U-shape allows for easier holding of the rope.

When sledge 301 is pulled along a surface using a rope attached to point 304, the front of the sledge nearest point 304 has a tendency to rise up, whilst the rear wheels 303 remain on the surface, It is for this reason that it is preferable from a functional perspective if the one or more wheels are situated towards the rear of the sledge. If the wheels were situated in the centre of the underside of the sledge, when the front of the sledge rises up when the sledge is pulled, the wheels may lose contact with the ground.

Figure 4 A side view of the apparatus embodied by the present invention is s shown in Figure 4. Plastic sledge 401 has rear wheel 402. An additional rear wheel is not within the illustrated view. Wheel 402 is situated at the rear of the underside of sledge. In this way, when the sledge is occupied by a first individual and then pulled by a second individual, the front of the sledge nearest to the first individual rises upwards but the rear remains on the ground.

Therefore the wheels situated at the rear of the underside remain in contact with the ground and are thereby operational.

In the illustrated embodiment, wheel 402 is affixed such that it protrudes beneath the underside surface of the sledge; the wheel is not flush with the underside surface of the sledge. However, in an alternative embodiment not shown, the wheel may be flush with the underside surface of the sledge.

In alternative embodiments, there may be any number of wheels situated on the underside of sledge, from a single wheel to a single elongate roller-like wheel to a plurality of wheels. Therefore, in alternative embodiments there may, for example, be two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten wheels.

Figure 5 An additional wheel may be attached to the front area of the underside of the presently claimed sledge and this wheel 501 is shown in Figure 5. Front wheel 501 may be attached to the presently claimed sledge to allow the sledge to be used as a go-cart in for example, summer, when there is no snow. The go-cart may roll down a slope of its own accord without the need to be pulled along. However, the go-cart can still be pulled along on any surface by a rope attached to the front of the go-cart. In alternative embodiments, there may be a plurality of wheels, such as two, three or four front wheels attached to the front S area of the underside of the sledge.

Housing 502 is affixed to wheel 501. Housing 502 is a means by which wheel 501 may be attached to the underside of a sledge. Housing 502 as shown in Figure 5 is a mere illustration of a type of housing and other variations of housing having different shapes are also embodied by the present invention. Housing 502 is affixed to wheel 501 at point 503. Housing 502 attaches to the underside of a sledge by clipping onto or clicking into the underside of the sledge.

Figure 6 A front view of wheel 601 embodied by the present invention is shown in Figure 6. Housing 602 surrounds wheel 601 and is affixed to wheel 601 at point 603.

Figure 7 The underside of sledge 701 is illustrated in Figure 7. A point of attachment 702 for the wheel embodied in Figure 5 is represented in this illustration Point of attachment 702 may operate by a click-in mechanism or by the housing of the wheel clipping onto the underside of the sledge.

Alternatively, point of attachment 702 may operate by the housing attaching via a push-fit mechanism. However, alternative arrangement for the attachment of the additional wheel at the front of the underside of the sledge may include the use of tools to aid the attachment or attachment using a screw or bolt. Hole 703 may be used to attach a rope to sledge 701 when sledge 701 is pulled along on the snow.

Figure 8 The underside of sledge 801 embodied by the present invention is illustrated in Figure 8. Rear wheels 802 are attached to the rear of the underside of sledge 801 and allow sledge 801 to operate on surfaces which are not covered in snow, such as any tarmac or concrete surface such as driveways, pavements, patios and roads. Rear wheels 802 do not interfere with or impede the movement of sledge 801 over snow-covered surfaces.

Front wheel 803 may be attached to sledge 801 to allow sledge 801 to be used as a go-cart in for example, summer, when there is no snow.

Figure 9 A side view of the apparatus embodied by the present invention is shown in Figure 9. The sledge 901 designed primarily for use in the winter when there are areas of snow, is converted into a go-cad by the addition of front wheel 903. Go-cart is designed primarily for use in summer when there is no snow present. Rear wheel 902 (the additional rear wheel is not visible in this side view), in conjunction with front wheel 903, allow the apparatus to roll down a hill without being pulled. The land surfaces on which the go-cart operates optimally include tarmac and synthetic surfaces.

Figure 10 A rear view of an embodiment of the presently claimed invention is shown in Figure 10. Apparatus 1001 comprises two rear wheels 1002 and a single front wheel 1003. Wheels 1002 and 1003 enable apparatuS 1001 to be used as a go-cart on surfaces which do not comprise snow. Levers 1004 can be used by the individual occupying the base of apparatus 1001 to steer the apparatus 1001 down a slope.

A method of manufacturing an apparatus for transporting an individual over a plurality of land surfaces is also within the scope of the invention. The method embodied by the present invention comprises the first step of manufacturing a base for receiving an individual. This base has an underside configured to slide over a snow surface. The method embodied by the present invention comprises the second step of attaching one or more wheels to the underside of the base. The wheels are preferably attached to the underside at the rear of the base. The method may also comprise the step of attaching a wheel to the front of the base. In the illustrated embodiment, base 1001 is manufactured for receiving an individual. Base 1001 has an underside configured to slide over a snow surface. Rear wheels 1002 are attached to the underside of base 1001 and front wheel 1003 is attached to the front of the underside of base 1001. In this way, base 1001 which is manufactured with the intention of being used as a sledge to slide over snow, can be used as a go-cart on surfaces which do not comprise snow.

Claims

<claim-text>Claims What we claim is: 1. Apparatus for transporting an individual over a plurality of land surfaces comprising: a base for receiving the individual, said base having an underside configured to slide over a snow surface, one or more wheels attached to the underside of said base, wherein the one or more wheels are configured to operate over the plurality of land surfaces.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. The apparatus according to claim, wherein said plurality of land surfaces comprises snow, grass and tarmac.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said base is a plastic sledge.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. The apparatus according to claim 3, where said sledge is composed of polyethylene and/or polypropylene.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. The apparatus according to claim I, wherein said base is substantially rectangular. - 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said one or more wheels are attached to the underside at the rear of said base.7. The apparatus according to claim 1 and claim 6, having one 11.wheel.8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said wheel is elongate.9. The apparatus according to claim 1 and claim 6, having two wheels.10. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising at least one point of attachment for a rope.11. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a rope attached to the base.12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said individual is a child.13. The apparatus according to claim 11 and 12, wherein the rope is used to pull along the child in the base.14. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one additional front wheel configured to be attached to the front of the base.15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said at least one front wheel clips onto or clicks into the apparatus.16. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said at least one front wheel attaches to the apparatus by a push-fit fitting.17. A method of manufacturing an apparatus for transporting an individual over a plurality of land surfaces comprising the following steps: manufacturing a base for receiving the individual, said base having an underside configured to slide over a snow surface, and attaching one or more wheels to the underside of said base.18. The method according to claim 17, wherein said wheels are attached to the underside at the rear of said base.19. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of attaching at least one wheel to the front of the base.20. An apparatus as described herein with reference to the accompanying Figures.</claim-text>