US20180147503A1

US20180147503A1 - Wheeled push toy apparatus

Info

Publication number: US20180147503A1
Application number: US15/362,158
Authority: US
Inventors: Sheila Tamara Gordon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-11-28
Filing date: 2016-11-28
Publication date: 2018-05-31

Abstract

A wheeled push toy apparatus for allowing children and teenagers to have fun riding the toy apparatus is disclosed. The wheeled push toy apparatus includes a wheel assembly configured to freely rotate about an axle and a pair of adjustable arms connected to a pair of ends of the axle to enable free rotation of the wheel assembly. The pair of adjustable arms is connected in form of a U-shape portion. A telescopic handle portion is attached to the U-shape portion formed by the pair of adjustable arms. The telescopic handle portion has a first end attached to the U-shape portion and a second end connected to a holding handle portion. The holding handle portion provides comfortable grip to the users while playing with the wheeled push toy apparatus. The holding handle portion is provided with a braking button to control the rotation of the wheel assembly.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE EMBODIMENT

Technical Field of the Embodiment

The present embodiment relates to a wheeled push toy for children. More specifically, the present embodiment relates to a wheeled push toy that can be used by children and teenagers for fun and for exercise.

Description of the Related Art

Toy rolling hoops and guide sticks have been known for many years as toys for the amusement of children. A wide variety of playing apparatus such as toy hoops and guide sticks with specialized controls are available for children. These playing apparatuses also function as an exercising apparatus for the children. The playing apparatus such as toy hoops and guide sticks enables children to perform a wide variety of maneuvers and tricks on a rolling hoop. With the increasing knowledge of the importance of physical exercise to the maintenance of good health, recent attention has been given to the use of such toy hoops and guide sticks as providing entertaining exercise devices.
Children have long enjoyed pushing a hoop. It is a healthy aerobic activity, which develops coordination. One problem with a rolling hoop is that it is difficult to guide once it is rolling. Another problem is that a rolling hoop soon attains velocity, which is difficult to run with. A common hoop is not very alluring to a child's eye. There is a niche for a more stimulating hoop, which can be guided while rolling so that it may be rolled along a turning walkway. A hoop, which would have sufficient internal friction or controls so that it will not run away from running child.
Various types of toy hoops and guide sticks are known in the prior art, in which the following patents are herein incorporated by reference for their supportive teachings, and include the following:
U.S. Pat. No. 3,254,443, which issued to M. Olson on Jun. 7, 1966. This patent discloses an elongated guide stick having a bifurcated end portion for manipulation of a circular hoop. The circular hoop is formed from a plastic material with a frictional connection fitting. U.S. Pat. No. 3,788,000, which issued to J. Jenkins on Jan. 29, 1974, discloses a toy hoop and guide stick which utilizes an elongated wooden stick provided with a transversely extending wire hoop engaging element. U.S. Pat. No. 4,091,564, which issued to I. Jasinski on May 30, 1978, discloses a toy circular disk and an associated elongated guide stick. The guide stick has a rectangular channel member having a width only slightly greater than the width of the associated disk. U.S. Pat. No. 4,453,341, which issued to E. Klukos on Jun. 12, 1984, discloses a toy circular hoop and associated guide stick. The guide stick has a bifurcated end portion for manipulation of the hoop. U.S. Pat. No. 4,616,830, which issued to A. Moore on Oct. 14, 1986, discloses a circular disk-shaped wheel adapted for manipulation by an elongated guide stick. A U-shaped wire member is secured adjacent one end of the guide stick.
Another prior art U.S. Pat. No. 4,897,069 A1 issued to by Sterlin discloses a toy hoop and guide stick that allows the hoop to be rolled along and controlled by an individual through use of the guide stick. A rectangular channel member is secured to an end portion of the guide stick and has a width equal to about twice the width of the hoop. This allows a wide variety of maneuvers and tricks to be performed by manipulating the hoop. In a second embodiment, the circular hoop has a hollow circular interior track receiving a plurality of elongated rolling members. The hoop is formed from a transparent material to allow observation of the rolling members. The rolling members including a phosphorescent material. However the above prior art do not include proper breaking controls to control the rotation of the toy hoop.
Hence, it can be seen that there is a need for a modified or modern version of a wheeled push toy apparatus that can be used by children and teenagers for fun and for performing exercise.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a wheeled push toy apparatus for allowing users especially children and teenagers to have fun riding the toy apparatus. The present wheeled push toy apparatus also enables the users such as children and teenagers to perform exercise while pushing the wheeled push toy apparatus. The wheeled push toy apparatus allows the users such as children and teenagers to play with the apparatus and to perform an exercise such as walking and running exercises with the wheeled push toy apparatus. The wheeled push toy apparatus includes a wheel assembly that is configured to freely rotate about an axle. The wheeled push toy apparatus further includes a pair of adjustable arms, each of which are connected to a pair of ends of an axle to enable free rotation of the wheel assembly. The pair of adjustable arms is connected in form of a U-shape portion. A telescopic handle portion is attached to the U-shape portion formed by the pair of adjustable arms. The telescopic handle portion has a first end and a second end, where the first end of the telescopic handle portion is attached to the U-shape portion and a second end of the telescopic handle portion is connected to a holding handle portion. The holding handle portion provides comfortable grip to the users while playing with the wheeled push toy apparatus. The holding handle portion attached to the telescopic handle portion, which in turn to the U-shape portion formed by the pair of adjustable arms enables the user to push the wheel assembly forward in a desired direction as part of a fun game or exercise.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Elements in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale in order to enhance their clarity and improve understanding of these various elements and embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, elements that are known to be common and well understood to those in the industry are not depicted in order to provide a clear view of the various embodiments of the invention, thus the drawings are generalized in form in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the present wheeled push toy apparatus, according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows another perspective view of the present wheeled push toy apparatus, according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the wheel assembly of the present wheeled push toy apparatus; and

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view showing the U-shaped pair of arms attached to the first end of the telescopic handle portion and the holding handle portion connected to the second end of the telescopic handle portion, according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following discussion that addresses a number of embodiments and applications of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. However, any single inventive feature may not address any of the problems discussed above or only address one of the problems discussed above. Further, one or more of the problems discussed above may not be fully addressed by any of the features described below.
The present disclosure relates to the field of push toy devices and more particularly to a wheeled push toy apparatus for allowing users especially children and teenagers to have fun riding the toy apparatus. The present wheeled push toy apparatus also enables the users such as children and teenagers to perform exercise while pushing the wheeled push toy apparatus. The present wheeled push toy apparatus is similar to a roll-n-move toys, which allows the users such as children to push or roll a wheel attached to a rod or handle. The present wheeled push toy apparatus allow the users to have fun and allows them to perform outdoor or indoor walking and running exercises while playing with the present wheeled push toy apparatus.
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the present wheeled push toy apparatus 100, according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. The wheeled push toy apparatus 100 allows the users such as children and teenagers to play with the apparatus 100 and to perform an exercise such as walking and running exercises with the wheeled push toy apparatus 100. The wheeled push toy apparatus 100 includes a wheel assembly 102 that is configured to freely rotate about an axle 108. The wheel assembly 102 of the wheeled push toy apparatus 100 includes a number of spokes, as in motorbikes and bicycles, having different shapes and designs. The spokes are attached to the inside rim of the wheel assembly 102 and to the axle 108 so that the spokes extends radially outwards from the axle 108. The axle 108 includes ball bearings or other type of mechanical arrangements for reducing friction and for enabling easy and free rotation of the wheel assembly 102. The present wheeled push toy apparatus 100 further includes a pair of adjustable arms 104 a, 104 b, each of which are connected to a pair of ends of the axle 108 to enable free rotation of the wheel assembly 102. The pair of adjustable arms 104 a, 104 b are connected in form of a U-shape portion. A telescopic handle portion 106 is attached to the U-shape portion formed by the pair of adjustable arms 104 a, 104 b. The telescopic handle portion 106 attached to the U-shape portion formed by the pair of adjustable arms 104 a, 104 b enables the user to push the wheel assembly 102 forward in a desired direction as part of a fun game or exercise.
The telescopic handle portion 106 has a first end and a second end, where the first end of the telescopic handle portion 106 is attached to the U-shape portion and a second end of the telescopic handle portion 106 is connected to a holding handle portion 110. The holding handle portion 110 provides comfortable grip to the users while playing with the wheeled push toy apparatus 100. The holding handle portion 110 also includes a number of controls or control buttons for controlling the rotation operation of the wheel assembly 102 of the wheeled push toy apparatus 100. The holding handle portion 110 is covered using soft materials, such as, but not limited to, rubber, fabric etc., which allow the users to comfortably hold onto the holding handle portion 110 while playing and performing the walking or running exercises with the present wheeled push toy apparatus 100. The present wheeled push toy apparatus 100 is essentially a wheeled pushable apparatus, which can be pushed in any direction, having built-in lighting and sound generating arrangements for engaging the children playing with the apparatus 100 with fun and amusement. The U-shaped pair of arms 104 a, 104 b attached to the first end of the telescopic handle portion 106 and the holding handle portion 110 connected to the second end of the telescopic handle portion 106 forms an elongated steering column or steering arrangement of the wheel assembly 102. Further the present wheeled push toy apparatus 100 includes a number of electronic controls to control the movement or rotations of the wheel assembly 102.
FIG. 2 shows another perspective view of the present wheeled push toy apparatus 100, according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. The U-shaped pair of arms 104 a, 104 b attached to the first end of the telescopic handle portion 106 and the holding handle portion 110 connected to the second end of the telescopic handle portion 106 forming the elongated steering column enables the users of any height, such as use by both small children and teenagers, to conveniently hold the holding handle portion 110 and push forward the wheeled push toy apparatus 100 for fun and for performing exercise. To accommodate users of any stature, the telescopic handle portion 106 can be adjusted or expanded and fix a desired length and lock using a locking collar. The holding handle portion 110 has several control buttons for controlling the rotation of the wheel assembly 102 and the lighting and sound control buttons, according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the wheel assembly 102 of the present wheeled push toy apparatus 100. The wheel assembly 102 includes a number of lighting means 112 to provide illumination during rotation of the wheel assembly. The lighting means 112 include light emitting diode (LED) lights, which emit lights of same color, or different colors continuously or at intervals during the usage of the present wheeled push toy apparatus 100. In some instance, the wheeled push toy apparatus 100 includes a number of bright, neon hued LED's arranged on the rim of the wheel assembly and configured to change color or become bright depending on the speed of rotation of the wheel assembly 102. In an embodiment, the user can select different modes of lighting display from a control panel associated with the present wheeled push toy apparatus 100. The colorful lighting on the wheeled push toy apparatus 100 attracts the children to use the apparatus for playing and for fun. The wheel assembly 102 includes at least one sound-emitting device 114 to produce sound during rotation of the wheel assembly 102. In some instance, the sound sound-emitting device 114 is attached to the rim of the wheel assembly 102. The user can push the wheeled push toy apparatus 100 and can alert others by producing a sound using the sound-emitting device 114. In a preferred embodiment, the wheel assembly 102 is made from rigid and non-corrosive materials including stainless steel. The exterior surface of the wheel assembly 102, coming in contact with the floor is protected using rubberized coating. In some instance, the lighting means 112 and the sound-emitting device 114 provided on the wheel assembly 102 is made waterproof, thereby allowing the present wheeled push toy apparatus 100 to be used in both dry and wet conditions.
FIG. 4 shows a perspective view showing the U-shaped pair of arms 104 a, 104 b attached to the first end of the telescopic handle portion 106 and the holding handle portion 110 connected to the second end of the telescopic handle portion 106, according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. The holding handle portion 110 connected to the second end of the telescopic handle portion 106 has a comfortable grip cover on its surface to allow the users to comfortably and effortlessly hold the holding handle portion 110 during playing and during exercise. In some instances, the telescopic handle portion 106 and the holding handle portion 110 connected to the second end of the telescopic handle portion 106 has an elongated tubular shape having a length of approximately one meter for enabling the users to conveniently hold the holding handle portion 110 and push the wheel assembly 102. In some instances, the holding handle portion 110 is covered using a handgrip with a tubular elongated ABS plastic material. However the telescopic handle portion 106 can be extended or retracted by the user to adjust the length of the telescopic handle portion 106 and the connected holding handle portion 110. The telescopic handle portion 106 is provided with the locking collar and the hollow holding handle portion 110 with the telescopic handle portion 106, which can be expanded whenever desired. Moreover the present wheeled push toy apparatus 100 allows the usage of wheel assembly 102 of any desired direction such as, but not limited to wheels of diameters including ten inch for kids and children, twenty and thirty inches for teenagers. The rubberized coating on the wheel enables it to become a heavy-duty wheel such as a bicycle wheel.
The holding handle portion 110 connected to the second end of the telescopic handle portion 106 includes a number of control buttons including a on/off button for the wheeled push toy apparatus 100, a braking button 116 to control the rotation of the wheel assembly 102, and a sound horn button 118 to generate sound. The audio from the sound-emitting device is controlled using the sound horn button 118 provided on the holding handle portion 110. The holding handle portion 110 attached to the telescopic handle portion 106 includes a braking button 116 to control the rotation of the wheel assembly 110. The pair of adjustable arms 104 a, 104 b forming the U-shape portion connected to the axle 108 of the wheel portion 102 of the present wheeled push toy apparatus is adjustable or movable. i.e. the distance between the pair of adjustable arms 104 a, 104 b forming the U-shape portion can be adjusted automatically to control the rotation of the axle 108 and the wheel assembly 102 attached to it. The U-shape portion includes an electric motor controlled using the braking button 116 to adjust the distance between the arms 104 a, 104 b of the U-shape portion and to control the rotation of the wheel assembly 102. The on/off button for the wheeled push toy apparatus 100 may control the lighting of the wheel assembly. Further the sound horn button 118 on the holding handle portion 110, when activated, causes the sound-emitting device 114 on the wheel assembly 102 to create a sound. The LED lighting or the lighting means 112 and the sound-emitting device 114 enables the user to safely use the present wheeled push toy apparatus 100 both at night and day. In some instances, the wheeled push toy apparatus 100 carries a portable power supply means with the holding handle portion 110 to power the electronic components such as the sound-emitting device 114, the LED lighting or the lighting means 112, etc. The portable power supply means includes a rechargeable lithium Ion battery either placed in the holding handle portion 110 or on the wheel portion 102 or on the U-shape portion and the users can recharge the battery whenever needed through normal power outlets.
A method of using the present wheeled push toy apparatus 100 includes the steps of making the wheel portion of the wheeled push toy apparatus 100 upright and holding the holding handle portion 110 of the apparatus 100. Then pushing the wheeled push toy apparatus 100 forward to rotate the wheel portion 102 and then turning on the LED lights and the sound during the movement of the wheeled push toy apparatus 100 in a desired direction. The U-shape portion and the attached telescopic handle portion is rotatable about the wheel assembly in a 360-degree direction. The LED lights and the sound are turned on automatically or using manual controls provided on the holding handle portion 110 of the apparatus 100. In some instance, the movement of the user holding the wheeled push toy apparatus 100 can be tracked using the existing exercising applications installed on the smartphone or wearable device of the user to track the physical activity of the user while playing with the wheeled push toy apparatus 100.
The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, different designs of the handle portion of the wheeled push toy apparatus 100 can be provided. Further different colors can be provided for the different parts of the wheeled push toy apparatus 100. It is intended that the scope of the present invention not be limited by this detailed description, but by the claims and the equivalents to the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1-17. (canceled)

18-20. (canceled)

21. A push toy, consisting essentially of:

a) a single wheel, having: a wheel rim, an axil, and spokes connected between the axil and wheel rim;

b) a first and second arm, each having an axil connecting end coupled to the axil on opposite sides of the single wheel;

c) a handle, having: an arm connecting end, coupled to a second end of both the first and second arms, and a holding end, designed to enable a user to hold onto the handle, wherein the connecting end and the holding end are coupled to each other in a telescoping arrangement to enable a user to shorten and lengthen an overall length of the handle;

d) a plurality of lights, fixedly attached to the rim of the wheel, to illuminate the push toy when in operation; and

e) a sound emitting device, coupled to the push toy, to emit sound when the push toy is in operation;

f) a braking device to slow or stop the forward motion of the push toy that is controllable by the user;

g) a power supply, positioned on the push toy thereof, and coupled to the sound emitting device, and the plurality of lights, to enable operation thereof;

h) an on/off lighting button, coupled: on the handle, to the plurality of lights, and the power supply, to control activation thereof;

i) a braking button, coupled: on the handle, and to the single wheel, to control the rotation of the single wheel thereof;

j) a sound horn button, coupled: on the handle, to the power supply, and to the sound emitting device, to control the operation thereof;

k) a control device to control the plurality of lights to illuminate at a first light color when the push toy is moving at a first speed, and the plurality of lights illuminate at a second light color that is different from the first light color when the push toy is moving at a second speed that is different from the first speed; and

l) wherein the control means is to also control the plurality of lights to illuminate at a first light brightness when the push toy is moving at a first speed, and the plurality of lights illuminate at a second light brightness that is different from the first light brightness when the push toy is moving at a second speed that is different from the first speed.