U.S. patent application number 11/955596 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-18 for ride-on toy having movable footrest.
Invention is credited to Thomas Schlegal, Timothy Seckel.
Application Number | 20090156094 11/955596 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40473432 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090156094 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Seckel; Timothy ; et
al. |
June 18, 2009 |
RIDE-ON TOY HAVING MOVABLE FOOTREST
Abstract
A children's ride-on toy includes a body having a first guide
rail and a second guide rail, a seat and a footrest slidably
engaging the first guide rail and the second guide rail. The
footrest slides between an operation position and a stowed
position, where the stowed position is under the seat of the toy.
The footrest includes a bottom wall, a front end wall, a rear end
wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall. The first and
second side walls feature outer rims that define first and second
guide rail channels that engage the first and second guide rails on
the toy body.
Inventors: |
Seckel; Timothy;
(Streamwood, IL) ; Schlegal; Thomas; (Wheaton,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PATENT GROUP;C/O DLA PIPER US LLP
203 N. LASALLE ST., SUITE 1900
CHICAGO
IL
60601
US
|
Family ID: |
40473432 |
Appl. No.: |
11/955596 |
Filed: |
December 13, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/470 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62B 3/007 20130101;
B62K 9/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/470 |
International
Class: |
A63H 17/26 20060101
A63H017/26 |
Claims
1. A children's ride-on toy comprising: a) a body having a
plurality of wheels attached thereto; b) a seat; and c) a footrest
slidably engaging the body.
2. The children's ride-on toy of claim 1, wherein the footrest has
an operation position and a stowed position.
3. The children's ride-on toy of claim 2, wherein the stowed
position of the footrest is under the seat.
4. The children's ride-on toy of claim 1, wherein the body further
comprises a first guide rail and a second guide rail, and wherein
the footrest slidably engages the first and second guide rails.
5. The children's ride-on toy of claim 1, wherein the footrest
comprises a bottom wall, a first side wall, and a second side
wall.
6. The children's ride-on toy of claim 5, wherein the footrest
further comprises a front end wall having an adjustment handle.
7. The children's ride-on toy of claim 5, wherein the first side
wall comprises an outer rim that defines a first guide rail
channel, and the second side wall comprises an outer rim that
defines a second guide rail channel.
8. The children's ride-on toy of claim 1, flier comprising at least
one operating handle connected to the body.
9. The children's ride-on toy of claim 8, wherein the body further
comprises a front portion and a rear portion, and wherein the
operating handle is connected to the rear portion and is a
telescoping handle so as to have at least a retracted position and
an extended position.
10. A children's ride-on toy comprising: a) a body comprising a
first guide rail and a second guide rail; b) a seat; and c) a
footrest slidably engaging the first guide rail and the second
guide rail.
11. The children's ride-on toy of claim 10 wherein the footrest has
an operation position and a stowed position.
12. The children's ride-on toy of claim 11, wherein the stowed
position of the footrest is under the seat.
13. The children's ride-on toy of claim 1, wherein the footrest
comprises a bottom wall, a front end wall, a rear end wall, a first
side wall, and a second side wall.
14. The children's ride-on toy of claim 13, wherein the first side
wall comprises an outer rim that defines a first guide rail
channel, and the second side wall comprises an outer rim that
defines a second guide rail channel.
15. The children's ride-on toy of claim 14, wherein the first guide
rail channel slidably engages the first guide rail, and the second
guide rail channel slidably engages the second guide rail.
16. The children's ride-on toy of claim 1, wherein the body further
comprises at least one operating handle.
17. The children's ride-on toy of claim 16, wherein the operating
handle is a telescoping handle having at least a retracted position
and an extended position.
18. A children's ride-on toy comprising: a) a body; b) a seat; and
c) a footrest including a bottom wall, a front end wall, a rear end
wall and first and second side walls, the side walls of the
footrest slidably engaging the body.
19. The children's ride-on toy of claim 18, wherein the footrest
has an operation position and a stowed position.
20. The children's ride-on toy of claim 19, wherein the stowed
position of the footrest is under the seat.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates generally to ride-on toys for
children, and more specifically to a movable footrest for use in
conjunction with such ride-on toys.
[0002] Ride-on toys are available in a variety of configurations,
including, but not limited to tricycles, bicycles, scooters, cars,
and other toys. Ride-on toys generally have a plurality of wheels,
and a seat for a child to occupy while utilizing the ride-on toy.
Ride-on toys also generally have a steering wheel or handle bars
for the child to grip, some types of which are functional for
steering the ride-on toy, and some types of which are not. Ride-on
toys can be propelled for locomotion in various ways, but are
primarily propelled by a child via foot power. Foot power can be
supplied, for example, through the use of pedals, or by direct
contact of feet on a riding surface such as pavement or grass.
SUMMARY
[0003] Ride-on toys of the present invention preferably include a
body having a plurality of wheels attached thereto, and a seat
attached to the body. Generally, a child will occupy the seat while
utilizing the ride-on toy. In preferred embodiments, ride-on toys
of the present invention have an opening disposed within the body
of the toy, through which a child's legs and feet can pass to
contact a riding surface and propel the ride-on toy. Ride-on toys
of the present invention preferably also include features that
facilitate propulsion of the toy by a person standing outside of
the body of the toy, such as, for example, an adult caregiver.
[0004] The ride-on toys of the present invention include a movable
footrest. In preferred embodiments, the footrest slidably engages
the body of the ride-on toy. It is also preferred that the movable
footrest have an operation position and a stowed position. In such
embodiments, it is preferred that the footrest have a stowed
position that allows a child to operate the ride-on toy in a
substantially unhindered manner. The child is able to use his or
her legs and feet to propel the toy without banging into or kicking
the footrest. In particularly preferred embodiments, the stowed
position of the footrest is under the seat of the ride-on toy. In
such embodiments, the footrest can be moved from its stowed
position to its operation position by moving the footrest forward,
towards the front of the ride-on toy, so that a child can sit on
the seat and place his or her feet on or in the footrest. In this
manner, a child can safely keep his or her feet off of the ground
while another person propels the ride-on toy.
[0005] In at least some preferred embodiments, ride-on toys of the
present invention also include at least one operating handle, which
can be used by a person propelling the ride-on toy from outside of
the body of the toy. Operating handles can be connected to the
body, or can be integrally molded or shaped as parts of the body.
The body of a ride-on toy generally includes a front portion and a
rear portion. In embodiments having a single operating handle, it
is preferred that the operating handle be located at the rear
portion, to facilitate the ability of a person to stand behind the
toy and push it forwards. It is particularly preferred that the
operating handle be a telescoping handle having at least a
retracted position and an extended position. In such embodiments,
the operation handle can be extended for use by a person propelling
the toy from outside of the toy, and can be retracted when not in
use, such as when the child sitting on the toy is propelling the
toy.
[0006] Accordingly, in at least one aspect, the present invention
provides a children's ride-on toy comprising a body having a
plurality of wheels attached thereto, a seat, and a footrest
slidably engaging the body. In preferred embodiments, the body
further includes a first guide rail and a second guide rail, and
the footrest slidably engages the first and second guide rails. In
some preferred embodiments, the footrest includes a bottom wall, a
front end wall, a rear end wall, a first side wall, and a second
side wall. In such embodiments, the side walls of the footrest
slidably engage the body. For example, in at least one such
embodiment, the first side wall includes an outer rim that defines
a first guide rail channel, and the second side wall includes an
outer rim that defines a second guide rail channel. The guide rail
channels of the footrest can slidably engage the guide rails of the
body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the
ride-on toy of the invention with the footrest in the operational
position;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the ride-on toy of FIG.
1 with the footrest in the stowed position;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the ride-on toy of FIG. 2;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view the ride-on toy of FIG. 2;
[0011] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the foot rest of
the ride-on toy of FIGS. 1-4;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the footrest of FIG.
5; and
[0013] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the ride-on toy of FIGS. 1-4
taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0014] An embodiment of a ride-on toy of the present invention is
indicated in general at 20 in FIGS. 1-4. As illustrated in FIGS.
1-4, the ride-on toy features a body 22, a pair of front wheels 24a
and 24b and a pair of rear wheels 26a and 26b attached thereto. The
ride-on toy 20 also has a steering wheel 27 and a seat 29 upon
which a child may sit. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the body 22 of
the ride-on toy is configured to look like a car. In other
embodiments, the body can have any suitable configuration, such as,
for example, a boat, an airplane, a spaceship or rocket, an animal,
a motorcycle, a truck, a train, or any other configuration that may
be attractive to children.
[0015] In addition, the ride-on toy 20 preferably features a
telescoping operating handle 28 that is connected to a rear portion
of the toy body, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 in a retracted
configuration. The operating handle 28 may be raised into the
extended position illustrated in phantom in FIG. 2 for ease of
access and pushing or pulling by a person other than the child
riding the toy. In other embodiments, at least one operating handle
can be located anywhere on the body of the ride-on toy, such as,
for example, on the front portion of the ride-on toy, or on the
side of the ride-on toy. Additionally, operating handles can be
folding, retracting, fixed in length, or even removable. In still
other embodiments of ride-on toys of the present invention, the
ride-on toy does not have an operating handle. Instead, a person
other than the child riding the toy can push or pull the ride-on
toy by gripping a different portion of the body.
[0016] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the front wheels
24 of the ride-on toy are preferably mounted to the front portion
of the body by casters 30, and the operating handle 28 is not
operatively connected to the front wheels. The casters, however,
allow for the ride-on toy to be pushed and steered by directional
forces applied to the operating handle 28. Additionally, the
steering wheel 27, while it may be turned by the child, is also not
operatively connected to the front wheels 24. A child operating the
ride-on toy preferably steers the toy by exerting directional
forces onto the riding surface with his or her feet. In other
embodiments, either the operating handle or the steering wheel can
be operatively connected to the front wheels.
[0017] A footrest 36, as explained in greater detail below, is also
mounted to the body and may be slid between an operation position,
illustrated in FIG. 1, and a stowed position, illustrated in FIGS.
2-4. When the footrest 36 is in the operation position illustrated
in FIG. 1, a child may sit on seat 29 and grip steering wheel 28,
while having his or her feet positioned within footrest 36, or on
at least some portion of footrest 36. This facilitates pushing of
the toy by push extended operating handle 28 so that the toy
operates in a manner similar to that of a stroller.
[0018] When the footrest 36 is in the stowed position under seat
29, as illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, the child may position his or her
legs through the resulting opening 40 (FIGS. 3 and 4) so that the
toy may be propelled by the child moving his or her feet along the
surface, such as sidewalk or floor, upon which the toy is
positioned. In such a configuration, the toy serves as a
foot-to-floor riding toy.
[0019] The movable footrest of the present invention can include
any device that is suitable for use as a footrest, including but
not limited to a tray, drawer or T-bar. In preferred embodiments,
the footrest is a tray having at least a bottom wall, a first side
wall, and a second side wall. More preferably, the footrest is such
a tray that also has a front end wall and a rear end wall. For
example, an enlarged view of a footrest is provided in FIG. 5,
where it is indicated in general at 36. As illustrated in FIG. 5,
the movable footrest 36 includes a bottom wall 102, a front end
wall 104, a rear end wall 106, a first side wall 108, and a second
side wall 110. Front end wall 104 preferably further includes a
handle 116. Handle 116 is used to grip the footrest when moving it
between its operation position (illustrated in FIG. 1) and its
stowed position (illustrated in FIGS. 2-4).
[0020] The first and second side walls 108 and 110 include outer
rims 112 and 114, respectively. Outer rims 112 and 114 preferably
extend above the height of both front end wall 104 and rear end
wall 106, and are configured to slidably engage guide rails located
on the body of a ride-on toy.
[0021] In the embodiment of the footrest 36 illustrated in FIG. 5,
outer rim 112 is curved outwardly, away from first side wall 108,
forming a first longitudinal channel for slidably engaging a first
guide rail on the body of the ride-on toy. Similarly, outer rim 114
is curved outwardly, away from second side wall 110, forming a
second longitudinal channel for slidably engaging a second guide
rail on the body of the ride-on toy.
[0022] FIG. 6 is a front view of the movable footrest of FIG. 5,
where it is also indicated in general at 36. As illustrated in FIG.
6, the curve of outer rims 112 and 114 preferably resembles an
inverted "U." It should be understood, however, that the curve of
outer rims 112 and 114 could have any cross section suitable for
slidably engaging guide rails on the body of the ride-on toy, such
as, for example, an inverted "V" or a square. FIG. 6 also
illustrates that the side walls 110 and 108 are preferably angled
such that the distance between them is greater at the top of the
footrest than at the bottom thereof. Further, as illustrated in
FIG. 4, the top edge of rear end wall 106 is preferably higher than
the top edge of front end wall 104.
[0023] FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of the ride-on toy of
FIGS. 1-4 taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2. The body, indicated in
general at 22, has a first guide rail 120 and a second guide rail
122. The footrest, indicated in general at 36, slidably engages the
first and second guide rails 120 and 122. More specifically, as
described previously, side wall 108 has an outer rim 112 that
defines a first guide rail channel 124. Side wall 110 similarly has
an outer rim 114 that defines a second guide rail channel 126.
Guide rail channel 124 slidably engages guide rail 120 while guide
rail channel 126 slidably engages guide rail 122. The guide rails
can have any cross section suitable for slidably engaging the guide
rail channels, and preferably have the same cross-section as the
guide rail channels.
[0024] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that although
specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein
for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made
without deviating from the spirit or scope of the invention. It is
therefore intended that the foregoing detailed description be
regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be
understood that it is the following claims, including all
equivalents, that are intended to particularly point out and
distinctly claim the subject matter regarded as the invention.
* * * * *