U.S. patent application number 13/019409 was filed with the patent office on 2011-05-26 for blow-molded wheels having undulating treads, methods for producing the same, and children's ride-on vehicles including the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to Mattel, Inc.. Invention is credited to Steven R. Drosendahl, Christopher F. Lucas, John Rhein, Gerald P. Sitarski.
Application Number | 20110124266 13/019409 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38918163 |
Filed Date | 2011-05-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110124266 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lucas; Christopher F. ; et
al. |
May 26, 2011 |
BLOW-MOLDED WHEELS HAVING UNDULATING TREADS, METHODS FOR PRODUCING
THE SAME, AND CHILDREN'S RIDE-ON VEHICLES INCLUDING THE SAME
Abstract
Improved blow-molded wheels, methods for producing the same, and
children's ride-on vehicles including the same are disclosed. The
blow-molded wheels may include a blow-molded wheel body that is
configured to rotate about an axis and has a tread surface that
extends circumferentially around the wheel body and may have a
circumferential profile that is defined as the locus of points at
which the radial distance from the axis to the tread surface is
greatest at each position around the circumference of the tread
surface. The radial distance from the axis to the circumferential
profile may change from a first radius to a second radius that is
larger than the first radius at a plurality of spaced-apart
positions along the circumferential profile. The method for
producing the blow-molded wheels may include providing a mold with
pinch-off rings that have an opening configured to form the
circumferential profile.
Inventors: |
Lucas; Christopher F.;
(Cheektowaga, NY) ; Rhein; John; (Berkeley
Heights, NJ) ; Sitarski; Gerald P.; (Grand Island,
NY) ; Drosendahl; Steven R.; (Orchard Park,
NY) |
Assignee: |
Mattel, Inc.
El Segundo
CA
|
Family ID: |
38918163 |
Appl. No.: |
13/019409 |
Filed: |
February 2, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11509439 |
Aug 23, 2006 |
7905305 |
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13019409 |
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60819262 |
Jul 7, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
446/431 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B29C 2049/542 20130101;
B60C 7/00 20130101; B60C 11/0311 20130101; Y10S 180/908 20130101;
B62K 9/00 20130101; B62K 2204/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/431 |
International
Class: |
A63H 17/00 20060101
A63H017/00 |
Claims
1. A children's ride-on vehicle, comprising: a body having at least
one seat sized for a child; a plurality of wheels rotatably coupled
to the body, wherein the plurality of wheels includes at least one
driven wheel and at least one steerable wheel, wherein at least one
of the plurality of wheels is a blow-molded wheel that comprises: a
blow-molded wheel body having a tread surface and an axis, wherein
the wheel body is configured to rotate about the axis, wherein the
tread surface extends circumferentially around the wheel body,
includes ground-contacting regions, and has a circumferential
profile that is defined as the locus of points at which the radial
distance from the axis to the tread surface is greatest at each
position around the circumference of the tread surface, wherein the
radial distance from the axis to the circumferential profile
changes from a first radius to a second radius at a plurality of
spaced-apart positions along the circumferential profile, wherein
the second radius is larger than the first radius; a steering
assembly comprising a steering mechanism adapted to receive
steering inputs from a child sitting on the at least one seat and a
steering linkage adapted to convey the steering inputs to the at
least one steerable wheel; and a drive assembly adapted to
selectively drive the rotation of the at least one driven
wheel.
2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the circumferential profile
includes a plurality of alternating first and second regions, each
of the first regions having a uniform radius corresponding to the
first radius and each of the second regions having a uniform radius
corresponding to the second radius, wherein the circumferential
profile further includes a plurality of transition regions
extending between adjacent ones of the plurality of first regions
and the plurality of second regions, and wherein the plurality of
transition regions extend at an angle in the range of
30.degree.-150.degree. relative to the first and the second
regions.
3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the circumferential profile
includes a plurality of alternating first and second regions, each
of the first regions having a uniform radius corresponding to the
first radius and each of the second regions having a uniform radius
corresponding to the second radius, wherein the at least one
blow-molded wheel comprises a first sidewall and a second sidewall,
wherein at least one of the first and second regions extends from
the first sidewall to the second sidewall.
4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the circumferential profile
includes a plurality of alternating first and second regions, each
of the first regions having a uniform radius corresponding to the
first radius and each of the second regions having a uniform radius
corresponding to the second radius, wherein the at least one
blow-molded wheel comprises a first sidewall and a second sidewall,
and wherein the first and second regions extend from the first
sidewall to the second sidewall.
5. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the circumferential profile lies
in a plane normal to the axis of the wheel body, and wherein the at
least one blow-molded wheel comprises a first sidewall and a second
sidewall, wherein the plane containing the circumferential profile
is centered between the first and second sidewalls.
6. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the circumferential profile lies
in a plane normal to the axis of the wheel body, and wherein the
circumferential profile is coplanar with a part line of the
blow-molded wheel.
7. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the tread surface includes a
base surface and a plurality of tread blocks extending from the
base surface.
8. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the drive assembly further
comprises: a motor assembly comprising at least one electric motor;
and a battery assembly adapted to selectively energize the motor
assembly; wherein the drive assembly further comprises a speed
control assembly, and further wherein the battery assembly is
adapted to selectively energize the motor assembly responsive to
inputs from the speed control assembly.
9. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the circumferential profile is
configured such that the at least one blow-molded wheel will slip
against an obstacle having a height over a predetermined
threshold.
10. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein one of the at least one driven
wheel and the at least one steerable wheel is the blow-molded wheel
and the other of the at least one driven wheel and the at least one
steerable wheel includes a circular ground-contacting surface.
11. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the at least one steerable
wheel is the blow-molded wheel.
12. A children's ride-on vehicle, comprising: a body having at
least one seat sized for a child; a plurality of wheels rotatably
coupled to the body, wherein the plurality of wheels includes at
least one driven wheel and at least one steerable wheel, wherein at
least one of the plurality of wheels is a blow-molded wheel that
comprises: a blow-molded wheel body having a tread surface and an
axis, wherein the wheel body is configured to rotate about the
axis, the tread surface extends around a circumference of the wheel
body, the tread surface includes ground-contacting regions, the
tread surface has a maximum radius relative to the axis at each
point around the circumference of the wheel body, and the maximum
radius of the tread surface undulates around the circumference of
the wheel body; a steering assembly comprising a steering mechanism
adapted to receive steering inputs from a child sitting on the at
least one seat and a steering linkage adapted to convey the
steering inputs to the at least one steerable wheel; and a drive
assembly adapted to selectively drive the rotation of the at least
one driven wheel.
13. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the maximum radius of the
tread surface periodically undulates between a first radius and a
second radius larger than the first radius.
14. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the points of the tread
surface around the circumference of the wheel body that are
disposed at a maximum radius relative to the axis are all disposed
in a plane normal to the axis, and wherein the blow-molded wheel
body comprises a first sidewall and a second sidewall, and the
plane is centered between the first and second sidewalls.
15. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the tread surface includes a
base surface and a plurality of tread blocks extending from the
base surface.
16. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the drive assembly further
comprises: a motor assembly comprising at least one electric motor;
and a battery assembly adapted to selectively energize the motor
assembly; wherein the drive assembly further comprises a speed
control assembly, and further wherein the battery assembly is
adapted to selectively energize the motor assembly responsive to
inputs from the speed control assembly.
17. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the undulation of the maximum
radius of the tread surface is configured such that the blow-molded
wheel body will slip against an obstacle having a height over a
predetermined threshold.
18. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein one of the at least one driven
wheel and the at least one steerable wheel is the blow-molded wheel
and the other of the at least one driven wheel and the at least one
steerable wheel includes a circular ground-contacting surface.
19. The vehicle of claim 18, wherein the at least one steerable
wheel is the blow-molded wheel.
20. A children's ride-on vehicle, comprising: a body having at
least one seat sized for a child; a plurality of wheels rotatably
coupled to the body, each wheel comprising a blow-molded wheel
body, wherein the plurality of wheels includes at least one driven
wheel and at least one steerable wheel, wherein the at least one
driven wheel does not include a circular ground-contacting surface,
and wherein the at least one steerable wheel includes a circular
ground-contacting surface; a steering assembly comprising a
steering mechanism adapted to receive steering inputs from a child
sitting on the at least one seat and a steering linkage adapted to
convey the steering inputs to the at least one steerable wheel; and
a drive assembly including a battery-powered motor assembly adapted
to selectively drive rotation of the at least one driven wheel.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation patent application
that claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.120 to U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/509,439, which is entitled "Blow-Molded
Wheels Having Undulating Treads, Methods for Producing the Same,
and Children's Ride-On Vehicles Including the Same," which was
filed on Aug. 23, 2006. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/509,439
claims priority to similarly entitled U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/819,262, which was filed on Jul. 7, 2006.
The complete disclosures of the above-identified patent
applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein for all
purposes.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present disclosure relates to children's ride-on
vehicles, and more particularly to blow-molded wheels for
children's ride-on vehicles.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0003] Children's ride-on vehicles are reduced-scale vehicles that
are designed and sized for use by children. For example, children's
ride-on vehicles include a seat adapted to accommodate one or more
children as well as steering and drive assemblies that are adapted
to be operated by a child sitting on the seat. The drive assembly
is adapted to drive the rotation of one or more of the vehicle's
wheels and may include a battery-powered motor assembly or a
manually powered drive assembly, such as a pedal-powered drive
assembly.
[0004] The wheels used on children's ride-on vehicles are often
blow-molded from a suitable material, such as a plastic.
Blow-molded wheels are conventionally formed using a mold that has
two portions. The portions of the mold collectively define a cavity
that defines, or corresponds to, the shape of the blow-molded
wheels. During the blow-molding process, a parison of molten
plastic is introduced into the mold cavity and a pressurized gas,
such as air, is used to force the molten plastic against the
internal surface of the cavity in order to form a hollow wheel
having a shape defined by the internal surface of the cavity. After
a brief cooling period, the mold portions are separated, typically
in an axial direction.
[0005] Each of the mold portions may include what is referred to as
a pinch-off ring that may squeeze and/or cut the parison of molten
plastic that is inserted into the mold to produce the wheel (when
air is injected to inflate the parison against the interior surface
of the mold). In particular, as the mold portions close on and/or
around the parison, the pinch-off rings come together to cut and/or
pinch off the portion of the parison that remains outside the mold
cavity. The pinching effect of the pinch-off rings may leave a
seam, or part line, on the finished wheel.
[0006] The part line caused by the pinch-off rings often lies in a
plane passing through the center of the outer circumference of the
wheel. Conventionally, this plane is often normal to the axis of
the wheel. In such a configuration, the part line may define the
central circumference of the wheel. Typically, the pinch-off rings
have a circular geometry such that the circumferential seam, or
part line, on a blow-molded wheel has a uniform diameter around the
circumference of the wheel. In particular, the central
circumference of a blow-molded wheel is typically circular in
shape. The central circumferential region of the wheel includes a
circular ground-contacting, or "run-flat," surface of the wheel,
which conventionally is approximately one inch wide. On such a
wheel, the part line is typically centered in the run-flat region.
Examples of blow-molded wheels having circular central
circumferential regions are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,513,981 and
5,368,371, the complete disclosures of which are hereby
incorporated by reference for all purposes.
[0007] Children's ride-on vehicles are subject to being driven on a
variety of surfaces, including concrete, dirt, and grass, as well
as up and down hills. Oftentimes, ride-on vehicles must surmount
various obstacles on the driving surface, such as sticks, rocks,
curbs, tool handles, hoses, pieces of lumber, etc. However, the
ability of wheels that have a circular central circumferential
region to surmount such obstacles, or otherwise engage a given
driving surface, is generally limited to the frictional engagement
between the circular ground-contacting surface of the wheel and the
obstacle or driving surface. The wide range of potential obstacles
and driving surfaces that may potentially be encountered by a
ride-on vehicle make it desirable to provide a wheel that may more
readily engage and travel over a greater degree of obstacles than
conventional blow-molded ride-on wheels.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0008] The present disclosure is directed to blow-molded wheels
having undulating treads, methods for producing the same, and
children's ride-on vehicles including the same.
[0009] The blow-molded wheels may include a blow-molded wheel body
that is configured to rotate about an axis and has a tread surface
that extends circumferentially around the wheel body. The tread
surface may have a circumferential profile that is defined as the
locus of points at which the radial distance from the axis to the
tread surface is greatest at each position around the circumference
of the tread surface. The radial distance from the axis to the
circumferential profile may change from a first radius to a second
radius that is larger than the first radius at a plurality of
spaced-apart positions along the circumferential profile. In some
exemplary embodiments, the tread surface may include a base
surface, which may define a first radius of the circumferential
profile, and a plurality of spaced-apart tread partitions, or tread
blocks, that may be disposed on the base surface, which may define
a second radius of the circumferential profile that is larger than
the first radius.
[0010] The methods for producing the blow-molded wheels may include
providing a mold that has first and second mold portions. The first
and second mold portions may collectively define a mold cavity that
is configured and sized to mold a wheel having an axis. The first
and second mold portions may be configured to separate in a
direction parallel to the axis of the wheel. Either or both of the
first and second mold portions may include a pinch-off ring having
an opening configured to form a circumferential profile on the
wheel. The pinch-off ring(s) may include a plurality of regions of
the opening having a first radius and a plurality of regions of the
opening having a second radius that is larger than the first
radius.
[0011] The method for producing the blow-molded wheels may further
include forming a parison of molten material, positioning the
parison between the first and second mold portions, and closing the
first and second mold portions on the parison such that the
pinch-off ring(s) of the first and/or second mold portions impinge
on the parison to form a circumferential profile for a blow-molded
wheel. A pressurized gas may be injected into the parison to blow
the parison into a blow-molded wheel having a shape corresponding
to the shape of the mold cavity, including regions of the wheel
corresponding to the plurality of regions having the first radius
and the plurality of regions having the second radius. The mold
portions may be separated to release the blow-molded wheel from the
mold.
[0012] The blow-molded wheels may be used in a children's ride-on
vehicle. The children's ride-on vehicle may include a body having
at least one seat sized for a child and a plurality of wheels
rotatably coupled to the body. The plurality of wheels may include
at least one driven wheel and at least one steerable wheel. The
children's ride-on vehicle may further include a steering assembly
and a drive assembly. The steering assembly may include a steering
mechanism adapted to receive steering inputs from a child sitting
on the at least one seat and a steering linkage adapted to convey
the steering inputs to the at least one steerable wheel. The drive
assembly may be adapted to selectively drive the rotation of the at
least one driven wheel. The drive assembly may be a motorized drive
assembly or a manually powered drive assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a children's ride-on vehicle
having at least one blow-molded wheel according to the present
disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the children's ride-on vehicle
of FIG. 1 with another example of blow-molded wheels according to
the present disclosure.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative,
non-exclusive example of a motorized drive assembly suitable for
use with a children's ride-on vehicle, such as the vehicle of FIG.
1.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative,
non-exclusive example of a manually powered drive assembly suitable
for use with a children's ride-on vehicle.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an illustrative example of a
blow-molded wheel that has an undulating central tread and is
suitable for use with a children's ride-on vehicle, such as the
vehicle of FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the wheel of FIG. 5 that
is partially cutaway to show the circumferential profile of the
wheel.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another illustrative example
of a blow-molded wheel that has an undulating central tread and is
suitable for use with a children's ride-on vehicle, such as the
vehicle of FIG. 1.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the wheel of FIG. 7 that
is partially cutaway to show the circumferential profile of the
wheel.
[0021] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a first portion of
a simplified mold for producing a wheel that has an undulating
central tread, such as a wheel similar to the wheel of FIG. 5, with
the pinch-offs shown separated from the main mold portion.
[0022] FIG. 10 is a section view of the mold portion of FIG. 9,
taken generally along line 10-10 in FIG. 9, with the pinch-offs
shown attached to the main mold portion.
[0023] FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of a blow-molded wheel
that has a circular ground-contacting surface shown attempting to
surmount an obstacle.
[0024] FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of a blow-molded wheel
according to the present disclosure that has an undulating central
tread shown attempting to surmount an obstacle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND BEST MODE OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0025] An illustrative, non-exclusive example of a children's
ride-on vehicle is shown in FIG. 1 and indicated generally at 10.
Ride-on vehicle 10 includes a support frame, or body, 12 that
provides a riding space, or passenger compartment, 14 with a seat
assembly 16 that is sized and configured to accommodate at least
one child, including a child driver. Seat assembly 16 may be
integral with or otherwise mounted on body 12 and may have any
suitable configuration, including configurations in which the
position of the seat assembly is adjustable within the passenger
compartment, and configurations in which the seat assembly includes
two or more seats or two or more seating regions. Typically,
vehicle 10 will be sized for use by a child driver or by a child
driver and a child passenger. For example, in the illustrated
embodiment, seat assembly 16 includes a pair of seats, or seating
regions, 18 and 20, with seat 18 sized and positioned to receive a
child driver and seat 20 sized and positioned to receive a child
passenger.
[0026] Body 12 typically is formed from molded plastic and may be
integrally formed or formed from a plurality of parts that are
secured together by screws, bolts, clips or other suitable
fasteners. Body 12 may additionally, or alternatively, be at least
partially formed from other suitable material(s), such as metal,
wood, or composite materials. Body 12 may include, or be mounted
upon, an underlying frame, or chassis, or chassis portion, on which
the rest of the body (which may be referred to as a body portion)
is supported. The chassis portion may be formed from the same or
different materials as the rest of the body; when present, the
chassis portion is often formed of metal and/or molded plastic,
with the body portion typically being formed of molded plastic.
However, these illustrative examples of suitable materials of
construction are not required.
[0027] As shown, body 12 is shaped to generally resemble a
reduced-scale Jeep.RTM. vehicle. JEEP is a registered trademark of
the Daimler Chrysler Corporation, and the JEEP mark and designs are
used by permission. Children's ride-on vehicles according to the
present disclosure may be shaped to generally resemble any type of
vehicle. Examples of suitable vehicles are reduced-scale, or
child-sized, vehicles that are shaped to resemble corresponding
full-sized, or adult-sized, vehicles, such as cars, trucks,
construction vehicles, emergency vehicles, off-road vehicles,
motorcycles, space vehicles, aircraft, watercraft and the like.
However, it is also within the scope of the present disclosure that
vehicle 10 may be shaped to resemble fantasy vehicles that do not
have a corresponding adult-sized counterpart. Although vehicle 10
is depicted in the form of a reduced-scale Jeep.RTM. vehicle, it
will be appreciated that the components and/or features of vehicle
10 may be configured for use on any type of children's ride-on
vehicle.
[0028] Vehicle 10 also includes a plurality of wheels 22 that are
rotatably coupled to body 12, as indicated in FIGS. 1-2. As
discussed in more detail herein, the plurality of wheels includes
at least one wheel having an undulating tread, such as one or more
of the illustrative wheels shown and/or discussed with respect to
FIGS. 5-8 and 12. The plurality of wheels includes a steerable
wheel assembly 24 that contains at least one steerable wheel that
is adapted to be steered by the vehicle's steering assembly 26,
typically at least partially in response to user-imparted steering
inputs thereto. The plurality of wheels further includes a driven
wheel assembly 28 that contains at least one driven wheel that is
adapted to be rotationally driven by the vehicle's drive assembly
30. As used herein, the term "driven wheel" refers to a wheel that
is rotated in response to a rotational input from the vehicle's
drive assembly, which is either directly conveyed to the wheel by
the output of a motor assembly or pedal assembly, or which is
conveyed through a linkage, such as a gearbox, belt, chain, gear
assembly, axle, or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, vehicle
10 includes four wheels 22, with front wheels 32 and 34 forming
steerable wheel assembly 24, and rear wheels 36 and 38 forming
driven wheel assembly 28. The number of wheels on the vehicle may
vary from two wheels to four, six or more wheels. However,
children's ride-on vehicles typically include at least three wheels
for stability. Similarly, each wheel assembly must contain at least
one wheel, and a particular wheel may form all or a portion of both
the steerable wheel assembly and the driven wheel assembly. For
example, it is within the scope of the disclosure that either or
both of front wheels 32 and 34 or rear wheels 36 and 38 are driven
and steerable. Similarly, one front wheel and one rear wheel may be
driven and/or steerable, or the vehicle may include one or more
driven or steerable wheels underneath its body that are generally
hidden by the body of the vehicle.
[0029] Some or all of the plurality of wheels 22 may include a hub
portion 39 and a tire portion 40, as indicated in FIG. 1. When
present, the hub and tire portions may be integrally formed or the
hub and tire portions may be formed as a separate parts that are
secured together by screws, bolts, clips, adhesives, or other
suitable fasteners or fastening methods. The hub and tire portions
may be formed from the same or different materials. In some
embodiments, hub portion 39 and tire portion 40 may be formed from
materials having different colors, such as differently colored
plastics. For example, hub portion 39 may (but is not required to)
be formed from a silver-colored plastic to simulate a metal hub,
while tire portion 40 may (but is not required to) be formed from a
black-colored plastic to simulate a rubber tire.
[0030] A portion of the vehicle's steering assembly 26 is shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2 and includes a steering column 41 (indicated in FIG.
2) and a steering mechanism 42. The steering assembly enables a
child sitting on seat 18 to steer the vehicle's steerable wheel
assembly 24 via user-applied steering inputs to steering mechanism
42, which is positioned on vehicle 10 for operation by a child
sitting on seat 18. In the illustrated embodiment, steering
mechanism 42 takes the form of a steering wheel 44. Other suitable
structures, such as handlebars and steering levers may be used and
are within the scope of the present disclosure. Steering column 41
includes any suitable mechanical linkage that conveys a child's
steering inputs from the steering mechanism to the vehicle's
steerable wheel assembly, thereby steering the vehicle.
[0031] In FIG. 3, an illustrative, non-exclusive example of a
suitable drive assembly 30 for a children's ride-on vehicle, such
as vehicle 10, is schematically illustrated. Drive assembly 30 is
adapted to drive the rotation of driven wheel assembly 28. The
drive assembly 30 may be referred to as a motorized drive assembly
31 and includes a motor assembly 46, which includes at least one
battery-powered motor 48 that is adapted to drive the rotation of
at least one of the plurality of wheels. The motor assembly 46
includes an output 50 that provides a rotational input to the
driven wheel assembly 28, such as to the hub portion of one or more
of the wheels 22 in driven wheel assembly 28. Typically, the output
50 from each of the at least one motors includes a rotating shaft
and/or a rotating pinion or output gear. Output 50 may include more
than one shaft, pinion, and/or gear, such as when motor assembly 46
includes more than one motor and/or when driven wheel assembly 28
includes more than one driven wheel. Motor assembly 46 may also be
configured to power other moveable components on vehicle 10, such
as depending on the form of the vehicle. For example, the motor
assembly 46 may be coupled to raise and lower the blade of a
ride-on that resembles a bulldozer, the bucket of a ride-on that
resembles a skid-steer or other loader, the bed of a ride-on that
resembles a dump truck, etc.
[0032] Power for the motor assembly 46 may be provided by battery
assembly 54. Battery assembly 54 includes at least one rechargeable
battery, or cell, 56 that is adapted to provide power to the motor
assembly. The batteries in battery assembly 54 may be able to be
selectively disconnected from the motor assembly and connected to a
charging assembly to recharge the batteries. Any suitable type and
number of batteries, or cells, may be used in battery assembly 54.
For example, one or more six-, twelve-, eighteen-, or
twenty-four-volt batteries have proven effective. The motor
assembly 46 may be operably connected to the battery assembly 54 by
any suitable electrical connectors, such as cables, wires, positive
and negative terminals or leads, one or more plugs and
corresponding sockets, and the like.
[0033] In FIG. 3, drive assembly 31 is shown further including an
optional motor output linkage 60 that mechanically interconnects
the motor assembly 46 with the driven wheel assembly 28. Motor
output linkage 60 is any suitable mechanism that transmits the
rotational input from the motor assembly's output(s) to the driven
wheel assembly 28, such as to the hub portion of one or more of the
wheels 22 in driven wheel assembly 28. Examples of suitable
linkages include an intermediate linkage between the output 50 of
the motor assembly 46 and the driven wheel assembly 28, such as a
gearbox containing one or more gears, a belt or chain drive, a worm
gear, one or more individual gears, and the like. The motor output
linkage 60 may be adapted to transmit the rotational input from the
output 50 to the driven wheel assembly 28 at the same relative rate
of rotation, or it may mechanically augment the rotational input to
convey a greater or lesser rate of rotation relative to the rate of
rotation of the output 50. It is also within the scope of the
disclosure that drive assembly 31 may be formed without motor
output linkage 60, in which case rotational input from the
output(s) of the motor assembly 46 may be directly transmitted to
the driven wheel assembly 28.
[0034] As schematically illustrated in FIG. 3, drive assembly 31
may also include one or more user input devices 62 that are adapted
to convey inputs from a child sitting on seat 18 to the drive
assembly. User input devices 62 also may be referred to as user
control devices. These devices convey a user's inputs, such as via
the vehicle's wiring harness 66, and affect the actuation of the
motor assembly 46, such as by causing the actuation (or
energization) of the motor assembly, selecting between a range of
electronic configurations, selecting the direction of rotation of
the motor assembly's output 50, selecting the relative degree of a
maximum rate of rotation to which the motor assembly is actuated,
etc. Examples of suitable user input devices 62 include a drive
actuator 68, through which a user input directing the battery
assembly 54 to energize the motor assembly 46 is received. Examples
of suitable drive actuators 68 include an on/off switch, a foot
pedal, a throttle lever, and a rotational handgrip on a steering
mechanism that includes a handlebar. In FIG. 2, an example of a
drive actuator 68 is shown in the form of a foot pedal 70
positioned for actuation by a child sitting on seat 18. When drive
actuator 68 takes a form other than a foot pedal, it may be located
in any suitable location within or near passenger compartment 14 so
that a child sitting on seat 18 may reach the actuator while
positioned to operate the vehicle 10. For example, an on/off switch
or throttle may be located on the body or on the steering mechanism
42, such as illustrated at 72 in FIG. 2.
[0035] As schematically illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, other
examples of user input devices 62 include a speed switch 74, which
enables a user to select the relative rate of rotation of the motor
assembly's output 50, and a direction switch 76, which enables a
user to select the relative direction (i.e., clockwise or
counterclockwise) of rotation of output 50 and thereby configure
the vehicle 10 to drive in forward and reverse directions. Switches
74 and 76 may be located in any suitable location on body 12 or
steering assembly 26 for actuation by a child sitting on seat 18.
An example of a suitable speed switch 74 is a switch that
selectively configures a pair of batteries between series and
parallel configurations to define relative "high" and "low" speed
configurations. Speed switch 74 may additionally or alternatively
selectively configure a pair of motors between series and parallel
configurations. As a further example, the switches may convey
inputs to a controller, such as subsequently described controller
78, which, responsive to inputs from the switches, configures the
vehicle 10 for a selected operating state.
[0036] As illustrated in FIG. 3, drive assembly 31 may (but is not
required to) further include a controller 78, which is adapted to
control electronically the transmission of the rotational input
from the motor assembly 46 to the driven wheel assembly 28. More
specifically, controller 78 may include a microprocessor or
suitable control circuit that is adapted to control the actuation,
or energization, of the motor assembly 46 by the battery assembly
54 to regulate electronically the rotational input transmitted by
the motor assembly 46 to the driven wheel assembly 28. Controller
78 may regulate at least one of the timing and the ramp, or rate,
of application of the transmission of the rotational input after
actuation of a corresponding user input device 62 by a child
sitting on seat 18. In other words, the controller 78 may delay in
at least time and/or rate of transmission the rotational input to
the driven wheel assembly 28 responsive at least in part to a user
input selecting the desired, or selected, rotational input. An
illustrative example of a suitable controller is disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,771,034, the complete disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated by reference for all purposes. As used herein, the one
or more user input devices 62 and, when present, controller 78 that
are adapted to configure the vehicle's drive assembly 31 between a
plurality of operating states may be referred to collectively as
the vehicle's speed control assembly 80.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, body 12 may also include at least one
battery compartment 82 that is adapted to receive battery assembly
54. The battery compartment may take any of a variety of different
shapes, sizes, and configurations depending on such factors as the
form of vehicle 10, the portion of the vehicle's body within which
the compartment is formed, and the size and shape of battery
assembly 54. FIG. 2 provides graphical illustrations of several
suitable, non-exclusive positions for battery compartment 82. The
battery compartment may include a cover or other closure to
selectively restrict access to the battery assembly during use of
the vehicle. The compartment may additionally or alternatively
include a suitable retainer to position and/or secure the battery
assembly within the battery compartment.
[0038] The previously described drive assembly provided an example
of a motorized drive assembly having at least one battery-powered
motor. It is also within the scope of the present disclosure that
children's ride-on vehicles 10 according to the present disclosure
may additionally or alternatively include a manually powered drive
assembly. As an illustrative example, a manually powered drive
assembly may include a pedal assembly having pedals that are
coupled to at least one of the plurality of wheels so that the
wheels are rotatably driven as a child seated on seat 18
reciprocates the pedals. An illustrative, non-exclusive example of
a suitable pedal assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,651,528,
the complete disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by
reference for all purposes. An illustrative, non-exclusive example
of a drive assembly 30 in the form of a manually powered drive
assembly is schematically illustrated in FIG. 4 and generally
indicated at 33. As illustrated, drive assembly 33 is a
pedal-powered drive assembly in which driven wheel assembly 28 is
operatively coupled to a pedal assembly 84 having pedals 86.
Reciprocating rotation of pedals 86 drives the rotation of driven
wheel assembly 28. It is also within the scope of the present
disclosure that children's ride-on vehicles 10 having bodies 12 may
be formed without a drive assembly and therefore may be adapted to
be propelled by a child seated on seat 18 pushing the vehicle with
the child's feet in a foot-to-floor manner, or by an adult who
pushes the vehicle through any suitable mechanism.
[0039] In FIGS. 5 and 6, an illustrative, non-exclusive example of
a blow-molded wheel according to the present disclosure is shown at
90. As illustrated, wheel 90 has an undulating central tread.
Unless otherwise specified, blow-molded wheel 90 may, but is not
required to, contain at least one of the structure, components,
functionality, and/or variations as the other blow-molded wheels
described and/or illustrated herein. Wheel 90 includes a
blow-molded wheel body 92 that is configured to rotate about an
axis 94.
[0040] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, blow-molded body 92 may be
configured to generally resemble an un-mounted vehicle tire such
that blow-molded body 92 forms a tire portion that may be suitably
attached to a separate hub portion to form a wheel, as discussed
above. However, it is within the scope of this disclosure for some
embodiments of blow-molded body 92 to additionally include some or
all of the hub portion of a wheel, such as where the blow-molded
body integrally includes a tire portion and a hub portion.
[0041] The blow-molded molded body 92 may include first and second
sidewalls 96 and 98, and a tread surface 100 that extends
circumferentially around the blow-molded body. In some embodiments,
tread surface 100 may be configured to resemble the
traction-enhancing tread patterns that may typically be found on
the wheels of full-size vehicles, such as the rubber tires found on
automobiles, trucks, off-road vehicles, or the like, or any of the
various types of steel tires found on some forms of construction or
other industrial vehicles. As shown in FIG. 6, the tread surface
100 of blow-molded body 92 has a circumferential profile 102 that
is defined as the locus of points at which the radial distance 104,
or radius, from axis 94 to tread surface 100 is greatest at each
position around the circumference of tread surface 100.
[0042] The circumferential profile 102 of blow-molded body 92 may
be located anywhere between the first and second sidewalls 96 and
98 of the blow-molded molded body. For example, as shown in the
illustrative example presented in FIGS. 5 and 6, the
circumferential profile 102 may lie generally in a plane that is
normal, or perpendicular, to axis 94 and generally centered between
the first and second sidewalls 96 and 98 of blow-molded molded body
92. However, this positioning of the circumferential profile is not
required to all embodiments. For example, it is within the scope of
the present disclosure that, rather than being centered, the
circumferential profile may lie in a plane closer to, or proximate,
one of the first and second sidewalls of the blow-molded body, such
as where the tread surface has an at least partially
frusto-conical, frusto-spherical, or frusto-elliptical shape. As
additional illustrative, non-exclusive examples, it is also within
the scope of the present disclosure that the circumferential
profile may lie in a plane that is obliquely oriented relative to
axis 94 and/or that rather than lying in a plane, the
circumferential profile may waver, or extend at varying distances,
between the first and second sidewalls 96 and 98 as the
circumferential profile proceeds around the circumference of tread
surface 100.
[0043] The radial distance 104 from axis 94 to circumferential
profile 102 may vary along circumferential profile 102 such that
tread surface 100 may have an undulating circumferential profile,
as perhaps best seen in FIG. 6. In particular, the radial distance
104 from axis 94 to circumferential profile 102 may change, or
transition, from a first radius 106 to a larger second radius 108
at a plurality of spaced-apart positions along circumferential
profile 102. Second radius 108 may exceed, or be larger than, first
radius 106 by at least a predetermined percentage of radial
distance 104 or by at least a predetermined fixed amount. As
illustrative, non-exclusive examples, second radius 108 may be
larger than first radius 106 by at least (approximately) 3 mm
(millimeters), 6 mm, 10 mm, 12.7 mm, 25 mm, or more. Similarly,
second radius 108 may be at least (approximately) 105%, 110%, 115%,
120%, or 125% as large as first radius 106. The change, or
transition, in radial distance 104 from first radius 106 to second
radius 108, or the reverse, may occur in a plurality of transition
regions 110, which may extend between adjacent ones of a plurality
of first and second regions 112 and 114. Each of the plurality of
first regions 112 may have a radius corresponding to the first
radius 106, which may be uniform throughout the first region 112,
and each of the plurality of second regions 114 may have a radius
corresponding to the second radius 108, which may be uniform
throughout the second region 114. As shown in the illustrative
embodiment presented in FIG. 5, at least one of first regions 112
and/or at least one of second regions 114 may generally extend from
first sidewall 96 to second sidewall 98, such as where at least one
of first regions 112 and/or at least one of second regions 114 may
be substantially parallel to axis 94.
[0044] Any of the plurality of first regions 112, second regions
114, and transition regions 110 may extend along circumferential
profile 102 for any angular portion 116 thereof, such as an angular
portion between 0 and 360 degrees, such as an angular portion of at
least (approximately) 10 degrees, 15 degrees, 18 degrees, 20
degrees, 30 degrees, 36 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, or 90
degrees, or more. Further, any of the plurality of first regions
112 may extend over a greater or lesser angular portion 116 of
circumferential profile 102 than a given one of the plurality of
second regions 114. For example, at least one of the plurality of
first regions 112 may extend over an angular portion 116 that is at
least (approximately) 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%, 125%, 150%, 175%, 200%,
or even 300% or more the size of the angular portion 116 over which
at least one of the second regions 114 extends. Additionally, any
of the transition regions 110 may extend over a greater or lesser
angular portion 116 of circumferential profile 102 than a given one
of the plurality of first regions 112 or second regions 114. For
example, at least one of the transition regions 110 may extend over
an angular portion 116 that is at least (approximately) 1%, 5%,
10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%, 125%, 150%, 175%, 200%, or even 300% or
more the size of the angular portion 116 over which a given one of
the plurality of first regions 112 or second regions 114
extends.
[0045] In some embodiments, the change or transition between first
radius 106 and second radius 108 may be smooth. For example, radial
distance 104 may smoothly and/or continuously vary or transition
from a first radius 106 to a second radius 108, such as in the
manner of a sand or paddle tire that may be used on an off-road
vehicle. In some embodiments, the change or transition between
first radius 106 and second radius 108 may be relatively abrupt.
For example, at least one of the plurality of transition regions
110 may extend at an angle relative to one or more of the adjacent
first region 112 or second region 114 of the circumferential
profile. Exemplary angles at which a transition region may extend
may include an angle in the range of 30 degrees to 150 degrees,
such as an angle in the range of 45 and 135 degrees, in the range
of 60 and 135 degrees, in the range of 70 and 110 degrees, and/or a
90 degree angle.
[0046] The blow-molded body 92 may have a part line 118, as shown
in dashed lines in FIG. 5. Part line 118 may correspond to the
interface between the portions of the mold used to mold blow-molded
body 92, which process will be more fully discussed below. Part
line 118 may be at least partially coplanar with the
circumferential profile 102. In some embodiments, tread surface 100
may include one or more optional channels 120, which (when present)
may extend across part line 118. Channels 120 may enhance the
appearance or traction of tread surface 100. As shown in FIG. 5,
channels 120 may be obliquely oriented relative to circumferential
profile 102 and/or part line 118. In some embodiments, an optional
web, or rib, 121 may extend across channel 120 such that the
obliquely oriented channel 120 is divided at the part line into a
pair of channels that do not cross the part line. Web 121 may be
beneficial when using an axially moving tool to remove mold flash
from part line 118. In particular, by dividing the obliquely
oriented channel 120 at part line 118, web 121 may preclude the
need for an axially moving mold-flash-removing tool to remove flash
from any obliquely oriented channels on tread surface 100.
[0047] In FIGS. 7 and 8, another illustrative, non-exclusive
example of a blow-molded wheel that has an undulating central tread
according to the present disclosure is shown at 90. Unless
otherwise specified, blow-molded wheel 90 may, but is not required
to, contain at least one or more of the structure, components,
functionality, and/or variations as the other blow-molded wheels
described and/or illustrated herein. The tread surface 100 of
blow-molded body 92 may include a base surface 122 and a plurality
of spaced-apart tread blocks 124, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Tread
blocks 124 may be disposed on base surface 122 and extend outwardly
therefrom. Tread blocks 124 may additionally or alternatively be
described as projecting tread portions. The tread blocks and base
surface may be integrally formed during the blow-molding process
used to form wheel 90. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, blow-molded wheel
90 may be configured to resemble a tire suitable for use on a
simulated off-road vehicle or all-terrain vehicle (ATV).
[0048] A plurality of tread blocks 128 may be periodically
disposed, or otherwise disposed at spaced-apart intervals, around
the circumference of base surface 122, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.
As shown in FIG. 8, the circumferential profile 102 of blow-molded
body 92 may include tread blocks 128 alternating with portions 126
of base surface 122. The portions 126 of base surface 122 may
correspond to the plurality of first regions 112 of circumferential
profile 102, which may define a radius corresponding to the first
radius 106 of circumferential profile 102. Tread blocks 128 may
correspond to the plurality of second regions 114, which may define
a radius corresponding to the second radius 108 of circumferential
profile 102. It is within the scope of the present disclosure that
tread blocks 128 may be variably disposed between the first and
second sidewalls 96 and 98, such that circumferential profile 102,
which passes through tread blocks 128, may waver, or variably
extend, between the first and second sidewalls 96 and 98 as the
circumferential profile proceeds around the circumference of tread
surface 100 while passing through tread blocks 128.
[0049] Tread surface 100 may include a plurality of transition
regions 130, which extend between tread blocks 128 and base surface
122, as shown in FIG. 7. Transition regions 130 may extend at an
angle relative to base surface 122, such as an angle in the range
of 30 degrees to 150 degrees, an angle in the range of 45 and 135
degrees, an angle in the range of 80 and 110 degrees, and a 90
degree angle. At least a portion of at least one of the plurality
of transition regions 130 may define a portion of circumferential
profile 102, such as transition region 110, as shown in FIG. 8.
[0050] In FIGS. 9 and 10, an illustrative, non-exclusive example of
a first portion of a simplified mold for producing a wheel (90)
that has an undulating central tread according to the present
disclosure is shown at 140. Unless otherwise specified, the second
portion of the mold (not shown) may, but is not required to,
contain at least one of the structure, components, functionality,
and/or variations as the first mold portion described and/or
illustrated herein. In some embodiments, the second mold portion
may be a mirror image, or at least substantially identical to, the
first mold portion, although this is not required. Although mold
portion 140 is simplified, relevant portions of mold portion 140
will be discussed with regard to the corresponding portions of the
various embodiments of blow-molded wheel 90 discussed above.
However, it should be understood that a mold that is based on mold
portion 140 may be used to manufacture any blow-molded wheel having
an undulating central tread, which may, but is not required to,
contain at least one of the structure, components, functionality,
and/or variations as any of the blow-molded wheels described and/or
illustrated herein. Further, it is within the scope of the present
disclosure that wheels 90 according to the present disclosure may
be manufactured in any suitable mold and/or molding process, which
may, but is not required to, contain at least one of the structure,
components, functionality, and/or variations of the mold portion
described and/or illustrated herein.
[0051] As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, mold portion 140 may
include a main mold portion 142 and at least one pinch-off ring
144. The main mold portion 142 includes a cavity 146 that has an
internal surface 148 that is configured to define the exterior
shape of a wheel that is blow-molded or otherwise formed within
cavity 146.
[0052] The at least one pinch-off ring 144 of the first mold
portion 140 is configured to engage the at least one pinch-off ring
of the second mold portion (not shown) when the first and second
mold portions are brought together to form a full mold cavity
during a molding operation. The interface between the pinch-off
rings of the first and second mold portions when the mold is closed
may define the part line of the mold. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10,
pinch-off ring 144 may have a planar configuration, which would
correspond to a planar part line blow-molded wheel 90 that may lie
in a plane that is normal to axis 94 of blow-molded wheel 90. As
discussed, it is also within the scope of the present disclosure
that the pinch-off ring may be configured to create a planar part
line that lies in a plane that is oblique to the axis of the wheel
or a part line that has a non-planar configuration.
[0053] As shown in FIG. 9, pinch-off ring 144 may include an
opening 150, which is configured to form a circumferential profile
on a blow-molded wheel, such as a wheel similar to blow-molded
wheel 90. The opening 150 may include a plurality of first portions
or regions 152 that may alternate with a plurality of second
portions or regions 154. The first portions or regions 152 may have
a radius that corresponds to first radius 106, and the second
portions or regions 154 may have a radius that corresponds to
second radius 108, which may be larger than first radius 106, as
discussed above. In some embodiments, pinch-off ring 144 may
include a sharpened edge 156 for impingement on a parison when the
first and second mold portions are brought together to form the
full mold cavity during the molding process.
[0054] In some embodiments, first mold portion 140 may include an
optional inner pinch-off ring 158, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.
Inclusion of an inner pinch-off ring 158 may permit the formation
of annular blow-molded bodies 92, which may correspond to only the
tire portion 40 of a blow-molded wheel. In some embodiments, inner
pinch-off ring 158 may include a sharpened edge for impingement on
the parison when the first and second mold portions are brought
together.
[0055] One or more of the pinch-off rings used with first mold
portion 140 may be a distinct component from main mold portion 142.
For example, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, pinch-off ring 144 may be
a part of a pinch-off plate 160 that may be attached to main mold
portion 142 and/or inner pinch-off ring 158 may be a part of a
pinch-off core 162 that may be attached to a central portion 164 of
main mold portion 142. When used with main mold portion 142,
pinch-off plate 160 and/or pinch-off core 162 may form at least a
portion of cavity 146 and/or internal surface 148, as shown in
FIGS. 9 and 10. Pinch-off plate 160 and pinch-off core 162 may be
attached to first mold portion 140 using any suitable attachment
method, such as bolts, adhesives, clips, welding, or the like.
Pinch-off plate 160 and/or pinch-off core 162 may be removably,
permanently, or semi-permanently attached to mold portion 140. Use
of a removable or semi-permanent attachment may improve the
lifespan of mold portion 140, such as by permitting repair,
replacement, and/or substitution of pinch-off plate 160 and/or
pinch-off core 162.
[0056] In some embodiments, pinch-off plate 160 and/or pinch-off
core 162 may be fabricated from a material different than the
material used for main mold portion 142 to address the different
conditions that the various mold components may experience during
use. For example, the internal surface 148 of the mold cavity 146
may experience relatively little wear during use such that the main
mold portion 142 may be fabricated from relatively softer material
such as aluminum. In contrast, pinch-off rings 144 and/or 158 may
experience relatively greater wear during use, such as when
pinch-off ring 144 and/or inner pinch-off ring 158 include a
sharpened edge, which may tend to dull during extended use. Thus,
the wear properties and/or the tool life of pinch-off plate 160
and/or pinch-off core 162 may be improved if pinch-off plate 160
and/or pinch-off core 162 are fabricated from a harder material
than is used for main mold portion 142. Illustrative, non-exclusive
examples of materials that may be suitable for pinch-off plate 160
and/or pinch-off core 162 may include a nickel-copper alloy, such
as Ampcoloy 940, which has a Rockwell hardness of 94B and is sold
by Ampco Metal Inc. of Arlington Heights, Ill., or a
beryllium-copper alloy, such as MoldMAX HH.RTM., which has a
Rockwell hardness of 40C and is sold by Brush Wellman Incorporated
of Cleveland, Ohio.
[0057] FIGS. 11 and 12 compare the obstacle surmounting ability of
a blow-molded wheel that has a circular ground-contacting surface
with the obstacle surmounting ability of a blow-molded wheel that
has an undulating central tread.
[0058] In FIG. 11, a schematic example of a blow-molded wheel that
has a circular ground-contacting surface is shown at 170. As shown
in FIG. 11, wheel 170 contacts the ground 172 and any obstacles 174
with at least its circular "run-flat" surface 176. As such, the
ability of wheel 170 to surmount obstacle 174 must rely on friction
between the run-flat surface 176 and obstacle 174, and/or the
momentum of the children's ride-on vehicle when surface 176 strikes
the obstacle. Although the tread surface 178 of wheel 170 may
include lateral, or recessed, tread blocks 180, such features are
merely present for aesthetic reasons, because only the run flat
surface 176 defines the circumferential, or greatest diameter
portion, of the wheel and thereby is the primary, or even
exclusive, portion of the wheel that contacts ground 172 and
obstacle 174.
[0059] In FIG. 12, a schematic example of a blow-molded wheel 90
that has an undulating central tread is shown at 190. Unless
otherwise specified, blow-molded wheel 190 may, but is not required
to, contain at least one of the structure, components,
functionality, and/or variations as the other blow-molded wheels
described and/or illustrated herein. As shown in FIG. 12, the
undulations in the circumferential profile 102 of tread surface 100
of wheel 190 may include a plurality of edges 192 which may
effectively engage obstacle 174 such that wheel 190 may more
readily surmount the obstacle.
[0060] In some embodiments, blow-molded wheel 90 may be configured
such that, when used with ride-on vehicle 10, wheel 90 may be
designed to slip against an obstacle having a height that exceeds a
predetermined threshold, such as to limit the extent to which
vehicle 10 with wheels 90 according to the present disclosure may
readily climb over an obstacle. For example, the predetermined
threshold may be selected so that a ride-on with wheels 90
according to the present disclosure is designed to climb over an
obstacle of up to a certain height, while not being designed to
climb over an obstacle having a height that exceeds this threshold
height. As an illustrative, non-exclusive example, the wheels may
be designed so that the vehicle may climb over (such as by edges
192 engaging an upper surface of the obstacle) an obstacle having a
height of up to 20 mm, 25 mm, 50 mm, 75 mm, etc., while not being
able to climb over (i.e., having wheels 90 that are shaped to slip
against) an obstacle having an upper surface that exceeds this
selected threshold height (such as because edges 192 are not
sufficiently positioned or sized to engage an upper surface of the
obstacle).
[0061] As a more specific illustrative example, in some embodiments
it may be desirable for a children's ride-on vehicle with at least
front wheels 90 according to the present disclosure to be designed
to not be able to climb over curbs or other obstacles having (upper
surface) heights of at least 3 or 4 inches, but to be able to climb
over smaller rocks, hoses, sticks, and the like having shorter
heights. In other embodiments, the ride-on vehicle may be designed
to be able to climb over these illustrative curbs. The
predetermined threshold may be defined by one or more of the
dimensions of blow-molded wheel 90, such as radial distance 104,
the relative differences between the first and second radii, first
and second portion spacing and/or dimensions, etc. The dimensions
of ride-on vehicle 10, such as length, wheelbase, mass, and/or the
location of the center of gravity of the vehicle may also
positively or negatively affect the ability of the vehicle to climb
over obstacles.
[0062] In some embodiments, a children's ride-on vehicle 10 with a
plurality of wheels 22 that includes at least one wheel 90
according to the present disclosure may only include wheels 90,
while in other embodiments, the plurality of wheels may include one
or more wheels that do not having the undulating tread described
herein. As an illustrative, non-exclusive example of a children's
ride-on vehicle in which the plurality of wheels are not all wheels
90, a children's ride-on vehicle 10 may include wheels 90 as its
front wheels, such as to provide greater climbing, or
obstacle-overcoming ability, when traveling in a forward direction,
and with its rear wheels having a different geometry or design,
such as one that does not include the undulating tread described
herein with respect to wheels 90.
[0063] Wheels 90 that have an undulating tread according to the
present disclosure may be produced using a blow-molding process,
although it is also within the scope of the present disclosure that
the wheels (90) that are described and/or illustrated herein may
additionally or alternatively be formed from another suitable
process, such as an injection molding process. Therefore, while
wheels 90 have been described herein as being blow-molded wheels,
they may alternatively be formed by other processes without
departing from the scope of the present disclosure. However, in
many applications, wheels 90 will be formed from a blow-molding
process, which has proven to be cost-effective and reliable. Any
suitable plastic or other moldable material may be used to produce
wheels 90 according to the present disclosure. The particular
choice of materials may vary from application to application, and
may vary according to one or more of such illustrative factors as
design preferences, wheel size, ride-on vehicle size, ride-on
vehicle speed range, ride-on vehicle load-carrying capacity,
expected terrain, etc.
[0064] A mold suitable for blow-molding a wheel that has an
undulating tread may include first and second mold portions that
collectively define a cavity that is configured to mold a wheel
having an axis. The first and second mold portions may be
configured to separate in a direction that is parallel to the axis
of the wheel. Unless otherwise specified, one or both of the first
and second mold portions may, but are not required to, contain at
least one of the structure, components, functionality, and/or
variations as the mold portion 140 described and/or illustrated
herein.
[0065] When a wheel 90 is produced by a blow-molding process in
such a mold, a parison of molten material, such as a plastic, may
be formed and positioned between the first and second mold
portions. The first and second mold portions may be closed on the
parison such that a pinch-off ring of either or both of the first
and second mold portions impinges on the parison to form a
circumferential profile for a blow-molded wheel, such as a
blow-molded wheel that has an undulating tread, such as an
undulating central tread.
[0066] A pressurized gas may be injected into the parison such that
the parison may be blown into a blow-molded wheel that has a shape
that corresponds to the shape of the mold cavity defined by the
first and second mold portions. The shape of the resulting
blow-molded wheel may include regions 112 that correspond to the
plurality of regions 152 of the mold, which have a radius that
corresponds to first radius 106, and regions 114 that correspond to
the plurality of regions 154 of the mold, which have a radius that
corresponds to second radius 108.
[0067] The first and second mold portions may be separated to
release the resulting blow-molded wheel from the mold, such as
after an optional, and often brief, cool-down period. Subsequent to
release from the mold, any portions of the parison that remain
attached to the blow-molded wheel may be removed using any suitable
method. For example, when the pinch-off rings include a sharpened
edge, such as the sharpened edge 156 discussed above, any portions
of the parison that remain outside the mold cavity (i.e., molding
"flash") may be only minimally attached to the finished blow-molded
wheel and may be readily removed, such as by snapping off the
molding flash by hand or another suitable process.
[0068] In some embodiments, an optional punch may be used to remove
the mold-flash, should it be present. Such a punch may include an
aperture that defines a circumferential profile corresponding to
the circumferential profile of the molded wheel, including a
plurality of sections corresponding to the plurality of first
regions 112 and a plurality of sections corresponding to the
plurality of second regions 114. The aperture of the punch may be
configured to adapt to variations in the circumferential profile of
the molded wheel, such as variations in shape or diameter, such as
variations that may normally be expected during blow-molding
operations. In operation, the wheel may be separated from the
remaining portions of the parison by causing the punch and/or the
blow-molded wheel to move axially relative to each other such that
the blow-molded wheel passes through the aperture of the punch such
that the blow-molded wheel may be separated from the remaining
portions of the parison.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0069] The present disclosure is applicable to blow-molded wheels,
methods for producing the same, and children's ride-on vehicles
including the same.
[0070] It is believed that the disclosure set forth herein
encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility.
While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred
form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated
herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous
variations are possible. The subject matter of the disclosure
includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations
of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties
disclosed herein. Similarly, where the claims recite "a" or "a
first" element or the equivalent thereof, such claims should be
understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements,
neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.
[0071] It is believed that the following claims particularly point
out certain combinations and subcombinations that are directed to
one of the disclosed inventions and are novel and non-obvious.
Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of
features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed
through amendment of the present claims or presentation of new
claims in this or a related application. Such amended or new
claims, whether they are directed to a different invention or
directed to the same invention, whether different, broader,
narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are also
regarded as included within the subject matter of the inventions of
the present disclosure.
* * * * *