GB2438033A

GB2438033A - Toy motorcycle having a rider with a head flexibly attached to a torso

Info

Publication number: GB2438033A
Application number: GB0706577A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Sheltman; James Knight
Original assignee: Mattel Inc
Current assignee: Mattel Inc
Priority date: 2006-05-12
Filing date: 2007-04-04
Publication date: 2007-11-14
Also published as: US20070264904A1; DE102007022167A1; CN101219282A; GB0706577D0; FR2900835A1; CA2587701A1; ITTO20070312A1; MX2007005714A

Abstract

A toy motorcycle comprises a motorcycle rider 22 sized for riding the toy motorcycle, wherein the motorcycle rider includes a torso, and a head that is disproportionately large relative to the torso, the head being connected to the torso via a flexible neck joint. The head may be flexibly connected to the torso by a spring to facilitate head oscillations. The rear wheel 14 may be larger than the front wheel 12 and a seat 18 may be positioned lower than the top of the rear wheel 14 and higher than the top of the front wheel 12.

Description

TOY MOTORCYCLE

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

[0001] Children play with toy action figures and toy vehicles in a variety of different make-believe play patterns. For some types of play, realistic toys are preferred, and for other types of play, extraordinary toys that do not realistically portray real-world objects are preferred.

The inventors herein have recognized that toys that incoiporate some realistic aspects with other extraordinaiy aspects can be more enjoyable than a purely realistic toy or a purely extraordinary toy. As such, a toy motorcycle with some realistic features and some extraordinary features is provided. The toy motorcycle can include a rider with a disproportionately large head that is connected to a normal-sized torso via a flexible joint. The motorcycle rider can be mounted on a toy motorcycle that includes spinable wheels. As such, the toy can be rolled in a somewhat realistic manner that emulates the rolling of a real motorcycle. At the same time, the motorcycle-rider's head can move in an exaggerated manner as the motorcycle rolls.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] Fig. 1 shows an exemplary motorcycle rider on a toy motorcycle.

[0003] Fig. 2 is a partial cutaway showing the flexible neck joint of the motorcycle rider of Fig. 1.

WRITTEN DESCRIPTION

[0004] The present application is directed to a motorcycle toy. The motorcycle toy comprises a motorcycle that is capable of rolling and a motorcycle rider that has a disproportionately large bobble-head. The motorcycle may be configured to have a rear wheel that is larger than a front wheel. The rider may be configured to have body parts such as head, hands or feet that are disproportionately large relative to a torso. Thus, the motorcycle toy possesses some extraordinary aspects that do not portray real-world objects.

[0005] The combination of motorcycle rolling and wiggling of the head may create a special effect. For example, since the large and heavier bobble-head is coupled to a lighter flexible joint, a small bump on the path of the motorcycle or even slight maneuver of the motorcycle may result iii amplified motion of the head, which can be appealing to children. As such, the spinable wheels facilitate exaggerated movement of the bobble-head.

[0006] Fig. I shows an exemplary bobble-head motorcycle rider on a toy motorcycle. A motorcycle 10 comprises a front wheel 12, a rear wheel 14, and a frame 16. Wheels can be defined by a rim diameter as illustrated by C and a tire diameter as illustrated by D. Frame 16 rnay further comprise a seat 18. The frame may include a rear fender 20. In one example, rear fender 20 may be defined by substantially flat surfaces to allow fingers to grasp the motorcycle and manipulate the movement of the motorcycle.

[0007] In the illustrated example, rear wheel 14 is significantly larger than front wheel 12. Seat 18 is lower than a top of rear wheel 14 and higher than a top of front wheel 12. Thus, motorcycle 10 resembles an extraordinary toy that does not portray a realistic motorcycle. Both front wheel 12 and rear wheel 14 may be spinably coupled to frame 16. In one example, wheels 12 and 14 may be coupled to frame 16 through axles of the wheels. Thus, the motorcycle can be rolled forward and backward, and turned to different directions via a force applied to the toy. In one example, a user can control the motorcycle by holding gripping regions located on a rear fender of the motorcycle.

[0008] It should be noted that the sizes of wheels and relative positions of wheels and seat may be varied. In some embodiments, motorcycle 10 may be configured to portray a realistic motorcycle. In some embodiments, motorcycle 10 may be configured to portray a somewhat fantastical motorcycle.

[0009] As shown in Figures I and 2, a motorcycle rider 22 is mounted on motorcycle 10.

Rider 22 comprises a head 24, a torso 26 bands 28, and feet 30. In the illustrated example, head 24 is disproportionately large relative to torso 26. For example. a largest dimension of head 24 (as indicated by A) is approximately three times a length of the torso (as indicated by B). A flexible joint 32 is disposed inside head 24 to couple the head with torso 26. In one embodiment, the flexible joint 32 may include a spring. In one embodiment, the lowest part of head 24 has a large opening, thus providing a large degree of head movement via flexible joint 32. The head movement can oscillate in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of flexible joint 32, and/or oscillate about a resting position of the flexible joint. Since a large and heavier head is supported by a lighter spring, a slight touch of head 24, a slight movement of an object attached to the torso, or a slight movement of the motorcycle may cause a significant motion of head 24.

In the illustrated example, head 24 includes a helmet 34. The helmet may have any suitable configuration, including a helmet with a full mouth guard, as shown. Head 24 and the helmet may be an integrated piece or the helmet can be removably connected to the head.

[0010] Hands 28 and/or feet 30 can be configured to be disproportionately large relative to torso 26. For example, a length of the hand (indicated by B) may have approximately the same dimension as the length of top torso, B. In another example, the length of feet (indicated byF)maybelargerthanthelengthoftoptorso,B. Further,hands28maybeconfiguredinsuch a way that the rider appears to wear gloves designed for motorcycle riding. Feet 30 may include boots having a motorcycle themed appearance. The gloves and boots may be disproportionately large relative to torso 26. Thus, rider 22 may not portray a realistic rider with natural proportions. The accessories of the rider, such as the helmet, gloves and boots may emphases a motorcycle theme in an exaggerated manner.

[0011] In some embodiments, the size of rider 22 may be configured to be disproportional relative to motorcycle 10. For example, feet may be disproportional relative to wheels. In the illustrated embodiment, the length of a foot, F. may be longer than the rim diameter C of front wheel 12.

[0012] The motorcycle toy described above may create special effects that are appealing to children. For example, as motorcycle 10 rolls, head 24 can wiggle or otherwise move. The motion will be enhanced dramatically when the motorcycle encounters an obstacle such as a pump. Since a large and heavier head is supported by a small, light, and flexible joint, even a slightly rough surface or slight maneuver by children may cause significant motion of the head.

Further, the patterns of the head's motion may change when the motorcycle rolls in different ways. For example, the motorcycle may be rolled along a line at different speed combinations such as fast, slow, and then fast, etc. Also, the motorcycle may be turned in different directions and at different speeds, or rolled over different bumps or simulated jumps. The movements described above will result in amplified motions of the bobble-head in various patterns and in exaggerated manners. Consequently, users may be amused by a variety of motions of the bobble-head.

[0013] Furthermore, motorcycle 10 and the rider 22 may attract consumers such as children and collectors. In particular, a design in which characteristics of both real-world objects and extraordinary objects are combined can provide a more interesting play experience than a strictly toy or fantastical toy that is not based on a real object. Also, the disproportional body parts of the rider make the rider look more like a child. Thus, children can identify with the toy rider as one of their own. In some embodiments, the motorcycle is not configured in accordance with a real motorcycle. Further, in some embodiments, since the motorcycle may be configured to be similar to bikes rode by small children (e.g., small front wheels, large rear wheels, and lower seat), it is easy to be accepted by children.

[0014] Frame 16 of motorcycle 10 may include handlebars 36, front forks 38, and rear forks 40. A stand (not shown) may optionally be included to support the motorcycle toy and permit the motorcycle toy to stand by itself [0015] In some embodiments, a part of torso 26, hands 28, or feet 30 may be configured to attach to the frame 16 so that the rider may not be detached from the motorcycle.

Alternatively, the rider may be detachably mounted to the motorcycle so that the rider and the motorcycle may be two separate pieces and the rider can be removed from the motorcycle.

It will be appreciated that the configurations disclosed herein are exemplary in nature, and that these specific embodiments are not to be considered in a limiting sense, because numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the present disclosure includes all novel and nonobvious combinations and subconibinations of the various systems and configurations, and other features, functions, and/or properties disclosed herein.

[0016] The following claims particularly point Out certain combinations and subcombinations regarded as novel and nonobvious. These claims may refer to an" element 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. Other combinations and subcombjnatjons of the disclosed features, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of the present claims or through presentation of new claims in this or a related application. Such claims, whether broader, narrower, equal, or different in scope to the original claims, also are regarded as included within

the subject matter of the present disclosure.

Claims

Claims 1. A toy motorcycle, comprising: a frame; a front wheel spinably

coupled to the frame: a rear wheel spinably coupled to the frame; and a motorcycle rider sized for riding the toy motorcycle, wherein the motorcycle rider includes: a torso, and a head that is disproportionately large relative to the torso, the head being connected to the torso via a flexible neck joint.

2. The toy motorcycle of claim 1, wherein the flexible neck joint includes a spring.

3. The toy motorcycle of claim I, wherein the rear wheel is larger than the front wheel.

4. The toy motorcycle of claim 1, wherein the motorcycle rider further includes hands that are disproportionately large relative to the torso.

5. The toy motorcycle of claim I, wherein the motorcycle rider further includes feet that are disproportionately large relative to the torso.

6. The toy motorcycle of claim 5, wherein the feet are longer than a rim diameter of the front wheel.

7. The toy motorcycle of claim 1, further compising a seat coupled to the frame, wherein the seat is lower than a top of the rear wheel and higher than a top of the front S wheel.

8. The toy motorcycle of claim 1, wherein the frame includes finger gripping portions at least partially covering the rear wheel.

9. A toy motorcycle, comprising: a frame; a front wheel connected to the frame; a rear wheel connected to the frame, wherein the rear wheel is larger than the front wheel; a seat coupled to the frame, wherein the seat is lower than a top of the rear wheel and higher than a top of the front wheel; a motorcycle ilder sized for riding the toy motorcycle, wherein the motorcycle rider includes: a torso, and a head connected to the torso via a tiexible joint that facilitates head oscillations.

10. The toy motorcycle of claim 9, wherein the front wheels and rear wheels are spinable.

11. The toy motorcycle of claim 9, wherein the flexible joint includes a spring.

12. The toy motorcycle of claim 11, wherein the head is disproportionately large relative to the torso.

13. The toy motorcycle of claim 9, wherein the motorcycle rider further includes hands that are disproportionately large relative to the torso.

14. The toy motorcycle of claim 9, wherein the motorcycle rider further includes feet that are disproportionately large relative to the torso.

15. The toy motorcycle of claim 9, wherein the frame includes finger gripping portions at least partially covering the rear wheel.

16. A toy motorcycle, comprising: a frame; a front wheel spinably coupled to the frame; a rear wheel spinably coupled to the frame, wherein the rear wheel is larger than the front wheel; and a motorcycle rider sized for riding the toy motorcycle, wherein the motorcycle rider includes: a torso, and a head that is disproportionately large relative to the torso, the head being connected to the torso via a flexible neck joint.

17. The toy motorcycle of claim 16, wherein the motorcycle rider further includes hands that are disproportionately large relative to the torso.

18. The toy motorcycle of claim 16. wherein the motorcycle rider further includes feet that are disproportionately large relative to the torso.

19. The toy motorcycle of claim 16, wherein the flexible neck joint includes a spring.

20. The toy motorcycle of claim 16, wherein the frame includes finger gripping portions at least partially covering the rear wheel.

21. A toy motorcycle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.