HK1089730A - Convertible riding toy - Google Patents

Description

Convertible riding toy

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to ride-on toys, and more particularly, to a convertible ride-on toy that is easily convertible between a first configuration and a second configuration.

Background

Ride-on toys, such as tricycles, bicycles, scooters, ride-on vehicles, and the like, provide exercise and entertainment time for children and are very popular. However, to meet the needs of a single child, it is often necessary for a family to purchase two or more ride-on toys separately. Such an approach is inefficient in terms of cost, as only one ride-on toy can be used by one child at a time. In other words, when a child is using one of the ride-on toys, the other is idle. Moreover, multiple ride-on toys are inefficient from a storage perspective because they occupy more space than a single ride-on toy. It would therefore be beneficial if a single ride-on toy could be configured as multiple vehicles so that a single ride-on toy replaces multiple ride-on toys.

The prior art includes many ride-on toys that can be reconfigured from one form of vehicle to another. For example, Samuel, in U.S. Pat. No. 4691930, discloses a ride-on toy that can be configured as a number of different vehicles, including tricycles, strollers, and scooters. The vehicle of Samuel, U.S. patent 4691930, includes a front wheel and handle assembly that is attached to the remainder of the vehicle by removable bolts. The bolts are removed and the front wheel and handle assemblies are separated from the remainder of the vehicle to place the vehicle in a new configuration.

Blease, in U.S. patent No. 4079957, discloses a convertible tricycle that is capable of being converted between an upright configuration and a low-head configuration. More specifically, the tricycle of Blease, U.S. patent 4079957, features a handlebar that is removably mounted to a steering shaft that is connected to the front fork of the tricycle and thus to the front wheel. The steering shaft passes through an opening formed through the front of the tricycle body. To retrofit the tricycle, the handlebar is removed from the steering shaft, and the steering shaft is removed from the opening in the tricycle body. The body of the tricycle is then inverted and the steering shaft is reinserted through the opposite side of the body opening, and the handlebar is reinstalled.

Allen et al, in U.S. patent No. 4657270, disclose a convertible tricycle that is also convertible between an upright configuration and a low-lying configuration. To retrofit the tricycle of Allen, U.S. patent 4657270, the front fork and handle are separated from each other and removed from the tricycle head tube. The frame of the tricycle is then flipped over and the front fork and handle are reinserted through the opposite end of the head tube. The tricycle features a seat that is removably mounted to the frame, which is also removable from the frame, and mounted on the opposite side to provide a seat for the new structure.

While U.S. patent 4691930 to Samuel, U.S. patent 4079957 to Blease, and U.S. patent 4657270 to Allen et al all provide two or more configurations for a single vehicle, each vehicle must be disassembled for modification, which has disadvantages in terms of time and convenience. Moreover, in some instances, the retrofitting of the ride-on toys of these patents may require the use of hand tools and may result in lost parts. Moreover, modifying a car may be too complex and difficult for many children.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a ride-on toy that is convertible between first and second configurations.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a ride-on toy that does not require disassembly for retrofitting.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a ride-on toy that is simple and easily retrofitted.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the remainder of the specification.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention is directed to a convertible ride-on toy that is convertible between a first configuration and a second configuration. The toy features a first frame tube having an open first frame tube end and a second frame tube having a second frame tube end. The second frame tube end is disposed adjacent the first frame tube end. The pivot tube is connected to and extends from the second frame tube end and is received by a bearing disposed within the first frame tube. The bearing rotatably receives and supports the pivot tube such that the first frame tube is able to rotate relative to the second frame tube to enable the ride-on toy to transition from the first configuration to the second configuration and vice versa.

A guide sleeve is coupled to and extends from the second frame tube end and is received within the open end of the first frame tube end such that the first frame tube is rotatable relative to the guide sleeve. The first frame tube is characterized by a split, and the clamp is disposed about the first frame tube adjacent the guide sleeve. When closed, the clamp causes the first frame tube to clamp the guide sleeve.

The first frame tube is further characterized by an opening, and the button tube is connected to the pivot tube in a substantially vertical and fixed manner. The button tube has opposite first and second open ends. A first spring button and a second spring button are disposed within the button tube with a compression spring therebetween. Thus, the first and second spring buttons are urged radially outward and away from each other such that the first spring button extends from the first open end of the button tube and engages the opening in the first frame tube when the toy is in the first configuration, and the second spring button extends from the second open end of the button tube and engages the opening in the first frame tube when the toy is in the second configuration. The clamp features a handle that surrounds a spring button located at the first frame tube opening when the clamp is closed.

The following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, provide a more complete understanding of the spirit and scope of the invention.

Drawings

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the convertible ride-on toy of the present invention in a three-wheel configuration;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the convertible ride-on toy of FIG. 1A in a motorcycle configuration;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the convertible ride-on toy in the motorcycle configuration of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the convertible ride-on toy in the motorcycle configuration of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the convertible ride-on toy in the tricycle configuration of FIG. 1A, with the plastic body removed;

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the convertible ride-on toy in the motorcycle configuration of FIG. 1B, with the plastic body removed;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the rear frame portion of FIGS. 4A and 4B;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the head tube, front frame tube and clamp of FIGS. 4A and 4B;

fig. 7 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the assembled rear frame tube of fig. 5 and the head tube, front frame tube and clamp of fig. 6, taken along line 7-7 of fig. 5 and 6.

Detailed Description

In FIGS. 1A and 1B, one embodiment of a convertible ride-on toy of the present invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 12. Although the present invention is described below in terms of a convertible tricycle, it is to be understood that the present invention may be incorporated into alternative ride-on toys, such as bicycles or ride-on toys having the same or an alternative number of wheels, that are convertible between a first configuration and a second configuration. The ride-on toy may also be a vehicle that is ridden by an older child or adult.

As will be explained in greater detail below, the convertible tricycle 12 of fig. 1A and 1B is convertible between a conventional or conventional upright "tricycle" configuration (shown in fig. 1A), in which the rider is seated near the top of the frame and thus relatively high off the ground, and a low frame "motorcycle" configuration (shown in fig. 1B), in which the rider is seated near the ground.

As shown in fig. 1A and 1B, the tricycle 12 features a pair of rear wheels 14a and 14B, and a pivoting front wheel 16 that is steerable by a handlebar 18. The pedals 20 allow the rider to rotate the front wheel to drive the tricycle. The tricycle is also characterized by a body, indicated by 22, which is preferably molded of plastic, in order to obtain a light weight and long life. As shown in fig. 1A, one side of the body 22 features a molded seat 24 for use when the tricycle is in a tricycle configuration. It should be noted that while the illustrated embodiment features a molded plastic body, the tricycle of the present invention features a body that may be formed of alternative materials.

As shown in fig. 1B, 2 and 3, the opposite side of the body 22 features a rear wall 26 and opposite side walls 28a and 28B to form a seat recess (well). A first pair of opposed projections 30a and 30b and a second pair of opposed projections 32a and 32b are molded on the inner surfaces of the opposed side walls 28a and 28b so that they project into the seat recess. The seat back 34 is detachably seated in the seat recess. More specifically, as indicated by arrow 35 in fig. 1B, the seat back 34 is vertically inserted into or vertically removed from the seat recess. As shown in fig. 2 and 3, seat back 34 features opposing side edges 36a and 36b that engage either protrusions 30a and 30b or 32a and 32b when seat back 34 is inserted into the seat recess so that the horizontal distance between seat back 34 and tricycle pedals 20 and handlebar 18 may be adjusted. Therefore, the tricycle can be suitable for riders of different sizes and ages.

The frame of the tricycle 12 in fig. 1A-3 is generally indicated by reference numeral 42 in fig. 4A and 4B. Fig. 4A shows the frame in a three-wheel vehicle configuration, while fig. 4B shows the frame in a motorcycle configuration. As shown in fig. 4A and 4B, the frame features a generally Y-shaped rear portion 62 that supports the rear wheels 14A and 14B. The plastic body 22 shown in fig. 1A-3 is mounted on and substantially covers the rear frame portion 62. As shown in fig. 4A, the front frame tube 66 is connected to a head tube 70, wherein the head tube 70 pivotally supports the front handle 18 and the front wheel 16.

As shown in fig. 4A, rear frame portion 62 is pivoted 180 ° about axis 72 relative to front frame tube 66 at pivot joint 76, as indicated by arrow 74, to convert the tricycle from the tricycle configuration to the motorcycle configuration and vice versa. The rear frame portion 62, the front frame tube 66 and the head tube 70 are preferably constructed of steel tubing, but other forms of construction and materials may alternatively be used.

Referring to fig. 5, an enlarged perspective view of the rear frame portion of the tricycle, generally indicated at 62, is shown. A rear wheel axle (not shown) passes through the axle tube 78 which is connected to the rear frame tube 82 by the rear arms 83a and 83 b. As will be described in greater detail below, the pivot tube 84 is fixedly connected to the rear frame tube 82, as is the guide sleeve 86. The pivot tube 84 and the guide sleeve 86 are preferably both made of steel. The button tube 88 is connected to the pivot tube 84 in a vertical and fixed manner and houses spring pins or spring buttons 92a and 92 b.

Fig. 6 shows an enlarged view of the front frame tube 66 and the head tube 70. The front frame tube 66 is characterized by a split 94 along its bottom. A horseshoe or omega shaped clamp 96 circumferentially surrounds the front frame tube 66 with the split and features clamp legs 98a and 98 b. The first end of the pin is fixedly attached to the jawarm 98a by means of a threaded hole 102 as shown in fig. 7 and 8. The pin passes through an aperture formed in leg 98b which is slightly larger than and in line with aperture 102 so that leg 98b can move relative to the pin and leg 98 a. The second end of the pin is connected to a perpendicular (to the longitudinal axis of the pin) bolt or screw that passes through and engages an opening 104 formed in a handle 106.

Handle 106 in fig. 6 is pivotally connected to leg 98b of clamp 96. The bottom of the handle features a cam surface 108. When handle 106 is in the position shown in fig. 6, legs 98b and 98a, respectively, of clamp 96 are pushed (by cam surfaces) and pulled (by pins) together due to the shape of cam 108 to close the clamp. The clamping action can be released and the jaws opened by moving the handle in the direction of arrow 110.

The assembled front frame tube 66 and rear frame tube 82 are shown in fig. 7 and 8. The pivot joint is generally indicated by reference numeral 76 in fig. 7. The pivot tube 84 is secured within the rear frame tube 82 by means of steel flanges or webs 112 and 114 that are welded or otherwise connected to the pivot tube 84 and to the inner surface of the rear frame tube 82. The pivot tube 84 is rotatably supported within the front frame tube 66 by bearings 116, wherein the bearings 116 are preferably made of plastic and are secured to the inner surface of the front frame tube 66 by an interference fit and/or an adhesive or other connection. A guide sleeve 86 is welded or otherwise fixedly secured within and projects forwardly from the rear frame tube 82 and is received within the open end of the front frame tube 66 to ensure that the front and rear frame tubes are aligned when rotated relative to one another.

As shown in fig. 7 and 8, the button tube 88 passes through the pivot tube 84. The button tube is preferably constructed of steel and is welded in place within the pivot tube 84. The spring buttons 92a and 92b project from opposite open ends of the button tube 88 due to the action of a compression spring 118 disposed between the two buttons within the button tube 88. The top surface of the front frame tube 66 features openings 122 sized to receive each spring button individually. Thus, when the tricycle is in the tricycle configuration, the opening 122 receives the button 92a and locks the tricycle in this configuration by securing the frame tubes 66 and 82 in place. The opening 122 receives the button 92b when the tricycle is in the motorcycle configuration.

As shown in fig. 7, the release button 124 is disposed over the opening 122. The top of the handle 106 surrounds and covers the button 124 so that it cannot be accidentally depressed when the clamp (96 in fig. 6) is closed. When it is desired to change the configuration of the tricycle, the user moves handle 106 in the direction indicated by arrow 110 in FIG. 6 so that clamp 96 is in the released or open position. The release button 124 may then be depressed to push the spring button 92a or 92b out of engagement with the opening 122 so that the rear frame tube may be rotated relative to the front frame tube to place the tricycle in the new configuration.

Once the tricycle is placed in the desired configuration with the appropriate spring button 92a or 92b engaged with the opening 122 of the front frame tube 66, the handle 106 is placed in the position shown in fig. 6 such that the clamp 96 clamps over the front frame tube 66 with the split such that the front frame tube 66 clamps over the portion of the guide sleeve 86 extending into the open end of the front frame tube 66 due to the split 94. Thus, the clamp 96 and handle 106 act as an auxiliary lock to lock the selected tricycle configuration (the spring buttons 92a and 92b and the front frame tube opening 122 act as a primary lock).

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims (20)

1. A convertible ride-on toy convertible between a first configuration and a second configuration, comprising:

a) a first frame tube having an open first frame tube end;

b) a second frame tube having a second frame tube end disposed adjacent to the first frame tube end;

c) a pivot tube connected to and extending from the second frame tube end; and

d) a bearing disposed within the first frame tube, the bearing rotatably receiving and supporting the pivot tube such that the first frame tube may rotate relative to the second frame tube such that the ride-on toy may be transitioned from a first configuration to a second configuration and vice versa.

2. The convertible ride-on toy of claim 1, further comprising a guide sleeve coupled to and extending from the second frame tube end, the guide sleeve received within an open end of the first frame tube end such that the first frame tube rotates relative to the guide sleeve.

3. The convertible ride-on toy of claim 2, wherein the first frame tube has a split, and further comprising a clamp disposed about the first frame tube and adjacent the guide sleeve, the clamp causing the first frame tube to clamp the guide sleeve when the clamp is closed.

4. The convertible ride-on toy of claim 1, wherein the first frame tube has an opening, and further comprising:

e) a button tube connected to the pivot tube in a substantially vertical and fixed manner and having opposite first and second open ends;

f) the first spring button and the second spring button are arranged in the button pipe; and

g) a compression spring disposed within the button tube between the first spring button and the second spring button to urge the first spring button and the second spring button radially outward and away from each other such that the first spring button extends from the first open end of the button tube and engages the opening in the first frame tube when the toy is in the first configuration and the second spring button extends from the second open end of the button tube and engages the opening in the first frame tube when the toy is in the second configuration.

5. The convertible ride-on toy of claim 4, further comprising a guide sleeve coupled to and extending from the second frame tube end, the guide sleeve received within an open end of the first frame tube end such that the first frame tube rotates relative to the guide sleeve.

6. The convertible ride-on toy of claim 5, wherein the first frame tube has a split, and further comprising a clamp disposed about the first frame tube and adjacent the guide sleeve, the clamp causing the first frame tube to clamp the guide sleeve when the clamp is closed.

7. The convertible ride-on toy of claim 6, wherein the clamp has a handle that surrounds a spring button located at the first frame tube opening when the clamp is closed.

8. The convertible ride-on toy of claim 1, wherein the first frame tube is a front frame tube and the second frame tube is a rear frame tube.

9. The convertible ride-on toy of claim 1, wherein the ride-on toy is a tricycle, and further comprising a handlebar and a front wheel pivotally connected to the first frame tube, and a pair of rear wheels connected to the second frame tube.

10. The convertible ride-on toy of claim 9, wherein the first configuration is a tricycle configuration and the second configuration is a motorcycle configuration.

11. A convertible ride-on toy convertible between a first configuration and a second configuration, comprising:

a) a first frame tube having a first frame tube end;

b) a second frame tube having a second frame tube end;

c) means for connecting the first frame tube end to the second frame tube end such that the first frame tube is rotatable relative to the second frame tube such that the ride-on toy may be transitioned from the first configuration to the second configuration and vice versa; and

d) means for locking the convertible ride-on toy in a selected one of the first configuration and the second configuration.

12. The convertible ride-on toy of claim 11, further comprising a guide sleeve coupled to and extending from the second frame tube end, the guide sleeve received within an open end of the first frame tube end such that the first frame tube rotates relative to the guide sleeve.

13. The convertible ride-on toy of claim 12, wherein the first frame tube has a split and a means for locking, the means comprising a clamp disposed about the first frame tube and adjacent the guide sleeve, the clamp causing the first frame tube to clamp the guide sleeve when the clamp is closed.

14. The convertible ride-on toy of claim 11, wherein the first frame tube has an opening and a means for locking, the means comprising:

e) a button tube connected to said pivot tube in a generally vertical and fixed manner and having opposite first and second open ends;

f) the first spring button and the second spring button are arranged in the button pipe; and

g) a compression spring disposed within the button tube between the first spring button and the second spring button to urge the first spring button and the second spring button radially outward and away from each other such that the first spring button extends from the first open end of the button tube and engages the opening within the first frame tube when the toy is in the first configuration and the second spring button extends from the second open end of the button tube and engages the opening within the first frame tube when the toy is in the second configuration.

15. The convertible ride-on toy of claim 14, further comprising a guide sleeve coupled to and extending from the second frame tube end, the guide sleeve received within an open end of the first frame tube end such that the first frame tube rotates relative to the guide sleeve.

16. The convertible ride-on toy of claim 15, wherein the first frame tube has a split, and further comprising a clamp disposed about the first frame tube and adjacent the guide sleeve, the clamp causing the first frame tube to clamp the guide sleeve when the clamp is closed.

17. The convertible ride-on toy of claim 16, wherein the clamp has a handle, the clamp surrounding a spring button located in the first frame tube opening when the clamp is closed.

18. The convertible ride-on toy of claim 11, wherein the first frame tube is a front frame tube and the second frame tube is a rear frame tube.

19. The convertible ride-on toy of claim 11, wherein the ride-on toy is a tricycle, and further comprising a handlebar and a front wheel pivotally connected to the first frame tube, and a pair of rear wheels connected to the second frame tube.

20. The convertible ride-on toy of claim 19, wherein the first configuration is a tricycle configuration and the second configuration is a motorcycle configuration.