BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toy constructed in accordance with the teachings of the disclosure;
FIG. 2 is a side view of the toy of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a top view of the toy of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a rear view of the toy of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the toy of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a side view of the toy with a child shown in phantom lines facing forwardly and using the toy as a rocking chair; and
FIG. 7 is a side view of the toy, with a child shown in phantom lines facing rearwardly and using the toy as a reclined chair.
While the present disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrative embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be under stood, however, that there is no intention to limit the disclosure to the specific forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
Referring now to the drawings, and with specific reference to FIG. 1, a toy constructed in accordance with the teachings of the disclosure is generally reflected by reference numeral 20. While the toy is depicted as representative of a giraffe, it is to be understood that the toy could be manufactured as any number of different animals or subject matter including, but not limited to, horses. In any of such embodiments, it is important to understand, however, that the disclosure would include a dual purpose toy providing not only a rocking horse for the enjoyment of the child, but a reclined chair as well.
Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, collectively, the toy 20 is shown to include a curved base 22 from which an animal body 24 upwardly extends. As indicated above, the animal body 24 is provided in the form of a giraffe in the depicted embodiment but could be provided in any other form of animal including, but not limited to, horses as well. The animal body 24 includes a torso 26 having a forward end 28 and rear end 30. First and second front legs 32 extend from the forward end 28, while first and second rear legs 34 extend from the rear end 30. In addition, a neck 36 upwardly extends from the forward end 28 and terminates in a head 38, while a tail 40 extends from the rear end 30. As will be noted best from the top view of FIG. 3, the curved base 22 is wider than the torso 26 and in so doing provides first and second foot tests 42 and 44.
Referring now to FIG. 6, the toy is depicted with a child 46 shown in phantom lines and using the toy in a forwardly facing position and thus as a locking horse 48. This is in opposition to the position shown in FIG. 7, wherein the child 46 is depicted in a rearwardly facing direction and thus using the toy 20 as a reclined chair 50. With specific reference to FIG. 6, the locking horse configuration 48 is employed to allow child 46 to face forward by straddling the torso 26, with the legs 52 of the child 46 straddling the torso 26 and the feet 54 of the child 46 resting on the first and second foot rests 42 and 44. First and second handles 56 and 58 extend laterally away from the head 38 of the toy to provide structure for the child 46 to grab with his or her hands 60. By employing a rocking motion moving his or her body forward and aft, the curved base 22 of the toy allows the child to employ the toy in a rocking horse manner in this position.
However, a time may come when the child may not wish to rock but rather use the toy 20 as a chair, perhaps for reading books, watching television, or relaxing. Accordingly, the toy 20 is able to be used in the reclined chair position 50 as shown in FIG. 7 as well. In so doing, the child simply reverses position so as to face the rear end 30 of the toy 20. Again, the legs 52 of the child 46 straddle the torso 26 with the hands 60 of the child grasping the tail 40 it desired. The tail 40 is provided with a stem 62 from which a curved closed loop handle 64 extends. In other embodiments, the handle 64 need not be provided as a closed loop, but could be provided as a knob, appendage, or the like. In the reclined position, the handle 64 likely would not be used by the child, however, the handle 64 can be used by a parent or guardian as a convenient mechanism by which the toy 20 can be carried. Moreover, in other embodiments the toy 20 could be provided with a carrying handle that is not provided in the form of a tail. For example, the element 40 could be provided as shown, with a tail provided elsewhere. Similarly, no tail need be provided at all, simply a combination handle and rear backrest could be provided.
In addition, in the reclined chair position 50, the toy 20 provides a backrest 66 for added comfort of the child 46. The backrest 66 in the depicted embodiment is provided by a real surface 68 of the neck 36 and head 38, but in other embodiments could be provided entirely by the rear surface of the neck 36, or entirely by the rear surface of the head 38. In keeping with the overall configuration of the toy 20 being that of a giraffe, the tear surface 68 can be configured or colored to appear as a mane would be found on a real giraffe or horse. In the depicted embodiment, the rear surface 68 includes ribs 69 or other textured surfaces. In certain other embodiments, the surface 68 and/or mane 70 can be provided in the form of cushioned or padded materials such as foam or fabric or the like. In the giraffe embodiment, the mane 70 may terminate in antlers 71 which in the depicted embodiment are padded or otherwise cushioned. Such a feature may not only present added authenticity, but a comfortable head rest as well. In the reclined chair position 50, the first and second footrests 42 and 44 could be used fox the feet 54 of the child as well. Referring to FIG. 4 in specificity, it can be seen that the rear end 30 can also be provided with a cavity 72 for storage of other toys, books or the like. The cavity could be inclined to retain articles therein more easily, or could include a non-slip bottom surface 73, or a cabinet door or the like to perform the same function.
With respect to the construction and materials of the toy 20, reference is now made to FIG. 5 showing the toy in exploded fashion. While the toy need not be constructed in such a fashion, in one embodiment, the toy 20 can be manufactured from a plurality of mating clam shell half portions. More specifically, the toy 20 could include first and second torso halves 74 and 76 coupled together by way of fasteners 78. The front legs 32 are formed by leg pieces 80 and 82, while the tear leg 34 ate formed by leg pieces 84. Similar to the torso halves 74 and 76, the leg pieces are connected by way of fasteners 86. The rear end 30 of the torso 26 is also provided with a slot 88 for receipt of the cavity 72. More specifically, a box 90 having the cavity 72 formed therein slides into the slot 88 and is connected thereto by way of fasteners 92. With respect to the head 38, it will be noted from FIG. 5, that first and second handles 56 and 58 are also provided in the form of mating halves 94 and 96 held together by fasteners 97, and that similarly, the tail 40 is formed by mating halves 98 and 100. Again, fasteners 102 are used to secure same. Finally, the mane 70 is provided in the form of a backrest 66 integrally molded with the first and second torso halves 74 and 76, as well as antlers 71. The seat of the toy is formed by a seat piece 106 secured to the torso halves 74 and 76 with clips 108. The seat piece 106 may be padded for added comfort. Again, the toy 20 need not be constructed in such a fashion. Any number of different constructions, including but not limited to unitary construction, wherein the toy is one piece of molded plastic or other material, are possible.
In operation, it can therefore be seen that the disclosed toy 20 provides a dual purpose chair for a child. In a forward position, the child can grasp handles provided proximate the head of the toy and by employing a rocking motion while seated on the toy, the curved base allows the toy to rock back and forth. However, in addition to such a locking motion, the toy can also be used as a reclined chair simply by reversing the direction of seating. In so doing, the toy is provided with a reclined backrest for the comfort of the child. If desired, the toy could also be enjoyed by two children simultaneously, with one facing forward and one facing rearward, and grasping a different handle, or set of handles.
Patent Application
20080070710
