Push Toy

Abstract

A push toy is provided for a user such as a child to push while holding the frame of the device in an elevated position using handlebars. Positioning of the handlebars adjacent or rearward of the frame, along with a diagonal tubular member on the frame, prevents the user from riding upon the device.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many children's toys are available which promote exercise and practice for the skill of dexterity and steering. Such include wagons, push carts, tricycles, skateboards, and scooters for example. However, while many of these devices are educational as to steering and balancing the toy, such also are configured to allow a child to freely step upon or sit upon and ride the device during use. Such a configuration, allowing for riding while steering and balancing the toy, concurrently places a significant risk of injury to the child user due to falling from the device, or toppling form or with the toy device during use.

This risk of injury is especially high with younger children who are blissfully unaware of the potential for injury which is present, while they are riding or attempting such, on a toy such as a scooter or skateboard and the like. However, children inherently wish to participate with other children during play with such devices, which becomes a learning experience for steering and balance of the toy device. Such play also contributes to the situational awareness as to the riding surface and surrounding people and the potential hazards to riding which arise and can only be learned through experience.

Unfortunately, for smaller children trying to emulate their older siblings and friends, their exuberance and desire to participate by learning to ride a riding toy, without adult supervision, can result in injury. Conversely, the inability to play with their older siblings and friends who may be riding such a riding toy, can result in a loss of confidence as well as a loss of the potential situational awareness which only occurs during a participatory ride of such toys with older more experienced riders.

Additionally, older children having learned to ride toys involving balance and steering and riding, can have a tendency to try and ride a smaller siblings or other child's toy device. Such can cause damage to the riding toy from a child too large for the structure thereof.

As such, there is an unmet need for a riding toy which is configured for use as a push toy for use by younger children who wish to play together or participate with older children who may be riding a wheeled vehicle. Such a device would allow the younger child to safely participate during the group ride with older siblings and friends and learn lessons in steering and situational awareness which can only be learned through using a wheeled toy. Such a toy should as such be configured to allow younger users to learn balance of the toy during use, as well as steering, but configured in a fashion which prevents the younger child or older siblings, from riding the wheeled toy during use.

The forgoing examples of related art and limitation related therewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive, and they do not imply any limitations on the invention described and claimed herein. Various limitations of the related art will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of the specification below and the accompanying drawings.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a push toy allowing a child to participate in group use of riding toys, but which prevents the child from riding on the toy.

It is an additional object to provide such a push toy which while configured to prevent riding, will allow the child user participate with older siblings and friends who ride, to learn steering and balance of the toy itself, as well as situational awareness during use thereof.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention, as well as the advantages thereof over existing prior art, which will become apparent from the description to follow, are accomplished by the improvements described in this specification and hereinafter described in the following detailed description which fully discloses the invention, but should not be considered as placing limitations thereon.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the purposes of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the present invention provides a steerable wheeled toy device configured as a push toy. The toy device in all modes is configured to prevent riding thereon by a user, but during use, allow the user to experience steering and balancing of the wheeled toy.

The wheeled toy device includes a frame, which is configured as the main support structure for the running and steering wheels of the toy device. In the depicted mode herein, the frame is configured with a first tubular member and a second tubular member which are formed to the frame adapted for wheel engagement thereon. A favored mode of the device employs members for the frame which are hollow or tubular to reduce weight. However, the members forming the frame could also include solid members.

In one mode of the frame, a tubular member includes a single bisecting bend, with an angle of between 50 and 90 degrees. This member thus changes from a horizontal disposition to form a substantially horizontal secondary segment. An angled member segment communicates between the vertical and horizontally disposed members in a position configured to prevent the child user from riding on the frame. The center axes of both the tubular member and angle member segment in the formed tubular frame should be coplanar. The components of the tubular frame can be formed from a hollow or solid tube whose geometrical cross section is preferably circular or rectangular but may be of other shapes.

A rear wheel is permanently attached to the distal end of the horizontal secondary segment or member. The axis for rotation of the rear wheel lies perpendicular to the center axes of both the vertical and horizontally disposed tubular members and allows the wheel to rotate inline with the frame.

In all preferred modes of the device, handlebars extend from or are adjacent the distal end of the vertically disposed member forming the frame. The handlebars are employable by the user to steer the front end of the frame when using the toy in the as-used with both a front wheel and the rear wheel rolling on a support surface. The handlebars may contain one or more bends, to prevent wrist over-extension, and rubber or plastic handles for increased grip, and should be separated from each other by an angle between 90 and 180 degrees.

In one preferred mode of the device the provided steering using the handlebars mimics and teaches the skill of rotational steering of a bike or similar wheeled vehicle, by allowing the user to affect their direction and path by rotating the handlebars. This rotation of the handlebars rotates a vertically disposed member which is rotationally engaged through the frame and in turn rotates a front wheel thereon. In another mode of the toy device herein, the steering is accomplished by static handlebars which do not rotate but simulate steering by causing a front wheel which is rotationally engaged to the frame, to turn.

The rigid connections for the frame described herein can be accomplished by one or a combination of means including but not limited to: welding, soldering, brazing, rivets or fasteners. The tubular frame described in all current preferred modes of the device, should have a diameter between 0.25 and 3 inches, and be composed of any safe rigid, washable materials including but not limited to: aluminum, plastic, fiberglass, resin or wood.

In all modes of the toy device herein, the user is prevented from riding or attempting to balance and ride the device, by the positioning of an angled member extending between a higher end at the front of the frame to a lower end engaged to the rear of the frame. The angled member is also preferably formed with a round exterior surface. By positioning this angled member on the frame a child user is prevented from placing one or both feet upon the frame as they will simply slip off. Further, by positioning the gripping point for the handlebars vertically above or adjacent a position directly above the rear end of the frame, users who grip the handlebars in order to push the toy and steer it, must be positioned rearward of the rear end of the frame, and are additionally prevented from standing or sitting on the frame while propelling the device and steering it.

Finally, the wheels can be made from one or a combination of any rugged materials commonly used to form inflated or solid wheels including: rubber, vinyl, polyester, polycarbonate or foam.

With respect to the above description, before explaining at least one preferred embodiment of the herein disclosed invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The device herein described and disclosed in the various modes and combinations is also capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways which will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Any such alternative configuration as would occur to those skilled in the art is considered within the scope of this patent. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for designing of other push toy products for carrying out the several purposes of the present disclosed device. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction and methodology insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate some, but not the only nor exclusive examples of embodiments and/or features of the disclosed device. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative of the invention herein, rather than limiting in any fashion. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 depicts a left view of on preferred mode the device showing the frame with the handlebars extending to position the grips therefor above or rearward of a rear end of the frame.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 and shows a rotationally engaged wheel which moves during a rotating of the handlebars for steering the device and showing the diagonal member to prevent the user from mounting or riding on the frame.

FIG. 3 displays another preferred mode of the device herein having a handlebar with grips positioned above a rear end of the frame and operatively engaged to the front wheel where rotating the handlebars rotates the wheel.

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of the device of FIG. 3 and shows the frame configured with a round angled upper bar to further prevent the user from mounting or riding thereupon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Now referring to the drawings in FIGS. 1-4, wherein similar components are identified by like reference numerals, there is seen in FIG. 1 the device 10 configured as a push toy which as depicted in all modes, includes a frame 12 configured whereby it may not be ridden or mounted by a user during use. In such use with the user gripping the handlebars 18 and positioning the device 10 upright, the user is holding the device 10 in an upright or as-used position, where in all modes of the device 10, either the distal end of the first tubular member or the grip points 19, are at a position above and adjacent a rear end 13 of the frame 12, when being held upright by the handlebars 18. By adjacent is meant preferably directly overhead along an imaginary line “L” intersecting the rear end 13 of the frame 12, or rearward of the rear end 13, which runs perpendicular to the underlying support surface 11 for the frame 12.

The user, holding the device 10 in the upright or the as-used position, holding the grip points 19 and the device 10 upright, is thus forced rearward of the rear end 13 at all times, or at best straddling the rear end 13 and prevented from riding it. The grip points 19, while not as preferred, can also be located within six inches of the rear end 13 between the front end 15 and the rear end 13. Such a positioning will still prevent riding especially in combination with an angled bar such as tubular member 12b. However, an overhead positioning or rearward positioning of the handlebars 18 or of the gripping portions 19, along the imaginary line “L” insures the user must walk or run while pushing the device 10 from a position on the ground, rearward of the frame during use.

Per FIGS. 1 and 2, the tubular frame 12, is configured as the main support structure of the device 10. It is formed of the permanently joined first member or first tubular member 12a and the diagonally disposed second member or second tubular member 12b. The first tubular member 12a includes a single bisecting bend, with a resulting angle of between 50 and 90 degrees, or a connection to, a secondary member or secondary segment 17 communicating between the angled second member or second tubular member 12b and the vertically disposed but rearward-angled first member or first tubular member 12a. As can be seen the angled or second tubular member 12b angles upward from the connection to the secondary member or secondary segment 17 to a second connection to the first tubular member 12a and creates an angled surface in line with and blocking contact with the secondary segment 17.

Also shown is an angled segment whose lengths are between 6 and 36 inches and 12 and 36 inches respectively. The bend radius should be greater than 2 inches to reduce sharpness and increase safety.

The diagonally disposed second tubular member 12b is permanently joined to both the distal end of the secondary member or secondary segment 17 at or adjacent the rear end 13 of the frame 12, and the vertically disposed portion of the tubular member. Preferably the formed angle between the diagonal second tubular member 12b and the secondary segment 17 center axes is between 30 and 80 degrees. The center axes both tubular frame members 12a, 12b should be coplanar. The components of the tubular frame 12 can be formed from a hollow or solid tube, whose geometrical cross section is preferably circular to additionally help prevent riding but could be rectangular.

A back wheel 14 is permanently attached at or adjacent the distal end of the secondary segment 17 and the rear end 13, such that the axis of rotation of the back wheel 14 runs perpendicular to the center axes of both tubular members 12a, 12b. This allows the back wheel 14 to rotate along a line parallel or inline with the upright frame.

Additionally, the tubular frame 12 should be preferably constructed so that the distal edge of the angled segment of the first tubular member 12a, engaging the handlebars 18 is positioned adjacent and horizontally overhead or rearward of the back wheel 14. This positioning provides additional stability for the device 10 during use, by positioning the user gripping the gripping portions 19 of the handlebars 18 with arms outstretched, behind or straddling the back wheel 14, and such is preferred. So positioned, the diagonal second tubular member 12b forms a block preventing overhead access and the positioning of a foot of the user on the secondary segment 17, and the user is forced rearward by the handlebar positioning, and the frame is rendered virtually impossible to mount or ride while pushing it and gripping the handlebars 18 to hold the frame upright.

As depicted in the figures of the device 10, two handlebars 18, each extend symmetrically, and within 15 degrees of perpendicular from the tubular frame's 12 plane of symmetry to a distance of between 4 and 16 inches. The handlebars 18 may contain one or more bends, to prevent wrist over-extension, and handles or gripping portions 19, for increased grip.

The device 10, per FIGS. 3 and 4, also includes handlebars 18 which when twisted by the user, will steer the device 10. As shown in FIGS. 3-4, the handlebars 18 are rotationally engaged to the frame 12 whereby twisting, as in the mode of FIG. 1-2, will also steer the device 10 while in use. This rotational engagement of the handlebars 18 rather than the wheel 16 of FIGS. 1 and 2, tends to better mimic a bicycle or tricycle and teaches the skill of steering by allowing the user to affect their direction and path by turning the handlebars 18 as would be the case with a bicycle or tricycle or the like.

As showing in FIGS. 3-4, the device includes the tubular frame 12 which is composed of a first tubular member 12a and a hollow or bearing tubular member 12c, which are each formed from a hollow or solid tube with a geometrical cross section which is preferably circular or rectangular.

As depicted, the first tubular member 12a contains one bend, whose angle is between 100 and 160 degrees, which forms two segments whose lengths are each between 10 and 36 inches. An overhead or upper segment 21 is angled much like the second or secondary member 12b, and is aligned with an positioned overhead of a lower segment 23 which functions substantially similar as the secondary segment 17 of FIGS. 1-2, thereby blocking a user from positioning their foot or body on the lower segment 23 during use. The bend radius should again be larger than 2 inches for reduced sharpness and increased safety. Of course the upper segment and lower segment could also be joined in a connection other than by curving the tubular members.

The tubular frame 12 as depicted is formed by attaching each end of the curved first tubular member 12a to, and within 1 to 5 inches of the edges the bearing tubular member 12c, through which the steering member or drive shaft 22 rotates to rotate the engaged wheel 20 during turning.

Additionally, a back wheel 14 has an axis of rotation which is perpendicular to the tubular frame's 12 plane of symmetry. The back wheel axle is permanently fixed to the secondary segment 17 of the tubular frame 12 at or adjacent the rear end 13.

The bearing tubular member 12c should be between 10 and 36 inches long and should contain one or more means for constraining the drive shaft 26 to one rotational degree of freedom. Such can include but is not limited to: bearings, slip fits, constraining pins, e-clips or clevis pins.

The drive shaft 22, is similar in positioning to the first tubular member 12a but is rotationally engaged to the frame using a rotational engagement within a bearing member 12c. The driveshaft 22 as with the first tubular member 12a, is attached to the handlebars 18 at a distal or upper end. The drive shaft 22 is in mechanical communication or connected to the front wheel 20 at the opposing end. The front wheel 20 in this mode of the device 10 should be constrained to only rotate about an axis perpendicular to the drive shaft 26, and currently the tire has an outer diameter of greater than 1.5 inches for steering stability.

Additionally, the tubular frame 12 should be preferably constructed so that the distal edge of the curved portion of the first tubular member 12a lies above and/or behind the back wheel 14. This provides stability and maintains the curved portion and an upper horizontally disposed portion of the first tubular member 12a, in position to block mounting or riding upon the frame or the secondary member or secondary segment 17 thereof.

Further, the handle bars 18 are positioned as above noted, so that they or the grip portions 19 are vertically overhead and/or to the rearward of the rear end 13 of the frame at the curved portion of the first tubular member 12a above the rear wheel 14. This naturally maintains the user with hands gripping the handlebars 18 during use of the device 10, with their feet straddling or well behind the rear wheel 14 and frame, and further prevents them from mounting or riding on the frame during use.

Each of the fixed connections described herein can be accomplished by one or a combination of means including but not limited to: welding, soldering, brazing, rivets or fasteners.

The tubular frame 12 described, in any of the preferred modes of the device 10 herein, currently has a diameter between 0.25 and 3 inches, and be composed of any safe rigid, washable materials including but not limited to: aluminum, plastic, fiberglass, resin or wood. The wheels can be made from one or a combination any rugged materials commonly used to form inflated or solid wheels including: rubber, vinyl, polyester, polycarbonate or foam or combinations thereof.

As noted, any of the different configurations and components can be employed with any other configuration or component shown and described herein. Additionally, while the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular embodiments thereof and steps in the method of production, a latitude of modifications, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosures, it will be appreciated that in some instance some features, or configurations, or steps in formation of the invention could be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. All such changes, alternations and modifications as would occur to those skilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of this invention as broadly defined in the appended claims.

Further, the purpose of any abstract of this specification is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. Any such abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting, as to the scope of the invention in any way.

Claims

1. A push toy comprising: a frame having a front end and a rear end;said frame having a first tubular member extending from a first end at said front end of said frame, to a distal end;said frame having a secondary member extending from said front end to said rear end;said frame having a second tubular member extending from a first end engaged with said first tubular member to a second end connected to said secondary member;said frame having a first wheel in a position at or adjacent said front end and having a second wheel engaged with said secondary member at or adjacent said rear end, said first wheel and said second wheel providing a rolling support upon a support surface for said frame in an upright position;said second tubular member extending at a downward angle from a first end with said frame in said upright position;handlebars positioned at said distal end of said first tubular member, said handlebars having gripping portions thereon adapted for gripping by hands of a user, and wherein a communication of rotational force to said handlebars, by said user gripping said handlebars while pushing said frame toward said front end upon said rolling support provided by said first wheel and second wheel, will impart a rotation to said first wheel to thereby steer said push toy.

2. The push toy of claim 1 wherein said first wheel is rotationally engaged upon said frame and said handlebars are in an engagement at said distal end of said first tubular member which is fixed in an engagement with said front end of said frame.

3. The push toy of claim 1 wherein said first wheel is in a fixed engagement to said first end of said first tubular member, and said first tubular member is rotationally engaged with said front end of said frame.

4. The push toy of claim 1 wherein said distal end of said first tubular member extends to a position at or rearward of an imaginary line running perpendicular from said support surface and intersecting said rear of said frame, with said frame positioned in said upright position.

5. The push toy of claim 2 wherein said distal end of said first tubular member extends to a position at or rearward of an imaginary line running perpendicular from said support surface and intersecting said rear of said frame, with said frame positioned in said upright position.

6. The push toy of claim 3 wherein said distal end of said first tubular member extends to a position at or rearward of an imaginary line running perpendicular from said support surface and intersecting said rear of said frame, with said frame positioned in said upright position.

7. The push toy of claim 1 wherein said gripping portions of said handlebar are in a gripping position at or rearward of an imaginary line running perpendicular from said support surface and intersecting said rear of said frame, with said frame positioned in said upright position.

8. The push toy of claim 2 wherein said gripping portions of said handlebar are in a gripping position at or rearward of an imaginary line running perpendicular from said support surface and intersecting said rear of said frame, with said frame positioned in said upright position.

9. The push toy of claim 3 wherein said gripping portions of said handlebar are in a gripping position at or rearward of an imaginary line running perpendicular from said support surface and intersecting said rear of said frame, with said frame positioned in said upright position.

10. The push toy of claim 1 further comprising: said first tubular member, said second tubular member, and said secondary member are coplanar; andsaid second tubular member defining a block preventing a positioning of a foot of said user upon said second tubular member, during positioning of said frame in said upright position.

11. The push toy of claim 2 further comprising: said first tubular member, said second tubular member, and said secondary member are coplanar; andsaid second tubular member defining a block preventing a positioning of a foot of said user upon said second tubular member, during positioning of said frame in said upright position.

12. The push toy of claim 3 further comprising: said first tubular member, said second tubular member, and said secondary member are coplanar; andsaid second tubular member defining a block preventing a positioning of a foot of said user upon said second tubular member, during positioning of said frame in said upright position.

13. The push toy of claim 6 further comprising: said first tubular member, said second tubular member, and said secondary member are coplanar; andsaid second tubular member defining a block preventing a positioning of a foot of said user upon said second tubular member, during positioning of said frame in said upright position.

14. The push toy of claim 9 further comprising: said first tubular member, said second tubular member, and said secondary member are coplanar; andsaid second tubular member defining a block preventing a positioning of a foot of said user upon said second tubular member, during positioning of said frame in said upright position.