Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6350174
-
Patent Number
6,350,174
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Date Filed
Thursday, August 3, 200024 years ago
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Date Issued
Tuesday, February 26, 200222 years ago
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Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 446 444
- 446 445
- 446 429
- 446 430
- 446 476
- 446 478
- 446 487
- 446 489
- 472 89
- 472 91
- 482 66
- 482 68
- 104 69
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International Classifications
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Abstract
A miniature roll-up halfpipe for use with fingerboards or miniature skateboards includes a pair of sideframes configurable in either a collapsed compact configuration or an extended open configuration. A pair of platforms join the end portions of the sideframes to form a generally rectangular structure having a pair of upwardly open curved edges. A flexible resilient sheet is received upon the supporting frame to form a curved surface of the type frequently used by skateboarder's or the like. In the closed configuration, the flexible sheet is rolled into a cylindrical shape and encloses the collapsed siderails and platform elements. A pair of generally cylindrical endcaps are received upon the opposed ends of the rolled sheet to provide closure and secure attachment thereof.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to toy skateboards and particularly to accessory stunt performing apparatus usable in conjunction therewith.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In resent years, a toy trend has emerged which is directed toward wide spread use of miniaturized toys and toy items. In accordance with this trend, practitioner's have provided miniature cars, trucks, motorcycles, scooter's, and sport apparatus such as skateboards or the like. Such miniatures are often highly detailed and precise in their replication of the corresponding full size device. Consumer's have found such highly detailed and precise miniature toys to be attractive and popular for both use as play items and for accumulating as collectibles.
One of the more unusual miniature toy items to emerge in great popularity in resent years is found in miniature versions of skateboards. Such miniature version skateboards are generally referred to as “fingerboards” due to the manner in which the child user plays with the miniature skateboard. In a typical play pattern, the user places a single finger or pair of fingers upon the upper surface of the fingerboard and rolls the fingerboard across various surfaces. In addition, the user's become extremely adapt at exercising various maneuvers such as jumps or spins through a manipulation of the pressure upon and force exerted against the upper surface of the fingerboard. Notsurprisingly, serious fingerboard enthusiast endeavor to mimic conventional skateboard sport and play patterns such as competitive events, stunts, tricks or the like. To perform such stunts, tricks or competitive events, practitioner's attempt to utilize apparatus which closely resembles or mimics the standard apparatus used by skateboarder's. Such stand skateboard trick and competition apparatus has been provided in a variety of shapes and configurations. For example, U.S. Pat. Des. No. 256,488 issued to Firestone sets forth a SKATEBOARD RAMP having a generally curved upwardly facing semi-cylindrical frame structure supported by a plurality of support legs. A smooth curved cylindrical surface is supported upon the interior of the supporting frame.
U.S. Pat. Des. No. 258,459 issued to Firestone sets forth a SKATEBOARD RAMP BOWL having a frame structure supporting an upwardly open curved recess having curved closed ends formed therein. An interior surface supported by the structure forms an upwardly open continuously curved surface suitable for use by skateboarder's.
U.S. Pat. Des. No. 258,460 issued to Firestone sets forth a TRAILABLE SKATEBOARD RAMP having a curved skateboard ramp structure joined to and supportable by a trailer. The support structure includes downwardly extending support legs which allow fixation of the ramp structure without removal from the supporting trailer.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,129,916 issued to Schlesinger et al sets forth an ADJUSTABLE SKATEBOARD RAMP having a support frame defining a horizontal portion and a vertical portion each of which includes extending outer members joined to form an approximate right angle. A curved ramp surface is secured to the extending members and defines a curvature in accordance with the relative extensions of the horizontal and vertical supports.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,285,514 issued to Romero sets forth a RAMP DEVICE FOR PRACTICING WHEELED SPORTS having a pair of generally planar ramp members commonly joined at a hinged junction and pivotable relative to each other to form a peak or two-sided ramp. Each of the hinged ramp portions is supported by a collapsible support structure.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,310 issued to Farnen sets forth a MODULAR HALFPIPE SKATEBOARD RAMP AND METHOD OF CONSTRUCTING having a collapsible ramp structure supporting a curved ramp surface formed in a modular manner to facilitate assembly of more complex ramp combinations.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,599,235 issued to Lynberg sets forth a COLLAPSIBLE SKATE RAMP utilized in providing lift for in-line skater's, skateboarder's and cyclist's. The lateral sections of the ramp are attached in a manner which facilitates easy assembly of the ramp structure.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,749,615 issued to Itson sets forth a CYCLING AND SKATING RAMP TRAILER having a pair of trailers each supporting a collapsible ramp structure and each towable by a powered vehicle.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,232,423 issued to Hajduczek sets forth an EXERCISE APPARATUS having a concaved track forming a circular segment and having a predetermined radius. A platform is movable upon the track and is configured to allow the primary axis of a user's body standing upon the movable platform to remain in a generally upright position as the user slides back and forth upon the track.
In a second area of the prior art generally related to the collapsible aspect of the present invention, practitioner's in the art have provided a variety of toys configurable between a container package and a useful toy. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,927,397 issued to Wilson sets forth a KNOCK DOWN ANIMAL TOY having a generally cylindrical housing and a pair of circular end caps fittable thereon. A plurality of animal appendages and body components such as head, legs and a tail are alternately securable to the cylindrical body to form a toy animal or stored within the cylindrical body.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,018,583 issued to Novoteny sets forth a TOY used in combination with a conventional beverage can. A beverage can defining a generally cylindrical shape is used to support a pair of circular end caps on each end thereof. The end caps define various apertures to which a plurality of body components and appendages such as the head, legs and tail of a horse may be secured to form a figure.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,144,751 issued to Brown sets forth a FIGURE TOY CONTAINER having a generally cylindrical body supported by a plurality of removably attached appendages. In one configuration the appendages are secured to the cylindrical body to provide a fanciful human-like figure while in a storage configuration certain appendage elements are removed from attachment to the cylindrical body and stored therein. In an alternate embodiment, a similar figure forming a four-legged animal is shown.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,660,926 issued to Lerner et al and U.S. Pat. No. 3,195,265 issued to Marquez et al set forth examples of toys formed from cylindrical elements.
U.S. Pat. No. 318,025 issued to Pusey sets forth an ARTIFICIAL COASTING OR SLEDDING COARSE having a pair of support towers on each end of a curved ramp operable to allow user's to slide across the ramp from tower to tower.
While the foregoing described prior art devices have to some extent improved the art and in some instances enjoyed commercial success, there remains nonetheless a continuing need in the art for ever more improved interesting and amusing toy apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved toy apparatus. It is more particular object of the present invention to provide an improved toy apparatus suitable for use in combination with a fingerboard or other similar apparatus such as a skating doll or the like to perform various simulated stunts and play activities.
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a roll-up halfpipe for miniature toy skateboard, the halfpipe comprising; a pair of sideframes each alternatively configurable in an open configuration and a collapsed configuration; a pair of platforms each having opposed ends and each being attachable to the side frames in the open configuration to support the side frames in a generally parallel relationship; a planar sheet having opposed end edges and side edges, the planar sheet being formed of a resilient material and constructed to be alternatively rolled into a generally cylindrical closed configuration and an open configuration defining an upwardly open cylindrical ramp; and a pair of endcaps receivable upon the planar sheet in the generally cylindrical closed configuration, the pair of sideframes, when in the open configuration, being constructed to cooperate with the pair of platforms to support the planar sheet in the cylindrical ramp configuration and the pair of platforms and the pair of sideframes, when in the collapsed configuration, being enclosed within the planar sheet in the closed configuration and the endcaps.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements and in which:
FIG. 1
sets forth a perspective view of a roll-up halfpipe for miniature toy skateboard constructed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2
sets forth a perspective assembly of the roll-up halfpipe of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 3
sets forth a partial assembly view of the present invention roll-up halfpipe in its carrying or storage configuration;
FIG. 4
sets forth a side elevation view of a collapsible lateral support member utilized in the present invention roll-up halfpipe in its folded position having its extended position shown in dashed-line;
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIG. 1
sets forth a perspective view of a miniature halfpipe constructed in accordance with the present invention and generally referenced by numeral
10
. Halfpipe
10
is fabricated of an appropriate miniature size to accommodate a fingerboard
60
constructed to replicate a conventional skateboard. Halfpipe
10
includes a pair of sideframes
11
and
12
positioned in a generally parallel arrangement. Sideframes
11
and
12
are substantially identical in fabrication and in accordance with the present invention are capable of being collapsed or folded to facilitate the compact storage configuration set forth below in FIG.
3
.
More specifically, sideframe
11
includes a pair of siderails
20
and
23
pivotally joined at a hinge
22
. Sideframe
11
further includes a pair of vertically extending endstands
30
and
31
each having upper ends
32
and
33
respectively. Endstand
30
is pivotally secured to the outer end of siderail
20
by a hinge
21
and is pivotable in the directions indicated by arrows
26
. Similarly, endstand
31
is pivotally secured to the outer end of siderail
23
by a hinge
24
and is pivotable in the directions indicated by arrows
25
.
As is better seen in
FIG. 2
, sideframe
12
which is substantially identical to sideframe
11
includes a pair of siderails
45
and
46
joined at a hinge
47
. By way of further correspondence, sideframe
12
includes a pair of endstands
40
and
42
pivotally secured to siderails
45
and
46
respectively by hinges
49
and
48
. Endstands
40
and
42
defines respective upper ends
41
and
43
(better seen in FIG.
2
).
Halfpipe
10
further includes a pair of generally planar platforms
50
and
52
defining respective grooves
51
and
53
. By conventional attachment means (seen in
FIG. 2
) platform
50
is secured to ends
32
and
43
of endstands
30
and
42
while platform
52
is secured to ends
33
and
41
of endstand
31
and
40
.
Halfpipe
10
further includes a flexible sheet
35
preferably formed of a slightly flexible resilient material such as thin plastic or the like. The essential characteristic of sheet
35
is the possession of sufficient strength and resilience to maintain a suitable ramp surface upon halfpipe
10
while being nonetheless sufficiently flexible to be curled or rolled into the closed configuration shown in FIG.
3
. Sheet
35
defines a pair of edges
36
and
39
at opposite ends thereof and a pair of side edges
37
and
38
. Edges
36
and
39
are received within grooves
51
and
53
of platforms
50
and
52
respectively.
Thus, in the assembled configuration shown in
FIG. 1
, halfpipe
10
forms a stand alone generally rigid structure upon which the user is able to roll fingerboard
60
back and forth in the directions indicated by arrows
16
and
17
as the user places a finger
15
upon the upper surface of the fingerboard. The user then manipulates fingerboard
16
in accordance with typical skateboard maneuvers and stunts.
FIG. 2
sets forth a perspective assembly view of halfpipe
10
together with endcaps
61
and
62
. As described above, halfpipe
10
includes a pair of substantially identical sideframes
11
and
12
joined by a pair of platforms
50
and
52
in a snap-fit attachment. Sideframe
11
includes a pair of siderails
20
and
23
joined by a hinge
22
together with a pair of endstands
30
and
31
joined to siderails
20
and
23
by hinges
21
and
24
respectively. Endstands
30
and
31
defines respective upper ends
32
and
33
. Ends
32
and
33
are configured to snap-fit into sockets formed in platforms
50
and
52
.
Similarly, sideframe
12
includes a pair of siderails
45
and
46
joined by a hinge
47
together with a pair of endstands
40
and
42
pivotally secured to siderails
45
and
46
by hinges
49
and
48
. Endstands
40
and
42
define upper ends
41
and
43
configured to snap-fit attach to platforms
52
and
50
respectively. Thus, the combination of sideframes
11
and
12
together with platforms
50
and
52
provides the supporting strength for halfpipe
10
in the open or extended configurations thereof shown in FIG.
2
.
Halfpipe
10
further includes a resilient flexible sheet
35
preferably formed of a somewhat rigid material such as thin plastic or the like. Sheet
35
defines edges
36
and
39
at each end thereof together with side edges
37
and
38
. The material thickness selected for sheet
35
is chosen to provide sufficient rigidity to span the space between sideframes
11
and
12
to facilitate the above described fingerboard play while concurrently being sufficiently flexible to be rolled into the closed configuration shown in FIG.
3
. Endcaps
61
and
62
are utilized in combination with sheet
35
in its rolled configuration shown in
FIG. 3
to provide closure of the rolled sheet structure. Sheet
35
is secured at edges
36
and
39
by grooves
51
and
53
formed in platforms
50
and
52
. With edges
36
and
39
secured to platforms
50
and
52
, the resilience and strength of sheet
35
causes sheet
35
to be pressed against the upper edges of side frames
11
and
12
which support edges
37
and
38
respectively of sheet
35
.
In accordance with an important aspect of the present invention, halfpipe
10
may be disassembled and conveniently packed and carried in the manner shown in FIG.
3
. The disassembly of halfpipe
10
is carried forward by removing the snap-fit attachments of platforms
50
and
52
upon sideframes
11
and
12
. This releases sheet
35
and sideframes
11
and
12
. Thereafter, sideframe
11
is collapsed by pivoting siderail
23
about hinge
22
to bring siderails
20
and
23
into a parallel side-by-side arrangement such as that shown in
FIG. 4
in solid-line representation. Thereafter, endstands
30
and
31
are pivoted about hinges
21
and
24
respectively in the directions indicated by arrows
26
and
25
to configure sideframe
11
in its fully collapsed position as shown in
FIG. 4
in solid-line representation. Sideframe
12
is similarly collapsed by pivoting siderails
45
and
46
about hinge
47
and pivoting endstands
40
and
42
about hinges
49
and
48
.
At this point, the user simply rolls sheet
35
in the manner shown in
FIG. 3
to form a cylindrical body and places one end thereof into either of endcaps
61
and
62
. Sideframes
11
and
12
in their collapsed position together with platforms
50
and
52
may then be placed within the interior defines by sheet
35
in its rolled configuration (seen in FIG.
3
). The final closure is accomplished by simply utilizing the remaining one of endcaps
61
or
62
to captivate the open end of rolled sheet
35
as is also better seen in FIG.
3
.
FIG. 3
sets forth a perspective assembly view of halfpipe
10
in its closed configuration. As can be seen, sheet
35
having edges
36
and
39
as well as side edges
37
and
38
has been rolled into a generally cylindrical configuration after which endcap
61
is secured upon edge
38
. In its rolled configuration, sheet
35
defines an interior cavity
55
within which the structural elements of halfpipe
10
such as sideframes
11
and
12
together with platforms
50
and
52
may be received. As a final step, endcap
62
is secured upon edge
37
and the end portion of rolled sheet
35
to complete closure of halfpipe
10
. The resilience of sheet
35
produces a sufficient spring force urging sheet
35
against its rolled configuration to maintain a secure attachment of endcaps
61
and
62
. In this manner, the present invention halfpipe may be conveniently carried or stored.
The assembly of halfpipe
10
into the open or operative configuration shown in
FIG. 1
is carried forward in a generally reverse process to that described above. Thus, endcaps
61
and
62
are removed from sheet
35
and the structural components of halfpipe
10
such as sideframes
11
and
12
and platforms
50
and
52
are retrieved from the interior of sheet
35
and opened to their extended configurations shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
. Thereafter, sheet
35
is positioned upon sideframes
11
and
12
and platforms
50
and
52
are snap-fitted to captivate sheet
35
in the manner shown in FIG.
1
.
FIG. 4
sets forth a side elevation view of sideframe
11
illustrating its collapsed configuration in solid-line representation. Sideframe
11
is also shown in dashed-line configuration in its extended configuration. In the collapsed configuration shown in
FIG. 4
, sideframe
11
includes siderails
20
and
23
pivoted together at hinge
22
in the directions indicated by arrows
27
. Further, endstands
30
and
31
having ends
32
and
33
are shown pivoted to their collapsed position.
Sideframe
11
is returned to its extended configuration by pivoting siderails
20
and
23
about hinge
22
to move siderail
23
to the dashed-line position shown. Sideframe
11
is fully extended by pivoting endstands
30
and
31
about hinges
21
and
24
in the directions indicated by arrows
28
and
29
to the fully extended positions shown in dashed-line representation.
It will be understood that the structure of sideframes
11
and
12
are substantially identical and thus the descriptions and figures set forth herein will be understood to apply equally well and be equally descriptive of the structure of sideframe
12
. Thus, sideframes
11
and
12
are capable of configuration in a collapsed position suitable for insertion into sheet
35
in the manner shown in
FIG. 3
or to an extended configuration suitable for use as supporting structure for sheet
35
in the manner shown in FIG.
1
.
What has been shown is a novel roll-up halfpipe for use in combination with miniature toy skateboards or “fingerboards” which is collapsible to provide convenient storage and carrying in an extremely compact and interesting configuration. The apparatus is suitable for fabrication using conventional molded plastic elements and is relatively simple to assemble and disassemble by younger children.
While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
- 1. A roll-up halfpipe for miniature toy skateboard, said halfpipe comprising:a pair of sideframes each alternatively configurable in an open configuration and a collapsed configuration; a pair of platforms each having opposed ends and each being attachable to said side frames in said open configuration to support said side frames in a generally parallel relationship; a planar sheet having opposed end edges and side edges, said planar sheet being formed of a resilient material and constructed to be alternatively rolled into a generally cylindrical closed configuration and an open configuration defining an upwardly open cylindrical ramp; and a pair of endcaps receivable upon said planar sheet in said generally cylindrical closed configuration, said pair of sideframes, when in said open configuration, being constructed to cooperate with said pair of platforms to support said planar sheet in said cylindrical ramp configuration and said pair of platforms and said pair of sideframes, when in said collapsed configuration, being enclosed within said planar sheet in said closed configuration and said endcaps.
- 2. The halfpipe set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said sideframes include:a pair of siderails each having a curved upper edge; and a center hinge pivotably joining said siderails, whereby said pair of siderails are pivotable between a side-by-side collapsed configuration and an in-line open configuration.
- 3. The halfpipe set forth in claim 2 wherein each of said sideframes include:a pair of endstrands positioned opposite said center hinge; and a pair of hinges pivotably joining said endstrands to said siderails, said pair of enstrands being pivotable between an open configuration in which said endstrands rise vertically and closed configuration in which said endstrands are configured along side of said siderails.
- 4. The halfpipe set forth in claim 3 wherein each of said endstrands defines an upper end constructed to support one of said opposed ends of said platforms.
- 5. The halfpipe set forth in claim 4 wherein each of said platforms defines a groove for receiving one of said opposed edges of said planar sheet.
- 6. A roll-up halfpipe for use in combination with a fingerboard, said roll-up halfpipe comprising:a frame formed of collapsible sideframes and transverse platforms joining said sideframes to form a ramp support; a resilient planar sheet supported upon said frame to form a fingerboard ramp; and a pair of endcaps; said collapsible sideframes being collapsible to a closed configuration and said planar sheet being constructed to be rollable into a hollow cylinder for receiving said platforms and said sideframes in said closed configuration and said endcaps being constructed to close said hollow cylinder to captivate said sideframes and said platforms.
US Referenced Citations (23)