Electric ride-on vehicle with safety control

An electric toy vehicle includes a vehicle body having a front compartment and a rear compartment. A set of surface engaging members is rotatably connected to the vehicle body. A motor is operatively connected to the surface engaging members. A moveable divider is positioned between the front compartment and the rear compartment. The divider is moveable between a first position and a second position. A switch includes a first state and a second state. When the divider is in the first position the switch is in the first state and when the divider is in the second position the switch is in the second state. When the switch is in the first state, the motor is prevented from operating the surface engaging members.

FIELD

Various exemplary embodiments are directed to powered ride-on vehicles designed as children's toys.

BACKGROUND

Ride-ons are a category of children's toys that typically include a battery-powered, wheeled vehicle. The vehicle can include realistic, kid-sized features that allow a child to sit in or on the vehicle and control its speed and direction. Although many are designed as cars, ride-ons have expanded to cover battery-operated trucks, motorcycles, off-road vehicles, and different animals. As the design and operation of ride-ons evolve and expand, so does the need to provide adequate safety features to protect children as they play.

SUMMARY

According to an exemplary embodiment, an electric toy vehicle includes a vehicle body having a front compartment and a rear compartment. A set of surface engaging members is rotatably connected to the vehicle body. A motor is operatively connected to the surface engaging members. A moveable divider is positioned between the front compartment and the rear compartment. The divider is moveable between a first position and a second position. A switch includes a first state and a second state. When the divider is in the first position the switch is in the first state, and when the divider is in the second position the switch is in the second state. When the switch is in the first state, the motor is prevented from operating the surface engaging members.

According to an exemplary embodiment, an electric toy vehicle includes a vehicle body having a front compartment and a rear compartment. A set of surface engaging members are rotatably connected to the vehicle body. A motor is operatively connected to the surface engaging members. A moveable divider is positioned between the front compartment and the rear compartment. The divider is moveable between a first position and a second position. A latch mechanism is positioned in the divider and configured to retain the divider in the first position or the second position.

According to an exemplary embodiment, an electric toy vehicle includes a vehicle body having a front compartment and a rear compartment. The front compartment includes a seating area and a vehicle control, and the rear compartment includes a kitchen area and a play space. A set of surface engaging members are rotatably connected to the vehicle body. A motor is operatively connected to the surface engaging members, and a battery supplies power to the motor. A moveable divider is positioned between the front compartment and the rear compartment, and the divider is moveable between a first position and a second position. A switch includes a first state and a second state. A controller is operatively connected to the switch, the battery, and the motor. When the divider is in the first position the switch is in the first state, and when the divider is in the second position the switch is in the second state. When the switch is in the first state the motor is prevented from operating the surface engaging members.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-3depict an exemplary embodiment of a ride-on toy vehicle10that is designed to resemble a food truck. The vehicle10includes a body12that is divided into a front section14and a rear section16. Surface engaging members18are connected to the body12to propel the vehicle10along a driving surface such as a floor or ground exterior. The surface engaging members18are depicted as a front set of wheels and a rear set of wheels, but other embodiments can include treads, tracks, or other moveable implements. Although the vehicle10is depicted as a food truck, various exemplary embodiments disclosed herein can be incorporated into different vehicle types.

The front section14includes a moveable hood20, a set of headlights22, and a front grill24. The sides of the front section14include openings26that allow access to a kid-sized seating area and a set of kid-sized vehicle controls. The seating area is shown as containing a bench seat28, but other or additional components can be used to support a child during operation of the vehicle. The vehicle controls include a steering wheel30and a pedal32. The seat28, steering wheel30, and pedal32can be sized and positioned for simultaneous use by a child, for example so that a child sitting on the seat28can reach both the steering wheel30and the pedal32. Other controls can be provided, such as a shift or transmission selector that allows a user to select between forward, reverse, or parked options for the vehicle10.

The rear section16includes an interior kitchen area34. The kitchen area34includes decorative or play kitchen components, such as side counters36, a sink38, stove40, and cabinets42. Positioned between the sides of the kitchen area34is a substantially open play space where children can stand to play at preparing and serving food. In the exemplary embodiment, the open play space of the kitchen area34is open to the driving surface, however, in other embodiments, a floor or other platform or support can be provided in the kitchen area34below the plane of a lowered divider54, as described hereafter.

The rear section16also includes a number of food truck related exterior features including a service window44and a kitchen window46. Moveable awnings48can retractably extend from the roof over the service and kitchen window44,46. A moveable counter50can retractably extend from the body12underneath the service window44. A moveable door52extends from the rear of the body12and provides access to a kitchen area34.

As best shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, a moveable divider54is positioned to separate the front section14and the rear section16on the interior of the vehicle10. The divider54is moveably positioned above a rear wall56. A compartment opening58extends between the front seating compartment and the rear kitchen compartment. The compartment opening58can be at least partially defined by side posts60. The divider54is moveable between a raised or first position, where it covers the compartment opening58, and a lowered or second position where it exposes the open play space of the kitchen area34and extends perpendicularly relative to the raised position across the kitchen area34and covers the open play space at a height above the driving surface or above any floor in the kitchen area. This lowered divider is positioned to preclude children from standing or playing in the kitchen area. In an exemplary embodiment the divider54is rotatably connected to the side posts60, although it can also be rotatably connected to the rear wall56, and the divider54's rotation axis extends across the width of the vehicle.

As best shown inFIG. 4, the divider includes a handle62and a pair of latch actuators64. The latch actuators64are connected to moveable arms66that extend through openings in the side of the divider54. The side posts60include a first set of slots68for receiving the arms66and the side counters36include a second set of slots70. Rotation of the latch actuators64moves the arms66from the extended position shown inFIG. 4to a retracted position inside the divider54. When in the extended position, the arms66can be received in the post slots68or the counter slots70to retain the divider54in a raised or lowered position. Other latch mechanisms can be used, including a latch mechanism that has a single actuator which is connected to both arms.

FIGS. 5 and 6show a switch72associated with the divider54. In an exemplary embodiment, the switch72is positioned on or in the rear wall56below the divider54. The switch72includes a moveable actuator74that cycles the switch72between an on position and an off position. The divider54includes a switch engaging portion76that selectively contacts the actuator74.

As shown inFIG. 5, when the divider54is in the raised position, the actuator74is disengaged from the switch engaging portion76so the switch72is in the off position. As the divider54is lowered, the switch engaging portion76contacts and moves the actuator74. As shown inFIG. 6, when the divider54is in the horizontal portion, the actuator74is pressed into the switch72by the divider54and the switch72is in the on position. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the actuator74and the switch engaging portion76of the divider54are curved which allows for rotational movement of the divider54and corresponding rotational movement of the actuator74. The engagement of the actuator74and divider54is beneath the axis of rotation of the divider54which allows the divider54to engage the switch72, while the switch72remains substantially hidden from view and inaccessible in the rear wall56.

The vehicle10will only move when the switch72is in the on position. Accordingly, the vehicle10is only capable of moving when the divider54is in the lowered position and is covering the open space of the kitchen area34. When the divider54is raised, the switch72is in the off position and the vehicle will not move. Requiring the divider54to be lowered prior to movement helps prevent the vehicle10from moving while children are present in the kitchen area34. To move the vehicle10, any children in the kitchen area34would need to leave the open space so that the divider54can be lowered. Accordingly, the vehicle10cannot be moved forward or in reverse while the divider54is raised, which could pose a danger to children at play in the open space of kitchen area34. Although the switch72is shown as an electro-mechanical switch72, the switch72may include any suitable number and type of structures or devices for detecting or otherwise determining whether or not the divider54is in the lowered position. Non-exclusive examples includes optical switches or sensors, mechanical switches or sensors, magnetic switches or sensors, or other suitable devices.

FIG. 7shows an exemplary control schematic100for preventing movement of the vehicle10when the divider54is in a raised position. The switch102is connected to a controller104which is also connected to one or more batteries106, a relay108, and the motor110. When the divider54is in the raised position, the switch102is in the off position or first state and the controller104will disengage the relay108. When the relay108is disengaged, the motor110will not receive power from the battery106, regardless of whether the pedal32or other input is activated by the user. When the divider54is in the lowered position and the switch102is on or second state, the controller104activates the relay108. With the relay108activated, power is capable of being sent to the motor110when the user chooses to activate the motor, and a user can operate the vehicle10as normal. As discussed above, the switch102can include any combination of mechanical, magnetic, optical, and electrical components.

Consequently, when vehicle is to be moved, the divider54must be in the lowered position so that the open space of the kitchen area34is covered by the divider and children cannot stand in the open area. When children choosed to stand in the open space of kitchen area34to play, the divider must be in the raised position, which prevents the vehicle from moving.

The foregoing detailed description of the certain exemplary embodiments has been provided for the purpose of explaining the general principles and practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. This description is not necessarily intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the exemplary embodiments disclosed. Any of the embodiments and/or elements disclosed herein may be combined with one another to form various additional embodiments not specifically disclosed. Accordingly, additional embodiments are possible and are intended to be encompassed within this specification and the scope of the appended claims. The specification describes specific examples to accomplish a more general goal that may be accomplished in another way.

As used in this application, the terms “front,” “rear,” “upper,” “lower,” “upwardly,” “downwardly,” and other orientational descriptors are intended to facilitate the description of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the structure of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure to any particular position or orientation. Terms of degree, such as “substantially” or “approximately” are understood by those of ordinary skill to refer to reasonable ranges outside of the given value, for example, general tolerances associated with manufacturing, assembly, and use of the described embodiments.