Abstract:
A stackable ride-on toy includes a generally hollow body featuring a saddle, a handle and a primarily open bottom. A number of casters are mounted to the body by shrouds positioned adjacent to the primarily open bottom. The saddle includes a saddle valley and saddle peak that are ergonomically sized and shaped. The saddle also serves as a stacking surface adapted to stack the ride-on toy with similar ride-on toys in a nested configuration.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This application claims priority to provisional patent application No. 61/460,371, filed Dec. 30, 2010. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to ride-on toys and, more particularly, to a stackable ride-on toy having an ergonomic saddle. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Ride-on toys are popular indoor and outdoor toys for young children. They typically feature a body that is supported by three or more wheels. The body also typically has a saddle or seat portion and a handle, hand grips, handlebars, steering wheel or the like which the child grips while sitting in or on the toy. A child sitting on the toy propels the toy by pushing off the ground with his or her feet. As a result, such toys are also known as “Foot-to-Floor” toys. 
     Due to the size of their bodies, ride-on toys typically take up a significant amount of space when they are displayed, stored in inventory or shipped. As a result, retailers may keep only a very limited number of such products in stock, necessitating frequent reorders. Furthermore, the retailers may only keep one or two toys on display so that the shelves have to be restocked every time a ride-on toy is sold. In addition, the space involved increases shipping and inventory costs. A user of a large number of such toys, such as a daycare or educational facility, also faces space limitations with regard to the number of ride-on toys that they may have available to children. A stackable ride-on toy would address many of these issues. A need therefore exists for ride-on, toys that are stackable. 
     A ride-on toy having a saddle or seat portion that is ergonomically designed for a wide range of riders would find broader appeal with children. This would make the toy more practical for purchase by parents as their child may use the toy over a longer age range and thus would not “outgrow” it so quickly. In addition, the ergonomic design of the saddle or seat portion would provide the child rider with more comfort and increase his or her interest and desire in riding the toy. A need therefore also exists for a ride-on toy having an ergonomic seat or saddle portion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the ride-on toy of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the ride-on toy of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the saddle valley of the ride-on toy of  FIG. 2  taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of the saddle peak of the ride-on toy of  FIG. 2  taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of the handle and corresponding body portion of the ride-on toy of  FIG. 2  taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of the ride-on toy of  FIGS. 1-5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a front elevational view of the ride-on toy of  FIGS. 1-6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged front top perspective view of the snap-in gripping portion of the handle of the ride-on toy of  FIGS. 1-7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a front top perspective view of the snap-in gripping portion of  FIG. 8  being installed on the ride-on toy of  FIGS. 1-8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a number of the ride-on toys of  FIGS. 1-7  in a stacked configuration for retail display and storage; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a caster stopper for use on the ride-on toys of  FIGS. 1-7  and  10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the caster stopper of  FIG. 11  in the process of being installed on a caster of the ride-on toy of  FIGS. 1-7  and  10 ; and 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the caster stopper of  FIGS. 11 and 12  installed on the ride-on toy of  FIGS. 1-7 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     An embodiment of the ride-on toy of the present invention is indicated in general at  20  in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . While the ride-on toy is shown as featuring four wheels, it could alternatively feature three wheels or more than four wheels. The ride-on toy features a body, indicated in general at  22  in  FIG. 1 , that is preferably hollow and molded from plastic. Other materials known in the art may alternatively be used. As explained in greater detail below, the bottom of the body is primarily open to permit stacking of multiple units of the toy. 
     The body includes caster shrouds  24   a - 24   d  (see  FIG. 4  for shroud  24   d ) extending from and positioned near each corner of the body. The shrouds may be integrally molded with the body, or may be constructed separately and attached to the body using fasteners, adhesive or other arrangements or methods known in the art. As will be explained in greater detail below, casters  26   a - 26   d  (see  FIG. 5  for caster  26   d ) are mounted to the underside of the shrouds  24   a - 24   d  so as to each swivel or pivot 360°. The casters may optionally be restricted so as to swivel through a smaller angle. While casters are illustrated in the figures and described below, it is to be understood that alternative types of wheels could be substituted for the casters, including, but not limited to conventional wheel and axle arrangements. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , the body also includes a handle, indicated in general at  32 , that includes a bridge portion  34 , an opening  36  and a gripping portion  38 . Bridge portion  34  is preferably integrally molded with the body  22 , but may also be formed separately and attached. 
     Body  22  also includes a seat or saddle, indicated in general at  42 , having a saddle valley  43  and a saddle peak  45 . The child sits on the saddle, grips handle  32  with his or her hands, and pushes on the surface upon which casters are positioned with his or her feet to propel the ride-on toy. Casters  26   a - 26   d  allow the child to steer the toy by pushing towards a desired direction with his or her feet. In addition, by providing casters on both the front and rear of the toy, the rider can create a wide range of motions such as spinning, moving sideways, etc. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the cross section of the saddle valley  43  of the ride-on toy  20  features a generally inverted-U shape, due in part to the open bottom  44  of the body  22 . In accordance with the present invention, it has been found that a saddle having a saddle valley  43  with the curves and dimensions listed in Table 1, with reference to  FIG. 3 , are optimal for providing an ergonomic saddle for child riders ages approximately 1.5 to 3 years. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Saddle Valley Cross Section Curves and Dimensions 
               
             
          
           
               
                 FIG. 3 Ref. No. 
                 Range (Inches) 
                 Preferred (Inches) 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 50 
                 8.0-8.5 
                 8.253 
               
               
                 52 
                 Radius 4.0-4.5 
                 Radius 4.29 
               
               
                 54 
                 Radius 3.0-4.0 
                 Radius 3.53 
               
               
                 56 
                 Radius 4.0-4.5 
                 Radius 4.19 
               
               
                 58 
                 Radius 61.5-62.5 
                 Radius 62.06 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     In Table 1 and  FIG. 3 , reference nos.  52 ,  54 ,  56  and  58  each indicate a curvature defined by a radius having one end as a pivot point and the other end traversing the curve or arc portion illustrated in  FIG. 3 . All dimensions provided in tables below that indicate “Radius” are for curves and follow this measurement convention. 
     The saddle peak of the ride-on toy is indicated at  45  in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is a gradual transition between the saddle valley  43  and the saddle peak  45 . A cross section of the saddle peak  45  is shown in.  FIG. 4  and preferably features the dimensions listed in Table 2. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Saddle Peak Cross Section Curves and Dimensions 
               
             
          
           
               
                 FIG. 4 Ref. No. 
                 Range (Inches) 
                 Preferred (Inches) 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 64 
                 8.0-8.5 
                 8.014 
               
               
                 66 
                 Radius 4.0-4.5 
                 Radius 4.36 
               
               
                 68 
                 Radius 3.0-4.0 
                 Radius 3.47 
               
               
                 70 
                 Radius 3.0-4.0 
                 Radius 3.43 
               
               
                 72 
                 Radius 4.5-5.5 
                 Radius 5.11 
               
               
                 74 
                 Radius 86.5-87.5 
                 Radius 87.15 
               
               
                 76 
                 Radius 68-69 
                 Radius 68.57 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The saddle  42  tends to fit a younger child best at saddle valley  43 . The saddle valley and saddle peak curves and dimensions provided in Tables 1 and 2 provides multiple ergonomic seating positions for the rider as he or she grows older. 
     The preferred dimensions and curves of the bridge  34  of handle  32 , and the corresponding portion of the ride-on toy body  22 , are listed in Table 3, with reference to  FIG. 5 . 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Handle Cross Section Curves and Dimensions 
               
             
          
           
               
                 FIG. 5 Ref. No. 
                 Range (Inches) 
                 Preferred (Inches) 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 80 
                 7.0-8.5 
                 7.791 
               
               
                 82 
                 Radius 5.5-6.5 
                 Radius 5.92 
               
               
                 84 
                 Radius 1.5-2.5 
                 Radius 2.01 
               
               
                 86 
                 Radius 275-280 
                 Radius 276.68 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     With reference to  FIG. 6 , additional preferred dimensions with regard to the length, height, curves and other dimensions of the ride-on toy  20  are illustrated. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 4 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Ride-on Toy Side Elevational View Curves and Dimensions 
               
             
          
           
               
                 FIG. 6 Ref. No. 
                 Range (Inches) 
                 Preferred (Inches) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 90 
                 Radius 0.30-0.50 
                 Radius 0.40 
               
               
                 92 
                 Radius 5.0-5.5 
                 Radius 5.34 
               
               
                 94 
                 Radius 5.0-5.5 
                 Radius 5.20 
               
               
                 96 
                 Radius 7.0-8.0 
                 Radius 7.42 
               
               
                 98 
                 14.5-15.5 
                 15.116 
               
               
                 100 
                 20.5-21.5 
                 21.181 
               
               
                 102 
                  9.0-10.0 
                 9.603 
               
               
                 103 
                  5.0-6.0 
                 5.47 
               
               
                 104 
                 0.40-0.60 
                 0.524 
               
               
                 106 
                  4.0-5.0 
                 4.47 
               
               
                 108 
                  8.0-10.0 
                 9.048 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The curves and dimensions of Tables 1-4 above provide the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-7  with an ergonomic saddle and handle position that enables the ride-on toy to provide a comfortable riding experience for most children ages 1.5 to 3 years. 
     Preferred dimensions for the opening  36  of the handle  32  are illustrated in  FIG. 7 , with the opening width, indicated by reference no.  110 , being in the range of 4.5 to 5.5 inches, and optimally 4.910 inches. The height of the opening  36  of the handle  32 , indicated by reference no.  112 , is preferably in the range of 2.0 to 3.0 inches, and optimally 2.279 inches. 
     The preferred wheelbase of the toy, with the dimensions provided above and as indicated at  116  in  FIG. 6 , is between 15.5 and 16.5 inches, and optimally 16.25 inches. The preferred track between casters, indicated at  114  in  FIG. 7 , is between 8.0 and 10.0 inches, and optimally 8.9 inches. 
     The embodiment of the ride-on toy described above preferably includes a handle  32  having a snap-in gripping portion  38 , illustrated in  FIGS. 7-9 . As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the gripping portion, indicated in general at  38 , preferably features three knobs  122   a ,  122   b  and  122   c , positioned on the top surface of arcuate member  124 . The knobs preferably include protrusions  126   a ,  126   b  and  126   c . The gripping portion  38  is preferably constructed of plastic with the knobs  122   a - 122   c , including protrusions  126   a - 126   c , and arcuate member  124  molded as an integral piece. As illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 9 , the underside of the handle bridge  34  preferably features bosses,  128   a ,  128   b  and  128   c  having downwardly facing sockets  132   a ,  132   b  and  132   c , respectively. The open bottoms of the sockets, and the sockets themselves, are sized to receive knobs  122   a ,  122   b  and  122   c  of the gripping portion  38  in an interference fit fashion. As a result, the gripping portion  38  is installed within the handle  32  of the ride-on toy body  22  in a press fit fashion so that no additional screws or fasteners are required.  FIG. 9  shows the gripping portion  38  just prior to installation, while  FIG. 7  shows the gripping portion  38  after installation. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the ride-on toy of  FIGS. 1-7  may be stacked for ease of shipping, display and storage. With reference to the top-most toy of  FIG. 10 , this is due to the primarily open bottom and hollow construction of the toy body  22  and the outwardly extending shrouds  24   a - 24   d . Preferably, the hollow bodies, including the handles, of the toys nest so that the bottom surface of the saddle valley and peak of each toy rests on the top surface of the saddle valley and peak below it. As a result, the saddle of each ride-on toy serves as a stacking surface. 
     The bottom-most toy may be positioned within a base, indicated in general at  138 . The base  138 , which is preferably constructed from cardboard, preferably features a bottom  140  and side walls  142   a ,  142   b ,  142   c  and  142   d , which cooperate to define an open top  146 . As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , advertising may be printed on the exterior surfaces of the side walls of the base. 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , caster receptacles  150   a  and  150   b  are molded into body  20  under shrouds  24   a  and  24   b . Each caster receptacle has a downward facing bore that receives caster mounts  152   a  and  152   b  so that the casters  26   a  and  26   b  may pivot 360° within respect to the toy body. Similar caster receptacles are provided under shrouds  24   c  and  24   d  ( FIG. 4 ) and receive the caster mounts for casters  26   c  and  26   d  so that they also may rotate or pivot 360° with respect to the toy body. 
     A caster stopper, indicated in general at  160  in  FIG. 11 , includes a pair of support portions  162   a  and  162   b , an insert portion  164  and a pair of wing portions  166   a  and  166   b . As illustrated in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the insert portion  164  of the caster stopper is inserted between the first and second wheels  170   a  and  170   b  of caster  26   a  in an interference fit fashion. As a result, caster wheel  170   a  is cradled by support portion  162   a  ( FIG. 11 ) of the caster stopper while caster wheel  170   b  is cradled by support portion  162   b  of the caster stopper. Wing portions  166   a  and  166   b  and the rolling resistance provided by the support portions  162   a  and  162   b  of the caster stopper prevent caster wheels  170   a  and  170   b  from spinning during transport or when the toy is sitting on a shelf, whether with or without base  138  of  FIG. 10  present. In addition, the caster stopper protects the top sides of the shrouds of a toy positioned below when in the stacked configuration illustrated in  FIG. 10 . While the caster stopper is preferably cut from a sheet of cardboard, other materials may be used. 
     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 therein Without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims.