Abstract:
A ride-on activity device is disclosed, wherein the device includes a seat, a base and a connector for movably connecting the seat relative to the base. The connection between the seat and the base allows multiple degrees of freedom such that the seat is capable of bouncing and rotating relative to the base. The connection between the seat and the connector includes a rotation safety mechanism that allows rotation at the connection when the seat is occupied by a user and prevents rotation at the connection when the seat is unoccupied. Furthermore, the connector includes a resilient member that allows the seat to bounce vertically relative to the base.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a ride-on toy stylized as a friendly character. Such toys are also often styled in a saddle-type configuration including a saddle-type seat. The toy is typically connected to the supporting surface by a connector. The connector can include a motorized member that moves the seat automatically or a biasing member that manually reacts to the movement of the child. Whether the toy and connector are motorized or self-powered, children get excited about and spend endless hours enjoying such ride-on toys. Generally, the connector supports the seat, allowing the seat to move in various directions. Specifically, in addition to an up and down (vertical) riding (bouncing) motion, some connectors of ride-on toys enable rotation or spinning of the seat while the child is sitting on the seat. Although rotation of the seat is desirable after the child has been seated on the toy, the climbing onto or off of a rotating toy may be somewhat difficult. 
         [0002]    Parents generally encourage children to play independently as early as possible. For a small child, however, the rotation and bouncing of the seat on a conventional ride-on device can make an unsupervised mounting of such toys an unstable and even potentially dangerous undertaking. There is therefore a need to develop a ride-on toy which allows relative rotation between the seat and connector, but which prevents rotation of the seat when the child is mounting the toy and then again allows rotation of the seat after the child has safely mounted the toy. In this way, the child can safely mount the toy and then safely enjoy the freedom of seat rotation and bouncing. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Generally, the present specification discloses a children&#39;s ride-on activity toy device. The ride-on toy device includes a seat, a connector and a base. The seat is stylized as a friendly character and includes a saddle/seating area (e.g., a saddle formed on the character&#39;s back). The connector supports the seat above a base, the base contacting and stabilizing the device on a supporting surface in a manner that allows multiple degrees of freedom between the seat and the connector. 
         [0004]    Specifically, the present invention seat is stylized as an animal character (e.g., a horse, zebra, camel etc.). The back of the animal character may include a seating area stylized a saddle. A connector, in accordance with the present invention, may support the seat above a base (and thus also above the supporting surface) and may include a first connector portion and a second connector portion. The first connector portion being connected to the seat and the second connector portion being connected to the base. 
         [0005]    A connector in accordance with the present invention may be connected to the seat at a connection portion located on the bottom of the seat. The connector may be in the form of a compressible column and includes an upper column portion or first connector portion that moves telescopically relative to a lower column portion or second connector portion. The upper end of the first connector portion may be connected to the seat and the lower end of the second connector portion may be connected to the base. When a child sits on the seating area of the seat, the force of the child&#39;s weight is transmitted through the first connector portion to a biasing member to compress the biasing member and force the first connector portion toward the second connector portion, thus reducing the overall length of the connector. Furthermore, a child who sits on the seat with their legs touching the ground can adjust the force applied to the biasing member to initiate a bouncing (up and down in the vertical direction) movement with the seat. 
         [0006]    In order to provide a safe play experience, the present invention includes a safety mechanism that prevents the seat from rotating relative to the base when insufficient force is applied to the biasing member, but allows the seat portion to rotate relative to the base when sufficient compressive force (e.g, the weight of the child) is applied to the seat (and thus, the biasing member). The safety mechanism includes a first series of projections associated with the connector&#39;s first connector portion and a second series of projections that are associated with the connector&#39;s second connector portion. 
         [0007]    When insufficient compressive force is applied to the biasing member, the biasing member forces the first series of projections toward the second series of projections such that the first and second series of projections are in rotational alignment (i.e., they are interlocked). When the first and second series of projections are in rotational alignment, rotation of the seat, and thus, rotation of the first connector portion, causes the first series projections to engage with the second series of projections to prevent rotation of the seat about a vertical axis. However, when sufficient compressive force (e.g., weight of a child) is applied to the seat and thus to the biasing member, the first series of projections separates from the second series of projections (the first and second series of projections are moved out of rotational alignment). As a result, when a relative rotational force is applied between the seat and the base, the first series of projections rotates freely about a vertical axis relative the second series of projections. In other words, when the seat along with the first connector portion is sufficiently compressed relative the second connector portion, the seat is allowed to rotate freely about a vertical axis relative to the second connector portion and the base. 
         [0008]    In use, when a child attempts to mount the seat, because the seat is yet unloaded, the biasing member engages the safety mechanism to prevent the seat portion from rotating about a vertical axis relative to the base. However, when the child has mounted the seat, the weight of the child compresses the biasing member to disengage the safety mechanism allowing the seat portion to rotate about a vertical axis relative to the base (as well as bounce up and down on the vertical axis). 
         [0009]    Along with a seat, the ride-on toy of the present invention may also include a hand grip for stability. A hand grip also helps to allow a child to transfer motion energy to this self-energized toy. In addition, the ride-on toy of the present invention may include an electronic entertainment device with sensors that are added to detect operation (motion energy) of the ride-on toy and trigger sensory stimulating output (e.g., lights, sounds etc.) to increase the entertainment experience of the child. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a perspective view of the ride-on activity device in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1B  illustrates a perspective view of the ride-on activity device of the  FIG. 1A  showing how an electronic entertainment device interconnects with the ride-on activity device. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1C  illustrates an electronic schematic of the electronic entertainment device of  FIG. 1B . 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates a child (in phantom lines) seated on the ride-on activity device of  FIG. 1A  with their feet on the base and clutching the handle members of the electronic entertainment device. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded view of the ride-on activity device of the  FIG. 1A  showing the seat, the connector, and the base. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  illustrates an enlarged perspective view of a connector in accordance with the present invention showing the first (upper) connector portion assembled onto the second (lower) connector portion. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  illustrates an enlarged perspective view of the unloaded connector of  FIG. 4  (with the cover member of the first connector portion removed to expose the internal workings of the connector). 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  illustrates an enlarged perspective view of the connector of  FIG. 5  with the biasing member and the first connector portion in the loaded position. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  illustrates a close-up side view of the connector of  FIG. 5  with the side walls of the cover member and flange of the first connector portion removed to expose the connector&#39;s rotational safety feature. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  illustrates a close-up perspective view of the loaded connector of  FIG. 6  with the side walls of the cover member and flange of the first connector portion removed to expose the connector&#39;s rotational safety feature. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  illustrates a child sitting on a ride-on device in accordance with the present invention moving the device in directions indicated by the directional arrows. 
       
    
    
       [0021]    Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elements throughout this disclosure. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    In accordance with the present invention, a ride-on activity device  100  is disclosed.  FIG. 1A  illustrates a perspective view of the ride-on activity device  100  in accordance with the present invention. The device  100  includes a base  120  for stabilizing the ride-on activity toy on a supporting surface (floor)  101 , a seat  102  on which a child sits and a connector  110  for connecting and movably supporting the seat above the supporting surface  101 . A child sitting on the seating area  105  of the seat  102  with their feet on the base  120  can bounce up and down (along a vertical axis) relative to supporting surface  101  and spin (about the vertical axis) relative to supporting surface  101 . 
         [0023]    The seat  102  is stylized as a friendly character or other attractive object. Specifically, as illustrated, the toy  100  can be stylized as animal and the seating area  105  can be stylized as a saddle. The base  120  serves as a stabilizer for the device  100  on the supporting surface  101 . Thus, the base  120  functions to prevent the device  100  from tipping over. The base  120  also serves as a foot rest for a child using the device  100 . The base  120  could be eliminated if the connector  100  is otherwise secured to the supporting surface  101 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 1B  illustrates a perspective view of the ride-on activity device  100  of the  FIG. 1A  showing how an electronic entertainment device  130  interconnects with the ride-on activity device  100 . The electronic entertainment device  130  connects to the head portion of the animal character and includes a handle portion  132 ,  134  and an electronics unit  131 . The handle portion includes two handle members  132 ,  134  that connect to the head of the animal character. The handle members  132 ,  134  provide handles with which a child can stabilize themselves while the child is bouncing and spinning on the seating area  105 . In mounting the electronic entertainment member  130  to the device  100 , each handle member  132 ,  134  includes an end connector  140 A,  140 B which are respectively received in openings  145 A and  145 B ( 145 B not visible in  FIG. 1B ) in the head of the animal character. A further support connection is made between the electronic entertainment device  130  and the device  100  as the post  150  of the electronic entertainment device  130  is received in the receptacle  155  in the head of the animal character. The handle members  132 ,  134  also support the electronics unit  131  therebetween. 
         [0025]      FIG. 1C  illustrates an electronic schematic of the electronics unit  131  of the electronic entertainment device  130  of  FIG. 1B . The general operation of the electronics unit  131  is managed by a microprocessor/controller  175  powered when ON/OFF switch  165  is turned to the ON position. The electronics unit  131  further includes a conventional motion switch  170  for triggering sensory output (e.g., sounds, lights, vibration etc.). Other types of switches may be employed that receive external input (e.g., sound, motion, pressed button etc.) signals from the inputs and transmit those signals to the controller  175  for processing. Upon receipt of activation signals from the various inputs, the controller  175  then triggers a number of colorful LEDs  160  and a speaker  180  to generate sensory output (including music and/or sound effects). 
         [0026]    Furthermore, the electronic entertainment device  130  includes attractive entertainment characters that are mechanically connected to the electronic electronics unit  131  by resilient members  137 A,  137 B (e.g., springs etc.). In addition, the electronics unit  131  includes a mechanical roller  139  containing a switch for triggering electronic sensory stimulation (e.g., sounds and lights) to encourage a child to spin the roller  139 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  illustrates a child  200  (in phantom lines) seated on the ride-on activity device  100  of  FIG. 1A  with their feet on the base  120  and clutching the handle members  132 ,  134  of the electronic entertainment device  130 . In this position, the child  200  can bend their knees to bounce up and down (along a vertical axis) on the device  100 . The connector  110  enables the seat  102  to bounce relative to the base  120  as further described below. 
         [0028]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded view of the ride-on activity device  100  of  FIG. 1A  showing the seat  102 , the connector  110 , and the base  120 . Specifically,  FIG. 3  shows how the connector  110  is positioned between the base  120  and the seat  102 . A portion of the connector  110  fits into an opening  305  in the base  120  and is secured to the base  120 . The pivotal connection between the connector  110  and the seat  102  will be described below. 
         [0029]      FIG. 4  illustrates an enlarged perspective view of a connector  110  in accordance with the present invention showing the first (upper) connector portion (generally designated as  420 ) assembled onto the second (lower) connector portion (generally designated as  430 ). First connector portion  420  is separable into a cover member  420 A and a lower ring  420 B. Cover member  420 A and lower ring  420 B are connectable by snapping cover member  420 A onto lower ring  420 B. Cover member  420 A includes projection  420 H, disposed on guide member  420 C. Lower ring  420 B includes a catch member  420 G having an opening for receiving projection  420 H when catch member  420 G is slid onto projection  420 H. Lower ring  420 B also includes a receiver  420 D that is engaged by guide member  420 C to ensure alignment between catch member  420 G and projection  420 H. Also, as the cover member  420 A is snapped onto lower ring  420 B, flange  4201  receives the lower edge (not shown) of the cover member  420 A. Furthermore,  FIG. 4  shows reinforcement ribs  420 N and a bias guide  440  extending from an opening in cover member  420 A and also shows securing members  420 E,  420 F for securing the first connector portion  420  to the underside of the seat  102 . 
         [0030]    As mentioned above, the connector  110  securely supports the seat  102  above the base  120  while allowing the seat  102  the freedom to bounce up and down (along a vertical axis) and to rotate relative to the base  120  (about a vertical axis). To this end, the first connector portion  420 , moves telescopically up and down relative to second connector portion  430 . In other words, as cover member  420 A is compressed downward relative to column post  430 B, cover member  420 A, guide ring  420 J, and the lower ring  420 B slide downward relative to column post  430 B. The relative telescopic movement between the first connector portion  420  and the second connector portion  430  is more clearly illustrated in the figures below. Furthermore, the rotational relationship between the first connector portion  420  and the second connector portion  430  will be discussed below in conjunction with the rotation safety feature of the device  100 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 5  illustrates an enlarged perspective view of the unloaded connector  110  of  FIG. 4  with the cover member  420 A of the first connector portion  420  removed to expose the internal workings of the connector  110 . The cover member  420 A is removed to reveal interior portions of the connector  110  including the biasing member  530  that provides the resilience for the vertical bouncing feature of the device  100 .  FIG. 5  also shows an upper stop  430 A of the column post  430 B that limits the relative compression between the first connector portion  420  and the second connector portion  430  by limiting the overall downward travel of the cover member  420 A. Biasing member opening  550  is disposed in the upper stop  430 A for receiving the biasing member  530 . The biasing member  530  rests on a biasing surface (not shown) that is fixed relative to the second connector portion  430 . When loaded, the biasing member  530  is compressed between the biasing surface (not shown) and the biasing guide  540 . In other words, when the cover member  420 A pushes the bias guide  540  downward, bias guide  540  in turn compresses the biasing member  530  against the biasing surface (not shown). When the compressive force is released, the biasing member  530  exerts a reactive force back against the cover member  420 A to urge the seat  102  back upward. Therefore, the up and down bouncing motion is accomplished by cyclically loading the biasing member  530  and releasing the load as the child bounces up and down on the seat  102 . 
         [0032]    As discussed above, in addition to the up and down bouncing motion, the connection between the connector  110  and the seat  102  allows the seat  102  to rotate about a vertical axis relative to the base  120 . However, this rotational connection mechanism of the present invention includes a safety feature that prevents rotation in certain situations when rotation might be inconvenient or unsafe for a child. More specifically, the connector  110  includes a safety mechanism that enables a child to mount and dismount the seat  102  without fear that the rotating seat  102  will cause a potential instability. 
         [0033]      FIG. 6  illustrates an enlarged perspective view of the loaded connector  110  of  FIG. 5  with the biasing member  530  and the first connector portion  420  in the loaded position. In  FIG. 6 , the bias guide  540  is shown in a lower, more compressed state, than that shown in  FIG. 5  to illustrate its configuration under compression by a force F (caused by a child sitting on the seat  102 ). Correspondingly, the lower ring  420 B is shown in a lowered compressed state relative to that shown in  FIG. 5 . In the compressed configuration of  FIG. 6 , the inner ring surface  420 K of the lower ring  420 B and the lower stop  430 D can be seen. When the lower ring  420 B is shown in the compressed configuration illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the ring projections  420 L disposed on the inner ring surface  420 K of the lower ring  420 B are visible and the stop projections  430 M disposed on underside surface the lower stop  430 D are also visible. 
         [0034]    The rotation safety feature of the device  100  in accordance with the present invention will now be discussed. In a non-compressed state (as illustrated in  FIG. 5 ), lower stop  430 D of the second connector portion  430  and ring surface  420 K of the first connector portion  420  remain close to each other such that stop projections  430 M engage with ring projections  420 L to prevent relative rotation between lower ring  420 B and lower stop  430 D. In other words, when an insufficient compressive force F (insufficient to compress the biasing member  530 ) is applied to the connector  110 , ring projections  420 L rotatably engage stop projections  430 M to prevent the first connector portion  420  from rotating relative to the second connector portion  430 . On the other hand, when the seat  102  is sufficiently loaded (sufficient to compress the biasing member  530 ), it in turn sufficiently loads the first connector portion  420  to cause clearance between ring projections  420 L and stop projections  430 M. Therefore, when sufficient compressive force is present such as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , lower ring  420 B, cover member  420 A, and thus the seat  102  is freely rotatable relative to second connector portion  430 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 7  illustrates an enlarged cut away view of the connector  110  in an unloaded state as also illustrated in  FIG. 5 . In the  FIG. 7  illustration, flange  4201  is partially removed to more clearly show ring projections  420 L and stop projections  430 M in a rotational alignment which prevents rotation of the first connector portion  420  relative to the second connector portion  430 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 8  illustrates an enlarged perspective view of the connector  110  of the invention in a compressed configuration (as also illustrated in  FIG. 6 ) that separates the ring projections  420 L and the stop projections  430 M out of rotational alignment with each other. Again, the separation of ring projections  420 L and stop projections  420 M enable relative rotation between first connector portion  420  and second connector portion  430 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 9  illustrates a ride-on activity device  100  of  FIG. 1A  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention showing arrows indicating the direction of a child bouncing and rotating on the device  100 . In use, a child  200  approaches the ride-on activity device  100  and attempts to mount the device  100 . During mounting, the child  200  benefits from being able to support himself/herself against the seat  102  that does not rotate when urged (e.g., when swinging a leg around the back of the seat  102 ). The device  100  allows the child  200  to mount the seat  102  with maximum support by preventing rotation during mounting. After, the child  200  has mounted the seat  102 , the weight of the child will load the bias member  530  and allow the child  200  to bounce up and down on the seat as indicated in  FIG. 9  by arrows  910 A,  910 B. In addition, the bias member  530  is chosen such that the weight of the child  200  sufficiently loads the seat  102  and thus the first connector portion  420  to force the connector  110  to the compressed configuration as discussed above (with respect to  FIGS. 6 and 8 ). In this compressed configuration, the safety rotation mechanism disengages (causing ring projections  420 L to be separated from stop projections  430 M) to allow the seat  102  to freely rotate as indicated in  FIG. 9  by arrow  920 . The child  200  will then be able to freely bounce and rotate. When the child  200  is ready to dismount, the child  200  rises from the seat  102  to unload the connector  110 . Unloading the device  100  causes the rotation safety mechanism to again engage (causing ring projections  420 L to be in contact with stop projections  430 M) to prevent rotation so that the child  200  can support themselves as they dismount safely. 
         [0038]    It will be appreciated that the embodiments described above and illustrated in drawings represent only a few of the many ways of implementing the present invention. For example, the relative movement between the seat  102  and the base  120  or supporting surface  101  is due to the connections between the seat  102  and connector&#39;s first connector portion  420 , between the connector&#39;s first connector portion  420  and the connector&#39;s second connector portion  430 , or the connector&#39;s second connector portion  430  and the base  120 . In other words, relative movement between the seat  102  and base  120  can be due to any of the foregoing connections. Specifically, the rotation between the seat  102  and the base  120  may be due to the connection between the second connector portion  430  and the base  120  rather than between the first connector portion  420  and the seat  102 . 
         [0039]    The connection between the seat  102  and the connector  110  can be located anywhere on the seat  102 , but is shown on the bottom of the seat  102  in the drawings. The connection between the first connector portion  420  and the second connector portion  430  can be of any type, but is shown as a telescopic connection in the drawings. The connection between the second connector portion  430  and the base  120  can be any type of connection and can be similar to the connection between the first connector portion  420  and the seat  102 . 
         [0040]    The connection between the seat  102  and first connector portion  420  may be in an upper portion of the seat  102  when the connector  110  is an overhead support (not shown in the drawings). Alternatively, the connection between the seat  102  and first connector portion  420  may be in a lower portion of the seat  102  when the connector  110  is a column-type support. 
         [0041]    The electronics assembly  130  in accordance with the present invention may include any combination of sensors, switches, lights, speakers, animated members, motors, and sensory output generating devices. The microprocessor unit  175  may produce any combination of audio and visual effects including, but not limited to, animation, lights, and sound (music, speech, and sound effects). The output pattern is not limited to that which is discussed herein and includes any pattern of music, lights, and/or sound effects. The electronics assembly  130  may also include additional switches or sensors to provide additional sensory output activation without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0042]    Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention that come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. For example, it is to be understood that terms such as “left”, “right” “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “rear”, “side”, “height”, “length”, “width”, “upper”, “lower”, “interior”, “exterior”, “inner”, “outer” and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration.