Abstract:
An activity toy having a rotating platform on which a child (ages 6 and up) can sit, with the platform maneuvered about a central axis by way of a sturdy, circular shaped steering mechanism mounted to a support post that runs vertically from the center of the unit to provide children, particularly older children, teens and adults with special needs the ability to enjoy hours of fun.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 61/875,604, filed Sep. 9, 2013 which application is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d). 
     The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of rotary self-propelled amusement devices and more specifically relates to an around the world rotary toy system. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Every year, over 10,000 children and teens in the United States are diagnosed with a mental or physical disability ranging in degree of severity from mild asthma, attention deficit disorder, diabetes, obesity, mental retardation, spina bifida and cerebral palsy. Living with a disability can greatly affect a person&#39;s ability to function freely in society. While determination is a key factor in anyone&#39;s success, children and teens with limited mobility must overcome daily obstacles that most able bodied persons often take for granted. Activities such as showering, getting dressed and even playing with friends can be extremely difficult for a child with limited mobility, especially for those with limited use of their hands. 
     For children with special needs, the simple act of playing with favorite toys can be a challenge, especially as the child has physically grown out of a particular toy or activity even though the toy is age appropriate for the child due to diminished mental capacity. However, most children outgrow toys and are able to move on to other more complicated or challenging physical activities, many children with physical or mental challenges are not able to move on. Older children may have physically outgrown their toys and are not able to use them because the toy isn&#39;t large enough or sturdy enough to support their size and weight. 
     Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,118,094 to Gregory F. Lambert, U.S. Pat. No. 3,873,087 to Jacob W. Burkart, et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,795,235 to Jurgen Ullrich et al. This art is representative of rotary self-propelled amusement devices. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed. 
     Ideally, an around the world rotary toy system should provide safe physical activity and fun for children with physical or mental limitations as they grow larger in size and, yet would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable around the world rotary toy system to avoid the above-mentioned problems. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known rotary self-propelled amusement devices art, the present invention provides a novel around the world rotary toy system. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail is to provide physical and fun activity for children with physical or mental limitations as they grow larger in size. 
     An around the world rotary toy system is disclosed herein, in a preferred embodiment, comprising: a rotary-toy-system-assembly comprising in functional combination a generally-circular-stationary-base having a base-upper-surface, a base-bottom-surface and a base-side-surface, a vertical-cylindrical-support-post having a top-section and a bottom-section, the bottom-section having a rim, a generally-circular-handgrip having a handgrip-top-surface and a handgrip-bottom-surface, and a generally-circular-rotating-seat-platform having a platform-top-side, a platform-side and a platform-bottom-opening. 
     The rotary-toy-system-assembly is structured and arranged to support the size and weight of a user comprising a grown child. The vertical-cylindrical-support-post, generally-circular-handgrip, and generally-circular-rotating-seat-platform comprise heavy duty polished wooden material to provide a smooth splinter-free surface for the user. The handgrip-top-surface, vertical-cylindrical-support-post, and generally-circular-rotating-seat-platform comprises bright colors and functional indicia to the attract attention of users and to induce learning in the user. 
     The generally-circular-stationary-base measures approximately 32 inches in diameter to provide a solid foundation for the rotary-toy-system-assembly having an overall height of approximately 17 inches when prepared for use. The generally-circular-stationary-base comprises heavy duty wooden material of sufficient weight and strength so as to be able to resist deformation and tipping while in use. The base-bottom-surface is structured and arranged to rest on a planar surface comprising a floor surface providing stability for the rotary-toy-system-assembly when in use. The base-bottom-surface of the generally-circular-stationary-base comprises a flat surface able to securely rest on the floor. 
     The bottom-section of the vertical-cylindrical-support-post comprising a volume is fixedly attached to the base-upper-surface via a plurality of wood screw fasteners extending through the rim into the base-upper-surface such that the vertical-cylindrical-support-post is non-rotatable with respect to the generally-circular-stationary-base when in use. The rim comprises a hollow circular shape of heavy duty polished wooden material having a depth of approximately one inch secured to a lower portion of the bottom-section via wood glue and a plurality of wood screw fasteners, and extends out from the bottom-section of the vertical-cylindrical-support-post approximately three inches allowing the generally-circular-rotating-seat-platform to rest on the rim and be able to be spun by the user as desired. 
     The top-section of the vertical-cylindrical-support-post preferably comprises a solid piece of wood having a diameter able to collapse into the volume of the bottom-section when not in use. The top-section of the vertical-cylindrical-support-post is fixedly attached to the handgrip-bottom-surface via wood screw fasteners extending down through the generally-circular-handgrip and into a top-portion of the top-section of the vertical-cylindrical-support-post. The top-section of the vertical-cylindrical-support-post is fixedly attached to the handgrip-bottom-surface and is able to be collapsed into the volume of the bottom-section when the rotary-toy-system-assembly is not in use. 
     The top-section and the bottom-section each may comprise an attachment means. One attachment means comprising two retractable push-buttons is located toward the bottom of the top-section. Each of the push-buttons is located opposite each other on the side of the top-section. A second attachment means comprising two holes is located toward the top of the bottom-section, each of the holes located on opposite sides of the bottom-section. The top-section is able to be removably coupled to the bottom-section via the connection means having the push-buttons on the top-section removably inserted into the holes on the bottom-section when the around the world rotary toy system is in use. The top-section comprises a top-surface which is fixedly attached to the hand-grip-bottom-surface. 
     The generally-circular-rotating-seat-platform comprises a center-hole allowing the bottom-section to fit upward through the generally-circular-rotating-seat-platform via the center-hole allowing the generally-circular-rotating-seat-platform to rest on the rim of the bottom-section. The rim is located adjacent to the bottom-surface of the bottom-section. 
     The generally-circular-handgrip having a handgrip-top-surface and a handgrip-bottom-surface is able to be gripped by the hands of the user when in use. The handgrip-top-surface of the generally-circular-handgrip comprises a lighted go-right-light, a lighted go-left-light and a lighted-stop-light. The lighted go-right-light and the lighted go-left-light are activated by maneuvering of the generally-circular-handgrip by the user. The lighted-stop-light is activated when the generally-circular-handgrip is not being maneuvered by the user. Each of these lights is powered by batteries located in a plurality of cutouts on the generally-circular-handgrip. 
     The user is able to sit upon the generally-circular-rotating-seat-platform with legs wrapped around the vertical-cylindrical-support-post and use hands to grip the generally-circular-handgrip in a manner able to maneuver the generally-circular-rotating-seat-platform by rotating the generally-circular-handgrip in a left-direction and a right-direction as desired thus generating movement in a manner to provide entertainment and amusement for the user. 
     The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as an around the world rotary toy system. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, around the world rotary toy system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view illustrating an around the world rotary toy system in an in-use condition according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating a top view of an around the world rotary toy system according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating a side view of the around the world rotary toy system according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating components of the around the world rotary toy system according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a method of use for the around the world rotary toy system according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-4 . 
     
    
    
     The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a rotary self-propelled amusement device and more particularly to an around the world rotary toy system as used to provide physical activity and fun for children with physical or mental limitations as they grow larger in size. 
     Generally speaking, the around the world rotary toy system is a toy to accommodate larger children and/or adults who have physical or mental limitations. The around the world rotary toy system is a self-propelled spinning toy with a rotating platform serving as a seat for the user and a hand-operated circular control mechanism joined to the platform via a support post the user is able to manipulate to adjust speed and direction of the spin. 
     Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in  FIG. 1 , a perspective view illustrating around the world rotary toy system  100  in an in-use condition  150  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Around the world rotary toy system  100  comprises rotary-toy-system-assembly  110  comprising in functional combination generally-circular-stationary-base  120  having base-upper-surface  123 , base-bottom-surface  126  and base-side-surface  129 , vertical-cylindrical-support-post  155  having top-section  160  and bottom-section  170 , bottom-section  170  having rim  180 , generally-circular-handgrip  130  having handgrip-top-surface  132  and handgrip-bottom-surface  134 , and generally-circular-rotating-seat-platform  140  having platform-top-side  142 , platform-side  144  and platform-bottom-opening  146 . 
     User  105  is able to sit upon generally-circular-rotating-seat-platform  140  with his/her legs wrapped around vertical-cylindrical-support-post  155  and using his/her hands to grip generally-circular-handgrip  130  in a manner able to maneuver generally-circular-rotating-seat-platform  140  by rotating generally-circular-handgrip  130  in a left-direction and a right-direction as desired, thus generating movement in a manner to provide entertainment and amusement for user  105 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view illustrating a top view of around the world rotary toy system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
     Rotary-toy-system-assembly  110  is structured and arranged to support the size and weight of user  105  comprising a grown child. Rotary-toy-system-assembly  110  may also be used by some adults having special needs desiring to have a fun activity. Vertical-cylindrical-support-post  155 , generally-circular-handgrip  130 , and generally-circular-rotating-seat-platform  140  comprise heavy duty polished wooden material to provide a smooth splinter-free surface for user  105 . 
     In alternate embodiments, vertical-cylindrical-support-post  155 , generally-circular-handgrip  130 , and generally-circular-rotating-seat-platform  140  comprise heavy duty plastic material and other suitable materials to provide a smooth splinter-free surface for user  105 . Handgrip-top-surface  132 , vertical-cylindrical-support-post  155 , and generally-circular-rotating-seat-platform  140  comprises bright colors and functional indicia to the attract attention of users  105  and to induce learning in user  105 . Generally-circular-handgrip  130  and generally-circular-rotating-seat-platform  140  comprise indicia  197  comprising puzzle pieces  198 . In alternate embodiments, generally-circular-handgrip  130  and generally-circular-rotating-seat-platform  140  comprise indicia  197  comprising novelty décor which may include animal figures, super-hero characters and other suitable indicia to attract the attention of user  105 . Handgrip-top-surface comprises indicia  197  compromising the phrase around the world  199 . 
     Generally-circular-stationary-base  120  measures approximately 32 inches in diameter to provide a solid foundation for rotary-toy-system-assembly  110  having an overall height of approximately 17 inches when prepared for use. Smaller and larger dimensions may also be used to accommodate the size of user  105 . Generally-circular-stationary-base  120  comprises heavy duty wooden material of sufficient weight and strength so as to be able to resist deformation and tipping while in use. In other embodiments generally-circular-stationary-base  120  comprises heavy duty plastic material and other suitable materials of sufficient weight and strength so as to be able to resist deformation and tipping while in use. Base-bottom-surface  126  is structured and arranged to rest on a planar surface comprising a floor surface providing stability for rotary-toy-system-assembly  110  when in use. Base-bottom-surface  126  of generally-circular-stationary-base  120  comprises a flat surface able to securely rest on the floor. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a perspective view illustrating a side view of around the world rotary toy system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
     Bottom-section  170  of vertical-cylindrical-support-post  155  comprising volume  172  is fixedly attached to base-upper-surface  123  via a plurality of wood screw fasteners (or the like) extending through rim  180  into base-upper-surface  123  such that vertical-cylindrical-support-post  155  is non-rotatable with respect to generally-circular-stationary-base  120  when in use. Rim  180  comprises a hollow circular shape of heavy duty polished wooden material having a depth of approximately one inch secured to lower portion  174  of bottom-section  170  via wood glue and plurality of wood screw fasteners, and extends out from bottom-section  170  of vertical-cylindrical-support-post  155  approximately three inches allowing generally-circular-rotating-seat-platform  140  to rest on rim  180  and be able to be spun by user  105  as desired. Other suitably equivalent materials and fastening means may be used. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a perspective view illustrating components of around the world rotary toy system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
     Top-section  160  of vertical-cylindrical-support-post  155  preferably comprises a solid piece of wood having a diameter able to collapse into volume  172  of bottom-section  170  when not in use. Top-section  160  of vertical-cylindrical-support-post  155  is fixedly attached to handgrip-bottom-surface  134  via wood screw fasteners extending down through generally-circular-handgrip  130  and into top-portion  162  of top-section  160  of vertical-cylindrical-support-post  155 . Top-section  160  of vertical-cylindrical-support-post  155  is fixedly attached to handgrip-bottom-surface  134  and is able to be collapsed into volume  172  of bottom-section  170  when rotary-toy-system-assembly  110  is not in use. 
     Top-section  160  and bottom-section  170  each comprise attachment means  194 . One attachment means  194  comprising two retractable push-buttons  195  located toward bottom  164  of top-section  160 . Each of push-buttons  195  is located opposite each other on side  166  of top-section  160 . A second attachment means  194  comprising two holes  196  is located toward top  176  of bottom-section  170 , each of holes  196  located on opposite sides  178  of bottom-section  170 . Top-section  160  is able to be removably coupled to bottom-section  170  via connection means  194  having push-buttons  195  on top-section  160  removably inserted into holes  196  on bottom-section  170  when around the world rotary toy system  100  is in use. Top-section  160  comprises top-surface  168  which is fixedly attached to hand-grip-bottom-surface  134 . 
     Generally-circular-rotating-seat-platform  140  comprises center-hole  148  allowing bottom-section  170  to fit upward through generally-circular-rotating-seat-platform  140  via center-hole  148  allowing generally-circular-rotating-seat-platform  140  to rest on rim  180  of bottom-section  170 . Rim  180  is located adjacent to bottom-surface  171  of bottom-section  170 . 
     Generally-circular-handgrip  130  having handgrip-top-surface  132  and handgrip-bottom-surface  134  is able to be gripped by the hands of user  105  when in use. Handgrip-top-surface  132  of generally-circular-handgrip  130  comprises lighted go-right-light  135 , lighted go-left-light  136  and lighted-stop-light  137 . Lighted go-right-light  135  and lighted go-left-light  136  are activated by maneuvering of generally-circular-handgrip  130  by user  105 . Lighted-stop-light  137  is activated when generally-circular-handgrip  130  is not being maneuvered by user  105 . Each of these lights is powered by batteries located in plurality of cutouts  138  on generally-circular-handgrip  130 . 
     Around the world rotary toy system  100  may be sold as a kit comprising the following parts: at least one generally-circular-stationary-base  120  having base-upper-surface  123 , base-bottom-surface  126  and base-side-surface  128  at least one vertical-cylindrical-support-post  155  having top-section  160  and bottom-section  170 ; at least one generally-circular-handgrip  130  having handgrip-top-surface  132  and handgrip-bottom-surface  134 ; at least one generally-circular-rotating-seat-platform  140  having platform-top-side  142 , platform-side  144  and platform-bottom-opening  146 ; and at least one set of user instructions. The kit has instructions such that functional relationships are detailed in relation to the structure of the invention (such that the invention can be used, maintained, or the like in a preferred manner). Around the world rotary toy system  100  may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of applications. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different color combinations, parts may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a flowchart illustrating a method of use  500  for around the world rotary toy system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-4 . 
     A method of use  500  for around the world rotary toy system  100  may comprise the steps of: step one  501  placing generally-circular-stationary-base  120  with attached bottom-section  170  of vertical-cylindrical-support-post  155  on a planar surface for use; step two  502  placing generally-circular-rotating-seat-platform  140  on rim  180  of bottom-section  170 ; step three  503  attaching top-section  160  of vertical-cylindrical-support-post  155  to bottom-section  170  of vertical-cylindrical-support-post  155  via attachment means  194 ; step four  504  sitting on generally-circular-rotating-seat-platform  140 ; step five  505  rotating generally-circular-rotating-seat-platform  140  via using their hands to maneuver generally-circular-handgrip  130  as desired; and step six  506  lowering top-section  160  into volume  172  of bottom-section  170  via releasing attachment-means  194  for storage when not in use. 
     It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶ 6. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient. 
     The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, 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.