Patent Publication Number: US-2007114731-A1

Title: Galloping riding toy

Description:
PRIORITY  
      The applicant claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application filed Nov. 22, 2005, under application number 60/738,705. 
    
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH  
      None.  
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention generally relates to a riding toy for children.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Many children enjoy pretending to ride a horse or similar animal or driving various vehicles. Thus, the prior art discloses rocking horses, tricycles, and other devices. U.S. Pat. No. 4,989,856 discloses a rocking horse that can be configured to roll forward. U.S. Pat. No. 3,999,771 describes a wheeled riding horse in which the rear wheels are attached to a spring, enabling the rider to bounce and achieve a galloping sensation. U.S. Pat. No. 4,553,776 is for a powered horse that can be rocked and moved forward and backward. These and other devices either do not impart a realistic galloping motion, do not have means to initiate forward motion suitable for a young child, or have other disadvantages.  
      Thus, there is a need for a riding toy that can be propelled forward by a young child, that provides a realistic galloping motion, and that is safe enough for use by a young child. The present invention fulfills this and other needs.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The invention claimed in this patent application is a galloping riding toy having a frame with a head tube, a fork, a body, a front wheel, and rear wheels. A front axle passes through the front wheel some distance away from the center of the wheel and is connected to the fork. The fork is rotatably inserted into the head tube. The rear wheels are attached to an end of the frame opposite from the head tube. The body is attached around the frame, providing a place for the child to sit. Because the front axle is off-center in the front wheel, the toy will move up and down as it moves forward as though it were galloping.  
      The above summary of the present invention is not intended to represent each embodiment, or every aspect, of the present invention. The present invention also includes any additional features and benefits which are apparent from the detailed description and figures set forth below. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       FIG. 1  is a side view of the galloping riding toy.  
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional side view of the galloping riding toy.  
       FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the frame and fork assembly.  
       FIG. 4  is a front view of the fork assembly.  
       FIG. 5  is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the galloping riding toy.  
       FIG. 6  is an isometric view of an alternate embodiment of the frame and fork assembly. 
    
    
      While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments are shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as described.  
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS  
      Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , a galloping riding toy ( 10 ) is shown having a frame ( 11 ) with a head tube ( 12 ), and a fork ( 13 ) rotatably inserted into the head tube ( 12 ). A front axle ( 14 ) is attached to the fork ( 13 ) and passes through an off-center point in a front wheel ( 15 ). Rear wheels ( 16 ) on a rear axle ( 17 ) are attached to an end of the frame ( 11 ) opposite the head tube ( 12 ). A steering bar or handlebar ( 18 ) extends through a head support ( 19 ) attached to the fork ( 1   3 ). A body ( 20 ), preferably in the shape of an animal, is attached to the frame ( 11 ). The body ( 20 ) may have a flexible neck portion ( 21 ) to allow the fork ( 13 ) and front wheel ( 15 ) to turn when the steering bar ( 18 ) is rotated. The front axle ( 14 ) may have a center portion ( 22 ), stem portions ( 23 ) perpendicular to the center portion ( 22 ), and pedal portions ( 24 ), to which pedals ( 25 ) are attached.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 5-6 , a galloping riding toy ( 10 ) is shown having a frame ( 11 ) with a head tube ( 12 ), and a fork ( 13 ) rotatably inserted into the head tube ( 12 ). A front axle ( 14 ) is attached to the fork ( 13 ) and passes through an off-center point in a front wheel ( 15 ). Rear wheels ( 16 ) on a rear axle ( 17 ) are attached to an end of the frame ( 11 ) opposite the head tube ( 12 ). A steering bar or handlebar ( 18 ) is attached to the fork ( 13 ). A body ( 20 ), preferably in the shape of an animal, is attached to the frame ( 11 ). The body ( 20 ) has an aperture ( 26 ) to allow the steering bar ( 18 ), the fork ( 13 ), and front wheel ( 15 ) to be turned freely.  
      A child may sit on the body and propel the toy forward either by walking along the ground or pushing on the pedals in the preferred embodiment. Because the front axle is off-center in the front wheel, the toy will move up and down as though it were galloping. In an alternate embodiment, a pedal assembly is attached to the frame beneath the rider and is connected by appropriate means (for example, a sprocket and chain) to the rear axle so that the rear axle is turned when the pedal assembly is rotated.  
      In the preferred embodiment, the child may change direction by turning the steering bar or handlebar. In another embodiment, the steering bar or handlebar may be outside the body. In yet another alternate embodiment, the body does not fully enclose the fork, and a head separate from the body is attached to the fork and may be turned to change direction.  
      In another embodiment, ribs are attached to the frame to provide additional support for the body. If more support is needed, a skeleton may be attached to the frame to support the body.  
      The body may be covered with imitation fur, skin, or scales depending on the animal it resembles. A battery-powered device may be attached to the body or frame to make noises appropriate to the animal or other shape the body resembles. The body could be of virtually any shape, including a horse, a dinosaur, or a vehicle.  
      In the preferred embodiment, the frame is lightweight but sturdy. It will be recognized that the frame may have varying dimensions and configurations to accomplish the purpose of safely supporting the body and the rider. In one embodiment, multiple body shapes may be fitted to like frames, increasing versatility and potentially decreasing manufacturing and marketing costs.  
      While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as described.