Patent Description:
Ride on toys which comprise a small vehicle on which a child can sit are common. Such toys generally consist of a three or four wheeled vehicle having a seat on an upper surface such that the child can straddle the vehicle while sitting on the seat and then push the vehicle along the ground by pushing off the floor.

The present invention relates to a ride on toy having additional features to allow the toy to also perform a cleaning function while in use. The ride on toy can pick up particulate matter from the ground while the toy is in use and store this inside a chamber within the toy which can be easily removed and emptied as required.

<CIT> discloses a children's vehicle, particularly pedal vehicle, which is characterized by a sweeping device which is provided with at least one brush and is detachably connectable to the children's vehicle. For driving the brush roller a driver wheel is arranged that in the operative position of the sweeping device is positioned on the ground.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a ride on toy comprising:.

Preferably the housing includes an openable cover which may be opened to empty particulate matter from the internal chamber.

Preferably the vehicle body includes a downwardly extending cavity into which is mounted the cleaning unit.

Preferably the vehicle body comprises an upper wall and downwardly extending front, rear and side walls to define the cavity in a lower side of the vehicle body.

In one embodiment, the cavity includes a pair of projections extending downwardly from the upper wall of the body and the housing includes upwardly extending clips having lugs on distal ends to engage into recesses on inner surfaces of the projections in a snap fit manner to locate the housing between the projections.

In one embodiment, the cleaning unit includes a rotating brush such that movement of the vehicle body rotates the brush such that the brush picks up particulate matter from the floor.

Preferably the brush comprises a cylindrical brush mounted for rotation about a central longitudinal axis thereof being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle body.

Preferably the cleaning unit comprises a housing including an upper wall portion, a lower wall portion and an edge wall portion extending between the upper and lower wall portions and wherein the brush is mounted for rotation within an elongate opening extending across the lower wall portion.

Preferably the brush includes a central shaft, ends of which are mounted into holes provided on opposite sides of the edge wall portion.

Preferably the cleaning unit is provided with drive wheels secured adjacent ends of the shaft such that the drive wheels engage with the ground in use and with a further wheel provided on the shaft so that movement of the vehicle body causes rotation of the drive wheels and thereby rotation of the brush about its central longitudinal axis.

Preferably a pair of drive wheels is provided adjacent each end of the shaft on inner sides of the edge wall, each of the drive wheels comprising a disk having a ring with an outer tread secured around a periphery of the disk such that each pair of drive wheels engages with opposed sides of the further wheel.

In a further embodiment, the drive wheels are mounted adjacent outer surfaces of the edge wall of the housing and engage with wheels of the ride on ride on toy such that rotation of the wheels causes rotation of the drive wheels and therefore rotation of the brush.

In another embodiment, the cleaning unit includes a vacuum unit mounted within a housing such that the vacuum unit draws air inwardly through an opening in the housing adjacent the floor.

Preferably the vacuum unit includes an electric motor provided to rotate a fan such that air is drawn in through the opening.

Preferably the housing comprises a main body and a nozzle portion, the main body being mounted within a cavity in a lower surface of the body and the nozzle portion extending downwardly and forwardly from the main body and including the opening in a lower end thereof.

Preferably the lower end of the nozzle portion is oriented generally parallel to the ground in use.

Preferably the nozzle portion is removable to allow emptying of the internal chamber of the housing.

In one embodiment, the body includes a leg extending downwardly within the cavity adjacent a rear of the body, the leg including a ground engaging portion extending rearwardly from a lower end thereof.

In one embodiment, the lower wall portion of the housing comprises first and second covers defining the opening and being pivotable between a closed position and an open position such that when moved to the open position particulate matter captured within the chamber may fall outwardly from the housing.

Preferably the seat includes a seat cover pivotally mounted to the upper wall such that the seat cover is pivotable between a closed position in which a recess in the upper wall is closed off and an open position in which the recess is accessible.

In one embodiment, a pressure switch is provided beneath the seat cover such that the pressure switch disconnects power to the vacuum unit when pressure is released from the seat cover so that the vacuum unit is automatically switched off when a child is not sitting on the seat.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which:.

Referring to the Figures, there is shown a toy <NUM> comprising a vehicle body <NUM> and a cleaning unit <NUM>. The vehicle body <NUM> includes a seat <NUM> on an upper surface thereof. The seat <NUM> is positioned on the upper surface of the vehicle body <NUM> such that a child may sit on the seat <NUM> while straddling the vehicle body <NUM>. The vehicle body <NUM> includes a plurality of wheels <NUM> such that the toy <NUM> may be propelled along the ground by a child sitting on the seat <NUM> and pushing against the floor with their feet.

In the embodiment shown, the vehicle body <NUM> comprises generally an upper wall <NUM>, front and rear walls <NUM> and <NUM> at opposed ends of the vehicle body <NUM> and first and second side walls <NUM> and <NUM> extending between ends of the front and rear walls <NUM> and <NUM>. The front and rear walls <NUM> and <NUM> and the first and second side walls <NUM> and <NUM> extend generally downwardly from the periphery of the upper wall <NUM>. The upper wall <NUM>, the front and rear walls <NUM> and <NUM> and the first and second side walls <NUM> and <NUM> thereby define a cavity <NUM> in a lower side of the vehicle body <NUM>.

In the embodiment shown, a pair of wheels <NUM> is connected to a front axle <NUM> and a further pair of wheels <NUM> is connected to a rear axle <NUM>. A steering column <NUM> extends downwardly through an opening in the upper wall <NUM> of the vehicle body <NUM> adjacent the front end. An upper end of the steering column <NUM> is connected to a steering wheel <NUM> and a lower end of the steering column <NUM> is connected to the front axle <NUM>, such that rotating the steering wheel <NUM> rotates the front axle <NUM>, thereby allowing steering of the toy <NUM>. The rear axle <NUM> is supported by support members extending downwardly from within the cavity <NUM> such that the rear axle <NUM> is supported to extend transversely to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle body <NUM>.

The upper wall <NUM> of the vehicle body <NUM> is provided with a recess <NUM>. The seat <NUM> comprises a seat cover <NUM> mounted to extend across the recess <NUM> and which is pivotally connected to the vehicle body <NUM> such that the seat cover <NUM> is pivotable between a closed position (as shown in <FIG>) in which the recess <NUM> is closed off, and an open position (as shown in <FIG>) in which the recess <NUM> is accessible.

The cleaning unit <NUM> is connected to the vehicle body <NUM> such that the cleaning unit <NUM> is supported adjacent the floor. The cleaning unit <NUM> comprises a housing <NUM> connectable to the vehicle body <NUM> within the cavity <NUM>. In the embodiment of <FIG> the cleaning unit <NUM> is operated to collect particulate matter from the floor mechanically by movement of the ride on toy <NUM> along the floor.

The housing <NUM> of the cleaning unit <NUM> comprises generally a lower wall portion <NUM>, an upper wall portion <NUM> and an edge wall portion <NUM> extending from the periphery of the lower wall portion <NUM> to the periphery of the upper wall portion <NUM>. The lower wall portion <NUM>, the upper wall portion <NUM> and the edge wall portion <NUM> thereby define an internal chamber <NUM> within the housing <NUM>.

The cleaning unit <NUM> includes also a brush <NUM>. The brush <NUM> comprises a cylindrical brush mounted for rotation about a central longitudinal axis thereof. The brush <NUM> is mounted for rotation within an elongate opening <NUM> extending across the lower wall portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM> such that the central longitudinal axis of the brush <NUM> is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle body <NUM>. The brush <NUM> includes a central shaft <NUM>, ends of which are mounted into holes provided on opposite sides of the edge wall portion <NUM>.

The cleaning unit <NUM> includes drive wheels <NUM> mounted to the housing <NUM> on inner surfaces of opposed sides of the edge wall <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, there is provided a pair of drive wheels <NUM> on each side of the edge wall <NUM>. The drive wheels <NUM> are mounted such that the drive wheels <NUM> engage with the ground in use and are connected to the brush <NUM> such that rotation of the drive wheels <NUM> when the toy <NUM> moves along the ground causes rotation of the brush <NUM>.

Each of the drive wheels <NUM> comprises a disk <NUM> having a ring <NUM> mounted around the periphery thereof. The ring <NUM> comprises a flexible material having tread thereon to provide better grip when engaging with the floor. The disks <NUM> are mounted to inner surfaces of the edge wall <NUM> for rotation about an axis extending between opposed sides of the edge wall <NUM>.

The central shaft <NUM> of the brush <NUM> includes further wheels <NUM> on ends thereof. The further wheels <NUM> are each located between a pair of the drive wheels <NUM> such that edges of the drive wheels <NUM> engage with the edges of the further wheels <NUM>. Rotation of the drive wheels <NUM> thereby rotate the brush <NUM> as the ride on toy <NUM> moves along the ground.

The brush <NUM> includes bristles which engage with the floor and which are arranged to trap particulate matter resting on the floor such that the particulate matter is captured between the bristles and rotated upwardly into the chamber <NUM> in the housing <NUM>. The brush <NUM> is also arranged such that the particulate matter is removed from the bristles of the brush <NUM> within the chamber <NUM> to be captured within the chamber <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> of the cleaning unit <NUM> includes one or more openable covers. The covers may be opened to allow access to the internal chamber <NUM> for emptying of the chamber <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, the lower wall portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM> comprises first and second covers <NUM>. The first and second covers <NUM> extends across between lower edges of the edge wall portion <NUM> and are separated to define the opening <NUM>. Each of the first and second covers <NUM> is pivotable between a closed position and an open position. The covers <NUM> when moved to the open position allow particulate matter captured within the chamber <NUM> to fall outwardly from the housing <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> of the cleaning unit <NUM> is attachable to and removable from the vehicle body <NUM>. The cavity <NUM> is provided with first and second projections <NUM> extending downwardly towards the ground, between which the cleaning unit <NUM> may be engaged. The projections <NUM> include recesses <NUM> on inner surfaces thereof and the housing <NUM> includes a pair of clips <NUM> extending upwardly from the upper surface <NUM> thereof. The clips <NUM> include outwardly facing lugs <NUM> on distal ends to engage into the recesses <NUM> on inner surfaces of the projections <NUM> in a snap fit manner.

The upper surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> includes also a handle <NUM> to allow the cleaning unit <NUM> to be easily held. In the embodiment shown, the clips <NUM> are secured adjacent opposed ends of the handle <NUM>.

A leg <NUM> is provided adjacent the rear wall <NUM> such that the leg <NUM> extends downwardly towards the floor within the cavity <NUM>. A lower end of the leg <NUM> is provided with a ground engaging portion <NUM>. The ground engaging portion <NUM> extends transversely from the lower end of the leg <NUM> in a rearward direction. The ground engaging portion <NUM> is provided to engage with the ground should the vehicle body <NUM> tip backwardly to restrict the likelihood of a child tipping off the back of the toy <NUM>.

<FIG> show an alternative embodiment of a ride on toy <NUM> in accordance with the present invention. The embodiment of <FIG> is similar to the embodiment of <FIG> and like reference numerals are used to denote like parts.

In the embodiment of <FIG>, the drive wheels <NUM> engage with the wheels <NUM> such that the drive wheels <NUM> are rotated by rotation of the wheels <NUM>. The drive wheels <NUM> are secured to ends of the shaft <NUM> on outer sides of the edge wall portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The cleaning unit <NUM> is mounted relative to the vehicle body <NUM> such that the drive wheels <NUM> engage with the rear wheels <NUM>. Movement of the vehicle body <NUM> therefore causes rotation of the drive wheels <NUM> and rotation of the brush <NUM> about its central longitudinal axis.

In the embodiment shown, the leg <NUM> includes a foot <NUM> extending transversely to a lower end thereof. The foot <NUM> extends from the lower end of the leg <NUM> in a direction towards the front of the vehicle body <NUM>. A flexible clip <NUM> is provided also extending downwardly within the cavity <NUM> forwardly of the leg <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, the flexible clip <NUM> extends downwardly from a lower surface of the recess <NUM>. The flexible clip <NUM> includes a transverse lug <NUM> on a distal end thereof. The housing <NUM> of the cleaning unit <NUM> is attachable to the vehicle body <NUM> by resting a rear side thereof on an upper surface of the foot <NUM> and lifting a front side thereof upwardly such that the transverse lug <NUM> engages over a protrusion <NUM> provided on the edge wall portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM> adjacent the front side thereof. The flexible clip <NUM> also biases the housing <NUM> to move rearwardly to keep the drive wheels <NUM> in engagement with the rear wheels <NUM>.

<FIG> show a further embodiment of a ride on toy <NUM> in accordance with the present invention. The toy <NUM> of <FIG> is similar to the previously described embodiments and like reference numerals are used to denote like parts.

In the embodiment of <FIG>, the cleaning unit <NUM> also comprises a housing <NUM> mounted within the lower cavity <NUM> of the body <NUM>. The cleaning unit <NUM> however includes a vacuum unit <NUM> having a motor <NUM> such that the motor <NUM> drives a fan to draw air inwardly into the housing <NUM> through the opening <NUM>. The opening <NUM> is located adjacent the floor in use such that the cleaning unit <NUM> draws particulate matter from the floor into the housing <NUM>. The motor <NUM> is powered by one or more batteries which may be replaceable or rechargeable.

The housing <NUM> comprises a main body <NUM> and a nozzle portion <NUM>. The main body <NUM> is mounted within the cavity <NUM> of the body <NUM> of the toy <NUM> and the nozzle portion <NUM> extends downwardly from the main body <NUM>. The nozzle portion <NUM> extends downwardly and forwardly such that a lower end <NUM> thereof is adjacent the ground. The lower end <NUM> is oriented generally parallel to the ground in use and includes the opening <NUM> such that the opening <NUM> is located adjacent the floor in use.

The nozzle portion <NUM> is releasably detachable from the main body <NUM> such that detachment of the nozzle portion <NUM> provides access to the internal chamber <NUM> for emptying. The nozzle portion <NUM> therefore comprises the openable cover in this embodiment.

The cavity <NUM> of the body <NUM> includes a connection mechanism to allow the housing <NUM> to be releasably attached to the body <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, the cavity includes a pair of downwardly extending projections <NUM> similar to the embodiment of <FIG>. The main body <NUM> of the housing <NUM> includes a pair of upwardly extending clips <NUM> on opposes sides therefore to be received in use between the projections <NUM>. The clips <NUM> include lugs <NUM> on outer surfaces thereof thereon to engage into recesses <NUM> on inner surfaces of the projections <NUM> in a snap fit manner to secure the housing <NUM> between the projections <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A ride on toy (<NUM>) comprising:
a vehicle body (<NUM>) having front and rear wheels (<NUM>);
a seat (<NUM>) provided on an upper surface of the body (<NUM>) on which a child can sit in a position in which the child can propel the vehicle by pushing on the floor; and
a cleaning unit (<NUM>) releasably secured to the vehicle body (<NUM>);
wherein the cleaning unit (<NUM>) is secured to the vehicle body (<NUM>) between the front and rear wheels (<NUM>) and includes a housing (<NUM>) having an internal chamber (<NUM>) such that the cleaning unit (<NUM>) picks up particulate matter from the floor while the toy (<NUM>) is moving and deposits it into the internal chamber (<NUM>).