Galloping riding toy

Abstract

A galloping riding toy has a frame with a head tube, a fork rotatably located within said head tube, a front axle attached to said fork and passing through an off-center point in a front wheel, rear wheels attached to an end of said frame opposite said head tube, and a body attached to said frame.

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.

Claims

1. A galloping riding toy, comprising:

a frame having a head tube, a fork rotatably located within said head tube, a front axle attached to said fork and passing through an off-center point in a front wheel, rear wheels attached to an end of said frame opposite said head tube, and a body attached to said frame.

2. The toy of claim 1 in which said body is substantially hollow.

3. The toy of claim 2 in which said frame is substantially located within said body.

4. The toy of claim 3 further comprising a head attached to said fork.

5. The toy of claim 3 further comprising a steering bar attached to said fork.

6. The toy of claim 5 in which said body has a flexible neck portion.

7. The toy of claim 3 further comprising one or more ribs attached to said frame.

8. The toy of claim 3 in which said body is in the shape of an animal.

9. The toy of claim 8, further comprising means to play animal sounds attached to one of said frame or said body.

10. They toy of claim 1 further comprising: a rear axle extending between said rear wheels, a pedal assembly attached to said frame, and means to rotate said rear axle when said pedal assembly is rotated.

11. The toy of claim 1 in which

said front axle comprises a center portion attached to said fork and passing through an off-center point in said front wheel, a first and a second stem portion, and a first and a second pedal portion;

said stem portions being substantially perpendicular to said center portion and said pedal portions, each of said stem portions lying substantially in a plane defined by said center portion and a point in the center of said front wheel and extending from said center portion toward the point in the center of said front wheel, said pedal portions being substantially parallel to said center portion;

and in which pedals are attached to said pedal portions of said front axle.

12. The toy of claim 3 in which said body is removably attached to said frame.

13. The toy of claim 12, further comprising a second body which may be removably attached to said frame when said body has been removed.

14. A galloping riding toy, comprising:

a frame having a head tube;

a fork rotatably located within said head tube;

a front axle comprising a center portion attached to said fork and passing through an off-center point in a front wheel, a first and a second stem portion, and a first and a second pedal portion;

said stem portions being substantially perpendicular to said center portion and said pedal portions, each of said stem portions lying substantially in a plane defined by said center portion and a point in the center of said front wheel, said pedal portions being substantially parallel to said center portion;

pedals attached to said pedal portions;

rear wheels attached to an end of said frame opposite said head tube;

a head support attached to said fork;

a steering bar attached to said head support; and

a substantially hollow body, said frame being located within said body and attached thereto, said fork and said head support also being located within said body, said body having a flexible neck portion located to allow said fork to be rotated.

15. The toy of claim 14 in which said stem portions extend from said center portion toward the point in the center of said front wheel.

16. The toy of claim 15 in which said body is in the shape of an animal.

17. A galloping riding toy, comprising:

a frame having a head tube;

a fork rotatably located within said head tube;

a front axle comprising a center portion attached to said fork and passing through an off-center point in a front wheel, a first and a second stem portion, and a first and a second pedal portion;

said stem portions being substantially perpendicular to said center portion and said pedal portions, each of said stem portions lying substantially in a plane defined by said center portion and a point in the center of said front wheel, said pedal portions being substantially parallel to said center portion;

pedals attached to said pedal portions;

rear wheels attached to an end of said frame opposite said head tube;

a substantially hollow body, said frame being located within said body and attached thereto; and

a steering bar attached to said fork and passing through an opening in said body.

18. The toy of claim 17 in which said stem portions extend from said center portion toward the point in the center of said front wheel.

19. The toy of claim 18 in which said body is in the shape of an animal.