GB2244434A - An improved toy rocking device - Google Patents

Abstract

A toy which produces a rolling/rotating and see-saw motion simultaneously for a rider comprises of a spherically curved ground contacting surface 14 giving it a bowl like appearance. Different parts of the surface may have different radii of curvature. A single user or a multiple user version may be provided and may comprise seated player and a standing player versions. Other modifications comprise combinations of the following features: foot grips, hand grips, a guard rail, and safety restraints. The toy may be formed of glass fibre or carbon fibre. <IMAGE>

Description

A IMPROVED TOY 1.0 INVENTION This invention relates particularly to a improved toy/ play thing which has some similarities to a see-saw, and caters for single and multiple users, sitting or standing.

2.0 GENERAL DESCRIPTION This is a new type of toy, the closest existing toy to it is a see-saw. The toy produces see-saw sensations, however the axis of rotation is capable of shifting so that the see-saw effect is produced in directions which are varying constantly. The toy is also capable of rolling/rotating about a central vertical axis thus capable of producing a rolling/rotating and see-saw motion simultaneously (the exact motion produced depending on the persons playing).

According to the invention there is provided a improved toy comprising of a spherically curved surface giving it a bowl like appearance, different parts of the surface may have different radii of curvature with the centers of the curved surface radii all being on the same side of the toy so that in operation it rocks and rolls/ rotates on this curved surface and functions in a manner which has similarities to a see-saw and produces see-saw sensations with an axis of rotation which is capable of shifting so that the see-saw effect is produced in directions which are capable of varying constantly and the toy is also capable of rolling rotating about a central vertical axis thus the toy is capable of producing a rolling/ rotating and see-saw motion simultaneously and will cater for single and multiple users.

The toy can be played on by a number of persons simultaneously, this is the 'multi-user' version. There is also a 'single-user' version. Each of these versions has two further versions - one in which the player or players are sitting and another in which the player/ players are standing.

There is provision for seating inside the toy for the seated versions, and provision is made for standing in the standing versions.

Each version is divided into further types by including a combination of some or of all the features described below.

Provision can be made for an optional hand support in all versions.

Provision can also be made for optional foot supports in all versions.

A guard rail can be designed in high performance models in order to avoid the toy tipping over.

In order to assist rolling/ rotating the outer edge of the profile can be made like part of a conical section, or alternatively put an outward projection on the extreme edge.

It may be thought desirable in some designs e.g for young children, and in large scale versions for adults to have a restraint, for example a safety harness arrangement, to prevent people slipping off.

The invention will be better understood from the following description which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Of the drawings: Figures 1 and 2 show the invention according to the first embodyment Figures 3 and 4 show the invention according to the second embodyment Figures 5 and 6 show the invention according to the third embodyment Figures 7 and 8 show the invention according to the fourth embodyment Figures 9 and 10 show the invention according to the fifth embodyment.

3.0 CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN DETAILS 3.1 Materials The toy can be made of metal, fibre-glass, plastic or other tough synthetic materials e.g such as carbon fibre. The material should be tough to take the wear and tear, and also be light so that it has low inertia and will easily roll/ see-saw.

With low inertia the players will be able to exert more influence over the motion and make it more exciting therefore.

3.2 Curvature Although it is possible to make the entire curved surface 14 have a single radius of curvature, it may be thought desireable to increase safety and performance by altering the design of the curved surface, with some possibilities suggested below.

The curvature of the surface could be made maximum at the central portion 1, so that it accelerates fastest at the midpoint of its swing. The curvature could be made to decrease at the portion 2 of the curved surface near its periphery so that the toy is being decelerated automatically for safety.

Another approach to achieve safety is that instead of decreasing the curvature near the periphery, install a guard rail 11 which will prevent the toy from tipping over.

In some designs it may be desireable to make the radius of curvature at the edges infinity or a straight profile in a cross sectional view as at 12, (another way of imagining this is that at the edges the curved surface is like a slice out of a conical shape.) This will stop the see-saw effect at the edges for safety but also act as a rotating surface i.e the toy can balance on this portion and then rotate about a central vertical axis, the toy rolling around on this section.

Another way of achieving the same effect as produced by the straight profile at 12, is to have a outward projection at the rim of the toy as at 13. This projection should stop the toy turning right up to the outer extremity 15 of the curved surface profile 14, the projection therefore reduces the active rocking surface of the curved profile.

3.3 Construction The toy should be designed to have low inertia and weight, and so should use hollow sections and/or thin strengthing webs to give it strength and yet have low inertia. Solid cross-sections should only be used if the material is very light and the design need solid cross-sections for strength.

It will be readily understood that such a design can be produced in plastic by using an injection moulding process, and that it can be produced in fibre-glass by laying fibre-glass over a mould. Construction processes for other materials such as metals or carbon fibre will be the normal material processing processes used for such materials.

3.4 Seating Seating can be provisioned in many ways ranging from something as simple as a ring 3 around the circumference to sit on, or a ring around the circumference with depressions in the ring for people to sit in thus holding the players more securely, to more complex seating where the moulding also provides a backrest. Seating can also be provisioned by providing separate seats.

3.5 Grips Hand grips can be provisioned in many ways ranging from a central ring 4, or moulded grips 5 /hand rail 6 in the periphery, to a single central pole 7.

Foot grips can be provisioned in many ways ranging from a central ring 8, a peripheral ring 9, to foot straps and mouldings 10 in the periphery.

In addition to the possibility of having foot grips, it may also be thought desireable to have foot stops in the standing player models. The foot stops would stop players feet from sliding inwards towards the centre of the toy. Foot stops can be provisioned in many ways ranging from mouldings to a peripheral raised edge 16.

3.6 Sizes Different sizes will be required for different age groups, and the toy is suitable for a wide range of ages, including toddlers, children, teenagers and adults. The size will also vary depending on the number of persons it is designed for.

It is even possible to envisage very large versions of the toy, catering for 15 or 20 people which could be used at fairs.

There is therefore a large range of sizes.

3.7 Different Types of Design There are a lot of different design types of models available.

The choices are single/multi-user, seated/standing, hand grips/no hand-grips, foot-grips/no foot grips, guard-rail/no guard rail, metal/ plastic or other synthetic material. By design it may be possible to combine some features and thus reduce the need for so many different types of models e.g one design may be designed so that it is suitable for seated and standing.

4.0 SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Due to the large number of design types possible, specific embodiments of five of the various design types have been described.

4.1 Embodiment 1 Figure 1 shows a seated, multi-user version with a central hand grip, no foot grips, no guard rail, and is made of plastic. The outer edge of the profile is curved, however there is a outward projection at the rim (thus making the toy behave as if it had a straight outer edge). Figure 1 is a sectional view on A-A, and Figure 2 is a plan view of figure 1.

4.2 Embodyent 2 Figure 3 shows a standing, multi-user version with central hand grips, foot grips, a foot stop and no guard rail. It is made of metal, and the outer edge of the profile is straight. Figure 3 is a sectional view on B-B, and Figure 4 is a plan view of figure 3.

4.3 Embody end 3 Figure 5 shows a seated, multi-user version with central hand grips, foot grips, and a guard rail. It is made of metal, and the outer edge of the profile is curved. Figure 5 is a sectional view on C-C, and Figure 6 is a plan view of figure 5.

4.4 Embodyient 4 Figure 7 shows a seated, multi-user version with hand grips on the periphery, no foot grips and no guard rail. It is made of plastic other synthetic material and the outer edge of the profile is curved. Figure 7 is a sectional view on D-D, and Figure 8 is a plan view of figure 7.

4.5 Embodyment 5 Figure 9 shows a standing, single/multi user version with no hand grips, with foot grips and no guard rail. It is made of plastic, and the outer edge of profile is curved. Figure 9 is a sectional view on E-E, and Figure 10 is a plan view of figure 9.

Claims (1)

1. CLANS

   Clam 1 A improved toy comprising of a spherically curved surface giving it a bowl like appearance, different parts of the surface may have different radii of curvature with the centers of the curved surface radii all being on the same side of the toy so that in operation it rocks and rolls/ rotates on this curved surface and functions in a manner which has similarities to a see-saw and produces see-saw sensations with an axis of rotation which is capable of shifting so that the see-saw effect is produced in directions which are capable of varying constantly and the toy is also capable of rolling/ rotating about a central vertical axis thus the toy is capable of producing a rolling/ rotating and see-saw motion simultaneously and will cater for single and multiple users.

   Claim 2 A improved toy as claimed in claim 1 wherein the rim of the curved surface has a outward projection, this projection stopping the toy turning right up to the outer extremity of the curved surface profile 14, the projection thereby reducing the active rocking surface of the curved profile.

   Claim 3 A improved toy as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the cross-sectional profile of the curved surface has a straight portion at its outer edge, this straight portion effectively similar to a section out of a conical shape.

   Claim 4 A improved toy as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3, wherein provision is made for the seating of one or more children or adults.

   Claim 5 A improved toy as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3, wherein provision is made for the standing of one or more children or adults.

   Claim 6 A improved toy as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3, wherein provision is made for the seating of or standing of, one or more children or adults.

   Claim 7 A improved toy as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 wherein provision is made for a foot stop which stops the feet of players who are standing from sliding inwards.

   Claim 8 A improved toy as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5 or claim 6 or claim 7, wherein provision is made for hand grips.

   Claims 9 A improved toy as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5 or claim 6 or claim 7 or claim 8, wherein provision is made for foot grips.

   Claim 10 A improved toy as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein there is a guard rail attached at the periphery, the guard rail stops the toy from tipping over.

   Claim 11 A improved toy as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein provision is made for a restraining device or devices to stop the person or persons playing from slipping out.

   Claim 12 A improved toy substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-10 of the accompanying drawing.