GB2393920A

GB2393920A - Rider-propelled roundabout

Info

Publication number: GB2393920A
Application number: GB0223615A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kenneth William Prentice
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-10-11
Filing date: 2002-10-11
Publication date: 2004-04-14
Also published as: GB0223615D0

Abstract

A children's roundabout comprises a flat base 10 and a hub assembly 20 having a number of radial arms 21 extending from it, the outer ends of the radial arms being arranged for attachment of respective tricycles or other wheeled conveyances. The base 10 provides a trackway T for the tricycles etc. to move in a circular path, and may comprise one or more ribs 11, 12, 13 for constraining the wheels of the conveyances.

Description

CHILDREN'S ROUNDABOUT

The present invention relates to a children's roundabout. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a children's roundabout which comprises a flat base, 5 and a hub assembly having a number of radial arms extending therefrom, the outer ends of the radial arms being arranged for attachment of respective children's tricycles or other wheeled conveyances, and the base providing a trackway for the tricycles or other conveyances to move in a circular path.

10 As the children propel their tricycles or other conveyances, the radial arms are caused to rotate as a unit around the hub assembly and the tricycles etc. are constrained to follow a circular path around the trackway.

Preferably the trackway comprises once or more raised 15 ribs on the base of the roundabout, the rib or ribs serving to constrain the wheels of the tricycles etc. (particularly the front wheels) to the trackway and give each child the feeling of being in control of the path which he or she follows.

Preferably there is one raised rib radially inset from the 20 periphery of the base, and more preferably a further raised rib radially inset from the one raised rib. Instead or in addition, a raised rib may be provided at or adjacent the periphery of the base.

Preferably the base comprises a circular panel.

25 Preferably this panel is divided into a number (e.g. four) segments, to enable the base to be disassembled and the segments stacked for storage or transport.

Preferably the hub assembly comprises a shaft extending vertically from a flat plate arranged to seat on the floor or 30 ground under the base of the roundabout, with the shaft projecting upwardly through an aperture in the base.

Preferably the radial arms are mounted to a unit which is rotatably supported on the vertical shaft: preferably a tubular support is disposed on the shaft and the unit which

mounts the arms is rotatably mounted to this tubular support.

Preferably the radial arms, rotary unit and tubular support can all be disassembled from each other and from the vertical shaft. 5 Preferably the roundabout includes means for attaching the tricycles etc. to the outer ends of the radial arms. For example, a set of clamping means may be provided.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the 10 accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a view of a children's roundabout in accordance with the invention, shown prior to attachment of individual tricycles etc.; FIGURE 2 is a side view of the roundabout shown in 15 Figure 1; FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the roundabout showing, inset and on reduced scale, the modules from which the base of the roundabout is formed; FIGURE 4 is a side view of the components which form 20 the hub assembly of the roundabout; and FIGURE 5 is a view of the hub assembly once assembled.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, there is shown a children's roundabout which comprises a flat, circular base 10 and a hub assembly 20 from which four arms 21 extend 25 radially.

The base 10 comprises a circular panel, for example of plywood, divided into four 90 segments which can be separated and stacked, as shown in the inset view in Figure 3, for storage or transport. A trackway T is formed on the top 30 surface of the base 10, around its periphery, and comprises three circumferentially-extending raised ribs 11, 12, 13: rib 11 is positioned at the periphery of the base 10, rib 12 is radially inset from rib 11 and rib 13 is further inset from rib 12. 35 The base 10 is formed with a circular aperture at its

centre. The hub assembly 20 of the roundabout comprises a circular metal plate 22 (Figures 4 and 5) having a metal shaft 23 projecting upwardly from its centre. The hub assembly 20 further comprises a tubular support 24 which is received over 5 the shaft 23. In order to assemble the roundabout, the plate 22 is laid flat on the floor or ground and the tubular support 24 is slipped over its upright shaft 23: then the four segments of the base 10 are laid on the floor around the hub assembly 20, to overlie the plate 22 at their apices and such 10 that, in effect, the shaft 23 and support 24 project upwardly through the central opening in the base 10.

A top portion 25 of the tubular support 24 is of reduced diameter and receives a washer 26 followed by a rotary disc 27, a second washer 28 and finally a cap 29: a bolt 30 is 15 passed through the cap 29, rotary disc 27 and washers 26, 28 and is engaged into a threaded bore in the top of the shaft 23, to secure the assembly together.

The rotary disc 27 is formed with radially-projecting spigots 27a, at 90 intervals, to which the inner ends of the 20 arms 21 are mounted. Finally, four tricycles or other wheeled conveyances are placed on the base 10 and coupled to the outer ends of respective arms 21, the tricycles or other wheeled conveyances being positioned on the trackway T and all facing in the same circumferential direction.

25 Children sitting on the tricycles etc. will, upon pedalling or otherwise propelling the conveyance forwards, follow the trackway T as the rotary assembly, consisting of the radial arms 21 and the rotary disc 27, turn around on the axis of the upright shaft 23 and support 24. It will be appreciated 30 that the upstanding ribs 11, 12, 13 of the trackway T help to constrain the wheels of the tricycles etc. to the trackway and give each child the feeling of being in control of the path which he or she follows.

It will be appreciated that the roundabout which has 35 been described is of straightforward construction, easy to

assemble and disassemble, yet can provide much enjoyment for children, whether the roundabout is used indoors or outdoors.

Claims

1) A children's roundabout which comprises a flat base, and a hub assembly having a number of radial arms extending therefrom, the outer ends of said radial arms being arranged 5 for attachment of respective children's tricycles or other wheeled conveyances, and said base providing a trackway for the tricycles or other conveyances to move in a circular path.

2) A roundabout as claimed in claim 1, in which said base is provided with one or more raised ribs for constraining the 10 wheels of the tricycles or other conveyances to the trackway.

3) A roundabout as claimed in claim 2, in which one said rib is positioned radially inset from the periphery of said base. 4) A roundabout as claimed in claim 3, in which a further 15 said rib is positioned radially inset from the one said rib.

5) A roundabout as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, in which the or a said rib is positioned at or adjacent the periphery of said base.

6) A roundabout as claimed in any preceding claim, in which 20 said base comprises a circular panel.

7) A roundabout as claimed in claim 6, in which said panel is divided into a number of segments enabling said base to be disassembled. 8) A roundabout as claimed in any preceding claim, in which 25 said hub assembly comprises a shaft extending vertically from a flat plate arranged to seat on the floor or ground under said base, with said shaft projecting upwardly through an aperture

in said base.

9) A roundabout as claimed in claim 8, in which said radial arms are mounted to a unit which is rotatably supported on said vertical shaft.

5 10) A roundabout as claimed in claim 9, comprising a tubular support disposed on said shaft, said unit being rotatably mounted to said tubular support.

11) A roundabout as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a set of clamping means for attaching respective 10 tricycles or other wheeled conveyances to the outer ends of said radial arms.

12) A children's roundabout substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.