Toy combination swing and wheeled vehicle

Abstract

A toy combination swing and wheeled vehicle includes a toy vehicle including: a vehicle body configured to carry a toy figurine and at least left and right wheels rotatably mounted to the body, which define an overall track width of the vehicle; and a toy swingset including a swingset base and a swing to hang above a play surface, the swing including a swing compartment with a floor, and a ramp rotatably coupled to a front edge of the floor and pivotable between a closed position in which the ramp extends across an entrance to the swing compartment, and an open position in which the ramp extends downward toward the play surface. The ramp includes an inner end facing the front edge of the floor and that is elevated with respect to the front edge of the floor when the ramp is in the open position.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to toys, such as toy swings and toy wheeled vehicles.BACKGROUND

[0002] Toys can depict people and scenes, e.g., children in a play space, on a reduced scale, allowing children to act out real-world situations. It is helpful to provide ways in which the individual pieces of a set of toys can be used in combination with each other.SUMMARY

[0003] The disclosed toy combination features a swing and wheeled vehicle, where the wheeled vehicle can swing without rolling out of the swing. The presence of ribs on an interior surface of the swing provides a counterforce in the direction of movement, such that the wheeled vehicle remains substantially fixed in space relative to the swing during swinging.

[0004] In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a toy combination swing and wheeled vehicle that includes: a toy vehicle including: a vehicle body configured to carry a toy figurine and having left and right opposite sides, and at least two wheels rotatably mounted to the body, including a left wheel mounted at the left side of the body and a right wheel mounted at the right side of the vehicle body, the left and right wheels defining an overall track width of the vehicle; and a toy swingset including a swingset base and a swing supported by the swingset base to hang above a play surface, with the swing free to swing with respect to the play surface, the swing including a swing compartment with a floor and opposite side walls and defining an interior sized to accommodate the toy vehicle, and a ramp rotatably coupled to a front edge of the floor and pivotable between a closed position in which the ramp extends across an entrance to the swing compartment, and an open position in which the ramp extends downward toward the play surface. The ramp can include an inner end facing the front edge of the floor and that is elevated with respect to the front edge of the floor when the ramp is in the open position The foregoing and other embodiments can each optionally include one or more of the following features, alone or in combination.

[0005] The left and right wheels can include a front wheel that is disposed adjacent the front edge of the floor with the wheeled vehicle disposed within the swing compartment, and the front wheel can have a wheel diameter.

[0006] The inner end of the ramp can be elevated with respect to the front edge of the floor when the ramp is in the open position, by a distance between 10 and 20 percent of the front wheel diameter.

[0007] The side walls of the swing compartment each can include a rib projecting into the compartment above and parallel to the floor, the ribs arranged to simultaneously bear against the left and right wheels as the toy vehicle is rolled into the compartment.

[0008] The side wall of the swing compartment each can include an upper rib projecting into the compartment above the ribs and parallel to the floor.

[0009] The wheeled vehicle can include four wheels, two wheels being right wheels and two wheels being left wheels.

[0010] The toy vehicle can have a form of a wheelchair.

[0011] The play surface can be horizontal. The swingset can be configured such that when the swingset is resting on the play surface, the ramp engages the play surface in its open position.

[0012] The swing can include a protuberance rising from the floor adjacent a rear edge of the floor. The wheeled vehicle can define a recess positioned to receive the protuberance to limit rearward motion of the wheeled vehicle as the wheeled vehicle nears the rear edge.

[0013] The wheeled vehicle and swing can be configured such that the wheeled vehicle can only be received in the swing in an orientation in which the recess faces the protuberance without blocking closure of the ramp.

[0014] The swingset base can include a rod and two components for receiving the rod; and the swing swings about the axis of the rod.

[0015] The swing can define two through holes, through which the rod can pass.

[0016] The subject matter described in this specification can help to create an easily manipulated set of toys that interface in cooperative ways to create an enjoyable and educational play environment. In particular, a young child can readily roll the vehicle into the swing with the ramp down and without the vehicle incidentally rolling back out of the swing before the ramp is closed. Other features of the swing conveniently guide the motion and positioning of the wheeled vehicle into the swing.

[0017] The details of one or more implementations of the subject matter described in this specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1 depicts toy combination including a toy swingset and toy vehicle configured to carry a toy figurine.

[0019] FIGS. 2A-2D are different views of an example of a swing compartment.

[0020] FIG. 3A depicts a cross-section of an example of a swingset base. FIG. 3B depicts more detail of a bracket in FIG. 3A configured to receive a component of the swingset base.

[0021] FIGS. 4A and 4B are different views of a ramp, which can be rotatably connected to a swing compartment.

[0022] FIGS. 4C-4F depict a ramp, rotatably connected to a swing, in various positions.

[0023] FIG. 5 depicts a play surface, which can be configured to receive the swingset base.

[0024] FIG. 6 depicts a toy swingset according to some implementations.

[0025] FIG. 7 depicts an exploded view of an example of a toy swingset.

[0026] FIG. 8A-8C depict different views of an interface between a toy vehicle and a swing.

[0027] FIG. 9 depicts a cross section of a toy figurine seated in a toy vehicle.

[0028] Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] FIG. 1 depicts toy combination 100 including a toy swingset 101 and toy vehicle 122 configured to carry a toy figurine 124. The toy swingset 101 can include a swing 106 and a swingset base 102. The swing 106 can include a swing compartment 105 and a ramp 118, which can rotatably connect to the swing compartment 105.

[0030] In operation, the swing 106 can swing relative to a play surface 120 below the swingset base 102. The swing compartment 105 can fit the toy vehicle 122, which can be configured to hold the toy figurine 124, such that the toy figurine 124 and toy vehicle 122 can swing along with the swing compartment 105. Optionally, the toy swingset 101 can include a second swing 126, which can also swing relative to the play surface 120.

[0031] FIGS. 2A-2D are different views of an example of a swing compartment 105. FIG. 2A is a plan view of swing compartment 105. The swing compartment 105 can include a floor 116, which can be connected to side walls 130. The side wall 130 can be opposite each other, e.g., left and right, and be substantially perpendicular to the floor 116.

[0032] With reference to FIG. 2B, the swing compartment 105 can optionally include a backing 132 that connects the side wall 130. The backing 132 can be rectangular and substantially perpendicular to both the side wall 130 and the floor 116. The distance between side wall 130 and the width of the floor 116 can be substantially the same.

[0033] The swing compartment 105 can optionally include a protuberance 134. The protuberance 134 can be located towards the rear side, e.g., nearly below the backing 132, of the floor 116, and roughly halfway between the side wall 130. In some implementations, the height of the protuberance 134 can be selected to fit into a recess of the toy vehicle 122, such that the toy vehicle 122 is constrained from rolling beyond the rear edge of the floor 116.

[0034] FIG. 2C is a side view of the swing compartment 105 that shows an example of a shape of the side wall 130. A line 2D can extend in a vertical direction, e.g., perpendicular to the floor 116. The side wall 130 can have a lower portion 136 and an upper portion 138. The lower portion 136 can be solid. Each upper portion 138 can define a through hole 140, through which a rod 104 can pass. In some implementations, the through hole 140 is circular. Optionally, the side wall 130 can define an opening 142.

[0035] FIG. 2D is a cross-section taken along line 2D-2D of the swing compartment 105 along the plane C. The swing compartment 105 can include pivot connections 144 at the front edge of the floor 116. The ramp 118 can pivotably connect to the pivot connections 144.

[0036] Each inner surface of the side wall 130 can include a rib 112 projecting into the swing compartment 105 above and parallel to the floor 116. The ribs 112 can be located 1 to 5 mm, e.g., 3.02 mm, upward from the floor 116. The ribs can project 1 to 5 mm, e.g., 4.4 mm, into the swing compartment 105. The width of the ribs 112, e.g., how much they project into the swing compartment 105, can be configured such that the ribs 112 are in or nearly in contact 811 with the wheels, e.g., the rear wheels 804, of the toy vehicle 122 as it rolls in the swing 106.

[0037] The ribs 112 are positioned to provide a small amount of clearance with the rear wheels 804 of toy vehicle 122 as it rolls into the swing compartment 105. Alternatively, the ribs 112 can bear the rear wheels 804 of toy vehicle 122 as it rolls into the swing compartment 105, such as shown in close-up 810.

[0038] Close up 820 provides more detail of the region where the front wheels 802 and rib 112 can meet. The front wheels 802 can connect to a foot rest 816 of the toy vehicle 122 via an axle 818. The axle 818 can be a rod that can be configured to fit through an aperture in the center of the front wheel 802 (not pictured since the foot rest 816 covers the aperture from the side view) and through a hole on a side of the foot rest 816. Thus, the front wheel 802 can rotate about the axis of the axle without translating away from the toy vehicle 122. The height of rib 112 can be chosen based on the height of the front wheel 802 and the location and size of the axle 818. For example, the rib 112 can be located a certain height above the floor 116 of the swing 106 such that the bottom 818b of the axle and the top 112a of the rib are within a few millimeters of each other in height. The front wheels 802 can have a diameter of about 12 mm.

[0039] Optionally, upper ribs 114 can be located such that they are only just above, e.g., 1-3 mm above, the wheels of the toy vehicle 122. The upper ribs 114 can keep the wheels of the toy vehicle 122 from rolling on top of the ribs 112. Additionally, the upper ribs 114 provide another constraint on the location and movement of the toy vehicle 122 during spring. The ribs 112 can be located 10 to 30 mm, e.g., 20 mm, upward from the floor 116. The ribs can project 3 to 9 mm, e.g., 6 mm, into the swing compartment 105.

[0040] Some example dimensions for the swing compartment 105 follow. The width of the floor can be 40 to 60 mm, e.g., 52 mm. A distance between an outer edge of each sidewall, e.g., the side of the side wall 130 facing outward the swing compartment 105, can be 50 to 80 mm, e.g., 71 mm. The height, e.g., extending in the vertical direction, of the side wall 130 be 90 120 mm, e.g., 103.8 mm. A width of the protuberance 134 can be 1 to 5 mm, e.g., 4 mm.

[0041] A diameter of the through holes 140 can be 5 to 10 mm, e.g., 8 mm. The through holes 140 can have an annular perimeter, where the width of the perimeter is 1 to 3 mm, e.g., 2.5 mm, wide. The pivot connections 144 can be circular with a diameter in the range of 1 to 5 mm, e.g., 4.2 mm. A bottom side of the backing 132 can be 20 to 30 mm, e.g., 22 mm, above the floor 116.

[0042] FIG. 3A depicts a cross-section of an example of a swingset base 102. The swingset base 102 can have a triangular shape when viewed from the side. The swingset base 102 can include legs 304 and base 306. Each leg 304 can form an angle with respect to the base 306, such that the swingset base 102 has an isosceles triangle shape. The angle can be between 30 to 80°, e.g., 65°.

[0043] The base 306 of the swingset base 102 can optionally include inserts 308 to connect to the play surface 120. The inserts 308 can be 15 to 30 mm wide, e.g., 24 mm, and 5 to 10 mm tall, e.g., 8 mm.

[0044] The swingset base 102 can include a bracket region 310, labeled by a circle in FIG. 3A, which corresponds to FIG. 3B. FIG. 3B depicts more detail of a bracket 302 in FIG. 3A configured to receive a component of the swingset base 102. The bracket 302 can have an annular shape with an arc at the bottom of the annulus missing. For example the bracket 302 can have an inner diameter of 10 mm, and outer diameter of 14 mm, and a gap between the ends of the bottom of the bracket 302 can be 6.04 mm.

[0045] The bracket 302 can be configured to receive and hold a rod 104. The rod 104 and pass through the through holes 140 of the swing compartment 105. Thus, the swing compartment 105 can swing about the axis defined by the rod 104. The rod 104 can be 3 to 10 mm wide, e.g., 6 mm wide.

[0046] In some implementations, the swingset base 102 can have other shapes, e.g., not include through holes to provide an axis about which the swing compartment 105 can swing.

[0047] FIGS. 4A and 4B are different views of a ramp 118, which can be rotatably connected to the swing compartment 105. FIG. 4A is a plan view of the ramp 118. The ramp can be roughly rectangular in shape, with rounded corners on two edges 402 opposite the side that connects to the swing compartment 105. For example, a radius of curvature of the edges 402 can be 4.8 mm. A length of the ramp 118 can be 30 to 40 mm, e.g., 36.66 mm. A width of the ramp 118 50 to 60 mm, e.g., 55 mm.

[0048] The ramp 118 can include pivot inserts 404 that can pivotably connect to the pivot connections 144 of the swing compartment 105. The pivot inserts 404 can have a shape of two circular, stacked discs. A plane F can intersect the ramp 118.

[0049] FIG. 4B is a cross-section of the ramp 118 along the plane F. A depth of the ramp 118 can vary. For example, the planes along an upper surface 406 and a lower surface 408 of the ramp can intersect at an angle such as, but not limited to, 6.4°. The ramp 118 can rotate about an axis parallel to the front edge of the floor 116, such that it can rest in an up position, as seen in FIG. 1, or in a down position, as seen in FIG. 6. When in the down position, the ramp 118 can touch the play surface 120.

[0050] FIGS. 4C-4F depict a ramp 118, rotatably connected to a swing compartment 105, in various positions. In FIG. 4C, the ramp 118 is in an upright position, forming a roughly 90 degree angle with the floor 116 of the swing compartment 115. The outermost part of the ramp 118 has a curved portion 414 and edge 416. The rotational axis 410 can extend through pivot inserts 404 and be located approximately 1.5 mm forward of the front edge of the floor 116 of the swing compartment 115.

[0051] In FIG. 4D, the ramp 118 is in an intermediate position, forming an oblique angle with the floor 116. Rotating the ramp 118 from the upright position of FIG. 4C to the intermediate position of FIG. 4D requires some force, as the edge 416 squarely meets the floor 116 in the upright position. The floor 116, ramp 118, or both can be somewhat flexible so that application of some force can cause the ramp 118 to rotate to the intermediate position, e.g., the edge 416 functions as a cam surface relative to the floor 116.

[0052] The requirement of applying a force to move the ramp 118 from the upright to an intermediate position can help secure the wheelchair inside the swing compartment 105, e.g., the ramp 118 will not swing open and let the wheelchair roll out unless a sufficient force is applied to elastically deform the structure related to the ramp cam surface. When rotating in the opposite direction, e.g., intermediate to upright positions, with the application of enough force, the ramp 118 will “snap” into an upright position.

[0053] In FIG. 4E, the ramp 118 is in a final position, where the ramp 118 contacts the play surface 120. In the intermediate position, the edge 416 of the ramp and the floor 116 overlap, so although less force is required to continue rotating the ramp from the intermediate to final position compared to from the upright to intermediate position, there is still some resistance. In this lowered position, the upper inner edge 418 of the ramp surface is disposed at a higher elevation than the floor 116 of the swing, forming a bump to prevent the wheelchair from rolling out of the swing with the ramp down, at least at moderate swing angles.

[0054] FIG. 4F depicts the swing compartment 105 with the rotatably connected ramp 118 in the final position. When the ramp 118 is in the final lowered position, e.g., contacting the play surface 120, a protuberance, e.g., upper inner edge 418, of the ramp 118 rises above the upper surface of the floor 116, which can prevent the wheelchair from rolling out of the swing compartment 105, unless a force is applied that causes it to roll over the protuberance and down the ramp. Outline 420 depicts the size of the front wheels 802. In some implementations, the inner edge of the ramp 118 rises above the upper surface of the floor 116 by about 1.5 mm, and the diameter of the front wheels 802 can be about 12 mm, making the height of the upper inner edge 418 above the upper surface of the floor 116 a barrier that requires force to overcome, e.g., the front wheels 802 cannot roll past the upper inner edge 418 without application of force. Preferably, the height of the inner edge of the ramp in the lowered position is between about 10% and 15% of the diameter of the front wheel of the wheelchair.

[0055] FIG. 5 depicts a play surface 120, which can be configured to receive the swingset base 102. In some implementations, the play surface 120 has four recesses 502, into which the inserts 308 from the swingset base 102 can fit. For example, the recesses 502 can be spaced apart 121.7 mm in a first lateral direction and spaced apart 153 mm in a second lateral direction, perpendicular to the first lateral direction. The recesses 502 can be rectangular with rounded corners. For example, the maximum width of the recesses 502 can be 11 mm, and maximum height of the recesses can be 21 mm. The play surface 120 can have an area sufficient to completely vertically overlap the toy swingset 101.

[0056] FIG. 6 depicts a toy swingset 101 according to some implementations. The toy swingset 101 includes the assembled components as previously discussed. The swingset base 102 can connect to the play surface 120. The swingset base 102 can hold a rod 104, which passes through the swing 106 and second swing 126. The swing 106 can rotate about the rod 104, relative to the play surface 120.

[0057] FIG. 7 depicts an exploded view of an example of a toy swingset 101. With the exploded view, the individual parts of the toy swingset, e.g., the swingset base 102, the swing compartment 105, the ramp 118, the play surface 120, the rod 104, and the second swing 126, can be seen unassembled.

[0058] FIG. 8A-8C depicts different views of an interface 800 between a toy vehicle 122 and a swing 106. Although the toy vehicle 122 is depicted as having four wheels, other numbers are possible, e.g., two wheels. FIG. 8A is a front view of the interface 800. Two front wheels 802 can just fit within the swing compartment 105, e.g., the outer edges of the two front wheels 802 can be nearly or just in contact with the rib 112 as the toy vehicle 122 enters and exits the swing compartment 105.

[0059] FIG. 8B depicts a rearview of the interface 800. Two rear wheels 804 can just fit within the swing compartment 105, e.g., the upper edges of the two rear wheels 804 can be in contact with the rib 114 as the toy vehicle 122 enters and exits the swing compartment 105. The plane D can perpendicularly intersect the rear and front views of the interface 800.

[0060] FIG. 8C depicts the cross-section along the plane D. The toy vehicle 122 can be configured to receive a toy figurine 124 in a seated position. In some implementations, the toy vehicle 122 is a wheelchair.

[0061] FIG. 9 depicts a cross section of the toy figurine 124 seated in a toy vehicle 122. The toy vehicle 122 can include a seat 910, head rest 912, armrests 806, front wheels 802 (not pictured in FIG. 9, as the cross section is through a plane behind the front wheels 802), and rear wheels 804. The rear wheels 804 can have a track width, i.e., a distance between the outer edges of each rear wheel 804, of 40 to 50 mm, e.g., 47.6 mm. The width of the swing compartment 105 can be configured such that the ribs 112 are separated by a distance just larger than the track width of the rear wheels 804, e.g., have a clearance of 1 to 5 mm. In some implementations, the front wheels 802 have a narrower track width compared to the rear wheels 804.

[0062] The two rear wheels 804 can have fenders 808 with a curved shape covering the top regions of the rear wheels 804. When positioned on top of the rear wheels 804, the fenders 808 can have a height just below the upper rib 114, e.g., have a clearance 812 of 1-5 mm between the top of the fenders 808 and the upper rib 114, as seen in close-up 810.

[0063] The toy vehicle 122 can include armrests 806. The armrests 806 can be configured to elastically flex away from one another to fit the figuring into the wheelchair. As depicted in FIG. 9, arms 902 of the toy figurine 124 can rest above the armrests 806. The width and size of the armrests 806 can be configured to elastically flex outward as the toy figurine 124 is pressed into the wheelchair, to fit about the thighs 904 of the toy figurine 124, and to hold the figurine in the wheelchair. The armrests 806 can have an inner component 908 that extends inward, e.g., toward the vertical axis 906. In some implementations, the armrests 806 are configured to receive a particular toy figurine included with the toy set (e.g., a figurine representing a child lacking mobility), while not accommodating a different toy figuring included with the toy set (e.g., a figurine representing a child with full mobility, formed to have wider hips).

[0064] A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A toy combination swing and wheeled vehicle, comprising:a toy vehicle comprising:a vehicle body configured to carry a toy figurine and having left and right opposite sides, andat least two wheels rotatably mounted to the body, including a left wheel mounted at the left side of the body and a right wheel mounted at the right side of the vehicle body, the left and right wheels defining an overall track width of the vehicle; anda toy swingset comprising a swingset base and a swing supported by the swingset base to hang above a play surface, with the swing free to swing with respect to the play surface, the swing comprisinga swing compartment with a floor and opposite side walls and defining an interior sized to accommodate the toy vehicle, anda ramp rotatably coupled to a front edge of the floor and pivotable between a closed position in which the ramp extends across an entrance to the swing compartment, and an open position in which the ramp extends downward toward the play surface;wherein the ramp comprises an inner end facing the front edge of the floor and that is elevated with respect to the front edge of the floor when the ramp is in the open position.

2. The toy combination swing and wheeled vehicle of claim 1, wherein the left and right wheels include a front wheel that is disposed adjacent the front edge of the floor with the wheeled vehicle disposed within the swing compartment, the front wheel having a wheel diameter.

3. The toy combination swing and wheeled vehicle of claim 2, wherein the inner end of the ramp is elevated with respect to the front edge of the floor when the ramp is in the open position, by a distance between 10 and 20 percent of the front wheel diameter.

4. The toy combination swing and wheeled vehicle of claim 1, wherein the side walls of the swing compartment each comprise a rib projecting into the compartment above and parallel to the floor, the ribs arranged to simultaneously bear against the left and right wheels as the toy vehicle is rolled into the compartment.

5. The toy combination swing and wheeled vehicle of claim 1, wherein the side wall of the swing compartment each comprise an upper rib projecting into the compartment above the ribs and parallel to the floor.

6. The toy combination swing and wheeled vehicle of claim 1, the wheeled vehicle comprises four wheels, two wheels being right wheels and two wheels being left wheels.

7. The toy combination swing and wheeled vehicle of claim 1, wherein the toy vehicle has a form of a wheelchair.

8. The toy combination swing and wheeled vehicle of claim 1, wherein the play surface is horizontal; and when the swingset is configured such that when the swingset is resting on the play surface, the ramp engages the play surface in its open position.

9. The toy combination swing and wheeled vehicle of claim 1, wherein the swing comprises a protuberance rising from the floor adjacent a rear edge of the floor, and wherein the wheeled vehicle defines a recess positioned to receive the protuberance to limit rearward motion of the wheeled vehicle as the wheeled vehicle nears the rear edge.

10. The toy combination swing and wheeled vehicle of claim 6, wherein the wheeled vehicle and swing are configured such that the wheeled vehicle can only be received in the swing in an orientation in which the recess faces the protuberance without blocking closure of the ramp.

11. The toy combination swing and wheeled vehicle of claim 1, wherein the swingset base comprises a rod and two components for receiving the rod; and the swing swings about the axis of the rod.

12. The toy combination swing and wheeled vehicle of claim 7, wherein the swing defines two through holes, through which the rod can pass.

Images