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Description  |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a new and improved hemispherical rocking
toy and, more particularly, pertains to providing entertainment and
exercise for a child through a safe rocking toy of a simplified
construction.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of toys capable of rocking children constructed of a wide variety
of designs and configurations is known in the prior art. More
specifically, toys capable of rocking children constructed of a wide
variety of designs and configurations heretofore devised and utilized for
the purpose of providing exercise and/or entertainment for children
through various methods and apparatuses are known to consist basically of
familiar, expected, and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding
the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which has been
developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
The prior art discloses a large number of devices for providing
entertainment and exercise for a child through a safe rocking toy of a
simplified construction. By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,193,592 to
Bishow discloses a rocking, turning toy upon which the user can sit, stand
or kneel.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,298,196 to Silver discloses a rocking toy capable of being
ridden and rocked which is assembled from a plurality of three-dimensional
modules.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,364,579 to Fisher discloses a rock and roll recreational
toy with an annular body and gripping bar.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,874,163 to Chiavetta et al. discloses a rocking toy with an
animal-shaped body.
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 243,545 to Seegers, Sr. discloses a rocking toy with
rockers.
Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 331,430 to Nolan discloses a child's rocking and
rotating riding toy.
In this respect, the hemispherical rocking toy according to the present
invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs
of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily
developed for the purpose of providing entertainment and exercise for a
child through a safe rocking toy of a simplified construction.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a
new and improved hemispherical rocking toy which can be used for providing
entertainment and exercise for a child through a safe rocking toy of a
simplified construction. In this regard, the present invention
substantially fulfills this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of toys
capable of rocking children constructed of a wide variety of designs and
configurations now present in the prior art, the present invention
provides an improved hemispherical rocking toy. As such, the general
purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in
greater detail, is to provide a new and improved hemispherical rocking toy
and methods which have all the advantages of the prior art and none of the
disadvantages.
To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a new and
improved hemispherical rocking toy for children comprising, in
combination, a hemispherical shell fabricated of a rigid plastic material,
the hemispherical shell including an interior surface and an exterior
surface with an open top for the receipt of children therein, the shell
being of a greater thickness in its lower extent than its upper extent to
provide an annular seating surface in a horizontal plane; a pair of planar
sheets fabricated of a plastic material each having an upper linear edge
and a lower semi-circular edge and a horizontal planar edge therebetween,
the lower circular edge adapted to be received in contact with the
interior surface of the shell, the plates adapted to divide the interior
of the shell into four equal sized and configured areas each for the
receipt of a child; a pair of handles in a U-shaped configuration located
on each plate at locations in proximity to the upper edge of the planar
plates, each for being held by a child while sitting on the planar surface
of the shell to facilitate rocking thereof; and bolts extending through
adjacent handles to couple handles together on opposite sides of each
plate.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features
of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that
follows may be better understood and in order that the present
contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course,
additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter
and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention
in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its
application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the
components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the
drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being
practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood
that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose
of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon
which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the
designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the
several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore,
that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions
insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent
and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the
scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar
with patent of legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a
cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of
the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention
of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to
be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and
improved hemispherical rocking toy which has all the advantages of the
prior art toys capable of rocking children constructed of a wide variety
of designs and configurations and none of the disadvantages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved
hemispherical rocking toy which may be easily and efficiently manufactured
and marketed.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and
improved hemispherical rocking toy which is of a durable and reliable
construction.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and
improved hemispherical rocking toy which is susceptible of a low cost of
manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly
is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby
making such toys capable of rocking children constructed of a wide variety
of designs and configurations economically available to the buying public.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and
improved hemispherical rocking toy which provides in the apparatuses and
methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while
simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated
therewith.
Even still another object of the present invention is to provide
entertainment and exercise for a child through a safe rocking toy of a
simplified construction.
Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a hemispherical
rocking toy for children. The hemispherical shell is fabricated of a rigid
plastic material and includes an interior surface and an exterior surface
with an open top for the receipt of children therein. The shell comprises
a greater thickness in its lower extent than its upper extent to provide
an annular seating surface in a horizontal plane. A pair of planar sheets
is fabricated of a plastic material, each having an upper linear edge and
a lower semi-circular edge and a horizontal planar edge therebetween. The
lower circular edge is adapted to be received in contact with the interior
surface of the shell.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various
features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with
particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this
disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating
advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should
be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there
is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set
forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the
following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference
to the annexed drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a child's rocker toy constructed in
accordance with a prior art design.
FIG. 2 is a top view of another prior art child's rocker toy.
FIG. 3 is the preferred embodiment of the new and improved hemispherical
rocking toy constructed in accordance with the principles of the present
invention.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view similar to FIG. 3 but shown with the
children removed.
FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the device shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the device shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7--7 of FIG. 5.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8--8 of FIG. 7.
The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various
Figures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1 thereof,
the preferred embodiment of the new and improved hemispherical rocking toy
embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and
generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.
The present invention, the new and improved hemispherical rocking toy is a
system 10 comprised of a plurality of components. In their broadest
context, the components include a hemispherical shell, planar sheets and
handles. Each of the individual components is specifically configured and
correlated one with respect to the other so as to attain the desired
objectives.
More specifically, the present invention is a rocking toy 10. The principal
component of the toy is a hemispherically-shaped shell 12. Such shell is
fabricated of a rigid plastic material. Other materials are capable of
being utilized for the fabrication of the shell and other components but a
rigid plastic is preferred. Such hemispherical shell includes an interior
surface 14 and an exterior surface 16. Also formed with the shell is an
open top 18 for the receipt of children therein.
The exterior of the shell is a smooth hemisphere. The interior of the
shell, however, is formed with a greater thickness in its lower extent 20
and with a lesser thickness in its upper extent 22. At the area of joining
between the upper and lower extents is an annular seating surface 24 for
the children therein. Such annular seating surface is in a horizontal
plane.
The next major component of the toy 10 are a pair of planar sheets 26. Such
sheets are fabricated of a rigid plastic material, preferably the same
material as that of the shell. Each planar sheet has an upper linear edge
28. Each sheet also has a lower semi-circular edge 30 at its lower extent.
Intermediate such edges is a horizontal planar edge 32. The lower circular
edge is adapted to be received in contact with the interior surface of the
shell at its lower extent. The plates function to divide the interior of
the shell into four equally sized and configured areas 34. Each of such
areas is for the receipt of a single child therein.
The final major component of the toy 10 is a pair of handles 38 each in a
U-shaped configuration arranged in pairs on opposite sides of each plate.
Each of the handles is at a location in proximity to the upper edge of the
planar sheet to which it is secured. Each handle is for being held by a
child while sitting on the planar surface of the shell to facilitate the
rocking thereof. The handles have a central linear extent and inturned
linear extents with apertures extending therethrough. The handles are
arranged in pairs with unthreaded apertures extending through the end of
one adjacent handle and threaded apertures extending into the adjacent
handle. In association therewith, bolts 42 are provided to extend through
the unthreaded apertures and to threadably couple with the threaded
apertures. In this manner, adjacent sets of handles can couple together on
opposite sides of each plate for simple coupling and coupling
therebetween.
The present invention comprises a toy for small children to ride on that
can be moved around a yard by children shifting their weight while sitting
in it. It is made of hard molded plastic in one piece. The toy is shaped
like a half-sphere that is divided into four equal quarter sections by
panels, similar to an orange cut in half. Inside each quarter section is a
molded seat with space for a child's feet in its front. The half sphere is
thirty-six inches in diameter and eighteen inches deep. All of the
surfaces are smooth and the edges are rounded to prevent injury to the
children playing with the toy. It could be made in various colors and
patterns that please children and, if desired, decorated with animal and
cartoon characters.
Two or more children can play with the toy simultaneously. At least two
children should play with it to enable it to perform as intended. As the
children push back into their seats, shifting their body to one side and
then the other, and rocking back and forth, the half-sphere sways back and
forth, and slides around in the play area.
The present invention provides many hours of fun and excitement for small
children. It is lightweight, compact and easily stored and transported.
The plastic material is durable and should not corrode.
As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same
should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further
discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the
optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to
include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of
operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to
one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those
illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are
intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and
changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired
to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and
described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may
be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
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