US4566688A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Actuation for spring mounted hobby horse
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-03-21
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Granted: 1986-01-28
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Expires: 2004-03-21
Abstract
Abstract In a hobby horse of the type where the body thereof is supported from four upright posts by retractile suspension springs, the present invention incorporates a drive apparatus for imparting a rocking motion to the hobby horse. The invention achieves differing oscillatory rates of horse movement according to the size and weight of the child. Timer and speed controls may be provided.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas A. Monica
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:53
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63G; A63G13/00; A63G13/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
Apparatus for rocking a children's riding toy suspended from a frame having a plurality of generally upright members by a plurality of retractile springs each of which is attached at one end to said toy and at the other end to a frame member; comprising: (a) at least one reciprocating arm means for imparting rocking motion perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of at least one of the retractile springs, (b) clamp means for securing said reciprocating arm to at least one of the retractile springs along the longitudinal axis thereof, and (c) drive means for reciprocating said reciprocating arm, wherein the reciprocating arm travel is within a range of from one-fourth inch to about three inches.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
Apparatus for rocking a children's riding toy suspended from a frame having a plurality of generally upright members by a plurality of retractile springs each of which is attached at one end to said toy and at the other end to a frame member; comprising: (a) at least one reciprocating arm means for imparting rocking motion perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of at least one of the retractile springs, (b) clamp means for securing said reciprocating arm to at least one of the retractile springs along the longitudinal axis thereof, and (c) drive means for reciprocating said reciprocating arm, wherein the reciprocating arm travel is within a range of from one-fourth inch to about three inches.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, further including control panel means for regulating the application of power to said drive means and key lock switch means for disabling said drive means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as in claim 2, further including speed regulating means for selectively adjusting the speed of said rocking motion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as in claim 2, further including means to limit the maximum and minimum speed of said rocking motion within at least one of a plurality of speed ranges.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the reciprocating speed is within a range of 60 to 200 thrusts per minute.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as claim 5, wherein the reciprocating speed is preferably within a range of from 120 to 130 thrusts per minute.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the clamp means adjustably secures the reciprocating arm to the retractile spring at a selected one of a plurality of points along its length between one-fourth way from the toy to three-fourths way toward the frame upright member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as in claim 7, wherein the clamp means is secured to the retractile spring at a point along the length therof substantially half-way between the toy and the frame upright member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said drive means includes an electric gear reduction motor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said drive means comprises a pulsating fluid pressure and said reciprocating arm is a fluid cylinder shaft.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus as in claim 10, wherein said fluid is a gas.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus as in claim 10, wherein said fluid is a liquid.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said reciprocating arm is substantially vertically disposed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said reciprocating arm is substantially horizontally disposed.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, characterized in that smaller, shorter children receive a mild ride and larger, taller children receive a more vigorous ride for a given combination of reciprocating arm travel, reciprocating speed, spring size and rate, and reciprocating arm point of attachment along the length of the spring.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, which incorporates at least one `deadman switch` for safety.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the reciprocating arm travel is about one and one-fourth inches.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the reciprocating arm travel is about one and one-fourth inches and the reciprocating speed is within a range of from about 120 to about 130 thrusts per minute.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-01-27 | 1989-07-29 | 1990-01-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-01-27 | 1993-07-29 | 1994-01-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-01-27 | 1997-07-29 | 1998-01-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |