Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02587701 2007-05-04
MAT06307U 1
TOY MOTORCYCLE
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY
[0001] Children play with toy action figures and toy vehicles in a variety of
different
make-believe play patterns. For some types of play, realistic toys are
preferred, and for other
types of play, extraordinary toys that do not realistically portray real-world
objects are preferred.
The inventors herein have recognized that toys that incorporate some realistic
aspects with other
extraordinary aspects can be more enjoyable than a purely realistic toy or a
purely extraordinary
toy. As such, a toy motorcycle with some realistic features and some
extraordinary features is
provided. The toy motorcycle can include a rider with a disproportionately
large head that is
connected to a normal-sized torso via a flexible joint. The motorcycle rider
can be mounted on a
toy motorcycle that includes spinable wheels. As such, the toy can be rolled
in a somewhat
realistic manner that emulates the rolling of a real motorcycle. At the same
time, the motorcycle-
rider's head can move in an exaggerated manner as the motorcycle rolls.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0002] Fig. 1 shows an exemplary motorcycle rider on a toy motorcycle.
[0003] Fig. 2 is a partial cutaway showing the flexible neck joint of the
motorcycle rider
of Fig. 1.
WRITTEN DESCRIPTION
[0004] The present application is directed to a motorcycle toy. The motorcycle
toy
comprises a motorcycle that is capable of rolling and a motorcycle rider that
has a
disproportionately large bobble-head. The motorcycle may be configured to have
a rear wheel
that is larger than a front wheel. The rider may be configured to have body
parts such as head,
Express Mail Label No. EV 745370455US 1
CA 02587701 2007-05-04
MAT06307U 1
hands or feet that are disproportionately large relative to a torso. Thus, the
motorcycle toy
possesses some extraordinary aspects that do not portray real-world objects.
[0005] The combination of motorcycle rolling and wiggling of the head may
create a
special effect. For example, since the large and heavier bobble-head is
coupled to a lighter
flexible joint, a small bump on the path of the motorcycle or even slight
maneuver of the
motorcycle may result in amplified motion of the head, which can be appealing
to children. As
such, the spinable wheels facilitate exaggerated movement of the bobble-head.
[0006] Fig. 1 shows an exemplary bobble-head motorcycle rider on a toy
motorcycle. A
motorcycle 10 comprises a front wheel 12, a rear wheel 14, and a frame 16.
Wheels can be
defined by a rim diameter as illustrated by C and a tire diameter as
illustrated by D. Frame 16
may further comprise a seat 18. The frame may include a rear fender 20. In one
example, rear
fender 20 may be defined by substantially flat surfaces to allow fingers to
grasp the motorcycle
and manipulate the movement of the motorcycle.
[0007] In the illustrated example, rear wheel 14 is significantly larger than
front wheel
12. Seat 18 is lower than a top of rear wheel 14 and higher than a top of
front wheel 12. Thus,
motorcycle 10 resembles an extraordinary toy that does not portray a realistic
motorcycle. Both
front wheel 12 and rear wheel 14 may be spinably coupled to frame 16. In one
example, wheels
12 and 14 may be coupled to frame 16 through axles of the wheels. Thus, the
motorcycle can be
rolled forward and backward, and turned to different directions via a force
applied to the toy. In
one example, a user can control the motorcycle by holding gripping regions
located on a rear
fender of the motorcycle.
[0008] It should be noted that the sizes of wheels and relative positions of
wheels and
seat may be varied. In some embodiments, motorcycle 10 may be configured to
portray a
Express Mail Label No. EV 745370455US 2
CA 02587701 2007-05-04
MAT06307U 1
realistic motorcycle. In some embodiments, motorcycle 10 may be configured to
portray a
somewhat fantastical motorcycle.
[0009] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a motorcycle rider 22 is mounted on
motorcycle 10.
Rider 22 comprises a head 24, a torso 26, hands 28, and feet 30. In the
illustrated example, head
24 is disproportionately large relative to torso 26. For example, a largest
dimension of head 24
(as indicated by A) is approximately three times a length of the torso (as
indicated by B). A
flexible joint 32 is disposed inside head 24 to couple the head with torso 26.
In one embodiment,
the flexible joint 32 may include a spring. In one embodiment, the lowest part
of head 24 has a
large opening, thus providing a large degree of head movement via flexible
joint 32. The head
movement can oscillate in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of
flexible joint 32,
and/or oscillate about a resting position of the flexible joint. Since a large
and heavier head is
supported by a lighter spring, a slight touch of head 24, a slight movement of
an object attached
to the torso, or a slight movement of the motorcycle may cause a significant
motion of head 24.
In the illustrated example, head 24 includes a helmet 34. The helmet may have
any suitable
configuration, including a helmet with a full mouth guard, as shown. Head 24
and the helmet
may be an integrated piece, or the helmet can be removably connected to the
head.
[0010] Hands 28 and/or feet 30 can be configured to be disproportionately
large relative
to torso 26. For example, a length of the hand (indicated by E) may have
approximately the
same dimension as the length of top torso, B. In another example, the length
of feet (indicated
by F) may be larger than the length of top torso, B. Further, hands 28 may be
configured in such
a way that the rider appears to wear gloves designed for motorcycle riding.
Feet 30 may include
boots having a motorcycle themed appearance. The gloves and boots may be
disproportionately
large relative to torso 26. Thus, rider 22 may not portray a realistic rider
with natural
Express Mail Label No. EV 745370455US 3
CA 02587701 2007-05-04
MAT06307U1
proportions. The accessories of the rider, such as the helmet, gloves and
boots may emphases a
motorcycle theme in an exaggerated manner.
[0011] In some embodiments, the size of rider 22 may be configured to be
disproportional relative to motorcycle 10. For example, feet may be
disproportional relative to
wheels. In the illustrated embodiment, the length of a foot, F, may be longer
than the rim
diameter C of front wheel 12.
[0012] The motorcycle toy described above may create special effects that are
appealing
to children. For example, as motorcycle 10 rolls, head 24 can wiggle or
otherwise move. The
motion will be enhanced dramatically when the motorcycle encounters an
obstacle such as a
pump. Since a large and heavier head is supported by a small, light, and
flexible joint, even a
slightly rough surface or slight maneuver by children may cause significant
motion of the head.
Further, the patterns of the head's motion may change when the motorcycle
rolls in different
ways. For example, the motorcycle may be rolled along a line at different
speed combinations
such as fast, slow, and then fast, etc. Also, the motorcycle may be turned in
different directions
and at different speeds, or rolled over different bumps or simulated jumps.
The movements
described above will result in amplified motions of the bobble-head in various
patterns and in
exaggerated manners. Consequently, users may be amused by a variety of motions
of the
bobble-head.
[0013] Furthermore, motorcycle 10 and the rider 22 may attract consumers such
as
children and collectors. In particular, a design in which characteristics of
both real-world objects
and extraordinary objects are combined can provide a more interesting play
experience than a
strictly toy or fantastical toy that is not based on a real object. Also, the
disproportional body
parts of the rider make the rider look more like a child. Thus, children can
identify with the toy
Express Mail Label No. EV 745370455US 4
CA 02587701 2007-05-04
MAT06307U 1
rider as one of their own. In some embodiments, the motorcycle is not
configured in accordance
with a real motorcycle. Further, in some embodiments, since the motorcycle may
be configured
to be similar to bikes rode by small children (e.g., small front wheels, large
rear wheels, and
lower seat), it is easy to be accepted by children.
[0014] Frame 16 of motorcycle 10 may include handlebars 36, front forks 38,
and rear
forks 40. A stand (not shown) may optionally be included to support the
motorcycle toy and
permit the motorcycle toy to stand by itself.
[0015] In some embodiments, a part of torso 26, hands 28, or feet 30 may be
configured
to attach to the frame 16 so that the rider may not be detached from the
motorcycle.
Alternatively, the rider may be detachably mounted to the motorcycle so that
the rider and the
motorcycle may be two separate pieces and the rider can be removed from the
motorcycle.
It will be appreciated that the configurations disclosed herein are exemplary
in nature,
and that these specific embodiments are not to be considered in a limiting
sense, because
numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the present disclosure
includes all novel
and nonobvious combinations and subcombinations of the various systems and
configurations,
and other features, functions, and/or properties disclosed herein.
[0016] The following claims particularly point out certain combinations and
subcombinations regarded as novel and nonobvious. These claims may refer to
"an" element or
"a first" element or the equivalent thereof. Such claims should be understood
to include
incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding
two or more such
elements. Other combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed features,
functions,
elements, and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of the present
claims or through
presentation of new claims in this or a related application. Such claims,
whether broader,
Express Mail Label No. EV 745370455US 5
CA 02587701 2007-05-04
MAT06307U1
narrower, equal, or different in scope to the original claims, also are
regarded as included within
the subject matter of the present disclosure.
Express Mail Label No. EV 745370455US 6
