US007621543B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Arendt et a].
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,621,543 B2
`Nov. 24, 2009
`
`(54) BLOW-MOLDED WHEELS HAVING
`UNDERCUT TREADS, METHODS FOR
`PRODUCING THE SAME, AND CHILDREN’S
`RIDE-ON VEHICLES INCLUDING THE SAME
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Albert L. Arendt, West Seneca, NY
`(US); James R. Carducci, East Aurora,
`NY (US); Christopher F. Lucas,
`CheektoWaga, NY (U S)
`
`(73)
`
`Assignee: Mattel, Inc., El Segundo, CA (US)
`
`(*)
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 420 days.
`
`(21)
`
`(22)
`
`(65)
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`(58)
`
`(56)
`
`App1.No.: 11/509,421
`
`Filed:
`
`Aug. 23, 2006
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2008/0048406 A1
`
`Feb. 28, 2008
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`B60N 2/427
`US. Cl. .................................... .. 280/29; 152/2091
`
`Field of Classi?cation Search ................. .. 280/29;
`264/454; 152/209.1
`See application ?le for complete search history.
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`7/1952 Pinsky et al.
`2,601,700 A
`4/1962 Valyi
`3,029,468 A
`6/1964 Smyser
`3,135,997 A
`8/1966 Doe
`3,264,780 A
`3/1968 Ladney, Jr.
`3,373,460 A
`3/1971 Doyle
`3,570,057 A
`7/1971 Goins et al.
`3,592,885 A
`3,616,491 A 11/1971 Vollers
`3,692,453 A
`9/1972 Quigg
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`5/1973 Marra
`
`3,779,688 A 12/1973 Jullien-Davin
`
`(Continued)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`DE
`
`10125824 A1
`
`12/2002
`
`(Continued)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`International Search Report for International Application No. PCT/
`US07/ 17676.
`
`(Continued)
`Primary ExamineriLesley D Morris
`Assistant ExamineriMichael R Stabley
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or FirmiDascenZo Intellectual
`Property LaW, PC.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Improved blow-molded Wheels, methods for producing the
`same, and children’s ride-on Vehicles including the same are
`disclosed. The blow-molded Wheels may include a bloW
`molded body that has a tread surface, ?rst and second side
`Walls and an axis. The body may be con?gured to rotate about
`the axis. The tread surface may extend circumferentially
`around the body and may extend betWeen the ?rst and second
`sideWalls. A ?rst region of the tread surface may be disposed
`betWeen the ?rst sideWall and a part line of the blow-molded
`body. A second region of the tread surface may be disposed
`betWeen the ?rst region and the part line. A ?rst radial dis
`tance from the axis to the ?rst region may exceed a second
`radial distance from the axis to the second region by at least a
`?rst predetermined threshold.
`
`20 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`

`

`US 7,621,543 B2
`Page 2
`
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3,817,676
`3,851,029
`3,888,545
`3,907,370
`3,936,264
`4,063,868
`4,323,411
`4,513,981
`4,516,648
`4,531,704
`4,588,542
`4,717,113
`4,832,307
`4,854,849
`4,884,961
`4,889,480
`5,104,198
`D327,048
`5,219,594
`5,227,114
`5,316,135
`5,316,377
`5,368,371
`5,518,682
`5,556,601
`5,573,129
`5,736,168
`5,750,067
`5,799,809
`5,810,452
`5,908,124
`5,924,506
`6,068,161
`
`6/1974
`11/1974
`6/1975
`9/1975
`2/1976
`12/1977
`4/1982
`4/1985
`5/1985
`7/1985
`5/1986
`1/1988
`5/1989
`8/1989
`12/1989
`12/1989
`4/1992
`6/1992
`6/1993
`7/1993
`5/1994
`5/1994
`11/1994
`5/1996
`9/1996
`11/1996
`4/1998
`5/1998
`9/1998
`9/1998
`6/1999
`7/1999
`5/2000
`
`Cornett, III et al.
`Braun
`Bard
`Cornett, III et al.
`Piotrowski
`Uhlig
`DeGraaff et a1.
`Berger et a1.
`Matthei
`Pierce
`Martin
`Watanabe et al.
`Sudo
`IiZuka et al.
`Nakamura et al.
`Prout et al. .......... .. 301/64.705
`Markling et a1. ......... .. D12/204
`Meyer et al.
`Moore
`Kneer et al.
`Markling et a1. ..... .. 301/64.701
`
`Markling ..... ..
`
`.. 301/64.701
`
`Markling et a1. .......... .. 264/516
`Huvey et al.
`Nagata et al.
`Goyal et a1.
`Hellbrugge
`Sako et al.
`Hawthorne et al.
`Klauke et al.
`Perego .................. .. 180/65.51
`Soehnlen et a1.
`
`8/2000 McMahon et a1.
`6,095,543 A
`6,170,920 B1* 1/2001 Markling ............. .. 301/111.01
`6,318,983 B1
`11/2001 Lopez et a1.
`6,431,406 B1
`8/2002 Pruett
`6,446,981 B1* 9/2002 Wise et a1. ............... .. 280/7.17
`6,464,305 B2 * 10/2002 Markling ............. .. 301/111.03
`6,470,982 B2 10/2002 Sitarski et a1.
`6,520,597 B1
`2/2003 Markling
`6,591,986 B2
`7/2003 Soehnlen et al.
`6,872,354 B1
`3/2005 Mol et a1.
`6,896,335 B2
`5/2005 Markling
`6,913,324 B2
`7/2005 Markling
`6,953,333 B1
`10/2005 Feuerherm et a1.
`2003/0085611 A1
`5/2003 Markling
`2004/0070262 A1
`4/2004 Markling
`2005/0056474 A1* 3/2005 Damon .................... .. 180/685
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`
`1-034721
`4-65219
`5-124095
`2002-192607
`
`2/1989
`3/1992
`5/1993
`7/2002
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority for Inter
`national Application No. PCT/US07/ 17676.
`English-language abstract of German Patent No. DE 10125824A1,
`2002.
`English-language abstract of Japanese Patent Publication No. JP
`2002-192607, 2002.
`English-language abstract of Japanese Patent No. JP 5-124095, 1993.
`English-language abstract of Japanese Patent No. JP 4-65219, 1992.
`English-language abstract of Japanese Patent No. JP 1-034721, 1989.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 24, 2009
`
`Sheet 1 of6
`
`US 7,621,543 B2
`
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 24, 2009
`
`Sheet 2 of6
`
`US 7,621,543 B2
`
`
`
`ASSEMBLY --- p-----------------------
`
`56
`/ r54
`BATTERY
`
`USER
`INPUT
`DEVICE(S)
`
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`
`30
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`ASSEMBLY
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`Hg. 4
`
`PEDAL
`84
`\p ASSEMBLY
`/
`86
`
`[10
`so
`‘([33
`
`28
`
`DRIVEN
`WHEEL
`ASSEMBLY
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 24, 2009
`
`Sheet 3 of6
`
`US 7,621,543 B2
`
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`SS
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`

`

`US. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 24, 2009
`Nov. 24, 2009
`
`Sheet 4 of6
`Sheet 4 of6
`
`US 7,621,543 B2
`US 7,621,543 B2
`
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 24, 2009
`Nov. 24, 2009
`
`Sheet 5 of6
`Sheet 5 of6
`
`US 7,621,543 B2
`US 7,621,543 B2
`
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 24, 2009
`
`Sheet 6 of6
`
`US 7,621,543 B2
`
`|
`
`.
`
`I
`|
`
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`

`

`US 7,621,543 B2
`
`1
`BLOW-MOLDED WHEELS HAVING
`UNDERCUT TREADS, METHODS FOR
`PRODUCING THE SAME, AND CHILDREN’S
`RIDE-ON VEHICLES INCLUDING THE SAME
`
`FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
`
`The present disclosure relates to children’s ride-on
`vehicles, and more particularly to bloW-molded Wheels for
`children’s ride-on vehicles and methods for producing the
`same.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
`
`Children’ s ride-on vehicles are reduced-scale vehicles that
`are designed and siZed for use by children. For example,
`children’s ride-on vehicles include a seat adapted to accom
`modate one or more children as Well as steering and drive
`assemblies that are adapted to be operated by a child sitting on
`the seat. The drive assembly is adapted to drive the rotation of
`one or more of the vehicle’s Wheels and may include a bat
`tery-poWered motor assembly or a manually poWered drive
`assembly, such as a pedal-poWered drive assembly.
`The Wheels used on children’s ride-on vehicles are often
`bloW-molded from a suitable material, such as a plastic.
`BloW-molded Wheels are conventionally formed using a mold
`that has tWo portions, Which typically separate in an axial
`direction. The portions of the mold collectively de?ne a cav
`ity that de?nes, or corresponds to, the shape of the bloW
`molded Wheels, including the tread surface. The seam, or part
`line, betWeen the axially-separating mold portions typically
`de?nes, or corresponds to, the central circumferential portion
`of the Wheel. During the bloW-molding process, a parison of
`molten plastic is introduced into the mold cavity and a pres
`suriZed gas, such as air, is used to force the molten plastic
`against the internal surface of the cavity in order to form a
`holloW Wheel having a shape de?ned by the internal surface of
`the cavity. After a cooling period, the mold portions are sepa
`rated, and the bloW-molded Wheel is removed.
`BloW-molded articles, including bloW-molded Wheels, as
`Well as the corresponding molds and processes used to pro
`duce such articles, should be con?gured to permit removal of
`the ?nished article from the mold Without deforming, tearing,
`or otherWise damaging the ?nished article. Projections or
`holloWs on the surface of a bloW-molded article typically
`correspond to holloWs or projections on the inner surface of
`the corresponding mold. Removal of a completed bloW
`molded article from its mold WithdraWs the mold projections
`from holloWs on the bloW-molded article. Similarly, the pro
`jections on the surface of the bloW-molded article are
`removed from the holloWs on the inner surface of the mold
`during mold removal. When such projections or holloWs are
`oriented generally parallel to the direction of mold removal,
`the projections on the mold or article are simply pulled out of
`the corresponding holloW during mold removal. In contrast,
`When the projections or holloWs on a bloW-molded article are
`not oriented generally parallel to the direction of mold
`removal, such as When they are oriented generally perpen
`dicular to the direction of mold removal, such projections or
`holloWs may be said to overlap corresponding portions of the
`mold With respect to the direction of mold-removal. BloW
`molded articles that have projections or holloWs that overlap
`corresponding portions of the mold With respect to the direc
`tion of mold-removal are commonly referred to as being
`“undercut.”
`Small undercuts may be permissible because bloW-molded
`articles tend to shrink slightly during cooling, such that the
`
`20
`
`25
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`30
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`35
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`2
`article may pull aWay from the mold and release the overlap.
`Further, bloW-molded articles may permit a small amount of
`elastic deformation or de?ection, Which may be su?icient to
`release small undercuts. HoWever, undercuts over a certain
`threshold may effectively lock a bloW-molded article into its
`mold. In particular, if an undercut is too large, the shrinkage
`and/or potential elastic deformation of the bloW-molded
`article may be insuf?cient to permit removal of the ?nished
`article Without damage. Conventionally, bloW-molded
`Wheels must have undercuts of 1/s inch (3.175 millimeters) or
`less so that they may be removed from the molds used to form
`the Wheels.
`As discussed above, bloW-molded Wheels are typically
`bloWn in a mold that opens in an axial direction. By using a
`mold that opens in an axial direction, bloW-molded Wheels
`may have signi?cant axially oriented projections or holloWs,
`such as may be used to form or detail the hub region of the
`Wheel. HoWever, in order to avoid signi?cant undercuts that
`might lock a bloW-molded Wheel into its mold, the design of
`the tread surface on a bloW-molded Wheels is typically of
`limited complexity. In the case of bloW-molded Wheels used
`With children’s ride-on vehicles, Which are often intended to
`resemble full-siZed vehicles, the limited complexity of the
`tread designs typically provided on bloW-molded Wheels lim
`its the realism of the bloW-molded Wheels, Which are often
`intended to resemble rubber tires.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
`
`The present disclosure is directed to bloW molded Wheels
`having undercut treads, methods for producing the same, and
`children’s ride-on vehicles including the same.
`The bloW-molded Wheels may include a bloW-molded
`body that has a tread surface, ?rst and second sideWalls and an
`axis. The body may be con?gured to rotate about the axis. The
`tread surface may extend circumferentially around the body
`and may extend betWeen the ?rst and second sideWalls. A ?rst
`region of the tread surface may be disposed betWeen the ?rst
`sideWall and a part line of the bloW-molded body. A second
`region of the tread surface may be disposed betWeen the ?rst
`region and the part line. A ?rst radial distance from the axis to
`the ?rst region may exceed a second radial distance from the
`axis to the second region by at least a ?rst predetermined
`threshold.
`The methods for producing the bloW-molded Wheels may
`include providing a mold that has ?rst and second mold
`portions. The ?rst and second mold portions may collectively
`de?ne a mold cavity that is con?gured to mold a Wheel having
`a tread surface, ?rst and second sideWalls and an axis. The
`?rst and second mold portions may be con?gured to separate
`in a direction parallel to the axis of the Wheel.
`At least one of the ?rst and second mold portions may
`include a ?rst tread-molding portion and at least one second
`tread-molding portion. The ?rst tread-molding portion may
`be con?gured to mold a ?rst region of the tread surface, Which
`may be disposed betWeen the ?rst sideWall and a part line
`de?ned by an interface betWeen the ?rst and second mold
`portions. The second tread-molding portion may be con?g
`ured to mold a second region of the tread surface, Which may
`be disposed betWeen the ?rst region and the part line.
`The second tread-molding portion may be con?gured to
`move inWardly and outWardly relative to the ?rst tread-mold
`ing portion, such as betWeen a molding position and a release
`position. This relative movement of the second tread-molding
`portion may additionally or alternatively be referred to as
`movement toWard and aWay from the mold cavity and/ or
`movement into and out of the mold cavity. In the molding
`
`

`

`US 7,621,543 B2
`
`3
`position, the second tread-molding portion may be positioned
`relative to the ?rst tread-molding portion such that a ?rst
`radial distance from the axis to at least a ?rst region of the ?rst
`tread-molding portion may exceed a second radial distance
`from the axis to at least a second region of the second tread
`molding portion by a ?rst predetermined threshold. In the
`release position, the second tread-molding portion may be
`positioned relative to the ?rst tread-molding portion such that
`a third radial distance from the axis to a third region of the
`second tread-molding portion may be at least as great as a
`distance corresponding to a fourth radial distance from the
`axis to a fourth region of the ?rst tread-molding portion that is
`adjacent the third region of the second tread-molding portion
`When the second tread-molding portion is in the release posi
`tion less a second predetermined threshold.
`The methods for producing the bloW-molded Wheels may
`further include forming a parison of molten material, posi
`tioning the parison betWeen the ?rst and second mold por
`tions, and closing the ?rst and second mold portions on the
`parison. A pressurized gas may be injected into the parison to
`bloW the parison into a bloW-molded Wheel having a shape
`corresponding to the shape of the mold cavity, including
`regions of the Wheel corresponding to the ?rst and second
`regions of the tread surface. Each of the at least one second
`tread-molding portion may be moved from the molding posi
`tion to the release position, and the ?rst and second mold
`portions may be separated to release the bloW-molded Wheel
`from the mold.
`The bloW-molded Wheels may be used in a children’ s ride
`on vehicle. The children’ s ride-on vehicle may include a body
`having at least one seat siZed for a child and a plurality of
`Wheels rotatably coupled to the body. The plurality of Wheels
`may include at least one driven Wheel and at least one steer
`able Wheel. The children’s ride-on vehicle may further
`include a steering assembly and a drive assembly. The steer
`ing assembly may include a steering mechanism adapted to
`receive steering inputs from a child sitting on the at least one
`seat and a steering linkage adapted to convey the steering
`inputs to the at least one steerable Wheel. The drive assembly
`may be adapted to selectively drive the rotation of the at least
`one driven Wheel.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a perspective vieW of a children’s ride-on vehicle
`having at least one bloW-molded Wheel according to the
`present disclosure.
`FIG. 2 is a top plan vieW of the children’ s ride-on vehicle of
`FIG. 1 With another example of bloW-molded Wheels accord
`ing to the present disclosure.
`FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative, non-exclu
`sive example of a motoriZed drive assembly suitable for use
`With a children’s ride-on vehicle, such as a children’s ride-on
`vehicle having at least one bloW-molded Wheel according to
`the present disclosure.
`FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative, non-exclu
`sive example of a manually poWered drive assembly suitable
`for use With a children’s ride-on vehicle, such as a children’s
`ride-on vehicle having at least one bloW-molded Wheel
`according to the present disclosure.
`FIG. 5 is a perspective vieW of an illustrative example of a
`bloW-molded Wheel that has undercut tread portions and is
`suitable for use With a children’s ride-on vehicle, such as the
`vehicle of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 6 is a partial sectional vieW of the Wheel of FIG. 5,
`taken generally along line 6-6 in FIG. 5.
`
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`
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`
`4
`FIG. 7 is a perspective vieW of another illustrative example
`of a bloW-molded Wheel that has undercut tread portions and
`is suitable for use With a children’s ride-on vehicle, such as
`the vehicle of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective vieW of a ?rst portion of
`a simpli?ed mold for producing a Wheel that has undercut
`tread portions, such as a Wheel similar to the Wheel of FIG. 5,
`With the pinch-off ring shoWn separated from the main mold
`portion, With one of the mold slides shoWn in a release posi
`tion.
`FIG. 9 is a plan vieW ofthe mold portion of FIG. 8, shoWn
`With the pinch-off ring omitted, With one of the mold slides
`shoWn in a release position and one of the mold slides in a
`retracted position.
`FIG. 10 is a sectional vieW of the mold a ?rst portion of
`FIG. 8, taken generally along line 10-10 in FIG. 9, With the
`pinch off shoWn attached to the main mold portion, With one
`of the mold slides shoWn in a retracted position.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND BEST MODE
`OF THE DISCLOSURE
`
`An illustrative, non-exclusive example of a children’ s ride
`on vehicle is shoWn in FIG. 1 and indicated generally at 10.
`Ride-on vehicle 10 includes a support frame, or body, 12 that
`provides a riding space, or passenger compartment, 14 With a
`seat assembly 16 that is siZed and con?gured to accommodate
`at least one child, including a child driver. Seat assembly 16
`may be integral With or otherWise mounted on body 12 and
`may have any suitable con?guration, including con?gura
`tions in Which the position of the seat assembly is adjustable
`Within the passenger compartment, and con?gurations in
`Which the seat assembly includes tWo or more seats or tWo or
`more seating regions. Typically, vehicle 10 Will be siZed for
`use by a child driver or by a child driver and a child passenger.
`For example, in the illustrated embodiment, seat assembly 16
`includes a pair of seats, or seating regions, 18 and 20, With
`seat 18 siZed and positioned to receive a child driver and seat
`20 siZed and positioned to receive a child passenger.
`Body 12 typically is formed from molded plastic and may
`be integrally formed or formed from a plurality of parts that
`are secured together by screWs, bolts, clips or other suitable
`fasteners. Body 12 may additionally, or alternatively, be at
`least partially formed from other suitable material(s), such as
`metal, Wood, or composite materials. Body 12 may include,
`or be mounted upon, an underlying frame, or chassis, or
`chassis portion, on Which the rest of the body (Which may be
`referred to as a body portion) is supported. The chassis por
`tion may be formed from the same or different materials as the
`rest of the body; When present, the chassis portion is often
`formed of metal and/ or molded plastic, With the body portion
`typically being formed of molded plastic. HoWever, these
`illustrative examples of suitable materials of construction are
`not required.
`As shoWn, body 12 is shaped to generally resemble a
`reduced-scale Jeep® vehicle. JEEP is a registered trademark
`of the Daimler Chrysler Corporation, and the JEEP mark and
`designs are used by permission. Children’s ride-on vehicles
`according to the present disclosure may be shaped to gener
`ally resemble any type of vehicle. Examples of suitable
`vehicles are reduced-scale, or child-siZed, vehicles that are
`shaped to resemble corresponding full-siZed, or adult-siZed,
`vehicles, such as cars, trucks, construction vehicles, emer
`gency vehicles, off-road vehicles, motorcycles, space
`vehicles, aircraft, Watercraft and the like. HoWever, it is also
`Within the scope of the present disclosure that vehicle 10 may
`be shaped to resemble fantasy vehicles that do not have a
`
`

`

`US 7,621,543 B2
`
`5
`corresponding adult-siZed counterpart. Although vehicle 10
`is depicted in the form of a reduced-scale Jeep® vehicle, it
`Will be appreciated that the components and/or features of
`vehicle 10 may be con?gured foruse on any type of children’ s
`ride-on vehicle.
`Vehicle 10 also includes a plurality of Wheels 22 that are
`rotatably coupled to body 12, as indicated in FIGS. 1-2. As
`discussed in more detail herein, the plurality of Wheels
`includes at least one bloW-molded Wheel, such as at least one
`Wheel having an undercut tread, such as one or more of the
`illustrative Wheels shoWn and/or discussed With respect to
`FIGS. 5-7. The plurality of Wheels includes a steerable Wheel
`assembly 24 that contains at least one steerable Wheel that is
`adapted to be steered by the vehicle’s steering assembly 26,
`typically at least partially in response to user-imparted steer
`ing inputs thereto. The plurality of Wheels further includes a
`driven Wheel assembly 28 that contains at least one driven
`Wheel that is adapted to be rotationally driven by the vehicle’ s
`drive assembly 30. As used herein, the term “driven Wheel”
`refers to a Wheel that is rotated in response to a rotational
`input from the vehicle’s drive assembly, Which is either
`directly conveyed to the Wheel by the output of a motor
`assembly or pedal assembly, or Which is conveyed through a
`linkage, such as a gearbox, belt, chain, gear assembly, axle, or
`the like.
`In the illustrated embodiment, vehicle 10 includes four
`Wheels 22, With front Wheels 32 and 34 forming steerable
`Wheel assembly 24, and rear Wheels 36 and 38 forming driven
`Wheel assembly 28. The number of Wheels on the vehicle may
`vary from tWo Wheels to three, four, six, or more Wheels.
`HoWever, children’s ride-on vehicles typically include at
`least three Wheels for stability. Similarly, each Wheel assem
`bly must contain at least one Wheel, and a particular Wheel
`may form all or a portion of both the steerable Wheel assembly
`and the driven Wheel assembly. For example, it is Within the
`scope of the disclosure that either or both of front Wheels 32
`and 34 or rear Wheels 36 and 38 are driven and steerable.
`Similarly, one front Wheel and one rear Wheel may be driven
`and/ or steerable, or the vehicle may include one or more
`driven or steerable Wheels underneath its body that are gen
`erally hidden by the body of the vehicle.
`Some or all of the plurality of Wheels 22 may include a hub
`portion 39 and a tire portion 40, as indicated in FIG. 1. When
`present, the hub and tire portions may be integrally formed, or
`the hub and tire portions may be formed as separate parts that
`are secured together by screWs, bolts, clips, adhesives, or
`other suitable fasteners or fastening methods. The hub and tire
`portions may be formed from the same or different materials.
`In some embodiments, hub portion 39 and tire portion 40 may
`be formed from materials having different colors, such as
`differently colored plastics. For example, hub portion 39 may
`(but is not required to) be formed from a silver-colored plastic
`to simulate a metal hub, While tire portion 40 may (but is not
`required to) be formed from a black-colored plastic to simu
`late a rubber tire.
`A portion of the vehicle’ s steering assembly 26 is shoWn in
`FIGS. 1 and 2 and includes a steering column 41 (indicated in
`FIG. 2) and a steering mechanism 42. The steering assembly
`enables a child sitting on seat 18 to steer the vehicle’s steer
`able Wheel assembly 24 via user-applied steering inputs to
`steering mechanism 42, Which is positioned on vehicle 10 for
`operation by a child sitting on seat 18. In the illustrated
`embodiment, steering mechanism 42 takes the form of a
`steering Wheel 44. Other suitable structures, such as handle
`bars and steering levers may be used and are Within the scope
`of the present disclosure. Steering column 41 includes any
`suitable mechanical linkage that conveys a child’s steering
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
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`60
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`65
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`6
`inputs from the steering mechanism to the vehicle’ s steerable
`Wheel assembly, thereby steering the vehicle.
`In FIG. 3, an illustrative, non-exclusive example of a suit
`able drive assembly 30 for a children’s ride-on vehicle, such
`as vehicle 10, is schematically illustrated. Drive assembly 30
`is adapted to drive the rotation of driven Wheel assembly 28.
`The drive assembly 30 may be referred to as a motorized drive
`assembly 31 and includes a motor assembly 46, Which
`includes at least one electric motor, such as battery-poWered
`motor 48, that is adapted to drive the rotation of at least one of
`the plurality of Wheels. The motor assembly 46 includes an
`output 50 that provides a rotational input to the driven Wheel
`assembly 28, such as to the hub portion of one or more of the
`Wheels 22 in driven Wheel assembly 28. Typically, the output
`50 from each of the at least one motors includes a rotating
`shaft and/ or a rotating pinion or output gear. Output 50 may
`include more than one shaft, pinion, and/ or gear, such as When
`motor assembly 46 includes more than one motor and/or
`When driven Wheel assembly 28 includes more than one
`driven Wheel. Motor assembly 46 may also be con?gured to
`poWer other moveable components on vehicle 10, such as
`depending on the form of the vehicle. For example, the motor
`assembly 46 may be coupled to raise and loWer the blade of a
`ride-on that resembles a bulldoZer, the bucket of a ride-on that
`resembles a skid- steer or other loader, the bed of a ride-on that
`resembles a dump truck, etc.
`PoWer for the motor assembly 46 may be provided by
`battery assembly 54. Battery assembly 54 includes at least
`one rechargeable battery, or cell, 56 that is adapted to provide
`poWer to the motor assembly. The batteries in battery assem
`bly 54 may be able to be selectively disconnected from the
`motor assembly and connected to a charging assembly to
`recharge the batteries. Any suitable type and number of bat
`teries, or cells, may be used in battery assembly 54. For
`example, one or more six-, tWelve-, eighteen-, or tWenty-four
`volt batteries have proven effective. The motor assembly 46
`may be operably connected to the battery assembly 54 by any
`suitable electrical connectors, such as cables, Wires, positive
`and negative terminals or leads, one or more plugs and cor
`responding sockets, and the like.
`In FIG. 3, drive assembly 31 is shoWn further including an
`optional motor output linkage 60 that mechanically intercon
`nects the motor assembly 46 With the driven Wheel assembly
`28. Motor output linkage 60 is any suitable mechanism that
`transmits the rotational input from the motor assembly’ s out
`put(s) to the driven Wheel assembly 28, such as to the hub
`portion of one or more of the Wheels 22 in driven Wheel
`assembly 28. Examples of suitable linkages include an inter
`mediate linkage betWeen the output 50 of the motor assembly
`46 and the driven Wheel assembly 28, such as a gearbox
`containing one or more gears, a belt or chain drive, a Worm
`gear, one or more individual gears, and the like. The motor
`output linkage 60 may be adapted to transmit the rotational
`input from the output 50 to the driven Wheel assembly 28 at
`the same relative rate of rotation, or it may mechanically
`augment the rotational input to convey a greater or lesser rate
`of rotation relative to the rate of rotation of the output 50. It is
`also Within the scope of the disclosure that drive assembly 31
`may be formed Without motor output linkage 60, in Which
`case rotational input from the output(s) of the motor assembly
`46 may be directly transmitted to the driven Wheel assembly
`28.
`As schematically illustrated in FIG. 3, drive assembly 31
`may also include one or more user input devices 62 that are
`adapted to convey inputs from a child sitting on seat 18 to the
`drive assembly. User input devices 62 also may be referred to
`as user control devices. These devices convey a user’s inputs,
`
`

`

`US 7,621,543 B2
`
`7
`.such as via the vehicle’s Wiring harness 66, and affect the
`actuation of the motor assembly 46, such as by causing the
`actuation (or energiZation) of the motor assembly, selecting
`betWeen a range of electronic con?gurations, selecting the
`direction of rotation of the motor assembly’s output 50,
`selecting the relative degree of a maximum rate of rotation to
`Which the motor assembly is actuated, etc. Examples of suit
`able user input devices 62 include a drive actuator 68, through
`Which a user input directing the battery assembly 54 to ener
`giZe the motor assembly 46 is received. Examples of suitable
`drive actuators 68 include an on/off sWitch, a foot pedal, a
`throttle lever, and a rotational handgrip on a steering mecha
`nism that includes a handlebar. In FIG. 2, an example of a
`drive actuator 68 is shoWn in the form of a foot pedal 70
`positioned for actuation by a child sitting on seat 18. When
`drive actuator 68 takes a form other than a foot pedal, it may
`be located in any suitable location Within or near passenger
`compartment 14 so that a child sitting on seat 18 may reach
`the actuator While positioned to operate vehicle 10. For
`example, an on/off sWitch or throttle may be located on the
`body or on the steering mechanism 42, such as illustrated at
`72 in FIG. 2.
`As schematically illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, other
`examples of user input devices 62 include a speed sWitch 74,
`Which enables a user to select the relative rate of rotation of
`the motor assembly’s output 50, and a direction sWitch 76,
`Which enables a user to select the relative direction (i.e.,
`clockWise or counterclockwise) of rotation of output 50 and
`thereby con?gure the vehicle 10 to drive in forWard and
`reverse directions. SWitches 74 and 76 may be located in any
`suitable location on body 12 or steering assembly 26 for
`actuation by a child sitting on seat 18. An example of a
`suitable speed sWitch 74 is a sWitch that selectively con?gures
`a pair of batteries betWeen series and parallel con?gurations
`to de?ne relative “high” and “loW” speed con?gurations.
`Speed sWitch 74 may additionally or alternatively selectively
`con?gure a pair of motors betWeen series and parallel con
`?gurations. As a further example, the sWitches may convey
`inputs to a controller, such as subsequently described control
`ler 78, Which, responsive to inputs from the sWitches, con?g
`ures vehicle 10 for a selected operating state.
`As illustrated in FIG. 3, drive assembly 31 may (but is not
`required to) further include a controller 78, Which is adapted
`to control electronically the transmission of the rotational
`input from the motor assembly 46 to the driven Wheel assem
`bly 28. More speci?cally, controller 78 may include a micro
`processor or suitable control circuit that is adapted to control
`the actuation, or energiZation, of the motor assembly 46 by
`the battery assembly 54 to regulate electronically the rota
`tional input transmitted by the motor assembly 46 to the
`driven Wheel assembly 28. Controller 78 may regulate at least
`one of the timing and the ramp, or rate, of application of the
`transmission of the rotational input after actuation of a cor
`responding user input device 62 by a child sitting on seat 18.
`In other Words, the controller 78 may delay in at least time
`and/ or rate of transmission the rotational input to the driven
`Wheel assembly 28 responsive at least in part to a user input
`selecting the desired, or selected, rotational input. An illus
`trative example of a suitable controller is disclosed in Us.
`Pat. No. 6,771,034, the complete disclosure of Which is
`hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. As used
`herein, the one or more user input devices 62 and, When
`present, controll