Land vehicles – Wheeled – Coasters
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-16
2001-02-13
Mar, Michael (Department: 3619)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Coasters
C280S087050, C280S432000, C403S116000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06186524
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a children's wagon of the type having front and rear bolsters for supporting wheels which permit movement of the wagon over the ground. In a typical wagon of this design, the rear bolster is held in a fixed position with a transverse axle associated with the bolster having outwardly extending ends for supporting the wheels. The front bolster is typically used for supporting a wagon handle and is pivotally mounted on the wagon so that wagon can be turned. Like the rear bolster, the front bolster will support an axle which in turn supports the front wheels.
For safety, it is preferred that the turning of the front bolster be limited. Thus, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,744,575, this will prevent tipping of the wagon under normal operating conditions and this feature has been recognized as most useful and desirable. The feature has a limitation, however, because the restriction on turning, can prevent the wagon from being positioned in a compact manner in some wagon designs, for example, when it is desired to place the wagon in a vehicle or when storing the wagon.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with this invention, a wagon with front and rear bolsters is provided with the desired anti-tipping safety feature while at the same time providing means for turning the wagon handle 180 degrees, in either direction, relative to the wagon body so that the wagon can be brought to a desired compact configuration for transporting and storing the wagon. These means comprise a pin stop which is mounted in the wagon body but is movable relative thereto. In one position of the stop, it extends into the path of the pivoting bolster to limit the turning so that the wagon will not have a tendency to tip during normal operation. In a second position of the stop, it will be out of the restraining position so that the bolster is completely free for turning movement. The wagon handle can then be located in the most convenient position for handling when not in use.
The wagon body is preferably molded of a suitable plastic material. The pin stop is located in an opening defined by the wagon body so that, with appropriate relative dimensions, it can be located in the respective first and second positions. In one form of the invention, the stop consists of a pin formed integrally with the bottom wall of the wagon and movable relative thereto by virtue of a living hinge attaching the pin to the wagon body. The use of the wagon is then able to move the pin out of an engaging position when it is desired to disable the anti-tipping feature as when transporting or storing the wagon.
In a second form of the invention, the stop is vertically movable in a passage defined by the wagon bottom wall. The stop is provided with ribs or the like which serve to accurately locate the stop as it is moved from one position to the other. By utilizing plastic material, a press fit relationship is achieved since the plastic will yield sufficiently to insure movement to the desired positions and temporary retention therein.
The bolster strictures of the invention are also characterized by a unique design. Specifically, a shock absorber arrangement is built into the bolsters which has advantages both from the standpoint of the ride provided by the wagon and from the standpoint of the appearance and sales appeal of the wagon.
The shock absorber arrangement is located at each wheel location. The shock absorbers are positioned interiorly of each wheel but are readily visible for maximum appeal. Each shock absorber includes an outer bellow surrounding an interior spring with the spring ends being received in upper and lower retainers. The spring fits around a tube which is mounted on the axle but which is capable of vertical movement relative thereto in response to weight introduced to the wagon body.
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patent: 3069182 (1962-12-01), Hufford
patent: 3100120 (1963-08-01), Cleary
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patent: 3556559 (1971-01-01), Interisano
patent: 4120514 (1978-10-01), Sanders
patent: 4204700 (1980-05-01), Haines, Sr.
patent: 4222582 (1980-09-01), Tonelli et al.
patent: 4744575 (1988-05-01), Tonelli
patent: 5730454 (1998-03-01), Dudzik et al.
patent: 259009 (1949-06-01), None
patent: 297 22 538 U (1998-02-01), None
patent: 0 854 077 (1998-07-01), None
McQueeny Thomas P.
Michelau Frederick J.
Pasin Robert
Schrader Brent
Mar Michael
Piper Marbury Rudnick & Wolfe
Radio Flyer Inc.
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