TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is directed to a toddler riding toy. More particularly the disclosure is directed toward a riding toy which is configured to be converted between at least two different positions. BACKGROUND

Riding toys, such as tricycles, are commonly provided for use by toddlers. They typically comprises three or more wheels, a seat, and a handle for gripping and/or steering during use. Some such riding toys further comprise an additional handle provided at a height such that the toddler may grip it and push the riding toy while in a standing position.

SUMMARY

A toddler riding toy comprising a seat, a frame member having a bridging portion with two spaced apart rear legs extending from a rear portion thereof and giving rise to a walking space therebetween, and at least one front leg extending from a front portion of the bridging portion;

each of the legs comprising a wheel at its respective bottom end, bottommost points of the wheels defining a ground rolling plane;

the riding toy further comprising a handle assembly with at least one gripping portion, the handle assembly being articulated to the bridging portion and angularly manipulable between a walk-behind position and a ride-on position.

The term walk-behind position as used herein the specification and claims refers to a configuration in which the riding toy is configured to be pushed across the ground by a toddler walking therebehind, within the walking space, while gripping a gripping portion of the handle assembly when disposed rear of the bridging portion.

The term ride-on position as used herein the specification and claims refers to a configuration in which the riding toy is configured to be used by a toddler sitting on the seat. In this position the toddler may ride the riding toy by pushing his feet against the ground surface or by an individual pushing/pulling the riding toy, while gripping a gripping portion of the handle assembly when disposed front of the bridging portion.

The seat may extend above the bridging portion at least in the ride-on position.

According to a first configuration, the handle assembly may be angularly manipulable about a tilt axis extending substantially parallel to the ground rolling plane.

The tilt axis may extend through the bridging portion.

According to a second configuration, the handle assembly may be angularly manipulable about a rotation axis extending about an axis intersecting the ground rolling plane.

The pivot axis may extend substantially normal to the ground rolling plane.

According to either of the first and second configurations, the handle assembly may be rigidly connected with the seat, e.g., formed unitarily therewith or as a separate element attached thereto, whereby manipulating the handle assembly entails corresponding displacement of the seat.

According to a third configuration, the handle assembly may be an arcuate member angularly manipulable about a sliding path, and having a sliding axis center extending substantially parallel to the ground rolling plane.

The sliding axis center may extend above the bridging portion, with the sliding path extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the toddler riding toy.

The elevation of the gripping portion of the handle assembly may be adjustable by sliding displacement of the handle assembly.

According to a fourth configuration, the handle assembly is angularly manipulable about a pivot axis extending along at least a portion of the bridging portion, between the rear portion thereof and the front portion thereof.

The pivot axis may extend substantially parallel to the ground rolling plane, along a sliding path extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the riding toy.

According to either of the third and fourth configurations, the handle assembly may be independent of the seat.

According to either of the third and fourth configurations, the seat may be integral with the bridging portion of the frame member.

According to any of the above configurations, the frame member may be formed as a unitary member. According to any of the above configurations, the frame member may have an arcuate shape, with an apex thereof extending at the bridging portion.

According to any of the above configurations, in both the walk-behind and ride- on positions, the gripping portion of the handle assembly extends above the seat.

According to any of the above configurations, each of said wheels is characterized by an axis of rotation being parallel to the ground rolling plane.

According to any of the above configurations, at least a front wheel, being articulated at a bottom end of the at least front leg, may be a caster wheel.

According to any of the above configurations, the handle assembly may be configured for being arrested at two or more distinct angular manipulation locations, corresponding with at least the walk-behind position and the ride-on position. The toddler riding toy may further comprise a locking mechanism configured for arresting the handle assembly at one of the walk-behind and ride-on positions.

According to any of the above configurations, the seat may be detachably attachable to the bridging portion of the frame member.

According to any of the above configurations, the handle assembly may comprise a rear gripping portion to be used in the walk-behind position and a front gripping portion to be used in the ride-on position.

According to any of the above configurations, in the ride-on position the gripping portion of the handle assembly may extend between a center of the seat and a bottom end of the at least one front leg, and in the walk-behind position the gripping portion of the handle assembly may extend between a center of the seat and a bottom end of the rear legs.

According to any of the above configurations, in the ride-on position the gripping portion of the handle assembly may extend between a center of the bridging portion and a bottom end of the at least front leg, and in the walk-behind position the gripping portion of the handle assembly may extend between a center of the bridging portion and a bottom end of the rear legs.

According to any of the above configurations, the frame member may comprise two rear legs and one front leg, the riding toy being a tricycle.

According to any of the above configurations, at a planar projection, the frame may be substantially Y-shaped. According to any of the above configurations, the frame member may comprise two rear legs and two front legs, e.g., the frame being substantially X-shaped at a planar projection. The two front legs may give rise to an auxiliary (i.e., front) walking space therebetween, facilitating use of the toddler riding toy in the walk-behind position in two opposite directions (accordingly, the terms “front” and “rear,” when used in connection with the riding toy, may refer to either side thereof).

According to any of the above configurations, the gripping portion may be configured to extend substantially parallel to the ground rolling plane.

According to any of the above configurations, the toddler riding toy may further comprise at least one accessory unit. The accessory unit may be selected from a group including a storage container, an activity accessory, and an amusement accessory. The accessory unit may be detachably attachable to the frame member or the handle assembly.

According to any of the above configurations, the wheel at the bottom end of the at least one front leg may be selected from a group including a fixed wheel, a free swivel wheel, and a lockable swivel wheel.

According to any of the above configurations, the toddler riding toy further comprises a push rod, for example being detachably attachable, articulated to a rear portion thereof, facilitating manipulating the toddler riding toy by an adult walking therebehind.

According to any of the above configurations, the toddler riding toy further comprises a foot rest, for example being detachably attachable, articulated to the frame at a front portion thereof.

According to any of the above configurations, one or more of the wheels comprises a speed control mechanism configured for reducing the rotational speed of and/or arresting its respective wheel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1A is a perspective rear view of The toddler riding toy according to a first example of the disclosure, in a walk-behind position;

Fig. IB is a front perspective view of the riding toy of Fig. 1A;

Fig. 1C is a top planar view of the riding toy of Fig. 1A;

Fig. ID is a side view of the riding toy of Fig. 1A;

Fig. IE is a section along line I- 1 in Fig. 1A;

Fig. 2A is a perspective rear view of the riding toy of Fig. 1A, in a ride-on position;

Fig. 2B is a top planar view of the riding toy of Fig. 2A;

Fig. 2C is a side view of the riding toy of Fig. 2A;

Fig. 2D is a section along line II- II in Fig. 2A;

Fig. 3A is a perspective rear view of a riding toy according to a second example of the disclosure, in a walk-behind position;

Fig. 3B front perspective view of the riding toy of Fig. 3 A;

Fig. 3C is a top planar view of the riding toy of Fig. 3A;

Fig. 3D a side view of the riding toy of Fig. 3A;

Fig. 3E is a section along line III- III in Fig. 3A;

Fig. 4A is a perspective front view of the riding toy of Fig. 3A, in a ride-on position;

Fig. 4B is a side view of the riding toy of Fig. 4A;

Fig. 4C is a top planar view of the riding toy of Fig. 4A;

Fig. 4D is an flipped-over section along line IV- IV in Fig. 4 A;

Fig. 5A is a perspective rear view of a riding toy according to a third example of the disclosure, in a walk-behind position;

Fig. 5B front perspective view of the riding toy of Fig. 5A;

Fig. 5C is a top planar view of the riding toy of Fig. 5A;

Fig. 5D is a section along line V- V in Fig. 5A;

Fig. 6A is a perspective front view of the riding toy of Fig. 5A, in a ride-on position;

Fig. 6B a side view of the riding toy of Fig. 6A;

Fig. 6C is a top planar view of the riding toy of Fig. 6A;

Fig. 6D is a section along line VI- VI in Fig. 6A; Fig. 6E illustrates the riding toy of Figs. 5A and 6A. with the handle assembly at an intermediate elevated position;

Fig. 7A is a perspective front view of a riding toy according to a fourth example of the disclosure, in a walk-behind position;

Fig. 7B is a rear perspective right side view of the riding toy of Fig. 7 A;

Fig. 7C is a rear perspective left side view of the riding toy of Fig. 7A;

Fig. 7D is a top planar view of the riding toy of Fig. 7A;

Fig. 7E is a section along line VII- VII in Fig. 7C;

Fig. 8A is a perspective front view of the riding toy of Fig. 7A, in a ride-on position;

Fig. 8B is a rear perspective view of the riding toy of Fig. 8A;

Fig. 8C is a top planar view of the riding toy of Fig. 8A;

Fig. 8D is a section along line VIII- VIII in Fig. 8A;

Figs. 9A and 9B illustrate another embodiment according to the first example of the disclosure, in the walk-behind position and in the ride-on position, respectively;

Figs. 10A to 10D are directed to yet an embodiment of the disclosure, wherein the riding toy comprises four legs, wherein:

Fig. 10A is a front perspective view of the toddler riding toy, at walk-behind position;

Fig. 10B is a top planar view of Fig. 10A;

Fig. 10C is a front perspective view of the toddler riding toy, at ride-on position; and

Fig. 10D is a top planar view of Fig. 10C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Attention is first directed to Figs. 1A to 2D of the drawings, directed to a toddler riding toy in the form of a tricycle, according to a first example of the present disclosure, generally designated 10. The riding toy 10 comprises a frame member 12, for example provided as a unitary member, such as from a molded plastic material, facilitating providing a lightweight structure which provides suitable structural strength, and which may be reinforced (e.g., by structural features, composite materials, etc.). It will be appreciated that the frame member 12 may be made of any other suitable material, e.g., wood, metal, etc., without departing from the scope of the presently disclosed subject matter, mutatis mutandis.

As can best be seen in Figs. 1C and 2B the frame 12 has a Y-shaped planar projection (e.g., having two projections in one direction and one in an opposite direction, such as rear legs 20 and front leg 28 described below; seen best in top views of Figs. 1C and 2B), though when viewed at a side view (e.g., in Figs. 1D and 2C), the frame member 12 has an arcuate shape, with an apex thereof extending at a bridging portion generally referred to at 14. It is appreciated that according to other examples (not shown) the frame member can be provided with any suitable shape without departing from the scope of the presently disclosed subject matter, mutatis mutandis. Moreover, it will be appreciated that while the present description and accompanying drawings disclose three- and four-wheeled riding toys (e.g., as with reference to and illustrated in Figs. 10A-10C), this is by way of example only, and other configurations of riding toys (e.g., with different numbers of wheels) may be provided without departing from the scope of the presently disclosed subject matter, mutatis mutandis.

Extending from a rear portion of the frame member 12 there are two spaced apart rear legs 20, giving rise to a walking space 24 therebetween, said space sized sufficiently to accommodate a toddler to walk therein behind the riding toy, and a front leg 28 extending from a front portion of the bridging portion 14. Each of the two rear legs 20 comprises a fixed axis wheel 30, and the front leg 28 comprises a twin swivel wheel 32 (rotatable about a substantially vertical axis 34). The three wheels 30 and 32 define together an imaginary ground rolling plane, namely plane 36 (Figs. 1A and 1D), with each of the wheels 30 and 32 being articulated to its respective bottom leg portion by a horizontally disposed axes 30A and 32A, respectively, with said axles extending parallel to the imaginary ground rolling plane 36.

Pivotally articulated at a rear portion of the bridging portion 14 there is an arcuate handle assembly generally designated 40, said handle assembly integrally configured at a front portion thereof with a gripping portion comprising an arm portion 41 and two laterally disposed handle grips 42) and a saddle-shaped seat portion 46 comprising an ergonomic surface so as to comfortably accommodate a toddler when seated thereover in the ride-on position, as will be discussed herein after. Seat portion 46 can also be cushioned. The handle assembly 40 is further configured at a bottom face thereof with a keel- shaped articulation member 48 which in turn is pivotally coupled to the frame member 12 about a pivot axis 50 (best seen in Fig. 1E) disposed within a receiving recess 54 at the top surface of the bridging portion 14 of the frame member 12. It is appreciated that the axis 50 is a tilt axis extending substantially parallel to the ground rolling plane 36 (and likewise to the axes 30A and 32A of the wheels).

Further noted, the articulation member 48 is configured for snap engagement within the receiving recess 54, thereby retaining the riding toy in the ride-on position (Figs. 2A-2D) and preventing spontaneous pivotal displacement into the walk-behind position. It is appreciated that other locking arrangement can be configured, such as locking latch, secure pin, etc. A rear, bottom face of the articulation member 48 comprises an arresting recess 60 and a looking latch 62 for snap arresting over a locking bar 64 extending between the rear legs 20, adjacent the bridging portion 14, whereby when the handle assembly 40 is angularly manipulable about the pivot/tilt axis 50 into the walk-behind position (Figs. 1A-1E) the locking bar 64 arrests within said arresting recess 60, thus preventing spontaneous release therefrom. However, detaching the looking latch 62 facilitates disengagement of the locking bar 64 from the arresting recess 60, whereby the handle assembly 40 can now be angularly manipulable about the pivot/tilt axis 50, in direction of arrow 70 (Fig. 1D) into the ride-on position (Figs. 2A- 2D).

Further attention is now directed to Figs. 3A to 4D illustrating a riding toy according to a second example of the present disclosure, wherein, for sake of simplicity like elements as in the previous example are designated with like reference numbers, however shifted by 100.

The riding toy, generally designated 110, comprises a frame member 112 having a Y-shaped planar projection(as seen best in top views of Figs. 3C and 4C), though when viewed at a side view (e.g., as seen in Figs. 3D and 4D), the frame member 112 has an arcuate shape, with an apex thereof extending at a bridging portion generally referred to at 114. As already discussed above, the frame member can assume different shapes, however without departing from the general concept of the disclosure.

Extending from a rear portion of the frame member 112 there are two spaced apart rear legs 120, giving rise to a walking space 124 therebetween, said space sized sufficiently to allow a toddler to freely walk behind the riding toy within that space, and a front leg 128 extending from a front portion of the bridging portion 114. Each of the two rear legs 120 comprises a fixed axis wheel 130, and the front leg 128 comprises a twin swivel wheel 132 (rotatable about a substantially vertical axis 134). The three wheels 130 and 132 define together an imaginary ground rolling plane, namely plane 136 (Figs. 3B and 4A), with each of the wheels 130 and 132 being articulated to its respective bottom leg portion by a horizontally disposed axes 130A and 132A, respectively, with said axles extending parallel to the imaginary ground rolling plane 136.

Pivotally articulated at a rear portion of the bridging portion 14 there is an arcuate handle assembly generally designated 140, said handle assembly comprising an upwardly extending gripping portion comprising an arm portion 141 and two laterally disposed handle grips 142, and a saddle-shaped seat portion 146 comprising an ergonomic surface so as to comfortably accommodate a toddler when seated thereover in the ride-on position, as will be discussed herein after. Seat portion 146 can also be cushioned.

The handle assembly 140 is pivotally articulated to the bridging portion by a hub axle 150 (which in the present example extends substantially normal to the plane 136) defining a rotating axis 152, said axle 150 disposed within a receptacle 155 configured at the bridging portion 114 wherein the handle assembly 140 is angularly manipulable about the rotation axis 152. It is seen that a bottom surface 157 of the handle assembly 140 is substantially flush against a top surface 159 of the bridging portion 114, such that the handle assembly 140 is smoothly rotatable thereabout. However, arresting notches/recess can be configured (not seen) for detachably arresting the handle assembly 140 at the two respective portions, namely the walk-behind position (Figs. 3A to 3E) and the ride-on position (Figs. 4A to 4D).

The arrangement is such that the handle assembly 140 is angularly manipulable by 180° about the rotation axis 152, in direction of arrow 170 (Figs. 3D and 4B) between the walk-behind position (Figs. 3A-3E) where the arm portion 141 of the handle assembly 140 faces forward and is disposed above the seat 146 and between a front portion of the bridging portion 114 and the bottom end of the front leg 128, and between the ride-on position (Figs. 4A to 4D) wherein the arm portion 141 of the handle assembly 140 faces backward and is disposed above the seat 146 and between a rear portion of the bridging portion 114 and the bottom end of the rear legs 130. Further attention is now directed to Figs. 5A to 6E illustrating a riding toy according to a third example of the present disclosure, wherein, for sake of simplicity like elements as in the first example are designated with like reference numbers, however shifted by 200.

The riding toy of the third example, generally designated 210, comprises a frame member 212 having a Y-shaped planar projection (as seen best in top views of Figs. 5C and 6C), though when viewed at a side view (e.g., as seen in Figs. 5B and 6B), the frame member 212 has an arcuate shape, with an apex thereof extending at a bridging portion generally referred to at 214. As already discussed above, the frame member can assume different shapes, however without departing from the general concept of the disclosure.

Extending from a rear portion of the bridging portion 114 of the frame member 212, there are two spaced apart rear legs 220, giving rise to a walking space 224 therebetween, said space sized sufficiently to allow a toddler to freely walk behind the riding toy within that space, and a front leg 228 extending from a front of the bridging portion 214. Each of the two rear legs 220 comprises a fixed axis wheel 230 and the front leg 228 comprises a twin swivel wheel 232 (rotatable about a substantially vertical axis 234). The three wheels 230 and 232 define together an imaginary ground rolling plane, namely plane 236 (Figs. 5B and 6A), with each of the wheels 230 and 232 being articulated to its respective bottom leg portion by a horizontally disposed axes 230A and 232A, respectively, with said axles extending parallel to the imaginary ground rolling plane 236.

The bridging portion 214 comprises a saddle-shaped seat portion 246 comprising an ergonomic surface so as to comfortably accommodate a toddler when seated thereover in the ride-on position, where said seat portion 246 can also be cushioned. An arcuate tunnel 235 (Figs. 5D and 6D) extends through the bridging portion 214 between a front opening at 237 and a rear opening at 239, and having a projection along a longitudinal axis of the riding toy 210.

Slidingly received within the arcuate tunnel 235 there is a handle assembly generally designated 240 configured as an arcuate rigid bar having a radius similar to that of the tunnel 235, and being snugly angularly manipulable about a sliding path in direction of arrow 270, with an imaginary sliding radius R orienting from an imaginary center point 241 (Fig. 5D), wherein the sliding axis center, i.e., center point 241, extends substantially parallel to the ground rolling plane 236, with said sliding axis center extends above the bridging portion 214 and the sliding path extends parallel to a longitudinal axis of the riding toy 210 (center handle assembly line 211 in Fig. 5C).

A rear end of the handle assembly 240 comprises two laterally disposed rear handle grips 242R and, similarly, a front end of the handle assembly 240 comprises two laterally disposed front handle grips 242F.

The handle assembly 240 is angularly/pivotally articulated, namely slidingly displaceable about a sliding path having a sliding axis center 241 extending substantially parallel to the ground rolling plane 236 and extending above the bridging portion 214. Thus, the handle assembly 240 is slidingly manipulable between a walk- behind position (Figs. 5A to 5D) and a ride-on position (Figs. 6A to 6D), wherein in the walk-behind position the handle assembly 240 is slidingly displaces so as to be exposed mostly at a rear of the riding toy 210, with the rear handle grips 242R disposed remote from the seat 246, and in the ride-on position the handle assembly 240 is slidingly displaces so as to be exposed mostly at a front of the riding toy 210, with the front handle grips 242F disposed remote from the seat 246.

Fig. 6E illustrates the riding toy 210 according to the third example, however wherein the handle assembly 240 is disposed at an intermediate position, whereby the rear handle grips 242R extend at a lower height from the imaginary ground rolling plane 236, rendering suitable for use also for a shorter toddler at the walk behind position, and likewise, in the ride-on position, a smaller toddler can easily grip the front handle grips 242F.

With final reference being made to Figs 7A to 8D, there is illustrated a riding toy according to a fourth example of the present disclosure, wherein, for sake of simplicity like elements as in the first example are designated with like reference numbers, however shifted by 300.

Similar to the previously disclosed examples, the riding toy of the fourth example, generally designated 310, comprises a frame member 312 having a Y-shaped planar projection(as seen best in top views of Figs. 7D and 8C), though when viewed at a side view (e.g., as seen in Figs. 7A and 8A), the frame member 312 has an arcuate shape, with an apex thereof extending at a bridging portion generally referred to at 314. As already discussed above, the frame member can assume different shapes, however without departing from the general concept of the disclosure. Extending from a rear portion of the bridging portion 314 of the frame member 312, there are two spaced apart rear legs 320, giving rise to a walking space 324 therebetween, said space sized sufficiently to allow a toddler to freely walk behind the riding toy within that space, and a front leg 328 extending from a front of the bridging portion 314. Each of the two rear legs 320 comprises a fixed axis wheel 330 and the front leg 328 comprises a twin swivel wheel 332 (rotatable about a substantially vertical axis 334). The three wheels 330 and 332 define together an imaginary ground rolling plane, namely plane 336 (Figs. 7B and 7C), with each of the wheels 330 and 332 being articulated to its respective bottom leg portion by a horizontally disposed axes 330A and 332A, respectively, with said axles extending parallel to the imaginary ground rolling plane 336.

The bridging portion 314 comprises a saddle-shaped seat portion 346 comprising an ergonomic surface so as to comfortably accommodate a toddler when seated thereover in the ride-on position, where said seat portion 346 can also be cushioned. A straight tunnel 335 (Figs. 7D and 8D) extends through the bridging portion 314 between a front opening at 337 and a rear opening at 339, and along a longitudinal axis 311 (Figs. 7D and 8C) of the riding toy 310.

A handle assembly generally designated 340 comprises a substantially straight portion 341 received within the tunnel 335 and configured for rotation about a longitudinal axis parallel to longitudinal axis 311. A rear portion 343 of the handle assembly projecting from the bridging portion 314 through the rear opening 339 is bent at a near to right angle and comprises rear handle grips 342R, and a front portion 345 of the handle assembly projecting from the bridging portion 314 through the front opening 337, is bent at an opposite sense than the rear portion 343, and however comprising a leg-detouring portion 349 and further configured at its end with front handle grips 342F. The arrangement is such that the leg-detouring portion 349 is configured such that when the handle assembly 340 is disposed in the walk-behind position (Figs. 7A to 7E) the leg-detouring portion 349 facilitates rotating the handle assembly 240 at 180° about the longitudinal axis such that the front handle grips 342F be disposed below the front leg 328.

Thus, in the walk-behind position, (Figs. 7A to 7E) the rear handle grips 342R are disposed behind and above the seat 346 and upon angular manipulation of the handle assembly, namely rotational in direction of arrow 370 (Fig. 7E) the riding toy assumes the ride-on position (Figs. 8A to 8D), wherein the front handle portion 345 is useful in this position, with the front handle grips 342F disposed in front and above the seat 346. Upon rotating the handle assembly in direction of arrow 373 (Fig. 8B) the riding toy 320 re-assumes its walk-behind position.

With reference to Figs. 9A and 9B there is illustrated yet an embodiment of a riding toy according to the first example of the present disclosure, the riding toy is more schematically illustrated and is generally designated 350, comprising a frame member 352 (having a Y-shaped planar projection as discussed herein before), has a bridging portion generally referred to at 354. Extending from a rear portion of the frame member 354 there are two spaced apart rear legs 356, giving rise to a walking space 358 therebetween (said space sized sufficiently to allow a toddler to freely walk behind the riding toy within that space), and a front leg 360 extending from a front portion of the bridging portion 354. Each of the two rear legs 356 comprises a fixed axis wheel 362 and the front leg 360 comprises a twin swivel wheel 364. The three wheels 362 and 364 define together an imaginary ground rolling plane designated 370.

Pivotally articulated at a rear portion of the bridging portion 354 there is a wide angled L-shaped handle assembly generally designated 374, said handle assembly comprising a gripping portion comprising an arm portion 376 and two laterally disposed handle grips 378, and a saddle-shaped seat portion 380.

The handle assembly 374 is pivotally coupled to the frame member 352 about a pivot axis 382 disposed at a rear, top portion of the bridging portion 354 of the frame member 352. It is appreciated that the axis 382 is a tilt axis extending substantially parallel to the ground rolling plane 370.

The arrangement is such that the handle assembly 374 is pivotally manipulable about pivot axis 382 into a walk-behind position (Fig. 9A), wherein the handle assembly 374 is pivoted in direction of arrow 384, wherein the handle grips 378 are disposed above and behind the seat portion 380 (and above and behind the bridging portion 354), hereby a toddler can walk behind the riding toy 350, at the walking space 358, while gripping the handle grips 378. Upon pivotally manipulating the handle assembly 374 in an opposite direction indicated by arrow 385 in Fig. 9B, about pivot axis 382, it assumes a ride-on position (Fig. 9B), wherein the handle grips 378 are disposed above and at front of the seat portion 380, behind the front wheels. It is further appreciated that a suitable arresting mechanism can be configured (not shown) for arresting the handle assembly 374 and preventing spontaneous pivotal displacement between the respective walk-behind position and ride-on position.

Turning now to Figs. 10A to 10D there is illustrated a modification of the riding toy illustrated in Figs. 9A and 9B, the riding toy generally designated 400.

In fact, the riding toy 400 of Figs. 10A to 10D illustrates a handle assembly 404 similar to that disclosed in connection with the embodiment presented in Figs. 9A and 9B, and accordingly, like elements are designated with like reference numbers, however with a (') indication.

The riding toy 400 differs from the previous examples illustrated herein before, in particular, in the shape of the frame member 410 comprising a bridging portion 411 having two spaced, diverging rear legs 412 extending from a rear portion of the bridging portion 411, and two spaced, diverging front legs 414 extending from a front portion of the bridging portion 411, so as imparting the frame member an X- shape top planar projection, as viewed in Figs. 10B and 10D.

The spaced apart rear legs 412 give rise to a rear walking space 426 therebetween, and the spaced apart front legs 414 give rise to a front walking space 428 therebetween (said spaces sized sufficiently to allow a toddler to freely walk behind the riding toy within that space).

Each of the two rear legs 412 comprises a fixed axis wheel 428 and each of the front legs 414 comprises a wheel 430. The four wheels 428 and 430 define together an imaginary ground rolling plane designated 432 (Fig. 10A).

Pivotally articulated at a rear portion of the bridging portion 411 there is a wide angled L-shaped handle assembly generally designated 374', said handle assembly comprising a gripping portion comprising an arm portion 376' and two laterally disposed handle grips 378', and a saddle-shaped seat portion 380' .

The handle assembly 374' is pivotally coupled to the frame member 410 about a pivot axis 382' disposed at a rear, top portion of the bridging portion 411 of the frame member 410. It is appreciated that the axis 382' is a tilt axis extending substantially parallel to the ground rolling plane 430.

The arrangement is such that the handle assembly 374' is pivotally manipulable about pivot axis 382' into a walk-behind position (Figs. 10A and 10B), wherein the handle assembly 374' is pivoted in direction of arrow 436, wherein the handle grips 378' are disposed above and behind the seat portion 380' (and above and behind the bridging portion 411), hereby a toddler can walk behind the riding toy 400, at the rear walking space 426, while gripping the handle grips 378'. Upon pivotally manipulating the handle assembly 374' in an opposite direction, indicated by arrow 438 in Fig. 10C, about pivot axis 382', it assumes a ride-on position (Figs. 10C and 10D), wherein the handle grips 378' are disposed above and at front of the seat portion 380 (and above and in front of the bridging portion 411), behind the front wheels 430. At the particular configuration, at the ride on position of Figs. 10C and 10D, the riding toy 400 can be used also at a walk behind position, however pushing the toy in an opposite direction, i.e., with the toddler walking at the front space 428 and pushing towards the rear portion of the toy. Thus, the riding toy can be used in the walk-behind position at either front or rear direction, respectively, and irrespective of the terms 'front' and 'rear' associated with the structure of the riding toy.

As mentioned above, it is appreciated that a suitable arresting mechanism can be configured (not shown) for arresting the handle assembly 374' and preventing spontaneous pivotal displacement between the respective walk-behind position and ride- on position.

It is noted, that in all examples illustrated herein, at all the ride-on positions demonstrated according to all the described examples hereinabove, at the projected planar view, the respective handle bar extends between the bottom end of the at least one front leg and the bottom end of the rear legs, and more specifically, between the bottom end of the at least one front leg and a front portion of the bridging portion), whilst in the walk-behind position the respective handle bar extends between the bottom end of the rear legs and a rear portion of the bridging portion.