Space-saving children's rideable toy

Abstract

A rideable toy, e.g., for children, provides space-saving features compared to similar rideable toys. The toy includes a base structure with a set of driving wheels and a motor. An inflatable body is attachable to the base structure. The inflatable body introduces a space-saving feature, as it can be deflated when not in use, thus saving on storage and shipping space. The toy may also include safety features, such as electrodes that signal incorrect attachment of the inflatable body and thereby prevent operation of the toy. The toy can be controlled either by a dedicated remote control or through an application on a mobile device. The toy maty also achieve space savings from a foldable or inflatable seat, hinges to fold the base, and specific interlocking mechanisms.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A rideable toy comprising:
 a base structure;   a set of driving wheels rotatably coupled to the base structure, wherein the base structure is supported by the set of driving wheels;   a motor attached to the base structure and coupled to the set of driving wheels, wherein the motor is configured to rotate the set of driving wheels in response to one or more control signals;   a control system communicatively coupled to the motor, wherein the control system is configured to communicate with a remote control to receive one or more driving commands, convert the one or more driving commands to one or more control signals, and then transmit the one or more control signals to the motor; and   an inflatable body that includes an interface for attaching the inflatable body to the base structure, wherein the inflatable body forms a cavity therewithin to enable a rider to fit within the cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The rideable toy of  claim 1 , wherein the set of driving wheels comprises two driving wheels, each driving wheel coupled on an opposing side of the base structure. 
     
     
         3 . The rideable toy of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a castor wheel mounted to the base structure at a location away from a line between the two driving wheels, such that the castor wheel and two driving wheels form a triangle that stabilizes the base structure.   
     
     
         4 . The rideable toy of  claim 1 , wherein the base structure comprises a plurality of panels connected by hinges, wherein the plurality of panels are foldable to reduce a footprint of the base structure. 
     
     
         5 . The rideable toy of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a seat mounted to the base structure.   
     
     
         6 . The rideable toy of  claim 5 , wherein the seat is foldable against the base structure to reduce a dimension thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The rideable toy of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable body includes one or more air bladders that, when inflated, form a seat. 
     
     
         8 . The rideable toy of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable body includes an apron that fits around the base structure when the inflatable body is mounted onto the base structure. 
     
     
         9 . The rideable toy of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable body includes a rigid portion that is mountable to the base structure using a gasket and a set of fasteners. 
     
     
         10 . The rideable toy of  claim 1 , wherein the base structure includes a set of electrodes coupled to the control system, wherein the set of electrodes are configured to provide a signal to the control system indicating whether the inflatable body is mounted to the base structure. 
     
     
         11 . The rideable toy of  claim 10 , wherein the control system is configured to prevent activation of the motor in response to receiving a signal indicating that the inflatable body is not mounted to the base structure. 
     
     
         12 . The rideable toy of  claim 1 , wherein the remote control is physically untethered from the base structure. 
     
     
         13 . The rideable toy of  claim 1 , wherein the remote control comprises a mobile device executing an application.