Multi-Purpose Rocking Toy

Abstract

A dual purpose child seat and toy is disclosed. The toy can be employed in a rocking horse fashion by sitting in a forward facing direction and rocking back and forth. The base of the toy is curved to allow such rocking motion. In addition, the toy is configured so as to allow the child to turn in the opposite direction facing the rear of the toy with a backrest being provided for the child to recline. In such a position, the child can relax, watch television, read books, or the like. In addition, the toy is provided with storage capability and a convenient carrying handle.

1 . A toy, comprising:
 a curved base;   a simulated animal body extending upwardly horn the curved base, the simulated animal body having a substantially continuous horizontally extending torso with a forward end and a rearward end, the torso having an upper surface defining a seat area between the forward end and the rearward end for supporting a child on the animal body   a first backrest extending upwardly from the upper surface adjacent the torso forward end;   a second backrest extending upwardly form the upper surface adjacent the torso rear end;   a first handle extending-from adjacent the first backrest for use by a child positioned in a forwardly facing direction on the seat area; and   a second handle adjacent the second backrest for use by a child in a rearwardly facing direction on the seat area;   the seat area extending substantially continuously between the first backrest and the second backrest to enable a child seated on the seat area in a forwardly facing direction adjacent the second backrest to rest his or her back against the second backrest and to alternatively enable a child seated on the seat area in a rearwardly facing direction adjacent the first backrest to rest his or her back against the first backrest the first and second backrest including substantially transversely oriented support surfaces for enabling the first and second backrests to support the back of a child seated on the seat area in rearwardly and forwardly facing directions.   
   
   
       2 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the first backrest is formed horn at least one of a simulated animal neck and a simulated animal head 
   
   
       3 . The toy of  claim 1 , further including first and second foot rests on first and second sides of the animal body 
   
   
       4 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the first backrest is textured 
   
   
       5 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the second backrest is formed by a simulated animal tail 
   
   
       6 . A toy, comprising:
 a curved base;   a simulated animal body extending upwardly horn the curved base, the simulated animal body including a substantially continuous horizontally extending torso having a forward end and rearward end, the torso having an upper surface defining a seat area between the forward end and the rearward end for supporting a child on the animal body, the animal body including head and neck portions adjacent the forward end of the torso;   a first backrest extending upwardly horn the upper surface use adjacent the forward and of the torso, the first backrest being integrally formed with the head and neck portions;   a first handle adjacent the first backrest for use by a child positioned in a forwardly facing direction on the seat area;   a second backrest extending upwardly from the upper surface adjacent the rearward end of the torso:   a second handle adjacent the second backrest for use by a child positioned in a rearwardly facing direction on the seat area;   the seat area extending substantially continuously between the first backrest and the second backrest to enable a child seated on the seat area in a forwardly facing direction adjacent the second backrest to rest his or her back against the second backrest and to alternatively enable a child seated on the seat area in a rearwardly facing direction adjacent the first backrest to rest his or her back against the first backrest, the first and second backrests including substantially transversely oriented support surfaces for enabling the first and second backrests to support the back of a child seated on the seat area in rearwardly and forwardly facing directions   
   
   
       7 . The toy of  claim 6 , wherein the seat is provided in the form of a giraffe. 
   
   
       8 . The toy of  claim 7 , wherein the giraffe includes. 
   
   
       9 . The toy of  claim 7 , wherein the first handle extends from the head for of the toy is used as a rocking chair. 
   
   
       10 . The toy of  claim 8 , further including a tail extending upwardly from the torso, the tail forming the second backrest 
   
   
       11 . The toy of  claim 7 , further including first and second foot rests flanking the giraffe. 
   
   
       12 . A toy, comprising:
 curved base;   an animal torso extending upward horn the curved base and having a substantially continuous horizontally extending torso having a forward end and a rearward end, the torso having an upper surface defining a seat area between the forward end and the rearward end for supporting a child on the animal body;   a reclined chair backrest having a width substantially matching the width of the child;   a rocking chair backrest having a width substantially matching the width of the child; and   the seat area usable in combination with both the reclined chair backrest and the rocking chair backrest, the seat adapted to accommodate a child in forward and rearward facing directions   
   
   
       13 . The toy of  claim 12 , wherein the seat area extends substantially continuously between the first and second backrests to enable a child seated on the seat area in a forwardly facing direction adjacent the rocking backrest to rest his or her back against the rocking backrest and to alternatively enable a child seated on the seat area in a rearwardly facing direction adjacent the reclining backrest to rest his or her back against the reclining backrest 
   
   
       14 . The toy of  claim 12 , wherein the reclined chair backrest faces in a direction opposite to the rocking chair backrest 
   
   
       15 . The toy of  claim 12 , wherein the reclined chair backrest, rocking chair backrest, and seat are provided in the form of a giraffe. 
   
   
       16 . The toy of  claim 15 , wherein the giraffe includes a head and tail, the head forming the reclined chair backrest, and the tail forming the rocking chair backrest. 
   
   
       17 . The toy of  claim 16 , wherein a tear surface of the head forms the reclined chair backrest. 
   
   
       18 . The toy of  claim 12 , wherein the reclined chair backrest includes padded antlers. 
   
   
       19 . The toy of  claim 16 , wherein the tail includes a carrying handle for med therein. 
   
   
       20 . The toy of  claim 15 , further including first and second foot rests flanking the giraffe