The present invention relates to go-karts, and in particular to a kart which can be readily collapsed for carriage.

Small karts, more commonly known as go-karts, are traditional toys for children and give great pleasure. Typically, a kart will have four wheels, a chassis and a seat for the child. The kart can either be pushed by a second person or be allowed to freewheel down an incline, such as the side of a hill. Steering of the kart is typically achieved by means of a rope attached to the front axle on both sides or perhaps a fixed steering column.

Karts of the aforementioned type are well known and generally are well made to handle rough terrain. The chassis is rigid and the complete kart can be quite heavy. As a result, carriage of a prior art kart to a play area, such as the top of a hill, can be hard work and a significant deterrent to use of the kart.

In view of the foregoing, the present invention aims to overcome the problem of kart carriage, thereby providing a kart which is more attractive to both the user and the parent, who typically ends up carrying the kart.

According to the present invention, there is provided a collapsible kart including a chassis, wherein the chassis can be readily dismantled such that the complete kart can be stored in or on a backpack for carriage. As a result, the size of the kart for carriage is significantly less than the size when assembled for use, thereby facilitating the carriage of the kart. Additionally, by carrying the kart in or on a backpack, the person carrying the kart will have both hands free for other uses.

Preferably the chassis is telescopic. More preferably, the chassis is formed from tubular components, the components preferably having a square cross- section for rigidity. Square section aluminium is particular preferred, due to its light weight. During assembly, the telescopic components can be extended and locked in position by any appropriate means. For example, biased pins may engage holes in the tubular structure.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the kart further comprises a chair having a seat and a back, wherein the seat and the back define the backpack. In such an embodiment, the seat and back may form a clam shell into which additional components of the kart can be stored for carriage. The seat and back may be pivotally attached and incorporate a locking mechanism for holding the two components closed for carriage.

A kart according to the present invention preferably includes a steering device which can be attached to more than one part of the chassis. For example, if the steering device is attached to a front axle of the kart, a user sitting or standing on the kart can control the direction of the kart. Alternatively, a steering device may be attached to the rear of the seat, for example, thereby enabling an adult, for example, to control the direction of the kart. This would be appropriate when a young child is sitting on the kart.

Preferably the steering device is telescopic, so that its total length when collapsed is readily accommodated in the backpack.

Although the kart according to the present invention is likely to incorporate three or four wheels, these are preferably removable so that larger or smaller wheels can be accommodated. Further, in a preferred embodiment, the wheels can be replaced by runners or skis to enable the kart to be used as a toboggan, for example, in snow.

Brakes are preferably provided on the kart to enable a user to have better control down an incline. Although the brakes are preferably foot operated brakes, some form of hand operated device could alternatively be used. As indicated above, the kart preferably incorporates the backpack as a component part of the kart in use. As a result, no additional equipment is needed, other than the kart itself, for carriage.

Other optional features of a collapsible kart according to the present invention will be envisaged by a person skilled in the relevant art.

A particular embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible kart according to the present invention ready for use; Figure 2 is a view the kart of Figure 1 in a partially collapsed position, prior to carriage; and Figure 3 is a view of the collapsible kart of Figures 1 and 2 in a fully collapsed position ready for carriage as a backpack.