A riding apparatus for children, comprising:
- a main body (110) having an animal or character shape, the main body (110) being divided into two body parts manufactured through separated processes, the main body (110) being formed by coupling the two body parts to each other, with a handle (111) provided on an upper portion of a front end of the main body (110), and a footrest (115) provided on a lower end of a medial portion of the main body (110);
- a plurality of support plates (120) installed in the main body (110), the support plates (120) being placed upright at positions spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance;
- an operating unit (300), comprising:
- a front rotary member (330) and a rear rotary member (340) respectively having interlocking shafts (213) and (223), the interlocking shafts (213) and (223) being respectively inserted into insert holes (121), (112) and (122), (113), which are formed at front and rear positions in the support plates (120) and the main body (110), so that the front rotary member (330) and the rear rotary member (340) are respectively provided at front and rear positions between the support plates (120) so as to be rotatable, with guide slots (333) and (343) respectively formed in central portions of the front rotary member (330) and the rear rotary member (340), so that stop protrusions (123), which are respectively provided at front and rear positions on an inner surface of one of the support plates (120), are inserted into the respective guide slots (333) and (343);
- a front spring (350) for applying an elastic force to the front rotary member (330) such that an upper end of the front rotary member (330) is biased forwards;
- a rear spring (351) for applying an elastic force to the rear rotary member (340) such that an upper end of the rear rotary member (340) is biased backwards;
- and a connection bar (310) coupled to the upper end of the front rotary member (330) and a lower end of the rear rotary member (340) using hinge shafts (320) and (321), respectively;
- and
- a pair of front legs (210) and a pair of rear legs (220) respectively having shaft holes (214) and (224) fitted over corresponding opposite ends of the interlocking shafts (213) and (223) which extend outside the main body (110) through the insert holes (112) and (113), with one-way wheel assemblies (211) and (221) respectively provided on lower ends of the front legs (210) and the rear legs (220), each of the one-way wheel assemblies (211) and (221) being rotatable only in a forward direction, the front legs (210) and the rear legs (220) being swung in directions away from each other and in directions approaching each other.