U.S. patent application number 10/414970 was filed with the patent office on 2003-09-18 for toy with openable container from which one or more objects spring out.
This patent application is currently assigned to Genie Toys PLC, a corporation of Great Britain. Invention is credited to Norman, Casey.
Application Number | 20030176146 10/414970 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 9901384 |
Filed Date | 2003-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030176146 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Norman, Casey |
September 18, 2003 |
Toy with openable container from which one or more objects spring
out
Abstract
A toy including an openable container, and a non-porous, molded,
hollow, elastic three-dimensional representative object arranged to
be contained in a compressed condition within the container such
that on opening the container the object springs out by assuming
its uncompressed shape and size.
Inventors: |
Norman, Casey; (London,
GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
IP DEPARTMENT OF PIPER RUDNICK LLP
3400 TWO LOGAN SQUARE
18TH AND ARCH STREETS
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103
US
|
Assignee: |
Genie Toys PLC, a corporation of
Great Britain
London
GB
|
Family ID: |
9901384 |
Appl. No.: |
10/414970 |
Filed: |
April 16, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10414970 |
Apr 16, 2003 |
|
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PCT/GB01/04349 |
Sep 28, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
446/310 ;
446/72 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 3/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/310 ;
446/72 |
International
Class: |
A63H 003/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 16, 2000 |
GB |
0025337.7 |
Claims
1. A toy comprising an openable container, and a non-porous,
molded, hollow, elastic three-dimensional representative object
arranged to be contained in a compressed condition within the
container such that on opening the container the object springs out
by assuming its uncompressed shape and size.
2. A toy according to claim 1, wherein the representative object is
selected from the group consisting of a human, an animal, a cartoon
or fantasy figure and a vehicle.
3. A toy according to claim 1, wherein the representative object is
injection molded from rubber or an elastomeric material.
4. A toy according to claim 1, wherein the representative object is
molded in one piece.
5. A toy according to claim 1, wherein the container comprises a
lid which is released to open the container.
6. A toy according to claim 5, wherein the container comprises a
capsule to which the lid is attached with an interference fit.
7. A toy according to claim 5, wherein a releasable catch is
provided for securing the lid to the container.
8. A toy according to claim 7, wherein a spring is provided for
biasing the lid into an open position.
9. A toy according to claim 7, wherein the container comprises a
parallelepiped box arranged to be demounted on releasing the
lid.
10. A toy according to claim 7, wherein the container is capable of
being attached to another shaped container.
11. A toy according to claim 7, wherein opening of the container
causes an adjacently fitted container to open.
12. A toy comprising an openable container, and a three-dimensional
representative object arranged-to be contained within the container
such that on opening the container the object springs out, the
container being arranged for attachment to another container,
wherein opening of the container causes the adjacently fitted other
container to open.
13. A toy according to claim 1 or 12, wherein the representative
object is temporarily attached to the inside of the container.
14. A toy according to claim 1 or 12, wherein at least a portion of
the container is capable of forming a plinth on which the object
can be stood.
15. A toy according to claim 1 or 12, wherein the representative
object is permanently attached to the inside of the container.
16. A toy comprising an openable container, and a plurality of
representative objects concealed within the container such that on
opening the container, the objects spring out in a predetermined
order.
17. A toy according to claim 16, wherein at least one of the
representative objects comprises a representative surface on an
inside of a flap forming a portion of the container.
18. A toy according to claim 16, wherein on opening the container,
at least one first representative object springs out quickly and at
least one second representative springs out slowly so that it is
finally deployed after the first representative object is
deployed.
19. A toy according to claim 18, comprising further parts of the
toy arranged to fold out under the action of gravity or under a
user's control.
20. A toy according to claim 1, 12 or 16, wherein a plurality of
elastic representative objects is contained within the
container.
21. A toy according to claim 20, wherein said at least one
relatively rigid representative object is arranged to spring out of
the container when the latter is opened.
22. A toy according to claim 1, 12 or 16, wherein the object or at
least one of the objects is decorated.
23. A toy according to claim 1, 12 or 16, wherein the container is
decorated on its outside and/or its inside.
24. A toy according to claim 1, 12 or 16, wherein the
representative object or at least one of the representative objects
is arranged to spring out generally vertically from the
container.
25. A toy according to claim 1, 12 or 16, wherein the
representative object or at least one of the representative objects
is arranged to spring out generally laterally from the
container.
26. A toy according to claim 1, 12 or 16, wherein opening of the
container triggers another action in addition to the springing out
of the representative object.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a toy or novelty item involving an
element of surprise.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A known jack-in-the-box toy comprises a box containing a
figure arranged to jump out when the lid of the box is opened. The
figure is attached to a spring, which forces the figure against the
lid. In another known toy, a fabric-covered spring simulating a
snake ejects itself from a rigid container on removing the lid.
[0003] In these known toys, the manufacture of the sprung figure is
labor-intensive.
[0004] Known jack-in-the-box type toys are characterized by rapid
deployment under the action of springs. There may be a plurality of
ejecting or extending parts, but these operate substantially
simultaneously.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] This invention relates to a toy including an openable
container, and a non-porous, molded, hollow, elastic
three-dimensional representative object arranged to be contained in
a compressed condition within the container such that on opening
the container the object springs out by assuming its uncompressed
shape and size.
[0006] In another aspect, the invention relates to a toy including
an openable container, and a three-dimensional representative
object arranged to be contained within the container such that on
opening the container the object springs out, the container being
arranged for attachment to another container, wherein opening of
the container causes the adjacently fitted other container to
open.
[0007] Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a toy
including an openable container, and a plurality of representative
objects concealed within the container such than on opening the
container, the objects spring out in a predetermined order.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The invention will now be described in more detail, by way
of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container according to an
embodiment of the invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 shows the container of FIG. 1 with an object emerging
therefrom;
[0011] FIG. 3 shows the object of FIG. 2 mounted on a plinth formed
from the lid of the container;
[0012] FIG. 4 shows a container according to a second
embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a cut-away side perspective view of the container
of FIG. 4, not showing the representative object;
[0014] FIG. 6 shows the container of FIG. 4 in the process of being
opened;
[0015] FIG. 7 shows the container of FIG. 4 in the opened position
with the object extended;
[0016] FIG. 8 shows containers according to a third embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 9 shows the containers of FIG. 8 in the process of
being opened;
[0018] FIG. 10 shows the containers of FIG. 8 in the opened
position with their objects extended;
[0019] FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a possible mechanism for the
toy shown in FIGS. 8 to 10;
[0020] FIG. 12 shows a toy according to a fourth embodiment;
[0021] FIGS. 13 and 14 show, in the closed and opened conditions
respectively, a toy according to an embodiment of the other aspect
of the invention; and
[0022] FIGS. 15 and 16 show in the closed and opened conditions
respectively a toy according to a further embodiment of the other
aspect of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] One aspect of the invention provides a toy or novelty item
comprising an openable container, and a non-porous, molded, hollow,
elastic, three-dimensional representative object arranged to be
contained in a compressed and distorted condition within the
container such that on opening the container the object springs out
under its inherent elasticity by assuming its uncompressed shape
and size.
[0024] The representative object may comprise a human, animal,
cartoon or fantasy figure or a vehicle or any object such as an
item of food, furniture or clothing, which children may wish to
collect. The representative object is conveniently injection
molded, preferably in one piece, from rubber or an elastomeric
material such as a styrene-butadiene-styrene copolymer or another
of the copolymers sold under the trademark "Kraton".
[0025] Preferably, the container comprises a lid which is released
to open the container. The container may comprise a capsule to
which the lid is attached with an interference fit. Alternatively,
a releasable catch may be provided for securing the lid to the
container. A spring may be provided for biasing the lid into an
open position. The container may comprise a parallelepiped box
arranged to be demounted on releasing the lid.
[0026] The container may itself represent an object in the closed
state, such as, but not limited to, a packing case, purse, bag or
vehicle.
[0027] The representative object can be permanently or temporarily
attached to the inside of the container. If the object is not
attached or is detachable from the container, at least a portion of
the container may be capable of forming a plinth on which the
object can be stood.
[0028] The object may be decorated, for example, with paint or
varnish. The container may be decorated on its outside and/or its
inside, for example, by applying stickers or paint.
[0029] According to another embodiment of the invention, the
container is capable of being attached to an identically shaped
container. Such containers can be collected and any number of them
can be fitted together in a series. Preferably, opening of one of
the containers causes an adjacently fitted container, which may be
identical to the first container or be a different collectable
container, to open as well. Thus, a series of containers will open
in sequence. This embodiment is not limited to compressible elastic
representative objects.
[0030] Whilst the representative object is usually arranged to
spring out generally vertically from the container, it may
alternatively be arranged to spring out generally laterally. A
plurality of elastic representative objects may be contained within
the container. Additionally, one or more relatively rigid
representative objects may be contained within the container,
formed integrally with a base, wall or lid of the container and/or
arranged to spring out when the container is opened, for example,
by means of a hinged connection to a wall of the container.
[0031] Another aspect of the invention provides a toy or novelty
item comprising an openable container, and a plurality of
representative objects concealed within the container such that on
opening the container the objects spring out in a predetermined
order.
[0032] Preferably, at least one of the representative objects
comprises a representative surface (for example, a floor or wall of
a building) on an inside of a flap forming a portion of the
container. Further springing representative objects may include
figures, vehicles, items of furniture and other pieces of toy
equipment.
[0033] In a preferred embodiment, on opening the container, for
example, by releasing a catch or the like, at least one first
representative object springs out quickly and at least one second
representative springs out slowly so that it is finally deployed
some time (e.g. a few seconds) after the first representative
object is deployed. Slow springing may be achieved by using
dampened springs in a manner similar to the "soft eject" mechanisms
used in known audio tape recorders.
[0034] Further parts of the toy can be arranged to fold out under
the action of gravity or under a user's control, for example, by
pressing a button.
[0035] This aspect of the invention can with advantage be combined
with the features mentioned above, such as the compressible,
preferably hollow, elastic representative objects, which may be
detachable, the mutually connectable containers and the containers
which represent objects when in the closed condition.
[0036] Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a container in the
form of a capsule, comprising a lid 1 attached to a base 2 with an
interference fit. The capsule is molded from relatively rigid
plastics material and can be opaque, clear or tinted. The shape of
the capsule allows labels 3 to be affixed.
[0037] The capsule contains a monster-like FIG. 4, shown in FIGS. 2
and 3, which has been compressed by hand to fit inside the capsule.
The FIG. 4 is injection molded as a hollow body from an elastomeric
material and painted.
[0038] By squeezing the base 2 of the capsule, the lid 1 is
released and the FIG. 4 is free to pop up as shown in FIG. 2,
assuming its original shape and size. Surprisingly, the FIG. 4 has
been placed in a smaller space than its volume should allow, due to
its elasticity and its hollow nature.
[0039] FIG. 3 shows how the lid 1 can be fitted over the upturned
base to form a plinth on which the FIG. 4 is stood.
[0040] In an alternative embodiment, the capsule is a standard
ovoid vending machine capsule.
[0041] FIGS. 4 and 5 show an alternative container in the form of a
cube-shaped box. Vertical walls 105 of the box are hinged to a base
106 but are not attached to each other. A lid 107 is hinged to the
rear wall of the box and engages the other walls.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 5, a lever 108 is pivoted to the inside of
the base 106 at its center, by means of pegs 109 which extend
transversely from the lever and engage in seats 110 (only one of
which is shown) on the base 106. The lever 108 extends below an
internal floor 111 of the box and an end 112 of the lever protrudes
from the rear of the box. An optional coil spring 113, fixed to the
base 106, biases the lever 108 such that the end 112 is raised. The
other end of the lever 108 is L-shaped and abuts one end of a
pivotable cross bar 114, formed integrally with an initially
vertical catch lever 115. A catch 116 at the top of the catch lever
115 engages a lip 117 depending from the front edge of the lid 107,
and holds the lid closed. The hinge 118 connecting the lid 107 to
the rear wall 119 is optionally fitted with a spring (not shown),
biasing the lid upwardly.
[0043] To open the box, the protruding end 112 of the lever 108 is
depressed, as shown in FIG. 6, against the action of the spring 113
or by pressure exerted by the FIG. 104. The other end of the lever
moves upwardly, causing the cross bar 114 and the catch lever 115
to pivot. This releases the catch 116 from the lip 117 and the lid
107 opens under the action of the spring at the rear hinge 118. The
walls 105 pivot downwardly and the FIG. 104 is extended as shown in
FIG. 7.
[0044] FIG. 8 shows four boxes according to a third embodiment of
the invention which have been clipped together using
interengageable features on each of the boxes. The interengageable
features may, for example, comprise pegs and slots which engage
with slots and pegs respectively on an adjacent box.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 9, if one of the boxes 220 is opened, so
that the contained FIG. 221 (in this case a pop singer) is
extended, the adjacent box 222 is caused to open by the interaction
of mechanical components of the boxes. This in turn causes the
third box 223 to open, until all of the boxes have opened in
sequence, and all of the figures are extended, as shown in FIG.
10.
[0046] FIG. 11 is an exploded view of one of the boxes shown in
FIGS. 8 to 10, omitting the figure. The box comprises a raised base
224 formed integrally with a back wall 225, and side flaps 226
hinged to the base 224. A lid 227, which is hinged to the top of
the back wall 225, has a peripheral skirt 228 for retaining the
flaps 226 in a vertical position when the lid 227 is closed. The
lid is biased towards the open position by a lid spring 229 but
held closed by a catch 230, which engages a tongue 231 on a latch
slide 232. This latch slide is arranged to slide up and down
between guides 233 on a backplate 234 arranged parallel to, and
fitting over, the back wall 225. An operating tab 235 of the latch
slide 232 extends through a slot 236 in the backplate 234. The
latch slide is biased towards its topmost position by means of a
latch slide spring 237.
[0047] A peg 238 extends from the lid 227 at one corner adjacent
the hinge. A striker plate 239 on the latch slide 232 extends from
the backplate 234 at the other rear corner of the lid.
[0048] The backplate 234 has a dovetail connecter 240 on one side
and a slot (not shown) of corresponding size on the other side. The
boxes are connected together by inserting the dovetail connector of
one box into the slot of another box.
[0049] By depressing operating tab 235 of one box and moving latch
slide 232 downwards against the force of latch slide spring 237,
tongue 231 disengages from catch 230 and lid 227 is raised about
its hinge by lid spring 229. Skirt 228 no longer holds flaps 226,
and any of the flaps which do not abut adjacent boxes fall open. At
the same time peg 238 of lid 227 hits the striker plate of the
adjacent box, if one is attached, causing its latch slide to move
downwardly and opening the box. In this manner, a series of
connected boxes is opened with a pleasing "domino effect".
[0050] FIG. 12 shows an opened box according to a fourth
embodiment, in which five elastic representative objects are
extended, namely a vampire 324 attached to the base of the box, a
ghost 325 attached to a first folded down wall, a hand 326 attached
to a second folded down wall, a mummy 327 attached to a third
folded down wall and a bat 328 attached to the raised lid. In
addition to the elastic representative objects 325, 326, 327, 328,
a number of rigid representative objects 329 are molded integrally
with the base, walls and lid.
[0051] The representative object(s) in this aspect of the invention
could be any kind of human, animal or imaginary figure or a plant
or vehicle etc, or components (such as furniture) of a play set
representing the inside of a house, kitchen or other room, garden
etc.
[0052] FIG. 13 shows a closed container according to the other
aspect of the invention, in the form of a zip-up purse. FIG. 14
shows the container opened to form a toy hairdressing salon.
Concealed springs, and/or any elastomeric representative objects in
the toy, cause an initial rapid opening, with inside surfaces of
the container then representing different floor portions 401, 402
and wall 403 of the salon. A counter 404 and a chair 405 then
slowly pivot out to the positions shown in FIG. 13 under the action
of concealed dampened springs. A FIG. 406 in the chair 405 may be
elastomeric or rigid and may be supplied as a separate item and
placed in position subsequently. A mirror 407 can be made to "pop
up" by a sprung pushbutton-operated mechanism (not shown) and the
chair 405 can be swiveled to different positions.
[0053] FIG. 15 shows an alternative closed container in the form of
a bag or hamper, which opens to form a swimming pool toy as shown
in FIG. 16. Sections 501, 502 of the container are caused to form
sections of a pool, and further sections 503, 504 which are
concealed when the container is closed fold out to complete the
pool. Another side 505 of the container represents a poolside
portion when opened, featuring a sun lounger 506 which can be made
to fold by a pushbutton mechanism (not shown). A central
substantially rigid building part 507 has a folding springboard 508
with an optionally detachable FIG. 509 and a two part folding slide
510. A canopy 511 with a pop-up sign 512 is supported on pillars
513 which slowly slide out of the building part 507 to raise the
canopy after the container is opened.
[0054] In addition to the springing out of the representative
object(s), opening of containers according to the invention could
trigger one or more other events, such as music or other sounds,
lights, or other motion (for example rotation) of the container or
its contents.
* * * * *