U.S. patent application number 10/666436 was filed with the patent office on 2004-09-30 for crawl toy.
Invention is credited to Armstrong, Daniel R., Temple, Kenneth.
Application Number | 20040192159 10/666436 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32993901 |
Filed Date | 2004-09-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040192159 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Armstrong, Daniel R. ; et
al. |
September 30, 2004 |
Crawl toy
Abstract
A toy (10) convertible between a crawl mode and a remote-control
mode. The toy (10) comprises a mobile body (12) and controller
(14). Inputs (36, 38, 40) are housed in the controller (14) and are
attached to the mobile body (12) while the toy (10) is in the crawl
mode. These inputs provide a response (e.g., movement, audio
stimulation) upon activation (e.g., manual touching) while the toy
(10) is in the crawl mode. The controller (14) controls the mobile
body (12) from a remote location while the toy (10) is in the
remote-control mode.
Inventors: |
Armstrong, Daniel R.;
(Jackson, OH) ; Temple, Kenneth; (Aurora,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Cynthia S. Murphy
Renner, Otto, Boisselle & Sklar, LLP
Nineteenth Floor
1621 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland
OH
44115-2191
US
|
Family ID: |
32993901 |
Appl. No.: |
10/666436 |
Filed: |
September 18, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60411620 |
Sep 18, 2002 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/175 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 30/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/175 |
International
Class: |
A63H 030/00 |
Claims
1. A toy convertible between a crawl mode and a remote-control
mode, said toy comprising: a mobile body; an input which is
attached to the mobile body while the toy is in the crawl mode and
which provides a response upon activation while the toy is in the
crawl mode; and a controller which controls the mobile body from a
remote location while the toy is in the remote-control mode.
2. A toy as set forth in claim 1, wherein the input is provided on
the controller, and wherein the controller is attached to the
mobile body while the toy is in the crawl mode.
3. A toy as set forth in claim 2, wherein the response comprises
movement of the mobile body.
4. A toy as set forth in claim 2, wherein the response comprises
generation of an audible output.
5. A toy as set forth in claim 1, wherein the activation comprises
manual touching of the input.
6. A toy as set forth in claim 1, comprising a plurality of
inputs.
7. A toy as set forth in claim 6, wherein at least two of the
plurality of inputs provides a different response while the toy is
in the remote-control mode.
8. A toy as set forth in claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of
inputs provides the same response while the toy is in the crawl
mode.
9. A toy as set forth in claim 1, wherein the toy is converted to
the crawl mode when the mobile body and the controller are in a
certain positional relationship, and wherein the toy is converted
to the remote-control mode when the mobile body and the controller
are displaced from this positional relationship.
10. A toy as set forth in claim 9, wherein the mobile body and the
controller include mating members which, when mated, place the toy
in the crawl mode and, when un-mated, place the toy in the
remote-control mode.
11. A toy as set forth in claim 10, wherein mating members comprise
a recess and a tab for receipt into the recess.
12. A toy as set forth in claim 1, wherein the mobile body
comprises a base, an antenna attached to the top of the base, and
movement-providing members attached to the bottom of the base.
13. A toy as set forth in claim 12, wherein the movement-providing
members comprise rollers rotatably attached to the bottom of the
base.
14. A toy as set forth in claim 12, wherein the controller
comprises a ring-shaped member with a central opening through which
the antenna can be inserted.
15. A toy as set forth in claim 14, wherein the input(s) comprise a
plurality of buttons positioned on the radially outer surface of
the ring-shaped member.
16. A method of playing with the toy set forth in claim 1, said
method comprising the steps of: placing the toy in the crawl mode,
crawling towards the mobile body, and activating the input; and
placing the toy in the remote-control mode and using the controller
to control the mobile body from a remote location.
17. A toy providing different outputs in response to different
positional relationships of a child, said toy comprising: a body; a
proximity sensor which senses when a child is in a first zone Z1
relative to the body and when a child is in a second zone Z2
relative to the body; response-providing components which provide a
first response output in response to the child entering the first
zone Z1 and a second different response output in response to the
child entering the second zone Z2.
18. A toy as set forth in claim 17, wherein the body comprises a
base and movement-providing members attached to the base.
19. A toy as set forth in claim 18, wherein the movement-providing
members comprise rollers rotatably attached to the bottom of the
base.
20. A toy as set forth in claim 17, wherein the body comprises an
antenna attached to the top of the base and wherein the proximity
sensor is positioned within the antenna.
21. A toy as set forth in claim 17, wherein at least one of the
response outputs is audio.
22. A toy as set forth in claim 21, wherein both of the response
outputs is audio.
23. A toy as set forth in claim 17, wherein the response outputs
are audio, visual, movement, or combinations thereof.
24. A toy as set forth in claim 17 wherein the first zone Z1 has a
range which is greater than three inches and less than six inches
away from the body and wherein the second zone Z2 is positioned
between the body and the first zone Z1.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/411,620 filed
on Sep. 18, 2002. The entire disclosure of this earlier application
is hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally as indicated to a crawl toy
and, more particularly, to a toy which provides a crawl incentive
when a child is learning to crawl.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Crawling is an important milestone in a child's development.
Crawling helps a baby to strengthen "walking" muscles for later use
and is a baby's first experience with getting around efficiently on
his/her own. As such, parents and care givers typically provide
"crawling" incentives to a toddler to encourage experimentation
with bodily sensations and motor movements.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention provides a toy which can be used as a
crawling incentive for a child and then can be converted to a
remote control toy upon completion of the child's crawling phase.
In this manner, the toy "grows with" the child and remains
interesting once walking replaces crawling in the child's ongoing
development.
[0005] More particularly, the present invention provides a toy
which is convertible between a crawl mode and a remote-control
mode. The toy comprises a mobile body, an input, and a controller.
The input is attached to the mobile body while the toy is in the
crawl mode and provides a response (e.g., movement, audio
stimulation) upon activation (e.g., manual touching) when the toy
is in said crawl mode. The controller controls the mobile body from
a remote location while the toy is in the remote-control mode. The
toy preferably comprises a plurality of inputs which provide the
same response while the toy is in the crawl mode and/or which
provide a different response when the toy is in the remote-control
mode.
[0006] The input can be conveniently housed in the controller and
the controller can be attached to the mobile body while the toy is
in the crawl mode. For example, the mobile body and the controller
can include mating members which, when mated, place the toy in the
crawl mode and, when un-mated, place the toy in the remote-control
mode. The mobile body can comprise a base, rollers rotatably
attached to the bottom of the base, and an antenna attached to the
top of the base. The controller can comprise a ring-shaped member
with a central opening through which the antenna can be inserted.
The input(s) can comprise button(s) positioned on the radially
outer surface of the ring-shaped member.
[0007] When a child is learning to crawl, the toy is placed in the
crawl mode so that the child can crawl towards the mobile body and
activate the input. When the child has advanced to walking and no
longer needs crawling incentives, the toy is placed in the
remote-control mode so that he/she can use the controller to
control the mobile body from a remote location. As such, the toy of
the present invention can convert from a crawling incentive to the
child's first remote control device.
[0008] The present invention also provides a toy which provides
different outputs in response to different positional relationships
of the child. In this manner, the child is rewarded when
approaching the toy, and is rewarded again upon further nearing the
toy. This can provide a powerful crawl incentive when a child is
learning to crawl. However, the toy need not be a crawl-incentive
toy, as the present invention contemplates many types of toys that
respond to a child's different positional relationships with
different outputs.
[0009] More particularly, the present invention provides a body, a
proximity sensor, and response-providing components. The proximity
sensor senses when a child is in a first zone Z1 relative to the
body and when a child is in a second zone Z2 relative to the body.
The response-providing components provide a first response output
in response to the child entering the first zone Z1 and a second
different response output in response to the child entering the
second zone Z2.
[0010] When a child is playing with the toy, and he/she is outside
the first zone Z1, no response output is provided. When the child
moves (e.g., crawls) into the first zone Z1, a first response
output is provided. When the child moves (e.g., crawls, reaches)
closer to the toy 50 into the second zone Z2, a second response
output is provided. The response outputs can be audio (e.g., music,
voice messages), movement (e.g., spins, forward/backward motion),
visual (e.g., flashing/colored lights), and/or combinations
thereof.
[0011] The range of the zones Z1 and Z2 can be selected to be
compatible with a child's developmental requirements. For example,
the first zone Z1 could be greater than a certain distance (e.g.,
two inches, three inches, four inches, five inches, six inches, one
foot, etc.) and less than a certain distance (e.g., one inch, two
inches, three inches, four inches, six inches, etc.) away from the
toy. The second zone Z2 is positioned between the first zone Z1 and
the toy.
[0012] These and other features of the invention are fully
described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following
description and annexed drawings set forth in detail certain
illustrative embodiments of the invention, these embodiments being
indicative of but a few of the various ways in which the principles
of the invention may be employed.
DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toy according to the
present invention, the toy being shown in the crawl mode.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the toy in the
remote-control mode.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a close-up, partially sectional, view of a portion
of the toy while in the crawl mode.
[0016] FIGS. 4A-4C are schematic illustrations of a child playing
with the toy while it is in the crawl mode.
[0017] FIGS. 5A-5C are schematic illustrations of a child playing
with the toy while it is in the remote-control mode.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another crawl toy 50
according to the present invention, the toy 50 providing different
outputs in response to different positional relationships.
[0019] FIG. 7A-7C are schematic illustrations of a child playing
with the toy by moving into different positional relationships to
obtain different outputs.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Referring now to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1 and
2, a toy 10 according to the present invention is shown. The toy 10
comprises a mobile body 12 and a controller 14. When the toy 10 is
in a crawl mode (FIG. 1), the controller 14 is attached, coupled,
or otherwise connected to the mobile body 12 so that it may move
therewith. When the toy 10 is in a remote control mode (FIG. 2),
the controller 14 is separated from mobile body 12 so that it may
be used to remotely control movement of the body 12. In this
manner, the toy 10 is convertible between a crawl mode appropriate
for a child at a crawling age and a remote control mode appropriate
for the child at an older age. The toy 10 can thereby "grow with"
the child.
[0021] Referring additionally to FIG. 3, the mobile body 12 and the
controller 14 preferably include mating members 16 and 18,
respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, the mating member 16
is a recess in the mobile body 12 and the mating member 18 is a tab
on the controller 14 which fits into the recess. When the members
16 and 18 are mated, an internal switch places the toy's electrical
circuitry in the crawl mode and, when the members 16 and 18 are
displaced, switches the toy's electrical circuitry into the
remote-control mode. It may be noted that other types of mating
devices can be used to determine the positional relationship
between the mobile body 12 and the controller 14. Moreover,
non-mating devices, such as proximity sensors, can be used to
determine this positional relationship, whereby the controller 14
need not be "locked" onto the mobile body 12. Additionally or
alternatively, the conversion of the toy 10 from the crawl mode to
the remote-control mode can be accomplished by other types of
switch and non-switch devices.
[0022] The mobile body 12 includes an infrared device 20 which
functions as a transmitter, and the controller 14 includes an
infrared device 22 which functions as a receiver. These devices
allow wireless communication between the controller 14 and the
mobile body 12 so that an input on the controller 14 is conveyed to
the mobile body 12. Accordingly, the infrared device 20 is mounted
in a suitable manner for receiving infrared signals from the
controller's transmitting infrared device 22.
[0023] In the illustrated embodiment, the mobile body 12 comprises
a base 24, rollers 26 rotatably attached to the bottom of the base
24, and an antenna 28 attached to the top of the base 24. The body
parts 24, 26, and/or 28 can be injection molded, or otherwise
formed, and then assembled in a conventional manner. That being
said, the mobile body 12 can be of any construction which provides
a motive means (i.e., rollers, tracks, crawlers, skis) by which it
can move across a surface.
[0024] The illustrated base 24 houses the toy's electrical
circuitry, mechanical guts (e.g., wheel-driving motors and belts),
and power source (e.g., battery). The mating recess 16 is
positioned at the top of the base 24 adjacent the antenna 28. The
mode-conversion switch and the infrared receiver 20 are
electrically coupled to the electrical circuitry, and the
electrical circuitry controls the mechanical components. The base
24 can be spherical in shape and/or include indicia (e.g., a
smiling face) attractive to a child.
[0025] The rollers 26 allow the mobile body 22 to easily move
across a surface (e.g., the floor) and can comprise three spherical
wheels 30 rotatably mounted within wheel covers. The front two
wheels can be driven via motors and belts (not shown) and the back
wheel can be free-floating to accomplish the desired movement of
the body 22. For example, for forward movement, both of the front
wheels would be rotated forward and, for spinning movement, one
front wheel could stop while the other front wheel spins. However,
as was indicated above, the rollers 26 can be replaced with other
suitable motive means for moving the body across a surface.
[0026] The antenna 28 is preferably flexible and can comprise a
curved stem 32 extending upwardly from the base 24 and a spherical
knob 34 at the end thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the
infrared device 22 (e.g., the receiver) is mounted in the antenna's
knob 34 in a suitable manner for receiving signals from the
controller's infrared device 20 (e.g., the transmitter). In this
manner, signals can be conveyed from the controller 14 to the
electrical circuitry within the body 24 to control the toy's
mechanical components.
[0027] The illustrated controller 14 has a ring-like (e.g.,
toroidal) shape with a central opening through which the antenna 28
can be inserted. The mating tab 18 extends from the bottom surface
of the controller 14 so that it may be inserted into the recess 16
when the controller 14 is connected to the mobile body 12. It may
be noted that even when the toy 10 is in the remote-control mode,
the controller 14 may be placed on the antenna 28 without mating
the members 16 and 18 for convenient storage. Alternatively, as
indicated above, the toy 10 can be designed so that mere placement
of the controller 14 in the vicinity of the mobile body 12 is
sufficient for conversion into the crawl mode.
[0028] Input buttons 36, 38, and 40 are positioned on the radially
outer surface of the controller 14, along with the infrared sensor
22. In the illustrated embodiment, the inputs are activated by
manual depression, but otherwise activated inputs could be used
instead of, or in addition to, the buttons. Also, although three
inputs are shown in the illustrated embodiment, toys having fewer
(i.e., one or two) or more inputs are possible with, and
contemplated by, the present invention. In any event, the input(s)
36, 38, and 40 are attached to the mobile body 12 while the toy 10
is in the crawl mode.
[0029] Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4C, a child is shown playing with
the toy 10 while it is in the crawl mode (i.e., the controller 14
is attached to the mobile body 12 and the mating members 16 and 18
are mated). In this mode, the child crawls towards the toy 10 and
pushes one of the plurality of buttons 36, 38, and 40. In response,
the toy 10 provides the child with some type of stimulation to
reward the crawling effort. For example, the toy 10 can emit
audible sounds (e.g., giggling, music, etc.), produce visual images
(e.g., flashing lights, sparks, etc.), and/or can initiate movement
(e.g., move forward, spin, etc.). While audible and visual outputs
can be pleasing to a child, it may be noted that forward movement
will encourage the child to crawl further. The toy 10 can be
programmed so that regardless of which button the child pushes, the
same response is provided by the toy 10. Alternatively, the toy 10
can be programmed so that different buttons provide different
responses. In the preferred embodiment, the mobile body 12 emits a
giggling sound, moves forward while playing music, and then giggles
again, regardless of which button the child pushes.
[0030] Referring now to FIGS. 5A-5C, an older child is shown
playing with the toy 10 while it is in the remote-control mode
(i.e., the controller 14 is separated from the mobile body 12). In
this mode, the child uses the controller 14 to remotely control the
mobile body 12 by pushing one of the plurality of buttons 36, 38
and 40. Again, the toy 10 can be programmed so that regardless of
which button the child pushes, the same response is provided by the
toy 10. Alternatively, the toy 10 can be programmed so that
different buttons provide different responses. For example,
activation of the button 36 can cause the mobile body 12 to spin
(FIG. 5A), activation of the button 38 can cause the mobile body 12
to move forward (FIG. 5B), and activation of the button 40 can
cause the mobile body 12 to emit an audible sound (e.g., giggling
or music) (FIG. 5C).
[0031] It may be noted that in the illustrated embodiment of the
invention, the inputs 36, 38 and 40 are housed in the controller
14, and attachment of the controller 14 to the mobile body 12
places the toy 10 in the crawl mode. This design has certain
advantages and conveniences, in that the same set of inputs can be
used for both the crawl mode and the remote-control mode. That
being said, a separate set of inputs for the crawl mode and/or
another mode-converting technique (e.g., a switch on the mobile
body) could be used instead.
[0032] Referring now to FIG. 6, a toy 50 according to another
embodiment of the invention is shown. The toy 50 is adapted to
provide one response when a child moves into a first zone Z1 and
another response when a child moves into a second zone Z2. In this
manner, the child is rewarded when approaching the toy 50 and
rewarded again upon further nearing the toy 50.
[0033] The toy 50 comprises a body 52 which, in the illustrated
embodiment, comprises a base 54, rollers 56 rotatably attached to
the bottom of the base 54, and an antenna 58 attached to the top of
the base 54. The body parts 54, 56, and/or 58 can be injection
molded, or otherwise formed, and then assembled in a conventional
manner. However, unlike the toy 10 described above, the body 52
need not be mobile body and need not include motive means (i.e.,
rollers, tracks, crawlers, skis) by which it can move across a
surface. That being said, a child might enjoy manually pushing the
toy 50 across the floor and/or in certain circumstances a motive
means may provide the desired output for the toy in one or more
zones.
[0034] The illustrated base 54 houses the toy's electrical
circuitry, response-producing equipment, and a power source (e.g.,
battery). The rollers 56 and can comprise three spherical wheels 60
rotatably mounted within wheel covers. The antenna 58 is preferably
flexible and can comprise a curved stem 62 extending upwardly from
the base 54 and a spherical knob 64 at the end thereof. The
electrical circuitry preferably includes an on-off switch for the
toy 50. The response-producing equipment can comprise a proximity
sensor 66 electrically coupled to the circuitry housed within the
antenna 58.
[0035] The sensor 66 can comprise, for example, two conductive
(e.g., metal) plates insulated from each other and positioned
inside the base 54 and/or the antenna 58. The plates are connected
to toy's electrical circuitry, which supplies appropriate frequency
signals thereto. A child in the first zone Z1 creates a capacitance
to ground, and the electrical circuitry measures this capacitance
and provides a response output. As the child moves towards the toy
50 into the second zone Z2, the capacitance is further increased,
and the electrical circuitry measures increased capacitance and
provides a different response output.
[0036] Referring now to FIGS. 7A-7C, a child is shown playing with
the toy 50. When the child is outside the first zone Z1, no
response output is provided. (FIG. 7A.) When the child moves into
the first zone Z1, a first response output is provided. (FIG. 7B.)
When the child moves closer to the toy 50 into the second zone Z2,
a second response output is provided. (FIG. 7C.) In the illustrated
embodiment, the response outputs are each audio and, more
particularly, music. For example, one song could play in the first
zone Z1 and another song could plan in the second zone Z2. Instead
of songs, a first voice message could sound in the first zone Z1
(e.g., "you are getting closer") and a second voice message could
sound in the second zone Z2 (e.g., "you are almost there"). Also, a
song could play in one zone and a voice message sound in the other
zone.
[0037] Additionally or alternatively, the toy 50 could move in one
manner (e.g., turn and twirl) in response to the child entering one
zone and could move in another manner (e.g., forward or backward)
in response to the child entering the other zone. The toy 50 could
provide one visual output (e.g., flashing yellow light) in response
to first zone entry and another visual output (e.g., green light)
in response to second zone entry. The toy 50 could provide a visual
output in response to the child entering one zone and an audio
output in response to the child entering the other zone; a visual
output in response to the child entering one zone and a movement
output in response to the child entering the other zone; an audio
output in response to the child entering one zone and a movement
output in response to the child entering the other zone. Audio,
movement, and/or visual outputs can be combined to create the
response output.
[0038] In any event, the toy 50 has the appropriate equipment to
provide the desired audio response(s) (e.g., players, speakers),
the desired movement response(s) (e.g., motor, pulleys), and/or the
desired visual response(s) (e.g., lights, flashers).
[0039] The range of the zones Z1 and Z2 can be selected to be
compatible with a child's developmental requirements. For example,
the first zone Z1 could be greater than a certain distance (e.g.,
two inches, three inches, four inches, five inches, six inches, one
foot, etc.) and less than a certain distance (e.g., one inch, two
inches, three inches, four inches, six inches, etc.) away from the
toy 50. The second zone Z2 is positioned between the first zone Z1
and the toy 50. It may be noted that more zones (i.e., third zones,
fourth zones, fifth zones etc.) are contemplated by and possible
with the present invention.
[0040] In the illustrated embodiment, the toy 50 provides a crawl
incentive when a child is learning to crawl by responding to two
different positional relationships with two different outputs.
However, more than two trigger zones and a corresponding number of
outputs is possible with and contemplated by the present invention.
Moreover, the toy 50 need not be a crawl-incentive toy as the
present invention contemplates any type of toy that responds to a
child's different positional relationships with different
outputs.
[0041] Although the invention has been shown and described with
respect to certain preferred embodiments, it is obvious that
equivalent and obvious alterations and modifications will occur to
others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of
this specification. The present invention includes all such
alterations and modifications and is limited only by the scope of
the following claims.
* * * * *