U.S. patent application number 10/917850 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-07 for novelty device.
Invention is credited to Pharaoh, Jayden Lee.
Application Number | 20050073095 10/917850 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33032455 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050073095 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pharaoh, Jayden Lee |
April 7, 2005 |
Novelty device
Abstract
The invention relates to device having a desired shape
comprising an assembly of panels and wherein each panel carries
information associated with the shape of the object. The device
includes: a frame, and one or more panels that are engageable with
said frame, wherein the device has a shape representative of a
pre-determined object associated with a theme, and wherein at least
one panel depicts selected information associated with the theme.
Alternatively, the device includes three or more panels that are
directly engageable with each other, wherein the device has a shape
representative of a pre-determined object associated with a theme,
and wherein at least one panel depicts selected information
associated with the theme.
Inventors: |
Pharaoh, Jayden Lee;
(Dunedin, NZ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHRISTENSEN, O'CONNOR, JOHNSON, KINDNESS, PLLC
1420 FIFTH AVENUE
SUITE 2800
SEATTLE
WA
98101-2347
US
|
Family ID: |
33032455 |
Appl. No.: |
10/917850 |
Filed: |
August 13, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/156 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 33/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/156 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 15, 2003 |
NZ |
527647 |
Nov 24, 2003 |
NZ |
529751 |
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A device including: a frame, and one or more panels that are
engageable with said frame, wherein the device has a shape
representative of a pre-determined object associated with a theme,
and wherein at least one panel depicts selected information
associated with the theme.
2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the frame is of a
predetermined shape.
3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a
plurality of interconnecting elements.
4. A device including three or more panels that are engageable with
each other, wherein the device has a shape representative of a
pre-determined object associated with a theme, and wherein at least
one panel depicts selected information associated with the
theme.
5. A device according to claim 4, wherein each edge of said panel
includes one or more protrusions or one or more recesses to engage
with one or more complementary shaped recesses or projections on an
adjacent panel.
6. A device according to claim 1 or claim 4 wherein the theme of
the device is associated with a sport.
7. A device according to claim 1 or claim 4 wherein the shape of
the device is a ball shape.
8. A device according to claim 7 wherein the shape is selected from
any one of the following: soccer ball, rugby union ball, rugby
league ball, baseball, basketball, cricket ball, golf ball, hockey
ball, netball, volley ball or American football ball.
9. A device according to claim 1 or claim 4 wherein the information
presented on at least one panel is selected from one or more of a
photograph, statistical information, or a figurine.
10. A device according to claim 9, wherein at least one panel
includes a figurine, the figurine being permanently or reversibly
attached to the panel.
11. A device according to claim 1 or claim 4 wherein the
information presented on at least one panel is fictional or
non-fictional or combinations thereof.
12. A device according to claim 1 or claim 4 wherein the
information presented on at least one panel relates to individual
sporting personalities.
13. A device according to claim 1 or claim 4 wherein the theme is
fictional and the device is adapted to be a child's toy.
14. A device according to claim 3 wherein at least one element is
adapted to be associated with the theme.
15. A device according to claim 14 wherein the theme is associated
with motorsport and at least one element is adapted to form the
chassis of a toy motorcar.
16. A device according to claim 1 or claim 4 wherein at least one
panel includes letters, words, numbers colours or shapes, and the
device is adapted to be a pre-school educational toy.
17. A device according to claim 1 or claim 4 wherein the device is
adapted to provide for a story, wherein different aspects of the
story are provided on one or more panels.
18. A panel adapted to assemble a device according to claim 1.
19. A frame adapted to assemble a device according to claim 1.
20. An element adapted to assemble a frame for use in a device
according to claim 3.
21. A panel for a device according to claim 4 wherein said panel is
of a defined shape having a plurality of sides, wherein each side
is adapted to engage with a side of an adjacent panel.
22. A panel according to claim 1 wherein at least one panel is
hexagonal or pentagonal shaped.
23. A kit comprising a frame and/or one or more panels for use in
assembling a device according to claim 1.
24. A kit comprising one or more elements and/or one or more panels
for use in assembling a device according to claim 3.
25. A kit according to claim 24 wherein the kit includes at least
one panel and one element.
26. A kit according to claim 24 wherein the kit includes enough
elements and panels to assemble a device according to the present
invention.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to an object of a desired shape
comprising an assembly of panels and wherein each panel carries
information associated with the shape of the object.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Items, including novelty items, that are associated with a
particular sport or other theme, are always very popular. This is
especially true where the item is associated with a particular
sports team or player, thereby allowing an individual to collect
the items to form sets. For example, player cards, which generally
comprise a picture of a known sports figure, often in conjunction
with statistical information relating to the player's achievements,
are very popular. This is because individuals can collect the cards
of their favourite, or popular players. They can also collect the
cards to form sets of favourite, or famous, sports teams.
[0003] Novelty items associated with a sport or theme are also
popular. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,212,811 teaches a picture
frame comprising two shells. One shell forms the picture frame,
while the second shell is concave and is shaped to depict a theme.
For example, the outer surface of the shells can be made to depict
the outer surface of a baseball, and the inside surface of the
second shell made to depict a baseball stadium.
[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a device
that is shaped to represent a theme, wherein the components are
interchangeable allowing people to collect the individual
components, or to at least provide a useful alternative.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides a device including: a frame,
and one or more panels that are engageable with said frame, wherein
the device has a shape representative of a pre-determined object
associated with a theme, and wherein at least one panel depicts
selected information associated with the theme.
[0006] Preferably, the frame is of a predetermined shape.
[0007] Preferably, the frame comprises a plurality of
interconnecting elements.
[0008] The present invention also provides a device including three
or more panels that are engageable with each other, wherein the
device has a shape representative of a pre-determined object
associated with a theme, and wherein at least one panel depicts
selected information associated with the theme.
[0009] The present invention provides a panel for a device as
defined above, wherein said panel is of a defined shape having a
plurality of sides, wherein each side is adapted to engage with a
side of an adjacent panel.
[0010] Preferably, each edge of said panel includes one or more
protrusions or one or more recesses to engage with one or more
complementary shaped recesses or projections on an adjacent panel.
Preferably said defined shape of said panel is hexagonal or
pentagonal.
[0011] In one aspect the theme of the device is associated with a
sport. The shape may be that of a sports ball. More preferably the
shape may be selected from any one of the following: soccer ball,
rugby union ball, rugby league ball, baseball, basketball, cricket
ball, golf ball, hockey ball, netball, volley ball or American
football ball or the like.
[0012] In another aspect of the invention the information presented
on the panels is selected from one or more of a photograph,
statistical information, or a figurine. In the case of a figurine,
the figurine is permanently, or reversibly attached to the panel.
Preferably, the information presented on the panel is fictional or
non-fictional or combinations thereof. More preferably, the
information presented on the panels relates to individual sporting
personalities.
[0013] In a further aspect of the invention, the theme may be
non-sports related. In yet a further aspect of the invention, the
theme is purely fictional and provides for a child's toy.
[0014] In another aspect of the invention, the elements are adapted
to be associated with the theme. Preferably, the theme is
associated with motorsport and the elements are adapted to form the
chassis of a toy motorcar.
[0015] In yet a further aspect of the invention, the panels include
letters, words, numbers colours or shapes, and the device comprises
a pre-school educational toy.
[0016] In yet a further aspect of the invention, the device
provides for a story, wherein different aspects of the story may be
provided on different panels.
[0017] The invention also provides a panel adapted to assemble a
device according to the present invention.
[0018] The invention also provides a frame adapted to assemble a
device according to the present invention.
[0019] The invention also provides for an element adapted to
assemble a frame for use in a device according to the present
invention.
[0020] The invention also provides for a kit comprising one or more
elements and/or one or more panels for use in assembling a device
according to the present invention. Preferably, the kit includes at
least one panel and one element. More preferably, the kit includes
enough members and panels to assemble a device according to the
present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The invention will now be explained by way of example with
reference to the following figures.
[0022] FIG. 1 shows a plan view of an element.
[0023] FIG. 2 shows a plan of the underside of an element.
[0024] FIG. 3 shows a completed frame.
[0025] FIG. 4 shows a pentagon panel.
[0026] FIG. 5 shows the underside of a pentagon panel.
[0027] FIG. 6 shows the panels engaging with the frame.
[0028] FIG. 7 shows a plan view of a panel having a figurine.
[0029] FIG. 8 shows the adaptation of an element to form a car.
[0030] FIG. 9 shows a plan view of a hexagonal shaped panel of a
second embodiment.
[0031] FIG. 10 shows the bottom view of a hexagonal shaped panel
shown in FIG. 9.
[0032] FIG. 11 edge on view showing three sides of the hexagonal
panel of a second embodiment.
[0033] FIG. 12 shows a plan view of a pentagonal panel of a second
embodiment.
[0034] FIG. 13 shows the bottom view of a pentagonal panel shown in
FIG. 12.
[0035] FIG. 14 shows the edge of a pentagonal shaped panel of a
second embodiment.
[0036] FIG. 15 shows the bottom view of a number of hexagonal
panels and pentagon panels coming together.
[0037] FIG. 16 shows a plan view of a pentagonal shaped panel being
adapted to provide removal means.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0038] As illustrated by the attached figures, the device may be in
the shape of a soccer ball. The device comprises a frame built from
repeating engageable elements 1 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). The
elements 1 comprise a body section 2 which splits into two sections
3 at each end. At the end 4 of each split section 3 there is either
an "H" shaped protrusion 5 or a complementary "H" shaped recess 6.
The recess 6 is adapted in shape to snapfit into engagement with a
protrusion 5 of another element 1. Each element 1 has two ends 4
having a protrusion 5 and two ends 4 having a recess 6. The two
protrusions 5 and two recesses 6 are arranged in a trans
configuration. The elements have a slight curvature such that
thirty elements can be connected together by inserting the
protrusion 5 of one element 1 into the recess 6 of an adjacent
element 1 to form a frame 7 having a substantially ball shape (as
shown in FIG. 3).
[0039] The upper side of the elements 1 have six substantially
diamond shaped members 8, such that when the element 1 is used to
construct the frame 7, the members 8 extend outwards from the
centre of the frame 7. The members 8 are arranged in two groups of
three at each end of the body section 2 of the element 1.
[0040] Panels 9 and 13 (as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) have an upper
surface 10 and a lower surface 11 and a lip 12 that extends about
the perimeter of the panel 9 in a downward direction. The panels 9
and 13 are either in a substantially pentagonal shape 9, or are
substantially hexagonal in shape 13. The panels 9 and 13 have a
slight downward curvature.
[0041] The corners of the lip 12 of the panels 9 and 13 engage the
members 8 of the elements 1 allowing the panels 9 and 13 to
reversibly engage the frame 7 (as shown in FIG. 6). The frame
accepts a total of twelve substantially pentagonal shaped panels 9
and twenty substantially hexagonal shaped panels 13. The completed
device 14 has a shape representative of a soccer ball.
[0042] The panels 9 and 13 can include individual soccer player
information. For example, the upper surface 10 of the panels 9 or
13 could include a picture depicting a soccer player, while the
lower surface 11 could display game or personal statistics
associated with that player. It will be appreciated that other
types of information or combinations could be used. For example, a
figurine 15, depicting the player, could be incorporated into the
lower surface 11 of the panel 9 or 13 (as shown in FIG. 7). When
the panel 9 or 13 is engaged with the frame 7, the figurine 15 is
inserted into the gap formed between the elements 1 and projects
toward the centre of the ball 14. The figurine 15, may be
permanently attached to the panel 9 and 13, or adapted to
reversibly engage the panel 9 and 13.
[0043] It is envisaged that an individual will be able to purchase
the elements 1 and panels 9 and 13 as a set to build a complete
device 14. Alternatively, an individual could purchase the elements
1 and panels 9 and 13 separately, or as incomplete sets.
Combinations of panels 9 and 13 and/or elements 1 could be given
away as promotions, for example, in combination with the purchase
of another item. Such other items could include, but are not
restricted to, petrol, chewing and/or bubble gum, breakfast cereal,
fast foods, or the like. This allows an individual to collect
different panels 9 and 13 representing different players. An
individual could then collect enough elements 1 and panels 9 and 13
to form a complete device 14 having panels 9 and 13 representing
their favourite players, all the players of their favourite team,
or a famous team, for example, a world cup winning team. The exact
make up of the completed device 14 will depend on the
individual.
[0044] The advantage of selling the panels 9 and 13 separately is
that it encourages people to collect the panels. Furthermore, as
the sporting players and statistics change, individuals can
interchange panels to ensure that the device is up to date.
[0045] It is to be appreciated that the elements 1 and panels 9 and
13 may be adapted in size and shape to represent other sporting
elements, for example a soccer ball, rugby union ball, rugby league
ball, cricket ball, baseball, hockey ball, basketball, golf ball,
netball or volley ball, American football ball, or the like.
Although the elements 1 are disclosed in the present example as
repeating elements, this is not essential. Non-identical elements
could be used in order to achieve the different shapes envisaged by
the present invention.
[0046] It is also to be appreciated that the frame 7 could be
provided as a single element, and does not have to be constructed
from interconnecting elements 1.
[0047] It is also to be appreciated that the device 14 does not
have to be in the shape of a sports item. For example the device 14
could form the shape of a cannon ball with the panels depicting
information related to pirates.
[0048] It is also to be appreciated that the information presented
on the panels does not have to be associated with a famous
individual and could be purely fictional. The device 14 could be
sold as a complete set of elements 1 and panels 9 and 13, or as an
incomplete set, purely as a child's toy. For example, the complete
device could be in the shape of a cannon ball, with each of the
panels 9 and 13 having a figurine 15 of a purely fictional pirate
or similar character. Other themes are also envisaged including,
but not limited to, knights, princesses or other children's heroes.
The combination of these as children's toys may also include,
planets, aliens, space stations or the like. Furthermore, if the
device is to be sold as a toy, other features may be included. For
example, the device could be adapted to float to form a child's
bath toy.
[0049] The elements 1 may also be adapted in accordance with the
theme. For example, the device 14 could be adapted to represent a
motor sport theme (for example, the device could be adapted to
represent a motor racing helmet), with the elements 1 being adapted
to form the chassis of a motor car. This is achieved by adapting
the elements 1 to allow wheels 16 to be attached to an engagement
means 17 to the underside of the element 1 and a body of a car 18
to be attached to the upper side of the element 1 when the element
1 has been removed from the device 14 (as shown in FIG. 8).
Alternatively, the wheels 16 could be adapted to individually
engage with either the protrusions 5 or recesses 6 of the element
1. A small electric motor 19 could also be incorporated to drive
the wheels. It is to be appreciated that the body of the car could
be adapted to represent famous street or race cars, or adapted to
represent purely fictional cars.
[0050] It is also envisaged that the theme and information
presented on the device could be adapted such that it forms an
educational tool for preschool children. Alternatively, the theme
could be associated with a story. For example, the words of the
story could be placed on one side of the panels 9 and 13, and a
picture or figurine associated with the text included on the other
side.
[0051] In another embodiment of the invention, a device can also be
assembled without the use of a frame from a plurality of panels
that are engageable with each other as shown in FIGS. 9 to 15.
[0052] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 respectively, hexagonal panels 32
have an upper surface 34 and a lower surface 35. The sides 21 of
the panels provide projections 25 and recesses 26 as shown in FIG.
11. The size and shape of the protrusion 25 on a side 21
complements the shape and size of recess 26 thereby allowing two
panels to engage each other. It is to be appreciated that a number
of panels could be assembled together to create a desired
shape.
[0053] Each hexagonal panel 32 also has a flange 23 and a dome
protrusion 24 on sides 20, which in this embodiment is adapted to
engage with a pentagonal panel 33 as illustrated in FIGS. 12, 13
and 14.
[0054] The pentagonal panels 33 have an upper surface 36 and a
lower surface 37. The pentagonal panels 33 include recesses 27
along each side 38 to receive and engage the flange 23 and dome
protrusion 24 on the sides 20 of the hexagonal panels 32.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 15, the hexagon panels 32 and pentagon
panels 33 engage with the adjacent panels. The panels can have a
slight curvature allowing a soccer ball to be formed.
[0056] At least one pentagon panel 38, shown in FIG. 16, can be
provided with two recesses 30 and 31 on its upper surface 36, or
any other suitable handle. The recesses allow the panel to be
gripped and removed from the complete device, aiding its
disassembly.
[0057] Wherein the foregoing description, reference has been made
to features having known equivalents, those equivalents are hereby
incorporate as if they have been specifically set forth.
[0058] Although the invention has been described by way of example,
it should be appreciated that variations and modifications may be
made without departing from the scope of the invention. For
example, any snap-fit fastening means could be used to connect the
elements 1 to each other, or to connect the panels 9 and 13 to the
frame 7. Likewise, any snap fit fastening means could be used to
allow the panels 32 and 33 to engage with each other.
[0059] While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been
illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various
changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention.
* * * * *