Reconfigurable Toy

Abstract

A doll or figurine comprising a chain of mutually pivotable elements at least two of the elements which are not adjacent in the chain being releasably attachable together such that the toy can be configured in different shapes, and at least one of the elements being formed as part of a representative object such that the toy is configurable as the representative object.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a reconfigurable toy, which can preferably be configured in the form of a doll or other figurine as well as in other forms.

[0002] Reconfigurable figurines are known. It is an aim of the invention to provide a reconfigurable toy having amusing features of novelty.

[0003] The present invention provides a toy comprising a chain of mutually pivotable elements, at least two of the elements which are not adjacent in the chain being releasably attachable together such that the toy can be configured in different shapes; at least one of the elements being formed as part of a representative object such that the toy is configurable as said representative object.

[0004] The representative object may in particular comprise a doll or figurine, the part comprising, for example, a head and/or feet of the doll or figurine. A head of the doll or figurine may comprise at least two discs journalled for rotation about a common central axis and each attached to an adjacent element in the chain. The term "figurine" as used in this specification includes male, female, animal, fantasy and cartoon figures.

[0005] The elements may comprise beads, which may represent objects such as shells, flowers, leaves, stars and the like.

[0006] In a particular embodiment, at least two of the releasably attachable non-adjacent elements are located at ends of the chain such that the ends of the chain can be attached together, forming for example a bracelet or necklace. Two or more such toys can then be connected together.

[0007] At least one clip may be provided for releasably attaching the non-adjacent elements of the chain together. Alternatively or additionally, the releasably attachable non-adjacent elements may be releasably attachable by magnetic force. If so, at least one and possibly each of said elements may contain a magnet.

[0008] In order that the invention may be more readily understood, particular embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0009] FIG. 1 shows a toy according to the invention, configured as a doll;

[0010] FIG. 2 shows the toy of FIG. 1, configured as a necklace;

[0011] FIGS. 3 and 4 show the doll of FIG. 1 wearing clothes;

[0012] FIG. 5 shows an alternative toy, configured as a dog;

[0013] FIG. 6 shows the toy of FIG. 5, configured as a bracelet;

[0014] FIGS. 7 and 8 are respectively cross-sectional and perspective views of a bead used in forming the toys of FIGS. 1 to 6;

[0015] FIGS. 9 and 10 are respectively part-sectional and perspective views of alternative beads;

[0016] FIG. 11 shows a further alternative toy, configured as a mermaid;

[0017] FIG. 12 shows the toy of FIG. 11 in an open configuration;

[0018] FIG. 13 shows a bead for forming the toy of FIGS. 11 and 12;

[0019] FIG. 14 shows another alternative toy, configured as a monster;

[0020] FIG. 15 shows the toy of FIG. 14 in an open configuration;

[0021] FIG. 16 shows another toy according to the invention; and

[0022] FIG. 17 is a sectional view of a releasably attachable bead of the toy of FIG. 16; and

[0023] FIG. 18 shows the toy of FIG. 16, configured as a necklace.

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a doll formed from a chain of beads 1 permanently snap-fitted together and capable of mutual pivoting in the plane occupied by the chain. In this example, cross-shaped clips 2 join the chain at the shoulders and torso of the doll. The cross-shaped clips are permanently attached between two beads 1 at one point of the chain, and releasably engage the chain between two beads at another point. A head 3 of the doll is formed by three substantially co-extensive discs, which are rotatable about a central screw or rivet (not shown). A front one of the discs bears a face 4 of the doll. Alternatively, a slot can be provided for insertion of a photograph, e.g. a photograph of a face. The disc can be openable, the head 3 comprising a locket for storage. Middle and rear discs each have extensions 5 pivotably attached to beads 1 of the chain. Hands of the doll are formed by hook-shaped clips 6 at either end of the chain. Feet 7 of the doll each rotate about an ankle part 8 arranged between two of the beads 1. Optionally, the doll can be provided with removable and replaceable shoes.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, when the cross-shaped clips 2 are disengaged, the toy can be reconfigured as a loop, e.g. forming a necklace, by clipping together hook-shaped clips 6. In order to achieve this the middle and rear discs of the head 3 are rotated with respect to the front disc.

[0026] Alternatively, clips 6 can be used to attach together two similar toys, forming a longer necklace or decorative chain, e.g. to decorate bedrooms. This renders the toys of the invention collectable. A plurality of toys can also be attached to each other at multiple points using the cross-shaped clips 2, forming interesting shapes.

[0027] FIGS. 3 and 4 show how clothing elements can be snap-fitted to the doll of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows a top 9 and trousers 10 and FIG. 4 shows a dress 11. In a similar, hair styles (not shown) can be snap-fitted to the head 3 of the doll.

[0028] FIGS. 5 and 6 show an alternative toy, formed from elements similar to those of the toy of FIGS. 1 and 2, but configurable as a dog (FIG. 5) or a bracelet (FIG. 6).

[0029] FIGS. 7 and 8 show an example of a bead 1 for forming the toys of FIGS. 1 to 6. The bead comprises two generally hemispherical portions 12, 13, joined by a web 14. A peg 15, protruding from the flat surface of the first hemispherical portion 12, can be permanently snap-fitted into a through-hole of an adjacent bead (not shown--the through-hole of the bead shown in FIG. 7 is designated by 16), allowing relative rotation of the beads 1 about the peg 15. The attached hemispherical portions of adjacent beads have a spherical appearance.

[0030] FIGS. 9 and 10 show alternative beads allowing greater freedom of movement between adjacent beads. The bead comprises a generally spherical part 17 incorporating a socket 18. A radial protrusion 19 bears a ball 20, which is permanently and pivotably engageable in the socket 18 of an adjacent bead.

[0031] FIG. 11 shows an alternative toy configured as a mermaid and formed from shell-shaped beads 21. FIG. 12 shows this toy in an open configuration. As shown in FIG. 13, beads 21 are formed from two shell-shaped portions 22 joined at one edge to define a cavity 23 therebetween and having a peg 24 projecting from the joined edge. The peg of one bead is permanently engageable in the cavity 23 of an adjacent bead and can pivot through 180.degree. with respect thereto.

[0032] FIG. 14 shows a toy in the form of a monster. In this embodiment elements of a chain comprise body parts 25. Adjacent parts are permanently plugged together in the chain and pivot with respect to each other with light friction. In addition, some of the parts 25 which are not adjacent in the chain are snapped together in the configuration of FIG. 14. As shown in FIG. 15, when these non-adjacent parts 25 are disengaged, surfaces 26 thereof which are hidden in the configuration of FIG. 14 and which represent the gory insides of the monster are revealed. The head of this toy differs from the heads of the embodiments previously described in that it is moulded as a three-dimensional part.

[0033] FIG. 16 shows a toy similar to that of FIG. 1, but lacking the cross-shaped clips 2. Instead, releasably attachable beads 27 of the toy are formed as shown in section in FIG. 17. These beads comprise two generally hemispherical portions 28, 29 which are joined by a generally spherical portion 30 and webs 31. A bar magnet 32 is arranged substantially within the spherical portion 30 and is attracted to a further bar magnet of another of the releasably attachable beads 27. FIG. 18 shows this toy configured as a necklace.

[0034] The elements of the toys of the invention can be decorated with printing and/or spray paint.

[0035] All forms of the verb "to comprise" used in this specification should be understood as forms of the verbs "to consist of" and/or "to include".

Claims

1-12. (canceled)

13. A doll or figurine comprising a chain of mutually pivotable elements, at least two of the elements which are not adjacent in the chain being releasably attachable together such that the toy can be configured in different shapes, and at least one of the elements being formed as part of a representative object such that the toy is configurable as the representative object.

14. The doll or figurine according to claim 13, wherein the part comprises feet.

15. The doll or figurine according to claim 14, wherein the part comprises a head.

16. The doll or figurine according to claim 15, wherein the head comprises at least two discs journalled for rotation about a common central axis and each attached to an adjacent element in the chain.

17. The doll or figurine according to claim 13, configurable as a male, female, animal, fantasy or cartoon figure.

18. The doll or figurine according to claim 14, configurable as a male, female, animal, fantasy or cartoon figure.

19. The doll or figurine according to claim 15, configurable as a male, female, animal, fantasy or cartoon figure.

20. The doll or figurine according to claim 13, wherein the elements include beads.

21. The doll or figurine according to claim 20, wherein the beads represent at least one object selected from the group consisting of shells, flowers, leaves and stars.

22. The doll or figurine according to claim 13, further comprising at least one clip for releasably attaching non-adjacent elements of the chain together.

23. The doll or figurine according to claim 13, wherein at least two of the releasably attachable non-adjacent elements are located at ends of the chain.

24. The doll or figurine according to claim 13, further comprising at least one clip for releasably attaching at least two of the releasably attachable elements of the chain together.

25. The doll or figurine according to claim 13, wherein at least two of the releasably attachable non-adjacent elements are releasably attachable by magnetic force.

26. The doll or figurine according to claim 25, further comprising a magnet arranged substantially within at least one of the at least two elements which are releasably attachable by magnetic force.