U.S. patent application number 11/550531 was filed with the patent office on 2008-04-24 for expandable play set.
This patent application is currently assigned to MATTEL, INC.. Invention is credited to James G. Brumagin, Mark A. Wojtkiewicz.
Application Number | 20080096463 11/550531 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39315260 |
Filed Date | 2008-04-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080096463 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wojtkiewicz; Mark A. ; et
al. |
April 24, 2008 |
Expandable Play Set
Abstract
Disclosed herein is an activity play set including an upper
cabinet portion telescopically movable with respect to a lower
cabinet portion. The play set is reconfigurable between a
collapsed, lower configuration and an extended, higher
configuration. A latch mechanism secures the upper cabinet portion
in position relative to the lower cabinet portion. The latch
mechanism is fixed to the lower cabinet portion and includes
outwardly-biased slide members. As the upper cabinet portion and
lower cabinet portion slide relative to each other, the
outwardly-biased slide member ends contact and slide along slide
walls of the upper cabinet portion. Furthermore, the slide walls of
the upper cabinet portion include lock openings to receive the
slide member ends. To release the latch mechanism to permit the
upper cabinet portion to slide relative to the lower cabinet
portion, the slide members are compressed inward to retract the
slide member ends from the lock openings in the slide walls.
Inventors: |
Wojtkiewicz; Mark A.;
(Lancaster, NY) ; Brumagin; James G.; (Angola,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
EDELL, SHAPIRO & FINNAN, LLC
1901 RESEARCH BOULEVARD, SUITE 400
ROCKVILLE
MD
20850
US
|
Assignee: |
MATTEL, INC.
El Segundo
CA
|
Family ID: |
39315260 |
Appl. No.: |
11/550531 |
Filed: |
October 18, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/481 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 33/3055
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/481 |
International
Class: |
A63H 33/30 20060101
A63H033/30 |
Claims
1. A toy kitchen play set comprising: a cabinet reconfigurable
between an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration,
the cabinet including an upper cabinet portion and a lower cabinet
portion, the upper cabinet portion adapted for telescopic movement
relative to the lower cabinet portion and being provided with a
latch for selectively preventing relative telescopic movement
between the upper cabinet portion and the lower cabinet portion,
the upper cabinet portion including a toy kitchen countertop
mounted thereon, the toy kitchen countertop including at least one
toy kitchen accessory mounted thereto, the toy kitchen accessory
comprising at least one of the group consisting of a sink, a
blender, a cook top, and a faucet, wherein in the collapsed
configuration, the upper cabinet portion is telescopically
collapsed relative to the lower cabinet portion to position the toy
kitchen countertop in a lowered arrangement and wherein in the
extended configuration, the upper cabinet portion is telescopically
extended relative to the lower cabinet portion.
2. The toy kitchen play set of claim 1, wherein the toy kitchen
accessory mounted to the toy kitchen countertop is a sink.
3. The toy kitchen play set of claim 2, wherein the sink includes a
toy faucet mounted in proximity thereto.
4. The toy kitchen play set of claim 1, wherein the toy kitchen
accessory mounted to the toy kitchen countertop is a cook top.
5. The toy kitchen play set of claim 4, wherein the cook top
includes individual toy burner elements mounted thereto.
6. The toy kitchen play set of claim 1, wherein the toy kitchen
accessory mounted to the toy kitchen countertop is a blender.
7. The toy kitchen play set of claim 6, wherein the blender
includes a motor adapted to rotate a portion of the blender with
respect to the toy kitchen countertop.
8. The toy kitchen play set of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
upper cabinet portion and the lower cabinet portion includes at
least one of a door, a drawer, or a shelf.
9. The toy kitchen play set of claim 1, further including a sensor
for detecting one of a first condition wherein the play set is
configured in the collapsed configuration or a second condition
wherein the play set is configured in the extended
configuration.
10. The toy kitchen play set of claim 9, wherein a first sensory
stimulating electronic output is generated if the first condition
is detected by the sensor and wherein a second, different, sensory
stimulating electronic output is generated if the second condition
is detected by the sensor.
11. The toy kitchen play set of claim 8, wherein both the upper
cabinet portion and the lower cabinet portion include at least one
of a door, a drawer, or a shelf.
12. A reconfigurable toy kitchen play set adjustable between a
lowered configuration to accommodate a younger child and an
extended configuration to accommodate an older child, the play set
having an overall height, the overall height being greater in the
extended configuration than in the lowered configuration, the play
set comprising: a base member including an upper portion and a
lower portion; a toy kitchen countertop mounted to the upper
portion of the base member; means for repositioning the upper
portion relative to the lower portion, at least one toy kitchen
accessory associated with the toy kitchen countertop, the toy
kitchen accessory comprising at least one of the group consisting
of a sink, a blender, a cook top, and a faucet, wherein a younger
child can play with the at least one toy kitchen accessory in the
lowered configuration and wherein when the younger child becomes an
older child, the play set can be reconfigured via the means for
repositioning the upper portion relative to the lower portion from
the lowered configuration to said extended configuration by raising
said upper portion of the base member relative to the lower portion
of the base member to raise the toy kitchen countertop to a height
more comfortable for an older child.
13. The reconfigurable toy kitchen play set of claim 12, wherein
the toy kitchen accessory associated with the toy kitchen
countertop is a sink, the sink further including a faucet mounted
in proximity thereto.
14. The reconfigurable toy kitchen play set of claim 12, wherein
the toy kitchen accessory associated with the toy kitchen
countertop is a cook top.
15. The reconfigurable toy kitchen play set of claim 14, wherein
the cook top includes individual toy burner elements mounted
thereto.
16. The reconfigurable toy kitchen play set of claim 12, wherein
the toy kitchen accessory associated with the toy kitchen
countertop is a blender.
17. The reconfigurable toy kitchen play set of claim 16, wherein
the blender includes a motor adapted to rotate a portion of the
blender with respect to the toy kitchen countertop.
18. The reconfigurable toy kitchen play set of claim 17, wherein at
least one of the upper portion of the base member and the lower
portion of the base member includes at least one of a door, a
drawer, or a shelf.
19. The reconfigurable toy kitchen play set of claim 12, wherein
the upper portion of the base member is adapted for telescopic
movement relative to the lower portion of the base member, and the
means for repositioning the upper portion of the base member
relative to the lower portion of the base member comprises a latch
adapted to selectively fix the upper portion of the base member in
at least two distinctive telescopic positions relative to the lower
portion of the base member.
20. The reconfigurable toy kitchen play set of claim 12, further
including a sensor for detecting one of a first condition wherein
the play set is configured in the lowered configuration or a second
condition wherein the play set is configured in the extended
configuration.
21. The reconfigurable toy kitchen play set of claim 20 wherein a
first sensory stimulating electronic output is generated if the
first condition is detected by the sensor and wherein a second,
different, sensory stimulating electronic output is generated if
the second condition is detected by the sensor.
22. A method of reconfiguring a toy kitchen play set comprising the
steps of: providing a base member, the base member including an
upper cabinet portion and a lower cabinet portion, the upper
cabinet portion adapted for telescopic movement relative to the
lower cabinet portion; providing a toy kitchen countertop mounted
to the upper cabinet portion of the base member, the toy kitchen
countertop including at least one toy kitchen accessory associated
therewith, the toy kitchen accessory comprising at least one of the
group consisting of a sink, a blender, a cook top, and a faucet;
engaging a latch on the play set and adjusting the height of the
toy kitchen countertop upward to an extended configuration by
telescopically moving the upper cabinet portion away from the lower
cabinet portion; and re-engaging the latch on the play set and
adjusting the height of the toy kitchen countertop downward to a
collapsed configuration by telescopically moving the upper cabinet
portion toward the lower cabinet portion.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein the toy kitchen accessory
associated with the toy kitchen countertop is a sink, the sink
further including a faucet mounted in proximity thereto.
24. The method of claim 22, wherein the toy kitchen accessory
associated with the toy kitchen countertop is a blender, the
blender including a motor adapted to rotate a portion of the
blender with respect to the toy kitchen countertop.
25. The method of claim 22, wherein the kitchen play set includes a
sensor for detecting one of a first condition wherein the toy
kitchen play set is configured in the collapsed configuration or a
second condition wherein the toy kitchen play set is configured in
the extended configuration.
26. The method of claim 25, further including the step of producing
a first sensory stimulating electronic output when the first
condition is detected by the sensor and producing a second sensory
stimulating electronic output when the second condition is detected
by the sensor.
27. A toy role play set comprising: a base member reconfigurable
between an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration,
the base member including an upper portion and a lower portion, the
upper portion adapted for telescopic movement relative to the lower
portion and being provided with a latch for selectively preventing
relative telescopic movement between the upper portion and the
lower portion, a toy role play surface mounted to the upper
portion, the toy role play surface including at least one toy role
play accessory mounted thereto, the toy role play accessory
comprising an accessory typically associated with the real-life
activity from which the role toy play set emulates, wherein in the
collapsed configuration, the upper portion is telescopically
collapsed relative to the lower portion to position the toy role
play surface in a lowered arrangement and wherein in the extended
configuration, the upper portion is telescopically extended
relative to the lower portion.
28. The toy role play set of claim 27, wherein the toy role play
surface comprises a kitchen countertop and wherein the toy role
play accessory comprises toy kitchen accessory comprising at least
one of the group consisting of a sink, a blender, a cook top, and a
faucet.
29. The toy role play set of claim 28, further including a sensor
for detecting one of a first condition wherein the role play set is
configured in the collapsed configuration or a second condition
wherein the play set is configured in the extended
configuration.
30. The toy kitchen play set of claim 29, wherein a first sensory
stimulating electronic output is generated if the first condition
is detected by the sensor and wherein a second, different, sensory
stimulating electronic output is generated if the second condition
is detected by the sensor.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to toy role play
sets, and more particularly to expandable role play sets that
adjust appropriately to accommodate a growing child.
[0002] Activity role play sets typically include a general
structure stylized as a familiar real-life activity (e.g., a
kitchen, bathroom, dashboard, cockpit, workbench etc.). Children
within a large age range enjoy role playing with such play sets. A
play set structure designed for a smaller child at the lower end of
the age range may not be size-appropriate for a larger child on the
higher end of the age range. In addition, a younger child who
receives a play set configured for a smaller child frequently out
grows the smaller play set structure. Thus, although the child may
still be interested in playing with the station play set, the size
of the play set may not be age-appropriate. In other words,
children tend to outgrow the toy role play set long before they
lose interest in the role play set. For example, in the case of a
role play set stylized as a work surface (e.g., countertop, work
bench surface, etc.) fast growing children soon find that a once
appropriate counter/play level is now too low for comfortable
use.
[0003] There is therefore a need to develop a toy role play set
structure that provides appropriately-sized role play arrangements
for children within a wide range of ages/sizes. Specifically, there
is a need to provide a role play set structure that is
reconfigurable between a lower configuration appropriate for
smaller children and a higher/taller configuration for larger
children.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention discloses a reconfigurable role play
set stylized as a real-life cabinet-type structure. Specifically,
the role play set includes a cabinet-type structure (e.g., kitchen,
dresser, dashboard, cockpit, workbench, etc.). The cabinet may
include various role play accessory items associated with the
real-life adult item. For example, the upper cabinet portion may
include a play surface, various compartment openings and doors in
the openings. Also as an example, if the play set is configured as
a kitchen, the play surface (kitchen countertop) may include role
play accessories such as a cook top, a sink, and/or other items
associated with a kitchen counter.
[0005] The cabinet of the activity play in accordance with the role
play set of the present invention may have a general structure
including an upper cabinet portion and a lower cabinet portion. The
upper cabinet portion may be arranged to move telescopically with
respect to the lower cabinet portion. The telescopic relationship
between the upper and lower cabinet portions enables the role play
set of the present invention to be reconfigured between a collapsed
position and an extended position. In the collapsed position, the
play surface is in a lower position and in the extended position,
the play surface is in a higher, extended position. As a result, a
smaller child can enjoy the lower play surface arrangement while a
larger/older child can enjoy the higher extended play surface
arrangement. Thus, a child who would otherwise outgrow an standard
role play set, having only the one, lower, play surface
configuration, may continue to enjoy the play set of the present
invention in the higher, extended configuration.
[0006] In accordance with the role play set of the present
invention, a latch mechanism may be utilized to secure the upper
cabinet portion in expanded position relative to the lower cabinet
portion. To secure the two cabinet portions, the latch mechanism
may fixed to the lower cabinet portion and may include
outwardly-biased slide members. As the upper cabinet portion and
lower cabinet portion slide relative to each other, the slide
member ends of the latch mechanism may contact and slide along
slide walls of the upper cabinet portion. Furthermore, the slide
walls of the upper cabinet portion may include lock-receiving
openings to receive the ends of the slide members ends and thus,
fix the upper cabinet portion to the lower cabinet portion. The
ends of the slide member may be slid along the upper cabinet
portions until they snap into the lock-receiving openings by the
outwardly-urging force of the biasing members. To release the latch
mechanism and again permit the upper cabinet portion to slide
relative to the lower cabinet portion, the slide members may be
compressed inward (against the outwardly-urging force of the
biasing members) to retract the ends of the slide member from the
lock-receiving openings in the slide walls. The upper cabinet
portion can then be collapsed into the lower configuration.
[0007] The role play set of the present invention may also include
interactive electronic entertainment features. Features may
include, but are not limited to, sensors and switches that receive
input and produce entertaining and realistic sounds and lights. As
discussed above, the role play set of the present invention may
also include various role play accessory items. The electronic
features may be integrated with the role play accessories to
simulate a realistic role play situation (e.g., the sound of
boiling or running water, the sound of a blender, the sound of food
being fried, etc.). Furthermore, in another feature of the role
play set of the present invention, a sensor/switch may be utilized
to sense a particular play set configuration and signal an
electronic controller to generate a first set of sensory output
when the role play set is configured in a first configuration or
signal the electronic controller to generate a second set of
sensory output when the role play set is configured in a second,
different configuration.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a child playing
with the reconfigurable role play set in accordance with the
present invention configured in the collapsed configuration.
[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a child playing
with the reconfigurable role play set of FIG. 1 configured in the
extended configuration.
[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a parent
reconfiguring the role play set in accordance with the present
invention from the collapsed configuration of FIG. 1 to the
extended configuration of FIG. 2.
[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the role play set
of FIG. 3 in the extended configuration with a lower facade being
locked into a vertical use position.
[0012] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the role play set
of FIG. 4 being reconfigured from the extended configuration of
FIG. 2 to the collapsed configuration of FIG. 1 by releasing and
repositioning a lower facade into a horizontal non-use
position.
[0013] FIG. 6 illustrates the role play set of FIG. 5 being
reconfigured from the extended configuration of FIG. 2 to the
collapsed configuration of FIG. 1 and showing arrows representing
the direction of compression of the latch mechanism(s) and the
direction of cabinet compression.
[0014] FIG. 7 illustrates a close-up perspective view of the latch
mechanism of FIG. 4 showing the ends of the outwardly-biased slide
members received in the lock-receiving openings to secure the upper
cabinet portion relative to the lower cabinet portion.
[0015] FIG. 8 illustrates a close-up perspective view of the latch
mechanism of FIG. 4 showing the ends of the outwardly-biased slide
members compressed and retracted from the lock-receiving openings
in order to allow for the sliding of the upper cabinet portion
relative to the lower cabinet portion toward the collapsed
configuration.
[0016] FIG. 9 illustrates a close-up perspective view of the latch
mechanism of FIG. 4 showing the ends of the outwardly-biased slide
members compressed and retracted from the lock-receiving openings
and the slide members moved out of alignment with the
lock-receiving openings as the role play set is moved toward the
collapsed configuration.
[0017] FIG. 10 illustrates an electronic schematic of the
reconfigurable role play set of FIG. 1.
[0018] Like reference numerals have been used to identify like
elements throughout this disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] In accordance with the present invention, a role play set
100 stylized as a real-life kitchen is disclosed. The role play set
100 includes a cabinet 158 that is telescopically reconfigurable
between a collapsed configuration and an extended configuration.
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a child playing with the
reconfigurable role play set 100 in accordance with the present
invention, with the role play set 100 configured in the collapsed
configuration. The role play set 100 may includes a play surface
110. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the play surface 110
is stylized as a kitchen countertop. The play surface 110 may be
utilized in both the lower configuration (shown--the collapsed
configuration) and a higher configuration (the extended
configuration). A spring-biased latch mechanism (discussed in
detail below) may be utilized to secure the role play set 100 in
the extended configuration.
[0020] Specifically, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a
younger child 105 playing with the reconfigurable child role play
set 100 of the present invention configured in the collapsed
configuration. In FIG. 1, the activity play set 100 includes a base
170, a cabinet 158, and a play surface 110. The cabinet 158
includes an upper cabinet portion (including an upper facade 155
including a microwave 157 and an oven 159) telescopically collapsed
into a lower cabinet portion 160. The parts of the telescopic
cabinet 158 will be described in more detail in the discussion of
FIG. 2 below.
[0021] FIG. 1 also shows the play surface 110 including a number of
role play accessories. Some of the role play accessories include a
sink 120, a cook top 150, and a motorized blender base 125 (see
FIG. 4). Included in the role play accessories are a cordless phone
140A, a blender 140B, and various cooking utensils including a pot
140C. The play surface 110 further includes a cantilevered counter
portion 115 and an elevated shelf 130.
[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an older child 205
playing with the reconfigurable role play set 100 of FIG. 1, with
the role play set 100 configured in the extended configuration.
FIG. 2 shows the upper cabinet portion 255 and the lower cabinet
portion 160. FIG. 2 also shows a lower facade 185 including a
refrigerator 262 and a dishwasher 264. The lower facade 185 pivots
as a part of the reconfiguration of the role play set 100. The
operation of the lower facade 185 will be discussed in more detail
below. In the extended configuration of FIG. 2, an older (e.g.,
preschool) child 205 can comfortably role play on the higher play
surface 110, while in the collapsed configuration of FIG. 1 the
younger (e.g., toddler) child 105 is more comfortable playing on
the lowered play surface 110.
[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a parent 310
reconfiguring the role play set 100 from the collapsed
configuration of FIG. 1 to the extended configuration of FIG. 2.
FIG. 3 also shows parent 310 raising the upper cabinet portion 255
relative to the lower cabinet portion 160. Since the play surface
110 is fixed to the upper cabinet portion 255, the parent 310 can
raise the upper cabinet member 255 relative to the lower cabinet
member 160 by grasping (with his hands 318A and 318B) and raising
the play surface 110. Arrows 320A and 320B indicate the direction
of movement of the upper cabinet portion 255. To ensure relative
movement between the upper cabinet portion 255 and the lower
cabinet portion 160 against friction there between, the parent 310
may press down on the base 170 while lifting the upper cabinet
member 255. FIG. 3 shows foot 315 of the parent 310 pressing on
base 170 which is fixed to lower cabinet member 160. Additionally,
arrows 312A and 312B indicate the direction of urging of the
parent's foot 315.
[0024] Furthermore, when the upper cabinet portion 255 is raised to
its final, extended, position relative to the lower cabinet portion
160, a pair of opposite, outwardly-biased latch mechanisms 350 snap
into place to secure the role play set 100 into its extended
position. The friction of the latch mechanisms 350 will be
described in greater detail below. FIG. 3 also shows the lower
facade 185 (including refrigerator 262 and dishwasher 264)
horizontally oriented in a non-use position within the lower
cabinet portion 160. After the upper cabinet portion 255 is locked
into its final, extended, position by the latch mechanisms 350, the
lower facade 185 will be movable into a vertical, use orientation.
Reorientation of the lower facade 185 into a vertical position
(including the use of lock mechanism 360) will also be discussed in
greater detail below.
[0025] The horizontal position of the lower facade 185 shown in
FIG. 3 leads to an open storage space 330 in the lower cabinet
portion 160 in which various accessory items can be stored. This
partially collapsed configuration of FIG. 3 illustrates that both
the upper cabinet portion 255 and the lower cabinet portion 160
include storage space behind their respective facades 155, 185. In
the extended configuration, the microwave door 157 and the oven
door 159 of the upper facade 155 each open upon a hinge. The open
doors 157, 159 lead to the storage space within the upper cabinet
portion 255. Similarly, in the extended configuration, the
refrigerator door 262 and the dishwasher door 264 of the lower
facade 185 each open upon a hinge. The open doors 262 and 264 of
the lower facade 185 lead to the storage space 330 in the lower
cabinet portion 160. In addition, a lower portion of the interior
of the upper cabinet member 255 includes a shelf (not shown) on
which accessory items may rest when placed in either of the
microwave door 157 or the oven door 159. Correspondingly, a lower
portion of the interior of the lower cabinet member 160 includes a
shelf 340 on which accessory items may rest when placed in either
of refrigerator door 262 or dishwasher door 264.
[0026] In its horizontal arrangement, the lower facade 185 is
positioned out of the path of travel of the upper facade 155 of the
telescoping upper cabinet member 255 so that when the role play set
100 is being moved into its collapsed configuration, the interior
storage space 330 in the lower cabinet member 160 will not be
obstructed by the lower facade 185. Furthermore, the upper facade
155 and lower facade 185 each include openable doors, so that in
both the collapsed and the extended configurations, the doors
provide unobstructed access to the interior storage space 330.
[0027] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the role play set
100 of FIG. 3 in the extended configuration with the lower facade
185 being moved towards a locked position. As discussed above, the
repositioning of the upper facade 155 to the extended position of
FIG. 2 vacates a space to allow the lower facade 185 to be pivoted
by a hinge (not shown) from the horizontal non-use orientation of
FIG. 3 to the vertical, use orientation. The lower facade 185 is
locked into the vertical, use position by a lock mechanism 360. The
lock mechanism 360 captures a lock bar 420 extending from the upper
edge of the lower facade 185 opposite the hinge (not shown). The
lock mechanism 360 includes a finger actuator 362. The finger
actuator 362 is connected to and raises and lowers a spring-loaded
lock member 430 having an inclined face 440. The operation of the
finger actuator 362 will be described in greater detail below.
[0028] When the lower facade 185 is pivoted into its vertical, use
position, the lock bar 420 contacts the inclined face 440 of the
spring-loaded lock member 430. Arrow 410 indicates the direction of
pivoting of the lower facade 185 from the horizontal, non-use
position of FIG. 3 toward the use position of FIG. 2. As the lower
facade 185 is pulled/pivoted to its final vertical position, the
lock bar 420 contacts the inclined face 440. Lock bar 420 urges the
spring-loaded lock member 430 upward as it slides along the
inclined face 440 to overcome a bias force of the spring-loaded
lock member 430. Once the the lock bar 420 passes the end of the
spring-loaded lock member 430, the spring forces the lock member
430 downward to capture the lock bar 420 in place. The capturing of
the lock bar 420 in place by the spring-loaded lock member 430
represents the final step necessary in the reconfiguration of the
role play set 100 to the completely extended configuration of FIG.
2.
[0029] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the role play set
100 of FIG. 4 being reconfigured back into the collapsed
configuration by first releasing the lock mechanism 360 and then
repositioning the lower facade 185. To release the lock mechanism
360, a parent pushes the finger actuator 362 upward against a
spring force to raise the spring-loaded lock member 430. The upward
repositioning of the spring-loaded lock member 430 moves the
spring-loaded lock member 430 out of the travel path of the lock
bar 420. The lock bar 420 along with the lower facade 185 can now
be freely pivoted into their horizontal, non-use position. Arrow
510 indicates the direction of movement of the lower facade 185.
Furthermore, arrows 520A and 520B indicate the direction of urging
of the finger actuators 362 to accomplish the release of the lower
facade 185.
[0030] In its horizontal, non-use position, the lower facade 185 is
positioned out of the path of travel of the upper facade 155 so
that when the role play set 100 is being moved into its collapsed
configuration, an interior storage space 330 in the lower cabinet
portion 160 can be accessed without obstruction by the lower facade
185. Furthermore, the upper facade 155 and lower facade 185 each
including openable doors (157, 159, 262, 264), so that in both the
collapsed and the extended configurations, the doors (157, 159,
262, 264) provide unobstructed access to the interior storage
spaces within the upper and lower cabinet portions (255, 160).
[0031] FIG. 6 illustrates the role play set 100 of FIG. 5 being
reconfigured to the collapsed configuration by compressing the
latch mechanism 350 to release the upper cabinet portion 255 for
telescopic movement relative to the lower cabinet portion 160.
Arrow 720 shows the direction of urging of the upper cabinet member
255 and shows the upper cabinet member 255 partially collapsed into
the lower cabinet member 160. In addition, arrows 710A and 710B
indicate the necessary direction of urging of the latch mechanisms
350 for releasing the upper cabinet member 255 for movement with
respect to the lower cabinet member 160. The structure of the latch
mechanisms 350 will be discussed in greater detail below. When the
upper cabinet member 255 is collapsed as far as possible, the role
play set 100 is again in the completely collapsed configuration
shown in FIG. 1.
[0032] The latch mechanisms 350 will now be discussed in greater
detail. Specifically, the process of operating either of the latch
mechanisms 350 will be described from the stages beginning when the
role play set 100 is locked into the extended configuration (of
FIG. 2) to the stage of releasing the latch mechanism 350 for free
sliding movement between the upper cabinet portion 255 and the
lower cabinet portion 160. FIG. 7 illustrates a close-up
perspective view of the inner side of the latch member 350 of FIG.
6 (from within the interior of the upper cabinet portion 255 and
the lower cabinet portion 160) showing outwardly-biased slide
members 810, 815 each having slide member ends 818, 820 received in
lock-receiving wall openings 835, 840 of the upper cabinet portion
255 to prevent the relative telescopic movement between the upper
cabinet portion 255 and the lower cabinet portion 160. The latch
mechanism 350 is shown fixed to the lower cabinet portion 160 with
the upper cabinet portion 255 sliding with respect thereto.
[0033] To release the latch mechanism 350 and permit the upper
cabinet portion 255 to slide relative to the lower cabinet portion
160, the slide members 810, 815 are compressed inward (against the
force of biasing members (springs) 825, 830) by squeezing finger
grip portions on the outside of the lower cabinet portion 160 to
retract the slide member ends 818, 820 from the lock-receiving wall
openings 835, 840 in the slide walls 860, 865 of the upper cabinet
portion 255.
[0034] FIG. 8 illustrates a close-up perspective view of the latch
mechanism 350 of FIG. 7 showing the slider ends 818, 820 compressed
and retracted from the lock-receiving wall openings 835, 840 in
order to allow the sliding of the upper cabinet portion 255
relative to the lower cabinet portion 160 toward the collapsed
configuration. The upper cabinet portion 255 can then be slid
downward into the lower, collapsed configuration. As the upper
cabinet portion 255 and lower cabinet portion 160 slide relative to
each other, slide member ends 818, 820 respectively are misaligned
from lock-receiving wall openings 835, 840 and contact and slide
along slide walls 860, 865 of the upper cabinet portion 255.
[0035] FIG. 9 illustrates a close-up perspective view of the latch
member of FIG. 7 showing the slider ends 818, 820 compressed
(against the force of biasing members 825, 830) and retracted from
the lock-receiving wall openings 835, 840 and the latch mechanism
350 slid out of alignment with the wall openings 835, 840 toward
the collapsed configuration (with the upper cabinet portion 255
being slid downward as illustrated by arrow D).
[0036] FIG. 10 illustrates an electronic schematic of the
reconfigurable role play set 100 of FIG. 1. As illustrated, the
electronics unit 1000 of the reconfigurable role play set 100 in
accordance with the present invention includes a number of switch
inputs 1010, 1020, 1030, 1040, a central electronic controller 1090
and several output devices 1050, 1060. Specifically, the
reconfigurable role play set 100 includes an electronic controller
1090 that receives external input and responds by producing sensory
stimulating output (e.g., sounds, motor control, lights, etc.). For
example the cook top 150 includes individual burners for supporting
pots 140C. For example, cook top burners include corresponding
appliance control knobs associated with switches 1030, 1040. When
the control knobs (and thus switches 1030, 1040) are actuated,
realistic sounds (e.g., frying sounds, boiling sounds, oven timer
and alarm, etc.) are generated through speaker 1050. In addition, a
blender base 125 receives blender 140B and a child operated control
switch 1020 energizes the motor 1060 in the blender base 125 to
rotate a portion of the blender 140B relative to the play surface
110. The play surface 110 may also include a compartment 127 (best
shown in FIG. 4) therein for housing a power source 180 (batteries)
for powering the electric/electronic features of the role play set
100.
[0037] Furthermore, the role play set 100 includes a power switch
1070 and an operational mode switch 1010 that sends a signal to the
electronic controller 1000 to generate a first (toddler) output in
one configuration of the role play set 100 and to generate a
second, different (preschool) output in a second configuration of
the role play set 100. Specifically, the electronic controller 1090
generates a first set of sensory outputs when the mode switch 1010
is in a first position and generates a second, different set of
outputs when mode switch 1010 is in a second position. The mode
switch 1010 is directly linked to the position of the upper cabinet
portion 255. Thus, in the first position when the role play set 100
is configured in the collapsed configuration (with the upper
cabinet portion 255 in the position shown in FIG. 1), toddler-type
sensory output is generated by the electronic controller 1090. When
the role play set 100 is configured in the extended configuration
(with the upper cabinet portion 255 in the position shown in FIG.
2), older age, preschool-type sensory output is generated by the
electronic controller 1090.
[0038] Actuation of the electronic controller 1090 into plural
modes enables the role play set 100 to generate one set of sensory
output appropriate for a younger toddler and a second set of output
appropriate for an older preschooler. In other words, in the
collapsed configuration of the role play set 100 (more appropriate
for a younger child), the electronic controller 1090 generates
sensory output appropriate for the younger child. However, using
the same input controls (e.g., stove top burner controls, blender
actuation button, etc.) in the extended configuration of the role
play set 100 (more appropriate for an older child), the electronic
controller 1090 generates sensory output (e.g., blender agitation
and sounds, burner sounds, etc.) appropriate for the older
child.
[0039] While the invention has been described in detail and with
reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to
one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can
be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope
thereof. For example, while the play environment of the illustrated
role play set 100 is a kitchen, any other real-life environment can
be substituted (e.g., a beauty station, bathroom, dashboard,
workbench, cockpit, DJ turntable, multimedia booth, etc.). By
further example, the latch mechanism 350 need not be fixed to the
lower cabinet portion 160. The latch mechanism 350 could just as
easily be reversed to be fixed to the upper cabinet portion 255 and
slidably engage the lower cabinet portion 160.
[0040] Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the
modifications and variations of this invention that come within the
scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. For example, it
is to be understood that terms such as "left", "right" "top",
"bottom", "front", "rear", "side", "height", "length", "width",
"upper", "lower", "interior", "exterior", "inner", "outer" and the
like as may be used herein, merely describe points of reference and
do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or
configuration.
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