U.S. patent application number 12/437686 was filed with the patent office on 2010-11-11 for intelligence enhancing toy.
Invention is credited to Chien-Ming CHEN.
Application Number | 20100285717 12/437686 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43062595 |
Filed Date | 2010-11-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100285717 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHEN; Chien-Ming |
November 11, 2010 |
Intelligence Enhancing Toy
Abstract
An intelligence enhancing toy includes a largest unit, a set of
middle units and a smallest unit. The largest unit and each middle
unit have two prongs parallel to each other. An engagement hole is
formed on each prong of the largest unit and each middle unit, and
an engagement protrusion is formed on each prong of each middle
unit and the smallest unit. Therefore, these engagement protrusions
and engagement holes allow the largest unit, middle units and
smallest unit to be joined together; in addition, these engagement
protrusions and engagement holes form several pivotal points, which
allow the toy of the present invention to be bent and arranged into
several configurations and also allow it to be folded together into
a flat, compact condition, which allows it to be stored away and
carried around easily.
Inventors: |
CHEN; Chien-Ming; (Jhonghe
City, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HDLS IPR Services
PO Box 220746
Chantilly
VA
20153
US
|
Family ID: |
43062595 |
Appl. No.: |
12/437686 |
Filed: |
May 8, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/120 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 9/0876 20130101;
A63F 9/088 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/120 |
International
Class: |
A63H 33/06 20060101
A63H033/06 |
Claims
1. An intelligence enhancing toy, comprising: a largest unit,
having a U shape, two prongs parallel to each other and an
engagement hole formed on either prong near an open end of the
largest unit; a set of middle units, fitted together in a
telescopic manner and comprising a plurality of middle units,
wherein each middle unit has a U shape, two prongs and an
engagement hole, which is formed on either prong near an open end
of each middle unit and wherein an engagement protrusion is formed
on the other end of each prong and wherein the middle units may be
joined together through an engagement of the engagement protrusions
and the engagement holes and the set of the middle units may be
linked with the largest unit in the same manner; and a smallest
unit, having two engagement protrusions formed near one end of the
smallest unit and wherein the smallest unit may be linked with the
set of the middle units through an engagement between the
engagement protrusion of the smallest unit and a corresponding
engagement hole of the smallest middle unit.
2. The intelligence enhancing toy as in claim 1, wherein the
largest unit and each middle unit have an inverted-U shape.
3. The intelligence enhancing toy as in claim 1, wherein the
largest unit and each middle unit have a U shape.
4. The intelligence enhancing toy as in claim 1, wherein an
engagement part is formed in each engagement hole of the largest
unit and each middle unit and the outer caliber of each engagement
hole is larger than the inner caliber of each engagement hole.
5. The intelligence enhancing toy as in claim 1, wherein a notch is
centrally formed in each of the engagement protrusion of each
middle unit and the smallest unit, and an engagement portion is
formed in an upper part of each engagement protrusion.
6. The intelligence enhancing toy as in claim 5, wherein a
dome-shaped guiding surface is formed on each engagement portion to
guide the engagement protrusion into the corresponding engagement
hole as the former enters the latter.
7. The intelligence enhancing toy as in claim 1, wherein the
largest unit, middle units and smallest unit may be made of nylon,
rubber or a plastic material.
8. The intelligence enhancing toy as in claim 1, wherein the
intelligence enhancing toy may be bent and arranged into the
configuration of a pen holder.
9. The intelligence enhancing toy as in claim 1, wherein the
intelligence enhancing toy may be bent and arranged into the
configuration of a giraffe, a dog or a snake.
10. The intelligence enhancing toy as in claim 1, wherein the
smallest unit may have a U shape.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention generally relates to an intelligence enhancing
toy. More particularly, the invention relates to an intelligence
enhancing toy, which comprises several U-shaped units that may be
joined together and in which several pivotal points are formed to
allow the toy of the present invention to be bent and arranged into
several configurations.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] There have been many types of intelligence enhancing toys,
such as building blocks and Magic Cube (Rubik's Cube). However,
these two types of toys have the following disadvantages: [0005] 1.
A set of building blocks usually comprises many blocks and such set
is usually quite bulky; therefore, such toy is usually played only
at home because it is not easy to be carried around. [0006] 2. In
regard to Magic Cube, though the toy may be carried around easily,
it is quite difficult to play. Therefore, it would be quite easy
for a player to lose interest in the toy.
[0007] From the above, we can see that the toys of the prior art
have many disadvantages and need to be improved.
[0008] To eliminate the disadvantages of the toys of the prior art,
the inventor has put a lot of effort into the subject and has
successfully come up with the intelligence enhancing toy of the
present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide an
intelligence enhancing toy that comprises several components and in
which several pivotal pints are formed. These pivotal points allow
the toy of the present invention to be bent and arranged into
several configurations. Therefore, the toy of the present invention
provides a great way to kill time and to enhance intelligence for
children.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
intelligence enhancing toy that may be folded together into a flat,
compact condition, which allows it to be carried around easily.
[0011] To reach these objects, the intelligence enhancing toy of
the present invention is disclosed. The intelligence enhancing toy
of the present invention comprises a largest unit, a set of middle
units and a smallest unit. The set of middle units may be arranged
in a tapering or telescopic manner. The largest unit and each
middle unit have a U shape. The largest unit and each middle unit
have two prongs parallel to each other. An engagement hole is
formed on each prong of the largest unit and each middle unit, and
an engagement protrusion is formed on each prong of each middle
unit and the smallest unit. Therefore, these engagement protrusions
and engagement holes allow the largest unit, middle units and
smallest unit to be joined together; in addition, these engagement
protrusions and engagement holes form several pivotal points, which
allow the toy of the present invention to be bent and arranged into
several configurations and also allow it to be folded together into
a flat, compact condition, which allows it to be stored away and
carried around easily.
[0012] These features and advantages of the present invention will
be fully understood and appreciated from the following detailed
description of the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C are three sectional views of the
components of the intelligence enhancing toy of the present
invention.
[0014] FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are three sectional views showing how
the components of the intelligence enhancing toy of the present
invention are joined together.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the intelligence
enhancing toy of the present invention in an extended
condition.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the intelligence
enhancing toy of the present invention in a folded condition.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the first
configuration of the intelligence enhancing toy of the present
invention.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the second
configuration of the intelligence enhancing toy of the present
invention.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the third
configuration of the intelligence enhancing toy of the present
invention.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the fourth
configuration of the intelligence enhancing toy of the present
invention.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the fifth
configuration of the intelligence enhancing toy of the present
invention.
[0022] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the sixth
configuration of the intelligence enhancing toy of the present
invention.
[0023] FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating the seventh
configuration of the intelligence enhancing toy of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0024] Please see FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, which are three sectional
views of the components of the intelligence enhancing toy of the
present invention. The intelligence enhancing toy of the present
invention comprises a largest unit 1, a set of middle units 2 and a
smallest unit 3.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 1A, the largest unit 1 has a U shape and
two prongs 11 that are parallel to each other. An engagement hole
12 is formed on either prong 11 near the open end of the largest
unit 1. An engagement part 13 is formed in each engagement hole 12,
and the outer caliber 15 of the engagement hole 12 is larger than
the inner caliber 14 of the engagement hole 12.
[0026] A set of middle units 2, which may be fitted together in a
telescopic manner, as illustrated in FIGS. 1B and 3. The set of
middle units 2 comprises a plurality of middle units 2a to 2n. Each
middle unit also has a U shape and two prongs 21. An engagement
hole 22 is formed on either prong 21 near the open end of each
middle unit 2a to 2n. An engagement part 23 is formed in each
engagement hole 22. In addition, the outer caliber 24 of the
engagement hole 22 is larger than the inner caliber 25 of the
engagement hole 22. An engagement protrusion 26 is formed near the
base portion on each of the two prongs 21. A substantially V-shaped
notch 27 is centrally formed in each of two engagement protrusions
26. An engagement portion 28 is formed in the upper part of each
engagement protrusion 26, and a dome-shaped guiding surface 29 is
formed on each engagement portion 28. Also, the outer width of the
middle unit 2a is substantially equal to the inner width of the
middle unit 2b; therefore, each of the two engagement protrusions
26 of the middle unit 2a may engage with the corresponding
engagement hole 22 of the subsequent middle unit 2b. As the
engagement protrusion 26 enters the corresponding engagement hole
22, the engagement protrusion 26 is squeezed together towards its
center by the inner caliber 25 of engagement hole 22 and a
restoring force is generated; in addition, the dome-shaped guiding
surface 29 of the engagement portion 28 guides the engagement
protrusion 26 into the engagement hole 22. Whence, the engagement
protrusion 26 may firmly mate with the engagement part 23 of the
corresponding engagement hole 22. Furthermore, because the outer
caliber 24 of the engagement hole 22 is larger than the inner
caliber 25 of the engagement hole 22, the engagement between the
engagement protrusion 26 and the corresponding engagement hole 22
is secured and hence the engagement between the middle unit 2a and
the middle unit 2b is secured. Moreover, the two locations of
engagement between the engagement protrusions 26 and the two
engagement holes 22 may form two pivotal points; therefore, the
middle unit 2a can rotate around the middle unit 2b. For examples,
the middle unit 2a may be folded into the middle unit 2b; also, the
middle unit 2a may be rotated by a certain angle with respect to
the middle unit 2b according to a user's wish. In addition, the
outer width of the middle unit 2b is substantially equal to the
inner width of the subsequent middle unit 2c, as shown in FIG. 3,
and hence the middle unit 2b may be connected with the middle unit
2c in the same manner as previously described. Consequently, the
middle units 2a to 2n may be fitted or joined together into a set
of middle units 2. Furthermore, the outer width of the last middle
unit 2n is substantially equal to the inner width of the largest
unit 1 and hence each of the two engagement protrusions 26 of the
middle unit 2n may mate with the corresponding engagement hole 12
of the largest unit 1 in the same manner as previously described.
Whence, the set of middle units 2 may be linked with the largest
unit 1 to become a single unit.
[0027] Two engagement protrusions 31 are disposed near one end of
the smallest unit 3. These two engagement protrusions 31 have the
same structure as that of the engagement protrusions 26 any of the
middle units 2a to 2n. In addition, the width of smallest unit 3
the is substantially equal to the inner width of the middle unit
2a; therefore, each of the two engagement protrusions 31 may mate
with the corresponding engagement hole 22 of the middle unit 2a in
the same manner as previously described. Whence, the set of middle
units 2 and hence the largest unit 1 may be linked with the
smallest unit 3 to become a single unit.
[0028] Alternatively, the smallest unit 3 may have a U shape; it
does not have to be linear.
[0029] Now, please see FIG. 4, which is a perspective view showing
the intelligence enhancing toy of the present invention in a folded
condition. Because the largest unit 1, the set of middle units 2
and the smallest unit 3 are connected together and they are
arranged in a tapering manner, the pivotal points allowed them to
be folded together into a flat, compact condition, which allows it
to be carried around easily.
[0030] Please see FIG. 5, which is a perspective view illustrating
the first configuration of the intelligence enhancing toy of the
present invention. The intelligence enhancing toy of the present
invention may be arranged into the configuration of a giraffe
because the largest unit 1, set of middle units 2 and smallest unit
3 are pivotally connected together.
[0031] Please see FIG. 6, which is a perspective view illustrating
the second configuration of the intelligence enhancing toy of the
present invention. The intelligence enhancing toy of the present
invention may be arranged into the configuration of a dog because
the largest unit 1, set of middle units 2 and smallest unit 3 are
pivotally connected together.
[0032] Please see FIG. 7, which is a perspective view illustrating
the third configuration of the intelligence enhancing toy of the
present invention. The intelligence enhancing toy of the present
invention may be arranged into the configuration of a snake because
the largest unit 1, set of middle units 2 and smallest unit 3 are
pivotally connected together.
[0033] Please see FIG. 8, which is a perspective view illustrating
the fourth configuration of the intelligence enhancing toy of the
present invention. The intelligence enhancing toy of the present
invention may be arranged into the configuration of a pen holder
because the largest unit 1, set of middle units 2 and smallest unit
3 are pivotally connected together. Such pen holder may be used to
hold pens and pencils 4.
[0034] Please see FIG. 9, which is a perspective view illustrating
the fifth configuration of the intelligence enhancing toy of the
present invention. The intelligence enhancing toy of the present
invention may be arranged into the configuration of a cell phone
holder because the largest unit 1, set of middle units 2 and
smallest unit 3 are pivotally connected together. Such cell phone
holder may be used to hold cell phones 5.
[0035] Please see FIG. 10, which is a perspective view illustrating
the sixth configuration of the intelligence enhancing toy of the
present invention. The intelligence enhancing toy of the present
invention may be arranged into the configuration of a hanging
device because the largest unit 1, set of middle units 2 and
smallest unit 3 are pivotally connected together. Such hanging
device may be used to hang accessories 6 or similar items.
[0036] Please see FIG. 11, which is a perspective view illustrating
the seventh configuration of the intelligence enhancing toy of the
present invention. The intelligence enhancing toy of the present
invention may be arranged into the configuration of a dual-purpose
holder because the largest unit 1, set of middle units 2 and
smallest unit 3 are pivotally connected together. Such dual-purpose
holder may be used to hold pens/pencils 4 and business cards 7.
[0037] The largest unit 1, middle units 2a to 2n and smallest unit
3 may be made of nylon, rubber or a plastic material. Nylon is a
preferred choice because it allows these components to bend and
twist.
[0038] As compared to the toys of the prior art, the intelligence
enhancing toy of the present invention has the following
advantages: [0039] 1. Because the intelligence enhancing toy of the
present invention is made of several units and these units are
pivotally joined together, the toy of the present invention
provides a great way to kill time and to enhance intelligence for
children and adults. [0040] 2. The pivotal points allowed the
components of the toy of the present invention to be folded
together into a flat, compact condition, which allows it to be
carried around easily.
[0041] Many changes and modifications in the above described
embodiments of the invention can, of course, be carried out without
departing from the scope thereof. Accordingly, to promote the
progress in science and the useful arts, the invention is disclosed
and is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended
claims.
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