U.S. patent application number 13/065283 was filed with the patent office on 2012-09-20 for toy.
Invention is credited to Philippe Gerber.
Application Number | 20120238182 13/065283 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46828828 |
Filed Date | 2012-09-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120238182 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gerber; Philippe |
September 20, 2012 |
Toy
Abstract
A toy is is provided, which is a tangible representation of a
fictional character that is part animal and part automotive
vehicle, such tangible representation being, for example, in the
form of a two- or preferably three-dimensional model (such as a
paper, cardboard, plastic or metallic miniature, or a soft
sculpture).
Inventors: |
Gerber; Philippe;
(Grandvaux, CH) |
Family ID: |
46828828 |
Appl. No.: |
13/065283 |
Filed: |
March 18, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/279 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 17/25 20130101;
A63H 11/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/279 |
International
Class: |
A63H 17/00 20060101
A63H017/00 |
Claims
1. A toy comprising: a posterior portion resembling the posterior
of an automotive vehicle and an anterior portion resembling a
cartoon charicterization of the face or head of an animal.
2. The toy of claim 1 wherein the automotive vehicle of said
posterior portion is associated with the animal of said anterior
portion.
3. The toy of claim 2 wherein said association pertains to the
manufacturer, model or country of origin of the automotive
vehicle.
4. The toy of claim 2 wherein said animal is selected from: horse,
pig, jaguar, ram, bulldog and bull.
5. The toy of claim 1 wherein said anterior and posterior
combinations are, respectively, selected from: horse and Ferarri,
pig and Porsche, jaguar and Jaguar, ram and Dodge, bulldog and MAC
tractor-trailer, and bull and Lamborghini.
6. The toy of claim 1 wherein said posterior portion further
comprises a cartoon charicterization of a tail corresponding to the
animal of said anterior portion.
7. The toy of claim 1 wherein said anterior portion embodies a
facial expression selected from the group consisting of: loveable,
sad, tired, happy, energetic and surprised.
8. A kit comprising a toy of claim 1 and a book, a puzzle or a
game, said book, puzzle or game involving a character represented
by said toy.
9. The toy of claim 1 comprising a three-dimensional model.
10. The toy of claim 2 comprising a three-dimensional model.
11. The toy of claim 3 comprising a three-dimensional model.
12. The toy of claim 4 comprising a three-dimensional model.
13. The toy of claim 5 comprising a three-dimensional model.
14. The toy of claim 6 comprising a three-dimensional model.
15. The toy of claim 7 comprising a three-dimensional model.
16. The kit of claim 8 wherein said toy comprises a
three-dimensional model.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is related to the co-pending design
application entitled TOY, application Ser. No. ______, filed on
even date herewith.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to toys for children evoking
fictional characters, especially toy cars having animal features,
particularly facial features. The invention also relates to a kit
embodying such a toy and one or more complimentary items such as a
game, puzzle and/or children's book involving the toy.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Children, especially younger children (e.g., ages 2 to 10)
are fond of toys and story books, in which regard fictional
animals, vehicles and the tales of their adventures have long been
children's favorites. It remains desired to provide new imaginative
characters, toys and stories for the entertainment and education of
children.
[0004] The automobile industry often employs the names of animals
for the identification of various products, for eample, the impala,
the panda and the cougar. Some automobile brands are associated
with particular animals as their symbol, such as the Ferrari
stallion. Even the countries of origin of certain vehicles have
associated therewith various animal identities.
[0005] Accordingly, it is an aspect of the present invention to
provide fictional characters that combine automotive vehicles and
associable animal charicatures. Another aspect of the invention is
to provide toys fabricated in the forms of such fictional
characters. Still another aspect of the invention is to provide a
family of toys, books, puzzles, games and the like premised upon
such fictional characters. The vehicle/animal combination is
particularly amenable to facilitating fantasy play and storytelling
by fathers through positive associations with, for example, sports
cars, while not limiting the involvement of mothers.
[0006] The present invention provides toy fictional characters in
the form of animals that are also vehicles, preferably having a
posterior portion resembling an automotive vehicle (especially an
iconic or otherwise noteworthy vehicle, such as a sports car) and
an anterior portion resembling the face and/or head of an animal
(especially an animal associated with the model, brand or country
of origin of the vehicle). The fictional characters are provided as
two- and three-dimensional models, optionally together with related
story books, coloring books, games, puzzles and/or the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In one embodiment, a toy of the invention is a two- or
three-dimensional model having a posterior portion resembling the
posterior of an automotive vehicle and an anterior portion
resembling a cartoon charicterization of the face or head of an
animal. Certain embodiments of the invention also include in the
posterior portion a cartoon charicterization of a tail
corresponding to the animal represented in the anterior portion. In
a preferred embodiment the automotive vehicle resembled by the
posterior portion is associated with the animal resembled by the
anterior portion. The association between the posterior automotive
vehicle and anterior animal portions preferably pertains to the
manufacturer, model or country of origin of the automotive
vehicle.
[0008] Animals useful for the cartoon characterizations of the
invention include (without limitation) any or all of: the horse,
pig, jaguar, ram, bulldog and bull. The animal characterized in the
anterior portion can be provided a facial expression, such as
loveable, sad, tired, happy, energetic and surprised. Combinations
of animals and automotive vehicles useful in the practice of the
invention include (without limitation) horse and Ferrari, pig and
Porsche, jaguar and Jaguar, ram and Dodge, bulldog and MAC
tractor-trailer, and bull and Lamborghini.
[0009] In another embodiment, a kit is provided including a toy as
described above together with a story book, coloring book, puzzle
or game involving the character represented by the model. These and
other aspects of the invention will become apparent to those
skilled in the art in light of the drawings (in which duplicative
reference numerals have often been avoided where corresponding
elements have already been identified, as will be understood by
those skilled in the art) and the following detailed
description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1a is a right side elevational view of an embodiment of
the invention.
[0011] FIG. 1b is a front elevational view of the embodiment of
FIG. 1a.
[0012] FIG. 1c is a rear elevational view of the embodiment of FIG.
1a.
[0013] FIG. 1d is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1a.
[0014] FIG. 1e is a right front perspective view illustrating a
facial expression for the embodiment of FIGS. 1a-1d.
[0015] FIGS. 1f-1j are partial right front perspective views
illustrating alternative facial expressions for the embodiment of
FIGS. 1a-1d.
[0016] FIG. 2a is a right side elevational view of an embodiment of
the invention.
[0017] FIG. 2b is a front elevational view of the embodiment of
FIG. 2a.
[0018] FIG. 2c is a rear elevational view of the embodiment of FIG.
2a.
[0019] FIG. 2d is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 2a.
[0020] FIG. 2e is a right front perspective view illustrating a
facial expression for the embodiment of FIGS. 2a-2d.
[0021] FIGS. 2f-2j are partial right front perspective views
illustrating alternative facial expressions for the embodiment of
FIGS. 2a-2d.
[0022] FIG. 3a is a right side elevational view of an embodiment of
the invention.
[0023] FIG. 3b is a front elevational view of the embodiment of
FIG. 3a.
[0024] FIG. 3c is a rear elevational view of the embodiment of FIG.
3a.
[0025] FIG. 3d is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 3a.
[0026] FIG. 3e is a right front perspective view illustrating a
facial expression for the embodiment of FIGS. 3a-3d.
[0027] FIGS. 3f-3j are partial right front perspective views
illustrating alternative facial expressions for the embodiment of
FIGS. 3a-3d.
[0028] FIG. 4a is a right side elevational view of an embodiment of
the invention.
[0029] FIG. 4b is a front elevational view of the embodiment of
FIG. 4a.
[0030] FIG. 4c is a rear elevational view of the embodiment of FIG.
4a.
[0031] FIG. 4d is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 4a.
[0032] FIG. 4e is a right front perspective view illustrating a
facial expression for the embodiment of FIGS. 4a-4d.
[0033] FIGS. 4f-4j are partial right front perspective views
illustrating alternative facial expressions for the embodiment of
FIGS. 4a-4d.
[0034] FIG. 5a is a right side elevational view of an embodiment of
the invention.
[0035] FIG. 5b is a front elevational view of the embodiment of
FIG. 5a.
[0036] FIG. 5c is a rear elevational view of the embodiment of FIG.
5a.
[0037] FIG. 5d is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 5a.
[0038] FIG. 5e is a right front perspective view illustrating a
facial expression for the embodiment of FIGS. 5a-5d.
[0039] FIGS. 5f-5j are partial right front perspective views
illustrating alternative facial expressions for the embodiment of
FIGS. 5a-5d.
[0040] FIG. 6 is a right front perspective view of an embodiment of
the invention, further illustrating a facial expression.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0041] A toy 10, in accordance with the present invention, is a
tangible representation of a fictional character that is part
animal and part automotive vehicle, respectively represented in an
anterior portion 20 and a posterior portion 70 of the toy 10. The
tangible representation can, for example, be in the form of a model
that is two- or preferably three-dimensional (such as a paper,
cardboard, plastic or metallic miniature, or a soft sculpture) and
is preferably manufactured in such a manner as to be safe for use
as a child's toy.
[0042] The anterior portion 20 resembles a cartoon charicterization
of the face or head of an animal, for example having such features
as a mouth 22, a tongue 24 and/or lips 25 (see, e.g., FIG. 3h), a
nose 26, nostrils 28, eyes 30, eye lids 32 (see, e.g., FIG. 3b),
eye lashes 34 (see, e.g., FIG. 3b), eye brows 36 (see, e.g., FIG.
2b), ears 38, a mane 40 (or hair 42 as shown, e.g., in FIG. 5a),
horns 44 (see, e.g., FIG. 2b), a chin 46 and/or a beard 48 (see,
e.g., FIG. 4a). In addition to the foregoing, anterior portion 20
can also have certain vehicular features, such as wheels 50 and
tires 52 disposed within wheel wells 54 (e.g., defined in part by
fenders 56), and/or vents 58.
[0043] A central portion 60 overlapping and joining the anterior 20
and posterior 70 portions can have such features as side windows 62
and doors 64 (that can, for example, be shown as a crease 66 that
suggests the presense of a door).
[0044] The posterior portion 70 resembles the posterior of an
automotive vehicle, for example having such vehicular features as
wheels 72 and tires 74 disposed within wheel wells 76 (e.g.,
defined in part by fenders 78), a rear window 80 (and/or sun shade
82 as shown, e.g., in FIG. 2d), side windows 84 (see, e.g., FIG.
4a), a bumper 86 and/or tail lights 88. In addition to the
foregoing, posterior portion 70 can also have a cartoon
charicterization of a tail 90 (preferably corresponding to the
animal represented in anterior portion 20).
[0045] As illustrated in FIG. 6, in an embodiment of the invention
wherein the toy represents a tractor-trailer, the central portion
can have such features as exhaust pipes 92 and fuel tanks 94. The
majority of posterior portion 70 in this embodiment represents a
trailer that can be an automobile carrier 96 (see FIG. 6), a
freight container, a flatbed or the like.
[0046] The automotive vehicle represented in the posterior portion
70 is preferably readily recognizable, iconic or otherwise
noteworthy. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the
automotive vehicle represented in the posterior portion 70 is
associated with the animal of the anterior portion 20, e.g.,
corresponding to a relationship between an animal and the vehicle
through its names, symbols, reputation and the like. The
association between the automotive vehicle and animal portions can
pertain to the manufacturer, model or country of origin of the
automotive vehicle. In that regard, animals useful for the cartoon
characterizations of the invention include (without limitation) the
horse (e.g., stallion or mustang), pig, jaguar, ram, bulldog, bull,
panda, dragon, deer, coy, carp, bear, cow, tiger, elephant, turtle,
stingray, and lion, preferably horse, pig, jaguar, ram, bulldog and
bull, or any sub-group thereof. For example, a panda can be
combined with a Fiat (such as the Fiat Panda) or with a vehicle
originating from China, such as a Geely). Alternatively, a dragon's
head could be employed with a Chinese vehicle. Other vehicle/animal
associations can include: a deer, coy or carp with a Japanese
vehicle, a bear with a Russian vehicle (such as a Lada or a Volga),
a cow, tiger or elephant with an Indian vehicle (such as a Tata), a
mustang with a Ford Mustang, a turtle with a camping car or RV, a
stingray with a Chevy Corvette, a lion with a Peugeot, a "red" bull
with a Formula I car, a horse and Ferarri, a pig and Porsche, a
jaguar and Jaguar, a ram and Dodge, a bulldog and MAC
tractor-trailer, and a bull and Lamborghin. Preferred combinations
of animals and automotive vehicles useful in the practice of the
invention include any or all of: horse and Ferarri (see, e.g.,
FIGS. 1a-1j), bull and Lamborghini (see, e.g., FIGS. 2a-2j), pig
and Porsche (see, e.g., FIGS. 3a-3j), jaguar and Jaguar (see, e.g.,
FIGS. 4a-4j), ram and Dodge (see, e.g., FIGS. 5a-5j), and bulldog
and MAC tractor-trailer (see, e.g., FIG. 6).
[0047] The animal characterized in the anterior portion can be
provided a facial expression, such as loveable (see, e.g., FIG.
1e), sad (see, e.g., FIG. 10, tired (see, e.g., FIG. 1g), happy
(see, e.g., FIG. 1h), energetic (see, e.g., FIG. 1i) and surprised
(see, e.g., FIG. 1j). Other expressions can, for example, include
confused, angry, mean, excited, love, hate, hunger, envy, pain,
confident, flirting, sleepy, irritated and the like. As
illustrated, for example in FIG. 2g, the front tires can be
advantageously employed in further conveying such expressions.
[0048] In another embodiment, a kit is provided including a two- or
three-dimensional model as described above together with one or
more of: a book (e.g., a story book or a coloring book), a puzzle,
apparel, a novelty item (e.g., a key chain or decal or pin), an
animated or cartoon movie (e.g., on a flash memory or a dvd) or a
game involving the character represented by the model, for example
relating to the exploits of such character. Preferred kit
combinations include a three-dimensional model together with one or
more of: a story book, coloring book, a puzzle or a game,
especially a story book.
[0049] While the present invention has been described with
reference to the specific embodiments thereof, it should be
understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be
made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the
true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many
modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation,
material, composition of matter, process, process step or steps, to
the objective, spirit and scope of the present invention. All such
modifications are intended to be within the scope of the claims
appended hereto. All patents and publications cited above are
hereby incorporated by reference.
* * * * *