U.S. patent application number 13/682691 was filed with the patent office on 2014-05-22 for composite toy.
The applicant listed for this patent is BLUE SKY DESIGNS LTD. Invention is credited to Stuart BROWNING.
Application Number | 20140141690 13/682691 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50728357 |
Filed Date | 2014-05-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140141690 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BROWNING; Stuart |
May 22, 2014 |
COMPOSITE TOY
Abstract
A composite toy for use with a writing utensil. The composite
toy includes a first and second assembly. The first and second
assemblies are removeably mutually attachable, and the first and
second assemblies are each removeably attachable to a writing
utensil.
Inventors: |
BROWNING; Stuart; (Leeds,
GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BLUE SKY DESIGNS LTD |
Leeds |
|
GB |
|
|
Family ID: |
50728357 |
Appl. No.: |
13/682691 |
Filed: |
November 20, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/230 ;
446/431; 446/491 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 33/00 20130101;
B43K 23/08 20130101; B43K 29/05 20130101; B43K 29/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/230 ;
446/431; 446/491 |
International
Class: |
A63H 33/00 20060101
A63H033/00 |
Claims
1. A composite toy for use with a writing utensil, the composite
toy comprising: a first and second assembly; wherein the first and
second assemblies are removeably mutually attachable; and wherein
the first and second assemblies are each removeably attachable to a
writing utensil.
2. The composite toy of claim 1, wherein the toy comprises a pull
back mechanism.
3. The composite toy of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first
assembly comprises a rear section of the toy.
4. The composite toy of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first
assembly comprises a front section of the toy.
5. The composite toy of claim 2, wherein the pull back mechanism is
comprised in the first assembly.
6. The composite toy of claim 2, wherein the pull back mechanism is
comprised in the second assembly.
7. The composite toy of claim 1, wherein each of the first and
second assembly comprises a set of wheels.
8. The composite toy of claim 1, wherein when the first assembly is
attached to the second assembly, the toy is removeably attachable
to the writing utensil.
9. The composite toy of claim 8, wherein when the toy is attached
to the writing utensil, the writing utensil can be used to
write.
10. The composite toy of claim 1, wherein the first assembly is
attached to one end of the writing utensil, and the second assembly
is attached to a second end of the writing utensil.
11. The composite toy of claim 1, wherein the first assembly and
second assembly are removeably mutually attachable by one or more
clips.
12. The composite toy of claim 1, wherein the toy is a vehicle.
13. The composite toy of claim 12, wherein the vehicle is a
car.
14. The composite toy of claim 13, wherein the toy is a racing
car.
15. The composite toy of claim 13, wherein the car is a sports
car.
16. The composite toy of claim 12, wherein the vehicle is an
aircraft.
17. The composite toy of claim 12, wherein the vehicle is a
spacecraft.
18. (canceled)
Description
FIELD
[0001] This invention is generally in the field of toys, and
specifically in respect of toys for use with writing utensils. In
particular, the invention relates to toy vehicles pencil
toppers.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Writing utensils, and particularly pencils, are an essential
tool for school children, particularly when they are learning to
read and write. The utensils tend to be a standard size and colour
and often are not particularly stimulating or engaging to a child.
There has been some movement to change this by providing pencils
which are decorated with cartoons and/or images, for example of
their favourite Pixar or Disney character. Unfortunately, these
decorative measures still do not disguise to a child that the
pencil is simply a writing utensil.
[0003] Other ways in which manufacturers have tried to get children
to engage with the writing utensils are to provide for pencil
toppers which tend also to be designed as the favourite cartoon or
animated character de jour. Some of these pencil toppers are
multifunctional in that they are also erasers and/or pencil
sharpeners. However, these pencil toppers are still decorative
ornaments which tend to only temporarily stimulate a child before
they tire of the ornament.
[0004] Although decorative and maybe temporarily stimulating, these
pencil accessories are not fun, interactive toys.
[0005] Therefore, there is a need for an interactive toy which can
engage with a pencil or other writing utensil.
SUMMARY
[0006] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a composite toy for use with a writing utensil,
the composite toy comprising: a first and second assembly; wherein
the first and second assemblies are removeably mutually attachable;
and wherein the first and second assemblies are each removeably
attachable to a writing utensil.
[0007] In a further aspect of the invention, the composite toy
comprises a pull back mechanism. Preferably, the pull back
mechanism is comprised in the first assembly. Additionally or
alternatively, the pull back mechanism is comprised in the second
assembly. Preferably, the first assembly and/or the second assembly
comprise a set of wheels.
[0008] Preferably, when the first assembly is attached to the
second assembly, the toy is removeably attachable to the writing
utensil. Preferably, when the toy is attached to the writing
utensil, the writing utensil can be used to write.
[0009] In a further aspect of the invention, the first assembly is
attached to one end of the writing utensil and the second assembly
is attached to the second end of the writing utensil. Preferably,
the first assembly and second assembly are removeably attachable by
one or more clips.
[0010] In one aspect of the invention, the composite toy is a
vehicle. Preferably, the vehicle is a car. Preferably, the car is a
sports car. Alternatively, the vehicle is an aircraft.
Alternatively, the vehicle is a spacecraft.
[0011] It is to be understood that other aspects of the present
invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art
from the following detailed description, wherein various
embodiments of the invention are shown and described by way of
illustration. As will be realized, the invention is capable for
other and different embodiments and its several details are capable
of modification in various other respects, all without departing
from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly the
drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as
illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Referring to the drawings wherein like reference numerals
indicate similar parts throughout the several views, several
aspects of the present invention are illustrated by way of example,
and not by way of limitation, in detail in the figures wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1a is a side image of the toy according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 1b is an image from the front of the toy of FIG.
1a;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a side image of the toy according to an embodiment
of the present invention when the toy is engaged with a pencil;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a side image of the toy of FIG. 2 when the two
sections of the toy are each engaged with an end of the pencil;
[0017] FIG. 4a is an image from the front of the rear section of
the toy according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 4b is an image from the back of the rear section of the
toy according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 5a is an image from the front of the front section of
the toy according to an embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0020] FIG. 5b is an image from the back of the front section of
the toy according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] The invention will now be further described with reference
to the following exemplary embodiment. It should be noted that
these examples are intended only to be exemplary, and are not
limiting upon the scope of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS
[0022] In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a
composite toy for use with a writing utensil, the composite toy
comprising: a first and second assembly; wherein the first and
second assemblies are removeably mutually attachable; and wherein
each of the first and second assemblies are each separately
removeably attachable to a writing utensil.
[0023] The toy can comprise any shape or design which is still
capable of having two parts which can be attached to a pencil or
other writing utensil. The toy will preferably be a shape and
design which children would like to engage with; particularly the
figures of cartoons and/or Disney/Pixar characters which are
popular with children at the time.
[0024] In one embodiment of the invention, the toy is a vehicle as
illustrated in
[0025] FIGS. 1a to 5b. FIG. 1a is a side image of the toy according
to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1b is an image from
the front of the same toy as that illustrated in FIG. 1a.
[0026] As illustrated in FIG. 1a, the toy is a car 1. Although in
each of FIGS. 1a to 5b, a car and specifically a racing car is
depicted, any shape or type of vehicle design can be used in
accordance with this invention. Examples of vehicles include but
are not limited to bicycles, cars, motorcycles, trains, ships,
boats, aircraft, hovercraft and spacecraft.
[0027] The car 1 of FIGS. 1a and 1b is a racing car having a front
section 2 or front assembly 2 and rear section 3 or rear assembly
3. The front section 2 in this embodiment comprises the hood or
bonnet and front spoiler of the car 1, whereas the rear section 3
comprises the rear section of the car 1 including the engine and
rear spoiler. The rear section 3 of the car 1 in this embodiment
includes a small figurine of the race car driver. It will be
appreciated that in different examples the figurine can be in
either section of the car.
[0028] Each of the front section 2 and the rear section 3 comprise
a respective set of wheels 4. The benefit of having each of the
front and rear sections 2 and 3 a respective set of wheels 4 is
that when the front and rear sections 2 and 3 of the car 1 is
attached to either end of the writing utensil, is that it allows
the car 1 to be balanced. Although in this embodiment each section
or assembly comprises a single pair of wheels 4, it will be
appreciated that any number of wheels can be provided on each of
the sections, provided that that the wheels are such that when the
toy is in use, and each of the assemblies are attached to the
writing utensil, the writing utensil is relatively balanced or
steady. For example, one of the sections can have one wheel and the
other section can have two or more. Further, the wheels 4 can be
hidden or substantially hidden in the front and rear sections 2 and
3 of the toy. For example, if the toy is an animal, such as a
puppy, the wheels 4 can be hidden in the front and/or back portions
of the animal, e.g. in the paws or legs of the animal.
[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates the toy in accordance with one embodiment
of the invention when the front section 2 and rear section 3 are
connected together and engaged with a writing utensil. As
illustrated in this embodiment, the car 1 is capable of being
attached to one end of the pencil 5. The car 1 can be attached to
either end of the pencil 5.
[0030] It will be appreciated that although it is illustrated in
this embodiment that the car 1 is attached to a pencil 5, the car 1
according to the invention is suitable to be attached to any type
of writing utensil.
[0031] The car 1 is attached to the pencil 5 via an opening 6 on
the rear section 3. The opening 6 in this embodiment is adapted so
that it looks like an exhaust pipe. Preferably, the opening 6
comprises a cavity 7 adapted to receive an end of a standard size
of pencil. It will be appreciated that the size of the opening 6
and the cavity 7 can be varied to allow for receiving a variety of
sizes and types of writing utensils. The cavity 7 may have a cross
section varying along its length to allow a range of different
sized pencils or other writing utensils to be accommodated. It will
also be appreciated that other means suitable for fastening the toy
to the pencil can additionally or alternatively be provided.
[0032] It will also be appreciated that if the toy has another
design, e.g. cartoon figure or other type of vehicle such as a
spacecraft, the opening 6 on the rear section 3 of the toy may be
shaped to form another suitable representative part of the design.
For example, if the toy is a spacecraft, the opening 6 may be
shaped to look like a rocket engine.
[0033] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the front
section 2 is removeably attachable to the rear section 3 of the car
1. Therefore, the front section 2 can be attached to rear section 3
so that the two assemblies form or depict one toy as illustrated in
FIGS. 1a, 1b and 2. Equally, the front section 2 can be separated
from the rear section 3 as illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0034] Particularly, the front section 2 and rear section 3 can be
configured such that one of the sections or assemblies can receive
a portion of the other assembly in order for the two assemblies to
be attached or connected to each other. Additionally or
alternatively, clips can be provided on one or both of the
assemblies so that the assemblies are removeably attachable.
Preferably, one of the assemblies or sections of the car 1
comprises one or more clips, which may be comprised of flexible
plastic pieces or other suitable means, which are arranged to
engage in one or more recessed portions of the other one of the
assemblies or sections. It will be understood that each section or
assembly can have both clip and recessed portions such that the
recessed portion of one section is arranged to receive the clip of
the other section.
[0035] In particular, FIG. 3 illustrates the toy in accordance with
one embodiment of the invention when the front section 2 and rear
section 3 are separated and each end is engaged with a writing
utensil. FIG. 3 illustrates the car 1 when the front section 2 and
the rear section 3 are arranged at either end of the pencil 5.
[0036] The front section 2 depicted in FIG. 3 comprises two clips 9
disposed on opposed sides of the assembly and the rear section 3
comprises two recessed portions 8 disposed on opposed sides of the
assembly. The clips 9 and recessed portions 8 are arranged such
that the front section 2 is capable of engaging the rear section 3.
This configuration enables the two sections or assemblies to be
connected substantially securely to form car 1 as illustrated by
FIGS. 1a, 1b and 2.
[0037] Preferably, the set of wheels 4 on both the front portion 2
and the rear portion 3 are free turning. This facilitates easy
movement of the car 1 by enabling it to be rolled when the front
and rear assemblies are connected as per FIGS. 1a and 1b and also
when the assemblies are engaged with the writing utensil as per
FIG. 3.
[0038] Preferably, the car 1 comprises a pull back mechanism. The
pull back mechanism can be in the form of a clockwork motor or
winding device. A clockwork motor is a clockwork device
mechanically powered by a mainspring, a spiral torsion spring of
metal ribbon. Power is stored in the mainspring by mechanically
winding it up, turning a key attached to a ratchet which twists the
mainspring tighter. Then the force of the mainspring turns the
clockwork's gears, until the stored energy is used up. It will be
appreciated that any suitable arrangement known at the time of
filing the application may be used to provide a pull back mechanism
or corresponding alternative according to this invention.
[0039] Preferably, the rear section 3 of the toy comprises a pull
back mechanism such that when the car 1 is pulled backwards, an
internal coil spring inside the rear section 3 is wound up. When
released, the car 1 is propelled forward by the spring. Once the
spring has unwound and the car 1 is moving, the motor is disengaged
by a clutch or ratchet and the car 1 then rolls freely onward. It
will be appreciated that although in this embodiment, the pull back
mechanism is comprised in the rear section 3 of the car 1, the pull
back mechanism can be comprised in the front portion 2.
[0040] By providing a pull back mechanism, the toy described
substantially herein which is adapted to engage a writing utensil,
is also an interactive toy. Advantageously, the toy according to
this embodiment of the invention is an interactive toy when the
front section 2 and rear section 3 are connected, but they also
form an interactive toy when the front section 2 and rear section 3
are each engaged with opposite ends of a writing utensil.
Particularly advantageously, it has been found that when the front
section 2 and rear section 3 are each engaged with an opposite end
of a writing utensil 5, the toy is more stable when it is in
use.
[0041] FIG. 4a is an image from the front of the rear section 3 of
the toy according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
4b is an image from the back of the rear section 3 of the toy
according to an embodiment of the present invention. As mentioned
above, the rear section 3 is adapted to engage with the writing
utensil when the front section 2 is not connected to the rear
section 3. Although the rear section 3 comprises an opening 6 with
a cavity 7 adapted to engage with an end of a writing utensil, the
rear section 3 can comprise a further cavity 10 adapted to engage
with an end of a writing utensil as illustrated in FIG. 4a. The
cavity 7 and the further cavity 10 may be formed by a single cavity
extending entirely through the rear section 3.
[0042] FIG. 5a is an image from the front of the front section of
the toy according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
5b is an image from the back of the front section of the toy
according to an embodiment of the present invention. As mentioned
above, the front section 2 is adapted to engage with the writing
utensil when the front section 2 is not connected to the rear
section 3. As illustrated in FIG. 5b, the front section 2 is
adapted to engage with a writing utensil by providing an opening 11
to a cavity adapted to engage with an end of a writing utensil. The
front end 2 can therefore act as a pencil lid as depicted in FIG.
2.
[0043] The toy hereinbefore disclosed is therefore a toy which is
configurable to be attached to either one end or both ends of a
writing utensil. The toy hereinbefore disclosed is also interactive
by providing a pull back mechanism to create movement both when the
toy is engaged with a writing utensil and when it is not.
[0044] A number of embodiments have been described herein. However,
it will be understood by persons skilled in the art that other
variants and modifications may be made without departing from the
scope of the embodiments as defined in the claims appended
hereto.
* * * * *