U.S. patent application number 14/705408 was filed with the patent office on 2015-11-12 for method for attaching toys to each other using retrofitted accessory.
This patent application is currently assigned to DIXIE TOYS LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Eric Broyles, Mirella Broyles, Laura H. Morris, Stephen Morris. Invention is credited to Eric Broyles, Mirella Broyles, Laura H. Morris, Stephen Morris.
Application Number | 20150321114 14/705408 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54366956 |
Filed Date | 2015-11-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150321114 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Broyles; Eric ; et
al. |
November 12, 2015 |
Method For Attaching Toys To Each Other Using Retrofitted
Accessory
Abstract
A method is provided for attaching two objects, generally toys
such as building blocks, to each other. The attachment is enabled
by a first attachment means to a planar surface of a first object
and a second attachment means to a planar surface of a second
object. The first attachment means and second attachment means can
be bonded to the corresponding object by an adhesive material such
as glue, by traversing a corresponding insert into the object
(resulting in an interference fit), and ultimately by any means
applied by a manufacturer. The first attachment means serves as a
male interface that can be engaged with a female interface of the
second attachment means. By engaging the first male interface with
the female interface, two objects can be attached to each other. An
object can be provided with both a male interface and female
interface in order to attach multiple objects.
Inventors: |
Broyles; Eric; (Stratford,
CT) ; Morris; Stephen; (Newtown, CT) ;
Broyles; Mirella; (Stratford, CT) ; Morris; Laura
H.; (Newtown, CT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Broyles; Eric
Morris; Stephen
Broyles; Mirella
Morris; Laura H. |
Stratford
Newtown
Stratford
Newtown |
CT
CT
CT
CT |
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
DIXIE TOYS LLC
Stratford
CT
|
Family ID: |
54366956 |
Appl. No.: |
14/705408 |
Filed: |
May 6, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61989572 |
May 7, 2014 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/124 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 33/14 20130101;
A63H 33/06 20130101; A63H 33/086 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63H 33/06 20060101
A63H033/06 |
Claims
1. A method for attaching toys to each other using retrofitted
accessories comprises the steps of: providing a first object and a
second object, wherein the first object and the second object each
comprise a planar surface; connecting a first attachment means to
the planar surface of the first object in order to retrofit the
first object; connecting a second attachment means to the planar
surface of the second object in order to retrofit the second
object; and attaching the first object to the second object by
engaging the first attachment means with the second attachment
means.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1 comprises the steps of:
providing a first insert of the first attachment means and a second
insert of the second attachment means; traversing the first insert
into the planar surface of the first object in order to connect the
first attachment means to the first object; and traversing the
second insert into the planar surface of the second object in order
to connect the second attachment means to the second object.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1 comprises the steps of:
applying an adhesive material to the planar surface of the first
object and to the planar surface of the second object; pressing the
first attachment means against the planar surface of the first
object in order to bond the first attachment means with the
adhesive material of the first object, wherein the first attachment
means is connected to the planar surface by the adhesive material
of the first object; and pressing the second attachment means
against the planar surface of the second object in order to bond
the second attachment means with the adhesive material of the
second object, wherein the second attachment means is connected to
the planar surface by the adhesive material of the second
object.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1 comprises the step of:
providing a male interface of the first attachment means and a
female interface of the second attachment means; and engaging the
male interface with the female interface in order to attach the
first object to the second object.
5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein: the male interface
comprises a plurality of nubs; the female interface comprises a
lateral surface and a plurality of protrusions; and a plurality of
nub-receiving volumes being delineated by the lateral surface and
the plurality of protrusions.
6. The method as claimed in claim 5 comprises the step of:
interfacing the male interface with the female interface by
positioning at least one of the plurality of nubs into a selected
nub-receiving volume from the plurality of nub-receiving
volumes.
7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the first object and
the second object each being a rigid body.
8. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein: the rigid body being
wooden.
9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the first object and
the second object each being a pliable body.
10. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein: the pliable body
being fabric.
Description
[0001] The current application claims a priority to the U.S.
Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/989,572 filed on May 7,
2014.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a method for
attaching two toys together by first retrofitting them with the
appropriate means.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Construction based toys and playthings have been a favorite
of children and adults alike for decades. They offer a creative
outlet for expression, and can inspire a passion for building.
Existing construction toys are typically composed of a single
material, a common example being plastic. Plastic toys are great in
their versatility, but lack the appearance and feel of wooden toys,
or the soft touch of fabric. There exists a need for a construction
toy which can easily be attached to other toys while providing
different tactile sensations as compared to traditional
plastic-based construction toys.
[0004] The present invention is a plastic end cap attached to a
wood or fabric block at one or more ends so that two or more blocks
can be temporarily connected together to build a construction
toy.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a flowchart outlining the process of the present
invention.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a first object with
connected first attachment means.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a second object with a
second attachment means.
[0008] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a first
object and a second object which are attached to each other.
[0009] FIG. 5 is an exploded bottom perspective view showing a
first object and a second object which are attached to each
other.
[0010] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a first object and
second object connected to each other.
[0011] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing how multiple
attachment means may be connected to the same object.
[0012] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a first attachment
means with inserts.
[0013] FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view showing a first
attachment means with inserts.
[0014] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a second attachment
means with inserts.
[0015] FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view showing a second
attachment means with inserts.
[0016] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing attachment
means being connected to an object through the use of inserts.
[0017] FIG. 13 is an exploded bottom perspective showing attachment
means being connected to an object through the use of inserts.
[0018] FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a first attachment
means connected to a wheeled object.
[0019] FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view showing a first
attachment means connected to a wheeled object.
[0020] FIG. 16 is an exploded lateral view showing an
elephant-shaped object attached to a wheeled object.
[0021] FIG. 17 is an exploded lateral view showing a giraffe-shaped
object attached to a wheeled object.
[0022] FIG. 18 is an exploded lateral view showing a
triangle-shaped object attached to a wheeled object.
[0023] FIG. 19 is an exploded lateral view showing a car-shaped
object attached to a wheeled object.
DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION
[0024] All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of
describing selected versions of the present invention and are not
intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
[0025] The present invention is a system for retrofitting existing
objects in order to allow said objects to be attached and detached
from each other. Non-exhaustive examples of objects that can be
retrofitted via the present invention include blocks, figurines,
and any number of objects that can be classified as a toy. Provided
a first object 1 and a second object 2, the present invention
allows attaching the object to other by connecting a first
attachment means 3 to the first object 1 and a second attachment
means 4 to the second object 2. The first attachment means 3 and
the second attachment means 4 are capable of engaging with each
other, thus allowing the first object 1 to be attached to the
second object 2 via their connected first attachment means 3 and
second attachment means 4. The first object 1 and second object 2
are each provided with a planar surface 5. These planar surfaces 5
are necessary to allow the first object 1 and second object 2 to be
joined to each other, the attachment point being part or all of the
corresponding planar surfaces 5. When connected to a toy block, for
example, the attachment means act as the top layers or bottom
layers of the respective objects to which they've been connected. A
single object can be provided with multiple attachment means in
order to allow it to be connected to multiple objects. For example,
a block can be provided with attachment means on both a top and
bottom surface, allowing said block to be connected between another
pair of blocks. The process of the present invention is outlined in
FIG. 1 while supporting illustrations are provided in FIG. 2-FIG.
19. It is noted that multiple attachment means additionally allow
large assemblies to be constructed from appropriately retrofitted
objects. For example, a block can be provided with an attachment
means for both a top surface and a bottom surface, allowing the
block to connect to two other objects with the appropriate
attachment means.
[0026] The first attachment means 3 and the second attachment means
4 must be connected to the corresponding first object 1 and second
object 2 before said first object 1 and second object 2 can be
attached to each other. This connection can be accomplished in a
variety of ways, two examples of which are provided. It is noted
that these examples are not exclusive and do not limit the manner
in which the connections can be achieved.
[0027] In a first example connection, a first insert 31 is provided
as part of the first attachment means 3 and a second insert 41 is
provided as part of the second attachment means 4. The first insert
31 and second insert 41 allow the corresponding accessories to be
connected to an object by traversing the insert into the object.
The inserts effectively act similar to a nail, screw, or other
fastener. Once the inserts have been forced into the corresponding
objects, they connect the corresponding attachment means to said
corresponding object. The two objects are then ready to be attached
to each other by engaging the first attachment means 3 with the
second attachment means 4. In an embodiment where the insert is
placed into a corresponding cavity of the object, the object can
prepared for the insert by first drilling a hole into the object in
order to create the cavity. The insert is then placed into the
cavity, where it can be held in place via a bonding agent such as
glue or through a simple interference fit. In another embodiment,
where the insert is a threaded body, e.g. a screw, it can simply be
screwed into the object, negating the need to drill a cavity into
the object. Additional inserts, beyond the first insert 31 and the
second insert 41, may be provided for each attachment means as
shown in the figures illustrating an embodiment with inserts. The
use of additional inserts provides a more secure connection between
an attachment means and corresponding object. Illustrations of the
attachment means and the connected objects of this first example
connection are provided in FIG. 8-FIG. 13.
[0028] In a second example connection, an adhesive material is used
to bond the first insert 31 to the first attachment means 3 and the
second insert 41 to the second attachment means 4. Likewise, the
second insert 41 is bonded to the second insert 41 via said
adhesive material. In order to initiate this bonding, the
attachment means are pressed against a planar surface 5, the planar
surface 5 having received a coating of the adhesive material.
Pressing the attachment means against the planar surface 5 helps
create a strong and secure bond between said attachment means and
corresponding object.
[0029] The adhesive material, examples of which include glue and
double-sided tape, secures an insert to the corresponding
attachment means. As with the inserts, the use of the adhesive
material allows the first attachment means 3 and the second
attachment means 4 to be connected to the first object 1 and the
second object 2, respectively. The first object 1 and second object
2 can then be attached to each other by engaging the first
attachment means 3 with the second attachment means 4.
Illustrations detailing an embodiment using this second connection
method are provided in FIG. 2-FIG. 7.
[0030] The provided examples of how the attachment means are
connected to the objects are not meant to limit the present
invention. Other methods are suitable for use with the present
invention as long as they connected the first attachment means 3 to
the first object 1 and the second attachment means 4 to the second
object 2.
[0031] As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the first attachment
interface is provided with a male interface 32 while the second
attachment interface is provided with a female interface 42. The
male interface 32 and female interface 42 are designed to easily
engage with each other, allowing for attaching and detaching of the
first object 1 and the second object 2. More specifically, the male
interface 32 comprises a plurality of nubs 33 while the female
interface 42 comprises a lateral surface 43 and a plurality of
protrusions 44. A plurality of nub-receiving volumes 45 are defined
as the areas between the lateral surface 43 and the plurality of
protrusions 44 of the female interface 42.
[0032] The nubs 33 of the male interface 32 are positioned into the
plurality of nub-receiving volumes 45 of the female interface 42 in
order to attach the first object 1 and the second object 2. The
nubs 33 are sized to be coincident with the lateral surface 43 and
the plurality of protrusions 44 or with multiple protrusions 44
from the plurality of protrusions 44. The nubs 33 effectively press
against the lateral surface 43 and the protrusions 44, with the
resulting force securing the nubs 33 in the nub-receiving volumes
45.
[0033] The use of a male interface 32 and female interface 42,
along with nubs 33 and nub-receiving volumes 45, is just one
example of how the first attachment means 3 and second attachment
means 4 may engage with each other. Potentially, other embodiments
can use alternative attachment means in place of the described male
interface 32 and female interface 42.
[0034] As earlier referenced, the method of the present invention
is applicable to a large number of objects. Some common examples
that benefit from the present invention include toys such as
blocks, figures (e.g. animal figurines as shown in FIG. 16 and FIG.
17), people, and even wheeled objects such as vehicles (FIG.
14-FIG. 19). The only requirement for the objects is the presence
of a planar surface 5, which is necessary to allow two objects to
be attached to each other. Examples of different objects that
comprises a planar surface 5 are provided in FIG. 14-FIG. 19.
[0035] The construction of the objects used in conjunction with the
present invention is variable. Several examples of potential
objects include blocks which are rigid bodies, e.g. made from wood,
as well as blocks which are pliable bodies, e.g. made from a fabric
material. Other example materials include plastic wood or other
organic composite materials, preferably which are capable of being
used for injection molding. These wood substitutes can be mass
produced while maintaining a similar look and feel to natural wood.
The objects can be plain or decorated such as with a printed
graphic such as an apple. The attachment means themselves can
likewise be made from a number of materials, preferably a rigid
material such as plastic that will allow for attaching of a first
object 1 to a second object 2 via their corresponding attachment
means. Ultimately, the present invention allows different objects
to be easily attached to each other, even when said objects were
not originally designed for such.
[0036] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its
preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other
possible modifications and variations can be made without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter
claimed.
* * * * *