Patent Application
20150224418
The present invention relates to games and toys and more particularly, to a construction system that includes a number of different pieces, including a simulated surface (e.g., a road) printed on adhesive tape, that permit a child to create unique and customizable playscapes that are removably attached to a play surface, such as a floor or countertop.
There is a wide array of different toys, games, and toy construction systems that are intended to entertain not only children but also adults.
One particular category of toys that is a favorite of children, especially boys, is toy cars. Toy cars are typically used on hard surfaces, such as a floor or countertop or the like. Children drive toy cars on imaginary or physically represented toy roads that are part of a broader playscape.
While there are some toys for constructing roads and playscapes for use with toy cars, these existing products suffer from a number of deficiencies, as noted below, that the present invention solves.
One particular toy product is a toy racetrack, on which a car travels along a fixed-path, semi-enclosed plastic track. Such racetrack is sold in sections and interconnects using a variety of proprietary connection pieces. This racetrack is expensive to purchase, bulky to store, cumbersome and in-the-way when constructed, and offers limited flexibility for arbitrary playscape design, particularly because vehicles travel explicitly in a single lane and the racetrack can only be assembled end-to-end in a pre-defined fashion, often in a pre-defined configuration suitable for downhill racing only. By contrast, the present invention provides the ability to construct fully arbitrary playscapes for imaginative play, is far lower cost, is easier to use, requires little storage, is not in-the-way when constructed, and is removable and disposable.
Another type of product is a plastic building and road set that, in some cases, interconnects with plastic racetrack and incorporates buildings with certain features (such as a “car wash” or an “auto lift”). This set is difficult and complex to assemble (requiring adult assembly typically), offers only a fixed play configuration, is extremely cumbersome to store, is frustrating for a small child because of its penchant for coming apart, and costly. By contrast, the present invention requires no adult assembly, is easier to use, enables the child to construct fully arbitrary playscapes for imaginative play, is far lower cost, requires little storage, is not in the way when constructed, and is removable and disposable.
Other products are elastic or carpet mats that have a pre-defined set of roads printed on the mat on which the child can drive his toy cars. Such mats are inflexible in their ability to foster creative play because they have but a single playscape design pre-printed on the mat. The plastic mats are dangerous if left unattended because they are very slippery. Carpet mats are similarly restrictive in their play value and are costly. Especially for the carpet mats, storage is a big challenge. These mats provide no construction capability, being a fixed design. By contrast, the present invention enables the construction of arbitrary playscapes, requires little storage, is not slippery or dangerous when constructed, and is far lower cost.
There are some basic tape-based products; however, these products are rudimentary as none of them begins to address the sophistication and variety of the playscape construction concepts of the present invention as will be described below. Nor do they contemplate the broad applicability of an adhesive playscape construction system such as described in the present invention. Even in their simple form, these other tapes also fail basic tests required of a suitable tape-based playscape construction toy for small children—the proper adhesive properties (easily removable, repositionable, tear-able, etc.), paper-based (none of them are paper-based), ease-of-use, and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)—approved (none is marked as a toy or identified as passing CPSIA testing). By contrast, the present invention enables the creation of an endless variety of playscapes, has the proper physical properties for use as a child's toy, is easier to use, and is already approved by the CPSC for sale as a child's toy, suitable for ages 3+, having passed required third-party testing procedures.
There is a need for an easy to use, safe, customizable, easy to store, install, reposition, and remove, playscape construction system which can be used in combination with other toys, such as toy vehicles. This invention addresses that need with a new type of toy playscape construction system.
A toy playscape is constructed using a combination of printed adhesive tape (hereinafter referred to as playscape tape) and other accessories, such as printed stickers, upstanding signs, and toy vehicles, that can be used by children (or adults) for creating imaginary playscape tape worlds for play, education, or other uses. The playscape tape includes any number of different types of printed indicia, such as road surfaces or natural surfaces (e.g., rocks, dirt, grass), to provide a lifelike play experience. Although the discussion of the present invention centers around construction of a playscape for toy cars, the present invention contemplates that a playscape can be reasonably constructed using playscape tape for any number of different play domains. The only necessary commonalities among these different play domains is the ability to reasonably construct them using playscape tape and relevant accessories. For instance, a different playscape such as the human bloodstream, plant capillaries, computer circuitry, computer networks, or building architecture may also be constructed using playscape tape with differently printed indicia, differently printed stickers, and different, relevant accessories.
Since the playscape tape 110 is preferably formed from a paper material, the printed indicia 120 can be applied using an ink printing process or the like. In other words, the applied ink is absorbed into the paper substrate the forms the tape 110 as opposed to merely being applied to a top surface. Advantageously, the absorbed ink does not easily rub off onto the child. In addition, when the playscape tape 110 depicts a road surface, such road requires a continuous print along the entire length of the tape such that there is no visible seam in the road as the design is repeated. This is challenging to perfect as part of the manufacturing process and the use of inks and paper substrate facilitates such seamless pattern. In addition, when inks and a paper substrate is used, the tape (e.g., road) is printed so that it “bleeds” to the edge. In other words, the printing goes right to the edge of the tape roll. There is no “allowance” or edge that cannot be printed on.
The above use of paper substrates and ink printing techniques is in contrast to other tapes which are made of plastics and the print easily rubs off. The use of plastic based tapes likewise prevents the above mentioned benefits from being realized.
In one embodiment, the printed indicia 120 simulates a road, highway or street for use with one or more toy vehicles 10 which can travel over the upper face 112 of the tape 110. In other embodiments described below and shown in other figures, the printed indicia 120 is not limited to a surface on which a vehicle travels but can be directed to natural surfaces, such as grass, rocks, mud, or metallic based surfaces, such as a bridge, or can relate to a surface which is restricted to pedestrian traffic such as a sidewalk or pedestrian walkway or bridge, etc. (See,
The elongate playscape tape 110 has an adhesive material on a lower surface thereof which is configured to allow the lower surface of the tape 110 to be releasably attached to a support surface, as a floor, wall, table, carpet, desk, countertop, etc. The present invention contemplates that the playscape tape 110 is made of self-stick tape known (commonly referred to in the tape industry as pressure sensitive tape), since a pressure-sensitive tape is the easiest to use and most appropriate for child play. However, the present invention also contemplates that playscape tape 110 may be water-activated, heat-activated, gummed, or other non-pressure sensitive tape for a given application. The playscape tape 110 may optionally have a backing material or film that must be removed prior to use. Any number of different adhesives can be used so long as they are suitable for the intended applications described herein. For indoor use, for instance, a suitable adhesive is one in which the playscape tape 110 is secured (attached) (preferably uniformly) to the support surface but the playscape tape 110 can be subsequently removed from the support surface by lifting the playscape tape 110 and preferably, no residue is left on the support surface and no marring of the support surface results. For example, suitable adhesives (e.g., similar to adhesives used on masking tape, sticky notes, or painter's tape, etc.) are commercially available from a number of different sources.
The material from which the playscape tape 110 is formed is preferably of a type that permits the playscape tape 110 to be easily segmented as by a tearing action by the user (without the use of a tool, such as scissors). However and alternatively, the playscape tape 110 can be formed of a material that is more robust and requires the use of cutting tool (scissors) to cut the tape 110 to a desired length. Alternatively and as shown in
As described herein, it is intended that other accessories are used in combination with the playscape tape 110. For example, toys, such as vehicles 20 or the like, can be used by a user who can roll the toy vehicle 20 over the playscape tape 110, thereby simulating driving the vehicle 20 along the road(s). Preferably, the road indicia 120 and the vehicle are to scale in that the vehicle can fit within one lane of the road or otherwise be contained within the natural, realistic boundaries contained as part of the indicia 120. For example, 1:64 scale for use with 1:64 toy vehicles and 1:128 scale for toy vehicles half that size. The 1:128 scale roads are reasonably 50 mm wide (2-lane, single dotted line down the center) and the 1:64 scale roads are reasonably 100 mm wide.
Other accessories that can be used as part of the playscape 100 include but are not limited to stickers and three dimensional toy pieces, such as traffic signs, buildings, signs, fences, natural landscape, such as trees, shrubs, etc.
The stickers 200 can be of any size. The size is dependent both on the playscape tape world to which it is relevant (e.g., roads and cars vs. rivers and boats) and on the item the sticker 200 represents. Small stickers can be used to represent a pothole or the like, while larger stickers can represent buildings that line the road.
The following are exemplary play sticker themes:
Intersection and curve examples
Sign examples
The highway 140 of
As mentioned herein, the printed indicia 120 on the upper surface of the tape can vary from different road related indicia to nature related indicia (e.g., water or land). For example, the printed indicia 120 can simulate a dirt road, a metal bridge, a body of water (e.g., river), etc.
Based on the foregoing, exemplary printed indicia 120 include but are not limited to: paved roads, dirt roads, apocalyptic lava road, stream, river, brook/creek, sidewalk, bike path, canal, grass right-of-way, row of trees, airport runway, bridge, tunnel, subway tunnel, train track, jet stream, snowmobile path, hiking path, row of telephone poles, row of houses, row of street lights, fence (any type), snow/ice covered road, racetrack, golf course path, gravel road, cobblestone road, brick road, guardrails, etc. In yet another embodiment, the printed indicia 120 can have a non-transportation theme and in particular, the printed indicia 120 can simulate the following themes and can provide an educational and learning opportunity:
It will also be appreciated that the composition and design of the playscape tape 110 can provide different effects including but not limited to the following: (a) glow-in-the-dark playscape tape for nighttime driving adventures; (b) playscape tape with unique glossy, glittery, sparkly, silvery, camouflage, gold or other cosmetic look that can add perceived value or make it more appropriate to a particular application; (c) playscape tape that has scalloped or otherwise not-straight edges for creative designs; (d) textured playscape tape; (e) blacklight-sensitive playscape tape; (f) blank playscape tape with a writing implement (crayon/marker) friendly surface so that a user can create their own designs on the playscape tape; (f) narrower, thinner playscape tape for use in confined spaces or for constructing smaller scale playscapes; (g) small rolls of playscape tape, both in length and core-size so the user can easily fit it into a pocket for on-the-go play; (h) playscape tape embedded with wire for follow-the-wire vehicles; (i) playscape tape with a contrasting black line imprinted on it for follow-the-line robot vehicles; (j) playscape tape with embedded radio frequency identification (RFID) playscape tapes for triggered events like turning a vehicle or making a sound or initiating a servo motor for a railroad crossing, etc., (k) perforated or small rolls of playscape tape that enable easy dispensing of a pre-defined length of playscape tape—examples include creating a runway, which has a definitive beginning and end but does not fit well on a sticker sheet; (I) playscape tape with length-wise repeating patterns for the development of board games or branded tape for corporate, education, sports team, or use as a promotional item by an affinity group; (m) playscape tape for outdoor play which includes a modified adhesive (stickier) or modified underside to support sidewalks and driveways; and (n) professional playscape tape for the remote control car enthusiast market, etc.
The surface modifying feature 310 can be formed using any number of different materials that impart the uneven surface to the tape 110. For example, a polymeric material can be applied to the base playscape tape (which can be formed of a paper material) to create the uneven surface. The surface modifying feature 310 is preferably integral to the tape 110 in that the feature 310 is not intended to be easily separable from the underlying tape 110.
Now referring to
Alternatively, the opposite can be true in that the toy vehicle can include the transmitter 400 and the playscape tape 110 or other accessory (such as a sign or traffic light sticker 200 as in
In one embodiment, the playscape tape 110 includes a first section 401 that includes at least one of a light source and speaker 403 which is visible or can be heard through the playscape tape 110 when illuminated or when sound is emitted, respectively. The first section 401 of the playscape tape 110 may be formed of a different material relative to surrounding sections of the playscape tape 110 or the first section 401 has different dimensions relative to the surrounds sections to allow the light source to be visible and/or allow the emitted sound to be heard. The light source/speaker 403 is constructed and is of such a type that the playscape 110 can be wound about a tape core.
Any number of different types of signal technology can be employed in the above scheme including but not limited to RFID, conductive sensors, magnetic sensors, etc. In each of these technologies, the reader senses a signal or other type of emission of the transmitter (sensor).
One end of the elongated playscape tape 110 is detachably attached to the core 510 in such a way that the detachment of the elongated playscape tape 110 does not mar the printed surface 520 formed on the outer surface 512.
The tape roll core 510 is hollow as shown in
In
Other playscape tape rolls can offer a blank exterior (i.e., a blank outer surface 512) and a writing implement (e.g., marker or crayon) that can be used with the blank exterior which is both a crayon and marker-friendly surface to allow a child to create his or her own design. The tape roll core 510 and optionally the lid 530 add a third dimension to the playscape 100 and enable the user to build up a collection of reconfigurable buildings for enhancing any playscape, as illustrated in
The tape roll core 510 can have a shape other than a cylinder and in particular, the tape roll core 510 can have a square or rectangle shape. Regardless of the shape, the tape roll cores 510 can be interlocked and stacked and the cover (lid) 530 can be placed on the stacked structure. In this way, the user (child) can create an entire city, with buildings and roads, out of playscape tape 110 and its built-in accessories. The lid 530 can vary in design to simulate any “top” feature, like different roof styles, etc.
The end section of the playscape tape 110 that is wound intimately about the outer surface 512 is preferably attached to the outer surface 512 in such a manner that the removal of this end section from the core roll 510 does not damage and mar the indicia 520 formed on the outer surface 512. For example, the end section of the tape 110 can be attached using an adhesive that does not mar the outer surface 512 when the end section is pulled off of the tape 110.
In another aspect of the present invention, a kit can be provided which includes not only the playscape tape 110 but also other accessories, such as toy vehicles 20, stickers 200, three-dimensional objects, etc. Such a kit also naturally includes the tape roll cores 500 associated with each included roll of playscape tape 110, and optionally associated lids 530. It will be appreciated that different types of playscape tapes 110 (e.g., ones with different play surfaces (e.g., one lane vs. two lanes)) can be part of the kit. This allows the user to customize the playscape, utilizing different road surfaces as part of the playscape. The kit can include playscape tapes that have simulated road surfaces formed thereon and can include playscape tapes that have simulated natural surfaces formed thereon. The natural surfaces can be dirt surfaces, rock surfaces, grass surfaces, etc. A child can thus use the different components of the kit to create a vivid realistic playscape that is easily customizable and dynamic but at the same time does not mar floors, tables, or other support surfaces.
