Patent Application
20110051436
The present invention relates to a drawing device and in particular, to a child's drawing device that includes a housing having a drawing surface and an illumination assembly coupled to the housing and pivotally movable between a storage position and a deployed position.
Various drawing or creativity devices and stations have been proposed for use by children to draw, color, paint or engage in other such activities. Many such devices include a planar surface on which the child can place a sheet of paper or other material, and create images thereon using various media (crayon, pencil, marker, etc.). Magnetic drawing devices including a stylus operably associated with a magnetic drawing surface for creating images thereon are also known, such as for example the magnetic drawing devices sold by Fisher-Price, Inc. under the trademark Doodle Pro®. It is often desirable that a drawing device be portable, so that a child may easily carry the device and use the device at various locations. However, sufficient light must be present to use the device. Attempts to provide portable lights are often inconvenient or unusable with many drawing devices, particularly children's drawing devices.
There is a need for a portable drawing assembly that includes an illumination source, which may be easily moved or repositioned between a storage position and a use position on the drawing assembly.
The present invention relates to a drawing assembly including a housing having a drawing surface and an illumination assembly pivotally connected to the housing and movable between a storage position and a deployed position.
In one embodiment, the present invention relates to drawing assembly including a housing having a first surface including a drawing surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, an illumination casing, and an illumination source disposed within the illumination casing. The illumination casing has a first end pivotally connected proximate to an edge portion of the housing, and is pivotable through an arcuate path of approximately 270°. An illumination source is disposed within the illumination casing and is positionable to provide illumination to the drawing surface.
In one embodiment, the second surface of the housing includes a recess disposed therein. The illumination casing is pivotally movable between a storage position within the recess and a deployed position out of the recess.
In one implementation, the drawing surface is located along a first plane, the illumination casing includes a front face located along a second plane, and the first plane is substantially perpendicular to the second plane when the illumination casing is in its deployed position. In another implementation, the drawing surface is located along a first plane, the illumination casing includes a front face located along a second plane, and the first plane is substantially parallel to the second plane when the illumination casing is in its storage position. In another implementation, the first surface of the housing is located along on a first plane, and the illumination casing is pivotable about an axis that is substantially parallel to the first plane. In another implementation, the second surface of the housing is located along a second plane, and the axis is intermediate the first plane and the second plane.
In one embodiment, the housing also includes a detent mechanism that releasably retains the illumination casing in a selected position along the arcuate path. In another embodiment, the detent mechanism releasably retains the casing in at least one of a storage position or a deployed position.
In one embodiment, the drawing surface is a magnetic drawing surface, and the drawing assembly further includes a drawing implement operably associated with the magnetic drawing surface for creating images thereon.
In one embodiment, the illumination casing is in its storage position is placed within the housing.
In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a drawing assembly including a housing having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, a drawing surface disposed on the first side and a recess disposed in the second side, and the housing including an edge portion. A casing is pivotally connected to the edge portion of the housing and movable between a storage position within the recess and a deployed position. An illumination source is coupled to the casing, and illuminates at least a portion of the drawing surface when the casing is in its deployed position.
In one implementation, the drawing surface is located along on a first plane, and the casing is pivotable about an axis that is substantially parallel to the first plane. In another implementation, the second surface of the housing is located along a second plane, and the axis is intermediate the first plane and the second plane.
In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a magnetic drawing assembly. The magnetic drawing assembly includes a housing having a top surface located along a first plane and an opposite bottom surface located along a second plane, the top surface including a magnetic drawing surface, and the bottom surface including a recess formed therein. A magnetic drawing implement is provided, which is operably associated with the magnetic drawing surface for creating images thereon. An illumination assembly is movably connected to an edge portion of the housing and rotatable about an axis, the axis being intermediate the first plane and the second plane.
In one embodiment, the illumination assembly includes a casing and an illumination source. The casing is pivotally connected to the edge portion of the housing and movable between a storage position within the recess and a use position. The illumination source illuminates at least a portion of the magnetic drawing surface when the casing is in its use position.
In one implementation, the illumination assembly includes a front face located along a fourth plane, and the first plane is substantially perpendicular to the fourth plane when the illumination assembly is in its use position.
In one embodiment, the casing of the magnetic drawing assembly is rotatable relative to the housing through an arcuate path of approximately 270°.
In one embodiment, the housing of the magnetic drawing assembly includes a detent mechanism that releasably retains the illumination assembly in at least a first selected position.
Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elements throughout this disclosure.
It is to be understood that terms such as “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” “height,” “length,” “width,” “upper,” “lower,” “interior,” “exterior,” “inner,” “outer” and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points or portions of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration. Further, terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., merely identify one of a number of portions, components and/or points of reference as disclosed herein, and do not limit the present invention to any particular configuration or orientation.
Referring to
A casing 24 is pivotally connected proximate to the edge portion 18 of the housing 12, and movable between a storage position 23 within the recess 22 (shown in phantom in
An illumination source 30 is coupled to the casing 24, and illuminates at least a portion of the drawing surface 20 when the casing 24 is in its deployed position 25. By way of example, the illumination source 30 may comprise one or more light-emitting elements including, but not limited to, light emitting diodes (LEDs) and/or grain of wheat bulbs (GOWs). In this embodiment, the illumination source 30 is disposed within the casing 24, recessed from or coplanar with a front face 32 of the casing 24 in order to minimize unintended contact with or damage to the illumination source 30. For example, a depression 34 may extend into the front face 32 of the casing, and the illumination source 30 may be disposed within the depression 34. In some embodiments, the depression 34 may have a generally conical configuration for enhanced light dispersion. The depression 34 and/or the illumination source 30 are proximate to the second end portion 28 of the casing 24 in order to further maximize light dispersion. The illumination source 30 may be selectively positioned by pivoting the casing 24 to provide illumination to the drawing surface 20.
Referring to
Referring to
The casing 24 may include a first pivot post 52 extending outwardly from a first side 54 thereof and proximate the first end portion 26. Casing 24 may include a second pivot post 56 extending outwardly from a second side 58 thereof and proximate the first end portion 26. The first pivot post 52 is rotatably received in the first opening 44 and is retained within the first cavity 48, and the second pivot post 56 is rotatably received in the second opening 46 and is retained within the second cavity 50. The first pivot post 52 may be rotatably connected to and supported by a first bracket 60 disposed within the first cavity 48, and the second pivot post 56 may be rotatably connected to and supported by a second bracket 62 disposed within the second cavity 50, as shown in phantom in
Referring again to
Referring to
The housing 200 includes a top surface 202, an opposite bottom surface 204, and an edge portion 206 extending between and interconnecting the top surface 202 and the bottom surface 204. The edge portion 206 may include an upper edge portion 206a, a lower edge portion 206b, a left edge portion 206c, and a right edge portion 206d. One or more of the edge portions 206a-206d may be spaced from a periphery 208 of the top surface 202 to define a gap 210 therebetween. For example, as shown in
The housing 200 may have a generally rectangular configuration, as depicted in the figures. However, the illustrated configuration is exemplary only. Accordingly, the housing 200 may have other configurations, e.g. circular, oval, square, triangular, etc. in other embodiments.
The bottom surface 204 of the housing 200 includes a recess 212 formed therein, which is configured to receive the illumination assembly 300 when it is in a storage position, discussed in further detail below. In its storage position, the illumination assembly 300 is located within the housing 200. The recess 212 may be defined by a wall 213 extending upwardly from a recessed portion 215. An upper edge of the wall 213 is coplanar with the bottom surface 204 in this embodiment.
The top surface 202 defines or includes a drawing surface. In one embodiment, the top surface 202 includes a magnetic drawing surface 214. A magnetic drawing implement 216 is provided, which is operably associated with the magnetic drawing surface 214 for creating images thereon. An exemplary magnetic drawing surface 214 is similar to that sold by Fisher-Price, Inc. under the trademark Doodle Pro®. Generally, the magnetic drawing surface 214 includes a dispersing fluid loaded with magnetic particles and contained between two opposed transparent or translucent sheets and compartmentalized in a hexagonal grid. The magnetic drawing implement 216 includes a magnetized tip. When the magnetized tip of the magnetic drawing implement 216 is applied to the magnetic drawing surface 214, the magnetic particles are pulled to the front of the magnetic drawing surface 214 to create a visual image thereon. The magnetic drawing surface 214 may then be “erased” by passing a magnet disposed within the housing across the rear of the magnetic drawing surface 214, thereby pulling the magnetic particles away from the front of the magnetic drawing surface 214. An eraser handle 218 configured to be grasped by the user is coupled to the erasing magnet, and slidable along a slot extending along the edge portion 206, such as the lower edge portion 206b, thereby “erasing” any visual images created on the front of the magnetic drawing surface 214.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring again to
Similar to drawing assembly 10, the drawing surface 214 of drawing assembly 100 may be located on a first plane P1 and the bottom surface 204 may be located on a second plane P2, with the illumination assembly 300 rotatable about an axis of rotation R, as illustrated in
Referring again to
Further, the illumination source 308 and drawing surface 214 may be coupled to a control circuit. The control circuit causes the illumination source 308 to be inactivated after a predetermined period of time. Any conventional control circuit may be used.
Referring to
In one embodiment, the detent mechanism 250 includes a resilient spring member 252 that has a protrusion 254 biased outwardly into an internal cavity 228 defined by the upper edge portion 206a and proximate to the cutout portion 224. One or more notches may be disposed in the corresponding pivot post 52 and/or 56. For example, as shown in
In order to move the casing 302 out of either its use position or its storage position, sufficient pivotal force is applied to the case 302 to dislodge the protrusion 254 from the corresponding notch 316a or 316b, thereby compressing the resilient spring member 252. The spring force of the resilient member 252 should be sufficiently strong to maintain the casing 302 in the selected position (e.g. the use position or the storage position) such that the casing 302 will not easily pivot out of the selected position due to the forces of gravity or a force applied by a user or an object. However, a small child should be able to easily overcome the spring force of the resilient member 252 and dislodge the protrusion 254 from the corresponding notch 316a or 316b when pivotal movement of the casing 302 is desired.
The drawing assembly 100 (or 10) may include either one detent mechanism 250 disposed within the housing and adjacent one end of the cutout portion 224 (or 36). Alternatively, a first detent mechanism 250 may be provided on one end of the cutout portion 224 (or 36) and operable with the first pivot post 52, and a second identically configured detent mechanism 250 may be provided on the opposite end of the cutout portion 224 (or 36) and operable with the second pivot post 56.
It should be understood that the specific arrangement and configuration of the detent mechanism may vary. For example, the arrangement of the protrusion 254 and notch 316a and/or 316b may be reversed. In that implementation, the pivot post 52 and/or 56 includes one or more resilient protrusions that engage a notched member provided within the corresponding internal cavity within the edge portion 18, 206. Thus, other configurations of a detent mechanism for releasably retaining the casing 302 in one or more selected positions are possible, as would be readily understood by one skilled in the art.
Although the disclosed inventions are illustrated and described herein as embodied in one or more specific examples, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the inventions and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. In addition, various features from one of the embodiments may be incorporated into another of the embodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the following claims.
