BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a child playing with the reconfigurable role play set in accordance with the present invention configured in the collapsed configuration.
FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a child playing with the reconfigurable role play set of FIG. 1 configured in the extended configuration.
FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a parent reconfiguring the role play set in accordance with the present invention from the collapsed configuration of FIG. 1 to the extended configuration of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the role play set of FIG. 3 in the extended configuration with a lower facade being locked into a vertical use position.
FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the role play set of FIG. 4 being reconfigured from the extended configuration of FIG. 2 to the collapsed configuration of FIG. 1 by releasing and repositioning a lower facade into a horizontal non-use position.
FIG. 6 illustrates the role play set of FIG. 5 being reconfigured from the extended configuration of FIG. 2 to the collapsed configuration of FIG. 1 and showing arrows representing the direction of compression of the latch mechanism(s) and the direction of cabinet compression.
FIG. 7 illustrates a close-up perspective view of the latch mechanism of FIG. 4 showing the ends of the outwardly-biased slide members received in the lock-receiving openings to secure the upper cabinet portion relative to the lower cabinet portion.
FIG. 8 illustrates a close-up perspective view of the latch mechanism of FIG. 4 showing the ends of the outwardly-biased slide members compressed and retracted from the lock-receiving openings in order to allow for the sliding of the upper cabinet portion relative to the lower cabinet portion toward the collapsed configuration.
FIG. 9 illustrates a close-up perspective view of the latch mechanism of FIG. 4 showing the ends of the outwardly-biased slide members compressed and retracted from the lock-receiving openings and the slide members moved out of alignment with the lock-receiving openings as the role play set is moved toward the collapsed configuration.
FIG. 10 illustrates an electronic schematic of the reconfigurable role play set of FIG. 1.
Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elements throughout this disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a role play set 100 stylized as a real-life kitchen is disclosed. The role play set 100 includes a cabinet 158 that is telescopically reconfigurable between a collapsed configuration and an extended configuration. FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a child playing with the reconfigurable role play set 100 in accordance with the present invention, with the role play set 100 configured in the collapsed configuration. The role play set 100 may includes a play surface 110. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the play surface 110 is stylized as a kitchen countertop. The play surface 110 may be utilized in both the lower configuration (shown—the collapsed configuration) and a higher configuration (the extended configuration). A spring-biased latch mechanism (discussed in detail below) may be utilized to secure the role play set 100 in the extended configuration.
Specifically, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a younger child 105 playing with the reconfigurable child role play set 100 of the present invention configured in the collapsed configuration. In FIG. 1, the activity play set 100 includes a base 170, a cabinet 158, and a play surface 110. The cabinet 158 includes an upper cabinet portion (including an upper facade 155 including a microwave 157 and an oven 159) telescopically collapsed into a lower cabinet portion 160. The parts of the telescopic cabinet 158 will be described in more detail in the discussion of FIG. 2 below.
FIG. 1 also shows the play surface 110 including a number of role play accessories. Some of the role play accessories include a sink 120, a cook top 150, and a motorized blender base 125 (see FIG. 4). Included in the role play accessories are a cordless phone 140A, a blender 140B, and various cooking utensils including a pot 140C. The play surface 110 further includes a cantilevered counter portion 115 and an elevated shelf 130.
FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an older child 205 playing with the reconfigurable role play set 100 of FIG. 1, with the role play set 100 configured in the extended configuration. FIG. 2 shows the upper cabinet portion 255 and the lower cabinet portion 160. FIG. 2 also shows a lower facade 185 including a refrigerator 262 and a dishwasher 264. The lower facade 185 pivots as a part of the reconfiguration of the role play set 100. The operation of the lower facade 185 will be discussed in more detail below. In the extended configuration of FIG. 2, an older (e.g., preschool) child 205 can comfortably role play on the higher play surface 110, while in the collapsed configuration of FIG. 1 the younger (e.g., toddler) child 105 is more comfortable playing on the lowered play surface 110.
FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a parent 310 reconfiguring the role play set 100 from the collapsed configuration of FIG. 1 to the extended configuration of FIG. 2. FIG. 3 also shows parent 310 raising the upper cabinet portion 255 relative to the lower cabinet portion 160. Since the play surface 110 is fixed to the upper cabinet portion 255, the parent 310 can raise the upper cabinet member 255 relative to the lower cabinet member 160 by grasping (with his hands 318A and 318B) and raising the play surface 110. Arrows 320A and 320B indicate the direction of movement of the upper cabinet portion 255. To ensure relative movement between the upper cabinet portion 255 and the lower cabinet portion 160 against friction there between, the parent 310 may press down on the base 170 while lifting the upper cabinet member 255. FIG. 3 shows foot 315 of the parent 310 pressing on base 170 which is fixed to lower cabinet member 160. Additionally, arrows 312A and 312B indicate the direction of urging of the parent's foot 315.
Furthermore, when the upper cabinet portion 255 is raised to its final, extended, position relative to the lower cabinet portion 160, a pair of opposite, outwardly-biased latch mechanisms 350 snap into place to secure the role play set 100 into its extended position. The friction of the latch mechanisms 350 will be described in greater detail below. FIG. 3 also shows the lower facade 185 (including refrigerator 262 and dishwasher 264) horizontally oriented in a non-use position within the lower cabinet portion 160. After the upper cabinet portion 255 is locked into its final, extended, position by the latch mechanisms 350, the lower facade 185 will be movable into a vertical, use orientation. Reorientation of the lower facade 185 into a vertical position (including the use of lock mechanism 360) will also be discussed in greater detail below.
The horizontal position of the lower facade 185 shown in FIG. 3 leads to an open storage space 330 in the lower cabinet portion 160 in which various accessory items can be stored. This partially collapsed configuration of FIG. 3 illustrates that both the upper cabinet portion 255 and the lower cabinet portion 160 include storage space behind their respective facades 155, 185. In the extended configuration, the microwave door 157 and the oven door 159 of the upper facade 155 each open upon a hinge. The open doors 157, 159 lead to the storage space within the upper cabinet portion 255. Similarly, in the extended configuration, the refrigerator door 262 and the dishwasher door 264 of the lower facade 185 each open upon a hinge. The open doors 262 and 264 of the lower facade 185 lead to the storage space 330 in the lower cabinet portion 160. In addition, a lower portion of the interior of the upper cabinet member 255 includes a shelf (not shown) on which accessory items may rest when placed in either of the microwave door 157 or the oven door 159. Correspondingly, a lower portion of the interior of the lower cabinet member 160 includes a shelf 340 on which accessory items may rest when placed in either of refrigerator door 262 or dishwasher door 264.
In its horizontal arrangement, the lower facade 185 is positioned out of the path of travel of the upper facade 155 of the telescoping upper cabinet member 255 so that when the role play set 100 is being moved into its collapsed configuration, the interior storage space 330 in the lower cabinet member 160 will not be obstructed by the lower facade 185. Furthermore, the upper facade 155 and lower facade 185 each include openable doors, so that in both the collapsed and the extended configurations, the doors provide unobstructed access to the interior storage space 330.
FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the role play set 100 of FIG. 3 in the extended configuration with the lower facade 185 being moved towards a locked position. As discussed above, the repositioning of the upper facade 155 to the extended position of FIG. 2 vacates a space to allow the lower facade 185 to be pivoted by a hinge (not shown) from the horizontal non-use orientation of FIG. 3 to the vertical, use orientation. The lower facade 185 is locked into the vertical, use position by a lock mechanism 360. The lock mechanism 360 captures a lock bar 420 extending from the upper edge of the lower facade 185 opposite the hinge (not shown). The lock mechanism 360 includes a finger actuator 362. The finger actuator 362 is connected to and raises and lowers a spring-loaded lock member 430 having an inclined face 440. The operation of the finger actuator 362 will be described in greater detail below.
When the lower facade 185 is pivoted into its vertical, use position, the lock bar 420 contacts the inclined face 440 of the spring-loaded lock member 430. Arrow 410 indicates the direction of pivoting of the lower facade 185 from the horizontal, non-use position of FIG. 3 toward the use position of FIG. 2. As the lower facade 185 is pulled/pivoted to its final vertical position, the lock bar 420 contacts the inclined face 440. Lock bar 420 urges the spring-loaded lock member 430 upward as it slides along the inclined face 440 to overcome a bias force of the spring-loaded lock member 430. Once the the lock bar 420 passes the end of the spring-loaded lock member 430, the spring forces the lock member 430 downward to capture the lock bar 420 in place. The capturing of the lock bar 420 in place by the spring-loaded lock member 430 represents the final step necessary in the reconfiguration of the role play set 100 to the completely extended configuration of FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the role play set 100 of FIG. 4 being reconfigured back into the collapsed configuration by first releasing the lock mechanism 360 and then repositioning the lower facade 185. To release the lock mechanism 360, a parent pushes the finger actuator 362 upward against a spring force to raise the spring-loaded lock member 430. The upward repositioning of the spring-loaded lock member 430 moves the spring-loaded lock member 430 out of the travel path of the lock bar 420. The lock bar 420 along with the lower facade 185 can now be freely pivoted into their horizontal, non-use position. Arrow 510 indicates the direction of movement of the lower facade 185. Furthermore, arrows 520A and 520B indicate the direction of urging of the finger actuators 362 to accomplish the release of the lower facade 185.
In its horizontal, non-use position, the lower facade 185 is positioned out of the path of travel of the upper facade 155 so that when the role play set 100 is being moved into its collapsed configuration, an interior storage space 330 in the lower cabinet portion 160 can be accessed without obstruction by the lower facade 185. Furthermore, the upper facade 155 and lower facade 185 each including openable doors (157, 159, 262, 264), so that in both the collapsed and the extended configurations, the doors (157, 159, 262, 264) provide unobstructed access to the interior storage spaces within the upper and lower cabinet portions (255, 160).
FIG. 6 illustrates the role play set 100 of FIG. 5 being reconfigured to the collapsed configuration by compressing the latch mechanism 350 to release the upper cabinet portion 255 for telescopic movement relative to the lower cabinet portion 160. Arrow 720 shows the direction of urging of the upper cabinet member 255 and shows the upper cabinet member 255 partially collapsed into the lower cabinet member 160. In addition, arrows 710A and 710B indicate the necessary direction of urging of the latch mechanisms 350 for releasing the upper cabinet member 255 for movement with respect to the lower cabinet member 160. The structure of the latch mechanisms 350 will be discussed in greater detail below. When the upper cabinet member 255 is collapsed as far as possible, the role play set 100 is again in the completely collapsed configuration shown in FIG. 1.
The latch mechanisms 350 will now be discussed in greater detail. Specifically, the process of operating either of the latch mechanisms 350 will be described from the stages beginning when the role play set 100 is locked into the extended configuration (of FIG. 2) to the stage of releasing the latch mechanism 350 for free sliding movement between the upper cabinet portion 255 and the lower cabinet portion 160. FIG. 7 illustrates a close-up perspective view of the inner side of the latch member 350 of FIG. 6 (from within the interior of the upper cabinet portion 255 and the lower cabinet portion 160) showing outwardly-biased slide members 810, 815 each having slide member ends 818, 820 received in lock-receiving wall openings 835, 840 of the upper cabinet portion 255 to prevent the relative telescopic movement between the upper cabinet portion 255 and the lower cabinet portion 160. The latch mechanism 350 is shown fixed to the lower cabinet portion 160 with the upper cabinet portion 255 sliding with respect thereto.
To release the latch mechanism 350 and permit the upper cabinet portion 255 to slide relative to the lower cabinet portion 160, the slide members 810, 815 are compressed inward (against the force of biasing members (springs) 825, 830) by squeezing finger grip portions on the outside of the lower cabinet portion 160 to retract the slide member ends 818, 820 from the lock-receiving wall openings 835, 840 in the slide walls 860, 865 of the upper cabinet portion 255.
FIG. 8 illustrates a close-up perspective view of the latch mechanism 350 of FIG. 7 showing the slider ends 818, 820 compressed and retracted from the lock-receiving wall openings 835, 840 in order to allow the sliding of the upper cabinet portion 255 relative to the lower cabinet portion 160 toward the collapsed configuration. The upper cabinet portion 255 can then be slid downward into the lower, collapsed configuration. As the upper cabinet portion 255 and lower cabinet portion 160 slide relative to each other, slide member ends 818, 820 respectively are misaligned from lock-receiving wall openings 835, 840 and contact and slide along slide walls 860, 865 of the upper cabinet portion 255.
FIG. 9 illustrates a close-up perspective view of the latch member of FIG. 7 showing the slider ends 818, 820 compressed (against the force of biasing members 825, 830) and retracted from the lock-receiving wall openings 835, 840 and the latch mechanism 350 slid out of alignment with the wall openings 835, 840 toward the collapsed configuration (with the upper cabinet portion 255 being slid downward as illustrated by arrow D).
FIG. 10 illustrates an electronic schematic of the reconfigurable role play set 100 of FIG. 1. As illustrated, the electronics unit 1000 of the reconfigurable role play set 100 in accordance with the present invention includes a number of switch inputs 1010, 1020, 1030, 1040, a central electronic controller 1090 and several output devices 1050, 1060. Specifically, the reconfigurable role play set 100 includes an electronic controller 1090 that receives external input and responds by producing sensory stimulating output (e.g., sounds, motor control, lights, etc.). For example the cook top 150 includes individual burners for supporting pots 140C. For example, cook top burners include corresponding appliance control knobs associated with switches 1030, 1040. When the control knobs (and thus switches 1030, 1040) are actuated, realistic sounds (e.g., frying sounds, boiling sounds, oven timer and alarm, etc.) are generated through speaker 1050. In addition, a blender base 125 receives blender 140B and a child operated control switch 1020 energizes the motor 1060 in the blender base 125 to rotate a portion of the blender 140B relative to the play surface 110. The play surface 110 may also include a compartment 127 (best shown in FIG. 4) therein for housing a power source 180 (batteries) for powering the electric/electronic features of the role play set 100.
Furthermore, the role play set 100 includes a power switch 1070 and an operational mode switch 1010 that sends a signal to the electronic controller 1000 to generate a first (toddler) output in one configuration of the role play set 100 and to generate a second, different (preschool) output in a second configuration of the role play set 100. Specifically, the electronic controller 1090 generates a first set of sensory outputs when the mode switch 1010 is in a first position and generates a second, different set of outputs when mode switch 1010 is in a second position. The mode switch 1010 is directly linked to the position of the upper cabinet portion 255. Thus, in the first position when the role play set 100 is configured in the collapsed configuration (with the upper cabinet portion 255 in the position shown in FIG. 1), toddler-type sensory output is generated by the electronic controller 1090. When the role play set 100 is configured in the extended configuration (with the upper cabinet portion 255 in the position shown in FIG. 2), older age, preschool-type sensory output is generated by the electronic controller 1090.
Actuation of the electronic controller 1090 into plural modes enables the role play set 100 to generate one set of sensory output appropriate for a younger toddler and a second set of output appropriate for an older preschooler. In other words, in the collapsed configuration of the role play set 100 (more appropriate for a younger child), the electronic controller 1090 generates sensory output appropriate for the younger child. However, using the same input controls (e.g., stove top burner controls, blender actuation button, etc.) in the extended configuration of the role play set 100 (more appropriate for an older child), the electronic controller 1090 generates sensory output (e.g., blender agitation and sounds, burner sounds, etc.) appropriate for the older child.
While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. For example, while the play environment of the illustrated role play set 100 is a kitchen, any other real-life environment can be substituted (e.g., a beauty station, bathroom, dashboard, workbench, cockpit, DJ turntable, multimedia booth, etc.). By further example, the latch mechanism 350 need not be fixed to the lower cabinet portion 160. The latch mechanism 350 could just as easily be reversed to be fixed to the upper cabinet portion 255 and slidably engage the lower cabinet portion 160.
Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention that come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. For example, 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 of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration.
Patent Application
20080096463
