GIFT BOX PLAYSET

Abstract

Described, is a gift box shaped container that opens to operate as a playset. The gift box shaped container includes a hack panel, two side panels, a front panel, a bottom panel, and a top panel serving as a lid. The lid is hingedly connected with the back panel and includes a decorative ribbon thereon. The front panel is hingedly connected with the bottom panel. Further, a latching mechanism connected with the lid and is operable for locking against the front panel. The latching mechanism includes a pull cord ribbon extending therefrom, with the pull cord ribbon connected with the latching mechanism such that pulling on the pull cord ribbon actuates the latching mechanism to cause the lid to detach from the front panel, thereby allowing a user to lift the lid and lower the front panel to convert the gift box shaped container into a playset.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of invention

The present invention relates to gift boxes and, more particularly, to a gift box shaped container that opens to operate as a playset.

(2) Description of Related Art

Playsets have long been known in the art and are often used to provide a setting upon which a child or user can play with other item, such as animals, cars, etc. Further, containers come in a variety of shapes and forms; however, nothing heretofore devised has provided a gift box shaped playset.

Thus, a continuing need exists for a gift box shaped playset.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to gift boxes and, more particularly, to a gift box shaped container that opens to operate as a playset. The gift box shaped container includes a back panel, two side panels, a front panel, a bottom panel, and a top panel serving as a lid. The lid is hingedly connected with the back panel and includes a decorative ribbon thereon. The front panel is hingedly connected with the bottom panel. Further, a latching mechanism connected with the lid and is operable for locking against the front panel. The latching mechanism includes a pull cord ribbon extending therefrom, with the pull cord ribbon connected with the latching mechanism such that pulling on the pull cord ribbon actuates the latching mechanism to cause the lid to detach from the front panel, thereby allowing a user to lift the lid and lower the front panel to convert the gift box shaped container into a playset.

In another aspect, the pull cord ribbon is dispersed alongside the decorative ribbon.

In yet another aspect, the front panel includes at least one in protruding therefrom and the latching mechanism includes a biased latch that is operable for clasping, against the pin and locking the front panel against the lid.

Additionally, at least one side wall is hingedly connected with the bottom panel.

Further, the at least one side wall is formed to simulate a dance floor and includes a light thereon and a translucent top surface to allow light to pass therethrough.

Finally, as can be appreciated by one in the art, the present invention also comprises a method for forming and using the invention described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed descriptions of the various aspects of the invention in conjunction with reference to the following drawings, where:

FIG. 1 is an illustration depicting a gift box playset according to various embodiments of the present invention, illustrating both a closed configuration, in which the gift box playset appears to be a gift box with ribbons, and an open configuration, in which the gift box playset is opened out to display a playset therein;

FIG. 2 is an illustration depicting the gift box playset in the closed configuration, in which the gift box playset appears to be a gift box with ribbons;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of the gift box playset in the closed configuration, depicting a user pulling on one of the ribbons to actuate a latching mechanism to open the playset;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the gift box playset in the open configuration, depicting a close-up view of a latching mechanism; and

FIG. 5 is an illustration of the gift box playset, depicting a front wall of the gift box being folded down into the open configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to gift boxes and more particularly, to a gift box shaped container that opens to operate as a playset. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and to incorporate it in the context of particular applications. Various modifications, as well as a variety of uses in different applications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to a wide range of embodiments. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments presented, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without necessarily being limited to these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with this specification and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. All the features disclosed in this specification, (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is only one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

Furthermore, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Section 112, Paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of” or “act of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6.

Please note, if used, the labels left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise and counter clockwise have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions between various portions of an object.

(1) Description

The present invention relates to gift boxes and, more particularly, to a gift box shaped container that opens to operate as a playset. As shown in FIG. 1, the gift box playset 100 is convertible between a closed configuration 102, in which the gift box playset 100 appears to be a gift box with ribbons, and an open configuration 104, in which the gift box playset 100 is opened out to display a playset 106 therein. The gift box playset 100 can be formed in any suitable manner that allows for conversion between open 104 and closed 102 configurations. In other words and as can be appreciated, there are a number of w ways by which the gift box playset 100 can be opened to reveal a playset 106. As a non-limiting example, the playset 100 includes a bottom panel 110 with a hingedly connected (e.g., via a living or mechanical hinge) front panel 112. A left side panel 114 is also hingedly connected with the bottom panel 110. In various embodiments, the back panel 116 and right side panel 118 are fixedly connected with each other and the bottom panel 110, thereby forming a stable backstop and right side wall to the playset 106. A top panel 120 is hingedly connected with the back panel 116. It should also be understood that the back panel 116 and/or right side panel 118 can be hingedly connected with the bottom panel 110 in other embodiments. In either embodiment, the front panel 112 can be folded down (as shown) to expose the playset 106 within. The playset itself 106 is any suitable toy, device, or playset shape or item that can be used with other toys and other items. As a non-limiting example, the playset 106 is a table with balloons, chairs, and an illuminated dance floor (formed by the left side panel 114). The various components can be formed of any suitable material, a non-limiting example of which includes plastic.

Importantly and as shown in FIG. 2, the gift box playset 100, when in the closed configuration 102, appears to be a gift box 200 with decorative ribbons 202 affixed with at least the top panel 120. This particular configuration provides the sensation or emotions to a child that a surprise present is inside and that a gift box needs to be opened.

In order to open the gift box playset 100 and as shown in FIG. 3, a user pulls on one of the ribbons to actuate a latching mechanism. Specifically, one of the ribbons is a pull cord ribbon 300 that is operably connected with a latching mechanism. While the other ribbons 202 are decorative and flow freely around the pull cord ribbon 300, the pull cord ribbon 300 provides a distinct function and is not encumbered by the other ribbons 202. For example, while the other ribbons 202 are glued or otherwise adhered to the top panel 120, the pull cord ribbon 300 is connected with the latching mechanism as described in further detail below. Further, the pull cord ribbon 300 is dispersed or otherwise alongside and protrudes from the decorative ribbons 202 to appear as if it is just a part of the decorative ribbon and conceal its purpose as a pull cord to the latching mechanism.

FIG. 4 illustrates the pull cord ribbon 300 as rolled up and out of the way for illustrative purposes. The latching mechanism 400 is any suitable mechanism or device that can be actuated by pulling on the pull cord ribbon 300 to release another component. As a non-limiting example, the latching mechanism 400 can be a biased (e.g., spring loaded) latch (or other mechanism) that clamps (or holds) around the pins or clasps (shown in FIG. 5). In this example, the pull cord ribbon 300 is connected with the biased latch such that pulling on the pull cord ribbon 300 causes the biased latch to retract from or otherwise release the pins.

As shown in FIG. 5, the pins 500 protrude from a front panel 112 of the gift box playset 100. The top panel 120 includes the latching mechanism 400. In some embodiments, the latching mechanism 400 includes holes 502 (or other receptors) for receiving the pins 500. When the pins 500 are within the holes, the biased latch clasps or otherwise engages with the pins 500 to affix the front panel 112 against the top panel 120 and, thereby close the gift box playset 100.

Alternatively, by pulling on the pull cord ribbon 300, the biased latch is withdrawn from the pins 500, thereby allowing a user to fold out the front panel 112. For example, FIG. 5 depicts the front panel 112 of the gift box being folded down into the open configuration. Thus, it should be noted that at least the lid (top panel 120) is hingedly connected with the back panel 116 and the front panel 112 is hingedly connected with the floor (bottom panel 110). Thus, when the front panel 112 is folded up, the lid (top panel 120) can be locked against the front) panel 112 using the latching mechanism to hold the gift box in the closed configuration. Alternatively, the lid (top panel 120) of the gift box can be folded up and back into the open configuration, with the front panel 112 being folded down, to expose the playset 106 therein.

It should be noted that the various panels and components of the gift box playact 100 can be formed in any desires shape or otherwise decorated in any suitable manner to be coordinated with the theme of the particular playset 106. As a non-limiting example, the left side panel 114 (or any other panel) can be formed as an elevated box dance floor. Thus, in this embodiment, the left side panel 114 includes lights (e.g., L.E.D.s) and a power source (e.g., battery), and the relevant switching and wires as are necessary to allow a user to selectively illuminate the lights. Further, in some embodiments, a top surface 130 of the dance floor is formed of a translucent plastic so that light passes therethrough to simulate a lighted dancefloor. As can be appreciated, a gift box provides excitement to the consumer as it appears as a real present, while when opened, the girt box converts to a play set.

Finally, while this invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the invention may have other applications in other environments. It should be noted that many embodiments and implementations are possible. Further, the following claims are in no way intended to limit the scope of the present invention to the specific embodiments described above. In addition, any recitation of “means for” is intended to evoke a means-plus-function reading of an element and a claim, whereas, any elements that do not specifically use the recitation “means for”, are not intended to be read as means-plus-function elements, even if the claim otherwise includes the word “means”. Further, while particular method steps have been recited in a particular order, the method steps may occur in any desired order and fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A gift box playset, comprising: a gift or shaped container, the gift box shaped container having a back panel, two side panels, a front panel, a bottom panel, and a top panel serving as a lid;wherein the lid is hingedly connected with the back panel and includes a decorative ribbon thereon;wherein the front panel is hingedly connected with the bottom panel; anda latching mechanism connected with the lid and being operable for locking against the front panel, the latching mechanism having a pull cord ribbon extending therefrom, with the pull cord ribbon connected with the latching mechanism such that pulling on the pull cord ribbon actuates the latching mechanism to cause the lid to detach from the front panel, thereby allowing a user to lift the lid and lower the front panel to convert the gift box shaped container into a playset.

2. The gift box playset as set forth in claim 1, wherein the pull cord ribbon is dispersed alongside the decorative ribbon.

3. The gift box playset as set forth in claim 2, wherein the front panel includes at least one pin protruding therefrom and the latching mechanism includes a biased latch that is operable for clasping against the pin and locking the front panel against the lid.

4. The gift box playset as set forth in claim 3, wherein at least one side wall is hingedly connected with the bottom panel.

5. The gift box playset as set forth in claim 4, wherein the at least one side wall is formed to simulate a dance floor and includes a light thereon and a translucent top surface to allow light to pass therethrough.

6. The gift box playset as set forth in claim 1, wherein the front panel includes at least one pin protruding therefrom and the latching mechanism includes a biased latch that is operable for clasping against the pin and locking the front panel against the lid.

7. The gift box playset as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one side wall is hingedly connected with the bottom panel.

8. The gift box playset as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one side wall is formed to simulate a dance floor and includes a light thereon and a translucent top surface to allow light to pass therethrough.