Patent Grant
6964593
Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
1.Technical Field
This invention relates to a child's toy and, more particularly, to a toy that simulates the splitting of a log stump and teaches a child mathematic computations.
2. Prior Art
In customary toys for children, so-called block toys or puzzle games are popular. Such toys are characterized by constructions wherein the blocks have fixed shapes. In other block type toys, articles or structures and the like are constructed and constituted by arranging in a row. Block type toys having previously constructed and constituted articles or structures which were designed to be divided by hand have also been developed.
However, upon reaching adulthood, the previous block type toys provided no real log splitting training or experience. A serious situation can arise wherein an adult cannot master the use of an axe or cannot skillfully use other types of chopping utensils because they have no prior experience as a child. In spite of the fact that an edged tool can be a safe article when properly used, the fact that children are usually kept away or are prohibited from using an edged tool because of a preconception that the edged tool is dangerous simply is a cause for this situation. During operation of this toy, a child's physical abilities are enhanced through actions very similar to those utilized by a person actually splitting a log.
Accordingly, a need remains for a toy that simulates the splitting of a log and teaches children how to operate wood splitting tools safely while improving eye-hand coordination.
In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an educational toy apparatus for splitting wood. These and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are provided by a children's toy for simulating log cutting and including a log section having a centrally disposed longitudinal axis and comprising a plurality of detachable log portions radially juxtaposed about the axis. The plurality of log portions preferably have unique shapes for defining altering portions of the log section. For example, each log portion may define a percentage of a pie wherein the combined log portions equate to 100%. Of course, such percentages may be listed as fractions or decimals.
Each of the plurality of log portions has oppositely engageable sidewalls and cumulatively define a top surface of the log section. The top surface further has a plurality of notches for defining a striking area medially of the plurality of log portions respectively. Each notch is radially spaced from the axis and is disposed generally above the locking mechanism respectively. Of course, such notches may been formed in varying sizes and shapes for assisting children of different skill levels to split the log section.
The assembly further includes a wedge having a substantially pie shape and a lower surface positionable onto the striking area and a wood-splitting maul including a head having a selected surface area for assisting a child to repeatedly contact the wedge and thereby cause select ones of the plurality of log portions to become separated from the log section. The wood-splitting maul preferably includes a long handle with both a flat and a wedge shaped striking surface so that a child may split the log section with or without employing the wedge, for example. The assembly further includes a mechanism for locking the plurality of log portions respectively. The locking mechanism is integral with the plurality of log portions and has a line of weakness defined along the plurality of sidewalls respectively.
The locking mechanism preferably includes a plurality of male portions extending outwardly from select ones of the plurality of sidewalls respectively and a plurality of female portions formed within adjacent ones of the plurality of sidewalls. Advantageously, the plurality of male and female portions are removably engageable when the plurality of sidewalls are positioned adjacent the axis. In one embodiment, the plurality of male and female portions have corresponding shapes for interlocking to each other respectively. In an alternate embodiment, each of the plurality of corresponding male and female portions have a unique shape so that a user must match pairs of the unique shapes to rebuild the log section. By splitting the log portions are reassembling same, a child will learn how to match associated shapes and count with fractions, for example.
The novel features believed to be characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiment set forth herein. Rather, this embodiment is provided so that this application will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the true scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the figures.
The apparatus of this invention is referred to generally in
Initially referring to
The assembly further includes a wedge 25 having a substantially pie shape and a lower surface 26 positionable onto the striking area and a wood-splitting maul 27 including a head 28 having a selected surface area for assisting a child to repeatedly contact the wedge 25 and thereby cause select ones of the plurality of log portions 21 to become separated from the log section 20. The wedge 25 and wood-splitting maul 27 assist a child in learning how to use wood splitting tools so that when they reach adulthood they will be able to use real tools safely. A conventional maul 27 may be employed wherein a handle is provided with a flat and wedge shaped striking head for assisting a child to split the log section 20 with or without wedge 25.
Now referring to
Referring back to
Referring back to
While the invention has been described with respect to a certain specific embodiment, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended, therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
In particular, with respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the present invention may include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation. The assembly and use of the present invention are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art.
Not Applicable.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2955381 | Joslyn | Oct 1960 | A |
| 4755141 | Nakai | Jul 1988 | A |
| 4834687 | Elam | May 1989 | A |
