Patent Application
20190070490
This invention relates to toys, and more particularly, relates to toy pieces for use in a stacking game.
Stacking games can include multiple toy pieces that can be assembled to create a random toy structure. In some stacking games, toy pieces can be removed from a toy structure and/or placed on top of one another until the toy structure or a section of the toy structure collapses due to, for example, an imbalance in weight in the toy structure.
In certain embodiments, a toy piece is disclosed. The toy piece includes a body having a first arm and a second arm. The body is movable from a disengaged state to an engaged state. The first arm has a first engagement structure and the second arm has a second engagement structure. The second arm is disposed relative to the first arm so that the first engagement structure is spaced apart from the second engagement structure when the body is in the disengaged state. The first engagement structure is configured to be releasably secured to the second engagement structure when the body is in the engaged state.
In certain embodiments, a toy system is disclosed. The toy system includes a plurality of toy pieces. Each toy piece includes a body having a first arm and a second arm. The toy piece is movable from a disengaged state to an engaged state. The first arm has a first engagement structure and the second arm has a second engagement structure. The first arm and the second arm are configured to move relative to one another to transition the toy piece between the disengaged state and the engaged state. The toy system further includes a playing surface.
The features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will now be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings.
The following detailed description is directed to certain specific embodiments. The invention(s) disclosed herein, however, can be embodied in a multitude of different ways as defined and covered by the claims. In this description, reference is made to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated with like numerals throughout. The features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings of several embodiments that are intended to be within the scope of the development herein disclosed. These and other embodiments will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited to any particular embodiment(s) herein disclosed.
The first arm 120 can be coupled to the connector 110. In certain embodiments, the first arm 120 includes a connection section 122 that couples to the connector 110. In certain embodiments, the connection section 122 is positioned at a proximal end or near a proximal end of the first arm 120. In certain embodiments, the connection section 122 extends from the first end 102 of the connector 110.
In certain embodiments, the first arm 120 includes an engagement structure 125. In certain embodiments, the engagement structure 125 can be positioned at a distal end or near a distal end of the first arm 125. In certain embodiments, an elongate section 124 extends between the connection section 122 and the engagement structure 125.
The second arm 130 can be coupled to the connector 110. In certain embodiments, the second arm 130 includes a connection section 132 that couples to the connector 110. In certain embodiments, the connection section 122 is positioned at a proximal end or near a proximal end of the first arm 120. In certain embodiments, the connection section 120 extends from a second end 104 of the connector 110.
In certain embodiments, the second arm 130 includes an engagement structure 135. In certain embodiments, the engagement structure 135 can be positioned at a distal end or near a distal end of the second arm 130. In certain embodiments, an elongate section 134 extends between the connection section 132 and the engagement structure 135. engagement structure 135
The engagement structure 125 and engagement structure 135 can include complementary shapes for forming a releasable engagement. In certain embodiments, the engagement structure 135 can be a receptacle configured to receive a portion of the engagement structure 125. In certain embodiments, the engagement structure 135 can form a cup for receiving the engagement structure 125. In certain embodiments, the engagement structure 135 includes an elongated recess defined at least in part by a base 136 and a peripheral wall 138. The peripheral wall 138 can extend partially around the base 136. In certain embodiments, the peripheral wall 138 can include an opening 150 shaped and positioned for receiving the engagement structure 125 when the first arm 120 is transitioned from the resting position to the tensioned position. In some embodiments, the base 136 can be generally flat. In some embodiments, the base 136 is concave. The peripheral wall 138 can curve or angle outwardly from the base 136. In some embodiments, the peripheral wall 138 is concave. In some embodiments, the peripheral wall 138 is perpendicular with respect to the base 136.
In certain embodiments, the engagement structure 135 includes a locking tab 152. The locking tab 152 can be positioned and shaped to releasably secure the engagement structure 125 within the engagement structure 135 when the toy piece 100 is in the tensioned state. In certain embodiments, the locking tab 152 protrudes from the base 136. The locking tab can extend across at least a portion of the opening 150.
In certain embodiments, the engagement structure 125 can be a protrusion or can include a protruding section for engagement with the engagement structure 135. In certain embodiments, the engagement structure 125 can include a tab engagement portion 126. The tab engagement portion 126 can be configured to interact with the engagement structure 135, for example, the locking tab 152 of the engagement structure 135 to releasably secure the engagement structure 125 to the engagement structure 135. In certain embodiments, the tab engagement portion 126 is spherical or partially spherical. However, the tab engagement portion 126 can be any shape suitable for creating a releasably secure engagement with the locking tab 152. For example, the tab engagement portion 126 can be triangular, rectangular, ellipsoid, square, diamond-shaped, polygonal, or any other suitable shape.
The protrusion 140 can extend from the connector 110. The protrusion 140 can be shaped and/or sized to facilitate gripping by a user. The protrusion 140 may extend in a direction away from one or both of the first arm 120 and second arm 130 to allow for gripping of the protrusion 140 when the first arm 120 and second arm 130 are in either the resting state or tensioned state.
As shown in
As described herein, the engagement structure 125 can experience a biasing force when in the tensioned or engaged state due to, for example, the elastic properties of the first arm 120 favoring a return to the resting or disengaged state. In some embodiments, forces exerted on the engagement structure 125 by the engagement structure 135 oppose and exceed the biasing force when in the tensioned state such that the biasing force alone does not cause the engagement structure 125 to release or dislodge from the engagement structure 135, for example, from the locking tab 152. In certain embodiments, the forces exerted by the engagement structure 135 on the engagement structure 125 can be or can include forces exerted by the locking tab 152 on the engagement structure 125. In certain embodiments, the forces opposing the biasing force can be provided by or contributed to by friction between components of the first engagement structure 125 and the second engagement structure 135. In other words, the forces opposing the biasing force can be defined at least in part by or contributed to by the coefficient of friction between sections of the first engagement structure 125 and second engagement structure 135 in contact with one another. For example, the forces opposing the biasing force can be provided by or contributed to by friction between the wall 154 and the tab engagement portion 126. In some embodiments, the forces opposing the biasing force can be contributed to by or defined at least in part by the shape of the wall 154, the shape of the tab engagement portion 126, the material of the wall 154, the material of the tab engagement portion 126, and/or the coefficient of friction between the wall 154 and the tab engagement portion 126. As shown in
The complementary shapes of the engagement structure 125 and the engagement structure 135 and/or the coefficient of friction therebetween can also facilitate release or dislodgment of the engagement structure 125 from the engagement structure 135 when external forces exerted on the engagement structure 125 are above a threshold magnitude and in certain directions, for example at least partially in the direction of the biasing force. In certain embodiments, the shapes of the wall 154 and tab engagement portion 126 and coefficient of friction therebetween can facilitate release or dislodgement of the engagement structure 125 from the locking tab 152 when external forces exerted on the engagement structure 125 are above a threshold magnitude and in certain directions, for example, at least partially in the direction of the biasing force. It should be understood that the magnitude of force necessary for dislodging the engagement structure 125 can differ based on the direction of the force applied to the engagement structure 125. In some embodiments, it is desirable that magnitude of the external force required to release or dislodge the engagement structure 125 is relatively low. A low threshold can facilitate gameplay of a stacking game using a plurality of pieces 100 as discussed further herein.
The biasing force exerted on the engagement structure 125 when in the tensioned position can be at least partially a result of the extent of movement of the first arm 120 between the resting state and the tensioned state relative to the engagement structure 135. For example, as shown in
The biasing force exerted on the engagement structure 125 when in the tensioned state can also be at least partially a result of the change in an angle α, as shown in
While the biasing forces discussed above relate to movement of the first arm 120 between the resting state and the tensioned state relative to the second arm 130, it should be recognized that in some embodiments, the second arm 130 can be translated, rotated, or otherwise manipulated relative to the first arm 120 to releasably secure the engagement structure 125 within the engagement structure 135. In such embodiments, a biasing force can be exerted on the engagement structure 135 when in the tensioned or engaged state. Forces that oppose the biasing force may be provided at least in part by or contributed to by the engagement of the engagement structure 125 with the engagement structure 135, for example, engagement of the wall 154 with the tab engagement portion 126. The forces opposing the biasing force can be provided at least in part by or contributed to by friction between sections of the engagements structure 125 and the engagement structure 135 in contact with one another, for example, the wall 154 and the tab engagement portion 126. In some embodiments, the forces opposing the biasing force can be defined at least in part by or contributed to by the shape of the wall 154, the shape of the tab engagement portion 126, the material of the wall 154, the material of the tab engagement portion 126, and/or the coefficient of friction between the wall 154 and the tab engagement portion 126.
The biasing force exerted on the engagement structure 135 can be at least partially a result of the extent of movement of the second arm 130 between the resting state and the tensioned state relative to the engagement structure 125. For example, as shown in
The biasing force exerted on the engagement structure 135 when in the tensioned state can also be at least partially a result of the change in an angle (3, as shown in
In some embodiments, both the first arm 120 and the second arm 130 can be translated, rotated, or otherwise manipulated relative to one another so that the toy piece 100 transitions from the resting state to the tensioned state in which the engagement structure 125 is releasably secured to the engagement structure 135. In such embodiments, biasing forces may act on both the engagement structure 125 and engagement structure 135. Forces that oppose the biasing forces may be provided at least partially by the engagement of the engagement structure 125 and the engagement structure 135, for example, by the engagement of the wall 154 with the tab engagement portion 126. The forces opposing the biasing forces can be provided at least partially by friction between the wall 154 and the tab engagement portion 126. In some embodiments, the forces opposing the biasing forces can be defined at least in part by or contributed to by the shape of the wall 154, the shape of the tab engagement portion 126, the material of the wall 154, the material of the tab engagement portion 126, and/or the coefficient of friction between the wall 154 and the tab engagement portion 126.
A magnitude of the biasing forces exerted on the engagement structure 125 may be defined at least in part by or contributed to by the distance of travel of the engagement structure 125 from the resting state to the tensioned state relative to the engagement structure 135 and/or the change in the angle α between the resting state and the tensioned state. The biasing forces exerted on the engagement structure 135 may be defined at least in part by or contributed to by the distance of travel of the engagement structure 135 from the resting state to the tensioned state relative to the engagement structure 125 and/or the change in the angle β between the resting state and the tensioned state.
The biasing force exerted on the engagement structure 125 and/or engagement structure 135 when in the tensioned state can also be defined at least partially by or contributed to by the material of the components of the toy piece 100. For example, the biasing force can be at least partially defined by or contributed to by the elasticity of one or more of the components of the toy piece 100, for example, the connector 110, the connection section 122, the elongate section 124, the engagement structure 125, the connection section 132, the elongate section 134, and the engagement structure 135. In certain embodiments, one or more of the components of the toy piece 100 can be formed of one or more plastic materials. In some embodiments, the toy piece 100 is monolithically formed.
In some embodiments, the biasing force can be of a magnitude sufficient to cause the toy piece 100 to act as a projectile when the engagement structure 125 and engagement structure 135 disengage and the toy piece 100 abruptly returns to the resting state.
As shown in
Certain embodiments of a process for playing a game includes adding toy pieces 100 to build a toy structure, such as the toy structures 200 shown in
In some embodiments, the process for playing a game can include adding a toy piece 100 by engaging the toy piece 100 with at least one other toy piece within the toy structure before transitioning the toy piece 100 from the resting state to the tensioned state to interlock the toy pieces 100. In such embodiments, an interlocking toy structure, such as the toy structure 200 shown in
In some embodiments, the process for playing a game can include transitioning a toy piece 100 form the resting state to the tensioned state before adding the toy piece 100 to the toy structure. In such embodiments, adding the toy pieces 100 to the toy structure can be performed by stacking the toy piece 100 with the other toy pieces 100 to form a stacked toy structure such as the toy structure 200 shown in
A toy piece 100 in the toy structure 200 may transition from the tensioned state to the resting state due to one or more external forces exerted on the toy piece 100. For example, a toy piece 100 may transition from the tensioned state to the resting state due to forces caused by weight or pressure on one or both of the first arm 120 and second arm 130 from other toy pieces 100 in the structure 200. In some embodiments, a toy piece 100 may transition from the tensioned state to the resting state due to forces exerted on one or both of the first arm 120 and second arm 130 due to a user contacting the first arm 120 and/or second arm 130. In some embodiments, a toy piece 100 may transition from the tensioned state to the resting state due to a user causing another toy piece 100 to contact the first arm 120 and/or second arm 130 while building the toy structure 200. In some embodiments, users can take turns adding toy pieces 100 to the toy structure 200 until one or more of the pieces 100 transitions from the tensioned state to the resting state. The user that causes the piece(s) 100 to transition, either by contacting the toy piece(s) 100 or by adding a piece 100 that causes the pieces(s) to transition from the tensioned state to the resting state is the loser.
In some embodiments, a threshold for the magnitude of force required to separate the engagement structure 125 from the engagement structure 135 can be relatively low in order to increase difficulty of games played using the toy pieces 100.
In some embodiments, processes for playing a game using the toy pieces 100 can be performed in a defined area. An area can be defined to set exterior boundaries for a toy structure 200. Setting exterior boundaries for the toy structure 200 can encourage building of the toy structure 200 in a vertical direction. Building the toy structure 200 in the vertical direction may increase the possibility of a toy piece 100 transitioning from the tensioned or engaged state to the resting or disengaged state by causing increased weight to be exerted on toy pieces 100 near the bottom of the toy structure 200.
While the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointed out novel features of the development as applied to various embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the development. As will be recognized, the present development may be embodied within a form that does not provide all of the features and benefits set forth herein, as some features may be used or practiced separately from others. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
The foregoing description details certain embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein. It will be appreciated, however, that no matter how detailed the foregoing appears in text, the systems, devices, and methods may be practiced in many ways. As is also stated above, it should be noted that the use of particular terminology when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being re-defined herein to be restricted to including any specific characteristics of the features or aspects of the technology with which that terminology is associated.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the described technology. Such modifications and changes are intended to fall within the scope of the embodiments. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that parts included in one embodiment are interchangeable with other embodiments; one or more parts from a depicted embodiment may be included with other depicted embodiments in any combination. For example, any of the various components described herein and/or depicted in the Figures may be combined, interchanged or excluded from other embodiments.
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art may translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
The term “comprising” as used herein is synonymous with “including,” “containing,” or “characterized by,” and is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.
The above description discloses several methods of manufacture and materials of the present development. This development is susceptible to modifications in the methods and materials, as well as alterations in the fabrication methods and equipment. Such modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of this disclosure or practice of the development disclosed herein. Consequently, it is not intended that this development be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but that it cover all modifications and alternatives coming within the true scope and spirit of the development as embodied in the attached claims.
While the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointed out novel features of the improvements as applied to various embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the device or process illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. As will be recognized, the present invention may be embodied within a form that does not provide all of the features and benefits set forth herein, as some features may be used or practiced separately from others. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
