Transformable toy

• US 5,310,378 A
• Filed: 06/01/1992
• Issued: 05/10/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Suel G. Shannon
• Original Assignee: Suel G. Shannon
• Inventors: Shannon, Suel G.
• Primary Examiner(s): DeMille, Danton D.
• Application Number:
  US07/891,720
• Time in Patent Office: 708 Days
• Field of Search: 446/72, 446/80, 446/268, 446/370, 446/371, 446/375, 446/378, 446/380, 446/379, 446/382, 446/376, 446/487
• US Class Current: 446/268
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/004 made of fabrics or stuffed

Abstract

The toy is transformable into two distinct open and closed conditions (O, C) through a body and appendages each of a fixed geometric shape mentioned to collectively present the image of an identifiable animate object in the open condition (O) and an image of an inanimate object in the form of a rounded structure in the closed condition (C) through hinges connecting the body and the appendages to permit controlled relative movement of the appendages both for transformation and play in either configuration. Fasteners are provided to hold the toy in the closed configuration defining the inanimate image and upon release to allow the appendages to open relative to the body to define the open configuration and animate image.

Claims

1. A three-dimensional toy transformable from an open configuration that visually simulates an animate object image such as an animal, creature or the like to a closed configuration such as a spheroid, egg or the like that simulates an inanimate object image;

said toy including parts defining body, appendages and foldable flat plastic hinges operable to allow such parts to be folded inwardly to define the closed configuration and folded outwardly to define the open configuration;

each of said parts being comprised of semi-riged material to define fixed geometry, three-dimensional shapes with a curvilinear surface defining the exterior surface and the inanimate image;

each of said parts also having an interior surface defining the details of the animate object image with each of said surfaces shaped to allow said parts to fit together upon being folded into the closed configuration to essentially fill the interior of said toy producing a generally semi-solid structure to allow handling for play;

a hook or loop fastener means operable to releasibly hold said toy in the closed configuration and to permit release of such parts to the open configuration;

both said exterior and interior surfaces having details defined by coated portions of the animate image.

2. The toy as recited in 1 wherein at least one of said hinges has a spring element operable to store energy upon closure of said parts together and to drive such parts open upon release of said fastener means.

3. The toy as recited in 1 wherein said hinges are spring elements.

4. A toy which is transformable from a first three dimensional shape having a generally smooth curvilinear outer surface, into a second shape of recognizable character having a central body portion;

said character having a plurality of appendages atriculably arranged thereon;

each of said appendages having a foldable flat plastic hinge connecting said appendage to said body;

said body portion and at least one of said appendages having a least one curvilinear surface thereon which comprises at least a portion of said generally smooth curvilinear outer surface of said first three dimensional shape, thus permitting the folding of said appendages about said body to transform said toy from one shape to another shape easily;

said body and at least one of said appendages have a front surface which permits their close mating when said toy is folded into said first shape having said curvilinear outer surface;

said front surface of said body and at least one of said appendages has decorative features thereon to suggest said recognizable character onto said toy;

each of said hinges having a width greater than its thickness, said hinges having a spring means therewith, to store and release energy when said appendages are folded to and from the first shape of the toy, respectively; and

said body having a single unitary skeleton formed from a flat plastic sheet material which is internal to the body and at least one of said appendages.

5. The toy as recited in 1 wherein an animate detail is printed on said skeleton.

6. The toy as recited in 1 wherein said hinges are formed of an integral piece of plastic material.

7. The toy as recited in 1 wherein said body, appendages and hinges include an integral piece of plastic material defining a skeleton for such toy having an additional layer of material added which forms a bulk to provide a three-dimensional aspect to said toy.

8. A three-dimensional toy transformable from an open to a closed configuration defining a body and appendages including visually distinct features such as a head, arms or legs;

a foldable flat plastic hinge joining said body and each of said appendages together to facilitate a folding of said appendages inwardly against said body to permit a simple arcuate movement therebetween allowing the appendages to nest together;

said body and appendages having an exterior arcuate surface defining an essentially smooth object which is substantially featureless and an interior surface which is animately detailed;

a fastener means to hold the toy in a closed configuration and operable upon release to allow said appendages to open away from said body;

at least one of said appendages having a projection which defines a surface operable to hold an adjacent appendage in the closed configuration; and

spring means operable to cause said toy to pop open from the closed condition to the open condition upon release of said fastener means.

9. A toy which is transformable from a first curvilinear featureless three dimensional shape into a second animatable character configuration having a head, a body and at least one other appendage;

a foldable flat plastic hinge arranged between said body and said head and said at least one other appendage to permit movable transformation between said first shape and said second configuration;

a securement means disposed on said head or said at least one other appendage to hold said head or appendage in a nested manner against said body in it'"'"'s first shape orientation;

said head, said body and said appendage having at least one outer curvilinear surface which contributes to the total surface of said first curvilinear shape;

said body and said appendage having at least one inner curvilinear surface which does not comprise the outer surface of said first curvilinear shape, said inner curvilinear surface of said head, body and appendage being cooperatively shaped to permit nestable mating therebetween when said toy is in it'"'"'s first shape;

said cooperatively shaped inner and outer curvilinear surfaces having an overlapping arrangement so as to permit either said head or appendage to hold the other in said nested first shape.