GB2408698A

GB2408698A - A device such as an executive toy

Info

Publication number: GB2408698A
Application number: GB0424508A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Richard Southern
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-11-06
Filing date: 2004-11-05
Publication date: 2005-06-08
Also published as: GB0325954D0; GB0424508D0

Abstract

A device such as an executive toy, comprises a plurality of members 10,10' which are pivotably interengaged relative to each other such that when a plurality of such elements 10,10' are assembled, they form a manipulatable structure. In use, said executive toy also comprises means of advertising a company name, logo, contact details or other message to be displayed. In one embodiment, said means of advertising a company name, logo, contact details or other message to be displayed is selectable when said plurality of elements are manipulated or configured in a variety of different stable positions.

Description

! 2408698

EXECUTIVE TOY

This invention relates to an executive toy. In particular, this invention relates to an executive toy that can be manipulated by users of any age.

Devices are known that form the basis of toys to occupy the user for long periods of time through enhanced play. These toys are often marketed for users of 12 years or older, but may be used by users of any age.

Toys such as the Rubik's CubeRTM give the user a goal to achieve, but others, such as worry balls, exist solely for the user to fiddle with. These devices are frequently used to advertise company information (e.g. name, logo, contact details and products or services) but are often too simple to retain the user's attention or too complex to maintain their interest. The least advantageous is the latter, where the company information may not be readable in the scrambled state; the user will frequently abandon the toy in the unscrambled state since it is too complex.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple, yet engaging, executive toy, which can be usually used by anyone, without any special guidance. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an executive toy capable of presenting advertising details such as company name, logo, contact details or other message to be displayed. The advertising details may be displayed in any one of the plurality of parts of the toy. Alternatively, a logo or contact details may be displayed on a plurality of such parts such that the user is required to manipulate the toy to a certain configuration to view the complete details.

According to the present invention there is provided a device comprising a plurality of substantially identical elements, each respectively having a receiving portion and an engagement portion, which are pivotably interengageable, in pairs, such that, when a plurality of pairs of elements are assembled, they form a manipulatable structure.

Preferably, said receiving portion and said engagement portion on each respective element are positioned substantially orthogonally relative to each other. Each said plurality of pairs of elements may be pivotably interengaged so as to permit only one degree of rotational freedom relative to each other.

In use, an end cap is included on each engagement portion of each respective element. Said end cap on each engagement portion allows manipulation of each said plurality of pairs of elements from only one of said elements of said pair.

Further preferably, said engagement portion on one element is tapered so as to meet a corresponding taper on said receiving portion of the second element in said pair. In use, the pivotable interengagement of said pair of elements may be retained by a snap-fit protrusion or tab on said engagement portion.

Preferably, any one of plurality said members includes a means of advertising a company name, logo, contact details or other message to be displayed. Said s means of advertising a company name, logo, contact details or other message to be displayed when said plurality of elements are manipulated or configured in a certain manner.

In use, said manipulatable structure is formed as a closed loop chain comprising multiples of six elements.

Said plurality of elements may be formed from any suitable plastics material.

Also according to the present invention there is provided an executive toy comprising six substantially identical elements, each of said elements having a receiving portion orthogonally situated relative to an elongate engagement portion and a means for securing each elongate engagement portion in the respective receiving portion of a neighbouring element such that said elements are assembled to form a closed loop manipulatable structure.

Preferably, said receiving portion is an aperture.

Said means for securing each elongate engagement portion may comprise a snap-fit cantilever, protrusion or tab.

It is believed that an executive toy in accordance with the present invention at least addresses the problems outlined above. In particular, the advantages of the present invention are that a simple, yet engaging, executive toy is provided which can be usually used by anyone, without any special guidance. In use, an executive toy is provided which capable of presenting advertising details such as company name, logo, contact details or other message to be displayed. The advertising details may be displayed in any one of the plurality of parts of the toy. Alternatively, a logo or contact details may be displayed on a plurality of such parts such that the user is required to manipulate the toy to a certain configuration to view a different configuration of the message.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that variations of the present invention are possible, and it is intended that the present invention may be used other than as specifically described herein.

A specific non-limiting embodiment of the invention will be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure l is a side view of a member in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a member in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 3 is a top view of a member in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of two members aligned and linked to allow rotation and shown in a "perpendicular'' position in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of two members aligned and linked to allow rotation and shown in a "parallels position in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of five members aligned and linked to allow rotation and shown in a "construction positions in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of six members aligned and linked to allow rotation and shown in a "construction position" in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 8 is a top view of a member in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a member in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 10 is a side view of a member in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of two members, with caps attached, aligned and linked to allow rotation and shown in a "parallels position in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 12 is a perspective view of six members, with caps attached, aligned and linked to allow rotation and shown in a "construction positions in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 13 is an alternative embodiment of the invention which shows an individual cube-shaped member.

Figure 14 shows how the member of Figure 13 can be interconnected to form a pair of such members.

Figures 15 to 20 show how the embodiment of Figures 13 and 14 can be linked as six members and how the s mechanism can be moved from one construction position to another.

Figures 21 and 22 show the two embodiments of the invention used, respectively, as a device for supporting a pen, pencil, pair of chopsticks, or other substantially long device on a desktop or other planar surface in a fashion that keeps the tips, nib or other end device away from the desktop or planar surface, or a device for holding a photograph, menu, memo or other planar item in an upright position that can be repositioned Referring now to the drawings, one implementation of the present invention is illustrated in Figures 1 to 7.

In this embodiment, a member 10 is shown that is capable of aligning and linking other members 10' of similar design, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. Each member 10 has two axis denoted, Axis 1 and Axis 2 in Figures 1 to 3, which maybe aligned to other such members 10'. Each member 10 has an engagement portion, such as, pin 11 and an end cap 15 which interface with the receiving portion, such as bore or aperture 12, on other member 10'. Such a configuration holds the two members 10, 10' together whilst allowing rotation without axial displacement respectively.

The pin 11 and cap 15 may be constructed of the same piece or more than one part for easy assembly. Each member 10 also features a shoulder 14 at the opposite end of the pin 11 to the cap 15 and this may be perpendicular to Axis 2 as shown in Figure 2 or as an angled shoulder 13 as shown in Figure 10.

Figures 4 and 5 show that at one end of the bore 12, a face exists to mate with the shoulder 16 of the other member 10'. Figures 9 and 10 also depict an angled shoulder mate 17.

All members 10, 10' have one or more faces or areas suitable for advertising 20, 20'. This advertising could continue onto the end cap 15 on the adjoining piece 10' to change the logo, message or word displayed throughout the structure. In a similar way, a transparent or other seethrough section or body could be incorporated into the advertising face 20 to allow a message to be seen on the pin 11' of the adjoining member 10'.

As each member 10, 10' has two axes, each part can be directly attached to two further members 10'. This principle can be used to form a chain of any length, or a looped chain where the ends can be attached together, leaving no free ends. With the two axes on each individual member 10, 10' being at 90 degrees separation from each other, this limits the minimum number of members 10, 10' possible in a closed loop chain to four, or six and more.

Figures 6 and 7 show the construction of a preferred manipulatable structure which consists of a single looped chain of six members, denoted parts A to F. Each member of this chain has two axes, labelled Axis 1 and Axis 2.

A hinge joint is made through Axis 1 on the first part being aligned and connecting to Axis 2 on the next part.

An initial orientation of the mechanism is described such that once the parts have been fitted together in this manner, they may be moved into a multitude of different positions.

For the purposes of this description, each member

10, 10' A to F (the word member is interchangeable with the words "element", "bar", "part" or "piece") has directions to both of its axis. On Axis 1, a positive direction refers to a direction heading towards the member attached directly to Axis 2 of the same member.

On Axis 2, a positive direction refers to a direction heading away from the member attached directly to Axis 1 of the same member.

To align and link Axis 1 on a first member 10 to Axis 2 on a second member 10' is to make the two centre lines for rotation the same and to make the positive direction on both of the linked axis the same whilst preventing any displacement movement along the axis without preventing or hindering the relative rotation of the members. For two axis to be opposed in direction, they must not be linked directly to each other and one must run up whilst the other runs down, or one must run east whilst the other runs west, or one must run north whilst the other runs south; where up and down, east and west, and north and south are three orthogonal axis with each pair of opposing directions being mutually perpendicular to each other pair, not just limited to the conventional geographical meaning.

The position described in the next paragraph will be referred to as the "construction position", "initial orientation',, "orthogonal positions or "start position" in this document, but these terms will also refer to any position that appears to have similar properties to the initial orientation. Two versions of this construction position exist, one being the mirror image of the other.

If the designations of the parts are ignored, both "mirror image" positions are attainable from each other by rotating a member lo in the completed structure 90 degrees relative to one of the directly linked members 10'.

Figures 6 and 7 show the Axis 2 of member A is aligned and linked to Axis 1 of member B and member B is orientated so that Axis 2 of member B is parallel, but opposed in direction, to Axis 1 of member A. Furthermore, Axis 2 of member B is aligned and linked to Axis 1 of member C and member C is orientated so that Axis 2 of member C is at 90 degrees to Axis 1 of member B. Furthermore, Axis 2 of member C is aligned and linked to Axis 1 of member D and member D is orientated so that Axis 2 of member D is at 90 degrees to Axis 1 of member C, whilst also parallel, but opposed in direction, to Axis 2 of member A. Furthermore, Axis 2 of member D is aligned and linked to Axis 1 of member E and member E is orientated so that Axis 2 of member E is parallel, but opposed in direction, to Axis 1 of member D. Furthermore, Axis 2 of member E is aligned and linked to Axis 1 of member F and member F is orientated so that Axis 2 of member F is at 90 degrees to Axis 1 of member E, whilst also parallel, but opposed in direction, to Axis 2 of member B. Finally, Axis 2 of member F is aligned and linked to Axis 1 of member A, completing the closed loop.

There are therefore six axis of rotation for the whole mechanism: Axis 1 on members A to F. Once a closed loop has been fashioned as described previously, it may be moved by rotating one of the members A to F about one of its two axis of rotation relative to an aligned and linked member. Such a rotation relative to a directly linked member will result in every member of the closed loop rotating. This movement will allow two pieces with parallel axis (as displayed in the construction position by Axis 1 of member A and Axis 2 of member B) to be re aligned with the axis perpendicular to each other (as displayed in the construction position by Axis 1 of member B and Axis 2 of member C).

Figures 8 to 12 show a more complex embodiment of the present invention, with a tapered bore 120 and pin where excess material has been removed from the pin for ease of manufacture. An optional undercut 24 has been provided to mate with the snap-fit 21 allowing easy assembly. An additional snap-fit 22 has been provided to secure end cap 15 on the end of the assembled structure.

A location groove 25 in the end of member 10 is provided for the positive location of the end cap 15 to allow the user to turn the mechanism from the end cap 15. The main advantage of utilizing snap-fit portions 21, 22 is ease of assembly, although such a configuration with the tapered bore 120 and pin 110 ensures that the manipulatable structure n j umps" outwardly should a snap - fit portion 21, 22 fail by buckling. The positive location of the end cap 15 in the location groove 25' in the end of a second member 10' allows a user to control and manipulate both members 10, 10' of a structure from only one of the members 10 or 10' of the pair.

Figure 11 shows a configuration of two members interengaged to allow rotation without axial displacement. Figure 12 shows the construction of the preferred manipulatable structure, which consists of a single looped chain of six members, denoted parts A to F. Each member A to F of this chain has two axes, labeled Axis 1 and Axis 2. AS described previously in respect of the embodiment of Figures 1 to 7, an interengagement is made through Axis 1 on the first part being aligned and connecting to Axis 2 on the next part. Figure 12 shows the Axis 2 of member A is aligned and linked to Axis 1 of member B and member B is orientated so that Axis 2 of member B is parallel, but opposed in direction, to Axis 1 of member A. Furthermore, Axis 2 of member B is aligned and linked to Axis 1 of Member C and member C is orientated so that Axis 2 of member C is at 90 degrees to Axis 1 of member B. Furthermore, Axis 2 of member C is aligned and linked to Axis 1 of member D and member D is orientated so that Axis 2 of member D is at 90 degrees to Axis 1 of member C, whilst also parallel, but opposed in direction, to Axis 2 of member A. Furthermore, Axis 2 of member D is aligned and linked to Axis 1 of member E and member E is orientated so that Axis 2 of member E is parallel, but opposed in direction, to Axis 1 of member D. Furthermore, Axis 2 of member E is aligned and linked to Axis 1 of member F and member F is orientated so that Axis 2 of member F is at 90 degrees to Axis 1 of member E, whilst also parallel, but opposed in direction, to Axis 2 of member B. Finally, Axis 2 of member F is aligned and linked to Axis 1 of member A, completing the closed loop.

Figures 13 and 14 shows another aspect of the invention in which each member 10, 10' comprises a substantially cube-shaped piece or chamfered cube-shape, having an aperture 12, 12' and having two axes namely Axis 1 and Axis 2. The cube-shaped member 10, also comprises an elongate engagement portion 11 which meets with a respective receiving portion, such as, aperture 12', in a second member 10'. To aid ease of manufacture, the engagement portion 11 is formed as a two-part snap- fit portion with a resilient barb part 30 for engagement inside a shoulder 32' in the aperture 12' of the second member 10'. To allow rotation without any axial displacement between the members 10, 10', the edge of the member 10 between the engagement portion 11 and the aperture 12 is chamfered 34.

Figures 15 to 20 illustrate how the present invention can be implemented using six of such cube- shaped members, denoted parts U to Z. formed as a single looped chain. Figures 15 to 20 show respectively how the invention can be manipulated by the user from one position to another. It will be appreciated that various logos and/or company names, contact details or other message to be displayed can be incorporated onto the various faces of cubes U to Z and manipulating such through the sequence of events shown in Figures 15 to 20 will change the message displayed. Clearly, as the structure comprises only a limited number of combinations, it is not too difficult for the user to arrive at the various alternative messages or views.

Figures 21 and 22 show the two embodiments of the invention used, respectively, as a device for supporting a pen, pencil, pair of chopsticks, or other substantially long device on a desktop or other planar surface in a fashion that keeps the tips, nib or other end device away from the desktop or planar surface, or a device for holding a photograph, menu, memo or other planar item in an upright position that can be repositioned.

Various alterations and modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A device comprising a plurality of substantially identical elements, each respectively having a receiving portion and an engagement portion which are pivotably interengageable, in pairs, relative to each other, such that, when a plurality of pairs of elements are assembled, they form a manipulatable structure.

2. A device comprising a plurality of substantially identical elements as claimed in claim l, wherein said receiving portion and said engagement portion on each respective element are positioned substantially orthogonally relative to each other.

3. A device comprising a plurality of substantially identical elements as claimed in claims l or 2, wherein each said plurality of pairs of elements are pivotably interengaged so as to permit only one degree of rotational freedom relative to each other.

4. A device comprising a plurality of substantially identical elements as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein an end cap is included on each engagement portion of each respective element.

5. A device comprising a plurality of substantially identical elements as claimed in claim 4, wherein said end cap on each engagement portion allows manipulation of each said plurality of pairs of elements from only one of said elements of said pair.

6. A device comprising a plurality of substantially identical elements as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said engagement portion on one element is tapered so as to meet a corresponding taper on said receiving portion of the second element in said pair.

7. A device comprising a plurality of substantially identical elements as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pivotable interengagement of said pair of elements is retained by a snap-fit protrusion or tab on said engagement portion.

8. A device comprising a plurality of substantially identical elements as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein any one of plurality said members includes a means of advertising a company name, logo, contact details or other message to be displayed.

9. A device comprising a plurality of substantially identical elements as claimed in claim 8, wherein said means of advertising a company name, logo, contact details or other message to be displayed is selectable when said plurality of elements are manipulated or configured in a variety of different stable positions.

10. A device comprising a plurality of substantially identical elements as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said manipulatable structure is formed as a closed loop chain comprising multiples of 6 interengaged elements.

11. A device comprising a plurality of substantially identical elements as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said plurality of elements are formed from any suitable plastics material.

12. An executive toy comprising six substantially identical elements, each of said elements having a receiving portion orthogonally situated relative to an elongate engagement portion and a means for securing each elongate engagement portion in the respective receiving portion of a neighbouring element such that said elements are assembled to form a closed loop manipulatable structure.

13. An executive toy as claimed in claim 12, wherein said receiving portion is an aperture.

14. An executive toy as claimed in claims 12 or 13, wherein said means for securing each elongate engagement portion comprises a snap-fit cantilever, protrusion or tab.

15. A plurality of substantially identical elements as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 20 of the accompanying drawings.

16. An executive toy as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 20 of the accompanying drawings.