GB2467305A

GB2467305A - A modular ball toy

Info

Publication number: GB2467305A
Application number: GB0823700A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Hamilton
Original assignee: CROCOWORLDWIDE SOURCING Ltd
Current assignee: CROCOWORLDWIDE SOURCING Ltd
Priority date: 2008-12-31
Filing date: 2008-12-31
Publication date: 2010-08-04
Also published as: GB0823700D0

Abstract

A modular ball toy comprises a plurality of substantially planar polygonal panels 1, 2 that detachably interconnect by means of mutual interaction between a plurality of outwardly projecting fingers (3, figure 3), located at panel edges, and gaps (5) therebetween providing a hinging action. Each panel is reversible to allow first and second configurations with first (figure 1) and second (figure 2) faces respectively facing outwardly. The first face of each panel may have a convex surface curvature, while the second may be substantially flat and provided with a flat disc mounted in a recess (9). Strengthening ribs (8a - 8e, figure 3) may be provided. The toy preferably comprises a number of hexagonal 1 and smaller pentagonal 2 panels. Also disclosed is a ball toy (figure 17) comprising a first group of substantially planar polygonal panels (figure 18) having outwardly projecting tabs (14a - 14e) that hinge to the main body of the panel and bear raised pips (15) or sockets that inter-engage with corresponding pips or sockets (13, figure 19) located at edge regions of a second group of panels.

Description

Modular Ball Toy

Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns improvements in and relating to a modular ball toy, being a constructional toy that resembles a sports ball such as, for example, a soccer ball, and which is constructed from a plurality of substantially planar, and suitably polygonal, panels or modules' that detachably interconnect at their margins.

Background to the Invention

Constructional toys of the afore-mentioned type have grown in popularity over recent years and have a wide range of forms and inter-connections.

An early example such toy is disclosed in US 4,055,019 as comprising a plurality of planar polygonal panels that hingedly detachably interconnect in edge-to-edge relationship at their margins to form, inter alia, multi-faceted ball-shaped structures. The panels are moulded from a suitable synthetic plastics material such as ABS (acrylo-nitrilebutadiene-styrene), to be relatively stiff and have a smooth, glossy surface. They are exemplified as being about 3mm thick. The hinge attachments comprise at least two projections from each panel margin with a recess or gap therebetween. One projection has a protruding hinge pip and the other has a hinge socket. One or both of the opposing protrusions resiliently flexes to allow a protrusion of an adjoining panel with a hinge pip to be inserted therebetween and allowing that hinge pip to be received in the hinge socket and held by the opposing protrusions.

In US 5,104,125 a three-dimensional polyhedral jig-saw type puzzle is disclosed the flat pieces of which correspond to the panels of a soccer ball. This differs notably from the modular ball toy of US 4,055,019 in that the panels are a mixture of pentagons and hexagons, some of which may be inter-linked to enhance the puzzle challenge of the process of assembling the ball from the component parts.

In US 4,731,041 the three-dimensional polyhedral constructions are modular toys that are inter-connectable to form super-structures. Each panel is capable of being connected to another both by its edges and its faces. As in US 4,055,019 the edges have a plurality of substantially identical outwardly projecting fingers with substantially identical gaps between them to provide a snap-together inter-lock between fingers of adjacent panels while providing a hinging action between panels on an axis parallel to the edge. Each panel also has an annular connector projecting perpendicularly from the top/front face of its body to couple to a similar connector of a facing panel.

In GB 2,406,428 a modular toy is disclosed having a plurality of panels/ modules that are, for example, of pentagonal or hexagonal form and which can be mounted as a cladding to a ball-shaped framework of interconnecting strut-like elements to form a modular ball toy or can be inter-locked by simple flange-in-socket couplings. The ball toy's panels have a curvature to enable the completed ball to have substantially the same smooth external surface curvature as a sports ball and the ball may be marked on its exterior or interior surface with graphics/ indicia representing sports information or even carry a figurine on the interior surface. The panels can be sold with the frame as a set or sold individually as collectibles. The provision of frame components adds to the cost of this system and when forming a ball there is only one configuration/geometry that the ball may have using a given combination of panels.

It is one general objective of the present invention to provide a modular ball toy that may have the appeal of a collectible set but which is relatively economical to make and where more than one configuration/geometry of the ball may achieved using a given combination of panels.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a modular ball toy that comprises a plurality of substantially planar polygonal panels, each with a front face and a rear face, that hingedly detachably interconnect in edge-to-edge relationship at their margins, wherein the edges of the panels have a plurality of outwardly projecting fingers with gaps between them to provide a snap-together inter-lock between fingers of adjacent panels while providing a hinging action between panels on an axis parallel to the edge, wherein the panels are reversible being inter-connectable to form the ball shape of the ball toy in a first configuration with the front faces of the panels facing outwardly or inter-connectable in a second configuration with rear faces of the panels facing outwardly.

Suitably each panel has a convex surface curvature to its front face and a substantially level rear face. The panel may have a concave rear defining a recess in which a flat disc/ sheet is mounted to provide the substantially level rear face or the level rear faces is defined by ribs within the concavity. Preferably the disc or sheet is polygonal, as is the plan shape of the recess, being of a corresponding shape to the panel. Preferably the disc/ sheet is relatively flexible to allow it to flex enough to be manipulated into the concave rear of the panel so that, on resiliently straightening/ flattening out, it may be held by sidewalls of the recess. The disc or sheet may be less than 2mm thick and suitably is of the order of 1mm thick and suitably is of acrylate or a similarly resiliently flexible plastics sheet material.

Preferably the sidewalls of the recess are provided with a rim or ledge or are inclined to broaden towards the floor of the recess whereby the sheet may be more securely held captive in the recess. Suitably the disc or sheet is marked with graphics/ indicia such as, for example, a text, drawing or logo representing sports information. The information may be dyed into, printed or impressed on the flat disc/ sheet or, less preferably, on the rear of the body of one or more of the panels.

The polygonal panels that collectively make up the modular ball toy suitably comprise a number of hexagonal panels and a number of smaller pentagonal panels.

The panel preferably has ribs, suitably as radiating spokes projecting from the concave rear within the recess to stiffen the panel or as concentric ring walls on the front face. In one form the panel has a concave rear and strengthening ribs therewithin that are progressively taller towards the centre to correspond to the concave curvature, whereby the ribs provide a flat platform. In another form the panel has a flat base web and strengthening ribs projecting forwardly from the base web, the ribs being of heights that increase progressively towards the centre of the panel, thereby defining the convex curved front face of the panel.

In a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a modular ball toy that comprises a plurality of substantially planar polygonal panels, each having a main body with a front face and a rear face, that hingedly detachably interconnect in edge-to-edge relationship at their margins, wherein the edges of a first group of the panels have outwardly projecting tabs that hinge to the main body of the panel and which each bear connector pips or sockets, the edges of a second group of the panels do not have outwardly projecting tabs but have corresponding connector pips or sockets to inter-engage with the connector pips or sockets of the first group of the panels, at least one of the panels being marked with graphics/ indicia.

The tabs of the first group of panels preferably are provided with the connector pips, while the bodies of the second group of panels are provided with the connector sockets. Suitably the bodies of the first group of panels are substantially stiff while those of the second group of panels are thinner and resiliently flexible to facilitate positioning of the panels to form the ball shape.

Suitably the bodies of the first group of panels are greater than 2mm thick and preferably of ABS or similarly stiff plastics. They preferably carry the graphics/ indicia thereon or moulded therein. The bodies of the second group of panels are suitably less than 2mm thick and preferably of the order of 1mm thick and may be of acrylate or similarly flexible plastics sheet.

Suitably the bodies of the second group of panels are hexagonal while the bodies of the first group of panels are pentagonal and, excepting the projecting tabs, smaller than the second group of panels.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the following drawings. A first preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention is shown in Figures 1 to 12, wherein: Figure 1 is a frontal perspective view of a hexagonal panel of the first preferred embodiment, while Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the same and Figure 3 is a front elevation view of the same and Figure 4 is a front elevation view of a pentagonal panel of the first preferred embodiment; Figure 5 is a frontal view of a first configuration of the assembled modular ball toy of this first preferred embodiment comprising a plurality of the hexagonal and pentagonal panels hingedly inter-linked with their front faces outermost, while Figure 6 is a frontal view of a second configuration of the assembled modular ball toy with the panels inter-linked with their rear faces outermost; Figure 7 is a rear perspective view of the pentagonal panel, while Figure 8 is a further rear perspective view of the pentagonal panel, Figure 9 is a rear perspective view similar to Figure 7 but with a pentagonal graphic image-bearing disc/sheet snap-fitted into the recess in the rear of the pentagonal panel, while Figure 10 is a rear perspective view similar to Figure 8 but with a hexagonal disc/sheet snap-fitted into the recess in the rear of the hexagonal panel; and Figure 11 is a side elevation view of the pentagonal panel, while Figure 12 is a side elevation view of the hexagonal panel -from these views the curvature of the front face of the panels can be clearly seen.

A second preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention is illustrated by Figures 13 to 16, wherein: Figure 13 is a front elevation view of a hexagonal panel of the second preferred embodiment, while Figure 14 is a rear perspective view of the same; and Figure 15 is a front elevation view of a hexagonal image-bearing disc/sheet, while Figure 16 is a further rear elevation view of the hexagonal panel but with the image-bearing disc/sheet inserted into the rear recess thereof.

A first preferred embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention is shown in Figures 17 to 19, wherein: Figure 17 is a frontal view of a first configuration of the assembled modular ball toy of this second aspect comprising a plurality of hexagonal and pentagonal panels hingedly inter-linked by hinge tabs and through flexure of the hexagonal panels, with the front faces of the panels outermost; Figure 18 is a front elevation view of a pentagonal panel of this second aspect from which the hinge tabs can be seen clearly; and Figure 19 is a front elevation view of a resiliently flexible hexagonal panel of this second aspect.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 12, these show the two main modular components of the modular ball toy apart and, in Figures 5 and 6, assembled together in two different configurations.

The two main modular components are panels of the ball toy that are moulded from a substantially stiff, tough and attractive plastics material such as ABS. Both panels 1, 2 are substantially planar polygonal panels that have a surface curvature to their front face (as can best be seen from Figures 11 and 12). The first panel, or module, 1 is hexagonal in plan shape, while the second panel 2 is pentagonal in plan shape and smaller in plan size.

Each of the two panels is approximately 5 to 6mm in maximum depth as viewed in side elevation. Of this depth, 2 to 3 mm corresponds to the maximum thickness of the plastics moulding and the remaining 2 to 3 mm depth corresponds to the convex curvature of the paneFs front face. n the illustrated example the sides of the smaller pentagonal second panel 2 are approximately 20mm long, while the sides 4 of the larger hexagonal first panel 1 are approximately 30mm long.

Each panel 1, 2 is formed with a flat sheet-like base! floor 8 with an array of progressively taller concentric polygonal ring walls/ ribs 8a-8e upstanding from the front face of the panel 1, 2. The radially outermost ring wall! rib 8a is the lowest ring wall and defines the outer margins/ sides 4 of the panel 1, 2. The central ring walll rib 8e is the tallest of the ring walls and the change in height of the walls from edge to centre to edge provides the convex curvature to the front face of the panel 1, 2. The rear face of each of the panels 1, 2 has a uniformly 1-2mm deep polygonal recess, the purpose of which will be explained later.

Both panels 1, 2 have a plurality of projections, or fingers, 3, 3' projecting from their sides! margins 4 to hingedly detachably interconnect the panels 1, 2 in edge-to-edge relationship at their margins 4. In the Figures there are three such projections 3, 3' on each side 4 of each of the panels 1, 2, but there may be more or less to suit the size of the panels 1, 2. The projections 3, 3' in the illustrated examples are 2mm wide and 3mm long with corresponding width gaps 5, 5' between them The fingers/ projections 3, 3' are arranged to inter-digitate, which is to say that the projections 3 of a hexagonal first panel 1 push-fit into a gap or recess 5' between corresponding projections 3' of the neighbouring pentagonal second panel 2 and vice-versa. The projections 3 of the first panel 1 hingedly detachably connect to the projections 3' of the second panel 2 by means of hinge pips 6 and corresponding sockets 7 that are provided on the projections 3, 3'.

In the illustrated example of the three projections 3, 3' per side of each panel 1, 2 there are two pips 6 on the first of the three projections 3, 3'.

The two pips are arranged with one on each side of the projection 3, 3' facing into the adjacent gap 5, 5'. The second and third projections 3, 3' are provided with the sockets 7 to receive the hinge pips 6 of the intercalated projection 3, 3' of the neighbouring panel 1, 2. The sockets 7 are defined by a bore that passes through the projection 3, 3' from side-to-side so that a socket 7 is presented on each side of those projections 3, 3' to face into the adjacent gaps 5, 5'.

The hinge pips 6 are prominent and dome-shaped and the round sockets 7 receive them sufficiently securely to allow the thus inter-connected first and second panels 1, 2 to hinge about an axis parallel to the adjoining margins 4 so that they may swing from a co-planar state through 30 degrees or more forwards or backwards. Because the linked panels 1,2 can hinge both forwards and backwards to this extent the panels can be assembled together to form the modular ball toy in either of two primary configurations.

In a first configuration, illustrated in Figure 5, the ball toy is arranged with all panels 1, 2 facing with their curved front' faces facing outwardly. This gives the ball toy the appearance of a sports ball, e.g. soccer ball with attractive three dimensional patterning on each of the panels, courtesy of the annular ribs.

In a second configuration, illustrated in Figure 6, the ball toy is with all panels 1, 2 facing with their curved front' faces facing inwardly. This gives the ball toy the appearance of a geodesic sphere! multi-faceted ball structure.

Further enhancing the appeal of this unusually reversible' ball toy is a set of flat but resiliently flexible thin polygonal disc! sheet inserts 10 which may be of the order of 1mm thick and of acrylate, for example. These are marked with graphic or text images and each adapted to snap fit! friction fit into the recess 9 on the rear of a respective one of the panels 1, 2, as shown in Figures 9 and 10. These disc/ sheet inserts 10 further transform the visual appearance of the ball toy when it is in the inverted state with the panel rears facing outwards. Thus when the ball is in its first configuration the graphic images or text are hidden, whereas they are openly displayed when the ball is taken apart and re-assembled to the inverted configuration. The inserts 10 may be sold separately of the panels 1, 2 as a collectible set or they may be pre-installed to the panels 1, 2.

Turning now to the second embodiment of the invention illustrated by Figures 13 to 16, this is substantially the same as the first embodiment but essentially differs only in that the panels 1, 2 are moulded with the base web being formed at the front of the panel as a convex curved! domed front face sheet-like web 11. The panel 1, 2 retains the outer ring wall strengthening rib 8a with its fingers/ projections 3, 3' but the other ring wall strengthening ribs 8b-8e are omitted and replaced by radial spoke strengthening ribs 1 2a-f on the concave rear face 9' of the base web 11.

Here the disc/ sheet insert 10 fits into the recess 9' sitting atop the ribs 12a-f. The ribs 12a-f taper in height from a maximum at the centre of the concave recess 9' down to a minimum at the margins 4 and provide a flat platform for the disc! sheet insert 10.

Turning to the second aspect of the invention, illustrated in Figures 17 to 19, this comprises a modular ball toy that may be invertible like that of the first aspect. The hexagonal first and pentagonal second modules! panels 1', 2' of this modular ball toy differ in a number of respects from those of the first and second embodiments.

The hexagonal first panel 1' is not a domed, ribbed moulding with fingers and is quite unlike the panels 1 of the prior embodiments. Instead it is like the disc/ sheet inserts 10 of the prior embodiments. It is a simple flat, resiliently flexible, thin (eg 1mm) polygonal sheet that may be folded somewhat but returns to a sheet form. It may again be of acrylate, for example. The flexure of this panel 1' facilitates its use in assembling a modular ball toy when there are no flexing fingers on this modular component. The sheetl panel 1 has pairs of through holes 13 provided parallel to three of its five sides 4.

The pentagonal second panel 2' is a relatively rigid moulding like the ABS mouldings of the first two embodiments and may be of similar thickness and rigidity. It may be domed or not domed but does not have fingers.

Instead the pentagonal second panel 2' has a respective tab 14a-e extending outwardly from each side waIl 4 of the panel 2' co-planar with the panel 2' but hinged to it. Each tab 14a-e is rigid and carries a pair of pips, lugs or studs 15 akin to the hinge pips of the preceding embodiments but which are like mushrooms with enlarged heads to push fit through the through holes/ sockets 13 of the hexagonal first panel 1' and securely but demountably hold the two panels 1', 2' together.

The pentagonal second panel 2' may be moulded, as illustrated, so that its body has an image formed mi on it. In the illustrated example the image is that of a famous footballer. Indeed the panels could each have the image of a different footballer to be collectable as a set. Conversely the image could be part of a larger image formed by a combination of neighbouring panels whereby the modular ball toy could function as a three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle.As can be readily appreciated from the fore-going, the options available with the various aspects! embodiments of the invention are diverse making the toy quite versatile and yet the apparatus is simple and economic of construction.

Claims

Claims 1. A modular ball toy that comprises a plurality of substantially planar polygonal panels, each with a front face and a rear face, that hingedly s detachably interconnect in edge-to-edge relationship at their margins, wherein the edges of the panels have a plurality of outwardly projecting fingers with gaps between them to provide a snap-together inter-lock between fingers of adjacent panels while providing a hinging action between panels on an axis parallel to the edge, wherein the panels are reversible being inter-connectable to form the ball shape of the ball toy in a first configuration with the front faces of the panels facing outwardly or inter-connectable in a second configuration with rear faces of the panels facing outwardly.
2. A modular ball toy as claimed in claim 1, wherein each panel has a convex surface curvature to its front face and a substantially level rear face.
3. A modular ball toy as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one panel rear has a recess in which a flat disc/ sheet is mounted.
4 A modular ball toy as claimed in claim 3, wherein the disc or sheet is polygonal, as is the plan shape of the recess, and is of a corresponding shape to the panel.
A modular ball toy as claimed in claim 4, wherein the disc or sheet is relatively flexible to allow it to flex enough to be manipulated into the recess so that, on resiliently straightening/ flattening out, it may be held by sidewalls of the recess..
6. A modular ball toy as claimed in claim 2, wherein the panel has ribs on its front or rear.
7. A modular ball toy as claimed in claims 2 and 6, wherein the panel has a concave rear and strengthening ribs therewithin that are progressively taller towards the centre to correspond to the concave curvature, whereby the ribs provide a flat platform.
8. A modular ball toy as claimed in claims 2 and 6, wherein the panel has a flat base web and strengthening ribs projecting forwardly from the base web, the ribs being of heights that increase progressively towards the centre of the panel, thereby defining the convex curved front face of the panel.
9. A modular ball toy as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least one panel has ribs or other repeat features projecting from the front thereof providing a three dimensional pattern feature.
10. A modular ball toy as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the rear face of at least one panel bears graphics/ indicia such as, for example, a text, drawing or logo.
11. A.modular ball toy as claimed in claims 3 and 10, wherein the disc or sheet is marked with the graphics/ indicia.
12. A modular ball toy as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the io polygonal panels that collectively make up the modular ball toy comprise a number of hexagonal panels and a number of smaller pentagonal panels.
13. A modular ball toy that comprises a plurality of substantially planar polygonal panels, each having a main body with a front face and a rear face, that hingedly detachably interconnect in edge-to-edge relationship at their margins, wherein the edges of a first group of the panels have outwardly projecting tabs that hinge to the main body of the panel and which each bear connector pips or sockets, the edges of a second group of the panels do not have outwardly projecting tabs but have corresponding connector pips or sockets to inter-engage with the connector pips or sockets of the first group of the panels, at least one of the panels being marked with graphics! indicia.
14. A modular ball toy as claimed in claim 13, wherein the tabs of the first group of panels are provided with the connector pips, while the bodies of the second group of panels are provided with the connector sockets.
15. A modular ball toy as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the bodies of the first group of panels are substantially stiff while those of the second group of panels are thinner and resiliently flexible to facilitate positioning of the panels to form the ball shape.