Amusement devices: toys – Changeable book – card – or picture – Movable picture portion
Patent
1997-01-10
1998-11-03
Hafer, Robert A.
Amusement devices: toys
Changeable book, card, or picture
Movable picture portion
446 75, 446148, 446487, 4012408, 40530, 206768, 206 4528, A63H 3338, G09F 106, B65D 556, B65D 500
Patent
active
058300333
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to a folding and opening-out three-dimensional scenery construction.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The objective is to make folding sceneries that can open out and take shape in different planes in the space. A particular, but nonexclusive, application is a play scenery for children.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to realize this objective, it appeared advantageous to put forward a folding scenery construction comprising a sheet pierced by several slits laterally delimiting elements that exhibit folds extending between the aforesaid slits, one extremity of the aforesaid sheet being attached to a first surface and the opposite extremity of the aforesaid sheet being attached to a second surface in such a way that the aforesaid elements open out in the space forming at least one plane parallel to one of the aforesaid surfaces when this is in a position virtually perpendicular to the other aforesaid surface and in such a way that the scenery construction is folded over on itself when one of the surfaces is folded down on the other surface. The folding construction can be made out of one single piece of a flat sheet of any material. Each opening-out element in the space can have numerous configurations and be freely decorated in order to make any desired scenery.
In an advantageous embodiment, the folding sheet according to the invention is attached both to the bottom of a box and to the inside of a lid that folds down on top of the box. The scenery thus folds up inside the box closed by its lid by the simple shutting of the lid and opens out by raising the lid. The lid is attached to the box via securing means that protect the openings repeated from the lid without risk of tearing the opening-out scenery.
According to another aspect of the invention, the lid comprises two lateral rims and one back rim disposed virtually perpendicular to the plane of the lid in such a way as at least partially to frame the sides and the back of the box when the lid is folded down on the box, the lateral rims of the lid being attached to the sides of the box by securing means passing through them in such a way as to enable the lid to pivot round a imaginary axis defined by the aforesaid securing means.
Owing to the securing device according to the invention, the lid can pivot round the imaginary axis defined by the two securing elements. In its opening movement, the lid carries along and opens out the scenery until it is in raised position. The elements are then opened out in the space. The pivoting movement of the lid is made possible by the elongated form of the openings provided in the sides of the box, which enables the back rim of the lid to skirt round the square edge formed by the junction of the back with the bottom of the box. The pivoting of the lid stops when its back rim comes to rest under and against the bottom of the box. The presence of this back rim holds the lid in its raised position and prevents the tearing of the opened-out scenery.
During its pivoting in the opposite direction, the lid folds down automatically folding the scenery construction into the box. The elements then fold according to the fold lines.
The invention is illustrated in the attached drawings on the basis of which the invention will be described in that which follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a box according to the invention, with raised lid, schematically showing an opened-out scenery but not yet attached in the box.
FIG. 2 shows the box from FIG. 1 with the scenery attached and opened out.
FIG. 3 illustrates the fitting of the box from FIG. 1 into the lid.
FIG. 4 represents an advantageous embodiment of the box and of its lid.
FIG. 5 is an exploded view, on a larger scale, of an example of attachment of the lid to the box shown in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
With reference to FIG. 1, a box 10 is represented with its lid 20 raised, ready to receive a folding scenery construction in accordance with the invention, schematized in 30. The scenery
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AG Industries, Origami Greeting Cards, Toy Fair, New York City, Feb. 1996.
Fossum Laura
Hafer Robert A.
Hoppin Ralph F.
Lipsitz Barry R.
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