Amusement devices: toys – Convertible from – or serving as diverse article – Including figure toy
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-21
2001-07-10
Ackun, Jr., Jacob K. (Department: 3712)
Amusement devices: toys
Convertible from, or serving as diverse article
Including figure toy
C446S071000, C446S072000, C446S321000, C446S487000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06257947
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to articles which enclose tools. More particularly, the present invention relates to novelty tool-enclosing articles useful as first devices and selectively changeable to second devices for using the tools.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In recent years, certain toys have been developed for enhancing creative play by youngsters using the toys. The toys generally combine elements of two or more unrelated objects, and are positionable selectively to form the objects. Typically, the changeable toy includes elements of a creature and elements of a physical object. The toy can be manipulated to form a play device which has the character of the creature or selectively as desired by the youngster to have the character of the physical object. The imaginary creature may be a monster, space alien, super hero or enemy character, or the like. The physical object may be a vehicle, including aircraft, water craft, cars and trucks, and as well as other devices. Often, the changeable toy has in at least one of its forms the appearance of an action figure which is associated with a licensed trademark brand for the figure or toy. The use of the licensed trademark brand facilitates the sale of the changeable device. Often the licensed trademark brand is associated with a broadcast or media-presented character. The device thereby is tied to the character, and the success and marketing popularity of one helps the success and marketing popularity of the other.
Licensing of trademark brands for goods generally is a multi-million dollar industry. Often the trademark brands are licensed for use with a wide range of goods or services. The goods include grooming aids for children such as combs, toothbrushes, mirrors, and the like. Accordingly, toys and grooming aid tools have generally been successful in facilitating the popularity of the licensed brand and sale of the licensed goods. These goods however are separate and different from the toys.
There remains a need in the art for an article which includes features of a first device useful of a first purpose with features of a second device useful for a separate, different purpose. It is to such that the present invention is directed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention meets the need in the art by providing an article that is selectively changeable from a first device useful for a first purpose to a second device useful for a second, different purpose. The article has a casing formed from a first shell and a second shell which cooperatively define a cavity within the casing. The first shell and the second shell are movable from a first position spaced closely together whereby the cavity is substantially closed to a second position with the first shell and the second shell spaced apart whereby the cavity is open. Connector means extend between respective inner surfaces of the first shell and the second shell for connecting the shells together while permitting the shells to move apart. A tool pivotally mounts within the cavity. The tool is disposable in a first position enclosed within the cavity with the first shell and the second shell being in the first position, and with the first shell and the second shell moved to their second positions, the tool is moveable from the first position to a second position with an operative portion of the tool disposed outwardly of the casing. The article with the tool in the first position is usable as a first device and with the tool in the second position is usable as a second device. The tool is disclosed as a toothbrush, a writing instrument, a comb, a mirror, and a flashlight.
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Ackun Jr. Jacob K.
Baker, Donelson Bearman & Caldwell
Miller Bena B.
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