Amusement devices: toys – Construction toy – Single column stacking
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-09
2001-02-20
Muir, D. Neal (Department: 3712)
Amusement devices: toys
Construction toy
Single column stacking
C446S118000, C446S119000, C446S490000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06190228
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a toy system for use by toddlers, the system having interchangeable component parts, and a method of use thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
While toys are typically considered to be play items for children, toys also serve a more important role. Namely, toys help to develop proficiency in motor, coordination, and thinking skills. With this in mind, some toys are designed expressly to aid in developing the minds and skills of children. Regardless, even toys that are designed specifically to entertain, routinely help improve the aforementioned skills.
In designing toys, a prime consideration is the age group for which a particular toy is directed. Toys intended for use by children under the age of one often provide sensory stimulation—triggered by the child—in the form of sound and light. One such toy, commonly known as a rattle, creates noise when moved by a child. As they grow older, children are introduced to toys for which simple rules govern play. These toys often develop skills through repetitive tasks. Eventually, a child may graduate to relatively complex board games and the like, in which detailed rules govern play. Such toys are typically designed for multiple users and have the further goal of building social skills.
Toys that are specifically intended for use by toddlers (children under the age of three) are designed to allow children to carry out elementary functions such as inserting, matching, piling, patterning, balancing, and the like. In turn, these toys typically consist of a collection of common objects such as blocks, rings, and pegs. Using such objects, a child is provided with tasks bounded by simple rules. For example, a goal may be to group objects having the same color, or to stack objects having the same shape.
The prior art is replete with examples of toys specifically intended for use by toddlers. A well known toy includes a rope along with rings and beads. The child threads the rings and/or beads on the rope in various patterns. Another toy that is well known in the prior art is a pegboard. Such a toy consists of a board, on which pegs are disposed, along with rings that are to be arranged on the pegs. As with the rope toy, the rings can be arranged in a pattern. Simple balances having a lever and fulcrum have also been used as toys. The lever of such a balance may include buckets in which weighted objects are to be placed, or in the alternative, pegs may be disposed on the balance to receive rings or other objects.
While the aforementioned educational toys are simple, it is unquestionable that they have vast importance in helping to develop the minds of toddlers. However, play with these individual toys becomes monotonous with time. While a group of these toys can be provided to a child, acquiring the toys separately is not economical. Instead, because such toys typically make use of similar components, a system of toy structures using a single set of components would provide better value to the purchaser of such a system.
With regard to the standard toddler toys discussed, novel variations have been disclosed in the prior art. However, none of these toys includes the ability to use toy components interchangeably with more than one of the standard toys. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,035,666 to Kang discloses a recreational toy including blocks having rectangular protrusions. The blocks have letters and symbols on their faces. A platform is also provided on which the blocks may be securely placed. However, the blocks and platform are designed to be used in one way and lack the flexibility to be used in conjunction with other types of toys.
The inflexibility of prior art toys for toddlers is also demonstrated by U.S. Pat. No. 4,534,736 to Cogdill. This patent discloses an educational toy comprising a threaded shaft upon which blocks are rigidly fixed to opposite ends. Between the fixed blocks are blocks that are rotatable and otherwise moveable. In turn, the blocks can be aligned in various desired patterns. However, because the blocks are fixed to the shaft, the blocks can be used for one intended purpose.
Thus, there remains a need for a toy system that is provided with one or more toy structures, such as a balance, a stringer, and a pegboard. The system would include toy components such as blocks, rings, and the like, that can be interchangeably used with each toy structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a toy system that functions as an amusement device and as a skill building tool.
Another object of this invention is to provide a group of toy components that can be used interchangeably with a group of toy structures.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a group of toy components that are sized according to a unit measurement.
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, toy components are provided consisting of rings, cylinder rings, columns, and plaques. Each toy component has a hole communicating between two of the component's surfaces allowing the components to be utilized with a variety of toy structures. These structures include, balances, pegboards, and stringers, all of which are designed to accommodate the toy components. As the sizes of components are based on a unit measurement, stacking exercises, and the like, are enhanced.
The above description sets forth rather broadly the more important features of the present invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be understood, and in order that the present contributions to the art may be better appreciated. Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for the purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims.
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Church Ellen Booth
Hoogenboom Irene
Todd Mary Y.
Environments, Inc.
Muir D. Neal
Sofer & Haroun LLP
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