AU2004100033A4 - Innovative Toy & Games Therefor - Google Patents

Description

21-Jan. 2004 17:46 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No- 415 8 P 4 P/00/009 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 INNOVATION SPECIFICATION Invention Title: INNOVATIVE TOY GAMES THEREFOR The invention is described in the following statement: Our Ref: 036003 COMS ID No: SMBI-00580834 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:51 Date 2004-01-21 21.Jan. 2004 17:46 Wallingtor-Dummer Sydney No.4158 P. 2- INNOVATIVE TOY GAMES THEREFOR The present invention relates to small low-cost toys which may be distributed through retail or as promotional give-aways and, more particularly, to such toys which may be used in competitive play.

BACKGROUND

There is a long tradition of the delight which young people and not so young people have taken in competitive play with small or simple toys. Examples may be cited from the hoops and spinning tops of a previous era to the bottle-top based games and recurring yo-yo phases of more recent times. Not infrequently such toys have doubled as vehicles for corporate advertising.

while such toys have often a dynamic aspect, the collection and swapping of cards, usually associated with some focus of sport or celebrity figures have been equally popular.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Accordingly there is provided in one broad form of the invention a toy adapted for the playing of a range of games; said toy comprising a rolling wheel element provided with an axle element projecting from each side of said wheel element; said toy urged into rolling motion along a surface by the urging action of the thumb and fingers of a user applied to said axle element; and wherein said toy is COMS ID No: SMBI-00580834 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:51 Date 2004-01-21 21.Jan. 2004 17:46 Wal inston-Dummer Sydney No.4158 P. 6 3 provided as a promotional item within the packaging of food stuffs.

Preferably said toy is provided in disassembled form adapted for assembly by a user.

Preferably said disassembled form include a wheel center element, supporting washer elements and an axle element.

Preferably said axle element is assembled from two slats provided with slots extending approximately for half the length of said slats; said slats adapted to assemble together by a sliding mutual fit of said slots so as to form said axle element having a cruciform cross section.

Preferably said wheel center element and said washer elements are provided with cruciform apertures in their respective centers; said cruciform apertures dimensionally equivalent to said cruciform cross section.

Preferably said axle element is inserted into said cruciform aperture of said wheel center element so as to project equally from either side of said wheel center element.

Preferably said supporting washers are adapted to slide onto each end of said axle element so as to abut each side of said wheel center element.

COMS ID No: SMBI-00580834 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:51 Date 2004-01-21 21 Jan 2004 17:46 Walli ngtor-Dum er Sydne No .4158 P. 7 4 Preferably said components are releasably provided as press-out parts of a sheet of substrate material.

Preferably said rolling wheel element and said axle element are integrally injection moulded from a suitable plastic polymer.

Preferably said toy element is supplied with at least one tyre element; said tyre element adapted for assembly to the periphery of said wheel center element.

In a further broad form of the invention there is provided a toy adapted for the playing of a range of games; said toy comprising a rolling wheel element provided with an axle element projecting from each side of said wheel element; said toy urged into rolling motion along a surface by the urging action of the thumb and fingers of a user applied to said axle elements; and wherein said toy is provided in combination with at least one ramp device.

Preferably said at least one ramp device is adapted for the playing of games by the urging of said toy into rolling motion so as to ascend up curved inclined faces of said at least one ramp device.

In a further broad form of the invention there is provided a toy adapted for the playing of a range of games; said toy comprising a rolling wheel element provided with COMS ID No: SMBI-00580834 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:51 Date 2004-01-21 21 .Jan. 2004 17:46 Wal i ngton-Dummer Sydney No.4158 P. 8 an axle element projecting from each side of said wheel element; said toy urged into rolling motion along a surface by the urging action of the thumb and fingers of a user applied to said axle element; and wherein said toy is provided in combination with at least one card.

Preferably said at least one card includes indicia defining a game which may be played with said toy on a first side of said at least one card.

Preferably each said at least one card is part of a set of cards.

Preferably each said at least one card carries an image on a second side; said image forming one of a set of collectable images.

Preferably a set of cards of said at least one card supplied with said toy is a subset of said set of collectable images.

Preferably said toy is provided in combination with at least one moulded plastic figurine; said figurine one of a set of collectable figurines.

Preferably said figurines are three-dimensional representations of characters depicted as images on said second side of said cards.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS COMS ID No: SMBI-00580834 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:51 Date 2004-01-21 21.Jan. 2004 17:46 Wal intg on-Dummer Sydney No -415 8 P 9 6- Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of two examples of stunt wheel toys according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a more detailed view of one of the stunt wheel toy examples of figure 1 Figure 3 is a perspective view of a disassembled embodiment of a stunt wheel toy wherein some components are releasably attached to a supporting substrate.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the stunt wheel toy of figure 3 when assembled.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a preferred first ancillary ramp device for use with the stunt wheel toys of figures 1 to 4.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a preferred second ancillary ramp device for use with the stunt wheel toys of figures 1 to 4, Figure 7 is a perspective view of a further ramp DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The toys and games of the present invention are adapted for distribution either through retail outlets such as toy stores, supermarket chains and the like or as promotional items for inclusion with such packaged consumables as snack foods, serials and the like. In both COMS ID No: SMBI-00580834 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:51 Date 2004-01-21 21.Jan. 2004 17:47 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.4158 P. 7cases the toys and ancillary items supplied with them may be provided with promotional indicia for goods and services of a sponsor for example.

A first preferred embodiment of the present invention is now described with reference to figure 1 in which is shown two examples of small wheeled toys A and B. Both toys A and B share common features of a central hub 10, a wheel center 11, (in these examples spoked centers) and a rim 12 supporting a tyre 13. As well, the hub 10 is provided with an axle 14 projecting from either side of the hub.

Preferably the axle 14 is provided with serrations or projecting ribs 15 as may best be seen in figure 2.

In this embodiment the hub, wheel center, axle and rim of the toy may be formed by injection moulding from a suitable plastic for example. Preferably tyre 13 is moulded of a suitable elastomer and may be interchangeable so that more than one tyre may be supplied with one wheel. Tyres may be adapted for a range of characteristics, including grip and bias for example, to adapt the wheel for various.

Bias tyres have an asymmetrical profile which induces a stunt wheel to follow a curved path. Other tyre examples may have smooth surfaces or various types of tread pattern.

The preferred diameter of the wheel of the toy is in the range of 15 to 40 mm. The axle 14 projecting from either side of the hub is of a length sufficient for the axle 14 on each side to be grasped and twirled between the COMS ID No: SMBI-00580834 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:51 Date 2004-01-21 21.Jan. 2004 17:47 Wall nsto -Dummer Sydney No.4158 P. 11 -8first fingers and the thumb of one hand or both hands (not shown) In this way the wheeled toys may be imbued with a forward, that is, a rolling away-from a user spin, or a reversing spin.

In a second preferred embodiment, wheeled toys may be supplied in a disassembled form. In at least one preferred form, as may best be seen in figure 3 wherein like features are numbered as for figures 1 and 2, the components making up the wheel are provided in their unassembled form releasably supported in substrate 20. When supplied in this unassembled form, the tyre component 13 may supplied as an optional extra.

Substrate 20 may be of any suitable material but in at least one preferred form is made from relatively rigid plastic sheet or laminate. The components of the wheel are of the same material and thickness as the supporting substrate 20 and are held in place in the substrate by tabs (not shown) which may be readily broken by the application of light pressure to release the components from the substrate.

In this preferred embodiment of the invention the axle is provided in two parts as flat slat elements 15 and 16.

As best seen i.n figure 3, slat elements 15 and 16 are provided with slots 17 and 18 respectively extending along half the length of the slats and of a width equal to or just slightly less than the thickness of substrate 20. By COMS ID No: SMBI-00580834 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:51 Date 2004-01-21 21 .Jan. 2004 17:47 Wallingtor-Dum er Sydney No.4158 P. 12

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means of slots 17 and 18 slats 15 and 16 are assembled together to form axle 19 (as may be seen in figure 4) which then has a cruciform cross section. In this embodiment two additional hub components in the form of washers 21 are supplied for assembly on either side of wheel center 11 to aid in supporting the stunt wheel axle 19.

Wheel center 11 and supporting washers 21 are provided with matching cruciform apertures adapted to receive axle 19 as a friction or sliding fit. Thus axle 19 is inserted into wheel center 11 to the mid-point of axle 19 and supporting washers 21 are pushed onto each end of axle 19 until seated against each side of wheel center 11.

In a third preferred embodiment of the invention, either of the above described stunt wheel toys may be supplied together with an ancillary low ramp device, an example of which is shown in figure 5. In at least one preferred form, ancillary low ramp device 30 may be made of injection moulded plastic and is preferably of a similar height to the diameter of the stunt wheel with which it is supplied, although it may be both significantly higher or lower. The ancillary low ramp device 30 in conjunction with a stunt wheel toy is adapted to various games as will be explained in more detail below.

In a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention, a stunt wheel toy may be supplied with an ancillary high ramp device, an example of which is shown in figure 6. In at COMS ID No: SMBI-00580834 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:51 Date 2004-01-21 21.Jan. 2004 17:47 Wal i nstor-Dummer Sydney No.4158 P. 13 10 least one preferred form, ancillary high ramp device 40 is supplied in disassembled form of suitable sheet material comprising a flexible ramp surface 41 and ramp supports 42.

These may be clipped together for assembly, for example by a series of projecting tabs 43 on each of ramp supports 42 engaging in slots 44 in ramp surface 41. In at least some preferred forms of this embodiment, ramp surface 41 may be supplied with more than one set of ramp supports 42 having various curvatures so as to allow a variety of ramp shapes to be assembled. In at least one preferred form, ramp surface 41 is provided with a series of transverse and vertical lines to aid in adding variation and interest to games involving the ancillary high ramp device as explained below.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, additional optional ancillary items may be provided. These may include curved ramps as shown in figure 7 following horizontal arcs of various radii of curvature, vertical loops and roller coasters (not shown) for example.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, stunt wheel toys are supplied with game instructions. These may be printed in booklet form for example, or in at least one preferred form, instructions comprise a set of cards with on one side instructions for a suggested stunt wheel game and on the other side images of a collectable series nature, such as for example representations of hero COMS ID No: SMBI-00580834 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:51 Date 2004-01-21 21 Jan. 2004 17:48 Wa li n ton-Dummer Sydney No 4158 P. 14 11 characters from television, films or books. Sets of such cards may be supplied as various subsets of a larger series so as to allow users of the stunt wheel toys to compare and swap cards so as to build up a complete favoured collection.

In yet a further preferred embodiment of the invention, stunt wheels may be supplied with small figurines moulded in plastic. These may be of the same characters as represented on the card packs as described in the above embodiment, and used in stunt wheel games as described below.

Examples of suggested stunt wheel games 1. Games with the ancillary low ramp Each contestant spins a stunt wheel from a set distance away from an ancillary low ramp, aiming for the ramp. The winner is that contestant whose wheel jumps the ramp and travels the furthest distance beyond it.

In a more difficult version of this game contestants use a bias tyre on their stunt wheel. The contestant who can climb the ramp starting the wheel from a set distance away is the winner.

2. Games with ancillary high ramp Each contestant spins a stunt wheel from a set distance away from an ancillary high ramp, aiming for the ramp. The winner is that contestant whose wheel travels COMS ID No: SMBI-00580834 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:51 Date 2004-01-21 21.Jan. 2004 17:48 WalI ington-Dummer Sydney No,4158 P. 12 furthest up the ramp as indicated by transverse lines across the ramp.

In a more difficult variation of this game, each contestant again spins a stunt wheel from a set distance away from an ancillary high ramp, aiming for the ramp. The winner is that contestant whose wheel travels furthest up the ramp and between a nominated pair of vertical lines marked on the ramp.

3. Other suggested stunt wheel games ]0 "Chicken" Contestants line up opposite each other at a distance of two metres and on the count of three, contestants spin their stunt wheels as fast as possible and try to effect a head-on crash. The game may be played as teams of two players each; the winning team decided by which one has the most head-on collisions out of an agreed number of contests.

"Roller Coaster" The stunt wheel is spun with maximum back-spin and allowed to drop to a hard floor or ground surface. On the bounce the contestant flicks his or her foot under the stunt wheel and tries to catch it in the hand.

"Drag Race" Two or more contestants race their stunt wheels to a predetermined finish line. First across the line is the winner.

COMS ID No: SMBI-00580834 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:51 Date 2004-01-21 21.Jan. 2004 17:48 Wallingtor-Dummer Sydney No.4158 P. 16 13 "Time Trial" A short marked course is set out on a hard surface such as a school desk or table. Time trials using a watch or stop watch determine the fastest stunt wheel.

"Grand Prix" Chalk is used to mark out spaced-apart lines to set out a path. The path may be straight or curved. Contestants roll their stunt wheels in turn trying to stay between the lines for the maximum distance. When a contestant's stunt wheel leaves the course, he or she must, on the next turn, start from that point. The winner is the first to reach the end of the path.

"Demolition Derby" Set up a selection of figurines in a space and assign points to individual figurines. Contestants take turns in running their stunt wheels through the group of figuri.nes collecting the assigned points of any they manage to knock over. When none remain the contestant with the highest number of points is the winner.

""Monster Truck Challenge" Set up a pair of ancillary low ramps back to back and with a space between them. Contestants attempt to jump one ramp and land on, and run down, the other. To add interest and difficulty, obstacles may be placed between the two ramps.

"Stunt Challenge" COMS ID No: SMBI-00580834 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:51 Date 2004-01-21 21.Jan. 2004 17:48 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.4158 P. 17 14 Combine various ramps, loops and other ancillary devices to create the most challenging and longest stunt wheel run.

"Park the Car" On a table, set up an eating fork with its tines facing upwards. Contestants attempt to roll their stunt wheels to "park" between the tines.

"Yo-yo, or Forward/reverse" The stunt wheel is spun with the maximum possible reverse spin and thrown forward. The contestant who achieves the maximum forward distance and has the stunt wheel returning to him or her is the winner.

"Hit and Run" Figurines are set up in an agreed pattern. Contestants take turns to attempt a stunt wheel run through the figurines. If a figurine is hit that contestant is eliminated.

"Crash Test Dummy" Contestants spin their stunt wheels from a marker and run them into a solid vertical surface. The stunt wheel bouncing back the furthest wins.

"Road Rage" Contestants A, B and C take part with initially A and B acting as "road ragers". "Innocent" contestant C spins his stunt wheel and races for a finishing line. Immediately A and B try to knock C of course with their stunt wheels.

COMS ID No: SMBI-00580834 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:51 Date 2004-01-21 21.Jan. 2004 17:48 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.4158 P. 18 15 If either A or B succeeds, they swap places for a next run with C.

"The Reversing Nightmare" Set up an ancillary low ramp at some little distance ahead of, and to one side of a contestant, and with its slope facing away. The contestant spins his or her stunt wheel with reverse spin throwing it forward so that it passes to the side of the ramp but then runs backward, up and over the ramp- "The Wheel Barrow" Use any available garden wheel barrow to race a stunt wheel along its bottom and up the front incline. The contestant whose stunt wheel reaches closest to the upper rim without going over wins.

"The 360 Spin-Out" Spin the stunt wheel while holding it at 45 degrees to a horizontal surface. Drop the stunt wheel onto the surface so that an end of its axle and the tyre rim both contact the surface and the stunt wheel "spins out" 360 degrees or more. A stunt wheel which spins on its axle end only is disqualified.

"Reverse 360" Similar to the "360 Spin-Out" but effected with an underhand reverse spin.

COMS ID No: SMBI-00580834 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:51 Date 2004-01-21 21.Jan. 2004 17:49 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.4158 P. 19 16 The wheel centre component of the rolling wheel toy may be in' the form of a solid disc or alternately as illustrated in figures 1 to 4 comprise a number of spokes connecting a rim portion to a hub.

The above describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

COMS ID No: SMBI-00580834 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:51 Date 2004-01-21

Claims (5)

1. A toy adapted for the playing of a range of games; said toy comprising a rolling wheel element provided with an axle element projecting from each side of said wheel element; said toy urged into rolling motion along a surface by the urging action of the thumb and fingers of a user applied to said axle element; and wherein said toy is provided as a promotional item within the packaging of food stuffs.

2. The toy of claim 1 wherein said toy is provided in disassembled form adapted for assembly by a user.

3. The toy of any one of claims 1 or 2 wherein said components are releasably provided as press-out parts of a sheet of substrate material.

4. A toy adapted for the playing of a range of games; said toy comprising a rolling wheel element provided with an axle element projecting from each side of said wheel element; said toy urged into rolling motion along a surface by the urging action of the thumb and fingers of a user applied to said axle elements; and wherein said toy is provided in combination with at least one ramp device. COMS ID No: SMBI-00580834 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:51 Date 2004-01-21

21.Jan. 2004 17:49 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney No.4158 P. 21 18 A toy adapted for the playing of a range of games; said toy comprising a rolling wheel element provided with an axle element projecting from each side of said wheel element; said toy urged into rolling motion along a surface by the urging action of the thumb and fingers of a user applied to said axle element; and wherein said toy is provided in combination with at least one card. DATED: 21 January 2004 PROMOCAFE WORLDWIDE LLC by their Patent Attorneys: WALLINGTON-DUMMER COMS ID No: SMBI-00580834 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:51 Date 2004-01-21