CA2090890A1 - Pushins - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT.
Toys such as two dimensional jigsaw puzzles encourage eye-hand coordination, colour and shape recognition and manual dexterity.
In this invention, easily recognised three dimensional pieces are assembled by simple and unique male-female connectors, creating a more interesting end product than a two dimensional puzzle. The end result is achieved more easily than with more conventional puzzles with complex interlocking pieces which are beyond the abilities of a young child to recognise and assemble.

Description

``: 2090~3 SPECIFICATION.
This invention relates to a ran~e of three dimensional puzzles for children to construct animals, houses, ships etc., usin~ multiple pieces with unique arrangements of male-female connectors. Each piece is distinctive and its placement rather obvious.
There are toys such as LE50 which utilise many identical pieces which may be assembled into a virtually infinite number of shapes.There are more complex three dimensional puzzles which are made up of interlocking parts not easily recognisable by themselves and which are more suited to older users.There are also two dimensional puzzles in which simple shapes are placed uniquely into similarlY shaped `, holes, but these are not three dimensional~and of~er less J, challenge and interest.
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This invention is simple,having a small number of easily recognised three dimensional shapes, from which may be constructed tand taken apart) animals, cars, people, rooms ( which in turn could then be assembled into houses), ships, ~ etc.. The mating surfaces have unique arrays of pins and i sockets, so that the shapes may only be put to~ether in one way to complete each model.
Different numbers, arrangements or shapes of connectors would facilitate eye/hand coordination, recognition o~
shapes, counting and manual dexterity for the more advanced range. The very simple puzzles may be constructed with single but varied sizes of connectors( for example a "D"
shape) which can only be assembled in one orientation.The dowels may be round, rectangular, triangular,oval, star, arrow or other simple shapes in various numbers and patterns, which would facilitate eye/hand coordination, recognition of shapes, counting, manual dexterity and unique placement of parts.. If a single dowel is used, it could be so shaped that it is inserted and then turned to lock the <, two parts together.
j For models intended for Younger age groups one pin, for i example "D" shaped, with different sizes for each part,would suffice. Moulded in a fairly soft plastic, there would be no very small parts to swallow or sharp pieces to injure a small child. More complicated arrangements of shapes and numbers could be moulded in firmer plastic to be more suitable for older children.
The connectin~ pins could be slightly larger at the tip than the mating hole to make a tight joint less easily taken apart. With a hard pull the pieces may be separated so that they may be reassembled. The edges of the sockets could be chamfered to facilitate easier placement.
~, Pieces of each model could also be of individual colours or ,- could be colour coordinated on the areas to be ioined- that ~, is red to red,blue to blue, etc. Letters could also be i'~ placed on each part so that they spell the name ~ for example C-A-T ) to improve letter recognition and readin~
:~ skills.

~ In the drawings which illustrate embodiment of this ,'. invention, Figure 1 is a side and 2 a front elevation of fi, one embodiment, in this case a cat. Figure 3 shows the ;:~

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-exploded component parts of this embodiment. Figures 4 and 5 show the side and front elevations of another embodiment and Figure 6 a view of the separated plane segments. In all : cases hidden pins and sockets are not shown, for claritY.
The first embodiment illustrates a simplified and stylised model, the pieces being slices of the cat. The head 1 is .. attached to the front legs 2, then to the body 3 and finally 3`' to the rear legs and tail 4. Figure 3 show~s an exploded view of these components indicating a sample of mating .~ connectors.
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; The second embodiment illustrated comprises a ~ody 5, to ~:i which are attached the head 6, the left rear leg 7, the right rear le~ and tail 8,and the two front legs 9. The ears 10 are attached to the head , in all cases by pins 11. All . these parts are shaped so that the finished assembly is an accurate representation of a cat.
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Claims (4)

1. Childrens toys made in several parts shaped for easy recognition and connected by a unique arrangement of Pins and sockets so that they require manual dexterity and eye/hand coordination to assemble.

2. A range of childrens toys made in several parts, connected by a uniform arrangement of male-female connectors so that they may be assembled in any order- or mated with parts of other models in the range-to produce imaginary animals, etc., again encouraging motor skills.

3. More complicated sets of parts to make miniature rooms (kitchen, bedroom, etc.) with furniture, several of which sets may then be joined to build a house. Alternatively, animals and buildings could be assembled to form a farm, and so on.

4. Sets of parts which may be assembled and then fastened together permanently, as, for example, by gluing.