DE102019122799B3 - Improved sand toys - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of toys. More specifically, the invention relates to a toy set with a small pack size for playing in and with, for example, sand, earth, gravel or water.
The toy set for children to play with sand, earth, gravel and / or water comprises a bucket (10), a cover (20) covering this on the upper edge (11) of the bucket (10), and at least one in the interior ( 12) of the small part (31) that can be accommodated, and is characterized in that the bucket (10) is designed as a folding bucket, the at least one small part (31.) Also when the bucket (10) is folded and covered with the lid (20) ) can be accommodated in this.

Description

introduction

The invention relates to the field of toys. More particularly, the invention relates to a toy set with a small pack size for playing in and with e.g. Sand, earth, gravel or water.

State of the art and disadvantages

Sand toy sets have long been known in the art. They serve toddlers to play in and with sand, and typically include a bucket, a sieve, and other small parts such as a rake, a shovel, sand molds, or a watering can, which, depending on the embodiment, is suitable for pouring sand or water . Accordingly, such sets are also suitable for playing with gravel, earth or water, which is why the term “toy set” or “set” for short is used below.

Such a set is, for example, from the publication DE 17 58 561 U known. According to this proposal, the sieve also serves as a lid for the bucket, which in turn is intended to accommodate the small parts. So that longer small parts (rake, shovel) do not increase the already considerable overall height of the bucket, the sieve has separate openings for the handles of these small parts, which can protrude accordingly. However, this ultimately also leads to an increase in the overall height of the set.

In order to attach the lid to the top edge of the bucket, the publication proposes separate closure members, which, however, complicate the construction, and which both increase the costs thereof and, depending on the specific design, can involve a certain risk of injury, particularly for small children.

The patent specification DE 40 17 349 C1 therefore proposes to replace the closure members with a simple hand strap, which can be detachably attached to the upper edge of the bucket by means of at least one of its two ends. If both ends are attached to the outer top edge of the bucket, it can also be transported using the hand bracket. In particular, however, the hand bracket is dimensioned such that it can include a watering can serving as a lid for the bucket in such a way that it is held firmly on the bucket by means of the bracket which is applied. Small parts that can be accommodated in the bucket are thus protected against loss, and the watering can serving as a lid can also be attached to the bucket in a simple manner and thus also for small children. However, the height of the set is still considerable. In addition, the bucket naturally has a relatively large volume; Although this is desirable for specific purposes, it also means that a bucket that is completely filled with small parts will only be offered in rare cases. The user will hardly notice if one of the small parts is lost due to unintentional abandonment, which often happens, however, since the bucket will continue to have a certain (remaining) level after the game has ended.

In the publication FR 1072064 A A sand toy set is disclosed, comprising a fixed bucket, a sieve that can be inserted at the top, and several small parts (rake, shovel, mold). These are placed on the sieve or inserted into the tubular guides of the sieve provided for this purpose, in which case they protrude far up from the bucket.

From the publication WO 94/24002 a foldable bucket with an associated lid is known. Although this can be folded up to save space, there is of course no longer any interior space for accommodating further objects which would then have to be transported separately.

Object of the invention and solution

The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a toy set which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.

Accordingly, the toy set should have a small pack size when stowed and be stowed with minimal effort. In addition, it should have a high level of security against being lost by leaving the components lying around.

The object is achieved by a toy set according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments can be found in the dependent subclaims, the following description and the figures.

description

The invention relates to a toy set or "set" for short of the type described above, which is intended for children to play in and with e.g. Sand, earth, gravel, but also water.

Accordingly, the set comprises a bucket, a cover covering this on the upper edge of the bucket, and a plurality of small parts which can be accommodated in the interior of the bucket.

The lid preferably has a profile (in a plan view) which is approximately that of the bucket corresponds or slightly exceeds this (for example by 1 cm), so that the lid can neither fall into the bucket nor protrude unnecessarily from the side. The lid in particular has the task of retaining the small parts located in the interior of the bucket; it is therefore not necessary for the cover to be (essentially) airtight or watertight.

The small parts are preferably so small that they find space in the interior of the bucket covered by the lid. It is conceivable, but less preferred, that at least a small part protrudes from the bucket, from the area between the bucket and the lid, or from the lid at the intended location. A small part can also consist of several individual parts which are, for example, inserted into one another, hooked to one another, by means of a hinge, or are otherwise connectable or connected to one another. It is also conceivable that an individual part can be connected to different other individual parts, for example a handle with different tools. Furthermore, a small part can also be designed to be extendable (telescopic).

The set according to the invention is characterized in that the bucket is designed as a folding bucket, the small parts being able to be accommodated in the bucket even when it is folded up and covered with the lid, without the height of the set comprising the folded bucket and lid being increased again .

A folding bucket of the type according to the invention is a vessel which has all around at least one flexible region or at least one flexible element in its outer surface, the outer surface typically tapering from the opening to the bottom. The flexible area or the flexible element allows the wall segment which is smaller in profile to be pushed / folded into the space within the next larger wall segment, the flexible region or the flexible element making the angle between the two wall segments from originally 180 degrees (unfolded position, smoother Wall transition) to almost 0 degrees (folded position, strong kink in the wall transition). The bucket preferably has the shape of a truncated cone or truncated pyramid. The taper is dimensioned so that the individual wall segments do not obstruct (block) when pushed together, but can be placed against each other.

Furthermore, even when the bucket is folded and covered with the lid, the at least one small part can be accommodated in it. Thus, the height of the set remains small despite the inclusion of the small part or parts in the interior of the bucket.

According to the invention, at least one of the small parts is adapted to the internal geometry of the interior which results when the bucket is folded up and covered with the lid. This means that the small part is shaped and dimensioned in such a way that it takes advantage of the interior without towering over it. This ensures that the bucket can contain the small part even when folded and covered, without increasing its folded shape again. All small parts are particularly preferably shaped and dimensioned accordingly.

Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the small parts is adapted to the geometry of at least one further small part. This means that one small part takes into account the geometry of further small parts, which are then preferably to be introduced into the interior in a certain position in order to optimally use the available space without interfering with one another.

At least one small part is particularly preferably matched both to the volume defined by the inner walls of the folded and covered bucket and to the further small part (s) which are accommodated in the interior.

The invention thus avoids the disadvantages known from the prior art.

By using a folding bucket, the overall height of the set in the state intended for stowage (folded folding bucket) is significantly reduced. Compared to a conventional toy bucket of known toy sets, which permanently has a typical height of 20 to 40 cm, in certain cases also 5 to 10 cm, and a typical diameter of 15 to 35 cm, in certain cases also 5 to 10 cm, has, the folding bucket according to the invention in the folded state has a height of typically only a few centimeters. In the extended state intended for playing, on the other hand, it has a height that is comparable to conventional toy buckets.

At the same time, the fact that the at least one small part can be accommodated in the interior of the folded bucket also means that, despite the low overall height which is achieved in the condition provided for stowing, no small part is lost, or separately, ie outside the interior between the bucket and the lid, must be carried. This also has the advantage that small parts that are typically contaminated with sand do not have these, at least in the upright position of the bucket Scatter unwanted, as falling sand remains inside the bucket until the set is used again. An important advantage can also be seen in the fact that the height of the set, despite the small parts contained therein, is significantly lower than with known sets, which has a positive effect on the transport of the set and on storage, but also on shipping.

The fact that the bucket can be covered with the lid ensures that no small parts can be lost if the set is not used.

Various embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below.

According to a preferred embodiment, the set comprises a plurality of small parts which are of an identical, but preferably at least partially different type.

According to a further embodiment, one of the small parts can be inserted into the folded bucket in such a way that its tip and handle end rest or lie on opposite, and preferably inner, points of the top edge of the bucket. This means that the small part has a length that corresponds to the diameter of the bucket on its upper edge, so that the small part can have the greatest possible length. Its position also determines its position, i.e. it cannot be accidentally positioned so that it protrudes into the bucket so that it can no longer be folded and covered. An incorrect positioning is also easy to recognize as such.

The bucket preferably has at least one depression or recess in the region of its upper edge, in which the tip or the handle end of one of the small parts can be received. Accordingly, on the one hand, the bucket provides a kind of marking, which facilitates the correct insertion and positioning of the corresponding small part. In addition, the overall height of the set is further reduced, namely by the amount of the depth of the recess or depression (measured along the set height). The bucket particularly preferably has corresponding recesses for both the tip and the handle end.

According to a further embodiment, one of the small parts has a longitudinal recess on its rear side, in which a handle of another small part can be at least partially received. For example, the first small part can be a shovel, which has a recess on the back of the actual tool part, which extends from the tip in the direction of its handle. The handle, for example of a rake aligned with its longitudinal axis correspondingly parallel, can be partially or completely recessed into this recess. Thus, on the one hand, a point of reference is given for the desired, space-saving folding of the small parts; on the other hand, the height of the folded small parts measured according to the above definition is reduced, which in turn benefits from a lower overall height of the set.

The optimal “assembly” of the set for space-saving stowing, which is predetermined in this way, offers yet another advantage: if a small part is not installed at a predetermined location, this is immediately apparent. Accordingly, a user will immediately search for a missing small part in order to complete the set again. Thus, the set according to the invention also has a high level of security against loss due to inadvertently leaving the components lying, similar to a puzzle, in which a single missing part is only noticeable when it is put together to form an overall picture.

For example, the set comprises a scoop, the bucket having a first depression for the tip of the scoop and a second depression opposite this for the handle end of the scoop. Accordingly, the bucket is automatically inserted in the correct place when the set is assembled, and the overall height of the set is not increased. If the shovel were inserted incorrectly, this could, for example, result in the lid and bucket no longer being in contact with one another; a faulty assembly would also be noticed immediately because of this.

According to a preferred embodiment, the set includes a rake. At its tip that supports the teeth, this has a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the inner upper edge of the bucket, so that the teeth can be placed on the inside of the bucket when the rake is inserted into the bucket. In this way, the rake can be as long as possible without exceeding the size of the bucket. In addition, its position is determined in such a way that its longitudinal axis essentially intersects the longitudinal axis of a bucket (which then has a round cross section).

According to a further embodiment, the rake has an even number of teeth, so that there is a central gap between the teeth. The handle of another small part, such as a shovel, can be received in this. The handles of the rake and another small part with its own handle are parallel to each other if the rake is placed or plugged onto the other small part in such a way that the longitudinal axis of the handle of the further small part runs in said gap.

The height of the tip comprising the teeth preferably also corresponds to the distance between the bucket bottom of the folded bucket and the inside of the lid covering the bucket. This means that the height of the teeth is such that the rake in the folded state fits precisely into the space between the bucket bottom and the lid, which means that the rake can have the greatest possible tooth height and furthermore allows the set to be stowed away according to the invention.

According to a further embodiment, the lid is designed as a sieve or as a watering can. It then fulfills not only the task of securing the bucket contents against loss, but also that of another toy. The openings in a sieve can be relatively large without the risk of losing small parts in the bucket. In order to fulfill its purpose, a watering can already has a closed bottom, the outside of which faces the interior of the bucket.

It is also possible that the set has a multi-part lid, for example a sieve, on which a watering can is placed. By definition, both together form a lid in the sense of the invention.

According to another embodiment, the bucket in the area of its upper edge has these laterally protruding projections for fastening a handle. The handle is accordingly connected to said projections, for example plugged on, screwed, or bound to these. For this purpose, the handle has corresponding holes at both ends. The protrusions are part of the bucket.

According to another embodiment, the bucket has holes in the area of its upper edge for receiving projections of a handle. According to this embodiment, the projections are part of the handle and are located at its ends. To attach the handle to the bucket, they can be inserted into corresponding holes in which they are preferably mounted so that they can be easily rotated.

Both of the aforementioned embodiments are essentially equivalent; The following explains how the lid interacts with the projections belonging to the bucket or handle.

Accordingly, the cover provides recesses for the passage of the projections analogous to the projections. Without said recesses (recesses in the cover wall in the direction of the cover base), the cover would rest with its wall on the protrusions and could cover the bucket but not close it securely by embracing it. The recesses on the lid therefore offer space for the projections on the bucket or handle. Depending on the embodiment, e.g. there are two projections, and there are at least two recesses arranged at a corresponding point on the cover, but more recesses are also conceivable, for example 4, 6 or 8 recesses.

It should be added that the bucket can also comprise further projections, which are likewise arranged on said upper edge and follow the pattern of the recesses. Such further projections can serve, for example, as stops for the handle so that it cannot tip down too far.

The recesses preferably comprise bevels on which the lid can slide in the direction of the bucket by contacting the projections and by rotation about its longitudinal axis in the direction along the same. This means that when the lid is placed on the bucket, the lid will rotate due to the interaction of the projections (e.g. pegs) with the inclines of the recesses (slideways), comparable to a slide control, whereby - assuming appropriate gentle pressure in the direction of the bucket - kept moving towards the bucket. The slopes of the recesses thus serve as tracks with which they can slide on the projections. Said rotation ends at the latest when the projections contact the ends of the bevels (near the bottom of the cover). In this position, the lid is placed on the bucket as far as possible. The contour of the bevels can be wave-shaped or, for example, a sawtooth (symmetrical or asymmetrical).

It is furthermore particularly preferred that the area overlapping the upper edge of the bucket has elastic claws which point towards the upper edge of the bucket and are located on tips of the top wall arranged between the recesses. With these claws, the lid can be attached to the top edge of the bucket, which then has a corresponding collar. It is clear that the claws and / or the material surrounding them must have a certain elasticity in order to be able to perform a corresponding snap movement. Alternatively or additionally, the top edge of the bucket can also have a certain elasticity, at least in the corresponding areas of the collar. There should be at least two opposite claws. However, it is also possible to provide such claws on some or all of the tips.

Preferably, the recesses also serve as recessed grips with which the lid can be lifted off the bucket more easily.

According to a further embodiment, the bucket and / or at least one of the small parts have markings for the correct sequential assembly of the set. Such markings, which can be numbers or symbols for the respective small parts, for example, facilitate the correct assembly of the set, so that it can be carried out more quickly.

According to a preferred embodiment, the set consists at least partially of a material from the group of bio-based plastics, such as in particular bio-PET (polyethylene terephthalate derived from renewable sources) or bio-PVC (polyvinyl chloride derived from renewable sources). The advantage of a set consisting partially or entirely of such material is the advantageous CO2 balance in the manufacture of the plastic-based toy.

According to another preferred embodiment, the set consists at least partially of biodegradable plastics such as PLA (polylactide) or PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate). A set consisting partly or entirely of this material has the advantage that it can be disposed of at the end of its life without any disadvantages for the environment. Another advantage is that inadvertently lost and unrecovered small parts also rot completely in the medium term, thus avoiding the risk of environmental pollution from harmful microplastics. Preferably the material is chosen so that the set in normal use, i.e. if it is not exposed to moisture for more than a few hours and stored dry after use, it will not decompose.

Figure list

• 1 einen schematischen Querschnitt durch einen entfalteten Falteimer;
• 2 denselben Falteimer, jedoch im gefalteten Zustand;
• 3 eine perspektivische Explosionsansicht einer Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Sets;
• 4 das Set der 3 im zusammengesetzten Zustand;
• 5 dasselbe Set in einer Seitenansicht; und
• 6 dasselbe Set in einer Schnittansicht.

The invention is explained below by way of example using figures. It shows

• 1 a schematic cross section through an unfolded folding bucket;
• 2nd the same folding bucket, but when folded;
• 3rd an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the set according to the invention;
• 4th the set of 3rd in the assembled state;
• 5 the same set in a side view; and
• 6 the same set in a sectional view.

In the 1 is a schematic cross section through an unfolded folding bucket 10th shown. This comprises three elements: an essentially rigid (cross-hatched) floor element 16 with bucket bottom 14 , also a rigid top edge element 17th with top edge 11 , and a flexible member interposed therebetween 18th (shown in dotted lines). By applying pressure F in the direction of the thick-drawn arrows become the upper edge element 17th and floor element 14 pushed into each other ( 2nd ); the flexible element 18th turns around. As can be seen immediately, the height of the bucket has increased 10th reduced to about a third.

The process is of course reversible; pulling the appropriate places will make the bucket 10th unfolded again so that he was back in 1 shown shape.

3rd shows an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the set according to the invention. This includes a bucket shown folded 10th , a lid 20th , as well as several small parts 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 and 35 . The small part is present 31 a shovel, small part 32 a rake, small part 33 an ice cream scoop, and small part 34 and 35 Ice cream cones, each preferably made of plastic.

How 4th and 6 show are also in the folded and with the lid 20th covered state of the bucket 10th all small parts 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 in the interior 12th can be accommodated, which is between the bottom of the bucket 14 and inside 21 of the lid 20th extends.

• Das als Schaufel ausgestaltete Kleinteil 31 ist derart in den gefalteten Eimer 10 einlegbar, dass dessen Spitze 31A und Griffende 31B an gegenüberliegenden, innenliegenden Punkten der Oberkante 11 des Eimers 10 an- bzw. aufliegen.

This is achieved by the small parts 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 either to the inside geometry of the folded and with the lid 20th covered bucket 10th resulting interior 12th are adapted, and / or they are adapted to the geometry of at least one further small part, that is to say to one another. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the adjustments are as follows (see 3rd ):

• The small part designed as a shovel 31 is like that in the folded bucket 10th insertable that its tip 31A and handle end 31B at opposite, inner points of the upper edge 11 of the bucket 10th lie on or on.

The bucket 10th poses in the area of its upper edge 11 a recess 13 ready in which the handle end 31B the shovel 31 is recordable. The recess 13 also serves as a marker for the correct positioning of the bucket 31 .

The shovel 31 points to the back 31D of the actual tool part (spoon) on a longitudinal recess that extends from the tip 31A towards the end of her grip 31B extends. The handle can be inserted into this recess 32C a rake oriented parallel with its longitudinal axis 32 partially sunk (cf. 6 ).

The rake 32 points to its tooth-bearing tip 32A one of the curvature of the inner top edge 11 of the bucket 10th appropriate curvature so that when inserting the rake 32 in the bucket 10th the teeth on the inside of the bucket 10th issue. In addition, the rake points 32 an even number of teeth so that there is a central gap between the teeth 32D results.

In this is the handle 31C the shovel 31 recordable so that it can have a maximum length.

In addition, the height of the tip surrounding the teeth corresponds 32A of arithmetic 32 the distance between the bottom of the bucket 14 of the folded bucket 10th and inside 21 of the bucket 10th covering lid 20th so the rake 32 when folded, straight into the space between the bottom of the bucket 14 and lid 20th fits, in this example the unfolded wall elements of the bucket 10th reduce the height a bit. A different shape of the teeth could make them longer.

The above features have the result that the overall height of the assembled set can be significantly lower and that the absence of a single small part is immediately apparent.

In the embodiment shown, the lid is 20th designed as a sieve and thus also provides a toy function. The openings of the sieve are so small that the retention function is not impaired.

For easy connection of buckets 10th and lid 20th points the bucket 10th in the area of its upper edge 11 these laterally protruding projections 15 for attaching a handle 19th (Beginning of the same indicated by dashed line) on ( 4th ). Alternatively, the protrusions are 15 at the ends of the handle 19th and are part of the same, and are in corresponding holes in the bucket 10th plugged in ( 3rd ). The lid 20th similarly makes returns 22 to let the protrusions pass 15 ready. There are two protrusions here 15 present, and eight returns 22 . So the lid can 20th in eight different positions on the bucket 10th be set. The returns 22 include slopes 22A ( 5 ) on which the lid 10th contacting the protrusions 15 and with rotation about its longitudinal axis L along the same in the direction of the bucket 10th can slide. The slopes 22A the returns 22 thus serve as tracks with which they are on the projections 15 can move smoothly. Once the tabs 15 at the (near the bottom of the lid) the end of the bevels 22A (in the picture above; horizontal area between the slopes 22A ) have arrived, said rotation ends. The contour of the slopes 22A is wavy here.

It also has the top edge 11 of the bucket 10th overlapping area of the cover 20th elastic, to the top edge 11 of the bucket 10th pointing claws 23 on ( 6 ). These are on between the recesses 22 arranged tips of the top wall. With these claws 23 is the lid 20th self-holding on the top edge 11 of the bucket 10th attachable, which in turn has a corresponding collar, which is at least partially behind the claws. The claws 23 are elastic in the present case. Thus the lid 10th after touchdown in any position, if necessary, set it in a rotational movement that aligns it so that the projections 15 between the returns 22 lie so that then by means of the claws 23 a contact to the bucket 10th is manufactured and maintained.

The returns 22 also serve as recessed grips with which the lid 20th easier again from the bucket 10th can be lifted off.

Claims (11)

Toy set for children for playing with sand, earth, gravel and / or water, comprising a bucket (10), a cover (20) covering this on the upper edge (11) of the bucket (10), and a plurality of in the interior (12) of the small parts (31, 32, 33, 34, 35) that can be accommodated, characterized in that the bucket (10) is designed as a folding bucket, the bucket (10. Also in the folded state and covered with the lid (20) ) the small parts (31, 32, 33, 34, 35) can be accommodated in this, at least one of the small parts (31, 32, 33, 34, 35) (i) matching the internal geometry of the folded and with the cover ( 20) covered bucket (10) resulting interior (12), and / or (ii) is adapted to the geometry of at least one other small part. Set after Claim 1 , A small part (31, 32, 33, 34, 35) can be inserted into the folded bucket (10) in such a way that its tip (31A, 32A) and handle end (31B, 32B) at opposite points of the upper edge (11) of the Put buckets (10) on or on. Set after Claim 2 The bucket (10) has at least one recess (13) in the region of its upper edge (11), in which the tip (31A, 32A) or the handle end (31B, 32B) one of the small parts (31, 32, 33, 34 , 35) is recordable. Set after Claim 3 , wherein one of the small parts (31, 32, 33, 34, 35) has on its rear side (31D) a longitudinal recess in which a handle (32C) of another small part (31, 32, 33, 34, 35) is at least partially receivable. Set according to one of the preceding claims, wherein it comprises a rake (32) which has on its tooth-bearing tip (32A) a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the inner upper edge (11) of the bucket (10), so that when the rake is inserted (32) in the bucket (10) the teeth on the inside of the bucket (10) can be placed. Set according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rake (32) has an even number of teeth, so that there is a central gap (32D) in which the handle (31C) of another small part (31, 33, 34, 35) can be accommodated and / or wherein the height of the tip (32A) comprising the teeth corresponds to the distance between the bucket bottom (14) of the folded bucket (10) and the inside (21) of the lid (20) covering the bucket (10). Set according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid (20) is designed as a sieve or as a watering can. Set according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bucket (10) in the region of its upper edge (11) (i) projections (15) for a handle (19), or (ii) holes for receiving projections (15) of a handle (19 ), and the cover (20) provides recesses (22) for the passage of the projections (15). Set after Claim 8 , wherein the recesses (22) comprise bevels (22A) on which the cover (20) can slide in contact with the projections (15) and with rotation about its longitudinal axis (L) in the direction thereof until one of the upper edge (11) of the Area overlapping buckets (10) by means of elastic claws (23) pointing to the top edge (11) of the bucket (10), which are located on tips arranged between the recesses (22), self-retaining on the top edge (11) of the bucket (10) is attachable. Set according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bucket (10) and / or at least one of the small parts (31, 32, 33, 34, 35) has markings for the correct sequential assembly of the set. Set according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the same consists at least partially of a material from the group consisting of bio-based plastics (such as in particular bio-PET and bio-PVC polyvinyl chloride) and / or at least partially biodegradable plastics such as PLA and PHA.

Images