EP0511952A1 - Amusement apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A game system, of the LégoR type (10) and cut pieces (90) allows toys of this type, and other similar toys (150) to be presented vertically on a base fixed to the wall (12, 72, 112). The system allows the assembly to take place either horizontally or vertically. Other conventional toys thus find a whole new field of application.

Description

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS

This invention relates to amusement apparatus. An example of the application of the invention is to products of the kind currently available under the brand name Lego (registered trade mark) comprising interlocking plastic bricks and other components. Another example of the application of the invention is to jigsaws, both conventional and otherwise. The invention is also applicable to other non-assembly type toys and playthings.

Considering first the products of the kind presently available under the brand name Lego (registered trade mark), and likewise jigsaws, these products have many excellent qualities but are both subject to the limitation that their present mode of use is entirely limited to assembly on a generally horizontal support surface. Moulded plastic interlocking bricks, as currently available, are made for assembly in this manner. Many attractive designs can be made, such as an assembly of buildings and outbuildings together with farm animals, tractors etc, and these can be mounted on a baseboard for permanent display purposes, but the assembly is designed and manufactured so as to face horizontally (ie parallel to the plane containing the baseboard) for viewing purposes. Assembly is likewise conducted with the baseboard mounted on a horizontal surface, for example a table. As a result, the product is unsuitable for assembly or display on a wall or other upstanding surface. For example, in such a display attitude, the roofs of the buildings in a display will be facing the viewer's eye. This is unsatisfactory. Equally, assembly of products of this kind, and even more so in the case of jigsaws, requires an appreciable length of time and the space occupied by the apparatus and parts interfers in the domestic environment with use of tables for meals and other purposes.

Accordingly, there is an appreciable need for improvements in one or more of the matters identified above, and an object of the present invention is to provide amusement apparatus offering advantages in one or more of these respects, or generally.

According to the invention there is provided amusement apparatus as defined in the accompanying claims.

In a preferred embodiment, amusement apparatus is provided which is specifically suitable for use not only in the home and school in the manner indicated above, but likewise during travel in cars, trains, coaches and aeroplanes, and likewise in hotels. The embodiment is suitable for use in relation to educational games, for example for use in special schools and nursery and primary school situations.

The embodiment finds particular application in hospital situations where, due to various forms of incapacity, ordinary games are not possible. The product can be manufactured using hygienic washable materials.

The apparatus incorporates a baseboard which may be mounted in an upright attitude in various ways including the use of velcro strips for securing same to the back of seats in coaches, aeroplanes, trains or cars. Likewise, rubber suction cups at the corners of the baseboards can be employed for attachment to coach windows, bulkheads in aeroplanes, and like surfaces.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :- Fig 1 shows a plan view of a first embodiment of amusement apparatus comprising interlocking bricks;

Fig 2 shows a section through the apparatus of Fig 1 on the line II-II; and

Figs 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 show perspective views of interlocking plastic bricks of the kind employed in the embodiment of Fig 1 illustrating, on a larger scale, details of the complementary mounting elements provided thereon;

Figs 8 and 9 show a second embodiment in the form of a jigsaw mounted on peg board and having a system of detachable legs permitting use of the assembly firstly as the table and later for display on a wall;

Fig 10 shows on a larger scale, a perspective view of a jigsaw piece for use in the embodiment of Figs 8 and 9;

Fig 11 shows a side elevation view of the j igsaw piece of Fig 10;

Fig 12 shows a plan view of a further embodiment; Fig 13 shows a scrap section on the line XIII-XIII in Fig 12;

Fig 14 shows a further embodiment;

Fig 15 shows a front elevation view of the embodiment of Fig 14 showing same mounted on a baseboard therefor; and Fig 16 shows a plan view of a part of a baseboard of a further embodiment; and

Fig 17 shows a play element in the form of a plastic brick for assembly on the baseboard of Fig 16.

As shown in Figs 1 to 7 of the drawings, amusement apparatus 10 comprises baseboard means 12 forming a display area 14 on which play elements 16 can be mounted for display purposes.

The play elements 16 are mounted on baseboard 12 so as to provide a display of a picture, made up of play elements, comprising a house 18, a sun 20, a cloud 22, and in the foreground a cow 24, flowers 26 and a tree 28. The picture is framed by an edging or frame 30 formed of play elements as more fully described below. The picture is for vertical display on a wall, or other upright surface, suitably supported, for example, by any convenient means such as a support string or cord attachable to the rear of the baseboard 12, hooks (not shown) engageable with apertures or other formations at the rear of the baseboard, or other such means.

In this embodiment, the play elements 16 are constituted by moulded plastic building bricks, and the like, of the kind currently available under the brand name Lego (registered trade mark), in which certain of these are modified for the purposes of the invention as more fully described below.

Thus, baseboard means 12 comprises a sheet or base plate of generally rectangular form and having mounting elements 32 formed thereon. The base plate is in the form of a plastic moulding having the mounting elements 32 uniformly distributed over its entire surface area. In a modification, the mounting elements may be provided over only certain areas of the baseboard. The mounting elements 32 co-operate with complementary mounting elements formed on the play elements 16, as described below, to enable the latter to be mounted thereon.

Turning now to Figs 3 to 7 of the drawings, showing various examples of the play elements 16 of Figs 1 and 2, it will be seen in Fig 3 that there is provided a conventional play element in the form of a square section brick 34 to be mounted on a modified play element 36 which has laterally facing mounting elements 38 at one side thereof for co-operation with the play element 32 to enable the brick or play element 36 to be supported thereon with other such bricks mounted thereon, above and below, in the manner of brick 34.

Thus, both of the play elements 34 and 36 have complementary first and second mounting elements 40, 42 respectively (the position only of the latter being indicated) on two opposite and outwardly facing sides. These mounting elements permit mutual engagement of the play elements and with the baseboard to produce built-up structures, such as the one shown in Fig 1. In the present embodiment, the first mounting elements 40 are in the form of projecting cylindrical male elements arranged in rows. The second mounting element 42 (not shown as such) have a structure similar to the female mounting elements 38 seen in Fig 3, though other forms are possible.

As Fig 3 clearly shows, the structure 44 defining the female mounting elements 38 of play element 36 projects laterally outwardly from the main body of the play element 36 by an extent identified in Fig 3 by reference numeral 46 which serves to offset the body 48 of the play element laterally of the upstanding baseboard 12 in use, sufficiently for further play elements (such as 34) to be mounted above and below play element 36 without fouling the male mounting element 32 on the board.

Figs 4, 5, 6 and 7 show an alternative arrangement in which, in place of the female mounting elements 38 in Fig 3 there are provided male mounting elements 50 of rib-like form projecting laterally outwardly to co-operate with the male elements 32 on baseboard 12. The lateral width 52 of elements 50 corresponds to that of the elements 38, and is provided for the same reasons. Figs 4, 5, 6 and 7 simply show various different sizes of play elements each having the basic structure already described above in relation to Fig 3. For this reason, the same reference numerals are used in these figures for these common elements.

Fig 2 shows how the play elements co-operate with the baseboard. As can be seen, house 18 is supported by means of two rows of the special sideways mounting play elements or bricks 36, the remainder of the bricks being of the conventional kind 34, not having the laterally facing mounting elements 38 or 50. These latter serve to support the entire structure of house 18 on the board. The other structures shown in the picture are likewise supported.

Thus cow 24, flowers 26, tree 28, sun 20 and cloud 22 each have at least one of the sideways-mounting bricks 36, or indeed one or more of the kind 54, 56, 58 or 60 shown in

Figs 4 to 7. The ribs 50 of these latter are of such a width that they fit between and engage the rows of cylindrical male elements 32, and are thus slidable lengthwise of these rows upon application of sufficient force.

Frame or border 30 comprises conventional edging bricks, generally of the kind shown at 34, suitably defining a border and frame for the picture constructed.

In use, the picture is, of course, built up progressively. The house 18 may be assembled separately, or piece by piece on the board 12. The picture is readily mounted ΌTI a wall or other upright surface whereby occupation of table space, or other work surfaces is avoided.

Turning now to the embodiment of Figs 8 and 9, it will be seen that the amusement apparatus 70 in this embodiment comprises baseboard means 72 having a border or edge 74 surrounding the display area 76 on which the play elements 78 are mounted for display.

In this embodiment, the play elements 78 comprise individual interlocking jigsaw pieces 80 having pegs 82 projecting from their rear faces 84 (see Figs 10, 11) to be received in the apertures 86 of the pegboard 88 which forms the baseboard 72.

In this embodiment as in the preceding embodiment, the play elements 78 link or interlock in two directions generally at right angles, mainly by virtue of the interlocking male and female portions 86, 88 respectively of the individual jigsaw pieces, and by virtue of the pegs 82 and the peg holes 86, whereby the rectangular jigsaw 90 seen in Fig 8 is supported on baseboard 72 so that when the latter is displayed vertically, or at least upright, the jigsaw is supported in place.

In the accompanying drawings, the relative proportions of the pegs and peg holes and their spacings are exaggerated somewhat for purposes of illustration, and likewise, the sizes of the individual jigsaw pieces.

The frame or border 74 is formed in sections having pegs, similar to the jigsaw pieces, which engage the inner row of pegboard holes for mounting purposes. As shown in Fig 8, the jigsaw 90 occupies only a central area of the zone 76 for display, and therefore the border of the jigsaw is filled by means of blanking pieces 92 (one removed to show the peg holes) to provide a more finished and picture¬ like result when the jigsaw has been fully assembled.

Fig 9 shows details of the system by which baseboard 72 is mounted on legs 94 to form a table, the legs 94 being detachable when it is desired to display the assembly, on a wall for example. The legs 94 are generally L-shaped as shown in Fig 9. Fixed hook-like hinge structures are provided on the underside of baseboard 72 to engage one limb of each of the four legs 94 to form a table, as shown. Due to the proportions of the L-shaped legs, the latter can be mounted so that the table legs are either long or short for differing table heights. Likewise, on removal of the legs, the hinge members 96 serve to provide a mounting for suitably supporting the assembly on a wall or other upright surface.

The disposition of the pegs 82 relative to the individual jigsaw pieces 80 is important in order that the entire jigsaw can be properly assembled in the desired location on the pegboard 88.

This embodiment, like the previous embodiment, can be assembled on the baseboard 72, progressively, piece by piece, either with the baseboard on a horizontal surface such as a table, or with it supported on a wall or the back of a chair, or many other upright situations.

Fig 9 shows various different sizes for the legs 94, by way of illustration.

Turning now to the embodiment of Figs 12 and 13, it will be seen that the amusement apparatus 110 comprises a baseboard 112 similar to that of the preceding embodiment, and likewise having a frame or boundary 114 mounted on a pegboard area 116.

In this embodiment, instead of the jigsaw 90, there is provided a track system 118 for small model cars with associated garages and other buildings 120, 122, 124, 126 and 128. The track itself 130 and the associated buildings 120 to 128 are mounted on the pegboard 116 by means of corresponding pegs 132 entering the peg holes 134.

In Fig 12 the track 130 has been illustrated with a degree of artist's licence in order to illustrate the track structure and its associated cross-over bridges 136 more clearly. Fig 13 shows a flange 138 provided on the track, at least at certain portions thereof, to retain cars and other vehicles thereon.

In use, this embodiment is employed in much the same manner as the previous embodiments. The components of the entire illustrated assembly are mounted on the pegboard using the associated pegs, as illustrated. The assembly can be mounted on any suitable upright or vertical surface either during assembly, or after assembly for display purposes .

Turning now to the embodiment of Figs 14 and 15, this embodiment employs the same baseboard 112 and frame 114 together with pegboard material 116, as in the preceding embodiment. Peg holes 134 receive pegs 132, as previously described.

In this embodiment however, the display structure, instead of being formed from individual play elements which are interlinked to form assemblies and sub-assemblies as in the preceding embodiment, is pre-fabricated as a structure in its own right. In this embodiment, that structure is a model car 150 which has a rear surface 152, not for display purposes, on which the pegs 132 are mounted. As a result, the car 150 can be mounted on the baseboard 116 so as to be displayed thereon when the baesboard is mounted in its upstanding attitude. Of course, other display objects may be mounted in suitable proximity to car 150, such as other cars or models.

It will be noted that rear face 152 of the car is flat for face-to-face assembly with the baseboard. The car itself may be formed from a kit of fit-together and/or fit- and-glue together parts, produced in the usual way, by the user making individual sub-assemblies and then assembling them together.

In this embodiment likewise, the advantage of vertical display, in a supported manner is combined with opportunities for assembly of the display with the display board, or baseboard in any convenient attitude, whether horizontal or vertical, or in between.

Turning now to the embodiments of Figs 16 and 17, it will be noted that this represents a modification of the embodiment of Figs 1 to 7. In this case, Fig 16 shows a small section 160 of the baseboard 162, and Fig 17 shows a play element 164 for assembly thereon.

Baseboard 162 is constituted by a sheet of baseboard material of the kind available under the brand name Lego (registered trade mark), but in this case the baseboard is used so that its reverse side having female mounting elements 166 is used to provide the means for mounting the play elements 164 thereon.

The play elements 164 may be constituted, for the major part, by conventional Lego interlocking bricks and associated parts. However, amongst these, as in the embodiment of Figs 1 to 7, there are provided some additional sideways-mounting bricks as shown in Fig 17. These bricks, which correspond to those of Figs 3 to 7 have the usual male mounting elements 168 at one side, and corressponding female elements at the opposite side (not seen in Fig 17). However, at the intermediate laterally- facing side 170 there are provided laterally facing male elments 172, otherwise identical in form to the elements 168, for reception in the female elements 166.

In this manner, the brick 164 can be mounted on the baseboard 162 so that its normal male and female mounting elements 168 are available for interlocking purposes in the usual manner .

In this embodiment, the laterally facing mounting elements 172 are simply formed on the laterally facing side 170 of the brick without the need for any lateral extension of the structure thereof. This is because, by using the female mounting elements 166 on the reverse side of the baseboard 162, the problem of interference with the male mounting elements is avoided.

Otherwise, this embodiment is utilised in the same manner as that of Figs 1 to 7.

The advantages provided in use by the above-described embodiments are believed to be already self-evident from the description provided above for these embodiments. Interestingly, the embodiments provide a facility for use of play elements, such as interlocking bricks and like structures to be assembled and sub-assembled on an upright display surface, whereby space requirements are minimised and display enhanced. Use during travel and in other space-limiting situations is thereby rendered possible. Many already popular play systems and toys are adaptable to the system. The modifications required for the purposes are readily achievable by simple manufacturing techniques.

Amongst other modifications which could be made in the above embodiments while remaining within the scope of the invention are the following:

1 A whole variety of different methods of mounting the baseboards on various kinds of upright surfaces may be adopted. Examples ^"of these have already been mentioned above. 2 For certain models, a source of electrical power such as a battery box, could be mounted at the back of the display boards to provide the means for providing light and sound and action for the model.

3 Instead of pegboards for mounting jigsaw pieces, alternative systems could be adopted such as Velcro (trade mark), or interlocking moulded plastic elements. Where the pegboard system is employed, most jigsaw pieces may have an average of two pegs, but some may have three or more.

4 It is not necessary for all parts of the baseboard to have peg holes or their counterparts.

5 A whole variety of materials may be employed for manufacturing the products described above. In many cases, washable plastic materials will be employed.

6 In place of interlocking male/female plastic elements, other systems may be employed, including those in which bristles or the like are provided for interlocking purposes.

7 Once a user has acquired a baseboard, it is not necessary for him/her to purchase another. Other play elements can be mounted thereon, and for example, a 'library' of jigsaws could be acquired for use thereon.

8 The baseboards could be provided in two or more pieces which clip or otherwise fasten together.

Claims

CLAIMS :-

1 Amusement apparatus comprising :-

(a) baseboard means forming a display area on which play elements may be mounted for display;

(b) said baseboard means having mounting elements distributed over at least a significant proportion of its area to cooperate with complementary mounting elements formed on play elements to enable the latter to be mounted thereon;

(c) play elements to be displayed on said baseboard means, said play elements having said complementary mounting elements, constituting first and second mounting elements, to enable same to be mounted on said baseboard;

(d) said play elements, for example interlocking bricks, having said complementary first and second mounting elements on two opposite outwardly facing sides which permits mounting engagement either with said baseboard means or with each other, to produce built-up structures from said play elements as a part of the amusement process provided by the apparatus; characterised in that

(e) at least some of said play elements also having corresponding third mounting elements on a third outwardly facing side thereof, for example on a side face of an interlocking brick, whereby such elements can, in addition to mounting on top of other elements in a stacking fashion to produce a built-up structure, also be mounted on said baseboard means by simultaneous mutual engagement of said third mounting elements with said baseboard means, whereby the built-up structure is secured thereto and displayed and supported thereon when the baseboard is supported in a generally upright manner on a wall or other support.

2 Amusement apparatus according to claim 1 characterised by said first and second mounting elements on opposite sides of said play elements being male and female elements and said female elements being adapted to receive corresponding male elements on said baseboard, and said third mounting elements on said third side of said play elements being male elements comprising laterally outwardly projecting parallel linear rib members which fit between and engage rows of generally cylindrical male elements on said baseboard means while being able to slide lengthwise of such rows, the extent of the lateral outward projection of said rib members serving to off-set the body of the play element laterally of the upstanding baseboard in use sufficiently for further play elements to be mounted on said first and second sides thereof without fouling said male elements on said baseboard.

3 Amusement apparatus according to claim 1 characterised by said first and second mounting elements on opposite sides of said play elements being male and female elements and said female elements being adapted to receive corresponding male elements on said baseboard, and said third mounting elements on said third side of said play elements being structure defining female elements corresponding to the female elements on one of said opposite sides of the play element, said structure projecting laterally outwardly from said play element by an extent serving to off-set the body of the play element laterally of the upstanding baseboard in use, sufficiently for further play elements to be mounted on said first and second sides of the play element without fouling said male elements on said baseboard means.

4 Amusement apparatus according to claim 1 characterised by said first and second mounting elements on opposite sides of said play elements being male and female elements and said female elements being adapted to receive corresponding male elements on said baseboard, and said third mounting elements on said third side of said play elements being male elements corresponding to the male elements on one of said opposite sides of the play element, and being adapted to be received in corresponding female elements provided on one side of the baseboard means.

5 Amusement apparatus comprising a baseboard and play elements to be supported thereon, characterised in that at least some of said play elements have interengageable mounting elements permitting the play elements to be linked in two directions generally at right angles, namely one to the next to form a display structure, such as a building or jigsaw, and also to the baseboard, whereby the display structure is mounted thereon so as to be displayable thereon when the latter is mounted in an upstanding attitude.

6 Amusement apparatus according to claim 5 characterised in that said play elements comprise interlocking building bricks or the like, said bricks or the like having interengageable complementary mounting formations not only on two opposite outwardly facing sides but also on at least one intermediate side.

7 Amusement apparatus according to claim 5 characterised in that said play elements comprise jigsaw pieces which interlock laterally to form a picture, said pieces each having at least one mounting element or means adapted to cooperate with a complementary mounting element or means on said baseboard to mount and support the piece on the baseboard .

8 Amusement apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7 characterised in that said mounting elements comprise male/female interlocking elemnts such as plastic mouldings or pegs and a peg board, or complementary bristle-like elements . 9 Amusement apparatus according to claim 5 characterised in that said display structure, instead of being formed from said play elements, is pre-fabricated as a structure in its own right, such as a car or doll or other toy or play object, said display structure having a rear face, not for display purposes, said rear face having mounting elements or means thereon, such as pegs for a peg board to cooperate with complementary mounting elements or means on said baseboard, whereby the display structure may be mounted thereon so as to be displayed when the baseboard is mounted in an upstanding attitude.

10 Amusement apparatus according to claim 9 characterised in that said rear face of said display structure is generally flat for face-to-face assembly with said baseboard .

11 Amusement apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims characterised by edge decoration means, such as a frame, for said baseboard means to enhance the eye-appeal of matter mounted on and displayed thereon.

12 Amusement apparatus according to claim 11 characterised in that said edge decoration means is detachable/reattachable to said baseboard means in a similar manner to matter displayed thereon.

13 Amusement apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims characterised by means for selectively mounting said baseboard either in a generally horizontal attitude for assembly of matter to be displayed thereon, or in a generally upstanding attitude for display thereof.

14 Amusement apparatus according to claim 13 charcterised in that said means for selectively mounting comprises leg means adapted to support said baseboard in said generally horizontal attitude, and wall mounting means for mounting same in said generally upstanding attitude.

15 Amusement apparatus according to claim 14 characterised in that said means for mounting said leg means on said baseboard also serves to provide said wall mounting means.