GB2248582A - Children's' book convertible into a three-dimensional body - Google Patents

Abstract

A book for children which can be converted into a three-dimensional plaything or toy consists of a two-dimensional blank (F) which is divided into individual sections (1-6) which are connected to each other at their margins and which can be folded relative to each other and thereafter connected in order to form a three-dimensional body, e.g. a cube. The sections may be connected by means of tongues (15-17) and recesses (12-14) which interlock in the manner of a dovetail joint. <IMAGE>

Description

BOOK CONVERTIBLE INTO A THREE-DIMENSIONAL BODY This invention relates to a book consisting essentially of two-dimensional elements and which can be converted into a three-dimensional body.

It is known that children in particular, during their early years, are particularly attracted by three-dimensional objects, for example by cubes, spherical objects or objects of pyramidal shape. It is also known that many children are not particulakly attracted by two-dimensional objects, for example drawings or printed pages of a book.

Furthermore, it is known that the concentration on reading, for example the reading of books, must be nurtured in children even in their early years, in order by this means to develop the desire in the children to examine and interpret text, graphics and drawings which are represented essentially in twodimensional form. In this way, children even in their early years develop pleasure in reading.

In the state of the art, childrens' books are known which are formed for example from very thick pages made of card. The early developmental steps of small children do not yet permit them to use this type of printed matter, since the child in its mind is concerned with spatial bodies or three-dimensional playthings, objects which particularly attract the interest of the child.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a learning tool which can be used both as a spatial object or as a plaything and which simultaneously can be used as a two-dimensional object, namely as a book.

This is achieved in accordance with the present invention in that the learning object comprises a two-dimensional article which is divided into individual sections which are connected to each other by defined margins, and which are foldable relative to each other and are connectable to each other in order to create a spatial structure.

It is of particular advantage if the object is made from a plurality of square sections which are connectable to each other and which can form a cube.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, openings and tongues are provided at certain of the free edges which define the four sides of the sections, whereby the sections can be connected to each other in a positive manner.

The openings and tongues are shaped as dovetail connections in a preferred embodiment.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, one presently preferred embodiment in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view of the blank which is to form the book; Fig. 2 shows the blank at the beginning of the folding process; Fig. 3 shows the blank after partial erection; Fig. 4 shows the blank towards the end of the folding process; Fig. 5 shows the blank fully folded into cubic shape; and Fig. 6 shows the blank folded in an alternative manner for the formation of a book-type flat article.

As can be appreciated from Fig. 1, the blank F of card material is divided into six sections 1,2,3,4,5 and 6. The sections are limited by edges a in order to define square surfaces.

The sections 1 to 6 are connected to each other by means of splines or impressed channels 7,8,9,10 and 11. Recesses 12, 13 and 14 are provided in the edges a of three of the sections, and corresponding tabs or tongues 15, 16 and 17 are provided on edges of the other sections in order to be able to interlock with the recesses 12,13,14.

The sections 1,2,3,4,5 and 6 are provided on both sides with text material 18 or graphical or pictorial illustrations 19. For reasons of clarity, the text 18 and the pictorial illustrations 19 are shown schematically only on the sections 3 and 5.

However, such text or pictorial representations are provided on all the sections 1 to 6.

In Fig. 1 the blank is shown in a position in which it can be used for example as a book or picture.

If the blank is to be converted from the position shown in Fig. 1 into a spatial object, then the blank must be folded in accordance with the steps shown in Figs. 2 to 5. As can be understood from Fig.

2, the section 1 of the blank is first folded upwards, as is also the section 4 of the blank. Simultaneously, the sections 5 and 6 are folded in towards the sections 2 and 3, and the thus formed semi-complete body (see Fig. 3) is folded about the groove 9 (see Fig. 4) in order to enable the dovetail tongue 15 to engage positively with the recess 13 and the tongue 17 to engage positively with the recess 12, as also the tongue 15 with the recess 14.

By connecting the tongues 15, 16, 17 in the manner of a dovetail joint with the recesses 12, 13 and 14, a maintainable, positive connection between the edges a of the blank F is achieved and the two dimensional blank can be converted into a spatial body, for example into a cube. The cube 20 is shown in Fig.

5.

Although in the illustrated embodiment the tongues 15, 16 and 17 as well as the recesses 12, 13 and 14 which are to be interconnected are formed in the manner of dovetail joints, it is to be understood that any other geometrical form can alternatively be used in order to achieve the necessary connection between the mutual contacting edges of the sections 1 to 6.

Thus for example tongues and recesses of serpentine form could be used for the interconnection of the individual sections.

By folding together the sections 1,2,3,4,5 and 6, in the manner of a folding bellows, about the grooves 7,8,9,10 and 11, there is produced a flat article consisting of printed pages, similar to a book, as is illustrated in Fig. 6. The sides or sections 5, 2, 3, 4 and 6 are shown in front elevation.

The present invention has the particular advantage that small children can utilise the article both as a book, consisting of individual pages 1 to 6, as well as a spatial object, for example a cube, which can be used as a plaything.

The arrangement of the text or of the graphical or pictorial illustrations can be provided in such a manner that a gradual construction of the cube with observation of the individual sides 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 appears sensible.

One can provide different text material, and drawings or pictures, on the individual faces which are arranged at the front side and at the rear side of the blank F.

Claims (6)

CLAIMS:

1. A book convertible into a threedimensional body, comprising a blank which is in substantially two-dimensional form and is divided into individual sections, wherein these sections can be folded relative to one another along defined margins and can be secured in the folded state to form a threedimensional object.

2. A book as claimed in claim 1, in which the sections are square in shape and can be folded and fastened to form a cube.

3. A book as claimed in claim 1 or 2, which includes, on the free edges of some of the sections of the blank, tabs for interlocking with other sections to form a positive connection.

4. A book as claimed in claim 1 or 2, which includes, on the free edges of some of the sections of the blank, tabs and recesses which interlock in the manner of a dovetail joint.

5. A book as claimed in claim 1 or 2, which includes tabs and recesses of serpentine form provided along the edges of those sections of the blank which are to be connected to each other.

6. A book substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.