GB2490193A - Removable attachment for a toy - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a toy with attachments 3, such as pieces of armour, which can be ejected from the toy surface by striking with a projectile 6 or otherwise actuating a detachment actuation mechanism. The attachments 3 include attaching means 9a & 9b for removably attaching the attachments to the surface 5 of the toy. A biasing means 8 such as a spring or other resilient member causes the attachments to be forced away from the toy surface 5 when released, to simulate an explosion, and may act to enhance attachment to the toy prior to actuation. The attaching means 9a & 9b, biasing means 8 and the actuation mechanism form part of the attachment 3.

Description

I Attachment for a toy 3 The present invention relates to the field of toys, and in particular attachments for toys that 4 enable the simulation of an explosion or partial explosion responsive to a projectile impact.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, there is provided a toy having a plurality of 6 armour portions configured to be ejected from surfaces of the toy when struck by a 7 projectile.

9 Background to the invention

11 There are a variety of toys known in the art that provide interaction by way of reacting to 12 projectile impact or striking with an infrared light beam or similar. These typically react by 13 detecting impact and providing an audible signal, such as an electronic recording or 14 rendering of an explosion, responsive to the impact.

16 However, such toys are limited in excitement value and it is often difficult to conclusively 17 determine, from a distance, whether and where impact or impingement has occurred.

18 Some toys may also include reactive light displays or similar to indicate that contact has 19 been made, however these lack a sense of realism and interest is quickly lost.

2 There are also a variety of toys known in the art that provide simulation of an explosion by 3 mechanical or electronic means. For example, exploding bridges triggered by passing toy 4 trains or exploding tanks which explode responsive to an impinging infrared light beam.

The former type requires mechanical and/or electronic detection and subsequent actuation 6 means. The latter also requires electronic detection and processing. As mentioned 7 above, use of infrared light beams lacks a sense of realism. Furthermore, such toys still 8 require mechanical actuation means such as rotating cams or the like to force parts of the 9 tank outwards. Such toys can therefore be quite complex in their construction.

11 In addition to the limitations above, such toys are limited in that several expensive and/or 12 complicated actuation and propulsion means may be necessary to provide the desired 13 effect. As is often the case with toys, and in particular toys used for example in war games 14 or play fights, they are prone to breakage. Toys with complicated mechanisms etc. are especially susceptible.

17 Furthermore, such toys depend greatly on battery power and as such may only be 18 playable for short periods before new batteries or recharging is necessary.

Accordingly, aspects of the present invention are intended to obviate or at least mitigate 21 one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art.

1 Summary of the invention

3 According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an attachment for a toy, the 4 attachment comprising: an attaching means for removeably attaching the attachment to a surface of the toy; and a biasing means for biasing the attachment away from the surface 6 of the toy; the attachment further comprising an actuation means configured to detach the 7 attaching means from the surface of the toy when actuated, whereupon the biasing means 8 propels the attachment away from the toy.

The invention provides an attachment for a toy, such as the armour portions described in 11 the preferred embodiments, which can be removed from the toy by actuating an actuation 12 means, such as striking a detachment mechanism with a projectile or similar. A biasing 13 means, such as a spring or other resilient member, causes the pieces to be forced away 14 from the toy when released, thus simulating an explosion. The invention therefore provides an increased sense of realism as an explosion requires, and is directly effected 16 by, a physical impact.

18 Preferably, the attaching means comprises one or more clips on the attachment 19 corresponding to one or more clip receiving portions on the surface of the toy.

Alternatively, the attaching means comprises one or more clip receiving portions on the 21 attachment corresponding to one or more clips on the surface of the toy.

23 Preferably, the one or more clip receiving portions comprise one or more apertures.

24 Alternatively, the one or more clip receiving portions comprise one or more posts.

26 Preferably, the one or more clips and the one or more clip receiving portions are shaped 27 so as to provide an interference fit.

29 Preferably, the one or more clips comprise converging engaging surfaces. Optionally, the relative angles of the engaging surfaces are selected to provide a predetermined 31 connection strength.

33 Alternatively, the attaching means comprises one or more projections corresponding to 34 one or more apertures, such as push-fit plugs.

1 Preferably, the attaching means is integrally formed with the attachment.

3 Optionally, the attaching means is configured to provide a predetermined attachment 4 strength corresponding to a desired difficulty to detach the attachment.

6 Preferably, the biasing means comprises a spring member. Preferably, the spring member 7 is integrally formed with the attachment. Most preferably, the spring member extends 8 away from the attachment and is configured to be compressed between the attachment 9 and the surface of the toy.

11 Optionally, the biasing means is shaped so as to control a direction in which the 12 attachment is propelled away from the toy. Optionally, the biasing means is configured so 13 as to provide a predetermined propulsion strength when the attachment is detached from 14 the toy.

16 Optionally, the biasing means is further configured to urge the attaching means towards 17 the surface of the toy when attached to the toy. Optionally, the biasing means urges the 18 attaching means towards the surface of the toy about a pivot point formed between the 19 attachment and the toy.

21 Most preferably, the biasing means is configured to hold a portion of the attachment 22 spaced from the surface of the toy to provide the actuation means. Most preferably, the 23 biasing means and/or the attaching means are configured such that displacement of said 24 portion of the attachment towards the surface of the toy detaches the attaching means from the toy.

27 Optionally, the distance between the biasing means and the attaching means is selected 28 so as to provide a predetermined resistance to detachment of the attaching means.

Optionally, the attachment comprises an armour portion. Alternatively, the attachment 31 comprises a figure. Yet further alternatively, the attachment comprises a toy laser cannon.

33 According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a toy comprising one or 34 more attachments according to the first aspect.

1 Most preferably, the toy comprises a plurality of attachments according to the first aspect.

3 Preferably, the attachments comprise a plurality of shapes and/or sizes of attachment.

Preferably, the attachments are disposed at various locations on the surface of the toy.

7 Preferably, the attachments are configured to be removeable by different predetermined 8 actuation forces.

Optionally, one or more attachments are configured to receive at least one other 11 attachment.

13 Preferably, the toy comprises a projectile launcher. Most preferably, the toy comprises a 14 remote control configured to control locomotion of the toy and/or firing of the projectile launcher.

17 Optionally, the toy comprises one or more sensors configured to determine when an 18 attachment has been removed. Optionally, the toy is configured to emit an audible signal 19 responsive to a determination that an attachment has been removed. Optionally, the toy is configured to be disabled when a predetermined number of attachments have been 21 removed.

23 Embodiments of the second aspect of the invention may include one or more features 24 corresponding to features of the first aspect of the invention or its embodiments, or vice versa.

27 According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit of parts comprising a toy 28 and one or more attachments according to the first aspect.

Embodiments of the third aspect of the invention may include one or more features 31 corresponding to features of the first or second aspects of the invention or their 32 embodiments, or vice versa.

34 According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a toy set comprising a plurality of toys according to the second aspect.

2 Embodiments of the fourth aspect of the invention may include one or more features 3 corresponding to features of the first, second or third aspects of the invention or their 4 embodiments, or vice versa.

1 Brief description of the drawings

3 There will now be described, by way of example only, various embodiments of the 4 invention with reference to the drawings, of which: 6 Figure 1 illustrates in schematic form a cross-section through an armour portion and a 7 corresponding body portion prior to attachment of the armour portion to said body portion; 9 Figure 2 illustrates in schematic form a cross-section through the armour portion and the body portion of Figure 1 subsequent to attachment of the armour portion to the body 11 portion; 13 Figure 3 illustrates in schematic form a projectile striking the armour portion of Figure 1 14 and Figure 2; 16 Figure 4 illustrates in schematic form a cross-section through the armour portion of Figure 17 1 and Figure 2 as it is ejected from the body portion subsequent to being struck by the 18 projectile of Figure 3; and Figure 5 illustrates in schematic form a toy with exploding armour comprising a plurality of 21 differently shaped armour portions and corresponding body portions, and a projectile 22 launcher to launch projectiles at like toys.

1 Detailed description of preferred embodiments

3 The attachment and detachment of an armoured portion 3 of a toy will now be described 4 with reference to Figures 1 through 4. Figure 1 shows a portion 5 of the body of a toy in cross-section. In this example the body portion 5 is a moveable leg of a larger walking toy, 6 such as depicted in Figure 5, to which an armour portion 3 is to be attached. The body 7 portion can be seen to comprise two apertures 7a and 7b, forming an armour attachment 8 area 7.

The apertures 7a and 7b correspond to clips 9a and 9b of the armour portion 3, and are 11 located and sized so as to receive said clips 9a and 9b. The clips 9a and 9b are shaped 12 such that when they are inserted into the apertures 7a and 7b, as shown in Figure 2, the 13 clips 9a and 9b act to hold the armour portion 3 in place. An interference fit is formed 14 between the clips and the part of the body portion located between the apertures.

16 The armour portion 3 also comprises a spring member 8, which is a resilient portion of the 17 armour portion 3 that, as shown in Figure 1, curves away from the armour portion 3 itself.

18 When the armour portion 3 is clipped onto the body portion 5, as shown in Figure 2, the 19 spring member 8 is compressed between the body portion 5 and the armour portion 3 and provides a bias force on the armour portion 3 away from the body portion 5.

22 The spring member 8 and clips 9a and 9b are integrally formed in a single piece which is 23 glued or otherwise affixed to the armour portion 53 as illustrated in Figures 1 to 5.

24 However, it will be appreciated that the spring member and the clips may be separately attached or indeed integrally formed with the armour portion.

27 Note that in the presently described embodiment it is particularly advantageous that the 28 surfaces of the clips that engage the body portion comprise converging sloping portions 29 that (if extended) would intersect, so as to hold the armour portion in position (see inset of Figure 1). The angled internal surfaces of the apertures correspond to the angled sloping 31 portions of the clips. As an alternative, the apertures could be replaced with contact points 32 or posts to which the armour portion can be clipped, as will be apparent to the skilled 33 person.

1 As illustrated in Figure 2, the bias force produced by the compressed spring member 8 2 acts around a pivot point created at the point of contact between the upper clip 9a and 3 upper aperture 7a. This urges the lower clip 9b into and against the inner surface of lower 4 aperture 7b, increasing the effectiveness of the attachment provided by clips 9a and 9b to the body portion 5.

7 Of course the skilled person will realise that an equivalent effect might be achieved by use 8 of one or more push-fit plugs or the like, and that the rotational force effected by the spring 9 member 8 need not contribute substantially to the effectiveness of the attachment. As an alternative, clips may be provided on the body portion and clip receiving portions provided 11 on the armour portion.

13 In the attached configuration shown in Figure 2, the armour portion 3 is attached to the 14 body portion 5, but an upper portion 3a of the armour portion 3 can be seen to be held away from the body portion 5. This upper portion 3a corresponds to an actuation zone 16 which, if struck for example with a projectile, is actuable to propel the armour portion 3 17 away from the body portion 5 to simulate an explosion.

19 Figure 3 illustrates the moment at which a projectile 6 strikes the actuation zone of the armour portion. The impact of the projectile 6 pushes the upper portion 3a of the armour 21 portion 3 towards the body portion 5. This causes a rotation of the armour portion, again 22 around the pivot point created at the point of contact between the upper clip 9a and upper 23 aperture 7a, which releases the lower clip 9b from aperture 7b. At this point, the 24 attachment provided by clips 9a and 9b is no longer effective and as illustrated in Figure 4 the spring member 8 propels the armour portion 3 away from the body portion 5.

27 The armour portion 3 is propelled away from the body portion 5 with a force proportional to 28 the strength of the spring member 8. In the described embodiment, the spring member 8 29 is illustrated as being integrally formed in a single piece with clips 9a and 9b although it will readily be appreciated that the same effect may be provided by any equivalent resilient 31 member or spring (integrally formed or separately attached). Therefore, the armour 32 portion can be made to fly away from the body portion, or simply fall to the ground 33 depending on the desired effect.

1 Note that the proximity of the contact point between the spring member 8 and the 2 attachment point (in this case provided by clips 9a and 9b) affects the ease with which the 3 impact will release the armour portion 3. Accordingly, the strength of the spring member 8 4 (or equivalent resilient means), the location of the contact point with the body portion 5, as well as characteristics and configurations of the clips 9a and 9b (or equivalent attachment 6 means) such as the angles of the engaging surfaces, can be used to determine the 7 strength of impact that is required to cause a particular armour portion 3 to be detached 8 and propelled away from the body portion.

It is therefore envisaged that in a deployment of such armour portions on a toy different 11 impact strengths may be required in order to remove different armour portions. For 12 example, smaller armour portions or armour portions on less significant areas may be 13 made easier to remove than larger armour portions or armour portions on key areas.

Figure 5 illustrates a toy 51 comprising a number of exploding armour portions 53 16 disposed at various locations 55 and in various shapes. As described above, the spring 17 portions may take differing forms and by way of example the spring member 58b of armour 18 portion 53b is curved in the opposite sense to the spring member 58a of armour portion 19 53a. Such differing forms may also determine the direction in which the armour portions 53 are propelled away from the corresponding body portions 55. Armour portion 53c is 21 shown in place on body portion 55c, a configuration in which the spring member (not 22 shown) is compressed therebetween and the armour portion 53c effectively primed.

24 The toy 51 further includes a projectile launcher 60 which launches projectiles 56, and the toy is controllable via remote control 61 that governs locomotion of the toy 51 as well as 26 controlling the projectile launcher 60. A number of such toys 51 can therefore be 27 employed in play warfare between two or more users, whereupon each user will attempt to 28 remove the armour portions 53 from opposing users' toys by firing projectiles 56 at them.

29 Removal of armour portions 53 in simulated explosions is effected by the propulsive force of the spring members 58.

32 Armour portions 53 that have been detached serve as a useful visual indication of when 33 and where the toy 51 has been struck. Furthermore, it is envisaged that sensors may be 34 provided to determine when armour portions 53 have been removed. Explosion sounds may be played in response, to add to the simulation effect, and the number of removed 1 armour portions 53 may be tracked and, for example, the toy 51 deactivated once all 2 armour portions 53 (or perhaps the armour portion relating to a key part of the toy 51) have 3 been removed. Armour portions 53 that have become detached during play can thereafter 4 be easily reattached for subsequent plays.

6 It is also envisaged that armour portions 3 or 53 could be deployed in cascade; i.e. 7 wherein one armour portion 3 or 53 effectively acts as a body portion 5 or 55 for a 8 subsequent armour portion. In such a cascade, armour portions may be deployed in 9 descending attachment strengths to allow progressive removal of armour portions with successive projectile strikes.

12 While the invention has been illustrated using the example of exploding armour portions 13 that are designed to be ejected from the surface of an object when struck with a projectile, 14 it shall be readily apparent to the skilled person that the invention applies equally to any component of a toy or product where it is desirable to have a piece pop off upon impact, 16 for example, a toy laser turret atop a model fortress, or guard figures located along a wall 17 of a toy castle. The strength of impact required to cause detachment and propelling (i.e. 18 simulating explosion or the like) can be controlled as described above. For example, 19 larger features or figures may be made to require a greater impact to remove them.

21 Furthermore, references to the relative terms upper and lower are for the purposes of 22 illustration only and are not intended to limit the orientation or configuration of any 23 attachment means or other features of the invention. For example, the armour portion 24 described in Figures 1 to 4 is shown in a first orientation and in Figure 5 in a second orientation, effectively an upside-down version of the first. Accordingly, there is no 26 limitation on how such exploding portions should be attached, and such attachments may 27 dispose the armour portions in a horizontal or indeed diagonal orientation.

29 The invention provides a toy with attachments, such as pieces of armour as described in the preferred embodiments, which can be removed from the toy by striking with a projectile 31 or otherwise actuating a detachment mechanism. A biasing means such as a spring or 32 other resilient member causes the attachments to be forced away from the toy when 33 released, to simulate an explosion, and may act to enhance attachment to the toy prior to 34 actuation.

1 Throughout the specification, unless the context demands otherwise, the terms comprise' 2 or include', or variations such as comprises' or comprising', includes' or including' will be 3 understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the 4 exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

6 Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as herein intended, 7 and embodiments of the invention may include combinations of features other than those 8 expressly claimed.