US20110028066A1

US20110028066A1 - Changeable modeling toy

Info

Publication number: US20110028066A1
Application number: US12/511,758
Authority: US
Inventors: Kuo-Hsing Cho; Ping-Hung Tsai; Chin-I Liu
Original assignee: Tirid Tech Co Ltd
Current assignee: Tirid Tech Co Ltd
Priority date: 2009-07-29
Filing date: 2009-07-29
Publication date: 2011-02-03

Abstract

A changeable modeling toy includes a front housing, a back housing and a changeable modeling module. The front housing has a window, a first surface printed with a first scene, and a second surface printed with a second scene. The back housing having a first surface and a second surface is connected with the front housing by a first pivot. The changeable modeling module is arranged between the second surface of the front housing and the first surface of the back housing and includes a plurality of modeling groups, wherein each of the modeling groups includes a plurality of changeable modeling plates that can be put together to create a variety of modelings. Fun of the changeable modeling toy can be increased as a result of design of multiple scenes.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to a changeable modeling toy, and more particularly to a changeable modeling toy including a variety of scenes.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Referring to FIG. 1, a changeable modeling toy 1 according to a prior art includes a plurality of modeling groups such as head modeling group 11, body modeling group 12 and lower body modeling group 13, wherein each of the modeling groups 11, 12 and 13 is composed of a plurality of modeling plates. Besides, the modeling plates belonging to the same modeling group are connected with each other by a pivot 14 so as to easily page and change the modeling plates.
The modeling plates are printed with different modeling patterns respectively. For example, each of the modeling plates belonging to the head modeling group 11 is printed with a pattern of various hairstyles, hair colors and hair decorations; each of the modeling plates belonging to the body modeling group 12 and the lower body modeling group 13 is printed with a modeling pattern of different dress and decoration respectively. According to the foregoing structure, users may change a modeling by combining the modeling plates of different modeling group. However, the changeable modeling toy 1 according to a prior art is unexciting and there is still more room for improvement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a changeable modeling toy which includes multiple scenes so that users have more fun by changeable modelings.
In one embodiment, the proposed changeable modeling toy includes a front housing, a back housing and a changeable modeling module. The front housing has a window, a first surface printed with a first scene, and a second surface printed with a second scene. The back housing having a first surface and a second surface is connected with the front housing by a first pivot. The changeable modeling module is arranged between the second surface of the front housing and the first surface of the back housing and includes a plurality of modeling groups, wherein each of the modeling group includes a plurality of changeable modeling plates that can be put together to create a variety of modelings.
The objective, technologies, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing conceptions and their accompanying advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated after being better understood by referring to the following detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a changeable modeling toy according to a prior art;

FIG. 2 is a top view diagram schematically illustrating a state of closing front housing of a changeable modeling toy according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view diagram schematically illustrating a state of opening front housing of a changeable modeling toy according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional diagram schematically illustrating a cross sectional structure of the changeable modeling toy along the line AA′ shown in the FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional diagram schematically illustrating a operation state of a changeable modeling toy according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a part of elements of a changeable modeling toy according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The detailed explanation of the present invention is described as following. The described preferred embodiments are presented for purposes of illustrations and description, and they are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 2 to FIG. 4, a changeable modeling toy 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a front housing 21, a back housing 22 and a changeable modeling module 23. The front housing 21 has a window 213, a first surface 211 printed with a first scene, and a second surface 212 printed with a second scene. The back housing 22 has a first surface 221 and a second surface 222 and is connected with the front housing 21. For example, the back housing 22 is connected to the front housing 21 by a first pivot 24 a so that the front housing 21 and the back housing 22 can be hinged according to the first pivot 24 a. In other words, the front housing 21 and the back housing 22 can be collapsed by states that the first surface 221 of the back housing 22 faces the second surface 212 of the front housing 21 or the second surface 222 of the back housing 22 faces the first surface 211 of the front housing 21.
The changeable modeling module 23 is arranged between the second surface 212 of the front housing 21 and the first surface 221 of the back housing 22. The changeable modeling module 23 comprises a plurality of modeling groups such as head modeling group 231 a, body modeling group 231 b and lower body modeling group 231 c. It should be noted that the changeable modeling module 23 may comprise more or less modeling groups. Each of the modeling groups 231 a, 231 b and 231 c comprises a plurality of changeable modeling plates 2311 that can be put together to create a variety of modelings. For example, the modeling plates 2311 belonging to the same modeling group are connected with each other by a second pivot 24 b to page the modeling plates 2311 and put together desired modelings according to users.
In one embodiment, the changeable modeling module 23 comprises a substrate 2312. One end of the substrate 2312 is connected to the front housing 21 and the back housing 22 by the first pivot 24 a, and the other opposite end of the substrate 2312 is connected to the second pivot 24 b. Therefore, the changeable modeling module 23 can be hinged according to the first pivot 24 a. It should be noted that the modeling plates 2311 of the changeable modeling module 23 may be removable and users can swap the modeling plates 2311 to create a variety of modelings.
According to the foregoing structure, the front housing 21 may be opened to change modeling for users to see a second scene printed on the second surface 212 of the front housing 21, such as a dressing room or a backstage as illustrated in FIG. 3. And, the front housing 21 may be closed for users to see the first scene printed on the first surface 211 of the front housing 21, such as a stage as illustrated in FIG. 2. Furthermore, users may enjoy watching the combined scenes through the window 213. By changing different scenes, users may have more imagination and fun.
In one embodiment, the changeable modeling toy 2 of the present invention comprises an optical element 25 covering the window 213. The optical element 25 has the nature of transmission and reflection. For example, light from the first surface 211 side of the front housing 21 will transmit through the optical element 25. On the contrary, light from the second surface 212 side of the front housing 21 will be reflected by the optical element 25. Therefore, the optical element 25 will not interfere users from enjoying the modeling through the window 213 and can be a mirror to create a sense of reality of the second scene (dressing room or backstage). It should be noted that the reflection of the optical element 25 can be increased while the front housing 21 and the back housing 22 is collapsed by the state that the second surface 222 of the back housing 22 faces the first surface 211 of the front housing 21, as illustrated in FIG. 5. In another embodiment, the second surface 222 of the back housing 22 may be a specular surface. Therefore, while the back housing 22 is collapsed by the state illustrated in FIG. 5, the second surface 222 of the back housing 22 can be considered as part of the second scene, for example, as a mirror.
Referring to FIG. 2, the changeable modeling toy 2 of the present invention comprises a light emitting element 26 a, such as a light-emitting diode (LED), arranged on the first surface 211 of the front housing 21. The light emitting element 26 a can light up the modeling plates 2311 through the window 213, which increase not only the stage effect of the scene but also the transmission effect of the optical element 25. Alternatively, the light emitting element may only be used as stage decoration, such as the light emitting element 26 b illustrated in FIG. 2.
In another embodiment, the optical element 25 covering the window 213 has a nature of generating three-dimensional pattern. The detailed structure of the optical element 25 has been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,800,907 which is herein incorporated in its entirety by reference thereto. Therefore, when the optical element 25 is pressed close to the modeling plates 2311, some three-dimensional patterns will show on the modeling plates 2311 through the optical element 25.
Referring to FIG. 6, the changeable modeling toy of the present invention comprises an audio playback module 31 arranged at the front housing 21 and/or the back housing 22. The audio playback module 31 is configured for outputting audio signals, such as music and/or sound effects. Therefore, on changing the modeling, the audio playback module 31 may output suitable sound effects for the second scene, such as sound of running hair dryer or urging dancers on stage. While closing the front housing 21 and enjoying the modeling, the audio playback module 31 may output suitable music for the first scene, such as stage. Together with reference to FIG. 2, the light emitting element 26 a and 26 b arranged on the first surface 212 of the front housing 21 can change lighting effects with the audio signals outputted by the audio playback module 31. For example, the light emitting element 26 a and 26 b can be flashing with the rhythm of the music.
In one embodiment, the changeable modeling toy of the present invention comprises a motion detector 32 electrically connected with the audio playback module 31. For example, the motion detector 32 may be an acceleration sensor or a vibration sensor. The motion detector 32 can detect motions of the changeable modeling toy so as to control the audio signals outputted by the audio playback module 31. For example, users can shake the changeable modeling toy to switch different music or output some predetermined sound effects.
To summarize the foregoing descriptions, the changeable modeling toy of the present invention includes multiple scenes so that users may have more fun with changeable modelings. Furthermore, arranging suitable optical element on the window of the front housing can enhance visual effects so as to further increase the fun of the changeable modeling toy.
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, a specific example thereof has been shown in the drawings and is herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not to be limited to the particular form disclosed, but to the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A changeable modeling toy comprising:

a front housing, having a window, a first surface printed with a first scene, and a second surface printed with a second scene;

a back housing, having a first surface and a second surface and connected with the front housing by a first pivot; and

a changeable modeling module, arranged between the second surface of the front housing and the first surface of the back housing and comprising a plurality of modeling groups, wherein each of the modeling groups comprises a plurality of changeable modeling plates that can be put together to create a variety of modelings.

2. A changeable modeling toy according to claim 1, further comprising:

an optical element, covering the window and having effects of reflection when viewed from the second surface side of the front housing and transparent when viewed from the first surface side of the front housing.

3. A changeable modeling toy according to claim 2, further comprising:

a light emitting element, arranged on the first surface side of the front housing for lighting up the modeling plates through the window.

4. A changeable modeling toy according to claim 3, wherein the light emitting element comprises a light-emitting diode.

5. A changeable modeling toy according to claim 1, wherein the second surface of the back housing comprises a specular surface.

6. A changeable modeling toy according to claim 1, further comprising:

an optical element, covering the window and having an effect of generating three-dimensional pattern when the optical element is pressed close to the modeling plates and viewed from the first surface side of the front housing.

7. A changeable modeling toy according to claim 1, further comprising:

an audio playback module, arranged on the front housing and/or the back housing for outputting audio signals.

8. A changeable modeling toy according to claim 7, wherein the audio signals comprise music and/or sound effects.

9. A changeable modeling toy according to claim 7, further comprising:

a light emitting element, arranged on the first surface side of the front housing and changing lighting effects with the audio signals.

10. A changeable modeling toy according to claim 9, wherein the light emitting element comprises a light-emitting diode.

11. A changeable modeling toy according to claim 7, further comprising:

a motion detector, electrically connected with the audio playback module for controlling the audio signals outputted by the audio playback module.

12. A changeable modeling toy according to claim 1, wherein the changeable modeling module comprises a substrate, one end of which is connected to the front housing and the back housing by the first pivot and the other opposite end is connected to the modeling plates by at least one second pivot.