US20220023768A1

US20220023768A1 - Constructable Wooden Toy Kit

Info

Publication number: US20220023768A1
Application number: US17/377,523
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas Kreeb; Annie Kreeb
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-07-22
Filing date: 2021-07-16
Publication date: 2022-01-27

Abstract

The present invention relates to a wooden constructable toy kit that offers a fun, unique, and creative toy experience for children. The wooden constructable toy kit is comprised of a plurality of wooden components such as, but not limited to, wooden dowels, popsicle sticks of varying lengths, circular wooden wheels, decorative wooden floral accessories and wooden connection pins. The different components of the kit can further be connected to each other using the wooden connection pins or a glue or adhesive to allow a user to construct various vehicles and objects such as, but not limited to, wagons, sleighs, sleds, people, animals, etc. Further, the kit may be comprised of a set of instructions that includes images and other instructions to aid children in constructing various objects using the kit.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/055,077, which was filed on Jul. 22, 2020 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of children's toys. More specifically, the present invention relates to a wooden constructable toy kit that offers a fun, unique and creative toy experience for children and adult hobbyists alike. The wooden constructable toy kit is preferably comprised of a plurality of wooden components such as, but not limited to, wooden dowels, popsicle sticks of varying lengths, circular wooden wheels, decorative wooden floral accessories, and wooden connection pins. The different components of the kit can further be connected to each other using the wooden connection pins or glue/adhesive to allow a user to construct various vehicles and objects such as, but not limited to, wagons, sleighs, sleds, people, animals, etc. The kit may further be comprised of a set of instructions that includes images and other directions to aid children and hobbyists in constructing the various structures using the kit. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

Toys such as dolls, animals, electronic toys, vehicle toys and radio-controlled toys are popular choices for child entertainment. Other toys, such as construction toys, models, and the like, help children learn about building structures and other educational concepts while assembling said toys. Although many children may enjoy assembling and playing with constructable toys, some toys can be too difficult for young children to assemble alone.
For example, a constructable toy may be comprised of a plurality of similar or identical blocks or pieces that can be used to construct and assemble various items and structures. However, children may become confused as to how to use the blocks to construct said structures, as all block pieces are identical and therefore can be used to construct multiple aspects of a structure. Accordingly, this may cause the child to spend more time that necessary to construct a particular structure, since the blocks/pieces may be identical in shape and/or size and do not have any distinctive features to allow a child to build an understanding of what component of the structure each block may be used to assemble. As such, children may become annoyed and thus refuse to play with conventional constructable toys, which leads to the frustration of parents, teachers and other individuals who are attempting to entertain and/or educate the child.
Furthermore, toys that involve building blocks normally contain blocks that are made of plastic material. Since most children have the tendency to stick various objects into their mouth, there is a high probability of children consuming small plastic-based toy pieces. This is obviously undesirable, as in addition to being a choking hazard many plastic block pieces contain various dangerous chemicals such as Bisphenol A (BPA), which causes harmful developmental effects in infants and is linked to attention disorders, cancer-cell growth, early onset puberty and obesity.
Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for a constructable toy kit which is comprised of differing pieces that allow children and other hobbyists to easily distinguish between all assembly components and therefore easily build structures using the various components. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a constructable wooden toy kit which does not include plastic-based pieces, and is therefore safer to use with young children and those individuals with learning disabilities. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a constructable wooden toy kit that provides an interesting, fun-filled, and creative activity for children. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a constructable wooden toy kit that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and that is both safe and easy to use.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a constructable wooden toy kit for children and other hobbyists. The constructable wooden toy kit is preferably an unassembled kit that comprises a plurality of wooden dowels, popsicle sticks of varying lengths, circular wooden wheels, decorative floral accessories and wooden connection pins. The kit further includes a step-by-step toy assembling image guide and assembly instructions. As such, the different components of the kit can be connected using the supplied pins or glue/adhesive to allow a user to construct one or more small wooden toy items such as, but not limited to, wagons, sleighs, sleds, people, animals, etc. As such, the invention offers a fun, unique, and entertaining toy creation project for children and other hobbyists that is less prone to causing user frustration and confusion during the assembly process than existing constructable toys.
In this manner, the novel constructable wooden toy kit of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives, and provides a relatively safe, easy, convenient and creative solution to entertain children in a less frustrating manner than existing construction toys. Further, the kit allows children and other hobbyists to learn about structures and the form and function of differing structural components during the assembly process. The constructable wooden toy kit of the present invention is also user friendly, inasmuch as it is safe for children as it does not contain any harmful plastic pieces that can be ingested and lead to health complications.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a constructable wooden toy kit. The constructable wooden toy kit is preferably comprised of a plurality of wooden sticks, popsicle sticks, circular wooden wheels, wooden blocks, decorative floral accessories, pins, sandpaper, instructions, paints, paintbrushes, varnishes and other protective coatings, and adhesives. The kit further includes a step-by-step toy assembling image guide and instructions that allows the user to assemble the kit into various objects/structures. As such, the different structural components can be connected together using the included connection pins to construct objects/structures such as, but not limited to, wagons, sleighs, sleds, people, animals, etc.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, a method of constructing an assembled toy wagon using various unassembled or partially assembled toy components commercially available as a toy kit is disclosed. The method is comprised of the initial step of providing a kit having a plurality of wooden sticks, popsicle sticks, circular wooden wheels, wooden blocks, decorative wooden floral accessories, wooden connecting pins or rods, and a step-by-step toy assembling image guide and instructions that allow the user to assemble the kit into a multitude of differing objects/structures. Next, a user is instructed to place the popsicle sticks horizontally next to each other to form a generally rectangular-shaped base, and to connect the popsicle sticks using a connecting mechanism. Then, a user vertically attaches popsicle sticks one over the other up to a desired height on the longer edges of the base using the connecting mechanism and vertically attaching shorter popsicle sticks one over the other up to a desired height on the shorter edges of the base using the connecting mechanism, wherein the vertically attached popsicle sticks form the walls of the wagon. Then, the user attaches circular wooden wheels using the connecting mechanism.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, a method of constructing an assembled tractor and trailer toy using unassembled toy components commercially available as a toy kit is disclosed. The method of assembling the tractor is comprised of the steps of a user placing popsicle sticks horizontally next to each other to form a generally rectangular shaped base and connecting the popsicle sticks using a connecting mechanism. Then, a user vertically attaches a plurality of wooden dowels to the base to form a roof. Then, the user attaches circular wooden wheels using the connection mechanism to form the tractor.
The method of assembling the trailer is also comprised of the steps of a user placing popsicle sticks horizontally next to each other to form a generally rectangular shaped base and connecting the popsicle sticks using a connection mechanism. Then, a user vertically attaches popsicle sticks one over the other up to a desired height on the longer edges of the base using the connection mechanism and vertically attaching shorter popsicle sticks one over the other up to a desired height on the shorter edges of the base using the connection mechanism, wherein the vertically attached popsicle sticks forms the walls of the trailer. Then, the user attaches circular wooden wheels using the connection mechanism to form the trailer.
An additional embodiment of the present invention that may include a method of constructing a sleigh toy is also disclosed. The method comprises the steps of placing a plurality of relatively long popsicle sticks next to one another and connecting the placed side-by-side popsicle sticks using a connection mechanism to form the base of the sleigh. Next, the user is instructed to attach the popsicle sticks in a vertical manner at the bottom of the longer edges of the base using a connection mechanism, and optionally attaching strings at the front end of the base to enable the sleigh to be attached to other structures such as a smaller sled. As such, the invention also offers a fun, unique, and creative toy making project for children and other hobbyists. Further, the kit allows a user to create a plurality of different structures, objects, vehicles, etc.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a diagrammatic view of the essential components of one potential embodiment of the constructable wooden toy kit of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of a wagon structure constructed using one potential embodiment of the constructable wooden toy kit of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a wagon structure constructed using one potential embodiment of the constructable wooden toy kit of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a wooden vehicle structure constructed using one potential embodiment of the constructable wooden toy kit of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a wooden sleigh structure constructed using one potential embodiment of the constructable wooden toy kit of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there is a long felt need in the art for a constructable toy kit which is comprised of differing wooden pieces that allow children and other hobbyists to easily distinguish between all assembly components, and therefore easily construct structures using the various components. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a constructable wooden toy kit which does not include plastic-based pieces, and is therefore safer to use with young children and those individuals with learning disabilities. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a constructable wooden toy kit that provides an interesting, fun-filled, and creative activity for children. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a constructable wooden toy kit that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and that is both safe and easy to use.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of an unassembled constructable wooden toy kit. The kit is preferably comprised of, but is not limited to, a plurality of wooden dowels, a plurality of popsicle sticks of varying lengths, a plurality of circular wooden wheels, a plurality of decorative wooden floral accessories and a plurality of wooden connection pins. The different components of the kit can further be connected to one another using the wooden connection pins and/or glue/adhesive to allow a user to construct various vehicles and objects such as, but not limited to, wagons, sleighs, sleds, people, animals, etc. In addition, the kit may include a step-by-step assembly guide that includes images and assembly instructions. Therefore, the kit enhances the creative abilities of children by allowing them to easily construct different structures from easily identifiable components.
Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a diagrammatic view of the essential components of one potential embodiment of the constructable wooden toy kit 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. As shown, the constructable wooden toy kit 100 is preferably comprised of a plurality of long wooden popsicle sticks 102, a plurality of short wooden popsicle sticks 104, a plurality of wooden dowels 106, a plurality of wooden figures 108 (e.g., humanoid characters), a plurality of wooden animal figures 110, a plurality of wooden floral decorative accessories 112, a plurality of wooden objects 114 (e.g., a lamp), a plurality of wooden wheels 116, and a plurality of wooden connection pins 118. In differing embodiments of the kit 100, the various components of the kit 100 may be comprised of sanded, unsanded, painted, finished or unfinished oak, maple, spruce, fir, pine, etc. Further, the kit 100 may include additional components in differing embodiments to allow a user to assemble a plurality of different objects/structures, wherein the specific components are found on the specific structure to be assembled.
In one exemplary embodiment of the kit 100, the kit 100 may be comprised of at least five long popsicle sticks 102, at least five short popsicle sticks 104, at least five wooden dowels 106, at least one wooden figure 108, at least one wooden animal figure 110, at least one wooden floral accessory 112 that may also be comprised of an adhesive backing that allows the accessory 112 to be attached to various other components of the kit 100, at least one object 114 which may include theme related items that relate to the concept of possible objects/structures the kit 100 can create, at least one wooden wheel 116 and at least one wooden connection pin 118. To assemble the kit 100 into an object/structure, a user may utilize the wooden connection pins 118 to connect multiple components or may use a product known in the art such as glue to adhere components together.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the kit 100 may also comprise one or more sets of instructions 120, sandpaper 121, paint 122, one or more paint brushes 122 having different tip configurations, glue or adhesive 124 and a varnish or other protective coating 125. The instructions 120 may include a step-by-step toy assembling image guide and instructions that allow the user to assemble the kit 100 into a plurality of differing objects/structures. Further, the sandpaper 121 may be used to prepare the surface of the various wooden components for painting 122 and/or application of the protective coating 125, and may be provided in various grit sizes. Once the surface has been prepared, the user can use the paint brushes 122 to apply the one or more paints 122 and/or protective coatings 125 to further customize the finished product and protect the same. Additionally, as previously stated, the various wooden components 102, 104, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116 of the kit 100 may be fixedly or removably attached to one another with the wooden dowels 106, the connection pins 118 and/or the glue or adhesive 124.
FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of a wagon structure 200 constructed using one potential embodiment of the constructable wooden toy kit 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. In a preferred embodiment, the wagon structure 200 is comprised of a base 210 (e.g. bottom), a plurality of walls 220, at least four wheels 116, and a plurality of wooden connection pins 118. The base 210 is preferably constructed by placing a plurality of long popsicle sticks 102 horizontally next to one another and connecting them using a connecting mechanism such as glue 124, connection pins 118 or the like to construct a generally rectangular-shaped base 210. Further, several long popsicle sticks 102 and short popsicle sticks 104 are preferably connected to the base 210 such that they form the walls 220 of the wagon 200. The wagon 200 is also preferably comprised of at least one wooden object 114 in the form of a lamp that is connected to a wooden dowel 106 which is connected to one of the side walls 220.
The wagon 200 is also comprised of at least four wheels 116 that are attached to the wagon 200 structure and enable the wagon 200 to move. The wagon structure 200 may also be further decorated using artificial wooden flowers 112 and/or other decorative accessories in differing embodiments of the kit 100. Further, the interior of the wagon 200 may also be comprised of a bench 202 that is attached above the base 210 such that wooden figures 108 can be placed in a seated position on the bench 202.
FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a wagon structure 200 constructed using one potential embodiment of the constructable wooden toy kit 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture, wherein connection pins 118 are attached to the wagon 200 to allow the wagon 200 to be connected to other structures from the kit, such as wooden animals 110 in the form of horses. In differing embodiments of the kit 100, any figures 108, animals 110, floral accessories 112, objects 114 and wheels 116 may be already assembled as one solid unit, or may require additional assembly from the user to build the components themselves before assembling the larger overall structure.
In various embodiments of the kit 100, the connection pins 118 preferably engage other components of the kit 100 via an adhesive 124, tongue and groove, clamps or other means. In addition, several pins 118 may be connected to one another to form their own structure or component. Further, each pin 118 may be comprised of a set of spring-loaded jaws which allows the pin 118 to grab onto other components of the kit 100 during assembly in a clamp-like manner.
FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a wooden vehicle structure 400 constructed using one potential embodiment of the constructable wooden toy kit 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. In this embodiment, the vehicle 400 is in the form of a tractor that is attached to a trailer 420. The tractor 400 may be formed similarly to the method disclosed above for the construction of the wagon 200 with respect to FIG. 2A. However, the tractor 400 is also comprised of a roof 410 that can be assembled by connecting long popsicle sticks 102 horizontally, one next to the other, and further connecting the roof 410 to the tractor 400 using four wooden dowels 106 which connect each of the corners of the roof 410 to the tractor 400 base structure. The tractor 400 may further comprise at least one seating bench 202, wherein the bench 202 may include at least one wooden figure 108.
The base of the trailer 420 is preferably assembled by connecting a plurality of short popsicle sticks 104 horizontally, one next to another, and attaching short popsicle sticks 104 vertically to create a plurality of walls 425. The trailer 420 is also comprised of a plurality of wheels 116 that are attached to the trailer 420 base, and that allow the trailer 420 to move. In addition, the trailer 420 is preferably connected to the tractor 400 by using a hitch assembly 430 that is comprised of two connection pins 118. Further, various floral accessories 112 and other items can be used to decorate the tractor 400 and trailer 420.
FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a wooden sleigh structure 500 constructed using one potential embodiment of the constructable wooden toy kit 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The sleigh structure 500 is comprised of a sleigh 510 that is connected to a small sled 520 using accessories, such as string 525 or the like. The sleigh 510 is constructed by forming a base using long popsicle sticks 102. In a similar manner, the sled 520 is constructed by forming a base using small popsicle sticks 104. A seating bench 202 may also be attached to the sleigh 510, wherein wooden figures 108 may be seated on the seating bench 202. An animal figure 110 (e.g., a horse) may also be attached to the front of the sleigh 510 using connection pins 118.
As such, the constructable wooden toy kit 100 may be comprised of various components of differing sizes, finishes and colors that allow a user to construct a plurality of different structures, vehicles, object, figures, etc. The kit 100 is preferably commercially marketed with a plurality of different components as described herein, along with images instructing users how to construct various kinds of structures, vehicles, objects, figures, etc. using the kit 100 during each step of the assembly process. The kit 100 may also include a step-by-step guide for parents and teachers to aid them in introducing different colors and shapes of the kit 100 to children, and to further aid the children in constructing different structures, vehicles, objects, figures, etc. using the kit 100.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “wooden constructable toy kit”, “constructable toy kit”, and “kit” are interchangeable and refer to the wooden constructable toy kit 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the wooden constructable toy kit 100 of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size and configuration of the wooden constructable toy kit 100 and its various components as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the components of the wooden constructable toy kit 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the components of the wooden constructable toy kit 100 and its components are important design parameters for user convenience, the wooden constructable toy kit 100 components may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A constructable toy kit comprising:

a plurality of wooden components; and

an instruction guide, wherein the plurality of wooden components comprise a plurality of popsicle sticks having a first length and a plurality of popsicle sticks having a second length, wherein the first length is greater than the second length.

2. The constructable toy kit of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wooden components further comprises a plurality of wooden dowels, a plurality of wooden figures, a plurality of wooden animals, a plurality of wooden flowers, and a plurality of wooden objects.

3. The constructable toy kit of claim 2 further comprising a plurality of connection pins.

4. The constructable toy kit of claim 3, wherein the instruction guide is comprised of a plurality of instructional step-by-step images.

5. The constructable toy kit of claim 4 further comprising a sandpaper.

6. The constructable toy kit of claim 5 further comprising a paint.

7. The constructable toy kit of claim 6 further comprising a paint brush.

8. The constructable toy kit of claim 7 further comprising a glue.

9. The constructable toy kit of claim 8 further comprising a protective coating.

10. The constructable toy kit of claim 9, wherein the protective coating is a varnish.

11. The constructable toy kit of claim 10, wherein the plurality of wooden components are unsanded.

12. A constructable toy kit comprising:

a plurality of popsicle sticks of varying lengths;

a plurality of wooden figures;

a plurality of wooden animals; and

at least one or a plurality of dowels, a plurality of connecting pins and an adhesive.

13. The constructable toy kit of claim 12 further comprising an instruction guide.

14. The constructable toy kit of claim 13, wherein at least one of the plurality of connecting pins is comprised of spring-loaded jaws.

15. The constructable toy kit of claim 14 further comprising a sandpaper and a paint.

16. The constructable toy kit of claim 15 further comprising a paint brush and a protective coating.

17. The constructable toy kit of claim 16, wherein the protective coating is a varnish.

18. A constructable toy kit comprising:

a plurality of wooden components comprising a plurality of wooden dowels, a plurality of popsicle sticks of varying lengths, a plurality of circular wooden wheels, a plurality of decorative wooden floral accessories, and a plurality of wooden connection pins;

at least one wooden figure;

at least one wooden object;

an adhesive;

a set of graphic instructions for forming a structure;

a paint;

a paint brush; and

a varnish.

19. The constructable toy kit of claim 18, wherein the structure is a wagon.

20. The constructable toy kit of claim 18, wherein the structure is a sled attached to a sleigh via a string.