US3545798A - Animal-shaped toy having readily disassembleable parts - Google Patents

Description

I United States Patent 13,545,798

[72] Inventors flames I1. Swiettl 56 R f r Cited s UNITED STATES PATENTS [2" A I No W 567,962 9/1896 Cooper 285/259X P 1,155,135 9/1915 Dice 46/173 [22] Filed Nov. 10, 1966 [45] Patented Den 8, 1970 2,354,581 7/1944 De Jong 46/173 [73] Assi nee Dan hum Inc 2,709,290 5/1955 Rosenthal... 24/216X 3 a ammo omeiawm 2,733,547 2/1956 Cohn 46/173x 3,074,203 l/l963 Paksy 46/29 3,118,644 l/l964 Wernig 24/208(.3)UX FOREIGN PATENTS 883,895 12/1961 Great Britain 46/28 [54] ANIMALSHAPED TOY HAVING READILY DISASSEMBLEABLE PARTS Primary Exammer-F. Barry Shay 3 Claims, 11 Drawing m Attorneys- Robert P. Whipple and Harold R. Beck 24/2l6;2l7, 46/22 ABSTRACT: An interlock comprising a projection engaged in [51] hi. (I F1619 7/00 a depression. The projection having ribs interlocked behind [50] Field ofSearch 46/22, 25, the stiffened upper entrance periphery of the depression. The

interlock is particularly suited for a construction set having readily engageable and separable members.

PATENTED DEC 8 I978 sum 1 or 2 INVENTORS JAMES B.

I SWETT BY WILLIAM R. KERSHAW FIG-1.3

ATTORNEY PATENTED mac 8 I970 sum 2 or z INVENTORS JAMES B.

SWETT BY WILLIAM R. KERSHAW- flo 4 'VATTORNEY ANIMAL-SHAPED TOY HAVING READILY DISASSEMBLEABLE PARTS This invention relates to assemblable constructions and refers more particularly to snap-together toy components. The toy components generally preferably are of at least partially hollow construction and assemblable to form a completed body of an animal or the like.

Such toy construction FIGS. are particularly appealing and safe for youngsters and are helpful in increasing both muscular dexterity and coordination. It is desirable that such components firmly and positively 'interengage and that a meaningful amount of force is necessary to dislodge the pieces in relationship to each other so that they will not when assembled and in normal use become accidentally disassembled.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide an assemblable construction which is positively and fixedly held together and readily disassemblable into component parts when desired.

Anotherrobject of the invention is the provision of novel specific interlocking means for accomplishing a component assemblable structure which is fixedly held together but readily disas'semblable; I

A further object of the invention is the facile manufacture of readily assemblable and disassemblable construction components of the general type therein described.

Other objects of the present invention will become more apparent in the course of the following specification wherein the invention will appear more clearly when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, showing by way of example, preferred embodiments of the invention. In thedrawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toy dog'character in its as sembled position and utilizing concepts of the present invention; Y

FIG. 2 is an exploded side elevational view of the device set forth in FIG. 1 of the drawings;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view on enlarged scale showing the details of the leg section component of the toy character shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the leg section of the toy character shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale showing one embodiment of the connecting means set forth in the present invention and in particular that operating between the head section 11 and the leg section 12, as shown in the left hand portion of the drawings in FIG. 2 thereof;

FIG; 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the body component of the toy character shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings;

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view on an enlarged scale similar to FIG. 5 of the drawings but showing another of the embodiments of the present invention and particularly that utilized between the leg section 12 and the body section 13;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 8-8 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 7 of the drawings;

FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view showing components 12 and 13 of the toy figurine in a partially disassembled position from each other; and

FIG. 11 is a still further embodiment of the present invention shown in partial sectional form'and depicting a construction wherein a tapered boss construction is utilized.

Throughout the specification, like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts.

Turningnow to the drawings and more particularly FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, the overall subject matter of the invention will be more fully explained in relationship thereto. Thus, as a means of illustrating the invention, the drawings depict an as semblable toy figure in the overall shape of a dog caricature referred to by reference numeral 10 and composed of several engageable component sections. Such component sections are namely comprised of a head section 11, two essentially identical leg or combination hind quarter-four sections 12, a body section 13 and a tail section 14. These component portions are preferably fabricated from known plastic materialssuch as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene,

etc. and by known fabrication techniques such as injection molding wherein half components are thereafter integrated, slush molding, rotational casting, blow molding, etc.

As at least portions of the components 12 and 13 are preferably hollow and in accordance therewith are particularly adapted to blow molding techniques, the invention will hereinafter be described in detail assuming that all such body components have been so fabricated bearing in mind that other techniques which afford the same or similar constructional provisions as will hereinafter be brought out should be considered the equivalent to said blow molding technique.

Each of the component sections which are adapted for receipt of another component section (namely sections 12 and 13) are provided with a generally planar surface within which is formed a depression for receipt of a projecting portion or extension from the body sectionwith which it is adapted to be engaged.

Turning now to FIGS. 15 of the drawings, section 12, as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings, is provided with a substantially planar surface 15 at one side thereof. A generally cup-"shaped depression 16 is formed within the extent of such planar surface 15 and. preferably centrally thereof. The depression is further formed by a generally straight sidewall 17 downwardly extending from the upper periphery 18 thereof at the intersection of said sidewall 17 with the planar area 15. The sidewalls are generally uninterrupted in configuration and are provided at the lower periphery 19 thereof with a base 20.

Turning now to FIG. 2 of the drawings, the head section 1 I, which is adapted to interengage primarily with a leg section 12 is provided with an extension 21 outwardly projecting from such section in such a manner so as to complete the overall desired constructional effect brought out by the interengagement of these two sections 11 and 12. Such extension 21 is comprised of sidewall 22 having an end portion 23. The shape of the extension 21 is determined by the peripheral shape of the depression 16 with which it is adapted to be engaged and is also of a longitudinal extent somewhat less than that of the depression 16 for reasons which will be hereinafter apparent. Extension 21 is further provided with a plurality of ribs 24 upwardly extending from the surface of the sidewall 22 and generally equally spaced thereabout. These ribs 24 extend from a sidewall location which is distinctly spaced from the base intersection thereof with the main body sections of the head section 11, outwardly along the sidewall to a termination point which maybe proximate the base 23 thereof.

Interaction of the extension 21 and the depression 16 when such are in an interengaged position is best shown by FIG. 5 of the drawings wherein such is somewhat illustratively depicted for clarity. Referring thereto, it may be seen that the depression sidewall 17 is significantly outwardly flexible which flexibility is afforded by a thin wall material construction solely or such construction in combination with the utilization of materials which are inherently somewhat flexible. It may also.

be apparent that the cross-sectional extent of the extension 21, through at least one rib 24 and preferably two ribs, is of an extent slightly greater than that of the unflexed diameter of the sidewall 17. Accordingly, in assembling the extension with the depression, a temporary distortion of the ribs 24 or the entrance periphery area of the 18 of the depression or a combination of both takes place. There, in this respect, the surrounding generally planar area 15. forms a disc-fonn stiffening construction about the entrance periphery 18 of the depression and accordingly enables such area to resist substantial flexure, at least in comparison with the flexure pennitted by the sidewall area 17 moredistal therefrom. Thus, after such initial distortion above referred to, the ribs 24 of the extension 21 outwardly extend the flexible sidewall 17 so as to form a substantial interlock therebehind because by reason of the less flexible nature of said sidewalls immediately proximate said disc form stiffening portion of the generally planar surface 15. Such surface, of course, need not be normally disposed to the sidewall 17; however, the further such intersectioning surfaces are from a normal relationship, the less stifiening effect is brought about and accordingly, it is preferable that a highly acute or obtuse angular relationship be avoided in those cases wherein a full stiffening effect is desirable. It should also be brought out at this time that the opposed section surfaces 11 and 15 need not be in contact with each other and that such slightly spaced apart disposition as shown in FIG. of the drawings is'often more desirable especially in the case of toy figurines such as those illustratively shown; however, the lesser longitudinal extent of the extension 21 in relationship to the depression 16 permits full body section contact with those areas adjacent the interlocking means where such is necessary or desirable.

Turning now to FIGS. 1 through 4 and 6 through of the drawings, body section 13, as best shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings, is provided with substantially planar surfaces 25 at either side thereof. A generally cup-shaped depression 26 similar to depression 16 isformed within the extent of such surface 25 and generally centrally thereof. The depression is further formed generally with a straight downwardly extending sidewall 27 from an upper periphery 28 thereof formed between the intersection of such sidewall 27 with the planar area 25. The sidewall 27 is generally of an uninterrupted configuration and is provided at the lower periphery 29 thereof with a bottom or base 30.

A projection 31 of the leg section 12 extends outwardly from a side thereof generally opposed to the planar surface and is adapted to cooperatively engage with the depression 26 so as to temporarily but fixedly interlock the body section 13 with one or both of the leg sections 12. Such extension 31 is comprised of a sidewall 32 having an .end portion 33. This extension 31 is further provided with a plurality of ribs upwardly extending from the surface of the sidewall 32 and generally equally spaced thereabout. These ribs comprise a first set of ribs 34 and a second set of ribs 35. The two sets of ribs are alternatively interspaced with each other and are preferably generally equally disposed in relationship to each other. The first set of ribs 34 extend from the base periphery 36 longitudinally outward along the sidewall 32 thereof to a termination point which may be proximate the base 33 thereof. The second set of ribs 35 on the other hand, extend from a sidewall location distinctly spaced from the base peripheral intersecnoncircular configurations are utilized, that such spacings may be modified in accordance therewith so long as the interlocking relationship that will hereinafter be brought out is maintained. In the present embodiment of the invention, as in that above described in relation to FIGS. 1-5, a similar disc form stiffening construction is afforded. This construction or member which is a portion of the generally planar surface 25 operates to reduce the flexibility of the sidewall 27 of the depression 26 in those areas immediately proximate to the intersection thereof with the generally planar surface 25 in a similar manner as brought out in regard to the interaction between head member 11 and leg member 12.

The interlock effect obtained is, however, of a modified nature due to the particular shape and placement of the two sets of ribs 34 and 35. Thus, as shown in FIG. 8 of the drawings, each of the ribs in both sets of ribs 34 and 35 are in engagement with the sidewalls 27 so as to slightly outwardly flex such or at least in engagement therewith. However, as the second set of ribs 35 terminate before their intersection with the major portions of the section 12, there is a space of reduced cross-sectional dimension formed in such a location. Thus, when the extension 31 is in essentially fully engaged relationship with the depression 26, as shown in FIG. 7 of the second set of ribs 35 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 of the drawings so as to form an effective interlock between thesections l2 and 13 of the overall construction. This interlock effect is enhanced by the presence of the first setio f ribs 34 in this area which cause a slight stretching or outward distortion of the sidewalls 27 so as to enhance or more effectively draw in the portions therebetween behind the second set of ribs 35. Thus, when body numbers 12 and 13 so interengaged are to be disassembled, a stretching or distortion of the sidewalls 27 thereof in the areas in alignment with the second set of ribs 35 is necessitated. This distortion is, of courseffi esisted by the presence of the disc-form construction 37 and accordingly increases the force required to separate the members from each other as depicted by the outward deflection of the central portions of the planar surface 25 as illustrated in FIG. 10 of the drawings. The arrows in FIG. 10 illustrate the moving direction of the opposed sections 12 and 13.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. ll of the drawings wherein a projection 41 similar to projection 31, above described, is provided with a tapered sidewall construction 42. Such tapered construction is useful in reducing the extend of undercut presence and accordingly enhances the removal of constructional components such as like sections 12 assuming production through the blow molding technique and I parting line or mold half separation centrally thereof as represented by the solid line running through thebrow, central face or nose of the dog figurine illustrated. In opposition thereto, the parting line of the leg sections 12 is normal to its projection 31 and is also represented by the solid line running longitudinally thereof, as illustrated in FIGS. l--4. This modified construction thus facilities the ease in which components such as leg sections 12 may be removed from anopen blow molding ejection position. Ribs 43 similar to ribs 24 or. either set of ribs 34 and 35 may be utilized so as to obtain the effects obtainable through the above previously mentioned rib construction but wherein a less prominentundercut construction is presented. That is, ribs 43 which terminate prior to their connection to the body section may be utilized as illustratively shown in the lower portion of. the FIG. 11 of the drawings so as to obtain an interlock similar to that brought out by the second set of ribs 35 or the ribs 24 described in FIGS. 1 through 5 of the drawings. On the other hand, ribs similar to the first set of ribs 34 described in connectionwith the description of FIGS. 1 through 4 and 6 through 10 of the drawings and as illustrated in the upper section of FIG. 11 of the drawings may be utilized.

We claim:

1. In an assemblable construction having first and second component members interengageable with each other wherein at least said second componentis of hollow construction, a connection means for temporarily but fixedly joining said members, said connection means comprising a generally geometrically regular extension on said first member adapted for interconnection with a similarly shaped depression provided in said second member, said extension and said depression having substantially straight sidewalls, said depression sidewalls being uninterrupted whereas said extension sidewalls are provided with first and second longitudinally. orientated rib sets, the individual ribs of which are alternatively interspaced about said extension sidewall, said first set ribs extending generally the entire lengthof said extension sidewall from a position proximate to the outer periphery of said extension sidewall, said second set ribs also extending from a position proximate to the outer peripheral set extension sidewall but terminating'short of the base of said sidewall and accordingly being spaced from said first member component sectionsadjacent said extension, said depression sidewall being outwardly flexed in those areas contactedby said first rib set and drawings, portions" of the sidewall 27 are drawn behind the inwardly drawn in the remaining areas to forceportionsof said stiffening disc-form construction surrounding the upper entrance periphery of said depression so as to enhance the interlock effect between said first and second members.

3. The construction ser forth in claim 1 wherein both said extention and said depression are of a circular cross section interrupted only by said rib sets and wherein said first and second rib sets are equally spaced from each other.

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