WO1993003807A1

WO1993003807A1 - Transformable toy

Info

Publication number: WO1993003807A1
Application number: PCT/US1991/005782
Authority: WO
Inventors: Walter L. Nelson; Robert D. Zera; Gail M. Good; Mary A. Furuseth
Original assignee: Tonka Corporation
Priority date: 1991-08-15
Filing date: 1991-08-15
Publication date: 1993-03-04

Abstract

A toy (10) includes a container (11) movable between a first position and a second position. The toy (10) also includes a doll torso (21) coupled to the container (11) so that the doll torso (21) is substantially within the container (11) when the container (11) is in the first position. The doll torso (21) is displayed when the container (11) is in the second position.

Description

TRANSFORMABLE TOY Background of the Invention 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to toys and more particularly to toy dolls resembling human figures in one mode.

2. Description of the Related Art

A wide variety of toy dolls have been known in the past commencing perhaps with figures constructed from grass and twigs to the modern vehicle to robot figures of the Gobot® brand toys. Some of theses toys are capable of transforming into a different figure by manipulation of hinged areas.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention includes a toy doll which is constructed of a container and a doll torso mounted in the container. The container may be in its normal position with the doll torso contained therein. Alternatively, the container portion may be inverted or turned inside out, which supports the doll torso in an elevated position. In the inverted position, the container serves as a skirt for the doll. The container may include a fabric inner liner which resembles a skirt fabric when the container is in the inverted position. The container may also include a polymeric top, e.g., frosting-like, which overlies and conceals the doll when the container is in its normal position.

Brief Description Of The Drawings

A detailed description of the invention is hereafter described with specific reference being made to the drawings in which: FIG. 1 shows the present invention in the cupcake configuration;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 2-2 in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention in the doll configuration; FIG. 4 is a view partially in section along the lines 4-4 in FIG. 3; FIG. 5 and 6 show the present invention in the garbage can configuration;

FIG. 7 and 8 show the present invention in the redwood basket configuration;

FIG. 9 shows the present invention in the wedding cake configuration; FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 10-10 in FIG. 9; FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIGS 9 and 10 in the inverted position with a portion cut away; FIG. 12 shows the present invention in a parfait glass configuration;

FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line 13-13 in FIG. 12; FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 in the inverted position with a portion cut away;

FIG. 15 is an embodiment in which the container that inverts is enclosable within a base;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the toy of FIG. 15 in a hidden position; FIG. 17 shows a cross-sectional view taken along lines 17-17 of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is an embodiment showing that the container may include appendages; and

FIG. 19 shows the toy of FIG. 18 in a concealing tea pot configuration.

Detailed Description of the Present Invention

The toy 10 of the present invention is illustrated in Figs 1 and 2 in the cupcake configuration. The toy 10 includes a container 11 which may be constructed of a resilient polymeric material including a frustoconical wall portion 12 and a bottom wall 13. The frustoconical wall 12 may be fluted to resemble cupcake containers typically used in making cupcakes. The toy 10 may include a top 14 which resembles frosting from a cupcake and/or a hat. The top 14 may include a recess 16 for reception of the rim 17 of the container 11.

The toy 10 includes a doll torso 21 with arms 22, 23 and a head 24. The torso 21 may be molded of a suitable polymeric material and may have embossed thereon the appearance of fabric or other textures. The arms 22 and 23 may be rotatably mounted in the torso 21 to permit life-like movement of such limbs. Likewise, the head portion 24 may be rotatably mounted in a suitable socket to permit movement of the head during play. The head portion 24 may include eyes 26, 27, lips 28, and hair 29. A skirt 31 may be attached to the torso 21. The skirt 31 may be of any suitable fabric or polymeric sheet material resembling fabric.

The toy 10 may be converted from the cupcake configuration illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 by removing the top 14 and turning the container 11 inside out to the position illustrated in Fig. 4 to arrive at the doll configuration. In such a position, the torso 21 is supported in the elevated position with the skirt 31 overlying the container 11. If desired, the top 14 may be superimposed over the head portion 24 to resemble a bonnet. The toy 10 can be converted to the cupcake configuration by reversing the procedure.

Alternative Embodiment

An alternate garbage can doll embodiment 110 of the doll of the present invention is shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The doll 110 includes a container portion 111 constructed of a shape retaining flexible material, for example, an injection molded polymer. The container portion 111 has a tubular wall portion 112 and an integral bottom wall portion 113. The container portion 111 resembles a galvanized garbage can and may have a top 114 with a handle 114a.

The doll 110 has a torso 121 with arms 122, 123 and a head 124. The head 124 may have hair depicted thereon. The toy doll 110 may be converted from the enclosed container configuration to the exposed doll configuration in a manner very similar to that described with respect to the cup-cake doll 10 shown in Fig. 4.

Second Alternate Embodiment

A second alternate embodiment 210 of the present invention is shown in Figs. 7 and 8. In this instance the container portion 211 resembles a redwood garden basket with a plurality of slats 211a and open spaces 211 b therebetween.

The container 211 has a bottom wall portion 213. If desired, the slats 211 a may be reinforced at the outer ends such as with elastic bands 215 or a wishbone shaped spring 226 that are secured to the slats 211a. The container 211 may be enclosed with a cover 214 resembling tree leafs and grass.

The doll 210 likewise has a torso 221 , arms 222, 223 and a head 224. The doll 210 may have a skirt 231 attached to the torso 221. The inner side of the skirt may resemble a black or green leaf bag which can be viewed through the open spaces 211b. The doll 210 may be converted from container to doll configurations as described with respect to the cup-cake doll 10. The slats 211a may have a memory with respect to the bottom wall portion 213 such that appropriate container positions or torso supporting positions will be maintained as desired.

Third Alternate Embodiment FIG. 9 illustrates a decorative toy 310 of the present invention having a wedding cake likeness. Toy 310 has an exterior surface 312 which is in a stepped shape, similar to a traditional wedding cake. Cake surface 312 has bride and groom figurines 314 and 316 located on a top step 318. Cake surface 312 has a lower rim 319 which rests on a decorative base 320. In this embodiment, base 320 is a generally round base having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of rim 319 of the cake surface 312.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 10-10 of FIG. 9. FIG. 10 shows that cake surface 312 is a substantially hollow container which contains a doll torso 322. Doll torso 322 is coupled to the top step 318 of the cake surface 312 opposite bride and groom figurines 314 and 316. Thus, surface 312, when in the form of a cake, substantially contains doll torso 322 within the cake. In this preferred embodiment, cake 312 is formed of a resilient, shape- retaining polymeric material. Further, the surface of cake 312 is thin enough and elastic enough to allow inversion when slight pressure is applied to the top step 318 and the lower rim 319 of cake 312. Cake 312 inverts easily by pushing the top step 318 through the opening defined by lower rim 319. For example, a person desiring to invert cake 312 may place the fingers of their hands on rim 319 and their thumbs on top step 318 and apply pressure to rim 319 and top step 318 by squeezing. Thus, cake 312 is inverted.

FIG. 11 shows toy 310 when cake surface 312 is inverted from the cake shaped position shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 11 shows that, when cake surface 312 is in the inverted position, the cake decorations, such as bride and groom figurines 314 and 316, are on the interior of the inverted cake and are not seen. In this embodiment, cake surface 312 forms a shape retaining base and support for doll torso 322 thereby displaying doll torso 322. Doll torso 322 should be shorter than the total height of cake surface

312 so that it can fit within cake surface 312 when in the cake position shown in FIG. 10. Further, doll torso 322 should be thin enough to pass through the opening formed by rim 319 in the base of cake surface 312.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 , doll torso 322 is also fitted with a cloth fabric dress 324. Further, base 320, which serves as the base of cake surface 312 when in the position shown in FIG 10 is also suitable for service as a hat or head ornament for doll torso 322.

Fourth Alternate Embodiment FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of a toy 330 according to the present invention. Toy 330 is in the form of a parfait glass 332 having a bowl portion 334 and a stem portion 336. Bowl portion 334 has an upper lip 335. Stem portion 336 is coupled to bowl portion 334 at one end and has a base 338 at the opposite end. In this preferred embodiment, parfait glass 332 also has a top 340 which has a whipped cream likeness. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of toy 330 taken along lines 13-13 of

FIG. 12. FIG. 13 shows that bowl portion 334 of parfait glass 332 contains a doll torso 342. Doll torso 342 is coupled to the lower end of bowl portion 334 and has a fabric dress 344. Dress 344 is coupled to bowl portion 334 and serves as a fabric inner liner to bowl portion 334. Bowl portion 334 is formed of a resilient shape-retaining polymeric material. The bowl portion 334 is thin enough and elastic enough to allow inversion of bowl portion 334 when slight pressure is applied to the base 338 of stem portion 336, and to the lip 335 of bowl portion 334. The bowl portion 334 inverts easily by pushing the base 338 so that stem 336 passes through the opening formed by lip 335 of bowl portion 334.

Whipped cream shaped cover 340 has a lower end 346 which has a diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of lip 335. Thus, the lower end 346 of cover 340, in this embodiment, fits snugly within the lip of bowl portion 334. However, end 346 of cover 340 is movable within bowl portion 334 so that cover 340 can be removed. Prior to inverting bowl portion 334, cover 340 is removed from bowl portion 334 thereby facilitating inversion.

FIG. 14 shows toy 330 with bowl portion 334 in the inverted position and with a portion of dress 344 and bowl portion 334 cut away. FIG. 14 shows that doll torso 342 is supported and displayed when bowl portion 334 is in the inverted position. Base 338 or lip 335 of bowl portion 334, or both, can support doll torso

342.

Where bowl portion 334 is long enough when inverted to extend down to, or past base portion 338, then base portion 338 should also be narrow enough to fit within the opening defined by lip 335 of bowl portion 334.

Fifth Alternative Embodiment

The embodiment of the toy shown in Figures 15-17 shows that the toy may include a base into which the container may reside. The toy is very similar to those shown and described above. The toy includes a flexible container 412, a top

414 and a doll torso 421 attached to container 412. The flexible container may invert as hsown in the Figures. It further includes a base 430 that encloses container 412 as shown in FIG. 17. The base 430 may be formed of the same resilient material or may be a rigid walled material. As shown, base 430 is formed of the same material as container 412 and in fact may be molded as a unit. To allow the escape of air, an opening 432 may be required.

It should be appreciated that the form shown in FIGS. 15-17 shows that any type of rigid or non-rigid base may be attached to the toy and that the container as such does not need to form a part of the visible base in the concealing configuration.

Sixth Alternate Embodiment Finally, FIGS. 18 and 19 show that the flexible, invertible container may have projections that form spouts, handles or other objects in one configuration. The toy does not need to be constructed with a base container that is in the shape of a cupcake liner.

In FIGS. 18 and 19, the teapot toy 500 is shown to include a container 512 that resembles a teapot, and may include a spout 513 and handle 515. The toy also includes a top 514 and torso 521. The ability of the container to include outwardly extending projections enables the toy to be expressed in many different formats. The other embodiments make it clear that the container may include projections, need not be seen in the concealed mode and need not be the sole supporting base. Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the invertible container 11, 111, 211, 312, 334, 412 or 512 may be embossed with surface texture to resemble fabric in lieu of the loosely hanging fabric material 31. The container may be any of various other depictions such as an ice cream cone, Coca Cola® glass or a flower, e.g., tulip or daisy. The doll figure may be other than a human figure, e.g., a pet dog figure.

In addition, the base container may include any number of members molded or otherwise attached to it, such as cup handles or the like. Other more masculine forms may be created, such as a toy configured as a hand grenade in the first concealing position and a pineapple in the inverted, unconcealed position. Sword-like leaves may replace the doll torso to complete the pineapple. The doll torso or any figure concealed in one mode may be permanently secured to the integral end of the base container or may be temporarily removable.

Claims

[received by the International Bureau on 15 December 1992 ( 15.12.92) ; • original claims 1-3,5 ,6 ,9 and 15 cancel led; claims 10, 11-14,4,7 and 8 renumbered as claims 1 ,2-5, 6, 7, and 8 (2 pages)]

1. A toy capable of transforming from a first concealing position to a second configuration by inversion, comprising:

(a) a base formed of a resilient polymer material having a generally tubular portion and an integral end portion movable by inverting the resilient tubular portion relative to said integral end portion, said base being substantially shape retaining; and

(b) a first figure coupled to a side of the integral end portion of said base so that the first figure is substantially contained within the base when the base is in the first concealing position and so that the first figure is displayed and supported above the base when the base is in the inverted, second configuration position.

2. The toy of Claim 1 wherein said first figure is a doll torso.

3. The toy of claim 1 including a cover that serves to enclose said base while said base is serving as a figure concealing container.

4. The toy of claim 3 wherein said cover is adapted to serve as a hat when in the torso elevated base position.

5. The toy of claim 3 wherein said base includes a fabric inner liner, said liner resembling a skirt fabric when said base is in the inside out position.

6. The toy of claim 5 wherein said base is comprised of a resilient polymer.

7. The toy of claim 6 wherein said base is fluted to resemble a cupcake container.

8. The toy of claim 3 wherein said cover resembles frosting on a cup¬ cake.

9. The toy of Claim 1 wherein said base comprises a cup-cake shaped container, said first figure is a doll torso and a skirt, said torso and skirt being disposed within said container, said container being comprised of a resilient polymer, said container being adapted to be turned inside out thereby displaying said torso, said inverted container serving as a support for said skirt.

10. The toy of claim 1 further including a second figure attached to a surface of said integral end portion opposite said first figure.

11. The toy of Claim 10 wherein said second figure is a stem and said base resembles a parfait glass when the base is in the first concealing configuration supported by said stem.

12. The toy of Claim 10 wherein said base resembles a cake in the first concealing configuration and said first figure is a doll torso and said second figure is an ornament for said cake.

13. The toy of Claim 1 wherein said base includes at least one outwardly extending projection member that is hidden in the second configuration and visible in the first concealing position.

14. The toy of Claim 1 wherein said base is attached to a lower cup shaped container into which the base may be inverted.

15. A toy doll, comprising: a container formed of a resilient polymer material and movable between a first concealing position and a second display position; and a doll torso coupled to the container so that the doll torso is substantially within the container when the container is in the first concealing position and so that the doll torso is displayed and supported by the container when the container is in the second display position.