WO1997001450A1

WO1997001450A1 - Apparatus for suspending animated characters

Info

Publication number: WO1997001450A1
Application number: PCT/US1996/010911
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eugene Cheltenham
Original assignee: Ideaworks, L.L.C.
Priority date: 1995-06-26
Filing date: 1996-06-26
Publication date: 1997-01-16
Also published as: AU6395796A

Abstract

An apparatus (10) for suspending graphical characters from a base structure (14) that may be integral with a book. The apparatus includes a suspension member (16) constructed from a transparent plastic material and has a plurality of strips (18-26) extending from a base portion. At the end of each strip is a character portion (12). The strips are separated from the base portion so that the characters 'dangle' from the base structure. The outer strips each have an S-shape so that the characters do not overlap with each other. The base structure may be a transparent dome (58) that is pivotally connected to a book. The dome and dangling graphical characters can be placed adjacent to a front book cover or page which have corresponding graphical backgrounds. The dome can be rotated so that the characters can be placed adjacent to different pages of the book.

Description

APPARATUS FOR SUSPENDING ANIMATED CHARACTERS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a novelty item for suspending animated characters from a base structure.

2. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Children's books typically contain pictures and other graphic displays that correspond to the text of the book. Each page of the book may contain a picture that animates the story provided in the accompanying text. Pictures are desirable because they stimulate interest in the book storyline. Some books may also have an audio input to further stimulate interest in the storyline. For example, some children's books have buttons located adjacent to a pictorial character such as a cow or a pig. The book contains an audio generator which creates a cow or pig sound when the reader presses the adjacent button. In general it is desirable to provide additional audio or visual inputs with the text of a book.

To provide a three dimensional effect, some books contain "pop up" graphical characters. The pop up characters lie in a flat position when the book is closed and expand to a three dimensional position when the reader opens the book. Although effective in further stimulating interest in the storyline, the pop up characters are typically attached to or integrated with the book paper or cover. The pop up characters cannot move from page to page while the reader is reading the book. It would be desirable to provide a children's book which has three dimensional characters that can be incorporated into multiple pages. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an apparatus for suspending graphical characters from a base structure that may be integral with a book. The apparatus includes a suspension member typically constructed from a transparent plastic material. The suspension member has a plurality of strips extending from a base portion. At the end of each strip is a character portion of the suspension member. The base portion, strips and character portions each have a first surface and an opposite second surface. Graphical characters are located on the first surface of each character portion. The first surface of the base portion is mounted to the base structure. The strips are bent over so that the second surface of the strips oppose the second surface of the base portion and the graphical characters are in the view of the reader. The strips are separated from the base portion so that the characters "dangle" from the base structure. The outer strips each have an S-shape so that the characters do not overlap with each other. The base structure may be a transparent dome that is pivotally connected to a book. The dome and dangling graphical characters can be placed adjacent to a page which has a corresponding background. The dome can be rotated so that the characters can be placed adjacent to different pages of the book.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the graphical character suspension apparatus of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a top view of the suspension apparatus;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a book with suspended graphical characters;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a dome that contains the suspended graphical characters;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a magnet with the suspended graphical characters;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a suction cup with the suspended graphical characters.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numbers, Figure 1 shows an apparatus 10 of the present invention. The apparatus 10 suspends graphical characters 12 from a base strucrure 14 so that the characters dangle in front of the structure 14. The characters 12 are separated from the base structure to provide a three dimensional display. The characters 12 are suspended from the base structure 14 so that the characters move in a vibratory manner in response to movement of the structure or exposure to air currents.

The apparatus 10 has a suspension member 16 that is typically constructed from a transparent plastic material. The suspension member 16 includes a plurality of strips 18-26 that extend from a base portion 28. Located at each end of a strip is a character portion 30. The base portion, strips and characters portions each have a first surface 32 and an opposite second surface 34. The suspension member 16 is typically cut or stamped from a single sheet of transparent plastic. Although a single sheet is shown and described, it is to be understood that the member 16 can be assembled from separate pieces. The strips 18-26 are typically cut relatively narrow to create a number of cantilevered beams that support the character portions 30. The character portions 30 are typically cut to match the silhouette of the characters 12.

The first surface 32 of the base portion 28 is attached to the base structure 14. The strips 18-26 are bent over backward so that the second surface 34 of the strips 18-26 face and oppose the second surface 34 of the base portion 30. The bent strips each have a bend that separates the character portions 30 from the base structure 14 to create a three dimensional display. The graphical characters 12 are located on either the first 32 or second 34 surfaces of the character portions 30 so that the characters 12 can be viewed by the user. As shown in Figure 2, the outer strips 18, 20, 24 and 26 each have an S-shape. The S-shape strips separate the character portions 30 so that the suspended characters 12 do not overlap and conceal each other from view. The stripes are configured so that the longitudinal axis of the character portions 30 intersect at a common origin 0. The common origin 0 may be located within the base structure. Creating a suspension member with intersecting longitudinal lines places the characters 12 in the same plane when suspended from the base structure 14.

As shown in Figure 3, the apparatus may be incorporated into a book 50. The book 50 typically has a first cover 52, a second cover 54 and a number of pages 56. Pivotally connected to second cover 54 is a transparent dome 58 that supports the suspended characters 12. The dome 58 and characters 12 can be placed adjacent to the first cover 52 when the book is closed, or adjacent to a page 56 when the book is open. The page may have a picture depicting a background such as a mountain or a road. When the dome 58 is placed adjacent to the page, the characters can appear to be within the background depicted on the page. The dome can be shaken to make the characters move relative to the pictorial background thereby providing an action to the book. The opposing page 56b may contain text that corresponds to the picture on page 56a. After viewing the page 56a, the dome 58 can be rotated and the book can be turned to another page. The reader then rotates the dome onto the pictorial page and the process is repeated. The dome 58 may have feet 59 which support the book 50 in an upright position.

As shown in Figure 4, the dome 58 can be constructed from a transparent plastic material which has a front wall 60, four side walls 62 and a rear wall 64. To assemble the book 50, the suspension member 16 and characters 12 are initially mounted to the rear wall 64. The rear wall 64 is then rotated and sealed to the side walls 62 to enclose the characters 12. The dome 58 may further have a tab 66 that is folded and attached to the book to create a living hinge. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the apparatus 10 can be mounted to a magnet 70 or suction cup 72, respectively. The suspended characters provide a novelty feature for the magnet 70 and cup 72. Although a book, magnet and suction cup are shown and described, it is to be understood that the apparatus 10 can be attached to other base structures.

While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for suspending graphical characters from a base structure, comprising: a suspension member that has a base portion, a plurality of strips extending from said base portion and a plurality of character portions extending from said strips, said base portion, said strips and said character portions having a first surface and an opposite second surface, said first surface of said base portion being attached to the base structure, said strips hang from said base portion so that said second surfaces of said strips are separated from, and oppose, said second surface of said base portion; and, a plurality of animated characters located on said first surfaces of said character portions, wherein said animated characters are suspended from said base portion by said strips.

2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said strips include a middle strip and a plurality of outer strips, said outer strips each have an S-shape extending outward from said middle strip.

3. The apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein each character portion has a longitudinal line that intersects a common origin.

4. The apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein said common origin is within said base portion.

5. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said suspension member is constructed from a transparent flexible material.

6. A book, comprising: a first cover; a second cover attached to said first cover; a plurality of pages attached to said first and second covers; a dome that is pivotally connected to said second cover so that said dome can be placed adjacent to a page, and also rotated away to allow a user to turn said page; a suspension member that has a base portion, a plurality of strips extending from said base portion and a plurality of character portions extending from said strips, said base portion, said strips and said character portions having a first surface and an opposite second surface, said first surface of said base portion being attached to said dome, said strips hang from said base portion so that said second surface of said strips are separated from, and oppose, said second surface of said base portion; and, a plurality of animated characters located on said first surfaces of said character portions, wherein said animated characters are suspended from said base portion by said strips.

7. The book as recited in claim 6, wherein said strips include a middle strip and a plurality of outer strips, said outer strips each have an S-shape extending outward from said middle strip.

8. The book as recited in claim 7, wherein each character portion has a longitudinal line that intersects a common origin.

9. The book as recited in claim 8, wherein said common origin is within said base portion.

10. The book as recited in claim 6, wherein said suspension member is constructed from a transparent flexible material.

11. The book as recited in claim 6, wherein said dome is enclosed.

12. A novelty magnet item, comprising: a magnet; a suspension member that has a base portion, a plurality of strips extending from said base portion and a plurality of character portions extending from said strips, said base portion, said strips and said character portions having a first surface and an opposite second surface, said first surface of said base portion being attached to said magnet, said strips hang from said base portion so that said second surfaces of said strips are separated from, and oppose, said second surface of said base portion; and, a plurality of animated characters located on said first surfaces of said character portions, wherein said animated characters are suspended from said base portion by said strips.

13. The apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein said strips include a middle strip and a plurality of outer strips, said outer strips each have an S-shape extending outward from said middle strip.

14. The apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein each character portion has a longitudinal line that intersects a common origin.

15. The apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein said common origin is within said base portion.

16. The apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein said suspension member is constructed from a transparent flexible material.