WO1998032509A1

WO1998032509A1 - An assembly toy and a connector therefor

Info

Publication number: WO1998032509A1
Application number: PCT/IL1997/000035
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mordechai Cohen
Original assignee: Yesh, Marvelous Toys Ltd.
Priority date: 1997-01-29
Filing date: 1997-01-29
Publication date: 1998-07-30
Also published as: AU1317997A

Abstract

An assembly toy comprising at least one toy article, each of which comprises an enveloping member made of a soft material and at least one core member made of a hard material capable of being repeatably bent and maintaining its last shape. The at least one core member is entirely coated with a resilient substance. At least one connector member projects from the enveloping member being adapted for articulating to another toy article.

Description

AN ASSEMBLY TOY AND A CONNECTOR THEREFOR

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of toys and more specifically it is directed to a flexible assembly toy suitable for assembling toy articles to one another for constructing a variety of figures and amusement articles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A variety of assembly toys have been offered throughout the years. Assembly toys typically comprise a plurality of component parts connectable to one another, directly or via various connectors.

Such toys generally fall into two categories, a first category in which the component parts are not flexible and a second category in which the component parts are flexible. The present invention falls within the second category.

Among toys^" which fall within the second category are, setting as an example, that disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,918, 196 providing a peg for a game, comprising a flexible wire core, enveloped by a synthetic resin having pliant radial flanges and integral rigid end portions serving as male- type connectors.

A serious disadvantage of the toy disclosed in the ' 196 patent is that after a short while, the wire core member will fail and break owing to fatigue and mechanical failure of the wire peg. Furthermore, the connectors of the pegs are designed only for connecting to suitable connector pieces with no ability to directly connect two peg members to one another. Even more so, the synthetic coating of the peg member hardly has any flexibility with respect to the wire core member and is not convertible with respect thereto, whereby the toy is formable in a limited variety of forms.

European Patent Application No. 0498966/A2 discloses a toy comprising a plurality of flexible wire rods, each composed of a plastically deformable core and a flexible sheath molded of a soft synthetic resin, integrally surrounding the rod, whereby the rod has shape memory characteristics. Each rod comprises at both ends a fitting terminal, comprising a plurality of projections suitable for connecting to a block element formed with a plurality of holes adapted for receiving the projections. The toy does not comprise any enveloping members which themselves are flexible over the core members which are only in the form of wire rods.

However, the composition of figures by using the rods and block elements, according to the disclosure of this European application, is restricted to shapes composed only of wire elements and connecting block elements, the latter being devoid of forming ability, the outcome of which is that this assembly toy has the general appearance of a technical construction game, typically suitable for children of an older age.

Furthermore, the assembly toy according to this European disclosure does not provide means for directly connecting rod elements to one another, but rather requires the provision of an intermediate connecting block member. Other disclosures which are also directed to the second category of toys and which provide flexible toys are for example the disclosures of French Patent No. 71.40812 and U.S. Patent Nos. 1 ,483,718, 3,552,057, 4,964,836 and 5,017, 173. However, the toy disclosed in the above mentioned patent specifications are not assembly toys but rather flexible figures and are thus not of particular relevance to the present invention.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a novel, flexible assembly toy in which the above referred two disadvantages are significantly reduced or overcome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided an assembly toy comprising at least one toy article, each of which comprises an enveloping member made of a soft material and at least one core member made of an essentially hard material capable of being repeatably bent and maintaining its last shape where said at least one core member is entirely coated with a resilient substance; and at least one connector member projecting from the enveloping member and adapted for articulating to another toy article.

The core members are plastically deformable and are typically wire or foil elements made of copper, bronze alloys, etc. Each of the core members is entirely and integrally coated with a resilient substance such as a plastic material.

Preferably, the core member is removable from said enveloping member, whereby the separated enveloping and core members, each comprise at least one individual connector member.

The enveloping member of the toy articles may be made of various soft materials such as fabric, foamed sheet material (such as foam rubber). In some applications the enveloping member may be stuffed with some soft filling material, e.g. wool, synthetic fibers etc.

Various embodiments of toy articles are available in accordance with the present invention, such variants comprising two or more core members which may be individually disposed within the enveloping member or, alternatively, at least some of the core members may be linked to one another by a coupling member.

The enveloping member may have an opening, whereby the core member is slidable within the opening. In a specific embodiment, the opening comprises a washer, frictionally slidable over the core member, whereby the enveloping member retains its position over the core member.

According to a further embodiment of the present application, the toy article comprises at least one volumetric body within the enveloping material. By one application, the at least one volumetric body is slidable over a wire-like core member. By another application, the volumetric body is adapted for windingly receiving a wire-like core member, thereby decreasing the exposed length of the core wire.

By another aspect of the invention, the enveloping member is loose over the core member, whereby it can be manipulated into a variety of shapes. By another embodiment, the enveloping member is tight over the core member, whereby it obtains a shape corresponding with that of the core member.

By still another application of the invention, the enveloping member is a film of material cut in a geometric shape and comprising a plurality of openings for threading a wire-shaped core member. According to this application, the film of material may be manipulated to obtain various shapes with the core wire being threaded through any of its plurality of holes.

Furthermore, the assembly toy according to the invention, comprises a plurality of accessories articles suitable for connecting to any connector members in accordance with the present invention. Such accessories may be, for example, component parts of figures, e.g. eyes, ears, hats, footwear and other accessories useful, for example, in creating various figures, real or imaginary.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed at a connector for an assembly toy in accordance with the present invention, wherein said connecting member is snapingly accommodated within a cup-like member.

The connector according to the present invention may be articulated at any end of a wire-shaped core member, or at an edge of a foil-shaped core member or, at any location of the enveloping member of a toy article according to the present invention.

The connector member according to the present invention is suitable for connecting core members to one another and for connecting enveloping members to one another or to core members. The connecting member is also suitable for connecting various accessory items to core members or to enveloping members.

By a specific embodiment of a connector ,the connecting member is snapingly accommodated within the cup-like member. Furthermore, the connecting member comprises a plurality of projections adapted for engagement with a plurality of corresponding indentions within the cup-like member, whereby the connecting member is angularly fixed with respect to the cup-like member. The arrangement is such that when assembled, the enveloping member is clamped between the projections and mating depressions and indentions.

- Typically, the connector according to the present invention is a male-female type connector, whereby said connecting member is a constituent part of such a connector, namely being either a male or a female connector. A core engaging portion of the cup-like member comprises prongs for penetrating into the resilient substance coating the core member and a suitable opening for receiving an exposed end of the core member, whereby the core member is axially and angularly fixed with respect to the connector.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, one of the constituent parts of a male-female type connector comprises a plurality of radial indentions corresponding with said projections.

It would be appreciated that a connector according to the present invention is in particular suitable for use with toy articles, in accordance with the invention, whereby said connector is suitable either for connecting directly to the core member independent from the enveloping member, or independently to an enveloping member or conjointly to a core member and its associated enveloping member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWLNGS

For better understanding, the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figs. 1A and IB are longitudinal cross-sections of a basic toy article, in accordance with the present invention,^' formed in a straight pattern and in a curved pattern, respectively;

Figs. 2A-2C are three different applications of a wire-type core member withdrawn from the enveloping member;

Figs. 3A-3C are cross-sectional views of a further embodiment of a toy article in accordance with the present invention, the core member being a foil-like member, wherein;

Fig. 3 A illustrates toy article in a flat position;

Fig. 3B is a cross section along line III-III in Fig. 3 A; and - 1 -

Fig. 3C illustrates the toy article in a folded position;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another toy article in accordance with the present invention in the shape of a hand;

Fig. 5A illustrates an eye-like accessory element for use in conjunction with a toy article in accordance with the present invention;

Figs. 5B and 5C are isometric views of connector members, each useful for connecting several toy articles in accordance with the present invention;

Figs. 6 A and 6B are cross-sectional views of a toy article in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, in two consecutive positions, respectively;

Fig. 7A is a presentation of still another embodiment of a toy article in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the toy article seen in Fig. 7A, formed into a star-like shape;

Fig. 7C illustrates how the toy article of Figs. 7 and 7B is used in conjunction with other articles in accordance with the present invention;

Figs. 8A-8D illustrate still a further embodiment of a toy article in accordance with the present invention comprising a removable wire-type core member and a foil-type core member;

Fig. 9 A is a toy article in accordance with the present invention formed in the shape of a thorn;

Fig. 9B is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 9 A illustrated in a straight position.

Fig. 9C is an application of the embodiment seen in Figures 9A and 9B comprising a disc member displaceable along the core member;

Figs. 10A and 10B illustrates still a further embodiment of a toy article in accordance with the present invention illustrating a film of material with a core member interlaced therewith, in a flat position and in a position formed into a cone-like shape;

Figs. 11A-11C illustrate still a further embodiment for use in an assembly toy in accordance with the present invention, wherein:

Fig. 11 A illustrates the enveloping member extended over the core member;

Fig. 11B illustrates the enveloping member shrunk over the core member; and

Fig. 11C is an isometric view of the embodiment seen in Fig. 11 A;

Figs. 12A-12C illustrate still a further toy article in accordance with the present invention, useful in creating different volumetric bodies;

Figs. 13 A and 13B illustrate a further toy article comprising a volumetric body within the enveloping member in a first position, in which the core member is partially accommodated within the volumetric body and a second position in which the core member is retracted from the volumetric body, respectively;

Figs. 14 A and 14B are similar to Figs. 13A and 13B, except for the provision of two volumetric bodies in two positions, respectively;

Fig. 15 is an exploded view of a toy article holding three independent, removable wire-type core members;

Fig. 16 is a partially sectioned isometric exploded view of a male- female-type connector suitable for use with toy articles in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 17 is a partially sectioned isometric view of the connector seen in its connecting position; and

Fig. 18 is an isometric view of an imaginary animated figure constructed of toy articles according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

Attention is first directed to Figs. 1A and IB of the drawings illustrating a basic toy article 20 in accordance with the present invention, comprising an enveloping member 22 made of fabric and enclosing a core member generally designated 24 consisting of a metal wire member 26, integrally coated by a resilient elastomeric layer 28. A first end 30 of core member 26 is fixedly attached to a female-type connector 32 having an opening 34. Edges 36 of the enveloping member 22 are attached to the connector 32, as will hereinafter be explained in more detail with reference to Figs. 16 and 17. An opposed end 40 of the core member 26 is fixedly attached to a male-type connector 42, comprising a projection 44 suitable for engaging with a corresponding female-type connector. Edges 46 of the enveloping member 22 are attached to the connector 42, as will hereinafter be explained in more detail with reference to Figs. 16 and 17.

It will be appreciated that the metal core 26 is typically made of a repeatedly bendable material, e.g. copper, bronze, or a metal alloy wire, or any other suitable material which has shape memory, whereby the resilient coating 28 ensures that the core member 26 is not bent beyond a point at which it may yield. The coating also provides that the core member 26 is not sharply bent, so as to avoid injury of the enveloping member 22.

As can be seen in Fig. 1A, the core member is essentially straight, whereas in Fig. IB the core member is bent to an S-like shape with the enveloping member acquiring a corresponding shape, although the enveloping member 22 is free over the core member 24, and accordingly may be formed slightly different than the core member.

Further attention is now directed to Figs. 2A-2C illustrating a wire-type core member of the type disclosed with reference to Figs. 1A and IB. However, in Figs. 2A-2C the core members generally designated 50, 52 and 54, respectively, are removed from the enveloping member, thus constituting individual toy articles, each comprising at both ends a connector member. In Fig. 2 A both connector members 56 are female-type connectors, in Fig. 2B both connectors 58 are male-type connectors, whereas in Fig. 2C connector 60 is a female-type connector and connector 62 is a male-type connector. Obviously, the core member of Figure 2C may be formed in the shape of a closed loop by connecting connectors 60 and 62 to one another.

It should be realized by a skilled person that a toy kit according to the present invention comprises a plurality of toy articles in which the connecting members are of corresponding size and shapes suitable for connecting to one another.

Figs. 3A-3C illustrate another embodiment of a toy article in accordance with the present invention fitted with a foil-type core member 70 coated with a resilient material 72 and fitted with a female-type connector 74. An enveloping member 76 covers the core member and the connector 74, the latter projecting through an opening 78 in the enveloping member 76.

Fig. 3B is a cross-section of the embodiment seen in Fig. 3 A, illustrating how the core member 70 is integrally coated by the resilient material 72, the core member being in an essentially flat position. Fig. 3C is the same as Fig. 3B, with the core member illustrated in a curved position and the enveloping member 76 corresponding in shape with that of the core member 70.

Fig. 4 illustrates another toy article 80 in the shape of a naive hand, consisting of four wire-like core members 82, each coated with a flexible material 84 and each having one end coupled within a central coupling member 86. A male-type connector 88 is also connected to the central coupling member 86, having a portion 90 projecting from a enveloping member 92, having a general appearance as of a hand.

Fig. 5 A is an accessory article of a toy eye 100 having an eye portion 102 and a connecting portion 104, which in the present example is a male-type connector suitable for connecting to any female connector as hereinabove described. It would be appreciated that such an accessory article is useful for creating real and imaginary animal and human figures and many other accessories may also be provided, e.g. ears, noses, hats, etc. , all being suitable for connecting to any type of a connector member in connection with the present invention.

Fig. 5B illustrates an independent connector 110 having a cylindrical body 112 formed with a bore 114 serving as a female-type connector and a plurality of radial projections 116, serving as male-type connectors.

Fig. 5C illustrates another type of a connecting member 120 in the form of a block formed with a plurality of openings 122, each serving as a female-type connector. Such connectors, which may vary in shape, size and type of connectors, are suitable for connecting one or more toy articles, in accordance with the present invention and may alter in shape and size.

Further attention is now directed to Figs. 6 A and 6B, illustrating a wire-type core member 130 integrally coated with a resilient material 132 and formed at one end thereof with a male-type connector 134 and at an opposed end with a female-type connector 136. The toy article in accordance with this embodiment comprises an enveloping member 138 loose over the core member 130 and being attached to the respective connectors 134 and 136 in a manner as will hereinafter be explained with reference to Figs. 16 and 17. A bead 140 is attached to the enveloping member 138, the bead 140 being slidable along the core member 130, whereby displacement of the bead 140 along the core member entails forming different Figures of the enveloping member 138. Figure 6 A illustrates the toy article in which the bead is displaced practically to its extreme right position whereby, the envelope member 138 forms a flower- like shape 142. In Fig. 6B the bead 140 is displaced practically to its other extreme position, whereby the enveloping member 138 forms a tree-like shape 144.

Figs. 7 A to 7C represent still another embodiment of a toy article 150 in which five wire-type core members 152 are connected to a central coupling member 154, each core member 152 being coated by a resilient material 156 as hereinbefore explained. The structure formed by the core members is enveloped by a corresponding enveloping member 158 stuffed with a filling material 160. Each of the core members 152 have at a free end thereof a male-type connector 164 projecting from the enveloping member 158. Obviously, the number of core members may differ and other types of connectors may be used.

The core members 152 are independently bendable and may be formed in the shape of a star as seen in Fig. 7B or in the shape of a body, as seen in Figs. 7 A and 7C. Various accessory articles may be connected to the connector members 164, for example a hand-like article 80' as disclosed with reference to Fig. 4, a shoe-like article 170 or a head-like member 172, to which other accessories may be connected, such as eyes 100' and ear-like articles 174, forming together an imaginary figure.

Referring now to Figures 8 A to 8D of the drawings, there is illustrated another toy article 180 consisting of an enveloping member 182 formed with a peripheral channel 184 accommodating a wire-type core member 186 coated with a flexible coating 188 and provided at both ends with a male-type connector 190 projecting from respective ends of the channel 184. A pocket-like opening 192 accommodates a removable foillike core member 194 integrally coated by a resilient material 195 and entirely received within the pocket 192 and having a male-type connector 196 projecting therefrom. It will be appreciated that both the wire-type core member 186 and the foil-type core member 194 are removable from their respective receiving openings 184 and 192.

Fig. 8C is a cross-section along lines VIII- VIII in Fig. 8B illustrating both core members 186 and 194. Fig. 8D illustrates how the toy article 180 may obtain a different shape by deforming the core members 186 and 194 as desired. As mentioned hereinabove, both core members are removable from their respective receiving pocket within the enveloping member 182 for increasing the variety of combinations. Other colors of the enveloping member may be exposed by inverting the enveloping member.

Further attention is now directed to Figs. 9 A to 9C illustrating still a further toy article which may be used with the toy in accordance with the present invention, the article generally designated 200 has the general appearance of a thorn having a wire-like core member 202 coated with a resilient member 204 and having one end 206 received within a disc-like member 208 adjacent a wide end of the enveloping member 210 with an integral connecting member 212, projecting from an enveloping member 210. As can be seen in Fig. 9A, bending the core member 202 entails the article a thorn-shape which might be useful, for example in assembling an animal's figure.

It would be appreciated that the narrow end 214 of the article 200 has an open end, whereby the enveloping member 210 may be shrunk so that the core member 202 projects through opening 214.

Fig. 9C is an application of the previous embodiment, wherein a second disc-like member 220 is slidable along the core member 202 for obtaining different shapes of the enveloping member 210. Typically, the sliding disc-like member 220 is adapted for friction-fit over the core member 202, whereby the disc member 220 will retain its position along the core member 204.

In Fig. 10A an enveloping member 225 is formed in the shape of a sector and is provided along its peripheral edges with a plurality of openings 228 with a wire-type core member 230 being threaded through the openings 228. By folding the enveloping member 225 various shapes may be obtained, e.g. a cone-like shape as seen in Fig. 10b, whereby the shape is retained by the shape-memory property of the core member 230.

Figures 11A-11C illustrate still a further toy article generally designated 236 consisting of an elongated wire-type core member 238 coated with a resilient material 240, as hereinabove explained. A sleevelike enveloping member 242 envelopes the core member 238 and comprises two openings, each fitted with a ring 244 slidable over the core member 238. Typically, rings 244 are friction- fit over the core member 238 so as to retain their position once being axially displaced along the core member. Furthermore, the core member 238 is fitted at least at one end thereof with a connector 248.

The arrangement is such that rings 244 may be axially and or rotatably displaced over the core member 238 so as to obtain various forms of the enveloping member 240, as illustrated by three different embodiments in Figs. 11A-11C. It should also be appreciated that core member 238 is bendable.

Figs. 12A-12C of the drawings illustrate a toy article generally designated 250 and consisting of an enveloping member 252 formed in the shape of a volumetric body. Within the volumetric body there is provided a structure 254 consisting of three wire-type core members 256, 258 and 260, disposed at intersecting right angles with respect to one another, each core member being coated with a resilient member as hereinabove described.

As can be seen in Fig. 12A, core members 258 and 260 are fixedly articulated to a coupling member 262, the latter being slidable along core member 256. Free ends 264 of all the core members project through openings formed in the enveloping member 252, each opening being encircled by a ring 266 designed for friction-engagement with the core member, whereby axial displacement of a ring over a respective core member changes the shape of the enveloping member and maintains in its position.

As can be seen in Fig. 12B the toy article 250 may be formed in a shape of pyramid 270 or into a spheric body 272 as in Fig. 12C.

Attention is now directed to Figs. 13A and 13B of the drawings illustrating a further embodiment generally designated 278, consisting of a wire-type core member 280 coated with a resilient member 282 and having one end thereof fitted with a stopper member 284 and the opposed end being fitted with a connector 286 projecting from an enveloping member 288. A sphere 290 accommodates the stopper member 284 and has an opening 292 through which the core member 280 projects. The size of opening 292 is narrower than stopper 284, whereby the core member is prohibited from unintentional disengagement from the sphere 290.

The arrangement is such that core member 280 may be received within sphere 298 (as seen in Fig. 13 A) or may have its entire length project from sphere 298 as seen in Fig. 13B, imparting the enveloping member 288 different forms and shapes.

Further attention is now directed to Figs. 14A and 14B which in principal are similar to the embodiment of Fig. 13, the difference being that the enveloping member 296 accommodates two spheres 298 with a core member 300, windingly receivable within both spheres 298 and provided at both ends with a stopper 302. In accordance with this embodiment, the spheres 298 comprise connector members 304 projecting through the enveloping member 296. As seen in Figs. 14A and 14B the connector members 304 are female-type connectors. It will be appreciate that either one or both spheres 298 are provided with at least one connector member 304 and that the size of the spheres may differ.

Fig. 15 of the drawings illustrates an essentially flat enveloping member 310 provided with three channels 312, each provided with an opening 314 at an edge 316 of the enveloping member 310. Each channel 314 is adapted for receiving a wire-type core member 318 coated with a resilient material as explained hereinbefore and provided with a connector (male or female-type connectors 320 and 322, respectively).

The arrangement is such that bending the toy article 310 with at least one of the core members 318 received within a channel 312 will ensure that the toy article maintains its shape.

Reference is now made to Figs. 16 and 17 directed to a connector member suitable for connecting one toy article to another toy article, each toy article consisting of either or both an enveloping member and a core member.

Figs. 16 and 17 show a male-type connector member 300 and a female-type connector member 302, in Fig. 17 seen in a connected mode. It will be appreciated that any toy article in accordance with the present invention may be formed with either or both a male-type connector 300 and a female-type connector 302. It will also be appreciated that the design of the connector in accordance with the present invention provides connecting means for connecting any combination of core members and enveloping members to one another.

Referring to the Figures, it can be seen that both the male and female-type connectors 300 and 302, respectively, comprise an identical cup-like member 310 having a core engaging portion generally designated 311, formed with four axially projecting studs 312, each comprising inwardly directed radial projections 314 and outwardly projecting radial projections 316, the projections 312 being radially disposed so as to snugly accommodate a coated wire-type core member 318 (see Fig. 17) as will hereinafter be explained in more detail.

The cavity of the cup-like member 310 comprises a concentric cylindric portion 320 projecting from a bottom wall 322 of the cup-like member 310. The cylindric member 320 comprises an inward annular ring 324. An annular skirt member 330 coaxially projects from an inner surface of the cup-like member 310, said skirt member 330 comprises a plurality of pointed bulges 332. Internal wall 334 (see cup-like member 310 of member 302) of cup member 310 comprises a plurality of inward radial projections 336.

Referring now to the male-type connector 300, there is provided a connecting member 340 having a central tubular portion 342 formed with an annular groove 344 and axial notches 346 for rendering the tubular portion 342 some flexibility. The external diameter of tubular portion 342 is adapted for fitting within skirt portion 320, with the annular rim 324 adapted for snap fitting into the annular groove 344 of the tubular member 342 as can be seen in Fig. 17.

Connecting member 340 further comprises a concentric skirt portion 350 formed at its peripheral edge with pointed bulges 352. The diameter of skirt member 350, as well as the size and location of bulges 352 correspond with the size of annular skirt member 330 and pointed bulges 332, correspondingly, for the reason specified hereinafter.

Engaging pin 356 centrally projects via a shouldering portion 358 and is provided with an annular recess 360 and a plurality of radial projections 362 equally distributed along the shouldering portion 358 for a reason which will hereinafter be explained in more detail.

Referring to the female-type connector 302, there is seen a corresponding female-type connecting member 380 in which elements which are essentially similar to those described with reference to the male- connector member 340 are designated the same reference numerals with a prime indication.

Connecting member 380 comprises a receiving portion 384 with a necking portion 386 formed with a plurality of radial projections 388 suitable for engaging with opposite projections 362 of the male-connecting member 340. Opening 384 comprises an inward annular projection 390, suitable for snapingly engaging with groove 360 of pin 356 of male connecting member 340.

Attention is now directed to Fig. 17 for explaining how a core member 318 is connected to a coupling member 300 or 312. Prior to connecting the core member, an end portion of the coating member 396 is stripped off and the exposed end 398 of core member 400 is bent at a right angle. The core member 318 is then inserted between the leg portions 312 with end portion 398 radially extended between two adjacent legs 312. A bracing ring 402 is positioned over the legs 302 retained in place by lateral projections 316, there being a suitable opening 406 for receiving the end portion 398 of the core member 400.

The arrangement of connecting the core member 318 to the connector 310 is such that the projections 314 penetrate into the resilient coating 396, preventing axial displacement of the core member 318. In addition, the free end 398 of core member 400 is received within opening 406 of bracing rim 402 and thus core member 318 is further prevented from axial or angular displacement with respect to the connector.

With further attention to Fig. 17, it is now explained how a fabric enveloping member 410 and 410' , respectively, is connected to a connector member. Prior to engaging the male-type connecting member 340 with the cup member 310 (or respectively female-type connecting member 380 with cup-like member 310) edges of an opening formed within the enveloping member 410 are placed within an annular groove 416 formed between concentric annular portions 320 and 330. Upon snapping engagement of the connector member 340 or 380 within the cup-like member 310, the enveloping member is clamped between the pointed projections 332 and 352 oppositely projecting in a serrated manner, and also between radial projections 336 of the cup-like member 310, tightly bearing against the external surface of the annular skirt 350, whereby the enveloping member is clampingly received between the connecting member and the cup-like member.

It is apparent that the connector member in accordance with the present invention is suitable for connecting to any toy article according to the invention, i,e. directly to a core member or to an enveloping member, and where the toy article is connected directly to the enveloping member then the connecting member may be attached at an aperture of the enveloping member or at an opening of a sleeve-like enveloping member.

As can be seen in Fig. 17, the design of the cup-like members is such that upon connection of a male-type connector to a female-type connector, there is left an annular gap 420 for passage of the enveloping member 410.

It should be clear that a connecting member as hereinabove described with reference to Figures 16 and 17 is suitable for connecting only to an enveloping member, i.e, without a core member. Furthermore, a foil-type core member may be connected to a core member as hereinabove described via a core engaging portion formed in the shape of a recess adapted for receiving a flat edge portion of a foil, as can be appreciated by a skilled person.

Figure 18 of the drawings illustrates an imaginary animated figure 440 assembled of a plurality of toy articles according to the present invention and being connected to one another by connector means which also constitute part of the present invention. The animated figure 440 is constructed of a body element 442 which is an element similar to that described with reference to Figures 14A and 14B, with a pair of eyes 444 (similar to eye 100 in Fig. 5 A and being connected via mail-type connector 104 to female-type connector 304 of the toy article of Figs. 14). The figure 440 further comprises a pair of legs 446 (formed, for example, of element 20 in Figs. 1), each leg having a foot portion 448 (possibly formed by a toy article similar to article 80 seen in Fig. 4). A tail 450 is attached to the body element 442 and is formed, for example, of element 200 of Fig. 9A. A comb-like element 452 is attached at the rear of the figure's head, the comb possibly formed of element 310 seen in Fig. 15, with only one core member 454 accommodated therein.

The figure illustrated with reference to Figure 18 is merely an example of how the toy according to the present invention may be utilized to construct a large variety of real or imaginary figures. It will be appreciated that where the enveloping member (e.g. 460 in Fig. 18) is made of fabric, than some fanciful elements may be attached to the enveloping member by a hook and pile arrangement (NELCRO^®) such as the mouth 462 seen in Fig. 18.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An assembly toy comprising at least one toy article, each of which comprises an enveloping member made of a soft material and at least one core member made of an essentially hard material capable of being repeatablly bent and maintaining its last shape where said at least one core member is entirely coated with a resilient substance; and at least one connector member projecting from the enveloping member and adapted for articulating to an other toy article.

2. An assembly toy according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one core member is a wire-like member.

3. An assembly toy according to claim 1, wherein said at least one core member is a foil-like member.

4. An assembly toy according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one of said at least one core members is removable from said enveloping member.

5. An assembly toy according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one connector is attached to at least one of said enveloping member and said core member.

6. An assembly toy according to claim 1, wherein the soft material is fabric.

7. An assembly toy according to claim 1 , wherein the enveloping member is stuffed with a soft filling material

8. An assembly toy according to claim 1 , wherein a toy article comprises at least two core members, at least one of which being a wire-like core member.

9. An assembly toy according to claim 8, wherein said core members are articulated to one another within the enveloping member by a coupling member.

10. An assembly toy according to claim 2, wherein said core member comprises a connector at each of its respective ends.

11. An assembly toy according to claim 2, wherein said enveloping member is formed with an opening, whereby said core member is projectingly slidable with respect to said enveloping member.

12. An assembly toy according to claim 11, wherein said opening is encircled with a washer slidable over said core member.

13. An assembly toy according to claim 11 , wherein said washer is adapted for frictionally maintaining its position over the core member.

14. An assembly toy according to claim 1, wherein said toy article further comprises at least one volumetric body within the enveloping material.

15. An assembly toy according to claim 14, wherein said at least one volumetric body is slidable over the core member.

16. An assembly toy according to claim 15, wherein said core member is windingly receivable within said volumetric body.

17. An assembly toy according to claim 1, wherein said enveloping member is loose over the core member.

18. An assembly toy according to claim 1 , wherein said enveloping member is tight over the core member.

19. An assembly toy according to claim 1 , wherein said enveloping member is a film of material comprising a plurality of openings for threading said core member.

20. An assembly toy according to claim 1 , further comprising articles forming component parts of figures being connectable to said at least one connector.

21. A connector for an assembly toy according to claim 1 , consisting of a cup-like member accommodating a connecting member, said cup-like member having a core engaging portion and a material engaging portion for clampingly holding the soft material; said connecting member having an engaging portion for detachable connecting to a connecting member of a corresponding connector.

22. A connector according to claim 21 , wherein said connecting member is snapingly accommodated within the cup-like member.

23. A connector according to claim 21 , wherein the connecting member comprises a plurality of projections adapted for engagement with a plurality of corresponding indentions within the cup-like member, whereby the connecting member is angularly fixed with respect to the cuplike member.

24. A connector according to claim 21 , wherein the engaging portion of said connecting member is a constituent part of a male-female-type connector.

25. A connector according to claim 21 , wherein the core engaging portion of said cup-like member comprises prongs for penetrating into the resilient substance coating the core members and a suitable opening for receiving an end of the core member, whereby the core member is axially and angularly fixed with respect to the connector.

26. A connector according to claim 21 , wherein one of the constituent part of a male-female-type connector comprises a plurality of radial projections, and the other of the constituent part of a male-female- type connector comprises a plurality of radial indentions corresponding with said projections.