MODULAR TOY KIT

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to the field of modular toys.

BACKGROUND

Developing strong motor skills for children is crucial for their growth. Similarly, it is equally important for children to develop creativity and spatial reasoning to prepare them in future academic fields or intellectual endeavors. Toys can be an efficient tool for children to self-teach motor skills and creativity. A toy that can foster imaginative play and exploration while maintaining children's attention is needed.

SUMMARY

In one or more embodiments, an apparatus comprises a toy kit that can include multiple pieces. At least one of the pieces can include at least a pair of symmetrical-ended members, a cross-shaped member, and a dual-purposed member. The at least the pair can include a first member and a second member. The first member can include a shaft, a distal end, and a proximal end, wherein each of the distal end and the proximal end of the first member includes a spheroid dome. The second member can include a shaft, a distal end, and a proximal end, wherein each of the distal end and the proximal end of the second member includes a ball joint. The spheroid dome of at least one of the distal end or the proximal end of the first member can be mechanically couplable with the ball joint of at least one of the distal end or the proximal end of the second member such that more than half of a surface area of the ball joint is wrapped by the spheroid dome. The at least the can be deformable such that the spheroid dome of the at least one of the distal end or the proximal end of the first member and the ball joint of the at least one of the distal end or the proximal end of the second member can deform to enable the ball joint to mechanically couple to the spheroid dome. The shaft of each of the first member and the second member can be curved such that each of the distal end and the proximal end of each of the first member and the second member is mechanically couplable, forming an enclosed shape with the first member and the second member. The at least the pair can produce a sound when mechanically decoupled.

The cross-shaped member can include a first member including a shaft and a spheroid dome. The second member can include a shaft and a spheroid dome. The third member can include a shaft and a ball joint. The fourth member can include a shaft and a ball joint. Each of the first member and the second member of the cross-shaped member can be mechanically couplable to a ball joint of another member including the ball joint of each of the third member and the fourth member and such that more than half of a surface area of the ball joint of the another member is wrapped by the spheroid dome of each of the first member and the second member of the cross-shaped member. The cross-shaped member can be deformable to enable mechanical coupling of the spheroid dome of each of the first member and the second member of the cross-shaped to another ball joint and mechanical coupling of the ball joint of each of the third member and the fourth member of the cross-shaped member to another spheroid dome. The cross-shaped member can produce a sound when mechanically decoupled.

The dual-purposed member can include a shaft, a distal end including spheroid dome, and a proximal end including a ball joint. The spheroid dome of distal end of the dual-purposed member can be mechanically couplable with another ball joint such that the spheroid dome of distal end of the dual-purposed member wraps more than half of a surface area of another ball joint. The dual-purposed member can be deformable such that the shaft enables mechanical coupling between the spheroid dome of the distal end of the dual-purposed member and the ball joint of the proximal end of the dual-purposed member, forming an enclosed shape. The dual-purposed member can produce a sound when mechanically decoupled. Each of the at least the pair, the cross-shaped member, and the dual-purposed member can be couplable to each other or other pairs of symmetrical-ended members, cross-shaped members, and dual-purposed members.

In one or more embodiments, an apparatus can include at least a pair of symmetrical-ended members. The at least the pair can include a first member and a second member. The first member can include a shaft, a distal end, and a proximal end, wherein each of the distal end and the proximal end of the first member includes a spheroid dome. The second member can include a shaft, a distal end, and a proximal end, wherein each of the distal end and the proximal end of the second member includes a ball joint. The spheroid dome of at least one of the distal end or the proximal end of the first member can be mechanically couplable with the ball joint of at least one of the distal end or the proximal end of the second member such that more than half of a surface area of the ball joint is wrapped by the spheroid dome. The at least the pair can be deformable such that the spheroid dome of the at least one of the distal end or the proximal end of the first member and the ball joint of the at least one of the distal end or the proximal end of the second member can deform to enable the ball joint to mechanically couple to the spheroid dome. The shaft of each of the first member and the second member can be curved such that each of the distal end and the proximal end of each of the first member and the second member is mechanically couplable, forming an enclosed shape with the first member and the second member. The at least the pair can produce a sound when mechanically decoupled.

In one or more embodiments, an apparatus can include a cross-shaped member. The cross-shaped member can include a first member including a shaft and a spheroid dome. The second member can include a shaft and a spheroid dome. The third member can include a shaft and a ball joint. The fourth member can include a shaft and a ball joint. Each of the first member and the second member of the cross-shaped member can be mechanically couplable to a ball joint of another member including the ball joint of each of the third member and the fourth member and such that more than half of a surface area of the ball joint of the another member is wrapped by the spheroid dome of each of the first member and the second member of the cross-shaped member. The cross-shaped member can be deformable to enable mechanical coupling of the spheroid dome of each of the first member and the second member of the cross-shaped to another ball joint and mechanical coupling of the ball joint of each of the third member and the fourth member of the cross-shaped member to another spheroid dome. The cross-shaped member can produce a sound when mechanically decoupled.

In one or more embodiments, an apparatus can include a dual-purposed member that includes a shaft, a distal end including spheroid dome, and a proximal end including a ball joint, The spheroid dome of distal end of the dual-purposed member can be mechanically couplable with another ball joint such that the spheroid dome of distal end of the dual-purposed member wraps more than half of a surface area of another ball joint. The dual-purposed member can be deformable such that the shaft enables mechanical coupling between the spheroid dome of the distal end of the dual-purposed member and the ball joint of the proximal end of the dual-purposed member, forming an enclosed shape. The dual-purposed member can produce a sound when mechanically decoupled.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is illustrative representation of a modular toy kit, according to some embodiments.

FIGS. 2-6 are example illustrations at various point of views of a pair of symmetrical-ended members of the modular toy kit of FIG. 1, according to some embodiments.

FIGS. 7-12 are example illustrations at various point of views of a cross-shaped member of the modular toy kit of FIG. 1, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 13 is an example illustration of a dual-purposed member of the modular toy kit of FIG. 1, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic representation of a process for coupling and decoupling components of the modular toy kit of FIG. 1, according to some embodiments.

FIGS. 15-16 are example representations of coupled parts of the modular toy kit of FIG. 1, according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS

In some embodiments, a modular toy kit (also referred to herein as “toy kit”) as described herein can include multiple toys, pieces, and/or components in which each toy is deformable and modular such that each toy can mechanically couple and decouple with each other to form unique combinations of shapes or figures. Components of the modular toy kit can be mechanically couplable to each other using spheroid domes (also referred to herein as “sockets”) or ball joints (also referred to herein as “balls”) at each end or protrusion of a component. In some implementations, the spheroid dome can be shaped such that it wraps more than half of a surface area of the ball joint to ensure that the components/pieces are secured. In some implementations, the components can also be comprised of deformable materials to enable users (e.g., children, adults, etc.) to apply pressure when mechanically coupling the ball joint and the spheroid dome. For instance, the ball joint can be deformable such that a child can apply pressure on the surface area of the ball joint to fit inside the spheroid dome. Alternatively, the surface of the spheroid dome can be deformable such that a child can stretch and/or deform the spheroid dome to push the ball joint into the spheroid dome. In other words, because of the deformability of the material, the spheroid dome and the ball joint can each slightly deform to allow the ball joint to be easily inserted into the spheroid dome or easily detached from the spheroid dome.

In some implementations, the components of the modular toy kit can also produce a unique popping sound when decoupled and/or detached for the amusement and attention of children. For instance, components and/or pieces of the modular toy kit can have spheroid domes or ball joints to be used for mechanical coupling in which the spheroid domes can cover more than half of the ball joints when mechanically coupled. The spheroid domes and/or the ball joints can be elastically deformable, in which pulling the ball joints out of the spheroid domes can create a negative pressure (vacuum) that can produce a noise when equalized, thereby producing a popping noise. For example, if the spheroid domes and ball joints were rigid, they would not be decouplable. Also, if the spheroid domes covered half or less of the ball joints, the ball joints would not be held therein, producing no popping noise. In some implementations, the material and texture of the spheroid domes and the ball joints can further enable the equalization process during decoupling and the production of the popping noise.

In some cases, due to the deformability, inserting the ball joints into the spheroid domes can produce a clicking or snapping noise and securely locking the ball joint due to the increase in pressure (and equalization of pressure) and shape of the spheroid domes as it covers more than half the ball joints. For instance, a ball joint can be compressed as it is being fitted inside a cavity of a spheroid dome causing deformation of the ball joint or the spheroid dome. As the ball joint is being fitted, it can encounter friction or resistance inside the cavity of the spheroid dome until the ball joint passes a certain point (e.g., fits into the shape of the cavity or more than half of the ball joint gets covered inside the cavity of the spheroid dome), which snaps and/or secures the ball joint inside the cavity and the spheroid dome, retaining the ball joint's original features, and thereby producing a snapping or clicking nose when pressure is equalized. If the spheroid domes covered half or less of the ball joint, the ball joint would not be able to be securely fitted inside the cavity of the spheroid dome.

In some implementations, the components can have a variety of shapes using in which each component can incorporate some form of a long cylindrical shaft. For instance, the shaft can have a ball joint at one end and a spheroid dome at another end. In some cases, the shift can have a ball joint at each end or a spheroid dome at each end. In some implementations, the shaft can be straight or curved and have various textures such as, for example, grooves, holes, ridges, and/or the like, for better grip. In some implementations, a component can have a crossbar shape with protruding ends/shafts having a combination of spheroid domes and ball joints.

In some implementations, multiple components from multiple modular toy kits can be mechanically coupled and/or decoupled to form a variety of shapes or figures. In some cases, identical components can mechanically couple with each other (if allowed by the configuration of spheroid domes and/or ball joints of those components). In some cases, a single component having both a spheroid dome and a ball joint can mechanically couple with each other forming an enclosed shape.

In some embodiments, the modular toy kit as described herein can be used by children to promote the development of motor skills, imaginative play, spatial reasoning, and exploration while incorporating auditory elements to keep children engaged. For instance, pieces of the modular toy kit can be combined to form various patterns, structures, sculptures, and/or shapes which can enable children to self-teach such motor skills, creativity, and/or the like. When building various sculptures, the children can experience auditory elements such as popping noises when disassembling pieces which can keep the children engaged, stimulated, and/or excited. Examples of the pieces can include sticks, arches, X-shaped connectors, and/or the like which can be connected via ball-and-socket ends. The pieces can be comprised of silicone material.

FIG. 1 is illustrative representation of a modular toy kit, according to some embodiments. The modular toy kit can include components and/or pieces such as, for example, at least a pair of symmetrical-ended members 101, a cross-shaped member 103, and/or a dual-purposed member 105.

FIGS. 2-6 are example illustrations at various point of views of the pair of symmetrical-ended members 101 of the modular toy kit of FIG. 1, according to some embodiments. The pair 101 can include a first member 214 and a second member 204. In some implementations, the first member 214 can include a shaft 219, a distal end, and a proximal end. In some instances, the distal end of the first member 214 can include spheroid dome 216 and the proximal end of the first member 214 can include a spheroid dome 218. The second member 204 can include a shaft 209, a distal end, and a proximal end. In some instances, the distal end of the second member 204 can include a ball joint 206 and the proximal end of the second member 204 can include a ball joint 208.

The spheroid domes 216, 218 can be mechanically coupled with the ball joints 206, 208. For example, the ball joint 206 can be inserted into a cavity in the spheroid dome 216 such that more than half of a surface area of the ball joint 206 is wrapped by the spheroid dome 216. In some cases, the spheroid dome 216 wrapping more than half the surface area of the ball joint 206 can result in improved and/or secure mechanical coupling.

In some implementations, the pair 101 of symmetrical-ended members including the first member 214 and the second member 204 can be deformable such that the spheroid domes 216, 218 and the ball joints 206, 208 can deform, via applied pressure by a user or another object, to enable the ball joints 206, 208 to mechanically couple to the spheroid domes 216, 218.

In some implementations, the shafts 209, 219 can be curved such that each of the distal end and the proximal end of each of the first member 214 and the second member 204 is mechanically couplable, forming an enclosed shape with the first member 214 and the second member 204. In some implementations, the shafts 209, 219 can be designed to maintain a curved shape in a resting position. In some implementations, the shafts 209, 219 can be designed to maintain a straight shape in a resting position. The shafts 209, 219 can be deformable to allow for bending and/or twisting.

In some implementations, the pair 101 and/or the first member 214 and the second member 204, when mechanically coupled to each other, can produce a unique sound when mechanically decoupled. The sound can be snapping and/or popping sound. For instance, because the spheroid domes 216, 218 can cover more than half of the ball joints 206, 208, and the spheroid domes 216, 218 and/or the ball joints 206, 208 can be elastically deformable, pulling the ball joints 206, 208 out can create a negative pressure (vacuum) that produces a noise when equalized, thereby a producing popping noise. For example, if the spheroid domes 216, 218 and ball joints 206, 208 were rigid, they would not be decouplable. Also, if the spheroid domes 216, 218 covered half or less of the ball joints 206, 208, the ball joints 206, 208 would not be held therein, producing no posing noise.

In some implementations, the first member 214 and the second member 204 can be different colors or be the same color. In some implementations, the first shaft 219 and the second shaft 209 can have different textures or features such as, for example, longitudinal grooves, ribs, ridges, and/or the like. In some implementations, the at least the pair 101 can be comprised of silicone materials including food-grade silicone.

FIGS. 7-12 are example illustrations at various point of views of the cross-shaped member 103 of the modular toy kit of FIG. 1, according to some embodiments. The cross-shaped member 103 can include a first member 301, a second member 311, a third member 321, and/or a fourth member 331. The first member 301 can include a shaft 306 and a spheroid dome 304. The second member 311 can include a shaft 316 and a spheroid dome 314. The third member 321 can include a shaft 326 and a ball joint 324. The fourth member 331 can include a shaft 336 and a ball joint 334.

In some implementations, each of the first member 301 and the second member 311 of the cross-shaped member 103 can be mechanically couplable to a ball joint of another member, including the ball joints 324, 334, and such that more than half of a surface area of the ball joint is wrapped by the spheroid domes 304, 314. In some implementations, the cross-shaped member 103 can be deformable to enable mechanical coupling of the spheroid domes 304, 314 to another ball joint and mechanical coupling of the ball joints 324, 334 to another spheroid dome. In some implementations, the cross-shaped member 103, when mechanically coupled via ball joints 324, 334 and/or spheroid domes 304, 314, can produce a unique sound when mechanically decoupled. The sound can be snapping and/or popping sound.

In some implementations the shafts 306, 316, 326, 336 can have features or textures such as, for example, longitudinal grooves, ribs, ridges, holes, and/or the like. In some implementations, the cross-shaped member 103 can be comprised of silicone materials including food-grade silicone. In some implementations, the spheroid dome 304 of the first member 301 to the ball joint 334 of the fourth member 331 can be 4.5 inches in length. The spheroid dome 314 of the second member 311 to the ball joint 324 of the third member 321 can be 4.5 inches in length.

FIG. 13 is an example illustration of the dual-purposed member 105 of the modular toy kit of FIG. 1, according to some embodiments. In some implementations, the dual-purposed member 105 can include a shaft 406, a distal end, and a proximal end. The distal end can include a spheroid dome 408 and the proximal end can include a ball joint 404.

In some implementations, the spheroid dome 408 can be mechanically couplable with another ball joint such that the spheroid dome 408 wraps more than half of a surface area of another ball joint. In some implementations, the dual-purposed member 105 can be deformable such that the shaft 406 enables mechanical coupling between the spheroid dome 408 and the ball joint 404, forming an enclosed shape. The dual-purposed member 105 can produce a unique sound when mechanically decoupled. The sound can be snapping and/or popping sound.

In some implementations the shaft 406 can have textures or features such as, for example, longitudinal grooves, ribs, ridges, holes and/or the like. The dual-purposed member 105 can be comprised of silicone materials including food-grade silicone. In some implementations, the distal end including the spheroid dome 408 to the proximal end including the ball joint 404 can be 4.5 inches in length.

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic representation of a process for coupling and decoupling components of the modular toy kit of FIG. 1, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, at 505, the process can include mechanically coupling a first member and a second member of a pair of symmetrical-ended members (e.g., pair 101 of FIG. 1). In some implementations, any toy or combination of toys from the modular toy kit of FIG. 1 can be used. Mechanically coupling the first member and the second member of the pair can include mechanically coupling via ball joints and spheroid domes to form an enclose shape in which first member and the second member are securely coupled. At 510, the process can include, for example, mechanically coupling other components/pieces such as one or more cross-shaped members with each other via their ball joints and spheroid domes. A variety of shapes and/or figures can be formed via coupling. At 515, the process can include mechanically decoupling by applying pressure to remove the ball joints and the spheroid domes. In some embodiments, each of the at least the pair, the cross-shaped member, and the dual-purposed member is couplable to each other or other pairs of symmetrical-ended members, cross-shaped members, and dual-purposed members.

FIGS. 15-16 are example representations of coupled parts of the modular toy kit of FIG. 1, according to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 15, cross-shaped members 604, 624 and dual-purposed members 608, 612, 616, 620 can be mechanically coupled to form a unique shape and/or figure. As shown in FIG. 15, each component/piece can be deformable (e.g., twistable, bendable, etc.) to allow for mechanically coupling in a variety of angles, positions, and/or the like. Each toy can also be in different colors for easier identification and/or grouping.

As shown in FIG. 16, a chain-like figure can be formed using multiple dual-purposed members 704, 708, 712. In some embodiments, components and/or pieces of the modular toy kit can have various outer textures and or surfaces such as, for example, grooves, ridges, etc.

All combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed herewithin (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being part of the subject matter disclosed herein. The terminology explicitly employed herein that also can appear in any disclosure incorporated by reference should be accorded a meaning most consistent with the particular concepts disclosed herein.

The drawings are primarily for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to limit the scope of the subject matter described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale; in some instances, various aspects of the subject matter disclosed herein can be shown exaggerated or enlarged in the drawings to facilitate an understanding of different features. In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to like features (e.g., functionally similar and/or structurally similar elements).

The entirety of this application (including the Cover Page, Title, Headings, Background, Summary, Brief Description of the Drawings, Detailed Description, Embodiments, Abstract, Figures, Appendices, and otherwise) shows, by way of illustration, various embodiments in which the embodiments can be practiced. The advantages and features of the application are of a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. Rather, they are presented to assist in understanding and teach the embodiments, and are not representative of all embodiments. As such, certain aspects of the disclosure have not been discussed herein. That alternate embodiments cannot have been presented for a specific portion of the innovations or that further undescribed alternate embodiments can be available for a portion is not to be considered to exclude such alternate embodiments from the scope of the disclosure. It will be appreciated that many of those undescribed embodiments incorporate the same principles of the innovations and others are equivalent. Thus, it is to be understood that other embodiments can be utilized and functional, logical, operational, organizational, structural and/or topological modifications can be made without departing from the scope and/or spirit of the disclosure. As such, all examples and/or embodiments are deemed to be non-limiting throughout this disclosure.

In addition, the disclosure can include other innovations not presently described. Applicant reserves all rights in such innovations, including the right to embodiment such innovations, file additional applications, continuations, continuations-in-part, divisionals, and/or the like thereof.

All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the embodiments, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”

The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the embodiments, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements can optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.

As used herein in the specification and in the embodiments, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the embodiments, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the embodiments, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

As used herein in the specification and in the embodiments, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements can optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

Less specifically stated or obvious from context, as used herein, the term “about” is understood as within a range of normal tolerance in the art, for example within 2 standard deviations of the mean. “About” can be understood as within 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1%, 0.05%, or 0.01% of the stated value. Unless otherwise clear from context, all numerical values provided herein are modified by the term about.

Unless specifically stated or obvious from context, the term “or,” as used herein, is understood to be inclusive.

The terms “proximal” and “distal” can refer to the position of a portion of a device relative to the remainder of the device or the opposing end as it appears in the drawing. The proximal end can be used to refer to the end manipulated by the user. The distal end can be used to refer to the end of the device that is inserted and advanced and is furthest away from the user. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the use of proximal and distal could change in another context, e.g., the anatomical context in which proximal and distal use the patient as reference, or where the entry point is distal from the user.

Ranges provided herein are understood to be shorthand for all of the values within the range. For example, a range of 1 to 50 is understood to include any number, combination of numbers, or sub-range from the group consisting 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, or 50 (as well as fractions thereof unless the context clearly dictates otherwise).

In the embodiments, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures, Section 2111.03.