Haptic toy and motor vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a haptic toy (3) and a motor vehicle (1) equipped therewith, wherein the toy (3) has a housing (4) which has several circular openings (7) in a housing wall (6), each having an opening diameter (8), and several balls (5) which are arranged in the housing (4), each assigned to one of the openings (7) and each having a ball diameter (9) which is larger than the opening diameter (8) of the assigned opening (7), wherein the balls (5) are biased into the respective assigned opening (7) by means of a spring force (10) and can be pressed into the housing (4) against the spring force (10) and / or are rotatably arranged in the housing (4).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a haptic toy according to the preamble of claim 1, which is particularly suitable for use in a motor vehicle. The invention further relates to a motor vehicle equipped with at least one such toy.

[0002] Haptic toys, which can also be described as tools, surfaces, playing fields, gadgets, and features, can serve as a therapeutic measure, particularly for calming and relaxing nervous and / or stressed individuals. This allows them to focus their attention. For a driver (male / female / diverse) of a motor vehicle, in particular, it is advantageous for road safety if they can focus their attention on the road.

[0003] A haptic toy of this type is known, for example, from CN 2 10 229 146 U and comprises a housing having several circular openings in one housing wall, each with a specific opening diameter, and several balls arranged in the housing, each assigned to one of the openings and each having a ball diameter larger than the opening diameter of the assigned opening, wherein the balls are biased into their respective assigned openings by spring force and are pressed into the housing against the spring force and / or rotatably arranged in the housing. In the known toy, each ball is assigned a separate spring.

[0004] From DE 10 2015 222 370 A1, a decorative element is known in which the balls are rotatably arranged in the respective opening. In this decorative element, the balls cannot be pressed into the openings and are not spring-loaded.

[0005] From DE 10 2010 060 150 B3 and DE 10 2006 048 489 A1, learning aids for arithmetic operations are known in which the balls are rotatably arranged in the respective opening. In these learning aids, the balls cannot be pressed into the openings and are not spring-loaded, but can be locked in certain rotational positions.

[0006] From CN 1 13 041 631 A a haptic toy is known which has several elastic bubble bodies in a housing which can be pressed down against spring force in such a way that they produce a popping sound.

[0007] From https: / / www.etsy.com / de / listing / 1422307148 / mini-roller-ball-fidget-beruhigendes?click_key=5ae1222b69f399f866d9bea676579c3912faa6b8%3A1 4223 07148&click_sum=e6b525dd&external=1&rec_type=ss&ref=pla_similar_listing_top-1&cns=1 &sts=1 a haptic toy is known that has a basic body with an opening in which a ball is held rotatably.

[0008] Electrical contact elements are known from https: / / www.mill-max.com / products?q=spring:0;27976:13536;27076:5896;27186:14393;26971:14713 &r=spring:0;27976:13511,13536,14258,13641,14093;27076:17428,5896;27186:158 83,14393,11806,11851;26971:13276,13306,14713;27021:12391,1436, which have several spring-loaded electrical contacts.

[0009] From https: / / bumpli.de / collections / pop-it a toy made of an elastomer is known, which has several hemispherical areas that can be pressed in.

[0010] The present invention addresses the problem of providing an improved or at least a different embodiment of a haptic toy, which is particularly suitable for use in a motor vehicle by the driver or by a passenger (male / female / diverse).

[0011] This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0012] The invention is based on the general concept of equipping the toy with multiple balls and multiple openings, wherein the balls and the openings are coordinated in such a way that the balls are held securely in the openings. Furthermore, the balls are spring-loaded into the openings and arranged in a housing of the toy in such a way that they can be pressed down and / or rotated. It has been shown that with the toy according to the invention, the user (male / female / diverse) can play with the balls simultaneously using multiple fingers, with each finger being able to press down and / or rotate several balls at once. In addition, the user can move their entire palm over the balls, allowing them to be pressed down and / or rotated by the palm. The resulting tactile experience has a calming effect on the user.

[0013] Specifically, the invention proposes a tactile toy comprising a housing and several balls. The housing has several circular openings in one wall, each with a specific diameter. The balls are arranged within the housing and each is assigned to one of the openings. Furthermore, each ball has a diameter larger than the diameter of its corresponding opening. This prevents the balls from protruding from the housing; instead, they are held securely within the openings. Additionally, the balls are spring-loaded into their respective openings, causing them to rest against the rim of the opening. The balls can then be pressed into the housing against the spring force. Alternatively, or in addition, the balls can be rotatably mounted within the housing. The housing can be made of plastic or metal.The housing wall can be made of plastic or metal. The spheres can be made of plastic or metal. There can be at least 10 or at least 20 spheres. Likewise, there can be at least 10 or at least 20 openings.

[0014] All components or parts of the toy can be made from any material commonly used in vehicle construction, preferably metal, plastic, wood, ceramic, or glass. The desired calming and / or distracting effect can be achieved with just one ball; however, a larger number of balls increases this effect.

[0015] To improve haptic perception, the ball diameters and opening diameters can be designed so that the balls protrude beyond the housing wall in the openings. This makes the spherical contour of the balls easier to feel.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment, the balls can be pressed into the housing against the spring force and can also be rotatably arranged within the housing. This further improves the tactile sensation.

[0017] The balls and the housing can be advantageously designed to prevent the balls from being completely pushed out of their respective openings and into the housing, thus ensuring they are always secured in place by a positive fit. For example, the balls and the housing can be designed so that, even when fully depressed, the end of the ball furthest from the housing wall maintains a distance from the wall that is smaller than the ball's diameter. This ensures the ball always protrudes into the opening and is secured there by a positive fit.

[0018] According to the invention, a common spring element is arranged in the housing, which interacts with all the balls and generates the spring force for all of them. For example, the spring element can be formed by an elastic plastic body. For instance, the spring element or the plastic body could be a foam or rubber body. This results in a particularly cost-effective embodiment for the toy.

[0019] In a non-inventive embodiment, however, it may be provided that a separate spring element is provided in the housing for each ball, generating the spring force for the respective ball separately. This allows the spring element to be specifically configured so that the ball can rotate relatively easily. Furthermore, this reduces interaction between adjacent balls, which can occur with a common spring body.

[0020] In the present context, a “configuration” corresponds to a “design” and / or a “setup”, so that the phrase “configured so that” is synonymous with the phrase “designed so that” and / or “set up so that”.

[0021] According to a non-inventive embodiment, a spring plate can be arranged in the housing, on which the spring elements are formed and / or arranged. The spring plate can be made of plastic or metal. The spring elements can also be made of plastic or metal. A configuration in which the spring elements are formed on the spring plate by cut-out or stamped spring tongues is particularly advantageous. This allows the spring element with the integrally formed spring tongues to be manufactured particularly easily from a single plate body.

[0022] The spheres can be of different sizes. Additionally or alternatively, the openings can also be of different sizes. However, a configuration where all spheres are the same size is preferred. Additionally or alternatively, all openings can also be the same size. Identical spheres and identical openings offer a more relaxing effect for the user.

[0023] Furthermore, it may be advantageous to provide the same number of openings as spheres, so that each opening is assigned exactly one sphere, and vice versa.

[0024] The casing wall can be conveniently configured to be flat, so that all openings lie in one plane. This results in a simple geometry that enhances the toy's calming effect on the user.

[0025] The enclosure can be configured flat, such that its height, measured perpendicular to the openings in the enclosure wall, is significantly less than its width and length, measured along that wall. In other words, perpendicular to the plane of the openings in the enclosure wall, the enclosure has a comparatively small height. The enclosure wall and / or the enclosure can expediently have a rectangular shape, with one long side of the rectangular shape being at least twice the length of one short side.

[0026] A motor vehicle according to the invention has a conventional vehicle interior and is equipped with at least one toy of the type described above. The respective toy can be advantageously arranged in the vehicle interior in a manner accessible to the driver and / or passenger. Optionally, the respective toy can be fixed or removable within the vehicle interior. This allows the driver or passenger to use the toy for relaxation and calming while driving, thus facilitating a greater focus on the road.

[0027] Further important features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the drawings and the associated description of the figures based on the drawings.

[0028] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention. Components of a higher-level unit, such as a device, apparatus, or arrangement, mentioned above and those to be mentioned below, which are designated separately, can form separate parts or components of this unit or be integral areas or sections of this unit, even if this is depicted differently in the drawings.

[0029] Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar or functionally identical components.

[0030] They show, schematically, Fig. 1. An isometric view of a toy, Fig. 2 an isometric view of the toy, but in a different embodiment, Fig. 3 A highly simplified sectional view of the toy within the area of ​​a sphere.

[0031] According to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. A motor vehicle 1 comprises a vehicle interior 2 in which at least one toy 3 is arranged. In the Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows the motor vehicle 1, which can also be referred to simply as vehicle 1, only in the area where the toy 3 is located. The toy 3 is advantageously arranged in the vehicle interior 2 so that it is accessible to the driver of vehicle 1 and / or a passenger of vehicle 1. The toy 3 can be fixed or removable within the vehicle interior 2, for example, in the area of ​​a vehicle door or in the area of ​​a center console. A configuration in which a toy compartment, dimensioned to accommodate the toy 3, is provided in the vehicle interior 2 is particularly advantageous. The toy 3 can also be integrated into an interior trim panel of the vehicle interior 2 that is accessible to the driver and / or passenger.It is clear that two or more such toys 3 can be accommodated in the vehicle 1, in particular in such a way that one of the toys 3 is easily accessible to the driver, while another of the toys 3 is easily accessible to the passenger.

[0032] According to the Fig. 1 to 3, the toy 3 is configured as a haptic toy 3, comprising a housing 4 and several balls 5 intended to be touched by the user. The toy 3 can also be used completely independently of a motor vehicle 1 and by any user. The housing 4 has a housing wall 6 which is located in the Fig. 1 to 3 form a top surface of the housing 4. The housing 4 is in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shown transparently outside the housing wall 6. The housing 4 can in particular be formed by a component or section of an interior trim panel of the motor vehicle 1.

[0033] The housing wall 6 has several circular openings 7, each of which has one in Fig. The spheres 5 have three registered opening diameters 8. The spheres 5 are arranged in the housing 4 and each is assigned to one of the openings 7. Each sphere 5 has a diameter 8. Fig. 3 registered ball diameters 9. For each ball 5, the ball diameter 9 is larger than the opening diameter 8 of the opening 7 to which the respective ball 5 is assigned. In the housing 4, the balls 5 are held in place by spring force 10, which is in Fig. 3, symbolized by an arrow, is preloaded into the respective opening 7. Furthermore, the balls 5 are arranged to be pressed into the housing 4 against the spring force 10. Alternatively, the balls 5 can be rotatably arranged within the housing 4. When rotated, the ball 5 rotates around its center point. A preferred configuration is one in which each ball 5 is both pressed into the housing 4 against the spring force 10 and rotatably arranged within the housing 4.

[0034] The ball diameters 9 and the opening diameters 8 are conveniently matched so that the ball 5 protrudes beyond the housing wall 6 in the respective opening 7. This creates a raised area along the housing wall 6 that the user can easily feel.

[0035] At the in Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, a common spring element 11 is arranged in the housing 4, which interacts with all the balls 5 and generates the spring force 5 for all the balls 5. The spring element 11 is advantageously designed as an elastic plastic body, which can be made in particular of a foam or of rubber or a rubber-like plastic.

[0036] In contrast, it shows Fig. 2 an alternative embodiment in which in the housing 4 there is a space for each sphere 5 that is only in Fig. 3. A separate, identifiable spring element 12 is provided, wherein the spring element 12 generates the spring force 10 separately for each sphere 5. According to Fig. 2. For this purpose, a spring plate 13 can be arranged in the housing 4, on which the spring elements 12 are formed or arranged. Advantageously, the spring plate 13 is made of a metal. A configuration in which the spring elements 12 are formed on the spring plate 13 by free-cut or free-stamped spring tongues 14 is particularly advantageous. In other words, the spring plate 13 with the spring elements 12 is manufactured by machining a single plate body.

[0037] In Fig. Figure 3 shows the ball 5 in an unactuated initial position with a solid line. In this position, the ball 5 completely fills the corresponding opening 7 and is positively engaged with the housing wall 6 by the opening and its edge. The ball 5 is pre-tensioned into this initial position by the spring element 12. The spring element 12 is in this initial position. Fig. 3 is also drawn with a solid line. The ball 5 can be moved against the spring force 10 as far as it will go. Fig. 3. Press down the end position indicated by the dashed line, or press it into the housing 4. This also elastically deforms the spring element 12, thereby increasing the spring force 10. The spring element 12 is designed for the ball 5 in its maximum depressed end position. Fig. 3 is also shown with a dashed line. In this final position, for a ball end 15 that is furthest away from the housing wall 6, the distance 16 to the housing wall 6 is smaller than the ball diameter 9. This ensures that the ball 5 does not come free of the opening 7 even when maximally depressed, but always remains within the area of ​​the associated opening 7.

[0038] The toy 3 presented here has more than ten balls 5. Furthermore, the toy 3 presented here has more than ten openings 7. It is also provided that the number of balls 5 is equal to the number of openings 7. A preferred embodiment is one in which all balls 5 are of the same size, i.e., have the same ball diameter. In addition, all openings 7 are of the same size, i.e., have the same opening diameter. Furthermore, the housing wall 6 is configured to be flat, so that all openings 7 lie in a common plane 17, which is in Fig. 3 is indicated by a dashed line. Furthermore, the Fig. 1 and Fig.It can be seen from Figure 2 that the housing wall 6 or the housing 4 is preferably flat and preferably rectangular in configuration. The two parallel long sides of the rectangular housing wall 6 or the rectangular housing 4 can be at least twice as long as the two parallel short sides of the rectangular housing wall 6 or the rectangular housing 4. The long sides define a housing length 4, while the short sides define a housing width. A housing thickness that is significantly smaller than the housing width extends perpendicular to the plane 17 and thus perpendicular to the housing wall 6.

Claims

[1] Haptic toys (3), - with a housing (4) which has several circular openings (7) in a housing wall (6), each having an opening diameter (8), - with several spheres (5) arranged in the housing (4), each assigned to one of the openings (7) and each having a sphere diameter (9) that is larger than the opening diameter (8) of the assigned opening (7), - wherein the balls (5) are preloaded into the respective associated opening (7) by means of spring force (10) and are pressed into the housing (4) against the spring force (10) and / or are rotatably arranged in the housing (4), characterized by , - that a common spring body (11) is arranged in the housing (4) which interacts with all the balls (5) and generates the spring force (10) for all the balls (5). [2] Toy (3) according to claim 1, characterized by , - that the ball diameters (9) and the opening diameters (8) are matched so that the balls (5) protrude beyond the housing wall (6) in the openings (7). [3] Toy (3) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , - that the balls (5) can be pressed into the housing (4) against the spring force (10) and are rotatably arranged in the housing (4). [4] Toy (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , - that all the balls (5) are the same size. [5] Toy (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , - that all openings (7) are the same size. [6] Toy (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , - that there are the same number of openings (7) as spheres (5). [7] Toy (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , - that the housing wall (6) is configured so that all openings (7) lie in one plane (17). [8] Motor vehicle (1), - with a vehicle interior (2), - with at least one toy (3) according to one of the preceding claims, which is arranged in the vehicle interior (2) in a manner accessible to a driver of the vehicle (1) and / or to a passenger of the vehicle (1) and is arranged in the vehicle interior (2) in a fixed or removable manner.

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