Sensory toy with manipulable actuators

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a toy for young children, including a closed box having a top surface; multiple actuators mounted in the top surface of the box; and multiple indicators mounted in the top surface of the box, each indicator associated with a respective one of the actuators; and wherein each indicator includes a plug axially displaceable along an axis perpendicular to the top surface of the box and movable between a raised position and a lowered position, wherein each actuator is mechanically coupled to the plug of its associated indicator via a respective mechanical mechanism disposed within the closed box, such that motion of the actuator mechanically raises and lowers the plug of the indicator, and wherein the actuators are of different types selected from a group of actuator types consisting of toggle actuators, rotary actuators, and pushbutton actuators.

Description

[0001] SENSORY TOY WITH MANIPULABLE ACTUATORS

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] This invention relates to toys, and more particularly to toys for small children.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Toys are used by children for entertainment and educational purposes. Toys can be age, developmental, and personality appropriate. Generally, toys can inspire active play, e.g., pushing, pulling, observing change. Toys that are designed to be played with in multiple ways promote imagination and creativity.

[0006] SUMMARY

[0007] Disclosed herein is a sensory board toy intended for use by young children (e.g., of an age of 11 to 12 months) to stimulate cause-and-effect development as well as promote fine motor control. The toy may consist of a housing and a face plate to support internal components and may also include a panel on the front face as an aesthetic break.

[0008] Disclosed herein is a toy for young children, including a closed box having a top surface; multiple manually manipulable actuators mounted in the top surface of the box and exposed for actuation by a young child; and multiple indicators mounted in the top surface of the box, each indicator associated with, and mounted in proximity to, a respective one of the actuators; and wherein each indicator includes a plug axially displaceable along an axis perpendicular to the top surface of the box and movable between a raised position, in which the plug is adjacent an inner surface of a respective transparent window mounted in the top surface of the box, and a lowered position, wherein each actuator is mechanically coupled to the plug of its associated indicator via a respective mechanical mechanism disposed within the closed box, such that motion of the actuator mechanically raises and lowers the plug of the indicator, and wherein the actuators are of different types selected from a group of actuator types consisting of toggle actuators, rotary actuators, and pushbutton actuators.

[0009] Examples may include one or more of the following features. The indicators can be aligned in a first row across the top surface of the box, and the actuators can be arranged in a second row parallel to the first row. The toy may include at least three actuators and associated indicators. The at least three actuators can be connected to their associated indicators by at least three different types of mechanical mechanisms. The at least three actuators may include a toggle actuator, a rotary actuator, and a pushbutton actuator. The rotary actuator and the toggle actuator may include means to constrain the actuator motion between two preferred states. The actuator being mechanically coupled to the plug may include a lever coupling the actuator to the plug. The lever provides opposing motion between the actuator and plug. Each indicator plug can be of a different color, and where each actuator can be of a color matching the plug of its associated indicator. The toy further may include a guide which constrains the plugs to move along vertical axes. Each transparent window can be a closed end of the guide in which the respective indicator plug moves between its raised position and lowered position. The transparent windows have a smooth surface and a partially opaque surface, opposing the smooth surface. The actuators can be configured to provide haptic feedback when entering or exiting one of two states.

[0010] The disclosed toy can have one or more of the following advantages.

[0011] The toy simulates two-state switches without any power source, e.g., a battery, or plug. Using mechanical switches provides reduced complexity and maintenance compared to electricity-based toys. The use of mechanical switches also increases the safety of the toy for young users.

[0012] The toy simulates switches that a user may encounter as they grow and develop. Simulating real-world switches facilitates increased critical thinking skills for the user as they operate the toy and observe cause-and-effect.

[0013] The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

[0014] DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a perspective view of a toy for young children. FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic diagrams of a top-down view of the toy in which the switches are in an ‘on’ or an ‘off’ state.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an exploded view of the toy. FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams showing perspective views of a frame of the toy.

[0017] FIG. 4C is a schematic diagram showing a cross-sectional view of a barrel of the frame.

[0018] FIGS. 5 A and 5B are schematic diagrams showing a cross-sectional view of a switch actuator.

[0019] FIG. 5C is a schematic diagram showing a perspective wire view of the plunger switch mechanism.

[0020] FIGS. 6Aand 6B are schematic diagrams showing a cross-sectional view of a rotary actuator.

[0021] FIGS. 7Aand 7B are schematic diagrams showing a cross-sectional view of a plunger actuator.

[0022] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

[0023] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Disclosed herein is a toy for young children which simulates cause-and-effect and promotes fine motor control. The toy features over-sized features for actuation by users having low fine motor control and consists of mechanical mechanisms that bring a colored “dot” alternately i) up to and ii) away from a diffused clear lens. In this manner, the mechanism simulates being in “on” or “off’ states, based on the position of the actuator.

[0025] The toy 100 is a closed box 102 through which multiple actuators and associated indicators are mounted and is shown in FIG. 1. The toy 100 has three actuators 103, plunger 106, toggle switch 108, and rotary switch 110, mounted in a top surface 104 of the box 102, e.g., a housing. The toy 100 is sized for a small user, such as a child, meaning the box 102 is sized to be held in the hands or lap of a child and the actuators 103 are sized to be manipulated by a user having hand strength lower than that of a teenager or adult.

[0026] As used herein, reference will be made to “up,” “upper,” “down,” or “lower.” These relative terms are used to express orientation with respect to components of the toy. The terms “up,” “upper,” or similar terms, refer to the direction of the top surface 104 of the toy which includes the indicators 105 and actuators 103. The terms “down,” “downward,” “lower,” or similar terms, refer to the direction toward the bottom of the toy 100, opposing the top surface 104 having the indicators 105 and the actuators 103.

[0027] The toy 100 includes three actuators 103 and three associated indicators 105, though can have more or fewer depending on the dimensions of the actuators 103, indicators 105, top surface 104, and the box 102. In one example, the toy 100 includes up to six actuators 103 and indicators 105. The actuators 103 are rigid and movable through the top surface 104 by different mechanisms described further herein.

[0028] Each of the indicators 105 include an associated transparent window 109 which are substantially clear (e.g., visually translucent) and have a smooth upper surface and a textured inner surface oriented toward the interior of the box 102. The texture diffuses light passing through the indicators 105 such that light reflected from objects within the box 102 and not in proximity to the indicators 105 is diffused and the object not readily visible.

[0029] Each of the actuators 103 are manually manipulable between two states and alter a position of a respective colored plug for each of the associated indicators 105. For each of the actuators 103, in one state, e.g., the ‘off state, the associated plug is distant from the respective window 109; in another state, e.g., the ‘on’ state, the associated plug is adjacent the respective window 109. This facilitates each of the actuators 103 functioning akin to a two-state switch, similar to a Tight switch.’ When the colored plug is moved further away from the textured plastic lens, the textured lens scatters the image of the plug to be hard to discern as an object beneath the window 109. When the colored plug is brought into proximity with the window 109, the diffusion is reduced and the colored plug is more readily discernable by the young child operating the corresponding actuator. This provides the illusion of the indicators 105 turning ‘on’ or ‘off,’ without any need for electrical components.

[0030] Various operative states of the toy 100 are shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. The indicators 105 are altered between an ‘on’ and ‘off states by bringing a plug into proximity with the transparent window 109. Each indicator 105 includes a colored plug and a window 109 associated with a single actuator 103. As shown, the plunger 106 is associated with window 109a, the plunger switch 108 with window 109b, and switch 110 with window 109c.

[0031] In FIG. 2A, all indicators 105 are in the ‘off state, e.g., the associated plug is distant from the associated window 109. In one example, the user actuates the toggle switch 108 from the ‘off state to the ‘on’ state which moves the associated plug 107b into proximity with the window 109b causing indicator 105b to appear ‘on.’ Similarly, the rotary switch 110 is actuated (e.g., rotated) into the ‘on’ state in FIG. 2B which brings plug 107c into proximity with the associated window 109c causing indicator 105c to appear ‘on.’

[0032] The different actuators 103 operate using different mechanisms within the box 102. When each of the actuators 103 are manipulated by a user, the actuators 103 interact with a lever which pushes a respective plug 107 along an axis perpendicular to the plane of the top surface 104 and bring the plug 107 toward or away from the indicators 105 along the axis.

[0033] An exploded view of the toy 100 with reference perspective axes inset is shown in FIG. 3. The components of the toy 100 have been exploded along the z-axis only for ease of reference. The top surface 104 is shown vertically displaced from the box 102 and the different actuators 103 and indicators 105 assembled in a frame 120. The indicators 105 are fixedly mounted in the frame 120 while the different actuators 103 are removably mounted. The respective plugs 107 (not shown) are moveably aligned within a track 124 which aligns and constrains the movable components of the different actuators 103. Additional views of the frame 120 are shown in FIGS. 4A-4C. The frame 120 is a unitary body having openings through which the actuators 103 and associated moveable components (e.g., the levers for each of the different actuators 103) are mounted.

[0034] The frame 120 includes a barrel 126 extending downward from the upper surface of the frame 120. An inner surface of the barrel 126 includes molded surfaces which interact with portions of the plunger 106, further details of which are described below. The molded surfaces include a toothed incline 128 and a vertical channel 130. The details of the molded surfaces are shown with respect to FIG. 4C, which is a y-plane cross section along section line A shown in FIGS. 4A and 4C. The molded surfaces are relieved from the barrel 126 such that they extend radially inward from the outer wall of the barrel 126. The incline 128 and the channel 130 are repeated at regular intervals around the inner circumference of the barrel 126.

[0035] The mechanisms of the actuators 103 are self-contained within the toy 100 to allow manipulation of the actuators 103 by the user and ensuring longevity of the components. Further details of the mechanisms are shown for each of the actuators 103 herein. Referring to FIGS. 5A-5C, the plunger 106 is a plunge-type switch, which can alternatively be referred to as a “push-push mechanism,” similar to a pen plunger. The plunger 106 is manipulated to actuate a lever 506 to cause the associated plug 107a to move along an axis 500 when the plunger 106 is manipulated.

[0036] FIG. 5A shows the plunger 106 in the ‘on’ position, e.g., when the plug 107a is adjacent the indicators 105, and FIG. 5B shows the plunger 106 in the ‘off position, e.g., when plug 107a is distanced from the indicators 105. As the plunger 106 is a push-push mechanism, pressing the plunger 106 alternates the plug 107a between the ‘on’ and the ‘off state. Depressing the plunger 106 a first time actuates the associated plug 107a to the ’on’ state (FIG. 5A), while depressing the plunger 106 a second time actuates the plug to the ‘off state (FIG. 5B).

[0037] To achieve the alternating switch states, the plunger 106 includes a cap 502 aligned with and partially fitting over a rotating thrust device 504. FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view through the plunger 106 showing the way in which the cap 502 partially nests over the thrust device 504 while FIG. 5B shows the outer surface features of the cap 502 and thrust device 504. The outer surfaces of the cap 502 includes serrations 510 and guides 512. The serrations extend around the circumference of the lower edge of cap 502 in a sawtooth pattern. The guides 512 extend upward from the lower edge by a distance towards the top of cap 502 and are aligned within channels molded into an inner surface of the frame 120 surrounding the cap 502 and the device 504.

[0038] The cap 502 is on top of and aligned with a thrust device 504 such that pressing the cap 502 downward causes a serrated bottom edge of the cap 502 to press against a portion of the device 504 and couple the motion of one to the other. The thrust device 504 includes columns 514 extending upward from an annular lip 516 at the bottom of the device 504. The upper face of the columns 514 are sloped at the same angle as the serrations 510 such that contacting faces of the columns 514 and serrations 510 act as an inclined plane to guide the rotating thrust device 504 to different positions and heights. When the cap 502 is pressed downwards, the upper edge of the columns 514 interact with the serrations 510 to align with a peak thereby displacing the thrust device 504 downwards. The device 504 includes a post 518 in alignment with a spring 508 which provides an upward restoring force between the box 102 and the post 518 such that the device 504 is pressed upward. The cap 502 is rotationally constrained as the guides 512 travel vertically within the channels 130 of the barrel 126. As the cap 502 presses the device 504 downward and the upper-most tip of the columns 514 reaches the lowest-most point of the channel 130, the interacting faces of the serrations 510 and the columns 514 provide a rotational force to the device 504. The rotational force in combination with the restoring force of the spring 508 cause the device 504 to rotate and travel upwards until the tip of the columns 514 rests in the tooth of the incline 128.

[0039] Vertical motion of the device 504 is translated to vertical motion of the plug 107a through a lever 506. The lever 506 is constrained between the box 102 and the frame 120 to rotate around axis A. One end of the lever 506 is in contact with the annular lip 516 while the opposing end is connected to the plug 107a. The end of the lever 506 contacting the device 504 is attached to a spring 520 which connects the lever 506 to the frame 120. As the thrust device 504 moves within the barrel 126, the lip 516 couples the motion to one end of the lever 506 while the spring 520 provides a restoring force to maintain the lever 506 in contact with the annular lip 516. The motion of the annular lip 516 causes the contacting end of the lever 506 to move, and the opposing end of the lever 506 undergoes opposed motion. Said another way, if the annular lip 516 moves the contacting end of the lever 506 downward, the opposing end moves upward, and vice versa.

[0040] The lever 506 is connected to the plug 107a such that motion of the contacting end is coupled to cause the plug 107a to move vertically within the guide 122. The end of the lever 506 opposing the thrust device 504 such that as the end moves upward, the plug 107a moves closer to the indicators 105. Therefore,

[0041] Referring to FIGS 6A and 6B, the toggle switch 108 is a lever-type switch and is manipulable between an ‘on’ and an ‘off state, as described herein. Manipulating the toggle switch 108 between the two states alters the associate plug 107b between the upper and lower positions. FIG. 6A shows the plunger toggle switch 108 in the ‘on’ position, e.g., when the plug 107b is adjacent the indicators 105b, and FIG. 6B shows the plunger 106 in the ‘off position, e.g., when plug 107b is distanced from the indicators 105b.

[0042] The toggle switch 108 includes an armature 602 extending radially from a circular cam 604. The armature 602 extends above the top surface 104 to be manipulated by the user and the cam 604 is affixed to an inner structure of the box 102 at central axis B such that forces applied to the armature cause the cam 604 to rotate around axis B. The opening in the top surface 104 through which the armature 602 extends limits the rotational motion of the cam 604.

[0043] The toggle switch 108 is operable between two states and includes features which provide haptic feedback when the two states are achieved. The haptic feedback is an audible and tactile ‘click’ when the toggle switch 108 enters one of the two states. The cam 604 includes two divots 606 which indent into the circumference of the cam 604. When the cam 604 is in a rotational position such that the divots 606 are not aligned with a protrusion 614 of a stop 608, the cam rotates freely as the protrusion 614 is pressed against the flat circumferential edge of the cam 604.

[0044] The feedback is caused when the stop 608 enters alignment with one of the protrusions 614. When the cam 604 is in a rotational position such that the divots 606 are aligned with the protrusion 614, the cam 604 is reversibly arrested at that rotational position as the force exerted on the protrusion 614 by the stop 608 causes a braking force on the cam 604 thereby needed a higher manipulation force on the armature 602 by the user to overcome the braking force and rotate the cam 604 out of the arrested position. An end of the stop 608 opposing the protrusion 614 is held in place by an inner structure of the box 102 such that the stop 608 provides a constant force on the protrusion 614 against the cam 604.

[0045] The cam 604 is connected to a lever 610 by rotary connection 616 such that the connection 616 maintains the radial position within the cam 604 while the plunger toggle switch 108 is rotated. The lever 610 has a through connection in a guiding channel 612 of the box 102 such that when the cam 604 is in the ‘on’ position of FIG. 6B, the end of the lever 610 farthest from the cam 604 raises the plug 107b to be adjacent the window 109b. When the cam 604 is in the ‘off position of FIG. 6B, the far end of the lever 610 lowers the plug 107b to be distant from the window 109b.

[0046] Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the rotary switch 110 is a switch whereby rotation in alternating directions causes the switch 110 to change between the ‘on’ and ‘off states. Manipulating the rotary switch 110 between the two states alters the associate plug 107c between the upper and lower positions, as described above. FIG. 7A shows the rotary switch 110 in the ‘on’ position and FIG. 7B shows the rotary switch 110 in the ‘off position. The rotary switch 110 includes a tab 710 extending above the top surface 104 which connects to a body 702 having a guide slot 704 and a stop 712. The tab 710 and the body 702 are unitary such that manipulation of the tab 710 rotates the body 702 within the top surface 104. The stop 712 is indented into the body 702 and extends upward from a bottom rim. The rotary switch 110 also features haptic feedback when the two states are achieved. The haptic feedback occurs when the rotary switch 110 enters one of the two states and the stop 712 interacts with an arresting tab on the box 102 such when the rotary switch 110 is rotated, the rotational motion is arrested at a pre-determined rotational position (e.g., in the ‘on’ state, or the ‘off state) thereby causing the haptic feedback.

[0047] The lever is constrained by the box 102 and the frame 120 (not shown) to rotate around axis C (extending from the plane of the images of FIGS. 7Aand 7B) such that as one end of the lever 706 moves upward, the opposing end moves downward. The guide slot 704 is an opening in the body 702 which defines a track along which one end of the lever 706 is constrained to move. The guide slot 704 is angled such that one end of the slot 704 is higher on the body 702 than the opposing end of the guide slot 704. As the rotary switch 110 rotates, the angled guide slot 704 compels the end of the lever 706 within the guide slot 704 to a new elevated position, either higher or lower depending on which way the rotary switch 110 is rotated.

[0048] The tab 710 is rotated from an initial rotational position, see reference arrow above FIG. 7A. As the rotary switch 110 undergoes rotation, the angled guide slot 704 forces the end of the lever 706 upward. As the end of the lever 706 within the guide slot 704 moves, the opposing end moves in the opposite direction. The opposing end is arranged within the plug 107c such that motion of the end of the lever 706 is coupled to motion of the plug 107c. As the tab 710 and the body 702 rotate, the guide slot 704 moves one end of the lever 706 into a higher or lower position which thereby lowers or raises the plug 107c, respectively.

[0049] While a number of examples have been described for illustration purposes, the foregoing description is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. There are and will be other examples and modifications within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A toy (100) for young children, comprising a closed box (102) having a top surface (104); multiple manually manipulable actuators (103) mounted in the top surface (104) of the box (102) and exposed for actuation by a young child; and multiple indicators (105) mounted in the top surface (104) of the box (102), each indicator (105) associated with, and mounted in proximity to, a respective one of the actuators (103); and wherein each indicator (105) comprises a plug (107) axially displaceable along an axis (500) perpendicular to the top surface (104) of the box (102) and movable between a raised position, in which the plug (107) is adjacent an inner surface of a respective transparent window (109) mounted in the top surface (104) of the box (102), and a lowered position, wherein each actuator is mechanically coupled to the plug (107) of its associated indicator (105) via a respective mechanical mechanism disposed within the closed box (102), such that motion of the actuator mechanically raises and lowers the plug (107) of the indicator (105), and wherein the actuators (103) are of different types selected from a group of actuator types consisting of toggle actuators, rotary actuators, and pushbutton actuators.

2. The toy (100) of claim 1, wherein the indicators (105) are aligned in a first row across the top surface (104) of the box (102), and wherein the actuators (103) are arranged in a second row parallel to the first row.

3. The toy (100) of claim 1 or claim 2, comprising at least three actuators (103) and associated indicators (105).

4. The toy (100) of claim 3, wherein the at least three actuators (103) are connected to their associated indicators (105) by at least three different types of mechanical mechanisms.

5. The toy (100) of claim 3, wherein the at least three actuators (103) comprise a toggle actuator (108), a rotary actuator (110), and a pushbutton actuator (106).

6. The toy (100) of claim 5, wherein the rotary actuator (110) and the toggle actuator (108) comprise means to constrain the actuator motion between two preferred states.

7. The toy (100) of any of the above claims, wherein the actuator mechanically coupled to the plug (107) is mechanically coupled by a lever (506, 610, 706).

8. The toy (100) of claim 7, wherein the lever (506, 610, 706) provides opposing motion between the actuator and plug (107).

9. The toy (100) of any of the above claims, wherein each indicator (105) plug (107) is of a different color, and wherein each actuator (103) is of a color matching the plug (107) of its associated indicator (105).

10. The toy (100) of any of the above claims, wherein the toy (100) further comprises a guide (122) configured to constrain the plugs to move along vertical axes.

11. The toy (100) of claim 10, wherein each transparent window (109) is a closed end of the guide (122) in which the respective indicator (105) plug (107) moves between its raised position and lowered position.

12. The toy (100) of any of the above claims, wherein the transparent windows (109) have a smooth surface and a partially opaque surface, opposing the smooth surface.

13. The toy (100) of any of the above claims, wherein the actuators (103) are configured to provide haptic feedback when entering or exiting one of two states.

Images