Toy with liquid shifting transformation effect

Abstract

A toy includes: a sealed structure defining a chamber and an actuation mechanism. The sealed structure includes: an outer panel made of a material configured to transmit light in the visible spectrum, an inner panel inside the chamber, the inner panel and the outer panel configured to move relative to each other, and a fluid held inside the chamber. The actuation mechanism is coupled to one or more of the inner panel and the outer panel, the actuation mechanism configured to effect the relative motion between the inner panel and the outer panel, which causes the fluid to be displaced within the chamber.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application No. 63 / 747,725, filed on Jan. 21, 2025 and titled TOY WITH LIQUID SHIFTING TRANSFORMATION EFFECT, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This disclosure relates to a toy configured with a transformation effect that is perceived by a player of the toy.BACKGROUND

[0003] Toys can be in the form of dolls, action figures, board games, shooting games, or hand-held games.SUMMARY

[0004] In some general aspects, a toy includes: a sealed structure defining a chamber and an actuation mechanism. The sealed structure includes: an outer panel made of a material configured to transmit light in the visible spectrum, an inner panel inside the chamber, the inner panel and the outer panel configured to move relative to each other, and a fluid held inside the chamber. The actuation mechanism is coupled to one or more of the inner panel and the outer panel, the actuation mechanism configured to effect the relative motion between the inner panel and the outer panel, which causes the fluid to be displaced within the chamber.

[0005] Implementations can include one or more of the following features. For example, the outer panel can be made of a transparent or translucent material. At least part of the outer panel can include an opaque material. The outer panel can include one or more transparent or translucent portions and one or more opaque portions. The outer panel can include two or more distinct colors. The inner panel can be made of a rigid material having a color that is different from a color of the toy external to the sealed structure.

[0006] The fluid can include a liquid, a gas, or a dyed liquid. The fluid can include a liquid in which particles are suspended. The particles can be micro-particles. The particles can be reflective particles. The fluid can include a light-reactive liquid that is configured to change color depending on the presence of light impinging on the liquid.

[0007] The toy can be a toy figure and the sealed structure can be a torso of the toy figure, the outer panel constituting a chest of the toy figure. The toy can be a toy figure and the sealed structure can be a head of the toy figure, the outer panel constituting a face of the toy figure. The toy can be a toy figure, the sealed structure can be a torso of the toy figure, the outer panel constituting a chest of the toy figure, and the actuation mechanism can include an arm attached to the torso. The toy can be a board game, and the outer panel of the sealed structure can be an exposed surface of the board game.

[0008] The actuation mechanism can be a mechanical mechanism. The actuation mechanism can convert a translational input motion along a first direction into a translational output motion of the inner panel along a second direction that is not parallel with the first direction. The actuation mechanism can convert a rotational input motion into a translational output motion of the inner panel. The actuation mechanism can convert a translational input motion along a first direction into a translational output motion of the inner panel along the first direction. The actuation mechanism can include an electromechanical mechanism.

[0009] The sealed structure can be defined in a body of the toy and the actuation mechanism can include a button, lever, or knob positioned on the body of the toy. The actuation mechanism can be a mechanical mechanism that is switched between two stable states, a first stable state in which the inner panel and the outer panel are separated from each other and the fluid is between the inner panel and the outer panel, and a second stable state in which the inner panel and the outer panel are adjacent to each other.

[0010] The outer panel can be flat and the inner panel can be flat. The outer panel can be contoured and the inner panel can be contoured and shaped complementary to the outer panel.

[0011] The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form part of the specification, illustrate the present disclosure and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure and to enable a person skilled in the relevant art(s) to make and use implementations described herein.

[0013] FIG. 1A is a schematic illustration of an implementation of a toy including an outer panel made of a material configured to transmit light in the visible spectrum, an inner panel, and an actuation mechanism, in which the toy is in a stable state A in which the inner panel and the outer panel are separated from each other and fluid is between the inner panel and the outer panel;

[0014] FIG. 1B is a schematic illustration of the toy of FIG. 1A, in which the toy is in a stable state B in which the inner panel and the outer panel are adjacent each other and fluid is not between the inner panel and the outer panel;

[0015] FIG. 2A is a schematic illustration of a front view of the toy of FIG. 1A in the stable state A;

[0016] FIG. 2B is a schematic illustration of a front view of the toy of FIG. 1B in the stable state B;

[0017] FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of an implementation of an inner panel made of a material that includes a rigid portion and a soft pliable portion that faces the outer panel;

[0018] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an implementation of a toy that is designed as a game board, in which the inner panel and the outer panel are both flat in shape and an interface between the inner panel and the outer panel is a flat surface;

[0019] FIG. 5A is a side cross-sectional view of a sealed structure that holds fluid in a chamber, in which the inner panel is separate from the outer panel in a stable state A of the toy of FIG. 4;

[0020] FIG. 5B is a side cross-sectional view of a sealed structure that holds fluid in a chamber, in which the inner panel is adjacent to the outer panel in a stable state B of the toy of FIG. 4;

[0021] FIG. 6A is a side cross-sectional view of an implementation of a toy in which an inner panel and an outer panel are both curved in shape, and the inner panel is separate from the outer panel in a stable state A;

[0022] FIG. 6B is a side cross-sectional view of the toy of FIG. 6A in which the inner panel is adjacent with the outer panel in a stable state B;

[0023] FIG. 7A is an exterior perspective view of an implementation of a toy figure including an outer panel shaped like a chest of a torso and an actuation mechanism shaped like an appendage of the torso, in which the toy figure is in a stable state A in which an inner panel is separate from the outer panel;

[0024] FIG. 7B is an exterior perspective view of the toy figure of FIG. 7A, in which the toy figure is in a stable state B in which an inner panel is adjacent to the outer panel;

[0025] FIG. 8A is a cutaway perspective front view of an interior of a sealed structure of the toy figure of FIGS. 7A and 7B in which the inner panel and the outer panel have been removed;

[0026] FIG. 8B is a cutaway perspective back view of an actuation mechanism of the toy figure of FIGS. 7A, 7B and 8A in which a back panel has been removed;

[0027] FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view in the XY plane of the toy figure of FIGS. 7A-8B in a stable state A;

[0028] FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view in the XY plane of the toy figure of FIGS. 7A-8B in a stable state B;

[0029] FIG. 10A is a perspective view of an implementation of an interface between a ramp of a ramped device, connected with the inner panel, and a rail lip of an appendage link of the toy figure of FIGS. 7A-9B, in which the ramped device is directed along the +Z direction and the inner panel and the outer panel are separated from each other in the stable state A;

[0030] FIG. 10B is a perspective view of the interface between the ramp of the ramped device, connected with the inner panel, and the rail lip of the appendage link of the toy figure of FIGS. 7A-9B, in which the ramped device is directed along the −Z direction and the inner panel and the outer panel are adjacent with each other in the stable state B;

[0031] FIG. 11A is a side cross-sectional view in the YZ plane of the toy figure of FIGS. 7A-10B in the stable state A; and

[0032] FIG. 11B is a side cross-sectional view in the YZ plane of the toy figure of FIGS. 7A-10B in the stable state B.

[0033] The features of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which like reference characters identify corresponding elements throughout. In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and / or structurally similar elements. Additionally, generally, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the drawing in which the reference number first appears. Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings provided throughout the disclosure should not be interpreted as to-scale drawings.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B, a toy 100 is configured to be switched between two stable states (state A in FIGS. 1A and 2A and state B in FIGS. 1B and 2B). The switching between the two stable states A, B provides a transformation effect that can be perceived by a user or player of the toy. The two stable states A, B can be selected by the user by way of an actuation mechanism 150 (visible in FIGS. 1A and 1B) and the transformation effect occurs due to a displacement of a fluid 110 held inside a chamber 115 that is defined by a sealed structure 120. FIGS. 1A and 1B show a side cross-sectional view of the toy 100 while FIGS. 2A and 2B show a front view of the toy 100.

[0035] The toy 100 includes the sealed structure 120, which defines the chamber 115. The sealed structure 120 and the toy 100 are shown in this implementation as being cuboid, but they can have any shape, depending on the design of the toy 100 and the transformation effect that is desired. Different shapes are discussed following a general description of the toy 100.

[0036] The sealed structure 120 includes (or is defined by) an outer panel 122 made of a material configured to transmit light in the visible spectrum, and an inner panel 124 inside the chamber 115. The inner panel and the outer panel are configured to move relative to each other, for example, along the Z axis. In this implementation, the inner panel 124 is configured to move relative to the outer panel 122. In other implementations, the outer panel 122 is configured to move relative to the inner panel 124, or both the outer panel 122 and the inner panel are configured to move relative to each other. The sealed structure 120 also includes the fluid 110, which is contained within the chamber 115. The structure 120 is sealed; in this way, the fluid 110 contained within the chamber 115 remains within the chamber 115.

[0037] The toy 100 also includes the actuation mechanism 150. The actuation mechanism 150 is coupled to one or more of the inner panel 124 and the outer panel 122. In this way, the actuation mechanism 150 is configured to effect a relative motion between the inner panel 124 and the outer panel 122. This relative motion causes the fluid 110 to be displaced within the chamber 115. In the implementation of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the actuation mechanism 150 is coupled to the inner panel 124 to thereby effect a motion of the inner panel 124 relative to the outer panel 122.

[0038] In the stable state A (FIGS. 1A and 2A), the actuation mechanism 150 is in a first stable state in which the inner panel 124 and the outer panel 122 are separated from each other. Because of this separation, the fluid 110 is able to flow into and remain in the space between the inner panel 124 and the outer panel 122. Because the outer panel 122 is made of a material configured to transmit light in the visible spectrum, in the stable state A, the fluid 110 is visible through the outer panel 122. Moreover, if the fluid 110 is opaque, then the inner panel 124 is not visible through the outer panel 122. For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, which is a view looking toward the outer panel 122 along the Z axis, the fluid 110 is visible through the outer panel 122.

[0039] In the stable state B (FIGS. 1B and 2B), the actuation mechanism 150 is in a second stable state in which the inner panel 124 and the outer panel 122 are adjacent to each other. The inner panel 124 and the outer panel 122 are adjacent to each other when their surfaces are close enough to each other to squeeze the fluid 110 out of the limited space between the panels 122, 124. Because the outer panel 122 is made of a material configured to transmit light in the visible spectrum, in the stable state B, the inner panel 124 is now visible through the outer panel 122. For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, which is a view looking toward the outer panel 122 along the Z axis, the fluid 110 is no longer visible through the outer panel 122 but the inner panel 124 (represented by the grid pattern) is visible through the outer panel 122.

[0040] In order for this transformation effect to be perceived, the outer panel 122 is made of a material that is configured to transmit light in the visible spectrum. For example, the outer panel 122 can be made of a transparent or a translucent material, that is, a material that is transparent or translucent to light in the visible spectrum. In some implementations, the outer panel 122 is made of a rigid material. In some implementations, the outer panel 122 is made of plastic such as, for example, polycarbonate, polypropylene, or clear acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).

[0041] In some implementations, the outer panel 122 can include one or more opaque regions 126-1, 126-2, 126-3, in addition to one or more portions 128 that are configured to transmit light in the visible spectrum. These opaque regions 126-1, 126-2, 126-3 do not transmit light in the visible spectrum. While three opaque regions 126-1, 126-2, 126-3 are shown in this particular example, fewer than three or more than three opaque regions can be included in the outer panel 122.

[0042] As shown more clearly in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the opaque regions 126-1, 126-2, 126-3 remain visible in both of the stable states A and B. In some implementations, the opaque regions 126-1, 126-2, 126-3 have a color that is different from the transmissive portions 128. For example, the opaque regions 126-1, 126-2, 126-3 can be white, blue, red, pink, gray, orange, yellow, or green and the transmissive portions 128 can be clear or a tinted clear material. The opaque regions 126-1, 126-2, 126-3 themselves can have different colors. For example, a first part 126-1i can be a first color while a second part 126-1ii of the opaque region 126-1 can be a second color that is different from the first color. As another example, the color of the opaque regions 126-2 and 126-3 can have a color that is distinct from the color of the opaque region 126-1.

[0043] In some implementations, the inner panel 124 is made of a rigid plastic material. The material of the inner panel 124 can have a color that is different from a color of the outer panel 122 and a color of the other parts of the toy 100 external to the sealed structure 120 (not shown in FIGS. 1A-2B).

[0044] In other implementations, such as shown in FIG. 3, the inner panel 324 is made of a material that includes a rigid portion 323 and a soft pliable portion 325 that faces the outer panel 122. For example, the rigid portion 323 can be a rigid plastic and the soft pliable portion 325 can be a rubber. By making the portion 325 pliable, the inner panel 324 can better conform to the shape of the outer panel 122 in the stable state B and this can facilitate the expulsion of the fluid 110 from between the inner panel 324 and the outer panel 122.

[0045] The fluid 110 is a non-toxic material that is not reactive with the materials of the sealed structure 120, the outer panel 122, and the inner panel 124. In some implementations, the fluid 110 is a liquid such as water or a water-based mixture. In other implementations, the fluid 110 is a gas such as glycerin fog. In some implementations, the fluid 110 includes a dyed liquid. In still other implementations, the fluid 110 includes a liquid in which particles are suspended. For example, the particles can be micro-particles or reflective particles such as glitter. In other implementations, the fluid 110 includes a light-reactive liquid that is configured to change color depending on the presence of light impinging on the liquid. Thus, for example, because more light impinges upon the liquid in the stable state A, the liquid can have a first color while the toy 100 is in the stable state A. Because less light impinges upon the liquid in the stable state B (because it may be blocked by the inner panel 124), the liquid can have a second color while the toy 100 is in the stable state B.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 1A-2B, the inner panel 124 and the outer panel 122 are both flat in shape. The interface between the inner panel 124 and the outer panel 122 is a flat surface. Referring to FIG. 4, such a design can be incorporated into a toy 400 that is a game board. In this particular implementation, the game board 400 includes one or more outer panels 422-i, where i is the set of integers from 1 to M, and M is the total number of outer panels. In this particular simplified example, there are four outer panels 422-1, 422-2, 422-3, 422-4. The inner panels are positioned within a base 460 of the game board 400 and not shown in FIG. 4 (inner panel 424-2 is shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B). In this implementation, an actuation mechanism 450-i, where i is the set of integers from 1 to M, and M is the total number of outer panels 422-i, is associated with each outer panel 422-i / inner panel pair.

[0047] In order to show operation of each actuation mechanism 450-i, FIGS. 5A and 5B depict the outer panel 422-2 in side cross sectional view within the base 460 and positioned relative to its respective inner panel 424-2 based on the state of actuation mechanism 450-2. Fluid 510-2 is held within a chamber 515-2 defined within a sealed structure 520-2. The inner panel 424-2 is movable relative to the outer panel 422-2. The actuation mechanism 450-2 can be any mechanical or electro-mechanical device configured to convert a mechanical activation along the Z direction onto an activator 451-2 (which can be, for example, a button or a target of the board game). For example, if the game board 400 is a target board (such as a dart board), then the activator 451-2 of the actuation mechanism 450-2 can be depressed by a dart. As another example, if the game board 400 is a board game (such as, for example, Scrabble®, Clue®, or Monopoly®), then the activator 451-2 of the actuation mechanism 450-2 can be depressed by a person’s finger. As a still further example, if the game board 400 is a floor game 400 (such as, for example, Twister®), then the activator 451-2 of the actuation mechanism 450-2 can be depressed by a person’s appendage such as a foot, knee, or hand.

[0048] The actuation mechanism 450-2 includes a motion converter 452-2 and a coupling element 453-2 that is physically coupled to the inner panel 424-2. The motion converter 452-2 can be a mechanical or electromechanical system that converts translational motion along the +Z direction (from the activator 451-2) into translational motion along the –Z direction (to the coupling element 453-2).

[0049] In FIG. 5A, the game board 400 is in stable state A, in which the actuation mechanism 450-2 is in a first stable state in which the inner panel 424-2 and the outer panel 422-2 are separated from each other. In FIG. 5B, the game board 400 is in stable state B, in which the actuation mechanism 450-2 is in second first stable state in which the inner panel 424-2 and the outer panel 422-2 are next to each other. The actuation mechanism 450-2 enables the game board 400 to be switched between these two stable states. The switching between the two stable states A, B provides a transformation effect that can be perceived by a user or player of the game board 400. The transformation effect occurs due to a displacement of the fluid 510-2 held inside the chamber 515-2. Thus, in the stable state A, the fluid 510-2 is visible to a player of the game board 400 because the outer panel 422-2 is configured to transmit light in the visible spectrum and the fluid 510-2 is between the outer panel 422-2 and the inner panel 424-2. On the other hand, in the stable state B, the inner panel 424-2 is visible to a player of the game board 400 because the inner panel 424-2 is next to the outer panel 422-2.

[0050] Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, in other implementations, an inner panel 624 and an outer panel 622 are both curved in shape. When the inner panel 624 contacts the outer panel 622 (FIG. 6B), an interface 621 between the inner panel 624 and the outer panel 622 is a curved surface. Such a design can be incorporated into a portion of a toy 100 that is a toy figure or doll. In this implementation, the inner panel 624 includes a rigid portion 623 and a soft pliable portion 625 that faces the outer panel 622. For example, the rigid portion 623 can be a rigid plastic and the soft pliable portion 625 can be or include a rubber, a thermoplastic rubber, silicone, or polyvinyl chloride. By making the portion 625 pliable, the inner panel 624 can better conform to the shape of the outer panel 622 in the stable state B at the interface 621 and this can facilitate the expulsion of the fluid 610 from between the inner panel 624 and the outer panel 622.

[0051] Fluid 610 is held within a chamber 615 defined within a sealed structure 620. The sealed structure 620 includes the outer panel 622 and a rear panel 627 that are sealed at a sealing mechanism 628 (such as, for example, a gasket or O-ring). The rear panel 627 also includes an opening through which a post 624p of the inner panel 624 passes in order to physically couple with an actuation mechanism 650 that is external to the chamber 615. The inner panel 624 is movable relative to the outer panel 622. The actuation mechanism 650 can be any mechanical or electro-mechanical device configured to move the post 624p, and therefore move the inner panel 624 within the chamber 615 along the Z axis.

[0052] In FIG. 6A, the toy FIG. 600 is in stable state A, in which the actuation mechanism 650 is in a first stable state in which the inner panel 624 and the outer panel 622 are separated from each other. In FIG. 6B, the toy FIG. 600 is in stable state B, in which the actuation mechanism 650 is in second first stable state in which the inner panel 624 and the outer panel 622 are next to each other and the interface 621 is formed. The actuation mechanism 650 enables the toy FIG. 600 to be switched between these two stable states. The switching between the two stable states A, B provides a transformation effect that can be perceived by a user of the toy FIG. 600. The transformation effect occurs due to a displacement of the fluid 610 held inside the chamber 615. Thus, in the stable state A, the fluid 610 is visible to a player of the toy FIG. 600 because the outer panel 622 is configured to transmit light in the visible spectrum and the fluid 610 is between the outer panel 622 and the inner panel 624. On the other hand, in the stable state B, the inner panel 624 is visible to a player of the toy FIG. 600 because the inner panel 624 is next to the outer panel 622.

[0053] The sealed structure 620 of the toy FIG. 600 can be a torso of the toy figure or a head of the toy figure. An implementation in which the sealed structure 620 is a torso and the actuation mechanism 650 includes an appendage of the toy figure is described next with reference to FIGS. 7A-11B.

[0054] Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, a toy FIG. 700 is designed like the toy 100 and is configured to be switched between two stable states (state A in FIG. 7A and state B in FIG. 7B). The switching between the two stable states A, B provides a transformation effect that can be perceived by a user or player of the toy. The toy FIG. 700 includes a sealed structure 720 that is at least partly defined by an outer panel 722. In this implementation, the sealed structure 720 includes a part of a torso 711 of the toy FIG. 700 and the outer panel 722 constitutes a chest of the toy FIG. 700. Part of the sealed structure 720 can also include a part of a head 712 of the toy figure, and the outer panel 722 can also include portions that constitute a face of the toy FIG. 700.

[0055] As discussed above, the outer panel 722 is made of a material that is configured to transmit light in the visible spectrum. Thus, in the stable state A, a fluid 710 is at least partly visible through the outer panel 722, while in stable state B, an inner panel 724 is at least partly visible through the outer panel 722. The transformation effect occurs due to a displacement of the fluid 710 held inside a chamber that is defined by the sealed structure 720.

[0056] The two stable states A, B can be selected by the user by way of an actuation mechanism 750, which, in which implementation, includes an appendage 751 such as an arm. Only the appendage 751 is shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B while other components of the actuation mechanism 750 can be within the sealed structure 720 and are shown in FIGS. 8A-11B. To obtain the stable state A (from the stable state B), the appendage 751 is rotated about a direction that is parallel with the Z axis and is generally in an XY plane such that a distal end of the appendage 751 is rotated toward a body 701 of the toy FIG. 700. To obtain the stable state B (from the stable state A), the appendage 751 is rotated about a direction that is parallel with the Z axis and is generally in an XY plane such that a distal end of the appendage 751 is rotated away from a body 701 of the toy FIG. 700. While not shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the actuation mechanism can include a fixation mechanism that holds the appendage 751 in a particular stable state A or B unless released by a user.

[0057] FIGS. 8A and 8B show more detail of the actuation mechanism 750. In this implementation, the actuation mechanism 750 is a mechanical mechanism. Moreover, the actuation mechanism 750, as discussed in more detail next, converts an input motion in an XY plane into a translational output motion of the inner panel 724 along the Z direction (which is not parallel with the XY plane). The input motion can be a translational (such as linear) input motion or a rotational input motion. In FIG. 8A, both the outer panel 722 and the inner panel 724 have been removed from the body 701 of the toy 700 and the actuation mechanism 750 is viewed along the +Z direction. In FIG. 8B, the body 701 of the toy 700 has been removed and the actuation mechanism 750 is viewed along the –Z direction.

[0058] The actuation mechanism 750 includes an appendage link 754, a ramped device 755, and a lock mechanism 756. The appendage link 754 includes a (for example, linearly-shaped) body 761 constrained to translate back and forth along the X direction, a segment 762 extending from one of the ends of the body 761 and being positioned within an interior of the appendage 751, and a locking device 763 (visible in FIG. 8B) extending from another end of the body 761. The segment 762 is in contact with an inner surface of the appendage 751 such that when the appendage 751 is rotated in the XY plane, a force is applied to the segment 762 that causes the segment 762 to translate along the X direction. The actuation mechanism 750 can also include one or more biasing devices 741, 742 such as springs. Biasing device 741 is arranged so that it can be compressed or extended along the X direction and biasing device 742 is arranged so that it can be compressed or extended along the Z direction.

[0059] FIGS. 9A, 9B, 10A, 10B, 11A, and 11B show the transformation between the stable state A (FIGS. 9A, 10A, and 11A) and the stable state B (FIGS. 9B, 10B, 11B) as well as more details relating to the design of the actuation mechanism 750. The appendage link 754 includes a rail 757 that extends from the body 761, the rail 757 including a rail lip 758. The ramped device 755 includes a ramp 759 facing the rail 757 and the rail lip 758 when mounted into the toy FIG. 700. The ramped device 755 is mechanically linked or connected with the inner panel 724 by way of a post 729 fixed to the inner panel 724.

[0060] In operation, the actuation mechanism 750 is configured to effect a relative motion between the inner panel 724 and the outer panel 722. This relative motion causes the fluid 710 to be displaced within the chamber 715. The actuation mechanism 750 is coupled to the inner panel 724 by way of the post 729 to thereby effect a motion of the inner panel 724 relative to the outer panel 722.

[0061] In the stable state A (FIGS. 9A, 10A, 11A), the actuation mechanism 750 is in a first stable state in which the inner panel 724 and the outer panel 722 are separated from each other. To obtain the stable state A, a user presses the distal end of the appendage 751 toward the body 701 of the toy, which causes the rail 757 and the rail lip 758 to move along the +X direction. The engagement between the rail 757 and the rail lip 758 and the ramp 759 thereby pushes the ramped device 755 along the +Z direction, and because the inner panel 724 is connected or fixed to the ramped device 755 by way of the post 729, the inner panel 724 is moved away from or separated from the outer panel 722. The biasing device 741 is biased to be stable in a compressed state (state B) and thus, when the appendage 751 is pressed the upper part of the appendage 751 is moved away from the body 701 and this extends the biasing device 741 (FIG. 9A). And, the biasing device 742 is biased to be stable in an extended state (state B) and thus, when the ramped device 755 moves along the +Z direction, the biasing device 742 is compressed (FIG. 11A). Nevertheless, despite these two biasing functions away from state A, at the same time, the locking device 763 is pushed into the lock mechanism 756, which then fixes the locking device 763 into a stable position (and thus fixes the appendage link 754, the ramped device 755, and the inner panel 724). Because of this separation, the fluid 710 is able to flow into and remain in the space between the inner panel 724 and the outer panel 722. Because the outer panel 722 is made of a material configured to transmit light in the visible spectrum, in the stable state A, the fluid 710 is visible through the outer panel 722. Moreover, if the fluid 710 is opaque, then the inner panel 724 is not visible through the outer panel 722.

[0062] In the stable state B (FIGS. 9B, 10B, 11B), the actuation mechanism 7150 is in a second stable state in which the inner panel 724 and the outer panel 722 are adjacent to each other. To obtain the stable state B, a user releases the appendage 751 from the fixed stable state A (by releasing the locking device 763 from the lock mechanism 756), and then moves the distal end of the appendage 751 away from the body 701 of the toy, which causes the rail 757 and the rail lip 758 to move along the –X direction. The engagement between the rail 757 and the rail lip 758 and the ramp 759 thereby pushes the ramped device 755 along the –Z direction, and because the inner panel 724 is connected or fixed to the ramped device 755 by way of the post 729, the inner panel 724 is moved toward the outer panel 722. At the same time, the locking device 763 is pushed away from the lock mechanism 756. The inner panel 724 and the outer panel 722 are adjacent to each other when their surfaces are close enough to each other to squeeze the fluid 710 out of the limited space between the panels 722, 724. As mentioned above, the biasing device 741 is biased to be stable in the compressed state (state B) and thus, when the appendage 751 is moved in this manner, the upper part of the appendage 751 is moved toward the body 701 and this compresses the biasing device 741 (FIG. 9A), thus returning the biasing device 741 to its stable state. And, the biasing device 742 is biased to be stable in the extended state (state B) and thus, when the ramped device 755 moves along the –Z direction, the biasing device 742 is extended (FIG. 11A), thus returning the biasing device 742 to its stable state. Because the outer panel 722 is made of a material configured to transmit light in the visible spectrum, in the stable state B, the inner panel 724 is now visible through the outer panel 722.

[0063] Other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0034]Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B, a toy 100 is configured to be switched between two stable states (state A in FIGS. 1A and 2A and state B in FIGS. 1B and 2B). The switching between the two stable states A, B provides a transformation effect that can be perceived by a user or player of the toy. The two stable states A, B can be selected by the user by way of an actuation mechanism 150 (visible in FIGS. 1A and 1B) and the transformation effect occurs due to a displacement of a fluid 110 held inside a chamber 115 that is defined by a sealed structure 120. FIGS. 1A and 1B show a side cross-sectional view of the toy 100 while FIGS. 2A and 2B show a front view of the toy 100.

[0035]The toy 100 includes the sealed structure 120, which defines the chamber 115. The sealed structure 120 and the toy 100 are shown in this implementation as being cuboid, but they can have any shape, depending on the design of the toy 100 and the transformation effect that is desired. Different shapes a...

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application No. 63 / 747,725, filed on Jan. 21, 2025 and titled TOY WITH LIQUID SHIFTING TRANSFORMATION EFFECT, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This disclosure relates to a toy configured with a transformation effect that is perceived by a player of the toy.BACKGROUND

[0003] Toys can be in the form of dolls, action figures, board games, shooting games, or hand-held games.SUMMARY

[0004] In some general aspects, a toy includes: a sealed structure defining a chamber and an actuation mechanism. The sealed structure includes: an outer panel made of a material configured to transmit light in the visible spectrum, an inner panel inside the chamber, the inner panel and the outer panel configured to move relative to each other, and a fluid held inside the chamber. The actuation mechanism is coupled to one or more of the inner panel and the outer panel, the actuation mechanism configured to effect the relative motion between the inner panel and the outer panel, which causes the fluid to be displaced within the chamber.

[0005] Implementations can include one or more of the following features. For example, the outer panel can be made of a transparent or translucent material. At least part of the outer panel can include an opaque material. The outer panel can include one or more transparent or translucent portions and one or more opaque portions. The outer panel can include two or more distinct colors. The inner panel can be made of a rigid material having a color that is different from a color of the toy external to the sealed structure.

[0006] The fluid can include a liquid, a gas, or a dyed liquid. The fluid can include a liquid in which particles are suspended. The particles can be micro-particles. The particles can be reflective particles. The fluid can include a light-reactive liquid that is configured to change color depending on the presence of light impinging on the liquid.

[0007] The toy can be a toy figure and the sealed structure can be a torso of the toy figure, the outer panel constituting a chest of the toy figure. The toy can be a toy figure and the sealed structure can be a head of the toy figure, the outer panel constituting a face of the toy figure. The toy can be a toy figure, the sealed structure can be a torso of the toy figure, the outer panel constituting a chest of the toy figure, and the actuation mechanism can include an arm attached to the torso. The toy can be a board game, and the outer panel of the sealed structure can be an exposed surface of the board game.

[0008] The actuation mechanism can be a mechanical mechanism. The actuation mechanism can convert a translational input motion along a first direction into a translational output motion of the inner panel along a second direction that is not parallel with the first direction. The actuation mechanism can convert a rotational input motion into a translational output motion of the inner panel. The actuation mechanism can convert a translational input motion along a first direction into a translational output motion of the inner panel along the first direction. The actuation mechanism can include an electromechanical mechanism.

[0009] The sealed structure can be defined in a body of the toy and the actuation mechanism can include a button, lever, or knob positioned on the body of the toy. The actuation mechanism can be a mechanical mechanism that is switched between two stable states, a first stable state in which the inner panel and the outer panel are separated from each other and the fluid is between the inner panel and the outer panel, and a second stable state in which the inner panel and the outer panel are adjacent to each other.

[0010] The outer panel can be flat and the inner panel can be flat. The outer panel can be contoured and the inner panel can be contoured and shaped complementary to the outer panel.

[0011] The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form part of the specification, illustrate the present disclosure and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure and to enable a person skilled in the relevant art(s) to make and use implementations described herein.

[0013] FIG. 1A is a schematic illustration of an implementation of a toy including an outer panel made of a material configured to transmit light in the visible spectrum, an inner panel, and an actuation mechanism, in which the toy is in a stable state A in which the inner panel and the outer panel are separated from each other and fluid is between the inner panel and the outer panel;

[0014] FIG. 1B is a schematic illustration of the toy of FIG. 1A, in which the toy is in a stable state B in which the inner panel and the outer panel are adjacent each other and fluid is not between the inner panel and the outer panel;

[0015] FIG. 2A is a schematic illustration of a front view of the toy of FIG. 1A in the stable state A;

[0016] FIG. 2B is a schematic illustration of a front view of the toy of FIG. 1B in the stable state B;

[0017] FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of an implementation of an inner panel made of a material that includes a rigid portion and a soft pliable portion that faces the outer panel;

[0018] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an implementation of a toy that is designed as a game board, in which the inner panel and the outer panel are both flat in shape and an interface between the inner panel and the outer panel is a flat surface;

[0019] FIG. 5A is a side cross-sectional view of a sealed structure that holds fluid in a chamber, in which the inner panel is separate from the outer panel in a stable state A of the toy of FIG. 4;

[0020] FIG. 5B is a side cross-sectional view of a sealed structure that holds fluid in a chamber, in which the inner panel is adjacent to the outer panel in a stable state B of the toy of FIG. 4;

[0021] FIG. 6A is a side cross-sectional view of an implementation of a toy in which an inner panel and an outer panel are both curved in shape, and the inner panel is separate from the outer panel in a stable state A;

[0022] FIG. 6B is a side cross-sectional view of the toy of FIG. 6A in which the inner panel is adjacent with the outer panel in a stable state B;

[0023] FIG. 7A is an exterior perspective view of an implementation of a toy figure including an outer panel shaped like a chest of a torso and an actuation mechanism shaped like an appendage of the torso, in which the toy figure is in a stable state A in which an inner panel is separate from the outer panel;

[0024] FIG. 7B is an exterior perspective view of the toy figure of FIG. 7A, in which the toy figure is in a stable state B in which an inner panel is adjacent to the outer panel;

[0025] FIG. 8A is a cutaway perspective front view of an interior of a sealed structure of the toy figure of FIGS. 7A and 7B in which the inner panel and the outer panel have been removed;

[0026] FIG. 8B is a cutaway perspective back view of an actuation mechanism of the toy figure of FIGS. 7A, 7B and 8A in which a back panel has been removed;

[0027] FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view in the XY plane of the toy figure of FIGS. 7A-8B in a stable state A;

[0028] FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view in the XY plane of the toy figure of FIGS. 7A-8B in a stable state B;

[0029] FIG. 10A is a perspective view of an implementation of an interface between a ramp of a ramped device, connected with the inner panel, and a rail lip of an appendage link of the toy figure of FIGS. 7A-9B, in which the ramped device is directed along the +Z direction and the inner panel and the outer panel are separated from each other in the stable state A;

[0030] FIG. 10B is a perspective view of the interface between the ramp of the ramped device, connected with the inner panel, and the rail lip of the appendage link of the toy figure of FIGS. 7A-9B, in which the ramped device is directed along the −Z direction and the inner panel and the outer panel are adjacent with each other in the stable state B;

[0031] FIG. 11A is a side cross-sectional view in the YZ plane of the toy figure of FIGS. 7A-10B in the stable state A; and

[0032] FIG. 11B is a side cross-sectional view in the YZ plane of the toy figure of FIGS. 7A-10B in the stable state B.

[0033] The features of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which like reference characters identify corresponding elements throughout. In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and / or structurally similar elements. Additionally, generally, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the drawing in which the reference number first appears. Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings provided throughout the disclosure should not be interpreted as to-scale drawings.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B, a toy 100 is configured to be switched between two stable states (state A in FIGS. 1A and 2A and state B in FIGS. 1B and 2B). The switching between the two stable states A, B provides a transformation effect that can be perceived by a user or player of the toy. The two stable states A, B can be selected by the user by way of an actuation mechanism 150 (visible in FIGS. 1A and 1B) and the transformation effect occurs due to a displacement of a fluid 110 held inside a chamber 115 that is defined by a sealed structure 120. FIGS. 1A and 1B show a side cross-sectional view of the toy 100 while FIGS. 2A and 2B show a front view of the toy 100.

[0035] The toy 100 includes the sealed structure 120, which defines the chamber 115. The sealed structure 120 and the toy 100 are shown in this implementation as being cuboid, but they can have any shape, depending on the design of the toy 100 and the transformation effect that is desired. Different shapes are discussed following a general description of the toy 100.

[0036] The sealed structure 120 includes (or is defined by) an outer panel 122 made of a material configured to transmit light in the visible spectrum, and an inner panel 124 inside the chamber 115. The inner panel and the outer panel are configured to move relative to each other, for example, along the Z axis. In this implementation, the inner panel 124 is configured to move relative to the outer panel 122. In other implementations, the outer panel 122 is configured to move relative to the inner panel 124, or both the outer panel 122 and the inner panel are configured to move relative to each other. The sealed structure 120 also includes the fluid 110, which is contained within the chamber 115. The structure 120 is sealed; in this way, the fluid 110 contained within the chamber 115 remains within the chamber 115.

[0037] The toy 100 also includes the actuation mechanism 150. The actuation mechanism 150 is coupled to one or more of the inner panel 124 and the outer panel 122. In this way, the actuation mechanism 150 is configured to effect a relative motion between the inner panel 124 and the outer panel 122. This relative motion causes the fluid 110 to be displaced within the chamber 115. In the implementation of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the actuation mechanism 150 is coupled to the inner panel 124 to thereby effect a motion of the inner panel 124 relative to the outer panel 122.

[0038] In the stable state A (FIGS. 1A and 2A), the actuation mechanism 150 is in a first stable state in which the inner panel 124 and the outer panel 122 are separated from each other. Because of this separation, the fluid 110 is able to flow into and remain in the space between the inner panel 124 and the outer panel 122. Because the outer panel 122 is made of a material configured to transmit light in the visible spectrum, in the stable state A, the fluid 110 is visible through the outer panel 122. Moreover, if the fluid 110 is opaque, then the inner panel 124 is not visible through the outer panel 122. For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, which is a view looking toward the outer panel 122 along the Z axis, the fluid 110 is visible through the outer panel 122.

[0039] In the stable state B (FIGS. 1B and 2B), the actuation mechanism 150 is in a second stable state in which the inner panel 124 and the outer panel 122 are adjacent to each other. The inner panel 124 and the outer panel 122 are adjacent to each other when their surfaces are close enough to each other to squeeze the fluid 110 out of the limited space between the panels 122, 124. Because the outer panel 122 is made of a material configured to transmit light in the visible spectrum, in the stable state B, the inner panel 124 is now visible through the outer panel 122. For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, which is a view looking toward the outer panel 122 along the Z axis, the fluid 110 is no longer visible through the outer panel 122 but the inner panel 124 (represented by the grid pattern) is visible through the outer panel 122.

[0040] In order for this transformation effect to be perceived, the outer panel 122 is made of a material that is configured to transmit light in the visible spectrum. For example, the outer panel 122 can be made of a transparent or a translucent material, that is, a material that is transparent or translucent to light in the visible spectrum. In some implementations, the outer panel 122 is made of a rigid material. In some implementations, the outer panel 122 is made of plastic such as, for example, polycarbonate, polypropylene, or clear acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).

[0041] In some implementations, the outer panel 122 can include one or more opaque regions 126-1, 126-2, 126-3, in addition to one or more portions 128 that are configured to transmit light in the visible spectrum. These opaque regions 126-1, 126-2, 126-3 do not transmit light in the visible spectrum. While three opaque regions 126-1, 126-2, 126-3 are shown in this particular example, fewer than three or more than three opaque regions can be included in the outer panel 122.

[0042] As shown more clearly in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the opaque regions 126-1, 126-2, 126-3 remain visible in both of the stable states A and B. In some implementations, the opaque regions 126-1, 126-2, 126-3 have a color that is different from the transmissive portions 128. For example, the opaque regions 126-1, 126-2, 126-3 can be white, blue, red, pink, gray, orange, yellow, or green and the transmissive portions 128 can be clear or a tinted clear material. The opaque regions 126-1, 126-2, 126-3 themselves can have different colors. For example, a first part 126-1i can be a first color while a second part 126-1ii of the opaque region 126-1 can be a second color that is different from the first color. As another example, the color of the opaque regions 126-2 and 126-3 can have a color that is distinct from the color of the opaque region 126-1.

[0043] In some implementations, the inner panel 124 is made of a rigid plastic material. The material of the inner panel 124 can have a color that is different from a color of the outer panel 122 and a color of the other parts of the toy 100 external to the sealed structure 120 (not shown in FIGS. 1A-2B).

[0044] In other implementations, such as shown in FIG. 3, the inner panel 324 is made of a material that includes a rigid portion 323 and a soft pliable portion 325 that faces the outer panel 122. For example, the rigid portion 323 can be a rigid plastic and the soft pliable portion 325 can be a rubber. By making the portion 325 pliable, the inner panel 324 can better conform to the shape of the outer panel 122 in the stable state B and this can facilitate the expulsion of the fluid 110 from between the inner panel 324 and the outer panel 122.

[0045] The fluid 110 is a non-toxic material that is not reactive with the materials of the sealed structure 120, the outer panel 122, and the inner panel 124. In some implementations, the fluid 110 is a liquid such as water or a water-based mixture. In other implementations, the fluid 110 is a gas such as glycerin fog. In some implementations, the fluid 110 includes a dyed liquid. In still other implementations, the fluid 110 includes a liquid in which particles are suspended. For example, the particles can be micro-particles or reflective particles such as glitter. In other implementations, the fluid 110 includes a light-reactive liquid that is configured to change color depending on the presence of light impinging on the liquid. Thus, for example, because more light impinges upon the liquid in the stable state A, the liquid can have a first color while the toy 100 is in the stable state A. Because less light impinges upon the liquid in the stable state B (because it may be blocked by the inner panel 124), the liquid can have a second color while the toy 100 is in the stable state B.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 1A-2B, the inner panel 124 and the outer panel 122 are both flat in shape. The interface between the inner panel 124 and the outer panel 122 is a flat surface. Referring to FIG. 4, such a design can be incorporated into a toy 400 that is a game board. In this particular implementation, the game board 400 includes one or more outer panels 422-i, where i is the set of integers from 1 to M, and M is the total number of outer panels. In this particular simplified example, there are four outer panels 422-1, 422-2, 422-3, 422-4. The inner panels are positioned within a base 460 of the game board 400 and not shown in FIG. 4 (inner panel 424-2 is shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B). In this implementation, an actuation mechanism 450-i, where i is the set of integers from 1 to M, and M is the total number of outer panels 422-i, is associated with each outer panel 422-i / inner panel pair.

[0047] In order to show operation of each actuation mechanism 450-i, FIGS. 5A and 5B depict the outer panel 422-2 in side cross sectional view within the base 460 and positioned relative to its respective inner panel 424-2 based on the state of actuation mechanism 450-2. Fluid 510-2 is held within a chamber 515-2 defined within a sealed structure 520-2. The inner panel 424-2 is movable relative to the outer panel 422-2. The actuation mechanism 450-2 can be any mechanical or electro-mechanical device configured to convert a mechanical activation along the Z direction onto an activator 451-2 (which can be, for example, a button or a target of the board game). For example, if the game board 400 is a target board (such as a dart board), then the activator 451-2 of the actuation mechanism 450-2 can be depressed by a dart. As another example, if the game board 400 is a board game (such as, for example, Scrabble®, Clue®, or Monopoly®), then the activator 451-2 of the actuation mechanism 450-2 can be depressed by a person’s finger. As a still further example, if the game board 400 is a floor game 400 (such as, for example, Twister®), then the activator 451-2 of the actuation mechanism 450-2 can be depressed by a person’s appendage such as a foot, knee, or hand.

[0048] The actuation mechanism 450-2 includes a motion converter 452-2 and a coupling element 453-2 that is physically coupled to the inner panel 424-2. The motion converter 452-2 can be a mechanical or electromechanical system that converts translational motion along the +Z direction (from the activator 451-2) into translational motion along the –Z direction (to the coupling element 453-2).

[0049] In FIG. 5A, the game board 400 is in stable state A, in which the actuation mechanism 450-2 is in a first stable state in which the inner panel 424-2 and the outer panel 422-2 are separated from each other. In FIG. 5B, the game board 400 is in stable state B, in which the actuation mechanism 450-2 is in second first stable state in which the inner panel 424-2 and the outer panel 422-2 are next to each other. The actuation mechanism 450-2 enables the game board 400 to be switched between these two stable states. The switching between the two stable states A, B provides a transformation effect that can be perceived by a user or player of the game board 400. The transformation effect occurs due to a displacement of the fluid 510-2 held inside the chamber 515-2. Thus, in the stable state A, the fluid 510-2 is visible to a player of the game board 400 because the outer panel 422-2 is configured to transmit light in the visible spectrum and the fluid 510-2 is between the outer panel 422-2 and the inner panel 424-2. On the other hand, in the stable state B, the inner panel 424-2 is visible to a player of the game board 400 because the inner panel 424-2 is next to the outer panel 422-2.

[0050] Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, in other implementations, an inner panel 624 and an outer panel 622 are both curved in shape. When the inner panel 624 contacts the outer panel 622 (FIG. 6B), an interface 621 between the inner panel 624 and the outer panel 622 is a curved surface. Such a design can be incorporated into a portion of a toy 100 that is a toy figure or doll. In this implementation, the inner panel 624 includes a rigid portion 623 and a soft pliable portion 625 that faces the outer panel 622. For example, the rigid portion 623 can be a rigid plastic and the soft pliable portion 625 can be or include a rubber, a thermoplastic rubber, silicone, or polyvinyl chloride. By making the portion 625 pliable, the inner panel 624 can better conform to the shape of the outer panel 622 in the stable state B at the interface 621 and this can facilitate the expulsion of the fluid 610 from between the inner panel 624 and the outer panel 622.

[0051] Fluid 610 is held within a chamber 615 defined within a sealed structure 620. The sealed structure 620 includes the outer panel 622 and a rear panel 627 that are sealed at a sealing mechanism 628 (such as, for example, a gasket or O-ring). The rear panel 627 also includes an opening through which a post 624p of the inner panel 624 passes in order to physically couple with an actuation mechanism 650 that is external to the chamber 615. The inner panel 624 is movable relative to the outer panel 622. The actuation mechanism 650 can be any mechanical or electro-mechanical device configured to move the post 624p, and therefore move the inner panel 624 within the chamber 615 along the Z axis.

[0052] In FIG. 6A, the toy FIG. 600 is in stable state A, in which the actuation mechanism 650 is in a first stable state in which the inner panel 624 and the outer panel 622 are separated from each other. In FIG. 6B, the toy FIG. 600 is in stable state B, in which the actuation mechanism 650 is in second first stable state in which the inner panel 624 and the outer panel 622 are next to each other and the interface 621 is formed. The actuation mechanism 650 enables the toy FIG. 600 to be switched between these two stable states. The switching between the two stable states A, B provides a transformation effect that can be perceived by a user of the toy FIG. 600. The transformation effect occurs due to a displacement of the fluid 610 held inside the chamber 615. Thus, in the stable state A, the fluid 610 is visible to a player of the toy FIG. 600 because the outer panel 622 is configured to transmit light in the visible spectrum and the fluid 610 is between the outer panel 622 and the inner panel 624. On the other hand, in the stable state B, the inner panel 624 is visible to a player of the toy FIG. 600 because the inner panel 624 is next to the outer panel 622.

[0053] The sealed structure 620 of the toy FIG. 600 can be a torso of the toy figure or a head of the toy figure. An implementation in which the sealed structure 620 is a torso and the actuation mechanism 650 includes an appendage of the toy figure is described next with reference to FIGS. 7A-11B.

[0054] Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, a toy FIG. 700 is designed like the toy 100 and is configured to be switched between two stable states (state A in FIG. 7A and state B in FIG. 7B). The switching between the two stable states A, B provides a transformation effect that can be perceived by a user or player of the toy. The toy FIG. 700 includes a sealed structure 720 that is at least partly defined by an outer panel 722. In this implementation, the sealed structure 720 includes a part of a torso 711 of the toy FIG. 700 and the outer panel 722 constitutes a chest of the toy FIG. 700. Part of the sealed structure 720 can also include a part of a head 712 of the toy figure, and the outer panel 722 can also include portions that constitute a face of the toy FIG. 700.

[0055] As discussed above, the outer panel 722 is made of a material that is configured to transmit light in the visible spectrum. Thus, in the stable state A, a fluid 710 is at least partly visible through the outer panel 722, while in stable state B, an inner panel 724 is at least partly visible through the outer panel 722. The transformation effect occurs due to a displacement of the fluid 710 held inside a chamber that is defined by the sealed structure 720.

[0056] The two stable states A, B can be selected by the user by way of an actuation mechanism 750, which, in which implementation, includes an appendage 751 such as an arm. Only the appendage 751 is shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B while other components of the actuation mechanism 750 can be within the sealed structure 720 and are shown in FIGS. 8A-11B. To obtain the stable state A (from the stable state B), the appendage 751 is rotated about a direction that is parallel with the Z axis and is generally in an XY plane such that a distal end of the appendage 751 is rotated toward a body 701 of the toy FIG. 700. To obtain the stable state B (from the stable state A), the appendage 751 is rotated about a direction that is parallel with the Z axis and is generally in an XY plane such that a distal end of the appendage 751 is rotated away from a body 701 of the toy FIG. 700. While not shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the actuation mechanism can include a fixation mechanism that holds the appendage 751 in a particular stable state A or B unless released by a user.

[0057] FIGS. 8A and 8B show more detail of the actuation mechanism 750. In this implementation, the actuation mechanism 750 is a mechanical mechanism. Moreover, the actuation mechanism 750, as discussed in more detail next, converts an input motion in an XY plane into a translational output motion of the inner panel 724 along the Z direction (which is not parallel with the XY plane). The input motion can be a translational (such as linear) input motion or a rotational input motion. In FIG. 8A, both the outer panel 722 and the inner panel 724 have been removed from the body 701 of the toy 700 and the actuation mechanism 750 is viewed along the +Z direction. In FIG. 8B, the body 701 of the toy 700 has been removed and the actuation mechanism 750 is viewed along the –Z direction.

[0058] The actuation mechanism 750 includes an appendage link 754, a ramped device 755, and a lock mechanism 756. The appendage link 754 includes a (for example, linearly-shaped) body 761 constrained to translate back and forth along the X direction, a segment 762 extending from one of the ends of the body 761 and being positioned within an interior of the appendage 751, and a locking device 763 (visible in FIG. 8B) extending from another end of the body 761. The segment 762 is in contact with an inner surface of the appendage 751 such that when the appendage 751 is rotated in the XY plane, a force is applied to the segment 762 that causes the segment 762 to translate along the X direction. The actuation mechanism 750 can also include one or more biasing devices 741, 742 such as springs. Biasing device 741 is arranged so that it can be compressed or extended along the X direction and biasing device 742 is arranged so that it can be compressed or extended along the Z direction.

[0059] FIGS. 9A, 9B, 10A, 10B, 11A, and 11B show the transformation between the stable state A (FIGS. 9A, 10A, and 11A) and the stable state B (FIGS. 9B, 10B, 11B) as well as more details relating to the design of the actuation mechanism 750. The appendage link 754 includes a rail 757 that extends from the body 761, the rail 757 including a rail lip 758. The ramped device 755 includes a ramp 759 facing the rail 757 and the rail lip 758 when mounted into the toy FIG. 700. The ramped device 755 is mechanically linked or connected with the inner panel 724 by way of a post 729 fixed to the inner panel 724.

[0060] In operation, the actuation mechanism 750 is configured to effect a relative motion between the inner panel 724 and the outer panel 722. This relative motion causes the fluid 710 to be displaced within the chamber 715. The actuation mechanism 750 is coupled to the inner panel 724 by way of the post 729 to thereby effect a motion of the inner panel 724 relative to the outer panel 722.

[0061] In the stable state A (FIGS. 9A, 10A, 11A), the actuation mechanism 750 is in a first stable state in which the inner panel 724 and the outer panel 722 are separated from each other. To obtain the stable state A, a user presses the distal end of the appendage 751 toward the body 701 of the toy, which causes the rail 757 and the rail lip 758 to move along the +X direction. The engagement between the rail 757 and the rail lip 758 and the ramp 759 thereby pushes the ramped device 755 along the +Z direction, and because the inner panel 724 is connected or fixed to the ramped device 755 by way of the post 729, the inner panel 724 is moved away from or separated from the outer panel 722. The biasing device 741 is biased to be stable in a compressed state (state B) and thus, when the appendage 751 is pressed the upper part of the appendage 751 is moved away from the body 701 and this extends the biasing device 741 (FIG. 9A). And, the biasing device 742 is biased to be stable in an extended state (state B) and thus, when the ramped device 755 moves along the +Z direction, the biasing device 742 is compressed (FIG. 11A). Nevertheless, despite these two biasing functions away from state A, at the same time, the locking device 763 is pushed into the lock mechanism 756, which then fixes the locking device 763 into a stable position (and thus fixes the appendage link 754, the ramped device 755, and the inner panel 724). Because of this separation, the fluid 710 is able to flow into and remain in the space between the inner panel 724 and the outer panel 722. Because the outer panel 722 is made of a material configured to transmit light in the visible spectrum, in the stable state A, the fluid 710 is visible through the outer panel 722. Moreover, if the fluid 710 is opaque, then the inner panel 724 is not visible through the outer panel 722.

[0062] In the stable state B (FIGS. 9B, 10B, 11B), the actuation mechanism 7150 is in a second stable state in which the inner panel 724 and the outer panel 722 are adjacent to each other. To obtain the stable state B, a user releases the appendage 751 from the fixed stable state A (by releasing the locking device 763 from the lock mechanism 756), and then moves the distal end of the appendage 751 away from the body 701 of the toy, which causes the rail 757 and the rail lip 758 to move along the –X direction. The engagement between the rail 757 and the rail lip 758 and the ramp 759 thereby pushes the ramped device 755 along the –Z direction, and because the inner panel 724 is connected or fixed to the ramped device 755 by way of the post 729, the inner panel 724 is moved toward the outer panel 722. At the same time, the locking device 763 is pushed away from the lock mechanism 756. The inner panel 724 and the outer panel 722 are adjacent to each other when their surfaces are close enough to each other to squeeze the fluid 710 out of the limited space between the panels 722, 724. As mentioned above, the biasing device 741 is biased to be stable in the compressed state (state B) and thus, when the appendage 751 is moved in this manner, the upper part of the appendage 751 is moved toward the body 701 and this compresses the biasing device 741 (FIG. 9A), thus returning the biasing device 741 to its stable state. And, the biasing device 742 is biased to be stable in the extended state (state B) and thus, when the ramped device 755 moves along the –Z direction, the biasing device 742 is extended (FIG. 11A), thus returning the biasing device 742 to its stable state. Because the outer panel 722 is made of a material configured to transmit light in the visible spectrum, in the stable state B, the inner panel 724 is now visible through the outer panel 722.

[0063] Other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0034]Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B, a toy 100 is configured to be switched between two stable states (state A in FIGS. 1A and 2A and state B in FIGS. 1B and 2B). The switching between the two stable states A, B provides a transformation effect that can be perceived by a user or player of the toy. The two stable states A, B can be selected by the user by way of an actuation mechanism 150 (visible in FIGS. 1A and 1B) and the transformation effect occurs due to a displacement of a fluid 110 held inside a chamber 115 that is defined by a sealed structure 120. FIGS. 1A and 1B show a side cross-sectional view of the toy 100 while FIGS. 2A and 2B show a front view of the toy 100.

[0035]The toy 100 includes the sealed structure 120, which defines the chamber 115. The sealed structure 120 and the toy 100 are shown in this implementation as being cuboid, but they can have any shape, depending on the design of the toy 100 and the transformation effect that is desired. Different shapes a...

Claims

1. A toy comprising:a sealed structure defining a chamber, the sealed structure comprising:an outer panel made of a material configured to transmit light in the visible spectrum,an inner panel inside the chamber, the inner panel and the outer panel configured to move relative to each other, anda fluid held inside the chamber; andan actuation mechanism coupled to one or more of the inner panel and the outer panel, the actuation mechanism configured to effect the relative motion between the inner panel and the outer panel, which causes the fluid to be displaced within the chamber.

2. The toy of claim 1, wherein the outer panel is made of a transparent or translucent material.

3. The toy of claim 2, wherein at least part of the outer panel includes an opaque material.

4. The toy of claim 1, wherein the outer panel includes one or more transparent or translucent portions and one or more opaque portions.

5. The toy of claim 1, wherein the outer panel includes two or more distinct colors.

6. The toy of claim 1, wherein the fluid comprises a liquid.

7. The toy of claim 1, wherein the fluid comprises a gas.

8. The toy of claim 1, wherein the fluid comprises a dyed liquid.

9. The toy of claim 1, wherein the inner panel is made of a rigid material having a color that is different from a color of the toy external to the sealed structure.

10. The toy of claim 1, wherein the toy is a toy figure and the sealed structure is a torso of the toy figure, the outer panel constituting a chest of the toy figure.

11. The toy of claim 1, wherein the toy is a toy figure and the sealed structure is a head of the toy figure, the outer panel constituting a face of the toy figure.

12. The toy of claim 1, wherein the actuation mechanism is a mechanical mechanism.

13. The toy of claim 1, wherein the actuation mechanism converts a translational input motion along a first direction into a translational output motion of the inner panel along a second direction that is not parallel with the first direction.

14. The toy of claim 1, wherein the actuation mechanism converts a rotational input motion into a translational output motion of the inner panel.

15. The toy of claim 1, wherein the actuation mechanism converts a translational input motion along a first direction into a translational output motion of the inner panel along the first direction.

16. The toy of claim 1, wherein the actuation mechanism comprises an electromechanical mechanism.

17. The toy of claim 1, wherein the toy is a toy figure, the sealed structure is a torso of the toy figure, the outer panel constituting a chest of the toy figure, and the actuation mechanism includes an arm attached to the torso.

18. The toy of claim 1, wherein the sealed structure is defined in a body of the toy and the actuation mechanism includes a button, lever, or knob positioned on the body of the toy.

19. The toy of claim 1, wherein the actuation mechanism is a mechanical mechanism that is switched between two stable states, a first stable state in which the inner panel and the outer panel are separated from each other and the fluid is between the inner panel and the outer panel, and a second stable state in which the inner panel and the outer panel are adjacent to each other.

20. The toy of claim 1, wherein the toy is a board game, and the outer panel of the sealed structure is an exposed surface of the board game.

21. The toy of claim 1, wherein the outer panel is flat and the inner panel is flat.

22. The toy of claim 21, wherein the outer panel is contoured and the inner panel is contoured and shaped complementary to the outer panel.

23. The toy of claim 11, wherein the fluid comprises a liquid in which particles are suspended.

24. The toy of claim 23, wherein the particles are micro-particles.

25. The toy of claim 23, wherein the particles are reflective particles.

26. The toy of claim 1, wherein the fluid comprises a light-reactive liquid that is configured to change color depending on the presence of light impinging on the liquid.

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