Abstract:
To provide an intellectual training toy which can suppress noise and improve safety, and which has a significant effect on developing children&#39;s intellect, maintaining or recovering the mental and physical functions of the elderly, and other purposes. 
     An intellectual training toy whose material is a soft elastic material comprises a triangular annular member ( 1 ), wherein a user can turn an inside surface and an outside surface of the annular member ( 1 ) inside out, and the shape of the annular member ( 1 ) changes when the user turns the inside surface and the outside surface of the annular member ( 1 ) inside out. Since the intellectual training toy is made of a soft and pliable material, noise can be suppressed and safety can be improved. With this intellectual training toy, since the shape of the annular member ( 1 ) changes when the user turns the inside surface and the outside surface of the annular member ( 1 ) inside out, there is a significant effect on developing children&#39;s intellect, maintaining or recovering the mental and physical functions of the elderly, and the like.

Description:
[0001]    This nonprovisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) on Patent Application No. 2010-000744 filed in Japan on Jan. 5, 2010, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to an intellectual training toy, and particularly relates to an intellectual training toy whereby building blocks can be played with by using multiple pieces. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Playing with building blocks, whether the blocks are stacked, connected, or aligned, is beneficial in developing a child&#39;s concentration, patience, and balance. Playing with building blocks is also extremely useful in maintaining or recovering the mental and physical functions of the elderly. 
       PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS 
     Patent Documents 
       [0000]    
       
         [Patent Document 1] Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 2004-24788 (Abstract) 
         [Patent Document 2] Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 2004-73788 (Abstract) 
       
     
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Problems the Invention is Intended to Solve 
       [0008]    However, problems with building blocks include noise, safety, and the like. Common commercially available building blocks are made of wood or hard plastic. When building blocks made of wood or hard plastic are being played with and a stack of the blocks collapses, it makes a loud noise. A loud noise is also made when a child throws building blocks made of wood or hard plastic at the wall or floor or drops the blocks on the floor. When such loud noises are made in a high-rise housing complex, it can irritate residents on the floor below. 
         [0009]    Furthermore, there is a risk that when a child throws building blocks made of wood or hard plastic at another person, the person at whom the blocks are thrown could be injured. 
         [0010]    The building block proposed in Patent Document 1 is a soft building block (a polymer mold containing air bubbles) and is therefore capable of resolving the problems described above, but since the building block has a simple shape which does not change, it has been insufficient in developing children&#39;s intellect, maintaining or recovering the mental and physical functions of the elderly, and other effects. Since the shape-changing ball proposed in Patent Document 2 is made of a soft material, noise and injuries can be prevented. However, inverting the outer surface and inner surface of the hollow spherical shape-changing ball proposed in Patent Document 2 in order to change the shape has not been easy for weaker children and the elderly. Therefore, the shape-changing ball proposed in Patent Document 2 is not suitable for developing children&#39;s intellect, maintaining or recovering the mental and physical functions of the elderly, or other such purposes. Furthermore, since the shape-changing ball proposed in Patent Document 2 is a hollow sphere, it cannot be used as a building block. 
         [0011]    In view of the circumstances described above, an object of the present invention is to provide an intellectual training toy which can suppress noise and improve safety, while having a profound effect on developing children&#39;s intellect, maintaining or recovering the mental and physical functions of the elderly, and the like. 
       Means for Solving these Problems 
       [0012]    To achieve the object described above, an intellectual training toy according to the present invention is an intellectual training toy made of a soft and pliable material, the intellectual training toy comprising a polygonal annular member, wherein a user can turn an inside surface and an outside surface of the annular member inside out, and the shape of the annular member changes when the user turns the inside surface and the outside surface of the annular member inside out (first aspect). 
         [0013]    It should be understood that the polygonal annular member provided in the intellectual training toy according to the first aspect may be an annular member having a concave (reentrant) polygonal shape. Accordingly, the present invention encompasses an intellectual training toy as shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B .  FIG. 5A  shows the annular member in a state in which its inside surface and outside surface are not turned inside out, and  FIG. 5B  shows the annular member in a state in which its inside surface and outside surface are turned inside out. Moreover, according to the present invention, when the annular member is in a state in which its inside surface and outside surface are not turned inside out, any part of it corresponding to a side of a polygonal shape may be curved. Accordingly, the present invention encompasses an intellectual training toy as shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B .  FIG. 6A  shows the annular member in a state in which its inside surface and outside surface are not turned inside out, and  FIG. 6B  shows the annular member in a state in which its inside surface and outside surface are turned inside out. Within the scope of the present invention are not only intellectual training toys that change their shape two-dimensionally but also intellectual training toys that change their shape three-dimensionally. Accordingly, the present invention encompasses an intellectual training toy as shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B .  FIG. 7A  shows the annular member in a state in which its inside surface and outside surface are not turned inside out, and  FIG. 7B  shows the annular member in a state in which its inside surface and outside surface are turned inside out. 
         [0014]    To achieve the object described above, the intellectual training toy according to the present invention is also an intellectual training toy made of a soft and pliable material, the intellectual training toy comprising an elliptical or circular annular member, wherein the thickness of the annular member, which is a distance between an inside surface and an outside surface of the annular member, is not uniform; a user can turn an inside surface and an outside surface of the annular member inside out, and the shape of the annular member changes when the user turns the inside surface and the outside surface of the annular member inside out (second aspect). 
         [0015]    In the intellectual training toy of the first or second aspect, there are curved parts present in the outer shape of the annular member when the inside surface and the outside surface of the annular member are in a state of having been turned inside out (third aspect). 
         [0016]    In the intellectual training toy of any of the first through third aspects, the intellectual training toy may comprise an extending member provided so as to extend to the inside of the annular member from the inside surface of the annular member. The shape of the intellectual training toy according to the present invention when the inside surface and the outside surface of the annular member have been turned inside out can thereby be diversified. For example, the shape of the intellectual training toy according to the present invention when the inside surface and the outside surface of the annular member have been turned inside out can be made into a shape resembling an animal or a plant. 
       Effect of the Invention 
       [0017]    With the intellectual training toy according to the present invention, since the material is soft and elastic, noise can be suppressed and safety can be improved. Furthermore, with the intellectual training toy according to the present invention, since the shape of the annular member changes when the user turns the inside surface and the outside surface of the annular member inside out, a profound effect occurs in terms of improving children&#39;s intellect, maintaining or recovering the mental and physical functions of the elderly, and the like. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of the intellectual training toy according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the intellectual training toy according to the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the inside surface and outside surface of the annular member have been turned inside out; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of the intellectual training toy according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of the intellectual training toy according to the second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the inside surface and outside surface of the annular member have been turned inside out; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of the intellectual training toy according to a third embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of the intellectual training toy according to the third embodiment of the present invention, wherein the inside surface and outside surface of the annular member have been turned inside out; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of the intellectual training toy according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of the intellectual training toy according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, wherein the inside surface and outside surface of the annular member have been turned inside out; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of the intellectual training toy according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 5B  is a perspective view of the intellectual training toy according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, wherein the inside surface and outside surface of the annular member have been turned inside out; 
           [0028]      FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of the intellectual training toy according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 6B  is a perspective view of the intellectual training toy according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, wherein the inside surface and outside surface of the annular member have been turned inside out; 
           [0030]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of the intellectual training toy according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 7B  is a perspective view of the intellectual training toy according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention, wherein the inside surface and outside surface of the annular member have been turned inside out. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0032]    The embodiments of the present invention are described hereinbelow with reference to the drawings. 
         [0033]    First, the intellectual training toy according to the first embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to  FIGS. 1A and 1B . The intellectual training toy according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises a triangular annular member  1 , and an extending member  2  provided so as to extend from the inside surface of the annular member  1  into the interior of the annular member  1 , as shown in  FIG. 1A . The annular member  1  and the extending member  2  are preferably formed integrally, but the annular member  1  and the extending member  2  may also be formed separately and then the annular member  1  and the extending member  2  may be joined together using an adhesive. 
         [0034]    In the state shown in  FIG. 1A , the intellectual training toy according to the first embodiment of the present invention can be used as a triangular column building block provided with an opening. 
         [0035]    With the intellectual training toy according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the material is rubber (e.g. silicon rubber), a soft plastic, or another soft elastic material, and the user can turn the inside surface and outside surface of the annular member  1  inside out. 
         [0036]      FIG. 1B  shows the intellectual training toy according to the first embodiment of the present invention in a state in which the inside surface and the outside surface of the annular member  1  have been turned inside out. Since the portions of the annular member  1  equivalent to the edges of the triangle shape can undergo profound deformation, these portions prominently deform when the inside surface and the outside surface of the annular member  1  are turned inside out. By contrast, since the portions of the annular member  1  equivalent to the corners of the triangle shape can deform by only a small amount, these portions do not deform very much even when the inside surface and the outside surface of the annular member  1  are turned inside out. As a result, when the inside surface and the outside surface of the annular member  1  have been turned inside out, the annular member  1  takes on a shape similar to a three-leaf clover petal as shown in  FIG. 1B . When the inside surface and the outside surface of the annular member  1  have been turned inside out, the extending member  2  extends to the outside of the annular member  1 . When the inside surface and the outside surface of the annular member  1  have been turned inside out, the intellectual training toy according to the first embodiment of the present invention thereby assumes a shape resembling a three-leaf clover. Therefore, the intellectual training toy according to the first embodiment of the present invention can be used as a specially-shaped building block resembling a three-leaf clover in the state shown in  FIG. 1B . 
         [0037]    Next, the intellectual training toy according to the second embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to  FIGS. 2A and 2B . The intellectual training toy according to the second embodiment of the present invention comprises a square-shaped annular member  3 , and a first extending member  4 , a second extending member  5 , a third extending member  6 , and a fourth extending member  7 , all provided so as to extend to the inside of the annular member  3  from the inside surface of the annular member  3 , as shown in  FIG. 2A . The annular member  3  and the first through fourth extending members  4  to  7  are preferably formed integrally, but the annular member  3  and the first through fourth extending members  4  to  7  may be formed separately, and then the annular member  3  and the first through fourth extending members  4  to  7  may be joined together using an adhesive. 
         [0038]    In the state shown in  FIG. 2A , the intellectual training toy according to the second embodiment of the present invention can be used as a square building block provided with an opening. 
         [0039]    In the intellectual training toy according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the material is rubber (e.g. silicon rubber), a soft plastic, or another soft elastic material, and the user can turn the inside surface and outside surface of the annular member  3  inside out. 
         [0040]      FIG. 2B  shows the intellectual training toy according to the second embodiment of the present invention in a state in which the inside surface and the outside surface of the annular member  3  have been turned inside out. Since the portions of the annular member  3  equivalent to the edges of the square shape can undergo profound deformation, these portions prominently deform when the inside surface and the outside surface of the annular member  3  are turned inside out. By contrast, since the portions of the annular member  3  equivalent to the corners of the square shape can deform by only a small amount, these portions do not deform very much even when the inside surface and the outside surface of the annular member  3  are turned inside out. As a result, when the inside surface and the outside surface of the annular member  3  have been turned inside out, the annular member  3  takes on a shape similar to butterfly wings as shown in  FIG. 2B . When the inside surface and the outside surface of the annular member  3  have been turned inside out, the first through fourth extending members  4  to  7  extend to the outside of the annular member  3 . When the inside surface and the outside surface of the annular member  3  have been turned inside out, the intellectual training toy according to the second embodiment of the present invention thereby becomes a shape resembling a butterfly. Therefore, the intellectual training toy according to the second embodiment of the present invention can be used as a specially shaped building block resembling a butterfly in the state shown in  FIG. 2B . 
         [0041]    Next, the intellectual training toy according to the third embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to  FIGS. 3A and 3B . The intellectual training toy according to the third embodiment of the present invention comprises an annular member  8  in the shape of a rectangle, and a first extending member  9 , a second extending member  10 , a third extending member  11 , and a fourth extending member  12 , all provided so as to extend to the inside of the annular member  8  from the inside surface of the annular member  8 , as shown in  FIG. 3A . The annular member  8  and the first through fourth extending members  9  to  12  are preferably formed integrally, but the annular member  8  and the first through fourth extending members  9  to  12  may be formed separately, and then the annular member  8  and the first through fourth extending members  9  to  12  may be joined together using an adhesive. 
         [0042]    In the state shown in  FIG. 3A , the intellectual training toy according to the third embodiment of the present invention can be used as a rectangular building block provided with an opening. 
         [0043]    In the intellectual training toy according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the material is rubber (e.g. silicon rubber), a soft plastic, or another soft elastic material, and the user can turn the inside surface and outside surface of the annular member  8  inside out. 
         [0044]      FIG. 3B  shows the intellectual training toy according to the third embodiment of the present invention in a state in which the inside surface and the outside surface of the annular member  8  have been turned inside out. Since the portions of the annular member  8  equivalent to the edges of the rectangle shape can undergo prominent deformation, these portions profoundly deform when the inside surface and the outside surface of the annular member  8  are turned inside out. By contrast, since the portions of the annular member  8  equivalent to the corners of the rectangle shape can deform by only a small amount, these portions do not deform very much even when the inside surface and the outside surface of the annular member  8  are turned inside out. As a result, when the inside surface and the outside surface of the annular member  8  have been turned inside out, the annular member  8  assumes a shape similar to a cross with rounded edges as shown in  FIG. 3B . When the inside surface and the outside surface of the annular member  8  have been turned inside out, the first through fourth extending members  9  to  12  extend to the outside of the annular member  8 . The intellectual training toy according to the third embodiment of the present invention when the inside surface and the outside surface of the annular member  8  have been turned inside out thereby assumes a shape resembling a rhinoceros. Therefore, the intellectual training toy according to the third embodiment of the present invention can be used as a specially-shaped building block resembling a rhinoceros in the state shown in  FIG. 3B . 
         [0045]    Next, the intellectual training toy according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to  FIGS. 4A and 4B . The intellectual training toy according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention comprises an annular member  13  in the shape of an ellipse, and a first extending member  14 , a second extending member  15 , a third extending member  16 , a fourth extending member  17 , a fifth extending member  18 , and a sixth extending member  19 , all provided so as to extend to the inside of the annular member  13  from the inside surface of the annular member  13 , as shown in  FIG. 4A . The annular member  13  and the first through sixth extending members  14  to  19  are preferably formed integrally, but the annular member  13  and the first through sixth extending members  14  to  19  may be formed separately, and then the annular member  13  and the first through sixth extending members  14  to  19  may be joined together using an adhesive. 
         [0046]    In the state shown in  FIG. 4A , the intellectual training toy according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention can be used as an elliptical columnar building block provided with an opening. 
         [0047]    In the intellectual training toy according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the material is rubber (e.g. silicon rubber), a soft plastic, or another soft elastic material, and the user can turn the inside surface and outside surface of the annular member  13  inside out. 
         [0048]      FIG. 4B  shows the intellectual training toy according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention in a state in which the inside surface and the outside surface of the annular member  13  have been turned inside out. Since the thickness of the annular member  13  (the distance between the inside surface and the outside surface) is not uniform and the thinner portions of the annular member  13  can undergo prominent deformation, these portions profoundly deform when the inside surface and the outside surface of the annular member  13  are turned inside out. By contrast, since the thicker portions of the annular member  13  can deform by only a small amount, these portions do not deform very much even when the inside surface and the outside surface of the annular member  13  are turned inside out. As a result, when the inside surface and the outside surface of the annular member  13  have been turned inside out, the outer shape of the annular member  13  takes on a shape similar to an octagon composed of sides that curve inward, as shown in  FIG. 4B . When the inside surface and the outside surface of the annular member  13  have been turned inside out, the first through sixth extending members  14  to  19  extend to the outside of the annular member  13 . The shape of the intellectual training toy according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention when the inside surface and the outside surface of the annular member  13  have been turned inside out thereby becomes a shape resembling a turtle. Therefore, the intellectual training toy according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention can be used as a specially shaped building block resembling a turtle in the state shown in  FIG. 4B . 
         [0049]    In the intellectual training toy according to the first through fourth embodiments of the present invention, since the material is made of rubber (e.g. silicon rubber), a soft plastic, or another soft elastic material and is pliable, when the toy is used as a building block, the noise that occurs when stacked building blocks collapse can be reduced. When the intellectual training toy according to the first through fourth embodiments of the present invention is thrown at the wall or floor by a child or is dropped on the floor, the resulting noise can also be reduced. Therefore, when the intellectual training toy according to the first through fourth embodiments of the present invention is used in a high-rise housing complex, the risk of bothering residents on the floor below can be reduced significantly. 
         [0050]    Furthermore, in the intellectual training toy according to the first through fourth embodiments of the present invention, since the material is made of rubber (e.g. silicon rubber), a soft plastic, or another soft elastic material and is pliable, when a child throws the intellectual training toy according to the first through fourth embodiments at another person, it is possible to significantly reduce the risk of causing injury to the person at whom the intellectual training toy according to the first through fourth embodiments of the present invention is thrown. 
         [0051]    The intellectual training toy according to the first through fourth embodiments of the present invention changes greatly in shape as a result of the user turning the inside surface and the outside surface of the annular member inside out, and since the change cannot be envisioned before the toy is turned inside out, the user has greater interest and attention in the intellectual training toy according to the first through fourth embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, the intellectual training toy according to the first through fourth embodiments of the present invention has a significant effect on developing children&#39;s intellect, maintaining or recovering the mental and physical functions of the elderly, and other purposes. 
         [0052]    One example of a mode of playing with the intellectual training toy according to the present invention involves playing with building blocks using a plurality of the intellectual training toys according to the present invention. For example, in one possible mode of play when two people are involved, they could stack building blocks in an alternating manner, they could play “rock-paper-scissors” each time before stacking a block, the winner of rock-paper-scissors could decide whether or not the inside surface and outside surface of the annular member would be turned inside out, regardless of whether it is their or their counterpart&#39;s turn to stack a block, and the person to upset the stacked blocks would be the final loser. 
         [0053]    The intellectual training toy according to the present invention changes greatly in shape as a result of the user turning the inside surface and the outside surface of the annular member inside out, and since the change cannot be envisioned before the toy is turned inside out, it is possible to play with only a single toy. For example, the toy could get stepped on. In the intellectual training toy according to the present invention, since the material is rubber (e.g. silicon rubber), a soft plastic, or another soft elastic material, it is easy to pick up the toy after the toy has been stepped on, unlike wooden building blocks. 
         [0054]    In the intellectual training toy according to the present invention, since the material is rubber (e.g. silicon rubber), a soft plastic, or another soft elastic material, the toy is also suitable for use in a bath, pool, or other place filled with water, unlike wooden building blocks. 
         [0055]    The intellectual training toy according to the first through fourth embodiments of the present invention is configured to comprise extending parts, but the intellectual training toy according to the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and may be configured without any extending parts. The intellectual training toy according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises a triangle-shaped annular member, the intellectual training toy according to the second embodiment of the present invention comprises a square-shaped annular member, and the intellectual training toy according to the third embodiment of the present invention comprises a rectangle-shaped annular member; however, the intellectual training toy according to the present invention is not limited to these configurations, and may comprise a polygonal annular member having a shape other than a triangle, square, or rectangle. The intellectual training toy according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention comprises an ellipse-shaped annular member, but the intellectual training toy according to the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and may comprise an annular member having an elliptical shape with equal major and minor axes; i.e., the shape of a circle. 
       LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 
       [0000]    
       
         
           
               1  Annular member 
               2  Extending member 
               3  Annular member 
               4  First extending member 
               5  Second extending member 
               6  Third extending member 
               7  Fourth extending member 
               8  Annular member 
               9  First extending member 
               10  Second extending member 
               11  Third extending member 
               12  Fourth extending member 
               13  Annular member 
               14  First extending member 
               15  Second extending member 
               16  Third extending member 
               17  Fourth extending member 
               18  Fifth extending member 
               19  Sixth extending member