Toy Theater

A miniature magnetic theater apparatus provides an elevated surface supporting on its upper face (stage) one or more magnetic characters. The characters utilize magnets positioned under the stage for manipulation by a user in accordance with a stage play. Scenery elements may utilize magnets to attach to magnetically receptive drops, wings and a back wall. The drops and wings may be positioned in slotted side beams for positioning and support.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to toy theaters with an improved functionality of the characters, and ability to layer magnetic scenery. Although toy theaters were popular in the 17thcentury and sold as toys in that time, the use of toy theaters has diminished. If toy theaters exist today, they are sold as art or novelty items to adults. Most toy theaters sold today are made of cardboard, cardstock. These materials may not be sufficiently rugged for use by children. The characters and scenery are usually sold in a paper doll cut and assemble style. Cardboard, card stock, or wood material do not provide the longevity that parents want in toys today.

There are many significant benefits in learning for a child playing with a toy theater. They can learn social and communication skills with other children, spatial skills, collaboration, architecture, critical thinking, trust, memory, social awareness, and problem solving. But to gain these advantages, a better toy theater is needed.

The present invention provides such a theater. It modifies the material and makes toy theaters suitable for modern children. The invention provides kids a modern, durable toy theater that uses a magnetic system of interchangeable surfaces and magnetically-based characters to design, produce and put on a stage show. Additionally, the magnetically-based characters may come with corresponding magnetic disc that may be used to manipulate the characters around the stage. The corresponding magnetic disc is positioned below the stage, and is used to move the character around the stage. The magnets are sufficiently strong, and the stage materially sufficiently thin and magnetically permeable to allow for this type of “hidden” manipulation of the characters by the user.

The area under the stage is generally accessible to the user from one side, both sides, the back, or some combination of these. This allows the user to remain out of view of the audience, much like a puppeteer, though with the present invention, the characters in the stage play need not be suspended from above and supported at any point above the stage. The use of magnets to manipulate the characters allows for a more realistic stage show than is typically possible with existing designs.

The front vented surface (i.e., the front surface of the theater that faces the audience) and rear surface are magnetically receptive and are both connected to the stage that is elevated to allow a user access to the area under the stage for manipulating characters, as described above. A bottom surface, positioned below the elevated stage and at the lowest level of the theater may be used to provide additional support for the structure. Two slotted side beams may run above the elevated surface from the front vented surface to the rear surface and hold various magnetically receptive drops and wings.

The toy theater may include an initial set of magnetic themed scenic illustrations such as a village, castle, forest, and sky scenes. These magnetic illustrations can attach to any magnetic surface of the structure to create plays or musicals and put on a show. The use of this toy is not just for creative use of kids but also can be used in education by arts and drama teachers. It can also be used in therapy especially for special education. The toy may be add-on based, and the purchaser may have the ability to purchase numerous different themed scenic illustrations packs and characters adding on to the structure and building a world of play. Add-on packs linked to popular movies, books, or other materials may be offered for use with the invention in order to broaden its appeal in the market. The present invention allows layering of scenery, thus producing a more realistic representation of actual physical presence in a theater.

SUMMARY

It is the objective of the present invention to provide an improved functionality of characters and layering of magnetized scenery. The present invention provides a miniature magnetic theater comprising an elevated surface, having a front and rear end, fixed between a vented front surface and a rear surface. The invention also includes at least one beam having multiple slots or slots fixed between tops of the front and rear surfaces. Finally, all of these surfaces may be magnetically receptive.

While multiple aspects of the invention are herein disclosed, still other aspects will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. As will be apparent, certain aspects, as disclosed herein, are capable of modifications in various obvious aspects. All such modification may be done without departing from the scope of the claims as presented herein.

A primary objective of the present invention is to provide children with an interactive magnetic theater having advantages not taught by prior art. Another objective is to provide such a theater having certain magnetic and specific characters. Another objective is to provide such a theater having magnetic manipulation of said characters to produce movement. A further objective is to provide such a theater that uses magnetic scenery to enhance the performance quality of its users. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The above described drawing figures illustrate the invention.FIG. 1shows a miniature magnetic theater apparatus10, made of durable wood, plastic, metal, Teflon, nylon fiber, high quality plastic, a dense foam that can withstand repeated use by children, or some combination of these or similar materials. The theater10comprises an elevated stage surface12, above a bottom surface20, that creates space for a child's hand(s) to use one or more dual pole (north/south on both sides) magnetic manipulators50(shown inFIG. 2, but not inFIG. 1) under the elevated stage surface12that align with another dual pole magnet housed in the figure to create optimal manipulation of the magnetic characters.22. The combination of the stage12and bottom surface20provide enhanced stability for the entire structure10. These surfaces are generally horizontal when the theater10is in use and they are positioned between a magnetically receptive front vented surface16and a magnetically receptive rear surface18, where these latter surfaces are generally vertical when the theater10is in use.

The front16and back18are preferably the same height and width, providing a front end and a rear end for the stage12that supports at least one magnetic character22, preferably made of wood, plastic, foam or similar material. InFIG. 1, the front surface16has a large opening creating a view of the stage12, back18, and other elements of the invention. To create the opening, the front16has narrow edges14that run along both sides above the stage and across the top, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. In a preferred embodiment, these narrow edges14are about one inch or less in width. The lower part of the front16is solid, which hides the open space created between the stage12and bottom20.

Characters22are shown on the stage inFIG. 1. Scenery elements24are also shown, and may be attached to various surfaces of the invention using magnets. In a preferred embodiment, the scenery elements and the vertical components of the theater (e.g., the front16and back18shown inFIG. 1) are magnetic. A sheet magnet material may be used, or any other form of magnet that provides for a consistent magnetic surface. The various types of scenery, i.e. house, nature, space and etc., can also sustain proper magnetic function with glow in the dark paint coating, touch sensitive paint coating, or material treatment. These are all outer layer additions that may be applied to the toy in the future. The invention, however, does not require that all items are magnetic. It is enough that either the scenery elements24or the vertical components are magnetic, if the other surface is magnetically receptive. For example, the scenery elements24might have sheet magnets over their back surfaces, while the vertical components might be made of iron or other metal that is attracted to the magnetic scenery elements24. In a preferred embodiment, all of these components are magnetic, which ensures that any scenery element may be attached to any other element by the user. This configuration also allows for layering of elements, as will be explained below.

FIG. 2shows the theater10with a wing30and drop32in place. These components are positioned between the front16and back18(not visible inFIG. 2, because of the drop32). A wing30has a vertical component that extends farther into the stage area than the narrow edges14of the front16, but a wing30leaves most of the stage area unobstructed. Using wings30, a user can add scenery elements and a sense of depth to the scene. In addition, by reducing the visible stage area, a wing can draw more attention to the actions presented.

Drops32, are solid vertical components, essentially walls that completely cover the stage area. The drop32inFIG. 2is positioned behind the wing30, so that the drop32effectively becomes the backdrop of the scene. In preferred embodiments, both wings30and drops32are covered with magnetic material. Scenery elements24(not shown inFIG. 2) may be easily attached to wings30and drops32.

In a preferred embodiment, the invention includes a number of wings and drops, which may include ornamental designs appropriate for particular scenes in a play or musical. For example, wings may be made to look like the inside walls of a castle or parts of a forest. Drops may show a variety of backgrounds, including vistas of natural scenes, or the back walls of a room. By providing a number of preconfigured wings and drops, the user is given a great deal of creative flexibility. Furthermore, wings, drops or magnetic scenes may also receive LED lights that will wrap around the outer edges, or be house within the material. The LED lights will connect to the toy though Bluetooth, wireless internet or other wireless internet capabilities between the two devices. The LED lights will allow for the user to turn the lights on the wings, drops or scenery off and on, or activate a multi-colored color show. At least one basic wing30and drop32may also be provided, that is, with blank surfaces.

A character22is also shown inFIG. 2, as is a magnetic controller50, which is positioned under the stage12and immediately below the character22. The magnetic controller50is typically a magnet, but may be a magnet housed in a wooden, plastic, or other item that is easily held and used by a child. The controller50is moved by the user from under the stage, which causes the character22to move in the same manner. This operation requires that the stage12be thin and/or sufficiently magnetically permeable to allow the magnetic controller50to reliably interact with and move the character22, which preferably has a small magnet in its base.

The relative positioning of the items described above is shown inFIG. 3. The front16and back18are relatively thin, compared to the slotted sides28. The stage12is seen here from above, and the wing30can be seen positioned in front of the drop32and the back18. Both the wing30and drop32appear to be solid inFIG. 3, but that is because their upper portions are solid material from side-to-side. The drop32is a solid piece in the preferred embodiment, but could have openings in it, such as a door, window, or other type of opening. The wing30, on the other hand, is mostly open, as shown inFIG. 2. In preferred embodiments, wings30have upper portions of about the same width as the narrow edges14of the front16. This allows these parts of the wings30to remain hidden from view of the audience. Characters22are shown in the area between the wing30and drop32.

The slotted sides28are shown in more detail inFIG. 4. There are a series of slots38and protrusions36, with the slots38sized to match the thickness of the wings30and drops32. In a preferred embodiment, the wings30and drops32are about ¼ to 5/16 of an inch in thickness, so the slots38would be slightly larger to allow for easy insertion by a user. The slots38in each side28are aligned, and the slotted material is thick enough (i.e., thickness here running in the vertical direction) to provide stability for wings30and drops32in use. A slotted side28that is at least one inch thick is sufficient, but slotted sides of up to three inches thickness, or more, may be desirable to allow for more durability over time.

Typical examples of a wing30and drop32are shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, respectively. The surfaces of these items are magnetic, for example, through use a magnetic sheet material (also referred to as magnetic fabric34, shown covering the full surfaces of the wing30and drop32inFIGS. 5 and 6). Scenery items24are shown attached to the wing30and drop32. The scenery24is also magnetic in a preferred embodiment, but these items can be merely magnetically attracted to the magnetic surfaces of the wings30and drops32. This characteristic of the invention allows for easy application, repositioning, and removal of scenery items24by a young user. Note that scenery items24may extend beyond the edges of a wing30, as the clouds do inFIG. 5.

FIG. 6shows an added benefit of the magnetic surfaces of these materials. Two of the scenery items24inFIG. 6are trees, and in the tree on the right, there is an apple25. The apple25is layered on the tree24, which is attached magnetically to the drop32. The ability to layer scenery items greatly increases the options for the user. Indeed, by making the scenery items24magnetic, only the imagination of a user will limit the ways layering can be used in the present invention. It is also possible to attach scenery items24to the back of a wing30so that only the parts extending beyond the edge of the wing30are visible to the audience. This is another form of layering that can be done with the present invention.

A typical character22is shown in more detail inFIG. 7. There are three sections of this character22: a head40, torso42, and base44. The head40may have features41, such as eyes, nose, and mouth, as inFIG. 7. An optional, and possibly removable hat43is also shown to give an idea of the flexibility of this design.

The body parts are connected in this embodiment using tab and slot features. The head40, for example, has a small, cylindrical tab46that is sized to fit into the circular slot47on the upper side of the torso42. A slightly larger cylindrical tab48extends from the lower side of the torso42, and is sized to fit within a corresponding circular slot49on the upper side of the base44. These parts may be secured together to form a unitary character22.

The base44has a recessed magnet45in its the lower side. A physically separate operator magnet50is also shown inFIG. 7, together with its optional operating disc52. In this embodiment, the operator magnet50is permanently glued into the disc52to ensure the magnet50does not become a choking hazard to a child. This operator magnet50is positioned below the stage12(as shown inFIG. 2) and directly beneath the character22, thus allowing the magnet50to engage with the magnet45. These magnets are sufficiently strong to provide a secure connection, thus allowing the user to move the character around the stage by moving the operator magnet50under the stage, all being outside the view of the audience.

The torso42and base44are shown in unadorned fashion, but it should be understood that any variety of designs could be used for these parts and for the characters22, in general. Some may be clothed, and others not. Some may be made to simulate humans, other animals, plants, buildings, or almost anything else. And by making the characters22in this multi-piece form, a user can mix and match different character pieces to create even more options. Want a tree trunk with a human head? Want a bear's head on a flower stalk with a standard base? There are truly no limits to what a child can do with this type of design.

The character22shown inFIG. 7is made of three sections, but this is only to illustrate a preferred embodiment. Characters with two sections or four or more sections may be used. And single piece characters also may be used. All of these variations are within the scope of the invention disclosed here.

In the most preferred embodiment, the recessed base magnet45and the operator magnet50have well-defined poles which will align with the opposed pole of the other magnet. This feature allows the character22to be aligned securely with the operator base52. That means a user can be sure of the alignment of the character22without having to see it. For example, the operator base52may have a raised dimple (not shown) or a visible marking to indicate its front, which in use would ensure a connected character22is facing directly forward (i.e., toward the audience).

This alignment of opposed magnet poles allows the user to easily control characters in a play. For example, two characters speaking will normally face each other, and the user can easily accomplish this from below the stage using this feature of the invention. The user can also turn characters during a scene when needed, for example, when turning to leave a room. All of these actions can be performed by a hidden user, who doesn't need to even see the actual characters during the scene.

Two rows of slotted side beams28run from the top left and top right of the magnetically receptive front vented surface16to the magnetically receptive rear surface18. These beams28may be about 3 inches tall and ½ inch thick, with uniform slots, spaced at about every ¼ inch to receive the magnetically receptive wings30and magnetically receptive drops32, which slide in between the protrusions of the side beams36, filling in the space in the slots of the side beam38. The inside and outside of the uniform slots may receive some type of identifying mark such as a color, letter, or image to codify the same slot on the opposite side of the elevated surface. This will help the child insert the magnetic wings30and magnetic drops32correctly.

Magnetic drops32are blank faced surfaces that are the same width as the distance between the inside of each slot38. The magnetic drop32may be taller than the magnetically receptive front vented surface16, which allows a child to grip the magnetic drop32for insertion and removal. The magnetic drop may contain a scenic representation that is printed on the surface, but may also be made of vinyl or white board like surface, which allows a child to draw with marker, paint, pen, or other writing instrument so that a child can create its own illustrations.

Magnetic wings30are cut in the center, and may match the exact dimensions of the opening in the magnetically receptive front vented surface16, or may have wider sides to reduce the visible area of the stage (e.g., as seen inFIG. 2). These magnetic wings30provide coverage for sight lines in a theatrical production and can remain blank or can receive magnetic scenery to create cut-out style scenery.

The strength of a magnetic fabric34inside or on the surface of the magnetic wing30or magnetic drop32may be required to be strong enough to penetrate both sides making each magnetic wing30and magnetic drop32versatile. A means to encourage magnetic relationship is done via the magnetic fabric34, such as rubber steel, iron, or sheet magnet with a multi-pole surface such as Ultra-mag material (i.e., a commercially available product). The magnetic fabric34may have a thickness of 0.1 to 0.6 millimeters.

The magnetic scenery24may be made of a multi-pole sheeting with a thickness of 0.1 mm −0.6 mm, that can be layered as noted above. The multi-pole magnets may be any amount of pole per inch but preferably will be14-16, which allows for a reliable amount of north/south poles on a magnetic fabric34, and will ensure scenery items24stay attached when magnetic drops32and magnetic wings30are manipulated. The magnetic scenery24may consist of trees, house, sky, clouds, castles, bricks, etc. The magnetic scenery24may be cut to the exact shape of the illustration, leaving little to no border assuring seamless visual aesthetics. An alternative embodiment of the magnetic scenery24may be combined with magnetic fabric34on both sides, allowing a significant number of magnetic scenery24to be placed on top of each other.

The magnetic fabric34may also be an extra strength sheet of multi-pole magnetic sheeting that is strong enough to penetrate the front16to receive magnetic scenic illustrations or scenery24, and may be housed inside the front surface16or placed on the front vented surface16with a type of laminate on top of the magnetic fabric34to protect the material.

The magnetic character22may be interconnected using recessed ferro-magnets, which are safer than rare earth magnets for this type of use. If magnets are used to connect the sections of the character22, the magnets would essentially replace the slot and tab structure described above in connection withFIG. 7. Either option will work

Preferably, the magnetically receptive material34is made of a type of fabric that maintains magnetism uniformly throughout the entirety of the magnetically receptive wing30, magnetically receptive drop32, and magnetically receptive vented front surface16, by maintain a proper dipole moment of positive and negative ends uniformly throughout the fabric.

There also may be an additional drop32with a space for a smartphone or tablet to be enclosed and become included in the performance by providing audio stimulus, visual stimulus, or a combination of both to enhance the performance.

Preferably the apparatus further comprises a magnetically enhanced curtain engaged with the magnetically receptive vented front surface16enabled in an open position as shown in FIG.1, for viewing the magnetic characters22, and alternatively may be manipulated to a closed state, not shown, for inhibiting such viewing.