Abstract:
A toy kit for creating a three-dimensional object such as an Easter egg, or a doll having a humanoid or animal appearance is described. The kit has at least two parts formed of resiliently deformable material. One of the part or parts includes posts extending outwardly from a surface thereof for mating with corresponding holes formed in the other part or parts.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/224,810, filed Jul. 10, 2009. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to toys and, more particularly, to a toy kit for constructing three dimensional objects. The invention has particular utility for creating dolls having a humanoid or animal appearance, and accessories therefor, and will be described in connection with such utility, although other utilities are contemplated. 
         [0003]    Toys for constructing dolls and other figures have long been available in two-dimensional versions, where children cut figures from cardboard and apply paper clothes over them. Another toy in the prior art has a three-dimensional body molded out of a hard plastic with a fanciful shape. The body has holes, and the facial and body features have pegs formed thereon for placement in the holes to attach the facial and body features to the plastic body. The facial and body features are also molded out of hard plastic, so when the body is decorated with such facial and body features, the result is a hard plastic toy. Mr. Potato Head® is an example of a toy of this type that has been available in the United States and elsewhere for over 50 years. While highly successful, dolls such as Mr. Potato Head® dolls have disadvantages. For one, being formed of a hard rigid material, the dolls and accessories could cause property damage and/or injuries if, for example, they are thrown by a child. Also, children with tactile defensiveness may avoid playing with such toys. 
       OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a novel three-dimensional objects that overcomes the aforesaid and other disadvantages of the prior art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention provides a toy kit for constructing or modifying three dimensional objects such as dolls having a humanoid or animal appearance formed entirely of resiliently deformable materials. In a preferred embodiment, the kit includes at least one body or base part, and one or more accessory parts which accessory parts may include a body feature which completes the body, such as a head, arms, legs, hairstyle, etc., and optionally includes one or more accessory parts such as clothing, food, or tools. However, the invention is not limited to constructing or modifying humanoid or animal structures, but may also be used for constructing or modifying other three-dimensional structures such as Easter eggs or other art forms. Each kit includes body or base parts, and/or accessory parts, preferably two or more body or base parts and at least one accessory part. The body or base parts and/or accessory parts include posts extending outwardly from a surface thereof for mating with corresponding holes formed in the other. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    Further features and advantages of the invention will be seen from the following detailed description, taken into conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  show front and side perspective views of a two-part doll in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIGS. 3 and 4  show the two individual parts that make up the doll of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an alternative doll in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIGS. 6 and 7  are front and rear perspective views of the body parts of the  FIG. 5  doll, 
           [0011]      FIGS. 8 and 9  are perspective views of accessory parts that form the remainder of the body of the  FIG. 5  doll; 
           [0012]      FIG. 10  shows a four-piece accessory kit in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 11  shows the accessory kit of  FIG. 10  partially assembled; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 12  shows an Easter egg kit in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0015]    Referring to the drawings,  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a fully assembled doll in accordance with the present invention, and  FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate the two parts that make up the doll. All of the parts that make up the doll are formed of resiliently deformable materials, which in a preferred embodiment comprises natural or synthetic rubber of the type used for forming rubber erasers. Rubber eraser material is preferred since it has a feel familiar to children, is rigid enough to maintain shape, but is soft enough to not damage property or cause injury in the event the part is thrown. Referring in particular to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , one of the parts  12  has a pair of posts  14  for engaging in holes  16  in the other part  18 . In order to facilitate assembly of the parts together, posts  14  and/or hole  16  preferably are slightly tapered. Posts  14  and  16  are sized and shaped relative to one another so as to permit a low friction fit so that the parts stay together once fitted to one another. However, the parts should not fit so tightly that they cannot be taken apart. In a preferred embodiment, the parts are sold as a kit, comprising two or more sets of parts in different colors or patterns, sizes and shapes so that a doll or dolls may be arranged in different combinations, e.g. similar to doll kits such as Mr. Potato Head® dolls. If desired, the parts and holes may have different size/shapes so that the child learns to match sizes and shapes, thus learning special relationships. Providing different size/shape posts and holes for different parts also can be used to teach a child the proper location of, e.g. eyes, ears, noses, mouths, etc. This also permits an adult to play a learning game with a child, e.g. to locate and position a particular body part, e.g. eye, ear, nose, etc., on a head in response to a spoken word. 
         [0016]      FIGS. 5-9  illustrate an alternative doll  20  made in accordance with the present invention. Doll  20  comprises three pieces, a front base  22 , a head  24  and back base  26 . As before, the pieces are fitted together with pegs and holes  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34 . However, in this embodiment, an additional peg  36  on the front base  22  also provides a decorative function when assembled through hole  38  on the back base  26 , i.e. of forming a bunny tail. 
         [0017]    As before, a plurality of parts could be sold as a kit with, for example, clothing in several different colors, or bearing different patterns; the main body having different arm positions, the head different ear, nose, mouth and hair shapes and sizes, etc. 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , there is illustrated an accessory toy made according to the present invention. Here the accessory toy comprises a base in the shape of a dish  40  and a plurality of molded food parts  42 ,  44 ,  46 . The dish  40 , and food parts  42 ,  44  and  46  are all formed of a resiliently deformable material such as rubber eraser material. As before, the base dish part has a plurality of holes  48  sized to accept posts  50  integrally formed as part of the food parts. Again, a plurality of plates and food items may be provided as a kit. 
         [0019]      FIG. 12  illustrates an Easter egg  60  from several parts  62 ,  64 ,  66  which may be combined in different combinations to create different designs in accordance with the present invention. The pegs  68  and holes  70  are shown in phantom 
         [0020]    As can be seen from the foregoing description, the present invention provides a unique toy kit that permits a child to create various designs, shapes or configurations by providing a plurality of parts which connect with or attach to each other. However, unlike prior art doll kits such as Mr. Potato Head® dolls, the parts are formed of a resiliently deformable material that provides a particularly pleasing and familiar hand feel. 
         [0021]    The toy kits have significant level of play value whether used alone or in combination with other accessories of the present invention. Moreover, the various parts may be sold as kits of parts or as individual parts which may be assembled in various ways, or collected and/or traded. 
         [0022]    The simple construction of the toy kit parts of the present invention make them readily adapted for a variety of shapes and sizes. Moreover, forming the parts of resiliently deformable material, makes them less likely to cause injury or damage if thrown by a child. Accordingly, it is seen that the toy kit of the instant invention represents significant advancements in the toy art. 
         [0023]    While there has been shown and described herein certain specific structures embodying the invention, various modifications and re-arrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept, and the same is not limited to particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.