Abstract:
Toy apparatus is provided including a playbase ( 22 ) and at least a first toy member ( 16 ) movable relative to said playbase between at least first ( 36 ) and second ( 90 ) positions via movement means. The movement means are arranged so as to separate the at least first toy member a spaced distance apart from a surface of the playbase in moving said toy member between the at least first and second positions.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of PCT Application Serial No. PCT/GB2008/000851, entitled “Toy Apparatus and Method of Use Thereof,” filed Mar. 11, 2008, which was published as International Publication No. WO 2008/113976 A1 on Sep. 25, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, which claims priority to British Patent Application No. GB 0705049.5, entitled “Toy Apparatus and Method of Use Thereof,” filed Mar. 16, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to toy apparatus and a method of use thereof. 
     It is known to provide toy apparatus including a playbase with a toy member movable across the playbase using a control mechanism. An example of such toy apparatus is disclosed in GB2315423. The toy apparatus includes a playbase with control means provided under the playbase surface. The control means includes a magnet which is movable relative to the underside surface of the playbase and this magnet is attracted to a magnet provided in a toy character located on the upper surface of the playbase. Thus, movement of the control means under the playbase causes corresponding movement of the toy character on the upper surface of the playbase due to magnetic attraction, thereby providing the appearance that the toy character is moving on its own. This increases the realism of the toy a user, such as a child. 
     A problem with the abovementioned toy apparatus is that movement of the toy character is limited to sliding movement across the playbase surface, thereby limiting the range of movement and thus the application of the toy character with respect to the playbase. GB2328623 discloses toy apparatus including articulated control means which allows a toy character to be slid between different heights of a playbase but once again movement of the toy character is limited by the requirement for the toy character to be in contact with the surface of the playbase at all times. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide toy apparatus which allows a greater range of movement or different movements of a toy member with respect to a playbase. 
     It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a method of using toy apparatus. 
     According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided toy apparatus, said toy apparatus including a playbase and at least a first toy member movable relative to said playbase between at least first and second positions via movement means, and wherein said movement means are arranged so as to separate the at least first toy member a spaced distance apart from a surface of the playbase in moving said toy member between said at least first and second positions. 
     Thus, in one aspect of the present invention, the toy member is not required to be in contact with a surface of the playbase at all times during movement from a first position to a second position. In one example, a base of the toy member is a spaced distance apart from an upper surface of the playbase during movement between the first and second positions. This allows a greater range of movements of the toy member and increases the realism of the toy to a user. 
     The movement means is preferably a mechanical and/or electrical mechanism which does not require direct user interaction with the toy member to move said toy member between said positions. Thus, operation of the toy member is actuated remotely therefrom. 
     Preferably the at least first toy member is engaged directly or indirectly with a surface or surfaces of the playbase in each of the at least first and second positions. The movement means disengages the toy member from said surface in moving said toy member between said first and second positions. 
     The at least first and second positions are preferably at spaced apart locations on one or more surfaces of the playbase. Further preferably the first and second positions are substantially horizontally or laterally spaced from each other. 
     Preferably the movement means physically separates the first toy member from a surface of the playbase, such as for example by lifting, in moving the toy member between the first and second positions. 
     In a preferred embodiment the at least first toy member is brought into engagement with at least a second toy member in moving from a first to a second position. Preferably the first toy member is in the form of a human character, such as a horse rider and the second toy member is in the form of an animal, such as a horse. The horse rider can be moved into engagement onto the back of the horse, as if the horse rider had mounted the horse. 
     Preferably the at least second toy member is movable with respect to the playbase surface. The second toy member can be moved with respect to the playbase surface with or without the first toy member engaged thereto. Movement of the at least second toy member can be independent of the movement of the at least first toy member. 
     The at least second toy member can be moved, at least in part, via the movement means. Alternatively, further movement means can be provided to allow movement of the at least second toy member. 
     Preferably actuation of the movement means for a first pre-determined time period or for a pre-determined distance allows movement of the at least first toy member between the first and second positions, and continued actuation of the movement means beyond said first pre-determined time or distance allows movement of the at least second toy member. 
     Reverse movement of the first and/or second toy members can be achieved by moving the movement means in a reverse direction in one example. 
     Preferably the movement means engages, directly or indirectly, via engagement means with the at least first and/or second toy members to move said toy member between the first and second positions. 
     The engagement means can include any suitable engagement means, such as one or more clips, ties, inter-engaging members, friction fit and/or the like. In a preferred embodiment the engagement means includes magnetic means. 
     Preferably the engagement means are such that engagement and/or release of the movement means with the toy member requires no direct manual actuation, thereby giving the appearance that the toy member is moving on its own accord. 
     In one embodiment magnetic means can be associated with the movement means and magnetic means of an opposite polarity can be associated with the at least first toy member, thereby allowing releasable engagement between the magnetic means of the movement means and the toy member. 
     Preferably the same or further magnetic means are associated with the at least first toy member, the same or further magnetic means releasably engaging with magnetic means associated with the at least second toy member. The same or further magnetic means of the first toy member are typically of opposite polarity to the magnetic means of the second toy member to allow magnetic attraction therebetween. 
     Preferably the magnetic attraction between the first and at least second toy member is substantially greater than the magnetic attraction between the first toy member and the movement means. As such, once the first toy member is moved within a pre-determined distance of the second toy member via the movement means (i.e. when the toy members are sufficiently close so that the magnetic field/attraction of the second toy member is greater on the first toy member than the magnetic field/attraction on the first toy member), the first toy member moves into engagement with the second toy member and releases engagement with the movement means. 
     The first and further magnetic means provided in the at least first toy member are typically a spaced distance apart. 
     In one embodiment the movement means moves the at least first toy member substantially through at least part of an arc of a circle in moving said member between said at least first and second positions. 
     Preferably guide means are provided on the playbase and at least part of the movement means are movable in or with respect to the guide means to guide the movement of the movement means with respect to the playbase (i.e. through one or more pre determined movement paths). 
     Preferably the guide means is in the form of a slot and part of the movement means is movable in said slot. 
     Preferably the guide means is shaped in the form of at least part of an arc of a circle. 
     Preferably the guide means are associated with a side wall of the playbase. 
     Preferably the movement means includes at least one arm member which is pivotably or rotatably mounted on or adjacent the playbase or pivotably or rotatably movable relative to said playbase. 
     In one embodiment the arm member is pivotably or rotatably mounted to or adjacent the playbase via a cog or gear mechanism. A cog or gear mechanism provided on the arm member typically movingly engages with a cog or gear mechanism provided on the playbase. Teeth provided on the cog or gear mechanism on the arm member can engage with complementary teeth provided on the cog or gear mechanism on the playbase. 
     Preferably the movement means further includes a movable belt and movement of said belt causes movement of the cog or gear mechanism on the playbase and/or the arm member. 
     The movable belt is typically a substantially continuous belt which rotates in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. 
     Preferably rack means provided on the movable belt engages with a cog or gear mechanism associated with the arm member. Movement of the belt causes movement of the rack means which in turn causes movement of the cog or gear mechanism and the arm member. 
     Movement of the movable belt and/or movement means can be powered using electrical means, such as via mains power supply, battery supply and/or the like. Alternatively, or in addition, movement of the movable belt and/or movement means can be driven via mechanical means or manually. 
     Preferably actuation of the movement means is at least partially caused by movement of the playbase across a surface. One or more wheels, rollers and/or ball bearings can be associated with a lower surface of the playbase and movement of said wheels, rollers and/or ball bearings across the surface can drive movement of the movement means. For example, a shaft can be associated with one or more of the wheel members and rotation of the shaft can drive rotation of the one or more cog or gear mechanisms. 
     Preferably user actuation means are provided to allow user selection for actuation of the movement means, thereby allowing user control for determining whether the first toy member is moved between the first and second positions. 
     The user actuation means typically moves the cog or gear mechanism of one or more of the arm member, movable belt and/or wheel members between engaged and disengaged positions with the other of the arm member, movable belt and/or wheel members. In the engaged position, two or more elements of the movement means are connected to allow actuation of the movement means. In the disengaged position, two or more elements of the movement means are disconnected, thereby preventing actuation of the movement means. 
     The user actuation means are preferably resiliently biased to a disengaged position. The resilient biasing means can include a spring, spring material and/or the like. 
     In a preferred embodiment the user actuation means is in the form of a depressable button. Depression of the button by a user moves a cog mechanism driving the movable belt into engagement with the shaft of the wheel members, such that rotation of the wheel member rotates the cog mechanism, thereby driving the movable belt. 
     The arm member is preferably pivotably mounted at a first end thereof and the engagement means, such as the magnetic means for example, are located at or adjacent a second or opposite end thereof. In one embodiment support means are provided at the second end of the arm member and the support means protrudes through the slot forming the guide means. Magnetic means associated with the support means can engage with the at least first toy member provided on the playbase. 
     A second cog or gear mechanism can be associated with the aim member to allow movement of the toy member between two or more different orientations relative to the arm member or playbase during engagement of the toy member with the movement means. Preferably movement of the toy member between the two or more different orientations takes place on moving the toy member between the first and second spaced apart positions on the playbase. For example, in the different orientations, a front surface of the toy can face different directions. 
     A further cog or gear mechanism can be associated with the playbase to allow inter-engagement between the second cog or gear mechanism of the arm member. The second cog or gear mechanism of the playbase is typically located at one or more pre-determined positions with respect to the guide means to allow change of orientation of the toy member as the arm member moves relative to the guide means. 
     In one embodiment positioning means a e provided on the playbase to position the first and/or second toy members in a correct position to allow movement of the members on the playbase. 
     The positioning means are preferably provided at a first position to position at least part of the first toy member in a required orientation to allow engagement with a second toy member in the second position. For example, in the embodiment where the first toy member is a horse rider, the positioning means positions the legs of the rider so that they can engage in a required orientation with the back of a second toy member in the form of a horse in the second position. 
     Preferably the at least first and/or second toy members can include one or more articulated parts. 
     In one embodiment a housing can be associated with the playbase. The housing can include a top, one or more side walls and/or end walls. The housing can be arranged so that actuation of the movement means causes at least part of one or more walls of the housing to move. A catch mechanism can be provided to move said walls. Thus, for example, the catch mechanism can be actuated to move said walls when at least part of the movement means is brought into engagement with the catch mechanism (i.e. release of the catch mechanism upon actuation of the same causes one or more of the walls of the housing to move). 
     In one embodiment a rotatable element is provided on the playbase to allow the first toy member or a further toy member to be rotated on said playbase. The rotatable element can be caused to rotate on movement of said movement means. 
     In one embodiment the first and/or second toy member includes one or more articulated parts and movement of said one or more articulated parts causes movement of a further part of the first and/or second toy members. Movement of the one or more articulated parts can be associated with movement of the movement means in one embodiment. 
     According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using toy apparatus, said toy apparatus including a playbase and at least a first toy member, said method including the steps of actuating movement means for moving the at least first toy member between at least first and second positions relative to said playbase, and wherein said movement means are arranged so as to separate the at least first toy member a spaced distance apart from a surface of the playbase in moving said toy member between said at least first and second positions. 
     According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided toy apparatus, said toy apparatus including a playbase and at least a first toy member is movable relative to said playbase between at least first and second spaced apart positions via movement means, and wherein said movement means are arranged such that on movement of the toy member between said first and second positions, the orientation of the toy member is moved between or through at least first and second different orientations. 
     According to a yet further aspect of the present invention there is provided toy apparatus, said toy apparatus including a playbase and at least a first toy member movable relative to said playbase between at least first and second positions via movement means, and wherein at least a second toy member is provided on said playbase and said movement means are arranged to move the at least first toy member into engagement with the at least second toy member. 
     According to a yet further aspect of the present invention there is provided toy apparatus, said toy apparatus including a playbase and at least a first toy member movable relative to said playbase between at least first and second positions via movement means, and wherein at least a second toy member is provided on said playbase and said movement means also moves said second toy member between at least first and second positions. 
     According to further independent aspects of the present invention there is provided a method for using the toy apparatus in any manner described herein. 
     The movement means can move the second toy member substantially simultaneously to movement of the at least first toy member or the second toy member can be moved on substantially continuing movement of the movement means after movement of the first toy member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein: 
         FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  illustrate a rear view and front view respectively of toy apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a more simplified rear view of the toy apparatus in  FIG. 1   a;    
         FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  illustrate a more simplified front view of the toy apparatus in  FIG. 1   b  in a first position and an intermediate position respectively; 
         FIG. 4  shows the internal mechanism for a horse shown in  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b ; and 
         FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  illustrate a perspective view of a housing associated with the playbase in closed and open positions respectively. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the figures, there is illustrated a toy apparatus in the form of a horse box  2 . The outer cover or housing  3  of the horse box in  FIGS. 1-3   b  has been removed to reveal a playbase having a base  4 , rear wall  6  and front wall  8 . The base  4  protrudes outwardly of front wall  8  to form at least part of the interior of the horse box in use. Wheels  10  are located on the front and rear sides  12 ,  14  of base  4  to add to the realism of the appearance of the horse box  2 . 
       FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  illustrate the housing  3  located with the playbase. The housing includes a top wall  5 , side walls  7 ,  9 , a front wall  11  and a rear wall  13 . Top wall  5 , side wall  7  and rear wall  13  are movable between closed and open positions to allow access to the playbase provided within the housing. The mechanism via which the walls can be moved between closed and open positions will be described in more detail below. 
     A first toy member in the form of a human doll  16  is used with the horse box  2  and is moved in accordance with the present invention from a first seated position, as shown in  FIGS. 1   b  and  3   a , wherein doll  16  is located adjacent a front  18  of the playbase as if the doll is driving the horse box  2 , to a second seated position, as shown in  FIG. 5   b , wherein the doll  16  is mounted on a second toy member in the form of a horse  20  located on base  4  towards a rear  22  of playbase. 
     The doll  16  includes a body portion  24 , legs  26 , arms  28  and a head  30 . The legs  26 , arms  28  and head  30  typically are provided with movable joints, thereby allowing the same to move relative to the body portion  24 . This increases the realism of the doll to the user. 
     Movement means  32  are provided on the playbase to move doll  16  from the first seated position to the second horse back position. The movement means  32  does this by actually lifting and moving doll  16  from the first position, the movement having both lateral and vertical elements, thereby separating the doll  16  from the playbase, and relocating doll  16  in the second position. In the first position, the legs  26  of doll  16  are engaged either side of a seat  34 . The seat  34  has a recess  36  on the top and sides in which the bottom of body portion  24  and legs  26  are located respectively. 
     The movement means  32  is located largely behind rear wall  6  and base  4 , thereby hiding the same from a user playing with the toy apparatus. The movement means  32  includes an elongate arm member  38  having a first end  40  and a second end  42 . A cog  44  having teeth  46  around a peripheral edge thereof is provided at second end  42  and is mounted on a rack  50  provided on a movable belt  48 . Rack  50  has a plurality of teeth  56  located on an upper surface thereof. The teeth  56  engage with complementary teeth  46  on cog  44 . Movement of movable belt  48  causes movement of rack  50  which in turn drives the movement of arm member  38 . 
     More particularly, belt  48  is a substantially continuous elongate member which is rotated about a substantially horizontal axis in use via a gear mechanism. In the illustrated example, the gear mechanism comprises a wheel  10  connected to a rotatable shaft  49  and rotation of wheel  10 , caused by a user pushing the horse box  2  across a surface, rotates shaft  49 . Teeth  51  provided around a peripheral surface of shaft  49  can engage with complementary teeth  53  provided on an intermediate cog  55  associated with user actuation means. The teeth  53  in turn can engage with complementary teeth provided on a further cog  57  associated with belt  48 . With shaft  49 , cog  55  and further cog  57  in engagement, rotation of shaft  49  causes rotation of cogs  55 ,  57 , thereby causing rotation of belt  48 . Teeth provided on the inner surface of belt  48  engage with the teeth on further cog  57 . The cogs are arranged such that rotation of wheels  10  in a forwardly direction causes belt  48  to be driven in an anti-clockwise direction  54  and rotation of wheels  10  in a rearwardly direction causes belt to be driven in a clockwise direction  52 . 
     In order for the user to have the option of selectively actuating the movement means when moving horse box  2 , user actuation means are provided. The user actuation means are in the form of an elongate lever  108  having a first end  110  protruding from an outer surface of the housing of the horse box to allow user actuation thereof and a second end  112  provided with intermediate cog  55 . Application of a depressive force by a user on end  110  of lever  108  causes cog  55  to move into engagement with shaft  49  and cog  57 , thereby transferring rotation of shaft  49  to belt  48 . Release of force on lever  108  moves the cog  55  out of engagement with shaft  49  and cog  57 , thereby preventing movement of belt  48 . Resilient biasing means in the form of a spring  114  is associated with lever  108  to bias lever  108  to the disengaged position. A user is required to overcome the bias of spring  114  in order to engage cog  55  with the adjacent cogs. 
     It will be appreciated that belt  48  could be driven by powered means if required. 
     Guide means in the form of a curved slot  58  is defined in rear wall  6  and guides movement of arm member  38  in use. Slot  58  has a first end  74  adjacent the front  18  of the playbase and a second end  76  adjacent the rear  22  of the playbase and defines an arc of a circle, thereby causing arm member  38  to move through an arc of a circle in use. 
     Doll  16  engages with the movement means in the first position via magnetic attraction provided by magnets located in both the doll and with the movement means. More particularly, a magnet  70  is provided on support means  60  joined to arm member  38  and magnet  70  engages with a magnet  72  located in the back of body portion  24  of doll  16 . 
     Support means  60  is in the form of an elongate post having a first end  62 , protruding through slot  58  from front wall  8  and movable therein, and a second end  64  joined to arm member  38 . Support means  60  is mounted substantially perpendicular to first end  40  of arm member  38 . Magnet  70  is provided on first end  62  of the support means. 
     First and second magnets  70 ,  72  engage with each other when moved into close proximity, thereby engaging doll  16  to support means  60 . As arm member  38  is pivotally moved relative to rear wall  6  by belt  48 , support means  60  slides in slot  58  and causes doll  16  to be moved through an arc of a circle from the first position to the second position. In addition, the arm member  38  includes a slot  66  (see  FIG. 1   a ) through which the elongate post extends. The first position of doll  16  typically corresponds to support means  60  being at first end  74  of slot  58  and the second position of doll  16  typically corresponds to the support means  60  being adjacent the second end  76  of slot  58 . 
     In order for doll  16  to be in a correct orientation when brought into engagement with horse  20 , a further gear mechanism is provided to change the orientation of doll  16  during movement between the first and second positions. The further gear mechanism includes further gear racks  78  and  80  located adjacent second end  76  above and below guide slot  58  and a cog  68  located on a rear side of arm member  38 . Upper gear rack  78  has a plurality of teeth  82  on a lower surface thereof and lower gear rack  80  has a plurality of teeth  82  provided on an upper surface thereof. As arm member  38  is moved towards second end  76 , the teeth  84  on cog  68  engage with the complementary teeth  82  on the upper and lower gear racks  78 ,  80 , thereby causing doll  16  to be rotated through approximately 90 degrees. This causes doll  16  to be moved from a substantially horizontal orientation, as shown in  FIG. 3   b , to a substantially vertical orientation, wherein the doll  16  can be seated in an upright position on horse  20  facing front  18  of the playbase and the head  86  of horse  20 . 
     A magnet  88  is provided adjacent an upper surface of body portion  90  of horse  20  at the location where doll  16  is to be brought into engagement in the second position. Magnet  88  typically has a stronger magnetic attraction to doll magnet  92 , located in the bottom of body portion  24 , than the magnetic attraction between movement means and doll magnets  70  and  72 . As such, once doll  16  is moved into the vicinity of horse  20  in the correct orientation, the stronger magnetic attraction between magnets  92  and  88 , moves doll  16  into engagement with body portion  90  of horse  20  and releases engagement between magnets  70 ,  72  of the support means and doll. 
     Positioning means in the form of pegs  94  and recess  95  are provided on upper surface of base  4  which allow the hooves  96  of horse  20  to be moved into the required second position for doll  16  to be moved into engagement with horse  20 . Pegs  94  are associated with the rear hooves of the horse and recess  95  is associated with the front hooves of the horse. 
     At least an upper surface  116  of base  4  is movable relative to a remaining part of the playbase. Upper surface  116  can be connected to belt  48  via connection  118  adjacent rear wall  6 . As such, rotation of belt  48  in a clockwise direction slidably moves upper surface  116  towards rear  22  such that surface  116  eventually protrudes beyond rear  22 . Rotation of belt  48  in an anti-clockwise direction slidably moves surface  116  towards front  18 . 
     Movement of upper surface  116  can be used to actuate movement of one or more walls of the housing  3  between closed and open positions. A catch mechanism can be provided at rear  22  of the playbase and includes an arm member  120  pivotably mounted to rear wall  6  via pivot  122 . Arm member  120  includes a first lower end  124  protruding towards front  18  and a second upper end  126  protruding towards rear  22 . As connection  118  is moved towards rear end  22  via belt  48  and thus upper surface  116  is moved towards rear  22 , an angled edge  128  of the connection  118  engages with lower end  124  of the pivot arm  120 , causing lower end  124  to pivot in an upwardly direction and causing upper end  126  of the arm  120  to pivot towards rear  22 . Movement of upper end  126  towards rear  22  releases a catch  130  which releases one or more the walls of the housing to move the same from a closed position to an open position. The movement of upper end  126  is guided by a slot  134  defined therein movable with respect to a protruding arm  136 . Arm member  120  is resiliently biased to lower the lower end  124  via a spring  132  when connection  118  is moved out of engagement with lower end  124 . 
     A rotatable element  98  is also provided on upper surface  116  of base  4  to allow horse  20  to rotate to a required orientation once doll  16  has been positioned on horse  20 . Rotatable element  98  can be caused to rotate via any means, such as via electrical means, mechanical means, manually and/or the like. However, in the illustrated embodiment, element  98  rotates on movement of upper surface  116  with respect to base  4 . 
     The horse  20  is further provided with a tail  100  which is connected to the rear of body portion  90 , rear legs  102  and front legs  104 . The legs  102 ,  104  are articulated with respect to body portion  90  via joints  106 . Connection means in the form of a connection arm  108  connects head  86  and front legs  104  to rear legs  102  and tail  100 . With the rear legs  102  located on pegs  94  to maintain the position of the same, pushing tail  100  towards body portion  90  causes front legs  104  and head  86  to lift relative to rear legs  102 , thereby allowing horse  20  to be rotated through approximately 180 degrees. Rotation of horse  20  takes place using rotatable element  98 . As such, the horse  20  can be moved from a position where the head  86  of the horse faces the front  18  of the horse box to a position where the head  86  faces the rear  22  of the horse box. 
     Thus, in use, doll  16  can be moved from a position where it appears the doll  16  is driving the horsebox, to a position where doll is mounted on a horse within the horsebox and for the horse to move out of the rear of the horse box. All this takes place on movement of the toy across a floor surface without direct user intervention, thereby increasing the realism of the toy to the user. 
     In order to reset the mechanism, a user depresses lever  108  and moves the horse box in a backwards direction, thereby rotating wheels  10  and causing belt  48  to be moved in a clockwise direction which resets the movement means. 
     The apparatus can be formed form any suitable material in any suitable design and/or size, such as plastic, wood, metal and/or the like. 
     The dimensions of the housing located around the horse box are such that doll  16  can be moved relative thereto with the housing in place without obstruction being caused by the housing. 
     Other items can be provided with the toy apparatus to increase the realism of the apparatus to a user, such as for example, a grooming kit, saddle, reins, rosettes, horse food and/or the like.