Abstract:
Apparatus and method of building a toy or playing a game with a three-dimensional housing or case. The housing may resemble a person or individual or some other three-dimensional design such as a vehicle, plant, animal etc. The housing may include a plurality of holes passing through the housing. The apparatus may include a power supply and a light source within the housing wherein the holes allow the light to pass through the housing. A user may place pegs, which may be colored, within the holes to create a colorful figure that may resemble a predetermined design or a design the user individually creates.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This disclosure relates generally to toys and games that illuminate from the interior of the toy and, more specifically, a three dimensional (“3D”) illumination system with a light or lighting source on the interior and a 3D design or housing encompassing or surrounding the light source. The designs can take on many 3D forms and may be buildings, persons, animals, plants or any other 3D structure or figure. 
       RELATED ART 
       [0002]    Toys and games that include lights and creating have been around for many years now. Lite Brite® has been making the colored peg backlit two-dimensional peg board since 1967. More recently Hasbro has developed other peg like features that may fit into this two-dimensional peg boards in U.S. Pat. No. 6,238,261. Furthermore a cube like design that allows a user to create two-dimensional displays on 4 or 5 sides of a cube, with the light in the center of the cube, is also available. 
         [0003]    Other embodiments of toy illuminating devices are disclosed in the U.S. patents to Speers U.S. Pat. No. 4,196,539, Anderson et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,324,224, Jones U.S. Pat. No. 5,391,105 and Kelley et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,876,262 which, other than the epi sting LITE BRITE® device. 
         [0004]    While these toys, games and devices have been utilized for years, there has never been a device that allows a three-dimensional illumination system that may utilize light emitting pegs placed into the three-dimensional figure to create a display that may resemble a known figure, whether the figure is fictitious or non-fictitious. The three-dimensional device may be any building, person, animal, plant or any other 3D structure or figure. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    This disclosure, in at least on aspect, relates to the use of a game or toy that utilizes a light source with a cage, case or housing around the light source that allows light to escape from the housing. More generally the housing may include numerous openings or holes that allow light to pass through the housing. A user may place pegs of different sizes, shapes and colors within the openings to create a desired design. 
         [0006]    The housing may be a three-dimensional (“3D”) image that may resemble any number of characters, animals, plants, buildings or the like. The housing may include a front portion and a back portion that connect together. In between the housing a light source may reside central to the front and back portion and may provide a securing means to hold the front and back portions together. Alternatively you could have a first side portion and a second side portion that connect in a similar manner only side to side, instead of front to back. Also, you may be able to have a top portion and bottom portion that secure to each other in a manner similar to the front and back portions. 
         [0007]    The light source may comprise a substantially slim profile and the lights utilized may be incandescent, fluorescent or light emitting diodes (LEDs) or other light emitting sources (hereinafter “lights”). The number and positioning of the lights may be such as to provide substantially the same amount of light emission through each of the openings in the housing. The central portion that maintains the lights may also include a battery pack or other power source that powers the lights within the toy. The toy or game may be powered by batteries or other electronic means such as an outlet for a plug that may be plugged into an outlet into the wall of a home. 
         [0008]    There is a plurality of means and methods for securing the housing(s) around a light source and multiple variations of 3D images that could be utilized. Other aspects, as well as features and advantages of various aspects of the disclosed subject matter will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art form the ensuing description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    In the drawings: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is front view of a toy or system with a housing member; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is side view of the toy or system of  FIG. 1  with a front member and a back member; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the toy or system of  FIG. 1  with the front member and back member opened or separated; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the toy or system of  FIG. 1  with the front member, back member and central member. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    The following description sets for the separate embodiments of a toy or system that may allow a user to create or design a three-dimensional (3D) image that will illuminate from the interior. A user may place pegs of different sizes, shapes and designs at least partially within a housing to create a figure which may be a fictitious or non-fictitious character or building or vehicle or animal or plant, etc. 
         [0015]      FIGS. 1-4  figures may be oriented according to the reference arrow diagram  9 , having a superior direction  1 , an inferior direction  2 , a right lateral direction  4 , a left lateral direction  3 , a posterior direction  5 , and an anterior direction  6 . In this application, “left” and “right” are used with reference to a posterior view. “Medial” refers to a position or orientation toward a sagittal plane (i.e., plane of symmetry that separates left and right sides of the body from each other), and “lateral” refers to a position or orientation relatively further from the sagittal plane. 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of a toy or system  10  in a first configuration  8  with a housing  12  which may comprise the entire outside of the toy  10 . The housing  12  may be include multiple parts or pieces that when joined together form the housing  12 . A first member  14  may comprise the front of the toy  10  and a second member  15  (See  FIG. 2 ) may comprise the back of the toy  10 . The first member  14  may include a first base  16  and a second base  18  that may resemble, in this particular embodiment, feet or stubs that may aid in providing a sturdy base or foundation so the toy  10  may stand effectively. The first and second bases  16 ,  18  may have a substantially flat inferior surface to provide a flat base for the toy  10  to reside on such as a table or the floor. A first leg  20  and a second leg  22  may extend from the first and second bases  16 ,  18  respectively in a superior direction from the base. 
         [0017]    A body  24  may extend from the first and second legs  20 ,  22  in a plurality of directions which may include, laterally, posteriorly, anteriorly and superiorly. The body  24  may have a larger circumference and diameter than the first and second legs  20 ,  22 . The body  24  may provide a bridge or connection between the first and second legs  20 ,  22 . The body  24  may be bulbous and/or rounded to give the perception of a torso of a character or individual. A first arm  26  may extend in a right lateral direction  4  and a second arm  28  in a left lateral direction  3 , opposite the first lateral direction  4 . The first and second arms  26 ,  28  may extend laterally and may curve to extend inferiorly as well until terminating at a first termination end  30  and a second termination end  32  of the first and second arms  26 ,  28  respectively. It will be appreciate that the first and second arms  26 ,  28  may be mirror images of each other or may not be; for example, one arm may extend laterally and superiorly while the other arm may extend laterally and inferiorly. The first and second arms  26 ,  28  may simply extend laterally to the termination ends  30 ,  32  as well. 
         [0018]    A head  34  may extend from the body  24  in a superior direction from the body  24 . The body  24  may taper toward the top portion  36  of the body  24 . A neck  38  may comprise the bottom portion of the head  34  with the head  34  tapering at the neck portion  38  (which may be the inferior portion of the head  34 ) and the neck portion meeting the top portion  36  of the body  24 . The head  34  may be bulbous or rounded as it extends from the neck  38  to give the perception of an actual head of a character or individual. 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the second member  15  may be substantially similar to the first member  14  so as to create a full 3D character. The first member  14  and second member may engage at the first and second bases  16 ,  18 . The engagement member  40  may be a hinge that allows the first and second members  14 ,  15  to pivot away from one another along the axis of the hinge  40 . The axis of the hinge  40  may extend in a lateral direction. The hinge  40  may be placed at the bottom of the first and second bases  16 ,  18  or it may be positioned upward on the first and second legs  20 ,  22  such that the first and second bases  16 ,  18  may remain stable on the ground or a table that the toy  10  is resting on. The hinge  40  may also be positioned between the first and second legs  20 ,  22  as the legs engage the body  24 . 
         [0020]    While the current embodiment may only show a single or double hinge, multiple hinges may be used at multiple locations of the toy  10 , for instance at the neck  38 , the arms  26 ,  28 , at the top of the legs  20 ,  22  and/or at the bases  16 ,  18 . 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the toy  10  is depicted in a second configuration  11  wherein a central member  42  is exposed because the first member  14  and second member  15  are displaced or rotated about the hinge  40 . The central member  42 , from a lateral view, may be a longitudinally extending, substantially straight design. From a posterior or anterior view the central member may have a profile that matches the first and second members  14 ,  15 . 
         [0022]    A battery pack  44  or power supply may be integrated or attached to the central member  42 . The battery pack  44  (battery packs may mean alkaline batteries such as AA, 9V, C, D and the like, zinc air battery, mercury, silver oxide or may be lithium-ion batteries, rechargeable batteries or any combination thereof) may extend from the body of the central member  42  and may comprise the necessary electronics to transfer power from the battery pack  44  to the lights. The battery pack  44  may use any battery type and all battery types are contemplated herein. Other power sources may include adaptors that may plug into the toy  10  and then plug into a typical wall outlet. 
         [0023]    The central member  42  may include a first ridge  46  and a second ridge  48  with a recess  50  positioned between the first and second ridges  46 ,  48 . The first and second ridges  46 ,  48  may extend along the perimeter of the central member  42 . The first and second ridges  46 ,  48  may provide a frictional fit with the first member  14  and second member  15 . The first and second ridges  46 ,  48  may require a force to overcome the ridges  46 ,  48  to engage the first and second members  14 ,  15  so they form a snap-fit securing the first member  14  to the central member  42  and the second member  15  to the central member  42 . It will be appreciated that other engagement features may be utilized and are contemplated such as a press-fit, Velcro®, buttons, snaps, clips, locks, etc. 
         [0024]    While  FIG. 3  depicts a circumferential recess  50  and first and second ridges  46 ,  48 , it is contemplated that only a portion of the central member  42  may include these features that allow the first and second members  14 ,  15  to engage the central member  42 . For example, only the head portion and arms portions may include the engagement features of the ridges  46 ,  48  and recess  50 . Other engagement features are also contemplated and may be positioned throughout the toy  10  such as pins that may engage receiving apertures (or bosses with apertures) by the pins at least partially entering the apertures and forming a press fit. Another, alternate embodiment may include clips displaced around the outside of the first and second members  14 ,  15  such that a clip engages a complementary receiving portion wherein the clip and the receiving portions are on opposite members, meaning the first member  14  may comprise a clip and the second member  15  comprise the receiving portion, or vice versa. Alternatively, the clips and receiving portion may alternate between the first and second members  14 ,  15 . 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the first member  14  may comprise a first lip  52  that runs along the perimeter of the first member  14  on the engagement side of the first member  14 . The first lip  52  may engage the first ridge  46  and may require some force for the first lip  52  to overcome the first ridge  46  so that the lip rests within the recess  50  of the central member  42 . Likewise, a second lip  54  may run along the perimeter of the second member  15  on the engagement side of the second member  15 . The second lip  54  may require some force to overcome the second ridge  48  so that the second lip  54  also rests in the recess  50 . 
         [0026]    The first member  14  may include a space or void between the outer wall of the first member  14  and the central member. Similarly, the second member  15  may include a space or void between the outer wall of the second member  15  and the central member. The voids may allow for more light to illuminate from within the housing  12 . The voids may also be different shapes and depending on the character or figure of the toy  10 . The first and second members  14 ,  15  may also include clips  64 , which may be cylindrical clips, with an opening  66  toward one end of the clips  64 . The clips may be integral to, or attached to, the bases  16 ,  18  of the first and second members  14 ,  15 . The openings  66  for the clips extending from the first member  14  may project in an anterior direction  6  and the openings  66  for the clips extending from the second member  15  project in a posterior direction  5 . A longitudinal aperture  68  may extend the length of the clips  64 . 
         [0027]    The central member  42  may include protrusions  58  from the base of the central member  42 . Each protrusion  58  may comprise posts  60  extending from the body of the central member  42  wherein the rods  60  may extend perpendicular to the body of the central member and parallel to each other. A rod  62  may extend between the posts  60  connecting the posts  60  via the rod  62  wherein the rod  62  may run parallel to the body of the central member  42 . A space may reside between the rod  62 , the posts  60  and the central body  42 . The openings  66  of the clips  64  may allow for the rod to pressedly engage the clips allowing the rod to reside within the longitudinal aperture  68 . With the rod  62  residing within the clips  64  it creates the hinge  40  as previously described herein that allows the first and second members  14 ,  15  to pivot away from the central member  42 . While the clips  64  may snap around the rod  62  it will be appreciated that a number of other hinges may be utilized that are either irreversibly connected or reversibly connected. 
         [0028]    The central member  42  may include a plurality of lights  56  positioned throughout the body of the central member  42 . The lights  56  may illuminate the toy  10  from within the housing  12 . The lights  56  may be connected by a single electrical connection or a plurality of electrical connections that extend from the power source or battery pack  44 . The lights may be spaced equidistant from the other lights  56  or may be positioned in a pattern, design or randomly. The pattern or design of the lights  56  may mimic the outline of the character or figure of the toy  10 . One or two lights may be used in the concept disclosed herein or multiple lights. The lights  56  may be replaceable in the event one of the lights discontinues working. A switch that effectively “turns on” the toy  10  or switches the lights  56  on, may be positioned anywhere on the toy  10  including on or adjacent to the power source or battery pack  44 ; however, the switch may also be positioned on the outside of the housing  12  on the base or any other location with an electrical connection from the switch to the power source  44 . 
         [0029]    Alternatively, the lights  56  may include only a single light in the housing  12  that is positioned within the housing  12  such that it lights up both sides of the first member  14  and second member  15 . Another embodiment may include one light extending from the central member  42  into the void of the first member  14  and a second light extending into the void of the second member  15 . 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , the toy  10  may include a plurality of apertures  70  that pass through the housing  12 . The apertures  70  may be positioned in a pattern and each aperture  70  may be equidistant from the others; however, the positioning of the apertures  70  may be designed depending on the character or figure as well and thus may be positioned closer or in clusters in one embodiment and more spaced apart in other embodiments. The apertures  70  may pass at least partially or entirely through the body of the housing  12  (of the first and second members  14 ,  15 ) allowing light to pass through the apertures  70 . The apertures  70  may also be the same diameter and may be the same depth. However, alternatively, the depth and diameter of the apertures  70  may change with relation to the position of the aperture  70  on the housing  12 . 
         [0031]    Pegs may be placed within the apertures  70  to either block light from passing through or the pegs may be colored such that when light passes through the apertures  70  and thus through the pegs the color of the light changes to the color of the peg placed in that aperture  70 . The pegs may pressedly fit within the apertures such that the pegs are not easily removed after being positioned within the aperture  70 . The pegs may comprise a circumferential ring toward a distal end of the peg that engages a circumferential recess within the aperture  70 . Alternatively the circumferential ring may engage the interior facing side of the housing  12  thus preventing easy withdrawal of the peg without a user providing a substantial back-out force opposite the direction of pushing the peg into the aperture  70 . The pegs may also include a shoulder toward the proximal end of the peg that may prevent the peg from entering the aperture  70  too deeply providing a “stop” for the peg within the aperture  70 . 
         [0032]    Alternatively, the pegs may be easily placed and removed from the apertures  70 . The pegs may be smaller in diameter than the aperture and thus may be freely positioned or removed from the apertures  70  allowing for easy removal if the toy  10  is tipped or turned or rotated allowing the pegs to easily fall out of the apertures  70 . 
         [0033]    Multiple pegs may be combined to add a 3D element to the toy  10 . For example, a 3D nose feature may be at proximal end and multiple pegs may extend distally from the 3D nose feature wherein each peg of the 3D nose engages a separate aperture  70 . The nose feature may be positioned on the head  34  of the toy  10 . Other features may include a skirt feature at a proximal end with multiple pegs extending distally that each engage a separate aperture  70 . The skirt feature may be positioned on the body  24 , or torso portion, of the first and second members  14 ,  15  creating the appearance of the toy  10  having a skirt on the character. Many other variations of multiple pegs extending from 3D elements are contemplated herein to create characters, buildings, figures, plants, animals and the like. As further contemplated, though, the housing  12  (with the first and second members  14 ,  15 ) may include these features by itself thus only requiring pegs to be placed within the apertures to provide the appearance of the desired characters, buildings, figures, plants, animals and the like. 
         [0034]    An alternate embodiment contemplated herein also considers the housing member  12  to be a single unitary piece. The light source and power supply may be provided by inserting both the light source and power supply into an opening toward the base of the toy  10  either through the bases  16 ,  18  or through the inferior portion of the body  24 . Alternatively, the power supply may remain outside of the housing  12  and only the light source positioned within the housing. It will be appreciated that an opening may be provided anywhere within the housing to place the light source and that those options described herein are for illustrative purposes only. Similarly when contemplating other three-dimensional designs such as vehicles, plants, animals and the like a one piece, two piece (or even more pieces, if the three-dimensional design would benefit from it and considering multiple hinges, or clips or other engagement features) housing is also considered within the scope of this description as well as the opening for positioning the light source and the power supply. 
         [0035]    The pieces and parts of the toy  10  may be made of multiple different materials. The housing may be made of any metal or plastic. The metal or plastic may need to be substantially rigid to hold and maintain the pegs. The central member  42  likewise may be made of a metal or plastic; however, if a metal is utilized and a light source which may produce heat, such as an incandescent bulb than it is preferable that the metal be one that does not transfer heat readily. Similarly with the plastic, the plastic would need to be strong enough to not warp, allow heat transfer or burn if a heated light source is utilized. While any light source is contemplated it is likely that light emitting diodes (LEDs) may be used and thus heat transfer as not much of a concern. 
         [0036]    The hinge(s)  40  may be made from a metal source and integrated into the housing  12 . However, similar hinges may be made of robust plastics or rubber to allow the same rotation as that of metal hinges. 
         [0037]    The dimensions of the toy  10  may vary, such as larger bases  16 ,  18  or larger circumference legs  20 ,  22 , or arms  26 ,  28 . Additionally, the body  24  may be substantially larger or smaller than what is depicted in the figures. Likewise the head  34  may vary in size as well. In each instance, length, width, diameter may all vary. Furthermore, the overall height, width and diameter may vary as well. For example, the height of the toy  10  may vary from a few centimeters tall to a meter tall. Other measurements may include a height from 4-12 inches a width of 3-8 inches and a depth of 2-5 inches. It is also contemplated that the dimensions of the figure may not be proportionate to that of an actual individual or figure whether fictitious or non-fictitious. 
         [0038]    While the present embodiment depicts that of a figure with arms, legs a body and head it is important to note that other three-dimensional objects are contemplated and considered part of this disclosure. For example boats, airplanes, cars, plants, animals and buildings (to name only a few) are all considered herein each with various shapes, sizes, colors and dimensions. 
         [0039]    Although the foregoing disclosure provides many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope any of the ensuing claims. Other embodiments may be devised which do not depart from the scopes of the claims. Features from different embodiments may be employed separately or in combination. Accordingly, all additions, deletions and modifications to the disclosed subject matter that fall within the scopes of the claims are to be embraced thereby. The scope of each claim is indicated and limited only by its plain language and the full scope of available legal equivalents to its elements.