Abstract:
A modular combination toy and desktop writing accessory apparatus comprising a plurality of structural elements each having at least one nodal connector portion to which a complementary connector portion of another structural element can be coupled. The structural elements can be assembled into a barrel-like form that is configured with a passageway for carrying a writing component of the invention. The writing component can be a pen, pencil, marker, crayon, eraser or the like. The modular combination toy and writing instrument has multiple functions in playtime as well as in everyday desk-bound activities.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/829,681 filed Jul. 2, 2010 which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/582,421 filed on Oct. 18, 2006, the contents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The invention relates generally to a toy with modular parts, and in particular relates to a combination toy and writing accessory that has multiple functions in playtime as well as in everyday desk-bound activities. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    The assembly of toy structural members or building blocks into models and predetermined assemblies that represent figures, machines, vehicles and the like is a universally practiced activity among children across a wide range of ages. Such ‘building block’ systems and models are well known and include systems commercialized over the years by Meccano™, Erector Set, Lego™, Märklin™ and System Xox™ among others. The use of such building block toys and model systems can greatly contribute to a child&#39;s development relating to mechanical and engineering conceptualization and problem-solving. However, the typical use of such building block toy systems requires a ‘dedicated’ playtime using the ‘dedicated’ building blocks. It is believed that time demands on children, in particular time spent in the classroom, has contributed to a decline in interest in many forms of building block toy systems. Thus, it is desirable to provide a combination ‘toy’ and ‘writing instrument’ based on a building block system that permits the child to spend his or her desk-bound time in mechanical and engineering conceptualization activities and it is to this end that the present invention is directed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The combination toy and writing instrument of the invention allows children to imagine and assembly toys and structures, including but not limited to spacecraft, aircraft, landcraft, watercraft, submarines, buildings, castles, wearable ornaments and the like, that can define a new playscape while confined to a desk. The invention provides building elements that allow for complete freedom in the assembly of three-dimensional constructions while at the same time being inexpensive, safe and fun. 
         [0007]    Thus, a modular combination toy and desktop writing accessory is provided. The combination apparatus includes a plurality of structural elements each having at least one nodal connector portion to which a complementary connector portion of another structural element can be coupled. The structural elements can be assembled into a barrel-like form that is configured with a passageway for carrying a writing apparatus that is a further component of the invention. The combination toy and writing accessory thus comprises: a writing cartridge and a plurality of structural elements connectable to one another in a surrounding arrangement relative to the writing cartridge wherein the structural elements are connectable to one another in a plurality of non-surrounding arrangements in the absence of the writing cartridge to form a toy. The writing cartridge is selected from the group consisting of pens, pencils, markers and crayons and the like. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of an embodiment of a modular combination toy and writing accessory in accordance with the invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is an exploded diagram view of the modular combination toy and writing accessory of  FIG. 1  showing the exemplary structural elements with complementary connector features in accordance with the invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a first exemplary structural element of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a second exemplary structural element of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a third exemplary structural element of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is an illustration of a shipping tube with toy end-cap and ‘wheel’ elements that may be part of an assembled toy. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a toy vehicle assembled from a set of structural elements with connector features as in  FIGS. 3-5 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is an exploded diagram view illustrating the details of assembling the structural elements into the toy vehicle of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 9A  is a perspective schematic view of de-mated complementary receiving and projecting features that include complementary facets for click-stop rotational orientation of structural elements about a connection. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9B  is a view of mated receiving and projecting features of  FIG. 9A . 
           [0018]      FIG. 10A  is an illustration of another structural element in a repose position that includes a flexible medial portion. 
           [0019]      FIG. 10B  is an illustration of the flexible structural element of  FIG. 10A  in a flexed position. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10C  is an illustration of a connection assembly that includes the flexible structural element of  FIG. 10A . 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of another toy in the shape of a tank assembled from a set of structural elements as in  FIGS. 3-5 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of another toy in the shape of a vehicle assembled from a set of structural elements as in  FIGS. 3-5 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    The invention is particularly applicable to a toy and writing accessory that includes a plurality of structural elements or members that each are configured with complementary connector features as described below. The connector features allows the structural elements to be assembled in a writing-functional configuration when the toy is used as a writing instrument. Additionally, a plurality of the structural elements can be re-assembled in a multitude of non-writing configurations to form a 3-dimensional toy, figure, building etc. as described below. In this context, it will be appreciated that a modular assembly in accordance with the invention can have a range in utility from being a dedicated writing instrument to a being a “toy” with features for various play applications. Further, the modular assembly can be a combination functional writing instrument and a toy assembly, all of which assemblies are within the scope of the invention. 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of one embodiment of a combination modular toy and writing accessory  100  in accordance with the invention. The modular toy or pen apparatus as depicted in the exploded view of  FIG. 2  reveals that the pen of  FIG. 1  comprises an assembled set of exemplary snap-fit structural elements  110 ,  112  and  114  that further includes a writing element or cartridge indicated at  115 . By the term ‘snap-fit’, it is meant that the fit of any complementary connector features can be an interference fit, a friction fit, a sliding fit or a fit wherein a connector component is slightly deformable for flexible snapping into place with a cooperating structural feature. The writing element  115  in this embodiment comprises a ball-point pen but the writing element can consist of any ink marker, graphite marker, crayon marker, eraser or the like. 
         [0025]    In the exploded view of  FIG. 2 , it can be seen that structural element  110  comprises a barrel-like body extending about longitudinal axis  120  with body walls surrounding passageway  122  within the element. An enlarged view structural element  110  is provided in  FIG. 3 . As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , structural element  110  includes body ends  124   a  and  124   b  that comprise a “projecting” connector feature indicated at  125  that is adapted to be engaged by a “receiving” connector feature of structural element  112  when assembled (see  FIGS. 2 and 4 ). The structural element  110  further includes at least one “receiving” connector feature  130  on a side of the element for receiving a “projecting” connector feature of another structural element. The body ends  124   a  and  124   b  of structural element  110  further include a groove  132  for cooperating with a complementary feature of element  112  described below. In general, the structural elements typically have an extending medial strut portion extending between first and second ends. Further, the elements include one or more “nodal” connector features on at least one end or medial portion of such a structural element. By the term ‘nodal’, it is meant that the connection between structural elements comprises a node wherein the axes of the elements can be oriented at different relative angles and/or rotational angles about the connection. 
         [0026]    Now referring to the exploded view of  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 4 , structural element  112  comprises another “one-half” barrel body extending about longitudinal axis  120 ′ that can be connected with another similar structural element to form a “receiving” feature to snap-fit to form a barrel-like shape and thereby grip and receive an end of structural element  110 . The snap-fit assembly of first and second elements  112  is enabled by male and female snap-fit features indicated at  136 . Structural element  112  carries a circumferential rib  138  that cooperates with groove  132  in structural element  110 . Further, structural element  112  includes a “receiving” connector feature  130  for receiving a “projecting” connector feature  145  such as in structural element  114 . 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 5 , structural element  114  comprises another body extending relative to axis  120 ″ and having first and second body end portions  148   a  and  148   b  that have snap-fit projecting features  145  that project from the body perpendicular to axis  120 ″. The projecting features  145  are dimensioned to snap-fit into receiving features  130  of structural elements  110  and  112 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , these structure elements can be connected in multiple arrangements to provide the elongated barrel of a writing instrument. The views of  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4  illustrate that structural element  114  further includes part-circumferential body wings  155  that are dimensioned to engage the outer surface of another structural element when connected in a longitudinal orientation, that is with the axes  120 ,  120 ′ and  120 ″ all in alignment. 
         [0028]    In one embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the apparatus further includes a connectable proximal pen body  160  and distal pen body  162  that each can be snap-fit to ends of an assembled pen barrel to thereby capture writing element  115  therein (e.g., a ball-point ink cartridge). A snap-fit pocket clip  164  with a single projecting feature  165  also is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  to make the toy assembly into a fully functional writing instrument. 
         [0029]    In one embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the proximal and distal pen bodies  160  and  162  can further include spring  166  and an actuation mechanisms as well known in the art to provide a push button retractable ball-point pen 
         [0030]      FIG. 6  depicts another embodiment in which a delivery tube component  170  is provided as packaging for an assembly of structural elements  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  115 ,  160  and  162  that are either assembled as a pen or that can be assembled into a pen. In addition, the end-caps  175  of tube component  170  comprise toy structural elements as well, and more particularly are configured as toy ‘wheels’ with each having a connector portion such as projecting element  180  that can be snap-fit into a receiving connector feature  130  of another structural element. It should be appreciated end-cap ‘wheels’  175  can have either or both ‘projecting’ and ‘receiving’ connector features as described above to allow coupling to complementary features at the side or end of any other structure elements, or the end-cap ‘wheels’ can couple about their axles one to another to provide tandem toy wheel elements. Further, the toy wheels can be rotatable about an axle portion or the element that comprises a projecting and/or receiving feature thereof that is capable of connection with a complementary feature of another structural element. Further, the delivery tube component  170  can be connected at its end to extend from a wheel  175  that is connected to another assembly, for example to provide an elongate element such as a rotating helicopter blade (not shown). Further, the delivery tube  170  can further include projecting and/or receiving features (not shown) along its side to allow its connection to a toy in a plurality of configurations. 
         [0031]    Now turning to  FIG. 7 , one embodiment of a toy ‘buggy’ vehicle or landcraft  200  is shown that is assembled from exemplary structural elements  110 ,  112  and  114  as described above. In  FIG. 7  and the exploded view of  FIG. 8 , it can be seen that a plurality of the structural elements can be assembled into a vehicle chassis assembly  205  with four wheel (end-cap) elements  175 . Further, as can be seen in  FIG. 8 , the vehicle body assembly  210  and windscreen assembly  215  are provided by coupling together various arrangements of structural elements  110 ,  112  and  114 . 
         [0032]    It can be appreciated that  FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate only one of a practically infinite number of toys that can be assembled from the structural elements of the invention. A plurality of such structural elements can be connected together to provide any desired three-dimensional geometric shape, such as resembling one or more portions of a spacecraft, aircraft, landcraft, watercraft, or submarine. Any assembled toy may be a static form or a non-static such as a land- or aircraft with rotating wheels or blades. The structural elements also can connected together to provide geometric shapes resembling buildings, constructions, castles, pyramids, geographic and topographic features, planetary arrangements and the like. The structural elements also can connected together to provide geometric shapes resembling torsos, legs, arms or heads of a human, an animal or fantasy being, free-form structures, stick-form molecules, geometric forms or even wearable ornaments. 
         [0033]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  7  ,  8  and  9 A, it can be seen that the cross-sections of complementary connection comprising ‘receiving’ features  130  and projecting features  145  are round thus allowing for freedom of rotation between the structural elements about the connection. In another embodiment, referring to  FIGS. 9A and 9B , it can be seen that the cross-sections of complementary ‘receiving’ features  130 ′ and snap-fit projecting features  145 ′ can be non-round and provided with at least one set of complementary facets  220  and  222  for allowing a ‘click-stop’ rotational orientation of one structural element relative to another. 
         [0034]    Another embodiment of a structural element  240  is shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , wherein a medial portion of the element comprised a flexible body portion  244 .  FIG. 10C  illustrates that the ends of flexible element  240  are configured for snap fit into a receiving features of assembled elements  112 .  FIG. 10A  illustrates a flexible plastic bellows, but it should be appreciated the flexible body portion  244  can comprise a rubber or foam material, a helical spring or the like. 
         [0035]      FIG. 11  illustrates an assembly of structural elements  110 ,  112 ,  114  and  175  into a tank  300 .  FIG. 12  illustrates an assembly of structural elements  110 ,  112 ,  114  and  175  into another embodiment of a vehicle  310 . 
         [0036]    In another embodiment (not shown), the connector ‘receiving’ and projecting features can include complementary magnetic structures (preferably neodymium magnets) rather than snap-fit moldable plastic features. The structural elements that include flexible body portions enables the construction of toys with a truly infinite number of possible geometric shapes so there is no limit but the child&#39;s imagination as to what can be constructed using the inventive system. 
         [0037]    The modular structural elements and system are adapted to foster creative expression, and to allow a child to created custom toys and playscapes. The structural elements are not limited to any particular size, elongate dimensions or shape. The structural elements are preferably made of a moldable plastic that is clear, colored or translucent, for example an ABS plastic. It should be appreciated that structural elements also can be any moldable foam, rubber or metal as is know in the art. In one embodiment as shown in  FIG. 5 , the surfaces of a structural element can include bumps or facets  250  for contacting a surface feature of another structural element to provide a particular orientation. 
         [0038]    While the foregoing has been with reference to a particular embodiment of the invention, the foregoing description is that of certain features, aspects and advantages of the present invention, to which various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or a group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. In addition, while a number of variations of the invention have been shown and described in detail, other modifications and methods of use, which are within the scope of this invention, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is contemplated that various combinations or subcombinations of these specific features and aspects of embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the discussed bone treatment systems and methods.