Abstract:
The present invention includes a template for placing toppling toy objects, such as dominos, in a preselected formation to facilitate toppling. The template includes a plurality of openings in a preselected configuration. Toppling toy objects may be placed on a playing surface in an upright orientation within the plurality of openings of one or more templates. After lifting the template or templates, the toppling toy objects are left standing in a spaced formation as defined by the preselected configuration. The toppling toy template may also include feet to assist in elevating the toppling toy template above the playing surface. Further, one or more template may be utilized, with a backboard, to enable users to keep toppling toy objects in a preselected formation for display purposes.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a non-provisional application of, and claims priority to, U.S. Provisional App. No. 62/309,075 (filed on Mar. 16, 2016). 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention generally relates to a template for use in connection with arranging dominos or other toppling toys. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Many people enjoy standing up objects—such as dominos or building blocks—in arrangements and watching the objects fall down in a sequence of chain reactions, also known as toppling. The more complex or lengthy these toppling arrangements are, the more enjoyable it is to watch the toppling objects in these arrangements fall down. 
         [0004]    One of the primary challenges in creating toppling arrangements is that it can be difficult to place toppling objects in these arrangements without creating a pre-mature toppling chain reaction by knocking over a toppling object before the arrangement is complete. It requires much patience and dexterity to create these arrangements by placing toppling objects close enough to each other so as to allow for the cascading chain reaction, upon toppling, but not so close to each other to increase the odds of a pre-mature chain reaction. 
         [0005]    There are some devices have been available that assist users in creating toppling object arrangements. 
         [0006]    As a few examples, U.S. Pat. No. 5,083,960 (hereinafter “Erickson”), U.S. Pat. No. 4,632,664 (hereinafter “Manning”), and U.S. Pat. No. 4,740,185 (hereinafter “Inglee”) disclose toppling apparatuses wherein dominos or other toppling objects are hinged to bases or sections of track that can be connected other bases or tracks to form longer domino arrangements. However, the apparatuses in Erickson, Manning, and Inglee do not allow users to employ normal dominos and are limited to those dominos which are hinged to sections of the base or track. 
         [0007]    Other devices, such as the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,245,756 (hereinafter “Byrne”) allow users to arrange dominos using automatic dispenser devices. However, these devices are complicated to use, inconvenient to store, and expensive to manufacture. They also are limited in terms of the scope of arrangements permissible with the devices. 
         [0008]    As such, there is a need for domino or toppling object templates that are easy to use and to store when not in use, inexpensive to manufacture, and can still be used to assist users in forming a multitude of formations for toppling and for display purposes. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention solves this need and other problems related to toppling object chains or formations. 
         [0010]    The present invention relates to a template (a “Toppling Template”) that assists users in creating arrangements for toppling objects, such as building blocks or dominos (collectively, “Domino,” “Dominos,” or “Toppling Object”). The Toppling Template is primarily composed of a generally rigid and planar member that includes a plurality of openings through the member, with each opening capable of receiving a toppling Domino. The Toppling Template allows users to place Dominos through the openings of the Toppling Template so that they rest on a surface (“Playing Surface”) on which a toppling arrangement or chain is desired. 
         [0011]    Various other aspects and embodiments of the invention include a means to raise a Toppling Template so that it rests horizontally above a Playing Surface and a method of utilizing a Toppling Template with a backboard to allow users to create permanent displays of Domino arrangements. 
         [0012]    Further features and advantages are apparent from the following detailed description taken in combination with the drawings attached hereto, it being understood that changes may be made in the form, size, proportions, and minor details of construction without departing from the spirit of the invention. This summary is not an intended to be an extensive overview or intended to identify the scope of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    Further features and advantages are apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the attached figures, wherein: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a top view of a template in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a partial top and side view of a template in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a partial side view of a template in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a top view of a template in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a top view of a template in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a top view of a template in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a top view of a template in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a top and side view of a template in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a top and side view of two templates in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a top and side view of a template with backboard in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    This Detailed Description merely describes exemplary embodiments in accordance with the general inventive concepts and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. In fact, the invention described in the specification is broader than and unlimited by the exemplary embodiments set forth herein, and all terms used herein have their full and ordinary meaning. The general inventive concept may be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be through and will convey the scope of the general inventive concepts to those skilled in the art. The terminology set forth in this Detailed Description is for describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the general inventive concepts. Moreover, singular forms, such as “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. 
         [0025]    A Toppling Template in accordance with the present invention is shown in the drawings and generally designated. 
         [0026]    In a common use of the invention, a user would place one or more Toppling Templates above a Playing Surface. Each Toppling Template includes a plurality of openings, each of which can receive a Domino, in a prearranged sequence. The prearranged sequence of openings for each of the Toppling Templates is meant to assist a user in creating toppling arrangements or chains by having the openings spaced in a manner that furthers the toppling effect described herein. 
         [0027]    After placing a Toppling Template above a Playing Surface, a user would then place a Domino in each of the openings through the Toppling Template. Upon filling each of the openings in the Toppling Template (or when completing the desired toppling chain so that it is ready to be toppled), the user would then lift the Toppling Template in a direction generally perpendicular to the Playing Surface, being careful not to knock over any Dominos during the lifting process. 
         [0028]    When all of the Toppling Templates were removed from the Playing Surface and the user was ready to begin the toppling chain, the user would then begin the toppling chain by “knocking over” or “Toppling” the first Domino in the toppling chain. The first Domino in the chain comes to rest upon the next Domino (or Dominos) causing that next Domino (or Dominos) to topple, which in turn, causes the next succeeding Domino to also topple so that a toppling chain continues until all of the Dominos in the toppling chain have toppled. 
         [0029]    Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIG. 1 through 10 , provide principles and concepts to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use a new Toppling Template, herein designated by reference number  10 . The Toppling Template  10  may be made of any suitable material having the strength and stability to allow a user remove the template from the Playing Surface while the template remains in a generally planar shape; such materials include wood, cardboard, metal, alloy, plastic, or resin. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the materials listed are not limited to those listed herein. 
         [0030]    Referring more particularly to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of the invention is depicted. As shown in  FIG. 1 , a Toppling Template  10  comprises a generally rigid and flat planar member  11  through which are a plurality of rectangular openings  12  that roughly conform to the shape of the Dominos and that are capable of receiving a Domino. The planar member  11  would usually be in the shape of a rectangle or square; however other shapes would still be permissible and included within the scope of the present invention. The planar member  11  should be relatively rigid such that it is capable of being lifted from a Playing Surface while generally maintaining its planar shape. While most thicknesses of the planar member  11  are permissible, the recommended thickness would be between 0.5 to 1.5 centimeters. 
         [0031]    The rectangular openings  12  through the planar member  11  would be in a prearranged formation. In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the prearranged formation of rectangular openings  12  is of five parallel lines  13  of Dominos; however, any prearranged formation that would assist a user in forming Domino toppling chains is within the scope of the present invention. By way of example,  FIG. 4  depicts a Toppling Template  10  in which the prearranged formation of rectangular openings  12  through the planar member  11  would allow for a single line  15  of Dominos plus six loops  16 , each such loop  16  tapering away from and then back to the single line  15 .  FIG. 5  depicts a Toppling Template  10  in which the prearranged formation of rectangular openings  12  through the planar member  11  would allow for a spiral arrangement  17  of Dominos.  FIG. 6  depicts a Toppling Template  10  in which the prearranged formation of rectangular openings  12  through the planar member  11  would allow for an arrangement  18  of Dominos forming the numbers “123,” and  FIG. 7  depicts a Toppling Template  10  in which the prearranged formation of rectangular openings  12  through the planar member  11  would allow for an arrangement  19  of Dominos forming the letters “ABC.” 
         [0032]    Other embodiments of the present invention include other arrangements of rectangular openings  12 , including shapes, letters, numbers, or any other prearranged formations allow users to create Domino toppling chains. 
         [0033]      FIG. 3  depicts a partial side view of a Toppling Template  10  in accordance with the present invention. In this figure, each of the plurality of rectangular openings  12  have received a Domino  14  that would be used in the creation of a toppling chain. 
         [0034]    A further embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 8 . The Toppling Template  10  further includes a plurality of feet  20 . The use of the feet  20  allow a user to elevate the planar member  11  above the Playing Surface  21 . The inclusion of the feet  20  make it easier to lift the Toppling Template  10  from the Playing Surface  21  while maintaining the toppling chain arrangement formed by placing Dominos through the planar member  11 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 9  depicts a further embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, two Toppling Templates  10  are shown adjacent to each other and resting on the Playing Surface  21 , with each Toppling Template including a planar member  11 , a plurality of rectangular openings  12 , and a plurality of feet  20 . Users can place multiple Toppling Templates next to each other to create longer or more intricate Domino toppling chains. 
         [0036]    In a further embodiment of the present invention, the Toppling Template  10  can also be used to arrange Dominos in a predetermined formation for display purposes. This may be especially desired with those Toppling Templates in which the prearranged formations set forth in the templates form letters or numbers. In this embodiment, which is reflected in  FIG. 10 , the user would use a backboard  22 , along with the Toppling Template  10 . The user would permanently affix Dominos  14  to the backboard  22  by means of an affixing agent, such as glue or epoxy, so that the Dominos  14  would remain in the prearranged formation caused by the plurality of openings  12  through the planar member  11 . The user would place a backboard  22  on a surface and then place a Toppling Template  10  on top of the backboard  22 . The user would apply the affixing agent to the bottom surface of a Domino  14  and then insert the Domino  14 —with the affixing agent—through one of the plurality of openings  12  in the Toppling Template  10 . The user would continue to insert additional Dominos  14 , that have had affixing agent applied, through the other of the plurality of openings  12  until the desired formation is achieved. Finally, the user would then remove the Toppling Template  10  from the backboard  22 , which would allow the user to re-use the Toppling Template on future occasions or projects. 
         [0037]    A backboard  22  may be made of any number of materials such as wood, cardboard, metal, alloy, plastic, or resin. A backboard would usually be of generally planar shape; however, the planar shape could be of any particular shaped design. It is conceivable that backboards could be of shaped as letters, numbers, classical shapes (such as circles, ovals, polygons), animals, buildings, clothes, people, popular characters, sporting paraphernalia, and vehicles. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the designs are not limited to those listed herein. 
         [0038]    While various inventive aspects and features of the general inventive concepts are described and illustrated herein in the context of various exemplary embodiments, these various aspects and features may be used in many alternative embodiments, either individually or in various combinations and sub-combinations thereof. Unless expressly excluded herein all such combinations and sub-combinations are intended to be within the scope of the general inventive concepts. Still further, while various alternative embodiments as to the various aspects, concepts and features of the inventions (such as alternative materials, structures, configurations, methods, devices and components) may be described herein, such descriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments, Whether presently known or later developed. Those skilled in the art may readily adopt one or more of the inventive aspects, concepts or features into additional embodiments and uses within the scope of the general inventive concepts even if such embodiments are not expressly disclosed herein. Additionally, even though some features, concepts or aspects of the inventions may be described herein as being a preferred arrangement or method, such description is not intended to suggest that such feature is required or necessary unless expressly so stated. Still further, exemplary or representative values and ranges may be included to assist in understanding the present disclosure; however, such values and ranges are not to be construed in a limiting sense and are intended to be critical values or ranges only if so expressly stated. Descriptions of exemplary methods or processes are not limited to inclusion of all steps as being required in all cases, nor is the order that the steps are presented to be construed as required or necessary unless expressly so stated.