Abstract:
A toy system for demolishing a toy structure comprises a plurality of panels combinable to form a toy structure, a device for displacing one or more of the panels that have been combined to form a toy structure, and a controller for triggering the device. The device of the toy system is positionable anywhere relative to the toy structure, and includes a ram that is forced against a panel to displace the panel. The ram may be a variety of different sizes, and the device may include any number of rams. The toy system allows a user to knock down an assembled toy structure in many different ways by varying the number of devices used, the number of rams per device engaged, the velocity of each ram, and the position of the device, as well as other factors.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from commonly owned U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/798,814, filed 15 Mar. 2013, and titled Demolition Lab, presently pending, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    People learn new concepts faster and more efficiently by doing, rather than passively reading or observing. This is especially true for science, where abstract concepts can be hard to grasp. One way to stimulate interest and comprehension of scientific concepts, especially in regards to children and young adults, is to couple the science with fun visual experiments. Children more easily understand an abstract principle such as force or gravity when they can use the principle to achieve an exciting result—such as constructing and destroying a toy building. Although a book can teach about construction and the forces that support walls, ceilings and floors, interactive learning allows a user to manipulate those forces by actually assembling a model building to determine through trial and error what arrangements of parts will be able to withstand gravity. Similarly, once a user has assembled a model building, the same scientific concepts used to construct can be used to demolish the building. 
         [0003]    Toys exist for constructing buildings and knocking them down. Many of these toys have fixed parameters. The buildings must be consistently built in the same way, or the mechanism to knock the building down must be employed consistently in the same manner. Unfortunately, repeating the same method over and over does little to elucidate the scientific principles such as force or gravity because the results are necessarily the same. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In one aspect of the invention, a toy system for demolishing a toy structure comprises a plurality of panels combinable to form a toy structure, a device for displacing one or more of the panels that have been combined to form a toy structure, and a controller for triggering the device. The device of the toy is positionable anywhere relative to the toy structure, and includes a ram that is forced against a panel to displace the panel. The ram may be a variety of different sizes, and the device may include any number of rams, allowing a user to knock down a toy structure in many different ways. A user may desire to knock down a toy building by positioning a device within an assembled toy structure, sometimes positioning the device on a first, second, or third story of a building. Other times, a user may desire to use several devices positioned around the periphery of a building to cause the building to collapse. The toy system allows a user to knock down an assembled toy structure in many different ways by varying the number of devices used, the number of rams per device engaged, the velocity of each ram, and the position of the device, as well as other factors. Each new combination of devices and positions creates a new experience for the user. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a toy system according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a device of the toy system shown in  FIG. 1 , showing a ram of the device in a first position, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of the device shown in  FIG. 2A , showing the ram in a second position, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2C  is a partial cross-sectional view of the ram shown in  FIG. 2A , according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2D  is partial cross-sectional view of the ram shown in  FIG. 2B , according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a toy system, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a device showing the ram in a second position, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are views of a device, each according to yet another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a view of a device, according to another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  includes two views of a device, each according to yet another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a device and a controller, according to another embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    In an aspect of the invention a toy system includes a plurality of panels that one can combine to construct a toy structure, a device for displacing one or more of the panels of the toy structure to demolish the structure, and a controller to trigger the device. The invention also comprises a method for demolishing such a toy structure. The toy structure to be demolished can be any size or shape, such as a small single-story building, or a complex multi-level tower. The toy structure may be demolished by triggering a single device against a wall of the structure, thus compromising the integrity of the structure and causing its collapse. Or, the toy structure may be demolished by triggering several devices against a wall, floor, or ceiling of the structure, either simultaneously or sequentially. The position of the one or more devices is up to the user, thus allowing the user to experiment with different demolition conditions. 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a toy system  10  according to an embodiment of the invention. The toy system  10  includes a plurality of panels  11  that one can combine to construct a toy structure  12 , a device  20  for displacing one or more of the panels  11  of the toy structure  12  to demolish the structure, and a controller  14  to trigger the device by sending an electric signal to the device  20  through a wire  15  when the controller&#39;s button  16  is pushed. The panels  11  can be combined as desired to form any desired toy structure  12  (here, a complex five-story structure that includes a bridge). The device  20  (discussed in greater detail in conjunction with  FIGS. 2A-2D , and  4 - 8 ) may be placed at any desired location inside or outside the toy structure  12 , and includes a ram  21  that the device accelerates from a first position toward a second position when the controller  14  triggers the device. By positioning the device  20  such that the ram  21  sits next to a panel  11  of the toy structure  12 , the ram  21  accelerates against the panel  11  when triggered, and displaces the panel. If the panel  11  is displaced far enough, then all or a portion of the toy structure  12  will collapse. 
         [0018]    In some embodiments, a controller  14  triggers a first device  20  and a second device  20  sequentially by sending an electric signal through a wire  15 , the first device being connected to the second device by the wire  15  in a daisy chain arrangement (not shown). 
         [0019]    Because the devices  20  are positionable anywhere relative to the toy structure  12 , the toy structure may be demolished in many different ways, and thus teach a user the strengths and weaknesses of the specific structure. And, because the toy structure may be any desired structure, one can learn the strengths and weaknesses of a variety of different structural designs. Each new combination of devices, positions and structures creates a new experience for the user. 
         [0020]    Still referring to  FIG. 1 , each panel  11  may be configured as desired. For example, in this and certain other embodiments, one or more of the panels  11  is rectangular shaped cardboard about the size of a standard playing card (4 inches by 3 inches) and is decorated as desired so that some of the panels  11  resemble a wall (exterior or interior), some a floor, and some a ceiling. In other embodiments, some of the panels  11  may be decorated to resemble a portion of a bridge or a portion of a pillar that typically supports a bridge or other structure. In other embodiments, some of the panels  11  may be constructed of plastic, metal, wood, or any desired combination of the materials. 
         [0021]    In this and certain other embodiments, the toy system  10  also includes a footing  13  ( 22  shown but only two labeled for clarity) coupleable with a panel to provide the panel extra stability. The footing  13  may be configured as desired. For example, in this and certain other embodiments, the footing  13  includes a clamp  17  that includes a slot (not shown) configured to releasably and frictionally hold a panel  11  anywhere along an edge of the panel  11 . By releasably holding the panel  11 , one may locate the footing  13  anywhere along an edge of a panel, and thus support the panel at a variety of different locations along the panel&#39;s edge. This allows one to construct toy structures that are similar in their overall shape but configured differently, and thus allows one to observe the benefits and detriments of a specific configuration relative to other configurations for the same, general toy structure. The footing  13  also includes a base  18  that rests on a surface such as a top of a table, a floor, or another panel to increase the stability of the panel coupled to it. The footings  13  can be any size and shape to hold the panels, and can be constructed of any desired materials, such as plastic, cardboard, or moldable clay. 
         [0022]      FIGS. 2A-2D  show four views of the device  20  shown in  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 2A  shows two rams  21 , each set in a first position.  FIG. 2B  shows the two rams  21  in a second position, after each has been accelerated from their respective first position toward their respective second position.  FIG. 2C  shows one of the rams  21  set in the first position. And,  FIG. 2D  shows one of the rams  21  in the second position. 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIGS. 2A-2D , the device  20  may be configured as desired to hold a ram  21  in a first position and, when triggered, accelerate the ram  21  toward a second position. For example, in this and certain other embodiments, the device  20  includes a spring  24  that is compressed when the ram  21  is located in the first position. To hold the ram  21  at the first position, a tab  22  is urged against the ram  21  by another spring (not shown), and contacts the lip  23  of the ram  21  to prevent the spring  24  from accelerating the ram  21  toward the second position. To release the ram  21  from the first position, an electro magnet (not shown) coupled to the tab  22  is charged by an electric current from the controller  14  ( FIG. 1 ). When charged, the magnetic field generated by the electro magnet causes another magnet (not shown) to rotate about 100 degrees and thus pull the tab  22  away from the ram  21 . When the electro magnet is not charged, the spring that urges the tab  22  toward the ram  21  moves the tab  22  toward the ram  21 . With the spring  24  compressed and the tab  22  moved out of contact with the ram  21 , the spring  24  expands to release its energy, and thus accelerates the ram  21  toward the second position. In this and other embodiments, the amount of acceleration provided by the spring  24  is about 10 ft/s 2 , but in other embodiments the amount of acceleration may be more or less than 10 ft/s 2 . 
         [0024]    The first and second positions may be any desired positions. For example in this and certain other embodiments, the first and second positions for each ram  21  are collinear and approximately one inch apart. In other embodiments, the first and second positions may be collinear and more than or less than one inch apart. In still other embodiments, the first and second positions may not be collinear but rather different locations along a curved line, such as the end points of a half circle&#39;s perimeter. 
         [0025]    Other embodiments of the device  20  are possible. For example, the device  20  may include one or more than two rams  21 . For another example, the device  20  may include two rams  21  that are not opposite each other. In other words, a first ram  21  may move in a first direction toward its respective second position, and a second ram  21  may move in a second direction, that is not opposite the first direction, toward its respective second position. For another example, the device  20  may include an elastic that is stretched when the ram  21  is set in its first position, and contracts when the ram  21  is released from its first position. For another example, the device  20  may include any other desired mechanism for holding the ram  21  in its first position and for releasing the ram  21  from its first position. 
         [0026]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a toy system  10  that includes two devices  20  and a controller  14  that triggers each device  20 , according to an embodiment of the invention. The controller  14  may trigger each device  20  simultaneously or sequentially, or may also trigger each ram  21  of a device  20  simultaneously or sequentially. With such a controller  14 , one may subject the toy structure  12  to a variety of different demolition protocols. 
         [0027]    The controller  14  may be configured as desired to trigger a device  20 . For example, in this and other embodiments, the controller  14  includes an infrared signal transmitter, and triggers a device  20  by generating and transmitting an infrared signal to a receiver of a device  20 . When the device  20  receives the infrared signal, the device&#39;s receiver converts the infrared signal into an electrical signal that in turn causes electric current from a battery to charge an electro magnet to generate a magnetic field (as discussed in conjunction with  FIGS. 2A-2D ). When charged, the magnetic field generated by the electro magnet causes the ram  21  to accelerate toward the second position. The infrared signal transmitter may be any desired conventional infrared signal transmitter, and the device&#39;s receiver may be any desired conventional infrared signal receiver. Likewise, the controller  14  may include any desired conventional infrared generator. 
         [0028]    Other embodiments are possible. For example, a controller  14  may trigger a device  20  via a signal whose frequency is greater than or less than an infrared signal&#39;s frequency, such as a radio signal. In such embodiments, the device  20  is configured to receive a radio signal and convert the signal into an electrical signal. A radio signal may be desired when one wants to trigger a device  20  while the controller  14  is hidden from the device  20 , or does not lie in a line of sight with the device  20 . 
         [0029]    Still referring to  FIG. 3 , the controller  14  includes an interface  19  that allows one to direct the controller&#39;s communication with a device  20 . For example, in this and other embodiments, the interface  19  includes a power switch  17  to power on or off the controller&#39;s infrared generator and transmitter, and three detonator buttons  16   a - 16   c  to cause the controller&#39;s infrared transmitter to transmit an infrared signal to the devices  20 . When the power switch  17  is “off”, the switch  17  prevents electricity from powering the infrared generator and transmitter, and thus disables the detonator buttons  16   a - 16   c . When the power switch is “on”, the switch  17  allows electricity to power the infrared generator and transmitter, and thus enables the detonator buttons  16   a - 16   c . To trigger a device  20 , one first turns the switch  17  to an “on” position to enable the appropriate detonator button  16   a,    16   b  or  16   c,  then one pushes the desired detonator button  16   a,    16   b  or  16   c  to cause the infrared transmitter to transmit an infrared signal toward the device  20 . 
         [0030]    Still referring to  FIG. 3 , the controller  14  may be configured as desired to trigger one or both of the devices  20 . For example, in this and other embodiments, the detonator button  16   a  may be pushed to trigger the device  20  located at the base of the toy structure  12  to accelerate both of the device&#39;s rams  21 . The detonator button  16   b  may be pushed to trigger the device  20  located within the toy structure  12  to accelerate both of the device&#39;s rams  21 . And, the third detonator button  16   c  may be pushed to trigger both devices  20  simultaneously to accelerate their respective rams  21 . 
         [0031]    Other embodiments are possible. For example, a controller  14  may include a detonator button that triggers a device  20  to accelerate one of the device&#39;s two rams  21 , but not the other ram  21 . Additionally or alternatively, the controller  14  may include a detonator button that triggers a device  20  to accelerate the device&#39;s two rams  21 , sequentially. For another example, a controller may include a timer coupled to a device. In such embodiments, one may set the timer to track a desired amount of time. When the desired amount of time expires, the controller  14  triggers the device  20  to accelerate a ram  21  toward a second position. 
         [0032]      FIG. 4  shows a device  40  according to another embodiment of the invention. The device  40  is similar to the device  20  shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , and includes four rams  41  (each shown here in a second position). The device  40  is configured to accelerate each ram  41  in a different respective direction, and each ram  41  includes a square end  42 . 
         [0033]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  show a device  50 , according to another embodiment of the invention. In this and other embodiments, the device  50  includes a balloon  51  that expands in size and contracts in size in response to the amount of liquid (here air) inside the balloon. The device  50  also includes a tube  52  coupled to the balloon to inject liquid into or remove liquid from the balloon.  FIG. 5A  shows the device  50  with the balloon  51  contracted to a first position, and  FIG. 5B  shows the device  50  with the balloon  51  expanded to a second position. 
         [0034]    When the balloon  51  is not inflated, one may position the device  50  adjacent a panel  11  ( FIGS. 1 and 3 ). One may then inject air or any other desired liquid through the tube  52  to inflate the balloon  51  to a second position. As the balloon expands, the balloon contacts and displaces a panel of a toy structure. If the balloon  51  is rapidly inflated, then the balloon&#39;s acceleration toward the second position generates a substantial force against the panel and may cause the panel to launch into an adjacent panel. If the balloon  51  is slowly inflated, then the balloon&#39;s expansion may slowly displace a panel  11 , and allow one to more easily watch the initial collapse of one or more of the toy structure&#39;s panels. In some embodiments, one may inflate the balloon  51  manually by blowing into the tube  52 . In other embodiments, the balloon  51  may be inflated by a pump (not shown) coupled to the tube  52 . In such embodiments, the device may also include a valve (not shown) that a controller opens to trigger the device  50 . When open, the valve allows liquid from the pump to flow through the tube  52  and into the balloon  51 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  shows a device  60 , according to yet another embodiment of the invention. The device  60  is similar to the device  20  shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , and includes a ram  61  that is propelled away from a body  62 , much like a rocket from a launch pad or a cannon ball from cannon. In such embodiments, the second position is any position where the ram  61  finally settles to rest. 
         [0036]      FIG. 7  shows two views of a device  70 , according to another embodiment of the invention. The device  70  is similar to the device  20  shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , and includes a ram  71  that may pivot relative to a base  72  to allow one to change the direction of the ram&#39;s acceleration relative to the position of the device  70 . For example, one may position the device  70  adjacent a panel ( 11  in  FIGS. 1 and 3 ) and direct the ram  71  vertically, or one may direct the ram  71  45 degrees away from vertical. The ram  71  also extends telescopically away from the base  72  when the device  70  is triggered to allow the second position to be further away from the ram&#39;s first position than the height of the device  70  when the ram is set in the first position. This allows one to experiment with different demolition conditions. For example, one may position the device  70  adjacent the first floor of a toy structure, and accelerate the ram  71  toward a second position located at a panel on the second or third floor of the toy structure. 
         [0037]      FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of a controller  80  coupled with a device  82  by a wire  84 , according to another embodiment of the invention. The device  80  is similar to the device  20  shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , and includes a ram  86  (four shown here) that moves from a first position to a second position and then back to the first position when the controller  80  triggers the device  82 . This movement between the first and second positions in the direction shown by the arrows  88 , is done quickly to cause the rams  86  to vibrate. 
         [0038]    The device  82  may be configured as desired to cause the rams  86  to vibrate. For example, in this and other embodiments, the device  82  includes a cam (not shown) coupled to a respective one of the rams  86 . When the device  80  is triggered, the cam rotates causing the ram  86  to move from the first position to the second position and then back to the first position, repeatedly. 
         [0039]    Still referring to  FIG. 8 , in this and other embodiments, the controller  80  includes a rheostat  83  that allows one to modify the amount of electric current sent from the controller  80  to the device  82 , when the controller  80  triggers the device  82 , to modify the frequency, the amplitude, or both, of the ram&#39;s vibration. For example, increasing the amount of current to the device  82  causes the cam of the device to rotate faster, thus increasing the frequency of the ram&#39;s vibration. Similarly, decreasing the amount of current to the device  82 , causes the cam to rotate slower, thus decreasing the frequency of the ram&#39;s vibration. One may also use the rheostat  83  to turn the electric current off to stop the rotation of the cam, and thus stop the vibration of the rams  86 . 
         [0040]    Other embodiments are possible. For example, the controller  80  may include a rheostat  83  that can modify the amount of current to any of the rams  86  without modifying the amount of current to the remaining rams  86  to allow one to modify the vibration of the device  82  as a whole. 
         [0041]    The preceding discussion is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. Various modifications to the embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.