Patent Publication Number: US-2006014472-A1

Title: Playset having removable drive/audio module

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention is directed to a playset and, more particularly, to a playset or other toy having a moveable component driven by a removable drive module having a “try me” audio mode.  
      Playsets and other toys having audio features are generally known the art. In some applications, for purposes of display, the playset or other toy may include an audio feature commonly referred to as a “try me” mode. Such a “try me” audio feature attracts potential purchasers and/or users to the toy when the toy is on display in a retail environment, thus potentially increasing sales of the toy. Many of these toys are battery powered and therefore, in certain circumstances, battery life may become an issue.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      In one aspect, a playset for use with a play figure includes a base having a receiving area, at least one turntable rotatably mounted to the base, a drive train operatively coupled to the turntable and having a drive input, a module, and an actuator. The module includes a first electrical circuit and a second electrical circuit, the first and second electrical circuits arranged for connection to a power source, with the first electrical circuit operatively coupled to a sound generator, and with the second electrical circuit including a drive motor operatively coupled to a drive output. The actuator is mounted to the module and is arranged to activate both the first electrical circuit and the second electrical circuit. The module is shiftable between a first position in which the module is separated from the receiving area and a second position in which the module is disposed in the receiving area, the drive output of the module operatively engaging the drive input of the drive train when the module is disposed in the second position.  
      In further accordance with a preferred embodiment, the base includes a plurality of turntables, and the drive train operatively connects each of the plurality of turntables to the drive input. The drive input may be connected to the turntable by a drive belt, and each of the turntables may be connected to an adjacent one of the turntables by a drive belt. One or more play structures may be mounted to the base. At least one of the play structures may include a figure mounted on a pivot and having a leg, with the leg sized to engage a lever, and with the lever positioned on the base to respond to rotation of the turntable such that rotation of the turntable causes the figure to rotate on the pivot.  
      In the disclosed example, rotation or driving of the drive output by itself comprises or presents a first driving load, and rotation or driving of the drive input, the drivetrain and the turntable together comprise a second driving load greater than the first driving load. Preferably, a battery power source is removably disposed in the module and has a first battery life when exposed to the first driving load and has a second battery life when exposed to the second driving load. The module may be secured to the base by a releasable snap fit connection, and the play structure may be secured to the base by a releasable snap fit connection. An auxiliary structure may be provided that is releasably attached to either or both of the base and the play structure by snap fit connections.  
      The sound generator preferably is arranged to produce a plurality of sound modes in response to operation of the actuator. Further, the module may include a pair of actuators arranged to activate both the first electrical circuit and the second electrical circuit, and the base may include a button operatively coupled to a first one of the actuators by a linkage, whereby the first actuator is responsive to actuation of the button. The linkage may comprise a link rod and a button, a first end of the link rod engaging the button such that a second end of the link rod activates the actuator of the module in response to movement of the button.  
      In another aspect, a playset for use with a play figure comprises a base having a receiving area, a plurality of turntables rotatably mounted to the base, at least one drive belt operatively coupled to the turntables and having a drive input, a module including a first electrical circuit and a second electrical circuit, the first and second electrical circuits arranged for connection to a power source, the first electrical circuit operatively coupled to a sound generator, and with the second electrical circuit including a drive motor operatively coupled to a drive output. An actuator is mounted to the module and is arranged to activate both the first electrical circuit and the second electrical circuit. Movement of only the drive output comprises a first load, and movement of the drive output, the drive input, the drivetrain and the turntables together comprise a second load, the second load greater than the first driving load. The module is shiftable between a first position in which the module is separated from the receiving area and a second position in which the module is disposed in the receiving area, with the drive output of the module operatively engaging the drive input of the drive train when the module is disposed in the second position.  
      In still further aspect, a playset for use with a play figure includes a base having a receiving area, first and second turntables rotatably mounted to the base, a drive input, a first drive belt operatively coupling the drive input and the first turntable, a second drive belt operatively coupling the first turntable to the second turntable, a module including a first electrical circuit and a second electrical circuit, the first and second electrical circuits arranged for connection to a power source, with the first electrical circuit operatively coupled to a sound generator, and with the second electrical circuit including a drive motor operatively coupled to a drive output. An actuator is mounted to the module and is arranged to activate both the first electrical circuit and the second electrical circuit. Movement of only the drive output comprises a first load, and the movement of the drive output, the drive input, and the turntables together comprising a second load, the second load greater than the first driving load. The module may be shiftable between a first position in which the module is separated from the receiving area and a second position in which the module is disposed in the receiving area, the drive output of the module operatively engaging the drive input when the module is disposed in the second position. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a playset assembled in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a front elevational view thereof;  
       FIG. 3  is a rear elevational view thereof;  
       FIG. 4  is an exploded view in perspective taken from the rear side and illustrating the superstructure and the drive/audio module removed from the base;  
       FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the base;  
       FIG. 6  is a bottom plan view of the base partly in cutaway;  
       FIG. 7  is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6  and illustrating the connection between the base mounted actuator button and the drive/audio module;  
       FIG. 7A  is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 7  and illustrating the actuator button of the base depressed so as to actuate the drive/audio module;  
       FIG. 8  is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 6  and illustrating part of the driving connection between the drive/audio module and the turntables;  
       FIG. 8A  is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view of the circumscribed portion of  FIG. 8  and illustrating the connection between the output of the drive/audio module and the input of the drivetrain;  
       FIG. 8B  is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of the circumscribed portion of  FIG. 8  and illustrating one of the turntables pivotally mounted within the base;  
       FIG. 9  is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 6  and illustrating the connection between one of the turntables and another moving component such as a play figure;  
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  are fragmentary schematic views illustrating the operative connection between a pivoting moving figure and one of the rotating components such as a turntable;  
       FIG. 10  is an enlarged view in perspective of the drive/audio module;  
       FIG. 11  is an elevational view, partly in section, of the drive/audio module of  FIG. 10 ;  
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of exemplary packaging permitting the drive/audio module to be viewable;  
       FIG. 13  is an enlarged fragmentary view in perspective of a transparent packaging shield for placement over the drive/audio module and showing a play figure disposed on the module;  
       FIG. 14  is another enlarged fragmentary view in perspective similar to  FIG. 13 ;  
       FIG. 15  is an enlarged fragmentary view in perspective of the module being placed into the packaging; and  
       FIG. 16  is an enlarged fragmentary view in perspective illustrating one manner by which the drive/audio module may be activated while the playset is disposed in the packaging. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 4  of the drawings, a playset for use with a play figure and assembled in accordance with the teachings of the disclosed example of the present invention is shown and is generally referred to by the reference numeral  20 . The playset  20  includes a base  22 , a plurality of rotating turntables  24   a ,  24   b  and  24   c , a drivetrain  26  (the details of which are more clearly visible in, for example,  FIGS. 5-6 ), a drive/audio module  28 , and an actuator  30  (visible in  FIG. 4 ) mounted to the module  28 . Additional or fewer rotating turntables may be provided as desired.  
      As can be seen when viewing  FIG. 4 , the base  22  includes a receiving area  32 , and the module  28  is shiftable between a first position in which the module  28  is spaced away from the receiving area  32 , and a second position in which the module  28  is releasably secured to base  22  in the receiving area  32 .  
      The playset  20  preferably includes one or more play structures removably mounted to the base  22 . In accordance with the disclosed example, the playset  20  includes a building  34  having an auxiliary slide  36 . Additional or fewer play structures may be provided as desired. In further accordance with the disclosed example, the building  34  may take the form of houses or other structures having one or more doors, balconies, windows, etc. The building  34  includes a lower part  34   a  and an upper part  34   b , while the slide  36  includes a lower part  36   a  and an upper part  36   b.    
      As shown in  FIG. 4 , the building  34  preferably is secured to the base  22  by a snap fit connection  35 . In the disclosed example, the snap fit connection  35  includes one or more tabs  35   a  provided on the lower part  34   a  of the building and one or more corresponding slots  35   b  provided on the base  22 . The tabs  35   a  may be frictionally received in the slots  35   b , or the tabs  35   a  may be provided with a retaining barb. Other connections including other forms of snap fit connections may be provided and, in accordance with the disclosed example, the playset  20  may be shipped, displayed, moved, or stored with the building detached from the base  22  as desired.  
      Preferably, and referring to  FIG. 3 , the lower part  36   a  of the slide  36  may be releasably attached to the base  22  by a snap fit connection  38  having, in the disclosed example, a tab  38   a  disposed in a slot  38   b . Similarly, the upper part  36   b  of the slide  36  may be releasably attached to upper part  34   b  of the building  34  by a snap fit connection  40  having, in the disclosed example, a tab  40   a  disposed in a slot  40   b . In the disclosed example, the snap fit connection  38  and the snap fit connection  40  may each take the form of the tab-in-slot structure shown, which may be of the type commonly employed in the assembly of plastic components, and may be similar to the connection  35  described above such that the playset  20  may be shipped, displayed, moved, or stored with the slide detached from the base  22  and/or from the building  34  as desired. Other forms of connection may prove suitable as well.  
      In the disclosed example, the playset  20  may be used with one or more toy figurines or play  FIGS. 42 , with three such play FIGS.  42  being shown in each of  FIGS. 1-3 . Further, the play FIGS.  42  may take the form all of play figures commercially available under the WEEBLES® name. Other play figures may prove suitable for use with the present playset  20 . The playset  20  may also be provided with a play  FIG. 44  mounted to the building  34  by a pivot  46  and having a leg  48  that extends into the base  22  through an aperture  48   a.    
      Referring again to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , and it will be noted that, in the disclosed example, the turntables  24   a ,  24   b  and  24   c  rotate in the directions generally indicated by the reference arrows A, B, and C, respectively. Other direction may be chosen for one or more of the turntables depending on the configuration of the drive train  26 .  
      Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the module  28  is shown removed from the receiving area  32  of the base  22 . The module  28  includes a drive output  50  (visible in dotted lines in  FIG. 4  which, when the module  28  is positioned in the receiving area  32 , will be aligned with a drive input  52  disposed in the receiving area  32 . In the disclosed example, the drive output  50  is a hacks shaped staff driven by a drive motor contained within the module  28 . The drive input  52  includes a hex-shaped aperture  53  sized to receive the hex-shaped shaft of the drive output  50 . Rotation of the drive the input  52  will be transferred to the drive train  26  and hence to the turntables  24   a ,  24   b  and  24   c  as will be explained in greater detail below.  
      As shown in  FIG. 4 , the receiving area  32  of the base  22  includes four walls  54   a ,  54   b ,  54   c , and  54   d , which are spaced apart so as to generally correspond to the dimensions of the module  28 . The receiving area  32  also includes one or more frictional retaining tabs  56  which served to engage the module  28  so as to retain the module releasably retain the module  28  in the receiving area  32 . The tabs  56  may be located on opposite walls, such as the walls  54   a  and  54   c  or, for example, on all four walls  54   a - 54   d . The retaining tabs  56  may include a barb  56   a  sized to engage a corresponding slot  56   b  on the module  28 . Other connections for securing the module  28  in the receiving area  32  may prove suitable. Other forms of connection may prove suitable as well. Accordingly, the playset  20  may be shipped, displayed, moved, or stored with the module  28  detached from the receiving area of the base  22  as desired. Further, the module  28  may be conveniently held in place in suitable packaging (shown in  FIGS. 12-16 ) when the playset  20  is on retail display with the module  28  removed from the receiving area  32 .  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , each of the turntables  24   a ,  24   b  and  24   c  is mounted to the base  22  so as to pivot about a pivot point  58   a ,  58   b  and  58   c , respectively. The turntable  24   a  includes a pulley  60 , while the turntables  24   b  and  24   c  each include a pulley  62  and  64 , respectively. The drive input  52  includes a drive pulley  66  which is connected to the pulley  64  by a drive belt  68 . The pulley  64  is connected to the pulley  62  by a drive belt  70 , while the pulley  62  is connected to the pulley  60  by a drive belt  72 . The drive belts  68 ,  70  and  72  are preferably rubber drive belts. It will be understood that, upon rotation of the drive input  52 , each of the turntables  24 ,  24  and  24  will rotate in the directions indicated by the reference arrows A, B, and C, respectively. Thus, in the disclosed example, the drive train  26  includes the drive input  52 , the drive belts  68 ,  70 , and  72 , and the associated pulleys  60 ,  62 ,  64  and  66 . It will be appreciated that other mechanisms may prove suitable for transferring movement or rotation of the drive input  52  to the various turntables  24   a ,  24   b  and  24   c.    
      As can be seen in  FIGS. 6, 9 ,  9 A and  9 B, the turntable  24   b  include an eccentricity  74 , which engages a lever  76  mounted to the base  22  by a pivot  78 . The lever  76  includes a first end  76   a  positioned to abut the eccentricity  74 , and a second end  76   b  positioned to abut the leg  48  (of the play  FIG. 44 ) that extends through the aperture  48   a . Consequently, repeated contact between the first end  76   a  of the lever  76  and the eccentricity  74  will cause the lever  76  to pivot back-and-forth about the pivot  78  as the turntable  24   b  rotates. This movement of the lever  76  in turn causes the play  FIG. 44  to pivot back-and-forth about the pivot  46  as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 9 ,  9 A and  9 B, due to contact between the end  76   b  of the lever and the leg  48  of the play  FIG. 44 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 9 , the pulley  62  of the turntable  24   b  includes an upper pulley  62   a  and a lower pulley  62   b . The upper pulley  62   a  is connected to the drive belt  70  that extends to the pulley  64  at the turntable  24   c , while the lower puller  62   b  is connected to the drive belt  72  that extends to the pulley  60  of the turntable  24   a.    
      Referring to  FIGS. 8, 8A  and  8 B, the pulley  64  of the turntable  24   c  is shown. The pulley  64  includes an upper pulley  64 a and a lower pulley  64   b . The lower pulley  64   b  is connected to the drive belt  68  that extends to the pulley  66  at the drive input  52 , while the upper pulley  64   b  is connected to the pulley  62  of the turntable  24   b  via the drive belt  70 . As shown in  FIG. 8B , the turntable  24   c  is shown secured to the pulley  64  by a mounting screw  75  which engages an axle  77 . Thus, rotation of the pulley  64  is transferred to the turntable  24   c . In the disclosed example, the pulley  64  rests on a support ring  79 . The turntables  24   a  and  24   b  may be mounted in a similar manner, or all of the turntables  24   a - 24   c  may be mounted for rotation to the base  22  in any suitable manner as would be known in the art.  
      Referring now to  FIG. 7  and  7 A, the module  28  is shown disposed in the receiving area  32  of the base  22 . A button  73  is reciprocally mounted in an aperture  81  of the base  22 , and a spring  83  is positioned to bias the button  73  generally upwardly as shown. A lower part  73   a  of the button  73  includes a camming surface  82 . A link rod  84  includes a pair of ends  84   a  and  84   b , and is mounted to the base  22  by a pair of mounting screws  86  disposed in slots  88  defined in the rod  84 . The end  84   a  of the rod  84  is positioned for contact with the camming surface  82 , while the end  84   b  of the rod  84  is positioned to extend into the receiving area  32 . It will be noted that the module  28  includes a second actuator  90  in addition to the actuator  30  discussed above. The second actuator  90  is, in the disclosed example, positioned in a slight recess  92  to avoid inadvertent activation. The rod  84  is shiftable back and forth along a generally linear path guided by the slots  88  such that the end  84   b  of the rod  84  will depress the actuator  90  in response to pressing the button  76  as shown in  FIG. 7A  when the module  28  is disposed in the receiving area  32 . A spring  89  ( FIG. 6 ) may be provided to bias the rod  84  away from the receiving area  32 .  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the module  28  is shown. The module  28  includes a drive motor  92  operatively connected to the drive output  58  and to a first electrical circuit  94 . The module  30  also includes a sound your sound generator  96  operatively connected to the actuator  30  by a second electrical circuit  98 . The module  28  also includes a power source  100  which, in the disclosed example, is a battery. Other power sources may prove suitable as would be known in the art. The module may include a turntable  99  operatively connected to the drive motor  92  in any suitable manner, such as by direct drive, a drive belt, one or more drive gears, etc.  
      The sound generator  96  may be any electronic or electro-mechanical device capable of outputting desired sound programmed or stored therein. For example, the sound generator  96  may include a controller implemented on a circuit board and containing the control logic and sound generation data implemented via circuitry contained on a conventional printed circuit board, with the control logic and sound generation data being stored directly on the printed circuit board. It should also be appreciated that although the controller may be implemented on a printed circuit board, more complex implementations of the sound generator  96  may be implemented wherein the controller may comprise, among other components, a program memory, a microcontroller or microprocessor (MP), a random-access memory (RAM), read-only member (ROM), and an input/output (I/O) circuit, all of which may be interconnected. It should further be appreciated that the controller may include multiple microprocessors. Similarly, the memory of the controller may include multiple RAMs and multiple program memories depending on the complexity and requirements of a specific implementation. It should also be appreciated that the I/O circuit may include a number of different types of I/O circuits, such as light-generation circuits, sound-generation circuits, and the like. The RAMs, ROMs and program memories may be implemented as semi-conductor memories, magnetically readable memories, and/or optically readable memories, for example. Moreover, the sound generator  96  may include a speaker or other mechanical, or electromechanical device capable of outputting a desired sound in response to signals received from the sound generator  304 . Other configurations of sound generating mechanisms may be used or may prove suitable.  
      In operation, the playset  20  is preferably shipped, stored, and war displayed in a retail environment for sale with the building  34 , the slide  36 , and the module  28  separated from the base  22 . It will be appreciated that, when the module  28  is separated from the receiving area  32 , activation of the actuator  30  will initiate operation of the sound generator and rotation of the drive output  50 . In such a mode, the sounds generated by the sound generator may be used to attract purchasers to the playset  20 . However, it will be appreciated that, even though the drive output  50  will rotate in response to actuation of the actuator  30 , that there is essentially no or very little load on the drive motor and hands on the batteries. Therefore, the battery life will be greatly extended due to the fact that the driving load on the batteries is relatively low.  
      When the module  28  is placed into the receiving area  32  as described above, with the drive output  50  and engagement with the drive input  52 , the drive motor and hence the batteries will be subject to a greater driving load relative to the driving load of the drive output  50  by itself. This is due to the fact that the total driving load experienced by the drive motor now includes rotation of the turntables  24   a - c  and all of the various interconnecting drive belts described above.  
      In use, a user (not shown) may place one of the play FIGS.  42  on the turntables  24   a - 24   c  in any desired manner, and the play FIGS.  42  may, in some circumstances, automatically be transferred from one turntable to an adjacent turntable. Further, the user may place one of the play FIGS.  42  on the slide  36  such that the play figure is transferred from the upper part of the building  34  on to the turntable  24   c . One of the play FIGS.  42  may also be conveniently placed on the turntable of the module  28 .  
      When assembled in accordance with the teachings of disclosed example, the playset  20  includes a “try me” feature when the playset  20  is packaged for retail display. The “try me” feature enables a potential purchaser to actuate the audio circuit and/or the drive circuit for turning the turntable  92  of  FIG. 10 . However, because the drive/audio module may be packaged for retail display spaced apart from the receiving area of the base, the load on any batteries contained within the module when the playset  20  is on display is lessened due to the fact that the module does not engage the drive train of the turntables. Accordingly, battery life may be increased due to the lessened load. Preferably, the actuator of the module may be accessible to a potential purchaser to activate the “try me” mode even while the balance of the product is secured within appropriate packaging of the type commonly employed in the art. Still further, the module, when separate from the base, may include a play figure disposed on the turntable  92  such that the play figure will move when the “try me” mode is activated, preferably in conjunction with the audio circuit. The play figure disposed on the turntable  92  will preferably be covered with, for example, transparent protective packaging.  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 12-16 , in accordance with the disclosed example, the actuator  30  may be accessible when the playset  20  is disposed in packaging  100 . The packaging  100  may take the form of a suitably-sized box  102  having a cutout or window  104 . By providing an internal support  105  ( FIG. 15 ) inside the box  102 , the module  28  may be supported within the interior of the box  102  in a position where the module  28  is visible through the window  104 . Preferably, a play  FIG. 106  is disposed on the turntable  92 , and, still preferably, a transparent shield  108  is provided to protect the play  FIG. 106  while the playset  20  is on display. The shield  108  includes a window  110  sized such that the actuator  30  is accessible while the playset is on display, as is shown in greater detail in  FIG. 16 .  
      It will also be appreciated that the module may be arranged and/or packaged such that the sound generator may be activated in a “try me” mode when the playset is packaged for retail sale. In such a configuration, the drive output of the module may or may not be activated when the “try me” feature is activated by a potential purchaser. The drive output and the electrical circuit associated with the drive output may then be configured for use by the end user in any one of a number of suitable ways. For example, the drive output may become operable upon placing the module in the receiving area as discussed above with respect to the disclosed example. Alternatively, the electrical circuit and/or the actuator of the module may be arranged to operate in two separate and distinct modes, with one mode operating only the sound generator and with the other mode operating the drive output either alone or in conjunction with the sound generator. Further, the drive output may be mechanically engaged or disengaged by the user to reduce the driving load on the power source, or the drive output may be disengaged to reduce the load in other ways such as, for example, electrically disengaged. Further, the play  FIG. 106  may be moved (by virtue of the turntable  92 ) in the “try me” mode, either alone or in conjunction with the sound generator. Also, the module  28  may be suitably arranged such that when the module is activated using the button actuator  30  it is activated for one designated time period, and may further be arranged such that the module is activated for a longer time period when activated using the button actuator  73 . In this fashion, battery life is further preserved when the “try me” mode is activated through the window  104  packaging. Preferably, the module  28  may be provided with a conventional on-off switch as well.  
      Numerous additional modifications and alternative embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. This description is to be construed as illustrative only, and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the invention. The details of the structure and method may be varied substantially without departing from the spirit of the invention, and the exclusive use of all modifications which come within the scope of the appended claims is reserved.