Patent Publication Number: US-2017368465-A1

Title: Modular toy assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates generally to a modular toy assembly and apparatus and more specifically to a modular toy assembly and apparatus with interchangeable sliding play modules for children. 
     Many children, particularly toddlers, find it difficult to remain idle for long periods of time. Even activities such as feeding a child may fail to fully engage the child for the entirety of the meal duration. As an example, a child may become impatient halfway through the meal, and once disengaged, the child will overturn his or her plate and splatter his or her meal on the table or floor causing a mother or other child caregiver to spend time and effort cleaning up the mess. Of course, the food is wasted and cannot be fed to the child. Likewise, a child may become impatient while sitting in a shopping cart, car seat or stroller for too long. 
     It is within the aforementioned context that a need for the present disclosure has arisen. Thus, there is a need to address one or more disadvantages of conventional systems and methods, and the present disclosure meets this need. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Various aspects of a modular toy assembly can be found in exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     A modular toy assembly entertains a child through use of interchangeable play modules where each of the interchangeable play modules may slide along an axis of a module support shaft while also being restricted from rotation about the module support shaft. The modular toy assembly can also fasten (detachably) to a variety of surfaces. 
     In a first embodiment, a modular toy assembly includes one or more play modules that are slidable. The sliding play modules are defined by a channel extending through each slidable play module. Each channel has at least one flat inner side that permits sliding of each sliding play module but that prevents rotation of the slidable play module. 
     The modular toy assembly further includes a module support shaft that extends through each channel of the sliding play modules. The module support shaft may hold one or more of the sliding play modules. The module support shaft has at least one flat outer side extending from a proximal end to a distal end. The module support shaft also has a cross-sectional shape corresponding to that of each channel of the slidable play module. 
     In this manner, each channel and the module support shaft are mated as the module support shaft is passed through each channel of the slidable play module. Further, the slidable play module slides on the module support shaft but is restricted from rotation around an axis of the module support shaft. The module support shaft also includes a proximal end and a distal end with each end having at least one flange. 
     In one version of the modular toy assembly, a pair of side mounts is featured. In another equally important version of the modular toy assembly, a new travel adaptor/Velcro attachment function is featured. The pair of side mounts includes a first side mount and a second side mount that are spaced apart from each other. The first side mount and the proximal end of the module support shaft are detachably coupled. The second side mount and the distal end of the module support shaft are detachably coupled. In this manner, the plurality of sliding play modules is retained on the module support shaft thereon. 
     The pair of side mounts further comprises a plurality of shaft holes extending along the length of the pair of side mounts. The shaft holes are shaped to enable mating with at least one flange that defines the proximal end and the distal end of the module support shaft. Further, the side mounts comprise a mount end disposed proximally to a mounting surface, and a free end disposed distally from the surface. 
     The modular toy assembly further includes a leg for attaching the assembly to a surface. A second leg may also be used to further stabilize the modular toy assembly on the surface. The leg and second leg may include a clamp or clamps for adjustable and detachable attachment to the surface. A hook and loop fastener may also be used for attaching the modular toy assembly to the surface. 
     A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present disclosure herein may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification and the attached drawings. Further features and advantages of the present disclosure, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present disclosure, are described in detail below with respect to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates a perspective view of a modular toy assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates a brief operation of the sliding play modules and the modular toy assembly  100  of  FIG. 1  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates a front view of a first embodiment of a slidable play module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates a front view of a second embodiment of a slidable play module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2C  illustrates a side view of the play module illustrated in  FIG. 2B  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of module support shafts according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of a pair of side mounts and a pair of module support shafts according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5A  illustrates an alternative module support shaft according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 5B  illustrates an alternative module support shaft according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates leg clamps on a mounting surface according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an alternate modular toy assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the disclosure will be described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the disclosure to these embodiments. On the contrary, the disclosure is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present disclosure, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail as to not unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates modular toy assembly  100  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     In  FIG. 1A , in one embodiment, users might employ modular toy assembly  100  for entertaining, educating and engaging children for long durations of time. Preferably, modular toy assembly  100  is molded from a polymeric material although other comparable materials including metals, resins, wood, etc. that are consistent with the spirit and scope of the present disclosure may be utilized. 
     As shown, modular toy assembly  100  includes one or more of sliding play module  102 A, sliding play module  102 B, sliding play module  102 C and sliding play module  102 D, each providing a tactile, visual, and/or audible media that can facilitate interactive engagement with children of all ages. 
     Here, although four sliding play modules  102 A,  102 B,  102 C and  102 D are shown, one skilled in the art will realize that fewer or more play modules may be utilized consistent with the spirit and scope of the present specification. A variety of sliding play modules could be developed, each designated to engage children at different stages of development. Operation of the sliding play modules and modular toy assembly  100  is briefly described with reference to  FIG. 1B  below. 
       FIG. 1B  illustrates a brief operation of sliding play modules  102 A,  102 B,  102 C,  102 D and modular toy assembly  100  of  FIG. 1  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     In  FIG. 1B , in operation, sliding play modules  102 A,  102 B,  102 C and  102 D are slid over module support shafts  104 A and  104 B (of  FIG. 3 ) as shown by the arrows. A first side mount  108 A and a second side mount  108 B then engage the ends of module support shafts  104 A and  104 B. In this manner, sliding play modules  102 A,  102 B,  102 C and  102 D are locked into place and can freely slide on module support shafts  104 A,  104 B without falling off. 
     A first clamp  112 A is then used to attach the first side mount  108 A to a table (or other similar type surfaces). A second clamp  112 B is also used to attach the second side mount  108 B to the table. A user such as a child can then employ modular toy assembly  100  for entertainment, engagement, education, etc. consistent with the principles of the present disclosure. A further description of the sliding play modules will now be provided with reference to  FIG. 2A, 2B and 2C  below. 
       FIG. 2A  illustrates sliding play module  102 A of modular toy assembly  100 .  FIG. 2B  also illustrates another sliding play module  102 B according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. It is noted that the descriptions herein for sliding play modules  102 A and  102 B are also applicable to sliding play modules also applicable to sliding play modules  102 C and  102 D, as well as any other sliding play modules developed for use. 
     In  FIGS. 2A and 2B , each sliding play module  102 A and  102 B includes two portions that are detachably coupled to each other. Specifically, a primary portion  202  that is generally block-shaped is detachably engaged to a secondary portion  204 . By “detachably engaged,” it is meant that the portions  202  and  204  are not permanently attached and one portion can easily be removed and reattached to its corresponding portion. 
     As shown, primary portion  202  is the main component that remains stable on a shaft and cannot be rotated on its axis. Primary portion  202  might include visually engaging shapes or designs such squares, circles, triangles, hexagons, etc. Each of the designs may be brightly colored primary or secondary colors including red, yellow, green, blue and other such attractive colors. The dimensions of each sliding play module  102 A,  102 B may vary depending upon the size of the desired modular toy assembly  100 . 
     Secondary portion  204  attaches to and hangs below primary portion  202  to provide additional tactile and visual engagement. It might include spring-like element  206  that can promote dangling. Various shapes/designs  208  may also be attached to said spring-like element  206 . For example, shapes/designs  208  might be triangular, circular, key-shaped, star-shaped, etc. 
     Although not shown, sliding play modules  102 A and  102 B may include, without limitation, elements such as beads, knobs, letters and numbers, springs, figurines, etc., so long as such elements are modular and interchangeable. As will be discussed with reference to  FIG. 2C , sliding play modules  102 A and  102 B include a central channel that facilitates sliding of the play modules. 
       FIG. 2C  shows a lateral/side plan view of primary portion  202  of sliding play module  102 A (or  102 B) according to one embodiment of this specification. 
     In  FIG. 2C , primary portion  202  includes a channel  122  extending through each sliding play module  102 A,  102 B (and  102 C and  102 D). It is this channel  122  that engages module support shafts  104 A,  104 B when sliding play modules  102 A,  102 B,  102 C and  102 D are slid on module support shafts in  FIG. 1B . 
     Channel  122  is hexagonal-shaped and is sized and dimensioned to receive a corresponding hexagonal-shaped module support shaft  104 A (of  FIGS. 1 and 3 ). In some embodiments, the shape of channel  122  may be, without limitation, triangular, semicircular, square, rectangular or other shapes consistent with the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. 
     Each channel  122  has at least one flat inner side  210  that permits sliding of each sliding play module  102 A/ 102 B but prevents rotation of the sliding play module on its axis. Specifically, as implied by its name, flat inner side  210  is flat and prevents rotation of primary portion  202  in the CW (clockwise) direction and also prevents rotation in the CCW (counter clockwise) direction. However, primary portion  202  is free to slide to and fro on module support shaft  104 A—which is further illustrated in  FIG. 3  below. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates module support shafts  104 A and  104 B according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     In  FIG. 3 , module support shaft  104 A is shown as being generally elongated, extending from a proximal male end  106 A to a distal male end  106 B. Similarly, module support shaft  104 B is generally elongated, extending from a proximal to distal end. Hereinafter, all further references to module support shaft  104 A are also applicable to module support shaft  104 B. 
     Module support shaft  104 A is sized and dimensioned for insertion through each channel  122  of the sliding play modules  102 A,  102 B,  102 C and  102 D, holding the sliding play modules  102 A,  102 B,  102 C and  102 D in position for viewing and manipulation. Those skilled in the art will recognize that inhibiting CW or CCW rotation of sliding play modules  102 A,  102 B,  102 C and  102 D will maintain the sliding play modules in a non-rotational position so that various components thereon may be manipulated easily. 
     Module support shaft  104 A has one or more flat outer surfaces  118 . It is this flat outer surface  118  that engages the flat inner side  210  (see  FIG. 2C ) to prevent either clockwise or counter clockwise rotation of primary portion  202  (see  FIG. 2C ). Module support shaft  104 A also has a cross-sectional shape corresponding to that of each channel  122  of the sliding play module  102 A. The shape of the outer surface of module support shaft  104 A may include, without limitation, a triangular shape, a semicircular shape, a hexagonal shape, a square shape, a rectangular shape, etc. 
     Thus, by having substantially the same shape, the channel  122  and the module support shaft  104 A are mated as module support shaft  104 A is passed through each channel  122  of sliding play module  102 A,  102 B,  102 C and  102 D. This mating arrangement enables the sliding play module to easily slide along an axis  120  of the module support shaft  104 A. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the second module support shaft  104 B can be used for additional sliding play modules  102 C (see  FIG. 1A ) and  102 D. Second module support shaft  104 B may be disposed in a stacked, parallel arrangement with module support shaft  104 A described above. This scalability increases the capacity of modular toy assembly  100  to support additional sliding play modules. In other embodiments, three or more module support shafts may be attached to respective side mounts  108 A,  108 B to add additional sliding play modules. 
     In  FIG. 3 , proximal male end  106 A and distal male end  106 B of module support shafts  104 A and  104 B have one or more tabs  114 A/ 114 B. A different system of promoting the same outcome may be employed. Tabs  114 A/ 114 B are elongated and separated by slots that extend from the perimeter of the proximal and distal male ends  106   a  and  106   b.  As described below, tabs  114 A and  114 B permit mating and detachment between module support shafts  104 A and  104 B on the one hand and the first and second side mounts  108 A and  108 B (described with reference to  FIG. 4  below), and thus provide interchangeability of the sliding play modules. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates first and second side mounts  108 A and  108 B according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     In  FIG. 4 , modular toy assembly  100  includes a pair of oppositely disposed side mounts for holding module support shafts  104 A and  104 B of  FIG. 3 . Here, the side mounts are a first side mount  108 A and a second side mount  108 B that are open-faced and are spaced out and oppositely disposed from each other. A different system of promoting the same outcome may be employed (e.g., a design to provide multiple levels/positions for support shafts). 
     The spacing between each of first and second side mounts  108 A and  108 B is dependent upon the length of the module support shafts  104 A and  104 B. The longer the module support shafts, the wider the spacing between the first and the second side mounts  104 A and  104 B. The open-face configuration of the side mounts facilitates recognition of side mounts that pair up with each other and also facilitates quick mounting of the module support shafts  104 A and  104 B. 
     In  FIG. 4 , first and second side mounts  108 A and  108 B are generally of equal height and dimension, serving to balance each other for support of the modular toy assembly  100 . The height and dimensions may also vary depending upon the particular application. For example, the height of the side mounts for floor mounted embodiments is generally higher than that for table mounted embodiments. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4  and as previously noted, first and second side mounts  108 A and  108 B are open-faced; the mounts also display a plurality of female shaft flanges  116 A extending along the length of the pair of side mounts  108 A and  108 B. It is this plurality of female shaft flanges  116 A and  116 B that mate with corresponding proximal male end  106 A and distal male end  106 B of  FIG. 3 . 
     Specifically, female shaft flange  116 A and proximal male end  106 A ( FIG. 3 ) are mated and are secured therein by tab  114 A while female shaft flange  116 B and distal male end  106 B are mated and secured therein via tab  114 B. As a result, first side mount  108 A and second side mount  108 B are able to support and hold up module support shaft  104 A in an upright and stable position as shown in  FIG. 1A . 
     Female shaft flanges  116 A and  116 B can be any shape corresponding to the oppositely disposed male end of proximal male end  106 A or distal male end  106 B. For example, a female shaft flange may be defined by a generally hexagonal shape that matches a similar hexagonal proximal male end  106 A of module support shaft  104 A. Proximal and distal male ends  106 A and  106 B, which are hexagonal, are in alignment with the hexagonally shaped female shaft flanges although other shapes besides a hexagonal shape may be used. 
     In this manner, the first side mount  108 A and the proximal male end  106 A of the module support shaft  104 A are coupled to each to each other. Similarly, second side mount  108 B and the distal male end  106 B are also coupled to each to each other. The components may also be uncoupled by unlocking tab  114 A or tab  114 B to release the module support shaft from the first and second side mounts. Note that because of the multiple female shaft flanges  116 A and  116 B, the elevation of module support shaft  104 A may be raised or lowered as desired by a user. 
     Moreover, a female travel adapter (not shown) may also be coupled with the proximal and distal male ends of the modular support shafts. In one embodiment, the travel adapter is a hexagonal shaped female receptacle having a closed end and an open end that receives the corresponding hexagonal shaped proximal male end of a modular support shaft which has at least one sliding play module. The distal male end of the modular support shaft may also be inserted in a corresponding hexagonal female receptacle. The closed end might have a strap holder to which a carrying strap is attached to be used in various play environments, including but not limited to, a stroller, shopping cart, high chair, crib, car seat, jumper and airplane. 
       FIG. 5A  illustrates an alternative module support shaft  500  according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     In  FIG. 5A , module support shaft  500  has a triangular cross-sectional area  504  unlike the module support shaft  104 A (or  104 B) of  FIG. 3  that has a hexagonal cross-sectional area. This triangular cross-sectional area of module support shaft  500  is insertable into a corresponding triangular-shaped channel  522  of sliding play module  502 . Triangular-shaped channel  522  has at least one flat inner side  506  that mates with flat side  505  of module support shaft  500  to permit sliding but prevent rotation of each sliding play module  502  around its axis. 
       FIG. 5B  illustrates an alternative module support shaft  508  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     In  FIG. 5B , module support shaft  508  has a semicircular cross-sectional area  512 . This semicircular cross-sectional area is insertable into a corresponding semicircular shaped channel  514  of sliding play module  510 . Semicircular shaped channel  514  has at least one flat inner side  516  that mates with flat side  511  of module support shaft  508  to permit sliding but prevent rotation of each sliding play module  510  around its axis. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates first and second clamps  112 A and  112 B respectively according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     In  FIG. 6 , modular toy assembly  100  (of  FIG. 1A ) includes first clamp  112 A for attaching modular toy assembly  100  onto a surface  120 . A second clamp  112 B may also be used to further stabilize the modular toy assembly on the surface  120 . In some embodiments, surface  120  may include, without limitation, a high chair, a dining table, a crib, a child car seat, etc. Other surface types may include walls or flooring, etc., for which a hook and loop attachment is employed. 
     Therefore, first clamp  112 A and second clamp  112 B enable the user to attach modular toy assembly  100  to the surface from various angles and orientations while resisting removal or dislodgment by children. In other embodiments, different fastening mechanisms may be employed to attach first clamp  112 A and second clamp  112 B including Velcro™ or other hook and loop mechanisms, suction cups, bolts, rings, vices, and friction fit mechanisms and the like. 
     In  FIG. 6 , in one exemplary embodiment, first clamp  112 A and second clamp  112 B employ clamping screws  126 A and  126 B that can be turned clockwise or counterclockwise to selectively engage onto or disengage from surface  120 . The size of the clamp openings can vary depending upon the thickness of surface  120 ; however, each clamp includes a quick release feature that enables quick sliding up and down of clamping screws  126 A and  126 B. 
     In one embodiment, clamping screws  126 A and  126 B selectively engage base blocks  132  that are placed on surface  120 . Base blocks  132  include sliding tracks  136  and multiple flange receptacles  134  that receive the bottom ends  117  ( FIG. 6 ) of first and second side mounts  108 A and  108 B. Sliding tracks  136  are configured to receive the upper clamping surface of first and second clamps  112 A and  112 B. Once inserted into sliding tracks  136 , the upper clamping surface can easily slide in and out of base blocks  132  as desired to either remove or attach first and second clamp  112 A and  112 B to surface  120 . 
     When modular toy assembly  100  is in use, the distance between the user and the assembly may be adjusted depending upon the flange receptacles  134  in which bottom ends  117  ( FIG. 4 ) are inserted. For example, if a user desires additional distance between the user and modular toy assembly  100 , bottom ends  117  are inserted in the flange receptacles  134  that are furthest away from the user. In an alternate embodiment, the bottom ends  117  may be directly attached to the top of clamping screws  126 A and  126 B without flange receptacle  134 . In yet another embodiment, first and second clamps  112 A and  112 B are not employed. Rather, a hook and loop fastener may be used for attaching the modular toy assembly  100  to the surface  120 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an alternate modular toy assembly  700  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     In  FIG. 7 , modular toy assembly  700  has a single modular support shaft  704  unlike the embodiment of  FIG. 1A  that includes a plurality of modular support shafts for holding sliding play modules. Here, this single modular support shaft  704  holds two sliding play modules  702 A and  702 B that are slidable but not rotatable on modular support shaft  704 . Sliding play modules  702 A and  702 B are further retained in place on modular support shaft  704  by two detachably coupled side arms  706 A and  706 B. 
     Here, side arm  706 A is detachably coupled to end  708 A while side arm  706 B is detachably coupled to end  708 B. Side arm  706 A is similarly detachably coupled to end  710 A of bottom shaft  712  while side arm  706 B is detachably coupled to end  710 B. In this manner, side arm  706 A and side arm  706 B can be detached from modular support shaft  704  and bottom shaft  712  in order to insert sliding play modules  702 A and  702 B after which the side arms are reattached to modular support shaft  704  and the ends of bottom shaft  712 . 
     Further, unlike the embodiment of  FIG. 1A  that has two side mounts, modular toy assembly  700  includes a single leg  708  having an upper end  718  that is fixedly coupled to bottom shaft  712 , said single leg  708  having a lower end  719  that is coupled to a base  722 . Therefore, one of ordinary skill in the art will be cognizant that a single leg rather than multiple side mounts may be used for modular toy assembly. 
     In  FIG. 7 , base  722  is itself attached to surface  720  by using a hook and loop fastener  721 . The resilient characteristics of the hook and loop fastener  721  may provide greater mounting options for the modular toy assembly. In alternative embodiments, fastening members such as cables, magnets, and screws may be used to attach modular toy assembly  100  to surface  120 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1A , modular toy assembly  100  is especially effective in entertaining a child through use of multiple, interchangeable and sliding play modules  102 A,  102 B,  102 C and  102 D. Sliding play modules  102 A,  102 B,  102 C and  102 D slide along module support shafts  104 A/ 104 B while also being restricted from rotation about the axis of the module support shafts. Sliding play modules  102 A,  102 B,  102 C and  102 D are interchangeable through detachment of proximal male end  106 A or distal male end  106 B from a similarly shaped and dimensioned female shaft flange  116 A or  116 B. Modular toy assembly  100  also detachably fastens to a variety of surfaces  120 . 
     Sliding play module  102 A may be interchanged in a series of simple steps comprising: detaching the proximal male end  106 A from first side mount  108 A. Specifically, proximal male end  106 A is first detached from female shaft flange  116 A of first side mount  108 A. Next, sliding play module  102 A is slid out over the free proximal end  106 A to remove sliding play module  102 A. Thereafter, another sliding play module  102 B is slid on the free proximal end  106 A after which proximal male end  106 A and female shaft flange  116 A of first side mount  108 A are reengaged to lock sliding play module  102 B in place. 
     While the above is a complete description of exemplary specific embodiments of the disclosure, additional embodiments are also possible. Thus, the above description should not be taken as limiting the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.