Patent Description:
It is known to construct transformable toy such as those sold under the Bakugan® brand, by Spin Master Ltd. While such toys provide entertainment for a player it would be advantageous to be able to provide a toy that had enhanced capability for additional play value. Document <CIT> discloses a toy capable of transforming in a rotary manner, the toy comprises a toy body and a suction cup. The toy body comprises a housing, a rotation casing provided with a pattern on the surface and a linkage mechanism. When the suction cup is drawn away from the toy body, the housing and the rotation casing move synchronously and the rotation casing rotates. A window is arranged on the housing, so that different patterns on the outer surface can be displayed from the window when the rotation casing rotates, thereby achieving a changing viewing effect.

According to the invention there is provided a transformable toy which includes a first rotary member and a second rotary member. The first and second rotary members are rotatable relative to one another between a first rotary position and a second rotary position, and between the second rotary position and a third rotary position. A barrier is provided and is movable between a blocking position and a release position. In the blocking position, the barrier prevents relative rotation between the first and second rotary members past the second rotary position. In the release position, the barrier permits relative rotation between the first and second rotary members past the second rotary position to the third rotary position. A barrier biasing member is provided and urges the barrier from a first of the blocking and release positions towards a second of the blocking and release positions, and a barrier holder that is movable between a holding position in which the barrier holder holds the barrier in the first of the blocking and release positions and a travel position in which the barrier holder permits movement of the barrier from the first of the blocking and release positions to the second of the blocking and release positions.

Other technical advantages may become readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after review of the following figures and description.

For a better understanding of the embodiment(s) described herein and to show more clearly how the embodiment(s) may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings.

Unless otherwise specifically noted, articles depicted in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the Figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiment or embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described herein. It should be understood at the outset that, although exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the figures and described below, the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or not. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the exemplary implementations and techniques illustrated in the drawings and described below.

Various terms used throughout the present description may be read and understood as follows, unless the context indicates otherwise: "or" as used throughout is inclusive, as though written "and/or"; singular articles and pronouns as used throughout include their plural forms, and vice versa; similarly, gendered pronouns include their counterpart pronouns so that pronouns should not be understood as limiting anything described herein to use, implementation, performance, etc. by a single gender; "exemplary" should be understood as "illustrative" or "exemplifying" and not necessarily as "preferred" over other embodiments. Further definitions for terms may be set out herein; these may apply to prior and subsequent instances of those terms, as will be understood from a reading of the present description. Furthermore, the use of the term "a" or "an" will be understood to denote "at least one" in all instances unless explicitly stated otherwise or unless it would be understood to be obvious that it must mean "one".

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systems, apparatuses, and methods described herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, the components of the systems and apparatuses may be integrated or separated. Moreover, the operations of the systems and apparatuses disclosed herein may be performed by more, fewer, or other components and the methods described may include more, fewer, or other steps. Additionally, steps may be performed in any suitable order. As used in this document, "each" refers to each member of a set or each member of a subset of a set.

Reference is made to <FIG>, which shows a transformable toy <NUM> in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The transformable toy <NUM> is positionable in a first state shown in <FIG>, a second state shown in <FIG>, and a third state shown in <FIG>. In the first state, the transformable toy <NUM> may be rollable on a support surface G shown in <FIG>. Furthermore, the transformable toy <NUM> may be in the form of a rollable character in the first state. In the second state, the transformable toy <NUM> may be in the form of an animal character. In the third state, the transformable toy <NUM> may be in the form of a human character. It will be noted that the transformable toy <NUM> could be in any form in any of the three states and that the three states described above are only non-limiting examples.

The transformable toy <NUM> includes a first rotary member <NUM>, a second rotary member <NUM>, and a projection member <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, the transformable toy <NUM> optionally further includes a main biasing member <NUM>, a helical guide <NUM>, a helical guide follower <NUM>, a barrier <NUM>, a barrier biasing member <NUM>, a latch member <NUM>, and a plurality of flip up appendages 28a, 28b, 30a and 30b. For example, the transformable toy <NUM> could, for example, include the helical guide <NUM> and the helical guide follower <NUM>, but could include none, some or all of the other optional components. The transformable toy <NUM> could, for example, include the barrier <NUM> and the barrier biasing member <NUM>, but could include none, some or all of the other optional components. The transformable toy <NUM> could, for example, include the latch member <NUM>, but could include none, some or all of the other optional components. In another, non-limiting, example, the transformable toy <NUM> could include none of the optional components noted above.

The first and second rotary members <NUM> and <NUM> are rotatable relative to one another (about an axis A) between a first rotary position (<FIG>) and a second rotary position (<FIG>), and optionally may be further rotatable relative to one another between the second rotary position and a third rotary position (<FIG>).

In the embodiment shown, the first rotary member <NUM> is an outer rotary member and the second rotary member <NUM> is an inner rotary member, wherein a portion of the inner rotary member is visible through the outer rotary member. In the example shown, a pass-through aperture <NUM> is provided in the first rotary member <NUM> for this purpose. Alternatively a transparent or semi-transparent window could be provided which permits the second (inner) rotary member <NUM> to be visible through the first (outer) rotary member <NUM>. In other embodiments, the rotary member <NUM> may be considered to the first rotary member and the rotary member <NUM> may be considered to be the second rotary member, in which case the first rotary member <NUM> would be the inner rotary member and the second rotary member <NUM> would be the outer rotary member.

As can be seen in <FIG>, the first rotary member <NUM> includes a first portion 12a, a second portion 12b and a third portion 12c, which are all connected together in any suitable way, such as via mechanical fasteners shown at <NUM>.

The second rotary member <NUM> includes a first portion 14a and a second portion 14b. The second portion 14b of the second rotary member <NUM> and the first portion 14a of the second rotary member <NUM> are rotationally connected to one another by means of a drive arm <NUM> that extends from the second portion 14b of the second rotary member <NUM> and fits in a drive slot <NUM> on the first portion 14a of the second rotary member <NUM>. It will be noted that the drive arm <NUM> and the drive slot <NUM> permits the first and second portions 14a and 14b to be rotationally connected to one another, while permitting relative movement axially between the first and second portions 14a and 14b.

The second rotary member <NUM> may include first indicia <NUM> (<FIG>), and second indicia <NUM> (<FIG>), and may include third indicia <NUM> (<FIG>), in embodiments wherein there is a third rotary position. The first indicia <NUM> may be first facial features representing a first facial expression, and are visible when the first and second rotary members <NUM> and <NUM> are in the first rotary position, as shown in <FIG>. In this example, the first facial features represent a smiling face with its eyes closed. The second indicia <NUM> may be second facial features representing a second facial expression, and are visible when the first and second rotary members <NUM> and <NUM> are in the second rotary position, as shown in <FIG>. In this example, the second indicia may be positioned about <NUM> degrees angularly away from the first indicia <NUM> on the second rotary member <NUM>. In this example, the second facial features represent a smiling animal caricature face with its eyes open. The third indicia <NUM> may be third facial features representing a third facial expression, and are visible when the first and second rotary members <NUM> and <NUM> are in the third rotary position, as shown in <FIG>. In this example, the third facial features represent a smiling person's caricature face with its eyes open.

The main biasing member <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>) is positioned to urge the first and second rotary members <NUM> and <NUM> towards the second rotary position. It will be noted that, in the embodiment shown, in which the first and second rotary members <NUM> and <NUM> are positionable in the third rotary position, the main biasing member <NUM> also may be said to be positioned to urge the first and second rotary members towards the third rotary position. For example, when the first and second rotary members <NUM> and <NUM> are between the first and second rotary positions, the main biasing member <NUM> may be said to be positioned to urge the first and second rotary members towards the second rotary position (or may also be said to urge the rotary members towards the third rotary position).

The main biasing member <NUM> may be, for example, a torsion spring, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, that has a first torsion spring end 17a (<FIG>) that is connected to the first rotary member <NUM> and a second torsion spring end 17b that is connected to the second rotary member <NUM>. More specifically, in the example shown, the first torsion spring end 17a is connected to the third portion 12c of the first rotary member <NUM> by passing through a slot <NUM> therein and the second torsion spring end 17b is connected to the second portion 14b of the second rotary member <NUM> by engagement about a post <NUM> thereon.

The projection member <NUM> is rotationally fixed to the first rotary member <NUM>, and is movable between a retracted position (<FIG>) and an extended position (<FIG>) relative to the first rotary member <NUM>. In embodiments wherein the first and second rotary members <NUM> and <NUM> are movable to a third rotary position, the extended position shown in <FIG> for the projection member <NUM> is a first extended position, and the projection member <NUM> is further movable between the first extended position of <FIG> and a second extended position (<FIG>) relative to the first rotary member <NUM>. As can be seen, in the example shown, the projection member <NUM> extends farther out from the first rotary member <NUM> when in the second extended position, then when it is in the first extended position, and farther out from the first rotary member <NUM> when in the first extended position, then when in the retracted position. For greater certainty, it will be understood that, in the retracted position, the projection member <NUM> need not be retracted completely into the first rotary member <NUM>. For example, in the embodiment shown, some of the projection member <NUM> extends out slightly from the first rotary member <NUM>. In other embodiments, however, it is possible for the projection member <NUM> to be completely retracted within the first rotary member <NUM>, when in the retracted position.

The projection member <NUM> may be made from a plurality of components, including a first portion 16a and a second portion 16b that may be connected together by any suitable way, such as by mechanical fasteners <NUM>. The projection member <NUM> may represent a body of the character whose head is represented by the first and/or second rotary member <NUM> and <NUM>. The first portion 16a may be a front part of the body, while the second portion 16b may be a rear part of the body.

Relative rotation between the first and second rotary members <NUM> and <NUM> between the first and second rotary positions, drives movement of the projection member <NUM> between the retracted and extended positions. If the first and second rotary members <NUM> and <NUM> are movable to the third rotary position, then relative rotation between the first and second rotary members <NUM> and <NUM> between the first and second rotary positions, drives movement of the projection member <NUM> between the first extended and second extended positions.

In embodiments in which the helical guide <NUM> and the helical guide follower <NUM> are provided, such as the embodiment that is shown, the helical guide <NUM> and the helical guide follower <NUM> link relative rotational movement between the first and second rotary members <NUM> and <NUM> with extension and retraction of the projection member <NUM> relative to the first rotary member <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the helical guide <NUM> is connected to one of the second rotary member <NUM> and the projection member <NUM>, and the helical guide follower <NUM> is connected to the projection member <NUM>. In the example embodiment shown, (see <FIG>), the helical guide <NUM> is connected to the second rotary member <NUM> (e.g. to the second portion 14b of the second rotary member <NUM> by means of a mechanical fastener <NUM>) and the helical guide follower <NUM> is a first of two helical guide followers <NUM> (<FIG>), which are connected respectively to the first and second portions 16a and 16b of the projection member <NUM>.

Furthermore, as can be seen in <FIG>, the first rotary member <NUM> (specifically the third portion 12c of the first rotary member <NUM>) may have a linear movement guide <NUM> that includes a follower constraint slot <NUM> for each helical guide follower <NUM> that is provided. In the present embodiment, there are two follower constraint slots <NUM>, each of which constrains one of the two helical guide followers <NUM> to move axially while engaged with the helical guide member <NUM>. The follower constraint slots <NUM> and the helical guide followers <NUM> may be what rotationally fix the projection member <NUM> to the first rotary member <NUM>.

As a result of this arrangement, relative rotation between the first rotary member <NUM> and the second rotary member <NUM> between the first and second rotary positions drives relative rotation between the helical guide <NUM> and the helical guide follower <NUM>, which in turn drives the projection member <NUM> to move between the retracted and extended positions.

The latch member <NUM> is used to hold the transformable toy <NUM> in the first state. The latch member <NUM> is movable between a latching position (<FIG>) and an unlatching position (<FIG>). In the latching position, the latch member <NUM> is engageable with a latching shoulder <NUM> to prevent movement of the projection member <NUM> towards one of the extended and retracted positions. In the unlatching position the latch member <NUM> permits movement of the projection member <NUM> towards the extended position. The latch member <NUM> includes a first magnetically-interactive member <NUM> and is positioned to move to the unlatching position upon approach of the transformable toy <NUM> with a second magnetically-interactive member (shown at <NUM> in <FIG>) that is external to the transformable toy <NUM>. The latch member <NUM> further includes a hook portion <NUM> that is engageable with the latching shoulder <NUM>.

A magnetically-interactive member (such as the first and second magnetically-interactive members <NUM> and <NUM>) is a member that is caused to move in the presence of a magnet. Thus, a magnetically-interactive member could be a piece of ferromagnetic material, or for example, it could be a magnet itself. It will be understood that at least one of the first and second magnetically-interactive members <NUM> and <NUM> would be a magnet, while the other of the first and second magnetically-interactive members <NUM> and <NUM> may be a magnet, or may be an object that interacts with a magnet, such as a ferromagnetic member. In the example shown, the first magnetically-interactive member <NUM> is a magnet, and the second magnetically-interactive member <NUM> is a piece of ferromagnetic material, such as steel, that is embedded in a platform member <NUM> whose upper surface is the support surface G.

In order to hold the transformable toy <NUM> in the first position, the latch member <NUM> and the latching shoulder <NUM> may be provided on any suitable combination of elements. For example, in the embodiment shown, the latch member <NUM> is connected to the projection member <NUM>, and the latching shoulder <NUM> is connected to the first rotary member <NUM> (specifically to the linear movement guide <NUM>). In another embodiment, the latch member <NUM> may be connected to the first rotary member <NUM>, and the latching shoulder <NUM> may be connected to the second rotary member <NUM> in order to prevent relative rotation therebetween. In yet another embodiment, the latch member <NUM> may be connected to the second rotary member <NUM>, and the latching shoulder <NUM> may be connected to the projection member <NUM> in order to prevent relative linear movement therebetween. Since the movement between the first rotary member <NUM>, the second rotary member <NUM> and the projection member <NUM> are all interconnected, the latch member <NUM> and the latching shoulder <NUM> may be provided on any combination of two of these three elements.

The latch member <NUM> may be pivotably connected (e.g. via a pin joint <NUM>) to whatever component it is connected to (e.g. the projection member), so as to be pivotably movable between the latching and unlatching positions.

In the embodiment shown, when the projection member <NUM> is in the retracted position (<FIG>), the transformable toy <NUM> is rollable on the support surface G (optionally with the intent of trying to get the transformable toy <NUM> to roll over the second magnetically-interactive member <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, while oriented so that the first magnetically-interactive member <NUM> is sufficiently close to the second magnetically-interactive member <NUM> to cause the unlatching of the latch member <NUM>). and when the projection member is in the extended position (<FIG>), the projection member <NUM> has a ground engagement surface <NUM> (<FIG>) and may optionally positioned to solely support the transformable toy <NUM> on the support surface G via the ground engagement surface <NUM> (<FIG>).

The optionally provided barrier <NUM> is movable between a blocking position shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, and a release position shown in <FIG>. In the blocking position, the barrier <NUM> prevents relative rotation between the first and second rotary members <NUM> and <NUM> past the second rotary position (<FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>) and movement of the projection member past the first extended position (<FIG> and <FIG>). In the release position, the barrier <NUM> permits relative rotation between the first and second rotary members <NUM> and <NUM> past the second rotary position to the third rotary position (<FIG> and <FIG>) and movement of the projection member <NUM> past the first extended position to the second extended position (<FIG> and <FIG>).

The barrier biasing member <NUM> urges the barrier <NUM> from a first of the blocking and release positions towards a second of the blocking and release positions. In the example embodiment shown, the barrier biasing member <NUM> urges the barrier <NUM> towards the blocking position. In the embodiment shown, the barrier biasing member <NUM> is a helical compression spring but could be any other suitable type of biasing member.

A barrier holder <NUM> may be provided and is movable between a holding position (<FIG>) in which the barrier holder <NUM> holds the barrier <NUM> in the first of the blocking and release positions (in the example shown, the release position) against a biasing force applied by the barrier biasing member <NUM>, and a travel position (<FIG>) in which the barrier holder <NUM> permits movement of the barrier <NUM> from the first of the blocking and release positions to the second of the blocking and release positions (in the example shown, movement from the release position to the blocking position).

In the example, shown, the barrier holder <NUM> is a resilient member that is fixedly held in a barrier housing <NUM> (<FIG>). The barrier housing <NUM> may be fixedly mountable to the third portion 12c of the first rotary member <NUM>. The barrier holder <NUM> has an engagement end <NUM> that is best seen in <FIG> but which is identified in <FIG> even though it is somewhat obscured by the rest of the barrier holder <NUM>.

The barrier <NUM> itself includes several barrier holder guide surfaces shown at <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. When the barrier <NUM> is in the blocking position of <FIG> and is pushed in a first direction (e.g. upwards in the view shown in <FIG>, towards its release position), it will drive the first barrier holder guide surface <NUM> into engagement with the barrier holder <NUM>, which will drive the engagement end of the barrier holder towards the left in the view shown in <FIG>. Further movement of the barrier <NUM> in the first direction will then bring the engagement end <NUM> around the locking projection shown at <NUM> (which has some of the aforementioned guide surfaces on it). Further movement of the barrier <NUM> in the selected direction will bring the engagement end <NUM> into engagement with the second barrier holder guide surface <NUM>, which urges the engagement end <NUM> back towards a neutral position. Releasing the barrier <NUM> at this point, permits the barrier biasing member <NUM> to urge the barrier in a second direction opposite the first direction. This brings the engagement end <NUM> into engagement with the third barrier holder guide surface <NUM>. Further movement of the barrier <NUM> in the second direction brings the engagement end <NUM> into engagement with a locking notch shown at <NUM> (i.e. the position shown in <FIG>), at which point the barrier <NUM> is in the release position.

When the barrier <NUM> is in the release position as shown in <FIG>, and is pushed in the first direction again (i.e. upwards in the view shown in <FIG>), the fourth barrier holder guide surface <NUM> is brought into engagement with the barrier holder <NUM> (i.e. with the engagement end <NUM>), which guides the engagement end <NUM> over to the right of the locking projection <NUM>. Release of the barrier <NUM> at this point, then permits the barrier biasing member <NUM> to drive the barrier <NUM> in the second direction (i.e. downward in the view shown), at which point the engagement end <NUM> passes around the right side of the locking projection <NUM>, and engages the fifth barrier holder guide surface <NUM>, which guides the engagement end <NUM> back towards the neutral position shown in both <FIG> (i.e. a generally centered position).

In order to actuate the barrier <NUM> to move it between the blocking and release positions, an actuation surface <NUM> may be provided on the projection member <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>). The user can push down on the first and second rotary members <NUM> and <NUM> to cause retraction of the projection member <NUM> into the first rotary member <NUM>, which brings the actuation surface <NUM> upwards into engagement with the barrier <NUM> (<FIG>), thereby toggling the barrier <NUM> to the other of whichever of the blocking and release positions it is in.

The main biasing member <NUM> then urges the first and second rotary members <NUM> and <NUM> back towards whichever rotational position they can reach depending on whether the latch member <NUM> is engaged with the latching shoulder <NUM>, and depending on the position of the barrier <NUM> after it has been actuated.

The appendages 28a and 28b and 30a and 30b may be actuated to flip up via biasing members (e.g. torsion springs) as needed.

For greater certainty, it will be noted that it is possible provide an embodiment of the transformable toy <NUM> that does not include a projection member but includes the first and second rotary members <NUM> and <NUM>, which are movable between the first, second and third rotary positions and which employs the barrier <NUM> to block relative movement of the first and second rotary members <NUM> and <NUM> past the second rotary position.

Although specific advantages have been enumerated above, various embodiments may include some, none, or all of the enumerated advantages.

Claim 1:
A transformable toy (<NUM>), comprising:
a first rotary member (<NUM>) and a second rotary member (<NUM>), wherein the first and the second rotary members are rotatable relative to one another between a first rotary position and a second rotary position, and between the second rotary position and a third rotary position;
a barrier (<NUM>) that is movable between a blocking position and a release position
wherein in the blocking position, the barrier prevents relative rotation between the first and second rotary members past the second rotary position,
and wherein in the release position, the barrier permits relative rotation between the first and second rotary members past the second rotary position to the third rotary position;
a barrier biasing member (<NUM>) that urges the barrier from a first of the blocking and release positions towards a second of the blocking and release positions, and a barrier holder (<NUM>) that is movable between a holding position in which the barrier holder holds the barrier in the first of the blocking and release positions and a travel position in which the barrier holder permits movement of the barrier from the first of the blocking and release positions to the second of the blocking and release positions.