Patent Description:
Children enjoy playing games where they have the sensation that they are acting as adults. Toys such as simulated cash registers, retail stores, food kiosks, and other structures can provide children with the experience of performing a task normally reserved for adults. Such toys provide entertainment and can help children develop skills, such as arithmetic when making change. Playing games with such toys may help children develop social skills such as speaking politely, responding to questions, and interacting with others as an adult would do in a retail establishment.

The experience of a toy that simulates adult activities may be enhanced where the simulated activity is something children are normally not allowed to do. Toys that allow children to imaging they are driving a car or truck, sailing a boat, or flying a plane may provide a child with a more engaging experience because the activity is something they typically would not be allowed to do because it may be dangerous.

There is a need for a toy that allows children the experience of operating cooking appliances to create foods, such as baked goods. There is also a need for a toy that allows children the experience of working in a food service establishment, such as a bakery.

Document <CIT> discloses a simulated stand mixer comprising all the technical features set out in the preamble of claim <NUM>.

Embodiments of the disclosure provide a toy that includes a mechanism to simulate the preparation of food. According to one aspect, there is provided a simulated stand mixer that a child can operate to pretend to mix food materials, such as ingredients for baked goods. According to another aspect there is provided a simulated stand mixer with interchangeable tools, such as a whisk, a paddle blade, and a dough hook. According to another aspect there is provided a simulated stand mixer that allows a child to rotate such a tool within a mixing bowl. According to a still further aspect there is provided a simulated stand mixer with interchangeable tools and a removable bowl that provides a child with a realistic experience of operating such an appliance.

According to one embodiment, a toy is provided that comprises a stand formed by a base, a vertically oriented member, and an extension that extends horizontally above an open portion of the base. The open portion is sized so that a mixing bowl can be placed on the open portion below the extension. A clip is disposed on the extension above the open portion. The clip is sized and shaped to hold a simulated mixing tool, such as a dough hook, and position the tool within the mixing bowl. According to one embodiment, the clip allows the tool to be rotated by the child to simulate the operation of the stand mixer.

According to a further embodiment, the open portion of the base includes a bowl receiving mechanism to position the bowl with respect to a tool held by the clip. According to this embodiment, the bottom outside surface of the bowl is shaped to engage with, and be removably held by, the bowl receiving mechanism. According to a further embodiment, the bowl receiving mechanism allows the bowl to rotate, allowing a child to simulate rotating a mixing bowl while operating the stand mixer.

According to another embodiment, a variety of mixing tools can be interchangeably connected with the stand mixer by the clip. The mixing tools may include a dough hook, a paddle blade, a whisk, and the like.

According to another embodiment, the disclosure provides a method for using a simulated stand mixer. A user selects a simulated mixing tool, such as a whisk. The user engages the tool with the clip so that the handle portion of the tool is directed upward and the working portion of the tool, for example the whisk wires, are directed downward. The user fits the bowl onto the base with the working portion of the tool extending into the bowl. The user spins that handle within the clip, rotating the working portion to simulate mixing of materials in the bowl.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, the structure is formed from components that are simple to manufacture and assemble.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, toys embodying the disclosed structure are lightweight and easy to store and transport.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, toys embodying the disclosed structure are durable.

The above and/or other aspects of the disclosure will be more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments of the disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

Exemplary embodiments of the disclosure will now be described below by reference to the attached Figures. The described exemplary embodiments are intended to assist the understanding of the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

<FIG> shows a toy <NUM> according to one embodiment of the disclosure. In this exemplary embodiment, the toy simulates the counter of a retail establishment where food is prepared and sold, such as a bakery, a restaurant, a coffee shop, or the like. The toy includes a bench or counter <NUM>. The bench may include decorations suggestive of the retail establishment. In the example, shown in <FIG>, the bench <NUM> includes accessories, such as a cash register or point of sale computer screen <NUM>, simulated baked goods <NUM>, and the like. Printing or decals <NUM> may be provided on bench <NUM>, for example, showing a price list and the like to evoke the sensation of a retail establishment. The disclosure is not limited to a bench or counter including these accessories and encompasses other sorts of accessories and decorations, as well as embodiments without such accessories or decorations.

Connected with bench <NUM> is a simulated stand mixer <NUM> according to embodiments of the disclosure. <FIG> and <FIG> show detailed views of mixer <NUM> according to embodiments of the disclosure. Mixer <NUM> is formed from a base <NUM>, a vertically member <NUM>, and an extension <NUM> that extends horizontally from the arm. Below extension <NUM>, a space <NUM> is provided. Space <NUM> is sized to allow a user to place a bowl <NUM> on base <NUM> below extension <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

Extension <NUM> includes a clip <NUM>. Clip <NUM> includes a semicircular portion 16a and a connecting portion 16b. Connecting portion 16b is connected with the side of extension <NUM>. Semicircular portion 16a has an inside surface with a selected radius of curvature and defines a vertical axis <NUM>. Semicircular portion 16a of clip <NUM> is positioned adjacent slot 14a on extension <NUM>. Slot 14a has the same radius of curvature as semicircular portion 16a centered on axis <NUM>. Together, semicircular portion 16a and slot 14a define a holder diameter D, as shown in <FIG>. According to one embodiment, clip <NUM> includes a ramped portion 16c. A space is provided between the ramp 16c and/or the edge of clip <NUM> and the surface of extension <NUM>. According to one embodiment, clip <NUM> is formed from a material that has a selected amount of elasticity to allow the space to widen to accept insertion of a tool <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a tool <NUM> separate from mixer <NUM>. <FIG> shows the tool <NUM> connected with mixer <NUM>. <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> show three exemplary embodiments of tools 20a, 20b, 20c. <FIG> shows a whisk 20a. <FIG> shows a dough hook 20b. <FIG> shows a paddle blade 20c. Three such working structures are illustrated, but the disclosure is not limited to these structures and could include other structures known in the field of the invention. Each tool <NUM> has a handle <NUM> connected with a working structure <NUM>.

According to one embodiment, handle <NUM> has a grip 22a formed at a proximal end. Grip 22a may include ribs, grooves, protrusions, bumps, and the like to facilitate a user, such as a child, to rotate the tool with respect to the mixer <NUM>, as will be explained below. According to another embodiment, instead of, or in addition to ribs, grip 22a includes a high-friction coating, for example, polyurethane, to make it easier for a child to grasp and rotate the tool. A cylindrical portion 22b extends from grip 22a in the distal direction. Shoulder <NUM> is provided at the distal end of cylindrical portion 22b. According to one embodiment, cylindrical portion 22b has a diameter equal to or slightly smaller than holder diameter D defined by slot 14a and semicircular portion 16a. The diameter of cylindrical portion 22b is somewhat larger than the space between ramp 16c and the surface of extension <NUM> so that handle <NUM> can be snapped into the space between semicircular portion 16a and slot 14a and held securely to extension <NUM>. According to this embodiment, grip 22a and shoulder <NUM> have diameters larger than holder diameter D.

Handle <NUM> of each of tools 20a, 20b, and 20c are sized and shaped to snap into clip <NUM> and to be held against slot 14a of extension <NUM> and are able to rotate with respect to the mixer <NUM> to simulate mixing ingredients. In use, cylindrical portion 22a of a selected tool 20a, 20b, 20c is oriented with handle <NUM> upward. Cylindrical portion 22b is pressed against ramp 16c and the surface of extension <NUM>, deflecting clip <NUM> away from extension <NUM> to allow the cylindrical portion 22b to move into the space defined by semicircular portion 16a and slot 14a. The diameters of grip 22a and shoulder <NUM> are larger than holder diameter D, so that the distal surface of grip 22a rests against the top edge of clip <NUM> and extension <NUM>. The recoil force of the elastically deflected clip <NUM> presses the semicircular portion 16a against a portion of the handle. The force applied by clip <NUM> against cylindrical portion 22a of handle <NUM> securely holds tool <NUM> on extension <NUM>. The diameter of cylindrical portion 22b is equal to, or somewhat smaller than holder diameter D so that a user can grasp grip 22a and rotate the selected tool 20a, 20b, 20c. As shown in <FIG>, tool <NUM> rotates around spin axis <NUM>. The length of cylindrical portion 22b may be selected so that, when tool <NUM> is engaged with mixer <NUM>, shoulder <NUM> is a short distance below the bottom edge of extension <NUM> so that vertical motion of tool <NUM> tool along spin axis <NUM> is limited.

According to one embodiment, bowl <NUM> is provided with stand mixer <NUM>. Bowl <NUM> is sized to fit on base <NUM> below extension <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. When bowl <NUM> is placed on base <NUM> and tool <NUM> is inserted into clip <NUM>, working structure <NUM> is positioned within bowl <NUM>. According to one embodiment as shown in <FIG>, base <NUM> includes a bowl engaging mechanism 12a, for example, a cavity sized and shaped to hold a bottom surface of bowl <NUM> in relation to tool <NUM>. Cavity 12a is positioned so that spin axis <NUM> defined by semicircular portion 16a and slot 14a is positioned above the bowl.

Tool <NUM> is removed from clip <NUM> by pulling the tool outward through the space between ramp 16c and the surface of extension <NUM>. Clip <NUM> flexes away from extension <NUM>, allowing cylindrical portion 22b to fit through the space to remove tool <NUM> from mixer <NUM>. The user can then select a different tool 20a, 20b, 20c to attach to the mixer.

As shown in <FIG>, according to one embodiment bowl <NUM> includes a ring or extension <NUM> on its outside bottom surface. Ring <NUM> is sized to fit into cavity 12a. This arrangement allows bowl <NUM> to be rotated by the user to simulate operating a stand mixer.

<FIG> shows an exploded view of a simulated stand mixer <NUM> according to embodiments of the disclosure. Base <NUM> is formed from a flat section of material. Cavity 12a is formed in the surface of base <NUM>, for example, by milling, routing, or molding. Vertical member <NUM> is connected with base <NUM>. According to one embodiment, vertical member is connected with base using one or more of an adhesive, a fastener, and a woodworking joint, such as a mortise- and-tenon joint. Extension <NUM> is connected with vertical member <NUM>. According to one embodiment, extension <NUM> is formed integrally with vertical member <NUM>, for example, by cutting both vertical member <NUM> and extension <NUM> from a single sheet of material. Slot 14a is formed on the side of extension <NUM>, for example, by milling, routing, or molding. According to one embodiment, base <NUM>, vertical member <NUM>, and extension <NUM> are formed from one or more of wood, plywood, particle board, plastic, a metal, or other solid material. According to a preferred embodiment, base <NUM>, vertical member <NUM>, and extension <NUM> are formed from plywood.

Clip <NUM> is joined with extension <NUM>. According to one embodiment, clip <NUM> includes platen 16b. Platen 16b is connected with the side of extension <NUM> by an adhesive, a fastener, a snap fit engagement, an interference fit, a weld, or other fastening means known in the field of the invention. According to a preferred embodiment, platen 16b is connected with extension <NUM> by a layer of adhesive. Clip <NUM> is formed from a flexible material with a selected elastic modulus so that semicircular portion 16a and ramp 16c can flex away from extension <NUM> to allow insertion and removal of tool <NUM> from mixer <NUM>. Clip <NUM> may be formed from one or more of a metal and a polymer. According to a preferred embodiment, clip <NUM> is formed from an impact resistant polymer such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).

According to another embodiment, shown in <FIG>, vertical member <NUM> and extension <NUM> are formed separately and joined by a hinge <NUM>. According to this embodiment, extension <NUM> can pivot about hinge <NUM> to lift extension <NUM> away from base <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A simulated stand mixer comprising:
a base (<NUM>) defining a vertical direction;
a vertical member (<NUM>) extending from the base in the vertical direction;
an extension (<NUM>) connected with the vertical member and extending in a horizontal direction, wherein
the extension is separated from the base by a bowl space (<NUM>);
characterised by
a clip (<NUM>) connected with the extension, wherein the clip comprises a semicircular portion (16a) and a connecting portion (16b);
wherein the semicircular portion has a center of curvature along a spin axis, wherein the spin axis extends through the bowl space in the vertical direction, and wherein the connecting portion is connected with a side surface of the extension.