Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This patent application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 10/889,488, filed on Jul. 12, 2004, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. 

   BACKGROUND 
   Toys provide excitement and enjoyment for children. Toys come in several different sizes, shapes, configurations and perform many different functions. Some toys have a limited number of functions. Toys with a limited number of functions or uses tend to quickly lose childrens&#39; interest. 
   Accordingly, there is need for toys with multiple functions and different uses to enhance childrens&#39; excitement, enjoyment and interest with the toys. 
   SUMMARY 
   The present invention generally refers to a toy and specifically, to a transforming toy including opposable movable members which pivot toward or away from each other to reveal or conceal a figurine. 
   In one embodiment, the transforming toy includes a first movable member and a second movable member. The first movable member has a semi-circular shape and includes the top portion of the figurine. Specifically, the inside surface of the first movable member includes a body, a first revealing member or first revealer positioned adjacent to and movably connected to the top of the body and a pair of second revealers movably connected to each side of the body. In one embodiment, the first revealer is configured to be a head having a face and the second revealers are each configured to be arms. 
   In one embodiment, the second movable member has a semi-circular shape and includes the lower portion of the figurine. The size and shape of the second movable member corresponds to the size and shape of the first movable member. The second movable member includes a support and a third revealing member or third revealer movably connected to the support. In this embodiment, the support is configured to be a pair of legs and the third revealer is configured to be a pair of feet. 
   In one embodiment, the first and second movable members are each movably connected to a coupler or hinge positioned between the first and second movable members. The first movable member is connected to one end of the coupler. The second movable member is movably connected to a different or opposite end of the coupler. The coupler is adapted to enable the first and second movable members to independently move toward each other until the first and second members are substantially adjacent to each other or in a closed position. The coupler is also adapted to enable the first and second movable members to move away from each other until the first and second movable members are in a substantially open position. 
   The transforming toy of the present invention enables children to move the first and second movable members toward or away from each other to reveal or conceal the figurine connected to the inside surface of the first and second movable members. 
   When the transforming toy is in the closed position, the transforming toy may be rolled, thrown or bounced like a toy ball. To convert or transform the toy into a figurine, a user opens or separates the first and second movable members and moves the first and second movable members away from each other. The user then moves or rotates the first revealer or head to reveal the head having the face. The user then moves or rotates the second revealers or arms away from the body to reveal the arms of the figurine. Next, the user moves or rotates the third movable member or feet of the figurine downwardly away from the support to a substantially perpendicular or transverse position with respect to the support. In the open position, a user such as a child can use the transforming toy as a movable figurine, decorative display or according to any other suitable function. 
   Although in the above embodiment, the transforming toy includes a figurine which may be revealed or concealed inside the toy, it should be appreciated that the transforming toy may include any suitable figurine, character, shape, image or configuration. 
   In another embodiment, the first and second movable members have generally square shape and move toward each other to form a cube in the substantially closed position. It should be appreciated that the first and second movable members can be any suitable size or shape. 
   It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to provide a transformable toy which transforms into different toys. 
   It is another advantage of the present invention to provide a transformable toy that transforms into different toys having different functions. 
   Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description of the Invention and the figures. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an enlarged perspective view of one embodiment of the transformable toy of the present invention illustrating the transformable toy in an open position. 
       FIG. 2  is a rear view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is an enlarged perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  illustrating the movement of the different revealers. 
       FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  illustrating the transformable toy in a closed position. 
       FIG. 5  is an enlarged perspective view of another embodiment of the transformable toy of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The present invention generally refers to a toy and specifically, to a transformable toy adapted to open and close to reveal and conceal a figurine. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1 to 4 , in one embodiment, a transformable toy  10  includes a first movable member  12 , a second movable member  14  and a coupler or hinge  20  connected between the first movable member and the second movable member. In one embodiment, the first movable member and the second movable member have corresponding semi-circular shapes. The first movable member is movably connected to one end of the coupler  20  and moves, pivots or rotates about a horizontal axis extending through the end of the coupler. Similarly, the second movable member  14  is movably connected to an opposite end of the coupler  20  and moves, pivots or rotates about a horizontal axis extending through the opposite end of the coupler. The first movable member  12  and the second movable member  14  are movable towards each other until the first and second movable members are substantially adjacent to each other or in a closed position as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The first movable member  12  and the second movable member  14  are also movable away from each other to the open position as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In this embodiment, the first movable member  12  and the second movable member  14  have semi-circular shapes and are the same size. It should be appreciated that the first and second movable members may have the same shape, different shapes or any suitable shapes. It should also be appreciated that the first and second movable members may be the same size, different sizes or any suitable size or sizes. In another embodiment, the coupler or hinge is integrally formed with the ends of the first movable member and the second movable member and enables the first and second movable members to pivot or move towards and away from each other as described above. In a further embodiment, the first and second movable members are hingedly connected to enable the first and second movable members to move or pivot towards and away from each other. 
   In one embodiment, a display member  13  is connected to an inside surface of at least one of the first and second movable members  12  and  14 , respectively. In this embodiment, the display member  13  is a figure or figurine. It should be appreciated that the display member may be a figure, object, character, image, animal, shape or any other suitable configuration or object. In this embodiment, the display member  13  is a figure or figurine and includes a first revealer  16  formed as a head of the figure, a body  18  positioned adjacent to the first revealer  16 , a pair of second revealers  24  in the form of arms movably connected to opposing sides of the body  18 , a coupler  20  connected between the first and second movable members, a support  22  positioned adjacent to the coupler and a third revealer  26  positioned adjacent to the support  22  and movably connected to the second movable member. In another embodiment, the coupler  20  is attached to the outside surfaces of the first and second movable members. Therefore in this embodiment, the display member  13  does not include the coupler as part of the figure or object connected to the inside surfaces of the first and second movable members. 
   In one embodiment, the first movable member  12  has a semi-circular shape with a hollow interior portion as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . A body member or body  18  is connected to an inside surface of the first movable member  12 . In one embodiment, the body  18  is a separate part fixedly connected to the inside surface of the first movable member using a suitable adhesive or other suitable attachment method. In another embodiment, the body  18  is integrally formed with the inside surface of the first movable member. 
   In one embodiment, a first revealing member or first revealer  16  is positioned adjacent to the top of the body  18  and movably connected to the first movable member  12 . The first revealer includes a pivot member or pivot pin  17  which extends from each side of the first revealer  16 . Each end of the pivot pin  17  is movably connected to the first movable member  12 . In one embodiment, the pivot pin is a separate component that is attached to the first revealer. In another embodiment, the pivot pin  17  is integrally formed with the first revealer. The pivot pin  17  is adapted to enable the first revealer to move, pivot or rotate about a horizontal axis extending generally though one end of the first movable member  12 . Specifically, the first revealer  16  is movable or rotatable from a concealed position shown in  FIG. 3  to a revealed or exposed position shown in  FIG. 1 . It should be appreciated that the first revealer  16  may be moved from the concealed position to the revealed position or from the revealed position to the concealed position. 
   In one embodiment, the first revealer includes at least one surface having an image such as a face as shown in  FIG. 1 . The image or face is concealed or hidden when the first revealer is in the concealed position as shown in  FIG. 3 . The face is then revealed, exposed or viewable when the first revealer is moved to the revealed position as shown in  FIG. 1 . It should be appreciated that the each transformable toy  10  may include the same image or face, at least one different image or face or a plurality of different images or faces. It should also be appreciated that one or more surfaces of the first revealer  16  may include an image such as a face. 
   In one embodiment, at least one second revealing member or second revealer and preferably two second revealers  24  are movably connected to the body  18 . In the illustrated embodiment, the second revealers  24  are formed as arms of the figurine. It should be appreciated that the second revealers  24  may be any suitable size or shape. The second revealers  24  are movably or rotatably connected to opposing sides of the body  18 . It should be appreciated that the second revealers may be connected to any suitable side of the body. A connector such as a pivot pin (not shown) is connected to each of the second revealers  24  and the body  18  to enable the second revealers to move or rotate relative to the body. The second revealers  24  move from a retracted position as shown in  FIG. 3  to a extended or un-retracted position as shown in  FIG. 1 . It should be appreciated that the second revealers may move from the retracted position to the extended position and from the extended position to the retracted position. 
   The body  18 , the first revealer  16  (i.e., the head of the figurine) and the second revealers  24  (i.e., the arms of the figurine) cooperate or co-act to form the upper portion of the figurine connected to the inside surface of the first movable member  12 . 
   In one embodiment, the second movable member  14  has a semi-circular shape with a hollow interior portion as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . A support member or support  22  is connected to an inside surface of the second movable member  14 . In one embodiment, the support  22  is a separate part or component fixedly connected to the inside surface of the first movable member using a suitable adhesive or other suitable attachment method. In another embodiment, the support  22  is integrally formed with the inside surface of the second movable member. 
   In one embodiment, a third revealing member or third revealer  26  is positioned adjacent to the bottom of the support  22  and is movably connected to the second movable member  14 . The third revealer includes a pivot member or pivot pin  27  which extends from each side of the third revealer  26 . Each end of the pivot pin  27  is movably connected to the second movable member  14 . In one embodiment, the pivot pin  27  is a separate component that is attached to the third revealer. In another embodiment, the pivot pin  27  is integrally formed with the third revealer. The pivot pin  27  is adapted to enable the third revealer to move, pivot or rotate about a horizontal axis extending generally though one end of the second movable member  14 . Specifically, the third revealer  26  is movable or rotatable from a concealed position shown in  FIG. 3  to a revealed, exposed or non-concealed position shown in  FIG. 1 . It should be appreciated that the third revealer  26  may be moved from the concealed position to the revealed position or from the revealed position to the concealed position. 
   In one embodiment, the third revealer  26  includes at least one surface having an image such as the feet shown in  FIG. 1 . The third revealer  26  (i.e., the feet of the figurine) is concealed or hidden when the third revealer is in the concealed position as shown in  FIG. 3 . The feet are then revealed, exposed or viewable when the third revealer is moved, pivoted or rotated away from the support  22  to the revealed position as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   Additionally, the third revealer includes a receptacle or concave surface  30  which corresponds to the size and shape of the top surface  28  of the first revealer  16 . The top surface  28  of the first revealer  16  fits into the receptacle  30  when the first movable member and the second movable member are moved towards each other to the closed position shown in  FIG. 4 . The mating engagement of the top surface  28  and the receptacle  30  enable the first and second movable members to close together. 
   The support  22  and the third revealer  26  (i.e., the feet of the figurine) cooperate or co-act to form the lower or bottom portion of the figurine connected to the inside surface of the second movable member  14 . 
   Accordingly, the upper portion of the figurine connected to the inside surface of the first movable member  12  and the lower portion of the figurine connected to the inside surface of the second movable member  14  co-act to form the figurine of the transformable toy  10 . It should be appreciated that any suitable figure, figurine, configuration, character or any other suitable object may be formed or connected to the inside surfaces of the first and second movable members. 
   In one embodiment, the toy  10  includes a locking member or lock (not shown). The lock is connected to at least one of the first and second movable members and is adapted to releasably secure the first and second movable members together when the first and second movable members are in the closed position. It should be appreciated that any suitable lock, latch or securing member may be attached to the first and/or the second movable member. 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated where the transformable toy  100  includes a first movable member  102  and a second movable member  104  which each have a cube or generally square shape. In this embodiment, a first revealer  106  is rotatably attached to the first movable member  102  and positioned adjacent to the body  108 . The toy also includes a pair of second revealers  114  formed as arms. A coupler  110  is rotatably connected to one end of each of the first second and second movable members  102  and  104 , respectively. A support  112  in the formed as a pair of legs is connected to the inside surface of the second movable member  104 . A third revealer  116  formed as feet is rotatably connected to the second movable member  104 . It should be appreciated that the first movable member and the second movable member may be any suitable shape or configuration and have any suitable size. 
   Operation 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1 to 4 , in one embodiment, the transformable toy  10  generally opens and closes to reveal or conceal an object such as a figurine attached to the inside surfaces of the toy. Initially, the first movable member  12  and the second movable member  14  of the toy are moved or pivoted towards each other about the coupler  20  to a closed position as shown in  FIG. 4 . In the closed position, the toy  10  forms a sphere or ball that can be rolled, bounced, thrown or spun. In this manner, the toy  10  can be used to play marbles or any other suitable game. 
   To open the transformable toy  10  to reveal the figurine inside the toy, a user separates the first and second movable members  12  and  14  respectively and pulls or pushes the first and second movable members apart. The user moves or pivots the first and second movable members apart about the coupler  20  until the first and second movable members are substantially apart or in the open position shown in  FIG. 1 . In the open position, the first movable member  12  is positioned adjacent to and above the second movable member  14  where the inside surfaces of the first and second movable members are facing or pointing in the same general direction as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
   When the transformable toy  10  is in the open position, the user moves or rotates the first revealer or head  16  of the figurine upwardly away from the inside surface of the first movable member  12 . The head is moved or rotated upwardly until the face included on one surface of the head is facing outward from the head or substantially viewable as shown in  FIG. 1 . The user then moves or rotates one or more of the second revealers or arms  24  outwardly from the inside surface of the first movable member  12  to the extended position shown in  FIG. 1 . The arms  24  may be independently moved upwardly or downwardly relative to the body  18  to any suitable position or positions. The user then moves or rotates the third revealer or feet portion of the figurine  26  downwardly away from the support  22  until the bottom surface of the feet portion is transverse or perpendicular with the inside surface of the second movable member  14 . The bottom surface of the feet portion  26  is substantially planar or flat to enable the toy  10  to stand upright on a flat surface such as a tabletop. After all of the revealing members or revealers are revealed or moved from the concealed position, the toy  10  can be used as a movable figure or figurine such as an action figure or other suitable character. 
   To return the toy  10  back to a closed position, the user moves or pivots the feet  26  upwardly towards the support  22 , moves or pivots the arms inwardly towards the inside surface of the first movable member  12  and moves or pivots the head  16  downwardly and towards the inside surface of the first movable member as generally shown by the arrows in  FIG. 3 . Specifically, the feet  26  pivot to reveal a rounded surface which corresponds to the rounded outside surface of the second movable member  14  as shown in  FIG. 4 . Additionally, the receptacle  30  is positioned to engage the top surface  28  of the head  16 . The arms  24  are pivoted inward and fit into corresponding open spaces or receptacle areas  29  defined by the second movable member  14  to enable the first and second movable members to close together. The head  16  moves or pivots to conceal the face and to align the rounded outside surface of the head  16  with the rounded outside surface of the first movable member  12 . The user then moves or pivots the first and second movable members towards each other about the coupler  20  until the first and second movable members are substantially adjacent to each other in the closed position as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
   The transformable toy  10  of the present invention therefore provides excitement and enjoyment for users such as children because the toy  10  may be pivoted to a closed position and used as a ball. Also, the toy  10  may be opened to reveal a figure or figurine which can stand upright and used as an action figure or as a decorative display. It should be appreciated that the figurine may be any suitable figurine and have any suitable size, image, faces or shape. Additionally, the shape and size of the individual components, such as the movable members, the revealers, the body, the support or any other suitable components may be any suitable size, shape or configuration. 
   It should be appreciated that although the toy described above includes one or more revealing members or revealers, the toy may include no revealers (i.e., the figure or other object is formed on the inside surfaces of at least one of the first and second movable members), one revealer or a plurality of revealers. 
   It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

Technology Category: 1