GB2382999A

GB2382999A - Child's construction toy

Info

Publication number: GB2382999A
Application number: GB0129935A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Laurence David Cook
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-12-14
Filing date: 2001-12-14
Publication date: 2003-06-18
Also published as: GB0129935D0

Abstract

A toy comprises a plurality of flat blanks, each of which can be folded to form a self-supporting three dimensional module. The modules are releasably connected to one another, for example by hook and loop fastenings to form a model of a complex object, the model being sufficiently large and having sufficient strength to accommodate a child. The blanks may be formed of cardboard. The modules may be reinforced with metal rings.

Description

CHILD'S TOY The present invention relates to a child's toy.

Children enjoy playing with models of houses, cars and boats but toys that are large enough to accommodate a child are difficult to store.

With a view to mitigating the foregoing problem, there is provided in accordance to the present invention a toy that comprises a plurality of flat blanks, each of which can be folded to form a self-supporting three dimensional module and means for releasably connecting the modules to one another to form a model of a complex object, the model being sufficiently large and having sufficient strength to accommodate a child.

Preferably, the blanks are formed of cardboard.

The toy of the invention may be formed of rectangular boxes that are interconnected. The interconnection may be effected by the use of tape having plastics hooks and loops (Velcro@). Each box can readily be formed of sufficient strength to permit a child to sit on it or to climb into it.

Advantageously, the toy is additionally supplied with paints or colouring materials to allow the model to be appropriately decorated. If, for example, rectangular boxes are used to represent the wheels of a vehicle, then they may have wheels painted onto them. This not only encourages a child to use its imagination but helps to retain the child's attention as the child is involved in the design and construction of the toy.

If desired, the toy may be supplied with transfers, stickers or stencils to assist in the application of motifs to the modules.

It is not essential for all the modules to be selfsupporting. If, for example, a sufficient number of modules have been assembled to form the body of a motor vehicle then the roof structure could be formed as a blank that folds and attaches to the remainder of the body. The same would apply also to the roof of a building.

The invention will now be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a toy train engine constructed from fold flat modules, and Figure 2 shows a similar perspective view of a truck.

The train in Figure 1 is formed of a plurality of rectangular modules, each effectively constructed as a cardboard box formed by folding a flat blank. The boxes are secured to one another using Velcro@ which securely holds them together to allow a child to play safely but permits the modules to be prised apart so that they can be folded flat for storage.

In the case of the train engine of Figure 1, there are several rectangular modules that are held together including modules for the wheels 10, the boiler 12, steam chimney 14, steam whistle 16, the front wall 18, the sides 20 and the rear wall 22 of the driver compartment. The roof of the driver's compartment is formed of a sheet 24 that is attached to the self-supporting fold-flat modules 18 and 22.

The dimensions of the various modules are chosen such that then they are all to the same scale as one another and the driver's compartment is sufficiently large to accommodate a child. For example, the driver's compartment may be around 1.5 meters high, 1.2 meters wide and 0.5 meters long.

Similarly, the truck shown in Figure 1 may comprise different rectangular modules for the radiator 50, front 52

and rear 54 of the driver's compartment, wheels 56, sides 58 and tailgate 60.

Of course, the modules need not be restricted to being rectangular as it is possible to construct hexagonal boxes from flat blanks or houses with a pitched roof. The variety of shapes that can be assembled is virtually endless and an important aspect of the invention is that it encourages children to be imaginative and inventive in their assembly of the modules.

The modules can also be painted, as suggested by the drawings, adding to the fun and enjoyment of the construction and assembly. The blanks can be pre-printed with such items as wheels, or stencils may be supplied with the kits to enable children to apply their own designs with colours of their choice.

Certain modules may if desired be constructed to receive metal reinforcement rings for additional strength. Such rings are known and currently used for example in boxes that are assembled from flat blanks and used for storage in offices of heavy paper files.

It is not essential that for all the components of the toy to be self-supporting modules. If a framework of such modules has been constructed, then it can be used to retain sheets of cardboard that are used for such items as roofs, windscreens and vehicle dashboards.

Of course, the invention is not be regarded as restricted to wheeled vehicles, it being possible for a child to construct, aeroplanes, ships, houses and a variety of other large structures with the aid of suitably sized and shaped fold-flat modules, accessories and a healthy imagination.

Claims

1. A toy comprising a plurality of flat blanks, each of which can be folded to form a self-supporting three dimensional module and means for releasably connecting the modules to one another to form a model of a complex object, the model being sufficiently large and having sufficient strength to accommodate a child.

2. A toy as claimed in claim 1, wherein the blanks are formed of cardboard.

3. A toy as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the modules are formed as rectangular boxes.

4. A toy as claimed in claim 4, wherein the modules are secured to one another by the use of tape having plastics hooks and loops.

5. A toy as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the modules are reinforced with metal rings.

6. A toy as claimed in any preceding claim, further including colouring materials to allow the toy to be appropriately decorated.

7. A toy as claimed in any preceding claim, further including transfers, stickers and/or stencils to assist in the application of motifs to the modules.

8. A toy constructed substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.