[0001] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates generally to a toy with modular parts, and in particular relates to a combination toy and writing accessory that has multiple functions in playtime as well as in everyday desk-bound activities.

[0004] Description of the Prior Art

[0005] The assembly of toy structural members or building blocks into models and predetermined assemblies that represent figures, machines, vehicles and the like is a universally practiced activity among children across a wide range of ages. Such 'building block ^' systems and models are well known and include systems commercialized over the years by Meccano™, Erector Set, Lego™, Marklin™ and System Xox™ among others. The use of such building block toys and model systems can greatly contribute to a child's development relating to mechanical and engineering conceptualization and problem- solving. However, the typical use of such building block toy systems requires a 'dedicated' playtime using the 'dedicated' building blocks. It is believed that time demands on children, in particular time spent in the classroom, has contributed to a decline in interest in many forms of building block toy systems. Thus, it is desirable to provide a combination 'toy' and 'writing instrument' based on a building block system that permits the child to spend his or her desk-bound time in mechanical and engineering conceptualization activities and it is to this end that the present invention is directed.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The combination toy and writing instrument of the invention allows children to imagine and assembly toys and structures, including but not limited to spacecraft, aircraft, landcraft, watercrait, submarines, buildings, castles, wearable ornaments and the like, that can define a new playscape while confined to a desk. The invention provides building elements that allow for complete freedom in the assembly of three-dimensional

constructions while at the same time being inexpensive, safe and fun. [0008] Thus, a modular combination toy and desktop writing accessory is provided. The combination apparatus includes a plurality of structural elements each having at least one nodal connec tor portion to which a complementary connector portion of another structural element can be coupled. The structural elements can be assembled into a barrel-like form that is configured with a passageway for carrying a writing apparatus that is a further component of the invention. The combination toy and writing accessory thus comprises: a writing cartridge and a plurality of structural elements connectable to one another in a surrounding arrangement relative to the writing cartridge wherein the structural elements are connectable to one another in a plurality of non-surrounding arrangements in the absence of the writing cartridge to form a toy. The writing cartridge is selected from the group consisting of pens, pencils, markers and crayons and the like.

[0009] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an embodiment of a modular combination toy and writing accessory in accordance with the invention.

[0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded diagram view of the modular combination toy and writing accessory of FIG. 1 showing the exemplary structural elements with complementary connector features in accordance with the invention.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first exemplary structural element of the invention.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second exemplary structural element of the invention.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a third exemplary structural element of the invention.

[0015] FIG. 6 is an illustration of a shipping tube with toy end-cap and 'wheel' elements that may be part of an assembled toy.

[0016] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a toy vehicle assembled from a set of structural elements with connector features as in FIGS. 3-5.

[0017] FIG. 8 is an exploded diagram view illustrating the details of assembling the structural elements into the toy vehicle of FIG. 7. [0018] FIG. 9 A is a perspective schematic view of de-mated complementary receiving and projecting features that include complementary facets for click-stop rotational orientation of structural elements about a connection.

[0019] FIG. 9B is a view of mated receiving and projecting features of FIG. 9A.

[0020] FIG. 10A is an illustration of another structural element in a repose position that includes a flexible medial portion.

[0021] FIG. 10B is an illustration of the ilexible structural element of FIG. lOA in a flexed position.

[0022] FIG. IOC is an illustration of a connection assembly that includes the ilexible structural element of FIG. lOA.

[0023] FIG. I I is a perspective view of another toy in the shape of a tank assembled from a set of structural elements as in FIGS. 3-5.

[0024] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another toy in the shape of a vehicle assembled from a set of structural elements as in FIGS. 3-5.

[0025] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] The invention is particularly applicable to a toy and writing accessory that includes a plurality of structural elements or members that each are configured with complementary connector features as described below. The connector features allows the structural elements to be assembled in a writing-functional configuration when the toy is used as a writing instrument. Additionally, a plurality of the structural elements can be re-assembled in a multitude of non-writing configurations to form a 3-dimensional toy, figure, building etc. as described below. In this context, it will be appreciated that a modular assembly in accordance with the invention can have a range in utility from being a dedicated writing instrument to a being a "toy" with features for various play applications. Further, the modular assembly can be a combination functional writing instrument and a toy assembly, all of which assemblies are within the scope of the invention.

[0027] FIG. I is an illustration of one embodiment of a combination modular toy and writing accessory 100 in accordance with the invention. The modular toy or pen apparatus as depicted in the exploded view of FIG. 2 reveals that the pen of FIG. 1 comprises an assembled set of exemplary snap-fit structural elements 110, 112 and 114 that further includes a writing element or cartridge indicated at 115. By the term 'snap-fit', it is meant that the fit of any complementary connector features can be an interference fit, a friction fit, a sliding fit or a fit wherein a connector component is slightly deformable for flexible snapping into place with a cooperating structural feature. The writing element 115 in this embodiment comprises a ball-point pen but the writing element can consist of any ink marker, graphite marker, crayon marker, eraser or the like.

[0028] In the exploded view of FIG. 2, it can be seen that stmctural element 110 comprises a barrel-like body extending about longitudinal axis 120 with body walls surrounding passageway 122 within the element. An enlarged view structural element 110 is provided in FIG. 3. As can be seen in FIG. 3, structural element 110 includes body ends 124a and 124b that comprise a "projecting" connector feature indicated at 125 that is adapted to be engaged by a "receiving" connector feature of structural element 112 when assembled (see FIGS. 2 and 4). The stmctural element 110 further includes at least one "receiving" connector feature 130 on a side of the element for receiving a "projecting-' connector feature of another structural element. The body ends 124a and 124b of structural element 110 further include a groove 132 for cooperating with a complementary feature of element 112 described below. In general, the stmctural elements typically have an extending medial strut portion extending between first and second ends. Further, the elements include one or more "nodal" connector features on at least one end or medial portion of such a structural element. By the tenn 'nodal', it is meant that the connection between stmctural elements comprises a node wherein the axes of the elements can be oriented at different relative angles and/or rotational angles about the connection.

[0029] Now referring to the exploded view of FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, structural element 112 comprises another "one-half barrel body extending about longitudinal axis 120' that can be connected with another similar- structural element to form a "receiving" feature to snap- fit to form a barrel-like shape and thereby grip and receive an end of structural element 110. The snap-fit assembly of first and second elements 112 is enabled by male and female snap- fit features indicated at 136. Structural element 112 carries a circumferential rib 138 that cooperates with groove 132 in structural element 110. Further, structural element 112 includes a "receiving" connector feature 130 for receiving a "projecting" connector feature 145 such as in structural element 114.

[0030] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 5, structural element 114 comprises another body extending relative to axis 120" and having first and second body end portions 148a and 148b that have snap- fit projecting features 145 that project from the body perpendicular to axis 120". The projecting features 145 are dimensioned to snap-fit into receiving features 130 of structural elements 110 and 112. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, these structure elements can be connected in multiple arrangements to provide the elongated barrel of a writing instrument. The views of FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 illustrate that structural element 114 further includes part-circumferential body wings 155 that are dimensioned to engage the outer surface of another structural element when connected in a longitudinal orientation, that is with the axes 120, 120* and 120" all in alignment.

[0031] In one embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the apparatus further includes a connectable proximal pen body 160 and distal pen body 162 that each can be snap-fit to ends of an assembled pen barrel to thereby capture writing element 115 therein (e.g., a ballpoint ink cartridge). A snap-fit pocket clip 164 with a single projecting feature 165 also is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 to make the toy assembly into a fully functional writing instrument.

[0032] In one embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the proximal and distal pen bodies 160 and 162 can further include spring 166 and an actuation mechanisms as well known in the art to provide a push button retractable ball-point pen.

[0033] FIG. 6 depicts another embodiment in which a delivery tube component 170 is provided as packaging for an assembly of structural elements 110, 112, 114. 115, 160 and 162 that are either assembled as a pen or that can be assembled into a pen. In addition, the end-caps 175 of tube component 170 comprise toy structural elements as well, and more particularly are configured as toy 'wheels' with each having a connector portion such as projecting element 180 that can be snap-fit into a receiving connector feature 130 of another structural element. It should be appreciated end-cap 'wheels' 175 can have either or both 'projecting' and 'receiving' connector features as described above to allow coupling to complementary features at the side or end of any other structure elements, or the end-cap 'wheels' can couple about their axles one to another to provide tandem toy wheel elements. Further, the toy wheels can be rotatable about an axle portion or the element that comprises a projecting and/or receiving feature thereof that is capable of connection with a

complementary feature of another structural element. Further, the deliver}' tube component 170 can be connected at its end to extend from a wheel 175 that is connected to another assembly, for example to provide an elongate element such as a rotating helicopter blade (not shown). Further, the delivery tube 170 can further include projecting and/or receiving features (not shown) along its side to allow its connection to a toy in a plurality of configurations.

[0034] Now turning to FIG. 7, one embodiment of a toy 'buggy' vehicle or landcrait 200 is shown that is assembled from exemplary structural elements 110, 112 and 114 as described above. In FIG. 7 and the exploded view of FIG. 8, it can be seen that a plurality of the structural elements can be assembled into a vehicle chassis assembly 205 with four wheel (end-cap) elements 175. Further, as can be seen in FIG. 8, the vehicle body assembly 210 and windscreen assembly 215 are provided by coupling together various arrangements of structural elements 110, 112 and 114.

[0035] It can be appreciated that FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate only one of a practically infinite number of toys that can be assembled from the structural elements of the invention. A plurality of such structur al elements can be connected together to provide any desired three- dimensional geometric shape, such as resembling one or more portions of a spacecraft, aircraft, landcrait, watercraft, or submarine. Any assembled toy may be a static form or a non-static such as a land- or aircraft with rotating wheels or blades. The stmctiiral elements also can connected together to provide geometric shapes resembling buildings. constructions, castles, pyramids, geographic and topographic features, planetary

arrangements and the like. The structural elements also can connected together to provide geometric shapes resembling torsos., legs, arms or heads of a human, an animal or fantasy being, free-form structures, stick-form molecules, geometric forms or even wearable ornaments.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 2, 7 , 8 and 9 A, it can be seen that the cross-sections of complementary connection comprising 'receiving' features 130 and projecting features 145 are round thus allowing for freedom of rotation between the structural elements about the connection. In another embodiment, referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, it can be seen that the cross-sections of complementary 'receiving' features 130' and snap-fit projecting features 145' can be non-round and provided with at least one set of complementary facets 220 and 222 for allowing a 'click-stop' rotational orientation of one structural element relative to another.

[0037] Another embodiment of a stractural element 240 is shown in FIG. 10A and 10B, wherein a medial portion of the element comprised a flexible body portion 244. FIG. IOC illustrates that the ends of flexible element 240 are configured for snap fit into a receiving features of assembled elements 112. FIG. 10A illustrates a flexible plastic bellows, but it should be appreciated the flexible body portion 244 can comprise a rubber or foam material, a helical spring or the like.

[0038] FIG. 11 illustrates an assembly of structural elements 110, 112 , 114 and 175 into a tank 300. FIG. 12 illustrates an assembly of stractural elements 110, 112, 114 and 175 into another embodiment of a vehicle 310.

[0039] In another embodiment (not shown), the connector 'receiving' and projecting features can include complementary magnetic structures (preferably neodymium magnets) rather than snap-fit moldable plastic features. The structural elements that include flexible body portions enables the construction of toys with a truly infinite number of possible geometric shapes so there is no limit but the child's imagination as to what can be constructed using the inventive system. [0040] The modular structural elements and system are adapted to foster creative expression, and to allow a child to created custom toys and playscapes. The structural elements are not limited to any particular size, elongate dimensions or shape. The stractural elements are preferably made of a moldable plastic that is clear, colored or translucent, for example an ABS plastic. It should be appreciated that structural elements also can be any moldable foam, rubber or metal as is know in the art. In one embodiment as shown in FIG. 5, the surfaces of a structural element can include bumps or facets 250 for contacting a surface feature of another structural element to provide a particular orientation.

[0041] While the foregoing has been with reference to a particular embodiment of the invention, the foregoing description is that of certain features, aspects and advantages of the present invention, to which various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or a group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. In addition, while a number of variations of the invention have been shown and described in detail, other modifications and methods of use, which are within the scope of this invention, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is contemplated that various combinations or subcombinations of these specific features and aspects of embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the invention.

Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the discussed bone treatment systems and methods.