RECREATIONAL DEVICE

The present invention relates to a recreational device of the type as recited in the preamble of Claim 1 .

Similar devices are described in the patent applications US-A-2757482 and JPS-U- 50139094.

In particular, the present invention relates to a recreational device mainly for children.

As known, recreational devices or toys for children are suitable for the entertainment and, sometimes, the education of the same.

There are various types of device on the market that also vary according to the users who they are targeted at, whether girls, boys or older children.

For example, stuffed toys, puzzles, video games, construction games, toy cars or miniature toy transport vehicles are present on the market

In detail, among the construction toys LEGO ^® bricks have gained particular notoriety. These objects allow the user to construct, with the help of instructions or freely, objects of various types.

It is possible to make figures, machines, structures and monuments or any other recognizable and aesthetically distinct object.

LEGO ^® can be disassembled and reassembled at will by the user and with absolutely free and variable configurations without restriction.

Another example of toys known to children are the toy cars marketed by Hot Wheels ^® or Burago ^® or again, Tamiya ^® .

These cars have different designs and shapes, and in some cases, are also constructible. Especially in the case of Burago ^® they are designed to replicate for children the historic or modern cars typical of the adult world.

In the case of the toy cars Tamiya Mini 4WD ^® , it is also possible to construct the inner mechanisms of the car and to change the engines.

These devices are mostly used on tracks or, in general, for races or competitions between children.

The prior art described has several significant drawbacks.

In particular, the prior art takes into account only limited aspects relating to children's entertainment.

Especially among younger children, entertainment is related not only to the fact of being able to construct or modify a toy, but also to the possibility of being able to break it.

The devices listed, once broken, can no longer be used or need to be replaced since they are not designed for such activity.

Another aspect of the games listed above is that the purposes for which they have been designed are typically recreational and creative, but are lacking from an exclusively educational point of view.

Finally, with the exception of LEGO ^® bricks, the other devices are not easily customizable from an aesthetic point of view and may thus lead to a reduced longevity of the product considering that children often tend to be very demanding and vary the toys they use.

In this situation, the technical purpose of the present invention is to devise a recreational device able to substantially overcome at least some of the drawbacks mentioned.

Within the sphere of said technical purpose, one important aim of the invention is to obtain a recreational device which can be substantially broken without detracting from its functioning and which vice versa is actually designed to be taken apart. Another important purpose of the invention is to make a recreational device, which is not only entertaining, but also educates children.

In conclusion a further purpose of the invention is to make a device the appearance of which can be changed by the user at will while keeping intact the characteristics of the device.

The technical purpose and specified aims are achieved by a recreational device as claimed in the appended claim 1 . Examples of preferred embodiment are described in the dependent claims.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become evident by way of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the recreational device;

Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the recreational device;

Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the internal structure of the recreational device; and

Fig. 4 is a detailed view of the surfaces of interaction between the covering element and slider component.

Herein, the measures, values, shapes and geometric references (such as perpendicularity and parallelism), when used with words like "about" or other similar terms such as "approximately" or "substantially", are to be understood as except for measurement errors or inaccuracies due to production and/or manufacturing errors and, above all, except for a slight divergence from the value, measure, shape or geometric reference which it is associated with. For example, said terms, if associated with a value, preferably indicate a divergence of not more than 10% of said value.

In addition, where used terms such as "first", "second", "upper", "lower", "main" and "secondary" do not necessarily refer to an order, a priority relationship or relative position, but may simply be used to more clearly distinguish different components from each other.

The measurements and data presented herein are to be considered, unless otherwise indicated, as made in Standard International Atmospheres ICAO (ISO 2533).

With reference to the Drawings, reference numeral 1 globally denotes the recreational device according to the invention.

The recreational device 1 is preferably a toy and, in particular, a model of a means of transport.

Therefore, it may be a wagon of a train, a plane, a motorcycle, or so forth. More specifically the device 1 is a model of a conventional car.

This model may in addition be of variable size and may replicate conventional cars according to scale, for example, 1 : 18, 1 :24; or 1 A3.

Models in scales different from those listed above are however also included.

The recreational device 1 comprises a support 2, a slider 3, a covering element 4 and an elastic element 5.

The support 2 is preferably substantially a frame or chassis constituting, in the preferred embodiment, the skeleton of the model toy i.e. of the device 1.

The support 2 then comprises a first guide 20 defining a main axis 2a.

The first guide 20 is preferably a track or rail suitable to direct the movement of an object, such as for example a carriage or slider within an axis that preferably coincides with the main axis 2a. The support 2 comprises then a bottom surface 21 , an outer cover 22 and a cavity 23

The bottom surface 21 is preferably the bottom of the support 2 and, for example, consists of a rigid plate defining the base of a model car and therefore presents the geometrical characteristics, to scale, of the bottom of a car.

The outer cover 22 is substantially preferably the upper part of the support 2. It is preferably a hollow cover, which can be connected above the bottom surface 21 ; in particular, the outer cover subtends the cavity 23.

The cavity 23 is therefore preferably defined as the empty space between the bottom surface 21 and the outer cover 22.

The outer cover 22 preferably does not entirely enclose the cavity, but comprises a plurality of openings on its surface.

In particular, the outer cover 22 comprises at least a second guide 22a. This second guide 22a is, for example, placed in the upper portion of the outer cover 22, but it can also be placed sideways. For example, in addition, a plurality of second guides 22a may be present suitable to house sliders inside them and, in detail, one or more sliders.

In addition, preferably, the outer cover 22 defines with the bottom surface 21 the first guide 20.

In particular, the lateral surfaces of the outer cover 22 constitute banks suitable to limit the area of movement inside the cavity 23 within the main axis 2a.

The bottom surface 21 and the outer cover may thus be in one piece, or, preferably, may be two separate parts that can be connected by interlocking.

The support 2 may be made of various materials. For example, it may be made of metal, rubber, wood or otherwise. Preferably, the support 2 is made of polymeric material.

The slider 3 is preferably an element suitable to move along a guide. Preferably, the slider 3 is suitable to move along the first guide 20 and is at least partially contained inside the cavity 23.

In addition, the slider 3 is preferably at least partially contained between the bottom surface 21 and the outer cover 22.

As a result, preferably, the slider 3 is substantially movably connected to the support 2 and mobile along the main axis 2a.

The support 2 and the slider 3 thus describe, for example, a sleeve structure.

In addition, between the slider 3 and the support 2 the elastic element 5 is interposed.

The elastic element 5 in particular is constrained to the slider 3 and to the support 2 so that when the slider 3 is moved inside the support 2, it assists or opposes the movement of the slider 3.

The elastic element 5 preferably, therefore, acts along the main axis 2a and defines a rest configuration and an operating configuration.

In detail, in the rest configuration, the elastic element 5 is in the rest position between the slider 3 and the support 2. The term rest position refers to the position in which the elastic element 5 is stressed with minimum force as far as permitted by the structure.

In the operating configuration instead, preferably the slider 3 and the support 2 are in contrast with the elastic element 5. Consequently, the operating configuration corresponds substantially to the condition in which the elastic element undergoes a greater stress than in the rest position.

The elastic element 5 tends then to bring the device 1 into the rest configuration. The elastic element 5 therefore may be a rubber element or a magnetic element and, preferably, is a spring of the axial type. Said axial spring in the rest configuration is unloaded or under little stress, while in the operating configuration it is compressed or expanded.

The elastic element 5 is preferably suitable to enable the slider 3 to return to the rest configuration from the operating configuration, automatically.

The slider 3 comprises then a contact area 31.

The contact area 31 is preferably a part of the slider 3 projecting from the support 2.

For example, the contact area 31 corresponds to the front of the slider 3.

This contact area 31 is therefore preferably constituted, in the preferred configuration, by the bumper of a model car.

It is preferably suitable to hit an obstacle in such a way that the elastic element 5 moves from the rest configuration to the operating configuration.

In particular, therefore, the contact area 31 is one of the ends of the slider 3 arranged along the main axis 2a.

The slider 3 further comprises, preferably, at least one protruding component 30. Said protruding component 30 is, for example, an element of an elongated shape protruding outwards. In particular, it looks like a small wedge protruding toward the outer cover 22.

Preferably, the component 30 is protruding outwards so as to protrude from the outer cover 22. Preferably, the component 30 is suitable to be housed, at least partially, inside second guides 22a.

Preferably the slider 3 comprises a plurality of components 30 and in particular in number from ten to thirty, for example sixteen, of which eight arranged in the upper part of the slider 3, and thus of the support 2, three on each lateral surface of the slider and thus of the support 2 and two placed at the rear.

The term rear, in the preferred configuration, means the back of the model car, while front clearly means the part that generally comprises the bonnet-engine.

Each component 30 defines a second interaction surface 30a.

This second interaction surface 30a is preferably suitable to come into contact with other objects.

Preferably, the second interaction surface 30a defines a sliding direction 3a. The sliding direction 3a, is for example, the direction of movement of the objects sliding on the second interaction surface 30a.

Preferably the sliding direction defines with the main axis 2a an angle between 30° and 60° and, more appropriately, between 40° and 50°.

The components 30 are preferably suitable to interact with one or more covering elements 4. The covering elements 4 are elements suitable to cover the structure defined by the support 2. In particular, in the preferred configuration, they consist of a complete body of a model car or a part of the bodywork of a model car.

For example, the covering element 4 may therefore be a door, a windscreen, a bonnet, detachably constrained to the support 2.

Preferably, the covering element or elements 4 can be detachably connected to the support 2. In particular, they are mutually detachably connected by coupling means 8. The latter are preferably of the known type, for example are pins 8b, preferably integral with the covering element 4, and seats 8a, preferably integral with the support 2 in which said pins 8b can be housed by interlocking. Said coupling means 8 preferably interlock by interference.

In addition, said covering element 4 comprises at least a first interaction surface 40a. Said first interaction surface 40a is suitable to interact for example with the components 30. In detail, the first interaction surface 40a interacts with a second interaction surface 30a.

The first interaction surface 40a and the second interaction surface 30a in particular interact with each other by interference when the elastic element 5 switches to the operating configuration, i.e. when the slider 3 is moved or translated and the components 30 slide within the second guides 22a.

Preferably, the second interaction surface 40a is suitable to undo the connection between the covering element 4 and the support 2 when the elastic element 5 is in the operating configuration.

In addition, preferably the first interaction surface 40a is counter-shaped to the second interaction surface 30a. Alternatively, the first interaction surface 40a, or the second 30a may simply be a smooth portion and disengage itself due to the wedge shape or mere interaction of the other portion.

Consequently, the interaction surface 40a also defines a direction coincidental or parallel to the sliding direction 3a.

Preferably, the first interaction surface 40a is suitable to slide on the second interaction surface 30a when the elastic element 5 is in the operating configuration. When the covering elements 4 are constrained to the support 2 in fact the first and second interaction surfaces 40a, 30a are preferably substantially in contact.

In the preferred embodiment, when the elastic element 5 is in the operating configuration, the covering element 4 moves perpendicular to the main axis 2a along the coupling means 8. As a result, the covering element 4 moves away from the support 2 and the detachable connections consisting of the coupling means 8 are released. The device 1 further comprises blocking means (not shown in the drawing) suitable to block the movement between the support 2 and the slider 3 and to keep the elastic element 5 in said rest position. Said blocking means are composed for example of an interlocking insert insertable in the support 2 and suitable to block, for example by means of a perpendicular, and not inclined wall like the surfaces 30a and 40a, the mutual translation of the support 2 and the slider 3.

The device 1 therefore preferably comprises at least one movement member 6. It is preferably weakly constrained to the support 2 and is suitable to adhere at least partly to a support surface and to move the support 2 in relation to the support surface.

The support surface may thus be a floor, a table or other.

In particular the movement members 6 may be wheels or means suitable to allow the movement of the device 1 with respect to a plane, or in any case, a support surface.

Preferably, the movement member 6 is a wheel and four movement members 6 are movably constrained to the support 2.

The device 1 further comprises at least one locomotive apparatus 7.

The locomotive apparatus 7 is for example suitable to move one or more movement members 6.

Preferably, the locomotive apparatus 7 is a pullback system of the known type.

Consequently, the locomotive apparatus 7 is constrained to the support 2 and sets the movement members in motion when operated by a user.

In particular, in the preferred configuration, the locomotive apparatus 7 is recharged when the device 1 is made to reverse by a user. Once the device 1 is freed, the locomotive apparatus 7 moves the movement members 6 by pushing the device 1 . This operation is of the known type.

The functioning of the recreational device 1 described above in structural terms, is as follows.

The device can be operated by a user in a conventional manner, namely by using the pullback system known of in the prior art.

The device 1 is set into motion and when it meets an obstacle placed in front of it in relation to the forward direction, it pressurises the contact area 31.

As a result, the slider 3 moves rearwards undoing the connections of the covering elements 4 which are driven away from the support 2 and thus from the device 1 . This way, in the preferred configuration, the car consisting of the device 1 loses body parts after a collision with an obstacle.

The recreational device 1 according to the invention achieves important advantages. In fact, the device makes it possible to simulate breakage without its functioning being adversely affected. As a result, the device makes it possible to entertain a non-adult public, which, as known, often finds amusement in taking apart or breaking objects.

In addition, this type of device makes it possible to create, should one wish, a road traffic simulation system for educational purposes.

For example, a model of an intersection may be recreated and, using a plurality of devices 1 , the effect of rash or incorrect manoeuvres can be explained to children simulating the extent of the accident.

Another advantage of the device is that the pieces, namely the covering elements 4 are interchangeable.

In fact, various similar covering elements 4 may be provided (i.e. relative to the same portion of device) which include the same first interaction surfaces 40a and the same coupling means 8 so that they are interchangeable and different externally, for example in colour and/or shape. Several devices 1 may also be provided having identical interaction surfaces 30a, 40a and coupling means 8 and different externally, so that the covering elements 4 are interchangeable.

It is in fact possible to create sets of different colours or shapes allowing children to modify the device 1 at will without affecting its operation.

Variations may be made to the invention described herein without departing from the scope of the inventive concept defined in the claims.

For example, as already mentioned, the device may replicate a model other than a car. For example, there may be two movement members 6 and the device 1 may be a model bike. Alternatively, the position of the contact zone 31 may be varied.

Alternatively, a plurality of elastic elements 5 and/or sliders 3 may be provided in such a way as to allow the collision to be seen on several sides at once.

In said sphere all the details may be replaced with equivalent elements and the materials, shapes and dimensions may be as desired.