Toy furniture carrier

Abstract

A device for carrying an article of toy furniture includes a base portion and a sling portion that is selectively and releasably interconnectable with the base portion. The base portion and the sling portion, when interconnnected, provide a simple and convenient carrier for an article of toy furniture resting on the base portion.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Serial No. 60/302,102 filed Jun. 30, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of toys, and, more particularly, a device for carrying toy furniture items.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0003] There has become known in the venue of retail toy sales various types of furniture, such as stuffed arm chairs, sofas, and/or futons, which are appropriately sized for use as furniture for toys, such as stuffed animals, “teddy bears”, and the like. These items, while being light enough for an adult to carry with one hand, are often possessed of a non-uniform shape and are of sufficient size as to be awkward, if not impossible, to fit into a conventional shopping bag. Thus, there is a need for a temporary carrying device or carrier specifically for carrying such toy furniture items from a retail store to a vehicle or point of use.

[0004] It is also generally considered advantageous if the product carriers can be recycled and/or reused for other purposes before being discarded or recycled. In this instance, because the product which is purchased and carried from the retail store in the subject device is a toy product, it is desirable if the carrying device is also a source of play, especially for a child who receives the product carried home in the new device.

[0005] A common problem for retailers in providing external packaging for carry-out purposes is that the packages require a significant amount of space for shipping, storage and in store-availability. Of course, if such packaging is also heavy, increased fees will be incurred in shipping of the carriers. Further, it is necessary that very little time be required to ready the package for receipt and carrying of the goods placed therein, so as to not interfere with store operations and require customers to wait for an extended period of time before leaving the store with their new purchases.

[0006] Accordingly, it is among the several objects of the present invention to provide a consumer product carrying device that permits the facile carrying from a retail store of an article of toy furniture, while simultaneously providing a significant amount of visibility of the article being carried in the new device. It is further among the objects of the present invention, having the features mentioned, that the new carrying device be quick to assemble by one person and be adapted for reuse, and/or alternative use as a play area, and further that the device be sufficiently light weight to readily permit carrying by an individual when a toy furniture product is in the carrier. It is also desirable that the new carrying device be formed a material which can be recycled and that the device provide a suitable substrate for addition of written information, such as product and source information, and/or graphic designs, such as advertising graphics.

[0007] Accordingly, in keeping with the above objects and advantages, the present invention is, briefly, a device for carrying an article of toy furniture. The device includes a base portion and a sling portion which is selectively and releasably interconnectable with the base portion. The base portion and the sling portion when interconnnected provide a simple and convenient carrier for an article of toy furniture resting on the base portion.

[0008] The invention is also, briefly, a device that provides the dual function of a carrier device for carrying toys and a play set. The device includes a first piece and a second piece, the first piece being a base for the carrier device and a floor area for the play set and the second piece being a sling for the carrier and a background for the playset.

[0009] These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a toy furniture carrier in accordance with the invention.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view thereof.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a left end elevational view thereof.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a right end elevational view thereof.

[0014] FIG. 5 front elevational view thereof.

[0015] FIG. 6 is a back elevational view thereof.

[0016] FIG. 7 is an upper right perspective view thereof, enlarged for clarity.

[0017] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the base portion of the new toy furniture carrier, the bottom plan view being identical prior to addition of any graphics or decorative effects.

[0018] FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the base portion shown in FIG. 8, with the end portions slightly raised.

[0019] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the sling portion of the new toy furniture carrier, prior to the addition of any graphics or decorative effects, the opposite side being identical.

[0020] FIG. 11 is a reduced, exploded view of the toy furniture carrier of FIG. 1, shown without the graphics and end tabs, for clarity and simplicity of the drawings, and set up as for use as a play area.

[0021] Throughout the figures like parts are indicated by like element numbers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] With reference to the figures, and initially, FIGS. 1-7, reference numeral 10 generally designates a toy furniture carrier having a base portion 12 and a sling portion 18, which preferably can be separated from one another and optionally used, either separably or together for purposes of play. It is to be understood that while carrier 10 could be modified to be constructed of all one piece, such is not preferred, in view of the various features and advantages discussed herein regarding storage and play functions.

[0023] As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 10, base portions 12, 18 are each formed from flat pieces of semi-rigid, sheet-like material, which is preferably corrugated cardboard. Optionally, other materials, such as plastic or paper board, for example, can be used to form the portions of carrier 10. The material selected to form portions 12, 18 must be sufficiently rigid to support the weight of a piece of toy furniture, such as indicated in phantom at 24 in FIG. 6, and also sufficiently flexible to be capable of repeated bending at the indicated places (discussed hereafter) for assembly and disassembly of carrier 10.

[0024] Each portion 12, 18 has two sides, 14, 16 and 20, 22, respectively, which are manufactured substantially flat for economy and for convenience of shipping and storage, but which can be bent at predetermined places in order to permit interconnection of portion 12 with portion 18, as will be described further hereafter, for purposes of forming a sling-type package for carrying a piece of toy furniture. Each side surface 14, 16, 20, 22 provides area for graphic designs and/or advertising. In the preferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-7, whimsical decorations are applied to the flat surfaces of portions 12, 18. The graphical elements provide an eye-catching, attractive “package” for carrying a recently purchased piece of toy furniture from the store, and at the same time provides a method for advertising the store where the toy furniture item was purchased. This is particularly useful as a marketing mechanism when such stores are located within shopping malls, so that other shoppers in the mall are indirectly urged to frequent the same toy store.

[0025] The decorative graphic patterns on the flat surfaces of portions 12, 18 provide a further function, which is to create the impression of a play area, in the case of the illustrations shown herein, a play house, when portions 12, 18 are unconnected from one anther and disposed, for example, in the relative positions illustrated in FIG. 11 (graphics omitted for simplicity). For example, the graphic illustrations shown in FIGS. 1-7 provide on side 14 of portion 12 a “hardwood” floor with a rug, and on side 16 an alternative “linoleum” floor, for use in a pretend bathroom. The alternate sides of sling portion 18 provide other whimsical home elements, such as a roof, bathtub, computer, lamp, bedroom furniture, and so on. Of course the graphic features can vary infinitely, or be omitted altogether without affecting the functional aspects of the carrying device.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 8, base portion 12 is preferably generally rectangular, although other perimeter shapes are conceived which will suffice, an oval for example. Two slots 26 are formed longitudinally through the depth of portion 12, one substantially adjacent and parallel to each long side edge of base portion 12. Slots 26 are sufficiently wide and long to receive the depth and widest portion of the width of sling portion 18 therethrough, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, for example. However, slots 26 are not so large in any dimension, as to permit significant “play” between portions 12 and 18. Such construction of base portion 12 permits quick, facile, secure interconnection of the two portions of carrier 10 to provide a resting place for toy furniture 24 within device 10. Thus, portions 12 and 18 can be stored separately in neat stacks in a retail facility or warehouse, and assembled together to form carrier 10 when needed.

[0027] FIG. 8 also clearly illustrates two substantially parallel lines of weakness 30, disposed inwardly of the two opposed short ends of base 12 and substantially perpendicular to slots 26. Lines of weakness 30 provide bending lines, to permit base 12 to be adapted for better carrying of toy furniture. When a larger piece of toy furniture is carried in device 10, lines of weakness 30 may not be used. Rather, in that case, the extensions 32, which extend as selectively movable panels laterally beyond lines 30 may remain flat. Alternatively, if base 12 is bent somewhat along lines 30, extension panels 32 may be angled upwardly, as shown, e.g., in FIGS. 5 and 9, in order to provide some degree of physical blockage, thereby enhancing the prevention of slipping of the toy furniture piece off the upwardly facing surface of base 12. For completeness, it is to be understood, that although device 10 is shown in the figures for consistency, with surface 14 facing upwardly, base 12 is preferably reversible so that either side can be used for carrying, or for play. Similarly, sling portion 18 can be reversed and either side used facing outwardly for either play or carrying purposes. This point is to be borne in mind as the following description of sling portion 18 is reviewed, as such describes the sling portion from one side, for simplicity and clarity, but of course, the entire portion 18 can be flipped over and the procedure for assembly applied to the opposite side of the panel.

[0028] FIG. 10 illustrates the preferred form of sling portion 18 just as it is manufactured. The sling portion is elongated and flat and provided with multiple transverse lines of weakness to enhance bendability of portion 18 at preselected places along the length of the portion. When bent at the places indicated, with the opposed ends of portion 18 being directed generally toward one another, on the same side 20 or 22, sling portion 18 can be interconnected with base portion 12 and with portions of itself, so as to provide a secure, readily assembled carrying device for toy furniture.

[0029] More specifically, for purposes of discussion, the side of sling portion 18 facing upwardly in FIG. 10 will be referred to as side 22. It is to be understood, that in this preferred embodiment, all lines of weakness described are disposed transversely to the longitude of portion 18, as indicated in FIG. 10. Beginning at the left side of FIG. 10, sling portion 18 has a handle, generally designated 34, which includes a preferably elongated, transversely disposed tab portion 36 separated only by a parallel line of weakness 38 to an area 40 which defines an opening 42. Area 40 is preferably separated by two closely spaced parallel lines of weakness 44 from another area 46. Area 46 is substantially the same size and shape as area 40, and also defines an opening, 48, which is in alignment with opening 42, preferably along the central longitudinal axis of sling portion 18. Openings 42, 48 are substantially identical in shape and perimeter size, but are disposed, as illustrated, “head to head”, so that when area 40 is folded toward and over area 46, along lines of weakness 44, openings 42, 48 are in overlapping relation to form a hand hold within handle 34. If desired, this opening can have an overall logo shape, can have finger cut-outs, or can simply be an oval, or some other conventional shape.

[0030] Area 46 of handle 34 is separated by a line of weakness 52 from a short panel 54. Along the right side of panel 54, a line of weakness 56, having a centrally disposed cut-out slot 58, separates short panel 54 from a long panel 60. Long panel 60 is separated by a line of weakness 62 from a short panel 64, which is further separated by another line of weakness 66 from a substantially central long panel 68. At the rightwardly directed end of long panel 68 there is disposed a line of weakness 70 which forms the left border of a short panel 72. To the right of panel 72 a line of weakness 74 separates a long panel 76 from short panel 72. Long panel 76 is similarly separated on the right boundary thereof by a line of weakness 78 from a short panel 80. Short panel 80 is separated from another, similarly sized and shaped short panel 82 by two closely spaced, parallel lines of weakness 84, which define a slot 86. Slot 86 is sufficiently long and wide to receive therethrough the main portions of areas 40, 46, when such areas are folded, one over the other, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. In this manner the carrying handle is formed for use by passage of handle 34 through slot 86 as shown and described portion 18 takes on a sling shape for convenient transport of purchase. This is enhanced by introduction of the body of portion 18, through the two parallel slots 26 in base portion 12, as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 2, so that long panel 68 is firmly and securely captured between the upper and lower surfaces of base 12.

[0031] Further with reference to FIG. 10, to the right of slot 86 there is illustrated a short panel 82, which is separated from short panel 80 by lines of weakness 84 and slot 86. To the fight of short panel 82 sling portion 18 terminates in a tab 88 which extends from the final panel, 82, and is separated by a line of weakness 90. Tab 88 is preferably notched as illustrated in FIG. 10, or otherwise suitably shaped to interengage slot 58, as illustrated, for example in FIG. 7. Accordingly when structured and assembled as shown and described, carrier 10 provides and neat, attractive and handy exterior package for transport of a piece of toy furniture. Once the purchaser's destination has been reached, simple disassembly of the two portions of carrier 10, and set up, for example as shown in FIG. 11 (portions deleted for simplicity) provides an interesting and attractive play area for a child, with stuffed animals or other toys.

[0032] It is to be understood that some variations in the construction described herein are conceived that will be within the scope of the invention, although the embodiment shown and described above is preferred. For example, the large and short panels of sling portion 18, illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, can, if desired, be further subdivided by more transverse lines of weakness. In this manner, more options are available for bending sling portion to fit around toy furniture of different sizes and shapes, and more options are available for use of the new carrier as a play set.

[0033] In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantages are attained. Although the foregoing includes a description of the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention, various modifications are conceivable.

[0034] As various modifications could be made in the constructions herein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the invention it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting.

Claims

1. A device for carrying an article of toy furniture wherein the device comprises:

a base portion and a sling portion, the sling portion being selectively and releasably interconnectable with the base portion, the base portion and the sling portion, when interconnnected, providing a simple and convenient carrier for an article of toy furniture resting on the base portion.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the base portion and the sling portion is usable as part of a play area when selectively separated from the other of the base portion and the sling portion.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the sling portion includes a handle for gripping and moving the sling portion.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the base portion is provided with slots for receiving and selectively retaining the sling portion therein.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the base portion and the sling portion is provided with graphic illustrations.

6. A device which provides the dual function of a carrier device for carrying toys and a play set, comprising:

a first piece and a second piece, the first piece being a base for the carrier device and a floor area for the play set and the second piece being a sling for the carrier device and a background for the playset.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the first piece is elongated, substantially flat and bendable.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein the second piece is more elongated than the first piece.

9. The device of claim 6, wherein the first piece is bendable along at least one line of weakness.

10. The device of claim 6, wherein the second piece is bendable along at least one line of weakness.

11. The device of claim 6, wherein the second piece includes a handle for gripping and moving the second piece.

12. The device of claim 6, wherein the first piece is provided with slots for receiving and selectively retaining the second piece therein.