Toy Assembly With Blower And Color Changing Features
A toy assembly includes an air blower than can blow air and particles such as glitter. In one embodiment, the toy assembly includes a doll and an air blower that can blow air and glitter particles as well as change the color of the hair of the doll.
This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/374,816, filed Aug. 18, 2010, entitled “Toy Assembly with Blower and Color Changing Features,” Attorney Docket No. 1389.0283P/16693P, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a toy assembly, and in particular, a toy assembly including an air blower than can blow air and particles, such as glitter. The present invention also relates to a toy assembly including a doll and an air blower that can blow air and glitter particles as well as change the color of the hair of the doll.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONSome conventional dolls have hair that is thermochromic. The color of the doll's hair can be changed by the application of a cold object or a warm object to the hair. In one example, the application of heat through the contact of a warm object with thermochromic hair of the doll can result in the doll's hair changing from a first color to a different, second color. The application of cold energy through the contact of a cold object with the doll's hair can change the hair from the second color back to the first color.
Some conventional toys are configured to blow air. Blowing air alone is repetitive and lacks any creativity on the part of the child playing with the blower.
However, such toys are not configured to blow air and particles that are decorative, such as glitter. The ability of a blower to blow particles in addition to air would facilitate the decoration of a doll or other object.
Therefore, there is a need for an air blower than can blow air and particles, such as glitter. There is also a need for an air blower that can be used to change the color of a doll's hair as well as dispense air and particles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn one embodiment, a toy assembly includes a doll and a blower that can be used to blow air and/or particles, such as glitter particles, at the doll. The doll may have a tacky surface or a gel or sticker can be added to the doll to provide a tacky or adhesive surface to which the particles can adhered. The tacky surface(s) on the doll can vary, thereby creating a different appearance for the doll when the glitter particles are applied to the doll. In one implementation, the glitter particles can be applied to the hair of the doll.
In one embodiment, the blower has multiple modes of operation. In one mode of operation, the blower can be used to blow air at the doll, such as to “blow dry” the doll's hair. In another mode of operation, the blower can be used to dispense glitter particles as well as blow air. The dispensing or dispersing of the glitter particles can be controlled or metered to provide a desired amount of glitter from the blower. In one implementation, the blower includes a bellows structure that provides periodic bursts of air that flow past a source of glitter particles to carry glitter particles from the blower. The bellows structure is periodically compressed by an actuator to provide the actuations of the bellows needed for the air flow. In one embodiment, the glitter particles can be fed into a supply tube from a hopper. In another embodiment, the glitter particles falling into the supply tube can be controlled by a valve-like structure.
In one embodiment, the blower can have different components attached thereto that can be brought into engagement with the hair of a doll to change the color of the portion of the hair of the doll that is thermochromic. In one arrangement, a cooling component can be attached to the blower. In another arrangement, a heating component can be attached to the blower. The components can be filled with the corresponding one of a cold or warm liquid, such as water, or a solid, such as ice cubes. The components can be brought into contact with the hair of the doll to change its color.
In one embodiment, the blower can change the color of the doll's hair as well as blow air and/or glitter particles on the doll. This combined functionality provides many different opportunities for the decorating of and the playing with a doll by a child.
Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elements throughout this disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONIt is to be understood that terms such as “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” “height,” “length,” “width,” “upper,” “lower,” “interior,” “exterior,” “inner,” “outer” and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points or portions of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration. Further, terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., merely identify one of a number of portions, components and/or points of reference as disclosed herein, and do not limit the present invention to any particular configuration or orientation.
The terms “dispensing,” “dispersing,” “expelling,” “outputting,” and “distributing” may be used interchangeably herein to refer to how air and/or particles exit the housing of the blower. The terms “blower,” “blowing mechanism,” and “air flow generating mechanism” may be used interchangeably herein to refer to a mechanism that generates a flow of air, whether continuous or intermittent.
Referring to
In addition, the toy assembly 10 includes a color changing mechanism 40, which is shown in
Referring back to
Referring to
As shown in
Switch 138 is a mode switch that can be manipulated by a user to: (a) turn the blower 100 off; (b) operate the blower 100 in an air blowing mode; or (c) operate the blower 100 in a combined air blowing and particle dispersing mode. As shown in
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The nozzle portion 150 also includes a locating mechanism 160 that engages a slot formed on the housing 110 to ensure that the nozzle portion 150 is mounted on the housing 110 in the proper orientation. In this embodiment, the locating mechanism 160 is in the form of a plate that extends into the receptacle 158.
Referring to
Referring to
The end portion 140 includes a slot 145 formed therein that receives the plate or guide 160 of the nozzle portion 150 to ensure that the nozzle portion 150 is mounted on the end portion 140 in its proper orientation.
Referring to
The blower 100 has two modes of operation. In one mode, corresponding to an air only mode, the drive 210 causes the blower mechanism to operate and air is dispensed through the output tube 220 and out of the blower 100 through the opening at end 222. In the other mode, corresponding to an air and particle mode, in addition to the air being blown out from the blower 100, particles are also dispensed from the blower 100 by the particle feeding or particle control mechanism 400, which is activated by the cam 254. Mechanism 400 can be referred to alternatively as a particle flow generating mechanism.
When the drive 210 is operating, air is blown out through tube or delivery member 220 to end 222 along the direction of arrow “A.” When the particle feeding mechanism 400 is activated, by way of the mode switch, the cam 254 rotates about axle 252 along the direction of arrow “B” and engages an actuator 420 which causes periodic distribution of particles, as described below. In this embodiment, when the mode switch 138 is moved downwardly along the direction of arrow “C,” an elongate member or lever 470 rotates about pivot axis defined by connector 471 along the direction of arrow “D” and the mode in which air and particles are dispensed is selected.
Referring to
Referring back to
Referring to
As shown in
Referring to
Referring to
As shown, the plate 418 has projections 408 that are inserted into mounting posts 407 with openings to mount the plate 418, which is proximate to actuator 420. The plate 418 includes a pair of walls 419A and 419B that define an area or cavity 419C therebetween. The area 419C is sized so that the valve 460 can be inserted and retained therein.
Referring to
The inner surface of the actuator 420 is illustrated in
The actuator 420 includes a plate 432 that is inserted in the space 416 beneath the lower end 414 of the bellows 410. The plate 432 has a surface 434 that engages the lower end 414 of the bellows 410 and moves the lower end 414 as the actuator 420 is moved by the cam 254, which rotates relative to the gear housing 250.
Referring to
This arrangement can represent one of two operational states. First, if the switch body 492 is in position 498, the mode of operation is that only air is being generated by the blower 100. In this mode, cam 254 is not driven by the drive 210 and is operably decoupled from the drive 210. In one embodiment, a gear can be moved out of engagement with a gear train, thereby decoupling the cam 254 from the drive 210. In another embodiment, a component other than a gear can be moved so as to decouple the cam 254 from the drive 210.
The other representative state is that if the switch body 492 is in position 494, the mode of operation is that air and particles are being blown from the blower 100. In this mode, cam 254 is continuously rotated about axis 257 along the direction of arrow “L” and due to the shape of the cam surface 256, the cam 254 intermittently engages the engagement surface 430 of the actuator 420. Thus, the position of the cam 254 in
Referring to
As the air is forced into the tube 440, the air pushes glitter particles that have dropped from the hopper 310 into the portion of the tube 440 at the coupler 380. The pushed glitter particles exit opening 154 in nozzle portion 150 and are carried further from the blower 100 by the airflow exiting opening 156 in nozzle portion 150.
Referring to
When a force is applied to surface 173 of the release member 170 along the direction of arrow “P,” the release member 170 pivots along the direction of arrow “Q” and end 176 of the release member 170 in engagement with a notch formed in the housing 350 moves along the direction of arrow “R.” As a result, the housing 350 extends a slight distance above the upper surface of the blower housing 110, thereby facilitating the grasping of the housing 350 by the user. The housing 350 contains the glitter particles for the blower 100. Thus, when the housing 350 needs to be refilled or replaced, the user can engage the release member 170 to move the housing 350 to a position that facilitates the grasping of the housing 350. The replacement housing 310 can be inserted along the direction of arrow “0” into the hopper 310.
As shown, the hopper 310 includes a wall 312 that has an outer surface 311 from which projections 322 and 324 extend. The projections 322 and 324 can be slid into grooves formed in the housing portions 112 and 114, such as groove 127, which retains the hopper 310 in its desired position. The hopper 310 also includes a tapered or angled lower end 318.
Referring to
As shown in
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The blower 700 includes a housing 770 that contains particles, such as glitter particles, and that can be inserted into a hopper 760 that is in communication with the tube 750. The hopper 760 has a lower end with a port 762 that is in communication with a chamber 764.
The blower 700 includes a metering mechanism 780 that controls the entry or feeding of glitter particles into the chamber 764 and the tube 750. In this embodiment, the metering or particle control mechanism 780 includes a valve member or pin 790 with a head 792 at one end and a blocking member 796 at an opposite end (see
The metering mechanism 780 includes a lever or actuator 800 that is slidably mounted in the housing 710. The actuator 800 can be referred to alternatively as an elongate member or a reciprocating member. As shown in
Referring to
When the cam 820 and the lever 800 are moved along the direction of arrow “V” in
Referring to
The blower 1020 has a front end 1026 to which various components or attachments can be coupled to change the functionality of the blower 1020. In one implementation, the front end 1026 includes a mounting structure 1028 to which the components can be attached.
One component 1030 is a cooling component that can be snapped onto the front end 1026 of the blower 1020. The cooling component 1030 has a body 1032 with several projections 1034 extending therefrom. In one embodiment, the body 1032 is formed of aluminum. The body 1032 of the cooling component 1030 includes an internal chamber or receptacle into which a cool or cold liquid and/or solid can be inserted. For example, cold water and/or ice cubes can be inserted into the cooling component 1030. When the cooling component 1030 is brought into contact with the doll's hair 1012, which has thermochromic properties, the color of the doll's hair 1012 can be changed, such as from its normal color to different color or alternatively, from a different color to its normal color.
Another component 1040 is a heating or warming component that can be snapped onto the front end 1026 of the blower 1020. The heating component 1040 has a body 1042 with an outer surface 1044. In one embodiment, the body 1042 is formed of aluminum. The body 1042 of the heating component 1040 includes an internal chamber or receptacle into which a warm or hot liquid can be inserted. For example, warm water can be inserted into the heating component 1040. When the heating component 1040 is brought into contact with the doll's hair 1012, the purple or pink (or other color) color of the doll's hair 1012 can be changed back to its normal color or alternatively, the normal color of the hair changed to a different color.
Another component 1050 is a particle or glitter component. Glitter component 1050 has an end 1052 with an opening 1054 that enables it to be mounted onto the blower 1020. The glitter component 1050 includes an internal chamber with glitter particles therein. When air is blown by the blower 1020 through the glitter component 1050, glitter particles are dispersed from the blower 1020 in the air flow.
The toy assembly 1000 also includes a bottle 1060 with a comb-like dispensing structure 1062 that can be used to apply gel from the bottle 1060 to the hair 1012 of the doll 1010. By applying the gel to the doll's hair 1012, glitter particles adhere to the doll's hair 1012, thereby enhancing the appearance of the doll 1010.
Referring to
As shown in
As shown in
In one embodiment, the blower can be used to blow out the hair of a doll and if a gel or other tacky or adhesive substance is applied to the doll's hair, glitter particles can be applied to the hair. The color change mechanism can be used to change the color of the doll's hair by inserting warm or cold liquids into the chamber of the color change mechanism and using it on the doll's hair. In one embodiment, the doll's hair changes from blond to pink and the highlights in the hair from light pink to dark pink and purple. The color changes can be reversed using the color change mechanism as well. The blower can be used to “glitterize” the doll's hair by adding sparkles (glitter particles) to the hair and to “blow dry” the hair. The gel can be applied to particular portions of the hair for targeted glitterized areas.
In one embodiment, a toy comprises a housing having a first opening and a second opening spaced apart from the first opening, a blowing mechanism disposed in the housing, the blowing mechanism configured to blow air through the first opening in the housing, a container disposed in the housing, the container holding a plurality of glitter particles, the container being in communication with the second opening in the housing, a metering mechanism that is operably coupled to the container, the metering mechanism allowing glitter particles to exit the container when the metering mechanism is actuated, a first switch connected to the blowing mechanism and operable by a user to activate the blowing mechanism, and a second switch connected to the metering mechanism and operable by a user to activate the metering mechanism.
In one embodiment, the metering mechanism includes an elongate member with an engagement portion disposed thereon, and a release member movably mounted relative to the container and engaged with the container, the engagement portion of the elongate member engages the release member as the elongate member moves in the housing and causes the release member to move relative to the container, thereby resulting in the discharge of glitter particles from the container.
In an alternative embodiment, the elongate member and the release member move along lines that are substantially perpendicular to each other.
In an alternative embodiment, the elongate member moves front to back within the housing and the release member moves up and down within the housing.
In an alternative embodiment, the elongate member reciprocates relative to the housing and the release member is periodically activated.
In one embodiment, the metering mechanism is periodically activated during the operation of the blowing mechanism.
In an alternative embodiment, the housing includes a nozzle portion coupled thereto, the nozzle portion defines the first opening and the second opening, and the second opening is disposed proximate to the first opening. Also, the blowing mechanism can be a motor-driven blower.
In another embodiment, a toy assembly includes a housing including a source of air disposed in the housing, the air source configured to blow air through an opening in the housing, and a mounting portion, and a plurality of components that can be coupled to the mounting portion, the plurality of components including: a first component that can be coupled to the mounting portion, the first component being engageable with a portion of a doll to change the color of the portion of the doll, a second component that can be coupled to the mounting portion, the second component being engageable with the portion of the doll to change the color of the portion of the doll, and a third component that can be coupled to the mounting portion, the third component containing particles that can be dispersed from the housing by the air from the air source.
In one embodiment, the first component includes a body defining a chamber in which a cooling liquid or object can be placed and a lid removably coupled to the body to seal the chamber.
In addition, the first component includes a metallic plate coupled thereto, the metallic plate being engageable with the portion of the doll, the metallic plate having a plurality of projections extending therefrom.
Alternatively, the second component includes its own body defining a chamber in which a warming liquid or object can be placed and a lid removably coupled to the body of the second component to seal the chamber of the second component.
In addition, the second component includes a metallic plate coupled thereto, the metallic plate being engageable with the portion of the doll.
In another embodiment, the housing defines a receptacle which is configured to receive a portion of the first component when the first component is coupled to the housing and a portion of the second component when the second component is coupled to the housing.
In one embodiment, the third component includes a plurality of glitter particles that are distributed by the air from the air source.
While the invention has been described in detail and with references to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A toy, comprising:
- a housing;
- a blowing mechanism disposed in the housing, the blowing mechanism generating a first flow of air that is discharged from the housing;
- a container coupled to the housing, the container holding a plurality of glitter particles; and
- a particle dispersing mechanism disposed in the housing, the particle dispersing mechanism generating a second flow of air that is discharged from the housing, the second flow of air being periodic bursts of air, the particle dispersing mechanism allowing glitter particles to exit the container into the second flow of air and be intermittently discharged from the housing.
2. The toy of claim 1, wherein the housing has a first opening and a second opening separate from the first opening, the first flow of air from the blowing mechanism exits through the first opening, and the second flow of air containing the glitter particles exit through the second opening.
3. The toy of claim 1, wherein the particle dispersing mechanism is coupled to the container, and the particle dispersing mechanism controls the intermittent entry of glitter particles into the second flow of air.
4. The toy of claim 1, wherein the particle dispersing mechanism includes a valve member coupled to the container, the valve member controlling the flow of particles from the container, the particle dispersing mechanism includes a reciprocating member that intermittently engages and moves the valve member to allow glitter particles to exit the container.
5. The toy of claim 4, wherein the reciprocating member is an elongate member that slides relative to the housing, and the valve member moves substantially perpendicularly to the elongate member.
6. The toy of claim 1, wherein the particle dispersing mechanism includes a bellows and an actuator, and the actuator is driven intermittently to engage the bellows and create the bursts of the second flow of air.
7. The toy of claim 6, wherein the housing includes a drive mechanism having a cam member coupled thereto, and the cam member has a cam surface engageable with the actuator to move the actuator to engage the bellows.
8. The toy of claim 7, wherein the cam member intermittently engages a portion of the actuator as the cam member rotates.
9. The toy of claim 1, further comprising:
- an actuating switch operable by a user to activate the blowing mechanism and the particle dispersing mechanism; and
- a mode switch operable by the user to select between a first mode of activation of the blowing mechanism alone and a second mode of activation of the blowing mechanism and the particle dispersing mechanism.
10. The toy of claim 9, wherein each of the blowing mechanism and the particle dispersing mechanism is continuously operated in the second mode.
11. A toy assembly, comprising:
- a doll; and
- a glitter and air blower comprising: a housing; an air flow generating mechanism disposed in the housing, the air flow generating mechanism generating a first flow of air that is discharged from the housing; a container coupled to the housing, the container holding a plurality of glitter particles; and a particle flow generating mechanism disposed in the housing, the particle flow generating mechanism generating a second flow of air that is discharged from the housing, the second flow of air including periodic bursts of air containing glitter particles, the particle flow generating mechanism including a control mechanism that controls the entry of glitter particles into the second flow of air, the first flow of air carrying the particles from the second flow of air into engagement with the doll.
12. The toy of claim 11, wherein the housing has a first opening and a second opening above the first opening, the first flow of air exits through the first opening, and the second flow of air exits through the second opening.
13. The toy of claim 11, wherein the particle flow generating mechanism includes a bellows and an actuator, and the actuator is driven intermittently to engage the bellows and create the bursts of the second flow of air.
14. The toy of claim 13, wherein the housing includes a drive mechanism having a cam member coupled thereto, the cam member has a cam surface engageable with the actuator to move the actuator to engage the bellows, and the cam member intermittently engages a portion of the actuator as the cam member rotates.
15. The toy of claim 11, further comprising:
- an actuating switch operable by a user to activate the air flow generating mechanism and the particle flow generating mechanism; and
- a mode switch operable by the user to select between a first mode of activation of the air flow generating mechanism alone and a second mode of activation of the air flow generating mechanism and the particle flow generating mechanism, wherein each of the blowing mechanism and the particle dispersing mechanism is continuously operated in the second mode.
16. A toy assembly for use with a doll, comprising:
- a housing including: an air source disposed in the housing, the air source configured to blow air through an opening in the housing, and a mounting portion; and
- a first component removably coupleable to the mounting portion, the first component being engageable with a portion of the doll to change the color of the portion of the doll; and
- a second component removably coupleable to the mounting portion, the second component containing particles that can be dispersed from the housing by the air from the air source.
17. The toy assembly of claim 16, wherein the first component includes a body defining a chamber in which a liquid or object can be placed.
18. The toy assembly of claim 17, wherein the portion of the doll is hair of the doll.
19. The toy assembly of claim 16, wherein the particles are dispersed through an opening in the second component via the air from the opening in the housing.
20. The toy assembly of claim 16, wherein the mounting portion includes a threaded portion, and each of the first component and the second component includes a threaded member that can be used with the threaded portion to couple the corresponding one of the first component and the second component to the mounting portion.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 18, 2011
Publication Date: Feb 23, 2012
Inventors: Erika Kane (San Pedro, CA), Eric Lau (Yuen Long), Melissa Ozuna (Redondo Beach, CA), Catherine Wong (Ap Lei Chau)
Application Number: 13/212,326
International Classification: A63H 33/00 (20060101);