TOY SOLDIER AND BATTLEFIELD DEVICES AND TARGETS
Embodiments of the invention provide model devices and systems. In one embodiment, the invention provides a model device comprising: a base portion; a first interchangeable portion; a second interchangeable portion, wherein the first interchangeable portion and the second interchangeable portion may be alternately positioned onto the base portion to form an assembled device, such that a first assembled device comprising the first interchangeable portion and the base portion has a first stability and a second assembled device comprising the second interchangeable portion and the base portion has a second stability.
This application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/652,167, filed May 26, 2012, which is hereby incorporated herein.
BACKGROUNDToy soldiers, battlefield implements, and similar devices are common sources of amusement for children and adults. These can be used in games of conquest and strategy, but are also useful in developing eye-hand coordination, developing tactical skills, and learning principles of movement and maneuvering. Children and adults can also learn the benefits of and strategies for cooperation and competition.
Known toy soldiers and similar devices, however, suffer from a number of deficiencies that limit their usefulness and/or the duration of their expected utility. For example, rigid, sturdy devices, which may withstand protracted or hard impacts, are typically not capable of modification, customization, or similar change. That is, modification, customization, etc. are typically sacrificed in favor of durability.
Other devices, which may be capable of modification, customization, etc., are typically less durable and subject to damage. Eventually, such damage will render the device unusable for its intended purpose.
SUMMARYIn one embodiment, the invention provides a model device comprising: a base portion; a first interchangeable portion; a second interchangeable portion, wherein the first interchangeable portion and the second interchangeable portion may be alternately positioned onto the base portion to form an assembled device, such that a first assembled device comprising the first interchangeable portion and the base portion has a first stability and a second assembled device comprising the second interchangeable portion and the base portion has a second stability.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a game system comprising: a plurality of model devices, at least one of the model devices comprising: a base portion; a first interchangeable portion; a second interchangeable portion, wherein the first interchangeable portion and the second interchangeable portion may be alternately positioned onto the base portion to form an assembled device, such that a first assembled device comprising the first interchangeable portion and the base portion has a first stability and a second assembled device comprising the second interchangeable portion and the base portion has a second stability; and a projectile device capable of overcoming the first stability and the second stability, thereby toppling the at least one model device.
These and other features of embodiments of the invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of the various aspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that depict various embodiments of the invention, in which:
It is noted that the drawings are not to scale and are intended to depict only typical aspects of the invention. The drawings should not, therefore, be considered as limiting the scope of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONIn addition to portions being interchangeable, other portions of model devices according to various embodiments of the invention may also be modified, adjusted, their positions and/or orientations changed, etc. As with interchangeable portions, such modification, adjustment, etc. results in substantially no change in the stability of the assembled model device.
Base portions and interchangeable portions of model devices according to embodiments of the invention may be formed from cardboard, wood, plastic, or similar materials capable of withstanding impact from a projectile. In some embodiments, where the base portion and an interchangeable portion are formed from plastic, each may include complementary features for fixedly or non-fixedly attaching the base portion and the interchangeable portion.
It should be noted that while the various embodiments of the invention described above describe a first and second interchangeable portion, any number of interchangeable portions may be employed. In addition, some embodiments of the invention may include groups of interchangeable portions, with a first group of interchangeable portions imparting a first stability to an assembled device and a second group of interchangeable portions imparting a second stability to the assembled device, wherein the first and second stabilities are different. For example, an assembled model device may be considered to have a first stability when assembled with interchangeable portions of the first group and considered to have a second stability (less than or greater than the first stability) when assembled with interchangeable portions of the second group.
Some embodiments of the invention may be useful, for example, in improving eye-hand coordination of a user through not only the various strategy and battle games that may be played but also, for example, through the assembly, modification, etc. of model devices.
One skilled in the art will understand, from the description above, the various methods and techniques that may be employed in using model devices according to embodiments of the invention. For example, a plurality of model devices according to embodiments of the invention may be employed in a game of strategy or in the re-enactment of a historic battle.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
The foregoing description of various aspects of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and obviously, many modifications and variations are possible. Such modifications and variations that may be apparent to a person skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.
Claims
1. A model device comprising:
- a base portion;
- a first interchangeable portion;
- a second interchangeable portion,
- wherein the first interchangeable portion and the second interchangeable portion may be alternately positioned onto the base portion to form an assembled device, such that a first assembled device comprising the first interchangeable portion and the base portion has a first stability and a second assembled device comprising the second interchangeable portion and the base portion has a second stability.
2. The model device of claim 1, wherein the base portion may be fixedly attached to either the first interchangeable portion or the second interchangeable portion.
3. The model device of claim 1, wherein the base portion includes a feature and each of the first interchangeable portion and the second interchangeable portion includes a complementary feature, by which the base portion and either the first interchangeable portion or the second interchangeable portion may be attached.
4. The model device of claim 1, wherein the first stability and the second stability are substantially the same.
5. The model device of claim 1, wherein the first stability and the second stability are different.
6. The model device of claim 1, further comprising:
- a detail portion for fixed or non-fixed attachment to at least one of the first interchangeable portion and the second interchangeable portion.
7. A game system comprising:
- a plurality of model devices, at least one of the model devices comprising: a base portion; a first interchangeable portion; a second interchangeable portion, wherein the first interchangeable portion and the second interchangeable portion may be alternately positioned onto the base portion to form an assembled device, such that a first assembled device comprising the first interchangeable portion and the base portion has a first stability and a second assembled device comprising the second interchangeable portion and the base portion has a second stability; and
- a projectile device capable of overcoming the first stability and the second stability, thereby toppling the at least one model device.
8. The game system of claim 7, wherein the first stability and the second stability are substantially the same.
9. The game system of claim 7, wherein the first stability and the second stability are different.
10. The game system of claim 7, further comprising:
- a detail portion for fixed or non-fixed attachment to at least one of the first interchangeable portion and the second interchangeable portion.
Type: Application
Filed: May 24, 2013
Publication Date: Nov 28, 2013
Applicant: Skull & Crown Stratagem Inc. (San Jose, CA)
Inventor: Thomas James Foss (San Jose, CA)
Application Number: 13/902,216
International Classification: A63F 9/00 (20060101);