CONTOURED LID FOR A TOY BUCKET AND A TOY BUCKET INCORPORATING THE SAME

Abstract

A lid for a toy bucket, a toy bucket incorporating the lid and a method of use are disclosed. The toy bucket includes a base having a bottom wall with a sidewall extending upwardly therefrom. A chamber is defined by the base and is used for storing toys and accessories therein. The lid is selectively engageable with an upper region of the base and blocks access to the chamber. The lid includes a first wall that is positioned opposite to the base's bottom wall. The first wall of the lid is provided with contours that depict a 3-dimensional geographical landscape that complements the toys and accessories in the base. The accessories may include a pop-up card that is unfolded to produce an additional 3-dimensional structure. The unfolded card may be placed adjacent the lid and be secured thereto by a locking member thereby extending the 3-dimensional landscape.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/153,871 filed Apr. 28, 2015, the entire specification of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention relates generally to toys. More particularly, this invention is directed to a toy bucket in which miniaturized toys may be stored. Specifically, this invention is directed to a lid for a toy bucket that includes contoured and shaped regions which depict a 3-dimensional landscape and which may be utilized with toys from the interior of the bucket during play, and wherein at least one of those toys is a pop-up card that may selectively be engaged with the lid to expand the 3-dimensional landscape.

2. Background Information

Children love to use their imaginations when they play with toys, creating imaginary worlds and situations as they play. This is particularly true when the toys include building blocks or miniaturized figurines such as toy soldiers. One of the issues with this type of toy is that after play, the play area may be littered with the small components. This may result in some of the toys becoming lost over time and may also present a danger for younger children who tend to put everything in their mouths. Some manufacturers have addressed this problem by providing this type of small toy in a bucket. After play the child may simply place all the small components back into the bucket, put the lid on the bucket and then put the bucket away. When the child next wants to play it is easy to pull the bucket out, lift off the lid and thereby gain access to the toys inside the bucket.

SUMMARY

A lid for a toy bucket, a toy bucket incorporating the lid and a method of use are disclosed. The toy bucket includes a base having a bottom wall with a sidewall extending upwardly therefrom. A chamber is defined by the base and is used for storing toys and accessories therein. The lid is selectively engageable with an upper region of the base and blocks access to the chamber. The lid includes a first wall that is positioned opposite to the base's bottom wall. The first wall of the lid is provided with contours that depict a 3-dimensional geographical landscape that complements the toys and accessories that are retained in the chamber of the base. The toys may include miniature figurines.

The accessories may include a play mat, small props and structures that match the theme of the figurines and a pop-up card that is unfolded to produce an additional 3-dimensional structure. The unfolded card may be placed adjacent the lid and be secured thereto by a locking member. The 3-dimensional landscape provided by the lid, the pop-up card and other accessories in the toy bucket are contemplated to be complementary to the type of toys stored in the bucket. The contoured landscape may be used during play with the toys from the toy bucket.

The landscape may be molded into or otherwise formed in the material used to fabricate the lid. The contours may be provided on an exterior surface of the lid and/or on an interior surface thereof and/or on a side surface thereof. The landscape may have the appearance of a physical landscape that occurs in the natural world or may be an imaginary landscape. The toys within the bucket may be selectively positioned on or adjacent to the contoured lid and expanded pop-up card during play. The figurines, accessories and 3-dimensional pop-up structure may change the profile and aesthetics of the landscape depicted by the contours of the lid. A child may alter the look of the 3-dimensional landscape every time they unpack the toy bucket and set up the lid, pop-up card and other accessories. The ability to use and periodically alter the landscape fires the child's imagination and will keeps the child stimulated and engaged.

In one aspect, the invention may provide a lid for a toy bucket including a first wall having an exterior surface and an interior surface; and an annular peripheral wall extending outwardly from the first wall and having an exterior surface and an interior surface; wherein the exterior surface of at least the first wall is contoured and depicts a 3-dimensional geographical landscape.

In another aspect, the invention may provide a toy bucket including a base having a bottom wall with a sidewall extending upwardly away from the bottom wall; a chamber defined by an interior surface of the bottom wall and the sidewall; and wherein the sidewall includes an top rim which defines an opening through which the chamber is accessed; and a lid that is selectively engageable with the top rim of the base and selectively blocks access to the chamber; wherein the lid includes a first wall which is opposed to the bottom wall of the base when the lid is engaged with the base; and wherein the first wall is contoured to depict a 3-dimensional geographical landscape.

In a further aspect the invention may provide a method of playing with a toy bucket may include the steps of providing a toy bucket comprising a base having a bottom wall with a sidewall extending upwardly away from the bottom wall; a chamber defined by an interior surface of each of the bottom wall and the sidewall; and wherein the sidewall includes an upper region having a top rim defining an opening through which the chamber is accessed; and a lid that is selectively engageable with the top rim of the base to close off access to the chamber; wherein the lid includes a first wall and an annular peripheral wall extending outwardly from the first wall, said peripheral wall being selectively engageable with the upper region of the base; wherein at least the first wall is contoured and depicts a 3-dimensional geographical landscape; providing a plurality of figurines and accessories to be stored within the chamber of the base; disengaging the lid from the base; placing the lid on a flat surface so that a bottom edge of the peripheral wall is positioned on the flat surface; maneuvering the figurines during play including placing the figurines on the 3-dimensional landscape provided by the lid.

In yet a further aspect the invention may provide in combination a lid for a toy bucket comprising a first wall having an exterior surface and an interior surface; and an annular peripheral wall extending outwardly from the first wall and having an exterior surface and an interior surface; wherein at least a portion of the first wall is contoured and depicts a 3-dimensional geographical landscape; and a pop-up card positionable adjacent the lid; said pop-up card comprising a planar sheet having a first surface and a second surface; and a pop-up structure engaged with the first surface; and wherein the pop-up card is movable between a folded position and an unfolded position; and when in the unfolded position the pop-up structure forms a 3-dimensional feature that laterally extends the lid's 3-dimensional landscape. The combination may further include a locking member releasably engageable with each of the lid and the pop-up card to secure the lid and unfolded card to each other and releasably retaining the laterally extended 3-dimensional landscape in a set configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

A sample embodiment of the invention is set forth in the following description, is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is diagrammatic perspective view of a toy bucket in accordance with an aspect of the invention flanked by components typically retained inside the bucket's base and showing a lid in accordance with another aspect of the invention removed from a similar bucket and having a skull-shaped mountain accessory mounted thereon to add visual height and interest to the lid for the purpose of play;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the toy bucket of FIG. 1 flanked by the components typically retained inside the bucket base and showing a lid removed from a similar bucket but with the skull-shaped mountain accessory positioned adjacent the lid instead of on top of the lid and therefore changing the profile of the lid;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the bucket with the lid engaged with the base;

FIG. 4 is a first side elevation of the lid;

FIG. 5 is a second side elevation of the lid, where the lid has been rotated through 45° relative to FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a third side elevation of the lid, where the lid has been rotated through 45° relative to FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a fourth side elevation of the lid, where the lid has been rotated through 45° relative to FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the lid;

FIG. 8a is a first perspective view of the lid;

FIG. 8b is a second perspective view of the lid;

FIG. 8c is a third perspective view of the lid;

FIG. 8d is a fourth perspective view of the lid;

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the lid;

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the lid showing aspects of the 3-dimensional landscape thereon and showing figurines positioned within a recess defined in the lid;

FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of the lid with a skull-shaped mountain accessory engaged therewith and extending upwardly therefrom;

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of the lid of FIG. 11 with figurines positioned within the recess defined in the lid;

FIG. 13 is another top perspective view of the lid of FIG. 11 with figurines positioned at different locations on the lid and on the skull-shaped mountain accessory;

FIG. 14 is a top perspective rear view of the lid of FIG. 11;

FIG. 15 is a first top perspective view of the lid with the skull-shaped mountain accessory removed therefrom and with figurines located within the recess defined therein;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a pop-up card that is included as one of the bucket's accessories that may be utilized in conjunction with the contoured lid;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the pop-up card of FIG. 17 being opened and placed on the play mat adjacent the bucket lid;

FIG. 18 is a side elevation view of the bucket with the lid engaged with the base;

FIG. 19 is a side elevation view of the base alone;

FIG. 20 is a side elevation view of the toy bucket showing the transparent base with figurines and accessories retained therein and the contoured landscape lid engaged with the base to close off access to the base;

FIG. 21 is an exploded top perspective view of the bucket;

FIG. 22 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the bucket;

FIG. 23 is a bottom perspective view of the base;

FIG. 24 shows two buckets in accordance with an aspect of the invention stacked one on top of the other;

FIG. 25 is a side elevation view of the lid of the bucket;

FIG. 26 is a front view of a label that may be applied to a second embodiment of the toy bucket in accordance with an aspect of the invention, where the contoured landscape of the lid and the figurines and accessories differ in at least some aspects relative to the toy bucket of FIG. 1;

FIG. 27 is a side elevation view of the second embodiment of the toy bucket with one of the figurines from the bucket shown standing on the landscape of the lid;

FIG. 28 is a front elevation view of the second embodiment of the lid showing a rocky mountain-type accessory engaged therewith;

FIG. 29 is a rear elevation view of the lid of FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is a front elevation view of the lid of FIG. 28 with soldier figurines positioned on the lid and on the rocky mountain-type accessory;

FIG. 31 is a side elevation view of the lid of FIG. 28 with soldier figurines positioned on the lid and on the rocky mountain-type accessory;

FIG. 32 is a top perspective view of the lid of FIG. 28 with figurines and additional accessories positioned on the lid and on the rocky mountain-type accessory;

FIG. 33 is a side elevation view of the lid of FIG. 28 with figurines and additional accessories positioned on the lid and the rocky mountain-type accessory removed therefrom;

FIG. 34 is a side elevation view of the lid of FIG. 28 with the mountain-type accessory removed from the lid and a plurality of other accessories at least partially supported by the lid;

FIG. 35 is a top perspective view of the lid of FIG. 28 with a plurality of other accessories resting on or at least partially supported by the lid and showing the pop-up card being moved to an open position;

FIG. 36 is a side elevation view of the lid and pop-up card engaged with each other and figurines and other accessories placed on the pop-up card;

FIG. 37 is an exploded top perspective view of the pop-up card and the locking mechanism and lid, and where the pop-up structure on the pop-up card has been removed so that the locking mechanism and seating member are more clearly seen; and

FIG. 38 is a top perspective view of the lid engaged in the locking mechanism, where the locking mechanism is secured to the pop-up card and the pop-up structure is removed from the pop-up card for clarity.

Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 38, there is shown a toy bucket in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. FIGS. 1-25 a first embodiment of the toy bucket is illustrated and is generally indicated at 10. FIGS. 26-38 show a second embodiment of the toy bucket, generally indicated at 110.

Referring to FIGS. 1-25, bucket 10 comprises a base 12 and a lid in accordance with another aspect of the invention, generally indicated at 14. A plurality of toys 16 are provided as part of the toy bucket 10. Toys 16 may be of any desired type and may include a plurality of figurines 18 along with a number of different accessories 20 that may be used by a child during play. A specific one of those accessories is a pop-up card 22 that will be described in greater detail later herein.

FIG. 1 shows toy bucket 10 used to store the plurality of figurines 18 which depict pirate-type characters. The accessories 20 provided within bucket 10 include components such as a skull-shaped mountain 20a, palm trees 20b, cannons 20c, sharks 20d (FIG. 17), a boat 20e (FIG. 17) and a variety of other components that may resemble structures one would expect to see around pirates. The other components may appear to be comprised of wooden logs and may be used to represent scaffold-type structures 20f, cages 20g, houses, ladders, docks etc. Toy bucket 10 may also include a play mat 24 that may be spread out horizontally on a flat surface and onto which lid 14, figurines 18, the expanded pop-up card 22 and other accessories 20 may be placed. Play mat 24 may be fabricated from a generally flexible and foldable material having a first surface 24a and a second surface 24b. One or both of the first and second surfaces may be decorated to suit the theme of toys 16 contained in bucket 10. First and second surfaces 24a, 24b may be differently decorated to provide two different play locations. For example, first surface 24a may be colored and illustrated to represent the ocean and structures and creatures that may be found in an ocean. Second surface 24b may be colored and illustrated to represent a desert island and structures and creatures that may Le found on such an island.

Referring to FIGS. 16-20, base 12 of bucket 10 may be fabricated from a suitable material such as a transparent plastic so that when toys 16 are retained within bucket 12, toys 16 may be seen from the outside. Base 12 may comprise a generally cylindrical component having a bottom wall 12a and a sidewall 12b extending upwardly and outwardly from bottom wall 12a. An interior chamber 12c (FIG. 21) is defined by the interior surfaces of bottom wall 12a and sidewall 12b. A top rim 12d of sidewall 12b remote from bottom wall 12a defines an opening to chamber 12c. A plurality of threads 12e may be provided on an interior or exterior surface of sidewall 12b proximate rim 12d. If this is the case, then lid 14 may be provided with complementary threads or flanges, such as flanges 14a (FIG. 22) to threadingly engage base 12. Alternatively, neither of base 12 or lid 14 will include threads. In this instance, lid 14 may snap-fittingly or frictionally be secured to base 12.

It will be understood that while base 12 has been depicted in the attached figures as being generally cylindrical and having a circular cross-section, the base may be differently shaped. For example, the base may be of a square, rectangular or any other desired cross-sectional configuration. The lid will be similarly complementary in cross-section to any differently configured base so that the lid may be readily engaged therewith.

Lid 14 may be molded or otherwise formed from a suitable material such as plastic. Lid 14 preferably is not transparent in that it is designed to depict an aesthetically pleasing 3-dimensional geographical landscape and therefore will be best seen if not made from a transparent material. (It will be understood, however, that transparent materials may be used to form lid 14 if that is desired.)

Lid 14 may include a first wall 26 having an interior surface 26a (FIGS. 8 and 9) and an exterior surface 26b. First wall 26 is generally horizontally oriented when lid 14 is engaged with base 12 inasmuch as first wall 26 will be positioned generally opposite bottom wall 12a of base 12. Lid 14 further includes a peripheral wall 28 that extends outwardly and downwardly from a peripheral region of first wall 26. Peripheral wall 28 may be oriented in such a way that wall 28 is generally aligned with side wall 12b of base when lid 14 is engaged with base 12. Consequently, peripheral wall 28 may be considered to be generally vertical and at right angles to first wall 26. Peripheral wall 28 has an interior surface 28a (FIG. 22) and an exterior surface 28b. When lid 14 is engaged with base 12, interior surfaces 26a and 28a may be substantially continuous with each other and, likewise, exterior surfaces 26b and 28b may be substantially continuous with each other. Interior surface 26a of first wall 26 and interior surface 28a of peripheral wall 28 bound and define a cavity 30 (FIGS. 9 & 22) that will be substantially continuous with chamber 12c of base 12 when lid 14 is engaged with base 12. Peripheral wall 28 generally includes a top edge 28c (FIGS. 3-7) and a bottom edge 28d. Top edge 28c may be substantially continuous with first wall 26 and bottom edge 28d is located a distance from or remote to first wall 26. Bottom edge 28d may be aligned along a plane “P” (FIG. 18). When lid 14 is disengaged from base 12, bottom edge 28d of lid 14 may be placed on a horizontal surface, such as a table or floor or onto first or second surface 24a, 24b of play mat 24. When bottom edge 28d is located on this horizontal surface, then first wall 26 of lid 14 may be retained a distance above the horizontal surface and may be used as a play surface by the child, as will be described hereafter. If lid 14 is threadably secured to base 12 then threads complementary to threads 12e will be provided on a complementary one of the interior or exterior surfaces 28a, 28b of peripheral wall 28.

It will be understood that lid 14 is illustrated herein as including 3-dimensional molding that extends vertically outwardly above top edge 28c of peripheral wall 28. In other instances the molding of the 3-dimensional shapes may be located to extend inwardly into chamber 12c when lid 14 is engaged with base 14. In this instance lid 14 may be inverted and top edge 28c may be aligned along a plane and may be placed on the horizontal surface so that the contours of lid 14 may be used during play.

When lid 14 is to be engaged with base 12, toys 16 are placed within chamber 12c and lid 14 is engaged with the upper part of sidewall 12b that includes top rim 12d. When lid 14 is engaged with sidewall 12b toys 16 are secured within chamber 12c. Lid 14 may be of substantially similar dimensions to sidewall 12b and, if provided, the threads on lid 14 will be threadably engaged with mating threads 12e on sidewall 12b on base 12. Alternatively, lid 14 may be retained on base 12 by friction. When it is desired to access toys 16, lid 14 is disengaged from sidewall 12b and the child may then gain access to toys 16 within chamber 12c

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, first wall 26 may be molded or otherwise formed so as to include regions of varying elevation relative to bottom edge 28d of lid 14. For instance, a first region “A” (FIGS. 10, 11, 25) on first wall 26 may be at a first distance (or elevation) “H1” (FIG. 25) relative to bottom edge 28d, a second region “B” on first wall 26 may be at a second distance (or elevation) “H2” relative to bottom edge 28d, and a third region “C” on first wall 26 is recessed and is therefore a third distance from bottom edge 28d. First distance “H1” is larger than the second distance “H2” which is larger than the third distance. The third distance, because it is recessed, may actually be of a shorter height than peripheral wall 28.

As is evident, particularly from FIG. 25, first region “A” is an elevated or raised region/component of first wall 26, second region “B” is a ledge-type region of first wall 26 that is less elevated than region “A”, and third region “C” is a recess formed in first wall 26 and which may extend at least partially below top edge 28c of peripheral wall 28. Region “C” may be closer to bottom edge 28d than either of regions “A” and “B”. There may be a variety of differently contoured and angled surfaces, elevations, recesses and depressions molded into first wall 26. These various contours, angles, elevations recesses and depressions impart a 3-dimensional nature to first wall 26 and thereby to lid 14.

First wall 26 may be molded to resemble the topography of a geographical or physical landscape that could occur in the natural environment. For example, these geographical features of the natural world may include but are not limited to features such as rocks, rock formations, valleys, waterfalls, rivers, lakes, mountains, hills, ledges etc. As indicated above, region “A” may resemble a high outcropping of rock, region “B” may resemble a relatively flat piece of ground, and region “C” may resemble a depression in the ground such as a hollowed out region in a rock formation or a valley.

At least a portion of peripheral wall 28 on lid 14 may also be molded to include a variety of contours to add to and complete the 3-dimensional shape of the regions on first wall 26. Thus, first wall 26 and all or part of the of peripheral wall 28 may be molded or shaped in such a way that the lid 14 has the appearance of being a rocky deserted island, for example.

Alternatively or additionally, lid 14, particularly first wall 26, may be molded to include man-made features may include but are not limited to bridges, fences, gates, towers, buildings, walls and/or vehicles.

Still further, lid 14 may be molded to include landscapes and features that are purely imaginative and represent a fantasy type environment. Alternatively, a combination of rea or natural features may be molded into lid along with man-made features, and/or imaginative features and settings. Any combination of desired features may therefore be provided on lid 14.

It will be understood that instead of first wall 26 being molded in such a fashion that features extend upwardly and outwardly beyond top edge 28c of peripheral wall 28, first wall 26 may be molded so that if the lid 14 is inverted and rested on top edge 28c on a flat surface then the molded features extend upwardly and outwardly beyond bottom edge 28d. So, when lid 14 is engaged with base 12 the molded features of the lid 14 will then be received within chamber 12c defined by base 12 as mentioned earlier herein.

In addition to being contoured during a molding or forming process, lid 14 may be colored and/or marked in such a way to depict a geographical landscape such as a desert island or a rocky island, or the top of a mountain or to include features like rivers, pools or waterfalls; or marked and colored to depict a fantasy landscape. It will be understood that lid 14 may be fabricated to depict any landscape that is complementary to the figurines 18 and accessories 20 that are to be stored in bucket 10.

FIGS. 3 and 21 show that a handle 32 may be provided and selectively engaged with lid 14 so that bucket 10 may be carried. Handle 32 may be molded or otherwise forms so as to have the appearance of feature that adds to the enjoyment of play with toys 16. In the instance illustrated herein the handle 32 is formed so as to have the appearance of a wooden bridge. Handle 32 is engaged with lid 14 in such a way that the “bridge” (i.e., handle 32) spans a depression formed in first wall 26. In particular, handle 32 is engaged with first wall 26 in any suitable way such the “bridge” spans the recess of region “C”. The portion of first wall 26 that defines the recess of region “C” may be shaped and colored so that the recess has the appearance of a river flowing under the bridge (i.e., handle 32). Handle 32 may be secured to first wall 26 or peripheral wall 28 in any suitable manner and in such a way that toy bucket 10 may be easily lifted and carried thereby without the risk of handle 32 becoming disengaged from lid 14. Handle 32 may include, for example, arrow-shaped ends 32a, 32b (FIGS. 21 and 22) that are received in complementary slots 26c defined in opposing surfaces of first wall 26 and become locking engaged therein. The presence of the recess of region “C” beneath handle 32 makes it relatively easy for a child to grasp onto handle 32 and to hold the same in order to carry bucket 10. The handle's appearance and way in which it is mounted spanning recess “C” makes it possible for handle 32 to be used as a bridge during play.

Because first wall 26 is molded to includes peaks and valleys and is unevenly contoured when viewed from the side, such as is shown in FIG. 26, stacking of multiple toy buckets 10 one on top of the other in a store, for example, could be problematic. This could result in excess shelf space being required to store and display a plurality of toy buckets 10. To accommodate the uneven contours of first wall 26 of lid 14, bottom wall 12a of each base 12 may be molded to include a recess 34 (FIGS. 22 and 23) and an annular ridge 36 therein. Annular ridge 36 may circumscribe recess 34 and comprise the part of base 12 that may rest upon any horizontal surface, such as the floor or a shelf. Recess 34 is located so that the elevated regions on the first wall 26 of a bucket 10A (FIG. 24) will extend upwardly into recess 34 of another bucket 10B when buckets 10A and 10B are stacked one on top of the other. Recess 34 in base 12 is of a sufficient size, shape and depth to receive the contoured portion of lid 14 therein. So, for example, recess 34 is sufficiently, deep, wide and broad enough to receive the tallest region “A” as well as any other shaped features on lid 14. Recess 34 may be of a uniform depth and width or may be molded to be a reverse or negative image of the exterior surface of first wall 26 of lid 14. In other words, bottom wall 12a may be molded in such a way that the shape thereof is complementary to the exterior surface 26b of first wall 26 and so that the bottom wall 12a and exterior surface 26b of first wall 26 may interlocking engage each other if lid 14 is positioned beneath base 12 or if one bucket 10A is stacked beneath a second bucket 10B. If buckets 10A, 10B are stacked in this manner, the interlocking bottom walls 12a and first walls 26 help keep buckets 10A, 10B from becoming misaligned and sliding off each other. So, the contouring of first wall 26 and bottom wall 12a helps keep a shelf display tidy.

Alternatively, as is illustrated in FIG. 21, first wall 26 may be molded so that at least the upwardly extending surfaces “D” (FIG. 24) are provided to have flattened upper regions that may be used to support a bottom wall 12a of another bucket thereon. So, as illustrated in FIG. 24, lower bucket 10A may support upper bucket 10B on the level surfaces “D” of lower bucket 10A or surfaces “D” extending upwardly from bucket 10A may be recessed in the recess in bucket 10B.

An additional aspect of lid 14 may include the provision of one or more support platforms 38 (FIGS. 12 and 13) that are molded into the terrain depicted in first wall 26. Platforms 38 may be flattened areas that may be used to position accessories 20 thereon such as the skull-shaped mountain accessory identified in FIG. 1 by the reference character 20a. Platforms 38 may similarly be provided on accessories such as the skull-shaped mountain 20a to support figurines 18 or other accessories thereon. Platforms 38 are not contemplated to secure the accessory 20 to first wall 26 (or to skull-type mountain 20a) although they may additionally include projections or recesses thereon in order to do so. (If recesses or projections are provided on platform 38 then the accessory 20 to be engaged therewith will include a mating complementary projection or recess thereon that will receive or engage the projection or recess on the platform 38.) Preferably, platforms 38 simply comprise a horizontal surface upon which the accessory 20 may rest. For example, skull-shaped mountain 20a may be a component molded to represent a mountain that includes rocks shaped into a formation that has the appearance of a skull. Skull-shaped mountain 20a may be molded in such a way that the component only appears as a skull from one side. Skull-shaped mountain 20a may include one or more flanges 40 (FIG. 14) which together comprises a bottom surface of the accessory 20a. Flanges 40 are shaped and sized to be positioned on a complementary number of platforms 38 provided on lid 14. When flanges 40 are positioned on platforms 38, the skull-shaped mountain 20a may stand vertically upright on the first wall 26 and give even more elevation and aesthetic appeal to lid 14. Figurines 18 may also include flattened lower flanges 18a (FIG. 1) which enable the figurines 18 to rest upon the horizontal or substantially flattened platforms 38 or on other parts of first wall 26 of lid 14 or on play mat 24 or on pop-up card 22. In much the same manner accessories 20, such as palm trees 20b, may be provided with flattened lower flanges 21 (FIG. 1) so that they too may be selectively positioned on platforms 38 on first wall 26 and thereby also change the profile of lid 14 when viewed from the side. Lid 14 by itself, when viewed from a front, back or side such as in FIGS. 4-7, has a type of first profile. When an accessory such as skull-type mountain 20a is placed on lid 14 and the lid is viewed from a front, back or side, the lid with skull-type mountain 20a thereon presents a type of second profile that is different from the first profile. The second profile may be the one shown in FIG. 11.

It should be noted that the flanges 40 on skull-shaped mountain 20a or flanges on figurine 18, i.e., flanges 18a , or the flanges on other accessories such as flanges 21 on palm trees 20b, may also be used to stand the figurine 18 or accessory 20 upright on a flat surface such as a floor or a table, or on play mat 24, or pop-up card 22. The placement of the various figurines 18 and accessories 20 will change the profile and aesthetics of the lid 14. Lid 14 may support a variety of different components on first wall 26 and these components may be located so as to change the overall profile of lid 14 when viewed from the front, back or side. So, for instance, skull-shaped mountain 20a may be placed on first wall 26 and the top end of skull-shaped mountain 20a will then be located at a greater distance than the height “H1” (FIG. 25) from bottom edge 28d of peripheral wall 28 of lid 14. The profile of lid 14 shown in FIG. 1 where skull-shaped mountain 20a is engaged with first wall 26 is very different from the profile of lid 14 shown in FIG. 2 where skull-shaped mountain 20a is not engaged with first wall 26.

FIGS. 16 and 17 show pop-up card 22 in greater detail. Pop-up card 22 includes a planar sheet 42 and pop-up structures 44 engaged with sheet 42.

Planar sheet 42 includes a first surface 42a and a second surface 42b. Planar sheet 42 may be fabricated from a flexible or somewhat flexible material that may be folded one or more times along fold lines 42c. A suitable material for planar sheet 42 may be cardboard or paper that may have a plurality of foldlines 42c preformed therein. It will be understood that other materials may be used for planar sheet 42 including plastic or even fabric. Pop-up structures 44 may similarly be fabricated from cardboard or paper (or other materials) and these structures 44 may be secured at strategic locations, such as locations 44a (FIG. 16) to first surface 42a. The pop-up structures 44 include a plurality of fold lines 44b therein that permit the structures 44 to fold up when planar sheet 42 is folded along fold lines 42c. Planar sheet 42 and pop-up structures 44 are foldable along foldlines 42c and 44b respectively to form a collapsed structure shown in FIG. 1. Pop-up card 22 is moved to this collapsed position when the card is to be inserted into toy bucket 10 and is removed from bucket 10 and unfolded if it is desired to play with the same.

During play, lid 14 will be disengaged from base 12 so that a child may be able to access toys 16 within chamber 12c. The child may remove play mat 24 from chamber 24 and spread mat 24 open on a floor surface, for example, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. As indicated previously, mat 24 may have the appearance of an ocean. The child may then place the lid 14 fully or partially on mat 24 by positioning bottom edge 28d thereof on mat 24. The play landscape the child is positioning will then have the appearance of an island (lid 14) surrounded by an ocean (surface 24a of play mat 24). The child may then place skull-shaped mountain 20a on lid 14 (FIG. 1) or a distance from lid 14 as in FIG. 2. Other accessories 20b-20e and various figurines 18 may be placed on platforms 38 on lid 14 or on skull-type mountain 20a. For instance, the child locate the shark accessory 20d “in” the ocean (i.e., on mat 24), and place palm trees 20b on “the island” (i.e., first wall 26 of lid 14). Figurines 18 and accessories 20 may be manipulated and maneuvered as desired by the child during play.

When the child wishes to play with toys 16 utilizing the pop-up card 22, the card 22 will also be withdrawn from chamber 12c and will be moved from the collapsed position (FIG. 1) into an expanded position (FIG. 17) by unfolding planar sheet 42 in the direction of arrow “E” as illustrated in FIG. 16. This action causes substantially the entire planar sheet 42 to be moved into an orientation where the sheet 42 is substantially entirely in the same plane and resting on the floor surface or on play mat 24 as illustrated in FIG. 17. As planar sheet 42 is unfolded, the pop-up structures 44 are caused to become erected, moving from a position where the structures are flat and sandwiched between the folded first surface 42a to a position where the structures 44 stand vertically upon and extend outwardly from the unfolded first surface 42a.

Once pop-up card 22 is unfolded and planar sheet 42 is in the fully opened position, pop-up card 22 may be placed on top of play mat 24 or on the floor surface spaced a distance from the mat 24. Pop-up card 22 may be located a distance away from lid 14 which may also be positioned on play mat 24. If desired by the child pop-up card 22 may be interlockingly engaged with lid 14 as illustrated in FIG. 17.

FIGS. 26-38 depict a second embodiment of a toy bucket 110 in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 26 and 27, toy bucket 110 includes a base 112 and lid 114 that interact with each other in the same manner as base 12 and lid 14. Base 112 is substantially identical to base 12 and include a bottom wall 112a and a peripheral wall 112b that extends upwardly and outwardly from bottom wall 112a. Base 112 may be transparent and may be provided with a label 113 (FIG. 26) that is applied around an interior or exterior surface of peripheral wall 112b. Label 113 may depict the toys 116 that are retainable within the cavity 112c of base 112; those toys 116 including figurines 118 and accessories 120.

Lid 114 is also molded to depict a 3-dimensional geographical or physical landscape but this landscape may have a different appearance to the landscape depicted by lid 14. So, for example, the landscape may not have the appearance of a deserted island but may instead have the appearance of a battlefield. While lid 114 may be differently contoured, lid 114 is used in exactly the same manner as lid 14 and therefore will not be further discussed herein. Lid 114 may be provided with a handle 132 in much the same manner as lid 14 is provided with handle 32.

Similarly, figurines 118 differ from figurines 18 and may not be shaped as pirates but instead be shaped as soldiers for example. These soldier figurines 118 may be in various poses and equipped with different weapons and machinery. Accessories 120 also may differ from accessories 20. So, for example, the accessories 120 may not be a skull-shaped mountain, palm trees, sharks, cannons, and the like but may instead be a differently configured rocky hill formation 120a (FIG. 28), flagpoles 120b (FIG. 30), tanks 120c (FIG. 35), bridges 120d (FIG. 33), gun platforms 120e, and any other of a variety of components that are complementary and make sense with the soldier figurines 118. Rocky hill 120a may include flanges 140 (FIG. 29) that enable hill 120a to rest on platforms 138 on lid 114 so that hill 120a is able to stand vertically upright on first wall 126 of lid 114. Flanges 140 also enable hill 120a to stand on play mat 24 or on pop-up card 22. Figurines 118 may also include flanges 118a (FIG. 30) that allow them to stand upon platforms 138 of first wall 126, on hill 120a, on play mat 24 or pop-up card 22. First wall 126 or a portion of peripheral wall 128 of lid 114 may also define small recesses (not shown) in which flagpoles 120b or other accessories may be seated. The small recesses may also receive posts from accessories such as bridges 120d therein. As with lid 14, lid 114 preferably is provided with a handle 132 that spans a recessed region “C” (FIG. 32) defined in first wall 126.

Bucket 110 may include a pop-up card 122 that is provided with a planar sheet 142 and pop-up structure 144 that is complementary to the theme of toys 116 in bucket 110. Pop-up card 122 may be provided in bucket 110 for use in conjunction with the different figurines 118 and accessories 120. Card 122 may be provided with a pop-up structure 144 similar in nature to pop-up structure 44 provided with bucket 10 but which may depict a completely different 3-dimensional landscape from the one the one depicted by pop-up card 22. Pop-up card 122 includes planar sheet 142 that is folded along fold lines 142a (FIG. 35) and pop-up structure 144 is secured to surface 144a of car 122 and is foldable along fold lines 144b in a similar manner to card 22 and structure 42. Once pop-up card 122 is unfolded, bottom surface 142b thereof may be placed on top of play mat 124 or on the floor surface spaced a distance from the mat 124. Pop-up card 122 may be located a distance away from lid 114 which may also be positioned on play mat 124. If desired by the child pop-up card 122 may be interlockingly engaged with lid 114 as illustrated in FIGS. 36-38. This engagement is accomplished using a locking member 146 provided in bucket 110 for this purpose. Locking member 146 may include a U-shaped clamping member 146a and clamping member 146a may define a channel 146b therein. Locking member 146 may be engaged with a sealing member 147 provided on pop-up card 142. Sealing member 147 may be adhesively secured to upper surface 142a of pop-up card 142. Base 146a may be engaged with seating member 147 by pushing downwardly in the direction of arrow “F” (FIG. 37) and thereby creating a vacuum seal with seating member 147. Slot 146c defined in U-shaped clamping member 146a is sized to be able to receive a portion of bottom edge 128d of lid 114 therein. Lid 114 is engaged with locking member 146 by inserting a portion of bottom edge 128d into slot 146c and pushing downwardly until bottom edge 128d rests on the lowermost portion of that part of clamping member 146a that defines slot 146c. Locking member 146 thus engages planar sheet 142 with lid 114 and the 3-dimensional pop-up structure 144 is therefore able to be positioned adjacent the 3-dimensional landscape on lid 114 as shown in FIG. 36. Pop-up structure 144 may include components thereon such as the bridge 144d (FIG. 36) that may overlap portions of the landscape on lid 114. Because of these types of overlaps, pop-up structure 144 and 3-dimensional landscape on lid 114 appear to be a single, laterally expanded 3-dimensional landscape. The child may then locate figurines 118 and other accessories 120 on lid 114, on pop-up structure 144, on sheet 142 and on play mat 24 during play. When the game is over, all of the FIGS. 118, accessories 120 and the play mat 124 will be placed once again into chamber 112c of base 112 and lid 114 will be re-engaged with base 112.

It will be understood that locking member may be differently configured to the U-shaped clamping member 46 illustrated and described herein and this differently configured clamping member may be engaged with pop-up card 42 without the use of seating member 47. For example, a bottom end of the clamping member 46 may be provided with a horizontally oriented slit into which an edge of pop-up card 42 may be inserted and retained therein by friction.

It will be understood that lid 14, 114 may be molded or formed with any desired 3-dimensional landscape depicted thereon; any number of differently themed figurines 18, 118 and accessories 20, 120, and any number of differently configured pop-up cards 22, 122 may be utilized to form different toy buckets.

It will further be understood that a single configuration of the lid, i.e., a single 3-dimensional landscape depiction, may serve a dual purpose in that the same lid with one particular contoured landscape may be engaged with a number of different toy buckets that included different themes of figurines, accessories and pop-up cards which relate to different games and settings. So, for example, a lid configuration such as that shown in FIG. 10 may be used with a toy bucket that includes pirate figurines 18 or one with soldier figurines 118 or with a toy bucket which includes any other figurines and accessories. So, for example, if the toy bucket included figurines and accessories for a space adventure, the configuration of lid 14 shown in FIG. 10 may be utilized to depict a lunar landscape. The use of a single contoured lid in a plurality of different toy bucket applications helps reduce the cost of fabricating and assembling different toy buckets.

It will further be understood that the various components described herein may be sold as a unit (i.e., bucket 10, lid 14, figurines 18, accessories 20, pop-up card 22 and play mat 24.) or as separate components or groups of components. Still further, more than one set of different figurines, accessories etc. may be provided in the same toy bucket. Still further, separate and different play mats, pop-up cards etc. may be added to an original toy bucket set.

A method of playing with toy bucket 10 may include the steps of providing a toy bucket comprising a base 12 having a bottom wall 12a with a sidewall 12b extending upwardly away from bottom wall 12a; a chamber 12c defined by an interior surface of each of bottom wall 12a and sidewall 12c; and wherein sidewall 12b includes an upper region having a top rim 12d defining an opening through which chamber 12c is accessed; and a lid 14 that is selectively engageable with the top rim of base 12 to close off access to chamber 12c; wherein lid 14 includes a first wall 26 and an annular peripheral wall 28 extending outwardly from first wall 26, said peripheral wall 28 being selectively engageable with the upper region of base 12; wherein at least first wall 26 is contoured and depicts a 3-dimensional geographical landscape “A”, “B”, “C”;

providing a plurality of figurines 18 and accessories 20 to be stored within chamber 12c of base 12; disengaging lid 14 from base 12; placing lid 14 on a flat surface (such as play mat 24) so that a bottom edge 28d of peripheral wall 28 is positioned on the flat surface (24); maneuvering figurines 18 during play including placing figurines 18 on the 3-dimensional landscape “A”, “B”, “C” provided by lid 14.

The step of providing accessories 20 may include providing a pop-up card 22 having a foldable planar sheet 42 and a pop-up structure 44 engaged therewith planar sheet 42. Planar sheet 42 is moved from a folded position to an unfolded position thereby erecting pop-up structure 44 as planar sheet 42 unfolds. The pop-up card 22 may be engaged with lid 14 after erecting the pop-up structure 44. This step of engaging pop-up card 22 with lid 14 includes providing a locking member 46; releasably engaging locking member 46 with pop-up card 22; and releasably engaging and retaining locking member 46 with the lid 14. The method may further include resting a portion 44d of pop-up structure 44 on lid 14 and positioning one or more figurines 18 or accessories 20 on pop-up structure 44 or planar sheet 42 as well as on lid 14 and play mat 24. When pop-up card 22 is retained in engagement with lid 14 by locking member 46, the 3-dimensional landscape of lid 14 is laterally extended and includes the 3-dimensional features provided by the expanded pop-up card 22. It will be understood that types of locking or latching members other than locking member 46 may be utilized to releasably secure lid 14 and pop-up card 22 together.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the description and illustration set out herein are an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.

Claims

1. A lid for a toy bucket comprising:

a first wall having an exterior surface and an interior surface;

an annular peripheral wall extending outwardly from the first wall and having an exterior surface and an interior surface; at least a portion of the first wall is contoured and depicts a 3-dimensional geographical landscape.

2. The lid as defined in claim 1, wherein the peripheral wall has a bottom edge located a distance from the first wall; and wherein the portion of the first wall is contoured to include regions of varying elevation relative to the bottom edge of the peripheral wall.

3. The lid as defined in claim 1, wherein the first wall includes a first region that is located a first distance from a bottom edge of the peripheral wall and a second region that is located a second distance from the bottom edge, and the first region comprises a raised component of the landscape.

4. The lid as defined in claim 3, wherein a third region on the first wall is located closer to the bottom edge than either of the first and second regions and wherein the third region comprises a recessed component of the landscape.

5. The lid as defined in claim 1, wherein the first wall of the lid is contoured to include geographical features of the natural world or is contoured to represent a landscape of a fantasy world; and wherein the geographical features of the natural world include one or more of rocks, rock formations, waterfalls, rivers, lakes, and mountains.

6. The lid as defined in claim 5, wherein the lid is contoured to include features that have an appearance of being man-made features and wherein the man-made features include one or more of bridges, fences, gates, towers, buildings, walls or vehicles.

7. The lid as defined in claim 1, further comprising a handle engageable with the lid.

8. The lid as defined in claim 7, further comprising a recess defined in the first wall and wherein the handle is located so as to span the recess.

9. The lid as defined in claim 7, wherein the handle is molded or formed to have an appearance of a bridge.

10. The lid as defined in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the peripheral wall of the lid is contoured and forms part of the landscape depicted by the first wall.

11. A toy bucket including:

a base having a bottom wall with a sidewall extending upwardly away from the bottom wall; a chamber defined by an interior surface of each of the bottom wall and the sidewall; and wherein the sidewall includes an upper region having a top rim defining an opening through which the chamber is accessed; and

a lid that is selectively engageable with the top rim of the base to close off access to the chamber; wherein the lid includes:

a first wall;

an annular peripheral wall extending outwardly from the first wall, said peripheral wall being engageable with the upper region of the base;

wherein at least the first wall is contoured and depicts a 3-dimensional geographical landscape.

12. The toy bucket as defined in claim 11, wherein the peripheral wall has a bottom edge located a distance from the first wall; and wherein the lid is contoured to include regions of varying elevation relative to the bottom edge of the peripheral wall.

13. The toy bucket as defined in claim 11 wherein the bottom wall of the base defines a recess and the recess is of a sufficient size and shape to receive a contoured portion of the lid therein.

14. The toy bucket as defined in claim 11, wherein contouring of the first wall gives the lid a first profile when viewed from a side; and wherein the toy bucket further comprises one or more components that are selectively engageable with the lid, wherein the one or more components give the lid a second profile when viewed from the side.

15. The toy bucket as defined in claim 14, wherein the one or more components include a pop-up card; said pop-up card being movable between a folded position and an expanded position; and when in the expanded position the pop-up card includes 3-dimensional structures thereon.

16. The toy bucket as defined in claim 15, further comprising a locking member engageable with the lid and the pop-up card to secure the lid and pop-up card together.

17. The lid as defined in claim 14, wherein the one or more components include a plastic component molded or formed to depict an additional 3-dimensional landscape.

18. The lid as defined in claim 17, wherein the lid includes one or more support platforms on the first wall; and wherein the plastic component is received on the one or more support platforms.

19. The toy bucket as defined in claim 11, wherein the bottom wall of the base includes a recess which is of a depth and width suitable to receive the contouring of the lid therein.

20. A method of playing with a toy bucket; said method including the steps of:

providing a toy bucket comprising a base having a bottom wall with a sidewall extending upwardly away from the bottom wall; a chamber defined by an interior surface of each of the bottom wall and the sidewall; and

wherein the sidewall includes an upper region having a top rim defining an opening through which the chamber is accessed; and a lid that is selectively engageable with the top rim of the base to close off access to the chamber;

wherein the lid includes a first wall and an annular peripheral wall extending outwardly from the first wall, said peripheral wall being selectively engageable with the upper region of the base; wherein at least the first wall is contoured and depicts a 3-dimensional geographical landscape;

providing a plurality of figurines and accessories to be stored within the chamber of the base;

disengaging the lid from the base;

placing the lid on a flat surface so that a bottom edge of the peripheral wall is positioned on the flat surface;

maneuvering the figurines during play including placing the figurines on the 3-dimensional landscape provided by the lid.

21. The method as defined in claim 20, wherein the step of providing accessories includes providing a pop-up card having a foldable planar sheet and a pop-up structure engaged with the planar sheet; and wherein the method further comprises:

moving the planar sheet from a folded position to an unfolded position;

erecting the pop-up structure as the planar sheet unfolds.

22. The method as defined in claim 21, further comprising;

engaging the pop-up card with the lid after erecting the pop-up structure.

23. The method as defined in claim 22, wherein the step of engaging the pop-up card with the lid includes:

providing a locking member;

engaging the locking member with the pop-up card; and

engaging the locking member with the lid.

24. The method as defined in claim 23, further comprising resting a portion of the pop-up structure on the lid.

25. The method as defined in claim 23, further comprising positioning one or more figurines or accessories on the pop-up structure or planar sheet.

26. In combination:

a lid for a toy bucket comprising a first wall having an exterior surface and an interior surface; and an annular peripheral wall extending outwardly from the first wall and having an exterior surface and an interior surface; wherein at least a portion of the first wall is contoured and depicts a 3-dimensional geographical landscape; and

a pop-up card positionable adjacent the lid; said pop-up card comprising a planar sheet having a first surface and a second surface;

and a pop-up structure engaged with the first surface; and wherein the pop-up card is movable between a folded position and an unfolded position; and when in the unfolded position the pop-up structure forms a 3-dimensional feature that laterally extends the lid's 3-dimensional landscape.

27. The combination as defined in claim 26; further comprising a locking member releasably engageable with each of the lid and the pop-up card to secure the lid and unfolded card to each other and to releasably retain the laterally extended 3-dimensional landscape in a set configuration.