Folding Toy

Abstract

A folding toy is formed from a series of interconnected panels. Adjacent panels are flexibly joined at their respective side edges. Each of the panels may fold in two directions relative to its adjacent panel. A bottom edge of each of the panels may be supported on a ground surface. A plurality of notches is formed in a top edge of each of the panels. The panels of the folding toy may be folded and configured as desired to create a child play space, such as a fort. A cover placed over the top edges of the toy can serve as a roof. For ease of storage, the panels may be arranged into an accordion-folded configuration.

Description

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a folding toy. The folding toy comprises a plurality of panels. Each panel has a pair of opposed side edges interconnected by a notched edge and a flat bottom edge. Adjacent panels of the plurality of panels are flexibly joined at their side edges. The plurality of panels is not formed as a single piece of material.

The present invention is also directed to a method for manufacturing a folding toy. The method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of panels, each panel having an opposed pair of side edges interconnected by a top edge, permanently connecting a free side edge of each panel to a free side edge of another panel of the plurality, and forming a plurality of notches along the top edge of each of the panels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is perspective view of the folding toy of the present invention shown in an open position.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of one of the plurality of panels from the folding toy of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the folding toy of FIG. 1 accordion-folded in a first direction.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the folding toy of FIG. 1 accordion-folded in a second direction.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the folding toy of FIG. 1. A fixture has been added to the end panels and feet have been added to a bottom edge of two of the panels.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a section of one of the panels. A top edge of the panel has a V-shaped notch.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a section of an alternative embodiment of one of the panels. A top edge of the panel has a square-shaped notch.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the folding toy of FIG. 1. A cover is shown draped over the top of the toy.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the folding toy of FIG. 1 accordion-folded into a panel stack.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning to the figures, FIG. 1 shows a folding toy 10. As will be discussed in more detail below, the folding toy 10 may be folded and configured as desired to create a child play space, such as a fort.

With reference to FIGS. 1-2, the folding toy 10 comprises a plurality of interconnected panels 12. The folding toy 10 is preferably not made up of a single piece of material. Rather, each panel 12 of the folding toy 10 is formed as a separate piece before interconnection. A single panel 12 is shown in FIG. 2. In alternative embodiments, the folding toy 10 may be made up of a single piece of material that is folded at intervals to make separate panels 12.

Each panel 12 has a pair of opposed side edges 14 (FIG. 2), a top edge 16 and a bottom edge 18. Preferably, a plurality of notches 20 are formed in the top edge 16 so the top edge 16 appears castellated. The side and bottom edges 14, 18 are preferably unserrated. However, the side and bottom edges 14, 18 may have notches formed in them, if desired. Each panel 12 has planar front and back sides 22 and 24, and is preferably shaped as a flat member. The panels 12 may be formed from such materials as cardboard, plastic, foam, wood, particle board, fiberboard, recycled cardboard and corrugated plastic. Preferably, the panels 12 are light weight so that the folding toy 10 may be carried by a child.

The folding toy 10 preferably comprises at least ten interconnected panels 12. However, a greater or lesser number of panels 12 may be included in the toy 10, as desired. The panels 12 are preferably identical in shape and size. Alternatively, the panels 12 within the folding toy 10 may be of varied sizes, if desired. The panels 12 are preferably shaped as rectangles or squares, but other shapes may be used. Preferably, each panel 12 is about 24 inches long and 26 inches tall, although other sizes may be used.

The panels 12 are preferably permanently interconnected in series such that the top edges 16 of adjacent panels are joined. The bottom edges 18 of adjacent panels are likewise joined. Adjacent panels 12 of the plurality are flexibly joined to one another at their side edges 14. A free side edge 14 of each panel 12 is connected to a free side edge 14 of another panel 12. Preferably, no panels 12 are interconnected at either of their top and bottom edges 16 and 18. The side edges 14 are joined so as to form a hinged connection. At that connection, the panel 12 can fold in either of two different directions. In alternative embodiments, a panel 12 may be attached to the top or bottom edges 16 and 18 of another panel 12. In further alternative embodiments, the panels 12 may be interconnected using material that allows the panels 12 to be easily unconnected, such as Velcro.

Adjacent panels 12 of the toy 10 are joined by a connector 26. The connectors 26 shown in the FIGS. 1, 3-5, and 8 are flexible strips of adhesive material, such as duct tape or Gorilla tape. Preferably, each adhesive strip extends the full distance between the top and bottom edges 16 and 18 of its associated panels 12. However, an adhesive strip may contain breaks or extend across only a portion of the distance between the top edge 16 and the bottom edge 18. In alternative embodiments, the connector 26 may be a two-way hinge or some other flexible connector.

Because adjacent panels 12 are flexibly joined at their side edges 14, the toy 10 can be arranged into several accordion-folded configurations. Two such configurations are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 5, the panels 12 of the folding toy 10 may be folded in different directions in order to configure the toy 10 into different shapes. The panels 12 of the toy 10 may be positioned upright by engaging their respective bottom ends 18 with a ground surface. Feet 28 may be attached to the bottom edge 18 of one or more of the panels 12 to provide more support to the folding toy 10 (FIG. 5). The feet 28 shown in FIG. 5 are tabs that project out from the front and back side 22, 24 of the panels 12.

The folding toy 10 has a pair of opposed end panels 30. The end panels 30 are shown spaced from one another in FIG. 1. When the toy 10 is in an open and unfolded position, the end panels 30 are spaced from one another. A fixture 32, such as a hook latch or ribbon, may be attached to each end panel 30 and used to hold the toy 10 in a closed position. The fixture 32 shown in FIG. 5 is a hook latch.

Turning to FIGS. 6-8, a cover 34 may be placed over the folding toy 10 when it is in the open or closed position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. The cover 34 forms a roof over the toy 10, as depicted in FIG. 8. The cover 34 used with the folding toy 10 may be any type of draping material, such as a blanket, tarp or net.

The notches 20 formed along the top edge 16 of the panels 12 serve as grips for the cover 34. The notches 20 help hold the cover 34 in place over the toy 10. The notches 20 may be V-shaped, U-shaped, rectangular, square or some other shape. The notches 20 shown in FIG. 6 are V-shaped. The notches 38 formed in the top edge 40 of the panel 36 shown in FIG. 7 are U-shaped. In alternative embodiments, the panels 12 may not have any notches 20 or 38 formed along its top edge 16. Instead, the top edges 16 may be flat and have a gripping material, such as rubber or Velcro attached to the top edges 16. The gripping material may be used instead of the notches 20 or 38 to hold the cover 34 in place.

In place of notches, other cover attachments may be used to hold the cover 34 in place. For example, Velcro may be secured along a top edge 16 of the panels 12. Buttons, brackets or clamps may also be used as cover attachments.

With reference to FIG. 9, the folding toy 10 may be folded so that the panels 12 form a compact, accordion-folded panel stack 42. A fixture 44 may be used to maintain the panels 12 in the panel stack configuration. The fixture 44 shown in FIG. 9 is a Velcro strap that wraps around all of the panels 12. Alternatively, the fixture 44 may comprise one or more brackets, one or more clamps, or an independent case that holds the toy 10.

Because the toy 10 may be folded into a compact panel stack 42, it is easily stored when not in use. The thickness of the panel stack 42 depends on the number of panels 12 and the material from which they are made. Preferably, the panel stack 42 is no more than five inches thick. A handle (not shown) may be attached to one of the panels 12 to allow the folding toy 10 to be easily moved when folded into the panel stack 42.

As shown in FIG. 1, a window 46, peephole 48, or both may be formed in any one or more of the panels 12. The window 46 and peephole 48 may be of any desired shape and size. The panels 12 may be colored as desired and inscribed with any desired design.

Changes may be made in the construction, operation and arrangement of the various parts, elements, steps and procedures described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the following claims.

Claims

1. A folding toy, comprising:

a plurality of panels, each panel having a pair of opposed side edges interconnected by a notched top edge and a flat bottom edge, with adjacent panels of the plurality flexibly joined at the respective side edges, and in which the plurality of panels is not formed as a single piece of material.

2. The folding toy of claim 1 in which a hinged connection is formed between adjacent panels of the plurality.

3. The folding toy of claim 1 in which the plurality of panels comprise a pair of opposed end panels, in which the folding toy further comprises a fixture for releasably interconnecting the opposed end panels.

4. The folding toy of claim 1 in which the plurality of panels may selectively form either an open or closed shape when positioned on a ground surface.

5. The folding toy of claim 4 further comprising a cover draped over the top edge of each of the plurality of panels so as to form a roof over the open or closed shape.

6. The folding toy of claim 1 in which the notches are V-shaped.

7. The folding toy of claim 1 further comprising a window formed in at least one of the plurality of panels.

8. The folding toy of claim 1 in which the plurality of panels are configured to form an accordion-folded panel stack.

9. The folding toy of claim 8 in which the panel stack is no more than five inches thick.

10. The folding toy of claim 8 further comprising a fixture to hold the plurality of panels in the panel stack.

11. The folding toy of claim 10 in which the fixture comprises a strap that wraps around the panel stack.

12. The folding toy of claim 1 in which no panel is connected at its top or bottom edge to any adjacent panel.

13. The folding toy of claim 1 in which the flexible connection between adjacent panels is formed by an adhesive strip.

14. The folding toy of claim 1 further comprising a peephole formed in at least one of the plurality of panels.

15. The folding toy of claim 1 in which at least one of the plurality of panels has feet attached to its bottom edge.

16. The folding toy of claim 1 in which each of the plurality of panels has a flat first side and a flat opposed second side.

17. The folding toy of claim 1 in which the plurality of panels are identical in size and shape.

18. The folding toy of claim 1 in which each of the plurality of panels is permanently and flexibly connected to the next adjacent panel.

19. A method for manufacturing a folding toy comprising:

providing a plurality of panels, each panel having an opposed pair of side edges interconnected by a top edge;

permanently connecting a free side edge of each panel to a free side edge of another panel of the plurality; and

forming a plurality of notches along the top edge of each of the panels.

20. The method of claim 19 in which the plurality of panels is not formed as a single piece of material.