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Historic wooden adventure system and figures

This is a Continuation of Application of Divisional application Ser. No. 11/384,272 filed Mar. 21, 2006, which claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/360,932 filed Feb. 10, 2003, which claims priority from Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/354,528 filed Feb. 8, 2002. The disclosure of the prior applications is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of toys, and in particular to wooden and plastic toys, in which wooden background portions are fittably attachable so as to form play scenes, and toy figures are provided that include movable and adjustable limbs attached about one or more central flexing points.

2. Background of the Technology

It is known in the art to provide toys that include assembleable portions, such as castles and blocks, and it is also known in the art to provide toy figures for use with such assembleable toys. Further, it is known in the art to provide toys that include figures in conjunction with dioramas, but typically, these toys are overly complex, fragile, or difficult to use, and/or do not allow any variation in the diorama. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,013,278 to Dixon, et al., relates to a diorama toy kit in which figures are included in a case that is openable and may be set up into a diorama scene. However, the sections of the case are not disassembleable and easily rearrangeable into varying scenes. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,870 to Westersund presents a folding and unfoldable box that forms a single diorama layout, with which figures are used. While the faces on the diorama of Westersund are snappably replaceable, the box in the closed or open position cannot be easily reconfigured into any variety of scenes, nor is the diorama easily expandable.

There is an unmet need for assembleable background sections with simple to use connectors that allow formation of, reassembly into, and expansion to a wide range of scenes for play. There is also a need for figures that present realistic clothed appearance, but that are simple to manufacture and are rugged, yet allow realistic posing.

The present invention relates to toys and methods of assembling and using the toys. A first aspect of an embodiment of the present invention includes assembleable sectioned portions of background play scenes, referred to in embodiments of the present invention as “Scapes.” A second aspect of the present invention includes specially designed and constructed figures (also referred to interchangeable herein as “dolls” or “action figures”) that include central body portions from which bendable/flexible limbs and head extend.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, Scapes sets have interconnecting play boards and changeable, two-sided backdrops with, for example, attached toy structures and vibrant, hand-illustrated scenery. The playboards and background can be constructed of any appropriate material known in the art for toy manufacture, including, but not limited to wood, plastic, cardboard, chipboard, or foam. In one embodiment, the boards and backdrops easily connect to create two play scenes, one on each side of the backdrop. In other embodiments, the scenes are provided only on one side. The sets are easily connected and expanded to create many play scenes, such as on each side of the backdrops.

In one embodiment of the present invention, each set presents a scene made of interconnecting bases of unique geometries, two-sided changeable backdrops with attached structures, and illustrated landscapes. Sets include such figures as possible human figures, animals, alien or fantasy creations, vehicles, and natural objects, which users move around the scene in pretend play. Set backdrops include, for example, buildings with mechanical functions, pop-up doors, nesting sections and hidden compartments.

The innovative two-sided backdrops and interconnecting bases allow users to use their imagination to variably connect the sets in many different ways and expand the play area. Using the same set, users are able to create more than one scene by, for example, reconfiguring the base pieces and by flipping the backdrops, thus converting one landscape into another. Bases, backdrops and components from different sets and accessories all fit together, so by obtaining or otherwise using more products together (e.g., by connecting additional bases and backdrops), users can easily expand any scene. The flipping backdrop and interconnecting expanding base features of the present invention allow users to pretend and create, for example, their own vision of real history.

Usable with the Scapes sets are fully possible figures with, for example, non-removable or optionally changeable clothing, and individually sculpted heads. The figures are specially designed to allow them to free stand, and the human figures include other features, such as gripping hands that allow the figures to hold objects, which enhance play. In one embodiment, many of the figures portray, for example, celebrated historic characters or other representative individuals in a way that is realistic yet playful.

In one embodiment, pairs of limbs are joined at one or more points using, for example, a single peg (also referred to interchangeably herein as a “post”) through openings in the ends of the limbs. In another embodiment, some limbs are joined by such peg and openings features, while other limbs and/or the head are joined by specialized socket and flange assemblies, In one embodiment, the limbs have a flexible outer surface, such as soft plastic, and an inner stiffening, bendable, and shape retaining frame, such as wire or other metal, to allow the limbs to be placed in and retain shape in a wide range of bent positions.

Additional advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or upon learning by practice of the invention.

FIGS. 1-4 present example photostats containing assembled scenes and portions of Apollo Moon Scapes and Plymouth Scapes, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;