阅读说明：本技术 用作具有活动动作件的书页或拼图的板 (Board for pages or puzzles with movable action ) 是由 W·德罗 于 2020-04-09 设计创作，主要内容包括：用作具有活动动作件的书页或拼图的板。描述了一种可用作具有部件的儿童书或拼图的板,所述部件在一个侧面上移动、滑动或转动以物理地改变插图或部分内容,并且随着它们滑动或转动,激活与插图有关的声音。该板包括大致平面的顶部插图层。底部基层与顶部插图层附接。底部基层包括传感器(例如,光或触摸传感器)以及基于该传感器的致动来生成声音的发声组件。活动组件与底部基层可移动地连接。最后,传感器与底部基层连接并被定位为使得将活动组件从第一位置移动到第二位置曝露传感器以使得发声组件生成声音。(As a board for pages or puzzles with movable actuation pieces. A board is described that can be used as a children's book or puzzle with parts that move, slide or rotate on one side to physically change illustrations or portions of content and that activate the sound associated with the illustrations as they slide or rotate. The plate includes a substantially planar top artwork layer. The bottom base layer is attached to the top artwork layer. The bottom substrate includes a sensor (e.g., a light or touch sensor) and a sound component that generates sound based on actuation of the sensor. The movable assembly is movably connected with the bottom substrate. Finally, a sensor is coupled to the bottom substrate and positioned such that moving the movable element from the first position to the second position exposes the sensor to cause the sound generating element to generate sound.)

1. A board for use as a book page or puzzle having a movable action piece, the board comprising:

a substantially planar top artwork layer;

a bottom base layer attached to the top artwork layer, the bottom base layer having a sensor and a sound generating component that generates a sound based on actuation of the sensor; and

a movable component movably coupled to the bottom substrate,

wherein the sensor is connected to the bottom substrate and positioned such that moving the movable element from a first position to a second position exposes the sensor to allow activation of the sound emitting element.

2. The panel of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a sensor selected from the group consisting of a touch sensor and a light sensor.

3. The plate of claim 2 wherein moving the movable assembly from the first position to the second position changes an inset visible to a user and in doing so exposes the sensor.

4. The board of claim 3, wherein the movable component is movably connected in a side between the top artwork layer and the bottom base layer such that at least a portion of the movable component is sandwiched between the top artwork layer and the bottom base layer.

5. The board of claim 4, wherein the movable component is slidably sandwiched between the top artwork layer and the bottom base layer.

6. The board of claim 4, wherein the movable component is pivotably sandwiched between the top artwork layer and the bottom base layer.

7. The board of claim 5, wherein the top artwork layer, the movable assembly, and the bottom substrate collectively form a page.

8. The board of claim 6, wherein the top artwork layer, the movable assembly, and the bottom substrate collectively form a page.

9. The panel of claim 5, wherein the panel is a puzzle panel such that the top illustration layer includes a cutout shape and the movable component is formed to match and seat within the cutout shape.

10. The panel of claim 6, wherein the panel is a puzzle panel such that the top illustration layer includes a cutout shape and the movable component is formed to match and seat within the cutout shape.

11. The plate of claim 1 wherein moving the movable assembly from the first position to the second position changes an inset visible to a user and in doing so exposes the sensor.

12. The board of claim 1, wherein the movable component is movably connected in a side between the top artwork layer and the bottom base layer such that at least a portion of the movable component is sandwiched between the top artwork layer and the bottom base layer.

13. The board of claim 1, wherein the movable component is slidably sandwiched between the top artwork layer and the bottom base layer.

14. The board of claim 1, wherein the movable component is pivotably sandwiched between the top artwork layer and the bottom base layer.

15. The board of claim 1, wherein the top artwork layer, the movable assembly, and the bottom substrate collectively form a page.

16. The board of claim 1, wherein the movable component is slidably sandwiched between the top artwork layer and the bottom base layer, and wherein a second movable component is pivotably sandwiched between a second top artwork layer and a second bottom base layer.

17. The pad of claim 1, wherein the movable component includes a finger tab formed such that when the movable component is moved from the first position to the second position, the finger tab aligns with the sensor to expose the sensor to a touch of a user to allow activation of the sound emitting component.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to children's books and puzzles, and more particularly, to a book or puzzle having parts that slide or rotate on one side to physically change illustrations or portions of content, and that activate sound associated with the illustrations as they slide or rotate.

Background

The present disclosure relates to the field of vocalized books and puzzles. In this field, there are books with moving parts that slide or rotate on one side, changing the illustration as they do so. The movable action member includes an illustration or partial illustration that visually and physically changes as the member moves. However, this movement does not result in any sound being generated.

There are also books that emit an electronic sound when a button is pressed. The buttons may be embedded in the page or may be on an attached plastic unit. The button may have an image thereon corresponding to the sound it will make. The button, when pressed, activates a switch, which results in the generation of an electronic sound. However, the buttons in such devices are only related to hearing. Pressing the button does not cause any other movement or change of the illustration.

In addition, there are puzzles that sound when one piece is removed to expose the light sensor. These puzzles involve both audio and visual perception, but they do not include movements that physically alter the illustration. They also have the disadvantage that: pieces can be separated from the puzzle containing the sound units, thus losing the picture and sound interrelationship.

Thus, there remains a need for a book or puzzle having pieces that slide or rotate on one side to physically change illustrations or portions of content, and that activate the sound associated with the illustrations as they slide or rotate.

Disclosure of Invention

The present disclosure relates to a board that can be used as a children's book or puzzle having parts that move, slide, or rotate to physically change illustrations or portions of content, and as they move, slide, or rotate, sound associated with the illustrations is activated. The plate includes a substantially planar top artwork layer. The bottom base layer is attached to the top artwork layer. The bottom substrate includes a sensor (e.g., a light sensor or a touch sensor) and a sound component that generates sound based on actuation of the sensor. The movable assembly is movably connected with the bottom substrate. Finally, a sensor is coupled to the bottom substrate and positioned such that moving the movable element from the first position to the second position exposes the sensor to cause the sound generating element to generate sound.

In another aspect, moving the movable component from the first position to the second position changes the inset visible to the user and in doing so exposes the sensor.

In another aspect, the movable element is movably coupled between the top artwork layer and the bottom base layer in the side such that at least a portion of the movable element is sandwiched between the top artwork layer and the bottom base layer.

In another aspect, the movable element is slidably sandwiched between the top artwork layer and the bottom base layer.

In addition, the movable element is pivotably sandwiched between the top artwork layer and the bottom substrate.

In another aspect, the top artwork layer, the movable assembly and the bottom substrate together form a page.

In another aspect, the panel is a puzzle piece such that the top illustration layer includes a cutout shape and the movable component is formed to match and seat within the cutout shape.

In another aspect, the movable component is slidably sandwiched between the top artwork layer and the bottom base layer, and wherein the second movable component is pivotably sandwiched between the second top artwork layer and the second bottom base layer, thereby forming a plurality of pages or boards in a book having different forms of movable components.

In another aspect, the movable component includes a finger tab formed such that when the movable component is moved from the first position to the second position, the finger tab is aligned with the sensor to expose the sensor to a touch of a user to allow activation of the sound emitting component.

Finally, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention also includes a method of forming and using the invention described herein.

Drawings

The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the various aspects of the invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is an illustration of a page or puzzle piece with the movable member in a first position;

FIG. 1B is an illustration of the page or puzzle as shown in FIG. 1A, depicting the movable member in a second position to expose the sensor;

FIG. 2A is an illustration of a page or puzzle piece with the movable member in a first position;

FIG. 2B is an illustration of the page or puzzle as shown in FIG. 2A, depicting the movable member in a second position to expose the sensor;

FIG. 3A is an illustration of a page or puzzle piece with the movable member in a first position;

FIG. 3B is an illustration of the page or puzzle piece as shown in FIG. 3A, depicting the movable member in a second position to expose the sensor;

FIG. 4A is an illustration of a page or puzzle piece with the movable member in a first position;

FIG. 4B is an illustration of the page or puzzle piece as shown in FIG. 4A, depicting the movable member in a second position to expose the sensor;

FIG. 5A is an illustration of a page or puzzle piece with the movable member in a first position;

FIG. 5B is an illustration of the page or puzzle piece as shown in FIG. 5A, depicting the movable member in a second position to expose the sensor;

FIG. 6A is an illustration of a page or puzzle piece with the movable member in a first position;

FIG. 6B is an illustration of the page or puzzle piece as shown in FIG. 6A, depicting the movable member in a second position to expose the sensor;

FIG. 7A is an illustration of a top artwork layer, movable elements and a bottom base layer according to various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional side view of a top artwork layer, movable element and bottom base layer according to various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 8A is a diagram depicting an aspect of a sensor being a touch sensor, depicting an active component in a hidden position to hide the touch sensor, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 8B is an illustration of the page or puzzle as shown in FIG. 8A, depicting the active component lifted to an exposed position to expose the touch sensor;

FIG. 9A is a diagram depicting an aspect of a sensor being a touch sensor, depicting an active component in a hidden position to hide the touch sensor, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 9B is an illustration of the page or puzzle as shown in FIG. 9A, depicting the active component and its finger tabs slid upward to an exposed position to expose the touch sensor.

Detailed Description

The present invention relates to children's books and puzzles, and more particularly, to a book or puzzle having parts that slide or rotate on one side to physically change illustrations or portions of content, and that activate sound associated with the illustrations as they slide or rotate. The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and is incorporated in the context of a particular application. Various modifications and uses will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to a wide variety of embodiments. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without necessarily being limited to these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with this specification and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. All the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

Furthermore, any element in the claims that does not explicitly recite "means" for "performing a specified function or" step "for" performing a particular function should not be construed as an "means" or "step" clause as specified in section 6 of 35u.s.c. 112. In particular, the use of "step" or "action" in the claims herein is not intended to refer to the provisions of 35u.s.c.112, paragraph 6.

Note that references to left, right, front, back, up, down, forward, reverse, clockwise, and counterclockwise, if used, are used for convenience only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction. Rather, they are used to reflect the relative position and/or orientation between various portions of the object.

(1) Description of the invention

The present disclosure relates to a board that operates as a page or as a puzzle having one or more action pieces (movable components) that slide or rotate on the side to physically change illustrations or portions of content. Additionally and importantly, as the actuator slides or rotates, the light sensor or other sensor or actuatable element is actuated to activate the sound associated with the illustration. For example, a book or puzzle includes an active component that activates the sound on a page of a cardboard book or a cardboard/wood puzzle (or other suitable object).

In various aspects and as shown in fig. 1A-7B, the movable assembly 100 mechanism works by exposing a light sensor 102 (e.g., a light receiver positioned below the movable action) attached to a wire or otherwise connected to a sound emitting assembly (e.g., a circuit board and/or speaker 104). The movable component 100 can be moved laterally (e.g., slid or rotated) to change the illustration of a book or puzzle, in addition to exposing an implanted sensor 102 (e.g., a light sensor) secured to a surface below the movable component 100. In another example, the light sensor may be attached to the movable component and exposed when the actuator is moved.

The movable assembly 100 can be embedded in a board (book or puzzle) or secured by fasteners (e.g., rivets) on top of the board that will allow the action to rotate. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in various aspects, the movable assembly 100 may be a piece of cardboard or other material that can be slid between layers of a book or puzzle or rotated through a pivotal connection, or removed as in a puzzle configuration.

Several images of non-limiting examples of movable actions (components) 100 that can slide or rotate to change illustrations and expose sensors 102 are presented herewith.

For example, as shown in fig. 1A and 1B, movable assembly 100 is sandwiched between top artwork layer 106 and bottom base layer 108. In this non-limiting example, the movable assembly 100 includes a finger tab that is part of and extends from an illustration portion (e.g., a squirrel image). The user can then use the finger tag and slide the movable assembly 100 laterally so that the illustration portion moves (hiding the squirrel behind the shrub) and exposes the sensor 102 (e.g., light sensor, etc.) embedded in the bottom substrate 108. Once the sensor 102 is exposed, the attached circuitry and/or speaker 104 emits a pre-programmed sound (e.g., such as a squirrel creaky voice, etc.).

Another non-limiting example is depicted in fig. 2A and 2B. In this example, pulling the movable component 100 (e.g., pulling the label) causes the attached inset portion to pull the seated owl 200 to hide by sliding under the top inset layer 106, while exposing the owl printed on the bottom base layer 108 and the flying owl and also exposing the sensor 102 to cause the corresponding sound to be emitted. In this example, as shown, the newly exposed active component 100 effectively enlarges the overall inset area as the active component 100 slides out from behind the inset layer.

In another example, as shown in fig. 3A and 3B, movable element 100 may be rotatably coupled between top artwork layer 106 and bottom substrate 108. In this regard, the rotationally movable component 100 (e.g., the fox tail) exposes the inset (e.g., a small fox) and the sensor 102 printed on the substrate to cause a corresponding sound to be emitted. For example, if the sensor 102 is a light sensor, it is activated by exposure to light. Alternatively, as another example, if the sensor 102 is a touch sensor, it may be exposed to the touch of the reader, which results in the emission of a sound.

Another example is depicted in fig. 4A and 4B. In this example, the movable assembly 100 is a rotatable wheel through which a window 400 is formed. Movable element 100 is rotatably secured between top artwork layer 106 and bottom substrate 108 such that it can rotate therebetween. Further, the movable component may be formed to include artwork thereon such that rotating the movable component 100 moves various artwork into view based on the cut-out form of the top artwork layer 106. In addition, rotating the movable component 100 causes the window 400 to rotate around such that at some point, the sensor 102 is exposed through the window 400 to cause a corresponding sound to be emitted. For example, with this particular illustration, rotating the movable component 100 (e.g., background wheel) causes a first rabbit to rotate behind a foreground shrub (formed on the top artwork layer 106) and a second rabbit to emerge and be exposed.

The concept of movable assembly 100 is further illustrated in fig. 5A and 5B, which fig. 5A and 5B depict an example in which movable assembly 100 is a dog tail. Rotating the movable member 100 from the first position to the second position in this example exposes the sensor 102 to cause a corresponding sound to be emitted through the circuitry and/or speaker 104 when the sensor 102 is exposed to, for example, light or touch (if a touch sensor).

As described above, the movable assembly 100 may also slide between the various layers of the panel. As shown in fig. 6A and 6B, movable element 100 may be slidably positioned between top artwork layer 106 and bottom base layer 108. Upon sliding the movable component 100 (e.g., using a label portion), the sensor 102 and additional artwork printed, painted, adhered, or otherwise formed on the bottom substrate 108 are exposed.

For further understanding, fig. 7A provides an illustration of an example of a top artwork layer 106, movable component 100, and bottom substrate 108 (with sensors 102 and circuitry and/or speakers 104 embedded therein (or otherwise attached to the board)). In this example, top artwork layer 106 includes a window 700 cut therefrom. As shown in fig. 7B, the movable element 100 may be rotatably coupled 702 between the top artwork layer 106 and the bottom base layer 108 such that the movable element 100 is visible through the window 700. Further, if the movable assembly 100 is rotated (as shown in fig. 5B), the sensor 102 is exposed through the window 700 such that the sensor 102 is exposed to light (if a light sensor) or touch (if a touch sensor) to actuate the circuitry and/or the speaker 104.

In some aspects, top artwork layer 106 is connected to bottom base layer 108 using any suitable technique, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. For example, top artwork layer 106 may be integrally formed with bottom base layer 108 (e.g., a card sheet folded in half to form two layers). As another non-limiting example, the two layers 106 and 108 may be glued to each other. Accordingly, any suitable technique may be employed to form a board including movable components 100 movably coupled relative to top artwork layer 106 and bottom base layer 108.

In another aspect, the activity assembly 100 can be removably attached to the bottom base layer 108. For example, the bottom base layer 108 may serve as a puzzle substrate with a top artwork layer 106 having one or more cutout shapes (e.g., windows as previously described) formed to accommodate and mate with the movable member 100. In this example, movable component 100 may be a puzzle piece that can be placed within the shape of a cutout in top artwork layer 106 (in a first position) and removed from the plate (in a second position) to expose sensor 102 attached to bottom base layer 108. Additionally, in various aspects, layers 106, 108, and 100 may be formed of any suitable material to collectively form a board, non-limiting examples of which include cardboard, plastic, and wood.

In terms of sliding, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the movable component is sandwiched between the top artwork layer 106 and the bottom base layer 108 such that the movable component 100 may be selectively slid between a first position and a second position to cover or expose the sensor 102. It should also be understood that the invention described herein includes all the necessary components that may be required to impart the described functionality and invention to provide motion and sound in a new intuitive manner that involves the child's vision and hearing.

It should be noted that although the sensor 102 described above may be referred to as a light sensor, the present invention is not intended to be so limited and any suitable sensor or actuatable mechanism or device may be substituted for the light sensor. As a non-limiting example, instead of a light sensor, the sensor 102 may be a touch sensor. Non-limiting examples of such touch sensors are capacitive touch switches or any other suitable sensor or switch that can be activated by touch. The touch switch is desirably substantially planar or flat so that it may be easily incorporated into a page of a book, allowing the movable assembly 100 to be easily slid or rotated by a touch switch or the like. Thus, in this regard, the book and the movable member 100 are formed such that movement of the movable member 100 will expose a touch-sensitive switch (i.e., a touch sensor) that will be activated by finger touch (e.g., the reader's finger will slide onto the touch-sensitive switch as the movable member 100 moves). For example, a tab used to slide or otherwise move the movable component 100 is configured to align with the touch sensor 102 and expose the touch sensor 102 when moved, thereby causing the reader's finger to engage or otherwise touch the touch sensor.

For further understanding, fig. 8A and 8B provide illustrations depicting aspects of the sensor 102 being a touch sensor. Further, the figures depict the movable assembly 100 as a slider that is sandwiched between layers in a space 800, the space 800 being reserved for accommodating and allowing the movable assembly 100 to selectively slide. The movable element 100 is shown in a hidden position in fig. 8A to hide the touch sensor 102. Although the location of the touch sensor 102 is depicted, the sensor itself is hidden beneath the movable assembly 100. The active component 100 can be accessed via a window 802 in the top layer of the page. A finger tab 804 or other cut-out or shape may be formed through the movable assembly 100 to allow a reader or user to easily slide or otherwise move the movable assembly 100.

For example, fig. 8B depicts the movable assembly 100 sliding upward in the space 800 to lift the pig's face 806 (or other inset) into the viewing window 700 cut through the top inset layer of the page. Notably, the finger tab 804 or cutout is formed such that the touch sensor 102 is aligned with the finger tab 804 when the movable assembly 100 is moved to the exposed configuration. Thus, when moving the movable assembly 100, the user's finger will inevitably contact the touch sensor 102 to activate the sound emitting assembly and cause the programmed sound to be emitted.

Although fig. 8A and 8B are described with respect to a touch sensor, it should be understood that aspects as depicted and described herein may be used with a finger touch sensor or a light sensor (or any other suitable sensor or switch). For a finger touch sensor, the pig slide (i.e., the movable assembly) has a finger tab 804 therein, the finger tab 804 falling on the touch sensor 102 when the slide is pushed up. Alternatively, if a light sensor is used, the light sensor will be positioned as depicted in fig. 8B such that the light sensor will be exposed when the movable assembly 100 is moved. Thus, various sensors are alternative sound generation activation methods.

For further understanding, another non-limiting example is depicted in fig. 9A and 9B. Fig. 9A and 9B illustrate an example operation of the touch sensor 102 for a sliding sound. In this example, the finger hole is formed as a movable finger tab 900 (represented by a circle) that allows the movable assembly to move. When the tag 900 is pushed up using the hole, the hole overlies the touch sensor 102 (represented by the black dot with the stroke marks around it). When the user's finger touches the sensor 102, it activates the sound. At the same time, moving the label 900 causes the illustration to change by sliding the movable member 100. In this non-limiting example, the mobile assembly 100 includes a hen inset that causes a hen that is part of the activity tab 900 (and activity assembly 100) to appear at the top of the page. For example, the mobility assembly 100 is a single piece or plate with a finger tab 900 as an extension at one end and a hen at the other end. On the other hand, it is noted that a hen or other desired illustration may also appear in the hole in the page.

Further, it should be understood that the use of touch sensors can be used in any of the aspects described and illustrated, the placement of the touch sensors being strategically positioned such that a user's action (sliding, rotating, etc.) on the movable assembly 100 will cause the user to expose the touch sensors.

Finally, while the invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the invention can have other applications in other environments. It should be noted that many embodiments and implementations are possible. Furthermore, the following claims are in no way intended to limit the scope of the present invention to the specific embodiments described above. Additionally, any statement that "means for …" is intended to cause a reading of the element and the means-plus-function of the claim, and any element not specifically using the statement that "means for …" is not intended to be read as a means-plus-function element, even though the claim includes the word "means". Moreover, although specific method steps are set forth in a particular order, these method steps may occur in any desired order and fall within the scope of the present invention.

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application is a continuation-in-part application of 16/213,848 filed on 7.12.2018 as a non-provisional application of U.S. provisional application No.62/595,864 filed on 7.12.12.2017, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.