Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02650789 2008-10-28
WO 2007/127904 PCT/US2007/067601
BUILDING CARD KIT
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a building card kit containing at
least one character and a set of building cards for assembly into a structure
that
relates to the character.
Brief Description of the Related Art
[0002] Building card sets have been known for many years. The cards in
these sets are typically rectangular in shape and contain at least six slots
which
are used to interconnect one card to another and form a structure (i.e., a
house of
cards). Each of the cards in the set are typically provided with random images
for purposes of decoration.
[0003] 3-D puzzles provide an alternative to building cards. 3-D puzzles,
however, are limited in that they can only be assembled into a single, pre-
defined
structure. In other words, a typical 3-D puzzle has only one specific location
for
each of the pieces in the puzzle. Thus, once a person assembles the 3-D puzzle
into its intended form, the fun generally ends and any re-assembly of the same
1
CA 02650789 2008-10-28
WO 2007/127904 PCT/US2007/067601
structure will be less satisfying to the person as they will not be as
challenged
during the assembly process.
[0004] Each of the above described building cards and 3-D puzzles have
significant drawbacks in their entertainment and educational values. While the
building cards and 3-D puzzles both provide a challenge in assembly, they are
both limited in that the assembled structures are then not further utilized
for
education and/or entertainment purposes.
[0005] Accordingly, there is a need to provide a building-type kit that will
not be limited in the number of structures that can be formed, as well as
provide
for continued fun and interaction with the structure that has been formed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention improves significantly over the prior art
building cards and 3-D puzzles. In particular, in order to have building cards
be
more interesting, they are provided in a kit along with a character that is
related
to an assembled form of the building cards, and/or at least one side of the
cards
are printed with indicia relating to the character. Because of this
combination, a
2
CA 02650789 2008-10-28
WO 2007/127904 PCT/US2007/067601
person can use their imagination to create an unlimited number of structures
with which the character can interact.
[0007] In a further embodiment, the building cards are provided unprinted.
In this manner, once a person assembles a structure, they are free to decorate
the
unprinted portions of the building cards to make the assembled structure
artistically unique in its own right. With this second embodiment, a person is
also provided with an opportunity to express themselves artistically as well.
[0008] As used herein, the term "building cards" refers to cards that are
provided with slots that allow interconnection with slots of another building
card. As used herein, the term "character" means any object that interacts
with
the structure formed by the building cards, such as a toy figure, an action
figure,
a toy car, or the like, and that is not integral with the structure formed by
the
building cards. For example, the character may be a posable or non-posable
figurine that is scaled to match the assembled structure, or other figurines
and
structures in other building card kits.
3
CA 02650789 2008-10-28
WO 2007/127904 PCT/US2007/067601
[0009] As used herein the term "related to" refers to items, images or other
indicia that are related by a common story line, related in subject matter, or
related by a common theme.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the
drawings a form which is presently preferred, it being understood, however,
that
the invention is not limited to the precise arrangement shown, wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 shows a building card kit according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 shows a sample character included in the building card kit of
Fig. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 shows a large rectangular shaped building card;
[0014] FIG. 4 shows a square shaped building card;
[0015] FIG. 5 shows a building card in the shape of an arc;
[0016] FIG. 6 shows a small rectangular shaped building card;
4
CA 02650789 2008-10-28
WO 2007/127904 PCT/US2007/067601
[0017] FIG. 7 shows a set of building cards having different indicia printed
on a side thereof; and
[0018] FIG. 8 shows an example of the printed material that can be
provided with the building card kit of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Referring now to the drawings, Figs. 1 and 2 show a preferred
embodiment of the building card kit 1 according to the present invention. The
building card kit 1 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 includes a character 2 and a
plurality of
building cards 4. Additionally, the building card kit 1 may also include
printed
material 6 such as a storybook, a pamphlet, a set of instructions or the like,
relating to the character 2 or the plurality of building cards 4.
[0020] As shown in Figs. 3-6, the plurality of building cards 4 can take
many different forms, shapes and/or sizes. For example, Fig. 3 shows a large
rectangular shaped building card 4a, Fig. 4 shows a square shaped building
card
4b, Fig. 5 shows a building card 4c in the shape of an arc, and Fig. 6 shows a
small rectangular shaped building card 4d. The building cards are not limited
to
the shapes shown, but can be any shape. Regardless of the shape, preferably
CA 02650789 2008-10-28
WO 2007/127904 PCT/US2007/067601
each of the building cards 4 are provided with at least one slot 5 which
allows
that particular card to connect to the slot 5 of another card within the set
to form
a structure. Accordingly, the cards can be assembled in any way a person wants
to create an unlimited number of free-standing structures.
[0021] The building cards 4 provided in the set are preferably comprised of
laminated or unlaminated chip board material, or can be any other similar type
of material such as cardboard, plastic, etc., and are bundled such that the
cards 4
are attached together along perforations 7 (as shown in Figs. 1 and 7) which
are
designed to break the cards into the different shapes shown in Figs. 3-6.
Alternatively, the cards can be packaged "loose" in that the are removed or
devoid of any frame or common sheet.
[0022] Preferably, as shown in Figs. 1 and 7, it is preferred that at least
one
side of each of the building cards 4 is provided with indicia which relates to
either the character 2 provided in the building card kit 1, the structure
which is
formed by the building cards 4, or both. For example, in Fig. 7 the building
cards
4 in the set are shown for use in assembling various types of structures
resembling castles. Thus, the building cards 4 are printed on at least one
side
6
CA 02650789 2008-10-28
WO 2007/127904 PCT/US2007/067601
thereof with images resembling parts of a castle. These images include, for
example, doors, bricks, windows, turrets, flags, crests, wood planks, etc.
[0023] Although the preferred embodiment described herein shows a
building card kit 1 wherein the character 2 is a knight and the building cards
4
are printed with indicia relating to a castle, it will be readily apparent to
those of
skill in the art that other characters and printed building card kits can be
provided such as, a pirate and building cards for assembling various boats, a
farmer and building cards for assembling barns and other farm structures, an
astronaut and building cards for assembling various types of space
stations/rockets and a soldier and building cards for assembling forts, a car
and
building cards for assembling garages, to name a few. The type of character
and
images printed on the cards are virtually limitless, and will thus only be
limited
by the imagination of the designer of the building card set. For example,
multiple building card kits can be provided as related series or themes, such
as
ancient ruins or wonders of the world, famous skylines or skyscrapers, fantasy
/
futuristic themes, modern day heroes / superhero theme, exploration or
expedition adventure, haunted houses, doll houses; cowboy themes, samurai /
7
CA 02650789 2008-10-28
WO 2007/127904 PCT/US2007/067601
ninja themes, mystery / spy themes, famous battles / wars, national / city
parks,
sports arenas / coliseums / racetracks, or famous literary locations, t name a
few.
[0024] As shown in Figs. 1 and 8, it is preferred that the building card kit 1
also include printed material 6 such as a storybook, a pamphlet, a set of
instructions or the like, relating to the character 2 or the plurality of
building
cards 4. In order to assist the person in assembling a structure, it is
preferred that
the printed material 6 provided with the kit include instructions on how to
assemble one or more different types of free-standing structures with which
the
character 2 can interact. In particular, the printed material can provide
specific
guidelines for creating different parts of the free-standing structure, such
as wall,
floors, roofs, towers, spires, bridges and other architectural elements which
are
related to the character, as well as drawings and/or photographs of the
various
possible structures. For example, as shown in Fig. 8, the printed material 6
is in
the form of an instruction book that includes directions and drawings on how
to
assemble the building cards 4 into various structures such as the tower shown.
Preferably, the assembled structures are sized for interaction with the
character
provided in the kit.
8
CA 02650789 2008-10-28
WO 2007/127904 PCT/US2007/067601
[0025] Accordingly, with the building card kit according to the present
invention, a person is given a greater opportunity to express him or herself
creatively. In particular, the person is allowed to design their own structure
with
the building cards that relates to the character provided in the kit. However,
unlike traditional building cards, once the structure is assembled the fun and
learning does not end because the person is now able to have the character
interact with the assembled structure in a role-playing manner. Accordingly,
by
providing such a kit, a person's creativity is fostered as they are allowed to
actually play and interact with the finished structure that they themselves
have
designed and assembled. Moreover, the user can change the structure and the
fun starts all over again.
[0026] In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the building
cards 4 in the kit are not provided with any printed matter or indicia (such
as the
cards shown in Figs. 3-6). In other words, the building cards in the set are
unprinted and preferably colored white. With this type of building card kit of
the second embodiment, it is preferred that the kit be provided with printed
material which includes instructions on how to assemble the blank building
cards into a free-standing structure relating to a particular character, for
example,
9
CA 02650789 2008-10-28
WO 2007/127904 PCT/US2007/067601
the knight shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Once a structure is assembled that is to
the
liking of the person, the person can then proceed to decorate the blank
building
cards with their own designs. Thus, not only will the blank building card
embodiment foster the creative abilities of the person in assembling
structures, it
will also allow the person to express themselves in an artful manner when they
decorate the structure they created in a way that they desire, thus making
each
structure unique in its own right. In addition, and similar to the pre-printed
building card sets, the structure assembled by the person is designed such
that
the person can continue their learning or role-playing activities by having
the
character interact with the assembled structure.
[0027] In alternate embodiments, stickers can be provided for further
decorating the printed or unprinted surfaces of the cards, the surfaces of the
cards can be adapted for use with dry-erase markers, the surfaces of the cards
can be made magnetic for use with magnetic-type stickers, the surfaces can be
adapted for use with reusable peel-and-stick decorations, etc. The building
card
kit can also be provided with separate parts for decorating/attachment to the
slots in the cards, portions of the assembled structure, specific locations on
the
assembled structure (i.e., preformed holes in the cards), or the character.
These
CA 02650789 2008-10-28
WO 2007/127904 PCT/US2007/067601
separate parts can be molded of plastic or any other desired material, and
have
printed or unprinted surfaces.
[0028] It is also contemplated that supplemental refill card sets will be
provided separately from the original set containing the character. The
separate
building card sets can be printed with indicia on at least one side of each of
the
building cards or left blank for future decoration by the person. The separate
sets can also be provided with stickers, dry-erase markers, magnets, etc.
[0029] The present invention has been described in connection with the
preferred embodiments. These embodiments, however, are merely examples
and the invention is not restricted thereto. It will be understood by those
skilled
in the art that other variations and modifications can easily be made while
remaining within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
11
