NOVELTY TOY

Abstract

A toy comprising a stack of elements including at least first, second and third elements having a cord running therethrough. The cord is configurable between a taut state in which the stack is prevented from toppling, and a slack state in which the first, second and third elements are movable relative to one another to effect toppling of the stack. The first element comprises a stop configured to limit movement of the second element relative to the first element to a pre-determined range such that the stack is only partially toppled by movement of the second element through the pre-determined range, and movement of the first and/or third element is necessary for the stack to reach a fully-toppled state.

Claims

1. A toy comprising a stack of elements including at least first, second and third elements having a cord running therethrough, the cord being configurable between a taut state in which the stack is prevented from toppling, and a slack state in which the first, second and third elements are movable relative to one another to effect toppling of the stack, wherein the first element comprises a stop configured to limit movement of the second element relative to the first element to a pre-determined range such that the stack is only partially toppled by movement of the second element through the pre-determined range, and movement of the first and/or third element is necessary for the stack to reach a fully-toppled state.

2. The toy of claim 1, wherein the second element defines an internal volume, and the stop of the first element is located inside the internal volume of the second element.

3. The toy of claim 1, wherein the first element comprises a support surface and the second element rests on the support surface when the first and second elements are arranged in the stack.

4. The toy of claim 3, wherein the stop is spaced apart from the support surface by a spacer.

5. The toy of claim 4, wherein the cord runs through the spacer.

6. The toy of claim 4, wherein the spacer is a post.

7. The toy of claim 5, wherein the second element has a base wall comprising an aperture and the spacer extends through the aperture into the internal volume of the second element.

8. The toy of claim 7, wherein at least one dimension of the aperture is smaller than a dimension of the stop so as to guard against the stop passing through the aperture to limit movement of the second element relative to the first element, and/or at least one dimension of the aperture is larger than a dimension of the spacer to allow the second element to pivot relative to the first element.

9. (canceled)

10. The toy of claim 3, wherein the stop is provided on a stop formation, the stop formation preferably comprising an abutment surface that faces towards the support surface of the first element, and a sloped surface opposite the abutment surface.

11.-14. (canceled)

15. The toy of claim 1, wherein the second element comprises an abutment surface for abutting against the stop to restrict movement of the second element relative to the first element.

16. The toy of claim 15, wherein the abutment surface is an internal wall of the second element.

17. The toy of claim 1, wherein the first and second elements comprise complementary locating features configured to align the second element relative to the first element when the first and second elements are arranged in the stack.

18. (canceled)

19. The toy of claim 17, wherein the locating feature of the first element comprises a projection on the support surface.

20. The toy of claim 19, wherein the projection defines a bevel that extends at least partially around the base of the spacer, and wherein the bevel comprises at least one sloping wall that lies at an obtuse angle to the support surface.

21.-22. (canceled)

23. The toy of claim 19, wherein the locating feature of the second element comprises a recess on the base surface.

24. The toy of claim 23, wherein the recess comprises at least one sloping wall that lies at an obtuse angle to the base surface, and wherein the recess is defined by a beveled wall that surrounds the aperture of the second element.

25. (canceled)

26. The toy claim 1, wherein the second element comprises a stop configured to limit movement of the third element relative to the second element to a pre-determined range.

27. (canceled)

28. The toy of claim 1, wherein one of the elements is a base element that houses a button configured to slacken the cord when the button is pressed.

29.-31. (canceled)

32. The toy of claim 1, wherein the first element comprises a first abutment surface that defines the stop and the second element comprises a second abutment surface that is configured to abut against the stop to restrict movement of the second element relative to the first element.

33. The toy of claim 32, wherein the first and second abutment surfaces are arranged to face each other when the cord is in the taut state, and wherein the first and second abutment surfaces are spaced apart from one another when the cord is in the taut state and are configured to move towards one another as the stack topples.

34.-68. (canceled)

69. The toy of claim 1, wherein the toy is shaped substantially as genitalia.

70.-71. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0068] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0069] FIG. 1 is a front view of a toy in an upright state;

[0070] FIG. 2 is a front view of the toy of FIG. 1 in a fully-toppled state;

[0071] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the toy of FIG. 1 in an upright state;

[0072] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the toy of FIG. 1 in a fully-toppled state;

[0073] FIG. 5a is a cross-sectional view of a base element forming a part of the toy of FIG. 1;

[0074] FIG. 5b is a cross-sectional view of an intermediate element forming a part of the toy of FIG. 1;

[0075] FIG. 5c is a cross-sectional view of an anchoring element forming a part of the toy of FIG. 1;

[0076] FIG. 5d is a cross-sectional view of a base element and an intermediate element forming a part of the toy of FIG. 1;

[0077] FIG. 6a is a cross-sectional view of the toy of FIG. 1 in a partially-toppled state;

[0078] FIG. 6b is a cross-sectional view of the toy of FIG. 1 in another partially-toppled state;

[0079] FIG. 6c is a cross-sectional view of the toy of FIG. 1 in a fully-toppled state;

[0080] FIG. 7a is a front view of a cord forming part of the toy of FIG. 1, and

[0081] FIGS. 7b and 7c are partial enlarged views of snap-fit elements of the cord of FIG. 7a; and

[0082] FIGS. 8a to 8e illustrate steps in a method of making the toy of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0083] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a toy 10 that comprises a plurality of stacked elements 20. In the embodiment shown, each element 20 is a cylindrical element of circular cross section, though the elements 20 may be shaped in any suitable manner, for example to create the appearance of an object or character. In particular, the toy may have an adult-theme, and the elements may be shaped as a body part, and in particular as genitalia.

[0084] The toy 10 is configurable between a first, upright state, illustrated in FIG. 1, in which the elements 20 are arranged one-on-top-of-another to define a stack, and a second, fully-toppled state, illustrated in FIG. 2, in which the elements 20 have toppled over. In the fully-toppled state, the elements 20 have moved with respect to one another to the maximum extent permitted by the internal mechanism or the toy 10. In other words, in the fully-toppled state, the elements 20 have toppled such that the total gravitational potential energy of the elements 20 is at the lowest level permitted.

[0085] Although in this case the elements are toppled by gravity acting on the stack, it will be appreciated that toppling may be caused by any force that tends to move the elements towards a toppled state. For example, the toppling may additionally or alternatively be caused by external elastic forces or pushing forces acting on the elements.

[0086] It will be appreciated that the toy 10 may be held and used in any orientation, such that the stack need not necessarily be upright in the first state. For example, if the toy 10 were held at 90 degrees to the orientation illustrated, the stack would be substantially horizontal with the elements 20 arranged side-by-side to define the stack. The term stack therefore encompasses such possible non-upright orientations, so long as the elements are capable of toppling to some extent with respect to the first state.

[0087] Referring to FIG. 3, which shows the toy 10 in cross section, the stack comprises three different types of elements 20a, 20b, 20c. A lowermost element of the stack is a base element 20a that houses a moveable base or button 22. An uppermost element of the stack serves as an anchoring element 20b. A cord 28 runs through all the elements and is anchored to the button 22 at the base of the stack and to the anchoring element 20b at the top of the stack. The remaining elements that are located between the base element 20a and the anchoring element 20b are intermediate elements 20c.

[0088] The button 22 is arranged to define a base surface of the base element 20a. The button 22 comprises an aperture 122 that engages with the cord 28. A spring 24 acts between the button 22 and an internal surface 26 of the base element 20a to bias the button 22 away from the internal surface 26. The cord 28 is pulled taut by the action of the spring 24, and the tautness of the cord 28 retains the elements 20a, 20b, 20c in their upright position.

[0089] In this example, the cord 28 is made of a plastics material such as nylon and is an injection-moulded cord. Because the cord 28 is made of a plastics material, the cord 28 is flexible but has a stiffness along the length of the cord 28, such that the cord 28 displays a resilience to bending. However, the cord 28 may be made of any other suitable material and need not have a stiffness along the length of the cord 28. For example, the cord 28 may be made of a fibrous string as is used in traditional pop toys, or may be made of metal.

[0090] Referring to FIG. 4, when a user pushes the button 22 up and into the base element 20a and overcomes the biasing force of the spring 24, the cord 28 becomes slack. The slackness in the cord 28 allows the elements 20a, 20b, 20c to move with respect to one another so that the stack topples. Once all the elements 20a, 20b, 20c have moved to the maximum extent permitted, the stack is in a fully-toppled state.

[0091] With the exception of the anchoring element 20b, each of the elements of the stack 20a, 20c, comprises a stop 30. Each stop 30 is configured to limit movement of a neighbouring element 20b, 20c of the stack to a limited range as the neighbouring element 20b, 20c topples. For example, the stop 30 of the base element 20a is configured to limit movement of the intermediate element 20c immediately above the base element 20a to a range of movement indicated by the arrow R.

[0092] By limiting relative movement of the elements 20a, 20b, 20c in this way, the relative movement of a single element 20a, 20b, 20c is not sufficient to bring the stack into its fully-toppled state. Instead, relative movement of a single element 20a, 20b, 20c brings the stack into only a partially-toppled state, in which the total gravitational potential energy of the elements 20a, 20b, 20c is not yet at the minimum level permitted by the toy 10. To bring the stack into its fully-toppled state, each of the other elements 20a, 20b, 20c must also move through their limited range of movement.

[0093] FIGS. 5A to 5C illustrate the different elements 20a, 20b, 20c of the stack, which will now be described in detail.

[0094] FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the base element 20a of the stack. The base element 20a comprises a hollow housing 32 made of an injection-moulded plastics material. The housing 32 defines an internal volume 34 that, in use, houses the button 22 and the spring 24 (not shown in FIG. 5). The housing 32 defines an upper surface 36. When the toy is in the upright state, the neighbouring element 20c in the stack rests on the upper surface 36. By rests it is meant that the neighbouring element 20c bears against the upper surface 36 in some way when the toy is in the upright state. This may be caused, for example, by the tautness of the cord pulling the neighbouring element 20c against the upper surface 36. Alternatively or additionally, if the stack is held upright, the neighbouring element 20c may also bear against the upper surface 36 by virtue of gravity pulling the neighbouring element 20c down against the upper surface 36. In this way, the upper surface 36 acts as a support surface.

[0095] The upper surface 36 of the base element 20a is provided with a stop formation 38. The stop formation 38 comprises a head portion 40 and a spacer 44 in the form of a post. The head portion 40 defines a mushroom shape, and has an abutment surface 42 that faces downwardly towards the upper surface 36 of the base element 20a to define the stop 30, and a domed surface 46 opposite the abutment surface 42. The spacer 44 serves to space the head portion 40, and hence the stop 30, away from the upper surface 36 of the base element 20a.

[0096] Where the upper surface 36 of the base element 20a meets the post 44, the upper surface 36 is provided with a bevelled region having a sloped surface that lies at an obtuse angle to the upper surface 36. The bevelled region extends all the way round the base of the post to define a collar 48. This collar 48 acts as a locating feature that interacts with a complementary locating feature on the neighbouring intermediate element 20c of the stack, as will be described later.

[0097] A central bore 50 runs through the stop formation 38 to communicate with the internal volume 34 of the base element 20a. In the assembled toy 10, the cord 28 runs through this central bore 50 into the internal volume 34, where it is anchored to the button 22 (See FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0098] FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of an intermediate element 20c of the stack, and in particular, of the intermediate element 20c that is immediately above the base element 20a in the stack. The intermediate element 20c is of a similar construction to the base element 20a.

[0099] The intermediate element 20c comprises a hollow housing 54 made of an injection-moulded plastics material. The housing 54 defines an internal volume 56 that lies between an upper surface 58 and a base wall 60. When the toy is in its upright state, the base surface 60 of the intermediate element 20c rests on the upper surface 36 of the base element 20a that lies beneath it in the stack (see FIG. 3). As above, the term rests means that the intermediate element 20c bears against the upper surface 36 in some way, which may be by virtue of the tautness of the cord pulling the intermediate element 20c against the upper surface 36, and/or it may be by virtue of gravity pulling the intermediate element 20c down against the upper surface 36. In turn, the upper surface 58 of the intermediate element 20c supports another intermediate element that is immediately above it in the stack, such that the upper surface 58 acts as a support surface.

[0100] The upper surface 58 is provided with a stop formation 62 that is substantially the same as the stop formation 38 of the base element 20a. The stop formation 62 comprises a head portion 64 and a spacer 66 in the form of a post. The head portion 64 defines a mushroom shape, and has an abutment surface 68 that faces towards the upper surface 58 of the intermediate element 20c to define the stop 30, and a domed surface 70 opposite the abutment surface 68. The post 66 serves to space the head portion 64, and hence the stop 30, away from the upper surface 58 of the intermediate element 20c.

[0101] As with the base element 20a described above, where the upper surface 58 of intermediate element 20c meets the post 66, the upper surface 58 is provided with a bevelled region having a sloped surface that lies at an obtuse angle to the upper surface 58. The bevelled region extends all the way round the base of the post to define a collar 72. This collar 72 acts as a locating feature that interacts with a complementary locating feature on the base surface of a neighbouring intermediate element 20c of the stack, as will be described later.

[0102] A central bore 75 runs through the stop formation 62 to communicate with the internal volume 56 of the intermediate element 20c. In the assembled toy 10, the cord 28 runs through this central bore 75 into the internal volume 56 (See FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0103] The base wall 60 of the intermediate element 20c comprises a circular aperture 74. The aperture 74 has a diameter that is a little larger than the diameter of the post 44 of the stop formation 38 of the base element 20a, but a little smaller than an external dimension of the stop 30 of the stop formation 38. Around the edge of the aperture 74, the base wall 60 is bevelled so as to define a sloped wall 76 that faces downwardly towards the base element 20a when the toy 10 is assembled, and that lies at an obtuse angle to the lower surface of the base wall 60. The sloped wall 76 is shaped so as to co-operate with the collar 48 provided around the post 44 of the base element 20a.

[0104] FIG. 5c is a cross-sectional view of the anchoring element 20b. The anchoring element 20b composes a hollow housing 78 made of an injection-moulded plastics material. The housing 78 defines an internal volume 80 that lies between an upper surface 82 and a base wall 84 of the housing. When the toy is in its upright state, the base wall 84 of the anchoring element 20b rests on the upper surface 58 of the intermediate element 20c that lies beneath the anchoring element 20b in the stack. As above, the term rests means that the anchoring element 20b bears against the upper surface 58 of the intermediate element 20c in some way, which may be by virtue of the tautness of the cord pulling the anchoring element 20b against the upper surface 58, and/or it may be by virtue of gravity pulling the anchoring element 20b down against the upper surface 58.

[0105] The base wall 84 of the anchoring element is substantially the same as the base wall 60 of the intermediate element 20c. The base wall 84 comprises a circular aperture 86, and the aperture 86 has a diameter that is a little larger than the diameter of the post 66 of the stop formation 62 of the intermediate element 20c, but a little smaller than an external dimension of the stop 30 of the stop formation 62. Around the edge of the aperture 86 the base wall 84 is bevelled so as to define a sloped wall 88 that faces downwardly towards the intermediate element 20c when the toy 10 is assembled. The sloped wall 88 is shaped so as to co-operate with the collar 72 provided around the post 66 of the intermediate element 20c.

[0106] The upper surface 82 of the anchoring element 20b is provided with an aperture 90 which is sized such that the uppermost section of the cord 28 above the first snap-fit feature 100 can run through the aperture 90 when the toy is assembled.

[0107] FIG. 5D shows the base element 20a and the intermediate element 20c arranged in the stack of the assembled toy when in an upright state.

[0108] The post 44 of the stop formation 38 of the base element 20a extends through the aperture 74 in the base of the intermediate element 20c. The head portion 40 of the stop formation 38, and hence the abutment surface 42 that serves as the stop 30, is therefore disposed inside the internal volume 56 of the intermediate element 20c.

[0109] If the intermediate element 20c and the base element 20a are perfectly aligned, the sloped wall 76 at the edge of the aperture 74 of the intermediate element 20c will lie in contact with the collar 48 around the post 44 of the base element 20a as shown in FIG. 5D. However, if the intermediate element 20c is out of alignment, the sloped wall 76 would not be able to rest directly on the collar 48. In this case, a combination of the returning spring force and gravity will tend to act on the sloping surfaces of the sloped wall 76 to slide the sloped wall over the collar 48 and move the intermediate element 20c into alignment with the base element 20a, thereby allowing complete contact between the sloped wall 76 and the collar 48. In this way, the sloped wall 76 and the collar 48 act as complementary locating features that force the intermediate element 20c into the desired location relative to the base element 20a.

[0110] It will be appreciated that the collars 72 the sloped walls 76, 88 of the other intermediate elements 20c and the anchoring element 20b also act as complementary locating features in the same way.

[0111] FIGS. 6A to 6C illustrate stages in the topping process of the toy 10.

[0112] In this example, the toppling motion can be caused by a combination of two different forces acting on the elements 20a, 20b, 20c of the toy 10.

[0113] Firstly, a pushing force is exerted on the anchoring element 20b, by the cord 28. As explained above, the cord 28 has a stiffness along the length of the cord 28. As a result of this stiffness, when the button 22 is pushed, the cord 28 exhibits a resistance against the bending motion that would be induced by the upward movement of the button 22, and pushes against the anchoring element 20b upwardly and outwardly. This pushing force fends to affect the uppermost elements first, causing toppling from the top of the stack.

[0114] Secondly, gravitational forces act on the elements. In the stacked configuration the elements have a relatively high gravitational potential energy. If the toy 10 is held at a tilted angle when the button 22 is pressed, the elements will tend to topple under gravity to reduce the gravitational potential energy to that of the fully-toppled state. The toppling action caused by gravity will tend to cause the lowest element of the stack to pivot first, causing toppling from the bottom of the stack.

[0115] The toppling effect will be caused by one or both of these forces, depending on how the toy 10 is held during toppling, and on the configuration and/or material of the cord 28. If the toy 10 is held substantially vertically when the button 22 is pressed, the pushing force exerted by the cord 28 will dominate, and the stack will tend to topple from the top. If the toy 10 is held at a steep tilt when the button 22 is pressed, or if the cord 28 is not made of a stiff material such that it cannot exert a pushing force on the elements, the gravitational forces will dominate, and the stack will tend to topple from the bottom. If the toy 10 is held at an intermediate tilt when the button 22 is pressed, both forces will act on the elements to different extents depending on the degree of tilt. In this case, the stack may topple from both the top and the bottom.

[0116] FIGS. 6A to 6C illustrate the toppling effect when the toy 10 is held substantially vertically when the button 22 is pressed, such that the pushing force exerted by the cord 28 dominates the toppling process.

[0117] Referring to FIG. 6A, when the button 22 is pushed, the pushing action exerted by the cord 28 causes the anchoring element 20b to topple by tipping it about a pivot point 91. Because the aperture 86 of the anchoring element 20b is a little larger than the post 66 of the intermediate element 20c, the anchoring element 20b is free to pivot around the post 66 in any direction. This free movement is also facilitated by the circular cross-section of the post 66 and the aperture 86. This pivoting causes the base surface of the anchoring element 20b to lift away from the upper surface of the intermediate element 20c that lies beneath it in the stack.

[0118] The anchoring element 20b continues to tip about the pivot point 91 until the inner surface 92 of the anchoring element 20b in the vicinity of the aperture 86 reaches the stop 30 of the intermediate element 20c. Because the stop 30 is larger than the aperture 86, the stop 30 cannot pass through the aperture 86. The inner surface 92 therefore abuts against the abutment surface 68 of the stop 30, upon which the pivoting movement of the anchoring element 20b is arrested. The anchoring element 20b has moved through its full range of movement relative to the intermediate element 20c, and the anchoring element 20b can move no further.

[0119] At this stage the toy 10 is in a partially-toppled state. The total gravitational potential energy of the elements of the stack has been reduced by toppling of the anchoring element 20b, but the total gravitational potential energy of the elements has not yet been reduced to the lowest level permitted, because the elements of the stack have not yet toppled to the maximum extent permitted by the configuration of the toy.

[0120] As the button 22 is pushed further, the cord 28 is pushed further upwards, exerting a further force on the anchoring element 20b. Because the anchoring element 20b can move no further relative to the intermediate element 20c, the further pushing force exerted by the cord 28 cannot be accommodated by further tipping of the anchoring element 20b. Instead, the inner surface 92 of the anchoring element 20b exerts a lifting force on the stop 30 of the intermediate element 20c. In this way, the anchoring element 20b effectively pulls the intermediate element 20c over, causing the intermediate element 20c to lift and pivot, as is shown in FIG. 6A.

[0121] Referring now to FIG. 6B, the intermediate element 20c pivots in the same manner as the anchoring element 20b described above. The intermediate element 20c continues to tip about the pivot point 91 until an inner surface 94 of the intermediate element 20c reaches the stop 30 of the intermediate element 20c that lies below it in the stack. Because the stop 30 is larger than the aperture 74 in the intermediate element 20c, the stop 30 cannot pass through the aperture 74. The inner surface 94 therefore abuts against the abutment surface 68 of the stop 30, and the pivoting movement of the intermediate element 20c is arrested. The intermediate element 20c has moved through its full range of movement relative to the intermediate element 20c that lies below it in the stack, and the intermediate element 20c can therefore move no further.

[0122] Upon continued pushing of the button 22, the cord 28 is pushed upwards still further exerting a further force on the anchoring element 20b and the intermediate element 20c. This force cannot be accommodated by further movement of the anchoring element 20b or the intermediate element 20c relative to the rest of the stack. Instead, the inner surface 94 of the intermediate element 20c exerts a lifting force on the stop 30 of the intermediate element 20c that lies beneath it in the stack, which causes the intermediate element 20c to lift and pivot.

[0123] The same pattern of toppling continues moving down the elements towards the base element 20a. Eventually, as shown in FIG. 6C, every element in the stack has moved through its full range of movement, such that the internal surface of every element abuts against the stop 30 of the neighbouring element in the stack. The stack has then toppled to the maximum extent permitted, and is in its fully-toppled state. Because each element has pivoted relative to its neighbouring elements, but has pivoted by only a limited amount, the elements define a curved shape when the stack is in its fully-toppled state.

[0124] When the button 22 is released, the cord 28 is tautened again, and the elements 20a, 20b, 20c are pulled back in to the upright configuration of FIG. 3. The complementary locating features 48, 76, 72, 88 (See FIGS. 5A to 5D) act to locate the elements 20a, 20b, 20c relative to one another, such that the stack is perfectly aligned when it is brought into the upright configuration.

[0125] By virtue of the stops 30, each and every element of the stack must move through its full range of motion in order to bring the toy into its fully toppled state. A fully-toppled state cannot be achieved by pivoting of the lowest of the intermediate elements alone, as would be the case in conventional pop toys. Thus, the stack cannot topple like a felled tree, but must instead topple by splaying in a controlled manner to define a curved shape. This controlled splaying provides an increased amusement factor compared to conventional pop-toys. It is particularly beneficial when the elements have a relatively large area of contact, for example if the elements have large, flat upper surfaces as in the toy depicted in the accompanying drawings, or if the toy elements are of substantially the same size and shape.

[0126] By virtue of the locating features, 48, 76, 72, 88, the elements are perfectly aligned when the toy 10 is returned to the upright state. The toy therefore has a predictable shape and configuration in both the fully-toppled and upright states.

[0127] It Will be appreciated that the final shape of the elements in the fully-toppled state is governed by the range of movement that is permitted for each of the different elements. The permitted range of movement is governed in turn by the spacing between the stop 30 and the abutment surface 92, 94 of the neighbouring element in the stack. This spacing is determined by the length of the post 44, 66 that spaces the stop 30 away from the upper surface of the element. A longer post 44, 66 provides a greater spacing and results in a greater range of movement, while a shorter post 44, 66 provides a smaller spacing and results in a smaller range of movement. The final configuration of the elements in the fully-toppled state can therefore be controlled by controlling the length of the post of each element.

[0128] In this way, many different shapes could be defined by the elements in the fully-toppled state, depending on the construction of the toy 10. The shape could be selected, for example, such that the shape in the fully-toppled state is appropriate for the object or character that is defined by the elements.

[0129] FIGS. 7A to 7C show the cord 28 of the toy 10 in detail. The cord may be used with a pop toy 10 as described above. In which the elements are provided with stops so as to limit relative movement between the elements. However, the cord may be used to equal advantage with pop toys having conventional elements that do not include stops. The stops described above and the cord described below may therefore be used independently of one another if desired.

[0130] The cord 28 comprises first and second snap-fit features 100, 102. The first snap-fit feature 100 is provided at an upper end of the cord 28, and, in the assembled toy, engages with the anchoring element 20b (See FIG. 3). The second snap-fit feature 102 is located at a lower end of the cord 28 and in the assembled toy, engages with the button 22 (see FIG. 3).

[0131] The first snap-fit feature 100 comprises first and second parts 104, 106.

[0132] The first part 104 is lower than the second part 106 and defines a downward facing barb shaped substantially as a cone that is co-axial with the cord 28. The barb comprises a ramped surface 108, and a stop 110. The stop has a diameter that is larger than the aperture 90 in the upper surface of the anchoring element 20b, such that the aperture 90 cannot usually pass over the stop 110.

[0133] The second part 106 is higher than the first part 104 and defines an upward-facing barb shaped substantially as a cone that is co-axial with the cord 28. The barb comprises a ramped surface 112, and a stop 114. The stop 114 has a diameter that is slightly larger than the aperture 90 in the upper surface of the anchoring element 20b, so that, normally, the aperture 90 cannot pass over the stop 114. however, the stop 114 is capable of elastic deformation if pressure is applied to the stop 114 in a downward direction via the ramped surface 106. When the stop 114 is elastically deformed, the diameter of the stop is reduced such that the aperture 90 can pass over the stop 114 in a downward or threading direction.

[0134] The stops 110, 114 are both smaller than the aperture 122 in the button 22, and the bores 50, 75 in the stop formations 38, 62 of the base element 20a and the intermediate elements 20c (see FIGS. 5A and 5B). In this way, the button, the base element 20a and the intermediate elements 20c can pass over the first engagement feature 100 as they are threaded onto the cord 28.

[0135] The second snap-fit feature 102 also comprises first and second parts 116, 118.

[0136] The first snap fit part 116 is lower than the second part 118 and defines a disc. An upper surface of the disc acts as a stop 120. The stop 120 has a diameter that is larger than an aperture 122 in the button 22, such that the aperture 122 cannot pass over the stop 120.

[0137] The second part 118 is higher than the first part 116 and defines an upward facing barb shaped substantially as a cone that is co-axial with the cord 28. The barb comprises a ramped surface 124, and a stop 126. The stop 126 has a diameter that is slightly larger than the aperture 122 in the button 22, so that, normally, the aperture 122 cannot pass over the stop 126. However, the stop 126 is capable of elastic deformation if pressure is applied to the stop 126 in a downward direction via the ramped surface 124. When the stop 126 is elastically deformed, the diameter of the stop 126 is reduced such that the aperture 122 can pass over the stop 126 in a downward or threading direction.

[0138] A method of manufacturing a pop toy 10 using the cord 28 of FIGS. 7A to 7C will now be described with reference to FIGS. 8A to 8E.

[0139] The venous components of the toy are assembled by threading the components onto the cord 28. The threading action is effected by moving the component relative to the cord in a threading direction. This can be effected, for example, by pulling the cord 28 upwardly whilst holding the component stationary, or by pushing the component downwardly whilst holding the cord 28 stationary, or by a combination of both movements.

[0140] First, as shown in FIG. 8A, a cord 28 and button 22 are provided. The button 22 is threaded onto the cord 28 in the threading direction until the aperture 122 of the button 22 reaches the second snap-fit feature 102. The button 22 is pushed onto the ramped surface 124 of the second part 118 such that the stop 126 deforms elastically, allowing the aperture 122 to pass over the stop 126 in the threading direction. This causes the button 22 to snap-fit into engagement with the second snap-fit feature 102 of the cord 28 as shown in FIG. 8B, with the aperture 122 of the button 22 being disposed between the first and second parts 116, 118, and in particular between the stops 120, 126. The stops 120, 126 prevent movement of the button in either the threading or unthreading direction, such that the button is fixed in place relative to the cord.

[0141] Other components of the toy 10 are then threaded onto the cord 28 as shown in FIG. 8C. First, the spring 24 is threaded onto the cord until it sits on the button 22. Next, the base element 20a is threaded over the spring 24 and the button 22.

[0142] As shown in FIG. 8D, the first intermediate element 20c is then threaded onto the cord 28. The intermediate element 20c is pushed over the stop formation 38 of the base element 20a by pushing the aperture 74 in the base of the intermediate element 20c over stop formation 38. As the aperture 74 is pushed over the stop formation 38, the bevelled edge 76 of the aperture 74 is pushed against the domed surface 46 of the stop formation 38. The pushing action of the opposed sloping walls 76, 46 elastically deforms the base wall of the intermediate element 20c, thereby enlarging the aperture 74 so that the aperture 74 can pass over the stop formation 38.

[0143] The threading process continues as further intermediate elements 20c are threaded onto the cord 28 in the same manner.

[0144] Turning now to FIG. 8E, once all the intermediate elements 20c have been threaded into place, the anchoring element 20b is threaded onto the cord 28. As the anchoring element 20b is threaded onto the intermediate element 20c that lies below it in the stack, the aperture 86 of the anchoring element 20b passes over the stop formation 62 of the intermediate element 20c in the manner already described above.

[0145] Threading the anchoring element 20b onto the cord also pushes the aperture 90 in the upper surface of the anchoring element 20b over the first snap-fit feature 100, thereby snap-fitting the anchoring element 20b into engagement with the cord 28.

[0146] To effect the snap fit, the anchoring element 20b is pushed onto the ramped surface 112 of the second snap-fit part 106 such that the stop 114 deforms elastically, allowing the aperture 90 to pass over the stop 114 in the threading direction. This causes the anchoring element 20b to snap-fit into engagement with the first snap-fit feature 100 of the cord 28, with the aperture 90 of the anchoring element 20b being disposed between the first end second parts 104, 106 and in particular between the stops 110, 114. The stops 110, 114 prevent movement of the anchoring element 20b in either the threading or unthreading direction, such that the anchoring element 20b is fixed in place relative to the cord 28.

[0147] Once the anchoring element 20b is snap-fitted into place, the cord 28 is anchored between the button 22 and the anchoring element 20b. The cord 28 can then be trimmed above the first snap-fit feature 100. If required a cap (not shown) may be fitted over the anchoring element 20b to hide the first snap-fit feature 100 in the finished toy 10.

[0148] The manufacturing method described allows the button 22 and the anchoring element 20b to be snap-fitted onto the cord 28 with a simple threading motion, and there is no need for complicated procedures such as knotting the cord 28. The manufacturing process is therefore simpler than the known process that involved knotting the cord below the button and above the uppermost element of the stack, and more stages of the process can be mechanised, making the process cheaper and more efficient.

[0149] Embodiments are envisaged in which the bore hole through the post has a widened mouth at its top and/or bottom end. In these embodiments, the widened mouth acts to guide the cord into the bore hole, even if the cord does not approach the bore hole along exactly the same axis as the bore hole. Thus, as a result of the widened mouth, the element can be more quickly and easily threaded onto the cord.

[0150] The toy illustrated in the accompanying drawings is shaped for illustrative purposes as a simple stack of cylinders. However, the toy may take any suitable shape. Any combination of the base element, the anchoring element and the intermediate elements may be shaped so that the toy defines, for example, an object, animal or character.

[0151] Although in the illustrated embodiments the toy has four intermediate elements, any number of intermediate elements may be used. For example, the toy may have only one intermediate element.

[0152] The stops need not take the form described but may take any suitable form that is capable of allowing the stack of elements to topple while also limiting movement of one element relative to another. For example, the stop need not necessarily be located inside the internal volume of a neighbouring element in the stack and/or located at the centre of the element, but may be arranged in any suitable position that is capable of allowing the stack of elements to topple while also limiting movement of one element relative to another.

[0153] Embodiments of the toy are envisaged where the anchoring element is not pivotable relative to the uppermost intermediate element of the stack. For example, the anchoring element may consist of a disc having a small aperture that engages with the first snap-fit feature to anchor the cord to the disc. In this case, the disc may sit on top of the uppermost intermediate element of the stack in contact with the upper surface of the intermediate element in both the upright and fully-toppled states. The disc and the first snap-fit feature may both be hidden by a cap in the finished toy.

[0154] It is also envisaged that certain features of the toy may be configured so as to guard against rotation of the elements relative to one another. For example, the button and the internal volume of the base element, may be non-circular in shape, for example, oval or triangular, such that the button cannot rotate within the internal volume. The snap-fit features of the cord and the apertures in the button and anchoring element that receive the snap-fit features may also be non-circular in shape, so that the cord cannot rotate relative to the button or the base element. In this way, the button, base element, cord and anchoring element are fixed in the same orientation and cannot rotate relative to one another. As the toy is toppled and brought back to the upright position, the relative orientation of these components remains fixed, thereby reducing unwanted changes in configuration of the toy.

[0155] In the embodiments described, the elements can pivot relative to one another in any direction. The pivoting direction is typically governed by the angle at which the toy is held during toppling. However embodiments are envisaged where the pivoting direction is controlled. For example, the posts of the stop formations and the apertures in the bases of the elements may be shaped so as to limit the pivoting motion to particular direction. For example, the posts and apertures may be of oval cross section, so as to limit pivoting to two directions, or triangular cross-section, so as to limit pivoting to three possible directions.

[0156] Although in the embodiments described the cord and movable base are provided as separate elements that are assembled together using a snap-fit arrangement, this need not be the case. The button may, for example, be integrally moulded with the cord, such that the button and cord are provided together as a single component part.

[0157] It is also emphasised that the movable base need not take the form of a button but may take any form that is capable of moving so as to tauten and slacken the cord. For example, the cord may be tautened and slackened by winding the cord in the manner of a winch, in which case the movable base may be a rotatable spindle around which the cord is wound. In another example, the cord may be tautened and slackened by simply moving an end of the cord, in which case the movable base may be a portion of the cord that is gripped or otherwise configured for movement.

[0158] The invention is therefore not limited to the embodiments described, and the skilled person will appreciate that many variations of the invention are possible within the scope of the appended claims.