Portable Suitcase Dollhouse

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dollhouse integrated portable case. The dollhouse is disposed inside the case and provides printed surfaces and miniature furniture for children to play with their dolls and contents. The case includes at least three swing walls that are configured to swing around a common hinged pivot bar. The walls form at least four rooms, such as, a bedroom, bathroom, living room, dining room, kitchen, and more depending on the design of the dollhouse. The printed surfaces provide printed curtains, table, headboard, windows and more. The dollhouse further has rollable or foldable furniture, such as, a bed that is pivoted from a rotating rod disposed in one or more walls. The walls have clasps enabling the dollhouse to shut like a suitcase and includes handles enabling a user to easily carry the case during transport.

Claims

1. A portable dollhouse designed as a multipurpose suitcase and integrated dollhouse, the portable dollhouse comprising: at least three built-in swing walls, wherein each of said three built-in swing walls is connected to a central hinged pivot bar; wherein each of said three built-in swing walls is pivotable around said central hinged pivot bar to swing three hundred sixty degrees around said central hinged pivot bar; wherein each of said three built-in swing walls is generally rectangular; wherein said three built-in swing walls comprise a first wall, a second wall and a third wall; wherein said first wall comprises a pair of opposing longitudinal edges, a top edge and a bottom edge; wherein said second wall comprises a pair of opposing longitudinal edges, a top edge and a bottom edge; wherein said third wall comprises a pair of opposing longitudinal edges, a top edge and a bottom edge; wherein said first wall is hingedly coupled to said central hinged pivot bar along at least one of said pair of opposing longitudinal edges of the first wall; wherein said second wall is hingedly coupled to said central hinged pivot bar along at least one of said pair of opposing longitudinal edges of the second wall; wherein said third wall is hingedly coupled to said central hinged pivot bar along at least one of said pair of opposing longitudinal edges of the third wall; wherein at least two of said three built-in swing walls comprise a clasp and a handle on a respective another one of said pair of opposing longitudinal edges; wherein at least two of said clasps selectively hook together for closing said portable dollhouse; and further wherein at least two said handles for carrying said portable dollhouse.

2. The portable dollhouse of claim 1, wherein said clasps selectively unhook for opening said portable dollhouse and swinging said three built-in swing walls around said central hinged pivot bar.

3. The portable dollhouse of claim 2, further comprising a pair of rotatable frame members, wherein each of said pair of rotatable frame members is dimensioned to receive any one of said three built-in swing walls therein.

4. The portable dollhouse of claim 3, wherein said pair of rotatable frame members are rotatable around said central hinged pivot bar.

5. The portable dollhouse of claim 4, wherein said first wall includes a first room design on a first surface of said first wall and a second room design on a second surface of said first wall; said second wall includes a first room design on a first surface of said second wall and a second room design on a second surface of said second wall; and said third wall includes a first room design on a first surface of said third wall and a second room design on a second surface of said third wall.

6. The portable dollhouse of claim 5, wherein at least one of said three built-in swing walls comprises a pulldown bed that is pivotable along a rod proximal to at least one of said three built-in swing walls.

7. The portable dollhouse of claim 6, wherein said first wall comprises a surface that is an exterior surface of said portable dollhouse when said portable dollhouse is in a closed position.

8. The portable dollhouse of claim 7, wherein said portable dollhouse is flexible.

9. The portable dollhouse of claim 1, wherein any two adjacent surfaces of said three built-in swing walls are selectable for an exterior surface when said portable dollhouse is closed.

10. A portable dollhouse case designed as a multipurpose suitcase and integrated dollhouse, the portable dollhouse case comprising: at least three built-in swing walls, wherein said three built-in swing walls each connected to a central hinged pivot bar; wherein each said swing wall pivotable around said hinged pivot bar to swing three hundred sixty degrees around said hinged pivot bar; wherein each said swing wall is generally rectangular; wherein said three built-in swing walls include a first wall, a second wall, and a third wall; wherein said first wall includes a pair of opposing longitudinal edges, a top edge, and a bottom edge; wherein said second wall includes a pair of opposing longitudinal edges, a top edge, and a bottom edge; wherein said third wall includes a pair of opposing longitudinal edges, a top edge, and a bottom edge; wherein said first wall is hingedly coupled to said hinged pivot bar along at least one of said longitudinal edges; wherein said second wall is hingedly coupled to said hinged pivot bar along at least one of said longitudinal edges; wherein said third wall is hingedly coupled to said hinged pivot bar along at least one of said longitudinal edges; wherein at least two of said three built-in swing walls include a clasp on a respective another one of said longitudinal edges; wherein at least two said clasps selectively hook together for closing said portable dollhouse case; and further wherein any two surfaces of said three built-in swing walls selectable for exterior surfaces when said portable dollhouse case is closed.

11. The portable dollhouse case of claim 10, wherein said clasps selectively unhook for opening said portable dollhouse case and swinging said three built-in swing walls around said hinged pivot bar.

12. The portable dollhouse case of claim 11, wherein said portable dollhouse case further includes two rotatable frame members, wherein each said frame member dimensioned to receive any one of said three built-in (i.e. interior) swing walls therein.

13. The portable dollhouse case of claim 12, wherein said frame members rotate around said hinged pivot bar.

14. The portable dollhouse case of claim 13, wherein said first wall includes a first room design on a first surface of said first wall and a second room design on a second surface of said first wall; said second wall includes a first room design on a first surface of said second wall and a second room design on a second surface of said second wall; and said third wall includes a first room design on a first surface of said third wall and a second room design on a second surface of said third wall.

15. The portable dollhouse case of claim 14, wherein one of said three built-in swing walls includes a pulldown bed pivotable along a rod proximal to said wall.

16. The portable dollhouse case of claim 15, wherein said portable dollhouse case is flexible.

17. A method of transporting a portable dollhouse case, the method comprising the steps of: providing said portable dollhouse case having at least three built-in swing walls, wherein said three swing walls are configured to swing around a common hinged pivot bar; swinging a first wall towards a second wall wherein a second surface of said first wall adheres to a first surface of said second wall; swinging said first wall and said second wall towards a third wall wherein a first surface of said first wall adheres to a second surface of a third wall; exposing a second surface of said second wall and a first surface of said third wall as exterior surfaces of said portable dollhouse case; and hooking a pair of clasps positioned symmetrically on each of said first wall and said third wall for closing said portable dollhouse case.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said pair of clasps selectively unhook for opening said portable dollhouse case and swinging said three built-in swing walls around said hinged pivot bar.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said portable dollhouse case further includes two rotatable frame members, wherein each said frame member dimensioned to receive any one of said three built-in swing walls therein.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said frame members rotate around said hinged pivot bar.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a portable dollhouse of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed view of the bedroom of the dollhouse integrated inside a suitcase in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed view of an exemplary living room of the dollhouse inside the suitcase in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

[0020] FIG. 4 illustrates a front perspective view of the suitcase in a closed state in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0021] The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

[0022] As noted above, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an improved dollhouse that can be easily transported like a suitcase on a trip or an outing. There is also a long-felt need in the art for an improved dollhouse that can shut like a suitcase. Additionally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a dollhouse that is compact and occupies small storage space. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a modified dollhouse that offers a plurality of playing areas, such as, a kitchen, a bathroom, a living room, a bedroom, and more to children. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a modified dollhouse that is integrated inside a lightweight and durable suitcase. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a dollhouse that offers convenience and portability by providing printed scenes and foldable and rollable miniatures.

[0023] The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a method of shutting a dollhouse as a suitcase for portability. The method includes the steps of providing a dollhouse having three built-in swing interior walls and two exterior walls, the walls are configured to swing along a common hinged pivot bar, a first exterior wall has a front of a house on a first surface and has a bedroom on a second opposite surface, a first interior wall has a doll bedroom on a first surface and has a living room design on a second opposite surface, a second interior wall includes a doll living room on a first surface and a kitchen on a second opposite surface, a third interior wall has a kitchen on a first surface and has a bathroom design on a second opposite surface, a second exterior wall has a bathroom design on a first surface and a back of a house on a second surface; swinging the first interior wall towards the second interior wall such that first surface of the first wall adheres to the first surface of the second wall; swinging the first interior wall and the second interior wall towards the third interior wall such that the opposing surface of the second interior wall adheres to the first surface of the third interior wall, thereby visually exposing the opposing surfaces of the first exterior wall and the second exterior wall; hooking the clasps positioned symmetrically on each of the exterior walls for shutting the dollhouse; and, carrying the dollhouse as a suitcase by grabbing the handles mounted to the edges of the exterior walls.

[0024] Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a portable dollhouse of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The portable dollhouse 100 of the present embodiment is designed as a multipurpose suitcase that has an integrated dollhouse. Various components of the dollhouse are positioned inside the suitcase such that the components are accessible upon opening the suitcase 100.

[0025] More specifically, the suitcase 100 includes three built-in (i.e. interior) swing walls 102,104,106. Each swing wall is connected to a central hinged or pivot bar 108. The central hinged pivot bar 108 enables the swing walls 102,104,106 to swing three hundred sixty degrees around the hinged pivot bar 108. Each of walls 102,104,106 is generally rectangular with rounded corners. The wall 102 has a pair of opposing longitudinal edges 1020,1022, a top edge 1024 and a bottom edge 1026. Similarly, the wall 104 has a pair of opposing longitudinal edges 1040,1042, a top edge 1044 and a bottom edge 1046. The wall 106 has a pair of opposing longitudinal edges 1060,1062 (behind the wall 102), a top edge 1064 and a bottom edge 1066. The wall 102 is hingedly coupled to the hinged pivot bar 108 along the longitudinal edge 1022, the wall 104 is hingedly coupled to the hinged pivot bar 108 along the longitudinal edge 1042, and the wall 106 is hingedly coupled to the hinged pivot bar 108 along the longitudinal edge 1062.

[0026] At least a pair of edges 1020,1040,1060 can include a clasp 110 and a handle 112. The clasps 110 are used for keeping the suitcase 100 in a closed state. The clasps 110 are secured together when the walls 102,104,106 overlay each other. The handles 112 are used for holding the suitcase 100 thereby enabling a user to easily carry the suitcase 100. The clasps 110 can be unhooked to open the dollhouse suitcase 100 and swing the walls 102,104,106 around the hinged pivot bar 108 for playing with the dollhouse.

[0027] The suitcase 100 has two rotatable frame members 114,116 that are dimensioned to receive and accommodate any of the two walls from the plurality of walls 102,104,106. The frame members 114,116 are rotatable around the central hinge 108 and enables a user to close the dollhouse using clasps. Alternatively, the two rotatable frame members can comprise two additional walls.

[0028] In one embodiment, a wall 102 is configured as a bathroom on one surface and as a doll bedroom on the opposite surface as described in FIG. 2. The wall 104 is configured as a bedroom on one surface and as a living room on the opposite surface. The wall 106 is configured as a living room on one surface and as a kitchen on the opposite surface. The dollhouse suitcase 100, thus provides at least four rooms enabling a child to play with dolls using the dollhouse. The dollhouse of the present invention can be embodied and customized to include different rooms having different designs and colors to meet requirements of both boys and girls.

[0029] Illustratively, in another exemplary embodiment, a dollhouse is configured to include three built-in swing interior walls and two exterior walls, the walls are configured to swing along a common hinged pivot bar, a first exterior wall has a front of a house on a first surface and has a bedroom on a second opposite surface, a first interior wall has a doll bedroom on a first surface and has a living room design on a second opposite surface, a second interior wall includes a doll living room on a first surface and a kitchen on a second opposite surface, a third interior wall has a kitchen on a first surface and has a bathroom design on a second opposite surface, a second exterior wall has a bathroom design on a first surface and a back of a house on a second surface. The first interior wall can pivot towards the second interior wall such that first surface of the first wall adheres to the first surface of the second wall. The first interior wall and the second interior wall can pivot towards the third interior wall such that the opposing surface of the second interior wall adheres to the first surface of the third interior wall, thereby visually exposing the first surface of the first exterior wall and the second surface of the second exterior wall. The exterior walls can include mating clasps and handles for closing and carrying the dollhouse.

[0030] FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed view of the bedroom of the dollhouse integrated inside a suitcase in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The first surface 216 of the wall 102 is designed and configured like a doll bedroom. The first surface 216 of the wall 102 has a printed background 202 and may contain printed curtains 204, a printed decorative picture 206 and any other item to decorate the bedroom. The printed background 202 can be in multiple colors and designs and can have any design desired by individuals like a printed clock, printed windows, and more.

[0031] The wall 102 includes a pulldown bed 208 pivotable along a rod 210. The rod 210 is positioned horizontally along the wall 102 and is configured to roll or pivot in one direction enabling a user to pulldown the bed 208 and is configured to roll or pivot in an opposing direction for returning the bed 208 to an upright orientation. The headboard 212 of the bed 208 is printed and the bed 208 may have one or more attached pillows 214. The opposite or second surface of the wall 102 can include a bathroom design and may have a printed surface. The second surface, opposite to the first surface 216 of the wall 102, can be visually exposed when the dollhouse 100 is shut like a suitcase as illustrated in FIG. 4. Alternatively, the second surface of the wall 102 can have any print that may also be used as a portion of the dollhouse 100.

[0032] In the present embodiment, for providing a spacious bedroom, a surface of the wall 104 has a printed cabinet 214 for a doll. It should be appreciated that the pulldown bed 208 has a length generally equal to a height of the wall 102, thereby making the suitcase 100 lightweight, portable, and compact in size.

[0033] FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed view of an exemplary living room of the dollhouse inside the suitcase 100 in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The front surface 312 of the wall 104 has a printed background 302 with a printed picture 304, and a printed fireplace 306 with fire and logs. A surface of another wall (i.e. wall 106) can include a printed window 308 and at least a table with couch 310 that enables a child to use along with the living room 312 for play.

[0034] FIG. 4 illustrates a front perspective view of the suitcase 100 in a closed state in accordance with the disclosed architecture. As illustrated, in a closed state, the suitcase 100 is similar to a conventional small suitcase having dimensions of generally about 12″ (H)×8″ (W). The suitcase 100 can include a depth or thickness from about 1 inch to about 4 inches. The suitcase 100 is shut using the clasps 110, thereby securing the miniatures and prints disposed inside the suitcase 100. Furthermore, the suitcase 100 is held easily by handles 112 which are conveniently positioned and are ergonomically designed. The suitcase 100 is unbreakable, flexible, and can be easily stored.

[0035] When shut, surfaces of the two swing walls are visually exposed. In the present embodiment, the first surface 402 of the wall 102 having a home design 404 printed thereon is visible. Similarly, the second surface 406 of the wall 106 may be visually exposed on the opposing side. It should be noted, based on design of the suitcase 100, the frames or surfaces of any walls can be visually exposed when the suitcase 100 is shut. The frames are optional in one embodiment and can be removably attached in other embodiments.

[0036] The present invention also discloses a method of closing the dollhouse as a suitcase for portability while transporting the same or traveling. The method includes the initial step of providing a dollhouse integrated suitcase. The dollhouse includes three built-in (i.e. interior) swing walls, the walls are configured to swing along or around a common hinged pivot bar, a first wall has a doll bedroom on a first surface and has a living room on an opposing surface, a second wall has a doll living room on a first surface and a kitchen on the opposing surface, a third wall has a bathroom on a first surface and has a doll bedroom on an opposing surface; swinging the first wall towards the second wall such that second surface of the first wall adheres to the first surface of the second wall; swinging the first wall and the second wall towards the third wall such that the kitchen surface of the second wall adheres to the first surface of the third wall, thereby visually exposing surfaces of the first wall and the third wall; hooking the clasps positioned symmetrically on each of the walls for shutting the walls; and, carrying the dollhouse as a suitcase.

[0037] The dollhouse integrated suitcase 100 of the present invention is portable, easy to carry, and provides a dollhouse to children virtually anywhere. The suitcase 100 can also be configured in a wide variety of designs and colors according to the desires of the users. The dollhouse can accommodate any style preference, color, size, or the like to meet requirements of users of all ages and genders. Other embodiments of the dollhouse can have a military or a boy theme with dolls, barracks with beds, a mess hall with tables, an obstacle course and more. Multiple other versions may be available to accommodate different themes as per requirements of users.

[0038] The principles embodied in the suitcase 100 of the present invention can be applied to different types and forms of bags, and bags according to embodiments of the invention need not have the same shape, shapes, or range of configurations as the suitcase 100.

[0039] Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “multipurpose suitcase with an integrated dollhouse”, “portable suitcase dollhouse”, “suitcase”, “barbie-size doll portable suitcase dollhouse”, and “dollhouse” are interchangeable and refer to the multipurpose suitcase with an integrated dollhouse 100 of the present invention.

[0040] Notwithstanding the foregoing, the multipurpose suitcase with an integrated dollhouse 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the multipurpose suitcase with an integrated dollhouse 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the multipurpose suitcase with an integrated dollhouse 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the multipurpose suitcase with an integrated dollhouse 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the multipurpose suitcase with an integrated dollhouse 100 can be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

[0041] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

[0042] What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.