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[0002] Many types of drawing toys and games are known. Typically, they include an opaque surface, such as pad, blackboard or other medium upon which one person can draw or paint, or upon which two or more players can take turns drawing or painting.
[0003] However, there is no toy which provides a drawing panel with oppositely facing surfaces that permits two players to draw upon the respective surfaces, either alternatively or simultaneously, where both players can simultaneously observe both surfaces, and thus what both players have drawn, by looking at and through the panel. Hence, there is no toy or game that permits two players to interact to use their imagination to create a joint drawing, to play a game, or to participate in other art related activities on opposite sides of a drawing panel.
[0004] Children need to have as much close, enjoyable, personal interaction with each other as possible, especially with the amount of time spent these days with computers, game players and watching TV. Our invention allows children to share their ideas and develop creativity. It allows them to enhance, challenge and respect each other's skills. It allows them to make continuous eye and verbal contact.
[0005] Our invention also promotes social skills. It builds self-confidence and develops hand and eye coordination. Further, our invention accomplishes all this in a simple, low-tech, user friendly, affordable way.
[0006] In general, those objectives are achieved by the present invention through the use of a rigid panel made of transparent material that has oppositely directed drawing surfaces. The panel is retained in an upright position such that each of the surfaces faces a different player. Each player is provided with a drawing utensil. Each player has access to and can draw upon the surface facing him. At the same time, each player can simultaneously observe both surfaces, and thus what each of the players has drawn on the panel, by looking at and through the panel.
[0007] Flexible plastic stick-on sheets with grids or board outlines for playing various games, such as tic-tac-toe, checkers or the like, can be provided with the panel. By affixing a grid-carrying sheet on one side of the panel, a board game can be played by having each player in turn draw a mark on the side of the panel facing him.
[0008] For example, if the stick-on sheet has a tic-tac-toe grid, after the sheet is affixed to one side of the panel, the first player places an “X” on a selected box on the side of the panel facing him. The second player can observe where the “X” was placed by the first player by looking through the panel to see the surface facing the first player. The second player then places an “O” on the side of the panel facing him. The first player can observe the “O” drawn by the second player on the surface facing the second player by looking through the panel to the surface facing the second player. The players take turns marking the respective drawing surfaces in this fashion until the game is concluded. Other games, with stick-on sheets carrying other grids or board game outlines, are played in similar fashion.
[0009] Plastic stick-on cells can be used with the present invention as well. The cells may be entirely or partially opaque or may be transparent with imprinted indicia. For example, one player could draw a stick figure on one surface of the panel or place on one surface of the panel a transparent sheet with a stick figure permanently imprinted on it. Each player could be provided with a set of different color and/or shape cells, for example, several different color cells shaped like hats, several different color cells shaped like skirts, etc. The players then select the cells they like and alternately place them on the surfaces of the panel facing them, over the stick figure, to “dress” the figure as they wish.
[0010] Many other creative possibilities for joint drawing, two player board games or other art related activities will become evident to the players, as they use their imaginations to harness the play potential of the present invention.
[0011] It is, therefore, a prime object of the present invention to provide an interactive drawing toy that includes an upstanding transparent panel with oppositely directed drawing surfaces upon which two players can alternately or simultaneously draw, while simultaneously observing both surfaces and thus what each of the players has drawn on the panel.
[0012] It is another object to provide an interactive drawing toy which two players can use as a game board by applying a grid or board game outline carrying flexible plastic stick-on sheet to the panel.
[0013] It is another object of the present invention to provide an interactive drawing toy which can be used with sets of different color and/or shape stick-on cells which can be affixed to the panel to provide a joint art related activity.
[0014] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an interactive drawing toy for two players is provided. The toy includes a rigid transparent panel having first and second oppositely directed surfaces. Drawing utensil means are provided. Each of the players has access to a different one of the surfaces such that the player can draw upon that surface with the drawing utensil means. Means are provided for maintaining the panel in a substantially upright position such that the players can draw on the respective surfaces while simultaneously observing both surfaces by looking at and through the panel.
[0015] Preferably, the panel is substantially planar. The panel may be rectangular, square or round in shape.
[0016] A flexible transparent plastic sheet may be removably mounted on one of the panel surfaces. The sheet carries a grid or board game outline printed thereon for playing a game. The grid or board game outline is visible to both of the players, when it is mounted on the panel surfaces. One or more plastic cells may also be removably mounted on one of the surfaces. The cells may have indicia permanently imprinted thereon.
[0017] Preferably, the panel is made of plexiglass or other shatter-proof glass. The drawing utensil means may consist of one or more dry erase markers.
[0018] The flexible sheet and the cells may be made of plastic, such as vinyl or mylar. Preferably, the cells have a predetermined shape.
[0019] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a drawing toy is provided including a rigid transparent panel having first and second oppositely directed drawing surfaces. Drawing utensil means for drawing on the drawing surfaces are provided. Means are provided for maintaining the panel in a substantially upright position.
[0020] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method for playing a two player game with an interactive drawing toy is provided. The toy is of the type having an upstanding transparent panel with first and second oppositely directed drawing surfaces. Drawing utensils are provided for the players. The panel is placed between the players such that each player faces and has access to a different one of the drawing surfaces. Each player draws on the surfaces facing him with a drawing utensil. Each of the players can simultaneously observe both surfaces, and thus what each player has drawn, by looking at and through the panel.
[0021] The players may draw on the surfaces alternately or simultaneously.
[0022] A flexible grid or board game outline carrying plastic sheet may be mounted on one of the drawing surfaces. This permits the players to play a two player board game.
[0023] Flexible plastic cells can be mounted on the surfaces. The cells permit the players to engage in a variety of art related activities.
[0024] To these and to such other objects which may hereinafter appear, the present invention relates to an interactive drawing toy, as set forth in detail in the following specification, recited in the annexed claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts and in which:
[0025]
[0026]
[0027]
[0028] As seen in the drawings, the interactive drawing toy of the present invention consists of a panel, generally designated A, a base, generally designated B, and one or more drawing utensils, generally designated C.
[0029] As illustrated in
[0030] Panel A is preferably made of rigid, transparent material such as plexiglass or other shatter proof glass and is approximately 0.25 inches thick. Panel A can be any shape such as rectangular, square, triangular or round. If rectangular, the outer dimensions can be within the range of from 4 inches by 8 inches to 7 inches by 10 inches. However, other sizes may be used as well.
[0031] Drawing surfaces
[0032] Panel A is maintained in a substantially upstanding position by base B. Base B can be integral with or separate from Panel B. If separate from panel A, base B can have any configuration as long as it securely engages the end of panel A and is heavy enough, and broad enough at the bottom, to provide a stable support for the panel.
[0033] In the embodiment illustrated, base B has a channel
[0034] Drawing utensils C preferably consist of conventional odorless, non-toxic write/erase dry markers in a variety of colors, of the type commonly available at toy, stationery and department stores. Preferably, each player is provided with a set of markers.
[0035] Each player is also provided with a piece of paper or cloth suitable for erasing the marker ink from the panel surfaces. Moistening the paper or cloth may enhance the ability of the paper or cloth to clean the drawing surfaces.
[0036] In the simplest form of use of the drawing toy of the present invention, two players sit opposite each other, with the upstanding panel A situated between them. In that position, each player faces, and has access to, a different one of the drawing surfaces
[0037] Each player selects a marker C. Each player draws on the panel surface
[0038] Each player can simultaneously observe both drawing surfaces
[0039] When the players complete the joint work, the drawing surfaces of the panel are erased. The players may then embark up on another joint creation.
[0040] As illustrated in
[0041] It is possible for one of the players to simply draw the grid or board game outline on one side of the panel and for the players to commence play. For example, a tic-tac-toe grid can be drawn on the panel. One player draws a mark, such as an “X” on the panel surface facing him in the place desired. The other then draws an “O” on the panel surface facing that player in the place desired, etc.
[0042] However, a plurality of flexible transparent vinyl or mylar sheets, such as the illustrated tic-tac-toe grid sheet
[0043] As illustrated in
[0044] A variety of activities can be engaged in using cells
[0045] Cells
[0046] It will now be appreciated that the present invention relates to a drawing toy for use by two players that permits the players to interact with each other to create a joint drawing, play a board game or engage in other art related activities. This is accomplished through the use of a rigid transparent panel with oppositely directed drawing surfaces retained in an upright position by a base.
[0047] Each player can simultaneously observe both drawing surfaces and thus what each player has drawn. The players can draw on the surfaces alternately or simultaneously to create joint works. Mountable grid carrying transparent sheets and/or different shape and/or color stick-on cells enhance the play value of the toy by permitting the players to play board games or engage in other art related activities using the panel.
[0048] While only a limited number of preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it is obvious that many variations and modifications could be made thereto. It is intended to cover all of those variations and modifications that fall within the scope of the present invention, as set forth in the following claims: