Interconvertible soft articles

Abstract

Robust, soft, interconvertible articles constructed from soft, resilient members, which articles adopt a substantially different geometry upon an interior to exterior interconversion. The articles of the invention provide a significant visual effect and are useful as educational aids, magician's props, and toys.

1 . An article comprising a first stable and robust geometry in a zero energy state and a plurality of soft, resilient members interconnected by hinge-type connections, wherein the article adopts a second stable and robust geometry in a zero energy state after application of an applied force approximating or approaching an interconversion force.  
   
   
       2 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein when the applied force approaches or approximates the interconversion force, a quantum of stored energy within the article propels the article into the second geometry.  
   
   
       3 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the second geometry comprises an enclosed hollow space.  
   
   
       4 . The article of  claim 3 , wherein a first volume of the article in the first geometry is about equal to a second volume defined within the enclosed hollow space.  
   
   
       5 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein two or more of the members are interrelated through a fabric covering and one or more of the hinge-type connections comprises an intersection of the fabric covering.  
   
   
       6 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the first geometry is a cube or an icosahedron.  
   
   
       7 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the second geometry is a stellated cube or a stellated icosahedron.  
   
   
       8 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the plurality of members comprises plastic foam or an air-filled balloon.  
   
   
       9 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the article has no internal voids in either the first or second geometry.  
   
   
       10 . The article of  claim 9 , wherein the first geometry is a car shape and the second geometry is a building shape.  
   
   
       11 . The article of  claim 9 , comprising a disk-shape member, wherein in either the first or second geometry, one or more of the members extends from a periphery of the disk-shape member.  
   
   
       12 . A method of interconverting an article comprising a first stable and robust geometry in a zero energy state and a plurality of soft, resilient members interconnected by hinge-type connections to a second stable and robust geometry in a zero energy state comprising application of an applied force approximating or approaching an interconversion force.  
   
   
       13 . The article of  claim 12 , wherein when the applied force approaches or approximates the interconversion force, a quantum of stored energy within the article propels the article into the second geometry.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the second geometry comprises an enclosed hollow space.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the two or more members are interrelated through a fabric covering and one or more of the hinge-type connections comprises an intersection of the fabric covering.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first geometry is a cube or an icosahedron.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the second geometry is a stellated cube or a stellated icosahedron.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein one or more of the members comprises plastic foam or an air-filled balloon.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the article has no internal voids in either the first or second geometry.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the first geometry is a car shape and the second geometry is a building shape.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the article comprises a disk-shape member, and wherein in either the first or second geometry, one or more of the members extends from a periphery of the disk-shape member.