Kit of parts for versatile functional toys

Abstract

A kit of parts is provided for a functional toy, such as a children's walker or push along wagon. The kit includes one or more connector(s) having a first and second end, and a radially extending flange therebetween; and one or more foam element(s) with at least one essentially planar surface having at least one opening extending perpendicular to the surface for receiving at least the first end of the connector. The connector flange is configured as a stopper for the insertion of the first end into the foam element opening. When the first end is inserted into the foam element opening to the stopper position, and a further suitable amount of force is applied, the flange of the connector is countersunk into the surface of the foam element, and remains countersunk after the further force is removed due to the frictional force between the connector and the opening.

1 . A kit of parts for a functional toy, comprising:
 one or more connector(s) each having a first end, a second end, and a radially extending flange placed between the two ends;   one or more foam element(s) each with at least one essentially planar surface, said surface comprising at least one opening extending perpendicular to the planar surface for receiving at least the first end of the connector;   wherein the connector flange is configured as a stopper for the insertion of the first end into the foam element opening; and   wherein the kit of parts are configured such that when the first end is inserted into the foam element opening to the stopper position, and a further suitable amount of force is applied to the connector in the direction of insertion, the flange of the connector is countersunk into the surface of the foam element, and remains countersunk after the further force is removed due to the frictional force between the connector and the opening.   
     
     
         2 . The kit according to  claim 1 , wherein the suitable force is configured to be below 80 N, and/or wherein the connector is countersunk into the surface of the foam element by elastic deformation of the foam element. 
     
     
         3 . The kit according to  claim 1 , wherein the connector is an elongated element with a first end and second end, said element having a cross-section shape selected from the group of: circular, ovalic, and polygonal, such as hexagonal, octagonal, decagonal, dedecagonal. 
     
     
         4 . The kit according to  claim 1 , wherein the radially extending flange is planar. 
     
     
         5 . The kit according to  claim 1 , wherein the radially extending flange has a shape selected from the group of: circular, ovalic, and polygonal, such as hexagonal, octagonal, decagonal, dedecagonal, and/or wherein the first end and the second end of the connector are symmetrical or asymmetrical. 
     
     
         6 . The kit according to  claim 1 , wherein the shape of the at least one opening of the foam element is identical to the shape of the connector ends, and/or wherein the foam element opening has a cross-sectional size dimension, which is smaller than the cross-sectional size of the connector. 
     
     
         7 . The kit according to  claim 1 , wherein the connector flange has a radially extending portion, which is at least 2, 3, 4, or 5 mm larger than the cross-sectional size of the foam element opening. 
     
     
         8 . The kit according to  claim 1 , configured such that when the first end of a connector is received within a first opening of a first foam element, and the second end of the connector is received within a first opening of a second foam element, the adjacent surfaces of the first and second foam elements are abutting. 
     
     
         9 . The kit according to  claim 1 , wherein the foam element-shape is selected from the group of: cube, cuboid, square prism, prism, cylinder, half cylinder, cone, pyramid, disk, and any combinations thereof, and/or wherein the at least one essentially planar surface of the foam element comprises 2 or more openings. 
     
     
         10 . The kit according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one foam element opening extends from a first essentially planar surface of the foam element to the opposite surface of the foam element, or wherein the foam element shape is a disk, and the at least one foam element opening is concentric with the disk. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A kit of parts for a functional toy comprising:
 a wheel comprising solid foam having a concentric opening for the axis of rotation;   a bushing placed in the concentric opening;   a connector adapted as a rotation shaft attachable to the bushing by means of a fastening mechanism;   wherein the kit of parts is configured such that the frictional resistance of the fastening mechanism is adjustable.   
     
     
         13 . The kit according to  claim 12 , wherein the fastening mechanism is a snap-fit between a protrusion of the bushing to at least one groove in the connector circumference, wherein the groove depth is adjustable. 
     
     
         14 . The kit according to  claim 13 , wherein the connector circumference comprises at least two parallel grooves, wherein the depth of the first groove is different from the depth of the second groove. 
     
     
         15 . The kit according to  claim 14 , wherein the frictional resistance of the snap-fit is adjusted by translating the wheel along the longitudinal direction of the rotation shaft. 
     
     
         16 . The kit according to  claim 13 , wherein the surface of the least one groove comprises multiple second protrusions. 
     
     
         17 . The kit according to  claim 13 , wherein the protrusion of the bushing has an elongated convex shape and is disposed partially along the perimeter of the bushing, or wherein the bushing further comprises one or more bushing openings adjacent to the protrusion. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The kit according to  claim 12 , wherein the bushing and rotational shaft is made of the same material. 
     
     
         20 . The kit according to  claim 1 , wherein the foam material is selected from the group of: EVA copolymers, and/or wherein the foam material has a hardness rating above about OO 20, or wherein the shape of the foam elements is obtained by a mechanical cutting process. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . The kit according to  claim 1 , wherein the connector material is selected from the group of: wood, and polymers, such as thermoplastic polymers, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and/or wherein the connector is a hollow element, and/or wherein the connector is made by an injection molding process. 
     
     
         23 . A functional toy comprising the kit of parts according to  claim 1 .