Child activity center, entertainment system, and components thereof

Abstract

A convertible activity center has a tray that can be locked in a closed loop position with an attached seat to contain an infant and unlocked with the seat removed to an open position, creating a play space from which a toddler can enter and exit at will, or interact with it from the outside. The activity center can also have convertible toys. The same toys that an infant can enjoy can be converted to toys suitable for an older infant or toddler.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An activity center comprising: 
 a base;    a plurality of legs connected to the base; and    a tray attached to the legs,    wherein the tray is configurable between an opened configuration and a closed configuration in which the tray forms an enclosure.    
     
     
         2 . An activity center according to  claim 1 , further including a seat detachably attachable to the tray, wherein the seat is attached to the tray when the tray is in the closed configuration, enclosing the seat, and wherein the seat is detached from the tray when the tray is in the opened configuration.  
     
     
         3 . An activity center according to  claim 2 , wherein the tray has a pivotal joint, which is attached to one of the legs, and allows the tray to pivot between the opened configuration and the closed configuration, and free ends that are lockable together to the closed configuration.  
     
     
         4 . An activity center according to  claim 2 , wherein the tray comprises a first tray member and a second tray member, the first tray member having a first hub and a first locking joint and the second tray member having a second hub and a second locking joint, the first hub having a first opening and the second hub having a second opening, the first and second openings being aligned and the first and second locking joints being locked when the tray is in the closed configuration.  
     
     
         5 . An activity center according to  claim 4 , further including at least three fasteners for connecting the first and second tray members to the legs, wherein the first and second hubs are overlapped with the first and second openings aligned, one of the fasteners extending through the first and second openings and connecting both the first and second tray members to one of the legs.  
     
     
         6 . An activity center according to  claim 5 , wherein the first tray member has at least third and fourth openings through which one of the fasteners attaches the first tray member to one of the legs and the second tray member has at least fifth and sixth openings through which one of the fasteners attaches to one of the legs.  
     
     
         7 . An activity center according to  claim 6 , wherein there are at least first, second, and third legs connected to the base, each leg being suspended relative to the base using at least one spring, wherein in the tray opened configuration, one of the fastener attaches the first tray member to the first leg through the third opening and one of the fastener attaches the second tray member to the second leg through the fifth opening, and wherein in the tray closed configuration, one of the fastener attaches the first tray member to the first leg through the fourth opening and one of the fastener attaches the second tray member to the second leg through the sixth opening.  
     
     
         8 . An activity center according to  claim 7 , wherein the first tray member is C-shaped and the second tray member is shaped substantially obverse of the first tray member to form an enclosing configuration.  
     
     
         9 . An activity center according to  claim 8 , wherein the fourth opening is spaced farther away from the first opening than the third opening and the sixth opening is spaced farther away from the second opening than the fifth opening.  
     
     
         10 . An activity center according to  claim 1 , further including at least one toy that is detachably connectable to the tray and convertible to provide at least two different toy functions.  
     
     
         11 . An activity center comprising: 
 a base;    at least first, second, and third leg assemblies extending substantially uprightly from the base;    a tray assembly attached to the leg assemblies; and    a seat detachably attachable to the tray assembly,    wherein the tray assembly comprises a first tray and a second tray, the first tray has a first end portion and a second end portion and the second tray has a third end portion and a fourth end portion, the first and third end portions being coupled together and connected to the third leg assembly, and wherein the first and second trays are configurable between a tray opened position and a tray closed position where the tray surrounds the seat, and    wherein, in the tray closed position, the second and fourth end portions are coupled together, with the first tray connected to the first leg assembly and the second tray connected to the second leg assembly.    
     
     
         12 . An activity center according to  claim 11 , further including first, second, and third fasteners that attach the tray assembly to the leg assemblies.  
     
     
         13 . An activity center according to  claim 12 , wherein the first end portion has a first hub and the second end portion has a first locking joint and the third end portion has a second hub and the fourth end portion has a second locking joint, wherein the first hub has a first opening and the second hub has a second opening, the first and second hubs overlapping when the first and second openings are aligned, through which the third fastener attaches both the first and second trays to the third leg assembly.  
     
     
         14 . An activity center according to  claim 13 , wherein the first tray has at least third and fourth openings through which the first fastener or a fourth fastener attaches the first tray to the first leg assembly and the second tray has at least fifth and sixth openings through which the second fastener or a fifth fastener attaches to the second leg assembly, wherein in the tray opened position, the first fastener attaches the first tray to the first leg through the third opening and the second fastener attaches the second tray to the second leg assembly through the fifth opening, and wherein in the tray closed position, the first or the fourth fastener attaches the first tray to the first leg assembly through the fourth opening and the second or fifth fastener attaches the second tray to the second leg assembly through the sixth opening, and wherein the fourth opening is spaced farther away from the first opening than the third opening and the sixth opening is spaced farther away from the second opening than the fifth opening.  
     
     
         15 . An activity center according to  claim 11 , wherein the leg assemblies each comprise: 
 a sleeve extending uprightly from the base;    a slider received in the sleeve and movable relative to the sleeve;    a spring positioned between the sleeve and the slider and supporting the slider relative to the sleeve; and    a leg received in the slider and adjustably mounted to the slider so that the position of the leg is adjustable relative to the slider,    wherein the tray assembly is attached to the legs.    
     
     
         16 . An activity center according to  claim 15 , further including a height adjuster for each of the first, second, and third leg assemblies, wherein the leg has an elongated wall having a plurality of slots formed along a longitudinal direction thereof, the height adjuster comprising a leg engaging member movably connected to the slider, the leg engaging member being biased toward and movable substantially perpendicularly to the elongated wall, the leg engaging member having a projection dimensioned to extend through the slot and hold the leg in position relative to the slider.  
     
     
         17 . An activity center according to  claim 16 , wherein a plurality of pairs of slots are formed along the elongated wall, the leg engaging member having a pair of slot engaging projections that extend through the slot pair.  
     
     
         18 . An activity center according to  claim 15 , wherein each leg is adjustable between a spring lock out position, where an upper portion of the leg is substantially flush with an upper portion of the sleeve and an extended position where the leg is positioned higher than the sleeve.  
     
     
         19 . An activity center according to  claim 11 , wherein the base has a substantially convex surface that allows the base to rock and stowable stands selectively engageable with a surface to prevent the base from rocking.  
     
     
         20 . An activity center according to  claim 11 , further including at least one toy that is detachably connectable to the first or second tray and convertible to provide at least two different toy functions.  
     
     
         21 . A tray assembly for an activity center having a base and legs connected to the base, comprising: 
 a first tray having a first hub and a first locking joint; and    a second tray having a second hub and a second locking joint,    wherein the first and second hubs are connected together and pivotal thereabout,    wherein the first and second trays are adapted to be connected to the legs and provide at least two different tray configurations, one of which is a closed configuration with the first and second locking joints locked and forming an enclosure and another of which is an opened configuration where the first and second locking joints are unlocked and spaced apart from each other.    
     
     
         22 . A tray assembly according to  claim 21 , wherein the first and second trays are substantially annular with a central opening when the first and second locking joints are locked.  
     
     
         23 . A tray assembly according to  claim 21 , wherein the first hub has a first opening and the second hub has a second opening, the first and second hubs overlapping when the first and second openings are aligned, both the first and second trays being adapted to be fastened to one of the legs using a first fastener extending through the first and second openings.  
     
     
         24 . A tray assembly according to  claim 23 , wherein the first tray has at least third and fourth openings through which a second fastener is adapted to attach the first tray to one of the legs and the second tray has at least fifth and sixth openings through which a third fastener is adapted to attach the second tray to one of legs, wherein the fourth opening is spaced farther away from the first opening than the third opening and the sixth opening is spaced farther away from the second opening than the fifth opening.  
     
     
         25 . A tray assembly according to  claim 21 , further including at least one toy that is detachably connectable to the first or second tray and convertible to provide at least two different toy function.  
     
     
         26 . An activity center comprising: 
 a base;    a plurality of leg assemblies extending from the base, each leg assembly comprising: 
 a sleeve extending uprightly from the base;  
 a slider received in the sleeve and movable relative to the sleeve;  
 a spring positioned between the sleeve and the slider and supporting the slider relative to the sleeve; and  
 a leg received in the slider and adjustably mounted to the slider so that the position of the leg is adjustable relative to the slider; and  
   a tray attached to the legs.    
     
     
         27 . An activity center according to  claim 26 , wherein the tray has a pivotal joint, which is connected to one of the legs and pivotal thereabout, and a pair of free ends that are lockable together to form an enclosure, the tray being pivotal between an opened position where the free ends are spaced apart and a closed position where the free ends are locked together.  
     
     
         28 . An activity center according to  claim 27 , further including a detachable seat attached to the tray when the tray is in the closed position.  
     
     
         29 . An activity center according to  claim 26 , wherein each leg assembly includes a height adjuster for each leg, wherein each leg has an elongated vertical wall having a plurality of slots formed along a vertical direction thereof, the height adjuster comprising a leg engaging member movably connected to the slider, the leg engaging member being biased toward the elongated wall and movable substantially horizontally, the leg engaging member having a projection dimensioned to extend through the slot and hold the leg relative to the slider.  
     
     
         30 . An activity center according to  claim 29 , wherein a plurality of pairs of slots are formed along the elongated vertical wall, the leg engaging member having a pair of slot engaging projections that extend through the slot pair and hold the leg relative to the slider, wherein the leg engaging member is biased toward the elongated wall by at least one spring.  
     
     
         31 . An activity center according to  claim 29 , wherein each leg is adjustable between a spring lock out position, where an upper portion of the leg is substantially flush with an upper portion of the sleeve and an extended position where the leg is positioned higher than the sleeve.  
     
     
         32 . An activity center according to  claim 26 , further including at least one toy that is detachably connectable to the tray and convertible to provide at least two different toy functions.  
     
     
         33 . A leg assembly for connecting a base to a tray of an activity center, comprising: 
 a sleeve adapted to extend uprightly from the base;    a slider received in the sleeve and movable relative to the sleeve;    a spring positioned between the sleeve and the slider and supporting the slider relative to the sleeve; and    a leg received in the slider and adjustably mounted to the slider so that the position of the leg is adjustable relative to the slider,    wherein the leg is adapted to be connected to the tray.    
     
     
         32 . A leg assembly according to  claim 31 , wherein each leg has an elongated vertical wall having a plurality of slots formed along a vertical direction thereof, the height adjuster comprising a leg engaging member movably connected to the slider, the leg engaging member being biased toward the elongated wall and movable substantially horizontally, the leg engaging member having a projection dimensioned to extend through the slot and hold the leg relative to the slider.  
     
     
         34 . A leg assembly according to  claim 33 , wherein a plurality of pairs of slots are formed along the elongated vertical wall, the leg engaging member having a pair of slot engaging projections that extend through the slot pair and hold the leg relative to the slider.  
     
     
         35 . A leg assembly according to  claim 33 , wherein each leg is adjustable between a spring lock out position, where an upper portion of the leg is substantially flush with an upper portion of the sleeve and an extended position, where the leg is positioned higher than the sleeve.  
     
     
         36 . An entertainment system for an infant and a toddler, comprising: 
 a base;    a plurality of legs connected to the base;    a tray attached to the legs,    wherein the tray is movable between an opened position and a closed position where the tray forms an enclosure; and    at least one convertible toy attachable to the tray.    
     
     
         37 . An entertainment system according to  claim 36 , wherein the convertible toy comprises a cross member and two spaced apart legs connected together by the cross member, wherein the first toy is detachably attachable to the tray in a first configuration where the legs extend below the tray and with the cross member extending above the tray and in a second configuration where the legs extend above the tray and with the cross member extending below the tray.  
     
     
         38 . An entertainment system according to  claim 37 , further including at least one ring member having an opening, wherein in the first position, the ring member is movable across the cross member and in the second position, the legs extending above the tray receives the ring member.  
     
     
         39 . An entertainment system according to  claim 38 , wherein the two legs and the cross member form a U-shaped member, the cross member forming a bend between the two legs, which extend substantially parallel to each other, wherein the tray has two spaced apart apertures that receive the legs.  
     
     
         40 . An entertainment system according to  claim 39 , wherein each of the two legs includes a groove adapted to engage the tray at a periphery of a respective one of the two apertures and lock the U-shaped member to the tray.  
     
     
         41 . An entertainment system according to  claim 40 , wherein the grooves of the two legs face each other.  
     
     
         42 . An entertainment system according to  claim 41 , wherein each of the two legs has a first flanged portion and a second flange portion spaced from and opposite the first flanged portion, the spacing between the first and second flange portions defining the groove.  
     
     
         43 . An entertainment system according to  claim 42 , wherein the first and second flanged portions of one leg are opposite the first and second flange portions of the other leg.  
     
     
         44 . An entertainment system according to  claim 43 , wherein each of the two apertures are oval to permit the legs to flex away from each other.  
     
     
         45 . An entertainment system according to  claim 44 , wherein each of the two legs further includes a third flanged portion formed diametrically opposite the first flanged portion, the third flanged portions of the two legs face away from each other, wherein a length across the first and third flanged portions of each leg is greater than a longest length of either of the oval apertures.  
     
     
         46 . An entertainment system according to  claim 45 , wherein the tray includes two pairs of opposed stabilizing ribs extending downward from a lower face of the tray, one pair being located adjacent one of the two apertures and an other pair located adjacent the other of the two apertures, the stabilizing ribs laterally supporting the U-shaped member.  
     
     
         47 . An entertainment system according to  claim 36 , wherein the convertible toy comprises a substantially hollow body having a plurality of differently configured openings that are adapted to receive objects having complementary configurations.  
     
     
         48 . An entertainment system according to  claim 47 , wherein the hollow body comprises a base portion detachably attachable to the tray, a top portion attached to the base portion.  
     
     
         49 . An entertainment system according to  claim 48 , wherein the hollow body is configured in a shaped of a house.  
     
     
         50 . An entertainment system according to  claim 49 , wherein the house shaped body has a door hingedly mounted to the top portion and the base portion, a chimney, a roof, and two opposing sides, wherein each of the door, chimney, and the two opposing sides has one of the openings.  
     
     
         51 . An entertainment system according to  claim 50 , wherein each of the openings comprises one of a generally circular, rectangular, and triangular shape.  
     
     
         52 . An entertainment system according to  claim 51 , wherein the door has a generally circular opening for passage of generally circular objects, the two sides respectively have generally rectangular and triangular openings for passage of generally rectangular and triangular objects, respectively, and the opening in the chimney is sufficiently large to allow insertion of rectangular, triangular, and circular objects, and wherein the door is openable to access the objects inserted through the openings.  
     
     
         53 . An entertainment system according to  claim 52 , wherein the base portion has securing members depending therefrom for attaching to the tray and the tray has complementary securing members for intercepting the securing members of the base portion.  
     
     
         54 . An entertainment system according to  claim 53 , wherein the base portion securing members are tabs located at a periphery of base portion and the complementary securing members are apertures that releasably engage the tabs.  
     
     
         55 . An entertainment system according to  claim 54 , wherein the house shaped body further includes a roof section having a front side and a back side, and a reflecting surface on the back side of the roof section.  
     
     
         56 . An entertainment system according to  claim 55 , wherein the tabs and the complementary apertures enables the house shaped body to be mounted in different positions, one of which is with the door directed toward a center of the tray and another one of which is with the reflecting surface directed toward the tray center.  
     
     
         57 . An entertainment system according to  claim 52 , further including circular, rectangular, and triangular objects, each including apertures extending therethrough, and a toy piece having a tie member, the tie member having a free end threadable through apertures of each of the objects and connected to the tray.  
     
     
         58 . An entertainment system according to  claim 36 , wherein the convertible toy comprises a toy wand, wherein the tray includes a receptacle that holds the toy wand in a locked configuration or a removable configuration.  
     
     
         59 . An entertainment system according to  claim 58 , wherein the toy wand includes at least one annular ring and the receptacle includes at least one protuberance that engages the annular ring to maintain the toy wand secured to the tray, the toy wand being positioned to the removable configuration when the annular ring is cleared from the protuberance.  
     
     
         60 . An entertainment system according to  claim 36 , wherein the convertible toy comprises a ball drop toy having a receptacle for holding an object, including a ball, the ball drop toy having a mount that allows the ball drop toy to pivot to dump or drop the object and that prevents the ball drop toy from pivoting, and wherein the tray has a first aperture that receives the receptacle.  
     
     
         61 . An entertainment system according to  claim 60 , wherein the receptacle has opposing first and second pivot members and the tray has a complementary third and fourth pivot members that receives the first and second pivot members and form a pivot axis.  
     
     
         62 . An entertainment system according to  claim 61 , wherein the first and second pivot members are first and second pivot shafts extending outwardly in the opposing directions and the third and fourth pivot members are third and fourth apertures formed adjacent the first aperture to receive the first and second pivot shafts.  
     
     
         63 . An entertainment system according to  claim 62 , wherein the receptacle has first and second projections that engage the upper surface of the tray adjacent the first aperture, the first aperture being asymmetrical so that when the first and second pivot shafts are respectively inserted in the third and fourth apertures to a stationary configuration, the first and second projections engage the tray from both sides of the pivot axis to prevent the tray from pivoting, and when the first and second pivot shafts are respectively inserted in the fourth and third apertures to a pivot configuration, the second projection engages the tray from one side of the pivot axis, while the first projections clears through the other side of pivot axis to allow the receptacle to pivot and drop the object through the first aperture.  
     
     
         64 . An entertainment system according to  claim 63 , wherein the first aperture is divided into a first section and second section along a generally medial line extending across the pivot axis, wherein the area of the first section is smaller than the area of the second section.  
     
     
         65 . An entertainment system according to  claim 64 , wherein the first and second sections each are substantially semicircular, and the receptacle is substantially hemispherical, the first projection being a lip extending peripherally around an opening thereof and the second projection being a handle extending outwardly beyond the lip.  
     
     
         66 . An entertainment system according to  claim 65 , wherein in the stationary configuration, the lip extends over the periphery of the smaller first section and the handle extends over the periphery of the larger second section, and in the pivoting configuration, the handle extends over the periphery of the smaller first section but the lip is insufficient to extend over the periphery of the second larger second section to allow the receptacle to pivot about the pivot axis and dump or drop the object through the first recess.  
     
     
         67 . An entertainment system according to  claim 66 , wherein the object is a ball in the pivoting configuration and the base has a track that receives the dropped ball and guides that same.  
     
     
         68 . An entertainment system according to  claim 67 , wherein the track extends between a first end and a second end, the first end being located vertically below the first aperture and the second end being located at a relatively lower elevation than the first end.  
     
     
         69 . An entertainment system according to  claim 36 , wherein the convertible toy comprises a toy holder detachably mounted to the tray, the toy holder being mounted to the tray as an article holder in one configuration and as a ball holder in another configuration.  
     
     
         70 . An entertainment system according to  claim 69 , wherein the toy holder comprises a pivotal body having ball holding members at one end and an article holding wall formed at another end, wherein the toy holder is mounted to the tray from the one end to convert to the article holder configuration and the toy holder is mounted to the tray from the other end to convert to the ball holder.  
     
     
         71 . An entertainment system according to  claim 70 , wherein the toy holder comprises first and second arms pivotally connected to each other, each arm having a ball holding member, the first and second arms being pivotal between a first position in which the arms move away from each other to allow removal and attachment of the ball thereto and a second position in which the ball holding members are collinearly aligned so as to rotatably support a ball therebetween, wherein the first and second arms each include a floor portion and a side wall portion that mutually form a floor and a side wall when the toy holder is in the second position.  
     
     
         72 . An entertainment system according to  claim 71 , wherein the ball holding members are journals adapted to engage a complementary diametrically opposed holes in the ball.  
     
     
         73 . An entertainment system according to  claim 72 , wherein the tray has a mount for releasably locking the toy holder to the tray, the mount comprising a recess and a lock that engages the first and second arms when the toy holder in positioned to the article holder configuration and that engages the side wall when the toy holder is positioned to the ball holder configuration.  
     
     
         74 . An entertainment system according to  claim 73 , wherein the lock comprises a pair of resiliently biased fingers extending downwardly from the tray, each resiliently biased finger having at least one tab or hook that engages the arm or the side wall.  
     
     
         75 . An entertainment system according to  claim 74 , wherein the side wall is substantially cylindrical and has an inwardly extending lip to which the tab engages to lock the toy holder to the tray when the toy holder is in the ball holder configuration.  
     
     
         76 . An entertainment system according to  claim 75 , wherein each resilient finger has a pair of tabs, one for engaging the arm and another for engaging the lip, wherein the pair of tabs are offset from each other.  
     
     
         77 . An entertainment system according to  claim 36 , wherein the convertible toy comprises a sound instrument, a storage compartment formed in the tray, and a lid pivotally mounted to the tray and movable to cover and open the compartment, the sound instrument being connected to the lid, wherein when the tray is moved to close the receptacle, the lid substantially occludes the storage compartment and supports the sound instrument on an exterior surface with respect to the occluded compartment, and wherein when the lid is opened, an interior surface of the compartment is revealed.  
     
     
         78 . An entertainment system according to  claim 88 , wherein the sound instrument comprises a keyboard.  
     
     
         79 . An entertainment system according to  claim 36 , wherein the convertible toy comprises at least one planar member pivotally mounted to the tray, each planar member having at least on one side a cover adapted to hold a display sheet.  
     
     
         80 . An entertainment system according to  claim 36 , further comprising a plurality of planar members each having the cover to hold a display sheet, which includes a photo.  
     
     
         81 . A ring loop toy for a child activity center having a tray, comprising: 
 a substantially U-shaped member defined by a cross member and two spaced apart legs, and a connector that detachably connects the U-shaped member to the tray in a first configuration where the legs extend below the tray and with the cross member extending above the tray and in a second configuration where the legs extend above the tray and with the cross member extending below the tray.    
     
     
         82 . A toy according to  claim 81 , further including at least one ring member having an opening, wherein, in the first position, the ring member is movable across the cross member and, in the second position, the legs extending above the tray receive the ring member.  
     
     
         83 . An entertainment system according to  claim 82 , wherein the cross member forms a bend between the two legs, and the legs extend substantially parallel to each other, and wherein the tray has two spaced apart apertures that receive the legs.  
     
     
         84 . A toy according to  claim 83 , wherein each of the two legs includes a groove adapted to engage the tray at a periphery of a respective one of the two apertures and lock the U-shaped member to the tray.  
     
     
         85 . A toy according to  claim 84 , wherein the grooves of the two legs face each other.  
     
     
         86 . A toy according to  claim 85 , wherein each of the two legs has a first flanged portion and a second flange portion spaced from and opposite the first flanged portion, the spacing between the first and second flange portions defining the groove.  
     
     
         87 . A toy according to  claim 86 , wherein the first and second flanged portions of one leg are opposite the first and second flange portions of the other leg.  
     
     
         88 . A toy according to  claim 87 , wherein each of the two apertures are oval to permit the legs to flex away from each other.  
     
     
         89 . A toy according to  claim 88 , wherein each of the two legs further includes a third flanged portion formed diametrically opposite the first flanged portion, the third flanged portions of the two legs facing away from each other, wherein a length across the first and third flanged portions of each leg is adapted to be greater than a longest length of either of the oval apertures.  
     
     
         90 . A toy according to  claim 89 , wherein the tray includes two pairs of opposed stabilizing ribs extending downward from a lower face of the tray, one pair being located adjacent one of the two apertures and another pair located adjacent the other of the two apertures, the stabilizing ribs being adapted to laterally supporting the U-shaped member.  
     
     
         91 . A toy sorter for a child activity center having a tray, comprising a substantially hollow body configured in a shaped of a house having a plurality of differently configured openings that are adapted to receive objects having complementary configurations, wherein the hollow body comprises a base portion that is detachably attachable to the tray and a top portion attached to the base portion.  
     
     
         92 . A toy sorter according to  claim 91 , wherein the house shaped body has a door hingedly mounted to the top portion and the base portion, a chimney, a roof, and two opposing sides, wherein each of the door, chimney, and the two opposing sides has one of the configured openings.  
     
     
         93 . A toy sorter according to  claim 92 , wherein each of the openings comprises one of a generally circular, rectangular, and triangular shape.  
     
     
         94 . A toy sorter according to  claim 93 , wherein the door has a generally circular opening for passage of generally circular objects, the two sides respectively have generally rectangular and triangular openings for passage of generally rectangular and triangular objects, respectively, and the opening in the chimney is sufficiently large to allow insertion of rectangular, triangular, and circular objects, and wherein the door is openable to access the objects inserted through the openings.  
     
     
         95 . A toy sorter according to  claim 92 , wherein the base portion has securing members depending therefrom for attaching to the tray and the tray has complementary securing members for intercepting the securing members of the base portion.  
     
     
         96 . A toy sorter according to  claim 95 , wherein the base portion securing members are tabs located at a periphery of base portion and the complementary securing members are apertures that releasably engage the tabs.  
     
     
         97 . A toy sorter according to  claim 92 , wherein the house shaped body further includes a roof section having a front side and a back side, and a reflecting surface on the back side of the roof section.  
     
     
         98 . A toy sorter according to  claim 96 , wherein the tabs and the complementary apertures enable the house shaped body to be mounted in different positions.  
     
     
         99 . A toy comprising: 
 a receptacle for holding an article, the receptacle having opposing first and second pivot members; and    a tray having a first aperture extending therethrough and opposing third and fourth pivot members that engage the first and second pivot members to form a pivot axis and to allow the tray to pivot and prevent the same from pivoting, depending upon the relative orientation between the first, second, third, and fourth pivot members.    
     
     
         100 . A toy according to  claim 99 , wherein the first and second pivot members are first and second pivot shafts extending outwardly in the opposing directions and the third and fourth pivot members are third and fourth apertures formed adjacent the first aperture to receive the first and second pivot shafts.  
     
     
         101 . A toy according to  claim 100 , wherein the receptacle has first and second projections that engage the upper surface of the tray adjacent the first aperture, the first aperture being asymmetrical about the pivot axis so that when the first and second pivot shafts are respectively inserted in the third and fourth apertures to a stationary configuration, the first and second projections engage the tray from both sides of the pivot axis to prevent the tray from pivoting, and when the first and second pivot shafts are respectively inserted in the fourth and third apertures to a pivot configuration, the second projection engages the tray from one side of the pivot axis, while the first projections clears through the other side of pivot axis to allow the receptacle to pivot and drop the article through the first aperture.  
     
     
         102 . A toy according to  claim 101 , wherein the first aperture is divided into a first section and second section along a generally medial line extending across the pivot axis, wherein the area of the first section is smaller than the area of the second section, wherein the first and second sections each are substantially semicircular, and the receptacle is substantially hemispherical, the first projection being a lip extending peripherally around an opening thereof and the second projection being a handle extending outwardly beyond the lip.  
     
     
         103 . A toy according to  claim 102 , wherein in the stationary configuration, the lip extends over the periphery of the smaller first section and the handle extends over the periphery of the larger second section, and in the pivoting configuration, the handle extends over the periphery of the smaller first section but the lip is insufficient to extend over the periphery of the second larger second section to allow the receptacle to pivot about the pivot axis and dump or drop the article through the first recess.