Toy apparatus

Abstract

Toy apparatus is provided including a playbase movable between a first closed position and a second open position. The playbase includes one or more members and these members are provided in a substantially flattened condition when the playbase is in a first closed position, and movable with the playbase to a partial or substantially erect condition when the playbase is in a second open position. At least one of the members is provided in at least one recess in the playbase in the first closed condition.

1 . Toy apparatus, said toy apparatus including a playbase movable between a first closed position and a second open position, said playbase including one or more members and said members provided in a substantially flattened condition with said playbase in said first closed position and movable with said playbase to a partial or substantially erect condition with said playbase in said second open position and wherein at least one of said one or more members is provided in at least one recess in said playbase in said first closed condition.  
   
   
       2 . Toy apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein in the flattened condition, an upper surface of the one or more members can be substantially flush with a surface of the playbase, adjacent to and substantially parallel with a surface of the playbase and/or recessed with respect to a surface of the playbase.  
   
   
       3 . Toy apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein in the erect condition, the one or more members protrude outwardly of a playbase surface.  
   
   
       4 . Toy apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein in the erect condition, the one or more members protrude substantially perpendicularly from a playbase surface.  
   
   
       5 . Toy apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the one or more members are substantially rigid in form.  
   
   
       6 . Toy apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the one or more members are substantially flexible in form.  
   
   
       7 . Toy apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the one or more recesses are of a substantially similar shape and/or dimensions to the one or more members located therein in the flattened condition.  
   
   
       8 . Toy apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the one or more recesses are a different shape to the one or more members located therein in the flattened condition.  
   
   
       9 . Toy apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the one or more members are formed by cutting the same from a surface of the playbase.  
   
   
       10 . Toy apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the one or more members are formed from a source other than the playbase and, when formed, are attached to the playbase in use.  
   
   
       11 . Toy apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein two or more members are located in a recess on said playbase.  
   
   
       12 . Toy apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein the two or more members are located side by side in the recess.  
   
   
       13 . Toy apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein the two or more members are located in the recess in an overlapping arrangement to form a stack.  
   
   
       14 . Toy apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein two or more members provided on the playbase are moved to form a structure and/or article when the playbase is moved from the flattened condition to the erect condition.  
   
   
       15 . Toy apparatus according to  claim 14  wherein the two or more members are separate to each other when the playbase is in the flattened condition and are brought into engagement or contact with each other when the playbase is moved to an erect condition.  
   
   
       16 . Toy apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein the two or more members contact each other or are joined together in both the flattened and erect conditions.  
   
   
       17 . Toy apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein the two or more members are hingedly, rotatably and/or pivotably connected to each other.  
   
   
       18 . Toy apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the one or more members are hingedly, pivotally and/or rotatably mounted to at least one surface of the playbase.  
   
   
       19 . Toy apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the one or more members are resiliently biased to the erect condition via resilient biasing means.  
   
   
       20 . Toy apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the playbase and/or the one or more members are provided with printed matter, graphics, texture, colour, photographs, text or images thereon.  
   
   
       21 . Toy apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the playbase includes at least front and rear walls which are substantially parallel to and adjacent each other in said first closed position, the front and rear walls being moved to a substantially planar or flat configuration in the second open position.  
   
   
       22 . Toy apparatus according to  claim 21  wherein hinge or pivot means connect the front and rear walls of the playbase together.  
   
   
       23 . Toy apparatus according to  claim 21  wherein at least one member is provided in association with the front wall and at least one further member is provided in association with the rear wall, the members being joined together along at least a part of an edge or surface, such that when the front and rear walls of the playbase are moved to an open position, the engagement between the members causes the members to move from a flattened condition to an erect condition.  
   
   
       24 . Toy apparatus according to  claim 23  wherein the join or connection between the members is located substantially centrally of the connection between the front and rear walls of the playbase.  
   
   
       25 . Toy apparatus according to  claim 21  wherein the front and rear walls of the playbase each have an outer surface and an in inner surface, the inner surface of the playbase having the one or more members associated therewith.  
   
   
       26 . Toy apparatus according to  claim 25  wherein at least a part of the outer surface of said playbase is substantially planar or flat in form.  
   
   
       27 . Toy apparatus according to  claim 25  wherein the front and rear walls of the playbase forms a case or container when in the closed condition.  
   
   
       28 . Toy apparatus according to  claim 27  wherein one or more handle are provided on the apparatus.  
   
   
       29 . Toy apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the playbase is movable between one or more intermediate positions between said open and closed positions.  
   
   
       30 . Toy apparatus according to  claim 29  wherein one or more of the intermediate positions have play value associated therewith.  
   
   
       31 . Toy apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the one or more members have one or more portions attached thereto and said portions can move relative to said one or more members.  
   
   
       32 . Toy apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein locking means are provided to maintain the playbase in a closed and/or open position.  
   
   
       33 . Toy apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the one or more members are substantially flat or planar in form.