Base with Beveled Edges for Conductive Toys

Abstract

A base with beveled edges for conductive toys is a base for toy objects, such as toy figurines and other hand-held objects, that supports a toy object and encourages a user to grab the toy at or above a top portion of the base. In order to encourage a user to grab a toy that is supported by the base, the base includes a beveled edge, such as an inwardly sloping side wall. Thus, when used in conjunction with a touchscreen device, the base encourages a user to grab a toy supported thereon at a distance from the surface of the touchscreen device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A base for a toy figure containing a conductive path comprising:
 a receiving surface for a user's hand;   a contact surface for contacting a touchscreen device; and   a sidewall extending between the receiving surface and the contact surface, the sidewall sloping inwards from the receiving surface to the contact surface such that a user is encouraged to grip the toy figure at either the receiving surface or a part of the toy figure.   
     
     
         2 . The base of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving surface and contact surface are ovular. 
     
     
         3 . The base of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving surface and contact surface are each polygons with at least three sides. 
     
     
         4 . The base of  claim 3 , wherein the sidewall is a first sidewall and the base further comprises:
 at least one additional sidewall, each of the at least one additional sidewalls extending between each of the at least three sides, wherein the first sidewall and the at least one additional sidewalls slope inwards at a same angle.   
     
     
         5 . The base of  claim 1 , wherein the contact surface further comprises:
 conductive portions, the conductive portions being configured to be identified by the touchscreen device.   
     
     
         6 . The base of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a figurine extending upwardly from the receiving surface.   
     
     
         7 . The base of  claim 6  further comprising:
 at least one aperture extending through the contact surface; and 
 the figurine including at least one conductive protrusion extending through the at least one aperture to allow the touchscreen device to identify the figurine. 
 
     
     
         8 . A base for a toy figure comprising:
 a top surface;   a bottom surface disposed within the outer periphery of the top surface, wherein the bottom surface includes conductive portions configured to be identified by a touchscreen device; and   a sidewall extending between the top surface and bottom surface that encourages a user to grab the base at its top surface or portions of the toy figure disposed thereabove.   
     
     
         9 . The base of  claim 8 , wherein the top and bottom surfaces each include a periphery and the sidewall extends between the entire periphery of the top and the entire periphery of the bottom. 
     
     
         10 . The base of  claim 9 , wherein the top and bottom surfaces are concentric circles of different radii, the top surface having a larger radius than the bottom surface. 
     
     
         11 . The base of  claim 9 , wherein the top and bottom surfaces are polygons with at least three sides, the sidewall is a first sidewall extending between a first side of the top and bottom surfaces, the base further comprising:
 at least two additional sidewalls extending between each of the remaining sides of the top and bottom.   
     
     
         12 . The base of  claim 11 , wherein the sidewalls extending between each of the at least three sides slopes inwards at a same angle. 
     
     
         13 . The base of  claim 8 , wherein the base is integrally formed with a figurine, the figurine extending upwardly from the top surface. 
     
     
         14 . A base for a toy figurine comprising:
 a contact surface configured to rest on a touchscreen device, the contact surface including an peripheral edge;   a sidewall extending upwardly and exteriorly from the peripheral edge of the contact surface; and   a conductive pathway extending through the contact surface such that the base may serve as a conductive conduit between a user touching the toy figurine and the touchscreen device.   
     
     
         15 . The base of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a receiving surface disposed above the contact surface, the receiving surface being configured to receive a toy figurine and the receiving surface including an outer periphery, wherein the contact surface does not extend beyond the outer periphery of the receiving surface.   
     
     
         16 . The base of  claim 15 , wherein the sidewall extends upwardly around the entire peripheral edge of the contact surface and extends between the peripheral edge of the contact surface an a non-peripheral edge of the receiving surface such that at least a portion of the receiving surface extends beyond the sidewall. 
     
     
         17 . The base of  claim 15 , wherein the toy figurine is received on a first side of the receiving surface and the receiving surface further comprises:
 protrusions extending from a second side, the second side being opposite the first side and substantially adjacent the contact surface.   
     
     
         18 . The base of  claim 17 , wherein the conductive pathway comprises:
 at least one aperture formed in the contact surface, such that the protrusions may extend through the at least one aperture, thereby conductively coupling the figurine to the touchscreen device.   
     
     
         19 . The base of  claim 15 , wherein the receiving surface and contact surface are ovular. 
     
     
         20 . The base of  claim 15 , wherein the receiving surface and contact surface are each polygons with at least three sides.