TOY COMPRISING PHOTOGRAPHIC MEANS
Background of Invention
This invention relates generally to toys.
Summary of Invention
The invention comprises a toy integrally incorporating photographic means, i.e. a camera. A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a toy in the form of a doll, e.g. a toy animal, toy robot, toy human, or a toy incorporating the features of a personality, wherein the doll is integrally combined with "instant" camera means, i.e. camera means employing self-developing film.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The invention is illustrated, by way of example, in the appended drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a preferred "instant" camera, the POLAROID 600 SERIES LAND CAMERA;
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of said preferred camera; FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the camera of FIG. 2 wherein the flash unit of the camera is raised so as to expose the camera lens.
FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of an animal doll head in which the instant camera means of Fig. 1 are integrally combined;
FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the animal doll head in which said instant camera means are integrally combined;
FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the animal doll head with integral camera means, wherein the flash unit of the camera is raised so as to expose the camera lens;
FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of a robot doll head in which the instant camera means of FIG. 1 are integrally combined;
FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of said robot doll head in which said instant camera means are integrally combined; and
FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of said robot doll head with integral camera means, wherein the flash unit of the camera is raised so as to expose the camera lens.
Description of Preferred Embodiments
Children's toys have become increasingly sophisticated in recent years, integrating movement, speech, recording capabilities and other interactive components.
This invention comprises a toy with which photographic means, i.e. a camera, have been integrally combined. The combinations of toy types and camera types are too numerous to exhaustively catalog. However, a particularly preferred toy and camera comprises a doll's head and an "instant" camera, i.e. one utilizing self- developing film. Indeed, such a combination will serve to illustrate by way of example the invention.
The type of doll's head to be employed in the invention is as varied as the types of dolls that exist. Examples include the heads of toy robots, of toy animals (e.g. dogs, cats, dinosaurs, etc.), of toy humans, or of famous personalities from literature, cartoons, television, cinema or other media.
The type of camera with which the toy is integrally combined is also as varied as the types of cameras that exist. However, the preferred embodiment of the invention employs an "instant" camera, (i.e. one which employs self-developing film) of the type made by Polaroid. A particularly preferred embodiment employs a POLAROID 600 SERIES LAND camera. The housing components of this type of camera are illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3.
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a POLAROID 600 SERIES LAND camera, wherein lens means are concealed by an integrally combined and moveable flash unit 1. An instant film ejection portal 2 is exposed.
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the 600 SERIES camera wherein the moveable flash unit 1 is in the "closed" position and is still concealing the lens. The viewfinder 3 is visible from this side view.
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the 600 SERIES camera, wherein the moveable flash unit 1 is in the "open" position, exposing the lens 4, so that the camera is functionally disposed for operation.
FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 represent a preferred embodiment of the invention wherein an animal doll head is integrally combined with the camera of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. In FIG. 4, which is again a front elevational view, the film ejection portal 2 is integrally positioned so as to coincide with the "mouth area" of the animal doll head. When a picture is taken, and the film is ejected, it is through the open mouth of the doll.
FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 represent another preferred embodiment of the invention wherein a robot doll head is integrally combined with the camera of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. In FIG. 7, which is a front elevational view, the film ejection portal 2 is again integrally positioned with the "mouth area" of the robot doll head.
Other specific embodiments envisioned include other features associated with sophisticated toys, such as sequential speech means which will allow the toy, in its preferred embodiment as a doll, to speak. As an example, the robot doll of FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 may incorporate speech means integrally connected to the camera means, which permit the doll to communicate commands that signal various functions of the integrally combined camera. In a "robot/camera" with automatic focus, the doll can contain means to state, e.g., "Subject in our sights" when the camera has focused on a subject. When flash means are ready and the camera is focused, the doll may state, e.g., "Fire" or "All systems go".
Of course, the way in which the camera's and the toy's component parts are integrated is one of individual choice and can be easily varied by those of skill in the art. Indeed, while the present invention has been particularly set forth in terms of specific embodiments thereof, it will be nonetheless evident, in view of the instant disclosure, to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made to the specific embodiments set forth without however departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The invention, therefore, is not to be construed as limited to the particular forms disclosed herein. Rather, these are to be regarded as illustrative, and not restrictive.