Patent Application
20080020671
The embodiments are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:
The invention generally relates to inflatable punch toys. Referring to the figures, exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described. The exemplary embodiments are provided to illustrate the invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.
In one embodiment punch toy 100 includes a body portion 110, tail portion 120, head portion 150 and leg portions 140. In one another embodiment punch toy 100 has an outer wall that varies in thickness around punch toy 100. In this embodiment, the variation in thickness of the outer wall contributes to varying expandability of the outer wall.
Tail 120 is stretchable and forms a loop. The formed loop allows a person to grasp the tail around the loop or placing a finger through the loop. Head portion 150 has a mouth that has an opening leading to a cavity inside body portion 110. Tube 130 is connected to the opening and allows the passage of air into the cavity portion of the body. In one embodiment, body portion 110, tail portion 120, tube portion 130, legs 140 and head portion 150 are formed from a mold and form an integrated punch toy 100.
In one embodiment, in order for body portion 110 to retain air forced into the cavity of body portion 110, tube 130 is tied into a knot 210. While tube 130 has a thickness thicker than a standard blow up balloon, tube 130 is stretchable and when stretched can easily be tied into a knot. When knot 130 is untied, the trapped air escapes and punch toy 100 returns to its deflated state, where punch toy 100 can be played with by a person as an animal toy instead of a punch toy.
In another embodiment, punch toy 100 includes a valve disposed within tube portion 130. In this embodiment, the valve prevents air from escaping body portion 110. In one embodiment, the valve is a one way valve with an air release mechanism. Typical valves in devices (e.g., swimming pool float valves, air mattress type valves, ball type valves, etc.) that are inflated with air can be used.
In another embodiment, the punch toy 100 has a sound generation device disposed inside of tube 130. When punch toy 100 is deflated, the air forced out of the cavity in body portion 100 passes through the sound generation device to create amusing sounds. In one embodiment, the sound generation device is just an extra flap of material. In another embodiment, the sound generation device is a type of whistle.
In one embodiment, a battery and lights with a motion switch is encased in head portion 150. In this embodiment, when punch toy 100 is punched, lights shine through eyes in the head portion 150. Typical lights and motion sense or motion switch devices known by those in the art may be used in this embodiment. In one embodiment, a light display circuit is connected to the lights. In this embodiment, different display of lights are possible, such as blinking, randomly blinking, one eye blinking then the other eye blinking, both blinking together, etc.
With the tube portion 130, punch toy embodiments provide many inflation/deflation cycles by tying and untying tube portion 130 in a knot 210. Since various amount of air can be forced into the above-mentioned embodiments, many different shapes and sizes are possible, which leads to less boredom and different types of play. The punch toy embodiments are strong enough not to “pop” when a person is punching it in an inflated state. By inserting a finger through tail portion 120, a person can form a fist (or turn palm up to hit the punch toy with the open hand) and punch at the punch toy embodiments as long as they want. When the person punches a punch toy embodiment, the punch toy embodiment is forced away from the person's hand. Tail portion 120 stretches (i.e., lengthens). When tail portion 120 returns to its original shape it rebounds to force the punch toy to move back towards the person's hand or fist. The person can remove the knot and play with the punch toy in a deflated state.
Reference in the specification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” or “other embodiments” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments. The various appearances of “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” or “some embodiments” are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments. If the specification states a component, feature, structure, or characteristic “may”, “might”, or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included. If the specification or claim refers to “a” or “an” element, that does not mean there is only one of the element. If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element.
While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.
