Patent Application
20180311590
The present invention relates generally to handheld toys used by children and adults. More particularly, it relates to animal or insect shaped toys with clicking mechanisms throughout used for the purposes of amusement and or to reduce stress.
Repeatedly clicking a retractable pen is a common occurrence by adults and children in different settings such as in the home, at school, or the work place. Some people do this as a way to pass time because of boredom while others use it as a way to reduce stress or nervousness.
Adults and especially children like a wide variety of small toys such as animal toys, cartoon characters and the like. They are often stuffed toys, plastic and various other forms. They can bring comfort to a tired or scared child by holding or snuggling the toy, or simply amusement to play with.
Accordingly, what is needed is a toy that incorporates the clicking mechanism of a retractable pen top—the part that is pressed to click the pen open for writing—to help reduce stress or nervousness, combined with a toy form for play or comfort.
The original patent for the electronic game Simon is U.S. Pat. No. 4,207,087. Simon illuminated lights on a disk-shaped device. A player had to repeat the sequence in which Simon displayed lights. The sequences became progressively more difficult.
Originally owned by Milton Bradley, Simon is now owned by Hasbro.
The present invention provides traditional clicking mechanisms similar to a retractable pen top in substantial numbers combined with a wide variety of toys. This provides the user amusement, entertainment, and or stress relief.
The current invention utilizes various animal species which have spiny or sharp projections, such—as but not limited to—a hedgehog, pufferfish, porcupine, lizard, or snake. It may also utilize animals or insects with the appearance of spots, hair, or fur such as but not limited to a ladybug, pig, or bear.
The animal comprises the toy and frame or structure for the clicking mechanisms. There could be many clicking mechanisms on the animal's body as, for example, on a pufferfish or hedgehog, or only a few clicking mechanisms on the animal's body as, for example, on a ladybug.
The body 15 of the animal 1 is formed in such a way as to accommodate the clicking mechanisms 16 through any manner that is well known in the art. The clicking mechanism 16 is any that is well known in the art and comprises a push button 3, 4 that protrudes outside the body of the animal 1 at least when extended and may have the appearance of a retractable pen top.
Accommodated inside the body 15 of the animal 1 is the clicking mechanism housing 8 from which extends a portion of the push button 3, 4. The housing 8 preferably also holds a thrust tube 6 below the push button 3, 4; thrust device 7 below the thrust tube 6; and spring 9 below the thrust device 7 and above the bottom 17 of the housing 8. This allows the user to press the button 3, 4 down so that it moves close to, but preferably not into, the body 15 of the toy 1 and then stops. It remains in this position unless the user presses it again and it releases back to the full upward position by spring action similar to a traditional retractable pen. This process can be done repeatedly by the user and, through any device or devices that are well known in the art, makes a distinct clicking noise as the button 3, 4 is pressed or depressed. Other noises or sensations known in the art could optionally be incorporated into the clicking mechanism 16. The clicking mechanism 16 could also be silent yet still sensory.
The clicking mechanism 16 can serve several functions. A first is simply to serve have a press button 3, 4 that makes a clicking noise when pressed or depressed. The user may depress many press buttons 3, 4 across the body 15 of the toy 1 leaving some extended and others depressed; depress many at the same time; or, do in this regard, whatever the user may choose. A second and optional function is to illuminate a light. The toy 1 can be fitted with a device 11 for connecting to an electrical power source, such as a battery or electrical outlet, with a wire 10 connected, in any manner that is known in the art, from the device 11 through each clicking mechanism housing 8 to a light placed, in any manner that is known in the art, within the housing 8 and, preferably within the push button 3, in any manner that is well known in the art so that, when, and only when, the button 3, 4 is depressed, the light within the housing 8 will illuminate. The button 3, 4 is transparent so that the illumination passes through it. Either the light can be colored with the push button 3, 4 being clear, i.e., having no color, or the light can be white with the push button being transparent but colored.
For example, there could be clear plastic push buttons 3, 4 with varying colors, such as—but not limited to—red, blue, yellow, purple, or green, or all one color, such as red, throughout. This could add enjoyment for the user in various low light conditions.
Another option to illuminate the buttons 3, 4 is to have one light bulb within the interior of the body 15 of the toy 1 that gives off light to shine through the clear push buttons 3, 4.
Still another option is the use of fiber optics fibers going to each push button 3, 4 from a central light source within the body 15 of the toy 1 giving off the light to be transmitted selectively to the buttons 3, 4 as determined by any light control mechanism that is well known within the art and is illuminated by the light.
A game component can also optionally be included with the pressing of the buttons 3, 4, such as—but not limited to—a pattern game or game of quickness when the lights are selectively illuminated, which can occur when the light is in each housing 8 or when fiber optics fibers are employed but not when there is just a central light source within the body 15. The user turns on the game mode, through any game activation and deactivation device that is well known in the art, and, through any game selection device that is well known within the art, selects the mode of play.
In the pattern game mode the push button 3 illuminates as directed by any light control mechanism that is well known within the art; the user then presses the illuminated push button 3; and thereupon, at the direction of any light control mechanism that is well known within the art, the push button ceases to be illuminated. This is then followed by another push button illuminating and so on.
In the quickness mode time is not tracked but, when the light control mechanism causes a push button 3 to be illuminated, the user simply presses the push button 3 as fast as the user is able. The light control mechanism then stops the push button 4 from being illuminated. Thereafter another push button 3 illuminates.
The size of the toy 1 can vary from a small handheld toy to a larger toy 1.
Referring to the invention in more detail,
There is shown in
The toy 1 can be made in various sizes, as mentioned above, and from various colors and materials known in the art.
As indicated above,
While the included written background, summary, description and drawings of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should, therefore, not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/417,290, filed Nov. 3, 2016.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62417290 | Nov 2016 | US |
