The present invention generally relates to the field of sport or entertainment toys and games and methods of use of the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to sport or entertainment toys and games that utilize sensing mechanisms for detecting and revealing winners/losers and methods of use of the same.
Balloons have been used for many years as objects of play. Children and adults often use balloons as decorations and costumes, and for play battle/sport. The bright colors, low cost, lightweight and squishy nature of balloons make them a suitable toy for children and adults to enjoy. Children use toy balloon swords because they give each child a way to act out battle/sports without a risk of harm from their play weapon during play. Since balloons also have the tendency to light up they have been used to simulate light sabers. Balloons are also known for their ability to create a loud sound when they burst.
Clowns and entertainers have made balloon swords for decades. A thin balloon's long shaft is twisted into a shape having a long end leading to a simulated cross-guard just above a grip. A pommel is sometimes simulated by adding a twist and knot to the grip's end for the appearance of a real sword's pommel feature. These toys are common, fun and have inspired other toy sword inventions including devices that use a balloon attached to a grip to simulate a sword with a light in the handle to make the balloon glow and a pump in the handle can blow up the balloon. This lets players simulate battle/sport but does not offer a clear indication of win. This lack of certainty often causes fights amongst players. We often hear kids, in fantasy battle/sport, say things like, “You didn't win because I hit you first”, or “you would have dropped the sword before you hit me because I got your leg.” While these tussles are often minor they do make it difficult to keep score and cause delays during play. Sometimes feelings are hurt and the enjoyment of the battle/sport is lessened. There is a need for a clear winner in a fantasy battle/sport.
Other inventions attempt to solve the problem, caused by a lack of clear winner indication, by using a sound generating mechanism to indicate a win. One example shows a play sword with an ability to pop an internal balloon when pressure is applied to the sword's tip. An unfortunate problem with this invention is that the winner, the victor of the play battle/sport, is the one whose weapon is damaged to indicate the win. This means that even though the player won the battle/sport they are the person who loses a feature of their own sword. To remedy this problem the patent shows, in different embodiments, the use of a sound generator instead of a balloon. But the sounds created by the sound generator are not nearly as loud or instantaneous as the sounds created by a balloon popping.
The problems with prior technologies are clear. In prior technologies game play is often made less exciting by not clearly indicating the real and actual winner of the game. Play battle/sport equipment without an ability to indicate a win often leads to arguments. Technology that destroys or damages the winner's equipment to indicate a win is counterintuitive and disheartening to the winner. In prior technology, players are either left to argue over who was truly victorious or the winner is punished for their victory.
Objects of the present invention include at least one of revealing the winner of a play game of battle or sport; creating a positive indication of win; creating a positive indication of loss; producing a rapid and loud noise at the point-in-time that the win takes place; creating a safe and entertaining way to play battling and sporting games; rewarding the winner by destroying the loser's weapon and/or tools to wage war; providing a simple and quick way for losing players to fix their weapons and fight again; providing a public display of loss; providing a public display of win; and/or providing play battle/sport players a more exciting play pattern.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.
In accordance with a particular embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a device for revealing a winner in play battle/sport comprising: a bladder fillable with fluid, a structure to hold the bladder, a mechanism to detect a win event, a mechanism to notify the loser's equipment of their opponent's win and thus their loss, and a mechanism to burst the bladder of the loser's equipment.
In accordance with this particular embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a process for revealing a winner in play battle/sport comprising the steps of: determining the winner in a play battle/sport, notifying the loser's equipment of their own loss and causing the loser's equipment to burst their own bladder.
In accordance with this particular embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed an alternative device for revealing a winner in play battle/sport comprising: a bladder fillable with fluid, a structure to hold the bladder, a mechanism to detect a lose event, a mechanism to notify the loser's equipment of their opponent's win and thus their loss, and a mechanism to burst the bladder of the loser's equipment.
In accordance with this particular embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed an alternate process for revealing a winner in play battle/sport comprising the steps of: determining the loser in a play battle/sport, notifying the loser's equipment of their own loss and causing the loser's equipment to burst their own bladder.
The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.
Detailed descriptions of particular embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.
Embodiments of the invention described herein provide the advantage of enabling two or more players to freely play battle games with the certainty of a win for one of the players being revealed by the two or more devices. Embodiments of the invention may use transmitters and/or receivers for communication between the two or more devices via infrared, radio control, Bluetooth®, sound, light and/or other technologies.
While the invention has been described in connection with particular embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Following is a list of the numbered components depicted in the drawings:
As used herein, the term “and/or,” when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself, or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed. For example, if a device is described as containing components A, B, and/or C, the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination.
“Logic Circuit”, as used herein, means a circuit or mechanism with an ability to determine an outcome, such as a logic circuit, microprocessor/embedded-controller with software or a mechanical device with a pressure sensor based on a spring or magnet set to disengage at a set weight. In many embodiments an MCU (micro control unit) or embedded controller or CPU will have software that enables it to read sensors and then perform actions based on the triggering of the sensors. The actions can be to burst the bladder or to notify the other device to burst its bladder. Reading of the sensors, including win or loss indications and also messages from other devises informing of wins/losses. Actions can include bursting bladders, sending and decoding messages, playing sounds, keeping score, lighting lights and calculating and notifying players when events start and when they end (battle rounds for example).
The term “Attachment Boss”, as used herein, is a protrusion, preset, recess or other opening and/or means designed to enable two elements to be joined together. An example of an attachment boss would be snap fit plastic components.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/929,605, filed Jan. 21, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61929605 | Jan 2014 | US |