Patent Application
20090053968
None.
This invention was not federally sponsored.
The embodiments of the invention generally relate to the field of children's toys. More specifically, the embodiments of the invention relate to a toy having a retractable figure.
Children of all ages enjoy playing games with toys. For infants in particular, a popular game to play is “peek-a-boo”. The game of “peek-a-boo” generally involves an adult hiding a stuffed animal or doll from the infant, to the infant's dismay, and then suddenly making the stuffed animal or doll reappear, to the infant's delight. To hide the stuffed animal or doll, the adult typically places the object behind their back or behind another object in the room. There are no known toys that currently allow for an adult to play the game of “peek-a-boo” with an infant or toddler, without the adult having to hide the stuffed animal or doll behind an object or the adult's body. Therefore, there is a current need for a toy having a retractable figure that allows an adult to play the game of “peek-a-boo” with an infant without having to hide an object behind the adult's body or another object in the room.
It is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention are not limited in their application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The embodiments of the invention are capable of being practiced and carried out in various ways. In addition, the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
One embodiment of the toy with retractable figure includes a telescoping member, the telescoping member having a first member and a second member slidably disposed over the first member, a handle portion coupled to one end of the first member, a head portion coupled to the distal end of the second member, an enclosure device slidably disposed over the telescoping member, the enclosure device having an interior surface and an exterior surface, and a layer of fabric secured to the perimeter of the interior surface of the enclosure device and to the head portion. The layer of fabric has at least two appendages extending therefrom. When the head portion is fully retracted within the enclosure device, the layer of fabric and appendages are fully contained within the enclosure device. When the head portion is fully extended outside of the enclosure device, the layer of fabric and appendages are substantially located outside of the enclosure device.
Another embodiment of the toy with retractable figure includes a telescoping member, the telescoping member having a first member and a second member slidably disposed over the first member, a handle portion coupled to one end of the first member, a head portion coupled to the distal end of the second member, an enclosure device slidably disposed over the telescoping member, the enclosure device comprised of a flexible material, the enclosure device having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the exterior surface having a first layer of fabric secured thereto, the first layer of fabric covering the entire exterior surface, a second layer of fabric secured to at least a portion of the exterior of the first layer of fabric, the second layer of fabric having a decorative shape, and a layer of fabric secured to the perimeter of the interior surface of the enclosure device and to the head portion. The layer of fabric has at least two appendages extending therefrom. When the head portion is fully retracted within the enclosure device, the layer of fabric and the at least two appendages are fully contained within the enclosure device. When the head portion is fully extended outside of the enclosure device, the layer of fabric and the at least two appendages are substantially located outside of the enclosure device.
Another embodiment of the toy with retractable figure includes a telescoping member, the telescoping member having a first member, a second member slidably disposed over the first member, and a stopper mechanism coupled to one end of the first member to prevent the first member from separating from the second member, a handle portion coupled to the other end of the first member, a head portion coupled to the distal end of the second member, the head portion configured to resemble the head of an infant, an enclosure device slidably disposed over the telescoping member, the enclosure device comprised of a flexible material, the enclosure device having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the exterior surface having a first layer of fabric secured thereto, the first layer of fabric covering the entire exterior surface, a second layer of fabric concentrically secured to the first layer of fabric around a portion of the enclosure device, the second layer of fabric shaped to resemble a plurality of flower pedals, and a layer of fabric secured to the perimeter of the interior surface of the enclosure device and to the head portion. The layer of fabric has four appendages extending therefrom, two of the appendages configured to resemble arms of an infant and two of the appendages configured to resemble legs of an infant. When the head portion is fully retracted within the enclosure device, the layer of fabric and the appendages are fully contained within the enclosure device. When the head portion is fully extended outside of the enclosure device, the layer of fabric and the appendages are substantially located outside of the enclosure device.
There has thus been outlined the features of some embodiments of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the embodiments of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate some embodiments of the invention.
Referring now to the drawings, wherein similar parts are identified by like reference numerals,
Head portion 40 may be coupled to the distal end 26 of second member 24. In some embodiments, head portion 40 may be coupled to distal end 26 by a connecting member 42. One end of connecting member 42 may be configured to fit within second member 24, while the other end of connecting member 42 may be configured to provide secure attachment of head portion 40. As an example, connecting member 42 may have a circumferential groove 44 around which head portion 40 may be secured. Head portion 40 may comprise various non-metallic materials, such as plastic. The shape and size of head portion 40 may vary depending on the particular figure desired. Head portion 40 may include eyes, a nose, ears, a mouth, and other features associated with the heads, depending on the figure portrayed.
Enclosure device 50 may be slidably disposed over telescoping member 20. Enclosure device 50 may have an interior surface 52 and an exterior surface 54. Enclosure device 50 may comprise various shapes and be comprised of various flexible and durable materials. For example, enclosure device 50 may be funnel-shaped and comprised of a thick paper material. Exterior surface 54 may comprise various materials and have different colors and shapes to depict various objects, such as a flower. Layer of fabric 60 may be secured to the perimeter of interior surface 52 and to head portion 40. Layer of fabric 60 may have at least two appendages 70 extending therefrom. When head portion 40 is fully retracted within enclosure device 50, layer of fabric 60 and appendages 70 may be fully contained within enclosure device 50. When head portion 40 is fully extended outside of enclosure device 50, layer of fabric 60 and appendages 70 may be substantially located outside of enclosure device 50. Layer of fabric 60 may comprise various flexible materials that may readily deform and not wear out with prolonged usage. Examples of such materials include, but are not limited to cotton, polyester, and nylon.
Head portion 40, appendages 70, and layer of fabric 60 may be combined to form a
With respect to the above description it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, including variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly, and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the embodiments of the present invention. Since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents fall within the scope of the present inventions.
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the embodiments of the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting, as to the scope of the embodiments of the invention in any way.
