ENTERTAINMENT DEVICE OPERABLE TO RETAIN AND RELEASE AT LEAST ONE OBJECT INSERTED THEREIN

Abstract

An entertainment device, such as a toy, is provided with one or more internal cavities, at least a portion of which are accessible though at least one corresponding external opening, where at least one of the cavities is sized and configured to receive, through at least one external opening, at least a portion of an elongated object of a particular size and shape profile, and to releasably retain such a portion of an object inserted therein, until the user successfully performs a predetermined release activity to remove the inserted object portion therefrom. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the inventive device may be a hand-held toy representative of a character (e.g., an animal, creature, etc.) having a mouth opening, corresponding to at least one external opening, sized and configured to receive, and releasably retain in an internal cavity, a finger is inserted therein until a predetermined amount of pulling force is applied to the finger, and/or to pushing force to the opposite end of the toy—sufficient to remove the finger therefrom. In its other exemplary embodiments, the entertainment device may comprise one or more components for triggering one or more events (audio, visual, mechanical, etc.) prior to, and/or during insertion of at least one object therein, and/or after removal of the object therefrom. In other alternate embodiments of the inventive device, at least one of insertion, removal, and/or manipulation of an inserted object in the device comprises at least one element in a broader entertainment activity, such as a game.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

The present patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61059817, filed 09 Jun. 2008, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to entertainment devices, and more particularly to devices with one or more internal cavities accessible though at least one corresponding external opening, having a releasable retaining component capable of engaging and retaining and releasing at least one elongated object at least partially inserted into at least one of said external openings to a sufficient predetermined depth.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Entertainment devices that facilitate and encourage physical interaction therewith are especially popular as toys and/or novelties for both children and adults. Of particular interest are entertainment devices that produce one or more unexpected and/or surprising results during such interactions. Examples of such devices include, but are not limited to, toys such as a “jack-in-the-box”, dolls that respond to certain activities therewith, novelty items that produce unexpected sounds under certain conditions, etc. A subset of such “unexpected results” interactive includes certain puzzle devices requiring physical interaction therewith for both utilization and solution thereof. For example, the age-old “Chinese finger trap” puzzle device traps two of the users fingers in an elongated cylinder configured such that the device tightens in response to the user's attempts to remove their fingers therefrom, requiring the user to figure out a certain solution (i.e., a series of necessary steps) to free themselves from the device.

While physical interactive puzzle-type devices have a number of appealing characteristics, their entertainment value is limited in that once the user reaches, or is informed of, a solution to the puzzle, there is little motivation for the user to continue interacting therewith. Furthermore, the vast majority of such puzzles are focused on the puzzle itself with little or no regard to providing the device with additional entertainment value.

With respect to non-puzzle interactive entertainment devices, they likewise suffer from certain limitations to the types of supported interactive activities. Typically, such activities involve physical manipulation of the device's position (e.g., waving, dropping, throwing, rolling, shaking, rocking, and/or otherwise repositioning the device), and/or manipulation of one or more portions of the device itself (e.g., activating controls on the device, moving or shifting a device element (for example, moving a doll's legs into a sitting position), squeezing, or striking the device, etc.). Over the years, all of the above-described interaction activities have become quite expected and routine for the vast majority of interactive entertainment devices. As a result, both puzzle-oriented entertainment devices and interactive toys face a number of challenges in capturing and, more importantly, maintaining the user's interest (especially when the user is a child).

It would thus be desirable to provide an entertainment device that combines the best features of puzzle-type devices with the appeal of interactive toys and similar entertainment devices.

It would further be desirable to provide an entertainment device that enables at least one interaction therewith having an unexpected result in response thereto. It would additionally be desirable to provide an entertainment device that provides at least one puzzle-based interactivity feature operable to activate or deactivate at least one other entertainment device feature.

It would also be desirable to provide an entertainment device that provides at least one puzzle-related interactive feature themed in accordance with at least one other entertainment activity (such as an electronic, board, or computer game).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters denote corresponding or similar elements throughout the various figures:

FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram of a first exemplary embodiment of the entertainment device of the present invention, comprising an external opening and a corresponding internal cavity sized and configured to receive retain and release an elongated object inserted therein;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary diagram of a second exemplary embodiment of inventive entertainment device of FIG. 1, having a plurality of external openings and corresponding internal cavities sized and configured to receive retain and release an elongated object inserted therein;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary diagram of a third exemplary embodiment of the entertainment device of the present invention, comprising at least one additional component for triggering one or more events (audio, visual, mechanical, etc.) prior to, and/or during insertion of at least one object therein, and/or after removal of the object therefrom; and

FIG. 4 is an exemplary diagram of an alternate exemplary embodiment of the inventive entertainment device of FIG. 1, 2 or 3, further comprising at least one external feature and/or at least one external component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The entertainment device of the present invention remedies the drawbacks of previously known puzzle-based novelties and interactive toys, in that it comprises at least one puzzle-like interactive feature having a potentially unexpected result in response to interaction by the user therewith.

In one embodiment of the present invention, shown by way of example in FIG. 1, the inventive entertainment device (such as a toy) is provided with one or more internal cavities, at least a portion of which are accessible though at least one corresponding external opening, where at least one of the cavities is sized and configured to receive, through at least one external opening, at least a portion of an elongated object of a particular size and shape profile (for example a user's finger), and to retain and release such a portion of an object inserted therein, until the user successfully performs a predetermined release activity to remove the inserted object portion therefrom. Other embodiments of the inventive entertainment device are described in greater detail below in connection with the drawing FIGS. 2, 3 and 4.

It should be noted that while the various exemplary embodiments of the inventive entertainment device are shown and described with reference to a generic “toy”, the inventive entertainment device may be implemented as any object or device with virtually any theme—from book, movie, cartoon, comic book, or videogame characters, to animals or imaginary creatures, to robots, spaceships, various vehicles and so on. As long as the theme of the entertainment device can structurally support having at least one opening therein for receiving retaining therein and then releasing at least one elongated object (e.g., a user's finger), such a theme may be implemented in the inventive entertainment device, as a matter of design choice without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In addition, in the various drawing figures and accompanying descriptions herein, various entertainment device shapes, elements, components and features that may be provided in accordance with the present invention, are shown by way of example only, and shall not serve as a limitation on what type of shapes, elements, components and features of an entertainment device may be utilized.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a first exemplary embodiment of the inventive entertainment device 10 is shown. By way of example only, the device 10 may be a small hand-held toy, with the appearance of an animal or an imaginary creature, having a main body 12 that is preferably shaped and configured to be resilient and optionally covered with an outer material that is comfortable to the touch (e.g., plush or other textured material), and comprising an internal cavity 14 accessible through an opening 16 in the body 12. Preferably, the internal cavity 14 contains a releasable retaining component 18 operable to retain and release any appropriately sized and shaped elongated object 8 (e.g., a human finger) inserted therein until a predetermined “release activity”, involving manipulation of at least one of the device 10 and of the object 8, is performed. For example, the release activity may comprise, but is not limited to, application of pulling force of sufficient magnitude to the object 8 in the direction generally away from the opening 16, along with a pushing force to the opposite end of the object 8. The exact configuration and nature of the retaining component 18 is not crucial to the present invention and may be selected, sized, shaped, and/or configured as a matter of design choice, convenience, and/or necessity without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Preferably, in at least one embodiment of the entertainment device of the present invention, the information that an object inserted into the device will be retained therein, and that a specific release activity is necessary to enable the user of the device to remove an objected inserted therein, is not communicated to the user prior to insertion of the object by the user. As a result, the user is likely to be surprised that an inserted object is retained in the device, and the required release activity must then be discovered by the user (and/or by one or more other individuals present with the user) through experimentation (e.g., by manipulation of, and/or play) with the device. In this manner, the fact that an object inserted into the device is retained therein serves as an “unexpected” result of an interaction with the device, while discovering the release activity serves as a puzzle-like interaction that is likely to maintain the user's interest in the device.

Optionally, the device 10, its size, shape, and configuration, as well as the various components and elements thereof, may be themed in a manner to relate its appearance, functionality and capabilities to one or more predefined “backgrounds” relevant thereto. For example, the device 10 may be shaped like an imaginary creature (e.g., called a “Gulper”) with a “background” that the creature eats “virtually anything”. In this case, the opening 16 may be configured as a mouth, such that when a user inserts their finger (or other elongated object) into the mouth the “Gulper” retains and releases the finger (or other object) therein, thereby being consistent with an exemplary theme (e.g., that a “Gulper eats anything, even you”).

Referring to FIG. 2, a second exemplary embodiment of the inventive entertainment device, is shown as a device 30 which may comprise a main body 32 of a different shape from the body 12 of the device 10 of FIG. 1, and which may comprise two or more internal cavities 36a, 36b, accessible through corresponding openings 34a, 34b, and each comprising respective releasable retaining components 38a, 38b. In this manner the device 30 can support insertion and releasable retaining of two or more elongated objects (8a, 8b) 10 therein (e.g., from a single user, or from multiple users thereof). Advantageously, each of the components 38a, 38b may have the same, or a different release activity associated therewith.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a third exemplary embodiment the inventive entertainment device, is shown as a device 50 which comprises a main body 52 (for example such as the body 12 of the device 10 of FIG. 1), and which includes an internal cavity 54, accessible through a corresponding opening 56 and comprising a releasable retaining component 58 having a predetermined release activity associated therewith. In this embodiment of the invention, the device 50 preferably includes one or more components 60 to 64, that may be disposed 20 within the body 52, operable to trigger one or more events (audio, visual, mechanical, etc.) prior to, and/or during insertion of the object 8 into the cavity 54, and/or after removal of the object 8 therefrom. For example, component 60, when activated, may provide audio cues to the user to insert the object 8 into the opening 56, while component 62 provides a mechanical event (e.g. vibration) while the object 8 is inserted into the cavity 54, and component 64 provides visual and/or audio events (for example flashing lights on the outside of the body 52, and our playback of one or more audio clips) when a user causes the retaining component 58 to release the object 8 and to remove the object 8 therefrom. In other alternate embodiments of the inventive device 50, at least one of insertion, removal, and/or manipulation of the inserted object 8 in the device 50 comprises at least one element in a broader entertainment activity, such as a game.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an alternate exemplary embodiment of the inventive entertainment device is shown as a device 100 which comprises a main body 102 and which may be the same as one or more of the previously described inventive device embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 3, except that it also includes one or more external features 104 (such as eyes, decorative features, etc.), and/or one or more external components 106 (such as controls for activating, deactivating, and/or otherwise interfacing with, one or more integral components (e.g., components 60-64 of the device 50 of FIG. 3)).

In other exemplary embodiments not shown, both internal cavity 14 accessible through a corresponding opening 16, opening 16 and retaining component 18 may all may be an insert formed of an elastomeric gel having a “fantasy animal” flesh-like texture or tactile feel. It is preferably formed from a mixture of plasticizing oil and a block copolymer or other elastomer that combines with oil in the same manner generically referred to as SEBS gels. One source of elastomeric gels is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,369,284; 4,618,213; 5,153,254; 5,262,468; 5,334,646; and 5,336,708. These patents describe a variety of elastomeric gelatinous compositions using an admixture of poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) triblock copolymers having styrene end block to ethylene and butylene center blocks with various ratios as disclosed, plus high levels of plasticizing oils ranging from 300 to 1600 parts of oil per 100 parts of copolymer. Of course, with a wide range for the oil to polymer ratio, products having many different properties are produced, depending on the specific ratio chosen. For the purposes of this invention, a gel may be produced using the general resilience and hardness of animal, preferably human flesh as that will be most familiar to the intended user of the amusement toy disclosed herein.

Preferred elastomeric gels also comprise a styrene-ethylene propylene-styrene block copolymers, hereinafter called SEPS, that are highly extended with oil such as mineral oil, such that the ratio of SEBS to oil is carefully controlled to simulate the tactile feel of flesh. Preferred are SEPS polymers having a number average molecular weight of at least 150,000 to 200,000. The SEPS is highly extended with oil such as mineral oil, so the ratio of SEPS to oil is carefully controlled to have a flesh-like feel. White mineral oil, naphthenic oils, and synthetic oils are preferred. Other oils include petroleum paraffinic oils, petroleum naphthenic oils, synthetic polybutene oils, synthetic polypropene oils, synthetic polyterpene oils and mixtures thereof.

The most preferred gel for use with the present invention is a mixture of plasticizing oil and a block copolymer selected from styrene ethylene butylene styrene block (SEBS) copolymers and styrene ethylene propylene styrene (SEPS) block copolymers. Preferred are mixtures of both block copolymers in a ratio of 1:5 to 5:1, with about 1:1 being most preferred. Particularly preferred are gels formed from a mixture of 5-9% by weight of the block copolymer and 90-94% by weight of the plasticizing oil, of course with trace amounts of pigments and fillers.

The gel that is used for cavity 14, opening 16 and retaining component 18 may also be coated with various materials to assist in optimizing the surface characteristics for the intended purposes, as long as the gel has the resilience and hardness that is desired, such as by dusting with fine corn starch powder, amorphous silica powder, sodium aluminosilicate or talc. Other coating composition such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,164,231, U.S. Pat. No. 5,254,391 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,302,440, incorporated herein by reference may also be employed in the present invention. Additionally, the interior surface of opening 16 and retaining component 18 may include ridges, raised surfaces and or hardened areas or may be impregnated with less resilient materials so as to simulate teeth, gills, scales or physical characteristics that coincide with the creature depicted to increase fantasy level play and enjoyment of the toy.

Other components may also be added, such as pigments such as titanium dioxide and dyes of various colors such as dye to render the appearance the in color of the creature depicted. Surface tackiness may be reduced by dusting with fine corn starch, or other materials may be added such as a wax or polypropylene homopolymers to reduce surface tack. All that is needed is that the elastomeric gel has a flesh-like feel and can be molded into a shape for use with and preferably within the main body 12.

In embodiments using elastomeric gels, it will be appreciated that retaining component 18 may be molded using conventional molding techniques. Typically, a metal shaft may be used in the center of the insert during molding to provide a central portion 16 to accommodate the appendage, typically a finger, of a user. As noted in FIGS. 1-4 opening simulates a mouth of a fantasy animal or creature. It may, alternatively, simulate another orifice or have no appearance other than the opening that is to be used depending upon the intended end use or associated game play of the product. The degree of replication of the visual aspects of the orifice is a matter of choice, depending in part on the intended use.

It will also be appreciated that in embodiments employing elastomeric gels, retaining component 18 may achieve the desired sensation of retention by the displacement of the internal surfaces by the object inserted and the resultant frictional “gripping” of the gel on the object, by the displacement of air upon insertion of the object and the resultant slight vacuum that may be created or by the creation of a displacement vacuum with a one-way value that permits air to exit from the retaining component or through a combination of any or all of the foregoing. The principal objective is to maintain the puzzle-like interactive feature having a potentially unexpected result in response to interaction by the user therewith.

Thus, while there have been shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the inventive system and method as applied to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices and methods illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. An entertainment apparatus operable for use with at least one elongated object controlled by a user, comprising:

a main body of a pre-defined size, shape and appearance;

at least one opening in said body sized and shaped to receive the at least one elongated object

inserted therethrough;

at least one cavity defined in said main body, communicating with said at least one opening; and

at least one releasable retaining component, disposed within said at least one cavity, having at least one open portion for receiving at least one elongated object therethrough, said at least one open portion being sized and positioned to correspond to said at least one opening, wherein, when the at least one object is inserted through said at least one opening and through said at least one open portion into said at least one releasable retaining component, such that the object is at least partially disposed therewithin, said at least one releasable retaining component is operable to retain and release at least a portion of the inserted object therewithin, until a predetermined release activity, comprising interaction with at least one of the object and the entertainment apparatus, is performed, such that said at least one releasable retaining component is thereafter operable to release said at least a portion of the inserted object therefrom and thereby enable removal of the object from the entertainment apparatus.

2. The entertainment apparatus of claim 1, wherein said main body comprises a hand-held toy depicting a creature, and wherein said at least one opening comprises a mouth opening defined on said creature.

3. The entertainment apparatus of claim 2, wherein the object comprises a human digit, wherein said at least one releasable retaining component is sized and configured to receive and retain therein, and release, at least a portion of the human digit, and wherein said predefined release activity comprises application of a sufficient amount of pulling force to at least one of said main body and the at least partially inserted human digit, in conjunction with a sufficiently forceful pushing force to the opposite end of the object.

4. The entertainment apparatus of claim 2, wherein said hand-held toy main body is composed of a resilient material.

5. The entertainment apparatus of claim 4, wherein said resilient material further comprises a textured outer coating.

6. The entertainment apparatus of claim 5, wherein said textured outer coating comprises a plush cover.

7. An entertainment apparatus operable for use with at least one elongated object controlled by a user, comprising: wherein, when the at least one object is inserted through said opening into said at least one releasable retaining component, such that the object is at least partially disposed therewithin, said at least one releasable retaining component is operable to retain and release at least a portion of the inserted object therewithin, until a predetermined release activity, comprising interaction with at least one of the object and the entertainment apparatus, is performed, such that said at least one releasable retaining component is thereafter operable to release said at least a portion of the inserted object therefrom and thereby enable removal of the object from the entertainment apparatus.

a main body of resilient material having at least one opening;

at least one releasable retaining component, securely disposed within said body sized and in communication with said opening, said retaining component shaped to receive an elongated object;

8. The entertainment apparatus of claim 7 wherein said main body comprises a depiction of an animal, and wherein said at least one opening comprises an opening defined on said animal.

9. The entertainment apparatus of claim 8, wherein the object comprises a human appendage, wherein said at least one releasable retaining component is sized and configured to receive and retain therein, and to release, at least a portion of the human appendage, and wherein said predefined release activity comprises application of a sufficient amount of force to said main body and the at least partially inserted human appendage, in conjunction with a sufficiently forceful pushing force to the opposite end of object.

10. The entertainment apparatus of claim 9 wherein said main body further comprises a textured outer coating depicting a body orifice of said animal.

11. An amusement toy comprising:

an animal body having a head comprising an elastically deformable resilient material providing at least a partial facial image;

an elastically deformable toy mouth forming a part of said facial image, said mouth comprising an aperture provided in said head which is at least partially surrounded by said elastically deformable material of said head, said mouth sized and shaped to receive at least one elongated object inserted therethrough;

at least one cavity defined in said animal body, communicating with said mouth; and

at least one releasable retaining component, disposed within said at least one cavity, having at least one open portion for receiving said object therethrough, said at least one open portion being sized and positioned to correspond to said mouth, wherein, when the at least one object is inserted through said mouth and through said at least one open portion into said at least one releasable retaining component, such that the object is at least partially disposed therewithin, whereby said mouth is deformed, thereby altering said facial image, said at least one releasable retaining component is operable to retain and release at least a portion of the inserted object therewithin, until a predetermined release activity, comprising interaction with at least one of the object and the amusement toy, is performed, such that said at least one releasable retaining component is thereafter operable to release said at least a portion of the inserted object therefrom and thereby enable removal of the object from the entertainment apparatus and whereby said mouth returns to substantially an undeformed dimension by a removal of said object.