Throwing toy with interior display surface
A throwing toy has a football-shaped body with an openable section. A compartment within the football-shaped body is exposed when the openable section is opened. A display surface becomes exposed within the compartment when the openable section is opened. The display surface can be a writable and erasable surface such that desired information can be written and visible on the display surface and can be erased therefrom.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a throwing toy having a football-shaped body and a display surface provided in an interior compartment of the body.
2. Description of the Related Art
Football-shaped novelty items are known to have interior compartments for storage of items. For example, U.S. Design Pat. No. D348,969 discloses a football-shaped mailbox wherein a lid on one end of the mailbox is openable to expose the mail receiving interior of the box. Similarly, U.S. Design Pat. No. D354,642, U.S. Design Pat. Nos. D411,715, and D452,120 disclose football-shaped coolers within interior insulated compartments for storing food items in a temperature controlled compartment. U.S. Pat. No. 3,624,939 discloses a football-shaped container for storing and displaying photographs, such as those related to the game of football. None of these football-shaped novelty items are intended or suitable for use as a throwing toy for playing a football game. Further, none of these items is intended or suitable for use by children to play a football game.
Children often play pick-up or sand-lot football games with a group of friends. When one team draws up plays to run during the game, the plays are either relayed verbally to team members or relayed visually to teammates by drawing a play in the dirt. If only verbal play instructions are given, the players often cannot remember the proper play, or may differ on the exact nature of the play called. If drawn in the dirt, the players can visualize the play called, but the opposing team can also sometimes see the play as it is drawn up.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present disclosure is directed to, in one aspect, a throwing toy having a football-shaped body with an openable section. A compartment is defined within the football-shaped body that is exposed when the openable section is opened. A display surface is exposed within the compartment when the openable section is opened. The display surface can be written on, erased, and reused.
In another aspect, the throwing toy includes a hinged assembly coupled to both the openable section and the football-shaped body within the compartment. The hinged assembly defines thereon the display surface. The hinged assembly can define at least a second surface for displaying representative sample items that are useful for the throwing toy when utilized for playing a game.
In another aspect, a throwing toy has a football-shaped body with two opposite ends, a cut-out opening formed in the body between the opposite ends, and a compartment defined by the opening within the football-shaped body. An openable body section is received in the opening and is movable between an open position and a closed position. The body section provides access to the compartment when in the open position. The body section also covers the opening and forms a part of the football-shaped body when in the closed position. An erasable and reusable writing surface is exposed and accessible within the compartment when the body section is in the open position.
In yet another aspect, a toy football has a football-shaped body with two opposite ends, a cut-out opening formed in the body between the opposite ends, and a compartment defined by the opening within the football-shaped body. An openable body section is received in the opening and is movable between an open position and a closed position. The body section provides access to the compartment when in the open position. The body section also covers the opening and forms a part of the football-shaped body when in the closed position. A display surface is exposed and accessible within the compartment when the body section is in the open position. The throwing toy can be utilized as a football when the openable body section is in the closed position.
In one aspect, the display surface of the toy football is an erasable and reusable writing surface. In another aspect, the display surface is an indicia surface providing pre-printed reference information useful for playing a game of football.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the detailed description of the preferred embodiment, which is made with reference to the drawings, a brief description of which is provided below.
The present disclosure is directed to a throwing toy having a football-shaped body with an openable section. A compartment within the body is exposed when the openable section is opened. A display surface is exposed within the compartment when the openable section is opened wherein the display surface can be written on, erased, and reused. The disclosed throwing toy enhances the enjoyment and excitement for users of the throwing toy while playing a game, such as a game of football. For example, when children play a game of pickup football, they often write plays in the dirt or describe plays to their teammates without visually depicting the particular task for each player. The disclosed throwing toy permits users to depict information such as a play on the writing surface exposed within the compartment so that each player can better understand their particular task and all the teammates are on the same page. The throwing toy can also be utilized for relaying messages from one person to another by writing a message on the display surface and throwing the ball to the intended recipient of the message.
Referring now to the drawings,
As illustrated in
In one example, the football shaped body 12 of the throwing toy 10, including the openable section 24, is a generally solid but flexible or pliable material. The body 12 in this example is formed from an open cell foam rubber or polyurethane material with an exterior skin. The material in this example provides a football shaped throwing toy 10 that is soft and resilient, and yet sturdily holds its shape. The football-shaped body 12 and the openable section 24 are each made of the same material in one example so that the toy has a consistent feel regardless of where the toy is gripped. As will be evident to those having ordinary skill in the art, the particular structure and material of the throwing toy 10 can vary considerably and yet fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. An example of such a solid foam ball construction is known in the art as a NERF® football.
In one example, as depicted in
The display surface 30 in this example, when exposed, faces upward from the compartment 22. Also in this example, the display surface is capable of displaying information written thereon and is also capable of being erased and reused as desired. A writable and erasable display surface can be any type of surface providing these characteristics. In one example as illustrated in
In one example, the throwing toy 10 can also include a display surface in the form of a visual indicia surface 36 for providing, for example, preprinted informational indicia 38 for the user. As shown in the example of
As will be evident to those having ordinary skill in the art, the preprinted informational indicia 38 can differ from the pass route examples shown herein and yet fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. The indicia 38 can depict entire football plays, for example, or some other information, depending upon the form of the throwing device or the game to be played. Alternatively, no such optional indicia surface 36 need be provided.
As disclosed in this example, the indicia display surface 36 is provided on a bottom side 40 of the openable section 24. The writable display surface 30 is provided facing upward from the compartment 22. In an alternative example, the indicia display surface 38 can be provided facing upward from the compartment 22 and the writable display surface 30 can be provided on the bottom side 40 of the openable section 24. Further, in one example, the throwing toy 10 can include only an indicia display surface 36 that provides sample preprinted information for the user, and not include a writable display surface 30. In a still further alternative, the throwing toy 10 can include two writable display surfaces or two preprinted indicia display surfaces.
In one example, the throwing toy 10 can include a positive latching mechanism for holding the openable section 24 closed. As shown in
As illustrated in
As shown generally in
The disclosed hinge assembly 50 generally has a hinge base 52 defining an upwardly facing receiving well 54 therein. The hinge base 52 also includes a pair of opposed and outwardly extending plastic open loop structures 55. The structures 55 extend from ends of the base 52 that correspond with the ends 14 and 16 of the football-shaped body 12. The molded foam material of the body 12 entirely encompasses the structures 55 and extends through the open loops to securely hold the hinge base 52 in place within the body 12 of the throwing toy 10. The hinge base 52 also includes a pair of upwardly extending latching tabs 56 that are disposed on opposite sides of the receiving well 54.
The hinge assembly 50 also has a hinge support 58 that has a downwardly projecting wall 60 sized to be received within the receiving well 54 of the base 52. The hinge support 58 also includes a pair of oppositely and outwardly extending flanges 62 that bear against portions of the open loop structures 55. Tab receiving openings 64 are provided within the flanges 62 and extend partly downward into a portion of the wall 60. The hinge support 58 snaps into the receiving well 54 of the hinge base 52. The tabs 56 include detent teeth 66 that snap through the tab openings 64 and over an edge 68 of the openings to secure the hinge support 58 to the base 52. The hinge base 52 and hinge support 58 in this example are secured together and do not move relative to one another and also do not move relative to the football-shaped body 12. As can be seen in
The disclosed hinge support 58 includes an upstanding wall 70 along one edge extending between the opposed flanges 62. A pair of bore extensions 71 extend outward from opposite ends of the wall 70. An axle bore 72 is provided through each of the bore extensions are a coaxial with one another for receiving a first hinge axle 74 therethrough. A first plate 76 is provided that defines the disclosed writable display surface 30. The plate 76 includes a first edge 78 with an extension 80 defining a bore 82 therethrough. The extension 80 slips between the pair of bore extensions 71 and is positioned such that the bore 82 aligns with the pair of axle bores 72 in the upstanding wall 70 of the hinge support 58. The first hinge axle 74 is installed through the bores 82 and 72 to pivotally secure the first plate 76 to the hinge support 58. The joint between the first edge 78 of the first plate 76 and the hinge support 58 defines a first hinge permitting the first plate to pivot upward relative to the hinge support 58.
A second plate 84 in this disclosed example defines the indicia display surface 36. The second plate 84 includes a lower edge 86 positioned adjacent a second edge 88 of the first plate 76. The second plate 84 has a first pivot axis defined by a pair of pivot trunnions 90 extending forward from the indicia surface 36 adjacent the lower edge 86. Each of the pivot supports 90 of the trunnion defines a pivot pin opening 92 therein, which are coaxially aligned with one another. The second plate 84 also has two pairs of axle mounts 94, which are spaced apart from one another and positioned on opposite ends or edges of the second plate 84. Each pair of axle mounts 94 is also spaced apart defining a gap 96 therebetween. Each of the axle mounts 94 defines an axle bore 98, which are also aligned with one another and define a second axis. The second axis of the axle bores 98 and the first axis of the pivot pin openings 92 are offset relative to one another. The pivot pin openings 92, and thus the first axis, are positioned closer to the lower edge 86 of the second plate 84.
The second edge 88 of the first plate 76 also includes an axle extension 100 extending therefrom. The axle extension 100 defines an axle bore 102 extending therethrough. To pivotally connect the second plate 84 to the first plate 76, the axle extension 100 is disposed between the two pairs of axle mounts 94. A second hinge axle 104 is received through the axle bore 102 and the axle bores 98 in the axle mounts 94.
An L-shaped link 106 has a first leg 108 with a pivot pin bore 110 extending transversely across the width of the link. A second leg 112 of the link 106 is arranged generally perpendicular to the first leg 108 and includes a pair of pin extensions 114 defining a trunnion. Each extension includes a pivot pin bore 116, which are coaxially aligned with one another. A carriage 118 extends upward from a surface of the hinge support 58. The carriage 118 has an upper end received between the pin extension 114 and defines a pin bore 120 extending laterally through the carriage. The pin bore 120 and pin bores 116 of the pin extensions 114 of the trunnion align with one another. A first pivot pin 122 is received through the bores 120 and 116 to pivotally connecting the link 106 to the carriage 118.
At the opposite end of the link 106, the first leg 108 is positioned between the pivot supports 90 such that the pivot pin openings 92 and the pivot pin bore 110 coaxially align with one another. A second pivot pin 124 is received through the bore 110 and the pin openings 92 to secure the second end of the link 106 to the lower edge 86 of the second plate 84.
The function and operation of the linkage arrangement connecting the hinge support 58, the first plate 76, and the second plate 84 is described below. The hinge assembly 50 also includes a biasing mechanism provided to bias the first plate 76 against the flanges 62 of the hinge support 58 and to bias the second plate 84 parallel with and against the first plate 76. Thus, the indicia display surface 36 and writable display surface 30 are biased to bear generally against one another. In the disclosed example, the biasing mechanism includes two separate spring arrangements.
A coil spring 126 is connected at a first end to the hinge base 52 within the receiving well 54. A second end of the coil spring 126 is coupled to a downwardly depending connector pin 128 that extends from a bottom surface of the first plate 76. The coil spring 126 is installed under tension such that it biases the first plate 76 downward toward the hinge support 58. In order to raise the first plate 76, the biasing force of the coil spring 126 must be overcome.
The disclosed biasing mechanism example also incorporates a pair of torsion springs 130. Each torsion spring is mounted between one of the pairs of axle mounts 94 of the second plate 86. The second hinge axle 104 is received through each of the torsion springs 130 to hold them in place. Each torsion spring 130 has a pair of terminal legs 132 and 134 oriented relative to one another in this example about 90° to about 100°. The first leg 132 is received under and bears against the underside of the first plate 76 when installed and with the first plate positioned horizontally. The second leg of each torsion spring 130 extends generally upward when so oriented. As illustrated in
Operation of the hinge assembly 50 and the openable second 24 of the throwing toy 10 is now described with reference to
As will be evident to those having ordinary skill in the art, the hinge assembly 50 can vary considerably from the example shown and described herein. The structure and characteristics of the individual components may also vary considerably and yet fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Though the plates 76 and 84, the support 58, and the base 52 can be made from plastic for weight reduction and strength reasons, the components can be made from any suitable materials as desired. Further, the axles, pins, and springs can be provided from steel or any other suitable material.
As illustrated in
Many characteristics of the throwing toy 10 as described herein can vary considerably and yet fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Though not shown, in another example, the football-shaped body can simply be divided between the two ends into two halves or two sections, i.e. two body parts. The two body parts can be hinged and openable relative to one another. When opened, each body part half can expose a surface that can define an indicia display surface. When closed, the two surfaces will be hidden and confront one another within the football-shaped body. Thus, in such an example, no compartment would necessarily be formed within the body. Either or both of the exposed surfaces can be utilized to provide a writable and erasable surface and/or an informational indicia reference surface.
Modifications and alternative embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. This description is to be construed as illustrative only, and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the invention. The details of the structure and method may be varied substantially without departing from the spirit of the invention, and the exclusive use of all modifications which come within the scope of the appended claims is reserved.
Claims
1. A throwing toy comprising:
- a football-shaped body having at least two body parts that are openable relative to one another; and
- a display surface that is exposed when the football-shaped body is opened, the display surface being writable and erasable.
2. A throwing toy according to claim 1, further comprising:
- a compartment within the football-shaped body that is exposed when the football-shaped body is opened, the display surface being disposed within the compartment.
3. A throwing toy according to claim 2, wherein one of the parts of the football-shaped body is an openable section and wherein the compartment is exposed within the football-shaped body when the openable section is opened.
4. A throwing toy according to claim 1, further comprising:
- a hinge assembly coupled to both parts of the football-shaped body.
5. A throwing toy according to claim 4, further comprising:
- an openable section forming one of the parts of the football-shaped body;
- a hinge base secured within the football-shaped body;
- a first plate pivotally coupled to the hinge base; and
- a second plate secured to an underside of the openable section and pivotally coupled to the first plate.
6. A throwing toy according to claim 5, wherein the first plate has a surface facing upward from a compartment within the football-shaped body, the first plate defining the display surface when the openable section is open.
7. A throwing toy according to claim 5, wherein the second plate defines an indicia display surface providing informational reference indicia to a user.
8. A throwing toy according to claim 1, wherein the writable and erasable surface includes an opaque base layer and a liftable transparent layer overlying the base layer, whereby indicia can be written on the writable and erasable surface by pressing on the transparent layer where desired, and whereby the indicia can be erased by lifting the transparent layer from the base layer.
9. A throwing toy according to claim 1, further comprising:
- an indicia display surface that is exposed when the football-shaped body is opened, the indicia display surface providing useful informational reference indicia.
10. A throwing toy according to claim 1, wherein the football-shaped body is formed from a foam rubber or polyurethane material.
11. A throwing toy according to claim 1, wherein the two parts of the football-shaped body are biased to a closed position by a biasing mechanism.
12. A throwing toy according to claim 1, further comprising:
- a latching mechanism for holding the football-shaped body in a closed position.
13. A throwing toy comprising:
- a football-shaped body having two opposite ends and at least two body parts, the body parts being movable relative to one another between an open position and a closed position; and
- an indicia display surface that is exposed and accessible when the body parts are in the open position, and wherein the throwing toy forms the football-shape and can be utilized as a football when the body parts are in the closed position.
14. A throwing toy according to claim 13, wherein the indicia display surface is an erasable and reusable writing surface.
15. A throwing toy according to claim 13, wherein the indicia display surface is a surface providing preprinted reference information useful for playing a game of football.
16. A throwing toy according to claim 13, further comprising:
- a cut-out opening formed in one of the body parts and between the opposite ends; and
- a compartment defined by the cut-out opening within the football-shaped body.
17. A throwing toy according to claim 16, further comprising:
- an openable body section forming the other of the body parts and movable into and out of the compartment, the openable body section providing access to the compartment when in the open position, the body section also covering the cut-out opening and forming a part of the football-shaped body when in the closed position.
18. A throwing toy comprising:
- a football-shaped body having two opposite ends, a cut-out opening formed in the body between the opposite ends, and a compartment defined by the opening within the football-shaped body;
- an openable body section received in the opening and movable between an open position and a closed position, the body section providing access to the compartment when in the open position, the body section also covering the opening and forming a part of the football-shaped body when in the closed position; and
- an erasable and reusable writing surface exposed and accessible within the compartment when the body section is in the open position.
19. A throwing toy according to claim 18, wherein the writing surface is provided on a first plate disposed within and facing upward from the compartment.
20. A throwing toy according to claim 18, further comprising:
- an indicia display surface provided on an underside of the openable body section and displaying useful preprinted reference information indicia.
21. A throwing toy according to claim 20, wherein the indicia display surface is provided on a plate coupled to the underside of the openable body section.
22. A throwing toy according to claim 18, wherein the football-shaped body and the openable body section are each formed of a foam rubber or polyurethane material.
23. A throwing toy according to claim 18, further comprising a hinge assembly having a first portion coupled to the football-shaped body and a second portion coupled to the openable body section, wherein the first and second portions of the hinge assembly can pivot relative to one another.
24. A throwing toy according to claim 23, wherein the hinge assembly further includes a biasing mechanism for biasing the second portion toward the first portion such that the openable body section is biased to the closed position.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 19, 2003
Publication Date: Mar 24, 2005
Inventor: Steven Menow (Yardley, PA)
Application Number: 10/664,745