REUSABLE PINATA WITH SPRING LOADED LATCHES

Abstract

A reusable piñata includes a release mechanism to cause the piñata to open when struck on a particular location or locations. The piñata may include two hinged housing members that are resiliently held together by the release mechanism. When the struck in a certain location, the release mechanisms may release a catch, causing the hinged housing members to spring open. The piñata may include a shock activated voice mechanism to add sound or voice to the piñata when struck. Typically, the release mechanism may include an arm or leg member of the piñata, for example.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to party supplies and, more particularly, to a reusable piñata with spring loaded latches.

Conventional piñatas are made of paper and require a hard stick to break. This may be dangerous for children and may cause injuries. Moreover, conventional paper piñatas are designed for a single use, as once they are broken open, there is no way to put them back together, requiring disposal and the purchase of a new product when desired. Typically, conventional piñatas are not use indoors, as there may be more likelihood of damage or injury in confined spaces.

As can be seen, there is a need for a reusable piñata that may be reused.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a reusable piñata comprises a case having a first half hingedly attached to a second half, the first and second halves adapted to connect together with a space enclosed therewithin; at least one opening mechanism adapted to resiliently hold the first and second halves in an open configuration; at least one latch adapted to hold the first half together with the second half; and at least one release mechanism adapted to release the at least one latch, thereby permitting the case to open via the opening mechanism.

In another aspect of the present invention, a reusable piñata comprises a case having a first half hingedly attached to a second half, the first and second halves adapted to connect together with a space enclosed therewithin; at least one opening mechanism adapted to resiliently hold the first and second halves in an open configuration; at least one latch adapted to hold the first half together with the second half; at least one release mechanism adapted to release the at least one latch, thereby permitting the case to open via the opening mechanism; a loading hatch on a top portion of the piñata, the loading hatch resiliently openable to permit access to the space enclosed by the case; and at least one alignment bar on each of the first half and second half, the alignment bars adapted to align the first half with the second half when the case is closed.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a piñata, in use, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the piñata of FIG. 1, opening to release its contents;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the piñata of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a release mechanism used on the piñata of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the release mechanism of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the release mechanism of FIG. 5, in an open configuration;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the release mechanism of FIG. 5, showing movements during unlatching;

FIG. 10 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the release mechanism of FIG. 5 moving into an opened configuration;

FIG. 11 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the release mechanism in an opened configuration;

FIG. 12 is a partially cut-away view of the piñata of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 13 is a detailed cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment for the release mechanism for a reusable piñata according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a reusable piñata that may include a release mechanism to cause the piñata to open when struck on a particular location or locations. The piñata may include two hinged housing members that are resiliently held together by the release mechanism. When the struck in a certain location, the release mechanisms may release a catch, causing the hinged housing members to spring open. The piñata may include a shock activated voice mechanism to add sound or voice to the piñata when struck. Typically, the release mechanism may include an arm or leg member of the piñata, for example.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 12, a piñata assembly 10 having two pieces, a latched case half 14 and an arm case half 16, that may close together to form a space inside. The piñata assembly 10 may include a spring loaded latch 12 that may secure the two pieces 14, 16 of the piñata assembly 10 together when a latch hook is engaged into a spring loaded release mechanism 26. The spring loaded release mechanism 26 may be resiliently held in place (that is, engaged with the latch hook 34) by one or more springs 30. One of more opening mechanisms 32 may be attached to the two pieces 14, 16 of the piñata assembly 10 and may be designed to resiliently hold the pieces open. Therefore, when the spring loaded release mechanism 26 releases the spring loaded latch 12, the opening mechanisms 32 may cause the two pieces 14, 16 of the piñata assembly 10 to spring apart via a hinge arm spring 44, for example.

On top of the piñata assembly 10, one or more loading latches 44 may be disposed. The loading latches 44 may keep a top panel 24 of the piñata closed, but may be resiliently opened to permit loading of the piñata once the two pieces 14, 16 of the piñata assembly 10 are closed/latched.

A shock activated sound producing device (not shown) may be a device that plays a pre-recorded message once a shock of a certain force is detected. The shock activated sound producing device may also include outputs to power lights that may be visible to persons around the piñata.

A strap 38 may be disposed at the top of the piñata for hanging. Other hanging members may be used in place of or in addition to the strap 38.

Alignment bars 40 may be disposed on a lower portion of each piece of the piñata assembly 10. The alignment bars 40 may help keep the two pieces 14, 16 of the piñata assembly 10 aligned together when the piñata is closed/latched.

In some embodiments, the spring loaded release mechanism 26 may be a character's arm, for example, that may be operable to disengage a latch rim 28 formed on the end thereof from the latch hook 34, causing the pieces 14, 16 to open. In some embodiments, the latch hook 34 may be used on each arm and/or each leg of a character, where release of all of the latch hooks 34 is required to open the piñata. In some embodiments, the latches may be other designs. For example, a wheel could be the release mechanism, or the piñata may be shaped as a football that has buttons that must be pushed to release the latch.

In some embodiments, the spring loaded release mechanism 26 may be deployed in one of more limb attachments 42 but not in others, requiring the user to not only hit the limb attachment 42, but to hit the correct one having the spring loaded release mechanism 26.

A latch reset handle 36 can be provided to reset the latch hook 34 to reclose and reuse the piñata assembly 10.

To use, an user 18 may swing a stick, such as a foam stick 22, at the piñata assembly 10. When the user 18 hits the release mechanism 26, the piñata pieces 14, 16 may open to release its contents 20, as shown in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 13, another exemplary embodiment of a release mechanism 56 is shown. In this case, the release mechanism 56 may be a button 54 disposed on a wall case 48. The button 54 may depress a spring 58 resiliently held in place with a spring holder 50. A hook on the button 54 may disengage from a latch mechanism 54 when pressed, causing the piñata to open.

A soft, foam stick 22 may be used with the piñata of the present invention. The stick 22 may be suitable for use not only outdoors, but also indoors. Other stick designs may be used within the scope of the present invention.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A reusable piñata comprising:

a case having a first half hingedly attached to a second half, the first and second halves adapted to connect together with a space enclosed therewithin;

at least one opening mechanism adapted to resiliently hold the first and second halves in an open configuration;

at least one latch adapted to hold the first half together with the second half; and

at least one release mechanism adapted to release the at least one latch, thereby permitting the case to open via the opening mechanism.

2. The reusable piñata of claim 1, further comprising a loading hatch on a top portion of the piñata, the loading hatch resiliently openable to permit access to the space enclosed by the case.

3. The reusable piñata of claim 1, further comprising at least one alignment bar on each of the first half and second half, the alignment bars adapted to align the first half with the second half when the case is closed.

4. The reusable piñata of claim 1, wherein the case is shaped as a character.

5. The reusable piñata of claim 4, wherein at least one arm or leg of the character is connected to the at least one release mechanism.

6. The reusable piñata of claim 1, further comprising a shock activated voice mechanism adapted to play at least one pre-recorded message when a shock is detected.

7. The reusable piñata of claim 1, wherein the release mechanism is at least one button disposed on an exterior of the piñata.

8. The reusable piñata of claim 1, further comprising at least one strap for hanging the piñata.

9. A reusable piñata comprising:

a case having a first half hingedly attached to a second half, the first and second halves adapted to connect together with a space enclosed therewithin;

at least one opening mechanism adapted to resiliently hold the first and second halves in an open configuration;

at least one latch adapted to hold the first half together with the second half;

at least one release mechanism adapted to release the at least one latch, thereby permitting the case to open via the opening mechanism;

a loading hatch on a top portion of the piñata, the loading hatch resiliently openable to permit access to the space enclosed by the case; and

at least one alignment bar on each of the first half and second half, the alignment bars adapted to align the first half with the second half when the case is closed.

10. The reusable piñata of claim 9, further comprising a shock activated voice mechanism adapted to play at least one pre-recorded message when a shock is detected.