BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field Of The Invention
[0001] In general, the present invention relates to toy objects that are spring biased in
an expanded configuration, yet can be temporarily configured into a collapsed configuration.
More particularly, the present Invention relates to thrown toy objects, such as balls,
that can be temporarily pressed into a collapsed configuration, wherein the thrown
toy pops back into an expanded configuration a short time later. The present invention
also relates to the method of manufacturing such toy ,objects.
2. Description Of The Prior Art
[0002] The prior art is replete with various types of toys that are intended to be thrown.
Prominent among such toys are balls and discs. It, therefore, is not surprising that
toy manufacturers eventually combined the features of a ball and a disc into a single
throwing toy. It is for this reason that collapsible throwing toys were first introduced
into the toy market. Collapsible throwing toys are balls, or similar spherically shaped
objects, that are comprised of an upper hemisphere and a lower hemisphere. The upper
hemisphere and the lower hemisphere are joined together with hinged connections along
a common equatorial joint. Due to the hinged connections between the upper hemisphere
and the lower hemisphere, the upper and lower hemispheres of the ball can be collapsed
flat against each other. When the upper and the lower hemispheres of the toy are collapsed
against each other, the toy has the general configuration of a disc. Accordingly,
the collapsible throwing toy can be configured as either a ball or as a disc, depending
upon whether or not the toy is compressed.
[0003] As the upper and lower hemispheres of the toy are collapsed into a flat configuration,
the diameters of the hemispheres expand. To accommodate this expansion, the upper
and lower hemispheres of the toy are slotted. When the toy is fully expanded into
its ball shape, the slots are closed and the toy has a continuous external surface.
Conversely, when the toy is flattened into a disc, the slots open and expand, giving
the disc a daisy configuration. A typical daisy configuration of a collapsible throwing
toy can be seen by referencing U.S. Patent No. Des 434,457 to Goldman, entitled Collapsible
Toy.
[0004] In the prior art, collapsible throwing toys typically have some sort of biasing element
that biases the collapsible throwing toy into its expanded, ball-like configuration.
For example, in
U.S. Patent No. 5,797,815 to Goldman, entitled Pop-Open Throwing Toy With Controllable Opening Delay And Method Of Operating
Same, a collapsible throwing toy is shown that has an internal coil spring. The coil
spring biases apart the upper and lower hemispheres of the toy. The collapsible throwing
toy can be temporarily configured like a disc by compressing the internal coil spring
and resisting the bias of the coil spring with a momentary suction cup connection
between the upper and lower hemispheres. As soon as the momentary suction cup connection
fails, the internal coil spring pops the collapsible throwing toy back into its expanded
ball-like configuration.
[0005] Reliance upon a suction cup to trigger the expansion of a collapsed toy has certain
inherent problems. Depending upon the game being played with a collapsed toy, the
desired period before it pops back into its expanding shape may vary. If a group of
people are playing "hot potato" with the toy, a delay of a few minutes may be desirable.
If the collapsed toy is being used to play catch, it is usually desirable for a collapsed
ball toy to expand back into its ball shape after being thrown and before it is caught.
This is a window of only a few seconds. Using a standard suction cup triggering mechanism,
it is very difficult to get the toy to activate within the desired time window. If
a suction cup is wet or is heavily compressed, it may not release until several seconds,
or even minutes, have elapsed. If a suction cup is dirty, bent or under compressed,
it may release in only one or two seconds.
[0006] A need therefore exists for a means to actively control the release mechanism of
a collapsed ball so that the time period for activation can be selected in a reliable
and accurate manner. This need is met by the present invention as described and claimed
below.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention is a toy assembly and its method of operation. The toy assembly
is an oblong ball, spherical ball or similar object that can be temporarily compressed
into a disc-shaped object. A short time after compression, the toy pops back into
its original ball-like shape.
[0008] The toy assembly has a body that can be selectively configured between an expanded
shape and a compressed shape. The body is comprised of a plurality of arcuate sections
that are symmetrically disposed around a center axis. At least one biasing element
is provided for biasing the arcuate sections into their expanded shape. A suction
cup is disposed in the body at a first end of the body. Additionally, a flat surface
is disposed in the body at a second end, opposite the first end. The suction cup engages
the flat surface only when the body is collapsed into its compressed shape.
[0009] A vent valve assembly is provided through the flat surface for venting air in between
the flat surface and the suction cup. The vent valve assembly is manually adjustable.
Consequently, a user can control the flow of air between the suction cup and the flat
surface. The suction cup releases the flat surface when enough air flows into the
suction cup to equalize pressure. It will therefore be understood that by controlling
the rate that air flows in between the suction cup and the flat surface, a person
can selectively control the length of time that the suction cup sticks to the flat
surface. The vent valve assembly, therefore, enables a user to adjust how long the
body remains in its compressed shape before it pops back into its expanded shape.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following
description of an exemplary embodiment thereof, considered in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown
in its expanded condition;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 shown in its compressed condition;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Fig. 1;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Fig. 2; and
FIG. 5 shows the flight path of the invention as it changes from the configuration
of Fig. 2 into the configuration of Fig. 1, while in flight.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Although the present invention collapsible throwing toy can be made round, it also
can be made oblong to mimic the shape of a football. In the exemplary embodiment of
the present invention, the collapsible throwing toy is configured into the shape of
a football. Such a shape is exemplary and it will be understood that "balls" of geometric
shapes other than spherical are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.
[0012] Referring to Fig. 1, an exemplary embodiment of a collapsible throwing toy 10 is
shown. The collapsible throwing toy 10 has an oblong body 12 that is made from a variety
of arcuate sections 14. The different arcuate sections 14 that comprise the spherical
body 12 are symmetrically disposed around a central axis 20.
[0013] Two end hub assemblies 21, 22 are provided. The end hub assemblies 21, 22 are disposed
at opposite ends of the oblong body 12. Both end hub assemblies 21, 22 are positioned
along the central axis 20 of the collapsible throwing toy 10. The plurality of collapsible
arcuate sections 14 extend between the two end hub assemblies 21, 22. In the shown
embodiment, six collapsible arcuate sections 14 are shown. However, such a configuration
is merely exemplary and it should be understood that any plurality of collapsible
arcuate sections 14 can be used.
[0014] Each of the collapsible arcuate sections 14 contains an upper panel 16, a lower panel
18 and a joint element 26. If the end hub assemblies 21, 22 are considered to be positioned
along the same central axis 20 at different pole ends of the oblong body 12, an imaginary
mid-plane 24 exists between the end hub assemblies 21, 22. The mid-plane 24 bisects
the oblong body 12, dividing the oblong body 12 into an upper half 28 and a lower
half 29. The joint elements 26 of each of the collapsible arcuate sections 14 are
disposed along the mid-plane 24. The upper panel 16 of each collapsible arcuate section
14 extends in the upper half 28 of the oblong body 12, above the mid-plane 24. Conversely,
the lower panel 18 of each collapsible arcuate section 14 extends in the lower half
29 of the oblong body 12, below the mid-plane 24.
[0015] As will later be more fully described, a suction cup is disposed inside the spherical
body 12 of the collapsible throwing toy 10 behind the upper end hub assembly 21. A
surface that can be temporarily engaged by the suction cup is disposed inside the
spherical body 12 of the collapsible throwing toy 10 behind the opposite lower end
hub assembly 22.
[0016] The arcuate sections 14 that form the oblong body 12 of the collapsible throwing
toy 10 are made to fold at the joint elements 26 along the mid-plane plane 24. However,
as will be further explained, the various arcuate sections 14 are engaged by an elastic
band that causes the arcuate sections 14 not to bend unless forced to do so. This
maintains the collapsible throwing toy 10 in its expanded shape, as is illustrated
in Fig. 1.
[0017] Stabilizing fins 27 are present on the exterior of the elongated body 12. The stabilizing
fins 27 help the oblong body 12 fly in a straight spiral when the collapsible throwing
toy 10 is in flight in its expanded shape.
[0018] Referring to Fig. 2 in conjunction with Fig. 1, it can be seen that the oblong body
12 of the collapsible throwing toy 10 can be altered into a disc shape by pressing
the two end hub assemblies 21, 22 toward each other. The two end hub assemblies 21,
22 meet at the imaginary mid-plane 24 of the oblong body 12. As the two end hub assemblies
21, 22 approach each other, the upper end hub assembly 21 temporarily engages the
opposing lower end hub assembly 22, As the upper and lower halves 28, 29 of the oblong
body 12 are compressed, the collapsible arcuate sections 14 fold at the joint elements
26. The oblong shape of Fig. 1, therefore transforms into the disc shape of Fig. 2.
[0019] When in the disc shape, the stabilizing fins 27 fold down flat against the compressed
arcuate sections 14. In this manner, the stabilizing fins 27 do not adversely affect
the ability of the collapsible throwing toy 10 to be thrown like a disc while in its
collapsed shape.
[0020] As the various collapsible arcuate sections 14 fold, they each resist the folding
deformation with a spring bias. The combined bias of all the collapsible arcuate sections
14 creates a force that opposes the compression. This bias causes the collapsible
arcuate sections 14 to immediately pop back into an expanded shape the instant the
compression force is released or the two end hub assemblies 21, 22 release their interconnection.
[0021] Referring to Fig. 3, it can be seen that an elastic band 42 is joined to all of the
arcuate sections 14 inside the oblong body 12. The elastic band 42 travels in the
same plane as the mid-plane 24 and connects to the inside of each joint element 26.
This biases each joint element 26 toward the central axis 20. This bias direction
causes the oblong body 12 to stand in its expanded shape. When the elongated body
12 is compressed, the diameter around the mid-plane 24 expands. This causes the elastic
band 42, to stretch and store energy. Due to the pull of the elastic band 42, the
oblong body 12 would immediately snap back into its expanded shape should the compression
forces be removed. The bias of the elastic band 42 is resisted by the engagement of
the upper end hub assembly 21 and the lower end hub assembly 22 when the oblong body
12 is fully collapsed.
[0022] The use of an elastic band 42 to bias the oblong body 12 into its expanded shape
is only exemplary. Other bias systems exist that can be adapted for use in the present
invention. Another such bias system is described in
U.S. Patent No. 6,896,577 to Feng, entitled Configuration For A Collapsible Throwing Toy And Its Associated Method
Of Manufacture, the disclosure of which is incorporated into this specification by
reference.
[0023] Returning to Fig. 3, the structure of the upper end hub assembly 21 and the lower
end hub assembly 22 are also shown. The upper end hub assembly 21 has an external
plate 30 that lay on the exterior apex of the upper half 28 of the oblong body 12.
The upper end hub assembly 21 also has an internal plate 32 that lay on the interior.
A weight compartment is provided that holds a weight 36. The weight 36 is used to
improve the flight characteristics of the collapsible throwing toy 10, as will later
be explained. A suction cup 40 extends below the weight 36. The suction cup 40 faces
inwardly toward the mid-plane 24. Furthermore, the suction cup 40 is aligned with
the central axis 20 of the collapsible throwing toy 10.
[0024] An end cap 38 attaches to the external plate 30 of the upper end hub assembly 21.
The end cap 38 has a curved exterior that complements the curvature of the exterior
of the oblong body 12.
[0025] The lower end hub assembly 22 includes a flat attachment plate 44. The attachment
plate 44 has a flat surface 45 that the suction cup 40 attaches to when the collapsible
throwing toy 10 is collapsed. A vent hole 46 is disposed through the attachment plate
44. The vent hole 46 enables air to flow in between the suction cup 40 and the attachment
plate 44 when the suction cup 40 is connected to the flat surface 45 of the attachment
plate 44. If the vent hole 46 were left open, no suction could develop between the
suction cup 40 and the attachment plate 44. The suction cup 40 would, therefore, only
remain attached to the attachment plate 44 for a moment. In order to control the flow
of air through the vent hole 46, a vent valve assembly 50 is provided.
[0026] The vent valve assembly 50 includes a valve needle 52 that extends into the vent
hole 46. The valve needle 52 has the ability to completely seal the vent hole 46 or
selectively allow controlled volumes of air to flow through the vent hole 46. The
degree by which the valve needle 52 blocks the vent hole 46 depends upon the distance
that the valve needle 52 is inserted into the valve hole 46.
[0027] The valve needle 52 is connected to a threaded rod 54. The threaded rod 54 is connected
to a manual control knob 56. The threaded rod 54 engages the attachment plate 44.
Accordingly, it will be understood that as the manual control knob 56 is turned, the
threaded rod 54 will move up or down in relation to the attachment plate 44. The depth
at which the valve needle 52 is positioned in the vent hole 46 can therefore be selectively
controlled by turning the manual control knob 56.
[0028] The suction cup 40 of the upper end hub assembly 21 will only remain attached to
the attachment plate 44 of the lower end hub assembly 22 for as long as the air pressure
inside the suction cup 40 is lower than ambient pressure. Since the valve assembly
50 enables the amount of air that flows through the vent hole 46 to be controlled,
the amount of time that the suction cup 40 engages the attachment plate 44 can be
selectively controlled. If the valve assembly 50 is used to close the vent hole 46,
the suction cup 40 may remain engaged with the attachment plate 44 for a few minutes.
However, if the valve assembly 50 is opened, air is permitted to flow between the
suction cup 40 and the attachment plate 44. This quickly eliminates any pressure differential
that may exist inside the suction cup 40 and the suction cup 40 may only adhere to
the attachment plate 44 for a second or two. Attachment time between the suction cup
40 and the attachment plate 44 can therefore be altered as desired from as short as
a few seconds to as long as a few minutes. As soon as the suction cup 40 releases,
the force of the elastic band 42 causes the upper end hub assembly 21 and the lower
end hub assembly 22 to separate as the oblong body 12 returns to its expanded shape.
[0029] Referring to Fig. 4, it will now be understood that when the upper and lower end
hub assemblies 21, 22 are pressed toward each other, the collapsible arcuate sections
14 fold and the suction cup 40 contacts and engages the attachment plate 44. The connection
between the suction cup 40 and the attachment plate 44 is temporary as air seeps into
the suction cup 40. The upper and lower end hub assemblies 21, 22 are biased apart
by the action of the elastic band 42 on the collapsible arcuate sections 14. As soon
as the suction cup 40 releases, the collapsible throwing toy 10 instantly pops back
into its ball-like shape. The rate that air seeps into the suction cup 40 is largely
determined by the manual setting made for the valve assembly 50, via the control knob
56. A person can therefore adjust the valve assembly 50 to either allow for the quick
seepage of air or the slow seepage of air. This directly translates into the time
that the suction cup 40 remains engaged with the attachment plate 44. A person can
therefore adjust the collapsible throwing toy 10 so that it remains collapsed for
anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes.
[0030] In the present invention, an oblong shaped ball, like a football, is illustrated.
Referring to Fig. 5, it can be seen that the method of play for such a toy is that
the collapsible throwing toy 10 is collapsed and thrown as a disc. The collapsible
throwing toy 10 is adjusted so that it pops into its football shape during flight.
In order for the collapsible throwing toy 10 to fly in a stable manner when collapsed,
it must fly while spinning with its central axis 20 oriented generally in the vertical.
However, when the collapsible throwing toy 10 pops back into its expanded shape, it
only experiences stable flight if it is spinning with its central axis 20 generally
oriented in the horizontal.
[0031] The tilting of the central axis 20 from the vertical to the horizontal when the collapsed
body pops is accomplished in two ways. First, the stabilizing fins 27 on the oblong
body 12 extend when the collapsible throwing toy 10 pops into its expanded shape.
The stabilizing fins 27 catch air and cause the orientation of the collapsible throwing
toy 10 to change. Furthermore, the stabilizing fins 27 are preferably curved so that
they add spin to the collapsible throwing toy 10 as the collapsible throwing toy 10
flies through the air.
[0032] The second feature that helps the collapsible throwing toy 10 reorient in flight
is the internal weights 36 in the upper end hub assembly 21. When the collapsible
throwing toy 10 is collapsed, the weights 36 are very near the geometric center of
the collapsible throwing toy 10. As such, the collapsible throwing toy 10 has a center
of gravity that is very close to its geometric center. This enables the collapsible
throwing toy 10 to remain stable in flight. However, once the collapsible throwing
toy 10 pops back to its expanded shape, the weights 36 are located at the upper end
of the oblong body 12, far away from the geometric center of the collapsible throwing
toy 10. This causes the center of gravity to be offset from the path of flight. Wind
resistance will therefore act to reorient the collapsible throwing toy 10 so that
both the center of gravity and the geometric center of the collapsible throwing toy
10 are both aligned along the path of flight.
[0033] It will be understood that the embodiment of the present invention collapsible throwing
toy that is described and illustrated herein are merely exemplary and a person skilled
in the art can make many variations to the embodiment shown without departing from
the scope of the present invention. All such variations, modifications and alternate
embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention
as defined by the appended claims.
1. A time release suction cup connection assembly, comprising:
a suction cup;
a flat surface, wherein said suction cup connects said flat surface when presses against
said flat surface;
a vent hole communicating with said flat surface that enables air to flow between
said flat surface and said suction cup when said suction cup is connected to said
flat surface;
a valve for selectively restricting said vent hole, wherein said valve controls airflow
through said vent hole.
2. The assembly according to Claim 1, further including at least one biasing element
that biases said suction cup away from said flat surface.
3. The assembly according to Claim 1, wherein said suction cup and said flat surface
are disposed at opposite sides of a collapsible ball.
4. A collapsible throwing toy assembly, comprising:
a body that can be selectively configured between an expanded shape and a compressed
shape, said body being comprised of a plurality of arcuate sections symmetrically
disposed around a central axis;
at least one biasing element for biasing said arcuate sections into said expanded
shape;
a suction cup disposed in said body at a first end of said body;
a flat surface disposed in said body at a second end opposite said first end, wherein
said suction cup engages said flat surface only when said body is in said compressed
shape;
a vent valve for venting air through said flat surface between said flat surface and
said suction cup when said suction cup engages said flat surface.
5. The assembly according to Claim 4, wherein said vent valve is adjustable and selectively
controls air flow between said flat surface and said suction cup.
6. The assembly according to Claim 5, wherein said vent valve is selectively adjusted
by a knob control that is manually accessible on said body.
7. The assembly according to Claim 4, wherein said body is oblong in shape.
8. The assembly according to Claim 4, further including weights disposed in said body
proximate said first end.
9. The assembly according to Claim 8, further including stabilizing fins attached to
some of said arcuate sections proximate said second end.
10. The assembly according to Claim 9, wherein said stabilizing fins are curved and cause
said body to rotate when said body is flying in said expanded shape.
11. The assembly according to Claim 4, wherein an imaginary mid-plane bisects said body,
said mid-plane being perpendicular to said central axis and intersecting each of said
arcuate sections.
12. The assembly according to Claim 11, wherein said biasing element includes at least
one elastic band that interconnects with each of said arcuate sections proximate said
mid-plane.
13. The assembly according to Claim 12, wherein each of said arcuate sections includes
an upper panel and a lower panel that are joined with a hinged connection along said
mid-plane.
14. A method of forming a collapsible toy that coverts between an expanded shape and a
collapsed shape, said method comprising the steps of:
providing a plurality of arcuate sections;
joining said arcuate sections to form a body that has a central axis and a mid-plane
perpendicular to said central axis;
providing at least one biasing element that biases said plurality of arcuate sections
into said expanded shape;
providing a suction cup and an attachment plate to opposing internal areas inside
said body, wherein said suction cup temporarily affixes to said attachment plate when
said body is compressed into said collapsed shape and said suction cup and said attachment
plate are brought into abutment;
providing a vent valve that vents air between said suction cup and said body at a
controlled rate.
15. The method according to Claim 14, wherein said body is oblong when in said expanded
shape.
16. The method according to Claim 14, further including the step of providing weights
in said body at a first end.
17. The assembly according to Claim 14, further including attaching stabilizing fins to
some of said arcuate sections.