U.S. patent application number 11/276616 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-14 for dynamic toy with inflatable bladder.
This patent application is currently assigned to POLYWORKS, INC.. Invention is credited to Richard B. Fox, Roger J. LaFlamme, Daniel M. Wyner.
Application Number | 20060205544 11/276616 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36971767 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060205544 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wyner; Daniel M. ; et
al. |
September 14, 2006 |
DYNAMIC TOY WITH INFLATABLE BLADDER
Abstract
An object with a dynamically changeable configuration is
provided. The outer surface configuration and/or the weight
displacement configuration can be dynamically changed to alter the
characteristics of the object, which can be a toy, such as a
football, baseball or flying disc. To change the outer
configuration of the object, a cover having an outer surface and at
least one aperture therethrough is provided. A surface changing
member, such as a bladder, is urgable into the at least one
aperture to dynamically change the outer surface of the object. To
change the weight displacement of the object, the main body
includes a first chamber and a second chamber therein where fluid,
such as gas or liquid, can flow therebetween. The positioning of
the fluid within the first chamber and the second chamber is
controlled by a pump and valve system. As a result, the weight
displacement of the object is dynamically changeable.
Inventors: |
Wyner; Daniel M.; (North
Scituate, RI) ; Fox; Richard B.; (Smithfield, RI)
; LaFlamme; Roger J.; (Enfield, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BARLOW, JOSEPHS & HOLMES, LTD.
101 DYER STREET
5TH FLOOR
PROVIDENCE
RI
02903
US
|
Assignee: |
POLYWORKS, INC.
1 Tupperware Drive
North Smithfield
RI
|
Family ID: |
36971767 |
Appl. No.: |
11/276616 |
Filed: |
March 8, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60659468 |
Mar 8, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/569 ;
473/588; 473/593; 473/594; 473/614 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 33/18 20130101;
A63H 2027/1033 20130101; A63H 2027/1075 20130101; A63B 41/00
20130101; A63B 43/04 20130101; A63B 41/12 20130101; A63H 27/10
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/569 ;
473/593; 473/594; 473/588; 473/614 |
International
Class: |
A63B 43/00 20060101
A63B043/00; A63B 67/14 20060101 A63B067/14; A63B 41/12 20060101
A63B041/12; A63B 43/04 20060101 A63B043/04 |
Claims
1. An object with a dynamically changeable outer surface,
comprising: a cover having an outer surface; a surface changing
member in communication with the cover; whereby the outer surface
of the object is dynamically changeable upon changing of the
surface changing member.
2. The object of claim 1, wherein the surface changing member is a
bladder.
3. The object of claim 2, wherein the fluid is a gas.
4. The object of claim 3, wherein the gas is air
5. The object of claim 1, wherein the fluid is a liquid.
6. The object of claim 5, wherein the liquid is water.
7. The object of claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the surface
changing member is tacky.
8. The object of claim 1, wherein the cover is in the shape of a
football.
9. The object of claim 1, wherein the cover is in the shape of a
baseball.
10. The object of claim 1, wherein the cover is in the shape of a
flying toy.
11. The object of claim 1, wherein the cover further defines at
least one aperture therethrough and a chamber therein; the surface
changing member residing within the chamber and being urgable
through the at least one aperture.
12. The object of claim 11, wherein the a least one aperture is an
array of apertures for receipt of the surface changing member
therein when the surface changing member is inflated.
13. The object of claim 11, wherein the surface changing member
extends through the at least one aperture and past the outer
surface of the cover.
14. The object of claim 1, further comprising: a fluid pump in
fluid communication with the bladder; the fluid pump being capable
of controlling the amount and location of fluid within the
bladder.
15. The object of claim 14, wherein the fluid pump includes a
filling chamber, a filling valve and a release valve; the filling
chamber being in fluid communication with the bladder.
16. The object of claim 1, wherein the cover is elastic and the
surface changing member is positioned thereunder; inflation of the
surface changing member changes the outer surface of the cover.
17. The object of claim 1, wherein the surface changing member is
affixed to the outer surface of the cover.
18. An object with a dynamically changeable weight displacement,
comprising: a main body having an outer surface; the main body
defining a first chamber and a second chamber therein; fluid being
movable between the first chamber and the second chamber; means for
controlling position of the fluid within the first chamber and the
second chamber; whereby the weight displacement of the object is
dynamically changeable.
19. The object of claim 18, wherein the first chamber is a first
bladder and the second chamber is a second bladder.
20. The object of claim 19, wherein the first bladder has a unitary
chamber.
21. The object of claim 19, wherein the first bladder is a
ring-shaped tube and positioned proximal to the outer surface of
the main body.
22. The object of claim 19, wherein the second bladder has a
unitary chamber.
23. The object of claim 18, wherein the fluid is a liquid.
24. The object of claim 23, wherein the liquid is water.
25. The object of claim 18, wherein the main body is in the shape
of a football.
26. The object of claim 18, wherein the main body is in the shape
of a baseball.
27. The object of claim 18, wherein the means for controlling
position of the fluid within the first chamber and the second
chamber is a fluid pump in fluid communication with the first
chamber and the second chamber; the fluid pump being capable of
controlling the amount and location of fluid within the first
chamber and the second chamber.
28. The object of claim 27, wherein the fluid pump includes a
filling valve and a release valve.
29. The object of claim 18, further comprising: an air bladder
disposed within the main body; the air bladder being inflatable to
control position of the fluid within the first chamber and the
second chamber
30. The object of claim 18, further comprising: means for
indicating position of fluid within the first chamber and the
second chamber.
31. The object of claim 30, wherein the means for indicating is a
first window in the first chamber and a second window in the second
chamber.
32. The object of claim 30, wherein the means for indicating is an
electronic sensor.
33. The object of claim 30, wherein the means for indicating is an
air pressure sensor.
34. An object with a dynamically changeable configuration,
comprising: a main body defining a chamber therein; a configuration
changing member residing within the chamber of the main body;
whereby action upon the configuration changing member dynamically
changes the configuration of the object.
35. The object of claim 34, wherein the configuration member is a
bladder inflatable with a fluid.
36. The object of claim 34, wherein the fluid is a gas.
37. The object of claim 34, wherein the fluid is a liquid.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from prior U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/659,468 filed on Mar. 8, 2005.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to inflatable
objects. More specifically, the present invention relates to a new
and unique toys that can be modified using inflatable bladders.
[0003] In the prior art, various types of toys are very well known.
Typically, a toy has a given shape and configuration that is static
and cannot be modified. For example, a toy for throwing, such as a
football or baseball, is of a fixed shape and configuration. Thus,
each time that it is thrown, it exhibits the same general flight
characteristics. In another example, a toy, such as an action
figure, may have a given aesthetic appearance that can only be
modified by adding or removing parts or reconstructing the parts at
hand. In general, known toys are static in nature in that they
cannot be altered to make the toy more unique in appearance and
operation each time.
[0004] There have been many attempts in the prior art to provide
toys that can transform from one type of toy to another to make the
toy more interesting and fun. Typically, these toys have moveable
parts that can be reconfigured to construct a toy of a different
appearance. However, the basic function and operation of the toy
is, essentially, the same as before but with a different aesthetic
appearance.
[0005] In other example, toys can change in appearance by simply
adding and subtracting parts. For example, there are many
construction oriented toys that use building blocks or sticks to
create a toy. Again, the overall function of the toy remains as
aesthetic in nature.
[0006] The foregoing prior art toy products suffer from the problem
that they cannot dynamically change their function where the
characteristics of the operation and use of the toy are modified
and made more unique and fun. More specifically, sports-related
toys are not well-suited to being modified as are the toys of the
prior art. In sports-related toys, additional parts cannot easily
be added. While it is possible to add a fin to a football or
magnetic tape to a flying disc to alter their flight
characteristics, such modification is cumbersome and can lead to
unpredictable results.
[0007] In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a toy that can
dynamically change to alter its flight characteristics in a unique
way. There is also a need for a toy that can be dynamically
modified to achieve unique results that are not capable with prior
art toys. There is a further need for a toy that can dynamically
change to assist the user in operation of the toy. In addition,
there is a need for a toy that can dynamically change both in its
functional characteristics but optionally its aesthetic
characteristics as well.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention preserves the advantages of prior art
objects, such as toy articles and related devices. In addition, it
provides new advantages not found in currently available objects,
toys and related devices and overcomes many disadvantages of such
currently available objects, toys and related devices.
[0009] The invention is generally directed to a novel and unique
dynamic object, such as a throwable toy. The object of the present
invention includes at least one unique internal bladder that can be
modified by the user to easily change the characteristics of the
object.
[0010] An object with a dynamically changeable configuration is
provided. The outer surface configuration and/or the weight
displacement configuration can be dynamically changed to alter the
characteristics of the object, which can be a toy, such as a
football, baseball or flying disc. To change the outer
configuration of the object, a cover having an outer surface and at
least one aperture therethrough is provided. A surface changing
member, such as a bladder, is urgable into the at least one
aperture to dynamically change the outer surface of the object. To
change the weight displacement of the object, the main body
includes a first chamber and a second chamber therein where fluid,
such as gas or liquid, can flow therebetween. The positioning of
the fluid within the first chamber and the second chamber is
controlled by a pump and valve system. As a result, the weight
displacement of the object is dynamically changeable.
[0011] It should be understood that the dynamically changeable
object can be employed in many different environments and be used
for different purposes. The present invention is particularly
well-suited to serve as a toy, particularly toys that are thrown in
the air, such as footballs, baseballs and flying discs. For ease of
discussion herein, the object of the present invention will be
shown an described in connection with throwable toys as a preferred
use of the present invention. However, this shall in now way limit
the scope of the present invention to throwable toys.
[0012] The use of at least one inflatable bladder can alter a
number of different functional characteristics of a throwable toy.
Many different types of throwable toys can employ the features of
the present invention, such as footballs, baseballs and flying
discs.
[0013] As a first example, the grip of the toy can be modified by
the technology of the present invention. The outer surface of a
football is typically a roughened surface leather or plastic
material. For example, a bladder may be inflated with a material,
preferably gas, so it protrudes through apertures in the cover or
expand the outer cover of the toy to provide additional grip for
the user. For example, additional grip ridges can be created as
described in detail below.
[0014] It is also envisioned that the bladder can alter the flight
characteristics of the toy. The movement of structure within a
throwable toy typically affects flight. For example, an inflatable
bladder can raise spiral ridges to encourage a football to spiral
or shift weight displacement within a baseball to facilitate it to
curve. Such weight displacement may be carried out by movement of a
liquid, gas, gel or solid material within the body of the toy. For
example, the bladder may re- orient water or push a solid mass
within the toy body to carry out this weight displacement. Such
movement can occur in real-time while the toy is being thrown to
create unique results.
[0015] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a toy that can be dynamically changed.
[0016] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
toy that can have its surface dynamically changed.
[0017] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
toy that can change its surface to change its grip.
[0018] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
toy that can change its surface to change its flight
characteristics.
[0019] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a toy that can change its weight distribution.
[0020] Another object of the present invention is to provide a toy
that can change its weight distribution to change its flight
characteristics.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The novel features which are characteristic of the present
invention are set forth in the appended claims. However, the
invention's preferred embodiments, together with further objects
and attendant advantages, will be best understood by reference to
the following detailed description taken in connection with the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a front view of a football employing a first
embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view through the line 2-2 of
FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in an
inflated condition;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view through the line 4-4 of
FIG. 3;
[0026] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view through the line 5-5 of
FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 6 is a front view of a flying disc employing the first
embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 7 is a front view of a ball employing the first
embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1;
[0029] FIG. 8 is a front view of a football employing a second
embodiment of the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 9 is a front view of a football employing a third
embodiment of the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 10 is a front view of a ball employing the third
embodiment of the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view through the line 11-11 of
FIG. 10 employing a third embodiment of the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view through the line 11-11 of
FIG. 10 employing a fourth embodiment of the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view through the line 11-11 of
FIG. 10 employing a fifth embodiment of the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the present invention with
an inflatable bladder below a flexible outer surface;
[0036] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 14
in an inflated condition;
[0037] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the present invention with
an inflatable bladder affixed to the outer surface of the toy;
and
[0038] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 14
in an inflated condition.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0039] The present invention relates generally to a dynamically
changeable object 10, such as a toy. In accordance with the present
invention, the configuration of the toy 10 can be changed in a
number of different ways to change its characteristics, such as its
outer configuration, inner configuration, aesthetics or buoyancy.
Change of the outer configuration can be employed to change
gripping or flight characteristics of the toy. Change of the inner
configuration can be employed to change the weight distribution of
the toy 10 to, in turn, affect flight characteristics and other
performance features of the toy 10.
[0040] Referring first to FIGS. 1-5, a first embodiment of the
present invention is shown in detail to illustrate how the outer
characteristics of a toy 10 can be dynamically changed in
accordance with the present invention.
[0041] The example shown in FIGS. 1-5 shows a football toy 10, by
way of example. It should be understood that many other different
types of toys 10 can modified in a similar fashion. The present
invention is intended to cover such other toys 10, such as
baseballs, softballs and flying discs.
[0042] A front view of the a football 10, that employs the present
invention, is shown in FIG. 1. The football 10 includes an outer
cover 12 that has a number of apertures 14 therein. The cover 12
can be made of any type of material that is suitable for footballs
and similar toys 10, such a leather, vinyl and plastic. The cover
12 can be molded out of polyurethane, polystyrene, EVA, TPEs, or
any other suitable material and combinations thereof. For example,
the cover 12 of the football of FIG. 1 is preferably made of a
foamed polystyrene surrounding a polystyrene center 16, as can be
seen in FIGS. 2 and 4.
[0043] An inner surface changing member, general referred to as 18,
is provided within a chamber 20 defined within the cover 12. The
surface changing member 18 is preferably a bladder, with an inner
wall 18a and outer wall 18b that can be inflated by a gas, such as
air. FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the football 10
through the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 to illustrate the positioning of the
bladder 18 relative to the cover 12. The bladder 18 can be made of
any material suitable for inflation, such as a tacky polyurethane
or rubber.
[0044] A inflation system, generally referred to as 22, is provided
that includes a pump device 24 and a release device 26. In this
embodiment, by way of example, the pump device 24 is shown on the
opposite side of the football 10 as the release device 26, however,
they may be on the same side as each other. In fact, the pump
device 24 and the release device 26 can be positioned at any
suitable relative locations on the football 10 to enable access by
the user. Details of a sample inflation system 22, for use with the
present invention, is shown in FIG. 5, which will be discussed in
detail below.
[0045] For game play with the football 10, employing the present
invention, it may be desirable to change the outer configuration
thereof, for example, to change the outer surface to change the
interaction of the football 10 with the user and to also change the
flight characteristics of the football 10. For example, the outer
surface of the bladder 18 may tacky to the touch by either
manufacturing the bladder 18 out of a material that is naturally
tacky or to provide an additional substance thereon to make the
outer surface tacky to the touch.
[0046] In the example of a football 10, if the user wants to change
the grip characteristics of the football 10, the pump device 24 is
actuated to fill the bladder 18 with a gas, such as air. In fact,
the bladder can be filled with any type of fluid, but it is
preferably filled with air for ease of use. Inflation of the
bladder 18 causes it to press against the inner wall 20 of the
cover 12. Since the apertures 14 preferably provided in the cover
12 of the football 10, further inflation of the bladder 18 causes
the bladder 18 to bulge through the apertures 14, as seen in FIG.
3. In particular, the outer wall 18b of the bladder 18, since it is
closest to the cover 12, is the portion of the bladder 18 that
bulges outwardly therefrom.
[0047] A cross-sectional view of the football 10 in this condition
is shown in FIG. 4. As a result, the bladder 18 bulges through the
apertures 14, in this example, the bulging outer wall 18b of the
bladder 18 forms an array of longitudinal ridges along the length
of the football 10. It can understood that these raised tacky
portions of the bladder 18 facilitates gripping of the football 10
so that it can be easily thrown.
[0048] The longitudinal ridges, referenced as 18 in FIGS. 3 and 4,
are just one example of the many different types of surface
configuration changes that can be made in accordance with the
present invention. The bulges formed by the bladder 18 are
preferably in the form of ridges but they could also be in the form
of spirals or circles or other configurations to meet any desired
surface configuration.
[0049] Most notably, the amount of surface change can be
dynamically changed by the user. The bladder 18 is adjustably
inflatable to control the amount of bulge of the bladder 18 through
the aperture or apertures in the cover 12. Thus, the bladder 18 can
be inflated more to provide larger bulges to provide more grip.
Similarly, the bladder 18 can be inflated less to provide smaller
bulges to provide less grip. In fact, the bladder 18 can be
deflated to a degree where it does not bulge through the apertures
14 at all, if desired.
[0050] As can be understood, varying the outer configuration of a
throwable toy 10 not only changes the grip, because that is the
surface that the user interfaces with, but also the flight
characteristics of the toy 10. The longitudinal ridges 18 in FIGS.
3 and 4 can provide additional or changed aerodynamics to affect
the flight of the football 10. For example, it is possible to
provide spiral apertures 14 through the cover 12 so bladder 18
bulges therethrough provide additional and adjustable spiral ridges
to improve flight of the football 10 when thrown. Similar to the
grip characteristics, the degree of change of flight
characteristics can be controlled by the amount of inflation of
bladder 18 within the toy 18. It is also possible to include more
than one bladder 18 to alter the characteristics of the toy 10.
[0051] Turning now to FIG. 5, an inflation system 24 is shown,
which is preferably used in connection with the inflation of the
bladder 18 of the football of FIG. 1. Other systems may be employed
within the scope of the present invention to carry out the
functionality of controllably inflating the bladder 18. For
example, the systems described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,074,765 and
5,372,487 may be employed for this purpose. External pumps (not
shown), such as bicycle and hand or foot pumps and CO2 cartridges
may be employed, if desired. A combination of internal and external
pumps can be used.
[0052] In this preferred inflation system 22, a pump mechanism is
provided, generally referred to as 24, and a release mechanism,
generally referred to as 26. The pump mechanism 22 includes two
one-way valves 28, 30 and a storage chamber 32 defined by a
flexible dome 34. When the dome 34 is depressed, the volume of gas,
such as air, within the dome 34 is urged through the first one-way
valve 28 into the interior 36 of the bladder 18. During depression
of the dome 34, the second valve 30, such as a flapper valve,
remains closed to ensure that the volume of gas within the dome 34
is fully urged into the bladder 18 via the first one-way valve 28.
Any type of suitable valve can be used for the valves 28 and
30.
[0053] When the dome 34 is released, the second one-way valve 30
opens and the first one-way valve 28 closes to permit the dome 34
to be re-filled with gas. The dome 34 is preferably spring-biased
by the flexible material itself of the dome 34 moving back to its
fully open state to draw gas therein. Thus, after depression of the
dome 34 of the pump mechanism 24, the dome 34 is re-filled with gas
in preparation to be depressed again. As can be understood, further
depression of dome 34 repeats the cycle and urges more and more gas
into the chamber 36 of bladder 18. As described above, the bladder
18 is filled until its reaches a desired condition, namely, until
the bladder 18 bulges the desired amount through the apertures 14
in the cover 12.
[0054] It may also be desired to remove gas from the bladder 18 to
reduce the size of the bladder 18 and, in turn, reduce the bulging
of the bladder 18 through the apertures 14. In FIG. 5, a release
mechanism 26 is provided for this purpose. A third one-way valve 38
is provided between a second flexible dome 40 and the interior 36
of the bladder 18. Upon depressing the dome 40, a pin 42 is
downwardly actuated to lift a plug 44 out of sealing communication
with an aperture 46 through the bladder 18. The depression of the
second dome 40 is preferably against the spring-biasing forces of
the dome 40 material itself or, alternatively, a spring 48 provided
with the release mechanism 26.
[0055] When the second dome 40 is being depressed and the third
one-way valve 38 is open, gas is free to exit from the bladder 18
into the environment via the pass through aperture 46. A further
fourth valve (not shown) may be provided for additional control of
the outflow of gas from the bladder 18.
[0056] The inflation mechanism 24 of FIG. 5 can be reconfiguration
to suit the environment and the toy 10 into which it is installed.
In general, the flow of gas in and out of the bladder 18 is fully
controlled in accordance with the present invention.
[0057] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate applications of the present
invention. In FIG. 6, a flying disc 50 is shown to include an outer
housing 52 that has an annular aperture 54 therethrough and an
inner bladder 56. When the bladder 56 is inflated, it bulges
through the annular aperture 54 to form adjustable raised circular
ring of the top surface 58 of the flying disc 50. The raised ring
can be used, for example, to improve grip of the flying disc 50
and/or alter the flight characteristics thereof. It is envisioned
that other patterns can be provided, such as emanating rays, to
alter the characteristics of the flying disc 50.
[0058] Similarly, FIG. 7 shows a ball 60, such as a baseball or
softball, that includes a number of apertures 62 through the outer
housing or cover 64 of the ball 60. When the bladder 66 is
inflated, as desired, it will bulge therethrough to create a number
of ridges on the surface of the ball 60. It is also possible that
the bladder 66 can make the ball 60 eccentric in shape to thereby
alter the flight characteristics thereof. This allow for varying
pitching effects.
[0059] The inflation mechanism, with pump device 24 and release
device 26, are incorporated into the ball 60 in similar fashion to
the football 10 above. The pump device 24 and release device 26,
from the outside of the ball 60, are preferably made as low profile
as possible so to not affect ball flight characteristics.
[0060] The surface changing members or bladder 66 can be used to
the change the grip characteristics of the ball 60. In FIG. 7, the
bulging bladder 66, in form of ridges, shown may be helpful to a
novice pitcher to throw a curveball. The bulging portions of the
bladder 18 through the cover or housing 64 can also be arranged to
change ball flight. For example, one long ridge on one side of the
ball 60 can be employed to encourage a ball 60 to curve when
thrown. The bulging of the bladder 66 thrown the cover or housing
64 of the ball 60 can be provided in any different configuration to
change the grip and/or flight characteristics of the ball 60.
[0061] The invention shown in FIGS. 1-7 generally shows a object
that includes an inflatable bladder and an outer cover that
includes apertures therein. When the bladder is inflated to a
desired amount, it bulges through the apertures to change grip,
flight or other characteristics. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, it is
also possible that the outer cover 402 has an elastic surface 404
with a bladder 406 beneath that can distort the outer cover 404. As
seen in FIG. 14, a flying disc toy 400 is shown that has a
particular airfoil configuration. A bladder 406 is contained fully
under an elastic cover 404 of the flying disc 400. When the bladder
406 is inflated by the pump 408, the bladder 406 becomes larger and
expands the flexible cover 404 to create a another surface profile.
In FIG. 15, the flying disc 400 is shown with the newly created
shaped-shifted airfoil 410. As above, the airfoil 410 can change
the flight characteristics. In embodiment 400, the bladder 406 is
fully contained with an elastic cover 404 rather than bulging
through apertures in the cover.
[0062] For example, it is be possible to create a flying disc 400
with an elastic film or fabric covering its top surface. If a
properly shaped air bladder 406 is placed just below the surface
404, the bladder 406 can cause a change in shape of the airfoil 410
when inflated. The same configuration could apply to a baseball, in
which the outer skin is somewhat stretchable, and a small bladder
on one side of the ball just inside the surface could distort the
cover of the ball slightly causing an eccentricity. As a result,
shape shifting of the toy can be carried out in this embodiment
without the apertures shown in FIG. 1.
[0063] Still further, as in seen in FIGS. 16 and 17, it is
envisioned within the scope of the present invention that it is
also possible that the bladder 502 or a portion of the bladder 502
itself could be mounted on the outside surface 504. This
configuration may be easier to manufacture than the other
embodiments discussed above. For example, the bladder 502 can be
welded to the cover 504. The bladder 502 can be built into the
outside shape of the flying disc 500 or other toy to obviate the
need for an outer flexible skin over the bladder 502. As with the
other embodiments, the bladder 502 can change the grip, flight and
other characteristics.
[0064] Turning now to FIGS. 8-13, a second embodiment 100 of the
dynamically changeable toy of the present invention is shown in
detail. It is well known that weight distribution greatly affects
the flight characteristics of an object. In this embodiment of the
invention, liquid, gel and/or gas is moved to one or more different
locations within the body of the toy to change the flight
characteristics thereof. In accordance with the present invention,
liquid alone, or with the assistance of gas, such as air, is moved
or redistributed within the body of the toy. As a result, the
weight distribution of the toy is changed thereby altering the
flight characteristics of the toy when it is thrown or moved.
[0065] An example of use of the second embodiment 100 of the
present invention is shown in FIG. 8. In this example, a football
100 is shown where a primary storage chamber 102 containing liquid
is provided in the substantial center of the football 100. If a
football 100 is thrown when all of liquid is located in the primary
storage chamber 102, it's flight characteristics will be,
essentially, unaffected because the primary storage chamber 102 is
located near or at the center of gravity of the football 100 and
along its longitudinal axis 104 of rotation.
[0066] However, it may be desirable to dynamically adjust the
weight distribution of the football 100 so that it flies better
when thrown. For example, as in FIG. 8, additional weight is
brought to the outer periphery of the football 100 across its width
that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 104 of rotation.
Thus, when the football 100 is thrown, it will be easier for the
user to throw a spiral because the moment of inertia has been
increased.
[0067] To carry this out, liquid 106 is pumped from the primary
storage chamber 102 in the center of the football 100 out to a
tubular secondary storage chamber 108 located at the periphery of
the football 100. The primary storage chamber 102 and the secondary
storage chamber 108 are in fluid communication with each other via
a conduit 110. Each of the chambers 102 and 108 may be expandable,
if desired. The liquid 106 is pumped by a pumping mechanism 112
using a dome 116 button, as seen in FIG. 8. A release mechanism 114
is also employed to permit the liquid 106 to flow back into the
primary storage chamber 102 from the tubular peripheral secondary
storage chamber 108.
[0068] It is possible that the liquid 106 can be moved to a given
location in preparation for the football 100 to be thrown. Then,
upon the release of another button (not shown), the liquid 106 can
be permitted to flow back to the primary storage chamber 102 during
flight thereby increasing spiraling speed of the football 100.
[0069] It is envisioned that two counter-acting pumps can
alternatively be employed to precisely control the flow of liquid
106 from the primary storage chamber 102 to the secondary storage
chamber 108, as generally discussed below in connection with FIG.
13. Of course, the amount of liquid 106 within the secondary
chamber 108 can be controlled to, in turn, control the amount of
effect of the change of the weight distribution of the football 100
or other object. The construction of the pumping mechanism 112 and
release mechanism 112 can be of any type that can move the liquid
106 when desired. For example, the pumping mechanism disclosed in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,074,765 and 5,372,487 may be employed for this
purpose. The liquid 106 may be self-contained within the object 100
or it can be pulled into the object 100 from an outside liquid
source, such as a swimming pool. Also, a transparent or translucent
window 118 may be provided in the secondary storage chamber 108 and
through the cover 120 of the football so location of the liquid 106
can be easily determined.
[0070] Referring now to FIG. 9, a further example 130 of the second
embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this version, the
weight distribution can be moved within the football 130 to change
the flight characteristics of the football 130. In this case, the
weight can be moved along the longitudinal axis 132 of rotation of
the football 130. This affects the positioning of the nose 134 and
tail 136 of the football 130 during flight. Thus, it may be
desirable to lower or raise the nose 134 or tail 136 of the
football 130 during flight. With the present invention, this is
possible. Furthermore, such a flight characteristic can be
dynamically changed by the user between throws of the football
130.
[0071] To carry this out, a main storage chamber 138 and a
secondary storage chamber 140 are provided in fluid communication
with each another via conduit 142. Flow of liquid between the
primary storage chamber 138 and the secondary storage chamber 140
is controlled by the pumping mechanism 144 and release mechanism
146 in similar fashion to that shown in FIG. 8. The primary storage
chamber 138 and secondary storage chamber 140 can be located
anywhere within the football 130 to give flexibility and control
over the flight of the football 130 when thrown.
[0072] FIG. 10 shows yet another implementation 150 of the second
embodiment of the present invention. A ball 150, such as a baseball
or softball, is shown with a primary liquid storage chamber 152 and
a secondary storage chamber 154. The primary storage chamber 152 is
preferably located substantially at the center of the ball 150.
Liquid 156 is controllably moved from between the primary storage
chamber 152 and the secondary storage chamber 154, which is
preferably located proximal to the outer surface of the ball 150.
As seen in FIG. 11, a cross-sectional view through the line 11-11
of FIG. 10, liquid 156 can be easily moved using the pump mechanism
158 and release mechanism 160. For example, liquid 156 can be moved
to the secondary storage chamber 154 to move the weight
distribution of the ball 150 outward to change its ball flight
characteristics. More specifically, a ball 150 can be made
eccentric thereby altering the flight characteristics particularly
when a spin is imparted thereon.
[0073] In FIG. 11, a window 162 can be employed as an indicator so
that the user can see the extent of filling of the secondary
storage chamber 154 with liquid 156. For this, it is preferred the
secondary storage chamber 154 is clear or translucent and the
liquid 156 therein is of a contrasting color so that its level can
be easily viewed from a user from the outside of the ball 150. This
visual indicator 162 can be used with any version of the invention,
such as football or otherwise.
[0074] Also, one or more sensors 164 can be respectively provided
in the primary storage chamber 152 and/or the secondary storage
chamber 154 to electronically sense liquid levels in each chamber
152, 154 and provide a digital readout at display 166. This
electronic sensor 164 can be used with or without the visual
indicator 162. In either example, the user can be fully informed of
the location of the liquid 156 in the primary storage chamber 152
and the secondary storage chamber 154 to fully understand the
nature of the weight distribution presently configured.
[0075] Turning now to FIG. 12, a further implementation 200 of the
second embodiment of the present invention is shown where gas is
employed to move liquid with the toy 200. In this example, a ball
200 is shown to include a primary storage chamber 202 and a
secondary storage chamber 204. A gas-inflatable bladder 206 is
provided within the primary storage chamber 202, the inflation of
which is controlled by a pump mechanism 208 and a release mechanism
210. As the bladder inflates 206, liquid 212 is pushed out of the
primary storage chamber 202 to the secondary storage chamber 204.
Deflation of the bladder 206 permits liquid 212 to flow back into
the primary storage chamber 202. A second bladder (not shown) may
be provided in the secondary storage chamber 204 as well.
[0076] As with the version shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, movement of
liquid 212 outwardly changes the weight distribution of the ball
200. In the version in FIG. 12, such liquid movement is carried out
by inflating a bladder 206 to push the liquid 212 rather than a
liquid pump and release mechanism. Any other structure used to move
the liquid 212 within the ball 200 is considered within the scope
of the present invention. For example, is possible that the primary
storage chamber 202 can be pressurized by pumping gas therein to
create pressurized flow even without the use of the inflatable
bladder 206.
[0077] In FIG. 13, a further version 300 of the second embodiment
of the present invention is shown to include a pump mechanism 302,
306 and release mechanism 304, 308 respectively for each of the
primary storage chamber 310 and the secondary storage chamber 312.
A primary pump mechanism 302 and a primary release mechanism 304
are employed to pump liquid 314 to or from the primary storage
chamber 310 while a secondary pump mechanism 306 and a secondary
release mechanism 308 are employed to pump liquid 314 to or from
the secondary storage chamber 312. As a result, positioning of the
liquid 314 within the body of the toy 300 can be precisely
controlled to, in turn, precisely control its flight
characteristics.
[0078] It is envisioned, within the scope of the present invention,
that the liquid can move from chamber to chamber during flight. For
example, the liquid can be pumped to one location, such as the
outer periphery of toy, and then thrown. During flight, the liquid
can be drawn back to the center to help enhance a spiral in similar
fashion to how a figure skater movers their arm closer to the body
during a spin to speed up the spin. Also, the liquid can be
maintained at a given location, if desired.
[0079] In general, in any of the embodiments of the invention, as
will be discussed below, the bladder may be inflated with any type
of fluid material, including gas, liquid or gel. To serve as a
source of the fluid material, such as gas, the toy preferably has
an integrated pumping mechanism. Alternatively, an external
inflation device, such as a pump or a pressurized CO.sub.2
cartridge, may be employed. The toy could also include a small
internal or external motor driven pump mechanism.
[0080] Alternatively, the bladder may effectuate such weight
displacement or re-orientation outside the body of the toy. Such
construction can be modified to suit the toy and its associated
flight characteristics. Still further, even non-throwing toys can
employ the inflatable bladder construction of the present
invention. For example, an action figure can be equipped with such
a bladder where the size and configuration of the toy can be
changed to suit the desires user. Thus, any toy or object that can
benefit from the present invention can incorporate the inventive
features of the present invention.
[0081] In view of the foregoing, a new and improved toy is provided
that can dynamically change to alter many different physical
functional aspects of the operation of the toy, such as the grip
and flight characteristics. The present invention provides features
not found in known toys and is, therefore, a great improvement over
such prior art toys.
[0082] It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
various changes and modifications can be made to the illustrated
embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present
invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be
covered by the appended claims.
* * * * *