U.S. patent application number 12/111875 was filed with the patent office on 2009-07-09 for method and apparatus for body-worn entertainment devices.
This patent application is currently assigned to WILLIAM MARK CORPORATION. Invention is credited to William Mark Forti.
Application Number | 20090176433 12/111875 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40844950 |
Filed Date | 2009-07-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090176433 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Forti; William Mark |
July 9, 2009 |
Method and Apparatus for Body-worn Entertainment Devices
Abstract
A light-weight toy is attached to a player via a near-invisible
fixed-length tether, typically using a low-tack adhesive at the
ends of the tether. In especially preferred embodiments, the toy
has a mechanism that creates an appearance of plausible possibility
of flight without actually providing sufficient lift and/or
propulsion for flight. Imaginary flight is achieved by manual
lifting and moving the toy via the tether. Thus, the tether forms
an integral part of the imaginary play for the player and is not
used as an implement of a `magic trick` for an audience.
Inventors: |
Forti; William Mark;
(Claremont, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FISH & ASSOCIATES, PC;ROBERT D. FISH
2603 Main Street, Suite 1000
Irvine
CA
92614-6232
US
|
Assignee: |
WILLIAM MARK CORPORATION
Claremont
CA
|
Family ID: |
40844950 |
Appl. No.: |
12/111875 |
Filed: |
April 29, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61019174 |
Jan 4, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/26 ;
446/31 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 33/00 20130101;
Y10T 29/49826 20150115; A63J 5/02 20130101; A63H 27/08 20130101;
A63H 7/02 20130101; A63H 21/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/26 ;
446/31 |
International
Class: |
A63H 33/00 20060101
A63H033/00; A63H 27/00 20060101 A63H027/00 |
Claims
1. A kit comprising: a light-weight toy, and a near-invisible
fixed-length tether having a length and first and second ends;
wherein first and second ends are modified with an adhesive having
a tackiness sufficient to allow reversible coupling of the first
end of the tether to a person and to allow reversible coupling of
the second end of the tether to the toy; and wherein the
light-weight toy comprises a mechanism that imparts appearance of
plausible possibility of flight to the toy without providing
sufficient lift or propulsion for flight.
2. The kit of claim 1 further comprising a packing element that is
configured to allow coiled and reversible affixing of the
near-invisible fixed-length tether to the packing element using the
adhesive on the first and second ends.
3. The kit of claim 2 wherein the packing element comprises a spool
that is configured to allow coiled and reversible affixing of the
near-invisible fixed-length tether, and further optionally
comprises an opening that is configured to accommodate at least a
portion of the light-weight toy.
4. The kit of claim 1 wherein the light-weight toy is configured as
a toy fairy having human appearance, as a butterfly, as a dragon,
or as a dinosaur, and wherein the mechanism that imparts appearance
of plausible possibility of flight comprises a pair of wings.
5. The kit of claim 4 further comprising a control circuit that
controls movement of the pair of wings as a function of proximity
of the toy to a surface selected from the group consisting of a
floor of a room, a bottom surface of a storage container, and a
body surface.
6. The kit of claim 4 further comprising a control circuit that
controls illumination of the pair of wings, optionally as a
function of movement of the pair of wings.
7. The kit of claim 1 wherein the light-weight toy is configured as
a UFO, and wherein the mechanism that imparts appearance of
plausible possibility of flight comprises a plurality of
airfoils.
8. The kit of claim 1 wherein the adhesive is selected from the
group of wax, and a low-tack polymer.
9. The kit of claim 1 wherein the light-weight toy has a weight of
between 5 and 50 gram.
10. The kit of claim 1 wherein the near-invisible fixed-length
tether has a length of between 30 cm and 90 cm.
11. The kit of claim 1 further comprising an instruction that
instructs a user to attach the first end of the tether to the
person and to attach the second end of the tether to the toy to
thereby suspend the toy mid-air.
12. A method of providing a body-worn entertainment device,
comprising: providing the kit of claim 1, and providing an
instruction to a user to (a) attach the first end of the
near-invisible fixed-length tether to a person and to attach the
second end of the near-invisible fixed-length tether to the
light-weight toy; (b) support the near-invisible fixed-length
tether with at least one finger at a position between the first and
second ends.
13. The method of claim 12 further comprising a step of instructing
the user to further support the near-invisible fixed-length tether
with another body portion.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the another body portion is an
ear.
15. The method of claim 12 wherein the light-weight toy is
configured as a toy fairy having human appearance, as a butterfly,
as a dragon, or as a dinosaur, and wherein the mechanism that
imparts appearance of plausible possibility of flight comprises a
pair of wings.
16. The method of claim 12 wherein the light-weight toy is
configured as a UFO, and wherein the mechanism that imparts
appearance of plausible possibility of flight comprises a plurality
of airfoils.
17. The method of claim 12 wherein the adhesive is selected from
the group of wax, and a low-tack polymer.
18. A kit comprising a spool to which a near-invisible tether is
releasably coupled using first and second adhesives at respective
ends of the tether, and an articulated puppet that is configured to
allow controlled movement of the puppet using the tether when (a)
the tether is in horizontal position and (b) coupled to a person
using one end of the tether.
19. The kit of claim 18 further comprising a post that is
configured to allow coupling of the tether to the post such that
the tether moves along the post.
20. The kit of claim 18 wherein the tether has a length of at least
90 cm.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority to our copending U.S.
provisional application with the Ser. No. 61/019,174, which was
filed Jan. 4, 2008.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The field of the invention is body-worn toys, especially
those that are suspended in the air using a visible or
near-invisible tether that is coupled to a person and have
appearance of plausible autonomous flight.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] There are numerous toys and `magic tricks` known in the art
in which one or more objects are suspended in the air using a
visible or near-invisible tether. For example, mobiles or small
airplanes often use visible relatively thick tethers to control the
path of the suspended object or airplane.
[0004] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,572,428 teaches flying animals
with moving wings that are, inter alia, suspended from a ceiling.
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 3,893,256 teaches a toy plane that is
coupled to a pair of tethers via a sleeve such that moving apart of
the tethers by a user forces the toy along the path of the tethers
to the point of tether attachment to a wall or post. Likewise, U.S.
Pat. No. 4,244,136 discloses a suspension mechanism for toys in
which a pulley system propels a carriage for a toy figure. Once one
end of the pulley system is attached to a wall or other static
structure, the player needs only one hand to propel to attached toy
along the lines of the pulley system. Alternatively, the tether may
be attached to a handle on one end and to a toy plane on the other
end, and the player spins the toy using the handle in a circular
motion as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,047,323. Similarly, as
described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,620,018, a flying toy is attached to a
post or ceiling via a tether, but is propelled by a jet fan
impeller to provide player-independent propulsion. While such known
toys advantageously secure the object or airplane in a robust
manner and even allow significant forces on the object or airplane,
the tether typically precludes the illusion of free flight or
levitation as the flight path is determined by the straight line of
the tether between the point of attachment and the flying toy.
[0005] To overcome the disadvantages associated with fixed tether
attachment to a post or wall, a toy may be suspended from a hand
held scissor-like device as, for example, described in U.S. Pat.
No. 4,257,186. While such attachment advantageously allows `flying`
of the toy along any desired path, control of the hand held
scissor-like device may be difficult for younger players and
detract from a first-person perspective of `flying` experience.
[0006] In other known examples, and especially with many `magic
tricks` in which the path of a suspended object is controlled via a
near-invisible tether, the object is generally an object that one
would not expect to fly or levitate to so create surprise and/or
disbelief. Unfortunately, and especially where such tethers are
very thin, manufacture, storage, and performance, are often
problematic. For example, near-invisible tethers are typically
monofilaments or thin filament bundles having a thickness of about
10-80 microns (less than the thickness of a single human hair),
making controlled handling very difficult due to the very low
tensile strength and tendency to tangle. Worse yet, such tethers
are generally not available as a commodity and must be prepared by
separation and unwinding from a multi-filament yarn, which requires
considerable dexterity, attention span, and time commitment. Still
further, attachment of the tether to the object is often
complicated due to the near-invisible nature of the tether.
Therefore, set-up for `magic tricks` that rely on such tethers is
often cumbersome and typically precludes small children (e.g., 10
years and younger) from such entertainment.
[0007] Therefore, while numerous methods of entertainment devices
are known in the art, all or almost all of them suffer from one or
more disadvantages. Consequently, there is still a need to provide
improved composition and methods to improve wear resistance in such
products.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention is drawn to body-worn toys and methods
of use in which a light-weight toy is attached to a user via a
near-invisible fixed-length tether using an adhesive, where the toy
has a mechanism that imparts an appearance of plausible possibility
of flight to the toy without actually providing sufficient lift or
propulsion for flight. Therefore, flight and/or lift are entirely
provided by the user's (typically manual) control of the
tether.
[0009] In one aspect of the inventive subject matter, a toy kit
includes a light-weight toy, and a near-invisible fixed-length
tether having a length and first and second ends, wherein first and
second ends are modified with an adhesive having a tackiness
sufficient to allow reversible coupling of the first end of the
tether to a person and to allow reversible coupling of the second
end of the tether to the toy, and wherein the light-weight toy
comprises a mechanism that imparts appearance of plausible
possibility of flight to the toy without providing sufficient lift
or propulsion for flight.
[0010] Especially preferred kits will include a packing element
that is configured to allow coiled and reversible affixing of the
near-invisible fixed-length tether to the packing element using the
adhesive on the first and second ends, and the packing element most
preferably has a spool that is configured to allow coiled and
reversible affixing of the near-invisible fixed-length tether, and
further optionally comprises an opening that is configured to
accommodate at least a portion of the light-weight toy.
[0011] With respect to the light-weight toy it is preferred that
the toy is configured as a toy fairy (e.g., having human
appearance), as a butterfly, as a dragon, or as a dinosaur, and
that the mechanism that imparts appearance of plausible possibility
of flight comprises a pair of wings. Most preferably, such toys
will include a control circuit that allows control of movement of
the pair of wings as a function of proximity of the toy to a
surface (e.g., floor of a room, bottom of a storage container, body
surface, etc.), and/or a control circuit that allows control of
illumination of the pair of wings (e.g., as a function of movement
of the pair of wings). Alternatively, the light-weight toy may be
configured as a UFO where the mechanism that imparts appearance of
plausible possibility of flight comprises a plurality of
airfoils.
[0012] Most typically, the adhesive is a low-tack adhesive (e.g.,
wax, poster putty, etc.), and the light-weight toy has a weight of
between 5 and 50 gram. With respect to the tether it is preferred
that the near-invisible fixed-length tether has a length of between
30 cm and 90 cm, typically a monofilament of filament bundle having
a thickness of less than 120 micron. In still further contemplated
aspects, the kit includes an instruction that instructs a user to
attach the first end of the tether to the person and to attach the
second end of the tether to the toy to thereby suspend the toy
mid-air.
[0013] Therefore, in another aspect of the inventive subject
matter, a method of providing a body-worn entertainment device will
include a step of providing a light-weight toy according to the
inventive subject matter and an instruction to a user to (a) attach
the first end of the near-invisible fixed-length tether to a person
and to attach the second end of the near-invisible fixed-length
tether to the light-weight toy, and (b) support the near-invisible
fixed-length tether with at least one finger (and/or another body
portion (e.g., support behind/over ear)) at a position between the
first and second ends.
[0014] In yet another aspect of the inventive subject matter,
contemplated kits include a spool to which a near-invisible tether
is releasably coupled using first and second adhesives at
respective ends of the tether, and an articulated puppet that is
configured to allow controlled movement of the puppet using the
tether, preferably when the tether is in horizontal position and
when the tether is coupled to a person using one end of the tether.
Such kits may further include a post that is configured to allow
coupling of the tether (typically longer than 90 cm) to the post
such that the tether moves along the post.
[0015] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become more apparent from the following
detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention,
along with the accompanying drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0016] FIG. 1A depicts one exemplary light-weight toy according to
the inventive subject matter.
[0017] FIG. 1B depicts another exemplary light-weight toy according
to the inventive subject matter.
[0018] FIG. 1C depicts a further exemplary light-weight toy
according to the inventive subject matter.
[0019] FIG. 2A depicts an exemplary kit according to the inventive
subject matter.
[0020] FIG. 2B depicts an exemplary packing element of the kit of
FIG. 2A.
[0021] FIG. 3 is an exemplary kit with a near-invisible tether and
an articulated puppet that is configured to allow controlled
movement of the puppet using the tether.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] The inventors have discovered that numerous body-worn toys
with near-invisible tethers can be made readily accessible to
various users that would otherwise be precluded from such devices
by providing a kit comprising the toy and a tether-spool assembly
in which one or more tethers are held in a ready-to-use
configuration.
[0023] Most preferably, the tether is temporarily fastened to the
spool using the same implement that also fastens the tether to the
object and/or user, wherein the object is a light-weight object
(e.g., less than 50 g) that is relatively small (e.g., largest
dimension less than 30 cm), and/or has the appearance of plausible
autonomous flight, typically implemented by a mechanism that
imparts appearance of plausible possibility of flight without
actually providing sufficient lift or propulsion for flight. As
used herein, the term "mechanism that imparts appearance of
plausible possibility of flight" refers to (a) any structure or
implement that is recognized (i.e., of similar or identical
appearance) as an element in a flying animate (e.g., bird, bat,
insect) or inanimate (e.g., airplane, flying disc or ring) object,
wherein that element imparts propulsion and/or lift to the animate
or inanimate object, wherein (b) that structure or implement is
proportioned and positioned in the light-weight toy such that
sufficient lift or propulsion for flight of the toy appears
possible. For example, one or more airfoils, propellers, or
flapping wings are considered mechanism that imparts appearance of
plausible possibility of flight. Most typically, movement of such
mechanisms is provided by electromagnetic devices, including
(stepping) motors, pumps, electromagnetic coil actuators, etc, all
of which may be controlled by dedicated or combined control
circuitry that is responsive to user input and/or position of the
toy relative to a static surface (infra). In contrast, a design
element labeled "antigravity thruster" or "jet pack" are not
considered mechanism that imparts appearance of plausible
possibility of flight.
[0024] With respect to the object that is to be coupled to the
tether it should be appreciated that numerous objects are suitable
in conjunction with the teachings presented herein. However, it is
particularly preferred that the object is relatively small and
light-weight and has the appearance of plausible autonomous flight.
For example, suitable objects include those having a propeller,
fixed, flapping, and/or rotating wings, or a toy rocket engine that
may or may not provide a flow of air, sparks, or other visual
and/or audible effects. Thus, it should be particularly appreciated
that suitable objects will have a mechanism that simulates a lift
and/or propulsion mechanism, but that such simulated mechanism will
not provide sufficient lift or propulsion for flight (allow the
object to maintain or increase altitude, or to provide propulsion).
Viewed from a different perspective, the mechanism will merely
provide a plausible possibility of lift and/or propulsion, but will
not enable to object to fly in a predetermined manner using that
mechanism. Therefore, the near-invisible tether is used to impart a
flying motion to the object. Most typically, one end of the tether
is coupled to the object using the modification on that end (e.g.,
using loop or poster putty) while the other end is coupled to the
user (e.g., via the modification to a piece of clothing or body
surface). Consequently, it should be recognized that a user can
move the object through the air in a flying and/or levitating
motion, giving (and/or having) the impression of free flight of the
object while the object is actually controlled via the tether.
Viewed from a different perspective, it is now possible to impart
flight capability to an object having a lift and/or propulsion
mechanism that would otherwise not be able to fly using that lift
and/or propulsion mechanism. Moreover, as the tether is already
prepared for immediate use, even unskilled players will be readily
able to enjoy contemplated entertainment devices and methods.
[0025] Among other things, especially preferred objects include
inanimate objects, including rotating disks, flying saucers ("UFO")
and/or UFO-like objects as depicted in FIG. 1A, toy helicopters,
toy jets, toy rockets, animate objects including toy birds, toy
butterflies, and even entirely imaginary objects, including space
aliens, dragons, a Pegasus, a mermaid with flapping fin, or a fairy
with flapping wings as depicted in FIG. 1B. It should be
appreciated that such objects will include at least one mechanism
that imparts appearance of plausible possibility of flight to the
toy without providing sufficient lift or propulsion for flight.
While not limiting to the inventive subject matter, it should be
noted that the object may also be configured to allow propelling of
the object along a trajectory (e.g., a spinning disk with fixed
wings may be able to fly in a manner similar to a Frisbee) or that
the object may appear to be in preparation for flight (e.g.,
increasing speed of propeller or ability to rotate). For example,
the toy may be configured such that the toy has at least some
controlled flight behavior (but still uses no propulsion and/or
lift from the mechanism). Among other things, where the toy is a
UFO, the UFO may be configured as a flying ring, a flying cylinder,
or other toy that can be thrown along a trajectory.
[0026] In FIG. 1A, the toy 100A has a general appearance of a UFO
(flying saucer) in which a plurality of airfoil-shaped structures
110A are disposed above and below a horizontal plane relative to
the rim and provide the mechanism that imparts appearance of
plausible possibility of flight to the toy without providing
sufficient lift or propulsion for flight. Rim 120A has a generally
circular configuration and is configured to allow attachment of the
airfoil-shaped structures 110A. Most preferably, at least one point
of attachment is provided in the toy to which the tether can be
inserted and retained by the low-tack adhesive. In the toy of FIG.
1A, the point of attachment 130A is centered with respect to the
rim and provides a point of rotation. Point of attachment 130A
further includes a cutout in which the tether can be inserted and
is sufficiently large to accommodate at least a portion of the
low-tack adhesive.
[0027] In FIG. 1B, the toy 100B has a general appearance of a
fairly or flying insect in which a pair of wing-shaped structures
110B are disposed at the back of the insect or fairy and provide
the mechanism that imparts appearance of plausible possibility of
flight to the toy without providing sufficient lift or propulsion
for flight. Body 120B has a generally longitudinal configuration
(e.g., insect like or human-shaped) and is configured to allow
attachment of the wing-shaped structures 110B. Most preferably, at
least one point of attachment is provided in the toy to which the
tether can be inserted and retained by the low-tack adhesive. In
the toy of FIG. 1B, the point of attachment 130B is centered with
respect to the wings and near or at the center of gravity to allow
for level flight. Here, point of attachment 130B is a metallic base
to which the tether can be attached via the low-tack adhesive.
Control circuit 140B is typically enclosed in the body portion of
the toy and is, for example, configured to control movement of the
pair of wings as a function of proximity of the toy to a resting
surface (e.g., floor, bottom surface of a storage container, body
surface, etc.), or configured to control illumination of the pair
of wings (e.g., as a function of movement of the pair of
wings).
[0028] To further increase visual appearance and perceived play
value, it is contemplated that the object may comprise additional
features that provide auditory and/or visual effects. Most
preferably, such features are controllable by a user and/or are
controlled by an electronic control circuit that controls the
effect(s) in response to movement of the toy, picking up the toy
from a resting surface (e.g., shelf, floor, or bottom surface of a
dedicated storage container). For example, where the light-weight
toy is configured as a toy fairy (having human appearance), a
butterfly, a dragon, or as a dinosaur, the mechanism that imparts
appearance of plausible possibility of flight may comprise one or
more pairs of wings, and the movement of the pair of wings may be
controlled by the control circuit as a function of proximity of the
toy to a surface (e.g., floor of a room, bottom surface of a
storage container, body surface, etc.). The same or additional
control circuit may also be used to provide additional effects, for
example, by controlling illumination of the pair of wings (e.g., as
a function of movement of the pair of wings, or in response to a
mechanical or acoustic signal provided by the user). Similarly,
where the light-weight toy is configured as a UFO, the mechanism
that imparts appearance of plausible possibility of flight will
typically comprise a plurality of fixed and/or moving airfoils.
Additional visual and/or audible effects can then be implemented
similar to the manner as described above.
[0029] It should also be recognized that in alternative aspects of
the inventive subject matter the object need not be limited to one
having plausible possibility of flight, but that non-flying objects
are also deemed suitable. Especially preferred alternative objects
include puppets, and particularly those in which one or more limbs
are controlled by one or more tethers. While it is contemplated
that the tether(s) can be attached to the puppet in any manner, it
is preferred that the tether connects to the puppet in a
substantially horizontal (+/-20 degree from horizontal) manner.
Therefore, it is preferred that the puppet is disposed between two
posts or other points of coupling. However, single or multiple-post
coupling are also deemed suitable. Regardless of the coupling, it
should be appreciated that one tether can be used for control of
movement while another tether can be used to suspend the puppet, or
that suspension and motion control can be effected using a single
tether. FIG. 1C provides an exemplary embodiment of such object.
Here, puppet 100C is suspended off tether 110C that is (preferably
movably) coupled to posts 120C and 120C'. Control tether 130C is
also attached to the puppet, routed through or along post 120C and
is further coupled to a player 140C (e.g., to wrist or finger).
[0030] With respect to suitable tethers, it is generally preferred
that the tether may be fabricated from numerous materials and
combinations and may have a relatively wide range of thickness so
long as such tethers have sufficient tensile strength to carry the
weight of the object without breaking, and so long as such tethers
are near-invisible to the unaided eye. Used in conjunction with a
tether, the terms "near-invisible" and "near-invisible to the
unaided eye" are interchangeable and refer to a tether that has a
thickness of less than 300 micron, more typically less than 100
micron, even more typically less than 50 micron, and most typically
between 5 and 50 micron. Most preferably, contemplated tethers have
a dark color and are most typically black or dark blue and have a
surface with low reflectivity (e.g., less than 20% of incident
light is reflected).
[0031] While not limiting to the inventive subject matter, it is
generally preferred that the tether will be a single filament or a
small filament bundle of less than 10, and more typically less than
5 individual filaments, which is typically prepared from a larger
yarn. For example, multifilament KEVLAR.TM. yarns (aramid yarn
commercially available from EI Dupont de Nemours, Inc.) at 10 to
2000 Denier are typically suitable and can be separated into single
filaments or small filament bundles. However, and where available,
single filaments or small filament bundles may also be commercially
obtained. Of course, it should be appreciated that the material is
not limited to KEVLAR.TM., and numerous alternative materials
(e.g., polyesters, polyamide, carbon fibers, etc.) are also deemed
appropriate.
[0032] Regardless of the material and manner of production, it is
contemplated that the near-invisible tether will be cut to a
predetermined length, and most preferably multiple tethers to a set
of predetermined lengths. In most circumstances, suitable tether
lengths will be in the range of between 20 cm and 200 cm, more
typically between 40 cm and 100 cm, and most typically between 30
cm and 90 cm. At least one of the tethers is then further modified
on at least one end to facilitate storage, handling, and attachment
to the object and/or user (or static structure such as a post,
wall, ceiling, etc.). Particularly suitable modifications of the
tether include terminal loops or other structures formed from the
tether material to which the object and/or user (or static
structure) can be fastened and/or non-tether material that
facilitates coupling of the object and/or user (or static
structure). In especially preferred aspects, the non-tether
material comprises a low-tack material (e.g., poster putty
commercially available from Elmer's Glue, Henkel, or 3M), a
magnetic material, a small hook-and-loop fastener, a jewelry
fastener (e.g., clasp, hook, carabiner clip, etc.), or other
implement that allows reversible attachment of the end (and most
preferably both ends) of the tether to the object and/or user (or
static structure). In particularly preferred aspects, it should be
appreciated that such implements will also retain or help retain
the tether to the packaging in which the tether and the toy are
provided. Most typically, one or more spools are provided around
which the tether is then wound.
[0033] With respect to the spool it is contemplated that all
structures are deemed suitable that allow temporary fastening of
the tether to the spool, preferably such that removal of the tether
from the spool will not result in entanglement of the tether.
Therefore, particularly contemplated spools include 3-dimensional
structures including cylindrical, frustoconical, (stepped)
pyramidal structures, as well as generally flat structures,
including triangle or square-shaped cards, all of which may be
notched or otherwise shaped to maintain the tether in a
predetermined position. For example, suitable alternative shapes of
carriers include (notched) cards, elongated cylinders, irregularly
shaped objects, and star-shaped objects, wherein each of these may
have separate areas for receiving separate tethers. While not
limiting to the inventive subject matter, it is typically preferred
that the tether is wound to the spool such that one end of the
tether is maintained on or near one end of the spool via the
modified end (e.g., via poster putty) while the other end is
maintained on or near the other end of the spool via the other
modified end. Therefore, it should be appreciated that the tether
can be released from the spool in a controlled and tangle-free
manner such that one end can drop away from the spool while the
other end of the tether is retained on the spool until the user
removes that end as well. Thus, it should be noted that the term
"spool" as used herein is not limited to a generally cylindrical
structure but may have numerous geometries as exemplarily outlined
above. It should also be appreciated that the carrier will
preferably be configured to provide a fixed length of a tether
without permanently retaining one end of the tether to the carrier
(e.g., as is the case with a spring-operated spool that allows
retracting the tether onto the spool). In further preferred
aspects, the packing includes multiple spools, with each of the
spools having one tether coupled thereto. As pointed out above, the
tethers may have the same length of different lengths. Tethers,
spool, and assemblies especially suitable for use herein are
described in our co-pending application with the title "Method And
Apparatus For Near-Invisible Tethers", filed concurrently herewith
which also claims priority to 61/019,174. This co-pending
application is incorporated by reference herein.
[0034] Consequently, the inventors particularly contemplate a kit
that includes a light-weight toy and a near-invisible fixed-length
tether having a length and first and second ends, wherein first and
second ends of the tether are modified with an adhesive having a
tackiness that is sufficient to allow reversible attachment of the
first end of the tether to a person and to allow reversible
attachment of the second end of the tether to the toy. Most
preferably, the light-weight toy has a mechanism that imparts
appearance of plausible possibility of flight to the toy without
actually providing sufficient lift or propulsion for flight. While
not limiting to the inventive subject matter, it is generally
preferred that the kit further includes a packaging element (e.g.,
as part of a plastic carrier for the components of the kit),
preferably configured to allow coiled and reversible affixing of
the near-invisible fixed-length tether to the packing element using
the adhesive on the first and second ends. Therefore, preferred
packing elements may comprise a spool that allows coiled and
reversible affixing of the near-invisible fixed-length tether, and
may further optionally comprise an opening to accommodate at least
a portion of the light-weight toy. In yet further contemplated
aspects of the inventive subject mater, one or more `magic wands`,
typically configured as a simple rod or cylinder, optionally with a
terminal modification (e.g., star, spark, light source, etc.) may
be provided with the light-weight toy and/or tether to further
increase play value. In such cases, the wand may be configured to
allow reversible attachment of the tether and/or to allow contact
of the wand with a portion of the tether between the ends of the
tether. Consequently, it should be appreciated that the
light-weight toy can be moved by a player by attaching one end of
the tether to the player and the other to the toy while contacting
the tether with the wand to so control movement of the toy.
Alternatively, or additionally, one end of the tether may be
attached to the wand while the other end is attached to the
toy.
[0035] Most typically, contemplated kits will comprise an
instruction that instructs a person to attach the first end of the
tether to the person and to attach the second end of the tether to
the toy to thereby suspend the toy mid-air, and to support the
near-invisible fixed-length tether with at least one finger at a
position between the first and second ends (and optionally to
further support the near-invisible fixed-length tether with another
body portion such as an ear, shoulder, etc.). FIG. 2A depicts an
exemplary kit 200A having an instruction 210A (e.g., as described
immediately above) and a plurality of tether units 220A formed in
the packing element (see below) that comprise a tether to which on
at least one end (and more typically on both ends) a low-tack
adhesive is coupled, wherein each tether is separately disposed
around a tether carrier (e.g., spool, cone structure, etc.).
Contemplated kits will further comprise at least one toy 230A,
which is preferably a light-weight toy that has a mechanism that
imparts appearance of plausible possibility of flight to the toy
without actually providing sufficient lift or propulsion for
flight. Most preferably, such kits will include the light weight
toy as contemplated above and exemplarily illustrated in FIGS.
1A-1C. One exemplary packing element that accommodates the toy and
tether(s) is schematically depicted in FIG. 2B. Here, packing
element 205B comprises spools 207B, around each of which a single
fixed-length tether 209B is wound. Low tack adhesive 212B is
attached to each end of the tether and also to a portion of the
packing element to so retain the tether in a configuration from
which the tether can be easily removed. Packaging element 205B
further includes a cutout 203B that is configured to accommodate at
least a portion of the flying toy (e.g., UFO of FIG. 1A).
[0036] In further alternative aspects, contemplated kits will
include a spool to which a near-invisible tether (preferably having
a length of at least 90 cm, more preferably at least 120 cm, and
most preferably at least 180 cm) is releasably coupled using first
and second adhesives at respective ends of the tether, and an
articulated puppet that is configured to allow controlled movement
of the puppet using the tether when (a) the tether is in horizontal
position and (b) coupled to a person using one end of the tether.
Preferably, the kit further includes a post that is configured to
allow coupling of the tether to the post such that the tether moves
along the post. Such kit will allow a user to attach one end of the
tether to the user while the articulated puppet is attached to the
tether in a position between the ends of the tether such that
movement of the tether by the user will result in movement of the
puppet. The other end of the tether is coupled to the post (e.g.,
via roll or pin), typically such that the puppet can also move in a
later motion. FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary alternative kit 300 with
the puppet. Here kit 300 includes the puppet 310, posts 312, and a
spool 320 to which a near-invisible tether 330 is releasably
coupled using first and second adhesives 332 and 334 at respective
ends of the tether. Where desired, instructions 350 can be provided
as a booklet, brochure, or other printed item. The puppet 310 is
preferably an articulated puppet that is configured to allow
controlled movement of the puppet using the tether when (a) the
tether is in horizontal position and (b) coupled to a person using
one end of the tether. In especially preferred kits, the post is
configured to allow coupling of the tether to the post such that
the tether moves along the post, wherein the tether has a length of
at least 90 cm.
[0037] Thus, specific embodiments and applications of compositions
and methods related to body-worn entertainment devices have been
disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the
art that many more modifications besides those already described
are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein.
The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted
except in the spirit of the present disclosure. Moreover, in
interpreting the specification and claims, all terms should be
interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the
context. In particular, the terms "comprises" and "comprising"
should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or
steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced
elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or
combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not
expressly referenced. Furthermore, where a definition or use of a
term in a reference, which is incorporated by reference herein is
inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided
herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the
definition of that term in the reference does not apply.
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