Resilient Ball Containing Looped Segments

• US 20080090486A1
• Filed: 11/09/2006
• Published: 04/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Tangle Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Tangle Incorporated
• Inventors: Zawitz, Richard E.
• Application Number:
  US11/558,350
• Publication Number:
  US 20080090486A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 446/124
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/16 for hands or fingers for teaching typing G09B13/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/002 with special configuration, e.g. non-spherical discs for throwing A63B65/10
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/008 Playhouses, play-tents, big enough for playing inside
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/18 Throwing or slinging toys, e.g. flying disc toys discs used in athletics A63B65/10as part of a game A63F9/02; sling weapons F41B3/00; spring toy guns F41B7/08

Abstract

A toy body includes a plurality of curved loop segments. Each curved loop segment can have a curved end and an opposite end. The curved end of each loop segment can meet at the first end of the toy body, and the opposite end of each loop can meet at the second end of the toy body. In some cases, at least two curved ends are coupled together at the first end, and at least two opposite ends are coupled together at the second end. The plurality of curved loop segments forms a continuous loop. A method of making a toy includes shaping a continuous loop to present a first set of bent segments and a second set of bent segments. The first set of bent segments are disposed toward a first toy end, and the second set of bent segments are disposed toward a second toy end.

Claims

1. A toy body having a first end, a second end, and a hollow interior, wherein the toy body comprises:

a plurality of curved loop segments, each curved loop segment having a curved end and an opposite end, wherein the curved end of each loop segment meets at the first end of the toy body, and the opposite end of each loop meets at the second end of the toy body.

2. A toy body as in claim 1, wherein at least two curved ends are coupled together at the first end.

3. A toy body as in claim 1, wherein at least two opposite ends are coupled together at the second end.

4. A toy body as in claim 1, wherein the plurality of curved loop segments form a continuous loop.

5. A toy, comprising:

a first set of bent segments, and

a second set of bent segments;

wherein the first set of bent segments are disposed toward a first end of the toy, the second set of bent segments are disposed toward a second end of the toy, each of the first set segments is disposed between two second set segments, and each of the second set segments is disposed between two first set segments.

6. A toy as in claim 5, wherein the first set of bent segments in combination with the second set of bent segments form a continuous loop.

7. A toy as in claim 6, wherein the continuous loop comprises an inflatable lumen.

8. A toy as in claim 5, wherein the toy defines a shape selected from the group consisting of a sphere, a spheroid, a prolate spheroid, an oblate spheroid, an ellipsoid, and a toroid.

9. A toy as in claim 5, wherein the toy defines an interior space disposed between the first and the second end.

10. A toy as in claim 9, wherein the toy comprises an object at least partially disposed within the interior space.

11. A toy as in claim 5, wherein at least one of the first set or second set segments comprises a tubular segment having a circular cross-section.

12. A toy as in claim 5, further comprising a first link disposed toward the first end, wherein the first link is coupled with at least two of the first set segments.

13. A toy as in claim 12, wherein the first link comprises a member selected from the group consisting of a ring, a sphere, a cone, a sprocket, a web, and a bar.

14. A toy as in claim 5, further comprising an equatorial segment continuous with and disposed between one of the first set bent segment and one of the second set bent segments.

15. A toy as in claim 5, wherein at least one of the first set of bent segments comprises a curved segment.

16. A toy as in claim 5, wherein at least one of the first set of bent segments comprises an angular segment.

17. A toy as in claim 5, wherein the toy is elastic.

18. A toy as in claim 5, wherein the toy provides a stress relief device comprising sections of varying hardness.

19. A toy as in claim 5, wherein the toy provides a member selected from the group consisting of a stress relief device, a performance ball, a pet toy, and a baby toy.

20. A method of making a toy, comprising:

coupling a first set of bent segments with a second set of bent segments;

wherein the first set of bent segments are disposed toward a first end of the toy, the second set of bent segments are disposed toward a second end of the toy, each of the first set segments is disposed between two second set segments, and each of the second set segments is disposed between two first set segments.

21. A method as in claim 20, wherein the first set of bent segments in combination with the second set of bent segments form a continuous loop.

22. A method as in claim 20, wherein the toy defines a shape selected from the group consisting of a sphere, a spheroid, a prolate spheroid, an oblate spheroid, an ellipsoid, and a toroid.

23. A method as in claim 20, wherein the toy defines an interior space disposed between the first and the second end.

24. A method as in claim 20, further comprising a first link disposed toward the first end, wherein the first link is coupled with at least two of the first set segments.

25. A method of making a toy, comprising:

providing a continuous loop; and

shaping the continuous loop to present a first set of bent segments and a second set of bent segments;

wherein the first set of bent segments are disposed toward a first end of the toy, the second set of bent segments are disposed toward a second end of the toy, each of the first set segments is disposed between two second set segments, and each of the second set segments is disposed between two first set segments.

26. A method as in claim 25, wherein the toy defines a shape selected from the group consisting of a sphere, a spheroid, a prolate spheroid, an oblate spheroid, an ellipsoid, and a toroid.

27. A method as in claim 25, wherein the toy defines an interior space disposed between the first and the second end.

28. A method as in claim 25, further comprising a first link disposed toward the first end, wherein the first link is coupled with at least two of the first set segments.

29. A method of using a toy, comprising:

providing a first set of bent segments and a second set of bent segments, wherein the first set of bent segments are disposed toward a first end of the toy, the second set of bent segments are disposed toward a second end of the toy, each of the first set segments is disposed between two second set segments, and each of the second set segments is disposed between two first set segments; and

elastically deflecting at least one segment of the first or second set of bent segments.