Novelty device having elastomeric protrusions with hard plastic terminations and its associated method of construction

• US 20090017721A1
• Filed: 07/10/2007
• Published: 01/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mark J. Chernick, Webb T. Nelson
• Original Assignee: Mark J. Chernick, Webb T. Nelson
• Inventors: Nelson, Webb T., Chernick, Mark J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,785,170 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 446/486
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/00 Other toys
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53678 Compressing parts together face to face
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/454 Connecting pin traverses radially interposed elastomer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/57 Distinct end coupler
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/5741 Separate screw or pin-type connections

Abstract

A novelty device and the associated method of fabricating component parts of the novelty device. The novelty device has at least one protrusion that is made from an elastomeric gel. The protrusion has a distal end. A hole is disposed through the protrusion proximate its distal end. A secondary object is provided. The secondary object is made from a rigid material. The secondary object defines an interior space. The distal end of the elastomeric gel protrusion extends through the secondary object and into the interior space of the secondary object. The secondary object is comprised of an assembly of interconnecting parts. The parts of the secondary object are assembled around the elastomeric gel protrusion in the area of the hole. Once assembled, the secondary object engages the hole in the elastomeric gel protrusion. As a result, the secondary object becomes mechanically interconnected to the end of the elastomeric gel protrusion.

Claims

1. A novelty device, including:

a protrusion made from an elastomeric gel material, said protrusion having a distal end, wherein a hole is disposed through said protrusion proximate said distal end; and

a secondary object made from a rigid material, said secondary object defining an interior, wherein said distal end of said protrusion extends through said secondary object into said interior, and wherein said secondary object engages said hole in said protrusion within said interior, therein binding said object to said protrusion.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein a post is disposed in said interior of said secondary object, wherein said post extends through said hole in said protrusion.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said secondary object includes a first piece and a second piece that interconnect to form said secondary object.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein said first piece and said second piece connect together with a snap fit.

5. The device according to claim 3, further including adhesive in said interior, wherein said adhesive binds said first piece to said second piece.

6. A novelty device, comprising:

a central hub;

a plurality of protrusions radially extending from said central hub, each of said protrusions having a proximal end that attaches to said hub and a distal end that extends away from said central hub, wherein each of said protrusions is fabricated from an elastomeric gel;

a plurality of rigid secondary objects, wherein a rigid secondary object is affixed to said distal end of each of said protrusions so that said protrusions interconnect said plurality of rigid secondary objects to said central hub.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein said central hub is made of elastomeric gel and is integrally molded with said plurality of protrusions.

8. The device according to claim 6, wherein said central hub is spherical.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein said secondary objects are spherical.

10. The device according to claim 6, wherein a hole is disposed through each of said protrusions proximate each said distal end.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein each of said secondary objects defines an interior, wherein each said distal end of each of said protrusions extends into a corresponding interior of each of said secondary objects.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein posts are disposed in said secondary objects, wherein each of said posts engage one of said protrusions.

13. The device according to claim 6, wherein each of said secondary objects includes a first piece and a second piece that interconnect.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein said first piece and said second piece connect together with a snap fit.

15. The device according to claim 13, further including adhesive in said interior, wherein said adhesive binds said first piece to said second piece.

16. A method of terminating an elastomeric gel protrusion with a rigid object, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a rigid object that includes two pieces that selectively interconnect, wherein said rigid object defines an interior space when said two pieces are interconnected, and wherein a post is disposed within said interior space;

separating said two pieces of said rigid object;

placing said post through said hole in said elastomeric gel protrusion;

interconnecting said two pieces of said rigid object while said post extends through said elastomeric gel protrusion, therein interlocking said secondary object and said elastomeric gel protrusion.

17. The method according to claim 16, further including the step of placing adhesive in said interior space of said rigid object.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein said rigid object is spherical.

19. The method according to claim 16, wherein said two pieces of said rigid object snap fit together.