Sound producing amusement device

• US 5,738,560 A
• Filed: 05/10/1996
• Issued: 04/14/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nifty World, Inc.
• Original Assignee: James Bears
• Inventors: Bears, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Muir, D Neal
• Application Number:
  US08/644,171
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 446/220, 446/222, 446/418, 446/419, 446/421, 446/437, 473/594, 473/595
• US Class Current: 446/220
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2027/1041 Holding or sealing means, e.g. handling rods, clamps or plugs
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2027/1058 associated with light or sound
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2027/1091 with object inserted within; Means or methods for insertion of objects
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 27/10 Balloons connection of valves to inflatable elastic bodies B60C29/00; other than toy aspects B64B1/40
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 5/00 Musical or noise- producing devices for additional toy effects other than acoustical musical tops A63H1/28; sound-producing dolls A63H3/28; musical toy vehicles A63H17/268; acoustical vehicle-signalling devices A63H17/32; whistling toy locomotive arrangements A63H19/14; music, sound or noise production in general G10

Abstract

A sound producing amusement device comprising an inflatable member made of an elastic resilient material, and a handle for supporting and manipulating the inflatable member. A member placed inside the inflatable member produces sound as it rolls or moves inside the inflatable member. The handle is provided with a slot for receiving the open end of the inflatable member for retention and sealing thereof within the handle. Different forms of members placed within the inflatable member produce different sounds, and can simulate different vehicles, animals, etc.

Claims

1. An amusement device comprising:

an inflatable member made of an elastic resilient material, said inflatable member having an inner wall and an end with an opening for introducing a gas for inflation;

a handle for supporting and manipulating the inflatable member, said handle comprising an annular wall portion defining an open end for receiving one end of the inflatable member, and an opposite end wall having a slot for receiving the end of the inflatable member for retention thereof within the handle, and wherein the open end of the handle has a diameter of not less than 1/5 of the diameter of the inflatable member, when inflated; and

an inner rollable sound generating member for placement within the inflatable member, said inner member having an irregular surface defining a plurality of points for making contact with the inner wall of the inflatable member and wherein the inner member includes a loose element retained adjacent the surface thereof, the inner member being operative upon manipulating the handle with the inflatable member inflated and retained thereby, to produce sound upon rolling contact with the inner wall of the inflatable member.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the inflatable member is a balloon.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the inflatable member is elongated.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein, in operation, the inflatable member is inflated to provide a taut rebounding inner wall surface for the inner member.

5. The device of claim 1 where the inner member comprises a non-spherical member.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the inner member includes protruding elements.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the inner member is a polyhedron.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the inner member includes a hollow portion, and wherein the loose element is disposed within the hollow portion.

9. The device of claim 1 comprising a plurality of inner members.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein the annular wall portion of the handle is flared to receive one end of the inflatable member.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein the handle comprises a first and second annular portion interconnected by a pair connecting members.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein the end wall of the handle comprises a cut-out portion defining a T-shaped portion for wrapping of the end of the inflatable member, and a second slot for retention of the end of the inflatable member.