Projected implement entertainment device

• US 7,448,969 B2
• Filed: 10/06/2005
• Issued: 11/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Inventors: Brown, Jeffrey A., Weber, Gary E., Nissen, Erica M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim; Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHAMBERS, MICHAEL S
• Application Number:
  US11/244,282
• Publication Number:
  US 20070082764A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,132 Days
• Field of Search: 473/476, 473/479, 473/480, 473/481, 273/395, 273/394, 273/396
• US Class Current: 473/476
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 67/06 Ring or disc tossing games , e.g. quoits; Throwing or tossing games, e.g. using balls; Games for manually rolling balls, e.g. marbles
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/006 Infant exercisers, e.g. for attachment to a crib

Abstract

A reconfigurable target/projectile activity entertainment device is disclosed, wherein the device includes a projectile, a target having a target area and a reversible base connectable to the target. The target is in the form of a hoop or ring and is disposed above the reversible base. The hoop has an opening therein that forms the target area. The hoop contains a sensor that detects a projectile passing through the target area and communicates with a sensory generator to generate sensory-stimulating output (i.e., lights and sounds). Projectiles directed through the target area drop to the reversible base below the target area. The reversible base has a first side and a second side. The first side is concave for collecting a projectile that drops thereon. The second side is opposite the first side and has a convex side that deflects projectiles dropping thereon to deflect the projectile away from the device. The reversible base can be reconfigured between a first mode wherein the concave side faces the target area and a second mode that wherein the convex side faces the target.

Claims

1. A activity entertainment device comprising:

a projectile;

a target having a target area; and

a convertible projectile movement controller, wherein said projectile movement controller is convertible between a first mode wherein after said projectile passes through said target area, said projectile movement controller directs said projectile away from said activity entertainment device and a second mode wherein after said projectile passes through said target area, the projectile is contained within said projectile movement controller, said projectile movement controller being bowl shaped and having a convex side and an opposed concave side and wherein said concave side of said projectile movement controller faces said target area in said second mode and said convex side of said projectile movement controller faces said target area in said first mode.

2. The activity entertainment device of claim 1, wherein said convertible projectile movement controller is a base disposed below said target area.

3. The activity entertainment device of claim 1, wherein said target area is an opening in a ring through which said projectile is dropped or tossed.

4. The activity entertainment device of claim 1, wherein said target includes a sensor for detecting the presence of said projectile passing therethrough.

5. The activity entertainment device of claim 3, wherein said ring includes a sensor for detecting the presence of said projectile as said projectile passes through said ring.

6. The activity entertainment device of claim 4, wherein said sensor is an optical sensor.

7. The activity entertainment device of claim 4, further comprising a sensory output generator wherein when said sensor detects the presence of said projectile, said sensor communicates with said sensory output generator to generate sensory-stimulating output.

8. The activity entertainment device of claim 2, wherein said base has at least a first side and a second side and said base is removable from said target and reversible so that in said first mode said first side faces said target area and in said second mode said second side faces said target area.

9. The activity entertainment device of claim 8, wherein said target has a sensor for detecting the presence of said projectile, wherein said base contains a power source and wherein said power source powers said sensor.

10. An activity entertainment device for receiving a projectile comprising:

a target having a target area and including a sensor for detecting the presence of said projectile within said target area;

a base, wherein said base has a deflection side and an opposed containment side, said base being reversible between a first mode wherein after said projectile passes through said target area, said deflection side of said base directs said projectile away from said activity entertainment device and a second mode wherein after said projectile passes through said target area, said projectile is contained within said containment side of said base; and

a sensory output generator configured wherein when said sensor detects the presence of said projectile, said sensor communicates with said sensory output generator to generate sensory-stimulating output.

11. The activity entertainment device of claim 10, wherein said target is a ring through which said projectile passes.

12. The activity entertainment device of claim 10, wherein said base is bowl shaped and said containment side of said base is concave and said deflection side of said base is convex.

13. The activity entertainment device of claim 12, wherein said containment side of said base faces said target area in said second mode and said deflection side of said base faces said target area in said first mode.

14. The activity entertainment device of claim 13, wherein said target includes a sensor for detecting the presence of said projectile within said target area and comprising a sensory output generator wherein when said sensor detects the presence of said projectile, said sensor communicates with said sensory output generator to generate sensory-stimulating output.

15. The activity entertainment device of claim 10, wherein said base contains a power source and wherein said power source powers said sensor.

16. A method of reconfiguring the activity entertainment device of claim 10, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a projectile; and

reconfiguring a said base between said first mode wherein after said projectile passes through said target area, said base directs said projectile away from said activity entertainment device, and said second mode wherein after said projectile passes through said target area, said projectile is contained within said containment side of said base.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said deflection side of said base is convex and said containment side of said base is concave.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of reconfiguring further comprises separating said base from said target and reversing said from said convex side to said concave side or from said concave side to said convex side before reattaching said base to said target.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of directing said projectile through said target area and retrieving said projectile from said base.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of directing said projectile through said target area and retrieving said projectile after said deflection side directs said projectile away from said base.