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

• US 7,785,170 B2
• Filed: 07/10/2007
• Issued: 08/31/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mark J. Chernick, Webb T. Nelson
• Original Assignee: Mark J. Chernick, Webb T. Nelson
• Inventors: Nelson, Webb T., Chernick, Mark J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim; Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): Niconovich; Alexander R
• Application Number:
  US11/825,829
• Publication Number:
  US 20090017721A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,148 Days
• Field of Search: 446118-126, 446/85, 446/486, 292/38, 473/575, 473/596, 277/376, 403/224, 403/306, 403/300
• 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 central hub;

a plurality of flexible protrusions radially extending from said central hub, wherein each flexible protrusion contained within said plurality of flexible protrusions is molded entirely from an elastomeric gel material, each said flexible protrusion having a distal end, wherein a hole is disposed through said flexible protrusion proximate said distal end; and

a secondary object made from a rigid material and coupled to said distal end of each of said flexible protrusions, wherein each said secondary object defines an interior in which a post is disposed, wherein said distal end of one of said flexible projections extends into said interior, and wherein said post engages said hole in said flexible protrusion within said interior, therein binding said secondary object to said flexible protrusion so that said secondary object terminates said flexible protrusion and each said secondary object hangs freely suspended by one of said flexible projections.

2. The device according to claim 1, 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. The device according to claim 1, wherein said central hub is made of elastomeric gel and is integrally molded with said flexible protrusions.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein said central hub is spherical.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein said secondary objects are spherical.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein each said post is pointed and forms said hole in said flexible protrusion as said secondary object is attached to said flexible protrusion.

10. A novelty device, including:

a hub;

at least two protrusions made from an elastomeric gel material, wherein each of said protrusions has a distal end; and

a secondary object made from a rigid material for each of said protrusions, each said secondary object defining an interior containing at least one post, wherein said distal end of one of said protrusions extends into each said secondary object, and wherein said protrusion engages said at least one post within said interior, therein binding each said secondary object to said protrusions so that each of said protrusions are terminated by said secondary object, and each said secondary object hangs freely suspended by one of said flexible projections.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein said at least one post extends through each of said protrusions.

12. The device according to claim 10, wherein said central hub is made of elastomeric gel and is integrally molded with said protrusion.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein said central hub is spherical.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein said secondary objects are spherical.