Expansible amusement device
First Claim
1. An expansible amusement device, comprising:
- a pair of substantially planar bases;
a plurality of elastically expandable members having a substantially planar shape when in a compressed state, the elastically expandable members being stacked and sandwiched between the pair of bases when in a compressed configuration;
a plurality of confetti strips positioned between adjacent ones of the elastically expandable members when in the compressed configuration;
a deployment strip peripherally wrapped about the pair of bases and the elastically expandable members when in the compressed configuration, the deployment strip having a free end and a fixed end; and
at least one retaining member releasably securing the fixed end of the deployment strip to the pair of bases when in the compressed configuration;
wherein a user grasps the free end of the deployment strip and tosses the expansible amusement device in order to deploy the expansible amusement device, the tossing of the expansible amusement device causing the at least one retaining member and the deployment strip to separate from the pair of bases, the elastically expandable members expanding when compressive force from the pair of bases is removed, expansion of the plurality of elastically expandable members dispersing the plurality of confetti strips in a burst pattern.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The expansible amusement device is a compressed package formed from paper goods, plastic goods or the like, which, under selective decompression, disperses confetti and generates acoustic effects. A plurality of elastically expandable members are stacked together and compressed between a pair of bases. A plurality of confetti strips are positioned between adjacent elastically expandable members when the expansible amusement device is in the compressed configuration, and a deployment strip is peripherally wrapped about the compressed device. The deployment strip has a free end and a fixed end, and at least one retaining member releasably secures the fixed end of the deployment strip to the pair of bases when the expansible amusement device is in the compressed configuration.
16 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An expansible amusement device, comprising:
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a pair of substantially planar bases; a plurality of elastically expandable members having a substantially planar shape when in a compressed state, the elastically expandable members being stacked and sandwiched between the pair of bases when in a compressed configuration; a plurality of confetti strips positioned between adjacent ones of the elastically expandable members when in the compressed configuration; a deployment strip peripherally wrapped about the pair of bases and the elastically expandable members when in the compressed configuration, the deployment strip having a free end and a fixed end; and at least one retaining member releasably securing the fixed end of the deployment strip to the pair of bases when in the compressed configuration; wherein a user grasps the free end of the deployment strip and tosses the expansible amusement device in order to deploy the expansible amusement device, the tossing of the expansible amusement device causing the at least one retaining member and the deployment strip to separate from the pair of bases, the elastically expandable members expanding when compressive force from the pair of bases is removed, expansion of the plurality of elastically expandable members dispersing the plurality of confetti strips in a burst pattern. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An expansible amusement device, comprising:
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a pair of substantially planar bases; a plurality of elastically expandable members having a substantially planar shape when in a compressed state, the elastically expandable members being stacked and sandwiched between the pair of bases to form a compressed stack; a plurality of confetti strips loosely positioned between adjacent ones of the elastically expandable members in the compressed stack; a deployment strip peripherally wrapped about the compressed stack, the deployment strip having a free end and a fixed end, the fixed end being fixed to the pair of bases; and a plurality of retaining members releasably securing a central portion of the deployment strip to the pair of bases in the compressed stack, whereby a user grasps the free end of the deployment strip and tosses the compressed stack in order to deploy the compressed stack, the tossing of the expansible amusement device causing the plurality of retaining members to disengage from the pair of bases and causing the deployment strip to unwind from about the pair of bases, the elastically expandable members expanding when compressive force from the pair of bases is removed, expansion of the elastically expandable members dispersing the confetti strips in a burst. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification