Novelty pop-up toy having double-layer braided sleeve body and its associated method of manufacture
First Claim
1. A method of operating a pop-up toy comprising the steps of:
- providing a toy structure having a head, and a length of braided sleeve made from interwoven plastic strands, wherein said braided sleeve has a first end and a second end, and wherein said length of braided sleeve is invaginated so that both said first end and said second end are anchored to said head and form a free bottom end opposite said head;
compressing said braided sleeve by placing said free bottom end of said braided sleeve against a surface and applying a compression force to said head to compress said braided sleeve by moving said head toward said bottom end, therein altering said braided sleeve from an uncompressed state to a compressed state; and
removing said compression force when said braided sleeve is in said compressed state, therein causing said braided sleeve to expand into said uncompressed state with enough force to propel said toy into the air.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A novelty pop-up toy and its associated method of operation. The pop-up toy has a head section that is supported on a double-layered braided sleeve body. When the pop-up toy is compressed, the double-layered braided sleeve body elastically deforms from an uncompressed state to a compressed state. While in the compressed state, the double-layered braided sleeve body stores energy. If the compression force is suddenly released, the double-layered braided sleeve body releases its stored energy and pops back into its uncompressed state. As the double-layered braided sleeve body returns to its uncompressed state, it rapidly expands, therein providing enough force to propel the entire pop-up toy into the air.
31 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of operating a pop-up toy comprising the steps of:
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providing a toy structure having a head, and a length of braided sleeve made from interwoven plastic strands, wherein said braided sleeve has a first end and a second end, and wherein said length of braided sleeve is invaginated so that both said first end and said second end are anchored to said head and form a free bottom end opposite said head; compressing said braided sleeve by placing said free bottom end of said braided sleeve against a surface and applying a compression force to said head to compress said braided sleeve by moving said head toward said bottom end, therein altering said braided sleeve from an uncompressed state to a compressed state; and removing said compression force when said braided sleeve is in said compressed state, therein causing said braided sleeve to expand into said uncompressed state with enough force to propel said toy into the air. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of forming a pop-up toy comprising the steps of:
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providing a length of braided sleeve made from interwoven plastic strands, wherein said braided sleeve defines a central opening that extends between an open first end and an open second end; forming a resilient body by partially inverting said braided sleeve; providing an end cap, wherein said open first end and said open second end enter said end cap and are adhesively anchored within said end cap; providing a head made of foam material, wherein a bore is formed within said head; providing a plurality of lateral projections that extend outwardly between said head and said braided sleeve; and anchoring said end cap within said bore, therein connecting said resilient body to said head so that said resilient body supports said head atop said resilient body and wherein said plurality of lateral projections extend below said head and help prevent the head from passing into said resilient body when said resilient body is compressed under said head. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. A method of operating a pop-up toy, comprising the steps of:
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providing a toy comprised in part of a length of double-layered braided sleeve; compressing said toy by applying a compression force to said toy to compress said braided sleeve, therein altering said braided sleeve from an uncompressed state to a compressed state; removing said compression force when said braided sleeve is in said compressed state, therein causing said braided sleeve to expand into said uncompressed state with enough force to propel said toy into flight. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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Specification