Games using tangible projectile – Projectile – per se; part thereof or accessory therefor – Having loose internal element – containing or adapted to...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-16
2001-10-16
Wong, Steven (Department: 3711)
Games using tangible projectile
Projectile, per se; part thereof or accessory therefor
Having loose internal element, containing or adapted to...
C473S576000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06302814
ABSTRACT:
RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present invention was first described in Disclosure Document Number 463260 filed on Oct. 07, 1999. There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to athletic equipment and, more particularly, to a foot kick sack on a tether.
2. Description of the Related Art
The sport/toy industry is a multibillion dollar, global industry that is continually growing as more and more products are developed and introduced to the buying public. The sport/toy industry is somewhat unique in the sense that it is highly susceptible to trendy products or fads. This is due most likely to the fact that children fall easily to peer pressure and, as a result, when a toy product achieves a certain level of popularity from children to adult, demand can skyrocket. This is not necessarily to say that these products require revolutionary or innovative designs. Otherwise conventional products have achieved enormous, even record, popularity based primarily on their attractiveness to the market. Another toy, finding increased popularity in recent times, is that of the foot bag or “HACKY SACK™”. While these toys are great fun, they do require a bit of skill before they can be enjoyed. Accordingly, a need has developed for new toys and improvements or even for sport training devices. The foot bag on a tether is such a device.
In the related art, there exists patents for games wherein a toy is attached on the end of a tether attached to the user's waist. None of these patents have a soft, foot bag attached at the end of a elastic, coiled tether as in the present invention.
A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related:
U.S. Pat. No.
Inventor
Issue Date
5,586,760
Hauter
Dec. 24, 1996
5,443,576
Hauter
Aug. 22, 1995
4,021,035
O'Hara
May 3, 1977
4,354,679
Steinmetz
Oct. 19, 1982
D 386,230
Gray
Nov. 11, 1997
D 323,539
Cardoza
Jan. 28, 1992
5,482,488
Plummer
Jan. 9, 1996
4,121,829
Petrusek
Oct. 24, 1978
Consequently, a need has been felt for providing a foot bag on the end of an elastic, coiled tether which automatically recoils after being kicked.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved foot bag toy.
It is an object of the present invention to play games similar to those played with “HACKY SACK™” balls.
It is an advantage of the present invention in that one never has to worry about a bag becoming lost.
It is another advantage of the present invention in that it can be played with little or no skill while still proving effective as a training device.
It is yet another advantage of the present invention that the user never loses control of the foot bag.
It is yet still another advantage of the present invention that the foot bag never rests on the ground.
It is another advantage of the present invention that it will not rust or corrode.
It is yet another advantage of the present invention that the device can be easily carried in the user's pocket while still attached via clips to the belt, belt loops, or buckle of the user.
It is a feature of the present invention that it attaches to the wearer's waist with the use of the belt buckle or belt loop.
It is another feature of the present invention that it can be used inside or out.
It is yet another feature of the present invention that it is available in many different colors.
It is yet still another feature of the present invention that it has no small pieces.
It is another feature of the present invention that it has a plastic spring that is flexible.
It is a benefit of the present invention in that it can also serve as a training aid for conventional “HACKY SACK™” play.
It is another benefit of the present invention that it is an excellent training device for speed and quickness, agility, coordination, balance, and aerobic stamina.
It is yet another benefit of the present invention in that it will not hit others standing nearby.
It is yet still another benefit of the present invention that new games can be invented.
Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, the foot bag on a tether, as its name implies, is a foot bag type of product that is attached to the wearer's waist with the use of a flexible plastic spring. It is similar in nature to a “HACKY SACK™” but with the addition of the spring connection. The foot bag is of a conventional size, weight and design with the addition of a small swivel hook connected to it. The swivel hook in turn is connected to a long plastic spring, similar in size and elasticity to a plastic coil used with keychain devices that go around the wrist and the like. At the opposite end of the spring is another swivel joint, a length adjustment, and a connection hook. The connection hook is attached to the wearer's belt or belt loop around the waist. The length of the spring is adjustable such that regardless of the height of the wearer, the wearer may easily kick the foot bag without allowing the foot bag to drag along the ground. With the foot bag on a tether securely attached and adjusted, the wearer, may kick the foot bag, practice maneuvers, train athletically, and invent new games without fear of the foot bag flying out of control or becoming lost.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2186016 (1940-01-01), Evans
patent: 3186711 (1965-06-01), Morrow
patent: 3804409 (1974-04-01), Schachner
patent: 4593901 (1986-06-01), Moore et al.
patent: 4660835 (1987-04-01), Locurto
patent: 5054786 (1991-10-01), Solomon
patent: 5893811 (1999-04-01), Stover et al.
Gugliotta John D.
Wong Steven
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