Amusement devices: toys – Operated by relatively moving fluid or pressure differential – Including suction cup
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-18
2001-07-24
Rimell, Sam (Department: 3712)
Amusement devices: toys
Operated by relatively moving fluid or pressure differential
Including suction cup
C040S597000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06264524
ABSTRACT:
I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a toy figure and, more particularly, to a toy figure that has multiple orifices which enable a suction cup to be releasably retained within the orifices and, thereby, permit the toy figure to be situated on a variety of surfaces and arranged in a variety of positions.
II. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Children are amused and entertained by toy figures, especially toy figures that capture the attention and fantasy of children through the depiction and animation of the toy figures in television shows and movies. The toy figures contain characteristics that encourage and stimulate the enjoyment and imagination of the children.
Several toy figures have been designed with useful characteristics to further the playful and practical uses of the toy figures for the children. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,969,837 to Kresse entitled “Display Figure” discloses a display figure that has an elongated backing strip that forms an open tube within the display figure to receive an elongated staff. The staff is used to support the display figure while being held by the child or positioned in a suitable location for further playfulness when not being held. Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 5,078,640 to Berman entitled “Plaything Usable As A Crutch Pad” discloses a plaything that serves both as a stuffed figure or animal for playing and as a crutch pad when not being played with. A shortcoming of these figures is that although the figures are usable as play toys for the children, the figures prohibit use and enjoyment in conjunction with a variety of surfaces or positions when not in the childrens' hands which stifles the childrens' ability to simulate the superhuman characteristics of the toy figure. Another shortcoming is that the toy figures are limited in their use and, therefore, the children must rely solely upon their own imagination to play with the toy figure while remaining within the design limitations of the toy figures.
Several toy figures have been designed with gripping or holding characteristics to increase the use and enjoyment of the toy figure and to foster the childrens' imagination. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,152,865 to Ikeda entitled “Greeting Card With Holding Toy” discloses a holding toy in the form of an animal that has spring loaded limbs to secure the holding toy upon a greeting card. Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 5,288,257 to Zacherl entitled “Toy Figure Door Stop Having Door Adhering/Suction Cups” discloses a toy figure that has a flexible body with several appendages affixed with suction cups to secure the toy figure to a door and, thereby, act as a door stop when not being played with. A shortcoming of these devices is that the toy figures are only usable in one position and, therefore, are not useful or playful in a variety of other positions. Another shortcoming is that these devices are not suitable for placement on a variety of surfaces and, therefore, the toy figure limits the encouragement and stimulation of imagination that the children receive from the toy figure. Another shortcoming is that these toy figures are not capable of exhibiting superhuman characteristics such as flying.
A toy figure that is suitable for placement on a variety of surfaces and that is capable of exhibiting superhuman characteristics is U.S. Pat. No. 4,235,041 to Sweet entitled “Figure Toy” which discloses a toy figure with suction cups that cover the entire body of the toy figure to permit the toy figure to adhere to various smooth surfaces. A shortcoming of this toy figure is that the suction cups are not removable from the body of the toy figure and, therefore, the children are prohibited from playing with the toy figure without the suction cups. Another shortcoming of this toy figure is that multiple suction cups are used to adhere the toy figure to a smooth surface and, therefore, the flexibility and movement of the toy figure while adhered to the smooth surface is limited. Another shortcoming is that when the toy figure is adhered to the smooth surface, the children are forced to play with the opposite side of the toy figure which is covered in suction cups and, thereby, reduces the enjoyment of the toy figure by the children. Still another shortcoming is that the suction cups are not flush to the body of the toy figure which permits the suction cups to be snagged or pulled from the toy figure. Still another shortcoming is that the toy figure is completely covered with suction cups and, therefore, is neither an aesthetically pleasing toy nor presents a friendly or receptive toy for the children.
Thus, there is a need and there has never been disclosed a toy figure that provides a releasably retainable suction cup sufficient to effectively attach a toy figure to a variety of surfaces and in a variety of positions, due to multiple orifices contained within the toy, and, therefore, stimulates the use and enjoyment of the toy figure by the children.
III. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a toy figure that provides multiple orifices for releasably retaining a suction cup. A related object of the present invention is to enable the toy figure to be attached to a variety of different surfaces and arranged in a variety of different positions while attached to the various surfaces.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a toy figure that is capable of exhibiting superhuman characteristics. A related object of the present invention is to provide a toy figure that encourages and stimulates the imagination of the children.
Still another related object of the present invention is to provide a toy figure that fosters the playfulness of the children. A related object of the present invention is to provide a toy that is safe for children and easy to use.
Other objects of the present invention will become more apparent to persons having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
IV. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a toy figure that provides multiple orifices which enable a suction cup to be releasably retained within the orifices. The orifices comprise a channel and a retaining cavity. The suction cup comprises an engagement member with an extension member and a head. The extension member is used to insert the head through the channel and into the retaining cavity where the head is securely held in place by the retaining cavity until removed by the user.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2219130 (1940-10-01), Hermann
patent: 4152865 (1979-05-01), Ikeda
patent: 4235041 (1980-11-01), Sweet
patent: 4258500 (1981-03-01), Anderson
patent: 4794025 (1988-12-01), Yamanaka
patent: 5078640 (1992-01-01), Berman
patent: 5080941 (1992-01-01), Kosowan
patent: 5288257 (1994-02-01), Zacherl
patent: 5397124 (1995-03-01), Nevel
patent: 5430965 (1995-07-01), Lai
patent: 5502909 (1996-04-01), Rabkin
Crane Cyril
Crane Judith A.
Crane Michael R.
JAC Investments Inc.
Knechtel Demeur & Samlan
Rimell Sam
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