Abstract:
A streamer toy or a performance device, including a handle attached to a cord whose length can be varied and which can be extended or retracted. A weight, such as a ball, may be connected to the cord. The cord may have one or more ribbons or streamers attached to it. A user can perform various movements with the toy or performance device which cause the ribbons or streamers to make various configurations in the air, such as serpents, spiral, throws and catches, boomerangs, and flips. The invention may also include whistles, bells, and/or lights to further enhance the performance.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to toys or performance devices. More specifically, the invention is directed to toys or performance devices that allow a user to create by manipulative movements, various configurations of the device such as those used in rhythmic gymnastics. 
         [0002]    Various toys or performance devices that use cords and/or ribbons exist, such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,688,941 to Hooten and U.S. Pat. No. 5,890,946 to Bloomfield. Streamers, a common apparatus used in rhythmic gymnastic performances, are also known. However, it is not believed that the prior art provides the streamer, cord, or ribbon with a retraction and/or expansion feature. It would be advantageous to provide such a feature that permits the user to vary the length of the streamer or cord without stopping the movement of the performance. Such a feature would also be advantageous for storing the device as it would limit the amount of cord or streamer that could entangle itself. 
         [0003]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a retractable and expandable performance toy or device for use in performances such as rhythmic gymnastics. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a performance toy or device with a weighted assembly attached to the retractable device, providing more speed when using the device and/or to better direct the streamer or cord, allowing more variations of ribbon configurations and/or enhanced flexibility in manipulating the device as compared to prior devices. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The apparatus of this application may be a children&#39;s toy or an improvement to a performance device such as the ribbons used in rhythmic gymnastics. 
         [0005]    The device provides the user with a handle and cord emanating from the top. At the other end of the cord, a weight and/or ribbon assembly may be attached. A ribbon assembly may include ribbons or streamers radiating from the cord. A variety of items may be used as a weight that provide extra visual effects, such as a rubber ball, a colored disc, etc. A whistle or bells may be located on the weight, cord, ribbon, or streamer to provide an audible effect to the performance device. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, it is preferable to use a ball as a weight. When a ball with attached cord is used, the user can swing the handle and the ball may fly quickly through the air. The user may even choose to strike the ball against a surface which creates extra visual effects with the ribbons and streamers. 
         [0007]    The device may have reeling means located within the handle or on its exterior. This reeling means allows the user to increase or decrease the length of the cord, moving the weight and ribbon assembly closer or further from the handle. This changes the visual displays produced by the device. The reeling means may be automatically or manually activated depending on what type of control the user desires. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, the reeling means may be a tape spring located inside the handle. The cord may be anchored to the handle. When the user twirls the device, the cord unravels from within the handle. The user may stop the extension of the cord by depressing the tape spring from the exterior of the handle, clamping onto the cord. The user may also automatically reel in the cord by depressing a button communicating with the tape spring. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one preferred embodiment of the performance device; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is vertical sectional view taken along reference line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is top and side perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the performance device; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the performance device in use; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged sectional view taken along reference line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a side perspective view showing the two interior sides of the handle of the performance device opened at its vertical axis; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged perspective of a winding mechanism shown in  FIG. 6 . 
       
    
    
     DEFINITION OF CLAIM TERMS 
       [0016]    The terms used in the claims of the patent as filed are intended to have their broadest meaning consistent with the requirements of law. 
         [0017]    “Ribbon assembly” means a part of a performance device that provides the majority of the visual display, such as at least one ribbon and/or streamer. In addition, it may include anything that may add to a visual display, such as a light, whistle, webbing, decoration, glow-in-the dark material, etc. 
         [0018]    “Reeling means” means a part of the performance device that allows a user to extend or contract the cord automatically. 
         [0019]    Where alternative meanings are possible, the broadest meaning is intended. All words used in the claims are intended to be used in the normal, customary usage of grammar and the English language. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    Set forth below is a description of what are believed to be the preferred embodiments and/or best examples of the invention claimed. Future and present alternatives and modifications to this preferred embodiment are contemplated. Any alternatives or modifications which make insubstantial changes in function, in purpose, in structure, or in result are intended to be covered by the claims of this patent. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a preferred embodiment of the present invention, performance device  17 , may be manufactured for use as a children&#39;s toy, or as an improvement to a performance device, such as may be used in rhythmic gymnastics. Device  17  may have a handle  1  with a first end  2   a  ( FIG. 7 ) of cord  2  inserted within interior channel  31  of handle  1 . In this embodiment, means for varying the length of cord  2  may be located on the exterior of handle  1 , such that a user may wrap or unwrap cord  2  around anchor  5 , having sides  5   a  and  5   b  and narrowed radial portion  5   c . A second end  2   b  ( FIGS. 1 and 5 ) of cord  2  may be attached to at least one weight, such as ball  3 , and a ribbon assembly that may include radiating ribbons  4  and/or streamers attached to the top of the ball  3  using rivet  6  ( FIG. 5 ) to provide a radiating effect. A user may manipulate the device  17  by holding handle  1  (see  FIG. 4 ) and twirling it around so that cord  2  floats in the air in a direction proscribed by the movement of ball  3 , while the ribbon or streamer assembly  4  creates visual effects in the air. 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  6 , and  7 , preferred embodiments of the present invention, cord  2  may include automatic reeling means. Unused cord  2  may be located within handle  1  by running through channel  31  and wrapping around anchor  34  within interior space  32  of handle  1 . 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , in one preferred embodiment, a user may control the length of cord  2  by depressing button  11  located over a spring loaded handle. When button  11  is pushed it clamps cord  2  and prevents its release. If the user releases button  11 , the pressure on cord  2  is released, and upon twirling cord  2  can further release from coil spring  15  and increase in length. This embodiment may but need not utilize spring-loaded means located in the handle (such as used in a tape measure, for example) for automatically retracting the cord, and for releasing it under force, as will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, if the user pushes button  11  without twirling (i.e., without providing an opposing force directed in a radially outward direction along the cord), cord  2 , driven by a spring (not shown), will contract back into handle  1  automatically and wind around anchor ( FIG. 7 ). 
         [0024]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a user may control the length of cord  2  by depressing clamping mechanism  33   a  located over a spring-loaded handle. When a user simultaneously twirls device  17 , this causes cord  2  to be released from interior space  32  as the momentum of ball  3  and ribbons  4  pull on cord  2  as centrifugal force is generated by the swinging. The user may exert a clamping force on ribs  33  with his/her thumb to stop the release of cord  2  using a spring mechanism as discussed above. When the cord is free of clamping, the cord may be permitted to automatically wind back into handle  1  and around anchor  34  using spring means, not shown. Clamping means  33   a  (e.g., a linear piece of plastic or metal) carrying ribs  33  may be anchored to the handle by tab  36  to prevent clamping means  33   a  from moving relative to cord  2 . 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , in another embodiment, cord  2  may be affixed to an anchor (not shown) within handle  1 . Foldable handle  35  may be attached to the exterior of handle  1 . The user may wind foldable handle  35  to contract cord  2  back within handle  1 . Foldable handle  35  may lock into place on handle  1  by folding it in the direction shown by arrow Y so that handle projection  35   a  fits within recess  48  on the handle. 
         [0026]    Referring again to  FIG. 1 , it is desirable to use a cord  2  that will not break with repeated use. A material like nylon may be used. In an alternative embodiment, the cord may be a rubber-band-like material. Such a composition would create a completely different visual effect when the device is moved by the user. Also, a user may desire extra visual effects. In another preferred embodiment ( FIG. 1 ), cord  2  may have lights  16  (e.g. LEDs) attached, and/or may be made of or sprayed with glow in the dark attributes, which may add to the visual effects when the device is in use. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , in a preferred embodiment the weight of the performance device may be provided by a variety of objects, such as ball  3 . With a weight, such as ball  3  attached to cord  2  and the streamers  4  attached to the cord or weight, the ribbon assembly can achieve speed that is difficult to achieve without the weight, enabling additional configurations to be used within the air. When using the device, the user may swing the ball  3  on the cord  2  by the handle  1 , striking and bouncing the ball against a surface. This adds an extra visual and performance feature. In another preferred embodiment, the ball may have a light within it (not shown). 
         [0028]    Referring again to  FIG. 6 , in another preferred embodiment, a whistle  13  may be attached to cord  2 . In yet another embodiment (not shown), whistle  13  may be the only weight attached to cord  2 . And in yet another embodiment not shown, bells may be coupled to cord  2  or ribbons  4 . When the device is whirled around in these embodiments, the whistle  13  or bells (not shown) may add pleasant (or piercing) sound to the visual display provided by the performance device. 
         [0029]    Referring again to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the ribbons or streamers  4  may be attached to each other by a rivet  6 . Rivet  6  may hold multiple ribbons or streamers  4  to each other. Alternatively, they may be secured to the device by a knot (not shown) in cord  2 . 
         [0030]    Other changes and modifications constituting insubstantial differences from the present invention, such as those expressed here or others left unexpressed but apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is, therefore, intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the following claims.