Apparatus with mesh and manducable protrusion

An apparatus is provided, which includes a plurality of elongated strands having joinder regions uniting adjacent strands at a distance along a length of an outer perimeter of the elongated strands, the elongate strands being configured to couple together for a distance along their lengths. The elongated strands form a surface of a mesh when the joinder regions are coupled. The apparatus may further include a manducable protrusion coupled to the mesh and extending a distance away from an exterior surface of the mesh.

BACKGROUND

Balls are one of the oldest forms of toys and sports equipment, and many popular games today still involve rolling, passing, kicking, tossing, catching, bouncing, or hitting balls. Other toys may have similar play patterns as balls, and both balls and other toys may have smooth surfaces. Children and young adults and are also drawn to toys that can be accessorized with characters or other accessories that give the ball visual, acoustic and tactile interest. However, conventional balls and other toys having a smooth surface are not always suitable for attaching accessories, and can be difficult to grasp for some users, especially small children and infants.

SUMMARY

A toy apparatus having a surface is provided. The toy apparatus may include a mesh including a plurality of loop structures having cooperative mating surfaces disposed at least partially around an outer perimeter of each loop structure. The plurality of loop structures may have curved inside perimeter surfaces, and the cooperative mating surfaces of adjacent loop structures may be configured to couple together for a distance along their lengths. The loop structures form the surface of the toy when the cooperative mating surfaces are coupled with each other. The toy apparatus may further include a rattle positioned in a loop structure in the mesh, the rattle having a body with a mounting structure having an outer perimeter sized to conform to the curved inside perimeter surface of the loop structure in which the rattle is mounted. In some aspects, the mesh of the toy apparatus may be formed in the shape of a ball or other object that encloses a void. In other aspects, the mesh of the toy apparatus may not enclose a void.

According to another aspect, an apparatus is provided, which includes a plurality of elongated strands having joinder regions uniting adjacent strands at a distance along a length of an outer perimeter of the elongated strands, the elongate strands being configured to couple together for a distance along their lengths. The elongated strands form a surface of a mesh when the joinder regions are coupled. The apparatus may further include a manducable protrusion coupled to the mesh and extending a distance away from an exterior surface of the mesh.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The toy apparatus of the present disclosure may include a mesh of the form described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,729,984, entitled TOY BALL APPARATUS, which issued May 4, 2004, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, a toy apparatus100is provided that has a surface102defined by a mesh104. The mesh104typically includes a plurality of loop structures106having cooperative mating surfaces108disposed at least partially around an outer perimeter of each loop structure106. The plurality of loop structures106have curved inside perimeter surfaces112. As shown inFIG. 2, the curved inside perimeter surfaces112include a convex cross section. The cooperative mating surfaces108of adjacent loop structures106are configured to couple together for a distance along their lengths. The loop structures106form the surface102of the toy when the cooperative mating surfaces are coupled with each other. It will be appreciated that such a mesh104of loop structures106with curved inner perimeter surfaces112may be easily be grasped, even by the reflex action of an infant's grasping hands.

As shown inFIG. 2, the toy apparatus100may also include one or more rattles122positioned in a loop structure106in the mesh104, each rattle122having a body116with a mounting structure118having an outer perimeter120sized to conform to the curved inside perimeter surface112of the loop structure106in which the rattle122is mounted. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1, the mesh104is formed in the shape of a ball enclosing a void105, and the plurality of rattles122are positioned at symmetric locations in the mesh104. Although various numbers of rattles122may be provided, in the depicted embodiment ofFIG. 1, four rattles122are provided. It will be appreciated that symmetric mounting of the rattles122around the spherical surface of the ball shaped mesh104, ensures that the center of gravity of the ball with the rattles122mounted is near the geometric center of the ball, which in turn facilitates, smooth, predictable movement of the ball when rolled or thrown.

In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1, the mesh104is formed as a resiliently deformable ball, which facilitates tossing, bouncing, catching and other forms of play. As illustrated inFIG. 3, the ball may be crushed by the hand of a user, such as a child, and typically springs back to its original size, which provides spring to the ball when hit or kicked, and promotes safe play.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the body of the rattle is divided into two halves, a bottom half124B and a top half124A, each of which is domed outward, the top half and bottom half defining a central void125. As viewed from above inFIG. 1, the outer perimeter120of mounting structure118is circular, and the inside perimeter surface112of the loop structure106of the mesh in which each rattle122is mounted, is circular. As viewed in cross section inFIG. 2, the outer perimeter120of mounting structure118has a concave radius formed in the edge thereof, to accommodate a round cross section of the loop structure106. The top half124A and bottom half124B are typically joined to each other in an interior of the loop structure106, being adhered to each other along a seam119in the vicinity of the mounting structure118. Thus, as can be seen fromFIG. 2, portions of the top half and bottom half form the mounting structure118. In one embodiment, the mounting structure is plastically welded to the insider perimeter surface112of the loop structure of the mesh, although adhesives or other joining techniques may be used.

It will be appreciated that the body116of each rattle122may be substantially watertight, and may provide buoyancy to the apparatus100, enabling it to float in water, which may be advantageous. Further, the domed shape construction of the top half124A and bottom half124B provide strength to the rattles122. Further, since the domed shape is usually of a relatively low profile, the top half124A does not extend outward from the surface102of the toy apparatus100to an extent that inhibits rolling of the toy apparatus in the embodiment ofFIG. 1.

As can be seen inFIG. 1, the bottom half124B and top half124A of the rattle122are transparent or at least partially transparent, and objects such as balls126that are positioned within the void114can be seen through the transparent halves that form the body116. A variety of materials may be used for the transparent halves of the body116, such as acrylic or polycarbonate. In some embodiments, the balls126may be of various colors to provide visual contrast and enjoyment for users. Further, when shaken or otherwise disturbed, the balls126colliding with each other and the body116of the rattle122produce a noise that is pleasing.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, a second embodiment of a toy apparatus100A is illustrated. Toy apparatus100A includes a mesh104A formed of loop structures106as described above. Mesh104A forms a surface that does not enclose a void. One or more rattles122as described above may be provided in loop structures of the mesh104A. Further, one or more accessories130may be connected with the mesh104A. Each accessory130may be connected with a rim of a loop structure of the mesh by a fastener, for example, such as a short belt132. A clip134may be used to attach the toy apparatus100A to an object such as a high chair, car seat, stroller, etc., to prevent loss and give a child the ability to continue play in these environments. The accessories130may be in a wide variety shapes and sizes. For example, the accessories130may be in the form of teething rings, character shapes, etc., making the toy apparatus100A suitable for use by small children and infants. The accessory130may also be in the form of a disc136, on which indicia is provided, or to which a structure such as an ornament may be mounted.

InFIG. 5, a third embodiment of a toy apparatus100B is illustrated. Toy apparatus100B includes a mesh104B formed of a plurality of closed loop structures106, each defining an open space, as described above. A manducable protrusion136may be removably coupled to the mesh104B at one of the loop structures. In the depicted embodiment the manducable protrusion is removably coupled to a container138, which is removably attached to a loop structure. However, in other embodiments the manducable protrusion may be directly coupled to a loop structure.

While the depicted loop structures are circular, it will be appreciated that they may be of other shapes, such as oval, polygonal, etc. Thus, the mesh may include open spaces that are bounded by loops structures in the shape of ovals, polygons, etc. These alternative geometric configurations of the loop structures may be selected for ease of manufacturing and to meet consumer preferences, for example. As some examples, the mesh may be formed in the shape of a polyhedron, such as a truncated icosahedron, a dodecahedron, a tetrahedron, an icosahedron, or an icosadodecahedron.

An alternate way of describing the toy apparatus is as follows. Toy apparatus100may include a mesh structure104B formed from a plurality of elongated strands106. Mesh structure104B may also include a joinder region108uniting adjacent strands to form a plurality of closed-perimeter openings139. In particular the joinder regions may unite adjacent strands at a distance along the length of an outer perimeter of the elongated strands, and may be configured to couple together for a distance along their lengths. As previously discussed the closed-perimeter openings may be curved or alternatively may be in the shape of a polygon.

Container138may store liquids such as milk, juice, water, etc. As depicted, the container may be positioned in the void105enclosed by the mesh. However, in alternate embodiments, as shown inFIGS. 8 and 9, the container may extend beyond the mesh through an opening in the loop structure, discussed in greater detail herein. In some embodiments, container138may be a bladder designed to expand and contract when filled and emptied. The bladder may be formed of a suitable material, such as a polymeric material. In other embodiments container138may be substantially rigid, and made of a material such glass, metal, or a substantially rigid polymer such as Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET). A cap142may be coupled to the container to prevent liquid from flowing out of the container when the manducable protrusion is not attached, or alternatively to cover the manducable protrusion when it is attached to keep it clean.

Returning toFIG. 5, it will be appreciated that in some examples the manducable protrusion may be formed out of a resiliently deformable polymeric material such as silicone, latex, etc. However, in other examples the manducable protrusion may be formed out of a harder material such as a polycarbonate. As illustrated the manducable protrusion is in the shape of a nipple, which contains a hole through which the liquid contents of the container may be extracted and consumed by an infant. However, it will be appreciated that the material, size, color, texture, etc., of the manducable protrusion may take other forms. Thus, in other exemplary embodiments, the manducable protrusion may be a pacifier or a teething accessory that an infant may chew on. By providing a manducable protrusion coupled to a mesh with loop structures in this manner, even young infants can securely grip the loops structures and mesh, to pull the manducable protrusion into and out of their mounts.

For convenience, a plurality of clips140may be coupled to the toy apparatus allowing the toy apparatus to be attached to an object such as a stroller, chair, car seat, etc.

As illustrated inFIG. 7the container may include a mounting structure configured to removably attach to a loop structure. Specifically the mounting structure may have an outer perimeter edge144sized to conform to an inside perimeter of the loop structure. As previously discussed, the inside perimeter of the loop structure may be curved. Therefore, the mounting structure may have a concave radius formed in the edge thereof, to accommodate a round cross section of the loop structure. However, in other embodiments the inside perimeter of the loop structure may have flat surfaces and edges. Therefore, the mounting structure may have an outer perimeter edge sized to conform to the flat surfaces and edges. Furthermore, as previously discussed the loop structure may be a mesh structure in the form of a polygon, such as an octagon or a hexagon. Therefore, the mounting structure may be sized to conform to the shape of a polygon. The mounting structure may be formed in the shape of a disc, such as disc136ofFIG. 4, of substantially uniform cross sectional thickness, or may have a cross sectional thickness that varies. Other accessories or ornaments may be mounted to an outer surface of the disc for example by use of adhesives or solvents.

FIGS. 8 and 9illustrate a fourth embodiment of a toy apparatus100C having a mesh104C including a plurality of mesh structures106C, each of which bounds an associated opening in the mesh. The mesh104C is depicted as being in the shape of a dodecahedron, although the mesh may be in the form of other shapes, such as other polyhedrons, as discussed elsewhere herein. The toy apparatus may further include a manducable protrusion136C and a container138C as illustrated inFIG. 8. In the depicted embodiment, container138C may extend through respective openings in loop structures positioned on opposite sides of the mesh104C. In this way, the mesh may be secured to the container in spaced apart locations at opposed ends of the container, thereby ensuring a secure hold on the container by the mesh104C, and in turn by an infant or toddler holding the mesh. As shown inFIGS. 8 and 9, the container includes a surface in face sharing contact with the curved perimeters of the two openings. Further, this design accommodates a larger container, and thus a greater amount of liquid may be stored within the container than within a container that is positioned entirely within the mesh. The manducable protrusion may be removed and a cap142C may be attached to the container to prevent spills, as illustrated inFIG. 9. Alternatively, cap142C may be sized to cover the manducable protrusion, for example, to keep it clean. While in the illustrated embodiment ofFIGS. 8 and 9, the bottle is shown in a cylindrical form, it will be appreciated that other shapes and sizes may be used. Material choices for the bottle ofFIGS. 8 and 9include glass, plastic, or metal, for example.

The above described embodiments provide an apparatus that is easily graspable, even by the small hands of infants and toddlers, due to its mesh structures, and that provides sound and visual stimulation to users when shaken through its rattles mounted in the mesh structures. The above described embodiments further provide an apparatus that may be used for a teething, suckling, or masticating, thereby comforting an infant and assisting in the infant's development.