Bouncing toy

A shaped toy includes a kinetically resilient central core and an outer layer of varying thickness covering the central core. The outer layer may be a material which also exhibits kinetic resiliency, to a degree more or less than that of the core, or, alternatively, be substantially non-resilient, such as fabric or pile. In a preferred embodiment, the toy includes a substantially spherically shaped core, covered by an outer layer of fabric, the type used for fabrication of conventional plush stuffed toys, increasing its appeal, by virtue of appearance and feel, to user and animal alike. The fabric, when stitched together using conventional stuffed animal sewing techniques, encloses the resilient central core, and presents regions of varying thickness over an expanse thereof, such that when thrown against a surface, unpredictable direction and bounce response will result by virtue irregular surface curvature and damping due to increasing and decreasing fabric thickness. Optionally, a length of fabric, other outer layer material, or another material altogether may be fashioned to extend from the toy, facilitating throwing and grabbing thereof by providing a "tail" by which the rest of the toy can be swung.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a toy for providing entertainment to 
adults, children, and/or animal companions, and more particularly a toy 
which bounces in an unpredictable manner when made to strike a resisting 
surface, such as the ground or a wall. 
Balls capable of bouncing have long been popular as a source of 
entertainment for children and adults alike, and their animal companions, 
and as such have been produced in a myriad of sizes and designs, ranging 
for example from ping pong balls to basket balls. A wide variety of 
materials have been used to fabricate the many different balls, including 
hard plastic, hollow rubber, rubber or urethane foam, polyethylene foam, 
vinyl, etc. Some, such as tennis balls, are of layered construction, and 
include an airtight pressurized core providing kinetic resiliency, and a 
felt-like material outer covering. 
Generally, it is desirable for such a ball as described above to bounce in 
a predictable manner, since in most cases it is used in a game in which 
the ball is retrieved or returned to an opponent. As a consequence, most 
balls available heretofore have been designed to be substantially 
spherical, presenting an even, regular surface. 
In certain instances, however, it might be desirable to provide a toy which 
departs from bounce predictability, for adult and child user 
entertainment, and for play with animals, such as dogs or cats. The prior 
art has not adequately addressed this need. 
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a bouncing toy 
which overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art. 
It is a further object of the invention to provide a bouncing toy adapted 
to multiple embodiments providing amusement to a user of same and/or the 
user's pet by providing an unpredictable bounce path following forcible 
striking against a resisting surface. 
It is a still further object of the invention to provide a bouncing toy in 
a form adapted to fabrication in animal or other character representation 
for enhanced user appeal. 
It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a bouncing toy which 
may be fabricated using conventional techniques for a finished product 
which is both attractive and economical. 
Briefly stated, there is provided a shaped toy which includes a kinetically 
resilient central core and an outer layer of varying thickness covering 
said central core. For purposes herein, "kinetic resiliency" or 
"kinetically resilient" is defined as a property of a material, or an 
object shaped or fabricated therefrom, resulting in bounce when same is 
caused to strike a resisting (deflecting) surface. A "resisting surface" 
or "deflecting surface" is any surface presented by a structure having 
sufficient mass to deflect the trajectory of the toy when throw 
thereagainst, and may include a floor, the ground, walls, a backboard, or 
other like stationary surface, and may further include a moving target 
having sufficient mass or securement. The outer layer may be comprised of 
a material which also exhibits kinetic resiliency, to a degree more or 
less than that of the core, or, alternatively, be substantially 
non-resilient, such as fabric or pile. 
In an embodiment in accordance with the invention, a toy is provided that 
includes a kinetically resilient central core, advantageously comprised of 
a shaped mass of elastomeric foam, such as foamed polyurethane or 
polyethylene. The core, which advantageously is also substantially 
spherical in shape, is covered by an outer layer presenting varying 
thickness over an expanse thereof. In the embodiment, the outer layer is a 
fabric, advantageously of the type used for fabrication of conventional 
plush stuffed toys, increasing its appeal, by virtue of appearance and 
feel, to user and animal alike. The fabric, when stitched together using 
conventional stuffed animal sewing techniques, encloses the resilient 
central core, and presents regions of varying thickness over an expanse 
thereof, such that when thrown against a surface, unpredictable direction 
and bounce responses (intensity) result by virtue irregular surface 
curvature and damping due to increasing and decreasing fabric thickness. 
Optionally, a length of fabric, other outer layer material, or another 
material altogether may be fashioned to extend from the toy, facilitating 
throwing and grabbing thereof by providing a "tail" by which the rest of 
the toy can be swung. 
In an advantageous embodiment, the toy as described in the preceding 
embodiment is further fashioned to resemble an animate subject, including, 
for example, a character or animal, or other non-arbitrary representation 
(such as for example an inanimate article). When so fashioned for example 
as an animal, the various features thereof, for example eyes, ears, nose, 
etc. themselves comprise areas of varying outer layer thickness, the 
animal's head and body conveniently approximated by a somewhat spherical 
configuration defined by a like-shaped central core. Optionally, the outer 
layer may further include extending appendages resembling, for example, 
limbs in the case of an animal embodiment, which are structurally 
equivalent to the "tail" described above. 
A method is also described for user entertainment alone or during interplay 
activities with a pet, such as a dog. In practicing the method, the toy as 
described herein, for example, in accordance with the above embodiments, 
is thrown by the user against a deflecting surface with the intention of 
imparting an unpredictable bounce path. 
The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the present 
invention will become apparent from the following description read in 
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference 
numerals designate the same elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
The present invention is directed generally to a shaped toy which includes 
a kinetically resilient central core and an outer layer of varying 
thickness covering said central core. As defined herein, "kinetic 
resiliency" or "kinetically resilient" describes a property of a material, 
or an object shaped or fabricated therefrom, resulting in bounce when same 
is caused to strike a resisting surface. A "resisting surface" or 
"deflecting surface" is any surface presented by a structure having 
sufficient mass to deflect the trajectory of the toy when throw 
thereagainst, and may include a floor, the ground, walls, a backboard, or 
other like stationary surface, and may further include a moving target 
having sufficient mass or securement. In broadest terms, the outer layer 
may be comprised of a material which also exhibits kinetic resiliency, to 
a degree more or less than that of the core, or, alternatively, be 
substantially non-resilient, such as fabric or pile. It will be further 
understood that the outer layer may be comprised of more than one 
material, and presenting different properties about the shaped toy. Where 
non-resilient, the outer layer, at least over an area portion thereof, 
will not be so thick as to entirely damp the bounce-imparting effects of 
the resilient central core. 
Referring now to the figures, and in particular FIG. 1, an advantageous 
embodiment in accordance with the invention has been selected for 
disclosure of the invention, and in which a toy, generally designated 10, 
takes the form of an animal representation, specifically in the present 
example, a frog. Toy 10 advantageously has a generally spherical, overall 
shape, approximating the frogs head and body, as shown. Toy 10 includes an 
outer layer 1, advantageously having a smooth, safe texture. Since plush 
fabric commonly used for conventionally produced stuffed animals appeals 
to people and animals by virtue of its pleasing appearance and feel, outer 
layer 1 is more preferably comprised substantially of plush fabric which 
is stitched together along seams 1a (preferably internally stitched) using 
conventional sewing practices. Regions of varying outer layer thickness 
are provided, conveniently and concomitantly with representation of the 
frog's features. For example, eyes 2 and forelimbs 3 protrude from toy 10, 
and create an uneven surface configuration. A mouth 4 is conveniently 
fashioned from another, thinner type of fabric (non-plush) and therefore 
toy 10 will experience less damping when struck against a support surface 
in that particular region. A tail 5, configured in the present frog 
embodiment to resemble hind legs, is fashioned conveniently from the same 
fabric as the outer layer, and extends from a body of toy 10, providing a 
handle, of sorts, by which to grab toy 10 while throwing and retrieving. 
Turning now to FIG. 2, the toy of FIG. 1 shown in cross-section includes a 
central core 6. Central core 6 is made in any suitable shape, but is 
advantageously substantially spherical, for appearance and performance. As 
noted above, central core 6 includes means for providing kinetic 
resiliency to toy 10 in which it is included. This is conveniently and 
advantageously in the form of a shaped mass of polyurethane foam suitable 
for such elastomeric purposes. Although shown spherical, central core 6 
may be made alternatively with irregular protrusions therealong, for 
example having extending portions 2' forming a resilient core for eyes 2, 
instead of having eyes 2 which contain non-resilient stuffing, as 
generally practiced, as shown in FIG. 3 depicting such modified central 
core 6'. In addition, kinetically resilient shaped masses other than 
central core 6 may be variously placed below outer layer 1 to provide even 
greater bounce unpredictability. FIG. 4 depicts toy 10 of FIG. 1, in which 
the aforementioned general practice is employed, in which the eyes 2 are 
supported by stuffing 7 interposed in a region between central core 6 and 
the portion of outer layer 1 corresponding to the eyes 2. In the 
embodiment depicted in FIG. 4, the combination of stuffing 7 and outer 
layer 1 together comprise a fitted covering for central core 6. 
In a method for use of a toy in accordance with an embodiment of the 
invention, the toy is thrown by the user against a deflecting surface with 
the intention of imparting an unpredictable bounce path, to provide user 
and/or animal entertainment. 
Although described with specific reference to a toy resembling a frog, many 
other character representations are contemplated, such as pigs, dogs, 
monkeys, fish, birds, etc. In these alternate embodiments it will be 
understood that features other than the prominent eyes of the frog will 
provide thicker regions of the outer layer. For example, depending on the 
particular subject represented, it may be found more appropriate to have 
thicker material in regions representing the mouth and ears (monkey), 
snout (pig), beak (bird), etc. 
Having described preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to 
the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is 
not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes and 
modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without 
departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the 
appended claims.