Abstract:
A teething toy that is chewable and sensory stimulating uses a hollow cylinder made of a soft clear polymeric material. It is approximately half filled with a colored fluid. Shiny particle specks and different shaped multicolored floating objects are suspended in the fluid. Nipple shaped protrusions extend from end spherical end. A circular handle with oval cross section extends from the side of the cylinder. Directly opposite this handle is a rectangular shaped handle with oval cross section. The sides of both handles have small extension knobs protruding from the narrow sides of the cross sections. Options include longitudinal ribs running along the cylinder surface for easy grasp and manipulation. Additional options include rectangular grips extending, from the sides of the toy. Options include a suction cup and suspended from a flexible plastic cord that tethers the toy to a surface such as a high chair tray.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to teething toys and, more particularly, to a teething toy that provides a young child with multiple sensory stimulation paths and a memory response to feeding. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   In the first years of a young child&#39;s life, physical and cognitive growth occurs at a rapid rate. Sensory stimulation provides an ideal learning path with additional benefits of hand eye coordination, motor skills and physical enjoyment. Inadequate stimulus slows development and may cause irritability and dissatisfaction. 
   It is a fact of life in the 21st century to have two income households. With so many mothers in today&#39;s workforce, many children are bottle fed by parents and caregivers at day care centers. Children become accustomed to the shape of feeding bottles and retain a memory of enjoyment because of the sucking and hunger satisfaction. Most young children become accustomed to manipulating the feeding bottle themselves. 
   It has also been a fact of life since the dawn of mankind that young children have a need to chew on objects to lessen the discomfort of cutting teeth through their gums. The process is commonly referred to as “teething” and the objects used to chew on include fingers and anything else that is within reach. Human nature provides the young with a natural curiosity to grasp, look at, chew on and then discard objects, because they have lost interest in them. Then the process begins again. Many objects brought to the mouth for oral gratification could potentially harm the child because of sharp edges, swallowing potential or material content. Caregivers have sought safe and effective ways to provide a chewing surface with the advent of the teething toy. 
   Teething toys are generally configured of a soft material that a young child can chew on. However, because of generic shapes, lack of visual stimulation and lack of real satisfaction, interest in the toy is easily lost. There is not adequate sensory stimulation built into current teething toys to retain the interest of most young children or a memory response for retention of the toy. This results in throwing of the toy with eventual dissatisfaction of the child. An example of a representative teething toy is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,766,223 issued to Johnson. 
   Prior art teething toys are inherently boring to a child. They do provide a chewing surface but lack an inherent interest, satisfaction or memory response. Heretofore, no toy has been developed that can orally satisfy the child, provide sensory stimulation and retain the child&#39;s interest for toy retention. 
   It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a chewable teething toy 
   It is another object of the invention to provide a teething toy with visual sensory stimulation 
   It is further object of the invention to provide a teething toy that is familiar in size, shape and weight to a feeding bottle 
   It is an object of the invention to provide a teething toy that is easy to chew on, suck on and manipulate near the mouth 
   It is another object of the invention to provide a teething toy that stimulates a memory response to hunger suppression and oral stimulation 
   It is a further object of the invention to provide a teething toy that remains interesting and orally gratifying to the child for toy retention 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a teething toy that is chewable, sensory stimulating and familiar in shape and weight characteristics to a feeding bottle. A hollow, bottle shaped cylinder similar in size and weight to a partially filled feeding bottle has spherically closed ends with differing shaped protrusions emanating from each end of the cylinder. The material is a soft chewable clear plastic with benign material characteristics. The cylinder is approximately half filled with a colored liquid. Different shaped multicolored objects are floating in the liquid. One end of the cylinder has a nipple shaped protrusion that easily fits into the mouth. The opposite end has a multiple surface nipple shaped protrusion with slightly larger rings that easily fit into the mouth. A circular handle protrudes out of the side of the cylinder. The cross section of the circular handle is oval shaped. The sides of the circular handle have small cylindrical knobs protruding from the narrow sides of the oval cross section. Directly opposite the circular handle is a rectangular shaped handle. The cross section of the rectangular handle is oval shaped. The sides of the rectangular handle have small cylindrical knobs protruding from the narrow sides of the oval cross section. Options include having ribs run along the perimeter of the teething toy in the longitudinal direction traveling the length of the cylindrical surface for easy grasp and ease of manipulation. Additional options include having rectangular handles emanate from the sides of the perimeter of the cylindrical teething toy. Still other options include a suction cup end suspended from a flexible semi rigid plastic cord that tethers the teething toy to a convenient surface such as a high chair tray. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a teething toy of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of a cavity base, internal components and end cap contained in the teething toy of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the teething toy cavity of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention with a suction cup tethering cord attached; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a teething toy of the present invention tethered to a high chair tray; 
       FIG. 6  is a right sectional view of a cavity base of the teething toy of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a right sectional view of an end cap of the teething toy of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a front view of a star shaped floating element; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a disk shaped floating element; 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a fish shaped floating element; 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a colored liquid that partially fills the cavity of the present invention; 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a suction cup tether end cap; 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment grip teething toy; 
       FIG. 14  is a sectional view of a teething toy of the present invention. 
   

   For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the Figures. 
   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, an improved teething toy  10  is disclosed. As will be described, teething toy  10  provides features that provide oral gratification to young children, assists the development and growth of teeth through the gum tissue and by its shape and mass characteristics retains the interest of the child for retention of teething toy  10 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 14 , the main body of teething toy  10  is made up of the cavity base  12 . This component is a hollow cylinder and is similar in size and mass characteristics to a common infant feeding bottle. The material of cavity base  12  is a soft, flexible and clear polymeric material with benign material characteristics. One embodiment of teething toy  10  has rib  13  protrusions that run longitudinally along the perimeter of cavity base  12 . The rib  13  protrusion provides a rounded gripping surface to aid the child in holding onto teething toy  10 . The preferred embodiment has six rib  13  protrusions. However, alternate embodiments may have more or less rib  13  protrusions or no rib  13  protrusions at all. A circular ring handle  18  protrudes from the side of the cavity base  12 . The circular ring handle  18  has an oval cross section with knobs that extend from the wide face of the cross-section. The shape of the knob  23  is circular and provides a grasping aid for the child to hold onto the circular ring handle of teething toy  10 . A rectangular ring handle  22  also protrudes from the side of the cavity base  12 . The rectangular ring handle  22  has an oval cross section with knobs that extend from the wide face of the cross-section. The preferred embodiment has a circular ring handle  18  that is 2½ inches in diameter with a ring width of ½ inch with a ring thickness of ¼ inch with the diameter of the knob  23  defined as ⅛ inch. The preferred embodiment has a rectangular ring handle  22  that is 2½ inches long by 1½ inches wide with a ring width of ½ inch and a ring thickness of ¼ inch with the diameter of the knob  23  defined as ⅛ inch. Each handle has nine knobs that protrude from each side. The preferred embodiment has the rectangular ring handle  22  positioned 180 degrees apart from the circular ring handle  18  and centered in relation to the cavity base  12 . However, the size and location of the circular ring handle  18 , rectangular ring handle  22 , knob  23 , number of knobs and positioning could be changed without detracting from the spirit or scope of the present invention. 
   One end of cavity base  12  has an integral closed shape that spherically terminates the cylinder of cavity base  12  into end ring major  14 . This end of cavity base  12  has three concentric rings that are sized to fit easily in a small child&#39;s mouth. Referring to  FIG. 6 , the purpose of end ring major  14  is to provide a series of rings that provide a vertical edge ring  42  with a distinct edge to bite on. Separation of each vertical edge ring  42  is provided by a vertical edge groove  43 . A preferable embodiment of cavity base  12  has three edge rings and two edge grooves. However, more or less rings and grooves could be substituted. The relative size difference between the vertical edge ring  42  and the vertical edge groove  43  is large enough to provide a space for a child&#39;s gum tissue or teeth to fit into. The preferred embodiment has Vertical edge rings that are ⅞ inches in diameter with a groove depth of 0.075 inch. However, rings that have a larger or smaller vertical edge ring  42  could be used with alternate size groove depths that define the diameter of vertical edge groove  43 . 
   As best seen in  FIG. 2 , a separate end cap  15  provides a method to close and seal cavity base  12 . A fluid  24  partially fills cavity base  12  and can be seen through the clear polymeric material that makes up cavity base  12 . Shiny particles are floating in the fluid  24  that are reflective in nature. The preferred embodiment has random size shiny particle  26  specks. However, the shiny particles could be uniform size without detracting from the present invention. There is also a set of floating objects  28  interspersed in the liquid. The floating objects  28  are buoyant and float to the surface of. the fluid  24 . Referring to  FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10 , the floating objects  28  are shown as a star  58 , a disk  60  and a fish  62 . The preferred embodiment has these objects with differing sizes and colors: the star  58  is a red color, has eight points and measures approximately ¾″ from point to point and is ⅛ inch thick: the disk  60  is yellow and measures approximately ⅞ inches in diameter and 3/16 inches thick: the fish  62  is green and measures approximately 1 inch in length, ¼ inch wide and ⅛ inch thick. However, the color, size and shape of the floating objects  28  could be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 7 , end cap  15  has a series of rings defined as end roll minor  16 . The purpose of end roll minor  16  is to provide a series of different size rolled rings to bite on. Circular edge roll one  48  is situated closest to the spherical shape of end cap  15 . Circular edge roll two  50  is situated in the middle of end roll minor  16 . Circular edge roll three  52  is on the outside end of end cap  15 . The edge rolls are separated by circular edge groove  54 . The preferred embodiment has a 1¼ inch diameter circular edge roll one  48  with a circular roll radius of ⅛ inches: a 1⅛ inch diameter circular edge roll two  50  with a roll radius of ⅛ inches: a 1 inch diameter circular edge roll three  52  with a roll radius of ⅛ inches. Circular edge roll three  52  has a series of circular roll cut  56  relief&#39;s placed around the periphery of the radius. The axis of curvature of each roll cut  56  runs parallel to the axis of curvature of cavity base  12 . The preferred embodiment has eight roll cut  56  relief&#39;s equally spaced around the outer perimeter of circular edge roll three  52  with a radius of curvature of ⅛ inch and depth of 1/16 inch. However, the size and location of the edge rolls and roll cuts could be modified without departing from the scope of the invention 
   As best seen in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , end cap  15  has a sealing edge  46  on the outer spherical perimeter of the cap. The sealing edge  46  of end cap  15  mates to the sealing lip  44  found on cavity base  12 . A suitable joining method seals end cap  15  to cavity base  12  after insertion of fluid  24 , shiny particles and floating objects  28 . Joining methods include adhesives, sonic welding or other suitable methods. 
   Referring to  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 11 , cavity base  12  has an inner diameter designated as cavity base height  45  that is a defining characteristic of the inner volume of cavity base  12 . The cavity base volume  41  allows insertion of fluid  24 , shiny particles and floating objects  28 . As best seen in  FIG. 11 , fluid height  64  is a defining characteristic of the volume of fluid  24  that is inserted into cavity base  12 . The fluid volume  66  provides a movable weight  68  for teething toy  10 . Shifting the orientation of teething toy  10  causes a transfer in the center of gravity  70  of fluid  24 . A preferred embodiment provides cavity base height  45  of 1¾ inches and a cavity base volume  41  of 14 cubic inches with fluid height  64  of ⅞ inches and a fluid volume  66  of 7 cubic inches and weight  68  of 0.25 pounds of the fluid  24 . This size and weight  68  closely approximates the characteristics of a typical infant feeding bottle that is approximately ½ filled. However, fluid height  64 , fluid volume  66  and weight  68  could be modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
   As best seen in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 13 , alternate embodiment grip teething toy  30  is comprised of grip cavity base  31  and end cap  15 . A rectangular flange designated grip  32  protrudes from the side of grip cavity base  31  and is located in a position that is substantially 90 degrees from the circular ring handle  18  and in the center of grip cavity base  31 . A second grip  32  is located in a position that is substantially 180 degrees from the first grip  32  and at ⅓ the length of grip cavity base  31 . A third grip  32  is located in line with the second grip  32  and at ⅔ the length of grip cavity base  31 . Alternate embodiment grip teething toy  30  contains fluid  24 , shiny particle  26  species and floating objects  28  same as as teething toy  10 . A preferred alternate embodiment grip teething toy  30  has the size of grip  32  at ¾ inches long by ½″ wide by 3/16 inches thick with upper and lower edges that are angled at 4 degrees and ¼ inch radius corners and ⅛ inch filleted edges. However, the relative size and location of grip  32  could be modified without departing from the scope of the alternate embodiment grip teething toy  30 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , alternate embodiment suction cup tethered teething toy  34  is comprised of grip cavity base  31  and suction cup tether end cap  35 . As best seen in  FIG. 12 , suction cup tether end cap  35  is comprised of a flexible cord  38  and a suction cup  37 . A distinguishing characteristic of flexible cord  38  is a flexibility property  36  that allows flexible cord  38  to flex and bend but also provide support for alternate embodiment suction cup tethered teething toy  34  to remain in an upright position. Flexibility property  36  provides a springing action that allows alternate embodiment suction cup tethered teething toy  34  to bounce and bob when moved. Referring to  FIG. 5 , alternate embodiment suction cup tethered teething toy  34  is shown attached to a representative tray  40  such as that found on a typical high chair. Alternate embodiment suction cup tethered teething toy  34  contains fluid  24 , shiny particles and floating objects  28  same as teething toy  10 . 
   Use of teething toy  10  by a child will now be described in detail. Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , Teething toy  10  is very similar in size and shape to a partially filled conventional feeding bottle. This similarity produces a natural interest and memory response  72  to teething toy  10 . The child remembers previous enjoyable feeding and sucking events because of the natural feel and size of teething toy  10 . The toy temperature  71  of teething toy  10  can be modified by warming or cooling the toy prior to use by the child similar to a feeding bottle. The fluid volume  66  of fluid  24  and weight  68  of fluid  24  provide natural comparison to previous encounters with a feeding bottle. During handling of teething toy  10  by the child, the movement of fluid  24  provides a noticeable change in the center of gravity  70  of fluid  24  providing a natural sensory stimulation to touch. Balancing teething toy  10  as the center of gravity  70  moves provides the opportunity for development of muscle coordination and motor skills. Prior art teething toys do not have this natural similarity to a feeding bottle and lack features that retain a child&#39;s interest. Lack of interest causes release of prior art teething toys and poor retention with ultimate child dissatisfaction and irritability. 
   In use, the toy is grasped by the fingers of the child around cavity base  12 . The longitudinal rib  13  provides surface protrusions easy to hold onto. If the child is picking the teething toy  10  up, circular ring handle  18  or rectangular ring handle  22  can be easily reached and held onto with the oval cross section and knob  23  protrusions present on the handles. Circular ring handle  18  and rectangular ring handle  22  also provide narrow cross sections of teething toy  10  that fit easily into a small child&#39;s mouth for sucking or chewing on. The large number of knob  23  protrusions provides many areas for sensory stimulation of the child&#39;s gums, existing teeth and tongue. End ring major  14  on the end of cavity base  12  provides vertical edge ring  42  and vertical edge groove  43  areas with six distinct edges to bite and chew on. The distinct edges present on this end of teething toy  10  are ideal for aggressive chewing when a child is pushing teeth through its gum tissue. The separation of the rings provides Areas for gum tissue and/or teeth in the child&#39;s mouth to enter into. 
   On the opposite end of teething toy  10  as best seen in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 7 , end cap  15  provides end roll minor  16 . This area of teething toy  10  is ideal for general sucking and tongue manipulation by the child. The cascading sizes of circular edge roll one  48 , circular edge roll two  50  and circular edge roll three  52  allow for shallower or greater insertion of teething toy  10  into the child&#39;s mouth. The gentle radius&#39; of the edge rolls also provides less aggressive areas to chew on when desired by the child. The roll cut  56  areas of circular edge roll three  52  provide additional sensory stimulation paths for oral gratification of the child. Prior art teething toys lack the varied types of edges and areas to chew and suck on as provided by the teachings of the present invention. 
   Sensory stimulation of the child is also provided by the visual characteristics of teething toy  10 . As best seen in  FIG. 2 , a colored fluid  24  partially fills cavity base  12  and can be seen through the clear polymeric material that makes up cavity base  12 . The colored fluid  24  provides contrast to the clear polymeric material of teething toy  10 . Shiny particle  26  specks are floating in the fluid  24  that are reflective in nature to provide added contrast to the colored fluid  24 . The floating objects  28  are buoyant and float to the surface of the fluid  24  providing additional visual stimulation. Referring to  FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10 , the floating objects  28  are shown as a star  58 , a disk  60  and a fish  62  that are multicolored. The variety of colored fluid  24 , shiny particle  26  specks and multicolored floating objects  28  add a kaleidoscope of color to teething toy  10  for visual stimulation of the child. Movement and splashing of fluid  24  inside cavity base  12  in concert with the movement of shiny particles and floating objects  28  provides visual stimulation by the nature of the movement of the fluid  24 . Prior art teething toys lack the variety of color and movement of fluid  24 , shiny particle  26  specks and floating objects  28  as provided by the present invention. 
   Referring to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 13 , use of alternate embodiment grip teething toy  30  is similar in nature to teething toy  10  with additional stimulation as provided by grip  32  protrusions found on the periphery of cavity base  12 . The tapered rectangular cross sections of grip  32  provide narrow protrusions that are ideal for the child to chew and suck on. The staggered locations of grip  32  protrusions provides an asymmetrical appearance to alternate embodiment grip teething toy  30  to assist in retaining the child&#39;s interest in alternate embodiment grip teething toy  30 . In combination with circular ring handle  18  and rectangular ring handle  22 , alternate embodiment grip teething toy  30  offers a wide variety of gripping surfaces that provide convenient handles for the child to use for manipulation and movement of alternate embodiment grip teething toy  30 . Prior art teething toys lack the large variation and location of gripping surfaces that result in poor retention of the toy by the child. 
   Use of alternate embodiment suction cup tethered teething toy  34  will now be described in detail. Referencing  FIGS. 4 and 5 , suction cup tether end cap  35  provides a convenient method to temporarily attach alternate embodiment suction cup tethered teething toy  34  to a suitable surface, such as a feeding tray  40 . Suction cup tether end cap  35  provides an ideal method to retain alternate embodiment suction cup tethered teething toy  34  within the child&#39;s grasp and prevents throwing away of the toy. The flexibility property  36  of flexible cord  38  produces a bouncing and bobbing motion that induces the natural interest and curiosity of the child. The bouncing motion induces a periodic change in the center of gravity  70  of fluid  24  causing continued movement of the toy after it has been manipulated by the child. This characteristic aids in toy retention and overall enjoyment of the child during use of alternate embodiment suction cup tethered teething toy  34 . Prior art teething toys lack suction cup tether end cap  35  that provides a temporary and movable securing feature as provided on alternate embodiment suction cup tethered teething toy  34 . 
   Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention. 
   Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims