Abstract:
A reusable piñata comprises a non-frangible housing having a treat discharge port formed therein and a target mounted thereon. A mechanism mounted within the housing discharges treats through the treat discharge port when the target is engaged by a thrown object.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    Applicant claims priority based on provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/805,828 filed Jun. 26, 2006, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to children&#39;s party toys, and more particularly to piñatas. 
       BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]      Webster&#39;s Third New International Dictionary  defines a piñata as: a decorated pottery jar filled with candies, fruits, toys, or other gifts and usually suspended from the ceiling that blindfolded children try to break with a stick as a traditional part of Mexican Christmas festivities. Modern piñatas are most often manufactured from either paper or a fragile plastic material in lieu of pottery. Particularly when intended for use by older children, piñatas are often suspended from a cord which extends through a pulley thereby facilitating movement of the piñata as the children try to break the piñata to gain access to the treats contained therein. 
         [0004]    Regardless of the materials utilized in the construction thereof, virtually all prior art piñatas nave been formed from one or more frangible materials. Thus, traditional piñatas are designed to be destroyed during use. 
         [0005]    The present invention departs from traditional piñata designs by providing a reusable piñata. More specifically, the piñata of the present invention comprises a non-frangible housing which receives a quantity of wrapped candies, wrapped fruits, toys, and other treats for children. A trigger is mounted on the housing for engagement by a thrown object, preferably a beanbag or the like. When the trigger is engaged, by a thrown object a mechanism within the housing discharges a quantity of treats for recovery by children playing with the piñata. Thereafter the treat discharging mechanism is reset, the housing is refilled with treats, and the piñata is ready for further use. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in connection with the accompanying Drawings, wherein: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the piñata of the present invention illustrating the use thereof; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view illustrating the trigger mechanism of the piñata of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3A  is a sectional view showing the treat discharging mechanism of the piñata of  FIG. 1  in its cocked configuration; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3B  is a sectional view showing the treat discharging mechanism of the piñata of  FIG. 1  in its discharged configuration; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a piñata comprising another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a piñata comprising an alternate physical configuration of the piñata shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3B ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a piñata comprising another alternate physical configuration of the piñata shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3B ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a piñata comprising yet another alternate physical configuration of the piñata shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3B ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a piñata comprising still another alternate physical configuration of the piñata shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3B ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a piñata comprising another alternate physical configuration of the piñata shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3B ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 10   1 s a perspective view of a piñata comprising yet another alternate physical configuration of the piñata shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3B ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a piñata comprising still another alternate physical configuration of the piñata shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3B ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a piñata comprising yet another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a piñata comprising still another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 14  is a section view of the treat discharging mechanism of the piñata of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a piñata comprising an alternate physical configuration of the piñata shown in  FIG. 14 ; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a piñata comprising another alternate physical configuration of the piñata shown in  FIG. 14 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to  FIG. 1  thereof, there is shown a reusable piñata  10  incorporating the present invention. The reusable piñata  10  comprises an embodiment of the invention adapted for support on a surface S comprising a table or other convenient supporting device. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the reusable piñata of the present invention can also be configured for overhead support by means of a rope, wire, etc. in the manner of a conventional piñata. 
         [0025]    The reusable piñata  10  comprises a body  12  configured in the shape of a volcano. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the reusable piñata of the present invention may be incorporated in a wide variety of body configurations depending upon the requirements of particular applications of the invention. A target  14  is mounted on and supported by the body  12  of the reusable piñata  10 . The upper portion of the body  12  comprises a treat discharge port  16 . 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the target  14  of the reusable piñata  10  is illustrated in greater detail. The target  14  comprises a hemisphere  18  formed from plastic, rubber, or other suitable materials. The hemisphere  18  is supported on a rod  19  which is slidably supported in a guide  20 . The guide  20  can be formed integrally with the body  12  or secured thereto by conventional means. 
         [0027]    The end of the rod  19  opposite the hemisphere  18  is threaded as illustrated at  24  and receives a nut  26  which engages the guide  20  to limit outward movement of the hemisphere  18  under the action of the spring  22 . 
         [0028]    A trip wire  28  extends through a guide tube  30 . One end of the guide tube  30  is secured in a fixture  32  comprising part of the guide  20 . The corresponding end of the trip wire  28  is secured to the nut  26  as indicated at  34 . It will therefore be understood that when the hemisphere  18  of the target  14  is moved inwardly the trio wire  28  is moved longitudinally relative to the guide  30 . 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIGS. 3A and 31B , the reusable piñata  10  further comprises a treat discharge apparatus  40 . The treat discharge apparatus  40  in part comprises the treat discharge port  16  and includes an outer treat discharging piston  42  having an exterior dimension closely matched to the interior dimension of the treat discharge port  16  and an interior piston  44  which is received within the treat discharging piston  42 . One or more treats T comprising wrapped candy, wrapped fruits, toys, etc. are initially received on the treat discharging piston  42 . 
         [0030]    A spring  46  is mounted between the interior piston  44  and an interior surface  48 . A rod  50  extends from the interior piston  44  to a first latching member  52 . 
         [0031]    A second latching member  54  is slidably supported within a housing  56  extending beneath the interior surface  48 . A compression spring  58  normally positions the second latching members  54  as illustrated in  FIG. 3A . When so positioned the second latching member  54  engages the first latching member  52  to retain the interior piston  44  and the treat discharging piston  42  in the positions illustrated in  FIG. 3A . 
         [0032]    The guide  30  extends from the target  14  and is secured at the opposite end thereof to the housing  56 . The trip wire  28  extends through the guide  30  and is secured at the end thereof remote from the target  14  to the second latching member  54 . 
         [0033]    As will therefore be understood, when the hemisphere  18  of the target  14  is moved inwardly the trip wire  28  is moved rightwardly ( FIG. 3B ) thereby disengaging the second latching member  54  from the first latching member  52 . When the second latching member  54  becomes disengaged from the first latching merger  52  the interior piston  44  and the treat discharging piston  42  are moved rightwardly upwardly under the action of the spring  46  thereby discharging treats T from the interior of the treat discharge port  16  and outwardly for recovery by children playing with the reusable piñata  10 . 
         [0034]    Referring again to  FIG. 1 , a child C is shown throwing a soft projectile B toward the target  14  of the reusable piñata  10 . The soft projectile B may comprise a conventional beanbag, a small bag formed from a soft cloth or plastic material and filled with plastic beads, or the like, which is inherently much less dangerous; even when thrown; as compared with the sticks which are typically utilized by children in attempting to extract treats from conventional piñatas. 
         [0035]    Use of the reusable piñata  10  begins with movement of the treat discharging piston  42  and the interior piston  44  downwardly relative to the body  12  against the action of spring  46  until the first latching member  52  is engaged with the second latching member  54  in the manner illustrated in  FIG. 3A . Selected treats T are then introduced into the treat discharge port  16  and come to rest on the treat discharging piston  42 . Thereafter children are encouraged to take turns throwing the projectile B at the target  14 . The children may or may not be blindfolded during this activity. Whenever the projectile B strikes the target  14  the first latching member  52  is disengaged from the latching member  54  whereupon the spring  46  causes the treat discharging piston  42  to move upwardly under the action of the spring  46  thereby discharging the treats T from the interior of the treat discharge port  16 . 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIG. 4  there is shown a piñata  60  comprising an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The piñata  60  differs from the piñata  10  of  FIGS. 1 through 3B  in that the piñata  60  further comprises an inner-structure  62  over which the base  12  is placed. The treats T and treat discharge apparatus  40  are therefore placed inside the inner-structure  62  rather than inside the base  12 . 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 through 11 , there are shown piñatas  70 ,  76 ,  82 ,  88 ,  94 ,  100 , and  108 , respectively, comprising alternate physical configurations of the piñata  10  shown in  FIGS. 1 through 31 . Many of the components of the piñatas  70 ,  76 ,  82 ,  88 ,  94 ,  100 , and  108  are substantially identical in construction and function to the piñata  10  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 3B  and described hereinabove in conjunction therewith. Such identical component parts are designated in  FIGS. 5 through 11  with the same reference numerals utilized above in the description of the piñata  10  but are differentiated therefrom by means of a prime (′) designation. 
         [0038]      FIG. 5  illustrates piñata  70  comprising a base  72  in a shape resembling an elephant comprising a trunk  74  extending therefrom. The treat discharge apparatus  40 ′ and treats T may therefore be positioned within the trunk  74  with the treat discharge port  16 ′ on the distal end thereof. 
         [0039]      FIG. 6  illustrates a piñata  76  comprising a base  78  in a shape resembling a dinosaur having neck  80  and mouth  81 . The treat discharge apparatus  40 ′ and treats T may therefore be positioned within the neck  80  with the treat discharge port  16 ′ positioned within the mouth  81 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 7  illustrates a piñata  82  comprising a base  84  in a shape resembling a boat having smokestacks  86   a  and  86   b  extending thereabove. The treat discharge apparatus  40 ′ and treats T may therefore be positioned within the smokestacks  86   a  and  86   b  with the treat discharge port  16 ′ on the distal ends thereof. 
         [0041]      FIG. 8  illustrates a piñata  88  comprising a base  90  in a shape resembling a whale having a blowhole  92 . The treat discharge apparatus  40 ′ and treats T may therefore be positioned within the base  90  with the treat discharge port  16 ′ at the top of the blowhole  92 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 9  illustrates a piñata  94  comprising a base  96  in a shape resembling a rocket having nose  98 . The treat discharge apparatus  40 ′ and treats T may therefore be positioned within the base  96  with the treat discharge port  16 ′ at the top of the nose  98 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 10  illustrates a piñata  100  comprising a base  102  in a shape resembling a tank having a gun turret  104  on the top thereof, the gun turret having gun  106  extending thereof. The treat discharge apparatus  40 ′ and treats T may therefore be positioned within the turret  104  with the treat discharge port  161  at the top of the gun  106 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 11  illustrates a piñata  108  which may be configured as an adult toy comprising a target  14 ′, a discharge apparatus  40 ′, and a discharge port  16 ′. 
         [0045]    Referring now to  FIG. 12 , there is shown a piñata  120  comprising another embodiment of the present invention. Many of the components of the piñata  120  are substantially identical in construction and function to the piñata  10  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 3B  and described hereinabove in conjunction therewith. Such identical component parts are designated in  FIG. 12  with the same reference numerals utilized above in the description of the piñata  10  but are differentiated therefrom by means of a double prime (″) designation. The piñata  120  differs from the piñata  10  in that the target  14 ″ may be relatively smaller in size and activated by a small projectile  122  discharged from gun  124 . 
         [0046]    Referring now to  FIG. 13 , there is shown a piñata  130  comprising yet another embodiment of the present invention. The piñata  130  is equipped with a treat discharge apparatus  132  that is not spring-loaded. The piñata  130  comprises a base  134  resembling the shape of a castle. The treat discharge apparatus  132  is mounted within the base adjacent to a treat holding compartment  136  therein and treat discharge door  138 . A target  140  is mounted on the and supported by the base  132  of the piñata  130 . The target  140  may be constructed, configured and operate similar to the target  14  shown in  FIG. 2  and described hereinabove in conjunction therewith. 
         [0047]      FIG. 14  comprises a sectional view of the treat discharge apparatus  132  and the treat holding compartment  136 . As shown in  FIG. 14  the treat discharge door  138  comprises a lower end  142  hingedly coupled with the base  134  and an upper end  144  comprising latch  146  thereon. A holding pin  148  coupled with a trip wire  150  engages the latch  146  maintaining the treat discharge door  138  in a closed position. When the target  140  is hit by a projectile such as described in conjunction with  FIG. 1 , the target  140  activates and moves the trip wire  150  upward thereby lifting the holding pin  148 . The latch  146  thereupon disengages from the holding pin  148  enabling the treat discharge door  138  to fall open and discharge treats T. 
         [0048]    Referring now to  FIGS. 15 and 16 , there are shown piñatas  156  and  162 , respectively, comprising alternate physical configurations of the piñata  130  shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . Many of the components of the piñatas  156  and  162  are substantially identical in construction and function to the piñata  130  illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 14  and described hereinabove in con-unction therewith. Such identical component parts are designated in  FIGS. 13 and 14  with the same reference numerals utilized above in the description of the piñata  130  but are differentiated therefrom by means of a prime (′) designation. 
         [0049]      FIG. 15  illustrates a piñata  156  comprising a base  158  in a shape resembling a gaming machine with a treat discharge door  138 ′ located where a winnings collection tray might traditionally be located on a gaming machine. 
         [0050]      FIG. 16  illustrates a piñata  162  which may be configured as an adult toy and equipped with a target  140 ′ and a discharge apparatus  132 ′ of the type shown in  FIG. 14  and described hereinabove in conjunction therewith. 
         [0051]    Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is no limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions of parts and elements without departing from the spirit of the invention.