Abstract:
A bendable device, such as a child&#39;s toy, to be generally comprised of an elongated, flexible body section, a head segment attached to an end of the body section, and a tail segment attached to the other end of the body section is disclosed. In a basic form, the device can be wrapped about an object and secured to itself to form a ring. The head segment includes an opening, preferably in the form of a mouth, and a cavity extending from the open mouth inward to the body, and the tail includes an insertable portion for being frictionally engaged and retained within the cavity. The cavity may extend through the head segment and into the body and may include a plurality of indexed chambers. The chambers allow adjustability of the ring size by providing deeper insertion of the tail into the mouth of the head. Objects may be inserted into the cavity for storage, decoration, or play.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present device relates to a bendable device that has multiple uses, including functioning as a toy, fanciful jewelry, an ID tag, or as advertising merchandise. Particularly, the present device relates to an adaptable bendable device which can be used in many different ways for a wide range of ages, from babies through toddlers as well as pre-teens through teenagers, and even adults. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    There are very few toys on the market today, if any, which have the ability to be marketed for newborns as well as teenagers. For babies, desirable toys are generally safe, colorful, easy-to-grasp and often have some noise-making aspect. Older children become more imaginative in play and often look for toys and gadgets which are theme-based—e.g., cartoons, sports, fantasy, historical. The intended use for a baby&#39;s toy must be kept simple, while older children look to be challenged during play. Further, babies and (to a lesser extent) toddlers (i.e., ages 1-4) are solitary in their play, as they lack the necessary communication skills for interacting with others, so the toy must solely hold their attention. On the other hand, social play is very strong in young children (i.e., ages 5-12) and adolescents (i.e., 13-19 year-olds) predominately favor social interaction during play. Accordingly, toys for these age groups should provide a social component. It is difficult to conceive of a toy which can provide each of the features for children over such a wide range of ages. 
         [0003]    The present device is capable of providing each of these features in a toy for children of a wide range of ages. However, the present device is not just a toy, but may also be considered for use as jewelry, an identification device, a hair tie, a safety device, and much more. These and other advantage will be more readily understood after review of the following detailed description and the appended drawing figures. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    There is disclosed herein an improved toy device which avoids the disadvantages of prior devices while affording additional structural and operating advantages. 
         [0005]    It is an aspect of the disclosed child&#39;s toy to be generally comprised of an elongated, flexible body section, a head attached to an end of the body section, and a tail attached to the other end of the body section. The toy can be wrapped about an object and secured to itself to form a ring. 
         [0006]    In an embodiment of the disclosed toy, the head includes an open mouth and a cavity extending from the open mouth inward to the head, and the tail includes an insertable portion for being frictionally engaged and retained within the cavity. The cavity may extend through the head and into the body and may include a plurality of indexed chambers. The chambers allow adjustability of the ring size by providing deeper insertion of the tail into the mouth of the head. 
         [0007]    In selected embodiments, it is an aspect of the disclosed toy to be modeled after an entity selected from aliens, animals including domestic, farm, fantasy, prehistoric and wild, athletes, cartoon characters, famous persons, fictional characters, infamous persons, mythological creatures, professional persons and the like. 
         [0008]    These and other aspects of the invention may be understood more readily from the following description and the appended drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected, there are illustrated in the accompanying drawings embodiments thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated. 
           [0010]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  are perspective views of a first embodiment of the device of the present application illustrating the formation of a ring; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective of the embodiment of  FIG. 1B  illustrating one possible use for the ring configuration; 
           [0012]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are side views of an embodiment illustrating one possible use for an extended configuration of the present device; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present device showing another possible use for the extended configuration; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present device showing another possible use for the ring configuration; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present device showing still another possible use of the ring configuration; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 7 and 8  are perspective views of a shorter version of the present device showing a couple possible uses; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a side view of several devices of a specific embodiment showing serial connections as a possible use; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 10A-10C  illustrate a variety of different tail-end forms which may be used with the present device; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 11A-11E  illustrate a variety of different chamber cross-sections possible for use with the present device; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 12A-12D  illustrate a variety of different retention members which may correspond to chamber cross-sections; 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is a side view illustrating an embodiment of the head segment of the current invention; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 14A and 14B  are side views illustrating another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 15A-15E  are various possible cross-sections for the body of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0025]      FIGS. 17A-17C  are perspective views of still three more possible embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0026]    While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to embodiments illustrated. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-17 , there are illustrated several embodiments of a bendable device, such as child&#39;s play toy, generally designated by the numeral  10 . The device or toy  10  includes three distinct sections: a first section or head segment  12 , a body  14  and a second section or tail segment  16 . The three sections can be embodied in an almost infinite number of possible characters, sizes, colors, and shapes, making the device  10  capable of manufacture to be useful and interesting to children of a wide range of ages. 
         [0028]    The first section or head segment  12  of the device  10  is preferably molded from an elastic or flexible polymer material, such as silicone rubber, and can be modeled after any number of entities. A preferred likeness is that of a dragon, which can itself take on many different shapes, colors and sizes. Other possible likenesses, including the examples shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , include animated/cartoon characters, superheroes, television characters, animals (including domestic, farm, wild, marine, mythological, prehistoric, insects, birds, etc.), aliens, soldiers (ancient, historic, current), famous persons, professionals (e.g., doctors, nurses, etc.), athletes, sports mascots, and even inanimate objects (e.g., phones, computers, trains, cars, planes, buildings, etc.). 
         [0029]    Regardless of the form taken by the head  12 , each is provided with a mouth or opening  20 . The mouth  20  should be expandable to widen, as necessary, as a result of the head  12  being molded from an elastic material. Alternatively, the mouth or opening  20  may be articulated as shown in  FIG. 13 . The interior portion of the head  12  is hollowed to define a cavity  22  which extends toward the body  14  of the device  10 . The cavity  22  will be explained in more detail below with respect to the body  14  and different uses of the toy  10 . The head  12  may also be adorned with other peripheral devices (not shown), including reflective parts, bright colors, appendages, lights, LEDs, noise-makers and the like. In some embodiments, as illustrated in  FIGS. 14A and 14B , the head  12  may be hinged to expose an opening  20 B extending into the cavity  22  of the body  14 . The head segment  12  may also be removable to allow interchangeable attachment of different head segments to change the look of the device  10 . 
         [0030]    The second section or tail segment  16  of the device  10  is preferably comprised of a shaft  24  ending with a hollow, bulbous member  26  having loose material  28  inside so that it rattles when shaken. The sound of the rattle may be altered by changing the particle size of the loose material  28 . Alternatively, other noise-making devices (not shown) may be used, such as buzzers, clickers, bells, whistles and the like, as well as visual stimulating devices, such as patterns, color wheels, lights, LEDs, reflective material and the like. For older users, digital time displays, GPS displays, compass, MP3 player, or other electronic components may be integrated. 
         [0031]    In some embodiments, the tail  16  or just the bulbous member  26  may be removable to allow interchangeable attachment of different parts to change the look and sound of the device  10 . Of course, the device  10  may be constructed with a solid tail segment  16  having no noise-making capability. Further, to lessen the likelihood of accidental removal of the tail segment  16 , the tail segment is preferably secured in other than a friction fit manner. For example, a threaded connection, a twist lock connection, or a depressible pin release mechanism are all effective and well-known devices to those skilled in the art. Preferably, the tail segment design is coordinated with the head segment design. 
         [0032]    The bulbous member  26  of the tail  16  should be sized to fit snugly into the mouth  20  of the head segment  12  (or the opening  20 B of  FIG. 14A ) to form a ring configuration of the device  10 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1B . In some embodiments, the bulbous member  26  may be capable of further insertion into the cavity  22  extending inward from the opening or mouth  20  as a means to adjust the size of the resulting ring, as will be explained in further detail below. 
         [0033]    The body  14  of the device  10  is a very important component of the present invention. Preferably, the body  14  is flexible like metal wire, allowing it to be formed into many different shapes and figures. One particular form for the toy  10  is that it should be able to be bent into a ring shape (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 2 ,  5 - 8 ). However, the body  14  is also preferably hollow, at least in part, as it defines indexed chambers  30  within at least a portion of the cavity  22 . The chambers  30  are preferably formed to complement the shape of the bulbous member  26  of the tail  16 . The chambers  30  allow finite adjustments of the device  10  when it is formed into a ring. The indexed chambers  30  also provide a more secured retention of the bulbous member  26  during play. A more simplified friction fit may be suitable, and preferred, for babies and young children. 
         [0034]    Where the head segment  12  pivots to allow access to the opening  20  and cavity  22  by the tail segment, the outer surface of body  14  may include a flat section  23  upon which to rest the head segment  12 , as shown in  FIG. 14B . To prevent flopping of the head segment  12  in this configuration, the flat section  23  may provide a securing means (not shown) to hold the head segment  12  in place. 
         [0035]    The remainder of the cavity  22  forms a tunnel  32  for objects to pass into. An access port or slit opening  34  is formed in the wall of the body  14  at the end of the tunnel  32 . The access port  34  allows insertion or the protrusion of objects from the cavity  22 . The body  14  may be manufactured from a fabric, resilient polymers, including natural rubber and the like, or a combination of these material to provide the necessary flexibility. The body  14  may then also include wire or similar members (not shown) running lengthwise to provide shape retention ability to the body  14 . Alternatively, the body  14  may be comprised of smaller jointed sections (not shown) to allow bending action. These and other molding, construction and manufacturing methods which allow the body  14  to be bent are certainly known to those skilled in the art and combinations of such methods may be employed herein. 
         [0036]    To prevent rolling, the body  14  should have a cross-section of any shape having at least one flat side. Certainly, the cross-section may be round for certain applications, but an oval or elliptical form may be most useful. Square or rectangular cross-sections may also provided advantages in some applications. Examples of body cross-sections are illustrated in  FIGS. 15A-15E . 
         [0037]    The body  14  is preferably colored (including color changing material, neon colors and glow-in-the-dark) and patterned to match the theme used for the head segment  12  and tail segment  16  of the device  10 . Texturing of the outer surface of the body  14  may be used as well. The length of the body  14  can be altered to the intended use of the toy  10 , as explained in more detail below. To provide adjustability of the body length, the body  14  may be compressible in a manner similar to a bendable portion of a straw. Such a feature would still provide the desired bend-ability of the body  14 . Theme related attachments, such as legs, arms, wings, clothing, battle accessories, professional accessories, beads, ribbons, bows, etc., as well as functional attachments, such as name tags, key rings, clock faces, etc., may be added to the body  14  of the toy, if desired. Such devices may clip to the body  14  or insert in holes provide for such attachment. 
       Uses 
       [0038]    The present device is particularly suitable for use as a child&#39;s toy. However, the potential for customization to accommodate clubs, teams, schools, associations, promotions, holidays, events, businesses, charities, and the like is practically endless. Accordingly, while the aforementioned device is primarily described in the context of a child&#39;s toy, it is understood that all such possible uses for the three-part device  10  are equally covered by the accompanying claims. 
         [0039]    In its simplest form, the device is a colorful, bendable character which can be used in any number of different children&#39;s games and activities. Each different character may be combined with, for example, a name, background/history, accessories, personality traits, or any other storyline and features that supports a desired theme. In all embodiments, the tail  16  of the toy  10  is capable of insertion into the head  12  at the mouth  20  to form a ring. The bulbous tail member  26  frictionally fits within a cavity  22  defined within the head  12  to retain the ring form. In some embodiments, the cavity  22  may be comprised of several chambers which provide indexed adjustability to the ring size and retain the tail  16  more securely within the cavity  22 . Pulling the tail  16  from the mouth  20  returns the toy  10  to its full length embodiment. 
         [0040]    As a ring, the toy  10  may find a number of uses. For babies, for example, the toy  10  may be secured onto a chair or other device in the baby&#39;s view where the colorful and whimsical features provide visual stimulation. By utilizing the rattle-tail feature described above, the ring may be alternatively fastened loosely onto the ankle or wrist of the baby to provide both visual and audible stimulation. For older children, the body cavity  22  and slit opening  34  permit the insertion of a plastic straw or eating utensil, such as a fork or spoon, into the toy  10 . With an end extending from each of the slit  34  and the mouth  20 , a child may be encouraged to eat and drink using the toy. Similar use may be made with pencils, pens, markers, headphone cords, drawstrings, and the like. 
         [0041]    For groups of children, several of the toys  10  may be linked together using the tail from one toy inserted into the mouth of another, as shown in  FIG. 9 . By correlating the bulbous tail section  26  and chamber  30  for similarly themed characters—e.g., all dragon toys may have a 1.0 cm size bulbous end, all cartoon characters a 1.5 cm size, all robot themed toys a 2.0 cm size, etc.—matching, trading, and other social activities may be encouraged. Sharing, trading, gifting and exchanging of the toys helps grow collections. By varying the body length of different toys, children may use the ring form as jewelry (e.g., bracelet, necklace, ring), bike or locker decorations, luggage or backpack identifiers, hair ties, and a variety of other activities limited only by the child&#39;s imagination. 
         [0042]    The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of applicants&#39; contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.