Abstract:
The present invention relates to a device for revealing a winner. The current embodiments are in the field of toys and games and reveal a winner in play battle or sport. Specifically the device utilizes at least one sensing mechanism for revealing a winner. More specifically a device for revealing a winner can be Balloon Toys such as Balloon Swords. It uses sensing mechanisms to determine the moment a winner has won and then triggers a mechanism in the non-winners device to destroy itself. A device for revealing a winner may include a bladder fill able with fluid, a way to hold the bladder, a mechanism to detect a win event, a mechanism to notify the loser&#39;s equipment of the win event, and a mechanism to burst the bladder of the loser&#39;s battle/sport equipment based on their loss.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/929,605, filed Jan. 21, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to the field of sport or entertainment toys and games and methods of use of the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to sport or entertainment toys and games that utilize sensing mechanisms for detecting and revealing winners/losers and methods of use of the same. 
     Balloons have been used for many years as objects of play. Children and adults often use balloons as decorations and costumes, and for play battle/sport. The bright colors, low cost, lightweight and squishy nature of balloons make them a suitable toy for children and adults to enjoy. Children use toy balloon swords because they give each child a way to act out battle/sports without a risk of harm from their play weapon during play. Since balloons also have the tendency to light up they have been used to simulate light sabers. Balloons are also known for their ability to create a loud sound when they burst. 
     Clowns and entertainers have made balloon swords for decades. A thin balloon&#39;s long shaft is twisted into a shape having a long end leading to a simulated cross-guard just above a grip. A pommel is sometimes simulated by adding a twist and knot to the grip&#39;s end for the appearance of a real sword&#39;s pommel feature. These toys are common, fun and have inspired other toy sword inventions including devices that use a balloon attached to a grip to simulate a sword with a light in the handle to make the balloon glow and a pump in the handle can blow up the balloon. This lets players simulate battle/sport but does not offer a clear indication of win. This lack of certainty often causes fights amongst players. We often hear kids, in fantasy battle/sport, say things like, “You didn&#39;t win because I hit you first”, or “you would have dropped the sword before you hit me because I got your leg.” While these tussles are often minor they do make it difficult to keep score and cause delays during play. Sometimes feelings are hurt and the enjoyment of the battle/sport is lessened. There is a need for a clear winner in a fantasy battle/sport. 
     Other inventions attempt to solve the problem, caused by a lack of clear winner indication, by using a sound generating mechanism to indicate a win. One example shows a play sword with an ability to pop an internal balloon when pressure is applied to the sword&#39;s tip. An unfortunate problem with this invention is that the winner, the victor of the play battle/sport, is the one whose weapon is damaged to indicate the win. This means that even though the player won the battle/sport they are the person who loses a feature of their own sword. To remedy this problem the patent shows, in different embodiments, the use of a sound generator instead of a balloon. But the sounds created by the sound generator are not nearly as loud or instantaneous as the sounds created by a balloon popping. 
     The problems with prior technologies are clear. In prior technologies game play is often made less exciting by not clearly indicating the real and actual winner of the game. Play battle/sport equipment without an ability to indicate a win often leads to arguments. Technology that destroys or damages the winner&#39;s equipment to indicate a win is counterintuitive and disheartening to the winner. In prior technology, players are either left to argue over who was truly victorious or the winner is punished for their victory. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Objects of the present invention include at least one of revealing the winner of a play game of battle or sport; creating a positive indication of win; creating a positive indication of loss; producing a rapid and loud noise at the point-in-time that the win takes place; creating a safe and entertaining way to play battling and sporting games; rewarding the winner by destroying the loser&#39;s weapon and/or tools to wage war; providing a simple and quick way for losing players to fix their weapons and fight again; providing a public display of loss; providing a public display of win; and/or providing play battle/sport players a more exciting play pattern. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. 
     In accordance with a particular embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a device for revealing a winner in play battle/sport comprising: a bladder fillable with fluid, a structure to hold the bladder, a mechanism to detect a win event, a mechanism to notify the loser&#39;s equipment of their opponent&#39;s win and thus their loss, and a mechanism to burst the bladder of the loser&#39;s equipment. 
     In accordance with this particular embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a process for revealing a winner in play battle/sport comprising the steps of: determining the winner in a play battle/sport, notifying the loser&#39;s equipment of their own loss and causing the loser&#39;s equipment to burst their own bladder. 
     In accordance with this particular embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed an alternative device for revealing a winner in play battle/sport comprising: a bladder fillable with fluid, a structure to hold the bladder, a mechanism to detect a lose event, a mechanism to notify the loser&#39;s equipment of their opponent&#39;s win and thus their loss, and a mechanism to burst the bladder of the loser&#39;s equipment. 
     In accordance with this particular embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed an alternate process for revealing a winner in play battle/sport comprising the steps of: determining the loser in a play battle/sport, notifying the loser&#39;s equipment of their own loss and causing the loser&#39;s equipment to burst their own bladder. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
       The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention. 
         FIG. 1A  is a side view of the internal and external portions of a sword embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1B  is a side view of the external portions of a sword embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of a deflated bladder attached to a bladder holder. 
         FIG. 3  is a rear view of a shield embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of an external bladder inflation system. 
         FIG. 5  is a semi-exploded view of a bladder attached to a bladder holder and a handle, with the view of the handle being a cut side view. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of an external bladder inflation system with a deflated bladder. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of an external bladder inflation system with an inflated bladder. 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of an external bladder inflation system with an inflated bladder being removed from said device. 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram showing how a valve is open and/or closed by components of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 10A and 10B  are side views of an embodiment of the invention that includes a manually operated pump to enable a bladder to be pumped up.  FIG. 10A  shows the invention with a manually operated pump and a deflated bladder.  FIG. 10B  shows the invention with a manually operated pump and an inflated bladder. 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of a sword embodiment of the present invention with a built-in contact attachment inflation system. 
         FIG. 12  provides a semi-exploded view of the components of an inflation station. 
         FIGS. 13A-13C  show a series of various embodiments of the invention used in flying vehicles that are controlled by the controller shown in  FIG. 13D . 
         FIG. 14A  shows a side view of an assembled vehicle utilizing the front assembly shown in  FIG. 14B  and the back assembly shown in  FIG. 14C . 
         FIG. 14B  shows a front view of a front assembly of a vehicle that utilizes an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14C  shows a front view of a rear assembly of a vehicle that utilizes an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 15A and 15B  show a diagram detailing the actions that components of the present invention take based upon sensors being triggered to report a win or loss respectively. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Detailed descriptions of particular embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner. 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  show a sword embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 1A  bladder  100  is filled with a fluid and is attached to bladder holder  170 . Bladder holder  170  is attached handle  120  and connects bladder  100  to handle  120 . Battery  130 . The at least one battery may be housed within at least one battery compartment (not shown here or numbered). The battery powers a logic circuit  160 , which monitors sensor  140 , which can be a pressure sensor. Once logic circuit  160  determines that sensor  140  indicates a winning event it communicates with opponent&#39;s sword, via transmitters (not shown), and opponent&#39;s sword receives the communication through receivers (not shown) that the opponent&#39;s sword should burst its own bladder  100 . Each sword has transmitters (not shown) and receivers (not shown) through which they can communicate. When an indication of loss is detected by the logic circuit  160  receiving a loss message at a receiver (not shown), a motor with a needle  150  attached is turned on and the needle  150  bursts the bladder  100 . The power switch  110  in  FIG. 1B  turns the device on and off. This embodiment, as well as other embodiments, may include a scorning device, which is not depicted in the drawings. 
     Embodiments of the invention described herein provide the advantage of enabling two or more players to freely play battle games with the certainty of a win for one of the players being revealed by the two or more devices. Embodiments of the invention may use transmitters and/or receivers for communication between the two or more devices via infrared, radio control, Bluetooth®, sound, light and/or other technologies. 
       FIG. 2  shows a bladder  100  that is not inflated and is attached to a bladder holder  170 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a shield embodiment of the present invention. The shield  330  has a sensing mechanism  340  at its center. In this particular embodiment of the invention a transmitter  180  sends a beam/signal to a receiver  190 . A broken beam/signal is an indication that the user holding the device with the broken beam/signal has lost. The logic circuit (not shown) in the shield  330  will notify the losing device using transmitter  180  and/or receiver  190  at the direction of an internal circuit, that it, the non-winning device, should burst itself and thus inform the winner they have won. Upon winning a winner&#39;s device can make noise, flash lights and/or vibrate to celebrate. Straps  350  enable a player to wear a shield  330  or hang it for storing during nonuse. 
       FIG. 4  shows an embodiment of an external bladder inflation system that is designed to quickly fill a bladder that is or can be attached to a bladder holder. External bladder inflation system uses a manually operated pump  400  with a check valve  410  and supply hose  420  to remove fluid from the inflation chamber  430 . A base  460  keeps the inflation chamber  430  steady when the inflating chamber  430  and/or the pump inflation device is in use. The bladder (not shown) is held in place by attachment boss(es)  440 , which create a fluid-tight seal in the inflation chamber  430  when a bladder is attached. 
       FIG. 5  shows a sword embodiment of the present invention with a bladder  100  attached to bladder holder  170 . Attachment boss  440  enables bladder holder  170  to be snapped into handle  120  by latching said attachment boss  440  onto/into another attachment boss  440  in a twist or other fashion. Fluid containment knot  590  is tied and closed at the open end of the bladder  100  once the bladder  100  has been filled. The location to burst bladder  580  is designed to enable predictable bursting by giving a clean and open space for the needle  150  to contact the bladder  100 . Handle  120  contains a battery  130  that powers a CPU with software  550 , which performs functions of the device including powering the light emitting diode (LED)  560  on and off, and controlling the brightness and patterns of light, if any, of the LED  560 . The CPU with software  550  also checks the sensor  140  for an indication of a win, bursts the bladder  100  by powering on a motor  530 , which moves needle  150  to burst the bladder  100 , and communicates with an opponent&#39;s device to relay the message of a win or loss. 
       FIG. 6  shows external bladder inflation system with inflation chamber  430  containing a deflated bladder  100  attached to a bladder holder  170  and handle  120 . When manually operated pump  430  is pressed said pump will remove fluid from the inflation chamber  430  via supply hose  420  while check valve  410  keeps the inflation chamber  430  in a vacuum state. The bladder  100  will have an open end, which provides an entryway for the fluid to fill the bladder  100  as the vacuum in the inflation chamber  430  increases.  FIG. 7  show that as the vacuum gets greater the bladder  100  consumes more space in the inflation chamber  430 .  FIG. 8  shows the combination of the inflated bladder  100 , the bladder holder  170 , and the handle  120  being removed from the inflation chamber  430  via the twist and/or other detachment motion of the attachment boss  440  from the other attachment boss (not shown). The twist and/or other detachment motion closes and/or seals the open end of the bladder  100  and causes and breaks the vacuum seal in the inflation chamber  430  by opening an activating rotary valve  900  (shown in  FIG. 9 ). 
       FIG. 9  shows a diagram of a retention boss  920 , on inflation chamber and sword&#39;s lock pin  910  activating rotary valve  900 . 
       FIG. 10A  shows a sword embodiment of the present invention with a deflated bladder  100  and a built-in contact attachment inflation system  600  in a loaded position.  FIG. 10B  shows a sword embodiment of the present invention with an inflated bladder  100  and a built-in contact attachment inflation system in an unloaded position. The built-in contact attachment inflation system  600  forces air and/or fluid into the bladder  100  as the built-in contact attachment inflation system  600  is pushed from a loaded position shown in  FIG. 10A  into the handle  120  and into an unloaded position shown in  FIG. 10B . The mechanism(s) used to detect and/or reveal win/loss and/or communicate the results of a game to the other devices and burst a bladder, if necessary, are not shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B  but are located inside the handle  120  and/or bladder holder  170 . 
       FIG. 11  shows a side view of a sword embodiment of the present invention that uses a compressed fluid cartridge  1300  with attaching boss(es)  440  and cartridge nozzle  1280 . The user inserts the compressed fluid cartridge  1300  into the bladder holder  170  via the handle  120  and twists to lock it in place through the interfacing of the attaching boss(es)  440  located on the compressed fluid cartridge  1300  and the attaching boss(es) (not shown) located on the bladder holder  170  or handle  120 . When the user presses the inflation button  1350  the fluid located in the compressed fluid cartridge  1300  enters into and inflates the bladder  100 . The compressed fluid cartridge  1300  can be replaced by an electric or manually operated pump (not shown), which can be inserted and locked into the bladder holder  170  in a similar fashion to that of the compressed cartridge  1300 . 
       FIG. 12  shows an inflation station  1215  with inflation button  1350  and inflation nozzle  1230 , which supplies fluid from a compressed fluid cartridge  1300  that is inserted into cartridge holder  1210  and locked into place with attaching boss(es)  440 . Compressed fluid cartridge  1300  interfaces with cartridge nozzle  1280  to enable inflation nozzle  1230  to supply fluid to device valve  1240  and fill bladder  100 . After user installs a compressed fluid cartridge  1300  into the inflation station  1215  the user then presses the device valve  1240  to the inflation nozzle  1230  and the inflation button  1350  thus releasing fluid from the compressed fluid cartridge  1300  into the bladder  100 . The compressed fluid cartridge  1300  can be replaced by an electric or manually operated pump (not shown), which can be inserted and locked into the cartridge holder  1210 . The inflation button  1350  can also open the device valve  1240  to allow fluid to pass into the bladder. 
       FIGS. 13A-13C  show a series of various embodiments of the invention that enable the invention to be used in vehicles that are controlled by a controller  1180  shown in  FIG. 13D .  FIG. 13A  shows a side view of a bladder  100  acting like the fuselage of an RC plane and propellers  1120  attached to wings  1125  that are triangular in shape, which are attached to the loop  1140 .  FIG. 13B  shows a front view of loop  1140  and loop cavity  1145  with propellers  1120  attached to wings  1125 . The bladder  100  is inserted and/or inflated in the loop cavity  1145  and is held in place by the loop  1140 .  FIG. 13C  shows a side view of a bladder  100  acting like the fuselage of an RC plane and propellers  1120  attached to wings  1125  that are quadrilateral shaped, which are attached to the loop  1140 . The propellers  1120  and the wings  1125  propel the bladder  100  in flight. The embodiments of the invention in  FIGS. 13A-13C  are controlled by the controller  1180  in  FIG. 13D . The controller  1180  can use infrared, radio control, Bluetooth®, sound, light and/or other technologies in order to control the embodiments of the invention described in  FIGS. 13A-13C . Dog fights, battles and/or challenges are waged between players. When an indication of win is created the non-winner&#39;s device bursts its own bladder. Thus the plane would fall to the ground. 
       FIG. 14A  shows a side view of an assembled remote controlled vehicle utilizing the front assembly shown in  FIG. 14B  and the back assembly shown in  FIG. 14C . A bladder  100  is in the loop cavity  1145  created by the loop  1140  and acts as the body of the device. Once assembled with inflated bladder  100  acting as the main structure and being inflated through loop  1140 , in the front assembly  1400  and rear assembly  1410 , the user controls the device through an RC controller (not shown). The remote control can use infrared, radio control, Bluetooth®, sound, light and/or other technologies in order to control the embodiments of the invention described in  FIGS. 14A-14C . The device can also be controlled via the on-board computer  1440  located on the rear assembly  1410 . Based on the commands the device will be able to steer by control box  1470 , which directs the front wheels  1420 . Motors  1485  that drive the rear wheels  1430  move the vehicle. The front wheels  1420  and rear  1430  wheels can be weighted to account for any lack of weight in the device. Rear assembly  1410  includes a battery  130 , computer  1440 , needle and/or pin and assembly  150 , motor  1485 , loop cavity  1145 , sensor  1495  and wheels  1430 . Front assembly  1400  includes wheels weighted to hold down the bladder, which is held in the loop  1140 , and enable steering by control box  1470  which is controlled by the computer  1440  and a wireless communication means linking the control box  1470  to the computer  1440 , receiving sensors  1495  and Transmitting Sensor  1490 . When the transmitting sensor  1490  sends a “Fire” command if the receiving sensor  1495  on an opponent&#39;s vehicle can read it that will cause the bladder buster assembly  1460  to burst the bladder of the hit vehicle. The computer  1440  controls the steering wheels  1420  by sending commands to it through a communication means, like transmitter/receiver and a motor reacts to the commands moving the wheels so they turn left or right at the direction of the user. 
       FIGS. 15A and 15B  shows a diagram explaining the actions that components of the present invention take based upon sensors being triggered to report a win or loss respectively. If a player&#39;s sword determines he has inflicted a lethal blow to his opponent, the winning player&#39;s sensing mechanism triggers the actions outlined in  FIG. 15A . If a player&#39;s sword determines he has received a lethal blow from his opponent, the losing player&#39;s sensing mechanism triggers the actions outlined in  FIG. 15B . 
     While the invention has been described in connection with particular embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     COMPONENT LIST FOR DRAWINGS 
     Following is a list of the numbered components depicted in the drawings: 
     
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Component Number 
                 Component Description 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 100 
                 Bladder (i.e. contact attachment) 
               
               
                 101 
                 Sword embodiment of the invention 
               
               
                 110 
                 Power Switch (i.e. switch or other circuit activating 
               
               
                   
                 and/or deactivating device) 
               
               
                 120 
                 Handle (i.e. means for holding, manipulating, using, 
               
               
                   
                 battling, competing, playing with the device) 
               
               
                 130 
                 Battery (i.e. power source operably connected to at 
               
               
                   
                 least one component of the device) 
               
               
                 140 
                 Sensor (i.e. mechanism to detect at least one of 
               
               
                   
                 contact, occurrences, event(s), scores, points, wins, 
               
               
                   
                 losses, and/or a win or lose event(s)) 
               
               
                 150 
                 Needle and/or Pin and Assembly 
               
               
                 160 
                 Logic Circuit (i.e. circuitry associated with at least 
               
               
                   
                 one of operating, running, and/or controlling at least 
               
               
                   
                 one of the components of the device and/or the at 
               
               
                   
                 least one power source) 
               
               
                 170 
                 Bladder Holder (i.e. means to hold in place, secure, 
               
               
                   
                 snap-in place, attach, twist into place, and/or lock 
               
               
                   
                 into place the at least one contact attachment) 
               
               
                 180 
                 Transmitter 
               
               
                 190 
                 Receiver 
               
               
                 330 
                 Shield embodiment of the invention 
               
               
                 340 
                 Sensing Mechanism (i.e. locating and/or sensing 
               
               
                   
                 mechanism) 
               
               
                 350 
                 Strap 
               
               
                 400 
                 Manually-Operated Pump 
               
               
                 410 
                 Check Valve 
               
               
                 420 
                 Supply Hose 
               
               
                 430 
                 Inflating Chamber 
               
               
                 440 
                 Attachment Boss 
               
               
                 460 
                 Base 
               
               
                 530 
                 Motor 
               
               
                 550 
                 CPU (Logic Circuit) with software (i.e. Software is 
               
               
                   
                 “a controlling and/or operating software application 
               
               
                   
                 utilized to control or operate at least one of at least 
               
               
                   
                 one receiver, at least one controller, at least one 
               
               
                   
                 transmitter, and/or at least one transmitter/receiver”) 
               
               
                 560 
                 LED 
               
               
                 580 
                 Location to Burst Bladder 
               
               
                 590 
                 Fluid Containment Knot 
               
               
                 600 
                 Built-In Contact Attachment Inflation System 
               
               
                 900 
                 Activating Rotary Valve 
               
               
                 910 
                 Lock Pin 
               
               
                 920 
                 Retention Boss 
               
               
                 1120 
                 Propeller 
               
               
                 1125 
                 Wing 
               
               
                 1140 
                 Loop 
               
               
                 1145 
                 Loop Cavity 
               
               
                 1180 
                 Remote controller (i.e. controller) 
               
               
                 1210 
                 Cartridge Holder 
               
               
                 1215 
                 Inflation Station (the inflation system housing unit) 
               
               
                 1230 
                 Inflation Nozzle 
               
               
                 1240 
                 Device Valve 
               
               
                 1280 
                 Cartridge Nozzle 
               
               
                 1300 
                 Compressed Fluid Cartridge 
               
               
                 1350 
                 Inflation Button 
               
               
                 1400 
                 Front Assembly 
               
               
                 1410 
                 Back Assembly 
               
               
                 1420 
                 Front Wheel(s) 
               
               
                 1430 
                 Back Wheel(s) 
               
               
                 1440 
                 Computer 
               
               
                 1460 
                 Control Box 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DEFINITIONS 
     As used herein, the term “and/or,” when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself, or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed. For example, if a device is described as containing components A, B, and/or C, the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination. 
     “Logic Circuit”, as used herein, means a circuit or mechanism with an ability to determine an outcome, such as a logic circuit, microprocessor/embedded-controller with software or a mechanical device with a pressure sensor based on a spring or magnet set to disengage at a set weight. In many embodiments an MCU (micro control unit) or embedded controller or CPU will have software that enables it to read sensors and then perform actions based on the triggering of the sensors. The actions can be to burst the bladder or to notify the other device to burst its bladder. Reading of the sensors, including win or loss indications and also messages from other devises informing of wins/losses. Actions can include bursting bladders, sending and decoding messages, playing sounds, keeping score, lighting lights and calculating and notifying players when events start and when they end (battle rounds for example). 
     The term “Attachment Boss”, as used herein, is a protrusion, preset, recess or other opening and/or means designed to enable two elements to be joined together. An example of an attachment boss would be snap fit plastic components.