Abstract:
A control device and an elongated member provide for a controlled play wherein the elongated member remains aloft during play in response to controlled movement of the control device by a player. Contact by the control device with the elongated member includes a sliding contact, a pushing disengaging contact and a catching engaging contact. The elongated member may have numerous configurations where a plurality of contact surfaces are symmetrically disposed about a central axis. Preferably the elongated member will have a wide central portion which is bordered by opposing narrower intermediate portions which in turn are respectively bordered by end portions which are wider than the intermediate portions. The elongated member may be a rigid member, as formed by a molding process or from a permanent assembly of components, or may be of a sectional design which may be assembled and disassembled.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     Generally, the invention relates to toys. More specifically, the invention relates to such toys wherein an elongated member is maintained in an elevated play area above the ground utilizing manipulation of a control device and various sliding engagements between the control device and the elongated member. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Numerous toys, and associated methods of play, exist to entertain people. These include toys where a person manipulates the toy to maintain the toy, or a portion thereof, in an elevated position in front of the player. Often the player will hold one or two sticks and repetitively strike a detached member with the sticks to keep the detached member from reaching the ground. This class of toy provides the player with an enjoyable experience and acts as a training device for hand/eye coordination. 
     Various deficiencies exist with this class of toy due to the limited intermittent contact of the stick or sticks with the detached member. The player fails to experience a sense of full control over the detached member due to the repetitive bouncing around of the detached member. 
     As can be seen various attempts have been made to provide for a toy capable of entertaining both children and adults while allowing the player to enhance his or her motor skills. These attempts have been less efficient than desired. As such, it may be appreciated that there continues to be a need for a toy where the player is allowed to develop skills which enable full control to be exerted by the player over a detached elevated member including sliding contacts, pushing contacts and catching contacts. The present invention substantially fulfills these needs. 
     SUMMARY 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of toys, your applicant has devised a toy, and an associated method of play, which enables the player to fully develop the ability to control the toy during controlled play in an elevated area above the ground. The toy has a control device and an elongated member. The player handles and manipulates the control device, which preferably is a long thin member, during the controlled play. The player uses the control device to maintain the elongated member in an elevated condition utilizing at least sliding contacts between the control device and the elongated member. The elongated member has various symmetrically disposed contact surfaces thereon which extend between opposing end portions, through opposing intermediate portions and a central portion. These various portions are in fluid communication along the respective contact surfaces where the control device may be freely slid along the contact surfaces while the elongated member pivots back and forth to be maintained in the elevated position during the play. 
     My invention resides not in any one of these features per se, but rather in the particular combinations of them herein disclosed and it is distinguished from the prior art in these particular combinations of these structures for the functions specified. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide for a toy which will provide the player with many hours of enjoyable activity while improving the player&#39;s hand/eye coordination. 
     Other objects include; 
     a) to provide for an elongated member which may be manipulated by a control device held by the player wherein the elongated member is maintained in an elevated position during play. 
     b) to provide for sliding contacts between the control device and the elongated member wherein the elongated member pivots back and forth during play. 
     c) to provide for pushing disengagement contacts between the control device and the elongated member wherein the elongated member is airborne without contact with the control device during periods of time during play. 
     d) to provide for catching engagement contacts between the control device and the elongated member wherein the elongated member comes back into contact with the control device following being airborne and out of contact with the control device. 
     e) to provide for stop members on the elongated member to limit movement of the control device along the elongated member. 
     f) to provide for twirling passages in the elongated member for placement therein of the control device for engaged twirling action play. 
     g) to provide for visual markings on the control device or on the elongated member, or on both, as tools to enable the player to more properly control the play. 
     h) to provide for end stand slots in the elongated member to enable the player to balance the elongated member on the control device during play. 
     i) to provide for a plurality of spaced contact surfaces to be symmetrically disposed about the elongated member. 
     j) to provide for the elongated member to be assembled for play and disassembled for transport or storage. 
     k) to provide for the elongated member to be formed by a molding process as a single, three dimensional, piece. 
     l) to provide for a construction of the elongated member from a plurality of planar pieces wherein the pieces having the contact surfaces thereon are spaced from a central axis of the elongated member. 
     m) to provide for a construction of the elongated member from a planar material wherein symmetrically disposed panels radiate outward from a central axis of the elongated member. 
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated the preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein; 
     FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an elongated member. 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a control device. 
     FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the control device shown in FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of a strip member. 
     FIG. 5 is an end elevational view of the strip member shown in FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the strip member shown in FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the strip member shown in FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of a first part of an end spacer member. 
     FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of a second part of the end spacer member. 
     FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the end spacer member formed by the first part shown in FIG.  8  and the second part shown in FIG.  9 . 
     FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of a first part of a center spacer member. 
     FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of a second part of the center spacer member. 
     FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of the center spacer member formed by the first part shown in FIG.  11  and the second part shown in FIG.  12 . 
     FIG. 14 is a front elevational view of a material strip used to form a securing band. 
     FIG. 15 is an end elevational view of the elongated member shown in FIG.  1  and positioned on the control device. 
     FIG. 16 is an end elevational view of the elongated member shown in FIG. 15 in a preferred play position on the control device. 
     FIG. 17 is a front elevational view of an elongated member having end spacer members having stop member extensions thereon installed therein. 
     FIG. 18 is a rear elevational view of a strip member used in the elongated member shown in FIG.  17 . 
     FIG. 19 is a side elevational view of the strip member shown in FIG.  18 . 
     FIG. 20 is a front elevational view of the strip member shown in FIG.  18 . 
     FIG. 21 is a front elevational view of a first part of an end spacer member having the stop member extensions. 
     FIG. 22 is a front elevational view of a second part of the end spacer member having the stop member extensions. 
     FIG. 23 is a front elevational view of the end spacer member having the stop member extensions formed by the first part shown in FIG.  21  and the second part shown in FIG.  22 . 
     FIG. 24 is an end elevational view of the elongated member shown in FIG.  17  and positioned on the control device. 
     FIG. 25 is an end elevational view of the elongated member shown in FIG. 24 in a preferred play position on the control device. 
     FIG. 26 is a top plan view of the elongated member shown in FIG. 1 positioned on the control device shown in FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 27 is a front elevational view of the assembly shown in FIG.  26 . 
     FIG. 28, FIG.  29  and FIG. 30 are front elevational view of the assembly shown in FIG. 27 depicting a sequence of play involving sliding engagement contacts between the elongated member and the control device. 
     FIG. 31 is a front elevational view depicting a flipping operation including a pushing disengaging contact and a catching engaging contact. 
     FIG. 32 is a front elevational view of another embodiment of the elongated member having visual markings thereon with the control device positioned within a twirling passage. 
     FIG. 33 is an end elevational view of the elongated member shown in FIG. 32 positioned on the control device. 
     FIG. 34 is a front elevational view of the elongated member shown in FIG. 32 with the control device positioned within opposing twirling passages while the elongated member is in a preferred play position. 
     FIG. 35 is an end elevational view of the elongated member shown in FIG. 34 positioned in a preferred play position on the control device. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     Many different toys having features of the present invention are possible. The following description describes the preferred embodiment of select features of those toys and various combinations thereof. These features may be deployed in various combinations to arrive at various desired working configurations of toys. 
     Reference is hereafter made to the drawings where like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views. 
     Construction of the Toy 
     Toys having features of the present invention will have a control device, which is manually manipulated by the player, and an elongated member, which is manipulated by the player using the manipulations of the control device. 
     The elongated member may be formed from many different materials, utilizing various construction techniques, and have numerous configurations. Preferably the elongated member will be constructed to have various surface areas, either planar or curved. Ideally the construction material will be of an extremely light material where the resultant elongated member will be light and easy to manage during play. Examples of such light material include those having hollow areas, as depicted in the preferred embodiment depicted herein, or those of a foam material having a multiplicity of small air pockets contained therein. 
     Each elongated member will have a central axis extending therethrough align with the longitudinal length with the contact surfaces of the elongated member symmetrically disposed about the central axis. The structural elements which have the contact surfaces positioned thereon may be spaced from the central axis or they may converge at the central axis. When they are spaced from the central axis spacer members may be employed to provide support for these structural elements. When spacer members are employed it is possible to provide securing bands to provide the desired structural integrity to the elongated member during play. 
     FIG. 1 depicts a preferred embodiment of an elongated member  40  while FIG. 2 depicts a preferred embodiment of a control device  42 . A combination of a control device, in any of the various configurations possible, and an elongated member, in any of the various configurations possible, cooperate to form a toy having features of the present invention. 
     The control device may have various shapes and configurations as long as the player may readily manipulate it to provide control over the elongated member. 
     A preferred embodiment of control device  42  is depicted in FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 15, FIG.  16  and FIG.  24  through FIG. 35 as being straight and having a round crosssection along the entire length. 
     The elongated member must have plural contact surfaces radially disposed about a central axis. These contact surfaces may provide for contact with the control device using only one of the surfaces at a time or, more preferably, may be so disposed and configured that any pair of adjacent contact surfaces cooperate to provide for the contact with the control device for a more stable play. Preferably, each of the elongated members having features of the present invention will have five loosely defined portions disposed along a longitudinal length of the elongated member with the elongated member symmetrically configured along the longitudinal length about the central axis. These portions, or regions, may loosely be defined as a central portion, opposing intermediate portions and opposing end portions. It is a requirement that each of the contact surfaces extend along a substantial portion of the elongated member from one end to the opposing end but not necessarily entirely to the ends. The various contact surfaces which extend along the elongated member preferably will be smooth during transition from each portion to each adjacent portion to allow for ready sliding contact by the control device therealong. The central portion will be generally symmetrically disposed about an imaginary plane which perpendicularly intersects the central axis of the elongated member. The central portion will have a midpoint with a spacing from the central axis generally at this imaginary plane. The contact surfaces at the central portion will then taper downward toward the central axis on opposing sides of the imaginary plane. The opposing intermediate portions are positioned on opposing sides of the central portion distal from the imaginary plane. The opposing intermediate portions are generally symmetrical one to the other on opposing sides of the imaginary plane. The opposing intermediate portions have the points of each contact surface which are closest to the central axis of the elongated member positioned thereon. The opposing end portions are each positioned beyond a respective intermediate portion distal from the imaginary plane. Preferably, each end portion extends away from the central axis of the elongated member during travel away from the central portion. 
     Elongated member  40 , shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 15, FIG.  16  and FIG.  26  through FIG. 31, is formed from four (4) strip members  44 , see FIG.  1  and FIG.  4  through FIG. 7, two (2) end spacer members  46 , see FIG.  1  and FIG. 10, one (1) center spacer member  48 , see FIG.  1  and FIG. 13, and two (2) securing bands  50 , see FIG.  1  and FIG.  14 . In this preferred embodiment strip members  44  are formed of a resilient durable flexible material having hollow sections therein, see FIG.  5 . Such material is conventionally known in the art as formed from a plastic and commonly used to form many types of containers. Each strip member  44  has an inner surface  52 , see FIG. 4, and an outer surface  54 , see FIG.  7 . Inner surface  52  of each strip member  44  has various coupling slots  56  formed therein which receive a portion of a respective end spacer member  46  or a portion of center spacer member  48 . Preferably each end spacer member  46  and center spacer member  48  are formed of the same material as used to form strip members  44 . Center spacer member  48  is formed of a first part  58 , see FIG. 11, and a second part  60 , see FIG. 12, which mount together. Each end spacer member  46  is formed of a first part  62 , see FIG. 8, and a second part  64 , see FIG. 9, which mount together. Each securing band  50  is formed of a flexible material which is bound together, or otherwise adhered together, to form an endless loop. During assembly of elongated member  40  center spacer member  48  is assembled, two (2) end spacer members  46  are assembled and two (2) securing bands  50  are assembled. Following these procedures the four (4) strip members  44  are attached to center spacer member  48  utilizing coupling slots  56 . Following this procedure the two (2) securing bands  50  are installed from opposing ends over strip members  44 . Following this procedure each end spacer member  46  is installed at a respective end and mounted relative to coupling slots  56 . Following this procedure securing bands  50  are repositioned if necessary. 
     Referring now specifically to FIG. 1, FIG.  15  and FIG. 16 it is realized that there exist eight (8) contact surfaces on elongated member  40  for true contact with control device  42 . These include four (4) where control device  42  makes contact with, and across, outer surface  54  of a respective strip member  44  and four (4) where control device  42  makes contact with adjacent edges  66 , see FIG. 16, of adjacent strip members  44 . 
     FIG.  1  and FIG. 27 depict elongated member  40  as viewed along the longitudinal length in two orientation positions. A plurality of contact surfaces  68  are radially disposed about the central axis of elongated member  40 . A central portion  70  of elongated member  40  has a highest elevational point  72  on each contact surface  68  measured from the central axis of elongated member  40 . Opposing intermediate portions  74  of elongated member  40  each have a lowest elevational point  76  on each contact surface  68  measured from the central axis of elongated member  40 . Opposing end portions  78  of elongated member  40  extend away from the central axis of elongated member  40  during travel away from central portion  70  and have a highest elevational point  80 . Highest elevational point  80  may have a greater spacing from the central axis than highest elevational point  72  of central portion  70 , as shown, or may have a lesser spacing from the central axis than highest elevational point  72  of central portion  70 . 
     Stop members may be provided at opposing ends of each of the contact surfaces, or between each opposing set of contact surfaces, to restrict movement of the control device therebetween. Such restriction providing for an easier manipulation of the elongated member during play. Therefore, stop members may be a tool to use during training to enable users to more quickly master play with the toy. The stop members, when provided, may be permanent or, more preferably, temporary where they may be removed as the player gains more control over the play. 
     FIG. 34 depicts an elongated member  82  having permanent stop members  84 . During sliding contacts during play control device  42  may be moved from a first end portion  86  through a first intermediate portion  88 , through a central portion  90 , through a second intermediate portion  92  and into a second end portion  94  without concern that control device  42  will lose contact with elongated member  82  beyond second end portion  94  due to a presence of stop member  84 . The opposing stop members  84  will similarly prevent loss of contact with elongated member  82  during movement of control device  42  from second end portion  94  to first end portion  86 . 
     FIG. 17 depicts an elongated member  96  having end spacer members  98  having stop members  100  positioned thereon. FIG. 21 depicts a first part  102  while FIG. 22 depicts a second part  104 . FIG. 23 depicts end spacer member  98  as formed by first part  102  and second part  104 . Elongated member  96  is formed from four (4) strip members  106 , see FIG.  17  through FIG. 20, two (2) end spacer members  98 , see FIG.  17  and FIG. 23, one (1) center spacer member  48 , see FIG.  13  and FIG. 17, and two (2) securing bands  50 , see FIG.  14  and FIG.  17 . Each strip member  106  has an interior surface  108 , see FIG. 18, and an exterior surface  110 , see FIG.  20 . Each strip member  106  has a coupling slot  56 , see FIG. 18, which penetrates interior surface  108  for attachment to center spacer member  48 . Each strip member also has opposing coupling slots  112 , see FIG.  18  and FIG. 20, which penetrates both interior surface  108  and exterior surface  110  for attachment to end spacer members  98 . Each end spacer member  98  has a plurality of extensions  114 , see FIG.  17  and FIG. 23, which extend beyond coupling slot  112  to act as stop members. 
     FIG.  15  and FIG. 16 depict elongated member  40  positioned on control device  42  in two possible orientations. As can readily be observed elongated member  40  may slide off of control device  42  during sliding contacts during play. FIG.  24  and FIG. 25 depict elongated member  96  positioned on control device  42  in two possible orientations. As can readily be observed elongated member  96 , having extensions  114  positioned thereon, will be prevented from sliding off of control device  42  during sliding contacts during play. 
     Balancing slots may be provided at opposing ends of the elongated member to provide for additional play techniques during play. The balancing slots may be used to allow the player to catch the elongated member using the control device when the elongated member is generally vertical and then, if desired, allow the player to balance the elongated member in a general vertical orientation using the control device. 
     FIG.  1  and FIG. 26 depict balancing slots  116  positioned at opposing ends of elongated member  40 . Each balancing slot  116 , when elongated member  40  is generally vertical, is formed by surfaces of end spacer member  46  bordered by surfaces of strip members  44 . 
     Twirling passages may be positioned on the elongated member. These passages provide for insertion therein of the control device during play. Due to the confining qualities of the passages the elongated member may be spun on the control device without undue concern for loss of the control. 
     FIG.  1  and FIG. 26 depict twirling passages  118  within elongated member  40  formed by gaps between strip members  44 . Twirling passages may include being bordered by portions of end spacer members  46 , center spacer member  48  or securing bands  50 . FIG.  32  and FIG. 34 depict twirling passages  120  within elongated member  82 . In this embodiment twirling passages  120  are holes or voids formed in the material used to construct elongated member  82 . 
     Visual markings may be provided on the control device, on the elongated member or on both the control device or the elongated member. Such markings may provide visual guidance to permit the player to better perform the play. 
     FIG. 2 depicts control device  42  having visual bands  122  positioned thereon. Visual bands  122  are used to segregate a handle grip area  124  from a play zone  126 . Visual band  122  is also used to identify a center  128  of play zone  126 . FIG. 1 depicts elongated member  40  which uses visual markings  130  on securing bands  50  to allow the player to readily identify locations on elongated member  40  during play. FIG.  32  and FIG. 34 depict an extensive use of visual markings  132  on elongated member  82  to determine orientation during play. 
     Play with the Toy 
     It is a strong desire for the player to maintain the elongated member in an elevated position above the ground using the control device during extended play. This may involve any select contact of the control device with the elongated member including complex combinations of contacts. Examples of such contacts include a sliding contact, a pushing disengaging contact, a catching engaging contact, a flipping action, a twirling contact and an end standing balancing contact. Typically it is desirable, particularly during sliding contacts, to retain the control device level with horizontal to prevent the elongated member from sliding inward toward the player or outward away from the player. Deliberate orientational changes of the control device from level may be utilized to reposition the elongated member at a more desirable placement relative to the control device during play. 
     A pushing disengaging contact occurs where the player uses the control device to force the elongated member into the air and the elongated member leaves contact with the control device. 
     FIG. 31 depicts elongated member  40  in contact with control device  42  at a positional orientation  134 . From this position a forceful movement upward of control device  42  causes elongated member  40  to leave contact with control device  42  and become airborne. Such pushing disengagement contacts may occur while control device  42  is in many positions relative to elongated member  40  and while elongated member  40  is at many different spacial orientations. 
     It is possible to enjoy play with toys of the present invention utilizing only sliding contacts between the control device and the elongated member. Alternatively it is possible to utilize sliding contacts in combination with other types of contacts. 
     A sliding engagement contact occurs where the player uses manipulation of the control device to move the control device from one position on the elongated member to another position on the elongated member and spaced from the beginning position. During such movements, which preferably occur in a repetitive sequence, the elongated member pivots in response to placement of the control device, gravitational influences and momentum influences. 
     FIG.  28  through FIG. 29 depict a series of sliding motions of control device  42  along elongated member  40 . FIG. 28 depicts one possible angular orientation of elongated member  40  relative to control device  42 . FIG. 29 depicts one possible angular orientation of elongated member  40  relative to control device  42  following a sliding displacement of control device  42  along elongated member  40  using a sliding contact as depicted from FIG. 28 to FIG.  29 . FIG. 30 depicts one possible angular orientation of elongated member  40  relative to control device  42  following a sliding displacement of control device  42  along elongated member  40  using a sliding contact as depicted from FIG. 29 to FIG.  30 . 
     A catching engaging contact occurs where the player uses the control device to catch the elongated member following a state of being airborne. Such contact may occur during mere repositioning of the control device or subsequent to a pushing disengaging contact. 
     FIG. 31 depicts elongated member  40  coming into contact with control device  42  at a positional orientation  136 . Such catching engaging contacts may occur while control device  42  is in many positions relative to elongated member  40  and while elongated member  40  is at many different spacial orientations. 
     A flipping action occurs where the central axis of the elongated member spatially rotates and where the opposing ends of the elongated member reverse position. This action may occur following a pushing disengaging contact, during mere repositioning of the control device during a sliding contact or following a catching engaging contact. The flipping action may occur where the elongated member makes two or more of the flipping rotations prior to making contact with the control device again or even during continuous contact with the control device. 
     FIG. 31 depict a flipping action where elongated member  40  moves from positional orientation  134 , where elongated member  40  is in contact with control device  42 , through airborne positional orientations  138 ,  140  and  142  to positional orientation  136 , where elongated member  40  is back in contact with control device  42 . 
     A twirling contact occurs where the control device is positioned within a twirling passage and the elongated member rotates relative to the control device. 
     FIG. 32 depicts placement of control device  42  within one of the twirling passages  120  of elongated member  82 . While in this position rotational manipulation of control device  42  may cause a twirling action of elongated member  82  relative to control device  42 . 
     An end stand contact occurs where the control device is used to engage an end of the elongated member and the elongated member is balanced thereon using manipulation of control device by the player while the elongated member is generally vertical. Ideally, a balancing slot is providing on the elongated member to make such manipulation easier for the player. 
     FIG. 31 depicts elongated member  40  in airborne positional orientation  140  where control device  42  may engage elongated member  40  at balancing slot  116 . Following such engagement elongated member  40  may be balanced in a generally vertical orientation utilizing manipulation of control device  42 . 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, material, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 
       1  Toy 
     control device and elongated member 
     central portion—opposing intermediate portions—opposing end portions 
       2  intermittent contact 
       3  wide center—narrow intermediates—wide ends 
       4  multiple spaced contact surfaces with open region between 
       5  removable stop members 
       6  planar material 
       7 / 6  convergent at central axis 
       8 / 6  offset from central axis 
       9  Toy 
     control device and elongated member 
     plurality of smooth contact surfaces 
       10  spacer members and securing bands 
       11  ends have balancing slots 
       12  stops at end portions 
       13  twirling passages through toy 
       14  visual markings 
       15  planar material 
       16  Method of Play 
     providing control device and elongated member 
     contacts/catching engagement—sliding—pushing disengagement 
       17  flip—opposing ends of elongated member switch orientation 
       18  twirling—opposing ends of elongated member rotate at least once 
       19  engage ends to stand 
       20  multiple sliding contacts occur subsequent to catching engagement contact