US20060084352A1 - Flying finger toy - Google Patents
Flying finger toy Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20060084352A1 US20060084352A1 US10/968,583 US96858304A US2006084352A1 US 20060084352 A1 US20060084352 A1 US 20060084352A1 US 96858304 A US96858304 A US 96858304A US 2006084352 A1 US2006084352 A1 US 2006084352A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- piece
- bottom piece
- divider
- finger
- flying
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
- A63H3/00—Dolls
- A63H3/14—Dolls into which the fingers of the hand can be inserted, e.g. hand-puppets
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
- A63H27/00—Toy aircraft; Other flying toys
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
- A63H33/00—Other toys
- A63H33/18—Throwing or slinging toys, e.g. flying disc toys
Definitions
- the present invention relates to the field of toys, and more particularly, to finger toys for children.
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,176,559 discloses a toy glider that can be propelled by a child's finger.
- the glider comprises a fuselage with a force-receiving surface that is curved to facilitate reception of the distal portion of a person's finger.
- the glider is not meant to be worn on the finger, however, and is limited in that it cannot be worn by a child on his or her fingers.
- U.S. Pat. No. 4,413,443 (Kulesza et al., 1983) provides a toy vehicle device that is worn on a finger, but the part of the device that is worn on the finger is shaped like a ring. This invention is limited in that the toy does not extend the entire length of the wearer's finger, it can only be worn on one finger, and it is not meant to simulate a flying object.
- U.S. Pat. No. 4,281,472 discloses a finger toy that sits on the distal end of the wearer's finger. This invention is limited in that it can only be worn on one finger, the toy does not extend the entire length of the child's finger, and the only independent claim requires that the toy include a propeller.
- U.S. Patent Application No. 2004/0121702 (Seibert et al.) describes a finger puppet that makes sounds when the finger is tapped against a hard object. This invention is limited in that the puppet is attached to the finger with a ring-like device, each puppet can be worn on only one finger, and it is not meant to simulate a flying object. This invention is also limited in that it requires electronics to generate the sounds.
- a flying finger toy comprising a top piece, a bottom piece, a divider, and a front piece, wherein the bottom piece is concave in shape and comprises two open ends and two curved sides, the top piece is permanently attached to the bottom piece, the divider is permanently attached to the center of the bottom piece and runs parallel to the curved sides of the bottom piece, the front piece is permanently attached to the bottom piece, and the divider creates two channels into which a child can comfortably fit two adjacent fingers.
- the top piece is releasably attached to the bottom piece so that one top piece can be replaced with another by releasing one top piece and attaching another.
- the length of the top piece is in the range of six (6) to ten (10) centimeters.
- the bottom piece is sized so that a child can comfortably fit two of his or her adjacent fingers within the channels created by the divider.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention worn on a child's finger.
- FIG. 3 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative top piece.
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a means for releasably attaching the top piece to the bottom piece, showing only the top piece.
- FIG. 6 is a side view of a means for releasably attaching the top piece to the bottom piece, with the top and bottom pieces shown together.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- the present invention comprises a bottom piece 1 that is preferably concave in shape in relation to the top piece 3 a .
- a divider 2 is attached to the center of the bottom piece 1 and runs parallel to the curved sides (as opposed to the open ends) of the bottom piece 1 .
- the divider 2 may be as long as the bottom piece 1 or slightly shorter, as shown in FIG. 1 .
- the divider 2 creates two channels into which a child may fit two of his or her adjacent fingers, which will usually be the index finger and the middle finger.
- the bottom piece 1 is sized so that with the divider 2 in place, the toy will comfortably fit a child's two adjacent fingers.
- the top piece 3 a is attached either permanently or releasably to the bottom piece 1 . If releasably attached, then the top piece 3 a can be removed and a different top piece can be attached to the bottom piece 1 . In a preferred embodiment, the top pieces are removable and can be slid on and off of the bottom piece 1 .
- the entire toy is made of a rigid plastic, although the toy could be made of any sufficiently rigid and durable material.
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention worn on a child's finger. As can be seen from this figure, the bottom piece extends nearly to the third knuckle, covering most of the finger.
- the goal of this invention is to allow a child to wear the toy and move it in the air to simulate flight (while making accompanying flight sounds, as most boys do). In contrast to some of the prior art, the toy never actually leaves the child's finger until the child takes it off.
- FIG. 2 also shows the front piece 4 , which is attached to the bottom piece 1 and is optionally attached to the top piece 3 a .
- the purpose of the front piece is to prevent the child's fingers from extending beyond the front of the toy.
- the front piece can either be a separate piece or an extension of the bottom piece. In order for the top pieces to slide on and off as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the width of the front piece 4 cannot be greater than the width of the bottom piece 1 .
- FIG. 3 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- the divider 2 tapers at the end.
- the divider 2 extends beyond the bottom piece 1 and nearly touches the front piece 4 .
- the present invention is not limited to any particular length or shape of the divider 2 , however, as long as it divides the bottom piece 1 into two channels.
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative top piece 3 b .
- the top pieces 3 a , 3 b are releasably secured to the bottom piece 1 , then one top piece can be replaced with another.
- the toy can be made with different permanent top pieces.
- the present invention is not limited to any particular shape or size of top piece, as long as the top piece is of a size that can be worn on one's fingers.
- the length of the top piece 3 a , 3 b is in the range of six (6) to ten (10) centimeters.
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a means for releasably attaching the top piece to the bottom piece, in which only the top piece is shown.
- a ring 5 extends below the top piece 3 b , and the ring is sized so that it will fit around the front and bottom pieces 4 , 1 and slide on and off either end of the bottom piece 1 .
- FIG. 6 is a side view of this same means for releasably attaching the top piece to the bottom piece, showing the ring extending around the perimeter of the bottom piece 1 .
- the present invention is not limited to any particular means of releasably attaching the top pieces; for example, snaps or sliding mechanisms that are molded into the bottom of the top piece and the top of the bottom piece could also be used.
Landscapes
- Toys (AREA)
Abstract
A flying finger toy comprising a top piece, a bottom piece, a divider; and a front piece, wherein the bottom piece is concave in shape and comprises two open ends and two curved sides, the top piece is permanently attached to the bottom piece, the divider is permanently attached to the center of the bottom piece and runs parallel to the curved sides of the bottom piece, the front piece is permanently attached to the bottom piece, and the divider creates two channels into which a child can comfortably fit two adjacent fingers. In an alternate embodiment, the top piece is releasably attached to the bottom piece so that one top piece can be replaced with another by releasing one top piece and attaching another.
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to the field of toys, and more particularly, to finger toys for children.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,176,559 (Lane, 1993) discloses a toy glider that can be propelled by a child's finger. The glider comprises a fuselage with a force-receiving surface that is curved to facilitate reception of the distal portion of a person's finger. The glider is not meant to be worn on the finger, however, and is limited in that it cannot be worn by a child on his or her fingers.
- U.S. Pat. No. 4,413,443 (Kulesza et al., 1983) provides a toy vehicle device that is worn on a finger, but the part of the device that is worn on the finger is shaped like a ring. This invention is limited in that the toy does not extend the entire length of the wearer's finger, it can only be worn on one finger, and it is not meant to simulate a flying object.
- U.S. Pat. No. 4,281,472 (Hill, 1981) discloses a finger toy that sits on the distal end of the wearer's finger. This invention is limited in that it can only be worn on one finger, the toy does not extend the entire length of the child's finger, and the only independent claim requires that the toy include a propeller.
- U.S. Patent Application No. 2004/0121702 (Seibert et al.) describes a finger puppet that makes sounds when the finger is tapped against a hard object. This invention is limited in that the puppet is attached to the finger with a ring-like device, each puppet can be worn on only one finger, and it is not meant to simulate a flying object. This invention is also limited in that it requires electronics to generate the sounds.
- It is an object of the present invention to provide a finger toy that simulates a flying object, such as a rocket, spaceship, bird, bat, or even a flying fish. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a finger toy that can be worn on two fingers simultaneously and that covers nearly the entire finger. It is a further object of the present invention to provide for interchangeable top pieces that can transform the toy into different types of flying objects.
- A flying finger toy comprising a top piece, a bottom piece, a divider, and a front piece, wherein the bottom piece is concave in shape and comprises two open ends and two curved sides, the top piece is permanently attached to the bottom piece, the divider is permanently attached to the center of the bottom piece and runs parallel to the curved sides of the bottom piece, the front piece is permanently attached to the bottom piece, and the divider creates two channels into which a child can comfortably fit two adjacent fingers. In an alternate embodiment, the top piece is releasably attached to the bottom piece so that one top piece can be replaced with another by releasing one top piece and attaching another. Preferably, the length of the top piece is in the range of six (6) to ten (10) centimeters. In all of the embodiments, the bottom piece is sized so that a child can comfortably fit two of his or her adjacent fingers within the channels created by the divider.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention worn on a child's finger. -
FIG. 3 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative top piece. -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a means for releasably attaching the top piece to the bottom piece, showing only the top piece. -
FIG. 6 is a side view of a means for releasably attaching the top piece to the bottom piece, with the top and bottom pieces shown together. -
-
- 1 Bottom piece
- 2 Divider
- 3 a Top piece (first embodiment)
- 3 b Top piece (second embodiment)
- 4 Front piece
- 5 Ring
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this figure, the present invention comprises abottom piece 1 that is preferably concave in shape in relation to the top piece 3 a. A divider 2 is attached to the center of thebottom piece 1 and runs parallel to the curved sides (as opposed to the open ends) of thebottom piece 1. The divider 2 may be as long as thebottom piece 1 or slightly shorter, as shown inFIG. 1 . The divider 2 creates two channels into which a child may fit two of his or her adjacent fingers, which will usually be the index finger and the middle finger. Thebottom piece 1 is sized so that with the divider 2 in place, the toy will comfortably fit a child's two adjacent fingers. - The top piece 3 a is attached either permanently or releasably to the
bottom piece 1. If releasably attached, then the top piece 3 a can be removed and a different top piece can be attached to thebottom piece 1. In a preferred embodiment, the top pieces are removable and can be slid on and off of thebottom piece 1. Preferably, the entire toy is made of a rigid plastic, although the toy could be made of any sufficiently rigid and durable material. -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention worn on a child's finger. As can be seen from this figure, the bottom piece extends nearly to the third knuckle, covering most of the finger. The goal of this invention is to allow a child to wear the toy and move it in the air to simulate flight (while making accompanying flight sounds, as most boys do). In contrast to some of the prior art, the toy never actually leaves the child's finger until the child takes it off. -
FIG. 2 also shows thefront piece 4, which is attached to thebottom piece 1 and is optionally attached to the top piece 3 a. The purpose of the front piece is to prevent the child's fingers from extending beyond the front of the toy. The front piece can either be a separate piece or an extension of the bottom piece. In order for the top pieces to slide on and off as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6 , the width of thefront piece 4 cannot be greater than the width of thebottom piece 1. -
FIG. 3 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the divider 2 tapers at the end. In addition, the divider 2 extends beyond thebottom piece 1 and nearly touches thefront piece 4. The present invention is not limited to any particular length or shape of the divider 2, however, as long as it divides thebottom piece 1 into two channels. -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative top piece 3 b. As explained above, if the top pieces 3 a, 3 b are releasably secured to thebottom piece 1, then one top piece can be replaced with another. Alternatively, the toy can be made with different permanent top pieces. The present invention is not limited to any particular shape or size of top piece, as long as the top piece is of a size that can be worn on one's fingers. In the preferred embodiment, the length of the top piece 3 a, 3 b is in the range of six (6) to ten (10) centimeters. -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a means for releasably attaching the top piece to the bottom piece, in which only the top piece is shown. In this embodiment, aring 5 extends below the top piece 3 b, and the ring is sized so that it will fit around the front andbottom pieces bottom piece 1.FIG. 6 is a side view of this same means for releasably attaching the top piece to the bottom piece, showing the ring extending around the perimeter of thebottom piece 1. The present invention is not limited to any particular means of releasably attaching the top pieces; for example, snaps or sliding mechanisms that are molded into the bottom of the top piece and the top of the bottom piece could also be used. - Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. The appended claims are therefore intended to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (6)
1. A flying finger toy comprising:
(a) a top piece;
(b) a bottom piece;
(c) a divider; and
(d) a front piece;
wherein the bottom piece is concave in shape and comprises two open ends and two curved sides,
wherein the top piece is permanently attached to the bottom piece,
wherein the divider is permanently attached to the center of the bottom piece and runs parallel to the curved sides of the bottom piece,
wherein the front piece is permanently attached to the bottom piece, and
wherein the divider creates two channels into which a child can comfortably fit two adjacent fingers.
2. A flying finger toy comprising:
(a) a top piece;
(b) a bottom piece;
(c) a divider; and
(d) a front piece;
wherein the bottom piece is concave in shape and comprises two open ends and two curved sides,
wherein the top piece is releasably attached to the bottom piece,
wherein the divider is permanently attached to the center of the bottom piece and runs parallel to the curved sides of the bottom piece,
wherein the front piece is permanently attached to the bottom piece,
wherein the divider creates two channels into which a child can comfortably fit two adjacent fingers, and
wherein one top piece can be replaced with another by releasing one top piece and attaching another.
3. A flying finger toy comprising:
(a) a top piece;
(b) a bottom piece;
(c) a divider;
(d) a front piece; and
(e) means for releasably attaching the top piece to the bottom piece;
wherein the bottom piece is concave in shape and comprises two open ends and two curved sides,
wherein the top piece is releasably attached to the bottom piece,
wherein the divider is permanently attached to the center of the bottom piece and runs parallel to the curved sides of the bottom piece,
wherein the front piece is permanently attached to the bottom piece,
wherein the divider creates two channels into which a child can comfortably fit two adjacent fingers, and
wherein one top piece can be replaced with another by releasing one top piece and attaching another.
4. The flying finger toy of claim 3 , wherein the means for releasably attaching the top piece to the bottom piece is a ring that extends below the top piece, and wherein the ring is sized so that it will fit around the front and bottom pieces and slide on and off either end of the bottom piece.
5. The flying finger toy of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the bottom piece is sized so that a child can comfortably fit two of his or her adjacent fingers within the channels created by the divider.
6. The flying finger toy of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the length of the top piece is in the range of six (6) to ten (10) centimeters.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/968,583 US20060084352A1 (en) | 2004-10-19 | 2004-10-19 | Flying finger toy |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/968,583 US20060084352A1 (en) | 2004-10-19 | 2004-10-19 | Flying finger toy |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20060084352A1 true US20060084352A1 (en) | 2006-04-20 |
Family
ID=36181379
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/968,583 Abandoned US20060084352A1 (en) | 2004-10-19 | 2004-10-19 | Flying finger toy |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20060084352A1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2450089A3 (en) * | 2011-03-25 | 2012-06-13 | Juan Manuel Garcia Escobar | Toy made of a flexible stamped sheet |
US20150196849A1 (en) * | 2014-01-10 | 2015-07-16 | Gregory David Tanous | Flying toy spacecraft |
US20200122048A1 (en) * | 2018-10-18 | 2020-04-23 | Brian J. Esposito | Hand controlled toy vehicle |
US10894219B1 (en) * | 2017-09-05 | 2021-01-19 | David Thomas Parker | Finger flying hover toy |
Citations (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1635550A (en) * | 1927-02-17 | 1927-07-12 | William H Johnson | Figure toy |
US3419995A (en) * | 1965-07-20 | 1969-01-07 | Lawrence D. Siegler | Hand operated toy |
US3611628A (en) * | 1969-09-19 | 1971-10-12 | Remco Ind Inc | Toy puppet-like figurine |
US4281472A (en) * | 1980-08-18 | 1981-08-04 | Hill Dennis R | Finger toy |
US4413443A (en) * | 1982-01-29 | 1983-11-08 | Marvin Glass & Associates | Toy vehicle device |
US5176559A (en) * | 1992-03-27 | 1993-01-05 | Stephen Lane | Toy glider |
US5354226A (en) * | 1993-10-06 | 1994-10-11 | Ruppert David F | Hand puppet with two eye spheroids connected by cord |
US5762335A (en) * | 1996-10-10 | 1998-06-09 | Magruder; Thomas A. | Two handed puzzle having a solution requiring a predetermined orientation of the hands |
US20040121702A1 (en) * | 2002-09-09 | 2004-06-24 | The Marketing Store Worldwide, L.P. | Finger puppets with sounds |
-
2004
- 2004-10-19 US US10/968,583 patent/US20060084352A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1635550A (en) * | 1927-02-17 | 1927-07-12 | William H Johnson | Figure toy |
US3419995A (en) * | 1965-07-20 | 1969-01-07 | Lawrence D. Siegler | Hand operated toy |
US3611628A (en) * | 1969-09-19 | 1971-10-12 | Remco Ind Inc | Toy puppet-like figurine |
US4281472A (en) * | 1980-08-18 | 1981-08-04 | Hill Dennis R | Finger toy |
US4413443A (en) * | 1982-01-29 | 1983-11-08 | Marvin Glass & Associates | Toy vehicle device |
US5176559A (en) * | 1992-03-27 | 1993-01-05 | Stephen Lane | Toy glider |
US5354226A (en) * | 1993-10-06 | 1994-10-11 | Ruppert David F | Hand puppet with two eye spheroids connected by cord |
US5762335A (en) * | 1996-10-10 | 1998-06-09 | Magruder; Thomas A. | Two handed puzzle having a solution requiring a predetermined orientation of the hands |
US20040121702A1 (en) * | 2002-09-09 | 2004-06-24 | The Marketing Store Worldwide, L.P. | Finger puppets with sounds |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2450089A3 (en) * | 2011-03-25 | 2012-06-13 | Juan Manuel Garcia Escobar | Toy made of a flexible stamped sheet |
US20150196849A1 (en) * | 2014-01-10 | 2015-07-16 | Gregory David Tanous | Flying toy spacecraft |
US9272227B2 (en) * | 2014-01-10 | 2016-03-01 | Tanous Works, Llc | Flying toy spacecraft |
US10894219B1 (en) * | 2017-09-05 | 2021-01-19 | David Thomas Parker | Finger flying hover toy |
US20200122048A1 (en) * | 2018-10-18 | 2020-04-23 | Brian J. Esposito | Hand controlled toy vehicle |
US10646789B1 (en) * | 2018-10-18 | 2020-05-12 | Brian J. Esposito | Hand controlled toy vehicle |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: MAGMHJ, LLC, MONTANA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:JOHNSON, MAGNUS HENRY;REEL/FRAME:015380/0754 Effective date: 20041121 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |