GB2517170A

GB2517170A - Self-Rightable inflatable punching toy

Info

Publication number: GB2517170A
Application number: GB1314491.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Georgina Sumner
Original assignee: ITAAR Ltd
Current assignee: ITAAR Ltd
Priority date: 2013-08-13
Filing date: 2013-08-13
Publication date: 2015-02-18
Also published as: WO2015022490A1; GB201314491D0

Abstract

A self-rightable inflatable punching toy 10 comprises an inflatable body 12, a base 14 which supports the inflatable body 12, a plurality of compartments (42, figure 3) at the base 14, and a counterweight element (45) in each said compartment (42). When the body is inflated, the toy self rights when tilted through impact. The distributed counterweights in the plurality of compartments improve the self-righting consistency along with allowing adjustment of the righting speed and force, and/or a tilting direction.

Description

Self -Rightable Inflatable Punching Toy The present invention relates to a, preferably free-standing, self-rightable inflatable punching toy, to method of selectably adjusting a righting speed of such a toy, to method of adjusting a direction of tilt of such a toy, and to a method of storing such a toy.

SeIf-rightable punching toys are known, and comprise an inflatable main target body having an integral base sealed to and forming part of the target body. A sealed chamber is provided centrally on the base within the target body and contains water or sand.

Such toys are beneficial in enabling younger children to vent energy. which may be in the form of anger and frustration, whilst also providing a safe compliant target with little or no risk of self-injury and damage to the sulTounding environment. Such toys can also be used inside the home or outside, and are also reasonably transportable.

However, these kinds of toys can often leak air from the target body, due to typically having only one skin, and also leak the counterweighting material from the sealed internal central chamber. In these cases, the toy typically has to be disposed of.

Furthermore, due to the sealed internal central chamber, the force at which the toy rights itself is fixed and not adjustable. This can cause issues for children of different sizes, strengths and weight. Additionally, the direction at which the toy tilts when a force is imparted, such as when being struck, cannot be influenced due to the fixed and sealed internal central chamber and single counterweight.

The present invention seeks to provide solutions to these problems.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a self-rightable inflatable punching toy comprising an inflatable body, a base which supports the inflatable body, a plurality of compartments at the base, and a counterweight dement in each said compartment, so that the inflated body when tilted self-rights.

Preferable andlor optional features of the first aspect of the invention are set forth in claims 2 to 27, inclusive.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a self-rightable inflatable punching toy comprising an inflatable body having a circular circumference along at least a majority of its longitudinal extent, a circdar base which supports the inflatable body, a plurality of compartment elements at the base including a central compartment element at or adjacent to a centre of the base and a perimeter compartment clement which extends around at least a majority of the central compartment clement at or adjacent to a perimeter of the base, and a counterweight element held by each said compartment element, so that the inflated body when tilted self-rights.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of selectably adjusting a righting speed of a self-rightable inflatable punching toy in accordance with the first and/or second aspects of the invention, the method comprising the step of varying a mass of the counterweight element in at least one of the compartments.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of adjusting a direction of tilt of a seif-rightable inflatable punching toy in accordance with the first and/or second aspects of the invention, the method comprising the step of varying a mass of the counterweight element in at least one of the compartments.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of storing a self-rightable inflatable punching toy in accordance with the first and/or second aspects of the invention, the method cornpnsing the steps of compacting the inflatable body, detaching the base, and removing the counterweight dements from their respective compartments at the base.

The invention will now be more particubrly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. in which: Figure 1 shows a self-rightable iiiflatable punching toy, in accordance with the first and second aspects of the invention; Figure 2 shows an inner inflataNe Hadder forming part of an inflatable body of the toy; Figure 3 is a top plan view of a base of the toy, showing a plurality of internal counterweight compartments; Figure 4 is a side view of the toy shown in Figure 1, showing a skirt lifted to reveal a fastener for interengaging the inflatable body and the base; Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of the base, showing a reinforcement portion; and Figures 6a and 6b show counterweight elements which are receivable in the compartments at the base of the toy.

Refening to the drawings, there is shown a self-nghtable inflatable punching toy 10 which comprises an inflatable body 12 and a base 14 on which the inflatable body 12 is mountaNe. The inflatable body 12 preferably includes an inner inflatable bladder 16, and a pliantly flexible outer housing or cover 18 in which the inner inflatable bladder 16 is received. This two part inflatable body 12 is beneficial for improving the longevity of the toy 10, and also protects the inner inflatable bladder 16 against punctures.

Additionally, the inner inflatable bladder 16 may be removed and replaced if required, should for example the bladder 16 become dirty or prone to mould accumulation.

Although the material of the inflatable bladder 16 is preferably durable, air-tight, fire-resistant and anti-bacterial, over time such properties imparted to materials can alter and/or breakdown, and thus the bladder 16 may need to be renewed.

The outer housing 18 is also preferably puncture resilient, fire-resistant and with anti-bacterial characteristics. This material is also preferably spill-resistant so that it can be easily wiped clean following use, especially by younger children. The outer housing 18 beneficially in this case may include a padded layer on its inner surface, being preferably a foam which may be in the range of 2 mm to 8 mm, and more preferably 6 mm. This provides shock-absorption and force dissipation following striking of the outer housing 18 and aids in protecting the inner inflatable bladder 16.

An outer surface of the outer housing 18 utilises tonal contrast 20 to attract and stimulate children, and furthermore in this case a character 22 is presented to provide a focus for the child's attention and to encourage interaction. A target 24 is preferably provided on the character 22, allowing a child to practice and improve their striking aim.

Any suitable tonal contrast, character andlor target can be udlised. The character 22 is preferably non-gender specific, but colours and characters may be utilised for specific genders as required. It is also feasible that outer housings may be provided as standalone replacement or additional parts. aHowing a user to select a kind of outer housing that is most appropriate.

The inner inflatable bladder 16 preferably includes a two way valve 26 to enable inflation and deflation, or a releasable check-valve may be provided to simplify inflation whilst still allowing deflation foHowing release, if required.

The inflatable body 12 is preferably substantially frusto-conically shaped. which provides for improved stability and self-righting. However, other shapes can be considered, such as tubular or cylindrical. In the present case, the inner inflatable bladder 16 is preferably complementarily shaped to be receivable in the outer housing 18. The outer housing 18 has a circular or substantially circular circumference or perimeter along at least a majority of its longitudinal extent, tapering inwardly from a bottom outer edge 28 adjacent to the base 14 to the truncated top 30.

To simplify transportation of the inflated toy 10, a handle 32 is preferably provided at the truncated top 30. The handle 32 in this case is in the form of a webbing strap, which is advantageous in keeping weight down whilst also not providing an impact hazard should the handle 32 come into contact with the user or a person standing close by during use of the toy 10.

The inflatable body 12 is interengagable with the base 14 via a releasable fastener 34.

The base 14 may be entirely separable from the inflatable body 12, or may be permanently engaged via a short bridging portion forming a, typically live, hinge between the two parts. In either case, the fastener 34 is preferably an interdigitatable toothed fastener, for example, a zip, which enables simple and quick access to the interior of the toy 10. Other kinds of fastener can also be considered, such as press-stud andlor hook and loop, such as Velcro RTM.

To prevent or limit a user catching themselves on the fastener 34. a depending skirt 36 is preferably included at or adjacent to the bottom outer edge 28 of the outer housing 18 of the inflatable body 12. The skirt 36 extends around at least a majority of a circumference of the outer housing 18 adjacent to the base 14, so that it can flap down to conceal the fastener 34 when access is not required.

The base 14 is preferably formed of a resilient phantly flexible woven or non-woven material, and is generally circular. A bottom surface 38 of the base 14 may include a reinforced portion or layer 40, for example, a woven or non-woven mesh mat, to prevent or reduce wear, and this is particularly useful if the toy 10 is to be used outdoors.

A plurality of compartments or pockets 42 are provided on an upper surface 44 of the base 14. The compartments 42 may be formed as part of the base 14 itself, but in this case are attached as independent items. A central compartment 42a, being in this case circular and typically when in use being part-spherical, is provided at or substantially at a central region of the base 14, and a plurality of perimeter compartments 42b are provided which encirde the central compartment 42a.

The perimeter compar ments 42b are ocated at or adjacent to the perimeter of the base 14. Each perimeter compartment 42b is discrete, and in this case has an arcuate longitudinal extent. The perimeter compartments 42b of this embodiment are positioned in closely spaced-relationship.

Four perimeter compartments 42b are provided in this particular embodiment. However, a single perimeter compartment extending around all or a majority of the central compartment 42a may be utilised. Alternatively, two or more perimeter compartments 42b may be provided.

The provision of four or more perimeter compartments 42b is advantageous, in that a greater degree of adjustment of counterweight elements 45 housed in the perimeter compartments 42b is achievable. Although the counterweight elements 45 for the four perimeter compartments 42b in this case are substantially identical, by varying or adjusting the respective masses, the ease with which the toy lOis tilted, along with the return speed and force can be set. Furthermore, by altering the mass of one or more of the counterweight elements 45 relative to the remaining counterweight elements 45, a direction of tilt can be influenced. This may be beneficial in smaller spaces and rooms.

Each compartment 42 preferably includes a closeable access opening 46, which in this case is closed by a further tooth fastener 48, such as another zip. Each access opening 46 extends from or adjacent to one side of the respective compartment 42 to or adjacent to the opposing side and, in the case of the central compartment 42a, preferably diametrically across an upper surface 44 thereof, and in the case of each perimeter compartments 42b, longitudinally across an upper surface 44 thereof. However, a hook and loop fastcncr or othcr suitable fastening means may bc utiliscd as necessity dictates.

In this embodiment, one counterweight element 45 is removably receivable in each compartment 42. Each counterweight element 45 has a housing 50 which is complernentarily shaped to match or substantially match the respective compartment 42, and a mass which is housed in the housing 50. In this case, the mass is sand, and as such the housing 50 may be sealed to retain the sand therein, or may itseff be openable to allow topping up or adjustment of the mass therein. In this case, a material of the housing 50 is preferably a non-woven fabric or pliantly flexible material which prevents grains of sand passing therethrough, or may be a plastics container. If the housing 50 is openable, then a suitable releasable fastener 52 which prevents or inhibits leakage is used.

Similarly, if the mass to be accommodated in the housing 50 is a liquid, for example, water, then the housing 50 is a watertight container which would preferably be openable to enable replenishment and/or alteration of a volume of the liquid therein.

With the counterweight elements 45 received appropriately within their respective compartments 42. the compartments 42 closed, and the inner inflatable bladder 16 inflated and received in the outer housing 18, then the inflatable body 12 is fully engaged with the base 14. The standalone or free-standing toy 10 is thus ready to be used, and when subjected to impact, typically by a child or young person, tilts and then self-rights due to the weighted base 14 having distnbuted discrete counterweight compartments 42.

For storage and transportation, the outer housing 18 is disengaged either entirely or partially from the base 14 to allow access to the inner inflatable bladder 16 and the internal counterweight compartments 42. The inner inflatable bladder 16 is deflated and removed from the outer housing 18, if necessary, and the compartments 42 can be opened and the counterweight elements 45 removed, if required. Once removed, the housings 50 of the counterweight elements 45 may be opened and the masses removed.

In the case of sand and liquid, these can be poured or drained out from the housings 50.

The entire apparatus can thus be compacted for ease of storage andlor transportation.

It is feasible that the inflatable body i2 may not be two parts, and thus the outer housing 18 and the inner inflatable bladder 16 may be integrally formed as a one-piece single layer.

Furthermore, although the counterweight compartments are permanently attached to the base, it is feasible that the compartments themselves may be detachable. For example, the compartments may be connectable to the base using hook and loop fastening means, thereby allowing simplified engagement and disengagement, or adjustment on the base to suit specific circumstances and requirements.

It is thus possible to provide a self-rightable inflatable punching toy which utilises two or more compartments in its base housing counterweight elements, a central counterweight compartment provides stability in an upright condition of the inflated toy, whilst the perimeter counterweight compartment enables more consistent self-righting from a tilted condition. The separate compartments which are accessible due to the inflatable body being at least in part disengagable from the base allow adjustment of the counterweight elements therein, thereby enabling adjustment of a return speed and force, and/or a direction of tilt.

The words "comprises/comprising" and the words "having/including" when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components. but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skifled in the field without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A seif-rightable inflatable punching toy comprising m inflatable body, a base which supports the inflataHe body, a plurality of compartments at the base, and a counterweight element in each said compartment. so that the inflated body when tilted self-rights.
2. A seif-rightable inflatable punching toy as claimed in claim 1, wherein the p'urality of compartments includes a centra' compartment provided centrally or substantially centrally at the base, and at least one perimeter compartment at or adjacent to a perimeter of the base.
3. A self-rightable inflatable punching toy as claimed in claim 2, wherein the said at least one perimeter compartment extends around at least a majority of the central compartment.
4. A self-rightable inflatable punching toy as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein two or more said perimeter compartments are provided.
5. A self-rightable inflatable punching toy as claimed in claim 4, wherein at least four perimeter compartments are provided.
6. A self-rightable inflatable punching toy as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein each said perimeter compartment is discrete and spaced from a neighbouring perimeter compartment.
7. A self-rightable inflatable punching toy as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein each perimeter compartment is elongate.
8. A self-rightable inflatable punching toy as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein each perimeter compartment has an arcuate longitudinal extent.
9. A self-iightable inflatable punching toy as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the central compartment is circular or substantially circular.
10. A self-rightable inflatable punching toy as claimed in any one of the preceding claims. wherein each said compartment has a closeable access opening.
11. A seif-rightable inflatable punching toy as claimed in claim 10, wherein each closeable access opening extends from or adjacent to one side of the respective compartment to or adjacent to an opposing side of the compartment.
12. A self-nghtable inflatable punching toy as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each counterweight element is discrete and removable from its respective compartment.
13. A sdf-rightable inflatable punching toy as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each counterweight element includes a housing and a mass housed within the housing.
14. A seif-rightable inflatable punching toy as claimed in claim 13, wherein the mass is sealed within the housing.
15. A seif-rightable inflatable punching toy as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base is at least in part separable from the inflatable body.
16. A sdf-rightable inflatable punching toy as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base is removably attachable to the inflatable body.
17. A self-rightable inflatable punching toy as claimed in claim 15 or claim 16, further comprising a fastener for interengaging the base and the inflatable body.
18. A seif-rightable inflatable punching toy as claimed in claim 17, wherein the fastener is an interdigitatable toothed fastener and extends around at least a majority of a perimeter of the base.
19. A seif-rightable inflatable punching toy as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 18, further comprising a skirt which covers a join between the inflatable body and the base.
20. A self-dghtable inflatable punching toy as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inflatable body includes an inner inflatable bladder and a pliantly flexible outer housing.
21. A seif-rightable inflatable punching toy as claimed in claim 20, wherein the outer housing indudes a padded inner surface.
22. A self-rightable inflatable punching toy as claimed iii claim 20 or daim 21, wherein the outer housing includes an outer surface having a tonal contrast.
23. A seif-rightable inflatable punching toy as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the outer housing includes a target.
24. A seif-rightable inflatable punching toy as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inflatable body is or is substantially frusto-conical, tapering inwardly away from the base.
25. A seff-rightable inflatable punching toy as claimed iii any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a handle on an uppermost surface of the inflatable body, distally of the base.
26. A seff-rightable inflatable punching toy as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein an exterior surface of the base indudes a reinforced portion.
27. A seff-rightable inflatable punching toy as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a majority of the base is pliantly flexible.
28. A self-nghtable inflatable punching toy comprising an inflatable body having a circular circumference along at least a majority of its longitudinal extent, a circular base which supports the inflatable body, a plurality of compartment elements at the base including a central compartment element at or adjacent to a centre of the base and a perimeter compartment element which extends around at least a majority of the central compartment element at or adjacent to a perimeter of the base, and a counterweight element held by each said compartment element, so that the inflated body when tilted self-rights.
29. A self-rightable inflatable punching toy substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
30. A method of selectably adjusting a righting speed of a self-rightable inflatable punching toy as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising the step of varying a mass of the counterweight element in at least one of the compartments.
31. A method of adjusting a direction of tilt of a self-rightable infiataNe punching toy as claimed in any one of claims I to 29, the method comprising the step of varying a mass of the counterweight element in at least one of the compartments.
32. A method as claimed in claim 29 or claim 30, wherein the said at least one of the compartments is at or adjacent to a perimeter of the base.
33. A method of storing a self-rightable inflatable punching toy as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 29, the method comprising the steps of compacting the inflatable body, detaching the base, and removing the counterweight elements from their respective compartments at the base.