US20110086570A1

US20110086570A1 - Inflatable or spring loaded thumb and/or finger(s)

Info

Publication number: US20110086570A1
Application number: US12/923,691
Authority: US
Inventors: Richard Brockley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-10-08
Filing date: 2010-10-05
Publication date: 2011-04-14

Abstract

A novelty inflatable and/or spring loaded thumb and/or finger or fingers would be constructed in one of two (2) ways: 1) with an internally concealed air bladder or pouch, and elongated spring throughout the length of the thumb and/or finger(s), or 2) with just an internally concealed elongated spring. In both versions the air bladder/pouch and/or the spring would be molded within a soft, stretchable, rubber-like material comprising the thumb and/or finger(s). In the inflatable version, the thumb and/or finger(s) would be connected to a battery-operated mini air compressor that would fill the internal bladder to a limited pressure thereby extending the thumb and/or finger(s) to their maximum length and width. In the spring only version, the thumb and/or finger(s) would have a release button that would lock the compressed spring in place until the user presses it, thereby releasing the spring and projecting the thumb and/or finger(s) to their maximum height. In the inflatable version, the internal spring would be implemented to retract the thumb and/or finger(s) back to its/their original shape & length. In the spring released design, the spring would be directly opposite to the inflatable version, in that it would be in a compressed state so that it would project the thumb and/or finger(s) outward, to its/their maximum height, when released by the user. The thumb and/or finger(s) could be constructed in a variety of options such as the “thumbs up” version, the “flip the finger” version, the “number one” version, the “peace sign” version, and the “Texas Longhorns” version, among others.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of provisional application Ser. No. 61/272,588 filed Oct. 8, 2009. The contents of this prior provisional application are incorporated by reference herein.

REFERENCES CITED


U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

4,486,975	December 2002	Harreld et al	446/220
4,582,317	April 1986	Provenzano, Jr	272/8
D. 364,357	November 1995	Ledgerwood II	D10/33
6,108,817	August 2000	Kostelac	2/159
0,193,562	August 2009	Magglo	2/158
A1

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to novelty products for the thumb and/or finger or fingers. In particular, the invention is designed to be worn over the thumb and/or finger(s) with what appears to be either a normal looking thumb and/or finger(s). The design could also be constructed to look abnormal in appearance, (i.e.—the fingers of a witch, a mummy, a rotted corpse, etc.). When the thumb and/or finger(s) is/are either inflated or sprung outward, the digits will extend to an abnormal length, creating the appearance of an exaggerated gesture. In the inflatable design both the length and width would be affected.
Viewers would see what appears to be a relatively normal thumb and/or finger or fingers. Then, when the user activates the invention, the viewer would witness a surprising and sudden elongation of the digit or digits. Since thumb and finger gestures are common for people to use as a form of expression, the novelty inflatable and/or spring loaded thumb and/or finger or fingers would be added fun for both children and adults.
Novelty gags and illusionary gaffs that create false human appearances and unusual deformities are very popular among people worldwide. An entertaining gaff item for the human body, that requires little or no practice to use, which is easy to put on, can create lighthearted fun for individuals and their friends. Reducing or eliminating any complication from using or wearing a gaff is by far more popular and in greater demand than those that take practice and/or are complicated to use or set up.
In the design of U.S. Pat. No. 4,486,975 to Harreld et al., the entire hand is permanently embodied in a gesturing position of the “number one” sign. It also proposes an option for the “victory” gesture. In this design, the aperture is worn like a glove and appears as an enlarged hand. Also, the gesture is permanently depicted when inflated and is not based on illusionary action. As to U.S. Pat. No. 4,582,317 to Provenzano, Jr., depicts the embodiment of a complete hand that operates autonomously, aided by an electric motor. This invention features vibration of the hand and the centrifugal motion of one finger.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with preferred embodiments of the invention, a soft, malleable, rubber-like material, in the shape of a thumb, and/or finger or multiple of fingers conceals either of two (2) constructions: 1) An internal bladder which, when filled with air, causes the human-like or abnormal digit to slowly elongate to approximately twice the size of a normal digit, with a lesser degree of widening. A small, hand-held, battery-operated, air compressor is attached to the lower extremity of the digit(s) and is concealed with the user's palm. When a button is pressed on the compressor, air is forced into the bladder of the thumb and/or finger or fingers causing it/them to elongate and widen into an exaggerated gesture. When the air pressure is released, a retracting spring enables the digit or digits to return to their original length. 2) A spring loaded thumb and/or finger or fingers whereas the spring starts in a compressed state giving the digit the appearance of approximate normal size. The user presses a small, concealed release switch and the thumb and/or finger or fingers immediately eject forward into an elongated gesture. The digit or digits can then be retracted manually back to the original size, and would be retained by a locking clip on the release mechanism.
The novelty inflatable and/or spring loaded thumb and/or finger or fingers can be worn indiscriminately at any given time and does not require any practice or skill. The embodiment would be stretchable enough to enable usage for both children and adults. The invention gives the appearance, to an observer, that the wearer is posing a common “thumbs up,” “victory,” or other aforementioned gesture. When the user either inflates or ejects the novelty thumb and/or finger or fingers, the observer witnesses the surprising transformation. The designs could vary from being humorous and absurd to offensive and bizarre.
The invention could be easily carried in the user's pocket or purse until the desired intent for usage is determined.
It is therefore a primary objective to the present invention to provide a novelty and amusement device that simulates a casual or sudden exaggerated thumb and/or finger-like gesture to nearby onlookers.
Another objective is to provide a simulated single or set of thumb-like and/or finger-like digits that is simple and easy to transport and use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention and its construction concepts will be better understood upon reviewing the following detailed descriptions and accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective of the hand depicting the concealed aspect, which embodies the air compressor construction design and an inflatable index finger, as placed in the palm of the hand prior to usage.

FIG. 2 is a perspective of the hand depicting the concealed aspect, which embodies the spring loaded construction design of an index finger, as placed on the index finger of the hand prior to usage.

FIG. 3 depicts the viewer's perspective of a user's clenched hand gesturing the “thumbs up” sign, while wearing the current invention.

FIG. 4 depicts the viewer's perspective of a user's clenched hand gesturing the “thumbs up” sign, after releasing a spring-loaded version of the current invention.

FIG. 5 is a single packaged version of the current invention for use with either the index finger, or middle finger, wherein the mini air compressor design is utilized.

FIG. 6 is a single packaged version of the current invention for use with either the index finger, or middle finger, wherein the spring-loaded design is utilized.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

While the present invention is subject to embodiment in a variety of forms, there is demonstrated in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred embodiment with the understanding that the present submission is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated.
It should be further understood that the title of this section, namely “Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention,” relates to a requirement of the United States Patent Office, and does not imply, nor should be inferred to limit the subject matter disclosed herein.
Referring now to the figures, and in particular to FIG. 1, depicting the aspect of the hand, concealed from the observer, whereas the index finger version 11 has been selected and the mini air compressor 12 model is demonstrated. Further detail of the construction characteristics of the compressor 12 will be described herein when referencing FIG. 5. In the example of FIG. 1 the general size and shape are displayed, along with the physical positioning of the mini air compressor 12 within the hand. The clear plastic air tube 13 is also depicted as it travels from the compressor 12 to the falsetto index finger 11. In this example, since the remaining four digits are not being used, the air compressor's 12 other four outlets 14 at the base are capped. In this version, as additional digits are purchased, the outlets 14 can be uncapped, and the new tubes 13 connected. Also illustrated is the retracting spring 15, which in this version is in a state of rest, under no tension. This spring 15 assists the falsetto finger to retract to its original shape, after each usage. In this design, the user simply presses the inflation button 16 and the false finger 11 slowly and methodically lengthens and expands. Pressing the air release button 17 will deflate the false finger.
Referring now to FIG. 2, the spring-loaded version of the present invention is depicted, again using the index finger version 11. In this simpler construction, the falsetto finger 11 is placed over the user's real index or middle finger. In this design a propulsion spring 18 is incorporated so that, following release by the user triggering the activation button 19, the propulsion spring 18 forces the finger to extend, suddenly and dramatically. Further detail of the construction characteristics of the spring-loaded design will be described herein when referencing FIG. 6.
An example of what a typical observer would see, from the current invention, is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. In this depiction, the “thumbs up” gesture is exemplified, using the spring-loaded version of the current invention. In FIG. 3, the user is wearing the spring-loaded version of a false thumb. In FIG. 4, the user has pressed the activation button 19. The results are immediate.
In FIG. 5 the entire embodiment of an air compression version 12 of the current invention is illustrated utilizing a single false finger 11. The finger 11 would be comprised of two embodiments; one, an inner lining 20 fabricated from material such as soft rubber, latex or elastic vinyl that will fit immediately over the user's finger; the other, an outer embodiment 21 made from similar material but cut much longer and more flexible than the inner, and molded to look like a real finger. The outer 21 will be painted to resemble a human finger or thumb, but the aforementioned possibilities of a variety of other designs could be incorporated. The two embodiments 20 & 21 will be fused together at the base by a liquid rubber or latex, where the clear plastic air tube 13 is adjoined, to enable air to flow in between the two embodiments, thereby creating the illusion of growth. The retraction spring 15 will likely be made from a thin, light metal or durable plastic material and will remain in a state of rest until the false finger 11 or thumb is inflated. The air compressor 12 would be battery operated and made out of hard plastic.
In FIG. 6 the entire embodiment of a spring-loaded version of the current invention is illustrated utilizing a single false finger 11. The finger 11, as illustrated within FIG. 5, would be comprised of two embodiments; one, an inner lining 20 fabricated from material such as soft rubber, latex or elastic vinyl that will fit immediately over the user's finger; the other, an outer embodiment 21 made from similar material but cut much longer and more flexible than the inner, and molded to look like a real finger. The outer 21 will be painted to resemble a human finger or thumb, but the aforementioned possibilities of a variety of other designs could be incorporated. The two embodiments 20 & 21 will be fused together at the base by a liquid rubber or latex, however, in this version, the two embodiments will not be airtight, and a cutout slot 22 is incorporated to enable the user to easily reset propulsion spring 18 after each usage. The propulsion spring 18 will likely be made from a thin, light metal or durable plastic material and will be compressed before each usage. The propulsion spring 18 can easily be activated by touching the activation button 19 using of one of the other fingers or thumb, in this case. The activation button 19 is connected to a small retaining armature 23 that holds the compressed spring in place. A small stabilizing spring 24 is looped around the base of the propulsion spring keeping the activation button 19 in a “charged” position and the retaining armature 23 in a “locking” position.
The preceding description and the appended drawings are provided to illustrate and describe the preferred embodiment of the novelty eye patch with artificial eye or eyelid assembly of the present invention. Although a description of the preferred embodiment has been presented, various changes, including those mentioned above, could be made without deviating from the spirit of the present invention. It is desired, therefore, that reference be made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A novelty device in the form of an interactive, expandable thumb and/or finger or fingers comprising:

a member of soft, malleable, rubber-like material constructed and painted in the form of an extendable thumb, finger or fingers and adapted to fit over a user's thumb, finger, or fingers respectively;

means for extending the length of the member; and

an activation button operable by a user to activate the means for extending to lengthen the member when fit over the user's thumb, finger or fingers.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the means for extending is selected from the group consisting of an air compressor for inflating the member to extend the length of the member and a spring, which can be compressed to a compressed state and upon expansion, extends the member.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the means for extending includes an air compressor and means for conveying pressurized air from the air compressor into the member to extend the length thereof.

4. The device of claim 3, further comprising a release valve to release pressurized air from within the member and a retracting spring, which assists the member to restore its original form upon release of the pressurized air.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein the air compressor is battery-operated and has a size which fits into the user's hand for concealment from an observer.

6. The device of claim 3, wherein the member includes an internal air bladder and a retracting spring, pressurized air from the compressor inflating the bladder and extending the length of the member.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the air bladder is formed between two similar components of the member, which are air-sealed together.

8. The device of claim 2, wherein the means for extending includes a spring, which can be compressed to a compressed state and which upon expansion extends the member.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the extended spring can be reset manually to the compressed state by a user and wherein the device includes a locking member for retaining the spring in the compressed state prior to another expansion.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is formed with an appearance selected from the group consisting of a natural human appearance and an unnatural inhuman appearance.