US3501144A - Toe toy - Google Patents

Description

March 17, 1970 B. s. SCHMIDT TOE TOY Filed Feb. 24, 1967 INVENTOR BERND S. SCHMIDT ATTORNEY United States Patent Office 3,501,144 Patented Mar. 17, 1970 3,501,144 TOE TOY Bernd S. Schmidt, Greensboro, NC. (Box 256, Norfolk State College, Norfolk, Va. 23504) Filed Feb. 24, 1967, Ser. No. 618,481 Int. Cl. A63b 67/00 US. Cl. 273-1 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention is directed to an amusement device which is adapted to be attached to a shoe, and more specifically comprises a pressure-responsive signalling device releasably attached to the toe of a shoe. The signalling member is secured to the shoe by a pocket shaped member in which the toe of the shoe is inserted and which has straps which pass around the heel of the shoe and are fastened together. The pressure-sensitive portion is disposed laterally outward or in front of the shoe, so that the pressure-sensitive portion may be stepped upon, without actually engaging the toe or foot of the participant. The amusement device is intended for use in a game wherein both contestants are provided with the toy device on their feet, and attempt to produce a sound or signal from the other participants device by stepping on his toe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Games or devices which produce visual or audible signals have long given children and even adults much delight. Many such devices are available which produce sound upon contact with another object or upon collapse of the side walls of the device. One of the best examples of this type is a doll, which, when squeezed, utters a sound or cry to the amusement of children.

There are also examples in the prior art of noise makers attached to shoes, however it does not appear that anyone has previously thought of combining a toe pocket with a signal device protruding or extending beyond or otherwise laterally outwardly of the toe of the wearer for use in a game wherein the participants attempt to step on the opponents toe to activate the signal device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a molded toe pocket adapted to receive the toe of a shoe and having a noise maker or other appropriate signal device formed integrally therewith and rearwardly extending straps for attachment about the heel of the wearer thus securing the device to the wearers shoe. In the illustrated embodiment the signalling device itself comprises an air chamber formed integral with or suitably secured to the molded toe pocket and disposed forwardly thereof. [It is also to be recognized that the term laterally disposed as used hereafter in the specification and claims includes bothforwardly disposed as well as toward the side. The air chamber has an aperture providing communication between the interior of the chamber and the atmosphere, and a conventional noise making device positioned within said aperture.

The device may be used by two players wherein a signalling device is attached to either or each foot of each player, after which the players attempt to step on the opponents toe causing a signal to be produced. It is also contemplated that the signal produced from the devices of one player would be distinguishable from that of his opponent.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a signalling device for attachment to the toe of a shoe.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a signalling device which is attached to the toe of a shoe and protrudes therebeyond for use in a game, whereby another person may step on the signalling device to produce a discernible signal therefrom.

It is a more specific object of this invention to provide a toy noise maker for use by two players, wherein each player wears at least one noise maker and attempts to step on the opponents noise maker causing a sound and thereby scoring a point.

It is another object of this invention to provide a toy noise maker for attachment to the toe of a shoe and being adjustable to fit any size of shoe.

Other and more detailed objects and advantages will appear hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing toy noise makers of the illustrated embodiment in their intended use;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the device removed from the wearer; and

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 33 in FIGURE 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, FIGURE 1 shows the invention in use upon the shoes A and B of a pair of participants. Each participant is provided with a toy noise maker 10 attached to the toe of either or each of his shoes. As is seen in FIGURE 1 participant A has just scored a point by stepping upon the toy of participant B to produce an appropriate signal.

As shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, the toy noise maker 10 comprises a toe pocket 12 formed of a suitable plastic or other material having one or more slits 17 formed in the surface thereof to fit various sizes of shoes. The material from which toe pocket 12 is formed may alternatively be sufficiently flexible to obviate the need for slits 17. Two straps 18 protrude rearwardly from the sides of toe pocket 12 and provide for attachment around the heel of the shoe A or B by some suitable means such as hooks, knobs, or loops adapted to engage with appropriately constructed protuberances carried by the other fastening element as disclosed in US. Patent No. 2,717,437 to De Mestral. The fastening elements do not form any part of the present invention and it is envisioned that any suitable fastening elements may be used such as snaps, hooks buttons, or merely a one piece expandable strap.

The signal device of the preferred embodiment comprises an arcuately shaped air chamber 14 preferably formed integrally with the front surface 13 of toe pocket 12 and extending rearwardly along both sides. The air chamber 14 is formed of a flexible plastic-like material throughout its upper surface 15 and is enthickened along its lower surface 26 to provide a relatively non-flexible stiffer bottom, so that only the toy of the person stepped on will emit a signal. Air chamber 14 is also provided at one end with a small opening through the wall, providing communication between the interior of the air chamber 24 and the atmosphere as shown in FIGURE 2.

A conventional noise making device 16 such as that used in dolls and toy mice is mounted in the opening in air chamber 14, so that when upper wall 15 of air chamber 14 is compressed, the air escaping therefrom must pass through noise maker 16, thus emitting a squawk' or noise. A plurality of stiifening ribs 25 may extend between the front wall 13 of the toe pocket and the lower surface 26 to add additional rigidity in order to prevent compression of the air chamber through pressure applied against the lower wall of the air chamber. It is contemplated that the noise or other signal emitted by the devices worn by 3 one -player will be discernible from those emitted by the devices worn by his opponent.

Although the toe toy of the type described is preferably provided with a noise making device, it is within the scope of the invention to utilize any appropriate device that will signal when one of the participants toy has been stepped on. Such devices might include a signal light that is energized when the upper wall 15 is compressed or any other electrically operable signal that is actuated by the closing of contacts in response to pressure on the toy. The signal may also comprise a chamber filled with water or powder that is emitted when upper wall 15 is compressed.

A pressure actuated counter may also be used in conjunction with the signalling device as a score-keeping means.

For these and various other reasons, I do not limit myself to the disclosed embodiment, which is merely illustrative of one form of my invention, and is not limiting or definitive.

I claim:

1. A toy amusement device for attachment to a participants foot comprising:

(a) a pressure-responsive signalling member having means thereon for releasably attaching said member to a shoe;

(b) said signalling member responsive only to externally applied pressure for purposes of activation;

() said signalling member in the attached position being laterally disposed with respect to said shoe; and

(d) said means for attachment comprising a pocket member integral with said signalling member, said pocket member comprising means for receiving the toe of a shoe adjacent said signalling member, said pocket member further comprising a pair of rearwardly extending straps, said straps having means for attachment behind the heel of said shoe.

2. The toy amusement device according to claim 1 wherein said signalling member comprises:

(a) a resilient air chamber having an opening in one wall thereof; and

(b) a noise making device releasably held in said opening and having a portion thereof extending into the interior of said air chamber through said opening, said noise making device providing the only means of air escape from the interior of the air chamber.

3. The toy according to claim 2 wherein said air chamber is generally tubular in shape.

4. The toy amusement device according to claim 3 wherein said air chamber is of arcuate configuration and extends outwardly from the toe and toward the heel of the wearer on both sides of the foot and wherein the opening is in one end of the air chamber.

5. The toy amusement device according to claim 4 wherein said pocket and said air chamber each include upper and lower surfaces and wherein the upper surface of at least said air chamber is flexible and the lower surface of at least said pocket is relatively rigid.

6. The toy amusement device according to claim 5 wherein a plurality of stiffening ribs are provided within the air chamber and extend between the front wall of the toe pocket and the lower surface of the air chamber.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 197,329 11/1877 Chapman 46175 847,240 3/1907 Chamberlain 46 --178 2,160,756 5/ 1939 Schreck. 2,219,013 10/1940 Krasno 46-175 2,840,950 7/1958 Cotler 46175 ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner P. E. SHAPIRO, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 46-175, 178

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