Transformable Spherical Ball Toy

Abstract

The present invention relates to a generally spherical toy ball constructed to unfold to a unique shape upon impact with a rigid surface. The ball includes an exterior generally spherical structure having a plurality of flexible fiberglass rods disposed therein with each rod covered by a pliable plastic. Each rod has interlocking ends configured to releasably attach to form the generally spherical shape. The interlocking ends are released during impact as a result of the force imposed when the ball hits a floor or any other rigid surface to transform into the unique shape. The flexible fiberglass rods are designed to enable the ball to attain a second shape such as a parachute, kite, plane, and the like upon unfolding. The toy is reconfigured to fold to the spherical shape (i.e., first shape) upon locking the interlocking ends together.

Claims

1. A ball transformable to a toy comprising: a toy ball having an outer surface comprising a pliable plastic, a fabric, and a plurality of flexible rods; wherein said toy ball configured to unfold and transform from a generally spherical first shape to another second shape; wherein said toy ball is transformed from said first shape to said second shape upon impact of said toy ball on a rigid surface; wherein said plurality of flexible rods at least partially covered by said pliable plastic; and further wherein each of said plurality of flexible rods having interlocked opposing ends when said toy ball is in said first shape and having unlocked said opposing ends when said toy ball is in said second shape.

2. The ball transformable to a toy of claim 1, wherein said plurality of flexible rods is a pair of flexible rods.

3. The ball transformable to a toy of claim 2, wherein said fabric is a tear resistant ripstop nylon fabric.

4. The ball transformable to a toy of claim 3, wherein said pair of flexible rods are fiberglass rods.

5. The ball transformable to a toy of claim 4, wherein said pair of flexible rods are sewn to said pliable plastic.

6. The ball transformable to a toy of claim 5, wherein said pair of flexible rods are transverse to each other when said toy ball is in said second shape.

7. The ball transformable to a toy of claim 6, wherein said pair of flexible rods expand and straighten with said ripstop nylon fabric attached to said pliable plastic forming a generally flat structure of said second shape of said toy ball.

8. The ball transformable to a toy of claim 7, wherein said first shape is selected from a group consisting of a basketball shape and a baseball shape.

9. The ball transformable to a toy of claim 8, wherein said second shape is selected from a group consisting of a kite shape, a parachute shape, and a plane shape.

10. The ball transformable to a toy of claim 8, wherein said second shape is selected from a group consisting of a triangular prism shape, an egg shape, an animal shape, a planet shape, a robot shape, a vehicle shape, a building shape, and a tree shape.

11. The ball transformable to a toy of claim 1, wherein said interlocked opposing ends are frictionally press fit together when said toy ball is in said first shape.

12. A ball transformable to a toy comprising: a toy ball having an outer surface comprising a pliable plastic, a fabric, and a plurality of flexible rods; wherein said toy ball configured to unfold and transform from a generally spherical first shape to another second shape; wherein said toy ball is transformed from said first shape to said second shape upon impact of said toy ball on a rigid surface; wherein each of said plurality of flexible rods having interlocked opposing ends when said toy ball is in said first shape and having unlocked said opposing ends when said toy ball is in said second shape; and further wherein said interlocked opposing ends are frictionally press fit together when said toy ball is in said first shape.

13. The ball transformable to a toy of claim 12, wherein said plurality of flexible rods is a pair of flexible rods.

14. The ball transformable to a toy of claim 12, wherein said plurality of flexible rods at least partially covered by said pliable plastic.

15. The ball transformable to a toy of claim 12, wherein said fabric is a tear resistant ripstop nylon fabric.

16. The ball transformable to a toy of claim 12, wherein said plurality of flexible rods are fiberglass rods.

17. The ball transformable to a toy of claim 12, wherein said plurality of flexible rods are sewn to said pliable plastic.

18. The ball transformable to a toy of claim 12, wherein said plurality of flexible rods are transverse to each other when said toy ball is in said second shape.

19. A ball transformable to a toy comprising: a toy ball having an outer surface comprising a pliable plastic, a fabric, and a plurality of flexible rods; wherein said toy ball configured to unfold and transform from a generally spherical first shape to another second shape; wherein said toy ball is transformed from said first shape to said second shape upon impact of said toy ball on a rigid surface; wherein each of said plurality of flexible rods having interlocked opposing ends when said toy ball is in said first shape and having unlocked said opposing ends when said toy ball is in said second shape; wherein said interlocked opposing ends are frictionally press fit together when said toy ball is in said first shape; wherein said first shape is selected from a group consisting of a basketball shape and a baseball shape; and further wherein said second shape is selected from a group consisting of a kite shape, a parachute shape, and a plane shape.

20. The ball transformable to a toy of claim 19, wherein said plurality of flexible rods is a pair of flexible rods.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of one potential embodiment of a fly toy ball in folded state in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view showing the fly toy ball in an unfolded state and transformed into a kite in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view showing the transition from the generally spherical folded state to the unfolded or expanded kite shape of the fly ball in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0022] FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram depicting a process of using the fly toy ball of different embodiments of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

[0023] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view showing the transition of another embodiment of the fly toy ball of the present invention into a parachute after being thrown on a wall in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0024] The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

[0025] As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for an improved transformable ball that keeps children entertained and engaged. There is also a long-felt need in the art for an improved transformable ball that can be used by kids for playing both indoors and outdoors. Additionally, there is a long-felt need in the art for an improved transformable ball that improves fun and entertainment for kids who enjoy conventional ball games. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for an improved transformable ball that is reusable and attains a unique shape upon impact with a surface. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for an improved transformable ball that can be used for playing alone or with other kids. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for an improved playing ball for kids that enables children to chase the ball after throwing or hitting, close it back up, and repeat the process for endless fun and entertainment.

[0026] The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is an expandable toy nondestructively and repeatably reconfigurable between a spherical configuration and an unfolded configuration. The unfolded configuration can be of any shape other than the spherical configuration and the toy further comprising at least two flexible fiberglass rods integrated to the exterior spherical structure, each fiberglass rod having interlocking opposite ends that are releasably attached to each other for maintaining the exterior spherical structure, the spherical structure has a ripstop nylon cover for flexibility, the interlocking opposite ends are configured to release when the toy in an initial spherical configuration hits a floor or any surface to unfold the toy and attain the expandable toy shape.

[0027] Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of one potential embodiment of the toy ball in a folded state (i.e., a first shape) in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The toy ball 100 is designed as a lightweight, soft, and pliable ball made from a plastic material and configured to unfold and transform its shape when thrown or impacted on or at a rigid surface. The ball 100 in a folded state (i.e., a first shape) is generally spherical and appears like a conventional ball such as a basketball, a baseball, or the like and transforms into a unique second shape such as a kite, a parachute, a plane, and many more. The toy ball 100 includes an exterior structure 102 which provides an overall spherical shape to the ball 100. The exterior surface 102 has a plurality of flexible fiberglass rods 104a, 104b forming a portion of the exterior surface 102, the fiberglass rods 104a, 104b are configured to be covered by soft pliable plastic 106. Each fiberglass rod has interlocked opposite or opposing ends as illustrated in FIG. 2 in the spherical ball 100 in an unfolded state. The interlocked ends are configured to interlock and are released or unlocked upon an impact such as when the ball 100 is thrown on or at a rigid surface, thereby enabling the ball 100 to unfold to a unique shape.

[0028] The exterior structure 102 is made from ripstop nylon fabric 108 which is tear resistant and weatherproof. In construction, the fiberglass rods 104a, 104b and the soft pliable plastic 106 are sewn or integrated across the nylon material exterior structure 102. The fiberglass rods 104a, 104b are designed and positioned on the exterior structure 102 such that when the ball 100 is unfolded, a unique shape formed by the fiberglass rods 104a, 104b and the nylon material is formed as illustrated and described later in the disclosure.

[0029] It should be noted that the fiberglass rods 104a, 104b and the interlocking opposite ends do not protrude from the exterior structure 102 of the foldable toy ball 100. The fiberglass rods 104a, 104b are flexible and are positioned transverse to each other for enabling the ball 100 to completely unfold when the ball 100 hits a floor or any surface.

[0030] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view showing the fly toy ball 100 in an unfolded state and transformed into a kite in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The ball 100 when thrown on a floor or surface is unfolded due to the force impacted on the interlocked ends 202a, 202b and 204a, 204b, respectively. The interlocked ends 202a, 202b are interlocked and form a part of the fiberglass rod 104a such that the ends 202a, 202b are automatically unfastened and released or unlocked when the ball 100 is thrown or impacted. Similarly, the interlocking ends 204a, 204b of the fiberglass rod 104b are unfastened to completely unfold the exterior surface 102 of the ball 100 to attain, for example, the kite shape.

[0031] It should be noted that based on the folding configuration of the fiberglass rods 104a, 104b, any unique shape can be formed upon unfolding of the fly ball 100 upon impact. In all the embodiments of the present invention, the fiberglass rods are flexible, soft, and can bend without breaking to help attain the spherical shape of the exterior structure 102. The interlocking ends forms pressure or force responsive releasable latch that are released or unlocked on force or pressure of an impact. The interlocking ends can be fastened together again without any mechanical device or screw by just pressing the ends 202a, 202b against each other. Similarly, the interlocking ends 204a, 204b can be pressed against each other to fasten the ends of the rod 104b.

[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view showing the transition from the generally spherical folded state to unfolded or expanded kite shape of the fly ball 100 in accordance with the disclosed architecture. As illustrated, the ball 100 starts to unfold when impacted on a floor such as when thrown by a kid. During unfolding, the latches formed by the interlocking ends 202a, 202b and 204a, 204b, respectively, are unfastened, unlocked, or released causing the fiberglass rods 104a, 104b to expand and straighten. The rods 104a, 104b expand and straighten with the ripstop nylon fabric attached to the pliable plastic 106 forming a flat structure of the ball 100.

[0033] The fiberglass rods 104a, 104b are invisible to a user and opaquely covered by the pliable plastic 106 such that, for example, the kite shape of the unfolded ball is clear and allows a kid to remain engaged and entertained for extended periods of time. For throwing or gliding the ball 100, the ball 100 can be easily folded again by a kid by folding the fiberglass rods 104a, 104b and latching the interlocking ends 202a, 202b together and the interlocking ends 204a, 204b together. It is to be appreciated that the interlocking ends 202a, 202b are frictionally press fit together when the ball 100 is in the first shape. Similarly, interlocking ends 204a, 204b are frictionally press fit together when the ball 100 is in the first shape.

[0034] FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram depicting a process of using fly toy ball of different embodiments of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. Initially, the ball is in a folded configuration in a spherical shape and is then thrown by a kid onto a surface such as a floor (Step 402). Based on the impact on the interlocking ends, the latched interlocking ends of the fiberglass rods are released or unlocked and the fiberglass rods are expanded and elongated (Step 404).

[0035] The elongated fiberglass rods along with the nylon cover flattens and unfolds the ball from the generally spherical configuration to a unique shape such as a kite, a parachute, a plane, and more, based on the design and shape of the fiberglass rods (Step 406). Finally, for using the toy again as a ball, the toy is folded by latching the interlocking ends to reconfigure the toy into spherical shape (Step 408).

[0036] It should be noted that the toy 100 does not unfold when thrown on a person or on a soft surface. Further, the toy 100 is weatherproof and tear resistant, and therefore can be used both indoors and outdoors. The exterior structure 102 can be of any color and may have any design, logo, or other indicia to meet requirements and preferences of different kids. The toy 100 is soft and flexible and therefore, does not cause any injury to children.

[0037] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view showing the transition of another embodiment of the toy ball of the present invention into a parachute after being thrown on a wall in accordance with the disclosed architecture. As illustrated, in the present embodiment, the toy ball 500 initially being in spherical shape is thrown at a wall 502 can be transformed, for example, into a parachute 504 in unfolded state. The flexible fiberglass rods in the ball 500 have interlocking ends as discussed in earlier embodiments of the present invention such that the interlocking ends are released or unlocked to unfold the ball 500 and convert into the parachute 504. It should be appreciated that there is no limit to the shapes that the toy ball of different embodiments of the present invention can attain upon unfolding. Further, the toy is reconfigured to spherical shape upon fastening the interlocking ends.

[0038] A force or impact exerted onto the ball is required to transform the ball into a unique shape and further, because the mechanism for transforming the toy ball from the generally spherical shape (i.e., the first shape) to the second shape is relatively simple, the realization of the miniaturization of the toy is also potentiated. Hereby, the toy can be used for playing by kids of all ages.

[0039] The unfolded shape can be selected from the group consisting of triangular prisms, egg shapes, animal shapes, planet shapes, robot shapes, vehicle shapes, building shapes, tree shapes, sports equipment related shapes, weapons shapes, character-head shapes, and the like. Although the embodiments disclose a “spherical shape”, however, other rollable shapes such as a rugby ball shape or a circular shape for example can also be employed.

[0040] Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “fly toy ball”, “toy ball”, “foldable toy ball”, “ball”, and improved toy ball” are interchangeable and refer to the transformable toy ball 100, 500 of the present invention.

[0041] Notwithstanding the forgoing, the transformable toy ball 100, 500 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the transformable toy ball 100, 500 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the transformable toy ball 100, 500 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the transformable toy ball 100, 500 are important design parameters for user convenience, the transformable toy ball 100, 500 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

[0042] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

[0043] What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.