US20070021033A1 - Tossable head - Google Patents
Tossable head Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20070021033A1 US20070021033A1 US11/161,141 US16114105A US2007021033A1 US 20070021033 A1 US20070021033 A1 US 20070021033A1 US 16114105 A US16114105 A US 16114105A US 2007021033 A1 US2007021033 A1 US 2007021033A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- head
- tossable
- face
- impact
- housing
- 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
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- 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
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
- A63H3/00—Dolls
- A63H3/28—Arrangements of sound-producing means in dolls; Means in dolls for producing sounds
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to advertising systems and, more particularly, to a souvenir toy or game for promoting a public figure or event.
- souvenirs tend to help promote particular public figures or events.
- Such souvenirs have included autographed pictures, hats having associated logos, mugs, pens, promotional CD's, figurines resembling the public figure, associated toys, games, etc.
- the disadvantages associated with current advertising system should make it apparent that a new system for advertising is needed.
- the new system should provide enjoyment or usefulness, and should be substantially easy to distribute.
- the present invention is directed to these ends.
- a tossable head advertising system includes a soft or semi soft head shaped object for tossing into a crowd of people.
- the head includes long hair or a long cord attached to it such that the head may be hurled by the hair or cord into a crowd.
- the head further includes the face of a famous person and a pre-recorded sound byte within an audio generator that activates on contact. The sound byte is personalized for the famous person.
- One advantage of the present invention is that it may be easily hurled into a crowd such that likelihood of injury to a member of the crowd is highly unlikely.
- a further advantage of the present invention is that the novelty of design is such that a direct association may be made between the tossable head and a particular event or public figure.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a tossable head system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 illustrates a cutaway view of the tossable head in accordance with FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3 illustrates a logic flow diagram of a method for operating the tossable head of FIG. 1 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
- the present invention is illustrated with respect to a tossable head 10 (i.e. advertising system) particularly suited to the advertising field.
- the present invention is, however, applicable to various other uses that may require person specific systems, as will be understood by one skilled in the art.
- the tossable head 10 includes a tossing means 12 , such hair or a cord, a recognizable face 14 , a impact detection device 16 , an audio generator 18 , a power supply 20 , and a soft or semi soft housing 22 .
- the housing 22 encloses the impact detection device 16 , audio generator 18 , and the power supply 20 such that these components are protected from concussion when the tossable head system 10 is thrown.
- the housing 22 may be made of a foamy material, such as is common in NerfTM products, cloth, rubber, or any other soft, semi-soft, or hard plastic or foam substance, or any natural stuffing material known in the art.
- the housing is formed in the general shape of a head, such that features are either molded thereon or coupled thereto so as to form a recognizable face 14 thereon. Extending outwardly from the housing 22 is the tossing apparatus 12 that resembles hair or other such objects or protuberances, such as ears, useful for tossing the tossable head system 10 .
- the recognizable face 14 is either molded into or coupled to the housing 22 and may be either two-dimensional or three-dimensional.
- the recognizable face includes an image or features of a public figure, such as a musician, actor, or comedian, or an art type, such as Uncle Sam.
- the recognizable face 14 may be made of the same material as the housing 22 , such as a soft foam material, or ultimately it may be made of a slightly harder material such as a semi-hard plastic.
- the recognizable face 14 may include an expression that relates to or a signature of the public figure represented thereby.
- the tossing apparatus 12 or tossing handle, extending outwardly from the scalp portion 24 of the housing 22 , is embodied as either a cord or a grouping of hair that appears to be a head of hair for the tossable head system 10 .
- the tossing apparatus 12 is embodied as a long grouping of hair 12 designed such that it can be easily grabbed by someone intending to toss the head.
- the tossing apparatus 12 is attached to the housing 22 such that centrifugal force applied to the head through a slinging motion applied by someone intending to toss the head does not detach the hair 12 from the housing 22 .
- Such attachment may be achieved through sewing the tossing apparatus 12 to the housing 22 , gluing the tossing apparatus 12 to the housing 22 or molding the tossing apparatus 12 directly to the housing 22 .
- the tossing apparatus may also be a cord extending from a portion of the housing 22 , such that the tossable head system 10 may be tossed by force supplied in a centrifugal manner to the cord 12 .
- the impact detection device 16 (sensor) activates in response to concussion impact caused upon contact of the tossable head system 10 with a person or object, after the tossable head system 10 has been thrown.
- the impact detection device 16 then sends a signal to, or directly activates the audio generator 18 , which generates a pre-recorded audio clip signal specific to the recognizable face 14 .
- the audio generator 18 is embodied as a typical speaker and sound byte circuit system coupled to an internal portion of the housing 22 and activating in response to detected impact of the tossable head system 10 .
- the audio generator 18 may include one sound byte or audio clip that is related to the recognizable face 14 .
- An example thereof includes a notable surfer face on the tossable head system 10 having an audio clip of “Whoa Dude!” Numerous other audio clips are also embodied herein that are specific to each individual recognizable face 14 .
- the audio generator 18 may include multiple face specific audio clips or sound bytes activating in response to successive impacts of the system 10 .
- Logic starts in operation block 52 where the power supply 20 provides power to the system 10 .
- the head is tossed through, for example, centrifugal force applied to the head by means of the tossing apparatus 12 .
- the tossable head impacts a person or object; and the audio generator 18 is activated and an audio clip specific to the recognizable face 14 is activated in operation block 58 .
- the tossable head 10 is spun around by the tossing apparatus 12 and thrown through the air, whereby it impacts a person or object.
- An example thereof is a situation in which the tossable head 10 is thrown into an audience, such as a group of fans of the public figure featured on the recognizable face 14 .
- the sound clip in the audio generator 18 is activated; and an expression relevant to the public figure represented by the recognizable face 14 is generated.
- the tossable head 10 is reusable, such that they need to be tossed over and over again whereon impact will result in either the same audio clip or a series of audio clips related to the recognizable face 14 .
Abstract
A tossable head advertising system includes a soft or semi soft head shaped object for tossing into a crowd of people. The head includes long hair or a long cord attached to it such that the head may be hurled by the hair or cord into a crowd. The head further includes the face of a famous person and a pre-recorded sound byte within an audio generator that activates on contact. The sound byte is personalized for the famous person.
Description
- The present invention relates generally to advertising systems and, more particularly, to a souvenir toy or game for promoting a public figure or event.
- It is well known in the field of advertising that souvenirs tend to help promote particular public figures or events. Such souvenirs have included autographed pictures, hats having associated logos, mugs, pens, promotional CD's, figurines resembling the public figure, associated toys, games, etc.
- The more closely related a souvenir is to a particular event or public figure, the higher the likelihood of association of that event or public figure in the minds of consumers, fans, or potential fans. Such association has been shown to increase popularity of particular events or public figures. Further, souvenirs designed such that a use is provided independent of the event or public figure may increase advertising potential. For example, a ball with a logo of a particular event may be used to play catch or other such related games. It is a constant goal in the field of advertising to provide souvenirs that will remain useful or entertaining for as long as possible.
- It is a further goal in the advertising industry to provide a safe and affective mode for distributing souvenirs of related events or public figures. Current methods of distribution include handing out the souvenirs, mailing the souvenirs to people, or tossing the souvenirs into a crowd. Tossing the souvenirs into a crowd, however, presents the further problem that the souvenir must be designed in such a way as not to injure a member of the crowd, while still providing the desired advertising affect.
- The disadvantages associated with current advertising system should make it apparent that a new system for advertising is needed. The new system should provide enjoyment or usefulness, and should be substantially easy to distribute. The present invention is directed to these ends.
- In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a tossable head advertising system includes a soft or semi soft head shaped object for tossing into a crowd of people. The head includes long hair or a long cord attached to it such that the head may be hurled by the hair or cord into a crowd. The head further includes the face of a famous person and a pre-recorded sound byte within an audio generator that activates on contact. The sound byte is personalized for the famous person.
- One advantage of the present invention is that it may be easily hurled into a crowd such that likelihood of injury to a member of the crowd is highly unlikely. A further advantage of the present invention is that the novelty of design is such that a direct association may be made between the tossable head and a particular event or public figure.
- Additional advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the description that follows, and may be realized by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
- In order that the invention may be well understood, there will now be described some embodiments thereof, given by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a tossable head system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 2 illustrates a cutaway view of the tossable head in accordance withFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 illustrates a logic flow diagram of a method for operating the tossable head ofFIG. 1 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. - The present invention is illustrated with respect to a tossable head 10 (i.e. advertising system) particularly suited to the advertising field. The present invention is, however, applicable to various other uses that may require person specific systems, as will be understood by one skilled in the art.
- Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 2 , atossable head system 10 for use in advertising, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, is illustrated. Thetossable head 10 includes a tossing means 12, such hair or a cord, arecognizable face 14, aimpact detection device 16, anaudio generator 18, apower supply 20, and a soft or semisoft housing 22. - The
housing 22 encloses theimpact detection device 16,audio generator 18, and thepower supply 20 such that these components are protected from concussion when thetossable head system 10 is thrown. Thehousing 22 may be made of a foamy material, such as is common in Nerf™ products, cloth, rubber, or any other soft, semi-soft, or hard plastic or foam substance, or any natural stuffing material known in the art. The housing is formed in the general shape of a head, such that features are either molded thereon or coupled thereto so as to form arecognizable face 14 thereon. Extending outwardly from thehousing 22 is the tossingapparatus 12 that resembles hair or other such objects or protuberances, such as ears, useful for tossing thetossable head system 10. - The
recognizable face 14 is either molded into or coupled to thehousing 22 and may be either two-dimensional or three-dimensional. The recognizable face includes an image or features of a public figure, such as a musician, actor, or comedian, or an art type, such as Uncle Sam. Therecognizable face 14 may be made of the same material as thehousing 22, such as a soft foam material, or ultimately it may be made of a slightly harder material such as a semi-hard plastic. Therecognizable face 14 may include an expression that relates to or a signature of the public figure represented thereby. - The
tossing apparatus 12 or tossing handle, extending outwardly from thescalp portion 24 of thehousing 22, is embodied as either a cord or a grouping of hair that appears to be a head of hair for thetossable head system 10. However, important to note is that the tossingapparatus 12 is embodied as a long grouping ofhair 12 designed such that it can be easily grabbed by someone intending to toss the head. - The
tossing apparatus 12 is attached to thehousing 22 such that centrifugal force applied to the head through a slinging motion applied by someone intending to toss the head does not detach thehair 12 from thehousing 22. Such attachment may be achieved through sewing the tossingapparatus 12 to thehousing 22, gluing the tossingapparatus 12 to thehousing 22 or molding the tossingapparatus 12 directly to thehousing 22. As was mentioned, the tossing apparatus may also be a cord extending from a portion of thehousing 22, such that thetossable head system 10 may be tossed by force supplied in a centrifugal manner to thecord 12. - The impact detection device 16 (sensor) activates in response to concussion impact caused upon contact of the
tossable head system 10 with a person or object, after thetossable head system 10 has been thrown. Theimpact detection device 16 then sends a signal to, or directly activates theaudio generator 18, which generates a pre-recorded audio clip signal specific to therecognizable face 14. - The
audio generator 18 is embodied as a typical speaker and sound byte circuit system coupled to an internal portion of thehousing 22 and activating in response to detected impact of thetossable head system 10. Theaudio generator 18 may include one sound byte or audio clip that is related to therecognizable face 14. An example thereof includes a notable surfer face on thetossable head system 10 having an audio clip of “Whoa Dude!” Numerous other audio clips are also embodied herein that are specific to each individualrecognizable face 14. Further, theaudio generator 18 may include multiple face specific audio clips or sound bytes activating in response to successive impacts of thesystem 10. - Referring to
FIG. 3 , a logic flow diagram of a method for operating atossable head system 10, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, is illustrated. Logic starts inoperation block 52 where thepower supply 20 provides power to thesystem 10. - In
operation block 54, the head is tossed through, for example, centrifugal force applied to the head by means of the tossingapparatus 12. - In
operation block 56, the tossable head impacts a person or object; and theaudio generator 18 is activated and an audio clip specific to therecognizable face 14 is activated inoperation block 58. - In operation, the
tossable head 10 is spun around by the tossingapparatus 12 and thrown through the air, whereby it impacts a person or object. An example thereof is a situation in which thetossable head 10 is thrown into an audience, such as a group of fans of the public figure featured on therecognizable face 14. Upon impact, the sound clip in theaudio generator 18 is activated; and an expression relevant to the public figure represented by therecognizable face 14 is generated. Thetossable head 10 is reusable, such that they need to be tossed over and over again whereon impact will result in either the same audio clip or a series of audio clips related to therecognizable face 14. - From the foregoing, it can be seen that there has been brought to the art a new and improved advertising system. It is to be understood that the preceding description of the preferred embodiment is merely illustrative of some of the many specific embodiments that represent applications of the principles of the present invention. Numerous other arrangements will be evident to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.
Claims (17)
1. A tossable head system comprising:
a substantially head-shaped housing comprising a face and a scalp portion;
a tossing apparatus extending from said scalp portion;
an audio generator generating at least one face-specific audio clip in response to an impact of the tossable head system; and
an impact detection device detecting said impact of the tossable head system.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein said face comprises a two-dimensional or three-dimensional recognizable face of a public figure or otherwise famous person.
3. The system of claim 1 further comprising a power supply within said housing supplying power to at least one of said impact detection device or said audio generator, wherein said power supply is a battery or potential energy device.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein said housing comprises at least one of a foam material, a hard plastic material, a soft plastic material, rubber, cloth, an artificial or a natural stuffing material, or any combination thereof.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein said face-specific audio clip is a signature saying or sound representative of said face.
6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of face-specific audio clips activating successively in response to impacts of the tossable head system following said impact.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein said tossing apparatus comprises hair or a hair like material, a cord, or a protuberance such that said housing may be swung in a centrifugal manner relative to said tossing apparatus.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein said hair or hair like material is disproportionately long relative to the tossable head.
9. A tossable head system comprising:
a substantially head-shaped housing comprising a recognizable face and a scalp portion, said housing further comprising a material that cushions impact of the tossable head system when the tossable head system is thrown;
a tossing apparatus extending from said scalp portion such that said housing may be swung in a centrifugal manner relative to a portion of said tossing apparatus;
an audio generator generating at least one face-specific audio clip in response to an impact of the tossable head system;
an impact detection device detecting said impact of the tossable head system; and
a power supply within said housing supplying power to at least one of said impact detection device or said audio generator.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein said housing comprises at least one of a foam material, a hard plastic material, a soft plastic material, rubber, cloth, an artificial or a natural stuffing material, or any combination thereof.
11. The system of claim 9 , wherein said face-specific audio clip is a signature saying or sound representative of said face.
12. The system of claim 9 , further comprising a plurality of face-specific audio clips activating successively in response to impacts of the tossable head system following said impact.
13. The system of claim 9 , wherein said hair or hair like material is disproportionately long relative to the tossable head.
14. An advertising system comprising:
a head-shaped device comprising a recognizable face and an impact absorbing material;
a flexible handle coupled to said head-shaped device having an appearance of hair and extending outwardly from said head-shaped device such that a user may thereby toss the advertising system from momentum generated by slinging said head-shaped device with said flexible handle;
a power supply enclosed within said head-shaped device powering said impact sensor and said audio-clip generator;
an impact sensor enclosed within said head-shaped device; and
an audio clip generator enclosed within said head-shaped device activating in response to signals from said impact sensor and generating an audio clip specific to said recognizable face.
15. The system of claim 14 , wherein said head-shaped device comprises at least one of a foam material, a hard plastic material, a soft plastic material, rubber, cloth, an artificial or a natural stuffing material, or any combination thereof.
16. The system of claim 14 , wherein said flexible handle is disproportionately long relative to said head-shaped device.
17. The system of claim 14 further comprising a plurality of face-specific audio clips activating successively in response to successive impacts of said head-shaped device.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/161,141 US20070021033A1 (en) | 2005-07-25 | 2005-07-25 | Tossable head |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/161,141 US20070021033A1 (en) | 2005-07-25 | 2005-07-25 | Tossable head |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20070021033A1 true US20070021033A1 (en) | 2007-01-25 |
Family
ID=37679683
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/161,141 Abandoned US20070021033A1 (en) | 2005-07-25 | 2005-07-25 | Tossable head |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20070021033A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8715078B1 (en) * | 2010-09-20 | 2014-05-06 | Keith D. White | Advertising and golf practice device |
Citations (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4510590A (en) * | 1983-06-06 | 1985-04-09 | Mattel, Inc. | Pull string inertial voice unit |
US4516950A (en) * | 1982-01-27 | 1985-05-14 | Ergoplic Ltd., An Israel Company | Speaking toy employing chordic input |
USD297852S (en) * | 1985-12-17 | 1988-09-27 | Gullickson Delano R | Novelty toy figure |
US4828527A (en) * | 1987-12-04 | 1989-05-09 | Donald Spector | Play character |
US5027457A (en) * | 1989-04-27 | 1991-07-02 | Dorothy Sweet | Cover for pillow with appendages |
US5320573A (en) * | 1991-06-11 | 1994-06-14 | Tomy Company, Ltd. | Spiral spring toy with a pulling string |
US5377996A (en) * | 1993-05-20 | 1995-01-03 | Shure Products Inc. | Electronic paddle game device |
US5607336A (en) * | 1992-12-08 | 1997-03-04 | Steven Lebensfeld | Subject specific, word/phrase selectable message delivering doll or action figure |
US5975982A (en) * | 1998-03-24 | 1999-11-02 | Spector; Donald | Sound-producing soft toy missile |
US6083076A (en) * | 1997-12-22 | 2000-07-04 | Saint-Victor; Emmanuel | Illuminating and sound producing string activated rotatable toy |
-
2005
- 2005-07-25 US US11/161,141 patent/US20070021033A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4516950A (en) * | 1982-01-27 | 1985-05-14 | Ergoplic Ltd., An Israel Company | Speaking toy employing chordic input |
US4510590A (en) * | 1983-06-06 | 1985-04-09 | Mattel, Inc. | Pull string inertial voice unit |
USD297852S (en) * | 1985-12-17 | 1988-09-27 | Gullickson Delano R | Novelty toy figure |
US4828527A (en) * | 1987-12-04 | 1989-05-09 | Donald Spector | Play character |
US5027457A (en) * | 1989-04-27 | 1991-07-02 | Dorothy Sweet | Cover for pillow with appendages |
US5320573A (en) * | 1991-06-11 | 1994-06-14 | Tomy Company, Ltd. | Spiral spring toy with a pulling string |
US5607336A (en) * | 1992-12-08 | 1997-03-04 | Steven Lebensfeld | Subject specific, word/phrase selectable message delivering doll or action figure |
US5377996A (en) * | 1993-05-20 | 1995-01-03 | Shure Products Inc. | Electronic paddle game device |
US6083076A (en) * | 1997-12-22 | 2000-07-04 | Saint-Victor; Emmanuel | Illuminating and sound producing string activated rotatable toy |
US5975982A (en) * | 1998-03-24 | 1999-11-02 | Spector; Donald | Sound-producing soft toy missile |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8715078B1 (en) * | 2010-09-20 | 2014-05-06 | Keith D. White | Advertising and golf practice device |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US5895308A (en) | Sound-producing soft toy missile | |
US7363880B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for reducing risk that a thrown toy will injure an animal | |
US6645097B2 (en) | Bumper toy puck for use in games and marketing | |
US6390879B1 (en) | Flying disc toy | |
US5762569A (en) | Device for converting a container into a figure to simulate an interactive game | |
US6089938A (en) | Figurative flying disc toy | |
US7942108B2 (en) | Noisemaker pennant | |
US6371053B1 (en) | Simulated mouse toy having a prerecorded sound chip therein | |
US5544894A (en) | Tethered ball having facial features and sound output | |
JP3143895U (en) | Blow back goods | |
US5908344A (en) | Sporting implement protection and sound-producing device | |
US20070021033A1 (en) | Tossable head | |
US6817922B1 (en) | Noise maker configured as a sports article | |
CN202873530U (en) | Fashionable pet toy ball | |
US5467981A (en) | Football with tail appendage | |
US5492335A (en) | Variable sound producing tethered ball toy | |
US20130324006A1 (en) | Little Soothers | |
US7288035B2 (en) | Flag apparatus with electronic sound generating device for use in sports and games | |
US20080149018A1 (en) | Noisemaker pennant | |
US5106332A (en) | Noise-making device incorporating "whooping" plate | |
KR200416068Y1 (en) | A glove balloon for cheering | |
US20030157862A1 (en) | Entertainment device for skipping over a surface of water | |
US6464558B1 (en) | Sports related combined noisemaker and visual display device | |
US20110009030A1 (en) | Noise making towel | |
US20150321108A1 (en) | Tossing game system with hand puppets and ball |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- AFTER EXAMINER'S ANSWER OR BOARD OF APPEALS DECISION |