US20080125008A1

US20080125008A1 - Novelty item

Info

Publication number: US20080125008A1
Application number: US11/945,546
Authority: US
Inventors: Janice Daniels
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-11-27
Filing date: 2007-11-27
Publication date: 2008-05-29

Abstract

A novelty item is disclosed herein, the item having a first piece of cord that is folded generally in half and a second piece of cord tied in a knot about the first piece of cord that is folded in half. The first piece of cord that is folded in half has a loop end with a pair of leg portions extending therefrom. The knot of the second piece of cord is tied about the pair of leg portions and is spaced apart from the loop end. The leg portions each have an end that has been frayed, the two ends being oppositely disposed from the loop end. The second piece of cord that is tied in a knot about the first piece of cord also has two ends that have been frayed, each end oppositely disposed from each other and connected to the knot by a pair of arm portions. The combination of the first piece of cord that is folded in half and the second piece of cord that is tied in a knot about the first piece of cord forms a humanoid figurine that affords a novelty item.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/867,213 filed Nov. 27, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a novelty item, and more specifically to a novelty item in the shape of a humanoid figurine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Novelty items have long been used for amusement with such items used as gifts and/or to express a particular sentiment or emotion. Novelty items are found in many forms and are frequently valued for their simplicity and cleverness of design.
In the workplace, it is not uncommon for an individual to be asked to perform a task or a plurality of tasks. However, the individual can be stressed, not feeling well, overloaded with prior tasks, and the like. As such, a simply designed novelty item that could portray a polite and amusing “no thank you” to an individual that has requested a task to be performed would be desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A novelty item is disclosed herein, the item having a first piece of cord that is folded generally in half and a second piece of cord tied in a knot about the first piece of cord that is folded in half. The first piece of cord that is folded in half has a loop end with a pair of leg portions extending therefrom. The knot of the second piece of cord is tied about the pair of leg portions and is spaced apart from the loop end. The leg portions each have an end that has been frayed, the two ends being oppositely disposed from the loop end. The second piece of cord that is tied in a knot about the first piece of cord also has two ends that have been frayed, each end oppositely disposed from each other and connected to tie knot by a pair of arm portions. The combination of the first piece of cord that is folded in half and the second piece of cord that is tied in a knot about the first piece of cord forms a humanoid figurine that affords a novelty item.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses a novelty item in the form of a humanoid figurine, the novelty item including two pieces of cord that are assembled to form a loop end, a couple of legs, and a couple of arms. The loop end represents a head portion of a humanoid figurine and the leg and arm portions each have ends that are frayed and represent feet and hands, respectively. The novelty item can include a tag with indicia thereon, the tag having a saying that can provide amusement to an individual that approaches and sees the novelty item.
In particular, the novelty item includes a first piece of cord that is folded generally in half, thereby forming a loop end with two frayed ends oppositely disposed from the loop end. A second piece of cord is provided and is tied in a knot about the first piece of cord that has been folded in half, this second piece of cord having two ends oppositely disposed from each other and also being frayed. The knot is spaced apart from the loop end and affords for a loop between the knot of the second piece of cord and the loop end of the first piece of cord. With the second piece of cord tied in a knot about the first piece of cord that has been folded generally in half, the knot being spaced apart from the loop end, a humanoid figurine is provided with the loop and the loop end forming the head portion of the figurine and two leg portions extending from the knot forming the legs of the figurine. In addition, two arm portions of the second piece of cord that extend from the knot form the arms of the figurine. The frayed ends of the two leg portions and the two arm portions represent hands and feet of an individual and by being frayed allow for an individual to refer to the humanoid figurine as a “frayed knot,” the use of this term affording a polite and amusing “I'm afraid not” when asked to perform a task.
Turning now to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the present invention is shown generally at reference numeral 10. The novelty item 10 includes a first piece of cord 100 and a second piece of cord 200. The first piece of cord is folded generally in half and forms a loop end 130 with a first end 110 and a second end 120 oppositely disposed therefrom. The second piece of cord 200 is tied in a knot 230 about the first piece of cord 100 that has been folded generally in half. The knot 230 is spaced apart from the loop end 130, thereby affording for a loop 132 therebetween. Between the knot 230 and the first end 110 and the second end 120 of the first piece of cord 100, is a first leg portion 140 and a second leg portion 150, respectively. The second piece of cord 200 has a first end 210 and a second end 220 that extend from the knot 230 and are oppositely disposed from each other. Between the knot 230 and the first end 210 and the second end 220 is a first arm portion 240 and a second arm portion 250, respectively.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, a humanoid figurine is afforded by the first piece of cord 100 having a loop end 130 and the leg portions 140 and 150, and the second piece of cord 200 having the arm portions 240 and 250. The first end 110 and second end 120 of the first piece of cord 100 can optionally include a frayed end 112 and 122, respectively. Likewise, the first end 210 and the second end 220 of the second piece of cord can optionally include a frayed end 212 and 222, respectively. In some instances, the first piece of cord and second piece of cord have a braided cover made from a first material and a core made from a second material. If this is included, the fraying of the ends further highlights the end portions of the first piece of cord 100 and the second piece of cord 200 and aids in the illustration of hands and feet.
Optionally included and shown in phantom in FIG. 1 can be a tag 300 with indicia 310 thereon. As illustrated in this figure for example purposes only, the tag 300 can have indicia 310 such as “I'm a frayed knot . . . when you just can't say yes”. It is appreciated that other words, phrases and the like can be used. In this manner, an individual can be amused when approaching the novelty item that appears as a humanoid figurine and observing the knot and the frayed ends and then reading the “I'm a frayed knot” tag. Likewise, an individual could be amused when asking a coworker to do a favor, the coworker handing the individual the novelty item disclosed herein and saying “I'm a frayed knot”.
It is appreciated that the first piece of cord 100 and the second piece of cord 200 can be made from any material known to those skilled in the art, illustratively including various types of cord, rope, wire, and the like. It is also appreciated that the exact dimensions of the various features of the novelty item are not critical, just so long as the item appears as a humanoid figurine having portions that represent the head, arms and legs thereof.
The foregoing drawing, discussion and description are illustrative of a specific embodiment of the present invention, but they are not meant to be limitations upon the practice thereof. Numerous modifications and variations of the invention will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art in view of the teaching presented herein. It is the following claims, including all equivalents, which define the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A novelty item comprising:

a first piece of cord folded generally in half forming a loop end;

a second piece of cord tied in a knot about said first piece of cord folded in half, said knot spaced apart from said loop end;

said first piece of cord folded in half and said second piece of cord tied in a knot about said first piece of cord forming a humanoid figurine.

2. The novelty item of claim 1, wherein said first piece of cord folded generally in half has two leg portions extending from said loop end.

3. The novelty item of claim 2, wherein said two leg portions each have a frayed end oppositely disposed from said loop end.

4. The novelty item of claim 1, wherein said second piece of cord tied in a knot has two arm portions extending from said knot.

5. The novelty item of claim 4, wherein said two arm portions each have a frayed end oppositely disposed from said knot.

6. The novelty item of claim 1, wherein said first piece of cord and said second piece cord has a braided cover made from a first material and a core made from a second material.

7. The novelty item of claim 1, further comprising a tag attached to said first piece of cord or said second piece of cord.

8. The novelty item of claim 7, wherein said tag has indicia thereon.

9. A humanoid figurine novelty item comprising:

a first piece of cord made having a braided cover made from a first material and a core made from a second material, said first piece of cord folded generally in half and forming a loop end;

a second piece of cord having a braided cover made from said first material and a core made from said second material, said second piece of cord tied in knot about said first piece of cord fold generally in half, said knot being spaced apart from said loop end;

10. The novelty item of claim 9, wherein said first piece of cord folded generally in half has two leg portions extending from said loop end.

11. The novelty item of claim 10, wherein said two leg portions each have a frayed end oppositely disposed from said loop end.

12. The novelty item of claim 9, wherein said second piece of cord tied in a knot has two arm portions extending from said knot.

13. The novelty item of claim 12, wherein said two arm portions each have a frayed end oppositely disposed from said knot.

14. The novelty item of claim 9, further comprising a tag attached to said first piece of cord or said second piece of cord.

15. The novelty item of claim 14, wherein said tag has indicia thereon.

16. A humanoid figurine novelty item comprising:

a first piece of cord made having a braided cover made from a first material and a core made from a second material, said first piece of cord folded generally in half and forming a loop end with two leg portions extending from said loop end;

a second piece of cord having a braided cover made from said first material and a core made from said second material, said second piece of cord tied in knot about said first piece of cord fold generally in half, said knot being spaced apart from said loop end and having two arm portions extending therefrom;

17. The novelty item of claim 16, wherein said two leg portions each have a frayed end oppositely disposed from said loop end.

18. The novelty item of claim 16, wherein said two arm portions each have a frayed end oppositely disposed from said knot.

19. The novelty item of claim 16, further comprising a tag attached to said first piece of cord or said second piece of cord.

20. The novelty item of claim 19, wherein said tag has indicia thereon.