GB2267444A - Suction cup throwing toy. - Google Patents

Abstract

A toy has a plurality of flexible suction cups (22 to 29) radially spaced around and facing outwardly of a generally circular moulded plastics ring (21) and preferably supported on spokes (12 to 19) extending outwardly from the ring (21). The suction cups are formed of a flexible material so that when the toy is thrown, the impact with a surface, particularly a smooth one, causes a vacuum to form thus causing the toy to attach to the surface. <IMAGE>

Description

SUCTION CUP THROWING TOY DESCRIPTION The invention relates to moulded plastic toys and particularly to toys utilised in throwing activities. Various toys have been developed which attempt to adhere to an impacting surface using suction cups or adhering fabrics such as Velcro fasteners or the like.

Such prior art devices have provided some entertainment but have been generally unreliable in their capability to adhere or stick to impacting surfaces due to their tendency to rebound on impact.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a toy with an improved capability with respect to sticking onto a surface when tossed.

Thus, according to the present invention, there is provided a toy comprising a generally circular supporting member and a plurality of suction cups arranged to face outwardly around a periphery of the supporting member.

According to a preferred embodiment, there is provided a toy which utilises a plurality of outwardly facing suction cups having interior concave surfaces which flex upon impact with a smooth surface to expel air from the suction cup interior and following impact, form a vacuum or suction attachment to the smooth surface.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 shows a toy according to the invention having six suction cups in perspective; Fig. 2 is a top view of the toy of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a side view of the toy of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a sectional drawing of the toy of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 shows a toy according to the invention having eight suction cups in perspective; Fig. 6 is a top view of the toy of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a side view of the toy of Fig. 6; and Fig. 8 is a sectional drawing of the toy of Fig. 6.

With reference to Figs. 1 to 4, the present invention toy comprises a suction cup toy generally referenced by numeral 10 having a circular planar disk centre 20 surrounded by a reinforcing rim 21. Six outwardly extending generally planar spokes 12 through 17 are equally spaced in a radial relationship about rim 21. A corresponding plurality of outwardly facing suction cups 22 through 27 are supported at the ends of spokes 12 through 17, respectively. The plane defined by the outer edge of a suction cup is more or less rectangular to the plane defined by the disk 20.

The suction cups are formed of a flexible material which flexes upon impact with a smooth surface and thereafter forms a suction attachment with the impacting surface due to the flexibility of the suction cup and the sealing characteristic of the suction cup outer edge.

In its preferred form, the toy is formed of a relatively flexible resilient moulded plastic material, for example rubber, PVC or any blend thereof, and defines an integrally moulded structure.

The toy is thrown by the user by holding it between thumb and forefinger and releasing it with a flick of the wrist. A rotating spinning action is then achieved, usually with very little force being applied. The toy will stick to a smooth surface such as mirror, glass, window or the like on a probability basis if the toy strikes the surface with one of the suction cups. Occasionally, the toy may fail to stick onto a surface when tossed. This can be caused by the landing surface not being smooth enough or the toy has landed on the surface between two adjacent suction cups. In this case, the toy will rebound. This adds additional challenge and excitement and variation to the use of the throwing toy.

It should be noted that while the examples of Figs. 1 to 4 show a structure utilising six suction cups, toys of different sizes having different numbers of suction cups may be utilised.

For example, Figs. 5 to 8 show a similar throwing toy which differs from the toy illustrated in Figs. ito 4 only with respect to the number of suction cups and spokes. This embodiment comprises eight suction cups 22 through 29 which are supported by eight spokes 12 through 19, respectively.

Further embodiments of the toy differ from the illustrated examples in the absence of the circular planar disk 20. Instead of the disk these embodiments comprise a reinforcing rim 21 of increased sturdiness.

Claims (7)

1. A toy comprising a generally circular supporting member and a plurality of suction cups arranged to face outwardly around a periphery of the supporting member.

2. A toy as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supporting member is generally disk-shaped and the suction cups are arranged around the circumference of the disk-shaped member.

3. A toy as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the supporting member comprises a rim about which the plurality of suction cups are arranged in equally spaced radial relationship.

4. A toy as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the supporting member comprises a plurality of spokes projecting outwardly and wherein each suction cup is supported at the end of a respective spoke.

5. A toy as claimed in claim 4 when appended to claim 3, wherein the spokes are connected to the rim.

6. A toy as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the suction cups are formed of flexible material which flexes upon impact with a surface and which is adapted to form a vacuum or suction attachment to the surface after impact.

7. A toy substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 or with reference to Figs. 4, 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.