GB2593426A

GB2593426A - A Toy

Info

Publication number: GB2593426A
Application number: GB1917261.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tarrant Chris
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-11-26
Filing date: 2019-11-26
Publication date: 2021-09-29
Anticipated expiration: 2039-11-26
Also published as: GB201917261D0; GB2593426B

Abstract

The wearable toy comprises a body 2 formed of two parts 4, 6 extending around a user’s limb and define a channel 20 for said limb. The two parts 4, 6 have an open configuration providing lateral access to the channel 20. There is a groove 26a around the circumference of the channel 20 and a moveable aid 28 slidingly engaged with the groove 26a. The two parts of the body 4, 6 may be hingeably connected. There may be two spaced apart grooves 26a. The moveable aid 28 may have a roller mechanism of a ball bearing. The moveable aid 28 may be locked in a position relative to the groove 26a. The body 2 may have an inner gripping body of foam. A counter may count revolutions of the moveable 28 aid and may be located on the moveable aid 28. Also provided is a kit of parts for forming the wearable toy.

Description

A TOY

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a toy configured to be wearable on a limb of a user to improve muscle tone and/or strength in the limb.

Background

Adults and children are spending increasing amounts of time on screens, for example laptops and mobile phones. Less time is being spent socialising and interacting with friends and family. Furthermore, excessive screen time can result in poor muscle tone.

Disadvantages of conventional training apparatuses for improving muscle tone include relatively monotonous training and the difficulty or impossibility of using them to train during another activity, for example during running.

There is therefore a need for a toy which can unite users in a fun and productive 20 manner whilst also improving muscle tone and strength.

Prior Art

GB201016408 discloses an exercise device comprising a rigid endless tubular ring having an internal bore, a handle element extending radially across a main aperture bounded by the ring, and a weighted freely movable element received in said ring for movement therearound. The handle element is attached to the tubular ring via first and second attachment portions which extend around the tubular ring for improved stability.

W02007140502 discloses a training apparatus, in particular for the muscle system of the hand, arm and upper body, wherein the apparatus has an elongate casing with at least an essentially circular internal cross section, in the interior of which at least one ball is situated in a freely movable manner between shock absorbers.

US20050096200 discloses a device for exercising a body part of a person, comprising a substantially annular member, means for gripping the member, the gripping means being arranged substantially in the centre of the annulus, a weight and means for guiding the weight along the member for generating a centrifugal force caused by rotation of the weight along the annular member.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a toy configured to be wearable on a limb of a user, the toy comprising: a body configured to extend around at least a portion of a limb of a user, in 15 which the body comprises an outer surface, and an opposed inner surface defining a channel to receive at least a portion of a limb of a user therein, in which the body comprises at least a first body portion having a first end and a second end, and a second body portion having a first end and a second end, in which the first and second body portions are moveable between: a first closed position in which each end of the first body portion is connected to a corresponding end of the second body portion, to provide a continuous body defining the channel configured to receive at least a portion of a limb; and a second open position in which at least one end of the first body portion is separated from an end of the second body portion to provide a discontinuous body 25 providing lateral access to the channel, in which the body provides at least one continuous groove extending about the entire circumference of the channel; and a moveable aid slidingly engaged within the at least one groove of the body. Preferably, at least one end of the first body portion is hingeably connected to an end 30 of the second body portion.

Preferably, the body comprises a pair of spaced apart continuous grooves extending parallel to each other.

The body preferably comprises a pair of side portions extending between the outer surface and inner surface thereof, and in which each side portion provides a continuous groove.

The moveable aid preferably comprises at least one roller mechanism configured to be received within and moveable along a corresponding groove of the body. The at least one roller mechanism preferably comprises ball bearings.

The moveable aid may be weighted. The weight of the moveable aid may be 10 adjusted. The toy may comprise a plurality of moveable aids.

The moveable aid may comprise one or more visual and/or audible members, such as for example LEDs and/or buzzers and/or speakers.

The toy may further comprise a first locking mechanism for securing the first and second body portions in the first closed position. In one embodiment, the first locking mechanism comprises complimentary male and female locking members.

The toy may further comprise a second locking mechanism for securing the 20 moveable aid in a fixed position relative to the at least one continuous groove.

The at least one continuous groove is preferably located at or adjacent the outer surface of the body.

The inner surface of the body preferably comprises a gripping material configured to be positioned at or adjacent the skin of a user. The gripping material may be composed of foam.

The toy may further comprise a counter display configured to provide a visual 30 indication of the number of complete revolutions of the moveable aid within the at least one groove about a limb of a user. The counter display may be located on the moveable aid.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit for a toy 35 configured to be wearable on a limb of a user as herein described, the kit comprising: a body configured to extend around at least a portion of a limb of a user, in which the body comprises an outer surface, and an opposed inner surface defining a channel to receive at least a portion of a limb of a user therein, in which the body comprises at least a first body portion having a first end and 5 a second end, and a second body portion having a first end and a second end, in which the first and second body portions are moveable between: a first closed position in which each end of the first body portion is connected to a corresponding end of the second body portion, to provide a continuous body defining the channel configured to receive at least a portion of a limb; and a second open position in which at least one end of the first body portion is separated from an end of the second body portion to provide a discontinuous body providing lateral access to the channel, in which the body provides at least one continuous groove extending about the entire circumference of the channel; and at least one moveable aid configured to be slidingly engaged within the at least one groove of the body.

The kit may comprise a plurality of moveable aids.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for producing a toy configured to be wearable on a limb of a user as herein described, the method comprising: obtaining at least a first body portion having a first end and a second end; obtaining at least a second body portion having a first end and a second end; connecting a least a first body portion to a second body portion to form a body configured to extend around at least a portion of a limb of a user, in which the body comprises an outer surface, and an opposed inner surface defining a channel to receive at least a portion of a limb of a user therein, in which the first and second body portions are moveable between: a first closed position in which each end of the first body portion is connected to a corresponding end of the second body portion, to provide a continuous body defining the channel configured to receive at least a portion of a limb; and a second open position in which at least one end of the first body portion is separated from an end of the second body portion to provide a discontinuous body 35 providing lateral access to the channel, and in which the body provides at least one continuous groove extending about the entire circumference of the channel; and obtaining a moveable aid and slidably engaging the aid within the at least one groove of the body.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a schematic illustration of a front view from above of....in the closed position according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a schematic illustration of a rear view from below of... .of Figure 1 in the closed position; Figure 3 shows a schematic illustration of a front view from above of....of Figure 1 in the open position; Figure 4 shows a schematic illustration of a rear view from below of... .of Figure 1 in the open position; and Figure 5 shows a schematic illustration of an exploded view of the....of Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the Figures, the toy 1 comprises a body 2 comprising a first body portion 4 and a second body portion 6. The first body portion 4 comprises a first end 8 and an opposed second end 10. The second body portion 6 comprises a first end 12 and an opposed second end 14. The first end of the first body portion 4 is hingeably connected to the first end 12 of the second body portion 6. The second end 10 of the first body portion 4 provides a first locking member 16 in the form of a male locking member configured to releasably engage a second locking member 18 in the form of a female locking member provided by the second end 14 of the second body portion 6.

The body 2 is moveable between a first closed position (as shown in Figures 1 and 2) in which each end 8, 10 of the first body portion 4 is connected to a corresponding 35 end 12, 14 of the second body portion 6 to provide a continuous body 2 defining a channel 20 configured to receive at least a portion of a limb; and a second open position (as shown in Figures 3 and 4) in which the second end 10 of the first body portion 4 is separated from the second end 14 of the second body portion 6 to provide a discontinuous body providing lateral access to the channel 20, The body is composed of is composed of plastic material, for example injection moulded plastic. It is however to be understood that the body, and in particular each of the body portions 4, 6, may be composed of any suitable material.

The body 2 defines an inner surface 22 and an opposed outer surface 24. The inner 10 surface 22 comprises a gripping material to secure the body 2 in position relative to a limb of a user.

The body 2 provides a channel 25. The walls of the channel 25 provide a pair of parallel, spaced apart continuous grooves 26a, 26b extending about the entire 15 circumference of the channel 20. The grooves 26a, 26b are located adjacent the outer surface 24 of the body 2.

The toy further comprises a moveable aid 28 slidingly engaged within each groove 26a, 26b of the body 2. The moveable aid 28 comprises a roller mechanism comprising ball bearings 30 configured to be received within and moveable along a corresponding groove 26a, 26b of the body 2. The moveable aid 28 comprises a counter display 34 configured to provide a visual indication of the number of rotations of the aid 28 around the grooves 26a, 26b and a reed switch 36.

The toy further comprises a second locking mechanism 32 for securing the moveable aid 28 in a fixed position relative to the at least one continuous groove 26a, 26b.

In use, the user positions the toy 1 on the limb, for example arm, and secures the body 2 in position by locking the body portions 4, 6 in position relative to each other 30 using the first and second locking members 16, 18. The limb is received within channel 20.

The user manoeuvres the limb in concentric movements to cause rotation of the moveable aid 28 about the channel 20 of the body 2. Such movement increases 35 muscle strength and tone in the limb of the user.

When not being used, the user may lock the moveable aid 28 in position relative to the body 20 using the second locking mechanism 32.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated 5 that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims, in particular but not solely combination of features of described embodiments.

Claims

Claims 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
A toy configured to be wearable on a limb of a user, the toy comprising: a body configured to extend around at least a portion of a limb of a user, in which the body comprises an outer surface, and an opposed inner surface defining a channel to receive at least a portion of a limb of a user therein, in which the body comprises at least a first body portion having a first end and a second end, and a second body portion having a first end and a second end, in which the first and second body portions are moveable between: a first closed position in which each end of the first body portion is connected to a corresponding end of the second body portion, to provide a continuous body defining the channel configured to receive at least a portion of a limb; and a second open position in which at least one end of the first body portion is separated from an end of the second body portion to provide a discontinuous body providing lateral access to the channel, in which the body provides at least one continuous groove extending about the entire circumference of the channel; and a moveable aid slidingly engaged within the at least one groove of the body.
A toy as claimed in claim 1, in which at least one end of the first body portion is hingeably connected to an end of the second body portion.
A toy as claimed in either of claims 1 and 2, in which the body comprises a pair of spaced apart continuous grooves extending parallel to each other. A toy as claimed in claim 3, in which the body comprises a pair of side portions extending between the outer surface and inner surface thereof, and in which each side portion provides a continuous groove.
A toy as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the moveable aid comprises at least one roller mechanism configured to be received within and moveable along a corresponding groove of the body.
A toy as claimed in claim 5, in which the at least one roller mechanism comprises ball bearings.
7. A toy as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a first locking mechanism for securing the first and second body portions in the first closed position.
8. A toy as claimed in clam 7, in which the first locking mechanism comprises complimentary male and female locking members.
9. A toy as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a second locking mechanism for securing the moveable aid in a fixed position relative to the at least one continuous groove.
10. A toy as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the at least one continuous groove is located at or adjacent the outer surface of the body.
11. A toy as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the inner surface comprises a gripping material configured to contact the limb of a user.
12. A toy as claimed in claim 11, in which the gripping material is composed of foam.
13. A toy as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a counter display configured to provide a visual indication of the number of complete revolutions of the moveable aid within the at least one groove about a limb of a user.
14. A toy as claimed in claim 11, in which the counter display is located on the moveable aid.
15. A kit for a toy configured to be wearable on a limb of a user, the kit comprising: a body configured to extend around at least a portion of a limb of a user, in which the body comprises an outer surface, and an opposed inner surface defining a channel to receive at least a portion of a limb of a user therein, in which the body comprises at least a first body portion having a first end and a second end, and a second body portion having a first end and a second end, in which the first and second body portions are moveable between: a first closed position in which each end of the first body portion is connected to a corresponding end of the second body portion, to provide a continuous body defining the channel configured to receive at least a portion of a limb; and a second open position in which at least one end of the first body portion is separated from an end of the second body portion to provide a discontinuous body providing lateral access to the channel, in which the body provides at least one continuous groove extending about the entire circumference of the channel; and at least one moveable aid configured to be slidingly engaged within the at least one groove of the body.
16. A method for producing a toy configured to be wearable on a limb of a user as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, the method comprising: obtaining at least a first body portion having a first end and a second end; obtaining at least a second body portion having a first end and a second end; connecting a least a first body portion to a second body portion to form a body configured to extend around at least a portion of a limb of a user, in which the body comprises an outer surface, and an opposed inner surface defining a channel to receive at least a portion of a limb of a user therein, in which the first and second body portions are moveable between: a first closed position in which each end of the first body portion is connected to a corresponding end of the second body portion, to provide a continuous body defining the channel configured to receive at least a portion of a limb; and a second open position in which at least one end of the first body portion is separated from an end of the second body portion to provide a discontinuous body providing lateral access to the channel, and in which the body provides at least one continuous groove extending about the entire circumference of the channel; and obtaining a moveable aid and slidably engaging the aid within the at least one groove of the body.