US20040021268A1

US20040021268A1 - Swiss cheese and mouse

Info

Publication number: US20040021268A1
Application number: US10/208,451
Authority: US
Inventors: Joseph Fuller
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-07-30
Filing date: 2002-07-30
Publication date: 2004-02-05

Abstract

An amusement device for children comprising a Swiss cheese and a mouse. The Swiss cheese is in the form of a block such as a wedge with a plurality of surface-to-surface passages through which the mouse is passed for amusement. The mouse may be tethered to the Swiss cheese.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an amusement device in the form of a wedge of Swiss cheese and a mouse.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Amusement devices for children often serve several functions including amusement as well as development of a child's fine motor skills, perception, and game playing strategy. The present invention is directed to an amusement device in the form of a Swiss cheese and mouse to promote these functions in children aged one year and older.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a Swiss cheese and mouse comprise a block of Swiss cheese fabricated of suitable material including wood or plastic, shaped in the preferred form of a wedge, and having holes simulating those found in Swiss cheese extending between the several surfaces of the wedge. A mouse in the form of an elongate body preferably fabricated of the same material as the wedge is passed through the holes in the wedge for amusement and as an aid in child development.

In a preferred form of the invention, the mouse is tethered to the wedge by means of a string so that as the mouse is passed through the holes in the wedge the string wraps around the wedge until the end of the string is reached and the mouse is bound to the Swiss cheese wedge. To free the mouse, a child must pass the mouse through the holes in reverse order, an exercise promoting diligence, perception, logic, and motor skills in the child.

In a modified form of the invention, the tether is omitted with the invention comprising the wedge and mouse.

Additional advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the detailed description taken in conjunction the accompanying drawing.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide an amusement device comprising a simulated Swiss cheese block and mouse.

Another object of the invention is to provide an amusement device comprising a simulated Swiss cheese block and mouse to promote child development as well as amusement.

Another object of the invention is to provide an amusement device comprising a simulated Swiss cheese block and mouse tethered to each other as an aid in child development.

Other and further objects of the invention will become apparent with an understanding of the following detailed description of the invention or upon employment of the invention in practice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for detailed description to enable those having ordinary skill in the art to which the invention appertains to readily understand how to practice the invention and is shown in the accompanying drawing in which: [0011]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a Swiss cheese and tethered mouse in a preferred form of the invention. [0012]
FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the far side of the wedge of FIG. 1. [0013]
FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the near side of the wedge of FIG. 1. [0014]
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the wedge of FIG. 1. [0015]
FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the wedge of FIG. 1. [0016]
FIG. 6 is a rear view of the wedge of FIG. 1.[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a Swiss cheese and [0018] mouse 10 according to the invention comprises a block 12 made to simulate Swiss cheese in the preferred form of a wedge having an exterior surface 12 a defined by near 12 b and far 12 c sides, top 12 d and bottom 12 e, and a rear side 12 f. In preferred form, the near and far sides are rectangular, the top and bottom triangular, and the rear either square or rectangular. A plurality holes 14 simulating the holes found in Swiss cheese extend through the exterior surface of the block to define a plurality of surface openings 16. Holes 14 a, 14 b extend through the block passing through adjacent sides as well as through opposite sides of the block. Holes 14 c can originate in first and second sides of the block and come together to share a common opening 16 a in a third side of the block. The holes themselves can be any suitable shape and are preferable cylindrical with openings that are either circular or oval according to the angle of attack of the hole through the block surface 12 a. In preferred form the upright edges 12 g, h, i of the block are rounded. The block is fabricated from any suitable material including wood or plastic, may be colored as desired, and have surface ornamentation or designs to enhance its appearance.
The Swiss cheese and mouse further comprises a [0019] mouse 18 in the form of an elongate rod shaped to conform the shape of the wedge passages. The head end 18 a of the rod is tapered and marked with eyes 18 b, ears 18 c and whiskers 18 e giving the appearance of a mouse. The length of the mouse is chosen to be slightly longer than the longest hole through the Swiss cheese so as to be always accessible to a child's grasp.
In a preferred form of the invention, the mouse is tethered by a length of [0020] string 20 to the tip of the wedge.
In a modified form, the string tether is omitted. [0021]
In use, the tethered mouse is passed through the Swiss cheese holes in whatever order occurs to or pleases a child until the child decides to reverse order or to entirely bind the mouse to the Swiss cheese. [0022]
It will be appreciated that the Swiss cheese and mouse according to the invention provides a useful device for amusement and development of a child's skills. [0023]
Various changes may be made to the principles of the invention. The foregoing embodiments are set forth in an illustrative and not in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims appended hereto. [0024]

Claims

I claim:

1. An amusement device comprising a Swiss cheese and a mouse, the Swiss cheese being in the form of a block defined by exterior surfaces, a plurality of holes passing through the block from one surface to another surface of the block to define a plurality of surface openings, and a mouse being an elongate body for passing through the Swiss cheese holes from one surface of the block to another for amusing a child.

2. An amusement device comprising a Swiss cheese and a mouse, the Swiss cheese block defined by exterior surfaces to form a wedge, a plurality of holes passing through the block from one surface to another surface of the wedge to define a plurality of surface openings, and a mouse being an elongate body with head end decorated to give the appearance of a mouse for passing through the Swiss cheese holes from one surface of the block to another for amusing a child and to aid child development.

3. An amusement device comprising a Swiss cheese and a mouse, the Swiss cheese block defined by exterior surfaces to form a wedge having rectangular near and far sides, triangular top and bottom, a rectangular read side, a plurality of holes passing through the block from one surface to another surface of the wedge to define a plurality of surface openings, and a mouse being an elongate body with head end decorated to give the appearance of a mouse for passing through the Swiss cheese holes from one surface of the block to another for amusing a child and to aid child development.

4. An amusement device as defined in claim 1 in which the mouse is tethered to the Swiss cheese.

5. An amusement device as defined in claim 2 in which the mouse is tethered to the Swiss cheese.

6. An amusement device as defined in claim 3 in which the mouse is tethered to the Swiss cheese.

7. An amusement device as defined in claim 1 in which the mouse conforms to the interior shape of the holes.