Spirometer Toy

Abstract

The invention provides a toy that functions to propel a projectile through a tube at someone or something by exerting sufficient air pressure from the user's lungs through the tube. This action has the effect of challenging and building the user's respiratory system, including the respiratory musculature and lung capacity, through the repeated use of the toy.

1 . An apparatus comprising a tube having a mouthpiece on one end and at least one closable aperture along the length of the tube.  
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tube is a circular tube.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tube has a length between about 4 inches and about 36 inches.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tube has a diameter between about 5 mm and about 20 mm.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tube is composed of a material selected from the group consisting of wood, plastic, polymer, laminate, resin, metal, polycarbonate and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture is between about 10 mm and about 25 mm in diameter.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a closure for the aperture selected from the group consisting of a sleeve, a door and an aperture tube.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the closure is an aperture tube slidably engaged with, and disposed within the tube.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the closure is a sleeve tube slidably engaged with, and disposed around the tube.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the closure is a door that slides over the aperture in the tube.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the closure is an aperture tube and the aperture tube comprises one or more projections selected from the group consisting of a handle, a sight, a catch, a holder of additional projectiles, a means of measuring and/or recording air pressure exerted through the mouthpiece and a means of adjusting resistance to the propulsion of a projectile from the tube.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mouthpiece comprises a crimped end of the tube.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mouthpiece comprises a material that is removably-engaged from the tube.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tube comprises one or more projections selected from the group consisting of a handle, a sight, a catch, a holder of additional projectiles, a means of measuring and/or recording air pressure exerted through the mouthpiece and a means of adjusting resistance to the propulsion of a projectile from the tube.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mouthpiece comprises one or more projections selected from the group consisting of a handle, a sight, a catch, a holder of additional projectiles, a means of measuring and/or recording the air pressure exerted by the user in exhaling through the mouthpiece and a means of adjusting the resistance to the propulsion of a projectile from the tube.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture and the tube are configured to accept arid to propel a projectile selected from the group consisting of a marshmallow, a mini-marshmallow, a pea, a wad of paper, a wad of gum, a ball arid a piece of foam.  
   
   
       17 . A kit comprising the apparatus of  claim 1  and at least one projectile selected from the group consisting of a marshmallow, a mini-marshmallow, a pea, a wad of paper, a wad of gum, a ball and a piece of foam.  
   
   
       18 . A method of enhancing the respiratory system in a user comprising inserting a projectile through the aperture and into the tube of the apparatus of  claim 1 , placing the lips of the user on the mouthpiece of the apparatus, and exhaling through the mouthpiece with sufficient force to expel the projectile from the tube.