Items With Stretchable Members And/Or Magnetic Action

Abstract

A display device having a plurality of segments connected with one or more stretchable members is described. The device is may be configured with nesting segments and to have mechanically generated movement.

1 . An attachment device comprising:
 a first segment;   a second segment;   a stretchable member connected between the first and second segments to enable the connected segments to be stretched apart; and   attachment means for attaching the segments to a surface while the segments are stretched apart.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the first and second segments are configured to nest together when not stretched apart. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2  including a tab formed on the first segment and a recess formed in the second segment, the recess being sized for receiving the tab thereby to facilitate nesting of the first and second segments. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the stretchable member is resilient. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the first and second segments may be moved together so that the stretchable member returns to a normal position, and wherein the stretchable member is coiled in the normal position and stretched by uncoiling from the coiled position to an extended position when the segments are stretched apart. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the stretchable member includes on at least one end a loop for attaching the stretchable member to the first segment. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising capture means for capturing in the first segment an end of the stretchable member. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7  wherein the capture means includes a cavity formed in the first segment. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 7  wherein the cavity is sized to be substantially smaller than the captured end of the stretchable member, the cavity having a wall formed with protrusions. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the second segment includes an opening for receiving the first segment when the first and second segments are not stretched apart. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising motion means mounted to at least the first segment for enabling motion of the first segment along the surface to which it is attached. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the motion means comprises a rolling member mounted to the first segment. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 12  further comprising driving means for rotating the rolling member. 
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the attachment means includes a magnet mounted to at least the first segment. 
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the attachment means includes a resilient peg member sized to fit within a hole made in the surface. 
   
   
       16 . A method of making an attachment device comprising the steps of:
 connecting together with a stretchable member first and second segments in a manner such that the segments may be stretched apart;   mounting to each of the first and second segments a mechanism for attaching the segments to a surface while stretched apart; and   configuring the segments to nest together when the segments are not stretched apart.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  including the step of mounting a roller member to the first segment. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  including the step of mounting to the first segment a motor mechanism for rolling the roller member. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16  including the step of configuring the first and second segments so that one segment fits inside of the other when the segments are not stretched apart. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16  including the step of housing part of the stretchable member within a body member so that ends of the stretchable member extend from the body member at separate locations on the body member.