Ribbon performance device or toy

Abstract

A streamer toy or a performance device, including a handle attached to a cord whose length can be varied and which can be extended or retracted. A weight, such as a ball, may be connected to the cord. The cord may have one or more ribbons or streamers attached to it. A user can perform various movements with the toy or performance device which cause the ribbons or streamers to make various configurations in the air, such as serpents, spiral, throws and catches, boomerangs, and flips. The invention may also include whistles, bells, and/or lights to further enhance the performance.

1 . A performance device, comprising:
 a first manually graspable handle attached to a cord;   reeling means for retracting or extending the cord;   at least one weight attached to the cord; and   at least one ribbon assembly attached to the cord or to the weight.   
   
   
       2 . The performance device of  claim 1 , wherein the means for retracting or extending the cord is located within the first manually graspable handle. 
   
   
       3 . The performance device of  claim 2 , wherein the means for retracting or extending the cord comprises:
 an anchor; and   spring means for retracting the cord when the spring force acting on the cord in a radially inward direction exceeds any centrifugal force acting on the cord in a radially outward direction and generated by the at least one weight and ribbon assembly.   
   
   
       4 . The performance device of  claim 2 , wherein the spring means is coupled to a second manually graspable rotatable winding handle. 
   
   
       5 . The performance device of  claim 4 , wherein the second manually graspable rotatable handle is foldable against the first manually graspable handle. 
   
   
       6 . The performance device of  claim 5 , wherein the second manually graspable handle is at least partially retractable within the first handle. 
   
   
       7 . The performance device of  claim 1 , wherein the cord comprises nylon. 
   
   
       8 . The performance device of  claim 1 , wherein the cord comprises rubber. 
   
   
       9 . The performance device of  claim 1 , wherein the cord includes at least one light attached to it. 
   
   
       10 . The performance device of  claim 1 , wherein the ribbon assembly comprises:
 at least one streamer; or   at least one ribbon.   
   
   
       11 . The performance device of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one ribbon has at least one light attached thereon. 
   
   
       12 . The performance device of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one streamer or ribbon glows in the dark. 
   
   
       13 . A performance device, comprising:
 a first manually graspable handle attached to a cord;   at least one weight attached to the cord; and   at least one ribbon or streamer attached to the cord.   
   
   
       14 . The performance device of  claim 13 , wherein the handle includes reeling means for retracting or extending the cord. 
   
   
       15 . The performance device of  claim 13 , wherein the weight comprises a ball. 
   
   
       16 . A method for providing a performance device, comprising the steps of:
 providing a manually graspable handle attached to a cord, the handle carrying means for retracting or extending the cord;   attaching a free end of the cord to a weight; and   attaching at least one ribbon or streamer to the cord or to the weight.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the weight comprises a ball. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the cord or ribbon or streamer has at least one light attached thereto. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising means for stopping the extension of the cord. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the stopping means comprises a button or lever which, when depressed, exerts a clamping force on the cord.