Entertainment device operable to retain and release at least one object inserted therein

Abstract

An entertainment device, such as a toy, is provided with one or more internal cavities, at least a portion of which are accessible though at least one corresponding external opening, where at least one of the cavities is sized and configured to receive, through at least one external opening, at least a portion of an elongated object of a particular size and shape profile, and to releasably retain such a portion of an object inserted therein, until the user successfully performs a predetermined release activity to remove the inserted object portion therefrom. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the inventive device may be a hand-held toy representative of a character (e.g., an animal, creature, etc.) having a mouth opening, corresponding to at least one external opening, sized and configured to receive, and releasably retain in an internal cavity, a finger is inserted therein until a predetermined amount of pulling force is applied to the finger, and/or to pushing force to the opposite end of the toy—sufficient to remove the finger therefrom. In its other exemplary embodiments, the entertainment device may comprise one or more components for triggering one or more events (audio, visual, mechanical, etc.) prior to, and/or during insertion of at least one object therein, and/or after removal of the object therefrom. In other alternate embodiments of the inventive device, at least one of insertion, removal, and/or manipulation of an inserted object in the device comprises at least one element in a broader entertainment activity, such as a game.

1 . An entertainment apparatus operable for use with at least one elongated object controlled by a user, comprising:
 a main body of a pre-defined size, shape and appearance;   at least one opening in said body sized and shaped to receive the at least one elongated object   inserted therethrough;   at least one cavity defined in said main body, communicating with said at least one opening; and   at least one releasable retaining component, disposed within said at least one cavity, having at least one open portion for receiving at least one elongated object therethrough, said at least one open portion being sized and positioned to correspond to said at least one opening, wherein, when the at least one object is inserted through said at least one opening and through said at least one open portion into said at least one releasable retaining component, such that the object is at least partially disposed therewithin, said at least one releasable retaining component is operable to retain and release at least a portion of the inserted object therewithin, until a predetermined release activity, comprising interaction with at least one of the object and the entertainment apparatus, is performed, such that said at least one releasable retaining component is thereafter operable to release said at least a portion of the inserted object therefrom and thereby enable removal of the object from the entertainment apparatus.   
   
   
       2 . The entertainment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said main body comprises a hand-held toy depicting a creature, and wherein said at least one opening comprises a mouth opening defined on said creature. 
   
   
       3 . The entertainment apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the object comprises a human digit, wherein said at least one releasable retaining component is sized and configured to receive and retain therein, and release, at least a portion of the human digit, and wherein said predefined release activity comprises application of a sufficient amount of pulling force to at least one of said main body and the at least partially inserted human digit, in conjunction with a sufficiently forceful pushing force to the opposite end of the object. 
   
   
       4 . The entertainment apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said hand-held toy main body is composed of a resilient material. 
   
   
       5 . The entertainment apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said resilient material further comprises a textured outer coating. 
   
   
       6 . The entertainment apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said textured outer coating comprises a plush cover. 
   
   
       7 . An entertainment apparatus operable for use with at least one elongated object controlled by a user, comprising:
 a main body of resilient material having at least one opening;   at least one releasable retaining component, securely disposed within said body sized and in communication with said opening, said retaining component shaped to receive an elongated object;   
     wherein, when the at least one object is inserted through said opening into said at least one releasable retaining component, such that the object is at least partially disposed therewithin, said at least one releasable retaining component is operable to retain and release at least a portion of the inserted object therewithin, until a predetermined release activity, comprising interaction with at least one of the object and the entertainment apparatus, is performed, such that said at least one releasable retaining component is thereafter operable to release said at least a portion of the inserted object therefrom and thereby enable removal of the object from the entertainment apparatus. 
   
   
       8 . The entertainment apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said main body comprises a depiction of an animal, and wherein said at least one opening comprises an opening defined on said animal. 
   
   
       9 . The entertainment apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the object comprises a human appendage, wherein said at least one releasable retaining component is sized and configured to receive and retain therein, and to release, at least a portion of the human appendage, and wherein said predefined release activity comprises application of a sufficient amount of force to said main body and the at least partially inserted human appendage, in conjunction with a sufficiently forceful pushing force to the opposite end of object. 
   
   
       10 . The entertainment apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said main body further comprises a textured outer coating depicting a body orifice of said animal. 
   
   
       11 . An amusement toy comprising:
 an animal body having a head comprising an elastically deformable resilient material providing at least a partial facial image;   an elastically deformable toy mouth forming a part of said facial image, said mouth comprising an aperture provided in said head which is at least partially surrounded by said elastically deformable material of said head, said mouth sized and shaped to receive at least one elongated object inserted therethrough;   at least one cavity defined in said animal body, communicating with said mouth; and   at least one releasable retaining component, disposed within said at least one cavity, having at least one open portion for receiving said object therethrough, said at least one open portion being sized and positioned to correspond to said mouth, wherein, when the at least one object is inserted through said mouth and through said at least one open portion into said at least one releasable retaining component, such that the object is at least partially disposed therewithin, whereby said mouth is deformed, thereby altering said facial image, said at least one releasable retaining component is operable to retain and release at least a portion of the inserted object therewithin, until a predetermined release activity, comprising interaction with at least one of the object and the amusement toy, is performed, such that said at least one releasable retaining component is thereafter operable to release said at least a portion of the inserted object therefrom and thereby enable removal of the object from the entertainment apparatus and whereby said mouth returns to substantially an undeformed dimension by a removal of said object.