Inflatable or spring loaded thumb and/or finger(s)

Abstract

A novelty inflatable and/or spring loaded thumb and/or finger or fingers would be constructed in one of two (2) ways: 1) with an internally concealed air bladder or pouch, and elongated spring throughout the length of the thumb and/or finger(s), or 2) with just an internally concealed elongated spring. In both versions the air bladder/pouch and/or the spring would be molded within a soft, stretchable, rubber-like material comprising the thumb and/or finger(s). In the inflatable version, the thumb and/or finger(s) would be connected to a battery-operated mini air compressor that would fill the internal bladder to a limited pressure thereby extending the thumb and/or finger(s) to their maximum length and width. In the spring only version, the thumb and/or finger(s) would have a release button that would lock the compressed spring in place until the user presses it, thereby releasing the spring and projecting the thumb and/or finger(s) to their maximum height. In the inflatable version, the internal spring would be implemented to retract the thumb and/or finger(s) back to its/their original shape & length. In the spring released design, the spring would be directly opposite to the inflatable version, in that it would be in a compressed state so that it would project the thumb and/or finger(s) outward, to its/their maximum height, when released by the user. The thumb and/or finger(s) could be constructed in a variety of options such as the “thumbs up” version, the “flip the finger” version, the “number one” version, the “peace sign” version, and the “Texas Longhorns” version, among others.

1 . A novelty device in the form of an interactive, expandable thumb and/or finger or fingers comprising:
 a member of soft, malleable, rubber-like material constructed and painted in the form of an extendable thumb, finger or fingers and adapted to fit over a user's thumb, finger, or fingers respectively;   means for extending the length of the member; and   an activation button operable by a user to activate the means for extending to lengthen the member when fit over the user's thumb, finger or fingers.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the means for extending is selected from the group consisting of an air compressor for inflating the member to extend the length of the member and a spring, which can be compressed to a compressed state and upon expansion, extends the member. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the means for extending includes an air compressor and means for conveying pressurized air from the air compressor into the member to extend the length thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , further comprising a release valve to release pressurized air from within the member and a retracting spring, which assists the member to restore its original form upon release of the pressurized air. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the air compressor is battery-operated and has a size which fits into the user's hand for concealment from an observer. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the member includes an internal air bladder and a retracting spring, pressurized air from the compressor inflating the bladder and extending the length of the member. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the air bladder is formed between two similar components of the member, which are air-sealed together. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the means for extending includes a spring, which can be compressed to a compressed state and which upon expansion extends the member. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the extended spring can be reset manually to the compressed state by a user and wherein the device includes a locking member for retaining the spring in the compressed state prior to another expansion. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is formed with an appearance selected from the group consisting of a natural human appearance and an unnatural inhuman appearance.