Reusable pinata with spring loaded latches

Abstract

A reusable piñata includes a release mechanism to cause the piñata to open when struck on a particular location or locations. The piñata may include two hinged housing members that are resiliently held together by the release mechanism. When the struck in a certain location, the release mechanisms may release a catch, causing the hinged housing members to spring open. The piñata may include a shock activated voice mechanism to add sound or voice to the piñata when struck. Typically, the release mechanism may include an arm or leg member of the piñata, for example.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A reusable piñata comprising:
 a case having a first half hingedly attached to a second half, the first and second halves adapted to connect together with a space enclosed therewithin; 
 at least one opening mechanism adapted to resiliently hold the first and second halves in an open configuration; 
 at least one latch adapted to hold the first half together with the second half; and 
 at least one release mechanism adapted to release the at least one latch, thereby permitting the case to open via the opening mechanism. 
 
     
     
         2 . The reusable piñata of  claim 1 , further comprising a loading hatch on a top portion of the piñata, the loading hatch resiliently openable to permit access to the space enclosed by the case. 
     
     
         3 . The reusable piñata of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one alignment bar on each of the first half and second half, the alignment bars adapted to align the first half with the second half when the case is closed. 
     
     
         4 . The reusable piñata of  claim 1 , wherein the case is shaped as a character. 
     
     
         5 . The reusable piñata of  claim 4 , wherein at least one arm or leg of the character is connected to the at least one release mechanism. 
     
     
         6 . The reusable piñata of  claim 1 , further comprising a shock activated voice mechanism adapted to play at least one pre-recorded message when a shock is detected. 
     
     
         7 . The reusable piñata of  claim 1 , wherein the release mechanism is at least one button disposed on an exterior of the piñata. 
     
     
         8 . The reusable piñata of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one strap for hanging the piñata. 
     
     
         9 . A reusable piñata comprising:
 a case having a first half hingedly attached to a second half, the first and second halves adapted to connect together with a space enclosed therewithin; 
 at least one opening mechanism adapted to resiliently hold the first and second halves in an open configuration; 
 at least one latch adapted to hold the first half together with the second half; 
 at least one release mechanism adapted to release the at least one latch, thereby permitting the case to open via the opening mechanism; 
 a loading hatch on a top portion of the piñata, the loading hatch resiliently openable to permit access to the space enclosed by the case; and 
 at least one alignment bar on each of the first half and second half, the alignment bars adapted to align the first half with the second half when the case is closed. 
 
     
     
         10 . The reusable piñata of  claim 9 , further comprising a shock activated voice mechanism adapted to play at least one pre-recorded message when a shock is detected.