Tossing game system with hand puppets and ball

Abstract

A tossing game system includes hand puppets and a ball whose outer surface is covered in loop type material. A tennis or similar type ball is covered with loop type material. Once tossed, the ball is caught in the mouth of a hand puppet, which is worn on the player's arm and makes a sound effect when the ball is caught. The hand puppet preferably takes the form of an animal, cartoon character, or similarly popular figure and produces a corresponding sound effect. The mouth of the hand puppet contains a contact patch of hook type material. The ball is then thrown with the player's uncovered hand, and caught in the mouth of a similar hand puppet worn by another player. The hook and loop type closures on the surface of the ball and hand puppet will enable small children to easily catch the ball.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A hand puppet catch game comprising:
 (a) at least one hand puppet;   (b) a ball;   (c) said at least one hand puppet having a mouth;   (d) a contact patch;   (e) said contact patch being located inside said mouth;   (f) said ball and said contact patch being configured so as to releasably engage to one another upon contact;   (g) a pressure switch;   (h) a voice box;   (i) said voice box and said pressure switch being in electronic communication;   (j) said voice box being configured so as to play back a sound effect in response to the activation of said pressure switch;   (k) said pressure switch being integral to said at least one hand puppet and located behind said contact patch;   (l) said pressure switch being configured so as to be activated by said ball impacting said contact patch.   
     
     
         2 . The hand puppet catch game of  claim 1  wherein said at least one hand puppet is shaped and decorated so as to resemble a recognizable figure, and wherein said sound effect corresponds to said recognizable figure. 
     
     
         3 . The hand puppet catch game of  claim 2  wherein said recognizable figure is a licensed representation of any of the group of: cartoon characters, live action characters, athletes, politicians, NASCAR drivers, World Wrestling Entertainment performers, politicians, musicians, film actors, television actors, or popular cultural figures. 
     
     
         4 . The hand puppet catch game of  claim 1  wherein the exterior of said ball is at least partially covered by loop type material, and wherein the exterior of said contact patch is covered by hook type material. 
     
     
         5 . The hand puppet catch game of  claim 2  wherein the exterior of said ball is at least partially covered by loop type material, and wherein the exterior of said contact patch is covered by hook type material. 
     
     
         6 . The hand puppet catch game of  claim 3  wherein the exterior of said ball is at least partially covered by loop type material, and wherein the exterior of said contact patch is covered by hook type material. 
     
     
         7 . The hand puppet catch game of  claim 1  wherein two of said at least one hand puppet are provided. 
     
     
         8 . The hand puppet catch game of  claim 2  wherein two of said at least one hand puppet are provided. 
     
     
         9 . The hand puppet catch game of  claim 3  wherein two of said at least one hand puppet are provided. 
     
     
         10 . The hand puppet catch game of  claim 4  wherein two of said at least one hand puppet are provided. 
     
     
         11 . The hand puppet catch game of  claim 5  wherein two of said at least one hand puppet are provided. 
     
     
         12 . The hand puppet catch game of  claim 6  wherein two of said at least one hand puppet are provided.