Reusable Pinata with Variable Release

Abstract

A reusable piñata system having a hollow body with a first end and a second end. The second end contains at least one opening. Slots are disposed in the hollow body. A shaft extends into the hollow body. An obstruction is coupled to the shaft that is sized to obstruct the opening in the second end of the hollow body. The shaft is selectively positionable between a closed position and an open position. Platforms engage the shaft within the hollow body. The platforms are selectively rotatable in position about the shaft. Pull pins are disposed in the slots. The pull pins extend into the hollow body and at least some of the pull pins engage the platforms to hold the shaft in its closed position. When all the pull pins that engage the platforms are removed, gravity causes the shaft to fall to the open position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A reusable piñata system for holding and dispensing candy, comprising:
 a hollow body for retaining said candy, said hollow body having a first end and a second end, wherein said second end contains at least one opening that leads into said hollow body through which said candy can pass; 
 slots disposed in said hollow body, wherein said slot provide access into said hollow body; 
 a shaft having a closure at one end that is sized to obstruct said at least one opening in said second end of said hollow body, said shaft extending into said hollow body, 
 wherein said shaft is selectively positionable between a closed position, where said shaft positions said closure to obstruct said at least one opening at said second end of said hollow body, and an open position where said shaft positions said closure away from said at least one opening at said second end of said hollow body; 
 platforms supported in said hollow body by said shaft, each of said platforms has flanges that radially extend away from said shaft, wherein at least one open area exists between said flanges in each of said platforms through which said candy can pass inside said hollow body, and wherein each said central cylinder is selectively rotatable in position about said shaft; and 
 pull pins disposed in said slots of said hollow body, wherein said pull pins extend into said hollow body and at least some of said pull pins engage said platforms to hold said shaft in said closed position, wherein when all of said pull pins that engage said platforms are removed, gravity causes said shaft to fall to said open position, therein moving said closure away from said at least one opening at said second end of said hollow body. 
 
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said hollow body has a polygonal cross-section with side surfaces that are symmetrically disposed around said shaft. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein said slots are disposed in said side surfaces of said hollow body. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 3 ,
 wherein each of said flanges on said platforms extend to only some of said side surfaces.   
     
     
         5 . The system according to  4 , wherein said central cylinder of each of said platforms engage said shaft with a friction fit that enables said platforms to be selectively rotated about said shaft. 
     
     
         6 . A reusable piñata system, comprising:
 a hollow container having an opening; 
 a closure sized to block said opening, wherein said closure is positionable between an open position, where said opening is unblocked by said closure, and a closed position, where said opening is blocked by said closure, and wherein said closure is biased into said open position by gravity; 
 a shaft coupled to said closure, wherein said shaft extends into said container and moves with said closure as said closure moves between said open position and said closed position: 
 platforms supported by said shaft within said container, each of said platforms having flanges that radially extend away from shaft, therein providing open areas between said flanges on each of said platforms, wherein said platforms are selectively positionable on said shaft, therein enabling said open areas between said flanges to be positionably adjustable within said container; 
 slots formed in said hollow container, wherein said slots provide access to said platforms within said hollow container; 
 a plurality of removable elements extending into said hollow container through said slots, wherein at least one of said removable elements contacts one of said platforms within said hollow container and retains said shaft and said closure in said closed position until removed. 
 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein said hollow container is tubular and has a polygonal cross-section with side surfaces that are symmetrically disposed around said shaft. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein said slots are disposed in said side surfaces of said hollow container. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein said flanges on each of said platforms extend to only some of said side surfaces. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  6 , wherein said platforms engage said shaft with a friction fit that enables said platforms to be selectively rotated about said shaft. 
     
     
         11 . A reusable piñata system for dispensing candy, comprising:
 a tubular container having an open bottom end; 
 a shaft that extends into said tubular container through said open bottom end, said shaft having a closure attached thereto, wherein said closure sized to block said open bottom end, and wherein said shaft moves said closure between an open position, where said open bottom end is open, and a closed position, where said open bottom end is blocked by said closure, said shaft and said closure being biased into said open position by gravity; 
 candy filling at least part of said tubular container; 
 platforms supported by said shaft within said container, each of said platforms having flanges that radially extend away from said shaft, wherein open areas exist between said flanges on each of said platforms through which said candy can pass; 
 slots formed in said tubular container, wherein said slots provide access to said platforms within said hollow container; and 
 a plurality of removable elements extending into said hollow container through said slots, wherein at least one of said removable elements contacts one of said platforms within said hollow container and retains said shaft and said closure in said closed position until removed. 
 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein said tubular body has a polygonal cross-section with side surfaces that are symmetrically disposed around said shaft. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein said slots are disposed in said side surfaces of said tubular body. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein said flanges on each of said platforms extend toward only some of said side surfaces. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  4 , wherein said platforms engage said shaft with a friction fit that enables said flanges to be selectively rotated about said shaft.