Pop Fidget Toy

Abstract

A device capable of providing tactile and audible stimulation comprised of multiple shells of flexible material embedded into the surface of a housing body where the internal volume under each shell is connected via internal passages within the housing body to corresponding volumes under neighboring shells. This device is configured in such a fashion that when one or more shells are transitioned from a convex state to a concave state an equal number of shells previously in concave state are restored to convex state. This produces the tactile sensation that the user is popping a bubble along with a corresponding popping sound. The user can repeatedly depress shells in a way that does not change the total number of convex shells in the device and therefore it may be operated indefinitely without reconfiguration or reorientation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device comprising:
 a housing body;   a plurality of flexible shells embedded into surface of said housing body; and   a plurality of passages within said housing body connecting internal volumes under said flexible shells;   wherein each of said flexible shells are configured either in a concave state or in a convex state, and   wherein transition of one or more of said flexible shells in convex state to concave state results in transition of corresponding number of said flexible shells previously in concave state to convex state.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein number of said flexible shells initially in convex state is configurable. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said flexible shells are generally hemispherical. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein each of said flexible shells also comprise a flexible annular integration flange that integrate said flexible shells to surface of said housing body. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said flexible shells are oriented such that axes through which said flexible shells transition between concave and convex states are parallel or extend radially from a central region of said device. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said flexible shells are arranged in a row, a grid, a ring or concentric rings. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein a cavity in said housing body under each of said flexible shells permits unobstructed transition of said flexible shells to concave state. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7  wherein profiles of said cavities generally align with contour of corresponding flexible shells when in concave state. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 7  wherein outer profile of said housing body is defined by a union of projected profiles of said cavities wherein said projected profiles are projected in a direction away from and generally tangent to corresponding profiles of said cavities. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said housing body is integrated with another product. 
     
     
         11 . A method for constructing a device comprising a housing body, a plurality of flexible shells embedded into surface of said housing body and a plurality of passages within said housing body connecting internal volumes under said flexible shells, the method comprising:
 constructing a plurality of cells each comprising a cell housing body, a flexible shell embedded into surface of said cell housing body and a cell cavity in said cell housing body under said flexible shell that permits unobstructed transition of said flexible shell to concave state;   integrating said cells by joining said cell housing bodies to construct said housing body;   connecting internal volumes of said cells with passageways between said cell cavities to construct said passages.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein integrating said cells comprises deep integration of cell housing bodies wherein profile of cell cavity for any given cell is aligned to be coincident with outer profile of cell housing body of neighboring cells. 
     
     
         13 . A method for making a device comprising a housing body, a plurality of flexible shells embedded into surface of said housing body and a plurality of passages within said housing body connecting internal volumes under said flexible shells, the method comprising:
 decomposing into a plurality of parts;   forming said parts;   assembling and joining said parts.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein decomposing into a plurality of parts comprises a planar dissection of said housing body. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein decomposing into a plurality of parts comprises a dissection of said housing body wherein said dissection also dissects said passages. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein decomposing into a plurality of parts comprises a dissection of said housing body resulting in all said flexible shells being contained in one of said parts. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising integrating mating joint components to said parts wherein corresponding mating joint components engage during joining of said parts. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein integrating mating joint components to said parts comprises integrating male press fit joint components onto parts containing flexible shells and integrating mating female press fit joint components into corresponding parts. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein integrating mating joint components to said parts comprises an annular joint encircling all flexible shells and annular joints encircling any holes through parts between said shells. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13  wherein forming of said parts comprises injection molding of said parts.