Mesh Toy with Coupled Loops for Grasping and Accessory Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional balls and toys with smooth surfaces are difficult to grasp for small children and infants and lack the ability to securely attach accessories, which limits their play value and usability.

Innovation Solution

A toy apparatus featuring a mesh of loop structures with curved inside perimeter surfaces that can couple together, allowing for easy grasping and incorporating rattles and a manducable protrusion, which can be attached to a container or other accessories, providing visual, acoustic, and tactile interest.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a smooth surface is used for the toy, then the toy is simple to manufacture, but it is difficult for small children to grasp

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidease of grasping

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The toy is divided into multiple discrete loop structures that are coupled together to form the mesh surface. This segmentation creates numerous graspable points distributed across the surface, allowing children to easily hold and manipulate the toy while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular construction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mesh structure introduces localized textural variations and three-dimensional loop features at specific points on the surface, while the overall toy maintains a simple form. These local quality enhancements provide multiple graspable points without complicating the overall manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If a smooth surface is used for the toy, then the surface is simple to manufacture, but accessories cannot be securely attached

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidability to attach accessories

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The segmented loop structures serve as discrete attachment points for accessories. Each loop can independently hold or secure an accessory, providing multiple distribution points across the surface while maintaining the simplicity of manufacturing individual loop components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The loop structures serve multiple functions: they create the mesh surface texture for grasping, provide attachment points for accessories, and maintain structural integrity. This multi-functionality enables accessory attachment without adding separate attachment mechanisms, preserving manufacturing simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9956457B2Mesh toy apparatus

Publication Date: 2018.05.01 GOT I

AI summary

An apparatus is provided, which includes a plurality of elongated strands having joinder regions uniting adjacent strands at a distance along a length of an outer perimeter of the elongated strands, the elongate strands being configured to couple together for a distance along their lengths. The elongated strands form a surface of a mesh when the joinder regions are coupled. The apparatus may further include a manducable protrusion coupled to the mesh and extending a distance away from an exterior surface of the mesh.