Apparatus for cat's cradle game
OwnerMichelle Neuburgerinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A self-play cat's cradle toy temporarily holds a string loop configuration while a user frees her hands in order to retrieve the string loop and advance it through successive string loop configurations. The toy comprises a base, first and second arms, digits supported by each of the arms, an actuator operative to move at least one arm closer to the other, and a surface provided on at least a portion of some of the digits which is configured to resist release of the string loop when the string loop is brought into a taut condition. A method for self-play cat's cradle is also provided.
Claims21
A self-play cat's cradle toy that permits a single user as a first player to manipulate a string loop, comprising:
- a base;
- a first arm supported in a first position relative to the base;
- a second arm moveably supported relative to the base;
- a set of digits supported by each of the first and second arms;
- a resiliently-biased, manual actuator positioned along the base and physically coupled to the second arm to effect movement of the second arm toward the first position in response to pressure on the actuator, the manual actuator resiliently returning to a rest position in response to the restoring force of the bias;
- and
- a surface of at least a portion of the digits in the set of digits being configured to resist release of the string loop as the second arm is moved away from the first position in order to bring the string loop into a taut condition,
- wherein the first and second arms are surrogates for a second player;
- and
- wherein the base, arms, actuator and surface cooperate as a device to permit the single user to self-play cat's cradle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.