Patent No. 4909501 Anamorphic amusement device

 

Patent No. 4909501  Anamorphic amusement device (Hoffman, Mar 20, 1990)

Abstract

An anamorphic amusement device suitable for distribution and use as disposable service in fast food establishments and as disposable party goods for private comsumption. The device consists of a frustoconical reflective element having means for securing the same about the frustoconical surface of a drinking cup, and a planar placemat having a distorted image printed on an upper surface. The placemat includes a printed index area for locating the cup so as to enable viewing the image in corrected form on the reflective element.

Notes:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of amusement devices,and more particularly to an anamorphic type particularly adapted for use in conjunction with the serving of food in fast food establishments and the like and privately on celebratory occasions.

The difficulty in entertaining children of relatively tender years at a table for any substantial period of time while waiting to be served, and even after service is well-recognized. The probelm essentially stems from the lack of means for occupying their attention during such period, as as a result, there is usually a desire to leave the table during a mean and wander about the establishment in search of excitement. When one adult is supervising several such children, the task can become quite burdensome. Many parents of such children attempt to bring with them some small manipulative toy, but often the use of the toy increases the chance of spills and mishaps. Even where this is not the case, the attention span of young children is quite limited, so that having a single toy at the table is not always sufficient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly stated, the invention contemplates the provision of a single disposable and inexpensive toy which may be distributed at the moment of bringing an item of food to the table, and which may be readily assembled by an adult and more importantly, will remain stationary and in full view on the table during the course of eating the entire meal so as to be capable of continuous observation by the user. To this end, the disclosed device comprises a first reflective element formed of reflectively coated paper or synthetic resin as a material having means for maintaining the same in frustoconical configuration, so as to be engageable upon the outer surface of a correspondingly shaped drinking cup. The first element cooperates with a second element in the form of a placement having an upper surface which carries an anamorphic representation of a readily recognized image, and index means for locating the drinking cup thereon at precise location whereby the anamorphic representation may be viewed in undistorted condition. Since both elements are very inexpensive to manufacture, they may be discarded after a single use.
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It may thus be seen that I have invented novel and highly useful improvements in anamorphic amusement devices, in which the cost of manufacture may be such as to permit discarding the device after a single use. Should the child desire to take the device home, it may be disassembled after use, and given to him for that purpose. There is also the added educational benefit of a subliminal introduction to optical physics for the child.

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention to be limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.