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.
-------------------------------------------------------------
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.
Comments