STRESS RELIEF OBJECT

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/269,421, filed Mar. 16, 2022, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to stress relief, and more particularly to stress relief objects.

The current mental health toy market does not provide the user with a tangible opportunity to release anger or elevated feelings of frustration. Conventional stress relief toys are limited to relief provided by manual manipulation and squeezing of the object to allow a user to relieve stress.

These stress relief objects do not provide for relief of elevated levels of anger and frustration. The existing devices only provide a distraction from the feelings or problem. They do not “solve” or release tension by providing a satisfying outcome. The current mental health toy market does not provide a tangible outcome.

As can be seen, there is a need for an improved stress relief object.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the invention, a stress relief object is disclosed. The stress relief object includes a body formed from a plurality of joinable segments. Each of the plurality of joinable segments are formed of a squeezable resilient material. Each of the plurality of joinable segments has a first joining surface at the first side of the joinable segment and a second joining surface at a second side of the joinable segment. A joining element is configured to releasably retain the plurality of joinable segments as the body.

In some embodiments, one or more magnets are contained within each of the plurality of joinable segments. The one or more magnets are disposed in a first joinable segment oriented with an attractive polarity with the one or more magnets of an adjacent joinable segment.

In some embodiments, a receiver is defined in each of the first joining surface and the second joining surface. One of the magnets is disposed within each receiver.

In other embodiments, a protrusion is defined in a first pattern on the first joining surface. A recess is defined in the second joining surface, the recess defined in a cooperating pattern with the first pattern. The protrusion and the recess are configured for a releasable interlocking engagement of the plurality of joinable segments. The plurality of joinable segments may be joinable in a specific sequence. Alternatively, each of the plurality of joinable segments are joinable in an undefined sequence.

In other embodiments, each of the plurality of joinable segments is formed as a solid resilient body. Alternatively, each of the plurality of joinable segments are formed as a hollow body having an interior cavity.

In other aspects of the invention a stress relief object is disclosed. The stress relief object includes a body formed from a plurality of resilient joinable segments. Each of the plurality of joinable segments has a first joining surface at the first side of the joinable segment and a second joining surface at a second side of the joinable segment. One or more magnets are carried by each resilient joinable segment. The one or more magnets are disposed in a first joinable segment oriented with an attractive polarity with the one or more magnets of an adjacent joinable segment.

In some embodiments, a receiver is defined in each of the first joining surface and the second joining surface with a magnet disposed within each receiver.

In some embodiments, a protrusion is defined in a first pattern on the first joining surface and a recess defined in the second joining surface.

In some embodiments, the protrusion and the recess are configured for a releasable interlocking engagement of the plurality of joinable segments.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of joinable segments are joinable in a specific sequence with each of the plurality of joinable segments are joinable in an undefined sequence.

In some embodiment, each of the plurality of joinable segments are formed as a solid a squeezable resilient material. Alternatively, each of the plurality of joinable segments are formed with a hollow interior cavity.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a stress relief object.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a four-segment embodiment of the stress relief object.

FIG. 2A is a top plan view of a six-segment embodiment of the stress relief object.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the stress relief object.

FIG. 4 a side elevation view of a protrusion joining face of a segment of the stress relief object.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a segment of the stress relief object.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of a recess joining face of the segment of the stress relief object.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the stress relief object taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the segment of the stress relief taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 4

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention.

Broadly, embodiments of the present invention provide an improved stress relief object that provides for relief of increased levels of stress, frustration, and anger. The present invention helps people deal with levels anger, anxiety, and frustration The is invention is a functional coping mechanism and helps release tension in the user. It is pleasant to hold, easy to throw, breaks easily without damaging the wall or other structures, and is easy to put back together.

Currently, the only “mental health” toy in the market is a squeezable stress ball. The conventional stress relief ball does not provide the satisfaction of something breaking. To get the same effect, one will typically throw a household object, break it, which can damage surfaces and the object that is thrown.

The present invention allows the user to release his or her anger by breaking something without damaging surfaces or someone else. A stress relief object according to the present invention is shown in reference to the drawings of FIGS. 1 -8. The stress relief object 10 includes a body 10 formed from a plurality of joinable segments 12. As with other stress relief objects, each of the plurality of segments 12 are formed of a squeezable resilient material, such as a foam material. The plurality of segments 12 may be formed as a solid resilient material. Alternatively, the plurality of segments 12 may be formed as a hollow resilient structure having an interior cavity. The interior cavity of the plurality of segments 12 could also be filled with rice, beads, or another pleasing, malleable material. The segments 12 may are soft and pliable to prevent damage to the stress relief object 10 and the surfaces against which the object 10 may be thrown.

A magnet 20 may be embedded in each of the plurality of segments 12. The magnets 20 are oriented with a polarity such that the plurality of segments 12 may be connected and retained in an assembled condition via a magnetic attraction of the magnets to form the body 10. In the non-limiting embodiment shown, in the drawings, magnets 20 may be embedded in each of a first joining face and a second joining face of the segment 12. Where the number of the plurality of segments 12 increases and the thickness of segment 12 decreases, a single magnet 20 may be embedded in segment 12 and have sufficient attractive force to join with a magnet 20 of an adjacent segment 12.

As will be appreciated, the body 10 of the object can be formed in a variety of shapes. In the non-limiting embodiment shown, the shape is a spherical ball. The body 10 could alternatively be in the shape of a fruit, such as an orange. The body 10 can also be any suitable shape that may form a décor item, or the like.. An accoutrement, such as the leaf of an orange, may be attachable with the stress relief object 10, when assembled.

The magnets 20 embedded within a receiver 14 formed in each of the segments 12 provide enough force to retain the object 10 intact when not in use and are weak enough to allow the stress relief object 10 to break upon an impact. When the user is experiencing anger, frustration, anxiety, and/or tension, he or she will pick up the stress relief object 10, hold it in his/her hand, and throw it against a surface to provide immediate relief from those feelings.

After the segments 12 of the stress relief object 10 break apart, the user may pick up the segments 12 and assemble them into the object’s 10 original form. The segments 12 may also include numbers and an edge pattern as a guide to reassembly. As will be appreciated, the present invention may be used as a children’s toy or decorative object (rather than a mental health aid).

The body 10 may also be constructed of segments 12 using a unique locking pattern that will make reassembly easier, or a puzzle challenge. For instance, the segments may fit together like puzzle pieces to ensure properly assembly and function of the interior magnets 20. In this instance, the first joining surface of segment 12 may include a protrusion 16 extending from the first joining surface of the segment 12. Protrusion 16 is disposed in a first pattern on the first joining face of the first joining segment 12.

A second joining surface of segment 12 may include a recess 18 having a corresponding pattern to receive the protrusion 16 therein. Protrusion 16 and recess 18 are configured for a releasable interlocking engagement of segments 12 of the stress relief object 10. The protrusions 16 and the recess 18 of each of the segments 12 may have differing patterns such that the segments 12 may only be joined in a specific order or sequence. Likewise, each of the protrusions 16 and the recess 18 may have an identical pattern, such that the segments 12 may be joined in any order or sequence. As will be appreciated, each segment 12 of the stress relief object 10 may include both magnets 20 and the cooperative protrusion 16 and recess 18.

When utilizing only magnets 20, the body 10 may be formed with the magnets 20 in a spaced apart relation. Body 10 may then be sliced to form the individual segments 12. Alternatively, each segment 12 may be formed, such as in a mold, with our without magnets 20. The magnets 20 may then be bonded, such as with an adhesive or a thermal bond, within a receiver 14 in the respective first and second joining faces.

The body 10 could also use a pliable, plastic-like frame upon which the segments 12 can be mounted. In this scenario, magnets 20 could be avoided, but doing so would require extra steps and manufacturing. The segments 12 may also be soft and pliable to prevent damage to the stress relief object 10 and the surfaces against which the stress relief object 10 may be thrown.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth herein.