At a glance
| Patent number | CN106139617B (application CN201610761608) |
| Type | China invention patent (发明专利) - protects product method and structure |
| Original title | A multifunctional hollow type toy ball convenient for assembling (一种便于组装的多功能镂空式玩具球) |
| Patent owner | Jiangsu Jiangonghu Agricultural Technology Development Co ltd |
| Inventors | Wang Leqiang |
| Filing date | 2016-08-30 |
| Grant date | 2018-09-11 |
| Status (China) | Withdrawn - the owner abandoned the patent right (effective 2025-11-14) |
| Patent family | Chinese filings only - no US, European, Japanese, PCT or other filings listed |
| Cited by | 0 later documents |
| Source | Google Patents (search for CN106139617B) |
What the claims cover, in plain language
Claim 1 defines a multifunctional hollow toy ball comprising an upper spherical cap, a lower spherical cap, a connecting ring, and a fixed connecting block. The caps are joined by the ring. The structure uses cross bars and vertical rods connected to the central fixed block. Key features include a wire lifting block on the upper cap for a hanging cord, and a small bell suspended inside. The fixed connecting block is split into an upper cover body and lower cover body joined by a bayonet lock. This block contains a control room housing a power supply, a music player controller, and a miniature music playing device. A microspeaker is located on the upper part of this block. The block has connecting holes with buckles for attaching the rods.
Claim 2 specifies that the wire lifting block includes a portable line (cord). Claim 3 states that LED lights are uniformly distributed on the vertical rods. Claim 4 details the electrical connection: the power supply device output connects to the music player controller input via conducting wires. Claim 5 details the second electrical connection: the music player controller output connects to the miniature music playing device input via conducting wires.
This is a simplified reading for orientation only. The legal scope is defined by the exact claim wording in the official Chinese document.
What this means for US production
This patent was filed only in China and has been withdrawn (abandoned by the owner effective November 2025). Therefore, it no longer restricts anyone in China or elsewhere regarding the specific technical solution described. It has no US or other foreign counterpart.
Two points to settle early:
- Other patents may exist. Children’s toys with integrated electronics are a highly competitive field. Many similar concepts (hanging balls, musical spheres, snap-together toys) may be covered by other active US patents held by major toy companies or niche manufacturers. A freedom-to-operate (FTO) review is strongly recommended before mass production to ensure no infringement of other IP rights.
- Safety Standards Compliance. Regardless of patent status, any toy sold in the US must strictly adhere to federal safety regulations. The design involves small parts, batteries, and electronics, which trigger specific testing protocols.
Customization and manufacturing
What can be customized
| Area | Options |
|---|---|
| Material | ABS, PP, or PC plastics for the shell and rods; silicone for grips if needed. |
| Size | Diameter set in design; tooling sized to the chosen dimension. |
| Electronics | Replaceable music chips (pre-recorded songs vs. custom recordings); battery type (AAA, coin cell, or rechargeable Li-ion). |
| Lighting | Color of LEDs (single color, RGB cycling); placement density on rods. |
| Sound Source | Type of bell (metal clapper vs. plastic chime); speaker wattage for volume control. |
| Assembly Method | Adjust bayonet lock tightness; modify buckle design for easier disassembly if required. |
Things to plan for (US market)
- ASTM F963-17 - Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety. Covers mechanical/physical hazards (small parts, sharp edges) and flammability.
- CPSC 16 CFR 1501 - Small Parts Regulation. Ensures the toy does not pose a choking hazard for children under 3 years old. If intended for younger kids, size restrictions apply.
- UL 4200A - Standard for Batteries Used in Children’s Electronic Products. Critical if the toy uses button/coin cell batteries; requires child-resistant access mechanisms.
- FCC Part 15 - If the toy includes wireless features (e.g., Bluetooth connectivity, though not specified in this patent), it must comply with radio frequency emission limits. For wired/simple electronics, basic EMC compliance may still be tested.
- California Prop 65 - Screening for lead, cadmium, and phthalates in plastics and solder materials.
How a project runs
- Inquiry - Define target age group, desired features (music types, light patterns), and quantity.
- Design & Engineering - CAD modeling of the bayonet and buckle joints; selection of electronic components; DFM (Design for Manufacturing) analysis to prevent molding defects.
- Prototype - 3D printed models for fit checks; functional prototypes with actual electronics for user testing.
- Tooling & Pilot - Injection molds created for plastic parts; initial batch produced for safety testing and quality control verification.
- Mass Production - Assembly of the bayonet and buckle components; integration of electronics; final packaging and labeling.
Quantities & timeline
Injection molds for the spherical caps and central block are the primary tooling investment. Electronic components (PCBs, speakers, LEDs) require sourcing lead times, and safety certification is scheduled with an accredited lab. Send us your target age group, feature list, estimated quantity, and budget constraints and we will reply with options.
Patent drawings
Drawings reproduced from the public patent document for reference.
