Looking for a particular product, a quick pop-out sign (think magic trick)

Factual Questions
1

Hi everyone,

I’m trying to come up with something for my halloween costume, but I want to find the best option possible.

Basically, I want to be able to take this image http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080826215447/aceattorney/images/7/75/Objection.gif, blow it up and print it out large (or just paint it or something), on a sign that will “pop out” like an umbrella or a magic trick, and then could be restored back to its contracted state.

Some ideas I have had so far:

Get a big oriental-style fan, and paint the image onto that (or just carefully fold up the sign in a way like a fan would be folded if that’s possible). I could fan it out quickly, keep it up my sleeve when it’s hidden, etc.

Get a pocket sized umbrella and paint it on the top of it, using the umbrella mechanism to pop it out quickly and then retract and hide it.

Maybe there is some sort of magic wand trick or something where a sign pops out of a concealed item, and can easily be restored.

Use one of those sun-shade things for cars that pop out quickly when bent/shaken in a particular way.
I’m just trying to find the optimal way to create that sign and be able to keep it concealed and then easily expandable (as instantaneously as possible), and then retractable down to its concealed state.

The more it looks like a cartoon bubble, and less something else (like an oriental fan or an umbrella, which is why those options aren’t optimal), the better.

All ideas are appreciated! Thanks :slight_smile:

2

By what factor do you want to to expand/shrink? And is it OK if it’s slower to re-fold than it is to open? A factor of three is easily doable: You start with a hoop of thin metal ribbon, that can bend but can’t twist easily, and fit a piece of cloth over it with the hoop sealed in a seam. Then, you can twist the hoop (with the disk of cloth attached to it) until it’s tripled over on itself. It’ll stay like that as long as it isn’t disturbed, but pop right out as soon as you give it a bit of a shake. You can sometimes find frisbees made this way, with some logo on them, that fold small enough to fit into a pocket.

3

Thanks Chronos.

I was thinking basically the size of an umbrella would be about right, both concealed and expanded. (A smaller umbrella, not a huge giant one)

It is definitely ok if it is slower to fold back down than to open. Hopefully not too complicated though. But yes something that pops open with a shake, button press, or something, like that metal hoop would work I think. I am having trouble figuring out how I could build one. A frisbie would be much too small I think though.