BUOYANCY-PROPELLED UNDERWATER TOY

Abstract

A buoyancy-propelled, submergible, toy projectile is provided. The toy projectile includes a toy body and a suction cup that is connected to the toy body and provides a means by which the toy projectile can be adhered to an submerged surface of a fluid reservoir. The toy body provides a buoyancy to the toy projectile such that when the toy projectile is submerged in fluid, the buoyancy of the toy will drive it rapidly towards the surface of the fluid.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally projectile toys for use in water environments. In particular, the disclosure relates to a buoyancy-propelled, submergible, projectile toy.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Aerodynamic toys such as frisbees, balls, boomerangs and gliders have been well known and widely produced for decades. These aerodynamic toys are generally formed such that the toy can be launched into the air, where the structure and other physical properties of the toy permit it to travel within the air for an extended period of time, or over an extended distance, after launch. While these toys are well suited for use in the air, they are not well applied when used underwater. In a similar field to these aerodynamic toys, there are a variety of known hydrodynamic toys that can be launched while underwater to travel a substantial distance underwater, or to mimic a swimming action. These known hydrodynamic toys employ different combinations of size, shape, and weight to achieve a hydrodynamic property of the toy.

Many existing hydrodynamic toys employ some form of elongate, smoothly-contoured body that reduces the drag and instability of the toy when moving through water. These toys may also include plurality of stabilizing fins to further stabilize the toy during its movement.

While it is known to provide both aerodynamic and underwater projectile toys to enables a wide range of recreation activities, additional games and other types of activates would be possible with an underwater-to-airborne projectile toy, especially where the projectile toy is adapted for use within a pool.

It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to provide a submergible, buoyancy-propelled, projectile toy.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to an aspect, there is provided a submergible toy projectile for use in a fluid reservoir, the toy projectile comprising a toy body that has a density such that a total weight of the toy projectile is less than a buoyant force of the toy projectile when submerged in the fluid reservoir, and a suction cup connected to the toy body and formed such that when the toy projectile is submerged in the fluid reservoir and brought into contact with a surface of the fluid reservoir, the suction cup will elastically deform from an expanded form to a collapsed form where a greater amount of the suction cup is in contact with the surface to thereby apply a retaining force to the surface of the fluid reservoir that is greater than the buoyant force of the toy projectile, the suction cup including at least one leakage channel that is sized to permit a fluid from the fluid reservoir to seep therethrough, the at least one leakage channel being formed on the suction cup such that as the fluid seeps through the at least one leakage channel, a fluid pressure within a space defined between the suction cup and the surface of the fluid reservoir progressively equalizes with a pressure of fluid in the fluid reservoir surrounding the suction cup, and an elastic force of the suction cup progressively expands the form of the suction cup from the collapsed form to the expanded formuntil the retaining force applied by the suction cup is less than a sum of the elastic force and the buoyant force of the toy projectile.

According to another aspect, there is provided a submergible toy projectile for use in a fluid reservoir, the toy projectile comprising a toy body having a density such that a total weight of the toy projectile is less than a buoyant force of the toy projectile when submerged in the fluid reservoir, and a suction cup connected to the toy body and shaped such that when the toy projectile is submerged in the fluid reservoir and brought into contact with a surface of the fluid reservoir, the suction cup will elastically deform from an expanded form to a collapsed form where a greater amount of the suction cup is in contact with the surface to thereby adhere the suction cup to the surface, the suction cup including at least one leakage channel sized to permit a fluid in the fluid reservoir to seep therethrough such that a fluid pressure within a space defined between the suction cup and the surface of the fluid reservoir progressively changes such that the pressure within the space is equalized with a pressure of the fluid in the fluid reservoir surrounding the suction cup and the form of the suction cup progressively changes from the collapsed form to the expanded form so as to at least partially separate the suction cup from the surface of the fluid reservoir.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached Figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a side-view of an embodiment of the toy projectile having a torpedo-like form;

FIG. 2 shows an isometric, exploded-view of the embodiment of the toy projectile provided in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A shows a side, section-view of the tail section and suction cup of the toy projectile provided in FIG. 2, where the suction cup is in the collapsed position and is adhered to a surface of the fluid reservoir;

FIG. 3B shows a side, section-view of the tail section and suction cup of the toy projectile provided in FIG. 2, where the suction cup is moving from the collapsed position towards the expanded position;

FIG. 3C shows a side, section-view of the tail section and suction cup of the toy projectile provided in FIG. 2, where the suction cup is in the expanded position and is adhered to a surface of the fluid reservoir;

FIG. 3D shows a side, section-view of the tail section and suction cup of the toy projectile provided in FIG. 2, where the suction cup is in the expanded position and is partially separated from a surface of the fluid reservoir;

FIG. 4 shows a side, section-view of the toy projectile provided in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5A shows a diagram of a user submerging the toy projectile provided in FIG. 1 in a pool;

FIG. 5B shows a diagram of a user adhering the toy projectile provided in FIG. 1 to a bottom surface of a pool;

FIG. 5C shows a diagram of the toy projectile provided in FIG. 1 adhered to a bottom surface of a pool;

FIG. 5D shows a diagram of the toy projectile provided in FIG. 1 separating from a bottom surface of a pool;

FIG. 5E shows a diagram of the toy projectile provided in FIG. 1 launching above the surface of a pool;

FIG. 6A shows a diagram of a user holding the toy projectile provided in FIG. 1 underwater in a pool; and

FIG. 6B shows a diagram of the toy projectile provided in FIG. 1 rising while underwater in a pool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the Figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiment or embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described herein. It should be understood at the outset that, although exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the figures and described below, the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or not. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the exemplary implementations and techniques illustrated in the drawings and described below.

Various terms used throughout the present description may be read and understood as follows, unless the context indicates otherwise: “or” as used throughout is inclusive, as though written “and/or”; singular articles and pronouns as used throughout include their plural forms, and vice versa; similarly, gendered pronouns include their counterpart pronouns so that pronouns should not be understood as limiting anything described herein to use, implementation, performance, etc. by a single gender; “exemplary” should be understood as “illustrative” or “exemplifying” and not necessarily as “preferred” over other embodiments. Further definitions for terms may be set out herein; these may apply to prior and subsequent instances of those terms, as will be understood from a reading of the present description. It will also be noted that the use of the term “a” or “an” will be understood to denote “at least one” in all instances unless explicitly stated otherwise or unless it would be understood to be obvious that it must mean “one”.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systems, apparatuses, and methods described herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, the components of the systems and apparatuses may be integrated or separated. Moreover, the operations of the systems and apparatuses disclosed herein may be performed by more, fewer, or other components and the methods described may include more, fewer, or other steps. Additionally, steps may be performed in any suitable order. As used in this document, “each” refers to each member of a set or each member of a subset of a set.

The embodiments of the inventions described herein are exemplary (e.g., in terms of materials, shapes, dimensions, and constructional details) and do not limit by the claims appended hereto and any amendments made thereto. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that there are yet more alternative implementations and modifications possible, and that the following examples are only illustrations of one or more implementations. The scope of the invention, therefore, is only to be limited by the claims appended hereto and any amendments made thereto.

Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the submergible toy projectile 110 is shown, and is for use in a fluid reservoir 111 shown in FIG. 5A. The fluid reservoir 111 may be any suitable type of fluid reservoir, such as, for example, a pool and is filled with a fluid (e.g. water), shown at 114 (FIG. 5A). The toy projectile 110, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, comprises a toy body 116 having a density such that a total weight of the toy projectile 110 is less than a buoyant force of the toy projectile 110 when submerged in the fluid reservoir 111. Put another way, the toy body 116 has a density that is sufficiently less than a density of the fluid 114 in the fluid reservoir 111, that a buoyant force of the toy projectile 110 is greater than a total weight of the toy projectile 110. Put yet another way, the toy body 116 has a density that is sufficiently less than a density of the fluid 114 in the fluid reservoir 111 that a total weight of the toy projectile 110 is less than a buoyant force of the toy projectile 110. Since water is the fluid 114 used in many fluid reservoirs (e.g. pools), the density of the toy body 116 may be less than the density of water.

The toy projectile 110 also comprises a suction cup 130 that is connected to the toy body 116 and that is shaped to adhere to a surface 112 of the fluid reservoir 111 when the toy projectile 110 is submerged in the fluid reservoir 111 and brought into contact with said surface 112 of the fluid reservoir 111. The suction cup 130 is formed such that when the toy projectile 110 is submerged in the fluid reservoir 111 and brought into contact with a surface 112 of the fluid reservoir 111 the suction cup 130 defines a space 134 thereunder (as shown in FIG. 3A). The suction cup 130 can be elastically deformed from an expanded form (see FIG. 3C) to a collapsed form (See FIGS. 3A and 3B) to push fluid out from the space. A restoring force in the suction cup 130, and also the buoyant force applied on the toy projectile 110 urges the suction cup 130 towards the expanded form, which, in turn, drives the suction cup 130 to expand the volume of the space, leading to a reduction in the pressure of fluid 135 inside the space 134. As a result, the pressure of the fluid 114 outside the suction cup 130 is greater than the pressure of the fluid 135 in the space 134. Accordingly, a force applied by the fluid 114 outside the suction cup 130, urging the suction cup 130 into engagement with the surface 112 of the fluid reservoir 111 (which may be referred to as a retaining force) is greater than a force applied by the fluid 135 in the space 134 urging the suction cup 130 away from the surface 112.

The suction cup 130 includes at least one leakage channel 133 that is sized to permit the fluid 114 from the fluid reservoir 111 to seep into the space 134 due to the difference in pressure in the space 134 and in the fluid reservoir 111 outside the suction cup 130. As the fluid 114 from the fluid reservoir 114 seeps through the at least one leakage channel 133, the fluid pressure within the space 134 progressively increases, and progressively equalizes with (becomes equal to) the fluid pressure of the fluid 114 in the fluid reservoir 111 surrounding the suction cup 130. As the pressure in the space 134 progressively equalizes with the pressure of the fluid 114 surrounding the suction cup 130, the restoring force of the suction cup 130 progressively expands the suction cup 130 to urge the suction cup 130 from the collapsed form in FIG. 3A to the expanded form shown in FIG. 3C), until the retaining force applied on the suction cup 130 is less than a sum of the elastic force of the suction cup 130 and the buoyant force of the toy projectile 110.

In an embodiment such as shown in FIG. 1, the toy projectile 110, including the toy body 116 and the suction cup 130, is constructed such that a collective form of the toy projectile 110 has a suitably hydrodynamic shapes that will produce low amounts of drag and turbulence as the toy projectile 110 is driven to move through the fluid 114.

In an embodiment, the toy projectile 110 is sized such that a length of the toy projectile 110 is at least 200 mm. In an additional embodiment, the toy projectile 110 is sized such that a ratio of the length of the toy projectile 110 to a width of the toy projectile 110 at its widest point is at least 2:1. Alternatively, other lengths, widths, and/or length-to-width ratios may be used.

In an embodiment, the toy projectile 110 is constructed as a buoyant toy projectile 110. The toy body 116 and suction cup 130 are formed such that the toy projectile 110 is more buoyant than the fluid of the fluid reservoir 111, but not so buoyant so as to not be easily submergible by a user within the fluid reservoir 111. Said another way, the toy projectile 110 is buoyant to a suitable degree such that if the toy projectile 110 is submerged by a user and left within the fluid of the fluid reservoir 111, the toy projectile 110 will be driven by its associated buoyant force to rise rapidly within the fluid 114 towards the fluid surface (shown at 132).

In an embodiment, a specific gravity of the entire toy projectile 110 is in a range from 0.5 to 0.95. In an alternative embodiment, the specific gravity of the toy projectile 110 is at least 0.7 and is no greater than 0.95.

In an embodiment, the toy projectile 110 is formed such that a center of buoyancy of the toy projectile 110 is defined at a position that is longitudinally forward (with respect to a nose section of the toy projectile) of a center of pressure of the toy projectile 110. By forming the toy projectile 110 with its center of buoyancy in front of its center of pressure, a distance of submerged travel (in the fluid reservoir 111) by the toy projectile 110 before surfacing can be increased.

In an embodiment such as shown in FIG. 4, the toy body 116 of the toy projectile 110 includes at least one gas-filled chamber 416 that is formed therewithin. The at least one gas-filled chamber 416 is sized to reduce an average density of the toy projectile 110 such that the total weight of the toy projectile 110 is less than the buoyant force of the toy projectile 110 when submerged in the fluid reservoir 111.

The sub-components of the toy projectile 110 provided above will now be described in greater detail, with reference to the drawings.

The toy body 116 includes a main body section 216, a tail section 218 mounted to a first end of the main body section 216, and a nose section 212 mounted to an opposing, second end of the main body section 216.

In the specific embodiments provided in FIGS. 1 to 6B, the toy projectile 110 has a hydrodynamic shape where the toy body 116 and suction cup 130 have a collective, torpedo-like form shape such that a maximum diameter of the main body section is greater than a maximum diameter of each of the tail section and the nose section, and such that the diameter of the main body section 216 tapers towards both the nose section 212 and tail section 218. In some embodiments, the shape of the toy projectile 110 is substantially symmetric about a longitudinal axis of the toy projectile 110.

In an embodiment, the nose section 212 has a form that is arcuately tapered, with a parabolic cross-sectional profile so as to increase the hydrodynamicity of the toy projectile 110.

Referring to FIG. 2, an embodiment of the toy projectile 110 is provided, where the various components of the toy projectile 110 can be disassembled and then reassembled. In such embodiments, the toy projectile 110 is a segmented toy projectile 110. Referring to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the segmented toy projectile 110 includes a toy body 116 that is segmental, where the toy body 116 includes the main body section 216, the tail section 218, and the nose section 212 which are all separably joined to one another.

In an additional embodiment, the nose section 212 is formed such that it provides additional buoyancy to the toy body 116. For example, the nose section 212 can include at least one hollow or air-filled cavity. Alternatively, the nose section 212 can be at least partially formed of a material that is lighter than (i.e. less dense than) the material of the main body section 216, and therefore more buoyant than the material of the main body section 216.

In an embodiment, the nose section 212 is at least partially composed of a suitable foam or foam-like material such as a polyethylene foam.

In an embodiment, the nose section 212 of the toy projectile 110 includes an at least-partially rigid leading edge. In the embodiments provided in FIG. 1, this at least partially rigid leading edge can be formed as part of the tip of the tapered form of the nose section 212.

In the embodiment provided in FIG. 2, the nose section 212 is a modular nose section that includes a nose section shell 212b and a nose section collar 212a. The nose section shell 212b includes an outer surface that defines the tapering, outer surface of the nose section 212. The nose section collar 212a is connected in an inner surface of the nose section shell 212b. The nose section collar 212a includes a connecting aperture 212c that is sized to be connected around a first connecting projection 214 of a first side of the main body section 216.

In an alternative embodiment, the nose section 212 is provided as a substantially continuous, solid body having the above described tapering, hydrodynamic profile.

As presented above, embodiments of the toy body 116 include the main body section 216. The main body section 216 may be structured to support the other components of the toy body 116. Additionally, the main body section 216 may have a density that contributes to the buoyancy to the toy projectile 110.

In an embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the toy body 116 may include a gas-filled chamber 416. Optionally, the main body section 216 of the toy body 116 defines the at least one gas-filled chamber 416. In this embodiment, the at least one gas-filled chamber 416 is sized to reduce an average density of the toy projectile 110. Thus, a weight of the main body section 216 may be less than a buoyant force of the main body section 216 when the main body section 216 is at least partially submerged in the fluid reservoir 111.

As shown in FIG. 4, the main body section 216 is generally formed such that an outer-surface of the main body section 216 has a smoothly contoured form for smooth travel through the fluid 114 of the fluid reservoir 111. The main body section 216 is also formed to be substantially symmetric about a longitudinal axis of the toy projectile 110.

In the embodiments provided in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the main body section 216 is formed such that the shape of the main body section 216 is substantially that of a bulging cylinder, with a circular cross-section of increasing and then tapering diameter along the length of the cylinder.

While the cross-section of the main body section 216 is provided as circular in FIGS. 1 to 6B, it will be readily understood that the cross-section of the main body section 216 may also be triangular, rectilinear, polygonal, oval, elliptical, or any other suitable shape.

In an embodiment, at least a part of the main body section 216 is sized and shaped to allow a user to easily grasp the toy projectile 110 while the toy projectile 110 is being used.

Referring again to the specific embodiment of FIG. 2, the main body section 216 includes a pair of connecting structures (including first and second connecting projections) through which the tail section 218 and nose section 212 of the toy body 116 may be mounted to the main body section 216. The first connecting projection 214 is provided on, and extends upwards from, the first end of the main body section 216. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the first connecting projection 214 is a disc-shaped projection that is sized to be removably received in the connecting aperture 212c of the nose section collar 212b of the nose section 212.

Towards the second end of the main body section 216, the main body section 216 includes a tapering section 216a where the diameter of the main body section 216 changes at a greater rate than the rest main body section 216. An end of the tapering section 216a defines the second end of the main body section 216. In an embodiment, the tail section 218 of the toy body 116 is connected to a second end of the main body section 216. The second connecting projection 216b is mounted on and extends outward from the second end of the main body section 216. In the specific embodiment provided in FIG. 2, the second connecting projection 216b includes a cylindrical neck 213 and a connection flange 215 for releasably connecting the tail section 218 to the main body section 216.

The tail section 218 has a generally hydrodynamic shape. In the embodiment provided in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tail body includes a narrowing shell section 118 and a neck section 119. As shown in FIG. 1, the tail section 218 includes a tail body 220 and at least one stabilizing structure 120 that is connected to the tail body 220 for stabilizing the motion of the toy projectile 110 as it moves through the fluid of the fluid reservoir 111. The at least one stabilizing structure 120 is formed to apply a moment about the longitudinal axis of toy projectile 110 so as to maintain an orientation of the toy projectile 110 within the fluid reservoir 111. The at least one stabilizing structure 120 is connected to and extends radially outward from the tail body 220.

In the embodiments provided in FIGS. 1 to 6B the at least one stabilizing structure 120 includes at least one fin. The at least one fin is mounted to and extends from the tail body, where the drag produced along the at least one fin imparts a moment to the toy projectile 110 during submerged travel.

In an additional embodiment, the at least one stabilizing structure 120 is a plurality of stabilizing structures 120 that project radially outward from and are evenly distributed around the toy body 220, each of the plurality of stabilizing structures 120 being formed to apply a moment about a long axis of toy body 220 so as to maintain an orientation of the submergible toy projectile 110 within the fluid reservoir 111.

In the specific embodiments provided in FIGS. 1 to 6B, the plurality of stabilizing structures 120 are a plurality of radially projecting fins. The plurality of radially projecting fins are evenly distributed around the circumference of the tail body 220. Each fin of the plurality of fins is disposed along the length of the tail body 220 and projects radially outward from the tail body 220 with a tapering profile.

In an embodiment, each of the plurality of stabilizing structures 120 are removably mountable as part of the tail section. In an exemplary embodiment, a pin and socket arrangement is provided for removably mounting each of the plurality of stabilizing structures 120 to the tail body 220, where each of the stabilizing structures 120 includes a plurality of mating pins, and the tail body 220 includes a set of receiving sockets corresponding to the pins of each of the plurality of stabilizing structures 120.

Referring again to the specific embodiment of FIG. 2, the tail section 218 is provided as a modular tail section 218. In this embodiment, the tail body 220 includes the narrowing shell section 118 and the cylindrical neck section 119. The tail body 220 includes an opening extending from a top surface of the tail body 220, along a length of the tail body 220. This opening is sized such that a connecting body 217 can be inserted and secured within the opening of the tail body 220. In the embodiments provided in FIGS. 2, 3A, 3B and 4, the connecting body 217 is sized such that when the connecting body 217 is inserted into the opening, the connecting body 217 sits along a length of the opening that extends along the cylindrical neck 119 of the tail body 220.

In the same embodiment, the connecting body 217 includes a through-channel 217a. The through-channel 217a is sized to receive at least part of the second connecting projection 216b of the main body section 216 so as to releasably connect the main body section 216 and the tail section 218. In the specific embodiment provided in FIG. 4, the connecting body 217 includes a through-channel 217a with a securing lip 217b extending within the through-channel 217a. The cylindrical neck 213, connecting flange 215 and securing lip 217b are correspondingly sized such that when the second connecting projection 216b is received in the through channel 217a, the connecting flange 215 is latched on to by the securing lip 217b, and the connecting flange 215 is secured in place by the securing lip 217b.

In the embodiment provided in FIGS. 2 to 4, the narrowing shell section 118 of the tail body 220 is shaped such that when the tail section 218 is connected to the main body section 216, the narrowing shell section 118 will fit securely around the tapering section 216a of the main body section 216.

In the embodiment provided in FIG. 2, the toy projectile 110 is formed such that the suction cup 130 is releasably connectable to the tail section 218 of the toy body 116.

In an embodiment, the toy projectile 110 is formed to include at least two sections of differing buoyancy. In an embodiment, the at least two different buoyancy sections include a first buoyancy section and a second buoyancy section. The first buoyancy section can be a positively buoyant first portion and the section buoyancy section can be a less or negatively buoyant second portion. The positively buoyant first portion and less or negatively buoyant second portion will be relatively formed such that an overall buoyancy of the toy projectile 110 is still positive, thus causing the toy to float towards a surface when it is submerged in a fluid.

In an additional embodiment, the first and second buoyancy sections of the toy projectile 110 have buoyancies that differ and the first and second buoyancy sections are positioned relative to one another so as to urge the submergible toy projectile 110 towards an upright orientation when submerged within the fluid reservoir 111, the upright orientation of the submergible toy projectile 110 being an orientation where the nose section 212 of the submergible toy projectile is pointed substantially upwards within the fluid reservoir 111.

For example, the first buoyancy section of the toy projectile 110 will be disposed longitudinally closer to the nose section 212 of the toy body 116 compared to the second buoyancy section. The placement of first buoyancy section forward of the second buoyancy section will drive the toy projectile 110 to self-orient to a generally vertical position in which nose section 212 is above tail section 218. In this way, when the suction cup 130 of the toy projectile 110 is adhered to an inner surface 112 of the fluid reservoir 111, the toy projectile 110 will float to a relatively upright position.

In an embodiment, the first buoyancy section is formed in the main body section 216, generally proximal to the nose section 212 of the toy body 116, and the second buoyancy section is formed in the main body section 216, generally proximal to the tail section 218 of the toy body 116.

It will be appreciated that the first and second buoyancy sections may be positioned as necessary to achieve the desired upright orientation of toy projectile 110 when it is submerged in a fluid.

In an alternative embodiment, the first buoyancy section is defined by the nose section 212 and the main body section 216 of the toy projectile 110, and the second buoyancy section is defined by the tail section 218 and suction cup 130 of the toy projectile 110.

In an alternative embodiment, the first and second buoyancy sections are defined by two halves of the toy projectile 110. In this embodiment, the main body section 216 defines a first buoyancy section including the hollow inner cavity and a second portion that contains no cavities or similar openings. The nose section 212 and the portion of the main body section 216 including the hollow inner cavity define the first buoyancy section. The second buoyancy section is defined by the second portion of the main body section 216, the tail section 218 and the suction cup 130.

As provided above, the toy projectile 110 includes a suction cup 130 that is connected to the toy body 116 and that is shaped to temporarily adhere to at least one submerged surface 112 of the fluid reservoir 111.

Referring to the embodiments provided in FIGS. 1 and 4, the suction cup 130 includes a connecting portion 219 for connecting the suction cup 130 to the toy body 116, and a suction flange 230 extending radially outwards from the connecting portion 219, where the at least one leakage channel 133 is formed in the suction flange 230.

The suction flange 230 is composed of an elastic, flexible material and is shaped to include at least one surface for applying a securing or adhering force to a surface, such as a surface 112 of the fluid reservoir 111 described herein.

In an embodiment, the at least one surface for applying the securing or adhering force includes an annular width of a curved surface of the suction flange 230. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, an annular width (w) of the suction flange 230 will be in contact with the surface 112 of the fluid reservoir 111 when the cup is adhered to the surface.

The at least one leakage channel 133 formed in the suction flange 230 is sized to permit the fluid 114 in the fluid reservoir 111 to seep through the suction cup 130. As described above, and as shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D, as the fluid 114 seeps through the at least one leakage channel 133, a fluid pressure within the space 134 defined between the suction cup 130 and the surface 112 of the fluid reservoir 111 progressively equalizes with a pressure of the fluid 114 in the fluid reservoir 111 surrounding the suction cup 130, and an elastic force of the suction cup 130 progressively expands the suction cup 130 from the collapsed form to the expanded form until the retaining force applied to the suction cup 130 is less than a sum of the restoring force of the suction cup 130 and the buoyant force of the toy projectile 110. As the pressure equalizes and the suction cup 130 is driven towards its expanded form, the overall net force on the suction cup 130 (i.e. which includes the retaining force applied by the fluid 114, minus the force of the fluid 135 in the space 134, and minus the buoyant force of the toy projectile 110), will reduce until a magnitude of the buoyant force of the toy projectile 110 and the force of the fluid 135 in the space 134 overcomes the retaining force, and the suction cup 130 becomes completely separated from the surface 112 of the fluid reservoir 111. Said another way, the at least one leakage channel 133 is sized such that when the suction cup 130 is adhered to a surface 112 of the fluid reservoir 111, the fluid 114 in the reservoir will gradually seep through the leakage channel 133 and progressively equalize the pressure in the space defined between the suction cup 130 and the surface 112 of the fluid reservoir 111 with the pressure in the fluid surrounding the suction cup 130 within the fluid reservoir 111.

Referring to the specific embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 4, the suction cup 130 is formed to include the connecting portion 219 in the form of a suction cup neck. The suction cup neck may be a generally cylindrical neck.

In an embodiment, the suction flange 230 has a curved form that defines an inner surface 230a, an outer surface 230b, and an annular sealing surface 230c (FIG. 4). In the specific embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the suction flange 230 is a dome-shaped flange (when in the expanded form) that extends outwards and downwards from the connecting portion 219.

In an embodiment, at least the suction flange 230 of the suction cup 130 is formed of a suitable flexible, elastic material as described above. In an embodiment, the material of at least the suction flange 230 of the suction cup 130 is a low-durometer polyurethane. In alternative embodiments, at least the suction flange 230 of the suction cup 130 is composed of materials such as silicone rubber, natural rubber or synthetic rubber.

In an embodiment where the fluid 114 in the fluid reservoir 111 is water and the fluid reservoir 111 is a pool, the surface 112 of the fluid reservoir 111 may be formed on a vinyl liner, for example. The material and shape of the suction cup 130 is selected such that the suction flange 230 of the suction cup 130 will adhere to the surface 112 of the fluid reservoir 111, even if the surface 112 is formed on a vinyl liner.

In an additional embodiment, the material and shape of the suction cup 130 is selected such that when the suction flange 230 is adhered to a surface 112 of a fluid reservoir 111 and fluid 114 in the reservoir begins to seep through the at least one leakage channel 133 of the suction cup 130, the suction cup 130 will remain adhered to the surface 112 of the fluid reservoir 111 for at least 5 seconds. In an alternative embodiment, the suction cup 130 will remain adhered to the surface 112 of the fluid reservoir 111 for at least 10 seconds.

Various structures and forms of the at least one leakage channel 133 may be provided on the suction cup 130 as described herein.

In the specific embodiment provided in FIGS. 1 and 4, the at least one leakage channel 133 is a plurality of weeping through-holes. In this embodiment, the dome-shaped suction flange 230 of the suction cup 130 includes the plurality of through-holes 136 which are disposed about the suction flange 230. Each of the plurality of through-holes 136 extends between the outer surface 230b and the inner surface 230a of the suction flange 230. The through-holes 133 will function as leakage channels such that when the suction flange 230 of the suction cup 130 is adhered to a submerged surface 112 of the fluid reservoir 111, a pocket of fluid 135 will be present within the space 134 defined between the suction cup 130 (specifically, the inner surface 230a of the suction flange 230) and the surface 112 of the fluid reservoir 111. Due to at least one of a restoring force in the suction cup 130 and the buoyance force applied on the suction cup by the body 116 of the toy projectile 110, the pressure of the fluid 114 in the pocket of fluid will be lower than that of the surrounding water in the fluid reservoir 111. Fluid (e.g. water) from the fluid reservoir 111 will seep through the plurality of through-holes 136. If there is any gas (e.g. water vapour) present as part of the fluid 135 in the space 134, such gas will be released from the space 134 as fluid 114 seeps into the space 134.

In an alternative embodiment, the at least one leakage channel 133 is at least one groove that is formed in the annular sealing surface 230c of the suction flange 230. In this embodiment, the at least one groove extends between the convex outer surface and the concave inner surface of the suction cup 130. The groove in the annular sealing surface of the suction cup 130 will effectively form a tunnel for fluid from the pocket of fluid to escape through when the suction cup 130 is adhered to a surface 112 of the fluid reservoir 111, where this tunnel will be defined between the surfaces of the groove and the surface 112 of the fluid reservoir 111.

In an embodiment, the fluid 114 of the pocket of fluid in the space defined between the suction cup 130 and the surface 112 of the fluid reservoir 111 may be any of water, air, water vapour, or a mixture or combination thereof.

As described above, the toy projectile 110 can be formed such that the suction cup 130 is releasably connectable to the tail section 218 of the toy body 220.

In the specific embodiments provided in FIGS. 2 to 4, the suction cup 130 includes the suction cup neck that extends upwards from the suction flange 230. The suction cup neck includes a neck portion and a protruding lip 219a formed on a distal end of the neck portion. As shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 4, the tail body 220 and connecting body 217 mounted within the tail body 220 may both includes apertures positioned on bottom sides thereof. The apertures in the tail body 220 and connecting body 217 are each sized such that the suction cup neck can be inserted into the apertures for removably mounting the suction cup 130 to the tail body 220 and connecting body 217 of the tail section 218.

In an embodiment, the components of the toy projectile 110 (particularly the stabilizing structures 120) are formed such that at least some of the edges, corners or protruding portions of the component are rounded or beveled. Said another way, the toy projectile 110 is formed such that the form of the toy projectile 110 includes no sharp edges or points.

The components of the toy projectile 110 described herein may be at least partially composed of various plastics and polymers or other suitable materials known in art for underwater children's toys.

To prevent injury due to a collision between the toy projectile 110 and a user, the toy projectile 110 may be constructed of materials that are generally flexible, collapsible, deformable, and/or resilient. Additionally or alternatively, toy projectile 110 may be constructed to be collapsible or deformable upon collision.

An exemplary embodiment of the use of the toy projectile 110 in a pool filled with water will now be described with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5E.

Referring to FIG. 5A, the toy projectile 110 having a torpedo-like form is provided. A user grasps the toy projectile 110 about the toy body and at least partially submerges themselves in the water, while fully submerging the projectile toy in the water. The user then submerges themselves to an extent that they can reach a surface 112 of the pool. For example, the user may swim down to a bottom surface 112 of the pool. As shown in FIG. 5B, the suction cup 130 of the toy projectile 110 is then pressed against the surface 112 of the pool by the user (in this case, the surface is the bottom surface). By pressing the suction cup 130 against the bottom surface, the suction cup will elastically deform from an expanded form to a collapsed form where a greater amount of the suction cup is in contact with the surface to thereby apply a retaining force to the surface 112 of the fluid reservoir 111 that is greater than the buoyant force of the toy projectile. In this way, the user will adhere the suction cup 130 (and therefore the toy projectile 110) to the bottom surface 112 of the pool. Once the toy projectile 110 is secured, the user releases their grasp on the toy and it remains secured to the bottom of the pool, in an upright orientation. While the toy projectile 110 is secured to the bottom of the pool, the water in the pool will gradually seep through the leakage channels of the toy projectile 110. If the fluid 114 in the pocket includes a gas, then some of the gas may be released into the surrounding fluid 114 of the fluid reservoir, while some of the surrounding fluid 114 from the fluid reservoir 111 seeps into the space under the suction cup 113. As the fluid 114 seeps from the fluid reservoir 111 through the leakage channels, a fluid pressure within the space defined between the suction cup and the surface 112 of the fluid reservoir 111 progressively equalizes with a pressure of fluid 114 in the fluid reservoir 111 surrounding the suction cup, and an elastic force of the suction cup progressively expands the form of the suction cup from the collapsed form to the expanded form until the retaining force applied by the suction cup is less than a sum of the buoyant force of the toy projectile and the the elastic force of the suction cup 130. As the combined force of the buoyant force and the force of the fluid 135 in the space 134 increases, to overcome the retaining force of the suction cup, the suction cup 130 will become progressively more separated from the bottom of the pool. At a certain point, the suction cup 130 will become sufficiently separated from the surface 112 of the fluid reservoir 111 such that the force of the fluid 135 and the buoyancy force of the toy projectile 110 will drive the toy projectile 110 upwards, and will fully separate the suction cup 130 from the bottom of the bool.

Once the suction cup 130 is fully separated from the surface 112 of the fluid reservoir 111, the buoyancy force of the toy projectile 110 will cause the toy projectile 110 to rise rapidly upwards through the fluid 114, towards the fluid surface 132 (see FIG. 5D). In this embodiment, the buoyancy force on the toy projectile 110 is sufficiently large such that the toy projectile 110 will rise towards the water surface 132 at a high speed. As shown in FIG. 5E, the buoyant force acting on the toy projectile 110 as the toy projectile 110 rises to the water surface 132 of the pool will be sufficiently high such that that toy projectile 110 will be launched out of the fluid 114, above the fluid surface 132 to a launch height (D) above the fluid surface 132.

In an embodiment, the launch height D that the toy projectile 110 is launched to above the fluid surface 132 is at least five feet.

It will be noted that, providing the suction cup 130 with the leakage channel 132 is advantageous in that it gives the user time, to move away from the toy projectile 110 and to position themselves in a suitable position for watching the toy projectile 110 release from the surface 112 of the fluid reservoir 111 and launch into the air.

In an alternative embodiment such as provided in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the toy projectile 110 may be used by a user, where the user simply submerges and releases the toy projectile 110. Referring to FIG. 6A, the toy projectile 110 having a torpedo-like form is provided. In this embodiment, the user grasps the toy projectile 110 about the toy body and at least partially submerges themselves in the water, while fully submerging the projectile toy in the water. Once the toy projectile 110 is submerged in the water, the user can vary a submerged depth of the toy within the water. When the user wants to launch the toy, the user simply releases their grasp on the toy, and the buoyancy of the toy projectile 110 will drive the toy projectile 110 upwards. The buoyancy of the toy projectile 110 will cause the toy projectile 110 to rise rapidly upwards through the water, towards the water surface 132 (see FIG. 6B). In this embodiment, the buoyancy of the toy projectile 110 is sufficiently large such that it will rise towards the water surface 132 at a high speed. The buoyant force acting on the toy projectile 110 as it rises to the water surface 132 of the pool may again be sufficiently high such that that toy projectile 110 will be launched out of the water, above the water surface 132 of the pool to the launch height (D) above the water surface 132.

The above-described embodiments are intended to be examples of the present invention and alterations and modifications may be effected thereto, by those of skill in the art, without departing from the scope of the invention that is defined solely by the claims appended hereto.

PART NUMBERS

• • 110 toy projectile
  • 111 fluid reservoir
  • 112 surface of the fluid reservoir
  • 114 fluid in the fluid reservoir
  • 116 toy body
  • 118 narrowing shell section
  • 119 neck section
  • 120 stabilizing structures
  • 130 suction cup
  • 131 radial flange
  • 132 water surface
  • 133 leakage channels
  • 134 space
  • 135 fluid in the space
  • 136 through-hole
  • 212 nose section
  • 212 a nose section collar
  • 212 b nose section shell
  • 213 cylindrical neck
  • 214 first connecting projection
  • 215 connection flange
  • 215 a neck
  • 215 b connection flange
  • 216 main body section
  • 216 a tapering section
  • 216 b second connecting projection
  • 217 connecting body
  • 217 a through-channel
  • 217 b securing lip
  • 218 tail section
  • 219 connecting portion
  • 219 a protruding lip
  • 220 tail body
  • 230 suction flange

Claims

1. A submergible toy projectile for use in a fluid reservoir, the toy projectile comprising: a toy body having a density such that a total weight of the toy projectile is less than a buoyant force of the toy projectile when submerged in the fluid reservoir; anda suction cup being connected to the toy body and being formed such that when the toy projectile is submerged in the fluid reservoir and brought into contact with a surface of the fluid reservoir, the suction cup will elastically deform from an expanded form to a collapsed form where a greater amount of the suction cup is in contact with the surface to thereby apply a retaining force to the surface of the fluid reservoir that is greater than the buoyant force of the toy projectile, the suction cup including at least one leakage channel that is sized to permit a fluid from the fluid reservoir to seep therethrough, the at least one leakage channel being formed on the suction cup such that as the fluid seeps through the at least one leakage channel, a fluid pressure within a space defined between the suction cup and the surface of the fluid reservoir progressively equalizes with a pressure of fluid in the fluid reservoir surrounding the suction cup, and an elastic force of the suction cup progressively expands the form of the suction cup from the collapsed form to the expanded form until the retaining force applied by the suction cup is less than a sum of the elastic force and the buoyant force of the toy projectile.

2. The submergible toy projectile of claim 1, wherein the toy body further comprises a main body section, a tail section attached to one end of the main body section, and a nose section attached to an opposing end of the main body section.

3. The submergible toy projectile of claim 2, wherein the suction cup is releasably connected to the tail section of the toy body.

4. The submergible toy projectile of claim 1, wherein the toy projectile includes a plurality of stabilizing structures that project radially outward from and are evenly distributed around the tail section, each of the plurality of stabilizing structures being formed to apply a moment about a long axis of toy body so as to maintain an orientation of the submergible toy projectile within the fluid reservoir.

5. The submergible toy projectile of claim 4, wherein the plurality of stabilizing structures of the toy projectile includes a plurality of radially-extending fins.

6. The submergible toy projectile of claim 2, wherein the main body section, tail section, nose section and the plurality of stabilizing structures of the submergible toy projectile have a collective, torpedo-like shape such that a maximum diameter of the main body section is greater than a maximum diameter of each of the tail section and the nose section, and such that the diameter of the main body section tapers towards both the nose section and tail section of the submergible toy projectile.

7. The submergible toy projectile of claim 2, wherein the toy body includes a gas-filled chamber formed therewithin, the gas filled-chamber being sized to reduce an average density of the submergible toy projectile such that the total weight of the toy projectile is less than the buoyant force of the toy projectile when submerged in the fluid reservoir.

8. The submergible toy projectile of claim 1, wherein the at least one leakage channel is at least one through-opening extending between a pair of opposing surfaces of the suction cup.

9. The submergible toy projectile of claim 7, wherein the toy body defines a first buoyancy section including the gas-filled chamber and a second buoyancy section such that a buoyancy of the first buoyancy section is greater than a buoyancy of the second buoyancy section, the first and second buoyancy section being positioned relative to one another so as to urge the submergible toy projectile towards an upright orientation when submerged within the fluid reservoir, the upright orientation of the submergible toy projectile being an orientation where a position where the nose section of the submergible toy projectile is pointed substantially upwards.

10. The submergible toy projectile of claim 9, wherein the first buoyancy section is defined by the nose section and the main body section of the toy projectile, and the second buoyancy section is defined by the tail section and suction cup of the toy projectile.

11. The submergible toy projectile of claim 9, wherein the first buoyancy section is a positively buoyant section, and the second buoyancy section is a negatively buoyant section.

12. The submergible toy projectile of claim 1, wherein the suction cup includes: a connecting portion for connecting the suction cup to the toy body; anda suction flange that projects radially out from the connecting portion and that is shaped to apply the securing force to the surface of the fluid reservoir when the suction cup is brought into contact with the surface of the fluid reservoir, the at least one leakage channel being formed in the suction flange.

13. A submergible toy projectile for use in a fluid reservoir, the toy projectile comprising: a toy body having a density such that a total weight of the toy projectile is less than a buoyant force of the toy projectile when submerged in the fluid reservoir; anda suction cup connected to the toy body and shaped such that when the toy projectile is submerged in the fluid reservoir and brought into contact with a surface of the fluid reservoir, the suction cup will elastically deform from an expanded form to a collapsed form where a greater amount of the suction cup is in contact with the surface to thereby adhere the suction cup to the surface, the suction cup including at least one leakage channel sized to permit a fluid in the fluid reservoir to seep therethrough such that a fluid pressure within a space defined between the suction cup and the surface of the fluid reservoir progressively changes such that the pressure within the space is equalized with a pressure of the fluid in the fluid reservoir surrounding the suction cup and the form of the suction cup progressively changes from the collapsed form to the expanded form so as to at least partially separate the suction cup from the surface of the fluid reservoir.

14. The submergible toy projectile of claim 13, wherein the toy body further comprises a main body section, a tail section attached to a first end of the main body section, and a nose section attached to an opposing end of the main body section.

15. The submergible toy projectile of claim 14, wherein the suction cup is releasably connected to the tail portion of the toy body.

16. The submergible toy projectile of claim 14, wherein the toy projectile includes a plurality of stabilizing structures that project radially outward from and are evenly distributed around the tail section, each of the plurality of stabilizing structures being formed to apply a moment about a long axis of toy body so as to maintain an orientation of the submergible toy projectile within the fluid reservoir.

17. The submergible toy projectile of claim 16, wherein the plurality of stabilizing structures of the toy projectile includes a plurality of radially-extending fins.

18. The submergible toy projectile of claim 15, wherein the main body section, tail section, nose section and at least one stabilizing structure of the toy projectile have a collective, torpedo-like form.

19. The submergible toy projectile of claim 14, wherein the suction cup includes: a connecting portion for connecting the suction cup to the toy body; anda suction flange projecting radially out from the connecting portion and shaped to apply the securing force to the surface of the fluid reservoir when the suction cup is brought into contact with the to the surface of the fluid reservoir, wherein the at least one leakage channel is formed in the suction flange.