INFLATABLE TOY

Abstract

An inflatable toy includes a pump bladder having two one-way valves. One is used for inflation, and the other is used for deflation. A deformable bladder is connected to the pump bladder and located at a position close to the one-way valve used for deflation. The deformable bladder has another one-way valve used for deflation. The deformable bladder can be inflated by pressing the pump bladder repeatedly. The inflatable toy is a novel toy, allowing children to change the size of the inflatable toy as desired.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an inflatable toy, and more particularly to an inflatable toy that allows children to change the size of the inflatable toy as desired.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional rubber dolls or animal toys are made in a fixed size and volume and only present a static appearance, which is not interesting for young children to play with. Although some inflatable toys can be changed in size by blowing air into the toys with the user's mouth, they must be completely filled with air before they can take on their overall shape. If they are not blown up enough, they will take on a limp shape. Besides, it is difficult for young children to blow air and inflate the inflatable toys.

Accordingly, the inventor of the present invention has devoted himself based on his many years of practical experiences to solve these problems and invent an inflatable toy. The inflatable toy has a built-in inflation structure for inflating the toy, and can be changed in size to enhance the fun of playing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the deficiencies of the prior art, the primary object of the present invention is to provide an inflatable toy. The inflatable toy is made of a deformable, extendable, flexible material and has a built-in pump bladder. The entire toy can be inflated by pressing the pump bladder repeatedly with the user's fingers. There is no need for the user to blow air into the toy with his/her mouth. It is easy to press the toy. The toy is suitable for young children. The pump bladder is hidden inside the toy. The toy that can be inflated and enlarged by pressing the pump bladder repeatedly will surely attract children's interest and increase their desire to buy.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an inflatable toy, which can be deflated by pressing a post portion of a one-way valve when the toy is inflated. This is a fun way for children to change the size of the toy as desired.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an inflatable toy, which is not only for children to play with but also an ideal stress reliever for adults who are under great pressure in their lives. The inflatable toy is suitable for all ages.

In order to achieve the foregoing objects, the inflatable toy provided by the present invention comprises a plurality of one-way valves. The one-way valve includes a housing, a plug, and a stopper. The housing has an open room therein, an opening in the center of the bottom of the room, and a pair of perforations on two corresponding sides thereof. The plug is disposed in the room. The plug includes a post portion and a truncated cone portion connected to one end of the post portion. The post portion passes through the opening and partially extends out of the opening. The post portion is movable in the opening. The stopper is connected between the two perforations. The plug is made of a soft and airtight material. The one-way valve may be implemented in many different structures, which is a well-known technology. The structure mentioned herein is merely an example, but not limited thereto.

The toy includes a deformable bladder and a pump bladder located inside the deformable bladder. The deformable bladder has a deformation space therein. The pump bladder has a pump space therein. A first opening is formed at one end of the pump bladder. A one-way valve is provided at the first opening for inflation. The post portion is oriented towards the outside of the toy. A second opening is formed at the other end of the pump bladder. Another one-way valve is provided at the second opening for deflation. The post portion is oriented towards the pump space of the toy. The outer edge of the second opening communicates with the deformation space. The deformable bladder has an accommodating portion at any position thereof. A further one-way valve is provided at the accommodating portion for deflation. The post portion is oriented towards the outside of the toy.

The pump bladder may be disposed inside the deformable bladder, but not limited thereto.

Alternatively, the pump bladder and the deformable bladder may be two individual bladders connected to each other.

The toy provided by the present invention may be in the shape of various objects or creatures.

The pump bladder is preferably made of a material that is deformable, has low ductility and can be automatically restored to the original shape. The deformable bladder is preferably made of a TPR material (Thermo-Plastic-Rubber material) with high ductility and elasticity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the one-way valve of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the structure of the one-way valve of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the operation of the one-way valve of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view according to the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the pump bladder is pressed for inflation;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view according to the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the pump bladder is automatically restored when not pressed;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view according to the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the one-way valve at the accommodating portion is pressed for deflation;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic view according to the second embodiment of the present invention when inflated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the present invention discloses an inflatable toy, comprising a plurality of one-way valves 1. The one-way valve 1 includes a housing 11, a plug 12, and a stopper 13. The housing 11 has an open room 111 therein, an opening 112 in the center of the bottom of the room 111, and a pair of perforations 113 on two corresponding sides thereof. The plug 12 is disposed in the room 111. The plug 12 includes a post portion 121 and a truncated cone portion 122 connected to one end of the post portion 121. The post portion 121 passes through the opening 112 and partially extends out of the opening 112. The post portion 121 is movable in the opening 112. The stopper 13 is connected between the two perforations 113. As shown in FIG. 3, when the pressure at the end close to the stopper 13 is greater than the pressure at the other end close to the opening 112, the plug 12 is moved in a direction facing the opening 112 to close the opening 112; conversely, when the pressure at the end close to the stopper 13 is less than the pressure at other end close to the opening 112, the plug 12 is moved in a direction facing away from the opening 112 to open the opening 112.

Referring to FIG. 4, the toy 2 includes a deformable bladder 21 and a pump bladder 22 located inside the deformable bladder 21. The deformable bladder 21 has a deformation space 211 therein. The pump bladder 22 has a pump space 221 therein. A first opening 222 is formed at one end of the pump bladder 22. A one-way valve 1 is provided at the first opening 222 for inflation, and its post portion 121 is oriented towards the outside of the toy 2. A second opening 223 is formed at the other end of the pump bladder 22. Another one-way valve 1 is provided at the second opening 223 for deflation, and its post portion 121 is oriented towards the pump space 221 of the toy 2. The outer edge of the second opening 223 communicates with the deformation space 211. The deformable bladder 21 has an accommodating portion 23 at any position thereof. A further one-way valve 1 is provided at the accommodating portion 23 for deflation, and its post portion 121 is oriented towards the outside of the toy 2.

The pump bladder 22 may be disposed inside the deformable bladder 21, but it may be not located inside the deformable bladder 21. The pump bladder 22 and the deformable bladder 21 may be two individual bladders connected to each other. The pump bladder 22 is preferably made of a material that is deformable, has low ductility and can be automatically restored to the original shape. The deformable bladder 21 is preferably made of a TPR material (Thermo-Plastic-Rubber material) with high ductility and elasticity.

Referring to FIG. 4, the toy 2 is not in an inflated state. The user's fingers 9 press the pump bladder 22 repeatedly via the deformable bladder 21. Referring to FIG. 5, when the pump bladder 22 is pressed, the air in the pump space 221 is discharged toward the deformation space 211 via the one-way valve 1 at the second opening 223 to enlarge the deformation space 211, in cooperation with the one-way check function of the one-way valve 1 of the accommodating portion 23. When the fingers 9 release the force on the pump bladder 22, the pump bladder 22 will automatically expand to be restored to its original shape. Referring to FIG. 6, when the pump bladder 22 is restored, the internal negative pressure will cause the one-way valve 1 at the first opening 222 to open and inflate the pump bladder 22, so that the pump bladder 22 is inflated again. The deformable bladder 21 can be gradually enlarged by repeating the above actions.

Referring to FIG. 7, when the inflated toy 2 is to be deflated, the post portion 121 of the one-way valve 1 located at the accommodating portion 23 is pressed to open the one-way valve 1, so that the air in the deformation space 211 is discharged to reduce the size of the toy 2. It is easy to operate the toy for young children.

FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 illustrate another embodiment of the present invention. The pump bladder 22 is connected to the deformable bladder 21. Basically, the principle of action is the same as the foregoing embodiment.

Claims

1. An inflatable toy, comprising a pump bladder, the pump bladder having a pump space therein, a first opening being formed at one end of the pump bladder, a one-way valve being provided at the first opening for inflation of the pump bladder; a second opening being formed at another end of the pump bladder, another one-way valve being provided at the second opening for deflation of the pump bladder; an outer edge of the second opening communicating with a deformation space of a deformable bladder; the deformable bladder having an accommodating portion, a further one-way valve being provided at the accommodating portion for deflation of the deformation space.

2. The inflatable toy as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one-way valve includes a housing and a plug, the housing has an open room therein and an opening in a center of a bottom of the room, the plug is disposed in the room, the plug includes a post portion and a truncated cone portion connected to one end of the post portion, the post portion passes through the opening and partially extends out of the opening, and the post portion is movable in the opening.

3. The inflatable toy as claimed in claim 2, wherein the housing has a pair of perforations on two corresponding sides thereof, and the stopper is connected between the two perforations.

4. The inflatable toy as claimed in claim 2, wherein the plug is made of a soft and airtight material.

5. The inflatable toy as claimed in claim 2, wherein the post portion of the plug of the one-way valve at the first opening is oriented towards an outside of the toy.

6. The inflatable toy as claimed in claim 2, wherein the post portion of the plug of the one-way valve at the second opening is oriented towards the pump space.

7. The inflatable toy as claimed in claim 2, wherein the post portion of the plug of the one-way valve at the accommodating portion is oriented towards an outside of the toy, when the post portion of the plug of the one-way valve located at the accommodating portion is pressed to open the one-way valve, air in the deformation space is discharged.

8. The inflatable toy as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the pump bladder is pressed repeatedly by an external force, the deformable bladder is inflated and becomes larger in volume.