The present invention is related generally to inflatable products, and more specifically to inflatable water toys.
Swimming is a recreational activity that is enjoyed by children and adults, especially in the hot summer months. People flock to pools, lakes, and rivers to pass the time on a hot summer's day.
When at or in the water, people often enjoy a variety of different pool toys, including water games, dive toys, and inflatables, such as loungers and inflatable toys. These toys and floats provide entertainment and comfort while in the water.
The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
In accordance with an embodiment, an inflatable water toy is provided that includes a base and a plurality of legs. In an embodiment, the inflatable water toy is shaped like a spider, but may have a number of legs other than eight.
In an embodiment, the inflatable water toy includes a base to which legs attach. The legs extend upward from the base and curl in a C-shaped manner so that they extend initially upward from the base and then downward, almost directly opposite the initial direction of the legs.
The inflatable water toy may be used at least two different ways. In a first position, the bottom of the base for the inflatable water toy is positioned against the water, and the legs extend upward and curl downward so that the ends of the legs touch the water. One or more people may float on top of the base, or hang onto the legs. In a second position, the inflatable water toy is turned upside down so that the top of the base is in contact with the water, and the tips of the legs extend upwards. Each of the legs thus forms a saddle in which a lightweight user may sit, and the base extends like a table top between the saddles provided by the legs. The inflatable water toy may be used in a similar manner on land, with users situated between legs and the base serving as a table.
Other features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:
In the following description, various embodiments of the present invention will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified to not obscure the embodiment being described.
Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views,
The inflatable water toy 20 includes a base 22 having a top side 24 and a bottom side 26 (best shown in
Six legs 32 are attached to the base 22. Each of the legs 32 includes a base 34 attached at the top side 24 of the base 22. In the embodiment shown, the legs 32 are attached at the outer perimeter of the base 22. Each of the legs is substantially C-shaped, with the open portion of the C facing downward in
In an embodiment, the inflatable water toy 20 is made of a suitable material for a floatation device. If inflatable, the material may be polyvinyl chloride (PVC), rubber, or another suitable material. The legs 32 may be welded onto the base 22 so that they share an internal chamber. In this manner, a single valve (not shown, but known) may be used for inflation of the inflatable water toy 20. In an alternate embodiment, each of the legs 32 may be closed off from the base 22 so that the legs are inflated separately from the base.
In an embodiment, the inflatable water toy 20 may be used in at least two different ways. In a first manner of utilizing the inflatable water toy 20, the inflatable water toy is placed right side up on water, such as is shown in
In the position shown in
If the inflatable water toy 20 is utilized in the position shown in
The inflatable water toy 20 may also be used in the configuration of
Other alternatives are available. As an example, the legs may be formed of a foam material, such as conventional float noodles, and/or the base may be formed as a different material. Other floatable materials may be used, instead of inflating the base 22 and/or the legs 32.
Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrated embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings and has been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.
Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.