Patent Application
20060208101
The present invention relates to a water toy, and more particularly to a resilient pad which sprays a shower of water in response to being squeezed.
Many young children enjoy playing in water and water toys often facilitate bathing of children. Children are often particularly fascinated and entertained by toys that spray water. There are numerous bath toys on the market that are both fun and stimulating for young children, but in general, there are not many bath toys that spray or project one or more streams of water.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an uncomplicated bath toy which is entertaining to children though the projection of a pleasing stream of water.
A water toy according to the present invention includes a resilient pad connected to a water supply through a flexible water conduit. The resilient pad is in communication with a network of secondary resilient pads. The resilient pad and the secondary resilient pads are shaped like a lilly pad, flower, leaf or other such pleasing and entertaining shape.
The flexible water conduit is connected to the water source such that each of the resilient pad and secondary resilient pads provide a spray or fountain of water in response to being squeezed or stepped upon. The resilient pad and secondary resilient pads float upon the surface of the water so that the resilient pads readily available to play with. Alternatively, the resilient pad and secondary resilient pads sink such that a shower of water is sprayed in response to being stepped upon.
The present invention therefore provides an uncomplicated bath toy which is entertaining to children though the projection of a pleasing stream of water.
The various features and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the currently preferred embodiment. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows:
The resilient pad 12 and secondary resilient pads 12a-12d are preferably shaped like a lilly pad, flower, leaf or other such pleasing and entertaining shape. Most preferably, the resilient pads 12 and 12a-12d are relatively small such as to be readily handled and played with by a small child.
The flexible water conduit 14 is preferably connected to the water source through a faucet or the like. The water source thereby effectively pressurizes each resilient pad 12 and secondary resilient pads 12a-12d. Each of the resilient pad 12 and secondary resilient pads 12a-12d includes one or more spray apertures 16 which are selectively opened in response to compression of the resilient pads 12, and 12a-12d such as through squeezing or being stepped upon. One of ordinary skill in the art of fluid communication will be able to readily provide an uncomplicated valve that responds to pressure to project a spray or fountain of water. Alternatively, the resilient pad 12 and secondary resilient pads 12a-12d may be utilized without a valve to directly fill the bath.
The resilient pad 12 and secondary resilient pads 12a-12d preferably float upon the surface of the water to provide ready access to a bathing child. Floating of the resilient pad 12 and secondary resilient pads 12a-12d provides entertainment in itself. That is, the floating objects attract attention and are readily available to play with.
Referring to
It should be understood that relative positional terms such as “forward,” “aft,” “upper,” “lower,” “above,” “below,” and the like are with reference to the normal operational attitude of the vehicle and should not be considered otherwise limiting.
It should be understood that although a particular component arrangement is disclosed in the illustrated embodiment, other arrangements will benefit from the instant invention.
Although particular step sequences are shown, described, and claimed, it should be understood that steps may be performed in any order, separated or combined unless otherwise indicated and will still benefit from the present invention.
The foregoing description is exemplary rather than defined by the limitations within. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The preferred embodiments of this invention have been disclosed, however, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. For that reason the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.
