LIQUID-INFLATABLE TOY

Abstract

A liquid-inflatable device for playing under water is provided. The liquid-inflatable device includes a housing defining a liquid-inflatable cavity. The housing provides a water valve positioned adjacent to the inflatable cavity to enable both inflation of the housing by way of a flow adaptor coupled a water source, and deflation of the housing by way of the flow adaptor uncoupled to the water source. One flow adaptor may provide a tiered structure offering a plurality of external diameters for operatively engaging a plurality of water valve sizes. A water-filled liquid-inflatable device 26 obtains a density relatively equal to a body of water so that it can be manipulated and interacted with under the surface of the body of water.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to water toys and, more particularly, to a liquid-inflatable device for playing under water.

A body in a liquid medium which has a greater density than the liquid it displaces will sink in that medium. A body in a liquid medium which has a lesser density than the liquid will rise in the liquid medium as it is less dense than the liquid it displaces and the buoyant force will “push” it through the liquid medium. Likewise, a body of relatively equal density as the liquid would tend to come to equilibrium submerged in the liquid absent any other external force.

Traditional “air” inflatable water toys only allow individuals to play with them above the water because the resultant body's lesser density, and so such air inflatables cannot be played with under the water, limiting the way inflatables can be used. This lesser density also inconveniently makes the air inflatables susceptible to be blown away by breeze.

As can be seen, there is a need for a liquid-inflatable device for playing under water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a liquid-inflatable device for playing under water includes a housing defining a liquid-inflatable cavity; and a valve positioned adjacent to the inflatable cavity for inflating the housing with a liquid, wherein the liquid may be water, and further including a flow adaptor having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end has a tiered structure providing a plurality of external diameters, and wherein one external diameter of the plurality of external diameters is dimensioned to snugly engage the valve, and wherein the first end is disengageably coupleable to a water source, and wherein the first end and the second end are in fluid communication.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of enjoying an inflatable toy under water includes the steps of filling a liquid-inflatable toy with water so that the liquid-inflatable toy obtains a density relatively equal to a body of water; and submerging the inflatable toy in the body of water so as to play under a surface of the body of water, and further including the step of providing a flow adaptor to fill and drain the liquid-inflatable toy with water.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a profile view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a profile view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown in use;

FIG. 3 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a detail section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a profile view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a profile view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a liquid-inflatable device for playing under water. The liquid-inflatable device includes a housing defining a liquid-inflatable cavity. The housing provides a water valve positioned adjacent to the inflatable cavity to enable both inflation of the housing by way of a flow adaptor coupled a water source, and deflation of the housing by way of the same flow adaptor uncoupled to the water source. One flow adaptor may provide a tiered structure offering a plurality of external diameters for operatively engaging a plurality of water valve sizes. A water-filled liquid-inflatable device 26 obtains a density relatively equal to a body of water so that it can be manipulated and interacted with under the surface of the body of water.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 8, the present invention may include a liquid-inflatable device 26 for playing under water 36, and a method of using the same. The liquid-inflatable device 26 generally includes a housing 38 defining interiorly thereto a liquid-inflatable cavity 34. The housing 38 may take any form or shape that is attractive to children, such as the shape of an animal, rocket, vehicle or the like. The housing 38 may be fabricated from any suitable flexible, resilient and water-impermeable material or combination of materials.

The housing 38 may provide a water valve 32 positioned adjacent to the inflatable cavity 34 to enable inflation and deflation of the housing 38. The water valve 32 may include a hinged stopper 30 which when engaged with the water valve 32 prevents water 36 from escaping from the inflatable cavity 34. The water valve 32 may include at least one flap 28 disposed between the water valve 32 and the inflatable cavity 34, wherein the at least one flap 28 are biased so as to cover an internal portion of the water valve 32, preventing water 36 from escaping from the inflatable cavity 34. It being understood that water 36 may include other liquids 36, thereby changing the density of the liquid-inflated housing 38 relative to water 36 for the purposes of facilitating the disposition of the liquid-inflatable device 26 through a body of water 36.

The liquid-inflatable device 26 may include a flow adaptor 10 having a first end 22 disengageably coupleable to a garden hose 24, and a second end 42 terminating in a flow opening 44 fluidly communicating with the first end 22 for delivering water 36 from said garden hose 24 or other source of water/liquid 36 to the flow opening 44. The flow opening 44 may provide a slanted cut-off portion 45 for facilitating the flow of the water/liquid 36. The first end 22 of the flow adaptor 10 may provide a hose coupling 46 having an internally threaded sleeve for engagement with the externally threaded terminal fitting of garden hose 24.

The second end 42 may include a shaft having plurality of external diameters, taking on a set-back or tiered look, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The plurality of external diameters may include a third diameter 12, a second diameter 16 and a first diameter 20. For example, the first diameter 12 may be 5 mm, the second diameter 16 may be 7 mm, and the third diameter 20 may be 9 mm. In certain embodiments 14, the second end 42 may be a tiered shaft having the second and first external diameters 16, 20, while in another embodiment 18, the second end 42 may include a non-tiered shaft having only the first external diameter 20.

The distal end of the second end 42, and thus the distal external diameter (for example, the first diameter 20 in embodiment 18 and the second diameter 16 in embodiment 14 and the third diameter in FIG. 3) is sized and adapted to snugly slide into and penetrate the valve opening of the water valve 32, facilitating forcing water 36 via the garden hose 24 into and filling the liquid-inflatable cavity 34, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. The flow adaptor 10 may similarly engage the valve opening so as to drain the water 36 from the liquid-inflatable cavity 34 by uncoupling the garden hose 24 so that the water 36 drains from the first end 22. When the distal external diameter operatively engages the valve opening of the water valve 32, the at least one flap 28 may bend away, biasing against the second end 42, so as to further seal the valve opening so that water 36 cannot unintentionally drain there through.

The tiered structure offers a plurality of external diameters 12, 16, 20 for operatively engaging a plurality of water valve 32 sizes. For example, embodiment 14 may be used for inflating/deflating a housing 38 providing either a second diameter or first diameter valve opening, as the first diameter valve opening can be operatively engaged by embodiment 14 by first inserting the second diameter until the first diameter 20 snugly engages the valve opening.

A method of using the present invention may include the following. The liquid-inflatable device 26 disclosed above may be provided. A user may couple their garden hose 24 to the flow adaptor 10 so as to inflate the liquid-inflatable cavity 34 with water 36 so that the liquid-inflatable device 26 obtains a density relatively equal to a body of water, such as a pool, lake, bath tub and the like. Thereafter, the liquid-inflatable device 26 can be manipulated and interacted with under the surface of the body of water, facilitating teaching children how to swim or otherwise providing a source of enjoyment and exercise.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A device, comprising: a housing defining a liquid-inflatable cavity; anda valve positioned adjacent to the inflatable cavity for inflating the housing with a liquid.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the liquid is water.

3. The device of claim 2, further comprising a flow adaptor having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end has a tiered structure providing a plurality of external diameters, and wherein one external diameter of the plurality of external diameters is dimensioned to snugly engage the valve.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the first end is disengageably coupleable to a water source, and wherein the first end and the second end are in fluid communication.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein the plurality of external diameters includes a first diameter and a second diameter.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the first diameter is 9 mm in diameter and the second diameter is 7 mm in diameter.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein the plurality of external diameters includes a third diameter.

8. A method of enjoying an inflatable toy under water, comprising the steps of: filling a liquid-inflatable toy with water so that the liquid-inflatable toy obtains a density relatively equal to a body of water; andsubmerging the inflatable toy in the body of water so as to play under a surface of the body of water.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of providing a flow adaptor to fill and drain the liquid-inflatable toy with water.