Patent Grant
8033890
The disclosure generally relates to toys for use in water, and more particularly to hydrodynamic toys adapted to be launched for self-propelled travel through an underwater trajectory.
Aerodynamic toys capable of being hand-launched through the air have been known for many years, and include balls, flying discs, boomerangs, toy gliders, etc. Aerodynamic toys typically are characterized by a combination of properties allowing a user to launch the toy into the air by hand so that the toy travels a substantial distance through the air along a trajectory selected by the user. Specifically, each of these toys has a size and shape that, in relation to the weight of the toy, enables an average user to apply a launching momentum sufficient to overcome, at least temporarily, the forces of gravity and wind-drag on the toy. Some aerodynamic toys are also configured to create lift when launched through the air to increase the distance the toys travel before descending to the ground.
While hand-launchable, aerodynamic toys are well-suited for use in air, they are not well-suited for use underwater. For example, objects traveling through water experience a significantly higher amount of drag than do objects traveling through air, because water has a much higher density than air. Similarly, objects experience greater buoyancy in water than in air due to the higher specific gravity of water than air. For these reasons, toys intended for use underwater should employ hydrodynamic rather than aerodynamic values and thus, typically will have different combinations of size, shape, and weight, than those intended for use in air. In U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,514,023 and 6,699,091, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference, various hand-launchable projectile toys are disclosed that are hydrodynamically configured to travel substantial distances underwater. The toys include elongate, contoured bodies that include fins or other trajectory-stabilizing structures that project from the tail section of the body. In some embodiments, the trajectory-stabilizing structure is adapted to impart a righting moment to the toy during underwater travel, while in others the structure is adapted to impart a steering moment to the toy during underwater travel.
These underwater toys are adapted to be hand-launched through a pool or other body of water, with the particular configuration, construction, and/or buoyancy of the toy affecting its hydrodynamic path through the body of water. The hand-launchable size and geometry of the toys enable them to be grasped in a user's hand, such as in the notch formed by the user's thumb and index finger, and manually propelled through the body of water. However, some users may lack sufficient strength, size and/or coordination to effectively launch these toys along a suitable underwater path through the body of water. Others simply may desire an underwater toy that does not require manual propulsion through the body of water.
Self-propelled hydrodynamic toys adapted to travel along an underwater trajectory via propulsion provided by the toy are disclosed. In some embodiments, the propulsion mechanism is partially housed within an internal compartment in the toy's body. In some embodiments, the propulsion mechanism is completely housed within am internal compartment of the toy's body. In some embodiments, the propulsion mechanism is adapted to be charged with a volume of water and to thereafter discharge the volume of water under pressure to propel the toy through a body of water. In some embodiments, the propulsion mechanism includes an expandable reservoir. In some embodiments, the propulsion mechanism includes a biased propulsion mechanism. In some embodiments, the propulsion mechanism is a replaceable propulsion mechanism. In some embodiments, the toy includes trajectory-stabilizing structure that is adapted to impart at least one of a steering moment and a righting moment to the toy during underwater travel. The toy may be adapted to have positive, negative or neutral buoyancies, and in some embodiments is adapted to maintain its buoyancy and/or its center of gravity and/or its center of buoyancy while the toy is being propelled through a body of water by the propulsion system.
Examples of self-propelled underwater toys according to embodiments of the invention are shown in
In
In
Additional illustrative, non-exclusive examples of suitable stabilizing structures are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,514,023 and 6,699,091, the complete disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Similarly, the internal compartment and propulsion mechanism described herein can be implemented in any of the toys disclosed in the above-incorporated patents. In some embodiments, the toy is formed without a stabilizing structure.
The toys 30, 30′, 30″ can be constructed with various hydrodynamic shapes and configurations. In the embodiments of at least
In
An outer surface of body 32, 32′, 32″ may be smooth, or may alternatively include topographic features such as ribbing, grooves, projections, protrusions, etc. Such features can be uniformly distributed over the surface of body, or may be arranged in a non-uniform pattern or distribution. As one example, a toy can include ribbing or grooves (not shown) extending generally spirally around the body.
Body 32, 32′, 32″ can be constructed to different sizes and proportions, with the dimensions disclosed in the above-incorporated patents being suitable, but not exclusive, examples. For example, in one embodiment, body 32, 32′, 32″ can have a length of approximately sixteen inches and a maximum diameter of approximately 2.7 inches, for a length-to-width ratio of approximately 5.9:1. Other lengths, widths, and/or length-to-width ratios can be used in other embodiments. For example, additional examples of suitable lengths include lengths of at least six inches, at least ten inches, at least twelve inches, at least eighteen inches, at least twenty-four inches, less than twenty-four inches, less than eighteen inches, less than twelve inches, in the range of six to eighteen inches, four to twelve inches, eight to twenty inches, twelve to twenty-four inches, sixteen to thirty inches, etc. Similarly, the toy 30 can include a body with one or more dimensions that are larger or smaller than the corresponding dimensions disclosed in the incorporated patents.
Body 32, 32′, 32″ can be constructed from a wide variety of water-compatible materials. An illustrative, non-exclusive example of a suitable material is low-durometer polyurethane. In addition to having the desired hydrodynamic properties, this material is also relatively soft, thereby providing a toy that is both safe and fun for use by children. Other examples of suitable materials include silicone rubber, natural and synthetic rubbers, ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber, polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyethylene, polyurethane, UV-curable or other polyesters, nylons, fiberglass, and various plastics and polymers, although any other suitable material for underwater children's toys can be used. In various embodiments, the body 32, 32′, 32″ can be rigid, semi-rigid, or collapsible. Body 32, 32′, 32″ can be formed via any suitable mechanism, including molding, blow molding, injection molding, transfer molding, casting, and the like.
As schematically illustrated in
Mechanism 212 includes a reservoir 220 that is adapted to be charged with (i.e., at least partially filled) a volume of water through a fill port, or inlet port, 224 that is accessible from external the toy 130. The reservoir 220 defines at least one reservoir compartment, or internal volume 222 that is adapted to be charged with a volume of water under pressure to provide propulsion to the toy as the charge, or volume, of water is expelled from the reservoir through the subsequently discussed exit port(s) 226. As such, the reservoir 220, and toy 130, can be described as having charged and uncharged configurations, with the charged configuration corresponding to a configuration in which the reservoir contains sufficient water under pressure to propel the toy 130 through the body of water, and the uncharged configuration corresponding to when the reservoir 220 is empty or otherwise does not contain sufficient pressure and/or volume of water to propel the toy through the body of water when used as intended. The use of the term “water” is used herein as just one example of a fluid, liquid and/or gas that can be used to charge the reservoir of the propulsion mechanisms. In other words, the reservoir of the propulsion mechanism can be charged with one or more forms of a material such as a fluid, liquid or gas, and can be charged with one or more types of material such as a fluid form of water and a gas form of air.
The charge of water is at least temporarily stored in the reservoir 220 under pressure, with mechanism 212 further adapted to discharge the charge of water under pressure through one or more exit ports, or discharge orifices, 226 to propel the toy 130 through the body of water. Accordingly, fill port 224 and exit port 226 can be described as defining fluid conduits, or flow paths, between the compartment 222 of the reservoir 220 and a location exterior to the toy 130. In the illustrated example that is schematically illustrated in
Reservoir 220 is adapted to expand, or increase, in volume as it is charged with a volume of water. As such, reservoir 220 can be described as being an expandable reservoir or a reservoir that has a first volume when not charged with a volume of water and a second (greater) volume when it is charged with a volume of water sufficient to propel the toy through a body of water. While not required, the reservoir 220 can be adapted to increase in volume between its uncharged and fully charged configurations by at least 50%, at least 100%, at least 200%, at least 300%, at least 500%, at least 1000%, at least 10,000%, at least 100,000% or more. Accordingly, the percentage of internal compartment 210 that is occupied by the reservoir 220, or at least the portion of the reservoir 220 that has been charged with a volume of water, will increase as the reservoir 220 is charged from its uncharged configuration to its charged configuration. Similarly, this percentage will decrease as the charge of water is expelled from the reservoir 220 through exit port(s) 226. The expandable nature of the reservoir 220 is schematically illustrated in
Reservoir 220 can have any suitable construction that is adapted to receive and at least temporarily store a volume, or charge, of water under pressure. The reservoir 220 can be adapted to itself expel the charge of water through exit port(s) 226 to provide propulsion to the toy 130. Additionally or alternatively, propulsion mechanism 212 can include other components that exert forces to the reservoir 220 to urge the water to be expelled from the reservoir 220 through exit port(s) 226 to provide propulsion to the toy 130. Reservoir 220 can be constructed, for example, with rigid and/or elastomeric materials. When constructed with a rigid material, the reservoir 220 will typically define an interior volume that increases as the reservoir 220 is charged with water by sliding a moveable portion of the reservoir 220 against biasing forces that are provided by, for example, a spring, elastomeric member, or other biasing mechanism or member. An example of such a construction is a reservoir that includes at least one piston that is slid or otherwise displaced away from its position when the reservoir is uncharged by the water that is introduced into the reservoir, with the movement of the piston increasing the interior volume of the reservoir 220. The piston can be biased by a suitable biasing mechanism or biasing member to return the reservoir to an uncharged position and thereby urge the water to be expelled from the reservoir, such as through exit port(s) 226. This type of embodiment is described in more detail below with reference to
Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of propulsion mechanisms that include at least one piston are shown in
Each reservoir compartment 322 is adapted to be charged with a volume of water that can be selectively expelled from the propulsion system to generate propulsion for the toy. Also shown are ports 338 in fluid communication with the compartments 322 and through which the compartments 322 are selectively charged with water and from which the water is expelled to generate propulsion for the toy. In some embodiments, separate input and exit ports can be used. Also, in some embodiments, a common port can be used for both charging and discharging the compartments 322. Similarly, the ports can be in fluid communication with each other, such as via one or more fluid conduits 370. Conduit(s) 370 can be configured to establish fluid communication between ports 339 and the fill and exit ports of the toy. Also, at least one of the ports 339 also can form at least a portion of ports defined by the body of the toy, e.g. ports 224 and/or 226 shown in
Propulsion mechanism 312 includes a biasing mechanism or member 343 that is adapted to bias the pistons 335 toward their uncharged configuration. Expressed in slightly different terms, the biasing mechanism 343 is adapted to bias the pistons 335 to urge water within compartments 322 out of the reservoir compartments 322. When the reservoir compartments 322 are charged, the pistons 335 are moved against the bias of mechanism 343. Accordingly, the reservoir(s) of piston-containing propulsion mechanisms can be described as increasing in length (or increasing in their dimension along the long axis of the piston's path) as the piston is urged from its position when the propulsion mechanism is in its uncharged configuration to the piston's position when the mechanism is in its charged configuration. In the illustrated example, biasing mechanism 343 takes the form of a spring, or spring member, 344, but any suitable type and number of biasing mechanism can be used. Similarly, each piston can be adapted to be biased by a separate biasing mechanism, or component thereof. Although not required, at least a portion of the biasing mechanism, or biasing member(s), can be secured in a defined position or orientation relative to the housing 331. In the illustrated example, propulsion mechanism 312 can also be described as defining a region 346 within housing 331 that is not occupied by the pressurized water used to generate propulsion for the toy. This region can include one or more vents 348 to permit water from within the internal compartment of the toy to fill and/or be removed from the region, i.e., biasing region 346, of the propulsion system. Region 346 may also be described as a portion of the internal compartment of the body (e.g., compartment 214 in
Another example of a suitable construction for a reservoir compartment is for the reservoir to be formed from an elastomeric material that stretches as the reservoir is charged with water to increase the volume of the reservoir. In such an embodiment, the reservoir can be described as being or including an elastomeric bladder. The elastomeric nature of the reservoir provides a biasing force, or mechanism, that biases the reservoir to return to its uncharged configuration and therefore urges the water contained in the reservoir to be expelled from the reservoir through exit port(s). Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of suitable materials include latex and neoprene rubbers, other synthetic and natural rubbers, ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber, etc. As discussed, the reservoir itself can exert sufficient force upon the charge of water to expel the water from the toy with sufficient force to generate sufficient propulsion of the toy through the body of water. In some embodiments, the propulsion mechanism can include a biasing mechanism in addition to an elastomeric reservoir to increase the force exerted upon the charge of water. An elastomeric bladder can be formed from other types of processes such as, for example, a molding process or with an extrusion process.
Illustrative examples of propulsion mechanisms that include an elastomeric (flexible) reservoir, or bladder, are shown in
In
Second end region 456 can be sealed so that water introduced into the reservoir 420 is retained in the reservoir 420 until emitted through exit port 426. Elastomeric reservoir 420 can be formed through a molding or other process in which the reservoir 420 is formed with only the opening(s) corresponding to the first end region's fluid connection with the fill and exit ports 424, 426. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to form the elastomeric reservoir from a tubular material, such as elastomeric surgical tubing or elastomeric tubing used in diving applications. When the length of elastomeric material includes opposed openings associated with the first and second end regions, the opening associated with (i.e., formed in) the second end region can be sealed or otherwise plugged or capped to restrict and prevent water from flowing therethrough. For example, the propulsion mechanism can include a sealing member 458 that is adapted to close the opening in the second end region. Illustrative examples of a sealing member 458 include mechanical sealing members 460 and chemical sealing members 462. Illustrative examples of mechanical sealing members 460 include plugs that are inserted into the second end region, knots tied into the second end region of the elastomeric material, wires, ties, or similar bands that are compressed around the second end region to seal the second end region, and clips or clamps that compress the material together to seal the second end region. Illustrative examples of chemical sealing members 462 include seals formed by heating, welding, (at least partially) dissolving portions of the reservoir and/or applying an adhesive, epoxy, or similar curable or reactive material to the second end region to seal the second end region.
When the elastomeric reservoir 420 shown in
In some embodiments, the reservoir is sized relative to the housing or internal compartment in which it is positioned and/or otherwise configured or constructed to only, or primarily, expand in length or width. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in
In some embodiments, the elastomeric material can be formed or otherwise treated to define the region of the reservoir in which the expansion first occurs when the reservoir is of a type that is predisposed to expand initially in a localized subset of the length of material. For example, when a portion of the length of material is thinner than other regions, it is more likely to exhibit the initial expansion as the reservoir is charged with water. Therefore, by initially forming the reservoir with a region of reduced thickness, a region of initial expansion, can be predefined. This type of embodiment is schematically illustrated in
Turning now to some general features of a toy (e.g., toy 30, 130, 230, 430), referred to as toy 30 for simplicity. Toy 30 can be constructed to be (generally) neutrally buoyant when positioned, or suspended, in water. This neutral, or near-neutral, buoyancy may facilitate the toy traveling relatively long distances underwater without surfacing or striking the bottom of the body of water. For example, toy 30 can have a specific gravity in the range of approximately 0.7 and approximately 1.3, a specific gravity in the range of approximately 0.8 and approximately 1.2, a specific gravity in the range of approximately 0.9 and approximately 1.1, a specific gravity greater than 1, a specific gravity less than 1, etc. In some embodiments, the toy 30 can have a specific gravity outside of this range. For example, toy 30 can include one or more fillable internal cavities and/or may be configured to receive weights or buoyant materials to allow a user to adjust the buoyancy of the toy. Having a neutral, or near neutral, buoyancy allows the toy to remain at a user-selected elevation, or depth, within the body of water. As such, the toy 30 can be adapted to neither sink to the bottom nor rise to the top of the body of water within which it is used. Thus, the toy can be launched over sizable distances underwater while maintaining the trajectory imparted by the user. In other embodiments, the toy can be configured to be positively or negatively buoyant relative to the body of water in which the toy is used. Although not required, the toy can have centers of gravity and/or buoyancy forward of its center of pressure to increase the glide path, and potentially maintain stability, of the toy in the body of water. This can also potentially increase the horizontal distance the toy travels through the body of water.
In some embodiments, it may be desirable for toy to be constructed or adjusted to be positively buoyant to ensure the toy floats to the surface of the body of water for easy retrieval. In this case, its center of buoyancy can be forward of its center of pressure and/or center of gravity to maximize the distance of underwater travel before surfacing. As a further alternative, toy may be constructed or adjusted to be negatively buoyant to cause the toy to sink to the bottom of the body of water. For example, a positively buoyant version of toy may have a specific gravity in the range of approximately 0.95 and 0.7 or even 0.5, although the more positively buoyant the toy, the less horizontal distance it will travel when launched from underwater. On the other hand, a negatively buoyant version of toy may have a specific gravity in the range of approximately 1.05 to 1.5 or 2.0 or higher. In embodiments where toy is designed to be negatively buoyant when propelled through the body of water by propulsion mechanism (e.g., mechanism, 312, 412), the center of gravity may be (but is not required to be) forward (i.e., closer to nose region), if the toy's center of buoyancy, and the centers of gravity and buoyancy may be forward of the toy's center of pressure.
While not required in all embodiments, the toy can be constructed to have the same, or nearly the same (such as +/−5%, +/−10%, or +/−20%) buoyancy when in both its charged and its uncharged configurations. In such a configuration, the toy can be adapted to draw additional water into its internal compartment as water is expelled through exit port, thereby maintaining the buoyancy of the toy. For example, an embodiment of the toy can include one or more vents or equalization ports (see e.g.,
The toy can (but is not required to) additionally or alternatively be adapted to maintain its center of buoyancy and/or center of gravity during its underwater travel that is propelled by the propulsion mechanism and/or between its charged and uncharged configurations. The toy can (but is not required to) have a center of buoyancy and/or gravity during its underwater travel (and optionally when thereafter uncharged by still submerged) that is within +/−5%, +/−10%, +/−15%, +/−20%, +/−25%, +/−50%, or +/−75% (measured along the long axis A of the toy toward the nose and tail sections) of its center of buoyancy and/or gravity in its fully charged configuration.
As discussed previously, a fill port can be adapted to be removably coupled to a water supply or source of fluid to establish a fluid conduit to charge the reservoir (or reservoir compartment) with a volume of water. The water supply can be adapted to deliver water under pressure to the reservoir via fill port. An illustrative example of a suitable water supply is a household (or other domestic) water supply. Another illustrative example is a water supply for a pool or sprinkler system. Domestic water supplies typically are adapted to provide water at pressures up to 60 psi (for households) or 75 psi (for dedicated sprinkler systems). Other pressures can be used, such as water supplies that are adapted to deliver water at pressures in the range if 10-100 psi, 10-40 psi, 15-30 psi, 30-60 psi, 30-90 psi, 60-90 psi, 40-60 psi, 45-75 psi, and the like. Water may be treated as an incompressible fluid at these pressures. Another illustrative example of a suitable water supply is the body of water in which the toy will be used.
The rate and/or duration that the toy travels through the body of water will vary according to a variety of factors, including but not limited to, the hydrodynamic properties of the toy, the pressure of water within the reservoir, steering and/or righting moments imparted to the toy by its trajectory stabilizing structure, the orientation of the toy when the propulsion system is actuated, any initial velocity imparted to the toy (such as by a user's hand or other launch/release mechanism adapted to impart an initial velocity to the toy), the rate at which the water is discharged through the exit port, the size of the exit port, the volume of water in the reservoir, etc.
The toy, and more specifically, a fill port, such as fill or inlet port 224, can be directly coupled to the water supply, or alternatively may be connected to the water supply via a hose or other suitable fluid conduit. For example, the fill port of the toy may be adapted to be fluidly connected to a hose that is connected to a hose bib adjacent the body of water. Additional examples include hoses that are connected to water returns associated with a pool's pump and/or with pressurized water jets that are adapted to deliver and/or circulate water within the pool or other body of water in which the toy will be used. Another example of a suitable water supply is a manual or powered pump that is adapted to deliver water under pressure to the fill port. For example, a manual pump may be a piston-driven mechanism that a user operates to draw water from the pool or other body of water in which toy 30 will be used, and to deliver the water under pressure to the fill port of the toy. In some embodiments, a manual pump is incorporated into the toy, as illustrated in
A toy can be directly coupled to the water supply, or it can be fluidly connected to the water supply by a hose or other conduit. This is schematically illustrated in
For the purpose of brevity, the following discussion will focus upon a fluid interconnection between fill port 524 and a discharge end 586 of hose assembly 582. However, it is to be understood that the components discussed herein can also be used to interconnect a water supply with the toy's fill port without using a hose assembly and/or to interconnect fluidly the water supply to the fill port with a fluid conduit other than hose assembly 582. Also, although only one hose assembly is illustrated and described, a splitter (not shown) can optionally be used to couple multiple toys to a single water supply. For example, a splitter can include multiple hose assemblies so that one end of the splitter is coupled to a single water supply (e.g., a hose) and the other ends of the multiple hose assemblies can each be coupled to a fill port of a separate toy.
Fill port 524 and the discharge end 586 of hose assembly 582 (and/or the discharge end of water supply 580 and/or another suitable fluid conduit for interconnecting the water supply with the fill port of the toy) can be adapted to be releasably coupled together to permit effective charging of the toy's propulsion mechanism 512. As such, either or both of fill port 524 and discharge end 586 may include, or be connected to, a coupling structure 588 that is adapted to provide a fluid interconnection between these components to enable charging of the propulsion mechanism. For example, either or both of port 524 and end 586 can include a fitting 590 that is sized and/or constructed to interconnect releasably with a complimentary configured fitting 590 associated with the other one of port 524 and end 586 and/or the existing construction of port 524 and end 586. By this it is meant that port 524 and/or end 586 can have a suitable fitting 590 releasably attached thereto or may be formed to include the fitting. By “releasably,” it is meant that the corresponding elements are designed to be repeatedly connected and disconnected without destroying the elements or any interconnecting structure. The fittings can be adapted to remain coupled together until a user urges the fittings apart from each other, until sufficient force is generated within the reservoir to urge the fittings apart from each other, and/or until a mechanical release is actuated by a user. A spring, or other biasing or launch mechanism, can provide an initial acceleration force to the toy during launch, i.e., when released for underwater travel powered by propulsion mechanism 512. Such a spring or other mechanism can be incorporated into one or both of the fittings or otherwise positioned to impart this initial thrust to the toy.
An illustrative, non-exclusive example of a suitable configuration for coupling structure 588 includes quick-connect fittings that are adapted to be retained together until a manual release is actuated by a user. Examples of suitable quick connect fittings are manufactured by Colder Products Company, and include the fittings disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,725, the complete disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. Other quick-connect fittings include a longitudinally slidable release element, such as is often employed with quick-connect assemblies for gas conduits. Another example is a frictional fitting in which one of the corresponding components is inserted at least partially into the other component to establish a fluid interconnection, with the components being frictionally retained together. Further examples include threaded interconnections and compression seals or other frictional interconnections.
Additionally, and/or alternatively, either of port 524 and/or end 586 can include or be releasably connected to a valve assembly that is adapted to restrict selectively the flow of water therethrough when the valve assembly is in an off position. The valve assembly can be an automatic valve assembly, such as a valve assembly that is adapted to prevent water from flowing therethrough when corresponding components of the coupling structure are not interconnected together. As another example, the valve assembly can be a manual valve assembly in which a user selectively configures the valve assembly between “on” (water may flow through the valve assembly) and “off” (water is restricted from flowing through the valve assembly) configurations. Manually actuated valve assemblies therefore include a user-manipulable element that configures the valve assembly between its on and off configurations responsive to inputs from a user. While not required, an automatic valve assembly, when used, will most likely be associated with end 586, while a manually actuated valve assembly can be associated with either end 586 or port 524. For example, including a manual on/off valve with fill port 524 enables a user to charge the toy's propulsion mechanism and disconnect the toy from the water source without necessarily initiating the emission of water under pressure from the toy's propulsion mechanism. Instead, if the manual valve assembly is in an off configuration, the user can position the toy in a desired orientation and location in a body of water and thereafter initiate the self-propulsion of the toy by configuring the manual valve assembly to an on configuration. When the toy includes separate fill and exit ports, the fill port can include an automatic one-way or check valve that prevents water from being expelled from the reservoir through the fill port.
In
In use, any of the toys described herein can be charged with a volume of water and oriented in a selected launch orientation, or position, such as by aligning a longitudinal central axis generally along the trajectory selected by the user, with the nose section positioned forward of tail section. The toy is released by the user and the propulsion mechanism urges the toy along the selected underwater trajectory by expelling water through one or more exit ports. The toy can be adapted to travel a distance, for example, of at least 10 feet, and/or at least 20, 30, 50 or more feet under its own (i.e., self-generated) propulsion through the body of water when the reservoir (e.g., reservoir 220) is fully charged and the toy is released by the user in the body of water. The release of the toy for underwater travel can include one or more of disconnecting the toy from the water supply prior to positioning the toy for underwater travel, releasing a quick-release or other mechanical fitting that interconnects the toy with a hose, and configuring an on/off valve associated with the exit port to an on (or fluid-emitting) configuration.
While toy (e.g., toy 30) is described herein as a being a toy that is adapted to be self-propelled through a body of water, the toy can alternatively be hand-launched or otherwise manually launched by a user through the body of water. For example, toy 30 can be sized for grasping by a user's hand, such as in the notch formed by the user's thumb and index finger, and manually propelled through the body of water. Similarly, while described as being an underwater toy that travels along an underwater trajectory, the path of the toy 30 can include an initial aerial portion, such as when the toy 30 is launched into a body of water.
The example of a toy 730 illustrated in
As best shown in
In
As discussed previously, in some embodiments, for example, in embodiments that include a propulsion mechanism that includes an expandable elastomeric bladder, it may be desirable to restrict the bladder from being crimped during charging of the reservoir. An illustrative, non-exclusive configuration of a toy that includes a crimp-resisting structure is shown in
Also shown in
The propulsion mechanism 2112 includes a manual pump 2113 coupled to, and in fluid communication with, an expandable reservoir 2120. The expandable reservoir 2120 is disposed within an interior compartment 2110 defined by the tail section 2136 of the body 2132. In this embodiment, the expandable reservoir 2120 includes elasticized or elastomeric walls that can expand or deform when the reservoir is being filled with a liquid, gas or solid material, such as water or air. For example, the expandable reservoir 2120 can be partially or completely formed from an elastomeric, flexible or stretchable material. The expandable reservoir 2120 can also be formed according to methods described with reference to reservoir 2120 illustrated in
The pump 2113 includes an outer sleeve 2123 and an inner sleeve 2125 movably disposed within the outer sleeve 2123. A one-way valve 2121 is coupled to the inner sleeve 2125, and will be described in more detail below.
An inlet port 2124 is coupled to and in fluid communication with the pump 2113. The inlet port 2124 extends through the nose section 2134 such that it is accessible from an exterior of the toy 2130 through an opening 2137 defined by the nose section 2134. A one-way valve 2193 is coupled to the inlet port 2124, the function of which will be described in more detail below. An outlet port 2126 is coupled to and in fluid communication with the expandable reservoir 2120. The outlet port 2126 extends at least partially through an opening 2139 defined by the tail section 2136 and an opening 2141 defined by the stabilizer 2140. A valve 2192 is coupled to the outlet port 2126 that can be actuated to selectively open and close the outlet port 2126.
A forward or first portion of the pump 2113 is coupled to the nose section 2134; a rearward or second portion of the pump 2113 is coupled to the tail section 2136. When the pump 2113 is actuated (e.g., manually pumped) the nose section 2134 and the tail section 2136 are displaced relative to each other. For example, the nose section 2134 can be moved relative to the tail section 2136 to pump or draw fluid through the inlet port 2124 and into the expandable reservoir 2120. In alternative embodiments, the tail section can be displaced relative to the nose section to draw fluid into the expandable reservoir 2120. Thus, the body can include multiple portions or sections, and various portions can be moved relative to each other to actuate a pump to draw fluid into the expandable reservoir.
To pump fluid into the expandable reservoir 2120, the on/off valve 2192 is placed in a closed configuration, and the inlet port 2124 is placed or submerged in a body of fluid. With the inlet port 2124 submerged in the body of fluid, the propulsion mechanism 2112 is moved to the first or extended configuration, which causes fluid to be drawn through the inlet port 2124, through the one-way valve 2193 and into an interior of the sleeve 2123 of the pump 2113. In this configuration, the expandable reservoir 2120 is in an uncharged configuration (e.g., contains substantially no fluid) and defines a first volume. The one-way valve 2193 allows fluid to flow into the interior portion 2123 of the pump 2113, but prevents the fluid from flowing back out of the pump 2113. In alternative embodiments, a one-way valve for the inlet port is not included, and other means for capping or closing the inlet port can be used. For example, an on/off valve similar to valve 2192 can be coupled to inlet port 2124, such that a user can place the valve in an on position to draw fluid into the pump 2113 and then turn the valve to an off position to contain the fluid within the pump 2113. In another example, a user can place a finger or thumb over the inlet port 2124, or place a cap on the inlet port to contain the fluid within the pump 2113. Likewise, the on/off valve 2192 coupled to the outlet 2126, can be replaced with a one-way valve.
To charge or fill the expandable reservoir 2120 with the fluid contained within the interior portion 2123 of the pump 2113, the propulsion mechanism 2112 is moved to the second or collapsed configuration.
The fluid introduced into the expandable reservoir 2120 is temporarily contained within the expandable reservoir 2120 due to the valve 2192 being in the closed configuration. The fluid contained within the expandable reservoir 2120 is pressurized due to pumping forces when the fluid was introduced into the expandable reservoir 2120 and/or due to biasing forces of the expandable reservoir 2120.
To propel the toy 2130 through a body of water, the valve 2192 can be moved to an open configuration. With the valve 2192 open, the biasing force of the expandable reservoir 2120 biases the expandable reservoir 2120 to return to an uncharged configuration and, therefore, urges the pressurized fluid contained within the expandable reservoir 2120 to be released or expelled through the outlet port 2126, and outside of the toy 2130.
The propulsion mechanism 2212 is coupled to the body 2232 and includes an expandable reservoir 2220. The expandable reservoir 2220 is disposed within an interior compartment 2210 defined by the tail section 2236 of the body 2232. In this embodiment, the expandable reservoir 2220 includes elastomeric walls and can be formed substantially the same as the expandable reservoir 520 described above. As such, the expandable reservoir 2220 defines a first interior volume when not charged with a volume of fluid, and a second (greater) volume when the expandable reservoir 2220 is charged with a volume of fluid.
The nose section 2234 is also formed of an elastomeric material and can be formed similar to the expandable reservoir 2220. The nose section 2234 defines an interior region 2223 that has a volume that can vary as is described in more detail below. The propulsion mechanism 2212 includes the nose section 2234 and a sleeve 2225 that is in fluid communication with the expandable reservoir 2220. The propulsion mechanism also includes a one-way valve 2221 that is coupled to the sleeve 2225.
An opening 2237 is defined by the nose section 2234 that provides access to the interior volume 2223 of the nose section 2234 from an exterior of the toy 2230. In some embodiments, a one-way valve (not shown in
In this embodiment, to pump fluid into the expandable reservoir 2220, the valve 2292 is put in an off position, and the nose section 2234 is squeezed by a user while the opening 2237 is placed or submerged in a body of fluid. While the opening 2237 is still submerged in the body of fluid, the nose section 2234 is released such that it is allowed to assume its biased or expanded configuration. In doing so, fluid will be drawn into the interior region 2223 of the nose section 2234. The user can then place a thumb or finger over the opening 2237 or otherwise cap the opening 2237. For example, the toy can include a cap (not shown in
With the opening 2237 closed or capped, the fluid contained within interior region 2223 of the nose section 2234 can be pushed through the one-way valve 2221 and into the expandable reservoir 2220 by again squeezing the nose section 2234, as shown in
As with the previous embodiments, the fluid introduced into the expandable reservoir 2220 is temporarily contained within the expandable reservoir 2220 due to the valve 2292 being in the closed configuration. The fluid contained within the expandable reservoir 2220 is pressurized due to pumping forces when the fluid was introduced into the expandable reservoir 2220 and/or due to biasing forces of the expandable reservoir 2220.
To propel the toy 2230 through a body of water, the valve 2292 can be moved to an open configuration. With the valve 2292 open, the biasing force of the expandable reservoir 2220 biases the expandable reservoir 2220 to return to an uncharged configuration and, therefore, urges the pressurized fluid contained within the expandable reservoir 2220 to be released or expelled through the outlet port 2226, and outside of the toy 2230. Although not specifically shown, any of the components described with reference to the previous embodiments can also be incorporated in this embodiment.
In another embodiment of a self-propelled toy, centrifugal force is used to draw fluid into the reservoir of the toy. As shown in
The propulsion mechanism also includes an impeller 2350 that is rotatably coupled to the body 2332 via a shaft 2329. The impeller 2350 can be constructed, for example, similar to an impeller used in a centrifugal pump. A handle 2352 is coupled to the impeller 2350 and can be used to manually turn the impeller 2350. The handle 2352 can be folded such that it is positioned alongside an exterior surface of the body 2332. In some embodiments, a removable handle can be used that can be removably coupled to the impeller. Other suitable handle configurations can also be used. In some embodiments, a handle can extend perpendicular from a side of the body and include a gear mechanism to translate the rotation of the handle by a user into rotational motion of the impeller about the longitudinal axis of the impeller shaft. In an alternative to actuating the impeller using a handle, a toy can be constructed without a handle, in which case the user can move the toy through a body of water to actuate the impeller. For example, the motion of the toy through the body of water will cause water to flow through the impeller and drive or cause the impeller to rotate, drawing water into the reservoir.
In this embodiment, to pump fluid into the reservoir 2320, the toy 2330 is placed or submerged in a body of fluid with the valve 2392 in an off position. The handle 2352 is turned to rotate the impeller 2350, which draws fluid through the opening 2337, through the diffuser 2327, through the one-way valve 2321 and into the reservoir 2320. The user can continue to rotate the impeller 2350 until the reservoir 2320 is in a charged configuration. The handle 2352 can then be placed in a folded position as described above. As with the previous embodiments, the fluid contained within the reservoir can be released by moving the valve 2392 to an on position, which will propel the toy 2330 through the body of fluid. As stated previously, any of the components described with reference to the previous embodiments can also be incorporated in this embodiment.
In another embodiment, a toy can include a single body that defines a reservoir for containing fluid. In other words, in this embodiment, the toy has a single body/reservoir instead of a separate body and reservoir. As shown in
To fill the expandable body 2432 with a fluid, the propulsion mechanism 2412 can be actuated or pumped as previously described with reference to
As a variation to the above-described propulsion mechanisms illustrated in
To draw fluid into the reservoir 2520 (e.g., move the toy 2530 from an uncharged configuration to a charged configuration), the orifice 2539 is placed in fluid, and the pull cord 2591 is then pulled by the user to draw the piston 2535 in a direction away from the reservoir 2520 and against the bias of the biasing member 2544. This will cause fluid to be drawn in through the orifice 2539 and into the reservoir 2520. When the user releases the pull cord (i.e., releases the piston), the biasing member 2544 will urge the piston 2535 toward the reservoir 2520, and force the fluid back out through the orifice 2539, propelling the toy 2530.
Although not specifically shown, any of the components described with reference to any of the embodiments herein can be incorporated with any embodiment. For example, the reservoir 2120 can be replaced with a reservoir similar to the reservoirs described with reference to
In addition, in any of the embodiments described herein, other types of propulsion mechanisms can be used to draw fluid into a toy and propel the toy when the fluid is expelled from the toy. For example, in some embodiments, a root-type blower or compressor having rotary blades can be used. In other embodiments, a vane-type compressor can be used.
The specific embodiments as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof, such disclosure or claims may be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.
Applicant reserves the right to submit claims directed to certain combinations and subcombinations that are directed to one of the disclosed embodiments and are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Embodiments in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties can be claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in that or a related application.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/684,801, entitled “Self-Propelled Hydrodynamic Underwater Toy,” filed May 18, 2005, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
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