Abstract:
A toy ship and associated toy navy wherein the toy ship has multiple chambers within the hull, each chamber having a plug below the water line to allow entry of water to sink the ship. The child determines as a matter of play that the ship has been struck by a projectile or torpedo and appropriately should have one or more plugs pulled. The child then pulls the plug(s) allowing entry of water to sink the ship. As the ship is struck further, more plugs may be pulled by the child to hasten sinking of the ship. The plugs may be fabricated to remain with the ship when pulled so as not to get lost or become a swallowing hazard for the child. The ship may be provided in association with a toy submarine, a toy airplane and/or a second toy ship, which may be of different design.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of provisional application Ser. No. 60/975,172, filed 26 Sep. 2007 by Strebeigh, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field Of The Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention pertains generally to the field of water amusement toys, in particular bathtub toys for young children. 
         [0004]    2. Background Of The Invention 
         [0005]    Tub toys provide multiple useful purposes by engendering a positive outlook in the child with respect to bathing. Tub toys encourage creative thinking and imagination and learning through the experience of interacting with water. With the addition of tub toys to the bathing experience the child looks forward to the bathing experience and stays in the tub longer. The toy not only provides amusement for the child, but the child exercises imagination and creativity by generating play scenarios with the toy. The child learns about floating objects and what keeps them afloat. The child is encouraged to learn more about the subject of the models used in the tub toys—a springboard for learning history, physics, model building or any other aspect related to the toy. 
         [0006]    Bathtub toys may also be used in swimming pools, front yard pools, or streams and lakes. Children may develop group play with a number of related toys. 
         [0007]    Zhu (U.S. Pat. No. 6,022,261) teaches a vertically sinkable toy ship model. Ship sinks bow first in a vertically standing position before submerging under water. The ship provides only one mode of sinking, which may be found dull and boring after a relatively short time. 
         [0008]    Blackshear (U.S. Pat. No. 1,292,422) teaches a sinkable ship which may be sunk by hitting-a target. The target mechanism appears far too fragile to withstand the rough treatment of a 4 year old nor is a 4 year old likely to be able to set up the mechanism or fire a projectile to hit the target. 
         [0009]    Schwartz (U.S. Pat. No. 3,434,716) describes a ship model having a funnel shaped target for receiving water from a squirt gun. Upon receiving sufficient water, the ship model sinks. The Schwartz device requires a squirt gun delivering a large amount of water, which may potentially create a big mess in the hands of a 4 year old. The game becomes a game of squirt gun marksmanship, not a game of imagination. 
         [0010]    Benjetsky (U.S. Pat. No. 2,987,849) describes a ship having a meniscus based port that may be triggered by a water droplet to allow entry of water to sink the ship model. Thus, a toy bomber may drop a “bomb” being a water droplet, which, if accurately dropped, initiates the sinking of the toy ship. The meniscus is likely to be dependent on surface tension, which is destroyed by soapy water, and thus not suitable as a bathtub toy. 
         [0011]    Springfors (U.S. Pat. No. 3,451,159) describes a toy boat with a single adjustment at the top for allowing water into the hull for stabilizing or sinking the boat. The Springfors mechanism requires close alignment between the top and hull portions, which appears not likely to stand up well to the dropping, slapping, and banging treatment likely to be delivered by a 4 year old. 
         [0012]    Huth (U.S. Pat. No. 1,145,420) describes a toy war-boat which includes a mechanism to break apart the bow and stern sections of the boat upon receiving an impact from a toy torpedo. 
         [0013]    Holt (U.S. Pat. No. 2,472,279) describes an exploding ship toy including a spring mechanism to cause the ship to break apart into pieces upon receiving a jolt from a marble or projectile from a toy cannon. Again, both the Huth war-boat and Holt exploding ship include mechanisms which appear to be beyond the skill level of a 4 year old to set up and operate. Further, toy torpedoes and projectiles are likely to pose swallowing hazards. 
         [0014]    Lewis (U.S. Pat. No. 1,205,759) teaches a toy ship having a weight in the center that may be dislodged by a jolt causing the weight to shift to tilt the ship to a partially submerged condition in simulation of sinking of the ship. The mechanism may be beyond the capability of a typical 4 year old to set up. Further the play requires a projectile, which may present a swallowing hazard. 
         [0015]    Thus, there is a need for a toy ship for a toy navy that provides a sinkable characteristic that is suitable for 4 to 8 year olds, simple and safe to operate, rugged enough to withstand the treatment from the child, low cost, and easy to manufacture. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    Briefly, the present invention relates to a toy ship and associated toy navy wherein the toy ship has multiple chambers within the hull, each chamber having a plug below the water line to allow entry of water to sink the ship. The child determines as a matter of play that the ship has been struck by a projectile or torpedo and appropriately should have one or more plugs pulled. The child then pulls the plug(s) allowing entry of water to sink the ship. As the ship is struck further, more plugs may be pulled by the child to hasten sinking of the ship. The plugs may be fabricated to remain with the ship when pulled so as not to get lost or become a swallowing hazard for the child. The ship may be fabricated with impact resistant plastic to withstand throwing, dropping, and slapping treatment typical from 4 to 8 year olds. The ship contains no delicate or complex mechanisms beyond the capability of the typical 4 to 8 year old. The ship may be provided in association with a toy submarine, a toy airplane and/or a second toy ship, which may be of different design. 
         [0017]    These and further benefits and features of the present invention are herein described in detail with reference to exemplary embodiments in accordance with the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0018]    The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. Additionally, the left most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the drawing in which the reference number first appears. In the drawings, a reference number with a letter suffix typically indicates a specific instance of a general concept designated by the same number without a suffix, e.g.,  102  refers to plugs generally,  102   a  refers to the plug for the stem compartment (see  FIG. 1 ). 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of an exemplary sinkable aircraft carrier model ship in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  illustrate an exploded perspective view of the exemplary ship of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a partial cross section diagram of an exemplary plug and port for flooding a compartment. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5  illustrate the closed and open positions respectively for the plug of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  illustrates an alternate plug having a flexible strap connection to the hull section. 
           [0024]      FIG. 7A  and  FIG. 7B  illustrate the sinking of the exemplary ship of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    The present invention relates to a toy ship and toy navy primarily for use by children in the age group from 4 to 8 years old. In accordance with the invention, a ship is constructed with several compartments, each compartment having a port below the water line with a plug that may be pulled to open the port and allow water to enter the compartment to begin sinking the ship. When several compartments are flooded, the water may reach a level where the water may leak through an opening in the partition between compartments to fill any remaining compartments to finish flooding the ship and allow the ship to sink. 
         [0026]    To operate the invention, a child in play, may pretend that the ship is struck by a torpedo or missile at some point along the ship. The child then pulls the plug associated with that point along the ship and the ship begins to take on water. As the child continues to play the child fires another torpedo and imagines that it strikes the ship at a second location. The child then pulls the plug associated with the second location. Now, the ship sinks-lower and may begin to leak across internal partitions to fill the remaining chambers allowing the ship to sink completely. 
         [0027]    At 4 to 8 years, childhood imagination is in full swing. The toy need only suggest the subject, and the child&#39;s imagination can create any missing features or ignore any seeming inconsistency in order to maintain the play scenario. Prior art ships of Holt, Huth, Springfors, and Blackshears utilize elaborate mechanisms to cause the ship to sink triggered by an actual impact of a projectile or other object, satisfying the adult need for realism in the process. The present invention, however, is better adapted to the imagination of the 4 to 8 year old, who can easily guide a missile to impact the ship with one hand and pull the plug with the other while voicing explosion sounds with the mouth, and then be pleased with the result. Further, the prior art mechanisms are relatively fragile in that they cannot withstand the dropping, banging and slapping that a 4 year old is likely to deliver. The present invention, however, can be built with impact resistant plastic and can be designed to have no thin fragile protrusions so that the toy may take the physical abuse likely to be received from a young child. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of an exemplary sinkable aircraft carrier model ship in accordance with the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the ship  100  shown is an aircraft carrier. The ship  100  comprises a hull section  108  and a top section comprising a deck  114  and deckhouse or superstructure  112 . The top section may include deck guns, aircraft, missiles or other features indicative of the type of ship represented. The hull section  108  includes a number of ports with plugs  102   a - 102   d . The ports are located below a water line  110  shown to indicate the draft of the ship before any plugs  102  are pulled and the ship  100  is empty. The hull  108  includes partitions  106   a - 106   c  forming compartments  116   a - 116   d  in the hull. Three partitions are shown, forming four compartments. Thus, four ports with plugs  102   a - 102   d  are included allowing each of the compartments  116   a - 116   d  to be separately and individually flooded. Any number of compartments may be formed by adding partitions, each with a means for flooding, such as the ports shown. One or more ports with plugs  102  may be provided for each compartment. 
         [0029]    Also shown are vents  104   a - 104   d  for each compartment  116   a - 116   d . Each compartment to be flooded should be vented by some means. Each compartment may be vented by providing the vents shown above the empty water line  110 . Alternatively, the compartments may be vented by providing space between the upper section  114  and the hull section  108 , or by proving vents in the deck or superstructure  112 . Vents between the hull and superstructure also provide a convenient means for emptying the water once play is finished or a new play scenario is to be initiated. The compartments  116   a - 116   d  shown are open at the top allowing venting at any convenient location along the top of the ship  100 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 2A  illustrates an exploded perspective view of the exemplary ship of  FIG. 1 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , the ship may be fabricated in two main sections, the top section  204  and the hull section  206 . Any number of parts or sections may be used, but the figure illustrates a particularly economical and simple embodiment comprising just two main sections. The top section  204  comprises the deck  114  and any additional structures  112 , such as superstructures, deckhouses, and the like. The top section may include deck guns, aircraft, missiles or other features indicative of the type of ship represented. The hull section  206  comprises the hull  108 , a number of ports with plugs  102 , air vents  104 , and partitions  106  forming several compartments  116  to be flooded. In one embodiment, the height of the partitions  106  may extend partially to the level of the deck to allow flooding from one compartment to the next as the water reaches the top of the partition. Alternatively the partition may have a port or hole  202  at a desired level to allow flooding across partitions at a slower rate than spilling over the top of the partition. 
         [0031]    The hull section and top section may be joined by snap or interlocking fastening mechanisms as are known in the art of plastic toy making. Alternatively, the sections may be fastened by adhesive, plastic welding or other similar techniques. Air vents  104  are shown near the top of the hull. Alternatively, the junction between the top section and the hull section may include spaces to serve as air vents. To facilitate sinking the ship may be made from a high density sinkable plastic. Alternatively, the ship may be weighted by adding or incorporating high density materials. 
         [0032]    The ship shown is an aircraft carrier, however, the invention may be applied to any ship type including but not limited to a battle ship, missile cruiser, PT boat, pirate sailing ship, freighter, liner, or other boat or ship. 
         [0033]      FIG. 2B  illustrates an alternative port and compartment arrangement for the ship of  FIG. 2A . Referring to  FIG. 2B , the alternative hull section  208  includes center partition  210  forming additional compartments, right and left of the center partition  210 . Each resulting compartment may have a port and plug  102  along with any vent  104  necessary. In  FIG. 2B , eight vents  104  are shown with four ports in the front of the view (starboard side). The four rear ports (port side) are hidden from view below the four rear vents. Other partition and port arrangements are possible. It may be appreciated that additional ports (and/or compartments) increase the number of modes of sinking and allow more complex play scenarios. For example, having ports on both sides allow for both port and starboard tilting (listing) before sinking. The child may pull the plugs on a first side, leaving the plugs on the other side in the closed position, causing one side of the ship to fill with water, tilting the ship to that side. Likewise fore and aft ports allow for bow first or stern first sinking. Combined fore or aft and side to side action is also possible. Further, having more ports allows for more enemy strikes before complete sinking, or for towing an injured ship back to harbor for repair. 
         [0034]      FIG. 3  is a partial cross section diagram of an exemplary plug and port for flooding a compartment. Referring to  FIG. 3 , the port comprises a hole in the hull  108  below the water line. The plug  102  is disposed within the hole and may be located in at least two positions. A first, closed, position for floating the ship and a second, open, position for allowing water to enter an associated component  116  to flood the compartment to partially sink the ship. As several compartments are flooded, the ship will sink completely. The plug comprises a pull-tab  302  which may be easily grasped by the child for pulling the plug  102  out to allow water to enter the compartment  116 . The plug  102  further comprises a shoulder stop  304  for setting the closed position of the plug  102 . In the closed position, the plug  102  is seated with the shoulder stop  304  against the hull  108 . A friction seat  306  holds the plug in the port. The plug  102  further comprises a tubular section  310  having one or more lateral holes  308  for water to enter the tubular section  310 . The tubular section  310  has a stop ring  312  attached at the end to prevent the plug  102  from being pulled out of the hull  108 . The plug  102  should not be detachable from the ship, as the plug could become a swallowing hazard for the child. During manufacturing the plug  102  is initially inserted into the hull  108  without the stop ring  312 . The stop ring  312  is then attached to the plug  102  by adhesive, plastic welding, swaging, or other techniques known in the art of plastic assembly. Alternatively, the stop ring may be thermoplastically formed on the end of the tube portion of the plug. Other designs for opening and closing a water port may be used as are known in the art of plastic toys. 
         [0035]      FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5  illustrate the closed and open positions respectively for the plug of  FIG. 3 . Referring to  FIG. 4 , the plug is initially positioned in the closed position with the shoulder stop  304  against the hull wall  108 , closing the port. The plug  102  should seat with mild friction against the hull  108  at this point. Friction ridges may be used in insure friction. Alternatively, an O-ring or other elastic feature may be used to insure a seal. In a further alternative, the entire plug may be fabricated from an elastic plastic. 
         [0036]    Referring to the open configuration shown in  FIG. 5 , the plug  102  is pulled out  402  exposing the holes  308  in the tubular section  310  and allowing water to enter the port and fill the compartment along path  502 . Stop ring  312  prevents the plug from being pulled entirely out of the port. 
         [0037]      FIG. 6  illustrates an alternate plug having a flexible strap connection to the hull section. Referring to  FIG. 6 , the plug  102  is shown in the closed position, seated in the port in the hull of the ship. The pull tab  302  may be pulled  402  to pull the plug  102  out of the port to an open position allowing water to enter the port. The plug is attached to a flexible strap  602  which is attached to the ship with a permanent attachment  604 , including but not limited to swaging, plastic welding, adhesive attachment, or other attachment techniques. Further, the flexible strap may be made of any flexible material including chain or cable of any material. In a further alternative, the port connection may be reversed, i.e., the hull connection may be male instead of the female connection shown and the plug may be female instead of the male connection shown. The plugs of  FIGS. 3-6  are exemplary. Other designs may be used as are known in the art. 
         [0038]      FIG. 7A  and  FIG. 7B  illustrate the sinking of the exemplary-ship of  FIG. 1 . Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 7A  and  FIG. 7B , the ship is initially afloat as shown in  FIG. 1 . All plugs are pushed in, in the closed position. The ship may be operated as a floating toy in this configuration. Referring to  FIG. 7A , when the child determines, through a play scenario, that the ship has been struck by a weapon, the child pulls one plug, for example plug  102   d , allowing water to enter the bow compartment  116   d , forward of partition  106   c . At this point, the embodiment of  FIG. 7A  sinks to a lower position in the water, with the bow lower than the stern, but not completely sinking the ship. The water level in compartment  116   d  is lower than the top of partition  106   c  so that compartment  116   c  is not flooded by water from compartment  116   d  and thus remains empty. Other embodiments may allow slight leakage to adjacent compartments, eventually slowly completely sinking the ship by pulling a single plug. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 7B , as the child continues to play, the child may determine the ship is hit by a second weapon and may pull another plug, for example plug  102   c , allowing water to enter the second forward compartment  116   c , sinking the bow further into the water. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7B , the partition  106   b  extends part way from the hull to the deck so that as water fully fills compartment  116   c  behind plug  102   c  the water may spill  702  over the partition  106   b  to begin to fill  704  compartment  116   b . The process continues as compartment  116   b  spills over partition  106   a  and fills compartment  116   a  to complete the sinking of the ship  100 . Thus, by pulling one plug  102   d , the ship tilts, but does not sink, but by pulling the two forward plugs  102   d  and  102   c , the ship eventually sinks completely. The partitions may be sized so that by pulling the front-plug  102   d  and aft plug  102   a , the ship sinks lower, without sinking completely, but by pulling the two adjacent front plugs ( 102   c  and  102   d ) or two adjacent aft plugs ( 102   a  and  102   b ), the ship will tilt enough to allow water across the mid partition  106   b  leading to complete sinking of the ship. 
         [0040]    One may appreciate that the process may be extended to any number of partitions and compartments by setting the height of the partition  106  or inter-compartment port  202  to a level above the equilibrium level of water in a flooded compartment for a stable floating in a partially sunken configuration with a first partial set of plugs pulled, but below a level achieved with additional plugs pulled. Pulling the additional plugs then precipitates the internal filling of adjacent compartments and leading to the complete the submerging of the ship by successive filling of chambers by internal flooding. Alternatively, additional ports may be placed in the hull above the empty water line to allow filling of additional ports after sinking begins. 
       Sinkable Navy 
       [0041]    In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the ship may be part of a set comprising at least one additional water or aircraft, which may include an aircraft carrier, missile cruiser, battleship, submarine, or bomber. The multiple ships may be used by the child as opposing forces. For example, the bomber or submarine may attack the aircraft carrier. Alternatively the craft may be on the same side, according to the child&#39;s imagination. Further, several children may gather together with one set, or with more than one set, and may devise a group scenario or game to their liking. 
         [0042]    One should understand that numerous variations may be made by one skilled in the art based on the teachings herein. While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.