Abstract:
A bubble-generating device composed of an internal housing and an external cover. The internal housing includes a reservoir that receives a bubble-producing solution. The reservoir is fluidly connected via a channel to a bubble producing ring. The bubble producing solution provides a film over the bubble producing ring. When an aperture that extends through the external cover is aligned with an opening in the ring, air is permitted to pass through the aperture and the opening and impinging on the film over the ring causing bubbles to be generated.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The invention relates to a bubble generating device for an air imparted apparatus, and in particular to providing a bubble producing device for a hula hoop. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    A myriad of bubble producing implements have been previously designed to generate bubbles in response to an air flow passing across the implement. Likewise, various toys have also been devised which combine recreation with a physical activity. However, very few have been created which combine the use of a recreational toy and a bubble generating device that is encouragingly entertaining and provide physical benefits to its users. 
         [0005]    Modernly, it is increasingly becoming more difficult to encourage a youngster to unplug from their electronics devices, leave the confines of the home and to engage in a healthy physical activity. Consequently, there is a need for vigorous devices that encourage physical activity over stagnant media prone devices that detract from healthy activities. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    An object of the present invention is to provide a bubble generating device. The bubble generating device is composed of an internal housing and a retractable cover. The internal housing includes a reservoir that receives a bubble-producing solution. The reservoir is fluidly connected via a channel to a bubble producing ring. The bubble producing solution provides a film over the bubble producing ring generated by a swiper bar. When an aperture that extends through the retractable cover is aligned with an opening in the ring, air is permitted to pass through the aperture and the opening and impinging on the film over the ring causing bubbles to be generated. 
         [0007]    These and other objects, features, and/or advantages may accrue from various aspects of embodiments of the present invention, as described in more detail below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0008]    Various exemplary embodiments will be described in detail, wherein like reference numerals refer to identical or similar components or steps, with reference to the following figures, wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary bubble generating device attached to a hoop and generating bubbles around a user in accordance with this invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  depicts the bubble generating device generating bubbles in response to a draft of air passing through an opening in the bubble generating device. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  depicts a partial cross section of the bubble generating device illustrating the fluid path for the bubble producing solution from the reservoir to the bubble ring. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  shows an exploded view of the structure of the internal housing without the sliding cover. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  shows a transparent sliding cover illustrating the bubble generating device in a closed position. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  illustrates the cover extended in an open operable position relative to the internal housing of the bubble generating device. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 7-9  illustrate perspective, front and bottom views of the retractable sliding cover. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 10-13  depict top, back, bottom and top views of the retractable sliding cover. 
           [0017]      FIG. 14  shows a first side construction of the internal housing of the bubble generating device without the retractable sliding cover. 
           [0018]      FIG. 15  illustrates a second side construction of the internal housing of the bubble generating device without the retractable sliding cover. 
           [0019]      FIG. 16  depicts a front view of a first casing of the bubble generating device without the retractable sliding cover. 
           [0020]      FIG. 17  shows a front view of a second casing of the bubble generating device without the retractable sliding cover. 
           [0021]      FIG. 18  illustrates a top view of the first and second casings of the bubble generating device without the retractable sliding cover. 
           [0022]      FIG. 19  depicts a bottom view of the first and second casings of the bubble generating device without the retractable sliding cover. 
           [0023]      FIGS. 20-21  show a perspective and a front view of the bubble ring. 
           [0024]      FIGS. 22-24  illustrate perspective and a front view of the bubble ring in an outer bubble ring housing. 
           [0025]      FIGS. 25-30  illustrate various views of the first casing of the internal housing. 
           [0026]      FIGS. 31-33  depict various perspective views of the first casing of the internal housing. 
           [0027]      FIGS. 34-38  depict various views of the second casing of the internal housing. 
           [0028]      FIGS. 39-41  show various perspective views of the second casing of the internal housing. 
           [0029]      FIGS. 42-44  show various views of the reservoir plug. 
           [0030]      FIG. 45  illustrates an exemplary tension spring of the bubble generating device. 
           [0031]      FIGS. 46-47  show views of an exemplary conduit of the bubble generating device. 
           [0032]      FIG. 48  illustrates an exemplary illumination-generating device. 
           [0033]      FIG. 49  illustrates an exemplary whistle-generating device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0034]    Particular embodiments of the present invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the figures. 
         [0035]      FIG. 1  depicts the path of a hoop  12  for an individual user  5  engaged in a vigorous hula hooping activity by which various bubbles are generated from an exemplary bubble generating device  10  according to this subject disclosure. The bubble generating device  10  may generally be attached to a toy. In this instance, the bubble generating device  10  is attached to a hoop  12  formed of an arcurate hollow loop. 
         [0036]    The hoop  12  is a toy. The hoop may be comprised an extruded tubular member formed into a rigid closed loop or molded arc sections that are plugged into or attached to each other to form a uniform closed loop. The loop may have a diameter larger than the widest dimension of the user  5  of the toy. The weight and the diameter of the loop forming the hoop is proportioned so that the hoop may be caused to rotate about the body of a user for relatively long periods of time by co-ordinated gyrating movement of the body of the user  5 . The hoop may have a friction surface encompassing all or part of the inner periphery of the hoop which contacts the body of the user  5 . The hoop may be proportioned to have a diameter of between approximately 30 and 40 inches, and a weight of between approximately 6 ounces upwards to 5 pounds or more. 
         [0037]    The hoop may be used by placing it about the body of the user  5  and the user  5  then imparts a spinning motion to the hoop manually. This motion is maintained by suitable synchronized body gyrations. The user must propel the hoop about their body with a sufficient speed to generate a centrifugal force necessary to maintain the hoop at waist level. The physical benefits are greatest when the hoop is placed at waist level before the spinning motion is commenced. Adept users can maintain the hoop at waist level by either back and forth or side to side movement of the body trunk. The preferred hoop or toy is therefore light in weight so that body motion need not be too extensive to maintain continued circular motion around the body of the user to cause the generation of bubble from the bubble generating device  10 . 
         [0038]    Although a hoop  12  is shown used in combination with the bubble generating device  10 , it is to be understood that any suitable toy, device or apparatus able to produce or be subjected to the flow of an air stream across the bubble generating device  10  attached thereto may be used in combination with the bubble generating device  10 , such as a bicycle, skateboard, scooter, or quick moving air imparted motion, or the like. 
         [0039]      FIG. 2  shows an exemplary embodiment of a bubble generating device  10  attached to the hoop  12  and generating bubbles  16 . As the hoop  12  is spun around a user in a circular motion, the bubble generating device  10  travels in a first direction (shown by the arrow). As the bubble generating device  10  travels in the first direction, air is caused to flow in an opposite direction through an opening  14  generating an air filled bubble  16  over the opening of the bubble generating device  10 . The further the hoop  12  travels around the user, the more bubbles are generated such as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 3  illustrates a cross section of the bubble generating device  10  attached to the hoop  12 , and  FIG. 4  shows an exploded cross section view of the internal housing  30 . The bubble generating device  10  includes a retractable cover  20  biasly supported by a tension spring  25  to cover an internal housing  30 . The internal housing  30  comprises a fluid reservoir  40  having a replaceable plug  50  secured into a fill opening  52  into which a bubble-producing solution  54  may be filled. The internal housing  30  includes a fluid conduit  60  that extends from the reservoir  40  to a ring  70 . The internal structure  30  includes a first housing  80  and a second housing  90 . 
         [0041]    The bubble generating solution  54  may be a low surface tension liquid, such as water and soap. The bubble generating solution  54  is fed from the reservoir  40  through a channel in the connector  60  to a ring  70  or film forming element. The film is removed by an air flow through the ring  70  to form a bubble. The bubble generating solution  54  is moved through the conduit  60  to the ring  70  under a centrifugal force and subsequently removed by an air flow through the ring  70  or film forming element caused by rotation of the hoop by gyration of the hips. 
         [0042]    In an open position (such as shown in  FIG. 6 ), air is blown across an opening  72 . The opening  72  includes a film of the bubble-producing solution  54  disposed there over. As the air impinges through the opening  72  onto the film of the bubble-producing solution  54 , bubbles are generated. 
         [0043]      FIG. 5  shows a closed position of the bubble generating device  10 , and  FIG. 6  shows an open position of the bubble generating device  10 . As shown in  FIG. 5  with the retractable cover  20  transparent, the retractable cover  20  of the bubble generating device  10  is contracted inward and shown in a closed position. That is, the aperture  22  in the retractable cover  20  is not in alignment with the opening  72  in the ring  70  in order to allow air to flow through the ring. 
         [0044]    In  FIG. 6 , the bubble generating device  10  is shown in an open position. That is, in an open position, the retractable cover  20  is extended outward away from a base  42  of the bubble generating device  10 . In this position, the aperture  22  in the retractable cover  20  is aligned with the opening  72  in the ring  70  so that air can flow unblocked through the ring  72  and generate bubbles as shown in  FIGS. 1-2 . 
         [0045]      FIGS. 7-13  depict various views of the retractable cover  20 . The retractable cover  20  includes a first closed end  21  and a second open end  23 . The aperture  22  is disposed at about a central position in the retractable cover  20 . The aperture  22  includes a first aperture  22   a  and a second aperture  22   b  about both sides of the retractable cover  20  through which air may flow when the first aperture  22   a  and second aperture  22   b  are aligned with the opening  72  in the ring  70  as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0046]    The retractable cover  20  includes a oblong recess  24  into which the tension spring  25  may be housed as shown in  FIG. 3 . An anchor projection  26  is integrated into the recess  24  and the wall of the retractable cover  20 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  8 - 11  and  13 , a first end  25   a  of the tension spring  25  may be attached to the anchor projection  26  integrated into the recess  24  of the retractable cover  20  and a second end  25   b  of the tension spring  25  may be attached to the internal housing  30 . 
         [0047]    The retractable cover  20  also includes an integrated squeegee or swiper  29  as shown in  FIGS. 5-6  and  9 . The swiper  29  serves as a squeegee to spread a film of the bubble-producing solution over the opening  72  in the ring  70  before air flows through the opening  72  and generates bubbles as will be described in more detail below. 
         [0048]    The retractable cover  20  further includes a guide aperture  27  into which a guide pin  32  may be received. The guide pin  32  is disposed between the guide aperture  27  in the retractable cover  20  and a guide track  34  provided on the inner housing  30 . The guide pin  32  may be secured to a portion of the inner housing  30  as shown in  FIGS. 15-17 . The guide pin  32  may travel along the guide track  34  between a first end  34   a  on the guide track  34  and a second end  34   b  on the guide track  34  as shown in  FIG. 15 . 
         [0049]    In a first closed position as shown in  FIG. 5 , the guide pin  32  is positioned at the first end  34   a  on the guide track  34  and the retractable cover  20  is in a closed position. In response to a centrifugal force applied during the circular motion of the hoop  12  movement, the retractable cover  20  pulls the swiper  29  outward drawing a film of the bubble-producing solution  54  over the opening  72  of the ring  70 . That is, when the retractable cover  20  moves from the first closed position shown in  FIG. 5  to the second open position shown in  FIG. 6 , the swiper  29  on the retractable cover  20  swipes a quantity of the bubble-producing solution  54  over the opening  72  in the ring  70 . 
         [0050]    When the retractable cover  20  is in an open position, such as shown in  FIG. 6 , the guide pin  32  fixed in the guide aperture  27  of the retractable housing  20  has traveled to the second end  34   b  on the guide track  34  and the retractable cover  20  is open and a fresh film of the bubble-producing solution  54  has been drawn over the opening  72  in the ring  70 . In the open position, the aperture  22  in the retractable cover  20  is in alignment with the opening  72  in the ring  70 . When the retractable cover  20  is moved from the open position to the closed position, another fresh film of the bubble-producing solution  54  film may be drawn over the opening  72  in the ring  70 . 
         [0051]    The open end  23  of the retractable cover  20  may be contoured to rest against the reservoir housing  40  as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 . The internal shape of the retractable cover  20  is contoured to fit over the outer shape of the internal housing  30  of the bubble generating device  10 . 
         [0052]      FIGS. 14-19  illustrate various views of the inner housing  30  without the cover disposed there-over for a better understanding of the inner housing of the bubble-generating device  10 .  FIGS. 14-15  show a front and rear view of the inner housing  30  structure. The tension spring  25  is shown attached at a second end  25   b  to a short projection  36  provided on the internal housing  30  adjacent to the plug  50 . 
         [0053]    As shown in this embodiment, the conduit  60  is provided within recesses in the first housing  80  and the second housing  90 . The conduit  60  extends between the housing for the reservoir  40  and the opening  72  in the ring  70 . The reservoir  40  housing may be made up of various sections. For example, the reservoir  40  housing may include a first reservoir portion  40   a  that is a part of the first housing  80  and a second reservoir portion  40   b  housing that is a part of the second housing  90  as shown in  FIGS. 14-19 . 
         [0054]    As shown in  FIG. 19 , various attachment mechanisms  38  may be secured to the base of the  42  of the reservoir  40 . The attachment mechanism  38  in order to secure the base  42  of the bubble-generating device  10  to another device, such as the hoop  12 . The attachment mechanisms  38  may be an adhesive, a two-way tape, a glue, a bonding agent, Velcro  TM  or other suitable securing mechanism. Alternatively, the base  42  end of the bubble-generating device  10  can be integrated within the hoop  12 . A pair of plugs may be adapted to fit in either end of the tubing to secure the integrated reservoir provided in the hoop  12 . 
         [0055]      FIGS. 20-24  illustrate various views of the ring  70  of the bubble-generating device  10 . The ring  70  is circular in shape and includes a first outer ring housing  73  surrounding an inner ring housing  74 . 
         [0056]    The outer ring housing  73  the opening  72  includes a pair of alignment posts  75 . A first alignment post  75   a  may be adapted to fit within a first housing  80  and a second alignment post  75   b  may be adapted to fit within a second housing  90  as shown in  FIG. 3 . The outer ring housing  73  includes an inlet opening  71  that is adapted to be attached to a second end  60   b  of the conduit  60 . The outer ring housing  73  includes an outer circular shape  73   a  and an inner through-hole shape  73   b  into which the inner ring housing  74  is disposed as shown in  FIGS. 22-24 . 
         [0057]    As shown in  FIGS. 20-21 , the inner ring housing  74  includes a circular outer alignment groove  76  that fits via a slip fit into the inner through-hole shape  73   b  in the inner ring housing  74 . The inner ring housing  74  further includes a serrated shaped outer surface  74   a  including a plurality of peaks and valleys into which the bubble-producing solution may collect (as shown in  FIG. 3 ) prior to (and while) being drawn over the opening  72  in the ring  70  as bubbles are generated. In operation, the bubble-producing solution  54  is drawn in through the inlet  71  in the outer ring housing  73  and collects over the serrated surface  74   a  of the inner ring housing  74  under a centrifugal force as the hoop  12  is spinning around the users&#39; waist. 
         [0058]    As mentioned previously, the first alignment post  75   a  may be adapted to fit within a first casing or housing  80  and a second alignment post  75   b  may be adapted to fit within a second casing or housing  90 . 
         [0059]      FIGS. 25-33  illustrate various views of the first housing  80 . The first housing  80  includes the reservoir plug opening  52  that communicates into an internal cavity  81  defined within the reservoir  40 . As shown, the first housing  80  includes a reservoir outlet  40   c  from which the bubble-producing solution empties from the cavity  81  within the reservoir  40  into the first end of the conduit  60   a.    
         [0060]    The first housing  80  may include a contoured internal cavity  82  to accommodate and align an elbow bend in the conduit  60  as shown in  FIG. 3 . At an upper end  84  opposite the base  42 , the upper end  84  of the first housing  80  includes a mating post through-hole  85   a  to align and accommodate the first post  75   a  from the ring  70 . The upper end  84  of the first housing  80  is shaped and adapted to receive the outer surface structure shape of the outer housing ring  73 . 
         [0061]      FIGS. 34-41  illustrate various views of the second housing  90  adapted to mesh with the first housing  80  within the internal housing  30  of the bubble-producing device  10 . The second housing  90  may also include an internal cavity  91 . The combination of the internal cavities  81  and  91  define the internal cavity for the reservoir  40 . Although the reservoir outlet  40   c  from which the bubble-producing solution empties from the cavity  81  is shown integrated into the first housing  80  and a u-shaped contour  93  is provided on second housing to accommodate the outlet  40   c,  it is to be understood that an outlet may have been integrated into the second housing  90 . 
         [0062]    The second housing  90  may also include a contoured internal cavity  92  to accommodate and align an elbow bend in the conduit  60  as shown in  FIG. 3 . At an upper end  94  opposite the base  42 , the upper end  94  of the second housing  90  includes a mating post through-hole  95   b  to align and accommodate the second post  75   b  from the ring  70 . The upper end  94  of the second housing  90  may also shaped and adapted to receive the outer surface structure shape of the outer housing ring  73 . It is to be understood that the first and second housings  80 ,  90  may take a variety of different sizes and shapes according to this subject disclosure. 
         [0063]      FIGS. 42-44  depict various views of the reservoir plug  50 . The reservoir plug  50  includes a plug shaft  51  and a shoulder  53  wider in diameter then a diameter of the plug shaft  51 . In a closed position (as shown in  FIG. 3 ), the plug shaft  51  is inserted into the reservoir opening  52  until the radially extended shoulder  53  is butt up against the front end of the opening  52 . A one-way air vent hole  55  may be provided in the plug  50  in order to prevent the inherent vacuum effect that may occur when the bubble-producing solution  54  is drawn out of the reservoir  40  toward the ring  70 . As the bubble-producing solution  54  is drawing toward the ring  70 , air may enter the reservoir  40  to equilibrate the pressure within the fluid reservoir and to promote the flow of the bubble-producing solution  54  to the ring  70  without letting solution inside the reservoir to leak out. 
         [0064]    The reservoir plug  50  may include a pull flange  56 . The pull flange  56  is useful when a user wishes to remove the plug  50  for refilling the bubble-producing solution  54 , the user may conveniently grab a hold of the extended pull flange  56  to remove the plug  50  from the reservoir opening  52 . 
         [0065]      FIG. 45  depicts an exemplary tension spring  25  that may be used according to this subject disclosure. However, any suitable spring configuration may be used that is suitable to bias the retractable cover  20  from an open position to a closed position. A suitable tension spring has a sufficient bias force that will pull the retractable cover back from the open position to the closed position when the centrifugal force is low and the bias force can overcome the centrifugal force. 
         [0066]    Alternatively, it is to be understood that the bias spring is not essential and various retaining stops may be integrated to cause the retractable cover  20  to be secured in an open position during operation and in a closed position during storage. Such as for example where the bubble-generating device  10  is secured to a bicycle handle. In this instance the bubble-generating device  10  can operate without a centrifugal force being present to open up the retractable cover. The user can manually open and close the retractable cover  20  to initiate and stop the generation of the bubbles. The retaining stops would allow the retractable cover  20  to stay in an open position against a first open retaining stop. When closed, the retractable cover  20  could be manually positioned into a closed position against a second closed stop. 
         [0067]      FIGS. 46-47  illustrate the exemplary conduit  60 . As discussed above, the conduit  60  may have an inlet  60   a  attached adjacent to the reservoir  40  and an outlet attached adjacent to the ring  70 . The conduit  60  may be provided with various bends to control the flow of the bubble-producing solution from the reservoir  40  to the ring  70 . This contoured shape prevents the bubble solution from flowing out. Although shown as a bent circular tubing, the conduit  60  may take a variety of different sizes and shapes that are suitable for controlling the flow rate of the bubble-producing solution  54  from the reservoir  40  to the ring  70 . 
         [0068]    Alternatively, the internal structural configuration of the first housing  80  and the second housing  90  may be constructed to provide a fluid path for the bubble-producing solution  54  from the reservoir  40  to the ring  70  without the use of a conduit  60 . 
         [0069]    As understood and mentioned above, the bubble-generating device  10  can use a stand-alone device without the hoop and/or for various use applications such as with a bicycle, skateboard, scooter or the like. A variety of additional features may be added to the bubble-generating device  10 . For example, the bubble-generating device  10  can be combined with lights, and/or whistles or other accessories. Other devices may be provided for use with and without a hoop, such as those shown in  FIGS. 48-49 . 
         [0070]      FIG. 48  depicts an exemplary illumination-generating device  200 . The illumination-generating device  200  may be composed of a variety of light emitting diodes (LED)  210 . As shown, the illumination-generating device  200  includes a housing  220  into which the various LEDs  210  may be provided. The contour of the housing  220  is elongated and thin to simulate a low profile that may be fastened to the hoop  12  as mentioned above with respect to the attachment mechanism  38  of the bubble-producing device  10 . An on/off button or motions switch  230  may be provided to activate and deactivate the illumination-generating device  200 . 
         [0071]      FIG. 49  illustrates an exemplary whistle-generating device  300 . The whistle-generating device  300  may include a variety of baffles  310  that generate a whistle sound as air ruses over the baffles  310 . As shown, the whistle-generating device  300  includes a housing  320  into which the various baffles  310  may be provided. The contour of the housing  320  may also be elongated and thin to simulate a low profile device that may be fastened to the hoop  12  as mentioned above with respect to the attachment mechanism  38  of the bubble-producing device  10 . 
         [0072]    The illustrations and examples provided herein are for explanatory purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above described embodiment without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It is understood therefore that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiment which is described, but is intended to cover all modifications and changes within the scope and spirit of the invention.