Water toy

A water toy is provided. The water toy includes a housing (15) and an inlet (54) for directing liquid into the housing. The water toy also includes a distribution assembly (30) disposed in the housing and coupled in fluid communication with the inlet. The water toy further includes a plurality of outlets (61), each adapted to direct a stream of liquid (12) out of the housing, the outlets coupled in fluid communication with the distribution assembly, wherein the distribution assembly intermittently directs a stream of liquid (12) out of each of the outlets.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to water toys and more particularly, to water toys for selectively emitting streams of water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Children, and sometimes adults, enjoy playing with water toys during hot summer days. Often, a sprinkler will be set in a center of a yard and turned on. To cool off, children will run through the sprinkler. During game play, the children may try to reach the sprinkler without getting sprayed by the sprinkler.

Although sprinklers are somewhat effective as a water toy, they are not without their problems. Sprinklers eject water in a pattern that is often easy to predict. Thus, during game play, the players may be able to predict the pattern of spray and easily avoid being hit by a stream of water. Further, sprinklers do not provide a means for readily indicating an end to the game, such as upon achievement of a specific goal or upon the ending of a selected time period. Therefore, there exists a need for a water toy that is reliable, economical to manufacture, provides a sufficiently confusing pattern of water spray, and which indicates to players an end to the game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of a water toy formed in accordance with the present invention is provided. The water toy includes a housing, an inlet for directing liquid into the housing, and a distribution assembly disposed in the housing and coupled in fluid communication with the inlet. The water toy further includes a plurality of outlets each adapted to direct a stream of liquid out of the housing, the outlets coupled in fluid communication with the distribution assembly, wherein the distribution assembly intermittently directs a stream of liquid out of each of the outlets.

Another embodiment of a water toy formed in accordance with the present invention is provided. The water toy includes a plurality of outlets, a water distribution system for directing intermittent streams of liquid out of each of the outlets, and a timer for indicating an end of a selected duration of play. The water toy further includes a switch for incapacitating the water distribution system from directing intermittent streams of liquid out of each of the outlets upon manual actuation of the switch into a first position by a user.

Still another embodiment of a water toy formed in accordance with the present invention is provided. The water toy includes a distribution assembly for selectively directing an intermittent stream of liquid out of each of a plurality of outlets. The distribution assembly includes a plurality of valves each associated with one of the plurality of outlets. Each of the valves are actuatable between an open position in which a stream of liquid is discharged from one of the plurality of outlets and a closed position in which the stream of liquid is impeded from discharging from the outlet. The water toy further includes a valve drive assembly comprising a rotatable cam having a plurality of lobes, wherein each of the plurality of lobes is adapted to actuate each of the plurality of valves between the open and closed positions as the cam is rotated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1-6illustrate one embodiment of a water toy10formed in accordance with the present invention. Referring toFIG. 1, generally described, the water toy10is adapted to selectively emit a stream of water12intermittently out of a nozzle13disposed at a distal end of each of a plurality of arms14. Preferably, the water streams12are emitted out of the arms14in a sufficiently confusing pattern or firing order so as to appear somewhat random. The arms14may eject water streams independently of each other, and/or simultaneously with one or more other arms14. When an arm14is pressurized during emitting of the water stream12, the arm14is configured from a limp state, such as the arms indicated by reference numerals14L, to a rigid state, such as the arm indicated by reference numeral14R.

In the illustrated embodiment, the arms14, when in the limp state, are depicted as being in a coiled position. However, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art, that the arms14may take other forms when in the limp state, such as a form where the arms14lay upon the ground in any selected or random shape, or form some other selected geometric shape. Further, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the arms14may take many forms. In the illustrated embodiment, the arms14are depicted as tentacles to an octopus or arms of a cartoon character. However, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the arms14may take any number of forms, including permanently rigid shapes, such as gun bores, etc. Further, although a particular theme for the water toy10is depicted and described herein, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the theme or look of the water toy10is purely illustrative in nature, and may be changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For instance, the water toy10may take the form of a galleon having arms which take the form of cannons for ejecting streams of water therefrom.

Focusing now on the outer structure of the water toy10, the water toy10includes a housing15formed from a head portion16and a base portion18. The head portion16may include a switch20. The switch20may be used to toggle the water toy10between operating conditions, preferably between an off and on state. In the illustrated embodiment, the switch20is positioned and configured to be hit by thrown objects. For instance, the switch20may be positioned and configured to be hit by small bean bags, rings, balls, or other objects thrown by a user such that an impact by one of the objects upon the switch20actuates the switch20to configure the water toy10between off and on configurations. The head portion16may be configured to rotate to increase the difficulty of hitting the switch20. Alternately, the switch20may be toggled by other means, such as by a hand of the user. Further, the switch20may be enclosed within the housing15.

The head portion16also includes a timer22. The timer22may be a wind up timer such as illustrated, wherein the timer22may be wound a selected amount to operate for a selected duration. The timer22may also be of a well known electronic variety, or of any other variety here now known or to be developed. Preferably, the timer22indicates to a user the end of a period of play. The timer22may indicate the end of a round of play by visual, audio, or other means. For instance, the timer22may emit laughter or taunting remarks, flash a light, cease the operation of the water toy10, or may produce some other indication to the user that the selected amount of time has past.

The base portion18is generally cylindrical in shape and houses, along with the head portion16, an operating assembly24of the water toy10. A plurality of legs26may support the base portion18above a surface, such as a ground surface.

Referring toFIGS. 2-4, this detailed description will now focus upon the structure of the operating assembly24housed within the head and base portions16and18of the water toy10. The operating assembly24includes a drive assembly28and a water distribution assembly30.

The drive assembly28includes a drive unit32, a reduction gear system34, and a driveline assembly36. The drive unit32may be any well known drive means, including an electric motor, hydro motor, hydraulic motor, pneumatic motor, wind up motor, or any other suitable drive unit able to output a force. In the illustrated embodiment, the drive unit32is a high speed battery powered electric motor. The drive unit32is operatively connected to the switch20(SeeFIG. 1) such that actuation of the switch selectively toggles the drive unit32between an energized and running condition, and a de-energized, non-running condition.

The reduction gear system34is a well known unit able to receive a high revolution per minute (RPM) input, and through gearing, translate the high RPM input into a low RPM output. In the illustrated embodiment, the high RPM input enters the reduction gear system34through a drive unit output shaft38. The low RPM output exits the reduction gear system34through a pinion gear40concentrically located about, but not attached, to the output shaft38. Moreover, the output shaft38may pass through the pinion gear40such that the pinion gear40may spin about the output shaft38.

The driveline assembly36transfers power produced by the drive unit32to the reduction gear system34and transfers power from the reduction gear system34to the water distribution assembly30. The driveline assembly36includes the above mentioned output shaft38and pinion gear40, plus a water distribution assembly input shaft42and a bull gear44. The bull gear44is sized and positioned to cooperatively mesh with the pinion gear40. The input shaft42is coupled to the bull gear44and transfers any forces present in the bull gear44to the water distribution assembly30. As should be apparent to those skilled in the art, the reduction gear system34may be eliminated depending upon the output RPM of the drive unit32. More specifically, if the RPM of the drive unit32is sufficiently slow, than the reduction gear system34may not be needed and eliminated, such that the drive unit32drives the input shaft42directly.

This detailed description will now focus upon the water distribution assembly30. The water distribution assembly30includes two main sub assemblies, a water manifold system48and a valve drive system46. The water manifold system48includes a water manifold50and one or more valves62coupled in fluid communication with the water manifold50. The water manifold50includes a water inlet54for directing water into the water manifold50. The water manifold system48may include a fastener56for permitting a water hose58, such as a common garden hose, to be coupled in fluid communication with the water inlet54.

Referring toFIG. 4, the water inlet54is coupled in fluid communication with four arterial passages60disposed in the water manifold50. Each arterial passage60directs water obtained from the water inlet54to a respective valve62. Each valve62may be selectively actuated between an open position in which water is permitted to be discharged from an associated outlet61and a closed position in which water is impeded from discharging from an associated arm. The valves62of the illustrated embodiment are illustrated and described as well known butterfly valves, however it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the valves are illustrative in nature and may take any form in which the flow of a fluid may be selectively permitted to pass and be blocked.

Turning toFIG. 2, each valve62includes a disc70disposed in a valve body66. A stem68passes through the valve body66and is selectively rotatable therein. Coupled to the stem68is the disc70. The disc70is rotatable within the valve body66between a first position, wherein the disc70substantially blocks fluid flow through the valve body66, and a second position wherein the disc70permits fluid flow through the valve body66. Coupled to each end of the stem68are actuation members72, which in the illustrated embodiment, are paddle shaped. A spring74is coupled to each of the lower actuation members72B, the spring74adapted to bias the discs70in the closed position. Coupled to the discharge sides of each of the valves62are the arms14of the water toy10.

Turning now toFIG. 5, the valve drive system46includes a cam76rigidly mounted to the input shaft42. The cam76may be a planar structure having one or more lobes78. In the illustrated embodiment, the cam76includes a first lobe78A and a second lobe78B. The lobes78may be defined as any part of the cam76extending beyond a base circle80. In the illustrated embodiment, the radius of the base circle80is equal to the distance between the center of the cam76and the closest point of an actuation member74A engageable by the cam76.

The placement and shape of the lobes78upon the cam may be selected to selectively control the discharge of water from the arms. More specifically, the shape of the lobes78may be selected to control the duration that water is discharged from the arms. For instance, if a lobe78is desired that results in water discharging from an arm for an extended period, then an angular displacement80of the portion of the lobe78which extends beyond the base circle80is increased. For example, lobe78A is an extended duration lobe relative to lobe78B for the angular displacement82of the portion of lobe78B which extends beyond the base circle80is less than the angular displacement80of the portion of lobe78A which extends beyond the base circle80.

Further, the rate at which the valve is opened may be manipulated be selectively shaping the lobe78. A steep rise in a leading edge of the lobe results in a quick valve opening, such as shown in a leading edge84of lobe78B. A slow rise in a leading edge of the lobe conversely results in a slow valve opening, such as shown in a leading edge86of lobe78A.

The shape of the lobe78may also be selected to manipulate the extent to which the valve62is opened. For instant, if it is desired that the valve be opened only partially, than the distance which the lobe78extends outward from the base circle is reduced. Conversely, if it is desired that the valve be opened more fully, than the distance which the lobe78extends outward from the base circle is increased. For instance, lobe78B will open valve62C less than lobe78A will open valve62A for this reason.

Although the cam76is described as including two lobes78, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the number of lobes78is illustrative in nature, and any number of lobes78, from one to near infinity, may be placed upon the cam76. Further, although a single cam76is illustrated, it should be noted that multiple cams76may be incorporated into the water toy10without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Preferably, in a multi-cam configuration of the invention, the cams would rotate at different speeds relative to one another to increase the appearance of a random firing order of the water streams12.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, in light of the above description of the water toy10, this detailed description will now focus upon describing the operation of the illustrated water toy10. The water toy10is first placed in an area of play, such as a yard, and coupled to a water hose58through the fastener56. A valve (not shown) is actuated to permit water to flow through the water hose58and into the water toy10. The timer22may then be set for a selected period of play. The switch20may then be hit to start play, and more specifically, to start the drive assembly28such that the valve drive system46is put in motion. The arms14are then selectively actuated to discharge streams of water12out of the arms in a preferably confusing pattern or firing order. Players partaking in the game try to actuate the switch20to turn off the water toy10prior to the timer22indicating the end of the play period without being hit by a stream of water12. The players may actuate the switch20by throwing objects, such as bean bags, balls, rings, etc., or by running up and activating the switch20by hand. The object of the game is to actuate the switch20prior to the timer22indicating the end of play without being hit by water12ejected from one of the arms14. To increase or decrease the difficulty of the game, the time period in which the task must be completed may be increased or decreased respectfully. Further, to increase and decrease the difficulty of the game, the speed at which the cam rotates may be increased or decreased respectfully.

Referring toFIGS. 5-7, the operation of the valve drive assembly46will now be examined in further detail. Turning toFIG. 5, the cam76is shown in a first position. In this position, all of the valves62are in a closed position such that water is impeded from flowing from the valves62. Lobe78B is depicted just prior to the moment when the actuation member74A is initially engaged by lobe78B. Further rotation of the cam76in the counterclockwise direction from the first position depicted inFIG. 5will cause lobe78B to engage and rotate actuation member74A clockwise, thereby opening valve62C.

When the switch of the water toy is actuated, the drive assembly initiates rotation of the cam76in a counterclockwise direction from the first position depicted inFIG. 5to a second position depicted in FIG.6. As the cam76rotates to the second position from the position depicted inFIG. 5, lobe78B actuates valve62C from the open to the closed position, and due to the shape of lobe78B, the opening of valve62C results in a short burst of water from valve62C. Referring toFIG. 6, lobe78A has now engaged the actuation member74A of valve62A, thereby opening valve62A. Due to the shape of lobe78A, the valve is opened in a manner to provide a prolonged burst of water out of valve62A. Lobe78B has already passed actuation member74A, intermittently opening valve62C such that a short burst of water is emitted from valve62C. In the depicted position of the cam76, valves62B,62C, and62D are depicted in closed positions.

As the rotation of the cam76continues from the second position depicted inFIG. 6to a third position depicted inFIG. 7, lobe78B actuates valve62D to emit a short burst of water, followed by lobe78A actuating valve62B to emit a long duration burst. Thus, from the above description, it should be apparent that the firing order from counterclockwise rotation of the cam76from the position depicted inFIG. 5during one full rotation of the cam76is as follows:

The above tabulated firing order is repeated for every revolution of the cam76. The firing order may be reduced or increased in complexity by removing or adding valves, lobes, and/or cams as discussed within this detailed description.

Although the illustrated water toy10is depicted with four arms14, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the water toy10may be constructed with any number of arms, from one to near infinity. Further, although the water toy10is described as emitting water, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the water toy10may emit any fluid without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.