Abstract:
A constructible water toy for recreational use and learning, the water toy comprising a kit of parts having beams, connectors, and connector adapters. A beam comprises a pool noodle with a rigid endoskeleton support extending beyond the ends of the pool noodle. The endoskeleton support enables engagement to other beams via connectors or connector adapters with locking features for removably coupling the beams for forming endless structures.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a water toy, more particularly to a kit of parts for assembly into various structures. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Water toys entertain millions of children around the globe and are a significant constituent of revenue for the toy industry. Water toys enhance enjoyment of summer activities such as swimming, boating, or simply playing outside. Furthermore, many children do not attend school during the summer and need an outlet for a learning activity. One common learning activity is to build structures to improve certain analytical and motor skills. Toys geared toward this type or learning activity are not new in a playroom or classroom environment, but building a structure geared toward an aquatic environment is not known in the art. Thus, what is needed is a toy that combines the learning element from construction toys used in playroom and classroom environments with the playful nature of water toys used in an aquatic environment. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the claimed subject matter. This summary is not an extensive overview, and is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of the claimed subject matter. Its purpose is to present some concepts as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
     In one aspect of various embodiments, a kit of parts for a constructible water toy is provided, the kit comprising: a plurality of beams, each beam comprising a first end, a second end, and a tubular member having a hollow center cavity that extends through the length of the tubular member between the first end and second end of each beam; a plurality of endoskeleton supports each adapted to be disposed within each beam cavity, each endoskeleton support comprising a first end, a second end, and a cylindrical body joining the first end and second end of each endoskeleton support; and a plurality of connectors for removably engaging the plurality of endoskeleton support ends and enabling the plurality of beams to be joined together, the each connector having a center hub with at least one integrally formed protruding cylinder radially disposed about the center hub, wherein the plurality of beams, plurality of endoskeleton supports, and plurality of connectors are adapted to be joined together to erect a structure. 
     In one aspect of various embodiments, a kit of parts for a constructible water toy is provided, the kit comprising: a plurality of beams, the beams each comprising a first end, a second end, and a cylindrical body joining the first and second ends; a plurality of adapters for removably engaging the beam ends, the adapters each comprising a cylindrical body joining a primary end and a secondary end, wherein the body is bisected by a circumferential flange; and a plurality of connectors for removably engaging the adapter ends and the beam ends, thereby cooperating to enable a plurality of beams to be joined together, wherein the connectors each defined by a center hub with at least one integrally formed protruding cylinder radially disposed about the hub, wherein each of the connectors are interchangeable with the adapters for erecting a structure. 
     In one aspect of various embodiments, a method for assembling a kit of parts for a constructible water toy is provided, the method comprising: providing a kit of parts for a constructible water toy, the parts comprising a plurality of endoskeleton supports, a plurality of tubular beams, and a plurality of connectors; inserting an endoskeleton support into a beam end until each end of the support evenly protrudes beyond each beam end; deflecting a connector tang disposed in each end of the plurality of connectors; inserting the connector into a support end; and aligning the connector tang with a hole on a beam end, whereby a structure is erected by engaging the connectors to releasably attach into the ends of proximate supports thereby forming a releasably secure connection between the kit of parts. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment constructible water toy. 
         FIG. 2  is a partial exploded perspective view of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view, end view, and cross-section of an embodiment constructible water toy beam. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view, end view, and cross-section of another embodiment constructible water toy beam. 
         FIG. 5  is an end view and cross-section of still another embodiment constructible water toy beam. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view, right side view, and front view an embodiment constructible water toy connector. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view, right side view, front view, and bottom view of an embodiment constructible water toy connector adapter. 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of an embodiment constructible water toy connector, a connector adapter, and cross-section of a connector adapter. 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of various embodiments of water toy connectors. 
         FIG. 10  is partial exploded perspective view of another embodiment constructible water toy. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view, end view, and cross-section of yet another embodiment constructible water toy beam. 
         FIG. 12  is a top view of an embodiment constructible water toy connector, a connector adapter, and end views of each. 
         FIG. 13  is a flow chart of an example method for constructing a water toy kit of parts. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of another embodiment constructible water toy. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed descriptions of various embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments that may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment constructible water toy  100  with a multitude of configurations. Each configuration requires at least two components; a beam  101  and a connector  102 , though other components may be contemplated and are contemplated later in the present disclosure. These components ( 101 ,  102 ) may be sold in kits of parts to facilitate the construction of different structures. Structure complexity is only limited by the number of components and the type of connectors, thus allowing the structure to take on a plurality of different forms. 
     The beam  101  may be provided with different lengths such as 1 foot, 2 feet, 4 feet, and so forth. Beam  101  lengths may also be non-integer fractions such as 2 feet 1⅝ inches and 4 feet 6 inches. Additionally, beam  101  lengths may be computed using the Pythagorean theorem in order to be provided with corner-to-corner spanning ability. For example, if two beams  101  that are each 4 feet in length are joined by a connector  102  having a 90 degree corner, then the corner-to-corner spanning beam  104  length must be the square root of 4 2 +4 2 , which is approximately 5 feet 7⅞ inches. This corner-to-corner spanning beam  104  may also be referred to as a diagonal beam  104 . Using this method, many permutations of lengths of beams  101 ,  104  are contemplated which may be sold as a kit or individually, along with connectors  102 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a partial exploded perspective view of  FIG. 1  is shown. In an embodiment, the beam  101  and connector  102  may be joined with a connector link  103  (also referred to as a “connector adapter”). The link  103  may incorporate nubs  105  that hold the beam  101  and the connector  102  firmly together upon assembly, but allow the components ( 101 ,  102 ,  103 ) to be removed upon squeezing, twisting, pulling, and so forth. The link  103  may simplify the manufacture of the beam  101  and/or the connector  102  because, for example, if nubs  105  were placed on the ends of the beam  101  then it may be difficult to insert the endoskeleton support  302  into the outer tubular member  301  (each shown in  FIG. 3 ). Furthermore, nubs  105  may be replaced with, or used in conjunction with, alternative forms of coupling such as pins, screws, tangs, and so forth. 
     In an embodiment, the nubs  105  may be placed on the one or more ends of the connector  102  so that they may engage with an end of the beam  101 , thereby eliminating the need for a link  103 . In another embodiment, the structure  100  may loosely be coupled together without a nub  105  or other coupling feature, thereby making a structure  100  held together via a friction fit where the parts fit snugly together and are restricted from movement. A friction fit may be accomplished used a tapered bore and tapered shaft combination, close-tolerance bore and shaft combination, and so forth. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view, end view, and cross-section of an embodiment constructible water toy beam  101 . The beam  101  may consist of an inner endoskeleton support  302  and an outer tubular member  301 . The inner support  302  may be a tube, bar, or rod that has a cross-sectional shape that may conform to the inside diameter of the outer tubular member  301 . The inner support  302  may be made of a material suitable for structural support yet lightweight enough for a toy that can be easily manipulated and float on water. High corrosion resistance may also be a concern due to its use in water. Such materials may be wood, fiberglass, polyvinylchloride (PVC), plastic, aluminum and so forth. The inner support  302  may be fabricated and then inserted from an end of the outer tubular member  301 , and then pushed through the hollow center cavity with the support  302  ends evenly protruding beyond the tubular member  301  ends. Alternatively, the inner support  302  may be placed into an injection mold, and then have foam injected thereby surrounding and solidifying to create an outer tubular member  301  with an endoskeleton support  302 . The tubular member  301  may be made from polyethylene foam, similar in characteristic to a pool noodle, water log, woggle, or the like. However, different foams may be employed to achieve different desired effects. Polystyrene, polyurethane, extruded polystyrene foam (XPS), and so forth may be used in addition to polyethylene which may have different densities by varying the size of the cells, or bubbles, in the foam. Foam density and/or material may be adjusted to increase or decrease buoyancy, hardness, stiffness, color, and so forth. 
     In an embodiment, the ends of the inner support  302  may have at least one hole  303  to engage a pin, screw, tang, nub, or the like in the connector  102  or the connector link  103 . A hole  303  may be inserted radially and extend through either one or both walls of the tubular member  301 . The hole  303  may be circular, square, trapezoidal, and so forth to allow easy insertion or removal of the connector  102  or connector link  103 . The hole  303  may be placed sufficiently from the support  302  end to maximize strength and minimize insertion depth. In another embodiment, the center of the hole  303  may be located 0.50 inches from the end of the support  302 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view, end view, and cross-section of another embodiment constructible water toy beam  400 , which is similar to beam  101 . The inner support  402  may not traverse the entire length of the beam  400 . An inner support  402  may be inserted into an end or ends of the outer member  401 , which may require the outer member  401  to provide the primary structural support for the beam  400 . Alternatively, it may be advantageous to maintain flexibility in the outer member  401  to yield further variety in creating structures with rounded features such as domes, cones, cylinders, spheres, and so forth. As in other embodiments described herein, the outer member  401  may be made from polyethylene foam. The foam may be tinted with various colors for variety, or the foam may be tinted to designate different characteristics such as rigidity or hardness. For example, if a beam  400  were colored red, then it may be used as a stiff, straight structural element. Whereas, if the beam  400  were colored green, then it may be flexible in order to form a rounded structure. 
     In an embodiment, the inner support  402  may comprise a barb  403  or other such retaining structure or device in order to prevent easy removal of the inner support  402  from the outer member  401 . Other shapes of the barb  403  are contemplated than what is shown in  FIG. 4  to effectuate a robust retention structure or device, including, but not limited to, a plurality of hooks or a triangular annulus. As noted above, the inner support  402  may be inserted into the ends of the outer member  401 , or the outer member  401  may be formed around the inner support  402  such as through an injection mold process. As in beam  101 , the ends of the support  402  may evenly protrude beyond the ends of the outer member  401 . An end cap  404  may be advantageous to facilitate the injection mold process by disallowing the foam into the inner cavity of the inner support  402 . Additionally, the end cap  404  may be rounded or pointed to facilitate insertion of the inner support  402  into an end of the outer member  401 . 
       FIG. 5  is an end view and cross-section of still another embodiment constructible water toy beam  500 , which is similar to beam  101 . An endoskeleton support  502  is disposed within a soft outer member  501 . The outer member  501  may be identical in all respects to a traditional pool noodle, which may be a polyethylene foam round tube with a hollow, axial center cavity. The endoskeleton support  502  may be a hollow tube to save weight, save material, and so forth. As in other embodiments described herein, the ends of the support  502  may evenly protrude beyond the ends of the outer member  501 . 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view, right side view, and front view of an embodiment constructible water toy connector  102 . The connector  102  is illustrated with three couplers  602  for receiving three beams  101  or three connecting links  103 . However, a connector  102  may have many different coupler  602  permutations including 1 through n couplers. Additionally, the angle between each of the couplers  602  is not restricted to 90 degrees, and may be greater than or less than 90 degrees. One such use for a connector  102  with a coupler  602  angled other than 90 degrees may be to create a roof apex. Couplers  602  may be made of a material suitable for structural support yet lightweight enough for a toy that can be easily manipulated and float on water. Such materials may be wood, fiberglass, polyvinylchloride (PVC), plastic, aluminum, and so forth. 
     In an embodiment, the connector  102  may be at least partially surrounded with a protector  601  made of polyethylene foam or similar material. In addition to cushioning for safety reasons, the protector  601  may provide additional buoyancy for the connector  102 , and/or aesthetic appeal. 
     In another embodiment, the connector may have central bores  604  placed in the couplers  602 . With a hollow center, the coupler  602  may engage the end of the beam  101  or the link  103  by sliding over the outside of the coupler  602 . Alternatively, the coupler  602  may engage the beam  101  or link  103  by sliding inside the bore  604 , thus giving making the hollow center advantageous for minimizing the use of material or to simplify manufacture. At least one hole  603 , which may be disposed perpendicular to the coupler  602  center axis, may be used to engage a locking feature on the beam  101  or link  103  such as a pin, screw, tang, nub, and so forth. 
     In still another embodiment, a bendable tang with a hemispherical nub, also referred to as a locking tang, similar to the embodiment of such feature shown in  FIG. 7 , may be placed on one or more couplers  602  of the connector  102  to releasably secure the connector  102  to the beam  101  or link  103 . 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view, right side view, front view, and bottom view of an embodiment constructible water toy connector adapter  700 . The adapter  700  may have a hollow tubular cylinder  701  bisected by a larger diameter cylinder travel limiter  702 , or circumferential flange. The circumferential flange  702  may limit the connector  102  or beam  101  engagement length. At least one locking tang  703  may be formed into the circumference of the cylinder  701 . The locking tang  703  may be cantilevered with an end joined to the cylinder  701  at a vertex  706  in order to permit radial deflection. Inward deflection may allow the nub  704  to internally pass through the end of a beam  101  or connector  102 , and then snap into one or more holes  303 ,  405 ,  603 . When pressing or otherwise deflecting the locking tang  703  and nub  704  inward, deformation of the tang  703  may begin at the vertex  706 . The tang  703  may be created by forming a gap  705 ,  707  into the tubular cylinder around the perimeter of the tang  703 . The gap  705 ,  707  width may be more or less than illustrated to permit free movement of the tang  703  and nub  704 . The gap  705  near the nub  704  and the gap  707  may be different dimensions, particularly because bending of the tang  703  may cause the nub  704  to interfere with the tubular cylinder  701 . 
     In an embodiment, the nub  704  may not be hemispherical and instead may be shaped as a triangular ramp (not shown) to permit disengagement of the adapter  700  from a beam  101  or connector  102  through a twisting action. In another embodiment, a bendable tang with a hemispherical nub, similar to the embodiment of such feature shown in  FIG. 7 , may be placed on one or more couplers  602  of the connector  102  to releasably secure the connector  102  to the beam  101  or link  103 . 
       FIG. 8  is a top view of an embodiment constructible water toy connector, a cross-section of a connector, a connector adapter, and cross-section of a connector adapter. The connector adapter  800  is shown being inserted into the connector  801 . The cylindrical outer diameter of the adapter  800  may engage the cylindrical inner diameter of the connector  801 . Nubs  804  on the adapter  800  may be depressed radially inward to engage at least one hole  802  located near the end of the connector  801 . Elastic yielding of the material may allow at least one cantilevered tang  805  to bend at the vertex  807 , thus allowing the nub  804  to radially deflect. Upon insertion of the adapter  800  into the connector  801 , axial engagement of the adapter  800  may be limited by internal collars  803 , illustrated in Section A-A, or by an external collar  808 . 
     In an embodiment, the nubs  804  may be hemispherical to allow a user to twist the connector adapter  800  for disengagement. The twisting action, which may be applied about the center longitudinal axis of the adapter  800 , may deflect the tang  805  and cause axial depression of the nub  804 . The direction of twist, as viewed in Section B-B, may be in the clockwise direction. Though, if the tang  805  were reversed to the opposite side of the cylinder, then the direction of twist may be counterclockwise. A perimeter cutout  806  surrounding the nub  804  and tang  805  may be larger than illustrated to permit unimpeded radial deflection. For example, if a plastic material were chosen and if the outer diameter of the adapter  800  is 0.950 inches, the inner diameter is 0.800 inches, the nub  804  height is 0.200 inches, then the cutout  806  may be 0.125 inches. This particular combination of dimensions is provided merely as an example. Many dimensional combinations of features may be employed to suit various aspects of the structural design such as rigidity, ease of assembly, ease of disassembly, ruggedness, overall weight, buoyancy, and so forth. 
       FIG. 9  is a top view of various embodiments of water toy connectors  900 , which are similar to  102 . It is, of course, not possible to show all possible embodiments of the connectors  900  and, thus, are not limited to the various permutations. For example, connectors  900  may have 1 through n possible connections. Thus, the embodiments of connectors  901  through  909  are intended to show some possible variations. The connectors  900  shown are able to engage a beam  101  and/or a connector link  103 . A connector  900  with a single connection (not shown) may be placed on a beam  101  end as a stylistic feature, a protective feature, or the like. The connectors  900  may be at least partially surrounded with a soft covering, such as foam, to match the outer member of the beam  101 . For example, a connector (not shown) with a single connection may have a foam sphere disposed about an end opposite the connection. This type of connector may be characterized as a beam end cap, or capping means, because a beam  101 , connectors  900 , or connector links  103  are disallowed after a single-ended connector (not shown) is inserted into a beam  101 . Furthermore, the connectors  900  may have holes disposed near the ends of the couplers to releasably engage a beam  101  and/or a connector link  103 . 
     In an embodiment, the connectors  900  may have connector tangs (shown as  703 ,  805 ), instead of holes  802 , for directly engaging the holes  303 ,  405  in the ends of the beams  101 ,  400 . The outer diameter of the connectors  900  may be adapted to fit the inside diameter of the ends of the beams  101 ,  400 . 
       FIG. 10  is partial exploded perspective view of another embodiment constructible water toy. An embodiment beam  1001 , which is similar to beam  101 , is illustrated as having a solid, inner cylindrical supporting rod  1002 , similar to an endoskeleton, with an outer tubular member  1003 . The rod  1002  may engage a connector  1004  through a friction fit, threaded joint, or the like. The connector  1004 , which is similar to connectors  900 , may have an internal support  1005  to enhance stability upon assembly into a water toy structure. As in other embodiment described herein, the connector  1004  may have a soft outer covering  1006  for aesthetic appeal, safety, and so forth. 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view, end view, and cross-section of yet another embodiment constructible water toy beam  1100 , which again, is similar to  101 . As previously mentioned, at least one nub  1103  may be placed on an end of an endoskeleton support  1102  to engage a connector  102 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . With the nub  1103  placed on the end or ends of the beam  1100 , then connectors  900  may be used without the connector adapter  103 ,  700 ,  800  because the nub  1103  may engage one or more holes in the ends of the beam  1100 . 
       FIG. 12  is a top view of an alternate embodiment constructible water toy connector  1201 , a connector adapter  1202 , and end views of each. These components  1201 ,  1202  illustrate a different coupling scheme than connector adapter  800  and connector  801 . In an embodiment, the adapter  1202  may have at least one L-shaped hook  1205  to removably engage a corresponding bifurcated collar  1203  within an end of the connector  1201 . The L-shaped hook  1205  may slide through an opening  1204  between a bifurcated collar  1203  and then, upon twisting the adapter  1202 , may engage the collar  1203  to prevent accidentally disengaging the adapter  1202  from the connector  1201 . 
     In another embodiment, a plurality of L-shaped hooks  1205  may be disposed onto an end of an adapter  1202 . A plurality of openings  1204  may be placed within the collar  1203  to accept the plurality of hooks  1205 . A similar hook and collar configuration may be employed at the connection between an adapter  1202  and a beam (not shown). 
       FIG. 13  is a flow chart for constructing a water toy kit of parts. In an embodiment, the process  1300  may begin with placing parts of a kit in mutual proximity (step  1301 ) to each other. A beam  101  may then be formed (step  1302 ) by inserting an endoskeleton support  302  into a tubular beam  301  (step  1303 ). Then, a connector (or connector adapter) tang  805  may be deflected and a connector adapter  700 ,  800  inserted into an end of the endoskeleton support  302  (step  1304 ). The tang  805  may then be aligned with a hole  303  on the support  302  end by twisting, pulling, or and/pushing the connector adapter  700 ,  800  (step  1305 ). Alternatively, a connector  900  or another beam  101  may be inserted onto the opposite end of the connector adapter  700 ,  800 . The user makes a decision at this point to determine whether or not the erected structure is complete (step  1306 ). If not complete, then steps  1302  through  1305  may be repeated. If the erected structure  100  is complete, then the process is complete (step  1307 ). 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of another embodiment constructible water toy. A plurality of beams  101  may be joined together in parallel via connectors  901 , connector adapters  103 , and connectors  102 . In the embodiment illustrated, the beams  101  may act as a base for a floating structure such as a raft. 
     What has been described above includes examples of one or more embodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the aforementioned embodiments, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of various embodiments are possible. Accordingly, the described embodiments are intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.