Abstract:
A device coupleable to a remote source of pressurized fluid for producing fluid that can be discharged by the device and thereby propel the device over or through a surface. The device comprises a buoyant hull with one or more fluid communicators for directing fluid flow. A nozzle at the distal end of each fluid communicator creates a fluid discharge from the fluid communicator directed horizontally or at an angle away from horizontal. Flexible tubes connect the fluid communicators to the remote fluid source.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to a buoyant jet-propelled device, and more particularly to a buoyant toy that can be propelled over or through water or across surfaces such as concrete or grass by means of jet propulsion. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Most propelled car and boat toys and recreational water devices, such as jet-skis, use electric motors or internal combustion engines to propel them across terrain or water. The electric motors require expensive rechargeable batteries with limited life and long recharge times. The power these motors produce is limited, and typically these toys are slow and have limited entertainment value. Internal combustion engines are loud, heavy, and dirty. The fuel on which they run is flammable and generally unsafe for children. Moreover, motorized toys and recreational devices are generally too expensive and sophisticated for punishing use by children around a pool. 
     The present invention avoids these problems of durability, expense, and limited range and provides a device for use in water or on land that does not use fragile components or complex motors, yet is interactive, entertaining, simple to use, and durable. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     Different aspects of the disclosure will be described in reference to the accompanying drawings herein: 
     FIG. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention showing a buoyant hull, fluid communicators, jet nozzles, and a partial view of the tubes connecting the fluid communicators the assembly of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an assembly for coupling a water source to the tubes of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the embodiment of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 provides perspective cut-away views of a number of possible ways that a buoyant hull can be connected with channels. 
    
    
     Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
     FIG. 1 shows a top view of an embodiment of the present invention  100 , a jet propelled water device. The device  100  has general application as a pool toy, but may be used as a toy or recreational vehicle in a pond or lake. The device  100  includes a buoyant hull  102 , preferably substantially symmetrical in shape about longitudinal axis  100 ′, having a bottom surface, and a durable, wedge-shaped bow  104  for enduring impacts and shielding fluid communicators  108  and jet nozzles  110  from frontal and side impact. The buoyant hull  102  may be constructed from light-weight, corrosion resistant material, for example, solid or hollow plastic, inflatable plastic or rubber, or Styrofoam. The buoyant hull  102  may be molded to resemble common or whimsical shapes ranging, for example, from a raft to a cigarette boat to a pontoon. The shape shown in FIG. 1 is intended merely as an example; many other shapes may be implemented, in known fashion. 
     FIG. 1 also shows a pair of fluid communicators  108   a  and  108   b , having substantially similar diameters, coupled to, or molded into, a recess  106  in the buoyant hull  102 . FIG. 4 shows three examples of how the fluid communicators  108   a  and  108   b  may be formed. In FIG.  4 ( a ) the fluid communicators  108   a  and  108   b  are tubes coupled to the buoyant hull  102  by any fastener, for example, screws, adhesives, clips, or snaps. In FIG.  4 ( b ), the fluid communicators  108   a  and  108   b  are channels molded as part of the buoyant hull  102 . The channels may also be molded separately from the buoyant hull  102  but coupled to the buoyant hull  102  by any fastener, for example, screws, adhesives, clips, or snaps. FIG.  4 ( c ) shows another example of how the fluid communicators may be molded into the buoyant hull  102 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other configurations and implementations may be used to form fluid communicators  108   a  and  108   b.    
     The fluid communicators  108   a  and  108   b  direct water or other fluid (such as air) from a remote source (not shown) to jet nozzles  110   a  and  110   b  from tubes  114   a  and  114   b . Recess  106  is preferably deep enough to allow the hull to flip over and rest on its top surface without pinching or collapsing tubes  114   a  and  114   b . The fluid communicators  108   a  and  108   b  may be constructed of light-weight, corrosion resistant material, for example, plastic, aluminum, or stainless steel. In other embodiments, the device  100  may have a single fluid communicator or more than two fluid communicators, either having substantially similar diameters, or differing diameters to support different flow rates. In still other embodiments, the fluid communicators may protrude from the device  100  or remain recessed. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other configurations and implementations will provide satisfactory performance while achieving the desired results, including allowing the fluid communicators to be directly coupled to a piece of tubing or hose  300 , which in turn is coupled to a remote fluid source, without the use of tubes  114   a ,  114   b.    
     A jet nozzle  110   a  or  110   b  may be connected with the distal end of each fluid communicator  108   a  and  108   b  in order to discharge fluid with sufficient velocity to propel the device  100 . Jet nozzles  110   a  and  110   b  may be substantially similar and may be constructed of light-weight corrosion resistant material, for example, plastic, aluminum, or stainless steel. Any off-the-shelf nozzles having a configuration that can be used with the respective fluid communicator  108   a  or  108   b  will be suitable. Of course, those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain nozzle output profiles will provide greater thrust and thus greater velocity. The nozzle may be selected in accordance with the desired objectives of the designer to achieve speed or safety. 
     Referring to FIG. 3, jet nozzles  110   a  and  110   b  are directed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis  100 ′ and to the water surface on which the device  100  floats, in a direction opposite of the direction of travel  105 , so as to propel the buoyant hull  102  across a surface. In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, jet nozzles  110   a  and  110   b  may be directed at an angle away or toward the water surface to produce force tending to lift the bow up or push the bow down, giving the device  100  a tendency to lift out of a pool or off a surface in the former instance, or a tendency to stay in a pool or on or even under a surface in the latter. In still other embodiments, one or more jet nozzles may be aimed in other directions, and may be sized differently to produce a desired spray pattern. For example, jet nozzles may be directed outward from the sides of the buoyant hull  102 , allowing additional control or maneuverability of the toy  100 . In addition, jet nozzles maybe used for other purposes. For example, one or more jet nozzles may be directed outward from the bow to slow the device  100  or to act as a fire hose on a fireboat. Still further, one may design the device  100  with nozzles that are pivotable or movable to different positions either manually or by remote mechanism, including under electronic control. 
     Fittings  112   a  and  112   b  may be used to connect each tube  114   a  and  114   b  with each fluid communicator  108   a  and  108   b . Fittings  112   a  and  112   b  are substantially similar, and may be pressure fittings, threaded screw-type fittings, quick disconnect ball-bearing fittings, or some other fitting providing a tight, leak-proof seal between each tube and each fluid communicator, in known fashion. In other embodiments, a tube  114   a  or  114   b  and a fluid communicator  108   a  or  108   b  may be a single piece, not requiring a fitting. Each tube  114   a  and  114   b  may be constructed from a flexible, light-weight material, allowing it to trail the buoyant hull  102  without substantially impeding forward or lateral movement of the device  100 . For example, each tube  114   a  and  114   b  may be constructed of vinyl or flexible plastic tubing, in known fashion. In other embodiments, multiple tubes may be contained in a single conduit, or may be connected with one another to prevent entanglements. 
     FIG. 2 shows a detailed perspective view of an embodiment of an assembly  200  for coupling a remote fluid source  300  (e.g., pressurized water from a remote water spigot or air from a remote compressor, neither shown) via tubing  300  with tubes  114   a  and  114   b . The assembly  200  includes a flow splitter  202 , which is used to divide a single source of fluid provided by tubing  300  into two separate, substantially equal streams  202   a  and  202   b  diverging at an angle, which may be around 60 degrees, as shown. The splitter  202  may be constructed from a corrosion resistant material, for example, plastic, aluminum, or stainless steel. In other embodiments, the splitter  202  may cause the streams to diverge at a greater than sixty degree angle, or less than a sixty degree angle to improve fluid flow; for example, the streams may be set ninety degrees apart to allow a user to grasp the handles like a bicycle handlebar, or the streams may be set thirty degrees apart to minimize obstruction of flow. In still other embodiments, the splitter  202  may divide one or more sources of fluid into one or more streams. 
     The splitter  202  may have a fitting  208  on the proximal end allowing the splitter  202  to be connected with a pressure regulator  250 . The splitter  202  may also have fittings  206   a  and  206   b  at the distal end of each stream  202   a  and  202   b  allowing the splitter to be coupled to tubes  114   a  and  114   b  via fittings  116   a  and  116   b . Fittings  208 ,  206   a , and  206   b  may be identical or different, and each may be a pressure fitting, threaded screw fitting, quick disconnect ball-bearing fitting, or other similar type providing a water-tight seal. Likewise, fittings  116   a  and  116   b  are coupled to fittings  206   a  and  206   b , connecting tubes  114   a  and  114   b  with splitter  202 . In other embodiments, tubes  114   a  and  114   b  and splitter  202  may be a single piece, and/or splitter  202  and pressure regulator  250  may be a single piece. 
     Streams  202   a  and  202   b  may each have a valve  204   a  or  204   b  to control the amount of flow through each stream and thus to each channel. By controlling the amount of flow through each stream, a user may control the propulsion of the device  100  and steer the device  100 . The valves  204   a  and  204   b  may be substantially similar, and may be of any type allowing restriction of flow. For example, the valves  204   a  and  204   b  may be of a gate or ball type. The valves may be constructed of a corrosion resistant material, for example, plastic, aluminum, or stainless steel. 
     The assembly  200  may also include a pressure regulator  250 , which may connect the splitter  202  with tubing or hose  300  that couples the device  100  to a remote source of pressurized water or air. The pressure regulator  250  may be constructed of a corrosion resistant material, for example, plastic, aluminum, or stainless steel. The pressure regulator  250  may have a cut-off valve  252  that is used to control the amount of flow to the splitter  202 . The cut-off valve  252  may be of any type allowing restriction of flow. For example, the cut-off valve may be a gate or ball type valve. In other embodiments, the pressure regulator  250  and the splitter  202  may be a single piece. In still other embodiments, the splitter  202  may connect directly with the remote fluid source, eliminating the pressure regulator  250 . 
     Those skilled in the art, however, will recognize that assembly  200  and its associated splitter  202  are unnecessary and that, instead, a piece of tubing  300  may be provided for each fluid communicator  108   a ,  108   b . In FIG. 1, for example, two pieces of tubing  300  would be provided, one for fluid communicator  108   a  and one for  108   b . Both pieces of tubing  300  could trail behind the buoyant hull  102  back to the fluid source where they could be joined together. Alternatively, each piece of tubing  300  could be coupled to its own remote fluid source. In this embodiment, tubes  114   a ,  114   b  and associated fittings  112   a ,  112   b ,  116   a ,  116   b  may be included or omitted. If the latter, tubing  300  would be joined directly to fluid communicators  108   a ,  108   b.    
     In operation, the tubing  300  is used to provide pressurized fluid, e.g., water or air, from a remote source to the fluid communicators  108   a ,  108   b . The fluid communicators  108   a ,  108   b  communicate the pressurized fluid to the jet nozzles  110   a ,  110   b , which discharge the fluid into the surrounding atmosphere with sufficient velocity to propel the buoyant hull  102 , which may be fitted with wheels, across the surface of a pool, pond, lake or other body of water, and also across concrete, dirt, or other hard and soft surfaces. By increasing pressure on the fluid, the jet nozzles  110   a ,  110   b  will discharge the water with greater velocity, providing additional thrust. The tubing  300  may be coupled directly or indirectly to a remote water spigot or air compressor. A remote control (not shown) may be coupled between the spigot or compressor and the tubing  300 , allowing the user to regulate fluid flow and provide thrust to any selected jet nozzle  110   a ,  110   b  to turn the device  100  or allow it to dive under or jump off the surface across which the device is moving. Thus, the buoyant hull  102 , once powered by the pressurized water, may be made to move about with great velocity, and can turn, climb, and dive under operator control. 
     A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, in other embodiments, the splitter  202  and regulator  12  may be connected to an air source, or other propulsion medium. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.