Abstract:
This invention is a mobility device such as a skateboard or scooter manufactured in combination with a bubble maker or a bubble making accessory comprising: a skateboard or scooter having a platform; a fluid reservoir carried by said skateboard or scooter in fluid communications with an actuator; a nozzle in fluid communications with said reservoir and carried by said platform so that fluid contained in said reservoir is forced through said nozzle when said actuator is activated creating bubbles. In the event the nozzle is mounted to the handle, the handle directed the direction of the nozzle. The actuator can be activated by the rider&#39;s hand or foot and be manual or motorized.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention is directed to an amusement device that generates bubbles from a personal mobility device platform such as a skateboard. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Bubble makers have been around for decades and include manual, electric and automated bubble makers. Examples of bubbles makers and their variations can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,295,248; 3,861,076; 4,775,348; 6,200,184; 6,450,851 and 6,953,376. 
         [0005]    Skateboards are also well known and are believed to have been invented in the 1950s gaining widespread popularity in the 1960s. The components of a typical skateboard include the platform which supports the rider, trucks, which connect to the platform and include an axle for attaching wheels. Traditionally, skateboards contain a forward and rear truck each having an axle and two wheels connected to each truck. 
         [0006]    Scooters also have been around for decades with some of the first patents directed to scooters beginning in the early 1900&#39;s. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,395,4978 is directed to a platform having a plurality of wheels that can be ridden by an individual. U.S. Pat. No. 1,516,105 is directed to platform having an upright handle with three wheels. U.S. Pat. No. 1,832,018 is directed to a motorized scooter including an upright handle bar, riding platform, and steering bar. U.S. Pat. No. 4,821,832 is directed to a motor scooter having a foldable handle and a friction drive system. 
         [0007]    Few attempts have been made to integrated mobility devices such as skateboards and scooters with bubble makers. Traditionally, these attempts amount to nothing more than attachments or accessories that are attached to the scooter or skateboard and have inherent limitations. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,953,376 illustrates the bubble maker attached to the rear of a scooter or roller blade. An obvious disadvantage is that the reservoir for the bubble fluid has to be attached to the bubble maker and is not integrated into the mobility device. Therefore, the capacity of the reservoir is severely limited by the footprint and ground clearance needed for the mobility device. 
         [0008]    It would be advantageous to provide for the ability to produce bubbles either automatically or electrically while riding a skateboard, scooter or other personal mobility device without requiring the rider to use his/her hands to turn on or off the bubble maker while riding the skateboard. 
         [0009]    It would be advantageous to provide for the ability to produce bubbles either automatically or electrically while riding a skateboard, scooter or other personal mobility device having a fluid reservoir integrated into the platform of the mobility device. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The objectives of this invention are accomplished by providing a system for providing a skateboard or scooter manufactured in combination with a bubble maker comprising: a platform; a bubble/fluid reservoir carried by said platform and in fluid communications with an actuator; a nozzle in fluid communications with said reservoir, and carried by said platform so that fluid contained in said reservoir is forced through said nozzle when said actuator is activated. The actuator can be activated by the rider&#39;s foot or remotely by the rider&#39;s hand and can be manual or motorized. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the invention 
           [0012]      FIGS. 2 through 2C  are cutout views of the portions of the invention; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 3A through 3C  are cutout views of portions of the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the invention; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 5A through 5E  are perspective views of an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are perspective views of an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a schematic of a portion of the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a schematic of one aspect of the invention; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 9A through 9D  are top views of components of the invention; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 10A through 10B  are top views of components of the invention, and; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  includes perspective views of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    This invention is directed to water cannon that can be integrated into a skateboard, or scooter or other personal mobility deice having a platform for supporting the rider. The invention can also be attached to a skateboard as an aftermarket accessory with modifications to the platform. Referring to  FIG. 1 , skateboard  10  includes a platform  12 , trucks  14  and wheels  16 . As is well known in the art, two trucks  14  are carried by the underside of the platform  12  and each set of trucks includes a set of wheels  16 . A fluid reservoir  22  is carried by the skateboard and is in fluid communication with the nozzle  18 . Fluid is transferred to a nozzle  18  through hose  20 . Actuator  24  can be used to case fluid to be pumped or to activate a pump for pumping fluid from the reservoir  22  through the nozzle  18 . In one embodiment, the fluid reservoir  22  is attached to or integrated into the platform  12  that supports the rider. 
         [0023]    The reservoir can have one portion  22  that is transparent so that the fluid level can be observed by the rider by looking at the reservoir. The fluid reservoir can be attached under or otherwise to the platform. When attached under the platform, the fluid reservoir it is out of the way and does not interfere with riding the skateboard. 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , one pump assembly for transporting fluid from the reservoir to the nozzle is shown. One embodiment of actuator  24  is shown having a button  26  that can be pressed in a direction shown as  25 . A spring  28  biases the button in a direction  27  so that the button will return to its original position after being depressed. The actuator includes opening  30  which is connected to the reservoir and opening  32  is connected to the nozzle. When the actuator is activated, fluid will travel from the reservoir to the nozzle. 
         [0025]    In operation, and referring to  FIG. 2A , the button is pressed and travels in direction  25 . This creates pressure in a cavity  34 . In reaction to the pressure, valve  36  opens and fluid is forced from the cavity outwards toward the nozzle through opening  32 . The next step, as shown in  FIG. 2B , spring  28  forces the button in a direction  27 . This creates a vacuum in cavity  34  and forces valve  36  to close and valve  38  opens. This allows fluid from the reservoir to be drawn through valve  38  an into the cavity  34  to fill the cavity so that it can be forced to the nozzle when the button is subsequently pressed. 
         [0026]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2C , the actuator can be operated through a motorized assembly  40 . Motorized assembly can include a wheel  42  and arm  44 . When the wheel  42  rotates, it causes the arm to reciprocate in a lateral direction, thus causing the plunger  46  to move in a direction shown as  48 , creating pressure in the cavity and creates a vacuum in the cavity to force fluid through the nozzle and draw fluid from the reservoir. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 3A , plunger  46  is forced in a direction  25  by the wheel and the arm when the wheel is turning in a direction shown as  50 . Valve  36  is forced open by pressure created in the cavity and value  38  is forced closed. Fluid is forced through opening  32  and through the nozzle. In  FIG. 3B , the plunger is moved in direction shown as  27  creating a vacuum in the cavity. Valve  38  opens and valve  36  closes so that the vacuum draws water from the reservoir through the valve  38  into the cavity  34 .  FIG. 3C  shows the cycle beginning to repeat. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , wheel  42  and arm  44  can be driven by a motor  52 , such as an electric motor, connected to a switch  54  and power supply  56 . When the switch is closed, the electric motor causes the wheel to rotate resulting in fluid being drawn from the fluid reservoir and forced out through the nozzle. In one embodiment, the switch  54  can be closed by a remote device that is wirelessly connected to the motor and its electrical circuit. When the wireless device is used to close the switch  54 , the motor is actuated, thus causing the wheel  50  and arm  44  to move the plunger and directing fluid to the nozzle as described above. It should be understood that this invention is not limited to a single nozzle or that the nozzle be mounted only on the handles. Multiple nozzles can be used and nozzles can exist on the front, side or rear of a skateboard. For example, a rear mounted nozzle can be positioned near the rear of the platform and aimed to spray fluid upwards into a target that is positioned behind and above the platform. 
         [0029]    In  FIG. 5A , nozzle  16  is pivotally connected to the platform through pivot  66  allowing the nozzle to rotate in a direction shown as  68 . A spring  70  biases the nozzle in a direction shown as  72  so that, in this embodiment, the nozzle tends to point to the left of the platform. Foot lever  74 , when pressed forward, causes cable  76  to move in a direction shown as  78 . This direction of force is accomplished since the cable is pulled around idler  80 . Referring to  FIG. 5B , the effect of the foot lever being moved is shown. When tension is placed on the cable, the nozzle is pulled in a direction  78  resulting in the nozzle rotating counterclockwise and thereby aiming to the right of the platform. Therefore, the nozzle spray can be aimed without the need to move the board and interfere with the direction of travel of the skateboard. In one embodiment, shown in  FIG. 5C , a plurality of foot levers are connected to the nozzle through cables so that when one foot lever is pressed, the nozzle rotates and changes the aim of the spray. The levers and nozzle can be arranged so that the right lever moves the nozzle right and the left lever moves the nozzle left or the directions can be reversed. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 5D , another embodiment is shown wherein a gear is connected to nozzle  16  wherein nozzle  16  includes teeth  84 . When the foot lever, connected to the gear through the cable is moved, the gear rotates in a direction shown as  86  causing the nozzle to rotate in an opposite direction causing the nozzle to aim to the left. When tension on the cable is removed, the spring connected to the gear pulls the gear in a direction opposite that of direction  84  and causing the nozzle to rotate in direction  86  and aim to the right. In  FIG. 5E , the idler is not present and the cable causes the gear to rotate in a direction shown as  86  when the foot lever is moved by switching the connection points of the cable and spring on the gear. In one embodiment, the direction of the gear rotation in response to the lever being pulled can be reversed. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 6A , another embodiment of the invention is shown. In this embodiment, actuator  88  is carried by the upper portion of the platform and can be activated upon pressure from the rider&#39;s foot. The actuator is connected to a manual pump or electric pump which will force fluid from the reservoir to the nozzle. Actuator  88  can force fluid to nozzle  18  carried by the front portion of the platform or through nozzle  90  carried by the rear portion of the platform, or both in combination. 
         [0032]    As can be seen in  FIG. 6B , in one embodiment, the actuator  92  is a foot pump assembly that forces fluid from the reservoir  22  out though the nozzle  18 . In one embodiment, multiple actuators can activate pumps to force water through multiple nozzles both individually and in combination through a selector which can open and close valves to only allow fluid to travel to certain nozzles. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , the nozzle includes at least one bubble wand  100  which is immersed in fluid in tank  106 . Fluid is pumped into tank  106  from the fluid reservoir  22  through delivery hose  20 . The babble wand  100  rotates in a direction shown as  112  and as each wand elements enters and then exits the tank, air  104  from fan  102  drive by fan actuator  108  creates bubble  110   a  which eventually forms a complete bubble  110   b  and disconnects from the nozzle. The wands and fan can be electronically motivated or manually motivated by the actuator. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , the invention is integrated with a scooter that includes a standard  120  and a handle bar  114 . A fluid reservoir  22  is carried by the scooter and in one embodiment, carried by standard  120 . Fluid is transferred to a nozzle  116  through hose  118 . Actuators  120  are used to pump fluid and activate the nozzle and to create bubbles. In one embodiment, the fluid reservoir is attached to or integrated into the platform that supports the rider. The reservoir can have one portion  22  that is transparent so that the fluid level can be observed by the rider by looking at the reservoir. In another embodiment, the fluid reservoir is attached under the platform so that it is out of the way and does not interfere with riding the scooter. 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 9A , a nozzle attached to a handle is shown. The disadvantages with this design are that the handle bar needs to be turned from position  158  to position  160  so that the nozzle will spray in a direction shown as  162  from its original direction  164 . This requires that the direction of the scooter be altered simply to change the direction of the spray of the nozzle. 
         [0036]    In  FIG. 4B , nozzle  116  is pivotally connected to the handle through pivot  166  allowing the nozzle to rotate in a direction shown as  168 . A spring  170  biases the nozzle in a direction shown as  172  so that, in this embodiment, the nozzle tends to point to the left of the handles. Lever  174 , when pressed, causes cable  176  to move in a direction shown as  178 . This direction of force is accomplished since the cable is pulled around idler  180 . Referring to  FIG. 4C , the effect of the lever being pressed is shown. When tension is placed on the cable, the nozzle is pulled in a direction  178  resulting in the nozzle rotating counterclockwise and thereby aiming to the right on the handles. Therefore, the nozzle created bubbles that can be aimed without the need to move the handles and interfere with the direction of travel of the scooter. In one embodiment, shown in  FIG. 4D , a plurality of levers are connected to the nozzle through cables so that when one lever is pulled, the nozzle rotates and changes the aim of the spray. The levers and nozzle can be arranged so that the right lever moves the nozzle right and the left lever moves the nozzle left or the directions can be reversed. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 10A , another embodiment is shown wherein a gear is connected to nozzle  116  wherein nozzle  116  includes teeth  184 . When the lever, connected to the gear through the cable is pulled, the gear rotates in a direction shown as  186  causing the nozzle to rotate in an opposite direction causing the nozzle to aim to the left. When tension on the cable is removed, the spring connected to the gear pulls the gear in a direction opposite that of direction  184  and causing the nozzle to rotate in direction  186  and aim to the right. In  FIG. 5B , the idler is not present and the cable causes the gear to rotate in a direction shown as  186  when the lever is pulled by switching the connection points of the cable and spring on the gear. In one embodiment, the direction of the gear rotation in response to the lever being pulled can be reversed. 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , another embodiment of the invention is shown. In this embodiment, actuator  188  is carried by the rider&#39;s platform and can be activated upon pressure from the rider&#39;s foot. The actuator is connected to a manual pump or electric pump which will force fluid from the reservoir to the nozzle. Actuator  188  can force fluid to nozzle  116  carried by the handle or through nozzle  190 , or both in combination. In one embodiment, the actuator  192  is a foot pump assembly that forces fluid from the reservoir out though the nozzle. In one embodiment, multiple actuators can activate pumps to force water through multiple nozzles both individually and in combination through a selector which can open and close valves to only allow fluid to travel to certain nozzles. 
         [0039]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.