Abstract:
Sound and bubble producing apparatus formed by a channeled member having an air inlet and outlet immersible in a body of water, with said outlet accompanied by structure that casuse air bubbles and sound to be emitted from said outlet when immersed the body of water.

Description:
This is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 10/236,225, filed Sep. 5, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,755,702. The invention relates to the generation of sound and bubbles by powered watercraft, and more particularly, to recreational watercraft that can produce a jet sound and air bubbles during propulsion. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Conventional watercraft produce sound effects by internal combustion engines or battery operated electric motors to provide propulsion. However, other watercraft, such as sail boats, do not produce such sound effects, which often are of assistance in alerting swimmers and aquatic animals to the presence of moving watercraft. 
     In addition, it often is desirable to provide some indication of the directions in which watercraft are moving. This can provide a further alert to swimmers seeking to avoid contact with the watercraft. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide sound effects, which can alerting swimmers and aquatic animals to the presence of moving watercraft. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide sound effects without the need for complex mechanical equipment. 
     A still other object is to provide sound effect to signal the motion of relatively soundless watercraft, such as sailboats. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide the generation of a stream of bubbles indicating the direction of motion of moving watercraft. 
     A still further object is achieve sound effects and bubble generation in a relatively inexpensive fashion by apparatus which is simple to operate. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel accessory for the underwater generation of noise and the production of bubbles. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide watercraft propulsion that is accompanied by jet sound and the production of bubbles that indicate the direction of forward and turning movements. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide watercraft with sound generating and bubble producing equipment which is relatively simple in both operation and construction. 
     It also is an object of the invention to provide a water jet infused with air bubbles as a directional indicator. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accomplishing the foregoing and related objects, the invention provides for a channeled member having an inlet for air and an outlet immersible in a body of water. A mechanism associated with the channeled member causes air from the inlet to escape from the outlet when the outlet is immersed in the body of water, and the channeled member is propelled with its outlet is immersed in the water. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the invention the channeled member is a tube extending from the interior of a watercraft through a bottom thereof. The mechanism associated with the channeled member surrounds the outlet for causing air from the inlet to escape from the outlet when it is immersed and propelled in the water. 
     The mechanism associated with the channeled member can produce a vacuum effect at the outlet for causing air from the inlet to escape from the outlet when immersed in the body of water. The channeled member can take the form of a bent tube with the outlet angularly positioned in relation to the inlet. The bent tube can have its outlet orthogonally positioned in relation to its inlet. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the mechanism for permitting the channeled member to be propelled with the outlet immersed in a body of water can be pressure applied from an aquatic source, with the pressure provided by the movement of the channeled member through the body of water. Alternatively, movement of the channeled member through the body of water can be provided by wind power or mechanical power. 
     In a method of the invention for producing a sound effect, the steps include (a) providing a channeled member having an air inlet and an outlet; (b) associating, with the channeled member, a mechanism for causing air from the inlet to escape from the outlet when the outlet is immersed in a body of water; (c) immersing the outlet of the channeled member in the body of water; and (d) propelling the channeled member with the outlet immersed in the body of water. 
     The method further includes the step of propelling the channeled member by wind power, aquatic power, or mechanical power. 
     The method also includes the step of orthogonally positioning the outlet in the form of a tube in relation to said inlet, the step of flaring the end of the outlet, and the step of forming a venturi with respect to the outlet, which can be surrounded by the venturi to reduce water pressure at the outlet. 
     In a method of the invention for producing a bubble effect, the steps include (a) providing a channeled member having an air inlet and an outlet; (b) associating, with the channeled member, a mechanism for causing air from the inlet to escape from the outlet in the form of bubbles when the outlet is immersed in a body of water; (c) immersing the outlet of the channeled member in said body of water; and (d) propelling the channeled member with the outlet immersed in the body of water. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other aspects of the invention will become apparent after considering several illustrative embodiments, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a partial perspective view of a watercraft with the controller of the invention for forming underwater sound effects and bubbles; 
         FIG. 2  is a view, partially in section, showing details for the controller of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3A  is a view, partially in section, of an alternative controller in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 3B  is a view illustrating operation of the controller of  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 4A  is a diagram of a wind propulsion system for the practice of the invention; 
         FIG. 4B  is a cross sectional view of the controller for the wind propulsion system of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 5A  is a partial end view of the controller of  FIGS. 4A and 4B  taken along thje lines  5 A— 5 A of  FIG. 4B ; and 
         FIG. 5B  is a partial side view of the controller taken along the lines  5 B— 5 B of  FIG. 5A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to the drawings, a watercraft  10  may be of any convenient size and configuration, with the configuration of  FIG. 1  having been found to be relatively stable in operation when occupied by one or a few persons. 
     The watercraft  10  may be of any convenient construction and formed from such materials as foamed or expanded polymers, expanded styrene, or vacuum formed sheet plastic joined together to form a hollow hull. 
     In the configuration shown, the watercraft  10  has a doughnut shaped surface  11  and a bottom  12  that may be flat and clear for display of items below the bottom. 
     The watercraft  10  is provided with a passenger compartment  13  and a controller  20  mounted at a position  14  of the passenger compartment  13 . The mounting position  14  for the controller  20  may be at the center of the passenger compartment  13 , or it may off-center. 
     The controller  20 , shown in detail in  FIG. 2 , has an outlet nozzle  21  that is connected to a channeled inlet member  22  which extends upwardly into the craft  10  through the flat bottom  12 . A retention bushing  23  in contact with the flat bottom  12  surrounds the inlet member  22  and holds it in place. 
     The channeled inlet member  22  shown in  FIG. 2  is tubular, but other forms may also be employed. Extending from an inlet I are two inlet channels  22   a  and  22   b  by which air, or other gaseous fluid, can flow, as indicated by arrows A, into an outlet channel  22   c . When there is fluid flow, as indicated by the arrows B, out of the nozzle  21 , a partial vacuum is formed at the end of the nozzle  21 , drawing air from the outlet O of the outlet channel  22   c . In effect, the nozzle  21  acts as a mechanism for causing air entering at the inlet I to escape from the outlet O when the channeled member  22  is being propelled through the water B. This air-flow produces a jet sound and a visual display of exhaust bubbles. 
     It is to be noted that the nozzle  21  can be shaped to act as a venturi by speeding the outward flow of water as it exits the nozzle because a large volume of water is being forced from the narrow opening between the outlet O of the channeled member  22  and the nozzle  21 . 
     When the watercraft  10  is used in a still or relatively still body of water, propulsion and fluid flow B are achieved by attaching a hose  26  to a swivel joint  24  of the nozzle  21  to allow water from a source (not shown) connected to the hose  26  to enter the outlet channel  25  which surrounds the inlet channel extension  23   c . Accordingly, water flow, indicated by the arrows B, emerges simultaneously from the nozzle  21  with air flow. 
     The motion of the craft  10  depends upon the orientation of the nozzle  21 . In the position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , with the nozzle  21  extending to the left, the motion of the craft  10  is to the right, as indicated by the arrow R in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . To permit changes of direction a removable steering wheel  15  is attached to the inlet member  22  as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     In order to control the fluid flow into the outlet channel  25 , the hose  26  can include a valve  31  mounted on the craft  10 , also as shown in  FIG. 1 . Otherwise it is necessary to use the valve at the connection of the hose  26  to the pressure source (not shown). 
     Alternatively, to avoid the need for control at the connection of the hose  26  to the pressure source, the controller  30  of  FIGS. 3A and 3B  can be employed. 
     The controller  30  has an outlet nozzle  31  which surrounds a channeled inlet member  32  that extends upwardly a short distance into the steering column  33  of the craft through the flat bottom  12 . A retention bushing  23  in contact with the flat bottom  12  surrounds the steering column  33  and holds it in place. 
     The outlet nozzle  31  has its base  34  surrounding a tubular outlet member  35 , which is held against the nozzle  31  by a platform  36  and rods  37  connected to the bottom  12 . During propulsion of the craft  10 , air flow A produces a jet sound and a visual display of exhaust bubbles. 
     In order to terminate propulsion without the need for shutting water from the source (not shown), the controller  30  is elevated by upward pull and water pressure on the steering column  33  as shown in  FIG. 3B  and indicated by the arrow U. This allows the source water to exit though the aperture  38  of the outlet member  35  and prevents any further operation of the nozzle  31 . When the steering column is pushed downwardly so that the base  34  of the nozzle  31  surround the outlet member  35 , the prior operation of  FIG. 3A  is resumed. 
     Propulsion of the watercraft  10  from a water pressure source is desirable when the watercraft is in use in limited areas. However the sound and bubble producing effects of the invention may be realized where the propulsion of the watercraft is by wind or mechanically. In all cases the moving flow of water through the nozzle  21  or  31  can cause air flow from the outlet O of the channeled member  21  or  31 . 
     As shown for the sailboat  40  of  FIG. 4A , the channeled member  42  can be incorporated in the tiller control C and extend downwardly into the water below the rudder R. In addition, since wind power can propel the sailboat  40  the outlet nozzle  41 , as shown in  FIG. 4B  takes the form of a venturi to increase the rate of outflow B in the vicinity of the channeled member outlet O, producing air flow A that creates air bubbles and a jet sound in the water. 
     To increase air flow from the outlet O, the end has an upwardly extending flair  44 , which is advantageous even when a venturi is not used for the nozzle  41  because the flow of water B through the nozzle is sufficient to produce the partial vacuum that draw air out of the channeled member  42 . 
     Frontal and side views of the nozzle venturi  41  are shown in respective  FIGS. 5A and 5B . While the channeled member  42  has its output section disposed orthogonally at a right angle with respect to its input section, other angular dispositions may also be used. In addition the channeled member  42  may take a wide variety of other forms and location, being either a separate member or incorporated into other functioning members of the watercraft. 
     It will be understood that the foregoing detailed description is illustrative only and that modifications and adaptations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.