Abstract:
According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide an aquatic toy comprising a main body comprised of thermoplastic rubber, the main body comprising a buoyant portion comprised of thermoplastic rubber, and a weighted portion coupled to the buoyant portion, wherein the weighted portion contains material which is heavier than water and is configured to maintain the aquatic toy submerged when the aquatic toy is placed in a body of water.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/406,671, entitled “TPR AQUATIC TOY”, filed Oct. 26, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    At least one example in accordance with the present invention relates generally to aquatic toys. 
         [0004]    2. Discussion of Related Art 
         [0005]    Aquatic toys are oftentimes used by children when swimming or playing in a body of water (i.e. a pool, a lake, a river, etc.). For example, aquatic toys are commonly used by children in water related games or as diving toys. Aquatic toys may be designed to float on top of water, float submerged below the surface of the water, and/or sink to the bottom of a body of water. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    Aspects in accord with the present invention are directed to an aquatic toy. In one aspect the present invention features an aquatic toy comprising a main body, the main body comprising a buoyant portion comprised of thermoplastic rubber, and a weighted portion coupled to the buoyant portion, wherein the weighted portion contains material which is heavier than water and is configured to maintain the aquatic toy submerged when the aquatic toy is placed in a body of water. 
         [0007]    According to one embodiment the weighted portion comprises a pocket of thermoplastic rubber, the pocket encompassing the material which is heavier than water. In one embodiment, the material which is heavier than water is sand. 
         [0008]    According to another embodiment, while the aquatic toy is maintained submerged by the weighted portion, the buoyant portion is configured to float and be projected upwardly in an erect fashion in relation to the weighted area. In another embodiment, the buoyant portion comprises a body of thermoplastic rubber absent a buoyancy pocket. In one embodiment, while the buoyant portion is projected upwardly, the buoyant portion is further configured to become animated when in contact with moving water. According to another embodiment, while the buoyant portion is projected upwardly, the buoyant portion is further configured to undulate when in contact with moving water. 
         [0009]    According to one embodiment, the main body is molded in the shape of a ring. According to another embodiment, the main body is molded in the shape of a stick. 
         [0010]    In another aspect, the present invention features a method of creating an aquatic toy, the method comprising inserting thermoplastic rubber into an injection molding apparatus, and molding the thermoplastic rubber to provide a main body, the main body comprising a buoyant portion comprised of thermoplastic rubber, and a weighted portion coupled to the buoyant portion, wherein the weighted portion is configured to contain material which is heavier than water and to maintain the aquatic toy submerged when the aquatic toy is placed in a body of water. 
         [0011]    According to one embodiment, the method further comprises inserting the material which is heavier than water into the weighted portion. In one embodiment, inserting the material into the weighted portion includes inserting sand into the weighted portion. 
         [0012]    According to another embodiment, molding the thermoplastic rubber includes molding the main body into the shape of a ring. According to one embodiment, molding the thermoplastic rubber includes molding the main body into the shape of a stick. 
         [0013]    According to one embodiment, molding the thermoplastic rubber includes molding the weighted portion into a pocket which is configured to encompass the material which is heavier than water. In one embodiment, molding the thermoplastic rubber includes molding the buoyant portion into a body that is configured to float and be projected upwardly in an erect fashion in relation to the weighted area when the aquatic toy is submerged under water. 
         [0014]    According to another embodiment, molding the buoyant portion into a body includes molding the buoyant portion into a body absent a buoyancy pocket. In one embodiment, molding the buoyant portion into a body includes molding the buoyant portion into a body that is further configured to become animated when in contact with moving water. In another embodiment, molding the buoyant portion into a body includes molding the buoyant portion into a body that is further configured to undulate when in contact with moving water. 
         [0015]    In one aspect, the present invention features a dive stick comprising a main body molded in the shape of a stick, the main body comprising an upper portion comprised of thermoplastic rubber, a lower portion comprised of thermoplastic rubber, and a stick portion comprised of thermoplastic rubber coupled between the upper portion and the lower portion, wherein the upper portion, the lower portion and the stick portion are fluidly connected via an internal chamber, wherein material that is heavier than water is located in the internal chamber, within at least one of the upper portion, the lower portion and the stick portion, and wherein the material that is heavier than water is configured to maintain the dive stick submerged when the dive stick is placed in a body of water. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various FIGs. is represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is an image of a ball TPR toy construction in accordance with aspects of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is an image of another ball TPR toy construction in accordance with aspects of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is an image of a disk TPR toy construction in accordance with aspects of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is an image of a ring TPR toy construction in accordance with aspects of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is an image of a vehicle TPR toy construction in accordance with aspects of the present invention; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is an image of a stick TPR toy construction in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    For the purposes of illustration only, and not to limit the generality, the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying figures. This disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. 
         [0024]    As described above, aquatic toys are often used by children when swimming or playing in a body of water. Common aquatic toys may be constructed of solid polymers such as hard plastic. In addition, in order to provide buoyancy, the hard plastic of a common aquatic toy may be constructed in such a way as to include buoyancy pockets. Buoyancy pockets are designed to maintain an air pocket within an aquatic toy, the air pocket keeping the toy afloat on top of the water. 
         [0025]    However, a potential downside to aquatic toys constructed of hard plastic is that they may be dangerous. For example, if a hard plastic aquatic toy is submerged at or near the bottom of the body of water, a child playing near the toy may step on the hard toy, potentially resulting in an injury. In another example, if a hard plastic toy is at the bottom of the pool, top of the pool, or slightly submersed under the surface of the water, a child diving or jumping into the water may not see the toy and may be injured when he jumps/dives into contact with the toy. 
         [0026]    As such, the current invention provides a relatively safe and buoyant aquatic toy constructed of ThermoPlastic Rubber (TPR). TPR is a soft material consisting of both thermoplastic and elastomeric properties (i.e. elastic and flexible). As a result, TPR is relatively easy to use in manufacturing, for example, by injection molding, and may be molded into a variety of different shapes and forms. It is to be appreciated that, upon being molded into a desired shape or figure, a TPR toy maintains its soft, elastic, and flexible properties, making the TPR toy relatively safe in the event of an impact with a child. In addition, it also is to be appreciated that TPR is lighter than water and thus, an aquatic toy made of TPR may be buoyant absent the use of buoyancy pockets. 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  illustrates an image of one embodiment of the current invention.  FIG. 1  illustrates a ball toy  100 . The ball toy  100  consists of a TPR shell  102  molded into the shape of a ball. The TPR shell  102  is entirely sealed to prevent external access to an interior pocket. The ball toy  100  may also include a hook  104  molded to the shell  102 . The hook  104  may be used for a variety of purposes (i.e. to hang the toy in storage, or to catch the toy using the fishing type rod of a children&#39;s game). The ball toy  100  may also include a plurality of soft bristles  106  and a grip area  108  molded in the outside of the shell  102 . It is to be appreciated that as the ball toy  100  is comprised of TPR, the ball toy  100  is soft, elastic and flexible. In addition, it also is to be appreciated that because the ball toy  100  is made of TPR, the ball toy  100  is buoyant and will float at the top of a body of water. 
         [0028]      FIG. 2  illustrates an image of another embodiment of the current invention, in particular another ball toy  200 . The ball toy  200  consists of a TPR shell  202  molded into the shape of a ball. The TPR shell  202  is entirely sealed to prevent external access to the interior of the shell  202 . The ball toy  200  may also include a hook  204  molded to the shell  202 . The hook  204  may be used for a variety of purposes (i.e. to hang the toy in storage, or to catch the toy using the fishing type rod of a children&#39;s game). The ball toy  200  may also include a plurality of soft bristles  206  and a raised stitch area  208  molded into the outside of the shell  202 . It is to be appreciated that as the ball toy  200  is comprised of TPR, the ball toy  200  is soft, elastic and flexible. In addition, it also is to be appreciated that as a result of the ball toy  200  being made of TPR, the ball toy  200  is buoyant and will float at the top of a body of water. 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  illustrates an image of another embodiment of the current invention.  FIG. 3  illustrates a disk toy  300 . The disk toy  300  consists of a substantially flat TPR disk area  302 . According to one embodiment, the ends  304  of the TPR disk area  302  may curve away from the TPR disk area  302  in a plane substantially perpendicular to the TPR disk area  302  (i.e., the TPR disk area  302  is convex). The disk toy  300  may also include a plurality of soft bristles  306  molded on the outside of the TPR disk area. It is to be appreciated that as the disk toy is comprised of TPR, the disk toy  300  is soft, elastic and flexible. In addition, it also is to be appreciated that as a result of the disk toy  300  being made of TPR, the disk toy  300  is buoyant and will float at the top of water. 
         [0030]      FIG. 4  illustrates an image of another embodiment of the current invention.  FIG. 4  illustrates a ring toy  400 . The ring toy  400  consists of a ring area  402  and a weighted area  404  molded as a unit. According to one embodiment, the ring area  402  is made of TPR and the weighted area  404  includes a sealed, internal pocket capable of being filled with material that is heavier than water (e.g. sand). The ring toy  400  may also include a plurality of soft bristles  406 . 
         [0031]    When placed in a pool, the weighted area  404  sinks to the bottom of the pool and keeps the ring toy  400  submerged. However, as the TPR ring area  402  is made of buoyant TPR, the ring area  402  is still buoyant and extends upwardly from the weighted area  404 , maintaining the ring area  402  in an upright position and enabling a child to more easily grab the ring toy  400 . Also, according to one embodiment, as the TPR ring area  402  is lighter than water, the TPR ring area  402  may become “animated” by the movement of water around it (i.e. by moving currents or waves in the water) and provide a unique demonstrable kinetic animated effect. 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  illustrates an image of another embodiment of the current invention.  FIG. 5  illustrates a vehicle toy  500 . The vehicle toy  500  consists of a TPR area  502  and a weighted area  504 , molded as a unit. According to one embodiment, the weighted area  504  includes a sealed, internal pocket capable of being filled with material that is heavier than water (e.g. sand). The TPR area  502  and the weighted area  504  are molded together. 
         [0033]    When placed in a pool, the weighted area  504  sinks and keeps the vehicle toy  500  submerged. However, as the TPR area  502  is made of buoyant TPR, the TPR area  502  floats and extends upwardly from the weighted area  504 , maintaining the TPR area  502  in an upright position. Also, according to one embodiment, as the TPR area  502  is lighter than water, the TPR area  502  may become animated by the movement of water around it (i.e. by moving currents or waves in the water) and provide a unique demonstrable kinetic animated effect. 
         [0034]      FIG. 6  illustrates an image of another embodiment of the current invention.  FIG. 6  illustrates a stick toy or dive stick  600 . The stick toy  600  comprises a TPR stick area  602  molded into the shape of a tube, a lower portion  604  and an upper portion  606 . The TPR stick area  602 , the lower portion  604  and the upper portion  606  are sealed together to form a pocket including an interior region capable of being filled with material that is heavier than water (e.g. sand). The lower portion  604  and upper portion  606  are fluidly connected via the TPR stick area  602 . According to one embodiment, the heavier-than-water material is capable of freely moving between the lower portion  604 , the upper portion  606  and the stick area  602 . For example, in one embodiment, the heavier-than-water material may move so that it is located in the lower portion  604  and a portion of the stick area  602 . In another embodiment, the heavier-than-water material may move completely into the lower portion  604  or upper portion  606 . 
         [0035]    When placed in water, the heavier-than-water material included within the stick toy  600  causes the stick toy  600  to sink and keeps the stick toy  600  submerged. According to one embodiment, if the heavier-than-water material moves entirely into the lower portion  604  or upper portion  606 , the parts of the stick toy  600  that do not include the heavier-than-water material, being buoyant, will extend upward from the portion of the stick toy  600  including the heavier-than-water material. For example, while submerged, if the heavier-than-water material is located entirely within the lower portion  604 , then the stick area  602  and the upper portion  606  will float and extend upwardly from the lower portion  604 , maintaining the stick toy  600  in an upright position. Also, according to one embodiment, as the stick toy  600  is lighter than water (i.e., made of TPR), the upper portion  606  and stick area  602  may become animated by the movement of water around them (e.g. by moving currents or waves in the water) and provide a unique demonstrable kinetic animated effect. 
         [0036]    As described above, the heavier-than-water material is sand; however, in other embodiments, the heavier-than-water material may be any type of material that is heavier than water. 
         [0037]    It is to be appreciated that by providing a soft, elastic and flexible ThermoPlastic Rubber (TPR) aquatic toy, the current invention avoids the safety problems associated with hard plastic toys, as described above. It also should be appreciated that, through the use of TPR, the current invention provides aquatic toys capable of being buoyant without the need for buoyancy pockets. 
         [0038]    Having thus described at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, various alternations, modifications and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications and improvements are intended to be within the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Accordingly, the foregoing description is by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting. The disclosure&#39;s limit is defined only in the following claims and equivalents thereto.