Patent Publication Number: US-6988926-B2

Title: Bubble generating assembly

Description:
RELATED CASES 
   This case is a continuation of Ser. No. 10/195,816, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,620,016 entitled “Bubble Generating Assembly”, filed Jul. 15, 2002; which is in turn a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 10/133,195, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,659,831, entitled “Apparatus and Method for Delivering Bubble Solution to a Dipping Container”, filed Apr. 26, 2002; which is in turn a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 10/099,431, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,659,834, entitled “Apparatus and Method for Delivering Bubble Solution to a Dipping Container”, filed Mar. 15, 2002, whose disclosures are incorporated by this reference as though fully set forth herein. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to bubble toys, and in particular, to a bubble generating assembly which automatically forms a bubble film over a bubble ring without the need to dip the bubble ring into a container or a dish of bubble solution. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Bubble producing toys are very popular among children who enjoy producing bubbles of different shapes and sizes. Many bubble producing toys have previously been provided. Perhaps the simplest example has a stick with a circular opening or ring at one end, resembling a wand. A bubble solution film is produced when the ring is dipped into a dish that holds bubble solution or bubble producing fluid (such as soap) and then removed therefrom. Bubbles are then formed by blowing carefully against the film. Such a toy requires dipping every time a bubble is to created, and the bubble solution must accompany the wand from one location to another. 
   Recently, the market has provided a number of different bubble generating assemblies that are capable of producing a plurality of bubbles. Examples of such assemblies are illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,149,486 (Thai), 6,331,130 (Thai) and 6,200,184 (Rich et al.). The bubble rings in the bubble generating assemblies in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,149,486 (Thai), 6,331,130 (Thai) and 6,200,184 (Rich et al.) need to be dipped into a dish that holds bubble solution to produce films of bubble solution across the rings. The motors in these assemblies are then actuated to generate air against the films to produce bubbles. 
   All of these aforementioned bubble generating assemblies require that one or more bubble rings be dipped into a dish of bubble solution. In particular, the child must initially pour bubble solution into the dish, then replenish the solution in the dish as the solution is being used up. After play has been completed, the child must then pour the remaining solution from the dish back into the original bubble solution container. Unfortunately, this continuous pouring and re-pouring of bubble solution from the bottle to the dish, and from the dish back to the bottle, often results in unintended spillage, which can be messy, dirty, and a waste of bubble solution. 
   Thus, there remains a need to provide an apparatus and method for forming a film of bubble solution across a bubble ring without the need to dip the bubble ring into a dish of bubble solution. 
   SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for effectively forming a film of bubble solution across a bubble ring. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for effectively forming a film of bubble solution across a bubble ring in a manner which minimizes spillage of the bubble solution. 
   It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus having a simple construction that effectively forms a film of bubble solution across a bubble ring. 
   It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for effectively forming films of bubble solution across a plurality of bubble rings. 
   The objectives of the present invention are accomplished by providing a bubble generating assembly having a housing, a container coupled to the housing and retaining bubble solution, a trigger mechanism, a pair of bubble generating rings, a tubing that couples the interior of the container with the rings, and a link assembly that couples the trigger mechanism and the rings in a manner in which actuation of the trigger mechanism causes the rings to be pivoted. Each ring is pivotably coupled to each other in a manner such that the rings can be pivoted between a closed position where the front surfaces of the rings contact each other, and an opened position where the rings are positioned side-by-side in the same plane. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a bubble generating assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention shown with the two bubble rings contacting each other. 
       FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the assembly of  FIG. 1  shown with the two bubble rings positioned side by side with each other. 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of the assembly of  FIG. 1  shown with the two bubble rings positioned side by side with each other. 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of  FIG. 1  shown with the two bubble rings contacting each other. 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of  FIG. 1  shown with the two bubble rings positioned side by side with each other. 
       FIG. 6  is an exploded view illustrating the internal components of the assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG.7  is an exploded view of a bubble ring that can be used with the assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 8  is an isolated and enlarged perspective view of the link system of the assembly of  FIG. 1  shown with the two bubble rings contacting each other. 
       FIG. 9  is an isolated and enlarged perspective view of the link system of the assembly of  FIG. 1  shown with the two bubble rings positioned side by side with each other. 
       FIG. 10  is an isolated and top plan view of the link system of the assembly of  FIG. 1  shown with the two bubble rings contacting each other. 
       FIG. 11  is an isolated and top plan view of the link system of the assembly of  FIG. 1  shown with the two bubble rings positioned side by side with each other. 
       FIG. 12  is an isolated top plan view illustrating the relationship between the pressure rollers and the tube when the assembly of  FIG. 1  is in the normal non-operational condition. 
       FIG. 13  is an isolated top plan view illustrating the relationship between the pressure rollers and the tube when the assembly of  FIG. 1  is in the bubble-generating position. 
       FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of a bubble generating assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention shown with the two sets of bubble rings positioned side by side with each other. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. In certain instances, detailed descriptions of well-known devices and mechanisms are omitted so as to not obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail. 
     FIGS. 1–13  illustrate one embodiment of a bubble generating assembly  20  according to the present invention. The assembly  20  has a housing  22  that includes a bottom or handle section  24  and an upper or bubble generating section  26 . The housing  22  can be provided in the form of two symmetrical outer shells that are connected together by, for example, screws or welding or glue. These outer shells together define a hollow interior for housing the internal components of the assembly  20 , as described below. The handle section  24  has an opening  28  through which a user can extend his or her fingers to grip the handle section  24 . The front wall  30  of the opening  28  defines a shielding wall against which a conventional bubble solution bottle  32  can be rested. The bubble solution bottle  32  can be provided in the form of any of the conventional bubble solution containers that are currently available in the marketplace. A connecting section  34 , which resembles an annular wall, extends from the front of the top of the front wall  30 , and has internal threads  36  (see also  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) that are adapted to releasably engage the external threads  38  on the neck of the solution bottle  32 . A solution dish  40  is secured to the top of the connecting section  34 , and has a first opening  42  that communicates with the interior of the connecting section  34 . The dish  40  also has a second opening  44  that communicates with the interior of the connecting section  34 , and which receives a tube  46  that extends therethrough from the solution bottle  32  to the bubble generating section  26 . 
   The handle section  24  houses a power source  48  which can include at least one conventional battery. The bubble generating section  26  has a motor housing  49  that houses a motor  50  that is electrically coupled to the power source  48  via a first wire  52  and a first electrical contact  54 . A second wire  56  couples the motor  50  to a first end  58  of a second electrical contact  60 , whose second curved end  62  is adapted to releasably contact a third electrical contact  64  that is coupled to the power supply  48 . The second contact  60  is attached to the bottom leg  72  of a push button  66 , which operates as a trigger mechanism. 
   The push button  66  is positioned at a rear side of the housing  22  between the handle section  24  and the bubble generating section  26 , and extends through an opening  68  in the housing  22 . Referring also to  FIG. 6 , the push button  66  has a generally L-shaped configuration with a bottom leg  72  and an elongated leg  74 . A stepped extension  76  extends from the inner side of the elongated leg  74 , and has a lower edge  78  and an upper edge  80  that are connected by an angled edge  82 . The top end of the elongated leg  74  has a pivot opening  84  that receives a pivot shaft  86  (see  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). A curved bar  88  extends from the top end of the elongated leg  74 , and has a pivot opening  90  at its terminal end that receives a sliding shaft  92  (see  FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  8  and  9 ). The sliding shaft  92  is retained for reciprocating sliding movement inside a straight groove  94  of a locking piece  96  that is sleeved over a locking rack  98  (see also  FIGS. 8–11 ). A shaft  99  (see  FIG. 8 ) is attached to the locking piece  96  and extends in the interior of the locking rack  98 , and a resilient element  70  (such as a spring) is retained over the shaft  99 . The resilient element  70  normally biases the locking piece  96  towards a forward end  100  of the locking rack  98 . As the locking piece  96  moves back and forth along the outer surface of the locking rack  98 , the sliding shaft  92  slides up and down along the groove  94  (compare  FIGS. 8 and 9 ) in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the locking piece  96 . The push button  66  is normally biased outwardly away from the housing  22  by the resilient element  70  which biases the locking piece  96  towards the forward end  100  of the locking rack  98 . This causes the sliding shaft  92  to slide downwardly (see  FIGS. 4 and 8 ) in the groove  94 , which causes the bar  88  and the push button  66  to pivot in a counter-clockwise direction (as viewed from the orientation of  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) about the pivot shaft  86 , biasing the push button  66  outwardly away from the housing  22 . As a result, the bias of the push button  66  means that the second contact  60  carried on the push button  66  is also normally biased away from the third contact  64  so that the motor  50  is not powered by the power source  48  under normal (non-operation) circumstances. 
   A pair of bubble generating rings  110  and  112  are provided outside the housing  22 , and are adapted to be moved between a closed position (see  FIGS. 1 ,  4  and  8 ), in which the front surfaces  126  of both rings  110 ,  112  contact each other, to an opened position (see  FIGS. 2 ,  5  and  9 ), in which the rings  110 ,  112  are positioned side-by-side in the same plane. Each ring  110  and  112  can be identical in structure and operation, so only one ring  110  is illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The ring  110  has an annular base piece  114  that has a cylindrical wall  116  extending therein to define an annular chamber  118  therein. An opening  120  is provided in the base piece  114 . The ring  110  also has an annular cover piece  122  that fits into the annular chamber  118  of the base piece  114 . A plurality of outlets  124  can be provided along the inner annular surface, and/or the front surface  126 , of the cover piece  122 . Respective tubings  131  and  133  (see  FIG. 6 ) are attached to the opening  120  of each ring  110 ,  112 , to deliver bubble solution from the solution bottle  32  via the tube  46  into the chambers  118  of the respective rings  110 ,  112 . The bubble solution from the chambers  118  can then leak out of the outlets  124  onto the front surface  126  of the rings  110 ,  112 . When the bubble rings  110 ,  112  are in their normal non-operating (i.e., closed) position, the contact between the front surfaces  126  of the bubble rings  110 ,  112  will cause a film of bubble solution to be formed across each bubble ring  110 ,  112 . 
     FIGS. 4–6  and  8 – 11  illustrate the link system that operatively couples the push button  66  to the bubble rings  110 ,  112 . The link system includes the push button  66 , the locking piece  96 , the locking rack  98 , a control bar  130 , a generally U-shaped pivoting bar  132 , and a ring support  134  and  136  for each respective bubble ring  110  and  112 , respectively. The link system causes the bubble rings  110 ,  112  to move between the opened and closed positions when the push button  66  is pressed and released, respectively. The pivoting bar  132 , the ring supports  134  and  136 , and the rings  110 ,  112  are positioned outside the housing  22 , while the control bar  130  is positioned partially outside the housing  22 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , the U-shaped pivoting bar  132  has a central section  142  that has an opening  144  through which the motor  50  can extend. A curved upper section  146  extends from one end of the central section  142 , and a curved lower section  148  extends from one end of the central section  142 . The control bar  130  is a straight bar that extends from a location along the upper section  146 . The control bar  130  has a groove  150  through which the curved bar  88  of the push button  66  extends. An upper U-shaped prong  156  extends from the top end of the upper section  146 , the upper U-shaped prong  156  having a first leg  158  and a second leg  160 . Each leg  158  and  160  has a rounded end that has a corresponding elongated opening  162  and  164 , respectively. Similarly, a lower U-shaped prong  166  extends from the bottom end of the lower section  148 , the lower U-shaped prong  166  having a first leg  168  and a second leg  170 . Each leg  168  and  170  has a rounded end that has a corresponding elongated opening  172  and  174 , respectively. 
   As best seen in  FIGS. 3 and 6 , the ring supports  134  and  136  are elongated shafts that are positioned adjacent and parallel to each other along their inner sides. The ring  110  is attached to the center of, and along the outer side of, the ring support  134 . Similarly, the ring  112  is attached to the center of, and along the outer side of, the ring support  136 . Thus, the two rings  110 ,  112  extend away from the ring supports  134 ,  136 , but are essentially positioned side-by-side to each other so that one ring  110  can be pivoted to completely cover the other ring  112 , and vice versa. An upper rounded opening  188  is provided in an extension  190  that extends from the top of the ring support  134  at an orientation that is perpendicular to the ring support  134 , and a lower rounded opening  192  is provided in another extension  194  that extends from the bottom of the ring support  134  at an orientation that is perpendicular to the ring support  134 . Protrusions  196  and  198  are provided adjacent the openings  188  and  192 , respectively, in the extensions  190  and  194 , respectively, and extend towards each other in a direction parallel to the ring support  134 . Similarly, an upper rounded opening  200  is provided in an extension  202  that extends from the top of the ring support  136  at an orientation that is perpendicular to the ring support  136 , and a lower rounded opening  204  is provided in another extension  206  that extends from the bottom of the ring support  136  at an orientation that is perpendicular to the ring support  136 . Protrusions  208  and  210  are provided adjacent the openings  200  and  204 , respectively, in the extensions  202  and  206 , respectively, and extend towards each other in a direction parallel to the ring support  136 . An upper pivot shaft  216  extends through the upper openings  188  and  200  of the ring supports  134  and  136 , respectively, and a lower pivot shaft  218  extends through the lower openings  192  and  204  of the ring supports  134  and  136 , respectively, so that the two ring supports  134  and  136  can pivot with respect to each other about a pivot axis defined by the pivot shafts  216  and  218 . The pivot shafts  216  and  218  are pivotably secured to fixed locations  240  and  242 , respectively, of the housing  22 . In addition, the protrusions  196  and  208  are retained in the openings  162  and  164 , respectively, so that the upper ends of the ring supports  134  and  136  are coupled for pivoting movement with respect to the upper section  146  of the U-shaped bar  132 . Similarly, the protrusions  198  and  210  are retained in the openings  172  and  174 , respectively, so that the lower ends of the ring supports  134  and  136  are coupled for pivoting movement with respect to the lower section  148  of the U-shaped bar  132 . The protrusions  196 + 208 , the protrusions  198 + 210 , and the pivot shafts  216 ,  218  experience independent circular motion with respect to each other. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 4–6  and  12 – 13 , the assembly  20  includes a pump system that functions to pump the bubble solution from the solution bottle  32  to the bubble rings  110 ,  112 . The pump system includes the motor  50 , the tube  46 , the tubings  131 ,  133 , a guide wall  248 , and a gear system that functions to draw bubble solution through the tube  46  and tubings  131 ,  133 . The gear system includes a motor gear  250  that is rotatably coupled to a shaft  252  of the motor  50 , a gear housing plate  254 , a first gear  256 , a second gear  258 , a resilient element  260  (such as a spring), two pressure rollers  262 ,  264 , and a shaft  266 . The motor gear  250  has teeth that are engaged with the teeth of the first gear  256 . The first gear  256  is rotatably coupled to the gear housing plate  254 , and has teeth that are engaged with the teeth of the second gear  258 . The second gear  258  rotates about an axis defined by the shaft  266 , and the resilient element  260  is carried on the shaft  266  between the second gear  258  and an enlarged end of the shaft  266 . The pressure rollers  262 ,  264  are spaced apart along the outer periphery of the second gear  258  and positioned to face away from the gear housing plate  254 . Referring also to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , each pressure roller  262 ,  264  has a base section  280  and an upper section  282  which has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the base section  280 . The gear housing plate  254  has an opening  268  along one side through which a guide element  270  (e.g., a screw) is fitted. The second gear  258  is positioned adjacent the push button  66 , with a portion of the stepped extension  76  of the push button  66  extending into the path of the tube  46  between the second gear  258  and the gear housing plate  254  (see  FIGS. 12 and 13 ). In particular, the tube  46  extends from the interior of the solution bottle  32 , through the opening  44  in the solution dish  40 , into the housing  22 , and passes through a path (that is defined by the guide element  270 , the pressure rollers  262 ,  264 , and the guide wall  248 ) that leads to a branch  272  from where the tubings  131 ,  133  extend. At the location of the guide element  270 , the pressure rollers  262 ,  264 , and the guide wall  248 , the tube  46  is positioned between the second gear  258  and the guide wall  248 . 
   The pump system operates in the following manner. When the motor  50  is actuated, the motor gear  250  will rotate, thereby causing the first and second gears  256  and  258  to rotate as well. As the second gear  258  rotates, the pressure rollers  262 ,  264  will rotate as well. As the pressure rollers  262 ,  264  rotate, they will apply selected pressure on different parts of the tube  46  in the manner described below. 
   The assembly  20  operates in the following manner. In the normal non-operational condition (i.e., when the rings  110 ,  112  are contacting each other in the closed position as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  4  and  8 ), the push button  66  is normally biased outwardly away from the housing  22  by the resilient element  70  (as explained above). When the user presses the push button  66  (see  FIGS. 2 ,  5  and  9 ), the push button  66  pivots clockwise about the shaft  86  (in the orientation shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ), which causes three sequences of events occur at about the same time. 
   First, the bubble rings  110 ,  112  are moved from their closed position to their opened position. As best shown by comparing  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the bar  88  of the push button  66  is pivoted in a clockwise direction so that the sliding shaft  92  is pushed upwardly within the groove  94 . The upward movement of the sliding shaft  92  pushes the locking piece  96  rearwardly along the locking rack  98  in the direction of arrow R, thereby overcoming the normal bias of the resilient element  70 . As the bar  88  is pivoted in the clockwise direction, the bar  88  pulls the control bar  130  rearwardly in the direction of arrow R because the bar  88  is seated inside the groove  150  of the control bar  130 . Rearward movement of the control bar  130  will pull the U-shaped pivoting bar  132  rearwardly in the direction of arrow R. Since the pivot axis defined by the pivot shafts  216  and  218  is fixed, rearward movement of the pivoting bar  132  will cause the ring supports  134  and  136  to pivot about the pivot axis defined by the pivot shafts  216 ,  218  when the protrusions  196 ,  198 ,  208 ,  210  slide back and forth within the elongated openings  162 ,  172 ,  164 ,  174 , respectively (see  FIGS. 10 and 11 ), so as to pivot the ring supports  134 ,  136  (and their bubble rings  110 ,  112 ) from the closed position to the opened position, where the openings of the bubble rings  110 ,  112  (and the formed films of bubble solution) will be directly facing an air generator  300 . 
   The back and forth sliding motion of the protrusions  196 ,  198 ,  208 ,  210  within the elongated openings  162 ,  172 ,  164 ,  174 , respectively, can be described as follows: when the two rings  110 ,  112  contact each other in the position shown in  FIG. 10 , the protrusions  196 ,  198 ,  208 ,  210  are positioned at the inner ends of a respective elongated opening  162 ,  172 ,  164 ,  174 . As the pivoting bar  132  causes the ring supports  134  and  136  to pivot about the pivot axis defined by the pivot shafts  216 ,  218 , the rings  110 ,  112  will move apart from each other. As the rings  110 ,  112  move apart from each other, the protrusions  196 ,  198 ,  208 ,  210  will slide from the inner ends to the outer ends of the respective elongated opening  162 ,  172 ,  164 ,  174 . When the protrusions  196 ,  198 ,  208 ,  210  reach the outer ends of the respective elongated opening  162 ,  172 ,  164 , 174 , the rings  110 ,  112  will be about ninety degrees apart from other, and further pivoting by the ring supports  134 ,  136  will cause the protrusions  196 ,  198 ,  208 ,  210  will slide from the outer ends to the inner ends of the respective elongated opening  162 ,  172 ,  164 ,  174 . When the protrusions  196 ,  198 ,  208 ,  210  reach the inner ends of the respective elongated opening  162 ,  172 ,  164 ,  174  again, the rings  110 ,  112  will be about one hundred and eighty degrees apart from other, as shown in  FIG. 11 . 
   Second, bubble solution is pumped to the bubble rings  110 ,  112 . In this regard, the clockwise pivot of the push button  66  causes the second contact  60  to engage the third contact  64 , thereby forming a closed electrical circuit that will deliver power from the power source  48  to the motor  50 . The motor  50  will turn on, thereby causing the motor gear  250  to drive and rotate the first and second gears  256  and  258 . As the pressure rollers  262 ,  264  on the second gear  258  rotate, they will apply selected pressure on different parts of the tube  46 .  FIGS. 12 and 13  illustrate this in greater detail.  FIG. 12  illustrates the relationship between the pressure rollers  262 ,  264  and the tube  46  when the assembly  20  is in the normal non-operational condition (i.e., when the rings  110 ,  112  are contacting each other in the closed position as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  4  and  8 ), and  FIG. 13  illustrates the relationship between the pressure rollers  262 ,  264  and the tube  46  when the assembly  20  is in the bubble-generating position (i.e., when the rings  110 ,  112  are side-by-side in the opened position as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  5  and  9 ). As shown in  FIG. 12 , the tube  46  is normally fitted between the smaller-diameter upper section  282  of the pressure rollers  262 ,  264  and the guide wall  248 , and the lower edge  78  of the stepped extension  76  of the push button  66  is fitted between the second gear  258  and the gear housing plate  254 . The resilient element  260  normally biases the second gear  258  towards the gear housing plate  254 . When the push button  66  is pressed and pivoted, the stepped extension  76  is pressed inside the space between the second gear  258  and the gear housing plate  254 , overcoming the normal bias of the resilient element  260  and causing the second gear  258  to slide along the angled edge  82  to increase the distance between the second gear  258  and the gear housing plate  254 . As the second gear  258  moves away from the gear housing plate  254  towards the guide wall  248 , the pressure rollers  262 ,  264  are pushed into the tube  46  so that the tube  46  is now positioned between the guide wall  248  and the larger-diameter base section  280  of the pressure rollers  262 ,  264 , thereby compressing the tube  46  as shown in  FIG. 13 . Thus, rotation of the pressure rollers  262 ,  264  will compress different portions of the tube  46 , thereby creating air pressure to draw the bubble solution from the interior of the solution bottle  32  through the tube  46 , on to the tubings  131  and  133 , and then into the chambers  118  of the bubble rings  110 ,  112 , where the bubble solution will bleed out through the outlets  124  on to the front surfaces  126  of the bubble rings  110 ,  112 . 
   This arrangement and structure of the pressure rollers  262 ,  264  is effective in prolonging the useful life of the tube  46  and the pump system. In particular, the pressure rollers  262 ,  264  only apply pressure against the tube  46  when the push button  66  is actuated (i.e., the larger-diameter base section  280  only compresses the tube  46  when the push button  66  is pressed), so that the tube  46  does not experience any pressure when the push button  66  is not actuated (i.e., the smaller-diameter upper section  282  is positioned adjacent to, but does not compress, the tube  46  when the push button  66  is not pressed). This is to be contrasted with conventional pump systems used for pumping bubble solution to a bubble producing device, where pressure is always applied to the tube regardless of whether the trigger or button is actuated. Over a long period of time, this constant pressure will deform the tube, making it difficult for bubble solution to be drawn through the tube. 
   Third, the air generator  300  (such as a fan which extends outside the housing  22 ) that is secured to the motor  50  is actuated when the motor  50  is turned on. In this regard, the clockwise pivot of the push button  66  causes the second contact  60  to engage the third contact  64 , thereby forming a closed electrical circuit that will deliver power from the power source  48  to the motor  50  to rotate the air generator  300 . The air generator  300  blows a stream of air towards the bubble rings  110 ,  112 . This stream of air will then travel through the film of bubble solution that have been formed over the bubble rings  110 ,  112 , thereby creating bubbles. 
   Thus, pressing the push button  66  will actuate the air generator  300 , and will cause the bubble rings  110 ,  112  to be positioned side-by-side to face the air generator  300  so that bubbles can be created. Pressing the push button  66  will also pump bubble solution from the solution bottle  32  to the bubble rings  110 ,  112 . 
   When the user releases his or her pressing grip on the push button  66 , the resilient element  70  will normally bias the locking piece  96  towards the front end  100  of the locking rack  98 , thereby pivoting the push button  66  in a counter-clockwise direction (as viewed from the orientation of  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) about the pivot shaft  86 , biasing the push button  66  outwardly away from the housing  22 . This will cause the second contact  60  carried on the push button  66  to be biased away from the third contact  64  so that power to the motor  50  is cut. As a result, the air generator  300  will stop producing streams of air, and the pump system will stop drawing bubble solution from the solution bottle  32  to the bubble rings  110 ,  112 . In addition, the bar  88  will push the control bar  130  in a forward direction (opposite to the direction of arrow R), thereby pushing the U-shaped pivoting bar  132  forwardly as well. Since the pivot axis defined by the pivot shafts  216  and  218  are fixed, forward movement of the pivoting bar  132  will cause the ring supports  134  and  136  to pivot about the pivot axes defined by the protrusions  196 + 198  and  208 + 210  (in a reverse manner from that described above for the back and forth motion of the protrusions  196 ,  198 ,  208 ,  210  within the elongated openings  162 ,  172 ,  164 ,  174 , respectively), so as to pivot the ring supports  134 ,  136  (and their bubble rings  110 ,  112 ) from the opened position of  FIGS. 2 ,  5  and  9  to the closed position of  FIGS. 1 ,  4  and  8 . 
   In addition, as best shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the solution dish  40  is positioned directly below the bubble rings  110 ,  112  to collect any stray droplets of bubble solution that drip from the bubble rings  110 ,  112 . These stray droplets can flow back into the solution bottle  32  via the opening  42 . In addition, the solution bottle  32  can be removed from the housing  22  by threadably disengaging the neck of the solution bottle  32  from the connecting section  34 . 
     FIG. 14  illustrates another bubble generating assembly  20   a  according to the present invention. The assembly  20   a  differs from the assembly  20  of  FIGS. 1–13  in that two sets of two bubble rings  110   a + 110   b  and  112   a + 112   b  are provided instead of just two bubble rings  110 ,  112 . For this reason, most of the elements in the assembly  20   a  of  FIG. 14  are identical to the same elements in the assembly  20  of  FIGS. 1–13 , and will not be described herein. The elements in the assemblies  20  and  20   a  that are identical will be designated by the same numeral designations, except that an “a” will be added to the designations in  FIG. 14 . The following description will only highlight the differences between the assemblies  20  and  20   a.    
   The assembly  20   a  differs from the assembly  20  of  FIGS. 1–13  in that two sets of two bubble rings  110   a + 110   b  and  112   a + 112   b  are provided instead of just two bubble rings  110 ,  112 . To facilitate this modification, two motors  50   a  and  50   b  are provided and are retained inside the opening  144   a  (which is now elongated to accomodate the two motors  50   a ,  50   b ) in the pivoting bar  132   a . In addition to the wires  52   a  and  56   a  (which are the same as the wires  52  and  56  in  FIGS. 1–13 ), an additional wire  320  couples the two motors  50   a  and  50   b . Each motor  50   a  and  50   b  carries a separate air generator  300   a  and  300   b , respectively. Each ring support  134   a  and  136   a  now carries two bubble rings  110   a + 110   b  and  112   a + 112   b , respectively. The bubble rings  110   a  and  110   b  are both attached to the outer side of the ring support  134   a , and are spaced apart by a delivery tube  322 . Each opposing end of the delivery tube  322  can be connected to a peripheral opening in the annular base piece (e.g.,  114 ) of a separate bubble ring  110   a  and  110   b . As a result, the bubble solution that has entered the annular chamber (e.g.,  118 ) of the upper bubble ring  110   a  can flow through the delivery tube  322  into the annular chamber (e.g.,  118 ) of the lower bubble ring  110   b . Similarly, the bubble rings  112   a  and  112   b  are both attached to the outer side of the ring support  136   a , and are spaced apart by another delivery tube  324 . Each opposing end of the delivery tube  324  can be connected to a peripheral opening in the annular base piece (e.g.,  114 ) of a separate bubble ring  112   a  and  112   b . As a result, the bubble solution that has entered the annular chamber (e.g.,  118 ) of the upper bubble ring  112   a  can flow through the delivery tube  324  into the annular chamber (e.g.,  118 ) of the lower bubble ring  112   b.    
   The assembly  20   a  operates in the same manner as the assembly  20 . The only difference is that the additional bubble rings  110   b ,  112   b  will generate more bubbles. 
   While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.