Abstract:
An amusement device is configured to be attached to a surface of a bathtub. The amusement device includes a launching device movable between a rest orientation and a biased orientation. The amusement device further includes a suction assembly attached to the launching device and configured to secure the launching device to the surface of the bathtub. Additionally, the amusement device includes a target assembly configured to float on water located within the bathtub. The launching device is configured to fling an object located thereon from the launching device toward the target assembly in response to release of the launching device after it is moved from the rest position to the biased orientation. A method of using an amusement device in a bathtub is also disclosed.

Description:
PROVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/267,526 filed Feb. 9, 2001. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to an amusement device, and more particularly to an amusement device that is used in a bathtub.  
           [0003]    It is desirable to provide fun bath-time activities for children as an enticement to take a bath. In this regard, various amusement devices have heretofore been designed for use by children in a bathtub. For instance, toy boats have been designed which float on the water in the bathtub and provide entertainment to children while they take a bath. Also, a water soluble foam dispensing device has been commercially available wherein a child may write her name or draw pictures on the side wall of a bathtub while she is taking a bath. Thereafter, the writing or drawing can later be washed off with water. Obviously, numerous other devices for providing fun bath-time activities have been designed for the purpose of providing entertainment to children while they take a bath.  
           [0004]    What is needed is a new type of amusement device that provides entertainment to children while they take a bath. This is especially true since children can become bored with toys that they have played with numerous times in the past, while they become intrigued with toys that are new to them. The present invention fulfills this need.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an amusement device. The amusement device includes a launching device movable between a rest orientation and a biased orientation. The amusement device further includes a suction assembly attached to the launching device and configured to secure the launching device to a surface of a bathtub. The amusement device additionally includes a target assembly configured to float on water located within the bathtub. The launching device is configured to fling an object located thereon from the launching device toward the target assembly in response to release of the launching device after it is moved from the rest position to the biased orientation.  
           [0006]    Pursuant to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an amusement device. The amusement device includes a launching device having a flexible portion and a suction assembly attached to the launching device and configured to secure the launching device to a surface of a bath tub. The launching device is configured to fling an object located on the flexible portion in response to the flexible portion being flexed and thereafter released.  
           [0007]    According to still another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of using an amusement device in a bathtub, with the amusement device including a launching device and a target assembly. The method includes the steps of (i) securing a launching device to a surface of the bathtub, (ii) placing an object on the launching device after the securing step, and (iii) propelling the object with the launching device toward the target assembly which is floating on water located within the bathtub after the placing step.  
           [0008]    According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an amusement device. The amusement device includes a launching device movable between a rest orientation and a biased orientation. The amusement device further includes a securing mechanism attached to the launching device and configured to attach the launching device to a surface of the bathtub. The amusement device additionally includes a target assembly configured to float on water located within the bathtub. The launching device is configured to fling an object located thereon from the launching device toward the target assembly.  
           [0009]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and useful amusement device which can be used in a bath tub.  
           [0010]    It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved amusement device which can be used in a bath tub.  
           [0011]    Moreover, it is another object of the present invention to provide a new and useful method of using amusement device in a bath tub.  
           [0012]    It is also another object of the present invention to provide an improved method of using amusement device in a bath tub.  
           [0013]    Other objects and benefits of the present invention can be discerned from the following description and accompanying drawings.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a view of a preferred embodiment of an amusement device which incorporates the features of the present invention therein, with the target assembly of the amusement device shown schematically for clarity of description;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the launching device of the amusement device taken along the line  2 - 2  of FIG. 6;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the launching device of the amusement device of FIG. 1;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the launching device of FIG. 3;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 is a back elevational view of the launching device of FIG. 3;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 is a top elevational view of the launching device of FIG. 3;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a suction cup of the amusement device of FIG. 1;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the suction cup taken along the line  8 - 8  of FIG. 10;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the suction cup of FIG. 7;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the suction cup of FIG. 7;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a suction cup retainer of the amusement device of FIG. 1;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of the suction cup retainer of FIG. 11;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the suction cup retainer taken along the line  13 - 13  of FIG. 12;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of the suction cup retainer of FIG. 11;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a target assembly of the amusement device of FIG. 1;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the target assembly of FIG. 15;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing an object located on the launching device while such device is positioned in its biased orientation; and  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 17, but showing the object being flung from the launching device in response to the launching device being released to return to its rest orientation.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0032]    While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.  
         [0033]    Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a preferred embodiment of an amusement device  10  that incorporates the features of the present invention therein. The amusement device  10  is configured to be used in a bathtub  12 , although it can alternatively be used in other environments. The amusement device  10  includes a launching device  14 , a suction assembly  16 , and a target assembly  18 . Note that the target assembly  18  is shown in phantom in FIG. 1 for clarity of description. (See FIGS. 15 and 16 for more detailed views of the target assembly  18 .)  
         [0034]    The launching device  14  is also shown in FIGS.  2 - 6 . In particular, the launching device  14  includes an integrally formed L-shaped member that is made of a resilient foam material. Alternatively, the L-shaped member can be made of a flexible plastic material that is configured to allow bending of its component parts. The L-shaped member includes a vertically oriented portion  20  and a horizontally oriented portion  22  which converge together at an elbow region  24 . The launching device is movable between a rest orientation as shown in solid lines in FIG. 3 (see also FIG. 18) and a biased orientation as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 3 (see also FIG. 17).  
         [0035]    The suction assembly  16  is attached to the launching device  14  and is configured to secure the launching device  14  to a surface of the bathtub  12  as shown in FIG. 1. The suction assembly  16  includes a plurality of suction cups  28 . While the preferred number of suction cups  28  possessed by the suction assembly  16  is shown as being three, any number of suction cups (such as two or four) may alternatively be possessed by the suction assembly  16 . FIGS.  7 - 10  show various views of one of the suction cups  28 . In the preferred embodiment, all of the suction cups  28  are identical in construction, however, alternatively they may possess differing construction relative to each other.  
         [0036]    In order to secure the suction cups  28  to the launching member  14 , a number of suction cup retainers  30  are integrally molded into the launching member  14  as shown in FIG. 2. FIGS.  11 - 14  show various views of one of the suction cup retainers  30 . In the preferred embodiment, all of the suction cup retainers  30  are identical in construction, however, alternatively they may possess differing construction relative to each other. In order to secure a suction cup  28  to a corresponding suction cup retainer  30 , a stub  32  of a respective suction cup  28  is inserted into an entry opening  34  of the suction cup retainer  30 , and thereafter is advanced downwardly into a retaining opening  36  of the suction cup retainer  30 . The stub  32  remains in the retaining opening  36  after assembly of the amusement device  10 .  
         [0037]    The target assembly  18  is further shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. In particular, the target assembly includes a floatation device  40  that is made from a foamed material, or alternatively, may be made from a hollow plastic material. In either event, floatation device  40  is configured to float on water contained in the bathtub  12 . Defined in the floatation device  40  is a plurality of indicator recesses  41  as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. The target assembly  18  further includes a target member  42  that is supported by the floatation device  40 . The target member  42  is movable in relation to the floatation device  40  in the direction of arrow  44 . (See FIG. 15.)  
         [0038]    The target assembly  18  further includes a target base  46  that is secured in fixed relation to the floatation device  40 . The target base  46  is positioned in a cavity  47  defined by the floatation device  40 . The target base  46  includes a receptacle  48  that defines a recess  50  for receiving a post  52  of the target member  42 . Cooperation between the receptacle  48  and the post  52  facilitates axial movement of the target member  42  relative to the target base  46 .  
         [0039]    The target assembly  18  further includes a plurality indicators  52  which are respectively positioned within the plurality of indicator recesses  41 . The indicators  52  are made of a common hard plastic conventionally used in the manufacture of toys. In order to facilitate axial movement of the indicators  52  relative to the floatation device  40 , a plurality of sleeves  54  are respectively mounted within the indicator recesses  41 . The sleeves  54  are made of a common hard plastic that is conventionally used in the manufacture of toys. Since the sleeves  54  and the indicators  52  are each made of a hard plastic, sliding movement between each indicator  52  and its respective sleeve  54  is facilitated.  
         [0040]    Moreover, the target assembly  18  further includes a plurality of lever assemblies  60 . Each lever assembly  60  includes a lever arm  62  and a pivot mount  64 . The lever arm  62  pivots about the pivot mount  64 . After assembly of the amusement device  10 , each lever arm extends through a respective lever aperture  66  defined in the floatation device  40  (see FIG. 16), and further through a sleeve aperture  68  defined in a respective sleeve  53  so as to contact a lower end of a respective indicator  52 . Each indicator  52  may be movably coupled to a respective lever arm  62  or may merely rest on the top surface of a respective lever arm  62 .  
         [0041]    During use of the amusement device  10 , a child  70  places an object  72  on the horizontally oriented portion  22  of the launching device  14 . (See FIG. 17.) The object  72  is preferably configured to resemble a living creature such as a duck or a frog. (Note that if the object  72  is configured to resemble a frog, the floatation assembly  18  may be configured to resemble a lily pad.) Thereafter, the child  70  grasps and pulls downwardly on the horizontally oriented portion  22  thereby causing the launching device  14  to move from its rest orientation (see FIG. 3—solid lines) to its biased orientation (see FIG. 3—phantom lines). After the launching device  14  is bent as described above, it is thereafter released thereby causing the object  72  to be flung or otherwise propelled through the air and toward the floatation assembly  18 . (See FIG. 18.)  
         [0042]    If the shot is a direct hit, the object  72  strikes the target  42  thereby forcing it downwardly in the direction of arrow  44  (see FIG. 15). In particular, downward force applied to the target member  42  is transmitted to one end of the lever arms  62 . In response, the lever arms  62  pivot about pivot mount  64  thereby causing the other end of the lever arms to force the indicators  52  upwardly and out of the indicator recesses  41  in the axial direction. Note that if the indicators  52  are respectively movably coupled to the lever arm  64 , the indicators  52  would merely extend out of the indicator recesses  41  (assuming that the object remains resting on the target assembly  14  thereby maintaining a downward force on the target member  42 ). However, if the indicators  52  are merely respectively resting on the top surface of the lever arms  62  at the time of a direct hit (i.e. the object  72  striking the target member  42 ), the sudden downward force applied to the target member  42  by the strike would cause the indicators  52  to be jettisoned out of the respective indicator recesses  41 .  
         [0043]    While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.  
         [0044]    For example, while the suction assembly  16  is described as securing the launching device  14  to the surface of the bathtub  12  and has many advantages, it should be appreciated that other attachment mechanisms could be used to secure the launching device  14  to the surface of the bathtub  12 . For example, one such attachment mechanism is a clamping device that includes two spaced apart clamp members that compress toward each other so as to secure a wall of a bathtub therebetween.  
         [0045]    Also, while the launching device  14  was described as being secured to a front sidewall of the bathtub  12  as shown in FIGS. 1, 17, and  18 , it should be appreciated that the launching device  14  may also be secured to other sidewalls of the bathtub  12  such as the back side wall, or any wall or other surface near the bathtub  12 . Of course, the physical configuration of the launching device and associated suction assembly would have to be modified to accommodate the particular surface or wall on which the launching device is mounted.  
         [0046]    There is a plurality of advantages of the present invention arising from the various features of the amusement device described herein. It will be noted that alternative embodiments of the amusement device of the present invention may not include all of the features described yet still benefit from at least some of the advantages of such features. Those of ordinary skill in the art may readily devise their own implementations of the amusement device that incorporate one or more of the features of the present invention and fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.