Water toy
A buoyant water toy constructed from a moldable plastic that simulates the shape of a seahorse and can be propelled through the water by a rider straddling the body of the toy and peddling a bicycle-like foot-engaging pedal mechanism connected to the body of the toy.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to water toys. More particularly, the invention concerns a buoyant water toy simulating the shape of a seahorse that can be propelled through the water by a rider straddling the body of the toy and peddling a bicycle-like foot-engaging pedal mechanism connected to the body of the toy.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
A number of prior art water cycles of various designs have been suggested in the past. Typically, the prior art water cycles are of a boat-like construction in which the user is supported above the surface of the water and propels the device through the water using foot operated pedal and propeller mechanisms of various designs. As a general rule, the prior art water cycles are bulky and difficult to transport and store.
Those prior art devices which are designed for a rider to get wet and to be propelled through the water are often of a relatively complex construction and are expensive to produce.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is an object of the present invention to provide a buoyant water toy constructed from a moldable plastic that simulates the shape of a seahorse and can be propelled through the water by a rider straddling the body of the toy and peddling a bicycle-like foot-engaging pedal mechanism connected to the body of the toy.
Another object of the invention is to provide a water toy of the aforementioned character that is strategically designed so that when the rider is seated on the supporting seat the water toy floats in a generally upright position with the feet and legs of the rider submerged in the water.
Another object of the invention is to provide a water toy of the character described that is light weight, easy to transport and use and easy to propel through the water.
Another object of the invention is to provide a compact, relatively slow-moving water toy that is suitable for use in a crowded environment. Another object of the invention is to provide a water toy as described in the preceding paragraphs that is durable in use and one that can be inexpensively produced in large quantities.
Referring to the drawings and particularly to
In the present form of the invention, the water toy comprises a generally upright, moldable hollow plastic body 16 having an upper portion 18, a generally head-shaped portion 20, a lower, generally tail-shaped portion 22 and an intermediate portion 24.
Connected to and extending outwardly from the intermediate portion of body 16 is a molded plastic rider supporting seat 26 for supporting the rider. As indicated in
Connected to the upper portion of body 16 are right and left transversely extending, generally cylindrically shaped hand grips, or handle bars 28 and 30 for gripping by the hands of the rider.
Connected to the lower portion of body 16 is propelling means of novel design for operation by the rider to propel the water toy through the water. This important propelling means here comprises a sleeve 32 that extends transversely of lower portion 22 of body 16 and defines a rotational axis 32a. Connected to sleeve 32 is a crank 34. As best seen in
Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will have no difficulty in making changes and modifications in the individual parts or their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth in the following claims.
Claims
1. A water toy simulating the shape of a seahorse that can be propelled through the water by a rider having hands and feet comprising:
- (a) a generally upright body having an upper portion, a lower portion and an intermediate portion;
- (b) a rider support connected to said intermediate portion of said body for supporting the rider;
- (c) hand grips connected to said upper portion of said body for gripping by the hands of the rider; and
- (d) propelling means connected to said lower portion of said body for propelling the water toy through the water, said propelling means comprising: (i) a sleeve extending transversely of said lower portion of said body, said sleeve defining a rotational axis; (ii) a crank connected to said sleeve, said crank comprising a spindle journaled in said sleeve for rotation about said rotational axis and right and left crank arms attached to said spindle; and (iii) right and left foot-engaging paddles connected to said right and left crank arms respectively.
2. The water toy as defined in claim 1 in which each of said right and left foot-engaging paddles comprises:
- (a) a foot-engaging base portion; and
- (b) an upstanding heel-engaging portion.
3. The water toy as defined in claim 1 in which said hand grips comprise right and left transversely extending handle bars.
4. The water toy as defined in claim 1 in which said generally upright body is formed from a moldable plastic.
5. The water toy as defined in claim 1 in which said upper portion is generally head-shaped.
6. The water toy as defined in claim 1 in which said lower portion is generally tail-shaped.
7. The water toy as defined in claim 1 in which said body portion is hollow.
8. A buoyant water toy simulating the shape of a seahorse that can be propelled through the water by a rider having hands and feet, comprising:
- (a) a generally upright body having an upper, generally head-shaped portion, a lower, generally tail-shaped portion, and an intermediate portion;
- (b) a rider support connected to said intermediate portion of said body for supporting the rider, said rider support being vertically positioned for desired submergence depth of a rider in the water;
- (c) right and left transversely extending handle bars connected to said upper portion of said body for gripping by the hands of the rider; and
- (d) propelling means connected to said lower portion of said body for propelling the water toy through the water, said propelling means comprising: (i) a sleeve extending transversely of said lower portion of said body, said sleeve defining a rotational axis; (ii) a crank connected to said sleeve, said crank comprising a spindle journaled in said sleeve for rotation about said rotational axis and right and left crank arms attached to said spindle; and (iii) right and left foot-engaging paddles connected to said right and left crank arms respectively, each of said right and left foot-engaging paddles comprising a foot-engaging base portion and an upstanding heel-engaging portion.
9. The water toy as defined in claim 8 in which said body portion is substantially hollow.
10. The water toy as defined in claim 8 in which said body portion is formed from a moldable plastic.
11. A buoyant water toy simulating the shape of a seahorse that can be propelled through the water by a rider having hands and feet, comprising:
- (a) a generally upright, moldable plastic body having an upper, generally head-shaped portion, a lower, generally tail-shaped portion, and an intermediate portion;
- (b) a rider support connected to said intermediate portion of said body for supporting the rider, said rider support being vertically positioned for desired submergence depth of a rider in the water;
- (c) right and left transversely extending, generally cylindrically shaped handle bars connected to said upper portion of said body for gripping by the hands of the rider; and
- (d) propelling means connected to said lower portion of said body for propelling the water toy through the water, said propelling means comprising: (i) a sleeve extending transversely of said lower portion of said body, said sleeve defining a rotational axis; (ii) a crank connected to said sleeve, said crank comprising a spindle journaled in said sleeve for rotation about said rotational axis and right and left crank arms attached to said spindle; and (iii) right and left foot-engaging paddles connected to said right and left crank arms respectively, each of said right and left foot-engaging paddles comprising a foot-engaging base portion, an upstanding heel-engaging portion and a water scoop portion.
12. A buoyant water toy simulating the shape of a seahorse that can be propelled through the water by a rider having hands and feet, comprising:
- (a) a generally upright, moldable plastic body having an upper, generally head-shaped portion, a lower, generally tail-shaped portion, and an intermediate portion;
- (b) a molded plastic rider supporting seat connected to and extending outwardly from said intermediate portion of said body for supporting the rider, said rider supporting seat being vertically positioned for desired submergence depth of a rider in the water;
- (c) right and left transversely extending, generally cylindrically shaped handle bars connected to said upper portion of said body for gripping by the hands of the rider; and
- (d) propelling means connected to said lower portion of said body for propelling the water toy through the water, said propelling means comprising: (i) a sleeve extending transversely of said lower portion of said body, said sleeve defining a rotational axis; (ii) a crank connected to said sleeve, said crank comprising a spindle journaled in said sleeve for rotation about said rotational axis and right and left crank arms attached to said spindle; and (iii) right and left foot-engaging paddles connected to said right and left crank arms respectively, each of said right and left foot-engaging paddles comprising a foot-engaging base portion, an upstanding heel-engaging portion.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 1, 2006
Publication Date: Aug 2, 2007
Inventor: Rene Matias (Hacienda Heights, CA)
Application Number: 11/345,806
International Classification: A63H 23/00 (20060101);