Underwater toy device
An underwater toy device utilizing a base portion having an extending wings and tail. An elevator is also included in the invention and is capable of fitting in anyone of a number of slots located in the base portion in the tail. In this manner, the underwater toy device follows various paths within a body of water.
The present invention relates to a novel and useful underwater toy device.
Persons engaged in water activities such as swimming and wadding often play water games or amuse themselves with sporting equipment and toys. For example, watercraft, balls, floats, and the like are used by such persons. Additionally, persons in a water environment often delight in retrieving objects which are capable of going beneath the surface of the water and returning to the surface again.
An underwater toy device which possesses the capability of following particular path beneath the water through an adjustment mechanism would be a notable advance in the field of toys and sporting goods.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with the present invention a novel and useful underwater toy device is herein provided.
The device of the present invention is utilized having a general airplane design which includes a base portion, a wing extending from the base portion, and a tail separating from the wing and also extending from the base portion. Such wing may be fashioned with an aileron tab or out railing edge twist to stabilize the underwater movement of the toy of the present invention. The invention includes a rudder and an elevator composed of a flattened piece. At least a first slot and a second slot are located in the base portion at the vicinity of the tail. The first and second slots extend along distinct first and second axes, respectively. In other words, the first slot is not parallel to the second slot, but each slot is sized to hold the elevator in place. The device also includes a propeller and means for rotating the propeller in its underwater travel. The device of the present invention may be formed of any suitable material that has buoyancy which permits the device of the present invention to float. That is to say, the density of the material used in the present invention is somewhat less than the density of water. For example, high density polyethylene maybe employed to form the device of the present invention.
The means for turning the propeller of the present invention may include an elastomeric strip or band which is stretched between the base portion and the propeller. The elastomeric strip may be tensioned by twisting the same such that, upon release, the elastomeric strip turns the propeller. Such elastomeric strip may be fastened to the external structure of the base portion or lie within a recess of the base portion.
Another embodiment of the present invention utilizes a base portion, wing, and tail but includes an elevator that possesses a slot. The slot is employed to at least partially encompass the tail and is held at a particular orientation relative to the tail by a support located on the tail. The support interacts with the elevator to fix such elevator in a particular orientation, as heretofore described. The support may include a plurality of posts located on the exterior of the tail which interacts with recesses or apertures in the elevator such that a mating occurs. In addition, a support may take the form of a series of channels that are mounted on the exterior of the tail which interacts with flanges on the elevator. The flanges and recesses of the elevator heretofore described may lie along the slot of the elevator. Further, a shaft may be employed with the elevator to allow rotation between the plurality of posts, or plurality of channels used in support of the elevator.
Moreover, any of the embodiment of the present invention may also be employed a tab which is removably fixed to the wing of the present invention to serve as aileron.
By adjusting the location of the elevator, and the wing tab or rudder, the device of the present invention may be directed through the water and follow enumerable paths.
It may be apparent that a novel and useful underwater toy device has been described.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an underwater toy device which is useable by a person in or near the body of water and which follows a path pre-determined by the user of the device.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an underwater toy device which may be adjusted in its motion in the body of water by the use of an elevator having multiple orientations.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an underwater toy device that is self propelled and is capable of floating to the surface after traveling through the body of water.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an underwater toy device which may be propelled through the body of water and assume a design similar to that of a particular airplane.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an underwater toy device which is easy to use and provides amusement to its user.
The invention possesses other objects and advantages as specially as concerns particular characterizes and features hereof which will become apparent as the specification continues.
For a better understanding of the invention reference is made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention which should be taken in conjunction with the above described drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTIONVarious aspects of the present invention will evolve from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof which should be referenced to the prior described drawings.
An embodiment of the invention as a whole is depicted in the drawings by reference character 10 followed by an upper case letter to denote the same. With reference to
Most importantly, device 10A is formed with slots 30, 32, and 34. Slot 30 extends through body portion 12 while slot 34 is formed in tail 16 Slot 32 lies at the juncture of tail 16 and body portion 12. Elevator 36 is a flattened piece which is capable of frictionally moving into any of the slots 30, 32, or 34 and being held therewithin by in frictional engagement. Directional arrows 38 indicate that the movement of elevator 36 into any of the slots 30, 32, and 34,
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While in the foregoing, embodiments of the present invention have been set forth in considerable detail for the purposes of making a complete disclosure of the invention, it may be apparent to those of skill in the art that numerous changes may be made in such detail without departing from the spirit and principles of the invention.
Claims
1. an underwater toy device including a base portion, a wing extending from the base portion, and a tail removed from the wing and extending from the base portion, comprising:
- a. an elevator, said elevator comprising a flattened piece;
- b. a first slot and a second slot located in the vicinity of the tail, said first and second slots extending along first and second axes, respectively said first slot lying aim a non-parallel position relative to said second slot, said first and second slots being sized to hold said elevator;
- c. a propeller; and,
- d. means for rotating said propeller,
2. The device of claim 1 in which said means for rotating said propeller comprises a tensioned elastomeric strip held by the base portion and connected to said propeller.
3. The device of claim 2 in which the base portion includes a recess and said tensioned elastomeric strip lies within said recess.
4. The device of claim 1 in which said first and second slots are sized to removably hold said elevator.
5. The device of claim 4 in which the tail includes a rudder rotatably herd thereto.
6. The device of claim 5 in which the wing further includes a lab removably first thereto.
7. An underwater toy device including a base portion, a wing extending from the base portion;
- comprising a. an elevator said elevator including a slot, said a lot of least partially encompassing the tail; and, b. a support located on the tail, said support interacting with said elevator to fix the orientation of said elevator.
8. The device of claim 7 in which said support comprises at least a first post and a second post and said elevator includes at least one aperture for selectively mating with said first and second posts.
9. The device of claim 7 in which said support comprises a first channel and a second channel and said elevator includes a flange for selectively mating with said first and second posts.
10. The device of claim 8 which further comprises a shaft, said elevator rotating about said shaft.
11. The device of claim 10 in which said means for rotating said propeller comprises a tensioned elastomeric strip held by the base portion and connected to said propeller.
12. The device of claim 11 in which the base portion includes a recess and said tensioned elastomeric strip lies within said recess.
13. The device of claim 9 in which said means for rotating said propeller comprises a tensioned elastomeric strip held by the base portion and connected to said propeller.
14. The device of claim 13 in which the base portion includes a recess and said tensioned elastomeric strip lies within said recess.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 24, 2008
Publication Date: Aug 12, 2010
Inventor: John Friend (Galt, CA)
Application Number: 12/219,564
International Classification: A63H 23/04 (20060101);