BUBBLE WAND

Abstract

An exemplary bubble wand that facilitates creation of soap bubbles includes a plurality of elongate members each having a rotatable connector attached at an end tip of each elongate member and a string forming a loop and connected to each of the plurality of rotatable connectors, wherein the string is capable of rotating with the rotatable connector relative to the elongate member.

Description

PRIORITY

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/940,210 filed Feb. 14, 2014, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Soap bubbles are one of the most enjoyable forms of entertainment for children of all ages. However, current products for making large soap bubbles are unsatisfactory at least because they cannot make large bubbles repeatedly and consistently without great difficulty for the user and without quickly degrading the quality of the products used to make the soap bubbles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments and are a part of the specification. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the disclosure. Throughout the drawings, identical or similar reference numbers designate identical or similar elements.

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary bubble wand according to principles described herein.

FIG. 2A depicts an exemplary configuration of a portion of a bubble wand according to principles described herein.

FIG. 2B depicts an enlarged view of the circled portion of the bubble wand shown in FIG. 2A according to principles described herein.

FIG. 3A depicts another perspective of the exemplary configuration of the portion of the bubble wand shown in FIG. 2A according to principles described herein.

FIG. 3B depicts an enlarged view of the circled portion of the bubble wand shown in FIG. 3A according to principles described herein.

FIG. 4 depicts another exemplary configuration of a portion of a bubble wand according to principles described herein.

FIGS. 5 and 6 depict other exemplary bubble wands according to principles described herein.

Together, the Figures illustrate specific aspects of the novel products and methods described herein and constitute a part of the specification. Together with the following description, the Figures demonstrate and explain the principles of the products and methods.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary bubble wands and methods for using the bubble wands are disclosed herein. As described further below, one or more of the exemplary bubble wands and methods disclosed herein may be used by a user to easily create bubbles of many different sizes to provide endless fun for children of all ages. For example, one or more of the exemplary bubble wands and methods disclosed herein may allow a person to easily and/or repeatedly create bubbles that range from a few inches to several feet in diameter and/or length with very little difficulty and with very little maintenance and troubleshooting of the bubble wands.

Components and functions of exemplary devices and methods will now be described with reference to the drawings. The following detailed description includes specific details in order to provide a thorough understanding of exemplary bubble wands and methods for using the bubble wands. Reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the bubble wands may be implemented. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the novel products and methods, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the teachings herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense. Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

FIG. 1 illustrates components of an exemplary wand 100 in one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, wand 100 may include elongate members 102 (first elongate member 102-1 and second elongate member 102-2), connectors 110 (first connector 110-1 attached to first elongate member 102-1 and second connector 110-2 attached to second elongate member 102-2), and string 120 connected to connectors 110. Wand 100 may be configured to allow a user to collect a soap solution on string 120 and then extend first elongate member 102-1 and second elongate member 102-2 away from one another to form loop 122 with a soap film disposed inside loop 122. The user may then introduce an air stream to loop 122, such as by blowing or running with wand 100, to form a bubble from the soap film inside loop 122.

Elongate member 102 may be a solid rod or hollow tube, and may include handle portion 104 and end portion 106. Handle portion 104 may be provided near an end of elongate member 102 and is configured to facilitate gripping elongate member 102 by a user. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 3A, handle portion 104 may include one or more grooves, finger notches, ridges, and/or other shapes or profiles configured to facilitate gripping elongate member 102 with a hand. Additionally or optionally, handle portion 104 may be formed of a material configured to facilitate gripping elongate member 102, such as a non-slip or high friction rubber, plastic, and the like. The shape of handle portion 104 may also be configured to facilitate gripping elongate member 102, and thus may be substantially cylindrical, or may include a circular portion or handle for gripping. End portion 106 extends from handle portion 104 and provides sufficient length for string 120 to open up into loop 122 without interference or obstruction by the user's body or other objects that may be nearby. End portion 106 may be any shape, such as cylindrical, rectangular, and the like, and may have any decorative or functional profile.

Referring again to FIG. 1, elongate member 102 may be of any length suitable for use by children and/or adults. For example, elongate member 102 may range from about sixteen inches (16″) to about twenty-four inches (24″), but the length of elongate member is not limited to these dimensions, and may be formed in any length as desired. Elongate member 102 may be formed of any durable material, and may include any type of wood, steel, brass, composite, or plastic, such as but not limited to rubber, silicone, nylon, acrylic resin, polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyurethane, vinyl, polyvinyl chloride, and bakelite. In one exemplary embodiment, elongate member 102 is formed of or coated with acrylic resin, which is resistant to corrosion from various soap solutions that may be in frequent contact with elongate member 102. End tip 108 is provided at an end of elongate member 102, and may provide a surface and/or structure to which connector 110 is attached.

In some embodiments, elongate member may be formed of two or more removable sections that can be separated or removed from one another for ease in storing and reduced shelf space, shipping, packaging, or even handling by small children. For example, a first section, such as handle portion 104, may be configured to be removed from end portion 106, and both portions can also be reattached when the wand 100 is to be used. The removable sections can be attached and/or removed by any suitable means. In some examples, the removable sections include a threaded connection (e.g., a threaded male connector on handle portion 104 that connects into to a threaded female connection on end portion 106). In other examples, the removable sections can be connected by a snap connection or a hinged connection. Additionally or alternatively, elongate member 102 can be extendable so that each section can be added to by another section. In this manner, there is no limit to the size of wand 100 that a user can build. Thus, in combination with modifying the size of string 120 used in wand 100, a user can make the wand 100 any size and, as a result, make any size of bubbles that the user desires.

Connector 110 may be attached to end tip 108 of elongate member 102. Alternatively, connector 110 may be attached beneath end tip 108 to end portion 106 of elongate member 102. Regardless of the location of attachment of connector 110 to elongate member 102, connector 110, or a portion of connector 110, may be configured to rotate or swivel relative to elongate member 102. In one embodiment, connector 110 may rotate about an axis that is parallel to an extension direction of elongate member 102. In another embodiment, connector 110 may rotate in three-dimensions around end tip 108 or end portion 106, as will be described below in more detail. String 120 may be connected to connector 110 in a manner that allows string 120 to rotate with connector 110 when connector 110 rotates relative to elongate member 102. In this way, string 120 may be prevented from twisting and tangling when a user manipulates elongate member 102 to create bubbles, whether with various twisting motions or by bringing first and second elongate member 102-1 and 102-2 close together or pulling them apart. Connector 110, through its rotation and swivel features, also prevents a string 120 that has multiple strands or fibers wound about each other from unraveling.

FIGS. 2A-3B illustrate an exemplary connector 110. Connector 110 may include an eye hook 112 attached to end tip 108 of elongate member 102. Eye hook 112 may be, for example, an eye screw screwed into or otherwise attached to end tip 108 of elongate member 102, or it may be a hook or other similar ring member formed integrally with elongate member 102. Eye hook 112 may be securely fastened to elongate member 102 such that eye hook moves or rotates with elongate member 102.

In one embodiment, eye hook 112 may be an eye screw attached to a polymeric elongate member 102 without splitting end portion 106 of elongate member 102 by first pre-heating the eye screw and/or end tip 108 prior to driving the eye screw into end tip 108. For example, the eye screw may be heated to about the melting point of the polymeric material of elongate member 102. Additionally or alternatively, a hole may be pre-drilled in end tip 108, into which the eye screw is driven. Additionally or alternatively, eye screw may be driven into a threaded hole provided at end tip 108.

Connector 110 may include rotatable member 114. At least one end (e.g., end 118-1) of rotatable member 114 may be configured to swivel or rotate relative to the other end (e.g., end 118-2) of rotatable member 114. Rotatable member 114 may be configured to rotate or swivel up to 360°. In this way, string 120, which is connected to one end 118-1 of rotatable member 114, can rotate and twist with respect to elongate member 102, which is connected to the other end 118-2 of rotatable member 114. In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 3B, rotatable member 114 may be a fishing swivel or other device that operates in a similar manner.

Rotatable member 114 may be movably connected to eye hook 112 at the other end 118-2 of rotatable member 114. For example, rotatable member 114 may include a hook or loop at the other end 118-2 that engages with eye hook 112. String 120 may be attached to one end 118-1 of rotatable member 114. Optionally, a ring member 116 may be connected to one end 118-1 of rotatable member 114 and to string 120 to provide a larger opening through which string 120 may be inserted or attached, thus facilitating connection of string 120 to rotatable member 114 and facilitating replacement of string 120 by a user.

Additionally or optionally, connector 110 may be removable from elongate member 102, string 120, or both, thus allowing a user to easily replace parts of wand 100 as necessary. For example, if elongate member 102 breaks, a user may disconnect it from connector 110 and attach a new elongate member 102 to connector 110. Alternatively, if string 120 wears out, frays, or breaks, a user may attach a new string 120 to connector 110. In this regard, one or both ends of connector 110 may be configured to open or close, or to snap to eye hook 112 or string 120. For example, connector 110 may include a lobster claw clasp at one or both ends.

In the wand 100, only one or both elongate members may have a rotatable member 114 as described herein. For example, in some embodiments, wand 100 may include elongate member 102-1 having a connector 110-1 with rotatable member 114, while elongate member 102-2 has a connector 110-2 that does not include rotatable member 114. In such a configuration, ring member 116 may be attached to eye hook 112, or string 120 may be directly attached to eye hook 112. Additionally or alternatively, both the connector 110-1, which can rotate, and connector 110-2, which is fixed, can be configured to be removed from eye hook 112, as described below. However, because elongate member 102-1 includes connector 110-1 having rotatable member 114, the string 120 may nevertheless be prevented from twisting, tangling, and unraveling. In other embodiments, both elongate member 102-1 and elongate member 102-2 of wand 100 may have connector 110 having rotatable member 114.

FIGS. 2A-3B represent exemplary embodiments of connector 110, but connector 110 is not limited to these embodiments. Connector 110 may be any type of connection mechanism that is configured to rotate at one end, whether about a fixed axis (such as an axis parallel to the extension direction of elongate member 102), or about many different axes. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, connector 110 may be a ball swivel connector 410, wherein a ball 412 is disposed inside a spherical enclosure 414 provided at end tip 408 of elongate member 102. End tip 408, including spherical enclosure 414, may be removable from elongate member 102, such as by a snap-on or threaded connection, for ease in manufacturing as well as replacement of parts. A connection arm 416 protrudes from ball 412 through an opening 418 in end tip 408, and string 120 may be connected to connection arm 416. Ball 412 is freely rotatable within spherical enclosure 414, but may be limited in its range of motion by connection arm 416 and opening 418.

Referring again to FIGS. 2A-3B, string 120 may be movably connected to connector 110, or it may be fixedly attached to connector 110. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, string 120 may be inserted through ring member 116 such that string 120 may freely move through ring member 116. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 2A-3B, string 120 may be fixedly attached to ring member 116 by inserting one end of string 120 through ring member 116 and securing the end of string 120 to another portion of string 120, such as by clamping, sealing, or tying string 120. In this way, string 120 cannot slide in and out of ring member 116.

As mentioned, wand 100 may be manipulated by a user to form loop 122 from string 120. As shown in FIG. 1, loop 122 may include top loop leg 124 extending between first connector 110-1 attached to first elongate member 102-1 and second connector 110-2 attached to second elongate member 102-2. First loop leg 126 may be attached at one end to first connector 110-1 and at the other end to second loop leg 128. Second loop leg 128 may be attached at one end to second connector 110-2 and at the other end to first loop leg 126. Top loop leg 124 may have a shorter length than the combined length of first loop leg 126 and second loop leg 128, thus ensuring that top loop leg 124, first loop leg 126, and second loop leg 128 form a loop 122. Weight member 130, which will be described below in more detail, may be disposed on first loop leg 126 and/or second loop leg 128 so that, by gravity, weight member 130 pulls first loop leg 126 and second loop leg 128 away from top loop leg 124, to facilitate formation of loop 122.

First loop leg 126 and second loop leg 128 may be formed of a unitary string 120, or may be separate strings 120. Additionally or alternatively, top loop leg 124 may be formed of the same string 120 as first loop leg 126 and/or second loop leg 128, or they may be separate strings. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, top loop leg 124, first loop leg 126, and second loop leg 128 are comprised of the same string 120, with string 120 movably connected to first connector 110-1 and second connector 110-2. In this way, a user may manipulate wand 100 to create a loop 122 of different shapes and sizes, thus producing bubbles of varying shapes and sizes.

Alternatively, top loop leg 124 may be fixedly attached to first and second connectors 110, such as is shown in FIGS. 2A-3B. First loop leg 126 and second loop leg 128 may be a second, different string fixedly attached to first and second connectors 110 in a similar manner. Although the shape of loop 122 may vary depending on how far the user extends elongate members 102-1 and 102-2 from one another, top loop leg 124 will have a consistent length each time wand 100 is used, as will first loop leg 126 and second loop leg 128.

Additionally, because connectors 110 may be removed from elongate member 102 and or string 120, a user may swap out string 120 for another string of a different length, color, or material. For example, a user can attach a long string 120 that has a length that requires two different individuals to handle elongate members 102. Similarly, a user can attach a short string 120 that can be used by a small child.

Additionally or alternatively, additional strings having lengths different than the upper and lower lengths of string 120 can be added to the bubble wand. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, additional strings 520 (e.g., strings 520-1 and 520-2) of varying lengths can be attached to connectors 110-1 and 110-2 to create multiple loops (e.g., loops 522-1, 522-2, and 522-3) between elongate members 102. Additional strings 520-1 and 520-2 may include ring members, hooks, or other small loops at each end that can quickly and easily attach to connectors 110-1 and 110-2. Additional strings 520-1 and 520-2 may also include weight members 530-1 and 530-2, similar to weight member 130 on string 120, to aid in the formation of additional loops 522-1 and 522-2.

String 120 may be any type of yarn, string, ribbon, cord, rope, or other flexible member, and may be formed of any material, such as a synthetic or natural fiber. In certain embodiments, string 102 is formed of a 100% cotton yarn. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, string 120 may be formed in a web or net configuration that forms multiple loops and, hence, allows a user to create multiple bubbles. For example, string 120 may include cross-strings 620 (e.g., cross-strings 620-1, 620-2, 620-3, and 620-4) that connect to top loop leg 124, first loop leg 126, and second loop leg 28. With this configuration, string 120 forms multiple loops 622 (e.g., loops 622-1, 622-2, 622-3, 622-4, and 622-5), thus allowing a user to form many bubbles at the same time.

Referring again to FIG. 1, weight member 130 may be any member connected to first loop leg 126 and/or second loop leg 128 and is configured to pull them away from top loop leg 124 by gravity. Weight member 130 may move freely about string 120, or it may be fixedly attached to string 120. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, weight member 130 may be a washer or ring member through which string 120 is inserted, and which is freely movable along string 120. Weight member 130 also helps prevent the string 120 from tangling, since it draws first loop leg 126 and second loop leg 128 away from top loop leg 124.

Weight member 130, connector 110, and eye hook 112 are preferably formed with a corrosion resistant surface, since they frequently contact the soap solution. For example, weight member 130, connector 110, and eye hook 112 may be formed of brass, stainless steel, or steel with a zinc- or nickel-plated surface.

Wand 100 may be used by a user to create large bubbles. To create bubbles, a user dips or places string 120 into a soap solution. The soap solution may be provided in a bottle or a flat pan or basin. The user ensures that substantially all of string 120 is dipped into the soap solution. When the user removes string 120 from the soap solution, the user may then open loop 122 by extending elongate members 102-1 and 102-2 away from one another. A soap film is formed inside loop 122. When loop 122 has been formed to the desired size and/or shape, the user may then introduce an air stream to loop 122. For example, a user may blow into loop 122, may direct a fan or other source of air stream, may wave wand 100 through the air, or may run with wand 100 in the extended state. The air stream will then blow out one or more bubbles from loop 122.

By using wand 100 in this manner, a user may repeatedly create large bubbles without compromising the integrity and quality of wand 100. The rotatable connectors 110 prevent string 120 from tangling and unraveling, thus prolonging the life of the string 120 and reducing the need for a user to untangle string 120. As mentioned, the wand 100, and its associated components, may be formed of corrosion resistant materials, thus preventing the soap solution from degrading the wand 100. As a result, the user can enjoy countless hours of fun without wasting time untangling and fixing inferior bubble products. In addition, the user can create bubbles larger than those available with current products, thus providing a unique bubble experience.

In the preceding description, various exemplary embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto, and additional embodiments may be implemented, without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims that follow. For example, certain features of one embodiment described herein may be combined with or substituted for features of another embodiment described herein. The description and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Claims

1. A bubble wand, comprising:

a first elongate member and a second elongate member;

a first connector attached to the first elongate member and a second connector attached to the second elongate member; and

one or more strings attached to the first connector and the second connector and forming a loop;

wherein the first connector includes a first rotatable member configured to rotate independently of the first elongate member, and the second connector includes a second rotatable member configured to rotate independently of the second elongate member.

2. The bubble wand of claim 1, wherein

one end of the first rotatable member is attached to the one or more strings and another end of the first rotatable member is attached to the first elongate member, and

one end of the second rotatable member is attached to the one or more strings and another end of the second rotatable member is attached to the second elongate member.

3. The bubble wand of claim 1, wherein each rotatable member comprises a ball swivel.

4. The bubble wand of claim 1, wherein the one or more strings are configured to rotate independently of the first elongate member and the second elongate member.

5. The bubble wand of claim 1, wherein

the one or more strings comprise a first string and a second string longer than the first string;

one end of the first string is attached to the first connector and another end of the first string is attached to the second connector; and

one end of the second string is attached to the first connector and another end of the second string is attached to the second connector.

6. The bubble wand of claim 5, further comprising an additional string connected to the first connector and the second connector,

wherein the additional string has a length that is different than lengths of the first string and the second string.

7. The bubble wand of claim 5, wherein the one or more strings includes one or more cross-strings between the first string and the second string and that form a plurality of loops.

8. A bubble wand, comprising:

a first elongate member and a second elongate member;

a first connector attached to the first elongate member and a second connector attached to the second elongate member; and

one or more strings attached to the first connector and the second connector and forming a loop;

wherein the first connector includes a first rotatable member that rotates independently of the first elongate member.

9. The bubble wand of claim 8, wherein the second connector is non-rotatably fixed to the second elongate member.

10. The bubble wand of claim 8, wherein

the first connector includes a first end attached to an end tip of the first elongate member and a second end attached to the one or more strings, and

one of the first end and the second end rotates relative to the other of the first end and the second end.

11. The bubble wand of claim 8, wherein the first connector comprises one of a fishing swivel and a ball swivel.

12. The bubble wand of claim 8, wherein the first connector comprises:

an eye hook fixedly attached to an end tip of the first elongate member; and

a first rotatable member rotatably attached to the eye hook.

13. The bubble wand of claim 8, wherein the first connector is removable from at least one of the first elongate member and the one or more strings.

14. The bubble wand of claim 13, wherein the first connector includes a lobster claw clasp.

15. The bubble wand of claim 8, wherein

the first connector includes a ring member at one end, and

the one or more strings are attached to the ring member.

16. The bubble wand of claim 8, wherein the first rotatable member rotates 360° independently of the first elongate member.

17. The bubble wand of claim 8, wherein the first elongate member comprises acrylic resin.

18. A bubble wand, comprising:

a pair of elongate members;

a pair of connectors attached the pair of elongate members, each connector comprising an eye hook fixedly attached to an end tip of one of the elongate members, a rotatable member rotatably attached to the eye hook and configured to be removed from the eye hook, and a ring member attached to the rotatable member; and

one or more strings connected to each ring member of each connector and forming one or more loops between the pair of elongate members.

19. The bubble wand of claim 18, wherein the rotatable member comprises a fishing swivel.

20. The bubble wand of claim 18, wherein the one or more strings rotate with the rotatable member independently of rotation of the elongate members.