INTERACTIVE BUBBLE TUBE FIXTURE

Abstract

An interactive bubble tube fixture that includes a tube that includes a section that contains liquid, which is separated from a liquid proof section via a sheet. A topper is secured to one end of the tube and contains a disk LED. A pipe is secured within the section of the tube that contains liquid and contains a stick LED. A base is secured around the other end of the tube and includes a pump that is secured within the liquid proof section of the tube. The pump includes a channel that extends through the liquid proof sheet and connects to at least one nozzle that is submerged within the liquid. The base also includes a speaker, a receiver and a transmitter and a PCB. The pump, disk LED, stick LED, speaker, receiver and transmitter are activated manually and/or via a received signal either simultaneously and/or independently.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of provisional application No. 63/648,207 filed on May 16, 2024 (which is pending) and also claims the benefit of provisional application No. 63/658,052 filed on Jun. 10, 2024 (which is pending). All publications, patents and patent applications referred to herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to a fixture which illuminates and produces special effects, such as bubbles, lights and sound when a signal is received. More particularly, the fixture includes a hollow tube that contains liquid so when a signal is received, illuminated bubbles are created within the liquid within the tube.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fixtures that contain liquid exist, but the liquid contained within these fixtures leaks into the fixture thereby destroying the electronic components secured therein. This causes significant damage to the fixture almost immediately, rendering the fixture inoperable. To fix the damage, the affected parts must be removed and replaced, which is expensive. Furthermore, due to the significant leakage issues, these known fixtures avoid including numerous electronic components thereby limiting the interactivity and possible functions of the device. Moreover, these known fixtures are not completely liquid proof to outside elements, such as rain. Accordingly, there is not only a risk of damage from internal liquid but from outside sources as well.

Furthermore, leakage from internal and external sources causes the fixture to short circuit, which can be dangerous to individuals that are nearby interacting with the fixture. In addition, known fixtures tend to be too heavy and easily fall over. This can be dangerous considering these fixtures are typically located within amusement or theme parks where children are likely to climb on the fixtures. What is needed is an interactive fixture that solves prior leakage issues internally and externally, which is also safe for children.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An interactive bubble tube fixture that includes a hollow tube with a first and second end, wherein the tube includes a section that contains liquid, which is separated from a liquid proof section via a sheet. A topper is secured to the second end of the tube via a connector, which contains a disk LED. A pipe is secured within the section of the tube that contains liquid and contains a stick LED secured therein. A base is secured around the first end of the tube and includes a cover secured to a foundation, which forms an internal cavity. The cavity includes a pump that is secured within the liquid proof section of the tube, wherein the pump includes a channel that extends through the liquid proof sheet and connects to at least one nozzle that is submerged within the liquid. A mount is secured to an inside surface of the foundation to which a speaker, a receiver and a transmitter are secured. The pump, disk LED, stick LED, speaker, receiver and transmitter are electrically connected to a printed circuit board (“PCB”) secured within the cavity, which is configured to activate pump, disk LED, stick LED and speaker simultaneously and/or independently when a signal is received.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a front view of an interactive bubble tube fixture that includes a tube secured between a topper and a base.

FIG. 2 shows a back view of the interactive bubble tube fixture shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a right side view of the interactive bubble tube fixture shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a left side view of the interactive bubble tube fixture shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of the interactive bubble tube fixture shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 shows an open view of the base with its cover removed and a stick LED that is secured within the tube of the bubble tube fixture shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 shows a transparent view of the base and the tube of the interactive bubble tube fixture shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 shows an upper perspective view of a liquid proof section of the tube and a section of the tube that contains liquid, which are separated by a sheet of the interactive bubble tube fixture shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 shows a left side view of the front facing internal components of the base of the interactive bubble tube fixture shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 shows a top view of various internal components of the base of the interactive bubble tube fixture shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 shows a back view of the base of the interactive bubble tube fixture shown in FIG. 1, which includes a panel.

FIG. 12 shows a mode of interaction between a user with a toy and the interactive bubble tube fixture shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-12 show various views of an interactive bubble tube fixture 20. As shown in FIGS. 1-5, 7, and 12, the fixture includes a tube 22 that is secured between a topper 24 and a base 26. As shown in FIGS. 1-7 and 12, the topper is secured to the tube via a connector 28. While the topper in this embodiment is in the shape of a shark, it is customizable to user specification and can include any ornamental design. The topper is made of a semi translucent plastic material that reflects light therethrough from LEDs 34 that are secured within the connector and directed into the topper. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the tube includes an upper portion 21, which is sealed off from a lower portion 23 via a liquid proofing sheet 44. The tube is made of a transparent plastic and the upper portion contains liquid, such as water. Various objects are situated within the water are of differing weights, so they are dispersed at different heights within the liquid. These objects are, for example, mini sharks, to match the topper design and appear to be swimming within the water when air bubbles are made therein. The components described herein for creating air bubbles within liquid via a received signal is also utilized in an aquarium.

As shown in FIG. 5, the connector 28 includes a top section 30 and bottom section 32 which secure together, for instance via screws to form an internal chamber. Secured within this chamber is the disk LED 34 that is secured to a mount 36. The top and bottom section of the connector, the disk LED and the mount include a centrally located orifice through which a pipe 38 extends into the topper 24. This pipe includes a stick LED 40, which extends through its length. The bottom section of the connector includes a shelf 37, which snug fits into an upper edge of the tube 22. Advantageously, this shelf connects the topper to the tube securely, while also allowing for easy interchangeability of the topper.

As shown in FIGS. 5-7, centrally secured within the tube 22 is the pipe 38, which extends through much of the length of the tube. The pipe is made of a plastic material and is transparent or opaque. The internal circumference of the pipe is coated with a reflective material to hide the wiring that runs through the pipe to electrically connect the disk LED 34 to the PCB 60, which is secured within the base. Advantageously, the pipe hides the wiring that is necessary to connect these two components while also keeping the wiring dry from liquid leakage. Further secured within the pipe is the stick LED 40, which extends through the length of the pipe and the connector. The stick LED is secured within the pipe via a first and second bracket (41, 43), which is snug fit within the pipe and includes notches through which wiring is secured. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the pipe and stick LED are secured within the portion of the tube that contains the liquid. The pipe secures into a liquid proofing sheet 44 to allow the wiring to flow therethrough into the base. The liquid proofing sheet separates the portion of the tube that contains liquid form the liquid proof section of the tube, which is located within the base. As shown in FIG. 8, there are three nozzles (45, 46, 47) that are secured within the liquid proofing sheet and are tightly sealed within this surface so liquid does not leak into the base. These three nozzles are secured together via a tube 48, through which air passes from each nozzle to create air bubbles within the liquid around the outer circumference of the pipe. One of the nozzles is connected to a pump 50 via a channel 52 through which air flows into the nozzles.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 5, 7 and 11, a back wall of the cover 56 includes a control panel 70. This panel includes a casing 72, which advantageously encapsulates the components of the panel making it liquid proof to protect them from external elements, such as rain. This cover is easily removeable via a quick release button 74, which reveal the components of the panel. These include a power port 76, a power switch 78 and a light intensity rotary switch 80. In use, the power port is where an external power supply is provided to the fixture. In the alternative, the fixture is powered via an internal power source, such as batteries. The power switch turn power on to the fixture and the light intensity rotary switch is advantageously present so a user can change the light intensity and brightness of the fixture depending on the time of day, location, etc.

As shown in FIGS. 1-7, the base 26 includes a foundation 54 to which a cover 56 is secured. In this embodiment, the foundation is square shaped and rests flat on the ground. The cover is quadrilateral shaped and secures atop the foundation via screws located in an outside edge thereof. The foundation further includes screws holes in its four corners to bolt the fixture to the ground to prevent tipping, should children climb the fixture. A top surface of the cover includes an aperture 57 into which the tube 22 secures. Secured to a top surface of the foundation and within the cover is a plate 58 to which various electrical components are secured via screws. As shown in FIGS. 5-7 and 10, secured to the plate is the PCB 60, to which the electrical components of the fixture 20 are electrically connected. The PCB includes embedded instructions for the activation of the pump 50, the disk LED 34, the second disk LED 86, the stick LED 40, a receiver 62, a transmitter 64 and a speaker 66. The activation of these components is manual or via a received signal. As shown in FIGS. 5-7 and 9, the speaker is secured to a mount 61, which is secured the plate. Further secured to the mount and above the speaker are the transmitter and receiver. The speaker, receiver and transmitter are mounted at an elevated level so users can easily send signals to and receive signals from the fixture when standing at a distance from the fixture without the need to bend down. Further, the speaker projects sound at a further distance when elevated from the ground. The receiver and transmitter utilize, for example, infrared technology or radiofrequency technology or any similarly related technology. As shown in FIGS. 5, 7, 9, and 10, the speaker is electrically connected to an amplifier 68, which is mounted to the plate and electrically connected to the PCB. The speaker and amplifier work together to produce sound that is programmed on the fixture and to amplify the sound at a far distance for people standing near the fixture to enjoy.

As shown in FIGS. 5-6 and 9, the mounting plate 58 includes a centrally located ledge 82 which is precisely sized and shaped for attachment of the lower liquid proof portion to the tube 23. This portion of the tube is sealed off from the remaining upper portion of the tube that is visible outside of the base 26. This is due to the water that is secured within the upper portion of the tube and the need for non-leakage into the electronic components in the base. Secured within this liquid proof portion of the tube is the pump 50, which is connected therein via a brace 84 that screws into the mounting plate. Secured to a top edge of the brace is a second disk LED 86 that is directed upward and surrounds the internal circumference of the tube. Advantageously, these LEDs illuminate the water and the air bubbles that are produced within the water in the tube to create a unique water bubble light show.

In another embodiment, the liquid proofing sheet 44 includes one nozzle, which is secured to an air bubble maker that is either stick or disk. The air bubble maker includes various holes through which air is pumped and each of these holes includes LEDs secured adjacent to them so the bubbles that are created are illuminated in those colors. The air bubble maker is suctioned to the top surface of the liquid proofing sheet and is for example, a submersible LED aquarium air bubble maker.

In use, the fixture 20 has various modes of activation. One includes a user manually activating the fixture by plugging a power cable into the power port 76. Once the user flips the power switch 78, the stick shaped LED 29 and both the disk LEDs (64, 86) turn on. This light effect is customizable and ranges in color, intensity, duration, etc. Further, when the fixture is powered on, the receiver 62 and the transmitter 64 are activated and ready to receive and/or transmit signals. As shown in FIG. 12, when a nearby user sends a signal to the fixture, it is received by the receiver and this signal is read by the PCB 60. The PCB automatically activates the air pump 50, the speaker 66 and the disk and stick shaped LEDS. The air pump begins pumping air through the nozzles (45, 46, 47) for an extended period to create bubbles within the water. These bubbles are illuminated in a unique pattern associated with that received signal and the topper 24 is illuminated in a unique pattern that is identical or different to the illumination of the bubbles or separate. The speaker is also activated and produces a sound that is programmed within the fixture, for instance on a sound chip and the amplifier 68 amplifies the sound from the speaker so it is heard even at far distances.

It is well recognized by persons skilled in the art that alternative embodiments to those disclosed herein, which are foreseeable alternatives, are also covered by this disclosure. The foregoing disclosure is not intended to be construed to limit the embodiments or otherwise to exclude such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements.

Claims

1. A bubble tube fixture comprising:

a hollow tube with a first and second end, wherein the tube comprises a section that contains liquid, which is separated from a liquid proof section via a sheet;

a topper secured to the second end of the tube; and

a base secured around the first end of the tube, wherein the base comprises a cover secured to a foundation, which forms an internal cavity that contains:

a pump secured within the liquid proof section of the tube, which includes a channel secured thereto that extends through the liquid proof sheet and connects to at least one nozzle that is secured to the sheet and submerged within the liquid.

2. The bubble tube fixture of claim 1, further comprising objects of differing weights submerged within the liquid.

3. The bubble tube fixture of claim 1, further comprising a disk LED secured within the topper.

4. The bubble tube fixture of claim 1, wherein the section of the tube that contains liquid includes a pipe secured throughout its length.

5. The bubble tube fixture of claim 4, wherein the pipe contains a stick LED secured therein.

6. The bubble tube fixture of claim 1, wherein a back surface of the base comprises a panel which includes a power port, a power switch and a light intensity rotary.

7. The bubble tube fixture of claim 1, further comprising a speaker mounted within the base.

8. The bubble tube fixture of claim 1, further comprising a receiver secured within the base, which is configured to receive a signal, which activates the pump.

9. An interactive bubble tube fixture comprising:

a hollow tube with a first and second end, wherein the tube comprises a section that contains liquid, which is separated from a liquid proof section via a sheet;

a topper secured to the second end of the tube; and

a base secured around the first end of the tube, wherein the base comprises a cover secured to a foundation, which forms an internal cavity that contains:

a printed circuit board electrically connected to a pump and a receiver, wherein the pump includes a channel that extends through the liquid proof sheet and connects to at least one nozzle that is secured to the sheet and submerged within the liquid; and

a disk LED secured adjacent to the sheet within the liquid proof section of the tube, wherein the printed circuit board is configured to activate the pump and the disk LED when a signal is received.

10. The bubble tube fixture of claim 9, wherein the topper is secured to the tube via a connector, which contains a second disk LED, which is electrically connected to the printed circuit board and is activated via the received signal.

11. The bubble tube fixture of claim 9, wherein the section of the tube that contains liquid includes a pipe secured throughout its length.

12. The bubble tube fixture of claim 11, wherein the pipe contains a stick LED secured therein, which is electrically connected to the printed circuit board and is activated via the received signal.

13. The bubble tube fixture of claim 9, further comprising a speaker mounted within the base, which is electrically connected to the printed circuit board and is activated via the received signal.

14. The bubble tube fixture of claim 13, further comprising an amplifier to which the speaker is electrically connected.

15. The bubble tube fixture of claim 9, further comprising a transmitter, wherein the printed circuit board is configured to transmit a signal to a nearby device independently or when the signal is received.

16. An interactive bubble tube fixture comprising:

a hollow tube with a first and second end, wherein the tube comprises a section that contains liquid, which is separated from a liquid proof section via a sheet;

a topper secured to the second end of the tube;

a pipe secured within the section of the tube that contains liquid, wherein the pipe contains a stick LED; and

a base secured around the first end of the tube, wherein the base comprises a cover secured to a foundation, which forms an internal cavity that contains:

a pump secured within the liquid proof section of the tube, wherein the pump includes a channel that extends through the liquid proof sheet and connects to at least one nozzle that is secured to the sheet and submerged within the liquid;

a disk LED secured adjacent to the sheet within the liquid proof section of the tube; and

a mount secured to an inside surface of the foundation, wherein a speaker and a receiver are secured to the mount, wherein the pump, disk LED, stick LED, speaker and receiver are electrically connected to a printed circuit board secured within the cavity wherein the printed circuit board is configured to activate pump, disk LED, stick LED and speaker when a signal is received.

17. The bubble tube fixture of claim 16, wherein the connector contains a second disk LED that is electrically connected to the printed circuit board via wiring that runs through the pipe.

18. The bubble tube fixture of claim 16, further comprising a transmitter secured to the mount, wherein the printed circuit board is configured to transmit a signal to a nearby device in response to the received signal.

19. The bubble tube fixture of claim 16, further comprising an amplifier to which the speaker is electrically connected.

20. The bubble tube fixture of claim 16, wherein a back surface of the base comprises a panel which includes a power port, a power switch and a light intensity rotary.