U.S. patent application number 11/345806 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-02 for water toy.
Invention is credited to Rene Matias.
Application Number | 20070178801 11/345806 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38322689 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070178801 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Matias; Rene |
August 2, 2007 |
Water toy
Abstract
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.
Inventors: |
Matias; Rene; (Hacienda
Heights, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JAMES E. BRUNTON, ESQ.
P. O. BOX 29000
GLENDALE
CA
91209
US
|
Family ID: |
38322689 |
Appl. No.: |
11/345806 |
Filed: |
February 1, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/157 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 23/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/157 |
International
Class: |
A63H 23/00 20060101
A63H023/00 |
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.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] 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.
[0003] 2. Discussion of the Prior Art
[0004] 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.
[0005] 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 INVENTION
[0006] It 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.
[0007] 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.
[0008] 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.
[0009] 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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a generally diagrammatic side view of one form of
the water toy of the present invention showing a rider mounted on
the water toy.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the water toy of the
invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a greatly enlarged view, partly in cross-section,
taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of
FIG. 3.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of
FIG. 4.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1, 2 and
3, one form of the buoyant water toy of the invention is there
shown and generally designated by the numeral 14. The water toy
here simulates the shape of a seahorse and is uniquely designed so
that it can be propelled through the water by a rider straddling
the toy in the manner illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0016] 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.
[0017] 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 FIG. 1 of the drawings, the
rider supporting seat is vertically positioned to permit the
desired submergence depth of a rider in the water.
[0018] 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.
[0019] 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 FIG. 3, crank 34 here comprises a
spindle 36 that is journaled in sleeve 32 for rotation about
rotational axis 32a. Attached to spindle 36 are right and left
crank arms 38 and 40 respectively. Specially configured right and
left foot-engaging paddles 42 and 44 are, in turn, interconnected
with the right and left crank arms. As indicated in FIG. 4 of the
drawings, each of the right and left foot-engaging paddles includes
a foot-engaging base portion 46. Base portion 46 includes a bottom
wall 45, an upstanding heel-engaging portion 48 and a water scoop
portion 50. Water scoop portion 50 includes an upper wall 54, a
bottom wall 56 and spaced-apart side wall 58.
[0020] 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.
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