U.S. patent application number 12/567463 was filed with the patent office on 2011-03-31 for water vessel using self-propelled water wheel.
Invention is credited to Steve Johnston.
Application Number | 20110076910 12/567463 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43780895 |
Filed Date | 2011-03-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110076910 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Johnston; Steve |
March 31, 2011 |
WATER VESSEL USING SELF-PROPELLED WATER WHEEL
Abstract
A water toy includes a pair of floatable hulls arranged in
spaced apart orientation in a generally longitudinal direction
relative to the toy. A water wheel support is coupled to the hulls
and has inner sides positioned on either side of the water wheel. A
water wheel axel spans laterally between the inner sides and
perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of which the hulls are
oriented. A water wheel is mounted on the axel and rotates
forwardly about a rotating axis such that lower paddles of the
water wheel dip into the body of water forwardly of the axel and
push rearwardly as the water wheel rotates to thereby propel the
water toy forwardly through the water. A water container is mounted
above the water wheel and provides fluid through an aperture to the
water wheel to thereby drive the paddles of the water wheel about
the rotating axis.
Inventors: |
Johnston; Steve; (Lyle,
WA) |
Family ID: |
43780895 |
Appl. No.: |
12/567463 |
Filed: |
September 25, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/163 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 29/14 20130101;
A63H 23/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/163 |
International
Class: |
A63H 23/04 20060101
A63H023/04 |
Claims
1. A self-propelled water toy for use within a body of water,
comprising: a floatable vehicle body; and propulsion means mounted
to said vehicle body and configured to propel the floatable vehicle
body through water responsive to the physical flow under gravity of
a fluid, stored within the floatable vehicle body, against the
propulsion means and thence to the body of water.
2. The water toy of claim 1, wherein the propulsion means includes
a water wheel rotatably positioned on said floatable vehicle body
below the fluid stored within the floatable vehicle body and having
a lower portion extending below a water line when the toy is
floated on the body of water, wherein fluid drops onto the water
wheel and rotates the wheel through the water to thereby propel the
floatable vehicle body through the body of water.
3. The water toy of claim 2, wherein the floatable vehicle body
includes: a pair of floatable hulls arranged in spaced apart
orientation in a generally longitudinal direction relative to the
toy; a water wheel support coupled to the hulls and having inner
sides positioned on either side of the water wheel; and a water
wheel axel spanning laterally between the inner sides,
perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of which the hulls are
oriented, wherein the water wheel is mounted on the axel and
rotates forwardly about a rotating axis such that lower paddles of
the water wheel dip into the body of water forwardly of the axel
and push rearwardly as the water wheel rotates to thereby propel
the water toy forwardly through the water.
4. The water toy of claim 3, further comprising a container of
water positioned above the axel and having a discharge outlet
defined at or near a bottom thereof such that water discharged from
the outlet falls onto the water wheel and turns the water wheel
about the rotating axis, wherein rotation of the water wheel causes
propulsion of the body through the water in a direction
substantially perpendicular to the rotating axis.
5. The water toy of claim 4, wherein the container is centered
above the rotating axis of the water wheel.
6. The water toy of claim 4, wherein the water wheel includes a
plurality of paddles spaced about a periphery of the water wheel,
wherein each of the paddles includes: a planar peripheral portion
adapted to impart a forward reaction to the water toy when the
paddles enter the body of water; and a bucket portion
asymmetrically shaped to retain water within the bucket as the
paddles of the water wheel rotates forwardly into the water and
shed water as the paddles of the water wheel exit the body of
water.
7. A floatable water toy, comprising: a body having a lower portion
configured to remain substantially submerged within water and an
upper portion; a water wheel installed along a rotating axis within
the upper portion of the body such that at least a lower portion of
the water wheel extends below a water line when the body is floated
within water; a container of water positioned within the upper
portion of the body above at least an upper portion of the water
wheel and having a discharge outlet defined at or near a bottom
thereof such that water discharged from the outlet falls onto the
water wheel and turns the water wheel about the rotating axis,
wherein rotation of the water wheel causes propulsion of the body
through the water in a direction substantially perpendicular to the
rotating axis.
8. The water toy of claim 7, wherein the container is centered
above the rotating axis of the water wheel.
9. The water toy of claim 7, wherein the water wheel includes a
plurality of paddles spaced about a periphery of the water wheel,
wherein each of the paddles includes: a planar peripheral portion
adapted to impart a forward reaction to the water toy when the
paddles enter the body of water; and a bucket portion
asymmetrically shaped to retain water within the bucket as the
paddles of the water wheel rotates forwardly into the water and
shed water as the paddles of the water wheel exit the body of
water.
10. A floatable toy and adapted to float on water, comprising: two
hulls; a container for water and means mounting said container on
and between said hulls; a discharge outlet connected to said
container at or near the bottom thereof; said mounting means being
constructed and arranged to maintain said container at all times
clear of the surface of water on which said toy floats even when
said container is filled with water; and a water wheel rotatably
positioned between said hulls on a rotating axis and below said
container and having a lower portion extending below a water line
when the toy is floated on the water, wherein water drops through
the discharge outlet onto the water wheel and rotates the wheel
through the water to thereby propel the body through the water.
11. The water toy of claim 10, wherein the container is centered
above the rotating axis of the water wheel.
12. The water toy of claim 10, wherein the water wheel includes a
plurality of paddles spaced about a periphery of the water wheel,
wherein each of the paddles includes: a planar peripheral portion
adapted to impart a forward reaction to the water toy when the
paddles enter the body of water; and a bucket portion
asymmetrically shaped to retain water within the bucket as the
paddles of the water wheel rotates forwardly into the water and
shed water as the paddles of the water wheel exit the body of
water.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to a toy, and more
particularly to a water wheel-based toy that moves along the water
surface by action of a self-contained water supply falling against
and turning a water wheel.
[0002] Self-propelled water toys typically include some type of
mechanism to propel the toy through or under the water. Some use
chemical agents, some electrical propulsion such as with batteries,
and some convert potential energy to mechanical energy such as a
wound rubber-band turning a propeller or impeller. Some examples of
underwater toys include U.S. Pat. No. 5,514,023 to Warner titled
"Hand Launchable Hydrodynamic Recreational Vehicle," and U.S. Pat.
No. 6,926,577 to Thorne, III titled "Underwater Device and Method
of Play," (hereinafter Thorne). Such devices have drawbacks such as
increased weight due to neutral buoyancy, thus increasing shipping
costs, or decreased ability to remain upright within the water so
that the device moves unrealistically compared to underwater sea
creatures and submarines.
[0003] Water toys adapted to operate on the surface of the water
also exist. Many of these operate by using gravity-fed jets of
water that shoot out of the back of a floatable toy. One examples
of these include U.S. Pat. No. 4,045,907 (Mumford), which teaches a
double hulled water toy with a water container mounted between the
hulls. A rearward-facing discharge tube from the water container
imparts a forward reaction which drives the boat through the water.
An improved design, U.S. Pat. No. 4,313,277, uses a similar
propulsion system with a rearward-facing nozzle that can be rotated
in a horizontal plane so that the toy may be propelled in any
desired direction. It would be useful, however, to include motion
elements within the toy as it moves through the water in order to
make the toy more interesting to play with.
[0004] Accordingly, the need arises for a water toy that takes a
different approach to these problems and for overcoming the
drawbacks of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In one aspect, the invention comprises a floatable toy
having two hulls. A container for water mounted within the toy
above the hulls and includes a discharge outlet at or near the
bottom thereof. The container maintained at all times clear of the
surface of water on which said toy floats even when said container
is filled with water. A water wheel is rotatably positioned between
the hulls on a rotating axis and below the water container. A lower
portion of the water wheel extends below a water line when the toy
is floated on the water, wherein water drops through the discharge
outlet onto the water wheel and rotates the wheel through the water
to thereby propel the body through the water.
[0006] In another aspect of the invention, the self-propelled water
toy comprises a floatable vehicle body and propulsion means mounted
to the vehicle body. The propulsion means are configured to propel
the floatable vehicle body through water responsive to the physical
flow under gravity of a fluid, stored within the floatable vehicle
body, against the propulsion means and thence to the body of
water.
[0007] In yet another aspect of the invention, the floatable water
toy comprises a body having a lower portion configured to remain
substantially submerged within water and an upper portion. A water
wheel is installed along a rotating axis within the upper portion
of the body such that at least a lower portion of the water wheel
extends below a water line when the body is floated within water. A
container of water is positioned within the upper portion of the
body above at least an upper portion of the water wheel and having
a discharge outlet defined at or near a bottom thereof such that
water discharged from the outlet falls onto the water wheel and
turns the water wheel about the rotating axis, wherein rotation of
the water wheel causes propulsion of the body through the water in
a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotating axis.
[0008] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of
the invention will become more readily apparent from the following
detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention
that proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a self-propelled water toy
constructed according to a preferred embodiment of the
invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view in section of the
self-propelled water toy of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the water toy 10,
comprised generally of a floatable vehicle body 12 and a propulsion
means 14 characterized by a water wheel 16 powered by a
self-contained water source 18. As will be appreciated from a
description of the invention below, water from the water source 18
empties onto and thereby turns the water wheel to thereby propel
the toy through a body of water.
[0012] The vehicle body 12 preferable includes a pair of floatable
hulls 20a, 20b arranged in spaced apart orientation. The hulls 20a,
20b are further arranged in a general longitudinal direction
relative to the toy 10 so that long axes of the hulls point
forwardly 22 in the direction of travel.
[0013] Water wheel supports 24a, 24b are coupled to respective ones
of the hulls 20a, 20b and are positioned on either side of the
water wheel 16. A water wheel axel 26 spans laterally between inner
sides 28a, 28b of the supports 24a, 24b along a rotational axis
30--that is, perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction 22 of
which the hulls 20a, 20b are oriented. The axel 26 passes through
the supports 24a, 24b and is fixed at each peripheral end to
outsides of the supports using washers, nuts or the like 31.
[0014] The water wheel 16 is mounted on the axel 26 and rotates
forwardly 32 about the rotating axis 30 under action of water
falling onto it as from the self-contained water source 18. A
plurality of paddles, such as paddle 34, are spaced about a
periphery of the water wheel 16 and rotate the wheel 16 by action
of water pooling above the paddles and driving them downward under
force of gravity.
[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates a side section view of the water toy of
FIG. 1 in action within a body of water 33. Water or other fluid 35
is maintained within a water source 18, here shown as a container
36. Container 36 is positioned within an upper portion of the
vehicle body 12 above at least an upper portion of the water wheel
16. A discharge outlet 38 is defined at or near a bottom of the
container 36 such that water 35 discharged from the outlet falls
onto the water wheel 16 and turns it about its rotating axis
30.
[0016] Although the paddles 34 of the water wheel 16 can be formed
of straight panels or bucket-shaped, the preferred implementation
as shown includes both a planar peripheral portion 40 and a bucket
portion 42. Planar peripheral portion 40 provides a pushing surface
adapted to impart a forward reaction to the water toy when the
paddles enter the body of water 33. Bucket portion 42 are
asymmetrically shaped to retain water within the bucket as the
paddles 34 of the water wheel 16 rotate forwardly 32 into the water
33 and shed water as the paddles exit the body of water.
[0017] As illustrated within FIG. 2, water 35 falling from
container 36 pools against a solid inner wheel 41 and bucket
portion 42. The now-weighted bucket portion drives paddle 34 about
the water wheel axel 26 under force of gravity. As the paddle 34
rotates downward, the bucket portion opens up to the body of water
to thereby empty the contents of the bucket--e.g. paddle 34a. The
paddle 34a then drives backward through the water, causing a
pushing action 44 that forces water backward and, conversely, moves
the floating body 10 forward 22. The paddle 34b then emerges from
the water 33 as the water wheel 16 continues to rotate. As emerging
paddles have shed all of their water, they are lighter than the
filled paddles 34 and 34a. This differential in weights causes the
water wheel 16 to undergo continued rotation so long as water 35
remains within the container 36.
[0018] The water toy 10 is weighted so that the water wheel axel 26
remains above the water line of body 33, but that a lower portion
extends below the water line when the toy is floated on the body of
water 33. It is understood that the water toy is heavier, and thus
sits lower in the water, when the container 36 is completely filled
with water. Conversely, it is understood that the water toy is
lighter, and thus sits higher in the water, when the container 36
is empty. Appropriate materials can be selected, or the hulls 20a,
20b weighted, so that the toy 10 sits within the body of water 33
whereby (a) the container 36 is completely clear of the surface of
the water and that (b) the lower portion of the water
wheel--meaning at least one or more paddles 34 of the wheel--is
able to enter the water when the container is substantially empty
so that the paddles continue to propel the toy through the water.
In this way, the propulsion means 14 is configured to propel the
floatable vehicle body 12 through the water 33 responsive to the
physical flow under gravity of a fluid (e.g. water), stored within
the floatable vehicle body (as in container 36), against the
propulsion means and thence to the body of water.
[0019] In use, one would simple need to dip the toy into the water
in order to "recharge" it by filling the container 36. Once set
upright in the water, the toy 10 would propel itself through the
water. Water used simply empties itself back in to the tub or
water. Once empty, the container 36 can be easily refilled and the
toy again released.
[0020] Having described and illustrated the principles of the
invention in a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be apparent
that the invention can be modified in arrangement and detail
without departing from such principles. I claim all modifications
and variation coming within the spirit and scope of the following
claims.
* * * * *