U.S. patent application number 12/925852 was filed with the patent office on 2011-05-12 for device for playing with a water balloon and method of use.
Invention is credited to Ivan Miramontes.
Application Number | 20110111891 12/925852 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43974599 |
Filed Date | 2011-05-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110111891 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Miramontes; Ivan |
May 12, 2011 |
Device for playing with a water balloon and method of use
Abstract
A device for playing with a water balloon includes a target area
which is shaped and dimensioned to receive the water balloon. A
plurality of water balloon-bursting teeth are disposed around the
target area. A player holds the device and attempts to position the
target area so that an incoming airborne water balloon lands
completely within the target area and does not land on one or more
of the teeth. If the water balloon does land on one or more teeth
it will burst.
Inventors: |
Miramontes; Ivan; (Fontana,
CA) |
Family ID: |
43974599 |
Appl. No.: |
12/925852 |
Filed: |
November 1, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61280699 |
Nov 9, 2009 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/474 ;
273/457 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 60/004 20200801;
A63B 49/08 20130101; A63B 59/42 20151001; A63B 43/00 20130101; A63B
59/80 20151001; A63B 60/10 20151001; A63B 2225/60 20130101; A63B
59/20 20151001; A63B 60/40 20151001; A63B 67/083 20130101; A63B
60/20 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/474 ;
273/457 |
International
Class: |
A63B 67/00 20060101
A63B067/00; A63B 71/00 20060101 A63B071/00 |
Claims
1. A device for playing with a water balloon, comprising: a target
area which is shaped and dimensioned to receive the water balloon;
a plurality of water balloon-bursting teeth disposed around said
target area; and, wherein (1) if the water balloon lands completely
within said target area it will not be burst by said teeth, or (2)
if the water balloon lands on one or more of said teeth it will be
burst by said teeth.
2. The device according to claim 1, further including: said teeth
having the shape of a frustum.
3. The device according to claim 1, further including: a frame
which surrounds said target area; and, said teeth disposed around
said frame.
4. The device according to claim 3, further including: one of (1)
one handle, and (2) two handles connected to said frame.
5. The device according to claim 1, further including: said target
area including an elastic member for rebounding the water
balloon.
6. The device according to claim 1, further including: said target
area including a pouch for catching the water balloon
7. The device according to claim 1, further including: said target
area and said teeth disposed upon a flexible sheet.
8. The device according to claim 1, further including: said teeth
having the shape of a frustum. a frame which surrounds said target
area; said teeth disposed around said frame; one of (1) one handle,
and (2) two handles connected to said frame; and, said target area
including an elastic member for rebounding the water balloon.
9. A method for a player to play a water balloon game, comprising:
(a) providing a water balloon; (b) providing a device for playing
with said water balloon, said device including; a target area which
is shaped and dimensioned to receive said water balloon; a
plurality of water balloon-bursting teeth disposed around said
target area; and, (c) causing said water balloon to be received by
said device wherein (1) if said water balloon lands completely
within said target area it will not be burst by said teeth, or (2)
if said water balloon lands on one or more of said teeth it will be
burst by said teeth.
10. The method of claim 9, further including: in step (b), said
teeth having the shape of a frustum.
11. The method of claim 9, further including: in step (b), said
target area including an elastic member for rebounding said water
balloon; and, after step (c)(1), said water balloon being rebounded
from said target area.
12. The method of claim 9, further including: in step (b), said
target area including a pouch for catching said water balloon; and,
after step (c)(1), said water balloon residing within said
pouch.
13. The method of claim 9, further including: in step (b),
providing a frame which surrounds said target area, said teeth
disposed around said frame, and a handle connected to said frame;
prior to step (c), causing said water balloon to be directed toward
said racket; and, in step (c), the player grasping said handle and
attempting to position said target area so that said water balloon
will land completely within said target area.
14. The method of claim 9, further including: in step (b),
providing a frame which surrounds said target area, said teeth
disposed around said frame, and two handles connected to said
frame; prior to step (c), causing said water balloon to be directed
toward said device; and, in step (c), the player grasping both of
said handles and attempting to position said target area so that
said water balloon will land completely within said target
area.
15. The method of claim 9, further including: in step (b), said
target area and said teeth disposed upon a flexible sheet; prior to
step (c), causing said water balloon to be directed toward said
flexible sheet; and, in step (c), the player grasping said flexible
sheet and attempting to position said target area so that said
water balloon will land completely within said target area.
16. A method for a two players to play a water balloon game,
comprising: (a) providing a water balloon; (b) providing a device
for playing with said water balloon, said device including; a
target area which is shaped and dimensioned to receive the water
balloon; a plurality of water balloon-bursting teeth disposed
around said target area; a frame having two handles, said frame
surrounding said target area; (c) each player grasping one of said
two handles; (d) causing said water balloon to be directed toward
said device; and (e) the players jointly attempting to position
said target area so that said water balloon will land completely
within said target area.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the filing benefit under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/280,699, filed
Nov. 9, 2009, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention pertains generally to recreation, and
more particularly to a device and method for playing with a water
balloon.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The use of water-filled balloons also known as water
balloons is well known in the art. Water balloons are oftentimes
used in the play of games. The water balloons can be tossed by one
player and caught by another player. The object of the game is for
the catching player not to burst the water balloon.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Disclosed are a device and method for playing with a water
balloon. The device includes a target area around which are
disposed a plurality of water balloon-bursting teeth. A player
grasps the device, and when a water balloon is directed (tossed,
thrown, hit, batted, etc.) toward the player, the player attempts
to position the device such that the water balloon lands in the
target area, and does not strike one or more of the teeth and
resultantly burst. The device can be made in a variety of shapes
such as that of a racket, and can come in a variety of sizes.
[0005] In accordance with an embodiment, a device for playing with
a water balloon includes a target area which is shaped and
dimensioned to receive the water balloon. A plurality of water
balloon-bursting teeth are disposed around the target area. If the
water balloon lands completely within said target area it will not
be burst by the teeth. Conversely if the water balloon lands on one
or more of the teeth it will be burst by the teeth and the player
will be splashed by the water. The object of the game is for the
player to avoid getting wet by causing the water balloon to land
within the target area and therefore not be burst by the teeth.
[0006] In accordance with another embodiment, the teeth have the
shape of a frustum.
[0007] In accordance with another embodiment, a frame which
surrounds the target area, and the teeth are disposed around the
frame.
[0008] In accordance with another embodiment, one of (1) one
handle, and (2) two handles are connected to the frame.
[0009] In accordance with another embodiment, the target area
includes an elastic member for rebounding the water balloon.
[0010] In accordance with another embodiment, the target area
includes a pouch for catching the water balloon
[0011] In accordance with another embodiment, the target area and
the teeth are disposed upon a flexible sheet.
[0012] Other possible embodiments, in addition to the possible
embodiments enumerated above, will become apparent from the
following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the
principles of the device and method of use.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a device for playing with a
water balloon;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the device;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device being used by a
user to play with a water balloon;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a water balloon about to
be received by the device;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the water balloon
received by the device;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the water balloon
rebounded from the device;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of a water balloon landing
on one or more teeth of the device and being burst;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of another embodiment of a target
area;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of the
target area;
[0022] FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the device having two
handles;
[0023] FIG. 11 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the
device;
[0024] FIG. 12 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the
device;
[0025] FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of the embodiment of FIG.
12;
[0026] FIG. 14 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the teeth;
and,
[0027] FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of area 15 of FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] Referring initially to FIGS. 1-2, there are illustrated top
plan and side elevation views respectively of a device for playing
with a water balloon, the device generally being designated as 20.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of device 20 being used by a user to
play with a water balloon 500. As used herein the term water
balloon 500 includes any thin skinned container which is filled
with water. The skin of water balloon 500 can be pierced and the
water balloon resultantly bursts. Device 20 includes a target area
22 which is shaped and dimensioned to receive water balloon 500. In
the shown embodiment, target area 22 includes an elastic member for
rebounding water balloon 500. When water balloon 500 lands on the
elastic member it resiliently deforms target area 22, and is
subsequently rebounded when target area 22 returns to its original
shape (also refer to FIGS. 4-6 and the associated discussion). In
the shown embodiment the elastic member is a sheet of elastic
material (such as rubber), but could also have the string
configuration shown in FIG. 8. It may be appreciated however, that
target area 22 could also be made of a non-elastic material such as
cloth.
[0029] A plurality of water balloon-bursting teeth 24 are disposed
around target area 22. If water balloon 500 lands completely within
target area 22 it will not be burst by teeth 24 (refer to FIG. 3).
However, if water balloon 500 lands on one or more of teeth 24 it
will be burst by the teeth (refer to FIG. 7). Teeth 24 are shaped
and dimensioned so that they will burst water balloon 500 by
piercing its skin. Teeth 24 can be various shapes such as pointed,
somewhat rounded, or flat on top (refer to FIG. 14), so long as
they are sufficiently sharp to pierce and burst water balloon 500.
It is noted that target area 22 is larger than water balloon 500 so
that there is room to receive water balloon 500 without landing on
teeth 24.
[0030] In the shown embodiment, device 20 includes a frame 26 which
surrounds target area 22. Teeth 24 are disposed around frame 26. In
the shown embodiment, one handle 28 is connected to frame 26,
however two handles can also be provided as is shown in FIG. 10. As
can be seen in FIGS. 1-3, frame 26 and handle 28 combine to form a
racket. In use, the goal is to position device 20 so that and
incoming water balloon 500 will land completely within target area
22, and therefore not be burst by teeth 24. This is best
accomplished by positioning target area 22 so that water balloon
500 will land at or near the center of target area 22, thereby
minimizing the chance of landing on one or more teeth 24.
[0031] It is noted that device 20 can be used in a variety of ways.
For example, device 20 can be used by a single user to repeatedly
catch and launch water balloon 500. Or, two or more players each
having a device 20, can toss water balloon 500 back and forth.
Additionally, a net can be employed (such as in volleyball) over
which opposing players must toss water balloon 500. In another
embodiment, two players can hold the same device 20, and act in
unison to properly position target area 22.
[0032] FIGS. 4-6 depict the sequence of receiving (catching) and
rebounding (launching) water balloon 500. In these figures target
area 22 includes an elastic member. In FIG. 4, an incoming water
balloon 500 moves toward device 20. Device 20 has been positioned
by the user such that water balloon 500 will land on target area
22. FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of water balloon 500 being
received by device 20. The force of water balloon 500 causes the
elastic member of target area 22 deform. FIG. 6 is a side elevation
view of water balloon 500 rebounded from device 20. The elastic
member of target area 22 has resiliently caused water balloon to
rebound from device 20.
[0033] FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of an incoming water balloon
500 landing on one or more teeth 24 of device 20 and being burst.
The bursting is a result of the user not properly positioning the
target area 22 of device 20. Also in FIG. 7 is noted that in
another embodiment teeth 24 can be disposed on both sides of frame
26 so that device 20 can be used from either side.
[0034] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of another embodiment of target
area 22. In this embodiment target area 22 includes elastic strings
arranged as in a tennis racket (rather than the elastic sheet of
FIG. 3) which will rebound water balloon 500.
[0035] FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of
target area 22. In this embodiment, target area 22 includes a pouch
for catching water balloon 500. The pouch could be a net as shown
or solid. In this embodiment device 20 is used in a similar fashion
as a Lacrosse racket, wherein water balloon 500 would be caught in
the net (without striking one or more of teeth 24), and then
launched by rapidly moving device 20 in the direction of the
arrow.
[0036] FIG. 10 is a top plan view of device 20 having two handles
28. One user could grasp both handles 28 (as in grasping a two
handled basket), or one player could grasp one handle 28 and
another player grasp the other handle 28.
[0037] FIG. 11 is a top plan view of another embodiment of device
20. In this embodiment two handles 28 are part of frame 26, thereby
forming a two-handed basket arrangement. It is also noted that in
this embodiment teeth 24 are not restricted to frame 26, but rather
are also disposed upon a surface 23, thereby making target area 22
smaller and therefore the game harder to play. In this embodiment
target area 23 is a net. In this embodiment the user catches water
balloon 500 (refer to FIG. 3), and then moves device 20 to launch
(throw) water balloon 500 (as in Lacrosse, see FIG. 9). As in FIG.
10, one or two players could grasp handles 28.
[0038] FIGS. 12 and 13 are top plan and side elevation views
respectively of another embodiment of device 20. In this embodiment
target area 20 and teeth 24 disposed upon a flexible sheet 30 (such
as of cloth or a polymer). Either one or two players grasp handles
28, position target area 22 to receive an incoming water balloon
500 (refer to FIG. 3), and once receive move flexible sheet 30 to
launch water balloon 500.
[0039] FIG. 14 is an enlarged perspective view of one of teeth 24.
In this embodiment, teeth 24 have the shape of a frustum (i.e.
conical with a flat top). This shape is safer since teeth 24 are
less likely to cause inadvertent injury to users.
[0040] FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of area 15 of FIG. 4. In an
embodiment, teeth 24 have a longitudinal axis 25 which is
perpendicular to target area 22, so that teeth 24 generally point
in the direction of an incoming water balloon 500.
[0041] Regarding fabrication, frame 26 and handle 28 can be made
from a polymer or other material sufficient to support target area
22 and teeth 24. Target area 22 can be made of an elastic material
as shown in FIGS. 1-6, and 8, or conversely can be made from a
non-elastic material such as cloth as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.
Teeth 24 can be made from a soft or hard polymer.
[0042] In terms of use, a method for a player to play a water
balloon game includes: (refer to FIGS. 1-14)
[0043] (a) providing a water balloon 500;
[0044] (b) providing a device 20 for playing with water balloon
500, device 20 including; [0045] a target area 22 which is shaped
and dimensioned to receive water balloon 500; [0046] a plurality of
water balloon-bursting teeth 24 disposed around target area 22;
and,
[0047] (c) causing water balloon 500 to be received by device 20
wherein (1) if water balloon 500 lands completely within target
area 22 it will not be burst by teeth 24, or (2) if water balloon
500 lands on one or more of teeth 24 it will be burst by teeth 24.
It is noted that as used herein the term "receive" means that an
airborne water balloon travels and lands upon device 20, preferably
completely within target area 22.
[0048] The method further including:
[0049] in step (b), teeth 24 having the shape of a frustum
[0050] The method further including:
[0051] in step (b), target area 22 including an elastic member for
rebounding water balloon 500; and,
[0052] after step (c)(1), water balloon 500 being rebounded from
target area 22 (refer to FIGS. 3 and 6).
[0053] The method further including:
[0054] in step (b), target area 22 including a pouch for catching
water balloon 500; and,
[0055] after step (c)(1), water balloon 500 residing within said
pouch.
[0056] The method further including:
[0057] in step (b), providing a frame 26 which surrounds target
area 22, teeth 24 disposed around frame 26, and a handle 28
connected to frame 26;
[0058] prior to step (c), causing water balloon 500 to be directed
toward device 20; (the water balloon 500 could be tossed or
launched by another player, or by the player holding device 20)
and,
[0059] in step (c), the player grasping handle and attempting to
position target area 22 so that water balloon 500 will land
completely within target area 22.
[0060] The method further including:
[0061] in step (b), providing a racket having a frame 26 which
surrounds target area 22, teeth 24 disposed around frame 26, and
the racket having two handles 28;
[0062] prior to step (c), causing water balloon 500 to be directed
toward the racket; and,
[0063] in step (c), the player grasping both handles 28 and
attempting to position target area 22 so that water balloon 500
will land completely within target area 22.
The method further including:
[0064] in step (b), target area 22 and teeth 24 disposed upon a
flexible sheet 30;
[0065] prior to step (c), causing water balloon 500 to be directed
toward flexible sheet 30; and,
[0066] in step (c), the player grasping flexible sheet 30 and
attempting to position target area 30 so that water balloon 500
will land completely within target area 22.
[0067] In further terms of use, a method for a two players to play
a water balloon game includes, (refer to FIGS. 10-12). In this
embodiment, two players grasp device 20 and in unison attempt to
properly position target area 22.
[0068] (a) providing a water balloon 500;
[0069] (b) providing a device 20 for playing with water balloon
500, device 20 including; [0070] a target area 22 which is shaped
and dimensioned to receive water balloon 500; [0071] a plurality of
water balloon-bursting teeth 24 disposed around target area 22;
[0072] a frame 26 having two handles 28, frame 26 surrounding
target area 22;
[0073] (c) each player grasping one of two handles 28;
[0074] (d) causing water balloon 500 to be directed toward device
20; and
[0075] (e) the players jointly attempting to position target area
22 so that water balloon 500 will land completely within target
area 22.
[0076] The possible embodiments of the device and method described
herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, combinations,
variations, and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve
an equivalent result, all of which are intended to be embraced
within the scope of the appended claims. Further, nothing in the
above-provided discussions of the device and method should be
construed as limiting the invention to a particular embodiment or
combination of embodiments. The scope of the invention is best
defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *