U.S. patent application number 15/854159 was filed with the patent office on 2019-06-27 for bubble making device.
The applicant listed for this patent is LightUpToys.com LLC. Invention is credited to Max Armendariz Lalama, Macaulay Bruton, Joshua C. Kelly.
Application Number | 20190192989 15/854159 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 66949810 |
Filed Date | 2019-06-27 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190192989 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kelly; Joshua C. ; et
al. |
June 27, 2019 |
BUBBLE MAKING DEVICE
Abstract
The invention is a bubble making device for producing air
bubbles from bubble solution, and contains a fan and a fan shroud
for producing and channeling a stream of air through a dispensing
ring into an ambient environment. Compression of a trigger or
switch activates an electric circuit that energizes a motor that
operates the fan and, in some embodiments, a pump. The pump
delivers bubble solution to the dispensing ring, and a trigger or
switch activated film producing mechanism attached to the air
channel creates a film of bubble solution across the dispensing
ring during interaction with an application bar. A separate
internal sealed, waterproof, water resistant, and/or anti-corrosive
container with external contacts serves as a battery compartment
for containment of removably-insertable batteries. The invention
can comprise of LED lights, a lighting system, sound producing
device, sound producing system, speaker system and/or connection
jack or device to connect to a smart device.
Inventors: |
Kelly; Joshua C.;
(Sellersburg, IN) ; Armendariz Lalama; Max;
(Georgetown, IN) ; Bruton; Macaulay; (Louiville,
KY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LightUpToys.com LLC |
Sellersburg |
IN |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
66949810 |
Appl. No.: |
15/854159 |
Filed: |
December 26, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 33/28 20130101;
A63H 33/22 20130101; A63H 5/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63H 33/28 20060101
A63H033/28; A63H 5/00 20060101 A63H005/00 |
Claims
1. A bubble making device for producing bubbles from bubble
solution, comprising: at least one housing with at least one
handle; a battery compartment located on the side of the at least
one handle of the at least one housing and electrical connection
system; wherein said battery compartment is at least one of a
sealed, waterproof, water resistant, and/or anti-corrosive
container with external contacts that can hold at least one
removably-insertable battery; wherein said at least one of a
sealed, waterproof, water resistant, and/or anti-corrosive
container has a cover that is attached and separated or opened by
use of an attaching and removing device or fastener or screw to be
tightened to close and loosened or removed to open; a trigger or
switch that operates at least one mechanism and causes at least one
electrical closure to be made; a motor that operates a fan and an
electromechanical pump; said fan produces an air stream from the
bubble making device to an ambient environment; a fan shroud
containing an air channel that directs said air stream to the
ambient environment; a movable dispensing ring with a dispensing
aperture provided therein; at least one tube from the ambient or a
bubble solution container for carrying bubble solution; said
electromechanical pump comprising a mechanism for pumping bubble
solution through said at least one tube, said at least one tube
delivering bubble solution to said movable dispensing ring; and a
film producing mechanism operated by said trigger or switch and
pivotally attached to said air channel, with said movable
dispensing ring that engages bubble solution on a stationary
application bar and spreads bubble solution across said dispensing
aperture, and said air stream passes through said dispensing
aperture.
2. The bubble making device of claim 1 further comprising at least
one of the following: LED lights and/or a lighting system; at least
one of a sound producing device, a sound producing system, a
speaker system and/or a connection jack or device to connect to a
smart device; wherein said at least one of a sealed, waterproof,
water resistant, and/or anti-corrosive container is designed so as
to allow insertion and removal of batteries from the side of the at
least one handle; wherein said stationary application bar is
diagonally oriented; wherein said at least one housing in whole or
in part has an animal, character, or creature style and/or is a
molded shell of an animal, character, or creature; wherein a drip
channel is attached to a threaded base, and is captured within said
housing when said housing is assembled;
3. The bubble making device of claim 1, wherein said trigger is not
present and said switch is a connection between the skin of the
user of the bubble making device and the at least one handle.
4. The bubble making device of claim 2 wherein light is transmitted
into a removably-attachable bubble solution container if
present.
5. A bubble making device for producing bubbles from bubble
solution, comprising: at least one housing; a battery compartment
and electrical connection system; wherein said battery compartment
is at least one of a sealed, waterproof, water resistant, and/or
anti-corrosive container with external contacts that can hold at
least one removably-insertable battery; wherein said at least one
of a sealed, waterproof, water resistant, and/or anti-corrosive
container has a cover that is attached and separated or opened by
use of an attaching and removing device or fastener or screw to be
tightened to close and loosened or removed to open; a trigger or
switch that operates at least one mechanism and causes at least one
electrical closure to be made; a motor that operates a fan; said
fan produces an air stream from the bubble making device to an
ambient environment; a fan shroud containing an air channel that
directs said air stream to the ambient environment; a dispensing
ring with a dispensing aperture provided therein; said at least one
mechanism is a mechanical pump that is operated by said trigger or
switch; at least one tube from the ambient or a bubble solution
container for carrying bubble solution; said mechanical pump
comprising a mechanism for pumping bubble solution through said at
least one tube, said at least one tube delivering bubble solution
to said dispensing ring; and a film producing mechanism operated by
said trigger or switch and pivotally attached to said air channel,
with an application bar that engages bubble solution on said
dispensing ring and spreads bubble solution across said dispensing
aperture, and said air stream passes through said dispensing
aperture.
6. The bubble making device of claim 5, further comprising an
electromechanical sequence whereby: two displacement regimes are
sequentially activated by the displacement of said trigger or
switch, and the entire displacement range of said trigger or switch
is divided into said two displacement regimes, with a first
displacement regime occurring when said trigger or switch is first
displaced by squeezing said trigger or switch, and a second
displacement regime occurring after said first displacement regime,
and said second displacement regime continues as said trigger or
switch is increasingly displaced by continued squeezing until said
trigger or switch is maximally displaced; the closure of an
electrical switch is caused by a small initial displacement of said
trigger or switch and remains closed during the said entire
displacement range of motion of said trigger or switch; and said
film producing mechanism is activated during said first
displacement regime and said mechanical pump is activated during
said second displacement period.
7. The bubble making device of claim 6, further comprising an
operation whereby said film producing mechanism is operated during
said first displacement regime independently of said mechanical
pump and said mechanical pump is operated during said second
displacement regime independently of said film producing
mechanism.
8. The bubble making device of claim 5, further comprising at least
one of the following: LED lights and/or a lighting system; at least
one of a sound producing device, a sound producing system, a
speaker system and/or a connection jack or device to connect to a
smart device; at least one of a sealed, waterproof, water
resistant, and/or anti-corrosive container is designed so as to
allow insertion and removal of batteries from a side of a handle;
said battery compartment is located above said fan shroud; at least
one of a sealed, waterproof, water resistant, and/or anti-corrosive
container is designed so as to allow insertion and removal of
batteries from the top and/or side; said application bar is
diagonally oriented; at least one housing in whole or in part has
an animal, character, or creature style and/or is a molded shell of
an animal, character, or creature; a drip channel is attached to a
threaded base, and is captured within said housing when said
housing is assembled;
9. The bubble making device of claim 8, wherein light is
transmitted into a removably-attachable bubble solution
container;
10. A bubble making device for producing bubbles from bubble
solution, comprising: at least one housing with at least one
handle; a battery compartment located on the side of the at least
one handle of the at least one housing and electrical connection
system; wherein said battery compartment is at least one of a
sealed, waterproof, water resistant, and/or anti-corrosive
container with external contacts that can hold at least one
removably-insertable battery; wherein said at least one of a
sealed, waterproof, water resistant, and/or anti-corrosive
container has a cover that is attached and separated or opened by
use of an attaching and removing device or fastener or screw to be
tightened to close and loosened or removed to open; a trigger or
switch that operates at least one mechanism and causes at least one
electrical closure to be made; a motor that operates a fan; said
fan produces an air stream from the bubble making device to an
ambient environment; a fan shroud containing an air channel that
directs said air stream to the ambient environment; a moveable
dispensing ring with a dispensing aperture provided therein; said
at least one mechanism is a mechanical pump that is operated by
said trigger or switch; at least one tube from the ambient or a
bubble solution container for carrying bubble solution; said
mechanical pump comprising a mechanism for pumping bubble solution
through said at least one tube, said at least one tube delivering
bubble solution to said moveable dispensing ring; and a film
producing mechanism operated by said trigger or switch and
pivotally attached to said air channel, with a stationary
application bar that engages bubble solution on said moveable
dispensing ring and spreads bubble solution across said dispensing
aperture, and said air stream passes through said dispensing
aperture.
11. The bubble making device of claim 10, further comprising an
electromechanical sequence whereby: two displacement regimes are
sequentially activated by the displacement of said trigger or
switch, and the entire displacement range of said trigger or switch
is divided into said two displacement regimes, with a first
displacement regime occurring when said trigger or switch is first
displaced by squeezing said trigger or switch, and a second
displacement regime occurring after said first displacement regime,
and said second displacement regime continues as said trigger or
switch is increasingly displaced by continued squeezing until said
trigger or switch is maximally displaced; the closure of an
electrical switch is caused by a small initial displacement of said
trigger or switch and remains closed during the said entire
displacement range of motion of said trigger or switch; and said
film producing mechanism is activated during said first
displacement regime and said mechanical pump is activated during
said second displacement period.
12. The bubble making device of claim 11, further comprising an
operation whereby said film producing mechanism is operated during
said first displacement regime independently of said mechanical
pump and said mechanical pump is operated during said second
displacement regime independently of said film producing
mechanism.
13. The bubble making device of claim 10, further comprising LED
lights and/or a lighting system.
14. The bubble making device of claim 10, further comprising at
least one of a sound producing device, a sound producing system, a
speaker system and/or a connection jack or device to connect to a
smart device.
15. The bubble making device of claim 10, wherein said at least one
of a sealed, waterproof, water resistant, and/or anti-corrosive
container is designed so as to allow insertion and removal of
batteries from a side of at least one handle.
16. The bubble making device of claim 10, wherein said stationary
application bar is diagonally oriented.
17. The bubble making device of claim 10, wherein said at least one
housing in whole or in part has an animal, character, or creature
style and/or is a molded shell of an animal, character, or
creature.
18. The bubble making device of claim 10, wherein a drip channel is
attached to a threaded base, and is captured within said housing
when said housing is assembled.
19. The bubble making device of claim 13, wherein light is
transmitted into a removably-attachable bubble solution container.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuation in part and claims priority to and
the benefit of application Ser. No. 15/599,351 filed on May 18,
2017 which application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 14/204,285, filed Mar.
11, 2014, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/831,143, filed Jun. 5, 2013.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to toys, and more
specifically to a battery powered toy device that produces bubbles
from a liquid solution.
[0003] There have been many bubble toys over the years that operate
in various ways. However, most bubble toys are hand-held rings that
are either blown through or hand waved by the user to produce a
small amount of bubbles. It is desired to provide a toy that
produces a steady stream of bubbles and a safe entertainment for a
child. The present invention is an improved battery powered toy
device that produces bubbles from a liquid solution. In the present
invention, the battery compartment can be a sealed container with
external contacts, which prevents fluid from penetrating the
interior of such container and the battery. The present invention
also has an improved access to the battery compartment interior.
Additionally, the present invention improves the quality of play
pattern with the addition of lights and/or sounds in a
cost-effective manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention is a bubble making device that
produces bubbles by pulling a trigger or switch, which causes power
to be applied to an electrical circuit and/or system that activates
a pump, or pump mechanism, and a fan, or fan mechanism. In one
embodiment, the pump can be electromechanical and driven by an
electric motor. In other embodiments, the pump can be purely
mechanical and activated by a trigger or switch mechanism in a
similar manner as mechanical water pistols are trigger, or switch
activated.
[0005] One embodiment of the present invention has a separate
sealed internal battery compartment with external (i.e., exteriorly
connected) electrical contacts within the bubble making device. If
the pump is electromechanical and driven by an electric motor, such
separate sealed internal battery compartment with external
electrical contacts provides the source of power that drives an
electrical motor, which operates the pump and the fan that produces
a moving stream of air, or air stream that flows through an air
channel within the fan shroud. Such moving stream of air originates
as stationary or near-stationary ambient air outside the housing of
the invention, which enters the housing through holes, and is
subsequently accelerated by the fan to produce the moving stream of
air. The air channel within the fan shroud directs the air stream
towards a secondary opening of the bubble making device housing
through a generally circular-shaped dispensing aperture defined
within a movable dispensing ring, which directs the air stream back
to the ambient.
[0006] The sealed battery compartment of the present invention can
have a cover that is attached, and separated or opened by the use
of an attaching and removing device, fastener or screw, which is to
be tightened to close, and loosened or removed to open. The sealed
battery compartment is designed to allow insertion and removal of
batteries from the side of a handle on said compartment. The sealed
battery compartment can also be located above the fan shroud on the
top of the bubble making device. If the sealed battery compartment
is located above the fan shroud on the top of the bubble making
device, the batteries can be inserted and removed from the top
and/or side of said compartment.
[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention the moveable
dispensing ring defines a dispensing surface upon which liquid
bubble solution adheres to the moveable dispensing ring across a
dispensing aperture. The liquid bubble solution utilized in the
present embodiment may be obtained or sold separately, or in
conjunction with the bubble making device in the same packaging or
box. The bubble making device may have threads defined in the walls
of a primary opening to which a typical, commercially sold bubble
solution container may be removeably-attached by mating said
threads in the walls of the primary opening with complimentary
threads defined on the outside walls of said typical, commercially
sold bubble solution container. The bubble making device pump,
whether electromechanical or mechanical, causes movement of the
bubble solution through at least one tube, which causes the bubble
solution to be delivered to the moveable dispensing ring, or
stationary dispensing ring in another embodiment. Pulling the
trigger or switch of the present invention activates the
electromechanical pump, the fan, and initiates an up-and-down
motion of a film producing mechanism. The film producing mechanism
moves the dispensing ring in an up-and-down motion across a
stationary application bar, which can be horizontally or diagonally
oriented, thus sweeping a layer of bubble solution over the
dispensing aperture of the moveable dispensing ring, or the
stationary dispensing ring in another embodiment. At the same time
that the bubble solution is swept over the dispensing ring, the air
stream generated by the fan travels through the air channel within
the fan shroud and expels one or more bubbles from the secondary
opening of the bubble making device.
[0008] If excess bubble solution accumulates on the moveable
dispensing ring, a drip flange located at the base of the moveable
dispensing ring directs the excess bubble solution downward into a
drip channel attached to a threaded base. The drip channel can
direct the excess bubble solution into the ambient or a bubble
container when a bubble container is so attached. It is preferable
for the drip channel to be funnel-shaped, being wider at the top
facing the dispensing aperture and narrower at the bottom.
[0009] In embodiments of the present invention employing a
mechanical pump, all the basic components of the embodiments using
an electromechanical pump are present. Therefore, only the added
features need be explained and are discussed below.
[0010] When employing a mechanical pump, there can be an
electromechanical sequence whereby two displacement regimes are
sequentially activated by the displacement of the trigger or
switch, and the entire displacement range of the trigger or switch
is divided into two displacement regimes, with a first displacement
regime occurring when the trigger or switch is first displaced by
squeezing the trigger or switch, and a second displacement regime
occurring after the first displacement regime, which continues as
the trigger or switch is increasingly displaced by continued
squeezing until the trigger or switch is maximally displaced. When
the trigger or switch is first squeezed, there can be a closure of
an electrical switch caused by a small initial displacement of the
trigger or switch, and the switch can remain closed during the
entire displacement range of motion of the trigger or switch. The
film producing mechanism can be activated during the first
displacement regime and the mechanical pump can be activated during
the second displacement regime. The ability to activate the film
producing mechanism during the first displacement regime and the
mechanical pump during the second displacement regime enables a
very useful feature whereby the film producing mechanism can be
operated during the first displacement regime independently of the
mechanical pump and the mechanical pump can be operated during said
second displacement regime independently of the film producing
mechanism. Such independent operation can be utilized by squeezing
the trigger or switch all the way, partially releasing the trigger
or switch, re-squeezing the trigger or switch several times in
order to pump bubble solution to the dispensing ring, releasing the
trigger or switch all the way, and partially operating the trigger
or switch so as to only actuate the film producing mechanism.
During the aforementioned independent operation sequence, the fan
can produce an air stream to continue to blow bubbles so long as
there is sufficient bubble solution on the dispensing ring. When
the bubble solution supply is exhausted, the trigger or switch can
be depressed all the way to pump more bubble solution on the
dispensing ring.
[0011] In embodiments employing a mechanical pump, such as the
embodiment(s) just described above, one embodiment can employ a
movable dispensing ring on a film producing mechanism that is
pivotally attached to the fan shroud, and a stationary application
bar can be attached to a drip channel. Another embodiment can
employ a moving application bar on a film producing mechanism that
is pivotally attached to the fan shroud, and a stationary
dispensing ring can be positioned such that the center of the air
stream is directed through the dispensing aperture.
[0012] In one embodiment, the bubble making device of the present
invention may also have one or more light-emitting diode (LED)
lights or lighting system(s) that are activated by manually pulling
the trigger or switch, or by a switch. The bubble making device of
the present invention may also have a sound-producing device that
is also activated by pulling the trigger or switch, or by a switch.
Such LED lights and sound-producing features taken together or
individually increase the overall enjoyment of the bubble making
device and make the bubble making device more appealing to
children.
[0013] Further appeal can be realized when light can be transmitted
into the removably-attachable container that can contain bubble
solution, which can occur when a flexible or rigid light pipe that
can be made from any material that can transmit light is
utilized.
[0014] The bubble making device housing can, in whole or in part,
have an animal, character, or creature style and/or is a molded
shell of an animal, character, or creature.
[0015] In at least one embodiment, the bubble making device is
trigger or switch free.
[0016] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have
been described it will be understood by those skilled in the art
that the present invention should not be limited to the described
preferred embodiments. Rather, various changes and modifications
can be made within the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0017] The drawings constitute a part of this specification and
include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be
embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some
instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated
or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 1 is a side view of the bubble making device of the
present invention.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bubble making device of
the present invention, showing the inner workings of the basic
parts of the bubble making device of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a detailed view showing the trigger or
switch-handle subassembly of the bubble making device of the
present invention when the trigger or switch is depressed.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a detailed view showing the trigger or
switch-handle subassembly of the bubble making device of the
present invention when the trigger or switch is not depressed.
[0022] FIG. 5 shows a front view of the bubble toy with the film
producing mechanism shown in a "down" position.
[0023] FIG. 6 shows a front view of the bubble toy with the film
producing mechanism shown in an "up" position.
[0024] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a power circuit for the
bubble making device of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 8 shows an alternate embodiment of a battery
compartment of one embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 9 shows the mechanical linkage between the trigger or
switch and the film producing mechanism of one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0027] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment
with an animal, character, creature or other styled or molded into
the shell or outside or housing.
[0028] FIG. 11 shows a side view schematic representation for a
moving application bar and stationary dispensing ring embodiment,
showing the trigger or switch, the film producing mechanism, and
the mechanical pump.
[0029] FIG. 12 shows the extension and details of the two-regime
slot.
[0030] FIG. 13 shows three key positions in the two-regime
slot.
[0031] FIGS. 14A, 14B, and 14C each show a side view of a schematic
representation of one of three key trigger or switch positions in
the two-regime slot for a moving application bar and stationary
dispensing ring embodiment, including of the trigger or switch, the
film producing mechanism, and the mechanical pump in each one of
the three trigger or switch positions.
[0032] FIGS. 15A, 15B, and 15 C each show a side view of a
schematic representation of one of the three key trigger or switch
positions in the two-regime slot for a movable dispensing ring and
stationary application bar embodiment, including of the trigger or
switch, the film producing mechanism, and the mechanical pump in
each one of the three trigger or switch positions.
[0033] FIG. 16 shows a side view of the out shell styled as a
gun.
[0034] FIG. 17 shows a perspective view with internal components of
one embodiment.
[0035] FIG. 18 shows a side view of a light and light pipe for
illuminating bubble solution.
[0036] FIG. 19 shows one embodiment of the the claimed invention
with the sealed container/battery oriented above the fan
shroud.
[0037] FIG. 20 shows one embodiment of the claimed invention with a
diagonal orientation of the application bar.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0038] Detailed descriptions of particular embodiment are provided
herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention
may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details
disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather
as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for
teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in
virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or
manner.
[0039] FIG. 1 shows a side view of the bubble making device 100.
The bubble making device 100 has a bubble making device housing
102, a primary opening 104 with threads defined in walls of the
primary opening 104, and a secondary opening 106 from which air
bubbles will emanate. The bubble making device 100 also has a
handle 108 and a trigger or switch mechanism or trigger or switch
110. In this embodiment, the handle 108 may include a battery
compartment 136 (labeled in FIG. 2), which can be in the form of a
sealed container, and is shown with a transparent door 1001. Other
than the door 1001, the bubble making device housing 102 shown in
FIG. 1 is opaque though it can be any color. Also, although the
door 1001 is shown as being transparent in the figures, it can also
be opaque or partially transparent and/or partially opaque, or any
color.
[0040] FIG. 2 shows a side perspective view of the bubble making
device 100, in which bubble making device housing 102 is
transparent. In FIG. 2, delivery tube 112 extends downward for
receiving bubble solution from the exterior, and is usually from a
reservoir source or container through the primary opening 104 which
may have a mechanism for attaching to opening 103, and, when a
separate (not permanently attached) removably-attachable bubble
solution container 170 (not claimed as part of the invention bubble
making device 100 herein, but shown in FIGS. 2 and 10) is attached
to opening 104 using mechanism for attaching to opening 103. The
delivery tube 112 extends into the bubble solution from an exterior
source, which is usually from an exterior reservoir source or
container. The bubble making device 100 has the secondary opening
106 and a moveable dispensing ring 114 with a dispensing aperture
116. The dispensing aperture 116 provides a path for egress of air
and of soap bubbles.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 7, a power circuit 8 provides electrical
power to activate mechanisms of the bubble making device 100,
including an electric motor 121 for operating an electromechanical
pump 120 and a fan 122. The fan 122 has a fan shroud 123 that helps
to direct air towards the secondary opening 106 and the dispensing
aperture 116 of moveable dispensing ring 114. The delivery tube 112
extends from the electromechanical pump 120 via the
electromechanical pump input 156 to bubble solution from the
exterior, which usually comes from a reservoir source or container
(removably-attachable bubble solution container 170 shown in FIGS.
2 and 10) through the primary opening 104 to provide a convenient
source of bubble solution to the electromechanical pump input 156
of the electromechanical pump 120.
[0042] Many types of electrically driven pumps may be used for the
electromechanical pump 120, such as a gear pump, a screw pump or a
plunger pump or other positive displacement pump. In the
electromechanical pump 120 shown in FIG. 2, rotation is caused by
the drive gear 119. The electromechanical pump 120 receives the
bubble solution at the electromechanical pump input 156 and outputs
the bubble solution at the electromechanical pump output 158 of the
electromechanical pump 120 at a sufficiently increased pressure to
deliver bubble solution to the dispensing ring 114.
[0043] Bubble solution exits the electromechanical pump 120 through
the electromechanical pump output 158 and is transported through a
feed tube 125 and exits the feed tube 125 near the moveable
dispensing ring 114. The fan 122 produces moving air that is
expelled through an air channel 126 defined in the fan shroud 123
and subsequently exits through the dispensing aperture 116. Inlet
air is provided to the fan 122 through a hole and/or series of
holes in fan shroud 129 at the top of the fan shroud 123. A film
producing mechanism 124 is pivotally attached to the air channel
126.
[0044] The film producing mechanism 124 moves the moveable
dispensing ring 114 in an up-and-down motion next to the stationary
application bar 154 to deposit a thin film of bubble solution on
the moveable dispensing ring 114. The film producing mechanism 124
is mechanically linked to the trigger or switch 110 such that
pulling the trigger or switch 110 raises the film producing
mechanism 124 and releasing the trigger or switch 110 lowers the
film producing mechanism 124. In other embodiments, pulling the
trigger or switch 110 lowers the film producing mechanism 124 and
releasing the trigger or switch 110 raises the film producing
mechanism 124.
[0045] When air moves through the air channel 126 and past the
moveable dispensing ring 114, the flowing air creates a bubble or
many bubbles that float away from the bubble making device 100. If
there is any excess bubble solution on the moveable dispensing ring
114, this solution drips down a drip flange 128, into a drip
channel 130 attached to or defined within an interior of the bubble
making device housing 102, and eventually returns to primary
opening 104 which can lead to the ambient, any type of reservoir,
source of liquid, or a removably-attachable bubble solution
container (not shown).
[0046] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a trigger or switch/handle subassembly
for the bubble making device 100 of the present invention. As shown
in FIGS. 3 and 4, the trigger or switch 110 is attached to an
electrically conductive metal spring 133, which is further attached
to and fed by a spring feed wire 113. When the trigger or switch
110 is being pulled or depressed, as shown in FIG. 3, the switch
111 (depicted schematically in FIG. 7) is in a closed position,
thus conducting electricity. The switch 111 is formed by the metal
spring 133 and the contact zone 118 on electric motor 121, thus
utilizing the electrically conductive metal casing of the electric
motor 121 as one of the electrical contacts of the switch 111. FIG.
4 shows the trigger or switch/handle subassembly when trigger or
switch 110 is not being pulled or depressed, and thus the switch
111 is in the open position because the metal spring 133 and the
contact zone 118 on electric motor 121 are not in contact with each
other, and are not conducting electricity.
[0047] FIGS. 5 and 6 show and end view looking into where the
bubbles exit the bubble making device 100. FIG. 5 shows the
invention with the film producing mechanism 124 (shown in FIGS. 2,
9, and 17) in a lower position when the trigger or switch 110 is
not being pulled. FIG. 6 shows the invention with the film
producing mechanism 124 (shown in FIGS. 2, 9, and 17) in a raised
position when the trigger or switch 110 is being pulled. In this
embodiment the stationary application bar 154 is attached to the
drip channel 130. When the trigger or switch 110 is not pulled as
shown in FIG. 5, the moveable dispensing ring 114 of the film
producing mechanism 124 (shown in FIGS. 2, 9, and 17) rests at or
near the bottom of its travel, and thus the stationary application
bar 154 rests across and touches the top of the moveable dispensing
ring 114. When the trigger or switch 110 is pulled all the way as
shown in FIG. 6, the moveable dispensing ring 114 of the film
producing mechanism 124 (shown in FIGS. 2, 9, and 17) rests at or
near the top of its travel, and the stationary application bar 154
rests across and touches the bottom of the moveable dispensing ring
114, thus spreading a thin film of a bubble producing liquid across
the dispensing aperture 116 when the moveable dispensing ring 114
executes a full range of motion from the bottom to the top, which
causes the stationary application bar 154 to smear bubble producing
liquid from the top to the bottom of the moveable dispensing ring
114.
[0048] FIG. 9 shows a schematic side view of the film producing
mechanism 124, which is operated by the trigger or switch 110. The
trigger or switch 110 is rigidly attached to or integrally formed
with a flat plate 142. Extension 144 is attached to or integrally
formed with the flat plate 142 and extends upward (at an angle in
this embodiment) from the flat plate 142. Extension 144 includes
elongated slot 148. Horizontal post 146, which extends
perpendicularly out of the plane of the drawing in FIG. 9, fits in
the elongated slot 148, and thus moves up or down as the extension
144 moves left or right with the trigger or switch 110 being pulled
or released.
[0049] The film producing mechanism 124 is pivotally connected to
the air channel 126. A first end 150 of the film producing
mechanism 124 has a U-shaped portion which is attached to the air
channel 126 using fastener 151 (shown in FIG. 2) which projects
from the air channel 126. Other methods of connection are possible,
and the method of retention is not limited to use of one or more
screws or other fasteners or attachment device(s). The moveable
dispensing ring 114 is attached to or formed integrally with the
film producing mechanism 124 at the second end 152 of the film
producing mechanism 124.
[0050] A center portion of torsion spring 160 is attached to rod
162 with a first spring end 164 attached to the flat plate 142 or
its extension 144. A second spring end 166 is secured rigidly in
place at or leans against a shoulder 168 defined in the bubble
making device housing 102. With this arrangement, the pulling of
the trigger or switch 110 by a user causes the flat plate 142 to
slide against and displace the torsion spring 160, thus causing the
torsion spring 160 to exert a restoring force on first spring end
164, and this in turn will cause the trigger or switch 110 to
return to its original position as the trigger or switch 110 is
released by the user.
[0051] Furthermore, the pulling of the trigger or switch 110 causes
the horizontal post 146 to move in the elongated slot 148 such that
the horizontal post 146 engages walls of the elongated slot 148 and
causes the second end 152 of the film producing mechanism 124 to
pivotally move upward, thus causing the moveable dispensing ring
114 to swipe against the stationary application bar 154. With the
release of the trigger or switch 110, the torsion spring 160 causes
the flat plate 142 to return to its original position, which in
turn causes the second end 152 of the film producing mechanism 124
to return to a down position, which in turn causes the moveable
dispensing ring 114 to return to a down position. This up-and-down
movement of the moveable dispensing ring 114 causes the bubble
solution delivered to the moveable dispensing ring 114 to be spread
across the dispensing aperture 116 by the stationary application
bar 154. Also shown in FIG. 9 are the metal spring 133 and spring
feed wire 113 that move with the motion of the trigger or switch
110.
[0052] Also depicted in FIG. 2 are LED lights 131 contained within
or on the bubble making device 100. Some or all of the LED lights
131 may be configured to flash on and off while the trigger or
switch 110 is being pulled, and some or all of the LED lights 131
may be configured to remain lit as long as the trigger or switch
110 is being pulled. The LED lights 131 can also be lit by a
manually operated switch (not shown).
[0053] FIG. 7 shows an electrical schematic for the bubble making
device 100. When the trigger or switch 110 is pulled, the switch
111 is closed to provide electrical current from the voltage source
139, which is produced by a battery or batteries 134 (shown in FIG.
8) which can be inserted into the sealed container 136 (shown in
FIG. 8) of the invention, and the various electrical components of
the bubble making device 100 thus receive power. In FIG. 7, switch
111 schematically represents the metal spring 133 that contacts the
contact zone on electrical motor 118 when the trigger or switch 110
is pulled, as shown in FIG. 3. When the switch 111 closes, power is
applied to the electric motor 121 that powers the electromechanical
pump 120 and the fan 122, and also the LED lights 131, and a sound
producing device 132 if these are present. The sound-producing
device 132 produces any provided audio such as a noise, music
and/or other sounds appealing to children when the trigger or
switch 110 is pulled. Electrical connections between the various
electrical components may be provided by electrical wires or by
electrical contacts provided within the bubble making device
housing 102.
[0054] FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a battery compartment formed
from a sealed container 136 to contain a battery or batteries 134.
The embodiment of the sealed container 136 depicted in FIG. 8
displays three AA batteries, which could be inserted and lined up
next to each other. However, the sealed container 136 can be
designed to hold any number or type of batteries. Also, when three
AA batteries are used, the sealed container 136 does not need to be
configured such that the batteries are lined up next to each other.
Instead, any configuration is possible. For example, three AA
batteries can be arranged as shown in FIG. 4 with two of the
batteries lined up next to each other and the third battery behind
them. In preferred embodiments of the invention the battery or
batteries 134 are located in a sealed container such as sealed
container 136 to minimize or eliminate contact between the battery
or batteries 134 and any liquid.
[0055] In FIG. 8, the battery or batteries 134 are inserted into a
sealed container 136 with external contacts 138. The external
contacts 138 engage ordinary battery contacts to provide electrical
energy to the power circuit 8 upon closure of switch 111 when
trigger or switch 110 is depressed, as shown schematically FIG. 7
(though in FIG. 7 the switch is depicted in the open position).
[0056] The battery compartment is designed with three main goals.
The first goal is to limit the amount of moisture and bubble liquid
that can flow into the battery compartment, which is accomplished
in this embodiment through the use of a sealed battery compartment,
which is sealed to keep out liquids and moisture. The second goal
is to have a safe chamber to house batteries. The third goal is to
have the ability to insert batteries into the bubble making device
from the side rather than through the bottom.
[0057] In general, batteries have the ability to rapidly discharge
and sometimes heat up. The kind of batteries used for the bubble
making device 100 are small and limited in power but still have the
ability to overheat and/or rupture for chemical or electrochemical
reasons. If a battery ruptures and bursts open, it can push into
the ends of a battery compartment. Because the design of the
battery compartment has the door on the side rather than the top or
bottom, this design helps control and contain a battery failure
where internal expansion occurs axially, thus not applying excess
force to the battery door, but rather to the internal walls of the
battery compartment. The batteries are small so that the impact of
any break up can be contained within the bubble making device
100.
[0058] The battery compartment has a side door that opens with a
securing device 137, such as, for example, a screw (shown in FIGS.
2 and 17). This allows the cover to be removed and the battery or
batteries 134 accessed from the side. By inserting the battery or
batteries 134 from the side, a user may better identify the proper
polarity of the battery terminals and thereby minimize the
possibility of incorrect insertion. A clear image of the proper
battery polarity is imprinted (not shown) in the battery cover door
1001 to further minimize the probability of improper insertion of
the battery or batteries 134. The battery or batteries 134 may be
replaced by taking each battery out individually. When a battery
compartment has a door on the top or bottom, the batteries can fall
out on the ground during changing. The side battery cover also
closes on the battery or batteries 134 making a good tight fit.
This design helps the electrical connections to be good and
tight.
[0059] FIG. 10 is an alternate embodiment with an animal,
character, creature or other image styled or molded into the shell,
or outside, or bubble making device housing 102 of the bubble
making device 100.
[0060] FIG. 16 shows a side view styled as a gun with the handle
specifically showing the door 1001, as well as the bubble making
device housing 102 and the trigger or switch 110.
[0061] FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of inside components of an
embodiment styled as a gun, showing the electromechanical pump 120,
the electric motor 121, the fan 122, and the air channel 126. The
film producing mechanism 124 is pivotally attached to the air
channel 126 via fastener 151. Trigger or switch 110 is attached to
flat plate 142 from which emanates extension 144. A portion of the
elongated slot 148 can also be seen. Attached to the film producing
mechanism 124 is the moveable dispensing ring 114, and the
dispensing aperture 116 can also be seen. The stationary
application bar 154 is attached to the drip channel 130, and this
is more clearly shown in FIG. 17 where the moveable dispensing ring
114 is shown in an upper position relative to the stationary
application bar 154. The drip channel 130 is attached to and
supported from a threaded base 117.
[0062] FIG. 18 shows an internal view of an LED box 181 in which a
source of light is located, and from this LED box 181 emanates a
light pipe 182 to transmit light into a removeably-attachable
bubble solution container 170, should one be connected. The light
pipe 182 can be fiber optic or PVC or other material that can
transmit light, and can be flexible or rigid.
[0063] In another embodiment of this invention, the
electromechanical pump 120, which is operated by the electric motor
121, is replaced by a purely mechanical pump 500 as shown in FIG.
11. A mechanical pump that is operated by the mechanical action of
the trigger or switch 110 is a more efficient use of electric power
because only the fan 122 need be operated (in addition to any
lights and/or sounds). Also, the user will squeeze the trigger or
switch 110 to deliver bubble solution only when necessary whereas
with any electrically operated pump a surplus of bubble solution
must be continuously delivered to the dispensing ring, whether a
moveable dispensing ring 114 in one embodiment (with a stationary
application bar 154) or a stationary dispensing ring 115 (with a
moving application bar 155) in different embodiments. Further, by
decreasing the current drain from any electric power source, less
power is lost due to power transmission or internal resistive
losses within the battery or batteries.
[0064] FIG. 11 depicts one embodiment of a mechanical pump 500 that
can be activated by the motion of the trigger or switch 110, and
also depicted is the film producing mechanism 124, the horizontal
post 146, and the two-regime slot 520 that the horizontal post 146
is captured within. The mechanical pump 500 is typical of what
might be found in a water pistol, and this mechanical pump is only
representative of many different mechanical pumps that can perform
the same mechanical function when a plunger is linearly displaced.
In this depiction, moving plunger 511 (not in contact with the
trigger or switch 110) is a piston within the mechanical pump body
510. The pump 500 is fed by a mechanical pump input tube 504 that
connects to the mechanical pump input 503. The pump 500 discharges
liquid through mechanical pump output 501 into mechanical pump
output tube 502 when the moving plunger 511 is depressed into the
mechanical pump body 510 as a result of displacement of the trigger
or switch 110. When the trigger or switch 110 is released, the
plunger spring 512 returns the moving plunger 511 to the starting
position as depicted in FIG. 11. Not shown are the internal one-way
valves that would enable liquid to only exit the mechanical pump
output 501 when the moving plunger 511 compresses into the
mechanical pump body 510 or to enable liquid to only enter the
mechanical pump body 510 through the mechanical pump input 503 when
the moving plunger 511 retracts from the mechanical pump body 510
under the influence of the plunger spring 512. Also depicted in
FIG. 11 is the conductive metal spring 133 and the contact zone on
electric motor 118 which collectively form the switch 111. Also
shown is the spring feed wire 113 that brings electrical power to
the metal spring 133. As shown in FIG. 11, the switch 111 is in the
electrically open position. Slight displacement of trigger or
switch 110 will bring the metal spring 133 into contact with the
contact zone on electric motor 118, thus closing switch 111.
Further compression of the trigger or switch 110 continues to keep
the switch 111 closed.
[0065] FIG. 12 shows an enlarged view of the extension 144. Two
regime slot 520 is composed of the film producing mechanism regime
521 and the mechanical pump regime 522.
[0066] FIG. 13 shows three key positions throughout the travel of
horizontal post 146 within the two-regime slot 520, and these
positions are schematically represented in FIGS. 14A, 14B, and 14C.
In FIG. 14A the trigger or switch is not depressed and the film
producing mechanism 124 is in the film producing mechanism low
position 525. In this position, switch 111 (also shown in FIG. 11)
is in the open position. After a slight depression of the trigger
or switch 110, switch 111 closes and power is applied to the
electric motor 121, which operates the fan 122 and other circuits
depicted in FIG. 7. The horizontal post 146 is now traveling within
the film producing mechanism regime 521 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.
The trigger or switch 110 continues to displace as pressure is
applied, and the film producing mechanism regime 521 terminates at
the film producing mechanism high position 526 (shown in FIGS. 13
and 14B). Closure of switch 111 is maintained, and in the film
producing mechanism high position 526 the trigger or switch 110 is
now in contact with the moving plunger 511 of the mechanical pump
500. Continued depression of trigger or switch 110 now begins to
operate the mechanical pump 500, and horizontal post 146 is now in
the mechanical pump regime 522 as shown in FIG. 12. Further
depression of the trigger or switch 110 finally terminates at the
mechanical pump fully depressed position 527 (FIGS. 13 and 14C),
and the trigger or switch 110 is at the position of maximum
displacement. Also, switch 111 remains closed, with the metal
spring 133 at maximum compression against the contact zone on
electric motor 118. During trigger or switch 110 displacement in
the mechanical pump regime 522, the film producing mechanism 124
remains in the same elevated position as in the film producing
mechanism high position 526, and further, in all positions within
the mechanical pump regime 522 (shown in FIG. 12), the film
producing mechanism 124 remains at constant elevation.
[0067] In FIG. 14A the moving application bar 155 is at the bottom
of the stationary dispensing ring 115 in the film producing
mechanism low position 525. As trigger or switch 110 is depressed,
the moving application bar 155 moves across the stationary
dispensing ring 115, spreading a thin film of bubble solution over
the dispensing aperture 116 until at the film producing mechanism
high position 526, and the moving application bar 155 is now at the
top of the stationary dispensing ring 115, as depicted in FIG. 14B.
Further depression of the trigger or switch 110 operates the
mechanical pump 500 without any change in the position of the film
producing mechanism 124 or the moving application bar 155 against
the stationary dispensing ring 115, with the trigger or switch 110
terminating in the mechanical pump fully depressed position 527 as
shown in FIG. 14C.
[0068] The following refers to FIGS. 12, 13, and 15. In FIG. 15A
the top of the moveable dispensing ring 114 is in contact with the
stationary application bar 154 in the film producing mechanism low
position 525. As trigger or switch 110 is depressed, the moveable
dispensing ring 114 moves across the stationary application bar
154, spreading a thin film of bubble solution over the dispensing
aperture 116 until at the film producing mechanism high position
526, and the stationary application bar 154 is now in contact with
the bottom of moveable dispensing ring 114, as depicted in FIG.
15B. Further depression of the trigger or switch 110 operates the
mechanical pump 500 without any change in the position of the film
producing mechanism 124 or the moveable dispensing ring 114 against
the stationary application bar 154, with the trigger or switch 110
terminating in the mechanical pump fully depressed position 527 as
shown in FIG. 15C.
[0069] It must be noted that a unique feature of these embodiments
(moving application bar 155 and stationary dispensing ring 115 of
FIG. 14 or moveable dispensing ring 114 and stationary application
bar 154 of FIG. 15) is that the film producing mechanism 124 can be
operated independently of the mechanical pump 500 while in the film
producing mechanism regime 521, and the mechanical pump 500 can be
operated independently of the film producing mechanism 124 while in
the mechanical pump regime 522.
[0070] FIG. 19 shows one embodiment of the the claimed invention
with the sealed container/battery 136 oriented above the fan shroud
123.
[0071] FIG. 20 shows one embodiment of the claimed invention with a
diagonal orientation of the application bar 154.
[0072] It is to be understood that even though numerous
characteristics and advantages of various embodiments of the
present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description,
together with details of the structure and function of the various
embodiments of the invention, this detailed description is
illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, and
especially in matters of structure and arrangement of parts within
the principles of the present invention to the full extent
indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the
appended claims are expressed.
[0073] Although various embodiments of the present invention have
been described it will be understood by those skilled in the art
that the present invention should not be limited to the described
embodiments. Rather, various changes and modifications can be made
within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0074] While the instant invention has been shown and described in
accordance with preferred and practical embodiments thereof, it is
recognized that departures from the instant disclosure are
contemplated within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Therefore, the true scope of the invention should not be limited
since other modifications will become apparent to those skilled in
the art upon a study of the claims, drawings, descriptions,
explanations, and specifications herein.
[0075] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
material to which a claim for copyright is made. The copyright
owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of
the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the
Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but reserves
all other copyright rights whatsoever.
COMPONENT LIST FOR DRAWINGS
[0076] Following is a partial list of the components depicted in
the drawings:
TABLE-US-00001 Component Number Component Description 8 Power
circuit 100 Bubble making device 102 Bubble making device housing
103 Mechanism for attaching to opening 104 Primary opening 106
Secondary opening 108 Handle 110 Trigger or switch 111 Switch
(formed by metal spring 133 and Contact zone on electric motor 118)
112 Delivery tube 113 Spring feed wire 114 Moveable dispensing ring
115 Stationary dispensing ring 116 Dispensing aperture 117 Threaded
base 118 Contact zone on electric motor 119 Drive gear 120
Electromechanical pump 121 Electric motor 122 Fan 123 Fan shroud
124 Film producing mechanism 125 Feed tube 126 Air channel 128 Drip
flange 129 Hole and/or series of holes in fan shroud 130 Drip
channel 131 LED Lights 132 Sound producing device 133 Metal spring
134 Battery or batteries (one is pointed to) 136 Sealed container
137 Securing device 138 External contacts 139 Voltage source 142
Flat plate 144 Extension 146 Horizontal post 148 Elongated slot 150
Film producing mechanism first end 151 Fastener 152 Film producing
mechanism second end 154 Stationary application bar 155 Moving
application bar 156 Electromechanical pump input 158
Electromechanical pump output 160 Torsion spring 162 Rod 164 First
spring end 166 Second spring end 168 Shoulder 170
Removably-attachable bubble solution container 181 LED box 182
Optic fiber string 500 Mechanical pump 501 Mechanical pump output
502 Mechanical pump output tube 503 Mechanical pump input 504
Mechanical pump input tube 510 Mechanical pump body 511 Moving
plunger 512 Plunger spring 520 Two regime slot 521 Film producing
mechanism regime 522 Mechanical pump regime 525 Film producing
mechanism low position 526 Film producing mechanism high position
527 Mechanical pump fully depressed position 1001 Door
Definitions
[0077] These definitions are in addition to the words and phrases
specifically defined in the body of this application.
[0078] As used herein, the term "and/or," when used in a list of
two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be
employed by itself, or any combination of two or more of the listed
items can be employed. For example, if a device is described as
containing components A, B, and/or C, the composition can contain A
alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in
combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in
combination.
* * * * *