Amusement Device

Abstract

An amusement device for providing the visual effect of a doll figure being showered. The doll is mounted within an enclosed chamber of a housing having sidewalls which are at least partially transparant. By inclining the housing from a base reference position, liquid is inserted into a tank located above the doll figure. A fluid conduit formed into the bottom of the tank is aligned with respect to the doll figure in a predetermined manner. When the amusement device is then placed in the reference position, liquid is directed through the fluid conduit and impinges on the doll figure.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention.

This invention pertains to amusement devices. In particular, this invention relates to manually actuatable amusement or novelty devices. More in particular, this invention pertains to a novelty device which produces the visual effect of a doll figure being showered.

2. Prior Art.

Manually actuatable amusement devices containing a figure within liquid are well known in the art. However, in some such prior devices, the figure is substantially immersed in fluid within a housing. The fluid includes particles that are moveably displaced when the housing is inverted to give the visual effect of the figure being in a snowstorm. Such devices do not give the visual effect of a liquid stream striking the figure in a simulated shower effect.

Other prior devices provide for a figure immersed in a liquid and rigidly mounted to an enclosing structure. However, in such prior devices, the figure is a target where manipulation of the enclosing structure provides a means for striking the target with a projectile which is free to move through the liquid contained within the enclosing structure. Such prior devices are directed toward games of skill and do not provide for the novelty visual effect of the present invention.

Other prior novelty devices provide for figure movement within a liquid filled housing. Such figure movement is responsive to external manipulation of the device, however in such devices it is not the flow of the enclosed liquid which provides for the novel visual effect as in the case of the present invention.

Other prior novelty devices provide for the movement of figures within a liquid medium through application of air pressure or like techniques. However, such devices provide for a visual effect associated with the movement of the figure and not with a shower effect as in the present invention.

Other prior devices provide for a figure to be showered. However, such toy devices show the figure within a bathtub with a shower head above. A pump mechanism is actuated which forces liquid through the showerhead into contact with the figure. Such devices are complicated mechanically and are not manually manipulatable to provide for the shower effect. Further, such devices are not enclosed within sealed housings for containment of the liquid. Thus, such devices are not applicable to be used as desk novelties or paperweights due to the danger of fluid spillage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An amusement device which includes a housing forming an enclosed chamber having at least an upper zone and a lower zone. A figure is mounted within the chamber in the lower zone of the housing. A liquid flow mechanism within the upper zone of the housing directs liquid being maintained within the liquid flow mechanism to the figure. The liquid flow mechanism is vertically displaced from and positioned above the figure mounted within the housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. I is an elevational view of the amusement device showing the figure mounted to a platform secured to the housing and the liquid flow mechanism for directing a liquid stream onto the figure;

FIG. 2 is a side elvation sectional view of the amusement device taken along the section line 2--2 of FIG. I;

FIG. 3 is a top sectional view of the amusement device taken along the section line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top sectional view of the amusement device taken along the section line 4--4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective cut-out view of an embodiment of the amusement device showing a second platform mounting mechanism;

FIG. 6 is a perspective cut-out view of an embodiment of the amusement device showing a third platform mounting mechanism;

FIG. 7 is a perspective cut-out view of another embodiment of the invention showing a fourth platform mounting mechanism;

FIG. 8 is an elevation sectional view of a portion of an embodiment of the invention showing a second liquid flow mechanism;

FIG. 9 is an elevation sectional view of a portion of another embodiment of the invention showing a liquid flow mechanism which is moveably secured to the housing; and,

FIG. 10 is an elevation sectional view of a portion of another embodiment of the invention showing a liquid flow mechanism which is moveably secured to the housing; and,

FIG. 11 is an elevation sectional view of another embodiment of the invention showing the platform and liquid flow mechanism constructed in one piece formation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIGS. I and 2, there is shown novelty or amusement device 10 to permit an operator or user to view enclosed figure or doll 12 being showered. Amusement device 10 may be used as a bathtub toy, paperweight, desk novelty or other amusement apparatus. In general, FIG. 12 is enclosed within housing or enclosing structure 14 which is partially filled with liquid or fluid 16. Initially, amusement device 10 is located in a reference position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Liquid 16 is thus maintained in a lower portion of housing 14. The operator may manually invert amusement device 10, causing liquid 16 to be captured or temporarily stored in an upper portion of housing 14. The operator or user then may place device 10 in an upright or reference position and visually sense liquid stream 18 being directed to figure or doll 12 in the manner of taking a shower.

Amusement device 10 comprises housing or enclosing structure 14 which forms enclosed chamber 20. Chamber 20 is topographically divided into at least two zones, upper zone 22 and lower zone 24. Figure or doll 12 is mounted within chamber 20 in lower zone 24 of housing or enclosing structure 14. Liquid flow mechanism 26 is mounted within upper zone 22 of housing 14 and directs liquid 16 to FIG. 12. In operation, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, liquid flow mechanism 26 is vertically displaced above doll 12 in order that liquid 16 may impinge on doll 12 through gravity assist as will be explained in more detail in following paragraphs.

Housing or enclosing structure 14 in one embodiment of amusement device 10, shown in FIGS. 1-7, may be formed of orthoganally positioned sidewalls 28 connected to each other along their vertical extensions to form a rectangular or square tube geometric contour. Structure 14 is formed into a closed geometric contour by top element 30 and lower element 32 which interface and are contiguous with each of sidewalls 28. Sidewalls 28, and elements 30 and 32 may be bonded, molded in one piece formation or otherwise constructed to form a substantially hermetic seal to prevent liquid 16 from being dispensed to the external environment during use. Other construction methods to prevent leaking of liquid 16 may include other known techniques such as cementing, heat sealing, press fittings, gaskets or other like means not important to the inventive concept as herein detailed.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-7, housing 14 takes the general contour of a closed parallelapiped. However, it is to be understood that the general contour of housing 14 may be cylindrical, spherical or in general any polyhedral shape which would permit insertion of FIG. 12 and liquid flow mechanism 26. Sidewalls 28, and elements 30 and 32 may be preferably constructed, at least partially of a transparent material which will allow viewing of a doll 12 being showered. One material which has been successfully used in plastic such as plexiglass although other transparent materials such as glass may be used in the construction of amusement device 10.

As will now be described, liquid flow mechanism 26 is adapted to capture and temporarily maintain liquid 16 when housing 14 is at least partially inverted from a position where upper zone 22 is vertically directed with respect to lower zone 24. As is seen in FIGS. 1-3 and 8-11, flow mechanism 26 includes reservoir or tank 34 for holding liquid 16 to be directed to doll 12. Spout or valve or fluid conduit 36 is formed in a lower portion of tank 34 and provides a mechanism for passing liquid 16 from tank 34 to FIG. 12.

Spout 36 is aligned in a predetermined manner with respect to doll 12 in order to initiate a liquid trajectory which intersects FIG. 12 and give the visual effect of doll 12 taking a shower, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 11, fluid conduit 36 may include an inclined end section 38 to impart a liquid trajectory of liquid stream 18 which simulates the actual water flow trajectory in a shower. In other embodiments of the invention, such as that shown in FIGS. 8-10, fluid conduit 36 includes a substantially flat end section 40 which provides for a substantially vertical passage of liquid stream 18 to doll 12. In either case, liquid 16 passes from reservoir or tank 34 to doll 12 through gravity assist.

In order to provide a mechanism whereby tank 34 is filled with liquid 16 when device 10 is partially or totally inverted from the reference position, openings 42 are provided between the walls of tank 34 and sidewalls 28 as is shown in FIG. 3. In the embodiment of device 10 shown in FIGS. 1-3 openings 42 are provided between the walls of tank 34 and sidewalls 28 as is shown in FIG. 3. In the embodiment of device 10 shown in FIGS. 1-3 openings 42 are formed as through passages between the walls of tank 34 and sidewalls 28 at the corners. Thus, when device 10 is inverted liquid 16 may flow from lower zone 24 through passages or openings 42 into tank 34. Openings 42 also provide a breathing mechanism to provide sufficient air pressure on a top surface of liquid 16 in tank 34 to force liquid 16 through conduit 36 in a substantially continuous flow.

In the embodiments of amusement device 10, shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 wall openings 44 may be passed through a sidewall of tank 34 to provide the necessary filling and breather mechanism. As shown in FIG. 10, tank 34 is moveably mounted to housing 14 through upper lip 46 which interfaces with housing lug 48. When amusement device 10 is partially inverted, lip 46 moves away from lug 48 forming fill passage 50 therebetween. Liquid 16 may then pass through fill passage 50 into tank 34.

Doll 12 is rigidly secured to platform 52 as is shown in FIG. 1 and 2. As is to be understood, doll or FIG. 12 may be mounted directly to lower wall 32 or to platform 52 which may be secured to lower element 32. In such a case, liquid stream 18 would pass over doll 18 and progressively build up in lower zoner 24. However, in order to bring a more realistic effect to the showering of doll 12, platform 52 is vertically displaced from lower wall 32 to form lower zone 54 and second lower zone 56 above platform 52. In combination first lower zone 54 and second lower zone 56 combine to form lower zone 24.

Platform 52 may be secured to sidewalls 28 of housing 14 along peripheral interface 58. Platform 52 may be secured to sidewalls 28 through cementing, heat sealing or other bonding techniques not important to the inventive concept as herein detailed. As shown in FIGS. 4-7, drain openings 60 may be provided at the corner edges of platform 52. Drain openings 60 permit liquid 16 to pass from second lower zone 56 to first lower zone 54 below platform 52. In this manner, there is no build up of liquid 16 around the lower body portion of doll 12. In addition to drain opening 60, centrally disposed opening 62 may be formed through platform 52 to ensure that residual liquid 16 does not build up around figure 12.

As shown in FIG. 5, platform 52 may be mounted to sidewalls 28 through shoulder insert 64. In such an embodiment peripheral interface 58 may still form a bonded connection between platform 52 and sidewalls 28 or platform 52 may be press fit into shoulder insert 64 to from a rigid constrainment. In FIG. 6, platform 52 is mounted to housing or enclosing structure 14 through vertical appendage 66. Appendage 66 forming a lower portion of platform 52 is downwardly directed into first lower zone 54. Appendage 66 interfaces with lower wall member 32 on a lower surface of element 66 and may be bonded or otherwise connected in rigid constrainment to wall 32. Additionally, and if so desired, platform 52 may be bonded also along peripheral interface 58 to sidewalls 28 to conclude a more rigid bond between platform 52 and enclosing structure 14. FIG. 7 describes a still further embodiment where platform 52 is mounted to vertically directed bar or column element 68. As is the core in such other mountings, platform 52 may be secured to bar or column 68 through cementing, heat sealing or some like technique. As shown, column 68 may be formed in one piece construction with lower wall element 32 through molding or some like process.

A still further embodiment of amusement device 10 is shown in FIG. 8 where lid or top element 30 threadedly engages sidewalls 28' along threaded members 70. As is evident, in this embodiment, housing 14 provides for a cylindrical contour. Further, flow mechanism 26 is maintained in rigid constrainment to housing 14 through being captured between lateral sidewalls 28' and a lower surface of upper element 30. Thus, in this embodiment, upper lip 46 of tank 34 has an external diameter greater than the internal diameter of housing 14 but equal to or less than the external diameter of housing or enclosing structure 14. Thus, when lid 30 engages lateral sidewall 28', lip portion 46 is constrained therebetween, thereby rigidizing tank 34 to structure 14. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, tank 34 is rigidized with respect to housing 14 through interaction of upper lip 46 in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 8. However, in this embodiment, upper lid 30 is forced over sidewalls 28 through a press fit or some like technique.

In the embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG. 11, platform 52 is joined to liquid flow mechanism 26 in one piece construction through connecting member 72. The vertical extension of connecting member 72 and flow mechanism 26 is slightly less than the extension of chamber 20 to permit tank 34 to be easily filled. The clearance between tank 34 and a lower surface of lid 30 acts as a breathing mechanism as well as a filler. In this manner, platform 52 and liquid flow mechanism 26 may be formed in one piece construction through molding or some like technique and is easily insertable within housing 14.

From the above detailed description of the invention, it is believed that the construction is at once apparant and while there are herein shown and described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is nevertheless to be understood that changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An amusement device comprising;

a. a housing forming an enclosed chamber having at least an upper zone and a lower zone, said lower zone including a first lower zone and a second lower zone;

b. a figure mounted to a platform dividing said first lower zone from said second lower zone within said chamber in said lower zone of said housing, said platform having at least one opening to permit passage of liquid from said second lower zone to said first lower zone; and,

c. liquid flow means within said upper zone of said housing for directing said liquid being maintained within said liquid flow means to said figure and to said first lowwer zone through said platform, said flow means being vertically displaced from and positioned above said figure, said first lower zone being of sufficient volume size to substantially accomodate all of said liquid being directed to said figure.

2. The amusement device as recited in claim 1 wherein said liquid flow means includes:

a. reservoir means for temporarily maintaining a predetermined volume of said liquid to be directected to said figure and into said first lower zone; and,

b. spout means formed in a lower portion of said reservoir means for passing substantially all of said predetermined volume of said liquid from said liquid flow means by gravity assist.

3. The amusement device as recited in claim 2 where said spout means includes fluid conduit means for imparting a predetermined trajectory to said liquid being passed from said reservoir means to said figure, said trajectory of said liquid being inclined to said vertical displacement of said figure.

4. The amusement device as recited in claim 3 where said means for imparting said predetermined liquid trajectory includes an end section element of said fluid conduit means formed at an inclined angle to a reference position where said upper zone is vertically directed with respect to said lower zone for causing a curved liquid trajectory from said fluid conduit means to said figure.

5. The amusement device as recited in claim 2 where said reservoir means includes a tank member fixedly secured to said housing in said upper zone thereof, said tank member including means for filling said tank member with said liquid when said housing is at least partially inverted from a reference position where said upper zone is vertically directed with respect to said lower zone.

6. The amusement device as recited in claim 2 where said reservoir means includes a tank member moveably secured within said upper zoner of said housing, said reservoir means including means for filling said tank member with said liquid when said housing is at least partially inverted from a reference position where said upper zone is vertically directed with respect to said lower zone.

7. The amusement device as recited in claim 6 where said means for filling said tank includes means for opening a liquid path from said housing into said tank member when said housing is at least partially inverted from said reference position.

8. The amusement device as recited in claim 7 where said tank member is moveably secured to said housing by gravity assist.

9. The amusement device as recited in claim 1 where said platform and said liquid flow means are formed in one piece construction, said platform being connected to said liquid flow means through a vertically directed connecting member for cooperative movement of said platform member and said liquid flow means within said enclosed chamber.

10. The amusement device as recited in claim 9 where said one piece construction member comprising said platform member and said liquid flow means includes a vertical extension length less than the vertical extension of said chamber of said housing.

11. The amusement device as recited in claim 1 where said platform member is rigidly secured to at least one sidewall of said housing to form a rigid constraint for said figure mounted to said platform member.

12. The amusement device as recited in claim 1 where said housing is formed of a transparant material for viewing said liquid passage to said figure.

13. The amusement device as recited in claim 12 where said housing is constructed of a transparent plastic material.

14. The amusement device as recited in claim 1 where said housing has a parallelapiped geometric contour.

15. The amusement device as recited in claim 1 where said housing has a cylindrical geometric contour, said housing including a top element and a main body element, said top element being adapted to threadedly engage said main body element to form said chamber.