Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02626121 2008-03-18
IMPROVED APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR WATER SLIDING
Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention are related to an assembly (e.g., a toy)
which provides a mat and a toy-car wash assembly. More specifically,
embodiments of
the present invention provide a toy-car wash assembly and method for water
sliding
wherein a person slides along the surface of the mat and through various water
discharging devices which function as a toy-car wash.
Backizround of the Invention
There are a number of water-slides available for children's recreational
purposes,
such as "Slip N Slide" water slides, etc. However, none combine the features
of a slick,
aqueous-laden surface mat which enables a person to slide smoothly along the
surface of
the mat, and through a toy-car wash assembly.
Summary of Embodiments of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for water sliding on a
recreational toy. A person slides on a water-supporting mat and through at
least one water
discharging device until the person contacts a transparent bumper assembly
which stops
the person from sliding further on the mat.
Embodiments of the present invention also provide a recreational toy
comprising
a mat for water sliding. At least one water discharging device (e.g., a toy-
car wash)
transversely disposed over the mat. A bumper assembly may be coupled to the
mat to
stop the person from sliding.
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Embodiments of the present invention further provide a toy assembly comprising
a mat and a car wash assembly having at least one collapsed water discharging
device.
The toy assembly may further include a collapsed bumper assembly coupled to
the mat.
When the mat is rolled into overlapping surfaces such as to form a cylindrical-
configured
rolled-up mat, the collapsed bumper assembly rolls with the mat such as to be
sandwiched and/or interleaved between at least some of the layers of the
overlapping mat
surfaces.
Embodiments of the present invention further provide a toy assembly comprising
a mat and at least one water discharging device. More specifically, the toy
assembly
includes a car wash assembly disposed over a water-supporting mat. A person
slides on a
water-supporting mat and through the car wash assembly.
These provisions, together with the various ancillary provisions and features
which will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the following
description
proceeds, are attained by the methods and assemblies of the present invention.
Brief Description of the Drawings
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the invention illustrating a
generally U-shaped bumper assembly.
FIG. 2 is a partial side elevational view of an embodiment of the invention
having
the bumper assembly in a collapsed position or state and coupled to a mat.
FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of an embodiment of the invention having the
bumper assembly in a collapsed position or state and coupled to a mat.
FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the invention
illustrating
the bumper assembly in a filled position or state due to a liquid having been
placed in the
bumper assembly.
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FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of an embodiment of the invention
illustrating
the bumper assembly in a filled position or state due to the bumper assembly
containing a
liquid which was disposed therein.
FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view of an embodiment of the invention taken in
direction of the arrows and along the plane of line 6-6 in Fig. 1.
FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view of an embodiment of the invention taken in
direction of the arrows and along the plane of line 7-7 in Fig. 1 and
illustrating a pool of
water which has been accumulated on the mat and between the arms of the
generally U-
shaped bumper assembly.
FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view of an embodiment of the invention taken in
direction of the arrows and along the plane of line 8-8 in Fig. 1.
FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view of an embodiment of the invention taken in
direction of the arrows and along the plane of line 9-9 in Fig. 1 illustrating
the objects
which have floated against the top of the bumper assembly and which are poised
to be
propelled downward in direction of the arrows from the force of a person
hitting the
bumper assembly after sliding along the mat and through the pool of liquid.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the paddle assembly.
FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the perforated conduit disposed on the
mat
such as to be postured for discharging or sprinkling water onto the mat.
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FIG. 13 is a partial side elevational view of the lower part of a hollow arm
of a
scrubber assembly with the arm being supported by a base which is to be filled
with
water.
FIG. 14 is a partial side elevational view of the lower part of a hollow arm
of a
paddle assembly with the arm being supported by a base which is to be filled
with water.
FIG. 15 is a partial side elevational view of the lower part of a hollow arm
of a
slap (squeegee) assembly with the arm being supported by a base which is to be
filled
with water.
FIG. 16 is a partial vertical sectional view of hollow scrubber assembly
having a
pair of hollow arms terminating in a hollow cylindrical member having a
corrugated
surface.
FIG. 17 is a partial front elevational view of the hollow slap or squeegee
assembly
having a hollow body which supports a hose member including a plurality of
apertures
where through water is dispersed or sprinkled and a plurality of slap/squeegee
members
secured to the hollow body and hang downwardly.
Detailed Description of the Embodiments of the Invention
In the description herein, numerous specific details are provided, such as
examples of components and/or methods, to provide a thorough understanding of
the
embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the relevant art will
recognize,
however, that an embodiment of the invention may be practiced without one or
more of
the specific details, or with other apparatus, systems, assemblies, methods,
components,
materials, parts, and/or the like. In other instances, well-known structures,
materials, or
operations are not specifically shown or described in detail to avoid
obscuring aspects of
the embodiments of the present invention.
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Referring in detail now to the drawings, wherein similar parts of the
invention are
identified by like reference numerals, there is seen in Fig. 1 a mat 10 and a
bumper
assembly 12 (singularly and/or collectively a "toy") disposed at and/or
coupled to the end
of the mat 10. The bumper assembly 12 operationally stops a person from
sliding when
the person reaches the end of the mat 10. A plurality of apertures 16
longitudinally
extends along one of the edges of the mat 10 for dispensing water onto the mat
10 after
water passes through a coupling 20 which typically engages a water hose (not
shown). In
an embodiment of the invention, as best shown in Fig. 7, a pool 15 of water
forms on the
mat 10 contiguous to the bumper assembly 12.
The mat 10 and the assembly 12 may be manufactured from any suitable material.
Preferably, the mat 10 and the assembly 12 are made from plastic (e.g., vinyl
or the like).
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the assembly 12 is manufactured
from a
transparent plastic to enable a person to see inside the assembly 12,
comparable to an
aquarium where people view fish swimming.
The bumper assembly 12 is coupled by any suitable means to the mat 10 at
location 24. The bumper assembly 12 may possess any suitable structure,
preferably a
generally U-shaped structure with respect to a top plan view, as illustrated
in Fig. 1. The
bumper assembly 12 also comprises objects 40 (e.g., ornamental three
dimensional-
shaped objects). The objects 40 may be any suitable objects, preferably
objects which are
capable of being suspended within water 13 after the water 13 is introduced
into the
bumper assembly 12 through a valve 28 positioned on and/or in the skin 34 of
the body
24 of the bumper assembly 12. Water 13 is introduced through the valve 28 by
any
suitable means, such as engaging the valve 28 to a garden hose, or the like.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the objects 40 represent marine or
sea
animals (e.g., fish, sea horses, crabs, etc.) 41 to simulate swimming when
suspended
within water 13 contained in the bumper assembly 12. When the bumper assembly
12 is
CA 02626121 2008-03-18
in a collapsed position (i.e., assembly 12 contains no water 13) as best
illustrated in Figs.
2 and 3, the objects 40 randomly move (e.g., flip flops) within the bumper
assembly 12.
The objects 40 may remain in the water 13 totally, constantly suspended. In
other
embodiments of the invention, some of the objects 40 float to and/or against
the
underside surface of the top of the bumper assembly 12, as best shown in Fig.
9. The
objects 40 floating against the underside of the top of the bumper assembly 12
are poised
to be propelled downward in direction of the arrows in Fig. 9 from the force
of a person
hitting the bumper assembly 12 after sliding along the water-laden mat 10, or
after sliding
along the water-laden mat 10 and through the pool 15 of water 13. The pool 15
forms
from the mat 10 being positioned such that repetitive slides through the water
13 towards
the bumper assembly 12 causes water to accumulate contiguous to the bumper
assembly
12, more specifically between the arms (identified below as "60" and "62") of
the
bumper assembly 12. As a person slides on the water-laden mat 10, water is
pushed
towards the bumper assembly 12, similar to a squeegee pushing water along a
surface.
While embodiments of the invention are being described by the bumper assembly
12
containing water, it is to be understood that the spirit and scope of the
invention includes
the bumper assembly 12 containing any suitable liquid.
As previously indicated and in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the
bumper assembly 12 has a generally U-shaped structure with respect to a top
plan view,
as illustrated in Fig. 1. The U-shaped structure includes a pair of arms 60
and 62
respectively terminating in arcuate shaped, tapering ends 70 and 66. The arms
60 and 62
may flange slightly outwardly to facilitate a person sliding between the arms
60 and 62
where the pool 15 of water 13 may form on the mat 10. The U-shaped structure
also
includes a generally sinusoidal-shaped rear surface 80.
Practice of various embodiments of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1-9
provides
a water- inflatable bumper assembly 12 which forms a barrier to stop a person
from
sliding along a water-coated mat 10. The bumper assembly 12 comprises a
plurality of
suspended marine animals 41 which simulates marine life swimming in an
aquarium. In
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operation of various embodiments of the invention a pool 15 of water
contiguous to,
and/or between the arms 60 and 62 of the bumper assembly 12, accumulates. When
a
person slides into the pool 15, water 13 typically splashes and slightly
retards the speed
that a person is sliding along the mat 10 and towards the bumper assembly 12.
The
arcuate tapering arms 60 and 62 respectively at arcuate shaped distal ends 70
and 66 of
the bumper assembly 12 facilities the sliding of a person between the arms 60
and 62 as
opposed to sliding off the water-coated mat 10 or hitting the ends of the arms
60 and 62
due to the transverse breadth of same from the longitudinally edges.
Referring now to Figs. 10-17 wherein another embodiment of the invention is
illustrated, there is generally seen a perspective view of a water toy
assembly 100. In an
embodiment of the invention, the water toy assembly comprises a toy-car wash
assembly,
generally illustrated as 104. The water toy assembly 100 will hereafter be
described as
the toy-car wash assembly 104. However, it is to be understood that the water
toy
assembly 100 is not to be limited to a toy-car wash assembly 104 which is only
exemplary of the water toy assembly 110.
The toy car wash assembly 104 comprises a mat 108, and three inflated
structures,
respectively illustrated as 112, 116 and 120. The toy car wash assembly 104
further
includes a perforated water conduit or line 124. The perforated water conduit
124, as best
shown in Fig. 12, comprises a plurality of apertures 128 where through water
is
discharged to water-laden the mat 108. Water is introduced into the water
conduit 124 by
any suitable means, such as a hose, generally illustrated as 134 (see Fig.
10). Hose 134
may be a garden hose that receives water from a water source, such as a water
facet. As
best shown in Fig. 10 hose 134 bifurcates or forms a generally Y-shaped
segments, or
lines, defined by hose segments 136 and 137. Segment 137 is coupled to water
conduit
124 for introducing water into the water conduit 124 which will be
subsequently
dispersed onto the mat 108. Water passing through segment 137 has sufficient
pressure
to enable the water to be dispersed or discharged through the apertures 128 of
the water
conduit 124. As best shown in Figs. 10 and 17, hose segment 136 extends up
inflated
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structure 120 and has a plurality of apertures 135 where through water is
disbursed to
contact a person sliding along the mat 108 and through the toy car wash
assembly 104.
The toy car wash assembly 104 may include a bumper assembly 138, which may
be secured to the mat 108 or detached from the mat 108. The bumper assembly
138 may
be bumper assembly 12. The bumper assembly 138 operationally stops a person
from
sliding along the water-laden mat 108 when the person reaches the end of the
mat 108.
The bumper assembly 138 may be pneumatically expanded (and deflated) through
an
aperture (not shown). In the embodiment of the invention where the bumper
assembly
138 is expanded by water (such as bumper assembly 12), water may be drained
from the
bumper assembly 138 for deflating the same.
In an embodiment of the invention, the toy car wash assembly 104 may be
collapsed to facilitate storage in a box or the like. If the toy car wash
assembly 104 is
formed with the bumper assembly 138 such that the mat 108 is connected to the
bumper
assembly 138, after water or air is removed from the bumper assembly 138, the
mat 108
may be rolled-up into a cylindrical-configured rolled-up mat. When the mat 108
is in a
rolled-up posture, the collapsed bumper assembly 138 rolls with the mat 108
such as to
be sandwiched and/or interleaved between at least some of the layers of the
overlapping
mat surfaces. The perforated water conduit or line 124 has sufficient
pliability or
flexibility to roll with the mat 108. In the embodiment of the invention where
the bumper
assembly 138 is not coupled to the mat 108, the mat 108 and the bumper
assembly 138
are separately rolled up from their collapsed position.
In an embodiment of the invention, and three inflated structures 112, 116 and
120
may be collapsed by letting the air out of the respective structures. The
three structures
may then be independently rolled up. Thus for one embodiment of the invention
where
the bumper assembly 138 is connected to the mat 108, when all assemblies
(e.g., inflated
structures 112, 116, and 120 and the combined mat/bumper assembly) are
collapsed and
rolled-up, there are four separate rolled-up assemblies. For the embodiment of
the
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invention where the bumper assembly 138 is separate from the mat 108, when all
assemblies are collapsed and rolled-up, there are five separate rolled-up
assemblies.
When the inflated bumper assembly 138 and the inflated structures 112, 116 and
120 are
deflated and collapsed, they respectively have the appearance of a wrinkly
pile of neatly
folded sheets of vinyl material. In the collapsed and deflated position, all
deflated
assemblies may be conveniently stored, such as in a box.
Inflated structure 112 includes an inflated scrub assembly 146 which is a free
standing assembly that operates as a scrubber. The scrub assembly 146 has a
pair of
hollow legs 150a and 150b, each respectively terminating in hollow bases 154a
and
154b. Leg 150a has an aperture 158a (see Fig. 13) where air (or any other
substance
which functions as an expander) may be introduced and withdrawn for inflating
and
deflating the leg 150a. Alternatively the aperture may be in leg 150b. A
partition
member 160 separates (i.e., the inside of) the leg 150a from (i.e., the
inside) of the base
154a. A similar partition member separates (i.e., the inside of) leg 150b from
(i.e., the
inside of) of base 154b. As shown in Fig. 13, base 154a has an opening 162a
where
through water (or a similar matter) may be introduced for adding weight to the
base 154a
such that the scrub assembly 146 may remain in an upright posture. Base 154b
has a
similar opening. Water may be withdrawn from the bases 154a and 154b when
scrub
assembly 146 is to be deflated into a collapsed assembly.
Legs 150a and 150b of the inflated scrub assembly 146 couple to, preferably
integrally couple to, a hollow cross member 166 which has a pair of hollow
segments
166a and 166b whose hollow insides respectively pneumatically meet with and
pneumatically communicate with the hollow insides of hollow legs 150a and
150b.
Segments 166a and 166b form an acute angle with the legs 150a and 150b such
that
segments 166a and 166b project downwardly towards the mat 108. The hollow
insides of
segments 166a and 166b meet with the hollow inside of the hollow scrub member
176
such that segments 166a and 166b may pneumatically communicate with the hollow
scrub member 176 which has a corrugated surface 180 that simulates a scrubber
(a top
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scrubber) in a car wash assembly. As scrub assembly 146 begins to inflate,
legs 150a and
150b, cross member 166, and scrub member 176 simultaneously begin to inflate.
When
the scrub assembly 146 begins to deflate, legs 150a and 150b, cross member
166, and
scrub member 176 simultaneously begin to deflate.
Inflated structure 116 includes an inflated paddle assembly 184 which is a
free
standing assembly which includes paddles 186 for cleaning the sides of a car
in a car
wash assembly. The paddle assembly 184 has a pair of hollow legs 188a and
188b, each
respectively terminating in hollow bases 192a and 192b. Paddles 186 are
coupled (e.g.,
by vinyl welding) to the outside surfaces of the legs 188a and 188b such that
the paddles
186 may swing back and forth. Leg 188a has an aperture 191 (see Fig. 14) where
air (or
any other substance which functions as an expander) may be introduced and
withdrawn
for inflating and deflating the leg 188a. Alternatively a similar aperture may
be in leg
188b. A partition member 190 separates (i.e., the inside of) the leg 184a from
(i.e., the
inside) of the base 154a. A similar partition member separates (i.e., the
inside of) leg
150b from (i.e., the inside of) of base 154b. As shown in Fig. 14, base 192a
has an
opening 193 where through water (or a similar matter) may be introduced for
adding
weight to the base 192a such that the paddle assembly 184 may remain in an
upright
posture. Base 192b has a similar opening. Water may be withdrawn from the
bases 192a
and 192b when paddle assembly 184 is to be deflated into a collapsed assembly.
Legs 188a and 188b of the inflated paddle assembly 184 couple to, preferably
integrally couple to, a hollow cross member 200 whose hollow inside
conununicates with
the hollow insides of hollow legs 188a and 188b such that the cross member 200
pneumatically communicates with the hollow legs 188a and 188b. As paddle
assembly
184 begins to inflate, legs 188a and 188b and cross member 200 simultaneously
begin to
inflate. When the paddle assembly 184 begins to deflate, legs 188a and 188b
and cross
member 200 simultaneously begin to deflate.
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The inflated structure 120 includes a hollow slap or squeegee assembly 220
comprising a hollow cross member 242 having a plurality of wiper (squeegee)
members
244 which connect to and depend from the cross member 242 to emulate wipers of
a
typical car wash. The squeegee members 244 swing back and forth. The slap or
squeegee
assembly 220 functions as a rinse and wipe assembly. The squeegee assembly 120
has a
pair of hollow legs 240a and 240b, each respectively terminating in hollow
bases. Base
250a is shown in Figs. 10 and 15. The base where leg 240b terminates is not
shown in the
drawings but is identical to base 250a.
Leg 240a has an aperture 254 (see Fig. 15) where air (or any other substance
which functions as an expander) may be introduced and withdrawn for inflating
and
deflating the leg 188a. Alternatively a similar aperture may be in leg 240b. A
partition
member 260 separates (i.e., the inside of) the leg 240a from (i.e., the
inside) of the base
250a. A similar partition member separates (i.e., the inside of) leg 240b from
(i.e., the
inside of) of its associated base. As shown in Fig. 15, base 250a has an
opening 261
where through water (or a similar matter) may be introduced for adding weight
to the
base 250a such that the squeegee assembly 220 may remain in an upright
posture. The
base associated with leg 240b has a similar opening. Water may be withdrawn
from the
bases when squeegee assembly 220 is to be deflated into a collapsed assembly.
Legs 240a and 240b of the inflated squeegee assembly 220 couple to, preferably
integrally couple to, the hollow cross member 242 whose hollow inside
communicates
with the hollow insides of hollow legs 240a and 240b such that the cross
member 242
pneumatically communicates with the hollow legs 240a and 240b. Hose segment
136
extends up and along the outside surface of leg 240a and along the outside of
cross
member 242 for conducting water towards the apertures 135 (see Fig. 17) in the
hose
segment 136 to disburse or sprinkle water down towards the mat 108. The
discharging or
sprinkling action from hose segment 136 functions similarly to a sprinkler in
a
conventional car wash assembly. Hose segment 136 is detachable from hose 134
and is
sufficiently flexible such that when the inflated squeegee assembly 220 is
deflated and
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collapsed and folded into a desired configuration, the hose segment 136 easily
folds with
the deflated squeegee assembly 220. As squeegee assembly 220 begins to
inflate, legs
240a and 240b and cross member 242 simultaneously begin to inflate. When the
squeegee assembly 220 begins to deflate, legs 240a and 240b and cross member
242
simultaneously begin to deflate.
Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment", "an embodiment",
or "a specific embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic
described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one
embodiment of
the present invention and not necessarily in all its embodiments. Therefore,
the respective
appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment", "in an embodiment", or "in a
specific
embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not
necessarily referring
to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or
characteristics of any specific embodiment of the present invention may be
combined in
any suitable manner with one or more other embodiments. It is to be understood
that
other variations and modifications of the embodiments of the present invention
described
and illustrated herein are possible in light of the teachings herein and are
to be considered
as part of the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Additionally, any arrows in the drawings/figures should be considered only as
exemplary, and not limiting, unless otherwise specifically noted. Furthermore,
the term
"or" as used herein is generally intended to mean "and/or" unless otherwise
indicated.
Combinations of components or steps will also be considered as being noted,
where
terminology is foreseen as rendering the ability to separate or combine is
unclear.
As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, "a",
"an",
and "the" includes plural references unless the context clearly dictates
otherwise. Also, as
used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the
meaning of "in"
includes "in" and "on" unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
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The foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present invention,
including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive
or to limit the
invention to the precise forms disclosed herein. While specific embodiments
of, and
examples for, the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes
only, various
equivalent modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of the
present invention,
as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate. As
indicated, these
modifications may be made to the present invention in light of the foregoing
description
of the illustrated embodiments of the present invention and are to be included
within the
spirit and scope of the present invention.
Therefore, while the present invention has been described herein with
reference to
the particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various
changes and
substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosures, and it will be
appreciated that in
some instances some features of the embodiments of the invention will be
employed
without the corresponding use of other features without departing from the
scope and
spirit of the invention as set forth. Therefore, many modifications may be
made to adapt a
particular situation or material to the essential scope and spirit of the
present invention. It
is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular terms used in
following
claims and/or to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode
contemplated for
carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include any and all
embodiments
and equivalents falling within the scope of the appended claims.
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