Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02756271 2011-10-26
TPR AQUATIC TOY
RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/406,671, entitled "TPR AQUATIC TOY", filed October 26,
2010, which
is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Field of the Invention
At least one example in accordance with the present invention relates
generally to
aquatic toys.
Discussion of Related Art
Aquatic toys are oftentimes used by children when swimming or playing in a
body of
water (i.e. a pool, a lake, a river, etc.). For example, aquatic toys are
commonly used by
children in water related games or as diving toys. Aquatic toys may be
designed to float on
top of water, float submerged below the surface of the water, and/or sink to
the bottom of a
body of water.
SUMMARY
Aspects in accord with the present invention are directed to an aquatic toy.
In one
aspect the present invention features an aquatic toy comprising a main body,
the main body
comprising a buoyant portion comprised of thermoplastic rubber, and a weighted
portion
coupled to the buoyant portion, wherein the weighted portion contains material
which is
heavier than water and is configured to maintain the aquatic toy submerged
when the aquatic
toy is placed in a body of water.
According to one embodiment the weighted portion comprises a pocket of
thermoplastic rubber, the pocket encompassing the material which is heavier
than water. In
one embodiment, the material which is heavier than water is sand.
According to another embodiment, while the aquatic toy is maintained submerged
by
the weighted portion, the buoyant portion is configured to float and be
projected upwardly in
an erect fashion in relation to the weighted area. In another embodiment, the
buoyant portion
comprises a body of thermoplastic rubber absent a buoyancy pocket. In one
embodiment,
while the buoyant portion is projected upwardly, the buoyant portion is
further configured to
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become animated when in contact with moving water. According to another
embodiment,
while the buoyant portion is projected upwardly, the buoyant portion is
further configured to
undulate when in contact with moving water.
According to one embodiment, the main body is molded in the shape of a ring.
According to another embodiment, the main body is molded in the shape of a
stick.
In another aspect, the present invention features a method of creating an
aquatic toy,
the method comprising inserting thermoplastic rubber into an injection molding
apparatus,
and molding the thermoplastic rubber to provide a main body, the main body
comprising a
buoyant portion comprised of thermoplastic rubber, and a weighted portion
coupled to the
buoyant portion, wherein the weighted portion is configured to contain
material which is
heavier than water and to maintain the aquatic toy submerged when the aquatic
toy is placed
in a body of water.
According to one embodiment, the method further comprises inserting the
material
which is heavier than water into the weighted portion. In one embodiment,
inserting the
material into the weighted portion includes inserting sand into the weighted
portion.
According to another embodiment, molding the thermoplastic rubber includes
molding the main body into the shape of a ring. According to one embodiment,
molding the
thermoplastic rubber includes molding the main body into the shape of a stick.
According to one embodiment, molding the thermoplastic rubber includes molding
the weighted portion into a pocket which is configured to encompass the
material which is
heavier than water. In one embodiment, molding the thermoplastic rubber
includes molding
the buoyant portion into a body that is configured to float and be projected
upwardly in an
erect fashion in relation to the weighted area when the aquatic toy is
submerged under water.
According to another embodiment, molding the buoyant portion into a body
includes
molding the buoyant portion into a body absent a buoyancy pocket. In one
embodiment,
molding the buoyant portion into a body includes molding the buoyant portion
into a body
that is further configured to become animated when in contact with moving
water. In another
embodiment, molding the buoyant portion into a body includes molding the
buoyant portion
into a body that is further configured to undulate when in contact with moving
water.
In one aspect, the present invention features a dive stick comprising a main
body
molded in the shape of a stick, the main body comprising an upper portion
comprised of
thermoplastic rubber, a lower portion comprised of thermoplastic rubber, and a
stick portion
comprised of thermoplastic rubber coupled between the upper portion and the
lower portion,
wherein the upper portion, the lower portion and the stick portion are fluidly
connected via an
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internal chamber, wherein material that is heavier than water is located in
the internal
chamber, within at least one of the upper portion, the lower portion and the
stick portion, and
wherein the material that is heavier than water is configured to maintain the
dive stick
submerged when the dive stick is placed in a body of water.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the
drawings,
each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various
FIGs. is represented
by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled
in every
drawing. In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is an image of a ball TPR toy construction in accordance with aspects
of the
present invention;
FIG. 2 is an image of another ball TPR toy construction in accordance with
aspects of
the present invention;
FIG. 3 is an image of a disk TPR toy construction in accordance with aspects
of the
present invention;
FIG. 4 is an image of a ring TPR toy construction in accordance with aspects
of the
present invention;
FIG. 5 is an image of a vehicle TPR toy construction in accordance with
aspects of
the present invention; and
FIG. 6 is an image of a stick TPR toy construction in accordance with aspects
of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
For the purposes of illustration only, and not to limit the generality, the
present
disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying
figures. This
disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction
and the arrangement
of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the
drawings. The
disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being
carried out in
various ways. Also the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the
purpose of
description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including,"
"comprising,"
"having," "containing," "involving," and variations thereof herein, is meant
to encompass the
items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.
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As described above, aquatic toys are often used by children when swimming or
playing in a body of water. Common aquatic toys may be constructed of solid
polymers such
as hard plastic. In addition, in order to provide buoyancy, the hard plastic
of a common
aquatic toy may be constructed in such a way as to include buoyancy pockets.
Buoyancy
pockets are designed to maintain an air pocket within an aquatic toy, the air
pocket keeping
the toy afloat on top of the water.
However, a potential downside to aquatic toys constructed of hard plastic is
that they
may be dangerous. For example, if a hard plastic aquatic toy is submerged at
or near the
bottom of the body of water, a child playing near the toy may step on the hard
toy, potentially
resulting in an injury. In another example, if a hard plastic toy is at the
bottom of the pool, top
of the pool, or slightly submersed under the surface of the water, a child
diving or jumping
into the water may not see the toy and may be injured when he jumps/dives into
contact with
the toy.
As such, the current invention provides a relatively safe and buoyant aquatic
toy
constructed of ThermoPlastic Rubber (TPR). TPR is a soft material consisting
of both
thermoplastic and elastomeric properties (i.e. elastic and flexible). As a
result, TPR is
relatively easy to use in manufacturing, for example, by injection molding,
and may be
molded into a variety of different shapes and forms. It is to be appreciated
that, upon being
molded into a desired shape or figure, a TPR toy maintains its soft, elastic,
and flexible
properties, making the TPR toy relatively safe in the event of an impact with
a child. In
addition, it also is to be appreciated that TPR is lighter than water and
thus, an aquatic toy
made of TPR may be buoyant absent the use of buoyancy pockets.
FIG. 1 illustrates an image of one embodiment of the current invention. FIG. 1
illustrates a ball toy 100. The ball toy 100 consists of a TPR shell 102
molded into the shape
of a ball. The TPR shell 102 is entirely sealed to prevent external access to
an interior pocket.
The ball toy 100 may also include a hook 104 molded to the shell 102. The hook
104 may be
used for a variety of purposes (i.e. to hang the toy in storage, or to catch
the toy using the
fishing type rod of a children's game). The ball toy 100 may also include a
plurality of soft
bristles 106 and a grip area 108 molded in the outside of the shell 102. It is
to be appreciated
that as the ball toy 100 is comprised of TPR, the ball toy 100 is soft,
elastic and flexible. In
addition, it also is to be appreciated that because the ball toy 100 is made
of TPR, the ball toy
100 is buoyant and will float at the top of a body of water.
FIG. 2 illustrates an image of another embodiment of the current invention, in
particular another ball toy 200. The ball toy 200 consists of a TPR shell 202
molded into the
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shape of a ball. The TPR shell 202 is entirely sealed to prevent external
access to the interior
of the shell 202. The ball toy 200 may also include a hook 204 molded to the
shell 202. The
hook 204 may be used for a variety of purposes (i.e. to hang the toy in
storage, or to catch the
toy using the fishing type rod of a children's game). The ball toy 200 may
also include a
plurality of soft bristles 206 and a raised stitch area 208 molded into the
outside of the shell
202. It is to be appreciated that as the ball toy 200 is comprised of TPR, the
ball toy 200 is
soft, elastic and flexible. In addition, it also is to be appreciated that as
a result of the ball toy
200 being made of TPR, the ball toy 200 is buoyant and will float at the top
of a body of
water.
FIG. 3 illustrates an image of another embodiment of the current invention.
FIG. 3
illustrates a disk toy 300. The disk toy 300 consists of a substantially flat
TPR disk area 302.
According to one embodiment, the ends 304 of the TPR disk area 302 may curve
away from
the TPR disk area 302 in a plane substantially perpendicular to the TPR disk
area 302 (i.e.,
the TPR disk area 302 is convex). The disk toy 300 may also include a
plurality of soft
bristles 306 molded on the outside of the TPR disk area. It is to be
appreciated that as the disk
toy is comprised of TPR, the disk toy 300 is soft, elastic and flexible. In
addition, it also is to
be appreciated that as a result of the disk toy 300 being made of TPR, the
disk toy 300 is
buoyant and will float at the top of water.
FIG. 4 illustrates an image of another embodiment of the current invention.
FIG. 4
illustrates a ring toy 400. The ring toy 400 consists of a ring area 402 and a
weighted area 404
molded as a unit. According to one embodiment, the ring area 402 is made of
TPR and the
weighted area 404 includes a sealed, internal pocket capable of being filled
with material that
is heavier than water (e.g. sand). The ring toy 400 may also include a
plurality of soft bristles
406.
When placed in a pool, the weighted area 404 sinks to the bottom of the pool
and
keeps the ring toy 400 submerged. However, as the TPR ring area 402 is made of
buoyant
TPR, the ring area 402 is still buoyant and extends upwardly from the weighted
area 404,
maintaining the ring area 402 in an upright position and enabling a child to
more easily grab
the ring toy 400. Also, according to one embodiment, as the TPR ring area 402
is lighter than
water, the TPR ring area 402 may become "animated" by the movement of water
around it
(i.e. by moving currents or waves in the water) and provide a unique
demonstrable kinetic
animated effect.
FIG. 5 illustrates an image of another embodiment of the current invention.
FIG. 5
illustrates a vehicle toy 500. The vehicle toy 500 consists of a TPR area 502
and a weighted
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area 504, molded as a unit. According to one embodiment, the weighted area 504
includes a
sealed, internal pocket capable of being filled with material that is heavier
than water (e.g.
sand). The TPR area 502 and the weighted area 504 are molded together.
When placed in a pool, the weighted area 504 sinks and keeps the vehicle toy
500
submerged. However, as the TPR area 502 is made of buoyant TPR, the TPR area
502 floats
and extends upwardly from the weighted area 504, maintaining the TPR area 502
in an
upright position. Also, according to one embodiment, as the TPR area 502 is
lighter than
water, the TPR area 502 may become animated by the movement of water around it
(i.e. by
moving currents or waves in the water) and provide a unique demonstrable
kinetic animated
effect..
FIG. 6 illustrates an image of another embodiment of the current invention.
FIG. 6
illustrates a stick toy or dive stick 600. The stick toy 600 comprises a TPR
stick area 602
molded into the shape of a tube, a lower portion 604 and an upper portion 606.
The TPR stick
area 602, the lower portion 604 and the upper portion 606 are sealed together
to form a
pocket including an interior region capable of being filled with material that
is heavier than
water (e.g. sand). The lower portion 604 and upper portion 606 are fluidly
connected via the
TPR stick area 602.According to one embodiment, the heavier-than-water
material is capable
of freely moving between the lower portion 604, the upper portion 606 and the
stick area 602.
For example, in one embodiment, the heavier-than-water material may move so
that it is
located in the lower portion 604 and a portion of the stick area 602. In
another embodiment,
the heavier-than-water material may move completely into the lower portion 604
or upper
portion 606.
When placed in water, the heavier-than-water material included within the
stick toy
600 causes the stick toy 600 to sink and keeps the stick toy 600 submerged.
According to one
embodiment, if the heavier-than-water material moves entirely into the lower
portion 604 or
upper portion 606, the parts of the stick toy 600 that do not include the
heavier-than-water
material, being buoyant, will extend upward from the portion of the stick toy
600 including
the heavier-than-water material. For example, while submerged, if the heavier-
than-water
material is located entirely within the lower portion 604, then the stick area
602 and the upper
portion 606 will float and extend upwardly from the lower portion 604,
maintaining the stick
toy 600 in an upright position. Also, according to one embodiment, as the
stick toy 600 is
lighter than water (i.e., made of TPR), the upper portion 606 and stick area
602 may become
animated by the movement of water around them (e.g. by moving currents or
waves in the
water) and provide a unique demonstrable kinetic animated effect.
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As described above, the heavier-than-water material is sand; however, in other
embodiments, the heavier-than-water material may be any type of material that
is heavier
than water.
It is to be appreciated that by providing a soft, elastic and flexible
ThermoPlastic
Rubber (TPR) aquatic toy, the current invention avoids the safety problems
associated with
hard plastic toys, as described above. It also should be appreciated that,
through the use of
TPR, the current invention provides aquatic toys capable of being buoyant
without the need
for buoyancy pockets.
Having thus described at least one embodiment of the present disclosure,
various
alternations, modifications and improvements will readily occur to those
skilled in the art.
Such alterations, modifications and improvements are intended to be within the
scope and
spirit of the disclosure. Accordingly, the foregoing description is by way of
example only
and is not intended to be limiting. The disclosure's limit is defined only in
the following
claims and equivalents thereto.
What is claimed is:
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