BUBBLE TOY WITH A PIVOTABLE TOPPER

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of provisional application no. 63/721,796 filed on November 18, 2024 (which is pending). All publications, patents and patent applications referred to herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to a bubble toy that includes an adjustable topper. More specifically, the topper is secured to a handle on a hinge, which allows the topper and its internal components to pivot and remain positioned at various angles without affecting bubble production.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bubble toys, such as bubble wands and bubble blasters exist. However, these known toys are fixed meaning that all components of these toys are stationary or only one portion of a topper is moveable. For example, if the topper is the shape of a character or animal, only the lower or upper jaw is moveable. However, the entirety of the topper is not moveable as moving the entire topper disrupts bubble production. Therefore, the user is limited in the direction in which it can shoot bubbles or transmit a signal because the bubble nozzle is fixed and not pivotable in multiple directions. Accordingly, this significantly limits the enjoyment of the toy as the toy is not interactive, and users cannot change the direction in which the bubbles shoot. For example, if the user is immersed in an interactive bubble play, they can only blow bubbles and transmit and receive signals in one direction, which is limiting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A bubble toy with a pivotable topper, wherein the pivotable topper includes a first and second shell that secure together. The first shell includes a first wheel on an inside surface thereof, which includes a first and second notch and the second shell includes a second wheel on an inside surface thereof. A handle includes a first and second casing with a first and second end, wherein the first end of the first casing includes a first wheel cover with a third notch, and the first end of the second casing includes a second wheel cover. The first and second shell of the topper secure around the first ends of the first and second casing so that the first wheel connects to the first wheel cover and the second wheel connects to the second wheel cover. A trigger slider is secured within the first casing and includes a clasp and a push button, wherein the clasp inserts into the first, second and third notches. When the clasp is inserted within the first and third notches, the topper is secured at about a ninety-degree angle from the handle. When the clasp is inserted into the second and third notches the topper is secured at about a one-hundred-and-eighty-degree angle. A bubble solution container affixable into the second ends of the first and second casings. A bubble engine is secured within the topper and includes a bubble nozzle that extends through a surface of the first and second shell when secured together. A bubble solution channel includes a first end, which is submerged within the bubble solution container and a second end, which connects to the bubble nozzle within the topper.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a right side perspective view of a bubble toy with a handle secured between a bubble solution container and a pivotable topper.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the bubble toy shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a back view of the bubble toy shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the bubble toy shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of the bubble toy shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 shows a right side view of the bubble toy shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 shows a left side view of the bubble toy shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of the bubble toy shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 shows a right side cross-section view of the bubble toy shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 shows a left side cross-section view of the bubble toy shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 shows a perspective right side open-faced view the pivotable topper of the bubble toy shown in FIG. 1 with the topper locked in a first position.

FIG. 12 shows a right side open-faced view of the pivotable topper of the bubble toy shown in FIG. 1 with the topper locked in a second position

FIG. 13 shows a left side perspective view of the bubble toy shown in FIG. 1 with an open-faced view of the pivotable topper.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-10 and 13 show various views of a bubble toy 15, which includes a handle 50 secured between a bubble solution container 97 and a pivotable topper 16. FIGS. 11 and 12 show the critical connection between the topper and the handle, which allows the topper to pivot and remain locked at different angles while simultaneously producing bubbles. As shown in FIGS. 1-13, the topper is the shape of a dinosaur head, which should not be construed as limiting as the topper can be any shape so long as it has distinct portions. Here, the distinct portions are a mouth portion 21 and a head portion 19, see FIGS. 1, 4, 6-7 and 11-12. The handle secures within the head portion of the handle and the mouth portion includes a bubble nozzle 23 with a bubble emitter 20 directed out a front surface thereof along with a first LED 42 a transmitter 46 and a receiver 44, see FIGS. 1-2, and 4-13. Advantageously, the pivotable topper allows a user to shoot bubbles, direct light and transmit and receive signals in multiple directions and at different angles while comfortably holding the handle of the toy. Furthermore, it allows a user to manually change the direction of the topper to more easily send and receive signals from nearby devices.

As shown in FIGS. 1-13, the topper 16 is the shape of a dinosaur head with a first shell 17 secured to a second shell 18 via screws 25, see FIG. 8, which securement forms an internal compartment. As the topper is the shape of a dinosaur head, when the first and second shell are secured together they form a head portion 19 and a mouth portion 21. An inside surface of the first and second shell are manufactured to include specific moldings within the compartment, so the components housed therein are secured in place when the first and second shell are secured together. The mouth portion includes a speaker 37, and bubble engine 22 with a bubble nozzle 23, which extends through a surface of the first and second shell when they are secured together. The nozzle placement is beneficial as it is directed and points in various directions when the topper pivots. As shown in FIGS. 8-13 secured the bubble engine includes an outer enclosure 24 into which the various engine components are secured. This enclosure ensures that bubble solution does not leak into other components of the toy and also secures the internal components in place avoiding shifting from movement. More specifically, the bubble engine is positioned in the mouth portion of the dinosaur head, and away from the connection of the topper to the handle, which occurs in the head portion. As shown in FIGS. 8-13, the bubble engine includes a motor 26 that is connected to and positioned between a fan 28 and a worm gear. When the motor rotates, it simultaneously rotates the fan at the precise rate necessary to produce air to push bubbles through the nozzle and rotates the worm gear at the precise rate to pump bubble solution through a peristaltic pump 32. The pump includes two rollers affixed to a pump gear, which a solution channel 96 wraps around. The pump gear interlocks to the worm gear, which all rotate at the precise rate to pump the precise amount of solution to the nozzle when the solution channel is squeezed by the rollers. The gear of the peristaltic pump is also connected to a drive shaft 34 which extends to an inside surface of the nozzle and includes a wiper 36, see FIGS. 2, 9 and 11-12. This wiper rotates around 360 degrees inside of the nozzle to create a film within the nozzle, which film is blown into bubbles through the nozzle via air from the fan. More specifically, when the enclosure is manufactured, it includes an air duct 30 that extends from the fan the nozzle, allowing a direct air flow from the fan to the inside of the nozzle, see FIGS. 8-13. The solution channel 96 is tubular and includes a first and second end with a body section therebetween, see FIG. 8. The first end is submerged within the solution container 97 and the body section extends through a solution container cover 99 into the handle and along a second casing 52 of the handle. Traveling along this side of the handle is advantageous as it contains fewer internal components than the other side and is critical to the solution channel remaining unaffected by the pivoting topper. The channel extends into the topper through a specific outlet 31 that is formed when a first and second wheel cover (64, 66) are secured together in the head portion of the topper, see FIGS. 8 and 13. This route is critical as it allows for sufficient internal clearance for routing of the solution channel as there are no internal structures or components that block the solution channel, even when the topper is pivoting. The solution channel extends from the outlet and into the peristaltic pump within the enclosure and connects on the second end to the nozzle, where it distributes bubble solution at a predetermined rate. The wiper then rotates this bubble solution into a film, which is pushed through a nozzle emitter via the air from the fan to create bubbles.

As shown in FIGS. 8-13, further secured within the topper 16 is a printed circuit board assembly 38 (“PCBA”) with various light emitting diodes 40 (“LEDs”) affixed and electrically connected thereto. These LEDs illuminate the topper from within making the dinosaur appear more life-like. This PCBA controls the activation of various components within the topper. For example, a nozzle LED 42 is secured adjacent to the bubble nozzle 23 in the mouth portion 21 of the topper and protrudes therethrough when the first shell 17 and second shell 18 are secured together. The nozzle LED advantageously illuminates the bubbles when they are emitted from the nozzle emitter 20 and also act as a flashlight in the dark. Further secured within the topper through a surface of the first and second shell is a receiver 44, and a transmitter 46, such as an infrared receiver and transmitter. The toy 15 sends and receives signals, which activates various features of the toy, such as sound played through a speaker 37, illumination of the LEDs and/or bubble production. Moreover, advantageously, since the topper rotates from about a ninety-degree angle all the way to a one-hundred-and-eighty-degree angle from the handle, the user can change the angle at which it is pointing the bubbles, the nozzle LED and the receiver and transmitter for easier gameplay. The PCBA is electrically connected a slide switch PCBA 100 within the handle 50, which instructs the activation of the illumination of the LEDs secured to the PCBA and the nozzle LED, along with playing a sound through the speaker and activation of the transmitter to send a signal and the receiver to detect a signal to instruct activation of features the toy.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, 6-10 and 13 the handle 50 includes a first casing 51 and a second casing 52, which are secured tougher via screws 49, see FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 8, the front and back casing each have a body portion (53, 54) that is located between a first end (55, 56) and a second end (57, 58). The user holds the toy 15 around the body portions; the first ends secure into the head portion 19 of the pivotable topper 16 and the bubble solution container 97 affixes into the second ends. More specifically, when assembled, the first and second casings secure together and the first and second shell (17, 18) of topper secure together around the first ends of the casings. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 9-12, the first ends of the first and second casings of the handle secure together within the head portion of the first second shell of the topper. This connection is critical to the topper pivoting, while not interfering with the bubble solution channel, which extends through this connection to reach the bubble engine 22 that is located within the mouth portion 21 of the topper. As shown in FIGS. 8-13, an inside surface of the head portion of the first and second casing of the topper each include a wheel (60, 62) through which a screw post 59 extends. This screw post acts as a central axis about which the topper pivots and a screw extends therethrough, which holds together the topper and first ends of the casings. As shown in FIGS. 8-13, the screw post is positioned to align with and extends through the wheel of the first shell though the wheel covers (64, 66) of the first ends of the casings and to the wheel of the second shell. As shown in FIG. 13, once assembled, the head portion of the first and second shell are secured around the first ends of the first and second casings via a screw, which is secured within the screw post, which spans from the wheel of the first shell through the wheel covers of the first and second casing and to the wheel of the second shell. As shown in FIGS. 8-12, neighboring the wheels on the first and second shell is an arched plate (61, 63), which mirrors the curve of the wheels. The arched plates extend from a back wall of the head portion of the first and second shells to a location between the head and mouth portion. Like the wheel, the arched plate forms part of an internal surface of the front and back shell when manufactured. As shown in FIGS. 9-12, while the arched plates are adjacent to the wheels and follow the same curve, there is gap (45, 47) therebetween for the securement of the wheel covers, see FIGS. 8-10 and 13. As shown in FIGS. 8-10 and 13, the first ends of the first and second casing of the handle each include a wheel cover with a u-shaped portion (65, 67) thereunder. When the toy 15 is assembled, the wheel cover of the first casing slides into the gap formed between the arched plate and the first wheel of the first shell and the wheel cover of the second casing slides into the gap formed between the arched plate and the second wheel of the second shell. When assembled, the u-shaped portions of the first ends of the first and second casing also secure within the head portion of the topper and specifically align with topper lock assemblies (80, 81). As shown in FIG. 8, to further aid in ensuring that the topper remains locked at the various pivoted angles, the first and second shells (17, 18) of the topper each include a topper lock assembly. More specifically, a back inside surface of the head portion of the first and second shells includes a specifically molded section for these lock assemblies. As shown in FIG. 8, each lock assembly includes a lock box (82, 83) with a rounded end pin (84, 85) and a spring (86, 87) secured between the manufactured spot and lock box. Secured to an outer surface of each of the u-shaped portions is a lock cover (88, 89) that includes an opening into which the rounded end pin fits, see FIGS. 8 and 13. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 13, the pin perfectly aligns with a first pivot slot (90, 91) and second pivot slot (92, 93) secured between a track (94, 95) that forms part of an outer surface of u-shaped portions (65, 67). More specifically, there are two pivot slots that correspond with the angles of the pivoting topper and track therebetween. More pivot slots are possible if the topper is to be pivoted and locked at more than two angles. When the topper is pivoting, the rounded end pin is docked or lodged in the respective pivot slot. The pivot slots are of a specific depth so that the rounded end pin is undocked or dislodged easily with angular force. These lock assemblies are advantageous as they aid in keeping the topper locked and sturdy at different angles.

As shown in FIGS. 8, and 11-12, the wheel 60 on the first shell 17 includes a first notch 68 and a second notch 69. The first notch aligns with a third notch 70 that is within the wheel cover 64 of the first end 55 of the first casing 51, see FIGS. 8 and 11-13. As shown in FIGS. 8, 10-13 these notches are all sized for a clasp 71, which is inserted into these notches depending on the angle at which the topper is pivoted. For example, see FIGS. 11 and 12, when the topper 16 is at about a ninety-degree angle from the handle 50, meaning the dinosaur head and nozzle 23 is facing forward, the clasp is within the first notch of the first wheel and the third notch on the first wheel cover. Further, at this position, the pins (84, 85) are lodged within the first pivot slots (90, 91), which locks the head in place at that angle. When a user wishes to pivot the topper and change the angle that it is facing, for instance straight up, they push a button 72 on the body portion 53 of the first casing, which releases the clasp from the first notch by pulling it downward through the first and third notches, see FIGS. 8, 10-11 and 13. The user can then manually maneuver the topper to pivot until it reaches the second notch, at which time the user would unrelease the button and the clasp would extend into the second notch and the third notch and keep the topper at that angle until the button is pressed again. Further, at this position, the pins slide along the tracks (94, 95) and become lodged within the second pivot slots (92, 93), which keeps the head in place at that angle.

As shown in FIGS. 8-13, the push button 72 is pushable via a spring 73 that presses the button into a hole 74 in a trigger slider 75. In addition to the hole, the trigger slider also includes a hook 76 and a second spring 77. The end of the trigger slider opposite of the push button includes the clasp 71. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 11, the push button includes a slanted rib 79 on a lower edge thereof which pushes the spring secured to the hook down, thereby pulling the trigger slider down and releasing the clasp to activate the pivoting aspect of the topper. When the button is unreleased, the clasp extends into the respective notches via the spring. As shown in FIG. 9-10, the trigger slider extends on an inside surface of the body 53 of the first casing 51 with the clasp extending through the first and second notch (68, 69) of the first wheel 60 and the third notch 70 of the first wheel cover 64. Connected to the hook is a spring, which wraps around the hook and is connected to a peg 78 located under the screw hole 59 of the wheel cover of the first casing, see FIGS. 8-10.

As shown in FIGS. 8-9 and 11-12, a bubble solution channel 96 is submerged within the solution container 97 through a solution container cap 99. The solution cap advantageously screws into the second ends (57, 58) of the first and second casing (51, 52) of the handle 50, which makes it easy to replenish when empty. The solution channel extends through the handle on the inside surface of the second casing 54 through the first end 56 of the second casing and through an outlet 31 that is formed by a top part of the first and second wheel covers (64, 66) when secured together, see FIGS. 8 and 13. The outlet is formed when the first and second wheel covers are secured together as each cover includes a slot (33, 35), so when connected together, the slots form an outlet through which the channel extends, see FIG. 8. The channel then extends into the peristaltic pump 32 and eventually connects to the nozzle 23 for bubble production. The location of the channel is critical as it travels through pivoting aspects of the toy 15, i.e., the handle and the topper without being squeezed or pinched off at any time. Therefore, bubbles are created regardless of the angle at which the topper is pivoted and even when the user is actively pivoting the topper. In addition, a recirculation channel 98 also extends from the inside of the nozzle and along the same path to advantageously return excess solution to the container without becoming pinched and clogged.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, 5-8, 10 and 13, in addition to the push button 72, which controls the pivoting aspects of the toy 15, secured between the body portion (53, 54) of the handle 50 is a lever 27 and a slide switch 48. The slide switch is a three-way slide switch and is electrically connected to a slide switch PCBA 100 secured within the handle. The positioning of the slide switch, whether up, down or in the middle, determines the mode of the toy. The slide switch PCBA is electrically connected to the motor 26 and the PCBA 38 with LEDS 40, the receiver 44, the transmitter 46 and the nozzle LED 42 secured within the mouth portion 21 of the topper 16. So, depending on how the toy is preprogrammed, when the user flicks the slide switch up, the LEDS illuminate in a unique pattern, and bubbles are produced through the bubble emitter 20. Further, a programmed sound is played through the speaker 37, which is also electrically connected to the slide switch PCBA and is secured within the mouth portion 21 of the topper 16. Any variation of functions and effects is possible from the toy 15 and is achieved through programming. When the switch is positioned in the middle, the toy is turned off. When the user slides the switch down, the toy enters an interactive mode, wherein the transmitter and receiver are in active mode and constantly ready to receive and send signals. One way in which the toy sends a signal is via the pulling of the trigger 27. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the trigger is secured within the handle via a trigger clutch 29 and trigger torsion spring 39, which allows the trigger to be comfortably pulled inward toward the toy. When a user pulls the trigger, a knob 102 on the trigger comes into contact with a mechanical contact switch 41, which is secured within a specific distance from the knob so that it is contacted when the trigger is pulled, see FIGS. 9 and 10. When the mechanical contact switch is contacted by the knob, it activates the IR transmitter to automatically send a signal when the toy is in interactive mode. It also activates the speaker to play a sound to indicate that a signal was successfully sent. In addition, while in interactive mode, the receiver is in standby mode and ready to receive a signal, which activates all features of the toy depending on the signal received. As shown in FIGS. 8-10, the toy is powered via batteries 43, which are located within a battery compartment in the handle. These batteries are secured within the handle via a removeable compartment door 103. These batteries are electrically connected to the slide switch and power the toy when the switch is flicked up and down.

It is well recognized by persons skilled in the art that alternative embodiments to those disclosed herein, which are foreseeable alternatives, are also covered by this disclosure. The foregoing disclosure is not intended to be construed to limit the embodiments or otherwise to exclude such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements.