US20090061727A1

US20090061727A1 - Bubble-blowing wand

Info

Publication number: US20090061727A1
Application number: US12/148,856
Authority: US
Inventors: JP Styles
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-08-30
Filing date: 2008-04-23
Publication date: 2009-03-05

Abstract

A bubble wand having a hilt and a disc for blowing bubbles therethrough is provided. The disc can be removably connected to the hilt. The hilt can also comprise a removable base, and have a hollow chamber disposed therein. The base can be removed, so that items can be stored in the hollow chamber, such as coins, or other bubble wands. The hilt can also be disassembled into separate components.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The following application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/966,808, filed on Aug. 30, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Bubble-blowing wands have long been very popular toys. There is an ongoing need for new wands that provide new sources of entertainment for their users, which are typically children. The present disclosure provides a novel wand for blowing bubbles, that can be adapted for other uses as well.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Thus, in one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a bubble wand comprising a disc having at least one hole for blowing bubbles therethrough, and a hilt,
wherein the disc is removably connected to the hilt.
In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a bubble wand. The bubble wand comprises a disc having at least one hole for blowing bubbles therethrough, a pair of tongs, wherein the disc is removably connected to the pair of tongs, a handle, wherein the pair of tongs are connected to the handle, and a base, wherein the base is removably connected to the handle at an end of the handle opposite the pair of tongs.
In yet another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a bubble wand that comprises a disc having at least one hole for blowing bubbles therethrough, a pair of tongs, wherein said disc is removably connected to said pair of tongs, a handle, wherein said pair of tongs are connected to said handle, and a base, wherein said base is operably connected to said handle at an end of said handle opposite said pair of tongs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is front view of a bubble wand of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bubble wand of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the bubble wand of FIG. 1, having a shorter handle;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the bubble wand of FIG. 1, having an insert disposed within the disc;

FIG. 5 is a front view of several embodiments of the insert of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of the bubble wand of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a third embodiment of the hilt of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a front view of a fourth embodiment of the bubble wand of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the bubble wand of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a fifth embodiment of the bubble wand of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a sixth embodiment of the bubble wand of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a front view of a seventh embodiment of the bubble wand of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 13 is a front view of an eighth embodiment of the bubble wand of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure provides a bubble wand that can comprise at least two detachable pieces, namely a disc and a hilt. The disc is removably attached to the hilt in a manner described in further detail below. The discs and hilts of one wand can be interchangeable with discs and hilts of other wands. When placed in bubble making solution, the disc is able to produce bubbles. This can be accomplished with one of two possible methods. First, with or without attaching the disc to the hilt, users can dip or submerge the disc in a bubble solution, and create bubbles simply by blowing through it. The user can also attach the disc to the hilt, dip or submerge the disc in the bubble solution, and can create bubbles by waving the hilt. The wand can be made of a variety of materials, including but not limited to plastic, vinyl, or metal. The hilt and disc can also be made of different materials. For example, the hilt can be made of metal, while the disc is made of plastic, or vice versa.
Referring to FIG. 1, a wand 10 of the present disclosure is shown. Wand 10 can have disc 20 and hilt 30. Disc 20 is substantially circular. Hilt 30 comprises a handle 32, a pair of tongs 40, and a pommel or base 50. Although disc 20 is circular in all of the embodiments discussed below, other shapes for disc 20 are contemplated by the present disclosure, including square, elliptical, oval, etc. When disc 20 is dipped in bubble solution, the solution remains within inner diameter 21, and the user can blow on inner diameter 21 to create bubbles.
Tongs 40 are connected to handle 32. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, tongs 40 are permanently connected to handle 32. However, as will be discussed in further detail below, tongs 40 can also be removably connected to handle 32. As shown in FIG. 2, disc 20 can connect to tongs 40 through a snap-fit connection. Tongs 40 have a channel 42 disposed therein. Channel 42 has a pair of interior walls 44, at least one of which has a raised edge 46. When disc 20 is connected to tongs 40, outer edge 22 of disc 20 is inserted into channel 42 of tongs 40. Raised edge 46 then engages groove 24, which is disposed on a face of disc 20, so that disc 20 is held in place. The connection between edges 46 and grooves 24 is such that disc 20 can be rotated about its center and within channel 42 while connected to tongs 40. In the shown embodiment, there are two raised edges 46. There are also two grooves 24, one each disposed on either face of disc 20. Although the connection between disc 20 and tongs 40 is shown as a snap fit, other methods of connection are contemplated by the present disclosure, such as a friction or pressure fit. In any case, the connection between disc 20 and hilt 30, or tongs 40, is such that disc 20 can rotate with respect to the hilt 30 or tongs 40, while still remaining connected.
Tongs 40 can also have a pair of tabs 48, which provide additional stability for disc 20 when it is connected to tongs 40. Tabs 48 can each have an additional raised edge 49 disposed thereon. When disc 20 is connected to tongs 40 in the manner described above, edges 49 engage with a second groove 26 disposed on the face of disc 20. In the shown embodiment, there are two second grooves 26, one each disposed on either face of disc 20.
Disc 20 can also have a plurality of teeth 28 disposed along a surface of the inner diameter 21. Teeth 28 can help to retain the bubble solution within inner diameter 21, when disc 20 is dipped in bubble solution.
Besides being able to produce bubbles, disc 20 can be used to play a wide assortment of games, including spinning disc 20 on its edge, like a spinning top, using disc 20 as a Frisbee-style flying disc, using disc 20 as a puck for knocking down pins when playing a variant of the game bowling, using disc 20 in skelzies, which is a similar game to marbles, using disc 20 to play marbles, and using disc 20 as a game piece in the game of checkers.
Referring to FIG. 3, a second embodiment of wand 10 is shown. In this embodiment, handle 32 of hilt 30 is much shorter than handle 32 as shown in FIG. 1. The present disclosure contemplates a variety of lengths for handle 32, including those significantly longer than that shown in FIG. 1.
Referring to FIG. 4, a variety of inserts that can be placed in inner diameter 21 of disc 20 are shown. One embodiment of insert 60, for example, shown inside inner diameter 21, has a large center hole with four additional holes dispersed along the outside. Insert 60 can therefore provide a variety of different sized bubbles after being dipped in bubble solution. Insert 60 can connect to disc 20 with a snap-fit, pressure or friction fit, or any other method suitable for connecting the two components. As shown in FIG. 5, insert 60 can have a variety of hole patterns disposed thereon, including a three-by-three square, four-by-four square, a snowflake-type shape, or a small center hole surrounded by four larger holes. The present disclosure contemplates a wide variety of arrangements for holes disposed in insert 60.
Referring to FIG. 6, in one embodiment wand 10 can be disassembled into a plurality of separate parts as shown. Tongs 40, for example, can have a first part 41 and a second part 43, which can be connected to handle 32. The method of connection can be with a pin fastener 49, which connects first part 41 and second part 43 to the components of hilt 30 discussed below. This connection can also be done without such a fastener, and first part 41 and second part 43 can connect to handle 32 with other connection methods, such as a snap fit, pressure fit, or friction fit.
In addition, handle 32 can have a first part 34 and a second part 36, which can be connected to each other and to first part 41 and second part 43 of tongs 40. As with the components of tongs 40 discussed above, first part 34 and second part 36 of handle 32 can be connected to each other and tongs 40 in any number of ways, such as with mechanical fasteners, or a snap fit, pressure fit, or friction fit connection.
Pommel 50 can also be detachable from wand 10, and have first part 52 and second part 54. First part 52 and second part 54 of pommel 50 can have an opening in the top portions thereof, so that first part 34 and second part 36 of handle 32 can be placed therein. Pommel 50 can be connected to handle 32 with any of the connection methods described above for tongs 40 and handle 32. Thus, in this manner, wand 10 can be disassembled for more portable use.
Referring to FIG. 7, a second method for disassembling wand 10 is shown. Wand 10 can have a first part 12 and a second part 14, which split wand 10 along its longitudinal axis. First part 12 and second part 14 can be connected to each other through any of several connection methods, such as with mechanical fasteners, a snap fit, a pressure fit, or a friction fit.
Referring to FIGS. 8-9, another embodiment of wand 10 is shown. In this embodiment, pommel 50 is detachable from hilt 30, and has a smaller-sized wand 110 removably connected thereto. Pommel 50 can connect to the base of handle 32 through a snap-fit or pressure-fit type connection. When pommel 50 is connected to handle 32 in this manner, wand 110 is disposed within a hollow space inside handle 32. Wand 110 also has a removable disc 120, and functions in a similar manner to wand 10. Wand 110 can either be permanently connected to pommel 50, or can be removably connected, as shown. Wand 110 can also be loosely disposed within the hollow space within handle 32.
Referring to FIG. 10, another embodiment of wand 10 is shown. Here, pommel 50 has tray 56 connected thereto. When pommel 50 is connected to handle 32, tray 56 is disposed within a hollow space inside handle 32. Items such as small toys, coins, etc. can be stored on tray 56 and within handle 32.
Referring to FIG. 11, another embodiment of wand 10 is shown. In this embodiment, pommel 50 can hinge about a fixed point 51 and move to one side, revealing a compartment disposed within handle 32. As is also shown in FIG. 11, pommel 50 can also be completely removed, to reveal the hidden compartment.
Referring to FIG. 12, another embodiment of tray 56 is shown. In this embodiment, tray 56 is disposed within handle 32, and can be pulled out to one side of handle 32. Tray 56 can have a grooved or latched portion 57 that can allow a user to pull tray 56 out to the side of handle 32. Tray 56 can be attached to pommel 50, so that such a movement would also cause pommel 50 to rotate. Alternatively, tray 56 can be moved independently of handle 32 or pommel 50. As seen in FIG. 13, handle 32 can also have a side wall 38 that can be opened, to reveal an inner compartment. Side wall 38 can rotate about a hinge 39.
While the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A bubble-blowing wand, comprising:

a disc having a hole for blowing bubbles therethrough; and

a hilt,

wherein said disc is removably connected to said hilt.

2. The bubble-blowing wand of claim 1, wherein said hilt further comprises a pair of tongs and a handle connected to said pair of tongs, wherein said disc is removably connected to said pair of tongs.

3. The bubble-blowing wand of claim 2, wherein said disc is connected to said pair of tongs with a pressure or friction fit.

4. The bubble-blowing wand of claim 2, wherein said pair of tongs have interior walls with at least one raised edge disposed thereon, and

wherein said disc has a groove disposed thereon, so said raised edge of said interior walls engages said groove of said disc, when said disc is connected to said pair of tongs.

5. The bubble-blowing wand of claim 4, wherein said pair of tongs further comprise a pair of tabs having at least one second raised edge disposed thereon, so that said second raised edge engages a second groove disposed on said disc, when said disc is connected to said pair of tongs.

6. The bubble-blowing wand of claim 1, wherein said disc has a plurality of teeth disposed about an inner surface of said hole.

7. The bubble-blowing wand of claim 1, further comprising an insert removably connected to said hole of said disc.

8. The bubble-blowing wand of claim 2, wherein said pair of tongs is removably connected to said handle.

9. The bubble-blowing wand of claim 2, further comprising a base connected to said handle at an end of said handle opposite said tongs.

10. The bubble-blowing wand of claim 9, wherein said base is removably connected to said handle.

11. The bubble-blowing wand of claim 2, wherein said handle comprises two separate components that are removably connected to each other.

12. A bubble-blowing wand, comprising:

a disc having at least one hole for blowing bubbles therethrough;

a pair of tongs, wherein said disc is removably connected to said pair of tongs;

a handle, wherein said pair of tongs are connected to said handle; and

a base, wherein said base is removably connected to said handle at an end of said handle opposite said pair of tongs.

13. The bubble-blowing wand of claim 12, wherein said handle has a hollow chamber disposed therein, and wherein said base has a second bubble-blowing wand connected thereto, so that said second bubble-blowing wand is disposed within said hollow chamber, when said base is connected to said handle.

14. The bubble-blowing wand of claim 13, wherein said second bubble-blowing wand comprises:

a second pair of tongs, and

a second disc having at least one hole for blowing bubbles therethrough, wherein said second disc is removably connected to said second pair of tongs.

15. The bubble-blowing wand of claim 12, wherein said handle has a hollow chamber disposed therein, and said base has a tray connected thereto, so that said tray is disposed within said hollow chamber, when said base is connected to said handle.

16. A bubble-blowing wand, comprising:

a disc having at least one hole for blowing bubbles therethrough;

a handle, wherein said pair of tongs are connected to said handle; and

a base, wherein said base is operably connected to said handle at an end of said handle opposite said pair of tongs.

17. The bubble-blowing wand of claim 16, wherein said base rotates about a fixed point on said end of said handle to reveal a hollow chamber disposed within said handle.

18. The bubble-blowing wand of claim 16, wherein said handle has a hollow chamber disposed therein, and said base has a tray connected thereto and disposed within said hollow chamber, and wherein said tray can be at least partially removed from a side of said hollow chamber.

19. The bubble-blowing wand of claim 2, wherein said disc can rotate within said pair of tongs, when disc is connected to said pair of tongs.

20. The bubble-blowing wand of claim 4, wherein said disc can rotate within said pair of tongs, when disc is connected to said pair of tongs.