CA1243842A - Boat toy and method for making the same - Google Patents
Boat toy and method for making the sameInfo
- Publication number
- CA1243842A CA1243842A CA000475199A CA475199A CA1243842A CA 1243842 A CA1243842 A CA 1243842A CA 000475199 A CA000475199 A CA 000475199A CA 475199 A CA475199 A CA 475199A CA 1243842 A CA1243842 A CA 1243842A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- brackets
- pontoons
- raft
- pontoon
- depressions
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
- A63H23/00—Toy boats; Floating toys; Other aquatic toy devices
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- Toys (AREA)
Abstract
Boat Toy and Method for Making Same Abstract The floatable toy of this invention comprises a raft portion having longitudinally extending edges and two pontoons which comprise floatable, generally cylindrically shaped bodies, each having a longitudinal axis and each affixed to the raft adjacent to a longitudinal edge with the longitudinal axis of the pontoons parallel to said longitudinal edge. Means are provided for affixing the pontoons in such position to the raft, these means comprising arcuate brackets extending from each of the longitudinal edges. At least a portion of said brackets are adapted to cooperate with and interfit into depressions in the cylindrical wall of the pontoons to present a positive means for securing said pontoons to the raft portion.
Description
Boat Toy and Method for Making_Same Back~ound of_the Invention This invention relates to a floatable toy and in parti-cular a toy having the general configuration of a boat comprising a raft portion and being floatable by virtue of pontoons affixed to the raft.
Pontoon-supported boat~ for carrying passengers and cargo are, of cour6e, well known and their design and methods of manufacture are directed to the specific problems en-countered in fabricating such full size vessels. Examples of such designs are found in the patent art in U.S. Design Patent D-123,501; U.S. Patent 3,426,716; U.S. Patent 3,063,398; U.S. Patent 2,394,764; and ~.S. Patent
Pontoon-supported boat~ for carrying passengers and cargo are, of cour6e, well known and their design and methods of manufacture are directed to the specific problems en-countered in fabricating such full size vessels. Examples of such designs are found in the patent art in U.S. Design Patent D-123,501; U.S. Patent 3,426,716; U.S. Patent 3,063,398; U.S. Patent 2,394,764; and ~.S. Patent
2,077,526.
It is also known to produce toy boats comprising pontoons, such prior knowledge being exemplified by U.S. Patent 4,045,907.
The different problems associated with the design and manufacture of full size vessels as compared to toy boats are well illustrated by the above referred to prior art.
In the case of full size vessels, such considerations as safety, strength, hydrodynamics and the like are paramount. Accordingly, the means for fastening the pontoon to the remainder of the vessel are all designed with these factors in mind~ Thus, in U.S. Patent
It is also known to produce toy boats comprising pontoons, such prior knowledge being exemplified by U.S. Patent 4,045,907.
The different problems associated with the design and manufacture of full size vessels as compared to toy boats are well illustrated by the above referred to prior art.
In the case of full size vessels, such considerations as safety, strength, hydrodynamics and the like are paramount. Accordingly, the means for fastening the pontoon to the remainder of the vessel are all designed with these factors in mind~ Thus, in U.S. Patent
3,063,398 a T-shaped lug adapted to interfit wi~h and anchor a clamp carried by the body of ~he vessel is provided. In U.S. Patent 2,394,764 a complex arrangement of saddle and flange means interconnected with tie rods and trim buckles is provided. In U.S. 3,426,716 a split tube welded to a plate engages arcuate flanges depending ~ 3~
from the body of the vessel to secure the pontoon to the vessel.
In contrast with the a~orementioned designs, water-worthiness and strength are not the principle criteria in designing a toy boat. In many cases, the features which provide such attributes are actually detrimental in a toy in that they represent sharp edges and breakable elements which can be dangerous to a small, active child. Beyond ~uestion, they do not lend themselves to hi~h speed manu-facturing processes which are essential for the practical mass marketing of children's toys.
Thus, for example, in ~.S. Patent 4,045,907 for a toy boat, the simple solution suggested is to merely secure the pontoons to the body of the boat by gluing. The apparent simplicity of this design notwithstanding, several drawbacks are associated therewith. In the manufacturing process, the glue must be carefully registered and placed at the proper location and only at the proper location. Deposition of excess glue must be avoided. The drying process must be completed prior to further manufacture and packaging. All these steps greatly slow the manufacturing process. Additionally, the choice of glue ~or a toy boat to be used in a bathtub environment by a small child is extremely limited. Such choice is constrained when it is considered that the toy will be employed in hot soapy water which will tend to attack the glue seal. Needless to say, the issue of toxicity will also eliminate many otherwise useful glues.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improvement in a toy boat of this kind which is easy to assemble and avoids complex or dangerous elements.
_3_ ~3~
Sum~lary of the Invent _ In accordance with this invention, a floatable toy is provided which obviates the problems associated with the affixation of pontoons to a raft-like portion of the toy and specifically, avoids the problems of complex connect-ing means, gluing or requiring difficult assembly steps.
The floatable toy of this invention comprises a raft portion having longitudinally extending edges and two pontoons which comprise floatable, generally cylindrically shaped bodies, each having a longitudinal axis and each affixed to the raft adjacent to a longitudinal edge with the longitudinal axis of the pontoons parallel to said longitudinal edge. Means are provided for affixing the pontoons in such position to the raft, these means comprising arcuate brackets extending from each of the longitudinal edges. At least a portion of said brackets are adapted to cooperate with and interfit into depres~
sions in the cylindrical wall of the pontoons to present a positive means for securing said pontoons to the raft portion.
Preferably, a plurality of brackets are provided extending from each of the longitudinal edges of the raft with at least one of said brackets extending from the bottom portion of the raft and at least another of said brackets extending from the top portion of the raft to support the pontoon. It will be understood that as used herein the term "top", with respect to the raft, refers to the surface of the raft facing out of the water and the term "bottom", with respect to the raft, refers to the surface of the raft facing into the water. In a first embodiment, the brackets are each provided with a rib portion extend-ing radially from the inner circumferential surface towardthe center oE curvature of said brackets, the ribs being 3~4~
adapte~ to interfit into the depressions in the cylindri-cal walls of the pontoons. In another emboditnent, the entire bracket interfits into the depressions in the cylindrical walls of the pontoons to present a smooth ,, cylindrical s~rface comprising said bracket and said cylindrical walls of the pontoons.
In another aspect of this invention, the brackets are molded integrally with the body of ~he raft and, owing to the selection o~ materials of construction and the thick-ness of the brackets, have a sli~ht degree of flexibility.
Accordingly, the raft portion and the pontoons may be molded separately. To assemble the floatable toy, each pontoon may be axially aligned along one longitudinal edge and in front of said raft portion in a position whereby the pontoon is rotated out of its intended position of rotation when finally assembled. The pontoon may then be slid into position, parallel to and adjacent to the longi-tudinal edge of the raft and past the brackets which, owing to their flexible nature yield about the cylindrical walls of the pontoon. Because the pontoon has been rotated out of its intended position, the depressions in the cylindrical walls do not catch the brackets as the pontoon is slid into position. Once in its proper axial position, the pontoon may be rotated to align the depres-sions with the bracke~s which, again owing to their flexibility, will seat in the depressions to complete the assembly.
Accordin~ to a further broad aspec-t of the present invention -there is provided a flexible toy which comprises a raft portion having -two longi-tudinally extending edges. Each of the edges has a -top portion and a bo-ttom portion. Firs-t and second pontoons comprising floatable, generally cylindrically shaped bodies, each having a longitudinal axis ancl being defined in part by a cylindrical wall are affixed to -the -~a-;38~
raft po.rtion by suitable securement means. At least the first oE the pontoons has three depressions in its cylin-drical wall. The means to affix -the first of the pontoons to the raEt portion comprises -three arcuate brackets adjacent , one of -the two longi-tudinally extending edges of the raft portion. Two of the brackets extend from -the top portion of one of the two longitudinally ex-tending edges and the third of the brckets extends from the bot-tom portion of one of the two longitudinally extending edges. At least a portion of each of the three brackets is adapted to cooperate with and interfit into the depressions in the cylindrical wall of the first pontoon, -thereby securing the first pontoon to the raft portion.
From a still fur-ther broad aspec-t, the invention provides a method of assembling a floatable toy as described in the preceding paragraph. The method consists in providing flexible arcuate brackets extending from each of -the longitudinal edges, at least a portion of the brackets being adapted to cooperate with and interfit into the depressions in the cylindrical walls of the pontoons. The method also includes axially aligning each pontoon along one longitudinal edge and in front of the raft portion in a position of rotation out of its intended position when finally assembled.
The pontoon 1~ slid in axial position parallel to and adjacent the longitudinal edge of the raft and past the brackets. The pontoon is then rotated to align the depression with the bracket to seat the brackets into the depressions.
Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective, assembled view of a floatable toy embodying the teachings of this invention;
Fig. 2 is a perspective, exploded view of the floatable toy of Fig. l;
``` ~2~3~
Fig. 3 is a transverse, cross-sectional view of the float-able toy of Fig. 1, taken through line 3-3;
Fig. 4 is a transverse, cross-sectional view of the float-able toy of Fig. 1, taken through line 3-3 at a point in time intermediate to the process for assembling the toy.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment for the floating toy of this invention; and Fig. 6 is a transverse, cross-sectional view of the float-able toy of Fig. 5 taken through line 6-6.
Detailed Description of the Invention Referring now to the drawings, Figs. 1-3 depict, in per-spective assembled, perspective exploded and transverse cross-sectional views, respectively, a floatable toy 10 embodying the teachings of this invention.
The floatable toy 10 comprises a raft portion 12 having longitudinally extending edges 14 and 16. The raft portion 12 of toy 10 may include various additional structure to enhance the play value of the toy including, for example, a cabin like structure, a mast, a wheel house or the like. As d~picted in the drawings, the raft is provided with a plurality of appertures or depressions 22.
The floor of the depressions 22 are provided with drain holes 26. Various additional play-enhancing elements (not shown~ may be provided with the toy and adapted to fit within the appertures or depression such as, for example, trays, cups, sprinkling cans or the like.
The toy 10 is provided with ~wo pontoons 18 and 20, which are floatable and generally cylindrically shaped bodies each having a longitudinal axis A-A and B~B, respectively.
:~2~ iL2 In the assembled position as depicted in Figs. 1 and 3, the pontoons are affixed to the raft, each adjacent to a longitudinal edge, with the longitudinal axis of the pontoons parallel to said longitudinal edge. As best seen 5 in Fig. 3, a portion 19 of the cylindrical surface of the pontoons is flattened to better fit against the longitudi-nal edge of the raft.
In accordance with the teachings of the invention, the 10 means for affixing the pontoons to the raft comprise brackets extending from tha longitudinal edges of the raft, at least a portion of the brackets adapted for cooperating and interfitting with depressions in the cylindrical walls of the pontoons. As shown in Figs. 1-3, 15 upper brackets 28 are provided, integral with and extending from the top of the longitudinal edges of the raft. Lower brackets 30 are provided extending from the bottom of the longitudinal edge~ of the raft. Brackets 28 and 30 are arcuate to conform and fit closely to the 20 cylindrical walls of the pontoons. The brackets are pro--vided with rib portions 29 which extend circumferentially along the inner surface of the brackets and depend toward the center of curvature of the brackets. The term "inner surface" of the brackets will be understood to mean that A 25 surface facing toward the surface of the pontoons when the float~ble toy is assembled.
The rib portions 29 of the brackets are adapted to inter-fit into depressions 32 and 34 provided in top and bottom 30 portions of the pontoons. By so interfitting, the pon-toons are held securely to the raft portions.
In accordance with a further aspect of this invention, the design described herein lends itself to a simple, commer-35 cially practical means for assembly. Firstly, the brackets are selected to be constructed of a material and ~2~38~
-~7-to have ~ thickness such as to impart to the brackets a degree of Elexibility. In this connection, such flexi-bility shall mean that the brackets may be moved away from their intended position when the toy is in its assembled condition and may be biased to return to its intended position when the moving force is withdrawn.
To assemble the toy, each pontoon 18 and 20 is axially aligned along one longitudinal edge, e.g., edge 16 and in front of the raft portion, e.g., the end portion 36 of pontoon 18 is adjacent the raft corner 38. The pontoon at this poi~t in the process should be in a position of rotation about its axis away from its intended position of rotation when the toy is fully assembled. Preferably the pontoon is rotated 10 to 180 out of its intended posi-tion and more preferably 45 ~o 135. The pontoon is then slid into a position parallel to and adjacent to the longitudinal edge of the raft and past the brackets and rib portions which, owing to their flexibility, yield about the cylindrical walls of the pontoon. Because the pontoon has been rotated, the depressions in the cylindri-cal walls do not interfere and catch the rib portions of the brackets as the pontoon is slid into position. Once in the proper axial position, the pontoon may be rotated to align the depressions with the rib portions of the brackets which, again owing to their flexibility, will seat into the depressions and present the assembled pontoon.
Fig. 4 depicts the partially assembled toy, in a trans-verse cross-sectional view similar to that of Fig. 3, at a point in the assembly wherein pontoons 18 and 20 have been aligned with l~ngitudinal edges 16 and 14, respectively, and the brackets 28 and 30 are out o~ alignment with depressions 32 and 34 (not shown). As shall be understood from the above discussion, by now rotating the pontoons 31~4~
about their longitudinal axes, the depressions may be brought into alignment with the bracket and the brackets will seat therein, reducing the -toy to the asc~embled position shown in Figs. 1 and 3.
Referring now to Figs. 5 and 6, illustrated therein are perspective and transverse cross-sectional views of an alternate embodiment for the floatable toy of this inven-tion.
The floatable toy 40 again comprises a raft portion 42 having longitudinally extending edges 44 and 46. The toy is provided with two pontoons 48 and 50 having the same general shape as those described in connection with Fig.
1. Brackets 52 and 54 are provided extending rom longi-tudinal edges 44 and 46 of the raft portion 42, but unlike those of Fig. 1, the brackets of this embodiment are not provided with depending ribs. Instead the inner surface of braclcets 52 and 54 are smooth. The pontoons 48 and 50 are provided with depressions 56 and 58 adapted to have the entire brackets 52 and 54 interfit therein. The depth and shape of the depression axe provided such that when the brackets are interfitted and the floatable toy is in its assembled position, the brackets and the cylindrical walls of the pontoons will present a smooth cylindrical surface.
It will be understood that while the embodimen~s shown in the drawings illustrate two top brackets and one lower bracket, many other combinations are possible and will still meet the design critera prescribed herein. Thu~, for example, one top bracket and two bottom bracXets will be effective. Similarly, the brackets may be of uneven size and, in some instances, the top bracket may simply be elongated and only one will suffice. In the preferred embodiments, a plurality of brackets are employed with at JB~-236 g ~Z~3~
leas-t one of such being a top bracket and at least another being a bottom bracket. Need:Less to say, whatever the configuration of the brackets, the depression in the walls of the pontoons may be varied to conform thereto.
A wide choice of materials are suitable for use as the materials of construction for the toy including, for example, metals, water proof paper or boards, or even, in part, wood. Preferably however, the materials of choice are polymers which exhibit thermoplastic behavior, e.g., "plastics" such as polyolefins, e.g., polypropylene or polyethylene. Preferably the raft portion and its extending brackets are molded together using injection molding techniques. The pontoons are preferably molded by utilizing blow molding techniques, particularly when the raft portion is floatable by virtue of the pontoons being hollow.
from the body of the vessel to secure the pontoon to the vessel.
In contrast with the a~orementioned designs, water-worthiness and strength are not the principle criteria in designing a toy boat. In many cases, the features which provide such attributes are actually detrimental in a toy in that they represent sharp edges and breakable elements which can be dangerous to a small, active child. Beyond ~uestion, they do not lend themselves to hi~h speed manu-facturing processes which are essential for the practical mass marketing of children's toys.
Thus, for example, in ~.S. Patent 4,045,907 for a toy boat, the simple solution suggested is to merely secure the pontoons to the body of the boat by gluing. The apparent simplicity of this design notwithstanding, several drawbacks are associated therewith. In the manufacturing process, the glue must be carefully registered and placed at the proper location and only at the proper location. Deposition of excess glue must be avoided. The drying process must be completed prior to further manufacture and packaging. All these steps greatly slow the manufacturing process. Additionally, the choice of glue ~or a toy boat to be used in a bathtub environment by a small child is extremely limited. Such choice is constrained when it is considered that the toy will be employed in hot soapy water which will tend to attack the glue seal. Needless to say, the issue of toxicity will also eliminate many otherwise useful glues.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improvement in a toy boat of this kind which is easy to assemble and avoids complex or dangerous elements.
_3_ ~3~
Sum~lary of the Invent _ In accordance with this invention, a floatable toy is provided which obviates the problems associated with the affixation of pontoons to a raft-like portion of the toy and specifically, avoids the problems of complex connect-ing means, gluing or requiring difficult assembly steps.
The floatable toy of this invention comprises a raft portion having longitudinally extending edges and two pontoons which comprise floatable, generally cylindrically shaped bodies, each having a longitudinal axis and each affixed to the raft adjacent to a longitudinal edge with the longitudinal axis of the pontoons parallel to said longitudinal edge. Means are provided for affixing the pontoons in such position to the raft, these means comprising arcuate brackets extending from each of the longitudinal edges. At least a portion of said brackets are adapted to cooperate with and interfit into depres~
sions in the cylindrical wall of the pontoons to present a positive means for securing said pontoons to the raft portion.
Preferably, a plurality of brackets are provided extending from each of the longitudinal edges of the raft with at least one of said brackets extending from the bottom portion of the raft and at least another of said brackets extending from the top portion of the raft to support the pontoon. It will be understood that as used herein the term "top", with respect to the raft, refers to the surface of the raft facing out of the water and the term "bottom", with respect to the raft, refers to the surface of the raft facing into the water. In a first embodiment, the brackets are each provided with a rib portion extend-ing radially from the inner circumferential surface towardthe center oE curvature of said brackets, the ribs being 3~4~
adapte~ to interfit into the depressions in the cylindri-cal walls of the pontoons. In another emboditnent, the entire bracket interfits into the depressions in the cylindrical walls of the pontoons to present a smooth ,, cylindrical s~rface comprising said bracket and said cylindrical walls of the pontoons.
In another aspect of this invention, the brackets are molded integrally with the body of ~he raft and, owing to the selection o~ materials of construction and the thick-ness of the brackets, have a sli~ht degree of flexibility.
Accordingly, the raft portion and the pontoons may be molded separately. To assemble the floatable toy, each pontoon may be axially aligned along one longitudinal edge and in front of said raft portion in a position whereby the pontoon is rotated out of its intended position of rotation when finally assembled. The pontoon may then be slid into position, parallel to and adjacent to the longi-tudinal edge of the raft and past the brackets which, owing to their flexible nature yield about the cylindrical walls of the pontoon. Because the pontoon has been rotated out of its intended position, the depressions in the cylindrical walls do not catch the brackets as the pontoon is slid into position. Once in its proper axial position, the pontoon may be rotated to align the depres-sions with the bracke~s which, again owing to their flexibility, will seat in the depressions to complete the assembly.
Accordin~ to a further broad aspec-t of the present invention -there is provided a flexible toy which comprises a raft portion having -two longi-tudinally extending edges. Each of the edges has a -top portion and a bo-ttom portion. Firs-t and second pontoons comprising floatable, generally cylindrically shaped bodies, each having a longitudinal axis ancl being defined in part by a cylindrical wall are affixed to -the -~a-;38~
raft po.rtion by suitable securement means. At least the first oE the pontoons has three depressions in its cylin-drical wall. The means to affix -the first of the pontoons to the raEt portion comprises -three arcuate brackets adjacent , one of -the two longi-tudinally extending edges of the raft portion. Two of the brackets extend from -the top portion of one of the two longitudinally ex-tending edges and the third of the brckets extends from the bot-tom portion of one of the two longitudinally extending edges. At least a portion of each of the three brackets is adapted to cooperate with and interfit into the depressions in the cylindrical wall of the first pontoon, -thereby securing the first pontoon to the raft portion.
From a still fur-ther broad aspec-t, the invention provides a method of assembling a floatable toy as described in the preceding paragraph. The method consists in providing flexible arcuate brackets extending from each of -the longitudinal edges, at least a portion of the brackets being adapted to cooperate with and interfit into the depressions in the cylindrical walls of the pontoons. The method also includes axially aligning each pontoon along one longitudinal edge and in front of the raft portion in a position of rotation out of its intended position when finally assembled.
The pontoon 1~ slid in axial position parallel to and adjacent the longitudinal edge of the raft and past the brackets. The pontoon is then rotated to align the depression with the bracket to seat the brackets into the depressions.
Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective, assembled view of a floatable toy embodying the teachings of this invention;
Fig. 2 is a perspective, exploded view of the floatable toy of Fig. l;
``` ~2~3~
Fig. 3 is a transverse, cross-sectional view of the float-able toy of Fig. 1, taken through line 3-3;
Fig. 4 is a transverse, cross-sectional view of the float-able toy of Fig. 1, taken through line 3-3 at a point in time intermediate to the process for assembling the toy.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment for the floating toy of this invention; and Fig. 6 is a transverse, cross-sectional view of the float-able toy of Fig. 5 taken through line 6-6.
Detailed Description of the Invention Referring now to the drawings, Figs. 1-3 depict, in per-spective assembled, perspective exploded and transverse cross-sectional views, respectively, a floatable toy 10 embodying the teachings of this invention.
The floatable toy 10 comprises a raft portion 12 having longitudinally extending edges 14 and 16. The raft portion 12 of toy 10 may include various additional structure to enhance the play value of the toy including, for example, a cabin like structure, a mast, a wheel house or the like. As d~picted in the drawings, the raft is provided with a plurality of appertures or depressions 22.
The floor of the depressions 22 are provided with drain holes 26. Various additional play-enhancing elements (not shown~ may be provided with the toy and adapted to fit within the appertures or depression such as, for example, trays, cups, sprinkling cans or the like.
The toy 10 is provided with ~wo pontoons 18 and 20, which are floatable and generally cylindrically shaped bodies each having a longitudinal axis A-A and B~B, respectively.
:~2~ iL2 In the assembled position as depicted in Figs. 1 and 3, the pontoons are affixed to the raft, each adjacent to a longitudinal edge, with the longitudinal axis of the pontoons parallel to said longitudinal edge. As best seen 5 in Fig. 3, a portion 19 of the cylindrical surface of the pontoons is flattened to better fit against the longitudi-nal edge of the raft.
In accordance with the teachings of the invention, the 10 means for affixing the pontoons to the raft comprise brackets extending from tha longitudinal edges of the raft, at least a portion of the brackets adapted for cooperating and interfitting with depressions in the cylindrical walls of the pontoons. As shown in Figs. 1-3, 15 upper brackets 28 are provided, integral with and extending from the top of the longitudinal edges of the raft. Lower brackets 30 are provided extending from the bottom of the longitudinal edge~ of the raft. Brackets 28 and 30 are arcuate to conform and fit closely to the 20 cylindrical walls of the pontoons. The brackets are pro--vided with rib portions 29 which extend circumferentially along the inner surface of the brackets and depend toward the center of curvature of the brackets. The term "inner surface" of the brackets will be understood to mean that A 25 surface facing toward the surface of the pontoons when the float~ble toy is assembled.
The rib portions 29 of the brackets are adapted to inter-fit into depressions 32 and 34 provided in top and bottom 30 portions of the pontoons. By so interfitting, the pon-toons are held securely to the raft portions.
In accordance with a further aspect of this invention, the design described herein lends itself to a simple, commer-35 cially practical means for assembly. Firstly, the brackets are selected to be constructed of a material and ~2~38~
-~7-to have ~ thickness such as to impart to the brackets a degree of Elexibility. In this connection, such flexi-bility shall mean that the brackets may be moved away from their intended position when the toy is in its assembled condition and may be biased to return to its intended position when the moving force is withdrawn.
To assemble the toy, each pontoon 18 and 20 is axially aligned along one longitudinal edge, e.g., edge 16 and in front of the raft portion, e.g., the end portion 36 of pontoon 18 is adjacent the raft corner 38. The pontoon at this poi~t in the process should be in a position of rotation about its axis away from its intended position of rotation when the toy is fully assembled. Preferably the pontoon is rotated 10 to 180 out of its intended posi-tion and more preferably 45 ~o 135. The pontoon is then slid into a position parallel to and adjacent to the longitudinal edge of the raft and past the brackets and rib portions which, owing to their flexibility, yield about the cylindrical walls of the pontoon. Because the pontoon has been rotated, the depressions in the cylindri-cal walls do not interfere and catch the rib portions of the brackets as the pontoon is slid into position. Once in the proper axial position, the pontoon may be rotated to align the depressions with the rib portions of the brackets which, again owing to their flexibility, will seat into the depressions and present the assembled pontoon.
Fig. 4 depicts the partially assembled toy, in a trans-verse cross-sectional view similar to that of Fig. 3, at a point in the assembly wherein pontoons 18 and 20 have been aligned with l~ngitudinal edges 16 and 14, respectively, and the brackets 28 and 30 are out o~ alignment with depressions 32 and 34 (not shown). As shall be understood from the above discussion, by now rotating the pontoons 31~4~
about their longitudinal axes, the depressions may be brought into alignment with the bracket and the brackets will seat therein, reducing the -toy to the asc~embled position shown in Figs. 1 and 3.
Referring now to Figs. 5 and 6, illustrated therein are perspective and transverse cross-sectional views of an alternate embodiment for the floatable toy of this inven-tion.
The floatable toy 40 again comprises a raft portion 42 having longitudinally extending edges 44 and 46. The toy is provided with two pontoons 48 and 50 having the same general shape as those described in connection with Fig.
1. Brackets 52 and 54 are provided extending rom longi-tudinal edges 44 and 46 of the raft portion 42, but unlike those of Fig. 1, the brackets of this embodiment are not provided with depending ribs. Instead the inner surface of braclcets 52 and 54 are smooth. The pontoons 48 and 50 are provided with depressions 56 and 58 adapted to have the entire brackets 52 and 54 interfit therein. The depth and shape of the depression axe provided such that when the brackets are interfitted and the floatable toy is in its assembled position, the brackets and the cylindrical walls of the pontoons will present a smooth cylindrical surface.
It will be understood that while the embodimen~s shown in the drawings illustrate two top brackets and one lower bracket, many other combinations are possible and will still meet the design critera prescribed herein. Thu~, for example, one top bracket and two bottom bracXets will be effective. Similarly, the brackets may be of uneven size and, in some instances, the top bracket may simply be elongated and only one will suffice. In the preferred embodiments, a plurality of brackets are employed with at JB~-236 g ~Z~3~
leas-t one of such being a top bracket and at least another being a bottom bracket. Need:Less to say, whatever the configuration of the brackets, the depression in the walls of the pontoons may be varied to conform thereto.
A wide choice of materials are suitable for use as the materials of construction for the toy including, for example, metals, water proof paper or boards, or even, in part, wood. Preferably however, the materials of choice are polymers which exhibit thermoplastic behavior, e.g., "plastics" such as polyolefins, e.g., polypropylene or polyethylene. Preferably the raft portion and its extending brackets are molded together using injection molding techniques. The pontoons are preferably molded by utilizing blow molding techniques, particularly when the raft portion is floatable by virtue of the pontoons being hollow.
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A flexible toy comprising:
a) a raft portion having two longitudinally extending edges, each of said edges having a top portion and a bottom portion, b) first and second pontoons comprising floatable, generally cylindrically shaped bodies, each having a longitudinal axis and being defined in part by a cylindrical wall, at least the first of said pontoons having three depressions in its cylindrical wall, and c) means for affixing each of said pontoons to said raft portion, the means for affixing the first of said pontoons to said raft portion comprising three arcuate brackets adjacent one of said two longitudinally extending edges of the raft portion, two of said brackets extending from the top portion of said one of said two longitudinally extending edges and the third of said brackets extending from the bottom portion of said one of said two longitudinally extending edges, at least a portion of each of said three brackets being adapted to cooperate with and interfit into the depressions in the cylindrical wall of said first pontoon, thereby securing said first pontoon to said raft portion.
2. A floatable toy according to Claim 1 in which each of the brackets adjacent said one of said two longitudinally extending edges is provided with a rib portion extending radially from the inner circumferential surface toward the center of curvature of said bracket, said ribs being the portion of said brackets adapted to cooperate with and interfit into said depressions in the cylindrical wall of said first pontoon.
3. A floatable toy according to Claim 1 in which each of the entire brackets adjacent said one of said two longitudinally extending edges interfits into the depressions in the cylindrical wall of said first pontoon.
4. The floatable toy of Claim 1 in which the second of said pontoons has three depressions in its cylindrical wall and the means for affixing the second of said pontoons to said raft portion comprises three arcuate brackets adjacent the other of said two longitudinally extending edges of the raft portion, two of said brackets extending from the top portion of said other of said two longitudinally extending edges and the third of said brackets extending from the bottom portion of said other of said two longitudinally extending edges, at least a portion of each of said three brackets being adapted to cooperate with and interfit into the depressions in the cylindrical wall of said second pontoon, thereby securing said second pontoon to said raft portion.
5. A floatable toy according to Claim 4 in which each of the entire brackets adjacent said first and second longitudinally extending edges interfits into the depressions in the cylindrical walls of said first and second pontoons.
7. The floatable toy of claim 6 wherein at least one bracket extends from the bottom portion of each longitudinal edge and another bracket extends from the top portion of said longitudinal edge.
8. The floatable toy of claim 6 wherein each bracket is provided with a rib portion extending radially from the inner circumference surface toward the center of curvature of said bracket, said ribs being the portion of said bracket adapted to cooperate with and interfit into said depression in the cylindrical walls of the pontoons.
9. The floatable toy of claim 6 wherein each of the entire brackets interfits into the depression in the cylindrical wall of the pontoon.
10. A method of assembling a floatable toy comprising a raft portion having longitudinally extending edges and two pontoons comprising floatable, generally cylindrically shaped bodies, each of said pontoons having a longitudinal axis and being defined in part by a cylindrical wall having a depression therein and each to be affixed to the raft portion adjacent to and parallel with a longitudinal edge comprising:
providing flexible arcuate brackets extending from each of said longitudinal edges, at least a portion of said brackets being adapted to cooperate with and interfit into said depressions in the cylindrical walls of the pontoons, axially aligning each pontoon along one longitudinal edge and in front of said raft portion in a position of rotation out of its intended position when finally assembled;
sliding said pontoon into axial position parallel to and adjacent the longitudinal edge of the raft and past the brackets; and rotating said pontoon to align the depression with the bracket to seat the brackets into said depressions.
11. A method according to claim 10 wherein said floatable arcuate brackets are provided by integrally molding the same with said raft portion.
1. A flexible toy comprising:
a) a raft portion having two longitudinally extending edges, each of said edges having a top portion and a bottom portion, b) first and second pontoons comprising floatable, generally cylindrically shaped bodies, each having a longitudinal axis and being defined in part by a cylindrical wall, at least the first of said pontoons having three depressions in its cylindrical wall, and c) means for affixing each of said pontoons to said raft portion, the means for affixing the first of said pontoons to said raft portion comprising three arcuate brackets adjacent one of said two longitudinally extending edges of the raft portion, two of said brackets extending from the top portion of said one of said two longitudinally extending edges and the third of said brackets extending from the bottom portion of said one of said two longitudinally extending edges, at least a portion of each of said three brackets being adapted to cooperate with and interfit into the depressions in the cylindrical wall of said first pontoon, thereby securing said first pontoon to said raft portion.
2. A floatable toy according to Claim 1 in which each of the brackets adjacent said one of said two longitudinally extending edges is provided with a rib portion extending radially from the inner circumferential surface toward the center of curvature of said bracket, said ribs being the portion of said brackets adapted to cooperate with and interfit into said depressions in the cylindrical wall of said first pontoon.
3. A floatable toy according to Claim 1 in which each of the entire brackets adjacent said one of said two longitudinally extending edges interfits into the depressions in the cylindrical wall of said first pontoon.
4. The floatable toy of Claim 1 in which the second of said pontoons has three depressions in its cylindrical wall and the means for affixing the second of said pontoons to said raft portion comprises three arcuate brackets adjacent the other of said two longitudinally extending edges of the raft portion, two of said brackets extending from the top portion of said other of said two longitudinally extending edges and the third of said brackets extending from the bottom portion of said other of said two longitudinally extending edges, at least a portion of each of said three brackets being adapted to cooperate with and interfit into the depressions in the cylindrical wall of said second pontoon, thereby securing said second pontoon to said raft portion.
5. A floatable toy according to Claim 4 in which each of the entire brackets adjacent said first and second longitudinally extending edges interfits into the depressions in the cylindrical walls of said first and second pontoons.
7. The floatable toy of claim 6 wherein at least one bracket extends from the bottom portion of each longitudinal edge and another bracket extends from the top portion of said longitudinal edge.
8. The floatable toy of claim 6 wherein each bracket is provided with a rib portion extending radially from the inner circumference surface toward the center of curvature of said bracket, said ribs being the portion of said bracket adapted to cooperate with and interfit into said depression in the cylindrical walls of the pontoons.
9. The floatable toy of claim 6 wherein each of the entire brackets interfits into the depression in the cylindrical wall of the pontoon.
10. A method of assembling a floatable toy comprising a raft portion having longitudinally extending edges and two pontoons comprising floatable, generally cylindrically shaped bodies, each of said pontoons having a longitudinal axis and being defined in part by a cylindrical wall having a depression therein and each to be affixed to the raft portion adjacent to and parallel with a longitudinal edge comprising:
providing flexible arcuate brackets extending from each of said longitudinal edges, at least a portion of said brackets being adapted to cooperate with and interfit into said depressions in the cylindrical walls of the pontoons, axially aligning each pontoon along one longitudinal edge and in front of said raft portion in a position of rotation out of its intended position when finally assembled;
sliding said pontoon into axial position parallel to and adjacent the longitudinal edge of the raft and past the brackets; and rotating said pontoon to align the depression with the bracket to seat the brackets into said depressions.
11. A method according to claim 10 wherein said floatable arcuate brackets are provided by integrally molding the same with said raft portion.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US58356584A | 1984-02-27 | 1984-02-27 | |
| US583,565 | 1984-02-27 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1243842A true CA1243842A (en) | 1988-11-01 |
Family
ID=24333624
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000475199A Expired CA1243842A (en) | 1984-02-27 | 1985-02-26 | Boat toy and method for making the same |
Country Status (7)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0155111B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPS60215386A (en) |
| KR (1) | KR930001834B1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU568919B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1243842A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3574564D1 (en) |
| HK (1) | HK36790A (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2653028A1 (en) * | 1989-10-16 | 1991-04-19 | Thierry Renaud | Toy of the sailing boat type |
| US5743779A (en) * | 1996-09-17 | 1998-04-28 | Interlego Ag | Toy ship |
| CN114013596B (en) * | 2021-10-14 | 2024-04-05 | 浙江嘉声环保科技有限公司 | Processing method of multi-air-chamber inflatable boat |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BE690797A (en) * | 1965-12-07 | 1967-05-16 | ||
| JPS4318617Y1 (en) * | 1966-03-30 | 1968-08-01 | ||
| DE2601063A1 (en) * | 1975-01-17 | 1976-07-22 | Miles Mumford Ltd | SWIMMING TOYS |
| US4144669A (en) * | 1977-06-13 | 1979-03-20 | Takara Co., Ltd. | Multiple function water-going toy |
| US4313277A (en) * | 1979-10-01 | 1982-02-02 | Steven Manufacturing Company | Floatable toy |
-
1985
- 1985-02-19 KR KR1019850001022A patent/KR930001834B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1985-02-26 CA CA000475199A patent/CA1243842A/en not_active Expired
- 1985-02-26 DE DE8585301293T patent/DE3574564D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1985-02-26 EP EP85301293A patent/EP0155111B1/en not_active Expired
- 1985-02-26 AU AU39177/85A patent/AU568919B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1985-02-26 JP JP60035431A patent/JPS60215386A/en active Pending
-
1990
- 1990-05-10 HK HK367/90A patent/HK36790A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| HK36790A (en) | 1990-05-18 |
| AU3917785A (en) | 1985-09-05 |
| EP0155111A2 (en) | 1985-09-18 |
| EP0155111B1 (en) | 1989-12-06 |
| AU568919B2 (en) | 1988-01-14 |
| KR850006509A (en) | 1985-10-14 |
| KR930001834B1 (en) | 1993-03-15 |
| JPS60215386A (en) | 1985-10-28 |
| EP0155111A3 (en) | 1987-05-06 |
| DE3574564D1 (en) | 1990-01-11 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |