US20120289118A1

US20120289118A1 - Shark Bait

Info

Publication number: US20120289118A1
Application number: US13/329,905
Authority: US
Inventors: Richard Ohrn; Kathleen Ohrn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-05-09
Filing date: 2011-12-19
Publication date: 2012-11-15

Abstract

An architecture is presented that provides a novelty float device or pool float device designed for use in a swimming pool, lake or other water recreational area. The novelty float device comprises an upper portion of a shark's body, wherein the shark's body also comprises a mouth. The mouth of the shark's body is typically in an open position, and extends above the surface of the water in a preferred embodiment. Typically, the upper portion of the shark's body is buoyant and sturdy enough so that a user can jump or dive through the shark's mouth, or users can feed the shark by throwing sea creature (or other animal) water toys or other articles through the shark's mouth.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims priority from Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/483,818 filed May 9, 2011.

BACKGROUND

During the summertime, children and adults spend a lot of their free time in a swimming pool, lake or other recreational water area. Swimming pool games and swimming pool toys are very popular. However, people are always looking for new and exciting pool games and activities to play. Using the same swimming pool toys and swimming pool floats over and over again can be repetitive, and the toys and floats can lose their appeal over time. An effective solution with the ability to expand over time is necessary.
There is a need for a novelty float device that can be used in a swimming pool, lake or other recreational water area during the summer. The present invention discloses a float device that comprises an upper portion of a shark's body with the shark's mouth in the open position. The open mouth of the shark extends above the surface of the water in the preferred embodiment. Users can feed the shark by throwing various floating sea creature water toys into the shark's mouth or users can jump or dive into the shark's mouth to work on their accuracy and form.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof, comprises a novelty float device or pool float device designed for use in a swimming pool, lake or other water recreational area. The novelty float device comprises an upper portion of a shark's body, wherein the shark's body also comprises a mouth. The mouth of the shark's body is typically in an open position, and extends above the surface of the water in the preferred embodiment.
Furthermore in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the novelty float device further comprises sea creature water toys that are accessories to the novelty float device. The sea creature water toys are smaller toys or other suitable articles that can be fed to/thrown into the mouth of the shark body. The sea creature water toys are designed to resemble sea creatures, such as fish, turtles, squids, seals, lobsters, etc. Typically, the upper portion of the shark's body is buoyant and sturdy enough so that a user can jump or dive through the shark's mouth, or users can feed the shark by throwing the sea creature water toys through the shark's mouth.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A and B illustrates a perspective view of a novelty float device in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the novelty float device further comprising sea creature water toys in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the novelty float device in a swimming pool in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the novelty float device wherein a user is diving through the shark mouth opening in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the novelty float device in use (wherein users are throwing the sea creatures through the shark mouth) in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof.
The present invention discloses a novelty float device that is designed for use in a swimming pool or other water recreational area. The novelty float device can be used by both adults and children in the swimming pool or other water recreational area during the summer months. The novelty float device is manufactured to resemble a shark and is preferably realistically colored with white teeth, pinkish/reddish gums, black and shiny eyes, and gray and white skin. The float device is shaped with the shark's mouth wide open, extending above the surface of the water and a dorsal fin that also extends above the surface of the water. Users can feed the shark by throwing various floating sea creature water toys into the shark's mouth as a game of skill or users can jump or dive into the shark's mouth to work on their accuracy and form.
Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1A illustrates a novelty float device or pool float device 100 designed for use in a swimming pool, lake or other water recreational area. The novelty float device 100 comprises an upper portion of a shark's body 102, also comprising a mouth 104. The shark's body 102 is typically manufactured of gray woven nylon and rubber material, however any other suitable material can be used to manufacture the shark's body without affecting the overall concept of the invention. The shark's body 102 is preferably realistically colored with white teeth and pinkish/reddish gums, the eyes can be black and shiny, and the skin can be gray and white. However, any other features, colorings or changes to the appearance can be made without affecting the overall concept of the invention. The mouth 104 of the shark's body 102 is typically in an open position, and the mouth 104 can extend above the surface of the water in a preferred embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1B, the novelty float device 100 is buoyant in a preferred embodiment. However, the novelty float device 100 could also be made to sink in the water, without affecting the overall concept of the invention. Typically, the novelty float device 100 comprises the upper portion of the shark's body 102 with the mouth 104 wide open and a dorsal fin 106 above the water. Further, the shark's body 102 comprises a continuous opening 108 that connects the shark's mouth 104 with the bottom of the shark's body 102, allowing articles to enter the shark's mouth 104 and come out the bottom of the shark's body 102 directly into the water. Additionally, in the bottom of the shark's body 102 comprises a floatation device 110 which allows the novelty float device 100 to float in the water and not be upended. Typically, the flotation device is comprised of Styrofoam® or other foam material as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention. Furthermore, sand can be added to the bottom of the flotation device 110 to assist in stabilizing the shark's body 102. Additionally, handles can be added to the inside of the shark's body 102 which can be filled with sand to also assist in stabilizing the shark's body 102 and preventing the shark's body 102 from being upended.
FIG. 2 illustrates the novelty float device 100 further comprising sea creature water toys 200. The sea creature water toys 200 are smaller toys or other suitable articles that can be fed to/thrown into the mouth 104 of the shark body 102. The sea creature water toys 200 are made of rubber and plastic, or any other suitable material that is know in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention. Further, the sea creature water toys 200 are designed to resemble sea creatures, such as fish, turtles, squids, seals, lobsters, crabs, whales, and other animals, etc. However, any other type of sea creature or other animal can be used without affecting the overall concept of the invention. Typically, the sea creature water toys 200 are buoyant, however the sea creature water toys 200 could also be weighted to sink in the water, without affecting the overall concept of the invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates the novelty float device 100 in a swimming pool 300. The novelty float device 100 is typically used in a pool 300 during the summer, but can be used in a lake or any other recreational water area without affecting the overall concept of the invention. The novelty float device 100 comprises the upper portion of a shark's body 102 with the mouth 104 positioned open. Typically, the upper portion of the shark's body 102 is buoyant and the and the shark's mouth 104 can extend above the surface of the pool water 302 in a preferred embodiment. Various floating sea creature water toys 200 can be fed to the shark by throwing the sea creature water toys 200 into the shark's mouth 104.
FIG. 4 illustrates the novelty float device 100 wherein a user 400 is diving through the shark mouth 104 and existing opening of the shark's body 102. The novelty float device 100 can be used in any recreational water area, such as a swimming pool 300 and comprises the upper portion of a shark's body 102 with the mouth 104 positioned open. Typically, the upper portion of the shark's body 102 is buoyant and is sturdy enough so that a user 400 can jump or dive through the mouth 104. The opening of the mouth 104 of the shark's body 102 can be any suitable diameter to allow both adults and children to jump or dive through the opening of the mouth 104 one at a time, and/or allow users 402 to throw the sea creature water toys 200 through the opening of the mouth 104, one at a time or all at once.
FIG. 5 illustrates the novelty float device 100 in use, wherein users 402 are throwing the sea creature water toys 200 through the shark mouth 104 in a game of skill. As shown, the novelty float device 100 is placed into a swimming pool 300 or other recreational water area, with the shark's mouth 104 extending above the surface of the pool water 302. The novelty float device 100 comprises an upper portion of a shark's body 102 with the mouth 104 positioned open, wherein the shark body 102 floats on the pool water 302. The mouth 104 extends above the surface of the pool water 302 and has an opening to allow for toys and other pool articles to be thrown through the opening directly into the pool water 302. Once the novelty float device 100 is in place, users 402 can then throw sea creature water toys 200 or any other suitable toy or article through the mouth 104 of the shark body 102. Adults and children are also able to jump or dive into the shark's mouth 104 to work on their accuracy and form. Thus, the novelty float device 100 is sturdy enough so that a user can jump or dive through it, and the novelty float device 100 can withstand the plastic and rubber sea creature water toys 200 being thrown inside the mouth 104 or possibly bouncing off of the shark body 102.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

Claims

1. A novelty float device, comprising:

an upper portion of a shark's body,

wherein the upper portion comprises a first end and a second end, with a continuous opening connecting the first end and the second end, and wherein the first end is in shape of an open shark's mouth.

2. The novelty float device of claim 1, wherein the open shark's mouth extends above surface of pool water.

3. The novelty float device of claim 2, wherein the diameter of the open shark's mouth is large enough for a child to jump through.

4. The novelty float device of claim 1, wherein the shark's body is buoyant.

5. The novelty float device of claim 1, further comprising sea creature water toys that can be thrown into the open shark's mouth.

6. The novelty float device of claim 5, wherein the sea creature water toys comprise at least one of fish, sea turtles, squids, seals, crabs, whales, or lobsters.

7. The novelty float device of claim 6, wherein the sea creature water toys are buoyant.

8. The novelty float device of claim 6, wherein the sea creature water toys sink below a water's surface.

9. The novelty float device of claim 1, wherein the shark's body is made of nylon and a rubber material.

10. The novelty float device of claim 1, wherein the second end an of the upper portion of the shark's body comprises a floatation device.

11. The novelty float device of claim 10, wherein the floatation device is made of Styrofoam®.

12. The novelty float device of claim 11, wherein sand is added to the flotation device.

13. A novelty float device, comprising:

an upper portion of a shark's body,

wherein the upper portion comprises a first end and a second end, with a continuous opening connecting the first end and the second end, and wherein the first end is in shape of an open shark's mouth, and

wherein the shark's body is buoyant.

14. The novelty float device of claim 13, further comprising buoyant sea creature water toys that can be thrown into the open shark's mouth.

15. The novelty float device of claim 14, wherein the buoyant sea creature water toys comprise at least one of fish, sea turtles, squids, seals, crabs, whales, or lobsters.

16. The novelty float device of claim 13, wherein the shark's body is made of nylon and a rubber material.

17. A novelty float device, comprising:

an upper portion of a shark's body,

wherein the upper portion comprises a first end and a second end, with a continuous opening connecting the first end and the second end, and wherein the first end is in shape of an open shark's mouth, and sea creature water toys that can be thrown into the open shark's mouth.

18. The novelty float device of claim 17, wherein the open shark's mouth extends above surface of pool water.

19. The novelty float device of claim 17, wherein the shark's body is buoyant.

20. The novelty float device of claim 17, wherein the sea creatures comprise at least one of fish, sea turtles, squids, seals, crabs, whales, or lobsters.