WO2021097269A1 - Toy bubble machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A toy bubble machine is disclosed which can be thrown or propelled through the air. The toy includes a toy body of various shapes including a battery housing and a bubble housing affixed to the toy body. The bubble housing includes an internal cavity, an air inlet, a bubble outlet orifice, a soap solution reservoir having a soap solution inlet and a soap solution outlet, and a port extending from the air inlet to the bubble outlet orifice with the port coupled to the soap solution outlet. An eclectic motor having rotary shaft attached to a fan is oriented within the port. An electric circuit whit an ON-OFF switch connect the motor to a battery. When the switch is in the ON state the motor spins the fan drawing air through port to expel air and soap solution through the bubble outlet orifice forming bubbles.

Description

TOY BUBBLE MACHINE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Serial No.

62/934,917 filed November 13, 2019, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002 ] The invention relates to an apparatus for making soap bubbles and more specifically to battery powered toy bubble machines.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Toy bubble making devices are a common children's toy. The simplest form is a small circular loop on a short wand that is dipped in a bottle of soapy liquid and the bubbles are blown with air expelled from the users mouth. This simple toy has evolved into a variety of battery power bubble machines posittionable on a table top taking the form of various animals or devices. Some toy bubble machines are portable and take the shape of guns, cars, boats, cameras or musical instruments.

SUMMARY

[0004] The present disclosure relates to a toy bubble machine which can be thrown or propelled through the air, The toy includes a toy body of various shapes including a battery housing and a bubble housing affixed to the toy body. The bubble housing includes an internal cavity, an air inlet, a bubble outlet orifice, a soap solution reservoir having a soap solution inlet and a soap solution outlet, and a port extending from the air inlet to the bubble outlet orifice with the port coupled to the soap sol ution outlet. An eclectic motor having rotary shaft attached to a fan is oriented within the port. An electric circuit with an ON-OFF switch connect the motor to a battery. When the switch is in the ON state the motor spins the fan drawing air through port to expel air and soap solution through the bubble outlet orifice forming bubbles. [0005] In one embodiment the toy body includes one or more curved tubular segments forming at least part of a substantially circular hoop. The battery boosing and bubble housing and the contents thereof are diametrically positioned on opposite sides of the hoop in a substantially balanced manor so the hoop can be spun in an orbital “hula-hoop” manor by a user, hi the hoop embodiment the ON-OFF switch may comprises an inertial switch which goes to the ON state when the hoop is spun in an orbital “hula-hoop” manor by a user.

[0006] In another embodiment the toy body has a generally circular disc shape forming a flying disc which can be thrown by a user in a rotating manor.

[0007] In one embodiment the toy body has a generally football shaped which can be throw n by a user. Optionally the toy body can ha ve a stabilizing tins extending from on end of the footbal l shape body. ϊh one embodiment the toy body has a generally spherical ball shaped which can be thrown by a user. The electrical circuit may include a inertial switch that causes the motor to run for a limited period of time when the device is thrown by a user,

[0008] in yet another embodiment the toy body further comprises a drone having a plurality of remote-controlled motor driven propellers enabling the bubble machine to be operated as a unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) by a user,

[0009[ Another embodiment the toy body further comprises a drone having a plurality of remote-controlled motor driven propellers enabling the bubble machine to be operated as a unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) by a user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TEE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1A illustrates an embodiment in which the toy body forms a hoop type toy bubble machine;

[0011] Figure IB is an enlargement of the bubble housing if tire toy bubble machine of

Figure l A;

[0012] Figure 2 depicts an electrical schematic diagram of the toy bubble machine; [0013 ] Figure 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of the air and liquid soap flow through the toy bubble machine;

[0014] Figure 4 is an exploded view of a hoop type toy bubble machine show in Figure 1 ;

[0015] Figure 5 illustrates an embodiment in which the toy body forms a generally circularly shaped disc which can be thrown by a user, forming a living disc;

[ 0016] Figure 6 illustrates an embodiment in which the toy body forms a generally spherical animal head shape with a mouth opening forming a bubble outlet;

[0017] Figure 7 illustrates an embodiment in which the toy body forms a generally spherical ball shape which can be thrown by a user.

[0018] Figure 8 illustrates an embodiment in which the toy body forms a generally football shape which can be thrown by a user;

[0019] Figure 9 A illustrates an embodiment in which the toy body forms an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having a plurality of remote-controlled motor dri ven propellers; and

[0020] Figure 9B illustrates a perspective view of the underside of the UAV of figure 9 A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it Is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention,

[0022] Figure 1 A i llustrates a first embodiment of the toy bubble machine 10 in the form of a circular hoop-like toy which can be spun orbitaSly around the body of a user in "hula-hoop” manner. The toy bubble machine 10 is made up of a toy body 12 in the form of two curved tubular segments which form at least part of a substantially circular hoop. The hoop segments 14 and 14' are lightweight tabular plastic members which are interconnected by a battery housing 16 and a bubble housing 18, The battery housing 16 is connected to the tubular sections 14 and 14' and the bobble housing 18 is connected to the other ends of tubular members 14 and 14' to form a complete circular hoop ring. The battery housing is sized to receive a battery_' and is provided with an electrical connector for the battery,

[0023] Bubble housing 18 is a tubular part which defines an internal cavity and has an air inlet, a bubble outlet orifice, a soap solution reservoir having a soap solution inlet and a soap solution outlet, and a passage or port extending from the air inlet to the bubble outlet orifice. The port is coupled to the soap solution outlet. Within the bubble bousing is an electric motor which is connected to the bubble housing and has a rotary output shaft which is attached to a fan which is oriented within the port. An electrical circuit connects the motor to the electrical connector for the battery and with the circuit provided with an on-off switch. When the motor is turned on, the tan rotates drawing air through the air inlet and discharging air through the bubble outlet orifice along with soap solution picked up from the soap solution outlet forming a series of soap bubbles which exit the bubble outlet orifice,

[ 0024 ] A simplified schematic electrical diagram for the bubble machine is shown in Figure

2. Battery 24 is connected to motor M by a pair of electrical connectors as shown. In the circuit is an on-off switch 26 and preferably an inertia switch 28. When the on-off switch 26 is in the on position, the motor will not run until the inertia switch 28 senses the hoop being used in a circular orbital manner spinning about the body of the user. The centrifugal force exerted on inertia switch 28 causes the switch to close and the motor to operate forming bubbles. When the user stops spinning the hoop, inertia switch 28 opens and the motor stops. In embodiments utilizing an inertia switch it is possible for the inertia switch to form the sole on-off function however an on-off switch and inertia switch in the series as shown is preferred .

[0025] Figure 3 illustrates the flow of fluids through the toy bubble machine. A soap solution reservoir 30 is provided for storing a soap solution 32. The soap solution reservoir has a inlet with a cap 34 and an outlet 36. An airflow passage 38 is located within housing 18, The passage or port 38 is provided with an air inlet 40 and a bubble outlet orifice 42. A fan 44 is located within port 38 and fixed to the rotary output shaft of motor M. When the motor is activated, air is drawn through the inlet 40 and discharged through outlet 42, The reservoir outlet 36 extends into port 38 as shown. As air flows across soap solution outlet 36, it draws soap solution 32 from reservoir 60 to form soap bubbles as the air and soap solution exits the bubble outlet orifice 30,

[0026] A detailed exploded view of die toy bubble machine 10 is shown in Figure 4. A wire not shown extends from the battery housing through one of the tubular· segments to the motor in the bubble housing to complete the electrical circuit.

[0027] Figure 5 illustrates a second embodiment of the toy bubble machine 50 in the form of a generally circular disc-shaped member which can be easily thrown by a user. The disc-shaped member forms a flying disc toy. Within the toy body 52 is a bubble housing and battery housing, electric motor and a electric circuit as described w ith preference to the first embodiment 10 shown in Figures 1 through 4. The flying di sc toy embodiment 50 may be provided with a plurality of bubble outlet orifices as illustrated however only one is necessary.

[0028] Figure 6 illustrates another embodiment generally spherical ball-shaped toy bubble machine 60 having the shape of an animal head with the mouth 62 forming a bubble outlet orifice.

[0029 ] Figure 7 illustrates another embodiment of a spherical ball-shaped toy bubble machine 70 having a single bubble outlet orifice. The toy body is preferably provided with a soft rubber-like texture and is provided with an internally located inertia switch which when activated causes the motor to run for a period of time.

[0030] Figure 8 is yet another embodiment of the invention in which the toy bubble machine is in the form of a football -shaped body 80. The football has at least one and preferably a number of bubble outlet orifices located at one end of the football. In the embodiment illustrated, a plurality of fins form a tail extending from the end of the football.

[0031] The last embodiment illustrated in Figures 9 A and B takes foe form of an unmanned aerial vehicle or a drone which can be flown through the air by a user. The body of the drone is provided with a battery housing and a bubble housing as previously described. The drone embodiment may have a plurality of bubble outlet orifices located at various positions to spread soap bubbles throughout a large area.

[0032 ] While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe ail possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A toy bubble machine comprising: a toy body; a battery housing connected to the toy body, the battery housing sized to receive a battery having an electrical connector for cooperating with the battery; a bubble housing affixed to the toy body, the bubble housing having an internal cavity, an air inlet, a bubble outlet orifice, a soap solution reservoir having a soap solution inlet and a soap solution outlet, and a port extending from the air inlet to the bubble outlet orifice, the port coupled to the soap solution outlet; an electric motor connected in the bubble housing having a rotary shaft attached to a fan oriented within the port; and an electric circuit connecting the motor and the electrical connector for the battery' including a ON-OFF switch; wherein, when the motor is turned ON the fan draws air through the air inlet and discharges the air through the bubble outlet orifice along with soap solution picked up from the soap solution outlet to form soap bubbles.

2. The toy bubble machine of claim 1, wherein the toy body includes one or more curved tubular segments forming at least part of a substantially circular hoop;

3. The toy bubble machine of claim 2, wherein the battery housing and bubble housing and the contents thereof are diametrically positioned on the hoop and substantially balanced so the hoop can be spun in an orbital “hula-hoop” manor by a user.

4. The toy bubble machine of claim 3, wherein the ON-OFF swi tch comprises an inertial switch which goes to the ON state when the hoop is spun in an orbital “hula-hoop” manor by a user.

5. The toy bubble machine of claim I, wherein the toy body has a generally circular disc shape forming a dying disc which can be thrown by a user in a rotating manor.

6. The toy bubble machine of claim 1, wherein the ON-OFF switch comprises an inertial switch which goes to the ON state when the flying disc rotates when it is thrown by a user.

7. The toy bubble machine of claim 1 , wherein the toy body has a generally football shaped which can be thrown by a user,

8. The toy bubble machine of claim 1 wherein the toy body has a generally spherical ball shaped which can be thrown by a user.

9. The toy bubble machine of claim 1, wherein the toy body further comprises a drone having a plurality of remote-controlled motor driven propellers enabling the bubble machine to be operated as a unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) by a user.

10. The toy bubble machine of claim 1, wherein the toy body has a generally spherical and in the shape of an animal head with a mouth forming the bubble outlet orifice.