BUBBLE-BLOWING TOY
United States Patent 3604144
A toy for selectively blowing bubbles of various sizes having a funnellike blowing tube with a mouthpiece on the smallest end of the funnel, a fluid container below the funnel and a plurality of bubble-forming rings dipping into the container. The bubble-forming rings are finger operated by "keys" to tilt them out of the container and into the centerline of the bubble-blowing action of the funnel.
US Patent References:
Bubble gun
Gilchrist, Jr. - January 1946 - 2393039
Bubble blowing device
Joel - October 1950 - 2527935
Multi bubble producing device
Fisher - March 1956 - 2736988
Multi-ring bubble-producing toy
Hung-Tu Tseng - June 1958 - 2836926
Bubble blowing toy
Filger et al. - June 1961 - 2989818
Bubble gun
Gilchrist, Jr. - January 1946 - 2393039
Bubble blowing device
Joel - October 1950 - 2527935
Multi bubble producing device
Fisher - March 1956 - 2736988
Multi-ring bubble-producing toy
Hung-Tu Tseng - June 1958 - 2836926
Bubble blowing toy
Filger et al. - June 1961 - 2989818
Application Number:
04/749212
Publication Date:
09/14/1971
Filing Date:
07/31/1968
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
International Classes:
A63H33/28; A63H33/28
Field of Search:
46/6,7,8
US Patent References:
| 2912790 | Toy or the like | November 1959 | Weeber |
Primary Examiner:
Mancene, Louis G.
Assistant Examiner:
Weinhold D. L.
Claims:
What is claimed is
1. A bubble-blowing toy comprising a container for holding a bubble-forming solution, a hollow pipe adjacent said container, a plurality of independent lever arms, means for hingedly mounting each of said arms for movement from a respective rest position to a respective raised position, said arms extending over said container in said rest position, and bubble-forming means attached to each of said arms, said means being within container when said arms are in said rest position and being coaxially aligned with said pipe when said arms are in said raised position.
2. A bubble-blowing toy according to claim 1, and a substantially hollow body surrounding said pipe and said lever arms, said body having a mouth-engaging portion at one end connected to one end of said pipe.
3. A bubble-blowing toy according to claim 1 and wherein said bubble-forming means are rings of various diameters.
4. A bubble-blowing toy according to claim 1 and first means on said lever arms to position said bubble-forming means coaxially with said pipe.
5. A bubble-blowing toy according to claim 1 and second means on said lever arms to return said arms from said raised position to said rest position.
6. A bubble-blowing toy comprising a container for holding a bubble-forming solution, a hollow pipe adjacent said container, a plurality of hinged lever arms, each of said arms being adapted to be moved from a rest position to a raised position, said arms extending over said container in said rest position, bubble-forming means attached to each one of said arms, said means being within said container when said arms are in said rest position and being coaxially aligned with said pipe when said arms are in said raised position said container having a cover with a plurality of parallel slots therein, and walls depending from the sides of said slots into said container, each said bubble-forming means registering with a respective one of said slots when said arms are in said rest position.
1. A bubble-blowing toy comprising a container for holding a bubble-forming solution, a hollow pipe adjacent said container, a plurality of independent lever arms, means for hingedly mounting each of said arms for movement from a respective rest position to a respective raised position, said arms extending over said container in said rest position, and bubble-forming means attached to each of said arms, said means being within container when said arms are in said rest position and being coaxially aligned with said pipe when said arms are in said raised position.
2. A bubble-blowing toy according to claim 1, and a substantially hollow body surrounding said pipe and said lever arms, said body having a mouth-engaging portion at one end connected to one end of said pipe.
3. A bubble-blowing toy according to claim 1 and wherein said bubble-forming means are rings of various diameters.
4. A bubble-blowing toy according to claim 1 and first means on said lever arms to position said bubble-forming means coaxially with said pipe.
5. A bubble-blowing toy according to claim 1 and second means on said lever arms to return said arms from said raised position to said rest position.
6. A bubble-blowing toy comprising a container for holding a bubble-forming solution, a hollow pipe adjacent said container, a plurality of hinged lever arms, each of said arms being adapted to be moved from a rest position to a raised position, said arms extending over said container in said rest position, bubble-forming means attached to each one of said arms, said means being within said container when said arms are in said rest position and being coaxially aligned with said pipe when said arms are in said raised position said container having a cover with a plurality of parallel slots therein, and walls depending from the sides of said slots into said container, each said bubble-forming means registering with a respective one of said slots when said arms are in said rest position.
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to toys, particularly to manually operated bubble-blowing toys.
Blowing bubbles is an old pastime for children, but the toys for this action are basically primitive and crude. The most common means are wands having a handle and a ring at the end thereof or pipes. These toys have several disadvantages, such as being messy and limiting the size of the bubble, and usually by no means durable. The problems enumerated above are intended to be solved by this invention.
SUMMARY
The invention in one of its aspects comprises a bubble-blowing toy, consisting of a container for holding a bubble-forming solution, a hollow pipe adjacent the container, hinged lever arms movable from a rest position to a raised position, the arms extending over the container in the rest position, and bubble-forming means attached to each of the arms and located in the container when the arms are in the rest position and coaxially aligned with the pipe when the arms are in the raised position. The nature and the gist of the invention consists in the construction of an attractive toy for children which can be used and reused at will, and the inventive concept also includes facilities for attaining predictable results. Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part hereafter and in part will be obvious herefrom or may be learned by practicing the invention, the same being realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.
It is the general object of the present invention to provide a novel contrivance for blowing bubbles.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a toy for blowing bubbles of various sizes.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a toy which can be safely and easily handled by children.
Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sturdy and durable toy.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an attractively constructed toy which is simple and can easily be produced economically.
Various further and more specific purposes, features and advantages will clearly appear from the detailed description given below taken in connection with the accompanying drawing which forms part of this specification and illustrates merely by way of example one embodiment of the device of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
In the following description and in the claims, parts will be identified by specific names for convenience, but such names are intended to be as generic in their application to similar parts as the art will permit. Like reference characters denote like parts in the several figures of the drawing, in which
FIG. 1 is a side view of the bubble blower, according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is an end view of the bubble blower in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a section of the fluid container seen from below taken along the line 3--3 in FIG. 1, partly broken away;
FIG. 4 is a cross section of the bubble blower, taken along the line 4--4 in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a vertical section of the bubble blower, partly broken away, taken along the line 5--5 in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged section of the bubble ring lifting arm shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, partly broken away;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the structure of the housing of the bubble blower.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now in more detail to the drawing illustrating preferred embodiments by which the invention may be realized, there is in FIG. 1 a substantially funnel-shaped body 10 to which a container 11 is attached. Container 11 cuts chordwise through housing 10 and has a rear portion 12 and a front portion 13. Container 11 has a cover 14 in which the slots 30 and an opening 15 are provided. Container 11 may be filled through opening 15, which may then be closed by any convention means such as a cork. Body 10 has a mouthpiece 16, and a straight blowpipe 17 extends parallel to the upper surface of container 11 into body 10 approximately to the point where the front wall 18 of container 11 is located. A shaft 19 is mounted on cover 14 adjacent front portion 13 in parallel relationship to blowpipe 17, and a plurality of lever arms 20 (three arms are shown in the drawing) are rotatably hinged on shaft 19. Arms 20 have a straight, flat upper surface 21 and extend inwardly into body 10. Near the front end 22 of each arm 20, a short stem 23 extends downwardly at right angle to upper surface 21 and through a slot 30.
At the end of stem 23 is a bubble-forming ring 24. Each one of the plurality of arms 20 carries a ring of a different diameter. The arrangement is such that the ring with the smallest diameter is located near the end of blowpipe 17, whereas rings with successively increasing diameters are positioned in side-by-side relation toward the larger open end 25 of body 10. When arms 20 are in their rest position, upper surfaces 21 form substantially a cover over slots 30 in cover 14 of container 11, arms 20 being in a side-by-side relationship to one another. Rings 24 dip into container 11 but do not touch the bottom thereof. Walls or baffles 26 are arranged in container 11 forming small pockets for each one of rings 24. Walls 26 aid in controlling spillage of the liquid in container 11 when the toy is held in a position other than upright. The rear ends 27 of arms 20 extend outwardly from cover 14 and form "keys" like keys of the keyboard of a piano. A stop bar 28 is attached to the underside of rear end 27 of arm 20 to limit the upward movement of arm 20 so that the bubble-forming ring is centered with respect to pipe 17 as shown in FIG. 2. A baffle 29 is attached to arm 20 to allow any excess liquid on the lower surface of arm 20 to run back into container 11 when arm 20 is lifted. When container 11 is filled with bubble-forming solution, for example, soapy water, a ring 24 may be lifted out of container 11 through slot 30 by simply depressing the corresponding "key" as far as it will go. Stop 28 positions the center of ting 24 to coincide with the centerline of blowpipe 17. Ring 24 has a soapy film stretched around it, so by blowing through mouthpiece 16, a bubble is blown from ring 24 out of open end 25. Since rings 24 have various diameters, bubbles of various diameters may be produced, or even combinations such as a small bubble within a larger one. Springs may be provided to return arms 20 to their rest positions.
It is obvious that various other bodies may be arranged instead of body 10. One variation is shown in FIG. 7 wherein the body is shaped like a building 31 with an opening 32 in the rear wall 33 thereof. Bubbles 34 emanate through opening 32.
While the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to certain preferred examples which gives satisfactory results, it will be understood by those skilled in the art after understanding the principle of the invention, that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
The invention relates to toys, particularly to manually operated bubble-blowing toys.
Blowing bubbles is an old pastime for children, but the toys for this action are basically primitive and crude. The most common means are wands having a handle and a ring at the end thereof or pipes. These toys have several disadvantages, such as being messy and limiting the size of the bubble, and usually by no means durable. The problems enumerated above are intended to be solved by this invention.
SUMMARY
The invention in one of its aspects comprises a bubble-blowing toy, consisting of a container for holding a bubble-forming solution, a hollow pipe adjacent the container, hinged lever arms movable from a rest position to a raised position, the arms extending over the container in the rest position, and bubble-forming means attached to each of the arms and located in the container when the arms are in the rest position and coaxially aligned with the pipe when the arms are in the raised position. The nature and the gist of the invention consists in the construction of an attractive toy for children which can be used and reused at will, and the inventive concept also includes facilities for attaining predictable results. Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part hereafter and in part will be obvious herefrom or may be learned by practicing the invention, the same being realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.
It is the general object of the present invention to provide a novel contrivance for blowing bubbles.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a toy for blowing bubbles of various sizes.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a toy which can be safely and easily handled by children.
Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sturdy and durable toy.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an attractively constructed toy which is simple and can easily be produced economically.
Various further and more specific purposes, features and advantages will clearly appear from the detailed description given below taken in connection with the accompanying drawing which forms part of this specification and illustrates merely by way of example one embodiment of the device of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
In the following description and in the claims, parts will be identified by specific names for convenience, but such names are intended to be as generic in their application to similar parts as the art will permit. Like reference characters denote like parts in the several figures of the drawing, in which
FIG. 1 is a side view of the bubble blower, according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is an end view of the bubble blower in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a section of the fluid container seen from below taken along the line 3--3 in FIG. 1, partly broken away;
FIG. 4 is a cross section of the bubble blower, taken along the line 4--4 in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a vertical section of the bubble blower, partly broken away, taken along the line 5--5 in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged section of the bubble ring lifting arm shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, partly broken away;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the structure of the housing of the bubble blower.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now in more detail to the drawing illustrating preferred embodiments by which the invention may be realized, there is in FIG. 1 a substantially funnel-shaped body 10 to which a container 11 is attached. Container 11 cuts chordwise through housing 10 and has a rear portion 12 and a front portion 13. Container 11 has a cover 14 in which the slots 30 and an opening 15 are provided. Container 11 may be filled through opening 15, which may then be closed by any convention means such as a cork. Body 10 has a mouthpiece 16, and a straight blowpipe 17 extends parallel to the upper surface of container 11 into body 10 approximately to the point where the front wall 18 of container 11 is located. A shaft 19 is mounted on cover 14 adjacent front portion 13 in parallel relationship to blowpipe 17, and a plurality of lever arms 20 (three arms are shown in the drawing) are rotatably hinged on shaft 19. Arms 20 have a straight, flat upper surface 21 and extend inwardly into body 10. Near the front end 22 of each arm 20, a short stem 23 extends downwardly at right angle to upper surface 21 and through a slot 30.
At the end of stem 23 is a bubble-forming ring 24. Each one of the plurality of arms 20 carries a ring of a different diameter. The arrangement is such that the ring with the smallest diameter is located near the end of blowpipe 17, whereas rings with successively increasing diameters are positioned in side-by-side relation toward the larger open end 25 of body 10. When arms 20 are in their rest position, upper surfaces 21 form substantially a cover over slots 30 in cover 14 of container 11, arms 20 being in a side-by-side relationship to one another. Rings 24 dip into container 11 but do not touch the bottom thereof. Walls or baffles 26 are arranged in container 11 forming small pockets for each one of rings 24. Walls 26 aid in controlling spillage of the liquid in container 11 when the toy is held in a position other than upright. The rear ends 27 of arms 20 extend outwardly from cover 14 and form "keys" like keys of the keyboard of a piano. A stop bar 28 is attached to the underside of rear end 27 of arm 20 to limit the upward movement of arm 20 so that the bubble-forming ring is centered with respect to pipe 17 as shown in FIG. 2. A baffle 29 is attached to arm 20 to allow any excess liquid on the lower surface of arm 20 to run back into container 11 when arm 20 is lifted. When container 11 is filled with bubble-forming solution, for example, soapy water, a ring 24 may be lifted out of container 11 through slot 30 by simply depressing the corresponding "key" as far as it will go. Stop 28 positions the center of ting 24 to coincide with the centerline of blowpipe 17. Ring 24 has a soapy film stretched around it, so by blowing through mouthpiece 16, a bubble is blown from ring 24 out of open end 25. Since rings 24 have various diameters, bubbles of various diameters may be produced, or even combinations such as a small bubble within a larger one. Springs may be provided to return arms 20 to their rest positions.
It is obvious that various other bodies may be arranged instead of body 10. One variation is shown in FIG. 7 wherein the body is shaped like a building 31 with an opening 32 in the rear wall 33 thereof. Bubbles 34 emanate through opening 32.
While the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to certain preferred examples which gives satisfactory results, it will be understood by those skilled in the art after understanding the principle of the invention, that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.