Water toy

Abstract

 A water toy is provided which starts to move in different ways by the participation of a player in a play.
A water toy 100 is a water toy 100 which pumps up stored water for discharge and includes a pump unit having in an interior thereof an electric pump for pumping up water and configured to pump up the water disposed below a toy main body 10, a power supply, a power supply switch 40 configured to control an electric current supplied to the electric pump to activate or stop the electric pump, and a plurality of water discharge devices provided directly in the toy main body 10 or coupled to the toy main body 10 for discharging stored water, as well as a flow channel switching device configured to switch water channels reaching the plurality of water discharge devices.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a water toy which is played with using water.

[0002] Conventionally, many toys have been sold with which infants or children can play in bathtubs or swimming pools. For example, dolls floating on water or toys moving on water by means of a motor represent such water toys. In recent years, as designing techniques of toys for infants or children advance, many toys have been developed with which infants or children, who are quick in getting tired of playing with toys and who also grow quickly, can play for a long period of time. Among these toys, the development of toys using a flow of water from a tap or toys using a motor for pumping up water is increasing. For example, Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3039377 (Patent Literature 1) proposes a technique in which water in a water tank having a stopcock provided at a bottom portion is discharged from the water tank by opening the stopcock, so that a waterwheel is rotated by the water, and the rotation of the waterwheel causes a plurality of operating portions to oscillate.

[0003] However, the motion of the water toy described in Patent Literature 1 is simple and monotonous, and the water toy automatically operates based on a presetting or preparation. Thus, the water toy is deferent from a toy which causes a player to voluntarily participate in a play.

[0004] The invention has been made in view of the problem inherent in the related art, and an object thereof is to provide a water toy which operates in different ways by a positive participation of a player in a play.

[0005] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a water toy which pumps up stored water for discharge, characterized by comprising a pump unit having in an interior thereof an electric pump for pumping up stored water and configured to pump up the water disposed below a toy main body; a power supply switch electrically connected to the electric pump and a power supply and configured to control an electric current supplied to the electric pump to activate or stop the electric pump; a plurality of water discharge devices provided directly in the toy main body or coupled to the toy main body for discharging stored water, wherein the plurality of water discharge devices discharging therefrom water pumped up by the pump unit; and a flow channel switching device configured to switch water channels reaching the plurality of water discharge devices.

[0006]  Preferably, the toy main body has a waterwheel, the plurality of water discharge devices are a first water discharge portion which is a first water discharge device and a second water discharge portion which is a second water discharge device, the first water discharge portion is an upper hole portion in the toy main body, the second water discharge portion is a front mouth portion in the toy main body, and the waterwheel rotates when water is discharged from the mouth portion.

[0007] Advantageously, the hole portion which is the first water discharge device which is switched to discharge water by the flow channel switching device is made into a coupling device, and the water toy includes a plurality of figure shaped members configured to be detachably attached to the hole portion.

[0008] Preferably, the water toy includes, as one of the plurality of figure shaped members, a first figure shaped member configured to be fitted in the hole portion which is the first water discharge device to thereby discharge water from a plurality of portions in association with water being discharged into the first water discharge device.

[0009] Preferably, the water toy includes, as one of the plurality of figure shaped members, a second figure shaped member configured to be fitted in the hole portion which is the first water discharge device to thereby rotate in association with water being discharged into the first water discharge device.

[0010] Advantageously, the second figure shaped member can be coupled to the first figure shaped member.

[0011] In preferred embodiments, the water toy includes, as one of the plurality of figure shaped members, a third figure shaped member configured to be fitted in the hole portion which is the first water discharge device not only to thereby cause a spherical element to float from a spherical element accommodating portion in association with water being discharged into the first water discharge device but also to thereby hold the spherical element in such a floating state by the discharge of water.

[0012] Advantageously, the water toy has positioning and resting hole portions which are provided on an upper surface of the toy main body and where the plurality of figure shaped members can be positioned to rest.

[0013] According to the water toy of the aspect of the invention, it is possible to provide the toy which starts moving in different ways by the participation of the player in the play.

[0014] Further, according to the water toy of the aspect of the invention, since the water toy has the plurality of water discharge devices which discharge the pumped up water and includes the flow channel switching device configured to switch the water channels reaching the plurality of water discharge devices, water jetting from the water discharge devices can cause various actions, which prevents the player from getting tired of playing with the water toy, thereby making it possible for the water toy to be used for a long time.

[0015] In addition, according to preferred aspects of the water toy, the player can enjoy watching the waterwheel rotating as a result of water being discharged from the mouth portion which is the water discharge device in the toy main body.

[0016] Additionally, if the hole portion which is the water discharge device is made into the coupling device so as to allow the plurality of figure shaped members to be freely attached to or detached from the hole portion, the player can select any of the plurality of figure shaped members so that he or she can play with the water toy in various ways.

[0017] In addition, if the water toy includes the first figure shaped member which can discharge water from the plurality of portions, in addition to the advantage that the player can develop an interest in the figure, the player can enjoy watching water discharged in different ways.

[0018] Further, if the water toy includes the second figure shaped member which rotates in association with the discharge of water to the water discharge device, the player can be prevented from getting tired of playing with the water toy, thereby making it possible for the water toy to be used for a long time.

[0019] In addition, if the second figure shaped member can be coupled to the first figure shaped member, the first figure shaped member can discharge jets of water while the second figure shaped member is rotating, whereby the player is allowed to develop his or her interest in the water toy.

[0020] Then, if the water toy includes the third figure shaped member configured not only to cause the spherical element to float from the spherical element accommodating portion in association with water being discharged into the first water discharge device but also to hold the spherical element in such a floating state by the discharge of water, the water toy is allowed to cause the player to have an interest in the spherical element which is floating in the air.

[0021] Further, if the water toy has the positioning hole portions where the plurality of figure shaped members can be positioned to rest in the upper surface thereof, the figure shaped members which are accessories can easily be mounted on the water toy in an alternate fashion, and the loss of the figure shaped members can be prevented.
Examples of water toys will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0022] 

Fig. 1 is a perspective view depicting an external view of a water toy according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view depicting an interior of the water toy according to the embodiment of the invention with an upper casing removed.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view depicting an external appearance of a first figure shaped member of the water toy according to the embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the first figure shaped member of the water toy according to the embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view depicting an external appearance of a second figure shaped member of the water toy according to the embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the second figure shaped member of the water toy according to the embodiment of the invention in which the second figure shaped member is divided into three parts.

Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view, as seen from therebelow, of the second figure shaped member of the water toy according to the embodiment of the invention in which the second figure shaped member is divided into five parts.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view depicting an external appearance of a third figure shaped member of the water toy according to the embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view depicting an external appearance of the water toy in which the first figure shaped member is placed on a main body figure shaped member.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view depicting an external appearance of the water toy in which the second figure shaped member is placed on the main body figure shaped member.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view depicting an external appearance of the water toy in which the second figure shaped member is placed on the first figure shaped member resting on the main body figure shaped member.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view depicting an external appearance of the water toy in which the third figure shaped member is placed on the main body figure shaped member.

[0023] Hereinafter, a preferred mode for carrying out the invention will be described.
A water toy 100 in accordance with a preferred embodiment is a water toy 100 which pumps up stored water to discharge it and has in an interior thereof an electric pump 31 which pumps up stored water. Additionally, the water toy 100 includes a pump unit 30 for pumping up water, and this pump unit 30 is disposed at a lower portion in a toy main body 10. In addition, the water toy 100 includes water discharge devices that are provided directly in the toy main body 10 or which are coupled to the toy main body 10 to discharge water stored. Further, the water toy 100 has water discharge devices configured to discharge water which is pumped up by the pump unit 30 at a plurality of locations and includes a flow channel switching switch which is a flow channel switching device for switching water channels reaching the water discharge devices at the plurality of locations.

[0024] Further, in the water toy 100, the toy main body 10 has a waterwheel 27. The water discharge devices are a first water discharge portion which is a first water discharge device and a second water discharge portion which is a second water discharge device. The first water discharge portion is an upper hole portion 28 in the toy main body 10, and the second water discharge portion is a main body figure shaped member mouth portion 21 which is a front mouth portion of the toy main body 10. When water is discharged from the main body figure shaped member mouth portion 21, the waterwheel 27 is rotated by the water so discharged.

[0025] Additionally, in the water toy 100, the hole portion 28 which is the first water discharge device which is switched to discharge water by the flow channel switching switch 41 is made into a coupling device, and the water toy 100 has a plurality of figure shaped members which can detachably be attached to this hole portion 28.

[0026] As one of the plurality of figure shaped members, the water toy 100 has a first figure shaped member 50 which is configured to be fitted in the hole portion 28 which is the first water discharge device to discharge water from a plurality of portions thereof in association with water being discharged into the first water discharge device.

[0027] Additionally, as one of the plurality of figure shaped members, the water toy 100 has a second figure shaped member 60 which is configured to be fitted in the hole portion 28 which is the first water discharge device to rotate in association with water being discharged into the first water discharge device.

[0028] In addition, in the water toy 100, the second figure shaped member 60 can be coupled to the first figure shaped member 50.

[0029] Further, as one of the plurality of figure shaped members, the water toy 100 has a third figure shaped member 70 which is configured to be fitted in the hole portion 28 which is the first water discharge device so that a spherical element 75 is allowed to float from a basket portion 71 which is a spherical element accommodating portion in association with water being discharged into the first water discharge device to thereby hold the spherical element in such a floating state by the discharge of water.

[0030] In addition, positioning holes 11, 12, 13 are provided in the upper surface of the toy main body 10 where the plurality of figure shaped members can be positioned to rest.

[0031] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described in detail by reference to the drawings.
Fig. 1 is a perspective view depicting an external appearance of a water toy 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view depicting an interior of the water toy 100 with an upper casing 15 removed. It should be noted that in the water toy 100, a main body figure shaped member 20 is situated in a central position as shown in Fig. 1 and is shaped like a whale and a side which a face of the whale faces denotes a "front side" of the water toy 100 hereinafter and a side which a tail of the whale faces denotes a "rear side" of the water toy 100 hereinafter. In addition, it should be noted that a side with which a blowhole on top of a head of the whale is provided denotes an "upper side" of the water toy 100 hereinafter and a side where a portion of the whale is immersed in water in a storage tank denotes a "lower side" of the water toy 100. Further, it should be noted that left and right when viewing the water toy 100 from the front side thereof denotes a left side and right side of the water toy 100, respectively.

[0032] A toy according to this embodiment is a water toy 100 that is used by being immersed in water in a water storage tank like a bathtub in a bathroom. This water toy 100 is characterized in that water in the water storage tank is pumped up by an electric pump 31 to be discharged from a plurality of water discharge devices provided in a toy main body 10.

[0033] The water toy 100 includes the toy main body 10 and a plurality of figure shaped members configured to be attached to the toy main body 10. As shown in Fig. 1, the toy main body 10 includes float portions 17 that are formed into a semi-spherical shape in four corners of a cubical body and which each include a buoyant material such as an expanded polystyrene foam in an interior thereof. The toy main body 10 also includes positioning hole portions which are provided in upper surfaces of the float portions 17 as portions where figure shaped members are placed and a semi-spherical power supply switch 40 configured to activate the electric pump 31. In addition, as shown in Fig. 2, the power supply switch 40 has a power supply switch main body 43 in an interior of a lower casing 16.

[0034] The figure shaped member 20 which is shaped like a whale is disposed in the center of an upper surface of the toy main body 10. Additionally, in the toy main body 10, a waterwheel 27 is disposed in front of a main body figure shaped member mouth portion 21 of the main body figure shaped member 20.

[0035] Further, the toy main body 10 has a lever-type flow channel switching switch 41 at the rear of the main body figure shaped member 20, and this flow channel switching switch 41 switches water jetting ports. Additionally, slit-shaped water inlet holes 14 from which water enters the water toy 100 are formed between the semi-spherical float portions 17 which are positioned in the four corners of the toy main body 10.

[0036] The main body figure shaped member 20, which is shaped like a whale, is disposed substantially in the center of the upper surface of the toy main body 10. A hole portion 28, which is a first water discharge portion, is formed on top of the main body figure shaped member 20 and is imagined as a blowhole on top of a head of a whale. Then, water can be discharged in jets from this hole portion 28 which functions as a water discharge device. Additionally, the main body figure shaped member 20 has another water discharge device, which is a second water discharge portion, and in this water discharge device, water is discharged in jets from the main body figure shaped member mouth portion 21, which represents a mouth of a whale. Then, the waterwheel 27 situated in front of the main body figure shaped member mouth portion 21 can be rotated by water discharged from the second water discharge portion.

[0037] In addition, the water toy 100 has a first figure shaped member 50, a second figure shaped member 60 and a third figure shaped member 70 as detachable figure shaped members.

[0038] Positioning and resting hole portions 11, 12, 13 are formed in the upper housing 15 as shown in Fig. 2 in positions which lie above respective upper surfaces of the float portions 17 of the toy main body 10, so that the first figure shaped member 50, the second figure shaped member 60 and the third figure shaped member 70 can be disposed and rested therein, whereby the individual figure shaped members can be placed to rest on the toy main body 10 as shown in Fig. 1.

[0039] Additionally, the first figure shaped member 50, the second figure shaped member 60 and the third figure shaped member 70 can detachably be attached to the hole portion 28 as the first water discharge portion of the main body figure shaped member 20.

[0040] In the water toy 100, as shown in Fig. 2, a battery box 80 is disposed substantially in the center of the interior of the lower casing 16. Two C size batteries can be loaded in the battery box 80 by opening a battery box lid which is provided in a bottom portion of the toy main body 10. Additionally, a rubber packing is installed in a connecting portion between the battery box lid and the toy main body 10 so as to seal up the battery box 80.

[0041] In the water toy, 100, a pump unit 30 which pumps up water is disposed near the battery box 80. The pump unit 30 pumps up water into the interior of the toy main body 10 through the water inlet holes 14 to be stored therein and then to be discharged in jets from the water discharge device. This pump unit 30 includes a pump water inlet portion 38 which is an entrance of water to the interior thereof, a water purifying filter 33 which is disposed near the pump water inlet portion 38, the electric pump 31 which is disposed at the rear of the filter 33, and a lifting pipe 34 which guides water that is pumped up by the electric pump 31 to a flow channel switching mechanism which is positioned upwards. This flow channel switching mechanism will be described later.

[0042] The electric pump 31 includes a pump screw, a motor 32 which drives rotationally the pump screw, a motor compartment which accommodates the motor 32 and so on in an interior of a resin pump case. The motor compartment which accommodates the motor 32 is sealed up by providing a rubber packing at a portion where the constituent members are coupled together so that water stored in the interior of the water toy 100 is prevented from being flooded into the motor compartment. In the electric pump 31, terminals of the battery box 80 and the power supply switch 40 are wired in an interior of a sealed case, so that electric power is supplied to the motor 32.

[0043] The flow channel switching mechanism is linked with a lever of the flow channel switching switch 41 so as to operate as the lever is operated and switches a flow channel of water which is pumped up via the lifting pipe 34 to the first water discharge portion or the second water discharge portion.

[0044] Specifically speaking, a flow channel switching member 37 is disposed at a distal end of the lifting pipe 34 that is fixed and which is made up of a pipe which lifts water upwards therethrough. This flow channel switching member 37 includes a plate material that is made of a hard resin and which is integrated with the flow channel switching switch 41 so as to rotate by a predetermined angle in association with the operation of the lever, a first pipe 35 that is mounted on the plate material and which communicates with a pipe leading to the hole portion 28 which is the first water discharge portion and a second pipe 36 which communicates with a pipe leading to the main body figure shaped member mouth portion 21 which is the second water discharge portion. Then, the flow channel switching member 37 is disposed at the lifting pipe 34 so as to rotate by the predetermined angle in a horizontal direction.

[0045] The first pipe 35 of the flow channel switching member 37 is a hollow cylindrical pipe which directly guides upwards water guided from the lifting pipe 34 which is disposed therebelow so as to send water to the first water discharge portion which is the hole portion 28. The first pipe 35 is slid to the left by the flow channel switching switch 41, and the flow channel switching member 37 rotates in the way described above, whereby the lifting pipe 34 and a flow channel defined by the first pipe 35 are made coaxial with each other in a vertical direction, and water is then guided upwards.

[0046] The second pipe 36 of the flow channel switching member 37 is a hollow cylindrical pipe which is closed at an upper surface thereof and is opened in a predetermined side thereof to form an opening 39 so as to directly send water guided from the lifting pipe 34 which is disposed therebelow to the second water discharge portion which is the main body figure shaped member mouth portion 21 by changing the direction of water through 90 degrees. The second pipe 36 is slid to the right by the flow channel switching switch 41 and the flow channel switching member 37 rotates in the way described above, whereby the direction of the lifting pipe 34 is changed through 90 degrees by a flow channel defined by the second pipe 36, and water is then sent to a pipe 42 which guides water to the second water discharge portion which is positioned forwards thereof.

[0047] Next, the individual figure shaped members of the water toy 100, which can detachably be attached to the toy main body 10, will be described by reference to the drawings. Fig. 3 is a perspective view depicting an external appearance of the first figure shaped member 50 of the water toy 100. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the first figure shaped member 50 of the water toy 100. Fig. 5 is a perspective view depicting an external appearance of the second figure shaped member 60 of the water toy 100. Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the second figure shaped member 60 of the water toy 100, in which the second figure shaped member 60 is divided into three portions. Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the second figure shaped member 60 of the water toy 100 as viewed from therebelow, in which the second figure shaped member 60 is divided into five portions. Fig. 8 is a perspective view depicting an external appearance of the third figure shaped member 70 of the water toy 100. It should be noted that in the first figure shaped member 50 and the second figure shaped member 60, a face is oriented to the front and that a head is provided upwards while a trunk is provided downwards in a vertical direction. It should also be noted that left and right when viewing the figure shaped member from the front thereof denote a left side and right side of the figure shaped member, respectively. In Figs. 3 and 5, only a nose is represented exemplarily on the faces of the figure shaped members.

[0048] As shown in Fig. 4, the first figure shaped member 50 has a detachably attaching pipe 58a which is detachably attached to the hole portion 28 which is the first water discharge portion of the toy main body 10, whereby the first figure shaped member 50 can be connected to the first water discharge portion. Then, the flow channel switching switch 41 is operated to switch the flow channel of water so that water is discharged in jets from the first water discharge portion, and the power supply switch 40 is depressed to discharge water in jets, whereby water is discharged in jets from a plurality of water discharge ports which are formed as water discharge devices in the first figure shaped member 50 altogether.

[0049] Additionally, as shown in Fig. 3, the first figure shaped member 50 is made of a hard resin and represents a person whose face and both hands are put out of a swimming ring. The first figure shaped member 50 includes, as water discharge devices, a head water discharge portion 51 which is disposed on a head top portion, a right hand water discharge portion which is disposed at an upper distal end of the right hand and a left hand water discharge portion 53 which is disposed at an upper distal end of the left hand.

[0050] In addition, as shown in Fig. 4, in the first figure shaped member 50, a front hollow semi-spherical face portion 54 and a rear hollow semi-spherical rear head portion are fitted together so as to form a head. As part of the body below the neck, an upper circular disk-shaped trunk portion 56 and a lower circular disk-shaped base portion 58 are fitted together to form a trunk. Additionally, a water dividing channel is formed by using an inner body member so as to divide water that enters within the trunk into three directions.

[0051] Then, water discharged in jets from the hole portion 28 which is the first water discharge portion of the toy main body 10 is allowed to enter the detachably attaching pipe 58a which is a cylindrical pipe that is positioned in the center of the base portion 58 so as to extend downwards from a lower side of the base portion 58. Then, water passes through a circular hole which is positioned in the center of the inner body member and flows onto water dividing channel lower lids 52a, 53a of the inner body member which is incorporated in an interior of the trunk portion 56.

[0052] The water flowing onto the water dividing channel lower lids 52a, 53a rises further and passes through water channels which are divided in three directions by a water dividing channel which is formed by water dividing channel upper lids 52b, 53b and the water dividing channel lower lids 52a, 53a in the trunk portion 56 so as to be discharged from the head water discharge portion 51 in the head portion, the right hand water discharge portion 52 at the upper distal end of the right hand and the left hand water discharge portion 53 at the upper distal end of the left hand.

[0053] As shown in Fig. 7, the second figure shaped member 60 has a detachably attaching pipe 68 which is detachably attached to the hole portion 28 which is the first water discharge portion of the toy main body 10, whereby the second figure shaped member 60 can be connected to the first water discharge portion. Then, the flow channel switching switch 41 is operated to switch the flow channel of water so that water is discharged in jets from the first water discharge portion, and the power supply switch 40 is depressed to discharge water in jets, whereby water is discharged in jets from a plurality of water discharge ports which are formed in the second figure shaped member 60 altogether, thereby making it possible to rotate the figure shaped member itself.

[0054] Additionally, as shown in Fig. 5, the second figure shaped member 60 is made of a hard resin and represents a person whose face and both hands are put out of a swimming ring. The second figure shaped member 60 has a water discharge device below the swimming ring which discharges water in jets from discharge ports 61, 62 while rotating. The discharge ports 61, 62 are disposed symmetrically and water is discharged in jets from the discharge ports 61, 62 in directions tangent to a circumference that would be formed by the rotation of the discharge ports 61, 62.

[0055] Additionally, as shown in Fig. 6, the second figure shaped member 60 includes an upper half body portion 63, a discharge portion 64 and a base portion 65. The upper half body portion 63 includes a head which is formed by fitting a face portion 63a and a rear head portion 63b together, both arms and a circular disk portion 63c. Thus, the upper half body portion 63 represents an upper half body of a person. The discharge portion 64 includes a water channel having the discharge ports 61, 62 that are disposed symmetrically with respect to the center of the second figure shaped member 60 and which each discharge water in jets in a counterclockwise direction, a rotational portion 64a and a rotational case portion 64b. Additionally, the base portion 65 includes a inner base portion 65a which supports rotationally the upper half body portion 63 and the discharge portion 64 which rotate and an outer base portion 65b which is positioned below the inner base portion 65a.

[0056] As shown in Fig. 7, the second figure shaped member 60 includes two cylindrical projecting portion 91, 92 which are disposed in an interior of the upper half body portion 63 in symmetrical positions with respect to an axis of the upper half body portion 63 so as to extend downwards from a lower side of the circular disk portion 63c. The cylindrical projecting portions 91, 92 are brought into engagement with two cutout engagement portions 93, 94 which are cut out into a fan shape on a circumferential edge of a central cylindrical portion of the rotational portion 64a of the discharge portion 64 which is made up of the rotational portion 64a and the rotational case portion 64b.

[0057] Additionally, the rotational portion 64a of the discharge portion 64 includes two discharge tube portions 95, 96 which are arm portions from which water is discharged in jets. The discharge tube portions 95, 96 are brought into engagement with discharge tube engagement portions 97, 98 which are positioned on a circumferential edge of the rotational case portion 64b so as to rotate together with the rotational case portion 64b.

[0058] In addition, the rotational case portion 64b includes a cylindrical rotational shaft 99 formed into a circular cylindrical shape in the center of a lower side thereof. Then, the cylindrical rotational shaft 99 is supported rotatably by a rotational bearing 99a which is positioned in the center of the inner base portion 65a of the base portion 65 which is made up of the inner base portion 65a and the outer base portion 65b.

[0059]  As shown in Fig. 8, the third figure shaped member 70 has a detachably attaching pipe 78 which is detachably attached to the hole portion 28 which is the first water discharge portion of the toy main body 10, whereby the third figure shaped member 70 can be connected to the first water discharge portion. Then, the flow channel switching switch 41 is operated to switch the flow channel of water so that water is discharged in jets from the first water discharge portion, and the power supply switch 40 is depressed to discharge water in jets, whereby water is discharged in jets from a water discharge port 77 which is positioned in the center of a basket portion 71 which is a spherical element accommodating portion of the third figure shaped member 70 so as to hold a state in which a spherical element 75 floats.

[0060] Namely, as shown in Fig. 8, the third figure shaped member 70 includes the basket portion 71 and the spherical element 75 which is accommodated in the basket portion 71 before water is discharged in jets from the water discharge port 77. Then, the spherical element 75 is caused to float by water discharged in jets from the water discharge port 77.

[0061] Next, operations of the figure shaped members when they are attached to the first water discharge portion of the toy main body 10 will be described by use of the drawings. Fig. 9 is a perspective view depicting an external appearance of the water toy 100 when the first figure shaped member 50 is placed on the main body figure shaped member 20. Fig. 10 is a perspective view depicting an external appearance of the water toy 100 when the second figure shaped member 60 is placed on the main body figure shaped member 20. Fig. 11 is a perspective view depicting an external appearance of the water toy 100 when the second figure shaped member 60 is placed on the first figure shaped member 50 resting on the main body figure shaped member 20. Fig. 12 is a perspective view depicting an external appearance of the water toy 100 when the third figure shaped member is placed on the main body figure shaped member 20.

[0062] The water toy 100 represents a state in which the figure is placed on the whale as shown in Fig. 9 by attaching the detachably attaching pipe 58a of the first figure shaped member 50, which can be disposed to rest in the positioning and resting hole portion 11 formed in the toy main body 10, to the hole portion 28 which is the first water discharge portion which corresponds to a blowhole portion of the main body figure shaped member 20 which represents a whale.

[0063] Then, in the water toy 100 in this state, the flow channel switching switch 41 is operated to switch the flow channel of water so that water is discharged from the first water discharge portion, and the power supply switch 40 is depressed so as to discharge water in jets, whereby water is discharged in jets from the three water discharge devices such as the head water discharge portion 51, the right hand water discharge portion 52 and the left hand water discharge portion 53 which are formed in the first figure shaped member 50.

[0064] The water toy 100 represents a state in which the figure is placed on the whale as shown in Fig. 10 by attaching the detachably attaching pipe 68 of the second figure shaped member 60, which can be disposed to rest in the positioning and resting hole portion 12 formed in the toy main body 10, to the hole portion 28 which is the first water discharge portion which corresponds to the blowhole portion of the main body figure shaped member 20 which represents a whale.

[0065] In addition, in the water toy 100 in this state, the flow channel switching switch 41 is operated to switch the flow channel of water so that water is discharged from the first water discharge portion, and the power supply switch 40 is depressed so as to discharge water in jets, whereby water is discharged in jets from the discharge ports 62, 63 which are the water discharge devices formed in the second figure shaped member 60 and the second figure shaped member 60 itself is rotated. Namely, water discharged from the first water discharge portion of the toy main body 10 is allowed to enter from the detachably attaching pipe 68 of the base portion 65 which is the attaching portion to the toy main body 10 which lies below the second figure shaped member 60, whereby the second figure shaped member 60 itself rotates in a clockwise direction while discharging water from the predetermined portions via the water channel in the interior of the second figure shaped member 60.

[0066] Further, the water toy 100 represents a state as shown in Fig. 11 in which the figures are placed one on the other or in two stages on the whale by attaching the first figure shaped member 50 to the hole portion 28 which is the first water discharge portion of the main body figure shaped member 20 and attaching further the detachably attaching pipe 68 of the second figure shaped member 60 to the head water discharge portion 51 of the first figure shaped member 50.

[0067] In addition, in the water toy 100 in this state, the flow channel switching switch 41 is operated to switch the flow channel of water so that water is discharged from the first water discharge portion, and the power supply switch 40 is depressed so as to discharge water in jets, whereby water is discharged in jets from the two portions which are the right hand water discharge portion 52 and the left hand water discharge portion 53 which are formed in the first figure shaped member 50, as well as from the discharge ports 62, 63 of the second figure shaped member 60, and the second figure shaped member 60 itself is rotated. Namely, water discharged from the first water discharge portion of the toy main body 10 is discharged from the two portions of the first figure shaped member 50 which are the right hand water discharge portion 52 and the left hand water discharge portion 53. Then, water that should be discharged from the head water discharge portion 51 is allowed to enter from the detachably attaching pipe 68 of the base portion 65 of the second figure shaped member 60, whereby the second figure shaped member 60 itself can be rotated in the clockwise direction while discharging water from the two water discharge devices via the water channel in the interior of the second figure shaped member 60.

[0068] Additionally, the water toy 100 represents a state in which the basket and the spherical element are placed on the whale by attaching the third figure shaped member 70, which can be disposed to rest in the positioning and resting hole portion 13 formed in the toy main body 10, to the hole portion 28 which is the first water discharge portion which corresponds to the blowhole portion of the main body figure shaped member 20 which represents a whale.

[0069] Then, in the water toy 100 in this state, the flow channel switching switch 41 is operated to switch the flow channel of water so that water is discharged from the first water discharge portion, and the power supply switch 40 is depressed so as to discharge water in jets, whereby as shown in Fig. 12, the spherical element 75 placed in an interior of the basket portion 71 of the third figure shaped member 70 can be caused to float by water discharged in jets from the discharge port 77.

[0070] It should be noted that the attachment of the third figure shaped member 70 is not limited to the hole portion 28 which is the first water discharge portion which corresponds to the blowhole portion of the main body figure shaped member 20 which represents a whale. Therefore, as with the second figure shaped member 60, the third figure shaped member 70 is also configured to be attached to the head water discharge portion 51 of the first figure shaped member 50 which has already been attached to the hole portion 28 which is the first water discharge portion.

[0071] Thus, according to the embodiment of the invention, it is possible to provide the water toy 100 which starts to move in the different ways by the participation of the player in the play.

[0072] Further, according to the embodiment of the invention, the water toy 100 has the plurality of water discharge devices which discharge water pumped up and includes the flow channel switching device which switches the water channels reaching the plurality of water discharge devices, whereby water can be discharged in jets in the various ways, and hence, the player is prevented from getting tired of playing with the water toy 100, thereby making it possible for the water toy 100 to be used for a long time.

[0073] In addition, according to the embodiment of the invention, the player can enjoy watching the waterwheel 27 rotating by discharging water from the mouth portion which is the second eater discharge device.

[0074] Additionally, according to the embodiment of the invention, since the water toy 100 includes the water discharge device which is made into the coupling device and the plurality of figure shaped members which can detachably be attached to the coupling device, by allowing the player to select any of the plurality of figure shaped members for use, it is possible to provide the water toy 100 with which the player can play in the various ways.

[0075]  In addition, according to the embodiment of the invention, since the water toy 100 includes the first figure shaped member 50 which discharges water in jets from the plurality of portions, water can be discharged in jets in the various ways while causing the player to develop the interest in the figure.

[0076] Further, according to the embodiment of the invention, since the water toy 100 includes the second figure shaped member 60 in which the figure rotates in association with water being discharged to the water discharge device, the player can use the water toy 100 for a long time while being prevented from getting tired of playing with the water toy 100.

[0077] In addition, according to the embodiment of the invention, since the second figure shaped member 60 can be coupled to the first figure shaped member 50, the first figure shaped member 50 discharges water in jets as the second figure shaped member 60 rotates, thereby making it possible to cause the player to develop the interest in the water toy 100.

[0078] Additionally, according to the embodiment of the invention, since the water toy 100 includes the third figure shaped member 70 in which the spherical element is caused to float from the spherical element accommodating portion in association with water being discharged to the water discharge device and the state in which the spherical element is floating is held by the discharge of water, it is possible to cause the player to develop the interest in the spherical element floating in the air.

[0079] Further, according to the embodiment of the invention, since the water toy 100 has the positioning and resting hole portions where the plurality of figure shaped member can be positioned to rest on the upper surface of the toy main body 10, it is possible not only to facilitate the free replacement of the figure shaped members which are the accessories for attachment but also to prevent the loss of the figure shaped members.

[0080] While the embodiment of the invention has been described, the embodiment has been described as the example of the invention and hence, there is no intention to limit the scope of the invention by the embodiment described. This novel embodiment can be made in various forms, and various omissions, replacements or alterations can be made to the embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. This embodiment and modifications made thereto are included not only in the spirit and scope of the invention but also in the scope of claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A water toy which pumps up stored water for discharge, comprising:

a pump unit having in an interior thereof an electric pump for pumping up stored water and configured to pump up the water disposed below a toy main body;

a power supply switch electrically connected to the electric pump and a power supply and configured to control an electric current supplied to the electric pump to activate or stop the electric pump;

a plurality of water discharge devices provided directly in the toy main body or coupled to the toy main body for discharging stored water, the plurality of water discharge devices discharging therefrom water pumped up by the pump unit; and

a flow channel switching device configured to switch water channels reaching the plurality of water discharge devices.

2. The water toy according to Claim 1, wherein
the toy main body has a waterwheel;
the plurality of water discharge devices are a first water discharge portion which is a first water discharge device and a second water discharge portion which is a second water discharge device;
the first water discharge portion is an upper hole portion in the toy main body;
the second water discharge portion is a front mouth portion in the toy main body; and
the waterwheel rotates when water is discharged from the mouth portion.

3. The water toy according to Claim 2, wherein
the hole portion which is the first water discharge device which is switched to discharge water by the flow channel switching device is made into a coupling device; and the water toy further comprises:

a plurality of figure shaped members configured to be detachably attached to the hole portion.

4. The water toy according to Claim 3, further comprising:

as one of the plurality of figure shaped members, a first figure shaped member configured to be fitted in the hole portion which is the first water discharge device to thereby discharge water from a plurality of portions in association with water being discharged into the first water discharge device.

5. The water toy according to Claim 3 or Claim 4, further comprising:

as one of the plurality of figure shaped members, a second figure shaped member configured to be fitted in the hole portion which is the first water discharge device to thereby rotate in association with water being discharged into the first water discharge device.

6. The water toy according to Claim 5, wherein
the second figure shaped member can be coupled to the first figure shaped member.

7. The water toy according to any of Claims 3 to 6, further comprising:

as one of the plurality of figure shaped members, a third figure shaped member configured to be fitted in the hole portion which is the first water discharge device not only to thereby cause a spherical element to float from a spherical element accommodating portion in association with water being discharged into the first water discharge device but also to thereby hold the spherical element in such a floating state by the discharge of water.

8. The water toy according to any of Claims 3 to 7, further comprising:

positioning and resting hole portions which are provided on an upper surface of the toy main body and where the plurality of figure shaped members can be positioned to rest.

Drawing