Boat toy and method for making same

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a floatable toy and in particular a toy having the general configuration of a boat comprising a raft portion and being floatable by virtue of pontoons affixed to the raft.

[0002] Pontoon-supported boats for carrying passengers and cargo are, of course, well known and their design and methods of manufacture are directed to the specific problems encountered in fabricating such full size vessels. Examples of such designs are found in the patent art in U.S. Design Patent D-123,501; U.S. Patent 3,426,716; U.S. Patent 3,063,398; U.S. Patent 2,394,764; and U.S. Patent 2,077,526.

[0003] It is also known to produce toy boats comprising pontoons, such prior knowledge being exemplified by U.S. Patent 4,045,907.

[0004] The different problems associated with the design and manufacture of full size vessels as compared to toy boats are well illustrated by the above referred to prior art. In the case of full size vessels, such considerations as safety, strength, hydrodynamics and the like are paramount. Accordingly, the means for fastening the pontoon to the remainder of the vessel are all designed with these factors in mind. Thus, in U.S. Patent 3,063,398 a T-shaped lug adapted to interfit with and anchor a clamp carried by the body of the vessel is provided. in U.S. Patent 2,394,764 a complex arrangement of saddle and flange means interconnected with tie rods and trim buckles is provided. In U.S. Patent 3,426,716 a split tube welded to a plate engages arcuate flanges depending from the body of the vessel to secure the pontoon to the vessel.

[0005] In contrast with the aforementioned designs, water-worthiness and strength are not the principle criteria in designing a toy boat. In many cases, the features which provide such attributes are actually detrimental in a toy in that they represent sharp edges and breakable elements which can be dangerous to a small, active child. Beyond question, they do not lend themselves to high speed manufacturing processes which are essential for the practical mass marketing of children's toys.

[0006] Thus, for example, in U.S. Patent 4,045,907 for a toy boat, the simple solution suggested is to merely secure the pontoons to the body of the boat by gluing. The apparent simplicity of this design notwithstanding, several drawbacks are associated therewith. In the manufacturing process, the glue must be carefully registered and placed at the proper location and only at the proper location. Deposition of excess glue must be avoided. The drying process must be completed prior to further manufacture and packaging. All these steps greatly slow the manufacturing process. Additionally, the choice of glue for a toy boat to be used in a bathtub environment by a small child is extremely limited. Such choice is constrained when it is considered that the toy will be employed in hot soapy water which will tend to attack the glue seal. Needless to say, the issue of toxicity will also eliminate many otherwise useful glues.

[0007] Accordingly, there is a need for an improvement in a toy boat of this kind which is easy to assemble and avoids complex or dangerous elements.

[0008] BE-A-690 797 discloses a raft comprising a raft portion having longitudinally extending edges and two pontoons comprising floatable, generally cylindrical shaped bodies, each having a longitudinal axis and each affixed to the raft portion adjacent to a longitudinal edge with the longitudinal axis of the pontoons parallel to the longitudinal edge of the raft portion wherein means are provided for affixing the pontoons to the raft, said means comprising arcuate brackets extending from each of said longitudinal edges; a portion of said brackets being adapted to cooperate with and interfit into grooves of the cylindrical walls of the pontoons thereby securing said pontoons to said raft portion.

[0009] In accordance with this invention, a floatable toy is provided which obviates the problems associated with the affixation of pontoons to a raft-like portion of the toy and specifically, avoids the problems of complex connecting means, gluing or requiring difficult assembly steps.

[0010] The present invention provides a raft which is characterised in that: the raft is a toy; each bracket is essentially semicircular; at least two brackets extend from the top or bottom portion of each longitudinal edge and another bracket extends from the bottom or top portion respectively of said longitudinal edge; and the brackets interfit into depressions in the cylindrical walls of the pontoons.

[0011] It will be understood that as used herein the term "top", with respect to the raft, refers to the surface of the raft facing out of the water and the term "bottom", with respect to the raft, refers to the surface of the raft facing into the water. In a first embodiment, the brackets are each provided with a rib portion extending radially from the inner circumferential surface toward the center of curvature of said brackets, the ribs being adapted to interfit into the depressions in the cylindrical walls of the pontoons. In another embodiment, the entire bracket interfits into the depressions in the cylindrical walls of the pontoons to present a smooth cylindrical surface comprising said bracket and said cylindrical walls of the pontoons.

[0012] In another aspect of this invention, the brackets are molded integrally with the body of the raft and, owing to the selection of materials of construction and the thickness of the brackets, have a slight degree of flexibility. Accordingly, the raft portion and the pontoons may be molded separately. To assemble the floatable toy, each pontoon may be axially aligned along one longitudinal edge and in front of said raft portion in a position whereby the pontoon is rotated out of its intended position of rotation when finally assembled. The pontoon may then be slid into position, parallel to and adjacent to the longitudinal edge of the raft and past the brackets which, owing to their flexible nature yield about the cylindrical walls of the pontoon. Because the pontoon has been rotated out of its intended position, the depressions in the cylindrical walls do not catch the brackets as the pontoon is slid into position. Once in its proper axial position, the pontoon may be rotated to align the depressions with the brackets which, again owing to their flexibility, will seat in the depressions to complete the assembly.

Fig. 1 is a perspective, assembled view of a floatable toy embodying the teachings of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective, exploded view of the floatable toy of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse, cross-sectional view of the floatable toy of Fig. 1, taken through line 3-3;

Fig. 4 is a transverse, cross-sectional view of the floatable toy of Fig. 1, taken through line 3-3 at a point in time intermediate to the process for assembling the toy.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment for the floating toy of this invention; and

Fig. 6 is a transverse, cross-sectional view of the floatable toy of Fig. 5 taken through line 6―6.

[0013] Referring now to the drawings, Figs. 1-3 depict, in perspective assembled, perspective exploded and transverse cross-sectional views, respectively, a floatable toy 10 embodying the teachings of this invention.

[0014] The floatable toy 10 comprises a raft portion 12 having longitudinally extendiing edges 14 and 16. The raft portion 12 of toy 10 may include various additional structure to enhance the play value of the toy including, for example, a cabin like structure, a mast, a wheel house or the like. As depicted in the drawings, the raft is provided with a plurality of apertures or depressions 22. The floor of the depressions 22 are provided with drain holes 26. Various additional play-enhancing elements (not shown) may be provided with the toy and adapted to fit within the apertures or depression such as, for example, trays, cups, sprinkling cans or the like.

[0015] The toy 10 is provided with two pontoons 18 and 20, which are floatable and generally cylindrically shaped bodies each having a longitudinal axis A-A and B-B, respectively.

[0016] In the assembled position as depicted in Figs. 1 and 3, the pontoons are affixed to the raft, each adjacent to a longitudinal edge, with the longitudinal axis of the pontoons parallel to said longitudinal edge. As best seen in Fig. 3, a portion 19 of the cylindrical surface of the pontoons is flattened to better fit against the longitudinal edge of the raft.

[0017] In accordance with the teachings of the invention, the means for affixing the pontoons to the raft comprise brackets extending from the longitudinal edges of the raft, at least a portion of the brackets adapted for cooperating and interfitting with depressions in the cylindrical walls of the pontoons. As shown in Figs. 1-3, upper brackets 28 are provided, integral with and extending from the top of the longitudinal edge of the raft. Lower brackets 30 are provided extendingg from the bottom of the longitudinal edges of the raft. Brackets 28 and 30 are arcuate to conform and fit closely to the cylindrical walls of the pontoons. The brackets are provided with rib portions 29 which extend circumferentially along the inner surface of the brackets and depend toward the center of curvature of the brackets. The term "inner surface" of the brackets will be understood to mean that surface facing towards the surface of the pontoons when the floatable toy is assembled.

[0018] The rib portions 29 of the brackets are adapted to interfit into depressions 32 and 34 provided in top and bottom portions of the pontoons. By so interfitting, the pontoons are held securely to the raft portions.

[0019] In accordance with a further aspect of this invention, the design described herein lends itself to a simple, commercially practical means for assembly. Firstly, the brackets are selected to be constructed of a material and to have as thickness such as to impart to the brackets a degree of flexibility. In this connection, such flexibility shall mean that the brackets may be moved away from their intended position when the toy is in its assembled condition and may be biased to return to its intended position when the moving force is withdrawn.

[0020] To assemble the toy, each pontoon 18 and 20 is axially aligned along one longitudinal edge, e.g., edge 16 and in front of the raft portion, e.g., the end portion 36 of pontoon 18 is adjacent the raft corner 38. The pontoon at this point in the process should be in a position of rotation about its axis away from its intended position of rotation when the toy is fully assembled. Preferably the pontoon is rotated 10° to 180° out of its intended position and more preferably 45° to 135°. The pontoon is then slid into a position parallel to and adjacent to the longitudinal edge of the raft and past the brackets and rib portions which, owing to their flexibility, yield about the cylindrical walls of the pontoon. Because the pontoon has been rotated, the depressions in the cylindrical walls do not interfere and catch the rib portions of the brackets as the pontoon is slid into position. Once in the proper axial position, the pontoon may be rotated to align the depressions with the rib portions of the brackets which, again owing to their flexibility, will seat into the depressions and present the assembled pontoon.

[0021] Fig. 4 depicts the partially assembled toy, in a transverse cross-sectional view similar to that of Fig. 3, at a point in the assembly wherein pontoons 18 and 20 have been aligned with longitudinal edges 16 and 14, respectively, and the brackets 28 and 30 are out of alignment with depressions 32 and 34 (not shown). As shall be understood from the above discussion, by not rotating the pontoons about their longitudinal axes, the depressions may be brought into alignment with the bracket and the brackets will seat therein, reducing the toy to the assembled position shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

[0022] Referring now to Figs. 5 and 6, illustrated therein are perspective and transverse cross-sectional views of an alternate embodiment for the floatable toy of this invention.

[0023] The floatable toy 40 again comprises a raft portion 42 having longitudinally extending edges 44 and 46. The toy is provided with two pontoons 48 and 50 having the same general shape as those described in connection with Fig. 1. Brackets 52 and 54 are provided extending from longitudinal edges 44 and 46 of the raft portion 42, but unlike those of Fig. 1, the brackets of this embodiment are not provided with depending ribs. Instead the inner surface of brackets 52 and 54 are smooth. The pontoons 48 and 50 are provided with depressions 56 and 58 adapted to have the entire brackets 52 and 54 interfit therein. The depth and shape of the depression are provided such that when the brackets are interfitted and the floatable toy is in its assembled position, the brackets and the cylindrical walls of the pontoons will present a smooth cylindrical surface.

[0024] It will be understood that while the embodiments shown in the drawings illustrate two top brackets and one lower bracket, many other combinations are possible and will still meet the design criteria prescribed herein. Thus, for example, one top bracket and two bottom brackets will be effective. Similarly, the brackets may be of uneven size and, in some instances, the top bracket may simply be elongated and only one will suffice. In the preferred embodiments, a plurality of brackets are employed with at least one of such being a top bracket and at least another being a bottom bracket. Needless to say, whatever the configuration of the brackets, the depression in the walls of the pontoons may be varied to conform thereto.

[0025] A wide choice of materials are suitable for use as the materials of construction for the toy including, for example, metals, water proof paper or boards, or even, in part, wood. Preferably however, the materials of choice are polymers which exhibit thermoplastic behaviour, e.g., "plastics" such as polyolefins, e.g., polypropylene or polyethylene. Preferably the raft portion and its extending brackets are molded together using injection molding techniques. The pontoons are preferably molded by utilizing blow molding techniques, particularly when the raft portion is floatable by virtue of the pontoons being hollow.

Claims

1. A floatable raft comprising:

a raft portion (12) having longitudinally extending edges (14, 16);

two pontoons (18, 20) comprising floatable, generally cylindrically shaped bodies, each having a longitudinal axis (A-A, B-B) and each affixed to the raft portion (12) adjacent to a longitudinal edge (14, 16) with the longitudinal axis of the pontoons (18, 20) parallel to the longitudinal edge (14, 16) of the raft portion (12); and

arcuate brackets (28, 30) for affixing the pontoons (18, 20) to the raft (12) extending from each of said longitudinal edges (14, 16), at least a portion of said brackets (28, 30) being adapted to cooperate with and interfit with the cylindrical walls of the pontoons (18, 20) thereby securing said pontoons (18, 20) to said raft portion (12), characterised in that:

the raft is a toy;

each bracket (28,30) is essentially semicircular;

at least two brackets (28) extend from the top or bottom portion of each longitudinal edge (14, 16) and another bracket (30) extends from the bottom or top portion respectively of said longitudinal edge (14, 16); and

the brackets (28, 30) interfit into depressions (32, 34) in the cylindrical walls of the pontoons (18,20).

2. The floatable toy of claim 1 wherein each bracket (28, 30) is provided with a rib portion (29) extending radially from the inner circumference surface toward the center of curvature of said bracket (28, 30), said ribs (29) being the portion of said bracket adapted to cooperate with and interfit into said depression (32, 34) in the cylindrical walls of the pontoons (18, 20).

3. The floatable toy of claim 1 wherein each of the entire brackets (52, 54) interfits into the depression (56, 58) in the cylindrical wall of the pontoon (48, 50).

4. A method of assembling a floatable toy comprising a raft portion (12) having longitudinally extending edges (14, 16) and two pontoons (18, 20) comprising flotable, generally cylindrically shaped bodies, each having a longitudinal axis (A-A, 8-8) and each to be affixed to the raft portion (12) adjacent to and parallel with a longitudinal edge (14, 16) comprising:

providing flexible arcuate brackets (28, 30) extending from each of said longitudinal edges (14,16), at least a portion of said brackets (28, 30) being adapted to cooperate with and interfit into depressions (32, 34) in the cylindrical walls of the pontoons (18, 20), wherein at least two brackets (28) extend from the top or bottom portion or each longitudinal edge (14, 16) and at least one other bracket (30) extends from the bottom or top portion respectively of said longitudinal edge (14, 16);

axially aligning each pontoon (18,20) along one longitudinal edge (14, 16) and in front of said raft portion (12) in a position of rotation out of its intended position when finally assembled;

sliding said pontoon (18, 20) into axial position parallel to the adjacent the longitudinal edge (14, 16) of the raft portion (12) and past the brackets (28, 30) and;

rotating said pontoon (18, 20) to align the depression (32, 34) with the bracket (28, 30) to seat the brackets (28,30) into said depressions (32,34).

Ansprüche

1. Flotierbares Floß, umfassend

- ein Floßteil (12) mit sich in Längsrichtung erstreckenden Kanten (14, 16);

- zwei Pontons (18, 20), umfassend flotierbare, im allgemeinen zylindrisch geformte Körper, von denen jeder eine Längsachse (A-A, B-B) hat und jeder an dem Floßteil (12) an einer Längskante (14, 16) mit der Längsachse der Pontons (18, 20) parallel zu den Längskanten (14, 16) des Floßteils (12) befestigt ist, und

- bogenförmige, von jeder der Längskanten (14, 16) ausgehende Träger (28, 30) zur Befestigung der Pontons (18,20) an dem Floß (12), wobei wenigsten ein Teil der Träger (28, 30) mit den Zylinderwänden der Pontons (18, 20) zusammenwirken und auf diese passen kann, wobei die Pontons (18, 20) an dem Floßteil (12) befestigt werden,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß

- das Floß ein Spielzeug ist;

- jeder Träger (28,30) notwendigerweise rundbogenförmig ist;

- wenigstens zwei Träger (28) von dem oberen oder unteren Teil jeder Längskante (14,16) ausgehen bzw. ein andererTräger (30) vom unteren oder oberen Teil der Längskante (14, 16) ausgeht und

- die Träger (28, 30) in Vertiefungen (32, 34) in den Zylinderwänden der Pontons (18, 20) passen.

2. Flotierbares Spielzeug nach Anspruch 1, worin jeder Träger (28, 30) mit einem Verstärkungsrippen-Teil (29) versehen ist, das sich radial von der inneren Umfangsfläche in Richtung auf das Zentrum der Krümmung des Trägers (28, 30) erstreckt, wobei die Verstärkungsrippen (29) der Teil des Trägers sind, der mit der Vertiefung (32, 34) in den Zylinderwänden der Pontons (18, 20) zusammenswirken und in diese hineinpassen kann.

3. Flotierbares Spielzeug nach Anspruch 1, worin jeder der gesamten Träger (52, 54) in dier Vertiefung (56, 58) in der Zylinderwand des Pontons (48, 50) hineinpaßt.

4. Verfahren zum Zusammenbauen eines flotierbaren Spielzeugs, umfassend ein Floßteil (12) mit sich in Längsrichtung erstreckenden Kanten (14, 16) und zwei Pontons (18, 20), die flotierbare, im allgemeinen zylindrisch geformte Körper umfassen, von denen jeder eine Längsachse (A-A, B-B) aufweist und jeder an dem Floßteil (12) an den und parallel mit den Längskanten (14, 16) befestigt werden soll, wobei das Verfahren folgende Schritte umfaßt:

- Vorsehen flexibler bogenförmiger, von jeder der Längskanten (14, 16) ausgehender Träger (28, 30), wobei wenigstens ein Teil der Träger (28, 30) mit Vertiefungen (32, 34) in den Zylinderwänden der Pontons (18,20) zusammenwirken und in diese hineinpassen kann, wobei wenigsten zwei Träger (28) von dem oberen oder unteren Teil jeder Längskante (14,16) ausgehen bzw. wenigstens ein anderer Träger (30) von dem unteren oder oberen Teil der Längskante (14, 16) ausgeht; - axiales Ausrichten jedes Pontons (18, 20) entlang einer Längskante (14, 16) und vor dem Floßteil (12) in einer Stellung, in der er aus seiner nach endgültiger Montage beabsichtigten Stellung herausgedreht ist;

- Einschieben des Pontons (18,20) in die axiale Position parallel und benachbart zu der Längskante (14,16) des Floßteils (12) und an den Trägern (28, 30) vorbei und

- Verdrehen des Pontons (18, 20), um die Vertiefung (32, 34) an dem Träger (28, 30) auszurichten, um die Träger (28, 30) in die Vertiefungen (32, 34) einzusetzen.

Revendications

1. Un radeau capable de flotter, comprenant: une partie radeau (12) ayant des bords (14, 16) s'étendant longitudinalement;

deux ponts (18, 20) comprenant des corps capable de flotter, de forme généralement cylindrique, chacun ayant un axe longitudinal (A-A, B-B) et chacun fixé à la partie radeau (12) attenant au bord longitudinal (14,16), l'axe longitudinal des ponts (18, 20) étant parallèle au bord longitudinal (14, 16) de la partie radeau (12); et

des supports arqués (28,30) pour fixer les ponts (18, 20) au radeau (12) s'étendant à partir de chacun desdits bords longitudinaux (14, 16), une partie au moins desdits supports (28, 30) étant adaptée pour agir et s'ajuster avec les parois cylindriques des ponts (18, 20) fixant ainsi lesdiits ponts (18, 20) à ladite partie du radeau (12);

caractérisé en ce que:

le radeau est un jouet;

chaque support (28, 30) est essentiellement semi-circulaire;

deux supports au moins (28) s'étendent à partir de la partie supérieure ou inférieure de chaque bord longitudinal (14, 16) et un autre support (30) s'étend à partir de la partie inférieure ou supérieure respectivement desdits bords longitudinaux (14, 16); et

les supports (28, 30), s'ajustent dans des évidements (32, 34) dans les parois cylindriques des points (18, 20).

2. Le jouet capable de flotter de la revendication 1, dans lequel chaque support (28, 30) est pourvu d'une partie nevure (29) s'étendant radialement de la surface de la circonférence intérieure vers le centre de courbure dudit support (28, 30), lesdites nervures (29) étant la partie dudit support adaptée à agir et s'ajuster dans ledit évidements (32, 34) dans les parois cylindriques des ponts (18, 20).

3. Le jouet capable de flotter de la revendication 1, dans lequel chacun des supports s'ajuste tout entier dans l'évidement (56, 58) dans la paroi cylindrique du pont (48, 50).

4. Un procédé d'assemblage d'un jouet capable de flotter comprenant une partie radeau (12) ayant des bords s'étendant longitudinalement (14, 16) et deux ponts (18, 20) comprenant des corps de forme généralement cylindrique, capables de flotter, chacun ayant un axe longitudinal (A-A, B-B) et chacun devant être fixé à la partie radeau (12) adjacente et parallèle au bord longitudinal (14, 16) comprenant:

une fourniture de supports arqués flexibles (28, 30) s'étendant de chacun desdits bords longitudinaux (14, 16), une partie au moins desdits supports (28, 30) étant adaptée pour agir et s'ajuster dans des évidements (32, 34) prévus dans les parois cylindriques des ponts (18, 20), au moins deux supports (28) s'étendant à partir de la partie supérieure ou inférieure de chaque bord longitudinal (14, 16) et au moins un autre support (30) s'étendant à partir de la partie inférieure ou supérieure, respectivement, dudit bord longitudinal (14, 16);

un alignement axial de chaque pont (18, 20) le long d'un bord longitudinal (14, 16) et en face de ladite partie radeau (12) dans une position de rotation hors de sa position souhaitée quand il est finalement assemblé;

glissement dudit pont (18, 20) dands une position axiale parallèle et adjacente au bord longitudinal (14, 16) de la partie radeau (12) et entre les supports (28, 30) et;

rotation dudit pont (18, 20) pour aligner l'évidement (32, 34) avec le support (28, 30) pour ajuster les supports (28, 30) dans lesdits évidements (32, 34).

Drawing