Toy mechanical straw with actuator diaphragm

Abstract

A novelty straw assembly has a first straw section and a second straw section. Both sections interconnect to a manifold. A diaphragm is coupled to the manifold, wherein the diaphragm expands and contracts with changes in pressure within the manifold. Linkage assemblies are moved by the diaphragm as the diaphragm expands and contracts. A toy with moving parts is mounted between the two straw sections. The moving parts are coupled to the linkage assemblies and are moved by the linkage assemblies as a person drinks through the novelty straw assembly.

Claims

1. A novelty straw assembly for drinking a fluid, comprising: a first straw section; a second straw section; a diaphragm; a manifold comprising a bottom opening, a top opening, and a side segment, said diaphragm mounted on said side segment, said side segment in fluid communication with the top opening and bottom opening through the manifold and having a fluid passageway that terminates in said diaphragm, wherein said manifold interconnects said first straw section to said second straw section so that said fluid passes through said manifold when flowing between said first straw section and said second straw section, therein creating changes in pressure within said manifold; wherein said diaphragm expands and contracts with said changes in pressure within said manifold; at least one linkage element that is moved by said diaphragm as said diaphragm expands and contracts; and a character having moving parts that are coupled to said at least one linkage element and are moved by said at least one linkage element.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, further including an intake head terminating said second straw element.

3. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein said intake head includes a filter.

4. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein said intake head includes a reverse flow restrictor for restricting flow through said second straw section from said manifold.

5. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said character has molded body segments and wherein said diaphragm, said manifold and said at least one linkage element are all disposed within said molded body segments.

6. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said character is disposed between said first straw section and said second straw section.

7. A novelty straw assembly for drinking a fluid, comprising: a first straw section having a first end through which a person drinks said fluid; a second straw section that leads into said first straw section, wherein said fluid causes changes in pressure in said first straw section as said fluid flows between said first straw section and said second straw section; a manifold connected to the second straw section via a bottom opening, connected to the first straw segment via a top opening, and having a side segment; a diaphragm mounted on said side segment, said side segment in fluid communication with the top opening and bottom opening through the manifold and having a fluid passageway that terminates in said diaphragm, wherein said diaphragm expands and contracts with said changes in pressure; a mount coupled to said diaphragm, wherein said mount is moved by said diaphragm as said diaphragm expands and contracts; linkages that are moved by said mount; and toy parts that are visibly mounted to said first straw section that are moved by said linkages.

8. The assembly according to claim 7, wherein said toy parts are part of a character that is mounted around said diaphragm and said linkages.

9. The assembly according to claim 7, further including an intake head terminating said second straw section.

10. The assembly according to claim 9, wherein said intake head includes a filter.

11. The assembly according to claim 7, wherein said intake head includes a reverse flow restrictor for restricting flow through said second straw section from said first straw section.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description of an exemplary embodiment thereof, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a novelty straw assembly containing an articulated character in a retracted position;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a novelty straw assembly containing an articulated character in an extended position;

(4) FIG. 3 is a partially exploded view of the articulated character shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

(5) FIG. 4 is a schematic illustrating a simplified linkage assembly and its operation by a manifold and diaphragm subassembly, wherein the linkage assembly is oriented in a first configuration; and

(6) FIG. 5 is a schematic illustrating a simplified linkage assembly and its operation by a manifold and diaphragm subassembly, wherein the linkage assembly is oriented in a second configuration;

(7) FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the manifold that supports the diaphragm within the articulated character; and

(8) FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a check valve at the base of the straw assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(9) Although the present invention straw assembly can be embodied in many ways, only one exemplary embodiment is illustrated. The illustrated embodiment is selected in order to set forth one of the best modes contemplated for the invention. The illustrated embodiment, however, is merely exemplary and should not be considered a limitation when interpreting the scope of the appended claims.

(10) Referring to FIG. 1 in conjunction with FIG. 2, a novelty straw assembly 10 is shown. The novelty straw assembly 10 includes an upper straw section 12, a lower straw section 14, an intake head 16, and an articulated character 20. The articulated character 20 is disposed between the upper straw section 12 and the lower straw section 14. The intake head 16 terminates the lower straw section 14 at the lowest part of the novelty straw assembly 10.

(11) The articulated character 20 has moving parts 22. The moving parts 22 are moved by a unique manifold and diaphragm subassembly that is later described in more detail. The manifold and diaphragm subassembly produces movement that depends upon the relative pressure within the upper straw section 12. When the pressure in the upper straw section 12 is greater than ambient pressure, the moving parts 22 of the articulating character 20 are moved into a first configuration. When the pressure within the upper straw section 12 is lower than ambient pressure, the moving parts 22 are moved into a second configuration.

(12) In the exemplary embodiment, the articulated character 20 is configured as the Disney character Buzz Lightyear. The moving parts 22 of the articulated character 20 are the wings 25 and the laser arm 27. In the first configuration, the wings 25 and laser arm 27 of the articulated character 20 are down. In the second configuration, the wings 25 and the laser arm 27 of the articulated character 20 are raised. It will therefore be understood that the wings 25 and the laser arm 27 can be raised by selectively sucking through the novelty straw assembly 10 and causing the moving parts 22 to move between the first configuration and the second configuration.

(13) The articulated character 20 shown is exemplary. Most any object can be used as the articulated character 20. The articulated character 20 need not be a humanoid character. For instance, the articulated character 20 can be configured as a flower having pedals that rise and fall, or a toy car having doors that open and close. What is of importance is that the articulated character 20 is interesting to a child and has moving parts that can be readily observed by a child drinking through the novelty straw assembly 10.

(14) Referring to FIG. 3, it can be seen that a manifold and diaphragm subassembly 24 is disposed between the upper straw section 12 and the lower straw section 14. The manifold and diaphragm subassembly 24 contains a bellows or corrugated diaphragm 30. The corrugated diaphragm 30 is made from an elastomeric material that biases the corrugated diaphragm 30 into its neutral molded shape. As a person draws liquid through the novelty straw assembly 10, the corrugated diaphragm 30 contracts. Once the suction stops, gravity pulls the liquid in the opposite direction. This causes the corrugated diaphragm 30 to expand back to its neutral molded shape. The reverse flow of the liquid can be supplemented by a slight blowing of the person using the upper straw section 12. As such, the corrugated diaphragm 30 acts as a piston that moves up and down. This movement of the corrugated diaphragm 30 is used to power one or more linkage assemblies 32.

(15) The manifold and diaphragm subassembly 24, with its corrugated diaphragm 30, and the various linkage assemblies 32 it moves, are surrounded by the molded body segments 33, 34 of the articulated character 20. The moving parts 22 of the articulated character 20 are supported by the assemblage of the molded body segments 33, 34. Additionally, the moving parts 22 are engaged by elements of the various linkage assemblies 32. As such, the linkage assemblies 32 can cause movements in the moving parts 22.

(16) The linkage assemblies 32 can have many configurations. The configurations depend upon the size, location and desired range of motion for the moving parts 22. An exemplary simplification of the linkage assemblies 32 is shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, it can be seen that the corrugated diaphragm 30 can alter between a contracted condition and an expanded condition. As the corrugated diaphragm 30 moves between its expanded condition and the contracted position, a top mount 36 on the corrugated diaphragm 30 moves up and down. The top mount 36 is connected to one or more linkages 38. The linkages 38 pivot about a stationary pivot pin 40 that is part of the assemblage of molded body segments 33, 34 of the articulated character 20. The linkage 38 moves secondary linkages 42. The secondary linkages 42 are coupled to the moving parts 22 of the articulated character 20. As such, as the corrugated diaphragm 30 expands and contracts, the movement is transferred to the moving parts 22 through one or more linkages 38.

(17) Referring to FIG. 6, the workings of the manifold and diaphragm subassembly 24 are now explained. As can be seen, the corrugated diaphragm 30 is mounted to a manifold 44. The lower straw section 14 and the upper straw section 12 are also affixed to the manifold 44. These straw sections 12, 14 can be made detachable from the manifold 44 for easy cleaning.

(18) A person sucks upon the upper straw element 12 to draw liquid through the novelty straw assembly 10. This creates a low pressure within the manifold 44. The low pressure causes the corrugated diaphragm 30 to collapse. Thus, the top mount 36 of the corrugated diaphragm 30 moves down. Once any sucking stops, gravity pulls the liquid down within the novelty straw assembly 10 and the pressure within the manifold 18 becomes slightly greater than ambient pressure. The corrugated diaphragm 30 then expands. The expansion of the corrugated diaphragm 30 can be helped by slightly blowing the liquid downwardly in the upper straw section 12. The expansion of the corrugated diaphragm 30 moves the top mount 36 of the corrugated diaphragm 30 upwardly.

(19) Referring to FIG. 7, it can be seen that an intake head 46 is provided at the bottom of the lower straw section 14. The intake head 46 includes a filter 48 to prevent any large particles from being sucked into the novelty straw assembly 10 where they can adversely affect the operation of the manifold and diaphragm subassembly 24. The intake head 46 also serves as a restrictor that prevents a person from blowing too hard through the novelty straw assembly 10 which could cause the corrugated diaphragm 30 to over inflate or burst.

(20) It will be understood that the embodiment of the present invention that is illustrated and described is merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art can make many variations to that embodiment. All such embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.