Inflatable toys having interchangeable parts

Abstract

An inflatable toy sword includes a handle having a proximal end and a distal end, a fan disposed in the handle for directing air toward the distal end of the handle, a power source disposed in the handle for providing power to operate the fan, and a switch coupled with the fan for selectively activating the fan. An inflatable blade has a proximal end with an opening. The proximal end of the inflatable blade is connected to the distal end of the handle. The toy sword may also generate light and sound.

Claims

1. An inflatable toy sword comprising: a handle having a proximal end and a distal end; a fan disposed in said handle for directing air toward the distal end of said handle; a power source disposed in said handle for providing power to operate said fan; a switch coupled with said fan for selectively activating said fan; an inflatable blade having a proximal end with an opening, wherein the proximal end of said inflatable blade is connected to the distal end of said handle.

2. The inflatable toy sword as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inflatable blade comprises a flexible material adapted to hold air or gas.

3. The inflatable toy sword as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inflatable blade comprises a flexible, elongated balloon.

4. The inflatable toy sword as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inflatable blade is a material selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Mylar, Latex, rubber, polyurethane, and paper.

5. The inflatable toy sword as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inflatable blade is a material selected from the group consisting of transparent, semi-transparent, and non-transparent materials.

6. The inflatable toy sword as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inflatable blade is a material having a color selected from the group consisting of red, blue, silver, indigo, and clear.

7. The inflatable toy sword as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a fan and controller subassembly that is disposed inside said handle, said fan and controller subassembly including a microcontroller that is in communication with said switch and for controlling operation of said inflatable toy sword.

8. The inflatable toy sword as claimed in claim 7, wherein said microcontroller comprises one or more microelectronic circuits or chips that control one or more of a fan, a light source, and a sound generating component.

9. The inflatable toy sword as claimed in claim 8, wherein said fan and controller subassembly further comprises an air inlet, said fan, and a light source, and wherein said fan and said light source are preferably in communication with said microcontroller.

10. The inflatable toy sword as claimed in claim 9, wherein said switch is engagable for activating said light source for illuminating said inflatable blade.

11. The inflatable toy sword as claimed in claim 10, wherein said switch is engageable for activating a sound chip for generating sound effects associated with sword fighting.

12. The inflatable toy sword as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distal end of said handle has a tube-shaped extension with external threads that surrounds an air-flow opening at the distal end of said handle, said inflatable toy sword further comprising an internally threaded sealing cap that is adapted to mesh with the external threads on said tube-shaped extension.

13. The inflatable toy sword as claimed in claim 12, wherein said internally threaded sealing cap has a central opening that is adapted to pass over said inflatable blade for securing the proximal end of said inflatable blade to the distal end of said handle.

14. The inflatable sword as claimed in claim 13, wherein the proximal end of said inflatable blade has a lip that surrounds the opening at the proximal end of said inflatable blade, and wherein the lip is disposed over the externally threaded extension for securing the proximal end of said inflatable blade with the distal end of said handle.

15. The inflatable toy sword as claimed in claim 14, wherein said internally threaded sealing cap is secured over the external threads on said tube-shaped extension for forming an air-tight seal between the proximal end of said inflatable blade and the distal end of said handle.

16. An inflatable toy sword comprising: a handle having a proximal end and a distal end; a fan disposed in said handle for directing air toward the distal end of said handle; a power source disposed in said handle for providing power to operate said fan; a switch accessible on said handle and coupled with said fan for selectively activating said fan; a microcontroller disposed in said handle and in communication with said switch and said fan for controlling operation of said fan; an inflatable blade having a proximal end with an opening, wherein the proximal end of said inflatable blade is connected with the distal end of said handle.

17. The inflatable toy sword as claimed in claim 16, further comprising: a light disposed inside said handle for illuminating said inflatable blade; a sound generating component disposed inside said handle for generating one or more sounds associated with sword fighting, wherein said light and said sound generating component are in communication with said microcontroller.

18. The inflatable toy sword as claimed in claim 16, wherein said inflatable blade comprises a flexible material adapted to hold air or gas, and wherein said inflatable blade is a material selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Mylar, Latex, rubber, polyurethane, and paper.

19. The inflatable toy sword as claimed in claim 16 wherein the distal end of said handle has a tube-shaped extension with external threads that surrounds an air-flow opening at the distal end of said handle, said inflatable toy sword further comprising an internally threaded sealing cap that is adapted to mesh with the external threads on said tube-shaped extension.

20. An inflatable toy sword comprising: a handle having a proximal end and a distal end; a fan disposed in said handle for directing air toward the distal end of said handle; an inflatable blade having a proximal end with an opening, wherein the proximal end of said inflatable blade is connected with the distal end of said handle, and wherein said fan is aligned with the opening at the proximal end of said inflatable blade for directing air into said inflatable blade; a power source disposed in said handle for providing power to operate said fan; a switch accessible on said handle and coupled with said fan for selectively activating said fan; a microcontroller disposed in said handle and in communication with said switch and said fan for controlling operation of said fan; wherein the distal end of said handle has a tube-shaped extension with external threads that surrounds an air-flow opening at the distal end of said handle, said inflatable toy sword further comprising an internally threaded sealing cap that is adapted to mesh with the external threads on said tube-shaped extension for forming an air-tight seal between the proximal end of said inflatable blade and the distal end of said handle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

(1) FIG. 1 shows an inflatable toy sword having an inflatable blade, a handle, and a sword guard, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

(2) FIG. 2 shows the inflatable blade and the handle of FIG. 1 before the proximal end of the inflatable blade is assembled with the distal end of the handle.

(3) FIG. 3 shows a fan subassembly disposed inside the handle of FIG. 1, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

(4) FIG. 4 shows a power subassembly disposed inside the handle of FIG. 1, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

(5) FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a charger and power cord for providing electrical power to the power and controller subassembly of FIG. 5, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

(6) FIG. 6 shows a series of inflatable blades for inflatable toy swords, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

(7) FIG. 7 shows a series of handles for inflatable toy swords, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

(8) FIG. 8 shows a series of inflatable toy swords having different configurations, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

(9) FIGS. 9-11 show a system for testing an inflatable toy sword, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

(10) FIGS. 12A and 12B show another system for testing an inflatable toy sword, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(11) Referring to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, an inflatable toy sword 20 includes an inflatable blade 22 having a proximal end 24 and a distal end 26. The inflatable toy sword 20 has a handle 28 having a proximal end 30, a distal end 32, and a handle guard 34 provided at the distal end 32 of the handle 28. In one embodiment, the inflatable toy sword 20 includes a switch 36 located on the handle 28 for activating the toy sword 20.

(12) Referring to FIG. 2, in one embodiment, the inflatable blade 22 is made of a flexible material that may hold air or gas and be inflated by directing air or gas into the proximal end 24 of the inflatable sword. In one embodiment, the inflatable blade 22 is a flexible, elongated balloon, which may be made out of various flexible materials including polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Mylar (i.e., a shiny, foil-like plastic made of polyester), Latex (i.e., a flexible material made from liquid rubber), polyurethane, and/or or paper. The inflatable blade may be transparent, semi-transparent, or non-transparent. The inflatable blade 22 may have different colors including but not limited to red, blue, silver, indigo, clear, etc. The inflatable blade 22 may have different shapes to replicate different types of swords, e.g., light saber, broadsword, samurai, Chinese Jian, and/or Chinese Dao.

(13) In one embodiment, the distal end 26 and the long sides of the inflatable blade 22 are sealed and the proximal end 24 has an opening 36 for receiving air and/or gas for inflating the inflatable blade 22. In one embodiment, the proximal end 24 of the inflatable blade 22 has a lip 38 that surrounds the opening 36. In one embodiment, the lip 38 is configured to form an air-tight seal with the distal end of the handle 28.

(14) In one embodiment, the inflatable blade has one or more spines 39A, 39B that extend along the long sides of the blade where two sheets of material are sealed together. The spines 39A, 39B may be at the top and bottom of the blade and preferably provide strength and rigidity to the blade when the blade is inflated. The spines may be formed by joining the edges of two opposing sheets together such as by using plastic tape or cloth tape. In one embodiment, the material used to make the inflatable blades may be translucent.

(15) In one embodiment, the handle 28 has a tube-shaped housing 40 that extends between the proximal end 30 and the distal end 32 of the handle. In one embodiment, the handle guard 34 at the distal end 32 of the handle 28 has an opening 42 that is adapted to receive the lip 38 at the proximal end of the inflatable blade 22 for forming an air-tight seal between the distal end 32 of the handle 28 and the proximal end 24 of the inflatable blade 22. The design and configuration of the handle guard 34 and the handle 28 may depict an era or theme for the inflatable toy sword (e.g., Star Wars, Western, Oriental). For example, for a Star Wars era theme, the handle and handle guard may resemble a typical light saber. For a Roman era theme, the handle and handle guard may resemble a Gladius sword. The variations for combining different inflatable blades and handles are limitless.

(16) In one embodiment, the switch 36 on the handle 28 may be a multi-position switch that is accessible at the outer surface of the housing 40. In one embodiment, the switch 36 is located closer to the distal end 32 of the handle 28 than the proximal end 30 of the handle 28. In one embodiment, the switch 36 controls a fan that directed air into the opening 36 at the proximal end 24 of the inflatable blade 22. The switch may also activate sound and/or light, as will be described in more detail herein.

(17) Referring to FIG. 3, in one embodiment, a fan and controller subassembly 44 is disposed inside the housing 40 of the handle 28. In one embodiment, the fan and controller subassembly 44 is disposed adjacent the distal end 32 of the handle 28.

(18) In one embodiment, the fan and controller subassembly 44 desirably includes a microcontroller 46 that controls operation of the inflatable toy sword. In one embodiment, the microcontroller 46 includes one or more microelectronic circuits or chips, which control one or more of a fan, a light source, and a sound generating component for producing various sounds.

(19) In one embodiment, the fan and controller subassembly 44 preferably includes an air inlet 48, a fan 50, and a light source 52 (e.g., an LED light). The fan 44 and the light source 52 are preferably in communication with the microcontroller 46. In one embodiment, the switch 36 (FIG. 2) may be engaged for activating the fan 50 for inflating the inflatable blade 22 (FIG. 2). In one embodiment, the air inlet 48 provides a source of air to the fan 50. In one embodiment, the fan 50 provides air to inflate external devices. In one embodiment, the fan 50 is activated to inflate the inflatable blade 22 (FIG. 2) In one embodiment, the fan may generate sufficient internal pressure to burst the distal end of the inflatable blade and eject paper mache disposed inside the blade. In one embodiment, the fan is a 10 volt, 70 micro-amp fan that rotates at around 0.70 m/s.

(20) The switch 36 (FIG. 2) may also be engaged for activating the light source 52 to generate light and/or for activating a sound chip 46 for generating various sound effects associated with swords and sword fighting.

(21) Referring to FIG. 3, in one embodiment, the distal end 32 of the handle 28 has an externally threaded tube-shaped extension 54 that surrounds the opening 42 (FIG. 2) at the distal end 32 of the handle 28. The inflatable toy sword includes an internally threaded sealing cap 56 that is adapted to mesh with the external threads on the extension 54. The internally threaded sealing cap 56 has a central opening that is designed to pass over the length of an inflatable blade when securing a proximal end of an inflatable blade to a distal end of the handle 28. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, in one embodiment, in order to assemble the inflatable blade 22 with the handle 28, the lip 38 at the proximal end 24 of the inflatable blade 22 in disposed over the externally threaded extension 54. The internally threaded sealing cap 56 is tightened over the externally threaded extension 54 for forming an air-tight seal between the proximal end 24 of the inflatable blade 22 and the distal end 32 of the handle 28. In one embodiment, the switch 36 may be engaged for activating the fan 50 for directing air into the inflatable blade 22 for inflating the blade so that it becomes erect. During use of the inflatable toy sword, the fan 50 may be continuously activated for maintaining the inflatable blade 22 is an erect configuration. The switch may also be engaged to generate different types of light effects (e.g., constant, blinking, changing intensity, changing colors, etc.) and different types of sounds (e.g., alerts, alarms, clashing sounds, attack sounds). Other sound effects may replicate blades making contract with other swords, a blade leaving a sheath, etc.

(22) Referring to FIG. 4, in one embodiment, an inflatable toy sword includes a power subassembly 58 disposed inside the housing 40 of the handle 28. In one embodiment, the power subassembly 58 is disposed between the proximal end 30 of the handle 28 and the fan and controller subassembly 44 located adjacent the distal end of the handle 28.

(23) In one embodiment, the power subassembly 58 provides a support base for the fan and controller subassembly. In one embodiment, the power subassembly 58 includes a USB connector 60 that is electrically interconnected with a battery charger circuit 62. One or more rechargeable batteries 64 are provided inside a battery cylinder 66. The batteries 64 are preferably charged and re-charged by connecting with the battery charger circuit 62.

(24) In one embodiment, an end cap 68 covers the proximal end 30 of the housing 40 of the handle 28. The end cap 68 is removable for accessing the components of the power subassembly 58. For example, the end cap 68 may be removed for replacing the batteries 64. In one embodiment, the batteries are any power source that holds an electrical charge. The batteries may be disposable batteries.

(25) Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, in one embodiment, an inflatable toy sword may include an AC adaptor 70 and a power cord 72 that interconnects with the USB connector 60 at the proximal end 30 of the handle 28. In one embodiment, the power cord 72 may be connected with a charging stand that receives the USB connector 60 at the proximal end 30 of the handle 28.

(26) In one embodiment, when the switch 36 is engaged, it will turn on the fan to inflate the inflatable blade, light the inflatable blade and/or generate sounds. In one embodiment, the sword may only inflate without generating light and/or sound.

(27) Referring to FIG. 6, in one embodiment, an inflatable toy sword may have inflatable blades having different sizes, shapes and configurations to replicate different themes and eras. In one embodiment, the inflatable blades may include a Light Saber blade 22, a Broadsword blade 122, a Samurai blade 222, a Chinese Jian blade 322, and a Chinese Dao blade 422.

(28) Referring to FIG. 7, in one embodiment, an inflatable toy sword may have handles having different sizes, shapes and configurations to replicate different themes and eras. In one embodiment, the handles may include a Light Saber handle 28, a Broadsword handle 128, a Samurai handle 228, a Chinese Jian handle 328, and a Chinese Dao handle 428.

(29) In one embodiment, the inflatable blades and the handles shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 may be mixed and matched for creating inflatable toy swords having different appearances. In one embodiment, the Light Saber blade 22 of FIG. 6 may be assembled with any of the handles shown in FIG. 7. In one embodiment, the Broadsword handle 128 of FIG. 7 may be assembled with any of the inflatable blades shown in FIG. 6. In one embodiment, any of the inflatable blades shown in FIG. 6 may be assembled with any of the handles shown in FIG. 7, and any of the handles shown in FIG. 7 may be assembled with any of the inflatable blades shown in FIG. 6. In one embodiment, the inflatable blades and handles shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 may have different shapes and configurations and still father within the scope of the invention.

(30) Referring to FIG. 8, in one embodiment, the inflatable blades of FIG. 6 may be assembled with the respective handles of FIG. 7 to provide inflatable toy swords having different configurations that replicate different themes and eras. In one embodiment, an inflatable light saber 20 includes an inflatable light saber blade 22 and a light saber handle 28; an inflatable Boardsword 20 includes an inflatable Boardsword blade 122 and a Boardsword handle 128; an inflatable Samurai sword 220 includes an inflatable Samurai blade 222 and a Samurai handle 228; an inflatable Chinese Jian sword 320 includes an inflatable Chinese Jian blade 322 and a Chinese Jian handle 328, and an inflatable Chinese Dao sword 420 includes an inflatable Chinese Dao blade 22 and a Chinese Dao handle 428. The different inflatable blades of FIG. 6 may be mixed and matched with the different guards shown in FIG. 7 to assemble swords having different configurations. The present application contemplates that inflatable blades and guards having different sizes, shapes and configurations may be used.

(31) Referring to FIGS. 9-11, in one embodiment, a system for testing an inflatable toy sword comprises a transformer 570 that generates electrical power for a test station 572 having a fan 574, an air flow meter 576, an air chamber 578, and an air-tight connection 580 at the distal end of the air chamber 578. In one embodiment, a proximal end 524 of an inflatable blade 522 is connected to the distal end of the air chamber 578 using the air-tight connection 580. The inflatable blade 522 may be made of any of the flexible materials disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an air pressure meter may be used instead of or in conjunction with the air flow meter for monitoring the pressure level of the air inside the inflatable blade.

(32) Referring to FIGS. 12A and 12B, in one embodiment, a system for testing an inflatable toy sword 620 includes a transformer 670 that generates low voltage electricity for operating a fan (not shown) disposed inside a handle 628. A proximal end 624 of an inflatable blade 622 forms an air-tight connection with a distal end of the handle 628. The transformer provides power to the fan in the handle 628 for inflating the inflatable blade 622.

(33) In one embodiment, the switch on the handle is a two position switch. The first position is a single pole, single throw switch, which functions to turn on the light and the fan to inflate the inflatable blade. In one embodiment, the fan can be a fixed speed fan or a variable speed fan depending on the desired inflation level for the blade. In one embodiment, the fan generates positive air pressure to inflate and erect the inflatable blade and maintain the erect configuration and shape of the blade. When the switch is in the off position, the fan and light will turn off and the blade will deflate. In one embodiment, the second position of the switch controls sound. When the switch is engaged, a sound corresponding to the style of the saber guard may be played. There can be numerous saber guards, such as Star Wars, Western, or Oriental. If a Star Wars saber guard is inserted, it plays the Star Wars light saber sound. If a Western or Oriental guard is inserted, the sound of the sword leaving its sheath is played. In one embodiment, each saber guard has the ability to generate a customized unique sound with the sound chip that is in the handle.

(34) In one embodiment, the inflatable blade has a thickness of between about 0.3 mm to 1.0 mm. The blade material may be transparent, semi-transparent, or non-transparent. The blade material may be any color such as red, blue, silver, or indigo.

(35) While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, which is only limited by the scope of the claims that follow. For example, the present invention contemplates that any of the features shown in any of the embodiments described herein, or incorporated by reference herein, may be incorporated with any of the features shown in any of the other embodiments described herein, or incorporated by reference herein, and still fall within the scope of the present invention.