Water toy

Abstract

A water toy having a plurality of buoyant foam blocks, each block having at least one inlet port and at least one outlet port, wherein at least one of the inlet ports is fluidly connected to at least one of the outlet ports by at least one through-bore within one of the blocks, and, a plurality of tubes, each tube operatively arranged to fluidly connect one of at least one inlet ports to one of at least one outlet ports.

Description

Attorney Docket No.: AQBP101WO WATER TOY FIELD

[0001] This application claims the benefit under Articles 4 and 8 of the Stockholm Act of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 511,342, filed on June 30, 2023, which application is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to a water toy, specifically to a plurality of buoyant foam blocks, each block having at least one inlet port and at least one outlet port; and, a plurality of tubes, each tube operatively arranged to fluidly connect one of at least one inlet ports to one of at least one outlet ports. BACKGROUND

[0003] Water toys are well known in the art, ranging from pool floats to squirt guns. Other water toys include sprinkler systems, such as the “Tidal Storm Hydro Swirl” which has a water- spinning (emitting) center with flailing plastic tubes, each of which emit water in random directions. The “Swirl” connects to a standard hose and, when a water source is turned on, the tubes emit water for kids to play in. Like typical garden sprinkler systems, most sprinkler toys threadably connect to a garden hose and each system offers different water experiences.

[0004] However, many of these sprinkler toys are fixed, meaning that the arrangement of the water dispersion is set in a specific configuration, or there are limited pieces to avoid assembly or damage during use.

[0005] Many sprinkler toys are designed to be positioned on the ground and usually are not designed to be used in the water as well.

[0006] Thus, there is a long-felt need for a water toy that includes a plurality of buoyant foam blocks, each block having at least one inlet port and at least one outlet port, wherein at least one of the inlet ports is fluidly connected to at least one of the outlet ports by at least one through-bore within one of the blocks, and, a plurality of tubes, each tube operatively arranged to fluidly connect one of at least one inlet ports to one of at least one outlet ports.

[0007] There is also a long-felt need for a water toy as described above which further includes a removable sprinkler head, has a variety of possible configurations for kids to experiment with building their own designs, and can float in water for play in a pool.

[0008] Finally, there is a long-felt need for a customizable water toy that may removably connect to a water source, includes a removable sprinkler head, and has a plurality of components which may be removably connected to allow for customization of the water toy and / or customization of a water toy with a sprinkler head. SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM

[0009] The present invention generally comprises a water toy, specifically a “STEAM” toy, i.e., a science, technology, engineering, art, and math toy, which utilizes a plurality of buoyant blocks and transparent, or translucent, tubes (or connectors)—allowing kids to customize their own designs by connecting the blocks and tubes. The water toy includes a sprinkler head and a connector for removably connecting a water source thereto. The water toy may also include other components that are removably connected to the blocks. One such component is a water wheel. The combination and engagement of blocks and tubes creates a fluid “circuit” having an inflow and an outflow, where the outflow may comprise the sprinkler head. Each of the blocks includes at least one through-bore therein, where each through-bore of each of the blocks may accept one of the tubes therein. The water toy can be used anywhere and because each of the blocks are comprised of a buoyant material, the water toy floats in water. It should be appreciated that the toy may be used as a sprinkler outside of a swimming pool (e.g., on a lawn), as a sprinkler atop a swimming pool, or as a flotation toy atop a swimming pool when detached from a water source. SUMMARY

[0010] At the outset, the present invention is generally related to a water toy comprising a plurality of buoyant foam blocks, each block having at least one inlet port and at least one outlet port, and a plurality of tubes, each tube operatively arranged to fluidly connect one of at least one inlet ports to one of at least one outlet ports.

[0011] In some arrangements, one of the plurality of tubes of the water toy is operatively arranged to connect a source of water to at least one inlet port of one of the plurality of buoyant foam blocks.

[0012] In other arrangements, each of the buoyant foam blocks of the water toy is in a shape selected from the group consisting of: triangular prisms, rectangular prisms, cubes, cuboids, squarepyramids, triangular pyramids, cylinders, cones, frusto-conical cones, sphere, tori, polyhedrons, parallelepipeds, obloids, oblate spheroids, stars, spheroids / ellipsoids and horseshoes.

[0013] In some embodiments, each of the plurality of tubes of the water toy is in a shape selected from the group consisting of: straight, U-shaped, elbow shaped, acute angle shaped, obtuse angle shaped, Y-shaped, T-shaped, and S-shaped. Alternatively, each of the plurality of tubes of the water toy is configured in a shape of at least one of: straight, U-shaped, elbow shaped, acute angle shaped, obtuse angle shaped, Y-shaped, T-shaped, S-shaped, and spiral shaped. Further, each of the plurality of tubes may be configured as at least one: substantially rigid, and substantially flexible.

[0014] In alternative embodiments, at least one of the plurality of tubes of the water toy is flexible and expandable, where the flexible and expandable tube may be corrugated.

[0015] In other embodiments, each of the plurality of tubes may be transparent or translucent, and each of the plurality of buoyant foam blocks is comprised of a closed-cell foam.

[0016] In further arrangements, the water toy further comprises a sprinkler head operatively arranged to engage one of the at least one outlet ports of one of the at least one buoyant foam blocks. In still another arrangement, the water toy further comprises a water wheel operatively arranged to engage one of the at least one outlet ports of one of the at least one buoyant foam blocks.

[0017] In further embodiments, the present invention may comprise a water toy, the water toy including a plurality of buoyant foam blocks, each of the blocks having at least one through-bore therein, the at least one through-bore having one inlet port and one outlet port, and a plurality of tubes, each of the tubes operatively arranged to fluidly connect to at least one through-bore of the plurality of buoyant foam blocks.

[0018] These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon a review of the following detailed description of the invention, in view of the drawings and appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Various embodiments are disclosed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, in which: Figure 1 illustrates an assembled embodiment of the present invention;Figure 2 illustrates in the invention shown in Figure 1 connected to a water source; Figure 3 illustrates a skeleton view of the invention shown in Figure 1; Figure 4A illustrates a perspective view of block 11 of the invention shown in Figure 1; Figure 4B illustrates a perspective view of block 12 of the invention shown in Figure 1; Figure 4C illustrates a perspective view of block 13 of the invention shown in Figure 1; Figure 4D illustrates a perspective view of block 14 of the invention shown in Figure 1; Figure 4E illustrates a perspective view of block 15 of the invention shown in Figure 1; Figure 4F illustrates a perspective view of block 16 of the invention shown in Figure 1; Figure 5A illustrates a perspective view of tube 17 of the invention shown in Figure 1; Figure 5B illustrates a perspective view of tube 18 of the invention shown in Figure 1; Figure 5C illustrates a perspective view of tube 19 of the invention shown in Figure 1; Figure 5D illustrates a perspective view of connector tube 22 of the invention shown in Figure 1; Figure 5E illustrates a perspective view of connector tube 23 of the invention shown in Figure 1; Figure 5F illustrates a perspective view of closed-end tube 25 of the invention shown in Figure 1; Figure 5G illustrates a perspective view of U-shaped tube 26 of the invention shown in Figure 1; Figure 6A is a portion of Figure 3 taken from DETAIL 6; Figure 6B is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 6B-6B in Figure 6A; and, Figure 7 illustrates an alternative configuration of the present invention shown in Figure 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements. It is to be understood that the claims are not limited to the disclosed aspects.

[0021] Furthermore, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and as such may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims. As such, those in the art will understandthat any suitable material, now known or hereafter developed, may be used in forming the present invention described herein.

[0022] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. It should be understood that any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein, or understood to one having skill in the art within, can be used in the practice or testing of the example embodiments.

[0023] The terms, “having”, “has”, “including”, “includes” are intended to be substantially synonymous with the terms “comprising” and / or “comprises” and / or “comprise”.

[0024] It should be appreciated that the term “substantially” is synonymous with terms such as “nearly,” “very nearly,” “about,” “approximately,” “around,” “bordering on,” “close to,” “essentially,” “in the neighborhood of,” “in the vicinity of,” etc., and such terms may be used interchangeably as appearing in the specification and claims. It should be appreciated that the term “proximate” is synonymous with terms such as “nearby,” “close,” “adjacent,” “neighboring,” “immediate,” “adjoining,” etc., and such terms may be used interchangeably as appearing in the specification and claims. The term “approximately” is intended to mean values within ten percent of the specified value.

[0025] It should be understood that use of “or” in the present application is with respect to a “non-exclusive” arrangement, unless stated otherwise. For example, when saying that “item x is A or B,” it is understood that this can mean one of the following: (1) item x is only one or the other of A and B; (2) item x is both A and B. Alternately stated, the word “or” is not used to define an “exclusive or” arrangement. For example, an “exclusive or” arrangement for the statement “item x is A or B” would require that x can be only one of A and B. Furthermore, as used herein, “and / or” is intended to mean a grammatical conjunction used to indicate that one or more of the elements or conditions recited may be included or occur. For example, a device comprising a first element, a second element and / or a third element, is intended to be construed as any one of the following structural arrangements: a device comprising a first element; a device comprising a second element; a device comprising a third element; a device comprising a first element and a second element; a device comprising a first element and a third element; a device comprising a first element, a second element and a third element; or, a device comprising a second element and a third element.

[0026] Moreover, as used herein, the phrases “comprises at least one of” and “comprising at least one of” in combination with a system or element is intended to mean that the system or element includes one or more of the elements listed after the phrase. For example, a device comprising at least one of: a first element; a second element; and, a third element, is intended to be construed as any one of the following structural arrangements: a device comprising a first element; a device comprising a second element; a device comprising a third element; a device comprising a first element and a second element; a device comprising a first element and a third element; a device comprising a first element, a second element and a third element; or, a device comprising a second element and a third element. A similar interpretation is intended when the phrase “used in at least one of:” or “one of:” is used herein.

[0027] It should be appreciated that the components named “opening”, as described and shown herein, are intended to be substantially synonymous with the terms “inflow”, “outflow”, “inlet”, and / or “outlet”, and are intended to be interchangeable.

[0028] Adverting now to the figures. Figure 1 generally illustrates a perspective view of water toy 10, in one of many possible assembled forms. Water toy 10, as assembled in Figure 1, generally includes rectangular prism block 11 having elbow tube 20, straight tube 21, straight tube connector 22, and elbow tube connector 23, removably attached therein. Cylindrical block 16 is removably connected to elbow tube 20 at one end and corrugated tube 17 is removably connected to an opposite end. Star-shaped decagonal prism block 13 is removably connected to corrugated tube 17 at one end and straight tube 19 is removably connected at an opposite end. Rectangular prism block 12 is removably connected to straight tube 19 at one end and corrugated tube 17’ is removably connected to an opposite end. Triangular prism block 14 is removably connected to corrugated tube 17’ at one end and elbow tube 18 is removably connected at an opposite end. Hexagonal prism block 15 is removably connected to elbow tube at one end and straight tube 21 is removably connected at an opposite end.

[0029] It should be appreciated that “removably connected”, as described above, is preferably a frictional-fit, i.e., an end of one of the aforementioned tubes is forcibly inserted into one opening of a through-bore of one of the aforementioned blocks (shown and discussed further, infra), thereby creating a water-tight connection between the respective tube and block.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the aforementioned blocks, i.e., 11 through 16, are constructed of a closed-cell foam, e.g., EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer), neoprene,EPDM / CR / SBR (blended neoprene, i.e., ethylene propylene diene monomer, chloroprene rubber, styrene butadiene rubber), PVC / NBR (i.e., nitrile and polyvinyl chloride resin blends), EVA foam (i.e., copolymer comprising vinyl acetate and ethylene), or any foam which includes cells totally enclosed by their respective walls and hence, not interconnecting with other cells. Alternatively, rubber, such as closed cell sponge rubber (i.e., expanded rubber), may be used to form the aforementioned blocks. The aforementioned blocks, i.e., 11 through 16, may be constructed, or molded, as a singular piece where the respective through-bores are bored post-process, or the blocks may be comprised of two halves, each halve having a groove therein, where the halves are fixedly secured thereto, such that the grooves or each half form the respective through-bore of the block.

[0031] It should also be appreciated that the aforementioned blocks, i.e., 11 through 16, are buoyant, i.e., they have an average density which is less than that of water. As such, the blocks will float in water.

[0032] The following description should be taken in view of Figures 1 through 3, where Figure 2 generally illustrates water toy 10 in use and Figure 3 generally illustrates a skeleton perspective view of Figure 2. Water source tube 30 is removably connected to straight tube connector 22 via connector 31. Water source tube 30 is in fluid communication with water source 40, such that water inflow 41 may be introduced to the fluid circuit of water toy 10, such that water flows from an inlet end, i.e., water source tube 30 engaged to straight tube connector 22 and straight tube connector engaged to rectangular prism block 11, to an outlet end, i.e., from rectangular prism block 11 out of sprinkler head 24 which is removably connected to elbow tube connector 23 via connector 24a. When the aforementioned tubes are inserted into the various blocks, as shown in Figure 3, this creates a fluid conduit, specifically an interchangeable and customizable fluid circuit by way of various arrangements of the tubes and blocks. Generally, the fluid circuit comprises a block–tube–block–tube (i.e., 16–17–13–19), configuration, where the exceptions are: 1. block– tube connector–sprinkler head (i.e., 11–23–24); 2. block–tube connector–water wheel (i.e., 11– 23–water wheel); 3. block–closed-end tube (i.e., 11–25); and, 4. block–tube connector–water source tube (i.e., 11–22–30). The aforementioned exceptions are non-exhaustive, exemplary, and not intended to limit the scope of the appending claims.

[0033] Water source 40 may comprise any water source that is readily available in residential, educational, or commercial settings, such as a water faucet or spigot. Water source tube 30 maycomprise a traditional garden hose, or any like water conduit. Water source tube 30 includes connector 31. Connector 31 may be a threaded connector, a frictional connector, snap-fit connector, or other like connector that allows for a sealed fluid connection and removability.

[0034] Sprinkler head 24 may comprise a variety of sprinkler types, either a sprinkler head or a spot sprinkler which threadably secures to a water source or water hose. In a preferred embodiment, sprinkler head 24 includes connector 24a, which may comprise a frictional-fit connector, a threaded connector, or other like connector that allows a fluid-tight connection. Examples may include: a. Garden Lawn Rotating Sprinkler 1 / 2" 3 / 4" Female Thread Scattering Nozzle 360 Degree Automatic Rotating Watering Irrigation; Color C, at: https: / / www.aliexpress.us / item / 3256804788814283.html?pdp_npi=2%40dis%21 USD%21%241.00%21%240.70%21%21%21%21%21%40210301171687455444 9268324e4f7b%2112000031211027679%21btf&_t=pvid%3A141f0f13-2b99-_1687455445&spm=a2g0o.ppclist.product.mainProduct&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa b. SW-10C Spot Sprinkler; at: https: / / www.guiyo.com.tw / spot-sprinkler / SW- 10C.html c. Orbit WaterMaster Underground 54190N Orbit Spinning Sprinkler Head; at: https: / / www.amazon.com / Orbit-WaterMaster-Underground-54190N- Sprinkler / dp / B000QWI7LQ?source=ps-sl-shoppingads- lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER d. Irrigation Auto Rotating Butterfly Sprinkler 1 / 2 inchfor Garden Lawn Landscape Greenhouse Farm Watering - (1 / 2 FNPT 3 Pack) (1 / 2 FNPT); at: https: / / www.amazon.com / Irrigation-Sprinkler-Butterfly-Landscape- Greenhouse / dp / B0BYHQKS6W?source=ps-sl-shoppingads- lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A3M9C12B925MBU.

[0035] Adverting now to Figures 4A through 4E which generally show skeleton perspective views of some possible embodiments of the blocks of the invention shown in Figures 1 through 3.

[0036] Figure 4A illustrates rectangular prism block 11 which includes first through-bore 11a and second through-bore 11b, therein. Through-bores 11a and 11b are intersecting, i.e., fluidlyconnected at a substantially centered location within block 11. Through-bore 11a includes openings 11c and 11d, arranged on opposite sides, or surfaces, of block 11. Through-bore 11b includes openings 11e and 11f, arranged on opposite sides, or surfaces, of block 11 and on adjacent surfaces of block 11 where openings 11c and 11d are arranged. It should be noted that the first and second intersecting through-bore of block 11 may be arranged on any design or combination of blocks of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 4B illustrates rectangular prism block 12 which includes through-bore 12a, therein. Through-bore 12a includes openings 12b and 12c, arranged on opposite sides, or surfaces, of block 12.

[0038] Figure 4C illustrates star-shaped decagonal prism block 13, i.e., a “star-shaped block”. Block 13 includes through-bore 13a therein. Through-bore 13a includes openings 13b and 13c, arranged on opposite sides (i.e., the planar surfaces), of block 13. Block 13 may alternatively comprise, a four-pointed, five-pointed, six-pointed, etc., star-shaped design.

[0039] Figure 4D illustrates triangular prism block 14. Block 14 includes through-bore 14a therein. Through-bore 14a includes openings 14b and 14c arranged on opposite sides (i.e., the planar surfaces), of block 14. Alternatively, block 14 could comprise a pyramid-like shape (i.e., having four faces, such as a triangular pyramid), and further, the alternative pyramid-like design could have a plurality of through-bores therein, where each of the through-bores insect and join at a substantially central location therein, i.e., openings on all four of the faces.

[0040] Figure 4E illustrates hexagonal prism block 15. Block 15 includes through-bore 15a therein. Through-bore 15a includes openings 15b and 15c arranged on opposite sides (i.e., the planar surfaces), of block 15. Alternatively, block 15 could be configured as a pentagonal prism shape, a heptagonal shape, an octagonal shape, a nonagonal shape, a decagonal shape, an undecagon shape, a dodecagon shape, etc.

[0041] Figure 4F illustrates cylindrical block 16. Block 16 includes through-bore 16a therein. Through-bore 16a includes openings 16b and 16c arranged on opposite sides (i.e., the planar surfaces), of block 16. As illustrated, cylindrical block 16 has two ends, i.e., the surfaces having openings 16b and 16c therein, where the two ends are arranged substantially colinear about a longitudinal axis. Alternatively, block 16 could be configured as an oblique cylinder, or as a “curved” cylinder, i.e., the two ends are not arranged substantially colinear about a longitudinal axis.

[0042] In some embodiments, the blocks of the present invention, illustrated in Figures 4A through 4F, may be configured as cubes, cuboids, square pyramids, cones, frusto-conical cones, spheres, tori, polyhedrons, parallelepipeds, obloids, oblate spheroids, spheroids / ellipsoids and horseshoes.

[0043] Preferably, the through-bores, and respective openings, of the blocks illustrated in Figures 4A through 4F have substantially identical diameters, such that they are uniform.

[0044] Adverting now to Figures 5A through 5G which generally show perspective views of some possible embodiments of the tubes of the invention shown in Figures 1 through 3. At the outset, each tube of the present invention comprises at least two ends and includes at least one end having a plurality of barbs, protruding from and circumscribing the respective end. In some embodiments, each tube of the present invention comprises at least one end having at least one barb, protruding from and circumscribing the respective end. The aforementioned barbs increase the frictional securement of the respective tube end when it is inserted into an opening of a through- bore of one of the blocks of the present invention, discussed further, infra. In a preferred embodiment, each tube of the present invention is at least one of: transparent; and, translucent. (The tubes could be opaque in some embodiments.)

[0045] Figure 5A illustrates corrugated tube 17. Corrugated tube 17 includes first end 17a and second end 17b, which define the terminating ends of a fluid passageway therein. Corrugated tube 17 also includes flexible and expandable body 17d, arranged between ends 17a and 17b, where body 17d may be flexed, curved, expanded, contracted, via the corrugated design of body 17d. In other words, corrugated tube 17 may be manipulated into a variety of positions. Specifically, body 17d includes a series of ridges and grooves running parallel to each other on its surface. The ridges and grooves follow a pattern that is perpendicular to and bisecting the centerline of the pipe. The height of the ridges in a corrugated pipe determines its degree of corrugation; the higher the number, the greater its flexibility. In some embodiments, body 17d could be configured in one of the exemplary arrangements: 1. a full circular cross-section with annular corrugated surface inside and outside; 2. full circular dual-wall cross-section with an outer corrugated pipe wall and a smooth inner liner; and, 3. circular cross-section with an essentially smooth inner and outer wall with annular or spiral connecting elements. Ends 17a and 17b each include plurality of barbs 17c arranged thereon.

[0046] Figure 5B illustrates elbow tube 18, i.e., a tube having a substantially 90° bend therein. Elbow tube 18 includes first end 18a and second end 18b, which define the terminating ends of a fluid passageway therein. Ends 18a and 18b each include plurality of barbs 18c arranged thereon. In alternative embodiments, the bend may be configured as an acute angle, or an obtuse angle. Tube 20, shown in Figure 1, is also an elbow tube.

[0047] Figure 5C illustrates straight tube 19 having first end 19a and second end 19b, which define the terminating ends of a fluid passageway therein. Ends 19a and 19b are arranged substantially colinear about a longitudinal axis. Ends 19a and 19b each include plurality of barbs 19c arranged thereon. Tube 21, shown in Figure 1, is also a straight tube.

[0048] Figure 5D illustrates straight tube connector 22. Connector 22 includes first end 22a and second end 22b, which define the terminating ends of a fluid passageway therein. First end 22a is arranged with threading 22d thereon and second end 22b includes plurality of barbs 22c thereon. Ends 22a and 22b are arranged substantially colinear about a longitudinal axis.

[0049] Figure 5E illustrates elbow tube connector 23, i.e., a tube connector having a substantially 90° bend therein. Connector 23 includes first end 23a and second end 23b, which define terminating ends of a fluid passageway therein. First end 23a is arranged with threading 23d thereon and second end 23b includes plurality of barbs 23c thereon. In alternative embodiments, the bend of connector 23 may be configured as an acute angle, or an obtuse angle.

[0050] Figure 5F illustrates closed-end tube 25. Tube 25 includes first end 25a and second end 25b. First end 25a includes plurality of barbs 25c thereon. Second end 25b is a sealed, or closed end, such that tube 25 functions as a plug when engaged with a through-bore of one of the blocks of the present invention.

[0051] Figure 5G illustrates U-shaped tube 26. Tube 26 includes first end 26a and second end 26b, which define terminating ends of a fluid passageway therein. Ends 26a and 26b each include plurality of barbs 26c arranged thereon.

[0052] The following description should be taken in view of Figures 6A and 6B which illustrate an enlarged view taken from DETAIL 6 in Figure 3 and a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 6B-6B, respectively. Specifically, Figures 6A and 6B show the frictional securement between a respective block and an end of a tube. As shown, hexagonal block 15 has end 21b of straight tube 21 removably and frictional secured within through-bore 15a proximate opening 15b. It should be noted that the respective description of end 21b and body 21a of straighttube 21 may be applicable (i.e., substantially identical) to any of the aforementioned tubes of the present invention.

[0053] Straight tube 21 includes two ends, end 21b and a second end (not shown) which are substantially identical. Straight tube 21 also includes body 21a, which is disposed between and connected to the two ends of straight tube 21. Straight tube 21 includes passageway 21c therein. Passageway 21c includes body passageway 21d and end passageway 21e arranged within end 21b and body 21a, respectively. In some embodiments, body passageway 21d has a greater diameter than end passageway 21e, thereby allowing a Venturi effect between straight tube 21 and through- bore 15a. End 21b includes plurality of barbs 21f protruding from and circumscribed thereon, where plurality of barbs 21f includes barbs 21g through 21j—proximal barb 21g, proximal medial barb 21h, distal medial barb 21i, and distal barb 21j. Distal barb 21j also includes tapered tip 21k, arranged distally in relation to body 21a. Each of barbs 21g through 21j resemble a substantially frustoconical shape, where the greater diameter portion of each barb is arranged proximate to body 21a and the lesser diameter portion of each barb is arranged proximate tapered tip 21k. In some embodiments, through-bore 15a of block 15 (or any other of the aforementioned blocks of the present invention) has a diameter less than the greater diameter of one barbs 21g through 21j, such that plurality of barbs 21f forcibly expands through-bore 15a, thereby frictionally and removably securing end 21b therein—creating a water-tight connection between through-bore 15a and passageway 21c of tube 21.

[0054] Various other configurations of the aforementioned tubes are contemplated, such as, Y-shaped tubes, S-shaped tubes, cross shaped tubes, etc.

[0055] It should also be noted that various other accessories may be connected to water toy 10, such a water wheel, or any other water toy that can be threadably connected to straight tube connector 22 and / or elbow tube connector 25.

[0056] Figure 7 generally illustrates the blocks and the tubes of water toy 10 arranged in a different configuration than the one shown in Figures 1 through 3. Water source 40 provides water inflow 41 to water source tube 30. Water source tube 30 is removably connected to straight tube connector 22 which is removably engaged to rectangular prism block 12. Straight tube 19 is removably engaged to rectangular prism block 12 and cylindrical block 16. Corrugated tube 17 is removably engaged to cylindrical block 16 and rectangular prism block 11, where rectangular prism block 11 has one of its two through-bores (See Figure 4A) capped, or sealed, by closed-endtubes 25 and 25’, and corrugated tubes 17 and 17’ are removably engaged to the other through- bore. Corrugated tube 17’ is removably engaged to triangular prism block 14. U-shaped tube 26 is removably engaged to triangular prism block 14 and star-shaped decagonal prism block 13. Straight tube 19’ is removably engaged to star-shaped decagonal prism block 13 and hexagonal prism block 15. Elbow tube connector 23 is removably engaged to hexagonal prism block 15 and sprinkler head 24, where sprinkler head emits water outflow 42. In the configuration shown in Figure 7, water from water source 40, between water inflow 41 and water outflow 42 flows as follows: 30–22–12–19–16–17–11–17’–14–26–13–19’–15–23–24. It should be noted that closed- end tubes 25 and 25’ will be filled with water from water source 40 but are “dead ends” in so much that water does not flow through or past.

[0057] As disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 511,342, specifically in Figure 8 of the ’342 application, one embodiment of the water toy invention may be floating in the water of a swimming pool.

[0058] The following description should be taken in view of all of the aforementioned figures. In some embodiments, the water toy (10) comprises a fluid circuit having a primary inlet (40 and / or 41) and a primary outlet (42), the primary inlet (40 and / or 41) and the primary outlet (42) in fluid communication, the fluid circuit having at least one block (11-16) arranged between or at the primary inlet (40 and / or 41) and the primary outlet (42), the at least one block (11-16) having at least one secondary inlet (11c-11f, 12b-12c, 13b-13c, 14b-14c, 15b-15c, 16b-16c) and at least one secondary outlet (11c-11f, 12b-12c, 13b-13c, 14b-14c, 15b-15c, 16b-16c), the at least one secondary inlet (11c-11f, 12b-12c, 13b-13c, 14b-14c, 15b-15c, 16b-16c) and at least one secondary outlet (11c-11f, 12b-12c, 13b-13c, 14b-14c, 15b-15c, 16b-16c) in fluid communication, the fluid circuit having at least one tube (17, 17’, 18, 19, 19’, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26) in fluid communication with at least one of: the primary inlet (40 and / or 41), the primary outlet (42), the at least one secondary inlet (11c-11f, 12b-12c, 13b-13c, 14b-14c, 15b-15c, 16b-16c), and the at least one secondary outlet (11c-11f, 12b-12c, 13b-13c, 14b-14c, 15b-15c, 16b-16c). It should be noted that “the primary outlet” is intended to mean the component of the present invention in which water exits the fluid circuit.

[0059] The word “circuit” in the claims is intended to be analogous to an electrical circuit, in that water or fluid flowing in pipes is a lot like electricity flowing in a circuit. A battery is like a pump. Electrons moving through wires (conductors) are like water or fluid flowing through pipes.

[0060] Thusly, “closed circuit” is intended to mean that water flows from a primary inlet, or a water source, through various components of the present invention, and exits through a primary outlet, which may be a sprinkler head, or any other water spraying device. As such, each block of the present invention may comprise at least one secondary inlet and at least one secondary outlet (i.e., at least one opening), in relation to the “closed circuit” of the present invention. In other words, the present invention collectively (i.e., when assembled) includes a primary inlet and a primary outlet with at least one secondary inlet and at least secondary outlet within the circuit and arranged between, or at, the primary inlet and the primary outlet.

[0061] It should be noted that the various embodiments disclosed herein, may be arranged in various combinations according to any of the embodiments shown and described. As such, the shown and described embodiments are merely exemplary and various alternatives, combinations, omissions, of specific components, or foreseeable alternative components, understood by one having ordinary skill in the art, described in the present disclosure or within the field of the present disclosure, are intended to fall within the scope of the appending claims.

[0062] Additionally, it should also be appreciated that the “blocks” of the present invention may also be configured in various other shapes, e.g., animals, cars, etc., where the alternative shapes will still have fluid passageways therein and function substantially identical to the embodiments disclosed, supra, i.e., may be connected via tubes or fluid conduits.

[0063] It will be appreciated that various aspects of the invention and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 10 Water toy 11 Rectangular prism block 11a First through-bore 11b Second through-bore 11c Opening of 11a 11d Opening of 11a 11e Opening of 11b 11f Opening of 11b 12 Rectangular prism block 12a Through-bore 12b Opening of 12a 12c Opening of 12a 13 Star-shaped decagonal prism block 13a Through-bore 13b Opening of 13a 13c Opening of 13a 14 Triangular prism block 14a Through-bore 14b Opening of 14a 14c Opening of 14a 15 Hexagonal prism block 15a Through-bore 15b Opening of 15a 15c Opening of 15a 16 Cylindrical block 16a Through-bore 16b Opening of 16a 16c Opening of 16a 17 Corrugated tube 17a First end17b Second end 17c Plurality of barbs 17d Flexible and expandable body 17’ Corrugated tube 18 Elbow tube 18a First end 18b Second end 18c Plurality of barbs 19 Straight tube 19’ Straight tube 19a First end 19b Second end 19c Plurality of barbs 20 Elbow tube 21 Straight tube 21a Body of 21 21b End of 21 21c Passageway of 21 21d Body passageway 21e End passageway 21f Plurality of barbs 21g Proximal barb 21h Proximal medial barb 21i Distal medial barb 21j distal barb 21k Tapered tip 22 Straight tube connector 22a First end 22b Second end 22c Plurality of barbs 22d Threading23 Elbow tube connector 23a First end 23b Second end 23c Plurality of barbs 23d Threading 24 Sprinkler head 24a Connector 25 Closed-end tube 25’ Closed-end tube 25a First end 25b Second end 25c Plurality of barbs 26 U-shaped tube 26a First end 26b Second end 26c Plurality of barbs 30 Water source tube 31 Connector of 30 40 Water source 41 Water inflow 42 Water outflow

Claims

CLAIMS What Is Claimed Is:

1. A water toy, comprising: a plurality of buoyant foam blocks, each said block having at least one inlet port and at least one outlet port, wherein at least one of said inlet ports is fluidly connected to at least one of said outlet ports by at least one through-bore within one of said blocks; and, a plurality of tubes, each said tube operatively arranged to fluidly connect one of at least one inlet ports to one of at least one outlet ports.

2. The water toy recited in Claim 1, wherein one of said plurality of tubes is operatively arranged to connect a source of water to at least one inlet port of one of said plurality of buoyant foam blocks.

3. The water toy recited in Claim 1 wherein each of said buoyant foam blocks is in a shape selected from the group consisting of: triangular prisms, rectangular prisms, cubes, cuboids, square pyramids, triangular pyramids, cylinders, cones, frusto-conical cones, spheres, tori, polyhedrons, parallelepipeds, obloids, oblate spheroids, stars, spheroids / ellipsoids and horseshoes.

4. The water toy recited in Claim 1 wherein said tubes are transparent.

5. The water toy recited in Claim 1 wherein said tubes are translucent.

6. The water toy recited in Claim 1 wherein each block is made of closed-cell foam.

7. The water toy recited in Claim 1 further comprising a sprinkler head operatively arranged to engage one of said at least one outlet ports of one of said at least one buoyant foam blocks.

8. The water toy recited in Claim 1 further comprising a water wheel operatively arranged to engage one of said at least one outlet ports of one of said at least one buoyant foam blocks.

9. The water toy recited in Claim 1 wherein said blocks and tubes are operatively arranged to be removably secured to one another to form a closed circuit.

10. The water toy recited in Claim 1 wherein each of said a plurality of tubes is in a shape selected from the group consisting of: straight, U-shaped, elbow shaped, acute angle shaped, obtuse angle shaped, Y-shaped, T-shaped, and S-shaped.

11. The water toy recited in Claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of tubes includes at least one end having at least one annular barb circumscribed thereon.

12. The water toy recited in Claim 11, wherein each of said at least one end of each of said plurality of tubes comprises four annular barbs circumscribed thereon.

13. The water toy recited in Claim 1 further comprising a sprinkler head operatively arranged to engage one of said plurality of tubes when one of said plurality of tubes is engaged to said at least one outlet ports of one of said at least one buoyant foam blocks.

14. The water toy recited in Claim 1, wherein some of said plurality of tubes includes a first end having at least one annular barb circumscribed thereon and a second end having threading circumscribed thereon.

15. The water toy recited in Claim 14 further comprising a sprinkler head operatively arranged to threadably engage said second end having threading of one of said plurality of tubes.

16. The water toy recited in Claim 14, wherein a water source is operatively arranged to threadably engage said second end having threading of one of said plurality of tubes.

17. The water toy recited in Claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of tubes is flexible and expandable.

18. The water toy recited in Claim 17, wherein said flexible and expandable tube is corrugated.

19. The water toy recited in Claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of tubes comprises: a body; at least one end extending from said body, said end having a tapered tip arranged distally from said body; and, a passageway therein, said passageway comprising a body passageway section disposed within said body and at least one end passageway section disposed within said at least one end.

20. The water toy recited in Claim 19, wherein said body passageway section has a greater diameter than said at least one end passageway section.

21. The water toy recited in Claim 19, wherein said at least one end further comprises: a plurality of barbs protruding from and circumscribed thereon, wherein one of said plurality of barbs is said tapered tip.

22. A water toy, comprising: a plurality of buoyant foam blocks, each said block having at least one through-bore therein, said at least one through-bore having one inlet port and one outlet port; and, a plurality of tubes, each said tube operatively arranged to fluidly connect to at least one through-bore of said plurality of buoyant foam blocks.

23. The water toy recited in Claim 22, wherein one of said plurality of tubes is operatively arranged to connect a source of water to at least one inlet port of one of said plurality of buoyant foam blocks.

24. The water toy recited in Claim 22 wherein each of said buoyant foam blocks is in a shape selected from the group consisting of: triangular prisms, rectangular prisms, cubes, cuboids, square pyramids, triangular pyramids, cylinders, cones, frusto-conical cones, spheres, tori, polyhedrons, parallelepipeds, obloids, oblate spheroids, stars, spheroids / ellipsoids and horseshoes.

25. The water toy recited in Claim 22 wherein each of said a plurality of tubes is in a shape selected from the group consisting of: straight, U-shaped, elbow shaped, acute angle shaped, obtuse angle shaped, Y-shaped, T-shaped, and S-shaped.

26. The water toy recited in Claim 22 wherein said tubes are transparent.

27. The water toy recited in Claim 22 wherein said tubes are translucent.

28. The water toy recited in Claim 22 wherein each block is made of closed-cell foam.

29. The water toy recited in Claim 22 wherein said blocks and tubes are operatively arranged to be removably secured to one another to form a closed circuit.

30. A water toy, comprising a fluid circuit having a primary inlet and a primary outlet, the primary inlet and the primary outlet in fluid communication, the fluid circuit having at least one block arranged between or at the primary inlet and the primary outlet, the at least one block having at least one secondary inlet and at least one secondary outlet, the at least one secondary inlet and at least one secondary outlet in fluid communication, the fluid circuit having at least one tube in fluid communication with at least one of: the primary inlet, the primary outlet, the at least one secondary inlet, and the at least one secondary outlet.

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