Water play toy

Abstract

To provide a toy for playing in water, which enables the unprecedented way to play.SOLUTION: A toy 1 for playing in water comprises a first contact surface 10 that assumes a convex spherical shape, and a second contact surface 11 that assumes a concave spherical shape. The two toys 1 for playing in the water are joined together by making the one first contact surface 10 and the other second contact surface 11 bonded together in the state of getting wet with the water.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a water play toy that can be played with in a bathtub or the like.

Background Art

[0002] As this type of toy, toys that can float on water and be played with are known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a toy that can be held by an infant and can float on the water surface. This toy is provided with a water discharge button that is connected to a pump unit and operates to discharge water.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, water play toys that discharge water lack novelty, and there has been a demand for water play toys that can offer more new ways of playing. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a water play toy that can offer a new way of playing that has not existed in the past.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To solve the above-described problems, the water play toy according to the present invention includes a convex spherical first contact surface and a concave spherical second contact surface. And for two water play toys, the two can be joined by bringing one of the first contact surfaces and the other of the second contact surfaces into contact with each other in a state where they are wet with water.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] As described above, the present invention enables the connection of two water play toys by bonding a convex spherical first contact surface and a concave spherical second contact surface in a wet state with water. That is, in the present invention, when the convex spherical first contact surface and the concave spherical second contact surface are perfectly overlapped, a force that attracts the two water play toys is generated by the surface tension of the water that has entered between the two contact surfaces. Also, since the space between the two contact surfaces is a sealed space where air cannot enter, air will not enter and separate them. In this way, simply pressing the two water play toys together causes them to stick, so a new water play toy not previously available can be provided. Moreover, since no special mechanism is used, even infants can play easily and safely.

[0007] It is desirable that unevenness on the order that cannot be seen by the naked eye is formed on the surfaces of the first contact surface and the second contact surface. Thereby, water can be retained on the surface, making it easier to keep the water play toy in a wet state. Also, it is desirable that this water play toy is formed to float on water. By floating on water, it can be easily played with in a bathtub, pool, etc.

[0008] Also, this water play toy may be formed such that the first contact surface (convex sphere) faces upward and floats on water. If configured in this way, by holding the water play toy with the second contact surface (concave sphere) facing downward and stacking it on another water play toy floating on water, the water play toys can be stuck together and played with.

[0009] Also, this water play toy may be formed to be hollow. By forming it hollow, the weight can be reduced. By reducing the weight, for example, other water play toys can be stuck together and lifted.

[0010] Also, it is desirable that the area of the first contact surface is larger than that of the second contact surface. By configuring it in this way, when the second contact surface is stacked on the first contact surface, it can be stacked anywhere on the wide first contact surface, so it is easy to aim and even infants can play easily.

[0011] Also, the first contact surface may be a spherical crown-shaped curved surface of a hemisphere or more (including a hemisphere), and the second contact surface may be a spherical crown-shaped curved surface of less than a hemisphere. By configuring in this way, the first contact surface can be made larger than the second contact surface, so it is easier to aim when overlapping the second contact surface on the first contact surface, and even infants can easily play.

[0012] Also, the radius of the convex spherical surface of the first contact surface and the radius of the convex spherical shape of the second contact surface may be set to be different. By configuring in this way, a way of playing of attaching to a water play toy of a different size from oneself can be proposed.

[0013] For example, prepare two water play toys of different sizes. Each water play toy is formed such that the radius of the convex spherical surface of the first contact surface is larger than the radius of the convex spherical shape of the second contact surface. And, the second contact surface of the larger water play toy is formed as a spherical surface with the same radius as the first contact surface of the smaller water play toy. In this case, when the second contact surface of the larger one is overlapped on the first contact surface of the smaller one, two spherical surfaces with equal radii are overlapped, so the two are closely attached and easily stick together. On the contrary, when the second contact surface of the smaller one is overlapped on the first contact surface of the larger one, the gap between the two becomes large and it becomes difficult for them to stick together. That is, in this example, it is easy to stick by selecting and covering a water play toy smaller than oneself, and it becomes difficult to stick by selecting and covering a water play toy larger than oneself.

[0014] In this way, if the first contact surface of a predetermined water play toy and the second contact surface of another water play toy are formed as spherical surfaces with the same radius, a way of playing of selecting and attaching water play toys of different sizes becomes possible, and it can be utilized for the intellectual development of infants.

[0015] In the above example, the radius of the convex spherical surface of the first contact surface is greater than the radius of the convex spherical surface of the second contact surface. However, this is not a limitation, and the radius of the convex spherical surface of the first contact surface may be smaller than the radius of the convex spherical surface of the second contact surface. It is also possible to propose a way of playing in which a plurality of water play toys of different sizes are prepared step by step and the smaller (or larger) water play toys are attached step by step.

[0016] Also, when assuming a first assumed cutting plane (a plane that can cut a sphere of which the first contact surface is a part so that a spherical crown shape related to the first contact surface is formed) and a second assumed cutting plane (a plane that can cut a sphere of which the second contact surface is a part so that a spherical crown shape related to the second contact surface is formed), the first assumed cutting plane and the second assumed cutting plane may be formed so as to be parallel. By configuring in this way, it is also possible to connect and attach three or more water play toys in a straight line.

[0017] Also, the first assumed cutting plane and the second assumed cutting plane may be formed so as to be in the same plane. By configuring in this way, the shape of the water play toy becomes almost a spherical segment shape, and it is also possible to play like a ball.

[0018] Also, a through hole penetrating from the first contact surface to the second contact surface may be formed. If configured in this way, it is possible to realize a way of playing in which the water play toys are attached by blocking the through hole with a finger or the like, and the water play toys are separated by removing the finger blocking the through hole.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

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Figure 8

Figure 9

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0021] The water play toy 1 according to this embodiment can be grasped and played with by infants and the like in a bathtub, pool, etc. This water play toy 1 can have an appearance like a spherical segment shape obtained by cutting off a part of a sphere, for example, as shown in FIG. 1. However, it is not a simple spherical segment shape, but a shape in which the cut-off part is recessed inward in a circular shape. The side surface (spherical crown) of this spherical segment shape constitutes a convex spherical first contact surface 10. Also, the surface of the recessed part inside constitutes a concave spherical second contact surface 11. In the example of FIG. 1, the radius of the convex sphere of the first contact surface 10 and the radius of the convex sphere of the second contact surface 11 are set to be equal.

[0022] The water play toy 1 according to this embodiment is formed of thin plastic and has a hollow portion 12 sealed inside. The material of this water play toy 1 is not particularly limited, but it is desirable that it be lightweight, not easily deformable (without rubber elasticity), and capable of exhibiting a predetermined wettability (able to maintain a wet state with water). For example, it can be formed of the same material as a ping pong ball. In addition, on the surface of this water play toy 1, unevenness that is not visible to the naked eye is formed, giving it a slightly rough touch. By forming such fine unevenness, the wettability of the surface is emphasized so that a wet state with water can be maintained.

[0023] This water play toy 1 can be used and played with in multiple numbers. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, for any two water play toys, by attaching one first contact surface 10 and the other second contact surface 11 in a wet state with water, the two can be joined together. In the example of FIG. 2, when holding the water play toy A and placing it on top of another water play toy B, the contacted first contact surface 10 and second contact surface 11 are attached and joined. Therefore, when the water play toy A is lifted later, the water play toy B can be lifted while being stuck to it.

[0024] Also, as shown in FIG. 2, this water play toy 1 is formed such that the first contact surface 10 (convex spherical surface) faces upward and floats on water (at least a part of the first contact surface 10 is exposed above the water surface W). For this reason, it is easier to play with in a bathtub, pool, etc. Specifically, by holding the water play toy A with the second contact surface 11 (concave spherical surface) facing downward and placing it on top of another water play toy B floating on water, multiple water play toys 1 can be stuck together and played with. At this time, since the area of the first contact surface 10 is larger than that of the second contact surface 11, the second contact surface 11 can be covered with the first contact surface 10 without precisely aiming.

[0025] In addition, since this water play toy 1 is formed to be hollow, its weight is extremely light, and it can lift other attached water play toys 1. By shaking the attached water play toy 1, the attached water play toy 1 can be swung like a pendulum while sliding on the convex spherical surface of the first contact surface 10 (at this time, water serves both to bond the two surfaces and as a lubricant between the two surfaces). Such movement is also realized because the area of the first contact surface 10 is larger than that of the second contact surface 11.

[0026] As a method of making the area of the first contact surface 10 larger than that of the second contact surface 11, for example, as shown in FIG. 1(c), the first contact surface 10 may be a spherical cap-shaped curved surface of more than a hemisphere (it may be a spherical cap-shaped curved surface of a hemisphere as will be described later with reference to FIG. 7), and the second contact surface 11 may be a spherical cap-shaped curved surface of less than a hemisphere.

[0027] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the first contact surface 10 is a spherical cap-shaped curved surface formed when a sphere is cut by a plane (the first assumed cutting plane 20), and the second contact surface 11 is a spherical cap-shaped curved surface formed when a sphere is cut by a plane (the second assumed cutting plane 21). In other words, the first assumed cutting plane 20 is a plane that can cut a sphere of which the first contact surface 10 is a part so that the spherical cap shape related to the first contact surface 10 is formed. Also, the second contact surface 11 is a plane that can cut a sphere of which the second contact surface 11 is a part so that the spherical cap shape related to the second contact surface 11 is formed. And the first assumed cutting plane 20 and the second assumed cutting plane 21 are formed to be in the same plane. For this reason, the water play toy 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a spherical segment shape close to a sphere in appearance, which is easy for infants to grasp and can also be played with like a ball.

[0028] Note that by setting the first assumed cutting plane 20 and the second assumed cutting plane 21 to be parallel (including the case where they are in the same plane), as shown in FIG. 3, it is also possible to connect and attach three or more water play toys 1 in a straight line. For example, with the water play toy C shown in FIG. 3, it is also possible to play by first attaching the water play toy D and then further attaching the water play toy D as it is.

[0029] At this time, the radius of the convex spherical surface of the first contact surface 10 and the radius of the convex spherical surface of the second contact surface 11 may be set to be different. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the radius of the first contact surface 10 is made larger than the radius of the second contact surface 11. And the radius of the second contact surface 11 of the water play toy C is equal to the radius of the first contact surface 10 of the water play toy D, and the radius of the second contact surface 11 of the water play toy D is set to be equal to the radius of the first contact surface 10 of the water play toy E. By configuring in this way, the second contact surface 11 of the water play toy C and the first contact surface 10 of the water play toy D can be in perfect contact, and the second contact surface 11 of the water play toy D and the first contact surface 10 of the water play toy E can be in perfect contact.

[0030] When playing with this water play toy 1, as shown in FIG. 3, first holding the largest water play toy C and attaching it to the water play toy D that is one size smaller, and then further attaching it to the water play toy E that is one size smaller, there is less likelihood of a gap occurring between the contact surfaces, so they are more likely to stick together. If a way of playing is made possible where they are attached while considering the order in this way, it can be utilized for the intellectual development of infants.

[0031] Or, as shown in FIG. 4, when holding the water play toy D and attaching it to the water play toy D of the same size or attaching it to a water play toy 1 larger than oneself, the gap between the first contact surface 10 and the second contact surface 11 becomes larger, so it becomes difficult to attach. It is also possible to play by deliberately challenging in an order that is difficult to attach in this way.

[0032] In the above example, the radius of the convex spherical surface of the first contact surface 10 is greater than the radius of the convex spherical surface of the second contact surface 11. However, this is not the only case, and the radius of the convex spherical surface of the first contact surface 10 may be smaller than the radius of the convex spherical surface of the second contact surface 11.

[0033] As another embodiment, for example, like the water play toy F shown in FIG. 5, a through hole 13 penetrating from the first contact surface 10 to the second contact surface 11 may be formed. This through hole 13 includes an upper surface opening 13a that opens to the first contact surface 10 and a lower surface opening 13b that opens to the second contact surface 11. Also, a cylindrical inner peripheral wall portion 13c is provided between the upper surface opening 13a and the lower surface opening 13b. By this inner peripheral wall portion 13c, the hollow portion 12 of the water play toy F is isolated from the atmosphere, and the hollow portion 12 is a sealed space.

[0034] This water play toy F cannot be attached to another water play toy G unless the upper surface opening 13a is blocked with a finger. When playing with this water play toy F, first, as shown in FIG. 6(a), with the upper surface opening 13a blocked with a finger, it is overlapped and attached to another water play toy G. By blocking the upper surface opening 13a with a finger, the space between the second contact surface 11 of the water play toy F and the first contact surface 10 of the water play toy G becomes a sealed space communicating with the through hole 13, so that the two water play toys F and G can be attached. From the state of FIG. 6(a), when the finger blocking the upper surface opening 13a is released, the space between the second contact surface 11 of the water play toy F and the first contact surface 10 of the water play toy G is no longer a sealed space, so the water play toy G drops. In this way, by using the water play toy F with the through hole 13 formed, a way of playing can be achieved where it can be attached to another water play toy 1 only when the opening of the through hole 13 is blocked. In the above-described embodiment, the appearance of the water play toy 1 is in the shape of a spherical cap, but it is not limited to this, and the shape of the water play toy 1 can be freely changed.

[0035] For example, as shown in FIG. 7, it may be in a shape imitating a living being or a character. The water play toy H shown in FIG. 7 is formed in the appearance of an octopus. The first contact surface 10 of this water play toy H is a hemispherical surface, and a cylindrical peripheral wall portion 14 is provided so as to be continuous with the first contact surface 10. A flange 15 protruding in the outer peripheral direction is provided at the end of the peripheral wall portion 14, and a plurality of legs 15a protruding further in the outer peripheral direction are provided from this flange 15. The second contact surface 11 is formed inside the peripheral wall portion 14.

[0036] Even for a water play toy H having such a shape, as shown in FIG. 8, it can be wetted with water and stuck together to play. Also, in this water play toy H, as shown in FIG. 7(c), the first assumed cut surface 20 (a plane such that when a sphere of which the first contact surface 10 is a part is cut by this plane, a spherical cap shape related to the first contact surface 10 is formed) and the second contact surface 11 (a plane such that when a sphere of which the second contact surface 11 is a part is cut by this plane, a spherical cap shape related to the second contact surface 11 is formed) are parallel to each other. For this reason, it is possible to connect and stick three or more water play toys H in a straight line.

[0037] Also, as another shape, as shown in FIGS. 9(a) and (b), it is also possible to form concave spherical second contact surfaces 11 at both ends of a cylindrical (barrel-shaped) peripheral wall portion 14. Thus, when the second contact surfaces 11 are formed at both ends, as shown in FIG. 9(c), one water play toy J and K can be stuck to each side respectively.

[0038] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the convex spherical first contact surface 10 and the concave spherical second contact surface 11 can be joined by bonding them in a state wetted with water. That is, in the present invention, when the convex spherical first contact surface 10 and the concave spherical second contact surface 11 are perfectly overlapped, a force that attracts and joins the two water play toys 1 is generated by the surface tension of the water that has entered between the two contact surfaces. Further, since the space between the two contact surfaces is a sealed space into which air cannot enter, air does not enter and separate the two. In this way, the two water play toys 1 can be stuck together simply by pressing them against each other, and a new water play toy 1 that has never existed before can be provided. Moreover, since no special mechanism is used, even infants can play easily and safely.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0039] 1, A~K Water play toys 10 First contact surface 11 Second contact surface 12 Hollow part 13 Through hole 13a Upper surface opening 13b Lower surface opening 13c Inner peripheral wall portion 14 Peripheral wall portion 15 Flange 15a Leg 20 First assumed cutting plane 21 Second assumed cutting plane W Water surface

Claims

1. A first contact surface having a convex spherical shape without rubber elasticity, A second contact surface having a concave spherical shape without rubber elasticity, A water play toy comprising: For two water play toys, by fitting and bonding the one first contact surface without rubber elasticity and the other second contact surface without rubber elasticity closely together in a wet state with water, they can be joined by the surface tension of water. Water play toy.

2. Formed to float on water, The water play toy according to Claim 1.

3. The first contact surface is formed to face upward and float on water, The water play toy according to Claim 1.

4. Formed to be hollow, The water play toy according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

5. The area of the first contact surface is larger than that of the second contact surface, The water play toy according to any one of Claims 1 to 4.

6. The first contact surface is a curved surface in the shape of a spherical cap of more than a hemisphere, The second contact surface is a curved surface in the shape of a spherical cap of less than a hemisphere, The water play toy according to any one of Claims 1 to 5.

7. The radius of the convex spherical surface of the first contact surface and the radius of the concave spherical surface of the second contact surface are set to be different, The water play toy according to any one of Claims 1 to 6.

8. A first assumed cutting plane which is a plane capable of cutting the sphere of which the first contact surface is a part so that a spherical cap shape related to the first contact surface is formed, A second assumed cutting plane which is a plane capable of cutting the sphere of which the second contact surface is a part so that a spherical cap shape related to the second contact surface is formed, When assumed, The first assumed cutting plane and the second assumed cutting plane are formed to be parallel, The water play toy according to any one of Claims 1 to 7.

9. The first assumed cutting plane and the second assumed cutting plane are formed to be in the same plane, The water play toy according to Claim 8.

10. A through hole penetrating from the first contact surface to the second contact surface is formed, The water play toy according to any one of Claims 1 to 9.

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