Water Projectile Shape and Bumper Design for Safe Pool Throwing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing toy torpedoes designed for underwater use in swimming pools are unsafe for hand-throwing and lack the ability to travel effectively beyond a short distance, posing risks of injury and poor performance in competitive games.

Innovation Solution

A recreational water projectile with a hemispherical nose and paraboloid tail portion, featuring a channel or bumper for safety and tail fins for stability, along with a hollow design and a single aperture for easy water filling and emptying, optimized for hand-throwing and gameplay.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If existing toy torpedoes are made harder to increase durability and maintain shape, then structural strength is improved, but safety decreases due to increased risk of injury from hand-throwing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidrisk of injury

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by incorporating a flexible bumper portion at the nose of the torpedo. This bumper is made of softer material than the main body, allowing it to deform upon impact and absorb shock, thereby reducing the risk of injury to players while maintaining the overall structural integrity and shape of the harder torpedo body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Ease of operation

If toy torpedoes are made lighter to improve ease of throwing and control, then ease of operation is improved, but travel distance decreases due to insufficient momentum

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of throwingVSAvoidtravel distance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by optimizing the weight of the torpedo to a specific range (50-500 grams) and adjusting the density distribution within the hollow body. This ensures the torpedo is light enough for easy hand-throwing and control, while still possessing sufficient momentum to travel the required distance (at least 9 meters) when thrown with typical force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If toy torpedoes are designed with optimal hydrodynamic shape to increase travel distance, then speed and range are improved, but device complexity increases due to construction difficulties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetravel distanceVSAvoidconstruction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by dividing the torpedo body into distinct segments: a nose portion, a mid-section, and a tail portion with fins. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently for hydrodynamic efficiency while simplifying the manufacturing process. The modular design makes it easier to construct and assemble compared to a monolithic optimal shape.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If toy torpedoes are designed with hollow structure to reduce weight and improve maneuverability, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability decreases due to water filling issues

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemaneuverabilityVSAvoidwater filling reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by providing a water filling mechanism that is pre-configured and easily accessible. The hollow body is designed with an opening that allows water to be filled in advance before use, ensuring the torpedo achieves the desired weight and buoyancy characteristics without requiring complex in-water filling operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The design ensures safe and effective underwater travel, allowing for competitive gameplay without causing injury, while maintaining performance comparable to traditional torpedoes.

Implementation Method 1

multiple tail fins extending away from the elongate body and positioned proximate the flat end

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrodynamic stability: Fin

Implementation Method 2

The nose (16) has a hemispherical shape... creating a bumper between a tip of the hemispherical nose (16) and the channel (17)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpact force reduction: Impact Force

Implementation Method 3

creating a bumper between a tip of the hemispherical nose (16) and the channel (17)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy absorption through deformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentUS20250352918A1Recreational water projectile and uses thereof

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 VIETH REINHOLD W

AI summary

There are provided safer hand launched swimming pool projectile toys. One projectile comprising an elongate body having a hemispherical nose and a paraboloid tail portion extending from the hemispherical nose to a flat end, and multiple tail fins extending away from the elongate body and positioned proximate the flat end. The other projectile having the overall body shape and tail fins of the V2 rocket, but having an opening across the length and slits down each side to provide safety due to springiness when it impacts the teeth or face of a person.