Toy Water Ball

The present application is continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/549,920, filed Dec. 14, 2021, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202011567478.4, filed on Dec. 25, 2020, entitled “TOY WATER BALL.” The entire contents of the above-identified applications are hereby incorporated by reference.

The invention relates to the field of entertainment toys, in particular to a toy water ball.

As the weather gets hotter, toys that use water as the medium are more popular and people can play with them, for example, water guns, and feel cooling. However, water guns have high risk of hurting people, especially in the eyes, due to the high pressure of water jetted. At present, there is a game of throwing a water ball, in which a balloon filled with water is thrown at a player. The player who is hit will get wet by the water due to the balloon burst. The player will try to avoid the flying water ball as much as possible. This game is safe and can bring great fun and coolness for people, so it is really a good activity for people to play in summer.

However, the balloons used in the current water ball activities can only be used once and can't be reused after bursting. The large number of used balloons is likely to cause environmental pollution. In addition, to play with this water ball, water needs to be injected into the balloons under pressure, so this game often requires an environment with a water tap. Many people like to play it in places with water such as grassland, seaside or riverside in the suburbs. However, under normal atmospheric pressure, it is difficult to directly inject water into balloons to expand them. Therefore, it is difficult to inject water to sufficiently expand the water ball on the spot due to the lack of water pressure in the natural environment. As a result, this game is limited by an environment.

Based on various embodiments of the present application, a toy water ball that can be reused and can be used in many occasions is provided.

A toy water ball, comprising a plurality of petals, wherein each of the petals comprises a first edge portion and a second edge portion, each of the first edge portions is provided with at least one first magnetic member, and each of the second edge portions is provided with at least one second magnetic member; when the petals are closed to form a spherical shape, an attraction force is generated between the first magnetic members on the first edge portion of each of the petals and the second magnetic members on the second edge portion of an adjacent petal so that the first edge portion of the petal tightly fits with the second edge portion of the adjacent petal and the petals cooperatively form a water-carrying cavity therebetween.

The beneficial effects of the invention are as follows.

The toy water ball of the invention is provided with the first magnetic members and the second magnetic members, so that the toy water ball can be folded or opened repeatedly and thus can be reused; therefore, the water ball is environmentally friendly and clean. In addition, the toy water ball can be filled with water in a common water source without a specific pressure, so it can be used in many occasions, and has strong applicability.

For easy understanding of the invention, a more comprehensive description of the invention will be given below. However, the invention may be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. On the contrary, these embodiments are provided to make the contents disclosed by the invention understood more thoroughly and comprehensively.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the technical field to which the invention belongs. The terms used herein in the specification of the invention are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only but not intended to limit the invention.

Referring to, a toy water ball of a first embodiment of the invention can be thrown as a prop in games and entertainment. The toy water ball has a folded state and an unfolded state. When the toy water ball is placed into water and filled with water, and after the water ball returns to a combined state, the toy water ball forms a closed water-carrying cavity. When the toy water ball hits a person or hits the ground or a hard object during the game, the toy water ball is squeezed or compressed to split and turns to the unfolded state, and the loaded or carried water splashes to achieve the purpose of the game and entertainment.

Specifically, as shown in, the toy water ballaccording to the first embodiment of the invention includes a plurality of petals, and each of the petalshas a first edge portionand a second edge portion; each of the first edge portionsis provided with a first magnetic member, and each of the second edge portionsis provided with a second magnetic member. When all the petalsare folded and closed to form a spherical shape, the first magnetic memberon the first edge portionof each of the petalsand the second magnetic memberon the second edge portionof the adjacent petalattract each other so that the first edge portionof the petaltightly fits with the second edge portionof the adjacent petal, and in this way, every two adjacent petalsare connected and fit together in sequence, and all the petalstogether form a water-carrying cavity.

In this embodiment, the toy water ballhas three petals, and each of the petalsis configured as a one-third-sphere shell. When in the combined state, the three petalsare close to each other in pairs and fit together to cooperatively form the water-carrying cavity enclosed by the three petals. In this embodiment, the toy water ballis configured in a spherical shape. Understandably, in other embodiments, the toy water ball can also be shaped like an elliptical sphere or an irregular sphere, as long as it can carry water in the folded state. In this embodiment, the three petalsare of the same shape to facilitate mass production. In other embodiments, the three petalscan be different in size, as long as they can be arranged in a circle and fold up to form a sphere.

In this embodiment, each of the petalsis configured as an arc-shaped fan-like shell. Each of the petalsis integrally made of a soft material. In this way, people feel less pain when hit by the toy water ball, thus increasing the fun of entertainment. Specifically, each of the petalsis made of a light, thin, flexible and soft sheet such as a silicone sheet, and is somewhat elastic. In other embodiments, the first edge portionand the second edge portionof each of the petalscan be made of a different material separately and then integrally assembled together, for example, the first edge portionand the second edge portionare made of silicone, soft gel, the body/middle portion of the petalis configured as a soft shell, and the three are connected to form an integral member by injection molding.

Referring to, the first edge portionand the second edge portionof each of the petalsare located on opposite sides of the petal. In this embodiment, the first edge portionof one of the petalsof the toy water ballis provided with a plurality of first magnetic members, the second edge portionof the petaladjacent to the first edge portionof the one of the petalsis provided with a plurality of second magnetic members, and the positions of the first magnetic membersof the one of the petalsare arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the positions of the second magnetic membersof the adjacent petal. Specifically, in this embodiment, the number of the first magnetic membersand the number of the second magnetic membersof each of the petalsare both five, and the positions of the first magnetic membersare arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the positions of the second magnetic membersso that the magnetic attraction force therebetween is maximized with a relatively light weight. Specifically, the first magnetic membersof the first edge portionof the same petalare spaced apart from each other, and the second magnetic membersof the second edge portionof the same petalare spaced apart from each other. In other embodiments, the number of the first magnetic membersor the second magnetic membersof the same petalcan be determined according to the size of the toy water balland the size of the first magnetic memberor the second magnetic member. The number of the first magnetic membersor the second magnetic memberscan also be one. For example, one elongated first magnetic member and one elongated second magnetic member are applied for one petal. In a case where the plurality of first magnetic membersor the plurality of second magnetic membersare spaced apart, the weight of the toy water ballassociated with the first magnetic membersor the second magnetic memberscan be reduced while a sufficient magnetic attraction force is ensured, and the lightness and entertainment interest of the toy water ballcan be improved.

In this embodiment, the first edge portionof each of the petalshas a first fitting surface, and the first magnetic membersare mounted on an inner side of the first edge portion, the inner side facing away from the first fitting surface; the second edge portionof each of the petalshas a second fitting surface, and the second magnetic membersare mounted on an inner side of the second edge portion, the inner side facing away from the second fitting surface.

The first fitting surfaceand the second fitting surfaceare both concavely arranged in a natural state and are prone to deformation when squeezed. When the first fitting surfaceis fit on the corresponding second fitting surfaceof the adjacent petal, under the action of magnetic attraction, the first fitting surfaceand the second fitting surfaceare deformed into a tight fit to form a sealed water-retaining layer to prevent the water loaded in the toy water ballfrom leaking out in advance. Specifically, the first fitting surfaceor the corresponding second fitting surfaceof the adjacent petalhas an inclined surface leaning toward each other. Understandably, in other embodiments, the first fitting surfaceor the second fitting surfacemay be provided with a flat surface, as long as the sealed and water-retaining effect can be achieved when they are close to each other and fit together under the action of magnetic attraction.

Preferably, the first magnetic membersare arranged corresponding to a middle position of the first fitting surface, i.e., the midline between inner and outer edges of the first fitting surface. The inner edge of the first fitting surfaceis close to the water-carrying cavity and the outer edge of the first fitting surfaceis away from the water-carrying cavity. The second magnetic membersare arranged corresponding to a middle position of the second fitting surface. Specifically, the first magnetic membersare mounted and fixed inside the first edge portionto avoid affecting the waterproof effect of the first fitting surface; similarly, the second magnetic membersare mounted and fixed inside the second edge portionto avoid affecting the waterproof effect of the second fitting surface.

In this embodiment, an inner side of the first edge portionof each of the petalsis provided with a first groove, and the first magnetic members[sic] are fixed in the first groove. The first magnetic membersare fixed on the first edge portionby binding/adhering/bonding. An inner side of the second edge portionof each of the petalsis provided with a second groove (not shown), and the second magnetic membersare fixed in the first grooves [sic]. The second magnetic membersare fixed on the second edge portionby binding/adhering/bonding. Understandably, in other embodiments, the first magnetic membersmay also be fixed on the first edge portionby means of snap connection, integral molding, or the like; the second magnetic membersmay also be fixed on the second edge portionby means of snap connection, integral molding, or the like.

In this embodiment, the first magnetic membersand the second magnetic membersare both magnets, and both shaped like rectangular blocks. The first magnetic membersof the first edge portionand the second magnetic membersof the adjacent second edge portionare opposite in polarity to achieve the effect of attracting each other when approaching. In other embodiments, the first magnetic membersare magnets and the second magnetic membersare iron blocks, or the first magnetic membersare iron blocks and the second magnetic membersare magnets, which can also achieve a mutual magnetic attraction effect.

Referring also to, the toy water ballfurther includes a connecting memberthat connects each of the petalsrespectively. The connecting memberincludes an elastic connecting ringand connecting endsrespectively connecting the connecting ringto each of the petals. The connecting endis connected to the same end of each of the petals. After each of the petalsis connected by the connecting member, when the toy water ballis thrown out and hits a person or falls on the ground and splits open, each of the petalscan be well connected, and there is no need to pick the petals up one by one. Understandably, in some embodiments, the connecting ringcan be configured as a common inelastic rope. In addition, in embodiments where few petalsare provided, the connecting membercan be omitted. For example, in the case of three petalsin this embodiment or in the case of two petalsin other embodiments, without the connecting member, the toy water ball still can be used normally.

In use of the toy water ball, a player can hold or grip the toy water balland put it directly into a water source, for example, in water in a bucket, river, or sea, and then squeeze the toy water ballhard to deform the petalsto a certain extent, so that a gap is formed between two adjacent petalsto allow water inflow. After water flows into the toy water ball, the player unlooses the toy water ball, the first edge portionand the second edge portionof the adjacent petalscome into a tight fit by virtue of the magnetic attraction between the first magnetic membersand the second magnetic members, thus achieving the sealed waterproof effect. When the toy water ballfully filled with water is thrown out and hits a person or an object, the adjacent petalsare forced to depart from each other, the toy water ballsplits open, and the water in the toy water ballsplashes out to achieve the game effect.

Compared with an existing water balloon, the toy water ball of the invention is provided with the first magnetic members and the second magnetic members, so that the toy water ball can be folded or opened repeatedly and thus can be reused; therefore, the water ball is environmentally friendly and clean. In addition, the toy water ball can be filled with water in a common water source without a specific pressure, so it can be used in many occasions, and has strong applicability.

Referring to, a toy water ballaccording to a second embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The toy water ballincludes a plurality of petalsand each of the petalshas a first edge portionand a second edge portioneach of the first edge portionsis provided with first magnetic members (not shown), and each of the second edge portionsis provided with second magnetic members (not shown). The toy water ballof the second embodiment is similar to the toy water ballof the first embodiment except that the number of the petalsin the toy water ballof the second embodiment is two, and each of the petalsis configured as a hemispherical shell. The toy water ballfurther includes a connecting memberrespectively connected to each of the petals

Referring to, a toy water ballaccording to a third embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The toy water ballincludes a plurality of petalsand each of the petalshas a first edge portionand a second edge portioneach of the first edge portionsis provided with first magnetic members (not shown), and each of the second edge portionsis provided with second magnetic members (not shown). The toy water ballof the third embodiment is similar to the toy water ballof the first embodiment except that the toy water ballof the third embodiment has four petalsand each of the petalsis configured as a one-fourth-sphere shell. The toy water ballfurther includes a connecting memberrespectively connected to the petals

Referring to, illustrated is a toy water ballaccording to a fourth embodiment of the invention. The toy water ballincludes a plurality of petalsand each of the petalshas a first edge portionand a second edge portioneach of the first edge portionsis provided with first magnetic members (not shown), and each of the second edge portionsis provided with second magnetic members (not shown). The toy water ballof the fourth embodiment is similar to the toy water ballof the first embodiment except that the toy water ballof the fourth embodiment has five petalsand each of the petalsis configured as a one-fifth-sphere shell. The toy water ballfurther includes a connecting memberrespectively connected to the petals

Referring to, illustrated is a toy water ballaccording to a fifth embodiment of the invention. The toy water ballincludes a plurality of petalsand each petalhas a first edge portionand a second edge portioneach first edge portionis provided with first magnetic members (as shown in), and each second edge portionis provided with second magnetic members (shown in). The toy water ballof the fifth embodiment is similar to the toy water ballof the second embodiment except that the toy water ballof the fifth embodiment further includes a connecting memberrespectively connected to the petalsand the connecting memberis configured as a sheet. In this embodiment, the connecting memberis integrally formed with the first edge portionand the second edge portionof each petaland then is connected to a main body of each petalIn this embodiment, an outer surface of each petalis provided with a wave-like pattern.

Referring to, illustrated is a toy water ballaccording to a sixth embodiment of the invention. The toy water ballincludes a plurality of petalsand each petalhas a first edge portionand a second edge portioneach first edge portionis provided with first magnetic members (not shown), and each second edge portionis provided with second magnetic members (not shown). The toy water ballof the sixth embodiment is similar to the toy water ballof the first embodiment except that the toy water ballof the sixth embodiment further includes a connecting memberrespectively connected to the petalsand the connecting memberis configured as a sheet. In this embodiment, the connecting memberis integrally formed with the first edge portionand the second edge portionof each petaland then is connected to the main body of each petalIn this embodiment, an outer surface of each petalis provided with a wave-like pattern.

Understandably, the toy water ball of the invention is not limited to being filled with water, and the toy water ball of the invention can be used to be filled with other liquids suitable for people's entertainment, such as beer, milk or other liquids harmless to the human body or drinkable.

The above-described embodiments only show several implementations of the invention, which are more specific and detailed, but not to be construed as limiting the patent scope of the invention. It should be noted that those of ordinary skill in the art may further make variations and improvements without departing from the conception of the invention, and these all fall within the protection scope of the invention. Therefore, the patent protection scope of the invention should be subject to the appended claims.