WO2015124901A1

WO2015124901A1 - Flotation toy

Info

Publication number: WO2015124901A1
Application number: PCT/GB2015/050389
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul RUTLAND
Original assignee: Water Babies Limited
Priority date: 2014-02-20
Filing date: 2015-02-12
Publication date: 2015-08-27
Also published as: CN106029191B; EP3107635A1; CN106029191A; GB201403006D0; GB2523336B; GB2523336A

Abstract

There is provided a flotation toy (100) and a method of manufacturing a flotation toy. The flotation toy is particularly, but not exclusively for use with infants and young children and is applicable for domestic use or as a training aid. The flotation toy comprises a mirror (10), a frame (20) and a cover (30). The mirror is held within the frame and because the mirror may be made from acrylic the mirror may be bendable. The cover is a removable cover and is held within the frame between an open position and a closed position such that in the closed position the cover is arranged to conceal the mirror.

Description

Flotation Toy

Field of Invention

The invention relates to a flotation toy and a method of manufacturing a flotation toy, and in particular, but not exclusively, to a flotation toy for use with infants and young children.

Background to the Invention:

As part of a child's development, it is important for the child to learn how to swim. For best results, the child is introduced into water at an early age so that the training process is established while the child is highly intuitive. Flotation devices or buoyancy aids, such as inflatable arm bands are used when the child is very young in order to help to keep the child afloat in water. At the very early stages of the child's development process, the parent or teacher joins the child in the water so that the child is given one-to-one support. This interaction allows the teacher or parent to guide the child and safely expose the child to different body positions in the water. Sometimes, flotation aids are used as targets to encourage the child to swim. Such flotation aids can also be used to help keep the child afloat. Training aids are therefore used to encourage the child to learn instinctively and gain confidence in the water, whilst providing an element of fun.

However, encouraging a child to swim on their back for the first time is often more of a challenge. The teacher or parent must support the child in the water such that the child floats in a stable and safe manner. Depending on how stable the child floats as well as the child's confidence in water, the teacher or parent may be able to support the child with one hand and use the other hand to distract the child in order to keep the child calm and confident. However, this is usually quite challenging for the teacher or parent because it may be very difficult to encourage the child to be still in the water. Furthermore, when the child is given one-to-one attention, any flotation aids used in the training process may quickly float away from the child and parent or teacher because the parent or teacher will be paying close attention to the child.

There is a need for an improved training aid to teach children to swim in multiple positions in a safe and stable manner, particularly when familiarising children to float in the supine position, in order to give the child confidence when the child is ready to swim on its back. It is an aim of the invention to provide a compact device that can be used as a unitary toy but can also serve several training functions. It is an object of the present invention to attempt to overcome at least one of the above or other identified problems. For example, there is a need to provide a durable flotation toy that is easy to operate by both the parent and child.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a flotation toy that is intuitive and easy to use. For instance, it is an aim to provide a flotation toy that may be operated with one hand whilst the parent or teacher uses the other hand to support the child. A further aim of the flotation toy is to provide a fun, interactive toy which can be operated by children of 3 months of age and over.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention, there is provided a flotation toy and a method of manufacturing a flotation toy as set forth in the appended claims. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims and the description which follows.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a flotation toy is provided. The flotation toy is particularly suited for use in water with infants and young children in a domestic or commercial environment, such as a training environment. The flotation toy can therefore be used as a bath toy or as a training aid. However, by its very nature, the flotation device must be buoyant when placed in water. The flotation toy comprises a mirror, a frame and a cover. The mirror is provided within the frame so that the mirror can be held by the frame. The cover is also provided as a removable cover such that the cover can be easily removed from the frame. The cover can be removably held within a recess of the frame in a closed position such that the cover is temporarily coupled to the frame. In the closed position, the cover conceals the mirror by enclosing the recess and therefore protects the mirror from damage such as scratching or cracking. The cover can be removed to an open position, whereby the cover is separated from the frame. Very few parts are used to provide such a removable cover and the coupling within the frame is easily established. The mirror of the flotation toy can be easily protected using the cover but the cover can be easily removed in situ when required. For instance, the cover can be easily removed in water by one hand. The flotation toy is compact and allows the mirror and cover to be used separately but stored as one unit. For instance, in a training situation, the mirror can be used to encourage the child to lie in the supine position and float on the top of the water whilst the child holds the cover. The trainer or parent can hold the mirror with one hand and support the child in the supine position with the other. The mirror can be used to interact with the child so that the child becomes more confident and relaxed.

In the exemplary embodiments, the cover may be held within the frame by a press-fit action. This produces a simple and effective flotation toy that can be operated by one hand. The press-fit may be variable and the resistance may increase the further the cover is depressed into the frame. The few parts that are required to engage the cover and frame help to increase the longevity of the product because the durability is improved. The press-fit action may be operated around the entire circumference of the cover to evenly distribute the pressing forces. The press-fit action is simple and can be operated by a child in water. The force required to press-fit the cover within the frame may increase in one orientation of the cover compared to another orientation of the cover. For instance, the deformation of the cover and/or the frame may increase more greatly when one side of the cover is pressed into the frame compared to when the other side of the cover is pressed into the frame. The cover may fit into a recess in the frame. This recess cooperates with at least two edges of the cover so that the press-fit action is obtainable. However, the frame and cover may both be concentric and the circumference of the cover may engage with an inner circumference or edge of the frame. The cover may be coaxial with the frame. However, the cover may be offset from the common axis. The cover may be an irregular shape but capable of engaging with at least two edges of the frame to form a press-fit action.

In the exemplary embodiments, the cover may be formed from a compressible material. The cover may be compressed when held within the frame. For instance, the frame may be made of a firmer material which is more resistance to compression. Furthermore, the cover may also be deformable in order to be more easily accommodated by the frame. This allows the cover to take the shape of the frame, or of the recess within the frame. The mirror may be an acrylic mirror. The acrylic mirror may be around 3mm thick. This provides the advantage that the mirror is light compared to glass and is also flexible. The cover may be made from EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) foam, otherwise known as expanded rubber or foam rubber. EVA foam is a buoyant material and is easily compressible or deformable. EVA is also bite-proof and buoyant so suitable for a child's flotation toy. The frame and cover may be made from the same material or may be made from different materials. However, either the frame or the cover must be compressible and/or deformable to allow the cover to be held within the frame. For instance, the frame and cover may both be made from EVA foam. This allows the frame and cover to deflect when the cover is pressed into the frame.

In the exemplary embodiments, the frame may comprise a backplate, a rim and a first adhesive layer, wherein the first adhesive layer couples the rim and mirror to the backplate. The recess is then formed between an opening of the rim and the face of the backplate. This allows the frame to be comprised of different materials so that different materials can be selected to meet the needs of each component. For instance, the backplate may be made of rubber and the rim may be made of EVA foam. The frame may comprise a second adhesive layer, wherein the mirror is further coupled to the rim by the second adhesive layer. The additional adhesive layer helps to provide strength and rigidity when several components are used. The second adhesive layer helps to prevent the mirror from dislodging from the frame and helps to resist the pressing forces when the cover is introduced into the frame. The rim and backplate are configured to provide a seamless joint. This may be achieved by having the outer faces or outer edges aligned once the rim and backplate are glued together. Therefore, the transition from the rim to the mirror is continuous and provided in a seamless manner.

An outer edge of the cover may be provided with a taper that cooperates with an inner edge of the rim that tapers inwardly towards the mirror. The edges are therefore, in communication with each other when arranged in the closed position. The interaction of the tapers allows the force required to press-fit the cover into the frame to be variable. For instance, when the tapers are parallel, the press-fit force is reduced. However, when the tapering edges are not parallel, the press-fit force increases as the cover is inserted into the frame. This causes greater compression of the cover and/or frame but locks the cover more effectively in the frame. When the tapers are substantially parallel, the cover may more easily be dislodged from the frame. This helps to operate the flotation toy quickly with one hand. For instance, the flotation toy may be tapped or shook with little force in order to release the cover. When the tapers are not substantially parallel, the cover is more greatly held within the frame which is perhaps more suitable for storage purposes. The rim taper may be cut into the inside edge of the rim. This allows the outer edge of the rim and outer edge of the back plate to be collinear. However, the rim taper may be formed by deformation of the rim when coupled to the backplate and mirror. The rim leans outwardly due to the depth of the mirror and compression of the rim to the mirror and backplate. The rim is deformed outwardly on the outer edge because a gap is generated between the bottom of the rim and the backplate. Therefore, some of the rim rests on or is fixed to the mirror, whereas a remaining part of the rim is fixed to the backplate. The first layer of adhesive therefore binds the rim to the backplate and the second adhesive layer helps to adhere the rim to the mirror. Therefore, the adhesive layers prevent a pulling force generated by the deformation of the rim. Furthermore, the rim may have a constant width in cross-section so that the taper is created by placing part of the base of the rim on the backplate and part on the mirror. The depth of the mirror therefore raises the rim so that a taper is generated. Furthermore, an outer face of the cover may be arranged to more greatly protrude in one orientation of the cover than in the other orientation of the cover when the cover arranged in the closed position. The greater protrusion may be caused by the tapering of the cover and the rim. Therefore, when the tapers are substantially parallel, the top surfaces of the rim and the cover may be level. However, when the tapers are not substantially parallel, the top surface of the cover may protrude above the top surface of the rim. This has the advantage that the cover can be more easily gripped in one orientation than the other, i.e. the orientation that generates the greater press-fit. In the exemplary embodiments, the width of the rim may be constant. For instance, the width of the rim may be between 2-10% of the width of the frame. Preferably, the width of the rim may be between 5-10%. Either of these ranges may be used to provide a minimum width. Preferably, the depth of the cover is half the depth of the frame. For example, the depth of the cover may be equal to the rim. Furthermore, the rim and backplate may have a similar or equal depth. Further, the depth of the frame may be around 20mm. Preferably, the flotation toy is substantially circular. The cover and frame may be concentric and furthermore, may be coaxially aligned. The removable cover may have a different shape compared to the outer shape of the rim. For instance, in plan view the rim may be shaped like a hexagon whereas the removable cover may be circular.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, a method of manufacturing a flotation toy is provided. The method comprises the steps of providing a mirror, a frame with a recess and a cover, whereby the mirror is inserted within the frame. The flotation toy is assembled to allow the cover to be removable between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the cover conceals the mirror by enclosing the recess. This helps to protect the mirror when not in use but also allows the parts to be separated. The mirror may be an acrylic mirror and may be provided by cutting the mirror into the desired shape. The acrylic mirror may be around 3mm thick. The mirror may be cut by any means, such as a saw or by a laser but not limited to such means. The frame and/or cover may be provided by an injection moulding process or an extrusion process. Alternatively, the frame and/or cover may be fabricated by cutting or milling for example to form the desired shape.

In the exemplary embodiments, the method may further comprise the step of ensuring the cover is a press-fit when held within the frame. The cover may therefore be manufactured slightly larger than the recess in which it fits into in order to conceal the mirror. The method may further comprise manufacturing a frame that comprises separate components such as a backplate and a rim, whereby the rim and mirror are coupled together to the backplate by a first adhesive layer. The mirror may be further coupled to the rim by a second adhesive layer. This ensures greater strength so that the materials do not easily separate. The rim is liable to distort as the cover is inserted into the recess and so the second adhesive layer helps to provide further stability and increase the durability of the flotation toy. Preferably, the method includes forming the cover and rim from the same part. For instance, the cover may be formed by cutting the rim after the rim is coupled to the backplate. Furthermore, the cover may be formed by cutting the rim after the rim and mirror are coupled to the backplate.

Brief Description of the Drawings For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:

Figures 1 a and 1 b show a plan and side view of a flotation toy, respectively; Figures 2a and 2b show the cross-sectional view X-X of the first embodiment in the open and closed positions;

Figures 3a and 3b show the cross-sectional view X-X of a second embodiment in the open and closed positions; and

Figures 4a and 4b show the cross-sectional view through X-X of the second embodiment in the open and closed positions, whereby the cover is inverted compared to Figures 3a and 3b.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Referring to Figures 1 a to 2b, a flotation toy 100 is shown. The flotation toy 100 comprises a mirror 10, a frame 20 and a cover 30. The frame 20 comprises a back part 22 and a front part 24 and provides a recess 20a within which the cover 30 can be inserted and subsequently held within the frame 20. The front and back parts 24,22 are herein referred to as the rim 24 and backplate 22 although these terms are not limiting. As shown in Figures 2a and 2b, the frame 20 accommodates the mirror 10 between the rim 24 and backplate 22. A first adhesive layer 26 is used to couple the mirror 10 and the outer part of the rim 24 to the backplate 22. The cover 30 is removable from the frame 20 between an open position A and a closed position B. In the closed position B, the cover 30 is arranged to conceal the mirror 10 by enclosing the recess 20a as shown in Figure 2b. The frame 20 and cover 30 are shown as concentric parts that have a common axis. In the side elevation, as shown in Figure 1 b, the cover 30 is shown to marginally protrude passed the top surface of the rim 24. That is, the protrusion can be up to 10% of the depth of the cover 30 or up to 5mm above the surface of the rim 24. However, the protrusion can be up to 2mm above the rim 24 when arranged in the closed position B. This allows the cover 30 to be gripped and removed from the frame 20.

In Figures 2a and 2b, the cover 30 is press fitted into the frame 20 from an open position A to a closed position B. The press-fit force may be linear as the cover 30 is pressed into the frame 20 because the edges of the frame 20 and cover 30 are substantially parallel. However, the cover 20 may have a 5-10% greater width or diameter than the recess 20a. The frame 20 and cover 30 are made of EVA foam which allows the flotation toy 100 to be buoyant in water and compressible so that the cover 30 may be easily inserted into the frame 20. Although the first adhesive layer 26 is shown to be consistently applied to the backplate 22, the first adhesive layer 26 may be provided intermittently and spot-glued. Clearly, when the cover 30 is separated from the frame 20 in the open position A, they may be used independently. For instance, the cover 30 may be used as a throwing toy and the frame 20 and mirror 10 may be used for enhancing visual pleasure. When the flotation toy 100 is used as a training aid for children, the frame 20 and mirror 10 may be used to encourage the child to lie in the supine position, which is usually a difficult position to achieve with children who are very inexperienced in the water. However, in the closed position B, the cover 30 is used to protect the mirror 10.

Further referring to Figures 3a and 3b, the flotation toy 100 is provided with tapered sides T1 .T2. The first taper T1 is formed inherently by the outer edge 30a of the cover 30, however, the second taper T2 is indirectly formed on the inner edge 24a of the rim 24 due to distortion of the rim 24 by the mirror 10 when the rim 24 is glued to the backplate 22. These tapers T1 ,T2 are similar in that the tapers T1 ,T2 can be made substantially parallel. When the cover 30 is inserted into the recess 20a, as shown in the closed position B, the substantially parallel edges 30a, 24a of the cover 30 and the rim 24 allow the cover 30 to be easily accommodated by the frame 20. The press-fit force F1 on the cover 30 is relatively low which, as a result, corresponds to a low outward gripping force F2. This results in a low distortion and/or compression of the cover 30 and/or the rim 24. However, the flotation toy 100 is provided with a second adhesive layer 28 between the rim 24 and the mirror 10 which helps grip the cover 30 when the cover 30 is inserted into the frame 20. The taper T2 in the rim 24 is inherently created due to the deformation of the rim 24 because part of the rim 24 rests on the mirror 10 and the other part rests on the backplate 22. Because the rim 24 is formed with substantially parallel sides, the deformation is caused to the entire rim 24, which results in a further outward movement of the outer edge of the rim 24. In other words, an outer edge of the rim 24 is spaced closer to the backplate 22 than an inner edge.

Finally, referring to Figures 4a and 4b, the cover 30 is shown in a different orientation because the cover 30 is provided in an inverted position. In effect, the cover 30 is operable in two orientations. The inverted orientation generates non-parallel tapers T1 ,T2 in the cover 30 and rim 24 which results in an increase in the press-fit force F1 . However, the result is that the gripping force F2 increases substantially and the cover 30 is better held in the frame 20. Figures 3a to 4b therefore show the advantage of providing tapers T1 ,T2 to the cover 30 and rim 24 when positioned within the frame 20. The cover 30 can be held within the frame 20 with a greater gripping force F2 so that the cover 30 is more difficult to remove. As a result of the greater press-fit force F1 , a gap G forms between the mirror 10 and cover 30 as the cover comes 30 to rest. This allows the cover 30 to protrude outwardly from a top surface of the rim 24, which allows the user to use a finger to easily dislodge the cover 30 from the frame 20. However, the cover 30 is much less easily dislodged in the inverted orientation than in the first orientation as shown in Figures 3a and 3b.

The industrial application of the invention will be readily appreciated from the description herein. In particular, the flotation toy is capable of being made and used in industry, especially in the training environments for use as a training aid.

Although preferred embodiment(s) of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims

1 . A flotation toy (100) comprising:

a mirror (10);

a frame (20), wherein the frame comprises a recess (20a); and

a cover (30);

wherein the mirror is held within the frame; and

wherein the cover is removably held within the frame between an open position (A) and a closed position (B) such that in the closed position the cover is arranged to conceal the mirror by enclosing the recess.

2. The flotation toy (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the cover (30) is held within the frame (20) by a press-fit.

3. The flotation toy (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the force required to press-fit the cover (30) within the frame (20) increases in one orientation of the cover compared to another orientation.

4. The flotation toy (100) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cover (30) is made of a compressible material.

5. The flotation toy (100) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the frame (20) comprises a backplate (22), a rim (24) and a first adhesive layer (26), such that the first adhesive layer couples the rim and mirror (10) to the backplate.

6. The flotation toy (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the frame (20) comprises a second adhesive layer (28), wherein the mirror (10) is further coupled to the rim (24) by the second adhesive layer.

7. The flotation toy (100) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the rim (24) and backplate (22) are configured to provide a seamless joint.

8. The flotation toy (100) as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein an outer edge (30a) of the cover (30) is tapered and an inner edge (24a) of the rim (24) tapers inwardly towards the mirror (10), such that the edges (24a, 30a) are in communication when arranged in the closed position (B).

9. The flotation toy (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the rim taper is formed by deformation of the rim (24) when coupled to the backplate (22) and mirror (10).

10. The flotation toy (100) as claimed in any of claim 9, wherein an outer face (30b) of the cover (30) is arranged to more greatly protrude in one orientation than in the other orientation when the cover arranged in the closed position (B).

1 1 . A method of manufacturing a flotation toy (100) comprising the steps of:

providing a mirror (10), a frame (20) with a recess (20a) and a cover (30); and inserting the mirror within the frame;

wherein the cover is removable between an open position (A) and a closed position (B) such that in the closed position the cover conceals the mirror by enclosing the recess.

12. The method of manufacturing the flotation toy (100) as claimed in claim 1 1 , wherein the cover (30) is press-fit within the frame (20).

13. The method of manufacturing the flotation toy (100) as claimed in claim 1 1 or 12, wherein the frame (20) comprises a backplate (22) and a rim (24), wherein the rim and mirror (10) are coupled together to the backplate by a first adhesive layer (26).

14. The method of manufacturing the flotation toy (100) as claimed in claim 13, wherein the mirror (10) is further coupled to the rim (24) by a second adhesive layer (28).

15. The method of manufacturing the flotation toy (100) as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the cover (30) and rim (24) are formed from the same part.

16. The method of manufacturing the flotation toy (100) as claimed in claim 15, wherein the cover (30) is formed by cutting the rim (24) after the rim is coupled to the backplate (22).

17. The method of manufacturing the flotation toy (100) as claimed in claim 16, wherein the cover (30) is formed by cutting the rim (24) after the rim and mirror (10) are coupled to the backplate (22).