초록 ▼

Self-propelled hydrodynamic underwater toys with integrated propulsion mechanisms are described. In some embodiments, the propulsion mechanisms is partially or completely within an internal compartment in the toy's body. The propulsion mechanisms are adapted to be charged with a volume of fluid and

Self-propelled hydrodynamic underwater toys with integrated propulsion mechanisms are described. In some embodiments, the propulsion mechanisms is partially or completely within an internal compartment in the toy's body. The propulsion mechanisms are adapted to be charged with a volume of fluid and to thereafter discharge the volume of fluid under pressure to propel the toy through a body of water. In some embodiments, the propulsion mechanism includes an expandable reservoir. In some embodiments, the propulsion mechanism is a replaceable propulsion mechanism. In some embodiments, the toy includes a trajectory-stabilizing structure that is adapted to impart at least one of a steering moment and a righting moment to the toy during underwater travel. The toy may be adapted to have positive, negative or neutral buoyancies, and can be adapted to maintain its buoyancy and/or its center of gravity while being propelled through a body of water by the propulsion system.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus, comprising:a body, the body defining a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the body and the second portion of the body being movable relative to each other between a first configuration and a second configuration; anda propulsion mechanism fi

What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus, comprising:a body, the body defining a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the body and the second portion of the body being movable relative to each other between a first configuration and a second configuration; anda propulsion mechanism fixedly coupled to the body, the propulsion mechanism including an expandable reservoir and a pump, the pump including an inner sleeve movably disposed within an outer sleeve, the outer sleeve being at least partially disposed within an interior region defined by the first portion of the body, the inner sleeve being at least partially disposed within an interior region defined by the second portion of the body,the first portion of the body defining an inlet port in fluid communication with the outer sleeve of the pump and the second portion of the body defining an exit port in fluid communication with the expandable reservoir,the expandable reservoir having elastomeric walls configured to contain a volume of liquid under pressure, the pump configured to draw liquid through the inlet port and into an interior region defined by the outer sleeve of the pump when the first portion of the body and the second portion of the body are moved from the first configuration to the second configuration, the pump configured to move the liquid disposed within the interior region of the outer sleeve of the pump into the expandable reservoir when the first portion of the body and the second portion of the body are moved from the second configuration to the first configuration,the propulsion mechanism configured to expel the liquid from the expandable reservoir and through the exit port to cause the body to be propelled while the apparatus is submerged in a liquid.