Surf toy action figure and simulated surfing game

• US 7,401,786 B2
• Filed: 12/04/2006
• Issued: 07/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Light Wave Limited
• Original Assignee: Light Wave Limited
• Inventors: Lochtefeld, Thomas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chiu; Raleigh W.
• Application Number:
  US11/633,381
• Publication Number:
  US 20070090602A1
• Time in Patent Office: 596 Days
• Field of Search: 273/440, 273/441, 273/449, 273/457, 273/459, 273/461, 273/443, 273/456, 273/108.56, 273/108.57, 446/129, 446/132, 446/139, 446/153, 446/330, 446/359, 405/79, 472/13, 472/128, 472/117, 449/1
• US Class Current: 273/441
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2250/0414 in motion
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2250/0428 being squirted
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/14 Racing games, traffic games, or obstacle games characterised by figures moved by action of the players racing games using dice A63F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 23/10 Other water toys, floating toys, or like buoyant toys
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 30/04 using wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A63J 19/006 Puppets or marionettes therefor

Abstract

The present invention provides a miniature live-action surfing attraction and associated surf game specifically adapted for use with one or more surf toy action figures. The surf toy action figures are mountable to a surf board appropriately sized and weighted to provide relatively stable or semi-stable surf-riding action upon a sheet flow of water flowing up an inclined ride surface of the reduced scale attraction. Various surf action figures may be set free upon the ride surface, or they may be constrained or partially constrained by wires, strings, magnets or the like, as desired. Alternatively, or in addition, they may be controlled via a remote control, or radio control transmitter, as desired. Thus, a fun and entertaining game is created that provides realistic live-action surfing within a relatively small or confined area.

Claims

1. A novelty surf-action device comprising:

an inclined ride surface having a lower base portion and an upper ridge portion;

a water reservoir;

at least one nozzle at or near the ride surface;

a pump adapted to draw water from the reservoir and deliver pressurized water to the at least one nozzle, the nozzle being sized and configured to direct a flow of pressurized water onto said ride surface so that the flow of water flows up the inclined ride surface in a flow direction;

a ride figure comprising a riding vehicle adapted to ride upon and be supported by the flow of water; and

a constraint member physically attached to the ride figure, the constraint member adapted to apply a constraint force to the ride figure in a direction generally opposite the flow direction so as to control a position of the ride figure relative to the ride surface as the ride figure rides upon the flow of water;

wherein the constraint member comprises a wire or string, and the wire or string exerts the constraint force on the ride figure.

2. The surf action device of claim 1, wherein the wire or string communicates with a source of the constraint force, and the constraint force source is spaced from the ride figure.

3. The surf action device of claim 2, wherein the constraint force source is provided by a play participant.

4. A novelty surf-action device comprising:

an inclined ride surface having a lower base portion and an upper ridge portion;

a water reservoir;

at least one nozzle at or near the ride surface;

a pump adapted to draw water from the reservoir and deliver pressurized water to the at least one nozzle, the nozzle being sized and configured to direct a flow of pressurized water onto said ride surface so that the flow of water flows up the inclined ride surface in a flow direction;

a ride figure comprising a riding vehicle adapted to ride upon and be supported by the flow of water; and

a constraint member physically attached to the ride figure, the constraint member adapted to apply a constraint force to the ride figure in a direction generally opposite the flow direction so as to control a position of the ride figure relative to the ride surface as the ride figure rides upon the flow of water;

wherein the constraint member comprises an elongate member attached to the ride figure, and the constraint force is communicated along the elongate member.

5. The surf action device of claim 4, wherein the constraint member applies a constraint force to the ride figure sufficient to maintain the ride figure in a stable riding position upon the ride surface.

6. The surf action device of claim 4, wherein the elongate member communicates with a source of the constraint force, and the constraint force source is spaced from the ride figure.

7. The surf action device of claim 6, wherein the constraint force source is provided by a play participant.

8. A novelty surf-action device comprising:

an inclined ride surface having a lower base portion and an upper ridge portion;

a water reservoir;

at least one nozzle at or near the ride surface;

a pump adapted to draw water from the reservoir and deliver pressurized water to the at least one nozzle, the nozzle being sized and configured to direct a flow of pressurized water onto said ride surface so that the flow of water flows up the inclined ride surface;

a ride figure comprising a riding vehicle adapted to ride upon and be supported by the flow of water; and

a magnet coupled to the ride figure, the magnet adapted to control a position of the ride figure relative to the ride surface as the ride figure rides upon the flow of water.

9. The surf action device of claim 8, wherein the magnet is movable relative to the ride surface so as to move the ride figure relative to the ride surface.

10. A surf action device, comprising:

an inclined ride surface having a lower base portion and an upper ridge portion;

a nozzle disposed at or near the ride surface, the nozzle adapted to be attached to a source of pressurized water so as to deploy a flow of water configured to flow up the inclined ride surface in a flow direction generally from the lower base portion to the upper ridge portion;

a ride figure comprising a riding vehicle adapted to ride upon and be supported by the flow of water; and

a control mechanism adapted to selectively turn the ride figure so as to control an attitude of the ride figure relative to the ride surface and the flow of water; and

a remote controller adapted to control the control mechanism from a location spaced from the ride figure;

wherein the ride figure is configured so that substantially all momentum in a direction opposite to the flow direction is obtained by positioning the ride figure upon the inclined ride surface so that gravitational forces overcome forces applied by the flow of water in the flow direction.

11. The surf action device of claim 10, wherein said control mechanism comprises a movable weight disposed on the ride figure.

12. The surf action device of claim 11, wherein said control mechanism comprises a radio controller adapted to control the position of the movable weight on the ride figure.

13. The surf action device of claim 12, characterized in that the ride figure has no propellant system for propelling the ride figure in a desired direction independent of external forces.