US2921743A - Combined toy and water sprinkling device - Google Patents

Description

1950 D. cs. WESTOVER ETAL 2,921,743

COMBINED TOY AND WATER SPRINKLING DEVICE Filed Jan. 13, 1958 l/FTl/Vfi R0701? FUEL l.

E2415 E- T llVVE/V TOPS YMAN Z4 7/. A TToAA/f) United States Patent M COMBINED TOY AND WATER SPRINKLING DEVICE Dwight G. Westover and Wyman L. Larson,

" Monrovia, Calif.

This invention relates to a combined toy and water sprinkling device for use in sprinkling lawns, gardens and the like. v r

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a water sprinkling device which is easily maneuverable to sprinkle relatively large areas from a single fixed position.

Another object is to provide a water sprinkling device which will sprinkle or spray evenly throughout a relatively large area.

A further object is to provide a water sprinkling device in the form of a toy which is highly attractive to children as well as adults.

A further object is to provide a water powered flying captive helicopter having provisions for spraying Water therefrom.

A still further object is to provide a fluid powered flying captive helicopter which obviates the need for contra rotating rotors or other devices for stabilizing the helicopter against torque developed by the lifting rotor.

The manner in which the above and other objects of the invention are accomplished will be readily understood on reference to the following specification when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a water powered helicopter embodying a preferred form of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side view, partly in section, with parts broken away, of the helicopter, and is taken along the line 2--2 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a plan view, partly in section, with parts broken away of the helicopter, and is taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, the sprinkling device comprises a miniature helicopter body or shell 11 which may be formed of thin metal or plastic material. Two laterally extending partitions 12 and 13 extend between the side walls of the body to form a turbine wheel compartment 14. The latter is bounded at its top by a central partition 15 extending between the partitions 12 and 13.

A rotor shaft 16 is journaled in aligned bearings 17, 18 and 19 formed in the walls of the shell and partition 15. The shaft is attached at its upper end to a multibladed rotor 20, each of the blades of which have such an aerodynamic cross sectional shape as to raise the body when the shaft is rotated.

A turbine wheel \21 is pinned at to the rotor shaft 16 within the compartment 14 and a thrust bearing ring 22 is interposed between the turbine wheel and the hearing 19 to prevent upward movement of the shaft relative to the body. A collar 23 is suitably attached to the shaft adjacent the bearing 18 to prevent movement of the shaft downwardly relative to the body.

In order to direct a jet of water against the blades of the turbine wheel, a tubular formation 24 is formed 2,921,743 Patented Jan. 19, 1960 integral with one side of the body and is provided with a passage directed toward the blades of the wheel and in line with a catch passage 25. The latter opens at one end into the compartment 14 and at its opposite end through the lower wall of the shell.

A-water deflector 26- is mounted in the lower portion of the passage 25. The latter has a conical head portion 27 and a screw threaded shank 28 adjustably threaded in a boss 29 which is supported centrally of the passage 25 by wings 30.

In order to supply water under pressure from a suitable source of water, a semi-rigid tubing 32 is provided, the latter being attached at one end to an outwardly projecting portion of the tubular formation 24 and at its opposite end to a suitable manually controlled valve 33, which is attached to a hose 31. The latter may be attachedto a water hydrant or the like (not shown) to convey water to the valve.

When the valve 33 is opened the water under pressure will be conveyed through the tubing 32 and will be emitted in the form of a jet stream by the tubular formation 24 to impinge on the turbine Wheel 21, causing the latter to rotate and thus drive the rotor 20 to lift the shell.

The major portion of the stream striking the turbine blade will be collected in the passage 25 and thus deflected downwardly to strike the conical head 27 where it will be broken up into a spray and, at the same time, will be deflected outwardly to uniformly cover a relatively large area.

A pair of openings 34 formed in the lower wall of the shell below the turbine wheel will permit any water entrapped in the compartment 14 to escape.

By using a tubing 32 of semi-rigid material such as soft aluminum, the body 11 of the device will be prevented from rotating about the axis of the rotor shaft 16 and thus eliminating the need for contra rotating rotors or other stabilizing devices for counteracting any tendency for the body to turn about the axis of shaft 16 due to torque developed in turning the rotor. Also, the tubing 32 enables a certain amount of control of the helicopter by the operator holding the tubing adjacent the valve 33, whereby the helicopter may be moved into different locations. In practice, a tubing of soft aluminum approximately 15 feet long, having a inch outside diameter and a /s inch inside diameter, has been found to work satisfactorily and yet may be easily rolled into a roll for storage of the device.

It has been found that by manipulating the valve 33 to vary the Water pressure against the turbine wheel, the device may be made to raise or lower as desired. Also by twisting or turning the tubing, the helicopter may be made to assume various attitudes and to move into different desired positions relative to the operator.

By adjusting the deflector 26 in or out relative to the shell, the deflection of the water thereby may be varied as desired.

It will be readily apparent from the foregoing that the device is attractive to children particularly, so that they may be easily induced to operate the same as a ground sprinkling device. In fact, the device may be used exclusively as a toy if desired. In the latter case, the deflector 26 may be removed entirely in which case the water passing through the passage will emerge downwardly as a stream.

Although we have described our invention in detail and have therefore used certain specific terms and languages herein, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is illustrative rather than descriptive and that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claim appended hereto.

Having thus described the invention, what we desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

A captive flying helicopter comprising a hollow body, a rotor rotatable on said body, a turbine wheel in body and operably connected to said rotor, the opposite sides of. said body having portions extending adjacent diametrically opposite tips of said turbine Wheel, the remainder of saidsides extending away from said turbine wheel, jet forming means on said body adjacent one of said body portions for directing a stream of water against said turbine wheel, a semi-rigid tubing conneoted'to said last mentioned means for conveying water thereto under pressure, said tubing being of sufiici'ent rigidity to constrain said body from rotating about the axis of said rotor due to torque developed between said turbine wheel and said stream and to enable adjustment of the angle of said rotor relative to the horizon, means operatively connected to said tubing for controlling the flow of water to said jet forming means, means on said body forming awater conveying passage for conveying spent water 4 r from said turbine wheel downwardly in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of said rotor, said last mentioned means having an inlet directed toward said turbine wheel and at least substantially in line with said jet forming means, and an outlet directed downwardly through said body.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,497,555 Donaldson et a1. June 10, 1924 2,535,723 Coombs Dec; 26, 1950 2,676,013 Walker Apr. 20, 1954 2,754,147 Dell July 10, 1956 2,789,009 Maraccini Apr. 16, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 616,997 Great Britain Jan. 31, 1949 OTHER REFERENCES Jbur'nn, Jude 1958, page 56A. 7

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