Recreational floating device having underwater projectile dispensing feature

Abstract

The present invention is a recreational floating device or use by a person in water such as a swimming pool. The floating device comprises a body portion adapted to float on the water. The body portion comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, and first and second side portions. The body portion further comprises a first launching portion adapted to retain and release a first self-propelled projectile. The first projectile comprises a first propulsion unit. The first projectile is engaged with the first launching portion from a first position where the first projectile is substantially retained by the first launching portion to a second position where the first projectile may be released from the first launching portion upon activation of the first propulsion unit in the water.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A recreational floating device for use by a person in water comprising: 
 (a) a board member adapted to float on the water, said board member having an upper surface and a bottom surface, said bottom surface being in contact with the water;    (b) a projectile retention member engaged with said bottom surface of said board member;    (c) a projectile member retained by said projectile retention member; and    (d) a projectile trigger member engageable with said projectile retention member and operable by the person from a first position where said projectile member is retained by said projectile retention member to a second position where said projectile member is dispensed from said projectile retention member to the water.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said projectile retention member comprises a cavity portion adapted to retain said projectile member.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said projectile trigger member comprises a lever member operable by the person from a first position where said projectile is retained by said projectile retention member to a second position where said projected is dispensed from said projectile retention member to the water.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein said lever member is disposed above the upper surface of said board member.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein said board member is elongated.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein said board member is molded from plastic.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein said projectile member is in the form of a rounded ball.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein said projectile member has a buoyancy less than the water.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , further comprising a projectile viewing member adapted to allow the person to view dispensing of said projectile through the water.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein said projectile viewing member comprises an opening extending from said upper surface to said bottom surface of said board member.  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein said projectile viewing member further comprises a transparent viewing member disposed within said opening.  
     
     
         12 . A kick board for use by a person in water comprising: 
 (a) a body portion adapted to float on the water; said body portion comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, and first and second side portions; said body portion further comprises a first launching portion; and    (b) a first projectile comprising a first propulsion unit; said first projectile being engaged with said first launching portion from a first position where said first projectile is substantially retained by said first launching portion to a second position where said first projectile may be released from said first launching portion upon activation of said first propulsion unit in the water.    
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein said body portion further comprises a second launching portion.  
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , further comprising a second projectile comprising a second propulsion unit; said second projectile being engaged with said second launching portion from a first position where said second projectile is substantially retained by said second launching portion to a second position where said second projectile may be released from said second launching portion upon activation of said second propulsion unit in the water.  
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein each of said first and second projectiles are self-propelled.  
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein said first propulsion unit comprises a first battery, a first motor connected to said first battery, a first propeller engaged with said first motor, and a first switch operable from a first position where said first propulsion unit is inactive to a second position where said first propulsion unit is activated.  
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein said second propulsion unit comprises a second battery, a second motor connected to said second battery, a second propeller engaged with said second motor, and a second switch operable from a first position where said second propulsion unit is inactive to a second position where said second propulsion unit is activated.  
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein said body portion further comprises a first firing button; activation of said first firing button causes said first projectile to be in said second position of said first launching portion.  
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein said body portion further comprises a second firing button; activation of said second firing button causes said second projectile to be in said second position of said second launching portion.  
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein said activation of said first and second firing buttons causes activation of said first and second propulsion units, respectively.  
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein said first and second firing buttons are positioned on said top portion of said body portion.  
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein said first and second launching portions each comprise a cover that may be opened by person to insert said first and second projectiles into said first and second launching portions, respectively.  
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 22  wherein said first and second launching portions are positioned below said bottom portion and adjacent said first and second side portions of said body portion, respectively.  
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein said first propulsion unit further comprises a third propeller and said second propulsion unit comprises a fourth propeller.  
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein said third propeller of said first propulsion unit is connected to said first motor of said first propulsion unit and said fourth propeller of said second propulsion unit is connected to said second motor of said second propulsion unit.  
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein said first and second propulsion units each comprise compressed air to dispense said first and second projectiles, respectively.  
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein said first and second propulsion units each comprise pressurized water to dispense said first and second projectiles, respectively.  
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein said first and second propulsion units each comprise a spring engaged with first and second launching portions to dispense said first and second projectiles, respectively.