Water toy

Abstract

A buoyant water toy constructed from a moldable plastic that simulates the shape of a seahorse and can be propelled through the water by a rider straddling the body of the toy and peddling a bicycle-like foot-engaging pedal mechanism connected to the body of the toy.

1 . A water toy simulating the shape of a seahorse that can be propelled through the water by a rider having hands and feet comprising:
 (a) a generally upright body having an upper portion, a lower portion and an intermediate portion;   (b) a rider support connected to said intermediate portion of said body for supporting the rider;   (c) hand grips connected to said upper portion of said body for gripping by the hands of the rider; and   (d) propelling means connected to said lower portion of said body for propelling the water toy through the water, said propelling means comprising:
 (i) a sleeve extending transversely of said lower portion of said body, said sleeve defining a rotational axis; 
 (ii) a crank connected to said sleeve, said crank comprising a spindle journaled in said sleeve for rotation about said rotational axis and right and left crank arms attached to said spindle; and 
 (iii) right and left foot-engaging paddles connected to said right and left crank arms respectively. 
   
   
   
       2 . The water toy as defined in  claim 1  in which each of said right and left foot-engaging paddles comprises:
 (a) a foot-engaging base portion; and   (b) an upstanding heel-engaging portion.   
   
   
       3 . The water toy as defined in  claim 1  in which said hand grips comprise right and left transversely extending handle bars. 
   
   
       4 . The water toy as defined in  claim 1  in which said generally upright body is formed from a moldable plastic. 
   
   
       5 . The water toy as defined in  claim 1  in which said upper portion is generally head-shaped. 
   
   
       6 . The water toy as defined in  claim 1  in which said lower portion is generally tail-shaped. 
   
   
       7 . The water toy as defined in  claim 1  in which said body portion is hollow. 
   
   
       8 . A buoyant water toy simulating the shape of a seahorse that can be propelled through the water by a rider having hands and feet, comprising:
 (a) a generally upright body having an upper, generally head-shaped portion, a lower, generally tail-shaped portion, and an intermediate portion;   (b) a rider support connected to said intermediate portion of said body for supporting the rider, said rider support being vertically positioned for desired submergence depth of a rider in the water;   (c) right and left transversely extending handle bars connected to said upper portion of said body for gripping by the hands of the rider; and   (d) propelling means connected to said lower portion of said body for propelling the water toy through the water, said propelling means comprising:
 (i) a sleeve extending transversely of said lower portion of said body, said sleeve defining a rotational axis; 
 (ii) a crank connected to said sleeve, said crank comprising a spindle journaled in said sleeve for rotation about said rotational axis and right and left crank arms attached to said spindle; and 
 (iii) right and left foot-engaging paddles connected to said right and left crank arms respectively, each of said right and left foot-engaging paddles comprising a foot-engaging base portion and an upstanding heel-engaging portion. 
   
   
   
       9 . The water toy as defined in  claim 8  in which said body portion is substantially hollow. 
   
   
       10 . The water toy as defined in  claim 8  in which said body portion is formed from a moldable plastic. 
   
   
       11 . A buoyant water toy simulating the shape of a seahorse that can be propelled through the water by a rider having hands and feet, comprising:
 (a) a generally upright, moldable plastic body having an upper, generally head-shaped portion, a lower, generally tail-shaped portion, and an intermediate portion;   (b) a rider support connected to said intermediate portion of said body for supporting the rider, said rider support being vertically positioned for desired submergence depth of a rider in the water;   (c) right and left transversely extending, generally cylindrically shaped handle bars connected to said upper portion of said body for gripping by the hands of the rider; and   (d) propelling means connected to said lower portion of said body for propelling the water toy through the water, said propelling means comprising:
 (i) a sleeve extending transversely of said lower portion of said body, said sleeve defining a rotational axis; 
 (ii) a crank connected to said sleeve, said crank comprising a spindle journaled in said sleeve for rotation about said rotational axis and right and left crank arms attached to said spindle; and 
 (iii) right and left foot-engaging paddles connected to said right and left crank arms respectively, each of said right and left foot-engaging paddles comprising a foot-engaging base portion, an upstanding heel-engaging portion and a water scoop portion. 
   
   
   
       12 . A buoyant water toy simulating the shape of a seahorse that can be propelled through the water by a rider having hands and feet, comprising:
 (a) a generally upright, moldable plastic body having an upper, generally head-shaped portion, a lower, generally tail-shaped portion, and an intermediate portion;   (b) a molded plastic rider supporting seat connected to and extending outwardly from said intermediate portion of said body for supporting the rider, said rider supporting seat being vertically positioned for desired submergence depth of a rider in the water;   (c) right and left transversely extending, generally cylindrically shaped handle bars connected to said upper portion of said body for gripping by the hands of the rider; and   (d) propelling means connected to said lower portion of said body for propelling the water toy through the water, said propelling means comprising:
 (i) a sleeve extending transversely of said lower portion of said body, said sleeve defining a rotational axis; 
 (ii) a crank connected to said sleeve, said crank comprising a spindle journaled in said sleeve for rotation about said rotational axis and right and left crank arms attached to said spindle; and 
 (iii) right and left foot-engaging paddles connected to said right and left crank arms respectively, each of said right and left foot-engaging paddles comprising a foot-engaging base portion, an upstanding heel-engaging portion.