Straw system

Abstract

An amusement device is disclosed that uses fluid flow through a straw to set in motion an impeller. The impeller may rotate an axle that may be attached to a novelty object outside the straw shaft. Rotation of the axle may cause the novelty object to move as the straw is used.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A straw, comprising:
 a straw shaft;   an impeller positioned inside the straw shaft, the impeller disposed to rotate with fluid flow through the straw shaft;   an axle coupled to the impeller through an opening in the straw shaft;   a free end of the axle, outside the straw shaft, disposed to rotate with rotation of the impeller; and   a gasket coupled to the axle.   
     
     
         2 . The straw of  claim 1 , further comprising a gear coupled to the free end of the axle. 
     
     
         3 . The straw of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a housing; 
 a conduit coupled through housing; 
 a separable top shaft portion; and 
 a separable bottom shaft portion, wherein the top shaft portion and the bottom shaft portion are press fittable onto ends of the conduit. 
 
     
     
         4 . The straw of  claim 1 , further comprising an inwardly tapering surface on an interior of the straw shaft disposed to direct fluid flow to the impeller. 
     
     
         5 . The straw of  claim 1 , further comprising a novelty object coupled to the free end of the axle. 
     
     
         6 . The straw of  claim 5 , wherein the novelty object is configured to rotate orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the straw shaft. 
     
     
         7 . The straw of  claim 5 , wherein the novelty object is configured to rotate radially around a longitudinal axis of the straw shaft. 
     
     
         8 . The straw of  claim 5  further comprising:
 a wheel disc including a first pin projecting outward from the wheel disc; 
 a pivot pin projecting from the straw shaft or the housing; and 
 a guide plate pivotally coupled to the pivot pin and onto the wheel disc, wherein the first pin is movable along a guide on the guide plate, and wherein the guide plate is configured to rotate the novelty object within a predetermined arc of less than 360 degrees with movement of the first pin. 
 
     
     
         9 . A straw insert for a straw, comprising:
 a housing;   a shaft extending through the housing, the shaft adapted to couple to the straw;   an impeller supported in the shaft disposed to rotate within a fluid flow;   an axle coupled to the impeller, projecting out of the shaft and housing; and   a gasket coupled between the axle and the housing.   
     
     
         10 . The straw insert of  claim 9  further comprising a novelty object coupled to a free end of the axle outside the shaft and housing. 
     
     
         11 . The straw insert of  claim 9  further comprising an inwardly tapering surface on an interior of the shaft disposed to direct fluid flow to the impeller. 
     
     
         12 . The straw insert of  claim 9  wherein the impeller is a paddlewheel. 
     
     
         13 . A straw, comprising:
 a hollow shaft body;   an inwardly tapering surface on an interior wall of the shaft body;   an impeller inside the shaft body positioned proximate the inwardly tapering surface; and   an axle coupled to the impeller and projecting outside of the shaft body.   
     
     
         14 . The straw of  claim 13  further comprising a novelty object coupled to a free end of the axle, outside of the shaft body, wherein the novelty object is configured to rotate about the free end as the impeller is rotated. 
     
     
         15 . The straw of  claim 14  further comprising a novelty housing surrounding the shaft body, wherein the novelty housing is affixed in place to the shaft body. 
     
     
         16 . The straw of  claim 14  further comprising a gasket attached to the axle, the gasket disposed to prevent fluid from inside the shaft body from escaping around the axle. 
     
     
         17 . The straw of  claim 15  wherein the impeller occupies most of an interior volume of the novelty housing. 
     
     
         18 . The straw of  claim 17  wherein the impeller includes teeth positioned within 1/16 th  of an inch from a housing interior wall. 
     
     
         19 . The straw of  claim 15  wherein the impeller includes a tooth, the tooth including a trailing edge disposed to catch fluid flow entering the novelty housing. 
     
     
         20 . The straw of  claim 19  wherein the trailing edge is disposed orthogonal to a housing interior wall.