Patent US5114375A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5114375A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Toy apparatus
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1991-07-01
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Granted: 1992-05-19
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Expires: 2011-07-01
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus wherein a lid is mounted to an underlying container, with a fluid positioned within the container. A crank handle is rotatably mounted relative to the lid to rotate a crank handle gear, in turn rotating a matrix of driven gears, each driven gear including an output shaft of varying length projecting interiorly of the container. Each output shaft arranged in a parallel relationship including a paddle blade at a lower terminal end thereof of a varying configuration to effect agitation of the fluid for novelty and amusement of an individual. The blades and gears are typically formed of contracting colorations. A modification of the invention includes the gears formed with hollow chambers, and each hollow chamber including a centrifugal valve operative upon rotation of the gears to direct a fluid dye into the fluid of the container to enhance amusement and enjoyment of the organization.
Inventors
- 👤 Brenda L. Wellhausen
- 👤 James R. Wellhausen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 15:14
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H33/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
347 words
A toy apparatus, comprising in combination, a transparent container, including a container upper end portion, with a transparent lid, the transparent lid selectively securable to the container upper end portion, and the transparent lid including a lid top surface, the lid top surface including a crank handle flange fixedly mounted to the lid top surface adjacent a side wall thereof, and the crank handle flange including a gear cavity therewithin, the gear cavity including a crank gear rotatably mounted within the gear cavity, and a crank handle axle fixedly mounted to the crank gear, with the crank handle axle rotatably mounted to the crank handle flange and the crank handle axle fixedly mounted to a crank handle wherein the crank handle is rotatably mounted relative to the crank handle flange to effect rotation of the crank gear, and a matrix of gear members mounted within the transparent lid, and a gear lid cavity formed within the transparent lid containing the gear members therewithin, and the gear members are orthogonally oriented relative to the crank gear, and each of the gear members in inter-meshing communication relative to one another and at least one of the gear members in inter-meshing communication with the crank gear to effect rotation of the gear members upon rotation of the crank gear, and each gear member including an output shaft coaxially and fixedly mounted to each gear member, with each output shaft projecting into the container, and each output shaft including a paddle blade mounted at a lower terminal end of each output shaft; and each output shaft of each gear member is of a varying predetermined length, and each paddle blade is of a varying contrasting configuration, and a plurality of paddle blades include apertures directed therethrough, and each of the output shafts are parallel relative to one another, and each gear member is hollow and defines a reservoir therewithin, and each gear member contains a fluid dye therewithin, and valve means mounted within at least one of the gear members to effect selective flow of the fluid dye into the container.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
347 words
A toy apparatus, comprising in combination, a transparent container, including a container upper end portion, with a transparent lid, the transparent lid selectively securable to the container upper end portion, and the transparent lid including a lid top surface, the lid top surface including a crank handle flange fixedly mounted to the lid top surface adjacent a side wall thereof, and the crank handle flange including a gear cavity therewithin, the gear cavity including a crank gear rotatably mounted within the gear cavity, and a crank handle axle fixedly mounted to the crank gear, with the crank handle axle rotatably mounted to the crank handle flange and the crank handle axle fixedly mounted to a crank handle wherein the crank handle is rotatably mounted relative to the crank handle flange to effect rotation of the crank gear, and a matrix of gear members mounted within the transparent lid, and a gear lid cavity formed within the transparent lid containing the gear members therewithin, and the gear members are orthogonally oriented relative to the crank gear, and each of the gear members in inter-meshing communication relative to one another and at least one of the gear members in inter-meshing communication with the crank gear to effect rotation of the gear members upon rotation of the crank gear, and each gear member including an output shaft coaxially and fixedly mounted to each gear member, with each output shaft projecting into the container, and each output shaft including a paddle blade mounted at a lower terminal end of each output shaft; and each output shaft of each gear member is of a varying predetermined length, and each paddle blade is of a varying contrasting configuration, and a plurality of paddle blades include apertures directed therethrough, and each of the output shafts are parallel relative to one another, and each gear member is hollow and defines a reservoir therewithin, and each gear member contains a fluid dye therewithin, and valve means mounted within at least one of the gear members to effect selective flow of the fluid dye into the container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
122 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the valve means includes a spring member, and each gear member includes a gear tooth and each gear tooth includes an end wall, the spring member mounted fixedly and orthogonally to an interior surface of at least one of the end walls, and a spherical valve mounted to the spring member remote from the end wall, and a bottom wall opening positioned in alignment below the spherical valve, and an abutment plate fixedly mounted within the gear member to a gear member bottom wall to align the spherical valve relative to the bottom wall opening, wherein rotation of the crank gear effects displacement of the spherical valve relative to the bottom wall opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 including a gear top wall positioned over the gear bottom wall, and the gear top wall includes a gear top wall opening, and a plug member selectively mounted within the gear top wall opening to permit replenishment of fluid dye within the reservoir.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein the abutment plate includes a plurality of alignment legs positioned on opposed sides of the spherical valve to align the spherical valve relative to the abutment plate and the bottom wall opening.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-05-19 | 1995-11-18 | 1996-05-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-05-19 | 1999-11-18 | 2000-05-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-05-19 | 2003-11-18 | 2004-05-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |