Background of the invention The inventor is aware of various toys that are suitable for use in a swimming pool, for example inflatable animal-shaped toys, lilos and"pool noodles". However, the market continuously requires new toys for use in a swimming pool and the inventor believes that this invention provides such a toy.

In the specification which follows, it is to be understood that references to"water"are intended to include water as typically found in swimming pools, spas and the like.

Summary of the invention According to the invention there is provided a fluid propelled apparatus including :- a buoyant body portion having a fluid inlet connectable in flow communication to a source of pressurised fluid and at least one fluid outlet for propelling the apparatus by means of the pressurised fluid ; a passage connecting the fluid inlet and fluid outlet ; a steering means for steering the apparatus; and a receiving portion to facilitate a user being positioned in a standing, seated or lying position on the apparatus.

The fluid outlet may be connectable to the source of pressurised fluid by means of a flexible hose.

The hose may be manufactured from any suitable lightweight synthetic plastics material and is typically of the type commonly available for swimming pool cleaners.

The flexible hose may be connectable to the fluid inlet and the source of pressurised fluid by means of a snap fit or screw thread arrangement.

The flexible hose may connectable to the fluid inlet and the source of pressurised fluid by means of a snap fit, screw thread or other suitable connecting arrangement.

At least a part of the body portion may be manufactured from a buoyant synthetic plastics material. Alternatively at least a portion of the body portion may substantially hollow in order to render it buoyant or at least a part of the body portion may be inflatable to render it buoyant. Additional buoyancy may be provided in the form of, for example, a styrofoam interior of the body portion.

The body portion may of a shape selected from the group including : an animal, a jetski and a speedboat or any other shape that may be attractive to a user.

The apparatus may include a fluid flow control means for controlling the flow of fluid through the passage. The fluid flow control means may be in the form of a valve. The valve may be in the form of a ball valve or any other suitable valve.

The valve may be manufactured from any suitable corrosion resistant material such as, for example, stainless steel or any suitable synthetic plastics material.

Opening and closing of the valve may be controlled by a lever or switch located on the body portion of the apparatus.

The steering means may be in the form of a rudder located at an underside of the apparatus that is mechanically connected to a steering device located on the body portion.

The steering device may be in the form of a steering wheel that is rotatable by a user to alter the directional positioning of the rudder, thereby changing the direction of movement of the apparatus.

The steering device may be in the form of a handlebar, movement of which by a user alters the directional positioning of the rudder, thereby changing the direction of movement of the apparatus.

Alternatively, the steering device may be in the from of a joystick or lever which may be moveable so as to alter the directional positioning of the rudder.

The steering means may include the fluid outlet being in the form of a directable nozzle connected to the steering device.

In use, once the apparatus has been placed onto a body of fluid and the fluid inlet has been connected to the source of pressurised fluid, switching the switch from an"off'to an"on"position causes the fluid flow control means to open thereby allowing pressurised to flow through the passage and out of the outlet, thereby causing the apparatus to be propelled through the fluid on which it is floating. Conversely, switching the switch from an"on"to an"off' position may close the fluid flow control means, thereby inhibiting the pressurised fluid from passing through the passage.

The apparatus may be provided with a second outlet that is closed when the fluid flow control means is open and open when the is fluid flow control means closed, thereby permitting the apparatus to remain connected to the source of pressurised fluid when the apparatus is in a non-operational mode. The second outlet may be in flow communication with the passage or the flexible hose.

The source of pressurised fluid may be swimming pool water jet outlet which is typically connected to the swimming pool circulation pump on the outlet side of the pump.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a toy for use in a swimming pool, the toy being an apparatus substantially as described above.

Detailed description of the invention The invention will now be described by way of the following non- limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:- Figure 1 shows a sectioned side view of an embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 2 shows a top view of the apparatus of Figure 1.

In the drawings reference numeral 10 generally indicates a fluid propelled apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

The fluid propelled apparatus 10 includes a buoyant body portion 12 having a fluid inlet 14 connectable in flow communication to a source of

pressurised fluid and a fluid outlet 16 for propelling the apparatus 10 by means of the pressurised fluid, a passage 18 connecting the fluid inlet 14 and fluid outlet 16, a steering means in the form of a rudder 19 located at an underside of the apparatus 10 that is mechanically connected to a steering device 22 located on the body portion 12 for steering the apparatus 10 and a receiving portion in the form of a seating location 24 to facilitate a user (not shown) being positioned in a standing, seated or lying position on the apparatus 10.

In the embodiment shown, the source of pressurised fluid is a swimming pool water jet outlet 26.

The fluid inlet 14 is connectable to a connecting means in the form of a flexible hose 28 for connecting the fluid inlet 14 in flow communication to the swimming pool water jet outlet 26.

The hose 28 is typically manufactured from any suitable lightweight synthetic plastics material such as the type commonly available for swimming pool cleaners.

The hose 28 is connectable to the fluid inlet 14 and the swimming pool water jet outlet 26 by means of a screw thread arrangement 30.

At least a part 32 of the body portion 10 is inflatable or hollow to render it buoyant. The body portion 12 of the embodiment shown is in the shape of a speed boat.

The apparatus 10 includes a fluid flow control means in the form of a valve 20 for controlling the flow of fluid through the passage 18 The valve 20 is typically a ball valve and is manufactured from stainless steel.

Opening and closing of the valve 20 is controlled by a switch 34 located on the body portion 12 of the apparatus 10.

The steering device 22 is in the form of a handlebar, movement of which by a user (not shown) alters the directional positioning of the rudder 19, thereby changing the direction of movement of the apparatus 10.

In use, once the apparatus 10 has been placed onto a body of fluid 36 in a swimming pool and the fluid inlet 14 has been connected to the swimming pool water jet outlet 26, switching the switch 34 from an"off'to an "on"position causes the valve 20 to open thereby allowing pressurised to flow through the passage 18 and out of the outlet 16 as indicated by the arrows in Figures 1 and 2, thereby causing the apparatus 10 to be propelled through the fluid on which it is floating in the direction indicated by arrow"A".

Conversely, switching the switch 34 from an"on"to an"off'position closes the valve 20, thereby inhibiting the pressurised fluid from passing through the passage 18.

The applicant believes that the invention is advantageous in that it provides a fluid propelled apparatus that is suitable for use as a toy in a swimming pool, the apparatus making use of an existing source of pressurised fluid for propulsion.

It is to be appreciated, that the invention is not limited to any specific embodiment or configuration as hereinbefore generally described or illustrated.