Claims
- 1. A fluid projecting toy comprising a frame;
- a rotor assembly operably carried on said frame;
- said rotor assembly comprising a nozzle for discharge of fluid therefrom;
- rotation of said rotor causing the direction of discharge of said nozzle to vary with respect to said frame;
- a discharge actuating mechanism carried by said frame for selectively initiating discharge of fluid from said nozzle;
- said discharge actuating mechanism being at least partially automatic whereby the initiation of discharge from said nozzle is generally beyond the immediate control of those using said toy;
- a discharge stopping mechanism carried by said frame;
- said discharge stopping mechanism comprising an actuator adapted to stop discharge from said nozzle upon manipulation of said actuator by an operator of said toy.
- 2. The invention of claim 1 comprising a jet propulsion mechanism for urging said rotor to rotate.
- 3. The invention of claim 1 including:
- said rotor carried for rotation about a generally vertical axis;
- said actuator of said discharge stopping mechanism comprising a shaft generally aligned with said axis of rotation of said rotor;
- a striking surface on said shaft for receiving force from an operator and transferring at least some of said force through said shaft to cooperative elements of said discharge stopping mechanism;
- said discharge stopping mechanism being adapted to react to operative force on said striking surface whereby discharge of fluid from said nozzle is stopped.
- 4. The invention of claim 3 wherein said discharge stopping mechanism comprises a valve;
- said actuator of said discharge stopping mechanism cooperating with said valve whereby operative force on said striking surface induces said valve to prevent the flow of fluid to said nozzle.
- 5. The invention of claim 3 wherein said discharge actuating mechanism comprises a pump for forcing fluid to said nozzle for discharge therefrom;
- said actuator of said discharge stopping mechanism cooperating with said pump whereby operative force on said striking surface disables said pump to prevent the flow of fluid to said nozzle.
- 6. The invention of claim 1 comprising a valve;
- said valve cooperating with said actuator of said discharge stopping mechanism whereby operative manipulation of said actuator causes said valve to prevent the flow of fluid to said nozzle.
- 7. The invention of claim 1 wherein said discharge actuating mechanism comprises a timing mechanism operable to provide an interval during which discharge from said nozzle is prevented and to subsequently initiate discharge from said nozzle;
- said timing mechanism having at least two states of operation;
- said timing mechanism, when in a first state, cooperating with other elements of said discharge actuating mechanism to prevent discharge from said nozzle;
- said timing mechanism, when in a second state, cooperating with other elements of said discharge mechanism to induce discharge from said nozzle.
- 8. The invention of claim 1 wherein said discharge actuating mechanism comprises a valve and a cam;
- said valve having a first state of operation for preventing fluid from flowing to said nozzle;
- said valve having a second state of operation for allowing fluid to flow to said nozzle;
- said cam cooperating with other elements of said discharge actuating mechanism whereby operative rotation of said cam induces said valve to switch from said first state of operation to said second state of operation to initiate discharge from said nozzle.
- 9. The invention of claim 8 including:
- said cam having a first range of rotational positioning wherein said cam cooperates with elements of said discharge actuating mechanism to maintain said valve in said first state of operation;
- said cam having a second range of rotational positioning wherein said cam cooperates with elements of said discharge actuating mechanism to induce said valve to switch from said first state of operation to said second state of operation;
- said discharge actuating mechanism comprising a clock mechanism for imparting rotary motion to said cam;
- said clock mechanism being adapted to regulate the speed of rotation of said cam to provide an interval during which said valve is maintained in said first state of operation prior to switching to said second state of operation.
- 10. The invention of claim 9 wherein said discharge actuating mechanism comprises a spring for storing energy applied by an operator of said toy;
- said spring cooperating with said clock mechanism to apply energy to said clock mechanism for operation thereof.
- 11. The invention of claim 1 wherein said actuator of said discharge stopping mechanism is carried on said rotor.
- 12. The invention of claim 11 comprising a jet propulsion mechanism for urging said rotor to rotate.
- 13. The invention of claim 11 including:
- said rotor carried for rotation about a generally vertical axis;
- said actuator of said discharge stopping mechanism comprising a shaft generally aligned with said axis of rotation of said rotor;
- a striking surface on said shaft for receiving force from an operator and transferring at least some of said force through said shaft to cooperative elements of said discharge stopping mechanism;
- said discharge stopping mechanism being adapted to react to operative force on said striking surface whereby discharge of fluid from said nozzle is stopped.
- 14. The invention of claim 13 wherein said discharge stopping mechanism comprises a valve;
- said actuator of said discharge stopping mechanism cooperating with said valve whereby operative force on said striking surface induces said valve to prevent the flow of fluid to said nozzle.
- 15. The invention of claim 13 wherein said discharge actuating mechanism comprises a pump for forcing fluid to said nozzle for discharge therefrom;
- said actuator of said discharge stopping mechanism cooperating with said pump whereby operative force on said striking surface disables said pump to prevent the flow of fluid to said nozzle.
- 16. The invention of claim 11 comprising a valve;
- said valve cooperating with said actuator of said discharge stopping mechanism whereby operative manipulation of said actuator causes said valve to prevent the flow of fluid to said nozzle.
- 17. The invention of claim 11 wherein said discharge actuating mechanism comprises a timing mechanism operable to provide an interval during which discharge from said nozzle is prevented and to subsequently initiate discharge from said nozzle;
- said timing mechanism having at least two states of operation;
- said timing mechanism, when in a first state, cooperating with other elements of said discharge actuating mechanism to prevent discharge from said nozzle;
- said timing mechanism, when in a second state, cooperating with other elements of said discharge mechanism to induce discharge from said nozzle.
- 18. The invention of claim 11 wherein said discharge actuating mechanism comprises a valve and a cam;
- said valve having a first state of operation for preventing fluid from flowing to said nozzle;
- said valve having a second state of operation for allowing fluid to flow to said nozzle;
- said cam cooperating with other elements of said discharge actuating mechanism whereby operative rotation of said cam induces said valve to switch from said first state of operation to said second state of operation to initiate discharge from said nozzle.
- 19. The invention of claim 18 including:
- said cam having a first range of rotational positioning wherein said cam cooperates with elements of said discharge actuating mechanism to maintain said valve in said first state of operation;
- said cam having a second range of rotational positioning wherein said cam cooperates with elements of said discharge actuating mechanism to induce said valve to switch from said first state of operation to said second state of operation;
- said discharge actuating mechanism comprising a clock mechanism for imparting rotary motion to said cam;
- said clock mechanism being adapted to regulate the speed of rotation of said cam to provide an interval during which said valve is maintained in said first state of operation prior to switching to said second state of operation.
- 20. The invention of claim 19 wherein said discharge actuating mechanism comprises a spring for storing energy applied by an operator of said toy;
- said spring cooperating with said clock mechanism to apply energy to said clock mechanism for operation thereof.
- 21. The invention of claim 1 wherein said discharge actuating mechanism comprises a valve and a mechanism for selectively opening said valve to allow fluid to flow to said nozzle for discharge therefrom.
- 22. The invention of claim 1 wherein said discharge actuating mechanism comprises a pump and a mechanism for selectively actuating said pump to force fluid to flow to said nozzle for discharge therefrom.
- 23. A fluid projecting toy comprising a frame;
- a rotor assembly operably carried on said frame;
- a propulsion mechanism for driving said rotor through a range of rotary motion;
- said propulsion mechanism being at least partially automatic whereby manual turning of said rotor is not required;
- said rotor assembly comprising a nozzle for discharge of fluid therefrom;
- rotation of said rotor causing the direction of discharge of said nozzle to vary with respect to said frame;
- a discharge actuating mechanism for selectively initiating discharge of fluid from said nozzle;
- said discharge actuating mechanism being at least partially automatic whereby the initiation of discharge from said nozzle is generally beyond the immediate control of those using said toy;
- a discharge stopping mechanism;
- said discharge stopping mechanism comprising an actuator adapted to stop discharge from said nozzle upon manipulation of said actuator by an operator of said toy;
- said rotor carried for rotation about a generally vertical axis;
- said actuator of said discharge stopping mechanism comprising a shaft generally aligned with said axis of rotation of said rotor;
- a striking surface on said shaft for receiving force from an operator and transferring at least some of said force through said shaft to cooperative elements of said discharge stopping mechanism;
- said discharge stopping mechanism being adapted to react to operative pressure on said striking surface whereby discharge of fluid from said nozzle is stopped;
- said discharge actuating mechanism comprising a cam and a clock mechanism for imparting rotary motion to said cam;
- said cam having a first range of rotational positioning wherein said cam cooperates with elements of said discharge actuating mechanism to prevent the flow of fluid to said nozzle;
- said cam having a second range of rotational positioning wherein said cam cooperates with elements of said discharge actuating mechanism to induce the flow of fluid to said nozzle;
- said clock mechanism being adapted to regulate the speed of rotation of said cam through said first range of rotational positioning to thereby provide an interval during which discharge is prevented prior to said cam entering said second range of rotational positioning wherein discharge is allowed.
- 24. The invention of claim 23 wherein said discharge actuating mechanism comprises a valve;
- said valve having a first state of operation for preventing fluid from flowing to said nozzle;
- said valve having a second state of operation for allowing fluid to flow to said nozzle;
- said cam cooperating with other elements of said discharge actuating mechanism whereby operative rotation of said cam induces said valve to switch from said first state of operation to said second state of operation to initiate discharge from said nozzle.
- 25. The invention of claim 24 wherein said valve comprises a passageway for conducting fluid and a plunger movable between a first position and a second position;
- said plunger in said first position blocking said passageway to prevent the flow of fluid;
- said plunger in said second position allowing fluid to flow through said passageway;
- said discharge stopping mechanism comprising a linkage between said shaft and said plunger whereby an operative force applied to said striking surface will move said plunger from said second position to said first position.
- 26. The invention of claim 25 including:
- a latch for retaining said plunger in said first position;
- said cam engageable with said latch such that operative rotation of said cam releases said plunger from said latch whereby said plunger may move to said second position.
- 27. The invention of claim 23 wherein said discharge stopping mechanism comprises a valve;
- operation of said actuator of said discharge stopping mechanism causing said valve to prevent the flow of liquid to said nozzle.
- 28. The invention of claim 23 wherein said discharge actuating mechanism comprises a pump;
- said cam cooperating with said pump whereby operative rotation of said cam induces said pump to force fluid to flow to said nozzle for discharge therefrom.
- 29. The invention of claim 28 wherein operation of said actuator of said discharge stopping mechanism serves to prevent said pump from forcing liquid to said nozzle.
- 30. The invention of claim 28 including:
- said pump comprising a plunger movable from a first position to a second position for compression of fluid within a chamber;
- a spring for biasing said plunger toward said second position;
- a latch for retaining said plunger in said first position;
- said cam engageable with said latch such that operative rotation of said cam releases said plunger from said latch whereby said spring may force said plunger to said second position.
- 31. The invention of claim 30 wherein said discharge stopping mechanism comprises a linkage between said shaft and said plunger whereby an operator of the toy may apply pressure to said actuator to override bias of said spring, to stop motion of said plunger toward said second position and to force said plunger toward said first position.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/088,981 filed Jul. 7, 1993, which will issue Nov. 28, 1995 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,470,082. The specification of said allowed patent is incorporated herein by reference. This application relates to information contained in Invention Disclosure Document No. 286259 filed Jul. 8, 1991 which was referenced by the aforementioned application.
US Referenced Citations (12)
Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
88981 |
Jul 1993 |
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