Skill-based water gun game

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6382631
  • Patent Number
    6,382,631
  • Date Filed
    Tuesday, December 28, 1999
    25 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, May 7, 2002
    22 years ago
Abstract
Disclosed is a skill-based water gun game. In one embodiment, a water gun game apparatus includes a water tub and a water gun. The water tub has an inner chamber and an outer channel that forms a loop around the inner chamber. The inner chamber and the outer channel are in communication through a front aperture formed in the water tub. The water gun is capable of discharging water towards the water tub. The water gun is used to shoot targets that circulate in the outer channel into the inner channel.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




1. Field of the Invention




This invention relates generally to games played in an arcade environment, and more particularly to such games played by shooting water at one or more targets.




2. Description of the Related Art




Games of many types are played in arcade environments. One type of game utilizes water guns to shoot at targets. In conventional water gun games, a player typically aims a water gun at a fixed target such as a hole and pulls the trigger. The trigger pull actuates a flow of water. While maintaining the trigger in such manner, the player holds the water gun as still as possible until a predetermined amount of water has been delivered to the stationary target. The delivery of predetermined amount of water triggers a signal indicating that the object of the game has been achieved such as a popping balloon, water rising in a column, etc. The object of the game is to achieve the task before other players achieve their respective tasks.




It will therefore be appreciated that water gun games are typically played as a race game where more than one player participates in the game at the same time. For example, a plurality of players, each with a water gun, start to shoot water at an assigned target (e.g., holes, etc.) simultaneously. These games are generally designed such that when enough water has been squirted on a target, either a balloon pops or water within a column rises. In this race environment, the player who first pops a balloon or causes a column to rise is declared the winner.




However, these conventional water gun games are not truly skill based games because the success of a player in the games primarily depends on factors other than the ability to hit the target. For example, even when a player hits a target perfectly, other factors such as the water pressure and the volume of water being squirted can make a substantial difference in the outcome of a game. This is because water guns and associated water pumps are not identical for all players. Hence, the selection of a water gun with good water pressure and flow can be critical in these games.




Unfortunately, in these conventional water gun games, the lateral and/or vertical movement of the water gun is generally restricted since these are not truly skill based games. Furthermore, shooting at a stationary target where the success of the game depends largely on the gun itself rather than the skill of a player tends to be simplistic and, as such, can lead to rapid player boredom. This is undesirable in an arcade environment where revenues are directly related to the continuous, repeated use of the games. It is contemplated that an arcade game which enhances the game experience would remain more interesting to players.




In view of the foregoing, what is needed is a water gun game apparatus and method for shooting at a non-stationary target to prolong a player's interest. Further, what is needed is a skill-based water gun game apparatus and method that is less dependent on water gun and water pressure.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




Broadly speaking, the present invention provides a game apparatus and method for shooting a floating target that moves along with a circulating current in a body of water. It should be appreciated that the present invention can be implemented in numerous ways, including as a process, an apparatus, a system, etc. Several inventive embodiments of the present invention are described below.




In one embodiment, a water gun game apparatus includes a water tub and a water gun. The water tub has an inner chamber and an outer channel that forms a loop around the inner chamber. The inner chamber and the outer channel are in communication through a front aperture formed in the water tub. The water gun is capable of discharging water towards the water tub. The water gun is used to shoot targets that circulate in the outer channel to force the targets into the inner channel.




In another embodiment, a water gun game apparatus comprises first and second water tubs and first and second water guns. Each of the first and second water tubs has an inner chamber and an outer channel that forms a loop around the inner chamber. The inner chamber and the outer channel are in communication through a front aperture formed in each of the first and second water tubs. The first and second water guns are capable of discharging water to be directed towards the first and second water tubs, respectively.




In yet another embodiment, a method for operating a water gun game comprises: a) circulating a plurality of targets in an outer channel forming a closed loop around an inner chamber in a water tub; and b) discharging water at the targets to direct the targets into the inner chamber of the water tub.




In still another embodiment, a water gun game apparatus comprises: a) a circulating mechanism for circulating a plurality of targets in an outer channel forming a closed loop around an inner chamber in a water tub; and b) a water discharging mechanism for discharging water at the targets so as to direct the targets into the inner chamber of the water tub.




The water gun game apparatus and method of the present invention provides a plurality of moving targets to prolong a player's interest. A body of circulating water enables the targets to float and circulate in the outer channel of a water tub. By thus providing a dynamic environment, the water gun game of the present invention is less dependent on water gun and water pressure and requires skill in estimating and utilizing lead time. Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




The present invention will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and like reference numerals designate like structural elements.





FIG. 1

illustrates a perspective view of a water gun game apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 2A

illustrates a more detailed perspective view of a target section of the water gun game apparatus.





FIG. 2B

illustrates a perspective view of the water gun game apparatus without a scenic cover to depict a detailed view of a pair of water tubs.





FIG. 3A

illustrates a top plan view diagram of a water gun game apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,





FIG. 3B

illustrates a water gun game apparatus that accumulates targets in an inner chamber in accordance with another aspect of the present invention.





FIG. 4

illustrates a flow diagram of the operations involved in operating the water gun game apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS




An invention is described for a skill-based water gun game apparatus and method. It will be obvious, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process operations have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.





FIG. 1

illustrates a perspective view of a water gun game apparatus


10


in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The water gun game apparatus


10


is arranged as two player stations to accommodate up to two players. Each player station includes a water gun section


12


, a target section


14


, and a display section


16


. In the two player station configuration, one player station includes a water gun


18


and the other player station includes a water gun


20


. In an alternative embodiment, a single player version where a player is racing against clock or time would require only one player station including one water gun and one tub. It should also be appreciated that the present invention can be implemented as a multi-player water gun game involving more than two players with each player being assigned a player station or a water gun.




The water gun section


12


includes the water guns


18


and


20


for shooting water onto a corresponding area of the target section


14


. The water guns


18


and


20


have both lateral and vertical range of movements to provide a more skill based water gun game than the conventional water gun games. In one embodiment, the water guns


18


and


20


are movable from side-to-side and up-and-down for shooting water onto substantially all areas of the corresponding target section


14


. Alternatively, the present invention can also restrict the movement of the water guns to a specified lateral and vertical range.




For each of the water gun stations associated with the water guns


18


and


20


, the water gun section


12


also includes a coin deposit slot


22


, a red light indicator


24


, a yellow light indicator


26


, and a green button


28


. Seats


46


and


48


are provided for players' comfort. The red light indicator


24


flashes when a player may insert a coin to play the water gun game apparatus


10


. When the coin has been inserted into the coin deposit slot


22


, the yellow light indicator


26


flashes to indicate that the game can start. The player pushes the green button


28


to start the water game.




The target section


14


includes a scenic cover


30


for covering the inside of the target section


14


. As will be discussed below, the target section


14


includes one or more water tubs configured to circulate water in the one or more water tubs. The scenic cover


30


preferably portrays a scene related to water so as to enhance players' visual sensation and enjoyment. The target section


14


is partitioned into two target areas to accommodate two player stations separately. A plurality of targets


32


in the form of toy ducks floating and moving in water are provided in each of the target areas. The scenic cover


30


includes a plurality of holes for shooting the targets into a selected hole. Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention employs one or more water tubs in the target section, those skilled in the art will no doubt recognize that it can also be implemented as a single tub having one or more sections, with each section configured to perform the equivalent functions of a tub.




The display section


16


includes a pair of toy ducks


34


and


36


suspended on a pair of strings or wires


38


and


40


, respectively, from a mechanism for indicating the score of the game for the corresponding player station. The score of the game is indicated by an incremental rise of the toy ducks


34


and


36


. Initially, the toy ducks


34


and


36


rest at the bottom of the display station


16


. Whenever a player at a player station shoots a target


32


into a selected hole, the toy duck associated with the target


32


or the player station rises accordingly. The toy ducks


34


and


36


will reach the top when a predetermined number of targets have been shot into the selected hole of the associated player station. When either of the toy ducks


34


and


36


reaches the top, the associated indicator light


42


or


44


flashes to indicate that the player at the associated player station has won. As will be mentioned below, each of the suspended toy ducks


34


and


36


is coupled to a stepper motor or brushless DC motor for raising the ducks incrementally.





FIG. 2A

shows a more detailed perspective view of the target section


14


of the water gun game apparatus


10


. The scenic cover


30


includes six holes or apertures


50


,


52


,


54


,


56


,


58


, and


60


. The scenic cover


30


is disposed over two water tubs


62


and


64


. The water tub


62


is associated with the water gun


18


and the water tub


64


is associated with the water gun


20


. The three holes or apertures


50


,


52


, and


54


are made on the side of the water tub


62


while the other three holes or apertures


56


,


58


, and


60


are formed on the side of the water tub


64


.




The water tubs


62


and


64


are filled with water


66


and


68


, respectively. The water


66


circulates in the water tub


62


substantially in the direction of arrows


70


. Similarly, the water


68


circulates in the water tub


64


in the direction of arrows


72


. The targets


32


also circulate in the water tubs


62


and


64


in the direction of arrows


70


and


72


, respectively. That is, the targets


32


in the water tub


62


come out of the hole or aperture


54


and traverse the target area before exiting into the hole or aperture


50


. After the entry and before the exit, a player with the water gun


18


may attempt to shoot the targets into the target hole or aperture


52


. The targets


32


in the water tub


64


circulates through the holes or apertures


56


and


60


in a similar manner to enable a player with the water gun


20


to shoot the targets


32


into the center hole


58


.




With continuing reference to

FIG. 2A

, the water gun game apparatus


10


also includes a coin deposit panel


21


for each player or player station. The coin deposit panel


21


includes a deposit slot


22


, a coin mechanism


23


, a cash box


25


, and an optional ticket dispenser


27


. The coin deposit slot


22


preferably accepts standard currency coins, game tokens that are often available in an arcade environment, or any other monetary input (e.g., paper bills, debit card, credit card, etc.). The coin mechanism


23


is configured to recognize proper coins, tokens, or other monetary input. The cash box


25


stores deposited coins. Coin deposit slots, cash boxes, and coin mechanisms are well known to those skilled in the art. A game may begin after a coin or token has been inserted by the player. The coin inserted in the coin deposit slot


22


is preferably routed to the cash box


25


or other receptacles. A coin return slot can also be included to return an inserted coin or token to the player in the event the coin becomes trapped in the coin slot mechanism, etc. The optional ticket dispenser


27


preferably dispenses a ticket award to the player based upon the result or score of a game.





FIG. 2B

illustrates a perspective view of the water gun game apparatus


10


without the scenic cover


30


to show a more detailed view of the water tubs


62


and


64


. The water tubs


62


and


64


include wall structures


74


and


76


, respectively. The wall structure


74


partitions the water tub


62


into an inner chamber


78


and an outer channel


80


that defines a loop L around the inner chamber


78


. The water


66


and the targets


32


in the water tub


62


circulate in the outer channel


80


as indicated by arrows


70


. Similarly, the wall structure


76


partitions the water tub


64


into an inner chamber


82


and an outer channel


84


forming a loop around the inner chamber


82


. The water


68


and the targets


32


in the water tub


64


circulate in the outer channel


84


as indicated by arrows


72


.




Sensors


88


and


90


, are mounted on the wall structures


74


and


76


, respectively, for detecting and counting the targets in the inner chambers


78


and


82


, respectively. For example, when a player with the water gun


18


shoots a target


32


into the inner chamber


78


, the sensor


88


detects the target


32


and accumulates the number of targets


32


that have been detected in the inner chamber


78


. The toy duck


34


or


36


rises in response to each target that has been thus detected. In an alternative embodiment, the present invention may utilize colored targets where the sensors


88


and


90


detect targets of specified color or colors in the inner chamber. Although the present invention utilizes sensors mounted on wall structures, it should be appreciated that the sensors can also be disposed on other parts of the target section


14


to detect targets in the inner chamber area.




In accordance with one aspect of the present invention,

FIG. 3A

illustrates a top plan view diagram of a water gun game apparatus


92


. The game apparatus


92


includes a water gun


94


and a water tub


96


. The water tub


96


is partitioned into an inner chamber


98


and an outer channel


100


that defines an outer loop L forming a pathway for a circulating current in a body of water


101


. The inner chamber


98


and the outer channel


100


are in communication through a front aperture


102


and a back aperture


104


. The front aperture


102


faces the water gun


94


. The front and back apertures


102


and


104


are large enough to allow the targets


32


to pass through, preferably one at a time.




Preferably, a wall structure


106


partitions the water tub


96


into the inner chamber


98


and the outer channel


100


. A sensor


108


is mounted on the wall structure


106


to detect the presence of a target


32


in the inner chamber


98


. The sensors for detecting the presence and color of an object are known in the art and are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,612, of Kelly et al., entitled “ARCADE GAME WITH COLOR SENSING APPARATUS,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.




The water tub


96


is configured to hold a circulating body of water


101


. Specifically, the water tub


96


includes a plurality of water jets


112


,


114


,


116


, and


118


(e.g., water pipes, nozzles, etc.) to force water in a specified direction. The water jets


112


,


114


,


116


, and


118


are strategically mounted on the wall of the water tub


96


so as to force water to circulate along the outer channel


100


in a closed loop L fashion.




The water tub


96


also includes a plurality of drain holes


124


,


126


,


128


, and


130


in the outer channel


100


to supply water to the water jets


112


,


114


,


116


, and


118


. Preferably, the drain holes


124


,


126


,


128


, and


130


are formed at the bottom of the water tub


96


. A water pump P


1


is connected between the drain holes


124


,


126


,


128


, and


130


and the water jets


112


,


114


,


116


, and


118


. The water pump P pumps the drained water from the drain holes


124


,


126


,


128


, and


130


into the water jets


112


,


114


,


116


, and


118


. In this manner, the water pump P


1


keeps the water level in the water tub


96


at an equilibrium and creates a current in the water as indicated by the closed loop L.




In this water tub configuration, one or more floating objects are provided in the water tub


96


as targets


32


. The targets


32


are adapted to float and circulate in the circulating body of water


101


in the water tub


96


in response to the water flow generated by the water jets


112


,


114


,


116


, and


118


. Hence, the floating and circulating targets


32


function as moving targets. In a preferred embodiment, the targets


32


take the shape of objects related to water such as ducks, and the like.




With reference still to

FIG. 3A

, the water tub


96


is coupled to a water gun


94


via a water pump P


2


. T he water tub


96


has a drain hole


132


formed in the inner chamber


98


. The water pump P


2


is coupled to the drain hole


132


to drain the water from the inner chamber


98


and pump the drained water into the water gun


94


. The water pump P


2


thus serves to supply water to the water gun


94


. Preferably, the drain hole


132


is formed in the center of the inner chamber


98


in the water tub


96


. Although the present invention employs the water pump P


2


and the drain hole


132


to supply water to the water gun


94


, those skilled in the art will appreciate that water can also be supplied to the water gun through other drain holes and/or in combination with the water pump P


1


.




An object of the water gun game apparatus


92


is to shoot the targets


32


into the inner chamber


98


of the water tub


96


. Initially, the water pump P


1


operates to circulate the body of water


101


in the outer channel


100


by drawing the water from the drain holes


124


,


126


,


128


, and


130


and pumping the water back into the outer channel


100


via the water jets


112


,


114


,


116


, and


118


. This pump action causes the water to circulate along the outer channel


100


in the water tub


96


. In response, the targets


32


also circulate in the water along the outer channel


100


in the water tub


96


. A player uses the water gun


94


to discharge water (i.e., shoot) onto the targets


32


so as to force the targets into the inner chamber


98


. Since the targets


32


are moving along with the circulating water, the player obtains a better result by shooting at a target based on the lead time of the target to reach the front aperture


102


. By thus providing circulating targets


32


, the water gun game of the present invention tests the shooting skills of the player. It should be appreciated that the water gun game apparatus


92


is a single player station and as such, two water gun game apparatus


92


can be combined to form the water gun game apparatus


10


of FIG.


1


.




In one embodiment, the targets


32


may have different colors so that the sensor


106


detects and accumulates the number of targets according to the color of the target detected in the inner chamber


98


. Different colors can be used in multi-player environment where each player is assigned a color of targets to shoot at. Also, targets of a specified color may be designated as non-target objects while targets having other colors can be shot at as proper targets. Thus, a player can be challenged to correctly distinguish between the proper and improper targets.




When a target


32


is forced into the inner chamber


98


, the sensor


108


detects the presence of the target


32


in the inner chamber


98


and counts the number of the targets


32


detected in the inner chamber


98


. In an alternate embodiment, the sensor


108


detects the color of the targets


32


in the inner chamber and counts the number of the targets detected in the inner chamber.




The sensor


108


is coupled to a stepper motor


140


for lifting, for example, the above mentioned toy ducks


34


and/or


36


. Whenever the sensor


108


detects a target


32


or a target


32


of a specified color in the inner chamber


98


, the sensor


108


activates the stepper motor


140


, which lifts a toy duck by a specified height or increment at a time. When two players are playing, whoever makes his or her corresponding ducks rise to a predetermined height first wins. That is, the game ends when a player has forced a predetermined number of targets


32


into the inner chamber


98


thereby raising the toy duck to the top. By thus accumulating the number of targets


32


in the inner chamber


98


, the present invention can determine and show the accumulated number or a corresponding score to the player.




After a target


32


has been forced into the inner chamber


98


, the target


32


is directed back out to the outer channel


100


through the back aperture


104


. The target


32


thus rejoins other targets


32


in circulating along the outer channel


100


. In order to lead the target


32


back out to the outer channel


100


through the back aperture


104


, the present invention may provide one or more jets and drains in the inner chamber


98


. Those skilled in the art will no doubt recognize that these jets and drains can be coupled to the water pump P


1


or an independent water pump that functions exclusively in conjunction with these jets and drains.




In another embodiment of the present invention, the targets


32


accumulate in the inner chamber


98


instead of passing out through the back aperture


104


.

FIG. 3B

illustrates an alternative embodiment of the water gun game apparatus


92


that accumulates the targets in the inner chamber


98


of the water tub


96


. In this configuration, the water tub


96


is partitioned into the inner chamber


98


and an outer channel


100


that defines an outer loop pathway for a circulating body of water


101


. The inner chamber


98


and the outer channel


100


are in communication through the front aperture


102


only. The front aperture


102


faces the water gun


94


and is large enough to allow a target


32


to pass through. When a player shoots a target


32


into the inner chamber


152


through the front aperture


102


, the sensor


108


detects and counts the target


32


in the inner chamber


98


. In this arrangement, the targets


32


continue to accumulate in the inner chamber


152


until a predetermined time elapses or a player shoots all targets


32


into the inner chamber


152


.




With reference to

FIG. 3B

, it should be noted that the water tub


96


does not include additional jets and drains for leading the targets back out to the outer channel


100


since the targets


32


are accumulated in the inner chamber


98


. It should also be appreciated that the present invention can be implemented as a one player game or as a multi-player water race gun game using any of the above described tubs in a single or multi-tub configurations.





FIG. 4

illustrates a flow diagram of a method


400


in operating the water gun game apparatus


10


in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In operation


402


, when the red light indicators


24


flash, a player A and a player B inserts a coin into the respective coin slots


22


. Then in operation


404


, when proper amount of coin has been inserted, a water pump (e.g., water pump P


1


) is activated to circulate water and the targets


32


in the water tubs


62


and


64


, and the yellow light indicators


26


flash to indicate that the water game can start. In operation


406


, the players then press the green button


28


to activate a water pump (e.g., water pump P


2


) that is coupled to the water guns


18


and


20


.




In operation


408


, the players use the water guns


18


and


20


to force the circulating targets


32


into the target hole or aperture


52


and


58


, respectively, which lead to the inner chambers


78


and


82


in the water tubs


62


and


64


, respectively. Since the targets


32


are moving with the circulating water, shooting the targets when they are in front of the target hole or aperture


52


and


58


will generally not force the targets into the inner chambers


78


and


82


. This is because when a water gun is discharged at that moment, the targets


32


will have moved past the target hole or aperture


52


and


58


when the water reaches the targets


32


. Accordingly, the player who is better able to estimate and utilize lead time of the targets


32


in reaching the target hole or apertures


52


and


58


will typically obtain better scores.




In operation


410


, it is determined whether a target has been forced into an inner chamber. If so, the height of a related indicator object (e.g., toy ducks) is increased or raised in operation


412


. The method


400


then proceeds from operations


410


or


412


to operation


414


where it is determined whether to deactivate the game. Preferably, the game deactivates when a predetermined time has elapsed or when a player has attained the goal of the game (e.g., indicator object reaches the top). If the game is not to be deactivated, the method


400


proceeds to operation


408


where the players continue to use the water guns to force the targets into the inner chambers. On the other hand, if the game is to be deactivated, the method


400


proceeds to operation


416


. In operation


416


, the water pumps are turned off and the final result is displayed. The game then terminates in operation


418


.




Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, the present embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims.



Claims
  • 1. A water gun game apparatus comprising:a water tub having an inner region and an outer region, the inner region and the outer region being in communication through an aperture formed in a wall portion separating said inner region from said outer region, the water tub including at least one drain hole; a water gun capable of discharging water towards the water tub; and a first pump having an inlet coupled to said drain hole for drawing water from the water tub; and at least one jet coupled to an outlet of said first pump for circulating water along the outer region in the water tub.
  • 2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said drain hole is a first drain hole and wherein the water tub includes a second drain hole, the apparatus further comprising a second pump having an inlet coupled to said second drain hole and an outlet coupled to said water gun.
  • 3. The apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein the second drain hole is formed in the inner region of the water tub.
  • 4. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of targets adapted to circulate along the outer region in response to the jets.
  • 5. The apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein the targets are capable of floating in water.
  • 6. The apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the water gun is capable of directing water at the targets so as to force the targets into the inner region through the aperture.
  • 7. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the drain hole is formed in the outer region of the water tub.
  • 8. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the inner region and the outer region of the water tub are in communication via a second aperture that is arranged to provide a passageway through the inner region.
  • 9. The water gun game apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the wall portion separating said inner region from said outer region includes a wall structure for partitioning the water tub into the inner region and the outer region.
  • 10. A water gun game apparatus comprising:first and second water tubs, each water tub having an inner region and an outer region, the inner region and the outer region being in communication through an aperture formed in a wall portion separating said inner region and said outer region, of the first and second water tubs; the first tub including at least one first drain hole and the second tub including at least one second drain hole; first and second water guns capable of discharging water towards the first and second water tub, respectively; a first pump having an inlet coupled to said first drain hole for drawing water from the first water tub; and at least one first jet coupled to an outlet of said first pump for circulating water along the outer region in the first water tub; and a second pump having an inlet coupled to said second drain hole for drawing water from the second water tub; and at least one second jet coupled to an outlet of said second pump for circulating water along the outer region in the second water tub.
  • 11. A method for operating a game by directing a circulating target into a designated area, the method comprising:circulating a plurality of targets in an outer region, said outer region in communication with an inner region via an aperture in a water tub; and aiming a water jet that is directing water at the targets to force the targets into the inner region through the aperture.
  • 12. The method as recited in claim 11 wherein the target circulating further comprises:circulating a body of water in the outer region of the water tub.
  • 13. The method as recited in claim 12 wherein the act of circulating a plurality of targets further comprises:draining a first portion of the body of water from the water tub; and pumping the first portion of the body of water from the water tub back into the water tub through at least one jet, wherein the body of water circulates substantially in the direction of the first portion of the body of water.
  • 14. The method as recited in claim 11 further comprising:detecting the targets in the inner region of the water tub; and displaying a score corresponding to the detected targets.
  • 15. A water gun game apparatus comprising:a water tub having an inner region defined by a partition having an aperture and an outer region having at least a portion adjacent to said aperture, the inner region and the outer region being in communication through said aperture; a quantity of water in said water tub; a movable target located in said outer region; and a steerable water jet capable of directing a stream of water, whereby the stream of water can be directed at the target such that the stream of water may force the target to the aperture.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/079,016, entitled “Skill-based Water Gun Game,” by Norman B. Petermeier, J. Richard Oltmann, and Bryan M. Kelly, Attorney Docket No. LAZ1P031+, filed Mar. 23, 1998, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

US Referenced Citations (6)
Number Name Date Kind
1389611 Wood et al. Sep 1921 A
1526341 Jeans Feb 1925 A
1551899 Michener Sep 1925 A
5704612 Kelly et al. Jan 1998 A
5906373 Sanders May 1999 A
6012722 Petermeier et al. Jan 2000 A
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
60/079016 Mar 1998 US