Patent Application
20060261087
The present invention relates generally to toy water guns and, more particularly, to toy water guns operative, in accordance with at least one mode of operation, to discharge water in a configuration other than as a fixed, extended stream.
Water guns have for decades been a very popular child's toy. The toy industry is very competitive, hundreds of different style water guns have been developed in an attempt to profit from the toy's inherent popularity. The earliest forms of water guns were activated by the pumping action which occurs during the depression of a trigger. Accordingly, the range and volume of water expelled by these water pistols was limited by the throw of the trigger. With the goal of projecting more water faster on the target always in mind, toy water gun designers have introduced a number of significant design enhancements—with many of these enjoying a substantial degree of commercial success.
Pressure differential water guns employing a bladder are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,480 to Robert S. Shindo and U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,239 to Michael E. Salmon et al, which show toy water devices that use an elastic bladder to pressurize water. The bladders are filled with high pressure water, and the bladders respond by elastically deforming. The source of pressurized water is then removed and the water within the expanded bladder is held in place by a clamping device activated by a trigger. The water gun is used by selectively releasing the clamp, allowing the water to flow from the expanded bladder. For so long as water remains in the bladder and the trigger is depressed, water is ejected through the nozzle in an extended, continuous stream for so long as the trigger is depressed.
Since a source of pressurized water is not always available, a number of other methods have been devised to enhance the flow rate and range of streams ejected by toy water guns. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,022,350 entitled WATER GUN and issued to the inventor herein, Alan Amron, on May 20, 1977, there is disclosed a toy water gun that incorporates a battery driven motor and associated pump. By means of reciprocating movement of the pump piston, water is drawn from a reservoir and discharged through a nozzle. The discharge is interrupted by the intake strokes of the piston so that the discharge is accomplished intermittently or in spurts rather than in a continuous stream.
Water guns have also been developed that use air pressure to pressurize water in a reservoir and to force the water through an avenue of release extending from the reservoir to a discharge nozzle. Such toys that use air pumps to pressurize water are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 3,163,330 issued to J. W. Ryan on Dec. 29, 1964 and entitled TOY WATER SHOOTING CAP RIFLE, which shows a toy rifle consisting of a pressurized water reservoir, a pump for manually pressurizing the water reservoir, and a valve activated by a trigger to allow the pressurized water to flow toward the nozzle. The water is discharged as a continuous extended stream for as long as the trigger is depressed provided that sufficient air remains in the reservoir to keep the water flowing.
In the past decade, pressurized water guns equipped with a hand operated pump, as taught by Ryan, have enjoyed a considerable degree of commercial success. However, the need to repeatedly operate the pumping mechanism—often twenty five times or more—to achieve adequate air pressurization within the reservoir, has presented a challenge to the impatient user and to smaller children. For this reason, it has been proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,347 entitled PRESSURIZED WATER GUN WITH SELECTIVE PRESSURIZATION and issued to the inventor herein on May 22, 2001, to give the user an option of selecting one of two different modes of pressurization—manual pressurization using an onboard pump or, when a source of municipally pressurized water is accessible, a one-way valve system designed to admit the already-pressurized water into the reservoir. Regardless of the method used for pressurizing the Amron water gun, depression of the trigger causes water to flow from the reservoir, through an avenue of release, and out the ejection nozzle as a continuous, extended stream.
The development and introduction of various design features over the past six decades have unquestionably yielded toy water guns which have better performance and operating characteristics (e.g., faster flow rates and the ability to discharge streams over longer distances) than the traditional water pistol design. Notably, however, the actual configuration of the toy water gun “output” has remained substantially the same during all that time. That is, while their range and flow rates have increased, toy water guns have heretofore been designed to produce a concentrated, straight stream of water capable, for example, of being aimed at and of striking a discrete point—usually in the shortest distance possible. A need therefore exists for toy water guns capable of discharging water in more innovative and creative ways.
The aforementioned need is addressed, and an advance is made in the art, by toy water gun devices in which the water need not be directed at a target as a linear, extended stream (whether continuous or pulsed), though such operation—as an optional alternative mode—is not necessarily excluded.
A water gun constructed in accordance with a first illustrative embodiment of the present invention comprises a housing and an extended handle connected to the housing. A barrel portion of the housing defines a longitudinal axis extends outwardly away from the handle. The water gun further comprises a nozzle assembly defining a discharge outlet, the nozzle assembly being adapted to rotate relative to the barrel portion about an axis of rotation. An avenue of release connects the nozzle assembly to the water storage reservoir, and a trigger is located on the housing adjacent the handle. The nozzle assembly is dimensioned and arranged to rotate so that while the trigger is depressed, the stream of water being discharged through the outlet traverses an arcuate path relative to the longitudinal axis of the barrel portion while the barrel portion remains stationary. The stream discharged has a helical configuration, which is unbroken for so long as the trigger is depressed and water is flowing through the avenue of release.
Automatic rotation of the nozzle assembly to produce a helical discharge effect can be achieved in a variety of ways. An illustrative nozzle assembly constructed in accordance with this embodiment of the invention includes a motorized drive assembly responsive to depression of the trigger or, alternatively, to actuation of an on/off selector switch, and drivingly engageable with appropriate gearing on the nozzle assembly. Instead of a motor, the force for spinning the nozzle assembly may be provided via the pressurized water stream traversing the avenue of release. For example, a water turbine assembly can be placed at an appropriate location in the flow path. By way of yet another example, the discharge outlet of the nozzle assembly may be dimensioned and arranged to impart a nozzle reaction force—that is offset relative to the axis of nozzle assembly rotation—as the stream of water is discharged. Even a relatively small angle of inclination of the discharge stream relative to a plane orthogonal to the rotational axis of the nozzle assembly is sufficient to induce rotation of the nozzle assembly.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a wave-like discharge of water is obtained. A water gun constructed in accordance with this embodiment of the present invention comprises a housing and an extended handle connected to the housing. A barrel portion of the housing defines a longitudinal axis extends outwardly away from the handle. The water gun further comprises a nozzle assembly defining a discharge outlet dimensioned and arranged to eject a continuous stream and/or brief but high volume pulses so that these strike a deflector assembly. An avenue of release connects the nozzle assembly to the water storage reservoir, and a trigger is located on the housing adjacent the handle. While the trigger is depressed, the water discharged through the discharge outlet strikes the deflector structure at an angle selected to produce a divergent, flattened output resembling a wave. This effect is especially pronounced when short, high volume pulses are “bounced” off the deflector.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, water is ejected in a manner that simulates a torrent of rain. To this end, the water gun includes a trigger, a latching mechanism, and a spring loaded, pivoting catapult lever defining a receptacle that is dimensioned and arranged to receive a charge of water and to hurl this charge of water at a target when the trigger is depressed and the latching mechanism is released. A water gun constructed in accordance with this illustrative embodiment further comprises a housing and an extended handle connected to the housing. A barrel portion of the housing defines a longitudinal axis extends outwardly away from the handle. The spring-loaded, pivoting receptacle is positioned within the barrel portion of the housing and is charged with water while in an initial position. When released by the latching mechanism, the receptacle pivots about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the barrel and the charge of water is released once the catapult lever reaches a certain point in its arcuate travel. A cover assembly utilizing a spring actuated linkage or other suitable mechanism can be included so that the water can not escape from the receptacle during pivoting of the catapult lever. Alternatively, a torrent of rain may be achieved using a deflector assembly.
The details of the present invention, both as to its construction and operation can best be understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts, and in which:
The accompanying Figures and this description depict and describe embodiments of a water gun amusement device in accordance with the present invention, and features and components thereof. The present invention also encompasses a method of making and using embodiments of the amusement device. As used herein, the phrases or terms “water gun amusement device,” “toy gun,” “water gun,” “squirt gun” and the like are intended to encompass a structure or structures configured to project, throw, squirt, launch or shoot a generally liquid material, such as water or the like, in a manner other than as a continuous stream or a broken stream of repeated, single “shots,” bursts, doses or quantities of water or the like. It is important to note, however, that toy water guns constructed in accordance with the present invention can, if an optional mode of operation is desired, be configured to project a continuous or broken stream if the user so selects. It should also be noted that any references herein to front and back, right and left, top and bottom and upper and lower are intended for convenience of description, not to limit the present invention or its components to any one positional or spacial orientation.
With regard to fastening, mounting, attaching or connecting components of the present invention to form the water gun amusement device as a whole, unless specifically described otherwise, such are intended to encompass conventional fasteners such as screws, nut and bolt connectors, threaded connectors, snap rings, detent arrangements, clamps such as screw clamps and the like, rivets, toggles, pins and the like. Components may also be connected by adhesives, glues, welding, ultrasonic welding, and friction fitting or deformation, if appropriate, and appropriate liquid and/or airtight seals or sealing devices may be used. Electronic portions of the device may use conventional, commercially available electronic components, connectors and devices such as suitable wiring, connectors, printed circuit boards, microchips, speakers, lights, LED's, liquid crystal displays, pressure sensors, liquid level sensors, audio components, inputs, outputs and the like. Unless specifically otherwise disclosed or taught, materials for making components of the present invention may be selected from appropriate materials such as metal, metallic alloys, natural and man-made fibers, vinyls, plastics and the like, and appropriate manufacturing or production methods including casting, pressing, extruding, molding and machining may be used.
With regard to the manner in which water is urged to flow toward a discharge opening upon depression of a trigger or other means, it should be borne in mind that although the various embodiments described herein incorporate an on-board pump for pressurizing a water-containing, fixed-volume chamber with air, the invention is not limited to such configurations. For example, if the delivery of intermittent pulses are desired, a motorized arrangement as, for example, the one described in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,022,350 may be used. By way of further example, the water storing chamber may be configured as an expandable bladder dimensioned and arranged to receive and store water from a hose end adapter coupled to a municipally pressurized water source (as in the case of the aforementioned U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,854,480 and 4,735,239 to Shindo and Salmon et al, respectively). By way of still further example, a water gun constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention may utilize both a bladder for storing pressurized water and an on-board, manually operated, fluid transfer pump for transferring fluid from an unpressurized water chamber having a fill cap to the bladder. An example of the latter arrangement is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,875,927 entitled TOY GUN HAVING AN EXPANDABLE TEAR DROP SHAPED BLADDER FOR EJECTION OF LIQUID THEREFROM. It suffices to say that the manner in which water ejection forces are developed is of no particular consequence to the inventor herein except insofar as manufacturing cost, simplicity and ease of use are always considerations to be borne in mind.
Turning now to
As best seen in
As noted earlier, some embodiments of the present invention may have more than one chamber (not shown), in which case one such chamber may be a water-receiving, fixed volume fill chamber as chamber 24, and the other chamber may be a water-pressurizable bladder (not shown) or a fixed-volume, air-pressurizable, chamber (not shown) adapted to receive both water from the fill chamber and pressurized air. Thus, by way of yet another example, fluid transfer system 22 may be configured as a manually operable, water transfer pump (not shown) adapted to transfer water from a first, fixed volume chamber into a second, expandable bladder-type chamber. In the embodiment depicted in
With continued reference to
It will be recalled that nozzle assembly 22 is dimensioned and arranged to rotate so that while trigger 18a is depressed, the stream of water being discharged through discharge outlet 32 defined by the element indicated generally at element 34, traverses an arcuate path relative to the longitudinal axis of the barrel portion while the barrel portion remains stationary. The stream thus discharged has a helical configuration, which is unbroken for so long as the trigger is depressed and water is flowing through conduit 21.
Automatic rotation of nozzle assembly 20 to produce a helical discharge effect can be achieved in a variety of ways. By way of illustrative example, an illustrative nozzle assembly constructed in accordance with this embodiment of the invention may include a motorized drive assembly (not shown) responsive to depression of the trigger or, alternatively, to actuation of an on/off selector switch, and drivingly engageable with appropriate gearing coupled to nozzle assembly 20. By way of alternate example, discharge outlet 32 of nozzle assembly 20 may be dimensioned and arranged to impart a nozzle reaction force—that is offset relative to the axis of nozzle assembly rotation—as the stream of water is discharged. Even a relatively small angle of inclination of the discharge stream relative to a plane orthogonal to the rotational axis of the nozzle assembly is sufficient to induce rotation of the nozzle assembly. It should also be noted that triggerless structures are also contemplated by the inventor herein. For example, in a water gun employing a manually rotated crank to operate a liquid transfer pump, the rotating crank shaft can also be used to drive appropriate gearing for rotating nozzle assembly 20 at the same time. Other forms of triggerless operation contemplated include a voice actuation circuit responsive to speech signals, input by microphone, to operate a solenoid valve or other suitable structure disposed along the fluid communication path defined by conduit 21.
In accordance with an especially preferred embodiment of the present invention, however, the force for spinning nozzle assembly 20 is provided via the pressurized water stream traversing conduit 21. An exemplary structure adapted to utilize this force is depicted in
With reference to both
Defined within the interior axial surface 37 of second section 38 are a plurality of vanes 39. As best seen in
In the illustrative embodiment depicted in
Turning now to
Pivotable trigger member 18a′ is mounted on a lug 70 and is resiliently urged forward by a return spring 72 attached to trigger member 18a′ and to a second lug 74. It will be noted that mounting aperture 76 in the trigger member 18a′ is elongate so as to permit the longitudinal movement of trigger member 18a′ to recock the trigger. Acting on by the trigger member 18a′ is a pivotable camming member 78 resiliently urged in the anticlockwise direction by a strong spring 80 engaged over lug 82 and with camming member 78 and also with lug 84. It will be seen that when trigger 18a′ is pulled, it engages with camming member 78 and urges it in a clockwise direction against the force of spring 80 until toward the end of its travel trigger member 18a′ slips off the end of camming member 78 which thereupon rapidly returns to its original position under spring action.
Associated with camming member 78 is a longitudinally movable slide member 86 mounted for linear movement to thereby provide the motive force for urging a valve disposed along the fluid communication path defined by conduit 24 into an open position permitting flow. A spring 88 connected between the end of slide member 86 and the housing draws slide member 86 back when camming member 78 is drawn back. In
While the particular water guns as herein shown and described in detail are fully capable of attaining the above-described objects of the invention, it is to be understood that they are merely illustrative embodiments of the present invention and are thus merely representative of the subject matter which is broadly contemplated by the present invention, that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims.
