Dispensing – Simulations – Firearms
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-15
2001-12-04
Shaver, Kevin (Department: 3754)
Dispensing
Simulations
Firearms
C222S175000, C141S018000, C417S234000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06325246
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1) Field of the Invention
The field of this invention relates to water guns and more particularly to a water gun that is capable of placing water under pressure and dispensing of the water of a high velocity a substantial distance into the ambient.
2) Description of the Prior Art
Water guns have long been known. The prior art water guns usually include a hollow housing fashioned in the shape of a rifle or pistol. The housing is designed to hold a quantity of water. A trigger on the housing is typically connected to a pump built into the housing. Movement of the trigger causes a small amount of water to be forced outwardly through a nozzle that is mounted on the housing. However, water guns which utilize a pump type trigger suffer from a drawback in that the power available to expel the water is necessarily less than that which can be supplied by the trigger finger of the user and thus the shooting range and volume of water expelled are quite limited.
To increase the pressure and volume of water released, it has been proposed that an external energy source could be used, such as a battery or cylinder of compressed gas. Obviously, this would add to the complexity and cost to the water gun and make it less convenient to use and possibly make it unsafe.
A more practical method of increasing volume and range of a water gun has been successfully marketed in which the user can store energy by using a manually operated pump to compress air within a chamber in the water gun. The compressed air can then force a copious quantity of water out the nozzle when a valve is opened by a trigger. One disadvantage of this system is that it is relatively complex, having to deal with compressed air and water. Also, the active compressing of the air requires a large pump which makes the toy bulky and adds to the cost. Also, in order to build up sufficient pressure, it takes many strokes of the pump which diminishes the fun of the toy. Further, continued pumping could lead to an unsafe external pressure.
Another way to store energy that has been proposed is to use an elastic bladder, such as a length of latex rubber tubing, to store pressurized water. This eliminates the need to pressurize air which is used in the propelling medium. However, there is a problem with pressurized water being supplied to a latex bladder in that if the bladder is subjected to excessive pressure, it will rupture. This problem of excessive pressure has been addressed in the prior art by adding a pressure relief valve. Also, the prior art relies on an external pressurized water source, such as household tap water, to fill the elastic bladder, which is inconvenient.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A hand operated water gun toy, which in its first embodiment is arm mounted, has a base section which is designed to be mounted onto an upper arm of a user. Mounted on the base section is an elastic bladder and a pumping device such as a piston movably located within a cylinder. A reservoir of water is connected to the elastic bladder with the reservoir being located exteriorly of the base section. An appropriate one-way valve arrangement is connected between the reservoir and the elastic bladder so that when water is moved by the piston the water is only directed into the elastic bladder. Associated with the elastic bladder is a relief valve that relieves excess pressure before the elastic bladder expands to a point of breakage. Mounted on the forearm of the user is a movable section with this movable section being hingedly connected to the base. The water from the elastic bladder is to be forced into an outlet tube which in turn connects to a discharge nozzle. Moving of the movable section by the act of moving the lower arm relative to the upper arm will result in water being pumped into the elastic bladder. Several movements can be used to supply a large amount of water into the elastic bladder with a check valve preventing escape of the stored water within the elastic bladder. The user's hand connects to an actuator for a discharge valve which, when actuated, will open the discharge valve permitting water to be expelled into the ambient from the discharge nozzle in the form of a stream. A second embodiment of hand operated water gun of this invention comprises a hand carryable model with the reservoir being mounted on the base section which also has mounted thereon a pump in the form of a piston and cylinder, elastic bladder, appropriate valving and the discharge nozzle. The piston of the pump is connected by a connecting rod to a handle which is pivotally mounted on the base section. Manual movement of the handle in a pumping action will result in the piston being moved within the cylinder and water being pumped from the reservoir and into the elastic bladder. A manually operated lever may also be mounted on the base section with this lever to move a discharge valve to an open position which will permit the water to be expelled from the elastic bladder through the discharge nozzle.
One of the main advantages of the present invention is that the use of the elastic bladder permits pressurized water to be stored and then allows the water to be discharged at a higher volume rate and pressure than can be done by attaching the outlet of the pump to the nozzle which is common in the prior art. This enhances play value of the hand operated water gun since the user can pressurize the water in anticipation and then at the moment of need will have greater firepower available. Also, the bulging of the elastic bladder gives the appearance of a bulging muscle which might be interpreted by an opponent as “over powering strength” and therefore intimidation to the opponent.
Another advantage of this invention is that within the first embodiment the pressurization process utilizes the movement of the user's lower arm relative to the upper arm. In the pressurization process, a substantial amount of force is achieved over and above what can normally be achieved by a user's hand alone. This means that the hand operated water gun can be pressurized to a high level quickly thereby enhancing play of the toy since the hand operated water gun can be made quickly ready for “action” after a stream of water has been dispensed.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a hand operated water gun toy which is fun to play yet is safe, easily manufactured, compact and durable.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a visible indication when the hand operated water gun is pressurized.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a hand operated water gun in which the expansion of the elastic bladder is limited to a certain level preventing breakage of the bladder thereby limiting of the internal pressure of the hand operated water gun.
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Crawford Alan D.
DeMars Robert A.
Cartagena Melvin A.
Demars Robert A.
Jack M. Muniro
Shaver Kevin
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