Dispensing – Processes of dispensing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-28
2001-05-22
Kaufman, Joseph A. (Department: 3754)
Dispensing
Processes of dispensing
C222S079000, C222S401000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06234347
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to toy water gun systems having a pressurized receptacle and, more particularly, to guns employing a receptacle that is at least partially pressurized by a municipal water supply.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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 most traditional forms of water guns are activated by a pumping action, either manually through the trigger or automatically through a battery operated motor. Because the range and volume of water expelled in such water pistols is limited by the throw of the pistol trigger, relatively sophisticated water guns have been introduced for expanding both the range of water guns and the volume of the water streams the water guns can produce. Typically, these guns work upon the principle of pressure differentials between the water held within the toy and the atmosphere. The water within the toy is subjected to a pressure higher than that of the ambient air. As a result, when the water within the toy is given an avenue of escape, the water will stream out under the pressure.
Prior art that shows pressure differential types of water guns are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 3,197,070 to Curtis F. Pearl et al., which shows a water gun activated by trapping water in a collapsible area. As the device is collapsed, the pressure of the water builds, spraying the water out of the one small orifice left within the pressurized volume. Once the confined volume is fully collapsed, the re-expansion of the volume draws forth more water from a reservoir, thus priming the water gun for another cycle. The water being pressurized is limited to the volume of the collapsible volume. The Pearl '070 invention cannot store pressurized water for use at a later time, nor can the pressure of the water be increased by cycling the pumping action of the invention while restraining water discharge.
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, both 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.
Water guns have also been developed that use air pressure to pressurize water and force water through squirt channels. Such toys that use air pumps to pressurize water are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 4,214,674 to Jones et al, which shows a two-piece apparatus consisting of a pressurized water reservoir and a discharging gun. Air is introduced into the water reservoir via a hand operated pump. The air pressurizes the water, forcing it up through the discharging gun, where the rate of discharge can be regulated by a trigger. U.S. Pat. No. 5,074,437 to D'Andrade et al. also discloses a water gun that pressurizes water by establishing fluid communication between a water reservoir and an air reservoir, and providing means for pressurizing the air reservoir to expel water from the gun when the gun's trigger is pulled.
While pressurized water guns equipped with a hand operated pump, in particular, have enjoyed considerable commercial success, the need to repeatedly operate the pumping mechanism, often twenty five times or more, to achieve adequate air pressurization within the reservoir, presents a challenge to the impatient user. Recognizing this deficiency, it has been proposed by Darling, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,366,108, to omit the air pressurizing mechanism in favor of a one-way valve so that a source of previously pressurized water, i.e., a municipal water supply, may be used to charge a receptacle that contains trapped air. While the Darling device advantageously enables the user to simultaneously combine the water charging and pressurizing steps, however, it is only useful where access to a municipal water supply is readily available. Accordingly, after the initial supply of pressurized water is exhausted, it can not be used at such locations as the beach, the playground, or like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a pressurized water gun device which is capable of advantageously utilizing a municipal water supply to pressurize a fluid stored in the receptacle thereof, when such a source of water is available.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pressurized water gun device that enables the user to utilize a non-pressurized source of water, when such source is the only one available.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an adaptor assembly by which any commercially available air pump-type water gun may be modified to obtain the aforementioned capabilities.
The aforementioned objects, as well as others which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the teachings set forth herein, are achieved by a water gun which utilizes an interface or adaptor assembly that includes a one-way valve to selectively charge a water reservoir tank with pressurized water from a municipal water supply.
A water gun constructed in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention comprises a housing and an extended handle connected to the housing. A barrel portion of the housing extends outwardly away from the handle. The water gun further comprises a nozzle having an orifice therethrough, the nozzle being affixed to the end of the barrel portion, and a high pressure, water storage reservoir having an orifice. An avenue of release connects the nozzle to the water storage reservoir, and a trigger is located on the housing adjacent the handle. A controlling means connected to the avenue of release regulates the flow of water and air through the avenue of release and a one-way valve assembly selectively establishes fluid communication between an external, pressurized water source and the water storage reservoir.
Since it is contemplated that a supply of pressurized water will not always be available, the water gun of the present invention further includes a pressuring means with a slider, for pressurizing the water storage reservoir with air. The pressurizing means is preferably configured as an integral part of the water gun housing.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3197070 (1965-07-01), Pearl
patent: 4135559 (1979-01-01), Barnby
patent: 4214674 (1980-07-01), Jones et al.
patent: 4257460 (1981-03-01), Paranay et al.
patent: 4735239 (1988-04-01), Salmon et al.
patent: 4854480 (1989-08-01), Shindo
patent: 4867208 (1989-09-01), Fitzgerald
patent: 5064095 (1991-11-01), Camerino
patent: 5074437 (1991-12-01), D'Andrade et al.
patent: 5150819 (1992-09-01), Johnson et al.
patent: 5174477 (1992-12-01), Schafer
patent: 5284300 (1994-02-01), Gries et al.
patent: 5292032 (1994-03-01), Johnson et al.
patent: 5305919 (1994-04-01), Johnson et al.
patent: 5366108 (1994-11-01), Darling
patent: 5373975 (1994-12-01), Husted
patent: 5531627 (1996-07-01), Deal
patent: 5595325 (1997-01-01), Leres
patent: 5915771 (1999-06-01), Amron
Amron Development, Inc.
Dinicola Brian K.
Kaufman Joseph A.
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