Amusement devices: games – Aerial projectile game; game element or accessory therefor... – Target
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-04
2001-07-24
Chiu, Raleigh W. (Department: 3711)
Amusement devices: games
Aerial projectile game; game element or accessory therefor...
Target
C273S457000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06264201
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to water dunking game devices and more specifically it relates to a water balloon game for providing amusement to individuals at events by bursting a balloon filled with water above a subject's head thereby effectively “dunking” the subject.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Water dunking devices have been in use for years. Typically, a conventional water dunking game devices are comprised of a large water tank filled with water which is large enough to receive a normal sized human, a platform structure that supports a subject above the water tank, a release mechanism that releasably supports the platform structure, and a target mechanism which is mechanically connected to the release mechanism to release the platform structure with the subject upon when the target is hit with an object such as a baseball.
Conventional water dunking devices are amusing and entertaining. However, conventional water dunking devices are extremely bulky and difficult to transport between locations. In addition, conventional water dunking devices require a significant amount of water which is difficult to locate. A further detriment of conventional water dunking devices is that they are relatively expensive to construct and maintain thereby making them not feasible for a smaller business or event. Also, conventional water dunking devices contain significant risks of injury to the individual being dunked as they are abruptly dropped into a water tank.
Examples of patented water related games include U.S. Pat. No. 5,947,476 to Rousay; U.S. Pat. No. 334,044 to Lopatin; U.S. Pat. No. 5,634,642 to Grandolfo; U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,981 to Rudell et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,909,518 to Erlandson et al. which are all illustrative of such prior art.
While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for providing amusement to individuals at events by bursting a balloon filled with water above a subject's head thereby effectively “dunking” the subject. Conventional water dunking games are not suitable for simple transportation between locations and are difficult to setup and maintain.
In these respects, the water balloon game according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing amusement to individuals at events by safely bursting a balloon filled with water above a subject's head thereby effectively “dunking” the subject.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of water games now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new water balloon game construction wherein the same can be utilized for providing amusement to individuals at events by bursting a balloon filled with water above a subject's head thereby effectively “dunking” the subject.
The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new water balloon game that has many of the advantages of the water games mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new water balloon game which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art water games, either alone or in any combination thereof.
To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a wall member having a target and a support structure to maintain the wall member in a vertical position, a basket supported to an upper portion of the wall member by a support bar formed for receiving a balloon filled with a fluid such as water, a shaft pivotally attached to the wall member, a plate attached to the shaft positioned in front of the target, and a puncturing member attached orthogonally to the end of the shaft opposite of the plate for puncturing the balloon when positioned within the basket. The shaft is pivotally attached to the wall member with pivot brackets and a pivot pin. The shaft is angled upwardly from the plate to the puncturing member. In use, a ball or similar object is thrown at the plate which forces the distal end of the shaft containing the puncturing member forwardly toward the balloon with the puncturing member puncturing the balloon which releases the fluid contained within upon a subject positioned upon a chair below the basket.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a water balloon game that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices.
A second object is to provide a water balloon game for providing amusement to individuals at events by bursting a balloon filled with water above a subject's head thereby effectively “dunking” the subject.
Another object is to provide a water balloon game that is easy to construct and simple to maintain.
An additional object is to provide a water balloon game that is easily transported between locations.
A further object is to provide a water balloon game that does not require a large water tank.
Another object is to provide a water balloon game that saves the amount of water required to be utilized with a water game amusement device.
A further object is to provide a water balloon game that can be utilized by businesses, find-raising organizations and at various events.
Another object is to provide a water balloon game that can be utilized within strict water usage restrictions often times implemented by municipalities during periods of drought.
An additional object is to provide a water balloon game that does not require an individual to fall into a large water tank thereby reducing the risk of injury.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention.
To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4093228 (1978-06-01), Pierce
patent: 4702480 (1987-10-01), Popeski et al.
patent: 4943064 (1990-07-01), Smith, Jr.
patent: 5482292 (1996-01-01), Stone
patent: 5839981 (1998-11-01), Rudell et al.
patent: 5848793 (1998-12-01), Celis
patent: 5947476 (1999-09-01), Rousay
Holsten Janet A.
Holsten William A.
Chiu Raleigh W.
Neustel Michael S.
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