Fluid sprinkling – spraying – and diffusing – Fountains or drinking tubes and straws – Ornamental
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-07
2003-03-18
Mar, Michael (Department: 3752)
Fluid sprinkling, spraying, and diffusing
Fountains or drinking tubes and straws
Ornamental
C239S012000, C239S016000, C239S017000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06533191
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is in the field of amusement devices, and in particular devices found in water theme parks.
2. Description of the Related Art
Water recreation facilities have become a popular form of entertainment in the past few decades. Conventional water attractions at amusement parks typically involve using gravity to make water rides work, or they involve spraying water to create a fountain. The water rides that use gravity typically involve water flowing from a high elevation to a low elevation along a water ride surface. These gravity induced rides are generally costly to construct, and they usually have a relatively short ride time. Conventional fountains in water parks are generally passive attractions for people because guests of the parks usually cannot control the water flow in these fountains.
One water attraction that allows guests to become more actively involved with water spraying objects is described fully in U.S. Pat. No. 5,194,048 to Briggs. This attraction relates to an endoskeletal or exoskeletal participatory water play structure whereupon participants can manipulate valves to cause controllable changes in water effects that issue from various water forming devices. Such structures typically rely on the use of pressurized water to produce the various water effects. Manipulation of the valves allows the pressurized water to escape through nozzles which are positioned about the participatory water play structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Disclosed herein are amusement devices that include a water projection device. Such amusement devices are referred to herein as “water cannons”. A water cannon may be a device that projects a stream of water, and, as used herein, is preferably a device that propels a mass of water in a single spurt. Unlike many devices which rely on the use of pressurized water, the water cannon disclosed herein may use a burst of gas to expel the water from the water cannon.
The devices disclosed herein include a reservoir for the water or fluid to be propelled. In some embodiments, the reservoir is elongated, and may be cylindrically shaped to resemble the shape of the barrel of a cannon or large gun. Other shapes may also be used, including, but not limited to a circle, a star, a square, a rectangle, a regular polyhedron, a trapezoid, an ellipse or a figure eight, when seen in a cross-sectional view. The reservoir is also described herein as a first hollow member. In certain embodiments, the reservoir may include a section of pipe with a closed end, and having an end with an opening through which another member may extend.
The second member, which is also a hollow member, may also be contemplated to be a pipe in certain embodiments, with both ends open. The second hollow member, may also be of any of the shapes as described above for the first member, but is smaller in diameter than the first member, so that the second member can, at least partially, fit inside the first member during use. It is understood that the first and second members may be of the same basic shape, as elongated cylinders, or they may be different shapes. The second member may also include a channel. The channel preferably fits in the opening in an end of the first member and forms an airtight seal in the opening. During use, when the second member is assembled with the first member, one end of the second member is contained within the first member and the other end is external to the first member. Preferably, the second member extends through at least the majority of the length of the hollow interior of the first member. Any length of the second member inside the reservoir will be effective as long as the second open end is in the fluid when the reservoir is filled. Because it is understood that the cannon will most often be “fired” in at least a slightly raised direction, the channel may curve or turn downward in order to place the open end under the surface of the fluid. This curve or angled turn may be accomplished by bending or angling a channel of a single piece, or by adding an extension to a straight channel. An elbow, curve, or other connector may be used to join two or more pieces of the channel. Any of the pieces may be flexible, or rigid.
A water cannon preferably includes a plunger member, or a partition member that fits inside the reservoir and provides a partition that covers the cross-sectional profile of the reservoir. As such, if the reservoir is cylindrical, then the plunger will be generally circular or disc-shaped to conform to the shape of the reservoir. The plunger member also has an opening of a size and shape to accommodate the channel member so that the plunger is easily slidable along the channel member, thus forming a slidable partition that covers substantially the entire area from the channel member to the walls of the reservoir. The plunger may include some holes or openings to allow some air and water to pass through in order to make it more aerodynamically and hydrodynamically effective. These openings are in addition to the opening that contains the second hollow member or channel member.
A water cannon as described herein also includes one or more fluid inlets effective to release fluid into the reservoir during use. A fluid inlet may include a connector such as a female adapter for a hose, and/or it may include a valve. A valve in the fluid inlet may be controlled by an operator or a valve may be controlled by a device such as a float that automatically turns off the flow when the fluid level in the reservoir reaches a desired level. Such valves are known in the art, and any suitable type of valve or cut-off may be used with the present invention. In certain embodiments, a continuous stream of fluid or water may be connected to the inlet so that the reservoir is continuously filled and re-filled. The fluid inlet, during use, may be connected to a fluid source, such as a water source that may include a hose or pipe and a pump for moving the fluid into the reservoir.
A water cannon as described herein preferably includes one or more gas inlets effective to release a gas such as air into the reservoir during use. It is the release of gas that “fires” the cannon. When a burst of gas is released into the reservoir, the plunger is driven down the channel member, forcing the fluid in the reservoir into the channel member and firing out the other end of the channel in one large spurt. In this way, a water cannon as described herein is distinguished from amusement devices that shoot a continuous stream of water under pressure. The devices as described herein are more accurately described as lobbing a “shell” of water or other fluid. In order to achieve this effect, the plunger member is disposed between a gas inlet and the second open end of the channel member during use so that the influx of gas tends to force the plunger member toward the open end of the channel member in the rear of the reservoir. It is understood that the front of the device is the portion from which the fluid is rejected, and the rear is the opposite end. It should be understood that the water ejected in this manner is substantially unpressurized. Since the external opening of the channel member is substantially unrestricted, the water is free to move through the channel in response to the movement of the plunger member. The faster the movement of the plunger member, the higher the velocity at which the water is ejected. This differs from conventional water projecting devices which tend to eject pressurized water streams.
A gas inlet as used in a water cannon is in communication with a control mechanism. The control mechanism is activated during use by the operator of the water cannon. The control mechanism may be any of a variety of mechanisms known in the art, and would include, but not be limited to an electronic switch, a manual switch, a lever, a handle, a wheel, a pedal, a pressure pad, a button, foot operated switch, or a trigger. In certain embodiments, the control mechanism may include a foot pedal
Berger David C
Henry Jeffery W.
Hwu Davis
Mar Michael
Meyertons Eric B.
Meyertons Hood Kivlin Kowert & Goetzel P.C.
New Braunfels General Corporation
LandOfFree
Water projection device, system, and method for projecting... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Water projection device, system, and method for projecting..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Water projection device, system, and method for projecting... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3020517