CA2092759A1 - Hand pump water gun with remote water source - Google Patents
Hand pump water gun with remote water sourceInfo
- Publication number
- CA2092759A1 CA2092759A1 CA 2092759 CA2092759A CA2092759A1 CA 2092759 A1 CA2092759 A1 CA 2092759A1 CA 2092759 CA2092759 CA 2092759 CA 2092759 A CA2092759 A CA 2092759A CA 2092759 A1 CA2092759 A1 CA 2092759A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- water
- air
- water gun
- gun
- housing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F41—WEAPONS
- F41B—WEAPONS FOR PROJECTING MISSILES WITHOUT USE OF EXPLOSIVE OR COMBUSTIBLE PROPELLANT CHARGE; WEAPONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F41B9/00—Liquid ejecting guns, e.g. water pistols, devices ejecting electrically charged liquid jets, devices ejecting liquid jets by explosive pressure
- F41B9/0003—Liquid ejecting guns, e.g. water pistols, devices ejecting electrically charged liquid jets, devices ejecting liquid jets by explosive pressure characterised by the pressurisation of the liquid
- F41B9/0006—Liquid ejecting guns, e.g. water pistols, devices ejecting electrically charged liquid jets, devices ejecting liquid jets by explosive pressure characterised by the pressurisation of the liquid the liquid being pressurised prior to ejection
- F41B9/0015—Liquid ejecting guns, e.g. water pistols, devices ejecting electrically charged liquid jets, devices ejecting liquid jets by explosive pressure characterised by the pressurisation of the liquid the liquid being pressurised prior to ejection the liquid being pressurised by compressed gas, e.g. air
- F41B9/0018—Liquid ejecting guns, e.g. water pistols, devices ejecting electrically charged liquid jets, devices ejecting liquid jets by explosive pressure characterised by the pressurisation of the liquid the liquid being pressurised prior to ejection the liquid being pressurised by compressed gas, e.g. air the gas being compressed utilising a manual piston pump
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B9/00—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent material, without essentially mixing with gas or vapour
- B05B9/03—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent material, without essentially mixing with gas or vapour characterised by means for supplying liquid or other fluent material
- B05B9/04—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent material, without essentially mixing with gas or vapour characterised by means for supplying liquid or other fluent material with pressurised or compressible container; with pump
- B05B9/0403—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent material, without essentially mixing with gas or vapour characterised by means for supplying liquid or other fluent material with pressurised or compressible container; with pump with pumps for liquids or other fluent material
- B05B9/0426—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent material, without essentially mixing with gas or vapour characterised by means for supplying liquid or other fluent material with pressurised or compressible container; with pump with pumps for liquids or other fluent material with a pump attached to the spray gun or discharge device
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Toys (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present invention is a toy water gun having a housing with extending handle, trigger and barrel.
The water gun is connected to at least one remote water source external from and indirectly connected to the housing. The indirect connection is by tubing or hosing external of said housing and having a vent to surrounding ambient atmosphere so air may enter therethrough. Also included is a pressurized air and water storage tank external from and connected to the housing. The pressurized tank has an orifice between said pressurized tank and said housing through which all liquids and gasses pass. There is also a pumping means for withdrawing air or water from the remote source or sources, and for depositing the withdrawn air or water into the pressurized tank. A plurality of one-way flow valves are included wherein at least one one-way flow valve prohibits water and air from flowing from the pressurized tank to the pumping means, at least one said one-way flow valve prohibits water and air from flowing from the pumping means to the remote source or sources of air and water. There is a nozzle with a narrow orifice therethrough, which affixed to the end of said barrel and an avenue of release connecting the nozzle to the pressurized tank. There is also a controlling means for regulating the flow of water and air through the avenue of release, the controlling means being actuatable by the trigger.
The present invention is a toy water gun having a housing with extending handle, trigger and barrel.
The water gun is connected to at least one remote water source external from and indirectly connected to the housing. The indirect connection is by tubing or hosing external of said housing and having a vent to surrounding ambient atmosphere so air may enter therethrough. Also included is a pressurized air and water storage tank external from and connected to the housing. The pressurized tank has an orifice between said pressurized tank and said housing through which all liquids and gasses pass. There is also a pumping means for withdrawing air or water from the remote source or sources, and for depositing the withdrawn air or water into the pressurized tank. A plurality of one-way flow valves are included wherein at least one one-way flow valve prohibits water and air from flowing from the pressurized tank to the pumping means, at least one said one-way flow valve prohibits water and air from flowing from the pumping means to the remote source or sources of air and water. There is a nozzle with a narrow orifice therethrough, which affixed to the end of said barrel and an avenue of release connecting the nozzle to the pressurized tank. There is also a controlling means for regulating the flow of water and air through the avenue of release, the controlling means being actuatable by the trigger.
Description
HAND PUMP WATER GUN WITH
REMOTE WATER SOURCE
BACKGROUND OF TH~ INVENTION
1. ~ield of the Invention The present invention i5 directed to a toy water squirt gun, and more particularly to such a toy water squirt gun that uses a self~contained pumping means to draw water from at least one remote water source to compress an air cushion with the drawn water, and store the water pressurized ~y the compressed air in at least one pressurized reservoir. The water is then released in a selective manne.r through a narrow nozzle, causing the stored water to be propelled forward in a narrow stream.
REMOTE WATER SOURCE
BACKGROUND OF TH~ INVENTION
1. ~ield of the Invention The present invention i5 directed to a toy water squirt gun, and more particularly to such a toy water squirt gun that uses a self~contained pumping means to draw water from at least one remote water source to compress an air cushion with the drawn water, and store the water pressurized ~y the compressed air in at least one pressurized reservoir. The water is then released in a selective manne.r through a narrow nozzle, causing the stored water to be propelled forward in a narrow stream.
2. Prior Art Statement :
Water guns have for decades been a very popular child's toy. Since the toy industry is very .. ~ . . .. ..
competitive, hundreds of different s-tyle water guns have been developed in an attempt to profit from the toy's inherent popularity. The most traditional ~orms of water guns are activated by a pumping action, either manually through the trigger or automatically through a battery operated motor. Such pump action water guns work, but the guns are limited : :
in thé distance the water traveled, the amount of water projected and the duration of the pumping cycle. In an attempt to improve upon water guns, the toy industry has developed pressure activated water guns. Such pres~ure activated water guns work upon the principle of pressure differelltials between the water held within the toy and the atmosphere. The water within the toy is subjected to a pressure ' : ., ~ ,:
Water guns have for decades been a very popular child's toy. Since the toy industry is very .. ~ . . .. ..
competitive, hundreds of different s-tyle water guns have been developed in an attempt to profit from the toy's inherent popularity. The most traditional ~orms of water guns are activated by a pumping action, either manually through the trigger or automatically through a battery operated motor. Such pump action water guns work, but the guns are limited : :
in thé distance the water traveled, the amount of water projected and the duration of the pumping cycle. In an attempt to improve upon water guns, the toy industry has developed pressure activated water guns. Such pres~ure activated water guns work upon the principle of pressure differelltials between the water held within the toy and the atmosphere. The water within the toy is subjected to a pressure ' : ., ~ ,:
3 ~27~
higher than that of the ambient air. As a result, when the water within the toy is given an avenue of escape, the wat~r will stream out under the pressure.
Prior art that shows pressure di~ferential types of water guns are exemplified by the following-United States Patent Mumber 3,1~7,070 to Curtis F. Pearl et al, 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 pressured volume. Once the confined volume is fully collapsed, the re-expansion of the ,, volume draws ~orth more water from a reservoir, thus priming the water gun for another cycle. The water being pressurized is limited to the volume of the ., ~ .: " ~ ... ., .,. ;
C2~9 collapsible volume. The Pearl invention cannot store pressurized water for use at a later ti~el nor can ~ :
the pressure of ~he water be increased by cycling the pumping action of the invention while restraining water discharge.
~nited States Patent Number 4,854,480 to Robert S D Shindo and United States Ratent Number 4,735,239 to Michael E. Salmon et al, both show toy water devices that use an elastic bladder to pre~urize water. The bladders are filled with high pressure water, and the bladders respond by elastically deforming. The source of pressurized water i9 then xemoved and the wat0r within the expanded bladder is held in place by a clamping device activated hy trigger. The water gun is used by selectively . - .:
higher than that of the ambient air. As a result, when the water within the toy is given an avenue of escape, the wat~r will stream out under the pressure.
Prior art that shows pressure di~ferential types of water guns are exemplified by the following-United States Patent Mumber 3,1~7,070 to Curtis F. Pearl et al, 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 pressured volume. Once the confined volume is fully collapsed, the re-expansion of the ,, volume draws ~orth more water from a reservoir, thus priming the water gun for another cycle. The water being pressurized is limited to the volume of the ., ~ .: " ~ ... ., .,. ;
C2~9 collapsible volume. The Pearl invention cannot store pressurized water for use at a later ti~el nor can ~ :
the pressure of ~he water be increased by cycling the pumping action of the invention while restraining water discharge.
~nited States Patent Number 4,854,480 to Robert S D Shindo and United States Ratent Number 4,735,239 to Michael E. Salmon et al, both show toy water devices that use an elastic bladder to pre~urize water. The bladders are filled with high pressure water, and the bladders respond by elastically deforming. The source of pressurized water i9 then xemoved and the wat0r within the expanded bladder is held in place by a clamping device activated hy trigger. The water gun is used by selectively . - .:
-5- 2 ~ 9 ~ ~ ~ 9 releasing the clamp, allowing the water to flow from the expanded bladder.
~ater 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 the following:
UO S. Patent Number 4,214,674 to Jones et al, 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.
United States Patent No. 4,239,129 to Gary F.
Espositc describes a water pistol andJor flashlight - ~ . . . . ....... ........... . . . .
~ . ~ . , , ~ r~
structure which includes a reciprocal pump withi.n the gun housing. The pump is used to pressurize air within the tank after water has been added, and a trigger is used for subsequent release of the w~ter.
Battery operated lights and sound are also provided.
United States Patent No~ 3, 578, 789, issue~ to Giampiero Ferri, describes a water pistol which includes a main liquid reservoir and a pressurized liquid reservoir co~tained within the main liquid reservoir. A trigger-actuated pump is used with a manually operated three way valve to selectively supply liquid: (a) from the pump to the pressurized reservoir; (b) from the pump to the nozzle and to the pressurized liquid reservoir; or, (c) from the pump to both the pressurized liquid reservoir and the .
.
nozzle~ The Ferri water gun is limited in many ways as compared to the present invention. Ferri does not have a ~eparate hand pump but relies only upon the krigger as a pump (limited to finger pumping~. Ferri requires manual val~e switching with complicated steps not easily performed by young children. Ferri has limited liquid capacity as the main liquid reservoir is inside the housing (handle) and i~ very limited in pressurized tank capacity as the ~erri pressurized tank is within the main liquid reservoir.
Thus, although prior art does show toy water guns that have collapsible water chambers and self-contained pumping means, the prior art neith~r teaches nor suggests a toy water gun that uses a self contained, hand operated water pumping device to : . , ,. , . : , . .
-8- 2~7 S~
draw both water and air or either from at least one remote source, to pressurize air with the water dxawn, and to store the pressurized air and water in at least one pressurized tank, where it can accumulate until discharged. Additionally, the safety of the invention is assured by a triggering device that automatically and safely discharges pressurized water when over pressurized, until the maximum allowable pressure is reached.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present in~ention is a toy water gun having a housing with extending handle, trigger and barrel.
The water gun is connected to at least one remote water source external from and indirectly connected to the housing. The indirect connection is by tubing : ' : :
~ ~.3 ~
or hosing external of said housing and having a vent ;~
to surrounding ambient atmosphere so air may enter therethrough. Also included is a pressurized air and water storage tank external from and connected to the S housing. The pressurized tank has only one orifice between said pressurized tank and said housing through which all liquids and gasses pass. There i5 also a pumping means for withdrawing air or water from the remote source or sources, and for depositing the withdrawn air or water into the pressurized tank.
A plurality of one-way flow ~alves are included wherein at least one one-way flow valve prohibits water and air from flowing from the pressurized tank to the pumping means, at lea5t one said one-way flow valYe prohibits water and air from flowing from the ~ ~ ~ 2 ~ ~
-10- :
pumping means to the remote source or sources of air and water. There is a nozzle with a narrow orifice therethrough, which affixed to the end of said barrel and an avenue of release connecting the nozzle to the pressuri~ed tank. There is also a controlling means for regulating the flow of water and air through the avenue of release, the controlling means being actuatable by.the triyger.
~RIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE R~WINGS
The invention will be more fully understood by r~ferring to the following detailed specification t the above speci~ication and the claims set forth herein, when taken .in connection with the drawings appended hereto, wherein:
Fiyure 1 shows a perspective view of one ~: :
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~: :
preferred embo~iment of the present invention; and, Figure 2 shows a partially fxagmen~ed side view of a different preferred embodiment of the pres~nt invention, illustrating the ~laimed inner mechanisms.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTI3~1 The present invention is t as mentioned, directed ..
toward a toy water gun that uses a manually operated pump to draw water and/or air, and then pressurize the air to exert pressure on the water, storing the water and air under pressure until selectively discharged. The science of pressurized water toys is ' . ' not new, and over the years many different designs ha~e been developed utilizing a pumping action to pressurize water. As applied to the art of toy water ` ~:
squirt guns, the most common type of deYice involves 12 ~2 ~
a two-stroke pump, wherein the pump draws water into a chamber through a large orifice duriny the priming stroke, and forces water out of the chamber through a very narrow orifice during the compression stroke.
This simple system for~s the basis of thousands of devlces in addition to water guns, such as non-aerosol dispe~sing devices for hair spray, perfume, window cleaner, and countless other products that are dispensed in a narrow stream or mist.
The problem with simple two-stroke squirting systems is that the amount of liquid that can be expelled i~ limited to a single volume o~ the compressible area; also, the pressure of the liquid exiting the device is dependent directly upon the force being applied dl~ring the time of expulsion.
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Consequently, when water is squirted in this manner, only a small volume is released with each pumping action. When ~ttempts are made to increase the amount of water propelled by increasing the volume of the compressible area, the pumping action cannot displace the water at a high pressure, resulting in expulsion of water at low pressures.
Water guns advantageously involve s~uirting large volumes of water at high pressures. The higher the pxessure, the longer the distance the water can be propelled, thus increasing the range and power of the water gun. The present invention water gun uses a two-stroke pump to store and pressurize large ~' amounts of water. The present invention draws air from the surrounding ambient environment and a . . : : , : . : ~,. . : .
.: ~ ,;. , . . : .: -: : , , - , :. .: . : . :
7~
predetermined volume of water from a remote source, pressurizes air with the drawn water and deposits the pressurized air and water in at least one storage tank, herein referred to as a ~'pressurized tank", ~.
where it remains under pressure. As more ~nd more water and/or air are drawn, pressurized and deposited within the pressuriæed tank, the volume and the pressure on the stored water increases, compressing the air withi.n the pressurized tank. The water propelled by the compressed air can then be selectively released through a narrow orifice, creating a stre~m of propelled water. The pressurized tank sy~tem of the present invention allows the user of the invention to determine the volume and pressure of the water to be discharged, ,. - :: ~
and also allows a user to refill and replace the ~ater from a remote source without disabling the water gun~s ability to discharge water. The pressurized tank system gi~es the water guns of the present invention a variety of firing characteristics that are unique in the art of toy water guns, allowing an operator to choose and adjust the range and power of the water gun. By having at least one pressurized tank, and possibly two or more of such ~ :
pressurized tanks, sufficient or increased storage for more shots, and increased pressurized wate~ for longer duration shots, are achie~ed.
The present in~ention also has other advanta~es o~er many other pressurized container water guns, in that, instead of pumping air into a chamber that , ., . ,, , , ., .-, . .
f'~ ~ ~
already contains water~ the present invention pumps water or air or water and air (hereinafter "water and/or air"J into a chamber containing air. The pumping of water is more efficient than the pumping of air, thus less pumping strokes ar~ required and higher pressures are easier to achieve.
When designing toys involving pressurized air and water, one consideration i5 that of safety. Toys are designed to be inexpensive so as to be widely marketable. As such, most toys are made of plastics or other inexpensive materials. Such materials do not have large tensile strengths or fatigue characteristics, and therefore do not lend themselves well to containing pressurized fluids. Plastic containments of pressuri~ed liquids, if not prQperly . ~ . ,, ~ . -, ~ ,. .
,: , . .
: : , : . - ~ ~ :, , -17- æ~
designed, can rupture and explode, causing injury.
The present invention has a unique design that allows for both the use of high pressure air and the elimination of potential rupturing hazards. The present invention, in some preferred embodiments, has one or more cylindrlcal pressurized tanks, each ~ith a single orifice or opening between the pressurized tanks and the housing of the water gun, through which water and gasses pass. The single orifice, in 10 ~ conjunction with the generous xadii used at the cylinder ends~, serve to maintain the integrity of the water tank walls and minimize the stre~s points throughout the material of the pressurized tank, :~:
thereby allowing fv= the saf~ use of pressures - :
generated by the present invention. Pressurized tanks having othe.r shapes, such as spheres~ with a minimum, and preferably, no seams, may also be used advantageously and safely with water guns of the present invention.
The present invention is thus directed to a toy water gun which is operated by drawing water from a remote source and by selectively releasing water ~rom at least one pressurized water tank. The present invention has a manually operated pump incorporated into the design~ As the pump is cycled, water and/or air are drawn from at least one remote water source and the ambient atmosphere, respectively. Once drawn, the water and/or air are forced by the pump through conduits or passages in the housing into at least one pressurized tank. As the amount of water ;, :,.
,., .:, ... .. .. .
.; ~. :, .. .: :. . ,., . :
c~
--19-- ' and/or air ~rced into the pressurized tank :~ :
increases, the pressure of the air displaced by the water within the pressurized tank increases. The pressure of the air on the water within the pressurized tank increases with each cycle ~f the pump, until the pump can no longer overcome the pressure of the air on the water within the pressurized tank. The pressurized air an~ water within the pressurized tank has an avenue of release that is re~ulated by the trigger mechanism of the invention which has a safety pressure release within its designO When no force is applied to the trigger, the pressurized water and air are held at bay with no means o~ release. When ~orce is applied to the trigger, the heavier water is first relea~ed rom the . .. .
.: ,; , . ~ ~
: , . . . ,: : .
bottom of the pressurized tank and is channeled through a narrow nozzle. The escape of the air-pressurized water through the narrow noz21e ~reates a plurality of sequential bursts or a continuous stream of propelled water that last~ as long as the trig~er is engaged or until the pressure within the pressurized tank equals the ambient air pressure.
Ref~rring now to Figure 1, one preferred embodiment of the present invention, water ~un 1~ is shown. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the present invention water gun 1 and a remote water ;~
source 148. Gun 1 .includes pre~urized tank 3 connected to main hou~ing 60 that is shaped generally in the form of a gun having a handle 95, trigger 65 and barrel 81. There is a slider handle 73 which .. . .
,. : ~: . .: .-,. ,. , , , : , ~ ~ :
surrounds barxel 81 and is slidable toward and away from nozæle encasement 77. Slider handie 73 is connected to piston rod 31 (see Fiyure 2), which itself constitutes a portion of a pumping means for operation o~ toy gun 1. Outside conduit 138 has a connection section 134 which includes optional valving and vent means described below.
Outside conduit 138 has distal end 144 submerged in or otherwise in fluid communication with remote water source 148. In this illustration~ the remote water source 148 is in the form of a pond with land 158, as shownu However, the water source remotely located from the present invention water guns i otherwise may be lakes, swimming pools, tubs, spas, sinks, or any other open water source9 ~7hereby the ... . . .: -, ,; : ~
~2~2~
extended outside conduit is merely submerged or dropped into the remote water source. ~'urther, the present invention water gun could be used with or include an enclosed remote water source, such as one or more vats, large bottles or tank~ or other container. These may be connected indirectly throu~h coupling means ~via he outside conduit) to the water gun or not conn~cted directly to the enclosed water source by a coupling so long as there is a means of causing water to communicate between the enclosed water source and the water gun, such as a flexible conduit immersed in the water in the enclosed water source.
The internal functioning and operational aspects of the toy water gun 1 shown in Figure 1 are the same ., -23- ~ t~
as for the toy water gun 101 shown in Figure 2, except that gun 1 is connected to an open water source and gun 101 is indirectly attached to a closed water source. Thus, the description below as to Figure 2 applies to all aspects of the Figure 1 water gun 1 except for the water source arrange~entO
Referring now to Figure 2~ there is shown a side view partially in vertical cross section of water gun 101 with most parts the same as water gun 1 of Figure 1 with like parts like numbered. Thus, the inner ~:
workings of present invention water guns can best be visualized and explained in discussing Pigure 2.
Water 35 is placed within water storage reservoix 38 ~pre~erably as well as in a second water ~torage reservoir not shown in this ~igure because it is , , , 24 ~ 7 ~
behind reservoir 38 in this side ~iew). The water 35 is introduced by being poured through the filling port and cap assembly 83. Alternatively, filling port and cap assembly 83 could be eliminated and reservoir 38 could be filled through the neck 28, by immersion in a water source and removal of base cap 27.
The water storage reservoir 38 is shown in Figure 2 as being bottle shaped, with a neck 28 having threads, as shown. ~o~ever, it should also be understood that the storage reservoir 38 oan be formed in any shape or size, as long as it is designed to hold and store water5 Support strappings 96 and 98 hold reservoir 38 to plate 94 which is attached to shoulder straps, a belt or clip 99.
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Thus, reservoir 38 may be clipped or strapped to a belt or back or leg or arm of a user, or otherwise attached to a user.
Water 35 and air from air ~pace 69 are drawn from the storage reservoir 38 (and from the unseen adjacent reservoir) through out~ide conduit 102, which is connected to attachment 134 and then through tube 29, tube 14, and to tube 47 that connects with the pressurized tank 3. The present invention water gun will draw either water 35 or air 69 from the storage reservoir 38, depending on the orientation of the invention when the operator draws materials from the ~torage reservoir 38. A~ water 35 and/or air S9 .-are drawn from the storage reservoir 38, a partial vacuum is produced within reservoir 3~. The vacuum . - ....... .: . . . ,:
, ....
2~27~
is ~liminated by a vent valve 84 located atop cap 83 of stora~e reservoir 38. Vent valve 84 may be a simple flap or even a small orifice, as long as air can enter the reservoir 38 and little or no water spills out. Thus, a vent valve 84 may be located on cap assembly 83 or could alternatively be located directly on storage reservoir 38.
The force drawing the water 35 or air 69 from the storage reservoir 38 is created by the mo~ement of the pi.ston 33 within its cylinder 34. The movement of the presently pref~rred piston 33 within the cylinder 34 has two-cycle strokes, ~ priming stroke where water 35 is drawn forth from the water storage reservoir 33, and/or air is drawn from th~
: 15 water 6torage reservoix 3B or the ambient atmosphere æ~r~
~27-through vent valve 19, and a compression stroke wherein water 35 and/or air 69 ar~ displaced by the piston 33. In one p.referred embodimentr ~he priming stroke starts when the piston 33 is retreated within its cylinder 34 (toward the front or left side, in ~igure 2), creating an expanding volume chamber 15.
The vacuum created by the expanding chamber 15, draws water 35 and/or air 6~ through the conduit 102 and tube 29 and into the chamber 15. The flow o~ water 35 and/or air 69 into the expanding chamber 15 opens a one-way valve tha~ is normalIy biased in a closed position~
The one-way valve that is shown in Figure 2 consists of a ball 30 that is biased against an elastomeric seal 11 by a spring 13. As a ~acuum is ~ - ,, : ,:', , . ,1. , ' ~ ' ~
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created by the piston 33, the force of the spring 13 is overcome and the ball 30 drops away from the elastomeric seal 11, allowing water and~or air to pass. As the piston 33 is advanced within its cylinder 34 (to the rear of the water gun or the right in Figure 2), the compression stroke begins and pressure is placed on the water or air now within the chamber. The air i5 compressed, closing the one-way valve by assisting the spring 13 to push the ball 30 against its seal 11. Although a ball and seal one-way valve is illust:rated, it should be understood thzt any type of a one-way valve would work within the present invention as long as the valve made a seal that i~ both airtight and watertight.
The compression stroke created by the `~
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advancement of the piston 33 within the cylinder 34 (to the rear or the right in Figure 2~ causes pressure to he put on the water 35 and/or air 69 within the chamber 15. The pressuri2ed water and/or air, as a result of the diminishing volume of the compression stroke of the chamber 15, opens a second one-~ay valve that leads to the pressurized tank 3 through tubes or conduits 47 and 4~. As the piston 33 is reciprocated within its cylinder 34, water 35 and/or air 69 is repeatedly drawn through the outside ;
conduit 102 from the storage reservoir 38 or other remote source and deposited into the pressurized tank 3. As more and more water and/or air is drawn and forced into the pressurized tank 3, the air pressure within pre~urized tank 3 increases until the force ,: , -, : , . . . .
' -~2~
used to drive the piston 33 can no longer overcome ~he stored pressure, or until thle pressure is raleased through the safety valve 63, normally actuated by the triqger 65.
The movement of the piston 33 within cylinder 34 draws wa~er and/or air from storage reservoir 38 and the ~ent valve 19 into tube 29. However, when the storage reservoir 38 is positioned so that the air wikhin the storage reser~oir 38 is in contact with the neck 28, the mo~ement of the piston 33 wil~ dr~w - .
air into the pumping chamber 15. When the pumping chamber 15 is compressed, the air will become pressurized and flow into the pressurized tank 3 increasing an air ~ushion in air space 92 in the pressurized tank 3, while increasing the pressure on the water but not increasing the volume of any water 91 present within the pressurized tank 3. By having a pumping action that can introduce both air and water 91 into the pressurized tank 3, the pressure of the air can be increased above that available by an air pumping system alone bec~use of the relative inefficiency of an air pump. The pumping of water is more efficient than that of air because of the incompressibility of liquids. Therefore the work available from the pumping system is maximi~ed when used to pump water against an air cushion.
The opeFakion of the pumping action is achieved by the piston 33 being driven by a piston rod 31 that i~ affixed to a handle 73. The handle 731 a~ shown in this embodimentl is slidably attached to the ; .
~2 ~
barrel 81. As the handle 73 is manually reciprocated along the barrel 81, the motion is transferred to the piston 33, creating the desired pumping effect.
Although a linear pumping action is shown, it should be understood that a variety of orientations and mult.iple linkage configurations could be manipulated by a user to create the desired pumping motion.
Once the desired pressure is obtained within the pressurized tank 3, the water 91, pressuriæed by the compressed air in space 92, is discharged by selectively opening an exit orifice to the surrounding ambient atmosphere. The pressure differential between the ambient atmosph~re and the air in space 92 causes the water 91 to stream out.
In the shown embodiment of the present inventiorl, the - , ~ , : ..
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~27~
pathway connecting the pressurize!d tank 3 to the ambient atmosphere is a series of tubes or conduits, an exit tube 67, at least a porti.on o~ which LS
preferably flexible, pump connection tube 47 and elbow tube 45. As water and/or air lea~es the pumping chamber 15, it passes by a one-way valve 43 and into a T-shaped connection 53. The T-shaped connection 53 on one side attaches to the flexible exit tube 67, and on the other side attaches to connection tube 47. As w~ter and/or air i~ forced into the T-shaped connection 53, the water and/or air tries to enter both the exit tube 67 and the connection tube 47. However, the flexible portion of the exit tube 67 is closed by the trigger actuated pinch valve 63, leaving the connection tube 47 as the . .
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, . .~, " . , .
, .. :
, . ~. :
only pathway through which the water may pass. The connection tube 47 leads to the pressuri~ed tank 3 through elbow 45, consequently all air and~or water expelled by the pump is led into the pressurized tank 3. When pressurized water 91, stored within the pressurized tank 3 is to be discharged, the trigger 65 is depressed. The trigger 65 may be formed with a pinch bar 63 that is biased against the exit tube 67 by a spring 57, e.g. a leaf spring, a compression spring, an extension spring or the like. As the trigger 65 is depressed, the bias of the spring 57 is overcome and the pinch bar 63 is lifted away from the exit tuhe 67. With the exit tube 67 open, the integrity of the pressurized tank 3 is now breached and the pressurized water 91 is offered an avenue o~
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escape to the ambient atmosphere. The pressure differential between the pressuriæed air within air ;
space 92 above water 91 in tank 3 and the ambient atmosphere causes the water 91 to flow back out through the elbow 45, through the connection tube 47, through the T-shaped connection 53 and through the exit tube 67, until the water 91 is discharged through the exit orifice 75 formed at the end of the exit tube 67~
The amount of pressurized water 91 being discharged through exit orifice 75 is controlled by the user in a variety of ways. A user can control the amount of water discharged ~y controlling the depression of the krigger 65. If the trigger 65 is depressed and left in that position, the pressurized ,, . . - , .
~2~
~36-water 91 will be discharged until the pressurized tank 3 is empty, or until the pressure of the compressed air in air space 92 e~uals that o the ambient air. The user may choose to discharge the pressurized water 91 selectively, depressing the trigger 65 for short periods o~ time, resultîng in numerous shots being allowed before the pressurized tank 3 needs to be refilled or repressurized. A user may also choose to vary the pressure and amoun~ of water being discharged by selectively adding the air within pressurized tank 3. The more air is ad~ed, the larger the air cushion the and longer the invention may propel water. The use of two or more ~, storage reservoirs, such as reservoir 38, permits the user to carry at Ieast twice the Gapacity of a single 2 ~
rPservoir and thus longer opera~ion before going back to the water source, such as a sink faucet, hose, etc. When the Figure 1 embodiment, toy gun 1, is used, an "infinite~ supply of water is drawn from the remote source.
As m~ntioned, the present invention water gun lO1 is operated by selectively releasing the pressurized water 91 through a narrow nozzle 75. The selective release of the pressurized water is controlled by the trigger mechanism of the water gun.
Since the present invention has the ability to operate at high pressures, the trigger release mechanism performs two functions. First, it controls the amount of water released, and second, the trigger mechanism serves as a safety valve. The presently :
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2~
preferred trigger 65 of the present invention has a spring biased pinch bar valve 63 that pinches the ~ :
tube e~it 67 for the pressurizerl water 91 against a stop 59 that is part of the maln housing.
The pinch bar 63 is biased against the stop S9 by a calibrated spring 57. The spring 57 is held at ~ :
one end by a formation 55 of the main housing.
The strength of the spring 57 in it3 biased configuration is calibrated, so that when the pressure of water 91 within the exit tube 67 reaches a predetermlned maximum value, the spring 57 will allow the pinch bar 63 to rise and water will be released until a safe pressure is maintained~
Thus, th~ predetermined maximum value for the yielding o~ the spring 57 ~r other release mean~ may -39~
preferably be between about 50 pounds per square inch and about 9 0 pounds per square inch. Other predetenmined pressures o higher or lower value, e.g. about 100 pounds per square inch, may be used depending upon the particular components and specific configuration of a particular embodiment.
The above Figures show only selected embodiments of the present invention~ and although these figures show preferred embodiments of the invention, it should be und rstood that the present invention can be practiced in many forms other than those ~hown.
The basis of the present invention is a remote .
container, reservoir or tank design with ex~ra tank capacity (and an almost unlimited supply of water where a pool, pond, lake, stream, etc, type of large :; , . . ~. - :
- .: . : .
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2~7~
volume water source is used), that uses a manual water pump and a series of one-way valves and tubes to draw ambient water from at least one remote s torage reservoir, pumping said water into at least one pressurized tank, where it is pressurized against an air cushion, and di~charge that water ~electively to the ambisnt atmosphere. The illustrated embodiments shown in the Figures are designs for the present invention which are both efficient and inexpensive to manufacture. It should therefore be ~.
understood that in light of the appended claims, that the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described, and individual parts may be modified or connected in orientations other than those shown.
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~ater 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 the following:
UO S. Patent Number 4,214,674 to Jones et al, 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.
United States Patent No. 4,239,129 to Gary F.
Espositc describes a water pistol andJor flashlight - ~ . . . . ....... ........... . . . .
~ . ~ . , , ~ r~
structure which includes a reciprocal pump withi.n the gun housing. The pump is used to pressurize air within the tank after water has been added, and a trigger is used for subsequent release of the w~ter.
Battery operated lights and sound are also provided.
United States Patent No~ 3, 578, 789, issue~ to Giampiero Ferri, describes a water pistol which includes a main liquid reservoir and a pressurized liquid reservoir co~tained within the main liquid reservoir. A trigger-actuated pump is used with a manually operated three way valve to selectively supply liquid: (a) from the pump to the pressurized reservoir; (b) from the pump to the nozzle and to the pressurized liquid reservoir; or, (c) from the pump to both the pressurized liquid reservoir and the .
.
nozzle~ The Ferri water gun is limited in many ways as compared to the present invention. Ferri does not have a ~eparate hand pump but relies only upon the krigger as a pump (limited to finger pumping~. Ferri requires manual val~e switching with complicated steps not easily performed by young children. Ferri has limited liquid capacity as the main liquid reservoir is inside the housing (handle) and i~ very limited in pressurized tank capacity as the ~erri pressurized tank is within the main liquid reservoir.
Thus, although prior art does show toy water guns that have collapsible water chambers and self-contained pumping means, the prior art neith~r teaches nor suggests a toy water gun that uses a self contained, hand operated water pumping device to : . , ,. , . : , . .
-8- 2~7 S~
draw both water and air or either from at least one remote source, to pressurize air with the water dxawn, and to store the pressurized air and water in at least one pressurized tank, where it can accumulate until discharged. Additionally, the safety of the invention is assured by a triggering device that automatically and safely discharges pressurized water when over pressurized, until the maximum allowable pressure is reached.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present in~ention is a toy water gun having a housing with extending handle, trigger and barrel.
The water gun is connected to at least one remote water source external from and indirectly connected to the housing. The indirect connection is by tubing : ' : :
~ ~.3 ~
or hosing external of said housing and having a vent ;~
to surrounding ambient atmosphere so air may enter therethrough. Also included is a pressurized air and water storage tank external from and connected to the S housing. The pressurized tank has only one orifice between said pressurized tank and said housing through which all liquids and gasses pass. There i5 also a pumping means for withdrawing air or water from the remote source or sources, and for depositing the withdrawn air or water into the pressurized tank.
A plurality of one-way flow ~alves are included wherein at least one one-way flow valve prohibits water and air from flowing from the pressurized tank to the pumping means, at lea5t one said one-way flow valYe prohibits water and air from flowing from the ~ ~ ~ 2 ~ ~
-10- :
pumping means to the remote source or sources of air and water. There is a nozzle with a narrow orifice therethrough, which affixed to the end of said barrel and an avenue of release connecting the nozzle to the pressuri~ed tank. There is also a controlling means for regulating the flow of water and air through the avenue of release, the controlling means being actuatable by.the triyger.
~RIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE R~WINGS
The invention will be more fully understood by r~ferring to the following detailed specification t the above speci~ication and the claims set forth herein, when taken .in connection with the drawings appended hereto, wherein:
Fiyure 1 shows a perspective view of one ~: :
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~: :
preferred embo~iment of the present invention; and, Figure 2 shows a partially fxagmen~ed side view of a different preferred embodiment of the pres~nt invention, illustrating the ~laimed inner mechanisms.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTI3~1 The present invention is t as mentioned, directed ..
toward a toy water gun that uses a manually operated pump to draw water and/or air, and then pressurize the air to exert pressure on the water, storing the water and air under pressure until selectively discharged. The science of pressurized water toys is ' . ' not new, and over the years many different designs ha~e been developed utilizing a pumping action to pressurize water. As applied to the art of toy water ` ~:
squirt guns, the most common type of deYice involves 12 ~2 ~
a two-stroke pump, wherein the pump draws water into a chamber through a large orifice duriny the priming stroke, and forces water out of the chamber through a very narrow orifice during the compression stroke.
This simple system for~s the basis of thousands of devlces in addition to water guns, such as non-aerosol dispe~sing devices for hair spray, perfume, window cleaner, and countless other products that are dispensed in a narrow stream or mist.
The problem with simple two-stroke squirting systems is that the amount of liquid that can be expelled i~ limited to a single volume o~ the compressible area; also, the pressure of the liquid exiting the device is dependent directly upon the force being applied dl~ring the time of expulsion.
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~3æ~
Consequently, when water is squirted in this manner, only a small volume is released with each pumping action. When ~ttempts are made to increase the amount of water propelled by increasing the volume of the compressible area, the pumping action cannot displace the water at a high pressure, resulting in expulsion of water at low pressures.
Water guns advantageously involve s~uirting large volumes of water at high pressures. The higher the pxessure, the longer the distance the water can be propelled, thus increasing the range and power of the water gun. The present invention water gun uses a two-stroke pump to store and pressurize large ~' amounts of water. The present invention draws air from the surrounding ambient environment and a . . : : , : . : ~,. . : .
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7~
predetermined volume of water from a remote source, pressurizes air with the drawn water and deposits the pressurized air and water in at least one storage tank, herein referred to as a ~'pressurized tank", ~.
where it remains under pressure. As more ~nd more water and/or air are drawn, pressurized and deposited within the pressuriæed tank, the volume and the pressure on the stored water increases, compressing the air withi.n the pressurized tank. The water propelled by the compressed air can then be selectively released through a narrow orifice, creating a stre~m of propelled water. The pressurized tank sy~tem of the present invention allows the user of the invention to determine the volume and pressure of the water to be discharged, ,. - :: ~
and also allows a user to refill and replace the ~ater from a remote source without disabling the water gun~s ability to discharge water. The pressurized tank system gi~es the water guns of the present invention a variety of firing characteristics that are unique in the art of toy water guns, allowing an operator to choose and adjust the range and power of the water gun. By having at least one pressurized tank, and possibly two or more of such ~ :
pressurized tanks, sufficient or increased storage for more shots, and increased pressurized wate~ for longer duration shots, are achie~ed.
The present in~ention also has other advanta~es o~er many other pressurized container water guns, in that, instead of pumping air into a chamber that , ., . ,, , , ., .-, . .
f'~ ~ ~
already contains water~ the present invention pumps water or air or water and air (hereinafter "water and/or air"J into a chamber containing air. The pumping of water is more efficient than the pumping of air, thus less pumping strokes ar~ required and higher pressures are easier to achieve.
When designing toys involving pressurized air and water, one consideration i5 that of safety. Toys are designed to be inexpensive so as to be widely marketable. As such, most toys are made of plastics or other inexpensive materials. Such materials do not have large tensile strengths or fatigue characteristics, and therefore do not lend themselves well to containing pressurized fluids. Plastic containments of pressuri~ed liquids, if not prQperly . ~ . ,, ~ . -, ~ ,. .
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designed, can rupture and explode, causing injury.
The present invention has a unique design that allows for both the use of high pressure air and the elimination of potential rupturing hazards. The present invention, in some preferred embodiments, has one or more cylindrlcal pressurized tanks, each ~ith a single orifice or opening between the pressurized tanks and the housing of the water gun, through which water and gasses pass. The single orifice, in 10 ~ conjunction with the generous xadii used at the cylinder ends~, serve to maintain the integrity of the water tank walls and minimize the stre~s points throughout the material of the pressurized tank, :~:
thereby allowing fv= the saf~ use of pressures - :
generated by the present invention. Pressurized tanks having othe.r shapes, such as spheres~ with a minimum, and preferably, no seams, may also be used advantageously and safely with water guns of the present invention.
The present invention is thus directed to a toy water gun which is operated by drawing water from a remote source and by selectively releasing water ~rom at least one pressurized water tank. The present invention has a manually operated pump incorporated into the design~ As the pump is cycled, water and/or air are drawn from at least one remote water source and the ambient atmosphere, respectively. Once drawn, the water and/or air are forced by the pump through conduits or passages in the housing into at least one pressurized tank. As the amount of water ;, :,.
,., .:, ... .. .. .
.; ~. :, .. .: :. . ,., . :
c~
--19-- ' and/or air ~rced into the pressurized tank :~ :
increases, the pressure of the air displaced by the water within the pressurized tank increases. The pressure of the air on the water within the pressurized tank increases with each cycle ~f the pump, until the pump can no longer overcome the pressure of the air on the water within the pressurized tank. The pressurized air an~ water within the pressurized tank has an avenue of release that is re~ulated by the trigger mechanism of the invention which has a safety pressure release within its designO When no force is applied to the trigger, the pressurized water and air are held at bay with no means o~ release. When ~orce is applied to the trigger, the heavier water is first relea~ed rom the . .. .
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bottom of the pressurized tank and is channeled through a narrow nozzle. The escape of the air-pressurized water through the narrow noz21e ~reates a plurality of sequential bursts or a continuous stream of propelled water that last~ as long as the trig~er is engaged or until the pressure within the pressurized tank equals the ambient air pressure.
Ref~rring now to Figure 1, one preferred embodiment of the present invention, water ~un 1~ is shown. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the present invention water gun 1 and a remote water ;~
source 148. Gun 1 .includes pre~urized tank 3 connected to main hou~ing 60 that is shaped generally in the form of a gun having a handle 95, trigger 65 and barrel 81. There is a slider handle 73 which .. . .
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surrounds barxel 81 and is slidable toward and away from nozæle encasement 77. Slider handie 73 is connected to piston rod 31 (see Fiyure 2), which itself constitutes a portion of a pumping means for operation o~ toy gun 1. Outside conduit 138 has a connection section 134 which includes optional valving and vent means described below.
Outside conduit 138 has distal end 144 submerged in or otherwise in fluid communication with remote water source 148. In this illustration~ the remote water source 148 is in the form of a pond with land 158, as shownu However, the water source remotely located from the present invention water guns i otherwise may be lakes, swimming pools, tubs, spas, sinks, or any other open water source9 ~7hereby the ... . . .: -, ,; : ~
~2~2~
extended outside conduit is merely submerged or dropped into the remote water source. ~'urther, the present invention water gun could be used with or include an enclosed remote water source, such as one or more vats, large bottles or tank~ or other container. These may be connected indirectly throu~h coupling means ~via he outside conduit) to the water gun or not conn~cted directly to the enclosed water source by a coupling so long as there is a means of causing water to communicate between the enclosed water source and the water gun, such as a flexible conduit immersed in the water in the enclosed water source.
The internal functioning and operational aspects of the toy water gun 1 shown in Figure 1 are the same ., -23- ~ t~
as for the toy water gun 101 shown in Figure 2, except that gun 1 is connected to an open water source and gun 101 is indirectly attached to a closed water source. Thus, the description below as to Figure 2 applies to all aspects of the Figure 1 water gun 1 except for the water source arrange~entO
Referring now to Figure 2~ there is shown a side view partially in vertical cross section of water gun 101 with most parts the same as water gun 1 of Figure 1 with like parts like numbered. Thus, the inner ~:
workings of present invention water guns can best be visualized and explained in discussing Pigure 2.
Water 35 is placed within water storage reservoix 38 ~pre~erably as well as in a second water ~torage reservoir not shown in this ~igure because it is , , , 24 ~ 7 ~
behind reservoir 38 in this side ~iew). The water 35 is introduced by being poured through the filling port and cap assembly 83. Alternatively, filling port and cap assembly 83 could be eliminated and reservoir 38 could be filled through the neck 28, by immersion in a water source and removal of base cap 27.
The water storage reservoir 38 is shown in Figure 2 as being bottle shaped, with a neck 28 having threads, as shown. ~o~ever, it should also be understood that the storage reservoir 38 oan be formed in any shape or size, as long as it is designed to hold and store water5 Support strappings 96 and 98 hold reservoir 38 to plate 94 which is attached to shoulder straps, a belt or clip 99.
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Thus, reservoir 38 may be clipped or strapped to a belt or back or leg or arm of a user, or otherwise attached to a user.
Water 35 and air from air ~pace 69 are drawn from the storage reservoir 38 (and from the unseen adjacent reservoir) through out~ide conduit 102, which is connected to attachment 134 and then through tube 29, tube 14, and to tube 47 that connects with the pressurized tank 3. The present invention water gun will draw either water 35 or air 69 from the storage reservoir 38, depending on the orientation of the invention when the operator draws materials from the ~torage reservoir 38. A~ water 35 and/or air S9 .-are drawn from the storage reservoir 38, a partial vacuum is produced within reservoir 3~. The vacuum . - ....... .: . . . ,:
, ....
2~27~
is ~liminated by a vent valve 84 located atop cap 83 of stora~e reservoir 38. Vent valve 84 may be a simple flap or even a small orifice, as long as air can enter the reservoir 38 and little or no water spills out. Thus, a vent valve 84 may be located on cap assembly 83 or could alternatively be located directly on storage reservoir 38.
The force drawing the water 35 or air 69 from the storage reservoir 38 is created by the mo~ement of the pi.ston 33 within its cylinder 34. The movement of the presently pref~rred piston 33 within the cylinder 34 has two-cycle strokes, ~ priming stroke where water 35 is drawn forth from the water storage reservoir 33, and/or air is drawn from th~
: 15 water 6torage reservoix 3B or the ambient atmosphere æ~r~
~27-through vent valve 19, and a compression stroke wherein water 35 and/or air 69 ar~ displaced by the piston 33. In one p.referred embodimentr ~he priming stroke starts when the piston 33 is retreated within its cylinder 34 (toward the front or left side, in ~igure 2), creating an expanding volume chamber 15.
The vacuum created by the expanding chamber 15, draws water 35 and/or air 6~ through the conduit 102 and tube 29 and into the chamber 15. The flow o~ water 35 and/or air 69 into the expanding chamber 15 opens a one-way valve tha~ is normalIy biased in a closed position~
The one-way valve that is shown in Figure 2 consists of a ball 30 that is biased against an elastomeric seal 11 by a spring 13. As a ~acuum is ~ - ,, : ,:', , . ,1. , ' ~ ' ~
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2~ 7~
created by the piston 33, the force of the spring 13 is overcome and the ball 30 drops away from the elastomeric seal 11, allowing water and~or air to pass. As the piston 33 is advanced within its cylinder 34 (to the rear of the water gun or the right in Figure 2), the compression stroke begins and pressure is placed on the water or air now within the chamber. The air i5 compressed, closing the one-way valve by assisting the spring 13 to push the ball 30 against its seal 11. Although a ball and seal one-way valve is illust:rated, it should be understood thzt any type of a one-way valve would work within the present invention as long as the valve made a seal that i~ both airtight and watertight.
The compression stroke created by the `~
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7 ~ ~
advancement of the piston 33 within the cylinder 34 (to the rear or the right in Figure 2~ causes pressure to he put on the water 35 and/or air 69 within the chamber 15. The pressuri2ed water and/or air, as a result of the diminishing volume of the compression stroke of the chamber 15, opens a second one-~ay valve that leads to the pressurized tank 3 through tubes or conduits 47 and 4~. As the piston 33 is reciprocated within its cylinder 34, water 35 and/or air 69 is repeatedly drawn through the outside ;
conduit 102 from the storage reservoir 38 or other remote source and deposited into the pressurized tank 3. As more and more water and/or air is drawn and forced into the pressurized tank 3, the air pressure within pre~urized tank 3 increases until the force ,: , -, : , . . . .
' -~2~
used to drive the piston 33 can no longer overcome ~he stored pressure, or until thle pressure is raleased through the safety valve 63, normally actuated by the triqger 65.
The movement of the piston 33 within cylinder 34 draws wa~er and/or air from storage reservoir 38 and the ~ent valve 19 into tube 29. However, when the storage reservoir 38 is positioned so that the air wikhin the storage reser~oir 38 is in contact with the neck 28, the mo~ement of the piston 33 wil~ dr~w - .
air into the pumping chamber 15. When the pumping chamber 15 is compressed, the air will become pressurized and flow into the pressurized tank 3 increasing an air ~ushion in air space 92 in the pressurized tank 3, while increasing the pressure on the water but not increasing the volume of any water 91 present within the pressurized tank 3. By having a pumping action that can introduce both air and water 91 into the pressurized tank 3, the pressure of the air can be increased above that available by an air pumping system alone bec~use of the relative inefficiency of an air pump. The pumping of water is more efficient than that of air because of the incompressibility of liquids. Therefore the work available from the pumping system is maximi~ed when used to pump water against an air cushion.
The opeFakion of the pumping action is achieved by the piston 33 being driven by a piston rod 31 that i~ affixed to a handle 73. The handle 731 a~ shown in this embodimentl is slidably attached to the ; .
~2 ~
barrel 81. As the handle 73 is manually reciprocated along the barrel 81, the motion is transferred to the piston 33, creating the desired pumping effect.
Although a linear pumping action is shown, it should be understood that a variety of orientations and mult.iple linkage configurations could be manipulated by a user to create the desired pumping motion.
Once the desired pressure is obtained within the pressurized tank 3, the water 91, pressuriæed by the compressed air in space 92, is discharged by selectively opening an exit orifice to the surrounding ambient atmosphere. The pressure differential between the ambient atmosph~re and the air in space 92 causes the water 91 to stream out.
In the shown embodiment of the present inventiorl, the - , ~ , : ..
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~27~
pathway connecting the pressurize!d tank 3 to the ambient atmosphere is a series of tubes or conduits, an exit tube 67, at least a porti.on o~ which LS
preferably flexible, pump connection tube 47 and elbow tube 45. As water and/or air lea~es the pumping chamber 15, it passes by a one-way valve 43 and into a T-shaped connection 53. The T-shaped connection 53 on one side attaches to the flexible exit tube 67, and on the other side attaches to connection tube 47. As w~ter and/or air i~ forced into the T-shaped connection 53, the water and/or air tries to enter both the exit tube 67 and the connection tube 47. However, the flexible portion of the exit tube 67 is closed by the trigger actuated pinch valve 63, leaving the connection tube 47 as the . .
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only pathway through which the water may pass. The connection tube 47 leads to the pressuri~ed tank 3 through elbow 45, consequently all air and~or water expelled by the pump is led into the pressurized tank 3. When pressurized water 91, stored within the pressurized tank 3 is to be discharged, the trigger 65 is depressed. The trigger 65 may be formed with a pinch bar 63 that is biased against the exit tube 67 by a spring 57, e.g. a leaf spring, a compression spring, an extension spring or the like. As the trigger 65 is depressed, the bias of the spring 57 is overcome and the pinch bar 63 is lifted away from the exit tuhe 67. With the exit tube 67 open, the integrity of the pressurized tank 3 is now breached and the pressurized water 91 is offered an avenue o~
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2~3~2'~
escape to the ambient atmosphere. The pressure differential between the pressuriæed air within air ;
space 92 above water 91 in tank 3 and the ambient atmosphere causes the water 91 to flow back out through the elbow 45, through the connection tube 47, through the T-shaped connection 53 and through the exit tube 67, until the water 91 is discharged through the exit orifice 75 formed at the end of the exit tube 67~
The amount of pressurized water 91 being discharged through exit orifice 75 is controlled by the user in a variety of ways. A user can control the amount of water discharged ~y controlling the depression of the krigger 65. If the trigger 65 is depressed and left in that position, the pressurized ,, . . - , .
~2~
~36-water 91 will be discharged until the pressurized tank 3 is empty, or until the pressure of the compressed air in air space 92 e~uals that o the ambient air. The user may choose to discharge the pressurized water 91 selectively, depressing the trigger 65 for short periods o~ time, resultîng in numerous shots being allowed before the pressurized tank 3 needs to be refilled or repressurized. A user may also choose to vary the pressure and amoun~ of water being discharged by selectively adding the air within pressurized tank 3. The more air is ad~ed, the larger the air cushion the and longer the invention may propel water. The use of two or more ~, storage reservoirs, such as reservoir 38, permits the user to carry at Ieast twice the Gapacity of a single 2 ~
rPservoir and thus longer opera~ion before going back to the water source, such as a sink faucet, hose, etc. When the Figure 1 embodiment, toy gun 1, is used, an "infinite~ supply of water is drawn from the remote source.
As m~ntioned, the present invention water gun lO1 is operated by selectively releasing the pressurized water 91 through a narrow nozzle 75. The selective release of the pressurized water is controlled by the trigger mechanism of the water gun.
Since the present invention has the ability to operate at high pressures, the trigger release mechanism performs two functions. First, it controls the amount of water released, and second, the trigger mechanism serves as a safety valve. The presently :
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2~
preferred trigger 65 of the present invention has a spring biased pinch bar valve 63 that pinches the ~ :
tube e~it 67 for the pressurizerl water 91 against a stop 59 that is part of the maln housing.
The pinch bar 63 is biased against the stop S9 by a calibrated spring 57. The spring 57 is held at ~ :
one end by a formation 55 of the main housing.
The strength of the spring 57 in it3 biased configuration is calibrated, so that when the pressure of water 91 within the exit tube 67 reaches a predetermlned maximum value, the spring 57 will allow the pinch bar 63 to rise and water will be released until a safe pressure is maintained~
Thus, th~ predetermined maximum value for the yielding o~ the spring 57 ~r other release mean~ may -39~
preferably be between about 50 pounds per square inch and about 9 0 pounds per square inch. Other predetenmined pressures o higher or lower value, e.g. about 100 pounds per square inch, may be used depending upon the particular components and specific configuration of a particular embodiment.
The above Figures show only selected embodiments of the present invention~ and although these figures show preferred embodiments of the invention, it should be und rstood that the present invention can be practiced in many forms other than those ~hown.
The basis of the present invention is a remote .
container, reservoir or tank design with ex~ra tank capacity (and an almost unlimited supply of water where a pool, pond, lake, stream, etc, type of large :; , . . ~. - :
- .: . : .
; .. : . . ~ .:' .:
. . ; .:
2~7~
volume water source is used), that uses a manual water pump and a series of one-way valves and tubes to draw ambient water from at least one remote s torage reservoir, pumping said water into at least one pressurized tank, where it is pressurized against an air cushion, and di~charge that water ~electively to the ambisnt atmosphere. The illustrated embodiments shown in the Figures are designs for the present invention which are both efficient and inexpensive to manufacture. It should therefore be ~.
understood that in light of the appended claims, that the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described, and individual parts may be modified or connected in orientations other than those shown.
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Claims (28)
1. A toy water gun having a housing with extending handle, trigger and barrel, said water gun comprising:
(a) at least one water source external from, remotely located from and indirectly connectable to said housing, and at least one outside conduit external of said housing for connecting said source to said housing;
(b) at least one pressurized air and water tank external from and connected to said housing, said pressurized tank having an orifice between said pressurized tank and said housing through which all liquids and gasses pass;
(c) a pumping means for withdrawing water from said water source, air or a combination thereof, and for depositing said withdrawn air and/or water into said pressurized tank;
(d) a plurality of one-way flow valves, wherein at least one of said one-way flow valves prohibits water and air from flowing from said pressurized tank to said pumping means, at least one of said one-way flow valves prohibits water and air from flowing from said pumping means to said water source;
(e) a nozzle having a narrow orifice therethrough, said nozzle being affixed to the end of said barrel;
(f) an avenue of release connecting said nozzle to said pressurized tank; and, (g) a controlling means for regulating the flow of water and air through said avenue of release, said controlling means being actuatable by said trigger.
(a) at least one water source external from, remotely located from and indirectly connectable to said housing, and at least one outside conduit external of said housing for connecting said source to said housing;
(b) at least one pressurized air and water tank external from and connected to said housing, said pressurized tank having an orifice between said pressurized tank and said housing through which all liquids and gasses pass;
(c) a pumping means for withdrawing water from said water source, air or a combination thereof, and for depositing said withdrawn air and/or water into said pressurized tank;
(d) a plurality of one-way flow valves, wherein at least one of said one-way flow valves prohibits water and air from flowing from said pressurized tank to said pumping means, at least one of said one-way flow valves prohibits water and air from flowing from said pumping means to said water source;
(e) a nozzle having a narrow orifice therethrough, said nozzle being affixed to the end of said barrel;
(f) an avenue of release connecting said nozzle to said pressurized tank; and, (g) a controlling means for regulating the flow of water and air through said avenue of release, said controlling means being actuatable by said trigger.
2. The water gun of claim 1, wherein said pumping means is a reciprocatable piston within a cylinder, said pumping means having a priming stroke wherein said piston retreats within said cylinder, and a compression stroke wherein said piston advances within said cylinder.
3. The water gun of claim 2 wherein said piston is affixed to a rod, said rod terminating at a handle.
4. The water gun of claim 2 wherein said priming stroke of said pumping means draws water through said outside conduit from said source and/or air into said cylinder, past at least two of said one-way flow valves.
5. The water gun of claim 4 wherein said compression stroke of said pumping means forces said withdrawn water and/or air into said pressurized tank.
6. The water gun of claim 3 wherein said handle is slidably affixed to said barrel.
7. The water gun of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said avenue of release is a flexible tube.
8. The water gun of claim 7 wherein said controlling means for regulating the flow of water through said avenue of release is a spring biased pinch means that pinches a length of said flexible tube, selectively collapsing said flexible tube.
9. The water gun of claim 8 wherein said spring biased pinch means is a pinch bar having a spring bias which is overcome by a force applied to said trigger, whereby said pinch bar is formed as part of said trigger and said force applied to said trigger through a lever action causes said pinch bar to move in opposition of said spring bias.
10. The water gun of claim 8 wherein said spring biased pinch means is a pinch bar having a spring bias created by a spring having one end affixed to said housing and the other end engaging said pinch bar.
11. The water gun of claim 7 wherein said spring biased pinch means has a spring bias calibrated to yield to pressure within said avenue of release, when said pressure within said avenue of release exceeds a predetermined maximum value.
12. The water gun of claim 1 wherein said at least one water source is at least one refillable tank connected to said outside conduit.
13. The water gun of claim 12 having at least two refillable tanks as water sources.
14. The water gun of claim 12 wherein said refillable tank is in the form of a pack attachable to a user.
15. The water gun of claim 1 having at least two pressurized tanks.
16. A toy water gun having a housing with extending handle, trigger and barrel, said water gun comprising:
(a) at least one outside conduit external of said housing connecting said housing to a remote source of water;
(b) at least one pressurized air and water tank external from and connected to said housing, said pressurized tank having only one orifice between said pressurized tank and said housing through which all liquids and gasses pass;
(c) a pumping means for withdrawing water from a remote water source, air or a combination thereof, and for depositing said withdrawn air and/or water into said pressurized tank;
(d) a plurality of one-way flow valves, wherein at least one of said one-way flow valves prohibits water and air from flowing from said pressurized tank to said pumping means, at least one of said one-way flow valves prohibits water and air from flowing from said pumping means to a remote water source;
(e) a nozzle having a narrow orifice therethrough, said nozzle being affixed to the end of said barrel;
(f) an avenue of release connecting said nozzle to said pressurized tank; and, (g) a controlling means for regulating the flow of water and air through said avenue of release, said controlling means being actuatable by said trigger.
(a) at least one outside conduit external of said housing connecting said housing to a remote source of water;
(b) at least one pressurized air and water tank external from and connected to said housing, said pressurized tank having only one orifice between said pressurized tank and said housing through which all liquids and gasses pass;
(c) a pumping means for withdrawing water from a remote water source, air or a combination thereof, and for depositing said withdrawn air and/or water into said pressurized tank;
(d) a plurality of one-way flow valves, wherein at least one of said one-way flow valves prohibits water and air from flowing from said pressurized tank to said pumping means, at least one of said one-way flow valves prohibits water and air from flowing from said pumping means to a remote water source;
(e) a nozzle having a narrow orifice therethrough, said nozzle being affixed to the end of said barrel;
(f) an avenue of release connecting said nozzle to said pressurized tank; and, (g) a controlling means for regulating the flow of water and air through said avenue of release, said controlling means being actuatable by said trigger.
17. The water gun of claim 16 wherein said pumping means is a reciprocatable piston within a cylinder, said pumping means having a priming stroke wherein said piston retreats within said cylinder, and a compression stroke wherein said piston advances within said cylinder.
18. The water gun of claim 17 wherein said piston is affixed to a rod, said rod terminating at a handle.
19. The water gun of claim 17 wherein said priming stroke of said pumping means draws water through said outside conduit from said remote water source and/or air into said cylinder, past at least two of said one-way flow valves.
20. The water gun of claim 19 wherein said compression stroke of said pumping means forces said withdrawn water and/or air into said pressurized tank.
21. The water gun of claim 18 wherein said handle is slidably affixed to said barrel.
22. The water gun of claim 16 wherein at least a portion of said avenue of release is a flexible tube.
23. The water gun of claim 22 wherein said controlling means for regulating the flow of water through said avenue of release is a spring biased pinch means that pinches a length of said flexible tube, selectively collapsing said flexible tube.
24. The water gun of claim 23 wherein said spring biased pinch means is a pinch bar having a spring bias which is overcome by a force applied to said trigger, whereby said pinch bar is formed as part of said trigger and said force applied to said trigger through lever action causes said pinch bar to move in opposition of spring bias.
25. The water gun of claim 23 wherein said spring biased pinch means is a pinch bar having a spring bias created by a spring having one end affixed to said housing and the other end engaging said pinch bar.
26. The water gun of claim 22 wherein said spring biased pinch means has a spring bias calibrated to yield to pressure within said avenue of release, when said pressure within said avenue of release exceeds a predetermined maximum value.
27. The water gun of claim 16 wherein said at least one water source is an open, independent water source.
28. The water gun of claim 16 having at least two pressurized tanks.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US90201492A | 1992-06-22 | 1992-06-22 | |
| US07/902,014 | 1992-06-22 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2092759A1 true CA2092759A1 (en) | 1993-12-23 |
Family
ID=25415185
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2092759 Abandoned CA2092759A1 (en) | 1992-06-22 | 1993-03-26 | Hand pump water gun with remote water source |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU3966193A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2092759A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1994000208A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5667419A (en) * | 1995-05-01 | 1997-09-16 | Spector; Donald | Water-pistol and animal figure assembly |
| FR2770833B1 (en) * | 1997-11-10 | 2000-01-07 | Techniplast | DEVICE FOR DISPENSING FLUID OR PASTY PRODUCT |
| NZ519481A (en) * | 1999-12-08 | 2004-02-27 | Oms Investments Inc | Hand holdable pump spray apparatus |
| CN107044799A (en) * | 2017-05-23 | 2017-08-15 | 山东英才学院 | A kind of children use Multifunctional toy hydraulic giant |
| GB2615779B (en) * | 2022-02-17 | 2024-04-17 | Maze Green Ltd | A misting system |
Family Cites Families (13)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2589977A (en) * | 1949-11-18 | 1952-03-18 | Stelzer Jack | Water gun |
| US3193070A (en) * | 1960-07-11 | 1965-07-06 | Crystal Ind Services Inc | Automatic shop towel dispenser |
| US4214674A (en) * | 1978-05-30 | 1980-07-29 | California R & D Center | Hydro pistol with pressurized water container and with variable water ejection capability |
| US4239129A (en) * | 1978-11-29 | 1980-12-16 | Esposito Gary F | Water pistol and/or flashlight structure |
| US4578789A (en) * | 1982-11-30 | 1986-03-25 | Itt Corporation | Simultaneous voice and data communication and data base access in a switching system using a tone bus or broadcast mode |
| CA1260888A (en) * | 1985-02-08 | 1989-09-26 | Stanley D. Carter | Firefighting back tank and pump |
| US4735239A (en) * | 1986-09-19 | 1988-04-05 | Water Weenies, Inc. | Liquid projecting device |
| US4854480A (en) * | 1988-01-04 | 1989-08-08 | Shindo Robert S | Long range trigger-actuated squirt gun |
| AU6242690A (en) * | 1989-09-22 | 1991-03-28 | Poolmaster, Inc. | Inflatable human support structure with liquid squirter |
| GB2249268B (en) * | 1990-09-06 | 1994-08-03 | Lonnie George Johnson | Double tank pinch trigger pump water gun |
| US5074437B1 (en) * | 1990-09-06 | 1997-12-16 | Larami Limited | Pinch trigger pump water gun |
| US5184756A (en) * | 1991-07-18 | 1993-02-09 | Talk To Me Products, Inc. | Flywheel water gun |
| US5184755A (en) * | 1991-12-11 | 1993-02-09 | Lanard Toys Limited | Toy water gun utilizing an air pressure pump |
-
1993
- 1993-03-23 AU AU39661/93A patent/AU3966193A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1993-03-23 WO PCT/US1993/002467 patent/WO1994000208A1/en active Application Filing
- 1993-03-26 CA CA 2092759 patent/CA2092759A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO1994000208A1 (en) | 1994-01-06 |
| AU3966193A (en) | 1994-01-24 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |