US20020016127A1

US20020016127A1 - Water gun having pump with internal passageway

Info

Publication number: US20020016127A1
Application number: US09/882,903
Authority: US
Inventors: George Skinner; Jay Campbell
Original assignee: Larami Ltd
Current assignee: Larami Ltd
Priority date: 2000-06-16
Filing date: 2001-06-15
Publication date: 2002-02-07
Also published as: AU2001266928A1; WO2001098726A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for discharging a fluid under pressure comprising: an intake port for receiving fluid from a source of receiving fluid; a pressurizable tank for fluid storage; a discharge port; a pump assembly having a first passageway in fluid communication with the intake port and the tank and a second passageway in fluid communication with the tank and the discharge port, the pump assembly being operable to pressurize the fluid in the tank; and an actuator associated with the discharge port to allow pressurized fluid to be discharged selectively through the discharge port. Preferably, the discharge device is in the form of a toy water gun having one or two discharge ports.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is entitled to priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/212,118, filed Jun. 16, 2000.[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for discharging fluid under pressure. More particularly, the present invention relates to an air-pressurized toy water gun with an integral manually-operated pump providing an internal passageway for pressurized water that is selectively discharged from the gun.

Most traditional forms of toy water guns are pressurized by a manually operated pump. Such pump-action water guns commonly have a general gun-like-shape housing within which the pump is embodied. However, prior art water guns do not provide a passageway internal to the pump through which pressurized water may pass before being selectively discharged from the gun. Consequently, the prior art water guns require relatively large, cumbersome gun-like-shape housings to accommodate the separate structures required for a pump and a discharge passageway.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,074,437, issued to D'Andrade et al., and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, discloses a pinch trigger pump water gun which is operated by selectively releasing water from a water reservoir that is pressurized with air. A manually operated air pump incorporated into the device pressurizes the reservoir. The water gun has a general gun-like-shape housing having an extending barrel, pinch trigger and handle. Although the air pump is embodied within the gun-like-shaped housing, the pump is positioned below the barrel. A pump rod attaches the pump piston to a slider handle that travels along and is guided by the barrel. A pinchable outlet tube within the barrel provides a water passageway from the reservoir to the water gun discharge nozzle. In operation, a user holds the slider handle with one hand and the gun handle with the other. The slider handle is then moved back and forth along the length of the barrel to pressurize the reservoir. Once the reservoir is pressurized, a force applied to the trigger allows water to pass through the outlet tubing and be discharged through the nozzle.

Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,150,819, issued to Johnson et al., also assigned to the assignee of the present invention, discloses a pinch trigger pump water gun. In the Johnson, et al. disclosure, the water gun is a double tank design that uses a manual water pump to draw ambient water from one tank and pump the water into a second tank where it is pressurized against an air cushion. Although the pump is embodied within a general gun-like-shape housing, the pump is positioned above the barrel. A pump rod attaches the pump piston to a slider handle that travels along and is guided by the barrel. The water passageway from the second tank to the discharge nozzle is external to the pump and includes a flexible exit tube within the barrel and a pump connection tube.

Yet another pump water gun is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,827, issued to D'Andrade, also assigned to the assignee of the present invention. This disclosure is directed to an expandable bladder water gun that relies upon manual pumping to fill a bladder with water that will be discharged at a subsequent time by the pressure created by the elastic expansion of the bladder. The pump with the bladder adjacent thereto is embodied in a general gun-like-shape housing. The pump is connected to a tank and by a “y” tube further connected to the bladder and a connecting tube terminating at a bladder release valve. Accordingly, the water passageway from the bladder to the release valve is external to the pump.

The present invention overcomes the limitations of the inventions of the above-discussed patents by providing a water gun having a pump assembly featuring a passageway in fluid communication with a pressurizable tank and a discharge port. The availability of such a pump assembly configuration gives designers wide latitude in selecting the gun-like-shapes for water guns. Compact designs heretofore unachievable can be realized. Reduced weight and increased structural integrity also can be realized. The complexity and number of parts can be reduced with concomitant simplification in manufacture and assembly.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention relates to a device for discharging a fluid under pressure comprising: an intake port for receiving fluid from a source of receiving fluid; a pressurizable tank for fluid storage; a discharge port; a pump assembly having a first passageway in fluid communication with the intake port and the tank and a second passageway in fluid communication with the tank and the discharge port, the pump assembly being operable to pressurize the fluid in the tank; and an actuator associated with the discharge port to allow pressurized fluid to be discharged selectively through the discharge port.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a device for discharging a fluid under pressure comprising: an intake port for receiving fluid from a source of receiving fluid; a pressurizable tank for fluid storage, wherein the tank has a sealable opening for receiving an incompressible fluid; a first discharge port and a second discharge port; a pump assembly having a first passageway in fluid communication with the intake port and the tank and a second passageway in fluid communication with the tank and the first and second discharge ports, the pump assembly being operable to pressurize the fluid in the tank; and a first actuator associated with the first discharge port to allow pressurized fluid to be discharged selectively through the first discharge port and a second actuator associated with the second discharge port to allow pressurized fluid to be discharged selectively through the second discharge port.

Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a toy water gun for discharging water under pressure comprising: an intake port for receiving air; a pressurizable tank for water storage, the tank having a sealable opening for receiving water; a discharge port; a pump assembly having a reciprocating pump, a first passageway in fluid communication with the intake port and the tank and a second passageway in fluid communication with the tank and the discharge port, the pump assembly being operable to pressurize water in the tank, wherein the reciprocating pump comprises a tubular assembly having an outer tube and an inner tube which are interconnected at one end to form an annular pumping chamber and an annular piston having a member for reciprocating movement within the annular pumping chamber, the piston having an annular seal comprising at least two compliant rings, at least one ring having slidable frictional engagement with an outer wall of the inner tube and at least one ring having slidable frictional engagement with an inner wall of the outer tube, the rings being retained on the piston within respective circumferential grooves in the piston, the member for reciprocating movement comprising a tubular member disposed between the inner and outer tubes, a first end of the tubular member being connected to the piston, a second end of the tubular member forming an extension of the second passageway; a manifold through which the first and second passageways pass, the manifold having a first one-way valve for permitting air to pass into the first passageway, a second one-way valve for permitting air to pass from the first passageway into the tank and a third one-way valve for preventing the pressure in the chamber from exceeding a predetermined value; an actuator associated with the discharge port to allow pressurized water to be discharged selectively through the discharge port, the actuator comprising a trigger assembly linked to a discharge valve in fluid communication with the discharge port; separable, reciprocable front and rear housings, the front housing being attached to the member for reciprocating movement and the rear housing being attached to the outer tube of the tubular assembly, wherein the actuator and discharge port are associated with the front housing; and a releasable retaining mechanism having a first member associated with the front housing and a second member associated the rear housing, wherein the first and second members are associated with each other such that in a first position, the first and second members are separated to permit reciprocation of the piston in the tubular assembly, and in a second position, the first and second members are interlocked to prevent reciprocation of the piston in the tubular assembly.

Still another aspect of the invention relates to a toy water gun for discharging water under pressure comprising: an intake port for receiving air; a pressurizable tank for water storage, the tank having a sealable opening for receiving water; a first discharge port and a second discharge port; a pump assembly having a reciprocating pump, a first passageway in fluid communication with the intake port and the tank and a second passageway in fluid communication with the tank and the first and second discharge ports, the pump assembly being operable to pressurize water in the tank, wherein the reciprocating pump comprises a tubular assembly having an outer tube and an inner tube which are interconnected at one end to form an annular pumping chamber and an annular piston having a member for reciprocating movement within the annular pumping chamber, the piston having an annular seal comprising at least two compliant rings, at least one ring having slidable frictional engagement with an outer wall of the inner tube and at least one ring having slidable frictional engagement with an inner wall of the outer tube, the rings being retained on the piston within respective circumferential grooves in the piston, the member for reciprocating movement comprising a tubular member disposed between the inner and outer tubes, a first end of the tubular member being connected to the piston, a second end of the tubular member forming an extension of the second passageway; a manifold through which the first and second passageways pass, the manifold having a first one-way valve for permitting air to pass into the first passageway, a second one-way valve for permitting air to pass from the first passageway into the tank and a third one-way valve for preventing the pressure in the chamber from exceeding a predetermined value; a first actuator associated with the first discharge port to allow pressurized water to be discharged selectively through the first discharge port, the first actuator comprising a first trigger assembly linked to a first discharge valve in fluid communication with the first discharge port; a second actuator associated with the second discharge port to allow pressurized water to be discharged selectively through the second discharge port, the second actuator comprising a second trigger assembly linked to a second discharge valve in fluid communication with the second discharge port; separable, reciprocable front and rear housings, the front housing being attached to the member for reciprocating movement and the rear housing being attached to the outer tube of the tubular assembly, wherein the first actuator and the first discharge port are associated with the front housing and the second actuator and the second discharge port are associated with the rear housing; and a releasable retaining mechanism having a first member associated with the front housing and a second member associated with the rear housing, wherein the first and second members are associated with each other such that in a first position, the first and second members are separated to permit reciprocation of the piston in the tubular assembly, and in a second position, the first and second members are interlocked to prevent reciprocation of the piston in the tubular assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments, which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings: [0012]
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first preferred embodiment of the invention, showing a toy water gun with two discharge ports; [0013]
FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line [0014] 2-2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of the water gun of FIG. 1, showing details of a manifold, pick-up tube, and a portion of the second actuator; [0015]
FIG. 4 is an enlarged horizontal cross-sectional view of a portion of the water gun taken along the line [0016] 4-4 of FIG. 3, showing details of the annular piston;
FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of the water gun taken along the line [0017] 5-5 of FIG. 3, showing details of the manifold and valves;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of the water gun of FIG. 3, showing details of the front housing, the first actuator and the releasable retaining mechanism; [0018]
FIG. 7 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of the water gun along the line [0019] 7-7 of FIG. 6, showing details of the releasable retaining mechanism;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of the water gun along the line [0020] 8-8 of FIG. 6, showing details of the releasable retaining mechanism; and
FIG. 9 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of another preferred embodiment of the invention, showing details of the manifold of a toy water gun having one discharge port.[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the drawings, like numerals are used to indicate like elements throughout the several views. Referring to the drawings in detail, there is shown in FIGS. 1 through 8 a fluid discharge device according to the present invention in the form of a first preferred embodiment of a toy water gun, generally designated [0022] 1 and hereinafter referred to as the “water gun” 1, with two discharge ports. While the preferred embodiments of the invention are preferably water guns pressurized with air, those skilled in the art will recognize from the present disclosure that the invention is not restricted to embodiments such as the water gun 1. Broadly, the invention pertains to numerous devices that discharge a fluid under pressure, such as devices for dispensing hair spray, perfume, window cleaner, insecticide, and countless other products that are dispensed in a fluid stream. Accordingly, although the preferred embodiments will be described as water guns, there is no intention to limit the present invention from use with other fluids. With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5, the water gun 1 includes an intake port 16, a pressurizable tank 40 for water storage, first and second discharge ports 18, 20, a pump assembly 70, a manifold 50, first and second actuators 121, 141, separable, reciprocable front and rear housings 2, 6, and a releasable retaining mechanism 10. In the first preferred embodiment, the pressurizable tank 40 for storage of fluid, and preferably water, is mounted to the rear housing 6 of the water gun. However, the only requirement is that the pressurizable tank be in fluid communication with a first passageway 22 to a fluid pump assembly 70 and with a passageway 24 leading to at least one discharge port, such as discharge ports 18 and 20. While it is preferred that the tank 40 be physically connected to the rear housing 6 of the water gun, the tank 40 may be a separate pressurizable tank or storage reservoir that is not physically connected to the housing 6. For example, the pressurizable storage tank may be a backpack or other separate component that is in fluid communication with the two passageways 22 and 24 by flexible tubing, if desired. In the first preferred embodiment of the toy water gun shown in FIGS. 1-8, the pressurizable water storage tank is generally in the shape of an ellipsoid and preferably is molded from an inelastic polymeric material. Support rings 41 can be molded or otherwise formed with or attached to the tank 40 to support clips for a carrying strap, not shown. However, those skilled in the art would recognize, in view of the present disclosure, that the tank may have any desired shape and may be made from any suitable material, including an elastic material, if desired. The tank 40 has a sealable opening, not shown, generally positioned near the top of the tank 40 to allow the tank 40 to be filled partially with water. A removable fill cap 42 is affixed, preferably via a threaded connection, to the sealable opening. Additionally, the tank 40 has a tubular male connecting protrusion 43 generally positioned near the bottom of the tank 40 to affix the tank 40 to the manifold 50, preferably via compressive insertion into the tubular female tank receiving member 52 to a penetration depth limited by a stop 46. Separation of the tubular protrusion 43 from the manifold 50 is prevented by ribs, not shown, molded into the rear housing 6 above the stop 46 and below the tank receiving member 52. The tubular protrusion 43 has a ring seal 45 retained in a detent 44 to assure that the integrity of the connection is not breached when the tank 40 is pressurized. The tubular protrusion 43 has a sufficiently large cross-sectional area to allow a pick-up tube 30 having a filter screen 32 affixed thereto to be inserted in the tank 40.
Referring to FIGS. [0023] 2-6, in the first preferred embodiment, the pump assembly 70 comprises a reciprocating pump assembly 71, a first passageway 22 and a second passageway 24, and as shown in detail in FIG. 4, the reciprocating pump assembly 71 comprises a tubular assembly 72, and an annular piston assembly 86. The tubular assembly 72 has an outer tube 73 and an inner tube 78. The outer tube 73 and inner tube 78 are interconnected via a connecting wall 56 of the manifold 50 to form an annular pumping chamber 84.
Still referring to FIG. 4, the [0024] annular piston assembly 86 has a piston 87, a member for reciprocating movement 94 disposed between the outer and inner tubes 73, 78, and an annular seal 102 preferably formed by compliant rings 104 a, b, c and d, such as natural or synthetic rubber 0-rings, retained in respective grooves 106 a, b, c and d in the piston 87. The preferred embodiment of the member for reciprocating movement 94 is a tubular member 96 which is located in the annular pumping chamber 84. Alternative structures for the member for reciprocating movement 94 include at least two, and preferably at least three rods that could replace the tubular member 96. For ease of manufacture, positive connections and greatest strength, a tubular member 96 is preferred.
In the first preferred embodiment the [0025] piston 87 has three parts: an annular piston head 88, an annular piston body 90 and an annular piston base 92. The piston base 92 is affixed to the first end 98 of the member for reciprocating movement 94 and has a circumferential groove 106 a for retaining a compliant ring 104 a having slidable frictional engagement with the inner wall 74 of the outer tube 73. The piston body 90 is affixed to the piston base 92 to form two additional circumferential grooves 106 b, 106 c. The groove 106 b retains a second compliant ring 104 b in slidable frictional engagement with the outer wall 80 of the inner tube 78 and the groove 106 c retains a third compliant ring 104 c in slidable frictional engagement with the inner wall 74 of the outer tube 73. The piston head 88 is affixed to the piston body 90 to form another circumferential groove 106 d for retaining a fourth compliant ring 104 d in slidable frictional engagement with the outer wall 80 of the inner tube 78. While only one of compliant rings 104 a and 104 c may be necessary and one of compliant rings 104 b and 104 d may be necessary, both are preferred to assure smooth, leak-free movement of the piston 87 in the pumping chamber 84.
While various components have been referred to as being “annular,” as used herein, annular means having a ring-shaped cross section, but the shape of the cross section could be a shape other than a circle, although a circular cross-sectional shape is preferred. The annular cross sectional shape could be any polygonal shape if desired. [0026]
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the [0027] first passageway 22 is in fluid communication with the pressurizable tank 40 and the intake port 16, which is preferably an air intake port, although the intake port 16 could be connected to a source of liquid or other incompressible fluid, preferably water. For ease of description, the first preferred embodiment will be described as including an air intake port for intake port 16. The first passageway 22 extends from the air intake port 16 through a first one-way valve 57 of the manifold 50 to the annular pumping chamber 84 and from the pumping chamber 84 through the second one-way valve 58 of the manifold 50 to the pressurizable tank 40. Those skilled in the art would recognize from the present disclosure that the fluid communication provided by the first passageway is not restricted to embodiments having the manifold 50.
Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and [0028] 6, the second passageway 24 is in fluid communication with the pressurizable tank 40 and the first and second discharge ports 18, 20. The second passageway 24 extends from the pressurizable tank 40 through the pick-up tube 30 to the inner tube 78 of the tubular assembly 72 of the reciprocating pump 71 via the manifold 50, and further extends through a second end 100 of the member for reciprocating movement 94, a first connecting tube 26 and a first discharge valve 123 to the first discharge port 18. Additionally, in the first preferred embodiment, the second passageway 24 extends from the manifold 50 via a second connecting tube 28 and a second discharge valve 143 to the second discharge port 20. Those skilled in the art would recognize from the present disclosure that the fluid communication provided by the second passageway is not restricted to embodiments having a pick-up tube 30, a manifold 50, first and second connecting tubes 26, 28 or first and second discharge valves 123, 143.
Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, a vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of the water gun taken along the line [0029] 5-5 of FIG. 3, in a preferred embodiment, the first and second passageways pass through a manifold 50. The manifold 50 has a tubular female pick-up tube receiving member 51 to which the pick-up tube 30 is preferably affixed, such as adhesively, to the receiving member 51. The manifold 50 also has a tubular female tank receiving member 52 to which the pressurizable tank 40 is affixed, preferably by compressively inserting thereinto the tubular male connecting protrusion 43. The manifold 50 further includes a tubular female inner tube receiving member 53 to which the inner tube 78 of the pump assembly 70 is affixed, preferably by a suitable adhesive, a tubular female outer tube receiving member 54 to which the outer tube 73 of the pump assembly 70 is affixed, preferably also by a suitable adhesive, and a tubular female connecting tube receiving member 55 to which the second connecting tube 28 is affixed, again preferably by a suitable adhesive. Additionally, the manifold 50 has a first one-way valve, rubber diaphragm valve 57, biased in a normally closed position for permitting air or other fluid to pass into the first passageway 22, a second one-way spring valve 58 biased in a normally closed position for permitting air to pass from the first passageway 22 into the pressurizable tank 40, and a third one-way, pressure relief spring valve 59 biased to a normally closed position, for preventing the pressure in the pumping chamber 84 from exceeding a predetermined pressure.
As shown in detail in FIG. 6, the [0030] first actuator 121 comprises a first discharge valve 123 and a first trigger assembly 127. The first discharge valve 123 is located in the front housing 2 at the front of the water gun 1 and is connected to the pressurizable tank 40 via the second passageway 24 which includes a first connecting tube 26 extending between the first discharge valve 123 and the tube 96 forming the member for reciprocating movement 94. The first discharge valve 123 is similar to the release valve disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,827, issued Sep. 1, 1998, which is incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth. A first discharge valve stem 125 extends from the first discharge valve 123 for opening the first discharge valve 123 to discharge water or any other desired fluid from the first discharge port 18 which is located at the front of the front housing 2 and in communication with the first discharge valve 123. The first discharge valve 123 is actuated by a first trigger assembly 127 which is attached to the front housing 2 adjacent to the first handle 4. The first trigger assembly 127 has a first trigger 129 that is biased to a first position via a first trigger spring 131 and is connected by a first trigger member 133 to a first slidable tube 135 which is connected by a first trigger link 137 to the first discharge valve stem 125. The first slidable tube 135 surrounds the first connecting tube 26 and has first trigger rollers 139 a and 139 b located at the front and rear of the first slidable tube 135. The front rollers 139 a roll on roller support 134 affixed to the front housing. The rear rollers 139 b roll on the outer surface 27 of the first connecting tube 26. Movement of the first trigger 129 causes the first discharge valve stem 125 of the first discharge valve 123 to be retracted, opening the first discharge valve 123 and thereby regulating a discharge from the pressurizable tank 40 which is ejected from the water gun 1 as a stream of fluid from the first discharge port 18. However, those skilled in the art would recognize from the present disclosure that other types of actuators, such as a pinched-tube valve and trigger, may be used and that the present invention is not limited to the specific actuator disclosed.
As shown in detail in FIGS. 2 and 3, the [0031] second actuator 141 comprises a second discharge valve 143 and a second trigger assembly 147. The second discharge valve 143 is located in the rear housing 6 at the rear of the water gun 1 and is connected to the pressurizable tank 40 via the second passageway 24 which includes a second connecting pipe 28 extending between the second discharge valve 143 and the manifold 50. The second discharge valve 143 is similar to the release valve disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,827. A second discharge valve stem 145 extends from the second discharge valve 143 for opening the second discharge valve 143 to discharge water or any other desired fluid from the second discharge port 20 which is located at the rear of the rear housing 6 and in communication with the second discharge valve 143. The second discharge valve 143 is actuated by a second trigger assembly 147 which is attached to the rear housing 6 adjacent to the second handle 8. The second trigger assembly 147 has a second trigger 149 that is biased to a first position via a second trigger spring 151 and is connected by a second trigger member 153 to a second slidable tube 155 and to a second trigger link 157, which in turn is connected by a slidable tube assembly 161 to the second discharge valve stem 145. The second slidable tube 155 surrounds the outer tube 73 of the pump assembly 70 and has front and rear second trigger rollers 159 a and 159 b that roll on the outer wall 76 of the outer tube 73. The slidable tube assembly 161 has a third slidable tube 163 which surrounds the second connecting tube 28 and has opposed front and rear slidable tube assembly rollers 169 a and 169 b that roll on the outer surface 29 of the second connecting tube 28. The slidable tube assembly 161 also includes an arm 165 to which the second trigger link 157 is attached. The arm 165 has a cam 167 through which the second discharge valve stem 145 passes. Movement of the second trigger 149 in the forward direction causes the second discharge valve stem 145 of the second discharge valve 143 to be retracted, opening the second discharge valve 143 and thereby regulating a discharge from the pressurized tank 40 which is ejected from the water gun as a stream of fluid from the second discharge port 20. However, those skilled in the art would recognize from the present disclosure that other types of actuators, such as a pinched tube valve and trigger, may be used and that the present invention is not limited to the specific actuator disclosed.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 6, the [0032] front housing 2 and the rear housing 6 are separable and reciprocable. The front and rear housings 2, 6 have first and second handles 4, 8 respectively. The front housing 2 is affixed to the member for reciprocating movement 94 of the pump assembly 70. The first actuator assembly 121 and the first discharge port 18 are embodied within the front housing 2. The rear housing 6 is affixed to the outer tube 73 of the pump assembly 70. The second actuator assembly 141 and the second discharge port 20 are embodied within the rear housing 6. The front and rear housings 2, 6 have a releasable retaining mechanism 10. The retaining mechanism 10 has a first member 12 associated with the front housing 2 and a second member 14 associated with the rear housing 6. Additionally referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, in a first position, the first and second members 12, 14 are rotationally separated to permit reciprocation of the piston assembly 86 within the tubular assembly 72 of the pump assembly 70. In a second position, the first and second members 12, 14 are interlocked to prevent reciprocation of the piston assembly 86 in the tubular assembly 72. If the tubular assembly is not in the form of cylindrical tubes, but of tubes of polygonal cross-section, the front handle 4 and front housing 2 should be constructed to rotate in a manner to allow disengagement and reengagement of the first and second member 12, 14 of the releasable retaining mechanism 10. Alternatively, a different form of retaining mechanism could be used, such as a latch mechanism, a hook and eyelet mechanism or the like.
A second preferred embodiment of the invention is a toy water gun having only one discharge port. The second preferred embodiment is substantially similar in features and details to the embodiment shown in FIGS. [0033] 1-8 and discussed above. FIG. 9 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of the second preferred embodiment showing the differences between the first and second embodiments, wherein selected identified like elements between the two embodiments are identified by primed reference numerals. The second embodiment does not include the second discharge port 20, the second connecting tube 28 and the second actuator assembly 141 and associated components. Additionally, the manifold 50 is reconfigured. Referring to FIG. 9, in the second preferred embodiment, in lieu of the tubular female connecting tube receiving member 55 shown in FIG. 3, the manifold 50′ has a plugging wall 60 which extends from the tubular female tank receiving member 53′ to the connecting wall 56′.
In operation of the first embodiment in FIGS. [0034] 1-8, the user initially charges the water gun 1 with water by removing the filler cap 42, partially filling the pressurizable tank 40 with water via the sealable opening and replacing the filler cap 42. The user then releases the releasable retaining mechanism 10, pressurizes the tank 40 to a desired pressure with air by operating the pump 70 and secures the retaining mechanism 10.
To release the retaining mechanism [0035] 10, the user grasps with one hand the first handle 4 of the front housing 2 and grasps with the other hand the second handle 8 of the rear housing 6 and rotates the first handle 4 with respect to the second handle 8 through an angular displacement sufficient to permit the first and second members 12, 14 of the retaining mechanism 10 to disengage. With the handles 4, 6 in this position, illustrated in phantom in FIG. 7, the user may commence pressurizing the tank 40 by reciprocating the handles 4, 6 with respect to each other.
As the [0036] first handle 4 is moved in a forward direction away from the second handle 8, the tubular member 96 for reciprocating movement, disposed between the outer and inner tubes 78, 73, further extends from the tubes 78 and 73, moving the annular piston 87 forwardly and thereby increasing the volume of the annular pumping chamber 84. Air is drawn through the intake port 16 into the first passageway 22, through the first one-way valve 57 and into the annular pumping chamber 84. The second one-way valve 58 remains in the closed position.
As the [0037] first handle 4 is moved in a rearward direction toward the second handle 8, the first one-way valve 57 closes, the volume of the pumping chamber 84 decreases, air in the pumping chamber 84 is compressed, the second one-way valve 58 opens and pressurization of the tank 40 commences. The user continues the reciprocating motion until either a desired pressure is reached in the tank 40 or the pressure in the pumping chamber 84 exceeds the pressure sufficient to open the third one-way pressure relief valve 59 at which time further reciprocating will not increase the pressure in the tank 40, and the user ceases the reciprocating motion.
Upon pressurizing the [0038] tank 40, the user interlocks the first and second members 12, 14 of the retaining mechanism 10 by moving the first handle 4 to its rear most position and rotating the first handle 4 with respect to the second handle 8 in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation for disengagement through an angular displacement sufficient to permit the first and second members 12, 14 of the retaining mechanism 10 to engage. This engaged position is illustrated by the solid lines of FIG. 7.
To selectively discharge water from the [0039] first discharge port 18, the user squeezes the first trigger 129 with the hand grasping the first handle 4. As the first trigger 129 is moved in a rearward direction, the first trigger spring 131 compresses and the first trigger member 133, the first slidable tube 135, the first trigger link 137 and the first discharge valve stem 125 move in a rearward direction, away from the first discharge valve 125, thereby opening the first discharge valve 125 and allowing water to flow from the pressurizable tank 40 into the second passageway 24, through the pick-up tube 30, the manifold 50, the inner tube 78, the extended portion of the tubular member 96, the first connecting tube 26, and the first discharge valve 123 to be ejected from the first discharge port 18. As the first trigger assembly 127 moves rearward, first trigger rollers 139 a and 139 b prevent the first slidable tube 135 as it slides along the first connecting tube 26 from binding by respectively rolling on the roller support 134 affixed to the front housing 2 and the outer surface 27 of the first connecting tube 26. Upon release of the first trigger 129, the first trigger assembly 127 and first discharge valve stem 125 return to their initial positions and the first discharge valve 123 closes, terminating the ejection of water from the first discharge port 18.
To selectively discharge water from the [0040] second discharge port 20, the user squeezes the second trigger 149 with the hand grasping the second handle 8. As the second trigger 149 is moved in a forward direction, the second trigger spring 151 compresses and the second trigger member 153 and the second slidable tube 155 move in a forward direction. The front and rear second trigger rollers 159 a, 159 b prevent the second slidable tube 155 from binding as it slides along the outer tube 73 by rolling on the outside wall 76 of the outer tube 73. As the second trigger member 153 moves in a forward direction, also moving forward are the second trigger link 157, the arm 165 and the third slidable tube 163. The front and rear slidable tube rollers 169 a, 169 b prevent the third slidable tube 163 from binding as it slides along the second connecting tube 28 by rolling on the outer wall 29 of the second connecting tube 28. As the arm 165 moves forward, the second discharge valve stem 145 follows cam 167 and accordingly moves forward, opening the second discharge valve 143 and allowing water to flow from the pressurized tank 40 into the second passageway 24, through the pickup tube 30, the manifold 50, the second connecting tube 28, and the second discharge valve 143 to be discharged from the second discharge port 20. Upon release, the second trigger 149, the second trigger assembly 147 and the second discharge valve stem 145 return to their initial position and the second discharge valve 143 closes, terminating the ejection of water from the second discharge port 20.
The operation of the second preferred embodiment, having only one discharge port and a differently configured manifold [0041] 50′, as shown in FIG. 9, is substantially similar to the operation of the first preferred embodiment in FIGS. 1-8, as described above with respect to selectively discharging water from the first discharge port 18.
In another mode of operation of the first embodiment in FIGS. [0042] 1-8, the user initially charges the water gun 1 with water by connecting the intake port 16 to a source of water. Similar to the above disclosed mode of operation, reciprocation of the handles 4, 8 with respect to each other first draws water into the annular pumping chamber 84 and then pumps the water into the pressurizable tank 40. After the tank 40 is partially filled with water, the intake port 16 is disconnected from the source of water and exposed to air and the user continues reciprocation of the handles 4, 8 to pressurize the tank 40 with air. Alternatively, if the tank 40 is made from an elastic material, air need not be used to pressurize the tank 40. While the intake port 16 still is connected to the source of water, the user continues pumping water into the tank 40, thereby storing the water in the tank 40 under pressure created by the elastic expansion of the tank 40. When the desired pressure is reached either by elastic expansion or air pressurization, water may be selectively discharged from the tank in a manner similar to the aforementioned mode for discharging water.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. [0043]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A device for discharging a fluid under pressure comprising:

an intake port for receiving fluid from a source of receiving fluid;

a pressurizable tank for fluid storage;

a discharge port;

a pump assembly having a first passageway in fluid communication with the intake port and the tank and a second passageway in fluid communication with the tank and the discharge port, the pump assembly being operable to pressurize the fluid in the tank; and

an actuator associated with the discharge port to allow pressurized fluid to be discharged selectively through the discharge port.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tank has a sealable opening for receiving an incompressible fluid and wherein the fluid being discharged is the incompressible fluid.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tank has a sealable opening for receiving an incompressible fluid, and wherein the receiving fluid being received through the intake port is compressible.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tank is inelastic and has a sealable opening for receiving an incompressible fluid.

5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tank is elastic.

6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pump assembly includes a reciprocating pump.

7. The device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the reciprocating pump comprises:

a tubular assembly having an outer tube and an inner tube which are interconnected at one end to form an annular pumping chamber; and

an annular piston assembly having a member for reciprocating movement within the annular pumping chamber, the piston having an annular seal in slidable frictional engagement with the outer and inner tubes of the annular pumping chamber.

8. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the tank has a sealable opening for receiving an incompressible fluid, and wherein the receiving fluid received through the intake port is compressible.

9. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the seal comprises at least one compliant ring having slidable frictional engagement with an outer wall of the inner tube and an inner wall of the outer tube, each ring being retained on the piston within a circumferential groove in the piston.

10. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the device includes a releasable retainer mechanism for selectively preventing reciprocation of the piston in the tubular assembly.

11. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the device includes a first one-way valve for permitting the receiving fluid to pass from the source of the receiving fluid into the first passageway, a second one-way valve for permitting the receiving fluid to pass from the first passageway into the tank and a third one-way valve for preventing the pressure in the chamber from exceeding a predetermined value.

12. The device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first, second and third one-way valves are associated with a manifold through which the first and second passageways pass.

13. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the member for reciprocating movement is a tubular member disposed between the inner and outer tubes, a first end of the tubular member being connected to the piston, a second end of the tubular member forming an extension of the second passageway.

14. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the device includes separable, reciprocable front and rear housings, the front housing being attached to the member for reciprocating movement and the rear housing being attached to the outer tube of the tubular assembly.

15. The device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the actuator and discharge port are associated with the front housing.

16. The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the actuator comprises a trigger assembly linked to a valve in fluid communication with the discharge port and the second passageway.

17. A device for discharging a fluid under pressure comprising:

an intake port for receiving fluid from a source of receiving fluid;

a pressurizable tank for fluid storage, wherein the tank has a sealable opening for receiving an incompressible fluid;

a first discharge port and a second discharge port;

a pump assembly having a first passageway in fluid communication with the intake port and the tank and a second passageway in fluid communication with the tank and the first and second discharge ports, the pump assembly being operable to pressurize the fluid in the tank; and

a first actuator associated with the first discharge port to allow pressurized fluid to be discharged selectively through the first discharge port and a second actuator associated with the second discharge port to allow pressurized fluid to be discharged selectively through the second discharge port.

18. The device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the pump assembly includes a reciprocating pump comprising a tubular assembly having an outer tube and an inner tube which are interconnected at one end to form an annular pumping chamber, and an annular piston having a member for reciprocating movement within the annular pumping chamber, the piston having an annular seal in slidable frictional engagement with the outer and inner tubes of the annular pumping chamber.

19. The device as claimed in claim 18, further comprising separable, reciprocable front and rear housings, the front housing being attached to the member for reciprocating movement and the rear housing being attached to the outer tube of the tubular assembly, wherein the first actuator and the first discharge port are associated with the front housing and the second actuator and the second discharge port are associated with the rear housing.

20. A toy water gun for discharging water under pressure comprising:

an intake port for receiving air;

a pressurizable tank for water storage, the tank having a sealable opening for receiving water;

a discharge port;

a pump assembly having a reciprocating pump, a first passageway in fluid communication with the intake port and the tank and a second passageway in fluid communication with the tank and the discharge port, the pump assembly being operable to pressurize water in the tank, wherein the reciprocating pump comprises a tubular assembly having an outer tube and an inner tube which are interconnected at one end to form an annular pumping chamber and an annular piston having a member for reciprocating movement within the annular pumping chamber, the piston having an annular seal comprising at least two compliant rings, at least one ring having slidable frictional engagement with an outer wall of the inner tube and at least one ring having slidable frictional engagement with an inner wall of the outer tube, the rings being retained on the piston within respective circumferential grooves in the piston, the member for reciprocating movement comprising a tubular member disposed between the inner and outer tubes, a first end of the tubular member being connected to the piston, a second end of the tubular member forming an extension of the second passageway;

a manifold through which the first and second passageways pass, the manifold having a first one-way valve for permitting air to pass into the first passageway, a second one-way valve for permitting air to pass from the first passageway into the tank and a third one-way valve for preventing the pressure in the chamber from exceeding a predetermined value;

an actuator associated with the discharge port to allow pressurized water to be discharged selectively through the discharge port, the actuator comprising a trigger assembly linked to a discharge valve in fluid communication with the discharge port;

separable, reciprocable front and rear housings, the front housing being attached to the member for reciprocating movement and the rear housing being attached to the outer tube of the tubular assembly, wherein the actuator and discharge port are associated with the front housing; and

a releasable retaining mechanism having a first member associated with the front housing and a second member associated the rear housing, wherein the first and second members are associated with each other such that in a first position, the first and second members are separated to permit reciprocation of the piston in the tubular assembly, and in a second position, the first and second members are interlocked to prevent reciprocation of the piston in the tubular assembly.

21. A toy water gun for discharging water under pressure comprising:

an intake port for receiving air;

a first discharge port and a second discharge port;

a pump assembly having a reciprocating pump, a first passageway in fluid communication with the intake port and the tank and a second passageway in fluid communication with the tank and the first and second discharge ports, the pump assembly being operable to pressurize water in the tank, wherein the reciprocating pump comprises a tubular assembly having an outer tube and an inner tube which are interconnected at one end to form an annular pumping chamber and an annular piston having a member for reciprocating movement within the annular pumping chamber, the piston having an annular seal comprising at least two compliant rings, at least one ring having slidable frictional engagement with an outer wall of the inner tube and at least one ring having slidable frictional engagement with an inner wall of the outer tube, the rings being retained on the piston within respective circumferential grooves in the piston, the member for reciprocating movement comprising a tubular member disposed between the inner and outer tubes, a first end of the tubular member being connected to the piston, a second end of the tubular member forming an extension of the second passageway;

a first actuator associated with the first discharge port to allow pressurized water to be discharged selectively through the first discharge port, the first actuator comprising a first trigger assembly linked to a first discharge valve in fluid communication with the first discharge port;

a second actuator associated with the second discharge port to allow pressurized water to be discharged selectively through the second discharge port, the second actuator comprising a second trigger assembly linked to a second discharge valve in fluid communication with the second discharge port;

separable, reciprocable front and rear housings, the front housing being attached to the member for reciprocating movement and the rear housing being attached to the outer tube of the tubular assembly, wherein the first actuator and the first discharge port are associated with the front housing and the second actuator and the second discharge port are associated with the rear housing; and

a releasable retaining mechanism having a first member associated with the front housing and a second member associated with the rear housing, wherein the first and second members are associated with each other such that in a first position, the first and second members are separated to permit reciprocation of the piston in the tubular assembly, and in a second position, the first and second members are interlocked to prevent reciprocation of the piston in the tubular assembly.