US20070012721A1

US20070012721A1 - Squirt guns

Info

Publication number: US20070012721A1
Application number: US11/446,338
Authority: US
Inventors: Peter Chuang; Francis Ponton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Mattel Inc
Priority date: 2005-06-03
Filing date: 2006-06-02
Publication date: 2007-01-18
Also published as: WO2006133068A3; WO2006133068A2

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a fluid squirt gun. The fluid squirt gun including a body including a first member and a second member, at least one of the members being configured to move between a first position in which the first and the second member are adjacent to each other, and a second position in which at least a portion of the first member and at least a portion of the second member are spaced from each other; a fluid output mechanism operatively attached to the body; and a trigger mechanism operatively connected to the fluid output mechanism, and configured to selectively eject one or more streams of fluid from the fluid output mechanism and to selectively move at least one of the first member and the second member between the first position and the second position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/687,367 entitled “Squirt Guns,” filed Jun. 3, 2005; U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/687,994 entitled “Squirt Guns,” filed Jun. 6, 2005; and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/688,429 entitled “Squirt Guns,” filed Jun. 7, 2005. The complete disclosure of the above applications are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is directed to toy guns capable of shooting water and/or other materials. Sometimes called squirt guns, these devices often not only shoot water, but may also use electronics for audio and/or visual devices. These devices may also be designed to take the shape of a creature in some form. Examples of squirt guns may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,814,260; 6,752,238; 6,474,507; 6,431,941; 6,412,594; 5,964,638; 5,876,995; 5,609,507; 5,433,646; 4,757,946; 4,591,071; and 4,244,138; U.S. Published Patent Application Nos. US 2005/0098577; US 2004/0111071; US 2004/0162534; US 2004/0155064; US 2003/0178439; US 2002/0092864; and US 2002/0020712; PCT Patent Application Publication Nos. WO 2004/052425 and WO 01/23059; and European Patent Nos. EP 1335175 and EP 0696932. The complete disclosures of the above patents and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Some embodiments provide a fluid squirt gun. The fluid squirt gun including a body including a first member and a second member, at least one of the members being configured to move between a first position in which the first and the second member are adjacent to each other, and a second position in which at least a portion of the first member and at least a portion of the second member are spaced from each other; a fluid output mechanism operatively attached to the body; and a trigger mechanism operatively connected to the fluid output mechanism, and configured to selectively eject one or more streams of fluid from the fluid output mechanism and to selectively move at least one of the first member and the second member between the first position and the second position.
Some embodiments provide a fluid squirt gun. The fluid squirt gun including a body including a first member and a second member, at least one of the members being configured to move between a first position in which the first and the second member are adjacent to each other, and a second position in which at least a portion of the first member and at least a portion of the second member are spaced from each other; an audio output mechanism operatively attached to the body and including one or more speakers; a visual output mechanism operatively attached to the body and including one or more lights; a controller mechanism operatively attached to the body and configured to selectively generate one or more sounds via the one or more speakers and to selectively illuminate the one or more lights; a fluid output mechanism operatively attached to the body; and a trigger mechanism operatively connected to the fluid output mechanism and the body, and configured to selectively eject a stream of fluid from the fluid output mechanism and selectively move at least one of the first member and the second member between the first position and the second position.
Some embodiments provide a fluid squirt gun. The fluid squirt gun including a body including at least a first member and a second member, and at least one of the first member and second member is configured to move between a first position and a second position; a fluid output mechanism operatively attached to the body; a visual output mechanism operatively attached to the body and including one or more lights; an audio output mechanism operatively attached to the body and including one or more speakers; a controller mechanism operatively attached to the body and configured to illuminate the one or more lights and to generate one or more sounds via the one or more speakers; a trigger mechanism operatively connected to at least one of the first and second members, the fluid output mechanism, and the controller mechanism, wherein the trigger mechanism is configured to move at least one of the first and second members between the first and second positions, to cause the fluid output mechanism to eject one or more streams of fluid, to cause the controller mechanism to illuminate the one or more lights, and generate the one or more sounds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an example of some embodiments of a squirt gun.
FIG. 2 is a partial exploded side view of the squirt gun of FIG. 1 showing batteries, a fluid container, and a fluid tubing.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the squirt gun of FIG. 1 showing a fluid output mechanism and an upper jaw in a lowered position.
FIG. 4 is a side view of the squirt gun of FIG. 1 showing the fluid output mechanism and the upper jaw in a raised position with the fluid output mechanism ejecting a stream of fluid.
FIG. 5 is a partial fragmented side view showing electrical components of the squirt gun of FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the electrical components of the squirt gun of FIG. 1.
FIG. 7 is a side view of the squirt gun of FIG. 1 shown with an extension.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Referring to FIG. 1, some embodiments of a squirt gun 10 are shown. The squirt gun may include a body 12, a fluid output mechanism 14, and a trigger mechanism 16. The body may include any suitable structure configured to at least partially contain the fluid output mechanism, the trigger mechanism, and/or other components of the squirt gun. For example, the body may include a first member 18, a second member 20, and a third member 22, as shown in FIGS. 1-2.
First member 18, second member 20, and third member 22 may include any suitable structure, appearance, and/or ornamentation to resemble any suitable portion(s) of animal(s), person(s), object(s), etc. For example, the first member may include a first portion 24 of a head 25, the second member may include a second portion 26 of the head, and the third member may include a neck 28, as shown in FIGS. 1-2. The first portion may include a first jaw 30, while the second portion may include a second jaw 32.
Although the first and second portions of the head are shown to be oriented vertically, the first and second portions may have any suitable orientation. For example, the portions may alternatively, or additionally, be oriented horizontally, and/or in any suitable way. Additionally, although the first, second, and third members are shown to include the first and second portions of the head, and the neck, those members may include suitable structure configured to resemble any suitable portion(s) of animal(s), person(s), object(s), etc. For example, the first and second members may include first and second eyelids, first and second container portions, first and second access portions, first and second doors, etc.
First member 18 may be connected to second member 20 in any suitable way such that at least one of the first member and the second member may be moved between a first position F in which the first and second members may be adjacent to each other, and a second position S in which at least a portion 34 of the first member and at least a portion 36 of the second member may be spaced from each other, as shown in FIGS. 3-4. For example, first member 18 and second member 20 may be pivotally connected to each other. Alternatively, or additionally, the first and second members may be slidingly connected and/or connected in other suitable way(s).
Third member 22 may be connected to second member 20 in any suitable way to selectively attach and/or detach the third member from the second member. For example, the second and third member may include grooves, projecting members, and/or other substructures configured to allow selective attachment and/or detachment of third member 22 relative to second member 20, as shown in FIG. 2. Alternatively, or additionally, third member 22 may be slidingly and/or pivotally connected to second member 20.
Although first member 18 is shown to be pivotally connected to second member 20 such that the first member 18 may be moved towards and/or away from the second and third members, the first and second members may be configured such that only second member 20 may be pivoted relative to the first and/or third members, or both the first and second members may be pivoted relative to the third member.
Body 10 also may include one or more bias elements (not shown) configured to urge at least one of the first and second members towards the first or second positions. Although body 10 is shown to resemble a head of a dinosaur, the body may be configured to resemble any suitable animal(s), person(s), and/or object(s). For example, the body may resemble a snake, an alien, a human, an appliance, a container, a gun, etc.
Fluid output mechanism 14 may include any suitable structure operatively attached to the body and configured to selectively eject one or more streams of fluid 38 (such as water) within a path P, as shown in FIGS. 2-4. For example, the fluid output mechanism may include at least one fluid reservoir or container 42, at least one tubing 44, and at least one fluid ejector 46. The fluid container may be configured to contain any suitable fluid, such as water, colored water, etc., and/or to contain other suitable materials, such as shooting string, etc.
Tubing 44 may be configured to fluidly communicate the fluid container with the fluid ejector. Fluid ejector 46 may be configured to eject the streams of fluid when triggered by the triggering mechanism and/or by any other suitable means. The fluid ejector may include at least one nozzle 48, which may be where the streams of fluid leave the fluid output mechanism. The at least one nozzle may be configured to be adjusted to vary spray patterns of the one or more streams of fluid.
Additionally, the nozzle may be positioned such that at least one of the first member and the second member is within path P in the first position, and the first member and the second member are outside path P in the second position. In other words, at least one of the first and second members obstructs the nozzle in the first position and is spaced from (or does not obstruct) the nozzle in the second position.
Although fluid output mechanism 14 is shown to include a single fluid container and a single nozzle, the fluid output mechanism may include two or more fluid containers 42 (to contain the same or different fluids and/or materials) and/or may include two or more nozzles 48 (which may be positioned in any suitable portion(s) of the body). Additionally, although the fluid output mechanism is shown to include fluid containers, fluid tubing, fluid ejectors, and nozzles, the fluid output mechanism may include any suitable structure configured to eject the one or more fluid streams within the path. Moreover, although squirt gun 10 is shown to include a single fluid output mechanism 14, the squirt gun may include two or more fluid output mechanisms, which may be triggered by one or more trigger mechanisms 16.
Trigger mechanism 16 may include any suitable structure operatively connected to the fluid output mechanism and/or one or more of the first, second, and third members, and may be configured to selectively eject the streams of fluid 38 from fluid output mechanism 14 and/or to selectively move the first and/or second members between the first and second positions. For example, the trigger mechanism may include a first actuator 50, a second actuator 52, and a trigger 54. The first actuator may be configured to actuate fluid ejector 46, while the second actuator may be configured to move at least one of the first and second members.
Trigger 54 may include any suitable structure configured to selectively move the first and/or second actuators. For example, trigger 54 may include at least one lever 56, which may be external the body and may move between an unactuated position U in which the first actuator does not actuate the fluid ejector and the second actuator does not move at least one of the first and second members between the first and second positions, and an actuated position A in which the first actuator actuates the fluid ejector and the second actuator moves at least one of the first and second members between the first and second positions. The lever may be pivotally connected, slidingly connected, and/or connected in other suitable way to the body. Alternatively, or additionally, trigger 54 may include one or more of buttons, pull cords, switches, and/or other suitable triggers.
Although squirt gun 10 is shown to include body 12, fluid output mechanism 14, and trigger mechanism 16, the squirt gun may include any suitable structure configured to eject the one or more streams of fluid. For example, squirt gun 10 may additionally, or alternatively, include an electrical system 58, which may include any suitable structure configured to selectively generate and/or produce audio and/or visual output(s). The electrical system may include at least one power assembly 60, at least one controller mechanism 62, at least one sensor assembly 64, at least one visual output mechanism 66, and at least one audio output mechanism 68, as shown in FIGS. 5-6. One or more of the components of the electrical system may be operatively attached to the body.
Power assembly 60 may include any suitable structure configured to provide electrical power to one or more of the other components of the electrical system. For example, the power assembly may include one or more batteries 70. Although power assembly 60 is shown to include batteries 70, the power assembly may include any suitable structure configured to provide electrical power to one or more of the other components of the electrical system. For example, power assembly 60 may include suitable structure configured to provide electrical power from a utility grid and/or from other sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, nuclear, etc.
Controller mechanism 62 may include any suitable structure configured to receive inputs from one or more of the other electrical components and/or generate outputs via one or more of the other electrical components. For example, controller mechanism 62 may include a microcontroller or microprocessor 72. The microcontroller may be configured to selectively illuminate one or more lights of the visual output mechanism responsive, at least in part, to at least one of ejection of the one or more streams of fluid and movement of at least one of the first and second members between the first and second positions. Additionally, or alternatively, microcontroller 72 may be configured to selectively generate one or more sounds via one or more speakers of the audio output mechanism responsive, at least in part, to at least one of ejection of the one or more streams of fluid and movement of at least one of the first and second members between the first and second positions.
Although controller mechanism 62 is shown to include microcontroller 72, the controller mechanism may include any suitable structure configured to receive inputs from one or more other electrical components and/or generate outputs via the other electrical components. For example, controller mechanism 52 may include wiring or circuitry (such as “hard” wiring) between input and output devices.
Sensor assembly 64 may include any suitable structure configured to be actuated by one or more actuators to provide suitable input for the controller mechanism. For example, sensor assembly 64 may include one or more sensors 74, which may be actuated by first actuator 50, second actuator 52, and/or other suitable actuators. Although sensor assembly 64 is shown to include a single sensor, the sensor assembly may include any suitable number of sensors.
Visual output mechanism 66 may include any suitable structure configured to generate one or more visual outputs. For example, the visual output mechanism may include one or more lights 76. The lights may be contained in and/or associated with any suitable portion(s) of the squirt gun. For example, the lights may be positioned adjacent to one or more eyes 78 of the first member and/or adjacent to an underside 80 of the first member.
Although lights 76 are shown to be positioned at specific locations on the body, the lights may be positioned at any suitable portion(s) of the body. For example, the lights may additionally, or alternatively be positioned in one or more nostrils of the body, in one or more domes on the body, and/or other suitable portion(s). Additionally, although two lights are shown, any suitable number of lights may be included with the squirt gun.
Additionally, or alternatively, one or more of the lights may be positioned on the body to illuminate at least a portion of the streams of fluid from the fluid output mechanism. For example, the light adjacent to underside 80 may be positioned to illuminate at least a portion of the streams of fluid. Although one of the lights 76 is shown adjacent to underside 80, one or more of the lights may additionally, or alternatively, be positioned to illuminate the same or other portions of the streams of fluid. Additionally, although the visual output mechanism is shown to include one or more lights, the visual output mechanism may include any suitable structure configured to generate one or more visual outputs. For example, visual output mechanism 64 may include video output.
Audio output mechanism 68 may include any suitable structure configured to generate one or more sounds. For example, audio output mechanism 68 may include at least one speaker 82. The speaker may be positioned with any suitable portion(s) of the body. For example, the speaker may be positioned on underside 80. Although the audio output mechanism is shown to include speakers, the audio output mechanism may include any suitable structure configured to output one or more sounds.
The electrical system of the squirt gun may allow the trigger mechanism to be configured to cause the controller mechanism to illuminate the lights and/or to cause the controller mechanism to generate the one or more sounds additionally, or alternatively, to being configured to move at least one of the first and second members between the first and second positions and/or to cause the fluid output mechanism to eject the one or more streams of fluid. Although the electrical system is shown to include particular components, the electrical system may include any suitable components configured to selectively generate and/or produce audio and/or visual output(s).
Squirt gun 10 also may include one or more extensions or appendages 84, which may include any suitable structure configured to be selectively attached to suitable portion(s) of the body and/or to at least partially surround a hand 86 and/or a forearm 88 of a user, as shown in FIG. 7. For example, appendages 84 may include at least one tail 90. Although appendages 84 is shown to include a tail 90, the appendages may include any suitable structure configured to be selectively attached to suitable portion(s) of the body and/or to at least partially surround hand 86 and/or forearm 88 of the user. For example, appendages 84 may include one or more arms, claws, legs, etc.
The disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Similarly, where any claim recites “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof, such claim should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.
Inventions embodied in various combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed through presentation of new claims in a related application. Such new claims, whether they are directed to a different invention or directed to the same invention, whether different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of the inventions of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A fluid squirt gun, comprising:

a body including a first member and a second member, at least one of the members being configured to move between a first position in which the first and the second member are adjacent to each other, and a second position in which at least a portion of the first member and at least a portion of the second member are spaced from each other;

a fluid output mechanism operatively attached to the body; and

a trigger mechanism operatively connected to the fluid output mechanism, and configured to selectively eject one or more streams of fluid from the fluid output mechanism and to selectively move at least one of the first member and the second member between the first position and the second position.

2. The fluid squirt gun of claim 1, wherein the streams of fluid are ejected from the fluid output mechanism within a path, and at least one of the first member and the second member is within the path in the first position, and the first member and the second member are outside the path in the second position.

3. The fluid squirt gun of claim 1, further comprising an audio output mechanism having one or more speakers and a controller mechanism configured to generate one or more sounds via the one or more speakers responsive, at least in part, to at least one of ejection of the one or more streams of fluid and movement of at least one of the first and second members between the first and second positions.

4. The fluid squirt gun of claim 1, further comprising a visual output mechanism having one or more lights and a controller mechanism configured to illuminate the one or more lights responsive, at least in part, to at least one of ejection of the one or more streams of fluid and movement of at least one of the first and second members between the first and second positions.

5. The fluid squirt gun of claim 4, wherein the one or more lights is positioned on the body to illuminate at least a portion of the streams of fluid from the fluid output mechanism.

6. The fluid squirt gun of claim 1, wherein the body includes a head.

7. The fluid squirt gun of claim 6, wherein the first member includes a first jaw.

8. The fluid squirt gun of claim 7, wherein the second member includes a second jaw.

9. The fluid squirt gun of claim 1, further comprising an elongate appendage configured to be selectively attached to the body and to at least partially surround at least one of a hand and a forearm of a user.

10. A fluid squirt gun, comprising:

an audio output mechanism operatively attached to the body and including one or more speakers;

a visual output mechanism operatively attached to the body and including one or more lights;

a controller mechanism operatively attached to the body and configured to selectively generate one or more sounds via the one or more speakers and to selectively illuminate the one or more lights;

a fluid output mechanism operatively attached to the body; and

a trigger mechanism operatively connected to the fluid output mechanism and the body, and configured to selectively eject one or more streams of fluid from the fluid output mechanism and selectively move at least one of the first member and the second member between the first position and the second position.

11. The fluid squirt gun of claim 10, wherein the streams of fluid are ejected from the fluid output mechanism within a path, and at least one of the first member and the second member is within the path in the first position, and the first member and the second member are outside the path in the second position.

12. The fluid squirt gun of claim 10, wherein the controller mechanism is configured to illuminate the one or more lights responsive, at least in part, to the trigger mechanism.

13. The fluid squirt gun of claim 10, wherein the one or more lights are positioned on the body to illuminate at least a portion of the one or more streams of fluid.

14. The fluid squirt gun of claim 10, wherein the controller mechanism is configured to generate one or more sounds via the one or more speakers responsive, at least in part, to the trigger mechanism.

15. The fluid squirt gun of claim 10, wherein the trigger mechanism includes a lever.

16. The fluid squirt gun of claim 10, further comprising an elongate appendage configured to be selectively attached to the body and to at least partially surround at least one of a hand and a forearm of a user.

17. A fluid squirt gun, comprising:

a body including at least a first member and a second member, and at least one of the first member and second member is configured to move between a first position and a second position;

a fluid output mechanism operatively attached to the body;

a controller mechanism operatively attached to the body and configured to illuminate the one or more lights and to generate one or more sounds via the one or more speakers;

a trigger mechanism operatively connected to at least one of the first and second members, the fluid output mechanism, and the controller mechanism, wherein the trigger mechanism is configured to move at least one of the first and second members between the first and second positions, to cause the fluid output mechanism to eject one or more streams of fluid, to cause the controller mechanism to illuminate the one or more lights, and generate the one or more sounds.

18. The fluid squirt gun of claim 17, wherein the streams of fluid are ejected from the fluid output mechanism within a path, and at least one of the first member and the second member is within the path in the first position, and the first member and the second member are outside the path in the second position.

19. The fluid squirt gun of claim 17, wherein the one or more lights is positioned on the body to illuminate at least a portion of the streams of fluid from the fluid output mechanism.

20. The fluid squirt gun of claim 17, further comprising an elongate appendage configured to be selectively attached to the body and to at least partially surround at least one of a hand and a forearm of a user.