U.S. patent application number 09/882903 was filed with the patent office on 2002-02-07 for water gun having pump with internal passageway.
This patent application is currently assigned to Larami Limited. Invention is credited to Campbell, Jay E., Skinner, George L..
Application Number | 20020016127 09/882903 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22789628 |
Filed Date | 2002-02-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020016127 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Skinner, George L. ; et
al. |
February 7, 2002 |
Water gun having pump with internal passageway
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.
Inventors: |
Skinner, George L.; (Lake
Hiawatha, NJ) ; Campbell, Jay E.; (Clinton,
NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
AKIN, GUMP, STRAUSS, HAUER & FELD, L.L.P.
ONE COMMERCE SQUARE
2005 MARKET STREET, SUITE 2200
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103
US
|
Assignee: |
Larami Limited
Mt. Laurel
NJ
|
Family ID: |
22789628 |
Appl. No.: |
09/882903 |
Filed: |
June 15, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60212118 |
Jun 16, 2000 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/176 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41B 9/0018
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/176 |
International
Class: |
A63H 029/10; A63H
033/40 |
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 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.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is entitled to priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/212,118,
filed Jun. 16, 2000.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 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.
[0003] 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.
[0004] 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.
[0005] 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.
[0006] 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.
[0007] 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
[0008] 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.
[0009] 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.
[0010] 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.
[0011] 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
[0012] 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:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first preferred embodiment of the
invention, showing a toy water gun with two discharge ports;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the
line 2-2 of FIG. 1;
[0015] 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;
[0016] FIG. 4 is an enlarged horizontal cross-sectional view of a
portion of the water gun taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3,
showing details of the annular piston;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of
the water gun taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3, showing details
of the manifold and valves;
[0018] 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;
[0019] FIG. 7 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of a
portion of the water gun along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6, showing
details of the releasable retaining mechanism;
[0020] FIG. 8 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of a
portion of the water gun along the line 8-8 of FIG. 6, showing
details of the releasable retaining mechanism; and
[0021] 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.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] 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 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.
[0023] Referring to FIGS. 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.
[0024] Still referring to FIG. 4, the 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 104a, b, c and d, such as
natural or synthetic rubber 0-rings, retained in respective grooves
106a, 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.
[0025] In the first preferred embodiment the 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 106a for retaining a compliant ring 104a
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 106b, 106c. The
groove 106b retains a second compliant ring 104b in slidable
frictional engagement with the outer wall 80 of the inner tube 78
and the groove 106c retains a third compliant ring 104c 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 106d for retaining a fourth compliant ring
104d in slidable frictional engagement with the outer wall 80 of
the inner tube 78. While only one of compliant rings 104a and 104c
may be necessary and one of compliant rings 104b and 104d may be
necessary, both are preferred to assure smooth, leak-free movement
of the piston 87 in the pumping chamber 84.
[0026] 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.
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the 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.
[0028] Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 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.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, a vertical cross-sectional
view of a portion of the water gun taken along the line 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.
[0030] As shown in detail in FIG. 6, the 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 139a and 139b located at the front and rear of the first
slidable tube 135. The front rollers 139a roll on roller support
134 affixed to the front housing. The rear rollers 139b 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.
[0031] As shown in detail in FIGS. 2 and 3, the 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 159a and 159b 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 169a and
169b 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.
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 6, the 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.
[0033] 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. 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'.
[0034] In operation of the first embodiment in FIGS. 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.
[0035] To release the retaining mechanism 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.
[0036] As the 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.
[0037] As the 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.
[0038] Upon pressurizing the 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.
[0039] To selectively discharge water from the 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 139a and 139b 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.
[0040] To selectively discharge water from the 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
159a, 159b 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 169a, 169b 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.
[0041] The operation of the second preferred embodiment, having
only one discharge port and a differently configured manifold 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.
[0042] In another mode of operation of the first embodiment in
FIGS. 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.
[0043] 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.
* * * * *