U.S. patent application number 10/722321 was filed with the patent office on 2004-12-30 for quick fill cap for a toy water gun.
This patent application is currently assigned to HASBRO, INC.. Invention is credited to Askeland, Leif J., Eddins, Fred D..
Application Number | 20040261902 10/722321 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46300406 |
Filed Date | 2004-12-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040261902 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Eddins, Fred D. ; et
al. |
December 30, 2004 |
Quick fill cap for a toy water gun
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a quick fill cap for a toy
gun capable of discharging an output stream of liquid, the toy gun
having a liquid reservoir for storing a quantity of liquid and a
fill port for depositing liquid in to the liquid reservoir. The
quick fill cap may include a cap portion having a throughbore, with
the cap portion demountably attaching to the fill port of the toy
gun when the cap portion is disposed thereon, and forming a
substantially air-tight and water-tight seal with the fill port.
The quick fill cap may further include a one-way valve connected to
the cap portion proximate an opening of the throughbore, wherein
the one-way valve is disposed on the interior of the liquid
reservoir when the cap portion is demountably attached to the fill
port, may allow liquid to flow from the exterior of the liquid
reservoir through the channel formed by the hollow funnel and the
throughbore of the cap portion and into the reservoir, and may
prevent liquid from flowing from the interior of the liquid
reservoir through the channel formed by the throughbore of the cap
portion to the exterior of the reservoir.
Inventors: |
Eddins, Fred D.;
(Mapleville, RI) ; Askeland, Leif J.; (Cranston,
RI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARSHALL, GERSTEIN & BORUN LLP
6300 SEARS TOWER
233 S. WACKER DRIVE
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Assignee: |
HASBRO, INC.
Pawtucket
RI
|
Family ID: |
46300406 |
Appl. No.: |
10/722321 |
Filed: |
November 25, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10722321 |
Nov 25, 2003 |
|
|
|
10361916 |
Feb 10, 2003 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
141/326 ;
222/79 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41B 9/0071
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
141/326 ;
222/079 |
International
Class: |
A63H 003/18 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A quick fill cap for a toy gun capable of discharging an output
stream of liquid, the toy gun having a liquid reservoir for storing
a quantity of liquid and a fill port for depositing liquid in to
the liquid reservoir, the quick fill cap comprising: a cap portion
having a throughbore, the cap portion demountably engaging the fill
port of the toy gun when the cap portion is disposed thereon, and
forming a substantially air-tight and water-tight seal with the
fill port; a one-way valve connected to the cap portion proximate
an opening of the throughbore, wherein the one-way valve is
disposed on the interior of the liquid reservoir when the cap
portion is demountably attached to the fill port, the one-way valve
allowing liquid to flow from the exterior of the liquid reservoir
through the channel formed by the throughbore of the cap portion
and into the reservoir, and preventing liquid from flowing from the
interior of the liquid reservoir through the channel formed by the
throughbore of the cap portion to the exterior of the reservoir;
and a support member disposed within the one-way valve when the
one-way valve is connected to the cap portion, the support member
preventing the one-way valve from collapsing and entering the
throughbore of the cap portion, and allowing liquid to flow between
the throughbore and the one-way valve.
2. A quick fill cap as defined in claim 1, wherein the one-way
valve comprises a duck bill valve.
3. A quick fill cap as defined in claim 2, wherein the cap portion
comprises a stem extending downwardly and defining a portion of the
throughbore of the cap portion, wherein a portion of the duck bill
valve is disposed on the outer surface of at least a portion of the
stem with the inner surface of the portion of the duck bill valve
engaging the outer surface of the at least a portion of the stem,
the inner surface of the portion of the duck bill valve and the
outer surface of the at least a portion of the stem being adapted
to form a substantially air-tight and water-tight seal
therebetween, wherein the support member engages the stem to
prevent the duck bill valve from collapsing and entering the
stem.
4. A quick fill cap as defined in claim 3, wherein stem and the
support member are integrally formed as a single unitary
component.
5. A quick fill cap as defined in claim 1, wherein fill port has a
threaded outer surface and a first groove in a portion of the
threaded outer surface, the cap portion comprising a threaded inner
surface engaging the threaded outer surface of the fill port and
forming a substantially air-tight and water-tight seal between the
quick fill cap and the fill port, the cap portion having a second
groove in a portion of the threaded inner surface and corresponding
to the first groove, wherein the first and second grooves define a
channel adapted to place the liquid reservoir in fluid
communication with the atmosphere external to the liquid reservoir
when the first and second grooves are aligned as the cap portion is
turned about the fill port.
6. A quick fill cap as defined in claim 1, comprising a hollow
funnel having a lower surface connected to an upper surface of the
cap portion such that a substantially air-tight and water-tight
seal is formed between the lower surface of the hollow funnel and
the upper surface of the cap portion, the hollow funnel being
substantially aligned with the throughbore of the cap, and wherein
the hollow funnel is disposed external to the liquid reservoir when
the cap portion is demountably attached to the fill port.
7. A quick fill cap for a toy gun capable of discharging an output
stream of liquid, the toy gun having a liquid reservoir for storing
a quantity of liquid and a fill nort for depositing liquid in to
the liquid reservoir, the quick fill cap comprising: a cap portion
having a throughbore, the cap portion demountably attaching to the
fill port of the toy gun when the cap portion is disposed thereon,
and forming a substantially air-tight and water-tight seal with the
fill port; and an umbrella valve connected to the cap portion and
having a valve body disposed proximate an opening of the
throughbore such that the one-way valve is disposed on the interior
of the liquid reservoir when the cap portion is demountably
attached to the fill port, the valve body of the umbrella valve
engaging the cap portion to prevent liquid from flowing from the
interior of the liquid reservoir through the channel formed by the
throughbore of the cap portion to the exterior of the reservoir,
and the valve body disengaging to allow liquid to flow from the
exterior of the liquid reservoir through the channel formed by the
throughbore of the cap portion and into the reservoir.
8. A quick fill cap as defined in claim 7, wherein the cap portion
comprises a stem extending downwardly and defining a portion of the
throughbore of the cap portion, and a ring having an aperture
therethough with an aperture diameter, the ring being disposed
within the throughbore of the cap portion, and the umbrella valve
comprises a shaft extending outwardly from the valve body, and a
knob having a knob diameter disposed at the opposite end of the
shaft from the valve body, wherein the knob diameter is greater
than the aperture diameter, and the knob is inserted through the
aperture with the ring engaging the knob to connect the umbrella
valve to the cap portion.
9. A quick fill cap as defined in claim 8, wherein the cap portion
comprises at least one rib connecting the ring to an inner surface
of the throughbore of the cap portion wherein the at least one rib,
ring and inner surface of the throughbore define at least one
opening adapted to allow liquid to flow through the throughbore of
the cap portion and into the reservoir.
10. A quick fill cap as defined in claim 9, wherein fill port has a
threaded outer surface and a first groove in a portion of the
threaded outer surface, the cap portion comprising a threaded inner
surface being adapted to engage the threaded outer surface of the
fill port and to form a substantially air-tight and water-tight
seal between the quick fill cap and the fill port, the cap portion
having a second groove in a portion of the threaded inner surface
and corresponding to the first groove, wherein the first and
second-grooves define a-channel adapted to place the liquid
reservoir in fluid communication with the atmosphere external to
the liquid reservoir when the first and second grooves are aligned
as the cap portion is turned about the fill port.
11. A quick fill cap as defined in claim 7, comprising a hollow
funnel having a lower surface connected to an upper surface of the
cap portion such that a substantially air-tight and water-tight
seal is formed between the lower surface of the hollow funnel and
the upper surface of the cap portion, the hollow funnel being
substantially aligned with the throughbore of the cap, and wherein
the hollow funnel is disposed external to the liquid reservoir when
the cap portion is demountably attached to the fill port.
12. A quick fill cap as defined in claim 7, comprising a support
member engaging the valve body of the umbrella valve and applying a
force to the valve body in the direction to engage the valve body
with the cap portion.
13. A quick fill cap as defined in claim 12, comprising a spring
biasing the support member into engagement with the valve body.
14. A toy gun capable of discharging an output stream of liquid,
the toy gun comprising: a liquid reservoir for storing a quantity
of liquid; a fill port for depositing liquid into the liquid
reservoir, the fill port having a threaded outer surface and a
first groove in a portion of the threaded outer surface; a quick
fill cap comprising: a cap portion having a throughbore and a
threaded inner surface engaging the threaded outer surface of the
fill port when the cap portion is disposed thereon, and forming a
substantially air-tight and water-tight seal between the cap
portion and the fill port, and with the cap portion having a second
groove in a portion of the threaded inner surface and corresponding
to the first groove, wherein the first and second grooves define a
channel adapted to place the liquid reservoir in fluid
communication with the atmosphere external to the liquid reservoir
when the first and second grooves are aligned as the cap portion is
turned about the fill port, and a one-way valve connected to the
cap portion proximate an opening of the throughbore, wherein the
one-way valve is disposed on the interior of the liquid reservoir
when the cap portion is demountably attached to the fill port, the
one-way valve being adapted to allow liquid to flow from the
exterior of the liquid reservoir through the channel formed by the
throughbore of the cap portion and into the reservoir, and to
prevent liquid from flowing from the interior of the liquid
reservoir through the channel formed by the throughbore of the cap
portion to the exterior of the reservoir.
15. A toy gun as defined in claim 14, wherein the one-way valve
comprises a duck bill valve.
16. A toy gun as defined in claim 15, wherein the cap portion
comprises a stem extending downwardly and defining a portion of the
throughbore of the cap portion, wherein a portion of the duck bill
valve is disposed on the outer surface of at least a portion of the
stem with the inner surface of the portion of the duck bill valve
engaging the outer surface of the at least a portion of the stem,
the inner surface of the portion of the duck bill valve and the
outer surface of the at least a portion of the stem being adapted
to form a substantially air-tight and water-tight seal
therebetween, wherein the support member engages the stem to
prevent the duck bill valve from collapsing and entering the
stem.
17. A toy gun as defined in claim 15, wherein the quick fill cap
comprises a support member disposed within the one-way valve when
the one-way valve is connected to the cap portion, the support
member preventing the one-way valve from collapsing and entering
the throughbore of the cap portion, and allowing liquid to flow
between the throughbore and the one-way valve.
18. A toy gun as defined in claim 17, wherein the cap portion and
the support member are integrally formed as a single unitary
component.
19. A toy gun as defined in claim 14, wherein the one-way valve
comprises an umbrella valve connected to the cap portion and having
a valve body disposed proximate an opening of the throughbore
opposite the hollow funnel, wherein the one-way valve is disposed
on the interior of the liquid reservoir when the cap portion is
demountably attached to the fill port, the valve body of the
umbrella valve engaging the cap portion to prevent liquid from
flowing from the interior of the liquid reservoir through the
channel formed by the throughbore of the cap portion to the
exterior of the reservoir, and the valve body disengaging the cap
portion to allow liquid to flow from the exterior of the liquid
reservoir through the channel formed by the throughbore of the cap
portion and into the reservoir.
20. A toy gun as defined in claim 19, wherein the cap portion
comprises a stem extending downwardly and defining a portion of the
throughbore of the cap portion, and a ring having an aperture
therethough with an aperture diameter, the ring being disposed
within the throughbore of the cap portion, and the umbrella valve
comprises a shaft extending outwardly from the valve body, and a
knob having a knob diameter disposed at the opposite end of the
shaft from the valve body, wherein the knob diameter is greater
than the aperture diameter, and the knob is inserted through the
aperture with the ring engaging the knob to connect the umbrella
valve to the cap portion.
21. A toy gun as defined in claim 20, wherein the cap portion
comprises at least one rib connecting the ring to an inner surface
of the throughbore of the cap portion, wherein the at least one
rib, ring and inner surface of the throughbore define at least one
opening adapted to allow liquid to flow through the throughbore of
the cap portion and into the reservoir.
22. A quick fill cap as defined in claim 14, comprising a hollow
funnel having a lower surface connected to an upper surface of the
cap portion such that a substantially air-tight and water-tight
seal is formed between the lower surface of the hollow funnel and
the upper surface of the cap portion, the hollow funnel being
substantially aligned with the throughbore of the cap, and wherein
the hollow funnel is disposed external to the liquid reservoir when
the cap portion is demountably attached to the fill port.
23. A quick fill cap for a toy gun capable of discharging an output
stream of liquid, the toy gun having a liquid reservoir for storing
a quantity of liquid and a fill port for depositing liquid in to
the liquid reservoir, the quick fill cap comprising: a cap portion
having a throughbore, the cap portion demountably engaging the fill
port of the toy gun when the cap portion is disposed thereon, and
forming a substantially air-tight and water-tight seal with the
fill port; a valve body slidably connected to the cap portion
proximate an opening of the throughbore and at least partially
disposed within the channel formed by the throughbore, wherein the
valve body is disposed on the interior of the liquid reservoir when
the cap portion is demountably attached to the fill port, the valve
body being slidable between a closed position wherein the valve
body engages the cap portion to prevent liquid from flowing from
the interior of the liquid reservoir through the channel formed by
the throughbore of the cap portion to the exterior of the
reservoir, and an open position wherein the valve body disengages
from the cap portion to allow liquid to flow from the exterior of
the liquid reservoir through the channel formed by the throughbore
of the cap portion and into the reservoir; and a biasing member
engaging the valve body and the cap portion, and biasing the valve
body toward the closed position.
24. A quick fill cap as defined in claim 23, wherein the valve body
comprises a first flange, a second flange and a shaft connecting
the first flange to the second flange, the cap portion slidably
engaging the shaft to allow the valve body to move between the open
position and the closed position, and the second flange engaging
the cap portion to prevent liquid from flowing through the channel
when the valve body is in the closed position, and disengaging the
cap portion to allow liquid to flow through the channel when the
valve body is in the open position.
25. A quick fill cap as defined in claim 24, wherein the first
flange has at least one opening, and the first flange is disposed
within the channel of the cap portion.
26. A quick fill cap as defined in claim 24, wherein the biasing
member is a spring disposed between and engaging the first flange
and a portion of the cap portion, and the spring biases the first
flange toward the closed position.
27. A quick fill cap as defined in claim 23, wherein the
throughbore has a longitudinal axis and the cap portion slidably
engages the valve body so that the valve body moves parallel to the
longitudinal axis from the closed position to the open
position.
28. A quick fill cap as defined in claim 23, comprising a gasket
disposed between the cap portion and the valve body, the gasket
engaging the valve body and the cap portion to form a substantially
air-tight and water-tight seal when the valve body is in the closed
position, and disengaging from one of the valve body and the cap
portion when the valve body is in the open position.
29. A quick fill cap as defined in claim 23, wherein the portion of
the valve body disposed within the channel formed by the
throughbore is accessible from the exterior of the cap portion when
the cap portion is disposed on the fill port to engage the valve
body to move between the closed position and the open position.
30. A quick fill cap for a toy gun capable of discharging an output
stream of liquid, the toy gun having a liquid reservoir for storing
a quantity of liquid and a fill port for depositing liquid in to
the liquid reservoir, the quick fill cap comprising: a cap portion
having a throughbore, the cap portion demountably attaching to the
fill port of the toy gun when the cap portion is disposed thereon,
and forming a substantially air-tight and water-tight seal with the
fill port; and a one-way valve connected to the cap portion
proximate an opening of the throughbore, wherein the one-way valve
is disposed on the interior of the liquid reservoir when the cap
portion is demountably attached to the fill port, the one-way valve
allowing liquid to flow from the exterior of the liquid reservoir
through the channel formed by the throughbore of the cap portion
and into the reservoir, and preventing liquid from flowing from the
interior of the liquid reservoir through the channel formed by the
throughbore of the cap portion to the exterior of the
reservoir.
31. A quick fill cap as defined in claim 30, wherein the one-way
valve comprises a duck bill valve.
32. A quick fill cap as defined in claim 31, wherein the cap
portion comprises a stem extending downwardly and defining a
portion of the throughbore of the cap portion, wherein a portion of
the duck bill valve is disposed on the outer surface of at least a
portion of the stem with the inner surface of the portion of the
duck bill-valve-engaging the outer surface of the at -least a
portion of the stem, the inner surface of the portion of the duck
bill valve and the outer surface of the at least a portion of the
stem being adapted to form a substantially air-tight and
water-tight seal therebetween.
33. A quick fill cap as defined in claim 30, wherein the one-way
valve comprises an umbrella valve connected to the cap portion and
having a valve body disposed proximate an opening of the
throughbore such that the one-way valve is disposed on the interior
of the liquid reservoir when the cap portion is demountably
attached to the fill port, the valve body of the umbrella valve
engaging the cap portion to prevent liquid from flowing from the
interior of the liquid reservoir through the channel formed by the
throughbore of the cap portion to the exterior of the reservoir,
and the valve body disengaging to allow liquid to flow from the
exterior of the liquid reservoir through the channel formed by the
throughbore of the cap portion and into the reservoir.
34. A quick fill cap as defined in claim 33, wherein the one-way
valve comprising a support member engaging the valve body of the
umbrella valve and applying a force to the valve body in the
direction to engage the valve body with the cap portion.
35. A quick fill cap as defined in claim 34, wherein the one-way
valve comprises a spring biasing the support member into engagement
with the valve body.
36. A quick fill cap as defined in claim 30, wherein the one-way
valve comprises a valve body slidably connected to the cap portion
proximate an opening of the throughbore and at least partially
disposed within the channel formed by the throughbore, wherein the
valve body is disposed on the interior of the liquid reservoir when
the cap portion is demountably attached to the fill port, the valve
body being slidable between a closed position wherein the valve
body engages the cap portion to prevent liquid from flowing from
the interior of the liquid reservoir through the channel formed by
the throughbore of the cap portion to the exterior of the
reservoir, and an open position wherein the valve body disengages
from the cap portion to allow liquid to flow from the exterior of
the liquid reservoir through the channel formed by the throughbore
of the cap portion and into the reservoir, and a biasing member
engaging the valve body and the cap portion and biasing the valve
body toward the closed position.
37. A quick fill cap as defined in claim 36, wherein the valve body
comprises wherein the valve body comprises a first flange, a second
flange and a shaft connecting the first flange to the second
flange, the cap portion slidably engaging the shaft to allow the
valve body to move between the open position and the closed
position, and the second flange engaging the cap portion to prevent
liquid from flowing through the channel when the valve body is in
the closed position, and disengaging the cap portion to allow
liquid to flow through the channel when the valve body is in the
open position.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/361,916, files Feb. 10, 2003 by Fred D.
Eddins and Robert L. Brown.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is directed to a toy water gun, and
more particularly to a quick fill cap for a toy water gun that may
facilitate filling a tank of the toy water gun with a liquid
without removing the quick fill cap, and that may further prevent
leakage of liquid disposed within the tank when the toy water gun
is inverted or otherwise positioned with the liquid bearing against
the quick fill cap.
[0003] Various toy water guns wherein a one-way valve is
implemented to regulate the flow of the liquid disposed therein
have been previously described. For example, U.S. Pat. No.
6,234,347 to Amron discloses a toy water gun operable in accordance
with two distinct modes of operation. In a first mode of operation,
the toy water gun receives and stores pressurized water directly
from a municipal water supply. This is achieved using an adaptor
which allows water to flow under pressure into a reservoir of the
gun such that the user needs only to press a trigger to cause water
to eject through the nozzle of the gun. In a second mode of
operation, a fill cap or other opening is exposed so that
unpressurized water may be poured in or otherwise received into the
gun. A manually operable pump is included so that the unpressurized
water may be pressurized where upon depression of the trigger will
cause the water to be ejected from the gun. An adapter includes a
one-way valve assembly connected to an end of a tube such that
pressurized water available from a municipal water supply may be
introduced into the tube and thereafter into a reservoir. The
one-way valve will permit the liquid to flow freely in one
direction into the reservoir, and prevents the liquid from flowing
in the opposition direction.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,141,132 to Whelan discloses a water pistol
which includes an elongated, flexible tube removably connectable to
the grip of the pistol. The tube receives water under pressure
directed through the body of the pistol from an inlet port located
at the rear or butt end of the pistol. The pistol also serves to
force the discharged water through a front nozzle of the pistol
when the user pulls a trigger. A fill port includes a fill check
valve and O-ring that serves to prevent the back flow of water from
a tube through the fill port. The positioning of the check valve is
guided by the seat provided within a chamber formed in an upper
body portion of the water pistol.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In one aspect, the invention is directed to a quick fill cap
for a toy gun capable of discharging an output stream of liquid.
The toy gun may have a liquid reservoir for storing a quantity of
liquid and a fill port for depositing liquid in to the liquid
reservoir. The quick fill cap may include a cap portion having a
throughbore, wherein the cap portion may be adapted to demountably
attach to the fill port of the toy gun and to form a substantially
air-tight and water-tight seal with the fill port. The quick fill
cap may further include a one-way valve connected to the cap
portion proximate an opening of the throughbore. The one-way valve
may be disposed on the interior of the liquid reservoir when the
cap portion is demountably attached to the fill port, and the
one-way valve may be adapted to allow liquid to flow from the
exterior of the liquid reservoir through the channel formed by the
throughbore of the cap portion and into the reservoir. The one-way
valve may further be adapted to prevent liquid from flowing from
the interior of the liquid reservoir through the channel formed by
the throughbore of the cap portion to the exterior of the
reservoir. Additionally, the quick fill cap may include a support
member disposed within the one-way valve when the one-way valve is
connected to the cap portion. The support member may be adapted to
prevent the one-way valve from collapsing and entering the
throughbore of the cap portion, and may be adapted to allow liquid
to flow between the throughbore and the one-way valve.
[0006] In another aspect, the invention is directed to a quick fill
cap for a toy gun capable of discharging an output stream of
liquid. The toy gun may have a liquid reservoir for storing a
quantity of liquid and a fill port for depositing liquid in to the
liquid reservoir. The quick fill cap may include a cap portion
having a throughbore, wherein the cap portion may be adapted to
demountably attach to the fill port of the toy gun and to form a
substantially air-tight and water-tight seal with the fill port.
The quick fill cap may further include an umbrella valve connected
to the cap portion and having a valve body disposed proximate an
opening of the throughbore. The one-way valve may be disposed on
the interior of the liquid reservoir when the cap portion is
demountably attached to the fill port. The umbrella valve may be
adapted so that the valve body engages the cap portion to prevent
liquid from flowing from the interior of the liquid reservoir
through the channel formed by the throughbore of the cap portion to
the exterior of the reservoir, and so that the valve body
disengages to allow liquid to flow from the exterior of the liquid
reservoir through the channel formed by the throughbore of the cap
portion and into the reservoir.
[0007] In yet another aspect, the invention is directed to a toy
gun capable of discharging an output stream of liquid. The toy gun
may include a liquid reservoir for storing a quantity of liquid,
and a fill port for depositing liquid into the liquid reservoir,
the fill port having a threaded outer surface and a first groove in
a portion of the threaded outer surface. The toy gun may further
comprise a quick fill cap having a cap portion having a throughbore
and a threaded inner surface that may be adapted to engage the
threaded outer surface of the fill port and to form a substantially
air-tight and water-tight seal between the cap portion and the fill
port. The cap portion may have a second groove in a portion of the
threaded inner surface corresponding to the first groove, wherein
the first and second grooves define a channel adapted to place the
liquid reservoir in fluid communication with the atmosphere
external to the liquid reservoir when the first and second grooves
are aligned as the cap portion is turned about the fill port.
[0008] Further, the cap portion of the toy gun may include a
one-way valve connected to the cap portion proximate an opening of
the throughbore opposite the hollow funnel. The one-way valve may
be disposed on the interior of the liquid reservoir when the cap
portion is demountably attached to the fill port, and the one-way
valve may be adapted to allow liquid to flow from the exterior of
the liquid reservoir through the channel formed by the throughbore
of the cap portion and into the reservoir. The one-way valve may
further be adapted to prevent liquid from flowing from the interior
of the liquid reservoir through the channel formed by the
throughbore of the cap portion to the exterior of the
reservoir.
[0009] In a further aspect, the invention is directed to a quick
fill cap for a toy gun capable of discharging an output stream of
liquid, the toy gun having a liquid reservoir for storing a
quantity of liquid and a fill port for depositing liquid in to the
liquid reservoir. The quick fill cap may include a cap portion
having a throughbore, with the cap portion demountably engaging the
fill port of the toy gun when the cap portion is disposed thereon,
and forming a substantially air-tight and water-tight seal with the
fill port. The quick fill cap may also include a valve body
slidably connected to the cap portion proximate an opening of the
throughbore and at least partially disposed within the channel
formed by the throughbore. The valve body may be disposed on the
interior of the liquid reservoir when the cap portion is
demountably attached to the fill port, with the valve body being
slidable between a closed position wherein the valve body engages
the cap portion to prevent liquid from flowing from the interior of
the liquid reservoir through the channel formed by the throughbore
of the cap portion to the exterior of the reservoir, and an open
position wherein the valve body disengages from the cap portion to
allow liquid to flow from the exterior of the liquid reservoir
through the channel formed by the throughbore of the cap portion
and into the reservoir. The quick fill cap may further include a
biasing member engaging the valve body and the cap portion, and
biasing the valve body toward the closed position.
[0010] In a still further aspect, the invention is directed to a
quick fill cap for a toy gun capable of discharging an output
stream of liquid, the toy gun having a liquid reservoir for storing
a quantity of liquid and a fill port for depositing liquid in to
the liquid reservoir. The quick fill cap may include a cap portion
having a throughbore, with the cap portion demountably attaching to
the fill port of the toy gun when the cap portion is disposed
thereon, and forming a substantially air-tight and water-tight seal
with the fill port. The quick fill cap may further include a
one-way valve connected to the cap portion proximate an opening of
the throughbore, wherein the one-way valve is disposed on the
interior of the liquid reservoir when the cap portion is
demountably attached to the fill port, may allow liquid to flow
from the exterior of the liquid reservoir through the channel
formed by the hollow funnel and the throughbore of the cap portion
and into the reservoir, and may prevent liquid from flowing from
the interior of the liquid reservoir through the channel formed by
the throughbore of the cap portion to the exterior of the
reservoir.
[0011] Addition aspects of the invention are defined by the claims
of this patent.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a side view of a toy water gun having an
embodiment of a quick fill cap attached to a fill port.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the quick fill cap of
FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a side exploded view of the quick fill cap of FIG.
1.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a partial side sectional view of the toy water gun
and quick fill cap of FIG. 1 being engaged by a hose or faucet
outlet.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a partial side sectional view of the toy water gun
and quick fill cap of FIG. 1 in an inverted position.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of another embodiment of a
quick fill cap.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a side exploded view of the quick fill cap of FIG.
6.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a partial side sectional view of a toy water gun
and the quick fill cap of FIG. 6 being engaged by a hose or faucet
outlet.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a partial side sectional view of a toy water gun
and the quick fill cap of FIG. 6 in an inverted position.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a side exploded view of an alternative embodiment
of a quick fill cap.
[0022] FIG. 11 is a partial side sectional view of the toy water
gun and quick fill cap of FIG. 10 being engaged by a hose or faucet
outlet.
[0023] FIG. 12 is a partial side sectional view of the toy water
gun and quick fill cap of FIG. 10 with the toy water gun
pressurized.
[0024] FIG. 13 is a partial side sectional view of another
embodiment of the cap portion of a quick fill cap.
[0025] FIG. 14 is a side view of an embodiment of a fill port for a
toy water gun.
[0026] FIG. 15 is a partial side sectional view of the quick fill
cap and the toy water gun of FIGS. 13 and 14, respectively, with
the water gun pressurized.
[0027] FIG. 15A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 15-15 of
FIG. 15.
[0028] FIG. 16 is a partial side sectional view of the quick fill
cap and toy water gun of FIGS. 13 and 14, respectively, with the
quick fill cap partially unscrewed.
[0029] FIG. 16A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 16-16 of
FIG. 16.
[0030] FIG. 17 is a side exploded view of a further alternative
embodiment of a quick fill cap.
[0031] FIG. 18 is a partial side sectional view of the toy water
gun and quick fill cap of FIG. 17.
[0032] FIG. 19 is a partial side sectional view of a toy water gun
and the quick fill cap of FIG. 17 being engaged by a hose or faucet
outlet.
[0033] FIG. 20 is a side sectional view of an additional embodiment
of a quick fill cap in a closed position.
[0034] FIG. 21 is a side sectional view of the quick fill cap of
FIG. 20 in an open position.
[0035] FIG. 22 is a side sectional view of a still further
embodiment of a quick fill cap in a closed position.
[0036] FIG. 23 is a side sectional view of the quick fill cap of
FIG. 22 in an open position.
[0037] FIG. 24 is a side sectional view of yet another embodiment
of a a closed position.
[0038] FIG. 25 is a side sectional view of the quick fill cap of
FIG. 24 in an open position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS
[0039] Although the following text sets forth a detailed
description of numerous different embodiments of the invention, it
should be understood that the legal scope of the invention is
defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this
patent. The detailed description is to be construed as exemplary
only and does not describe every possible embodiment of the
invention since describing every embodiment would be impractical,
if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be
implemented, using either current technology or technology
developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still
fall within the scope of the claims defining the invention.
[0040] It should also be understood that, unless a term is
expressly defined in this patent using the sentence "As used
herein, the term `______` is hereby defined to mean. . . " or a
similar sentence, there is no intent to limit the meaning of that
term, either expressly or by implication, beyond its plain or
ordinary meaning, and such term should not be interpreted to be
limited in scope based on any statement made in any section of this
patent (other than the language of the claims). To the extent that
any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is
referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single
meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse
the reader, and it is not intended that such claim term by limited,
by implicationm or otherwise, to that single meaning. Finally,
unless a claim element is defined by reciting the word "means" and
a function without the recital of any structure, it is not intended
that the scope of any claim element be interpreted based on the
application of 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112, sixth paragraph.
[0041] FIG. 1 illustrates a toy water gun 10 having a quick fill
cap 12 removably attached to a fill port 14 of a tank or reservoir
16. The toy water gun 10 may be a pressurized toy water squirt gun
that uses a self-contained pressurizing mechanism to pressurize a
reservoir, such as the tank 16, to create a pressure differential
between the reservoir and the ambient atmosphere such that the
liquid contained therein may be propelled from the toy as an output
stream of liquid discharged from a nozzle, such as nozzle 18. One
example of a pressurizing mechanism that may be disposed within the
toy water gun 10 is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,305,919, entitled
"Pinch Trigger Hand Pump Water Gun with Non-Detachable Tank," which
issued on Apr. 26, 1994, and which is expressly incorporated herein
by reference in its entirety. Of course, other pressurizing
mechanisms are well-known in the art and may be implemented in the
toy water gun 10 having the quick fill cap 12. Alternatively, the
toy water gun 10 may be a toy squirt gun of the type having a
trigger 20 integrated with a pump disposed within the toy water gun
10 such that pulling the trigger 20 may operate the pump to supply
pressure causing an output stream of liquid at the nozzle 18. One
example of a toy squirt gun having an integrated trigger and pump
is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,334,383, entitled "Water Sprinkling
Toy Pistol with Bubble-Blowing Ring," which issued on Jun. 15,
1982, and which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in
its entirety. Of course, other mechanical and electro mechanical
mechanisms for causing an output stream of liquid from a nozzle of
a toy water gun are well known in the art and are contemplated as
having use in the toy water gun 10 utilizing the quick fill cap
12.
[0042] As previously discussed the toy water gun 10 includes a tank
16 that may have a quantity of liquid disposed therein that may be
discharged in an output stream from the nozzle 18 when the trigger
20 is activated by the user. The toy water gun 10 may include a
housing 22 supporting the tank 16 and enclosing the discharge
mechanism of the toy water gun 10, and having a handle 24 dispose
proximate the trigger 20 which may be grasped by the user when
using the toy water gun 10. If a pressurizing mechanism as
previously described is implemented in the toy water gun 10, the
toy water gun 10 may further include a pump handle 26 extending
from the housing 22 that may allow the user to pump a piston or
other mechanism to pressurize the liquid disposed within the tank
16.
[0043] The quick fill cap 12 detachably connected to the fill port
14 may include an external funnel 28 and cap portion 30 that may be
engaged by the user to attach and detach the quick fill cap 12 at
the fill port 14. The funnel 28 may be tapered, shaped as a
truncated cone or otherwise configured to receive an outlet capable
of discharging a stream of liquid. The cap portion 30 may also
include a throughbore aligning with an open end of the funnel 28 to
form a continuous channel when the funnel 28 is attached to the cap
portion 30. Referring to FIG. 2, an embodiment of the quick fill
cap 12 may further include a one-way valve 32 that may be connected
to the cap portion 30 such that the one-way valve 32 may be
disposed within the tank 16 when the quick fill cap 12 is attached
to the fill port 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the one-way
valve 32 may be a duck bill valve that may be implemented as a
sleeve formed from an elastomeric material, such as rubber, and
having diametrically opposed creases 33 such that the sleeve may be
substantially flat when not attached to the cap portion 30 with
diametrically opposed portions of the sleeve being in contact or
being disposed in close proximity.
[0044] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the cap portion 30 may further
include a downwardly extending hollow stem 34, which may be
tapered, and on to which an open end 36 of the sleeve may be
disposed. The open end 36 of the sleeve and the stem 34 may be
dimensioned such that the open end 36 engages the outer surface of
the stem 34 to create a substantially air-tight and water-tight
seal and form a continuous channel through the hollow cap portion
30 and one-way valve 32. Alternatively, the open end 36 may be
secured to the exterior surface of the stem 34 by an adhesive
disposed between the open end 36 and the stem 34, a taught band
around the exterior of the open end 36 at the stem 34, or by any
other mechanism for securing the open end 36 to the stem 34 to form
a substantially air-tight and water-tight seal. When the sleeve is
disposed on the stem 34, the end 38 of the sleeve opposite the open
end 36 may be substantially closed due to the generally flat
configuration of the sleeve caused by the diametrically opposed
creases 33. In this configuration, the closed end 38 may allow
fluid poured through the openings of the funnel 28 and cap portion
30 to flow out of the closed end 38 while also being capable of
forming a substantially water-tight seal at the closed end 38 to
prevent liquid from flowing into the quick fill cap 12 in the
opposite direction. While the one-way valve 32 is illustrated and
described herein as being a duck bill-type valve, it would be
understood by those skilled in the art that the one-way valve 32
may be any conventional one-way or check valve, such as a ball or
flat valve or the like, which will permit the liquid to flow freely
in one direction, such as through the funnel 28, cap portion 30 and
one-way valve 32, and out the closed end 38, and which prevents the
liquid from flowing in the opposite direction.
[0045] Referring now to FIG. 4, the quick fill cap 12 may be
connected to the fill port 14 so that an outlet 40 of a hose,
faucet, watering can, or the like, may discharge an output stream
of liquid 42 through the quick fill cap 12 and into the tank 16 to
form an accumulated amount of liquid 44. In the illustrated
embodiment, the cap portion 30 may have a threaded inner surface 46
configured to engage and mate with a corresponding threaded outer
surface 48 of the fill port 14 such that a substantially air-tight
and water-tight seal is formed when the cap portion 30 is screwed
onto the fill port 14 with a sufficient amount of torque. Of
course, other mechanisms for connecting the quick fill cap 12 to
the fill port 14 to form a substantially air-tight and water-tight
seal are well known and are contemplated as having use with the
quick fill cap. The funnel 28 may be configured to receive outlets
40 having varying outer diameters such that the outer surface of
the outlet 40 may, if desired, engage the inner surface of the
funnel 28. The funnel 28 may be fabricated from a resilient or
semi-resilient material, such as rubber, so that a substantially
water-tight seal may be formed between the engaged outer surface of
the outlet 40 and inner surface of the funnel 28. The funnel 28 may
be connected to the cap portion 30 by an adhesive or other
connection mechanism by which a substantially water-tight seal is
formed between the engage surfaces of the funnel 28 and cap portion
30. Alternatively, the funnel 28 and cap portion 30 may be
fabricated as a single unitary component from a single piece of
material. Moreover, the one-way valve 32 may also be integrally
formed with the stem 34 as a single unitary component.
[0046] As shown in the figure, when the outlet 40 is disposed
within the funnel 28, an output stream of liquid 42 may be
discharged from the outlet 40 through the continuous channel form
by the funnel 28, the cap portion 30 and the one-way valve 32. The
force of the output stream of liquid 42 on the inner surface of the
one-way valve 32 may be sufficient to cause the open end 38 of the
one-way valve 32 to open, thereby allowing the output stream of
liquid 42 to flow into the tank 16 and increase the accumulated
amount of liquid 44. When the outlet 40 is removed from the funnel
28 or the output stream of liquid 42 is otherwise discontinued,
thereby eliminating the force of the output stream of liquid 42
against the inner surface of the one-way valve 32, the restorative
force of the resilient material from which the one-way valve 32 is
fabricated causes the one-way valve 32 proximate the closed end 38
to flatten and thereby cause the diametrically opposed portions of
the inner surface of the one-way valve 32 to again be engaged or
disposed in close proximity to prevent the accumulated liquid 44
from flowing into the quick fill cap 12 through the closed end 38
as discussed hereinafter.
[0047] Once the output stream of liquid 42 is discontinued, the
one-way valve 32 of the quick fill cap 12 may prevent the
accumulated liquid 44 from flowing out through the fill port 14 as
long as the quick fill cap 12 is disposed thereon. For example,
FIG. 5 illustrates the portion of the tank 16 proximate the fill
port 14 when the toy water gun 10 is inverted. As the toy water gun
10 is inverted and the liquid 44 accumulates at the fill port 14,
the seal between the cap portion 30 and the fill port 14 prevents
the liquid 44 from leaking out between the threaded inner surface
46 and threaded outer surface 48. At the closed end 38 of the
one-way valve 32, the force exerted by the accumulated liquid 44 on
the outer surface of the valve 32 increases the sealing force at
the closed end 38 to prevent leakage of the accumulated liquid 44
through the closed end 38. Similarly, the force of the accumulated
liquid 44 bearing on the outer surface of the sleeve proximate the
open end 36 increases the sealing force between the open end 36 and
the stem 34. As a result, the accumulated liquid 44 is retained in
the tank 16 as the quick fill cap 12 prevents the accumulated
liquid 44 from flowing out of the tank 16 through the fill port
14.
[0048] In some implementations, it may be desirable to prevent the
excessive buildup of pressure within the tank 16 as liquid is
discharged into the tank 16 by the outlet 40. In such
implementations, it may be desirable to adapt a quick fill cap to
allow air to escape from the tank 16 as the tank 16 is being filled
with liquid, while still preventing the accumulated liquid 14 from
flowing out of the tank 16 through the fill port 14 while the quick
fill cap is attached thereto. FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate one
embodiment of a quick fill cap 50 that may facilitate the release
of air from the tank 16 as the tank 16 is being filled by liquid
discharged from the outlet 40. The quick fill cap 50 may include a
funnel 52 having a vent 54 integrally formed therein to facilitate
release of air from the tank 16. The quick fill cap 50 may further
include a cap portion 56 having a ball 58 disposed within a cavity
60 formed in the cap portion 56 and stem 62, thereby forming a ball
valve that may allow air to be discharged from the tank 16 while
sealing the tank 16 to prevent the accumulated liquid 44 from
flowing out of the fill port 14 while the quick fill cap 50 is
attached thereto.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 8, the quick fill cap 50 is illustrated
with the outlet 40 discharging an output stream of liquid 42
through the quick fill cap 50 to increase the amount of accumulated
liquid 44. As discussed with the previous embodiment, the cap
portion 56 may include a threaded inner surface mating with a
threaded outer surface 66 of the fill port 14. The cavity 16 may be
integrally or otherwise formed within the cap portion 56 and stem
62 and extend from a first opening 68 in the outer wall of the stem
62 to a second opening 70 in an upper surface of the cap portion 56
that may be aligned with the vent 54 of the funnel 52 when the
funnel 52 is attached to the cap portion 56 to form a substantially
water-tight seal with the ball 58 disposed within the cavity
60.
[0050] Configured in this way, two channels are formed in the quick
fill cap 50 placing the outside atmosphere in fluid communication
with the interior of the tank 16 when the quick fill cap 50 is
attached to the fill port 14. The first channel is formed by the
funnel 52, the cap 56 and stem 62, and the one-way valve 32 to
permit the output stream of liquid 42 discharged from the outlet 40
to flow into the tank 16 while preventing the accumulated liquid 44
from flowing back through the closed end of the one-way valve 32 as
previously described. The second channel may be formed by the vent
54 and ball valve cavity 60 that, in the absence of the ball 58,
would allow bi-directional flow of air and liquid between the outer
atmosphere and the interior of the tank 16. However, the ball 58
may be disposed within the cavity 60 to prevent the accumulated
liquid 44 from flowing out of the tank 16 through the cavity 60 and
vent 54. The cavity 60 may have an inner diameter that may be
larger than the outer diameter of the ball 58 to allow the ball 58
to move between the first opening 68 and the second opening 70. The
first opening 68 may be dimensioned such that the ball 58 engages
the first opening 68 to prevent the ball 58 from passing through
the outer surface of the stem 62. The first opening 68 may be
circular such that the ball 58 is seated in the first opening 68
when the ball 58 is disposed thereby or, alternatively, the first
opening 68 may be configured such that the ball 58 is not fully
seated in the first opening 68 so that air and liquid may be free
to pass around the ball 58 when the ball 58 is disposed at the
first opening 68. In order to allow the ball 58 to be disposed
within the cavity 60, the second opening 70 may be dimensioned such
that the ball 58 may freely pass through the second opening 70 when
the funnel 52 is not connected to the cap portion 56. In order to
retain the ball 58 within the cavity 60 while providing the
previously discussed second channel, the vent 54 may be dimensioned
such that the ball 58 may not pass through the opening 70 and into
the vent 54 when the funnel 52 is attached to the cap portion 56.
Further, the vent 54 may be dimensioned such that the ball 58 is
engaged by and seated in the vent 54 when the ball 58 is disposed
at the second opening 70, thereby allowing the ball 58 and vent 54
to form a substantially air-tight and water-tight seal.
[0051] As the output stream of liquid 42 is discharged into the
tank 16 through the quick fill cap 12 by the outlet 40 as shown in
FIG. 8, the outlet 40 may be engaged by the inner surface of the
funnel 52 to form a substantially air-tight and water-tight seal.
If air is not released from the tank 16, the pressure inside the
tank 16 will increase as the accumulated liquid 44 increases and
reduces the volume occupiable by the air in the tank 16. As the
pressure increases in the tank 16 having the quick fill cap 50
attached to the fill port 14, the air in the tank 16 may enter the
cavity 60 through the first opening 68, around the ball 58, out of
the cavity through the second opening 70 and through the vent 54 to
the outer atmosphere. If the ball 58 is seated in the lower opening
68, a minimum amount of pressure in the tank 16 may he necessary
for the air to move the ball 58 out of engagement with the first
opening 68. Conversely, if the ball 58 does not seat within the
first opening 68, the air may be free to pass into the first
opening 68 and around the ball 58 without attaining a minimum
pressure necessary to move the ball 58.
[0052] Once the tank 16 is filled and the outlet 40 is removed from
the funnel 52, the ball 58 may prevent the accumulated liquid 44
from leaking onto the tank 16 through the channel formed by the
cavity 60 and vent 54 as illustrated in FIG. 9. When the toy water
gun 10 and, consequently, the tank 16 are inverted, the ball 58 may
move within the cavity 60 from the first opening 68 to the second
opening 70 where the ball 58 is engaged by the vent 54. In order to
facilitate a water-tight seal between the ball 58 and the vent 54,
the funnel 52 may be fabricated from rubber or other resilient or
semi-resilient material that will conform to the surface of the
ball 58 under the weight of the ball 58 and the liquid 44
accumulated behind the ball 58 in the cavity 60. When the toy water
gun 10 is restored to the upright position of FIG. 8, the ball 58
unseats from the vent 54 at the second opening 70 and moves within
the cavity 60 downwardly to the first opening 68. While the quick
fill cap 50 is illustrated and described herein as having a ball
valve for releasing air from the tank 16 while retaining the
accumulated water 44 therein, the quick fill cap 50 may incorporate
any conventional one-way or check valve, such as a flap valve or
the like, which will permit air in the tank 16 to flow freely in
one direction out of the quick fill cap 50, in which prevents the
accumulated liquid 44 from flowing out of the tank 16 through the
same channel.
[0053] As previously discussed, the quick fill cap 12 may be
implemented in toy water guns that may include self-contained
pressurizing mechanisms to pressurize the liquid in the tank 16 and
facilitate propulsion of the output stream of liquid discharge from
the nozzle 18. Some pressurizing mechanisms may be able to generate
sufficient pressure to cause the elastomeric sleeve of the one-way
valve 32 to collapse and invert within the cavity of the stem 34,
thereby allowing the pressurized air and liquid 44 to leak out
through the quick fill cap 12. An alternative embodiment of the
quick fill cap 12 configured to prevent the collapse of the one-way
valve 32 is illustrated in FIGS. 10-12, in which the same reference
numerals are used to refer to similar elements of the quick fill
cap 12. Referring to FIG. 10, in addition to the funnel 28, cap
portion 30, and one-way valve 32, the quick fill cap 12 may include
an additional support member 80 disposed within the one-way valve
32 and engaged by a portion of the stem 34. During assembly of the
quick fill cap 12, the support member 80 may be inserted into the
open end 36 of the one-way valve 32 prior to inserting the stem 34
of the cap portion 30 into the open end 36 of the sleeve. After the
one-way valve 32 and cap portion 30 are assembled, the stem 34 may
engage the support member 80 to hold the support member 80 in place
against the pressure exerted on the one-way valve 32 by the
compressed air and liquid 44 in the tank 16, and to prevent the
collapse and inversion of the one-way valve 32. Alternatively, the
support member 80 may be integrally formed with the stem 34 as part
of the cap portion 30, and may be inserted into the open end 36 of
the sleeve along with the stem 34 when the quick fill cap 12 is
assembled.
[0054] As discussed, the support member 80 may prevent the collapse
of the one-way valve 32 under pressure from the compressed air and
water 44 in the tank 16. While providing support for the one-way
valve 32, the support member 80 may also include openings 82 to
allow liquid to flow through the quick fill cap 12. As shown in
FIG. 11 with the quick fill cap 12 connected to the fill port 14,
the output stream of liquid 42 discharged from the outlet 40 may
flow through the continuous channel formed by the funnel 28, the
cap portion 30 and the one-way valve 32 by passing through openings
82 in the support member 80. As shown in the figures herein, the
support member 80 may be in the form of a cage or basket as shown
in the drawings, may be configured similar to a colander or
strainer with holes, or may have any other configuration wherein
the support member 80 provides sufficient support to prevent the
collapse of the one-way valve 32 under pressure from the compressed
air and water 44 in the tank 16, while allowing an output stream of
liquid to flow through the quick fill cap 12 and into the tank 16,
and allowing the one-way valve 32 to close and seal to retain the
compressed air and liquid 44 in the tank 16.
[0055] Referring now to FIG. 12, the quick fill cap 12 with support
member 80 is illustrated with the tank 16 being pressurized by the
pressurizing mechanism of the toy water gun 10. As the pressure in
the tank 16 increases the force exerted on the outer walls of the
one-way valve 32 may cause the elastomeric sleeve to collapse
around and conform to the support member 80. However, as the
pressure in the tank 16 increases, the support member 80 prevents
the one-way valve 32 from collapsing and inverting upwardly into
the cavity of the stem 34. At the same time, the increasing
pressure in the tank 16 and resultant force on the outer walls of
the one-way valve 32 may tighten the seal at the closed end 38 of
the one-way valve 32 to prevent the compressed air and liquid 44
from leaking through the closed end 38 of the one-way valve 32.
[0056] When using the pressurized toy water guns 10, it may be
desirable or necessary to remove the cap while the tank 16 is
pressurized. When doing so, it may also be necessary or desirable
to release the pressure in the tank 16 before the threads of the
cap are disengaged from the threads of the fill port 14 to prevent
the compressed air from projecting the quick fill cap 12. FIGS.
13-16 illustrate an embodiment of the quick fill cap 12 in which
the pressure within the tank 16 may be relieved before the quick
fill cap 12 is completely disengaged from the fill port 14.
Pressurized air in the tank 16 may be released by providing grooves
through the threads of the cap portion 30 and the fill port 14 that
align to form a channel for releasing the compressed air as the
quick fill cap 12 is unscrewed from the fill port 14. FIG. 13 is a
partial cross sectional view of the cap portion 30 of the quick
fill cap 12 showing a portion of the threaded inner surface 46 that
may have a first groove 90 cut through the threads of the threaded
inner surface 46. As shown in FIG. 14, the threaded outer surface
48 of the fill port 14 may have a corresponding second groove 92
cut through the threads of the threaded outer surface 48. As the
quick fill cap 12 is unscrewed from the fill port 14, the first
groove 90 may rotate into alignment with the second groove 92 to
form a channel through which compressed air within the tank 16 may
flow and be released to the atmosphere, thereby reducing the air
pressure within the tank 16.
[0057] FIG. 15 illustrates the quick fill cap 12 screwed tightly on
to the fill port 14. The inner surface of the cap portion 30 may
engage the top edge of the fill port 14 to form a substantially
air-tight and water-tight seal preventing the compressed air and
accumulative water 44 within the tank 16 from leaking out of the
fill port 14. At the same time, a substantially air-tight and
water-tight seal is formed at the closed end 38 of the one-way
valve 32 to prevent the compressed air and accumulated liquid from
passing through the continuous channel of the quick fill cap 12. In
this position, the first groove 90 and the second groove 92 (not
shown) are out of alignment such that a substantially air-tight and
water-tight seal is formed between the threaded inner surface 46 of
the cap portion 30 and the threaded outer surface 48 of the fill
port 14. As shown in the cross sectional view of FIG. 15A, the
first groove 90 may be approximately one quarter turn of the quick
fill cap 12 out of alignment with the second groove 92 when the
quick fill cap 12 is screwed on to the fill port 14.
[0058] Referring to FIG. 16, the quick fill cap 12 is partly
unscrewed from the fill port 14 to a position wherein the first
groove 90 in the inner surface 46 of the cap portion 30 is aligned
with the second groove 92 of the outer surface 48 of the fill port
14. With the quick fill cap 12 partially unscrewed, the cap portion
30 disengages from the top edge of the fill port 14, thereby
placing the outside atmosphere in fluid communication with the
interior of the tank 16 by allowing the compressed air to flow out
of the opening of the fill port 14 and through the channel formed
by the first groove 90 and second groove 92 to the surrounding
atmosphere. As shown in FIG. 16A, in this embodiment, the first
groove 90 may rotate into alignment with the second groove 92 to
form the channel when the quick fill cap 12 is unscrewed by
approximately a quarter turn. Once the grooves 90 and 92 are in
alignment, the air pressure inside the tank 16 equalizes with the
atmospheric pressure, and the quick fill cap 12 may be safely
unscrewed and removed from the fill port 14.
[0059] FIGS. 17-19 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a quick
fill cap 100 in which the one-way valve may be an umbrella valve.
The quick fill cap 100 that may be detachably connected to the fill
port 14 may include an external funnel 102 and cap portion 104 that
may be engaged by the user to attach and detach the quick fill cap
100 at the fill port 14. The funnel 102 may be tapered, shaped as a
truncated cone or otherwise configured to receive an outlet capable
of discharging a stream of liquid. The cap portion 104 may also
include a throughbore aligned with an open end of the funnel 102 to
form a continuous channel when the funnel 102 is attached to the
cap portion 104. The quick fill cap 100 may further include an
umbrella valve 106 that may be connected to the cap portion 104
such that the umbrella valve 106 may be disposed within the tank 16
when the quick fill cap 100 is attached to the fill port 14. The
umbrella valve 106 may be formed from an elastomeric material and
may include a disk shaped or semicircular valve body 108, a shaft
110 extending outwardly from approximately the center of the valve
body 108, and a knob 112 disposed on the end of the shaft 110
opposite the valve body 108.
[0060] The cap portion 104 may further include a downwardly
extending hollow stem 114, which may be tapered, with the cap
portion 104 being adapted to engage and retain the umbrella valve
106. The cap portion 104 may further include a ring 116 suspended
within the cap portion 104 by a plurality of ribs 118 extending
inwardly from the inner surface of the cap portion 104. By
suspending the ring 116 with the ribs 118 in this manner, openings
120 may allow a stream of liquid to flow through the cap portion
104 to fill the tank 16. Referring to FIG. 18, the umbrella valve
106 is connected to the cap portion 104 by inserting the knob 112
upwardly through the stem 114 and through the ring 116. The knob
112 may be dimensioned with an outer diameter larger than the inner
diameter of the ring 116. When the knob 112 is forced upwardly
through the ring 116, the knob 112 may initially compress as the
knob 112 passes through the ring 116, and subsequently return to
its normal configuration after the knob 112 passes through the ring
116. Once the knob 112 returns to its normal configuration, the
knob 112 may be engaged by the ring 116 to prevent the knob 112
from passing back through the ring 116 under normal operating
conditions, and thereby retaining the umbrella valve 106 in
position with the quick fill cap 100. The valve body 108 and shaft
110 may be dimensioned so that the valve body 108 may engage and
match with the bottom surface of the stem 114 to form a
substantially air-tight and water-tight seal preventing the
accumulated liquid 44 in the tank 16 from leaking out of the quick
fill cap 100 through the continuous channel formed by the funnel
102 and cap portion 104, such as when the toy water gun 10 is
inverted. Moreover, as the tank 16 is pressurized by a pressurizing
mechanism of the toy water gun 10, the force of the compressed air
acting on the valve body 108 tightens the seal formed between the
valve body 108 and the stem 114, thereby preventing the compressed
air from leaking out into the atmosphere.
[0061] Referring now to FIG. 19, the quick fill cap 100 may be
connected to the fill port 14 so that an outlet 40 of a hose,
faucet, watering can, or the like, may discharge an output stream
of liquid 42 through the quick fill cap 100 and into the tank 16 to
form an accumulated amount of liquid 44. As shown in the FIG. 19,
when the outlet 40 is disposed within the funnel 102, the output
stream of liquid 42 may be discharged from the outlet 40 through
the continuous channel formed by the funnel 102 and the cap portion
104. The force of the output stream of liquid 42 on the surface of
the valve body 108 may be sufficient to cause the outer edges of
the resilient valve body 108 to partially or fully disengage from
the surface of the stem 114, thereby allowing the output stream of
liquid 42 to flow into the tank 116 and increase the accumulated
amount of liquid 44. Moreover, the force may cause deflection or
elongation of the shaft 110 that may allow the valve body 108 to
move away or otherwise disengage and unseat from the stem 114 to
allow the output stream of liquid to flow into the tank 16. When
the outlet 40 is removed from the funnel 102 or the output stream
of liquid 42 is otherwise discontinued, thereby eliminating the
force of the output stream of liquid 42 against the surface of the
valve body 108, the restorative force of the resilient material
from which the umbrella valve 106 is fabricated may cause the valve
body 108 and or shaft 110 to return to their normal shape to again
allow the valve body 108 to engage the surface of the stem 114 to
prevent the accumulated liquid 44 from flowing into the quick fill
cap 100 through the cavity of the stem 114. Those skilled in the
art will also understand that the quick fill cap 100 having the
umbrella valve 106 may also be used with toy water guns that do not
use a pressurization mechanism.
[0062] FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate a further alternative embodiment
of a quick fill cap 130 in which the one-way valve may be the
umbrella valve 106 as previously described. The quick fill cap 130
may be configured without an external funnel, and may include a cap
portion 132 that may be engaged by the user to attach and detach
the quick fill cap 130 at the fill port 14. The cap portion 132 may
include an inner surface 134 defining a throughbore and forming a
continuous channel when a hollow stem 136 is attached at a bottom
edge of the cap portion 132. In order to prevent the nozzle of a
faucet or hose, or other object, from passing too far into the
quick fill cap 130, a grate 138, or other structure similar to a
sewer grill or grate, may extend inwardly from the inner surface
134 across the channel of the cap portion 132. The grate 138 may
include openings 140 allowing liquid to pass through the channel
while engaging undesired objects to prevent the object from
engaging the umbrella valve 106. The cap portion 132 may also
include a gasket 142, such as a washer or O-ring, disposed
proximate the top of the threaded inner surface 46 of the cap
portion 132 to engage the top edge of the fill port 14 when the cap
portion 132 is disposed thereon to form a substantially air-tight
and water-tight seal between the cap portion 132 and the fill port
14. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that similar
gaskets may also be implemented in other embodiments of quick fill
caps discussed herein to similarly form substantially air-tight and
water-tight seals. Those skilled in the art will further appreciate
that, as with the present embodiment, the quick fill caps may be
provided without external funnels, and with liquid being discharged
directly into the channels of the cap portions of the quick fill
caps.
[0063] As indicated above, the quick fill cap 130 may further
include the previously-described umbrella valve 106 connected to
the cap portion 132 or hollow stem 136 such that the umbrella valve
106 may be disposed within the tank 16 when the quick fill cap 130
is attached to the fill port 14. The hollow stem 136 attached to
the cap portion 132 may be adapted to engage and retain the
umbrella valve 106 in a similar manner as described for the hollow
stem 114 of the previous embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment,
a ring 144 may be suspended within the hollow stem 136 by a
plurality of ribs 146 extending inwardly from a support rim 148
extending inwardly from the inner surface of the hollow stem 136.
By suspending the ring 144 with the ribs 146 in this manner,
openings 150 defined by the ribs 146 may allow a stream of liquid
to flow through the cap portion 132 and hollow stem 136 to fill the
tank 16. The umbrella valve 106 may be connected to the hollow stem
136 in a similar manner as previously described by inserting the
knob 112 upwardly through the ring 144 such that the ring 144 may
engage the knob 112 to retain the umbrella valve 106 in position.
While the hollow stem 136 is illustrated and described herein as
being attached to the can portion 132, those skilled in the art
will appreciate that the cap portion 132 and hollow stem 136 may
alternatively be fabricated as a unitary component from a single
piece of material.
[0064] The valve body 108 and shaft 110 may be dimensioned so that
the valve body 108 may engage and mate with a bottom surface of the
support rim 148 to form a substantially air-tight and water-tight
seal preventing the accumulated liquid 44 in the tank 16 from
leaking out of the quick fill cap 130 through the continuous
channel formed by the cap portion 132 and hollow stem 136. In order
to ensure that a sufficient seal forms between the valve body 108
and support rim 148, the quick fill cap 130 may further include a
support member 152 engaging a bottom surface of the valve body 108
to force the valve body 108 upwardly into engagement with the
support rim 148. The support member 152 may be disposed on a
support plate 154 suspended from the bottom of the hollow stem 136
by a plurality of spaced support arms 156. The support arms 156 may
be spaced apart about the circumference of the hollow stem 136 and
support plate 154 to define a plurality of openings 158 through
which liquid may flow when a stream of liquid is discharged into
the quick fill cap 130.
[0065] The quick fill cap 130 may be connected to the fill port 14
so that an outlet (not shown) of a hose, faucet, watering can, or
the like, may discharge an output stream of liquid through the
quick fill cap 130 and into the tank to form an accumulated amount
of liquid in a similar manner as discussed for the
previously-described embodiments of quick fill caps. When an outlet
is disposed within the channel of the cap portion 132, an output
stream of liquid may be discharged from the outlet through the
continuous channel formed by the cap portion 132 and the hollow
stem 136. The force of the output stream of liquid on the surface
of the valve body 108 may be sufficient to cause the outer edges of
the resilient valve body 108 to partially or fully disengage from
the bottom surface of the support rim 148 as shown in FIG. 21,
thereby allowing the output stream of liquid to flow into the tank
and increase the accumulated amount of liquid. When the valve body
108 is deflected, the stream of liquid may flow through the
openings 150 defined by the ribs 146, past the deflected valve body
108, and through the openings 158 defined by the support arms 156.
The support member 152 may engage the valve body 108 proximate the
shaft 110 to prevent causing a substantial amount of deflection or
elongation of the shaft 110 under the force of the stream of
liquid. When the outlet is removed from the continuous channel of
the cap portion 132, or the output stream of liquid is otherwise
discontinued, thereby eliminating the force of the output stream of
liquid against the surface of the valve body 108, the restorative
force of the resilient material from which the umbrella valve 106
is fabricated may cause the valve body 108 to return to its normal
shape to again allow the valve body 108 to engage the bottom
surface of the support rim 148 to prevent the accumulated liquid
from flowing into the quick fill cap 132 through the cavity of the
hollow stem 136. Those skilled in the art will also understand that
the quick fill cap 130 having the umbrella valve 106 may also be
used with toy water guns that do not use a pressurization
mechanism.
[0066] An alternative embodiment of the quick fill cap 130 is
illustrated in FIGS. 22 and 23. In this embodiment, the support
member 152 may be replaced by a support member 160 biased against
the bottom surface of the valve body 108 by a spring 162. The
support member 160 may be a substantially disk shaped, and include
a plurality of spaced and outwardly extending fingers 164. The
fingers 164 may center the support member 160 under the valve body
108 and define openings therebetween through which discharged
liquid may flow when the umbrella valve 106 is open. When an outlet
is disposed within the channel of the cap portion 132, an output
stream of liquid may be discharged from the outlet through the
continuous channel formed by the cap portion 132 and the hollow
stem 136. The force of the output stream of liquid on the surface
of the valve body 108 may be sufficient to overcome the force of
the spring 162 to push the support member 160 downwardly, thereby
allowing the outer edges of the resilient valve body 108 to
partially or fully disengage from the bottom surface of the support
rim 148 as shown in FIG. 23 to allow the output stream of liquid to
flow into the tank and increase the accumulated amount of liquid.
When the valve body 108 is deflected, the stream of liquid may flow
through the openings 150 defined by the ribs 146, past the
deflected valve body 108, and through the openings defined by the
spaced fingers 164 and the openings 158 defined by the support arms
156. When the outlet is removed from the continuous channel of the
can portion 132. or the output stream of liquid is otherwise
discontinued, thereby eliminating the force of the output stream of
liquid against the surface of the valve body 108, the restorative
force of the valve body 108 and the force of the spring 162 may
cause the valve body 108 to return to its normal shape, and the
support member 160 to move upwardly to its normal position, to
again allow the valve body 108 to engage the bottom surface of the
support rim 148 to prevent the accumulated liquid from flowing into
the quick fill cap 132 through the cavity of the hollow stem
136.
[0067] A still further embodiment of a quick fill cap 170 is
illustrated in FIGS. 24 and 25 in which the one-way valve may be a
check valve 171. The quick fill cap 170 may be configured without
an external funnel, and may include a cap portion 172 that may be
engaged by the user to attach and detach the quick fill cap 170 at
the fill port 14. The cap portion 172 may include a throughbore 174
having a hollow stem or cylinder 176 disposed therethrough with a
common longitudinal axis 177 and forming a continuous channel. The
cap portion 132 may also include a gasket 142 as previously
described disposed proximate the top of the threaded inner surface
46 of the cap portion 172 to engage the top edge of the fill port
14 when the cap portion 172 is disposed thereon to form a
substantially air-tight and water-tight seal between the cap
portion 172 and the fill port 14. In the illustrated embodiment, a
ring 178 may be suspended within the hollow cylinder 176 by a
plurality of ribs 180 extending inwardly from an inner wall of the
hollow cylinder 176. By suspending the ring 178 with the ribs 180
in this manner, the ribs 180 may define openings 182 to allow a
stream of liquid to flow through the cap portion 172 and hollow
cylinder 176 to fill the tank 16.
[0068] The check valve 171 of the quick fill cap 170 may have a
valve body including an upper flange 184 and a lower flange 186
connected by a shaft 188. The upper flange 184 may be disk-shaped
or other shape corresponding to the cross-section of the interior
of the hollow cylinder 176, and may be dimensioned such that the
upper flange 184 and, consequently, the check valve 171 are
slidable within the hollow cylinder 176 substantially parallel to
the longitudinal axis 177. The upper flange 184 may have a hole 190
therethrough proximate the center of the upper flange 184 through
which a portion of the shaft 188 may be inserted and secured by
adhesive or other fastening mechanism. The upper flange 184 may
further include one or more spaced openings 192 therethrough
through which a liquid may flow to pass through the quick fill cap
170 and into the tank 16 when the check valve 171 is open.
[0069] The lower flange 186 of the check valve 171 may be
disk-shaped or other shape corresponding to the cross-section of
the bottom edge of the hollow cylinder 176, and may be dimensioned
such that that the lower flange 186 extends over the bottom edge of
the hollow cylinder 176 and may engage the bottom edge of the
hollow cylinder 176 to form a substantially air-tight and
water-tight seal therebetween. The lower flange 186 may include a
raised outer edge 194 extending upwardly and disposed on the
outside of the hollow cylinder 176 when the lower flange 186
engages the bottom edge of the hollow cylinder 176. The lower
flange 186 may also have a hole 196 therethrough proximate the
center of the lower flange 186 through which a portion of the shaft
188 may be inserted and secured by adhesive or other fastening
mechanism when the check valve 171 is assembled onto the cap
portion 172. The check valve 171 may further include a gasket 198
disposed on an upper surface of the lower flange 186 to engage the
bottom edge of the hollow cylinder 176 when the check valve 171 is
closed to form the substantially air-tight and water-tight seal
between the bottom edge of the hollow cylinder 176 and the lower
flange 186 of the check valve 171.
[0070] When the check valve 171 is assembled onto the cap portion
172, an end of the shaft 188 opposite the upper flange 184 may be
inserted downwardly through the opening in the ring 178 with a
spring 200 disposed between the upper flange 184 and the ring 178,
with the shaft 188 and opening in the ring 178 being dimensioned so
that the shaft 188 may be slidable within the opening of the ring
178. Once inserted, the end of the shaft 188 extending through the
ring 178 may be inserted into the hole 196 through the lower flange
186 and affixed thereto using any appropriate attachment mechanism.
The spring 200 may bias the upper flange 184 away from the ring 178
to a normal closed position wherein the lower flange 186 and gasket
198 may engage the bottom edge of the hollow cylinder 176 to form a
substantially air-tight and water-tight seal therebetween. In order
to open the check valve 171 to allow liquid flow into the tank
through the channel of the quick fill cap 170, the outlet of a
faucet, hose, water can or other device may be pressed downwardly
against the top surface of the upper flange 184 to cause the check
valve 171 to move downwardly against the biasing force of the
spring 200 as shown in FIG. 25. As the check valve 171 moves
downwardly, the lower flange 186 and gasket 198 may disengage from
the bottom surface of the hollow cylinder 176, with the outer edge
194 of the lower flange 186 also moving clear of the bottom edge of
the hollow cylinder 176. Once the lower flange 186 and gasket 198
disengage to open the check valve 171, an output stream of liquid
may pass through the openings 192 in the upper flange 184, through
the hollow cylinder 176, through the openings 182 defined by the
ribs 180, and into the tank to add to the accumulated amount of
liquid therein. Once the desired amount of liquid is discharged
into the tank, the outlet may be disengaged from the upper flange
184 and removed from the hollow cylinder 176. Once the force of the
outlet is removed from the upper flange 184, the biasing force of
the spring 200 may move the check valve 171 toward the normal
closed position with the lower flange 186 and gasket 198 again
engaging the bottom edge of the hollow cylinder 176 to form a
substantially air-tight and water-tight seal therebetween.
[0071] While the preceding text sets forth a detailed description
of numerous different embodiments of the invention, it should be
understood that the legal scope of the invention is defined by the
words of the claims set forth at the end of this patent. The
detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does
not describe every possible embodiment of the. invention since
describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not
impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented,
using either current technology or technology developed after the
filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope
of the claims defining the invention.
* * * * *