Patent ID: 6149873
Filing Date: 2000-11-21
Classification: A61L,G06F

Abstract:
A computer actuated scent apparatus comprising, in combination:a housing with a rectangular configuration having a square front face, a square rear face and a side wall integrally coupled therebetween defined by four elongated rectangular faces, thereby forming an interior space with a constant square cross-section along an entire length thereof, the front and rear faces each having a circular bore formed in a center thereof and a cylindrical threaded sleeve mounted to an outer surface thereof in concentric relationship with the associated bore and extending outwardly therefrom with a plurality of threaded grooves formed on an outer surface thereof, the housing further including a divider with a size and shape similar to that of the front and rear faces, the divider integrally coupled within the interior space of the housing at a central extent of the side wall, wherein the divider has an aperture formed in a central extent thereof;a pair of conduits each having a cylindrical configuration, the conduits including an input conduit with a first end sealingly coupled to an inner surface of the rear face of the housing in axial alignment with the circular bore thereof and a second end sealingly coupled to a first face of the divider for providing hermetical communication between the aperture of the divider and the bore of the rear face, the conduits further including an output conduit with a first end sealingly coupled to an inner surface of the front face of the housing in axial alignment with the circular bore thereof and a second end sealingly coupled to a second face of the divider for providing hermetical communication between the aperture of the divider and the bore of the front face;a scented filter assembly including a tubular shell with a pair of open ends and a scented filter materiel situated within the shell for dispensing a scent upon the flow of air therethrough, wherein the scented filter assembly is removably inserted within the output conduit;a piercing assembly including a rigid cylindrical sleeve mounted on the first face of the divider in concentric relationship with the aperture, an elastomeric bushing mounted within the sleeve of the piercing assembly with a disk-shaped recess formed in an end thereof, and a pin mounted within the bushing in concentric relationship therewith with a first end in communication with the aperture of the divider and a second end extending from the bushing;a compressed air tank with a cylindrical configuration removably inserted within the input conduit, whereby the air tank is pierced by the pin of the piercing assembly upon the insertion of the same within the input conduit such that compressed air is dispensed through the aperture of the divider for being directed through the scented filter assembly;a solenoid valve mounted within the divider of the housing and having a transducer with an unbiased orientation covering the aperture for precluding the flow of air to the scented filter assembly and a biased orientation for allowing the flow of air to the scented filter assembly only upon the actuation thereof, wherein the solenoid is connected to a cable which exits the housing at the rear face thereof and terminates at an adapter for releasably connecting with a control means which is adapted to actuate the solenoid valve during a computer game; anda plurality of caps each having a circular face with a peripheral lip coupled to a periphery of the circular face and extending therefrom with a plurality of threaded grooves formed in an inner surface thereof, the caps including a first cap with a single enlarged bore formed in the circular face thereof for allowing scented air to be directed directly therethrough upon being secured to the threaded sleeve of the front face of the housing, a second cap with a matrix of small bores formed in the circular face thereof for allowing scented air to be directed therethrough in a dispersed manner upon being secured to the threaded sleeve of the front face of the housing and a third cap with a closed circular face for being secured to the threaded sleeve of the rear face of the housing to effect the piercing of the compressed air tank.