Abstract:
An adjustable laser sight is provided, wherein the laser sight is fastened to a toy gun, such as a water gun. The laser emits a beam providing a method for aiming the stream of water, thereby providing amusement by way of simulating the visual effect of “real” laser sights on actual weapons.

Description:
FIELD OF ENDEAVOR  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to aiming a stream of liquid at a target. The invention has industrial application in machines that target liquid streams, firefighting applications, and amusement applications. Among amusement devices and toys, the invention relates to use of lasers in toys.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Laser sights are typically high-precision devices attached to lethal weapons such as pistols, rifles, and hunting bows. Historically, the cost of lasers has largely precluded their use in toys. However, the relatively low cost of modern diode lasers now makes it a realistic and cost effective proposition to mount a laser sight to a toy gun primarily as a novelty, to simulate a real laser-sighted gun.  
         [0003]     By combining a laser with a toy water gun, the user of the toy experiences an additional element of fun. Allowing the beam to be adjusted in the vertical adds to the amusement, while further providing a method of improving the targeting accuracy of a toy water gun.  
         [0004]     Adjustable laser sights for real weapons (that is to say, substantially line-of-sight weapons, typically lethal or incapacitating) exist in prior art, such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,323,555 to Jehn (June 1994), for use on a gun; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,094,829 to Koestler, for use on a hunting bow. Such inventions propose very different uses, applications, and purposes than the present invention, because they are mounted specifically to precision weapons and firearms, for the explicit purpose of improving the accuracy of delivering a projectile of substantially high velocity.  
         [0005]     Efforts have also been made to mount lights to water guns to light the stream of water. U.S. Pat. No. 4,239,129 to Esposito (December 1980) teaches use of lamps for illuminating the water stream, along with pump improvements. U.S. Pat. No. 6,474,507 to Hornsby, et al. (November 2002) discloses a water pistol wherein the stream of water is lighted using an LED. U.S. Pat. No. 5,346,418 to Arad (September 1994) discloses a kit for assembling toy weapons, which may include, among other things, a “light generator and a sound generator.” 
         [0006]     The Esposito, Hornsby, and Arad patents propose uses for lights and so forth on toy guns, but they do not specify use of a genuine laser beam with toy guns, thereby simulating the “laser sights” of actual weapons.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     A laser module according to various embodiments of the present invention emits a genuine coherent beam of red laser light. This forms a pinpoint laser dot, and associated “speckle pattern” (a phase interference phenomenon) characteristic of laser light, thus characterizing in a water gun the visual effects of a precision laser sight sometimes mounted to “real” weapons.  
         [0008]     Furthermore, this provides a way to enhance sight aiming for a water gun, thereby illuminating the target area of a water gun with real laser light.  
         [0009]     As such, at least one aspect of the present invention is directed at providing an improved new and fun water gun with a laser sight; and, secondarily, to improve the accuracy of the water stream. Several objects and advantages of the present invention over prior art are: 
        (a) to provide a simple and relatively low cost laser sight for a toy water gun;     (b) to provide the user of a toy water gun to experience the feel, fun, and visual effect of a “real” laser-sighted weapon embodied in a low-cost toy;     (c) to provide an optional method in certain embodiments wherein the laser sight is adjustable as an aid in range targeting.        
 
         [0013]     Although some descriptions herein contain certain specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. For example, a red diode laser is used in the preferred embodiment because such laser modules are inexpensive at this time; however, other types and colors of lasers could be used. As another example, water is normally used in the toy guns, but clearly the guns may be filled with other liquids. Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.  
         [0014]     In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, a sight assembly with a low-cost red diode laser module is attached to a water gun. The laser sight assembly provides a method for illuminating a target with laser light from a simple toy water gun.  
         [0015]     In one embodiment, a slidably attached range lever raises or lowers the laser&#39;s vertical angle as the range lever is adjusted. A range legend, consisting of numerals indicating number of feet to target, is horizontally disposed along the path of the range lever. As the range lever slides horizontally, the laser beam adjusts vertically in proportion to the position of the lever, and thus in proportion to the estimated target range.  
         [0016]     A power button disposed proximate to the water gun&#39;s trigger allows the user to activate the laser beam by pressing with the user&#39;s thumb or finger, typically prior to squeezing the trigger to shoot the water. The procedure of activating the laser beam mounted to the water gun results in a general visual effect identical to that seen of precision laser sights normally attached to lethal weapons. The adjustable embodiment of the present invention provides a method of improving targeting accuracy before squirting the water. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]     Advantages and features of the invention will become apparent upon reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, of which:  
         [0018]      FIG. 1A  shows the preferred embodiment, a laser sight assembly mounted to a water gun.  
         [0019]      FIG. 1B  shows a laser sight assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 1C  shows a spring mounted laser sight according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 2  shows a schematic diagram of electrical connections for powering and controlling a diode laser according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 3  shows a water gun with a fixed laser unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS  
       [0000]    
       
          LB laser beam  
          TR trigger  
          WG water gun  
          WS water stream  
           20  laser unit  
           22  laser module  
           30  power button  
           40  battery array  
           45  circuit wire  
           50  range lever  
           60  pinion  
           70  range legend  
           90  guideway  
           100  sight assembly  
           120  spring  
           130  base  
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0039]     The invention finds wide application for industrial and firefighting areas for any system which needs to project fluid at a specific target.  
         [0040]     The following description will describe various embodiments useable with a water gun. Other similar applications in toys are also contemplated, such as cap guns, paintball guns, and non-firing toy guns. Additionally, other liquid projecting device applications are also contemplated, such as would be used with emergency fire-department equipment and the like, which may dispense water or a chemical based liquid other than water. Further uses would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this disclosure.  
         [0041]     Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIG. 1A ,  FIG. 1B ,  FIG. 1C , and  FIG. 2 , there is shown a water gun WG according to one embodiment of the present invention. The design detail of the water gun itself is not a concern of this disclosure, as such designs are standard in the prior art. A sight assembly  100  and its related methods comprise the essence of various embodiments of the present invention when attached to a water gun WG.  
         [0042]     A range lever  50  is slidably mounted to a base  130 , which is affixed to the water gun. The range lever  50  is shaped such that it fits into a guideway  90 . The shape of the range lever  50  as it fits in the guideway  90  causes the range lever  50  to remain secured to the laser sight. The guideway  90  provides a path for the range lever  50  to be horizontally nutated.  
         [0043]     As the range lever  50  is nutated along the guideway  90 , it presses against a laser unit  20  which is disposed to selectively emit a laser beam LB when powered “on.” The laser unit  20  rests slidably on the range lever  50  shown at the laser unit&#39;s aft end.  
         [0044]     The laser unit  20  comprises therewithin a red (650 nm) Class IIIA diode laser module  22  (see  FIG. 2 ) of power less than 5 mW, and a battery array  40  (see  FIG. 2 ). Such a red diode laser module  22  is used because the cost at this time has become very low and consistent with production costs for toys. These costs are on the order of {fraction (1/20)}th that of typical green lasers, for example. A suitable laser assembly for our purpose is the model CL2005 laser pointer by Team Products International, Inc., comprising neatly within the laser assembly a power button, and three LR44 batteries as its battery array. Other embodiments anticipated may comprise other types of laser modules and other emitted visible wavelengths. Besides the semiconductor medium, laser mediums such as solid, gas, eximer, or liquid are also possible. Power levels of class II lasers (power less than 1 mW) are also appropriate. Power levels above 5 mW are largely proscribed for reasons of eye safety. Mounting more than one laser on the water gun is within the scope of the invention as a variant of the embodiments described. Special care should also be taken with regard to eye safety in such embodiments.  
         [0045]     The laser unit  20  is springably/resiliently attached to the base  130  near the beam-emitting end of the laser unit  20 , resting on a pinion  60 . For example, spring  120 , affixed to both the base  130  and to the laser unit  20 , presses the aft end of the laser unit  20  in a downward direction (toward the base  130 , and thus pressing against the range lever  50 ). The relative heights and positions of the pinion  60  and the range lever  50  are chosen such that as the range lever  50  slides forward toward the pinion  60  (shown in  FIG. 1B  by a directional arrow), the laser unit  20  consequently tilts its aft end up. Such forward sliding causes the laser beam to angle progressively downward. Thus, sliding the range lever  50  forward represents a more distant range, since the user of the invention responds by pointing the water gun more skyward to keep the laser beam pointed at any target. When a trigger TR on the water gun is depressed, the vertical angle of the water gun, dictated to the user by the vertical angle of the laser beam, causes a water stream WS to be emitted from the water gun. The purpose of the laser beam in a toy is largely concerned with the mere “fun factor” of simulating a real laser sight on a water gun, but the configuration in this preferred embodiment allows the user of a thusly equipped water gun to adjust the gun&#39;s angle in relation to estimated target distance by virtue of the sight assembly. The laser “dot” that the user sees allows the user to aim (approximately) with the proper vertical angle to compensate for downrange and gravity, and thus to impinge the water from the water gun on the desired target.  
         [0046]     Certain types of water guns have triggering methods for dispensing water other than the standard finger-squeezed trigger, such as buttons, cranks, pumps, and so forth. Typically, an embodiment of the present invention attached to such an otherwise-triggered water gun is best constructed such that the user may activate the laser beam substantially independently of activating the water gun triggering method.  
         [0047]     A range legend  70 , mounted proximate to the span of motion of the range lever  50 , has numbers representing approximate distance to the target. The range lever  50  acts as a pointer to the various range numbers printed on the range legend  70 . The positions of the numbers on the range legend  70  are calibrated depending upon the squirting power of the water gun to which the invention is mounted. For example, a water gun with a range up to approximately 40 feet might have markings on the range legend  70  in intervals of five feet, consisting of the markings: 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40.  
         [0048]     Alternate embodiments for the range legend component are possible, and include more sophisticated displays for the user, such as LCDs, LEDs, plasma displays, or dials, indicating approximate range to target. Moreover, such range legend embodiments may respond to the range lever  50  of the type in the preferred embodiment, or other similar vernier methods, such as a dial or a digital input device.  
         [0049]     A power button  30  disposed proximate to the water gun&#39;s trigger activates the laser beam. The power button, when pressed, acts as an electrical switch and closes the circuit formed by a circuit wire  45  and the battery array  40 , supplying power to activate the laser module  22 .  
         [0050]     Other possible alternate embodiments of the present invention trade complexity for facility of use, including mounting the power button  30  on the water gun&#39;s trigger, or employing an electric switch that is connected to the water gun&#39;s trigger wherein partial movement of the trigger cause a contact to close, thus turning the laser beam on. Still other embodiments envisioned include a more sophisticated electric switch for the laser, such as a capacitance-activated switch, or a resistance-activated switch, and so forth.  
         [0051]     According to one embodiment, slight modifications to the aforementioned model CL2005 laser pointer are necessary: to attach it to the invention, as shown in the figures; and to mount its power button elsewhere than directly on the laser unit  20 . These modifications are easily accomplished by anyone skilled in the art. Other similar lasers by other manufacturers would also be well suited to use in the invention.  
         [0052]     Referring now specifically to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a schematic diagram of electrical connections for powering and controlling the laser. Typically the power button  30  is disposed several inches from the laser unit  20 , using the circuit wire  45  to complete the circuit between the battery array and the laser module when the power button is closed. As is standard in such a power circuit, the circuit wire consists of three parts: 
        circuit wire  45 A, connecting the positive side of the battery array to the power button;     circuit wire  45 B, connecting the power button to the positive terminal of the unit to receive power (the laser module); and     circuit wire  45 C, connecting the negative side of the battery array to the negative terminal of the laser module.        
 
         [0056]     The circuit wire used is teflon-insulated. The circuit wire is run physically from the battery array along the laser unit  20 , and threaded through the base  130  adjacent to the pinion  60 . Some slack in the wire is left in the area of the pinion  60  to allow movement. As the wire is run along the water gun toward the power button, the wire is glued to the body of the water gun for stability. (These wire attachment details are not shown in the drawings, but can easily be implemented by anyone skilled in the art.)  
         [0000]     Alternate Embodiment  
         [0057]     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown an alternate embodiment of the present invention. Unlike previously described embodiments, this embodiment does not have the capability for adjusting the sight. While losing that advantage, it gains another advantage of simplicity. The laser unit  20  is disposed on the left side of the water gun with the power button on the laser unit  20  pointed outward. This assumes a right-handed user; such a right-handed user presses the power button with his or her thumb, leaving the index finger free to subsequently squeeze the trigger and eject the water or fluid. No modifications to the model CL2005 laser pointer are required in this embodiment, and the laser unit  20  is simply glued to the water gun.  
         [0000]     Operation  
         [0058]     A method of using a laser sight attached to a water gun according to various embodiments of the present invention, is to point the water gun toward an intended target, and activate the laser by way of pressing the power button, causing a laser dot to appear on the target. Thus the user experiences the primary goal of the invention, the visual effect of a “real” laser sight. Typically, the user would then squeeze the water gun trigger. In embodiments with an adjustable sight, prior to aiming the water gun, the user should estimate the distance to target and slide the range lever  50  to the corresponding spot on the range legend  70 , thus pre-calibrating the beam height for use of the water gun at the target distance. The user then actuates the water stream.  
         [0059]     In embodiments employing the aforementioned model CL2005 laser pointer or similar laser, when the user notices the laser beam dimming, the batteries can be easily accessed by unscrewing the battery compartment access cover (not shown in the figures) on the laser unit  20  to replace the batteries.  
         [0060]     Thus, methods and apparatuses for using lasers in toys according to various embodiments of the present invention have been described.  
         [0061]     Many modifications and variations may be made to the techniques and structures described and illustrated herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that the methods and apparatus described herein are illustrative only and are not limiting upon the scope of the invention.  
         [0062]     Those of ordinary skill will also recognize that according to the invention a laser sight can be used on liquid or fluid projecting devices generally. For example, in industrial applications, a laser sight can be used to direct air, gas, liquids or other fluids to a target to accomplish a desired purpose. Examples of such purposes include deflecting or pushing an item or cleaning an item. Similarly, according to the invention, a laser sight can be used to direct the flow of an extinguishing chemical or water to put out a fire.