Toy water gun

A toy water gun provides a plurality of nozzles for discharging water in a variety of directions, volumes or spray patterns. A multi-position trigger or similar device controls selection of nozzles individually or in combinations whereby an operator can quickly choose among various modes of discharge by moving the trigger through corresponding positions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to toy water guns, and more particularly to such water guns having multiple nozzles for discharging water, and water guns in which nozzles are adapted to discharge in directions other than forward.

Water guns are well known in which a plunger or trigger is employed to force or release water through an internal passage leading to a rotatable nozzle head having several orifices of various sizes or shapes. Thus, an operator may, in between discharges, rotate the nozzle head to align a selected orifice with the water passage, for different choices of discharge volume or spray patterns. While such designs allow many choices to be available, the configuration is not conducive to quick or repeated changes, particularly in the midst of a water battle.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,615,488 and 4,597,527 (both to Sands) disclose water guns in which a member of a nozzle head assembly is rotated to selectively align either a forward nozzle or a sideways directed nozzle with a main water supply passage. Additionally, a second member of the nozzle head (or the plunger handle of an alternate embodiment) may be rotated to allow flow of water from the main supply passage to a pair of rearward facing nozzles. To select a new output configuration an operator must presumably halt the process of discharging water to perform a separate nozzle selection operation. The rearward nozzles are intended to direct water at the operator of the gun, rather than at a target located behind the operator (U.S. Pat. No. 4,597,527, col. 2, lines 43–46 and col. 3, lines 22–26).

U.S. Pat. No. 819,602 (Rupp) discloses an agricultural sprayer in which two spray heads can discharge fluid. The device does not simulate a firearm, is attached to a hose (col. 1, In. 23–25) and is carried by holding the arms 10, one in each hand (col. 2, In. 74–77). U.S. Pat. No. 979,771 (Kunzelmann) discloses a nozzle head in which a handle is employed for selecting one of three nozzles. The handle changes the orientation of the nozzles so that a selected nozzle always aims forward. U.S. Pat. No. 5,603,361 (Cuisinier) discloses a water pistol in which a second output can be selected and employed for filling a water balloon. The second output points straight down along a vertical axis with respect to the pistol. U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,440 (Regalbuto) shows a bicycle mounted squirting apparatus with multiple nozzles. The apparatus does not simulate a firearm and is not practical for use without a bicycle, upon which its major components must be separately and individually mounted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides novel water gun control means for quick and easy selection of different nozzles or combinations thereof, so that discharge direction, volume and/or spray patterns may be changed “on the fly” without significant down time or interruption of discharge during changes in selection. In a typical embodiment, a water gun has an internally carried discharge control valve with multiple selectable outputs. Each valve output is connected via conduit to a different nozzle or set of nozzles. A multi-position trigger or similar device controls the valve, whereby an operator can choose among the various modes of discharge simply by moving the trigger among corresponding positions.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1,2and3depict, by way of illustration but not of limitation, a water gun employing the present invention. The water gun10includes a body or frame11, a pump12adapted for pressurizing water and air in a sealed reservoir13, a valve19for releasing pressurized water from the reservoir, and a trigger assembly15for operating the valve. The pump12includes a plunger20, a cylinder21and a unidirectional check valve22. The plunger includes a shaft23having a piston24at one end and a user operable handle20aat the opposite end. Reciprocation of the plunger20within the cylinder21draws outside air into the cylinder as the plunger is moved to the right inFIG. 1, and forces said air through check valve22and into reservoir13, via conduit25, when the plunger is moved to the left. Water is added to the reservoir (when not pressurized) through an air tight removable cap26. Air pressure urges water from the reservoir13to the valve19via a tube27.

The valve19(ref.FIG. 3) includes a first stage14afor allowing or blocking the flow of water, and a second stage14bfor selecting discharge direction. A tube34supplies water from the first valve stage14ato the second stage14b, which includes a movable cylindrical core32carried for rotation in a body16having four output ports38. The body16is held in fixed position on the gun frame11by engagement of tabs40and receptacles41, and may be integrally connected with the body of first valve stage14a(for simplicity of illustration such connection is not shown in the figures). The output ports38are radially offset from the axis of rotation of the core32, symmetrically spaced from each other by ninety degrees. The rotary core32has a single aperture36radially offset from the axis of rotation such that it can be aligned with any selected one of the outputs38. An o-ring46and feed-through gasket39restrict leakage about the core32where it interfaces with tube34, and valve body16. The gasket39is affixed to the core32and rotates with same to allow passage of water between aperture36of the cylinder and a selected output port38. Conduits17a, b, canddconnect the valve outputs38to nozzles18a, b, candd, respectively. Thus, water will be discharged in the forward, reverse, left or right directions respectively, depending upon with which port38the core aperture36is aligned. An elongated frame extension11asupports the rear nozzle such that the extension11ais normally tucked under an operator's “trigger arm” and the nozzle18bis directed to the rear of, rather than at the operator. The rear nozzle18bis angled upward to compensate for the typical tendency of an operator to angle the forward end of a water gun upward, and hence to angle the rear end downward. Right nozzle18cand left nozzle18dmay also be angled slightly upward, to enhance the projection of water in both directions.

The frame11includes a pistol grip42so that an operator may hold the gun in one hand and actuate the trigger15with the index finger of that hand. The trigger15includes first and second finger operated members28aand28b, a tubular sleeve29which slides in forward and reverse directions about pump cylinder21, a discharge actuating member30, and an output selection cam31which engages slots33aand33bin the rotating cylindrical core32of the valve19. A spring43normally biases the trigger15forward to the position shown in solid lines inFIG. 3. To discharge water from a currently selected output an operator pulls trigger member28atoward the rear of the gun, from said position. Cam31slides in one of the longitudinally aligned grooves33aand imparts no motion to the core32. Discharge actuating member30slides along a valve opening control rod45until it engages a flange44; further rearward motion of trigger15pulls the control rod45rearward to open first valve stage14a, which releases water from tube27into tube34, and thus into second valve stage14b, where it flows through aperture36and a selected port38, to be discharged through a corresponding nozzle.

To change the selected output an operator pushes forward on second trigger member28bso that cam31moves forward into one of the diagonally oriented grooves33b, as depicted by dashed lines inFIG. 3. The operator then pulls rearward on first trigger member28awhereby engagement of cam31with groove33bforces the cylinder32to rotate by 90 degrees, whereupon the cam31enters the next longitudinal groove33a. At such position discharge actuating member30will not have engaged flange44of the valve control rod45, so no water is released. The operator may now either pull first trigger member28afarther back to release water from the newly selected output, or he may push forward again on second trigger member28bto engage cam31with the next diagonal groove33bto initiate another incremental rotation of cylinder32, and thus another change in output selection. From a given output selection, any other output can be selected through no more than three reciprocations of member28bas described above.

Referring toFIG. 3, it may be seen that the valve outputs38are mutually exclusive, i.e., only one output can be selected at any given time, since rotary aperture36can be aligned with only one of the outputs38at a time. If construction of alternate embodiments, any of the outputs may be connected via conduit to a group of nozzles (front, right and left nozzles, for example) such that simultaneous multi-directional discharge results when that particular valve output is selected. Group connections aside, the valve and trigger structure19,15is additionally and particularly useful in other embodiments where the selection of individual (as opposed to groups of) nozzles is desired. For example, each of the four valve outputs38may be connected through separate conduits to four separate forward facing nozzles, where each of the nozzles is of a different orifice size or shape. Thus, the trigger may be used to quickly select among four different discharge volumes or spray patterns.

FIGS. 4 and 5illustrate another water gun110incorporating the present invention. Other than the trigger and valve mechanisms, water gun110is identical to the gun10ofFIG. 1and similar items are identically numbered. Water gun110includes a frame111, a valve119, and a trigger assembly115that slides back and forth on air pump cylinder21and pressurized water supply tube27. The trigger assembly includes a finger actuated member128and a valve control member130. The control member is in fixed engagement with a valve control rod145such that forward or backward movement of the trigger115is matched by movement of the control rod145and a valve plunger132(ref.FIG. 5). The valve plunger is movably carried within a valve body114. A trigger return spring43and a valve spring143bias the trigger115and valve plunger132to the forward position depicted inFIG. 5. Pressurized water is supplied by tube27to the valve119through an interconnecting passage134. With valve plunger132positioned as inFIG. 5, o-rings146a,146bprevent flow of water from passage134to valve output ports138a, b, c.

The valve outputs138a–care not mutually exclusive, and are sequentially enabled. To initiate water discharge, an operator pulls rearward on trigger member128until o-ring146abecomes positioned to the rear of passage134, at which point water flows from passage134into valve body114and through valve output port138a. A conduit117aconnects port138ato nozzle18afor discharge in the forward direction. If the operator continues to pull the trigger rearward such that o-ring146apasses to the rear of valve output port138b, water will flow through both conduits117aand117b. Conduit117bconnects port138bto rear nozzle18b, so the water gun will discharge simultaneously in the front and rear directions. If the trigger is pulled still farther back, such that o-ring146ais positioned to the rear of valve output port138c, water will flow to all three output ports simultaneously. Output138cis connected to right nozzle18cand left nozzle18dthrough conduits117c, d, eand splitter116. Therefore, with the trigger115pulled to its rearmost position, water will discharge from the front, rear, right and left nozzles18a–dsimultaneously. A third o-ring146cprevents the draining of water from conduits117band117ethrough valve body114, around spring143, when the plunger is returned to its forward position (as inFIG. 5).

Another water gun210incorporating the present invention is depicted inFIG. 6. Other than the trigger and valve mechanisms, water gun210is identical to the gun10ofFIG. 1and similar items are identically numbered. The water gun210includes a frame211, a valve219, and a top mounted “fire hose” styled trigger lever215carried for pivotal movement about a pin229. The trigger215includes an operating handle228, and is operably connected to a valve plunger232via a pin250on the plunger that engages a slotted hole251on the trigger215. The plunger232is carried for sliding motion within a valve body214, such that forward and reverse pivoted movement of the trigger215causes the plunger to linearly slide back and forth within the valve body214. The valve body includes a plurality of outputs238a–cconnected to front, rear, left and right nozzles18a–dvia conduits217a–d, respectively. Output238cis connected to both the left and right conduits217c,217dby a splitter216. The valve219is supplied with pressurized water through an input port234(ref.FIG. 7) which mates with a radially positioned aperture (not shown) near the forward end of water tube227.

The plunger232is constructed with an internal longitudinal passageway252which can be connected to the input port234through either of two elongated radial passages253a,253b, and which can be selectively connected to the output ports238a–c, either individually or in programmed combinations, through six radial passages254. The valve has five operating modes which depend upon the incremental positioning of plunger232within valve body214. With reference toFIG. 8, the five operating modes are illustrated in relation to the plunger position. In the orientation labeled “Position1”, the plunger is placed in its most forward possible position (forward being to the right in the figures). Successive labeled positions correspond to incremental rearward movements of the plunger.

With the plunger232in Position1ofFIG. 8, water is allowed to flow from input234through the central passage252, and out through leftmost port238b. Referring toFIG. 6it is seen that port238bconnects to rear nozzle18b, via conduit217b, so that Position1of the plunger corresponds to rearward discharge. With reference toFIGS. 6 and 8it may be further understood that Position1of the plunger will correspond to the trigger handle228being pulled to it's most rearward possible position so that the lower end of trigger lever215is pivoted fully to the right.

Again referring toFIG. 8, the plunger232in Position2will allow water to flow from input234to output238a, which corresponds to forward discharge through nozzle18a. The corresponding position of trigger handle228(FIG. 6) will be partially rearward.

In Position3, a solid portion232aof the plunger covers input port234so that water flow is prevented. This is an “OFF” mode and corresponds to trigger lever115being in the vertical orientation as shown inFIG. 6. Gaskets, o-rings or similar devices may be incorporated to enhance sealing between the plunger232and valve body214.

Position4of plunger232allows water flow from input234to output238c, which corresponds to left and right simultaneous discharge from nozzles18cand18d, via conduits217cand217d. The trigger handle228will be positioned partially forward.

Position5of the plunger simultaneously aligns one of the upper plunger passages254with each of the outputs238a–c, so that water flows to all four nozzles for simultaneous front, rear, left and right discharge. Trigger handle228ofFIG. 6will be in its most forward position.

As described above, the valve219may be used by itself to control both discharge actuation and output selection, however it may also be used in conjunction with a separate discharge actuating valve or pump, such that valve219and trigger lever215are employed for output selection only. It may be noted that valve outputs238a–care mutually exclusive in Positions1,2and4, but are all enabled in Position5. This allows the section of individual discharge paths, or the selection of all paths simultaneously, without the need for check valves or redundant nozzles and conduits (seeFIG. 13for an example of check valves employed to produce similar results).

FIG. 9illustrates a valve219′ similar to that ofFIGS. 7 and 8, modified by the addition of springs255,256which bias plunger232′ to the centered “OFF” position. With such modifications employed in the water gun210ofFIG. 6, an operator may move trigger handle228forward or backward to select any of the available nozzle combinations and initiate discharge, and may cease discharge simply by releasing the handle228such that the springs255,256return the valve plunger232′ to the “OFF” mode. The trigger handle215may similarly be spring biased to its vertical “OFF” position to assist in or provide for the same result.

FIGS. 10–12illustrate a multiple output rotary valve319that may be employed in a water gun similar to that ofFIG. 6. The valve319includes a body314, which is held in fixed position when installed in a water gun, and a core332that rotates within the body314to block or allow water flow between an input334and a selected one of three outputs338a–c. A trigger lever315is affixed to the valve core332such that as the core rotates with the valve body314, the lever315pivots about a central axis of the valve319. Thus, the trigger handle328is used to rotate the core332for operation of the valve.

The valve core includes a central passageway352for selective connection of input334to outputs338a–c. As depicted inFIG. 10the passageway352is not aligned with an output, so the valve319is in an “OFF” mode. The handle228may be moved to the right or left, as inFIGS. 11and12, to align passageway352with outputs338aor338c, respectively, or may be placed in an intermediate position (not shown) to align the passageway with output338b.

FIG. 13provides a schematic illustration of connections between the valve319and four nozzles that allow for selection of front, rear or four-way discharge. If the core332is rotated to allow flow through output338a, water is discharged from the front nozzle, with a unidirectional check valve353preventing backflow to the other nozzle paths. When output338bis selected, water is discharged from the rear nozzle, with a second check valve354likewise preventing backflow. When output338cis selected, water flows directly to the left and right nozzles, and additionally flows through check valves353and354, as indicated by arrows, to the rear and front nozzles, for simultaneous discharge in the front, rear, left and right directions. The trigger lever315may be biased to the “OFF” position or may be unbiased so that the valve can be left in a selected position.

FIG. 14illustrates another trigger and valve mechanism that may be employed in a multiple output water gun such as that ofFIG. 2to provide selectable discharge in multiple directions. Pressurized water is supplied, as has been described for the embodiment ofFIG. 1, through a tube427and manifold434, to two valves419a, b. The valves are of a type commonly used in water guns, wherein an internal plunger normally blocks the flow of water and a control rod allows the plunger to be retracted to open the valve, such that water flows from input to output. In the mechanism ofFIG. 14, a trigger lever415, having a finger actuated member428, is pivoted about a pin429, such that as the lever415is rotated clockwise in the figure, it engages a flange444aon control rod445ato open the first valve419a. The output438aof this valve is attached via conduit to a forward nozzle such as18ainFIG. 2to provide forward discharge as in a standard single output water gun. As the trigger lever415is pivoted farther clockwise, it will engage a flange444bon the control rod445bof the second valve419b, such that both valves are opened. The second valve output438bis connected via conduit to left, right and rear nozzles such as18b–dinFIG. 2, and simultaneous discharge in the front, rear, right and left directions results. Alternatively, the design might be further simplified by omission of the left and right nozzles, so that an operator has only the choices of front discharge or combined front and rear discharge.

FIGS. 15–17provide three views of a more versatile dual valve mechanism, which may be employed in a multiple output water gun like that ofFIG. 2. The mechanism incorporates an assembly of two valves519aand519band a two part trigger515. The two valves519a,519bare independently actuated by trigger members515aand515b, respectively. The trigger mechanism includes two finger actuated members528aand528b, extending from levers515aand515b, aligned such that an operator can easily operate either or both using the index and middle fingers of one hand. Thus, with first valve output538aconnected to a front nozzle and second valve output538bconnected to a rear nozzle, an operator may use trigger members528aand528bto selectively actuate front discharge, rear discharge or combined front and rear discharge.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects. Notably, while the figures herein have, for convenience of illustration, depicted the invention in conjunction with a sealed reservoir and air pump system for water pressurization, the invention may be likewise practiced with other water pressurizing systems such as electric pumps, manual pumps and expandable bladders.