Abstract:
A water dousing target game in which water is dumped upon a player when a target is hit with a projective includes a support stand, a water reservoir, and a drop mechanism having a trip rod and a paddle mechanism with a target. The stand assembly is height-adjustable having a plurality of stabilizing legs. The water reservoir is located at a top end of the support stand. The drop mechanism includes a bottom panel hingedly covering an open bottom of the reservoir having an attached trip rod releasably supported by the paddle mechanism. The paddle mechanism includes an arm rotatably connected to the support stand and the target having a flat enlarged end. When the target is struck with a projectile, the paddle arm rotates and releases the trip rod support, causing the bottom panel of the reservoir to hinge open and drop the contents on another person.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to water games, and in particular, to a water dousing game in which a thrown projectile is used to douse another person with water. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The toy industry is a multibillion dollar, global industry that is continually growing as more and more products are developed and introduced to the buying public. The toy industry is somewhat unique in the sense that it is highly susceptible to trendy products or fads. This is due most likely to the fact that when a product achieves a certain level of popularity, demand can skyrocket in a domino effect manner. This is not necessarily to say that these products require revolutionary or innovative designs. On the contrary, items such as CABBAGE PATCH™ and TICKLE ME ELMO™ are otherwise conventional toys that have achieved enormous, even record, popularity based primarily on their fun factor. These same pressures apply to all areas of the entertainment industry including that of party games as well. One (1) particularly popular party game is that of the water games which are typically utilized for the purpose of entertaining users and consist basically of familiar structural configurations. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has recognized a lack in the art and observed that there is a need for a new water dousing game. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     In accordance with features and aspects of certain embodiments, a water dousing game apparatus includes a generally vertical stand assembly having a lower post and an upper post connected to the lower post. A cylindrical reservoir is affixed to the upper post and configured to hold a dousing material. The reservoir has an open top and an open bottom. A bottom panel is hingedly attached to the upper post below the reservoir and is pivotable between a closed position, covering the reservoir open bottom, and an open position, uncovering the reservoir open bottom. A trip rod is provided having an upper end pivotably attached to a bottom surface of the bottom panel opposite the upper post and a lower end extending downwardly from the bottom panel. A paddle arm is hingedly attached to the upper post below the reservoir. A top surface of the paddle arm operatively supports the trip rod lower end for maintaining the bottom panel in the closed position. Upon pivoting of the paddle arm, the trip rod is unsupported and the bottom panel pivots downwardly into the open position to dump the dousing material. A paddle target is disposed at an end of the paddle arm opposite the upper post to be impacted by a projectile thrown by a game thrower. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosure may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The disclosure can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of a water dousing game apparatus, depicted in an in-use state, according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the water dousing game apparatus; 
         FIG. 3  is an upward-looking perspective view of a reservoir assembly of the water dousing game apparatus according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a section view of the reservoir assembly taken along section line A-A of  FIG. 3  according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 5   a  is a close-up view of a paddle arm mechanism of the water dousing game apparatus, depicted in a “ready” state, according to the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 5   b  is a close-up view of the paddle arm mechanism, depicted in a “triggered” state, according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  water dousing game apparatus 
               20  reservoir assembly 
               22  cylinder 
               23  top opening 
               24  mounting bracket 
               25  bottom opening 
               26  liquid level window 
               28  graduation make 
               30  reservoir bottom panel 
               32  first hinge 
               34  O-ring gasket 
               40  trip rod 
               42  wheel 
               46  second hinge 
               50  paddle arm mechanism 
               52  paddle arm 
               53  paddle target 
               56  third hinge 
               80  stand assembly 
               82  upper post 
               83  lower post 
               84  leg 
               85  spring button 
               86  foot 
               87  sleeve 
               88  brace 
               90  spout 
               92  water supply hose 
               93  aperture 
               94  hose bracket 
               96  hose fitting 
               110  projectile 
               115  fastener 
               200  water 
               205  player 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of certain embodiments, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 5   b . However, the disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only one particular configuration may be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     It can be appreciated that, although such terms as first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one (1) element from another element. Thus, a first element discussed below could be termed a second element without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, as used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It also will be understood that, as used herein, the term “comprising” or “comprises” is open-ended, and includes one or more stated elements, steps or functions without precluding one or more unstated elements, steps or functions. Relative terms such as “front” or “rear” or “left” or “right” or “top” or “bottom” or “below” or “above” or “upper” or “lower” or “horizontal” or “vertical” may be used herein to describe a relationship of one (1) element, feature or region to another element, feature or region as illustrated in the figures. It should be understood that these terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. It should also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. It should also be understood that the sizes and relative orientations of the illustrated elements are not shown to scale, and in some instances they have been exaggerated for purposes of explanation. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 5   b , depicting a water dousing game apparatus, identified generally by reference to an apparatus  10 , where like reference numerals represent similar or like parts. Throughout this disclosure, the apparatus  10  may also be referred to as game, dousing game, dump game, or drop game. Alternate references of the apparatus  10  in this disclosure are not meant to be limiting in any way. In accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the apparatus  10  provides for a novelty target game in which water  200  or other similar materials such as snow, confetti, or the like, is dumped upon a player  205  when a paddle target  53  is hit with a projectile  110 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the apparatus  10  includes a height-adjustable stand assembly  80  that is approximately three meters (3 m) (9 ft) tall which provides for use of the apparatus  10  by players  205  of various heights. The apparatus  10  also includes a water holding reservoir assembly  20  attached to an upper post  82  of the stand assembly  80  and capable of holding approximately eleven to twenty liters (11-20 L) (3-5 gallons). 
     In use, the reservoir assembly  20  is filled with water  200  and a player  205  is positioned directly below the reservoir assembly  20 . The water  200  within the reservoir assembly  20  is doused or dumped upon the player  205  by a mechanical release of a hinged reservoir bottom panel  30  which is actuated in response to movement of a paddle arm mechanism  50  when struck by the projectile  110 . In alternate methods of use, the reservoir assembly  20  can also be filled with snow, confetti, prizes, or other suitable dousing material to provide a similar effect based upon a user&#39;s preference. It can be appreciated that the reference to water  200  throughout the disclosure as the dousing material is not meant to be limiting in any way. During use, it is envisioned that a player  205  stands underneath the reservoir assembly  20  while a throwing player  205  takes three (3) turns trying to hit the paddle target  53  with the projectile  110  from a preselected distance. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the reservoir assembly  20  is a cylinder  22 , preferably formed of plastic or metal, rigidly attached along a side surface to the upper post  82  at an elevated position by at least two (2) “L”-shaped mounting brackets  24  and corresponding fasteners  115 . The cylinder  22  includes a top opening  23  which provides a water filling orifice from a spout  90  and a bottom opening  25 . A bottom panel  30  is hingedly attached to a bottom edge of the cylinder  22  and provides a releasably sealed containment of the water  200  along the bottom opening  25 . In use, the bottom panel  30  is released and pivots downwardly about a first hinge  32  to dump the water  200  contained within the cylinder  22 . 
     A supply of water  200  is dispensed into the reservoir assembly  20  via the spout  90 . The spout  90  is supplied by a water supply hose  92 . The water supply hose  92  generally includes a threaded male hose fitting  96  at a lower end. The water supply hose  92  is routed upwardly along a rear surface of an upper post  82  and terminates at the integral gooseneck-shaped spout  90 . The spout  90  directs the water  200  downwardly into the top opening  23  of the cylinder  22 . The water supply hose  92  is attached to the upper post  82  using a plurality of “U”-shaped hose brackets  94  and corresponding fasteners  115 . The flow of water  200  through the water supply hose  92  is established by connecting a supply hose, such as a standard garden hose connected to a water supply, to the male hose fitting  96  and remotely initiating a flow of water  200 . 
     The stand assembly  80  includes the upper post  82 , a lower post  83 , and four (4) foldable legs  84 . The upper and lower posts  82 ,  83  are rigid, hollow rectangular tubing approximately seven centimeters (7 cm) (3 in) square in cross section and preferably made of steel, aluminum, composite plastic, or the like. being. The overall height of the apparatus  10  is adjustable by selectively inserting a top end portion of the lower post  83  into an open bottom end portion of the upper post  82 . The lower post  83  includes a protruding spring button  85  or similar locking mechanism. Correspondingly a front side the upper post  82  includes a plurality of matching apertures  93  arranged linear along a central longitudinal axis. The spring button  85  insertably engages an aligned aperture  93  to secure the upper post  82  at a desired height relative to the lower post  83 . It is envisioned that the apertures  93  are sufficiently spaced apart to allow selective adjustability over a range of sixty to ninety centimeters (60-90 cm) (2-3 feet). When not in use, the upper post  82  and lower post  83  can be completely separated for compact and convenient storage or transportation. 
     The folding legs  84  are hingedly attached to a sleeve  87  and are supported by respective pivotably attached braces  88  at a lower end of the lower post  83 . The sleeve  87  slidingly encompasses the lower post  83  allowing a user to raise or lower the sleeve  87  and correspondingly collapse or deploy the legs  84 . This feature allows a user to collapse the legs  84  linearly against the lower post  83  for compact storage. The braces  88  act as a mechanical limitation when deploying the legs  84  outwardly prior to use. The legs  84  each comprise a rubber or plastic foot  86  inserted upon respective bottom ends to provide high-friction contact upon a subjacent surface for stability, while also preventing damage to the floor surface. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the reservoir assembly  20  includes a transparent liquid level window  26  along a side surface which provides a visual indication of water  200  within the cylinder  22 . The liquid level window  26  includes a vertical linear window incorporated into a wall portion of the cylinder  22  having a plurality of corresponding graduation lines  28 . The water  200  is retained within the cylinder  22  by the pivotably attachable reservoir bottom panel  30  which seals the bottom opening  25  of the cylinder  22  in a closed position. The reservoir bottom panel  30  is a round member suitably sized to snugly fit into the bottom opening  25  when in the closed position. The reservoir bottom panel  30  also includes a large rubber O-ring gasket  34  disposed around a perimeter surface which seals the reservoir bottom panel  30  and an inner surface of the lower end of the cylinder  22 . The reservoir bottom panel  30  is hingedly attached to the upper post  82  by a first hinge  32 . 
     In the closed position, the bottom panel  30  is in a generally vertical position in contact within the bottom opening  25  of the cylinder  22 . In the open position, the bottom panel  30  is in a generally vertical position following a downward pivoting motion to dump the contained water  200 . The reservoir bottom panel  30  is supported in the closed position and held within the bottom opening  25  by downwardly extending trip rod  40 . i.e., the “ready” state. The trip rod  40  is hingedly attached to a bottom surface of the bottom panel  30  at a position opposite the first hinge  32  by a “U”-shaped second hinge  46  affixed using corresponding fasteners  115 . The trip rod  40  is a round rod which is supported at a bottom end by the paddle arm mechanism  50 . During play, the “triggering” of the paddle arm mechanism  50  causes the trip rod  40  and reservoir bottom panel  30  to be lowered, thereby dumping the water  200  onto the player  205  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b , the paddle arm mechanism  50  provides a mechanical means to release the trip rod  40  and lower the reservoir bottom panel  30  downwardly to the open position, i.e., the “triggered” state, to dump the water  200 . The paddle arm mechanism  50  includes a paddle arm  52 , a paddle target  53 , and a third hinge  56 . 
     The paddle arm  52  is a horizontally protruding appendage having the integral circular paddle target  53  disposed at a distal end opposite the stand assembly  80 . The paddle arm  52  is hingedly attached to the upper post  82  by the third hinge  56 , thereby allowing the paddle arm  52  to be motioned in an arcuate manner along a horizontal plane when the paddle target  53  is contacted by the projectile  110 . It can be appreciated that the apparatus  10  can be configured with the paddle arm  52  extending either in a right-hand or left-hand orientation relative to the upper post  82  and is not meant to be limiting in any manner. A horizontal top surface of the paddle arm  52  supports the lower end of the trip rod  40  when in the “ready” state. The lower end of the trip rod  40  also includes an integral wheel  42  which rests upon the top surface of the paddle arm  52 . 
     When in the “ready” state, as illustrated in  FIG. 5   a , the wheel  42  upon the top surface of the paddle arm  52  to support the bottom panel  30  and retain it in the closed position within the cylinder  22 . The paddle arm mechanism  50  is “triggered” when the paddle target  53  is contacted by the projectile  110 , as seen in  FIG. 5   b , thus causing the paddle target  53  and paddle arm  52  to pivot rearwardly about the third hinge  56 , thereby causing the wheel  42  to roll off of the paddle arm  52 . Once the wheel  42  is no longer supported by the paddle arm  52 , the trip rod  40  and reservoir bottom panel  30  are compelled to fall downwardly to dump the water  200  upon the player  205  positioned below the reservoir assembly  20 . 
     It can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure and only certain particular configurations have been shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the apparatus  10  can be installed and utilized by the user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training in general accordance with  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 5   b . It can be appreciated that the steps required to utilize the apparatus  10 , as described, can performed in alternative order and as such should not be viewed as a limiting factor. 
     The method of installing the apparatus  10  can be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring the apparatus  10 ; setting up the lower post  83  and legs  84  of the stand assembly  80 ; deploying the legs  84  outwardly from the lower post  83  by sliding the sleeve  87  downwardly until the braces  88  are fully extended and the legs  84  are fully deployed outwardly; placing the lower post  83  and legs  84  upon a level surface; installing the remaining portions of the apparatus  10  onto the lower post  83  by inserting the lower post  83  within the upper post  82 ; adjusting a height of the upper post  82  to position the reservoir assembly  20  at a desired height; utilizing the spring button  85  and corresponding apertures  93  to secure the position of the upper post  82 ; pivoting the paddle arm  52  to a forward “ready” position; inserting the reservoir bottom panel  30  into the bottom opening  25  of the cylinder  22 ; securing the reservoir bottom panel  30  by positioning the wheel  42  of the trip rod  40  upon the paddle arm  52  of the paddle arm mechanism  50 ; connecting an existing water supply to the hose fitting  96  of the water supply hose  92 ; initiating a flow of water to fill the cylinder  22 ; filling the cylinder  22  with water  200  while observing a level of water  200  using the liquid level window  26  and corresponding graduation marks  28 ; and, stopping the flow of water  200  remotely upon obtaining a desired water level  200  within the cylinder  22 . The apparatus  10  is now in a “ready” state for playing the water drop game. 
     The method of utilizing the apparatus  10  to play the water drop game can be achieved by performing the following steps: positioning a player  205  upon a floor or ground surface directly below the reservoir assembly  20 ; allowing a throwing player to throw at least one (1) projectile  110  at the paddle target  53 ; striking the paddle target  53  with a projectile  110  causing the paddle target  53  and paddle arm  52  to pivot horizontally and rearwardly about the third hinge  56 ; causing the wheel  42  to roll off of the paddle arm  52 ; causing the trip rod  40  to free-fall downwardly; causing the reservoir bottom panel  30  to pivot downwardly about the first hinge  32 ; causing the water  200  within the cylinder  22  to be dumped upon the player  205 ; continuing to play the water drop game apparatus  10  by repeating the water filling steps as previously described; and, continuing to “trigger” the apparatus  10  as described above. 
     The method of storing the apparatus  10  can be accomplished by performing the following steps: disconnecting the hose fitting  96  from the water supply; emptying the reservoir assembly  20  of any water  200  by pivoting the reservoir bottom panel  30  downwardly; depressing the spring button  85 ; lifting the upper post  82  off of the lower post  83 ; lifting the lower post  83  off of the subjacent surface; sliding the sleeve  87  upward to collapse the legs  84  against the lower post  83 ; and, storing the apparatus  10  until once again needed for play. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Various modifications and variations can be appreciated by one skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. The embodiments have been chosen and described in order to best explain the principles and practical application in accordance with the invention to enable those skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with expected modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the invention.