Patent Publication Number: US-2007105476-A1

Title: Inventive towable novelty water cannon

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The invention relates generally to water sports, and more specifically to water sport devices for tow behind propelled water vehicles.  
     PROBLEM STATEMENT  
      Interpretation Considerations  
      This section describes the technical field in more detail, and discusses problems encountered in the technical field. This section does not describe prior art as defined for purposes of anticipation or obviousness under 35 U.S.C. section 102 or 35 U.S.C. section 103. Thus, nothing stated in the Problem Statement is to be construed as prior art.  
      Discussion  
      Water skis, knee boards and wakeboards (and their variants) require a great deal of skill to master. This limits their appeal to the young and to those without the ability, time, or inclination to master them. To overcome these and other disadvantages of existing towable water tubes, this invention provides an enhancement to towable water tubes.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      Various aspects of the invention, as well as an embodiment, are better understood by reference to the following detailed description. To better understand the invention, the detailed description should be read in conjunction with the drawings, in which like numerals represent like elements unless otherwise stated.  
       FIG. 1  is a block-flow diagram of a method according to the invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a system-level block diagram of the invention.  
    
    
     EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF A BEST MODE  
      Interpretation Considerations  
      When reading this section (An Exemplary Embodiment of a Best Mode, which describes an exemplary embodiment of the best mode of the invention, hereinafter “exemplary embodiment”), one should keep in mind several points. First, the following exemplary embodiment is what the inventor believes to be the best mode for practicing the invention at the time this patent was filed. Thus, since one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize from the following exemplary embodiment that substantially equivalent structures or substantially equivalent acts may be used to achieve the same results in exactly the same way, or to achieve the same results in a not dissimilar way, the following exemplary embodiment should not be interpreted as limiting the invention to one embodiment.  
      Likewise, individual aspects (sometimes called species) of the invention are provided as examples, and, accordingly, one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize from a following exemplary structure (or a following exemplary act) that a substantially equivalent structure or substantially equivalent act may be used to either achieve the same results in substantially the same way, or to achieve the same results in a not dissimilar way.  
      Accordingly, the discussion of a species (or a specific item) invokes the genus (the class of items) to which that species belongs as well as related species in that genus. Likewise, the recitation of a genus invokes the species known in the art. Furthermore, it is recognized that as technology develops, a number of additional alternatives to achieve an aspect of the invention may arise. Such advances are hereby incorporated within their respective genus, and should be recognized as being functionally equivalent or structurally equivalent to the aspect shown or described.  
      Second, the only essential aspects of the invention are identified by the claims. Thus, aspects of the invention, including elements, acts, functions, and relationships (shown or described) should not be interpreted as being essential unless they are explicitly described and identified as being essential. Third, a function or an act should be interpreted as incorporating all modes of doing that function or act, unless otherwise explicitly stated (for example, one recognizes that “tacking” may be done by nailing, stapling, gluing, hot gunning, riveting, etc., and so a use of the word tacking invokes stapling, gluing, etc., and all other modes of that word and similar words, such as “attaching”).  
      Fourth, unless explicitly stated otherwise, conjunctive words (such as “or”, “and”, “including”, or “comprising” for example) should be interpreted in the inclusive, not the exclusive, sense. Fifth, the words “means” and “step” are provided to facilitate the reader&#39;s understanding of the invention and do not mean “means” or “step” as defined in §112, paragraph 6 of 35 U.S.C., unless used as “means for -functioning-” or “step for -functioning-” in the Claims section. Sixth, the invention is also described in view of the Festo decisions, and, in that regard, the claims and the invention incorporate equivalents known, unknown, foreseeable, and unforeseeable. Seventh, the language and each word used in the invention should be given the ordinary interpretation of the language and the word, unless indicated otherwise.  
      Of course, the foregoing discussions and definitions are provided for clarification purposes and are not limiting. Words and phrases are to be given their ordinary plain meaning unless indicated otherwise.  
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      In general, the invention overcomes disadvantages of the prior art by providing at least an integrated water canon or controllable spray device along with the water tube.  
      The following description of alternative methods and variations thereof provide additional insight to the invention.  
      Many towable water tubes are large enough for one or more riders to comfortably sit or lay on. Some have backrests and other molded features for the body. In practice, the rider typically holds onto a handle while the tube is pulled through the water. The thrill comes from speed, waves, and attempts to hang on.  
      As a result, towable water tubes have become popular. At its most basic, a towable water tube is an inflatable tube attached to a boat with a rope. However, numerous water tubes in a large number of configurations are sold. Practically all of these tubes have certain characteristics, such as inflatable chamber of some shape, which can vary from an inner tube shape, to an airfoil shape, to a barrel shape, for example. In addition, practically all have an attachment point for a towrope, and/or a cover that is placed over the inflatable chamber (this cover protects the inflatable chamber, and provides numerous features such as storage nets, handles, and bright colors for visibility).  
      The invention adds another element to the experience. The invention integrates a controllable sprayer into the water tube. A water tube is pulled through the water at speeds of up to 40 MPH, although speeds such as 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 MPH may achieve a similar effect. The power of the boat is sufficient to likewise power a water cannon device.  
       FIG. 1  is a block-flow diagram of a method  100  of using a towable water cannon. In general, when a user rides a towable and user-supportable device such as a water tube, raft, “boogie board” or similar apparatus that may be pulled by a boat, water channels into an intake. Preferably, the intake is below a water surface when the boat-towable and user-supportable device is at rest in water. After the intake receives the water  110 , the water passes  120  to a user-directable delivery component which expels  130  the water through the user-directable delivery component (or “cannon”). Depending on the specific features of the invention, described below, various additional user-interactions and controls are possible. For example, a user may control the pressure of the water inside the cannon to control how far it can “shoot” water. A control valve can prevent the cannon from breaking or exploding by limiting the water pressure inside the device. A reservoir and/or bladder may be provided so that the cannon can shoot when the device is at rest. Likewise, a trigger may be provided on the cannon so that a user can selectively expel water.  
       FIG. 2  is a system-level block diagram of the invention. Although not illustrated in  FIG. 2 , it is understood that the invention is for use in conjunction with a towable and user-supportable device such as a water tube, raft, “boogie board”. In one embodiment, the invention couples to an inflatable water tube having a seat so that a user can hold the water cannon while the tube is pulled by a boat. An intake  210  is provided to accept water, and is typically mounted such that it is below the water surface when the boat-towable and user-supportable device is at rest in water. In certain embodiments, the intake  210  comprises a one-way valve that limits the direction of water flow to flowing into the invention. An optional screen  220  is coupled between the intake and a user-directable delivery component  260  to prevent the ejection of debris that could injure persons or damage property. The user-directable delivery component  260  may be embodied as a cannon, hose, or generic outlet, and may include handles. Additionally, appropriate design of the user-directable delivery component  260  would include visual clues that suggest a cannon, laser gun, boat turret, or tank turret, for example. In one embodiment, the user-directable delivery component  260  comprises a rotateably mounted turret. Additionally, a soft foam cover over the various components of the invention may reduce the likelihood and severity of injury in the event a user flips while riding in a tube and using the invention.  
      A water reservoir  230 , such as a rubber bladder, may be provided so that water can be stored under pressure and released when the invention is at rest. Because the pressure that builds in the reservoir  230  may be under significant pressure, a pressure valve  270  is provided to limit a maximum water pressure for the invention. A one-way valve  250  allows water to flow from the reservoir  230  to the user-directable delivery component  260 . The one-way valve  250  may also control the amount of water flow, which is user-controlled via a means for a user to adjust a water flow  240 , which may be embodied as a user-controllable flow trigger. The means for a user to adjust a water flow  240  may also control the amount of water entering the intake  210  by controlling the opening and closing of the intake  210 .  
      Having described the drawings, the invention also includes, in varying embodiments, selections of the following (which could be provided alone or integrated with an existing tube).  
      1. Water Intake Component. 
          The following discusses two exemplary water intake components:        

      a. Direct 
          The water intake component could, in one embodiment, be located at or below water level, or be moved at or below water level as the tube is pulled through the water. As the tube is pulled through the water, the scoop collects water. The water is forced through the mouth of the intake and forced through the throat of the intake. With sufficient cross section and speed, very large quantities of water could be delivered to the water cannon.        

      b. Indirect 
          The motion of the tube turns an impeller pump, which in turn draws in water from any location.        

      2. Water Delivery Component. 
          This component delivers the water from the intake component to the nozzle of the cannon.        

      3. Control Component. 
          The water cannon can have a mechanism for aiming or directing the flow of water or the direction and flow can be fixed.     The following discusses some additional possible features that may be incorporated with any of the embodiments:     1. Pressure valves to set a limit on the maximum water intake.     2. Water reservoir.     3. A rubber bladder that can be filled with a one-way valve and released so that surges of water can be propelled.     4. Handles on the water cannon so the rider can hold the water cannon while being pulled.     5. Configured in laying or sitting positions (or both)     6. Means for turning the flow on and off or adjusting the amount of flow.     7. Soft padded cover for water cannon—preferably all soft parts—with preferably no hard components.     8. Screen to help make sure the cannon does not eject debris.        

      Though the invention has been described with respect to a specific preferred embodiment, many variations and modifications (including equivalents) will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the present application. It is therefore the intention that the appended claims and their equivalents be interpreted as broadly as possible in view of the prior art to include all such variations and modifications.