Abstract:
A recreational water spray apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus may be provided a continuous pressurized flow of water without a pump to enhance continuity of a game by eliminating one or more delays to reload a water source. The apparatus may include a target disc disposed on a first end of the target control rod, a user throwing a projectile in an attempt to strike the target disc and upon the projectile striking the target disk, a conical spray of water is dispensed upon one or more user participants. Another embodiment of the recreational water spray apparatus is hinged. The hinged apparatus may allow a one piece upper frame tube and the safety barrier net to move at one or more different angles to a ground surface and allow the recreational water spray apparatus to be folded to create a slimmer profile for storage.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a recreational water spray apparatus. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Games and apparatuses involving the recreational utilization of water have existed for many years. Dunk tanks and other water dousing contraptions are the most common target triggered forms of recreational equipment involving the utilization of water. 
     Recognized water inclusive apparatuses, devices, and games are primarily limited to the dunking or dousing participants with water. Most rely on a vessel to hold a limited or a specific volume of water and rely on gravity to dispense water. Accordingly, there remains room for improvement in these types of apparatuses, devices, and games. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One aspect of the disclosure relates to a recreational water spray apparatus. The recreational water spray apparatus may be based on the utilization of water as part of an interactive game having target-triggered water mechanisms. The recreational water spray apparatus may involve a user throwing a projectile in an attempt to strike a target disc. Upon the projectile striking the target disc, a spray of water is dispensed upon another user participant. 
     In an embodiment, a recreational water spray apparatus may be intended for utilization by two or more participants. A user participant positioned behind the apparatus safety barrier is in the line of sight of the water valve discharge nozzle and is in peril of being sprayed with water if a participant positioned in front of the safety barrier successfully throws and strikes the target with a projectile. When impacted by the projectile, the target triggers a valve to open and discharge a conical spray pattern of water onto the user participant positioned behind the apparatus safety barrier net. When the target is returned to its vertical upright position, the valve closes and the flow of water shuts off. The water supply is delivered through a standard garden hose connected to a household water spigot. The advantage of utilizing existing pressurized household water is that the apparatus is provided a continuous flow of water without the need for a pump. The continuous flow of water also eliminates the need for a vessel to be filled with a volume of water. This constant source of water enhances the continuity of the game by eliminating one or more delays to reload a water source. The position of the metered spray nozzle delivers a broad horizontal and upward pattern of water spray onto participants. A safety barrier is secured to the frame and offers full protective coverage to participants positioned behind the barrier. Preferably the barrier is a mesh netting to allow pass thru communication and user participant visibility. 
     In another embodiment, a recreational water spray apparatus may have a plurality of frame hinges to allow the recreational water spray apparatus to be folded to create a slimmer profile for storage. The recreational water spray apparatus may also have a one piece upper frame tube that may be stronger than the generally rectangular-shape frame that is coupled with a plurality of frame brackets and a plurality of frame hex nuts. The optional frame hinge may allow the optional one piece upper frame tube and the safety barrier net to move to one or more different angles in relation to the ground surface. 
     The recreational water spray apparatus includes a plurality of frame tube segments having a top frame tube segment, a pair of side frame tube segments, a pair of bottom frame tube segments and a support frame tube segment, the frame tube segments coupled by a plurality of frame brackets forming a generally rectangular-shape frame, the pair of bottom frame tube segments serve as a pair of horizontal supports to support the recreational water spray apparatus in an upright position. The apparatus also includes a safety barrier net coupled inside of the generally rectangular-shape frame and a valve device movably coupled on the support frame tube segment, the valve device vertically raised by a pair of target rod mounting brackets that couple the support frame tube segment, allowing the support frame tube segment and the valve device to be raised-up or down along the pair of the side frame tube segments, the valve device having a valve garden hose connector to receive water to the recreational water spray apparatus and a valve nozzle disposed on the valve device, wherein the recreational water spray apparatus is provided a continuous pressurized flow of water without a pump to enhance continuity of a game by eliminating one or more delays to reload a water source. The apparatus also includes a target disc having a target control rod and a target disc, the target control rod extends horizontally from the valve device and the target disc is disposed on a first end of the target control rod, a user throwing a projectile in an attempt to strike the target disc and upon the projectile striking the target disk, a conical spray of water is dispensed upon one or more user participants from the valve nozzle. 
     A hinged recreational water spray apparatus includes a plurality of frame tube segments having a one piece upper frame tube, a pair of side frame tube segments, a pair of bottom frame tube segments and a support frame tube segment, the frame tube segments coupled by a plurality of frame hinges forming a generally rectangular-shape frame, the pair of bottom frame tube segments serve as a pair of horizontal supports to support the recreational water spray apparatus in an upright position. The apparatus may also include a safety barrier net coupled inside of the generally rectangular-shape frame, a valve device movably coupled on the support frame tube segment, the valve device vertically raised by a pair of target rod mounting brackets that couple the support frame tube segment, allowing the support frame tube segment and the valve device to be raised-up or down along the pair of the side frame tube segments, the valve device having a valve garden hose connector to receive water to the recreational water spray apparatus and a valve nozzle disposed on the valve device. The apparatus also includes a target disc having a target control rod and a target disc, the target control rod extends horizontally from the valve device and the target disc is disposed on a first end of the target control rod, a user throwing a projectile in an attempt to strike the target disc and upon the projectile striking the target disk, a conical spray of water is dispensed upon one or more user participants from the valve nozzle. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be described by way of exemplary embodiments, but not limitations, illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like references denote similar elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a fully assembled recreational water spray apparatus; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a top view of the fully assembled recreational water spray apparatus; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a front view of the fully assembled recreational water spray apparatus; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of the fully assembled recreational water spray apparatus; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a front exploded perspective view of the recreational water spray apparatus; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a partial exploded front perspective view of the recreational water spray apparatus; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates another design for the framing of the recreational water spray apparatus; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a side perspective view of a valve device; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates another side perspective view of the valve device of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates an exploded side perspective view of the valve device, according to a first embodiment of the valve device; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates an open view of the valve device of  FIG. 10  in a closed position; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates an open view of the valve device of  FIG. 10  in an open position; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates an open side view of the valve device of  FIG. 10  in a closed position; and 
         FIG. 14  illustrates an open side view of the valve device of  FIG. 10  in an open position; 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a side view of a valve device, according to a second embodiment of the valve device, shown in a closed position; and 
         FIG. 16  illustrates a side view of the valve device of  FIG. 15  in an open position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a front perspective view of a fully assembled recreational water spray apparatus  100 , according to an embodiment.  FIGS. 2-4  illustrate top, front and side views, respectively, of the fully assembled recreational water spray apparatus  100 . 
     As shown, the recreational water spray apparatus  100  includes a plurality of frame tube segments  1 A- 1 D, a safety barrier net  2 , a valve device  8  and a target disc  21 . The frame tube segments  1 A- 1 D comprise a top frame tube segment  1 A, a pair of side frame tube segments  1 B, a pair of bottom frame tube segments  1 C and a support frame tube segment  1 D. The frame tube segments  1 A- 1 D can be coupled by a plurality of frame brackets  3  forming a generally rectangular-shape frame  1 E. The safety barrier net  2  is coupled inside of the generally rectangular-shape frame  1 E. The bottom frame tube segments  1 C serves as a pair of horizontal supports to support the recreational water spray apparatus  100  in an upright position. A pair of ends  1 C′ of each of the bottom frame tube segments  1 C have a frame end cap  4  disposed on each of the ends  1 C′ to protect the ends  1 C′ of the bottom frame tube segments  1 C. 
     The valve device  8  is coupled on the support frame tube segment  1 D. The valve device  8  is vertically raised by a pair of target rod mounting brackets  23  that couple the support frame tube segment  1 D and the valve device  8  with the pair of the side frame tube segments  1 B, allowing the support frame tube segment  1 D and the valve device  8  to be raised-up or down along the pair of the side frame tube segments  1 B. The target disc  21  includes a target control rod  22  attached thereto. More particularly, the target control rod  22  extends horizontally from the valve device  8  and the target disc  21  is disposed on a first end  22 A of the target control rod  22 . The safety barrier net  2  can be a mesh netting made of nylon or cotton twine, for example. The safety barrier net  2  prevents one or more projectiles such as balls, bean bags and the like (all not shown) from striking a participant situated behind the safety barrier net  2 . The safety barrier net  2  may also may also be useful for preventing one or more projectiles from damaging nearby objects and the like. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a front fully exploded perspective view of the recreational water spray apparatus  100 . As can be seen, each of the brackets  6  is coupled to a respective frame tube segment  1 A- 1 D using a screw  5 /hex nut  6  combination. A frame hex nut may be much easier to grip with wrenches or the like than other fasteners. This makes it much easier for users to remove the hex nuts  6  and provide a level of security since only a hex nut tool (not shown) needs to be utilized to tighten or remove the hex nut  6  from the screw  5 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an exploded front perspective view of the recreational water spray apparatus  100 . As shown, the target disk can be attached to a side the target control rod using a screw  25 /hex nut. The valve device  8  includes a valve upper housing  12  and a valve lower housing  11 , the valve upper housing  12  and the valve lower housing  11  attached together with a plurality of valve housing screws  13 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a front perspective view of the fully assembled recreational water spray apparatus  100 . The recreational water spray apparatus  100  may include an optional one piece upper frame tube  1 A, a safety barrier net  2 , a valve mount frame tube segment  1 D, a frame bracket  3 , an optional frame hinge  7  and a bottom frame tube segment  1 C. This alternative embodiment combines the two side frame tube segments  1 B and the upper frame tube  28  into a singular one piece upper frame tube  28 . The optional one piece upper frame tube  28  may be stronger than the generally rectangular-shape frame ( FIG. 1, 1E ) that is coupled with a plurality of frame brackets  3  using screw  5 /hex nuts  6  combinations. The optional frame hinge  7  may allow the optional one piece upper frame tube  28  and the safety barrier net  2  to fold for easier storage. 
       FIGS. 8-9  illustrate side perspective views of the valve device  8 . The valve device  8  includes the valve upper housing  12  and the valve lower housing  11 , the valve upper housing  12  and the valve lower housing  11  attached together with a plurality of valve housing screws  13 . The valve device  8  includes openings to accommodate the valve garden hose connector  16  and the target control rod  22 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates an exploded side perspective view of the valve device  8 , according to a first embodiment of the valve device  8 .  FIGS. 11-12  illustrate the valve device  8  with the valve upper housing  12  removed, in a closed position and an open position, respectively, according to the first embodiment.  FIGS. 13-14  illustrate side views of the valve device in a closed position and an open position, respectively. 
     As illustrated, the valve device  8  includes a valve  9  which can be fluidly attached to a garden hose via a valve garden hose connector  16 . The valve garden hose connector  16  can be connected to the lower housing  11  using a valve mounting nut  24 . Connected to the valve  9  is a valve link  14 . The valve  9  can be transitioned to its “open” position by pivoting the valve link  14  in the direction of the valve nozzle  10 . When the valve  9  is open, the valve  9  allows pressurized water to flow through the valve  9  and spray from the valve nozzle  10 . 
     To link rotation of the target control rod  22  to operation of the valve  9 , the following mechanism is provided. The target control rod  22  includes a shaft collar  17  and a torsion spring  19  attached to a distal end of the target control rod  22 . More particularly, the distal end of the target control rod  22  extends through a central hole in the shaft collar  17  and then the coil portion of the torsion spring  19 . The shaft collar  17  includes a protruding shaft collar trigger  18 . A valve tensioner band mounting bolt  15  extends through the valve link  14 , approximately parallel to the target control rod  22 . The torsion spring  19  includes a first end fixedly anchored and a second end disposed adjacent the shaft collar  17  and the valve tensioner band mounting bolt  15 , as shown. Additionally, a detent ball  27  can be used for more precise operation. The detent ball  27  can be disposed on a detent spring  20  and pressed into a detent hole on a perimeter of the shaft collar  17  (not shown), such that an initial amount of force must be exerted for rotation of the shaft collar  17 . 
     In the closed position, water pressure will force the valve tensioner band mounting bolt  15  against the second end of the torsion spring  19  but not sufficiently to overcome the tension of the torsion spring  19 . However, when target disc  21  is struck by a projectile, the target control rod  22  is forced to rotate approximately 180°. The rotation causes the shaft collar trigger  18  to push the second end of the torsion spring  19  so as to permit the valve tensioner band mounting bolt  15  and thus the valve link  14  to shift the valve  9  from a closed position to an open position, as shown in  FIGS. 12 and 14 . 
       FIGS. 15-16  illustrate side views of a valve device  8 ′, according to a second embodiment, in a closed position and an open position, respectively. The valve device  8 ′ is similar to the valve device  8 . However, an elastomer band  29  is used instead of the torsion spring  19 . As shown, the elastomer band  29  is wound around the distal end of the target control rod  22 , the shaft collar trigger  18  and the valve tensioner band mounting bolt  15 . In the closed position ( FIG. 15 ), the shaft collar trigger  18  is positioned to pull the elastomer band  29  so as to stretch the elastomer band  29  to hold the valve tensioner band mounting bolt  15  from allowing the valve link  14  to pivot to an open position. In the open position ( FIG. 16 ), the shaft collar trigger  18  rotates with the target control rod  22  and as it does the tension of the elastomer band  29  is released allowing the valve link  14  to pivot to an open position. In the open position, the elastomer band  29  is positioned to pull the elastomer band  29  so as to hold the valve  9  in the open position assisted by water pressure. 
     While this invention has been described in conjunction with the various exemplary embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.