Patent Document

BACKGROUND 
     Water toys and games are popular among children and adults alike. During hot weather, water games allow players to enjoy the outdoors and also provide cooling relief from the hot sun. For example, during hot weather—such as during the spring and summer months in the American Midwest, families and communities gather for recreation at street fairs, carnivals, fund-raisers, parks, in back yards, at community centers, and at local restaurants and bars. 
     Toys and games involving using projectiles to strike a target are popular recreational items. In general, players enjoy the skill involved in projecting balls, bean bags, darts, and other items toward a target. Toys and games of this nature provide enjoyment and camaraderie. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     A water dousing game provides a container suspended above a player, or alternatively, above a beverage glass. The container holds a fluid which may be, for example, water or a beverage. The container includes a valve that controls the release of the fluid. The valve is connected to an actuating arm. The actuating arm has an attached target. The valve is actuated to release the fluid from the container and onto a player or into a beverage glass when a projectile thrown by a second player strikes the target. 
     Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the disclosure will be, or will become, apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the following claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a variation of the dousing game in use; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a variation of the dousing game; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded view of the actuation assembly; 
         FIG. 4   a   1  illustrates a top view of a swing arm of the game; 
         FIG. 4   a   2  illustrates a side cut-out view of a “play mode”; 
         FIG. 4   b   1  illustrates a top view of a swing arm of the game in “release mode”; 
         FIG. 4   b   2  illustrates a side cut-out view of a “release mode”; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a variation of a dousing game; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a exploded view of a first spring mechanism; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a exploded view of a second spring mechanism; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a exploded view of a third spring mechanism; and 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a exploded view of a fourth spring mechanism. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     We disclose a toy and game that releases fluid onto a player when another player successfully projects a projectile onto a target. The toy and game may also be used to release fluid, such as a beverage, into a beverage glass when a player successfully projects a projectile onto a target. The toy may include a fluid container, a valve, and an actuating arm. The fluid container may remain substantially stationary and upright throughout game play and may have a fluid escape opening. A valve may regulate fluid escape from the container. An actuating arm may regulate the actuation state of the valve. For example, the actuating arm may include a target for a projectile. When a player throws a projective and successfully strikes the target, the actuating arm may actuate the valve to release fluid from the container. 
     The dousing game may be made of light materials which are easy to assemble, disassemble, store, and carry. The dousing game may be scaled to various sizes. For example, the dousing game may be scaled to permit the placement of an adult chair beneath the container. Alternatively or additionally, the dousing game may be scaled to accommodate a child&#39;s chair. Alternatively or additionally, the dousing game may be scaled to accommodate a beverage glass. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates one variation of a dousing game. In this variation, the dousing game includes a dousing game assembly  100 , a player  102  and a thrower  104 . In this illustration, the player  102  is seated; however, the player  102  may also be standing. A thrower  104  may throw a projectile  106  at a target  108 . When the projectile  106  strikes the target  108 , fluid may be released onto the player  102 . The projectile  106  may be a bean bag, a ball, a FRISBEE, a dart, a paint gun, a laser gun, a water balloon, or any other item. The target  108  may have any shape; it may be, for example but not limited to, a circle, square, star, box. The target may be triggered by the force of the projectile, or alternatively or additionally, by a laser target and laser receiver. The target may also include a net for retaining the target or alternatively or additionally, a back board or other device for halting the trajectory of the target. 
     The dousing game assembly  100  may include a support assembly  110 , an actuator assembly  112 , and a container  114 . The support assembly  110  supports the container  114  above the player  102 . The actuator assembly  112  actuates the release of fluid from the container  114  on to the player  102  such that the player  102  is doused. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the support assembly  110  may comprise one or more vertical posts, e.g., a first vertical post  202  and a second vertical post  204 ; one or more diagonal posts, e.g., a first diagonal post  206  and a second diagonal post  208 ; and one or more horizontal posts  210 . The support assembly  110  may further include a horizontal support bar  212 . The horizontal posts  210  may engage the diagonal posts  206 ,  208 , and the vertical posts  202 ,  204 , to create the frame of the support assembly  110 . The support assembly  110  may engage the ground such that the support assembly  110  is held upright during normal use. 
     For example, in one variation, four horizontal posts  210  may form a four-cornered base  214 . The vertical posts  202 ,  204  may engage, for example at a 90° angle, two adjacent corners of the four-cornered base  214 . The diagonal posts  206 ,  208  may engage the two remaining corners of the four-cornered base  214 . The diagonal posts  206 ,  208  may engage the two remaining corners of the four-cornered base  214  at an angle  216 . The angle  216 , may be for example but not limited to, about 5° to about 90°; about 20° to about 70°; about 40° to about 60°; or otherwise. If the angle  216  is less than 90°, then the diagonal posts  206 ,  208 , may also engage the vertical posts  202 ,  204 , at some location along the length of the vertical posts  202 ,  204 . In any variation of the dousing game, the support posts, frame, legs, or otherwise, may be adjustable. For example, the support posts, frame, legs, or otherwise may adjust to smaller or larger dimensions. The support posts, frame, legs, or otherwise may additionally or alternatively adjust and fold for, among other things, storage and/or carrying. 
     In this example, the horizontal support bar  212  engages the vertical bars  202 ,  204  at a location distal from the ground and above the player  102 . The horizontal support bar  212  supports the container  114  and also supports a portion of the actuator assembly  112 . The container  114  may be attached to the horizontal support bar  212  by an attachment means  218 . The container  114  may be attached such that it is maintained in a substantially upright and stationary position during play. The attachment means  218  may be, for example but not limited to, a screw, bolt (e.g., a J-Bolt or otherwise), pin, bar, zip tie, wire, chain and etc. The container  114  may be, for example but not limited to, a bucket, funnel, box, jar, or otherwise. For simplification, in this example, the container  114 , may be a bucket. The bucket may have a top opening and a bottom  220 . The bottom  220  may include a fluid escape opening  222 . The fluid escape opening  222  may be a single opening or may be an arrangement of multiple openings. 
       FIG. 3  shows a blow up of the actuator assembly  212  of this variation. The actuator assembly may include a swivel arm  302 , which may be a horizontal bar that is suspended parallel to the horizontal support arm  212  when the game is in “play mode.” For example, the game may be in “play mode” when the container  114  contains a fluid, for example, when the fluid is maintained within the container  114  and is not leaking or flowing out of the container  114 . Then the game is in “release mode,” the fluid escape opening  222  of container  114  may be exposed and fluid may be leaking or flowing out, for example, onto a player  FIG. 1 ,  102 . When the game is in “release mode” the swivel arm  302  may be still horizontal and above the horizontal support bar  212 , but may be off-set from it&#39;s parallel position. (This is further demonstrated in  FIG. 4 ). The container  114  may remain substantially upright and stationary during “release mode.” 
     The actuator assembly  112  may include a valve assembly  300 . The valve assembly may comprise an actuation housing  320 , an actuation rod  304  and a valve  306 . The horizontal support bar  212  may pass horizontally through the actuation housing  320 . The actuation rod  304  may have a cap  308  on one end and may be connected to the valve  306  at the other end. The actuation rod  304  may pass vertically through the actuation housing  320 , and suspend the valve  306  from the horizontal support bar  212  such that the valve  306  is supported inside the container  114 . The cap  308  may have a larger diameter than the actuation rod  304  and may therefore maintain the actuation rod  304  in assembly with the actuation housing  320  by proving an obstruction that is unable to pass through the hole through which the actuation rod passes. 
     The actuation rod  304  may be assembled with a spring  310 . For example, a spring  310 , for example but not limited to a tension spring may be a coil of material (e.g., stainless steel, plastic, resin, or otherwise). The coil may have through its middle a hole. The actuation rod  304  may be assembled with the spring  310  by passing the actuation rod  304  through the hole in the spring  310 . The actuation rod  304  and spring  310  may be assembled inside of the actuation housing  320 . Further figures illustrate other methods of assembling the actuation rod  304  with the spring  310 . However, for this example, we show the actuation rod  304  assembled with the spring  310  by passing through a hole in the spring  310 , the actuation rod  304  and the spring  310  assembled inside an actuation housing  320 . 
     The valve  306  may be assembled over the fluid escape opening  222 . When the game is in “play mode” the valve  306  may seal the fluid escape opening  222  such that fluid is maintained inside the container  114 . When the game is in “release mode,” the valve  306  may move away from and reveal the fluid escape opening  222  such that fluid is released from the container  114 . 
     The valve  306  may be, for example but not limited to, a rubber valve, a plunger, or any other device. The valve may operate by simply obstructing the fluid escape opening  222 . Alternatively or additionally, the valve  306  may be a plunger—or like object—which may create a suction seal against the fluid escape opening  222 . For example, the pressure of the swing arm  302  against the cap  308 , the cap  308  against the actuation rod  304 , and the actuation rod  304  against the valve  306  may create increased suction, pressure, or otherwise, and seal the valve  306  against the fluid escape opening  222 . 
     The swivel arm  302  may have two ends. For example, the swivel arm  302  may have a first end that lines up with a second vertical post  204  and an end that lines up with a first vertical post  202 . The swing arm  302  may be attached to a target  108  at one end. The swivel arm  302  may rotate around a swivel arm rod  314 . The swivel arm rod  314  may pass vertically through, for example, the junction  316  of the second vertical post  204  and the horizontal support bar  212 . 
     When the game is in “play mode,” the swivel arm  302  may, by exerting force upon the cap  308  push the actuation rod  304  deep into the actuation housing  320  which may push the valve  306  against the bottom  220  of the container  114  such that the valve  306  tightly covers and prevents fluid escape from the fluid escape opening  222  in the container  114 . The swivel arm  302  may be connected at one end to a target  108 . When a projectile  FIG. 1 ,  106  strikes the target  108 , it may cause the swivel arm  302  to swivel on the swivel arm rod  314  and to dislodge from its parallel position. When the swivel arm  302  dislodges from its position parallel to the horizontal support bar  212 , it no longer exerts force upon the cap  308 . When the force of the swivel arm  302  pushing down on the cap  308  is released, the force of the spring  310  inside the actuation housing  320  may push the cap  308  upwards and away from the actuation housing  320 . As the cap moves upwards the connected actuation rod  304  may also travel vertically upward through the actuation housing  320  such that the valve  306  moves closer to the actuation housing  320 . As the valve  306  moves closer to the actuation housing  320 , the valve  306  may disengage from the fluid escape opening  222 . Disengagement of the valve  306  from the fluid escape opening  222  may allow fluid release from the container through the fluid escape opening  222 . 
     A retaining device  318  may restrict the movement of the swing arm  302  relative to the horizontal support bar  212 . In one variation, the retaining device  318  may be a device similar to an eye and eye turn buckle. For example, the retaining device  318  may be a bar with a length and two ends. One end may attach to the swing arm  302  and the other end may attach to the horizontal support bar  212 . If the retaining device  318  is an eye and eye turn buckle, one eye may attach to the to the swing arm  302  and the other eye may attach to the horizontal support bar  212 . The length of the retaining device  318  may be adjusted so that, when the swing arm is in “play mode,” the swing arm is pressed tightly against the cap  308  of the actuation rod  304  providing the force necessary to keep the valve  306  over and sealing the fluid escape opening  222 . When the swing arm  302  is activated to swing away from its horizontal parallel position, the retaining device  318  may restrict the distance (e.g.,  FIG. 4 ,  400 ) that the swing arm  302  may move. This may, for example but not limited to, prevent the swing arm  302  from moving too far and wounding a bystander, and may make it easier to reassemble the swing arm  302  into “play mode.” 
     Other restraining devices  318  have been contemplated, for example but not limited to, rubber bands, restraining frames, and other methods of restraining the movement of the swing arm  302  and, perhaps, providing additional force to push the swing arm  302  against the cap  308 . Alternatively or additionally, the swing arm  302  may be weighted, for example with sand, cement, metal, or etc. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the working of one variation of a dousing game.  FIG. 4   a   1  illustrates the swing arm  302  in “play mode” from above.  FIG. 4   b   1  illustrates the swing arm  302  relative to the horizontal support bar  212  from above in “release mode.”  FIG. 4   a   2  illustrates the orientation of the valve  306  over the fluid escape opening  222  as well as the orientation of the swing arm  302  relative to the cap  308  and the cap  308  relative to the actuation housing  320  when the game is in “play mode.”  FIG. 4   b   2  illustrates the orientation of the valve  306  over the fluid escape opening  222  as well as the orientation of the cap  308  relative to the actuation housing  320  when the game is in “play mode.” For convenience, the swing arm  302  is not shown in this  FIG. 4   b   2 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4   a   1 , the swivel arm  302  may rotate around a swivel arm rod  314 . The swivel arm rod  314  may pass vertically through, for example, the junction  316  of the second vertical post  204  and the horizontal support bar  212  (not shown). 
     When the game is in “play mode,” the swivel arm  302  may, by exerting force upon the cap  FIG. 4   b   2 ,  308  push the actuation rod  304  deep into the actuation housing  320  which may push the valve  306  against the bottom  220  of the container  114  such that the valve  306  tightly covers and prevents fluid escape from the fluid escape opening  222  in the container  114 . 
     As discussed and illustrated before, the swivel arm  302  may be connected at one end to a target  108 . When a projectile  FIG. 1 ,  106  strikes the target  108 , it may cause the swivel arm  302  to swivel on the swivel arm rod  314  and to dislodge from its parallel position (see  FIG. 4   b   1 ).  FIG. 4   b   1  illustrates an example that when the swivel arm  302  dislodges from its position parallel to the horizontal support bar  212  by a distance  400 , it no longer exerts force upon the cap  308  (See  FIG. 4   b   2 ). When the force of the swivel arm  302  pushing down on the cap  308  is released, as in  FIG. 4   b   2 , the force of the spring  310  inside the actuation housing  320  may push the cap  308  upwards and away from the actuation housing  320 . As the cap moves upwards the connected actuation rod  304  may also travel vertically upward through the actuation housing  320  such that the valve  306  moves closer to the actuation housing  320 . As the valve  306  moves closer to the actuation housing  320 , the valve  306  may disengage from the fluid escape opening  222 . Disengagement of the valve  306  from the fluid escape opening  222  may allow fluid release from the container through the fluid escape opening  222 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a second variation of a dousing game. In this variation, the game includes a dousing game assembly  100 , a drinking container  502  and a thrower  104  (not shown). In this illustration, the drinking container  502  placed beneath the container  114 . A thrower  104  may throw a projectile  106  at a target  108 . When the projectile  106  strikes the target  108 , fluid may be released into the drinking container  502 . The projectile  106  may be a bean bag, a ball, a FRISBEE, a dart, paint from a paint gun, or any other item. In this or any other variation, a tube  504  may be included with the game assembly  100 . The tube  504  may direct the fluid, which may be a beverage, from the container into the drinking container  502 . The tube  504  may therefore prevent spilling. 
     The dousing game assembly  100  may include a support assembly  110 , an actuator assembly  112 , and a container  114 . The support assembly  110  supports the container  114  above the drinking container  502 . The actuator assembly  112  actuates the release of fluid from the container  114  into the drinking container  502  (in one variation, through an attached tube  504 ) such that the fluid enters the drinking container  502  for consumption by a player. The fluid could be a fluid that the thrower  104  may enjoy, such as cola, beer, hot chocolate. Alternatively or additionally, the fluid may be monetary coins, confetti, or any other demonstrative item. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the support assembly  110  may comprise one or more vertical posts, e.g., a first vertical post  202  and a second vertical post  204 ; and one or more horizontal posts  506 . The support assembly  110  may further include a horizontal support bar  212 . The horizontal posts  210  may engage the vertical posts  202 ,  204 , to create the frame of the support assembly  110 . The support assembly  110  may engage the ground such that the support assembly  110  is held upright during normal use. 
     For example, in one variation, the vertical posts  202 ,  204  may engage, for example at a 90° angle, two a central region of the horizontal posts  506 . 
     In this example, the horizontal support bar  212  engages the vertical bars  202 ,  204  at a location distal from the ground and above the drinking container  502 . The horizontal support bar  212  supports the container  114  and also supports a portion of the actuator assembly  112 . The container  114  may be attached to the horizontal support bar  212  by an attachment means  218 . The attachment means  218  may be, for example but not limited to, a screw, bolt (e.g., a J-Bolt or otherwise), pin, bar, and etc. The container  114  may be, for example but not limited to, a bucket, funnel, box, jar, or otherwise. For simplification, in this example, the container  114 , may be a funnel. The funnel may have a top opening and a bottom  220 . The bottom  220  may include a fluid escape opening  222 , which may be the tapered opening of the funnel. The tapering of the funnel may provide a male end for attaching the alternative hose  504 . 
     The actuator assembly may include a swivel arm  302 , which may be a horizontal bar that is suspended parallel to the horizontal support arm  212  when the game is in “play mode.” For example, the game may be in “play mode” when the container  114  contains a fluid, for example, when the fluid is maintained within the container  114  and is not leaking or flowing out of the container  114 . Then the game is in “release mode,” the fluid escape opening  222  of container  114  may be exposed and fluid may be leaking or flowing out, for example, into a drinking container  502 , or alternatively, through a tube  504  into a drinking container. When the game is in “release mode” the swivel arm  302  may be still horizontal and above the horizontal support bar  212 , but may be off-set from it&#39;s parallel position. (This is further demonstrated in  FIG. 4 ). 
     The actuator assembly  112  may include a valve assembly  FIG. 3 ,  300 . The valve assembly may comprise an actuation housing  320 , an actuation rod  304  and a valve  306 . The horizontal support bar  212  may pass horizontally through the actuation housing  320 . The actuation rod  304  may have a cap  308  on one end and may be connected to the valve  306  at the other end. The actuation rod  304  may pass vertically through the actuation housing  320 , and suspend the valve  306  from the horizontal support bar  212  such that the valve  306  is supported inside the container  114 . The cap  308  may have a larger diameter than the actuation rod  304  and may therefore maintain the actuation rod  304  in assembly with the actuation housing  320  by proving an obstruction that is unable to pass through the hole through which the actuation rod passes. 
     The actuation rod  304  may be assembled with a spring  310 . For example, a spring  310 , for example but not limited to a tension spring may be a coil of material (e.g., stainless steel, plastic, resin, or otherwise). The coil may have through its middle a hole. The actuation rod  304  may be assembled with the spring  310  by passing the actuation rod  304  through the hole in the spring  310 . The actuation rod  304  and spring  310  may be assembled inside of the actuation housing  320 . Further figures illustrate other methods of assembling the actuation rod  304  with the spring  310 . However, for this example, we show the actuation rod  304  assembled with the spring  310  by passing through a hole in the spring  310 , the actuation rod  304  and the spring  310  assembled inside an actuation housing  320 . 
     The valve  306  may be assembled over the fluid escape opening  222 . When the game is in “play mode” the valve  306  may seal the fluid escape opening  222  such that fluid is maintained inside the container  114 . When the game is in “release mode,” the valve  306  may move away from and reveal the fluid escape opening  222  such that fluid is released from the container  114 . 
     The valve  306  may be, for example but not limited to, a rubber valve, a plunger, or any other device. The valve may operate by simply obstructing the fluid escape opening  222 . Alternatively or additionally, the valve  306  may be a plunger—or like object—which may create a suction seal against the fluid escape opening  222 . For example, the pressure of the swing arm  302  against the cap  308 , the cap  308  against the actuation rod  304 , and the actuation rod  304  against the valve  306  may create increased suction, pressure, or otherwise, and seal the valve  306  against the fluid escape opening  222 . 
     The swivel arm  302  may have two ends. For example, the swivel arm  302  may have a first end that lines up with a second vertical post  204  and an end that lines up with a first vertical post  202 . The swing arm  302  may be attached to a target  108  at one end. The swivel arm  302  may rotate around a swivel arm rod  314 . The swivel arm rod  314  may pass vertically through, for example, the junction  316  of the second vertical post  204  and the horizontal support bar  212 . 
     When the game is in “play mode,” the swivel arm  302  may, by exerting force upon the cap  308  push the actuation rod  304  deep into the actuation housing  320  which may push the valve  306  against the bottom  220  of the container  114  such that the valve  306  tightly covers and prevents fluid escape from the fluid escape opening  222  in the container  114 . The swivel arm  302  may be connected at one end to a target  108 . When a projectile  106  strikes the target  108 , it may cause the swivel arm  302  to swivel on the swivel arm rod  314  and to dislodge from its parallel position. When the swivel arm  302  dislodges from its position parallel to the horizontal support bar  212 , it no longer exerts force upon the cap  308 . When the force of the swivel arm  302  pushing down on the cap  308  is released, the force of the spring  310  inside the actuation housing  320  may push the cap  308  upwards and away from the actuation housing  320 . As the cap moves upwards the connected actuation rod  304  may also travel vertically upward through the actuation housing  320  such that the valve  306  moves closer to the actuation housing  320 . As the valve  306  moves closer to the actuation housing  320 , the valve  306  may disengage from the fluid escape opening  222 . Disengagement of the valve  306  from the fluid escape opening  222  may allow fluid release from the container through the fluid escape opening  222 . 
     A retaining device  318  may restrict the movement of the swing arm  302  relative to the horizontal support bar  212 . 
     The height of the dousing game may be adjusted so that it rests on the ground, or alternatively, for example if the object is to dispense a beverage into a container  502 , the game may rest on a table or counter. 
     The valve  306  may be, for example but not limited to, a rubber valve, a plunger, or any other device. The valve may operate by simply obstructing the fluid escape opening  222 . Alternatively or additionally, the valve  306  may be a plunger—or like object—which may create a suction seal against the fluid escape opening  222 . For example, the pressure of the swing arm  302  against the cap  308 , the cap  308  against the actuation rod  304 , and the actuation rod  304  against the valve  306  may create increased suction, pressure, or otherwise, and seal the valve  306  against the fluid escape opening  222 . 
       FIG. 6  is a exploded view of one variation of the cap  308 , actuation rod  304 , valve  306 , spring  310 , and actuation housing  320 . This view illustrates one manner in which the spring  310  may store potential energy such that, when potential energy is released, (e.g. by release of the swing arm  302  from the cap  308 ) the spring  310  releases potential energy, and in this variation, extends to pull the valve  306  away from the fluid escape opening  222 . In this example, the actuation rod  304  is assembled with the spring  310  inside the actuation housing  320 . The spring  310  has a first end  602  and a second end  604 . The first end  602  of the spring  310  may be immobilized relative to the actuation rod  304 . For example, the actuation rod  304  may include a cotter pin hole. An immobilization device  600 , which may be a cotter pin (or similar device) fed through the cotter pin hole. The immobilization device  600  may immobilize one end of the spring  310  restricting it from expanding further up on the actuation rod  304  toward the cap  308 . 
     The second end  604  of the spring  310  may not be immobilized relative to the actuation rod  304 . Actuation housing  320  may have a floor  606  through which the actuation rod  304  may pass. When the swing arm  302  is in “release mode” the spring  310  may be in a more relaxed state (see  FIG. 4   b   2 ). When the swing arm  302  is in “play mode” it may exert force on the cap  308  of the actuation rod  304 . Because the immobilization device  600  is attached to the actuation rod  304 , the immobilization device  600  may exert force against the first end of the spring  602 . As the actuation rod  304  travels through the actuation housing  320  the distance between the immobilization device  600  and the floor  606  of the actuation housing  320  shortens. The floor  606  of the actuation housing  320  eventually exerts a force up against the second end  604  of the spring  310  causing the spring  310  to become more tightly coiled or compressed; the compression storing elastic potential energy in the spring  310 . The movement of the spring arm  302  off of the cap  308  releases the downward pressure (e.g., the pressure that asserts compression on the spring  310 ) causing release of the potential energy stored in the spring  310 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a variation of the orientation and operation of the actuation arm  302  relative to the actuation housing  320 .  FIG. 7  is an exploded view of another variation of the cap  308 , actuation rod  304 , valve  306 , spring  704 , and actuation housing  320 . This view illustrates one manner in which the spring  704  may store potential energy, when pressure is released from the cap  308  the spring  310  releases potential energy resulting in pulling the valve  306  away from the fluid escape opening  222 . 
     In this example, the actuation rod  304  is assembled inside the actuation housing  320 . The spring  704  is a rubber or other elastic material band. The spring  704 , which may be a rubber band, is assembled with the actuation housing and the actuation rod  304 . In this example, the spring  704 , which may be a rubber band, is wrapped around the neck of the actuation housing and also wrapped around a screw  702  driven through the actuation rod  304 . (Other orientations are possible, the spring  704  may be also attached to the actuation housing  320  by a screw, may be attached inside or outside of the actuation housing  320 , and otherwise.) 
     When the swing arm  302  is in “release mode” the spring  704  may be in a more relaxed state, e.g., if the spring  704  is a rubber band, it may be in an unstretched state. When the swing arm  302  is in “play mode” it may exert force on the cap  308  of the actuation rod  304 . Because the spring  704 , which may be a rubber band, is attached to the actuation housing  320  and the actuation rod  304 , as the actuation rod  304  travels through the actuation housing  320  the distance between the neck  706  of the actuation housing  320  and the screw  702  on the actuation rod  304  increases. The increased distance between the two attachment points of the spring  704 , which may be a rubber band causes stretching of the rubber band, the stretching storing elastic potential energy in the spring  704 . The movement of the spring arm  302  off of the cap  308  releases the downward pressure (e.g., the pressure that asserts compression on the spring  310 ) causing release of the potential energy stored in the spring  704 , as the spring  704  returns to a relaxed state. 
       FIG. 8  is an exploded view of another variation of the cap  308 , actuation rod  304 , valve  306 , spring  310 , and actuation housing  320 . This view illustrates one manner in which the spring  310  may store potential energy such that, when potential energy is released, (e.g. by release of the swing arm  302  from the cap  308 ) the spring  310  releases potential energy, and in this variation, extends to allow the valve  306  to pull away from the fluid escape opening  222 . In this example, the actuation rod  304  is assembled with the spring  310  outside and on top of the actuation housing  320 . The spring  310  has a first end  802  and a second end  804 . The cap  308  may act as an immobilization device and may immobilize one end of the spring  310  restricting it from expanding further up on the actuation rod  304 . The second end  804  of the spring  310  may be immobilized relative to the actuation rod  304  by the top of the actuation housing  320 . 
     In this variation, when the swing arm  FIG. 3 ,  302  is in “release mode” the spring  310  may be in a more relaxed state (e.g., uncompressed). When the swing arm  302  is in “play mode” the swing arm  302  may exert force on the cap  308  of the actuation rod  304 . As the actuation rod  304  travels through the actuation housing  320  the distance between the cap  308  and the top of the actuation housing  320  shortens. Because the spring  310  is located between the cap  308  and the top of the actuation housing  320 , as the distance  806  shortens, the spring  310  is compressed. The compression stores elastic potential energy in the spring  310 . The movement of the spring arm  302  off of the cap  308  releases the downward pressure (e.g., the pressure that asserts compression on the spring  310 ) causing release of the potential energy stored in the spring  310 . 
       FIG. 9  is an exploded view of another variation of the cap  308 , actuation rod  304 , valve  306 , spring  310 , and actuation housing  320 . This view illustrates one manner in which the spring  310  may store potential energy such that, when potential energy is released, (e.g. by release of the swing arm  302  from the cap  308 ) the spring  310  releases potential energy, and in this variation, extends to allow the valve  306  to pull away from the fluid escape opening  222 . In this example, the actuation rod  304  is assembled with the spring  310  outside and on top of the actuation housing  320 . Furthermore, in this example, the actuation rod  304  is not inserted through the spring&#39;s  310  coil. The spring  310  has a first end  902  and a second end  904 . The first end  902  and second end  904  may be immobilized, for example, the first end  902  may be immobilized by a screw attaching it to a location just above the valve  306 , the second end  904  may be immobilized by a screw attaching it to an outer or inner surface of the actuation housing  320 . 
     In this variation, when the swing arm  FIG. 3 ,  302  is in “release mode” the spring  310  may be in a more relaxed state (e.g., uncompressed). When the swing arm  302  is in “play mode” the swing arm  302  may exert force on the cap  308 , causing the actuation rod  304  to travel through the actuation housing  320 . As the actuation rod  304  travels through the actuation housing  320  a distance  908  between the valve  308  and the actuation housing  320  lengthens. Because the spring  310  is located between the valve  306  and the actuation housing  320 , as the distance  908  lengthens, the spring  310  is pull tightly. The stretching stores elastic potential energy in the spring  310 . The movement of the spring arm  302  off of the cap  308  releases the downward pressure (e.g., the pressure that asserts compression on the spring  310 ) causing release of the potential energy stored in the spring  310  as it springs into a relaxed (in this case, coiled) state. 
     The dousing game may be made of many materials. For a light and sturdy construction, the dousing game may be made out of PVC pipe. However, the dousing game may alternatively or additionally be made out of metal, plastic, rubber, or other composite or similar materials. If made out of PVC pipe, the entire dousing game assembly may weigh under  30  pounds, for example, if the dousing game assembly is made out of PVC with a  6  foot frame, such that an adult may sit comfortably beneath the container  114 , the assembly may weigh as little as about  20  pounds. The dousing game may be completely assembled and disassembled simply and quickly, may be stored in a compact box, and may weigh very little, making it simple to store, transport, assemble, and use. 
     In one variation, the dousing game may be scaled for table-top used, for example, the object of the game may be to strike the target  108  in order to trigger a beverage to pour into a drinking container  502 . In this variation, the materials may be PVC pipe, alternatively or additionally, the materials may be metal, plastic, rubber, composite, or otherwise. The weight of the table-top dousing game may be about  7  pounds. The dousing game may be completely assembled and disassembled simply and quickly, may be stored in a compact box, and may weigh very little, making it simple to store, transport, assemble, and use. 
     In one variation, the dousing game may be scaled for use by children. For example, the dousing game may be made in, for example but not limited to, a  4  foot tall floor version of the game. The dousing game may be completely assembled and disassembled simply and quickly, may be stored in a compact box, and may weigh very little, making it simple to store, transport, assemble, and use. 
     The dousing game may have additional configurations, including a double, triple, or other variation. For example, two dousing assemblies may be set up side-by-side or back-to-back for team play, as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     The dousing game may also have variations in the size of the target, may have the addition of a water hose or other device for re-filling the container  114  between uses. 
     While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of the invention. For instance, steps of a method as displayed in the figures or reflected in the claims do not require a specific order of execution by way they are presented, unless specified. The disclosed steps are listed as exemplary such that additional or different steps may be executed or the steps may be executed in a different order

Technology Category: 2