US20060084358A1

US20060084358A1 - Knuckle splasher

Info

Publication number: US20060084358A1
Application number: US11/250,844
Authority: US
Inventors: Sandra Taylor; Robert Muhammad; George Villanueva; Yvonne Villanueva
Original assignee: LA SHA RA ENTERPRISES
Current assignee: LA SHA RA ENTERPRISES
Priority date: 2004-10-14
Filing date: 2005-10-14
Publication date: 2006-04-20

Abstract

A water spraying amusement device for allowing a user to shoot water for entertainment purposes from a handgrip worn on the knuckles and connected to a pressurizing pump worn on the user's forearm. The pressurizing pump is connected to a pressurized water tank worn either on the user's back or around the user's midsection.

Description

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 60/618,534, filed Oct. 14, 2004, hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to water amusement devices and more particularly pertains to a new water spraying amusement device for allowing a user to shoot water for entertainment purposes from a handgrip worn on the knuckles and connected to a pressurizing pump worn on the user's forearm. The pressurizing pump is connected to a water tank worn either on the user's back or around the user's midsection.

BACKGROUND

Water amusement devices are known in the prior art. The toy industry is extremely competitive with numerous and varying styles developed in an attempt to profit from the inherent popularity of water toys. The most traditional forms of water spraying amusement devices are water guns which are activated by a pumping action, either manually through a trigger or automatically through a battery operated motor. Because the volume of water expelled in such water guns is limited, there is a need for a water spraying amusement device that can hold a large volume of water in order to reduce the number of refill trips to a water source. There also is a need for a water spraying amusement device capable of allowing a user to increase and maintain pressure within the device because the range of water expelled from prior art devices is limited.
Further, prior art devices require a user to grasp and hold on to a handle portion. These devices, however, may slip from a user's grip if the user is running around, potentially causing injury to the user or damage to the devices. There is a need then to provide a water spraying amusement device that is connected to the user's hand in such a way as to reduce the potential for injury or damage caused by the device slipping from the user's grip.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a water spraying amusement device capable of holding a large volume of water to reduce the number of refill trips to a water source.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a water spraying amusement device capable of allowing a user to increase and maintain pressure within the device in order to increase the range of water expelled from the device.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a water spraying amusement device capable of being connected to the user's hand in such a way as to reduce injury to the user or damage to the device caused by the device slipping from the user's grip.
The present invention is directed to a water spraying amusement device that comprises a handgrip, a pressurizing pump, and a water tank. Both the handgrip and the pressurizing pump are connected to the water tank via hoses. The handgrip fits around the knuckles of a user's hand in such a way as to reduce accidental slippage from the user's grip. The pressurizing pump increases and maintains water pressure as to improve the range of water expelled from the device. The water tank is capable of holding a large volume of water to reduce the number of refill trips to a water source.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the present invention can be more readily understood from the detailed description below with reference to the accompanying drawings herein.
FIG. 1 is a side view of a handgrip of a water spraying amusement device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a internal view of a handgrip of a water spraying amusement device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a side view of a handgrip of a water spraying amusement device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an internal view of a handgrip of a water spraying amusement device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a side view of a handgrip of a water spraying amusement device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a pressurizing pump of a water spraying amusement device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a pressurizing pump of a water spraying amusement device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a water tank of a water spraying amusement device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a water tank of a water spraying amusement device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, handgrip 100 comprises finger holes 10, a trigger 12, a fitting 14, a pressure setting knob 16, spray nozzles 18, an outer hose 20, a first inner hose 22, a second inner hose 24, a spring 26, a valve 28, an inner chamber 30 and an outer chamber 32.
A user grips handgrip 100 by placing his or her fingers into finger holes 10. Placing handgrip 100 over the user's knuckles reduces accidental slippage from the user's grip in comparison to conventional water gun handgrips. Water travels from a water tank (see FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 below) to handgrip 100 via outer hose 20. Fitting 14 connects outer hose 20 to handgrip 100. Water travels from outer hose 20 through first inner hose 22 to outer chamber 32.
When trigger 12 is not depressed, water and pressure build up in outer chamber 32 because valve 28, held in place by an opposing spring force exerted by spring 26, prevents water from traveling beyond outer chamber 32. When trigger 12 is depressed by the user's forefinger and middle finger, spring 26 compresses and allows valve 28 to open, allowing water to move from outer chamber 32 into inner chamber 30. Water then moves from inner chamber 30 through second inner hose 24 until it is expelled through spray nozzles 18.
Water pressure is increased as the water travels through the various hoses because of decreasing hose diameters. Various diameters may be used for the hoses so long as the diameter of outer hose 20 is greater than the diameter of first inner hose 22 and the diameter of first inner hose 22 is greater than the diameter of second inner hose 24.
The user can control the degree to which water is expelled through spray nozzles 18. Spray nozzles 18 may be adjusted to shoot varying sprays of water, anything from a fine mist to a strong, steady stream. The user may also modify water pressure entering handgrip 100 by adjusting pressure setting knob 16, which increases or decreases the amount of water allowed to enter first inner hose 22 from outer hose 20. The user may further increase water pressure by utilizing a pressurizing pump (see FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 below).
As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, handgrip 200 comprises finger holes 54, a trigger 36, a fitting 38, a pressure setting knob 34, spray nozzles 52, an outer hose 20, a first inner hose 42, a second inner hose 44, a spring 46, a valve 56, an inner chamber 50 and an outer chamber 48.
A user grips handgrip 200 by placing his or her fingers into finger holes 54. Placing handgrip 200 over the user's knuckles reduces accidental slippage from the user's grip in comparison to conventional water gun handgrips. Water travels from a water tank (see FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 below) to handgrip 200 via outer hose 20. Fitting 38 connects outer hose 20 to handgrip 200. Water travels from outer hose 20 through first inner hose 42 to outer chamber 48.
When trigger 36 is not depressed, water and pressure build up in outer chamber 48 because valve 56, held in place by an opposing spring force exerted by spring 46, prevents water from traveling beyond outer chamber 48. When trigger 36 is depressed by a user's palm, spring 36 compresses and allows valve 56 to open, allowing water to move from outer chamber 48 into inner chamber 50. Water then moves from inner chamber 50 through second inner hose 44 until it is expelled through spray nozzles 52.
Water pressure is increased as the water travels through the various hoses because of decreasing hose diameters. Various diameters may be used for the hoses so long as the diameter of outer hose 20 is greater than the diameter of first inner hose 42 and the diameter of first inner hose 42 is greater than the diameter of second inner hose 44.
The user may modify water pressure entering handgrip 200 by adjusting pressure setting knob 34, which increases or decreases the amount of water allowed to enter first inner hose 42 from outer hose 20. The user may further increase water pressure by utilizing a pressurizing pump (see FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 below).
As shown in FIG. 5, handgrip 300 comprises hand hole 66, a trigger 62, a pressure setting knob 58, spray nozzles 64, and an outer hose 20. The internal workings of handgrip 300 are the same as for handgrip 200 and can be understood by referring to FIG. 4 and its detailed description above.
Handgrips 100, 200, and 300 may be molded from any conventional high-impact plastic. Such high-impact plastics may be colored by any conventional means to provide a wide variety of decorative color selections for the handgrips. Handgrips 100, 200, and 300 may also be embedded with light emitting diodes (LED) so that users may utilize the present invention at night or in poorly lit areas. The inner and outer hoses of handgrips 100, 200, and 300 may be made of any type of flexible elastomer, such as polyurethane.
As shown in FIG. 6, pressurizing pump 400 comprises a pump body 68, a fitting 70, a pump handle 72, and arm straps 74. Pressurizing pump 400 is used to increase the water pressure in handgrips 100, 200, and 300 by increasing the amount of air in a water tank (see FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 below). Pump handle 72 is used to push air inside pump body 68 into fitting 70 which is connected to a hose (not shown) that runs directly to a water tank (see FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 below). Arm straps 74 are used to hold pressurizing pump 400 on the user's forearm. Arm straps 74 are preferably made out of Velcro but also can be made out of any material that may secure pressurizing pump 400 to the user's forearm without discomfort.
As shown in FIG. 7, pressurizing pump 500 comprises an upper pump body 80, a lower pump body 84, a pump body connector 78, a pump handle 82, arm straps 86, and a pressure hose 76. Pressurizing pump 500 is used to increase the water pressure in handgrips 100, 200, and 300 by increasing the amount of air in a water tank (see FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 below). Pump handle 82 is used to push air inside upper pump body 80 into lower pump body 84 via pump body connector 78. Lower pump body 84 is connected to pressure hose 76 via a fitting (not shown). Pressure hose 76 runs directly to a water tank (see FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 below). Arm straps 86 are used to hold pressurizing pump 500 on the user's forearm. Arm straps 86 are preferably made out of elastic but also can be made out of any material that may secure pressurizing pump 500 to the user's forearm without discomfort.
Pressurizing pumps 400 and 500 may be molded from any conventional high-impact plastic. Such high-impact plastics may be colored by any conventional means to provide a wide variety of decorative color selections for the pressurizing pumps. Pressurizing pumps 400 and 500 may also be embedded with light emitting diodes (LED) so that users may utilize the present invention at night or in poorly lit areas. The hoses of pressurizing pumps 400 and 500 may be made of any type of flexible elastomer, such as polyurethane.
As shown in FIG. 8, water tank 700 comprises waist tanks 94, a belt 92, buckles 96 and 98, a pressure hose 76, a connecting hose 88, and an outer hose 20. Waist tanks 94 hold an adequate amount of water to allow a user to utilize handgrips 100, 200, or 300 with reduced trips to refill at a water source. Water is secured within waist tanks 94 by water caps 90. Waist tanks 94 are secured to a user's waist by belt 92 and buckles 96 and 98. Pressure hose 98 connects pressurizing pump 400 or 500 to water tank 700 (via a fitting, not shown). Connecting hose 88 connects waist tanks 94 together (via fittings, not shown), allowing for pressure to be maintained in water tank 700. Outer hose 20 connects water tank 700 to handgrips 100, 200, or 300 (via a fitting, not shown), thus transferring water to be expelled out of handgrips 100, 200, or 300. Numerous waist tanks and connecting hoses may be utilized to increase the amount of water the user can carry at any given time, limited only by the user's waist line. Belt 92 is preferably made of ballistic nylon but may be made out of any material that will secure water tank 700 to the user without discomfort.
As shown in FIG. 9, water tank 800 comprises a back tank 102, shoulder straps 106, buckles 108 and 110, a pressure hose 76, and an outer hose 20. Back tank 102 holds an adequate amount of water to allow the user to utilize handgrips 100, 200, or 300 with reduced trips to refill at a water source. Water is secured within back tank 102 by water cap 104. Back tank 102 is secured to a user's back by shoulder straps 106 and buckles 108 and 110. Pressure hose 76 connects pressurizing pump 400 or 500 to water tank 800 (via a fitting, not shown). Outer hose 20 connects water tank 800 to handgrips 100, 200, or 300 (via a fitting, not shown), thus transferring water to be expelled out of handgrips 100, 200, or 300. Shoulder straps 106 are preferably made of ballistic nylon but may be made out of any material that will secure water tank 800 to the user without discomfort.
Water tanks 700 and 800 may be molded from any conventional high-impact plastic. Such high-impact plastics may be colored by any conventional means to provide a wide variety of decorative color selections for the water tanks. Water tanks 700 and 800 may also be embedded with light emitting diodes (LED) so that users may utilize the present invention at night or in poorly lit areas. The hoses of water tanks 700 and 800 may be made of any type of flexible elastomer, such as polyurethane.
In describing exemplary embodiments, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity in this disclosure. The disclosure of this patent specification, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner.
In addition, the above specific embodiments are illustrative, and many variations can be introduced on these embodiments without departing from the spirit of the disclosure or from the scope of the appended claims. For example, elements and/or features of different illustrative embodiments may be combined with each other and/or substituted for each other within the scope of this disclosure and appended claims.

Claims

1. A water spraying amusement device comprising:

a handgrip worn on the knuckles of a user, said handgrip further comprising a trigger connected to a valve and a spring, wherein said valve and said spring separate an inner chamber and an outer chamber when said trigger is not depressed, a first inner hose running from a handgrip fitting to said outer chamber, a second inner hose running from said inner chamber to at least one spray nozzle;

a water tank worn on the user, said tank further comprising a first tank fitting connecting a first outer hose to said handgrip fitting and a second tank fitting; and

a pressurizing pump worn on the forearm of the user, said pump further comprising a pump fitting connecting a second outer hose to said second tank fitting.

2. The water spraying amusement device of claim 1 wherein said pressurizing pump further comprises a pump body, a pump handle connected to said pump body, and at least one arm strap connected to said pump body.

3. The water spraying amusement device of claim 1 wherein said pressurizing pump further comprises an upper pump body, a lower pump body, a pump body connector for connecting said upper pump body to said lower pump body, a pump handle connected to said upper pump body, and at least one arm strap connected to said lower pump body.

4. The water spraying amusement device of claim 1 wherein said water tank further comprises at least one waist tank, a waist tank cap secured on said waist tank, and a belt and a buckle connected to said waist tank.

5. The water spraying amusement device of claim 1 wherein said water tank further comprises at least two waist tanks, at least two waist tank caps secured on said waist tanks, a belt and a buckle connected said waist tanks, and at least one waist tank connecting hose to connect said waist tanks.

6. The water spraying amusement device of claim 1 wherein said water tank further comprises a back tank, a back tank cap secured on said back tank, and at least two shoulder straps connected to said back tank.