Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
6 4 6 8 -15 CN 4 -1-
ACTION FIGURE WITH THE ABILI~rY
TO SE~OOT WATER
BACK(~ROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to an
action figure with the ability to shoot water by
means o~ an air pressurized water chamber. More
specifically, it relates to an action figure
having movable extremities ~nd having separate
pressurizing and releasing mechanisms for pumping
up and shooting liquid therefrom.
2. _Prior Art Statement
Many toys and similar products have been
-2- s~ 3
developed over the years which pertain to
dispensing water. Some have been to combine
~unction with entertainment for children, e.g.
shampoo dispensing, others have been to mimic or
recreate bodily functions, e.g. crying,
urinating, etc., while others have been for pure
entertainment, e.g. water spraying with figures
or dolls.
The following patents represent a
chronological history of such diverse prior art:
United States Patent No. 928,059, describes
a soap dispenser having a force pump with
animated features. The force pump is immersed in
li~uid, e.g. soap and the pump stroke causes
direct dispensing.
United States Patent No. 1,266,~06 describes
:
.; ::
. : . ;
.~ . . : , . :; . :: :
7 ~ ~ ~
a toy whale with wind up, sprinq loaded wheels
which move a reciprocating plunyer which causes :
pushing force on a flexible xeservoir. When this
is filled with water and the whale is moving, the
plunger causes the whale to "blow" water.
United States Patent No. 1,893,972 shows a
novelty gasoline pump with an elephant
encasement, the trunk of which is the pump hose~
The hose is extendable and automatically
retractable through the elephant's trunk.
United States Patent No. 3,388,835 describes
a dispenser for lotion or bubble bath. The
de~ice has a container of toy-like cllaracter, a
dispensing mechanism including a plunger tube
attached to one end of a suction cylinder. The
plunger tube extends downwardly into the liquid
_4~ 2 '~ ~ ~
contained within the container, the plunger tube
being attached at the lower end of the suction
cylinder. A sidewardly extencling flexib].e tube
out of which the liquid is dispensed, is
included, and an upper plunger tube is connected
to the upper end of the suction cylinder, the
upper plunger tube having a press-button at its
upper end.
United States Patent No. 3,420,412 sets
forth a spraying device enclosure. It has an
attractive hollow body simulating an animal in
shape and of soft and flexible material to
enclose a pressurized spray can. The body has an
adjustable opening on the bottom for introduction
of the can and opposing openings at the top, one
of the openings permitting projection of the
mouth of the spray can such as the bill of an
animal, and the other opening permitting the
introduction of the usar~s finger for operation
of the plunger of the spray can.
United States Patent No. 3,769~745 5110W5 a
toy doll which will produce tearing and
simultaneously move its arms (in response
thereto) to provide the appearance of a crying
doll. A fluid reservoir~ located in the head of
the doll includes ducking to carry the fluid from
that reservoir tG the eyes of the doll. The eyes
of the doll are arranged with respect to:the
ducting so as to deflect the fluid passing
therethrough to create the appearance of a crying
or tearing doll. An elastically compressible
bulb, connected to the fluid reservoir, is
. , ,:
located in the passageway between the head and
the body of the doll and is aligned along the
axis of rotation of the head. When the bulb is
compressed, the fluid contained therei~ is
displaced and passes from the fluid reservoir to
the eyes of the doll. The tearing system has no
overflow or air intake ports inside the doll.
United States Patent No. 3,775,901 describes
a child's doll with an internal reservoir into
which a liquid may be introduced through the
mouth ori~ice of the doll. The reservoir is also
provided with a discharge valve whose opening is
effected by the close proximity of a permanent
magnet; such a magnet being provided attached to
a training seat with chamber-pot. The doll is
` provided with an orifice at its lower extremity
. ~.
.:, :,
flexible reservoir and the eye sockets of the
doll and means is provided for compressing the
flexible reservoir when the doll i8 in a
generally horizontal pos.ition to force liquid
~rom the reservoir through the conduit to the eye
sockets, in order to simulate weeping or teari.ng.
United States Patent No. 3,855,729 describes
a tearing reservoir which is pressurized by
inflatable sack connected to a bellows mounted in
figure toy head and receiving air ~rom water-
impervious, hollow torso in fluid communication
with bellows through a neck plug connected to the
bellows and the torso in such a manner that water
entering head when figure toy is immersed will
not pass into torso. A reed-type noise maker may
be mounted in the neck plug.
' ' ' : :
~ -8~ 27 ~
United States Patent No. 4,193,517 is
directed to a large capacity water squirting
implement in the form of a cane. T~is water
squirting implement utilizes a reciprocal plu~ger
hand pump which is mounted at the top of a
hollow, elongated tube which provides the large
water storage capacity. A head is slidably
secured to the top of the cane, enclosing the
pump in such a way that reciprocal motion of the
head is transmitted to the plunqer of the pump to
cause squirts of water to be emitted from a tube
extending from the outlet of the pump to the
exterior of the head.
United States Pat~nt No. 4,578,045 coYers an
action figure such as a human. The action figure
includes two arms mounted to the figure's torso
, - ' ' ,; `, ' ': "; ' ::': . '' ~ ' . .
_9_
for rocking movement toward the torso about
laterally spaced axes, the action ~igure also
including two legs that are mounted for pivotal
movement to the torso in a scissors-like fashion.
Integral with the rockable mounting means ~or
each arm is an inwardly extending shank, the
shanks projecting into end portions of a coil
spring. When either arm is moved laterally
toward the side of the torso, the spring is
flexed into a V-shaped configuration. A link
extends downwardly from the center of the spring
so that the flexing action imparted to the spring
causes the link to mo~e downwardly or upwardly.
Each unit for pivotally mounting the legs
includes a crank pin that is receivable in
forwardly and rearwardly located slots at the
,.~
.~ .
' -
-lo- ~$~
lower end of the link. The arms can be
independently swung from a position adjacent the
sides o~ the figure to overhead or outstretched
positions without affecting their ability to
oscillate the legs in a scissors-like manner and
thereby simulate running, sw.i~ning and kiclcing
movements.
United States Patent No. 4,601,672 is
directed to toy actions figures which include
upper and lower hollow torso portions. An
actuating mechanism is contained in the upper
torso and acts through a helical gear mechanism
to rotate the lower torso portion and the legs
attached thereto about a longitudinal axis when
one of figure's arms is swung from a diverging
` relation towaxd one side o~ the figure. A spring
. . , ~ , . ., . ~ . .
, , : : ~ . : : -. :: : : ::
2~ 3~3
is used to return the actuating mechanism and the
limbs associatPd therewith bac:k to their nor~al
or unactuated positions. Another spring releases
or disconnects the lower torso portion from the
actuating mechanism should the child attempt to
twist the two torso portions relative to each
other by using too much force.
United States Patent No. 4,623,319 covers an
activity toy with a body including a hollow
cylindrical portions supported on a base and
having pivotally mounted arms has a hollow upper
member including a skull with extrusion openings.
The bottom of the upper member has a loading
opening for a plastic amorphous solid substance.
Attachable about and spaced from the skull is a
clear plastic mask formed of separable halves
. ,
,
,
-12-
clamped together at the bottom by the engagement
of hooks and tabs and at the top by a detachable
hairpiece. Near the bottom, the mask is
maintained in a relatively tight relation to a
flange on the hollow upper member. The upper
member with thP mask attached is secured to the
body by a bayonet lock. Within the body is a
piston with diametrically opposed gear racks that
are engaged by gear segments on arms pivotally
mounted to the body. Movement of the arms from
an upraised position down to a lower position
drives the piston into the hollow member through
the loading opening to extrude the plastic
,:
amorphous substance out of the extrusion openings
in the skull and fill the clear plastic mask.
United States Patent No. 4l630,756 cover~ a
` -13~ 7~ :
liquid squirting simulated creature compri~ed of
a f ront section having a body, legs and head, and
a rear section which is asse~led thereto. The
front section is comprised of top and bottom
elements defining a cavity therebetween ancl front
and rear apertures, as well as apertnres
extending along the sides thereof through which a
multiplicity of legs extend. The rear section is
a resiliently compressible bulbous member
providing a chamber therewithin to contain fluid
and having a neck portion extending through the
aperture in the rear wall of the front section.
A tubular conduit is seated in an opening in the
neck portion of the rear section and extends to a
,
front aperture in the front section so as to
provide the conduit for discharge of f luid from
. .' ' !, ' ' ,' ~ '
-1~- 2~2 ~
the chamber therethrough. The leg members are
comprised of a web on each side interconnecting a
multiplicity of legs on that side of the front
section, and flexible portions which extend
through apertures along the sides of the front
section.
Uniked States Patent No. 4,723,931 describes
various patterns of receptor holes formed in the
torso, arms and legs of a plastic toy acti.on
figure to permit various accessories, ~lso of ~ .
plastic, having compllant press-in pins to be
selectively added to and removed from the toy
figure. Additionally, a rotatable coupling
mechanism extends through the tor~o, the coupling
mechanism having a receptor hole at each end
thereof, the holes in the coupling mechanism
-15- `~2 7$~
being in a predetermined relatio~ with respect to
prearranged patterns of receptor holes in -the
front and rear of the torso. In this way,
accessories can be plugged into the ends of the
coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism is
provided with two sets of facial teeth or
serrations that are normally resiliently urged
into engagement but which disengage if the
coupling mechanism is subjected to an excessive
amount of twisting force, thereby avoiding
breakage. Associated with the coupliny mechanism
is a sound creating device that produces an
audible clicking as the coupling mechanism is
rotated in either direction.
lS United States Patent No. 4,76B,681 descxibes
a water action toy which is worn on a child's
:,
. , . ~ . .
~27~
~16-
hand by means of a glove secured to and
underneath a housing in which a water reservoir,
a water pump, an electrical motor and a battery
pack are housed. ~ pair of actuators are ~ounted
on a thumb sheath and a forefinger sheath of the
glove. When the actuators are brought together
by finger manipulation, the motor drives the pump
to eject water in a series of spurts from the :
toy.
United States Patent No. 4,982,874 sets
forth a shampoo di~pensing container in the shape
of an action figure, such as an army figure, and
has a fluid pumping system that operates to
dispense shampoo ~rom the container .in an
exploding type pattern as vne o~ the arms of the
action figure is operated in a combat type
:: : . . ,: ., . :
- - , , , : ;: :
,...... ; .
2 ~ 6 ~
movement.
United States Patent No. 5,071,387 describes
a figurine-shaped toy that sg[uirts water out of
its mouth by cranking ~n arm. ~`
United States Patent No. 5,083,~65 covers an
interactive doll system incorpoxates both liquid
handling elements for receiving liquid through
the mouth of the doll when the doll is in a first
range of positions, then dispensing that liquid
through the eyes of the doll when the doll is i.n
a second range of positions or through an anal
opening of the doll when the doll is in a third
range of positionsO It also incorporates an
electronic assembly for s~nsing the attitude and
motion of the doll, as well as feeding o~ the
doll, and for producing a range of sounds in
-18- ~276~3
response thereto, including s~unds produced
randomly at times in response to motion of the
doll.
United States Patent No. 5,073,140 discloses
toy action figures and detachable accessories
therefore incorporating audio generating
apparatus. The audio generating apparatus is
entirely contained within the accessory and
generates both speed and sound effects. The
detachable accessories have a configuration and
~isual appearance coordinated wLth the
configuration and visual appearance of the toy
action figure. For example, the accessory may be
a backpack configured and having a visual
appearance to coordinate with a soldier, spaceman
or policeman action figure. The audio generating
.. . ...
1 9~ 7 ~ ~
apparatus includes separate controls for causing
the audio generating apparatus to independently
g~nerate speech and sound effects. ~he
accessories in configuration, appearance and
sound content are made to be attachable and
applicable to different types of action figures.
United States Patent No. 4,239,129 to Gary
F. ~sposito describes a water pistol and/or
flashlight structure which includes a reciprocal
pump within a liquid chamber or tank located
itself within the gun housing. The pump i5 used
to pressurize air within the tank after the water
has been added, and a trigger is used for
subsequent release of the water. Hattery
1~ operated lights and sound are also provided.
United States Patent No~ 3,578,789, issued
. ~ ....
. . ~ ,
......
~ .
,,
.. : :~ .
.
-20- 2~
to Giampiero E'erri, describes a water pistol
which includes a main liquid reservoir and a
pressurized liquid reservoir contained within the
main liquid reservoir. The triqger-actuated pump
is used with a manually operated three way valve
to selectively supply liquid: (a) from the pump
to the pr~ssurized reservoir; (b) from the pump
to the nozzle and to the pressurized liquid
reservoir; or, (c) from the pressurized liquid
reservoir.
Notwithstanding the plethora of prior art,
none teaches or renders obvious the present
invention.
SUMMARY OF THE ~NVENTION
The present invention is an action figure
with the ability to shoot water by mean~ of an
, . . ...
. , ,: . : . ~ ......... ~
:. : ; . . ; ~ , ~ ' ': : '
.. ..
-21-
air pressurized water chamber. The action figure
i.ncludes a body which is at least partiall~
hollow and has at least one body orifice. A
water storage reservoir is connected to the body
and it has at least one orifice for adding water
thereto. It is also connected to a pressurizing
means. The pressurizing means i5 for
pressurizing the reservoir with air a~ter water
has been added and is attachable to the body, the
reservoir or both. There is an avenue of release
which runs from the re~ervoir to a nozzle and a
water release means for regulating the ~luid flow
through the avenue of release. The water release
means is operably connected to the avenue of
release and extends outwardly therefrom to permit
manual ~pera~ion. A nozzle at the end of the
-
`
.
-22- ~9~
avenue of release controllably releases water
when the water release means is actuated. The
action figure may be a mammal or other character,
with the pressurizing means being embodied
partially in an appendage and the noz21e being
located in an appendage. The water storage
reservoir may be within the body of the action
figure, or externally located and connected
thereto. If external, it may be detachab]e or
non-detachable.
BRIEF DESC~IPTION OF T~E DRAWINGS
The invention will be more fully understood
hy referring to the following detailed
specific~tions, the ~bove ~pecification and ~he
claims set forth herein, when taken in connection
with the drawings appended hereto, wherein.
~127~
Figure 1 shows an objective front view of
one preferred embodiment acti.on figure of the
present invention;
Figure 2 shows the side view of a hand which
may replace a weapon shown on one appendage of
the action figure preferred embodiment expressed
in Figure 1;
Figure 3 shows the side view of the Figure 1
action figure but with a hand replacing a weapon
on one appendage;
Figure 4 shows the front view of the
preferred e~odiment expressed by Figure 3,
but with the head and pressurizing means removed;
Figure 5 shows a selective front cut view of
a portion of khe action figure preferred
embodiment of the present invention shown in
.
::
: :: : :~
6 ~
-24-
Figure 1, with sections removed to better show
interior ~echanisms;
Figure 6 illustrates a partially cut partial
side view of the action figure of the present
invention shown in Figure 3, to illustrate a
water release mechanism;
Figures 7 and 8 i.llustrate top and si.de
views of an alternative embodimen-t of the present
invenkion animal character action figure with the
ability to shoot water;
: '
Figure 9 shows a side view of a present
invention action figure with an external,
removable reservoir; and,
Figure 10 illustrates a side view of a
present invention action figure with the ability
to shoot water with an external water reservoir
~,: , . ,,. :......... . , : :. ,
. . ., , . ~ . : . .:
- - . .
, . : , . . ;, ~. , , ~. ,
-25- ~ 7 ~ ~
which is non-remo~able.
DET ILED DESCRIPTION OF THE_ pRESENT . Il~lVENTION
The present invention is, as mentioned,
directed toward a toy action figure with the
ability to shoot water that uses air to
pressurixe a watQr reservoir and to subsequently
propel the water through a narrow nozzle as
desired. Pressurized water toys are not llew;
they have ~een in existence for decadea. Water
pressure has been used in the toy industry for
everything from launching toy rockets to
propelling toy cars. Pressurized water toys come
in two primary types. First there are water toys
that use mechanical means to directly compress
and pressurize water. Such toys represent a
-26- 2~2~
majority of the water toys ma:nufactured today,
and are exemplified by tra~itional water guns
that use a trigger operated pump or a battery
powered motor to squirt small amounts of water.
The problem with toys tha~ directly pump water is
that to reach the required pressure for a
satisfactory squirt, a small diameter piston is
required. This in turn limits the amount of
water that can be squirted in each shot. In
addition, the speed at which the pump is
activated, whether manually or by motor, affects
the distance of the shot, and it requires many
cycles to project any significant amount of
wat~r.
To solve these problems, toy manufactur2rs
have turned to the technology of compressed air
-27- 2~7~
to pressurize a reservoir of water. Air is
easily compressed to high pressures and this high
pressure can be transferred to stored water.
This technology is easily adapted to a child's
strength and allows a relati~ely large amount of
water to be pressurized at one time. l'his large
reserve o~ pressurized water allows a water gun
to fire a large oontinuous stream of water at one
time or multiple single streams of water
sequentially without the need for repeated
pumplng cycles.
The problem with air pressurized toys is one
of safety. Toys are designed to be inexpensive
so as to be widely marketable. As such, most
toys are made of plastics or other inexpensive
m~terials. Such materials do not have large
, .. , ., ~ -, ...
` -28~ 2~
tensile strengths or fatigue characteristics, and
therefore do not lend themselves well to
containing pressurized fluids. Plastic
containers for pressurized :Liquids, if not
properly designed, can rupture and explode
causing severe injury.
The present invention has a unique design
that allows for both the use o high pressure air
and the elimination of potential rupturing
hazards. The present invention has a cylindrical
water reservoir which is encompassed withln the
body of an action figure, or, external to it but
connected to it, and formed of essential
thickness and shape to maximize capacity and
safety. The water storage reservoir utilized
preferably has rounded cylinder ends which serve
-29- ~ 7 ~ ~
to maintain the integrity of the water reservoir
walls and minimize the leak points throughout the
material of the water reservoir, thereby allowing
for the safe use of higher pre-sures. A single
S orifice connection from the water storage
reservoir to the body of the action figure or
within the body of the action figure was designed
so that both the pressurized air from the air
pump and the exiting pressurized water utilize
the same opening without backflow problems to
either. Additionally, since the water reservoir
must be periodically refilled with water, in
those cases where it is within the body of the
action figure, a single orifice for removal of
the pressuring means and for adding water is
provided. Where the water storage tank is
.--, . ~ . , ,... . ,; ,. , : ,.: ", ~,, -
.. l . , ., . ,, .-., . : :-: ,. :
: :: , , . ; ~:
.:: ~ ,
` -3~- 2~76~
attached externally to the body it is removable
for filling, or a separate fill cap is provided.
The present invention action }gure has both
character features and water gun features and is
operated by filling the reservoir, pumping up the
pressure and selectively releasing the
pressurized water through a narrow nozzle.
The selective release of the pressurized
water is controlled by a water release means
which is separate from the pump mechani~m. Since
the present invention has the ability to operate
at high pressures~ the water release mechanism
performs two functions. First it controls the
amount of water released and, second, it serves
as a sa~ety valve. The water release means of
the present invention has an extension that
~31- ~$27~
plnches the exit hosing of the pressurized water.
The pinching force is created by a spri~q. When
the water release means is pressed, the spring
bias o~ the pinching member is overcome and water
is released. Similarly, when the pressure in the
water reservoir xeaches beyond safety
limitations, the force of the compressed water
will overcome the spring bias of the pinching
member allowing water to be released until the
pressure within the reservoir reaches a safe
level.
The present invention is thus directed
toward a toy action figure which is operated by
selectively releasing water from a water
reservoir that is pressurized with air. The
wat~r pressurizlng means, e.g. an air pump,
? ` .. ~
-
-32-
~27~
pressurizes a water reservoir and consequently
pressurizes any water found therein. The
pressurized water has an avenue of release that
is regulated by the water release means of the
invention. ~hen no force is applied to the water
release means, the pressurized water is held at
bay with no means of release. ~hen force is
applied to it, water is released from the
pressurized reservoir and is channeled through
the avenue of re1ease and then throu~h a narrow
nozzle. The escape of the pressurized water
through the narrow nozzle creates a stream of
propelled water that lasts as long as the water
release means is enga~ed or until the pressure on
the water in the reservoir equals the ambient air
pressure.
-33~
Water is added to the present invention via
at least one fill opening on the water reservoir.
The reservoir itself is non-detachable from the
action figure when it is contained therein and in
- 5 some embodiments where it is external to the
action figure. Other embodiments include
removable reservoirs. There is an orifice on the
reservoir on those e~bodiments whQre the
reservoir is in the action figure and it is
connected to the body of the action figure and
serves as both the entrance point of pressurized
air from the air pump, and the exit point of the
pressurized water. The water reservoir is formed
apart from the body of the action figure so that
the integrity of the reservoir' 5 walls remains
intact, allowing the water reser~oir to hold high
.
,; . . . . . .. . . .. ....
-34- ~2 7&~
pressures without fear of rupture. Additionally,
the danger of rupture is eliminated by the water
release means, which, as mentioned, automatically
~nd safely dischar~es pressurized water when o~er
pressurized, but does not release the waker
automatically until the maximum allowable
pressure is reached.
Referring now to Figure 1 there is shown an
oblique frontal view of an action figure of a
~;
robotic characteristic which is one preferred
embodiment of the present invention. Shown in
this Figure 1 is the general action figure 1,
having a main body 3, legs 5 and 7, and arms 9
and 11. There is a le~t hand 13, with appendages
represented by finger 15. Legs 5 and 7 have feet -~
15 and 17, as shown~ Elongated appendages such
,,
-35~ 2~
as toe 19, are included. Right foot 15
exempli~ies the motion capabil.ities as hinged
vertical motion is achieved wi.th hinge 22 and
rotational movement by member 21.
The legs 5 and 7 are also hingeable at the
knees such as socket 23, shown. Likewise, hip
motion is achieved by socket and collar such as
sockets 25 and collar 26. Arm movements are
likewise varied and compound. For example, left
arm 11 has wrist rotation at member 27, forearm
movement at member 29 and socket and collar
movement at shoulder 31. Head 33 includes eyes
37 and other features shown and unscrewable neck
35. Head 33 is freely rotatable and pumpable
within neck 35 and this is discussed in
conjunction with Figure 5 below.
,; :. - ,. . ...
-36- ~ 9~
The right arm 9 of action figure 1 has
rotation movement at mel~er 39 and shoulder 47.
Simulated weapon 41 includes ,an ejection noz~le
4~, barrel 43, water release means 49 and
5 attachment-detachment mechani~m 51. These are
discussed in more detail below.
Figure 2 shows a hand 63 with attachment
mechanism (snap on) 77 and extended tubing
portion 75. Fingers 61, 65 and 67 and thumb 66
are included.
Referring now to Figures 1, 2 and 3, Figure
3 shows a side view of the action Figure 1 of
Figure l but with weapon 41 removed and replaced
by hand 63. Like parts are all like numbered.
As seen in thi~ view, appendage motion ~arm 9,
leg 5 and foot 15) is more vivid. Also, note
.
. . : . ~ :,:
-37~ 2 7 ~ ~
that water release means 49 extends outwardly
from forearm 73. It is kept biased ~ia spring 71
and, in this position, pinches a tube (avenue of
release) within the arm 9, as discussed with
Figure 6 below. If desired, the spring could be
located internally within the arm 9 and can be in
form of leaf spring or other spring type
mechanism~ Likewise, the water release means may
be located elsewhere, without exceeding the scope
of the invention.
:
Figure 4 shows a front view of the action
figure 1 of Figure 1 to illustrate more details
of the arms 9 and 11 and legs 5 and 7. Like
parts are all like numbered. ~ere, head 33 has
been removed to show reser~oir orifice 36 with
collar 112 and threads 38, and body collar 35.
~ ~ :, ... , . . " .. ,.-. . :
-38~
~igure 5 shows a partial cut front view of
action ~igure 1 of Figures 1, 3 and 4. Referring
to Figureis 4 and 5, body 3 of action.figure 1 i.s
at least partially hollow. ~ikewise, appendages
such as leg 5 and arm 9 and elements such as
elements 25 and 27 have hollow areas 105, 107,
109 and 113, as shown. Within hollow portion 103
is water storage reser~oir 111, which has a
single orifice 127 at its top, and is constructed
to withstand high pressures, e.g. about 80 to
about 100 pounds per square inch. As can be
seen, it is structured to fit snugly within
hollow 103 and thus obtains additional sttuctural
support. Collar 35 appears in earlier Figures 1,
3 and 4 and it is a collar through which
reservoir collar 112 extends with its threads 38.
. -. :.
.~ .,
_39_ ~ 7~i3
Pressurizing means 114 includes air pump
cylinder 119, pump rod 117 and piston 121 and
threaded neck 123. Threaded neck 1~3 screws onto
threaded reservoir collar 112. Pump rod 117
extends beyond neck 123 and acts as a slider.
~ead 33 is atta~hed to pump rod 117 and acts as a
slider handle. As shown by arrow 130, head 33
may be moved or pumped up and down while neck 123
is screwed securely onto collar 112. One way
val~e 122 permits air to be pumped into reservoir
111 but does not allow air to exit. Hence,
:
pumping increases the air pressure within
reservoir 111 to pPrmit subsequent release of
water therefrom. . ~.
Fiqure 6 shows a partial side cut vie~ of
the action figure 1 of Figure 5 with like parts
~40- 2~7~
:Like numbered~ This Figure illustrates the exit
end of avenue o~ release 135 through hollow areas
109 and 107. Spring 71 biases water release
means 49 pressed ~gainst and shutting off a
~lexible portion of avenue of release 135, as it
is rotatably mounted with pin 50O As discussed
in conjunction with Fiyure 2 above, there is a
portion of an avenue of release 136, which
extends through finger 67 of hand 63 to nozzle
69.
The water storage reservoir 111 has an
orifice 127 with a threaded collar 112 which is
removabl.y sealed to pressurizing means neck 123.
The neck 123 ~orms a selective watertight and
airtight seal between the reservoir 111 and the
pressurizing means 114. Thus the water reservoir
.. . .
-41-
~2~
111 and the pressurizing means 114 may be sealed
from the ambient environment, the only air
passing between these components through ~alve
means 122 described below, except when the
pressurizing means 114 is removed for filling the
reservoir 111 with water.
To fill the water reservoir 111 with water
151, the pressurizing means 114 is removed from
the fill opening or port 127, e.g. by unscrewing
neck 123; water 151 is then placed into the
reservoir 111 and the neck 123 is rethreaded into
a sealed, airtight position.
Once filled with water 151, the action
figure 1 is operated by pressurizing the water
storage reservoir 111 with air in space 141 above
the water 151. Air is forced into the reservoir
-42- ~ 7~
111 by the relative movement of the piston 121
within the air pump cylinder :Ll9. The piBton 121
i5 operated by the pump rod 1:17 that is connected
to the piston 121 at one end and to the head 33,
which acts as a slider handle, at the other end.
The pump rod 117 is anchored to the slider handle
head 33 and head 33 has a hollow 115 so as to
maximize the stroke. Head 33 acting as a slider
handle is operated manually by the user of the
action figure 1. A user holds the head 33 with
one hand and the action figure 1 with the other.
The head 33 is then stroked or moved ba~k and
forth, i.e. pumped its full distance. The back
and forth action is transferred to the piston
121, which forces air from atmosphere, through a
one way valve in the top o~ the pump or throu~h a
., . ~ : : .: ::
., ~ .:
. .
-43~
one way valving ring around piston 121 (not
shown) which would permit air (below th~ piston)
into cylinder 119 but no~ out of cylinder 119
(above the piston). It then flows past a one w~y
flow valve 122, and into the water storagc
reser~oir 111. Air is continuously added to the
water storage reservoir 111 until a desired
pressure is reached.
Once under pressure, the water 151 is
.
selectively prevented from flowing freely through
the conduit or avenue of release 135, comprising
first section 134 and second section 136, by a
water release means 49. A preferred release
means as shown in this embodîment includes a
spring biased pinch bar end 54 that clamps the
avenue of release 135, i.e. outlet tubing,
-44-
against a stop 55 that is part of the arm 7.
Preferably, all of the tubing may be flexible
tubing or, at least a portion is flexible when a
pinch bar is used as the water release means
S The pinch bar e~d 54 is biased against the skop
55 by a calibrated spring 71. The spring is held
at one end by a formation oE the arm 9 and pu~.hes
outwardly on release means 49. The strength of
the spring 71 in its biased configuration i~
calibrated, so that when the pressure on the
water 151 within the outlet tubing 135 re~ches a
predetermined maximum value, the spring 71 will
allow the pinch bar end 54 to rise and water 151
will be released until safe pressure is
mainkained. Thu~, the predetermined maximum
value for the yielding of the spring 71 or other
. . .
~45~ 2~
release means may preferably be between about 50
pounds per square inch and abc,ut 90 pounds per
square inch. Other predetermined pressures of
higher or lower value, e.g. at least about 100
pounds per square inch, may be used depending
upon the particular components and specific
configuration of a particular embodiment.
Other than the automatic water release for
an overly high pressure, water 151 is released in
the following manner. Rearwardly directed force ~; `
is applled to the water release means 49, and is
transferred to the pinch bar end 54 via the
leve~ed configuration that rotates around pivot
pin 50. The transferred force applied to the
pinch bar end 54 acts in opposition to the
biasing force o~ spring 71~ When the force of
:,
~ ~ . . . . ... . . . . . ..
-46~ 7~
the release means 49 overcomes the force of the
spring 71 the pinch bar end 54 is lifted from the
outlet tubing 135 and water 151 is allowed to
pass through the outlet tubing 13S and 136
S terminating at a no2zle 69 (which has a narrow
opening). Water 151 streams out of the na:rrow
opening of nozzle 69 until either the force on
the water release means 49 is released or until
the air pressure within the water reservoir 111
reaches ambient~ This may be in one long
continuous stream or a series of bursts of water.
Figures 7 and 8 show a top view and a side
view of an alternative embodiment action figure
water gun of the present invention. Referring
both to Figures 7 and 8 there is shown a present
invention action igure ~01 having a main body
:
.
-~7- 2~27~
203, legs 205r 207, 209 and 211. ~ea~ 213 ;~
includes a nose 215 with a nozzle ~17 ~xtending
therefrom. Horn 219 is located on the top of
head 213 and acts as a pressure release means.
~ead 213 is connected to main body 203 at
rotatable neck 221. The appendages such as leg
205 includes multiple rotati~nal members such as
members 225, 227 and 2290 All four of the legs
have such members and these permit action figure
::
201 to have various positions, including bending,
walking, standing, etc. Contained within main
housing 203 is a water and air storage reservoir
~not shown) which is similar to reservoir 111
shown is Figure S. Likewise, a pressurizing ::
m~ns is contained within cylinder 237 similar to
pressurizing means 114 shown in Figure 1, which
' : . : : :, ' :' " :, .~ , . , `
-48- 2~
would include an air pump cylinder, (not shown) a
piston (not shown) and pump rod 233. Cap 235 has
threading on its inside and may be screwed onto
threaded neck 241 located in the rear 243 of main
body 203. Threaded neck 241 has an orifice 235
which connects directly to the water and air
storage reservoir contained therein. Tail 231
acts similarly to head 33 of Figure 5 in that it
acts as a pump handle. Appropriate one way
valves similar to those discussed in conjunction
with Figure 5 are likewise included.
A user will fill up the reservoir contained
within main body 203 via orifice 245 (e~g~ with
some air space remaining), screw cap 235 on to
throat of neck 241, and pump tail 231 back and
forth so as to move pump rod 233 within the air
,
,.
- . . : . :
,
. . ~
. .:
:. . .~ ": . . . , . ,, ~ . :
_4g_ 2~2~
pump cylinder contained therein so as to
pressurize the storage reser~oir. There is an
avenue of release from the reservoir to nozzle
217 and there is also a water release means 219,
with a spring bias (not shown) which opens the
avenue of release to the flow of water f ro~ the
reservoir when release means (horn) 219 is
depressed by the user. When action figure water
gun 201 is properly f illed with water and
pressurized air, depression of release means horn
219 permits water to be released via nozzle 217. ~:
This may be in short. spurts, or for a very long
sequence due to the pressurization within the
storage reservoir.
lS Figure 9 shows a side view of an actiQn
figure 301 which is similar to the action figure
~, . ... . .. .... . . .. . .
-50- 2~27~
shown in Figures 1 through 6. However~ here, the
water and air storage reservoir 309 is located
externally from main body 3. Further, all parts
identical to those shown such as in Figure 3 are
identically numbered hereO Note that there is an
extension 303 off of main body 3 which has an
internally threaded section 305 ~or receiving
reservoir 309. Brace 307 likewise extends from
main body 3 to secure reservoir 309. Reservoir
309 is unscrewed from section 305 and filled with
water. It is then screwed back on and the pump
mechanism contained within action figure 301 is
very much like that shown is Figure 5 except that
the pressurizing means i5 not contained within
the reservoir but is contained within main body
3. Here, the one way valve at the bottom of the
: . , , : : , :: " - ~ :: . .:,
-51-
pump cylinder would not open directly into the
water and air storage reservoir but would have
tubing or a line connecting from the main body
into extension 303 and down into reservoir 309.
Fiyure 10 shows a side view of another
alternative embodiment action ~igure with the
ability to shoot water of the present invention.
Again, all parts which are identical to those
shown in Figures 1 through 6 are identically
numbered. In this case, extension 403 includes a
ring member 405 through which water reservoir 409
is permanently attached. Tuhing or other line
runs from reservoir 409 through extension 403 and
into main body 3 to connect with the pressurizin~
means. Reservoir 49, in this case, is non-
removable and is filed by removal of cap 407.
' . '` .. ' ' ''~' '''., ' ~ ' ' . .
2~
-52-
Once reservoir 409 has been f:illed and cap 407
:
tightened, present invention ~ction fi~ure with
th~ ability to shoot water 401 is, from this
point forward, operated identically to that shown
in Figures 1 through 6 for selective short spurt
or continuous squirting.
..
Obviously, numerous modifications and
variations of the present invention are possible
in light of the above teachings. It is thexefore
understood that within the scope of the appended
claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise
than as specifically ~escribed herein.
:,: - :
