Backpack water gun with quick-draw holster

Abstract

The present invention provides a backpack water gun configuration capable of storing and unstoring a gun of the configuration while being worn. For example, a backpack water gun comprises a backpack with a holster and a connected gun. While the gun is held in the backpack holster, a handle of the gun is positioned proximate to the perimeter of the backpack. A user then stores and unstores the gun while wearing the backpack by grasping the exposed gun handle and inserting and removing the gun from the backpack holster.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/535,015 entitled “Backpack Water Gun with Quick-Draw Holster” and filed on Jan. 8, 2004 which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to toy water guns, and more particularly, to water guns comprising backpack embodiments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A variety of backpack water gun devices have been described in the prior art. These devices draw on numerous technologies for issuing a stream of fluid. However, regardless of the means for conveying the liquid stream, almost all backpack water gun configurations are comprised of a gun, a backpack, and a connecting tube.

As a result of this multipart configuration, a user is often left with no convenient location for the gun during storage and also with the annoyance of a loose gun during use. This annoyance is particularly frustrating while the backpack is in use, but not being worn. Such an occurrence is especially prevalent with devices having multiple functionalities (e.g. devices capable of shooting water and filling water balloons) as these guns are more frequently used while the backpack is not being worn.

In response to this weakness, the inventor first proposed the use of brackets with such water balloon filling water gun embodiments in U.S. Pat. No. 5,603,361: Portable Water Balloon and Container Filler. Here, brackets are used in combination with a backpack water gun embodiment in order to position a nozzle for filling water balloons while the backpack is not worn, thereby facilitating the filling water balloons while the backpack is not being worn.

Another significant shortcoming of backpack water guns is the inability to temporarily store and unstore the gun while the backpack is being worn. This inability to store and unstore the gun while still wearing the backpack in turn leads to several noteworthy drawbacks. First, the inability complicates the task of putting the backpack on and taking it off as the loose gun must be held separately if it is to be used later since there is no temporary storage for the gun. Second, the user cannot temporarily free his or her hands or use another device since he or she cannot store the gun while still wearing the backpack.

This is, again, troublesome with multi-functional devices like water balloon filling guns as here a user will often want to set the gun aside (without taking the entire backpack off) in order to effectively throw a filled water balloon. Additionally, this inability further denies a user the capability of appearing unarmed; yet, in actuality, still being armed. Similarly, the inability to unstore the gun while wearing the backpack further denies a user the ability to “draw” the gun, a game played by children using toy guns.

Accordingly, a backpack water gun configuration comprising a holster and gun arrangement that effectively stores the gun while running and jumping is desirable. In addition, a backpack water gun that allows a user to easily store and unstore the gun while wearing the backpack embodiment and as well “draw” the gun is also desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a toy backpack water gun configuration that permits a user to store and unstore the gun of the configuration while wearing the backpack of the configuration. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the backpack water gun configuration comprises a holster and a gun attached via a connecting tube. The holster and gun combination are configured such that when the gun is stored in the holster the location of the holster and the length of the gun place the handle of the gun proximate to the perimeter of the backpack. A user then stores and unstores the gun while wearing the backpack by grasping the exposed gun handle and inserting and removing the gun from the backpack holster.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Additional aspects of the present invention will become evident upon reviewing the non-limiting embodiments described in the specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals designate like elements, and:

FIG. 1a is an exterior front view of an exemplary embodiment of the backpack water gun with the gun removed from the holster;

FIG. 1b is an exterior front view of an exemplary embodiment of the backpack water gun with the gun stored in the holster;

FIG. 2a is an exterior side view of an exemplary embodiment illustrating how a user would grasp the handle of the gun while inserted in the holster;

FIG. 2b is an exterior side view of an exemplary embodiment illustrating how a user would “draw” the gun from the holster and bring the gun to an active position;

FIG. 3 is an exterior front view of a preferred embodiment incorporating an open-ended holster and a gun comprising a nozzle for filling water balloons;

FIG. 4 is an exterior front view of an embodiment comprising two crossing water balloon filling guns and two crossing open-ended holsters; and,

FIG. 5 is an exterior front view of an embodiment comprising two guns and two horizontal interior holsters.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following descriptions are of preferred exemplary embodiments only, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing a preferred embodiment of the invention. Various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in the preferred embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth herein.

Generally, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a toy backpack water gun configuration is provided that permits a user to store and unstore the gun of the configuration while wearing the backpack of the configuration. The device is suitably configured to allow a user to reach the handle of the gun while the gun is stored in a holster on the backpack. For example, in a preferred embodiment the backpack water gun configuration comprises a holster and a gun attached via a connecting tube. The holster and gun combination are configured such that when the gun is stored in the holster, the location of the holster and the length of the gun place the handle of the gun proximate to the perimeter of the backpack. A user then stores and unstores the gun while wearing the backpack by grasping the exposed gun handle and inserting and removing the gun from the backpack holster.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the holster may be suitably configured to be open ended in order to allow multifunctional use. For example, an open-ended holster may be used in combination with a gun having a protruding nozzle capable of filling water balloons. Thus, a user can fill water balloons from the gun while the gun is inserted in the open-ended holster.

Briefly, though specific embodiments are described herein, it should be appreciated that any number of holster and gun configurations that place the handle of the gun proximate the perimeter of the backpack can be used while still falling within the scope of the present invention, and the present invention should not be construed as limited to such specific embodiments.

Thus, with reference to FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a backpack water gun 10 is shown comprising a holster 20, a backpack 30, a connecting tube 40, and a gun 50. In accordance with this embodiment, holster 20, backpack 30, connecting tube 40, and gun 50 are made of a polymer. However, in accordance with various alternate embodiments holster 20, backpack 30, connecting tube 40, and gun 50 may be substituted with alternative materials including composites, metals, and the like.

Furthermore and still in accordance with the present exemplary embodiment, holster 20 and backpack 30 are integrated into one consolidated piece, all composed of the same polymer material. However, in accordance with alternate embodiments, holster 20 and backpack 30 may be separate parts and composed of different materials.

Moreover, in accordance with various alternate embodiments, the position, size, shape, and number of holster 20, backpack 30, connecting tube 40, and gun 50 may as well vary. Additionally, the fluid propellant instrument or instruments (e.g. pressurized systems, piston pumps, electric motors, etc.) used by backpack water gun 10 can be any of those known to the prior art and further includes those not yet known. Moreover, filling methods (e.g. quick-fill systems, secondary caps, etc.) can as well be any of those known to the prior art and further includes those not yet known. Furthermore, complete backpack water gun 10 can be integrated and used in combination with any number of identical or different toy gun configurations.

With continuing reference to FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b, gun 50 further comprises a nozzle 51, a shaft 52, a controller 53, and a handle 54. In accordance with various alternate embodiments, the position, size, shape, and number of nozzle 51, shaft 52, controller 53, and handle 54 may also vary. Preferably, holster 20 is of sufficient size to carry gun 50 and is structured to receive gun 50 with nozzle 51 entering first. When gun 50 is inserted, handle 54 is preferably located proximate the top perimeter of backpack 30. Both the length of shaft 52 and the placement of holster 54 on backpack 30 govern the location of handle 54 proximate to the top perimeter of backpack 30. In accordance with present embodiment, holster 20 is preferably located on the back surface of backpack 30 and centered so as make handle 54 convenient for both left-handed and right-handed users.

However, in accordance with various alternative embodiments of the present invention, holster 20 may be located internally or externally on backpack 30 as well as in off-center locations. Furthermore, when gun 50 is inserted, handle 54 preferably radiates away from the rest of backpack water gun 10 so as to make handle 54 easily identifiable and graspable by the user based on blind, tactile recognition. That said, in accordance with various alternate embodiments of the present invention handle 54 may be parallel with shaft 52.

In accordance with various other embodiments of the present invention, handle 54 may be adjustable. For example, handle 54 may comprise a pivot and via the pivot handle 54 may be positioned in a radiating position or in a parallel position. Holster 20 and gun 50 preferably have largely matching female/male shapes so that gun 50 snugly fits in holster 20. Additionally, holster 20 is preferably substantially larger in width at its opening than the nozzle end of gun 50 so as to better catch gun 50 during blind insertion while the user wears entire backpack water gun 10 on his or her back. Again, gun 50 preferably has a similarly larger width near the base of handle 54 in order to match the increased width of the opening of holster 20 and thereby ensure a snug fit.

Thus, in accordance with the present exemplary embodiment of the invention and now in reference to FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b, a user can grasp handle 54 of gun 50 while wearing backpack 30. In use, with respect to the present exemplary embodiment, handle 54 can be pulled and, via one, preferably quick, motion, gun 50 can be removed from holster 20 and brought to an active position (FIG. 2b). When the user wishes to store gun 50 while still wearing backpack 30, the user can reverse this motion. This series of motions can be repeated as often and as quickly as desirable, thereby letting him or her repeatedly and rapidly “draw” and store gun 50.

With reference now to FIG. 3, a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown and various additional optional aspects are described below. These embodiments incorporate various supplementary features intended to optimize the overall use of the invention for the user. However, as above, various alternate embodiments of the present invention may omit some or all of these features, utilize another combination of these features, or utilize these and additional features not here described.

In accordance with one aspect of a preferred embodiment of the invention, holster 20 is open ended. However, in combination, holster 20 and gun 50 preferably place handle 54 proximate the top perimeter of backpack 30. Open-ended holster 20 exposes nozzle 51. Preferably, nozzle 51 is a protruding nozzle capable of connecting with and filling water balloons in addition to spraying fluid. However, and in accordance with alternate embodiments of the invention, nozzle 51 may suitably be a plurality of nozzles. In such cases, plural nozzles 51 may be controlled by one controller 53 or multiple independent controllers (e.g. controllers in parallel) or multiple dependent controllers (e.g. controllers in series). Additionally, nozzle 51 may comprise nozzle configurations and nozzle systems known or not yet known to the prior art. In use, via open-ended holster 20, a user can reach nozzle 51 and fill water balloons while gun 50 is in holster 20 and backpack water gun 10 is not worn. However, water balloons may as well be filled via nozzle 51 while gun 50 is outside holster 20 and while backpack water gun 10 is being worn.

In accordance with another aspect of a preferred embodiment of the invention, controller 53 is intentionally exposed by holster 20 via a cutout 22. In use, a user activates controller 53 in the normal manner, thereby releasing water into an attached balloon. However, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention, controller 53 may be activated by holster 20. For example, controller 53 may be a lever trigger mechanism and controller 53 may rest on holster 20 while gun 50 is inserted in holster 20. At the same time, holster 20 may be designed to allow gun 50 to settle further in if it were not for the contact with lever controller 53. Hence, a user may push gun 10 down into holster 20 by placing pressure on the base of gun 50 near handle 54. This pressure engages and activates resting lever controller 53 via the contact with holster 20 and thereby releases fluid through nozzle 51.

In accordance with another aspect of the preferred embodiment, a gap 23 is located on holster 20. Gap 23 allows a user to see gun 50 within holster 20 and increases the overall aesthetic quality of the device. Alternatively, a transparent material for holster 20 may be used. Additionally, backpack water gun 10 is further equipped with a water balloon launcher holder 61 (preferably, holder 61 is also configured in a position accessible to a user wearing backpack water gun 10), a filled water balloon container 62, an unfilled water balloon container 63, and a handle 64. Preferably, backpack 30 has an indentation 31 to provide space for a user to fill water balloons under open-ended holster 20 and gun 50.

In accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention, backpack water gun 10 may further comprise a holster for a separable water gun. Such a separable water gun may comprise a variety of configurations. For example, the separable water gun may be an independent water gun or may have a reservoir pressurizeable by backpack water gun 10.

Referring now to FIG. 4, in accordance with another alternative embodiment of the present invention, a multi-gun embodiment is shown. A second gun 55 and a second connecting tube 45 are presented possessing similar configurations as gun 50 and connecting tube 40. A second holster 25 may also be included. In use, gun 50 and second gun 55 can be similarly inserted and removed from holster 20 and second holster 25, respectively. In accordance with this embodiment, holster 20 and second holster 25 cross so as to make easier the removal and insertion of gun 50 and second gun 55. Of course, in accordance with alternative embodiments of the present invention, holster 20 and second holster 25 may have alternate configurations. For example, holster 20 and second holster 25 may be parallel and vertical along backpack 30. Again, both holster 20 and second holster 25 are open ended and have matching indentations 31 to facilitate the filling of water balloons when backpack water gun 10 is not worn.

With reference now to FIG. 5, another alternate embodiment of the invention is illustrated. In accordance with this embodiment, a multi-gun configuration comprises horizontal holster 20 and second holster 25 located at the interior base of backpack 30. In combination, holster 20 and gun 50 preferably place handle 54 proximate the perimeter of backpack 30. Furthermore, horizontal holster 20 preferably has a slight slope to help keep gun 50 in holster 20 during movement of backpack water gun 10.

Finally, while the principles of the invention have been described in illustrative embodiments, many combinations and modifications of the above-described structures, arrangements, proportions, the elements, materials, and components, used in the practice of the invention in addition to those not specifically described may be varied and particularly adapted for a specific environment and operating requirement without departing from those principles.

Claims

1. A toy backpack water gun, comprising:

a backpack comprising a holster,

a connecting tube, and

a gun comprising a nozzle, a shaft, a controller, and a handle.

2. The backpack water gun of claim 1, wherein said nozzle comprises a protruding structure capable of receiving water balloons.

3. The backpack water gun of claim 2 wherein said nozzle is further configured to create a focused water stream.

4. The backpack water gun of claim 2 wherein said holster comprises an open bottom and wherein said nozzle of said gun fits through said bottom of said holster when said gun is inserted in said holster.

5. The backpack water gun of claim 4 wherein said holster is configured so that said controller protrudes when said gun is in said holster.

6. The backpack water gun of claim 4 wherein said holster engages said controller.

7. The backpack water gun of claim 4 wherein said nozzle is further configured to create a focused water stream.

8. The backpack water gun of claim 4 wherein said nozzle comprises a plurality of nozzles.

9. The backpack water gun of claim 4, wherein said nozzle comprises a nozzle system that further comprises a plurality of nozzles.

10. The backpack water gun of claim 4 wherein said backpack has an indentation proximate said open-ended holster.

11. The backpack water gun of claim 1, wherein said holster comprises a substantially wider mouth than a nozzle end of said gun.

12. The backpack water gun of claim 11, wherein said gun comprises a wider width proximate said handle than proximate said nozzle end and wherein said expanding width of said gun fits substantially snugly in said expanding width of said holster.

13. The backpack water gun of claim 1, wherein said handle of said gun is located proximate a perimeter of said backpack via the placement of said holster on said backpack and via a length of said gun.

14. The backpack water gun of claim 1, wherein said holster is centered on said backpack.

15. The backpack water gun of claim 1, wherein said backpack water gun comprises multiple said holsters and multiple said guns.

16. The backpack water gun of claim 15, wherein said holsters cross.

17. The backpack water gun of claim 15, wherein said holsters are substantially horizontal and located proximate a base of said backpack.

18. The backpack water gun of claim 1, wherein said backpack water gun comprises a storage area for a water balloon launcher and wherein said launcher is accessible to a user wearing said backpack water gun while said launcher is held in said storage area.

19. The backpack water gun of claim 1, wherein said backpack water gun further comprises a holster for an independent water gun.

20. The backpack water gun of claim 1, wherein said gun is separable from said backpack.

21. The backpack water gun of claim 20, wherein said separable gun connects with a reservoir of said backpack via said connecting tube.

22. The backpack water gun of claim 21, wherein said separable water gun comprises a reservoir.

23. A toy backpack water gun wherein said gun comprises a shaft, a handle, and at least one nozzle issuing a stream parallel to said shaft and wherein said backpack comprises a holster and wherein said holster positions said handle of said gun proximate a perimeter of said backpack such that said handle is graspable to a user wearing said backpack water gun, thereby allowing said user to remove and return said gun to said holster while wearing said backpack.