Water target amusement device

Abstract

There is disclosed a water target sport amusement device. The device consists of a target supported by an upright, the target being pivotally mounted relative to a support housing. The opposed players are positioned on either side of the target and throw projectiles at the target. The support housing contains a pair of angularly disposed opposed nozzles which are connected to a water source. The support housing also includes spray nozzle occluding means which alternate between an open and closed position relative to each spray nozzle. The movement of the occluding means corresponds to the movement of the target which is struck by a projectile. The target includes a control bar which moves the occluding means to alternate between open and close positions. If a player is successful in striking the target, the target pivots, opens the spray nozzle and sprays the opposing player. The spray will continue until the opposed player strikes the target with a projectile to move the target into a reverse pivoted position to close the one spray nozzle and open the spray nozzle onto the opposed player.

Description

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to an amusement device intended as a water sport competition game for two or more players. The present amusement device contemplates that if a player is successful and strikes the target with a projectile, the target is moved to a position which will cause water to spray onto the opposed player and will continue to spray water until the opposed player can throw a projectile and move the target back to an opposed reverse position thereby to stop the spray in the opposed players direction and open the spray into the other players position.

[0002] It is well known that there has become an increased interest and desire to develop a variety of amusement devices which can be purchased and used by the general consumer on home premises. This particularly applies to water sports devices for home use. The value of the amusement aspect of the device has been found to generally increase when coupled with a competition as between opposing players.

[0003] The present device is intended to provide a competition type water sport amusement device which may be employed either in amusement parks, or purchased and used as a home type amusement device. The game is particularly designed to encourage competition between opposed players who are positioned on opposed sides of a target and utilize projectiles for moving the target in order to cause the game to proceed.

[0004] The interest in water amusement devices is well documented by the prior art. A number of amusement devices have been developed and patented involving various levels of skill and requirements for each game.

[0005] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,866,916 relates to a water amusement device wherein there is provided a base having a crosshead rotationally mounted thereon and having a pair of opposed free ends or rods to receive rings. A source of water is connected to the device which causes the rotational movement of the crosshead by means of the force of water. One or more players may play the game throwing rings and attempting position or flip the rings onto the upper free ends of the crosshead. The difficulty in playing the game resides in the fact that the crosshead is constantly rotating due to the force of the water and therefore requires the player to develop a skill in order to throw the ring onto the upper free end of the crosshead.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,195,751 illustrates a water board game which is played with two sets of cards and includes a water sprayer which ejects water on a player if the player fails to activate a manual switch according to the rules of the game. The cards are dealt to the players and the player having the winning hand is then entitled to squirt the losing player by removing a card from the losing players hand and squirting the player with the number of times indicated by the indicia on the card.

[0007] A more appropriate amusement device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,843,127. The game toy shown in this device consists of a centrally positioned target which is provided with a water source. The target is rotationally mounted on a base and the opposed players, if played by two players, assume positions on opposed sides of the target. Each player is provided with a water gun which is intended to aim water at the rotateable target. The object of game is for each player to manipulate his gun and aim the stream of water at the target to cause the water jet to spray water at the opposed player representing the amusement aspect of the device.

[0008] Other similar water games are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,462,284 and well as U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,372. The device shown in the '284 patent is played with an upright connected to a source of water which sprays water at the upper end at a medial position. A ball on a tether is tied to the top end, and hangs down such that the water emanating from the medial position will cause an erratic movement of the ball. The players are provided with paddles and intended to strike the ball as the same is thrown about by the medial spray of water. The device shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,372 is again a water amusement device which includes a target centrally located between a pair of opposed players. Each player positions himself in a hoop which is supplied with water. The amusement device in the aforesaid patent is rather complicated in that it involves having motion sensors, indicator lights and control valves. If the player successfully throws a projectile through the hoop target, the water spray is activated on the opposed player and will remain so until the opposed player throws a projectile through the target to deactivate the sensors and in their hoop, to activate the sensors in the opposed hoop in the opposed pod where the opposed player is standing. The object is for one player to gain the advantage by wetting the other player as much as possible.

[0009] The present invention provides an alternate type of water amusement device which again is played with a target, and is intended for players to be positioned in opposed positions relative to a target. The object for the amusement device is for one player to throw a projectile at the target and cause the target to pivotally move in the direction of the thrown projectile. That movement will cause a water nozzle to be opened which will spray the opposing player and will remain spraying the opposing player until the opposing player throws a projectile back at the target in order to strike the target and pivotally move the target back to a reverse position which will then turn off the water nozzle in the direction of that player, and open the opposed nozzle wetting the other player. The skill of the game is involved in each player having the accuracy to throw a projectile and strike a target.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

[0010] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a water amusement device which may be played by two or more players in a competitive arrangement relative to the water sport game.

[0011] In conjunction with the foregoing object, it is a further object of the present invention to provide a water amusement game which includes a target which is pivotally secured from an upright, and provides a striking surface on opposed surfaces of the target. The target is pivotally mounted to a support housing which includes a pair of opposed water nozzles pointing to opposed directions. The support housing also includes a pair of nozzle occluding plates which would move into a occluding position relative to the corresponding nozzle, and will shut off the water spray in that direction, while opening the opposed nozzle thereby to cause a water spray out of that nozzle. The player striking the target will cause the opposed player sprayed with water which will continue until the opposed player can reverse the target by throwing a projectile at the target to reverse the spray.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a water amusement device of the type described above, wherein the entire amusement device may be encased in any number of coverings to enhance the amusement feature of the device while nevertheless maintaining the competitive nature of the toy.

[0013] A further object of the present invention is to provide a water sport game of the type described above, wherein the device is constructed of simple materials and eliminates any requirement for electrical apparatus, sensing devices, or electronically activated control means. The present amusement device is entirely mechanical in function and basically has simple parts while yet realizes all of the amusement aspects of other water games.

[0014] Further features and objects of the present invention will best be understood by reference to the accompanying specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] In summary, the present invention provides an improved water amusement device intended for competitive playing for two or more players. The competitive nature of the game involves the ability of one player to cause the other player to become as wet as possible while still involving a skill insofar as being able to strike a target with a projectile. The invention consists of an upright from which a support housing is mounted in a horizontal position. The support housing has a target pivotally secured thereto an extending downwardly therefrom. The support housing includes a pair of opposed angularly disposed water nozzles which are connected to a source of water. Each nozzle is pointed in a direction opposed to a striking surface of the target. The support housing further includes a pair of spray nozzle occluding means which will alternate between an occluding position and a non-occluding position relative to the corresponding spray nozzle. The target includes a control bar which operates the spray nozzle occluding mean and alternates in a pivoted fashion between an open and dose position. The control rod operates in conjunction with the spray nozzle occluding means such that when the target is struck by a projectile and pivoted in one direction, the control rod will operate the spray nozzle occluding means to open the spray nozzle in the opposed players direction, and close the spray nozzle in the players direction who has thrown the projectile. The spray will remain in place until the opposed player has the sufficient skill to throw the projectile and move the target back into a reverse position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the target game having a water source connected thereto;

[0017] FIG. 2 is an elevational view showing a water amusement device including the upright, upper support housing, and target pivotally suspended therefrom;

[0018] FIG. 3 is an elevational view showing a water amusement device consisting of the upright, support housing, target suspended therefrom, and the spray nozzles positioned in the support housing, and the spray nozzle occluder's in position relative to the spray nozzle, with all parts shown in spread apart disposition;

[0019] FIG. 4 is an elevational view showing the upright and upper support housing, and the manner in which the water pipe flows up the support pipe and interconnects with the opposed spray nozzles;

[0020] FIG. 5 shows the amusement device of the present invention including a covering in the form of an animal, which enhances the amusement aspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] As shown particularly in FIG. 1, the entire target game 10 is shown to include a support base 12, which carries and upright 14 extending upwardly therefrom. The upright 14 has a top end 16 and a bottom end 18. The top end 16 is provided with a support housing 20 which is horizontally disposed in substantially perpendicular disposition relative to the upright 14. The support housing 20 carries a target 25 which is pivotally secured to the under surface of the support housing 20 and extends downwardly therefrom. A water source 22 is connected adjacent at the bottom of the upright 16 through a water inlet port 23 formed in the base 12 to accommodate the interconnection of a water source 22 such as a hose.

[0022] The details of the target game are clearly shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings.

[0023] As generally illustrated in FIGS. 2-4 of the drawings, the upright 14 has a hollow interior and is accommodated with a water pipe 27 which interconnects with the water inlet port 23 at the lower end, and extends upwardly through the upright. The water pipe 27 extends up into the support housing 20 and terminates in a pair of opposed water spray nozzles 29 and 31 respectively. The water spray nozzles 29 and 31 are angularly disposed such that water spraying from the nozzles 29 and 31 will spray outwardly away from the support housing 20. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings, the support housing 20 assumes a generally rectangular box like configuration, in order to accommodate the water nozzles 29 and 31 and rocker arms 45 and 50 therein. The target 25 is shown to be pivotally secured to the under side of the support housing 20 by means of a pair of support ears 33 and 35 respectively. As shown in FIG. 4, the target 25 is provided with a pair of hanging domes 37 and 39 respectively, which mate with the support ears 33 and 35 to pivotally support the target 25 from the support housing 20. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the target 25 is pivotally secured by means of the hanging domes 37 and 39 from support ears 33 and 35 via pins which are inserted through appropriately provided apertures as is well known in the art. Furthermore, the target 25 is frictionally pivotally supported such that the target 25 is not free swinging relative to the support housing 20. Hence, when the target is struck by a projectile as will be more fully explained hereinafter, and pivoted in the direction of the thrown projectile, the target 25 will remain in that pivoted position until it is pushed in the reverse direction by a projectile thrown at it from the reverse side of the target 25. This provides the amusement portion of the game as again will be more fully explained hereinafter.

[0024] It will also be observed that the target 25 is provided with opposed strike surfaces 26 and 28 respectively for interaction with a thrown projectile (not shown) which will strike either one of the strike surfaces 26 and 28 when thrown by a player.

[0025] The water spraying aspect of the target game 10 is generally shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 of the drawings. It will be observed that the support housing 20 is provided with a pair of slots 41 and 43 respectively which accommodate a pair of rocker arms 45 and 50 respectively. With respect to rocker arm 45, it will be observed that rocker arm 45 includes a front end 46 and a back end 47. The front end 46 is shown to be operationally disposed adjacent to the appropriate water nozzle 29. Furthermore, the front end 46 includes a spray nozzle occluding surface 48, which covers spray nozzle 29 in its normal rest position as shown in FIG. 2. The back end 47 of the rocker arm 45 is provided with a push bar 49 which extends downwardly therefrom through the support housing 20 and extends downwardly from the underside of the support housing 20. It will be observed that rocker arm 50 is similarly provided with a front end 51 and a back end 52 with the front end 51 provided with a similar nozzle occluding surface 53 and the back end 52 provided with a push bar 54. Each of the rocker arms 45 and 50 is provided with a mounting aperture 56 and 58 respectively for pivotal mounting with respect to the mounting apertures 42 and 44 located in support housing 20. The pivotal mounting of the rocker arms 45 and 50 relative to the support housing 20 is easily accomplished by utilizing pins (not shown) which will extend through the appropriate mounting apertures in a manner well known in the art. It will also be observed that the push bar 54 of rocker arm 50 extends downwardly from the lower surface of the support housing 20 in the same manner as push bar 49 of rocker arm 45. As indicated previously indicated, the support housing 20 includes slots 41 and 43 to accommodate the rocker arms 45 and 50 such that the upper surface of the support housing 20 assumes a flat disposition.

[0026] It will also be observed with respect to FIGS. 2 and 4 of the drawings that the target 25 is provided with a control rod 60 which is transversely mounted at the top end of the target 25. The control rod 60 is mounted such that the same is operationally positioned relative to the push bars 49 and 54 respectively. As shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, the control rod 60 is securely mounted to the target 25 and will pivot in response to the pivotal movement of the target 25.

[0027] It will be appreciated from a view of FIG. 4 of the drawings, that if the target 25 is struck with a projectile on its striking surface 26, the target will move in the direction of the thrown projectile causing the first end 62 of control rod 60 to pivot down, while the second end 64 of the control rod 60 will pivot upwardly. The upward pivoting of the second end 64 of the control rod 60 will push against the push bar 64 thereby pivoting the front end 51 of the rocker arm 50 downwardly. The downward movement of the front end 51 of the rocker arm 50 will therefore move the rocker arm 50 out of occluding position relative to spray nozzle 31 and thereby allow water to spray from spray nozzle 31 outwardly toward the player on the opposed side of the target 25. As was previously indicated, the target 25 will remain in its pivoted position since it is not free swinging, and therefore a spray from spray nozzle 31 will continue to spray onto the opposing player. If the opposing player is then capable and can accurately throw a projectile back at the striking surface 28 of target 25, this will move the target in a reverse pivoted direction thereby causing the second end 64 of control rod 60 to move downwardly, while the first end 62 of the control rod 60 will move up. Coil spring 68 will therefore biasingly urge rocker arm 50 upwardly and back into its occluding position relative to spray nozzle 31. Simultaneously, the first end 62 of the control rod 60 will move up against and push against push bar 49 thereby pivoting the front end 46 of rocker arm 45 downwardly, out of occluding position relative to spray nozzle 29 and allow water to spray out of spray nozzle 29 onto the player on that side of the target. It would therefore be appreciated that the competitive nature of the game played by two players is for each of the players to accurately strike the target in order to pivot the target 25 to one of its' opposed pivoted positions. As is shown in FIGS. 2-4 of the drawings, the support housing is appropriately notched as shown at 70 and 71 which allows water to spray out to the sides of each side of the support housing 20.

[0028] It will also be appreciated that when the target 25 is in its normal vertical rest position, the first end 62 and second end 64 of control rod 60 are each in a horizontal plain, and out of contact with each of the push bars 49 and 54 respectively. In this position, if the water is turned on, the water will spray upwardly and will not strike either of the players. In order to ensure that the water sprays upwardly in the normal rest position of the target, the nozzle occluding surfaces 48 and 53 respectively may be shaped in a curvilinear fashion thereby ensuring that the water will flow in an upward direction.

[0029] FIG. 5 merely illustrates that the amusement aspects of the game disclosed herein may be further enhanced since the entire amusement target game may be covered by a covering with an opening exposing the target to either side of the players. As depicted in FIG. 5, a blow up novelty animal FIG. 80 may be installed over the entire game including the upright, support upright 14, base 12, and support housing 20. The target 25 would remain exposed on both sides so that players are able to throw a projectile aiming for the target in order to cause the target to pivot and move, then cause the water to spray in a manner previously indicated. As is shown in FIG. 5, the area in which the water nozzles would spray water is similarly open on both sides and hence, the entire target game may end up having an amusement aspect to it above and beyond the game in and of itself.

[0030] I will also be appreciated from the above description that the game may include any number of different types of projectiles. For the safety of the players, a projectile may be a simple ball, or a bean bag. Relative ease or difficulty of moving the target will be adjusted during the manufacturing process by the nature of the projectile which is chosen to be sold with the toy. It will also be appreciated that in the event that the projectiles which are sold with the toy are lost, the game may still be utilized by the players by substituting any other type of projectile which is available.

[0031] I will also be appreciated that the inner connection for the water source to the fluid inlet port 23 may assume the form of a typical hose connector in order to permit the user to simply connect a standard garden hose to the upright. Hence, no additional connectors or other devices are necessary in order to utilize the game in the manner intended.

[0032] While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be appreciated that various modifications and changes may be made therein without changing the inventive subject matter of the game. It is intended to cover in the appended claims all such obvious changes and modifications as followed in the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A water target game for two or more players of the type including a target for receiving contact from a projectile thrown by a player facing the target and a source of water which will spray water on one player on one side of the target when the opposed player strikes the target and will remain spraying until the sprayed player throws a projectile to strike the target and move the target in the opposed direction to alter the water sprayed to the opposed player, comprising in combination,

a vertical upright having a top end and a bottom end and being at least partially hollow throughout its length,

a support housing secured to said top end of said upright and being horizontally disposed relative thereto,

a support base at the bottom of said upright for holding said upright in a vertical disposition,

a water pipe extending up through said upright and having an upper end terminating in a pair of spray nozzles angularly disposed in opposed outward directions, and a lower end at the bottom end of said upright,

a source of water for interconnection to said water pipe at the lower end thereof thereby to provide water for said spray nozzles,

said support housing having spray nozzle occluding means associated with each of said spray nozzles and said spray nozzle occluding means being pivotally mounted to be movable between a spray nozzle occluding position and a spray nozzle open position,

a target pivotally mounted on said support housing and provided with opposed strike surfaces for receiving striking contact from a thrown projectile,

said target further provided with control means operationally carried thereby for controlling the pivotal movement of said spray nozzle occluding means in response to the pivotal movement of said target when struck on one of its opposed strike surfaces by a thrown projectile,

whereby a projectile striking said target will cause a pivotal movement of said target in the direction of the thrown projectile causing a concomitant pivotal movement of said control means to move said spray nozzle occluding means to open the nozzle facing the direction of the thrown projectile and remain in that position until the target is struck on its opposed strike surface and cause a reverse pivotal movement and reverse the pivotal movement of the control means and a concomitant reversal of the occluded nozzle with the opposed open nozzle thereby creating competition water sport for players playing the water sport game on opposed sides of the target.

2. The water target game as set forth in claim 1 above, wherein said spray nozzle occluding means comprises a pair of rocker arms pivotally mounted on said housing,

each of said rocker arms having a front end and a back end,

each front end of each of said rocker arms provided with spray nozzle occluding inner surface which operate to occlude a corresponding spray nozzle in the normal rest position and pivot to an open position in response to the pivoting movement of the target,

and each of said back of ends of said rocker arms provided with control receiving means positioned to operate in conjunction with said control means when said target is struck by a thrown projectile thereby to pivot and move said target.

3. A water target game as set forth in claim 1 above, wherein said target comprises a vertically elongate plate with opposed strike surfaces and having a inner end adjacent said upright and an opposed outer end, and said target being pivotally mounted at its inner and outer ends relative to said support housing thereby to be pivotally moveable in response to a thrown projectile striking one of the opposed strike surfaces.

4. The water target game as set forth in claim 3 above, wherein said control means comprises a control bar having opposed ends and mounted on said target adjacent at the inner end thereof in a plain transverse with respect to said elongate plate and positioned to be in operative synchronization with said control receiving means of each of said rocker arms whereby the pivotal movement of said target causes a concomitant pivoting of said control bar thereby to push against one of said rocker control receiving means of said rocker arm to pivot the same and move said rocker arm to an open spray nozzle position.

5. A water target game as set forth in claim 4 above wherein said control receiving means of each of said rocker arms comprises a push bar extending downwardly from the back end of said rocker arm and operationally positioned above one end of said control bar whereby the upward pivoted movement of one end of said control bar will push against the corresponding push bar of said rocker arm and pivot the front end of said rocker arm downwardly to move said spray nozzle occluding means out of its normal occluding position and into a spray nozzle open position.

6. The water target game as set forth in claim 2 above, wherein said occluding means on each of said rocker arms is formed by a blocking surface formed along the inner front end of a corresponding rocker arm thereby to block the flow of water emanating from a corresponding spray nozzle.

7. The water target game as set forth in claim 6 above wherein each of said rocker arms is in the form of a right angle bracket having the front end forming a spray nozzle occluding surface and a back end having a push bar extending downwardly therefrom and being operationally positioned above said control bar on said target and having a pivotal mounting point located between said front end and said back end, whereby the pivotal movement of said control bar will pivot one end of said control bar into pushing engagement with a corresponding push bar to push said push bar in an upward direction and thereby said rocker arm downwardly until said occluding surface pivots into an open non-occluding position relative to the corresponding spray nozzle.

8. A water target game as set forth in claim 1 above, wherein said target is frictionally pivotally mounted to said support housing thereby to prevent the free swinging pivotal movement of said target relative to said support housing and to permit the pivotal movement of said target only in response to the striking contract of a projectile thrown against one of the striking surfaces of said target.

9. A water target game as set forth in claim 1 above wherein each of said spray nozzles is angularly disposed and positioned to spray water in the direction of the thrown projectile when the same strikes and pivotally moves the target.

10. A water target game as set forth in claim 7 above wherein each of said rocker arms is provided with spring means positioned between said rocker arm and said support housing thereby to facilitate the biasing movement of said rocker arm into the normal rest position relative to the corresponding spray nozzle when said target is static and occlude the spray emanating from said corresponding nozzle.