Rapid Refill System for a Toy Water Gun
A water gun assembly having a housing with an internal water reservoir. Multiple access opening lead through the housing and into the internal reservoir. The access openings are covered by a cover element. The cover element can be moved relative the housing between a closed configuration and an open configuration. In the closed configuration, the cover element obstructs the access openings. In the open configuration, the cover element does not obstruct the access openings, therein enabling the water reservoir to be rapidly refilled with water.
The application claims the benefit of provisional patent application No. 61/653,064, filed May 30, 2012.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the InventionIn general, the present invention relates to toy water guns. More particularly, the present invention relates to the structure of toy water guns that enable the reservoir of the toy water gun to be refilled with water.
For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description of an exemplary embodiment thereof, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
There are many toy water guns that have been manufactured for retail sale. Most all toy water guns contain a housing in which is constructed a water reservoir. The water reservoir holds a volume of water. Also provided is a pumping mechanism for pumping the water out of the water reservoir as the toy water gun is operated. The pumping mechanism is typically either a trigger pump that mechanically pumps water out of the toy water gun, or an air pump that forces water out of the toy water gun. Regardless of how the water is propelled from the toy water gun, the water reservoir needs to be periodically refilled.
In the prior art, many toy water guns have water reservoirs that are accessible through a small refill opening. The refill opening is typically closed with a plug. To refill the reservoir within the toy water gun, the plug is temporarily removed. The refill opening is then either held under water, or water is poured into the refill opening. In either scenario, it can take several seconds for the water reservoir to refill. This is due primarily to the small size of the refill opening. Furthermore, the refill opening can be obstructed by the air exiting the water reservoir, since both the incoming water and the outgoing air must pass through the same small refill opening.
In other prior art toy water guns, the water reservoirs are configured as a bottle. The bottle can be detached from the toy water gun and filled with water. The filled bottle is then reattached to the toy water gun. The process of removing a reservoir bottle from a toy water gun, refilling the bottle, and reattaching the bottle also typically takes at least several seconds to complete. Accordingly, having a detachable water reservoir does not make the refilling of a toy water gun any more rapid.
The present invention is a rapid refill system for a toy water gun that enables the toy water gun to be refilled with water in only a few seconds. In this manner, the water gun can be refilled much more rapidly than prior art designs.
Referring to
A fill cover 20 is provided. The fill cover attaches to the housing 18 of the toy water gun 10 and selectively covers the multiple access openings 14 that lead to the water reservoir 12. The fill cover 20 is selectively positionable between a closed configuration and an open configuration. When the fill cover 20 is in its closed position (
In the embodiment of
There are many alternate ways to selectively open and close the access openings 14 that lead to the water reservoir. Such an alternate embodiment is shown in
Referring to both
Referring lastly to both
Although the embodiment of
It will be understood that the embodiments of the present invention that are illustrated and described are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art can make many variations to those embodiments. All such embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.
Claims
1. A toy water gun, comprising:
- a housing containing an internal reservoir, wherein said housing defines a plurality of openings that enable water to flow into said internal reservoir when said housing is at least partially submerged;
- a cover element that engages said housing and is movable on said housing between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein said cover element obstructs said plurality of openings when in said closed configuration and does not obstruct said plurality of opening when in said closed configuration; and
- a manually operated pumping mechanism that draws the water from said reservoir and propels the water from said housing when activated.
Type: Application
Filed: May 30, 2013
Publication Date: Dec 5, 2013
Inventors: James P. Carty (Medford, NJ), Robert A. Butkiewicz (Medford, NJ)
Application Number: 13/906,320