Firearms Patents (Class 222/79)
  • Patent number: 6123229
    Abstract: A water discharge device, particularly a toy water gun, includes a portable housing containing a reservoir for a quantity of water; a discharge control device for controlling the discharge of water from the housing; and a hand-operated pump for manually pumping water from the reservoir through the discharge control. The discharge control device includes an expansible chamber having an inlet connected to the pump, an outlet through which the water is discharged, and a pressure-responsive valve controlling the outlet. The valve is normally closed to permit expansion of the reservoir and a build-up of water pressure during the pumping of water by the pump into the reservoir, but automatically opens when a predetermined pressure is reached in the chamber to discharge water through the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Inventor: Benjamin J. Barish
  • Patent number: 6050454
    Abstract: A non-lethal fluid delivery device for discharging a debilitating or other inert fluid of choice is provided that allows the device to be easily held in the hand of the user in a way so as to somewhat conceal it from a target subject, wherein the device has a housing unit to hold and carry a replaceable pressurized canister holding the fluid of choice, an actuator button placed in the back of the housing unit to cause the discharge of fluid, and a safety cover over the actuator button. In a hand-held embodiment of the device, a lanyard is provided for placing around the user's wrist to hold and carry the device. In an alternative embodiment of the device of the invention, a bracket is provided to mount the device on another lethal weapon of choice to provide the user the ability to have simultaneous access to the device for discharge of non-lethal fluid and to the lethal weapon for use of lethal force, if necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Option Safety, LLC
    Inventors: Edward C. Ludaescher, Gary John Rovarino, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6052051
    Abstract: A multilocation defense device which simultaneously protects self and property. The hand-held device includes a remote-control mechanism for remotely activating an alarm system in a home, building, and/or motor vehicle, and a source of high-intensity sound emanating from the defense device, which can be electronically programmed to send an "S.O.S." signal in Morse code. Further defense of self is provided by bright lights and a spray of a chemical repellent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Inventor: Patrick J. Whalen
  • Patent number: 6012609
    Abstract: The present invention is a toy water gun for containment and ejection of water which includes a housing, an ejection nozzle, a bladder and an outlet connection which runs from the bladder to the nozzle. The expandable bladder is located in the housing and has a first end connected to the outlet connection and has a carriage attachment located at the second end. The bladder carriage attachment is movable and guided generally linearly in the housing as the bladder is expanded. In one embodiment, the bladder has a variable diameter, larger at it's front end and smaller at it's back end. In another embodiment, the bladder has a constant diameter with a wall thickness gradient. Combined variable diameters and wall thickness may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Larami Limited
    Inventor: Bruce M. D'Andrade, deceased
  • Patent number: 6003503
    Abstract: A fluid pulsator for a compressed gun (10) or water gun (30) is provided having a housing (404) with a fluid inlet (409) and a fluid outlet (410), an internal tube (405) reciprocally mounted within the housing, and a sealing member (406) reciprocally mounted to the internal tube. The housing and internal tube define a rearward fluid pressure chamber (412) and a forward fluid pressure chamber (413). The pulsator also has a variable flow fluid control valve which varies the flow of fluid passing into the forward fluid pressure chamber to regulate the action of the pulsator. The sealing member has a sealing head (431) having a first portion (432) sized and shaped to overlap the housing about the fluid outlet and a second portion sized and shaped to be received within the fluid outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Johnson Research & Development Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Lonnie G. Johnson, John T. Applewhite
  • Patent number: 6000386
    Abstract: A fluid pulsator for a compressed gun (10) or water gun (30) is provided having a housing (604) with a fluid inlet (607) and a fluid outlet (608), an internal tube (605) reciprocally coupled to the housing, and a sealing member (606) reciprocally mounted to the internal tube. The housing and internal tube define a rearward pressure chamber (632) and a forward fluid pressure chamber (631). The fluid pulsator also has means for actuating the movement of the sealing member that can be manually manipulated to vary the actuation rate of the pulsator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Johnson Research & Development Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Lonnie G. Johnson, John T. Applewhite
  • Patent number: 5992690
    Abstract: A delivery system for chemical concentrates, each in a separate container, includes, for each concentrate, a quick-disconnect coupling for a hand-operated valve connected to a pressurized water supply line. The coupling is connected to an air gap inductor including a mixing chamber into which the concentrate is metered. The diluted concentrate is then supplied to a user vessel or directly to a machine reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Minuteman International, Inc.
    Inventor: James M. Tracy
  • Patent number: 5992697
    Abstract: A new water squirting device for squirting water a distance therefrom. The inventive device includes an elongate tube has inner and outer surfaces, and opposite first and second ends. The inner surface of the tube defining a lumen of the tube. The first and second ends of the tube each have an opening into the lumen of the tube. A first end cap covers the first end of the tube and has a squirt hole therethrough. One of the ends of a plunger shaft is inserted through the second end of the tube and into the lumen of the tube. A plunger head is coupled to the one end of the plunger shaft. A second end cap covers the second end of the tube. The second end cap has a central hole therethrough through which the plunger shaft is slidably extended. A handle is coupled to the other end of the plunger shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Inventor: Eddie H. James
  • Patent number: 5984140
    Abstract: A weight and spring assisted actuating assembly for pressuring, with air, a liquid in a tank includes a reciprocating piston that is freely movable with a charging compartment. Appropriate manipulation of the charging compartment or, if applicable, the housing within which it is disposed, results in movement of the piston and causes outside air to enter the charging compartment and, subsequently, to exhaust into the tank to thereby pressurize the contents thereof. In accordance with an especially advantageous application of the actuating assembly, an air pressurized toy water gun is realized by ejecting air from the charging compartment into the water containing tank of the water gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Inventor: Scott Amron
  • Patent number: 5975358
    Abstract: A toy gun with an integrated target generator is disclosed. A water container is provided to store water and to provide pressurized water as ammunition for the water gun. A bubble generator assembly is provided to generate bubbles that can be used as targets for the water gun. A pump handle is provided to pump air into the water container and to simultaneously actuate the bubble generator assembly. A trigger assembly is provided to allow a user to selectively fire water out of the water gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Patent Category Corp
    Inventors: Yu Zheng, Yu-Bing Xia, Zheng Liu
  • Patent number: 5921442
    Abstract: A manually operated self defense device comprising a manually operated pump driven propulsion chamber which can propel either a stream or spray at a potential attacker wherein the self defense device is characterized by the fact that no pre-pressurized gas or irritant canisters are used, and wherein the self defense device irritant or disabling storage container is not refillable by the user, and when used, the first pump action loads the propulsion chamber from a storage container, and thereafter, the propulsion chamber is always primed and ready for instant operation, and in as much as no pre-charged gas canisters are employed, there is no gas leakage, and reliability is greatly improved, resulting in a self protection device which is capable of providing multiple discharges without the loss of operating range, or effectiveness, and which contains an internal safety mechanism designed to prevent the attacker from turning the self defense device upon the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Inventors: John F. Keller, David A. Wilson
  • Patent number: 5906295
    Abstract: The present invention is a toy water gun for containment and ejection of water which includes a main housing, an ejection nozzle, a bladder housing, a bladder and an outlet connection which runs from the bladder to the nozzle. The expandable bladder is located in the bladder housing and has a first end connected to the outlet connection and has a carriage attachment located at the second end. The bladder carriage attachment is moveable in the bladder housing as the bladder is expanded. In one embodiment, the bladder has a variable diameter, larger at it's front end and smaller at it's back end. In another embodiment, the bladder has a constant diameter with a wall thickness gradient. Combined variable diameters and wall thickness may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Inventor: Bruce M. D'Andrade
  • Patent number: 5901723
    Abstract: Pepper spray canister is mounted in the tubular bore of a cane or walker leg or handle, and is actuable by a trigger mounted adjacent, or in, the handle after release of a safety interlock. Several embodiments are shown, both with the canister in the handle or remote therefrom, and wherein the spray can exit the base (tip) of the cane leg or adjacent the handle. One embodiment comprises a trigger interlock button sleeve mountable at the top of the leg with the canister, actuable by a rod passing down the leg, located adjacent the lower end of the leg. Other embodiments include a straight, T-shaped or L-shaped handle which houses the canister. Several trigger mechanisms are shown: first at the rear juncture of the handle and leg; at the forward juncture thereof; or on the forward top surface of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Inventor: Russell R. Ames
  • Patent number: 5878914
    Abstract: A water gun (10) is provided having a storage tank (18), a expandable pressure tank (19) having an elastic bladder (30) encased within an outer shell (29), and a pump (32) for conveying liquid from the storage tank to the expandable pressure tank. The conveyance of liquid into the expandable pressure tank causes the liquid to be pressurized by the biasing force of the elastic bladder. The pressurized liquid is released through a nozzle (21) coupled to the expandable pressure tank by actuation of a trigger (17). The storage tank may be collapsible to prevent the storage of air therein or be coupled to a fluid selective check valve to prevent air from being pumped into the pressure tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Johnson Research & Development Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Lonnie G. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5875927
    Abstract: The present invention is an expandable tear drop shaped bladder toy gun for subsequent ejection of liquid therefrom. It includes a main housing having a liquid ejection nozzle, a handle and a trigger, as well as an inflatable tear drop shaped bladder connected to or encompassed in the main housing, and includes a single inlet/outlet tube connected to the bladder. There is also a storage tank for supplying liquid, e.g. water, thereto, as well as a hand pump connected to both the storage tank and the bladder. The pump is physically connected to the housing and functionally connected to the storage tank and the bladder inlet. There is a bladder release valve having an upstream side and a downstream side. The bladder release valve is connected to the bladder outlet at the valve's upstream side, and is connected to the trigger for opening and closing thereof, and is connected to the nozzle at the valve's downstream side for subsequent liquid ejection when the trigger is pulled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Inventor: Bruce M. D'Andrade
  • Patent number: 5875926
    Abstract: A slide trigger for a liquid delivery system has a handle and a retractable trigger assembly. The handle has a grip portion and a barrel portion with a guide. The trigger assembly has a slide which travels freely within the guide and a trigger portion attached to the slide which activates the liquid delivery system when the trigger portion is retracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: John J. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 5865344
    Abstract: A toy water pistol for discharging a volume of liquid temporarily stored under pressure in an expandable bladder. The water pistol includes a reservoir containing liquid which is initially supplied from the reservoir to a charge cavity upon manipulation of a piston. The liquid in the charge cavity is then provided to the bladder, in a pressurized state, through further manipulation of the piston. A trigger is provided for selectively controlling the flow of liquid in an output conduit, which is connected to the bladder, to regulate the liquid expelled from the bladder and output from the water pistol upon user activation of the trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Inventor: Dietmar Nagel
  • Patent number: 5865438
    Abstract: A water pistol which has a water-collecting target mounted on it. The water pistol has a water firing mechanism that squirts a stream of water from the pistol. The water-collecting target is connected to the water firing mechanism of the water pistol so that water which strikes the target is collected and can be squirted again by the firing mechanism. The water pistol may also have a water reservoir connected between the water-collecting target and the water firing mechanism that can collect a supply of water sufficient for multiple squirts. Different water collecting targets and water firing mechanisms suitable for the invention are described. When the special water pistols are used in pairs, they can be used for a game of water catch where one player squirts a stream of water toward a second player, and the second player tries to catch the water in the water-collecting target of his or her water pistol and squirt it back to the first player. A number of variations of the water catch game are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Inventor: Kent Zilliox
  • Patent number: 5850941
    Abstract: A water gun (10) is provided having a pressure tank (19) in fluid communication with a coupler (20) adapted to be received upon a conventional water faucet, and a pump (42) for conveying additional air to the pressure tank. The flow of water from the water faucet draws ambient air which is compressed within the pressure tank to pressurize the water therein. The pressurized liquid is released through a nozzle (21) coupled to the pressure tank by actuation of a trigger (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Johnson Research & Development Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Lonnie G. Johnson, Shane Matthews
  • Patent number: 5829635
    Abstract: A toy water gun comprising a housing, water tank, nozzle, pump assembly, piston drive assembly, and crank handle. The pump assembly comprises (a) first and second cylinders, each cylinder having a first cylinder end with an opening for receiving a piston end and a second cylinder end with an intake port and a discharge port; (b) a piston having a two piston ends, a piston shaft between the two piston ends, and a drive pin on the piston shaft, each piston end inserted into the first open ends of the first and second cylinders, respectively, and being slidable along the longitudinal axes of the cylinders in sealing relation to the cylinder walls; and (c) a device means for filling the two cylinders with water from the water tank and for discharging water from the two cylinders through the nozzle, wherein the filling and discharging device act in cooperation with the slidable movement of the piston ends. The piston drive assembly comprises a cam arm and a coupling wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Lanard Toys, Ltd.
    Inventor: Virginio Brovelli
  • Patent number: 5826750
    Abstract: A water gun (10) is provided having a storage tank (18), a pressure tank (19), a pump (32) for conveying liquid from the storage tank to the pressure tank, and a control valve (39) which determines whether water or air is to be drawn by the pump and deposited within the pressure tank. The pressurized liquid is released through a nozzle (21) coupled to the pressure tank by actuation of a trigger (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Johnson Research & Development Corporation, Inc.
    Inventor: Lonnie G. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5799828
    Abstract: A water gun which utilizes a piston movable within a piston cylinder by a manually operated handle. Movement of the piston to a retracted position within the piston cylinder will result in supplying water from a water reservoir into the piston cylinder. Moving of the piston in an inward position within the piston cylinder will result in expelling water from the piston cylinder into an elastic bladder. The quantity of water being expelled from the piston cylinder within the elastic bladder will cause the elastic bladder to expand substantially, and at the point of full inward motion of the piston, the handle will come into contact with a discharge valve which will be moved to cause release of the water that is confined within the elastic bladder. This water is to be expelled through a nozzle to be emitted into the ambient in a form of a stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Robert A. Demars
    Inventor: Alan D. Crawford
  • Patent number: 5799827
    Abstract: The present invention is an expandable bladder toy water gun. It includes a main housing having a barrel and water ejection nozzle, a handle and a trigger, as well as an inflatable bladder connected to the main housing, the bladder having an inlet and an outlet. There is also a storage tank for supplying water thereto, as well as a hand pump connected to both the storage tank and the bladder. The pump is physically connected to the housing and functionally connected to the storage tank and the bladder inlet. There is a bladder release valve having an upstream side and a downstream side, and it is connected to the bladder outlet at the valve's upstream side, and is connected to the trigger for opening and closing thereof, and is connected to the nozzle at the valve's downstream side for subsequent water ejection when the trigger is pulled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Inventor: Bruce M. D'Andrade
  • Patent number: 5787628
    Abstract: A less than lethal chemical apparatus that can be fitted to conventional handguns and rifles without requiring major modification of the weapons and yet fits within the profile of the weapons framework. The invention features a chassis containing a chemical module that can house MACE or other incapacitating chemical agents such as tear gas that can be mounted in various positions, depending on the weapon selected. For a handgun, the chassis mounts on the front face of the muzzle. The weapons factory installed hand grips are replaced by modified hand grips that contain electronic controls, water proof activation switches, and a power source. The hand grips are wired to the chassis via a flexible internal circuits. The apparatus can also be activated at a distance from the firearm using an infrared activation control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Inventor: James W. Teetzel
  • Patent number: 5779100
    Abstract: A water gun (10) is provided having a storage tank (18), a pressure tank (19), and a pump (32) for conveying liquid from the storage tank to the pressure tank. The conveyance of liquid from the storage tank creates a vacuum which is controller through a control valve (43) to refill the storage tank with water in an efficient manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Johnson Research & Development Corp, Inc.
    Inventor: Lonnie G. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5779099
    Abstract: In a toy water gun having a barrel and a water ejection nozzle connected to an end of the barrel, wherein the nozzle has an ejection orifice of a predetermined diameter, there is included in the barrel a turbulence control member in proximity to the nozzle. This is for enhanced laminar flow ejection through the nozzle. The turbulence control member has a plurality of linear stream guidance walls. In some embodiments, optional screen(s) are included which are located contiguous to an end or both ends of the turbulence control member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Inventor: Bruce M. D'Andrade
  • Patent number: 5758800
    Abstract: A bladder for liquid containment and injection, utilizing the elasticity of the bladder for the motive force for liquid ejection, is made of a hollow, tubular member which has a section of weakened elastic strength relative to the remainder of the tubular member. It also has a strength gradient created by a modified shape. In one embodiment, it has a variable diameter, larger at it's front end and smaller at it's back end. In another embodiment, it has a constant diameter with a wall thickness gradient. Combined variable diameters and wall thickness may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Inventor: Bruce M. D'Andrade
  • Patent number: 5740948
    Abstract: A kind of compound-integrated-bottle-body with multi-functions includes of an integrated bottle body, a spray device and a driver, in which the integrated bottle body further includes a first bottle body at the bottom and a second bottle body at the top, which can play their own role respectively and be connected to each other by screws. The receiving threaded head disposed at the bottom of the spray device is connected to a protrusion thread of the small opening of the second bottle body by screws. Also there is one straw extended into the second bottle body to suck water. The connecting groove of the spray device is connected to the click-on plug of the driver. And also, its spray nozzle at the front side is connected to the spray pipe by screws, which is connected to the driver fixedly. While the output axle of driving parts in the driver can be either connected to the electrical fan head or the massage ball head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Inventors: Wei-Yieh Chu, Chih-Kwei Nii
  • Patent number: 5730321
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods, compositions and apparatuses, such as squirt guns and of the water emitting devices, that eject a flow of aqueous fluid having visible bioluminescence, providing "glow-in-the dark" emissions. The devices contain a population of a mechanical stress-stimulatable bioluminescent organisms, such as Pyrocystis species such as lunula and fusiformis, in suspension in a fluid. The fluid luminesces when ejected from an aperture of the device. The devices may also include a fluid flow generator, such as a mechanical pump, capable of inducing the flow of the fluid through the flow path and a trigger or valve capable of activating said fluid flow generator. In addition, the invention provides containers for viably storing populations of the bioluminescent organisms, methods and media for culturing and diluting the organisms, and kits of an emitter, a storage apparatus, suitable bioluminescent organisms, and culture media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Inventors: Todd McAllister, John Frangos, Michael Latz
  • Patent number: 5730325
    Abstract: A toy water gun comprises a main housing including provisions for holding a reservoir of water, a nozzle for receiving and discharging water pumped from the reservoir, and a pump housing positioned substantially outside the main housing. The pump housing contains a pump for pumping water from the reservoir to the nozzle. The pump is operated by an actuator which comprises a rotatable driveshaft extending from the main housing to the pump housing, a transmission interconnecting the pump and the driveshaft for operating the pump in response to rotation of the driveshaft, and a drive carried by the main housing and interconnected with the driveshaft for rotating the driveshaft. The drive may comprise a manually operable hand crank rotatably mounted outside the main housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Inventor: David Tat Wai Cheung
  • Patent number: 5722566
    Abstract: The present invention is a continuous action toy water gun for spraying liquid material. It includes a main housing having an operation cylinder, a liquid chamber and a handle. It also includes a pumping element which is within the operation cylinder and has a valve seat, a one-way valve and a pumping rod, which permits liquid material to pass therethrough in a relative direction toward a spray nozzle, but not toward the liquid chamber. There is a relief valve having a seat with an opening therethrough and a relief passage to bleed liquid back to a dip tube extending into a water bomb and which cooperates with the pumping element. There is also a moving means for moving the pumping element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Ideal Ideas, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth P. Glynn
  • Patent number: 5671559
    Abstract: A combination lethal/nonlethal firearm device is disclosed wherein a lethal gun, pistol or rifle that conventionally fires solid projectiles in the form of bullets, is conveniently converted to a non lethal defensive weapon by means of a novel attachment of a non lethal canister of dibilating chemical fluid such as tear gas or pepper gas to the barrel of the firearm. The canister is removably attached to the barrel by means of a saddle bracket attached to a trigger guard mounnting clamp, and where the direction of fire of the fluid propellant therein is along the firearm barrel and in the same line of fire as the trajectory of a solid projectile bullet of the firearm. Activation of the chemical dispenser is achieved by means of an activation plunger button adjacent the trigger guard in such manner that a peace officer may choose the better of lethal or non lethal defensive procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Inventors: Edward C. Ludaesher, Joseph A. Kaniewski
  • Patent number: 5667419
    Abstract: A water-pistol and animal figure assembly in which a pistol whose operating mechanism is concealed in the figure causes water to spit out of the mouth of the figure when the pistol is operated. The pistol includes a stock from which depends a hand grip provided with a trigger, a water reservoir in the form of a cylindrical tank mounted above the stock and an internal pump which draws water from the tank and pumps it into the barrel of the pistol from whose nozzle the water is ejected when the trigger is pulled. The animal figure includes a head having an open mouth and a body having an internal cavity which communicates with the head, and is open at its rear end. The pistol is received within the cavity with its barrel socketed in the head of the figure and its nozzle aligned with the open mouth, the water tank being exposed outside of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Inventor: Donald Spector
  • Patent number: 5662244
    Abstract: A toy weapon for firing a charge of water includes a housing, water reservoir and a reciprocating piston mounted within a tube in the housing. The tube has a spring-biased, hinge mounted flap valve located at one end of the tube to effectively close the tube end. This valve also creates a sufficiently air-tight seal to allow the water charge to be suctioned from the reservoir into the tube. The tube holds the water charge, which is drawn into the tube on a back stroke of the piston, through a one-way valve in a conduit that connects the reservoir with the tube. The weapon is fired on a forward piston stroke, the water charge being pressurized in the tube and released as a single slug or burst of large droplets when the flap valve opens under increasing pressure of the water charge. A nozzle is provided downstream from the flap valve to help keep the water charge together and increase the velocity of the water as it is discharged from the weapon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: LCD International, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Dexter Chih-Teh Liu, Douglas F. Melville, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5622159
    Abstract: A toy weapon firing a shapeless solid charge includes a reciprocating air pump and an extruder including a reservoir of the shapeless flowable solid material. A tubular nozzle member is mounted on the outlet end of the air pump and includes a transversely extending nipple providing a fluid coupling with the outlet of the extruder. A portion of the housing is configured to form a hand grip while a separate hand grip is coupled with the air pump piston to permit reciprocation of the air pump piston by reciprocating the hand grip portions towards one another and away from one another. The extruder may be operated separately from the air pump or linked with the air pump for simultaneous operation to feed a charge of the shapeless, flowable solid material into the nozzle member before or while the air pump is reciprocated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: LCD International, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Dexter C. T. Liu, Douglas Melville, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5609507
    Abstract: A pistol and toy dragon figure assembly in which a pistol concealed in the figure is operable to cause the dragon to appear to be breathing fire and to be emiting roaring sounds. The pistol includes a barrel and a hand grip provided with a trigger. Housed in the pistol is a battery-operated electronic unit which is switched on when the trigger is pulled, the unit having a flashing light generator optically coupled to the barrel and an integrated circuit in which roaring sounds are digitally stored and converted into analog signals which are fed to a miniature speaker. The body of the dragon has an open cavity therein to receive the pistol, the barrel of which is socketed in the head of the dragon in line with its open jaws. When a player grasps the hand grip of the pistol, he then appears to be holding the dragon, and when the player pulls the trigger, red light flashes simulating fire are then emitted from the jaws of the dragon, the fire being accompanied by roaring sounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Inventor: Donald Spector
  • Patent number: 5605253
    Abstract: A water-ejection toy comprising a body having a front end, a nozzle unit provided at the front end of the body, a reservoir provided inside the body for containing water, and a pump assembly supported by the body for delivering water from the reservoir to the nozzle unit for discharge through the nozzle unit. The nozzle unit has a housing including a tubular front end and an apertured cap fit co-axially over the tubular front end through screw-thread engagement. The nozzle unit is adapted to provide a dispersed discharge of water upon tightening of the cap and a concentrated discharge of water upon loosening of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: Heep Tung Manufactory Limited
    Inventor: Ka-Shiu Luk
  • Patent number: 5605485
    Abstract: A water-pistol and stuffed animal figure in which a pistol concealed in the figure is operable to cause water to spit out of the mouth of the figure. The pistol includes a hand grip provided with a trigger, a water reservoir in the form of a cartridge clip insertable in the grip, and a pump which draws water from the reservoir and pumps it into the barrel of the pistol from whose nozzle the water is ejected when the trigger is pulled. The animal figure includes a head having an open mouth and a body having an internal cavity which is open at its underside and communicates with the head. The pistol is received within the cavity with its barrel socketed in the head of the figure and its nozzle aligned with the open mouth whereby when a player who grasps the grip with his hand then appears to be holding the figure, and when he then pulls the trigger, water is ejected from the mouth of the figure who then appears to be spitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Inventor: Donald Spector
  • Patent number: 5603361
    Abstract: A portable dispenser is adapted to filling water balloons and water pistols. A reservoir is pressurized by a hand pump that draws air in from the atmosphere and forces the air into the reservoir. The pressure in the reservoir forces water down a flexible tube to a trigger mechanism in a water pistol. The trigger mechanism performs three functions: it throttles the water, it acts as relief valve by releasing water if the pressure is greater than a predetermined limit, and it indicates the pressure within the reservoir. When the trigger mechanism is actuated, water flows through the mechanism to a valve that directs the water either to a filling nozzle or to a spraying nozzle. In an alternative embodiment, the pump takes water from a storage chamber within the reservoir and pumps it into a high pressure chamber within the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Inventor: Jarret P. Cuisinier
  • Patent number: 5598950
    Abstract: A water toy that ejects a stream of water under pressure and in one embodiment is particularly suited to serve as a water-sword toy and in another embodiment to serve as a pump-action water gun toy is disclosed. In both embodiments, the water toy includes a wide mouth reservoir that accepts ordinarily available ice cubes which cooperate with water so that chilled water is emitted, under pressure, which may have some soothing benefits, especially during hot summer conditions. The water-sword toy not only emits water upon contact of its tip by an object, but also has provisions for emitting water out of its tip without contacting any object. The pump-action water gun toy has provisions to provide for a straight or spread water trajectory so as to simulate a rifle-water toy or a shotgun-water toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: LCD International, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Dexter C.-T. Liu, David Weindel, Peter Cooper
  • Patent number: 5586688
    Abstract: A water gun 10 having a storage tank (18), a pressure tank (19) and an electric pump (28) for conveying liquid from the storage tank to the pressure tank. The conveyance of liquid into the pressure tank causes the liquid to be pressurized by air compressed within the pressure tank. A safety switch (42) limits the pressurization of the liquid. The pressurized liquid is released through a nozzle (21) coupled to the pressure tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Johnson Research & Development Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Lonnie G. Johnson, John Applewhite
  • Patent number: 5566858
    Abstract: A compressed air safety gun for use underwater, having a handle and an elongate barrel extending therefrom, the handle including a valve therein being operable between open and closed position, by a trigger on the handle. A substantially flexible pneumatic hose connects at opposite ends between the handle and a pressurized air supply source for directing pressurized air flow to the valve in the handle, wherein operation of the trigger to open valve serves to direct the flow of pressurized air through the gun barrel and out from a distal end thereof. A coupling connectable to the distal end of the barrel is structured and disposed for attachment of various tools thereto, such as a nozzle for directing the flow of air from the barrel end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Inventor: Andrew L. Ducker, III
  • Patent number: 5564961
    Abstract: A water-pistol and puppet assembly in which the pistol is concealed within the puppet, yet is fully operable. The pistol includes a hand grip provided with a trigger, a liquid reservoir and a pump which when the trigger is pulled then draws liquid from the reservoir and pumps it into the barrel of the pistol from whose outlet nozzle the liquid is ejected. The puppet includes a head having an open mouth that simulates that of a human or animal-like figure and a costume shroud simulating the body of the figure associated with the head. The shroud is provided with open top end defining a neck that is attached to the head and an open bottom end affording access to the interior of the shroud in which the pistol is housed. The barrel of the pistol is socketed in the head of the puppet with its outlet nozzle in alignment with the open mouth. When a player extends his hand through the open bottom end of the shroud to grasp the grip of the pistol, he then appears to be holding the puppet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Inventor: Donald Spector
  • Patent number: 5549220
    Abstract: A non-lethal, graded method for deterring an assailant by using a hand-held self-defense device which includes an electrical storage battery which acts as a power source, a lamp which emits a directed beam of high-intensity white light, a lamp which emits high-intensity diffuse blue light, a siren, and a source of pressurized chemical repellent. First, an intense beam of white light is directed at the eyes of the assailant; then intermittent high-intensity diffuse blue light and high-intensity sound are simultaneously emitted. If these operations prove inadequate to deter the attack, a spray of chemical repellent is discharged at the eyes of the assailant, using the beam of white light as a guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Inventor: Patrick J. Whalen
  • Patent number: 5538457
    Abstract: The present invention is a toy water gun with turreted multiple water bomb launchers. By the attachment of the turreted multiple water bomb launchers with water bomb devices to a toy gun the present invention provides new functionality of the toy gun by being able to simulate multiple water "explosions". A turret with a plurality of water bomb devices attached is incrementally rotated so as to align each one of the individual water bomb devices with the release trigger. The water bomb device has a main housing with a frontward and rearward portion rotatably connected to one another and a passageway through both portions for receiving a shut off valve. The shut off valve is located within the housing and connected to both portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Inventor: Jeffry T. Deal
  • Patent number: 5535829
    Abstract: In order to carry out a fire extinguishing operation by ejecting a fire extinguishing gas having cooling and oxygen deficiency functions and a high fire extinguishing capacity from a plurality of cylinders in succession, a repeating injector is provided with an ejection mechanism which has a magazine containing a plurality of cylinders filled with such a fire extinguishing gas and detachably fixed to a receiver barrel constituting an injector body, and which is adapted to break a seal member on a head portion of each of the cylinders by a triggering operation and eject the fire extinguishing gas, and a cylinder renewing mechanism for discharging a cylinder, which has been subjected to the ejection of the fire extinguishing gas and become empty, by knob-pulling operation, and renewing the cylinder successively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Glory Kiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaru Fujiki
  • Patent number: 5531627
    Abstract: The cartridge-type water bomb water gun conversion device utilizes a cartridge-type water bomb which can be used by itself to release a burst of water or be inserted into a water gun which can convert the cartridge-type water bomb into a reservoir of pressurized water for discharge through an orifice producing a "squirt" type release. The cartridge-type water bomb has an expandable bladder fixedly attached to frontward and rearward portions of a main housing which effect a shut off valve in a passageway when the frontward and rearward portions are rotated relative to one another. The water gun has a gun housing and a cocking and engaging lever which accepts the cartridge-type water bomb against a nesting section connected by way of an exit tube to a discharge orifice at a gun barrel end. The pressurized water in the expandable bladder may be released by pulling a pinch trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Inventor: Jeffry T. Deal
  • Patent number: 5531626
    Abstract: The present invention is a toy water bomb device with a main housing which includes an upper portion and a lower portion rotatably connected to one another and a passageway through both the upper and lower portions for receiving a shut off valve. The shut off valve is located within the housing and connected to both the upper and the lower portions and adapted so that when the upper and lower portions are rotated relative to one another, the shut off valve is moved from an open position to a closed position. There is a locking mechanism connected to one of the upper and lower portions, and releasably connected to the other portion such that rotation of the upper portion relative to the lower portion will move the shut off valve to a closed position and the locking mechanism may then be used to hold the shut off valve in its closed position until subsequently released. There is also an expandable bladder which is filled with liquid and expends liquid when the device is activated and the valve is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Inventor: Jeffry T. Deal
  • Patent number: 5529525
    Abstract: The present invention is a toy water bomb--mounted water gun. By the attachment of the water bomb device to a toy gun the present invention provides new functionality of the toy gun by being able to simulate a water "explosion". The water bomb device has a main housing which includes a frontward and rearward portion rotatably connected to one another and a passageway through both the frontward and rearward portions for receiving a shut off valve. The shut off valve is located within the housing and connected to both the frontward and rearward portions and adapted so that when the frontward and rearward portions are rotated relative to one another, the shut off valve is moved from an open position to a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Inventor: Jeffry T. Deal
  • Patent number: RE35412
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a toy water gun which is operated by selectively releasing water from a water reservoir pressurized with air. The present invention has a manually operated pump incorporated into the design. As the pump is cycled, water and air is drawn from a water storage tank. Once drawn, the water and air are forced into a pressure reservoir. As the amount of water and air forced into the pressure reservoir increases, the pressure on the water within the pressure reservoir increases. The pressure of the water and air within the pressure reservoir increases with each cycle of the pump, until the pump can no longer overcome the pressure of the water and air within the pressure tank. The pressurized water and air within the pressure tank has an avenue of release that is regulated by the trigger mechanism of the invention. When no force is applied to the trigger, the pressurized water and air are held at bay with no means of release.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Larami Limited
    Inventors: Lonnie G. Johnson, Bruce M. D'Andrade