Electronic fluid sensing actuating target apparatus

• US 5,411,269 A
• Filed: 09/15/1993
• Issued: 05/02/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomas, Keith
• Original Assignee: Thomas, Keith
• Inventors: Thomas, Keith
• Primary Examiner(s): HARRISON, JESSICA
• Application Number:
  US08/121,732
• Time in Patent Office: 594 Days
• Field of Search: 273/349, 273/85 H, 273/313, 273/317, 273/348, 273/371, 273/374, 273/375, 273/377, 273/455, 273/457, 446/473, 446/267
• US Class Current: 273/349
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2250/0428 being squirted
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/02 Shooting or hurling games throwing-implements for sports or recreational use A63B65/00; throwing or projecting toys per se A63H33/18; gun simulators F41A33/00, e.g. light- or radiation-emitting guns F41A33/02; practice apparatus for gun-aiming F41G3/26, e.g. using a light-emitting device F41G3/2616; targets, target ranges, bullet catchers F41J, photo-electric hit-detector systems F41J5/02
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 5/04 Electric hit-indicating systems; Detecting hits by actuation of electric contacts or switches

Abstract

Water-gun Target Game and Apparatus in which a direct-current electrical water-presence detector, supported by or worn on an outer garment, is the bull'"'"'s-eye. A hit by the water jet initiates action by a direct electrical effect, such as a resistance change, ordering responses by switching, sound or visual signaling, and scoring devices. A water-level sensor option initiates a steady signal after a succession of hits or a strong continuous hit. A single shunt option can be used to prevent false triggering. An absorption option disposes of received water, allowing repetitious operation. A tank for the water level sensor has a discharge stopper, which when removed, opens a power source circuit and inhibits any response. The object of the game is to project the jet stream of the water gun on to the target, making one or repetitious hits on the apparatus-bearer'"'"'s bull'"'"'s-eye. Counter-circuitry provides digital visual scoring.

Claims

1. In a fluid-jet game, a target apparatus comprising in combination:

A target support adapted to be worn as a garment by a player;

an electrical fluid presence detector carried by said support and positioned to constitute the target bull'"'"'s-eye,

said detector giving an order in response to a target hit by the fluid-jet; and

electrical signaling means responsive to said order to indicate a hit.

2. In a fluid-jet game, a target apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which the detector includes:

An electrical impedance, and

in which said order is initiated by an impedance change caused by the presence of fluid.

3. In a fluid-jet game, a target apparatus in accordance with claim 2 in which the impedance comprises closely spaced electrical conductors constituting an electrical resistance parameter.

4. In a fluid-jet game, a target game apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which the target apparatus further includes:

A control relay having an input coupled to the detector and;

also an output; and

a bus wire power system connected to said output,

said signal means being connected to and energized from said output.

5. In a fluid-jet game, a target apparatus in accordance with claim 4 together with:

Means for promptly disposing of fluid in the detector, such means comprising;

an

insulating grill adjacent the spaced conductors, and an absorber adjacent the grill.

6. A game comprising the combination of:

A water-jet source to be operated by a shooting player;

and target apparatus, comprising;

A target support having a target zone and formed as a garment to be worn by a target player;

an electrical moisture detector carried by said support and placed to constitute the bull'"'"'s-eye of the target; and

an electrical signal means responsive to a signal from said detector to indicate a hit on the target by the water-jet.

7. In a water-jet target game, the combination of:

A garment to be worn by a player as a target;

A detector secured to said garment and positioned to provide a bull'"'"'s-eye thereon;

an electrical signaling means controlled by said detector and secured to said garment for providing an indication of a hit on the bull'"'"'s-eye; and

a counter means controlled by said detector and secured to said garment for counting a score of hits.

8. An electronic hit sensing target apparatus for use in a fluid jet-stream target game comprising, in combination;

a support providing a target zone;

a power source carried by said support;

a fluid presence detector,

positioned as the bull'"'"'s-eye of said zone, for providing an electrical response to a hit by the fluid on the bull'"'"'s-eye;

said detector comprising spaced conductors short-circuited by penetration of fluid therebetween

so that said response is an electrical order;

electrical signaling means responsive to said order for indicating a hit;

an insulating screen adjacent the conductors for leading penetrating fluid away; and

a fluid absorber adjacent said screen for preventing false triggering and readying the conductors for a repeat response to a suceeding hit.

9. A mobile target apparatus comprising;

A support having a target zone and adapted to be worn by a player;

an electrical fluid-presence detector carried by said support and positioned to provide a target bull'"'"'s-eye,

said detector producing an electrical control effect when hit by a fluid-jet stream; and

an electric signal means responsive to said control effect to indicate the hit.

10. A target apparatus in accordance with claim 9 in which the control effect is a change in capacitance included in the detector.

11. A target apparatus in accordance with claim 9 in which the control effect is the output of water sensing optoelectronic elements included in the detector.

12. A target apparatus in accordance with claim 9 in which the detector includes a control relay.

13. A target apparatus comprising:

A support,

first and second electrical water-presence detectors

each carried by the support and each having a pair of spaced conductors constituting resistance parameters;

a water storage tank for accumulating water from the first detector;

relay means actuated by either detector and coupled to both for setting up a two wire power system; and

a signal device activated by said system,

the first detector sensing, by a resistance drop, a hit on the target,

thereby closing the relay, the signal device simultaneously initiating an instantaneous signal,

the second detector being positioned in the tank and sensing, by a resistance drop, a predetermined water level therein,

thereby to close and hold the relay closed and the signal continuous.

14. The combination in accordance with claim 13 in which one of the wires of the two wire system is segmented by an open or close switch, and further comprising a discharge plug for the tank, the switch being arranged to open when the plug is removed from the tank, whereby the sensor system is disabled when the tank emptied.

15. A target apparatus comprising:

a support having a target zone;

an electrical fluid-presence detector carried by said support, said detector having electrical sensing elements positioned in static mode and exposed in said target zone to provide a bull'"'"'s-eye,

said detector producing an electrical control effect when said exposed electrical sensing elements are directly hit by a fluid jet stretch and

an electric signal means responsive to said control effect to indicate a hit.