Water target game

• US 5,855,372 A
• Filed: 05/11/1998
• Issued: 01/05/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gerry B. Thiemann
• Original Assignee: Gerry B. Thiemann
• Inventors: Thiemann, Gerry B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Grieb, William H.
• Application Number:
  US09/075,995
• Time in Patent Office: 239 Days
• Field of Search: 273/349
• US Class Current: 273/349
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2009/008 with water spraying means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 67/002 Games using balls, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 31/007 involving water

Abstract

A water target game played with a ball or projectile for use in places such as amusement parks or the home is disclosed. The preferred embodiment consists of a circular target supported by a pole which is placed between two pods with spray nozzles. A water supply hose connects to the base of the target. Inside the base are control valves which regulate the flow of water to the spray nozzles in the pods. A motion sensor is located in the circular target. Indicator lights prompt players when to throw a projectile through the target. A control unit connects to the motion sensor, indicator lights and control valves. A player(s) stands on each pod holding a projectile. An indicator light flashes on the pole prompting the player(s) on one pod to throw. If the player(s) successfully throws the projectile through the target, the motion sensor signals to the control unit to activate the valves whereby water is sprayed on the opposing player. If the player(s) misses the target, the control unit will signal another valve to activate and release water through the nozzles on the pod where the player(s) is standing, thereby penalizing him. The device can also be reprogrammed to change the rules of the game in other embodiments. The device can have modified embodiments to be used in conjunction with water slides, in swimming pools or can be electronically linked to several devices of the same to form a larger attraction.

Claims

1. A water target game device to accommodate one or more players playing a game with a projectile comprising:

a target;

said target being sized to permit said projectile to pass therethrough;

a sensing means associated with said target for detecting when said projectile passes through said target;

a spraying means located in a station or a plurality of stations where said players are situated during the course of said game;

said spraying means used to selectively spray water onto said station(s);

a control means in communication with said sensing means and said spraying means for initiating the flow of water through said spraying means so as to provide a water spray onto said player stations;

whereby said control means initiates said water spray onto said station(s) upon receiving a signal from said sensing means.

2. A water target game device of claim 1 further comprising an indicating means which signals to said players of said water target game as to when to or when not to throw said projectile through said target;

said indicating means being in communication with said control means and said sensing means to signal to said players of said water target game when said projectile has successfully passed through said target.

3. A water target game device of claim 2 wherein said sensing means is able to detect from which station said projectile was successfully thrown, allowing players from more than one station to simultaneously throw a projectile at said target at the prompt of said indicating means;

whereby said control means, upon receiving a signal from said sensing means, initiates said water spray onto all station(s) except that station from where the first successful player to throw a projectile through the target is positioned, hence said first successful player is rewarded by not being sprayed with water.

4. A water target game device of claim 3 wherein said target, said sensing means, said control means, said spraying means and said indicating means are mobile to allow said water target game device to be transported to another location.

5. A water target game device of claim 3 wherein said target, said sensing means, said control means, said spraying means and said indicating means are modular to allow said water target game device to be integrated with other amusement attractions, devices, games, as well as swimming pools, wave pools, water slides and other attractions in water and amusement parks whereby said water target game adds to the enjoyment of said games, devices and attractions.

6. A water target game device of claim 3 wherein said control means contains one or more programmed settings of said indicating means and said spraying means allowing the rules and pace of the game to be readily changed by an operator of said game using manual or electronic switches.

7. A water target game device of claim 3 wherein said target, said control means, said spraying means, said sensing means and said indicating means can be connected to one or more water target game devices with said water target game devices being in communication with each other to allow said players to throw projectiles through various targets to get other players at other stations doused with water.

8. A water target game device to accommodate one or more players playing a game with a projectile comprising:

an upright assembly;

a target located in the upper portion of said assembly;

said target being sized to permit said projectile to pass therethrough;

a sensing means associated with said target for detecting when said projectile passes through said target;

a spraying means located in a station or a plurality of stations where said players are situated during the course of said game;

said spraying means used to selectively spray water onto said station(s);

an indicating means in the form of a light or plurality of lights located on said assembly with said light(s) functioning as an indicator(s) to said players of said water target game as to when to throw or when not to throw said projectile through said target;

a control means in communication with said sensing means and said spraying means for initiating the flow of water through said spraying means so as to provide a water spray onto said player stations;

said control means also being in communication with said indicating means to communicate to said players of said water target game when to throw or not to throw said projectile;

whereby said control means initiates said water spray onto said station(s) upon receiving a signal from said sensing means.

9. A water target game device of claim 8 wherein said sensing means is able to detect from which station said projectile was successfully thrown allowing players from more than one station to simultaneously throw a projectile at said target at the prompt of said indicating means;

whereby said control means, upon receiving a signal from said sensing means, initiates said water spray onto all station(s) except that station from where the first successful player to throw a projectile through the target is positioned, hence said first successful player is rewarded by not being sprayed with water.

10. A water target game device of claim 9 wherein said control means contains one or more programmed settings of said control means, said indicating means and said spraying means allowing the rules and pace of the game to be readily changed by an operator of said game using manual or electronic switches.

11. A water target game device of claim 10 wherein said upright assembly with said target, said sensing means, said indicating means, said control means, said spraying means are mobile to allow said water target game device to be relocated to other playing areas.

12. A water target game device of claim 10 wherein said upright assembly with said target, said sensing means, said control means, said spraying means and said indicating means are modular to allow said water target game device to be integrated with other amusement attractions, devices, games, as well as swimming pools, wave pools, water slides and other attractions in water and amusement parks whereby said water target game adds to the enjoyment of said games, devices and attractions.

13. A water target game device of claim 10 wherein said upright assembly with said target, said control means, said spraying means, said sensing means, and said indicating means can be connected to one or more water target game devices with said water target game devices being in communication with each other to allow said players to throw projectiles through various targets to get other players at other stations doused with water.

14. A water target game device of claim 10 wherein said spraying means are imbedded in a circular pod, with said circular pod functioning as a platform and station for said players to stand on while playing said game.

15. A water target game device of claim 10 wherein said spraying means consist of a hollow circular ring with small holes through which pressurized water can be expelled thereby spraying said players positioned inside or in close proximity to the outside of said ring, with said circular ring functioning as an area or station for said players to stand inside of or near to while playing said game.

16. A water target game device of claim 10 wherein said spraying means are mounted on or imbedded in the upright assembly of said water target game device either above or below said target, with spraying means having the ability to douse said players with water while they play said game.

17. A water target game device of claim 10 wherein said spraying means consist of a hollow tube with small holes through which pressurized water can be expelled thereby spraying said players positioned in close proximity to said tube, with said tube defining an area or station for said players to stand near while playing said game.

18. A water target game device of claim 10 wherein a noise making apparatus is used in conjunction with or in place of said indicator lights as an indicating means to signal to said players of said game when to or when not to throw said projectile;

said noise making apparatus also functioning as a means of enhancing the enjoyment of the game with audio special effects.

19. A water target game device of claim 10 wherein a coin or token operated device may be used in conjunction with said water game device to regulate play and/or to generate income for operators of said water target game device.

20. A water target game device of claim 10 further comprising a regulating means which signals to said control means when said players are in position to play said water target game;

whereby upon receiving a signal from said regulating means, said control means activates said indicating means to communicate to said players of said water target game when to throw said projectile at said target;

said regulating means being activated when said players are in proper position to participate in said water target game.