Water-tag game played within a maze

• US 5,906,373 A
• Filed: 10/24/1997
• Issued: 05/25/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gary M. Sanders
• Original Assignee: Gary M. Sanders
• Inventors: Sanders, Gary M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Grieb, William H.
• Application Number:
  US08/957,492
• Time in Patent Office: 578 Days
• Field of Search: 473/474, 273/349, 273/440, 273/440.1, 472/62, 472/92, 472/134
• US Class Current: 273/349
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/62 Inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 67/00 Sporting games or accessories therefor, not provided for in groups A63B1/00 - A63B65/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63J 11/00 Labyrinths

Abstract

A WATER TAG™ game (10) that consists of a maze structure (14) having an outer perimeter wall (16) enclosing a plurality of sections (20,22,24,26) and protrusions (40). An opening (36) admits players armed with water guns (12) into the maze structure (14). Once inside the players circulate among the sections (20,22,24,26) and the protrusions (40), firing their water guns (12) at each other. The maze structure (14) is inflated when the WATER TAG™ game is being played and can be deflated for storage and transportation.

Claims

1. A water tag game played by at least two persons, said game comprising:

a) a water gun used by a first player and a second water gun used by a second player with said guns having means for storing a quantity of water and for creating a stream of water having sufficient force to reach an opposing player, and

b) a maze structure where within the confines of said maze said water tag game is played, wherein said maze structure is designed to be placed upon a substantially flat surface and is comprised of an outer perimeter wall having a substantially rectangular shape and comprising a left section, a right section, a front section and a rear section, wherein each of said sections include an upper surface, a lower surface, an inner surface and an outer surface, with at least one of said sections having an opening dimensioned to allow a player to enter and exit said maze structure, and wherein from the inner surface of at least two sections extends inward a maze protrusion having ends, an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein said maze protrusions are comprised of a plurality of arched first protrusions having a first end attached to the upper surface of said outer perimeter wall and a second end that is attached to the upper surface of a second protrusion having outer ends, wherein to at least one outer end is attached a third protrusion also having outer ends, wherein said first, second and third protrusions establish the complexity of said maze structure.

2. The water tag game as specified in claim 1 wherein said third protrusion further has extending from at least one outer end a fourth protrusion.

3. The water tag game as specified in claim 2 further comprising an elevated entrance arch having ends that are attached to the upper surfaces that border the opening on said maze structure.

4. The water tag game as specified in claim 3 wherein selected sections further having a substantially centered opening therethrough.

5. A water tag game played by at least two persons, said game comprising:

a) a water gun used by a first player and a second water gun used by a second player, with said runs having means for storing a quantity of water and for creating a stream of water having sufficient force to reach an opposing player, and

b) a maze structure where within the confines of said maze said water tag game is played, wherein said maze structure is designed to be placed upon a substantially flat surface and is comprised of an outer perimeter wall having a substantially rectangular shape and comprising a left section, a right section, a front section and a rear section, wherein each of said sections include an upper surface, a lower surface, an inner surface and an outer surface, with at least one of said sections having an opening dimensioned to allow a player to enter and exit said maze structure, and wherein from the inner surface of at least two sections extends inward a maze protrusion having ends, an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein said maze structure is constructed of a material that can be hermetically sealed to maintain a volume of air, and wherein the rear section of said maze further comprises an air inlet port that accepts air from an air supplying means, wherein said air maintains said maze structure in an upright rigid configuration.

6. The water tag game as specified in claim 5 wherein said air is applied in a continuous flow by said air supplying means which may consist of an air blower operated by either a utility power source or a portable power generator.

7. The water tag game as specified in claim 5 wherein said air inlet port includes a check valve that seals said air inlet port when said air supplying means is removed from said air inlet port after said maze structure is filled with air.

8. A water tag game played by at least two persons, said game comprising:

a) a water gun used by a first player and a second water gun used by a second player, with said guns having means for storing a quantity of water and for creating a stream of water having sufficient force to reach an opposing player, and

b) a maze structure where within the confines of said maze said water tag came is played, wherein said maze structure is designed to be placed upon a substantially flat surface and is comprised of an outer perimeter wall having a substantially rectangular shape and comprising a left section, a right section, a front section and a rear section, wherein each of said sections include an upper surface, a lower surface, an inner surface and an outer surface, with at least one of said sections having an opening dimensioned to allow a player to enter and exit said maze structure, and wherein from the inner surface of at least two sections extends inward a maze protrusion having ends, an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein around the perimeter wall and near the lower surfaces of said maze structure is located a plurality of pockets, wherein into said pockets is inserted a weight that maintains said maze structure anchored to the flat surface.

9. The water tag game as specified in claim 8 further comprising a plurality of horizontal loops or an elongated loop located around the perimeter wall and on the outer surfaces of said sections that comprise said maze structure, wherein into said loops is inserted a flag pole that is staked into the flat surface to maintain said maze structure anchored to the flat surface.

10. The water tag game as specified in claim 9 further comprising a plurality of Vertical loops located around the perimeter wall and centered near the outer surfaces of said sections that comprise said maze structure, where into said vertical loops is inserted a band having two ends, wherein when the two ends of said band are attached, said band adds rigidity to said maze structure.

11. The water tag game as specified in claim 10 further comprising a plurality of movable paired loops located around said band, with sand bands having on their outward side an attaching means, wherein to the attaching means of each said pair of loops is attached a sign having selectable indicia.

12. The water tag game as specified in claim 11 further comprising a plurality of tie-down loops located adjacent the lower surface of said perimeter wall and said maze protrusions, wherein into said tie-down loops is inserted a stake that maintains said maze structure in a stationary position.

13. The water tag game as specified in claim 8 further comprising:

a) a plurality of elevated ceiling arches having an upper surface and ends that are attached respectively to the upper surface of the left and right sections of said perimeter wall, and

b) a cover that is attached, by an attachment means to the upper surface of said elevated ceiling arches, wherein said cover has ends that terminate above the upper surface of said perimeter wall so that a space is provided which allows the players to see out and viewers to see inside the maze structure.

14. The water tag game as specified in claim 13 further comprising a plurality of translucent pockets attached to the outer surface of said maze structure by an attachment means wherein into said translucent pockets is inserted a sign that includes indicia.