Underwater target game apparatus

Abstract

An underwater target game apparatus includes a submersible propelling structure and a projectile to be launched by the submersible propelling structure. The projectile includes an elongated shaft portion and a head portion. The projectile has a specific gravity of approximately 1.0.

1 . An underwater target game apparatus comprising:
 a projectile having a specific gravity of approximately 1.0, the projectile include a leading end and a trailing end, the trailing end defining a channel extending into the projectile; and   a submersible propelling structure for propelling the projectile, the submersible propelling structure having an elongated guiding portion for receipt into the channel of the projectile.   
   
   
       2 . The underwater target game apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the submersible propelling structure includes a propelling arrangement for imparting propulsion to the projectile. 
   
   
       3 . The underwater target game apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the channel and the elongated guiding portion are generally cylindrical. 
   
   
       4 . The underwater target game apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the submersible propelling structure includes an arrangement for imparting propulsion to the projectile. 
   
   
       5 . The underwater target game apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the arrangement for imparting propulsion to the projectile an external plunger and an internal plunger coupled for movement with the external plunger, the external plunger movable between an unloaded position and an unloaded position along the guiding portion. 
   
   
       6 . The underwater target game apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the arrangement for imparting propulsion to the projectile further includes a first spring for biasing the external plunger to the unloaded position for launching the projectile. 
   
   
       7 . The underwater target game apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the arrangement for imparting propulsion to the projectile further includes a triggering arrangement for retaining the external plunger in the loaded position and selectively releasing the external plunger from the loaded position to launch the projectile. 
   
   
       8 . The underwater target game apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the trigger arrangement includes a trigger proper activated by a user and a retaining device responsive to movement by the trigger proper to release the external plunger from the loaded position. 
   
   
       9 . The underwater target game apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the retaining device is moveable between an upper position and a lower position and biased to the upper position by a second spring. 
   
   
       10 . The underwater target game apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the retaining device has an upper end defining a detent for cooperating with the internal plunger. 
   
   
       11 . The underwater target game apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the detent is generally triangular in shape having a leading end facing toward the guiding portion and the internal plunger includes a plurality of notches for selectively receiving the detent in a ratcheting-type relationship to retain the internal plunger. 
   
   
       12 . The underwater target game apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the retaining device defines a ramped surface that cooperates with a ramped surface of the trigger proper, the trigger proper movable between a first position and a second position such that when the trigger is squeezed the ramped surfaces of the retaining mechanism and the trigger proper cooperate to downwardly displace the retaining device against the bias of the second spring to thereby release the detent from engagement with one of the plurality of notches. 
   
   
       13 . A submersible propelling structure for propelling an underwater projectile comprising:
 a main body defining a grip portion and a generally cylindrical guide portion; and   an arrangement for imparting propulsion to the projectile, the arrangement for imparting propulsion including an external plunger and an internal plunger, the external plunger movable between an unloaded position and a loaded position, the internal plunger coupled to the external plunger for movement therewith, the arrangement for imparting propulsion further including a first spring for biasing the external plunger to the unloaded position indirectly through the internal plunger, the arrangement for imparting propulsion further including a triggering arrangement for selectively releasing the external plunger from the loaded position, the triggering arrangement including include a trigger proper and a retaining device, the retaining device being vertically movable from an upper position to a lower position and biased toward the upper position by a second spring, an upper end of the retaining device defining a detent for cooperating with the internal plunger, the detent being generally triangular in shape with a leading end facing in the direction of the guiding portion, the internal plunger including a plurality of notches that cooperate with the detent in a ratcheting-type relationship to retain the internal plunger, the plurality of notches defining various positions at which internal plunger may be retained, the retaining device defining a ramped surface that cooperates with a ramped surface of the trigger proper, the trigger proper movable between a first position and a second position such that when the trigger proper is squeezed the ramped surfaces of the retaining mechanism and the trigger proper cooperate to downwardly displace the retaining device and release the detent from engagement with the notches of the internal plunger.   
   
   
       14 . The submersible propelling structure for propelling an underwater projectile of  claim 13 , in combination with the underwater projectile. 
   
   
       15 . The combination of  claim 14 , wherein the underwater projectile defines an elongated channel for receiving the guiding portion. 
   
   
       16 . The combination of  claim 15 , wherein the elongated channel and the guiding portion are generally cylindrical.