Combined water gun and water balloon launcher and associated method

A combined water balloon launcher and water discharging device for providing user enjoyment, said combined water balloon launcher and water discharging device comprising:

• a handle section including a trigger pivotally connected thereto;
• means for discharging a stream of water along a first trajectory;
• and
• means for launching a water balloon along a second trajectory;
• wherein said water discharging means and said water balloon launching means are automatically released from corresponding cocked positions when said trigger is depressed to a single engaged position;
• wherein the water balloon and the water are simultaneously launched and discharged along said first and second trajectories respectively when said trigger is depressed to said single engaged position;
• wherein said water discharging means comprises:
• a water-holding reservoir mounted on said handle section, said water-holding reservoir containing a first volume of water therein;
• an air-holding chamber in fluid communication with said water-holding reservoir for directing air into said water-holding reservoir;
• and
• a first barrel coupled to said handle section, said first barrel having an inlet port formed at a proximal end thereof and being in fluid communication with said reservoir;
• wherein said water discharging means further comprises:
• a guard slidably seated about said first and second barrels respectively, said guard being manually reciprocated along a linear path extending parallel to said first and second barrels respectively;
• a first plunger coupled to said guard and having a proximal end telescopically reciprocated inside said air-holding chamber as said guard is linearly reciprocated towards and away from said handle;
• and
• a spring-tensioned first flap pivotally situated within said air-holding chamber and being situated along a corresponding travel path of said first plunger, said first flap being resiliently articulated along a first arcuate path when said first plunger proximally displaced within said air-holding chamber;
• wherein said first plunger forces said first flap to an open position when said first plunger reaches a terminal end of said corresponding travel path such that air is introduced into said air-holding chamber and retained downstream of said first flap, said first flap automatically returning to a closed equilibrium position as said first plunger is retracted distally inside said air-holding chamber;
• wherein said handle section comprises:
• a first spring member anchored to said trigger and an inner wall of said handle section respectively, said first spring member being linearly reciprocated between extended and equilibrium positions respectively defined along a travel path obliquely offset from said corresponding travel path of said first plunger;
• and
• a piston slidably interfitted within said air-holding chamber and maintaining continuous contact with an inner wall located downstream of said first flap;
• wherein said piston is pivotally attached to a proximal end of said trigger and is further linearly reciprocated along a corresponding travel path such that said piston permits air to escape out from said air-holding chamber and directly enter said reservoir when said piston is elevated to a raised position.