Projectile for Toy Gun

Abstract

A projectile for a toy gun includes an enclosure having a light transmission property, at least one light emitting unit provided within the enclosure and configured to emit light, a magnetic switch provided in the enclosure and configured to detect magnetism, and a control unit provided within the enclosure and configured to control a light emission of the at least one light emitting unit, wherein the control unit controls the at least one light emitting unit to start emitting the light when the magnetic switch detects the magnetism.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-162772, filed Aug. 23, 2016, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-126116, filed Jun. 28, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments pertain to a projectile for a toy gun.

BACKGROUND

A variety of toy guns configured to expel a bullet and a spherical body have hitherto been provided. The bullet or the spherical body is illuminated for improving visual recognizability of the bullet or the spherical body. Such a configuration is known that a magazine of a toy airgun has a built-in illumination apparatus, and a luminous bullet loaded into the magazine is made luminous by illumination given from the illumination apparatus. An airgun is also known, in which a luminous body to irradiate the luminous bullet accumulating the irradiated light is arranged within a case body of the airgun.

• [Patent document 1] Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2007-218522
• [Patent document 2] Japanese Registered Utility Model No. 3,124,634

SUMMARY

Conventional technologies entail having a period of time for a luminous ballet to accumulate the light and providing, within a toy gun, an illumination apparatus and a light emitting body to irradiate a luminous bullet with the light. It is an object of at least one embodiment, which is contrived in view of such circumstances, to provide a projectile for a toy gun capable of emitting the light without providing an illumination apparatus and a light emitting body in the toy gun.

According to one aspect of the embodiments, the following configuration is adopted for accomplishing the object described above. To be specific, a projectile for a toy gun according to at least one embodiment includes an enclosure having a light transmission property, at least one light emitting unit provided within the enclosure and configured to emit light, a magnetic switch provided in the enclosure and configured to detect magnetism, and a control unit provided within the enclosure and configured to control a light emission of the at least one light emitting unit, wherein the control unit controls the at least one light emitting unit to start emitting the light when the magnetic switch detects the magnetism. In the projectile for the toy gun according to at least one embodiment, when the projectile for the toy gun is expelled from the toy gun, the magnetic switch provided in the enclosure detects magnetism, and the light emitting unit is thereby enabled to start emitting the light.

In the projectile for the toy gun according to at least one embodiment, after the at least one light emitting unit starts emitting the light and when the magnetic switch detects the magnetism, the control unit may control the at least one light emitting unit to stop emitting the light of the at least one light emitting unit. In the projectile for the toy gun according to at least one embodiment, the light emitting unit starts emitting the light upon expelling the projectile for the toy gun from the toy gun, the magnetic switch provided in the enclosure detects the magnetism after the projectile for the toy gun is expelled from the toy gun, and the light emitting unit stops emitting the light, thereby enabling power consumption to be saved.

In the projectile for the toy gun according to at least one embodiment, after the at least one light emitting unit starts emitting the light and when the magnetic switch detects the magnetism, the control unit may control the at least one light emitting unit to flicker the light emitted by the at least one light emitting unit. In the projectile for the toy gun according to at least one embodiment, the light emitting unit starts emitting the light upon expelling the projectile for the toy gun from the toy gun, and the magnetic switch provided in the enclosure detects the magnetism after the projectile for the toy gun is expelled from the toy gun, thereby flickering the light emitted by the light emitting unit.

In the projectile for the toy gun according to at least one embodiment, when a predetermined period of time elapses since after the at least one light emitting unit starts emitting the light, the control unit may control the at least one light emitting unit to stop emitting the light of the at least one light emitting unit. In the projectile for the toy gun according to at least one embodiment, the light emitting unit starts emitting the light upon expelling the projectile for the toy gun from the toy gun, and the light emitting unit stops emitting the light when a predetermined period of time elapses since after the light emitting unit starts emitting the light, thereby enabling the power consumption to be saved.

In the projectile for the toy gun according to at least one embodiment, the at least one light emitting unit may include a plurality of light emitting units. In the projectile for the toy gun according to at least one embodiment, the control unit may control the plurality of light emitting units so that the plurality of light emitting units start emitting the light simultaneously or at different timings. In the projectile for the toy gun according to at least one embodiment, the control unit may control the plurality of light emitting units so that the plurality of light emitting units stop emitting the light simultaneously or at different timings.

The projectile for the toy gun according to at least one embodiment further includes a voice/sound output unit provided within the enclosure and configured to output a voice/sound, wherein the control unit may control the voice/sound output unit to start outputting the voice/sound of the voice/sound output unit after the at least one light emitting unit starts emitting the light and when the magnetic switch detects the magnetism. The projectile for the toy gun according to at least one embodiment further includes a flashing unit provided within the enclosure and configured to output a flash of light, wherein the control unit may control the flashing unit to start outputting the flash of light of the flashing unit after the at least one light emitting unit starts emitting the light and when the magnetic switch detects the magnetism. The projectile for the toy gun according to at least one embodiment enables the light emitting unit provided in the projectile to emit the light without providing an illumination device and an luminous element in the toy gun.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating one example of a projectile according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2A is an explanatory view illustrating an internal structure of an expelling apparatus.

FIG. 2B is an explanatory view illustrating the internal structure of the expelling apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating one example of the projectile according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating one example of the projectile according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating one example of the projectile according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating one example of the projectile according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating one example of the projectile according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8A is an explanatory view illustrating an internal structure of the expelling apparatus.

FIG. 8B is an explanatory view illustrating the internal structure of the expelling apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating one example of the projectile according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating one example of the projectile according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating one example of the projectile according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating one example of the projectile according to the second embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

A first embodiment and a second embodiment will hereinafter be described with reference to drawings. The first embodiment and the second embodiment, which will be given below, are exemplifications, and the present invention is not limited to configurations of the following first and second embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating one example of a projectile (expelled body) 1. The projectile 1 includes an enclosure 2, a light emitting unit 3 provided within the enclosure 2, a magnetic switch (magnetic sensor) 4, a control unit 5, a storage unit 6, and a power unit 7. One or a plurality of magnetic switches 4 may be provided on a surface or in an interior of the enclosure 2. The projectile 1 is one example of “a projectile for a toy gun”. It does not mean that all of components of the projectile 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 are indispensable, but the components of the projectile 1 may be properly added or deleted in terms of actually attaining the projectile 1. The enclosure 2 is composed of soft plastic or hard plastic having a light transmission property. The enclosure 2 may take a spherical shape, an oval spherical shape, a cylindrical shape, a bullet-like shape, a disc-like shape, or a cubic shape. The enclosure 2 may also take shapes other than these shapes. The enclosure 2 may be colorless and may also be colored. The light emitting unit 3 emits light upon being supplied with electric power from the power unit 7. The light emitting unit 3 is exemplified by Light Emitting Diode (LED). A variety of colors are usable as light emission colors of the LED. The magnetic switch 4 outputs a detection signal upon detecting magnetism. The detection signal outputted from the magnetic switch 4 is transferred to the control unit 5. The magnetic switch 4 may involve using coils, hall elements, and magnetic resistance elements.

The control unit 5 controls light emission of the light emitting unit 3. The control unit 5 includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). The control unit 5 may be configured by one CPU or another equivalent processor, and may also be configured by combining a plurality of CPUs or ASICs or other equivalent circuits. The CPU is also called a MPU (Microprocessor) or a processor. It does not mean that the CPU is limited to the single processor, but the CPU may take a multiprocessor configuration. The control unit 5 executes a variety of processes, based on a computer program deployed in an executable manner on the storage unit 6.

The storage unit 6 includes a Random Access Memory (RAM) or a Read Only Memory (ROM) or other equivalent memories. The storage unit 6 stores or temporarily saves programs run by the control unit 5, and data or other equivalent information acquired in processes executed by the control unit 5. The control unit 5 and the storage unit 6 may also be integrally configured. The power unit 7 supplies the electric power to the light emitting unit 3, the magnetic switch 4, the control unit 5 and the storage unit 6. The power unit 7 includes a recharge-disabled primary battery, or a recharge-enabled secondary battery.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are explanatory diagrams illustrating an internal structure of an expelling apparatus 10 to expel the projectile 1. The expelling apparatus 10 is one example of a “toy gun”. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the projectile 1 is loaded into a barrel 11 of the expelling apparatus 10, a spring 12 provided within the barrel 11 is thereby compressed, and also a pawl 14 of a trigger 13 is thereby caught by an expelling unit 15, thus retaining the projectile 1 within the barrel 11. An upper side of the expelling apparatus 10 is openable and closable, thereby enabling the projectile 1 to enter the barrel 11 of the expelling apparatus 10 from the upper side of the expelling apparatus 10. The projectile 1 is retained within the barrel 11, in which state when the trigger 13 is actuated (unlocked), the pawl 14 of the trigger 13 is disengaged from the expelling unit 15, thereby decompressing the spring 12. As illustrated in FIG. 2B, the spring 12 is decompressed, and the projectile 1 is extruded by the expelling unit 15 from within the barrel 11 and is thereby expelled from the expelling apparatus 10.

In the structural example of the expelling apparatus 10 illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, two magnets 16 are provided in an interior of the expelling apparatus 10. For example, the magnets 16 may also be provided in the vicinity of an expelling port (gunpoint) 17 of the expelling apparatus 10. The projectile 1, when expelled from the expelling apparatus 10, passes through vicinities of the magnets 16. The projectile 1 passes through the vicinities of the magnets 16, at which time the magnetic switch 4 provided in the projectile 1 detects the magnetisms of the magnets 16, and outputs the detection signal.

The detection signal outputted from the magnetic switch 4 is transferred to the control unit 5. When the magnetic switch 4 detects the magnetisms of the magnets 16, the control unit 5 controls the light emitting unit 3 to start emitting the light. Further when the magnetic switch 4 detects the magnetisms of the magnets 16, the control unit 5 controls the light emitting unit 3 to start emitting the light, and may also control the light emitting unit 3 to flicker the light emitted by the light emitting unit 3. Under this control, the light emitting unit 3 initiates the light emission when the projectile 1 is expelled from the expelling apparatus 10. Hence, the projectile 1 according to the first embodiment enables the light emitting unit 3 provided in the projectile 1 to emit the light without providing an illumination device and an luminous element in the expelling apparatus 10. Thus, the light is emitted by the light emitting unit 3 provided in the projectile 1 expelled from the expelling apparatus 10, thereby enabling a laser beam to appear to be emitted by the expelling apparatus 10.

When a predetermined period of time elapses since after the light emitting unit 3 starts emitting the light, the control unit 5 may also control the light emitting unit 3 to stop emitting the light. Any one of values of, e.g., 1 sec through 30 sec may be set as the predetermined period of time; and, however, the predetermined period of time may be an arbitrary period of time without being limited to these values. The light emitting unit 3 stops emitting the light when the predetermined period of time elapses since after the light emitting unit 3 starts emitting the light, thereby enabling power consumption to be saved.

After the light emitting unit 3 starts emitting the light and when the magnetic switch 4 detects the magnetisms, the control unit 5 may also control the light emitting unit 3 to stop emitting the light. For example, a contrivance is such that a target provided with the magnet is prepared and is hit by the projectile 1 expelled from the expelling apparatus 10. After the projectile 1 has been expelled from the expelling apparatus 10 and when the projectile 1 hits the target provided with the magnet, the magnetic switch 4 detects the magnetism of the magnet provided in the target, and outputs the detection signal. For example, another contrivance is such that the target provided with the magnet may be prepared, and the projectile 1 expelled from the expelling apparatus 10 may pass through the vicinity of the target. After the projectile 1 has been expelled from the expelling apparatus 10 and when the projectile 1 passes through the vicinity of the target provided with the magnet, the magnetic switch 4 detects the magnetism of the magnet provided in the target, and outputs the detection signal. The detection signal outputted from the magnetic switch 4 is transferred to the control unit 5, and the control unit 5 controls the light emitting unit 3 to stop emitting the light. Thus, after the light emitting unit 3 starts emitting the light, the magnetic switch 4 detects the magnetism of the magnet provided in the target, and the light emitting unit 3 stops emitting the light, thereby enabling the power consumption to be saved. After starting flickering the light emitted by the light emitting unit 3 and when the magnetic switch 4 detects the magnetism, the control unit 5 may also control the light emitting unit 3 to stop emitting the light.

The magnetic switch 4, upon detecting the magnetism, outputs the detection signal to the control unit 5 and the power unit 7. The power unit 7, when receiving an input of the detection signal in a state of not supplying the electric power to the light emitting unit 3, supplies the electric power to the light emitting unit 3. The control unit 5, when receiving the input of the detection signal, controls the light emitting unit 3 to start emitting the light. After the light emitting unit 3 starts emitting the light and when the detection signal is inputted to the control unit 5, the control unit 5 controls the light emitting unit 3 to stop emitting the light. Upon the stop of the light emission of the light emitting unit 3, the power unit 7 stops supplying the electric power to the light emitting unit 3.

The detection signal is inputted to the power unit 7 in such a state that neither the light emitting unit 3 nor the control unit 5 nor the storage unit 6 is supplied with the electric power, whereby the power unit 7 may also supply the electric power to the light emitting unit 3, the control unit 5 and the storage unit 6. In this case, the detection signal may also be inputted to the control unit 5 from the power unit 7. When the light emitting unit 3 stops emitting the light, the power unit 7 may also stop supplying the electric power to the light emitting unit 3, the control unit 5 and the storage unit 6. The control unit 5 and the power unit 7 may also be integrally configured. The control unit 5, the storage unit 6 and the power unit 7 may further be integrally configured.

After the light emitting unit 3 starts emitting the light and when the magnetic switch 4 detects the magnetism, the control unit 5 may also control the light emitting unit 3 to flicker the light emitted by the light emitting unit 3. For example, the light emitting unit 3 starts emitting the light upon expelling the projectile 1 from the expelling apparatus 10, and the magnetic switch 4 detects the magnetism when the projectile 1 hits the target provided with the magnet or when the projectile 1 passes through the vicinity of the target provided with the magnet, thereby flickering the light emitted by the light emitting unit 3. When the predetermined period of time elapses since after the light emitting unit 3 starts flickering the emitted light, the control unit 5 may also control the light emitting unit 3 to stop emitting the light.

Minute cavities and rugged portions may be provided in part of the interior of the enclosure 2. The light emitted by the light emitting unit 3 is irregularly reflected on the cavities and the rugged portions, and thus outgoes outwardly of the enclosure 2. The light is irregularly reflected in the interior of the enclosure 2, thereby enabling a spread of the light that outgoes outwardly of the enclosure 2. A reflector plate may be provided in the interior of the enclosure 2. The light emitted by the light emitting unit 3 is diffused by the reflector plate. The light is diffused in the interior of the enclosure 2, thereby enabling the spread of the light that outgoes outwardly of the enclosure 2.

The projectile 1 may be equipped with a plurality of light emitting units 3. The plurality of light emitting units 3 emits the light, thereby enabling the laser beams to appear to be emerged from the expelling apparatus 10. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating one example of the projectile 1 according to the first embodiment. The projectile 1 includes the enclosure 2, light emitting units 3A-3C provided within the enclosure 2, the magnetic switch 4, the control unit 5, the storage unit 6, and the power unit 7. Each of the light emitting units 3A-3C has a same configuration as the light emitting unit 3 has. It does not mean that all of the components of the projectile 1 illustrated in FIG. 3 are indispensable, but the components of the projectile 1 may be properly added or deleted in terms of actually attaining the projectile 1. FIG. 3 illustrates the tree light emitting units 3 (3A-3C); and, however, the projectile 1 according to the first embodiment not limited to the projectile 1 depicted in FIG. 3 may include the two light emitting units 3, and may also include four or more light emitting units 3. It may be determined to arrange the plurality of light emitting units 3 provided within the enclosure 2 so that characters or pictures are displayed in the air by emitting the light beams from the light emitting units 3 when the projectile 1 is expelled from the expelling apparatus

The control unit 5 may also control the light emitting units 3A-3C so that the light emitting units 3A-3C emit the light beams simultaneously or at different timings. The light emitting units 3A-3C are controlled to emit the light beams simultaneously, whereby the light emitting units 3A-3C start emitting the light beams simultaneously. The light emitting units 3A-3C are controlled to start emitting the light beams at the timings different from each other, thereby differentiating the starts of the light emissions of the light emitting units 3A-3C, with the result that differences between start timings of the light emissions of the light emitting units 3A-3C correspond to time differences. The control unit 5 may also control the light emitting unit 3C so that the light emitting unit 3C starts emitting the light at the timing different from the starts of the light emissions of the light emitting units 3A, 3B by controlling the light emitting units 3A, 3B to simultaneously start emitting the light beams.

The control unit 5 may also control the light emitting units 3A-3C so that the light emitting units 3A-3C stop emitting the light beams simultaneously or at different timings. The light emitting units 3A-3C are controlled to stop emitting the light beams simultaneously, whereby the light emitting units 3A-3C stop emitting the light beams simultaneously. The light emitting units 3A-3C are controlled to stop emitting the light beams at the timings different from each other, thereby differentiating the stops of the light emissions of the light emitting units 3A-3C, with the result that differences between stop timings of the light emissions of the light emitting units 3A-3C correspond to time differences. The control unit 5 may also control the light emitting unit 3C so that the light emitting unit 3C stops emitting the light at the timing different from the stops of the light emissions of the light emitting units 3A, 3B by controlling the light emitting units 3A, 3B to simultaneously stop emitting the light beams.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating one example of the projectile 1 according to the first embodiment. The projectile 1 illustrated in FIG. 4 includes a spherical enclosure 2, and the light emitting units 3A-3C. FIG. 4 omits illustrations of the magnetic switch 4, the control unit 5, the storage unit 6 and the power unit 7. The light emitting units 3A-3C may be arranged at equal intervals as depicted in FIG. 4, and may also be arranged in an arbitrary manner. For example, the light emitting units 3A-3C are arranged in an upper portion of the enclosure 2, and the magnetic switch 4, the control unit 5, the storage unit 6 and the power unit 7 may also be arranged in a lower portion of the enclosure 2. This arrangement makes the light emissions of the light emitting units 3A-3C well visible from the upper and bilateral sides of the enclosure 2.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating one example of the projectile 1 according to the first embodiment. The projectile 1 illustrated in FIG. 5 includes a cylindrical enclosure 2, and the light emitting units 3A-3C. FIG. 5 omits the illustrations of the magnetic switch 4, the control unit 5, the storage unit 6 and the power unit 7. A suction cup 20 having the light transmission property is formed at a front end 21 of the enclosure 2. The suction cup 20 may be colorless and may also be colored. The front end 21 of the enclosure 2 is formed with the suction cup 20, thereby improving safety when the projectile 1 hits the target. The light emitting units 3A-3C may be arranged at the equal intervals as depicted in FIG. 5, and may also be arranged in the arbitrary manner. For example, the light emitting units 3A-3C may be arranged in the vicinity of the front end 21 of the enclosure 2. This arrangement makes the light emissions of the light emitting units 3A-3C well visible from a side of the front end 21 of the enclosure 2. A first magnetic switch 4 may be arranged at the front end 21 of the enclosure 2, and a second magnetic switch 4 may also be arranged at a rear end 22 of the enclosure 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the projectile 1 includes the light emitting unit 3, the magnetic switch 4, the control unit 5, the storage unit 6 and the power unit 7, and may further include a voice/sound output unit 8 and a flashing unit 9 provided within the enclosure 2. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating one example of the projectile 1 according to the first embodiment. The voice/sound output unit 8 outputs a voice/sound. The voice/sound output unit 8 is a sound recorder instanced by a voice recorder. The flashing unit 9 outputs a flash of light. The flashing unit 9 is instanced by a high luminance LED. The flash of light outputted by the flashing unit 9 has a higher luminance than a luminance of the light emitted by the light emitting unit 3. It does not mean that all of the components of the projectile 1 illustrated in FIG. 6 are indispensable, but the components of the projectile 1 may be properly added or deleted in terms of actually attaining the projectile 1. For example, the projectile 1 includes the light emitting unit 3, the magnetic switch 4, the control unit 5, the storage unit 6 and the power unit 7, and may further include at least one of the voice/sound output unit 8 and the flashing unit 9. The projectile 1 depicted in FIG. 6 may also include the plurality of light emitting units 3.

The voice/sound output unit 8 is to record voices/sounds beforehand. After the light emitting unit 3 starts emitting the light and when the magnetic switch 4 detects the magnetism, the control unit 5 controls the voice/sound output unit 8 to start outputting the voices/sounds. For instance, when the light emitting unit 3 starts emitting the light upon expelling the projectile 1 from the expelling apparatus 10 and when the projectile 1 hits the target provided with the magnet or when the projectile 1 passes through the vicinity of the target provided with the magnet, the magnetic switch 4 detects the magnetism, and the voice/sound output unit 8 outputs the voices/sounds. The voices/sounds recorded on the voice/sound output unit 8 may be, e.g., explosion sounds and voice messages. The power unit 7 supplies the electric power to the voice/sound output unit 8 when the voice/sound output unit 8 starts outputting the voices/sounds, but stops supplying the electric power to the voice/sound output unit 8 when the voice/sound output unit 8 finishes outputting the voices/sounds. A period of output time of the voice/sound of the voice/sound output unit 8 depends on a period of recording time of the voice/sound recorded on the voice/sound output unit 8.

After the light emitting unit 3 starts emitting the light and when the magnetic switch 4 detects the magnetism, the control unit 5 controls the flashing unit 9 to start outputting the flash of light from the flashing unit 9. For example, when the light emitting unit 3 starts emitting the light upon expelling the projectile 1 from the expelling apparatus 10 and when the projectile 1 hits the target provided with the magnet or when the projectile 1 passes through the vicinity of the target provided with the magnet, the magnetic switch 4 detects the magnetism, and the flashing unit 9 outputs the flash of light. The flashing unit 9 may output the flash of light once or a plural number of times. In other words, the control unit 5 may control the flashing unit 9 to flicker the flash of light of the flashing unit 9. A color of the flash of light outputted from the flashing unit 9 may be the same as a color of the light emitted by the light emitting unit 3 and may also different from the color of the light emitted by the light emitting unit 3. For example, the light emitted by the light emitting unit 3 may bear a white color, while the flash of light outputted from the flashing unit 9 may also bear a red color. The power unit 7 supplies the electric power to the flashing unit 9 when the flashing unit 9 starts outputting the flash of light, but stops supplying the electric power to the flashing unit 9 when the flashing unit 9 finishes outputting the flash of light.

When the predetermined period of time elapses since after the flashing unit 9 starts outputting the flash of light, the control unit 5 may also control the flashing unit 9 to stop outputting the flash of light. Any one of values of 0.1 sec through 1 sec may be set as the predetermined period of time; and, however, the predetermined period of time may be an arbitrary period of time without being limited to these values. The flashing unit 9 stops outputting the flash of light when the predetermined period of time elapses since after the flashing unit 9 starts outputting the flash of light, thereby enabling the power consumption to be saved. The period of output time of the light flashed by the flashing unit 9 may be shorter than a period of time for which the light emitting unit 3 keeps emitting the light. Further, the period of output time of the light flashed by the flashing unit 9 may be longer than and may also be the same as the period of time for which the light emitting unit 3 keeps emitting the light.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating one example of the projectile 1 according to a second embodiment. The projectile 1 includes the enclosure 2, the light emitting unit 3 provided within the enclosure 2, a detection unit 4A, the control unit 5, the storage unit 6 and the power unit 7. One or a plurality of detection units 4A may be provided on the surface of the enclosure 2. The projectile 1 is one example of “a projectile for a toy gun”. It does not mean that all of the components of the projectile 1 illustrated in FIG. 7 are indispensable, but the components of the projectile 1 may be properly added or deleted in terms of actually attaining the projectile 1. The enclosure 2 is composed of soft plastic or hard plastic having a light transmission property. The enclosure 2 may take a spherical shape, an oval spherical shape, a cylindrical shape, a bullet-like shape, a disc-like shape, or a cubic shape. The enclosure 2 may also take shapes other than these shapes. The enclosure 2 may be colorless and may also be colored. The light emitting unit 3 emits light upon being supplied with electric power from the power unit 7. The light emitting unit 3 is exemplified by Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). A variety of colors are usable as light emission colors of the LEDs. The detection unit 4A detects a predetermined event. The predetermined event encompasses any one of a vibration of, an impact on and a contact with the enclosure 2. The detection unit 4A includes at least one of a vibration sensor (vibration switch), an acceleration sensor, an angular speed sensor and a contact sensor (contact switch). The contact sensor may involve using, e.g., a pressure sensor, a micro switch, and an infrared-ray distance sensor. For example, the detection unit 4A includes at least one of the vibration sensor, the acceleration sensor and the angular speed sensor, and may thereby detect the vibration of the enclosure 2 and the impact exerted on the enclosure 2. For instance, the detection unit 4A includes the contact sensor, and may thereby detect the contact with the enclosure 2.

The control unit 5 controls light emission of the light emitting unit 3. The control unit 5 includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). The control unit 5 may be configured by one CPU or another equivalent processor, and may also be configured by combining a plurality of CPUs or ASICs or other equivalent circuits. The CPU is also called a MPU (Microprocessor) or a processor. It does not mean that the CPU is limited to the single processor, but the CPU may take a multiprocessor configuration. The control unit 5 executes a variety of processes, based on a computer program deployed in an executable manner on the storage unit 6.

The storage unit 6 includes a Random Access Memory (RAM) or a Read Only Memory (ROM) or other equivalent memories. The storage unit 6 stores or temporarily saves programs run by the control unit 5, and data or other equivalent information acquired in processes executed by the control unit 5. The control unit 5 and the storage unit 6 may also be integrally configured. The power unit 7 supplies the electric power to the light emitting unit 3, the detection unit 4A, the control unit 5 and the storage unit 6. The power unit 7 includes a recharge-disabled primary battery, or a recharge-enabled secondary battery.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are explanatory diagrams each illustrating an internal structure of the expelling apparatus 10 that expels the projectile 1. The expelling apparatus 10 is one example of a “toy gun”. As illustrated in FIG. 8A, the projectile 1 is loaded into a barrel 11 of the expelling apparatus 10, a spring 12 provided within the barrel 11 is thereby compressed, and also a pawl 14 of a trigger 13 is thereby caught by an expelling unit 15, thus retaining the projectile 1 within the barrel 11. An upper side of the expelling apparatus 10 is openable and closable, thereby enabling the projectile 1 to enter the barrel 11 of the expelling apparatus 10 from the upper side of the expelling apparatus 10. The projectile 1 is retained within the barrel 11, in which state when the trigger 13 is actuated (unlocked), the pawl 14 of the trigger 13 is disengaged from the expelling unit 15, thereby decompressing the spring 12. As illustrated in FIG. 8B, the spring 12 is decompressed, and the projectile 1 is extruded by the expelling unit 15 from within the barrel 11 and is thereby expelled from the expelling apparatus 10.

When the detection unit 4A detects the predetermined event, the control unit 5 controls the light emitting unit 3 to start emitting the light. When the detection unit 4A detects the predetermined event, the control unit 5 controls the light emitting unit 3 to start emitting the light, and may also control the light emitting unit 3 to flicker the light emitted by the light emitting unit 3. For example, when the detection unit 4A detects the vibration and the impact when the projectile 1 is expelled from the expelling apparatus 10, the control unit 5 may control the light emitting unit 3 to start emitting the light. For instance, when the detection unit 4A detects that the expelling apparatus 10 contacts the enclosure 2 on the occasion of expelling the projectile 1 from the expelling apparatus 10, the control unit 5 may also control the light emitting unit 3 to start emitting the light. Under this control, the light emitting unit 3 initiates the light emission when the projectile 1 is expelled from the expelling apparatus 10. Hence, the projectile 1 according to the second embodiment enables the light emitting unit 3 provided in the projectile 1 to emit the light without providing an illumination device and an luminous element in the expelling apparatus 10. Thus, the light is emitted by the light emitting unit 3 provided in the projectile 1 expelled from the expelling apparatus 10, thereby enabling a laser beam to appear to be emitted by the expelling apparatus 10.

After the light emitting unit 3 starts emitting the light and when the detection unit 4A detects the predetermined event, the control unit 5 controls the light emitting unit 3 to stop emitting the light. For example, after the light emitting unit 3 starts emitting the light and when the detection unit 4A detects the vibration and the impact upon a hit of the projectile 1 at the target, the control unit 5 may also control the light emitting unit 3 to stop emitting the light. For instance, after the light emitting unit 3 starts emitting the light and when the detection unit 4A detects that the target contacts the enclosure 2 of the projectile 1, the control unit 5 may also control the light emitting unit 3 to stop emitting the light. Under the control described above, the projectile 1 expelled from the expelling apparatus 10 hits the target, whereby the light emitting unit 3 stops emitting the light. The target encompasses a person, an animal, a building, a vehicle, a piece of ground and other equivalent objects. The control unit 5 may also control the light emitting unit 3 not to start emitting the light till the predetermined period of time elapses since after the light emitting unit 3 has stopped emitting the light. Any one of values of, e.g., 1 sec through 5 sec may be set as the predetermined period of time; and, however, the predetermined period of time may be an arbitrary period of time without being limited to these values.

An instance of using the vibration sensor as the detection unit 4A will be described. The detection unit 4A, when detecting a vibration (having a magnitude) equal to or larger than a predetermined value, outputs the detection signal to the control unit 5 and the power unit 7. The power unit 7, when receiving an input of the detection signal in a state of not supplying the electric power to the light emitting unit 3, supplies the electric power to the light emitting unit 3. The control unit 5, when receiving the input of the detection signal, controls the light emitting unit 3 to start emitting the light. After the light emitting unit 3 starts emitting the light and when the detection signal is inputted to the control unit 5, the control unit 5 controls the light emitting unit 3 to stop emitting the light. Upon the stop of the light emission of the light emitting unit 3, the power unit 7 stops supplying the electric power to the light emitting unit 3. The instance of using the vibration sensor as the detection unit 4A is described so far; and, however, the acceleration sensor, the angular speed sensor or the contact sensor may also be used as the detection unit 4A.

The detection signal is inputted to the power unit 7 in such a state that neither the light emitting unit 3 nor the control unit 5 nor the storage unit 6 is supplied with the electric power, whereby the power unit 7 may also supply the electric power to the light emitting unit 3, the control unit 5 and the storage unit 6. In this case, the detection signal may also be inputted to the control unit 5 from the power unit 7. When the light emitting unit 3 stops emitting the light, the power unit 7 may also stop supplying the electric power to the light emitting unit 3, the control unit 5 and the storage unit 6. The control unit 5 and the power unit 7 may also be integrally configured. The control unit 5, the storage unit 6 and the power unit 7 may further be integrally configured.

After the light emitting unit 3 starts emitting the light and when the detection unit 4A detects the predetermined event a plural number of times, the control unit 5 may also control the light emitting unit 3 to stop emitting the light. After the light emitting unit 3 starts emitting the light and when the detection unit 4A detects the vibration and the impact upon a hit of the projectile 1 at a first target (e.g., the person) and thereafter detects the vibration and the impact upon a hit of the projectile 1 at a second target (e.g., the ground), the control unit 5 may also control the light emitting unit 3 to stop emitting the light. After the light emitting unit 3 starts emitting the light and when the detection unit 4A detects that the first target contacts the enclosure 2 of the projectile 1 and thereafter detects that the second target contacts the enclosure 2 of the projectile 1, the control unit 5 may also control the light emitting unit 3 to stop emitting the light. Under the control described above, e.g., the light emitting unit 3 keeps emitting the light till the projectile 1 hits the person and falls down onto the ground since the projectile 1 has been expelled from the expelling apparatus 10.

After the light emitting unit 3 starts emitting the light and when the detection unit 4A detects the predetermined event, the control unit 5 may also control the light emitting unit 3 to flicker the light emitted by the light emitting unit 3. Under the control described above, e.g., the start of the light emission of the light emitting unit 3 is triggered by expelling the projectile 1 from the expelling apparatus 10, and the light emitted by the light emitting unit 3 is flickered after the projectile 1 has hit the target.

After the light emitting unit 3 starts emitting the light and when the detection unit 4A detects the predetermined event a plural number of times, the control unit 5 may also control the light emitting unit 3 to flicker the light emitted by the light emitting unit 3. After the light emitting unit 3 starts emitting the light and when the detection unit 4A detects the vibration and the impact upon the hit of the projectile 1 at the first target (e.g., the person) and thereafter detects the vibration and the impact upon the hit of the projectile 1 at the second target (e.g., the ground), the control unit 5 may also control the light emitting unit 3 to clicker the light emitted by the light emitting unit 3. After the light emitting unit 3 starts emitting the light and when the detection unit 4A detects that the first target contacts the enclosure 2 of the projectile 1 and thereafter detects that the second target contacts the enclosure 2 of the projectile 1, the control unit 5 may also control the light emitting unit 3 to flicker the light emitted by the light emitting unit 3. Under the control described above, e.g., the start of the light emission of the light emitting unit 3 is triggered by expelling the projectile 1 from the expelling apparatus 10, and the light emitted by the light emitting unit 3 is flickered after the projectile 1 has hit the first target and then the second target.

After the light emitting unit 3 starts emitting the light and when the detection unit 4A detects the predetermined event of a first time, the control unit 5 may control the light emitting unit 3 to flicker the light emitted by the light emitting unit 3, and may also control the light emitting unit 3 to stop emitting the light when the detection unit 4A detects the predetermined event of a second time. Under the control described above, e.g., the start of the light emission of the light emitting unit 3 is triggered by expelling the projectile 1 from the expelling apparatus 10, then the light emitted by the light emitting unit 3 is flickered when the projectile 1 hits the first target (e.g., the person), and thereafter the light emitting unit 3 stops emitting the light when the projectile 1 falls down onto the second target (e.g., the ground).

When the predetermined period of time elapses since after the light emitting unit 3 starts emitting the light, the control unit 5 may also control the light emitting unit 3 to stop emitting the light. Any one of values of, e.g., 1 sec through 30 sec may be set as the predetermined period of time; and, however, the predetermined period of time may be an arbitrary period of time without being limited to these values. The light emitting unit 3 stops emitting the light when the predetermined period of time elapses since after the light emitting unit 3 starts emitting the light, thereby enabling power consumption to be saved. For example, after the light emitting unit 3 starts emitting the light, and the detection unit 4A does not detect the predetermined event, in which case also the light emitting unit 3 stops emitting the light when the predetermined period of time elapses since after the light emitting unit 3 starts emitting the light, thereby enabling the light emission of the light emitting unit 3 to be surely stopped. When the predetermined period of time elapses since after the light emitting unit 3 starts flickering the emitted light, the control unit 5 may also control the light emitting unit 3 to stop emitting the light.

Minute cavities and rugged portions may be provided in part of the interior of the enclosure 2. The light emitted by the light emitting unit 3 is irregularly reflected on the cavities and the rugged portions, and thus outgoes outwardly of the enclosure 2. The light is irregularly reflected in the interior of the enclosure 2, thereby enabling a spread of the light that outgoes outwardly of the enclosure 2.

The projectile 1 may be equipped with a plurality of light emitting units 3. The plurality of light emitting units 3 emits the light, thereby enabling the laser beams to appear to be emerged from the expelling apparatus 10. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating one example of the projectile 1 according to the second embodiment. The projectile 1 includes the enclosure 2, light emitting units 3A-3C provided within the enclosure 2, the detection unit 4A, the control unit 5, the storage unit 6, and the power unit 7. Each of the light emitting units 3A-3C has a same configuration as the light emitting unit 3 has. It does not mean that all of the components of the projectile 1 illustrated in FIG. 9 are indispensable, but the components of the projectile 1 may be properly added or deleted in terms of actually attaining the projectile 1. FIG. 9 illustrates the tree light emitting units 3 (3A-3C); and, however, the projectile 1 according to the second embodiment not limited to the projectile 1 depicted in FIG. 9 may include the two light emitting units 3, and may also include four or more light emitting units 3. When the projectile 1 is expelled from the expelling apparatus 10, ilt may be determined to arrange the plurality of light emitting units 3 provided within the enclosure 2 so that characters or pictures are displayed in the air by emitting the light beams from the light emitting units 3 when the projectile 1 is expelled from the expelling apparatus 10.

The control unit 5 may also control the light emitting units 3A-3C so that the light emitting units 3A-3C emit the light beams simultaneously or at different timings. The light emitting units 3A-3C are controlled to emit the light beams simultaneously, whereby the light emitting units 3A-3C start emitting the light beams simultaneously. The light emitting units 3A-3C are controlled to start emitting the light beams at the timings different from each other, thereby differentiating the starts of the light emissions of the light emitting units 3A-3C, with the result that differences between the start timings of the light emissions of the light emitting units 3A-3C correspond to time differences. The control unit 5 may also control the light emitting unit 3C so that the light emitting unit 3C starts emitting the light at the timing different from the starts of the light emissions of the light emitting units 3A, 3B by controlling the light emitting units 3A, 3B to simultaneously start emitting the light beams.

The control unit 5 may also control the light emitting units 3A-3C so that the light emitting units 3A-3C stop emitting the light beams simultaneously or at different timings. The light emitting units 3A-3C are controlled to stop emitting the light beams simultaneously, whereby the light emitting units 3A-3C stop emitting the light beams simultaneously. The light emitting units 3A-3C are controlled to stop emitting the light beams at the timings different from each other, thereby differentiating the stops of the light emissions of the light emitting units 3A-3C, with the result that differences between the stop timings of the light emissions of the light emitting units 3A-3C correspond to time differences. The control unit 5 may also control the light emitting unit 3C so that the light emitting unit 3C stops emitting the light at the timing different from the stops of the light emissions of the light emitting units 3A, 3B by controlling the light emitting units 3A, 3B to simultaneously stop emitting the light beams.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating one example of the projectile 1 according to the second embodiment. The projectile 1 illustrated in FIG. 10 includes a spherical enclosure 2, and the light emitting units 3A-3C. FIG. 10 omits illustrations of the detection unit 4A, the control unit 5, the storage unit 6 and the power unit 7. The light emitting units 3A-3C may be arranged at equal intervals as depicted in FIG. 10, and may also be arranged in an arbitrary manner. For example, the light emitting units 3A-3C are arranged in an upper portion of the enclosure 2, and the detection unit 4A, the control unit 5, the storage unit 6 and the power unit 7 may also be arranged in a lower portion of the enclosure 2. This arrangement makes the light emissions of the light emitting units 3A-3C well visible from the upper and bilateral sides of the enclosure 2.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating one example of the projectile 1 according to the second embodiment. The projectile 1 illustrated in FIG. 11 includes a cylindrical enclosure 2, and the light emitting units 3A-3C. FIG. 11 omits the illustrations of the detection unit 4A, the control unit 5, the storage unit 6 and the power unit 7. A suction cup 20 having the light transmission property is formed at a front end 21 of the enclosure 2. The suction cup 20 may be colorless and may also be colored. The front end 21 of the enclosure 2 is formed with the suction cup 20, thereby improving safety when the projectile 1 hits the target. The light emitting units 3A-3C may be arranged at the equal intervals as depicted in FIG. 11, and may also be arranged in the arbitrary manner. For example, the light emitting units 3A-3C may be arranged in the vicinity of the front end 21 of the enclosure 2. This arrangement makes the light emissions of the light emitting units 3A-3C well visible from a side of the front end 21 of the enclosure 2. When using the contact sensor as the detection unit 4A, a first detection unit 4A may be arranged at the rear end 22 of the enclosure 2, and a second detection unit 4A may also be arranged at the front end 21 of the enclosure 2. These arrangements of the detection units 4A enable, e.g., when the projectile 1 is expelled from the expelling apparatus 10, the first detection unit 4A to detect that the expelling unit 15 of the expelling apparatus 10 contacts the enclosure 2, and the second detection unit 4A to detect that the target contacts the enclosure 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, the projectile 1 includes the light emitting unit 3, the detection unit 4A, the control unit 5, the storage unit 6 and the power unit 7, and may further include a voice/sound output unit 8 and a flashing unit 9 provided within the enclosure 2. FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating one example of the projectile 1 according to the second embodiment. The voice/sound output unit 8 outputs a voice/sound. The voice/sound output unit 8 is is a sound recorder instanced by a voice recorder. The flashing unit 9 outputs a flash of light. The flashing unit 9 is instanced by a high luminance LED. The flash of light outputted by the flashing unit 9 has a higher luminance than a luminance of the light emitted by the light emitting unit 3. It does not mean that all of the components of the projectile 1 illustrated in FIG. 12 are indispensable, but the components of the projectile 1 may be properly added or deleted in terms of actually attaining the projectile 1. For example, the projectile 1 includes the light emitting unit 3, the detection unit 4A, the control unit 5, the storage unit 6 and the power unit 7, and may further include at least one of the voice/sound output unit 8 and the flashing unit 9. The projectile 1 depicted in FIG. 12 may also include the plurality of light emitting units 3.

The voice/sound output unit 8 is to record voices/sounds beforehand. After the light emitting unit 3 starts emitting the light and when the detection unit 4A detects the predetermined event, the control unit 5 controls the voice/sound output unit 8 to start outputting the voice/sound. For example, after the light emitting unit 3 starts emitting the light and when the detection unit 4A detects the vibration and the impact upon the hit of the projectile 1 at the target, the control unit 5 may control the voice/sound output unit 8 to start outputting the voice/sound. For instance, after the light emitting unit 3 starts emitting the light and when the detection unit 4A detects that the target contacts the enclosure 2 of the projectile 1, the control unit 5 may also control the voice/sound output unit 8 to start outputting the voice/sound. Under the control described above, the projectile 1 expelled from the expelling apparatus 10 hits the target, whereby the voice/sound output unit 8 outputs the voice/sound. The voices/sounds recorded on the voice/sound output unit 8 may be, e.g., explosion sounds and voice messages. The power unit 7 supplies the electric power to the voice/sound output unit 8 when the voice/sound output unit 8 starts outputting the voices/sounds, but stops supplying the electric power to the voice/sound output unit 8 when the voice/sound output unit 8 finishes outputting the voices/sounds. A period of output time of the voice/sound of the voice/sound output unit 8 depends on a period of recording time of the voice/sound recorded on the voice/sound output unit 8.

After the light emitting unit 3 starts emitting the light and when the detection unit 4A detects the predetermined event, the control unit 5 controls the flashing unit 9 to start outputting the flash of light. For example, after the light emitting unit 3 starts emitting the light and when the detection unit 4A detects the vibration and the impact upon the hit of the projectile 1 at the target, the control unit 5 may also control the flashing unit 9 to start outputting the flash of light. For instance, after the light emitting unit 3 starts emitting the light and when the detection unit 4A detects that the target contacts the enclosure 2 of the projectile 1, the control unit 5 may also control the flashing unit 9 to start outputting the flash of light. Under the control described above, the projectile 1 expelled from the expelling apparatus 10 hits the target, whereby the flashing unit 9 outputs the flash of light. A color of the flash of light outputted from the flashing unit 9 may be the same as a color of the light emitted by the light emitting unit 3 and may also different from the color of the light emitted by the light emitting unit 3. For example, the light emitted by the light emitting unit 3 may bear a white color, while the flash of light outputted from the flashing unit 9 may also bear a red color. The power unit 7 supplies the electric power to the flashing unit 9 when the flashing unit 9 starts outputting the flash of light, but stops supplying the electric power to the flashing unit 9 when the flashing unit 9 finishes outputting the flash of light.

When the predetermined period of time elapses since after the flashing unit 9 starts outputting the flash of light, the control unit 5 may also control the flashing unit 9 to stop outputting the flash of light. Any one of values of 0.1 sec through 1 sec may be set as the predetermined period of time; and, however, the predetermined period of time may be an arbitrary period of time without being limited to these values. The flashing unit 9 stops outputting the flash of light when the predetermined period of time elapses since after the flashing unit 9 starts outputting the flash of light, thereby enabling the power consumption to be saved. The period of output time of the light flashed by the flashing unit 9 may be shorter than a period of time for which the light emitting unit 3 keeps emitting the light. Further, the period of output time of the light flashed by the flashing unit 9 may be longer than and may also be the same as the period of time for which the light emitting unit 3 keeps emitting the light.

Claims

1. A projectile for a toy gun, comprising:

an enclosure having a light transmission property;

at least one light emitting unit provided within the enclosure and configured to emit light;

a magnetic switch provided in the enclosure and configured to detect magnetism; and

a control unit provided within the enclosure and configured to control a light emission of the at least one light emitting unit,

wherein the control unit controls the at least one light emitting unit to start emitting the light when the magnetic switch detects the magnetism.

2. The projectile for the toy gun according to claim 1, wherein after the at least one light emitting unit starts emitting the light and when the magnetic switch detects the magnetism, the control unit controls the at least one light emitting unit to stop emitting the light of the at least one light emitting unit.

3. The projectile for the toy gun according to claim 1, wherein after the at least one light emitting unit starts emitting the light and when the magnetic switch detects the magnetism, the control unit controls the at least one light emitting unit to flicker the light emitted by the at least one light emitting unit.

4. The projectile for the toy gun according to claim 1, wherein when a predetermined period of time elapses since after the at least one light emitting unit starts emitting the light, the control unit controls the at least one light emitting unit to stop emitting the light of the at least one light emitting unit.

5. The projectile for the toy gun according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light emitting unit includes a plurality of light emitting units, and the control unit controls the plurality of light emitting units to start emitting light beams of the plurality of light emitting units simultaneously or at different timings.

6. The projectile for the toy gun according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light emitting unit includes a plurality of light emitting units, and the control unit controls the plurality of light emitting units to stop emitting the light beams of the plurality of light emitting units simultaneously or at different timings.

7. The projectile for the toy gun according to claim 1, further comprising a voice/sound output unit provided within the enclosure and configured to output a voice/sound, wherein the control unit controls the voice/sound output unit to start outputting the voice/sound of the voice/sound output unit after the at least one light emitting unit starts emitting the light and when the magnetic switch detects the magnetism.

8. The projectile for the toy gun according to claim 1, further comprising a flashing unit provided within the enclosure and configured to output a flash of light, wherein the control unit controls the flashing unit to start outputting the flash of light of the flashing unit after the at least one light emitting unit starts emitting the light and when the magnetic switch detects the magnetism.