Guided Projectile Patents (Class 124/26)
  • Patent number: 11435157
    Abstract: A cargo strap gun assembly includes a cylinder that has an open end and a closed end. The cylinder is substantially hollow and the open end can receive a cargo strap. A plunger is slidably positioned in the cylinder and the plunger is compressible into a loaded position. The plunger is biased into a fired position to launch the cargo strap outwardly from the cylinder thereby facilitating the cargo strap to be launched over a load. A cocking mechanism is slidably integrated into the cylinder to urge the plunger into the loaded position. A trigger is movably integrated into the cylinder to facilitate the plunger to be biased into the fired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Inventors: Jesse Rankin, Henry Bowen, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11052300
    Abstract: A flying disc launcher includes a frame body including a loading seat and a side wall. The loading seat includes a carrying portion and a receiving portion. A flying disc inlet and a flying disc outlet are respectively defined in both ends of the carrying portion. The side wall includes a guiding wall opposed to the receiving portion. A turntable is installed in the receiving portion and protrudes from an upper surface of the carrying portion. The power component is connected with the turntable to drive the turntable to rotate. When the turntable rotates and a flying disc is placed on the carrying portion from the flying disc inlet, the guiding wall and the turntable can contact the flying disc to drive and guide the flying disc to fly out toward the flying disc outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Inventor: Cheng-Yi Shie
  • Patent number: 10969194
    Abstract: Described is a spitball gun that is operable for collecting, wetting, and projecting paper ammunitions. The spitball gun includes a paper advancing chamber having an opening for receiving paper ammunition and an advancing mechanism for advancing paper through the paper advancing chamber to a loading chamber. A water tank is also connected with the loading chamber. A sliding handle is used to cause paper to be pulled through the paper advancing mechanism while water is released onto the paper from the water tank. A paper cutter is used to cut the paper and load the paper into the loading chamber. Finally, air from an attached air tank is used to expel a wetted paper wad from the loading chamber and through the barrel of the spitball gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: JAKKS Pacific, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Frank, Vishaal Boehm Verma, Steve Rehkemper
  • Patent number: 10896751
    Abstract: Dispensing devices and systems for oral transmucosal administration of small volume drug dosage forms to the oral mucosa are provided. The dispensing device may be a single dose applicator (SDA), or an electromechanical device comprising a means for patient identification such as a wrist worn RFID tag and annular bidirectional antenna together with a lock-out feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Poutiatine, Bruce Edwards, Charles Rampersaud, Pamela Palmer, Bradley Blackwood, Benjamin K. Yaffe
  • Patent number: 10857451
    Abstract: A launcher (300) for pawns (666) comprising: a chamber comprising a base (110) and a muzzle situated opposite to each other, wherein the chamber is configured to be loaded with the pawn (666), via the muzzle; a magnet secured to the base (110); a bolt adapted to slide within the chamber to a loading position; a spring confined between the bolt and the base (110), wherein the spring is adapted to be squeezed; wherein by loading the pawn (666) into the chamber the bolt slide against the spring thereby squeeze the spring to the load position, wherein the bolt is configured to be retained in the load position, and wherein external impact break the magnetic field thus release the spring for driving the bolt toward the muzzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: CATCHUP TOYS LIMITED
    Inventors: Guy Rubin, Avi Resch
  • Patent number: 10712118
    Abstract: A crossbow with string guides that include upper and lower helical power cable journals on opposite sides of a draw string journal. A separation between first and second axis of the string guides in a drawn configuration is about 5 inches to about 10 inches and the draw string in the drawn configuration comprises an included angle of less than about 25 degrees. First and second pairs of power cables wrap and unwrap at least 300 degrees around the respective first and second upper and lower helical power cable journals as the draw string moves between a released configuration to a drawn configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Ravin Crossbows, LLC
    Inventor: Craig Thomas Yehle
  • Patent number: 10578393
    Abstract: Described is a spitball gun that is operable for collecting, wetting, and projecting paper ammunitions. The spitball gun includes a paper advancing chamber having an opening for receiving paper ammunition and an advancing mechanism for advancing paper through the paper advancing chamber to a loading chamber. A water tank is also connected with the loading chamber. An indexing lever is used to cause paper to be pulled through the paper advancing mechanism while water is released onto the paper from the water tank. A firing pin handle with a connected paper cutter is used to cut the paper and load the paper into the loading chamber. Finally, air from an attached air tank is used to expel a wetted paper wad from the loading chamber and through the barrel of the spitball gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: JAKKS PACIFIC, INC
    Inventors: Vishaal Boehm Verma, Gregory Frank, Jeff Rehkember, Adam Gelder
  • Patent number: 10532261
    Abstract: A bowling ball launcher has a frame and a rail oriented from a front of the frame to a back of the frame. A push pad is configured to slide along the rail. An elastic mechanism is coupled to the push pad and extends toward the front of the frame. A winch is coupled to the push pad toward the back of the frame. The winch includes a motor, a winch wheel, and a cable extending from the winch wheel to the push pad. The winch also includes a clutch between the motor and winch wheel. A shock absorber is disposed near the front of the frame. A plurality of position sensors is attached to the frame along the rail. A power meter is configured to move the push pad to one of the position sensors by operation of the winch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Spinway Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Wheeler, Zachary Pelli
  • Patent number: 10251517
    Abstract: A bath safety rail for being engaged to and disengaged from a bath surface. The bath safety rail includes a base, a handle on the base, first and second suction cups opposing the handle, cam followers on the suction cups that extend into the base, and cams in the base to engage and draw up the cam followers and suction cups to thereby create suction. The handle is two-piece where the pieces are separated by a handle plane, where each axis of each suction cup is in the handle plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Regalo International, LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Flannery, Brian G. Linehan
  • Patent number: 10209043
    Abstract: When combined with a metal point, this ten inch plastic pistol crossbow bolt is designed to extend past the barrel of a pistol crossbow so it can be used for recreational shooting, competition shooting, small game hunting, pistol crossbow fishing and pistol crossbow scuba fishing. The main fault of the standard bolt for a pistol crossbow is they are less than seven inches in length and do not extend past the end of a pistol crossbow barrel. Therefore, their use is limited to target points and recreational shooting only. Other faults of the standard short bolts are their high travel speed. They are very difficult to be viewed in flight, causing most bolts to be lost after one use. Also, their irretrievability from any commonly used target. Therefore, they cannot be found and scored in any type of shooting competition. This ten inch bolt is a solid one piece unit made of a strong but, light weight plastic compound. It has a NOCK to securely hold the bow string in place. Most bolts do not have a nock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Inventor: Elgie A. Morris
  • Patent number: 10151555
    Abstract: An air cannon has a barrel and a sabot sized to fit within the barrel and configured to engage a projectile located within the barrel forward of the sabot. A flexible cord connects the sabot to a fixed location relative to the barrel. Forward motion of the sabot is decelerated by the cord after the sabot exits the forward end of the barrel, and the sabot is retained by the cord near the forward end of the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Wesley Matson, David Kimble Huber
  • Patent number: 9901797
    Abstract: A ball striking apparatus comprises a ball strike member arranged on a free end of a resiliently flexible arm(s). The free end of the arm(s) can be drawn back manually and subsequently released to drive the bail strike member through a primary impact zone so that the ball strike member can strike a ball in the primary impact zone. The resiliently flexible arm is mounted at one end to a support structure with the opposite, free end adjacent the primary impact zone. The support structure is fastened to an edge of a table that defines a playing surface. A bail support arrangement is configured to support the ball in the primary impact zone such that the ball can be struck by the ball strike member and driven away from the primary impact zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Inventor: Warren Laurence Piggott
  • Patent number: 9446297
    Abstract: The device for throwing balls includes a frame having a striking mechanism formed of a striking arm and a striker. The striker is provided at the free end of the striking arm, and the striking arm is pivotably mobile via a shaft and combined with a driver suitable for pivoting the arm such that the striker can follow a circular path passing through a location intended to receive a ball. The striker includes a roller mounted so as to be freely rotatable about an axis parallel to that of pivoting of the striking arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: HOLDING DARMON-JOFRE
    Inventor: Stéphane Darmon
  • Patent number: 9426971
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for line and lure restraint to enhance spin casting. The apparatus is mountable to a fishing rod adjacent to a line reel maintained on the rod and includes a mount having a positioning arm with a mounting clip at one end and a platform at an opposite end. A neodymium ring magnet with first and second steel washers at opposite sides thereof is located on a bushing. An axial securement rotatably secures this assembly at the platform. The positioning arm is configured to selectively locate the magnate assembly relative to the rod and reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Inventor: James R. Ciari
  • Patent number: 9389050
    Abstract: The present invention provides a target throwing device which can throw a single or multiple shooting targets with a single throwing arm. The device includes a dispensing unit for dispensing a desired number of targets onto a throwing arm containing multiple rails or an adjustable rail to provide the appropriate orientation and momentum for the desired number of targets to be thrown by the throwing arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Inventor: Xiao Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 9220249
    Abstract: An aquatic animal retrieval device having an L-shaped mount, the mount configured for attachment to an existing crossbow, a V-shaped spool connected to the mount, a shaft attached to the mount, the shaft extended forwardly from the crossbow, a float slidably disposed on the shaft, the float removably attached to the mount, an arrow removably disposed in the crossbow, the arrow having a barbed point disposed on the first end and a notch disposed in the second end, the notch configured to removably accept a drawstring of the crossbow, a line affixed to the arrow and the float wherein the to float is configured to travel with the arrow upon release of the arrow from the crossbow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Inventors: Barry Bailey, Lisa Bailey
  • Patent number: 9194646
    Abstract: A toy launch apparatus for projectiles having a soft exterior and an open bottom with a bordering strong inner wall. The projectile's open bottom is positioned atop a slot, with respect to a launch deck and a carriage in a housing assembly. A cocking assembly includes a pivotal launch arm and a launch spring connected to the carriage movable with an engaged slide, a slide link and carriage lock, which are cocked when a user pulls the slide rearward. At a first rearward position of the slide the carrier is restrained in a cocked configuration. On the way to a second rearward position of the slide, the slide, slide link and carriage lock disengage from the carriage, launch arm and launch spring. When the carriage and launch arm are triggered, the launch spring releases and the launch arm impacts the inner wall of the projectile for discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert James Victor, Brian Jablonski
  • Patent number: 9052169
    Abstract: Provided is a target launching machine having a circular section portion. The machine includes a launching arm rotatable about an axis of rotation and a bearing surface that accommodates a circular section portion of the target and includes an offset portion that is configured so that a spacing between a trajectory of the launching arm and the offset portion increases in a direction of rotation of the launching arm. The offset portion includes a portion having a circular profile about a portion axis that is offset relative to the axis of rotation and parallel to the axis of rotation. The offset between the portion axis and the axis of rotation has a non-zero component in a primary direction defined in a vertical plane, with the non-zero component positioned relative to the axis of rotation opposite the portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Laporte Holding
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Laporte, Jean-Marc Fouques
  • Patent number: 8967130
    Abstract: A toy launcher apparatus for discharging circular projectiles, the apparatus having a housing, lower and upper panels mounted to the housing, supports mounted to the housing, a cocking slide and a slide spring connected to the supports, a projectile receptacle connected to the cocking slide, release levers mounted to the housing, a guide wall mounted to the lower panel, a positioning wheel also mounted to the lower panel, and a trigger mounted to the housing. The lower panel includes a slot positioned parallel to the guide wall but off center relative to a center point of a load projectile. Beneath the lower panel is a rotatable launch arm connected to a torsion spring and a catch structure. The upper and lower panels are parallel to one another and spaced to receive a projectile. The projectile is loaded into the projectile receptacle when the receptacle is exposed during the time the launch arm and torsion spring are cocked by a user pulling rearward on the cocking slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert James Victor, Brian Jablonski
  • Patent number: 8899216
    Abstract: A machine for launching disk-shaped targets has two faces located on each side of an edge. The machine includes means for loading a target into a launch area, an arm for launching the target placed in the launch area and a surface guiding the target by means of contact with at least one of the aforementioned faces thereof. The guiding surface has at least one portion wherein the areas that come into contact with the face of the target are not continuous. The machine is particularly suitable for shooting practice, such as archery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: LaPorte Holding
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Laporte, Jean-Marc Fouques
  • Publication number: 20140150764
    Abstract: A multi-pellet launcher includes a hollow elongated tube having a closed end and an open end. A spring and a plurality of “n” pellets are placed inside the tube, and a binary latch interacts between the pellets and the tube. Specifically, the binary latch is established to compress the spring against the closed end of the tube, and to hold the pellets in the tube in response to the static force “Fs” that is generated by the compressed spring. In various configurations, the binary latch is always configured according to the value of “n”, and is established such that, prior to launch, “Fs” is substantially constant for all configurations of the binary latch. The binary latch is acceleration-activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventors: G. Wilson Flint, Michael T. Jones
  • Publication number: 20140155200
    Abstract: A system and method for propelling pellets from a launch tube includes a retainer plug for holding the pellets inside the launch tube between the retainer plug and a compressed spring. A latch is established on the launch tube to restrain forward movement of the retainer ring in response to the bias force imposed by the compressed spring. In operation, the launch tube is propelled in a forward direction by a man-powered weapon to further compress the spring and release the latch from the retainer plug. After the initial acceleration has subsided, force from the compressed spring provides a forward propulsion of the retainer plug and the plurality of pellets from the launch tube for travel of the pellets toward an intended target. As an added feature, the launch tube can be extended to delay separation of the pellets from the tube for a so-called “choke” effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventor: G. Wilson Flint
  • Toy
    Patent number: 8578915
    Abstract: A toy having a housing and a projectile launcher capable of moving between a first stowed position within the housing and a second deployed position extending from the housing. The toy further including a trigger mechanism for launching at least one projectile from the projectile launcher; and a selector mechanism for movement between a first position and a second position, wherein the trigger mechanism will launch only a single projectile from the projectile launcher when the selector mechanism is in the first position and the trigger mechanism is actuated and wherein the trigger mechanism will launch at least two projectiles from the projectile launcher when the selector mechanism is in the second position and the trigger mechanism is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon Sopinsky, Michael L. Strauss
  • Patent number: 8485170
    Abstract: The projectile launcher with internal bow includes a riser base, an elongate barrel assembly attached to the riser base, a crank mechanism attached to the back of the barrel assembly, a trigger assembly, and an internal bow assembly mounted to the riser base. The crank assembly includes a rotatable crank for selective reciprocation of a cocking pawl carriage riding inside a rail system in the barrel assembly. A biased cocking pawl in the pawl carriage selectively engages a projectile stirrup carriage riding on top of the rail system to push the stirrup carriage into a cocked position. The internal bow assembly includes reversed and vertically spaced, upper and lower resilient bow arms and respective pulleys and cables interconnecting the bow arms and the stirrup carriage. Cocking of the stirrup carriage flexes the bow arms in preparation for placement and firing of a projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Inventor: Michael W. Prior
  • Publication number: 20120024277
    Abstract: A pitching device includes a case in which a shaft, a press board, a strike board, an activation unit and a slide are received. The press board and the strike board are located on two ends of the shaft, and a driving spring is mounted to the shaft so as to rotate the shaft. The strike board has a support member for receiving a ball and the activation unit controls the operation of the strike board. The balls are put in the slide. A release member is located between the slide and the support member to control entry of the ball into the support member. By continuously pressing the press board, the torsion force of the driving spring is stored. When the pedal unit is operated to release the activation unit, the strike board rotates by the torsion spring to through the ball in the support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventor: Chi-Sung Wang
  • Patent number: 7918219
    Abstract: A simulated gun launches a retrievable projectile in the form of a cylinder containing a compressible spring. The spring is compressed by inserting the barrel of the gun into the bore of the cylinder. A tab on the end of the cylinder rides in a helical groove on the surface of the barrel to cause the projectile to rotate about the axis of the barrel as the projectile is launched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Martin Paul, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Belokin
  • Publication number: 20110073091
    Abstract: A ball tossing apparatus includes a support frame and a plurality of launch devices fixed to the support frame and arranged in a two-dimensional array. The launch devices include cylinders having a spring fixed therein, with a ball carrier fixed to the spring. The balls are retained in a loaded position (springs compressed) and then upon activation of the launch devices are launched vertically into the air to the sports player. In another embodiment, the launch devices include a rotating lever which is acted on by a biasing member to launch the ball vertically from the cylinder. A method for launching the balls includes the steps of loading the balls into a two dimensional array, and then launching the balls according to a launch sequence. An electronic control system for use with the ball tossing apparatus includes a launch module for launching the loaded balls in the plurality of launch devices according to a launch sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: Carl W. Gowan, Guillermo A. Garza
  • Patent number: 7628671
    Abstract: A launcher has programmable keys that activate a programming device to communicate with a flying toy to set up any one of multiple different motions of the toy. This is affected when the flying object and the launcher are connected together. Different combinations of program keys include changing of speed and landing procedures. The flying toy includes a receiver that operates a motor, and the flying object is clipped on the launcher and ejected after a user triggers the release button on the launcher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Silverlit Toys Manufactory Ltd.
    Inventor: Kei Fung Choi
  • Patent number: 7601046
    Abstract: A toy rocket launching device includes a stand and a positioning unit is pivotably connected to the stand. A control unit includes a control member which has a first end connected to an injection nozzle of the rocket and a second end of the control member extends through a positioning unit and is secured by a threaded sleeve. An valve is inserted into the first end of the control member and a cap is mounted on the first end of the control member. An activation member is located in the positioning unit and multiple balance cables are connected between the activation member and the cap. An end of an activation cable is connected to a center of the activation member so that when the activation cable is pulled, the cap is simultaneously pulled to activate the injection nozzle to lunch the toy rocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Inventor: Ping-Sung Chang
  • Publication number: 20090025699
    Abstract: A device for throwing an object is provide which includes a body having a first and second end, where the second end is connected to a pivot mechanism; and a swingable arm rotatable between a first position and a second position. The swingable arm has a first end connected to the pivot mechanism and a second end connected to an object holder. The pivot mechanism includes a pivot housing including at least one outwardly extending protrusion to stop rotation; and a base unit rotatably engaged with the pivot housing and capable of rotating the swingable arm relative to the base unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: 3Zilla, LLC
    Inventors: Sumith Jack Mongkolkasetarin, Ben Kingsbury
  • Patent number: 7481691
    Abstract: A flying toy has a handle and a driving mechanism to spin a propeller assembly for launching, the propeller assembly having blades on the top end and a freely rotatable conical sleeve on the bottom end. The handle comprises a plurality of pinch rollers surrounding the driving mechanism such that when the driving mechanism is activated to spin the blades, the pinch rollers are moved inward to engage with the conical sleeve for holding the propeller assembly while the blades are spun, and the pinch rollers are moved away from the conical sleeve for launching the propeller assembly. The flying toy also has a landing platform affixed to the handle, the platform having a funnel-shaped receptacle to receive the bottom end of the propeller assembly. The receptacle wall has soft fins for hampering the spinning of the propeller assembly when receiving a descending propeller assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Inventors: Chau King Sze, Mark Chernick, Simeon Tiefel, Webb Nelson
  • Patent number: 6962027
    Abstract: A masonry pin assembly and method of use is provided for aligning and setting masonry materials used in construction. A masonry pin assembly is provided having a substantially cylindrical cartridge, a spring residing within the cartridge and reacting against the cartridge, a pin slidably disposed within the cartridge such that when the spring is fully compressed the outer end of the pin is still within the cartridge and a trigger for releasing the pin from the cartridge, thereby aligning a masonry stone with adjacent stones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Inventor: Michael L. Zawinsky
  • Patent number: 6752682
    Abstract: A cylindrical toy rocket that measures at least 8-inches long and 2½ inches in diameter. The rocket has a weighted rubber nose cone that is mounted on an inner slide tube that fits inside the rocket's main body tube in contact with a compression spring. At least three guide fins are attached to the outside bottom of the rocket's main body tube. The rocket is launched by means of an attached tether and gripping handle. In use, the handle is gripped in the hand of the player and swung in a vertical circular motion starting in an upward direction. The rocket is then released such that it is catapulted upward into the sky along an initial flight path. When the rocket reaches its apex and starts a descent, the heavier nose cone will assume a downward position. Upon impact with the ground, the nose cone and inner sliding tube are forced into the main tube body of the rocket, thereby compressing and storing potential energy in the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Inventor: Conrad M. Ferrell
  • Patent number: 6708683
    Abstract: A spear gun includes two spears disposed in laterally spaced relation to one another. A separate trigger is dedicated to each spear. Each spear is received within the lumen of a forward spear guide tube and a rearward spear guide tube. Each forward spear guide tube includes a laterally extending post to which is attached the forward end of an elastomeric member. The rearward end of each elastomeric member engages an inclined notch formed in the trailing end of its associated spear. The trailing end of each spear is notched and the notch is engaged by a mating notch formed in a pivotally mounted detent plate. Pulling a trigger pivots the detent plate so that the notches disengage and the bias on the elastomeric member unloads to propel the spear forwardly. A safety latch prevents pulling of the trigger by preventing pivoting of the detent plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Inventor: George P. Harris
  • Patent number: 6481429
    Abstract: A simulated gun for use with a disk-shaped or substantially disk-shaped flying member made of a metal as a bullet for discharging it forward, the simulated gun comprising: a gunbarrel having the hollow whose cross section along a direction normal to a flying direction of the flying member is vertically long and has vertical and horizontal dimensions set substantially equal to the diameter and the thickness of the flying member, respectively, and a flying member hitting position being set at the inner back position of the gunbarrel; a hammer provided at the inner back position of the gunbarrel, reciprocatingly movable between an advanced position where it hits the rear part of the flying member set at the flying member hitting position and a retracted position which is located in a rearward from the advance position, and adapted to hit the flying member set at the flying member hitting position, and a trigger for reciprocatingly moving the hammer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Konami Corporation
    Inventors: Koichi Nishio, Yuji Tamura, Satoshi Ueda
  • Patent number: 6112733
    Abstract: An intrusion apparatus for safely propelling a non-lethal diversionary device into a structure through a barrier. The intrusion apparatus comprises an extension device adapted to be gripped by an individual and being movable generally towards the barrier by the individual. A support assembly is connected to the extension device. The support assembly serves to support the non-lethal diversionary device as the extension device is moved towards the barrier. A barrier breaking assembly is also supported by the extension device. The barrier breaking assembly forms an opening sized to receive the non-lethal diversionary device through the barrier as the extension device is being moved towards the barrier. A propelling assembly is also supported by the extension device. The propelling assembly serves to selectively propel the non-lethal diversionary device into the structure through the opening formed in the barrier at a non-lethal velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Tactical & Rescue Equipment, LLC
    Inventors: Donald W. Wooten, Thomas J. Pilling, Robert M. Wohlfeld
  • Patent number: 5979424
    Abstract: A toy gun can be equipped with a specially configured ram for firing air-filled or water-filled balloons. The forward surface of the ram has a hemi-spheric contour, so that the ram has extensive surface area engagement with the balloon rear surface. When the ram is fired forwardly the balloon is subjected to relatively low unit area acceleration forces, so that the balloon has a lessened likelihood of rupture or excessive deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Inventors: Jorge Alvarez, Mary Alvarez
  • Patent number: 5933892
    Abstract: A multipurpose bottle cap launcher (14) comprising a body member (16). An assembly (18) in the body member (16) is for shooting a bottle cap (20) therefrom for recreational target practice. A structure (22) in the body member (16) is for removing a bottle cap (20) from a bottle (24), which can be held and manipulated by a hand (26) of a person (28). A facility (30) in the body member (16) is for holding at least one key (32) thereon, to prevent loss of the at least one key (32), so that it can be used by the person (28) to unlock locks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Inventor: Steve Tramontano
  • Patent number: 5842907
    Abstract: A radio-controlled toy missile launcher with missile launch mount having a first end mounted on a chassis and a second end movable upward and downward. The missile launch mount has at least one missile projector accommodating a missile. A supporting member is provided to mechanically connect the chassis to the missile launch mount for supporting the missile launch mount. The supporting member is capable of rising up and falling down the second end of the missile launch mount. A thrust applying unit is provided in the missile projector for applying the missile with a thrust enough to allow launching of the missile. A missile holding member is provided in the missile projector for holding the missile from being launched. A release member engages the missile holding member for moving the missile holding member to release the missile from holding by the missile holding member thereby to allow launching of the missile by the thrust force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Nikko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Niimura, Munetoshi Miyasaka
  • Patent number: 5803060
    Abstract: Missile launching apparatus includes a housing section and a trigger mechanism. The trigger mechanism is integrally formed from a common piece of material with the housing section to define a single component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph F. Skivran
  • Patent number: 5690089
    Abstract: A mechanical hand grenade launcher comprised of a launch tube and spring-ven plunger for propelling a hand grenade to a target area. At the aft end of the launcher is a charging handle that when pulled rearward compresses a spring within the launcher tube. When the spring has been sufficiently compressed, the spring is then locked in the cocked position by a safety pin attached to a first lanyard. A hand grenade is loaded through the fore end of the launcher and the grenade's pull pin is attached to a second lanyard. When rearward force is applied to the second lanyard, the grenade pull pin is dislodged from the grenade. To launch the grenade, rearward force is applied to the first lanyard dislodging the safety pin which releases the spring. The force of the expanding spring imparted to the hand grenade propels the hand grenade out of the fore end of the launch tube toward the target area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: John Patrick Ward
  • Patent number: 5681230
    Abstract: An automatic ball return apparatus includes a ball retrieval net with a chute at the lower end for receiving an directing a ball to a ball return mechanism. The ball return mechanism includes a frame with guide rails for directing a ball forwardly out of the mechanism, and an ejector mechanism for launching the ball. The ejector mechanism includes an ejector arm connected to a motor which cycles the arm between a cocked position and a launch position, to selectively launch a ball received from the ball retrieval apparatus. A switch located between the guide rails is activated by a ball dropping onto the ball return mechanism, which operates the motor to eject the ball from the mechanism. The ball return mechanism is supported on a stand, and a motor with a drive shaft is mounted to a platform on the stand to selectively rotate the ball return mechanism on the stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Inventor: Harold F. Krings
  • Patent number: 5456036
    Abstract: An animal scent dispensing pistol assembly for dispensing scent for attracting animals comprising a pistol including a barrel having a sealed base end, an opened tip end, and a bored intermediate portion therebetween; a handle extended from the barrel; a plunger slidably disposed within the barrel; a spring mechanism disposed within the barrel and coupled to the pistol for urging the plunger towards the tip end of the barrel; a cocking mechanism coupled to the plunger and adapted to be actuated for urging the plunger towards the base end of the barrel to define a retracted orientation; and a trigger mechanism coupled to the pistol and extended therefrom with the trigger mechanism having a rest position for holding the plunger in the retracted orientation and a firing position actuatable for releasing the plunger from the retracted orientation; and a plurality of scent sticks each adapted for holding liquid scent, each scent stick further adapted to be inserted into the barrel of the pistol for subsequent ejec
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Inventor: Scott A. Butz
  • Patent number: 5447144
    Abstract: Apparatus for propelling projectiles and particularly suited to throwing footballs. The apparatus includes (a) a structural frame having elongate bearing surfaces and a forward end from which the projectiles are ejected; (b) a ball carriage adapted to contain the projectile, the carriage being slidingly mounted on the bearing surfaces; (c) at least one resilient member for so urging the carriage along the bearing surfaces towards the forward end that the projectile is propelled from the carriage at the forward end of the frame; and (d) a ball rotating assembly mounted on the ball carriage for applying rotation to the projectile as the projectile is propelled from the apparatus. A locking apparatus may also be provided for releasably locking the ball carriage relative to the structural frame. The propelling apparatus, when used in conjunction with a supporting pole, can be accurately aimed and operated by one person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Inventor: Jessie T. Ivy
  • Patent number: 5363833
    Abstract: A spear-gun is disclosed which can be loaded by holding the butt end in the hands and moving a slider forwards with the feet to extend a spring. This allows a person of given strength to more easily load the gun or to store more energy in the spring than would be possible with a conventional arm-loaded gun. The gun comprises a barrel (32) with a pistol-grip (30) at the butt end and a head (34) adapted to guide the spear. The spring comprises two rubbers (36) arranged on either side of the barrel and aligned with its axis, the forward ends of the rubbers being connected to a forward slider (40) adapted to slide on the barrel and the rear ends being connected to a rear slider (42) also adapted to slide on the barrel. The forward slider (40) is fitted with releasable non-return dogs (47) that normally prevent it from moving rearwards along the barrel, while the rear slider (42) is adapted to be retained by trigger-operated catches (43).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Inventor: Paul Messud
  • Patent number: 5355866
    Abstract: A hand-held launcher for a dart comprises a pistol-shaped frame with a stock and handle. A channel is provided in the stock to receive a slidable launcher block. The dart is received in the launcher block. The launcher block is spring biased forward and retained from moving beyond a predetermined position by a stop block in the channel. Slots are provided on each side of the channel and the launcher block is retained in the channel by a cross pin which extends through the launcher block and into the slots. A release lever has two upper catches to engage the cross pin and retain the launcher block in the rearward cocked position. When the lever is pivoted, the launcher block is released and pushed forward by the spring until it contacts the stop block, whereupon the dart is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Inventor: Gary R. Hunter
  • Patent number: 5311855
    Abstract: In order to provide enhanced performance from fletching, a stabilizer is operatively associated with an arrow shaft to be moveable from a launch position near the tip of an arrow at one end thereof to a flight position near the nock of the arrow at the other end thereof. The stabilizer includes a slide collar disposed on the shaft for sliding movement therealong and having a plurality of radial vanes each with a leading edge and a trailing edge as well as a reinforcing extension forwardly of the leading edges of the vanes and extending rearwardly at least to the trailing edges thereof. By limiting the stabilizer to sliding movement along the shaft from the launch position to the flight position, a bow having a riser may be provided with a launcher mounted on the riser to resiliently grip the stabilizer with the vanes forward of the riser during launch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Inventor: Ronald Basik
  • Patent number: 5265583
    Abstract: This invention relates to an automatic ball control apparatus readily connectable to a ball ejector barrel on a ball ejector machine to impart top spin to ejected tennis ball members. The automatic ball control apparatus includes a ball top spin actuator assembly in one embodiment which includes 1) a fixed extension sleeve assembly secured to an outer end of the ball ejector barrel; 2) a sliding actuator sleeve assembly mounted about the fixed extension sleeve assembly; and 3) a spin actuator paddle assembly pivotally connected to the sliding actuator sleeve assembly. The spin actuator paddle assembly includes a main support lever member which is periodically pivotable to contact and impart top spin motion to a contacting tennis ball member. A second embodiment includes a ball top spin actuator assembly including 1) a fixed extension sleeve assembly secured to an outer end of the ball ejector barrel; and 2) a spin actuator paddle assembly connected to the fixed extension sleeve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Inventor: Carlos F. Otto
  • Patent number: 5254030
    Abstract: A toy vehicle launcher includes a generally planar base having a pair of angularly disposed downwardly sloped toy vehicle feed ramps coupled thereto. A pivotally supported carriage defines a pair of angularly disposed launching stations for receiving toy vehicles from the feed ramps. An operative mechanism is coupled to a slidable handle supported upon the base to pivot the carriage back and forth between the feed ramps to alternate each launching station between a vehicle receiving position in alignment with a feed ramp and a launching position. A movable spring-loaded striker is operative in response to handle motion to strike the toy vehicle positioned within the launch position and drive the vehicle outwardly from the launcher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric C. Ostendorff, Toshio Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 5145740
    Abstract: A retractile speargun line suitable for use in conjunction with a speargun comprising a line of flexible linear material having a first end adapted for connection to a speargun and a second end adapted for connection to a speargun spear by the use of a clip attached at each such end of the type used for leader lines in fishing, said flexible linear material having a springlike helical configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignees: Michael A. Boykin, Dorothy M. Boykin
    Inventor: Michael A. Boykin