Abstract: A blaster for shooting projectiles that includes a housing that defines a housing interior, and a variable velocity barrel assembly positioned in the housing interior. The variable velocity barrel assembly includes a barrel that defines a barrel axis and a barrel interior. The barrel includes an exit opening at a distal end thereof. At least a first opening communicates the barrel interior with an exterior of the barrel. The first opening is defined through a side wall of the barrel. A slider member that includes a cylindrical portion that surrounds the barrel is movable axially along the barrel between a maximum velocity position where the cylindrical portion covers the first opening and a minimum velocity position where the slider member does not cover the first opening.

Abstract: Nozzles, nozzle assemblies, and blaster assemblies featuring interchangeable nozzles having externally powered electrical components or accessories. A nozzle assembly may include a body. The body may have a projectile opening defined therethrough. The nozzle assembly may further include an electrical component that is attachable to the body. The nozzle assembly may further include an electrical connection member coupled to the body and the electrical component. The electrical connection member may be configured to electrically connect the electrical component to the blaster.

Abstract: A toy projectile shooter that includes a housing defining a housing interior, a barrel, a trigger movable between a firing position and a non-firing position, a firing motor, a plunger sensor, a plunger disposed in the housing interior, and a shot firing mode system configured to activate the firing motor when the trigger is moved from the non-firing position to the firing position, move the plunger from a first plunger position to a second plunger position when the firing motor is activated, actuate the plunger sensor when the plunger is moved from the first plunger position to the second plunger position, bias the plunger from the second plunger position to the first plunger position after the plunger sensor is actuated, and deactivate the firing motor after the plunger sensor has been actuated a predetermined number of times.

Abstract: A blaster for shooting projectiles that includes a housing that defines a housing interior, and a variable velocity barrel assembly positioned in the housing interior. The variable velocity barrel assembly includes a barrel that defines a barrel axis and a barrel interior. The barrel includes an exit opening at a distal end thereof. At least a first opening communicates the barrel interior with an exterior of the barrel. The first opening is defined through a side wall of the barrel. A slider member that includes a cylindrical portion that surrounds the barrel is movable axially along the barrel between a maximum velocity position where the cylindrical portion covers the first opening and a minimum velocity position where the slider member does not cover the first opening.

Abstract: An extended-reality projectile-firing gaming system includes a projectile-firing device, a battlefield object configured to detect impact of projectiles thereon, a network configured to provide communication and control connectivity in accordance with at least one protocol to the projectile-firing device and the wearable device, and an extended-reality gaming application.

Abstract: A smart target co-witnessing hit attribution system includes a network, a projectile-firing device that includes a projectile repository and an infrared emitter, a smart target that includes a piezoelectric sensor, an infrared sensor, and control circuitry, and an extended-reality gaming application. After confirming a successful hit on the smart target, the application receives target state data and updates gaming metric data to attribute a successful impact on the smart target by the projectile-firing device.

Abstract: An extended-reality projectile-firing gaming system includes a projectile-firing device that includes a projectile repository, a battlefield object, a network configured to provide communication and control connectivity in accordance with at least one protocol to the projectile-firing device and the battlefield object, an extended-reality gaming application, and an extended-reality device. The extended-reality device includes at least one display and is configured to provide computer-aided vision of real and virtual objects and a computer-aided interface for interaction with the real and virtual objects, the computer-aided interface configured to receive commands or instructions associated with the real and virtual objects and corresponding to the gameplay configuration.

Abstract: An ammunition bucket may be provided for preparation of ammunition for toy blasters having greater ease of use with less mess. The bucket may be collapsible having sides that collapse in an accordion style, and the bucket may include a carrying handle. The lid may be sealed and resistant to splashing and leakage. A lower recessed port area may be provided at the lowest portion of the bucket body. This port may be a three-way drain and strain port. The lower recessed port area may include a dispensing valve with a primary control notch and a flap that provides rate control for the valve. The dispensing valve also may include a secondary control notch that limits an opening of the dispensing valve to prevent ammunition from leaving the bucket.

Abstract: An extended-reality projectile-firing gaming system includes a projectile-firing device, a battlefield object configured to detect impact of projectiles thereon, a network configured to provide communication and control connectivity in accordance with at least one protocol to the projectile-firing device and the wearable device, and an extended-reality gaming application.

Abstract: A blaster for shooting projectiles that includes a housing that defines a housing interior, and a variable velocity barrel assembly positioned in the housing interior. The variable velocity barrel assembly includes a barrel that defines a barrel axis and a barrel interior. The barrel includes an exit opening at a distal end thereof. At least a first opening communicates the barrel interior with an exterior of the barrel. The first opening is defined through a side wall of the barrel. A slider member that includes a cylindrical portion that surrounds the barrel is movable axially along the barrel between a maximum velocity position where the cylindrical portion covers the first opening and a minimum velocity position where the slider member does not cover the first opening.

Abstract: An illuminated feedneck may be utilized in a toy blaster, laser tag gun, airsoft or other toy gun, and the like to illuminate ammunition, such as Gellets, for use in non-daylight hours or indoors. A feedneck may be illuminated through ultraviolet light that may be powered through batteries and/or one or more other forms of power. The illuminated feedneck may charge ammunition through a series of specialty UVA (˜400 nM) wavelength light emitting diodes (LEDs) that safely become illuminated with a long-lasting and bright green glow. The ammunition may be infused to create a glow-in-the dark tracer effect as they are powered and pass through the illuminated feedneck.

Abstract: A smart target co-witnessing hit attribution system includes a network, a projectile-firing device that includes a projectile repository and an infrared emitter, a smart target that includes a piezoelectric sensor, an infrared sensor, and control circuitry, and an extended-reality gaming application. After confirming a successful hit on the smart target, the application receives target state data and updates gaming metric data to attribute a successful impact on the smart target by the projectile-firing device.

Abstract: An extended-reality projectile-firing gaming system includes a projectile-firing device, a battlefield object configured to detect impact of projectiles thereon, a network configured to provide communication and control connectivity in accordance with at least one protocol to the projectile-firing device and the wearable device, and an extended-reality gaming application.

Abstract: Nozzles, nozzle assemblies, and blaster assemblies featuring interchangeable nozzles having externally powered electrical components or accessories. A nozzle assembly may include a body. The body may have a projectile opening defined therethrough. The nozzle assembly may further include an electrical component that is attachable to the body. The nozzle assembly may further include an electrical connection member coupled to the body and the electrical component. The electrical connection member may be configured to electrically connect the electrical component to the blaster.

Abstract: A blaster for shooting projectiles that includes a housing that defines a housing interior, and a variable velocity barrel assembly positioned in the housing interior. The variable velocity barrel assembly includes a barrel that defines a barrel axis and a barrel interior. The barrel includes an exit opening at a distal end thereof. At least a first opening communicates the barrel interior with an exterior of the barrel. The first opening is defined through a side wall of the barrel. A slider member that includes a cylindrical portion that surrounds the barrel is movable axially along the barrel between a maximum velocity position where the cylindrical portion covers the first opening and a minimum velocity position where the slider member does not cover the first opening.

Abstract: An illuminated feedneck may be utilized in a toy blaster, laser tag gun, airsoft or other toy gun, and the like to illuminate ammunition, such as Gellets, for use in non-daylight hours or indoors. A feedneck may be illuminated through ultraviolet light that may be powered through batteries and/or one or more other forms of power. The illuminated feedneck may charge ammunition through a series of specialty UVA (˜400 nM) wavelength light emitting diodes (LEDs) that safely become illuminated with a long-lasting and bright green glow. The ammunition may be infused to create a glow-in-the dark tracer effect as they are powered and pass through the illuminated feedneck.

Abstract: An extended-reality projectile-firing gaming system includes a projectile-firing device, a battlefield object configured to detect impact of projectiles thereon, a network configured to provide communication and control connectivity in accordance with at least one protocol to the projectile-firing device and the wearable device, and an extended-reality gaming application.

Abstract: An ammunition bucket may be provided for preparation of ammunition for toy blasters having greater ease of use with less mess. The bucket may be collapsible having sides that collapse in an accordion style, and the bucket may include a carrying handle. The lid may be sealed and resistant to splashing and leakage. A lower recessed port area may be provided at the lowest portion of the bucket body. This port may be a three-way drain and strain port. The lower recessed port area may include a dispensing valve with a primary control notch and a flap that provides rate control for the valve. The dispensing valve also may include a secondary control notch that limits an opening of the dispensing valve to prevent ammunition from leaving the bucket.