Patents by Inventor Jeffrey C. Zimmerman

Jeffrey C. Zimmerman has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9457289
    Abstract: A toy gun capable of firing a projectile and simultaneously or near simultaneously, emitting smoke from the muzzle of a barrel of the gun after the projectile has been discharged from the muzzle. The toy gun has first and second rechargeable air pumps, with the first air pump automatically discharging stored air into a breech part of the barrel in order to propel a loaded projectile from the barrel, and the second air pump expelling stored air through a flow restriction device which serves as a pressure switch for actuating a smoke generator located adjacent to the muzzle. The second air pump also provides a low air flow rate through the smoke generator to expel smoke therefrom. The second air pump expels stored air much more slowly than the first air pump. The first and second air pumps are simultaneously triggered to release stored air by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Buzz Bee Toys (H.K.) Co. Limited
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Zimmerman, Chor-Ming Ma
  • Publication number: 20150065005
    Abstract: A toy gun in the form of a breech loading rifle is provided which is capable of firing a projectile such as a dart as well as simultaneously or near simultaneously emitting smoke from the muzzle of a barrel of the gun after the dart has been discharged from the muzzle. The toy gun has first and second rechargeable air pumps. A first one of the air pumps automatically discharges stored air into a breech part of the barrel in order to propel a loaded projectile from the gun's barrel. A second one of the air pumps expels stored air through a flow restriction device which doubles up as a pressure switch for actuating a smoke generator located adjacent to the muzzle of the gun. The second air pump also provides a low flow rate of air through the smoke generator to expel smoke from the smoke generator. The second air pump expels stored air much more slowly than the first air pump. The first and second air pumps are simultaneously triggered to release stored air by user actuation of a trigger of the gun.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Buzz Bee Toys (H.K.) Co., Limited
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Zimmerman, Chor-Ming Ma
  • Publication number: 20150065006
    Abstract: A toy gun in the form of a breech loading rifle is provided which is capable of firing a projectile such as a dart as well as simultaneously or near simultaneously emitting smoke from the muzzle of a barrel of the gun after the dart has been discharged from the muzzle. The toy gun has first and second rechargeable air pumps. A first one of the air pumps automatically discharges stored air into a breech part of the barrel in order to propel a loaded projectile from the gun's barrel. A second one of the air pumps expels stored air through a flow restriction device which doubles up as a pressure switch for actuating a smoke generator located adjacent to the muzzle of the gun. The second air pump also provides a low flow rate of air through the smoke generator to expel smoke from the smoke generator. The second air pump expels stored air much more slowly than the first air pump. The first and second air pumps are simultaneously triggered to release stored air by user actuation of a trigger of the gun.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Buzz Bee Toys (H.K.) Co., Limited
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Zimmerman, Chor-Ming Ma
  • Patent number: 8146281
    Abstract: A link for a toy ammunition chain made up of a plurality of links hinged together side-by-side in articulated fashion includes a cylindrical body adapted to receive a soft projectile. A first hinge component extends laterally from the body and has a pair of hinge pins. A second hinge component extends laterally from the body at a position opposite the first hinge component and has a pair of recesses each for pivotally receiving a hinge pin of an adjacent link in the chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Buzz Bee Toys (H.K.) Co., Limited
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20100147277
    Abstract: A toy gun for individually shooting soft projectiles has a body and a magazine attached to the body for housing an array of soft projectiles and delivering them individually to a firing position within the body. A firing mechanism in the body fires a first projectile from the firing position. A projectile separator acts upon a second projectile adjacent to the first projectile to at least reduce frictional interaction between the first and second projectiles during firing and to smooth the projectile loading process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Zimmerman, Chor-Ming Ma
  • Patent number: 7677235
    Abstract: A toy gun includes a firing mechanism activated to cause rapid movement of a pneumatic piston to cause rapid ingress of air into a cartridge to cause firing of a soft projectile. A release mechanism causes ejection of spent cartridges from the gun after firing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Buzz Bee Toys (H.K.) Co., Limited
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20090151710
    Abstract: A link for a toy ammunition chain made up of a plurality of links hinged together side-by-side in articulated fashion includes a cylindrical body adapted to receive a soft projectile. A first hinge component extends laterally from the body and has a pair of hinge pins. A second hinge component extends laterally from the body at a position opposite the first hinge component and has a pair of recesses each for pivotally receiving a hinge pin of an adjacent link in the chain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20090095272
    Abstract: A toy gun includes a barrel to be loaded with a number of soft projectiles, a firing bay, an exit passage, a motor-driven accelerator mechanism for accelerating the soft projectiles from the firing bay through the exit passage, a delivery mechanism for transferring the soft projectiles in the barrel to the firing bay, a motor-driven shunting mechanism for shunting the individual projectiles in the firing bay for engagement by the accelerator mechanism, a trigger mechanism, and electrical switches in circuit with the motor-driven accelerator mechanism and motor-driven shunting mechanism, the switches being manipulated by the trigger mechanism in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20070289995
    Abstract: A toy water gun is provided which includes a main housing having a handle as well as a water ejection nozzle located thereon. A water supply tank is connected to the main housing which can be filled with water. A pump is located on the housing for pumping water from the supply tank to a pressure chamber located on the main housing. The pressure chamber includes a piston which defines one wall of a water containment space and can be displaced from its neutral position in the pressure chamber housing against a biasing force so that a steady stream of water is discharged from water gun through a nozzle connected to the pressure chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Applicant: BUZZ BEE TOYS, INC.
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 7156085
    Abstract: A toy gun includes a barrel having a bay for receiving a soft projectile loaded within a cartridge. A stock is connected pivotally to the barrel and encases a pneumatic cylinder and piston that is primed upon pivotally opening the stock and barrel. The pneumatic cylinder and piston communicate with the bay when the stock and barrel are closed. A trigger releases the piston to force air into the bay for dispatching the projectile from the cartridge—leaving the cartridge within the bay for ejection upon opening of the stock and barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Buzz Bee Toys (H.K.) Co., Limited
    Inventors: Michael G. Lewis, Jeffrey C. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 7131557
    Abstract: A toy water gun having a water supply tank which can be filled with water, and a water pump located on the housing for pumping water from the supply tank to at least one water pressure chamber. The water pressure chamber includes a fixed wall, and a moveable wall which substantially sealingly engages the fixed wall and is slidable away from a first end wall as water is pumped into the water pressure chamber and toward it as water is discharged. An air pressure chamber is located on an opposite side of the moveable wall from the water pressure chamber and is pressurizable with compressed air to bias the moveable wall toward the first end wall. A pump is connected to a selector valve assembly which, in a first state, allows air to be pumped into the air pressure chamber for pressurizing it with compressed air and, in a second state, places the pump in communication between the water supply tank and the water pressure chamber to allow water to be pumped from the supply tank to the water pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Buzz Bee Toys, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Zimmerman, Chor Ming Ken Ma
  • Patent number: 7097073
    Abstract: A toy water gun having a water supply tank which can be filled with water, and a water pump located on the housing for pumping water from the supply tank to at least one water pressure chamber. The water pressure chamber includes at least one fixed wall, and a moveable wall which substantially sealingly engages the at least one fixed wall and is slidable away from a first end wall as water is pumped into the water pressure chamber and toward the first end wall as water is discharged. An air pressure chamber located on an opposite side of the moveable wall from the water pressure chamber and is pressurizable with compressed air to bias the moveable wall toward the first end wall. An air pump is connected to the air pressure chamber for pressurizing the air pressure chamber with a user desired air pressure. Upon actuation of the release valve, the air pressure acts on the moveable wall to force water under pressure from the water pressure chamber so that a stream of water is ejected from the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Buzz Bee Toys, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 6802756
    Abstract: A diaphragm actuated toy water gun is provided which includes a housing having a handle with a trigger as well as a barrel with a water ejection nozzle located thereon. A water supply tank is connected to the main housing which can be filled with water. A pump is located on the housing for pumping water from the supply tank to at least one diaphragm chamber located on the housing. The diaphragm chamber is formed between a fixed wall and a flexible diaphragm, which can be deflected and expanded from its neutral position into a diaphragm housing. A release valve C the diaphragm assembly. Actuation of the release valve allows a stream of water to be ejected from the diaphragm water gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: Jeffrey C Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20040077975
    Abstract: The invention relates to motion analysis systems, methods, and programs for analyzing the motions or positions of humans and providing feedback thereon so that the users may improve their movements or postures. The analysis is in terms of the positions and motions of sensors that are carefully placed at vital energy points along the body, especially acupuncture points and chakras. The systems, methods, and programs allow users to master techniques that improve their vital energy flow, thus providing higher energy levels. In one aspect, the sensors are placed anywhere on the body, and tactile feedback devices provide tactile feedback to indicate errant motions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20040077266
    Abstract: A diaphragm actuated toy water gun is provided which includes a housing having a handle with a trigger as well as a barrel with a water ejection nozzle located thereon. A water supply tank is connected to the main housing which can be filled with water. A pump is located on the housing for pumping water from the supply tank to at least one diaphragm chamber located on the housing. The diaphragm chamber is formed between a fixed wall and a flexible diaphragm, which can be deflected and expanded from its neutral position into a diaphragm housing. A release valve C the diaphragm assembly. Actuation of the release valve allows a stream of water to be ejected from the diaphragm water gun.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Zimmerman