Projectile Launcher And Applications Therefor
A toy projectile launcher having a handle for receiving a removable projectile clip mechanism that stores projectiles in an unstretched state. A trigger mechanism is provided to engage and stretch a projectile when pulled towards the rear, and is configured to release the stretched projectile when pulled past a pre-determined distance. A blow-back mechanism is provided and movable secured about an upper portion of the body. The trigger mechanism is configured to engage the blow-back mechanism as the trigger is pulled and the blow-back mechanism is configured to disengage from the trigger mechanism when the trigger is pulled past the pre-determined distance to substantially coincide with the release of the stretched projectile.
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The present application is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/843,898 filed Sep. 26, 2012, which is a nonprovisional application of U.S. Provisional Application 61/542,772 filed Oct. 3, 2011; and this application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 61/708,110 filed Oct. 1, 2012.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to the field of toys, and in particular, relates to projectile launchers and different applications used therewith.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONHistorically toy projectiles and projectile launchers have relied upon the use of air pressure, catapults, elastics, motors, or springs to launch the projectiles. While these have proved popular, it would be advantageous to provide projectile toys with reusable projectiles, that do not require bulky air chambers which restrict product design, and to provide fast firing with a toy safe for kids. These toy projectile launcher would result in the creation of new games as a result of the nature of the projectile.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAn exemplary implementation of a projectile toy of the present invention is a projectile which is adapted to be stretched so as to create an elastic force, and in a preferred feature, a launcher which is adapted to exert a stretching force of the projectile toy, and then release the stretching force, causing the projectile to be projected.
As a result of the present invention, the “ammunition” of the projectile toy, also acts as to provide its own projection force, and preferably, by selection of the proper material, provides game features, as will be herein described. In a preferred embodiment, the projectile is manufactured from an elastic-type material, and in a most preferred embodiment, the projectile is manufactured from materials with elastic qualities.
The launcher of the present invention is preferably a gun having components described and shown in the description and drawings. The gun may also have a magazine with multiple projectiles loaded and positioned for the launching mechanism in the gun to load and release. The magazine may be re-loaded by simply removing it from the gun and inserting the projectiles at a loading area in the magazine. When the toy projectile is released, the projectile flies forward, out of a nozzle from the gun, and flies towards a target.
Numerous other advantages and features of the invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims, and from the accompanying drawings.
A fuller understanding of the foregoing may be had by reference to the accompanying drawings.
While the invention is susceptible to embodiments in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described in detail herein the preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the spirit or scope of the invention and/or claims of the embodiments illustrated.
The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following drawings in which a presently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated by way of example only. In the drawings; like reference numerals depict like elements.
It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. Also, unless otherwise specifically noted, all of the features described herein may be combined with any of the above aspects, in any combination.
Referring to
A blow-back mechanism 125 is also provided about the back end 102 of the launcher 100. The blow-back mechanism 125, further described in greater detail below, laterally moves in relation to the launcher 100 when the projectile is being fired (
The electronic device 130 is held in place on the top 132 of the launcher 100 by a e-device holder mechanism 135. The e-device holder mechanism 135 as described below in greater detail is removably attached to a muzzle cradle mechanism 140, which is secured to the muzzle 145 of the launcher 100.
Referring now to
in another embodiment, the projectile may include a first portion and a second portion, which may be the same portion or the entire projectile. The first portion being is made of a material having a first characteristic configured to provide a pliable and resilient feature, such that the pliable feature configures the projectile to have a stretchable pardon that is stretchable to a length greater then a resting length and the resilient feature configures the projectile to return from a stretched positioned to the resting length, Thus the resiliency is such that a potential energy stored in the projectile when stretched is quickly converted to kinetic energy to launch the projectile. Furthermore, the second portion is made of a material having a second characteristic that may be configured to provide a sticky characteristic such that when the projectile strikes a surface the at least second portion tends to adhere to the surface. This allows the projectile to be used for a variety of uses and games.
As shown in
In but one embodiment of the projectiles, one of which is provided as having the elasticity characteristics for the particular size of about 20 mm diameter measured from the outer edge to outer edge. The internal diameter of the channel is about 4 mm with a wail thickness of the projectile of about 1.5 mm. As further illustrated in
Referring now to
Referring now to
The projectile clip mechanism 112 includes a two-piece handle butt 310, a magazine compartment 315, projectiles 317, a loading mechanism 319, and a clip release mechanism 320. The two-piece handle butt 310, when secured in place, rests against a bottom edge 322 of the handle 110. The two-piece handle butt 310 also houses the loading mechanism 319 which consists of a projectile loading rod 330 which holds the projectiles 317, a two piece loading base 335 and a spring 340. The spring 340 is positioned against the inside edge of the handle butt 310 and against the loading base 335. As a projectile 317 is fired, the spring which is in compression, forces the loading base upwardly pushing the projectiles 317 upwardly such that the subsequent projectile is in position for firing. The projectiles 317 are surrounded by the two piece magazine compartment 315. When the projectile 317 is in position, an opening 342 in the magazine compartment 315 allows the projectiles to be fired.
As noted above, the projectile clip mechanism 112 is removably attached within the handle 110 of the launcher 100. Turning now to
Referring now to
The upper holder 420 is defined by a reverse L shape configuration. The head 422 of the upper holder 420 has openings to receive the top gripping pad 410 and the body 424 of the upper holder 420 includes a channel 426 with clips 428 extending towards each other over the channel 426. The body 424 is positioned against the lower holder 425. A lever 430 is positioned between the upper holder 420 and the lower holder 425 within the channel 426. The lever 430 includes notches 432 to receive the clips 428 and allow the two components to secure to one another. The lever 430 includes a pivot pin 434 along the bottom portion which rests in bore 436 on the bottom portion of the body 424 of the upper holder 420. The body 424 of the upper holder 420 further includes externally protruding flanges 438 along the outside of the channel 426 and extending outwardly. The protruding flanges 438 engage corresponding grooves 442 on the lower holder 425, which when engaged holds the upper holder 420 against the lower holder 425. To separate the two pieces, the lever 430 can be pulled back towards the lower holder 425 forcing the protruding flanges 438 of the upper holder 420 to disengage the corresponding grooves 442 on the lower holder 425.
The lower holder 425 includes a pair of arms 435 that extend away from the body 424 of the upper holder 420. The arms 435 each include ridges 440 along an outer facing side. To secure the holder mechanism 135 to the muzzle cradle 400, the arms 435 are positioned within the muzzle cradle 400. The muzzle cradle 400 includes cooperative ridges 402, such that the arms 435 are able to engage the muzzle cradle 400 and be secured in position. The muzzle cradle 400 further include windows 404 positioned over a portion of the arms when the holder mechanism 135 is secured thereto. The user can then apply pressure to the arms through the windows, such as a squeezing pressure to disengage the cooperative ridges.
Referring now to
Turning now to
The first gear plate 550 further includes a guide post 572 extending along a portion of the bottom end 556 and about the rearward end 554. The guide post 572, discussed in greater detail below, includes a ramp edge 574 that is angled towards the forward end to the bottom end 556. The first gear plate 550 further includes a protruding guide 576 extending towards the rear section of the launcher and that extends from the rearward end 554.
Secured to the top end 558 of the gear plate is a push lever 578. The push lever 578 includes an elongated arm 580 extending towards the rear section of the launcher. When the gear plate 550 moves towards the rear section of the launcher, the push lever and the elongated arm 580 similarly moves rearwardly.
Referring now also to
The first and second gear plates are meshed with one or more gears 568 that are positioned in the upper section channel 564 of the first gear plate 550 and rotatably secured to the main housing 300/302. In the preferred embodiment, the gears 568 include a first gear 569 secured to a second gear 570. The second gear 570 is meshed to the underside rack 596 of the second gear plate. Thus when the trigger mechanism 115 is pulled back, the first gear plate 550 moves rearwardly rotating the one or more gears 568 which moves the second gear plate 590 towards the forward section or muzzle end of the launcher 100.
A two piece gear housing 600 is secured around the first and second gear plates. The gear housing 600 includes an lower groove 602 and an upper groove 604 that accommodate lower flanges 606 positioned on the first gear plate 550 and upper flanges 598 positioned on the second gear plate 590. This helps secure the two gear plates in position while allowing the two gear plates to move in or slide in the grooves.
As mentioned above, the upper gear plate 590 includes one or more apertures 594. The aperture(s) 594 accommodate a prong end 612 of a forward projectile launching clip 610. The forward projectile launching clip 610 has a lower hook end 614 an intermediate base end 616 and one or more prong arms 611, each with a prong end 612. As illustrated, the forward projectile launching clip 610 includes a Y-shaped segment that branches from the intermediate base end 616 to two prong ends 612. Each of the prong ends 612 are received into the apertures 594 of the upper gear plate 590.
As shown in
Referring now also to
Releasing the trigger mechanism after firing returns the components back to their initial position. The return of the components is caused by having a first spring 680 positioned over a rear projection 622 defined against a rear portion 684 of the gear housing 600 and the distal end of the spring over the protruding guide 576 from the first gear plate 550; and caused from the trigger spring 512. During movement of the trigger mechanism 115, the first spring 680 compresses and the trigger spring is under tension. A rebase of the trigger mechanism 115 causes the first spring 680 to uncompress and the trigger spring to pull the trigger mechanism, both of which moves the components back to their initial position.
The adjustable calibration level 702 is part of an adjustable calibration mechanism 700, illustrated in
Referring now to
During its rest position, a portion 760 of the blow-back mechanism 125, which also houses the blow-back prong 752, is pressing against the e-touch marker mechanism 127 which causes a slight compression of a marker spring 800. When the blow-back mechanism 125 is moved away from the launcher 100, the marker spring 800 uncompresses and moves a marker holder 810 towards the rear section of the launcher. The marker holder 810 holds the e-touch marker 820 with a soft tip 825 to ensure when the e-touch marker 820 makes contact with the electronic device 130, the touch is a soft touch. Once the blow-back mechanism 125 is released, the portion 760 returns and hits the marker holder 810, forcing the marker holder 810 to move towards the electronic device 130. This causes the e-touch marker 820 to move towards the electronic device 130 and make contact with the electronic device 130. The marker spring 800 comes under compression again to help ensure the movement of the e-touch marker 820 and the ultimate contact with the electronic device 130 is limited to a soft touch.
The blow-back mechanism 125 is released when the elongated arm 580 from the push lever 578 reaches a predetermined distance and the ramp end on the elongated arm loses contact with the protruding member 758. This occurs about the same time as the rearward projectile launcher lever 620 releases the projectile.
Referring now also to
Referring now to
To return the pivot level 900 to its initial position, a lever component 920 is on a pivotal spring (not shown). In a rest position, the short end of the pivot level 900 sits between the lever component 920 and the first gear plate 550. When the trigger is pulled back, the long arm of the lever 900 rotates down depressing the magazine and at the same time a short arm 930 releases pivotal spring allowing lever component 920 to return to a rest position. When lever component 920 is in the rest position it blocks the lever 900 from returning to its own initial position, maintaining the depressed position of the magazine until the gear plate 550 returns to an initial rest position. When the gear plate returns to the initial rest position there is an extension off the side of it that will force lever component 920 to be rotated on the pivot spring away from the gear plate 550. When this occurs, short arm 930 is then able to return to its it rest position releasing the magazine housing edge 906 and causing the magazine compartment 315 to return to the loading position.
In other aspects of the invention, activities can be provided for use with the launcher and can be further developed with the use of augmented reality software applications. Augmented reality is a live, direct or indirect, view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are augmented by computer-generated sensory input such as sound, video, graphics, or GPS data. It is related to a more general concept called mediated reality, in which a view of reality is modified by a computer. As a result, the technology functions by enhancing one's current perception of reality. In one embodiment of the present invention,
One software application for the augmented reality (“AR”) can be designed into a targeting mode. The target has designed thereon a graphic with an AR glyph that is attached to pressure sensors. When you scan the glyph with your electronic device the target will no longer just be a static target hanging on the wall. Instead it will be a 3D animated target. There will be a countdown timer in the software for the electronic device and you will select between levels of difficulty that will change the amount of time you have. The object is to shoot projectiles at the target, hitting it enough times to trigger the mechanical switch which would then change the glyph, the camera on the electronic device would then pick up the change and take the target from a healthy state to a battle damaged state. Each time the target is physically hit the projectile, the glyph changes and shows a change in battle damage (the animated representation of the target) until ultimately you go through the whole sequence and destroy the target.
In another application, referred to as a team recon mode: a number of players can be active in a game and can sign in (either locally or on-line) using the electronic devices. Using the GPS system of the phones, a main server or application can run and monitor the players, including hits, locations, scores, etc. Each electronic device could further include a location display indicating other players either as friends or enemies. The main benefit is that you would define the number of players in a game and when they sign in using their phones you would be able to determine the number of players, which team they are part of, and where is their proximity on the battle field. When they are hit they would then (using an honor system or various other applications to determine damage) swipe out of the game and as it were drop off the grid. A variety of games can be created such as, Every man for himself; Team versus Team until one Team remains; or Capture the flag.
The capture the flag is slightly different than what would have been done in the past. The flags may be like a “Puck” disc or otherwise, that include a glyph which can be recognized by the software on the electronic device that you would place on the field. At the beginning of the game you would determine how many flags would be set up on the field. There would be up to 4 flags. If you were to locate the flag you would (using your smart device) scan the flag and upload it on the grid. Everyone would then be notified that the flag had been captured identifying which team had scanned it and where it was located. When all flags are scanned by one team the game would be over and ail members notified. This mode would make use of the GPS and GSM features that are already built into the phone but again apply a real world play benefit.
In other aspects, users playing a game on the electronic device with the projectile launcher will be able to populate stats on an online leaderboard based on the performance during the game. The server hosting the online leaderboard will rank players based on performance of the physical play of the game.
Referring now to
For the game selection menu 1130, the user can immediately go to a solo game 1150, create a new game 1155 or join an existing game 1160. Once the selections have been made, the electronic device will display a heads up display 1170 that may provide the user with various information data. These could include an area map with GPS locations of various friendly or enemy players, locations of flags, or topography references. In addition, power-ups, life grids, and player names may be listed on the HUD. Depending on the game being played, the electronic device could begin scanning surfaces for QR codes in order to bring up targets for the user to fire projectiles towards. As noted above, various game modes and activities may be accomplished by a HUD display that provides for an augmented reality play pattern on the electronic device with a projectile launcher as described herein. Referring now to
Various menu options could include the ability to add various attributes that effect other third party applications, for example, interaction between multiple electronic devices could add attributes that affect other third party electronic devices from scanning glyphs, recognizing your GPS location on their radar for a particular time, attacks their GPS location in order to remove the third party from the game, removes your location from their radar for a predetermined period of time, revives your health and position in the game, locks a current GPS location in the third party radar to provide you with an opportunity to move without being seen, scrambles theft radar for a period of time to pop up ghost radar locations, provide an electronic virus to their radar to render their radar useless for a predetermined period of time, or listen in to opposing teams communications for a predetermined period of time. Other options could include changing the HUD display, sounds, etc.
Various aspects are provided by the electronic device and the running of software applications to enhance the overall gaming experience to the user, such as interactive heads up display, live chat between players, vision modes, and more. The HUD display can also track ammo, such that you can obtain real feedback on how many projectiles you have left before the user must reload. An ammo counter can be displayed on the screen which matches the number of projectiles in a fully loaded magazine. As the user launches a projectile and the blow-back mechanism marks a projectile on the screen, the ammo counter reduces. When it hits zero, the user must reload and then re-set the ammo counter.
Referring now to
The projectile launcher 1200 includes a central body 1225 with a defined muzzle front end 1205, a shoulder butt end 1215 extending from the rear end 1217 of the body 1225, a handle grip 1210 with a trigger mechanism 1230, and a magazine compartment mechanism 1220 removable from a central portion 1235 of the body 1225. Similar to the other embodiments, the projectile launcher 1200 includes an electronic device holder mechanism 1235 configured to securely hold an electronic device 1240, such as a smartphone, to the top portion 1245 of the body 1225. In addition, the projectile launcher 1200 includes a front pump mechanism 1250, which can be used instead of the trigger mechanism 1230 to launch projectiles.
Referring now also to
Referring to
Referring now also to
With one of the housing 1280 removed, it can be easily illustrated that the two magazine compartments 1290 are situated within the housings 1280 and one of which is upside down with respect to the other. The magazine compartments 1290 each include (as described above) magazine compartment housings 1292, a projectile loading rod 1294, projectiles 317, a spring 1296 and loading base 1298 and an end cap 1299. The magazine compartments 1290 are moveable within the compartment mechanism 1220 in order to allow (as mentioned above) the movement of the compartment while a projectile is being stretched. Once launched the spring 1296 returns the compartment mechanism into launching position and moves the next projectile into an initial position for stretching. In addition, the compartment mechanism 1220 includes a launching window 1302 and a flange 1304. When stretching, a pivot lever 1400 (
The pivot lever 1400 includes, a stem base 1404 with an upstanding arm 1402 that is tapered to provide a ramp. The stem base 1402 abuts the flange 1304. A pivot engagement member 1406 is secured to the trigger mechanism and will move rearwardly as the trigger mechanism moves. As the pivot engagement member 1406 moves, it engages the ramp and pushes the pivot lever 1400 downwardly forces the flange 1304 and magazine compartment to move therewith.
With further reference to
As illustrated in
Referring now to
Referring now also to
The trigger mechanism 1230 may also be pulled back by pulling on a finger trigger 1600. The trigger mechanism 1230 includes the finger trigger 1600 secured to an upstanding trigger body 1602 that connects to a rear section 1612 of a first plate 1610. The first plate 1610 also includes a U-shaped upper front section 1514 with a first gear rack 1616 on one of the legs of the U-shaped upper front section and an elongated channel 1618 between the legs. The top end 1620 of the first plate 1610 has secured thereto a push lever 1622, which includes an elongated push arm 1624. The first plate 1610 further includes a guide post 1626 extending along a segment of the bottom section 1628. The guide post 1626 includes a ramp edge 1630 that is angled towards the forward end of the first plate 1610. In addition, the first plate 1610 includes outwardly projecting flanges 1632 about the forward end and which ride in a set of lower channels 1702 defined in either side of a two piece gear housing 1700.
The rearward projectile launching lever 1350 is also pivotally attached to the first plate 1610 about a central pivot location 1634, which is also located by the projectiles. The rearward projectile launching lever 1350 includes a rearward projectile hook 1354 which hooks onto one end of the projectile.
When the trigger mechanism 1230 is moved, the first plate 1610 is moved therewith, which moves the rearward projectile launching lever 1350. The movement of the first plate 1610 will also move the first gear rack 1616, which rotates a compound gear 1640. The compound gear 1640 is rotatably secured to the body housing 1320 and has a first gear 1642 meshed to the first gear rack 1616.
The compound gear 1640 also has a second gear 1644 that is meshed to a second gear rack 1652 positioned above the first gear rack 1616. The second gear rack 1652 is secured to a second plate 1650. The second plate 1650 includes upper flanges 1654 projecting outwardly from either side and that slide within upper channels 1704 defined on the two-piece gear housing 1700. The second plate 1650 further includes an aperture 1656 about its rear end and which pivotally captures prong ends 1682 defined on the forward projectile launching clip 1680. Rotation of the compound gear 1640 (caused by the movement of the first plate 1610) moves the second plate 1650 in a forward direction, which pulls the forward projectile launching clip 1680 forwards. The base end 1684 of the forward projectile launching clip will ride along the guide post 1626 and upwardly along the ramp edge 1630. The front end of the projectile 317 is captured by the forward projectile launching hook 1686. Therefore movement of the second plate 1650 forwards and movement of the first plate 1610 backwards cause the stretching of the projectile 317 which is captured by the forward hook and rearward hook.
Once the rearward projectile launching clip 1350 moves past the calibration level the rearward projectile launching clip will pivot causing the rearward projectile launching clip to pivot out of engagement with the rear end of the stretched projectile, releasing the projectiles potential energy and launching the projectile out of the muzzle 1205. Once released, a rearward projectile spring 1356 connected to the rearward projectile lever 1350 and the first plate 1610 tends to return the rearward projectile hook 1354 in a position to grasp the end of the next projectile.
One of the two piece gear housings 1700 includes a groove 1710 with a peg 1712 extending within the groove towards the muzzle end of the launcher 1200. A gear housing spring 1714 is secured within the groove 1710 and about the peg 1712. An extension member 1716 extending from a side of the first plate 1610 extends into the groove and is position against and end of the spring. When the first plate 1610 moves rearwardly, the spring 1714 is compressed, such that when released the spring tends to return the first plate 1610 to its initial loading position.
The launcher 1200 also includes a blow-back mechanism 1800 that is moveable with respect to a rear section 1900 of the body 1225 or attached to the body 1225 of the launcher 1200. The movement of the blow-back mechanism 1800 is categorized by having a two piece blow-back housing 1802 with a projection 1804 or flange arranged near the front section of the housing 1802. As the first plate 1610 is moved towards the rear of the launcher 1200, the elongated push arm 1624 moves and will make contact with the projection 1804. Since the blow-back mechanism 1800 is movable with respect to the body 1225, the continued movement of the first plate 1610 have contact between the projection and the elongated push arm, the blow-back mechanism 1800 is move towards the rear of the launcher 1200. A blow-back spring 1806 is positioned between an internal wall 1808 of the blow-back housing 1802 and an internal wail 1902 of the rear section 1900 of the body 1225. A blow-back peg 1810 is provided to help secure one end of the spring 1806 in place. As the blow-back mechanism 1800 is moved rearwardly, the blow-back spring 1806 compresses. As such the blow-back spring 1806 will tend to return the blow-back mechanism 1800 upon its release. The blow-back mechanism 1800 further includes a top ledge portion 1812 that is configured to make contact with the electronic marker mechanism 1950, when the blow-back mechanism is in its initial or resting position. The electronic marker mechanism 1950 includes a base 1952, an electronic marking pen 1956 and a marker spring 1954 positioned between the base 1952 and a portion on the pen. When the blow-back mechanism 1800 is moved, the marker spring tends to stretch such that when the blow-back mechanism is released the top ledge portion 1812 makes contact with the base 1952 moving the electronic marking pen 1952 to make contact with an electronic device 1240. The marker spring 1954 helps to ensure the movement of the electronic marking pen 1952 is such that the contact with the electronic device 1240 is a soft touch that does not cause damage to the electronic device.
Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the present invention, a launcher, which fully satisfies the goals, objects, and advantages set forth hereinbefore. Therefore, having described specific embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that alternatives, modifications and variations thereof may be suggested to those spilled in the art, and that it is intended that the present specification embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the appended claims.
Additionally, for clarity and unless otherwise stated, the word “comprise” and variations of the word such as “comprising” and “comprises”, when used in the description and claims of the present specification, is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps. Further, the invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.
Moreover, the words “substantially” or “essentially”, when used with an adjective or adverb is intended to enhance the scope of the particular characteristic; e.g., substantially planar is intended to mean planar, nearly planar and/or exhibiting characteristics associated with a planar element. Further, use of the terms “he”, “him”, or “his”, is not intended to be specifically directed to persons of the masculine gender, and could easily be read as “she” “her”, or “hers”, respectively. Also, while this discussion has addressed prior art known to the inventor, it is not an admission that all art discussed is citable against the present application.
From the foregoing and as mentioned above, it is observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concept of the invention. It is to he understood that no limitation with respect to the embodiments illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is intended to cover, by the appended claims, all such modifications within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A toy projectile launcher comprising:
- a hollow body defining a muzzle end, a rear portion, a trigger guard region, and a handle, the handle includes an aperture for receiving a removable projectile clip mechanism for storing projectiles in an unstretched state;
- a trigger mechanism housed in the body, the trigger mechanism includes a finger trigger extending about the trigger guard region, wherein the trigger mechanism is configured to engage and stretch a projectile when the finger trigger is pulled towards the rear portion of the body, and is further configured to only release the stretched projectile when the finger trigger is pulled past a pre-determined distance from a resting position; and
- a blow-back mechanism movable secured about an upper rear portion of the body, the trigger mechanism being further configured to engage the blow-back mechanism as the finger trigger is moved towards the pre-determined distance and the blow-back mechanism is configured to disengage from the trigger mechanism about when the figure trigger is pulled past a pre-determined distance from a resting position to substantially coincide with the release of the stretched projectile.
2. A toy projectile launcher comprising:
- a handle for receiving a removable projectile clip mechanism that stores projectiles in an unstretched state;
- a trigger mechanism is provided to engage and stretch a projectile when pulled towards the rear, and is configured to release a stretched projectile when pulled past a pre-determined distance; and
- a blow-back mechanism is provided and movable secured about an upper portion of the toy projectile launcher, and wherein the trigger mechanism is configured to engage the blow-back mechanism as the trigger is pulled and the blow-back mechanism is further configured to disengage from the trigger mechanism when the trigger is pulled past the pre-determined distance to substantially coincide with the release of the stretched projectile.
3. The toy projectile launcher of claim 1, wherein the removable projectile clip mechanism includes:
- a two-piece handle butt,
- a magazine compartment having an firing slot positioned along a top portion thereof,
- at least one projectile positioned within the magazine compartment and aligned along the top portion of the magazine compartment such that the at least one projectile is configured to stretch and fire along with firing slot; and
- a loading mechanism contained within the magazine compartment and configured to position the at least one projectile in the firing slot.
4. The toy projectile launcher of claim 3, wherein the loading mechanism includes a loading rod positioned through an opening defined in the at least one projectile, a loading base slidably positioned on the loading rod and a spring positioned between the loading base and the two piece handle butt and biased to force the loading base along the loading rod and press the at least one projectile upwardly towards the firing slot along the top portion of the magazine compartment.
5. The toy projectile launcher of claim 3 further comprising:
- a dip release mechanism configured to release the projectile clip mechanism such that the projectile clip mechanism is removable from the handle.
6. The toy projectile launcher of claim 5, wherein the clip release mechanism includes:
- at least one release tab pivotally secured to the handle;
- a release arm pivotally connect within the handle and having a lower projecting arm configured to engage an aperture defined in the projectile clip mechanism and further having an upper portion positioned about the at least one release tab, and wherein the at least one release tab when pivoted is further configured to engage the upper portion and pivot the lower projecting arm out of engagement with the aperture to cause the release of the projectile clip mechanism.
7. The toy projectile launcher of claim 1 further comprising:
- a two piece muzzle cradle secured about the muzzle end; and
- an e-device holder assembly secured to the two piece muzzle cradle and configured to hold an electronic device on top of the launcher.
8. The toy projectile launcher of claim 7, wherein the e-device holder assembly includes:
- a lower gripping pad secured to a top portion of the launcher;
- an upper holder having a body portion and a top head portion, the top head portion having secure thereto an upper gripping pad positioned over the lower gripping pad, the body portion having a frontend channel with clips extending inwardly towards each other over the frontend channel and the frontend channel further having an outwardly extending flange;
- a lower holder having a rearend channel having a groove corresponding to the outwardly extending flange to secure the upper holder and the lower holder together, the lower holder further includes arms projecting into the muzzle end, the arms configured to engage interior portions of the muzzle end.
9. The toy projectile launcher of claim 8, wherein the e-device holder assembly further includes:
- a lever is positioned between the upper holder and the lower holder and positioned within the channel, the lever includes notches defined to receive the clips and the lever further includes a pivot pin along a bottom portion which rests in a bore defined on a bottom section of the body on the upper holder, the lever when pressed forces the upper body away from the lower body to allow separation thereof.
10. The toy projectile launcher of claim 8, wherein the muzzle end includes apertures positioned over a portion of the arms, and wherein when the arms are moved away from the apertures, the e-device holder assembly is removable from the muzzle end.
11. The toy projectile launcher of claim 7 further comprising:
- a touch marker mechanism configured to move and make contact with an electronic device positioned in the e-device holder assembly upon the release of the blow-back mechanism.
12. The toy projectile launcher of claim 11 further comprising:
- a software component application running on an electronic device positioned in the e-device holder assembly and being configured to respond to display touches from the touch marker mechanism.
13. The toy projectile launcher of claim 12 wherein the software component application includes sound and/or image responses.
14. A toy projectile launcher comprising:
- a handle for receiving a removable projectile clip mechanism that stores projectiles in an unstretched state;
- a trigger mechanism is provided to engage and stretch a projectile when pulled towards the rear, and is configured to release a stretched projectile when pulled past a pre-determined distance;
- a blow-back mechanism is provided and movable secured about an upper portion of the toy projectile launcher, and wherein the trigger mechanism is configured to engage the blow-back mechanism as the trigger is pulled and the blow-back mechanism is further configured to disengage from the trigger mechanism when the trigger is pulled past the pre-determined distance to substantially coincide with the release of the stretched projectile.
- a two piece muzzle cradle secured about the muzzle end;
- an e-device holder assembly secured to the two piece muzzle cradle and configured to hold an electronic device on top of the launcher;
- a touch marker mechanism configured to move and make contact with an electronic device positioned in the e-device holder assembly upon the release of the blow-back mechanism; and
- a software component application running on an electronic device positioned in the e-device holder assembly and being configured to respond to display touches from the touch marker mechanism.
15. The toy projectile launcher of claim 14 wherein the software component application is configured to upload a global positioning update of the electronic device and download global positioning for a secondary electronic device running a similar software component application, and the software component application is further configured to display the global positions relative to each other.
16. The toy projectile launcher of claim 14 wherein the software component application is configured to display images and sounds relative to a game environment for a user to play a game.
17. The toy projectile launcher of claim 14 wherein the software component application is configured to read a quick response code and display images and sounds relative to the quick response code.
18. The toy projectile launcher of claim 17 wherein the software component application is configured to track projectiles launched from the launcher and further configured to display images and sounds when the software component application determines a projectile hit a target.
19. A projectile for use in an projectile launcher comprising a textured surface made of a plurality of polygonal raised surface structures positioned over the entire surface of the projectile.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 11, 2013
Publication Date: Apr 3, 2014
Applicant: Tech 4 Kids Inc. (Mississauga)
Inventors: Bradley D. Pedersen (Mississauga), Kyle Jeffs (Mississauga)
Application Number: 13/939,643