Projectile Launching Device
A projectile launching device, which preferably includes a main body, a handle, a plunger, a plunger handle, and a projectile chamber. The plunger handle is connected to the plunger and preferably located proximate the rear of the main body. The invention is fabricated in such a way that allows the user to grasp the handle, pull the plunger handle towards them, and launch a projectile away from them. Preferably, the projectiles launched are spherical. In addition, the handle is preferably hollow In order to act as spare projectile storage. Preferably, the projectile is launched using a burst of air. The burst of air is created when the-user pulls back on the plunger handle and releases it.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of toys. More specifically, the present invention comprises a toy projectile launcher which can launch a projectile using multiple methods.
2. Description of the Related Art
Toy projectile launchers are commonly used by children for target practice and for war-type games. Projectile launchers come in many forms, such as slingshots, bows, gun-type devices, and a multitude of other devices. Of course, each of loose devices typically uses & different type of projectile. For example, a bow uses an arrow as a projectile and a slingshot launches a small round pellet, rock, or water balloon.
In addition, particular launchers are designed to launch, different projectiles. As an example, the reader will realize that gun-type projectile launchers are often used to launch a variety of projectiles, including bullets, spherical pellets, cylindrical pellets, and many others. Oftentimes, the type of projectile to be launched decides the mechanism incorporated in the toy launcher. For example, a designer may not employ the same launching mechanism for a flat disk as he or she would for spherical projectile.
Toy projectile launchers currently exist in the art. An example of a projectile launcher is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,059,089 to Lehman (1977). The Lehman device launches projectiles using a trigger and plunger setup. A similar approach is taken in U.S. Pat. No. 8,336,531 to Fan et al. (2012). In other cases, a device that sprays water is used, with an emphasis on younger children by lubricating a device that resembles an animal. This is shown in U.S. Pat. No. D621,451 to Wong, which resembles a shark.
All these devices provide either a projectile launching device or a gun-type toy which resembles an animal. However, they fail to provide a projectile launching gun-type toy which incorporates the novel launching mechanism used in the present invention. The present invention solves this and other problems, as will be described more particularly in the following text.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention comprises a projectile launching device. The device preferably includes a main body, a handle, a plunger, a plunger handle, and a projectile chamber. The plunger handle is connected to the plunger and preferably located proximate the rear of the main body. Preferably, the projectile chamber is located on the opposite end of the plunger handle, thereby allowing the user to grasp the handle, pull the plunger handle towards them., and launch a projectile away from them. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method of launching a projectile is as follows. First, the user loads a projectile into the projectile chamber. The user grasps the handle and pulls the plunger handle back. Next, the user locks the plunger and plunger handle in place using a locking mechanism, thereby maintaining the projectile launcher in a “cocked” state. When the user is ready to launch a projectile, he or she simply slaps the plunger handle in order to release the plunger and launch the projectile.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the projectiles launched are spherical. In addition, the handle is preferably hollow in order to act as spare projectile storage. Preferably, the projectile is launched using a burst of air. The burst of air is created when the user pulls back on the plunger handle and releases it. As the user pulls on the plunger handle, a compression spring is compressed. Upon releasing the plunger handle a burst of air is created, which exits through a nozzle within the projectile chamber, thereby forcing the projectile from the projectile holder.
The present invention provides a toy projectile launcher for use in target practice and other games played using a device which launches projectiles.
In this embodiment, handle 14 is preferably hollow, which allows the user to store spare projectiles 28 (hidden in the current view) within handle 14. Thus, handle 14 acts as a receptacle to hold projectiles 28. Preferably, handle 14 includes spare projectile receptacle cap 20, Receptacle cap 20 preferably includes press snap 24 and hinge 26 (not visible in the current view), which allows a user to quickly and easily remove receptacle cap 20 in order to remove projectiles from handle 14. This is illustrated more clearly in
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, projectile launcher 10 Includes firing assembly 32. Firing assembly 32 comprises the working parts of projectile launcher 10 which are hidden by main body 12 (visible here due to the sectional view) and allow projectile launcher 10 to fire a projectile. Preferably, firing assembly 32 includes plunger 34. compression spring 36, plunger chamber 38, plunger end grip 16, plunger plate 40, impact surface 42, plunger lock 44, lock tab 46, and nozzle 22. As illustrated, a large portion of plunger 34 is within plunger chamber 38. Of course, this configuration is during the “relaxed” state of firing assembly 32. Preferably, compression spring 36 is coiled around plunger 34. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, plunger end grip 16 is capable of translating within opening 48. This action is caused by the user pulling end grip 16 and releasing it.
Now referring to
When, the user is prepared to launch projectile 28, as discussed in the preceding text, he or she can either release plunger end grip 16 or tap plunger end grip (in the case where plunger 34 is locked). At the instant plunger 34 is released, the force created by spring 36 is no longer held back. Thus, plunger 34 begins to travel towards nozzle 22. As plunger 34 travels towards nozzle 22 (due to the force created by compressed spring 36), plunger plate 40 forces air within plunger chamber 38 towards nozzle 22 as well. Preferably, when plunger plate 40 impacts impact surface 42, much of the air within plunger chamber 38 is force out of nozzle 22. That air, which has been concentrated to a small area through nozzle 22, then acts upon projectile 28 (not shown in this view). The force created by this air drives projectile 28 (see
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, plunger grip 16 is slapped in order to release spring 36.
The preceding description contains significant detail regarding novel aspects of the present invention. It should not be construed, however, as limiting the scope of the invention but rather as providing illustrations of the preferred embodiments of the invention. Thus, the scope of the invention should be fixed to the following claims, rather than specific examples given.
Claims
1. A method allowing a projectile launcher to quickly launch projectiles, comprising:
- a. providing a projectile launcher, including, i. a main body having a forward end and an aft end, ii. said forward end of said main body including a projectile chamber capable of receiving said projectiles, iii. a handle, iv. a firing chamber contained within said main body having a forward end which corresponds to said forward end of said main body and an aft end which corresponds to said aft end of said main body, v. said forward end of said firing chamber having a nozzle, fluidly connected to said projectile chamber, vi. said aft end of said firing chamber including an opening, vii. a plunger having a forward end which corresponds to said forward end of said main body and an aft end which corresponds to said aft end of said main body, viii. said forward end of said plunger includes a flat plate and said aft end of said plunger having a grip, ix. wherein said opening located at said aft end of said plunger translates within said firing chamber through said opening of said firing chamber and said opening of said main body, x. a spring contained within said firing chamber which is coiled around said plunger; xi. said opening located on said aft end of said main body includes a horizontal surface, xii. said plunger includes a horizontal surface near the center of said plunger designed to bear against said horizontal surface on said aft end of said main body;
- b. pulling said plunger handle back such that said plunger translates through said opening located at said aft end of said main body;
- c. lifting said plunger handle such that said horizontal surface located on said plunger bears against said horizontal surface located on said aft end of said main body;
- d. wherein said horizontal surface located on said plunger is engaged with said horizontal surface located on said main body due to a force created by said spring; and
- e. striking said plunger handle in order to release said spring and launch said projectile.
2. A method allowing a projectile launcher to quickly launch projectiles as recited in claim 1, wherein:
- a. said main body of said projectile launcher is in the shape of an animal;
- b. said animal includes a head and a tail; and
- c. said tail corresponding to said aft end and said head corresponding to said forward end.
3. A method allowing a projectile launcher to quickly launch projectiles as recited in claim 2, wherein:
- a. said projectile chamber corresponds to the mouth of the animal; and
- b. said plunger handle corresponding to said tail of said animal.
4. A method allowing a projectile launcher to quickly launch projectiles as recited in claim 3, wherein said animal shape is a beaver.
5. A method allowing a projectile launcher to quickly launch projectiles as recited in claim 1, wherein said projectiles are spherically shaped.
6. A method allowing a projectile launcher to quickly launch projectiles as recited in claim 5, wherein:
- a. said handle in said projectile launcher is hollow and generally cylindrical;
- b. said handle includes a cap hingedly connected to said handle;
- c. said cap has a circular shape; and
- d. said projectiles are stored within said handle.
7. A method allowing a projectile launcher to quickly launch projectiles as recited in claim 6, wherein said cap includes a press snap located opposite said hinged connection.
8. A method allowing a projectile launcher to quickly launch projectiles, comprising:
- a. providing a projectile launcher, including, i. a main body having a forward end and an aft end, ii. said forward end of said main body including a projectile chamber capable of receiving said projectiles, iii. a handle, iv. a bring chamber contained within said main body having a forward end which corresponds to said forward end of said main body and an aft end which corresponds to said aft end of said main body, v. said forward end of said bring chamber having a nozzle, fluidly connected to said projectile chamber, vi. said aft end of said firing chamber including an opening, vii. a plunger having a forward end which corresponds to said forward end of said main body and an aft end which corresponds to said aft end of said main body, viii. said forward end of said plunger includes a flat plate and said aft end of said plunger having a grip, ix. wherein said opening located at said aft end of said plunger translates within said bring chamber through said opening of said firing chamber and said opening of said main body, x. a spring contained within said firing chamber which is coiled around said plunger; xi. said opening located on said aft end of said main body includes a horizontal surface, xii. said plunger includes a horizontal surface near the center of said plunger designed to bear against said horizontal surface on said aft end of said main body;
- b. pulling said plunger handle back such that said plunger translates through said opening located at said aft end of said main body;
- c. lifting said plunger handle such that said horizontal surface located on said plunger bears against said horizontal surface located on said aft end of said main body;
- d. wherein said horizontal surface located on said plunger is engaged with said horizontal surface located on said main body due to a force created by said spring;
- e. striking said plunger handle in order to release said spring and launch said projectile;
- f. wherein said main body of said projectile launcher is in the shape of an animal including a head and a tail.
9. A method allowing a projectile launcher to quickly launch projectiles as recited in claim 8, wherein said plunger handle corresponds to said tail of said animal.
10. A method allowing a projectile launcher to quickly launch projectiles as recited in claim 9, wherein said tail has a large surface area relative to said plunger increasing the ease of striking said plunger.
11. A method allowing a projectile launcher to quickly launch projectiles as recited in claim 10, wherein said projectile chamber corresponds to the mouth of the animal.
12. A method allowing a projectile launcher to quickly launch projectiles as recited in claim 11, wherein said animal shape is a beaver.
13. A method allowing a projectile launcher to quickly launch projectiles as recited in claim 8, wherein said projectiles are spherically shaped.
14. A method allowing a projectile launcher to quickly launch projectiles as recited in claim 13, wherein said handle of said projectile launcher is hollow and cylindrical.
15. A method allowing a projectile launcher to quickly launch projectiles as recited in claim 14, wherein:
- a. said handle includes a circular cap; and
- b. said cap having a hinge and a press snap;
16. A method allowing a projectile launcher to quickly launch projectiles as recited in claim 15, wherein said projectiles are spherically shaped.
17. A method allowing a projectile launcher to quickly launch projectiles as recited in claim 16, wherein:
- a. said press snap is located opposite of said hinge on said cap; and
- b. said cap has a corresponding hinge allowing said cap to pivot on said hinge.
18. A method allowing a projectile launcher to quickly launch projectiles as recited in claim 17, wherein said projectiles are stored in said handle and retained by said cap.
Type: Application
Filed: May 28, 2015
Publication Date: Dec 1, 2016
Inventors: Beaver Raymond, JR. (Tallahassee, FL), Dallas Turner (Tallahassee, FL)
Application Number: 14/723,544