ARM LAUNCHED PROJECTILE TOY

Abstract

A launching apparatus for a projectile toy with a launch body having a slot adapted to engage with a projectile, an energy storage device, and a latch for releasing the energy stored in the energy storage device. One or more bands are adapted to secure the launch body to the arm of a user.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure relates to the field of projectile toys and, more particularly, projectiles launched from arm-mounted launching devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to projectile toys and, more particularly, projectiles launched from arm-mounted launching devices.

Various types of projectile toys are known, such as devices for launching toy airplanes, rockets and other projectiles. However, traditional and conventional projectile toys are generally hand held, making them difficult to load, aim and launch. There is accordingly a need for projectile toys with novel features that permit a user to more easily load, aim and launch projectiles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present disclosure is to provide a projectile toy launching apparatus that can be mounted on the user's arm. A projectile, such as a model airplane can be loaded, aimed and launched from the apparatus.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a launching apparatus for a projectile toy can comprise a launch body comprising a slot adapted to engage with a projectile, an energy storage device, and a latch for releasing the energy stored in the energy storage device. One or more bands can be adapted to secure the launch body to the arm of a user.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a launching apparatus for a projectile toy can comprise a launch body comprising a slot adapted to engage with a projectile, an energy storage device, and a latch for releasing the energy stored in the energy storage device. In addition, the launching apparatus can include an arm support sized larger than the launch body and one or more bands adapted to secure the launch body and arm support to the arm of a user, such that the arm support is positioned against the arm of the user and the launch body is positioned on top of the arm support.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for launching a toy projectile can comprise a launching apparatus for a projectile toy. The projectile toy can comprise a launch body comprising a slot adapted to engage with a projectile, an energy storage device, and a latch for releasing the energy stored in the energy storage device. The launching apparatus can include one or more bands adapted to secure the body to the arm of a user. In addition, the system can include a projectile comprising a projectile body and a launch rail mounted to the body, wherein the launch rail is adapted to slidably engage with the slot of the launch body.

Other principal features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following drawings, the detailed description, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative embodiments of the invention will hereafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals denote like elements.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an arm-launched projectile toy according to one embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the arm-launched projectile toy according to one embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a left perspective side view of the arm-launched projectile toy of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the arm-launched projectile toy of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the arm-launched projectile toy of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the above-identified drawings. However, the drawings and the description herein are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. It will be understood that various modifications of the present description are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. Also, features described herein may be omitted, additional features may be included, and/or features described herein may be combined in a manner different from the specific combinations recited herein, all without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a model or toy airplane 2 adapted for use with a launching apparatus 1. The airplane 2 includes a projectile body 21, wings 22, tail 23, simulated cockpit 24, wheels 25 and launch rail 5. The airplane 2 is preferably formed integrally of hollow molded plastic, foam, balsa wood, or the like. The launch rail 5, which engages with launching apparatus 1, is preferably formed of a rigid material, like plastic, aluminum, or the like. Wheels 25 may be mounted to launch rail 5 and may be constructed from plastic, rubber, or a combination of materials.

The cockpit 24 of the airplane 2 may include lights that illuminate upon movement of the airplane 2, as well as the associated sensors and battery(ies) needed to activate the lights. The lights may be programmed to illuminate for a set period of time following activation.

It is understood that the launching apparatus described herein may be used with a wide-variety of projectiles, including toy rockets, space shuttles, missiles, birds and other flying creatures.

The airplane 2 is loaded into the launching apparatus 1 by guiding launch rail 5 into slot 18. The launch rail 5 is sized to fit within slot 18, such that the airplane 2 can easily slide into the launching apparatus 1, but is securely retained within the slot 18. By providing a separate launch rail 5 for insertion through the slot 18, a very durable construction is possible which at the same time is much lighter than if the plane body were formed entirely of an entirely solid or rigid material.

A latch 4 is provided on the launching apparatus 1 for coaction with the launch rail 5 of airplane 2 as hereinafter explained. In a preferred embodiment, the latch 4 functions to both retain the airplane 2 in the launching apparatus in preparation for launching and for releasing the airplane 2 from the launching apparatus. With reference to FIGS. 3 and 5, launching apparatus 1 comprises a body 6, arm support 7 and straps 8, 9. Forward strap 8 may be sized to be positioned around a user's wrist or hand and rear strap 9 may be sized to be positioned around a user's forearm. Straps 8, 9 may include fasteners 10 for securing the straps to the user. The fasteners may comprise hood and loop material, snaps, buttons, buckles or other fasteners known in the art.

With reference to FIG. 4, the launch body 6 of launching apparatus 1 may be molded in two mating halves, upper body 11 and lower body 12. When assembled, upper body 11 and lower body 12 retain latch 4, latch spring 14, latch retainer 13, launch spring 15, slider 16, and launch spring retainer 17. Upper body 11 and lower body 12 may be secured by screws, glued together or otherwise fastened together. Latch 4 includes a retaining hook 19, which engages with launch rail 5. Latch 4 also includes pivot pin 20, which, when the launch body 6 is assembled, sits within groove 21. When latch 4 is depressed by the user, pivot pin 20 rotates in groove 21, allowing retaining hook 19 to move downward. Once retaining hook 19 has moved below launch rail 5, the airplane is ejected from the launching apparatus 1. Latch spring 14 maintains the latch 4 biased upward, such that the airplane is secured in the launching apparatus 1.

In a preferred embodiment, a launch spring 15 is used to store energy for launching the airplane 2. Alternatively, other mechanisms for storing energy may be used, such as torsion bars, elastic bands (e.g., rubber bands), air cylinders, or the like. In operation, a portion of launch rail 5 engages with slider 16. Slider 16 is retained within a channel in lower body 12 and may be moved towards the rear of body 6 until a portion of the launch rail 5 is retained by retaining hook 19. The forward travel of slider 16 is limited by launch spring retainer 17.

In operation, launching apparatus 1 is fastened to a user's arm 3. Airplane 2 is grasped in the hand of the other arm and launch rail 5 is guided into slot 18 of the launch body 6. As the airplane 2 is moved further into the slot 18, a forward portion of launch rail 5 contact slider 16 and launch spring 15 begins to compress. Once the airplane 2 is fully inserted into the body 6, a rearward portion of the launch rail 5 engages with retaining hook 19 of latch 4. At this point, latch spring 14 compresses, allowing latch 4 to move downward and retaining hook 19 to retains the launch rail 5 securely. The airplane 2 is now ready to be launched. In order to launch the airplane 2, the user extends their arm to aim and releases the airplane by depressing latch 5.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction, may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having described the subject matter of the application with regard to specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the description is not meant as a limitation since further modifications and variations may be apparent or may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. It is intended that the present application cover all such modifications and variations.

Claims

1) A launching apparatus for a projectile toy comprising:

a launch body comprising: a slot adapted to engage with a projectile; an energy storage device; and a latch for releasing the energy stored in the energy storage device. one or more bands adapted to secure the launch body to the arm of a user.

2) The launching apparatus of claim 1, wherein the energy storage device is a spring.

3) The launching apparatus of claim 1, wherein the energy storage device is an elastic band.

4) The launching apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an arm support secured by the one or more bands to the launch body.

5) The launching apparatus of claim 1, wherein the launch body comprises an upper half and a lower half.

6) The launching apparatus of claim 5, wherein the slot is disposed within the upper half of the launch body.

7) The launching apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more straps comprise hook and loop fasteners to secure the launch body to the arm of a user.

8) A launching apparatus for a projectile toy comprising:

a launch body comprising: a slot adapted to engage with a projectile; an energy storage device; and a latch for releasing the energy stored in the energy storage device;

an arm support sized larger than the launch body; and

one or more bands adapted to secure the launch body and arm support to the arm of a user, such that the arm support is positioned against the arm of the user and the launch body is positioned on top of the arm support.

9) The launching apparatus of claim 8, wherein the energy storage device is a spring.

10) The launching apparatus of claim 8, wherein the energy storage device is an elastic band.

11) The launching apparatus of claim 8, wherein the launch body comprises an upper half and a lower half.

12) The launching apparatus of claim 11, wherein the slot is disposed within the upper half of the launch body.

13) The launching apparatus of claim 8, wherein the one or more straps comprise hook and loop fasteners to secure the body to the arm of a user.

14) A system for launching a toy projectile comprising:

a launching apparatus for a projectile toy comprising: a launch body comprising: a slot adapted to engage with a projectile; an energy storage device; and a latch for releasing the energy stored in the energy storage device. one or more bands adapted to secure the body to the arm of a user.

A projectile comprising: a projectile body; and a launch rail mounted to the body, wherein the launch rail is adapted to slidably engage with the slot of the launch body.

15) The system of claim 14, wherein the energy storage device is a spring.

16) The system of claim 14, wherein the energy storage device is an elastic band.

17) The system of claim 14, further comprising an arm support secured by the one or more bands to the body.

18) The system of claim 14, wherein the launch body comprises an upper half and a lower half.

19) The system of claim 18, wherein the slot is disposed within the upper half of the launch body.

20) The system of claim 14, wherein the one or more straps comprise hook and loop fasteners to secure the body to the arm of a user.