Self-projected Band Patents (Class 124/18)
  • Patent number: 11879703
    Abstract: Provided herein is a string shooting device having a string capable of generating lift when propelled from the string shooting device and a guide to readily attach and detach the string from the string shooting device. A string shooting device described herein includes: a body; a housing attached to the body; a pair of wheels, where at least one of the pair of wheels is a driven wheel; and a string, where the string includes a surface texture configured to increase air friction in response to the string being propelled through the air by the pair of wheels. The string of an example embodiment defines an axis along which the string extends, and where the string includes a plurality of fibers extending away from the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: ZIPSTRING LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Giovanni Fazio, Austin Mark Hillam, Mark Gordon Hillam
  • Patent number: 11674774
    Abstract: Provided herein is a string shooting device having a string capable of generating lift when propelled from the string shooting device and a guide to readily attach and detach the string from the string shooting device. A string shooting device described herein includes: a body; a housing attached to the body; a pair of wheels, where at least one of the pair of wheels is a driven wheel; and a string, where the string includes a surface texture configured to increase air friction in response to the string being propelled through the air by the pair of wheels. The string of an example embodiment defines an axis along which the string extends, and where the string includes a plurality of fibers extending away from the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: ZIPSTRING LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Giovanni Fazio, Austin Mark Hillam, Mark Gordon Hillam
  • Patent number: 10712121
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel non-propellant personal defense tools that provide increased safety to users that prefer non-lethal weapons. In particular, the novel non-propellant personal defense tools of the present invention comprise a combat housing in an innovative combination with a vision impairment light, and sliding forend that creates sound when bidirectionally engaged, for example, as in the cocking of a shotgun. A non-propellant personal defense tool of the present invention is a hefty deterrent and resembles the image and action of a shotgun by an attacker when the vision of the attacker is impaired by the vision impairment light. In specific embodiments, the combat housing is shaped like a bat. Additionally, further embodiments also trigger an alarm or an alarm system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Inventors: Timothy E. Moran, Harry J. Tolley
  • Patent number: 9022012
    Abstract: A projectile for launching through the air comprises a body and one or more projecting members integral therewith extending outwardly a distance from the body, which can be hollow or solid. The projectile is formed from an elastomeric material capable of being stretched to energize the projectile for launching. The projecting members are positioned a distance apart from one another and include openings disposed therethrough at distal ends for engaging sections of a launching device. The launching device includes a handle with the sections extending outwardly therefrom to accommodate placement of the projectile openings thereagainst for retaining the projectile before and during launch. The projectile is launched from the device by pulling the body away from the launching device to energize the projectile, and then releasing the energized projectile, causing it to be propelled from the launching device into the air and towards a desired target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Imperial Toy, LLC
    Inventors: Lee Ronald Loetz, Ami Nadav Shapiro, Leo Arzoomanian, Lawrence Temple Jones
  • Publication number: 20140261352
    Abstract: A projectile for launching through the air comprises a body and one or more projecting members integral therewith extending outwardly a distance from the body, which can be hollow or solid. The projectile is formed from an elastomeric material capable of being stretched to energize the projectile for launching. The projecting members are positioned a distance apart from one another and include openings disposed therethrough at distal ends for engaging sections of a launching device. The launching device includes a handle with the sections extending outwardly therefrom to accommodate placement of the projectile openings thereagainst for retaining the projectile before and during launch. The projectile is launched from the device by pulling the body away from the launching device to energize the projectile, and then releasing the energized projectile, causing it to be propelled from the launching device into the air and towards a desired target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: IMPERIAL TOY, LLC
    Inventor: IMPERIAL TOY, LLC
  • Publication number: 20130014735
    Abstract: A toy for firing projectiles comprising or including a frame and an arm pivotally mounted to the frame and able to move between a first position and a second position, wherein in use, a projectile equipped with or being an elastic member can be launched by the toy by engaging the elastic member with the arm and moving the projectile relative to the arm such that the elastic member is extended and the arm is in the second position, and subsequently releasing the projectile to cause the projectile to be launched by virtue of transfer the stored energy in the elastic member, wherein the arm is able to move to the first position so as not to interfere with the trajectory of the launched projectile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventor: Mathew Peter Mowbray
  • Patent number: 7690371
    Abstract: A toy gun for launching projectiles is provided. The gun includes a stock having a first end and a second end, where the first end is secured to an elongated barrel; and a trigger mechanism is secured on the stock adjacent to the elongated barrel for launching the projectiles. The trigger mechanism includes a release mechanism having a lower leg connected to the stock and an upper leg connected to the bottom leg by a spring and the upper leg is moveable between a first position and a second position. The trigger mechanism also includes at least one retaining member extends upwardly through a longitudinal slits in the upper leg. As the release mechanism is moved from the first position to the second position, the projectile attached to the trigger mechanism is launched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: The Oldtimer, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Howard Slaven
  • Publication number: 20080087261
    Abstract: A toy gun for launching projectiles is provided. The gun includes a stock having a first end and a second end, where the first end is secured to an elongated barrel; and a trigger mechanism is secured on the stock adjacent to the elongated barrel for launching the projectiles. The trigger mechanism includes a release mechanism having a lower leg connected to the stock and an upper leg connected to the bottom leg by a spring and the upper leg is moveable between a first position and a second position. The trigger mechanism also includes at least one retaining member extends upwardly through a longitudinal slits in the upper leg. As the release mechanism is moved from the first position to the second position, the projectile attached to the trigger mechanism is launched.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: The Oldtimer, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Howard Slaven
  • Patent number: 6851218
    Abstract: An insect swatter includes an elongate rod with an elastic lash fixedly joined to a distal end thereof. The lash is sized for being stretched from the rod distal end to adjacent a proximal end of the rod so that release of the lash results in spontaneous contraction thereof for swatting the insect. In an exemplary embodiment, the swatter is in the form of a pistol, with the lash extending from the distal end of the rod to a latch operated by a trigger. Aiming the rod toward the insect and pulling the trigger releases the lash for swatting the insect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Inventor: Francis Luca Conte
  • Patent number: 6754968
    Abstract: An aiming apparatus for a slingshot. The aiming apparatus comprises a light projecting device adapted to project a light beam. A mounting apparatus is adapted to support the light projecting device on the slingshot and disposes the light projecting device with the light beam directed toward a target of a user of the slingshot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Inventor: Aldric K. Lee
  • Patent number: 5595165
    Abstract: A simulated firearm for deploying an elastic loop member herein defined by a barrel portion, a stock or handle portion, body or mid section, and a cocking apparatus. The Operator manually works the cocking apparatus which automatically resets a hammer or sear and a trigger located within the body. At the end of stroke of the cocking apparatus, reset of the firearm is indicated by a soft but crisp reverberation of sound similar to a "click!" as the trigger and hammer interlock, and the trigger makes contact with a stop-pin. An elastic loop member is then stretched between the frontal nose of the barrel, and the hammer located at the rear. By manual operation of the trigger, the elastic loop member is automatically deployed. Simultaneous with the deployment of the elastic loop member, a high pitched reverberation of sound similar to a "snap!" is heard as the hammer or sear makes hard and abrupt contact with the stop-pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Inventor: Agostino B. Conte
  • Patent number: 5579749
    Abstract: A toy missile launching device includes a hollow barrel which simulates a bazooka. A water balloon is mounted in the barrel detachably connected to a trigger mechanism. An elastic band is secured to the water balloon and anchored to the front end of the barrel in a stretched condition when the water balloon is mounted to the trigger mechanism whereby actuation of the trigger mechanism permits detachment of the water balloon from the trigger mechanism under the contracting influence of the elastic band to launch the water balloon out of the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Inventor: William T. Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 5505186
    Abstract: A toy gun is provided for ejecting a plurality of high tension elastic bands in rapid succession. The gun includes a frame having a barrel and a handle. A longitudinal recession in the barrel rotatably supports a spring loaded cylindrical band holding magazine which supports a plurality of high tension bands in a fully stretched condition. A trigger element is mounted within the frame and permits controlled movement of the cylindrical magazine to eject the high tension bands with successive pulls of the trigger. A lever device is included in the handle of the gun for positioning the high tension bands on the magazine in a condition of maximum elongation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Inventor: Michael Stagnero
  • Patent number: 4860718
    Abstract: A wooden stock has opposite elongated barrel and butt portions and an inclined central or joining section to resemble a standard carbine. The tip of the barrel end of the stock has a rearward-extending blind bore into which an end portion of a tubular elastic projectile is fitted. The projectile is bent abruptly upward and rearward along the top of the barrel to an upright trigger pin over which the rear end of the projectile is fitted. Trigger mechanism is effective to retract the pin so as to release the rear end of the projectile, thereby causing it to fly forward and separate from the tip of the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Inventor: Keith C. Howell
  • Patent number: 4845880
    Abstract: A casting rod provides a reel seat with trigger mechanism having a depending arm to fasten a first rearward end of an endless elastic propellant device. The second forward end of the elastic propellant device is carried by a depending arm of a stretching mechanism that is selectively positionable on the rod at plural points spacedly forward of the first depending arm. A fishing line carried in ordinary fashion by the rod is fastened to the propellant device and projected with it, responsive to trigger motion, to propel the fishing line in predetermined trajectory at a distance from the rod. The propellant device remains interconnected to the end portion of a fishing line to there serve as a float or sinker depending upon density of that propellant device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Inventor: Michael L. Miller
  • Patent number: 4844304
    Abstract: A toy, designed for throwing, has an elongated, flexible tubular body with a weight at its forward end encased in an impact-absorbing jacket and a conical, flared tail element providing both a grip for the user and an air-foil type direction stabilizer during flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Inventor: Trent A. Lenderink
  • Patent number: 4827892
    Abstract: A multiple firing elastic shooter toy including a handle, a rod which may take the form of a barrel and having a notched end to receive lengths of elastic members and a receiver section interconnecting the handle and the rod. The receiver section is of generally U-shaped cross-section and has a web at one side of the shooter and top and bottom legs. Spaced apart slots are formed in the web and partially into the legs of the receiver to accept other lengths of the elastic members. A snubber post projects from the shooter toy at the side opposite the web and forwardly of the slots in the direction of the rod and serves as a safety against inadvertant release of stretched elastic members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Inventor: Benjamin Vandermeide
  • Patent number: 4774786
    Abstract: A pistol-grip, elastic-operated insect swatter is disclosed which comprises a supporting hand gun member with a pistol hand grip and an elongated barrel extending outwardly therefrom. The outermost end of the barrel is downturned or, if straight, has a downwardly curved surface at the end. An elongated flat band of elastic material has one end secured to the downturned end portion of the barrel is substantially shorter than the length of the barrel. An insect-swatting pad has one side secured on the other end of the band of elastic material. A firing and retaining trigger, is positioned adjacent to the handle and is operable in one position, upon stretching of the band, to receive and secure the swatting pad. The firing and retaining mechanism, i.e. trigger, is operable upon movement to another position to release the pad for movement by the stretched band with a snapping movement to swat at an insect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1988
    Inventor: Tadeusz Zaremba
  • Patent number: 4554904
    Abstract: A toy rubber band gun having a gun body defining an imitation barrel, a stock at the back of the barrel, and a handle depending from the stock. A trigger element in the form of a resilient wire has a forward end pivotally mounted on a pin in the stock, a trigger portion extending out through a slot on the bottom of the stock, an elongate portion extending from the trigger portion upwardly through the handle, and a loop portion extending from the elongate portion upwardly behind the handle, the loop portion terminating in a hooked tip biased against the back of the stock to form a retainer for a rubber band stretched along the length of the stock and barrel so that pulling back on the trigger portion draws the hooked tip away from the stock and releases the band. The trigger element is characteristically bent to enable its tension to be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1985
    Inventor: Mitsuo Endo
  • Patent number: 4552365
    Abstract: A gun for firing a resilient loop projectile, wherein the missile is stretched over a frame and discharged by a firing mechanism movable against the bias of on elastic member on an upwardly and rearwardly directed rectilinear path of travel. A combination plunger and rear sight has a forwardly curved surface to lift the loop upwardly off the firing groove to discharge the missile from the gun. The contour of the gun permits rapid movement of a missile from a ready position to a firing position and admits of the simultaneous loading with two missiles for rapid fire. The gun is constructed in a manner to resemble the feel and firing characteristics of a conventional hand gun. The projectiles for the gun comprise a length of elastic tubing having a flexible polyurethane rod joining the tube ends to close the loop and enhance the firing accuracy and durability of the missile. The projectile is made of high visibility material and is floatable to insure recoverability after firing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1985
    Inventor: Wayne G. Smith
  • Patent number: 4436077
    Abstract: A gun for firing a resilient loop projectile, wherein the missile is stretched over a frame and discharged by a firing mechanism movable against the bias of on elastic member on an upwardly and rearwardly directed rectilinear path of travel. A combination plunger and rear sight has a forwardly curved surface to lift the loop upwardly off the firing groove to discharge the missile from the gun. The contour of the gun permits rapid movement of a missile from a ready position to a firing position and admits of the simultaneous loading with two missiles for rapid fire. The gun is constructed in a manner to resemble the feel and firing characteristics of a conventional hand gun. The projectiles for the gun are fabricated from a length of elastic tubing having a flexible polyurethane rod joining the tube ends to close the loop and enhance the firing accuracy and durability of the missile. The projectile is made of high visibility material and is floatable to insure recoverability after firing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1984
    Inventor: Wayne G. Smith
  • Patent number: 4324220
    Abstract: A slingshot-like tether toy which includes a handle and a ball which are connected by a single elastic cord having a stop formed or fastened between the handle and the ball. The elastic cord is adapted to pass into a slot in one edge of the handle with the stop engaging a handle surface adjacent the slot to tension a portion of the cord as the ball is drawn back prior to release. Upon release, the stop disengages the handle, and the ball continues its travel towards the target. The entire elastic cord acts as a tether to return the ball to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1982
    Inventor: Ronald Joelson
  • Patent number: 3965882
    Abstract: A self-powered dart system is disclosed which comprises a self-powered dart and a launcher for launching the dart. The self-powered dart consists of a stretchable elongated body, such as a rubber tube, having a weighted head at one end and a launching connection at the other end. The launcher consists of a handle having a pivotable launching post mounted in a bent top portion of the handle. The self-powered dart is connected to the launching post, for example by positioning the post in the end opening of the rubber tube dart body. The head is drawn backwards (like the tail of an arrow in archery) with the launching post in a vertical position to temporarily engage the dart tail so as to permit stretching of the dart body. When the head is released it snaps across the top of the handle, changing from pointing backwards to pointing forwards, rotating the launching post to the horizontal position to permit the release of the dart body without imparting undesirable side forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1974
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1976
    Assignee: Allenwood Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry Ehrens, Frank Nonnenmacher