Simulated Weapon Or Protector Patents (Class 446/473)
  • Patent number: 11406884
    Abstract: A practice sword for practicing martial arts includes a sword hilt body, a blade portion, and a guard portion that separates the sword hilt body and the blade portion. The practice sword is configured such that the sword hilt body and the blade portion have a vinyl chloride pipe as a common core. The blade portion is formed by surrounding the outer surface of the common core vinyl chloride pipe with styrene foam, arranging an elastic cushioning material on a distal surface thereof, and accommodating the styrene foam and the vinyl chloride pipe in a thin and long thick cloth bag. The sword hilt body is formed by abutting top and bottom rod-like pieces of wood against the top and bottom peripheral surfaces of the common core and winding a string around the surfaces of the top and bottom rod-like pieces of wood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Inventor: Norio Nabeta
  • Patent number: 11129465
    Abstract: An arm wearable apparatus includes a telescoping arrangement having a plurality of sections, a user interface system that removably attaches the telescoping arrangement with an arm of a wearer, and a plurality of illuminable rings. Each ring of the plurality of illuminable rings is attached with a respective section of the plurality of sections and has an inner diameter such that the plurality of illuminable rings form an opening to receive the arm when the telescoping arrangement is in a retracted configuration. At least some of the plurality of illuminable rings are arranged beyond an extent of the arm when the telescoping arrangement is in an extended configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Goslin, Clifford Wong
  • Patent number: 11067358
    Abstract: A telescopic cylinder assembly in automatic reloading system of a toy gun is disclosed. It comprises an external cylinder having an internal space formed therein, an internal cylinder located at the internal space of the external cylinder and configured to be movable in longitudinal direction of the external cylinder, a nozzle at least a part thereof is located inside the internal cylinder and configured to be movable in longitudinal direction of the external cylinder, a nozzle supporter connected to the internal cylinder and configured to support the nozzle, and a cylinder valve configured to open and close a front outlet of the nozzle. The internal space of the external cylinder is expanded primarily in accordance with the movement of the internal cylinder, and the internal space is further expanded secondarily in accordance with the movement of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Inventor: Keon Hyeong Kim
  • Patent number: 10376803
    Abstract: A special effects device for providing an energy sword effect. The device includes two long plastic semi-cylinders, and these two blade body members are rolled perpendicular to their length, which creates compact cylinders of material of small volume that can be provided on a pair of spools in a hilt. To extend the blade, a motor provided in the hilt unrolls the blade body members from the spools. Each blade body member passes through a blade forming guideway that nests the semi-cylindrical blade body members together as they leave the hilt. To retract the blade, the process is reversed. The lighting of the blade is achieved with a flexible strip of light sources. The light source strip is attached to a blade end cap and positioned in the center of the two blade body members such that it is pulled up along with the blade body members during their extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael R. Honeck, Lanny S. Smoot, Quinn Y. Smithwick, Eli Joseph Romaire, David J. McCall, Terry O. Sandin, Adam B. Forster, Peter Anastasios Chevako
  • Patent number: 10065127
    Abstract: A special effects device for providing an energy sword effect. The device includes two long plastic semi-cylinders, and these two blade body members are rolled perpendicular to their length, which creates compact cylinders of material of small volume that can be provided on a pair of spools in a hilt. To extend the blade, a motor provided in the hilt unrolls the blade body members from the spools. Each blade body member passes through a blade forming guideway that nests the semi-cylindrical blade body members together as they leave the hilt. To retract the blade, the process is reversed. The lighting of the blade is achieved with a flexible strip of light sources. The light source strip is attached to a blade end cap and positioned in the center of the two blade body members such that it is pulled up along with the blade body members during their extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael R. Honeck, Lanny S. Smoot, Quinn Y. Smithwick, Eli Joseph Romaire, David J. McCall, Terry O. Sandin, Adam B. Forster, Peter Anastasios Chevako
  • Patent number: 9579587
    Abstract: An inflatable toy sword includes a handle having a proximal end and a distal end, a fan disposed in the handle for directing air toward the distal end of the handle, a power source disposed in the handle for providing power to operate the fan, and a switch coupled with the fan for selectively activating the fan. An inflatable blade has a proximal end with an opening. The proximal end of the inflatable blade is connected to the distal end of the handle. The toy sword may also generate light and sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: RC Research LLC
    Inventors: Richard Chen, Anne Murphy, Crystal Typermass, Jessica Van Zee
  • Publication number: 20150147937
    Abstract: Disclosed are polymeric swords and sparring instruments having improved mechanical properties and methods of making such swords and sparring instruments. In one embodiment, a polyurethane sword comprises a handle portion and a blade portion. In this embodiment, the polyurethane sword also comprises a flexible support member having a handle support portion and a blade support portion. In this embodiment, the polyurethane sword also comprises a polyurethane outer layer configured to encase the flexible support member from the handle support portion to the blade support portion. The handle portion comprises the handle support portion and the polyurethane outer layer encasing the handle support portion. Moreover, the blade portion comprises the blade support portion and the polyurethane outer layer encasing the blade support portion. In addition, the polyurethane outer layer may be composed of a machine perfused polyurethane mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventor: Margaret Lu
  • Patent number: 8997727
    Abstract: A projectile shooter toy has a body with a sidewall forming a space for holding a projectile in a loaded state and a pathway leading away from the space and along which the projectile moves in a forward direction. An actuator is arranged to engage the projectile to move the projectile forward along the pathway. At least two pinching members are spaced forwardly along the pathway from the actuator. The pinching members are separate from, and movable relative to, the actuator and the sidewall, and are configured to exert a force on the projectile as the projectile passes between the at least two pinching members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Roger Hamel, David Baird
  • Patent number: 8998674
    Abstract: A toy sword including a blade having a tip and a base carried by a tubular member having a blade support end and a pommel end. The tubular member extends from the blade terminating in the pommel end. A front piece, a grip and a pommel each include a bore formed therethrough and are slidably received by the tubular member proximate the pommel end. A coupler removably couples the pommel to the tubular member proximate the pommel end, retaining the grip and the front piece in position on the tubular member between the pommel and the base of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventor: Tyler Richins
  • Patent number: 8967130
    Abstract: A toy launcher apparatus for discharging circular projectiles, the apparatus having a housing, lower and upper panels mounted to the housing, supports mounted to the housing, a cocking slide and a slide spring connected to the supports, a projectile receptacle connected to the cocking slide, release levers mounted to the housing, a guide wall mounted to the lower panel, a positioning wheel also mounted to the lower panel, and a trigger mounted to the housing. The lower panel includes a slot positioned parallel to the guide wall but off center relative to a center point of a load projectile. Beneath the lower panel is a rotatable launch arm connected to a torsion spring and a catch structure. The upper and lower panels are parallel to one another and spaced to receive a projectile. The projectile is loaded into the projectile receptacle when the receptacle is exposed during the time the launch arm and torsion spring are cocked by a user pulling rearward on the cocking slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert James Victor, Brian Jablonski
  • Patent number: 8899985
    Abstract: A simulated weapon includes a mechanical counting mechanism that incrementally advances upon firing of a simulated round. When the mechanical counting mechanism reaches a state indicating that all simulated rounds have been fired, a slide of the weapon is locked back, mimicking the lockback feature of an actual weapon. The simulated weapon may be untethered, enabling realistic training in weapon handling. The mechanical counting mechanism may be actuated by motion of the slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Cubic Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Walls
  • Patent number: 8893699
    Abstract: A toy assembly includes a projectile that includes a linear portion and an engagement portion. The toy assembly also includes a base that includes a pivot point and defines an opening that receives the linear portion of the projectile, and the base retains the projectile in a frictional engagement. The assembly also includes an actuator that includes a trigger portion. The actuator is coupled to the base at the pivot point. Applying force to the trigger portion of the actuator in a first direction causes movement of the engagement portion of the projectile in a second direction, distinct from the first direction, and releases the projectile from the frictional engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventors: David Maxwell Bird, Robert C. Maschin
  • Publication number: 20140342634
    Abstract: a toy sword including a blade having a tip and a base carried by a tubular member having a blade support end and a pommel end. The tubular member extends from the blade terminating in the pommel end. A front piece, a grip and a pommel each include a bore formed therethrough and are slidably received by the tubular member proximate the pommel end. A coupler removably couples the pommel to the tubular member proximate the pommel end, retaining the grip and the front piece in position on the tubular member between the pommel and the base of the blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventor: Tyler Richins
  • Patent number: 8875690
    Abstract: A toy gun that includes a dart ejecting device and a magazine for loading darts and shells is disclosed herein. The gun also includes a shell ejecting device having a driving mechanism and a shell ejecting mechanism. The driving mechanism includes a handle, a linkage through the center of the magazine, and a sliding piece, each of which are joined together in sequence. Other modifications and features suitable for practice therewith, and methods and means of operating the device, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Buzz Bee Toys (H.K.) Company Limited
    Inventor: Ma Chor-Ming
  • Patent number: 8864136
    Abstract: A toy projectile is provided which is preferably constructed of TPR, and thus, can be used as an inherently stretchable elastic toy projectile. A handle section is also provided which can be used as a projectile launcher. Further, a storage container is also provided which can also act as a projectile launcher. In a preferred embodiment, a game is also described in which the projectiles are launched by hand, or with the handle or by the storage container/launcher, in order to impact targets, and preferably moving targets. A child's toy projectile and projectile launcher, with a game, are thereby provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Tech 4 Kids, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley D. Pedersen, Kyle Jeffs
  • Patent number: 8834162
    Abstract: An edged weapon training device. The device has a handle portion for gripping by a training subject. A blade portion has at least one exposed contact portion. The contact portion includes a marking device which leaves a mark when it touches an opponent during martial arts or other edged weapon training activities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Inventor: Spencer P. Warn
  • Patent number: 8800541
    Abstract: An electric toy gun includes a gun body carrying a piston set and a gear set having a first gearwheel provided with a side pin and rotatable to move the piston of the piston set, the gear set is arranged above the axis of movement of the piston of the piston set, a backlash vibration mechanism for producing a backlash vibration when the electric toy gun fires a bullet, and an attached cartridge carrier, which simulates the cartridge feeding operation of a real gun. The backlash vibration mechanism includes a connection block arranged on the axis of movement of the piston of the piston set, a weight fixedly connected to the bottom side of the connection block beneath the axis of movement of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Inventor: Shih-Che Hu
  • Publication number: 20140199913
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a toy gun capable of transmitting a laser beam and/or an infrared (“IR”) beam of light for use in a game. The toy gun also has a detector for detecting a laser and IR signal. A controller within the gun tracks the number of shots tired, the type of light beam fired, the number of hits received by other guns, and permits the user to alternate between firing an IR beam or laser beam. The toy gun also has unique features available through the use of lasers, including detecting the distance to a target. The present invention further relates to an interactive electronic targeting system for use with a toy laser gun. The targeting system includes an electronic multicolored backlit board with light detecting sensors positioned within the hoard. The targeting system is programmed with multiple interactive games for use with a toy gun.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Inventor: Brian Rosenblum
  • Patent number: 8733334
    Abstract: A toy hand grenade has a plurality of bores which receive soft darts. A launcher is received in each bore and is spring loaded. An actuator retains the launchers in a spring-loaded, unactuated position. The actuator is displaceable relative to the body to release the launchers and substantially concurrently eject the darts from the hand grenade. A pin or a clip may be employed to lock the actuator in a locked position. A timer is employed to delay actuation of the actuator to release the launchers and eject the darts from the hand grenade. A sandbag ring is imposed to ensure proper orientation and stability of the hand grenade for the timer actuated feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventors: David E. Mroczka, Kevin Mroczka
  • Patent number: 8721460
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a toy gun capable of transmitting a laser beam and/or an infrared (“IR”) beam of light for use in a game. The toy gun also has a detector for detecting a laser and IR signal. A controller within the gun tracks the number of shots fired, the type of light beam fired, the number of hits received by other guns, and permits the user to alternate between firing an IR beam or laser beam. The toy gun also has unique features available through the use of lasers, including detecting the distance to a target. The present invention further relates to an interactive electronic targeting system for use with a toy laser gun. The targeting system includes an electronic multi-colored backlit board with light detecting sensors positioned within the board. The targeting system is programmed with multiple interactive games for use with a toy gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: JAKKS Pacific, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Rosenblum
  • Patent number: 8701935
    Abstract: A water gun discharges water continuously by pushing in and pulling out an operating portion and has a casing imitating a barrel, a rear grip portion and a front grip portion. The casing incorporates a pump mechanism and includes pumping tubing forming a pumping path through which water is pumped up from a water storage tank by the pumping mechanism and a muzzle portion disposed at a front end of the casing. The pump mechanism includes a first cylinder and a second cylinder which are oriented in opposite directions, a first piston slidable forwards and backwards within the first cylinder and a second piston slidable forwards and backwards within the second cylinder, an interlocking member coupled to the first piston and the second piston and brought into engagement with a rear half portion of the casing, pumping check valves, a jet water flowing chamber and a water supply path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Agatsuma Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinji Todokoro
  • Publication number: 20140106644
    Abstract: A child novelty toy device is provided for use spreading “fairy dust” in the form of granular salt or sand particles from the device interior. The device comprises a toy wand or sword structure having a salt dispensing means and a two-part, hollow construction wherein a first member is slidably engaged within a second member. The first member comprises an open interior and a sidewall structure having a plurality of apertures therealong for dispensing salt stored therewithin. The second member slides over the first member and shrouds the apertures until salt dispensing is desired. The sliding members form either a wand-like structure or a sword-like structure having a handle and a pointed end. The device is utilized to act out narratives wherein a child is capable spreading magical “dust” from the device during play time or prior to bed time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventor: Fran Urbaniak
  • Patent number: 8690630
    Abstract: A bubble generating toy includes a bubble forming assembly mounted inside a housing behind a front opening thereof. The bubble forming assembly includes a cylindrical body having diametric inlet and outlet, a cylindrical air gate having diametric inlet and outlet. The air gate is rotatable in the cylindrical body between a closed position and open position when the inlets and outlets are aligned. A sleeve extends perpendicularly from the outlet of the cylindrical body and has a bubble ring. Bubble forming liquid is pumped from a container, through a tube and into the sleeve by a pump to form a bubble film across the bubble ring. An air blower blows are through the sleeve and the bubble ring to generate bubbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Chun Yuen Lau
  • Patent number: 8678877
    Abstract: Marker tag darts, dart guns therefor, and methods which allow a toy gun to receive a marker tag dart, to put water in the forward tip of the dart and to shoot the dart. The marker tag dart itself has slits in the wall of a small chamber at the front of the dart so that on impact with a target, the inertia of the water causes deformation of the tip and opening of the slits to eject water for marking the location of the marker tag dart hit. The dart guns are spring chocked, and propel the dart with a blast of air from an air pump powered by the spring. Various embodiments and modes of operation are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Shoot the Moon Products II, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Jonathan Corlett, David B. Small, Paul S. Rago
  • Patent number: 8662063
    Abstract: An electric toy gun includes a gun body carrying a piston set and a gear set having a first gearwheel provided with a side pin and rotatable to move the piston of the piston set, and an attached cartridge carrier, which includes a propelling member movable back and forth by the pin of the first gearwheel, a swivel hook member turnable back and forth by the propelling member, a cartridge rack hung on the swivel hook member and movable back and forth with the swivel hook member to simulate the cartridge feeding operation of a real gun and a return spring for returning the propelling member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: Shih-Che Hu
  • Publication number: 20140051328
    Abstract: The toy gun contains a power element electrically connected with a driver element and an electronic fire-control assembly. The electronic fire-control assembly turns on or off the driver element, which in turn engages or disengages a gear set. When the trigger is pulled, the electronic fire-control assembly controls the power element to provide electricity to the driver element which in turn engages the gear set to conduct firing. The electronic fire-control assembly incorporates a magazine detection module, a shot selection module, and a trigger on/off module. When one of the functions breaks down, a user just replaces the electronic fire-control assembly, instead of spending time and effort to inspect, disassemble, and re-assemble the toy gun.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Inventor: YIN-HSI LIAO
  • Publication number: 20140004769
    Abstract: Marker tag darts, dart guns therefor, and methods which allow a toy gun to receive a marker tag dart, to put water in the forward tip of the dart and to shoot the dart. The marker tag dart itself has slits in the wall of a small chamber at the front of the dart so that on impact with a target, the inertia of the water causes deformation of the tip and opening of the slits to eject water for marking the location of the marker tag dart hit. The dart guns are spring chocked, and propel the dart with a blast of air from an air pump powered by the spring. Various embodiments and modes of operation are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: SHOOT THE MOON PRODUCTS II, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Jonathan Corlett, David B. Small, Paul S. Rago
  • Patent number: 8529384
    Abstract: Marker tag darts, dart guns therefor, and methods which allow a toy gun to receive a marker tag dart, to put water in the forward tip of the dart and to shoot the dart. The marker tag dart itself has slits in the wall of a small chamber at the front of the dart so that on impact with a target, the inertia of the water causes deformation of the tip and opening of the slits to eject water for marking the location of the marker tag dart hit. The dart guns are spring chocked, and propel the dart with a blast of air from an air pump powered by the spring. Various embodiments and modes of operation are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Shoot the Moon Products II, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Jonathan Corlett, David B. Small, Paul S. Rago
  • Patent number: 8485858
    Abstract: A toy gun having a laser sight includes a gun body, a laser sight and a trigger assembly. The laser sight is selectively located in a first position or a second position. The laser sight includes a light-emitting element for aiming a beam toward the front of the gun body and an activating element for controlling the ON/OFF state of the light-emitting element. The trigger assembly includes a trigger and a connecting rod driven by the trigger to bias the activating element. When the laser sight is in the first position, the trigger is pressed to drive the connecting rod to move forwards, thereby biasing the activating element to turn on the light-emitting element. When the laser sight is in the second position, the activating element is located farther away from the connecting rod and unable to be biased by the connecting rod, thereby turning off the light-emitting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Inventor: Ho-Sheng Wei
  • Patent number: 8474505
    Abstract: A tattoo applicator for applying temporary tattoos to a subject, the tattoo applicator including a handheld housing and a sponge moveably supported by the housing to moisten the temporary tattoo and to apply pressure to the temporary tattoo. In some examples, the housing defines a retaining slot for receiving a tattoo-forming sheet. In some examples, the tattoo applicator includes a timer. In some examples, the tattoo applicator includes a push rod and a tattoo mount supported by the housing, the tattoo mount defining a port through which the push rod extends. In some examples, the tattoo applicator includes a fluid reservoir mounted to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Melissa Ozuna, Erika Kane, Craig Stock
  • Patent number: 8439720
    Abstract: A shooting toy used in a game for two or more players capable of allowing an opponent player to reliably receive an infrared ray signal even in an open air, e.g., under a scorching sun. The intensity of light included in a particular wavelength region around a toy is detected by an optical sensor 27. If the detected amount of light included in the particular wavelength region is large, an infrared ray signal generating section 31 increases the intensity of the infrared ray signal to be generated, whereas if the detected amount of light included in the particular wavelength region is small, the infrared signal generating section 31 decreases the intensity of the infrared ray signal to be generated. This prevents the infrared ray signal reception capability from being affected by the light included in the particular wavelength region around the toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Manabu Inoue
  • Patent number: 8387605
    Abstract: A launcher apparatus for soft foam toy darts, the apparatus having a lock that operates momentarily during a cock and load cycle of the launcher apparatus to prevent an improper cocking operation. The launcher apparatus includes a barrel, a slide, a firing assembly and the lock. The launcher apparatus also includes three protrusions or surfaces for operative engagement with the lock to partially depress the lock, to fully depress the lock, and to disengage the lock to reset the launcher apparatus for the next cock and load cycle. During operation, one protrusion surface depresses the lock partially and momentarily, a second protrusion or surface fully depresses the lock to enable the lock to be maintained in the depressed state, and a third protrusion or surface causes the lock to be released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Brown, Raymond Aaron Mead, Brian Jablonski
  • Publication number: 20120315823
    Abstract: A toy gun for pressurized cans includes a body resembling a gun with a barrel; an adapter that retains the can; a trigger; a spray actuator head that, when the trigger is pulled, presses upon a valve assembly of the can so that the can discharges into the spray actuator head; a flair on the adapter to help accept the can and guide the valve assembly to the spray actuator head; and an extension tube that receives the discharge from the spray actuator head, transports the discharge through the barrel, and disperses the discharge out of the body. The toy gun may include an adapter on the bottom for shaving cream cans or on the top for whipped cream cans.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventor: Steven Brzezinski
  • Patent number: 8316897
    Abstract: A toy water gun assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a water gun and a filling station. The filling station connects to a water source such as a hose. The gun connects to the filling station such that, when connected, the trigger is secured in a locked stated, preventing the user from discharging the gun while mounted on the station. In operation, the gun is connected to the filling station until the water reservoir on the gun is filled. The gun is then released from the filling station by engaging a release lever or button. The gun is fully charged, with the water being pressurized during the filling process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Francis Lucas
  • Patent number: 8257134
    Abstract: A game device that safely emulates a game of Russian Roulette using balloons and the method thereof. The game device resembles a revolver, but without a barrel, and with the muzzle adjacent the cylinder. The game device contains a protected pin instead of a bullet for puncturing a balloon. An expandable ring is rotatably mounted adjacent the muzzle of the device that allows exposure of the pin only when a fully blown balloon is positioned therein to be punctured. Upon actuation of the pin, it is only exposed for a very short period of time to further prevent unnecessary exposure and injury to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Steve Zuloff
  • Publication number: 20120220190
    Abstract: Marker tag darts, dart guns therefor, and methods which allow a toy gun to receive a marker tag dart, to put water in the forward tip of the dart and to shoot the dart. The marker tag dart itself has slits in the wall of a small chamber at the front of the dart so that on impact with a target, the inertia of the water causes deformation of the tip and opening of the slits to eject water for marking the location of the marker tag dart hit. The dart guns are spring chocked, and propel the dart with a blast of air from an air pump powered by the spring. Various embodiments and modes of operation are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: SHOOT THE MOON PRODUCTS II, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Jonathan Corlett, David B. Small, Paul S. Rago
  • Publication number: 20120208430
    Abstract: In a loading/unloading module of an electric toy gun, and the toy gun includes a gun body, a piston shell installed to the gun body, and a loading/unloading module corresponding to the piston shell, and the loading/unloading module is provided for loading/unloading the piston shell to/from the gun body, and the loading/unloading module includes a fixing assembly, and the fixing assembly includes a receiving element of the piston shell installed to the piston shell and a latching element movably installed to the gun body and corresponding to the receiving element, such that the latching element can be turned to latch with the receiving element to fix the piston shell to the gun body, and the toy gun has a high structural stability after its assembling and can be assembled and disassembled easily.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: SHIH-CHE KUNG, WEI-HUNG CHUNG
  • Patent number: 8244402
    Abstract: A robotic system includes a humanoid robot with robotic joints each moveable using an actuator(s), and a distributed controller for controlling the movement of each of the robotic joints. The controller includes a visual perception module (VPM) for visually identifying and tracking an object in the field of view of the robot under threshold lighting conditions. The VPM includes optical devices for collecting an image of the object, a positional extraction device, and a host machine having an algorithm for processing the image and positional information. The algorithm visually identifies and tracks the object, and automatically adapts an exposure time of the optical devices to prevent feature data loss of the image under the threshold lighting conditions. A method of identifying and tracking the object includes collecting the image, extracting positional information of the object, and automatically adapting the exposure time to thereby prevent feature data loss of the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: James W. Wells, Neil David Mc Kay, Suhas E. Chelian, Douglas Martin Linn, Charles W. Wampler, II, Lyndon Bridgwater
  • Publication number: 20120178338
    Abstract: A toy gun capable of squirting liquid and launching projectiles, the toy gun comprising or including a liquid squirting mechanism actuatable to expel liquid in a squirting manner, a projectile launching mechanism actuatable to launch a projectile, a trigger moveable between two limits, wherein movement of the trigger between its two limits can actuate both the liquid squirting mechanism and the projectile launching mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventor: Mathew Peter Mowbray
  • Patent number: 8186337
    Abstract: A toy gun assembly has at least two, first and second independently operable toy guns. Each of those guns has a body and a shooting mechanism in the body. The toy guns are connectable with each other by means of a connector. The shooting mechanisms of the toy guns are independently operable when the toy guns are connected by the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Inventor: Craig P. Nadel
  • 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
  • Toy
    Patent number: 8118637
    Abstract: A toy that is capable of moving between a first orientation and a second orientation and includes a housing having a first end portion with a first handle and a second end portion with a second handle, at least one of the first and second handles is rotatable within a respective handle opening defined by the housing. To move the toy from the first orientation to the second orientation, the at least one of the first and second handles is rotated by a user within its handle opening, such that the housing is rotated between its first orientation and second orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel Inc.
    Inventor: Gabriel De La Torre
  • Patent number: 8074838
    Abstract: The combined water balloon launcher and water discharging device preferably includes a mechanism for discharging water. A water-holding reservoir may be mounted onto a handle section. A first barrel may also be coupled to the handle section. The first barrel may have an inlet port formed at a proximal end thereof in fluid communication with the water-holding reservoir. A guard may be coupled to a first plunger and may be slidably seated about the first and second barrels. The first plunger may displace air from the air holding chamber into the water holding reservoir. The water balloon launching mechanism may include a second barrel and a revolving water balloon-holding drum. The drum may contain isolated chambers in which water balloons are loaded. A second spring member may be anchored to the handle and attached to a second plunger. The second plunger urges the water balloon outwardly from the second barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Inventor: Shawn Tate
  • Patent number: 8057309
    Abstract: A toy capable of interchangeably activating an electronic controller and a projectile launching component through the same trigger mechanism providing for a fun and interesting toy with a variety of play modes. A holder assembly including a receiving compartment is capable of accepting the electronic controller and the projectile launching component. The electronic controller includes at least one human user interface input button for controlling an electronic game, and the projectile launching component includes a mechanical actuator for launching a projectile. The trigger mechanism is in mechanical communication with the holder assembly for engagement with the human user interface input button for controlling the electronic game and the mechanical actuator for launching the projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Aaron Mead, Robert L. Brown, Brian C. Jablonski, Douglas C. Weiler
  • Patent number: 8021209
    Abstract: A toy assembly that has an impact surface made from an array of taut strings. The hardness of the impact surface is a function of the tension present in the strings. The toy assembly has two plates that are spaced apart. The two plates are held apart by a post. One or more of the plates may be selectively adjustable in position along the post. A plurality of strings extends between the first plate and the second plate. Each of the strings is maintained in tension to create a resilient impact surface. The strings are maintained in tension by the use of spring clips and/or by adjusting the distance between the two plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Inventors: Mark Adkins, Joseph Pizzo
  • Patent number: 8021208
    Abstract: A magazine for a toy gun includes a housing, at least one projectile disposed within the housing, and a constant-force spring disposed within the housing for providing a biasing force against the at least one projectile. The at least one projectile is made of elastomer or polymer foam material having a density between about 0.020 g/cm3 (1.25 lbs/ft3) and about 0.833 g/cm3 (52 lbs/ft3), and a 25% compression resistance (compression deflection) between about 0.6 psi and about 20 psi. The magazine is capable of holding and dispensing the projectiles such that the biasing force of the constant-force spring does not excessively deform the projectiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Inventor: Robert J. Victor
  • Patent number: 8007342
    Abstract: A foam sword having a sword blade made from a flexible, soft foam material having a blade-shaped, generally constant cross-section with a major dimension and a minor dimension is provided, having blade edges defined in a direction of the major dimension. The blade has first and second ends, and a longitudinally extending opening extends therethrough from the first end to the second end. The blade includes a reinforcing rod that extends partially therethrough from the first end to provide some rigidity and to which the sword handle is connected, and a plug closes the opening in the second end of the foam sword blade to present a sword-like appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Buzz Bee Toys, Inc.
    Inventor: Io Lon Tong
  • Publication number: 20110177749
    Abstract: A game device that safely emulates a game of Russian Roulette using balloons and the method thereof. The game device resembles a revolver, but without a barrel, and with the muzzle adjacent the cylinder. The game device contains a protected pin instead of a bullet for puncturing a balloon. An expandable ring is rotatably mounted adjacent the muzzle of the device that allows exposure of the pin only when a fully blown balloon is positioned therein to be punctured. Upon actuation of the pin, it is only exposed for a very short period of time to further prevent unnecessary exposure and injury to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventor: Steve Zuloff
  • Patent number: 7980423
    Abstract: An apparatus for discharging a stream of fluid includes a water pump, a trigger mechanism, a ratchet mechanism, a fluid reservoir, and a secondary fluid chamber. A pump handle is used to move a piston that draws the fluid from the fluid reservoir into the secondary fluid chamber before discharge. The pump handle is also used to selectively connect the trigger mechanism to the ratchet mechanism to allow incremental discharge of the fluid from the secondary fluid chamber. A handle is selectively connectable to the ratchet mechanism and configured to manually move the ratchet mechanism to a first position against the urgency of the spring. The handle is also selectably connectable to a pump mechanism, the handle being movable from a first position to a second position, wherein the handle is connected to the ratchet mechanism in the first position and connected to the pump mechanism in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Tropical Ventures, LLC
    Inventor: Alan Amron
  • Publication number: 20110168150
    Abstract: A reconfigurable toy gun includes a handle portion, a guide member coupled to the handle portion, and a barrel portion. The barrel portion is slidably coupled to the guide member and movable along the guide member between a first end portion of the guide member and second end portion of the guide member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: Peter Kit Chuen Fan, Fraser Patterson, Brandon Sopinsky