Firing-Type Confetti Cannon Device

The present invention relates to a confetti cannon device and, more particularly, to a confetti cannon device using compressed air to launch confetti or the like, including sequins, ribbons, or similar light-weight small pieces, into the air, and the confetti or the like drifts downward afterward.

A type of currently available confetti cannon device may eject confetti into the air. The confetti will scatter and gradually drift downward and is, thus, suitable for celebration occasions like wedding banquets, opening ceremonies, etc.

Many confetti cannon devices use compressed air to eject confetti into the air. Generally, compressed air is filled into a compressed air cartridge made of metal in advance. A cap unit is used to seal the compressed air cartridge and is fixed by a safety unit to store the compressed air in the cartridge.

Confetti cannons include electric type and manual type. An electric confetti cannon generally uses a wire to fix the safety unit. The wire may be heated to melt through thermoelectric effect to thereby release the safety unit. Next, the compressed air stored in the cartridge pushes the cap unit away, and the released compressed air ejects the confetti into the air. The electric confetti includes a barrel portion and a base portion which supplies electricity to the barrel portion for operation. However, the barrel portion and the base portion are connected by electric wires, causing inconvenience in detachment and installation.

Furthermore, the wire for fixing the safety unit of the electric confetti cannon might break, and the procedure of tying the safety unit with the wire is troublesome.

The present invention provides a confetti cannon device comprising:

In the barrel portion according to the present invention, the firing pin may be displaced by the compressed air cartridge to set the safety unit to a firing state, such that the cap unit may disengage from the compressed air cartridge to release compressed air, thereby ejecting confetti into the air.

In an example, the confetti cannon device further comprises a safety member mounted outside of the safety unit. The safety member is movable between a safety position and a non-safety position. When the safety member is in the safety position, the safety unit remains in the unfired state, and the firing pin remains in the standby position. When the safety member is in the non-safety position, the firing pin is movable to the push position, and the safety unit is permitted to enter the firing state.

The safety member of the safety unit may be retained in the unfired state before coupling with the base portion to assure that the confetti in the filling sleeve will not be ejected into the air in an unexpected state.

In an example, the safety unit further includes a pressing member pivotably mounted above the cap and an outer coupling member which is pivotable. When the safety member is in the safety position, the pressing member is not pivotable to prevent pivotal movement of the outer coupling member. When the safety member is in the non-safety position, the pressing member is pivotable. When the firing pin is in the standby position, the outer coupling member remains unmoved. When the firing pin moves from the standby position to the push position, the outer coupling member is pivoted by the firing pin to push the pressing member to pivot, the safety unit is switched to the firing state, and the cap is pushed by the compressed air in the compressed air cartridge to thereby disengage from the compressed air cartridge.

By the cooperation of the outer coupling member with the firing pin, after the firing pin reaches the push position, the outer coupling member will push the pressing member to pivot, thereby assuring firing of the barrel portion.

In an example, the safety unit further includes an inner coupling member which is pivotable. The inner coupling member includes a through-hole. When the firing pin is in the standby position, the firing pin does not extend through the through-hole of the inner coupling member, the inner coupling member is located between the cap and the outer coupling member, and the inner coupling member is coupled with the pressing member such that the inner coupling member is unable to push the pressing member to pivot. Pivotal movement of the inner coupling member is prevented by the pressing member when the pressing member is not pivotable, and the inner coupling member abuts against the cap to prevent the cap from disengaging from the firing pin. When the firing pin is in the push position, the firing pin extends through the through-hole of the inner coupling member to push the outer coupling member to pivot, pivotal movement of the outer coupling member causes pivotal movement of the pressing member to disengage the pressing member from the inner coupling member, the cap is pushed by the compressed air to actuate the inner coupling member to pivot, thereby completely disengaging the cap from the compressed air cartridge.

By the cooperation of the inner coupling member with the pressing member, in a case that the pressing member is not pivoted to disengage from the inner coupling member, the inner coupling member is prevented from pivoting to assure that the cap cannot disengage from the compressed air cartridge. Thus, the confetti cannot device according to the present invention has excellent safety.

In an example, the safety unit further includes a pivotal seat coupled with the compressed air cartridge. The pivotal seat includes a first pivotal portion, a second pivotal portion, and a third pivotal portion. The second pivotal portion is adjacent to the third pivotal portion and is located between the first pivotal portion and the third pivotal portion. The inner coupling member includes a distal end warping away from the compressed air cartridge. The inner coupling member is pivotably coupled with the first pivotal portion. The outer coupling member further includes two outer pivotal portions having a gap therebetween. The outer coupling member further includes an inner end located between the two outer pivotal portions and contiguous to the gap. The two outer pivotal portions are pivotably coupled with the third pivotal portion. The pressing member further includes a first limiting portion and a second limiting portion contiguous to the first limiting portion. The pressing member is pivotably coupled with the second pivotal portion and is located in the gap. The distal end of the inner coupling member and the second limiting portion are coupled such that the inner coupling member is unable to push the pressing member to pivot. When the safety unit is in the unfired state, the limiting portion remains above the inner end of the outer coupling member. When the safety member is in the non-safety position and the firing pin moves toward the push position, the inner end of the outer coupling member presses against the first limiting portion to pivot the pressing member.

Since the distal end of the inner coupling member and the second limiting portion of the pressing member are coupled such that the inner coupling member is unable to pivot the pressing member, even if the safety member is in the non-safety position, the cap still cannot actuate the inner coupling member to pivot, such that the safety unit may remain in the unfired state. This avoids the safety unit from being inadvertently fired after the barrel portion is coupled with the coupling tube, providing safety for the barrel portion.

In an example, the confetti cannon device further comprises a filling sleeve and a connecting member. The filling sleeve includes a filling chamber configured for receiving the confetti. The connecting member is coupled with the filling sleeve. The connecting member includes an upper compartment, a channel formed in an outer periphery of the connecting member, and a notch intercommunicating with the channel and the upper compartment. The pressing member is aligned with the notch. The safety member includes a stopping portion formed on an inner periphery of the safety member. The safety member is slidably coupled with the connecting member. The stopping portion is received in the channel. When the safety member is in the safety position, the stopping portion is located in the notch and contiguous to the pressing member, thereby preventing pivotal movement of the pressing member. When the safety member is in the non-safety position, the stopping portion is located in the channel and spaced from the notch and the pressing member, thereby permitting pivotal movement of the pressing member. When the safety unit is in the firing state, a portion of the pressing member is located in the notch.

Through provision of the safety member to assure that the pressing member cannot pivot before the barrel portion is coupled with the base portion. This further prevents the firing pin from moving to the push position, assuring that the compressed air in the compressed air cartridge will not be released by accident. Furthermore, after the barrel portion is coupled with the base portion, the safety member will automatically displace to the non-safety position to permit firing of the barrel portion, thereby providing both safety and convenience.

In an example, the cap unit further includes a guiding tube having a hole extending therethrough in an axial direction of the guiding tube. The compressed air cartridge includes a neck and a bottom end spaced from the neck. The cap is airtightly and removably coupled with the neck. The cap includes an engaging hole. An outer surface of an end of the guiding tube is airtightly coupled with the engaging hole. Another end of the guiding tube extends through and is airtightly coupled with the bottom end of the compressed air cartridge. The hole of the guiding tube is spaced from the interior space of the compressed air cartridge. The firing pin includes a first end and a second end. The firing pin is slidably coupled with the hole of the guiding tube. The first end and the second end of the firing pin are located outside of the guiding tube. The first end of the firing pin extends beyond the bottom end of the compressed air cartridge. When the firing pin is in the push position, the second end of the firing pin switches the safety unit to the firing state.

In the cap unit according to the present invention, by the airtight engagement between the guiding tube and the cap and between the guiding tube and the compressed air cartridge, the guiding tube extends beyond the compressed air cartridge, such that the compressed air in the compressed air cartridge will not leak to the outside. Thus, the guiding tube may support the firing pin well to enable displacement of the firing pin while maintaining airtight contact with the compressed air cartridge.

In an example, the safety unit further includes a pressing member mounted above the cap and switchable between a pivotable state permitting pivotal movement and a non-pivotable state not permitting pivotal movement. The pressing member further includes an outer coupling member. The pressing member includes a first limiting portion located above the outer coupling member. When the pressing member is in the non-pivotable state, the first limiting portion prevents pivotal movement of the outer coupling member, which, in turn, prevents the firing pin from moving to the push position. When the firing pin is in the standby position, the second end of the firing pin is spaced from the outer coupling member. When the pressing member is in the pivotable state and the firing pin is in the push position, the second end of the firing pin pushes the outer coupling member to pivot, and an inner end of the outer coupling member presses against the first limiting portion to pivot the pressing member, thereby switching the safety unit to the firing state.

In an example, the confetti cannon device further comprises a safety member movably mounted outside of the safety unit. The safety member is movable between a safety position and a non-safety position. When the safety member is in the safety position, the safety member prevents the pressing member from pivoting, such that the outer coupling member is not pivotable, and the cap is prevented from disengaging from the compressed air cartridge. When the safety member is in the non-safety position, the pressing member is pivotable.

In an example, the safety unit further includes an inner coupling member which is pivotable. The inner coupling member includes a through-hole. When the firing pin is in the standby position, the inner coupling member is located between the cap and the outer coupling member and presses against the cap. The outer coupling member includes an inner end coupled with a second limiting portion of the pressing member. Pivotal movement of the inner coupling member is prevented by the pressing member in the non-pivotable state, and the inner coupling member prevents the cap from disengaging from the firing pin. When the firing pin is in the standby position, the firing pin does not extend through the through-hole of the inner coupling member. When the pressing member is in the pivotable state and the firing pin is in the push position, the second end of the firing pin extends through the through-hole of the inner coupling member to push the outer coupling member to pivot, the inner coupling member disengages from the pressing member to permit pivotal movement of the inner coupling member, and the cap pushes the inner coupling member away and disengages from the neck.

In an example, the confetti cannon device further comprises:

Installation and detachment of the barrel portion and the base portion are relatively simple to enable rapid installation and detachment of the barrel portion.

In an example, the confetti cannon device further comprises an actuator securely mounted in the coupling tube. The actuator includes a movable member facing the firing pin. When the actuator is energized, the movable member displaces to push the firing pin to move from the standby position to the push position.

In an example, the base portion further includes a housing and a longitudinal collar securely mounted on the housing. The base portion further includes a rotary table pivotably coupled to the longitudinal collar. The coupling tube is pivotably coupled with the rotary table. The rotary table and the connecting memberare jointly pivotable about a longitudinal axis of the longitudinal collar. The coupling tube is pivotable about a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

In an example, the base portion further includes a longitudinal disc coupled with the rotary table to permit joint pivotal movement of the longitudinal disc and the rotary table. The longitudinal disc is received in the housing. The base portion further includes an arm securely mounted in the housing. The arm includes a first engaging end securely connected to the housing, a second engaging end, and a threading connection portion between the first engaging end and the second engaging end. A longitudinal retaining element is securely mounted to the second engaging end and faces the longitudinal disc. The base portion further includes a longitudinal knob in threading connection with the threading connection portion. Rotation of the longitudinal knob causes movement of the longitudinal retaining element toward or away from the longitudinal disc. A contact pressure between the longitudinal retaining element and the longitudinal disc is in direct proportion to resistance to pivotal movement of the rotary table about the longitudinal collar.

By cooperating each transverse retaining element with the respective transvers disc to provide suitable frictional resistance, the barrel portion may be easily and rapidly adjusted to the desired inclination angle.

In an example, the longitudinal disc has semi-circular cross sections. The housing includes a limiting rod which cooperates with the longitudinal disc to limit a rotational angle of the rotary table to be smaller than 360 degrees.

The substantially semi-circular longitudinal disc cooperates with the limiting rod to restrict the rotary table, such that the rotary table cannot rotate 360 degrees (for example, the rotary table can only pivot about 180 degrees). This arrangement may avoid entangling of the wires on the actuator due to pivotal movement of the rotary table.

In an example, the rotary table further includes a connecting portion and two extension portions securely mounted to two ends of the connecting portion. Each of the two extension portions includes an inner cover having a fixing portion. The rotary table further includes two transverse receiving rings each of which is securely mounted to a respective inner cover and is rotatably coupled with a bearing. Each bearing includes an inner end located on an inner side of the respective inner cover and coupled with a longitudinal disc to permit joint pivotal movement of the bearing and the respective longitudinal disc. The coupling tube is coupled with the bearings to permit joint pivotal movement of the coupling tube and the bearings. The rotary table further includes two longitudinal knobs in threading connection with the fixing portions. Each of the two longitudinal knobs is coupled with a longitudinal retaining element. Each of the two longitudinal knobs is pivotable to move a respective longitudinal retaining element toward the respective longitudinal disc. A pressing force imparted to each of the two longitudinal discs by the respective longitudinal retaining element is in direct proportion to resistance to pivotal movement of the coupling tube about the transverse axis.

Although the rotary table cannot rotate 360 degrees, the rotary table can still support the coupling tube to pivot about the transverse axis, such that the coupling tube may still support the barrel portion to enable 360-degree rotation as well as adjustment of the orientation.

In an example, the confetti cannon device further comprises:

By coupling the two coupling portions of the safety member with the two coupling portions of the connecting member, the safety member is reliably maintained in the safety position before the barrel portion is coupled with the coupling tube. This further assures that the pressing member cannot pivot to avoid the firing pin from moving to the push position, thereby avoiding accidental release of the compressed air in the compressed air cartridge. Furthermore, after the barrel portion is coupled with the base portion, the safety member will automatically displace to the non-safety position to permit firing of the barrel portion, thereby providing both safety and convenience.

In an example, the coupling portion includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion protrudes outward from an outer periphery of the safety member. The second portion protrudes outward from an inner periphery of the safety member. When the safety member is in the safety position, the second portion of the coupling portion is coupled with the coupling portion of the connecting member to retain the safety member in the safety position. When the connecting member is coupled with the coupling tube, an end of the coupling tube presses against the first portion, such that the coupling portion deforms elastically, the second portion disengages from the coupling portion of the connecting member, and the safety member is pushed to move from the safety position to the non-safety position.

In an example, the safety unit further includes a pivotal seat coupled with the compressed air cartridge. The pivotal seat includes a first pivotal portion, a second pivotal portion, and a third pivotal portion. The second pivotal portion is adjacent to the third pivotal portion. The safety unit includes an outer coupling member and an inner coupling member. The inner coupling member includes a distal end warping away from the compressed air cartridge. The inner coupling member is pivotably coupled with the first pivotal portion. The outer coupling member includes two outer pivotal portions having a gap therebetween. The outer coupling member further includes an inner end located between the two outer pivotal portions and contiguous to the gap. The two outer pivotal portions are pivotably coupled with the third pivotal portion. The pressing member further includes a first limiting portion and a second limiting portion contiguous to the first limiting portion. The pressing member is pivotably coupled with the second pivotal portion and is located in the gap. The distal end of the inner coupling member and the second limiting portion are coupled such that the inner coupling member is unable to push the pressing member to pivot. The safety member further includes a stopping portion. The connecting member further includes a notch. When the safety member is in the safety position, the stopping portion is located in the notch and contiguous to the pressing member, thereby preventing pivotal movement of the pressing member. When the safety member is in the non-safety position, the stopping portion moves out of the notch and is spaced from the pressing member, thereby permitting pivotal movement of the pressing member and permitting the safety unit to switch to the firing state.

By the cooperation of the inner coupling member with the pressing member, in a case that the pressing member is not pivoted to disengage from the inner coupling member, the inner coupling member is prevented from pivoting to assure that the cap cannot disengage from the compressed air cartridge. Thus, the confetti cannot device according to the present invention has excellent safety.

In an example, the confetti cannon device further comprises a stopper and a filling sleeve. The stopper is annular and includes a coupling block on an inner periphery of the stopper. The connecting member includes a first connecting end, a second connecting end, and an intermediate portion between the first connecting end and the second connecting end. The connecting member further includes a coupling groove formed in the first connecting end. The safety member is slidably coupled with the intermediate portion. The stopper is mounted around the first connecting end and is contiguous to the intermediate portion. The coupling block of the stopper is coupled with the coupling groove to retain the stopper in place relative to the connecting member along an axial direction of the connecting member. When the safety member is in the safety position, the safety member is spaced from the stopper along the axial direction of the connecting member. When the safety member is in the non-safety position, the safety member abuts against the stopper. The coupling tube is coupled with the second connecting end of the connecting member. The filling sleeve includes a filling chamber configured for receiving the confetti. An end of the filling sleeve is coupled with the first connecting end of the connecting member and abuts against the stopper.

The present invention will become clearer in light of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of this invention described in connection with the drawings.

All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings of the present invention only; the extensions of the figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the embodiments will be explained or will be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood.

Where used in the various figures of the drawings, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms “first”, “second”, “lower”, “upper”, “inner”, “outer”, “side”, “end”, “portion”, “section”, “longitudinal”, “axial”, “circumferential”, “horizontal”, “transverse”, “annular”, “outward”, “inward”, and similar terms are used herein, it should be understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawings as it would appear to a person viewing the drawings and are utilized only to facilitate describing the invention.

The present invention relates to a confetti cannon devicesuitable for launching confetti, such as small pieces or streamers of colored paper, into the air at the festival and in a joyous atmosphere. With reference to, the confetti cannon devicecomprises a base portionhaving a housing. The housingincludes a planar platformand a limiting rod() extending downward from a bottom face of the platforminto an interior of the housing. A longitudinal collaris securely mounted on the platform. The base portionfurther includes an armsecurely mounted in the housing. The armincludes a first engaging endand a second engaging endspaced from the first engaging end. The armfurther includes a threading connection portiondisposed on an intermediate portion between the first engaging endand the second engaging endand located adjacent to the second engaging end.

The armis received in the housing. The first engaging endis securely connected to the housing. The second engaging endis spaced from the casing. A longitudinal retaining element(see) is securely mounted to the second engaging end. The longitudinal retaining elementmay be but not limited to be in the form of a rubber block, silicone block, or any block made of a material with a high friction coefficient. The base portionfurther includes a longitudinal knobrotatably coupled to the housing. The longitudinal knobincludes a threaded stem extending into the housingand in threading connection with the threading connection portionof the arm. The longitudinal knobmay be rotated to actuate the armto proceed with elastic deformation, and the second engaging endand the longitudinal retaining elementdisplace jointly.

The base portionfurther includes a rotary tablepivotably coupled with the longitudinal collar. The rotary tableincludes a connecting portionand two extension portionssymmetrically disposed on two sides of the connecting portion. Each extension portionincludes an inner coversecurely connected to the connecting portion. Each inner coverincludes a fixing portionformed on an inner side thereof. Each extension portionfurther includes an outer covercovering an outer side of the inner cover. A transverse receiving ringis securely mounted to each inner coverand is pivotably coupled with a bearing. Each bearingincludes an inner endand an outer endlocated outside of a respective inner cover. The inner endof each bearingis located between the respective inner coverand the respective outer cover.

Each extension portionfurther includes a transverse discis securely connected to the inner endof the respective bearing. Each transverse discincludes a substantially C-shaped limiting slotin a lower side thereof. Each transverse discis located between the inner endof the respective bearingand the respective outer coveralong a transverse axis of the respective transverse receiving ring. Each transverse discand the respective bearingare rotatable about the transverse axis.

Each extension portionfurther includes a connecting membersecurely connected to the outer endof the respective bearing. Each connecting memberis located outside of the respective inner cover. Each connecting memberis located between the two inner coversalong the transverse axis (as shown in). Thus, it can be appreciated that the connecting members, the bearings, and the transverse discsmay pivot jointly about the transverse axis.

Each extension portionfurther includes a transverse knobhaving a threaded stem in threading connection with the respective fixing portionand extending through the limiting slotof the respective transverse disc. When each transverse knobrotates, the transverse knobmoves in a direction parallel to the transverse axis. A transverse retaining elementis mounted around the threaded stem of each transverse knob. Each transverse retaining elementis located between the respective transverse discand the respective outer coveralong the transverse axis. When each transverse knobmoves in the direction parallel to the transverse axis, the respective transverse retaining elementcan move toward or away from the respective transverse disc. Each transverse retaining elementmay be but not limited to in the form of a rubber block, silicone block, or any block made of a material with a high friction coefficient. Furthermore, since the threaded stem of each transverse knobextends through the limiting slotof the respective transverse disc, each connecting member, each bearing, and each transverse disccan only pivot within the extent of the respective limiting slotabout the transverse axis.

The rotary tablefurther includes a longitudinal shaftextending from a bottom end of the connecting portionthrough the longitudinal collaralong a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the transverse axis (see). The longitudinal shaftis pivotably coupled with the longitudinal collar. The rotary tablefurther includes a substantially semi-circular longitudinal dischaving two stopper portionsformed on a rectilinear section of the semi-circular shape. The longitudinal discis located in the housingand is coupled with the longitudinal shaftto permit joint pivotal movement of the longitudinal discand the longitudinal shaft. Specifically, the longitudinal discis located between the platformand the longitudinal retaining elementalong the longitudinal axis. With reference to, when the longitudinal retaining elementis spaced from the longitudinal disc, the rotary tableis pivotable about the longitudinal axis. Thus, the contact pressure between the longitudinal retaining elementand the longitudinal discis in direct proportion to the rotational resistance of the rotary table. Thus, the rotary tablecan be fixed by sufficient rotational resistance.

The base portionfurther includes a coupling tubepivotably coupled with the rotary table. The coupling tubeincludes two connecting portionsarranged in a direction parallel to the transverse axis. Each connecting portionmay be but not limited to be in the form of a hole with non-circular cross sections. The two connecting portionsof the coupling tubeare coupled with the connecting membersto permit joint pivotal movement of the connecting membersand the coupling tube. It may be appreciated that each connecting membersupports the coupling tubeto pivot about the transverse axis in the extent of the respective limiting slot. With reference to, when each transverse retaining elementis spaced from and, thus, does not contact with the respective transverse disc, the coupling tubemay pivot smoothly.

A frameis securely mounted in the coupling tube. An actuatoris securely mounted in the frameand may actuate a movable memberto displace. The actuatormay be but not limited to be in the form of an electromagnetic valve, a motor, or a similar electromechanical device driven by electricity. In an embodiment according to the present invention, the actuatoris an electromagnetic valve which may be energized to cause rapid movement of the movable memberunder the action of electromagnetic force.