Toy Projectile Launchers

Traditional toy projectile launchers amuse kids and adults alike, which include toy blasters, pistols, rifles, crossbows, and slingshots, as examples—all of which are able to launch a projectile at a target. Such launchers vary in size, shape, and load capacity, while projectiles are often made of child-safe, soft materials—such as foam darts, rubber balls, gel beads, flexible disks, water spray, and colorful streamers. Inevitably, handheld launchers are desired for games, battles, and competitions. As manually operated non-electronic launchers are 60% to 90% less costly, with wide adoption for play at parks, schoolyards, indoors, and backyards, in respect to automated electronic launchers. For such launchers bring simple fun when launching a projectile at a target, like a bullseye, tree, or another player.

But unfortunately it's the “motion problems” of traditional launchers that cause a loss of game play and a lull in battle games. For when a player is moving with a handheld launcher, such as running towards a target—or when a target is moving, such as an opposing player running across an outdoor playground—the flaws of manually operated launchers become apparent. For such launchers are slow in usage, cumbersome in operation, and not easily aimed at a moving target.

Consider for example a typical play experience, where a player has a manually operated, toy foam dart blaster as a launcher:

Thereby about one second to multiple seconds has elapsed between each launched projectile. Now for the most steadfast player, the above play actionsthroughmay be rapidly repeated with great physical effort, while the moving target continues to move out of view. In addition, priming (or cocking) the blaster corrupts the aiming of the blaster—prior to each projectile launched. So by way of time delay and cumbersome action of traditional launchers, a moving target has moved out of view—making such launchers ineffective and feeble when players or targets are moving in space.

Such “motion problems” are commonplace for low-cost, traditional projectile launchers such as foam dart blasters, rubber ball pistols, flexible crossbows, and other types of launchers. Whereby there is a need to improve toy projectile launchers to have greater ease of use with less time delay between launched projectiles, especially when players or targets are in motion.

Accordingly, the reader will appreciate this disclosure presents new apparatuses and methods for exemplary embodiments of toy projectile launchers that are far less cumbersome and easier to use with greatly reduced time delay between launched projectiles—including remarkably low build cost with few parts—while presenting surprising special effects—such as rapidly launching projectiles in temporal sequence (e.g., like four projectiles in sequence, where each projectile is launched every 0.1 second) after being loaded and primed once, creating a machine gun effect to the delight of users in motion. Players moving about can now engage each other. Whereby the “motion problems” of traditional launchers, as described in the background section, are largely eliminated.

Even more remarkable are the new apparatuses and methods disclosed can be implemented as low cost, non-electronic, manually operated launchers and automated electronic launchers as well. Whereby, substantially all types of toy projectile launchers (e.g., blasters, pistols, rifles, crossbows, slingshots, etc.) can benefit from this disclosure to rapidly and sequentially launch a plurality of projectiles (e.g., foam darts, rubber balls, gel beads, elastic rings, etc.) after being loaded and primed once, creating a machine gun effect.

For example, in some embodiments, a toy projectile launcher may be non-electronic and manually operated, comprising a housing assembly that receives a fluid compressor that includes a walled chamber holding a launch spring and a piston coupled to a priming actuator, with an included catch assembly having one or more catch stops. A valve system may be coupled to the fluid compressor and an active barrel group, which includes one or more launch barrels able to receive a plurality of projectiles. Thereby, a trigger assembly may comprise a variable latch engaging the catch assembly, configured to a single projectile launch or rapid sequential launch of the plurality of projectiles in temporal sequence from the launcher (e.g., such as four projectiles, where each projectile is launched every 0.1 second) after the fluid compressor has been primed once by the priming actuator of the launcher.

Surprising functional aspects are evident. For in many embodiments, there is a reduced count for the priming or cocking action of a projectile launcher and its fluid compressor prior to launching a projectile (e.g., where the priming action occurs once for every four or more foam darts launched), making such embodiments easier and faster to use for players, while being more responsive to moving targets and players in motion. Further in various embodiments, there is a reduced time delay (e.g., as little as 0.1 second) between each launched projectile, making such embodiments capable of launching a rapid sequence of projectiles at a target-including a moving target, such as another player running away. Also in many embodiments, there is a reduced count for the projectile loading action of a launcher (e.g., where the projectile loading action occurs once for every four or more darts launched), making such embodiments faster and easier to load for players, while again being more responsive to moving targets and moving players.

Thus in most embodiments, a player may continuously and steadily aim a projectile launcher while launching a sequence of a plurality of projectiles (e.g., such as four darts) without the need to reload and re-prime the launcher at every projectile launch, such that aiming at and hitting a moving target or opposing player in motion is far more likely.

Other surprising functional effects exist. For in various embodiments of a projectile launcher, there is the possibility to launch one projectile, two projectiles, three projectiles, four projectiles, and more in a controlled “one shot event” or in rapid sequence (e.g., every 0.1 second) depending on a player's desire—which makes for wonderful strategic play when targeting one or more objects that may be fixed or moving in spatial position. More surprising functional effects exist in some embodiments, such as a manually operated, priming actuator that enables a projectile launcher to be primed or cocked with minimal force (e.g., 10 lbs. or less of force on a primer handle) such that a young child can operate, yet such a launcher is still capable of rapidly launching in temporal sequence a plurality of projectiles (e.g., such as four darts) after loading and priming once. Other surprising functional effects for various embodiments include a projectile launcher enabled to sequentially launch each projectile, of a plurality of projectiles, with substantially similar muzzle velocity without reload and re-prime of the launcher.

Remarkable apparatus and structural attributes also exist. For in many embodiments of a projectile launcher, there are few or no additional parts for apparatus construction, with little to nominal extra manufacturing cost, relative to prior art-whereby there is increased performance value for players while holding financial cost to customers. For example, in many embodiments, a projectile launcher may be comprised of components that are integrated, often as single, molded parts, reducing overall part count and complexity of assembly.

Surprising special effects also exist. For in many embodiments of a projectile launcher, there is the facility for rapidly launching a sequence of projectiles that simulate a fully-automated machinegun or Gatling gun (e.g., where each projectile is launched every 0.1 second in a sequence of four or more projectiles). To the delight of a user, such embodiments can create a startling visual effect and flight path for each launched projectile—along with a mechanized “rat-a-tat-tat machine gun” sound effect—and a mechanical vibratory effect sensed by the user.

Even more surprising special effects exist. For in various embodiments, a projectile launcher may be coupled to one or more storage clips holding a plurality of projectiles (e.g., 24, 36, or 48 toy darts, etc.), giving the launcher a larger source of projectiles. The launcher may include a priming actuator operatively coupled to a loading actuator, such that the launcher is able to load one or more launch barrels with a plurality of projectiles, from the one or more storage clips, each time the launcher is primed or cocked. Then in continuous launch mode, a player may continuously slide the priming actuator back and forth, enabling the launcher to create a continuous stream of sequentially launched projectiles (e.g., launching each dart about every 0.1 second) over a large time duration (e.g., of 2 seconds and more) with a large quantity of projectiles (such as 24 foam darts)—for a super-charged, machine gun effect.

In summary, various new apparatuses, structures, and methods of the exemplary embodiments are quite versatile, accommodating both traditional and novel types of toy projectile launchers, including toy blasters, pistols, rifles, crossbows, bows, slingshots, paint-ball guns, and wrist mounted launchers as examples. Such exemplary embodiments are also accommodating of traditional and novel types of projectiles, such as foam darts, rubber balls, gel beads, elastic rings, paper airplanes, soft disks, paint balls, liquid globs, toy cars, and colorful streamers as examples, including other types of toy projectile launchers and projectiles that may be considered.

Some exemplary embodiments of apparatuses and methods for toy projectile launchers are briefly discussed below, while other sections in this disclosure will provide greater detail in text and drawings for the reader.

In many embodiments, a toy projectile launcher may be comprising: a housing assembly; a fluid compressor being at least partially received by the housing assembly, wherein the fluid compressor is structured to compress a fluid; a priming actuator being at least partially received by the fluid compressor, wherein the priming actuator is configured to prime the fluid compressor to potentially generate one or more fluid flows in temporal sequence; an active barrel group being at least partially received by the housing assembly, wherein the active barrel group is configured to receive a plurality of projectiles; a valve system being at least partially received by the fluid compressor and the active barrel group, wherein the valve system is configured to be in fluid communication with the fluid compressor and the active barrel group; a trigger assembly being at least partially received by the housing assembly, wherein the trigger assembly is configured to increase each fluid flow, of the one or more fluid flows, from the fluid compressor; and a catch assembly being at least partially received by the housing assembly, wherein the catch assembly is configured to decrease each fluid flow, of the one or more fluid flows, from the fluid compressor, wherein the toy projectile launcher is able to launch each projectile, of the plurality of projectiles from the active barrel group, in temporal sequence after the fluid compressor has been primed once by the priming actuator.

In various embodiments, the toy projectile launcher, wherein: the priming actuator is further configured to be manually operated. In some embodiments, the toy projectile launcher, wherein: the catch assembly comprises at least one catch stop, wherein at least a portion of the priming actuator is further coupled to the at least one catch stop of the catch assembly. In a few embodiments, the toy projectile launcher, wherein: the catch assembly comprises at least one catch stop, wherein at least a portion of the fluid compressor is further coupled to the at least one catch stop of the catch assembly.

In some embodiments, the toy projectile launcher, further comprising: one or more storage clips coupled to at least a portion of the housing assembly, wherein the one or more storage clips are configured to hold at least the plurality of projectiles. In a few embodiments, the toy projectile launcher, further comprising: one or more storage clips that are operatively coupled to the priming actuator, wherein the one or more storage clips are configured to hold at least the plurality of projectiles, and the priming actuator is further able to move the plurality of projectiles into at least a portion of the active barrel group.

In a few embodiments, the toy projectile launcher, wherein: the fluid compressor is further configured to be primed once by at most two continuous movements of at least a portion of the priming actuator. In some embodiments, the toy projectile launcher, wherein: the fluid compressor is further comprising a launch spring configured to be preloaded. In various embodiments, the toy projectile launcher, wherein: the trigger assembly and the catch assembly are further configured to perform a plurality of launch cycles, where each launch cycle comprises the trigger assembly increasing each fluid flow, of the one or more fluid flows, from the fluid compressor and, subsequently, the catch assembly decreasing each fluid flow, of the one or more fluid flows, from the fluid compressor.

In at least one embodiment, the toy projectile launcher, wherein: the catch assembly comprising at least a first catch stop, a second catch stop, and a third catch stop such that a first distance, between the first catch stop and the second catch stop, is at least 1% greater than a second distance between the second catch stop and the third catch stop. In a few embodiments, the toy projectile launcher, wherein: the catch assembly comprising at least a first catch stop and a second catch stop such that a first dimension, of the first catch stop, is at least 1% greater than a second dimension of the second catch stop, wherein the first and second dimensions are measurable along a first and second spatial axis, respectively, where the first and second spatial axis are substantially parallel.

In some embodiments, the toy projectile launcher, wherein: the catch assembly comprising at least a first catch stop and a second catch stop that are configured such that a first spatial position, of the first catch stop, is substantially different on at least two spatial axis of a second spatial position of the second catch stop. In a few embodiments, the toy projectile launcher, wherein: the catch assembly is further comprising one or more catch supports, wherein a first catch support, of the one or more catch supports, is configured to hold the trigger assembly in a position of a partially triggered state.

In various embodiments, the toy projectile launcher, wherein: the catch assembly further comprising at least one catch stop that comprises an at least one catch wedge. In some embodiments, the toy projectile launcher, wherein: the trigger assembly is further comprising an at least one variable latch that comprises an at least one trigger wedge.

In many embodiments, a toy projectile launcher may be comprising: a housing assembly of the toy projectile launcher; a fluid compressor being at least partially received by the housing assembly, wherein the fluid compressor is configured to potentially compress a fluid; a priming actuator being at least partially received by the fluid compressor, wherein the priming actuator is configured to prime the fluid compressor to potentially generate a fluid flow; an active barrel group being at least partially received by the housing assembly and comprising one or more launch barrels, wherein the active barrel group is configured to receive a plurality of projectiles; a valve system being at least partially received by the fluid compressor and the active barrel group, wherein the valve system is configured to be in fluid communication with the fluid compressor and the active barrel group; a loading actuator being at least partially received by the housing assembly, wherein the loading actuator is configured to be operatively coupled to one or more storage clips configured to hold at least the plurality of projectiles, wherein the loading actuator is able to move the plurality of projectiles, from the one or more storage clips, into at least a portion of the active barrel group; a trigger assembly being at least partially received by the housing assembly and including an at least one variable latch, wherein the trigger assembly is configured to increase the fluid flow from the fluid compressor based on one or more start movements of the at least one variable latch of the trigger assembly; and a catch assembly being at least partially received by the housing assembly and including one or more catch stops, wherein the catch assembly is configured to decrease the fluid flow from the fluid compressor based on one or more stop movements of the one or more catch stops of the catch assembly, wherein the toy projectile launcher is able to launch each projectile, from the plurality of projectiles from the active barrel group, in temporal sequence after the fluid compressor has been primed once by the priming actuator.

In a few embodiments, the toy projectile launcher, wherein: the priming actuator is further configured to be manually operated. In some embodiments, the toy projectile launcher, wherein: at least a portion of the priming actuator is further coupled to the one or more catch stops of the catch assembly. In various embodiments, the toy projectile launcher, wherein: at least a portion of the fluid compressor is further coupled to the one or more catch stops of the catch assembly. In some embodiments, the toy projectile launcher, wherein: the fluid compressor is further comprising a launch spring configured to be preloaded.

In a few embodiments, the toy projectile launcher, wherein: the trigger assembly and the catch assembly are further able to perform a plurality of launch cycles, where each launch cycle comprises the trigger assembly increasing the fluid flow from the fluid compressor and, subsequently, the catch assembly decreasing the fluid flow from the fluid compressor. In various embodiments, the toy projectile launcher, wherein: the catch assembly comprising at least a first catch stop, a second catch stop, and a third catch stop such that a first distance, between the first catch stop and the second catch stop, is at least 1% greater than a second distance between the second catch stop and the third catch stop. In a few embodiments, the toy projectile launcher, wherein: the catch assembly is further comprising one or more catch supports, wherein a first catch support, of the one or more catch supports, is configured to hold the trigger assembly in a position of a partially triggered state. In some embodiments, the toy projectile launcher, wherein: at least a first catch stop, of the one or more catch stops, comprises at least one catch wedge.

In many embodiments, a method for assembling a toy projectile launcher may be comprising the steps of: providing a launcher with a housing assembly; providing a fluid compressor being at least partially received by the housing assembly; supporting a priming actuator being at least partially received by the fluid compressor; providing an active barrel group being at least partially received by the housing assembly and comprising one or more launch barrels; providing a valve system being at least partially received by the fluid compressor and the active barrel group; supporting a trigger assembly being at least partially received by the housing assembly and including an at least one variable latch; and supporting a catch assembly being at least partially received by the housing assembly and including one or more catch stops. In a few embodiments, the method may be further comprising the step of: providing a loading actuator being at least partially received by the housing assembly. In some embodiments of the method, the fluid compressor may be further comprising a launch spring; and including the step of: installing the launch spring such that the launch spring is preloaded.

A plurality of exemplary embodiments will be discussed in detail below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of an actual implementation may be described in the description. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a design effort could be quite labor intensive, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design and construction for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit in this disclosure. Whereby, some helpful definitions of terms used throughout this disclosure are given:

The terms “a”, “an”, and “the” refers to one or more items. Where only one item is intended, the terms “one”, “single”, or similar language is used. The term “and/or” refers to any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

The terms “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “embodiment of a projectile launcher,” and like terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner consistent with this disclosure.

The term “at least in part controlling” means in part controlling or wholly controlling. The usage of the singular term “controlling” without a conditional adverb means “at least in part controlling.” For example, “is controlling a piston” means: “is at least in part controlling a piston.”

The term “at least partially contained” means partially contained or wholly contained.

The term “at least partially occluded from view” means partially occluded from view or wholly occluded from view. The term “occluded from view” as used herein means to be blocked or hidden from the view of unaided human eyes and unaided human eyesight in visible light, unless otherwise indicated.

The term “based on” without a conditional adverb means “based at least in part on.” For example, “is based on movement” means: “is based at least in part on movement.” Thus, a feature that is described as based on a stimulus is based on the stimulus or a combination of some stimuli including the stimulus.

The term “close proximity” refers to the condition when two or more objects are located substantially nearby each other in space (e.g., 3D ambient space).

The terms “comprise,” “comprised,” “comprising,” “include,” “included,” “including,” and like terms are open-ended. Such terms do not foreclose additional structure or steps. Consider a claim that recites: “An apparatus comprising one or more barrels . . . . ” Such a claim does not foreclose the apparatus from including additional components (e.g., breech, latch, etc.).

The terms “configured to”, “structured to”, “operable to”, and like terms mean a broad recitation of structure generally meaning having a unit/assembly/component that is able to perform a task or tasks during operation. Various units, assembly, or other components may be described as “configured to” perform a task or tasks. As such, the unit/assembly/component can be configured to perform the task even when the unit/assembly/component is not operational (currently not active). In general, the apparatus that forms the structure corresponding to “configured to” may include wedges, gears, levers, etc. able to implement the operation. Similarly, various units/assemblies/components may be described as performing a task or tasks, for convenience in the description. Such descriptions should be interpreted as including the phrase “configured to.” Reciting a unit/assembly/component that is configured to perform one or more tasks is expressly intended not to invoke 35 U.S.C. 112, paragraph six, interpretation for that unit/assembly/component.

The terms “coupling,” “coupled,” “couple,” “connecting,” “connected,” “connect,” “attaching,” “attached,” “attach,” and like terms as used herein, refer to a coupling between items, wherein, for example, the items may be directly coupled or indirectly coupled via an intervening item or items, or the items may be directly attached or indirectly attached via an intervening item or items, or the items may be partially or wholly contained, or the items may be partially or wholly contained via an intervening item or items, or the items may be partially or wholly integrated, or the items may be partially or wholly integrated via an intervening item or items.

The term “example” refers to an exemplary embodiment.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc. as used herein are meant as distinguishing labels for nouns, elements, actions, or steps that they precede, and do not imply any type of ordering (e.g., spatial, temporal, logical, etc.). For example, a control unit may be described herein as performing write operations for “first” and “second” values. The terms “first” and “second” do not necessarily imply that the first value must be written before the second value.

The terms “in conjunction”, and like terms do not imply any type of ordering (e.g., spatial, temporal, logical, etc.) of their related items. For example, an apparatus described herein as performing in conjunction a priming operation and a loading operation. The term “in conjunction” does not necessarily imply a specific temporal ordering of the operations, unless specifically noted.

The terms “local” and “remote” as used herein are meant as distinguishing labels for nouns, elements, actions, or steps that they precede, and do not necessarily imply spatial proximity or other spatial characteristics, unless otherwise indicated.

The term “operatively coupled” refers to a means (e.g., mechanical, physical, electronic, etc.) of communication between items, unless otherwise indicated. Moreover, the term “operatively coupled” may further, but not necessarily, refer to a direct coupling between items and/or an indirect coupling between items via an intervening item or items (e.g., an item includes, but not limited to, a component, an element, an assembly, a circuit, a module, and/or a device).

The terms “may” and “can” are used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must).

The present disclosure further illustrates examples of operations for processes or methods used by the various embodiments described. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that certain steps, blocks, elements, or operations described herein may be eliminated, taken in an alternate order, and/or performed concurrently. A process or method ends when its operations are completed, but could have additional steps not included in a figure or text.

Also, the following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings.

The same reference numerals in different drawings identify the same or similar elements.

Dart Launcher with Primer Handle

So turning first to, there shown are perspective and section views of an exemplary embodiment of a toy projectile launcher, which may include a plurality of launch barrelsA-D for launching a plurality of projectilesA-D (e.g., such as foam darts), as shown with dashed lines. In various embodiments, the launchermay be able to launch the plurality of projectilesA-D, each projectile being missile shaped of compact size (e.g., 12 mm dia.×75 mm long) and comprised of soft material (e.g., plastic foam, composite, etc.), although other shapes, sizes, and/or materials for projectiles may also be considered. The launchermay be non-electronic and manually operated by a user.

As depicted, the launchermay comprise a housing assembly, a fluid compressor(in), a priming actuator, an active barrel group, a valve system, a trigger assembly, and a catch assembly(in).