ES2539803T3 - Launcher of a toy projectile - Google Patents

Abstract

A launcher (12) for launching a toy projectile (14), wherein said toy projectile (14) contains opposite hook projections (22) extending therefrom, said launching device comprises: a handle ( 24) having a first end (25) and a second end (26); a first support (28) extending from said handle (24) close to said first end (25); a second support (30) extending from said handle (24) close to said second end (26), wherein an open central area (32) is defined on three sides by said handle (24), said first support (28 ) and said second support (30), a first elastic loop (19) supported by said first support (28), wherein said first elastic loop (19) extends into said open central area (32), and a second elastic loop (20) supported by said second support (30), wherein said second elastic loop (20) extends into said open central area (32), wherein said first elastic loop (19) and said second elastic loop (20) are they separate to receive and couple said opposite hook projections (22) in said projectile (14) when said toy projectile (14) is manually tensioned through said open central area (32).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Launcher of a toy projectile.

Technical field of the invention 5

In general, the present invention relates to toy bow and arrow systems, where a toy bow is used to launch a toy arrow type projectile to fly.

Prior art 10

 Bow and arrow sets that are designed for children's play have existed throughout ancient history. In the modern era, bow and arrow assemblies typically have a molded plastic bow, rope and arrows with safety tips. To ensure safety, the functional design of the arch is also commonly altered. In a real bow, the string has a fixed length. The elastic force used to launch an arrow comes from the flexion of the arms of the bow. The problem with this design is its failure mode. If a bow tightens beyond its limits, then the arms or the bowstring can break. Depending on where the break occurs, the broken rope and / or bow can fly to the person holding the bow when the stored energy is accidentally released.

 20 To reduce the possibility of occurrence of this danger, many toy arches are manufactured as static structures. An elastic rope is used to create the arrow's throwing force. If such an arch is overstressed, there is no significant possibility of the arch breakage. Instead, the elastic cord may break and will move more likely in a direction away from the person who tightens the bow. The failure mode of a string break is far less dangerous than the failure mode of the string break. However, the failure mode of a broken rope presents some damage depending on where the elastic rope is broken and how much energy is stored in the elastic rope at the time of breaking.

 Toy bows that use a static bow and a plastic rope are exemplified by U.S. Patent No. 5,247,920 granted to Harbin, titled Toy Bow; and U.S. Patent No. 30 7,748,369 granted to Chee, entitled Assembly and launching apparatus.

 Although toy bows with elastic strings are safer than flexible bows with non-elastic strings, a danger is still present. If an elastic cord is stretched to a completely tense state and the elastic cord is broken near its mounting point with the bow, then the broken elastic cord can whip towards the person pulling the elastic cord. The broken elastic rope therefore has the potential to cause physical harm to the child pulling the rope, especially in that child's eyes.

 Therefore, there is a need for a toy bow and arrow design that eliminates the dangers for a child who can overstress the bow to the point of failure of the rope. This need is covered by the present invention 40 as described and claimed below.

 US 2009/0301455 A describes a launch device for launching a toy projectile which forms a starting point for independent claim 1.

 Four. Five

Description of the invention

The present invention is a toy projectile launch system that launches a toy projectile. The toy projectile has at least two hook elements that extend from where they engage with the launcher. The pitcher has a handle. The handle has a first end and a second end. A first support 50 extends from the handle near its first end. Likewise, a second support extends from the handle near its second end. As a result, an open area is defined on three sides by the handle, the first support and the second support.

 A first arm element is coupled with the first support. A first elastic loop is anchored to the first arm element. The first elastic loop has a loop section that extends in the open area. A second arm element is coupled to the second support. Likewise, a second elastic loop is anchored to the second arm element. The second elastic loop has a loop section that extends in the open area. The loop sections of the first elastic loop and the second elastic loop are separated to receive and engage opposite hook elements in the toy projectile when the toy projectile is manually tensioned through the open area. 60

Brief description of the figures

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description of the illustrative embodiments thereof, considered together with the accompanying figures in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of a combination of a toy launcher and a toy projectile;

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a side view of the pitcher shown in fig. one;

Fig. 3 is a side view of a pitcher with a segment of the toy projectile, the pitcher is shown in a non-tilted position; 5

Fig. 4 is a side view of a pitcher with a segment of the toy projectile, the pitcher is shown in a tilted position;

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of an alternative mode of a toy launcher configured as a crossbow; Y

Fig. 6 shows a side view of an alternative mode of a launcher having static arm elements 10.

Detailed description of the best way to carry out the invention

Although the bow and arrow system of the present invention can be implemented in several ways, only two embodiments of the system of the present invention are illustrated. These modalities are selected to establish the best modes contemplated for the invention. The illustrated embodiments, however, are merely illustrative and should not be considered limiting when interpreting the scope of the appended claims.

 Referring to fig. 1, a projectile launching system 10 is shown. The projectile launching system 10 includes a launcher 12 and at least one toy projectile 14. The launcher 12 includes two spring-actuated arm elements 16, 18. The force used to launch the toy projectile 14 is provided by the elastic energy stored by the spring-actuated arm elements 16, 18 and the stretching of two elastic ties 19, 20 extending from the arm elements 16, 18. The toy projectile 14 has hook projections 22 that fit into both elastic ties 19, 20. While a person couples the toy projectile 14 with the elastic ties 19, 20 and pulls the toy projectile 14, both elastic ties 19, 20 stretch. Since there are two elastic loops 19, 20, each of the elastic loops 19, 20 needs to provide only half of the force necessary to propel the toy projectile 14. The elastic loops 19, 20 are therefore difficult from overstretching in the proper operation of the projectile launching system 10. If any of the elastic ties 19, 20 suddenly break, the orientation of the broken elastic ties 19, 20 30 prevents them from whipping towards the user. In addition, since the toy projectile 14 is coupled to the two separate and separate elastic ties 19, 20, the possibility that both elastic ties 19, 20 break simultaneously is highly unlikely. Consequently, if an elastic loop is broken, the Toy projectile 14 will continue to be coupled with the second elastic loop and the person pulling the toy projectile 14 will not pull the toy projectile 14 towards itself before the breakage of an elastic loop. 35

 Referring to fig. 2 together with fig. 1, it can be seen that the launcher 12 includes a handle 24. The handle 24 has a first end 25 and a second opposite end 26. The handle 24 is preferably a rigid plastic mold that progresses along a primary longitudinal axis 27. The two supports 28, 30 extend from the handle 24. The first support 28 extends from the handle 24 near its first end 25 and the second support 30 extends from the handle 24 near its second end 26. As a assembly, the handle 24 and the two supports 28, 30 form a generally C-shaped structure that defines three sides of an open central area 32.

 The lower part of each support 28, 30 is coupled to the handle 24. The upper part of each support 28, 30 ends 45 with a rotating terminal 34. Each rotating terminal 34 is oriented at a right angle to the longitudinal axis 27 of the handle holding 24. In itself, when the handle 24 is held in a vertical orientation, both rotating terminals 34 will extend in a horizontal orientation.

 A hole 36 is formed in the center of the top of each of the rotating terminals 34. Each hole 36 is used to receive an assembly screw 38, as explained below. In the lower part of each of the rotating terminals 34, the supports 28, 30 expand. This creates a flange 40 around the bottom of each of the rotating terminals 34. A sunken portion 42 is formed just below the flange 40 that is sized to receive a torsion spring 44. At least one stop 46 is formed in each flange 40 for a purpose that will be explained later. 55

 Two arm elements 16, 18 are provided. Each arm element 16, 18 has a first end 48, a second end 52 and a mounting hole 50 extending through each of the arm elements 16, 18 near of its second ends 52. A guide groove 54 is partially formed around each of the mounting holes 50 for a purpose that will be explained later. 60

 The elastic ties 19, 20 extend from the second ends 52 of the arm elements 16, 18. The elastic ties 19, 20 are made of braids of an elastomeric material of high elasticity which allows each of the elastic ties 19, 20 stretch elastically at least three times without breaking. The elastic ties 19, 20 are made from a material different from the rest of the rigid arm elements 16, 18. Consequently, it should be understood that the elastic ties 19, 20 are mechanically anchored to the arm elements

16, 18. Each arm element 16, 18 defines two holes 55, 56 near its second end 52. The elastic loop extends through these holes 55, 56. Holes 55, 56 are separated by at least ¼ inch. . This extends each of the elastic ties 19, 20 and helps the elastic ties 19, 20 maintain an open loop configuration all the time.

 5 The arm elements 16, 18 are coupled to the supports 28, 30 by passing the rotating terminals 34 through the mounting holes 50 of the arm elements 16, 18. The arm elements 16, 18 are free to rotate around rotating terminals 34 through a predetermined range of motion. The range of motion is approximately ninety degrees. When the arm elements 16, 18 are located in the rotating terminals 34, the stops 46 on the flange 40 of the supports 28, 30 are coupled to the guide groove 10 that surrounds the mounting hole 50. The position of the stops 46 and in the shape of the guide groove 54 allows each of the arm elements 16, 18 to rotate only ninety degrees around the rotating terminals 34 between a non-tilted position and a tilted position.

 The torsion spring 44 is located around each rotating terminal 34. The torsion springs 44 are both coupled to the arm elements 16, 18 and to the supports 28, 30. The torsion springs 44 apply a pressure force to the arm elements 16, 18 that presses arm elements 16, 18 to their unloaded positions. It should be understood that the arm elements 16, 18 are elastically loaded to their unloaded positions.

 20 The arm elements 16, 18 prevent the movement of the rotating terminals 34 by the side covers 58 that are mounted on the top of the rotating terminals 34 with screws 38.

 When the launcher 12 is fully engaged, the handle 24 is separated from the plane of the arm elements 16, 18 by the supports 28, 30. This defines the open area 32 between the arm elements 16, 18. The elastic ties 25 19 , 20 extend in this open area 32 from opposite sides.

 Referring to both fig. 3 and fig. 4 in combination with fig. 2, it can be seen that toy projectile 14 has two hook projections 22 extending from opposite sides. The hook projections 22 are sized and configured to couple the two elastic loops 19, 20 as the 30 hook projections 22 are pulled through the open area 32.

 To load the toy projectile 14, the toy projectile 14 is tensioned over the open area 32 so the hook projections 22 are coupled with the elastic ties 19, 20. Once it is coupled with the elastic ties 19, 20, The toy projectile 14 is pulled like a traditional bow and arrow. As the toy projectile 14 35 is tensioned from the open area 32, the elastic ties 19, 20 are stretched. As the elastic ties 19, 20 are stretched, they apply a torque to the arm elements 16, 18. When the force of the applied torque exceeds the pressure of the torsion spring 44, each of the arm elements 16, 18 rotates around of the rotating terminals 34 from the original unloading position (fig. 3) to a loaded position ready to fire (fig. 4).

 40 As elastic ties 19, 20 stretch, they store energy. In addition, while the arm elements 16, 18 move in opposition to the torsion springs 44, the torsion springs 44 store energy. When the toy projectile 14 is released, the elastic ties 19, 20 retract. The arm elements 16, 18 elastically recede to their unloaded positions and the toy projectile 14 accelerates through the open area 32. In the open area 32, the moment of the toy projectile 14 causes the toy projectile 14 to continue its 45 movement forward when passing open area 32. This throws toy projectile 14 flying while hook projections 22 decouple elastic ties 19, 20.

 The rotation of the arm elements 16, 18 from the non-tilted position (fig. 3) to the tilted position (fig. 4) provides a clear visual indicator about when the archer thrower 12 is ready to launch the projectile 50 toy 14. The resistance of the torsion springs 44 is coordinated with the resistance of the elastic ties 19, 20. In this way, the arm elements 16, 18 rotate to their fully loaded positions (fig. 4) such as the elastic ties 19, 20 reach their optimum degree of elongation. In this way, a child who plays with a pitcher 12 can easily see when pitcher 12 is ready to shoot at his optimum resistance. Likewise, the visual indication will help prevent a child from pulling the toy projectile 14 very hard and stretching the 55 elastic ties 19, 20 to the breaking point.

 Referring to fig. 5, an alternative modality of a launcher 60 is shown. In this embodiment, the launcher 60 is configured as a crossbow 62. The crossbow 62 has the arm elements 16, 18 and the elastic ties 19, 20 which are the same as They explained previously. The only difference is that the handle is now part of a cylinder head 64 that can hold a toy projectile 14 in a tilted position. A retainer 66 is provided in the cylinder head 64 which is coupled to the toy projectile 14 and prevents its release. The retainer 66 is operated by a trigger mechanism 68 that is positioned below the cylinder head 64. When a user activates the firing mechanism 68, the toy projectile 14 is released by the retainer 66 and the toy projectile 14 and is launched at fly.

 65 In the preceding embodiments, the caster arm elements are elastically loaded. However, this

It doesn't need to be the case. The toy launcher can still become effective even if the arms become static. Referring now to fig. 6, such modality is shown. In this embodiment, the toy launcher 70 is made with a handle 72 that separates between two supports 74, 76, as in the previous mode. Two static arm elements 78, 80 are rigidly joined to the handle 72 by the supports 74, 76. The first arm element 78 and the second arm element 80 are arranged in a common plane. The handle 72 is separated from the common plane 5 by the supports 74, 76 so as not to interfere with the trajectory of the toy projectile 14. This creates an open central area 82 between the first and second arm elements 78, 80.

 The elastic ties 84, 86 extend in the open central area 82. The ties 84, 86 couple a toy projectile in the manner previously described. Since the arm elements 78, 80 are not elastically loaded, it is only 10 the resistance of the elastic ties 84, 86 that provides the energy needed to launch the toy projectile. The strength of the elastic ties 84, 86 can be increased by increasing the size of the elastic ties 84, 86 and therefore the amount of elastic material of the elastic ties 84, 86, of the modality.

 In pitcher 70 of fig. 6, two rigid guide terminals 88, 90 are provided. One terminal 88 is directly 15 above the open central area 82, the other directly below the open central area 82. The elastic loops 84, 86 are much longer than in the embodiments. precedents The first elastic loop 84 is anchored to the upper part of the first arm element 78. The first elastic loop 84 does extend through openings in the first guide terminal 88. The first guide terminal 88 retains the loop section 92 of the elastic loop 84 in the open central area 82. Likewise, the second elastic loop 86 is anchored to the far end of the second arm element 80. The 20 second elastic loop 86 does extend through openings in the second guide terminal 90. The second terminal guide 90 retains the loop section 94 of the second elastic loop 86 in the open central area 82.

 When a toy projectile is coupled to the first and second elastic loops 84, 86, the entire length of the elastic loops 84, 86 can be stretched. This provides the energy necessary to propel the toy projectile to fly without the use of a arm elastically loaded.

 It should be understood that the modalities of the present invention that are illustrated and described are merely illustrative and that a person skilled in the art can make many variants to these modalities. For example, the arch structure can have many different decorative shapes. Likewise, toy projectiles can be configured as airplanes, rocket ships or any other flying projectile. All of these modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined in the claims.

Claims (10)

1. A launcher (12) for launching a toy projectile (14), wherein said toy projectile (14) contains opposing hook projections (22) extending therefrom, said launching device comprises: a handle (24) having a first end (25) and a second end (26); a first support (28) extending from said handle (24) close to said first end (25); a second support (30) extending from said handle (24) close to said second end (26), wherein an open central area (32) is defined on three sides by said handle (24), said first support (28 ) and said 10 second support (30), a first elastic loop (19) supported by said first support (28), wherein said first elastic loop (19) extends into said open central area (32), and a second elastic loop (20) supported by said second support (30), wherein said second elastic loop (20) extends into said open central area (32), wherein said first elastic loop (19) and said second elastic loop 15 (20) are separated to receive and couple said opposite hook projections (22) in said projectile (14) when said toy projectile (14) is manually tensioned through said open central area (32). 2. The launcher (12) according to claim 1, further includes a first arm element (16) extending from said first support (28) and a second arm element (18) extending from said second support support (30). 3. The launcher (12) according to claim 2, wherein said first elastic loop (19) is anchored to said first arm element (16) and said second elastic loop (20) is anchored to said second element 25 of arm (18). 4. The launcher (12) according to claim 3, wherein said first arm element (16) is connected with said first support (28) in a first rotating connection and said second arm element (18) is connected to said second support (90) in a second rotating connection. 5. The caster (12) according to claim 4, wherein said first arm element (16) is free to rotate around said first rotating connection through a predetermined interval between a non-tilted position and a tilted position , optionally where said predetermined interval is around ninety degrees. The caster (12) according to claim 4, wherein said second arm element (18) is free to rotate around said second rotating connection through a predetermined interval between a non-tilted position and a tilted position , optionally where said predetermined interval is around ninety degrees.    Four. Five 7. The caster (12) according to claim 5, further including a first spring (44) that presses said first arm element (16) in said non-tilted position. 8. The launcher (12) according to claim 6, which further includes a second spring (44) that presses said second arm element (18) in said non-tilted position. 9. The pitcher (12) according to claim 4, wherein said handle (24) is configured as a crossbow stock. 55 10. A toy projectile launch system (10), comprising: a toy projectile (12) having at least two hook projections (22) extending from the same; a pitcher (12) according to claim 1.