US20020077027A1

US20020077027A1 - Colored paper bits and streamers gas launcher

Info

Publication number: US20020077027A1
Application number: US09/741,681
Authority: US
Inventors: Jack Wu
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-12-18
Filing date: 2000-12-18
Publication date: 2002-06-20

Abstract

A colored paper bits and streamers gas launcher comprised of a tubular container, a pneumatic pressure tank, and a switch assembly. Highly compressed gas in the pneumatic pressure tank serves as the motive propellant force of the launcher, while the switch assembly is installed at the upper extent of the pneumatic pressure tank and controls the storage and release of the highly compressed gas in the pneumatic pressure tank, with both aspects constituting a dynamic control device. Furthermore, the dynamic control device is disposed in the lower end section of the tubular container and the confetti, streamers, or other similar colored effects are situated in the upper end section of the tubular container. As such, the tubular container is held manually to operate the dynamic control device at its lower end section to propel the colored paper bits and streamers out from the upper end section by means of the highly pressurized gas to thereby achieve an ideal celebration product that is convenient and safe to operation in that it does not rely on an explosive source, is toxin-free, is noiseless, and of significant practical value.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention herein relates to a colored paper bits and streamers gas launcher, specifically one that is equipped with a highly compressed gas control device to govern the launching operation of colored paper bits and streamers and which is safe and does not discharge any harmful substances or produce offensive noise and, as such, the present invention is an excellent celebration product.

2. Description of the Prior Art

During major national holidays, festivals, and even on performance stages, the jubilant atmosphere is enhanced with multi-colored confetti and other color effects or the launching of colored effects and confetti high into the air such that the descent produces greater exhilaration. However, such dispersal and launching approaches have practical shortcomings. For example, in one dispersal method confetti is placed in a large container (a colored sphere) and then the sizable container is suspended high in the air and, furthermore, specialized operating personnel are utilized because for such activities heavy equipment is necessary which in combination with the required specialized personnel involves extremely high cost. Moreover, since specialized personnel conduct the operation, the audience cannot participate in or experience the drop, which is far from ideal. In terms of launching methods, many utilize gunpowder as a propellant, the explosive force of which is not only dangerous, but also generates high noise levels as well as releases toxic substances that expose users to the risk of injury. If the risk of injury is reduced by minimizing the quantity of gunpowder, then the celebration atmosphere is diminished and achieving the best effect is difficult to realize. Therefore, the cost, safety, and effectiveness of the conventional versions require improvement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention herein addresses the said shortcomings and is based on numerous years of experience in the relevant fields as well as extensive research to improve and provide a colored paper bits and streamers gas launcher capable of achieving ideal confetti propulsion and, furthermore, lowered production costs and convenient operation, with the user allowed actual participation during celebrations. The primary objective of the invention herein involves the structural integration of a pneumatic pressure cylinder and a switch assembly into a dynamic control device that is optimally safe and which utilizes no explosive source whatsoever and, therefore, does not produce the associated toxic substances or noise, while also affording easy operation as well as effectively lowering production costs because the structure is simple and requires minimal materials. Furthermore, the tubular container of the present invention is held in the hands of the user, allowing the user to manually execute the colored paper bits and streamers launching operation unassisted and thereby participate in and experience the joyous atmosphere of celebrations; the invention herein enhances the actual functions of such products and is innovative and of considerable practical value.

To enable a further understanding of the structure and resultant performance of the present invention, the brief description of the drawings below is followed by the detailed description of the invention herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded drawing of a practical embodiment of the invention herein. [0007]
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional drawing of a practical embodiment of the invention herein. [0008]
FIG. 3 is an exploded drawing of another practical embodiment of the invention herein. [0009]
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional drawing of another practical embodiment of the invention herein. [0010]
FIG. 5 is an exploded drawing of yet another practical embodiment of the invention herein. [0011]
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional drawing of yet another practical embodiment of the invention herein. [0012]
FIG. 7 is an orthographic drawing of the switch assembly in FIG. 5. [0013]
FIG. 8 is an orthographic drawing of the switch assembly in FIG. 7.[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, the exploded drawing of the colored paper bits and streamers gas launcher embodiment of the invention herein, the present invention is comprised of a [0015] tubular container 1, a pneumatic pressure tank 2, and a switch assembly 3, of which the said pneumatic pressure tank 2 has on its input-output opening 21 a pressure-proof sealed cap 22 and, furthermore, an air passage 221 is present in the pressure-proof sealed cap 22; the pressure-proof cap 22 is constructed of a plastic material and capable of maintaining an air tight state such that when an air needle penetrates the said air passage 221, highly pressurized gas enters the pneumatic pressure tank 2 and after the pneumatic pressure tank 2 is completely filled, the air needle is drawn out of the air passage 221, following which the air tight state is resumed to enable the storage of gas in the pneumatic pressure tank 2 and the refilling of the pneumatic pressure tank 2 with highly pressurized gas. Furthermore, the switch assembly 3 is situated at the upper extent of the pneumatic pressure tank 2 input-output opening 21 and serves as the dynamic control device installed on the pneumatic pressure tank 2 of the colored paper bits and streamers gas launcher invention herein, the switch assembly 3 has a switch base 31 that is screw fastened to the input-output opening 21 of the pneumatic pressure tank 2, while the switch base 31 is also utilized for the hinged mounting of a press piece 32; after the press piece 32 is postured against the pressure-proof sealed cap 22 in the input-output opening 21 of the pneumatic pressure tank 2 and pneumatic pressure tank 2 is sealed by the restraint of the press piece 32, a port 321 in the press piece 32 still allows for a gas refilling position on the pneumatic pressure tank 2 as well as a restraining position of the press piece 32, and also hinged onto the switch base 31 is another switch arresting piece 33 and a tensile retaining component 34 that maintains it in position; as indicated in FIG. 2, the said switch arresting piece 33 also has on it a press lock piece 331 that is directly hinged to the other end of the press piece 32 and, furthermore, the tensile retaining component 34 maintains it firmly in position, thereby stably sealing the pressure-proof sealed cap 22 in the input-output opening 21 of the pneumatic pressure tank 2; the switch arresting piece 33 has situated on it a tug piece 332 and attached onto the tug piece 332 is a pull ring 35 such that when the pneumatic pressure tank 2 and the switch assembly 3 dynamic control device is disposed at the lower end section of the tubular container 1, the said pull ring 35 is routed through an access hole 11 in the tubular container 1 and situated outside the tubular container 1, while the upper end section of the tubular container 1 is filled with confetti, streamers (not shown in the figures), or other similar colored effects and, furthermore, are isolated from the dynamic control device by a separator plate 4. During utilization, the lower end section of the tubular container 1 is held manually and the pull ring 35 at the outside of the tubular container 1 is extracted, releasing the press lock piece 331 holding down the press piece 32 such that the highly pressurized gas in the pneumatic pressure tank 2 forces open the press piece 32 of the pressure-proof sealed cap 22, thereby enabling the highly pressurized gas to propel the colored paper bits and streamers on the separator plate 4 out of the tubular container 1 and high into the air, which gradually descend to foster a jubilant atmosphere; therefore, the invention herein is not only easy to operate, but also allows the user direct participation and experience to achieve excellent practicality.
Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, another embodiment of the invention herein, the method of triggering and colored paper bits and streamers propelling during utilization is modified; the [0016] switch base 31 in the switch assembly 3 has disposed on it a hook catch 311 body, the hook catch 311 secures a press piece 32A and hinged to the other end is a switch arresting piece 33A, with the said switch arresting piece 33A similarly having a press lock piece 331 and a tug piece 332 that provide for the functionally identical restraining position of the switch arresting piece 33A as well as a tensile retaining component 34 between the tug piece 332 and the hook catch 311 that maintains them firmly in position, while the press piece 32A of course still has an port 321 for filling the pneumatic pressure tank 2; hinged to the other end of the said switch arresting piece 33A is an extending tongue piece 333 that is situated at the access hole 11 area of the tubular container 1, with a push rod 30 inserted into the access hole 11 to shove against the tongue piece 333, the levering function of which gently triggers the disengagement of the switch arresting piece 33A, allowing the gas in the pneumatic pressure tank 2 to force open the press piece 32A and propel the colored paper bits and streamers.
Referring to FIG. 5, yet another embodiment of the invention herein, the [0017] switch assembly 3 is a rotary structural component; the tubular container 1 is first divided into an upper and a lower end section B and C, the pneumatic pressure tank 2 is then placed inside the lower end section C; fastened onto the input-output opening 21 is a lock ring mount 36 and screw fastened inside the upper end section B of the tubular container 1 is a drive ring 37 such that after the said two components 36 and 37 are conjoined, a C-shaped lock ring D is installed around the bottom end of the lock ring mount 36 to assemble the two upper and a lower end sections B and C into a single structural entity that, furthermore, are capable of being mutually rotated; as indicated in FIG. 6, the said press piece 38 is a flat component having aligned tabs 381; formed in the annular band of the lock ring mount 36 are aligned notches 361 and projecting outward as inserted into the interior surface of the drive ring 37 are a pair of impelling elements 371; as indicated in FIG. 7, when the press piece 38 is on the input-output opening 21 of the pneumatic pressure tank 2, its tabs 381 are rotated into the aligned notches 361 of the lock ring mount 36 as well as the extending grooves 362 formed at the bottom edges and, limited by the grooves 362, the press piece 38 is postured in a sealed position over the pressure-proof sealed cap 22 to maintain the closure of the pneumatic pressure tank 2; when the two upper and a lower end sections B and C of the manually held tubular container 1 are rotated, the impelling elements 371 along the interior edge of the drive ring 37 release the limiting engagement of the grooves 362 and that in the area of the aligned notches 361 of the lock ring mount 36, at which time the gas inside the pneumatic pressure tank 2 forces open the press piece 38 to propel the colored paper bits and streamers; as indicated in FIG. 8, note that the tab 381 of the press piece 38 has a safety cord 39 which is attached to the upper end section B of the tubular container such that the propelled colored paper bits and streamers cannot cause human injury and which effectively reduces production cost, while also providing excellent practical functionality for operational safety and convenience.
In summation of the foregoing section, since the structure of the colored paper bits and streamers gas launcher invention herein is innovative and prior to patent application was not observed in any periodical or in public utilization whatsoever and, furthermore, is capable of effectively solving the numerous problems of present confetti diffusers and is ensured to be safe, environmentally protective, and convenient and, therefore, meets the new patent application requirements of originality and progressiveness, the present invention is lawfully submitted for review and the granting of the commensurate patent rights. [0018]

Claims

1. A colored paper bits and streamers gas launcher comprised of a tubular container, a pneumatic pressure tank, and a switch assembly, of which:

The said tubular container has formed at an appropriate position at its lower bottom section an access hole:

The said pneumatic pressure tank has an input-output opening with a pressure-proof sealed cap situated inside and, at the same time, the said pressure-proof sealed cap has an air passage that provides for the insertion of an air needle.

The said switch assembly consists of a switch base, a press piece, a switch arresting piece, a tensile retaining component, and a pull ring; the said switch base has respectfully hinged to it the said press piece and the said switch arresting piece and, furthermore, the said switch base has hinged to its other end a press lock piece that holds down the said press piece, with the said tensile retaining component maintaining it firmly in position; furthermore, the said switch arresting piece has situated on it a tug piece and attached onto it is the said pull ring, with the said pull ring extracted to the draw the said press lock piece and thereby trigger the gas launcher of the present invention.

The said switch assembly is situated on the said input-output opening at the upper extent of the said pneumatic pressure tank and is screw fastened into a dynamic control device and then disposed at the lower end section of the said tubular container and, furthermore, the said pull ring of the said switch assembly is routed through an access hole and situated outside the said tubular container to facilitate the triggering of the gas launcher of the invention herein so that the confetti at the upper end section of the said tubular container is propelled high into the air and then naturally descends, which is among the innovative features of the present invention.

2. As mentioned in claim 1 of the colored paper bits and streamers gas launcher invention herein, the said switch base has a hook catch that secures a press piece and hinged to the other end is a switch arresting piece; it also has an extending tongue piece, with the said tongue piece situated at the said access hole area of the said tubular container and a push rod is inserted into the said access hole to shove against the said tongue piece, thereby triggering the gas launcher of the invention herein, which is also among the innovative features of the present invention.

3. A colored paper bits and streamers gas launcher comprised of a tubular container, a pneumatic pressure tank, and a switch assembly, of which:

The said tubular container is divided into an upper and a lower end section.

The said pneumatic pressure tank has fastened onto its input-output opening a lock ring mount and formed in the annular band of the said lock ring mount are aligned notches and, furthermore, extending grooves are formed at the bottom edges of the said notches.

The said switch assembly has a drive ring and a press piece; situated at an appropriate position on the interior surface of the said drive ring are a pair of impelling elements and the said press piece is a flat component having aligned tabs.

The said tubular container has placed inside its said lower end section the said pneumatic pressure tank and the said upper end section is flush with the said lower end section; the said drive ring of the said switch assembly is screw fastened such that the said drive ring is conjoined to the said lock ring mount of the said pneumatic pressure tank and then the two are secured by a C-shaped lock ring such that the two said upper and a lower end sections of the said tubular container are assembled into a single structural entity that, furthermore, are capable of being mutually rotated; at the same time, the said aligned tabs of the said switch assembly press piece are in the said aligned notches of the said lock ring mount and, furthermore, a safety cord is attached between the said tabs and the said tubular container such that when the said press piece tabs are engaged in the said grooves formed at the bottom edges of the said lock ring mount notches, the sealed state of the said pneumatic pressure tank is thereby maintained; conversely, when the said drive ring disengages the said tabs positioned in the said lock ring mount notches, the sealed state of the said pneumatic pressure tank is released to generate colored paper bits and streamers propulsion, which is also among the innovative features of the present invention.