US20120178338A1

US20120178338A1 - Toy Gun

Info

Publication number: US20120178338A1
Application number: US13/190,562
Authority: US
Inventors: Mathew Peter Mowbray
Original assignee: Creative Impact Inc
Current assignee: Creative Impact Inc
Priority date: 2011-01-07
Filing date: 2011-07-26
Publication date: 2012-07-12
Also published as: CN201955016U

Abstract

A toy gun capable of squirting liquid and launching projectiles, the toy gun comprising or including a liquid squirting mechanism actuatable to expel liquid in a squirting manner, a projectile launching mechanism actuatable to launch a projectile, a trigger moveable between two limits, wherein movement of the trigger between its two limits can actuate both the liquid squirting mechanism and the projectile launching mechanism.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to toy guns.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

There are many different types of toy guns. Water guns and guns that launch projectiles (such as foam darts) are two popular types of toy guns.
A simple water gun normally includes a water reservoir, a trigger actuated pump, and a nozzle. Pulling and releasing the trigger can cause the pump to draw water from the reservoir and then expel it through the nozzle.
A simple dart gun normally includes a dart chamber, trigger, and an air compressor. A trigger can be used to release compressed air into the dart chamber to launch the dart.
It is uncommon to see a toy gun incorporating both water gun and dart gun functionality.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved toy gun or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.
It is a further or alternative object of the present invention to provide a toy gun with both water squirting and projectile launching functionality.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect the present invention consists in a toy gun capable of squirting liquid and launching projectiles, the toy gun comprising or including:
a liquid squirting mechanism actuatable to expel liquid in a squirting manner,
a projectile launching mechanism actuatable to launch a projectile,
a trigger moveable between two limits, wherein movement of the trigger between its two limits can actuate both the liquid squirting mechanism and the projectile launching mechanism.
Preferably the trigger forms part of a trigger body, the trigger body comprising a liquid squirting mechanism actuating portion and a projectile launching mechanism trigger portion.
Preferably the trigger and the trigger body are unitary.
Preferably when the trigger is positioned at or proximate to the first of the two limits the projectile launching mechanism trigger portion can actuate the projectile launching mechanism.
Preferably as the trigger is moved substantially between the two limits the liquid squirting mechanism actuating portion actuates the liquid squirting mechanism.
Preferably the liquid squirting mechanism includes a pump for drawing water from a reservoir and expelling it through a nozzle.
Preferably the pump is a piston pump, and wherein one stroke of the piston draws liquid into the pump from the reservoir and the other stroke of the piston expels liquid from the pump and out through the nozzle.
Preferably an inlet check valve is located between the reservoir and the pump, and an outlet check valve is located between the pump and the nozzle, the inlet and outlet check valves ensuring liquid is only able to flow in one direction through the liquid squirting mechanism.
Preferably the liquid squirting mechanism actuating portion includes a piston actuating member, and movement of the trigger between the two limits causes the piston actuating member to actuate the piston.
Preferably the piston is biased to return to a neutral position after it has been actuated by the piston actuating member.
Preferably the projectile launching mechanism includes a cylinder and a projectile mechanism piston.
Preferably the cylinder and projectile mechanism piston are configured to generate compressed air to launch a projectile.
Preferably the projectile mechanism piston is mounted to a cocking hammer, the cocking hammer being able to be move between a cocked position and an uncocked position.
Preferably the cocking hammer is biased to the uncocked position.
Preferably the cocking hammer can be urged to the cocked position by a user of the toy gun.
Preferably the cocking hammer and the trigger body can interact in a manner so that the trigger body can at least release the cocking hammer from its cocked position to allow it to travel to the uncocked position.
Preferably the interaction between the cocking hammer and the trigger body is via an intermediate release mechanism.
Preferably the intermediate release mechanism can hold the cocking hammer in its cocked position.
Preferably the intermediate release mechanism can be moved by the trigger body.
Preferably movement of the intermediate release mechanism by the trigger body occurs at or near the first limit of the two limits of the trigger body.
Preferably the intermediate release mechanism is a gate through which the cocking hammer can slide.
Preferably the cocking hammer has a locking step located thereon, and wherein sliding the cocking hammer sufficiently to its cocked position will result in the engagement of the locking step with the gate to hold the cocking hammer in the cocked position.
Preferably the gate is movable to release the locking step so that the cocking hammer can be released and urged to the uncocked position, thereby launching a projectile.
Preferably movement of the trigger between the two limits causes a gate release structure to move the gate to release a cocked cocking hammer from the gate.
Preferably the projectile is a dart.
Other aspects of the invention may become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
As used herein the term “and/or” means “and” or “or”, or both.
As used herein “(s)” following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.
The term “comprising” as used in this specification and claims means “consisting at least in part of”. When interpreting statements in this specification and claims which include that term, the features, prefaced by that term in each statement, all need to be present but other features can also be present. Related terms such as “comprise” and “comprised” are to be interpreted in the same manner.
The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications, cited above and below, if any, are hereby incorporated by reference.
To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of the toy gun of the present invention,

FIG. 2 a shows the mechanism used to launch a projectile in its cocked condition,

FIG. 2 b shows the mechanism of FIG. 2 a after the trigger is pulled and the projectile has been launched,

FIG. 3 a shows the water pump mechanism,

FIG. 3 b shows the water pump mechanism of FIG. 3 a after pulling the trigger,

FIG. 3 c shows the water pump mechanism of FIG. 3 a after releasing the trigger,

FIG. 4 a shows the toy gun of the present invention in its cocked condition,

FIG. 4 b shows the toy gun of FIG. 4 a after the trigger is pulled and the projectile has been launched.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of the toy gun of the present invention. The shell of the toy gun may comprise of a left shell component 1 and a right shell component 2. The various components that enable the functionality of the gun can be assembled inside the shell components 1 and 2. The shell components 1 and 2 may be screwed and/or glued together. The gun of the present invention has dual-functions; it is capable of squirting water and launching projectiles 3. A trigger mechanism described in more detail can be used to actuate both functions.
The water-squirting system includes a water reservoir 10, an inlet check valve 19 through which water is drawn from the water reservoir 10, a piston 18 for facilitating water intake and discharge, an outlet check valve 22 and a water nozzle 29.
In the preferred form of the invention the water reservoir 10 is a removable independent container, which can slot into the shell of the toy gun. The gun shell components 1 or 2 may have a latch 5 corresponding with a slot on the removable reservoir so the reservoir 10 can be locked in place when it is properly located in the shell. Alternatively, the reservoir may be integral with the shell.
The water reservoir may resemble a “magazine” as would be used with a gun. The reservoir 10 has an inlet 101 and an outlet 102. Inlet 101 has an inlet valve 13, for letting air in to the reservoir to balance the pressure inside and outside of the reservoir 10. Outlet 102 has a rubber connector 11, which is dimensioned such that a substantially air tight seal can be formed between the rubber connector 11 and the inlet check valve 19. The other end of the rubber connector 11 is connected to the water tube 21 which extends to the bottom of the water reservoir 11. This configuration allows water to be drawn up through the tube 21 and rubber connector 11 and through the inlet check valve 19 into the cylinder 14.
The inlet check valve 19 may consist of a number of components as would be apparent to a person skilled in the art. Such components may include a check valve core 12, O-ring 20 and an ABS connector for creating the air tight seal with the rubber connector 11. The inlet check valve 19 may be connected to the cylinder 14 via a conduit.
The inlet check valve 19 is a one-way valve that allows water to be drawn up from the reservoir and pass through it but also ensures water that the water only can flow in a single direction and not return back to the water reservoir 10.
The piston 18 is contained within the cylinder 14. The cylinder 14 has an inlet conduit (connected to inlet check valve 19) and an outlet conduit (connected to outlet check valve 22). The piston functions as a pump to draw water from water reservoir and to eject water into the water outlet conduit.
Water ejected from the cylinder 14 passes through the outlet conduit and then through the outlet check valve 22. After passing through the check valve 22 it is expelled through the nozzle 29. The outlet check valve 22 ensures water can pass through to the nozzle but not return back into the cylinder.
The piston 18 is actuated by the liquid squirting mechanism actuating portion 41 of the trigger body 40. A spring 15 may also be provided within the cylinder to “reset” the piston to its neutral position.
The projectile launching system includes a cylinder 51, projectile mechanism piston 57, spring 55 and cocking hammer 60. By pulling back the cocking hammer 60 against the bias of the spring, the projectile mechanism piston 57 is drawn back inside the cylinder 51. Subsequently releasing the cocking hammer 60 causes the spring to force the projectile mechanism piston 57 back to its original position. As the projectile mechanism piston 57 moves back down the cylinder the air is compressed and forced out nozzle 54. This is what launches the projectile 3. Such a projectile launching system would be apparent to a person skilled in the art.
At the rear of cylinder 51, there is a gate 30 which is slidably mounted to the shell components 1 and 2. The gate 30 has a rectangular hole in the middle through which the cocking hammer 60 passes. It also has a spring 31 that urges the gate 30 to its neutral position (i.e. the position shown in FIG. 2 a). The cocking hammer 60 includes a step 61 that interacts with the gate 30. As the cocking hammer 60 is pulled back the gate 30 passes over step 61. The step 61 causes the gate 30 to slide against the bias of spring 31 until the point at which the step 61 is pulled back a sufficient amount such that the step 61 passes completely through the opening in the middle of the gate 30. At this point, the spring 31 may urge the gate 30 back to its neutral position and therefore prevent the cocking hammer 60 from moving forward due to the interference between the gate 30 and the step 61. In this position the cocking hammer is cocked and ready to be released, and the spring 55 is under compression.
FIG. 4 a shows the gun “cocked” and ready to fire a projectile. FIG. 4 b shows the gun after the cocking hammer 60 has been released and the projectile has been launched.
An intermediate release mechanism is provided so that movement of the trigger can cause a cocked cocking hammer to release. The trigger body 40 includes a projectile launching mechanism trigger portion for triggering the projectile launching mechanism. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the projectile launching mechanism trigger portion is a gate release structure 42 for lifting up the gate 30. When puffing the trigger, the gate release structure 42 is moved rearward and bears against the bottom surface of the gate 30 to lift it up against its bias. When the gun has been cocked the step 61 of the cocking hammer 60 will be released from the gate 30 as the gate 30 is lifted up by the gate release structure 42. This causes the cocking hammer 60 to move forward under the action of spring 55 and therefore pushes the piston forward which increases the pressure in the cylinder 51. The high-pressure air is forced into the nozzle 54 to cause a projectile (such as a dart) to be launched, as shown in FIG. 2 b.
It should be appreciated that the trigger 40 can cause actuation of the water squirting system (via the liquid squirting mechanism actuating portion 41) and can simultaneously cause actuation of the projectile launching system (via the gate release structure 42). Therefore the gun of the present invention can be used to launch projectiles and squirt water simultaneously, by actuation of one trigger.
It should also be appreciated that the trigger can be used to squirt water only (i.e. when the cocking hammer 60 hasn't been cocked). Likewise the trigger can be used to launch projectiles only (i.e. when the water reservoir is empty).
The toy gun may be provided with a projectile holder 4 that can be supported by the shell components 1 and 2. The bullet holder 4 may hold spare projectiles (e.g. foam darts).
Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to elements or integers having known equivalents, then such equivalents are included as if they were individually set forth.
Although the invention has been described by way of example and with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications and/or improvements may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A toy gun capable of squirting liquid and launching projectiles, the toy gun comprising or including:

a liquid squirting mechanism actuatable to expel liquid in a squirting manner,

a projectile launching mechanism actuatable to launch a projectile,

a trigger moveable between two limits, wherein movement of the trigger between its two limits can actuate both the liquid squirting mechanism and the projectile launching mechanism.

2. The toy gun of claim 1 wherein the trigger forms part of a trigger body, the trigger body comprising a liquid squirting mechanism actuating portion and a projectile launching mechanism trigger portion.

3. The toy gun of claim 2 wherein the trigger and the trigger body are unitary.

4. The toy gun of claim 3 wherein when the trigger is positioned at or proximate to the first of the two limits the projectile launching mechanism trigger portion can actuate the projectile launching mechanism.

5. The toy gun of claim 4 wherein as the trigger is moved substantially between the two limits the liquid squirting mechanism actuating portion actuates the liquid squirting mechanism.

6. The toy gun of claim 5 wherein the liquid squirting mechanism includes a pump for drawing water from a reservoir and expelling it through a nozzle.

7. The toy gun of claim 6 wherein the pump is a piston pump, and wherein one stroke of the piston draws liquid into the pump from the reservoir and the other stroke of the piston expels liquid from the pump and out through the nozzle.

8. The toy gun of claim 7 wherein an inlet check valve is located between the reservoir and the pump, and an outlet check valve is located between the pump and the nozzle, the inlet and outlet check valves ensuring liquid is only able to flow in one direction through the liquid squirting mechanism.

9. The toy gun of claim 8 wherein the liquid squirting mechanism actuating portion includes a piston actuating member, and movement of the trigger between the two limits causes the piston actuating member to actuate the piston.

10. The toy gun of claim 9 wherein the piston is biased to return to a neutral position after it has been actuated by the piston actuating member.

11. The toy gun of claim 10 wherein the projectile launching mechanism includes a cylinder and a projectile mechanism piston.

12. The toy gun of claim 11 wherein the cylinder and projectile mechanism piston are configured to generate compressed air to launch a projectile.

13. The toy gun of claim 12 wherein the projectile mechanism piston is mounted to a cocking hammer, the cocking hammer being able to be move between a cocked position and an uncocked position.

14. The toy gun of claim 13 wherein the cocking hammer is biased to the uncocked position.

15. The toy gun of claim 14 wherein the cocking hammer can be urged to the cocked position by a user of the toy gun.

16. The toy gun of claim 15 wherein the cocking hammer and the trigger body can interact in a manner so that the trigger body can at least release the cocking hammer from its cocked position to allow it to travel to the uncocked position.

17. The toy gun of claim 16 wherein the interaction between the cocking hammer and the trigger body is via an intermediate release mechanism.

18. The toy gun of claim 17 wherein the intermediate release mechanism can hold the cocking hammer in its cocked position.

19. The toy gun of claim 18 wherein the intermediate release mechanism can be moved by the trigger body.

20. The toy gun of claim 19 wherein movement of the intermediate release mechanism by the trigger body occurs at or near the first limit of the two limits of the trigger body.

21. The toy gun of claim 20 wherein the intermediate release mechanism is a gate through which the cocking hammer can slide.

22. The toy gun of claim 21 wherein the cocking hammer has a locking step located thereon, and wherein sliding the cocking hammer sufficiently to its cocked position will result in the engagement of the locking step with the gate to hold the cocking hammer in the cocked position.

23. The toy gun of claim 22 wherein the gate is movable to release the locking step so that the cocking hammer can be released and urged to the uncocked position, thereby launching a projectile.

24. The toy gun of claim 23 wherein movement of the trigger between the two limits causes a gate release structure to move the gate to release a cocked cocking hammer from the gate.

25. The toy gun of claim 24 wherein the projectile is a dart.