US20210260492A1

US20210260492A1 - Cap shooting toy

Info

Publication number: US20210260492A1
Application number: US17/181,512
Authority: US
Inventors: Hiroyuki Hama; Haruhisa Ujita; Yasuo TAKAHAMA
Original assignee: Tomy Co Ltd
Current assignee: Tomy Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-02-25
Filing date: 2021-02-22
Publication date: 2021-08-26
Also published as: JP2021132748A; CN213724847U; JP6846553B1

Abstract

A cap shooting toy includes a toy body, a pushing member, a shooting device, and a magazine. The toy body includes a loading unit in which a first ceilinged cylindrical cap is loaded. The pushing member is configured on the toy body to push the first ceilinged cylindrical cap from the loading unit in a shooting direction to a shooting position. The first ceilinged cylindrical cap is shot prior to a second ceilinged cylindrical cap in the shooting direction. The shooting device includes a pair of flipping pieces extending in the shooting direction. The magazine abuts the toy body and is configured to supply the first and second ceilinged cylindrical caps to the loading unit. The first and second ceilinged cylindrical caps have first and second circumferential periphery respectively. The first and second circumferential periphery abut to each other when in the magazine.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-029579 filed on Feb. 25, 2020. The entire content of Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-029579 is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a cap shooting toy.

Background Art

In the past, shooting toys are known in which a plurality of disks are layered in a loading unit, and the bottommost disk is shot by being pushed by a pushing member (see Patent Document 1, for example).
In this shooting toy, when the bottommost disk is shot, the disk layered on top of that is loaded in order into the loading unit, so rapid fire is possible.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

Patent Document 1: Japanese Utility Model Registration Publication No. 3140464

SUMMARY

Problems the Invention is Intended to Solve

However, using this kind of shooting device, when an attempt is made to shoot a ceilinged cylindrical cap for a beverage bottle, there is the following problem.
With caps, because the bottom end is an open recess, when trying to layer a plurality of caps in the loading unit, there is concern that the caps will become slanted, vertically adjacent caps will become fitted to each other and get stuck, and there will be the problem of not being able to shoot the caps.
The present invention takes this point into consideration, and its purpose is to provide a cap shooting toy for which caps are not susceptible to getting stuck.

Means for Solving the Problems

A cap shooting toy for shooting first and second ceilinged cylindrical caps is provided.
The cap shooting toy includes a toy body, a pushing member, a shooting device, and a magazine. The toy body includes a loading unit in which the first ceilinged cylindrical cap is loaded. The pushing member is configured on the toy body to push the first ceilinged cylindrical cap from the loading unit in a shooting direction to a shooting position. The first ceilinged cylindrical cap is shot prior to the second ceilinged cylindrical cap in the shooting direction. The shooting device includes a pair of flipping pieces extending in the shooting direction. The flipping pieces is urged to each other. The magazine abuts the toy body and is configured to supply the first and second ceilinged cylindrical caps to the loading unit. The first and second ceilinged cylindrical caps have first and second circumferential periphery respectively. The first and second circumferential periphery abut to each other when in the magazine. When the first ceilinged cylindrical cap is pushed by the pushing member, the flipping pieces are widened to allow the first ceilinged cylindrical cap to move to the shooting position. When the first ceilinged cylindrical cap is at the shooting position, the first ceilinged cylindrical cap sticks out from an area between the pair of flipping pieces in the shooting direction, and is shot from the shooting position by the pair of flipping pieces being urged. The loading unit includes a bottom surface being flat and extending parallel to the shooting direction. The loading unit includes an inclined wall sloping and facing forward in the shooting direction. The pushing member includes a tip part and is configured to move back and forth in the shooting direction such that the tip part comes in and comes out from the inclined wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cap shooting toy of the embodiment seen from the front side.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cap shooting toy in a state with a magazine removed seen from the back side.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cap shooting toy in a state with the upper structure components removed seen from the side.

FIG. 4(A)-4(C) are plan views for explaining the process of shooting the cap.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the magazine seen from the diagonal front side.

FIG. 6 is a side cross section view showing the magazine and a loading unit.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a projectile seen from below.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the projectile in an exploded state seen from below.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another projectile seen from below.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the other projectile in an exploded state seen from above.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the operating state of the other projectile seen from above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Overall Structure

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cap shooting toy 100 seen from the front side, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cap shooting toy 100 in a state with a magazine 16 removed seen from the back side.
A toy body 10 of the cap shooting toy 100 has a humanoid robot form. Specifically, the toy body 10 comprises leg parts 11, a trunk part 12, left and right hand parts 13, 13, and a head part 14. Also, a pushing member 15 and the magazine 16 are provided at the back of the trunk part 12. Also, one each of a sword 17 is respectively gripped on the left and right hand parts 13, 13, and blade parts 17 a, 17 a of the left and right swords 17, 17 extend forward mutually parallel at a prescribed interval.
With this cap shooting toy 100, a cap 50 is input from a cap input port 16 a of the magazine 16, and when the pushing member 15 is operated forward, a portion of the front side of the trunk part 12 opens, and the cap 50 is shot vigorously forward from inside. In this case, as the cap 50, a ceilinged cylindrical cap for a beverage bottle can be used, for example.

Detailed Structure

1. Toy Body 10

The toy body 10 is in a humanoid robot form wearing armor and a helmet. A ceilinged cylindrical cap 50A of the same size and shape as the abovementioned cap 50 is screwed on and provided on the head part of the toy body 10. Using this cap 50A, it is possible to play in the same manner as the abovementioned cap 50.
Left and right hand parts 13, 13 are provided on the trunk part 12 of the toy body 10. The swords 17 are gripped in each hand part 13, and the blade parts 17 a extend forward in parallel. Also, a handle part 17 b of each sword 17 is curved facing down and to the rear with respect to the blade part 17 a.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cap shooting toy 100 seen from the side shown in a state with the upper structure components, in other words, the upper part of the trunk part 12, the left and right hand parts 13, 13, the head part 14, the magazine 16, and the left and right swords 17, 17 removed.
An opening 12 a is provided on the back of the trunk part 12 of the toy body 10, and a loading unit 12 b for the cap 50 is provided at a position that can be seen from the opening 12 a on the trunk part 12 (FIG. 2). The loading unit 12 b is formed in a circle in the plan view.
One each of a flipping piece 12 c in a bow shape bulging outward is provided at both the left and right sides of the loading unit 12 b. A shaft 12 d of the flipping piece 12 c is attached to the toy body 10, and a projecting piece 12 e of a base end part is fitted in a hole (not illustrated) of the toy body 10.
The tip part of the left and right flipping pieces 12 c, 12 c normally protrude forward of the loading unit 12 b, and restrict forward movement by the cap 50 (FIG. 4 (A)). Also, when the cap 50 is pressed forward by the pushing member 15, the left and right flipping pieces 12 c, 12 c open in resistance to their own elastic force by doing sliding contact after abutting the outer periphery of the front half of the cap 50. As a result, the cap 50 moves to a shooting position 12 k (FIG. 4 (B)). Furthermore, when the cap 50 moves forward to the shooting position 12 k, the flipping pieces 12 c, 12 c change holding the cap 50 from at certain points of the outer periphery of the front half of the cap 50 to certain points of the outer periphery of the back half. In other words, at least certain portion of the cap 50 sticks out from an area between the left and right flipping pieces 12 c. Then, the left and right flipping pieces 12 c, 12 c return to the initial position by their own elastic force (FIG. 4 (C)). The return power at this time causes the cap 50 to be flicked and shot.
At the back of the loading unit 12 b of the toy body 10, an inclined wall 12 f is provided in a form that interferes with a portion of that loading unit 12 b. In other words, in the plan view, the back part of the loading unit 12 b is in a form that cuts into the inclined wall 12 f. In other words, a notch part 12 g with the same curvature as the cap 50 is formed on the inclined wall 12 f. The height from the floor of the loading unit 12 b of this inclined wall 12 f is approximately the same height as the height of the cap 50, and there is a downward slope facing forward. Also, the slope of the inclined wall 12 f is approximately the same as the slope of the exhaust port of the magazine 16 described later. Also, through holes (not illustrated) that penetrate front and back are formed on the inclined wall 12 f and the notch part 12 j, and the tip part of the pushing member 15 appears and disappears from the through holes.
The floor of the loading unit 12 b is a horizontal surface. Also, the cap 50 is placed on the loading unit 12 b so that the top plate faces upward. Also, the cap 50 for which the top plate is facing upward on the loading unit 12 b is placed in the loading unit 12 b between the notch part 12 g of the inclined wall 12 f and the left and right flipping pieces 12 c, 12 c.
Also, a groove 12 h that reaches the front end of the loading unit 12 b extending in the front-back direction at the width direction center is formed on the floor of the loading unit 12 b. Also, a groove 12 i following the incline direction is also formed on the width direction center of the inclined wall 12 f and the width direction center of the tip part of the pushing member 15. The technical significance of the grooves 12 h, 12 i is described later.

2. Pushing Member 15

The pushing member 15 is provided protruding to the back from the waist part of the trunk part 12. At the back end of the pushing member 15, a finger contact part 15 a that is operated during shooting is provided. Meanwhile, the tip of the pushing member 15 is formed to be flush with the inclined wall 12 f and the notch part 12 g when the pushing member 15 is operated to the back and sunk from the through holes (not illustrated).
The pushing member 15 is configured to be able to operate in the front-back direction, and is energized toward the back by a coil spring 15 b. Also, when a finger contacts the finger contact part 15 a and the finger is released after operating the pushing member 15 to the front, the pushing member 15 returns to the original position, in other words, the position at which the tip part of the pushing member 15 is flush with the inclined wall 12 f and the notch part 12 g, by being operated to the back by the energizing force of the coil spring 15 b.

3. Magazine 16

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the magazine 16 seen from the front side.
The magazine 16 is configured to be detachable with the toy body 10. The magazine 16 extends upward to the rear in a state attached to the toy body 10 (FIG. 1). A rectangular cap input port 16 a is formed on the top end of the magazine 16, and in the interior, a passage 16 b that is in communication with the cap input port 16 a and guides the inputted cap 50 to the loading unit 12 b is formed. Also, the input of the cap 50 to the cap input port 16 a is performed so that the top plate of the cap 50 faces forward. As shown in FIG. 6, the cap 50 inputted to the magazine 16 is supplied to the loading unit 12 b while gradually falling backward inside the magazine 16, in other words, so that the top plate of the cap 50 comes closer to being upward. Also, when the tip of the cap 50 enters inside the toy body 10, a portion of that is in sliding contact with the inclined wall 12 f, and the cap 50 goes to a state with the top plate in an upward facing state and is loaded to the loading unit 12 b.
A groove 16 c is formed in the width direction center on the magazine 16 cap input port 16 a and the passage 16 b floor.

4. Projectile

(1) Projectile 60

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the projectile 60 seen from below, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the projectile 60 in an exploded state seen from below.
The projectile 60 has a ceilinged cylindrical base 61 of the same size and shape as the cap 50, and a spherical wheel (projecting part) 62 is provided at the bottom surface center of the base 61. Specifically, a round hole 63 a is formed at the center on the base 61, and a disk shaped bottom plate 63 that blocks the bottom opening of the base 61 and supports the spherical wheel 62 is screwed in.
This projectile 60 is input so that the spherical wheel 62 is input to the groove 16 c of the magazine 16 when being input in the magazine 16. Also, the spherical wheel 62 enters the groove 12 i at the location of the inclined wall 12 f, and enters the groove 12 h at the loading unit 12 b. Also, when this projectile 60 is shot, the spherical wheel 62 lands, and the projectile 60 travels on the floor by the spherical wheel 62.

(2) Projectile 70

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another projectile 70 seen from below, FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the projectile 70 in an exploded state seen from above, and FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the operating state of the projectile 70 seen from above.
The projectile 70 has a three layer structure of a disk shaped upper plate 71 and a lower plate 75, and three blades 72 sandwiched between the upper plate 71 and the lower plate 75. Also, this base is formed in the same size and shape as the cap 50, and the tip part of a rod (projecting part) 73 is provided protruding from the bottom surface center of the lower plate 75.
Each blade 72 is formed in a bow shape so as to bulge outward, and a shaft hole 72 a of the base end part is fitted to a shaft (not illustrated) attached to the upper plate 71, and is configured to be able to rotate around that shaft. Also, each blade 72 is energized in the direction for which the tip protrudes from the outer periphery of the upper plate 71 and the lower plate 75 by a twisted coil spring (not illustrated). Also, a claw hole 72 b is formed on the top surface of the tip part of the blade 72.
The upper end part of the rod 73 penetrates the lower plate 75 and extends to above the blade 72. Also, on the top end of the rod 73, three locking members 73 a extending facing in the radial direction outward are provided integrally at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. On the tips of the locking members 73 a, claws 73 b are formed facing downward. Also, a hole 73 c is provided on the top end of the rod 73, and a coil spring (not illustrated) that energizes the rod 73 facing downward with respect to the upper plate 71 is inserted in this hole 73 c. Also, normally, the blade 72 is in a position sunk from the upper plate 71 and the lower plate 75 (FIG. 9), this is locked by the claw 73 b being fitted into the claw hole 72 b, and when the rod 73 is pushed in the direction sinking with respect to the lower plate 75, the claw 73 b separates from the claw hole 72 b, and juts out to outside from the outer periphery of the upper plate 71 and the lower plate 75 (FIG. 11).
When this projectile 70 is input to the magazine 16 in a state with the blade 72 sunk from the upper plate 71 and the lower plate 75 outer periphery (normally), input is done so that the rod 73 enters the groove 16 c of the magazine 16. Also, the rod 73 enters the groove 12 i at the location of the inclined wall 12 f, and enters the groove 12 h at the loading unit 12 b. Also, when this projectile 70 is shot, by the rod 73 landing, the claw 73 b separates from the claw hole 72 b and the blade 72 juts out from the upper plate 71 and the lower plate 75.
Above, an embodiment of the present invention was explained, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and can have various modifications.
For example, with the abovementioned embodiment, the top plate of the cap 50 was made to face upward to be loaded into the loading unit 12 b, but it is also possible to have the top plate of the cap 50 face downward to be loaded into the loading unit 12 b. It is also possible to have the top plate of the cap 50 face sideways to be loaded in the loading unit 12 b. In this case, it is preferable that the passage 16 b within the magazine 16 be configured so that the cap 50 rolls on the outer periphery or moves while in sliding contact with the floor of the magazine 16. It is also necessary for the pair of flipping pieces 12 c, 12 c to be provided above and below the loading unit 12 b.
It is also possible for the passage 16 b within the magazine 16 to be configured so that the sideways facing cap 50 rolls on the outer periphery or moves while in sliding contact with the floor of the magazine 16, and immediately before loading into the loading unit 12 b, the top plate or bottom of the cap 50 bumps into an inclined wall so that the top plate is in a horizontal state, in other words, the top plate faces upward or faces downward.

Effect of the Invention

According to the first aspect, the caps are supplied one at a time to the loading unit with the caps arrayed so that the outer peripheries of the caps are in contact with each other in the magazine, so fitting together of the adjacent caps with each other is prevented, and the caps getting stuck inside the magazine is prevented.
According to the second aspect, because an inclined wall is provided, the caps are loaded smoothly from the magazine into the loading unit with a horizontal floor.
According to the third aspect, the magazine is curved so that the top plate of the cap inputted from the cap input port in a state facing front or back gradually goes to a state facing up or down, so the caps are loaded smoothly from the magazine into the loading unit with a horizontal floor.
According to the fourth aspect, because a groove is formed in the magazine, it is also possible to fly a projectile that has a base with the same size and shape of the cap and that has a projecting part at the bottom surface. The projectile in this case has a gimmick that is activated when the projecting part lands, so the range of play is expanded.
According to the fifth aspect, the back part of the loading unit is partitioned by the notch part formed on the inclined wall, and the tip of the pushing member is flush with the inclined wall and the notch part when the pushing member is sunk in the inclined wall and the notch part, so a cap shooting toy with excellent operability can be realized.
The above and/or other aspects, features and/or advantages of various embodiments will be further appreciated in view of the following description in conjunction with the accompanying figures. Various embodiments can include and/or exclude different aspects, features and/or advantages where applicable. In addition, various embodiments can combine one or more aspect or feature of other embodiments where applicable. The descriptions of aspects, features and/or advantages of particular embodiments should not be construed as limiting other embodiments or the claims. In the drawings, the size and relative sizes of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items and may be abbreviated as “/”. It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. Unless indicated otherwise, these terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first object could be termed a second object, and, similarly, a second object could be termed a first object without departing from the teachings of the disclosure. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” or “includes” and/or “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to or “on” another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to or on the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). However, the term “contact,” as used herein refers to direct contact (i.e., touching) unless the context indicates otherwise. Terms such as “same,” “planar,” or “coplanar,” as used herein when referring to orientation, layout, location, shapes, sizes, amounts, or other measures do not necessarily mean an exactly identical orientation, layout, location, shape, size, amount, or other measure, but are intended to encompass nearly identical orientation, layout, location, shapes, sizes, amounts, or other measures within acceptable variations that may occur, for example, due to manufacturing processes. The term “substantially” may be used herein to reflect this meaning. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and/or the present application, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A cap shooting toy for shooting first and second ceilinged cylindrical caps, comprising:

a toy body including a loading unit in which the first ceilinged cylindrical cap is loaded;

a pushing member being configured on the toy body to push the first ceilinged cylindrical cap from the loading unit in a shooting direction to a shooting position, the first ceilinged cylindrical cap being shot prior to the second ceilinged cylindrical cap in the shooting direction;

a shooting device including a pair of flipping pieces extending in the shooting direction, the flipping pieces being urged to each other; and

a magazine abutting the toy body and being configured to supply the first and second ceilinged cylindrical caps to the loading unit, the first and second ceilinged cylindrical caps having first and second circumferential periphery respectively, the first and second circumferential periphery abutting to each other when in the magazine,

when the first ceilinged cylindrical cap is pushed by the pushing member, the flipping pieces being widened to allow the first ceilinged cylindrical cap to move to the shooting position,

when the first ceilinged cylindrical cap is at the shooting position, the first ceilinged cylindrical cap sticking out from an area between the pair of flipping pieces in the shooting direction, and being shot from the shooting area by the pair of flipping pieces being urged,

the loading unit including a bottom surface being flat and extending parallel to the shooting direction,

the loading unit including an inclined wall sloping and facing forward in the shooting direction,

the pushing member including a tip part and being configured to move back and forth in the shooting direction such that the tip part comes in and comes out from the inclined wall.

2. The cap shooting toy of claim 1, wherein

the magazine extends diagonally upward in a direction between a rearward direction being opposite to the shooting direction and a vertical direction being perpendicular to the shooting direction, and

the first ceilinged cylindrical cap is supplied to the loading unit so that a central axis of the first ceilinged cylindrical cap is perpendicular to a bottom surface of the magazine and the loading unit as the first ceilinged cylindrical cap moves from magazine to the loading unit.

3. The cap shooting toy of claim 2, wherein

the magazine includes a cap input port on a top end thereof,

the first ceilinged cylindrical cap includes a top plate,

when the first ceilinged cylindrical cap is input in the cap input port, the top plate faces front or back,

a passage inside the magazine is curved so that the top plate gradually faces from the state in which the first ceilinged cylindrical cap is input to a horizontal state in which the top plate is parallel to the shooting direction.

4. The cap shooting toy of claim 2, wherein

the first ceilinged cylindrical cap includes a bottom plate and a projecting part protruding downwards from a center of the bottom surface,

a gimmick is activated by the first cylindrical cap landing,

the magazine includes grooves receiving the projecting part, such that the first ceilinged cylindrical cap is shot when the projecting part extends downward.

5. The cap shooting toy of claim 2, wherein

the first ceilinged cylindrical cap is formed with a first curvature with a first radius,

the inclined wall includes a notch part having a second curvature with a second radius being equal to the first radius,

the tip part comes in and comes out from the inclined wall and the notch part, and

the tip is formed to be flush with the inclined wall and the notch part when the pushing member comes in the inclined wall and the notch part.

6. A cap shooting toy for shooting first and second ceilinged cylindrical caps, comprising:

when the first ceilinged cylindrical cap is at the shooting position, the first ceilinged cylindrical cap sticking out from an area between the pair of flipping pieces in the shooting direction, and being shot by the pair of flipping pieces being urged,

the pushing member including a tip part and is configured to move back and forth in the shooting direction such that the tip part comes in and comes out from the inclined wall,

the magazine including a cap input port on a top end thereof,

the first ceilinged cylindrical cap includes a top plate,

when the first ceilinged cylindrical cap is input in the cap input port, the top plate facing front or back,

a passage inside the magazine being curved so that the top plate gradually faces from the state in which the first ceilinged cylindrical cap is input to a horizontal state in which the top plate is parallel to the shooting direction,

the first ceilinged cylindrical cap including a bottom plate and a projecting part protruding downwards from a center of the bottom surface,

a gimmick being activated by the first cylindrical cap landing,

the magazine including grooves receiving the projecting part, such that the first ceilinged cylindrical cap is shot when the projecting part extends downward.

the first ceilinged cylindrical cap being formed with a first curvature with a first radius,

the inclined wall including a notch part having a second curvature with a second radius being equal to the first radius,

the tip part coming in and coming out from the inclined wall and the notch part,

the tip being formed to be flush with the inclined wall and the notch part when the pushing member comes in the inclined wall and the notch part.