US2599888A - Repeating toy bubble gun - Google Patents

Description

June l0, 1952 w. D. BEEZLEY ErAL 72,599,883

' REPEATING TOY BUBBLE GUN Filed March 28, 1946 Y I l C II..."-...'II'.I,..I..... l'.'......

Patented June 10, v1952 UNITED .STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,599,888 ItEPTI'G "ioY B'UEIL GUN Weldon D'; Beezly and oliver v. Phillips, Denver, Colo'. Ao'plii'ootiolofoh 2s, 1946', 'serial No. estesi 1 irvetn relates t'O new and useful' inl*- povelnrits; irl vtoy l y 'This alli'plicratorll isffll'ed arl improvement on' ourvv leo-pending application, serial No. 647,878-, l'e'd ebruary l5; 1946', and' novlv abandoned. One object of the invention is td `lfl'ovidl-LV an improved toy gun which is constructed so that a bubble-or' bubbles maybe ejected rromthe Inuz'zle' of 'said gun' when' the gurl actuatedf 'A` important obiect of the inventionis to pro'-V vde'a'lr improved toy' gulll having means aidj acelltV itsjnluzzle endfor retaining' a lit of liquid ea' liable of' forming a bubble or bubbles and also' naving'means for directingr a stream of air against said tllni to iforn'l' andpro'eet a) bubble orv bubbles forwardly of' Said retaining l'r`le an"`sf;` said gun also li'aving improved means'jforrelorxning the film on said' retaining'means after* saidlm has been ree moved and dissipated by ltll'el formation of a bubble'o'r liubble's duringA the preceding ,operai tion lof the' gun, whereby the*necessita;V of dipping ol' 'said'v retaining means into Vthe bubble forming' liquid tol provide the llln is eliminatedv Aj particular object of the invention is' to provide :all im'"proved-=` toy gun' having means for' s'hdtig la.V bubble Ol'r bubbles' directing a stream of oir-againsto' illm of bubble-formingliq'lfid Wliiel isretai'ned or'r a retaining member at thernu'z'zle endv of'sa'd gun; the deviceals'o in-y cluding a bubble liquid reservoir or chamber; together" withy meansj for yapplying' the: liquid from soidf reservoir` to'fthe nlm retaining member to fcri'riA a llni thereon, whereby' each time the gun isactu'a-ted to remove' ther lil'rn and fo'rllll bubbles; additional liquid to" provide ai new film may be abb'lied't said member" to malle the gunreallyl fothe'nfext-opera-tloll ,v l l l Still""another object of the invention is to pro`` villeoi gon", of-l the oha'raoter described; whereinthe' liquid reservoir is sealed-v againstl leakage While` thigun is being' aetuitedlto Shoot abubble' or liubblestherefrolm further blt Of the invention is t provide' ai gurl' Ofthe chaaete described, wherein' the bubble-forming' liquid reservoiris in the* form of aca'r'tr'id'g'f'e ochamber which may be detaclr` 7 Cr'alinis. C1'. 46:8)

cartridge'or'chamber is emptiedyit may bereadily` 'may be manually' liurltur'ed lirior to mou-lit of the oo'ift'iineil onjthe goh or'wlljiolr in r lie adapted t9"- coi-act with means on the ereby the outlet isr opened automatically when the 'cent1 tairljer'ismf'ollrltedjin proper lfiosit-ior.` K *A 1 A The jcdnstrlrctior designed' to carry out the' invention will be hereinafter described togetller"v with.otherfeaturesofiheinvention7,..,

inveritiojnwillte more Vreo-dry st d fro'lrjaij' eadlrl'gl of the' foll'ovvill'gjl specilicatlpfi and' by reier`el'lce Yto the aecmpallying'-d'1a wherein Van, example 01""l thev invention' isx` s'lliwn; ont wherein: I isaside'elevatior'r of aguil, constructed irrac'cordancefwitlr the' invention; Rigore 2 is a longitudinal sectional view" of the Same, A l Figure' 3 isl all. n'd ellevitb Of the ml'I'Z'ZI''Id llriglnej 4j is an; enlarged sectional detail or the mlihzle endfof the guna'nd showing the'ports'l a position applying liquidI to the liquideretainingJ lnlfftv ll'i'gllre l5 is* einv enlarged, transverse, veltel, sev'ctionalview'; taken 'on the line 5 5' of Figure 2, and

l lihgulfe (ijis a transversevertical', sectional vi'evv, talgenon thelinejlsof Figure 2, l, l l

In olrtll'lvilig's,l the" numeral |'0 defsin'a't'es a gon which-is formed-of metal, plastic' of ot Suitaole materiel. Thev gun' reconstructed off an' outeii' shell whioh' ist formed" so" as tov provide" a tljilonlttlV gun barrel i2 and a hollow handle no tion isi, these ports being preferably mode in; eeral with' each-other. It desirale; although,

not' Ves"s'ential,y thatv the outlet or` muzlefndff theA barrer l2 be enlarged' outwardly as shf otlir'tnid'L th forward' portion Vof this flared. e d may' bei-hprovijdetiv with annuler oorngati s '[51 'Ifll corrugations. are' provided merely for t e sake of appearanee and may beor'nittd; alsothi` enlargement ity nitty beellniinted leine the bi inode ofk a constant diameter throughout its length'. i

` A lliquid retaining member I6 which the foijni of' on. annular w'irjringiiss'eo'nretl-loy ineens-.jor anlanelori ann' llftov tlief for'via'reno orienten@ oit wenn borrel; As mostrano.,- eeerll1-llisne lemienten the .nnen no hasmitsv end kextend'lng-- into and suitably fastened Withinanv opening I8 which is 4drilled in they for- Ward. endo-f the* gun barrel. Asis clearly shown-wL inFigfllreslZ and 3,\the angular arm H loeate'sthe fing I6; in snaced relationtotheoutlet'or muz'fzle'f end. of thev barrel and also disposes" s'acl ring? inh axial alignment with said barrel. It is noted that the retaining member need not be an annular ring but could take any desired shape.

The ring I6 is adapted to retain a bubble forming liquid thereacross. This liquid has a glycerine base and may be purchased on the open market. When the liquid is applied to the ring, a lm of said liquid is formed thereacross and is retained in such position until displaced therefrom by air or other pressure.

For directing a stream of air against the film which is retained across the ring I6, an air eduction tube I9 is mounted axially within the gun barrel and has itsforward end '23 reduced. The outlet end of the reduced portion terminates in spaced relation to the ring I6. The rear end of the tube I9 is supported by a depending bracket 2I which is preferably made integral with the outer shell I I of the gun. A depressible bulb 22, which is constructed of rubber, rubber compound or other depressible material, is disposed within the hollow handle portion I3 of the gun and has its end engaged over the rear end of the air eduction tube I9. The bulb is preferably Iprovided with a valved air inlet or breather hole 23 to admit air into the interior of said bulb and the inlet 23 overlies an inlet opening 24 in the base of the handle I3.

- It is obvious that when the bulb 22 is depressed, a stream of air is forced outwardly through the air eduction tube I9 and since the tube is in substantial axial alignment with the ring I6, a portion of the emitting air will strike the film on the ring I6 to form a bubble. This stream of air projected forwardly into the lm will form and detach the bubble from the ring and will project it forwardly from the gun barrel. Itis apparent that the effect of shooting the bubble 'from the gun barrel will be obtained. y

. It might be noted that the spacing between the ring I6 and the endv of the air eduction tube I9` controls vthe action of the bubble or bubbles which are formed. Also the volume, as well as the velocity of the air passing through the tube, which velocity is controlled by the bore ofthe outlet end'of said tube, has an eiect on the results obtained. If the end 20 of the tube is too close to thering IB, the force of the air stream will merely displace the liquid lm without forming the bubble or bubbles; in other words, it will merely break through the film and will displace it fromits retained position on the ring. On' the other hand .if the spacing between the ring I6 and the venel 20 of the tube is too great, the air stream will `be dissipated before it reaches the lmand bubbles will not be formed. By properly spacing the tube from the ring, a series of bubbles, the size of which is controlled by the size 0f the retaining ring I6, will be formed upon depression of the bulb or a single large bubble may be formed upon each operation of said bulb. Thus, by adjusting the distance between the ring I6 and the tube I9, as well as by controlling the size of the bore of the tube, the desired effect may be obtained.

The diameter of the ring controls to some extent the size of the bubble or bubbles which are formed but the size of the ring should be such that the film thereongis sufficient to form more than one bubble or one series of bubbles. In other words, the depression of the bulb 22 will form a bubble or bubbles and will detach them from the ring. However, the volume and velocity lof the air ejected upon one depression of the bulb is not sufficient to detach all of the lm from the ring with the result that the bulb maybe de- .4 pressed a number of times before all of the lm across the ring I6 has been used.

The bulb 22 may be depressed in any desired manner but it is preferable to depress the same by means of a trigger element '25. This element has its forward lportion curved to be readily engaged by a finger of the operator while its rear portion 26 is curved to engage the bulb 22. This rear portion of the trigger element extends through a slot 21 in the handle portion I3. The

. upper end of the trigger element is pivoted on a transverse pin 28 which is suitably mounted in openings 29 in the side Walls of the gun frame I I. Obviously when the trigger is depressed, the bulb 22 is depressed to force the air outwardly through the tube I9. A stop lug 30 is formed on the rear lower portion of the trigger element to prevent outward displacement of said element from the handle portion I3. The bulb 22 may be made of a material which is sufficiently resilient to return the trigger to its normal position, as shown in Figure 2 but if desired a small coiled spring 3l may be associated with the trigger pivot 28 to maintain the trigger in a normal inactive position and to return the same to such position after each operation.

For applying a film of bubble forming liquid to the retaining member or ring I6, a piston applicator 32 is slidable within the bore I2a of the gun barrel I2. This piston applicator may be constructed of felt, cotton or other liquid absorbent material and said piston has a sliding fit within the bore of the barrel. This piston is secured to the forward end of a sleeve 33 which surrounds the eduction tube I9 and which is slidable there- 0n.y The forward portion of the sleeve is supported and slidable through a bearing 34a. which may be formed integral with the gun frame. The rear end of the sleeve 33 is secured by diametrically extending arms 34 to a slide actuator 35,

which actuator engages over the upper end of the gun frame II. Thefconnectingarms 34 extend and are movable through elongate slots 36 which are formed in the sides ofthe frame II. The actuator 35 is preferably, although not essentially formed with spaced corrugatons 31 similar to those which are formed in the forward enlarged end I4 of the gun barrel. These corrugations are merely for the purpose of appearance and may be eliminated.

Normally the parts are in the position shown in Figure 2 with the absorbent piston 32 retracted within the gun barrel. It is apparent that by moving the actuator 35 forwardly of the gun barrel, to the dotted line position shown in Figure 2, the sleeve 33 and absorbent piston 32 connected therewith are also moved forwardly, whereby the absorbent piston 32 is movedinto engagement with the retaining ring I6, which position is shown in Figure 4. The material of which the piston 32 is constructed is sufficiently soft so that said piston may engage around the ring and at the same timethe ring will function to squeeze liquid from said piston. The liquid 'so removed from the absorbent piston willattachY to the ring and will form a film thereacross. After the formation of such film, the actuator is slid rearwardly on the gun frame Ato return the piston 32 to its retracted position within the bore of the gun barrel.

In its retracted position within the gunbarrel, the absorbent piston 32 isl aligned with a liquid inlet'port 38 which is provided in the top of the gun barrel II. A liquidcontaining cartridge 39 which is substantially tubular is adapted to be removably mounte'd'onthe top of the gun barrel ascasss within spring'clips 40. *This cartridge may have suitablecorrugations 4| which are Yprovided for appearance sake on its .exterior surface; 4.The for.- Ward lowertendoithe cartridge 43S). is'provided with an outlet port l2"which when the cartridge is in .position onthe gun barrel is aligned with the liquidinlet'port '38, whereby liquid from the interior of the cartridge 39 may Iflow onto the absorbent piston 32.- It will be apparent that the liquid from the cartridgeA will flow into the piston and will thoroughly saturate the same. When the piston 32 becomes saturated it will not take any further' liquid and it is only after said piston has been moved into engagement with the ring I6 -to for-m a iilm thereon and remove the liquid from the saturated piston, that'said piston will taken on more liquid. Thus, the piston is maint'ain'edin asaturated condition at'y all times vand when in its retracted*position-serves to seal* the openings -38-and42 to prevent the free escape-of liquid from the cartridge. It Will-be evident'that while the piston 32 is moved forwardly and is engaged with the ring to form the film, the 4openings 38 r:and 42 will be open but since this will-be only for a relatively short period'v of time-only a drop or two of liquid canescape atthis time.

The cartridge 39 which contains the bubble forming liquid may be provided as a separate unit from the gun with the opening 42 in said cartridge sealed by a lead seal which may be readily punctured before application of the cartridge to the gun. On the other hand the gun barrel may have a puncturing prong (not shown) surrounding the opening 38 so that when the cartridge is placed in position, the seal closing the opening 42 will be opened. The operation of the gun is believed to be obvious. The cartridge 39 is placed in position and the liquid therefrom is permitted to saturated the absorbent piston 32. The slide actuator 35 is then slid forwardly on the gun.

frame to move the absorbent piston into contact with the retaining member or ring I6. The material of the piston 32 is suiciently soft to permit it to fully engage around the ring and to thereby squeeze or remove liquid from the piston. This liquid adheres to the ring and forms `a film thereacross, after which the slide actuator is returned to its original rearward position to retract the piston into the barrel. In such position, the piston receives additional liquid from the cartridge 39 through the openings 38 and 42 and at the same time serves to seal or close said openings.

After the film is formed on the ring I6 the'gun is ready for actuation to form bubbles and this is accomplished by merely operating the trigger element 25 to depress the bulb 22. Depression of the bulb ejeots an air stream outwardly through the air eduction tube I9 and this air stream strikes the film to form and project a bubble or bubbles forwardly from said ring. As has been explained, the ring is of suflicient size to retain enough liquid to permit several operations of the trigger before all of said lm is removed, whereby a repeater type of action is obtained. After all of the film is removed. it is only necessary to again slide the actuator 35 forwardly to re-engage the piston 32 with the ring and thereby form another lm on said ring. Upon retraction of the piston, the gun is ready for the next operation. It is apparent that after all of the liquid in the cartridge 39 has been used up, it is only necessary to replace the empty cartridge with one filled with liquid. 'I'he provision of the cartridge and absorbent piston make it possible to automatically replace the lm on the retaining member or ring: .lrand eliminates the :necessityl of dipping'thering'in .the liquid to form-a lm thereon.v Thesupply Vof liquid isv'carried right with the gunat .air times and this is a decided advantage. y

yThetforegoing'descriptionof the invention is explanatory;V thereof and various .changes `in the size,.shape `an'dmaterials, well as in the the detailsv offthe illustrated constructionma'y 'be made, within-'the v 'scope of 'i the:` appended claims, without departing from the spirit ofthe' inven tion.

We claim: 'y y I 1. A' toygunincludingfan outer gun Vfratrie-defining: a gun barrel and a gurlJ handle,anair eduction .tube within the frame, -a retaining member spaced from the outlet end ofthe tube for 4receiving and lretaining a ilxnv of bubbleforming liquid, meansufor directing air under pressure through said tube and-against the-film on the retaining member to lform and project a bubble fromsaid member, abubble formingliquid reservoirmounted onf the gun frame, and a piston slidableA axially within the gun :barrel and adaptedv to be engaged withY the retaining vmein'- ber, saidl piston being constructed of an absorbent material and arranged to receive liquid from the reservoir, engagement of the liquid-soaked absorbent piston with the retaining member resulting in an application of liquid to said member to form a lm thereon.

2. A toy gun as set forth in claim 1, wherein the reservoir has a liquid outlet which is normally closed by the absorbent Ipiston when said piston is in a retracted position.

3. A toy gun as set forth in claim 1, together with manually operable means accessible from the exterior of the gun frame for imparting movement to the piston.

4. A toy gun as set forth in claim 1, wherein the liquid reservoir is a separate container, and co-acting means on said container and on the gun frame for mounting the container in position on said frame.

5. A toy gun including, an outer gun frame dening a gun barrel and a gun handle, an air eduction tube within the frame, a retaining member spaced from the outlet end of the tube for receiving and retaining a lm of bubble-forming liquid, means for directing air under pressure through said tube and against the film on the retaining member to form and project a bubble from said member, a bubble forming liquid reservoir mounted on the gun frame and having a liquid outlet, movable means slidable within the gun frame and arranged to receive liquid from said reservoir, said movable means lbeing slidable outwardly of the gun frame intoengagement with the retaining member for applying a liquid lm to said member, an actuator slidably mounted on the exterior of the gun frame, said frame having a longitudinal slot in its Wall, and a connecting means between the actuator and the movable means and extending through said slot whereby movement of the actuator imparts movement to said movable means.

6. A toy gun including, an outer gun frame defining a gun barrel and a gun handle, an air eduction passage Within the frame, a retaining mem-ber spaced from the outlet end of the passage for receiving and retaining a lm of bubbleH forming liquid, means for directing air under pressure through said passage and against the ii1m on the retaining member to form and project a bubble from said member, means slidably mounted withinthe gun barrel and movable into contact with the retaining member for replacing the liquid film on the retaining member after said film has beenv removed fby the air under pressure which forms and projects the bubble, an actuator slidably mounted on the exterior of the gun frame, said frame having a 1ongitudi" nal slot in its wall, and a connecting means between the actuator and the movable means and extending through said slot whereby movement of the actuator imparts movement to said movable means.

7. A toy gun including, an outer gun frame dening a gun barrel and a gun handle, an air eduction tube within the frame, a retaining member spaced from the outlet end of the tube for receiving and retaining a lm of bubbler' forming liquid, means for directing air under` pressure through said tube and against the film on the retaining member Vto form and project a 'bubble` from said member, a bubble forming liquid reservoir mounted on the gun frame and having a liquid outlet, movable meansV within the gun Yframe arranged to receive liquid from said reservoir, said movable means slidable outwardly of the gun frame into engagement with the re- 8 taining member for applying a liquid nlm to said g member, said liquid reservoir comprising a. seperate container, and co-acting means on'said container and said frame for detacha'bly mounting said container on the frame.

WELDON D. BEEZLEY; OLIVER V. PHILLIPS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 642,892 Bliss Fe'b. 6, 1900 697,063 Alhart Apr. 8, 1902 1,248,507 Lefever Dec. 4, 1917 1,572,409 Oldham Feb. 9, 1926 1,710,609 Colwell Apr. 23, 1929 1,839,870 Dorph Jan. 5, 1932 2,066,517 Campbell Jan. 5, 1937 2,118,748 Warham May 24, 1938 2,159,894 Hines May 23, 1939 2,361,704 Patterson Oct. 31, 1944 2,391,797 Raspet Dec. 25, 1945 2,393,039

Gilchrist Jan. 15, 1946

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