Pneumatic toy launching apparatus

A pneumatic launching apparatus is described. The pneumatic toy launching apparatus includes a collapsible bellows with an outlet configured to allow air to exit the collapsible bellows. A gripping device is attached with the collapsible bellows, and a platform is attached with the gripping device. A launching tube is attached with the platform and is formed to releasably engage a launchable object. An air transfer tube connects the collapsible bellows and the launching tube. Upon compression of the collapsible bellows against a surface, air travels from the collapsible bellows, through the air transfer tube, and out of the launching tube to launch an object attached with the launching tube. A rotating mechanism attached with the platform allows rotation of multiple launching tubes. The gripping device further comprises a rotation actuator to induce rotation of the platform.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a pneumatic launching apparatus and, more particularly, to a pneumatic launching apparatus with a gripping device.

(2) Description of Related Art

Toy launchers are well known in the art. Toy launchers may be powered by multiple means including pneumatic means, whereby compressed air is used to power the toy launcher. The majority of pneumatic toy launchers which exist are formed as part of a launch ramp, track set, or other stationary structures which cannot be readily transferred from location to location.

Thus, a continuing need exists for a pneumatic toy launcher which is portable and can be used to launch toys onto a variety of surfaces.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a pneumatic launching apparatus. The pneumatic launching apparatus comprises a collapsible bellows with a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion includes an outlet configured to allow air to exit the collapsible bellows. Additionally, a gripping device is attached with the collapsible bellows, and a platform is attached with the gripping device. At least one hollow launching tube is attached with the platform, wherein the at least one hollow launching tube is formed to releasably engage an object. An air transfer tube connects the collapsible bellows with the at least one hollow launching tube. Upon compression of the collapsible bellows, air travels from the collapsible bellows, through the air transfer tube, and out of the at least one hollow launching tube to launch an object attached with the at least one hollow launching tube.

In another aspect, the gripping device is a handle, such that a user may grip the handle and compress the bottom portion of the collapsible bellows against a surface to launch the object attached with the at least one hollow launching tube.

In another aspect, the at least one hollow launching tube is pivotally attached with the platform such that the object may be launched at a plurality of angles.

In yet another aspect, a rotating mechanism is attached with the platform and configured to induce rotation of the platform.

In another aspect, the gripping device further comprises a rotation actuator operably connected with the rotating mechanism to induce rotation of the platform.

In another aspect, an adjustable launch adaptor is detachably attached with the launching element and configured to releasably engage a toy such that a toy may be launched at a plurality of angles.

Finally, as can be appreciated by one in the art, the present invention also comprises a method for forming a pneumatic launching apparatus described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a pneumatic launching apparatus. The pneumatic launching apparatus is configured to launch an object, non-limiting examples of which include a toy vehicle (e.g., car, motorcycle, airplane) and figurine.FIG. 1illustrates a pneumatic launching apparatus100comprising a collapsible bellows102having a top portion104and a bottom portion106. The top portion104includes an outlet107configured to allow air to exit the collapsible bellows102. A gripping device108is attached with the collapsible bellows102. The gripping device108may be formed in any suitable size or shape which allows a user to easily manually grip the gripping device. Non-limiting examples of which include an elongated handle, as shown inFIG. 1, and a handle having a slot for a user's fingers. A platform110is attached with the gripping device108to connect a hollow launching tube112to the collapsible bellows102. The launching tube112may be formed in any suitable shape provided that it includes a hollow center. In a desired aspect, the launching tube112is pivotally attached with the platform110. As a non-limiting example, the launching tube112is pivotally attached with the platform110via a pivotable attachment114, such as a hinge. The pivotable attachment114allows a user to adjust the angle of the launching tube112in order to launch an object at multiple angles.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, to launch an object from the pneumatic launching apparatus100, a user attaches an object200, such as a toy vehicle, to the launching tube112. The launching tube112is formed to releasably engage the object200, such that the object is attached to the launching tube112until launched. The launching tube is sized and shaped to fit inside a receiving element, such as a hollow slot, of the object200for a secure, but releasable attachment. As a non-limiting example, the object200includes a hollow receiving element having a size and shape which corresponds to the launching tube112, such that a user slides the object200onto the launching tube112. The object200is then held in place on the launching tube112until launched. The pneumatic launching apparatus100further comprises an air transfer tube201which fluidly connects the collapsible bellows102to the launching tube112. To launch the object200, a user grips the gripping device108and compresses the collapsible bellows102against a surface. For example, a user slams the collapsible bellows102down against the ground. Air travels from the collapsible bellows102, through the air transfer tube201, and out the launching tube112to launch the object200attached with the launching tube112. Therefore, the object200is not released from the launching tube112until the air pressure causes it to be launched.

In a desired aspect, and as shown inFIG. 3, the pneumatic launching apparatus100includes a rotating mechanism300attached with the platform110. The rotating mechanism300is configured to induce rotation of the platform110. As illustrated inFIG. 3, the pneumatic launching apparatus100may include multiple launching tubes112to allow for launching of multiple objects.

The gripping device108, shown as, although not limited to, a slotted handle, further comprises a rotation actuator302which is operably connected with the rotating mechanism300to induce rotation of the platform110. The rotation actuator302is connected with the rotating mechanism300through a series of pivotally connected linkage elements304. As can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the rotation actuator302may be a trigger as shown inFIG. 3, a push button, or the like. As a user pulls the trigger (or pushes a button), the linkage elements304are caused to move, which thereby induces rotation of the rotating mechanism300and, consequently, the platform110. Rotation of the platform110aligns one of the launching tubes112with the air transfer tube306, similar to a revolver mechanism. When a user compresses the collapsible bellows102against a surface, air travels from the collapsible bellows102, through the air transfer tube306, and out the launching tube112to launch an object attached with the launching tube112which is aligned with the air transfer tube306.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, the pneumatic launching apparatus100further comprises a stopper element308. The stopper element308provides a limit point309for the compression of the collapsible bellows102. The limit point309ensures that impact of the collapsible bellows102against a surface does not extend to and damage the platform110and launching tubes112.

Additionally, the pneumatic launching apparatus includes a seal310positioned between the platform110and the air transfer tube306to ensure that air is not lost on its way to the launching tube112.

FIG. 4depicts a side-view illustration of a pneumatic launching apparatus100having multiple launching tubes112. As shown, the pneumatic launching apparatus100includes four launching tubes112. However, as can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the pneumatic launching apparatus100may include any number of launching tubes112.FIG. 5illustrates a front-view of a pneumatic launching apparatus100. The launching tubes112are symmetrically arranged on the platform110. Finally,FIG. 6illustrates a pneumatic launching apparatus100having multiple launching tubes112, each attached to an object200(e.g., toy vehicle). As shown and although not limited thereto, the rotation actuator302is a push button attached with the gripping device108.