Abstract:
A trigger mechanism for an aerial device including a unitary housing having three longitudinal bores extending therethrough and a spring biased rod or wire-like mechanism which includes a plurality of bends forming various portions which can be inserted into such bores after such rod has been bent and a spring has been attached to such rod.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a trigger mechanism for use with an object such as a toy parachute having a doll extending therefrom which can be transported along an elevated kite string and automatically released at a predetermined height. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     It is known to provide a toy parachute release device for use with a kite. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,482,807 to Morris describes such a device wherein a kite string and actuating wire extend through a body allowing the body to travel along the kite string and release a parachute at a selected location along the string when an abutment ring engages a stationary abutment. A patent of similar interest is U.S. Pat. No. 2,944,775 to Selleck. 
     Other U.S. patents which describe toy parachute release devices include the following: 
     
         ______________________________________      620,596 Lower      764,749 Moravek      985,301 Terry    4,074,877 Hayenga    4,240,600 Urasaki______________________________________ 
    
     Notwithstanding the existence of the foregoing patents it is believed that there is a need for a trigger mechanism which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, can be readily assembled and can be positioned upon a kite string while the kite is being flown or beforehand. It is also desirable to provide such a simplified trigger mechanism to which a parachute-type toy can be easily attached which includes a spring-biased automatic retracting mechanism for positively holding the parachute assembly in place until it is released as desired. It is further desirable to provide such a trigger mechanism which can be fabricated using standard wire bending and injection mold tooling. It is also desirable to provide such a trigger device wherein a release wire or rod containing a plurality of bends can be bent as desired and have a spring means attached thereto prior to its final assembly with a support housing. It is further desirable to provide such a trigger device wherein such release wire or rod can be snap fitted into its support housing and thereby locked therein during use and yet be removable from such housing if desired. It is also desirable to provide such a trigger mechanism wherein the spring means is recessed into the housing to increase the reliability of the flight of the parachute, facilitate assembly of the trigger mechanism to the kite string, and prevent inadvertent misalignment of the trigger mechanism vis-a-vis the kite string stop member. It is also desirable to provide such a trigger mechanism which is relatively compact and light thereby facilitating use in light winds or with a less efficient kite. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention achieves these and other results by providing a trigger mechanism for an aerial device comprising a housing which includes an upper bore extending therethrough along a first axis for attachment of the housing to a kite string, a lower bore extending into the housing along a second axis, and a central bore positioned between the upper and lower bore and extending through the housing along a third axis. The first, second and third axes are parallel to each other. A first slot extends through the housing to the upper bore, the first slot extending from one end of the housing to an opposite second end of the housing. A second slot extends through the housing to the central bore, the second slot extending from the one end to the opposite second end of the housing. A third slot extends through the housing to the lower bore, the third slot extending from the one end toward the opposite second end of the housing. A fourth slot extending through the housing to the lower bore, the fourth slot being aligned with the third slot. A rod is provided having a first portion which extends through the central bore. A second portion is provided which is parallel to the first portion and extends into the lower bore from the one end of the housing and into the fourth slot. The second portion is oriented for movement through the third slot. The second portion is bridged to the first portion at a first end of the first portion by a third portion, and a fourth portion extends from an opposite second end of the first portion and includes means for attachment of the rod to the line. Spring means is provided for urging the fourth portion away from the housing and for urging the second portion into the lower bore. 
     The present invention also includes a trigger mechanism as described herein in combination with an object which can be transported along an elevated kite string. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     This invention can be clearly understood by reference to the attached drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a view of one embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the trigger mechanism depicted in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an end view of the trigger mechanism of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a partial opposite end view of the trigger mechanism of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 5 is an elevational view of an alternate trigger mechanism of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the trigger mechanism of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a view taken along line 7--7 of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 8 is a view taken along line 8--8 of FIG. 5; and 
     FIG. 9 is an end view of the trigger mechanism of FIG. 5. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The embodiment of this invention which is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 is particularly suited for achieving the objects of this invention. FIG. 1 depicts the trigger mechanism 2 of the present invention in combination with an object 4 which can be transported along an elevated kite string 6 attached to a kite 8. The object 4 can include a parachute 10 having a doll 12 suspended therefrom by string 14, the object 4 being attached to the trigger mechanism 2 as described herein. 
     FIGS. 2 to 4 are enlarged views of the trigger mechanism 2 of FIG. 1. Trigger mechanism 2 includes a housing 16 which comprises an upper bore 18 extending through the housing along a first axis 20 for attachment of the housing 16 to kite string 6 which extends through bore 18. Housing 16 also includes a lower bore 22 extending into the housing along a second axis 24. Although not necessary, in the embodiment of FIG. 2 the lower bore extends through the housing 16. Housing 16 also includes a central bore 26 positioned between upper bore 18 and lower bore 22 which extends through the housing along a third axis 28. The first axis 20, second axis 24 and third axis 28 are parallel to each other. A first slot 30 extends through the wall of the housing 16 to the upper bore 18, such first slot extending along the length of the housing from one end 32 of the housing to an opposite second end 34 of the housing. A second slot 36 extends through the wall of the housing 16 to the central bore 26, such second slot extending along the length of the housing from end 32 to end 34. A third slot 38 extends through the wall of the housing 16 to the lower bore 22, such third slot extending partially along the length of the housing from end 32 toward end 34. If desired, although not necessary, the third slot 38 can extend along the full length of the housing. A fourth slot 40 is also provided. Fourth slot 40 extends through the wall of the housing 16 to the bore 22. Such fourth slot generally extends radially along axis 42 and is aligned with the third slot 38 such that axis 42 is at an angle of 90° relative to axis 24. 
     A rod 44 is associated with the housing 16. In the embodiment depicted in the drawings the rod is in the form of a wire having multiple bends as described herein. Rod 44 includes a first portion 46 which extends through the central bore 26. Rod portion 46 includes a first end 48 and an opposite second end 50. Rod 44 also includes a second portion 52 which is parallel to the first portion 46 and extends into the lower bore 22 from end 32 of the housing toward end 34 of the housing. The first and second portions of rod 44 are free to reciprocate within the central bore and lower bore, respectively, as described herein. The second portion extends far enough into lower bore 22 that a length 54 of the second portion 52 extends into the second slot 40 as depicted in FIG. 2. Although not necessary, attachment of the object 4 to the trigger mechanism 2 can be facilitated by bending rod 44 such that length 54 is below the centerline of bore 22 as depicted in FIG. 2. Such second portion 52 is oriented for rotational movement through the third slot 38 as described herein. The second portion 52 is bridged with the first portion 46 at end 32 of the housing by a third portion 56. In the preferred embodiment, end 48 of the first portion 46 is adjacent a shoulder 58 which extends from end 48 for engagement with end 32 of the housing 16 as depicted in FIG. 2. In such embodiment, the third portion 56 is in the form of a handle 60 which extends away from end 32 of the housing. Handle 60 extends from second portion 52 and from shoulder 58 as depicted in FIG. 2. 
     The rod 44 also includes a fourth portion 62 extending from the opposite second end 50 of the first portion 46. The fourth portion 62 includes means for attachment of the rod 44 to the kite string 6. For example, in the preferred embodiment of FIG. 2 such attachment means includes an extension 64 of the fourth portion 62 wherein the rod is bent to form a plurality of legs which collectively have a rectangular-like configuration 66 which lies in a plane defined by coordinates 68, 70, such plane being normal to the first axis 20 as depicted in FIGS. 2 and 4. Such rectangular-like configuration 66 is of a length in the direction of coordinate 68 which is greater than the length in the direction of coordinate 70 to prevent entanglement of the rod with the loops on the stop member 106 of the type depicted in FIG. 1. The rod is bent in such a manner as to provide a gap at 72 through which the kite string 6 can pass such that the attachment means can be hung from the kite string as depicted in FIG. 4. 
     Trigger mechanism 2 also includes a spring means for urging the fourth portion 62 away from end 34 of housing 16 and for urging the second portion 52 into the lower bore 22. In the preferred embodiment such spring means is a compression spring in the form of a helical spring 74 having one end 76 which abuts against end 34 of housing 16 and an opposite end 78 which abuts the fourth portion 62. Spring 74 is a weak spring of about 0.7 pounds per inch yet is strong enough to prevent inadvertent withdrawal of the end of length 54 from slot 40 and inadvertent rotational movement of the length 54 of the second portion 52 through slot 38. 
     In the preferred embodiment the first slot 30 is formed by opposing surfaces 80, 82 each of which includes a flange 84, 86, respectively, which extends into the upper bore 18. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4, flanges 84, 86 extend from end 32 to end 34 of housing 16. Such flanges will keep the kite string from inadvertent removal during use of the trigger mechanism a described herein but will not inhibit removal of the trigger mechanism from the kite string for storage. The second slot 36 can be formed by opposing surfaces 88, 90. Preferably, the distance between surfaces 80, 82 is close to the diameter of the kite string 6 and the distance between surfaces 88, 90 is less than the diameter of rod portion 46, the housing being fabricated from a resilient material. 
     The housing 16 can be manufactured in any known manner. For example, housing 16 can be fabricated by injection molding or extruding a resilient material such as polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, acetal nylon, and the like to form the multi-tubular structure depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3. Bores 18, 22 and 26 and slots 30, 36, 38 and 40 can be provided for during the injection mold or extrusion process. The rod 44 can be bent in a known manner with the spring 74 attached thereto. The rod can then be positioned within the housing 16 such that rod portion 46 extends through bore 36 and rod portion 52 extends into bore 22, the spring 74 being disposed between end 34 and fourth portion 62. To this end rod portion 46 can be radially inserted into bore 26 through slot 36 and rod portion 52 can be radially inserted into bore 22 through slot 38. By providing a housing fabricated from a resilient material wherein surfaces 88, 90 are spaced from each other a distance less than the diameter of the rod portion 46, rod portion 46 can be snap-fitted into bore 26 so that rod portion 46 will not fall out of housing 16 during use of the trigger mechanism 2. 
     In use, the trigger mechanism 2 is first attached to kite string 6 by radially inserting the kite string through slot 30 and into bore 18 and also inserting the kite string through gap 72 such that the trigger mechanism is supported at one end by the fourth portion 62 and at the opposite end by housing 16. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4, the parachute 10 and doll 12 are attached to a connecting means 92 for releasably connecting the parachute and doll to the trigger mechanism 2. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the connecting means 92 includes a first leg 94 having an aperture 96 therethrough at one end of the first leg 94. As depicted in FIG. 2, second leg 98 extends toward the fourth portion 62 from the first leg 94 at an angle 100 of about 90° relative to the first leg. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the second leg 98 extends from the first leg 94 at an end opposite the apertured end of leg 94. The bend at angle 100 facilitates a fail-free disconnection of the connecting means 92 from the housing 16 during actuation of the trigger mechanism. The parachute and doll are attached to the distal end 102 of the second leg 98 by string 14 which extends through an aperture 104 which extends through the second leg, the string 14 being knotted to such distal end as depicted in FIG. 1. In order to attach the object 4 to the trigger mechanism, the handle 60 is grasped and pivoted about axis 28 s that the length 54 of the second portion 52 is caused to retract from bore 22 through slot 38. The first leg 94 is connected to the trigger mechanism by inserting length 54 of the second portion 52 of rod 44 through the aperture 96. Finally, the handle 60 is pivoted in the opposite direction about axis 28 so that the length 54 of the second portion 52 is inserted back into bore 22 through slot 38. At the same time, the first leg 94 is thereby caused to be inserted into bore 22 through slot 38 such that the leg 94 is suspended by the length 54 and is caused to hang vertically downward through slot 40 as depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3. Slot 40, to facilitate ease of attachment of connecting means 92, is at least four times the width of the first leg 94. 
     In operation, the wind advances the parachute 10 up the kite string 6 toward the kite 8. During such ascent, the parachute pulls the trigger mechanism along the kite string. Such ascent continues until the fourth portion 62 contacts a stop member 106 which has previously been fastened to the kite string at a predetermined location. When the fourth portion 62 contacts the stop member 106 there will be sufficient force for the spring 74 to be compressed between the fourth portion 62 and the end 34 of housing 16 and for the rod portions 46 and 52 to slide relative to bores 36 and 38, respectively, in the direction of arrow 108 such that the length 54 will be retracted from aperture 96 allowing the first leg 94 to be dropped by the trigger mechanism 2 as such first leg falls from slot 40 under the force of gravity. Parachute 10 and doll 12 will float to the ground and the trigger mechanism 2 will slide toward the ground along kite string 6. Subsequent to the release of the object 4, spring 74 will expand under its own force causing rod portions 46 and 54 to slide relative to bores 36 and 38, respectively, in the direction of arrow 110 such that the length 54 will once again be fully inserted into bore 22. 
     FIGS. 5 to 9 are enlarged views of an alternate trigger mechanism 2&#39;. Such trigger mechanism 2, can be fabricated in the same manner as trigger mechanism 2 with the alterations noted below. In particular, a trigger mechanism 2&#39; includes a housing 16&#39; which comprises an upper bore 18&#39; extending through the housing along a first axis 20&#39; for attachment of the housing 16&#39; to kite string 6 which extends through bore 18&#39;. Housing 16&#39; also includes a lower bore 22&#39; extending into the housing along a second axis 24&#39;. Housing 16&#39; also includes a central bore 26&#39; positioned between upper bore 18&#39; and lower bore 22&#39; which extends through the housing along third third axis 28&#39;. The first axis 20&#39;, second axis 24&#39; and third axis 28&#39; are parallel to each other. A first slot 30&#39; extends through the wall of the housing 16&#39; to the upper bore 18&#39;, such first slot extending along the length of the housing from one end 32&#39; of the housing to an opposite second end 34&#39; of the housing. A second slot 36&#39; extends through the wall of the housing 16&#39; to the central bore 26&#39;, such second slot extending along the length of the housing from end 32&#39; to end 34&#39;. A third slot 38&#39; extends through the wall of the housing 16&#39; to the lower bore 22&#39;, such third slot extending partially along the length of the housing from end 32&#39; toward end 34&#39;. If desired, although not necessary, the third slot 38&#39; can extend along the full length of the housing. A fourth slot 40&#39; is also provided. Fourth slot 40&#39; extends through the wall of the housing 16&#39; to bore 22&#39;. Such fourth slot generally extends radially along axis 42&#39; and is aligned with the third slot 38&#39;. 
     A rod 44&#39; is associated with housing 16&#39;. In the embodiment depicted in the drawings the rod is in the form of a wire having multiple bends as indicated herein. Rod 44&#39; includes a first portion 46&#39; which extends through the central bore 26&#39;. Rod portion 46&#39; includes a first end 48&#39; and an opposite second end 50&#39;. Rod 44&#39; also includes a second portion 52&#39; which is parallel to the first portion 46&#39;, and extends into the lower bore 22&#39; from end 32&#39; of the housing toward end 34&#39; of the housing. The second portion extends far enough into lower bore 22&#39; that a length 54&#39; of the second portion 52&#39; extends into the second slot 40&#39; as depicted in FIG. 5. Such second portion 52&#39; is oriented for movement through the third slot 38&#39; as described herein. The second portion 52&#39; is bridged with the first portion 46&#39; at end 32&#39; of the housing by a third portion 56&#39; which is in the form of a shoulder for engagement with end 32&#39;  of the housing 16&#39; as depicted in FIG. 5. 
     The rod 44&#39; also includes a fourth portion 62&#39; extending from the opposite second end 50&#39; of the first portion 46&#39;. The fourth portion 62&#39; includes means for attachment of the rod 44&#39; to the kite string 6. For example, in the preferred embodiment of FIG. 5 such attachment means includes an extension 64&#39; of the fourth portion 62&#39; wherein the rod is bent to form a plurality of legs which collectively have a round-like configuration 66&#39; which lies in a plane defined by coordinates 68&#39;, 70&#39;, such plane being normal to the first axis 20&#39; as depicted in FIGS. 5 and 9. The rod is bent in such a manner that one leg thereof 72&#39; is parallel to extension 64&#39;. Due to the flexibility of the rod 44&#39; the kite string 6 can be moved up through area 73 such that the attachment means can be hung from the kite string as depicted in FIG. 9. 
     An alternative method to prevent the spring from migrating on wire segment 62&#39; as depicted in FIGS. 5 and 9 is to provide tubular member 79 on first portion 46&#39;. Said tubular member has an outside diameter greater than the outside diameter of the spring and an inside diameter of approximately 0.005 greater than first portion 46&#39;. 
     In the preferred embodiment the first slot 30&#39; is formed by opposing surfaces 80&#39;, 82&#39; each of which includes a flange 84&#39;, 86&#39;, respectfully, which extends into the upper bore 18&#39;. Flanges 84&#39;, 86&#39; can extend from end 32&#39; to end 34&#39; of housing 16&#39;. Preferably, the distance between surfaces 80&#39;, 82&#39; is slightly greater than the diameter of kite string 6 and the housing is fabricated from a resilient material. 
     In the embodiment of FIGS. 5 to 9 the central bore 26&#39; includes a first length 112 which extends into housing 16&#39; from housing end 32&#39; and a second length 114 which extends into housing 16&#39; from housing end 34&#39;. The second length has a diameter which is greater than the diameter of the first length to form a shoulder 116 where the length 114 meets the length 112. Spring means is provided in the form of a helical spring 74&#39; which is disposed within the second length 114 such that one end 76&#39; abuts against shoulder 116 and an opposite end 78&#39; abuts against the fourth portion 62&#39;. By positioning the spring within the second length 114 it is possible to reduce the distance between the fourth portion 62&#39; and the end 34&#39; of the housing 16&#39;. Such a reduction in distance relative to the embodiment of FIG. 1 allows a child&#39;s hand to more easily operate the device as described herein. 
     The second slot 36&#39; includes first opposing surfaces 118, 120 adjacent the first length 112 and second opposing surfaces 122, 124 adjacent the second length 114. The first opposing surfaces 118, 120 are spaced from each other a distance less than the diameter of the rod 44&#39; and the second opposing surfaces 122, 124 are spaced from each other a distance less than the diameter d of the helical spring 74&#39;. 
     Third slot 38&#39; can be formed by opposing surfaces 126, 128 which are spaced from each other a distance that enables rotation of first portion 46&#39; in bore 26&#39; such that second portion 52&#39; can be moved into slot 38&#39; after attachment of first leg 94&#39;. 
     One or more of the slots 30&#39;, 36&#39; and 38&#39; can be formed by opposing surfaces which are tapered toward each other from the exterior of housing 16&#39; to an upper, central and lower bore, respectively. Such taper is best depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8. Similar tapering can be provided for the opposing surfaces of the slots 30 and 36 of the embodiment of FIGS. 2 to 4, if desired. 
     Bore 18&#39; is chamfered or radiased 33 at both ends as depicted in FIG. 5 to provide ease of passage of kite string 6. A similar chamfered or radiased structure can be provided at both ends of bore 18 of the embodiment of FIGS. 2 to 4. 
     In assembling the trigger mechanism 2&#39;, rod 44&#39; is positioned within housing 16&#39; such that rod portion 46&#39; extends through bore 36&#39; and rod portion 52&#39; extends into bore 22&#39;, the spring 74&#39; being partially disposed within the second length 114 such that the spring extends from shoulder 116 to the fourth portion 62&#39;. To this end rod portion 46&#39; can be radially inserted into bore 26&#39; through slot 36&#39; at first length 112 and second length 114, and spring 74&#39; can be radially inserted into bore 26&#39; through slot 36&#39; at second length 114. By spacing opposing surfaces 118, 120 and opposing surfaces 122, 124 as described herein, rod portion 46&#39; can be snap-fitted into bore 26&#39; at first length 112 and spring 74&#39; can be snap-fitted into bore 26&#39; at second length 114 so that the rod portion and spring will not fall out of the housing 16&#39; during use of the trigger mechanism 2&#39;. 
     In use, the trigger mechanism 2&#39; operates in the same manner as the embodiment of FIGS. 2 to 4 except as described herein. One distinction already discussed is the manner in which the fourth portion 62&#39; is attached to the kite string 6. Another distinction is the manner in which the object 4 is attached to the housing 16&#39;. In particular, a connecting means 92&#39; provided including a first leg 94&#39; having an aperture 96&#39; therethrough at one end of the leg 94&#39;. A second leg 98&#39; extends toward fourth portion 62&#39; from the first leg 94&#39; at an angle of 100&#39; of about 90° relative to the first leg. An extension 95 provides a convenient handle. The second leg 98&#39; prevents wedging of the connecting means 92&#39; when the fourth portion 62&#39; engages the stop member 106. The parachute and doll are attached to the distal end 102&#39; of leg 98&#39; by string 14 which can be caused to extend through an aperture 104&#39; which extends through the second leg, the string being knotted to distal end 102&#39;. In order to attach the object 4 to the trigger mechanism, the fourth portion 62&#39; and housing end 32&#39; are squeezed between the thumb and forefinger thereby compressing the spring 74&#39; and causing length 54&#39; to move in the direction of arrow 108&#39; out of the slot 40&#39;. Subsequently, the first leg 94&#39; is inserted into slot 40&#39;  and the fourth portion is released allowing the spring 74&#39; to expand under its own force causing the length 54&#39; to slide relative to bore 22&#39; in the direction of arrow 110&#39; such that length 54&#39; can be caused to extend through aperture 96&#39; of first leg 94&#39; to support the object 4. 
     The embodiments which have been described herein are but some of several which utilize this invention and are set forth here by way of illustration but not of limitation. It is apparent that many other embodiments which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art may be made without departing materially from the spirit and scope of this invention.