Abstract:
A party cannon includes a cannon body and an open-top container movably retained within the cannon body by interconnecting biasing elements. The open-top container is structured and disposed for holding candy, toys, or other items that are loosely filled therein and is held in a loaded position against the force of the one or more biasing elements. Operation of a trigger and locking mechanism releases the open-top container in a rapid forward movement towards an open muzzle end of the cannon body causing the items within the container to be launched outwards from the open muzzle end of the cannon body and through the air so that the items land scattered throughout an area of a room or outdoor ground surface. The container can be re-filled for another launch, thereby allowing for ongoing reuse of the party cannon at the same party and at future events.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a Continuation-In-Part (CIP) of co-pending patent application Ser. No. 13/654,067 filed on Oct. 17, 2012, which is based on provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/548,017 filed on Oct. 17, 2011. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field Of The Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to children&#39;s party games and, more particularly, to an apparatus that launches items, including candy and small toys, out of a main container when triggered. 
         [0004]    2. Discussion of the Related Art 
         [0005]    It is common to have a variety of activities at children&#39;s parties to provide entertainment and fun. One of the most popular activities for children at parties, particularly birthday parties, involves the well known piñata. 
         [0006]    A typical piñata includes a decorative body, generally made out of papier-mâché, filled with candy and toys that may be suspended from the ceiling and alternately struck by children with a stick until the body is broken and the candy and toys fall to the floor for children to collect. While piñata games of this nature have been a longstanding tradition in many cultures, there are drawbacks associated with typical piñatas. The manner in which the candy and toys fall to the floor produces a single pile of items for children to collect, which may result in only the more aggressive participants collecting all of the items, thereby leaving some children without any candy or toys. Furthermore, this disorganized approach can cause injury to children as they are forced to aggressively rush towards the pile and collide with other children in their desperate effort to collect as much candy and toys as possible, before they are quickly scooped up by other kids. Moreover, because piñatas are generally made out of papier-mâché, they are only suitable for one-time use. 
         [0007]    In view of the shortcomings associated with traditional piñatas, there remains a need for a candy and/or toy releasing device that is fun and safe for children, and which can be reused on multiple occasions. 
       OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Considering the foregoing, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that launches items such as candy and/or small toys outwards of a main body, in a scattered fashion, thereby allowing all participants to collect some of the launched items as the items land throughout an area of a room or yard. 
         [0009]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a reusable apparatus for parties that launches items such as candy and small toys. 
         [0010]    It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for launching candy, small toys and other items in an upward direction to create a bigger radius of distribution for children of all ages to collect the candy, small toys and/or other items. 
         [0011]    It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for launching candy, toys and other items at parties, and wherein the apparatus is instantly reusable. 
         [0012]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for launching items such as candy and small toys, and wherein the apparatus is easy to use and minimizes the chance of injury by scattering the launched items throughout an area of a room or yard and thereby avoiding a converging rush of participants into one area. 
         [0013]    It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for launching candy, toys and other items, and wherein the apparatus can be personalized for a particular person to celebrate an occasion, such as a birthday. 
         [0014]    It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for launching candy, toys and other items at a party, and wherein the apparatus allows for a game of skill and challenge (i.e., requiring participants to hit a target with a ball or other object). 
         [0015]    It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for launching candy, toys and other items, and wherein the apparatus is constructed as a stand-alone unit that can be easily transported and set up at any desired location. 
         [0016]    These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are more readily apparent with reference to the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    The present invention is directed to an apparatus for parties, and more particularly, to a party cannon that includes a cannon body and an open-top container movably retained within the cannon body by interconnecting biasing elements. The open-top container is structured and disposed for holding candy, toys, or other items that are loosely filled therein. The open-top container, generally in the form of a bucket, is held in a loaded position against the force of the one or more biasing elements (e.g., springs, elastic bands, etc.) by a trigger and locking mechanism which, when triggered, releases the open-top container in a rapid forward movement, causing the container to immediately accelerate towards an open muzzle end of the cannon body and then quickly decelerate and stop as the biasing elements reach their stretching limit, thereby launching the items within the container outwards from the open muzzle end of the cannon body and up through the air so that the items land scattered throughout an area of a room or outdoor ground surface. In a preferred embodiment, the trigger and locking mechanism is actuated (i.e., triggered) and momentarily released by hitting a target with an object, such as a ball or bean bag. After use, the container can be re-filled with more items and then pulled back into a loaded position for another launch, thereby allowing for ongoing reuse of the party cannon at the same party and at future events. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the party cannon of the present invention, in accordance with a preferred embodiment thereof; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the party cannon of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view showing a cannon housing portion of the apparatus separated from a support base; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational view, in cross-section, showing the candy holding container held back by the trigger mechanism in a fully loaded position against tension; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is an isolated top plan view, in partial cross-section, showing the candy holding container held by the trigger mechanism in a locked (i.e., loaded) position within the cannon housing; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is an isolated perspective view of the trigger mechanism and inter-linking loading arm; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a front elevational view of the trigger mechanism and inter-linking loading arm; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is an isolated perspective view of the trigger mechanism; 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a side elevational view of the candy holding container; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is a side elevational view shown in partial cross-section, illustrating movement of the candy holding container rapidly in an outward direction toward an open top of the main cannon body of the party cannon apparatus in response to actuation of the trigger mechanism and release of the candy holding container from the loaded position. 
       
    
    
       [0029]    Like reference numerals refer to like referenced parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0030]    Referring to the several views of the drawings, and initially  FIGS. 1-4 , the party cannon apparatus of the present invention is shown in accordance with a first embodiment and is generally indicated as  10 . 
         [0031]    As seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the party cannon apparatus  10  includes a main cannon body  12  that has a proximal end portion  13  and a distal end portion  14  defining a muzzle, an open end  15  at the distal face of the muzzle  14 , and an interior chamber  19  communicating with the open end  15 . The main cannon body  12  is preferably cylindrical and, in accordance with the preferred embodiment, is in the form of a cannon barrel. The cylindrical cannon body  12  is pivotally supported at opposite sides to a support base  20 . In particular, axles (i.e., trunnions)  17  extend from cannon mounts  16  on opposite sides of the cannon body  12 . The axles  17  are adapted to be received within cannon mount slots  22  and down into notches  24  on opposite sides of the base  20 . Adjustment holes  26  on the pivot cannon support portion of the base  20  are adapted for selecting receipt of a spring loaded locking pin  27  on the cannon mounts  16  to hold the cannon body at a desired adjusted angle. This allows for adjusted fixed positioning of the main cannon body  12  at adjusted angular positions relative to the base  20  according to the desired distance of coverage of the launched items. Once moved to the desired position, the locking pins  27  are inserted (i.e., released) into the aligned one of the adjustment holes  26  in order to fix the main cannon body  12  in the desired adjusted position, relative to the base  20 , so that the open end  15  of the main cannon body is directed at the desired angle for launching candy and/or toys or other objects, as described hereinafter. The base  20  may include a removable display panel or dry erase board that allows for placement of customized messages for a party; for example, “Happy Birthday Mary.” 
         [0032]    The candy, small toys and/or other items to be launched from the party cannon apparatus  10  are initially placed within a container or basket  30  having an open top  32  and a hook mechanism  34  on a bottom. In a preferred embodiment, the hook mechanism is provided on a short stub or post  35  extending from the bottom of the basket. The basket  30  is secured to the main cannon body  12 , within the interior chamber  19 . Specifically, the basket is attached to the cannon body  12  with the use of a plurality of elastic bands or cords  36 . In a preferred embodiment, the elastic cords  36  attach to the sides of the basket and also to the main cannon body  12 , within the interior chamber  19 , close to the open end  15  of the muzzle  14 . The basket  30  is movable within the firing chamber of the main cannon body  12  against the biasing force of the elastic cords  36 . 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIGS. 4-7 , a trigger and locking assembly  40  is supported within the rear portion of the interior chamber  19  of the main cannon body  12 . The trigger and locking assembly  40  is specifically structured for holding the basket  30  in a loaded position for launching, against the biasing force of the elastic bands or cords  36 , and for subsequently releasing the basket so that the biasing force of the elastic cords  36  moves the basket  30  in a rapid forward movement to the open end  15  of the main cannon body  12 . In one embodiment, the basket  30  exits the open end  15  of the cannon body, when released by the trigger and locking assembly, and quickly decelerates to a stopping point as the elastic cords  36  reach their stretching limit, whereby the candy, toys and/or other items are released from the open top  32  of the basket  30  and are launched through the air and scattered throughout an area of a room or outdoor ground surface. 
         [0034]    The trigger and locking assembly  40  includes a retainer mechanism  50  that is specifically structured and disposed for releasably grasping the hook mechanism  34  on the bottom of the basket  30 . The retainer mechanism  50  includes a hook guide  52  that surrounds an opening  54  for receipt of the post  35  on the bottom of the basket  30 . A movable jaw  56  opposes the hook guide  52  and includes travel slots  57  that receive corresponding jaw guides  58  therein for guiding movement of the jaw  56  in relation to the hook guide  52  and opening  54 . The jaw  56  is normally urged to a closed position, towards the hook guide  52 , by springs, elastic bands or other biasing members  59 . When urged to the normally closed position, the jaw  56  engages the hook mechanism  34  on the basket  30  to hold the hook mechanism and basket within the grasp of the retainer mechanism  50 . Movement of the jaw  56  away from the hook guide  52  to a release position allows for removal of the post  35  and hook mechanism  34  of the basket from within the grasp of the retainer mechanism. 
         [0035]    The retainer mechanism  50  further includes radiating arm members  60  with wheels  62  on the distal ends of the arm members  60  for rolling engagement with an inner wall surface  64  of the cannon body interior chamber  19 . The radiating arm members  60  and wheels  62  help guide linear travel of the trigger and locking assembly  40  within the interior chamber  19 , while discouraging jamming of the trigger and locking assembly  40  as it travels through the interior chamber  19 . 
         [0036]    The trigger and locking assembly  40  further includes a lever mechanism  70  that includes an arrangement of interlinking lever segments  71 ,  72 ,  73 ,  74  and a lever arm  76  with a handle  78  on the end of the lever arm  76 . As seen in  FIGS. 1-4 , the lever arm  76  and interlinking lever segments  71 - 74  are pivotally attached and linked to the retainer mechanism  50 . The lever arm  76  extends from the retainer mechanism  50  and out through an open slot  80  on the top of the cannon body  12  so that the handle  78  on the end of the lever arm  76  is maintained on the exterior of the cannon body  12 . The lever arm  76  is movable between a loading position  82 , at a first end of the longitudinal slot  80  and a plurality of firing positions  83 ,  84 ,  85 . The loading position  82  and plurality of firing positions  83 - 85  are defined by notches along the longitudinal slot  80  for releasably holding the lever arm  76 . Movement of the lever arm  76  along the longitudinal slot  80  between the loading position  82  and the plurality of firing positions  83 - 85 , by grasping the handle  78 , serves to move the retainer mechanism  50  longitudinally along the interior chamber of the cannon body. Use of the interlinking lever segments  71 - 74  provides mechanical leverage to make it easier for the user to move the lever arm  76  and retainer mechanism  50 . By moving the lever arm  76  to the loading position  82 , the retainer mechanism  50  is moved closer to the open end  15  of the muzzle  14 . This allows the post  35  and hook mechanism  34  to be pushed into the opening  54  surrounded by the hook guide  52  on the retainer mechanism  50 , as the jaw  56  is urged outwardly against the force of the biasing members  36  until the hook mechanism  34  is received within the opening  54 , whereupon the jaw  56  is urged to the closed position to engage the hook mechanism  34 , thereby attaching the basket  30  to the retainer mechanism  50 . The basket  30  can then be pulled back through the interior chamber  19  of the cannon body  12 , using the handle  78  and lever arm  76 . Pulling the basket  30  back towards a rear portion of the interior chamber  19  serves to place tension on the elastic cords  36  connecting the basket  30  to the cannon body  12 , as the cords  36  are stretched from a normally relaxed state. Moving the lever arm  76  to the first firing position  83  along the longitudinal slot  80  places sufficient tension on the elastic cords  36  to propel the basket  30  forward, upon release, to launch items within the basket  30  throughout a short distance. Movement of the lever arm  76  to the second firing position  84  places even greater tension on the elastic cords to increase the launch distance. Finally, moving the lever arm to the third firing position  85  along the longitudinal slot  80  places maximum tension on the elastic cords  36  to achieve the greatest distance of launch of the items contained within the basket  30  upon triggering the trigger and locking assembly  40 . 
         [0037]    A trigger arm  90  is movably supported on the base  20  and is movable between a cocked position and a firing position. A distal end  91  of the trigger arm, spaced away from the cannon body  12 , has a target  92  attached thereto. Application of a force to the target  92 , by hitting the target  92  with a ball, beanbag or other object, or simply pushing the target  92  with one&#39;s hand, serves to move the trigger arm  90  from the cocked position to the firing position. A Bowden cable  94 , of the type commonly used for break cables on a bicycle, connects between the trigger arm  90  and the jaw  56  on the retainer mechanism  50 . The sleeve of the Bowden cable  94  is held by a cable support  96  on the retainer mechanism  50  and the inner cable of the Bowden cable is attached to a cable receiver  98  on the jaw  56 . When the trigger arm  90  is in the cocked position, minimal tension is placed on the Bowden cable  94  so that the jaw  56  is maintained in the closed, locked position. Upon movement of the trigger arm  90  to the firing position, increased tension is placed on the inner cable of the Bowden cable, causing the inner cable to pull the jaw  56  open, away from the hook guide  52 , and against the force of the springs or other biasing members  59 , thereby allowing release of the basket  30  from within the grasp of the retainer mechanism  50 . 
         [0038]    In use, the user first must decide how far they want to launch the candy and/or other items that are discharged from the party cannon upon triggering the trigger and locking assembly  40 . The user then can adjust the angle of the cannon body  12  to any one of a plurality of adjusted positions by removing the pins  27  received through the cannon support portion of the base  20  and pivoting the cannon body  12  on the axles  17  that rest within the notches of the cannon mount slot  22 . When at the desired position, the pins  27  are replaced by inserting the pins  27  through the aligned holes on the base. The basket  30  can then be loaded with candy and/or other items by moving the basket forward within the interior chamber  19  towards the open muzzle end  15 . This is done by moving the lever arm  76  along the longitudinal slot  80  to the loading position  82 . The basket  30  can then be engaged within the grasp of the retainer mechanism  50  and loaded with candy and/or other items. The lever arm  76  is then pulled back along the longitudinal slot  80  on the top of the cannon body  12  until it reaches the several firing positions  83 - 85 . Depending on the distance of the desired launch of the candy and other items, the user then secures the lever arm in any one of the three adjusted firing positions  83 ,  84  or  85 , with the first firing position  83  achieving the shortest launch distance and the third firing position  85  achieving the furthest launch distance. The cannon  10  is then activated by hitting the target  92  with a ball, beanbag or similar object. Alternatively, the target  92  can be moved to the firing position with the use of one&#39;s hand. As the target  92  moves to the firing position, the inner cable of the Bowden cable  94  pulls the jaw  56  open to release the basket  30  from the grasp of the retainer mechanism  50 . The basket  30  is then propelled forward, in a rapid motion through the interior chamber  19  of the cannon body  12  and out through the open muzzle mouth  15  of the cannon by the force of the elastic cords  36 , as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . As the elastic cords  36  reach their stretching limit, the basket  30  quickly decelerates and comes to a stop as the candy and/or other items are thrown from the basket and launched in a scattered array through the air and onto the ground surface. The party cannon  10  can then be used for a subsequent launch by simply moving the lever arm  76  back to the loading position  82 , setting the hook mechanism  34  and post  35  within the grasp of the retainer mechanism  50  and then repeating the steps as set forth above. 
         [0039]    While the present invention has been shown and described in accordance with a preferred and practical embodiment, it is recognized that departures from the instant disclosure are fully contemplated within the spirit and scope of the present invention which is not to be limited, except as defined in the following claims as interpreted under the Doctrine of Equivalents.