Abstract:
A toy projectile launching device. The device preferably includes a handle, barrel, muzzle, trigger, cocking shaft, and cocking handle. The device uses a spring loaded shaft in order to launch an orb. In addition, the launching mechanism of the device imparts rotation upon the orb, which stabilizes the orb in flight—thereby achieving an increase in sustained velocity and an increase in the distance traveled.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to the field of toy projectile launching devices. More specifically, the present invention comprises a projectile launcher which launches a spin-stabilized orb. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Toy projectile launchers are commonly used by children for target practice and for war-type games. Projectile launchers come in many forms, such as slingshots, bows, gun-type devices, and a multitude of other devices. Of course, each of those devices typically uses a different type of projectile. For example, a bow uses an arrow as a projectile and a slingshot launches a small round pellet, rock, or water balloon. 
     In addition, particular launchers are designed to launch different projectiles. As an example, the reader will realize that gun-type projectile launchers are often used to launch a variety of projectiles, including bullets, spherical pellets, cylindrical pellets, and many others. Oftentimes, the type of projectile to be launched decides the mechanism incorporated in the toy launcher. For example, a designer may not employ the same launching mechanism for a flat disk as he or she would for spherical projectile. 
     Toy projectile launchers currently exist in the art. An example of a projectile launcher is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,059,089 to Lehman (1977). The Lehman device launches projectiles using a trigger and plunger setup. A similar approach is taken in U.S. Pat. No. 8,336,531 to Fan et al. (2012). In other cases, a device that sprays water may be used as a children&#39;s toy. 
     Oftentimes, the projectile to be launched is fabricated out of a rigid material-such as plastic or wood. A hard projectile material generally assists with the transfer of momentum from the launcher to the projectile, allowing a higher velocity. However, there are obvious safety concerns when dealing with a hard projectile. Thus, toy manufacturers have limitations on the velocity that may be imparted to a hard projectile. 
     On the other hand, a manufacturer may increase the velocity of a projectile if it is fabricated from a soft and flexible material. Unfortunately, it is typically more difficult to impart a high velocity upon a flexible projectile than it is on a rigid projectile. The deformation of the projectile as the launching mechanism contacts the projectile reduces the momentum transferred to the projectile, thereby reducing the velocity. It is also difficult to stabilize the flight path of a soft projectile. The deformation introduced by the momentum-transferring mechanism tends to remain as the projectile leaves the launcher. This deformation often causes the projectile to tumble in flight. Thus, what is needed is a projectile launcher that (1) limits the reduction of momentum when launching a flexible projectile and, (2) produces a stable flight path for the flexible projectile. The present invention solves this and other problems, as will be described more particularly in the following text. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention comprises a toy projectile launching device. The device preferably includes a handle, barrel, muzzle, trigger, cocking shaft, and cocking handle. The device uses a spring loaded shaft in order to launch an orb. In addition, the launching mechanism of the device imparts rotation upon the orb, which stabilizes the orb in flight—thereby achieving an increase in sustained velocity and an increase in the distance traveled. The novel method of launching the orb imparts rotation on a flexible orb, which can be difficult. In addition, this method of launching allows the orb to reach a high velocity despite the flexible nature of the orb material. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the orb launching device can be cocked and left in the cocked position until the user is ready to fire the device. This is preferably done using a trigger system. In other embodiments the orbs are launched by simply pulling the cocking handle back and releasing it in one continuous sequence. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view, showing a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view, showing some of the components of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2B  is a perspective view, showing the core in more detail. 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view, showing the present invention in an un-cocked state. 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view, showing the present invention as it is being cocked. 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view, showing the present invention as a user begins to cock the orb launching device. 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view, showing the present invention as a user continues to cock the orb launching device. 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view, showing the instant when the firing tab enters the helical groove in the core. 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional view, showing the orb launching device in a fully cocked state. 
         FIG. 9  is perspective view, showing an alternate embodiment of the core. 
         FIG. 10  is an elevation view, showing an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS 
     
         
         
           
               10  orb launching device 
               12  launcher handle 
               14  chassis 
               16  muzzle 
               18  trigger 
               19  trigger pivot 
               20  cocking shaft 
               22  cocking handle 
               24  resistance grip 
               26  core 
               28  orb 
               30  central bore of core 
               32  orb retention rib 
               34  loading surface 
               36  helical cut 
               37  helical rib 
               38  central bore of orb 
               39  helical cut extreme 
               40  cocking shaft screw 
               42  retention surface 
               44  cocking spring 
               46  spring anchor 
               48  firing tab 
               50  trigger plunger 
               52  trigger catch 
               54  trigger plunger spring 
               56  catch plunger 
               58  catch spring 
               60  vertical wall 
               61  angled wall 
               62  main core body 
               64  orb holder 
               66  launching shaft 
               68  cocking knob 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a projectile launching device for use in target practice and other games played using a device which launches soft projectiles.  FIG. 1  shows a preferred embodiment. Preferably, orb launching device  10  includes launcher handle  12 , chassis  14 , muzzle  16 , trigger  18 , cocking shaft  20 , and cocking handle  22 . Cocking shaft  20  is configured to slide in and out of chassis  14 . In addition, orb launching device  10  includes resistance grip  24 . Resistance grip  24  preferably allows the user to maintain a sufficient grip while pulling cocking handle  22  back in order to cock orb launching device  10 . The reader will note that resistance grip  24  is shown as a multi-finger grip, but should not be limited to this. Resistance grip  24  could just as easily be a handle or other type of grip similar to launcher handle  12  or like that on a rifle. 
       FIG. 2  shows orb launching device  10  partially exploded in order to show details of the firing mechanism of orb launching device  10  proximate muzzle  16 . The projectile in this particular embodiment is orb  28 . Core  26  holds orb  28  prior to firing orb  28 . Orb  28  is a solid object defined by a profile revolved about a longitudinal axis of symmetry (a “solid of revolution”). It is preferably made of a pliable material having enough mass so that its momentum will retain reasonable velocity in flight. The orb includes a central bore  38  that is centered on the longitudinal axis. 
     Preferably, core  26  includes central bore  30 , orb retention ribs  32 , loading surface  34 , and helical cut  36 .  FIG. 2B  shows core  26  in more detail. The reader will observe how helical cut  36  wraps around the perimeter of the core. Helical rib  37  segregates adjacent portions of helical cut  36 . In this embodiment, multiple helical cuts and multiple helical grooves are included. 
     Returning now to  FIG. 2 , orb  28  is loaded onto core  26  by pressing the aft portion of orb  28  against loading surface  34  on core  26 . In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, orb  28  is fabricated using foam or another flexible material. Thus, orb retention ribs  32  preferably have an effective diameter that is slightly greater than the diameter of the central bore  38  of orb  28 . This allows the user to load orb  28  while carrying around orb launching device  10  without fear of orb  28  disengaging from core  26 . The reader will note that orb retention ribs  32  include fillets on the loading end such that orb  28  easily fits onto core  26 . 
     Another advantage to orb  28  being fabricated from a flexible material is that orb launching device  10  can fire orb  28  at a high speed with little fear of injuring someone/thing nearby. The present invention allows for a high-speed yet soft projectile. 
     Preferably, the central bore  30  of core  26  is axially aligned with cocking shaft  20 . Preferably, the diameter of central bore  30  of core  26  is slightly larger than the outer diameter of cocking shaft  20  such that core  26  is capable of translating axially along cocking shaft  20 . The diameters of central bore  30  of core  26  and cocking shaft  20  are such that core  26  can rotate as well as translate on that axis. The importance of this will become apparent in the following text. 
     Cocking shaft screw  40  is affixed to cocking shaft  20 . Those familiar with the art will realize that shaft screw  40  can be attached to cocking shaft  20  using multiple techniques. Some examples of how the two can be affixed are that shaft screw  40  can be externally threaded while cocking shaft  20  is internally threaded, shaft screw  40  and cocking shaft  20  can be a snap-type attachment, or shaft screw  40  can be affixed to shaft  20  using epoxy or another adhesive (The use of the word “screw” to name this component should not be viewed as limiting the feature to threaded devices). Although it is not visible in  FIG. 2 , central bore  30  includes an additional surface which is large enough to catch cocking shaft screw  40 , thereby preventing core  26  from disengaging from shaft  20  (although core  26  is free to rotate around shaft  20 ). In addition, as the user pulls cocking shaft  20  back, cocking shaft screw  40  engages this surface within central bore  30 , thereby pulling core  26  back as well. This will be discussed further in the following text. 
       FIG. 3  shows a sectional view of orb launching device  10  in an “un-cocked” state. In this state, orb  28  is not capable of being fired (until a user cocks the device). The reader will note that this is the result of two factors—(1) cocking shaft  20  is not pulled back and (2) trigger  18  is in a depressed state. As discussed in the preceding text, cocking shaft screw  40  is attached to cocking shaft  20 . The reader will note that cocking shaft screw  40  does not fit flush over shaft  20  but instead extends outward from the perimeter of cocking shaft  20 . 
     As discussed previously, central bore  30  of core  26  includes retention surface  42  (an annular flange). The overlapping portion of screw  40  is separated from retention surface  42  in the configuration of  FIG. 3 . However, when a user grasps cocking shaft  20  and pulls it toward the cocking position (toward the right in the orientation of  FIG. 3 ), the overlapping portion of screw  40  bears against retention surface  42  and pulls core  26  along with the cocking shaft. 
     Preferably, cocking spring  44  fits over cocking shaft  20  in such a way that it is capable of translation/compression, but with as little play as possible. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, one end of cocking spring  44  is embedded within core  26 , thereby allowing torsional stress to be applied to cocking spring  44  as core  26  is rotated. Of course, the other end of spring  44  must also be fixed in order to build a torsional force within cocking spring  44 . This is achieved using spring anchor  46 , which is fixedly attached to chassis  14  (either directly or indirectly). Spring anchor  46  includes helical grooves and a stop that prevent cocking spring  44  from rotating past a certain point within spring anchor  46 , thereby building torsional tension as spring  44  is rotated. Although spring anchor  46  is illustrated as a separate part in this embodiment, spring anchor  46  may be integral to the chassis of the orb launcher  10 . Still looking at  FIG. 3 , those skilled in the art will realize that as a user urges cocking shaft  20  to the right, core  26  and the attached orb  28  are also moved to the right. At the same time, cocking spring  44  is compressed linearly. This is discussed further in the subsequent text. 
       FIGS. 4-8  show the cocking sequence used in a preferred embodiment of the launcher. The mechanism employed both compresses and twists spring  44 . This dual motion is significant. When the compressed and twisted spring is released (such as by pulling the launcher&#39;s trigger), core  26  is both accelerated linearly and rotationally. It thereby propels the orb forward and also spins the orb so that when the orb is propelled free of the launcher it is spin-stabilized in flight. 
     The mechanisms that are used in this particular embodiment to both compress and twist spring  44  will now be described in detail. The reader should bear in mind that many other mechanisms could be employed to achieve these objectives.  FIG. 4  shows orb launching device  10  as the user first pulls back on cocking handle  22 . As illustrated, cocking shaft screw  40  is engaged with retention surface  42 , which has caused core  26  to travel back as well. In addition, cocking spring  44  has begun to compress. The reader will note that up to this point there is no significant torsional stress on cocking spring  44  (pure compression does introduce a small amount of torsional stress in a coil spring). 
     In  FIG. 5 , the user has continued to pull rearward on cocking handle  22 . The reader will note that trigger  18  pivots about trigger pivot  19 . Preferably, core  26  does not interact with firing tab  48  while the device is being cocked. In the event that firing tab  48  does interact with the core, it does so in the following manner. The firing tab has an angled forward-facing surface and a vertical rearward facing surface. In the position shown in  FIG. 5 , the aft extreme of core  26  (a flat, annular surface) has ridden over angled wall  61  (the forward-facing wall) of firing tab  48 . In  FIG. 6 , helical rib  37  has just come to rest against the angled forward-facing wall  61  of firing tab  48  in this instantaneous snapshot. 
     Trigger  18  and firing tab  48  are preferably held in place while orb launching device  10  is being moved to the completely cocked position. This is achieved using trigger plunger  50  and trigger catch  52 . Trigger plunger  50  is loaded using trigger plunger spring  54 . Trigger plunger spring  54  preferably maintains a constant force on trigger plunger  50 , which urges trigger  18  forward and urges firing tab  48  upward. However, trigger catch  52  prevents trigger  18  from rotating about trigger pivot  19  (The reader will note that a protrusion on the forward facing portion of trigger catch  52  engages a notch on a rear surface of trigger  18 ). Trigger catch  52  is urged forward and into engagement with the trigger by catch spring  58 . The trigger catch assembly keeps trigger  18  in the position shown until trigger catch  52  is forced backwards by core  26  (as the launcher is fully cocked). 
     Preferably, as the user continues to pull rearward on cocking handle  22  in  FIG. 6 , helical rib  37  does not interact with the forward-facing angled wall  61  of firing tab  48 . However, in some embodiments, or in the event that trigger  18  or firing tab  48  are misaligned, helical rib  37  slides along the forward-facing angled wall  61  of firing tab  48  without hindering the axial motion of core  26 . 
     Finally cocking handle  22  is pulled rearward until the aft end of core  26  contacts the forward end of trigger catch  52  and pushes it rearward. This is shown in  FIG. 7 . As this occurs trigger catch  52  moves out of engagement with trigger  18  and trigger  18  pivots clockwise (in the orientation of  FIG. 7 ) so that firing tab  48  moved upward and into full engagement with the helical ribs and helical groove of core  26 . Vertical wall  60  (rearward-facing) of firing tab  48  bears against the helical rib on the core. 
     At this point, the user releases cocking handle  22 .  FIG. 8  illustrates the configuration of orb launching device  10  the moment after the user has released cocking handle  22 . The reader will note that in  FIG. 7 , vertical wall  60  is resting against helical rib  37  in a manner that is unstable. Cocking spring  44  is urging core  26  to the left (in  FIG. 7 ). Thus, once cocking handle  22  is released vertical wall  60  on firing tab  48  translates along helical rib  37  within helical cut  36 . This translation occurs until firing tab  48  reaches helical cut extreme  39  (shown in  FIG. 2B ). As firing tab  48  translates within helical cut  36 , core  26  rotates axially over cocking shaft  20 . Because both ends of cocking spring  44  are prevented from rotating, this rotation creates a torsional stress on cocking spring  44  in addition to the compressive stress. 
     The reader will also note that cocking shaft  20 , cocking handle  22 , cocking shaft screw  40  have returned to the unloaded state in  FIG. 8 . Once the user releases cocking handle  22 , cocking shaft  20  returns to the state shown in  FIG. 3 . Those familiar with the art will note that this can be done using many different techniques. In a preferred embodiment, cocking shaft  20  is spring loaded or elastically pulled back to the position shown in  FIG. 3  after every cocking of orb launcher  10 . 
     The launcher is at this point cocked and ready to fire. The reader will recall that cocking spring  44  has been both compressed and twisted at this point. It is held on both ends so that it cannot untwist. One end is secured in a rotation-limiting way to the chassis, while the opposite end is secured in a rotation-limiting way to core  26 . In addition, core  26  is unable to twist or move forward because it is held in place by firing tab  48 . 
     In order to fire the launcher, the user pulls trigger  18 . Trigger  18  then pivots in an anti-clockwise direction (in the orientation of  FIG. 8 )—thereby pulling firing tab  48  free of the helical groove in the core. Cocking spring  44  then thrusts core  26  and orb  28  forward. At the same time—because of the torsion imparted to spring  44 —core  26  and orb  28  are also accelerated rotationally. 
     Those familiar with the art will realize that when a user is playing a war-type game whereby players fire orbs  28  at each other, the pre-cocked state gives the user an advantage, allowing him or her to fire orb launching device immediately. 
     The rotation of core  26  imparts rotation upon orb  28 . Rotation of orb  28  increases the likelihood that orb  28  will remain traveling along the major axis of orb  28 , which is the orientation with the least amount of drag. As orb  28  travels, the velocity and distance are maximized as it travels along the major axis. By rotating core  26  while cocking orb launching device  10 , the trigger assembly is simplified. Firing tab  48  is only required to release core  26  because the required rotation is already imparted upon core  26 . Once the user pulls trigger  18 , orb launching device  10  returns to the state shown in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 9  shows an alternate embodiment of core  26 . This particular embodiment imparts rotation upon orb  28  without out the need to “wind up” core  26 . In other words, this particular embodiment of core  26  does not require a torsional stress to be imparted upon cocking spring  44 . Preferably, main core body  62  is connected to spring  44  and cocking shaft  20 . Orb holder  64  begins pressed against main core body  62 , such that threaded shaft  66  is not visible. Once main core body  62  reaches the end of cocking shaft  20 , main core body  62  stops. However, the momentum coupled with thread shaft  66  cause orb holder  64  to rotate and continue to travel axially, thereby imparting rotation upon orb  28 . 
     In addition to the orb launching device  10  shown in  FIGS. 1-8 , the core  26  shown in  FIG. 9  can be used with a pneumatic embodiment of orb launcher  10 . This version would allow the user to use similar cocking and firing method as the preferred embodiment, but using a chamber of air. This burst of air would force main core body  62  to muzzle  16 . Then, when core  26  stops orb holder  64  will rotate and release orb  28 . 
       FIG. 10  shows an alternate embodiment of orb launching device  10 . The reader will note that this is a simplified version of the present invention. Preferably, orb launching device  10  includes handle  12 , barrel  14 , cocking shaft  20 , cocking handle  22 , launching shaft  66 , cocking spring  44 , core  26 , and spring anchor  46 . Preferably, cocking shaft  20  translates within a channel located within barrel  14  which allows cocking shaft  20  to travel linearly along the firing axis. 
     The firing mechanism for this particular embodiment is very similar to that seen in  FIGS. 1-8 . The user pulls back on cocking handle  22 , which traverses cocking shaft  20  backwards through the channel in barrel  14 . As this occurs cocking knob  68  rotates core  26  as knob  68  pulls core  26  back. As before, cocking spring  44  is embedded into core  26 , thereby preventing rotation of cocking spring  44  in conjunction with spring anchor  46 . The reader will note that this embodiment of orb launcher  10  does not include a trigger system. Thus, a different launching mechanism must be employed. In order to launch orb  28 , the channel in barrel  14  ramps downward towards the handle  12  of orb launching device  10 . Once cocking handle  22  reaches the ramp in the channel, cocking knob  68  is forced downward. This disengages cocking knob  68  from core  26 , thereby launching orb  28 . Of course, there are advantages and disadvantages to each embodiment-simplicity on one side and convenience/ease of use on the other. The embodiment of  FIG. 10  may also include some additional housing components and covers to avoid the users&#39; from placing hands and/or fingers into the firing mechanism. In addition, cocking shaft  20  would be well suited to fit into a channel that connects to handle  12 . 
     The preceding description contains significant detail regarding novel aspects of the present invention. It should not be construed, however, as limiting the scope of the invention but rather as providing illustrations of the preferred embodiments of the invention. Thus, the scope of the invention should be fixed to the following claims, rather than specific examples given.