Abstract:
A projectile launching device, which preferably includes a main body, a handle, a plunger, a plunger handle, and a projectile chamber. The plunger handle is connected to the plunger and preferably located proximate the rear of the main body. The invention is fabricated in such a way that allows the user to grasp the handle, pull the plunger handle towards them, and launch a projectile away from them. Preferably, the projectiles launched are spherical. In addition, the handle is preferably hollow In order to act as spare projectile storage. Preferably, the projectile is launched using a burst of air. The burst of air is created when the-user pulls back on the plunger handle and releases it.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to the field of toys. More specifically, the present invention comprises a toy projectile launcher which can launch a projectile using multiple methods. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    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 loose devices typically uses &amp; 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. 
         [0005]    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. 
         [0006]    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 is used, with an emphasis on younger children by lubricating a device that resembles an animal. This is shown in U.S. Pat. No. D621,451 to Wong, which resembles a shark. 
         [0007]    All these devices provide either a projectile launching device or a gun-type toy which resembles an animal. However, they fail to provide a projectile launching gun-type toy which incorporates the novel launching mechanism used in the present invention. The present invention solves this and other problems, as will be described more particularly in the following text. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention comprises a projectile launching device. The device preferably includes a main body, a handle, a plunger, a plunger handle, and a projectile chamber. The plunger handle is connected to the plunger and preferably located proximate the rear of the main body. Preferably, the projectile chamber is located on the opposite end of the plunger handle, thereby allowing the user to grasp the handle, pull the plunger handle towards them., and launch a projectile away from them. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method of launching a projectile is as follows. First, the user loads a projectile into the projectile chamber. The user grasps the handle and pulls the plunger handle back. Next, the user locks the plunger and plunger handle in place using a locking mechanism, thereby maintaining the projectile launcher in a “cocked” state. When the user is ready to launch a projectile, he or she simply slaps the plunger handle in order to release the plunger and launch the projectile. 
         [0009]    In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the projectiles launched are spherical. In addition, the handle is preferably hollow in order to act as spare projectile storage. Preferably, the projectile is launched using a burst of air. The burst of air is created when the user pulls back on the plunger handle and releases it. As the user pulls on the plunger handle, a compression spring is compressed. Upon releasing the plunger handle a burst of air is created, which exits through a nozzle within the projectile chamber, thereby forcing the projectile from the projectile holder. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view, showing a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is an elevation view, showing the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view, showing the projectile storage receptacle. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is an elevation view., showing the rear of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is an elevation view, showing the present invention in a pre-launching state. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is an elevation view, showing the present invention the instant before a projectile is launched. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is an elevation view, showing the present invention the instant after a projectile is launched. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a sectional view, showing the lining mechanism of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a sectional view, showing the effect of cocking the present invention within the firing mechanism. 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is an elevation view, showing a preferred firing method of the projectile launcher. 
       
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS 
       [0020]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 10 
                 projectile launcher 
                 12 
                 projectile launcher main body 
               
               
                 14 
                 projectile launcher handle 
                 16 
                 plunger end grip 
               
               
                 18 
                 projectile chamber 
                 20 
                 spare projectile receptacle cap 
               
               
                 22 
                 nozzle 
                 24 
                 press snap 
               
               
                 26 
                 receptacle cap hinge 
                 28 
                 projectile 
               
               
                 30 
                 bend 
                 32 
                 firing assembly 
               
               
                 34 
                 plunger 
                 36 
                 compression spring 
               
               
                 38 
                 plunger chamber 
                 40 
                 plunger plate 
               
               
                 42 
                 impact surface 
                 44 
                 plunger lock 
               
               
                 46 
                 lock tab 
                 48 
                 opening 
               
               
                 50 
                 hand of user 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    The present invention provides a toy projectile launcher for use in target practice and other games played using a device which launches projectiles.  FIG. 1  shows a preferred embodiment. Projectile launcher  10  includes main body  12 , handle  14 , plunger end grip  16 , and projectile chamber  18 . The reader will note that in this particular embodiment, main body  12  is in the shape of a beaver. Accordingly, this embodiment incorporates plunger end grip  16  into the tail of the beaver and projectile chamber  18  into the mouth of the beaver. Although projectile launcher  10  is shown in the shape of a beaver, projectile launcher  10  can take many other forms. For example, projectile launcher  10  may take the form of an alligator, whale, shark, or any other animal. In addition, projectile launcher  10  may take a form other than an animal, such as that of futuristic space gun or any other similarly shaped gun. 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  shows a front elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment of the invention, chamber  18  includes nozzle  22 . Preferably, the air exiling nozzle  22  creates enough force such that a projectile  28  (not shown in this view) is forced from chamber  18  when the user fires projectile launcher  10 . The components of this are discussed further in the subsequent text. 
         [0023]    In this embodiment, handle  14  is preferably hollow, which allows the user to store spare projectiles  28  (hidden in the current view) within handle  14 . Thus, handle  14  acts as a receptacle to hold projectiles  28 . Preferably, handle  14  includes spare projectile receptacle cap  20 , Receptacle cap  20  preferably includes press snap  24  and hinge  26  (not visible in the current view), which allows a user to quickly and easily remove receptacle cap  20  in order to remove projectiles from handle  14 . This is illustrated more clearly in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 3  shows the underside of projectile launcher  10 . The reader will note that spare projectile receptacle cap  20  is in an open state. This illustrates the storage space available, which allows the user to store spare projectiles  28  within handle  14 . Preferably, hinge  26  and press snap  24  allow the user to quickly remove projectiles from handle  14 . Those familiar with the art will realize that while a snap and hinge configuration is shown, other methods of attaching (opening and closing) receptacle cap  20  to handle  14  are possible. One example of such a system is one in which receptacle cap  20  is press fit Into the hollow portion of handle  14 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 4  shows a rear elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, This view shows plunger end grip  16  centrally located relative to main body  12 . Those familiar with the art will realize that plunger end grip  16  is aligned with nozzle  22  in order to launch a projectile. This will be clearly illustrated and discussed in the following text. Receptacle cap  20  is shown in a closed state in this view. The reader will note the streamlined appearance of receptacle cap hinge  2  and receptacle cap  20  when receptacle cap  20  is in the closed position. 
         [0025]      FIG. 5  shows projectile launcher  10  prior to firing of projectile  28 . As illustrated, projectile  28  is held within projectile chamber  18 . In this embodiment; the diameter of projectile  28  is slightly larger than the diameter of projectile chamber  18 . However, due to the flexible nature of the material of chamber  18 , the user can force projectile  28  into chamber  18 . This relationship holds projectile  28  within chamber  18 , as illustrated. In a preferred embodiment, projectile  28  fits into chamber  18  such that it will not be dislodged due to gravity or simply shaking the device. However, projectile  28  is easily dislodged when a burst of air forces projectile  28  from chamber  18 . Once the projectile  28  is loaded into chamber  18 , the user grips plunger end grip  16 .  FIG. 6  shows projectile launcher  10  as the user pulls back plunger end grip  16  in the direction, indicated by the arrow, Once plunger end grip  16  is pulled back to the launching position, as illustrated, the user has two options. First, he or she can simply release plunger end grip  16 , thereby launching projectile  28 —the mechanics of which are discussed in the subsequent text. Second, the user may lilt up on plunger end grip  16 . This motion would lock plunger end grip  16  in place until the user is prepared to launch projectile  28  —the mechanics of this are also discussed in the following text. 
         [0026]      FIG. 7  shows projectile launcher  10  once end grip  16  has been released (either by simply releasing end grip  16  or by slapping end grip  16 ). As illustrated, upon releasing end grip  16 , projectile  28  has exited chamber  18 . The reader will note that plunger end grip  16  may have been released in two ways—as discussed briefly in the preceding text. First, if the user was still holding end grip  16 , then he or she may launch projectile  28  by simply releasing end grip  16 . Second, if the user had locked end grip  16 , then he or she could slap, flip, flick, or hit end grip  16  (downward in the current view) in order to unlock the grip  16 . This method of tiring projectile launcher  10  is discussed further in the subsequent text. As illustrated, end grip  16  has returned to the original position, which is also shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 8  shows a sectional view of projectile launcher  10 . The reader will note that (1) the head of the beaver is missing and (2) projectile launcher  10  is in a pre/post launching state (the states look identical using a snapshot). As discussed in the preceding text, handle id preferably includes press snap  24  and hinge  26 . Those familiar with the art will realize that bend  30  allows flexibility in press snap  24 , which allows the user to change the effective width of press snap  24 . With a smaller width, press snap  24  fits through receiver  32  and pivotally rotates on hinge  26 . As discussed in the previous text, this is a common method of opening a hatch, and thus should not be construed as limiting the present invention. 
         [0028]    In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, projectile launcher  10  Includes firing assembly  32 . Firing assembly  32  comprises the working parts of projectile launcher  10  which are hidden by main body  12  (visible here due to the sectional view) and allow projectile launcher  10  to fire a projectile. Preferably, firing assembly  32  includes plunger  34 . compression spring  36 , plunger chamber  38 , plunger end grip  16 , plunger plate  40 , impact surface  42 , plunger lock  44 , lock tab  46 , and nozzle  22 . As illustrated, a large portion of plunger  34  is within plunger chamber  38 . Of course, this configuration is during the “relaxed” state of firing assembly  32 . Preferably, compression spring  36  is coiled around plunger  34 . In a preferred embodiment of the invention, plunger end grip  16  is capable of translating within opening  48 . This action is caused by the user pulling end grip  16  and releasing it. 
         [0029]      FIG. 9  shows a sectional view of projectile launcher  10 . As in  FIG. 8 , some pasts have been removed from the view for clarity purposes—specifically the head of the beaver and projectile chamber  18 . In this view, plunger end grip  16  has been pulled back in order to lock plunger  34  in place. In order to lock plunger  34  in place, plunger end grip  16  is pulled to the rear (to the right in the current view). Once lock tab  46  has traveled past opening  48 , the user can lift end grip  16  upward, thereby allowing him or her to rest lock tab  46  against plunger lock  44 . With lock tab  46  interlocked with plunger lock  44 , the user can release plunger grip  16  without launching projectile  28 . 
         [0030]    Now referring to  FIGS. 8-9 , the reader can clearly see the mechanism used to launch projectile  28 . When projectile launcher  10  is In a relaxed state ( FIG. 8 ), spring  36  is fully extended. One end of spring  36  rests against plunger plate  40  while the other end rests against the inner right side (right side in this view) of plunger chamber  38 , as illustrated. Preferably, plunger plate  40  is rigidly fastened to plunger  34 . Thus, when a user pulls plunger end grip  16  to the right, plunger plate  40  acts to compress spring  36  against the right wall of plunger chamber  38 . Those familiar with the art will realize that as spring  36  is compressed the force urging plunger plate  40  back to the front of projectile launcher  10  increases. At this point, the user may release plunger end grip  16  or lift end grip  16  so that lock lab  46  and plunger lock  44  interlock. By interlocking plunger lock  44  and lock tab  46 , the user can maintain projectile launcher  10  in a “cocked” state. This allows the user to quickly fire projectile  28  (not shown in this view) if necessary. Those familiar with the art will realize that, while in the “cocked” state, spring  36  is acting against plunger plate  40 , urging it towards impact surface  42 . However, lock tab  46  pressing against plunger lock  44  prevents spring  36  from expanding. 
         [0031]    When, the user is prepared to launch projectile  28 , as discussed in the preceding text, he or she can either release plunger end grip  16  or tap plunger end grip (in the case where plunger  34  is locked). At the instant plunger  34  is released, the force created by spring  36  is no longer held back. Thus, plunger  34  begins to travel towards nozzle  22 . As plunger  34  travels towards nozzle  22  (due to the force created by compressed spring  36 ), plunger plate  40  forces air within plunger chamber  38  towards nozzle  22  as well. Preferably, when plunger plate  40  impacts impact surface  42 , much of the air within plunger chamber  38  is force out of nozzle  22 . That air, which has been concentrated to a small area through nozzle  22 , then acts upon projectile  28  (not shown in this view). The force created by this air drives projectile  28  (see  FIGS. 5-7 ) from projectile chamber  38 , thereby launching projectile  28  at a target. 
         [0032]      FIG. 10  shows a user in the process of slapping plunger grip  16 . As shown and described previously in  FIGS. 8-9 , compression spring  36  urges plunger  34  towards the front portion of projectile launcher  10 . Also described in the preceding text is that the user can lock plunger  34  in a “cocked” state by pulling plunger grip  16  hack and up. This motion interlocks plunger lock  44  against lock tab  46 , thereby maintaining spring  36  in a compressed state. Of course, the force of spring  36  is constantly acting upon plunger plate  40  while spring  36  is in this compressed state. Those familiar with the art will realize that the mechanism preventing spring  36  from expanding, and therefore plunger  34  from traveling towards the front of launcher  10 , is simply the contact between plunger lock  44  and lock tab  46 . This interlocking is simply two vertical surfaces held in contact and equilibrium by the force of spring  36 . Because this interlocking method is simply two vertical surfaces, forcing plunger grip  16  downward separates the two vertical surfaces which allows spring  16  to expand. 
         [0033]    In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, plunger grip  16  is slapped in order to release spring  36 .  FIG. 10  shows this. The reader will note that plunger grip  16  preferably has an enlarged surface area (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 ). This enlarged area allows for a larger space for the user to slap when launching a projectile. As shown, projectile launcher  10  is in a locked state (hidden by the body of launcher  10  but shown in  FIG. 9 ). The hand of the user  50  is traveling downward in the current view in order to slap plunger grip  16 . This slap releases plunger lock  44  from contact with lock tab  46  which allows the potential stored in compressed spring  36  to turn into motion. Once spring  36  is fully expanded, projectile  28  is launched, as described in the preceding text ( FIGS. 7-8 ). 
         [0034]    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.