Abstract:
A projectile launching system including a safety oriented projectile launching platform and mechanism disposed to segregate the genre of projectile which may be launched from the system. The launching system may include an embodiment embarked upon as a crossbow which includes a control mechanism in combination with which allows only one type of safe projectile to be launched from the device and also either prevents unwarranted or foreign matter from being loaded, or does not allow such items to launch or recoil, thus preventing injury to the users or bystanders.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to toys, and more particularly to toy crossbows that introduce safety mechanisms which ensure that users and bystanders are protected. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Crossbows have been in existence for sport and hunting for centuries. Toy crossbows for children have existed for centuries and more modern renditions using updated materials such as polymers have existed over one hundred years, but without safety limitations these toys can become dangerous and children or others could be hurt. Crossbows and other projectile launchers, even if they come with safe projectiles, have been used to launch other, non-safe, projectiles such as rocks, pencils or sharp objects. 
     Clearly, when it comes to children&#39;s toys, safety is the most important thing. In order to ensure the safety of children and those around them, toys designed to launch projectiles, herein crossbows, require numerous safety measures to ensure that the toys are not used with dangerous projectiles, which were not originally envisioned for usage. One safety measure involves manufacturing the toy crossbow with a system wherein only specifically designed “safe” projectiles may be utilized during operation. Such a convention could ensure that children cannot put unintended objects in the crossbow, such as rocks, pencils, or sharp objects. 
     Thus, limiting the possible projectiles compatible with the crossbow prevents children from hurting themselves or others around them. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The instant apparatus and system, as illustrated herein, is clearly not anticipated, rendered obvious, or even present in any of the prior art mechanisms, either alone or in any combination thereof. The versatile system includes methods and a series of apparatuses for creating and utilizing a safety driven projectile launching system, and particularly a crossbow type system. Thus the several embodiments of the instant apparatus are illustrated herein. 
     Therefore, it is an object of the instant system to introduce a toy crossbow designed to launch only specifically matched safe projectiles, in order to protect the user and others in the vicinity of the crossbow. 
     It is a further object of the instant system to introduce utilization of a safety screen with a narrow slot specifically shaped to accommodate the matched projectiles and through which the projectiles are inserted. 
     It is a further object of the instant system to locate this safety screen along a projectile guideway so it is beyond the forward travel of the projectile propulsion mechanism. 
     It is a further object of the instant system to introduce a means of arresting the forward travel of the projectile propulsion mechanism so that it will not contact any object in the projectile guideway that is beyond the safety screen. 
     It is a further object of the instant system to introduce channels or guides that keep the projectile propulsion mechanism a fixed distance above the projectile guideway such that the projectile propulsion mechanism will not contact unintended objects of a size small enough to pass through or beneath the safety screen and into the projectile guideway area that is behind the safety screen. 
     It is a further object of the instant system to introduce a shield mechanism at the rear of the launcher that will protect the user from launching mishaps. 
     It is a further object of the instant system to have this rear shield mechanism shaped on the underside so as to keep the intended safe projectiles aligned with the specially shaped slot of the safety screen as the projectile is inserted or launched. 
     It is a further object of the instant system to have a sight incorporated into this rear shield and guide mechanism so as to aid the user in aiming the device prior to launching a projectile. 
     It is a further object of the instant system to have a safe projectile that has a suction cup at the front end. 
     It is further object of the instant system to have a safe projectile that has a four fin tail that is inserted through the safety screen control slot. 
     It is a further object of the instant system that a string is attached to the right and left horizontal bow arms. 
     It is a further object of the instant system that the string is to be pulled back so that is held taught and resting behind the notch ready for release. 
     It is a further object of the instant system that when the trigger is pulled, the string is released, and the safe projectile is launched down the projectile guideway of the crossbow. 
     It is a further object of the instant system to introduce utilization of a safety screen with an X-shaped slot through which the projectiles are inserted. 
     In this respect, it is to be understood that the system is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The system is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     These together with other objects of the instant system and accompanying apparatuses, along with the various features of novelty, which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of the instant system embarked in a crossbow and further illustrating the safe projectile juxtaposition to, but not yet engaged with, the control slot of the safety screen mechanism. 
         FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of the instant system and further illustrating the safe projectile juxtaposition to, but not yet engaged with, the control slot of the safety screen mechanism. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the instant system illustrating the projectile in the launch position and wherein the projectile propulsion apparatus is held taught by the launching notch and the trigger ready for launching a projectile. 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the instant system looking from the rear illustrating the projectile in the launch position and wherein the projectile propulsion apparatus is held by the launching notch and the trigger ready for launching a projectile. 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the instant system illustrating the safety screen control slot mechanism or launching slot mechanism without a projectile. 
         FIG. 6A  is a side view of the safe projectile. 
         FIG. 6B  is a rear view of one embodiment of the safe projectile featuring a four fin tail that is inserted through the safety screen control slot. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and does not represent the only forms in which the present invention may be construed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of the steps for producing the system and accompanying apparatus. However, it is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments also intended to be encompassed within the scope of the invention. 
       FIGS. 1-6B  depict various views of the present system and apparatus, and the accompanying components. In one embodiment, the present system comprises a projectile launching system  10 , such as a toy crossbow  10 , comprising a launching platform  100  that is designed to receive and launch only specifically designed safe projectiles  90 . 
     In one embodiment, the instant apparatus may comprise a bow and string launching mechanism  20 , in one embodiment a string  20  that when manually pulled tight and then released by the trigger  40 , it launches the inserted projectile  90 . When the projectile propulsion apparatus or string-like mechanism  20  is pulled taught the string-like mechanism  20  is placed in the launching apparatus retaining notch  30 . Therein, the string-like mechanism  20  rests until released by the trigger  40  whereupon the string-like mechanism  20  launches the projectile  90  forward. 
     Also illustrated is the launching chamber shield/alignment device  35 , which both guides the intended safe projectile and prevents the projectile or foreign matter from backfiring on the user. 
     In an additional embodiment, a sighting sight system  17  may be introduced. This system may work in coordination with a sighting aperture  37 , placed on the upper portion of the launching chamber shield/alignment device  35 , in order to allow the user to accurately aim the cross bow  10 . 
     In one embodiment, the crossbow  10  may comprise two horizontal bow arms  50 , a left bow arm and a right bow arm, and wherein a launching mechanism  20 , in one embodiment, a string  20 , may be affixed to each side of the bow arms  50 . The bow arms may comprise a flexible polymer or metallic material, a composite or any combination thereof, including coated materials. 
     The crossbow  10  may be equipped with a projectile guideway  15  wherein the projectile guideway  15  may be substantially cylindrical in nature. The projectile guideway  15  may include a safety screen with control slot mechanism  60 , disposed to receive and retain the projectile  90  upon inserted. The safety screen with control slot mechanism  60  divides the projectile guideway and thus defines a launching chamber  62  wherein the launching mechanism physically meets the projectile  90  and upon release of the trigger  40 , exerts the force which propels the projectile  90 . 
     The safety screen with control slot mechanism  60  may be so disposed as to receive, and allow launching of, only of specifically designed projectile. In one embodiment, the safety receiving and retaining channel or the safety screen with control slot mechanism  60  may be X-shaped and placed in the rearward portion of the projectile guideway  15  but forward of the pair of launching apparatus arresting notches  38 . 
     Moreover, the safety screen with control slot mechanism  60  is also deemed a fail-safe mechanism  60  as in the instant wherein a user, particularly a child, places an unwarranted object into the launching chamber  62 , the fail-safe mechanism  60  will not allow for the object to be launched as the object will either be deflected back and retained within the launching chamber  62 , or the launching mechanism  20  will pass above the object without making contact. 
     In an exemplary model, the control slot mechanism  60  may be disposed to possess an X-shaped, a star shaped or any shape slot or channel that will readily allow for the restriction of objects not specifically designed to fit into the projectile guideway  15 . Thus, the X-shaped launching slot  60  is designed in such a shape so that only the intended safe projectiles  90  can be launched from the crossbow  10 . Thus, due to the usage of the safety screen with control slot mechanism  60  in conjunction with the raised projectile contact area of the launching mechanism  20 , inappropriate objects cannot be launched from the crossbow  10 . 
     Furthermore, in yet another embodiment, the launching chamber shield/alignment device  35  contains a pair of groove slots  120 , wherein the pair of groove slots  120  align with the projectile  90  in order to secure the projectile  90  in the launching chamber  62  prior to launch. Additionally, a launching mechanism guideway  110  within the launching chamber  62  enables for a configuration of the launching chamber  62  such that the launching mechanism  20  is guided at a fixed distance above the lowest portion of the launching chamber  62 . 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  depict various viewpoints of the safe projectile  90 . The tip of the projectile  90  may comprise a rubber suction adhesion cup  70 , or other impact absorbing material. In all embodiments, the outer surface of the tail portion, or finned tail portion  80 , of the projectile will be constructed to substantially follow the corresponding contours and shape of the opening of the control slot of the safety screen mechanism  60 . 
     For exemplary purposes, the finned tail portion  80  of the projectile  90  may comprise a substantially X-shape so that it can be inserted through the X-shaped safety screen control slot  60 . In additional embodiments, such apparatuses as safety enhanced sling shots, wrist rockets or even catapults are envisioned. The above introduced safety receiving and retaining channel, or control launching slot mechanism  60  can be adapted to many projectile launching mechanisms in order to allow access to the launching area solely by intended matched projectiles. 
     To further exemplify the individual apparatuses and embodiments, the system is disposed to launch a projectile, in one embodiment would comprises left and right bow arm, of polymeric, metallic, composite, compound metallic-polymeric construction, with a tensioned launching mechanism, made of either string, a polymeric band, or a tension band, attached to the outer ends of both bow arms. Thus, when the chosen material is used in conjunction with the flexibility of the bow arms, the launching mechanism encompasses the launching cavity and engages the launching notch. An alternative projectile propulsion mechanism utilizing a compressed spring, torsion device, or an elastic cord configured so as to move above, and thereby not engage, unintended objects small enough to pass under the safety screen and thus be placed in the launch chamber is also envisioned. 
     The system may include a launching notch and projectile guideway wherein a safety screen with a receiving slot in the shape of an X, star, polyhedral or other possible configuration is positioned toward the rear of the projectile guideway, in proximity to the launching notch itself. The receiving station has a profile that is the same size and shape as the tail section of the projectile that fits tightly into it. 
     A projectile, which is cone shaped with the end section being tapered and smaller than the frontal portion and has a rubber suction cup at its front and a four fin tail section at its rear that fits tightly into the receiving station, is placed through the safety screen and tightly fitted into the receiving station. To loose, release or launch the projectile, a trigger mechanism, which is part to the launching system, may be utilized. 
     The child-safe toy crossbow system that, in one embodiment, includes a flexible left and right bow arm, flexible launching mechanism, a control slot of non-uniform aperture shaped like an X, a shield/alignment device over the launching chamber, a launching notch, and trigger mechanism that all work together to shoot a projectile that has an identical rear section in both size and shape of the X-shaped non-uniform aperture. 
     The method providing for a child safe launching mechanism involves, utilizing the totality of the embodiments of the launching mechanism which has flexible bow arms, a launching chamber and chamber shield/alignment device, failsafe mechanism with a X-shaped non-uniform aperture, a launch notch, and trigger mechanism, in conjunction with a projectile, which has its rear outer end being the same shape and size of the non-uniform aperture of the control mechanism, and inserting it through the non-uniform aperture of the control mechanism into the launching notch, and discharging the trigger mechanism. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the safe toy crossbow in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the system that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the system in detail, it is to be understood that the system is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The system is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     These together with other objects of the system, along with the various features of novelty, which characterize the system, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the system, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the system.