Abstract:
An elastic rubber band launching toy gun that uses a new method to launches six elastic bands in rapid succession using a simple assembly of only six individual parts, and featuring an moving exterior slide in order to mimic the action on a real hand gun. The embodiments of this invention do not rely on any mechanism to return the trigger element to a firing position other than the elastic projectiles fired from the device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/174,908, filed Jun. 12, 2015 and 62/174,888, filed Jun. 12, 2015, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to a rubber band gun and method for use and assembly thereof, and more specifically to rubber band launching toy gun that fires six rubber bands in rapid succession, releasing only one rubber band with each trigger pull. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Elastic rubber band launching toy guns exist in many forms, ranging from very simple single shot models to extremely complex models capable of launching hundreds of elastic bands in a matter of seconds. 
         [0006]    Traditional rubber band guns use a variety of mechanisms to hold a band in a stretched position and for releasing that band, resulting in the band being “fired” from the gun toward a target. The simplest such release mechanism uses a simple clothespin which can clasp down on the band and causes the band to be released upon depressing the pin. This results in a simple, yet limited single-fire pistol. 
         [0007]    The most common style of elastic band launching gun uses a plastic, multi-toothed rotating wheel to release rubber bands in a controlled manor one at a time. Another type of elastic band launching gun uses a “step-up” action to move a collection of individual elastic bands up a series of notches, releasing one elastic band off of the topmost notch with each advancement of the action 
         [0008]    More complicated rubber band guns include repeater pistols which rely upon a tooth wheel which spins as the trigger is depressed. These pistols allow for a rapid succession of shots, but each shot will only fire the band or bands as they are loaded onto the wheel. There is no way to load up additional bands for firing using the wheel mechanism alone. 
         [0009]    Heretofore there has not been available a system or method for a rubber band gun with the advantages and features of the present invention. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention relates generally to an elastic rubber band launching toy gun that uses a new method to launches six elastic bands in rapid succession using a simple assembly of only six individual parts, and featuring a moving exterior slide in order to mimic the action on a real hand gun. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention illustrating various objects and features thereof. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention in the form of a replica M1911 pistol. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view thereof, taken about the line of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view thereof. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention in the form of a replica PPK pistol. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view thereof, taken about the line of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view thereof. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     I. Introduction and Environment 
       [0018]    As required, detailed aspects of the present invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed aspects are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
         [0019]    Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, up, down, front, back, right and left refer to the invention as orientated in the view being referred to. The words, “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the aspect being described and designated parts thereof. Forwardly and rearwardly are generally in reference to the direction of travel, if appropriate. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar meaning. 
       II. Preferred Embodiment Model 1911 Rubber Band Gun  2   
       [0020]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , a preferred embodiment of the present invention rubber band gun  2  is formed in the shape of a model 1911 pistol. This embodiment is constructed from seven parts. A main gun frame  3  which includes the handle, a trigger  4 , a pair of exterior slides  6 , a pair of wooden handle grips  8 , and several elastic rubber band projectiles  10 . 
         [0021]    The elastic bands  10  are stretched from the front notch  14  to the rear notches  12  of the main gun frame  3 . The slide  6  and trigger  4  are fastened together with screws  18 . The trigger/slide assembly moves horizontally within the constraints of the slide recess  16  which is machined into the main gun frame  3  and within the constraints of the trigger recess  22  as best seen in  FIG. 2 . The slide  6  has a series of rear notches  20  that are slightly offset from the series of rear notches  12 , on the main gun frame. 
         [0022]    When the trigger  4  is pulled in a rearward direction as indicated in  FIG. 2 , the whole trigger  4  and slide  6  assembly moves rearward and stretches the elastic rubber band projectiles  10 , disengaging them all at the same time from the rear notches  12  of the main gun  3  frame while subsequently engaging them in the rear notches  20  of the slide  6 . The result is that the top most elastic rubber band projectile is released from the rubber band gun  2  and launched forward away from the operator. The remaining elastic rubber band projectiles  10  move forward and upward as the operator releases pressure off of the trigger, thus forcing the trigger  4  and slide  6  assembly forward and advancing the remaining elastic rubber band projectiles to the next most upward notch. This process automatically resets the trigger  4  and slide  6  assembly to its original forward position and the “firing” process is repeated each time the operator pulls the trigger  4  until all the elastic rubber band projectiles  10  have been released. 
         [0023]    This embodiment is shaped to resemble a M1911 pistol as manufactured by Colt Manufacturing Company of Hartford, Conn. The firing and resetting process from a first, loaded position to a second, fired position back to the first, loaded position is done without the need for a separate band, spring, or other trigger element specifically for pulling the trigger back to a starting, non-firing position. 
       III. Alternative Embodiment Model PPK Rubber Band Gun  102   
       [0024]      FIGS. 3-6  show an alternative embodiment rubber band gun  102  in the form of a PPK pistol. This embodiment is formed from five parts. A main gun frame  104 , a trigger/slide  106 , a pair of wood veneer handle grips  8 , elastic rubber band projectiles  110 , and a pair of dowels  112 . 
         [0025]    The elastic bands  110  are stretched from the front notch  116  to the rear notches  114  with one elastic band being held in each of the rear notches  114 . The trigger/slide  106  as best seen in  FIG. 5  moves horizontally within the constraints of the dowel notches  118 , and the dowels  112 , which are secured firmly within holes in the main gun frame  104 . The trigger/slide  106  has a series of rear notches  120  that are slightly offset from the series of rear notches  114 , on the main gun frame. When the trigger  122  is pulled in a rearward direction, the whole trigger/slide  106  moves with it and stretches the elastic rubber band projectiles disengaging them all at the same time from the rear notches  114  in the main gun frame while subsequently engaging them in the rear notches  120  of the trigger/slide  106 . 
         [0026]    The result is that the top most elastic rubber band projectile is released from the Model PPK Rubber Band Gun and launched forward away from the operator. The remaining elastic rubber band projectiles  110  move forward and upward as the operator releases pressure off of the trigger, thus forcing the trigger/slide  106  forward and advancing the remaining elastic rubber band projectiles to the next most upward notch without the need for an additional band or spring specifically for pulling the trigger forward. This process automatically resets the trigger/slide  106  to its original forward position and the “firing” process is repeated each time the operator pulls the trigger  122  until all the elastic rubber band projectiles  110  have been released. 
         [0027]    This embodiment is shaped to resemble a Walther PPK pistol as manufactured by Carl Walther GmbH Sportwaffen of Ullm and Arnsberg, Germany. The firing and resetting process from a first, loaded position to a second, fired position back to the first, loaded position is done without the need for a separate band, spring, or other trigger element specifically for pulling the trigger back to a starting, non-firing position. 
         [0028]    It is to be understood that while certain embodiments and/or aspects of the invention have been shown and described, the invention is not limited thereto and encompasses various other embodiments and aspects.