Patent Publication Number: US-11029123-B1

Title: Hobby projectile

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a hobby or toy projectile such as a dart, disc or ball. More particularly, this invention relates to a toy projectile, such as a toy dart, having a metal object embedded in the tip or shaft of the toy dart. Even more particularly, the invention also relates to a toy dart having a magnetic or magnetizable tip. Still more particularly, the invention relates to a toy projectile, such as a dart with a magnetic or magnetizable coating, which is dipped or sprayed onto the tip and/or shaft of the toy dart. Yet more particularly, the invention relates to a toy projectile which has magnetic or magnetizable particles or fibers embedded therein. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Toy projectiles, such as darts, discs or balls, have become very popular, especially with children. The toy projectiles are thrown or shot at targets or other persons. In many cases, there will be many toy projectiles scattered on the ground or floor which makes it difficult for them to be picked up especially when they are located beneath furniture or the like. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     A toy projectile, such as a dart, disc or ball, has a magnetic or magnetizable material associated therewith to enable the toy projectiles to be easily gathered up or picked up by a telescopic wand. In one embodiment of the toy dart, the tip thereof has a metal inner end. In another embodiment, the tip of the toy dart has magnetic or magnetizable particles or fibers embedded therein. In another embodiment, the shaft of the toy dart has magnetic or magnetizable particles or fibers embedded therein. In another embodiment, the tip of the toy dart is coated with a magnetic or magnetizable material. In another embodiment, the shaft of the toy dart is coated with a magnetic or magnetizable material. In another embodiment, the tip and the shaft of the toy dart are coated with a magnetic or magnetizable material. 
     Other toy projectiles, such as balls or discs have magnets or magnetizable materials associated therewith in a similar fashion as described hereinabove. A telescopic wand, having a metal or magnetizable head thereon, is utilized to pick up or gather up the spent toy projectiles. 
     It is therefore an object of the invention to provide toy projectiles with metal, magnets or magnetizable material to enable them to be picked up by a metal or magnetic wand. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide toy projectiles with a magnets or magnetizable material which does not affect the flight of the toy projectiles. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide toy projectiles of the type described which are safe to use. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide toy projectiles of the type described which are economical of manufacture and refined in appearance. 
     These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a device of this invention being used to pick up toy or hobby projectiles of this invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a view which illustrates different toy projectiles; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the toy dart of this invention with the broken lines depicting the inner end of the dart tip and the central bore of the dart tip; 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the toy dart of  FIG. 3  as seen on lines  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a partial sectional view of a further embodiment of the toy dart wherein the inner end of the tip of the dart is comprised of metal. 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view of a further embodiment of a toy dart wherein the tip thereof has magnetic or magnetizable particles or fibers embedded therein; 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view of a further embodiment of a toy dart wherein the shaft of the dart has magnetic or magnetizable particles or fibers embedded in the shaft thereof; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a toy dart wherein the tip thereof is coated with a magnetic or magnetizable material; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a further fifth embodiment of a toy dart wherein the shaft thereof is coated with a magnetic or magnetizable material; and 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a toy dart wherein the entire dart is coated with a magnetic or magnetizable material. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense in that the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates different types of toy projectiles or darts which are shot from a toy pistol or toy rifle. The numeral  10  refers to a suction dart while the numeral  12  refers to a mega dart. The numeral  14  refers to a rival ball while the numeral  16  refers to a vortex disc. A standard dart is designated with the numeral  18 . The standard dart  18  includes a tubular body portion  20  having a rearward end  22  and a forward end  24 . Body portion  20  is normally comprised of a foam material. Dart  18  includes an elastomeric tip  26  which is held in place by a shank portion  28  which is normally comprised of an elastomeric or plastic material. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a first embodiment of the dart  18 . In dart  18 , the shank portion  28 A is comprised of a magnetic or magnetizable material. Shank portion  28 A could be comprised of a metal material. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a second embodiment of the dart and is referred to as dart  18 B. The tip  26 B of dart  18 B has magnetic or magnetizable particles  30  embedded therein. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a third embodiment of the dart  18  and which is referred to by the reference numeral  18 C. The tubular body portion  20 C of dart  18 C has magnetic or magnetizable particles  32  embedded therein. 
       FIG. 8  refers to a fourth embodiment of the dart  18  and which is referred to with the numeral  18 D. The tip  26  is coated with a magnetic paint  34 . The magnetic paint  34  may be sprayed onto tip  26 B. The tip  26  could be coated with paint or by dipping the dart  18  into magnetic paint  34 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a fifth embodiment of the dart  18  and which is referred to with the reference numeral  18 E. The tubular body portion  20  is coated with magnetic paint  34 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a sixth embodiment of dart  18  and which is referred to by the reference numeral  20 F. The tubular body portion  20  and the tip  26  are coated with magnetic paint  34 . 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a device for picking up or gathering the projectiles after they have been fired from a pistol or rifle. The device of  FIG. 1  is referred to generally by the reference numeral  36 . Device  36  includes a telescopic handle  28  having an upper end  38  and a lower end  40 . The lower end  40  of device  36  is attached to a disc-like member  42  which is comprised of a metal or magnetic material. The device  36  may be moved along a floor or the like where the spent toy projectiles are laying. The design of the member  42  permits it to be moved below furniture or the like. When the member  42  is brought into contact with the toy projectiles such as projectile  18 , the toy projectile will magnetically be attached to the member  42  to provide a very convenient way to gather up the spent toy projectiles. The toy projectiles may be easily detached from the member  42 . Although only projectiles  18  are shown in  FIG. 1 , the other projectiles will also be magnetically attached to the member  42  since they have magnets or magnetic material therein. 
     Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives. 
     Although the invention has been described in language that is specific to certain structures and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures and/or steps described. Rather, the specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.