Patent Publication Number: US-4321906-A

Title: Toy projector

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is in the field of projector devices for projecting balls or the like. 
     Children enjoy projectors for projecting devices into the air and can devise many games to be played thereby. Most projectors known to the applicant however involve the use of springs or the like to effect projection and are of generally complicated construction. There is need for an extremely simple, yet effective and dependable projector for small objects. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     the present invention is of extremely simple construction comprising essentially a material having a multiplicity of radiating slots, radiating from a central point. When the sheet is pressed down over an object to be projected, such as a &#34;ping-pong&#34; ball, the tabs between the slots are deflected and the ball will be projected upwardly at a fairly high velocity after the tips of the taps formed by the slots pass over the diameter of the ball. 
     The toy may take the form of a dish having the slotted sheet defining a portion of the bottom thereof, or may take the form of a simulated animal or the like having a magazine from which the balls may be sequentially forced through the slitted sheet to be projected in sequence. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are sectional views taken substantially along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1, showing sequential steps in the operation of the projector; 
     FIG. 5 is a plan view of the basic projector element; 
     FIG. 6 is a plan view, similar to FIG. 5, but showing a modified but equivalent form; 
     FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a modified form of projector; and 
     FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view of the device of FIG. 8, showing how a ball is projected thereby. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring first to FIG. 5, there is shown therein the basic projector element comprising a sheet 2 of suitable plastic material of substantial rigidity, but which is highly resilient. Experience has indicated that the most practical thickness of the sheet is from 0.015 to 0.030 inches. However, a heavier disk could be used to propel a larger and heavier ball than that contemplated in the following description. 
     As shown in FIG. 7, the disk 2 is of generally concave dish shape and is provided with an inwardly extending groove portion 4 at its outer periphery for a purpose to be described. The sheet 2 could also be flat or convex. The sheet 2 is provided with a multiplicity of radial slits 6, extending generally radially from an imaginary central point at 8. As shown in FIG. 5, each of the tabs are defined by adjacent slits 6 and terminates in an inner edge 10 extending transversely of the radius to define a central opening 12 in the device. That opening is provided as a safety feature, so that a child cannot be harmed by having a finger extended into the device and being locked thereby. 
     FIG. 6 shows an alternative form wherein the disk 14 is provided with slits 16 also extending generally radially from a central point, but in this form the tabs between the slits 16 are not provided with the edges 10, as described with reference to FIG. 5. This form, however, presents some danger to a child who may inadvertently get his finger locked in the projector device by projecting his finger into the central portion. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 4, the disk element described with reference to FIG. 5 is shown as being mounted in a molded dish-like member 18, having a bottom wall 20 provided with an opening in which the projector element of FIG. 5 is pressed or snap-fitted by engaging the groove 4 over the peripheral edge of the central opening in the dish-like member. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, a lightweight ball 22, which may be a &#34;ping-pong&#34; ball, may be placed on a surface 24 such as a table top or the like. The projector device is brought downwardly onto the ball and with the ball directly below the central opening 12. Upon then pressing the projector device downwardly, as shown in FIG. 3, the tabs 26, between the slits 6, are flexed upwardly by the ball itself and nothing happens until such time as the ends of the tabs reach at least the horizontal diameter of the ball 22. As shown in FIG. 3, this condition is reached before the projector device reaches the surface 24 and continued downward movement thereof causes the inner ends of the tabs 26 to engage the ball 22 below its horizontal diameter and thus a camming action will permit the tabs 26 to flex back to their normal position and in so doing, they will cam the ball 22 upwardly and project the same into the air as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 4. The dish-shaped member 18 may then be manipulated by the child in attempts to catch the ball while the air or in accordance with any other rules established for the game. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, the slitted disk of FIG. 6 is shown as being attached to an end ring 28 defining the mouth of an elongated flexible bag 30 which is closed at its rear end. The bag 30 thus becomes a flexible magazine adapted to contain a single row of a plurality of the balls 22. To load the magazine, it is only necessary to push the balls inwardly through the sheet 14, until they pass the center diameter and are retained therein. A child by then pushing forwardly on the row of balls 22 can force the leading ball through the sheet 14 to flex the same as indicated in FIG. 9, whereupon the balls will be projected forwardly at a relatively high velocity. Obviously the balls may be forced forwardly through the projector in rapid fire manner, thus adding to the attractiveness of the game. 
     As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the device is provided with simulated eyes 32 to imitate a dragon or other animal. 
     While the projectiles have been described as balls, obviously other articles, having a suitably tapering portion could be employed. The lower hemisphere of the ball shown is essentially a downwardly tapering body. 
     While a limited number of forms of the invention have been shown and described, the same are merely illustrative of the principles involved, and other forms may be employed within the scope of the appended claims.