Patent Publication Number: US-2023136137-A1

Title: Toy fluid launcher and method of using same

Description:
REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/009,564, filed on Apr. 14, 2020, entitled “TOY FLUID LAUNCHER AND METHOD OF USING SAME,” the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure is generally related to a toy fluid launcher, such as a toy water blaster, water gun, and the like, with a mechanism for increased launching force. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Traditional toy fluid launchers have utilized various forms of piston and plunger mechanisms for expelling fluid through a restricted opening. Such launchers often rely upon the physical strength of a user to increase the launching force and, consequently, the distance of the expelled fluid. Therefore, using such launchers may be tiring and a young player, or a physically challenged player, would lose out to more physically capable friends because how far one can shoot is directly related to muscle strength. 
     Various alternative mechanisms have been applied to toy fluid launchers to increase the volume of fluids launched and/or the distance the fluid is launched. For example, battery-operated motorized mechanisms have been used to provide for high-speed rapid-fire applications. However, due to the need for motors and water proofing, such mechanisms can be very expensive to produce. Additionally, due to the need for batteries, such mechanisms can be too heavy for younger users. 
     As another example, air pressure systems have been used to store multiple pumping strokes of a user to increase the launch pressure and corresponding distance of the launched fluid. However, such systems often require substantial pumping to build up pressure and the user can be vulnerable to attack while pumping during game play. Specifically, inflated bladder systems have been used but such systems still require substantial pumping and may have added expenses for quality bladders. 
     SUMMARY 
     To address the above, the present disclosure is generally related to an improved toy launcher for launching a fluid, such as a water blaster, water gun, water pistol, and the like. Particularly, the present disclosure is directed to a toy launcher with a simple construction for an improved stepwise priming (or “pumping” or “loading” or “cocking”) mechanism that increases launching force without requiring excessive physical strength from the user. According to an exemplary embodiment, the toy launcher incorporates a spring-loaded piston (or reciprocating pump or syringe) that requires only one cocking motion while still providing for increased launching force, where the strength required to operate a strong spring is reduced by apportioning part of the loading stroke into the pull-back and forward return motions. Advantageously, the two-step priming mechanism reduces the strength required to load a strong spring, thus turning the launcher into a more user-friendly, high-velocity launcher that younger, or less physically capable, players can use to compete with their friends on a more equal footing. In addition, the simplified construction of the present disclosure also significantly reduces the material costs of the launcher in comparison to the above-described conventional mechanisms. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a toy launcher for launching a fluid includes a telescopic barrel; a plunger element engaged with the telescopic barrel; a compression spring that biases the plunger element against a rear wall of the telescopic barrel; a sliding handle coupled to one or more of the plunger element and the telescopic barrel, the sliding handle being movable between a forward position and a backward position; a latching assembly that couples the plunger element to a trigger assembly when the sliding handle is moved to the backward position; and the trigger assembly that, upon toggling, releases the coupling of the latching assembly between the plunger element and the trigger assembly. 
     In embodiments, the plunger element partially compresses the compression spring against the telescopic barrel when the sliding handle is moved to the backward position. 
     In embodiments, the telescopic barrel is extendible from a shorter length to a longer length when the sliding handle is moved to the backward position. 
     In embodiments, the toy launcher includes respective couplings between the sliding handle and each of the plunger element and the telescopic barrel, wherein the respective coupling between the sliding handle and telescopic barrel further compresses the partially compressed compression spring when the sliding handle is moved from the backward position to the forward position. 
     In embodiments, the telescopic barrel is compressed from the longer length to the shorter length when the sliding handle is moved from the backward position to the forward position. 
     In embodiments, the plunger element and the telescopic barrel form an internal fluid chamber when the sliding handle is moved to the backward position. 
     In embodiments, the telescopic barrel is connected to a fluid source, wherein a fluid from the fluid source is drawn into the internal fluid chamber when the sliding handle is moved to the backward position. 
     In embodiments, the plunger element is pushed forward by the compression spring to expel the fluid from the internal fluid chamber when the coupling of the latching assembly between the plunger element and the trigger assembly is released. 
     In embodiments, a toy launcher comprises a telescopic barrel having a front part and a rear part; a plunger element engaged by the telescopic barrel; a compression spring that biases the plunger element against a rear wall of the telescopic barrel; a cocking slide coupled to the telescopic barrel and the plunger element, the cocking slide being movable between a forward position and a backward position; wherein, when the cocking slide is moved from the forward position to the backward position the plunger element partially compresses the compression spring against the rear wall of the telescopic barrel; and wherein, when the cocking slide is moved from the backward position to the forward position, the rear part of the telescopic barrel fully compresses the compression spring against the rear wall of the telescopic barrel. 
     In embodiments, when the cocking slide is moved from the forward position to the backward position, the telescopic barrel extends from a shorter length to a longer length. 
     In embodiments, when the cocking slide is moved from the backward position to the forward position, the telescopic barrel is compressed from the longer length to the shorter length. 
     In embodiments, the toy launcher further comprises a latching assembly; and a trigger assembly; wherein the plunger element is coupled to the trigger assembly, and a fluid chamber is formed by the plunger element and the front part of the telescopic barrel. 
     In embodiments, the toy launcher further comprises an inlet into the fluid chamber, wherein, when the cocking slide is moved from the forward position to the backward position, a fluid is drawn into the fluid chamber from via the inlet. 
     In embodiments, the toy launcher further comprises a nozzle, wherein the nozzle has incorporated thereon a one-way flow valve that reduces air intake into the fluid chamber when the plunger element is moved toward the backward position. 
     In embodiments, when the coupling between the trigger assembly and the plunger element is released, the plunger element is pushed forward by the compression spring to expel the fluid from the fluid chamber through the nozzle. 
     In embodiments, the fluid is a liquid. 
     In embodiments, the fluid is air. 
     In embodiments, the toy launcher further comprises a rod extending from the plunger element, wherein the rod incorporates a catch element thereon, and wherein, when the cocking slide is moved from the forward position to the backward position, the cocking slide engages the catch element of the rod and moves the rod in a backward direction to cause the plunger element to partially compress the compression spring against the rear wall of the telescopic barrel. 
     In embodiments, the rod further incorporates a notched recess and a leading sloped edge, wherein the latching assembly includes an aperture and a spring-loaded plate, and wherein the plunger element is coupled to the trigger assembly via the latching assembly when the leading sloped edge of the rod engages the spring-loaded plate to push through the aperture of the latching assembly and the spring-loaded plate of the latching assembly engages the notched recess of the rod. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein: 
         FIG.  1 A  is a schematic view of key elements of a toy fluid launcher in an initial, at-rest configuration in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  1 B  is a schematic view of key elements of the toy fluid launcher in a first, pull-back, priming step in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  1 C  is a schematic view of key elements of the toy fluid launcher in a second, forward-return, priming step in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  1 D  is a schematic view of key elements of the toy fluid launcher during a launch according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure is generally related to an improved toy launcher with a two-step priming (or “cocking”) process for increasing launch velocity and force without requiring excessive physical strength from the user. To achieve this objective, according to an exemplary embodiment, a toy launcher incorporates a spring-loaded piston having a two-part barrel and a spring-biased plunger element that is coupled to a trigger mechanism on a first, pull-back, priming step. Thereafter, in a second, forward-return, priming step, a rear part of the two-part barrel having an internal fluid chamber is pushed forward while the plunger element is still coupled and anchored to the trigger mechanism, thus further compressing the spring of the plunger element. Upon triggering, the compressed spring is released and the plunger element is thereby pushed forward by the compressed spring to eject the fluid in the internal fluid chamber. Advantageously, the present disclosure provides for the spring compression in a two-step priming process that reduces the strength needed for doing so by dividing the compression into the fore and aft movement of the compressing means. 
       FIGS.  1 A- 1 D  are schematic partial cross-sectional views of key elements of a toy fluid launcher  100  in a priming and launching process according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. For clarity and simplicity in illustrating the key elements and mechanisms for facilitating the two-step priming process, extraneous portions—such as the external housing, fluid storage reservoir, and the like—are not shown. One of ordinary skill in the art would readily understand the housing elements needed to house and anchor the various illustrated elements as well as the reservoir for supplying the fluids to be launched with various design choices that would not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. 
     As shown in  FIG.  1 A , toy launcher  100  includes a two-part telescoping barrel  105   a  and  105   b,  in a form similar to an enlarged syringe barrel, where a front part of the barrel ( 105   a ) houses an internal fluid chamber  108  (see  FIGS.  1 B and  1 C ) allowing fluids from a reservoir (not shown) to be drawn through an inlet  110  when a water-tight plunger element  115  is pulled back. According to an exemplary embodiment, the two-part barrel  105   a  and  105   b  has a generally rounded cylindrical shape with a rear part  105   b  having a larger diameter that is in a slidable, telescopic relationship with the front part  105   a.  Plunger element  115  is biased against a back wall  120  of the rear part of the barrel  105   b  by a compression spring  125 . As described above, compression spring  125  may be a higher rated spring—e.g., a 2.0 mm diameter spring having 16.5 coils and measuring about 170 mm long—with a higher spring force—e.g., requiring about 16 kg of force for full compression over a distance of about 125 mm (or approximately 75% of the full uncompressed length of the spring  125 )—so that, when released, the fluid drawn into fluid chamber  105  is pushed forward and launched through nozzle  130  at a higher velocity or a greater volume of fluid per unit time than if the restorative force of the spring were lower. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1 A , the rear part of the barrel  105   b  is coupled to a sliding forearm handle or cocking slide  135  via an assembly of rotatable/hinged couplings that together operate to ensure motion alignment among the elements. The elements include a reciprocating connector rod  140  coupled to a side of the rear part of the barrel  105   b  (at a rotatable coupling point  143 ), an anchor bar  145  that is coupled to reciprocating connector rod  140  (at a rotatable coupling point  147 ) and that is anchored on a fixed pivot  150  in the housing (not shown) of the launcher, and a stabilizer/reinforcement bar  155  that is coupled to cocking slide  135  (at coupling points  160   a  and  160   b ) and that reinforces a rotatable coupling of cocking slide  135  to anchor bar  145  (at coupling point  160   b ). According to an exemplary embodiment, the rotatable couplings are disposed on both sides of barrel ( 105   b ) and cocking slide  135 . Thus, anchor bar  145  may be embodied by a U-shaped element, a Y-shaped element, or the like, that incorporates respective couplings to the two sides of rear part  105   b  of the barrel and cocking slide  135 , respectively—e.g., via respective rotatable connectors ( 140 ) to each side of the barrel (rear part  105   b ). In embodiments, a corresponding assembly of rotatable couplings, as illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 D , may be incorporated on each side of the launcher and anchored to respective anchor points  160  in the housing (not shown) corresponding to the respective sides of the launcher  100 . 
     As further illustrated in  FIG.  1 A , cocking slide  135  incorporates a catch element  165  that engages a corresponding catch element  170  on a rod portion  175  extending from plunger element  115 . As will be described in further detail below with reference to  FIG.  1 B , the engagement between catch elements  165  and  170  of cocking slide  135  and rod portion  175 , respectively, allows a user to pull back plunger element  115  using cocking slide  135  in a first, pull-back, priming step. Correspondingly, rod portion  175  further incorporates a notch/recess  180  and a leading sloped edge/notch  195  that are configured to interact with an aperture  200  through a spring-loaded plate/block  185 . As illustrated in  FIG.  1 A , plate/block  185  is coupled to a compression spring  205  that biases plate/block  185  downward towards a trigger assembly  190 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  1 B , when a user pulls cocking slide  135  backward in a fashion similar to a pump action shotgun (see bottom arrow in  FIG.  1 B ), catch element  165  pushes on catch element  170  so that rod portion  175  is pushed back as well. According to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, rod portion  175  is pushed backward so that leading sloped edge/notch  195  pushes upward on a top edge of aperture  200  in plate/block  185 , compressing spring  205 , so that rod portion  175  can be pushed through aperture  200  from the front of plate/block  185  to clear an opposing back side of plate/block  185 , as illustrated in  FIG.  1 B . Once rod portion  175  is pushed sufficiently past plate/block  185  through aperture  200 , spring  205  moves plate/block  185  downward into engagement with the face of notch/recess  180  so that rod portion  175 —and, correspondingly, plunger element  115 —is engaged with, and temporarily retained in place by plate/block  185 . As shown in  FIG.  1 B , a leading internal surface of notch/recess  180  hooks to the opposing back side of plate/block  185  above aperture  200  once plate/block  185  is pushed downward by compression spring  205  into notch/recess  180  and, accordingly, a top edge of aperture  200  is pushed into a bottom surface of notch/recess  180 . 
     As further shown in  FIG.  1 B , with plunger element  115  being pulled back by rod portion  175 , spring  125  is partially compressed while plunger element  115  forms a chamber  108  with front portion  105   a  of the barrel so that fluids can be pulled in—by vacuum—through inlet  110  from a fluid source (not shown), such as a reservoir or the like—the internal fluid chamber  108  holding the primed fluids from the fluid source for launch. In embodiments, nozzle  130  may incorporate a substantially one-way flow valve that reduces air intake when plunger element  115  is drawn backwards so as to improve the suction on inlet  110  for drawing liquids into the chamber formed by plunger element  115  and front portion  105   a  of the barrel. Additionally, nozzle  130  may incorporate a valve that prevents fluid release unless under high pressure—i.e., during launch—from internal fluid chamber  108 . 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure and as illustrated in  FIG.  1 B , the plunger element  115  compresses spring  125  against the back wall  120  of the rear part  105   b  of the barrel and the compression spring  125 , therefore, exerts a backward force on the back wall  120 . Additionally, reciprocating connector rod  140  is pivoted backwards by anchor bar  145  as anchor bar  145  itself is pivoted backward by cocking slide  135  with fixed anchor point  160  serving as the fulcrum. Consequently, rear part  105   b  slides and extends backwards from front part  105   a  of the barrel via the backward force exerted by spring  125  and reciprocating connector rod  140 . This slide and extension of the rear part  105   b  from the front part  105   a  eases and reduces the compression of spring  125  and, thus, the force needed to pull cocking slide  135  backward toward the position at which plate/block  185  and notch/recess  180  are hooked and engaged with each other—and, correspondingly, the full extension of rod portion  175  and plunger element  115  in the backward direction to form internal fluid chamber  108 . According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, rod  140  and bar  145 , along with the extension of rear part  105   b  from front part  105   a,  are dimensioned so that, on average when utilizing the aforementioned spring  125  requiring a total force of approximately 16 kg for full compression, about 9.3 kg of force is needed to pull cocking slide  135  from the forward default position to the backward position at which plate/block  185  and notch/recess  180  are engaged with each other in the first, pull-back, priming step. In embodiments, a structural stop (not shown) may be used to limit the backward motion of cocking slide  135  to the above full extension position—i.e., the engagement position between notch/recess  180  and plate/block  185 . 
     Next, referring to  FIG.  1 C , once the notch/recess  180  of rod portion is interlocked/engaged with plate/block  185  via the downward bias of spring  205 , the user can push cocking slide  135  forward in a second priming step—again, in a similar fashion to a pump action shotgun (see bottom arrow in  FIG.  1 C ). Consequently, anchor bar  145  pivots forward at coupling point  160   b  in following the forward motion of cocking slide  135  and, in turn, compels reciprocal coupling (connector rod)  140  to exert a forward force on rear part  105   b  of the barrel. Additionally, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, catch element  165  may engage the back wall  120  of rear part  105   b  during the forward motion of cocking slide  135 . Thus, reciprocating connector rod  140  and catch element  165  may together compel rear part  105   b  to slide forward towards front part  105   a,  further compressing spring  125 . As shown in  FIG.  1 C , compression spring  125  is fully compressed by the return of cocking slide  135  to the original forward position. Advantageously, the two-step priming/pumping action described above divides and reduces the force needed to fully compress spring  125 —thus, allowing for a stronger launch force without requiring undue strength by the user to compress spring  125 . As described above, rod  140  and bar  145 , along with the extension of rear part  105   b  from front part  105   a,  are dimensioned so that, on average when utilizing the aforementioned spring  125  requiring a total force of approximately 16 kg for full compression, about 9.3 kg of force is needed to pull cocking slide  135  from the forward default position to the backward position at which plate/block  185  and notch/recess  180  are engaged with each other in the first, pull-back, priming step. Correspondingly, these elements are dimensioned so that, on average when utilizing the aforementioned spring  125  requiring a total force of approximately 16 kg for full compression, about 5.3 kg of force is needed to push cocking slide  135  from the backward first priming position back to the original forward default position in the second priming step. Accordingly, the full force needed to fully compress spring  125  may be apportioned and divided at an approximate 1.75:1 ratio between the first, pull-back, priming step and the second, push-forward, priming step. It has been found that a user, on average, is able to exert more force on the first, pull-back, priming step than on the second, push-forward, priming step. Therefore, in embodiments, the elements may be dimensioned so that the force is apportioned and divided at a ratio from about 1:1 and above, for example, to about 2:1. 
     As shown in  FIG.  1 C , the volume of internal fluid chamber  108  formed by plunger element  115  and front part  105   a  is retained and unaffected by the forward compression of spring  125  and rear part  105   b.  Thus, the full volume of fluids in chamber  108  can be launched by a fully compressed spring  125 . 
     Next, a trigger pull and launch action will be described. As illustrated in  FIG.  1 C , trigger assembly  190  includes an inclined surface  305  between a lower surface  310  and an upper surface  315 —which collectively form a top camming surface of trigger assembly  190  so that, when trigger assembly  190  is pulled backward by the user, plate/block  185  is caused to move upward from the lower surface  310  to the upper surface  315  against spring  205 . As also illustrated in  FIG.  1 C , trigger assembly  190  is biased forward in a default position by spring  320  such that plate/block  185  abuts the lower surface  310  when trigger  190  is in the forward, default, non-firing position. 
       FIG.  1 D  illustrates the configuration of the trigger pull according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG.  1 D , a user can pull trigger assembly  190  backward to compress biasing spring  320  and, as trigger assembly  190  is slid backwards (see backward arrow under trigger assembly  190  in  FIG.  1 D ), inclined surface  305  is pushed backwards and, accordingly, slides plate/block  185  upward towards upper surface  315 . Consequently, as plate/block  185  is pushed upward by the top camming surface (surfaces  305 ,  310 , and  315 ) of trigger assembly  190  (see upward arrow in  FIG.  1 D ), the engagement between plate/block  185  and notch/recess  180  of rod portion  175  is released as aperture  200  is moved upward to a position that clears notch/recess  180 . Thus, as illustrated in  FIG.  1 D , spring  125  is released from its compressed state and plunger element  115  is, along with rod portion  175 , forcefully pushed forward by the fully compressed spring  125  (see forward arrow in  FIG.  1 D ) to thereby expel the primed fluids in chamber  108  out through nozzle  130 .  FIG.  1 D  shows a dashed outline  175   b  of rod portion  175  in the primed position corresponding to  FIG.  1 C  to illustrate the range in position for rod portion  175 . Again, the full compression of spring  125  shown in  FIG.  1 C  highlights the increased firing force that is provided for by the two-step priming/pumping action according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, which reduces the strength needed to put spring  125  in the fully compressed position shown in  FIG.  1 C . 
     Although the exemplary embodiment is described in the context of a fluid launcher that utilizes fluid which may be supplied from a reservoir, it is to be understood that the two-step priming/pumping action according to the present invention could be applied to a toy projectile launcher (e.g. a dart, ball or the like) whereby the projectile is launched by air driven by a plunger or by a plunger propelling the projectile by direct contact with the plunger. In such environment the two-step priming/pumping action of the present invention enables a projectile launcher to incorporate a stronger spring without making the projectile launcher too difficult to compress. 
     While particular embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described in detail, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements thereon may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications and improvements that are within the scope of this disclosure.