Patent Publication Number: US-2015083100-A1

Title: Toy rifle with adjustable blowpipe

Description:
THE FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to toy rifles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a novel toy rifle powered by human breath and used for recreational simulated warfare. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Blowpipes, also known as blow tubes or blowguns, are simple weapons consisting of a small linear tube for firing light projectiles or darts. A blowpipe is normally used by inserting the projectile inside the linear pipe and using the force created by one&#39;s breath to give the projectile momentum. Even though blowpipes are sometimes referred to as blowguns, they do not look like guns, such as a rifle or pistol. 
     Rifles and pistols, on the other hand, may be powered by air, but unlike blow tubes they do not use human breath to power the trajectory of the projectile. Rifle and pistol air guns commonly use compressed CO2 stored in cartridges or use compressed air which is hand pumped into an air reservoir within the gun. 
     Airsoft guns are another type of gun commonly used for recreational purposes. Airsoft guns commonly fire plastic pellets by way of compressed gas or electric and/or spring-driven pistons and are used in simulated war competitions. 
     Standard blowpipes, air rifles, and airsoft guns are all generally suitable for serious sports recreation and for adequately mature persons. However, each of them has some disadvantages, particularly for children, persons having less experience with weapons, and persons desiring to use toy weapons around the home for recreational simulated warfare. 
     One disadvantage of a standard linear blowpipe is that it cannot be held like a rifle when shooting and it may lack the trajectory accuracy of a rifle. A blowpipe may also be more challenging to hold in a stable position when aiming at a target, making accurate shooting a challenge. Also, because a blowpipe does not look like a rifle and is not held like a rifle, it may be less desirable for recreational simulated warfare. 
     Furthermore, different skills may be needed for shooting a blowpipe than many of the skills needed to shoot a rifle. Thus, recreational use of a blowpipe will not assist development of rifle shooting skills for children desiring to learn rifle skills before they reach a suitable age for using an actual gun powder powered rifle. 
     Air rifles also have some disadvantages. Most air rifles are too powerful and dangerous for residential indoor use. Air rifles also may not be suitable for young children because of their significant power and because they commonly shoot metal bbs and pellets which can be dangerous and cause injury to skin or eyes. CO2 powered air rifles also have the disadvantage of the need for continued replacement of CO2 cartridges, which can be expensive. 
     Over time, some hand cocked air pump rifles may acquire leaks in the air reservoir needed for storing the compressed air used to power trajectory of the projectile or ammunition. Also, cocking and pumping of the air pump on an air pump gun may bruise a user&#39;s hand or otherwise make the hand or arm sore from the continued cocking and pumping action. Airsoft guns may also have the disadvantage that comes with continued rigorous cocking of the spring action, which may cause the hand to bruise or otherwise become sore. 
     Thus, it is thus desirable to have an improved toy weapon and method for recreational simulated warfare that is suitable for use by children, is suitable for residential indoor use, safely helps develop rifle shooting skills, and has the shape and appearance similar to an authentic gun powder powered rifle. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved toy rifle. 
     According to one or more aspects of the invention, a toy rifle is provided which allows ammunition to be projected from the rifle using the force of human breath. The toy rifle may be configured with a blowpipe along the length of the toy rifle for shooting ammunition from the toy rifle using the blow pipe. 
     According to one or more aspects of the invention, the blowpipe of the toy rifle may include a mouthpiece that is configured in a position to the side of or offset from the line of trajectory of the blowpipe. According to one or more aspects of the present invention, the offset configuration of the blowpipe mouthpiece may permit a user to place his or her mouth on the blowpipe mouthpiece while holding the toy rifle in a manner similar to holding, aiming, and shooting an authentic rifle firearm. The offset configuration of the blowpipe mouthpiece may permit a user to shoot ammunition from the toy rifle using his or her breath while holding the toy rifle in a manner similar to holding, aiming, and shooting an authentic rifle firearm. The configuration of the blowpipe and mouthpiece may also reduce the risk of inhaling ammunition. 
     In accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention, the position of the blowpipe mouthpiece may be adjustable to allow a user to more comfortable hold and shoot the toy rifle. The adjustable mouthpiece may permit a user to more accurately aim and shoot the toy rifle of the present invention. In one or more aspects of the present invention, the blowpipe of the toy rifle may be configured with more than mouthpiece connection opening to permit a user to choose between connecting the mouthpiece for right-handed use and left-handed use of the toy rifle. A cap may be provided for closing one of the mouthpiece connection openings when the mouthpiece is connected to the opposite mouthpiece connection opening. 
     In accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention, a method of shooting a toy rifle is provided wherein a user may shoot the toy rifle using his or her breath to discharge toy ammunition. 
     These and other aspects of the present invention are realized in a toy rifle as shown and described in the following figures and related description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various embodiments of the present invention are shown and described in reference to the numbered drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows a side view of a breath powered toy rifle in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows a cutaway side view of a breath powered toy rifle in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  shows a top view of a breath powered toy rifle in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  shows a top cutaway view of a breath powered toy rifle in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  shows an isometric view of an embodiment of a blowpipe assembly of a toy rifle in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention, showing a recreational dart within the blowpipe; and 
         FIG. 6  shows an isometric view of another embodiment of a blowpipe assembly of a toy rifle in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention, showing a recreational dart within the blowpipe; 
     
    
    
     It will be appreciated that the drawings are illustrative and not limiting of the scope of the invention which is defined by the appended claims. The embodiments shown accomplish various aspects and objects of the invention. It is appreciated that it is not possible to clearly show each element and aspect of the invention in a single figure, and as such, multiple figures are presented to separately illustrate the various details of the invention in greater clarity. Similarly, not every embodiment need accomplish all advantages of the present invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The invention and accompanying drawings will now be discussed so as to enable one skilled in the art to practice the present invention. The drawings and descriptions are exemplary of various aspects of the invention and are not intended to narrow the scope of the appended claims. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3 , a side view of a toy rifle in accordance with the present invention is shown. As can be seen from the Figure, the toy rifle of the present invention may be comprised of a replica rifle  10  having standard rifle features, such as a butt  14 , a butt stock  16 , a fore grip  12 , a barrel, a barrel stock, sites for aiming, a trigger and other features common to rifles. The replica rifle  10  shown in  FIGS. 1-4  is a military style assault rifle, but it is understood that any style of rifle may be used for the replica rifle  10 . The replica rifle  10  may be made of plastic or other polymers, composite materials, alloy, light weight metal such as aluminum, or any other materials suitable for making the replica rifle and component parts. The replica rifle  10  may be made using any number of methods available in the industry, including injection molding, vacuum molding, or machining. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 4 , the toy rifle of the present invention may include a blowpipe assembly  26  for shooting projectiles or recreational ammunition, such as a dart  36 . The blowpipe assembly  26  may be disposed in the replica rifle  10  along the length of the replica rifle  10  and may comprise a blowpipe barrel  24  having an opening at the muzzle end  20  of the toy rifle through which ammunition or projectiles  36 , such as a dart, may be expelled, and a mouthpiece  22  at the butt end of the toy rifle having an opening  18  into which a user may blow air to accelerate the projectile  36  through the blowpipe barrel  24 . The muzzle end  20  of the rifle barrel and mouthpiece opening  18  shown in the Figures may also comprise a muzzle end  20  and a butt end  18  of the blowpipe assembly  26 . 
     The blowpipe assembly  26  and respective components may be made of ABS, PVC, plastic or some other polymer. The blowpipe assembly  26  may also be made of composite, alloy or lightweight metal such as aluminum. The blowpipe assembly  26  may be made using any number of methods used by those skilled in the art, including extrusion or by vacuum or injection molding. The blowpipe assembly  26  could also be made by fitting PVC pipes and configuring the pipes and PVC fittings as shown in the Figures. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , in an embodiment of a blowpipe assembly  26  of the present invention, the blowpipe assembly  26  may have a single location for connecting the mouthpiece  22 . In one or more aspects of the present invention, the mouthpiece  22  may be connected to the blowpipe barrel  24  using an elbow  28  wherein at a first end of the elbow  28  the elbow  28  is connected to the butt end of the blowpipe barrel  24  and at a second end of the elbow  28  the elbow  28  is connected to the mouthpiece  22 . The mouthpiece  22 , elbow, and blowpipe barrel  24  are configured so that air may be blown through the opening  18  in the mouthpiece  22  and travel through the blowpipe assembly  26  to expel a projectile  36  from the blowpipe assembly  26 . 
     The mouthpiece  22 , the elbow  28 , and the blowpipe barrel  24  may be independently connected components or may comprise a continuous single integrated extension of a singularly cast blowpipe assembly  26  body. In one embodiment of the present invention, an end of the mouthpiece opposite the user opening  18  end is configured to receive and secure a second end of the elbow  24  so that a seal is created and air traveling through the mouthpiece  22  and the elbow  28  is channeled into the blowpipe barrel  24 . In another embodiment, the second end of the elbow  28  may be configured to receive and secure an end of the mouthpiece opposite the user opening  18  so that a seal is created and air traveling through the mouthpiece  22  and the elbow  28  is channeled into the blowpipe barrel  24 . 
     Similarly, the butt end of the blowpipe barrel  24  may also be configured to receive and secure the first end of the elbow  24  so that a seal is created and air traveling through the mouthpiece  22  and the elbow  28  is channeled into the blowpipe barrel  24 . In another embodiment, the first end of the elbow  28  may be configured to receive and secure the butt end of the blowpipe barrel  24  so that a seal is created and air traveling through the mouthpiece  22  and the elbow  28  is channeled into the blowpipe barrel  24 . 
     Junctures between the mouthpiece  22 , the elbow  22 , and the blowpipe barrel  24  may be naturally sealed because of the tight fit between the respective components at the junctures. The mouthpiece  22 , the elbow  22 , and the blowpipe barrel  24  may be respectively secured to each other by friction within the joints of the respective components where they are fitted to each other. Junctures between the mouthpiece  22 , the elbow  22 , and the blowpipe barrel  24  may also be sealed using silicone or any number of sealants or adhesives available on the market. 
     The elbow  28  and the mouthpiece  22  may also be extensions of the blowpipe barrel  24  wherein the blowpipe barrel  24  is bent or curved at an angle from the trajectory line of the blowpipe barrel  24 , which bend or curve may be made during an extrusion process or by heating the blowpipe barrel  24  to a temperature sufficient to soften it and permit bending the blowpipe  26 . A bend or offset of the mouthpiece  22  with respect to the line of trajectory may also be created by using PVC pipe fittings. 
     The bend or curvature between the blowpipe barrel  24  and the mouthpiece may allow ammunition to be safely sucked into muzzle end  20  of the blowpipe barrel  24  without a significant risk of a user sucking the ammunition  36  into his or her windpipe and chocking on the ammunition  36 , because the ammunition  36  will be slowed or stopped as it reaches the bend or curve of the elbow  28  between the mouthpiece  22  and the blowpipe barrel  24 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , in an embodiment of a blowpipe assembly  26  of the present invention, the blowpipe assembly  26  may have more than a single location for connecting the mouthpiece  22 . In one or more aspects of the present invention, the blowpipe assembly  26  may comprise a blowpipe barrel  24 , a T-connector  32 , a cap  30 , and mouthpiece  22 . The blowpipe assembly  26  may be configured by connecting the butt end of the blowpipe barrel  24  perpendicularly to the T-connector  32 , capping a first opening of a first end of the T-connector  32  to prevent air from escaping from the capped opening, and connecting the mouthpiece to an opening on a second side of the T-connector  32  opposite the side on which the cap  30  is disposed on the T-connector. The blowpipe barrel  24 , the T-connector  32 , the cap  30 , and the mouthpiece  22  are configured to that when a user blows air into the blowpipe assembly, the air travels through the blowpipe barrel  24  and is able to expel a projectile  36  from the blowpipe barrel  24 . 
     The can  30  and the mouthpiece  22  may be interchangeable so that the blowpipe assembly may be configured for either right-handed use or left-handed use of the toy rifle  10  as shown by the dashed lines in  FIGS. 3 and 4  to demonstrate alternate configuration of the mouthpiece  22 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the mouthpiece  22  should be configured with respect to the replica rifle  10  so that the mouthpiece will be disposed near the mouth of a user when the user holds and aims the replica rifle  10 . The mouthpiece  22  may be configured laterally from a center line of trajectory of the blowpipe assembly  27  so that air can be blown into the blowpipe assembly  26  at a position laterally from the centerline of the blowpipe barrel  24  or adjacent to the trajectory line. Disposing the mouthpiece  22  lateral to the line of trajectory may permit a user to place his or her mouth on the blowpipe mouthpiece while holding the toy rifle in a manner similar to holding, aiming, and shooting an authentic rifle firearm. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the connection between the mouthpiece  22  and the elbow  28  or between the mouthpiece  22  and the T-connector  32  is not permanently fixed and permits rotation of the mouthpiece in the juncture between the mouthpiece  22  and the elbow  28  or between the mouthpiece  22  and the T-connector  32  while maintaining sufficient seal at the respective juncture to permit a user to blow air into the mouthpiece and expel a projectile  36 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the ability to rotate the mouthpiece  22  may improve a user&#39;s ability to place his or her mouth on the blowpipe mouthpiece and permit the user to hold the toy rifle in a manner similar to holding, aiming, and shooting an authentic rifle firearm. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the length of the blowpipe barrel  24  may be between about sixteen inches and about twenty inches and the width may be about eight-tenths of an inch. It is understood, however, that the blowpipe barrel  24  may be any length which is suitable for use in the rifle replica  10 . 
     In one aspect of the present invention, various forms of ammunition  36  may be used as projectiles  36  for expulsion from the toy rifle, including foam darts, marshmallows, paintballs, BBs, airsoft pellets, and Stefans. There are a number of brand darts on the market which may be used as ammunition with the present invention, including Nerf, Air Zone, Buzz Bee, Sucker Shots, and NXT Generation. Mini marshmallow may be more effective ammunition for smaller children with less lung capacity. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for shooting a toy rifle using replica rifle having a blowpipe assembly. 
     A user may load ammunition  36  into the toy rifle of the present invention by inserting a dart or other ammunition  36  into the opening at the muzzle end  20  of the blowpipe barrel  24  and placing his or her lips on the opening  18  mouthpiece  22  and sucking air through the blowpipe assembly  26  to draw the ammunition  36  toward the butt end of the blowpipe barrel  24 . Some ammunition, such as mini marshmallows, may be loaded into the blowpipe barrel  24  by placing them into the mouthpiece and gently blowing until they reach the entrance of the blowpipe barrel  24 . 
     The user may then hold and aim the replica rifle  10  just as he or she would hold and aim an authentic rifle of the same model style. The butt  14  of the replica rifle  10  should be held snugly against the user&#39;s shoulder. The mouthpiece may be adjusted so that the user may securely put his or her lips over the opening  18  of the mouthpiece  22  while comfortably holding and aiming the replica rifle  10 . While holding and aiming the replica rifle  10 , the user places his or her lips on the blowpipe mouthpiece  22  and blows air from his or her lungs through the blowpipe barrel  24 , expelling the ammunition  36  which exits the blowpipe assembly  26  at the muzzle end  20  as a moving projectile. 
     A user may improve range by running some water through the blowpipe assembly  26  before play to lubricate the blowpipe barrel  24  and ammunition  36  such as darts, which can reduce friction. Before engaging in simulated warfare, users should put on protective eye gear to reduce the risk of injury. 
     A physically fit user may be able to shoot a projectile from the blowpipe assembly  26  of the replica rifle  10  up to three hundred feet per second (muzzle velocity) or more and at distances of up to one hundred feet or more from the force of the user&#39;s breath. 
     Thus, the present invention may be used to safely improve rifle aiming and handling skills while allowing a user to shoot safe and non-lethal ammunitions within an indoor residential environment. Moreover, because the trajectory of ammunition or projectiles are power by human breath rather than by gunpowder explosions or artificially compressed air, such as CO2, the toy rifle of the present invention may be used over and over again without the expensive cost of purchasing replacement ammunition or CO2 cartridges. 
     There is thus disclosed an improved toy rifle and method for shooting a toy rifle having a blowpipe disposed therein and the blowpipe having a mouthpiece offset from the centerline of the blowpipe barrel. It will be appreciated that numerous changes may be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the claims.