Patent Publication Number: US-7900619-B1

Title: System for luminescing and propelling a projectile

Description:
This application is based on and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/900,260, filed Feb. 7, 2007. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to a method and apparatus for illuminating and propelling a projectile. The preferred embodiment disclosed herein has particular application to toy guns wherein a projectile simulating a tracer round is fired by the user. However, the invention does have application to other arrangements wherein it is desired to fire projectiles which emit a light, an example being a signal gun. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many toys exist which simulate in some manner the operation of fire arms. It is well known, for example, to propel darts, balls and other projectiles from gun-like devices. The propulsion systems utilized in such devices vary widely and can include springs, pressurized gas systems and so forth. Quite a number of prior art designs for simulated weapons incorporate electrical or pyrotechnic means for providing lighting or sound effects. These audio and visual displays are sometimes employed in conjunction with toy weapons which propel a projectile of some type. In other cases, the lighting and sound effects are incorporated in simulated weapons which do not in fact propel a projectile of any type. 
     The preferred form of apparatus disclosed herein relates to a toy gun, cannon, rocket launcher or other projectile launching means which utilizes one or more illuminated projectiles to simulate tracer rounds. Typically, tracer ammunition utilized in actual weaponry contains a small pyrotechnic charge positioned in a hollow portion of a projectile. When the propelling charge is burned, the tracer charge is ignited and burns brightly as the projectile proceeds toward the intended target. Due to the photochemical persistence of the human eye, this traveling light source is perceived as an arc of light. When tracer ammunition is used at night, the trajectory of the projectile is easily monitored by this display. 
     The following United States patents disclose devices believed to be representative of the current state of the prior art in this field: U.S. Pat. No. 7,108,576, U.S. Pat. No. 6,648,726, U.S. Pat. No. 5,415,151, U.S. Pat. No. 5,032,098, U.S. Pat. No. 5,102,131, U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,825, U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,047, U.S. Pat. No. 5,186,458, U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,964, U.S. Pat. No. 5,779,575 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,464,602. 
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     With the present invention simulation of tracer bullets or other projectiles is accomplished without the use of a burning projectile component. The structural elements and method steps utilized to accomplish the intended result are relatively simple, inexpensive and address the concerns of safety. The invention utilizes lighted projectiles powered by rechargeable power sources which are rapidly charged by a launcher to provide a toy that is not only inherently safe but highly interesting. The brilliant glow of the projectiles remains visible for a considerable length of time, making it a relatively easy matter to locate the projectiles in the dark after they have been projected. Light produced by the projectiles may be of any color desired. The projectile may even be made to emit infrared or ultraviolet light, viewable only by special equipment as may be desired for covert operation. 
     Projectile propulsion apparatus of the present invention is employed to charge and propel a projectile, said projectile including light emitting structure and a rechargeable power source. 
     Prior to or during launch the rechargeable power source of the projectile is charged by the projectile propulsion apparatus whereby the projectile will emit light at least after being launched from the apparatus. 
     The light emitting means includes at least one LED, incandescent lamp, electroluminescent device or other electric means for illuminating the projectile. The apparatus additionally comprises an electrical energy source for charging the rechargeable power source of the projectile. 
     Other features, advantages and objects of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a view of one embodiment of projectile constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention employing electrodes to facilitate charging; 
         FIG. 2   a  is an exploded view of the projectile embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  illustrating illumination structure, a rechargeable power source and charging electrodes; 
         FIG. 2   b  is an exploded view of a second embodiment of projectile of the instant invention showing illumination structure, a rechargeable power source, charging electrodes and a control circuit; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged, cutaway detail, perspective section view illustrating the barrel of a gun with the projectile of  FIG. 1  disposed therein and showing the position of charging contacts of the gun operatively associated with batteries of the gun; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of a third embodiment of projectile of the instant invention showing illumination structure, a rechargeable power source, an inductive coupler coil and a control circuit; and 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged, cutaway detail, perspective section view illustrating the barrel of a gun accommodating the third embodiment of projectile and showing the relationship between an inductive coupler coil and an inductive coupling magnet. 
     
    
    
     MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2   a  and  3  of the drawings, a system constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention for luminescing and propelling a projectile includes a projectile  30  and projectile propulsion apparatus in the form of a toy gun including a launch tube  22  having an open end and a barrel interior. 
     Situated within the launch tube is projectile  30 . Referring now to  FIG. 1 , projectile  30  includes a projectile body  12  constructed of a soft material such as plastic foam. Referring now to  FIG. 2   a , it can be seen that projectile  30  also comprises light emitting structure  15  and rechargeable power source  16 . Rechargeable power source  16  is electrically connected to charging electrodes  14  so that power from the projectile launcher may be transferred to rechargeable power source  16  and thereby power light emitting structure  15 . 
     Light emitting structure  15  may comprise an incandescent lamp, an LED, an electroluminescent device or any other suitable electrically powered light emitting means but is preferably an LED. An LED provides a compact, efficient, high intensity source of light which is well suited to the operation of the present invention. 
     Rechargeable power source  16  may comprise a battery such as a nickel-cadnium battery, a lithium battery, a capacitor, or any other suitable electric energy storage means. Rechargeable power source  16  is preferably a supercapacitor. A supercapacitor or ultracapacitor is an electrochemical capacitor that has an unusually high energy density when compared to common capacitors. Such capacitors are well suited to the instant invention in that they are very small with respect to the energy that they can store, are relatively light in weight and can be charged extremely rapidly without damage to the device. It has been found that a supercapacitor with a value of 0.6 Farad and a voltage rating of 3 Volts can, after charging, power an LED brilliantly for many minutes. Additionally, supercapacitors of this type have recently become common components in cell phones and other portable electronic devices so they are readily available and very inexpensive. One manufacturer of suitable supercapacitors is Kyocera Corporation, Kyoto, Japan. 
     Light emitting structure  15  may be positioned in any portion of projectile body  12  as may be desired. Additionally, light emitting structure  15  may be oriented in any manner as may be desired. Further, light emitting structure  15  may comprise multiple light emitters such as a plurality of LEDs or other light emitting means as may be desired in any combination of colors as may be desired. Further, the light emitting structure may be caused to flash or pulse in any sequence or combination as may be desired. 
     The exact means of propulsion of the projectile is not important, though typically, springs or gas pressure may be employed for this purpose. The embodiment shown in  FIG. 5  shows use of a spring  25  to provide propulsion. Fundamental to the operation of the instant invention is that the projectile includes a rechargeable power source and interconnected light emitting structure. The rechargeable power source may be charged from a separate charging station in which power is transferred from a power source external to the projectile to the rechargeable power source integral to the projectile. Preferably, this charging station is integral to the launcher so that the rechargeable power source may be conveniently charged until the instant that it is propelled from the launcher. This launcher may be in the form of a gun, cannon, rocket gantry or any other desired form. The source of power in the charging station may comprise a battery  26 , for example a number of cells such as those referred to as “AA” size. The launcher may be outfitted with light or sound generation means as may be desired for decoration or to indicate the status of the projectile being charged. For example, a siren sound of increasing pitch could indicate the relative state of charge of the rechargeable power source integral to the projectile. Since the power source integral to the projectile is rechargeable, it is not necessary to include a switch to turn off the light emitting means in the projectile since it will be instantly recharged to full power the next time it is connected to the charging station. 
     A convenient means of coupling electric energy to rechargeable power source  16  from the launcher is by means of charging projectile launching apparatus electrodes  14  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Charging electrodes  14  may be in any desirable form such as pins, rings or probes, and may be positioned coaxially if desired. One convenient embodiment for charging electrodes takes the form of rings which surround the external diameter of the projectile. An arrangement such as this permits the projectile to be inserted into the launching apparatus without concern with respect to rotational orientation.  FIG. 2   a  shows projectile  30  and possible relative positioning of charging electrodes  14 , light emitting structure  15 , and rechargeable power source  16 . 
       FIG. 2   b  shows an embodiment of projectile  30 A with light emitting structure which is incorporated with a control circuit  18 . Said circuit may be constructed on a circuit board  17  and may employ a means such as a microchip to control the operation of light emitting structure  15 . Additionally, acceleration sensor  19  may be employed to trigger an action of light emitting structure  15 , for example, a bright flash upon impact of the projectile or other desired visual or sound effect which is related to a change in acceleration of projectile  30 A. Acceleration sensor  19  may comprise any of the well-known acceleration sensors or switches such as, but not limited to, piezoelectric sensors, magnetic sensors, “gravity switches” or any other suitable sensor or switch. Said sensor or switch may interact directly with light emitting structure  15  or provide a signal to control circuit  18  to achieve the desired effect. 
     Among other functions, control circuit  18  may cause light emitting structure  15  to flash, fade, change color or provide any other desired optical effect. Additionally, the light emitting structure may be controlled in such a manner that a signal or other telemetry may be transmitted from the projectile which may be received by a remote receiver, which receiver may be for example, coupled with the projectile launcher. Such telemetry could relay the status of the projectile, or be used to transmit data collected by the projectile. Further, an audio transducer such as a speaker or buzzer may be employed as part of the system integral to the projectile so that a sound effect can be generated by the projectile. Said transducer could derive any electrical power from the aforementioned rechargeable power source. It is anticipated by the instant invention that the control circuit previously described might be of a programmable nature whereby the circuit receives program instructions from the launcher prior to, during or after charging of the rechargeable power source. Said program instructions could be transferred via the same charging electrodes as are used to charge the rechargeable power source. Additional electrodes or any form of wireless technology could also be employed to provide these instructions. 
     Mating projectile launching apparatus electrodes on the launcher are designed so that their mechanical contact, while sufficient to transfer electrical energy reliably, does not significantly reduce the launch velocity of the projectile. The mating electrodes on the launcher may be designed to automatically retract from the projectile immediately before the projectile is propelled from the launcher so that they do not drag on the projectile or may be otherwise configured so as to provide minimal drag on the projectile.  FIG. 3  illustrates one possible embodiment for projectile launching apparatus electrodes  23 . Electrical conductors  24  connect coupling electrodes  23  to battery  26  of the launcher. 
     Another method of transferring electrical energy to the rechargeable power source is by means of electromagnetic induction. Since a conductor moving through a magnetic field generates a voltage potential, such a system may be employed to advantage.  FIG. 4  shows a projectile  30 B with integral inductive coupler coil  20 . Now, referring to  FIG. 5 , as projectile  30 B is propelled through (or past) inductive coupling magnet  21 , a voltage is generated in inductive coupler coil  20 . This voltage may be rectified and used to charge rechargeable power source  16 . Such a system would not require that the launcher comprise a battery or similar power source since necessary power to charge rechargeable power source  16  would be derived from conversion of mechanical energy such as that associated with a spring or air pressure to electrical energy when the projectile was launched.