Patent Publication Number: US-2015065006-A1

Title: Smoke Emitting Toy

Description:
This is a continuation in part application of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/018,534, filed 2013 Sep. 5 which claims priority to Hong Kong patent application Number 13110306.3, filed 2013 Sep. 4. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a smoke emitting toy and particularly, but not exclusively to a toy gun in the form of a breech loading rifle which is capable of firing a projectile as well as emitting smoke. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Smoke emitting toys are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,741,717 discloses a doll. The doll has a smoke generator and a manually actuated air pump. To emit smoke from the doll, a user manually depresses a switch to power a heating element to heat an oil containing wick to produce smoke and manually depresses a piston of the pump to cause air to flow through the smoke generating chamber to convey smoke to a smoke outlet. This disclosure requires the user to continuously manually operate the switch to produce smoke whilst manually operating the pump to expel smoke. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,771 discloses a toy airplane for producing smoke filled bubbles. A manually actuated air bellows and a smoke generator mechanism are connected to a tube having an aperture. A soapy liquid film is provided over the aperture. In use, a user manually actuates both the air bellows and a switch of the smoke generating mechanism continuously to cause smoke laden air to exit the aperture through the soapy film thereby producing smoke filled bubbles. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,512,001 discloses a toy vehicle having a smoke generating mechanism and an air bellows. The air bellows is linked to a spoiler part of the vehicle by a mechanical linkage. Repeated manual depression of the spoiler causes the air bellows to expel air through the smoke generating mechanism to thereby emit smoke from an exhaust pipe of the toy vehicle. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,421,502 discloses a toy gun with a smoke generating chamber. A diaphragm extends across a rear part of the chamber. A reciprocating actuator moveable in response to continuous actuation of a trigger causes movement of the diaphragm thereby causing smoke to be emitted as a series of smoke rings from the toy gun. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,789,729 discloses a toy gun in the form of a breech loadable toy shotgun. Shells can be loaded into over and under barrels at the breech. The shells are automatically ejected from the breech when the gun is opened. A smoke generator is positioned near the breech to emit smoke in the breech chamber when the gun is opened. The toy gun does not discharge any projectiles. 
     It is realized by the inventors that none of the prior art toys provides the ability to fire a toy projectile whilst emitting smoke in response to the firing of a projectile. It would be desirable to provide a toy having the aforementioned capabilities. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the invention is to mitigate or obviate to some degree one or more problems associated with prior art smoke emitting toys. 
     The above object is met by the combination of features of the main claims; the sub-claims disclose further advantageous embodiments of the invention. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide an improved smoke emitting toy. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a toy gun having the ability to fire a toy projectile whilst emitting smoke following firing of the projectile. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a toy gun having the ability to automatically fire a toy projectile whilst emitting smoke following firing of the projectile 
     One skilled in the art will derive from the following description other objects of the invention. Therefore, the foregoing statements of object are not exhaustive and serve merely to illustrate some of the many objects of the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one main aspect, the invention provides a toy gun comprising: a barrel; means for discharging a projectile from a muzzle of the barrel; and a smoke generator arranged to emit smoke when the discharging means has been actuated to discharge a projectile from the muzzle. Preferably, the smoke is emitted automatically. In one embodiment, the smoke generator may be positioned closely adjacent to a front portion of the barrel comprising the muzzle, although it may be positioned at any point on the gun in similar manner to some of the prior art arrangements. By positioning the smoke generator at or near the tip of the barrel renders it easy to provide a supply of smoke to be emitted from the tip or near the tip, i.e. muzzle of the barrel or to be emitted nearly adjacent to the tip of the barrel after the projectile has left the barrel. 
     Preferably, the smoke generator has an outlet in gaseous communication with a portion of the barrel such that smoke emitted by the smoke generator passes into the portion of the barrel and emanates from the muzzle of the barrel. Preferably also, the smoke generator outlet is in gaseous communication with a front or tip portion of the barrel comprising the muzzle. 
     Preferably also, the smoke generator is arranged to emit smoke immediately, or a short period of time after, the discharging means has been actuated to discharge a projectile from the muzzle. The short period of time is determined as a period of time needed for the projectile to be discharged from the barrel such that smoke is emitted from the tip of the barrel not before the projectile leaves the barrel muzzle or tip. The projectile is preferably a dart. 
     Preferably, the smoke generator is arranged to be on for a predetermined period of time. A heating element of the smoke generator is battery powered. Thus, intermittent switching on of the smoke generator, i.e. its heating element, saves battery life. The timing of turning on of the smoke generator is dependent on the physical arrangement of the means by which a switch for the heating element is actuated. In the present invention, the means for actuating the switch can be designed to actuate the switch immediately the projectile discharge means is actuated or at a period of time later. 
     Preferably also, the means for discharging comprises a first gas storage device for discharging gas into a rear portion of the barrel to cause a projectile loaded in the barrel to be discharged at speed from the muzzle of the barrel. 
     The smoke generator has a housing with an inlet and an outlet. The toy gun may further comprise: a second gas storage device having an outlet connected to the inlet of the housing; and means for automatically expelling some gas from the second gas storage device in response to a trigger event whereby at least some of said released gas is conveyed to the inlet of the housing, said released gas passing into the housing via the inlet and exiting the housing via the outlet, said gas exiting the housing carrying with it some smoke generated by the smoke generator. Preferably, the first and/or second gas storage device stores air and comprises a rechargeable gas storage device. The or each storage device may be manually rechargeable and may comprise a pump. The or each pump may comprise a cylinder housing a piston, the piston being adapted for movement within the cylinder to expel air from the cylinder through a pump outlet. The or each pump may be rechargeable with air by drawing the piston away from the pump outlet causing air to be drawn into the cylinder via a pump inlet. 
     Preferably, once the piston is withdrawn away from the outlet to a pumped charged position, a latching means holds the piston in its pump charged position against a biasing force of a biasing means whereupon, in response to a trigger event, the latching means releases the piston, which, under a force exerted by the biasing means, moves towards the pump outlet thereby expelling air stored in the cylinder through the pump outlet. The or each biasing means may comprise a compression spring, although any suitable biasing means may be utilized. 
     Preferably, the biasing means of the first gas storage device is adapted to exert a substantially larger biasing force than the biasing means of the second gas storage device. The biasing means of the first gas storage device is adapted to expel stored air quickly by way of providing a propelling force to a projectile loaded in the barrel of the gun. In contrast, the biasing means of the second gas storage device is intended to expel stored air much more slowly. 
     The pump inlet may be co-incident with the pump outlet thereby simplifying the pump cylinder design. 
     The toy gun has a trigger which when depressed causes the first and second air pumps to expel stored air. Thus, firing a projectile from the barrel and causing emission of smoke from the tip of the barrel are automatically initiated in response to a user action, namely depressing or pulling of the trigger. Depressing or pulling the trigger results in release of the or each pump piston from its latching means. Preferably, the same trigger event initiates automatic release of some gas from the or each gas storage device and automatically switches on the smoke generator to cause the smoke generator to start generating smoke and preferably does so simultaneously. 
     Preferably also, the toy gun further comprises a gas flow restriction device in a gas passageway connecting the outlet of the second gas storage device to the inlet of the smoke generator housing, whereby the gas flow restriction device controls the flow rate of released gas into the housing of the smoke generator. The gas flow restriction device may have a moveable member arranged such that gas pressure exerted on said moveable member by released gas causes said member to move from a first position to a second position. The gas flow restriction device may be arranged to slow the flow rate of released gas such that the moveable member remains in its second position actuating the switch for a predetermined period of time after which the moveable member is returned to its first position. In one embodiment, the gas flow restriction device is adapted to slow the flow rate of released gas to the housing of the smoke generator by forcing released gas through a leakage path defined by at least one surface of the moveable member. 
     The smoke generator housing may be adapted to receive a smoke oil container whereby a wick or cord of the smoke generator is positioned to enter the container to draw smoke oil therefrom by a wicking action. The smoke generator housing may have means for piercing a seal of the smoke oil container as said smoke oil container is being received in the housing. 
     The toy gun may be arranged such that the first and/or second gas storage devices are recharged by the action of opening the breech of the rifle. 
     In another main aspect, the invention provides a smoke emitting system for a toy, comprising: a smoke generator having a housing, the housing having an inlet and an outlet; a gas storage device having an outlet connected to the inlet of the housing; means for automatically expelling some gas from the gas storage device in response to a trigger event whereby at least some of said released gas is conveyed to the inlet of the housing, said released gas passing into the housing via the inlet and exiting the housing via the outlet, said gas exiting the housing carrying with it some smoke generated by the smoke generator. 
     In another main aspect, the invention provides a smoke generator for a toy, comprising: a housing; a wick; and a heating element arranged close to a portion of the wick within the housing such that when the heating element is actuated and becomes sufficiently hot it causes oil in the wick to smoke; wherein the housing is adapted to receive a smoke oil container and another portion of the wick is positioned relative to the housing to enter the container to draw smoke oil therefrom by a wicking action and the housing has means for piercing a seal of the smoke oil container as said smoke oil container is being received at the housing. The portion of the wick positioned to enter the smoke oil container when it is being received at the housing may be enclosed by the piercing means. The heating element may be surrounded by a ceramic housing, the ceramic housing being contained within the smoke generator housing. 
     The smoke generator housing has an inlet for admitting air and an outlet for emitting air laden with smoke. Preferably, the smoke generator housing comprises a first main housing part and a smoke delivery tube part, the main housing part being adapted to fit within the smoke delivery tube part and the smoke delivery tube part having a smoke delivery pipe extending outwardly therefrom such that, when the main housing part is received in the smoke delivery tube part, the outlet of the main housing part is in gaseous communication with the smoke delivery pipe to convey air laden with smoke away from the smoke generator. 
     In another main aspect, the invention provides a gas flow restriction device for a toy, comprising: a housing having an inlet and an outlet, said housing defining a gas flow passageway between said inlet and said outlet; and a moveable member arranged in the gas flow passageway such that pressure of gas entering the inlet exerted on said moveable member causes said member to move from a first position to a second position against the action of a biasing means which normally holds the moveable member in its first position. The moveable member may be adapted to slow the flow rate of gas through the gas flow passageway by forcing gas to pass through a leakage path defined by at least one surface of the moveable member. The moveable member may have a plunger member which extends through a wall of the housing and said plunger is adapted to engage a switch to actuate it when said moveable member is moved to its second position. The moveable member preferably includes a sealing member which slidingly engages an internal surface of the housing to prevent or reduce air leakage past the plunger member through a wall of the housing. The device preferably has a separate restrictor member provided in the gas flow passageway to restrict gas flow through said passageway. 
     In one embodiment, the housing comprises a cylinder and the moveable member comprises a piston, the piston being dimensioned to have a sliding fit within the cylinder but such that air under pressure entering the inlet of the housing can leak over the external surface of the piston to reach the outlet, the external surface of the piston and the internal surface of the housing between them defining a leakage path part of the gas flow passageway. 
     In another embodiment, the housing contains an open-ended cylinder affixed around the inlet and the moveable member comprises a cylinder open at one end and moveably mounted on the fixed cylinder, such that air under pressure entering the inlet of the housing can leak over a part of the internal surface of the moveable cylinder which overlaps a part of the external surface of the fixed cylinder, the part of the internal surface of the moveable cylinder and the part of the external surface of the fixed cylinder between them defining a leakage path part of the gas flow passageway. 
     The gas flow restriction device comprises a pressure switch system for the toy gun. 
     In another main aspect, the invention provides a toy having any one or any combination of a smoke emitting system according to the invention, a smoke generator according to the invention, or a gas flow restriction device according to the invention. 
     The summary of the invention does not necessarily disclose all the features essential for defining the invention; the invention may reside in a sub-combination of the disclosed features. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and further features of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments which are provided by way of example only in connection with the accompanying figures, of which: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a toy gun according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2   a  is a side view of the toy gun of  FIG. 1 , but showing the internal structure of the gun; 
         FIG. 2   b  is an enlarged side view of a tip of the toy gun barrel showing a smoke oil container removed from the gun; 
         FIG. 2   c  is an enlarged side view of a tip of the toy gun barrel showing a smoke oil container received in the gun; 
         FIG. 2   d  is an enlarged end view of a tip of the toy gun barrel showing a smoke oil container received in the gun; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the toy gun of  FIG. 1  with the gun breech in an open position ready to be loaded with a projectile; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the toy gun of  FIG. 1  with the gun breech in an open position and a projectile housed in a cartridge loaded into the barrel breech with a cartridge shell ejection spring in a locked to eject position; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the toy gun of  FIG. 1  with the breech closed and in a ready to fire condition; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the toy gun of  FIG. 1  in a just fired condition; 
         FIG. 7   a  is a side view of the toy gun of  FIG. 1  in a partially fired condition where the projectile has been discharged from the barrel and smoke is beginning to be emitted from the tip of the barrel; 
         FIG. 7   b  is an enlarged view of the pressure switch system in an actuated condition; 
         FIG. 8   a  is a side view of the toy gun of  FIG. 1  in a fully fired condition where the projectile has been discharged from the barrel and smoke is ceasing to be emitted from the tip of the barrel; 
         FIG. 8   b  is an enlarged view of the pressure switch system in a not actuated condition; 
         FIG. 9   a  is a sectional side view of a first embodiment of the pressure switch system in a not yet actuated condition; 
         FIG. 9   b  is a sectional side view of the first embodiment of the pressure switch system in an actuated condition; 
         FIG. 9   c  is a sectional side view of the first embodiment of the pressure switch system in an actuated condition with arrowed lines showing the gas/air passageway through the gas flow restriction device; 
         FIG. 10   a  is a sectional side view of a second embodiment of the pressure switch system in a not yet actuated condition; 
         FIG. 10   b  is a sectional side view of the second embodiment of the pressure switch system in an actuated condition; 
         FIG. 10   c  is a sectional side view of the second embodiment of the pressure switch system in an actuated condition with arrowed lines showing the gas/air passageway through the gas flow restriction device; 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded side view of the smoke generator and smoke oil container; 
         FIG. 12   a  is a view of the heating element, ceramic housing and wick of the smoke generator; 
         FIG. 12   b  is another view of the heating element, ceramic housing and wick of the smoke generator; and 
         FIG. 13   a  is a side view of a toy gun according to another embodiment of the invention in a closed and not yet loaded state; 
         FIG. 13   b  is a side view of the toy gun of  FIG. 13   a  in an open, but not yet loaded state; 
         FIG. 13   c  is a side view of the toy gun of  FIG. 13   a  in an open and loaded state with the bolt being withdrawn to cock the trigger; 
         FIG. 13   d  is a side view of the toy gun of  FIG. 13   a  in an open and loaded state with the trigger cocked and the bolt being closed; 
         FIG. 13   e  is a side view of the toy gun of  FIG. 13   a  in a closed and loaded state ready for firing; 
         FIG. 13   f  is a side view of the toy gun of  FIG. 13   a  in a just fired state; 
         FIG. 13   g  is a side view of the toy gun of  FIG. 13   a  in a fired state with smoke emanating from at least the chamber; 
         FIG. 13   h  is a side view of the toy gun of  FIG. 13   a  in a just unloaded state; and 
         FIG. 14   a  is a sectional side view of a third embodiment of the pressure switch system in a not yet actuated condition; 
         FIG. 14   b  is a sectional side view of the third embodiment of the pressure switch system in an actuated condition; 
         FIG. 14   c  is a sectional side view of the third embodiment of the pressure switch system in an actuated condition with arrowed lines showing the gas/air passageway through the gas flow restriction device; 
         FIG. 15  is a side sectional side view of a fourth embodiment of the pressure switch system; 
         FIG. 16  is a side sectional side view of a fifth embodiment of the pressure switch system; and 
         FIG. 17  is a side sectional side view of a sixth embodiment of the pressure switch system. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following description is of preferred embodiments by way of example only and without limitation to the combination of features necessary for carrying the invention into effect. 
     Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not other embodiments. 
     Whilst the description of a preferred embodiment is based on a breech loading toy rifle, it will be understood that many of the aspects of the present invention are applicable to toy guns of any type which are arranged to emit smoke and indeed to toys of any type which are arranged to emit smoke. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a breech loading toy rifle  10  having a butt or stock  12  providing a first hand grip  12   a , a barrel  14 , a second hand grip  16  under the barrel, a trigger  18  with a trigger guard  20  provided on a breech block  21  under a breech end  14   a  of the barrel  14 , a hinge  22  at an end of the breech block  21  for enabling the rifle  10  to be opened at the breech, a false hammer  24  which, as can be seen in other figures, comprises a spring loaded latch  26  for holding the rifle in a closed position. A tubular member  28  extends under the barrel  14  from a tip  14   b  of the barrel  14  to at least the second hand grip  16 . 
     The term ‘breech’ is used herein to refer to that part of the rifle comprising a rear end portion, i.e. breech end  14   a , of the barrel  14  and the breech block  21 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 to 8  which reveal the internal components of the rifle  10  and which show the rifle in various states of operation as will be explained hereinbelow, it can be seen that the rifle  10  has a smoke generator  30  arranged within the tubular member  28  and positioned at or closely adjacent to the tip  14   b  of the barrel  14 , although the smoke generator in some embodiments could be placed elsewhere on the toy gun and arranged to emit smoke from other parts of the toy gun other than the barrel. A battery compartment  32  is provided in the second hand grip  16  to receive batteries  34  for powering the smoke generator  30 , i.e. to provide electrical power to a heating element of the smoke generator  30 .  FIG. 2   a  shows the toy rifle  10  in a not yet loaded state.  FIG. 2   b  shows an enlarged side view of the tip portion  14   b  of the barrel  14  where a smoke oil refill container  36  is removed from the smoke generator  30 , whereas  FIG. 2   c  is an enlarged side view of the tip portion  14   b  in which the smoke oil refill container  36  is received in the smoke generator  30 . Similarly,  FIG. 2   d  is an enlarged end view of the tip portion  14   b  showing the smoke oil container  36  inserted into a tip end of the tubular member  28 . The smoke refill oil container  36  may be refilled when empty by a user of the rifle, but sealed filled smoke oil containers  36  may be made available for purchase to save users from the need to buy a supply of smoke oil for refill purposes. 
     The smoke generator  30  has an outlet  30   a  which extends from a top of the smoke generator  30  into the tip portion  14   b  of the barrel  14  such that a smoke chamber of the smoke generator  30  is in gaseous communication with the tip portion, i.e. muzzle,  14   b  of the barrel  14 . In some embodiments, the smoke generator may be positioned such that its outlet is in gaseous communication with portions of the barrel other than the tip or muzzle. It will be appreciated that the passage of a projectile along the barrel may in some circumstances create a sufficient back pressure to draw smoke from the barrel where said smoke is communicated to a portion of barrel nearer to a middle or the breech part of the barrel. The smoke generator  30  also has an inlet  30   b  for admitting air or gas. Air or gas admitted through the inlet  30   b  to the smoke chamber of the smoke generator  30  may exit the smoke generator  30  by its outlet  30   a  and, in doing so, convey some smoke into the tip portion  14   b  of the barrel  14  where the smoke will eventually emanate from the barrel muzzle. 
     Provided within an end part of the butt  12  coincident with the first hand grip  12   a  are first and second air storage devices  38 ,  40  in the form of first and second piston pumps. Each piston pump  38 ,  40  comprises a cylinder  42 ,  44  housing a spring loaded piston  46 ,  48 . In an uncharged state as seen in  FIG. 2 , the pistons  46 ,  48  are urged by their respective compression springs  50 ,  52  towards or against an end of the cylinder having an aperture  54 ,  56  comprising both a gas/air inlet and outlet for the cylinder  42 ,  44 . In the preferred embodiment, the cylinders  42 ,  44  are charged with atmospheric air. Whilst the biasing means for each of the first and second piston pumps  38 ,  40  are shown as compression springs  50 ,  52 , it will be understood that any suitable biasing means may be used. Furthermore, whilst the first and second air storage devices are described as piston pumps  38 ,  40 , it will be appreciated that any means that can be triggered to automatically discharge some gas or air under pressure will be sufficient to act as the first and second air storage devices. It will also be understood that the first and second air storage devices may comprise different types of devices from each other for automatically discharging a charge of air or gas under pressure. 
     The aperture  54  of the first piston pump  38  is connected by an air passageway  58  to a breech end  14   a  of the barrel  14  such that, when the first piston pump  38  is triggered to discharge its store of air, air under pressure is supplied to the breech end  14   a  of the barrel  14  to thereby propel a projectile  60  loaded into the barrel  14  along the barrel  14  to exit the barrel  14  at speed. In  FIG. 2   a , two projectiles ready for loading into the barrel  14  are shown attached to the stock  12  of the rifle  10 . 
     The aperture  56  of the second piston pump  40  is connected via an air passageway  62  to an end of an air passageway member  64  which connects the outlet  56  of the second piston pump  40  to the inlet  30   b  of the smoke generator  30 , although the air connection is not a direct one as will be explained below. Each of the air passageways  58 ,  62  exits at a breech plate  66  ( FIG. 3 ) which forms a gas tight seal against an end of the breech block  21  when the toy rifle  10  is closed. 
     A pulley system  68  is provided which extends between the breech block  21  and ends of the pistons  46 ,  48  such that, when the toy rifle is opened at the breech, the pulley system  68  withdraws the pistons  46 ,  48  within their cylinders  42 ,  44  against the urging force of their respective compression springs  50 ,  52 . When the breech of the toy rifle is fully open and the pistons  46 ,  48  have been withdrawn to a charged position, respective latch means  70 ,  72  associated with the first and second piston pumps  38 ,  40  latch the withdrawn pistons  46 ,  48  in their charged positions. It will be understood that, as the pistons  46 ,  48  are withdrawn in their cylinders  42 ,  44 , they draw air (or gas) via their respective apertures  54 ,  56  into the cylinders  42 ,  44 . 
     As already explained,  FIG. 2   a  shows the toy rifle  10  in a closed and unloaded state where the pistons  46 ,  48  of the piston pumps  38 ,  40  are resting in their discharged positions within their cylinders  42 ,  44 . 
     In contrast to  FIG. 2   a ,  FIG. 3  shows the toy rifle  10  in a fully opened, yet unloaded state. It can be seen that the pulley system  68  has been drawn forward by the open breech block  21  such that the pistons  46 ,  48  now occupy their charged, latched positions. The rifle  10  is opened by a user depressing the false trigger spring loaded latch  26  which releases the barrel  14  to hingedly swing away from the gun stock  12 . The pulley system  68  comprises a cord  74  extending between the end of the breech block  21  and the ends of the pistons  46 ,  48 . The cord extends around a series of pulley wheels  75 . The pulley system  68  includes a return spring  76 . The breech end  14   a  of the barrel is adapted to receive a projectile  60  such as a dart housed in a cartridge or shell  78  such that, when the projectile  60  is discharged from the rifle barrel  14 , the cartridge or shell  78  remains. The breech end  14   a  of the barrel  14  has a spring loaded cartridge receiving means  80  which locks a loaded cartridge  78  into the breech end  14   a  when the cartridge  78  is manually pushed into the breech end  14   a  of the barrel. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4  which shows the toy rifle  10  in a loaded yet opened state, it can be seen that a cartridge  78  carrying a dart  60  has been loaded into the breech end  14   a  of the barrel  14  and locked in place under spring pressure by the cartridge receiving means  80 . 
       FIG. 5  shows the rifle  10  in a loaded and ready to fire state. In contrast to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the rifle  10  has been returned to a closed state where the latch means  26  has reengaged the breech block  21  to secure it in a closed position. Closing of the rifle  10  allows the pulley return spring  76  to return the pulley system  68  to its normal state and yet leave the pistons  46 ,  48  of the piston pumps  38 ,  40  in their latched, charged state. 
       FIG. 6  shows the toy rifle  10  in a state where a user has pulled or depressed the trigger  18  thereby unlatching the pistons  46 ,  48  which, under the urging force of their respective compression springs  50 ,  52  begin to discharge stored air from their cylinders  42 ,  44 . In  FIG. 6  it can be seen that the first piston pump discharges its store air rapidly thereby causing the dart  60  to depart its cartridge and travel along the barrel  14  at speed. The next time the gun  10  is opening the cartridge receiving means will eject the empty cartridge  78  from the breech end  14   a  of the barrel  14 .  FIG. 6  shows a point in time where the dart  60  has not yet exited the barrel tip  14   b . The second piston pump  40  has only just started discharging air and does so considerably slower than the first piston pump  38  for reasons as will now be explained. 
     The second piston pump  40  may be provided with a much weaker compression spring  52  than the spring  50  of the first piston pump  38  thereby reducing the speed of air discharged from the second piston pump  40 . However, the flow of air along the passageway  64  connecting the outlet  56  of the second piston pump  40  to the inlet  30   b  of the smoke generator  30  is restricted by a gas flow restriction device  82  that functions as a pressure switch actuator for the heating element of the smoke generator  30 . The gas flow restriction device  82  is located at a position in the air passageway  64  generally intermediate the outlet  56  of the second piston pump  40  and the inlet  30   b  of the smoke generator  30 , although it could be placed anywhere in the air passageway  64  between the piston pump outlet  56  and the smoke generator inlet  30   b . Preferably, the gas flow restriction device  82  is housed in the second handle grip  16  of the rifle  10 . It can be seen that the air passageway  64  comprises a first conduit  64   a  extending from the breech block  21  to an inlet  82   a  of the gas flow restriction device  82  and a second conduit  64   b  connecting the restriction device&#39;s outlet  82   b  to the inlet  30   b  of the smoke generator  30 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 7   a  which shows the rifle  10  in a state where the dart  60  has been discharged from the barrel  14 , the second piston pump  40  has partially discharged its stored air. Air discharged under pressure from the second pump  40  is conveyed by the first conduit  64   a  to the restriction device  82  where the flow rate of air through the device  82  is throttled. This creates a back pressure within the restriction device  82  which serves a number of purposes. A first effect of the throttled of air flow is that it prevents the second pump  40  discharging its stored air as quickly as the first pump  38  discharges its stored air. The use of a weaker compression spring  52  in the second pump also reduces the speed of air discharge from the pump  40 . A second effect is to prevent air being conveyed into the smoke chamber of the smoke generator  30  at such a speed that the charge of air is so great that any smoke caught up by the air is not visible when said air exits the tip portion  14   b  of the barrel  14 . By slowing the flow rate of air into the smoke chamber, this allows air exiting the smoke generator  30  to become laden with smoke such that said smoke is visible as it drifts out of the barrel tip  14   b . A third purpose of restricting air flow is to delay the discharge of smoke from the barrel tip  14   b  until after the dart  60  has been discharged from the barrel  14 . A fourth purpose of the gas flow rate restriction is to employ the back pressure created in the restriction device  82  to actuate a pressure switch  84  for supplying electrical power to the heating element of the smoke generator  30 . 
       FIG. 7   b  comprises an enlarged view of the gas flow restriction device  82  where a plunger member  86  of the device  82  is in engagement with the pressure switch  84  to actuate it. The slow discharge of air from the second pump  40  results in a time period during which the plunger  86  of the restriction device  82  remains engaged with the pressure switch  84  actuating it. The gas flow restriction device  82  is preferably arranged to provide a one second switch actuation time period, but other periods may be selected for other types of smoke emitting toys. 
       FIG. 8   a  shows the toy rifle in a state where it has been fired, the dart has been discharged from the barrel, the second pump has discharged its store of air and the final wafts of smoke are being emitted from the barrel tip. As such,  FIG. 8   a  shows a state of the rifle similar to that of  FIG. 2   a  save for the fact that the trigger has not yet been returned to its firing position. 
       FIG. 8   b  comprises an enlarged view of the gas flow restriction device  82  where a plunger member  86  of the device  82  is no longer in engagement with the pressure switch  84  to actuate it and thus the smoke generator heating element is switched off. 
       FIG. 9   a  is a sectional side view of a first embodiment of the gas flow restriction device/pressure switch system  82  in a not yet actuated condition, whereas  FIG. 9   b  is a sectional side view of the first embodiment of the pressure switch system  82  in an actuated condition.  FIG. 9   c  is a sectional side view of the first embodiment of the pressure switch system  82  in an actuated condition with arrowed lines showing the gas/air passageway through the gas flow restriction device  82 . The restriction device  82  comprises a housing  88  having providing the inlet  82   a  and the outlet  82   b . The housing  88  defines a gas flow passageway between said inlet  82   a  and said outlet  82   b . A moveable member  90  is arranged in the gas flow passageway such that pressure of gas entering the inlet exerted on said moveable member  90  causes said member  90  to move from a first position to a second position against the action of a biasing means  92  which normally holds the moveable member  90  in its first position. The moveable member  90  is adapted to slow the flow rate of gas through the gas flow passageway by forcing gas to pass through a leakage path defined by at least one surface of the moveable member  90 . The moveable member  90  provides the plunger member  86  which extends through a wall of the housing  88 . The plunger  86  is adapted to engage the switch  84  to actuate it when said moveable member  90  is moved to its second position. 
     In the first embodiment, the housing  88  comprises a cylinder and the moveable member  90  comprises a piston. The piston  90  is dimensioned to have a sliding fit within the cylinder but such that air under pressure entering the inlet  82   a  of the housing  88  can leak over the external surface of the piston to reach the outlet  82   b , preferably at a known rate. The external surface of the piston and the internal surface of the housing  88  between them define a leakage path part of the gas flow passageway. The large diameter of the piston provides a large surface for restricting air flow through the device  82 . 
       FIG. 10   a  is a sectional side view of a second embodiment of the pressure switch system  82 ′ in a not yet actuated condition whilst  FIG. 10   b  shows the second embodiment of the pressure switch system  82 ′ in an actuated condition.  FIG. 10   c  shows the second embodiment of the pressure switch system  82 ′ in an actuated condition with arrowed lines showing the gas/air passageway through the gas flow restriction device. The pressure switch/gas flow rate restriction system  82 ′ of the second embodiment functions in a same manner to the first embodiment, but differs in that the housing  88 ′ contains an open-ended cylinder  94 ′ affixed around the inlet  82   a ′. The moveable member  90 ′ comprises a cylinder  96 ′ open at one end and moveably mounted on the fixed cylinder  94 ′ such that air under pressure entering the inlet  82   a ′ of the housing  88 ′ can leak over a part of the internal surface of the moveable cylinder  96 ′ which overlaps a part of the external surface of the fixed cylinder  94 ′. The part of the internal surface of the moveable cylinder  96 ′ and the part of the external surface of the fixed cylinder  94 ′ between them define the leakage path part of the gas flow passageway through the gas flow restriction device  82 ′. 
       FIG. 11  is an exploded side view of the smoke generator  30  and smoke oil container  36 . The smoke generator  30  has a wick  100  with the heating element  102  arranged close to a portion of the wick within the smoke generator housing such that when the heating element  102  is actuated, i.e. receives electrical power at its terminals  103 , and becomes sufficiently hot it causes oil in the wick  100  to smoke. The housing is adapted to receive a smoke oil container  36  and another portion of the wick  100  is positioned relative to the housing to enter the container  36  to draw smoke oil therefrom by a wicking action. The housing has means  106  for piercing a seal of the smoke oil container  36  as said smoke oil container  36  is being received at the housing. The portion of the wick  100  positioned to enter the smoke oil container  36  when it is being received at the housing is enclosed by the piercing means  106 . The heating element  102  is surrounded by a ceramic housing  108 , the ceramic housing  108  being contained within the smoke generator housing. The smoke generator housing comprises a first main housing part  104  and a smoke delivery tube part  110 . The main housing part  104  is adapted to fit within the smoke delivery tube part  110 . The smoke delivery tube part  110  has a smoke delivery pipe  112  extending outwardly therefrom such that, when the main housing part  104  is received in the smoke delivery tube part  110 , the outlet  30   a  of the main housing part  104  is in gaseous communication with the smoke delivery pipe  112  to convey air laden with smoke away from the smoke generator  30 . The smoke delivery pipe  112  extends as far as the tip portion  14   b  of the gun barrel  14 . 
       FIG. 12   a  is a view from one side of the heating element  102 , ceramic housing  108  and wick  100  of the smoke generator  30  and shows that the heating element  102  may comprise a wire coil wound around a portion of the wick  100 .  FIG. 12   b  is a view from another side of the heating element  102 , ceramic housing  108  and wick  100  of the smoke generator  30 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 13   a  to  13   h , shown is another embodiment of a toy gun in accordance with the invention. This embodiment comprises a bolt action rifle operating on generally the same principle as that of the first embodiment of  FIGS. 1 to 12 , namely being arranged to emit smoke once the discharging means has been actuated to discharge a projectile from the muzzle of the rifle. In the following description of this embodiment, like numerals preceded by the numerals “11” will be used to denote like or similar parts to those of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 to 12 . 
     The rifle  1110  has a bolt action mechanism  1101  rather than a breech opening mechanism to enable a cartridge  1178  containing a projectile  1160  to be loaded into a chamber part  1103  of the barrel  1114 . The provision of a bolt action mechanism  1101  is the main structural difference between the rifle  1110  of this embodiment and the rifle of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 to 12 . 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 13   a , the rifle  1110  accommodates within its second handgrip  1116  a battery compartment  1132 , a smoke generator  1130  and a gas flow restriction/pressure switch system  1182 . In the first handle grip part  1112   a  of the stock  1112  is accommodated first and second piston pumps  1138 ,  1140 . The first piston pump  1138  is arranged to discharge stored air to the barrel  1114  in response to actuation of the trigger  1118  whilst the second piston pump  1140  is arranged to discharge, also in response to actuation of the trigger  1118 , stored air into a passageway  1164  which indirectly connects the output of the second pump  1140  to the inlet of the smoke generator, the gas flow restriction system  1182  being located in said passageway  1164  intermediate the second pump  1140  and the smoke generator  1130 . An outlet  1130   a  of the smoke generator is in gaseous communication with a portion of the barrel  1114  to allow smoke generated in the smoke generator  1130  to be communicated to the barrel  1114 . However, the outlet  1130   a  of the smoke generator  1130  could be arranged to communicate smoke to the chamber part  1103  of the barrel  114 . In any event, the aperture  1130   a  is arranged such that smoke is communicated to a portion of the barrel  1114  in close proximity to the chamber part  1103  such that smoke emits from at least the chamber part  1103  and preferably also from the tip  1114   b  of the barrel  1114 . 
     Charging of the first and second pumps  1138 ,  1140  is achieved by a similar pulley system means (not shown) as used in the rifle of the first embodiment save for the fact that the cord of such pulley system is extends between the bolt mechanism  1101  and pistons of the first and second pumps  1138 ,  1140  such that, when a bolt  1105  of the bolt mechanism  1101  is withdrawn, this pulls the cord of the pulley system to withdraw the pistons of the first and second pumps to their charged positions ready for being unlatched when the trigger  1118  is actuated. 
     It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the operation of the rifle  1110  in emitting smoke is largely similar to that of the rifle of the first embodiment of  FIGS. 1 to 12  despite the difference in structures between the two embodiments. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 13   a , the rifle  1110  is in a closed and not yet loaded state in that the bolt  1105  is in its forward-most closed position. In  FIG. 13   b , the bolt  1105  is withdrawn, although not fully, but by a sufficient amount to enable a cartridge  1178  to be loaded into the chamber  1103 . In  FIG. 13   c , a cartridge  1178  has been loaded into the chamber  1103  and the bolt  1105  withdrawn to its fullest extent. Drawing the bolt  1105  back to its fullest extent ensures that the first and second pumps  1138 ,  1140  are charged with a store of air. It may also function to cock the trigger  1118  ready for firing although the trigger may be cocked in other ways.  FIG. 13   d  shows the bolt  1105  being returned to its closed position to place the rifle  1110  in a state ready for firing. In  FIG. 13   e , the rifle  1110  is now in a ready for firing state.  FIG. 13   f  shows the rifle  1110  when the trigger  1118  has just been actuated whereby the projectile  1160  has just exited the barrel  1114 . Actuation of the trigger  1118  unlatches the pistons of the first and second pumps  1138 ,  1140  whereby stored air is quickly expelled from the first pump  1138  to cause the projectile  1160  to travel at speed along and out of the barrel  1114  whereas stored air in the second pump  1140  is expelled much more slowly in the same manner and for the same purpose as in the rifle of the first embodiment. As can be seen in  FIG. 13   g , shortly after the projectile  1160  has been discharged from the rifle  1140 , smoke generated by the now switched on smoke generator  1130  is communicated to the chamber part  1103  and/or barrel  1114  such that some smoke is seen emanating from the chamber part  1103  of the rifle  1110 . Preferably, some smoke also emanates from the tip  1114   b  of the barrel  1114 . Finally, as seen in  FIG. 13   h , when the bolt  1105  is withdrawn to unload the rifle  1110 , a large quantity of smoke emanates from the open chamber part  1103  with a little smoke being emitted from the barrel tip  1114   b . As in the first embodiment, the gas restriction system  1182  is arranged to cause the smoke generator to be switched on for a predetermined period of time, preferably one second, after which the smoke generator is switched off as pressure in the gas restriction system  1182  returns to normal. 
       FIG. 14   a  is a sectional side view of a third embodiment of the gas flow restriction device/pressure switch system  82 ″ in a not yet actuated condition, whereas  FIG. 14   b  is a sectional side view of the third embodiment of the pressure switch system  82 ″ in an actuated condition.  FIG. 14   c  is a sectional side view of the third embodiment of the pressure switch system  82 ″ in an actuated condition with arrowed lines showing the gas/air passageway through the gas flow restriction device  82 ″. 
     The restriction device  82 ″ comprises a housing  88 ″ having an inlet  82   a ″ and an outlet  82   b ″. The housing  88 ″ defines a gas flow passageway through said inlet  82   a ″, through the interior of the housing  88 ″ and onward through said outlet  82   b ″. A moveable member  90 ″ is arranged within the housing  88 ″ in the gas flow passageway such that pressure of gas entering the inlet exerted on a seal member  87 ″ of said moveable member  90 ″ causes said member  90 ″ to move from a first position to a second position against the action of a biasing means  92 ″ which normally holds the moveable member  90 ″ in its first position. In this embodiment, the moveable member  90 ″ provides a plunger member  86 ″ which may partially extend through an end wall of the housing  88 ″. The plunger  86 ″ is adapted to engage a switch  84 ″ located externally of the housing  88 ″ to actuate it when said moveable member  90 ″ is moved to its second position as can be seen in  FIG. 14   b.    
     The housing  88 ″ preferably comprises a cylinder and the moveable member  90 ″ preferably includes a cup shaped piston  90   a ″. The piston  90   a ″ may be dimensioned to have a sliding fit within the cylinder such that air under pressure entering the inlet  82   a ″ of the housing  88 ″ can leak over the external surface of the piston to reach the outlet  82   b ″, preferably at a known rate. The external surface of the piston and the internal surface of the housing  88 ″ may between them define a leakage path part of the gas flow passageway. However, in order to reduce the need for a high molding accuracy in the formation of the housing cylinder  88 ″ and/or the piston  90   a ″, the restriction of gas leakage through the device is established or at least aided by a separate restrictor member  89 ″ located in the outlet  82   b ″ or just beyond the outlet within the second conduit  64   b.    
     The seal member  87 ″ is attached to an intermediary part of the moveable member  90 ″ and is cup shaped with an open part of the cup facing the piston  90 ″. The side of the cup shaped seal member  87 ″ slidingly engages the internal surface of the housing  88 ″ to form an air-tight or near air-tight seal with the housing  88 ″ to prevent or reduce the leakage of gas past the seal member  87 ″ and out through the plunger aperture in an end wall of the housing  88 ″. 
     The restrictor member or plug member  89 ″ acts to restrict the rate of gas exiting the outlet  82   b ″. The restrictor member  89 ″ is dimensioned such that air under pressure exiting the outlet  82   b ″ can leak over or through a part of the surface of the restrictor member  89 ″ to reach the second conduit  64   b , preferably at a known rate. The restrictor member  89 ″ is fixed in position within the outlet  82   b ″ or the second conduit  64   b . It preferably has a cross-sectional shape that fills the outlet  82   b ″ or second conduit  64   b  save for a lengthwise channel  91 ″ provided in the restrictor member  89 ″ which comprises a gas leakage path. The channel  91 ″ may be provided as one or more lengthwise grooves in the surface of the restrictor member  89 ″ or as one or more lengthwise apertures through the body of the member  89 ″. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 14   c , the gas leakage path is denoted by arrowed lines. The restriction of gas flow through the device may be achieved in part by the piston  90   a ″ and the plug member  89 ″ or by the plug member  89 ″ alone. In the latter case, this removes the need for high molding accuracy of the piston and/or housing. 
     In some embodiments, the restrictor member as hereinbefore described may be replaced by a valve or a high density air filter in the outlet  82   b ″ or the second conduit  64   b . In yet other embodiments, air flow restriction may be achieved through use of a clamp on the outlet  82   b ″ or the second conduit  64   b  tube. The amount of adjustment of the clamp determines the degree of compression of the tube and therefore the degree of gas flow restriction. The tube is flexible or has a flexible section to accommodate clamping. It will be understood that any means suitable for restricting gas flow passage may be employed in embodiments of the invention instead of the afore-described restrictor member which is just one example of a suitable gas flow restriction means. 
     In the embodiments of the pressure switch system depicted by  FIGS. 9 ,  10  and  14 , the moveable member for actuating the switch may not comprise a plunger which physically engages the switch to actuate it, but may comprise other forms of actuator for actuating the switch. One such alternative actuator comprises a magnetic actuator which comprises or is mounted on the moveable member such that, when the moveable member is in its second position, the magnetic actuator is in close proximity to the switch to magnetically actuate. It will be understood that in this alternative arrangement, the switch is configured to be magnetically actuable. Other types of switch arrangement which can be actuated in response to movement of an actuator/moveable member from a first position to a second position may be employed in embodiments of the pressure switch system according to the invention. 
     For example,  FIG. 15  depicts a fourth embodiment of the pressure switch system of largely the same arrangement as the third embodiment of  FIGS. 14   a  to  c . The fourth embodiment of the pressure switch system  82  of  FIG. 15  differs from that of the third embodiment in that the moveable member  90  for actuating the switch does not include a plunger for actuating an externally located switch. In contrast to the third embodiment of the pressure switch system, the switch  84  of the fourth embodiment of  FIG. 15  is located adjacent an end wall of the housing  88 , the end wall being provided with an aperture configured to mount the switch  84  such that an actuator  84   a  of the switch extends into the interior of the housing  88 . Consequently, when the moveable member  90  moves to its second position, it engages the switch actuator  84   a  to actuate the switch  84 . 
       FIG. 16  depicts a fifth embodiment of the pressure switch system of largely the same arrangement as the third embodiment of  FIGS. 14   a  to  c . The fifth embodiment of the pressure switch system  82  of  FIG. 16  differs from that of the third embodiment in that the moveable member  90  for actuating the switch does not include a plunger for actuating an externally located switch. In contrast to other embodiments of the pressure switch system, the switch  84  of the fifth embodiment of  FIG. 16  is mounted on an end wall of the housing  88  with its switch terminals extending to a lower corner of the housing  88  in which is provided an aperture extending along a portion of a side wall of the housing  88 . The moveable member  90  is provided with an actuator  93  which is located within the side wall aperture such that, when the moveable member  90  moves to its second position, the actuator  93  engages the switch terminals to actuate the switch  84 . 
       FIG. 17  depicts a sixth embodiment of the pressure switch system of largely the same arrangement as the third embodiment of  FIGS. 14   a  to  c . In the sixth embodiment of the pressure switch system  82  of  FIG. 17 , the moveable member  90  also does not include a plunger. In contrast to other embodiments of the pressure switch system, the switch  84  of the sixth embodiment of  FIG. 17  is mounted on a side wall of the housing  88  with its switch terminals extending towards a corner of the housing  88  in which is provided an aperture in a portion of a side wall of the housing  88 . An actuator  95  is located within the side wall aperture at a position above the switch terminals. The actuator  95  is mounted within the side wall of the housing such that it is biased to a normal position where a cam surface of the actuator extends into the interior of the housing. The arrangement is such that, when the moveable member  90  moves to its second position, the moveable member contacts the cam surface of the actuator  95  to move the actuator  95  away from its normal biased position to engage the switch terminals to thereby actuate the switch  84 . 
     In general, the invention provides a toy gun which in preferred embodiments is in the form of a breech loading rifle which is capable of firing a projectile such as a dart as well as simultaneously or near simultaneously emitting smoke from the muzzle of a barrel of the gun after the dart has been discharged from the muzzle, but the invention is not exclusively related to breech loading rifles and is applicable to other embodiments of smoke emitting toys and toy guns. For example, the toy gun may comprise a bolt action rifle with smoke being emitted from at or near the bolt action. The toy gun has first and second rechargeable air pumps. A first one of the air pumps automatically discharges stored air into a breech part of the barrel in order to propel a loaded projectile from the gun&#39;s barrel. A second one of the air pumps expels stored air through a flow restriction device which doubles up as a pressure switch for actuating a smoke generator located adjacent to the muzzle of the gun. The second air pump also provides a low flow rate of air through the smoke generator to expel smoke from the smoke generator. The second air pump expels stored air much more slowly than the first air pump. The first and second air pumps are simultaneously triggered to release stored air by user actuation of a trigger of the gun. The smoke generator has an outlet in gaseous communication with the muzzle portion of the barrel such that smoke emitted by the generator passes into the muzzle portion of the barrel prior to exhausting from the muzzle. 
     While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only exemplary embodiments have been shown and described and do not limit the scope of the invention in any manner. It can be appreciated that any of the features described herein may be used with any embodiment. The illustrative embodiments are not exclusive of each other or of other embodiments not recited herein. Accordingly, the invention also provides embodiments that comprise combinations of one or more of the illustrative embodiments described above. Modifications and variations of the invention as herein set forth can be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and, therefore, only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated by the appended claims. 
     In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. 
     It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art.