Patent Publication Number: US-9903681-B2

Title: Toy arrow for use with toy bow

Description:
The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/061,966, filed Mar. 4, 2016. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/061,966 is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/591,837, filed Jan. 7, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,310,171. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/591,837 is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/016,164, filed Sep. 2, 2013. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/016,164 is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/902,968, filed May 27, 2013, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,151,566 on Oct. 6, 2015. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/902,968 is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/878,985, filed Sep. 9, 2010, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,662,060 on Mar. 4, 2014. The present application is based on and claims priority from these applications, the disclosures of which are hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     In general, the present invention relates to a toy arrow for use with a toy bow in toy bow and arrow systems, where the toy bow is used to launch the toy arrow projectile into flight. 
     Prior Art Description 
     Bow and arrow sets that are designed for children&#39;s play have existed throughout recorded history. In the modern era, toy bow and arrow sets typically have a plastic molded bow, a string, and safety-tipped arrows. To ensure safety, the functional design of a toy bow is also commonly altered. In a real bow, the string has a fixed length. The spring force used to launch an arrow comes from the flexing of the arms of the bow. The problem with this design is its failure mode. If a bow is drawn beyond its limit, then the arms or the string of the bow may break. Depending upon where the breakage occurs, the broken string and/or bow may fly toward the person holding the bow as the stored energy is accidentally released. 
     To reduce the likelihood of this hazard occurring, many toy bows are manufactured as static structures. An elastic string is used to create the arrow launching force. If such a bow is overdrawn, there is no significant chance of the bow breaking. Rather, the elastic string will break and will most likely move in a direction away from the person drawing the bow. The failure mode of a string breaking is far less dangerous than the failure mode of the bow breaking. However, the failure mode of a broken string does present some danger depending upon where the elastic string breaks and how much energy is stored in the elastic string at the time it breaks. 
     Toy bows that use a static bow and an elastic string are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 5,247,920 to Harbin, entitled Toy Bow; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,748,369 to Chee, entitled Launching Apparatus and Assembly. 
     Many toy bows that have elastic strings use elastic strings that are made from a synthetic polymer, such as silicone, TPR, or some other synthetic rubber. On the toy, such elastic strings are constantly under tension. As such, if the material of the string creeps or degrades, the elastic string will break. This stops the toy bow from being functional. 
     Most all plastic degrades in some fashion over time. However, it has been found that one of the fastest ways to degrade the preferred polymers used for the bowstring is to expose the bowstring to UV light. A bowstring that can last for months inside a home may only last for a few days if taken outside and left in sunlight. A toy that lasts for months is acceptable. A toy that lasts for days is not. Damage caused by exposure to light has therefore caused products to be returned and/or consumer&#39;s dissatisfaction with the toy manufacturer. 
     A need exists for a toy bow and arrow design that inhibits degradation in the elastic string caused by exposure to light. This need is met by the present invention as described and claimed below. A need also exists for a toy bow and arrow design that inhibits degradation in the elastic string caused by exposure to UV light, yet provides enhanced aesthetics using internal lighting that does not contain significant UV wavelengths. This need is met by the present invention as described and claimed below. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Described herein is a toy projectile that has extending hooks. The hooks on the projectile engage the elastic elements. When the projectile is drawn back, the elastic elements stretch and provide the spring energy needed to launch the projectile into flight when it is released. 
     Described herein is a toy projectile that has a shaft with a head end and a tail end. A head is associated with the head end of the shaft. Fins are associated with the tail end of the shaft. Extending hooks extend outward from the sides of the head. The head may be an enlarged head. The extending hooks may be a pair of extending hooks extending outward from opposite sides of the head. Preferably, a first end of each of the extending hooks is associated with the head, a second end of each of the extending hooks is distal from the head, and the second end extends towards the shaft and the fins. 
     Described herein is a toy bow assembly that is used to launch toy projectiles. The toy bow assembly includes a bow structure having a first arm section and a second arm section. Both the first arm section and the second arm section have sheathed areas that are protected from ambient light. A central area is disposed between the first arm section and the second arm section. 
     A first elastic element is anchored to the first arm section. The first elastic element extends through the first sheathed area into the central area, wherein the first sheathed area shields the first elastic element from exposure to ambient light. Likewise, a second elastic element is anchored to the second arm section. The second elastic element extends through the second sheathed area and into the central area, wherein the second sheathed area shields the second elastic element from exposure to ambient light. This prevents the elastic elements from degrading due to exposure of UV light contained in ambient light. 
     Described herein is a toy bow assembly that is used to launch toy projectiles. The toy bow assembly includes a bow structure having a first arm section and a second arm section. Both the first arm section and the second arm section contain at least one translucent area. 
     Lights are disposed within both the first arm section and the second arm section. The lights internally illuminate the translucent areas of the first arm section and second arm section when activated. 
     An activation switch is disposed on the bow structure for selectively activating and deactivating the lights. 
     A first elastic element is anchored to the first arm section. The first elastic element extends through the first arm section into a central area. The first arm section shields the first elastic element from exposure to ambient light. Likewise, a second elastic element is anchored to the second arm section. The second elastic element extends through the second arm section and into the central area. The second arm section shields the second elastic element from exposure to ambient light. This prevents the elastic elements from degrading due to exposure of UV light contained in ambient light. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description of an exemplary embodiment thereof, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a toy bow and toy projectile in combination; 
         FIG. 2  is a side cross-sectional view of the toy bow shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a pivot post shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a toy bow and toy projectile in combination; 
         FIG. 5  is a side cross-sectional view of the toy bow shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a pivot post shown in  FIG. 4 ; and 
         FIG. 7  shows a toy projectile engaging the loading loops within the central region of the toy bow. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/902,968, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,151,566 on Oct. 6, 2015, the applicant presented a toy bow where the elastic bowstring was encased and protected from UV light in the ambient atmosphere. However, in shielding the bowstring, the toy bow lost some aesthetics. The shielding over the bowstring, however, provided an opportunity to provide unique improved aesthetics through the use of internal lighting, and this is shown in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/016,164. This patent and application are combined in the present application. Like elements are referred to with like reference numbers. 
     Whereas the parent application focuses on the toy bow, the present application focuses on the toy arrow that is shown and described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/902,968, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,151,566, issued Oct. 6, 2015, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/016,164 as well as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/878,985, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,662,060, issued Mar. 4, 2014 (which is the parent of both U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/902,968 now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,151,566 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/016,164). 
     Specifically described herein is a toy projectile  14  (also referred to as an arrow projectile, a projectile, or a toy arrow) that has extending hooks  20 . The hooks  20  on the toy projectile  14  engage the elastic elements of the toy bow  12 . When the projectile  14  is drawn back, the elastic elements stretch and provide the spring energy needed to launch the projectile  14  into flight when it is released. Unless specified otherwise, the toy projectile  14  ( FIGS. 1 and 4 ) and the toy projectile  14 ′ ( FIG. 7 ) are described together as toy projectile  14 . 
     Although the toy bow and arrow system can be embodied in many ways, only the shown exemplary embodiments of the present invention system are illustrated. These embodiments are selected in order to set forth the best mode contemplated for the invention. The illustrated embodiments, however, are merely exemplary and should not be considered a limitation when interpreting the scope of the appended claims. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , a bow and arrow system  10  (shown as system  10   a  and system  10   b , but referred to generally as system  10 ) is shown. The bow and arrow system  10  includes a bow structure  12  (shown as bow  12   a  and bow  12   b , but referred to generally as bow  12 ) and at least one arrow projectile  14 . The bow structure  12  is rigid. The force used to propel the arrow projectile  14  is provided by two separate and distinct loading loops  16 . The arrow projectile  14  has hook projections  20  that engage both of the loading loops  16 . Elastic elements  18  extend through the loading loops  16 . As a person engages an arrow projectile  14  with the loading loops  16  and pulls on the arrow projectile  14 , the elastic elements  18  in the loading loops  16  stretch. Since there are two loading loops  16 , the elastic element  18  in each of the loading loops  16  need only provide half the force needed to propel the arrow projectile  14  into flight. The elastic elements  18  are therefore difficult to overstretch in the proper operation of the toy. Furthermore, should either of the elastic elements  18  or loading loops  16  suddenly break, the orientation of the broken elastic elements  18  prevents the elastic elements  18  or the loading loops  16  from whipping toward the user. This dynamic is explained later in greater detail. Lastly, since the arrow projectile  14  engages two separate and distinct loading loops  16 , the chances of the elastic elements  18  in both loading loops  16  breaking simultaneously are highly improbable. Accordingly, if one elastic element  18  breaks, the arrow projectile  14  will still be engaged by the other loading loop  16  and the person pulling the arrow projectile  14  back will not pull the arrow projectile  14  into himself upon the breakage of the one loading loop  16 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 5  in conjunction with  FIGS. 1 and 4 , it can be seen that the bow structure  12  is a rigid molding. The bow structure  12  has a first end  22 , a second end  24  and a handle  26  in its central region. The handle  26  has a top end  25  and a bottom end  27 . A first arm section  28  is supported above the top end  25  of the handle  26 . Likewise, a second arm section  30  is supported below the bottom end  27  of the handle  26 . The first arm section  28  and the second arm section  30  are oriented in a common vertical plane. The handle  26  is offset from the common vertical plane so as not to interfere with the path of the arrow projectile  14 . This creates an open central region  15 , between the first and second arm sections  28 ,  30 , that is defined by the handle  26 . 
     The first arm section  28  contains a sheath structure  35  that defines a first internal compartment  37 . The first internal compartment  37  has a bottom end  39  that faces toward the open central region  15 . Likewise, the second arm section  30  contains a sheath structure  41  that defines a second internal compartment  43 . The second internal compartment  43  has a top end  45  that faces toward the open central region  15 . In  FIGS. 1-3 , both sheath structures  35 ,  41  are opaque. In  FIGS. 4-6 , both sheath structures  35 ,  41  have forward-facing surfaces  49  that are translucent. 
       FIGS. 4-6  also show one or more light emitting diodes  51  are mounted inside each of the sheath structures  35 ,  41 . When the light emitting diodes  51  activate, they internally illuminate both the first internal compartment  37  and the second internal compartment  43 . This internal illumination can be viewed from an external point through the translucent areas  49  on both sheath structures  35 ,  41 . Although only one or a few light emitting diodes  51  may be used in each of the internal compartments  37 ,  43 , the internal illumination causes the translucent areas  49  to glow brightly wherever they are backlit by the internal illumination. 
     The light emitting diodes  51  shown in  FIGS. 4-6  are preferably monochromatic and emit light between the green and red wavelengths of the visible spectrum. Such light contains no significant ultraviolet components. The light produced by the light emitting diodes  51 , therefore, produces no significant degradation in the polymers of the elastic elements  18 . As such, the light emitting diodes  51  can emit bright light without adversely affecting the lifespan of the elastic elements  18 . 
     The light emitting diodes  51  shown in  FIGS. 4-6  are powered by batteries  53 . The batteries  53  are contained within a battery compartment  55  that is manufactured into the bow structure  12   b . Although a battery compartment can be positioned within the first arm section  28  or the second arm section  30 , it is preferred that the battery compartment  55  be placed within the structure of the handle  26 . 
     When using the bow and arrow system  10 , a person grasps the handle  26  of the bow structure  12   b . As such, it is preferred that if there is an on/off switch  55  (such as that shown in  FIGS. 4-5 ) it be positioned on the handle  26  in a position that can easily be operated by a person grasping the handle  26  of the bow structure  12   b . In the preferred embodiment, the on/off switch  55  is a normally “off” switch that turns “on” only when actively pressed. The on/off switch  55  can be integrated into the handle  26  so that the on/off switch is activated merely by firmly grasping the handle  26  of the bow structure  12   b.    
     Two pivot post structures or post structures  31 ,  32  are mounted to the bow structure  12  outside the bottom opening  39  of the first sheath structure  35  and the top opening  45  of the bottom sheath structure  41 . Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 5  in conjunction with  FIGS. 3 and 6 , it will be understood that although  FIGS. 3 and 6  show only one of the post structures  31 , the description offered stands for both post structures  31 ,  32  equally. Each pivot post structure  31 ,  32  defines two narrow channels  40 . In  FIGS. 3 and 6 , only one channel  40  is shown. It will be understood that a second channel lay below the shown channel  40  in a parallel configuration. 
     Each of the loading loops  16  is a loop structure of an elastic element  18  that creates two runs  47 ,  48 . The runs  47 ,  48  of each elastic element  18  extend through the sheath structures  35 ,  41  and through the two pivot posts  31 ,  32 . Each elastic element  18  has two ends. Both ends of each elastic loop  18  are affixed to anchored posts  44 ,  46  within the sheath structure  35 ,  41 . Since the runs  47 ,  48  of each elastic element  18  extend through the sheath structures  35 ,  41 , it will be understood that the material of the elastic elements  18  is shielded from any external light exposure until the elastic elements  18  are stretched out of the channels  40  in the pivot post structures  31 ,  32 . 
     The length of the elastic element  18  has a cross section that is smaller than the diameter of the channels  40  in the pivot post structures  31 ,  32 . In this manner, a separate run  47 ,  48  of the elastomeric element  18  can pass through each of the openings  40 , therein keeping the two runs  47 ,  48  of the loop apart. 
     As the runs  47 ,  48  of the elastic element  18  pass out of the pivot post structures  31 ,  32 , the elastic element  18  immediately passes into reinforcement tubes  50  to form the loading loops  16 . The diameters of the reinforcement tubes  50  are larger than the channels  40  in the pivot post structures  31 ,  32 . Consequently, the reinforcement tubes  50  cannot pass through the pivot post structures  31 ,  32 . As a result, each length of the elastic element  18  is divided into two runs  47 ,  48 . The first run  47  extends between an anchor post and the reinforcement tube  50  on the far side of the pivot post structure. The second run  48  extends from the reinforcement tube  50  back to the anchor post. The looping of the elastic element  18  between the two runs  47 ,  48  curves the reinforcement tubes  50  and creates the two loading loops  16 . 
     Additionally, the presence of the reinforcement tubes  50  protects the elastic element  18  inside the loading loops  16  from exposure to external light. Consequently, when the elastic elements  18  are at rest, the entire length of each of the elastic elements  18  is shielded from external ambient light. 
     Due to the offset of the handle  26 , an open central region  15  exists between the two pivot post structures  31 ,  32 . The loading loops  16  each extend into the open central region  15  from opposite sides. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7  in conjunction with  FIGS. 1 and 4 , it can be seen that the arrow projectile  14 ′ has two hook elements  20 ′ extending from opposite sides. The hook elements  20 ′ are sized and shaped to engage the two loading loops  16  as the hook elements  20 ′ are pulled through the open central region  15 . (The arrow projectile  14 ′ and hook elements  20 ′ have slightly different designs from, but are functionally equivalent to the arrow projectile  14  and hook elements  20  described in relationship with the other figures. Unless specified otherwise, the general phrases arrow projectile  14  and hook elements  20  (and equivalent phrases) are meant to encompass the arrow projectile  14 ′ and hook elements  20 ′ of  FIG. 7 .) To load the arrow projectile  14 , the arrow projectile  14  is positioned within the open central region  15  so that the hook elements  20  engage the loading loops  16 . Once engaged with the loading loops  16 , the arrow projectile  14  is pulled in the manner of a traditional bow and arrow. As the arrow projectile  14  is pulled away from the open central region  15 , the elastic elements  18  stretch. The elastic elements  18  bend around the pivot post structures  31 ,  32 , therein enabling the loading loops  16  to move with the arrow projectile  14 . This is the only time that parts of the elastic elements  18  are exposed to ambient light. This exposure lasts only for as long as the elastic elements  18  are stretched. Thus, the exposure to ambient light only lasts for a few seconds during each shot cycle. 
     As the elastic elements  18  stretch, they store energy. When the arrow projectile  14  is released, the elastic elements  18  retract and the arrow projectile  14  is accelerated toward the open central region  15 . At the open central region  15 , the loading loops  16  retract against the pivot post structures  31 ,  32 . The momentum of the arrow projectile  14  causes the arrow projectile  14  to continue its forward movement beyond the open central region  15 . This launches the arrow projectile  14  into flight as the hook elements  20  disengage the loading loops  16 . 
     When the elastic elements  18  are stretched, they are most vulnerable to breakage. If one of the runs  47 ,  48  of an elastic element  18  breaks before passing through a pivot post structure  31 ,  32 , then the speed of the contracting broken elastic element  18  is slowed by its passage through the pivot post structure  31 ,  32 . This prevents a broken run from whipping toward a user. Furthermore, if the elastic element  18  were to break after it passes the pivot post structure  31 ,  32 , most of the potential energy serves to move the broken elastic element  18  back toward the pivot post structure  31 ,  32  and away from the user. 
     Both immediate parent applications of the present application and the parent of the immediate parent applications describe the toy projectile  14  as having extending hooks  20  (also referred to as hook projections and hook elements) extending from opposite sides that engage the elastic elements of the toy bows  12 . Both parent applications also show two versions of the toy projectile that are now shown as toy projectile  14  ( FIGS. 1 and 4 ) and toy projectile  14 ′ ( FIG. 7 ) that are together referred to as toy projectiles  14 . As shown, the toy projectiles  14  have a shaft  11  with a head end and a tail end. As shown, an enlarged head  13  is associated with the head end of the shaft  11 . As shown, fletching or fins  17  are associated with the tail end of the shaft  11 . As shown, two extending hooks  20  extend outward from opposite sides of the enlarged head  13  such that a first end of each extending hook  20  is associated with the enlarged head  13  and a second “free” end of each extending hook  20  is distal from the enlarged head  13 . The “free” ends of the extending hooks  20  point away from the tip of the enlarged head  13  and generally extend towards the shaft  11  and fins  17 . 
     It will be understood that the embodiment of the present invention that is illustrated and described is merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art can make many variations to that embodiment. For instance, the bow structure can have many different ornamental shapes. The bow structure can also take the form of a crossbow. Likewise, the arrow projectiles can be configured as airplanes, rocket ships or any other flying projectile. All such embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.