Patent Publication Number: US-11644270-B2

Title: Short projectile pistol with storage handle

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is a continuation application that claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/906,996, filed on Jun. 19, 2020, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/020,086, filed on May 5, 2020, the entire contents of all of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present invention is generally related to a toy projectile launcher, such as a toy pistol, gun, and the like, for launching toy projectiles, such as foam bullets, darts, balls, and the like, with a simplified construction for a projectile storage area that also serves as a handle of the launcher. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Traditional toy projectile launchers have utilized various forms of rifles, pistols, blasters, machine guns, and the like, for launching toy projectiles, such as foam balls, darts, to name a few. Such toy launchers have varied in size, power, storage capacity, to name a few. More specifically, toy launchers of foam projectiles—bullets (or “darts”), balls, and the like—have become ubiquitous. One standard for foam bullets has been marketed under the brand name Nerf® with a rubber tip and a foam body that totals approximately 71.5 mm in length. There have been various types of rifles, machine guns, and the like, that have been marketed for launching such foam projectiles. 
     In most cases, the launchers for these standard Nerf foam bullets have been large rifle-style launchers that can be inflexible and unwieldy during play. Accordingly, there has been a need for a more portable foam or plastic toy projectile launcher that provides for more flexible play without sacrificing launch velocity and accuracy. 
     SUMMARY 
     To address the above, the present invention is generally related to an improved toy launcher for launching a shorter foam bullet in the form of a pistol that utilizes a foam bullet storage area as the handle of the launcher. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an integral projectile storage area is incorporated in the handle of the launcher, thereby eliminating the need for a separate insertable clip, which then would negate the need for a double wall thickness, which, in turn, would make the handle grip thinner and therefore more user friendly. Advantageously, an effective, user-friendly, and high-performance blaster may be realized in a compact design for quick draw applications that, nevertheless, provides high velocity and accurate projectile launching. 
     Particularly, the present invention is directed to a toy launcher with a simple construction for an improved integrated launcher with a two-step loading/priming and firing mechanism that decreases the size of the launcher while realizing high launching force for compact projectiles. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the toy launcher incorporates a handle that houses a projectile storage area and a spring-loaded reciprocating cylindrical/air piston assembly that is configured to uncover an opening for loading the handle storage area in a first rearward priming movement via a corresponding rearward movement of a cocking slide by a user. The simplified construction with the reciprocating air piston assembly of the present invention significantly reduces size and material costs of the launcher in comparison to the conventional mechanisms. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a toy launcher for launching a projectile includes a handle housing an internal projectile storage area; a reciprocating air piston assembly with a barrel; a plunger element engaged with the barrel; a compression spring that biases the plunger element against a rear wall of the toy launcher; a sliding handle coupled to the barrel, the sliding handle being movable between a forward position and a backward position; a latching assembly that couples the plunger element to a trigger assembly when the sliding handle is moved to the backward position; and the trigger assembly that, upon toggling, releases the coupling of the latching assembly between the plunger element and the trigger assembly. A projectile is expelled from a launching barrel. 
     In embodiments, the toy launcher includes a coupling between the sliding handle and the barrel of the air piston assembly. 
     In embodiments, the barrel is movable to a backward position when the sliding handle is moved to the backward position. 
     In embodiments, the barrel, in the backward position, uncovers an opening to the internal projectile storage area for loading one or more projectiles therein. 
     In embodiments, a front portion of the barrel pushes the plunger element to compress the compression spring against the rear wall of the toy launcher when the sliding handle is moved to the backward position. 
     In embodiments, the internal projectile storage area includes a spring mechanism for advancing a loaded projectile into a priming position in front of the barrel in the backward position. 
     In embodiments, the internal projectile storage area includes one or more pairs of resilient (e.g., spring-loaded) flaps for aligning a topmost loaded projectile in the priming position in front of the barrel in the backward position. 
     In embodiments, the plunger element and the barrel form an internal air chamber when the sliding handle is moved from the backward position to the forward position. 
     In embodiments, the barrel pushes the loaded projectile in the priming position forward into a firing position inside the launch barrel. 
     In embodiments, the plunger element is pushed forward by the compression spring to expel the air from the internal air chamber through an air nozzle on a front end of the barrel behind the loaded projectile in the firing position when the coupling of the latching assembly between the plunger element and the trigger assembly is released. 
     In embodiments, in the firing position, the air nozzle on a front end of the air piston assembly is immediately adjacent the projectile which in turn is in the launching barrel. 
     In embodiments, the spring-loaded air piston assembly is substantially oval in cross-section to maximize volume of the internal air chamber without increasing the thickness or length of the toy launcher. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with references to the accompanying figures, wherein: 
         FIG.  1 A  is a schematic partial cross-sectional side view of key elements of a toy projectile launcher with an empty storage area in the handle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  1 B  is a schematic cross-sectional front view of the launcher along the  1 B- 1 B line in  FIG.  1 A . 
         FIG.  1 C  is an inset closeup side view illustrating details of an assembly at the top portion of an internal storage area in the handle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  2 A  is a schematic partial cross-sectional side view of a projectile launcher with a fully-loaded storage area in the handle of a projectile launcher in a rearward loading and priming (cocked) position according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  2 B  is a schematic cross-sectional front view of launcher along the  2 B- 2 B line in  FIG.  2 A . 
         FIG.  2 C  is a partial cross-sectional front view of the top portion of the internal storage area to illustrate loading of the projectiles while in the loading (cocked) position shown in  FIG.  2 A . 
         FIG.  3 A  is a schematic partial cross-sectional side view of a projectile launcher with a fully-loaded internal storage area in the handle of a projectile launcher in a forward firing position according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  3 B  is a schematic cross-sectional front view of launcher along the  3 B- 3 B line in  FIG.  3 A . 
         FIG.  3 C  is a closeup view of the interface between the rear portion of a trigger assembly and a plate when the trigger of the launcher is activated according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  4    is a schematic partial cross-sectional side view of a projectile launcher in a position after a first dart having been launched according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  5    is a drawing illustrating a comparison between a conventional foam dart that is 71.5 mm long and a foam dart that is 37.5 mm long for use with the storage handle in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  6    is a schematic sectional side view of key elements of a toy projectile launcher with an empty storage area in the handle in correspondence the side view of  FIG.  1 A  but from an opposite side and according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  7 A  is a schematic cross-sectional side view that corresponds to  FIG.  6    of a projectile launcher with an empty internal storage area in the handle of a projectile launcher in a forward firing position with one dart primed in a firing position according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  7 B  is a schematic cross-sectional front view of launcher along the  7 B- 7 B line in  FIG.  7 A . 
         FIG.  7 C  is a closeup front partial cross-sectional view of an internal air cylinder of the launcher shown in  FIGS.  7 A and  7 B  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  8    includes a number of diagrams illustrating the toy projectile launcher being inserted and housed in a corresponding holster according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention is generally related to an improved toy launcher with a projectile storage area that also serves as a handle of the launcher. To achieve this objective, according to an exemplary embodiment, a toy launcher incorporates a spring-loaded storage area that is integral with and forms the handle of a launcher. 
     In the disclosure below, reference numerals with a trailing letter a or b denote elements on respective sides of toy launcher  100  and each of these elements have the same corresponding features but in mirrored arrangements in launcher  100 . 
       FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  are schematic partial cross-sectional views of key elements of a toy projectile launcher  100  with an empty storage handle  105  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. For clarity and simplicity in illustrating the key elements and mechanisms of toy projectile launcher  100  and storage handle  105 , portions that are not necessary to understand the scope and the spirit of the present invention are not shown. One of ordinary skill in the art would readily understand the supporting elements needed to house and support the various illustrated elements including the spring-fed storage area in the handle  105  with various design choices that would not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
       FIG.  1 A  is a schematic side cross-sectional view of an empty storage handle  105  of a projectile launcher  100  in un-cocked position according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG.  1 A , projectile launcher  100  is shaped to resemble a pistol and handle  105  is shaped to resemble a pistol grip. In embodiments, launcher  100  may be in various other shapes and arrangements without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention, as detailed below. As illustrated in  FIG.  1 A , a reciprocating air piston assembly  255  comprised of a barrel  205  and a plunger assembly  305  is located above and behind the handle  105  of the projectile launcher  100 . As shown, a loading compression spring  115  of the empty storage handle  105  is in an expanded state where a pusher block  120  is pushed upward against the internal barrel  205 , which, in the forward un-cocked position shown in  FIG.  1 A , covers a top opening of the empty storage handle  105 . As described in further detail below, projectiles—such as foam darts/bullets, balls, and the like—would be advanced by spring  115  via block  120  such that a topmost projectile would be delivered to a loading position in launcher housing  110 . 
       FIG.  1 B  is a schematic front cross-sectional view of launcher  100  along the  1 B- 1 B line in  FIG.  1 A . As illustrated in  FIG.  1 B , block  120  abuts air piston barrel  205  at the top opening of the internal storage area of handle  105  when the internal storage area in handle  105  is empty. Additionally, the internal storage area of handle  105  includes a set of resilient side flaps  130   a  and  130   b —which may be spring-loaded as described in further detail below—that, as described in further detail below, push inward against a projectile for alignment into a launch position. In the uncocked state shown in  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B , the two side flaps  130   a  and  130   b  engage air piston barrel  205  on respective sides thereof. 
       FIG.  1 C  is an inset closeup side view illustrating details of an assembly  125   a  at the top portion of the internal storage area of handle  105 . As shown in  FIG.  1 C , assembly  125   a  includes spring-loaded flap  130   a  on a front portion (towards launch barrel  415  of launcher  100 , see  FIG.  3 A ) and a rigid frame  135   a  on a rear (or back) portion (towards the rear of launcher  100 ). As described in further detail below, rigid frame  135   a  (along with rigid frame  135   b  on the other side of launcher  100 ) have a generally rounded shape for fitting around the outer surface of 1 barrel  205  of air piston assembly  255  to serve as a movement guide for barrel  205  in the priming (cocking) process of launcher  100 .  FIG.  1 C  further illustrates a torsion spring  140   a  that exerts an inward force on flap  130   a  (and a similar spring exerts a corresponding force on flap  130   b , not shown) so that the flap would be moved inward towards a loaded projectile, as will be described in further detail below. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, flap  130   a  includes a slanted trailing edge  145   a  along which it may be pushed outward by barrel  205  when it is moved forward towards the position shown in  FIG.  1 A  from a rearward priming (cocked) position, as described below and illustrated in  FIG.  2 A . Additionally, the slanted trailing edge  145   a  of flap  130   a , along with a corresponding trailing edge of flap  130   b  (not shown), provide for loading projectiles into handle  105  by sliding said projectiles along the trailing edges to push flaps  130   a  and  130   b  outward, and to allow the projectiles to be inserted into the storage area of handle  105  (as described in further detail below and illustrated in  FIG.  2 C ). In embodiments, flap  130   a  (and flap  130   b ) may be tapered outward towards the rear of launcher  100  for receiving, and for being pushed outward by, barrel  205  as it is moved forward towards the position shown in  FIG.  1 A  from a rearward priming position described below and illustrated in  FIG.  2 A . 
       FIG.  2 A  is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the fully loaded storage area in the handle  105  attached to projectile launcher  100  in a rearward priming and loading (cocked) position according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG.  2 A , toy launcher  100  includes barrel  205  with a plunger element  210  that form an air piston assembly  255 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the barrel  205  of air piston assembly  255  has a generally rounded cylindrical or, as described in further detail below, oval shape and plunger element  210  is biased against a back wall  215  of the rear part of launcher housing  110  by a compression spring  220 . The plunger element  210  incorporates a size and a shape that correspond with an internal circumference of barrel  205  so as to form an airtight seal with an internal surface of barrel  205 . According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, plunger element  210  incorporates a resilient O-ring  212  ( FIG.  1 A ) to form an improved seal. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  2 A , barrel  205  is coupled to a sliding top handle or cocking slide  225  via a projection  230  that is fittingly coupled to a recess  235  in cocking slide  225 . The engagement between projection  230  on barrel  205  and recess  235  of cocking slide  225  allows a user to pull back barrel  205  and plunger element  210  in a first, pull-back, priming step. As shown in  FIG.  2 A , spring  220  is compressed between plunger element  210  and back wall  215 . Advantageously, plunger element  210  starts at a position near a front portion of barrel  205 , as shown in  FIG.  1 A , and, therefore, compression spring  220  may be fully compressed in the position illustrated in  FIG.  2 A . By providing such a longer compression distance to spring  220  (as opposed to compressing and decompressing spring  220  only in the rear portion of main housing  110  behind dart  400 - 1  shown in  FIG.  2 A ), a lower rated and longer spring may be used without requiring additional length or space within housing  110  to provide, when released, sufficient forward force to launch darts  400  at a high velocity. 
     As will be described in further detail below with reference to  FIGS.  3 A and  3 C , back wall  215  includes an aperture that allows a dome-shaped rod portion  305  to extend through and past another aperture  310  that is incorporated in a spring-loaded plate  315  that is, in turn, coupled to a trigger assembly  320  (see  FIG.  1 A ). When a user pulls cocking slide  225  backward in a fashion similar to a cartridge-loaded pistol (see rearward arrow adjacent cocking slide  225  in  FIG.  2 A ), a front back-facing surface of recess  235  pushes on a front-facing surface of projection  230  so that rod portion  305  is pushed back as well. As illustrated in  FIG.  1 A , plate  315  is coupled to a compression spring  325  that biases plate  315  downward towards a trigger assembly  320 . According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the leading edge of dome-shaped rod portion  305  is rounded and when it is pushed backward, the rounded leading sloped edge pushes upward on a top edge of aperture  310  in plate  315 , compressing spring  325 , so that rod portion  305  can be pushed through aperture  310  from the front of plate  315  to clear an opposing back side of plate  315 , as illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A,  2 A, and  3 A . Once rod portion  305  is pushed sufficiently past plate  315  through aperture  310 , spring  325  moves plate  315  downward into engagement with a notch or recess  330  opposite the rounded face of rod portion  305  (see  FIG.  1 A ) so that rod portion  305 —and, correspondingly, plunger element  210 —is engaged with, and temporarily retained in place by plate  315 . As shown in  FIG.  2 A , the notch  330  hooks to the opposing back side of plat  315  above aperture  310  once plate  315  is pushed downwardly by compression spring  325  into notch  330  and, accordingly, a top edge of aperture  310  is pushed into a bottom surface of notch  330  (see  FIGS.  1 A and  2 A )—thus, plate  315 , compression spring  325 , and notch  330  together form a latching assembly for holding rod portion  305  in the backward position. 
     As further shown in  FIG.  2 A  and described above, with plunger element  210  being pulled back by rod portion  305 , spring  220  is compressed against the back wall  215  of main launcher housing  110  in the position at which plate  315  and notch  330  are hooked and engaged with each other. In alternative embodiments, a structural stop (not shown) may be used to limit the backward motion of cocking slide  225  to the above full extension position—i.e., the engagement position between notch  330  and plate  315 . 
     Correspondingly, with barrel  205  and cocking slide  225  moved back to the configuration shown in  FIG.  2 A , an opening  335  is created at a top portion of main housing  110 , which opening  335  provides for loading of darts  400 . As shown in  FIG.  2 A , a fully loaded launcher  100 —for example, with six (6) darts  400 - 1  . . .  400 - 6 —a top toy dart  400 - 1  in storage handle  105  is pushed upward and maintained in a priming position in front of barrel  205  in the internal chamber of launcher housing  110 —by spring  115  and block  120  exerting an upward force on dart  400 - 6  and the other darts in storage handle  105 .  FIG.  2 A  illustrates a storage handle  105  with a capacity for six (6) foam darts but in embodiments, storage handles may have a different length and capacity for any number of darts  400 - n  up to a reasonable length so as not to render launcher  100  overly cumbersome. 
       FIG.  2 B  is a schematic front cross-sectional view of launcher  100  along the  2 B- 2 B line in  FIG.  2 A . As illustrated in  FIG.  2 B , when the topmost foam dart  400 - 1  is in the internal chamber of launcher housing  110 , the spring-loaded flaps  130   a  and  130   b  apply approximately equal inward force and approximately equal downward force so that dart  400 - 1  is held in place in an aligned priming position in front of barrel  205 . 
       FIG.  2 C  is a partial front cross section view of a top portion of the internal storage area (or cartridge) of handle  105  to illustrate loading of the projectiles—e.g., foam bullets/darts  400 . As illustrated in  FIG.  2 C , flaps  130   a  and  130   b  may be moved outwardly to give way to darts  400  being loaded into the storage area of handle  105 —for example, by pushing darts  400  against the trailing edges ( 145   a  shown in  FIG.  1 C ) of flaps  130   a  and  130   b . Again, once the darts  400  are loaded into the storage area of handle  105 , flaps  130   a  and  130   b  apply inward and downward force on topmost dart  400 - 1  to hold the loaded darts  400  in place. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  3 A , with the notch/recess  330  of rod portion  305  engaged with plate  315  via the downward bias of spring  325 , the user can push cocking slide  225  forward in a second priming step—again, in a similar fashion to a cartridge-loaded pistol—see forward arrow adjacent cocking slide  225  in  FIG.  3 A . Consequently, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a back wall of recess  235  engages the back wall of projection  230  during the forward motion of cocking slide  225 . Thus, barrel  205  is compelled to slide forward towards the front of launcher  100  while rod portion  305  and plunger element  210  are held in place by plate  315 . As shown in  FIG.  3 A , compression spring  220  remains fully compressed by the return of cocking slide  225  to its original forward position. Accordingly, plunger element  210  forms an air chamber  405  within barrel  205  whereby air is drawn in through a front nozzle  410  of barrel  205 . In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, nozzle  410  may be of a substantially smaller diameter than that of the air chamber  405  so that a forward push by plunger  210  would expel the air through nozzle  410  at a higher pressure.  FIG.  3 B  is a schematic front cross-sectional view of launcher  100  along the  3 B- 3 B line in  FIG.  3 A  illustrating a cross section of air chamber  405  formed by air piston assembly  255 . 
     As further shown in  FIG.  3 A , as the cocking slide  225  is moved forward in the direction shown by the forward arrow, the topmost dart  400 - 1  that is primed into the position in front of barrel  205  is pushed forward into launch barrel  415  in a firing position. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, launch barrel  415  has an internal diameter that provides minimal clearance for darts  400  to allow for substantially airtight propulsion from launch barrel  415  upon release of the pressurized air from air cylinder assembly  255 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 3 A , launch barrel  415  includes a rear portion that is of a slightly larger internal diameter for fittingly receiving front nozzle  410  of barrel  205 , thereby, again, providing for a substantially airtight connection from air chamber  405  to the rear surface of dart  400 - 1  in the launch position within launch barrel  415 . According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, nozzle  410  incorporates an O-ring  412  made from a resilient material, such as a polymer, around its outer circumference to form a seal around the internal circumference of the rear portion of launch barrel  415  to further improve the airtight connection. 
     Next, a trigger pull and launch action will be described.  FIG.  3 C  is a closeup view of the interface between the rear portion of trigger assembly  320  and locking plate  315 . As illustrated in  FIG.  3 C , trigger assembly  320  includes an inclined surface  420  and an upper surface  425 —which collectively form a top camming surface of trigger assembly  320  so that, when trigger assembly  320  is pulled backward by the user, locking plate  315  is caused to move upward from inclined surface  420  to the upper surface  425  against spring  325 . In embodiments, trigger assembly  320  may be biased forward in a default position by a spring (not shown), or the like, such that plate  315  returns to contacting the inclined surface  420  when trigger  320  is in the forward, default, non-firing position. 
       FIG.  3 C , again, illustrates the configuration of the trigger pull according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG.  3 C , a user can pull trigger assembly  320  backward and, as trigger assembly  320  is slid backwards (see the extension element  320   b  of trigger assembly  320  that fits around storage (or cartridge) handle  105 —to the rear portion with surfaces  420  and  425 , i.e., the top camming surface—in the partial cross-sectional front view of  FIG.  3 D ), inclined surface  420  is pushed backwards and, accordingly, slides plate  315  upward towards upper surface  425 . Consequently, as plate  315  is pushed upward by the top camming surface (surfaces  420  and  425 ) of trigger assembly  320  (see upward arrow adjacent plate  315  in  FIG.  3 C ), the engagement between plate  315  and notch/recess  330  of rod portion  305  is released as aperture  310  is moved upward to a position that clears notch/recess  330 . Thus, as illustrated in  FIG.  4   , spring  220  is released from its fully compressed state thereby driving plunger element  210  and rod portion  305  forcefully forward (see forward arrow adjacent compression spring  220  in  FIG.  4   ) to thereby expel the collected air from air chamber  405  through nozzle  410  to launch dart  400 - 1  through launch barrel  415 . Correspondingly, trigger assembly  320  is returned to the forward default position and plate  315  is returned to its lowered position by compression spring  325 . According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, cocking slide  225  may be pulled backward again to the position shown in  FIG.  2 A  either to prime a next dart  400  from the storage handle  105  into the firing position shown in  FIG.  3 A  or to load additional darts  400  into the storage handle  105  through opening  335  shown in  FIG.  2 A . 
       FIG.  5    is a drawing illustrating a comparison between a standard foam dart  500  that is 71.5 mm long and a foam dart  400  that is 37.5 mm long for use with the storage (or cartridge) handle  105  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The shorter dart  400  contributes to the portability of launcher  100  and reduces the friction at the minimal clearance with launch barrel  415  described above, thereby also providing for higher velocity and accuracy using the air pressure launching mechanism described above. In embodiments, storage handle  105  may be incorporated in a rifle-style launcher for either short darts ( 400 ) or standard darts ( 500 ). 
       FIG.  6    is a schematic sectional side view of key elements of toy projectile launcher  100  with an empty storage area in the handle  105  in correspondence the side view of  FIG.  1 A  but from an opposite side and according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG.  6   , the internal storage area of handle  105  of toy projectile launcher may include two pairs of spring-loaded side flaps  130   b  (along with  130   a  on the other side of launcher  100 , as shown in  FIG.  1 A ) and  133   b  (along with  133   a  on the other side, not shown). In this embodiment, spring-loaded side flaps  133   b  (and  133   a ) are disposed at the top portion of the storage area of handle  105  in place of rigid frame  135   a  (and  135   b ) illustrated in  FIG.  1 C . Similar to side flaps  130   a  and  130   b , in the uncocked state shown in  FIG.  6   , the two side flaps  133   a  and  133   b  engage barrel  205  on respective sides thereof. Correspondingly, side flap  133   b  (and  133   a ) also incorporates a torsion spring  143   b  (and  143   a ) that exerts an inward force on flap  133   b  so that the flap would be moved inward towards a loaded projectile. Flap  133   b  (and  133   a ) also includes a slanted trailing edge (similar to  145   a  shown in  FIG.  1 C ) along which it may be pushed outward by barrel  205  when it is moved forward towards the position shown in  FIG.  6    from a rearward priming (cocked) position, as described above and illustrated in  FIG.  2 A . Additionally, this slanted trailing edge of flap  133   b , along with a corresponding trailing edge of flap  133   a  (not shown), provide for loading projectiles into handle  105  by sliding said projectiles along the trailing edges to push flaps  133   a  and  133   b  outward, and to allow the projectiles to be inserted into the storage area of handle  105  in correspondence with flaps  130   a  and  130   b  described above. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, flaps  133   b  (and  133   a ) are incorporated in place of rigid frame  135   b  (and  135   a ) to address angling and/or misalignment of darts  400  that may occur when being pushed up into a priming position (in front of barrel  205  and nozzle  410  as shown in  FIG.  2 A ) by spring  115  and block  120  from the storage area of handle  105 . For example, with rigid frames  135   a  and  135   b , the tail end of a dart  400  (e.g.,  400 - 2 ) may sometimes rise above the front end of the dart  400  (e.g.,  400 - 2 ) on a horizontal plane when it is pushed up into the priming position because rigid frames  135   a  and  135   b  would not contact such a dart  400  to keep it in place, as illustrated in  FIG.  2 C . Consequently, the forward motion of the barrel  205  and nozzle  410  may cause the dart  400  to jam—and not advance properly to the firing position in launch barrel  415  shown in  FIG.  3 A . It was also found that fusing flaps  130   a  and  130   b  with frames  135   a  and  135   b  together to form elongated flaps—similar to flaps  130   a  and  130   b  but extended to the positions corresponding to the rear ends of frames  135   a  and  135   b —would leave space for the front end of a dart  400  to rise above the horizontal plane, and launcher  100  would, likewise, jam. Therefore, converting rigid frames  135   a  and  135   b  into hinged spring-loaded flaps  133   a  and  133   b  on the rear (or back) portion (towards the rear of launcher  100 ) at a top opening of the storage area improved reliability of toy launcher  100 . Additionally, conventional magazine clips have two curved fixed arms similar to rigid frames  135   a  and  135   b . For such rigid arms to contact and align a topmost dart  400  (e.g.,  400 - 1  shown in  FIG.  2   a   ) in the priming position, barrel  205  would be obstructed and a push rod mechanism would be required, with the push rod being equal at least in length to the dart  400 . Such a launcher would, therefore, need to be longer than launcher  100  by at least 37.5 mm—thus, rendering it cumbersome and unacceptable for the quick draw uses of launcher  100 . 
     Thus, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the spring-loaded flaps  133   a  and  133   b  (in cooperation with flaps  130   a  and  130   b  described above with reference to  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B ) apply approximately equal inward force and approximately equal downward force so that a topmost dart or projectile  400 - 1  is held in place in an aligned priming position in front of barrel  205 . Correspondingly, flaps  133   a  and  133   b  may be moved outwardly to give way to darts  400  being loaded into the storage area of handle  105 —for example, by pushing darts  400  against the trailing edges of flaps  133   a  and  133   b —in a similar manner with respect to flaps  130   a  and  130   b  described above with reference to  FIG.  2 C . Again, once the darts  400  are loaded into the storage area of handle  105 , flaps  133   a  and  133   b  apply inward and downward forces on topmost dart  400 - 1  to hold the loaded darts  400  in place. 
     In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and as will be described in further detail below, barrel  205  may embody a larger internal volume for air chamber  405 —thus increasing the launch force of launcher  100  on dart  400 . As shown in  FIG.  6   , barrel  205  has an increased height when compared, for example, to launch barrel  415 . For maintaining similar flexing ranges of spring-loaded flaps  130   a ,  130   b ,  133   a , and  133   b  while increasing the internal volume for air chamber  405 , internal air cylinder assembly  255  incorporates an elongated cross section in its height dimension—such as an oval shape as illustrated in  FIGS.  7 A- 7 C . Accordingly, internal air cylinder assembly  255  may maintain a similar width to, say, that shown in  FIGS.  1 B and  3 B  while increasing its height so that spring-loaded flaps  130   a ,  130   b ,  133   a , and  133   b  need not flex to an unduly larger degree than shown in  FIGS.  1 B and  3 B  to accommodate the increased internal volume of air cylinder assembly  255 . 
     As further illustrated in  FIG.  6   , trigger assembly  320  may merely incorporate an inclined surface  420  at its rear portion to serve as a camming surface (without a discrete upper surface  425  shown in  FIG.  3 C ) so that as inclined surface  420  is pushed backwards, it slides plate  315  upward until the engagement between plate  315  and notch/recess  330  of rod portion  305  is released as aperture  310  is moved upward to a position that clears notch/recess  330 . Additionally, spring  325  described above may be embodied by a spring-loaded arm or a leaf spring, as illustrated in  FIG.  6   , in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG.  7 A  is a schematic side cross-sectional view of barrel  205 ′ in launcher  100  that corresponds to the illustration in  FIG.  6    according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Like elements shown in  FIGS.  7 A,  7 B, and  7 C  are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in  FIGS.  1 A to  6   , detailed descriptions of which will not be repeated.  FIG.  7 A  shows a cross section of air cylinder assembly  255 ′ in launcher  100  from a side opposite to the side shown in  FIG.  6    and, therefore, spring-loaded flaps  130   a  and  133   a , along with torsion springs  140   a  and  143   a , are shown in  FIG.  9 A  in correspondence with spring-loaded flaps  130   b  and  133   b , along with torsion springs  140   b  and  143   b , shown in  FIG.  6   , respectively. Launcher  100 , as shown in  FIG.  7 A , is in a firing position with a foam dart  400  primed in a firing position, which corresponds to the firing position shown in  FIG.  3 A  of primed foam dart  400 - 1 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  7 A , launcher  100  may incorporate an enlarged internal air cylinder assembly  255 ′ that incorporates a substantially larger cross-sectional area than launch barrel  415  and, correspondingly, nozzle  410 . As a result, a larger internal volume of air chamber  405  may be formed by air cylinder assembly  255 ′ to provide for more compressed air and larger launch force on primed dart  400  through nozzle  410 . In order to accommodate such a larger air cylinder assembly  255 ′ without unduly increasing the bulk of launcher  100 , air cylinder assembly  255 ′ and barrel  205  incorporate a substantially oval shape, as illustrated in  FIGS.  7 B and  7 C . 
       FIG.  7 B  is a schematic cross-sectional front view of launcher along the  7 B- 7 B line in  FIG.  7 A ; and  FIG.  7 C  is a closeup front partial cross-sectional view of barrel  205 ′ of the launcher  100  shown in  FIGS.  7 A and  7 B  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG.  7 C , internal air cylinder assembly  255 ′ may incorporate a 7:5 height-to-width ratio (35 mm:25 mm). Consequently, as shown in  FIG.  7 B , when air cylinder assembly  255 ′ is in the forward firing position, spring-loaded side flaps  130   a  and  130   b  (and, correspondingly, spring-loaded side flaps  133   a  and  133   b  shown in  FIGS.  6  and  7 A , respectively) need not be unduly flexed outward to accommodate barrel  205 ′, especially if compared with an air cylinder having a circular cross section that would achieve a similar internal volume. According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, plunger element  210 ′ is also substantially oval in shape with a resilient O-ring  212  to form an airtight seal with the substantially oval-shaped barrel  205 ′. As shown in  FIGS.  7 A and  7 B , plunger element  210 ′ may incorporate a center plug  910  to reinforce the structural integrity of plunger element  210 ′ during launch. According to an exemplary embodiment, center plug  910  also has a substantially oval shape that corresponds to the shapes of barrel  205 ′ and plunger element  210 ′. 
     Advantageously, as shown in  FIGS.  7 A and  7 B , launcher  100  is capable of launching a short foam dart  400  with high velocity and accuracy while having a relative compact profile of a traditional pistol at approximately 236.73 mm in length and 153.63 mm in height. 
       FIG.  8    includes a number of diagrams illustrating the toy projectile launcher  100  being inserted and housed in a corresponding holster  700  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Specifically,  FIG.  8    illustrates a fitted holster  700  that includes a base having two loops  705  and  710  for receiving a belt, strap, harness, or the like (not shown) for fastening holster  700  to a user or the user&#39;s garment. As shown in  FIG.  8   , holster  700  is rotatable around its base along an arced track  715  so as to position launcher  100  at 0 degrees, 15 degrees, and 30 degrees, respectively. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, holster  700  includes a locking mechanism (not shown) for fixing holster  700  to one of the three positions (0 degrees, 15 degrees, and 30 degrees)—or any position therebetween—according to a user&#39;s preference for quick draw play. Holster  700  may also be positioned beyond the 0 degrees and 30 degrees positions up to points where launcher  100  would not exit holster due to gravity. 
     Although the exemplary embodiment is described in the context of a foam bullet/dart launcher that utilizes shortened foam bullets/darts, it is to be understood that the two-step priming/loading and firing action according to the present invention could be applied to a toy projectile launcher of other types of projectiles (e.g. a ball or the like) or a fluid launcher whereby the fluid from a reservoir in the handle is driven by a plunger. In such environment the two-step priming/pumping action of the present invention enables a handheld high-velocity fluid burst launcher. 
     While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements thereon may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover all such modifications and improvements that are within the scope of this invention.