Patent Publication Number: US-11662173-B1

Title: Apparatus and methods for launch toys having rotatable projectile carriers

Description:
PRIORITY CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 119(e) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/143,899 filed on Jan. 31, 2021. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to projectile launch apparatus, systems, and methods, and more particularly to projectile launchers having rotating barrel carriers to enable an operator to bring a multitude of projectiles into a launch position quickly and easily. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,850 for a “Double Shot Projectile Launcher” to Steer purports to disclose a double barrel launcher using a bellows for generating a blast of compressed air. The path of the compressed air is determined by manipulation of a trigger that operates a slide valve. The slide valve aligns openings to clear an air path to one of two projectile supporting launch tubes. When the slide valve misaligns the openings to the launch tube, the air path is blocked. Griffin, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,729 to Applicant&#39;s Assignee for “Projectile Launcher” discloses an air gun having a fixed plurality of launch tubes and a rotatable cylinder and piston for directing a blast of compressed air to a distribution manifold which directs the air to each of the launching tubes sequentially whether loaded or not. The compressed air is first directed axially from the piston, then radially in one of the distribution passages, and finally axially to the aligned launch tube. Various toy and game launchers using high-pressure air are known in the art of interest, including Nugent U.S. Pat. No. 8,567,378, and Nugent U.S. Pat. No. 8,875,688 to Applicant&#39;s Assignee. Also, various valves and triggers are known in the art, including safety valves exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 5,529,050. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to unique toy projectile launch apparatus where each launcher includes a rotatable dart carrier, an energy creation system, a priming handle for compressing a launch spring, and components for causing the carrier to rotate. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the invention, the accompanying drawings and detailed description illustrate preferred embodiments thereof, from which the invention, its structures, its constructions and operations, its processes, and many related advantages may be readily understood and appreciated. 
         FIG.  1    is an isometric view of an eight shot toy launch apparatus. 
         FIG.  2    is a front elevation view of the toy launch apparatus illustrated in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is an isometric view of the toy launch apparatus illustrated in  FIG.  1   , with the left side of an outer housing removed to show a compressed air conduit and an energy creation system. 
         FIG.  4    is an isometric view of a grip portion of the toy launch apparatus illustrated in  FIG.  1   , showing a piston, a launch spring and a priming handle. 
         FIG.  5    is an isometric view of a link and an elongated cam in the toy launch apparatus illustrated in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  6    is an isometric view of the priming handle, a rack and a gear train of the toy launch apparatus illustrated in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  7    is an isometric view of two inlet connectors of the toy launch apparatus illustrated in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  8    is a front isometric view of a NERF™ brand foam dart. 
         FIG.  9    is a rear isometric view of the foam dart shown in  FIG.  8   . 
         FIG.  10    is an isometric view of a sixteen shot toy launch apparatus. 
         FIG.  11    is a front elevation view of the toy launch apparatus illustrated in  FIG.  10   . 
         FIG.  12    is an isometric view of the toy launch apparatus illustrated in  FIG.  10   , with a stock in an extended position. 
         FIG.  13    is an isometric view of an energy creation system embodying pistons and launch springs in the toy launch apparatus illustrated in  FIG.  10   . 
         FIG.  14    is an enlarged isometric view of a rack for rotating the carriers and a rack for separating a connector and manifold component from a carrier, both in the toy launch apparatus illustrated in  FIG.  10   . 
         FIG.  15    is an enlarged isometric view of the connector and manifold in the toy launch apparatus illustrated in  FIG.  10   . 
         FIG.  16    is an enlarged isometric view of a gear and cam combination for moving the connector and manifold in the toy launch apparatus illustrated in  FIG.  10   . 
         FIG.  17    is an enlarged isometric view of a rotation gear train in the toy launch apparatus illustrated in  FIG.  10   . 
         FIG.  18    is an isometric view of a thirty-two shot toy launch apparatus. 
         FIG.  19    is an elevation view of the thirty-two shot toy launch apparatus shown in  FIG.  18   . 
         FIG.  20    is an enlarged isometric view of two cylinders of the energy creation system in the toy launch apparatus shown in  FIG.  18   . 
         FIG.  21    is an isometric view of two pistons and two launch springs, a priming handle, a gear train connected to the priming handle, a helical cam, a rotational handle and a gear train connected to the rotational handle, all in the toy launch apparatus illustrated in  FIG.  18   . 
         FIG.  22    is an enlarged isometric view of the priming handle and the connected gear train in the toy launch apparatus illustrated in  FIG.  18   . 
         FIG.  23    is an enlarged elevation views of two energy creation racks in the toy launch apparatus illustrated in  FIG.  18   . 
         FIG.  24    is an isometric view of a carrier mounted to the toy launch apparatus illustrated in  FIG.  18   . 
         FIG.  25    is an enlarged isometric view of a rotational rack with side cams in the toy launch apparatus illustrated in  FIG.  18   . 
         FIG.  26    is an enlarged isometric view of a main air connector in the toy launch apparatus illustrated in  FIG.  18   . 
         FIG.  27    is an enlarged front isometric view of the main air connector and switching valves in the toy launch apparatus illustrated in  FIG.  18   . 
         FIG.  28    is an enlarged isometric view of the helical cam in the toy launch apparatus illustrated in  FIG.  18   . 
         FIG.  29    is an enlarged isometric view of a switching valve, the energy creation cylinders and the helical cam in the toy launch apparatus illustrated in  FIG.  18   . 
         FIG.  30    is an exploded isometric view of the switching valve illustrated in  FIG.  29   . 
         FIG.  31    is a diagram of a launching sequence for the toy launch apparatus illustrated in  FIG.  18   . 
         FIG.  32    is a right side elevation view of a ten shot toy launch apparatus. 
         FIG.  33    is a left side isometric view of the ten shot toy launch apparatus shown in  FIG.  32   . 
         FIG.  34    is an enlarged isometric view of a barrel carrier, a combination priming and rotational handle and an air conduit in the toy launch apparatus shown in  FIGS.  32  and  33   . 
         FIG.  35    is an enlarged isometric view of the barrel carrier, a ratchet, a pusher component and a lock component for the barrel carrier in the toy launch apparatus shown in  FIGS.  32  and  33   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     The following description is provided to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the described embodiments set forth in the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention. Various modifications, equivalents, variations, and alternatives, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Any and all such modifications, variations, equivalents, and alternatives are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention and its claims. 
     Five embodiments of toy projectile launch apparatus are illustrated, each with at least one rotatable barrel, to enable the toy launch apparatus to launch one or more projectiles quickly, some in a first mode, then have the barrels rotate, and thereafter, launch one or more projectiles in a second mode. 
     Eight Shot Toy Launch Apparatus 
     One embodiment of a toy launch apparatus is shown in  FIGS.  1 - 7   , where an eight shot apparatus  20  is illustrated. Referring first to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the toy launch apparatus  20  includes a blaster or simulated gun-like outer housing  22 , with a rearward grip  24 , and left and right forward support arms  26 ,  28 . The toy launch apparatus  20  also includes a priming handle  30  extending downward from the grip  24 , a trigger  32  mounted to the outer housing  22 , an eight shot barrel carrier  34  having eight barrels  36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  FIG.  6   , mounted to the support arms  26 ,  28  of the outer housing  22 , and a rotational handle  52  mounted to top of the outer housing  22  for causing the barrel carrier  34  to be rotated 180°. Having a rotational barrel carrier allows an operator to carry more ready-to-launch projectiles before having to reload. 
     Energy Creation System 
     The eight shot toy launch apparatus  20  includes an energy creation system  60 ,  FIGS.  3  and  4   , located in the grip  24  for developing a high-pressure slug of air for launching a toy projectile, such as a dart  10 ,  FIGS.  8  and  9   . The energy creation system  60  embodies a piston  62 ,  FIG.  4   , in a cylinder  64 ,  FIG.  4   , and a launch spring  66  in the cylinder  64  below the piston with the priming handle  30  connected to the piston  62 . High-pressure air generated by the energy creation system, when the spring and piston are released, flows from the cylinder  64  through an extended air conduit  67  to an air connector  68  and then to the barrel carrier  34 . After loading darts in the barrels, an operator is able to pull the priming handle  30  downward causing the piston  62  to compress the launch spring  66  and become restrained. An earlier filed U.S. Pat. No. 10,823,527, entitled Toy Launcher Apparatus With Few Parts and Quick and Easy Assembly, illustrates and describes, in detail, the energy creation system  60 , and is incorporated herein by reference. 
     Rotatable Carrier 
     The eight shot carrier  34 ,  FIG.  6   , is configured with the eight barrels divided between two modules, a forward facing module  70  and a rearward-facing module  72 . Each module  70 ,  72  include a bank of barrels  74 ,  76 . Next to each bank of barrels is a passageway structure or valve system  78 ,  80  for automatically cascading each slug of high-pressure air from the cylinder  64  to each dart-loaded barrel in sequence while ignoring barrels that are empty. Once a dart is launched from its corresponding barrel, that barrel is closed off to high-pressure air. After priming the apparatus, the next slug of high-pressure air is directed to the next loaded barrel in a module. An earlier filed U.S. Pat. No. 8,567,378, entitled Air Path and Safety Valve System for Toy Launchers, illustrates and describes, in detail, the valve system and is incorporated herein by reference. After all or some of the loaded barrels in the forward facing bank of barrels are discharged, the operator may simply rotate the carrier  34  to bring a fresh bank of barrels with its own valve system to face forward and present four more or less darts to a discharge position. 
     Well-known safety features are included in all of the embodiments disclosed here so that a toy launch apparatus cannot be used to discharge an inappropriate object, such as a pencil. Safety components may include spike and a valve as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,875,688, which is incorporated herein by reference. The spike and valve are configured to receive a dart, like a dart  10 ,  FIG.  8   , which has a central opening  18  to receive the spike and a ring shaped rear surface  16  to open a valve to allow high-pressure air to enter when the dart is inserted in a barrel. Other safety components may be configured for projectiles having other configurations. 
     Rotation System 
     In the middle of each carrier is a center block  82 ,  FIG.  6   , which is rotatably mounted to the outer housing  22 . Mounted to the center block  82  is a gear train  84  used to rotate the barrel carrier  34  and a clutch  86 , to insure that the carrier only rotates one way, clockwise. At  FIGS.  3 ,  6  and  7   , a rubber bumper  35  is provided as part of the rotating structure stop which helps to dampen sound and stop the rotating piece hitting at the rubber bumper  35  when the barrel carrier  34  is rotated 180° and thus decreasing the loud sound at the end of the stroke. Also embodied in the center block  82  are two 90° inlet connectors  88 ,  90 ,  FIG.  7   , mounted to the valve systems  78 ,  80 . Each inlet connector, such as the inlet connector  88 , connects at one end  92  to a corresponding valve system, such as the valve system  78 , and at the other end  94 , to the air connector  68  and to the long air conduit  67  so as to direct a slug of high-pressure air from the cylinder  64  to a loaded barrel when in a first mode. However, when in a second mode, before rotation, the barrel carrier is separated from the source of high-pressure air. Rotation of the carrier results when the rotational handle  52  moves rearward and then returns, the return being by the operator or by a return spring. On the return, the handle does not engage any of the gears. Once the carrier  34  is rotated, the inlet connector  90  is engaged with the air connector  68 . 
     Along the left hand side of the toy launch apparatus  20 , the conduit  67  is along side of a link  96 ,  FIG.  5   , and an elongated cam  98 . The link  96  and the cam  98  are connected to the handle  52 . When the rotational handle  52  is moved rearward, the link  96  moves the cam  98  rearward to cause the air connector  68  to move laterally away from the inlet connector  88 . On the right hand side of the toy apparatus  20 , the rotational handle  52  is also connected to a rack  99 ,  FIG.  6   , which is engaged with the gear train  84  to flip or rotate the carrier  34  through 180°. After rotation, the inlet connector  90  assumes the upper position and is aligned with the air connector  68 , such that when the rotational handle  52  moves forward to finish the rotation cycle the air conduit  67  and the energy creation system  60  are align with the module  72  which is now facing forward. 
     When all four darts (or less) of one module are discharged, the operator may reload with four or less new darts; or, more likely during a “battle,” the operator may simply rotate the carrier 180° to bring the second module of the carrier into launching position, facing forward. As mentioned, the two modules  70 ,  72  are identical. The eight shot toy launch apparatus  20  includes a rotation system embodying the rotational handle  52 . The rotational handle  52  is connected to the rack  99  and the rack is connected to the gear train  84 , which embodies a small gear  100 ,  FIG.  6   , connected to a large gear  102 . The gears  100 ,  102  are mounted to the center block  82  to transfer the linear motion of the rotational handle  52  to rotational motion causing the carrier  34  to rotate. The clutch  86  allows rotation one-way, clockwise. Just prior to the actual rotation, the handle  52 , the link  96  and the cam  98  cause a slight separation of the air conduit  67  and the air connector  68  from the carrier  34  and the inlet connector  88 . 
     Trigger Assembly 
     The toy launch apparatus  20  includes a trigger assembly  104 ,  FIG.  4   , formed by the trigger  32  and a pivotal latch  106 . When the launch apparatus is primed, a lower end  108  of the latch  106  is received by a recess in the piston  62  to restrain the launch spring  66  in a compressed configuration. Retracting the trigger  32  causes the latch  106  to pivot and release the piston  62  and the launch spring  66 , and cause a high-pressure slug of air to be transmitted from the cylinder  64 , through the conduit  67  into the valve system  78  and to the barrels of the bank  74  facing forward, resulting in the launch of a dart. 
     Operation 
     In operation of the eight shot toy launch apparatus, the operator may load a dart into each of the eight barrels (or less than eight if desired). The operator may then prime the toy launch apparatus by pulling down on the priming handle  30 . When the trigger is pulled, a dart is discharged. The operator may then prime the launch apparatus several more times and pull the trigger after each priming cycle to launch the remaining darts in a first module. Thereafter, the operator may then load four more darts (or less) or he/she may pull the rotation handle  52  to rotate the carrier  34  and position the second module forward to enable four more darts (or less) to be discharged. 
     Dart 
     An example of a suitable projectile to be used in all five embodiments is illustrated in  FIGS.  8  and  9   , and is in the form of a colorful toy dart  10 . The dart  10  is formed of soft foam and is marketed by Hasbro Inc. of Rhode Island under the brand NERF®. The dart includes a foam nose portion  12 , a foam tubular body portion  14  with a ring shaped rear surface  16 , and a central opening  18 . The rear surface  16  and the central opening  18  act in conjunction with each other to meet safety criterions that prevent the launch of inappropriate objects. 
     It is noted that there are dozens of different dart or projectile configurations in the marketplace (and others may be configured in the future). Projectiles having other geometries and sizes may be used with the toy launch apparatus described herein provided that the barrel and ancillary components are modified according. 
     Sixteen Shot Toy Launch Apparatus 
       FIGS.  10 - 17    illustrate two more embodiments, namely, two versions of a toy launch apparatus  150 , with a blaster outer housing  152 ,  FIGS.  10  and  11   , and in simulated rifle configuration in  FIG.  12   . The outer housing  152  includes a rearward grip  154  and a forward support arm  156 . Left and right rotatable barrel carriers  158 ,  160 , each with eight barrels, such as the barrel  162 , are rotatably mounted to the support arm  156 . A priming handle  164  is mounted to an upper portion of the outer housing  152 . A trigger  166 , a pump-style rotational handle  168  for causing the carriers  158 ,  160  to rotate, and a foldable stock  170  are all mounted to the outer housing  152 . The stock is folded in  FIGS.  10  and  11   , and unfolded in  FIG.  12   . 
     The sixteen shot toy launch apparatus  150  is similar to the eight shot toy launch apparatus  20  but has two carriers  158 ,  160  having a total of sixteen darts. The sixteen shot launch apparatus  150  includes an energy creation system  172 ,  FIG.  13   , embodying two pistons  174 ,  176  and two launch springs  178 ,  180  disposed in two cylinders (not shown, but each is like the cylinder  64 ,  FIG.  3   ) mounted in the outer housing  152  and positioned in a configuration generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the toy apparatus  150 . Each cylinder, piston and launch spring set is ducted to a separate carrier. A connector and manifold combination  182 ,  FIGS.  13  and  15   , transfers high-pressure air from the energy creation system  172  to the carriers  158 ,  160  by way of a valve system, such as the valve systems  184 ,  FIG.  10   , which is very much like the disclosure in U.S. Pat. No. 10,823,527, which is incorporated herein by reference. The priming handle  164  extends from both sides of the toy launch apparatus  150 . Two darts, one from each carrier, may be launched after each priming cycle, pull rearward and then a push forward. In the alternative, a return spring may be used. 
     Each carrier  158 ,  160  of the sixteen shot apparatus  150  is nearly identical to the single carrier  34  of the eight shot launch apparatus  20 . For example, the carrier  158  is configured with the eight barrels divided between two modules, a forward facing module  190 ,  FIG.  12   , and a rearward-facing module  192 . Each module includes a bank of barrels  194 ,  196 . Next to each bank of barrels are the valve systems, such as the valve system  182 , for automatically cascading high-pressure compressed air from one dart-loaded barrel to the next barrel having a loaded dart. Once a dart is launched from its corresponding barrel, that barrel is closed off to high-pressure air from the energy creation system until the barrel is reloaded with a dart. After priming the apparatus, the next slug of high-pressure air is directed to the next loaded barrel in the module as disclosed in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 8,567,378 and incorporated herein by reference. Like the eight shot apparatus, the sixteen shot apparatus includes safety spikes and valves. After some or all of the loaded barrels in a bank are discharged, the operator may rotate the carriers to bring a fresh bank to face forward and present eight more darts to discharge positions. The operator may rotate the carriers back and forth, if desired, until all of the darts have been discharged, or some or all of the barrels may be reloaded at any convenient time. 
     Rotating the barrel carriers  158 ,  160  is accomplished by two racks that are connected to the pump-style handle  168 , such as the rack  200 ,  FIG.  14    having gear teeth  202  at a distal end portion  204 . The racks  200 ,  206  are positioned adjacent the right and left carriers  158 ,  160 . A gear train is connected to each carrier, such as the gear train  208 ,  FIG.  17   , which is connected to the right side carrier  158 , and the gear train  210 ,  FIG.  13   , connected to the left carrier  160 . When the pump handle  168  is moved rearward, the racks  200 ,  206  and their corresponding gear trains  208 ,  210  cause the two carriers  158 ,  160  to rotate 180°. However, before the carriers are able to be rotated, a third rack  212 ,  FIG.  14   , also connected to the pump handle  168  and having gear teeth  214  spaced away from the distal end portion  215  operates a gear and cam combination  216 ,  FIGS.  13 ,  16  and  17   , that abuts against a flange  217 ,  FIG.  15   , of the connector/manifold  182 . During the early part of the rotation cycle, the third rack  212  enables the gear/cam  216  to push the connector/manifold  182  away from the energy creation system  172  because the gear teeth  214  of the rack  212  engage the gear/cam  216 , which moves the connector/manifold before the gear teeth  202  engage the gear trains  208 ,  210  to rotate the carriers. 
     In operation, the sixteen shot toy launch apparatus  150  may be primed by an operator who pulls the handle  164  to compress the launch springs. In this first mode the high-pressure air is able to communicate from the cylinders to the barrels; but, in a second mode, before rotation, the cylinders and the barrels are separated. When it is time to rotate the barrel carriers the operator pulls the handle  168  rearward to disengage the connector/manifold from the valve systems and to then rotate the carriers through 180°. 
     Thirty-Two Shot Toy Launch Apparatus 
     The next embodiment is a thirty-two shot toy launch apparatus  220 , detailed in  FIGS.  18 - 31   . The toy launch apparatus  220  is configured similar to the sixteen launch apparatus  150 , but instead of having one carrier to either side of a support arm, the thirty-two shot toy launch apparatus  220  has a package of barrels  222 ,  224 ,  FIGS.  18  and  19    to each side of a support arm  226 . Each package, such as the package  222 , includes an outer carrier  228  and an inner carrier  230 . The toy launch apparatus  220  includes a simulated rifle-like outer housing  232  with a rearward stock  234  and the forward extending support arm  226 . The left barrel passage  222  has a total of sixteen barrels, such as the barrel  236 , with eight barrels facing forward. The right barrel package  224  also has a total of sixteen barrels with eight barrels facing forward. The packages of barrels  222 ,  224  are rotatable simultaneously. A priming handle  238  is mounted to a lower portion of the outer housing  232  adjacent a grip  239 . A trigger  240  and a grip-style rotational handle  242  for causing the packages with the carriers to rotate are also mounted to the outer housing  232 . 
     As mentioned each of the barrel packages  222  and  224  includes outer and inner carriers, such as the outer carrier  228  and the inner carrier  230 , of the package  222 , and each of the four carriers of the apparatus  220  is configured like the carrier  34 ,  FIG.  6   , with a forward facing module  260 ,  FIG.  24   , a rearward facing module  262 , a bank of barrels, such as the bank  264 , a valve system, such as the valve system  266 , as described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 8,567,378, and incorporated herein by reference, and a center block  268  having switching valves described below. Like the above-mentioned embodiments, the thirty-two shot apparatus include safety spikes and valves. 
     The thirty-two shot apparatus  220  has a very similar energy creation system  244 ,  FIGS.  20  and  21   , as the sixteen shot apparatus  150 . The thirty-two shot apparatus  220  includes the energy creation system that embodies two pistons  246 ,  248 , and two launch springs  250 ,  252  mounted in two cylinders  254 ,  256  and are disposed generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the toy apparatus  220 . The priming handle  238 ,  FIG.  22   , is connected to the energy creation system  244  by a gear train  258  and two priming racks  260 ,  262 ,  FIGS.  21  and  23   , to compress the launch springs  250 ,  252 . The pistons, launch springs and cylinders of the energy creation system  244  are described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 10,823,527, and is incorporated herein by reference. 
     The rotational system of the toy apparatus  220  includes the rotational handle  242  and a rack  270 ,  FIG.  25   , having side cams  272 ,  274  for disengaging a main air connector  276 ,  FIGS.  26  and  27   , from switching valves  278 ,  280 ,  FIG.  27   , mounted to each of the barrel packages  222 ,  224 . Each switching valve, such as the switching valve  280 , is connected to a helical cam  282 ,  FIGS.  27  and  28   , includes a cylindrical body  284  with a helical groove  286  and a longitudinal return groove  288 . 
     A switching valve is mounted in each barrel package  222 ,  224  and each switching valve, such as the switching valve  278 ,  FIG.  29   , includes two pins, like the pins  290 ,  FIGS.  29  and  30   , that ride in the helical groove  286 , a switch link  292 , a stationary mount  294 , an air director  296 , a rotating body  298 , and two air connectors  300 ,  302 . Having the two switching valves, the toy launch apparatus  220  is able to have a launch pattern  304 ,  FIG.  31   , which shows a discharge sequence of the darts in the thirty-two barrels of the apparatus. 
     In operation, after loading the barrels, the operator may prime the apparatus by pulling the priming handle  238  forward and then rearward, and when appropriate, pulling the trigger  240  rearward. Like the eight and sixteen shot apparatus, the thirty-two shot apparatus operates in a first mode where the energy creation system communicates high-pressure air to the barrels, but is a second mode the barrels are separated from the energy creation system. Once all sixteen darts that are facing forward are discharged (or if desired, less then sixteen darts), the operator may rotate the barrel packages and repeat the process. 
     Ten Shot Toy Launch Apparatus 
     Yet another embodiment of a toy launch apparatus having a rotatable barrel carrier is illustrated in  FIGS.  32 - 35   . The apparatus  320  is designed with a simulated rifle-like outer housing  322  having a rearward stock  324  and grip  326 , and a forward support arm  328 . Mounted to the support arm  328  is a disc-like barrel carrier  330  having ten recessed barrels, such as the barrel  332 . A dual purpose handle  334 ,  FIG.  33   , is mounted to the left side of the outer housing  322 , and a trigger  336  is located adjacent to the grip  326 . 
     The toy launch apparatus  320  includes an energy creation system in the form of a cylinder  338 ,  FIG.  34   , having a piston and launch spring (not shown) as already described above and referencing U.S. Pat. No. 10,823,527, which is incorporated herein by reference. The trigger  336  is connected to the piston such that a pull on the trigger releases the launch spring and the piston to create a slug of high-pressure air. The cylinder is connected to first and second conduits  340 ,  342  and an inlet connector  344 ,  FIG.  35   , in the hub of the carrier  330 . The inlet connector  344  is connected to safety components to prevent inappropriate objects from being discharged. The safety components may include the spike and valve mentioned above covered by a cap having a curved end surface which mates with a curved end surface of each barrel, such as a barrel  346 . In one mode high-pressure air may flow from the cylinder  338  to the one of the barrels but in a second mode the cylinder and the barrels are separated. The mating curved surfaces allow the first and second conduits  340 ,  342  and the inlet connector  344  to be separated from the barrels when the carrier begins to rotate. As rotation begins the valve is closed and the barrel end slides away over the cap. When the inlet connector  344  is aligned with the barrel  346 , a slug of high-pressure air emitted from the cylinder  338  travels along the conduits and the inlet connector to the barrel  346 , which is shown pointed forward and aligned with a longitudinal axis of the toy launch apparatus  320 . 
     The barrel carrier  330  includes a ratchet  348  having ten teeth, such as the tooth  350 , in a circular pattern. Mounted to interact with the ratchet  348  are a pusher component  352  in a pusher bracket  353  and a lock component  354  in a lock bracket  355 . A sliding cam rod  356  operates the pusher and lock components  352 ,  354 . 
     In operation, when the operator moves the dual purpose handle  334  two events take place. One event is that the piston is retracted to compress the launch spring thereby priming the launch apparatus  320 . The other event is that the barrel carrier  330  is rotated thirty-six degrees in a clockwise direction, as symbolized by the arrow  360 , to move the barrel  362  downward to replace the barrel  346 . This is accomplished by the cam rod  356  moving rearward with the handle  334  as symbolized by the arrow  364 . The cam rod includes a cam surface  366 , which abuts a slanted surface  368  of the pusher bracket  353  causing the pusher component  352  to move upward against a tooth  370  of the ratchet  348  and against a pusher bracket biasing spring  372 . The tooth  370  of the ratchet retracts the pusher component  352  against a biasing spring  374 . At the same time, the cam rod  356  releases support of a lock bracket  355  allowing a tooth  378  to push the lock component  354  downward as the carrier rotates. When the handle  334  is moved forward to finish its rearward and forward cycle, the pusher bracket  353  and pusher component  352  move downward under the influence of the biasing spring  372  while the pusher component  352  moves outward under the influence of the biasing spring  372  under the next tooth  384  of the ratchet. Simultaneously, the lock bracket  355  moves the lock component  354  upward under the influence of the biasing spring  386  to lock the tooth  388  of the ratchet  348 . When the trigger  336  is pulled the dart in the barrel  362  is launched. 
     It is to be noted that in the alternative, each of the toy launch apparatus embodiments 20, 150, 220, 320 may have more or less barrels than shown and may be configured accordingly. The links, gear trains and rack may also be aligned differently and still function in an acceptable manner. Also in the alternative, the outer housings may have other design themes. 
     All of the embodiments described here have barrel carriers that are mounted so as to have an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the toy launch apparatus which offers a novel experience for the operators. 
     It is further noted that words such as “forward,” “rearward,” “beneath,” “upward,” downward,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “upper,” “lower,” “back,” “front,” “rear,” “top” and “bottom,” as well as other similar positional terms, refer to components or elements of the toy launchers as they are viewed in the attached drawings, or in relationship to the positions of the apparatus as they will typically be deployed and moved during use by an operator, or to movements of elements based on the configurations illustrated. 
     It may now be appreciated that the toy apparatus disclosed in detail above have great entertainment value, are fun to use and easy to operate. The toy apparatus are robust and have a relatively simple structure that may be produced at a reasonable cost. 
     From the foregoing, it can be seen that there has been provided a detailed description and features for improved toy launch apparatus. While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the aim is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. The matters set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings are offered by way of illustrations only and not as limitations. The actual scope of the invention is to be defined by the subsequent claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.