Abstract:
A multi-purpose projecting device for propelling and disseminating, generally vertically, paper disks, confetti, or fluid contained in a cartridge. Contents of the cartridge as well as the outside surface of the launching tube may be covered with a fluorescent material. The launching tube may serve as a flagpole to supplement its primary function at large social gatherings such as sporting or music events, wedding ceremonies, holiday celebrations, etc. The device consists of a two-part cylindrical launching apparatus and a cylindrical cartridge that may hold paper disks, confetti, fluid, or other soft materials such as fiber, string, fabric, etc. The upper section of the launching tube folds back, into which the cartridge can then be inserted. The lower section of the launching tube consists of a spring, a plunger, a spring, a string, and a trigger. After the cartridge is loaded, a string connecting to the plunger is pulled, contracting the spring and setting the trigger ready for launching. The upper section of the tube is then restored to its original position. Pressing the trigger releases the plunger, which moves along the launching tube due to pressure from the extending spring. The plunger compresses air within the tube, propelling contents of the cartridge through the upper section of the launching tube to be ejected.

Description:
[0001]    [0001]                                       Inventor:   John Du(aka. Xiaoqiang Du)           (925 Pebble Beach Place, Placentia, CA 92870)       Appl. No.:   60/352,627 (10/160,024)       Filed:   Jan. 28, 2002 (May 30, 2002)       Current U.S. Class:   125/66, 124/65, 124/64, 124/16, 124/27       Inter&#39;l Class:   F41B 11/00, F41B 11/12       Field of Search:   125/66, 124/65, 124/64, 124/16, 124/27                    
         REFERENCES CITED  
         [0002]    [0002]                                                 183,124   Oct. 1876   Butterweck           1,339,949   May 1920   Egts   124/27       1,488,995   Apr. 1924   McCollom   124/66, 124/27       1,556,846   Nov. 1922   Kovacs       1,575,644   Mar. 1926   Schmidt       2,321,077   Mar. 1940   Gora El Al       2,600,883   Dec. 1947   King       2,630,108   Jul. 1949   White   124/65       2,652,822   May 1949   Griffith       2,725,869   Jun. 1952   Barber   124/35 X       3,002,294   Sep. 1960   Jackson       3,850,157   Nov. 1974   Prokupek   124/27, 124/37, 273/26 D       4,159,705   Jul. 1979   Jacoby   124/63, 124/70, 46/44       4,335,701   Jun. 1982   Bozich   124/26, 124/81, 124/41 R,                   124/83       4,644,930   Feb. 1987   Mainhardt   124/58, 124/84, 42/16, 42/77       5,058,561   Oct. 1991   Starr   124/65, 124/64       5,415,151   May 1995   Fusi/Gale   124/56, 124/1       5,622,159   Apr. 1997   Liu/Melville,Jr.   124/66, 124/65, 124/64, 222/79       6,048,280   Apr. 2000   Palmer/Palmer   473/416, 473/570, 273/DIG. 24,                   124/1, 124/16       6,142,135   Nov. 2000   Thompson   124/70, 124/76                    
         DESCRIPTION  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The present invention relates to toy guns in general and more particularly to those that utilize a spring-driven plunger and compressed air to project paper, confetti, fiber, or fluid.  
           [0004]    For decades toy guns with different functions have been popular with both children and adults. Air guns powered by a spring and compressed air are among the most common types of toy guns. Among the projectiles available are balls, darts, missiles, disks, arrows, and water.  
           [0005]    Many prior inventions involve toy guns driven by a spring and possibly compressed air as well. Most projectiles in these cases consist of relatively rigid materials such as metal, glass, plastic, or foam, and all tend to remain an integrated unit after being launched and during flight. When fluid is projected, it is in the form of relatively continuous flows.  
           [0006]    Each of the following toy guns is in the form of a “gun.” U.S. Pat. No. 183,124 (Butterweck) discloses a toy gun which ejects a spherical projectile from the barrel utilizing a contracted spring as the sole source of power. Its trigger is designed to catch on a piston in the barrel. U.S. Pat. No. 1,339,949 (Egts) discloses a double-barreled toy gun which launches a small spherical projectile from the first barrel, using an extended spring in the second barrel as the power source. U.S. Pat. No. 1,488,995 (McCollom) also discloses a double-barreled toy gun, which compresses air by the movement of a spring and a plunger in the two barrels, discharging a missile-shaped projectile. Its trigger catches on the middle portion of a spring to hold the gun in a state ready for firing. U.S. Pat. No. 1,575,644 (Schmidt) discloses a toy gun with a trigger as its source of power, utilizing both a spring and compressed air as agents. When the trigger is pressed, the power is transferred through a series of mechanisms to contract a spring within the barrel. When the trigger is released, the potential energy of the spring ejects the projectile. U.S. Pat. No. 2,321,077 (Gora Et Al) discloses a toy gun within whose barrel is a spring that is compressed by the tail of a dart. The contracted spring is held by a trigger, the release of which ejects the projectile. U.S. Pat. No. 2,630,108 (White) discloses a toy gun that projects ping-pong balls utilizing the potential energy of a contracted spring and compressed air as an agent. U.S. Pat. No. 2,652,822 (Griffith) discloses a toy gun, with a rod and a spring, which projects a ping-pong ball like projectile by utilizing the energy produced by dragging the rod and compressing the spring. U.S. Pat. No. 2,725,869 (Barber) discloses a long gun, which uses a plunger to generate compressed air and to eject a ball-shaped projectile.  
           [0007]    The following projectors are in the form of a long cylinder and use a spring or compressed air to generate power for the projection. U.S. Pat. No. 1,556,846 (Kovacs) discloses a launching tube containing a rod that is drawn to contract a spring. U.S. Pat. No. 2,600,883 (King) discloses an apparatus in which a rod is drawn to contract a spring, which once released, is able to fire balls. U.S. Pat. No. 4,335,701 (Bozich) discloses a projector that ejects a baseball, utilizing a spring as the power source and a long rod as an agent for transmitting the power. U.S. Pat. No. 5,058,561 (Starr) discloses a launching tube, which manually ejects cylindrical projectiles such as empty beverage cans using compressed air as an agent.  
           [0008]    The following two patents emphasize the visual effects of projectiles in dark surroundings. U.S. Pat. No. 5,415,151 (Fusi) involves a bullet-shaped phosphor-containing projectile that creates clear visual effects in darkness. The invention discloses a round capsule containing a phosphor-containing fluid. However, the purpose of the art is to keep the projectile visible in flight and to leave a luminous mark on targets the projectile strikes. As such, the projectile remains integrated in flight until it reaches the target. U.S. Pat. No. 6,048,280 (Palmer/Palmer) discloses a toy gun that projects a dart using as an agent compressed air generated by a drawn rod and a released spring. The gun contains a flash lamp to create the fluorescent effects of the propelled projectile.  
           [0009]    The above-mentioned launching devices have at least one of the following features, which differentiate them from the present invention: 1) the appearance of a “gun,” 2) horizontal “shooting” as the primary function, 3) rigid projectiles such as balls, darts, beverage cans, and special bullets that stay integrated during flight, 4) a target for shooting. Projectiles in all above-mentioned devices remain integrated after being ejected. Having one or more of these characteristics renders past inventions unsuitable for usage at large social gatherings.  
           [0010]    The present invention is entirely dissimilar from above-mentioned apparatuses. The device is to be used for leisure. The primary function of the present invention is to project and disseminate soft and non-integrated materials contained in a cartridge, generally vertically and without aiming at a target. Additionally, the outside surface of the present invention can be covered with fluorescent materials for decorative purposes. A flag may also be attached to the upper section of the launching tube. These and other features could be appropriate at sporting or music events, wedding ceremonies, holiday celebrations, parties, or other large social gatherings.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    In consideration of disadvantages of known types of toy gun devices, whose primary purposes are to horizontally project various hard projectiles that remain integrated after being ejected, the present invention is a new type of projecting device, which may be held in the hand and may project, usually vertically, soft projectiles such as paper disks, confetti, or fluid.  
           [0012]    The general purpose of the present invention is to provide a new, simply constructed device that “projects” for visual pleasure but does not “shoot.” None of these advantages and new features have been shown or suggested in the prior art projecting devices.  
           [0013]    For this purpose, the present invention consists of two sections of a launching tube, a plunger, a spring, a trigger, and a cartridge, which will be described with all details later.  
           [0014]    A primary object of the present invention is to provide a projecting device capable of launching, usually vertically, soft projectiles such as paper disks, confetti, or fluid for visual pleasure.  
           [0015]    Another object is to provide a cartridge with a variety of possible contents, including but not limited to paper disks, confetti, and fluid, which may be treated with fluorescent materials in order to create pleasant visual effects in the dark. Letters or words could also be printed on paper disks. The disks could also display messages such as fortunes. Alternatively, they could show numbers and be used for drawing lots. To create a cheerful atmosphere, the substances being projected may also be scented.  
           [0016]    A further object is to provide a projecting device not in the form of a “gun” but that of a long stick, the cross section of which may be circular, triangular, rectangular, or any other shape. The advantage of a stick-like structure is that additional adaptations are possible. For instance, the device may be used as a flagpole.  
           [0017]    Another object is to provide a simply-constructed and inexpensive projecting device. The simplicity of the structure makes this device affordable and easy to use.  
           [0018]    Still another object is to provide a light-weight, simply-operated, and easy-to-carry projecting device able to be held in one hand.  
           [0019]    A further object is to provide a projecting device for repeated use.  
           [0020]    An additional object is to provide a projecting device at a much larger scale, with the same structure as formerly described, in order to meet various demands on different occasions.  
           [0021]    Another object is to provide a horizontal complex of projecting devices, with combined or separate triggers in order to eject projectiles from more than one device simultaneously.  
           [0022]    The device is further described using accompanying illustrated drawings.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0023]    [0023]FIG. 1 is a side view of the present invention.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the present invention.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the present invention where the upper section of the launching tube is folded to the side and the cartridge is being loaded.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the present invention after the projection.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the trigger shown in FIG. 4.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the plunger shown in FIGS.  2 - 3 .  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the cartridge and its contents after they are expelled from the launching tube. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0030]    FIGS.  1 - 4  show the present invention  10  completely. As shown in FIG. 2, the present projecting device  10  consists of a lower section  11  of the launching tube, an upper section  12  of the launching tube, a plunger  13 , a spring  14 , a cartridge  15 , a pulling string  16 , a trigger  17 , a v-shaped pivot component  18 , and a hook  19 .  
         [0031]    As shown in FIGS.  1 - 4 , the lower section  11  and the upper section  12  of the launching tube have the same diameter. The two sections are connected with a v-shaped pivot component and a hook. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and  4 , the lower section  11  and the upper section  12  are in rectilinear state immediately before, during and after the launching of the projectile. As shown in FIG. 3, before the user inserts the cartridge  15  and pulls back on the string  16 , the upper section  12  folds to the side, forming with the lower section  11  a “7” shape. Then, the user loads a cartridge  15  into the upper section  12 .  
         [0032]    As shown in FIGS.  2 - 3 , within the lower section  11  are the plunger  13 , the spring  15 , and the string  16 . A long screw  22  is installed near the end of the lower section  11 . The trigger  17  is installed on the outside surface of the lower section  11 .  
         [0033]    As shown in FIG. 2, the top of the lower section  11  has a inner collar flange  31  designed to keep the plunger  13  within the lower section  11  as the plunger  13  moves upward, driven by the released spring  14 . Thus, the diameter of the plunger  13  should be slightly smaller than the lower section of the launching tube  11  so that the plunger  13  can smoothly slide and reciprocate within the tube.  
         [0034]    As shown in FIG. 6, the plunger  13  has a main body  32  which may move smoothly within the lower section  11 . The plunger  13  also has a top portion  33 , the diameter of which is smaller than that of the main body  32 . When the plunger  13  is released, the top portion  33  directly hits the bottom of the cartridge  15 . The lower portion  34  of the plunger  13  also has a diameter much smaller than that of the main body  32  so that the lower portion  34  can be inserted into the spring  14 . The string  16  goes through a loop  30  found on the bottom of the lower portion  34 .  
         [0035]    As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and  6 , the upper end of the spring  14  surrounds the lower portion  34  of the plunger  13 . A screw  22  keeps the rear end of the spring  14  from being pressured out of the lower section  11  of the tube when the string  16  is pulled.  
         [0036]    As shown in FIGS.  1 - 4 , the string  16 , connected to the plunger  13  by the loop  30 , is used to pull the plunger  13  downwards. FIG. 3 shows the user pulling on the string  16 . Near its lower end the string  16  is knotted  21  in order to prevent the lower end of the string  16  from receding into the tube. When the spring  14  releases and the string  16  is moving upwards, the screw  22  stops the string  16  at the knot  21 , and the rear end of the string  16  remains outside of the launching tube.  
         [0037]    As shown in FIGS.  1 - 4  and in particular detail in FIG. 5, a trigger  17  is installed on the outside surface of the lower section  11  of the launching tube, on the same side as the hook  19 . The upper end of the trigger  17  digs into a gap  23  in the surface of the launching tube. When the string  16  is pulled backwards, the front of the trigger  17 , affected by a leaf spring  26 , enters into the launching tube and blocks the upward motion of the spring  14  by stopping the upper end of the plunger  13  and allowing the projecting device  10  to enter a ready-to-launch state. The trigger  17  is connected and fixed to a support base  24  by a long screw  25 . The leaf spring  26  is installed between the trigger  17  and the support base  24  in order for the front of the trigger  17  to automatically be pushed into the launching tube and block the upper end of the plunger  13  while it is pulled downwards.  
         [0038]    As shown in FIGS.  1 - 4 , the v-shaped pivot component  18  includes a triangular flange  27  at the top of the lower section  11  and a triangular flange  28  on the bottom of the upper section  12 . As shown in FIG. 2, the front of the hawk-beak hook  19  locks the flange  29  at the top of the lower section  11 , which is in rectilinear state with the upper section  12 . As shown in FIG. 3, the user must forcibly fold the upper section  12  to the side, disconnecting the hawk-beak hook  19  from the flange  29 , in order to load the cartridge  15  into the open end of the upper section  12 . At this time, the lower section  11  and the upper section  12  of the launching tube are connected by the pivot  18 .  
         [0039]    As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and  7 , the user must insert the cartridge  15  into the open end of the upper section  12  of the launching tube before the projection. As shown in FIG. 7, the cartridge  15  consists of a container  50  holding paper disks  51 , an adhesive piece of paper  52  for sealing the front end of the cartridge  15 , and a piece of cardboard  53  for blocking the rear end of the cartridge  15 . The container  50  has a rear end with an extended ridge outside  54  and inside  56 . The dashed line  55  shows the conjunction at which the wall of the container  50  connects to the ring that gives it an outer  54  and inner ridge  56 . Lucky phrases and numbers for drawing lots may be printed on the paper disks  51 , or fluorescent materials may be added to create pleasing visual effects in the dark. The adhesive piece of paper  52  is sticky on the edges in order to keep all contents within the container  50 . The solidity of the adhesive paper  52  should be such that the contents may leave the container  50  freely once compressed air hits the bottom of the cartridge  15 . If the contents of the cartridge  15  are paper disks  51  or confetti, a piece of cardboard  53  is used on the bottom of the cartridge  15 . If the content is a fluid, waterproof plastic adhesive tape should be used on the bottom of the cartridge  15  in order to keep the fluid within the container  50  without leaking. The solidity of the waterproof plastic should be such that allows the expulsion of the fluid when compressed air hits the bottom of the cartridge  15 .  
         [0040]    As shown in FIG. 2, the lower section  11  and the upper section  12  of the launching tube, the plunger  13 , and the trigger  17  may use PVC as the raw material for injection processing. The plunger  13  is a hollow cylinder. The leaf spring  26  is u-shaped, with resilience to become straight.  
         [0041]    As shown in FIG. 3, the user folds the upper section  12  of the launching tube to the side, disconnecting the hawk-beak hook  19  from flange  29 , allowing the upper section  11  and the lower section  12  of the launching tube to change from a rectilinear state to a “7” shape, connected by the v-shaped pivot  18 . The user then inserts the cartridge  15  into the upper section  12  in direction A until the outside ridge  54  of the cartridge  15  is closely pressed to the bottom of the upper section  12  of the launching tube. Then, as in FIG. 3, the user pulls the string  16  in direction B to contract the spring  14  into a ready-to-launch state, where the front end of the trigger  17 , affected by the resilience of the leaf spring  26 , digs into a gap  23  in the launching tube, blocking the plunger  13 . The user then restores the upper section  12  to a rectilinear state with the lower section  11 , allowing the entire projecting device  10  to enter a state fully ready for projection. As shown in FIG. 1, when the user presses the trigger  17  in direction A, the plunger  12 , pushed by the spring  14 , moves upwards inside the launching tube in direction B. Compressed air in the launching tube propels the paper disks  51  or other contents into flight from the launching tube.  
         [0042]    Although the above description of the present invention includes illustrations and detailed explanations, it does not limit the present invention within the illustrations and descriptions. Some changes and modifications may take place within the scope of the present invention without modifying its basic principles.