Patent Description:
Conventional toy guns that are foldable are disclosed in, for example, <CIT> and <CIT>. Specifically, conventional toy guns often have a foldable stock to reduce the size of the toy gun. The stock can be extended to provide aiming stability, or folded away to shorten the overall length of the toy gun. By having the foldable stock, the toy gun is easier to carry and maneuver for a user. <FIG> shows a conventional electric toy gun <NUM> including a gun body <NUM>, a foldable stock <NUM> that is connected to the gun body <NUM>, an electric motor unit <NUM> that is disposed in the gun body <NUM> and that is used to convert electric energy to kinetic energy in order to fire a pellet, a battery unit <NUM> that is disposed in the foldable stock <NUM> and that is electrically connected to the electric motor unit <NUM> and that provides electrical energy to the conventional electric toy gun <NUM>, and a set of electric wires <NUM> that electrically connects the electric motor unit <NUM> to the battery unit <NUM>. The set of electric wires <NUM> is fitted loosely with enough tolerance so as to allow the electric motor unit <NUM> to remain electrically connected to the battery unit <NUM> when the stock <NUM> is either folded or expanded, and thereby allow the conventional electric toy gun <NUM> to remain operational in both the folded and the expanded configurations of the stock <NUM>.

However, when the stock <NUM> is folded away, a portion of the electric wires <NUM> will be exposed and will easily get snagged on other objects when the user of the electric toy gun <NUM> is maneuvering in rough terrain and could cause the electric toy gun <NUM> to malfunction. Additionally, it is also possible for the electric wires <NUM> to get caught between the gun body <NUM> and the stock <NUM> when folding the foldable stock <NUM>.

Therefore, an object of the disclosure is to provide a conducting hinge device that can alleviate at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art. <CIT> discloses a conducting hinge device adapted to be mounted on a gun.

The invention is a conducting hinge device adapted to be mounted on an electric toy gun according to claim <NUM>.

According to the disclosure, a conducting hinge device is adapted to be mounted to an electric toy gun. The electric toy gun includes a first body-section, a second body-section that is pivotally connected to the first body-section, an electric motor unit that is mounted in the first body-section, and a battery unit that is mounted in the second body-section for providing electric energy to the electric toy gun. The conducting hinge device includes a conducting unit and a hinge conductor unit. The conducting unit is adapted to be installed between the first body-section and the second body-section, and includes two pin members that are electrically conductive and that are spaced apart along an axis. Each of the pin members is adapted to be electrically connected to the electric motor unit. The hinge conductor unit includes two hinge leaves that are adapted to be mounted co-movably to the second body-section and that are electrically conductive. Each of the hinge leaves is sleeved on a respective one of the pin members and is adapted to be electrically connected to the battery.

Another object of the disclosure is to provide an electric toy gun including the abovementioned conductive hinge device.

According to the disclosure, an electric toy gun includes a first body-section, a second body-section, an electric motor unit, a battery unit, and the abovementioned conducting hinge device. The first body-section has a first plate surface. The second body-section is pivotally connected to the first body-section and has a second plate surface. The second body-section is pivotable relative to the first body-section between an extended position, where an angle between the first plate surface and the second plate surface is substantially zero, and a folded position, where the angle ranges from <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees. The electric motor unit is mounted in the first body-section for converting electric energy into kinetic energy to propel at least one pellet to be fired from the electric toy gun. The battery unit is mounted in the second body-section and is disposed for providing electric energy.

Other features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent in the following detailed description of the embodiment(s) with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:.

Referring to <FIG>, a first embodiment of the electric toy gun according to the present disclosure is shown. The electric toy gun includes a first body-section <NUM>, a second body-section <NUM>, an electric motor unit <NUM>, a battery unit <NUM>, a hinge-connecting unit <NUM>, and a conducting hinge device that includes a conducting unit <NUM> and a hinge conductor unit <NUM>.

The first body-section <NUM> has a first plate surface <NUM> and two lugs <NUM> that are adjacent to the first plate surface <NUM>, and that are spaced apart along an axis (X).

The second body-section <NUM> is pivotally connected to the first body-section <NUM> and has a second plate surface <NUM> forming an angle (θ) with the first plate surface <NUM>, and two hinge knuckles <NUM> that are adjacent to the second plate surface <NUM>, that are located between the two lugs <NUM>, that are spaced apart along the axis (X), and that define a knuckle space <NUM> therebetween. The second body-section <NUM> is pivotable relative to the first body-section <NUM> between an extended position (as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>), where the angle (θ) between the first plate surface <NUM> and the second plate surface <NUM> is substantially zero, and a folded position, where the angle (θ) ranges from <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees. It should be noted, that ideally the angle (θ) is <NUM> degrees as shown in <FIG> and <FIG> when the second body-section <NUM> is in the folded position. In this embodiment, the electric toy gun is an electric airsoft rifle with a foldable stock, the first body-section <NUM> is the rifle body, and the second body-section <NUM> is the rifle stock. However, this is not a limitation of the present disclosure.

The battery unit <NUM> (see <FIG>) is mounted in the second body-section <NUM>, and is disposed for providing electric energy to the electric toy gun. The electric motor unit <NUM> is mounted in the first body-section <NUM> for converting electric energy into kinetic energy to propel at least one pellet (not shown) to be fired from the electric toy gun.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the hinge-connecting unit <NUM> includes two pin seats <NUM>, and two first bolts <NUM>. Each of the pin seats <NUM> abuts against a respective one of the lugs <NUM>, and has a curved wall <NUM> that cooperates with the first body section <NUM> to define a pin hole <NUM> and that is coupled to a respective one of the hinge knuckles <NUM>. Each of the first bolts <NUM> interconnect a respective one of the lugs <NUM> and the respective one of the pin seats <NUM>. The respective hinge knuckles <NUM> are substantially positioned between the pin seats <NUM>.

The conducting unit <NUM> is installed between the first body-section <NUM> and the second body-section <NUM>, and includes two pin members <NUM> that are electrically conductive, two stationary wires <NUM>, and two second bolts <NUM>.

The two pin members <NUM> are spaced apart along the axis (X), and each of the pin members <NUM> is inserted along the axis (X) through a respective one of the hinge knuckles <NUM> and into the knuckle space <NUM>. More specifically, each of the pin members <NUM> is inserted through the pin hole <NUM> defined by the curved wall <NUM> of a respective one of the pin seats <NUM> and the first body-section <NUM>, and the respective one of the hinge knuckles <NUM> and into the knuckle space <NUM>.

Each stationary wire <NUM> of the conducting unit <NUM> is electrically connected to a respective one of the pin members <NUM> and the electric motor unit <NUM> (see <FIG>), so that each pin member <NUM> is electrically connected to the electric motor unit <NUM>. In this embodiment, each stationary wire <NUM> is inserted into the respective pin member <NUM>.

Each second bolt <NUM> of the conducting unit <NUM> is connected to the first body-section <NUM> and a respective one of the pin members <NUM> to secure the respective one of the pin members <NUM> to the first body-section <NUM>. In this embodiment, the two second bolts <NUM> are immovably and threadedly connected to the respective pin members <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the axis (X).

The hinge conductor unit <NUM> includes two hinge leaves <NUM>, two connecting wires <NUM>, two resilient members <NUM>, and a cover plate <NUM>.

The two hinge leaves <NUM> are mounted co-movably to the second body-section <NUM> and are electrically conductive. Each of the hinge leaves <NUM> is disposed in the knuckle space <NUM>, is sleeved on a respective one of the pin members <NUM>, and is electrically connected to the battery unit <NUM>. More specifically, each of the two hinge leaves <NUM> is rotatably sleeved on the respective one of the pin members <NUM>, and has a surrounding portion <NUM> disposed in the knuckle space <NUM> and surrounding the respective one of the pin members <NUM>, an abutting portion <NUM> extending from one end of the surrounding portion <NUM> and abutting against the second body-section <NUM>, and a conducting portion <NUM> extending from another end of the surrounding portion <NUM> and being parallel to the surrounding portion <NUM>.

Each of the connecting wires <NUM> is electrically connected to a respective one of the hinge leaves <NUM> and the battery unit <NUM>. More specifically, each of the connecting wires <NUM> is electrically connected to the conducting portion <NUM> of the respective one of the hinge leaves <NUM> and the battery unit <NUM>.

Each of the two resilient members <NUM> is disposed between and abutting against the second body-section <NUM> and the abutting portion <NUM> of a respective one of the hinge leaves <NUM> for applying a biasing force so that the respective one of the hinge leaves <NUM> maintains electrical contact with the respective one of the pin members <NUM>.

The cover plate <NUM> of the conductor unit <NUM> is removably mounted on the second body-section <NUM> and covers the hinge leaves <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, when the second body-section <NUM> is in the extended position (i.e., the second plate surface <NUM> of the second body-section <NUM> and the first plate surface <NUM> of the first body-section <NUM> are facing each other and the angle (θ) is substantially zero), the second body-section <NUM> can be used as the rifle stock by a user to brace against to provide more stability when aiming the electric toy gun.

At this time, the conducting portions <NUM> of the hinge leaves <NUM> are positioned between the first plate surface <NUM> and the second plate surface <NUM>. An electric current from the battery unit <NUM> will flow through one of the connecting wires <NUM>, one of the hinge leaves <NUM>, one of the pin members <NUM>, one of the stationary wires <NUM>, to the electric motor unit <NUM> (see <FIG>). From the electric motor unit <NUM> the current will flow to the other stationary wire <NUM>, the other pin member <NUM>, the other hinge leaf <NUM>, the other connecting wire <NUM>, and back to the battery unit <NUM> in a closed loop which forms an electric circuit. The toy gun is thus provided with electrical energy for its operation.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the second body-section <NUM> can pivot relative to the first body-section <NUM> so that the angle (θ) between the first plate surface <NUM> of the first body-section <NUM> and the second plate surface <NUM> of the second body-section <NUM> may be <NUM> degrees as shown in <FIG>, or <NUM> degrees as shown in <FIG>. When the second body-section <NUM> is moving between these angles, the hinge leaves <NUM> are secured to the second body-section <NUM> by the cover plate <NUM>, and will pivot along with the second body-section <NUM> using the pin members <NUM> (along the axis (X)) as a center of rotation. In this way, electrical contact can be maintained when the second body-section <NUM> is being folded, and the current supplied by the battery unit <NUM> can continue to flow through the previously described electric circuit, which will allow the electric toy gun to remain operational when the second body-section <NUM> is being folded.

When the second body-section <NUM> is in the folded position (i.e., the angle (θ) between the first plate surface <NUM> of the first body-section <NUM> and the second plate surface <NUM> of the second body-section <NUM> is <NUM> degrees), the first body-section <NUM> is parallel to the second body-section <NUM>, which reduces the overall length of the electric toy gun, saves space and provides more maneuverability to the user.

The advantages of the embodiment are as follows: By having the hinge leaves <NUM> that are rotatably sleeved on the pin members <NUM> and that are able to pivot with the second body-section <NUM>, electric connections in the electric toy gun can be maintained when the second body-section <NUM> is moving between the extended and the folded positions. Additionally, by having the conducting unit <NUM> and the hinge conductor unit <NUM> function as part of the pivoting (hinge) mechanism while being electrically conductive, the electric toy gun according to the present disclosure can operate without exposed electric wires connected between the first body-section <NUM> and the second body-section <NUM>. By not having exposed electric wires, the electric toy gun is more maneuverable when carried by the user as it will not snag unto other objects, also, the foldable mechanism (i.e. the pivot connection between the first body-section <NUM> and the second body-section <NUM>) of the electric toy gun will function more smoothly without exposed electric wires that may hinder the pivoting movement of the mechanism.

Claim 1:
A conducting hinge device adapted to be mounted on an electric toy gun, the electric toy gun including a first body-section (<NUM>), a second body-section (<NUM>) that is pivotally connected to the first body-section (<NUM>), an electric motor unit (<NUM>) that is mounted in the first body-section (<NUM>), and a battery unit (<NUM>) that is mounted in the second body-section (<NUM>) for providing electric energy to the electric toy gun, said conducting hinge device being characterised by:
a conducting unit (<NUM>) adapted to be installed between the first body-section (<NUM>) and the second body-section (<NUM>), and including two pin members (<NUM>) that are electrically conductive and that are spaced apart along an axis (X), each of said pin members (<NUM>) being adapted to be electrically connected to the electric motor unit (<NUM>); and
a hinge conductor unit (<NUM>) including two hinge leaves (<NUM>) that are adapted to be mounted co-movably to the second body-section (<NUM>) and that are electrically conductive, each of said hinge leaves (<NUM>) being sleeved on a respective one of said pin members (<NUM>) and adapted to be electrically connected to the battery (<NUM>);
wherein said two pin members (<NUM>) of said conducting unit (<NUM>) are adapted to be immovably connected to the first body-section (<NUM>);
wherein each of said two hinge leaves (<NUM>) of said hinge conductor unit (<NUM>) is rotatably sleeved on the respective one of said pin members (<NUM>);
wherein said conducting unit (<NUM>) further includes two stationary wires (<NUM>), each being adapted to be electrically connected to a respective one of said pin members (<NUM>) and the electric motor unit (<NUM>);
wherein said hinge conductor unit (<NUM>) further includes two connecting wires (<NUM>), each being adapted to be electrically connected to a respective one of said hinge leaves (<NUM>) and the battery unit (<NUM>); and
wherein each hinge leaf (<NUM>) has
a surrounding portion (<NUM>) surrounding the respective one of said pin members (<NUM>),
an abutting portion (<NUM>) extending from one end of said surrounding portion (<NUM>) and being adapted to abut against the second body-section (<NUM>), and
a conducting portion (<NUM>) extending from another end of said surrounding portion (<NUM>), each of said connecting wires (<NUM>) being electrically connected to said conducting portion (<NUM>) of the respective one of said hinge leaves (<NUM>).