Rapid fire air-powered toy gun and pliable projectiles for shooting therefrom

[0001] This is a Continuation-in-Part Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/899,442, filed on Oct. 6, 2010, and entitled, DEHYDRATED, PULP-BASED PROJECTILE, which is a non-provisional application of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/340,740, filed on Mar. 18, 2010, entitled, “Air-powered projectile shooter and pulpous projectiles for shooting therefrom.” This is ALSO a Continuation-in-Part Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/901,489, filed on Oct. 8, 2010, and entitled, A PLIABLE PROJECTILE AND CORRESPONDING TOY GUN WITH SAFETY FEATURES FOR USE WITH THE PLIABLE PROJECTILE, which is also a non-provisional application of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/340,740, filed on Mar. 18, 2010, entitled, “Air-powered projectile shooter and pulpous projectiles for shooting therefrom.”

[0002] (1) Field of Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to an air-powered toy gun and, more particularly, to an air-powered, machine-gun type toy gun that rapidly shoots pliable projectiles.

[0004] (2) Description of Related Art

[0005] Toy projectiles have long been known in the art. Toy projectiles are often expelled by toy guns to simulate the firing of a weapon. To reduce injury, several toy guns have been created to fire “soft” projectiles. The soft projectiles are presumably softer and less dangerous than their metallic counterparts. By way of example, several toy companies sell toy guns that shoot plastic or foam bullets. Both the plastic and foam bullets do not possess the mass of a real metallic bullet and, therefore, are less dangerous.

[0006] An advantage of plastic bullets is that they are solid and, as such, are less influenced by air currents than foam bullets. In other words, after being fired by a toy gun, a solid and plastic projectile is more likely than a porous projectile (i.e., the foam bullet) to shoot straight. A disadvantage to such plastic bullets is that they are solid and, although softer than metal, can still cause injury. Additionally, because they are typically solid, such plastic bullets do not stick to their target and readily “bounce off” of the target. Alternatively, a foam bullet is much softer than a plastic bullet which reduces the risk of injury from such a projectile. However, as noted above, the foam bullet is subject to being influenced by air currents and, as such, does not shoot straight (or as far) as a plastic bullet. As was the case with a plastic bullet, a foam bullet also does not stick to its target.

[0007] As noted above, both the plastic and foam bullets do not possess the mass of a real metallic bullet and, therefore, are typically less dangerous. While a manufacturer may sell a toy gun with such plastic or foam bullets, users often misuse the items and have been known to stick foreign objects into such toy guns. For example, a user may attempt to shoot a marble out of a toy gun instead of the plastic bullets included with the gun. While the marble could possibly shoot farther, it is considerably harder and more dangerous as a projectile than a plastic bullet. To prevent a user from shooting such foreign objects, projections or other markings are often included in the barrel of the toy gun. For example, the barrel may have protrusions, while the plastic bullet includes corresponding indentations. Thus, the plastic bullet is specifically formed to matingly engage with markings in the barrel. However, because of the protrusions (markings), foreign objects do not fit properly within the barrel and are less likely to be fired or expelled by the toy gun. As such, a toy gun requires such markings for safety reasons.

[0008] Thus, a continuing need exists for a soft projectile that is safer than a plastic bullet, that is less influenced by air current than a foam bullet, that is capable of sticking to its target, and that can conform to the safety markings of a corresponding toy gun to form an air tight seal for effective firing from the gun. Further, a need exists for a toy gun that is operable for rapidly shooting such projectiles. Thus, the present invention is directed to a rapid fire air-powered toy gun and pliable projectiles for shooting therefrom.

[0009] While considering the failure of others to make use of all of the above components in this technology space, the inventor unexpectedly realized that a pliable projectile (e.g., dehydrated pulp-based projectile) would increase safety while being less influenced by air current. Also, it was unexpectedly realized that such a pulp-based projectile, when rehydrated, would be capable of making an air tight seal in a bullet chamber that includes safety projections and, when fired, sticking to a target. Further, it was unexpectedly realized that an air-powered gun could be used to safely shoot the projectiles at great distances without compromising safety.

[0010] Thus, the present invention is directed to an air-powered toy gun. The toy gun includes a main housing with a barrel extending therefrom. The main housing is formed to accept a projectile cartridge and align a bullet chamber of the cartridge with the barrel. An air cylinder is attached with the main housing, with a two-way plunger positioned within the air cylinder. A forestock is slidably attached with the housing and attached with the two-way plunger to allow the two-way plunger to be forced fore and aft within the air cylinder. Conduits and valves are attached with the air cylinder to fluidly connect the air cylinder with the bullet chamber of the cartridge. Further, an indexing mechanism is attached with the main housing. The indexing mechanism is operably connected with the forsestock such that upon each fore and aft motion of the forestock, the indexing mechanism draws a cartridge through the main housing.

[0011] In another aspect, an indexing blade is attached with the forestock. Additionally, the indexing mechanism includes an indexing arm and an indexing gear operably connected with the indexing arm. The indexing arm is attached with the main housing such that fore and aft motion of the forestock causes the indexing blade to engage with the indexing arm and, thereby, rotate the indexing gear to draw a cartridge through the main housing.

[0012] In yet another aspect, the present invention includes a cartridge with a plurality of bullet chambers for encasing a plurality of projectiles. Further, the cartridge includes projections formed through each bullet chamber. Pulpous projectiles can be included for positioning within the cartridge, the pulpous projectiles including a fluorescent material therein. Additionally, a glow-in-the-dark material or solution can also be added to the projectiles. Additionally, a UV light can be mounted to the main housing to illuminate (or fluoresce) the projectiles once fired from the toy gun.

[0013] Finally, as can be appreciated by one in the art, the present invention also comprises a method for forming and using the pliable projectile and toy gun described herein.

[0038] The present invention relates to an air gun and, more particularly, to an air-powered, machine-gun type toy gun that rapidly shoots pliable projectiles. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and to incorporate it in the context of particular applications. Various modifications, as well as a variety of uses in different applications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to a wide range of embodiments. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments presented, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

[0039] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without necessarily being limited to these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.

[0040] The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with this specification and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. All the features disclosed in this specification, (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is only one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

[0041] Furthermore, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Section 112, Paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of” or “act of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6.

[0042] Please note, if used, the labels left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise and counter clockwise have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions between various portions of an object.

[0043] (I) Description

[0044] As described above, toy projectiles have long been known in the art. However, toy projectiles of the prior art are known to bounce off of their target, are influenced by air currents, and/or can present a risk of injury. Thus, the present invention improves upon the prior art by providing a pliable projectile that is less prone to causing injury. Further, for rapid-fire actions, the present invention provides an air-powered, machine-gun type toy gun for rapidly shooting such projectiles.

[0045] FIG. 1A depicts a pliable projectile 100 for use with the present invention. The pliable projectile 100 is any suitable projectile that is capable of conforming to the markings/shape of the bullet chamber (described below) and forming an air tight seal therein and being expelled from the bullet chamber, non-limiting examples of which include clay, Styrofoam, and a pulp-based material. For example, projectile 100 is formed of a dehydrated pulp material, a non-limiting example of which includes paper. Thus, in one aspect, the projectile 100 is formed of dehydrated paper-pulp, such that when rehydrated, projectile 100 is soft and capable of sticking to its target. Other non-limiting examples of suitable materials for forming the projectile include wood pulp, recycled or virgin pulp, bleached or natural pulp, colored pulp, a starch-based material (e.g., peanuts), or a fiber/filler with a binding material such as starch or water-based glue. Additional non-limiting examples include a rice-based material, dehydrated gels, a hydro-polymer (similar to the absorbent polymer material used in a diaper), and a sponge material that is compressed and dehydrated.

[0046] As can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the projectile 100 can be formed in a variety of shapes, non-limiting examples of which include being round, or shaped as that depicted in FIG. 1A. As shown, the projectile can include a rounded tip portion 102 and a hollowed base 104. The hollowed base 104 is a depression (i.e., concave) formed in the back end of the projectile 100.

[0047] In operation, the pliable projectile 100 can be positioned within the bullet chamber (e.g., gun clip or cartridge) of the toy gun and then formed around the markings/shape of the bullet chamber. For example, the toy gun or bullet chamber can be dipped in water, which would cause the projectile to absorb the water (rehydrate) and soften. An advantage to being pulp based is that the projectile 100 is more solid than foam and, as such, generally shoots straighter and further than foam. However, when rehydrated, the projectile 100 has the propensity to stick to its target as it becomes pliable and sticky through rehydration.

[0048] The pliable projectile 100 is to be used with an air-powered toy gun. As a non-limiting example, FIG. 1B depicts an air-powered toy gun 110 according to the present invention. The toy gun 110 is capable of propelling the pliable projectile and includes the corresponding bullet chamber 120 (within the gun cartridge). The bullet chamber 120 is formed in any suitable manner such that it prevents foreign objects from forming an air tight seal therein, while allowing the pliable projectile to conform to the form of the bullet chamber 120 and form an air tight seal therebetween. Non-limiting examples of suitable forms include having markings (e.g., projections and/or depressions, as depicted in FIGS. 1C through 1G) and being shaped to prevent standard objects from sealing therein (as depicted in FIGS. 1H and 1I).

[0049] FIG. 1C illustrates a close-up view of an example bullet chamber 120 that is capable of accommodating the pliable projectile. As shown, the bullet chamber 120 (i.e., as formed in a bullet clip) can be formed to include markings (i.e., projections 122) running therethrough. The projections 122 are used as a safety mechanism to prevent a user from shooting unsafe projectiles. For example, it would be undesirable to allow a user to use a toy gun to shoot marbles or other hard items which could potentially cause harm. As such, in this case, the projections 122 prevent another round item from being positioned within the chamber 120 and creating an air tight seal. Because the toy gun is air powered, if an air seal is not maintained, it is unlikely that the toy gun can expel the projectile. However, as used with the present invention and because the pulp-based projectile is dehydrated and rehydratable, when the pulp-based projectile is positioned within the chamber 120 and dipped into water, the projectile becomes rehydrated, pliable, and expands. As such, in operation, the rehydrated pulp-based projectile expands around the projections 122 to create an air tight seal within the chamber 120. Alternatively and as can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, instead of expanding, the now pliable projectile can be forced into the chamber 120 and around the projections 122 to create the air tight seal. In either event, the combination of a toy gun that includes a barrel chamber with projections 122 and a pulp-based projectile that is capable of conforming its shape to the barrel and projections 122 provides a unique feature not found in the prior art.

[0050] As noted above, the present invention includes both the combination of a pliable projectile and a toy gun having a bullet chamber that is formed to prevent a foreign projectile from forming an air tight seal within the bullet chamber. For example, preventing such an air tight seal can be accomplished with projections 122 (or depressions). It should be understood that although the present application may refer to projections, depressions can be similarly used to prevent a round object from forming an airtight seal within a chamber. For example, if a rut or channel is formed along the length of the bullet chamber, a round pellet would not be able to form an air tight seal within the chamber. However, using the pliable (e.g., pulp-based) projectiles of the present invention, the pulp-based projectile, when rehydrated, becomes pliable and can be pushed into or expanded into the depression, thereby forming an air tight seal. Thus, although the term projection may be used herein, the present invention is not intended to be limited thereto as the term projection and depression can be used interchangeably as markings. Additionally, it should also be understand that altering the shape of the bullet chamber can also be used to prevent a foreign projectile from forming an air tight seal within the bullet chamber.

[0051] As can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, there are numerous shapes of markings (e.g., projections or depressions) that can be used to prevent a hardened, round object from forming an air tight seal within a chamber. As depicted in FIG. 1C, the projection 122 is a simple protrusion or ridge that runs along the inside of the barrel. However, the present invention is not intended to be limited thereto as it is generally directed to any bullet chamber that is formed to prevent a foreign projectile from forming an air tight seal therewith.

[0052] For example, FIGS. 1D through 1I depict various bullet chamber shapes that are in accordance with the present invention. More specifically, FIG. 1D-1 depicts a cross-section of an empty bullet chamber 130 with a projection 132 therein. Depicted in FIG. 1D-2 is the bullet chamber 130 with a foreign projectile 134 positioned within the bullet chamber 130, which illustrates the gap 136 between the chamber walls 131 and the foreign projectile 134. The gap 136 prevents a foreign projectile 134 from forming an air tight seal within the bullet chamber 130. Alternatively, FIG. 1D-3 illustrates the bullet chamber 130 with a pliable projectile 138, in which the pliable projectile 138 conforms to the chamber walls 131 to form an air tight seal within the bullet chamber 130.

[0053] As another example, FIG. 1E-1 depicts a cross-section of an empty bullet chamber 140 with multiple projections 142 therein. Depicted in FIG. 1E-2 is the bullet chamber 140 with a foreign projectile 144 positioned within the bullet chamber 140, which illustrates the gap 146 between the chamber walls 141 and the foreign projectile 144. The gap 146 prevents a foreign projectile 144 from forming an air tight seal within the bullet chamber 140. Alternatively, FIG. 1E-3 illustrates the bullet chamber 140 with a pliable projectile 148, in which the pliable projectile 148 conforms to the chamber walls 141 and projections 142 to form an air tight seal within the bullet chamber 140.

[0054] As another Example, FIGS. 1F and 1G depict a bullet chamber 150 with various-shaped depressions 152. Due to the depressions, gaps 154 remain when a foreign projectile 156 (e.g., hard, round object) is positioned within the bullet chamber 150. The gap 154 exists at the location of the depression 152 between the chamber walls 151 and the foreign projectile 156. Alternatively, the pliable projectile 158 conforms to the shape of the bullet chamber 150 and its chamber walls 151 to form an air tight seal therein.

[0055] As another example, FIGS. 1H and 1I depict bullet chambers 160′ and 160″ that are formed in various shapes such that the shape alone prevents a foreign projectile 162 from forming an air tight seal therein. For example, FIG. 1H is an oval-shaped bullet chamber 160′ while FIG. 1I depicts a triangular-shaped bullet chamber 160″. In both cases and as can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the inherent shape of the bullet chamber prevents the foreign projectile 162 from forming an air tight seal against all of the chamber walls 161. Alternatively, the pliable projectile 164 is pliable and can conform to the shape of the bullet chambers 160′ and 160″ to form an air tight seal against the chamber walls 161.

[0056] Thus, the air-powered toy gun of the present invention includes a bullet chamber that is shaped to prevent a foreign projectile (e.g., a hard, round object) from forming an air tight seal therein. This can be accomplished through any suitable manner, non-limiting examples of which include projections, depressions, or forming the bullet chamber such that it is a non-conforming shape to that of the foreign projectile. It should also be appreciated that the bullet chamber can be formed within the barrel of the toy gun itself or formed as a bullet clip that attaches with the toy gun.

[0057] As illustrated in FIG. 1B and mentioned above, the present invention is directed to an air-powered toy gun 110. The air-powered toy gun 110 is operable for shooting the projectiles therefrom. As shown in the side, cross-sectional view depicted in FIG. 2, in order to pneumatically propel a projectile, the toy gun 110 includes a cartridge 200 for placement of the projectiles. The cartridge 200 includes the chamber 120 as described above and allows for rapid succession fire of multiple projectiles. The cartridge 200, when positioned through the main housing 202, aligns one of the chambers 120 with a barrel 204. A forestock 206 is slideably attached with the main housing 202 to allow the user to repeatedly slide the forestock 206 fore and aft to create a repetitive pumping motion. The forestock 206 is connected with a two-way plunger 208 that is disposed within an air cylinder 210. At each end of the air cylinder is an air cylinder cap 212 that allows air pumped toward the respect end to be channeled through a series of conduits 211 (e.g., piping) and air control valves so that it is directed to the chamber 120 when positioned in the main housing 202.

[0058] Further, the toy gun 110 includes cartridge indexing mechanism 214 that pulls the cartridge 200 through the main housing 202. Importantly, for each fore and aft motion of the forestock 206, the indexing mechanism 214 pulls the cartridge 200 into the housing by a distance of one bullet chamber 120 to successively align each bullet chamber 120 with the barrel 204. The indexing mechanism 214 is any suitable mechanism or device that is capable of drawing a cartridge through a housing, a non-limiting example of which includes a rotatable indexing gear 215 that engages with corresponding indentations within the cartridge 200 to pull the cartridge 200 through the main housing 202. Further, the indexing mechanism 214 includes an indexing arm 217 and cam (shown in FIG. 3) that are operably connected with the indexing gear 215 and that are triggered by the sliding forestock 206. An indexing blade 219 is attached with the forestock 206 such that in each fore and aft motion, the indexing blade 219 engages with indexing arm 217 to initiate and actuate the indexing mechanism 214, thereby causing the indexing mechanism 214 to pull the cartridge 200 one bullet chamber 120 in each successive motion.

[0059] Thus, as the user moves the forestock 206 forward, the plunger 208 forces air through the air cylinder cap 212 and the conduits 211 and air control valves so that it is directed to the chamber 120 of the cartridge 200, which forces the projectile from the chamber 120 and out of the barrel 204. As the user pulls the forestock 206 backwards, it immediately causes indexing blade 219 to engage with the indexing arm 217 to activate the indexing mechanism 214 and load a new bullet chamber 120 within the main housing 202. As the forestock 206 is moved further backwards, the plunger 208 forces air from the rear air cylinder cap 212, which again forces air through the conduits 211 and air control valves, with the air ultimately directed to the chamber 120 of the cartridge 200. This forces yet another projectile from the chamber 120 and out of the barrel 204. As the user forces the forestock 206 forward again, it again causes the indexing blade 219 to engage with the indexing arm 217 to activate the indexing mechanism 214 and load a new projectile within the main housing 202. Thus, for each fore motion and again for each aft motion, a projectile is propelled from the toy gun 110. This enables a user to rapidly shoot a series of projectiles from the toy gun 110 while pumping the forestock 206 fore and aft.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 3, another unique aspect of the present invention is the inclusion of air-release slots 300 formed through the air cylinder 27 (element 210 in FIG. 2). The air-release slots 300 can be formed as slots (as depicted in FIG. 3) that are formed along the length of the top and bottom (not depicted) of the air cylinder 27. The air-release slots 300 allow air to escape mid stroke, and then only generate a seal after the plunger is slid passed the slots 300, thereby relieving pressure on the system until the point when the user has generated some amount of velocity after a period of acceleration, which give us a greater impact force and higher momentary pressure.

[0061] For further understanding, FIG. 3 is an exploded-view illustration of the air-powered toy gun 110 according to the present invention. A key to the numerals depicted in FIG. 3 is as follows:

• • [0062] 1. shoulder stock housing (right)
  • [0063] 2. shoulder stock housing (left)
  • [0064] 4. air cylinder cap (rear)
  • [0065] 6. 2-way plunger
  • [0066] 7. cylinder cover (rear)
  • [0067] 8. air control valve rear cap
  • [0068] 9. indexing blade
  • [0069] 10. side cartridge guide
  • [0070] 11. cartridge that includes the bullet chamber (magazine type)
  • [0071] 12. rear iron sight
  • [0072] 13. main housing (left)
  • [0073] 14. forestock (left)
  • [0074] 15. inner housing (left)
  • [0075] 16. rear air nozzle (left)
  • [0076] 17. 1-way air valve gasket
  • [0077] 18. 1-way air valve gasket
  • [0078] 19. air control valve
  • [0079] 20. inner housing (right)
  • [0080] 22. main housing (right)
  • [0081] 23. rear side panel (right)
  • [0082] 24. forestock (right)
  • [0083] 25. side cartridge guide
  • [0084] 26. front side panel (right)
  • [0085] 27. air cylinder
  • [0086] 29. rear air nozzle (right)
  • [0087] 31. rear side panel (left)
  • [0088] 32. front side panel (left)
  • [0089] 33. scope housing (left)
  • [0090] 34. scope body
  • [0091] 35. front muzzle (left)
  • [0092] 37. cartridge release button
  • [0093] 38. cartridge indexing clutch (rear)
  • [0094] 43. cartridge indexing clutch (front)
  • [0095] 46. indexing cam
  • [0096] 47. indexing arm
  • [0097] 49. indexing arm inner housing
  • [0098] 57. barrel o-ring
  • [0099] 58. barrel cap (rear)
  • [0100] 60. indexing gear
  • [0101] 62. front iron sight/rail
  • [0102] 63. barrel
  • [0103] 66. air cylinder cap (front)
  • [0104] 69. scope housing (right)
  • [0105] 70. front muzzle (right)

[0106] Therefore and repeated here for clarity, the present invention is directed to an air-powered toy gun 110 that can be used with a pliable projectile (or any other suitable projectile). By applying air pressure to the projectile, the projectile is expelled from the barrel and shot to a surface, such as a wall. Because the projectile can be soaked in water and pulpous, it maintains a sticky composition, allowing it to “splat” and stick to the wall.

[0107] It should be noted that additional features can be added to the present invention. For example, the invention can be formed to include a tracer function. In this aspect, a fluorescent material (a fluorescent dye) or solution can be added to the projectiles. Additionally, a glow-in-the-dark material or solution can also be added to the projectiles. Additionally and referring again to FIG. 2, the toy gun 110 can optionally have a UV light 220 mounted to it such that when a user shoots the projectile, the UV light 220 illuminates it, causing it to glow as it flies through the air. Finally, when the projectile “splats” against a surface, some of the fluorescent material may be expelled from the projectile which would illuminate the splat when exposed to the UV light 220.

[0108] For further understanding of the toy gun 110, FIGS. 4 through 11 illustrate right, left, top-perspective, bottom-perspective, bottom, top, rear, and front views, respectively.