Projectile discharge apparatus

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates to a projectile discharge apparatus and more particularly to an apparatus containing several projectiles, such as rubber tipped darts, which may be selectively discharged.

[0004] 2. Discussion

[0005] In the past twenty-five years, toy projectile apparatuses and more specifically dart guns have changed very little. Todays toy market requires toys with advanced capabilities and a futuristic appearance. There is therefore a need to provide an apparatus which will revolutionize the entire field of toy projectile apparatuses.

[0006] It is a first object of this invention to provide an apparatus which allows an individual to discharge two or more projectiles simultaneously or successively.

[0007] It is another object of this invention to provide an apparatus which allows an individual to contain two or more projectiles in the locked and loaded or ready to fire position.

[0008] It is another object of this invention to provide an apparatus which allows an individual to discharge projectiles from an apparatus which rests on top of the back side of a hand.

[0009] Therefore, according to a first aspect of the present invention a projectile apparatus or glove is provided. The glove includes several chambers which selectively receive a projectile; and discharge means, deployed in the chambers, for selectively discharging the contained projectiles.

[0010] These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the specification and by reference to the following drawings.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a partial perspective top view of a projectile apparatus made in accordance with the teachings of a first embodiment of this invention and shown in deployable relation upon a hand as a projectile is being discharged;

[0012] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective side view of the glove shown in FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 3 is a view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 taken in the direction of arrow 3;

[0014] FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and taken along view line 4—4;

[0015] FIG. 5 is a view similar to that shown in FIG. 4 and illustrating the discharge of the projectile shown in FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 6 is a partial cutaway sectional view of the movement mechanism shown in FIG. 5; and

[0017] FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of a projectile apparatus made in accordance with the teachings of a second embodiment of this invention.

[0018] Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, there is shown a projectile discharge apparatus 10 made in accordance with the teachings of a first embodiment of this invention. As shown, apparatus 10 has a generally ribbed and substantially planar first portion 12 and opposed and downwardly extending side portions 14 which cooperate with planar portion 12 to form a generally cup-shaped recess which is adapted to overlay the back side of hand 16, opposite palm 17. Moreover, portion 12 further includes a thumb reception opening 18 through which thumb 20 is received and a band 22 which is adapted to removably secure apparatus 10 to hand 16.

[0019] As further shown, apparatus 10 includes five projectile reception chambers 24, 26, 28, 30, and 32 which are adapted to dischargedly receive unique projectiles 34, such as rubber tipped darts. To understand the manner in which darts 34 are contained within and discharged from apparatus 10, reference is now made to FIGS. 4-6. It should be noted that the following discussion relates to chamber 32 but that the discussion is also substantially descriptive of each of the other chambers 24, 26, 28, and 30.

[0020] As shown, chamber 32 includes a first narrow portion 50 which has a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the body 51 of dart 34. In this manner, dart 34 is frictionally secured within portion 50. Moreover, chamber 34 also includes a dart discharge member 52 having a first portion 54 which is longitudinally deployed within chamber 32 and a second flanged portion 56 which is coupled to a spring 58. As shown, portion 58 further includes an outwardly and horizontally projecting portion 60 having a recessed portion 61 which is in selective engagement with trigger member 64. Member 64 is pivotally deployed within chamber 32 and includes a rounded portion 66 which is adapted to substantially encircle 68 20.

[0021] In operation, member 56 is pushed or biased against spring 58 before dart 34 is deployed within chamber 32. After such biasing has occurred, member 64 is moved to a first locking position in which portion 64 engages and is contained in recessed portion 61 thereby preventing the biased spring from moving member 56 within the chamber 32. Subsequently, dart 34 is frictionally deployed within portion 50 of chamber 32. When it is desired to shoot or discharge dart 34, portion 66 is moved downward thereby disengaging portion 61 from portion 60. Upon such disengagement, biased spring 58 pushes member 56 in a longitudinal manner within chamber 32. Such movement, shown in phantom in FIG. 5, causes air residing within the chamber to be compressed and to force dart 34 outward from apparatus 10. In a similar manner, each of the other darts 24-30 may be concurrently or successively dispensed or shot from apparatus 10 by the movement of identical portions 66 within each of the other chambers 24-30.

[0022] While this first embodiment of apparatus 10 is satisfactory, in order to increase the distance travelled by dart 34 it was found to be necessary to increase the discharge force applied to dart 34. To increase dart discharge force, a modified member 56′ was used and is shown in FIG. 7. Specifically, member 56′ differs from member 56 in that member 56′ includes a substantially longer and narrower portion 54′ which is made to actually contact dart 34 upon a downward movement of portion 66. In this manner, dart 34 may be moved farther than is possible with the first embodiment of apparatus 10.

[0023] It should be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that projectile discharge apparatus 10 will also allow for a quick and efficient playing of the game of darts and increase the enjoyment associated therewith. Moreover, it should also be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that darts 34 may be replaced with other types of projectiles such as paint balls. Use of these projectiles may require chambers 24-32 to be modified in size and shape in order to allow for the desired and aforedescribed projectile frictional engagement within the chambers 24-32 and may further require modifications to portions 54 and 54′, necessary to adequately discharge these alternate projectiles. Moreover, it should further be appreciated that alternate means of projectile discharge (i.e. air chambers) may be used. Moreover, it should also be apparent that multiple projectiles may simultaneously or successively discharged from apparatus 10.

[0024] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact construction or method illustrated and described above, but that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.