Mechanical guns and projectors – Fluid pressure – Self-contained in projectile or projectile-carrying cartridge
Reexamination Certificate
2000-12-28
2002-09-17
Jordan, Charles T. (Department: 3644)
Mechanical guns and projectors
Fluid pressure
Self-contained in projectile or projectile-carrying cartridge
C124S070000, C124S071000, C124S072000, C124S073000, C124S074000, C124S075000, C124S076000, C124S077000, C124S058000, C124S063000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06450160
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present application is directed to a device for dispersing lightweight confetti, streamers and the like utilizing compressed air.
Airborne confetti and streamers are quite popular at various types of celebrations or similar events such as football games, parades, weddings, New Years Eve parties, political conventions and like occasions. In the past persons at such occasions have thrown handfuls of confetti or rolls of streamers which are limited by the volume that can be thrown and dispersed at a single time. Explosive devices, which have a cannon-type barrel and some type of explosive compound such as gun powder, have been used in the past to discharge large quantities of confetti and the like. However, explosive devices are inherently dangerous in that someone can be seriously injured by the explosion, if it goes astray. Furthermore, such devices are either normally very small and can handle relatively little confetti so as to provide some protection to the user against injury from the explosion or alternatively are larger and must be handled by someone who has expertise in the handling of such devices. Therefore, the use of explosive devices that can discharge large amounts of confetti are not available to the public and are relatively quite limited in their use. Any device using gunpowder is highly regulated.
Consequently, it is desirable to provide a device that is capable of discharging relatively large amounts of confetti, streamers and the like into the air with a single discharge such that the discharged material covers a relatively large area and that can be utilized by almost any adult with relatively little training.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A dispersion device is provided for discharging pieces of confetti, streamers or the like that are made from lightweight materials such as paper, thin flexible plastic and other suitable materials that can be dispersed into the air and thereafter float to the ground without injuring people that such may strike. The device includes a tube that has a discharge end and which is partially filled with confetti and/or streamers. The end of the tube opposite the discharge end includes a compressed air cylinder and a release mechanism for releasing the compressed air in the cylinder into the tube behind the confetti, so as to discharge the confetti from the tube in a shower.
In particular, the cylinder has a mouth with a plug that keeps air from seeping from the mouth. The plug is held in place by a keeper that extends across the top of the plug and which is hinged or pivoted on one end to allow the keeper to rotate upwardly when the keeper is released to thereafter release the plug. The keeper is held in place by a latch mechanism. Preferably, the latch mechanism includes an arm pivotally attached to the cylinder that has a flange that extends over the keeper when in a ready position or non discharged configuration. The latch can then be manually moved by a cord or the like away from the keeper so as to release the keeper and consequently the plug and air contents of the cylinder. This in turn blows the confetti and streamers out the discharge end of the tube.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, the objects of the present invention are: to provide a confetti dispersion device that discharges a large quantity of airborne material such as paper confetti, streamers or the like into the air in a single discharge; to provide such a device that does not use a gunpowder explosive charge for discharge of the material into the air; to provide such a device utilizing compressed air for discharging the confetti into the air; to provide such a device wherein compressed air is provided by a small cylinder and is maintained in the cylinder by a plug that is further maintained in place by a keeper that is released by a user when discharge is desirable; to provide such a device that is easy to use and can be utilized by individuals at celebrations and the like without extensive training; and to provide such a device that is inexpensive to produce, easy to utilize and especially well adapted for the intended purposes thereof.
Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention.
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Fu Jlang Ze
Ji Nie Ye
Holzen Stephen A
Jordan Charles T.
McMahon John C.
Winco Fireworks International, L.L.C.
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