Amusement devices: toys – Simulated dispenser or pump
Reexamination Certificate
2001-09-11
2003-11-18
Ackun, Jacob K. (Department: 3712)
Amusement devices: toys
Simulated dispenser or pump
C446S175000, C124S056000, C124S016000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06648726
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a toy device for launching or firing glow-in-the-dark projectiles. The toy comprises projectiles exposed to light prior to being launched and a firing mechanism wherein a portion of the firing mechanism is positioned with the projectile prior to being fired from the launcher. More specifically, the present invention relates to a toy launching device having a phosphorescent-activating radiation source which activates glow-in-the-dark projectiles before the projectiles are launched from the projectile launcher.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is recognized in the toy art that glow-in-the-dark objects and toys are appealing to both adults and children. It is also known in the toy art that toy launching devices, i.e., toy guns, sling shots, bows and arrows, etc., are appealing to both adults and children. Normally, people are not able to play with toys in the dark either because they can not see the appealing aspects of the toy or they would not be able to see another person who may be playing along. A toy gun which launches glow-in-the-dark projectiles would allow the user to play with the device in the dark while still being able to visibly see the projectile. The dark would actually enhance the appealing aspects of the present invention.
A related invention in the art of launching phosphorescent projectiles from a launcher is disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,415,151 (Fusi et al). This patent utilizes a combination of a toy launcher along with a phosphor-containing projectile. The launcher comprises means for launching the phosphor-containing projectiles outwardly from the launcher, and means for exposing the projectiles within the launcher to phosphorescence-activating radiation prior to the projectile leaving the launcher. The disclosed means for exposing the projectile to phosphorescence-activating radiation prior to the projectile leaving the launcher are a plurality of lighting elements on the inner surface of the barrel and/or a lighting element in or about the breech. The lighting elements in the breech illuminate the projectile prior to its being fired or launched from the breech. The lighting elements in the barrel illuminate the projectile after it is launched from the breech but before it leaves the barrel. However, the Fusi et al. device does not provide for an radiation exposing device located immediately adjacent to or attached to a firing mechanism for exposing the projectile to phosphorescence-activating radiation prior to the projectile being launched. Also, while the Fusi et al. device may be well-suited for its intended purpose, it does not optimize the exposure of projectile to light.
There is a need in the art for a toy launcher where a portion of the firing mechanism is positioned within a glow-in-the-dark projectile prior to being fired in order to enhance firing capabilities. In addition, there is a need in the art for an toy launcher for launching glow-in-the-dark projectiles where the projectiles are exposed to phosphorescent-activating radiation by an exposing means located adjacent to or attached to the firing mechanism. Using the firing mechanism to expose the projectiles to phosphorescent-activating radiation will maximize exposure to the projectile while minimizing the energy required to illuminate the exposure device. In addition, positioning the exposure device adjacent to or attached to the firing mechanism will enhance uniform radiation exposure to the glow-in-the-dark projectile.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a toy that fires projectiles that glow in the dark. The glow in the dark projectiles allow the toy gun to effectively be used in the dark. The present invention may be used to expose the glow-in-the-dark projectiles to phosphorescent-activating radiation prior to the projectile being loaded in the gun. The present invention may expose the glow-in-the-dark projectiles to phosphorescent-activating radiation by exposing means located within or attached adjacent to the firing mechanism.
The present invention may provide within the firing mechanism of the launching device a firing pin wherein the radiation exposure device may be located. The exposure device may be activated either through actuation of the firing mechanism or separately activated. The exposure device may then expose the glow-in-the-dark projectiles to phosphorescent-activating radiation prior to the projectile being launched from the projectile launcher.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an apparatus for use as a toy that comprises a projectile launcher and a projectile which glows in the dark. The projectile launcher comprises a firing mechanism wherein a portion of the firing mechanism is positioned within the projectile before being fired. In one embodiment, the projectile launcher may comprise a firing mechanism comprising a light source for exposing the projectiles to radiation prior to being launched from the launcher. The present invention is particularly suited for use as a toy projectile launcher wherein the toy may be used in dark or low-light areas.
In one embodiment the projectile launcher comprises a body, a trigger mechanism, a firing mechanism, and a pumping system. In some embodiments the launcher may also comprise a tank. In some embodiments, the projectile launcher may also comprise a projectile container, i.e., a clip or a magazine. In different embodiments, these components can be arranged differently in order to create a different looking projectile launcher with different capabilities. For instance, in some embodiments, the body may be smaller, or have a different shape. In these embodiments, the pumping mechanism may be set in different locations on the body for convenience, or, in order to accommodate for the lack of space, the projectile magazine may contain more or less projectiles, or the size of the parts of the mechanisms may be larger or smaller.
In some embodiments, the light source may be in the form of visible light and would expose the projectiles prior to being launched from the launcher in order to activate or excite the molecules to go into a state of spontaneous radiation emission. The length of time of the emission may persist for long periods, even hours, but characteristically minutes or seconds, depending on the phosphorescent material used.
The projectiles may be held in a container or clip. The clip may be inserted and removed from the gun through the use of a mechanical locking and unlocking system. The clip can be made to hold a selected number of projectiles, and can have a spring system included in order to continuously load the next projectile into a barrel of the projectile launcher. The clip may be larger or smaller, and hold fewer or more projectiles, depending on the capabilities of the body to hold a certain sized clip.
The body of the gun may also be optionally equipped with a scope. In one embodiment, the scope may have a magnifying lens to make objects appear closer. In another embodiment, a light emitting diode of any visible color could be located in the body and, when activated, emit light through a pinhole. The light could then be reflected off of a reflecting surface, oriented so as to reflect the emitted light to a specific point on a lens located at the opposite end of the scope as a user's eye. This could give the user a view through the scope of a target with a small red dot projected onto it, thus giving the illusion of “laser” targeting.
The gun may be equipped with a trigger mechanism, which a user activates to initiate launching of a projectile. In one embodiment, the trigger mechanism comprises a trigger, a trigger arm, a gear system, and a drawing pin. The trigger may take the appearance of virtually any known trigger, and could be made to support a trigger arm, which would act as a connection piece from the trigger to a gear system. The trigger may optionally be designed to activate a switch when it has been activated by a user, which could cause light emitting diodes placed in the body to activate. I
Brown Paul M.
Hornsby James E.
Stuemke Chad P.
Wolfinbarger Ryan A.
Ackun Jacob K.
All Seasons Toys, Inc
Klar Richard B.
Williams Jamila O
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