Amusement devices: toys – Aerodynamically supported or retarded
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-09
2002-03-26
Rimell, Sam (Department: 2166)
Amusement devices: toys
Aerodynamically supported or retarded
C446S129000, C446S429000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06361393
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to toys and, more particularly, to movable and propelled toys.
Over the years, numerous toy rockets, toy aircraft and toy vehicles have been developed, which have met with varying degrees of success. Many types of firecrackers and rockets with ignition wicks have been launched for firework displays and on other occasions. Firecrackers and ignition rockets are often propelled with combustible chemicals which create an intense exothermic reaction upon ignition that generate flames and a great amount of heat. Combustible fuels provide propulsion by the rapid expansion of flammable fuel as the fuel is burned at elevated temperatures. Such firecrackers and ignition rockets can cause explosion and fires which can be dangerous for the people launching the firecrackers and rockets, as well as injure spectators. Furthermore, such firecrackers and rockets can cause fires in trees, shrubbery, lawns, homes, and other buildings. Some toy rockets have been propelled by compressed gas, such as with carbon dioxide (CO
2
) cartridges. Rockets propelled by compressed gas can also be very dangerous, puncture objects, and harm people. Toy rockets can also be propelled by compression springs but usually do not go very high. Springs in toy rockets are usually mechanically set and triggered through a mechanical release mechanism. Spring-driven rockets, however, can cause eye injuries and be very dangerous.
Toy airplanes have been made of balsa wood and plastic. Some toy airplanes have plastic propellers which are attached to a rubber band. The rubber band can be wound by manually turning and rotating the propeller. When the rubber band is wound, the airplane can be released to fly. Toy airplanes have also been powered by internal combustion engines by using flammable fuel such as gasoline or oil. These fuels can cause fires and explosions when not properly handled, and emit noxious vapors. These toy airplanes are often remotely controlled and can be very dangerous if not operated by skilled people.
Toy gliders have been built of balsa wood. Toy gliders are typically launched with a sling shot, catapult or rubber band.
Toy vehicles have been constructed of metal and plastic. Some toy fire engines have free spinning wheels which can be manually pushed by children. Spring-loaded toy cars can be propelled after the coiled springs are wound and released. Battery driven electric cars are also available for children. Some battery driven cars can be operated by remote control. Many toy vehicles can damage furniture and injure children if not properly handled.
It is, therefore, desirable to provide improved propulsion toys, such as toy rockets, aircraft and vehicles, which overcome many, if not most, of the preceding problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Improved propulsion toys are provided which are safe, reliable, and fun. Advantageously, the child-friendly toys are easy-to-use, sturdy, and economical. Desirably, the attractive toys can be readily propelled for impressive distances and have great appeal for both children and adults.
The novel toys each have a base unit comprising an electromagnetic coil and a circuit to energize the coil. Desirably, the coil cooperates with the circuit to provide a magnetic impulse reaction system or engine. The circuit can include a capacitor connected in parallel to the coil. In the preferred form, the coil comprises only a single induction coil.
The novel toys also feature a projectile comprising propulsion device which is electromagnetically propelled by and away from the coil of the base unit. For protection of children and onlookers, the propulsion device preferably has an elastomeric body with a resilient nose. The projectile preferably has a magnetically attractable propellant. In the illustrated embodiments, the magnetically attractable propellant is movable and positioned within a propulsion tube of the projectile.
Advantageously, the propulsion devices can take the form of a toy rocket, a toy airplane, a toy glider, a wheeled vehicle toy, e.g. a toy automobile (car) or a toy sports utility vehicle, or a toy bullet for use with a toy gun. The resilient rounded nose of the propulsion device can be rounded and convex and is preferably made of sponge rubber, foam rubber, or foam rubber-like plastic, to provide a cushion which absorbs impact forces and is soft so as to be completely safe for children, as well as spectators.
A preferred base unit of the novel toys comprise a visual signaling device which is operatively associated with the circuit to emit a light when the propulsion device is being propelled by the coil. In the preferred embodiments, the visual signaling device comprises a flash tube which is connected in series with the inductive coil of the magnetic impulse reaction circuit. Preferably, the flash tube and inductive coil are placed in parallel with a capacitor or charge storage device capable of providing a large current for a very short period of time. When the flash tube is triggered, the stored charges are quickly dissipated through the flash tube and the inductive coil. This action produces a very short, but highly intense magnetic field or magnetic impulse(s), along with a simultaneous flash of light. The magnetic impulse(s) acts upon the movable magnetically attractable propellant (magnetic material) inside the propulsion tube in a manner similar to a magnetic field acting upon the bar in a solenoid, to draw the magnetic material through the coil. The magnetic field of the coil quickly disappears, and dissipates, but the movable magnetically attractable propellant (magnetic material) in the compulsion tube is drawn through the coil and propelled to the body of the propulsion device with sufficient momentum and force to propel the projectile away from the coil of the base unit. Since the amount and direction of acceleration and propulsion of the projectile depends upon the strength of the magnetic field and the amount of time it is applied to the magnetically attractable propellant (magnetic material), the propulsion force and acceleration can be controlled by the circuit.
The electromagnetic impulse reaction system can provide propulsion by storing the energy in capacitors at an elevated voltage. Triggering can be electronic and does not require the use of mechanical devices. Electronic safety devices can also be used to prevent false triggering.
Propulsion can be achieved by very rapidly releasing the stored charge in the capacitors through a flash tube and an inductive coil. The rapid discharge produces a magnetic impulse(s) that propels the magnetically attractable propellant (magnetic material) in the propulsion tube through the center of the coil. If the coil is securely held stationary and not allowed to move, the projectile will receive the maximum force when the magnetic impulse is applied by the magnetic impulse reaction system. Virtually no heat is generated by the magnetic impulse reaction engine in order to prevent explosions and fires. The danger of injury and harm is also prevented with the inventive toys by the use of a projectile.
In the preferred form, only a single inductive coil is used. In some circumstances, however, it may be desirable to use more than one coil. Furthermore, safety coils can also be used to brake or decrease the speed of the projectile, if it is desired to do so.
The toy and the circuit in the base unit can also include one or more audible signaling devices (audible generators) such as a speaker(s). In the preferred form, the audible signaling device(s) emits one sound when the circuit is charging, another sound when the circuit is charged and the projectile is ready to be fired, and a third sound when the projectile is shot (launched). The sounds can be of different frequency, pitch, loudness, and/or duration.
In the preferred form, the novel propulsion toys comprise a safe projectile comprising a propulsion device with an elastomeric body that is connected to a propulsion tube containing a movable magnetically attractable propellant (magnetic material). Ea
Elenco Electronics Inc.
Rimell Sam
Tolpin Thomas W.
Welsh & Katz Ltd.
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