Pneumatic toy launching apparatus
A pneumatic launching apparatus is described. The pneumatic toy launching apparatus includes a collapsible bellows with an outlet configured to allow air to exit the collapsible bellows. A gripping device is attached with the collapsible bellows, and a platform is attached with the gripping device. A launching tube is attached with the platform and is formed to releasably engage a launchable object. An air transfer tube connects the collapsible bellows and the launching tube. Upon compression of the collapsible bellows against a surface, air travels from the collapsible bellows, through the air transfer tube, and out of the launching tube to launch an object attached with the launching tube. A rotating mechanism attached with the platform allows rotation of multiple launching tubes. The gripping device further comprises a rotation actuator to induce rotation of the platform.
1. A pneumatic launching apparatus, comprising:
a collapsible bellows having a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion having an outlet configured to allow air to exit the collapsible bellows;
a gripping device attached with the collapsible bellows;
a platform attached with the gripping device;
at least one hollow launching tube attached with the platform, wherein the at least one hollow launching tube is formed to releasably engage an object;
an air transfer tube connecting the collapsible bellows and the at least one hollow launching tube, wherein upon compression of the collapsible bellows, air travels from the collapsible bellows, through the air transfer tube, and out of the at least one hollow launching tube to launch an object attached with the at least one hollow launching tube;
wherein the gripping device is a handle, such that a user may grip the handle and compress the bottom portion of the collapsible bellows against a surface to launch the object attached with the at least one hollow launching tube;
further comprising a rotating mechanism attached with the platform configured to induce rotation of the platform; and
wherein the gripping device further comprises a rotation actuator operably connected with the rotating mechanism to induce rotation of the platform.
2. A pneumatic launching apparatus as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the at least one hollow launching tube is pivotally attached with the platform such that the object may be launched at a plurality of angles.
3. A method for forming a pneumatic launching apparatus, the method comprising acts of:
forming a collapsible bellows having a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion having an outlet configured to allow air to exit the collapsible bellows;
attaching a gripping device with the collapsible bellows,
attaching a platform with the gripping device;
forming at least one hollow launching tube attached with the platform, wherein the at least one hollow launching tube is formed to releasable engage an object; and
connecting an air transfer tube with the collapsible bellows and the at least one hollow launching tube, wherein upon compression of the collapsible bellows, air travels from the collapsible bellows, through the air transfer tube, and out of the at least one hollow launching tube to launch an object attached with the at least one hollow launching tube;
forming the gripping device as a handle, such that a user may grip the handle and compress the bottom portion of the collapsible bellows against a surface to launch the object attached with the at least one hollow launching tube;
forming a rotating mechanism attached with the platform and configured to induce rotation of the platform; and
forming the gripping device to further comprise a rotation actuator operably connected with the rotating mechanism to induce rotation of the platform.
4. A method for forming a pneumatic launching apparatus as set forth in claim 3 , further comprising an act of forming the at least one hollow launching tube to be pivotally attached with the platform such that the object may be launched at a plurality of angles.