IP Library Granted Patent US 10,907,929
Granted Patent B2
US 10,907,929 · App. 16/827,993 · Granted Feb 2, 2021

Toy launch apparatus with multiple improvised projectile checking and locking methods

Inventor: Dennis Bernal (Milford, MA)
Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
F41B11/723F41B11/64F41B11/89F41B11/54
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,907,929
App. No.
16/827,993
Granted
Feb 2, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

An improvised projectile checking housing assembly having latch button and first and second sidewalls with first and second catch apertures opening as a catch latch recess of elongated structure using an improvised projectile checking spring opening to receive a locking key structure based upon the projectile receiving opening to the improvised projectile checking housing assembly. Alternate rearward translating lock gauge at the backside of a dart drum uses a follower and engaging cam surfaces locking and unlocking a pathway for correct dart alignment. Alternate motorized, non-motorized and pneumatic structures are disclosed with apparatus launch operations moving between checking and non-checking positions.

Claims (47)

1. A toy launch apparatus with multiple improvised projectile checking and locking features, comprising:

a projectile retaining element on the toy launch apparatus;

a projectile barrel assembly extending rearward from the projectile retaining element with an improvised projectile checking housing assembly of the projectile barrel assembly movable between checking and non-checking positions;

an elongated structure in the improvised projectile checking housing assembly to check a step structure;

the step structure of the projectile barrel assembly having a projectile receiving opening at the improvised projectile checking housing assembly thereof for allowing an appropriate size projectile with a corresponding step present at the projectile receiving opening of the improvised projectile checking housing assembly and preventing another projectile from the projectile receiving opening;

an improvised projectile button positioned at the end of the elongated structure; and

an improvised projectile checking spring mounted to the improvised projectile button with the end of the elongated structure, the improvised projectile button of the elongated structure movable between checking and non-checking positions and preventing movement thereof unless the appropriate size projectile is present at the projectile receiving opening of the improvised projectile checking housing assembly.

2. The toy launch apparatus of claim 1 , comprising:

a first sidewall to the improvised projectile checking housing having a first catch latch aperture rearward from the projectile receiving opening to the improvised projectile checking housing assembly; and

a second sidewall to the improvised projectile checking housing having a second catch latch aperture rearward from the projectile receiving opening to the improvised projectile checking housing assembly, with the elongated structure between the first and second sidewalls thereof, the elongated structure having proximal and distal ends thereof and a catch latch recess therebetween proximal the projectile receiving opening of the improvised projectile checking housing assembly to check the step structure, and mounting the improvised projectile checking spring to the distal end of the elongated structure and inside the improvised projectile checking housing assembly, the improvised projectile button of the elongated structure movable between checking and non-checking positions.

3. The toy launch apparatus of claim 2 , comprising:

a trigger assembly for movement of the improvised projectile checking housing with the improvised projectile button from the elongated structure proximal end with the improvised projectile checking spring towards the projectile receiving opening of the improvised projectile checking housing assembly; and

a locking key structure positioned rearward from the projectile receiving opening to the improvised projectile checking housing assembly, intermediate the proximal and distal ends of the elongated structure, and opposing the first and second catch latch apertures of the first and second sidewalls for preventing further movement of the improvised projectile checking housing unless the appropriate size projectile is present at the projectile receiving opening of the improvised projectile checking housing assembly.

4. The toy launch apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

an energy generating mechanism; and

a motor driving rotation of the energy generating mechanism for motor driven projectile propelling flywheels.

5. The toy launch apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:

the elongated structure in the improvised projectile checking housing assembly further comprises a pneumatic air piston cylinder having an improvised projectile safety valve seat.

6. The toy launch apparatus of claim 5 , wherein:

the improvised projectile button further comprises a safety valve contact positioned at the end of the elongated structure, with the improvised projectile checking spring mounted to the safety valve contact with the end of the piston cylinder, the safety valve contact of the elongated structure movable between checking and non-checking positions and preventing movement thereof unless the appropriate size projectile is present at the projectile receiving opening of the improvised projectile checking housing assembly.

7. The toy launch apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:

the appropriate size projectile comprises a rearward step structure sized to correspond with step structure of the projectile barrel assembly.

8. The toy launch apparatus of claim 7 , wherein:

the appropriate size projectile is positioned at the projectile barrel assembly adjacent the projectile receiving opening at the improvised projectile checking housing assembly thereof.

9. The toy launch apparatus of claim 8 , wherein:

the improvised projectile checking housing assembly allows the appropriate size projectile with the corresponding step present at the projectile receiving opening of the improvised projectile checking housing assembly.

10. The toy launch apparatus of claim 7 , wherein:

the appropriate size projectile comprises a plurality of fins for positioning at the projectile barrel assembly adjacent the projectile receiving opening.

11. The toy launch apparatus of claim 7 , wherein:

the appropriate size projectile comprises a rearward nub for positioning in the opening at the improvised projectile checking housing assembly.

12. A method for making a toy launch apparatus with multiple improvised projectile checking and locking features, comprising the steps of:

forming a projectile retaining element to the toy launch apparatus;

engaging a projectile barrel assembly extending rearward from the projectile retaining element with an improvised projectile checking housing assembly of the projectile barrel assembly movable between checking and non-checking positions;

mounting an elongated structure in the improvised projectile checking housing assembly to check a step structure;

mounting the step structure with the projectile barrel assembly having a projectile receiving opening at the improvised projectile checking housing assembly thereof for allowing an appropriate size projectile with a corresponding step present at the projectile receiving opening of the improvised projectile checking housing assembly and preventing another projectile from the projectile receiving opening;

and positioning an improvised projectile button with the end of the elongated structure; and

mounting an improvised projectile checking spring to the improvised projectile button with the end of the elongated structure, the improvised projectile button of the elongated structure movable between checking and non-checking positions and preventing movement thereof unless the appropriate size projectile is present at the projectile receiving opening of the improvised projectile checking housing assembly.

13. The method of claim 12 , comprising the steps of:

providing a first sidewall to the improvised projectile checking housing having a first catch latch aperture rearward from the projectile receiving opening to the improvised projectile checking housing assembly.

14. The method of claim 13 , comprising the steps of:

providing a second sidewall to the improvised projectile checking housing having a second catch latch aperture rearward from the projectile receiving opening to the improvised projectile checking housing assembly, with the elongated structure between the first and second sidewalls thereof, the elongated structure having proximal and distal ends thereof and a catch latch recess therebetween proximal the projectile receiving opening of the improvised projectile checking housing assembly to check the step structure;

mounting the improvised projectile checking spring to the distal end of the elongated structure and inside the improvised projectile checking housing assembly, the improvised projectile button of the elongated structure movable between checking and non-checking positions;

mounting a trigger assembly for movement of the improvised projectile checking housing with the improvised projectile button from the elongated structure proximal end with the improvised projectile checking spring towards the projectile receiving opening of the improvised projectile checking housing assembly; and

positioning a locking key structure rearward from the projectile receiving opening to the improvised projectile checking housing assembly, intermediate the proximal and distal ends of the elongated structure, and opposing the first and second catch latch apertures of the first and second sidewalls for preventing further movement of the improvised projectile checking housing unless the appropriate size projectile is present at the projectile receiving opening of the improvised projectile checking housing assembly.

15. The method of claim 12 , comprising the steps of:

the appropriate size projectile is positioned at the projectile barrel assembly adjacent the projectile receiving opening at the improvised projectile checking housing assembly thereof; and

the improvised projectile checking housing assembly allows the appropriate size projectile with the corresponding step present at the projectile receiving opening of the improvised projectile checking housing assembly and preventing another projectile from the projectile receiving opening.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 24, 2020
From: BERNAL, DENNIS
To: HASBRO, INC.
Reel/Frame 052208/0838 →
Continuity (3)
Provisional Application 62901777 · Sep 17, 2019
Provisional Application 62824000 · Mar 26, 2019
Related Publication 20200309482A1 · Oct 1, 2020
Cited By (10)
US 12,215,952 US 12,416,466 US 12,422,214 US 12,449,228 US 12,510,326 US 12,613,076 US 12,638,257 US 12,644,664 US 12,716,680 US 12,716,682