U.S. patent application number 10/223669 was filed with the patent office on 2003-03-20 for recreational floating device having underwater projectile dispensing feature.
Invention is credited to Elliot, James David, Fireman, Andrew F., Hsu, Tony Tong-Young.
Application Number | 20030054713 10/223669 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46281053 |
Filed Date | 2003-03-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030054713 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fireman, Andrew F. ; et
al. |
March 20, 2003 |
Recreational floating device having underwater projectile
dispensing feature
Abstract
The present invention is a recreational floating device or use
by a person in water such as a swimming pool. The floating device
comprises a body portion adapted to float on the water. The body
portion comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, and first and
second side portions. The body portion further comprises a first
launching portion adapted to retain and release a first
self-propelled projectile. The first projectile comprises a first
propulsion unit. The first projectile is engaged with the first
launching portion from a first position where the first projectile
is substantially retained by the first launching portion to a
second position where the first projectile may be released from the
first launching portion upon activation of the first propulsion
unit in the water.
Inventors: |
Fireman, Andrew F.;
(Bethesda, MD) ; Elliot, James David; (Huntington
Beach, CA) ; Hsu, Tony Tong-Young; (San Marino,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Steven N. Fox, Esq.
P.O. Box 251
Canton
MA
02021
US
|
Family ID: |
46281053 |
Appl. No.: |
10/223669 |
Filed: |
August 19, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10223669 |
Aug 19, 2002 |
|
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|
09799398 |
Mar 5, 2001 |
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6435927 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
441/65 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63G 8/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
441/65 |
International
Class: |
B63B 001/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A recreational floating device for use by a person in water
comprising: (a) a board member adapted to float on the water, said
board member having an upper surface and a bottom surface, said
bottom surface being in contact with the water; (b) a projectile
retention member engaged with said bottom surface of said board
member; (c) a projectile member retained by said projectile
retention member; and (d) a projectile trigger member engageable
with said projectile retention member and operable by the person
from a first position where said projectile member is retained by
said projectile retention member to a second position where said
projectile member is dispensed from said projectile retention
member to the water.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein said projectile retention member
comprises a cavity portion adapted to retain said projectile
member.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein said projectile trigger member
comprises a lever member operable by the person from a first
position where said projectile is retained by said projectile
retention member to a second position where said projected is
dispensed from said projectile retention member to the water.
4. The device of claim 3, wherein said lever member is disposed
above the upper surface of said board member.
5. The device of claim 5, wherein said board member is
elongated.
6. The device of claim 5, wherein said board member is molded from
plastic.
7. The device of claim 6, wherein said projectile member is in the
form of a rounded ball.
8. The device of claim 7, wherein said projectile member has a
buoyancy less than the water.
9. The device of claim 8, further comprising a projectile viewing
member adapted to allow the person to view dispensing of said
projectile through the water.
10. The device of claim 9, wherein said projectile viewing member
comprises an opening extending from said upper surface to said
bottom surface of said board member.
11. The device of claim 10, wherein said projectile viewing member
further comprises a transparent viewing member disposed within said
opening.
12. A kick board for use by a person in water comprising: (a) a
body portion adapted to float on the water; said body portion
comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, and first and second
side portions; said body portion further comprises a first
launching portion; and (b) a first projectile comprising a first
propulsion unit; said first projectile being engaged with said
first launching portion from a first position where said first
projectile is substantially retained by said first launching
portion to a second position where said first projectile may be
released from said first launching portion upon activation of said
first propulsion unit in the water.
13. The device of claim 12, wherein said body portion further
comprises a second launching portion.
14. The device of claim 13, further comprising a second projectile
comprising a second propulsion unit; said second projectile being
engaged with said second launching portion from a first position
where said second projectile is substantially retained by said
second launching portion to a second position where said second
projectile may be released from said second launching portion upon
activation of said second propulsion unit in the water.
15. The device of claim 14, wherein each of said first and second
projectiles are self-propelled.
16. The device of claim 15, wherein said first propulsion unit
comprises a first battery, a first motor connected to said first
battery, a first propeller engaged with said first motor, and a
first switch operable from a first position where said first
propulsion unit is inactive to a second position where said first
propulsion unit is activated.
17. The device of claim 16, wherein said second propulsion unit
comprises a second battery, a second motor connected to said second
battery, a second propeller engaged with said second motor, and a
second switch operable from a first position where said second
propulsion unit is inactive to a second position where said second
propulsion unit is activated.
18. The device of claim 17, wherein said body portion further
comprises a first firing button; activation of said first firing
button causes said first projectile to be in said second position
of said first launching portion.
19. The device of claim 18, wherein said body portion further
comprises a second firing button; activation of said second firing
button causes said second projectile to be in said second position
of said second launching portion.
20. The device of claim 19, wherein said activation of said first
and second firing buttons causes activation of said first and
second propulsion units, respectively.
21. The device of claim 20, wherein said first and second firing
buttons are positioned on said top portion of said body
portion.
22. The device of claim 21, wherein said first and second launching
portions each comprise a cover that may be opened by person to
insert said first and second projectiles into said first and second
launching portions, respectively.
23. The device of claim 22 wherein said first and second launching
portions are positioned below said bottom portion and adjacent said
first and second side portions of said body portion,
respectively.
24. The device of claim 23, wherein said first propulsion unit
further comprises a third propeller and said second propulsion unit
comprises a fourth propeller.
25. The device of claim 24, wherein said third propeller of said
first propulsion unit is connected to said first motor of said
first propulsion unit and said fourth propeller of said second
propulsion unit is connected to said second motor of said second
propulsion unit.
26. The device of claim 18, wherein said first and second
propulsion units each comprise compressed air to dispense said
first and second projectiles, respectively.
27. The device of claim 18, wherein said first and second
propulsion units each comprise pressurized water to dispense said
first and second projectiles, respectively.
28. The device of claim 18, wherein said first and second
propulsion units each comprise a spring engaged with first and
second launching portions to dispense said first and second
projectiles, respectively.
Description
[0001] This Application claims priority to and is a
continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/799,398 filed on
Mar. 5, 2001, now pending.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to recreational devices. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a recreational
devices for use by a person in a water environment such as a
swimming pool.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Many recreational articles have been developed to provide
amusement and fun for people who enjoy water activities. Well known
recreational articles include surfboards, inner tubes, and
kickboards. U.S. Pat. No. 4,932,912 discloses a kickboard having a
manually operated toy gun for directing a stream of water toward a
desired target.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] One object of the present invention was to develop a
recreational device for use by a person in the water that was fun
and easily operated by a child or an adult, and safe.
[0005] The present invention is a recreational floating device or
use by a person in water such as a swimming pool. The floating
device is generally adapted to allow the person to float on the
water and actuate a trigger to launch a self-propelled toy
projectile thru the water. By way of example only, the floating
device may be used to allow the person to launch a projectile thru
the water to hit or make contact with a target disposed parallel to
or upon the bottom surface of a swimming pool. In one embodiment,
the floating device comprises a body portion adapted to float on
the water. The body portion comprising a top portion, a bottom
portion, and first and second side portions. The body portion
further comprises a first launching portion adapted to retain and
release a first self-propelled projectile. The first projectile
comprises a first propulsion unit. The first projectile is engaged
with the first launching portion from a first position where the
first projectile is substantially retained by the first launching
portion to a second position where the first projectile may be
released from the first launching portion upon activation of the
first propulsion unit in the water.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The following detailed description of the invention will be
more fully understood with reference to the accompanying drawings
in which:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0008] FIG. 2 is cross sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG.
1;
[0009] FIG. 3 is cross sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG.
1;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of the
present invention;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a cross-section view taken along line 5-5 of FIG.
4;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a third embodiment of the
present invention;
[0013] FIGS. 7 and 8 are cross sectional views taken along line 7-7
of FIG. 6;
[0014] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a fourth embodiment of the
present invention showing the projectile member retained within the
cavity portion;
[0015] FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of the fourth embodiment of
the present invention showing the projectile member retained within
the cavity portion;
[0016] FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the fourth embodiment of the
present invention showing the projected dispensed from the cavity
portion;
[0017] FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of the fourth embodiment of
the present invention showing the projectile dispensed from the
cavity portion;
[0018] FIG. 13 is a top plan view of a fifth embodiment of the
present invention;
[0019] FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view taken along line 14-14 of
FIG. 13;
[0020] FIG. 15 is a top plan view of a sixth embodiment of the
present invention;
[0021] FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view taken along line 16-16 of
FIG. 15;
[0022] FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view taken along line 17-17 of
FIG. 15;
[0023] FIG. 18 is a top plan view of a seventh embodiment of the
present invention;
[0024] FIG. 19 is a bottom plan view of the seventh embodiment of
the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 20 is a side elevation view of the seventh embodiment
of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 21 is a front elevation view of the seventh embodiment
of the present invention; and
[0027] FIG. 22 is a block diagram of the first and second
propulsion units of the first and second projectiles, respectively,
of the seventh embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0028] Referring to FIGS. 1-2, where a first embodiment of the
recreational floating device 10 is shown for use by a person 12 in
a body of water 14 such as a pool 13 having a bottom surface 15.
The device 10 is generally adapted to allow the person 12 to float
on the water 14 and to actuate a trigger or lever to dispense,
launch and/or drop a projectile thru the water 14. By way of
example only, the device 10 may be used to allow the person 12 to
dispense a projectile thru the water 14 to hit or make contact with
a target 17 disposed upon the bottom surface 15 of the pool 13.
[0029] The device 10 generally comprises a board member 16 adapted
to allow the person 12 to float on the water 14. In the embodiment
shown, the board member 16 comprises an upper surface 18 and a
bottom surface 20, and first and side portions 22 and 24. The
bottom surface 20 is in contact with the water 14. Depending upon
the weight of the person 12 and/or the buoyancy of the board member
16, the water line 19 may extend anywhere from half-way to just
below the upper surface 18 of the board member 16. The board member
16 may be designed and manufactured with variety of materials,
sizes, and configuration to allow different persons 12 using the
device 10 to float on the water 14. By way of example only, the
board member 16 may be made from compressed foam or a hollow
plastic material fabricated by injection and/or blow molding
processes.
[0030] The device 10 further comprises a projectile retention
member 28 engaged with the board member 16. The projectile
retention member 28 is generally adapted to retain a projectile
member 26 (to be described) until the person 12 actuates a
projectile trigger member 44 (to be described) to dispense, launch
and/or otherwise drop the projectile member 26. The projectile
retention member 28 may take a variety of different forms and
designs. In the embodiment shown, the projectile retention member
28 comprises a fastener such as strip and/or a layer of velcro 29
engaged with the board member 16 and located between the upper and
bottom surfaces 18 and 20 of the board member 16. The velcro
fastener 29 is adapted to be removably engaged with the projectile
member 26 by activation of the projectile trigger member 44. The
projectile retention member 28 may further comprise a cavity
portion 30 having a closed end portion 32 and an open end portion
36 directed at the water. The cavity portion 30 may be positioned
and designed in a variety of different ways and may be formed as
part of the molding process.
[0031] The projectile member 26 is adapted to be retained by the
projectile retention member 28 until after actuation of the
projectile trigger member 44. The projectile member 26 may be
designed in a variety of different shapes and forms. In the
embodiment shown, the projectile member 26 is in the shape of a
ball 27. The ball 27 comprises an outer fastening layer of velcro
31 and adapted to releaseably engage with the velcro fastener 29 of
the projectile retention member 28. The ball 27 may comprise one or
more weights 33 within a molded cavity 35 to control the buoyancy
of the projectile member 26 so that it will drop smoothly thru the
water 14 to the target 17 at the bottom surface 15 of the pool 13.
By way of further example only, the projectile member 26 may take
the form and design of the elongated projectiles disclosed and
described by U.S. Pat. No. 5,514,023 which are designed to have a
projectile buoyancy within plus or minus ten percent (10%) of the
water to allow the projectile to move in a substantially straight
line parallel with the bottom surface of the pool. In other
embodiments, the projectile member 26 may be designed with a
positive buoyancy so that after dispensing the projectile member 26
would float to the top of the water.
[0032] The projectile trigger member 44 is generally engageable
with the projectile retention member 28 and operable by the person
12 to dispense, drop, and/or launch the projectile member 26 thru
the water 12. The projectile trigger member 44 is operable by the
person 12 from a first or closed position 56 where the projectile
member 26 is retained by the projectile retention member 28 to a
second or open (released) position 58 where the projectile member
26 is dispensed from the projectile retention member 28 thru the
water 14. The projectile trigger member 44 may be designed in a
variety of different shapes and forms and located in various areas
of the board member 16. For example, the projectile trigger member
44 may be positioned near the handles 25 of the board member 16 to
allow easy access by the person 12 while the person 12 is holding
on to the board member 16. In the embodiment shown, the projectile
trigger member 44 comprises a lever member 50 having a handle
portion 52 and an engagement portion 54. The lever member 50 is
operable by the person from the first position 56 where the
projectile member 26 is retained by the projectile retention member
28 to the second or open (released) position 58 where the
projectile member 26 is dispensed from the projectile retention
member 26 thru the water 12 and the engagement portion 54 extends
thru an opening or thru-hole 55 extending from the upper surface 18
of the board member 16 to the closed end portion 32 of the cavity
portion 30. In the embodiment shown, the handle portion 52 is
disposed above the upper surface 18 of the board member 16. In
other embodiments, the handle portion 52 may be disposed between
the upper and bottom surfaces 18 and 20 of the board member 16 or
as in the embodiment of FIGS. 9-12 (to be described), disposed
along the side surfaces 22 and 24 of the board member 16. The lever
member 14 may be made from a variety of different materials and
formed by a variety of different processes. In the embodiment
shown, the lever member 44 may be made from plastic by conventional
molding processes.
[0033] The device 10 may further comprise a projectile viewing
member 60 adapted to allow the person 12 to view dispensing of the
projectile member 26 thru the water 12. In the embodiment shown,
the projectile viewing member 60 generally comprises an opening 62
extending from the upper surface 18 to the bottom surface 20 of the
board member 16.
[0034] The projectile viewing member 60 may further comprise a
transparent viewing member 64 disposed within the opening 62. The
transparent viewing member 64 may comprise a first portion 66 and a
second portion 68. The transparent viewing member 64 may be
designed in a variety of ways and made from variety of materials.
By way of example only, the transparent viewing member 64 may be
made from thin plastic that simply allows the person 12 to see thru
the viewing member 64. In other embodiments, the first portion 66
and/or the second portion 68 of the transparent viewing member 64
may be angled to provide downward and/or forward viewing areas. In
other embodiments, the transparent viewing member 64 and/or first
portion 66 and/or the second portion 68 may comprise a lense to
enhance the viewing areas. The transparent viewing member 64 may
further comprise a sight member or film (not shown) to be used for
alignment by the person 12.
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, where in another embodiment of
the device 10, the projectile retention member 28 comprises the
cavity portion 30 and a closure member 39. The closure member 39
may comprise first and second flaps or doors 41 and 43 that rotate
outward as a force is applied to the projectile member 26 by
actuation of the projectile trigger member 44. The flaps 41 and 43
may be connected by conventional means such as hinges formed as
part of and/or connected to the board member 18 and/or flaps 41 and
43. In the embodiment shown, the projectile member 26 is retained
within the projectile retention member 28 until actuation of the
projectile trigger member 44.
[0036] Referring to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, where another embodiment of
the device 10. In this embodiment, the cavity portion 30 is
disposed below the bottom surface 20 of the board member 16 and the
open end portion 36 is directed forward of the board member 16. In
this embodiment, the projectile retention member 28 may further
comprise a spring member 38 having a first portion 40 engaged with
the closed end portion 32 and a second portion 42 engageable with
the projectile member 26. The lever member 50 is moveable from the
first or closed position 56 where the engagement portion 54 extends
into the median portion 34 of the cavity portion 30 to retain the
projectile member 26 which is being forward biased by the spring
member 38 against the engagement portion 54 to a second position 58
wherein the engagement portion 54 is withdrawn from the cavity
portion 30 and the projectile retention member 28 is dispensed
outward by the force of the spring member 38.
[0037] Referring to FIGS. 9-12, where another embodiment of the
device 10. In this embodiment, the cavity portion 30 is disposed
between the upper and bottom surfaces 18 and 20 of the board member
16 or internal of the board member 16. Similar to the embodiment of
FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, the lever member 50 is moveable from a first or
closed position 56 where the engagement portion 54 extends into the
median portion 34 of the cavity portion 30 to retain the projectile
member 26 which is being forward biased by the spring member 38
against the engagement portion 54 to a second position 58 wherein
the engagement portion 54 is withdrawn from the cavity portion 30
and the projectile retention member 28 is dispensed outward by the
force of the spring member 38. In this embodiment, one of the
cavity portions 30 is off-set from the centerline of the board
member 16 and the open end portion 36 of the cavity portion 30
would direct dispensing of the projectile member 26 to the side and
forward of the board member 16. The lever member 50 may be disposed
with a channel or cavity portion 59.
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, where in another embodiment of
the present invention, the projectile trigger member 44 may utilize
a compressed air tank system 61.
[0039] In the embodiment shown, the compressed air system 61
generally comprises compressed air tank 63, an off/on button 65, an
air line 69 connected to an air channel or line 67.
[0040] Actuation of the button 65 causes compressed air to flow
through the air channel 67 and to force the projectile member 26
out of the cavity portion 30 thru the flaps 41 and 43. The air line
or channel 67 may comprise one or more conventional pliable air
lines passing thru one or more channels formed as part of the board
member 16.
[0041] Referring to FIGS. 15, 16, and 17, where in another
embodiment of the present invention, the projectile trigger member
44 comprises a lever member 80 having a hand grip 82, an engagement
portion 84, a bearing portion 86, and an end portion 87. The
bearing portion 86 rides or is moveable within a cavity or channel
portion 90 disposed within and exposed from the side portions 22
and 24 of the board member 16. The channel portion has a first end
92 and a second end portion 94. The projectile trigger member 44
further comprises an elastic band 96 connected to the end portion
87 of the lever member 80 and to the first end of the channel 90.
The lever member 80 is moveable within the channel 90 from a first
position 98 where the elastic member is stretched or biased to a
second position 100 where the lever member 80 is released by the
person 12 and the force from the elastic member 96 causes the
engagement portion 84 to dispense the projectile member 26 from the
cavity portion 30 thru the open end portion 36.
[0042] Referring to FIGS. 18-21, wherein a floating device or kick
board 110 is shown generally comprising a body portion 112 adapted
to float on the water. The body portion 112 comprises a top portion
114, a bottom portion 116, and first and second side portions 118
and 120. The body portion 112 further comprises a first launching
portion 122 and a second launching portion 132 generally adapted to
receive and release the first and second self-propelled projectiles
146 and 158 (to be described). The first launching portion 122
comprises a concave shaped cavity portion 124 and a spiral shaped
cover portion 126. The cover portion 126 is connected by a hinge
member 128 to the cavity portion 124. The cover portion 126 may be
opened by person to insert or load the first projectile 146 into
the first launching portion 122 and closed by the person to retain
the first projectile 146 within the first launching portion 122.
Similarly, the second launching portion 132 comprises a concave
shaped cavity portion 134 and a spiral shaped cover portion 136.
The cover portion 136 is connected by a hinge member 138 to the
cavity portion 134. The cover portion 136 may be opened by person
to insert or load the second projectile 158 into the second
launching portion 132 and closed by the person to retain the second
projectile 158 within the second launching portion 132. The first
and second launching portions 122 and 132 are positioned at the
first and second side portions 118 and 120 of the body portion 112,
respectively. The first and second launching portions 122 and 132
further comprise stop members 130 and 140, respectively, removably
positioned within the cavity portions 124 and 134, respectively.
The stop member 130 may be moved inward and outward of the cavity
portion 124 to restrain and release the first projectile 146 from
the first launching portion 122. Similarly, the stop member 140 may
be moved inward and outward of the cavity portion 134 to restrain
and release the second projectile 158 from the second launching
portion 132. Movement of the stop members 130 and 140 may be caused
by activation or depression of a first firing button 142 and a
second firing button 144, respectively. In a first or loaded
position, the stop members 130 and 140 prevent the first and second
projectiles 146 and 158, respectively, from moving outward from the
first and second launching portion 122 and 132, respectively.
Activation or depression of the first firing button 142 causes the
first projectile 146 to be in a second or fired position wherein
the stop member 130 does not extend inward of the cavity portion
124 and does not prevent the first projectile 146 from moving
outward from the first launching portion 122. Similarly, activation
of the second firing button 144 causes the second projectile 158 to
be in a second or fired position wherein the stop member 140 does
not extend inward of the cavity portion 134 and does not prevent
the second projectile 158 from moving outward from the second
launching portion 132. The first and second firing buttons 142 and
144 are positioned on the top portion 114 of the body portion 112
and readily accessible to activation by the free hand of the
person.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 22, the first projectile 146 comprises a
first propulsion unit 148. The first projectile 146 is engaged with
the first launching portion 122 from a first position or state
where the first projectile 146 is substantially retained by or
within the first launching portion 122 to a second position or
state where the first projectile 146 may be released from the first
launching portion 122 (by activation of the first firing button
142) upon activation of the first propulsion unit 148 in the water.
The second projectile 158 comprises a second propulsion unit 160.
The second projectile 158 is engaged with the second launching
portion 132 from a first position or state where the second
projectile 158 is substantially retained by the second launching
portion 132 to a second position or state where the second
projectile 158 may be released from the second launching portion
132 (by activation of the second firing button 144) upon activation
of the second propulsion unit 160 in the water. The first and
second projectiles 146 and 158 are self-propelled and similar in
design to the self-propelled projectile shown and described in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,093,076 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety into this specification.
[0044] The first propulsion unit 148 comprises a first battery 150,
a first motor 152 connected to the first battery 150, a first
propeller 154 engaged by a first shaft 155 to the first motor 152,
and a first switch 156 operable from a first position where the
first propulsion unit 148 is off or inactive to a second position
where the first propulsion unit 148 is on or activated. Similarly,
the second propulsion unit 160 comprises a second battery 162, a
second motor 164 connected to the second battery 162, a second
propeller 166 engaged by a second shaft 167 to the second motor
164, and a second switch 168 operable from a first position where
the second propulsion unit 160 is off or inactive to a second
position where the second propulsion unit 160 is on or
activated.
[0045] In operation, the person may lie on the top portion 114 of
the body portion 112 and load the first and second projectiles 146
and 158 into the first and second launching portions 122 and 132 by
opening the cover portions 126 and 136 and inserting the first and
second projectiles 146 and 158 therein. The cover portions 126 and
136 may be closed wherein the stop members 130 and 140 extend
inward of the cavity portions 124 and 134, respectively, to retain
the first and second projectiles 146 and 158 within the first and
second launching portions 122 and 132, respectively. The person may
turn on or activate one or both of the first and second propulsion
units 148 and 160 of the first and second projectiles 146 and 158,
respectively, by manual activation or depression of the first and
second switches 156 and 168, respectively. The person may launch
one or both of the first and second projectiles 146 and 158 by
manual activation or depression of the first and second firing
buttons 142 and 144, respectively, which allows the first and
second projectiles 146 and 158 to move or launch outward from the
first and second launching portions 122 and 132.
[0046] The floating device 110 may designed in a variety of
different ways. By way of example only, activation or depression of
the first and second firing buttons 142 and 144 may also cause
activation of the first and second propulsion units 148 and 160,
respectively, thereby eliminating the need for manual activation or
depression of the first and second switches 156 and 168. Further,
the first propulsion unit 148 may further comprises a third
propeller (not shown) and the second propulsion unit 160 may
further comprise a fourth propeller (not shown). The third
propeller (not shown) of the first propulsion unit 148 is connected
to the first motor 152 of the first propulsion unit 148. The fourth
propeller (not shown) of the second propulsion unit 160 is
connected to the second motor 164 of the second propulsion unit
160. The use of two (2) propellers on each shaft may tend to
achieve enhanced directional control and/or power. Alternatively,
the first propulsion unit 148 may further comprise a third shaft
(not shown) and a third motor (not shown) and the second propulsion
unit 160 may comprise a fourth shaft (not shown) and a fourth motor
(not shown). The first propeller 154 and the third propeller (not
shown) of the first propulsion unit 148 are connected and driven by
the first motor 152 and the third motor (not shown), respectively.
Similarly, the second propeller 166 and the fourth propeller (not
shown) of the second propulsion unit 160 are connected and driven
by the second motor 164 and the fourth motor (not shown),
respectively. A single or multiple battery sources may be used.
[0047] In the embodiment shown, the first and second propulsion
units 148 and 160 use a propeller to cause movement of the
projectile. Alternatively, the first and second propulsion units
148 and 160 may each comprise a compressed air system (not shown)
to dispense the first and second projectiles 146 and 158,
respectively. The first and second propulsion units 148 and 160 may
each comprise a pressurized water system to dispense the first and
second projectiles 146 and 158, respectively. The first and second
propulsion units 148 and 160 may comprise one or more springs or
elastic bands engaged with the first and second launching portions
122 and 132, respectively, adapted to dispense the first and second
projectiles 48 and 62, respectively.
[0048] The foregoing description is intended primarily for purposes
of illustration. This invention may be embodied in other forms or
carried out in other ways without departing from the spirit or
scope of the invention. Modifications and variations still falling
within the spirit or the scope of the invention will be readily
apparent to those of skill in the art.
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