U.S. patent application number 10/930265 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-02 for foam projectile with suction cup tip.
Invention is credited to William G. JR. Gajda.
Application Number | 20060046877 10/930265 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35311352 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060046877 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gajda; William G. JR. |
March 2, 2006 |
Foam projectile with suction cup tip
Abstract
A toy projectile includes a generally tubular first cylinder
having an inner surface and an outer surface, and an integral
second cylinder. The integral second cylinder includes a first end
having a suction cup and a generally tubular second end having an
inner surface and an outer surface. The outer surface of the second
end of the second cylinder contacts the inner surface of the first
cylinder.
Inventors: |
Gajda; William G. JR.;
(Cranston, RI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARSHALL, GERSTEIN & BORUN LLP
233 S. WACKER DRIVE, SUITE 6300
SEARS TOWER
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Family ID: |
35311352 |
Appl. No.: |
10/930265 |
Filed: |
August 31, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/572 ;
473/578 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F42B 6/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/572 ;
473/578 |
International
Class: |
A63B 65/02 20060101
A63B065/02 |
Claims
1. A toy projectile, comprising: a generally tubular first cylinder
having an inner surface and an outer surface; and an integral
second cylinder having a first end and a generally tubular second
end having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the outer
surface of the second end of the second cylinder contacts the inner
surface of the first cylinder.
2. The toy projectile of claim 1, wherein a majority of the outer
surface of the second end of the second cylinder contacts the inner
surface of the first cylinder.
3. The toy projectile of claim 1, wherein the first end includes a
suction cup.
4. The toy projectile of claim 1, wherein the first cylinder is
constructed from a lightweight foam material.
5. The toy projectile of claim 1, wherein the second cylinder is
constructed from a plastic material.
6. The toy projectile of claim 1, wherein the second end of the
second cylinder is substantially flush with a second end of the
first cylinder.
7. The toy projectile of claim 1, wherein the second end of the
second cylinder is hollow.
8. The toy projectile of claim 1, further including a flange
extending radially outward between the first and second ends of the
second cylinder, the flange being adapted to contact a first end of
the first cylinder.
9. The toy projectile of claim 8, further including a skirt
extending rearwardly from a periphery of the flange, such that an
inner surface of the skirt contacts the outer surface of the first
cylinder.
10. The toy projectile of claim 1, wherein the first and second
cylinders are each at least 2 inches long.
11. A toy projectile, comprising: an inner cylinder; and a tip
portion integrally formed with the inner cylinder and disposed at a
first end of the inner cylinder.
12. The toy projectile of claim 11, further including an outer
cylinder disposed on the inner cylinder.
13. The toy projectile of claim 12, wherein the inner cylinder
includes an outer surface the majority of which contacts an inner
surface of the outer cylinder.
14. The toy projectile of claim 11, wherein the tip portion
includes a suction cup.
15. The toy projectile of claim 12, wherein the outer cylinder is
constructed from a lightweight foam material.
16. The toy projectile of claim 11, wherein the inner cylinder is
constructed from a plastic material.
17. The toy projectile of claim 11, wherein the inner cylinder is
hollow.
18. The toy projectile of claim 11, further including a flange
extending radially outward from the inner cylinder.
19. The toy projectile of claim 18, further including a skirt
extending rearwardly from a periphery of the flange.
20. The toy projectile of claim 12, wherein the inner and outer
cylinders are each at least 2 inches long.
21. A toy projectile, comprising: a generally cylindrical outer
cylinder having a first end and a second end; and an insert at
least partially disposed in the outer cylinder, the insert having a
suction cup at a first end and an elongate cylindrical section at a
second end, wherein the elongate cylindrical section has a
generally constant outer diameter from the first end to the second
end of the outer cylinder, when the outer cylinder and the insert
are engaged.
22. The toy projectile of claim 21, wherein the outer cylinder is
constructed from a lightweight foam material.
23. The toy projectile of claim 21, wherein the insert is
constructed from a plastic material.
24. The toy projectile of claim 21, wherein the elongate
cylindrical section is hollow.
25. The toy projectile of claim 21, further including a flange
extending radially outward between the first and second ends of the
insert, the flange being adapted to contact the first end of the
outer cylinder.
26. The toy projectile of claim 25, further including a rim
extending rearwardly from an outer edge of the flange, such that an
inner surface of the rim contacts an outer surface of the first
cylinder.
27. A method of safety testing a toy projectile comprising:
providing an inner cylinder having disposed thereon an outer
cylinder, the inner and outer cylinder having first and second
ends; fixedly attaching one of the first and second ends of the toy
projectile; pulling the other of the first and second ends of the
toy projectile to a specified force; and separating the outer
cylinder into at least two pieces, such that a first portion of the
outer cylinder remains attached to the inner cylinder and a second
portion of the outer cylinder is detached from the inner cylinder.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to foam projectiles
and, more particularly, to foam darts having a foam exterior
cylinder and an interior cylinder that is integrally formed with a
suction cup and a method of testing the same.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] Darts for use with toys such as toy guns, toy bows, and the
like, are know in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,186,156
discloses an air operated toy gun adapted to propel a projectile.
The projectile has a shaft with an enlarged head at a forward end
of the shaft. A rearward end of the shaft rests at a rearward end
of a barrel at a section of a passageway having a reduced diameter
relative to the more forward portion of the passageway. The
rearward end of the shaft has a circular transverse cross section
of a diameter which yields a snug and generally airtight fit within
the reduced diameter section. Another reduced diameter section of
the passageway serves to prevent the rearward end of the shaft from
exiting a rearward opening of the barrel.
[0003] In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,729 discloses a
projectile launcher for launching projectiles. The projectiles are
of conventional construction and they preferably each include a
generally cylindrical body portion and a suction cup tip portion.
Each of the body portions has a rearwardly opening tubular recess
formed therein which is adapted to be received over a receiving
tube, and each of the cylindrical portions is dimensioned to be
received in a launching chamber.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0004] In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a toy
projectile is disclosed. The toy projectile includes a generally
tubular first cylinder having an inner surface and an outer
surface, and an integral second cylinder having a first end and a
generally tubular second end having an inner surface and an outer
surface. The outer surface of the second end of the second cylinder
contacts the inner surface of the first cylinder.
[0005] In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a toy
projectile is disclosed. The toy projectile includes an inner
cylinder, and a tip portion integrally formed with the inner
cylinder and disposed at a first end of the inner cylinder.
[0006] In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a toy
projectile is disclosed. The toy projectile includes a generally
cylindrical outer cylinder having a first end and a second end, and
an insert at least partially disposed in the outer cylinder. The
insert includes a suction cup at a first end and an elongate
cylindrical section at a second end. The elongate cylindrical
section has a generally constant outer diameter from the first end
to the second end of the outer cylinder, when the outer cylinder
and the insert are engaged.
[0007] In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a
method of safety testing a toy projectile is disclosed. The method
includes providing an inner cylinder having disposed thereon an
outer cylinder, the inner and outer cylinder having first and
second ends, and fixedly attaching one of the first and second ends
of the toy projectile. The method further includes pulling the
other of the first and second ends of the toy projectile to a
specified force, and separating the outer cylinder into at least
two pieces, such that a first portion of the outer cylinder remains
attached to the inner cylinder and a second portion of the outer
cylinder is detached from the inner cylinder.
[0008] These and other aspects and features of the disclosure will
be more readily understood upon reading the following detailed
description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a projectile according to one
embodiment of the disclosure;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a side view with hidden lines of the separate
parts of the projectile of FIG. 1; and
[0011] FIG. 3 is cross sectional view along line 3-3 of the
projectile of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 4 is cross sectional view of an alternate embodiment of
the projectile of FIG. 1 similar to FIG. 3; and
[0013] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the projectile of FIG. 1
during a tension test.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Although the following text sets forth a detailed
description of numerous different embodiments of the invention, it
should be understood that the legal scope of the invention is
defined by the words of the claims set forth in the appended
claims. The detailed description is to be construed as exemplary
only and does not describe every possible embodiment of the
invention since describing every possible embodiment would be
impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments
could be implemented, using either current technology or technology
developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still
fall within the scope of the claims defining the invention.
[0015] It should also be understood that, unless a term is
expressly defined in this patent using the sentence "As used
herein, the term `______` is hereby defined to mean . . . " or a
similar sentence, there is no intent to limit the meaning of that
term, either expressly or by implication, beyond its plain or
ordinary meaning, and such term should not be interpreted to be
limited in scope based on any statement made in any section of this
patent (other than the language of the claims). To the extent that
any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is
referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single
meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse
the reader, and it is not intended that such claim term by limited,
by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning. Finally,
unless a claim element is defined by reciting the word "means" and
a function without the recital of any structure, it is not intended
that the scope of any claim element be interpreted based on the
application of 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112, sixth paragraph.
[0016] Referring now to the drawings, and with specific reference
to FIG. 1, a toy projectile constructed in accordance with the
teachings of the disclosure is generally depicted by reference
numeral 20. As shown therein, the projectile 20, in this exemplary
embodiment, includes a first or outer cylinder 22 and a second or
inner cylinder 24. The toy projectile 20, as disclosed herein, is
intended to be used as a dart, arrow, bullet, or other projectile
being shot or propelled from a toy compressed air projectile
launcher, such as a toy gun, toy bow, and the like. If, by chance,
first and second cylinders come apart due to wear, improper
handling, etc. the first and second cylinders 22, 24 may be sized
so as not pose a chocking hazard to children.
[0017] The outer cylinder 22, as seen in FIG. 2, may be constructed
from a lightweight foam material, but may be constructed from any
other type of resilient lightweight material that may be engaged by
an inner surface of a barrel of a toy projectile launcher (not
show). The outer cylinder 22 has a generally tubular shape
including an inner surface 26, an outer surface 28, a front end 30
and a back end 32. A front edge 34 disposed near the front end 30
of the outer cylinder 22 and a back edge 36 disposed near the back
end 32 of the outer cylinder 22, are oriented generally parallel to
each other and generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of
the outer cylinder 22.
[0018] The inner cylinder 24, as seen in FIG. 2, may be constructed
from a lightweight plastic or elastomeric material, but may be
constructed from any other type of semi-rigid to resilient
lightweight material. A rear portion 44 of the inner cylinder 24
has a generally tubular shape including an inner surface 37, an
outer surface 56, a front portion 38 and the rear portion 39. The
front or tip portion 38 may be integrally formed with the inner
cylinder 24 proximate a front end of the rear portion 44 and may
include a suction cup 40 having an open end extending outwardly
from front end 42 of the rear portion 44. The suction cup 40 may
have a frustro-conical shape, and may be adapted to temporary
adhere to a generally flat surface once pressed upon, such that the
projectile 20 may stick to a wall, door, window, and the like,
during use.
[0019] A flange 46 may be disposed proximate intersection of 40 and
44, and may be adapted to engage the front edge 34 of the outer
cylinder 22 when the outer cylinder 22 is disposed on the inner
cylinder 24. More specifically, as seen in FIG. 3, the front edge
34 of the outer cylinder 22 may abut a rear surface 48 of the
flange 46, thereby stopping or retaining the outer cylinder 22. The
flange 46 may extend radially outward from a center axis of the
inner cylinder 24, and may include a skirt 50 extending from a
periphery thereof. An outer diameter of the flange 46 may be
greater than an outer diameter of the inner cylinder 22 so the
front edge 34 may be disposed within the skirt 50. The skirt 50, as
best seen in FIG. 3, may extent rearwardly, or toward the rear
portion 44 of the inner cylinder 24, from the periphery of the
flange 46, thereby creating an annular groove 52 (FIG. 2) between
the skirt 50 and the elongate member rear portion 44 of the inner
cylinder 24 for retaining or receiving the front end 30 of the
outer cylinder 22. The outer surface 56 of the inner cylinder 24
may frictionally engage the inner surface 26 of the outer cylinder
22, or may have glue, epoxy, or other adhesive retentively
connecting the inner and outer cylinders 24, 22.
[0020] As such, the inner and outer cylinders 24, 22 in combination
and separately are sized and/or shaped to meet safety
specification, such as for example, chocking hazard specifications
set by one or more domestic and international governmental
agencies. For example, one of the testing methods, as partially
shown in FIG. 5, is a tension test that pulls the projectile 20
apart to a specified force. In one such tension test the projectile
20 is fixedly attached at one end, such as the tip portion 38, and
is then pulled by the outer cylinder 22 until a force of 20 lbf or
88.9N or 88.9 kg*m/s 2 is reached or until the projectile 20 or the
foam cylinder 22 breaks. The chocking hazard specifications may
further require that the individual pieces of the projectile 20
before and after the tension test meet a size or length
requirement. The specification, for example, may require that the
one or more pieces of the projectile 20 be each at least 2 inches
or 5.08 cm long or longer. Therefore, as seen in FIG. 5, the
projectile 20 and, more specifically, the outer foam cylinder 22
may break into two separate pieces, but may both meet the chocking
hazard specifications as the pieces broken-off piece and the piece
still attached to and in combination with the inner cylinder 24, as
seen in FIG. 5, may still each be large enough.
[0021] The projectile 20 referenced throughout and the parts
thereof may also include variations and/or additions. For example,
the outer cylinder 22 may be constructed from a number of
materials, including but not limited to, plastic, rubber, fabric,
composites, and/or a combination thereof. The shape and size of the
projectile 20, including the inner and outer cylinders 24, 22 may
also vary depending on the application and structure of the toy
(not shown) launching the projectile 20. The inner and outer
cylinders 24, 22 may have a generally triangular, square,
rectangular, or odd shaped cross-section, and may include
additional and/or alternate features. For example, the projectile
20 may include fins (not shown) protruding from the back end of the
outer cylinder 22, or may include a rod or post (not shown)
extending from the rear portion 44. The rear portion 44 may also
have a solid or otherwise filled cavity 54. The inner and outer
cylinders 24, 22 may also be reversed, as seen in FIG. 4, wherein
the inner cylinder 22 may include an outer cylindrical portion 51
extending from the skirt 50, and may or may not include the rear
portion 44 of the inner cylinder 24. Similarly, the tension test
specifications may be more or less than 20 lbf, and the and the
size or length requirement may be more or less than 2 inches or
5.08 cm.
[0022] In operation, the toy projectile 20 may be used as a
projectile being shot or propelled from a toy, such as a toy gun,
toy bow, and the like (not shown). The user may connect the inner
and outer cylinders 24, 22 of the projectile 20 by sliding the
outer cylinder 22 over the inner cylinder 24 and, more
specifically, by sliding the outer cylinder 22 over the inner
cylinder 24 such that the inner surface 26 of the outer cylinder
abuts an outer surface 56 at the inner cylinder 24 and the front
end 30 of the outer cylinder engages the annular groove 52. In the
connected position, the inner surface 26 of the outer cylinder may
abut a majority of the outer surface 56 of the inner cylinder 24
and, as in this exemplary embodiment, the inner surface 26 of the
outer cylinder may abut the entire outer surface 56 of the inner
cylinder 24. In the connected position, the front surface 34 of the
outer cylinder 22 may also abut the rear surface 48 of the flange
46.
[0023] While the present invention has been described with
reference to specific examples, which are intended to be
illustrative only and not to be limiting of the invention, it will
be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that changes,
additions or deletions may be made to the disclosed embodiments
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *