U.S. patent application number 12/928871 was filed with the patent office on 2012-06-21 for soft- projectile magazine refill apparatus and methods.
This patent application is currently assigned to Hobbeezone, Inc.. Invention is credited to Keith G. Meggs.
Application Number | 20120152221 12/928871 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46232703 |
Filed Date | 2012-06-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120152221 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Meggs; Keith G. |
June 21, 2012 |
Soft- projectile magazine refill apparatus and methods
Abstract
A method of refilling a magazine with projectiles formed from a
super absorbent polymer, the method comprising the steps of:
hydrating the projectiles in a container; mating the magazine with
the container; and transferring the projectiles from the container
to the magazine.
Inventors: |
Meggs; Keith G.; (Rancho
Palos Verdes, CA) |
Assignee: |
Hobbeezone, Inc.
Manhattan Beach
CA
|
Family ID: |
46232703 |
Appl. No.: |
12/928871 |
Filed: |
December 20, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
124/41.1 ;
206/204 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 9/83 20130101; F42B
12/745 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
124/41.1 ;
206/204 |
International
Class: |
F41A 9/82 20060101
F41A009/82; B65D 85/00 20060101 B65D085/00 |
Claims
1. A method of refilling a magazine with projectiles formed from a
super absorbent polymer, the method comprising the steps of:
hydrating the projectiles in a container; mating the magazine with
the container; and transferring the projectiles from the container
to the magazine.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: releasing
a locking mechanism on the magazine wherein the locking mechanism
is designed to restrict access to an interior of the magazine.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of: releasing
a locking mechanism on the container wherein the locking mechanism
is designed to restrict access to an interior of the container.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: mating a
key on the container with a key receiver on the magazine.
5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of: mating a
key on the magazine with a key receiver on the container.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: adding
dehydrated projectiles to the interior of the container prior to
the hydrating step.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the dehydrated projectiles are
added to the interior through an opening with a significantly
smaller diameter than the diameter of a hydrated projectile.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the opening is less than 2 mm in
diameter.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein the opening is a plurality of
openings in the form of a screen.
10. A system for hydrating soft-projectiles made from a super
absorbent polymer, the system comprising: a container including an
interior and an exterior; a locking mechanism arranged on the
container and designed to restrict access to the interior of the
container; and soft-projectiles made from a super absorbent polymer
located in the interior of the container.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the locking mechanism is
designed to mate with a magazine.
12. The system of claim 10, wherein the container includes a lid
and a base.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the lid and the base may be
temporarily locked.
14. The system of claim 10, wherein the container further includes
a liquid inlet designed to allow liquid to be added to the interior
of the container.
15. The system of claim 10, wherein the locking mechanism includes
a slideable door operatively arranged to obstruct an opening
designed to receive a soft-projectile.
16. A kit for refilling a magazine with soft-projectiles made from
a super absorbent polymer, the kit comprising: a container; a
plurality of dehydrated pieces of super absorbent polymer; and
instructions describing how to hydrate the pieces of super
absorbent polymer in the container.
17. The kit of claim 16, wherein the container includes a locking
mechanism designed to mate with a magazine.
18. A method of refilling a magazine with soft-projectiles, the
method comprising the steps of: mating the magazine to a container;
causing a locking mechanism on the container to allow access to an
interior of the container; causing a locking mechanism on the
magazine to allow access to an interior of the magazine; and
transferring the soft-projectiles from the container to the
magazine.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of:
inserting a key on the magazine into a key receiver on the
container.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of:
inserting a key on the container into a key receiver on the
magazine.
21. The method of claim 18, wherein the soft-projectiles are formed
from a super absorbent polymer.
22. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of: adding
a liquid to the interior of the container to hydrate the
soft-projectiles.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present patent document relates to soft-projectile
magazine refill apparatus and methods. More particularly, the
present patent document relates to soft-projectile magazine refill
apparatus and methods that refill magazines with soft-projectiles
formed from a super absorbent polymer.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A variety of different types of projectile launching toys,
toy weapons, and guns are available in the current markets. It may
be desired to have the projectile launching devices use only
soft-projectiles as ammunition. Restricting the ammunition to
soft-projectiles is advantageous in reducing the chances of injury
associated with the projectile launching devices.
[0003] However, a consumer may be able to use a soft-projectile
launching device to launch projectiles that are not soft. Unless
adequate steps are taken, there may not be anything from preventing
a consumer from loading a soft-projectile launching device with
objects that would not be considered soft. Consequently, it would
be desirable to have apparatus and methods that may prevent a
consumer from using a soft-projectile launching device to shoot
anything other than soft-projectiles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] One object of the present patent document is to provide
apparatus and methods for loading soft-projectiles into a
soft-projectile launching device. Another object of the present
patent document is to provide apparatus and methods for refilling a
magazine with soft-projectiles made from a super absorbent polymer.
To this end, in one embodiment, a method of refilling a magazine
with projectiles formed from a super absorbent polymer is provided.
The method comprising the steps of: hydrating the projectiles in a
container; mating the magazine with the container; and transferring
the projectiles from the container to the magazine.
[0005] In another embodiment, the method further comprises the step
of releasing a locking mechanism on the magazine wherein the
locking mechanism is designed to restrict access to an interior of
the magazine.
[0006] In yet another embodiment, the method further comprises
releasing a locking mechanism on the container wherein the locking
mechanism is designed to restrict access to an interior of the
container.
[0007] In other embodiments, the corresponding locking mechanisms
may include a key and/or a key receiver. For example, the magazine
may contain a key received by a key receiver on the container or
the container may have a key received my a key receiver on the
magazine. In another embodiment both the magazine and the container
each have a key and key receiver.
[0008] In yet another embodiment, the method further comprises the
step of adding dehydrated projectiles to the interior of the
container prior to the hydrating step. In certain embodiments the
dehydrated projectiles are added to the interior through an opening
with a significantly smaller diameter than the diameter of a
hydrated projectile. In certain embodiments the opening is less
than 2 mm in diameter. In certain other embodiments the opening is
a plurality of openings in the form of a screen or grate.
[0009] In another embodiment, a system for hydrating
soft-projectiles made from a super absorbent polymer is provided.
The system comprises: a container including an interior and an
exterior; a locking mechanism arranged on the container and
designed to restrict access to the interior of the container; and
soft-projectiles made from a super absorbent polymer located in the
interior of the container. In one embodiment of the system, the
locking mechanism is designed to mate with a magazine.
[0010] In yet another embodiment of the system, the container
includes a lid and a base. In certain embodiments including a lid
and a base, the lid may be temporarily locked to the base.
[0011] In yet another embodiment, the container further includes a
liquid inlet designed to allow liquid to be added to the interior
of the container.
[0012] Generally, the locking mechanism may be constructed in
numerous different ways. In one embodiment the locking mechanism
includes a slideable door operatively arranged to obstruct an
opening designed to receive a soft-projectile.
[0013] In another embodiment a kit for refilling a magazine with
soft-projectiles made from a super absorbent polymer is provided,
the kit comprising: a container; a plurality of dehydrated pieces
of super absorbent polymer; and instructions describing how to
hydrate the pieces of super absorbent polymer in the container.
[0014] In one embodiment of the kit, the kit container of the kit
includes a locking mechanism designed to mate with a magazine.
[0015] In yet another a method of refilling a magazine with
soft-projectiles is provide. The method comprises the steps of:
mating the magazine to a container; causing a locking mechanism on
the container to allow access to an interior of the container;
causing a locking mechanism on the magazine to allow access to an
interior of the magazine; and transferring the soft-projectiles
from the container to the magazine.
[0016] In another embodiment, the method further comprises the step
of inserting a key on the magazine into a key receiver on the
container. In anther embodiment of the method, the method further
comprises the step of inserting a key on the container into a key
receiver on the magazine.
[0017] In some embodiments, the soft-projectiles are formed from a
super absorbent polymer. In embodiments where the soft-projectiles
are formed from a super absorbent polymer, a further step of adding
a liquid to the interior of the container to hydrate the
soft-projectiles may be included.
[0018] The apparatus and methods for refilling a magazine with
soft-projectiles made from a super absorbent polymer described
herein will help improve the safety of soft-projectile launching
devices. Further aspects, objects, desirable features, and
advantages of the devices and methods disclosed herein will be
better understood from the detailed description and drawings that
follow in which various embodiments are illustrated by way of
example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the
drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not
intended as a definition of the limits of the claimed
embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of an embodiment of a
system for refilling a magazine with soft-projectiles.
[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of a container for use
with the system of FIG. 1.
[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric top view of a container for
use with the system of FIG. 1.
[0022] FIG. 4A illustrates an isometric view of a magazine for use
with the system of FIG. 1.
[0023] FIG. 4B illustrates an side view of the magazine of FIG.
4A.
[0024] FIG. 4C illustrates a bottom view of the magazine of FIG.
4A.
[0025] FIG. 4D illustrates a cross-sectional view of the magazine
of FIG. 4A.
[0026] FIG. 5 illustrates a isometric view of an embodiment of a
locking mechanism of a container for use with the system of FIG.
1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] The term "magazine" is used herein to refer to any container
that holds soft-projectiles for a projectile toy gun or other
projectile weaponry. In particular, magazine as used herein
includes any container that holds soft-projectiles made from a
super absorbent polymer (SAP). The magazine could be of any shape
size or volume and have any number of openings as long as it holds
soft-projectiles in a useable manner for a corresponding launching
device.
[0028] Super absorbent polymers (SAP's) were first invented by the
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in the 1960's and
are commonly used in personal disposable hygiene products such as
diapers, protective underwear, and sanitary napkins. SAP's are
polymers that can absorb an extremely large amount of liquid
relative to their own mass. SAP's absorb aqueous solutions through
hydrogen bonding with water molecules.
[0029] The present patent document discloses and teaches a
container designed for refilling a magazine for use with projectile
launching devices, such as toys, amateur guns and weaponry that use
soft-projectiles. More specifically, the container is designed for
use with magazines that hold soft-projectiles formed from a super
absorbent polymer (SAP). The purpose of the container is not only
to refill the magazine with soft-projectiles but to restrict the
ability of a user to refill the magazine with anything but
soft-projectiles.
[0030] Once hydrated, the unique properties that SAP's exhibit give
the soft-projectiles several advantages over current projectile
materials such as paint balls, plastics, and foams. For example,
hydrated SAP projectiles can maintain their shape under modest
pressure. The ability of SAP projectiles to maintain their shape
allows them to be projected with a reasonable force and velocity
without breaking apart. However, under excessive pressure, hydrated
SAP projectiles will break down and lose their shape. Because SAP
projectiles break down under excessive pressure, the force at
impact is spread over a much wider surface area, thus reducing the
likelihood of injury.
[0031] SAP projectiles can also be designed to break down at
different pressures based on their composition. This allows them to
be tailored to have specific qualities as soft-projectiles. The
total absorbency and swelling capacity of a SAP varies depending on
the degree of cross-linking within the polymer. The lower the
density of the cross-linking the higher the absorbent capacity of
the SAP. Thus, low density cross-linked SAP's generally have a
higher absorbent capacity and swell to a larger degree than more
highly cross-linked SAP's. Low density cross-linked SAP's also have
a softer and more cohesive gel formation. High cross-link density
polymers exhibit lower absorbent capacity and swell. The gel
strength is firmer and can maintain particle shape even under
higher pressures.
[0032] Consequently, by using a SAP with a higher cross-link
density, a soft-projectile can be made to fly farther and faster
without breaking apart and have a stronger impact. In contrast,
soft-projectiles made from a SAP with a lower cross-link density
will break apart more easily and have a much softer impact.
Depending on the level of safety required, different SAP's with
different cross-link densities may be used. For example, SAP's can
be constructed that would be considered "highly compliant" by
industry standards.
[0033] Soft-projectiles made from a SAP are preferably round but
may be of other shapes as well, including, for example, dart
shapes, cylinder shapes, bullet shapes, oval, square, rectangular
or any other shape. Round is a preferable shape not only because it
has fairly good ballistic characteristics but because SAP's are
easily formed in round shapes.
[0034] Soft-projectiles made from a SAP can be any size.
Preferably, however, the soft-projectiles made from a SAP are
between about 3 millimeters (mm) and about 15 mm in diameter when
hydrated and more preferably between about 5 mm and 8 mm in
diameter when hydrated. Typically, the soft-projectiles are about 1
mm or less when the SAP forming the projectile is dehydrated.
[0035] Larger soft-projectiles made from a SAP are possible. For
example, rounds having a diameter of 30 mm have been created.
However, there is approximately a 20% tolerance on the final
diameter of the hydrated SAP soft-projectiles and therefore, the
larger rounds are more difficult to make consistently uniform in
diameter.
[0036] The SAP projectiles may be colorless to prevent any staining
upon impact. Alternatively, soft-projectiles made from a SAP may
also have additives added during the formulation of the SAP or
during hydration that will create a temporary or indelible
signature upon hitting a target. For example, soft-projectiles made
from a SAP may be colored by adding a die to the SAP or the aqueous
solution during the hydrating process. Depending on the die
employed, the resulting signature may be of any desired color.
Further, the employed die compound may be visible under normal
lighting conditions or only under an ultra violet black light.
Other additives may also be used including those that give the
soft-projectiles a tracer effect such as glow-in-the-dark additives
or other materials with luminescent properties.
[0037] Soft-projectiles made from water absorbing polymers,
classified as hydrogels, will absorb aqueous solutions through
hydrogen bonding with the water molecule. A SAP's ability to absorb
water is a factor of the ionic concentration of an aqueous
solution. Consequently, soft-projectiles made from a SAP are
preferably grown in water with a PH of 7. More preferably
soft-projectiles made from a SAP are grown in distilled water,
where they may absorb 500 times their weight, and from 30-60 times
their dehydrated volume.
[0038] The unique properties of soft-projectiles made from SAPs
gives them a number of advantages. For example, soft-projectiles
made from SAPs gain a significant portion of their weight and
volume from absorbing water or other liquid. Consequently, SAPs may
be shipped or transported in their dehydrated form to reduce cost
and increase convenience. Because ammunition for projectile
launchers is often purchase in large quantities the reduced volume
and weight of the ammunition made from a SAP may produce
significant shipping and distribution cost savings.
[0039] In addition, it is desirable to prevent consumers from using
foreign objects, anything other than ammunition made from a SAP, in
projectile launchers designed to shoot soft-projectiles made from a
SAP. From a business stand point it is beneficial to restrict a
soft-projectile launcher from using ammunition made by a competitor
for economic reasons. It is also advantageous for safety reasons to
prevent consumers from launching objects that are not specifically
designed for the projectile launcher being used. For example,
projectile launchers designed to launch soft-projectiles such as
ammunition made from a SAP, may be used by consumers to launch
nonconforming objects unless the necessary precautions are taken.
The present patent document discloses a container designed to mate
with a magazine of a soft-projectile launcher and methods to
restrict the use of non-conforming ammunition in soft-projectile
launchers.
[0040] FIG. 1 illustrates a system for refilling a magazine with
soft-projectiles 10. The system embodied in FIG. 1 includes a
container 20 with a magazine 50 connected thereto. Although in FIG.
1 the magazine 50 is connected to the container 20, the magazine is
not permanently attached and is removable. For example, the
magazine may be detached from the container and attached to a
projection device designed to launch soft-projectiles.
[0041] In operation, the container would contain soft-projectiles
specifically designed for use with a series of soft-projectile
launching devices. For example, the container would contain a
plurality of soft-projectiles formed from a SAP. A person playing
with a soft-projectile launching device who was desirous of
obtaining additional soft-projectiles to launch from his device
would: remove the magazine 50 from the soft-projectile launching
device; attach or mate the magazine 50 with the container 20; and
transfer soft-projectiles from the container to the magazine. Once
the desired number of soft-projectiles where transferred into the
magazine and/or the magazine was full, the user could disconnect
the magazine 50 from the container 20 and reattach the magazine to
the soft-projectile launching device.
[0042] FIG. 2 illustrates a container 20 designed for use with
system 10. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the container is
comprised of lid 26 and base 24. Lid 26 is secured to base 24 with
clamp 22. Preferably, clamp 22 is a form of a lock to prevent lid
26 from being easily removed from base 24. In some embodiments
clamp 22 may require a key to open, a combination to open, or may
not open at all.
[0043] In other embodiments, container 20 may be constructed from a
single piece or from multiple pieces permanently attached.
Container 20 and/or lid 26 and base 24 may be made from plastic,
rubber, metal or any other suitable material. In the preferred
embodiment container 20 and/or lid 26 and base 24 are made from
injection molded plastic.
[0044] FIGS. 3 illustrates an isometric top view of one embodiment
of a container 20 for use with the refill system of FIG. 1. The top
of container 20 includes a locking mechanism 40 designed to prevent
access to the interior of the container 20 through opening 32.
Opening 32 is obstructed by a door 33 slideably contained behind
the opening 32. The door 33 may only be retracted by mating an
appropriately designed magazine 50 with a matching interface to the
top of container 20.
[0045] Because the interior of the container 20 is only accessible
through the opening 33 when a corresponding mating magazine 50 is
attached, foreign objects may not be loaded into the container.
However, it may be desirable to reload the container with
conforming soft-projectiles once all the soft-projectiles
originally loaded into the container 20 have been transferred into
the magazine 50.
[0046] In embodiments of the container 20 designed for use with
soft-projectiles made from a super-absorbent polymer, container 20
may include a second opening 35 designed to allow access to the
interior by soft-projectiles made from a SAP that have not been
hydrated yet. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the second opening is
comprised of a plurality of smaller openings in the form of a grate
or screen. However in other embodiments, the second opening may be
just a single small opening or a few small openings. By restricting
the second opening to be of a significantly small diameter, or a
plurality of openings of a significantly small diameter, access to
the interior of the container is restricted to objects of a small
diameter. Objects of a significantly small diameter than the
soft-projectiles designed to work with the soft-projectile
launchers do not work well and thus loading them into container 20
for use with such a launcher would be less desirable.
[0047] The diameter of the second opening 35 may be preferably less
than 3 mm or preferably between 1 mm and 3 mm, however, any size
opening 35 or plurality of openings 35 may be used. In a preferred
embodiment, the size of the opening 35 is substantially smaller
than the diameter of the soft-projectile designed to be transferred
from the container to the magazine and/or substantially smaller
than the preferred diameter of the soft-projectile designed to be
used with the projectile launcher of the corresponding magazine
50.
[0048] However as explained above, dehydrated soft-projectiles made
from a SAP may easily grow to 30-60 times their volume and thus are
extremely small in diameter in their dehydrated form, often less
than 1 mm. Consequently, soft-projectiles made from a SAP in their
dehydrated form may be loaded into the container 20 through the
second opening 35. Once the dehydrated SAPs are within the
container, water or another aqueous solution may be additionally
added to the container through the second opening to hydrate the
dehydrated SAPs. After the appropriate amount of time has passed,
the dehydrated SAPs will absorb the water and swell to their
appropriate volume for use with as soft-projectiles. Subsequently,
a magazine 50 designed for use with a projection device designed to
shoot soft-projectiles made from a SAP may be attached to the
container and the soft-projectiles may be transferred into the
magazine. Consequently, the embodiments of the system 10 designed
for use with soft-projectiles made from a SAP may be used to
restrict the use of soft-projectiles to only those formed from an
SAP.
[0049] In embodiments that receive dehydrated soft-projectiles,
water or another aqueous solution will need to be added to
container 20 in order to hydrate the SAPs and form the
soft-projectiles into their desired volume and shape. Once the
water is added to the container, the container may need to be left
for a period of time to allow the dehydrated soft-projectiles to
absorb the water. Once the dehydrated SAPs are fully hydrated, any
additional water may be drained from the container 20.
[0050] In another embodiment, container 20 does not have the second
opening 35 designed to allow dehydrated SAPs to pass into the
interior. In embodiments without second opening 35, the number of
soft-projectiles that may be extracted from the container may be
limited to the number of soft-projectiles that were originally
provided with the container 20. This type of embodiment may be
considered a limited refill container or a disposable refill
container. In such an embodiment, the container may still hold a
significantly larger number of soft-projectiles than a typical
magazine. In addition, the SAPs may come in the container 20
hydrated or dehydrated. If the soft-projectiles made from an SAP
are dehydrated, some form of access to the interior of the
container 20 to allow water to be added must be provided.
[0051] Container 20 is restricted to mating with only a magazine 50
that has a similar interface and/or locking mechanism. FIGS. 4A-4D
illustrate a magazine 50 with a corresponding locking mechanism 60.
FIG. 4A illustrates an isometric exterior view of a magazine 50.
FIG. 4B illustrates an exterior side view of the magazine of FIG.
4A. FIG. 4C illustrates an exterior bottom view of the magazine of
FIG. 4A. FIG. 4D illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the
magazine of FIG. 3A.
[0052] In order to make sure that only the authorized
soft-projectiles, such as ammunition made from a SAP, are used with
the corresponding projection device designed to launch such
ammunition, complimentary locking mechanisms 60 and 40 may be used
as part of both the magazine 50 and the container 20, respectively.
The complementary locking mechanisms 60 and 40 are designed to
prevent access to the interior of the magazine 50 and/or the
container 20 except when the two are mated together. The locking
mechanism 60 prevents loading of foreign objects into the magazine
50 and locking mechanism 40 prevents foreign objects from being
loaded into the container 20. Numerous types of locking mechanisms
may be used for complimentary locking mechanisms 60 and 40 without
departing from the scope of the present patent document. The
complimentary locking mechanisms 60 and 40 of the magazine 50 shown
in FIGS. 4A-4D and the container 20 shown in FIG. 5 are explained
below as examples of the types of complementary locking mechanisms
that may be used for magazine 50 and container 20, respectively
[0053] FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of a container 20 including a
locking mechanism 40 designed to mate with the complimentary
locking mechanism 60 of magazine 50 in FIGS. 4A-4D. In the
embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the features of the locking mechanism
40 are integrated into the lid 26. However, the locking mechanism
40 may be integrated into any part of the container 20. Both
locking mechanism 40 and 60 are designed to prevent unauthorized
access to the interior of their respective devices.
[0054] The embodiment of the magazine 50 shown in FIGS. 4A-4D
includes an opening 52. The mating container 20 includes a
corresponding opening 32 meant to mate with the opening 52 of the
magazine 50 when magazine 50 is engaged with container 20. When the
two parts are not engaged, both the opening 52 in the magazine 50
and the opening 32 in the container 20 are blocked by door 69 and
door 33 respectively. Both door 69 and door 33 are slideably
connected behind the corresponding openings, 52 and 32. For
example, the door 69 of the magazine 50 would be slideably
contained within slot 64 of magazine 50 shown in FIG. 4D.
Preferably the doors are biased by a spring or some other biasing
element to force them over their respective openings 52 and 32 when
the magazine 50 is engaged with the container 20.
[0055] When the magazine 50 is correctly mated with the container
20, the doors 69 and 33 are both retracted against the biasing
force of the springs so that they no longer block their respective
openings 52 and 32, and soft-projectiles may thus pass between the
container 20 and the magazine 50.
[0056] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the magazine 50
initially engages the corresponding locking mechanism 40 of the
container 20 forward of its final position and is then slid back
into its final position. However, when the user desires to release
the magazine 50 from the container 20, the user may reverse the
process by sliding the magazine forward so that it may be removed
from corresponding locking mechanism 40 of container 20.
[0057] The tabs 58 located on the bottom of the magazine 50
correspond to a set of flanges 38 on the corresponding locking
mechanism 40 of container 20 such that the magazine 50 must be
initially engaged forward of its final position and then slid back
into place. Once the magazine 50 is slid back into place on the
container 20, the tabs 58 are under the corresponding flanges 38.
The tabs 58 and the flanges 38 secure the magazine 50 to the
container 20.
[0058] As may be, seen by FIGS. 4A-4C, magazine 50 includes a key
61. As shown in FIG. 5, the corresponding locking mechanism 40 of
the container 20 includes a key 31. Furthermore, both the locking
mechanism 60 of magazine 50 and the corresponding locking mechanism
40 of the container 20 have a mating slot 63 and 43 respectively
designed to mate with keys 61 and 31. When the locking mechanisms
40 and 60 are initially mated, each of the keys 61 and 31 extends
through the corresponding slot 63 and 43 on the other locking
mechanism. More particularly, the key 61 located on the locking
mechanism 60 of magazine 50 extends through the slot 43 on the
locking mechanism 40 on container 20 at one end of the slot 43. The
key 31 located on the locking mechanism 40 of container 20 extends
through the slot 63 on the locking mechanism 60 on magazine 50 at
one end of the slot 63. Each of the keys 61 and 31 extends through
the corresponding slot and engages a key receiver in the door 33
and 69 of the other part specifically designed to mate with the
key. Accordingly, when the magazine 50 is slid back into its final
mating position on the corresponding locking mechanism 40 of
container 20, the key 61 on the magazine 50 pulls open the door 33
on the container 20. Similarly, the key 31 located on the container
20 pulls open the door 69 on the magazine 50. Thus once the
complimentary locking mechanisms 60 and 40 of magazine 50 and the
container 20 are mated, both doors 33 and 69 are pulled back
against the bias of their respective springs and the openings 52
and 32 are aligned and soft-projectiles may pass through without
interference by the doors 33 and 69.
[0059] Although as illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4D and 5 and discussed
above the key is shaped as a simple post and the doors 33 and 69
contain a key receiver in the shape of a hole, more complicated key
and key receiver combinations are possible. For example, similar to
the sophisticated notches on a car key or a house key, keys 61 and
31 may contain a more sophisticated design to further ensure that
the doors 33 and 69 are not open without the parts being engaged to
an authorized mating component. Similarly, the mating key receiver
for keys 61 and 31 may include the required sophistication to
ensure they are mating with a proper key. Furthermore, more than
one key may be incorporated into each part such that a plurality of
keys must mate in order to release the door.
[0060] In general, any type of keying system may be used to ensure
that the openings 52 and 32 remained blocked and are only opened
when complimentary locking mechanisms 60 and 40 are mated with an
approved corresponding part. As just one example, additional steps
may be required such as turning or sliding an additional switch
after the complimentary locking mechanisms 60 and 40 are engaged to
open doors 69 and 33. In yet another embodiment, the opening and
closing of the doors 69 and 33 are controlled by electronics and a
digital key may be exchanged when the complimentary locking
mechanisms 60 and 40 are mated to signal to a door driver to open
the doors 69 and 33 or allow the doors 69 and 33 to be opened.
[0061] A similar complimentary locking system to the one described
above between the magazine 50 and the container 20 was describe in
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/973,897 which is herein
incorporated by reference in its entirety. The complimentary
locking mechanism in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/973,897
was described with respect to a magazine and a projectile launching
device but is equally applicable for use between a container and a
magazine.
[0062] In one embodiment, the refill system described herein may be
sold in the form of a kit. The kit may include a container and
instructions for how to hydrate soft-projectiles made from an SAP
in the container. Other embodiments may also include a plurality of
pieces of dehydrated SAP for use as soft-projectiles once hydrated
in the container. Other embodiments of the kit may not come with
instructions at all but may simply be the container or the
container in combination with dehydrated pieces of SAP.
[0063] Although the inventions have been described with reference
to preferred embodiments and specific examples, it will readily be
appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications and
adaptations of the methods and devices described herein are
possible without departure from the spirit and scope of the
inventions as claimed hereinafter. Thus, it is to be clearly
understood that this description is made only by way of example and
not as a limitation on the scope of the inventions as claimed
below.
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