U.S. patent application number 14/562739 was filed with the patent office on 2015-06-11 for toy launcher and system therefor.
The applicant listed for this patent is NXT GENERATION, LLC. Invention is credited to Rudy D. Rodich.
Application Number | 20150159976 14/562739 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53270800 |
Filed Date | 2015-06-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150159976 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rodich; Rudy D. |
June 11, 2015 |
TOY LAUNCHER AND SYSTEM THEREFOR
Abstract
A toy launching system for launching a toy projectile, the toy
launching system having a hand portion shaped to fit over a user's
hand with a palm side and an opposite back side corresponding to
the user's hand, the hand portion further including a hand launch
structure fixed relative to the back side of the hand portion and
the hand launch structure having a forward side and a reward side
wherein the forward side faces the associated user's knuckles, the
forward side having a launch opening shaped to receive a rear end
of a projectile, the launching system further including a fluid
reservoir in fluid connection with the hand launch structure and a
fluid actuator fixed relative to the palm side of the hand portion,
the fluid actuator controlling a fluid flow between the fluid
reservoir and the hand launch structure to launch the
projectile.
Inventors: |
Rodich; Rudy D.; (Aurora,
OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NXT GENERATION, LLC |
Cleveland |
OH |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53270800 |
Appl. No.: |
14/562739 |
Filed: |
December 7, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61913521 |
Dec 9, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
124/64 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41B 11/66 20130101;
F41B 9/0034 20130101; F41B 11/89 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41B 11/66 20060101
F41B011/66; F41B 9/00 20060101 F41B009/00; F41B 11/89 20060101
F41B011/89 |
Claims
1. A toy hand launching system for launching a toy projectile, the
toy launching system comprising a hand portion that is shaped to
fit over at least a portion of an associated user's hand that
includes an associated palm and back hand sections of the
associated user's hand, the hand portion having a palm side
positionable over the associated palm section and an opposite back
side positionable over the associated back hand section of the
associated user's hand, the hand portion further including a launch
structure fixed relative to the back side of the hand portion, the
launch structure having a forward side and a reward side, the
forward side facing the associated user's knuckles and the rearward
side facing the associated user's wrist, the forward side having a
launch opening shaped to receive a rear end of an associated
projectile such that that a forward side of the projectile faces
toward the associated user's knuckles, the hand portion further
including a fluid reservoir in fluid connection with the launch
structure and a fluid reservoir actuator fixed relative to the palm
side of the hand portion, the fluid actuator controlling a fluid
flow between the fluid reservoir and the launch structure to launch
the projectile when the associate user squeezed their hand
closed.
2. The toy launching system of claim 1, wherein the fluid reservoir
includes a bladder positioned relative to the palm side of the hand
portion and the hand portion further includes a fluid line
extending between the bladder and the launch structure for the
fluid connection, and wherein the compression of the bladder
directs the fluid flow into the launch structure to launch the
projectile.
3. The toy launching system of claim 2, wherein the fluid line
includes an external line portion between the bladder and the
launch structure, the hand portion further including at least one
retention sleeve to at least partially secure the external line
relative to the hand portion.
4. The toy launching system of claim 3, wherein the hand portion is
formed by at least one fabric section and the launcher is fixed
relative to the at least one fabric sections, the launcher
structure being a rigid structure.
5. The toy launching system of claim 4, wherein the at least one
fabric section includes a palm patch, the bladder being positioned
below the palm patch.
6. The toy launching system of claim 4, wherein the at least one
fabric section includes elastic fabric sections such that the hand
portion has a form fitting configuration about the associated
user's hand.
7. The toy launching system of claim 6, wherein the at least one
fabric section further includes a palm patch, the bladder being
positioned below the palm patch.
8. The toy launching system of claim 7, wherein the hand portion
further includes at least one finger sheath corresponding to at
least one finger of the associated user's hand.
9. The toy launching system of claim 8, wherein the at least one
finger sheath includes a middle sheath and a ring finger sheath,
the launch opening being near at least one of the middle finger and
ring finger sheaths.
10. The toy launching system of claim 9, wherein the launch opening
is generally between the middle finger sheath and the ring finger
sheath.
11. The toy launching system of claim 1, wherein the hand portion
further includes at least one finger sheath corresponding to at
least one finger of the associated user's hand.
12. The toy launching system of claim 11, wherein the at least one
finger sheath includes a middle sheath and a ring finger sheath,
the launch opening being near at least one of the middle finger and
ring finger sheaths.
13. The toy launching system of claim 12, wherein the launch
opening is generally between the middle finger sheath and the ring
finger sheath.
14. The toy launching system of claim 1, further comprising a
separate pack portion and the pack portion being selectively
securable to the associated user's body, the pack portion including
the fluid reservoir, the pack portion further including a pump to
pressurize the fluid reservoir, the fluid actuator including a
trigger fixed relative to the hand portion.
15. The toy launching system of claim 14, wherein the trigger is
fixed relative to the palm side of the hand portion.
16. The toy launching system of claim 14, wherein the separate pack
portion is a separate back pack portion.
17. The toy launching system of claim 16, wherein the launch
structure is a hand launch structure, the separate back pack
portion includes a pack launch structure in addition to the hand
launch structure.
18. The toy launching system of claim 17, wherein the back pack
portion further includes a manifold having at least a first and a
second outlet, the first outlet being in fluid connection with the
hand launch structure and the second outlet being in fluid
connection with the pack launch structure, the back pack portion
further includes a pack trigger for the pack launch structure.
19. The toy launching system of claim 18, wherein the associated
projectile is a first projectile and the hand launch structure
configured to launch the first projectile, the system further
including a second projectile and the pack launch structure
configured to launch the second projectile.
20. The toy launching system of claim 14, further including a pack
line creating a fluid connection between the fluid reservoir and
the hand launch structure.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority to provisional patent
application Ser. No. 61/913,521 filed on Dec. 9, 2013, which is
incorporated by reference herein.
[0002] The invention of this application relates to toy launchers
and toy launching systems and, more particularly to a hand mounted
toy launcher that has been found to work particularly well with
foam projectiles and a toy launching system that can power the hand
launcher and other projectile launchers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Foam projectile launchers are known in the industry and have
been used by kids for many years. They come in many forms and can
look like real guns, futuristic guns or even unique shapes and
configurations.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,515,837 to Nin et al discloses a launch
structure for a projectile and is incorporated by reference for
showing the same. Published application Pub. No. 2011/0041821 to
Brown et al discloses a launch structure for a projectile and is
incorporated by reference for showing the same. U.S. Pat. No.
7,882,829 to Witzigreuter discloses a projectile launcher and is
incorporated by reference for showing the same. U.S. Pat. No.
7,537,001 to Ma discloses a toy gun for launching a dart and is
incorporated by reference for showing the same. Published
application Pub. No. 2012/0125307 to Brooks et al discloses a
launch structure for a projectile and is incorporated by reference
for showing the same. U.S. Pat. No. 8,057,309 to Mead et al
discloses a launch structure for a projectile and is incorporated
by reference for showing the same. U.S. Pat. No. 5,701,878 to Moore
et al discloses a launch structure for a projectile and is
incorporated by reference for showing the same. U.S. Pat. No.
5,605,140 to Griffin discloses a launch structure for a projectile
and is incorporated by reference for showing the same. Published
application Pub. No. 2006/0046877 to Gajda, Jr. discloses foam
projectiles and is incorporated by reference for showing the
same.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The invention of this application relates to toy projectiles
and toy projectile systems.
[0006] More particularly, the invention relates to a toy projectile
system or device that includes a hand projectile launcher
[0007] According to one set of aspects of the present invention,
provided is a shoulder mounted projectile launcher and a system for
the same.
[0008] According to another set of aspects of the present
invention, provided is a hand mounted launcher that is built into a
glove or hand structure that can be worn on the user's hand.
[0009] More particularly, the toy launcher of this embodiment
includes a glove or hand portion that is shaped to fit over a
user's hand and can include an air bladder positioned near the palm
of the glove. The launcher further includes a launch structure
shaped to receive a toy projectile wherein compressing the bladder
causes the toy projectile to be launched.
[0010] A toy launcher according to one aspect of the invention of
this application includes a launch structure that is positioned on
the back of the hand.
[0011] A toy launcher according to another aspect of the present
invention includes a launcher structure that is positioned between
the middle finger and ring finger of the user.
[0012] A toy launcher according to yet another aspect of the
present invention includes a glove structure wherein the ends of
the fingers of the glove are removed.
[0013] According to yet other aspects of the invention of this
application, provided is toy launcher comprising a glove that is
shaped to fit over a user's hand, the glove including a fluid
bladder positioned near the palm of the glove, a launch structure
on the back of the glove and a fluid line extending therebetween
such that the launch structure is in fluid communication with the
bladder. As a result, compression of the bladder directs the fluid
flow from the bladder into the launch structure and launches the
projectile. Further, the launch structure is shaped to receive one
or more desired toy projectiles or class of projectiles.
[0014] According to even yet other aspects of the invention of this
application, provided is toy launcher comprising a hand portion
that is strap like that is shaped to fit over a user's hand and
which includes at least one finger sheath to align the strap
relative to the hand.
[0015] According to another set of aspects of the present
invention, provided is a body pack that can be vest like and which
can have a number of features.
[0016] According to one aspect, the body pack can include an air
supply and the air supply can power one or more launchers including
the glove launcher described above.
[0017] According to another aspect, the body pack can include a
shoulder launching system and this shoulder launching system can
shoot different projectiles than the glove launcher.
[0018] According to yet another aspect, the body pack can include
an air manifold so that it can power multiple projectile
launchers.
[0019] According to other aspects, the body pack can include a wide
range of storage locations for projectile and/or other
supplies.
[0020] According to even yet another aspect, the body pack can be a
backpack having shoulder straps and/or a waist belt.
[0021] According to yet other aspects, the system can include a
water features such as a water cannon in combination with the
projectile launcher.
[0022] These and other objects, aspects, features and advantages of
the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon
a reading of the Detailed Description of the invention set forth
below taken together with the drawings which will be described in
the next section.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The invention may take physical form in certain parts and
arrangement of parts, a preferred embodiment of which will be
described in detail and illustrated in the accompanying drawings
which form a part hereof and wherein:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a back side a hand mounted
toy launcher according to certain aspects of the present
invention;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a bottom, palm side view of the toy launcher shown
in FIG. 1;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a top, back side view of the toy launcher shown in
FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 4 is a side view of the toy launcher shown in FIG. 1
wherein the bladder of the launcher is being compressed;
[0028] FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along lines 5-5 in FIG.
3;
[0029] FIG. 6 is a back side perspective view of another embodiment
of this application;
[0030] FIG. 7 is a palm side perspective view of another embodiment
of this application; and,
[0031] FIG. 8 is a back side perspective view of a pack style
launching system.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0032] Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for
the purpose of illustrating preferred and alternative embodiments
of the invention only and not for the purpose of limiting the same,
FIGS. 1-5 show a toy hand launcher 10 formed from a glove or hand
portion 12 and including a hand launcher 20 and a fluid actuator in
the form of a bladder 30.
[0033] Glove or hand portion 12 can be any configuration to
partially or fully cover a user's hand (right and/or left). In a
first set of embodiments discussed in this application, hand
portion 12 is a glove-like hand portion that can include a wide
range of features and configurations wherein the glove versions of
the invention of this application are not to be limited to a
particular type or style of glove. This can include full thumb and
finger sheaths (not shown) or partial finger and/or thumb sheaths
as is shown in the figures of this application. Further, it can
include a wide range of elastics, fabrics, meshes, stretch fabrics
and/or other materials to create a wide range of looks and/or
functions and/or fits for the glove on a range of hands. As will be
discussed more below, it can also include designs that are
essentially a strap configuration configured to extend about the
user's hand and maintain the hand launcher in position for use.
[0034] In greater detail, glove 12 of toy launcher 10 can include
thumb sheath 40, and finger sheaths 41-44. Thumb sheath 40 and/or
finger sheaths 41-44 can be partial sheaths, full sheaths and/or
combinations thereof. As will be discussed more below in relation
to other embodiments, the sheaths disclosed in this application
include a wide range of finger engaging structures. Glove 12 can be
made from a wide variety of materials including, but not limited
to, leather, faux leather, plastics and other materials known in
the glove art. While the toy launcher and the glove are shown to be
a right handed glove, the invention could be a left handed glove
and/or a combination of right and left handed glove launchers.
[0035] Glove 12 can further include a wrist band 50 that can be an
elastic wrist band to help maintain the glove on the user's hand.
Further, elastics and other materials can be utilized to help make
the glove fit on a wide range of hands to help reduce the sizes
needed for production. With respect to glove designs, any color
and/or material design could be used for the glove portion of the
invention of this application including, but not limited to, a
black glove, camouflaged patterns, greys, tans and other colors and
patterns used in the military arts and used by police forces.
Further, bright colors could also be used without detracting from
the invention of this application.
[0036] In the embodiments shown, the toy launcher includes bladder
30 positioned at or near a palm portion 32 of glove or hand portion
12 to allow the user to squeeze the bladder and produce a fluid
flow F in a fluid line 60. In a preferred embodiment, bladder 30 is
an air bladder and fluid line 60 is an air line joined between
bladder 30 and hand launcher 20. In greater detail, fluid line 60
extends between a first end 62 and a second end 64. First end is in
fluid connection with bladder 30 and second end is in fluid
connection with launcher 20 wherein a fluid flow F can be created
that is transmitted from bladder 30 to launcher 20. In operation,
the user uses their finger(s) to depress bladder 30 in palm portion
32. Depressing bladder 30 creates a fluid pressure in bladder 30
that is directed into first end 62 of line 60 as fluid flow F. Line
60 directs fluid flow F toward second end 64 where fluid flow F is
directed to and enters launcher 20. Then, fluid flow F can energize
a projectile 70 in launcher 20 to launch the projectile outwardly
from the launcher. When bladder 30 is released, Fluid flow
reverses, as is shown in FIG. 3.
[0037] Projectile 70 can be any projectile configuration known in
the art including, but not limited to foam darts of all sizes and
having any one of a number of projectile ends or tip configurations
72. The preferred projectile shown in the figures is a miniaturized
foam dart design that is better sized for the launcher of this
application, but a particular size is not required. The preferred
foam dart of this application has a length 74 and a diameter 76
wherein length 74 is between about 1.0 and 2.25 inches and diameter
76 is between about 0.25 and 0.75 inches. In yet another
embodiment, length 74 is between about 1.375 and 1.875 inches and
diameter 76 is between about 0.375 and 0.625 inches. In operation,
the user can load the projectile into launcher 20 by pushing
projectile 70 into opening 78 and, then, merely squeezing their
hand to compress bladder 30, which directs the air to launcher 20
by way of line 60 to launch dart 70.
[0038] Line 60 can be any fluid line known in the art capable of
directing a fluid flow. This can include, but is not limited to a
flexible plastic fluid line connected between the bladder and the
launcher. Yet further, line 60 can be joined to launcher 10 by any
fastening system known in the art that includes merely joined ends
62 and 64 to bladder 30 and launcher 20, respectively. Yet even
further, line 60 could be an internal line and/or an external line
and/or variations thereof. Yet further, glove or hand portion 12
can include one or more retention sleeves to help secure line 60
relative to glove 12 in a low profile configuration. As is shown,
launcher 10 includes a glove portion 12 that includes a first
retention sleeve 80 and a second retention sleeve 82. This
arrangement can control the position of the line, to prevent it
from being damage, to prevent it from getting kinked and/or to
improve the overall look of the toy. Again, line 60 can be formed
from any tubular material known in the art including flexible
plastic tubing. In yet other embodiments (not shown), line 60 can
be integrally formed into the glove itself (not shown). Further
yet, the line could be completely encapsulated by the glove to
prevent it from being visible during use. Further, while only two
retention sleeves are shown, one or more sleeves could be utilized.
Or, other attaching methods could be employed to secure line 60
relative to the glove without detracting from the invention of this
application.
[0039] Bladder 30 can come in many forms and can include an air
bladder concealed within the glove by a palm patch 90. As with
sleeves 80 & 82, patch 90 can be joined to the glove by any
method known in the art including, but not limited to, stitching 92
and adhesives (not shown). Further patch 90 and sleeves 80 & 82
can be formed by similar materials as glove 12 and in a similar
design even though that is not required. For example, sleeves 80
& 82 are similar to the material forming the glove while palm
patch 90 is formed by a different material color. Further, patch 90
can be formed out of a softer or more pliable material to increase
the transfer of energy to the bladder and reduce the force required
to compress bladder 30 and produce the necessary fluid flow F to
launch projectile 70.
[0040] Launcher 20 can be any launcher configuration known in the
art including those used in the well known NERF.RTM. toys. Launcher
20 includes a projectile holder 100 positioned on the back of the
hand. Holder can come in a wide range of shapes and sizes
including, but not limited to, the cylindrical holder shown. By
including the cylindrical holder show, the launcher can be
accurately aimed. Holder 100 includes a holder front end 102 and an
opposite holder rear end 104. Holder front end 102 includes
launcher opening 78 shaped to receive a projectile rear end 106 of
projectile 70. Projectile 70 has a projectile tip 72 that have any
one of a number of configurations, including the one shown in the
drawings. Holder rear end 104 that can be configured to receive
line 60 in order to communicate fluid flow F into the launcher when
the bladder is compressed. In the embodiment shown, second end 64
of line 60 is in fluid connection with holder 100.
[0041] Launch structure 20 can be joined to glove 12 by any method
known in the art. As is shown, launch structure 20 can include a
mounting arrangement 110 that can increase the durability of the
device and/or create a distinctive look for the toy. This also can
include the use of bright and/or distinguishing colors. Further toy
10 can include an aiming device or sight 116 to help aim the toy
and at a desired target. While sight 116 is shown as a single front
sight, the toy of this application could include a more traditional
front and back sight arrangement (not shown). Further, as is
discussed in greater detail below, toy launcher 10 could further
include a multi-sight configuration that include sight components
on different components including, but not limited to, one sight
component (such as a front sight) on holder 100 and a second sight
component (such as a rear sight) on a different component. As is
shown, the launcher can be generally centered on the back of the
hand. This can include, but is not limited to, a launcher that is
position near the middle finger or between the middle finger and
the ring finger. In yet other embodiments, toy 10 can include more
than one launcher (not shown).
[0042] In operation, the user first positions glove portion 12 on
his or her hand. Once the glove on the user's hand, the user
positions rear end 106 of projectile 70 into projectile holder 100
by way of opening 78. Then, the user can use their hand and sight
116 to aim the projectile launcher at a desired target. Then, a
squeeze of the hand will launch projectile 70 toward the target by
way of the fluid flow. By positioning the launcher on the outside
or back of the hand, launcher 20 does not interfere with squeezing
the bladder. In addition, this positioning increases the ability to
aim the toy at the desired target. Once bladder 30 is release,
fluid flow F is reversed thereby drawing air back into the bladder
by way of opening 78.
[0043] Toy launcher 10 can further include a forearm band 120 that
can include sight or aiming device 122. Further, forearm band 120
can include one or more projectile loops 130 to hold extra
projectiles 70. Forearm band 120 can be any band including, but not
limited to, an elastic band that can stretch over the user's hand.
In another embodiment, the band can include a fastening system,
such as a hook and loop style fastening system (not shown) to wrap
the band about the user's forearm.
[0044] With reference to FIGS. 6-8, shown is yet another set of
embodiments of the invention of this application. In these
embodiments, shown are a glove or hand portion 200 and a back pack
bladder system 210. As with the gloves discussed above, glove 200
is also a fluid powered glove or hand unit, preferably, an air
powered unit. However, in this set of embodiments, glove 200 can be
selectively connectable to an alternative air or fluid supply.
Thus, the bladder can be removed from the glove itself and/or could
work on combination with an air supply in pack 210. In one set of
embodiments, glove 200 can include a bladder that can be charged by
the air supply in pack 210 by way of fluid flow F1. In a preferred
embodiment, glove 200 can include anyone of the launcher systems
described above in combination with a fluid actuator in the form of
a trigger 214; in the interest of brevity, the launcher will not be
discussed in detail in this section. Glove 200 includes a feeder
line 220 that can include a quick connect 222 on its end that can
be fluidly connectable to an air supply system in pack 210 to
create fluid flow F1. Feeder line 220 is joined to glove 200 at
fluid connection 222 and glove can further include a second line
226 to direct a second fluid flow F2 to launcher 20. Therefore, the
glove itself does not need an air supply bladder. Conversely, glove
200 can include a trigger assembly 214 between fluid lines 220 and
226 to control fluid flow F2 to launcher 20. Any quick connect
known in the art could be used to join the glove to the pack and
any trigger assembly could be used without detracting from the
invention of this application. Further, while a "male" quick
connect is shown, fluid connection 222 could be a "male" or
"female" quick connect wherein feeder line 220 could be connected
to pack 210 and selectively connectable to glove 200. Trigger
assembly 214 can include, but is not limited to, a push button 215
located on the palm side of the glove in a location similar to the
bladders discussed above. The user can then use one of their
fingers to push button 215 to launch projectile 70 from launcher
20. As with other embodiments of this application, glove 200 could
include one or more retention sleeves 224 to help maintain lines
220 and/or 226 in position relative to glove 200.
[0045] Line 220 can be long enough to connect to a manifold 230 and
allow a free range of movement of the user's arm and hand. As is
shown, pack 210 can include multiple outlets or manifold 230a and
230b to allow more than one device to be joined thereto or to allow
glove to be a left and/or right handed glove. Yet even further,
pack 210 can include one or more extensions 232a and 232b that be
used to join devices, such as glove 200, to the pack's air system.
Again, glove 200 could include "female" fittings wherein fittings
238a and 238b could be configured to secure the air supply directly
to line connection 222 to direct a fluid flow from pack 210 to
glove 200.
[0046] According to yet other embodiments, lines 232a and/or 232b
could even be joined to a wide range of hand held guns (not shown)
to provide the fluid flow needed to operate the projectile fired
from the hand held toy guns. The hand held gun(s) can be any hand
held toy gun arrangement known in the art including, but not
limited to pistols, ray guns, rifles, shotguns and launchers.
Further, the launchers discussed above and below could be any
launchers known in the art without detracting from the invention of
this application. These include launchers that shoot foam
projectiles such as foam bullets and foam rockets. Yet even
further, while it is preferred that air be used in the system, the
system could also operate with pressurized water to provide both
the fluid energy to launch the projectiles and/or to provide a
water gun feature to the system wherein it is even contemplated
that the system would include both air and water fluid systems as
will be discussed more below.
[0047] Pack 210 can be a wide range of pack devices without
detracting from the invention of this application. This can
include, but is not limited to, a vest and a back pack. For the
back pack shown, pack 210 can include a waist belt 240 and can
include shoulder straps 242 and 244. Belt 240 and straps 242 and
244 can be used to secure the pack to the back of a user. These
securing devices can also be adjustable to allow the pack to be
used on a wide range of users. Further, pack 210, belt 240 and
straps 242 & 244 could come in a wide range of configurations
and utilize any pack arrangement known in the art without
detracting from invention of this application.
[0048] Pack 210 can further include an air reservoir 250 to store
an air or fluid supply and a pump 252 to create a pressure in
reservoir 250. Pump system 252 can be any pump system known in the
pump art that pressurizes the reservoir. Then, this pressurized air
can be directed to any of a number of launching systems including
the gloves discussed above. Pump system 252 can be pressurized by a
pump similar to that of a chemical sprayer or a bicycle pump. In
yet another embodiment, the pump can be a bladder style pump 256 to
reduce the amount of hard objects on the pack. As is shown, pump
256 could be positioned on the side of the pack toward the bottom
wherein it is easy to reach by the user when the vest is in an
operating condition on their back.
[0049] Pack 210 can further include its own launchers. For example,
pack 210 can include one or more shoulder launchers 260 that can
also be supplied by the air in reservoir 250. Further, the fluid
supply can be directed to the shoulder launcher by way of line 262
or by way of an internal line (not shown). The launching of the
projectile (not shown) from shoulder launcher 260 can be controlled
by a trigger similar to the gloves discussed above. This can
include, but is not limited to; a trigger 264 positioned on the
pack itself wherein the user can reach up and engage trigger 264 to
selectively launch the shoulder projectile. In yet another
embodiment (not shown), a hand held trigger could be utilized.
[0050] Pack 210 can further include a wide range of storage
devices. While not shown, these can include, but are not limited
to, projectile storage and general pocket storage for a wide range
of tools and equipment such as a compass, pocket knives and
flashlights. Essentially, any pack feature could be utilized in the
pack of this application without detracting from the invention of
this application.
[0051] Yet even further, pack 210 can include electrical devices
such as an electric pump (not shown), an electric shoulder laser
pointer 270 to help aim the shoulder launcher. This can further
include sound effects and the like to help make the system more
realistic.
[0052] As can be appreciated, lines 232 can run along the user's
arms and can include arm bands (not shown) to help maintain the
orientation of lines 410 along the user's arms. Further, the
shoulder straps of pack 210 can include projectile/dart holders
(not shown). Yet even further, air/fluid reservoir 250 could be a
hard walled container having a wide variety of shapes including
multiple reservoirs and shapes configured to create a contoured fit
with the user's back. Reservoir 250 could be one large air
reservoir that could be charged by a single pump and/or separated
reservoirs (not shown) that could be charged by separate pumps. Yet
even further, one reservoir could be filled with air while another
could be filled with water. Obviously, the two reservoirs do not
need to be side-by-side and could be over-and-under or inner and
outer to balance the system. In these embodiments, the pump system
could charge both reservoirs directly or could charge both
indirectly. For example only, the pump system could charge the air
reservoir and the air reservoir could then charge the water
reservoir. Yet further, the system could include one or more gauges
270 to help monitor the level of the charge. This can include a
pressure meter to monitor the amount of pressure in the system
and/or a fluid meter to monitor the fluid level for a system that
includes the use of water. For systems that include the use of
water, one glove launcher could be a projectile launcher while the
other glove launcher could be a water cannon (not shown). The pack
210 could further include pads (not shown) to make the system more
comfortable on the user's back.
[0053] According to yet other sets of embodiments, and as is noted
above, the glove or hand portion of the invention of this
application can come in a wide range of configuration without
detracting from the invention of this application. These can
include the wide range of glove-like structures referenced above
having full and/or partial finger and/or thumb sheaths. Yet
further, the hand portion of the invention of this application can
include strap-like configuration that can have little or no
finger/thumb sheaths. With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, shown is a
hand portion 300 that illustrates an example of a strap-like hand
portion that is defined by outline 302. In this set of embodiments,
the hand portion is essentially a strap portion 310 that includes
one or more finger sheaths 320 that can be ring like and are
configured primarily to position and/or maintain the position of
the hand portion relative to the user's hand. For this application,
a finger and/or thumb sheath is broadly defined to include a full
finger sheath, a partial finger sheath and even a finger ring like
structure. Further, this definition includes materials and/or
structures that are a continuation of the strap and/or glove
materials and/or separate materials or structures. For example
only, this can include, but is not limited to, a plastic ring
joined to the strap, hand or glove portion of the device. Yet
further, this can include finger sheaths that include finger tip
pockets (not shown) that have a strap that joins the finger pocket
to the glove or strap portion of the launcher. Yet even further,
hand portion can be formed by a palm section 330 and a back hand
section 332 that can be one continuous panel or multiple panels.
And, sheath(s) can be joined to both panels 330 and 332 or attached
to one panel only. One particular example embodiment contemplated
is a single or double finger pocket sheath arrangement (not shown)
that includes a strap(s) that joins the finger pocket to only back
panel 332.
[0054] This set of embodiments can utilize any embodiments
discussed above wherein a full discussion is not provided in the
interest of brevity. But, as is discussed in greater detail above,
wherein like reference numbers are being used for like items
discussed in greater detail above, hand portion 300 can include one
or more finger sheaths 320 that can be one or more partial or full
finger sheaths, tips or even rings. While not shown, it also could
include a thumb ring or sheath. Hand portion 300 also can be made
from a wide variety of materials including, but not limited to,
leather, faux leather, plastics and other materials known in the
glove art and can be right and/or left handed in configuration.
Further, strap portion 310 can be formed from an elastic material
or material portion to help maintain the hand portion on the user's
hand. Further, elastics and other materials can be utilized to help
make the device fit on a wide range of hands to help reduce the
sizes needed for production. Further, securing systems, such as
VELCRO.RTM. could be used to assist in securing the hand portion of
the invention of this application for any of the embodiments. As
with the other embodiments, any color and/or material design could
be used for the hand portion of the invention of this application
including, but not limited to, a black glove, camouflaged patterns,
greys, tans and other colors and patterns used in the military arts
and used by police forces. Further, bright colors could also be
used without detracting from the invention of this application.
[0055] As with the embodiments describe above, hand portion
includes bladder 30 positioned near a palm portion 32 to allow the
user to squeeze the bladder and produce the fluid flow F discussed
above in fluid line 60. Fluid line 60 still extends between first
end 62 and second end 64, but can extend beyond edge 302 of hand
portion 300. As with the other embodiments, in operation, the user
uses their finger(s) to depress bladder 30 in palm portion 32.
Depressing bladder 30 creates a fluid pressure in bladder 30 that
is directed into first end 62 of line 60 as fluid flow F. Line 60
directs fluid flow F toward second end 64 where fluid flow F is
directed to and enters launcher 20. Then, fluid flow F can energize
a projectile 70 in launcher 20 to launch the projectile outwardly
from the launcher. Functionally, the operation is the same, but the
hand portion is only modified to streamline and/or minimize the
hand portion wherein this set of embodiments is primarily intended
to show alternative configuration that are covered and/or
contemplated for the invention of this application. As can be
appreciated, retention sleeves 80 and/or 82 could be modified to
fit within the reduced hand portion and/or eliminated.
[0056] While considerable emphasis has been placed on the preferred
embodiments of the invention illustrated and described herein, it
will be appreciated that other embodiments, and equivalences
thereof, can be made and that many changes can be made in the
preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the
invention. Furthermore, the embodiments described above can be
combined to form yet other embodiments of the invention of this
application. Accordingly, it is to be distinctly understood that
the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as
illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.
* * * * *