Pneumatic toy launcher with a flexible barrel
US8517004B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 19, 2011 |
| Grant date | Aug 27, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 19, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF41B11/66
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A toy system for launching a soft dart projectile. The dart projectile has a flexible shaft. A pneumatic launcher is used to launch the dart projectile. The pneumatic launcher contains an air pulse generating system that displaces air through a flexible barrel. The flexible barrel defines an internal conduit that extends between a first end and a second end. The second end of the flexible barrel is sized to receive the shaft of the dart projectile. The flexible barrel is fabricated from a flexible closed-cell foam that enables said flexible barrel to bend at least ninety degrees without blocking airflow through its internal conduit. As a result, the toy pneumatic launcher can be directed in a first direction, while the barrel is bent to fire in a second direction. The flexible barrel has features that prevent the dart projectile from binding in the barrel when the barrel is bent.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.