Toy launch apparatus with multiple improvised projectile checking and locking methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11466958-B2
Application number	US-202117161005-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 28, 2021
Priority date	Mar 26, 2019
Publication date	Oct 11, 2022
Grant date	Oct 11, 2022

Abstract

An improvised projectile checking housing assembly having latch button and first and second sidewalls with first and second catch apertures opening as a catch latch recess of elongated structure using an improvised projectile checking spring opening to receive a locking key structure based upon the projectile receiving opening to the improvised projectile checking housing assembly. Alternate rearward translating lock gauge at the backside of a dart drum uses a follower and engaging cam surfaces locking and unlocking a pathway for correct dart alignment. Alternate motorized, non-motorized and pneumatic structures are disclosed with apparatus launch operations moving between checking and non-checking positions.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A toy launch apparatus with multiple improvised projectile checking and locking features, comprising:
a projectile retaining element having a front side and a backside on the toy launch apparatus for receiving projectiles therein at the backside of the projectile retaining element;
a projectile propelling mechanism forward the projectile retaining element for propelling the received projectiles from the front side of the projectile retaining element;
an improvised projectile checking lock gauge supported with the toy launch apparatus rearward the projectile retaining element where said gauge is disposed to translate alongside the projectiles received at the backside of the projectile retaining element for checking the outer diameter of received projectiles; and
a catch at said gauge preventing advancing of the projectile forward in the projectile retaining element.

2. The toy launch apparatus of claim 1 , comprising:
a follower housing configured to reciprocate adjacent and rearward the backside of the projectile retaining element and towards the front side thereof; and
a pusher coupled to the follower housing for advancing projectiles received at the backside of the projectile retaining element.

3. The toy launch apparatus of claim 2 , comprising:
a pathway at the pusher cooperatively positioned in relation to the catch at said gauge where said gauge having translated alongside the projectile to confirm the outer diameter of a verified projectile allows the pathway of the pusher to pass the catch of said gauge and advance the projectile forward in the projectile retaining element; and
at least one latch at the pusher positioned to lock in relation to the catch of said gauge with said gauge improperly translated rearward the projectile retaining element in the absence of a verified projectile preventing the pathway of the pusher to pass the catch of said gauge and preventing advancing of the projectile forward in the projectile retaining element.

4. The toy launch apparatus of claim 3 , comprising:
a linkage in the toy launch apparatus for moving the follower housing.

5. The toy launch apparatus of claim 4 , comprising:
a cam surface to translate said gauge with said follower housing configured to reciprocate with the linkage moving the follower housing where the catch at said gauge locks the pusher in relation to alignment having the pathway at the pusher cooperatively positioned in relation to the catch at said gauge with said gauge having translated.

6. The toy launch apparatus of claim 4 , comprising:
a cam surface to translate said gauge with said follower housing configured to reciprocate with the linkage moving the follower housing;
a pathway at the pusher cooperatively positioned in relation to the catch at said gauge where said gauge having translated alongside the projectile to confirm the outer diameter of the verified projectile allows the pathway of the pusher to pass the catch of said gauge and advance the projectile forward in the projectile retaining element; and
at least one latch at the pusher positioned to lock in relation to the catch of said gauge with said gauge improperly translated rearward the projectile retaining element in the absence of the verified projectile preventing the pathway of the pusher to pass the catch of said gauge and preventing advancing of the projectile forward in the projectile retaining element.

7. The toy launch apparatus of claim 3 , wherein:
the verified projectile comprises a rearward step structure.

8. The toy launch apparatus of claim 7 , wherein:
the verified projectile is positioned at the projectile retaining element adjacent the improvised projectile checking lock gauge thereof.

9. The toy launch apparatus of claim 8 , wherein:
the improvised projectile checking lock gauge allows the verified projectile with the corresponding step present at the improvised projectile checking lock gauge.

10. The toy launch apparatus of claim 7 , wherein:
the verified projectile comprises a plurality of fins for positioning adjacent the improvised projectile checking lock gauge.

11. The toy launch apparatus of claim 7 , wherein:
the verified projectile comprises a rearward nub for positioning adjacent the improvised projectile checking lock gauge.

12. A toy launch apparatus with multiple improvised projectile checking and locking features, comprising:
a projectile retaining element having a front side and a backside on the toy launch apparatus for receiving projectiles therein at the backside of the projectile retaining element;
a projectile propelling mechanism forward the projectile retaining element for propelling the received projectiles from the front side of the projectile retaining element;
an improvised projectile checking lock gauge supported with the toy launch apparatus rearward the projectile retaining element where said gauge is disposed to translate alongside the projectiles received at the backside of the projectile retaining element for checking the outer diameter of received projectiles;
a follower housing configured to reciprocate adjacent and rearward the backside of the projectile retaining element and towards the front side thereof;
a linkage in the toy launch apparatus for moving the follower housing;
a pusher coupled to the follower housing for advancing projectiles received at the backside of the projectile retaining element; and
a catch at said gauge preventing advancing of the projectile forward in the projectile retaining element.

13. The toy launch apparatus of claim 12 , comprising:
a pathway at the pusher cooperatively positioned in relation to the catch at said gauge where said gauge having translated alongside the projectile to confirm the outer diameter of a verified projectile allows the pathway of the pusher to pass the catch of said gauge and advance the projectile forward in the projectile retaining element; and
at least one latch at the pusher positioned to lock in relation to the catch of said gauge with said gauge improperly translated rearward the projectile retaining element in the absence of a verified projectile preventing the pathway of the pusher to pass the catch of said gauge and preventing advancing of the projectile forward in the projectile retaining element.

14. The toy launch apparatus of claim 13 , comprising:
a cam surface to translate said gauge with said follower housing configured to reciprocate with the linkage moving the follower housing where the catch at said gauge locks the pusher in relation to alignment having the pathway at the pusher cooperatively positioned in relation to the catch at said gauge with said gauge having translated.

15. The toy launch apparatus of claim 12 , comprising:
a cam surface to translate said gauge with said follower housing configured to reciprocate with the linkage moving the follower housing;
a pathway at the pusher cooperatively positioned in relation to the catch at said gauge where said gauge having translated alongside the projectile to confirm the outer diameter of a verified projectile allows the pathway of the pusher to pass the catch of said gauge and advance the projectile forward in the projectile retaining element; and
at least one latch at the pusher positioned to lock in relation to the catch of said gauge with said gauge improperly translated rearward the projectile retaining element in the absence of a verified projectile preventing the pathway of the pusher to pass the catch of said gauge and preventing advancing of the projectile forward in the projectile retaining element.

16. A me

Assignees

• Hasbro Inc

Inventors

• Bernal Dennis

Classifications

• F41B11/64

  having a piston effecting a compressor stroke during the firing of each shot · CPC title

• F41B11/70

  Details not provided for in F41B11/50 or F41B11/60 · CPC title

• F41B11/89

  for toys · CPC title

• F41B11/73

  Sealing arrangements; Pistons · CPC title

• F41B11/54

  the projectiles being stored in a rotating drum magazine · CPC title