Underdeveloped hands assistive technology providing projectiles launch handling tools and methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023184509-A1
Application number	US-202218080236-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 13, 2022
Priority date	Dec 14, 2021
Publication date	Jun 15, 2023
Grant date	—

Abstract

Assistive apparatus including four subcomponents including: holding down the rev trigger, pulling the launch trigger, stabilizing the blaster, and supporting the weight of a toy projectile launcher outer housing. An energy source is mounted in the outer housing for activating with a power/rev trigger. A rotatable panel and a strap/band mount to the grip portion of the outer housing for activating the power trigger. A wrist structure/launching trigger wristband loop mounted to the grip portion of the outer housing for activating the trigger. A balancing structure/weight bearing stabilizer mounts to the outer housing for holding the forward portion of the outer housing, and a shoulder/body strap having a first end for engaging the first connector and a second end for engaging the second connector.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A toy projectile launcher, comprising:
an outer housing having a grip portion and an exit opening; launching apparatus disposed within the outer housing, the launching apparatus being engageable with a projectile; an energy source; a power trigger disposed on the outer housing and in communication with the energy source; a launch trigger disposed on the grip portion of the outer housing and in communication with the launching apparatus; and a resilient band disposed relatively immovably on the grip portion to biasedly provide continuous actuation of the power trigger thereon; wherein the continuous actuation of the power trigger provides continuous energy to the launching apparatus such that when the launch trigger is actuated, the energized launching apparatus transfers energy to the projectile so as to impart velocity to the projectile relative to the housing to launch the projectile through the exit opening and out of the housing.

2 . The toy projectile launcher in accordance with claim 1 , comprising a body strap for connecting to the outer housing at two distinct points thereof and configured for wrapping around a torso portion of a user such that the torso portion supports some of the weight of the toy projectile launcher while in use by the user.

3 . The toy projectile launcher in accordance with claim 1 , comprising a weight-bearing stabilizer component disposed on the outer housing for balancing while in use by the user.

4 . The toy projectile launcher in accordance with claim 3 , wherein the weight-bearing stabilizer component disposed is on the outer housing for interacting a user body portion to permit at least some weight of the launcher to be supported thereby to facilitate balancing and aiming the launcher.

5 . The toy projectile launcher in accordance with claim 1 , comprising a weight-bearing stabilizer component disposed on the outer housing for interacting with at least one of a user palm, other hand or arm portion.

6 . The toy projectile launcher in accordance with claim 5 , wherein the weight-bearing stabilizer component is disposed to permit at least some weight of the launcher to be supported by said palm or other hand or arm portion and to facilitate balancing and aiming the launcher.

7 . The toy projectile launcher in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the resilient band may be initially loosely fitted around the grip portion before being tightened to effectuate actuation of the power trigger.

8 . The toy projectile launcher in accordance with claim 7 , wherein the resilient band disengaging from actuation of the power trigger will cause an audible cue to a user using the launcher.

9 . The toy projectile launcher in accordance with claim 1 , comprising a rotatable panel for activating the power trigger.

10 . A toy projectile launcher, comprising:
an outer housing having a grip portion and an exit opening; launching apparatus disposed within the outer housing, the launching apparatus being engageable with a projectile; an energy source; a power trigger disposed on the outer housing and in communication with the energy source; a launch trigger disposed on the grip portion of the outer housing and in communication with the launching apparatus; and a wristband component wearable on a wrist or other arm portion of a user, the wristband component being connected to the launch trigger such that it can actuate the launch trigger; wherein when the power trigger is actuated, the energy source provides energy to the launching apparatus, and when the launch trigger is subsequently actuated, the energized launching apparatus transfers energy to the projectile so as to impart velocity to the projectile relative to the housing to launch the projectile through the exit opening in the housing.

11 . The toy projectile launcher in accordance with claim 10 , comprising a body strap for connecting to the outer housing at two distinct points thereof and configured for wrapping around a torso portion of the user such that the torso portion supports some of the weight of the toy projectile launcher while in use by the user.

12 . The toy projectile launcher in accordance with claim 10 , comprising a weight-bearing stabilizer component disposed on the outer housing for interacting with at least one of a user palm, other hand or arm portion to permit at least some weight of the launcher to be supported by said palm or other hand or arm portion and to facilitate balancing and aiming the launcher.

13 . The toy projectile launcher in accordance with claim 10 , wherein the wristband is adjustable to variably fit the wrist or the arm portion.

14 . The toy projectile launcher in accordance with claim 10 , wherein the wristband component is pulled by the user in generally the same direction as the launch trigger is thereby moved to cause the energized launching apparatus to transfer energy to the projectile.

15 . A method of using a toy projectile launcher having an outer housing with a grip portion and an exit opening, launching apparatus disposed within the outer housing, the launching apparatus being engageable with a projectile, an energy source, a power trigger disposed on the outer housing and in communication with the energy source, a launch trigger disposed on the grip portion of the outer housing and in communication with the launching apparatus, the method comprising:
placing a resilient band on the grip portion to biasedly provide continuous actuation of the power trigger thereon; placing a wristband component on a wrist or other arm portion of the user, the wristband component being disposed for interacting with the launch trigger such that it can actuate the launch trigger; and moving the wrist or other arm portion to cause the wristband component to selectively actuate the launch trigger; wherein the continuous actuation of the power trigger provides continuous energy to the launching apparatus such that when the launch trigger is actuated, the energized launching apparatus transfers energy to the toy projectile so as to impart velocity to the projectile relative to the housing to launch the projectile through the exit opening and out of the housing.

16 . The method in accordance with claim 15 , comprising the steps of connecting a body strap to the outer housing at two distinct points thereof and wrapping the strap around a torso portion of the user such that the torso portion supports some of the weight of the toy projectile launcher while in use by the user.

17 . The method in accordance with claim 15 , comprising the steps of wearing a weight-bearing stabilizer component on at least one of a user palm, other hand or arm portion and engaging the weight-bearing stabilizer component with the outer housing to permit at least some weight of the launcher to be supported by the palm or other hand or arm portion and to facilitate balancing and aiming the launcher.

18 . The method in accordance with claim 17 , wherein said weight-bearing stabilizer component engages the outer housing at a front portion thereof.

19 . The method in accordance with claim 15 , wherein the resilient band is initially loosely placed around the grip portion and then is subsequently tightened to effectuate actuation of the power trigger.

20 . The method in accordance with claim 15 , wherein the wristband component is initially loosely placed on a wrist or other arm portion of the user and then is subsequently tightened to effectuate better securement of the wristband co

Assignees

• Hasbro Inc

Inventors

• Martin Kristen Joy
• Thorpe Jillianne Michaela
• Fisher Ford Lee
• Hrvojevic Daniel
• Myers Madison

Classifications

• F41B15/00 Primary

  Weapons not otherwise provided for {, e.g. nunchakus, throwing knives} · CPC title

• F41B7/08 Primary

  Toy guns {, i.e. guns launching objects of the gliding type, e.g. airplanes, parachute missiles (F41B7/006 and F41B7/02 take precedence)} · CPC title

• F41B11/89

  for toys · CPC title

• F41C33/001

  Shooting harnesses; Stabilising devices, e.g. straps on the body (balancing arrangements on the gun itself F41C27/22) · CPC title