Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TOY CROSSBOW PROJECTILE LAUNCHER WITH EXTENDABLE BODY
AND SAFETY RELEASE
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
In general, the present invention relates to toy
crossbow systems that project toy arrows into flight.
More particularly, the present invention relates to
the structure of toy projectile launchers and the
mechanisms for loading and releasing projectiles.
BACKGROUND ART
Crossbows that are designed for child's play have
existed since the Middle Ages. In the modern era, toy
crossbows typically have a plastic molded body and an
elastic string. The string is drawn along a rail on
the toy's body and. is locked to a trigger. Arrows,
sometimes referred. to as "bolts", are launched by
placing the arrow on the rail in front of the drawn
string. The trigger is released, therein causing the
string to move forward and propel the arrow into
flight.
Due to the nature of its design, any crossbow,
including toy crossbows, are capable of launching most
any object that is placed on the rail in front of the
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string. Although a toy crossbow may be sold with
safety projectiles, a child can easily launch a stick
or a metal-cast. toy model with equal ease. It will
therefore be understood that even toy crossbows can
become dangerous if loaded with unsafe projectiles and
used in an unwise fashion.
Another problem with toy crossbows is their
tendency to misfire after being used for a period of
time. Toy crossbows mostly have an all-plastic
construction. In most crossbow designs, the string of
the crossbow must be drawn and set into the trigger
catch before the projectile is set in place. This
produces a significant amount of wear against the
plastic trigder catch. As the plastic trigger catch
begins to wear, it diminishes in size. This tends to
cause the string to slip from the trigger catch and
fire before the projectile is set or before the
projectile can he directed toward a safe target.
Consequently, the toy crossbow can become an unsafe
product.
A need therefore exists for a toy crossbow design
that enables the toy crossbow to shoot only the safety
projectiles that are packaged with the toy crossbow.
Furthermore, a need exists for a crossbow design that
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improves the trigger mechanism in a manner that
inhibits misfiring. These needs are met by the present
invention as described and claimed below.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a. toy projectile
launcher assembly- in the form of a crossbow. The
crossbow launches safety projectiles. Only authorized
safety projectiles that are packaged with the toy can
be launched. The crossbow is incapable of firing
ordinary objects, even arrows, that are unauthorized.
The toy crossbow has a launcher body of a
predetermined length. The launcher body has a handle
at a first end and diverging support arms at an
opposite second end. An adjustment mechanism is
contained within the launcher body for selectively
adjusting the predetermined length of the launcher
body. This selectively controls the draw length needed
to load projectiles.
The crossbow has diverging support arms. Bow arms
are attached to the support arms. The bow arms pivot
from retracted positions to extended positions when a
projectile is loaded into the toy- crossbow.
Furthermore, the toy crossbow has elastic loops in
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place of a drawstring. The elastic loops can only
engage specialized safety projectiles that have side
hooks for engaging the elastic loops.
The trigaer mechanism provided with the toy
crossbow also can only engage the safety projectiles
provided with the toy. The safety projectiles have
rear tabs with keyholes. The trigger mechanism
provides a catch that fits into the keyhole and.
engages the projectile to hold it in a loaded position.
Projectiles without the specific tab and keyhole
cannot be loaded into the toy crossbow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of the present
invention, reference is made to the following
description of an exemplary embodiment thereof,
considered Inconjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary
embodiment of a toy crossbow assembly and safety
projectile in combination;
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FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the embodiment of
Fig. 1;
FIG. 3 is a top view of the combination of Fig.1
having the projectile loaded into the toy crossbow
assembly; and
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the laucher
body of the toy crossbow assembly showing the internal
length adjustment mechanism and trigger mechanism_
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF BEST MODE FOR CARRYING
OUT THE INVENTION
Although the present invention toy crossbow can
be embodied in many ways, only one exemplary
embodiment of the present invention toy crossbow is
illustrated. The exemplary embodiment has been
selected in order to set forth the best mode
contemplated for the invention. The illustrated
embodiment, however, is merely exemplary and should
not be considered a limitation when interpreting the
scope of the appended claims.
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Referring to Fig. 1 in conjunction with Fig. 2, a
first exemplary embodiment of a toy crossbow assembly
is shown. The toy crossbow assembly 10 has a
complex body 12 that enables the body 12 to be
5 selectively configured into different shapes as the
toy crossbow assembly 10 is loaded, cocke:i and fired.
The body 12 includes a. Y-shaped section 14. The 1-
shaped section 14 has a hollow base 16 that leads into
two diverging support arms 18. The hollow base 16
10 extends along a linear first axis 20. The two support
arms 18 curve upwardly above the first axis 20 as they
diverge.
A pivot post 22 extends upwardly from each of the
support arms 18. The pivot posts 22 are parallel to
each other and generally perpendicular to the line of
the first axis 20.
The crossbow body 12 also contains a handle
section 24. The handle section 24 has 2, straight
segment 26 that is sized to pass into the hollow base
16 of the Y-shaped section 14 in a telescoping manner.
As will later be explained in more detail, the
straight segment 26 can move reciprocally within the
hollow base 16 of the Y-shaped section 14. Furthermore,
the straight segment 26 can be selectively locked into
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place within the hollow base 16 at different points.
As such, the body 1.2 of the toy crossbow assembly 10
has an overall body length that can be selectively
altered by advancing and retreating the straight
segment 26 of the handle section 24 into, and out of,
The hollow- base 16 of the Y-shaped section 14.
Two crossbow arms 30 are provided. Each of the
crossbow arms 30, has a first end 28, a second end 29,
and a pivot hole 32 disposed near the first end. 28.
The pivot hole 32 is sized to pass onto the pivot post
22 that extends vertically from the Y-shaped section
14 of the crossbow body 12. Once the pivot holes 32 of
a crossbow arms 30 are connected to the pivot posts 22,
the crossbow arms 30 are free to rotate about the
pivot posts 22 through a limited range. The range of
rotational movement is controlled by mechanical stops
34 that are formed. into the Y-shaped section 14 of the
body 12 and. the crossbow arms 30. The mechanical stops
34 enable a rotational range of motion of between
seventy degrees and 110 degrees. This enables the
crossbow arms 30 to pivot about the pivot posts 22
from a fully retracted position to a fully extended
position. In the fully retracted position, such as is
shown in Fig. 1, the crossbow arms 30 are generally
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aligned in parallel with the first axis 20 of the
handle section 24 of the body 12. Conversely, when the
crossbow arms 30 afe in the fully extended position,
such as is shown in Fig. 3, the crossbow arms 30
rotate to an orientation that is near perpendicular to
the first axis 20 of the handle section 24.
A torsion spring 35 is provided around each of
the pivot posts 22. The torsion springs 35 provide a
spring bias to the crossbow arms 30 that bias the
crossbow arms 30 into the fully retracted position
shown in Fig. I. It will therefore be understood that
when the crossbow arms 30 are moved to the fully
extended position, such as is shown in Fig. 3, the
torsion springs 35 are moved against their bias and
store spring energy.
Referring to Fig. 3 in conjunction. with both Fig.
1 and Fig. 2, it can be seen that elastic loops 36
extend from first ends 28 of the crossbow arms 30. The
elastic loops 36 are fabricated from an elastic
material, such as rubber tubing, or an elastomeric
material such as a TPR polymer. When the crossbow arms
are in the fully retracted position, the two
elastic loops 36 extend near each other at the front
of the toy crossbow assembly 10.
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=
The toy crossbow assembly 10 is part of an
overall toy system that includes specially formed
safety projectiles 40. Each safety projectile 40 is a
simulated arrow that has a head 42, a shaft 44 and a.
tail 46. The head 42 of each safety projectile 40 is
preferably made of a foam rubber or similar low-
density polymer formulation for safety. The head 42 of
the safety projectile 40 can be blunt or can be formed
as a suction cup.
Hooks 48 are formed on the head 42 of the safety
projectile 40 near the rear of the head 42. The hooks
48 extend from opposite sides of the head 42. The
shaft 44 extends from the head 42 to the rear of the
overall projectile 40. At the rear of the safety
projectile 40, the shaft terminates with a flattened
tab 50. On the flattened tab 50 is formed one or more
key holes 52. The key holes 52 preferably have a
complex shape in the form of a. complex polygon or an
asymmetrical polygen. The complex shape of the key
holes 52 helps ensure that only the safety projectile
40 is loadable into the toy crossbow assembly 10, as
is explained below.
From Fig. 3, it can be seen that in order to load
the safety projectile 40 into the toy crossbow
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assembly 10, the hooks 48 on the safety projectile 40
are engaged with the elastic loops 36. The safety
projectile 40 is then pulled in the direction of the
first axis 20 until the tab 52 of the projectile 40
reaches a protruding catch 54. The protruding- catch 54
. is straight, yet has a. cross-sectional profile that
matches the complex shape of the key hole 52 on the
tab 50 of the safety projectile 40. This enables the
protruding catch 54 to pass into the key hole 52 and
.10 mechanically engage the tab 50 of the safety
projectile 40. If a projectile does not have a key
hole or a key hole of the proper shape, then the
protruding catch 54 would have no be able to engage
the projectile. It will therefore be understood that
the protruding catch 54 is specific to the safety
pro-jectile 40 provided and will not engage sticks,
tinker toys, arrows from other toys, or any other
unsafe projectile.
As the hooks 48 from the safety projectile 40
engage the elastic' loops 36, the safety projectile 40
applies tension to the elastic loops 36 and begins to
stretch the elastic loops 36. As tension is applied to
the elastic loops 36, the elastic loops 36 cause the
crossbow arms 30 to pivot about the pivot posts 22 and
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rotate from the fully retracted position toward the
fully extended position. The safety projectile 40
eventually is connected to the protruding catch 54.
Once the safety projectile 40 is engaged with. the
protruding catch 54, the toy crossbow assembly 10 is
loaded, cocked, and ready for firing.
The velocity at which the safety projectile 40 is
launched is directly proportional to the tension
experienced by the elastic loops 36. The greater the
tension, the more energy is stored by the elastic
loops 36 and the greater the release velocity. To
selectively control the tension in the elastic loops
36, the handle section 24 of the body 12 can be
extended. As has been previously mentioned, the handle
section 24 of the crossbow body 12 is reciprocally
extendable from the Y-shaped section 14. By extending
the handle section 24, the protruding catch 54 can be
moved farther away from the elastic loops 36.
Consequently, the elastic loops 36 are forced to
stretch longer as the handle section 24 is extended on
the toy crossbow assembly 10.
By providing a handle section 24 that can be
selectively extended, the launching power of the toy
crossbow assembly 10 can be controlled by the user.
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The toy crossbow assembly 10 can therefore be adjusted
for both safe indoor play and outdoor play. Likewise,
the launching power can be adjusted for use with
safety projectiles 40 of different weights.
Referring to Fig. 4 in conjunction with Fig. 2,
an exemplary trigger mechanism 60 and exemplary length
adjustment mechanism 70 for the toy crossbow assembly
are shown. The length adjustment mechanism 70 is a
simple pivot latch. A button 72 is provided on the
10 exterior of the Y-shaped section 14. The button 72
depresses a spring loaded latch 74 when depressed. The
latch 74 engages ridges 76 on the straight segment 26
of the handle section 24. The latch 74 is disengaged
when the button 72 is pressed. This enables the
straight segment 26 to freely move back and forth
within the Y-shaped section 14. Once adjusted to the
proper overall length, the button 72 is released_
The trigger mechanism 60 includes a trigger pull
62. The protruding catch 54 is set in a slot and is
biased into its protruding condition by a spring 64.
When the trigger pull 62 is manually depressed, the
trigger pull 62 moves a cam finger 66. The cam finger
66 engages the protruding catch 54 and moves the
protruding catch 54 against the bias of the spring 64.
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This causes the top of the protruding catch 54 to
retract into the handle section 24 and disengage any
safety projectile 40 it may have been retaining.
It is preferred that the trigger mechanism 60
also contains a safety lock 68 that prevents the
trigger mechanism 60 from being- inadvertently
activated. The preferred safety- lock 68 has a.
secondary finger pull 69. In order to pull the main
trigger pull 62, the secondary finger pull 69 must
first be manually pulled. If not pulled, the safety
lock 68 prevents the primary trigger pull 62 from
moving when pulled.
Referring to all figures, it will be understood
that in order to utilize the crossbow assembly 10, a
person takes the crossbow assembly 10 and maneuvers
the safety projectile 40 until the hooks 48 on the
safety projectile 40 engage the elastic loops 36. Only
a projectile with properly spaced hooks will work to
engage the elastic loops 36. This interconnects the
safety projectile 40 with the elastomeric loops 36 of
the toy crossbow assembly 10. The safety projectile 40
is then manually grasped and pulled rearwardly along
the first axis 20. This causes the elastic loops 36 to
stretch and store energy. It also causes the crossbow
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arms 30 to rotate against the spring bias of the
torsion springs 35 and store further energy. The tab
50 of the safety projectile 40 is then engaged with
the protruding catch 54 of the trigger mechanism 60.
Again, only a projectile with the properly configured
tab will be able to engage the protruding catch 54.
The tension in the elastic loops 36 can be
increased by extending the handle section 24 of the
crossbow body 12. This increases the overall length Li
of the body 12 and makes the elastic loops 36 stretch
farther. Once a desired degree of stretch is applied
to the elastic loops 36, the trigger mechanism 60 is
primed by pressing the secondary finger pull 69 of the
safety lock 68. The toy crossbow assembly 10 is then
aimed and the primary trigger pull 62 is engaged. This
retracts the protruding catch 54 and releases the
safety projectile 40 into flight.
It will be understood that the embodiment of the
present invention that is illustrated and described is
merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art
can make many variations to that embodiment. For
instance, the bow structure can have many different
ornamental shapes. Likewise, the arrow projectiles can
be configured as airplanes, rocket ships or any other
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flying projectile. All such embodiments are intended
to be included within the scope of the present
invention as defined by the claims.
