Launch apparatus for toy discs with disc flip mechanism
AssigneeHasbro, Inc.
InventorMark Alan Poirier
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A toy pump action rifle for launching discs having an outer housing, a stock, a grip, a trigger, a handle for cocking the rifle and a revolving drum for storing multiple discs. Within the housing is a mechanism for removing discs, one at a time, from the drum where the discs are arranged in a first position, rotating each disc 90° to a second position, and transporting each disc to a discharge chamber. The mechanism includes a transfer arm to remove each disc from the drum, a disc pocket for receiving the removed disc, the pocket being rotatable to reorient the disc, and disc pocket also being slidable to carry the disc to the discharge chamber. Activation of the trigger releases a cocked launch arm that snaps forward and strikes the disc to cause discharge.
Claims20
A launch apparatus for toy discs comprising:
- a housing having a longitudinal axis;
- a container mounted to the housing for storing toy discs, the discs being stored with rotational axes disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing;
- a handle mounted to the housing movable between first and second positions;
- a disc pocket mounted in the housing and operatively connected to the handle for moving the disc pocket between forward and rearward positions, the disc pocket also being rotatable between a disc receiving position and a disc delivery position, the disc pocket rotating to the disc receiving position when the handle moves from the first position to the second position and the disc pocket rotating to the disc delivery position when the handle moves from the second position to the first position;
- a spring biased transfer arm pivotally mounted in the housing and operatively connected to the handle for moving a disc from the disc container into the disc pocket when the disc pocket is in the disc receiving position;
- a spring biased launch arm pivotally mounted in the housing and operatively connected to the handle, the launch arm being cocked when the handle is moved from the first position to the second position;
- and
- a trigger mounted to the housing and operatively connected to the launch arm for activating the launch arm after the disc pocket delivers a disc to a discharge chamber in the housing.
A launch apparatus for toy discs comprising:
- a housing having a discharge chamber and a longitudinal axis;
- a container mounted to the housing for storing toy discs, the toy discs being stored with their rotational axes disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing;
- a cocking handle mounted to the housing slidable between forward and rearward positions;
- a disc pocket connected to the housing and operatively connected to the handle for moving the disc pocket between forward and rearward positions, the disc pocket also being rotatable between a disc receiving position and a disc delivery position;
- a spring biased transfer arm pivotally connected to the housing and operatively connected to the handle for removing a disc from the disc container and inserting the removed disc into the disc pocket when the disc pocket is in the disc receiving position;
- a curved disc retainer connected to the housing and positioned adjacent the disc pocket as the disc pocket rotates from the disc receiving position to the disc delivery position;
- a spring biased launch arm pivotally connected to the housing and operatively connected to the handle, the launch arm being cocked when the handle is moved from its forward position to its rearward position;
- and
- a trigger mounted to the housing and operatively connected to the launch arm for activating the launch arm.
A method for making a launch apparatus for toy discs, the steps of the method comprising:
- providing a housing;
- mounting a container of discs to the housing;
- attaching a slidable handle to the housing, the handle being movable between first and second positions;
- connecting a disc pocket in the housing for movement by the handle, the disc pocket being movable between forward and rearward positions and rotatable through 90° for receiving a disc and delivering the disc to a discharge chamber in the housing;
- mounting a pivotal transfer arm in the housing for movement by the handle, the transfer arm for removing a disc from the container and inserting the removed disc into the disc pocket;
- mounting a pivotal launch arm in the housing for impacting the disc in the discharge chamber;
- and
- connecting a trigger to the housing for activating the launch arm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.