AIR BLASTER TOY

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

A claim for priority to the Feb. 29, 2024 filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/559,266, titled AIR BLASTER TOY (the '266 Provisional Application ”), is hereby made pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(e). The entire disclosure of the xxx Provisional Application is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to toys and, specifically, to air blasters or air cannons. More specifically, this disclosure relates to a means to “shoot” air from a collapsible bladder through an opening providing a “blast” of air toward a target.

SUMMARY

Disclosed are systems, devices, and/or methods of use thereof regarding toys and, specifically, to air blasters or air cannons. In various aspects, an air cannon includes a handle having a handle body and a ring at a proximal end of the handle body. The air cannon may also include a bag extending between a first end and a second end, the first end of the bag securable to an interior of the ring. The air cannon may further include a coil disposed about an interior circumference of the bag, with the coil extending from a first end to a second end. In some embodiments, the first end of the coil is engaged by the interior of the ring to secure the first end of the bag to the interior of the ring. The air cannon may additionally include a face plate, or face pad, connected to a first side of the ring and a back pad permanently, or reversibly, connected to the second end of the bag.

In another aspect, an air blaster toy includes a handle body and a ring extending from an end of the handle body. The air blaster toy may also include a bag secured to an inside of the ring at a first end of the bag, and a coil disposed about a circumference of the bag. In some embodiments, a first end of the coil is secured to the inside of the ring. The air blaster toy may further include a face plate, or face pad, connected to a first side of the ring and a back pad connected to a second end of the bag, where the second end of the bag is opposite the first end of the bag. The face plate may further define an opening of a smaller diameter than the ring to allow air to pass through.

Other aspects of the disclosed subject matter, as well as features and advantages of various aspects of the disclosed subject matter, should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art through consideration of the ensuing description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of an air cannon or air blaster toy according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a back perspective view of the air cannon of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a front exploded view of the air cannon of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a back exploded view of the air cannon of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates a front perspective view of the air cannon of FIG. 1 with the face plate removed;

FIG. 6 illustrates a back perspective view of a handle portion and ring portion of the air cannon of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 illustrates a close-up view of a connection between a bag and a portion of a handle for the air cannon of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8A illustrates a front view of the air cannon of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8B illustrates a compressed configuration side view of the air cannon of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective of an alternate embodiment air cannon of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 10 illustrates a front perspective view of different size air cannons of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Air cannons or air blasters typically allow a user to expel an amount of air or other fluid from within a receptacle. Air blasters can be used to shoot compressed air at a target area. Such compressed are may be “shot” in order to clean the target area. Air blasters can be used to shoot projectiles, such as darts or balls, at targets. Air blasters can also be used to blast or shoot “balls” of air at targets, such as people. In order to create a “blast” of air typically a smaller opening is required to force air through an opening that is smaller in size than the receptable being compressed causing a “cannon” of air forced through the smaller opening.

Disclosed are systems, devices, and/or methods of use thereof regarding toys and, specifically, to air blasters or air cannons. In various aspects, an air cannon includes a handle having a handle body and a ring, or extension, at a proximal end of the handle body. The air cannon may also include a bag, bladder or receptacle, extending between a first end and a second end, the first end of the bag securable to an interior of the ring. The air cannon may further include a coil, or spring, disposed about an interior circumference of the bag, with the coil extending from a first end to a second end. In some embodiments, the first end of the coil, or the bag itself, is engaged by the interior of the ring to secure the first end of the bag to the interior of the ring. The air cannon may additionally include a face plate connected to a first side of the ring and a back pad permanently, or reversibly, connected to the second end of the bag.

In another aspect, an air blaster toy includes a handle body and a ring attachable to an end of the handle body. The air blaster toy may also include a bag secured to an inside of the ring at a first end of the bag, and a coil disposed about a circumference of the bag. In some embodiments, a first end of the coil is secured to the inside of the ring. The air blaster toy may further include a face plate, or face pad, connected to a first side of the ring and a back pad connected to a second end of the bag, where the second end of the bag is opposite the first end of the bag.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view and FIG. 2 illustrates a back perspective view of an air cannon or air blaster toy 100 according to the present disclosure. Referring to FIGS. 1-2, as illustrated, the air cannon 100 includes a bag 10, or receptable, a coil 12, or spring, a face plate 14, a back pad 16, and a handle assembly 18. The bag 10 may be substantially hollow in order to hold an amount or volume of air within an interior of the bag 10. The coil 12 may be disposed about a circumference of the bag 10. For example, in some embodiments, the coil 12 may be disposed about an internal circumference of the bag 10. In other embodiments, the coil 12 may be disposed about an external circumference of the bag 10. In some embodiments, the coil 12 may be disposed within a pocket or channel of the bag 10, where the pocket or channel of the bag 10 can be associated with the internal or external circumference of the bag 10, wherein the coil 12 may reside entirely within the channel and is not entirely or partially exposed. The channel bag channel 17, or pocket, may wind around the bag in the same pattern as the coil 12 itself. The face plate 14, or front plate, may define an outlet 15, or opening, through which air contained within the bag 10 can be expelled. The opening 15 may be axially aligned with the ring 21 and the bag 10 and may be a smaller diameter than the ring 21. Alternatively, the opening 15 may not be axially aligned with a center of the ring 21. Further the opening 15 may include a plurality of openings 15, one of which may be axially aligned with the center of the ring 21 and other openings 15 that may not be axially aligned.

The coil 12 and the bag 10 may resemble a tubular member that's substantially circular from a front or back perspective. Alternatively, the coil 12 and bag 10 may be any type of polygonal shape that would allow for collapse and extension of the bag 10 and coil 12. The bag 10 may include a circumferential wall that creates a void, or space, or hollow portion, within the circumferential wall and extends between a first end 11, or distal end, of the bag 10 and a second end 13, or proximal end of the bag 10. Specifically, the air cannon 100 may have an open or expanded configuration (as illustrated in FIGS. 1-2) and a closed or compressed configuration (see FIG. 8B). In use, a user may grasp the handle body 20 and slam their hand or otherwise apply a force against the back pad 16, or back plate, to compress the bag 10 and the coil 12. Upon compression of the bag 10 and the coil 12, any air contained within the bag 10 will be forced out of the outlet 15 within and defined by the face plate 14. In this way, the air cannon 100 can be used to shoot streams, balls, or puffs of air out of the outlet 15. In some embodiments, the outlet 15 may be shaped, sized, and configured to create a sound as air is expelled and blasted out of the outlet 15. In other embodiments, no sound is created as air is expelled.

The coil 12 provides structural support to the bag 10 as well as a spring function. The bag 10 provides a restrictive support to the coil maintaining the coil 12 around the perimeter of the bag 10 and on a front and back end of the bag. The coil 12 provides a resting open or expanded configuration of the air cannon 100 that is held in its expanded state by the bag 10. The closed or compressed configuration wherein the coil 12 is compressed that collapses the bag and expels any air within the void or cavity. Because of the nature of the coil it acts as a spring and returns to its resting, expanded position. A use may then easily and repeatedly compress, or constrict, the coil 12 and collapse the bag 10 having it returning to its expanded configuration each time force is no longer applied to the back pad 16.

The bag 10 may be constructed from an airtight material, semi-airtight, or partially airtight to ensure no air leaks out of the bag 10 and all, or most of, the air contained within the bag 10 can be expelled from the outlet 15 as the bag 10 is collapsed by an application of force (e.g., slamming, striking, ramming, and other forces). In some embodiments, the bag 10 may be made from nylon, polyester, a woven material, a woven material having a coating to provide an airtight quality, a non-woven material, a non-woven material having a coating to provide an airtight quality, a polymer and/or combinations thereof.

The handle assembly 18 may include a handle body 20, or simply a body, and a ring 21, or extension, attached to the handle body 20 (e.g., at a proximal or top end of the handle body 20). As seen in FIG. 2, the bag 10 may be attached or connected to an interior of the ring 21. Specifically, the bag 10 may extend from the front or first end 11, or distal end, to the back or second end 13, or proximal end, where the second end 13 is opposite the first end 11. Concomitantly, the coil 12 may extend between a front or first end coil ring 11a and a back or second end coil ring 13a, where the first and second ends 11a, 13a of the coil 12 substantially correspond to the first and second ends 11, 13 of the bag 10. The first end 11 of the bag 10 is received by an interior of the ring 21. As discussed more fully below with respect to FIG. 7, in some embodiments, the first end 11 of the bag 10 is irreversibly (i.e., permanently), or reversibly, received by the interior of the ring 21. Alternatively, the ring 21, or extension, may be a body itself without a or handle body. A user may hold each end of the extension 21 and utilize the air cannon as well.

The coil 12 may include the front end coil ring 11a and the back end coil ring 13a corresponding with the front end 11 of the bag and the back end 13 of the bag. The coil rings may provide structural integrity to the bag 10 to maintain the tubular shape of the bag 10.

The back pad 16 may be permanently adhered, coupled to, or otherwise attached to the second end 13 of the bag 10, or reversibly adhered in a like manner. In some embodiments, the back pad 16 is permanently, or reversibly, attached to the second end 13 of the bag 10 and the second end 13a of the coil 12. In some embodiments, the face plate 14 and the back pad 16 are made from the same material, such as plastic, acrylic, wood, metal, a hard polymer, and/or combinations thereof (e.g., a composite material). Importantly, the material of the face and back pads 14, 16 needs to be sturdy enough to receive a slamming or positively applied force without buckling, so that the positively applied force can collapse the back end 13 of the bag 10 towards the front end 11 of the bag 10 (and, the back end 13a of the coil 12 towards the front end 11a of the coil 12). Additionally, the applied force may collapse the bag 10 itself entirely or partially when the force is applied. In the alternate the ring 21 may be forced toward the back pad 16 in a motion that brings the distal end 11 toward the proximal end 13 or stated otherwise collapse the front end 11 toward the back end 13.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front exploded view and FIG. 4 illustrates a back exploded view of the air cannon or blaster 100 of FIG. 1. Referring to FIGS. 3-4, as before, the air cannon 100 includes the bag 10, the coil 12, the face plate 14, the back pad 16, and the handle assembly 18. The bag 10 extends between the front or first end 11 and the back or second end 13, with the coil 12 similarly extending between the front end coil ring 11a and the back end coil ring 13a.

As illustrated, the handle assembly 18 includes the ring 21 and a handle body 20. In some embodiments, the handle body 20 includes a first portion 20a that is connected or attached to the ring 21. The handle body 20 may also include a second portion 28 that provides additional structural integrity to the first portion 20a. In some embodiments, the second portion 28 is removably connected to the first portion 20a, such as through clips, screws, snaps, ties, adhesive, or another appropriate fastening mechanism. In other embodiments, the second portion 28 is irremovably connected to the first portion 20a. In some embodiments, the first and second portions 20a, 28 may be a single, integrated piece forming the handle body 20.

The handle body 20 may further include a decorative plate 26. In some embodiments, the decorative plate 26 includes indicia, such as a logo, company name, design, decoration, or other graphic. In some embodiments, the decorative plate 26 is a solid color. In other embodiments, the decorative plate 26 is not included. The decorative plate 26 may further provide further structural integrity to the handle to allow for a robust grip for a user to maintain while utilizing the air cannon 100.

The back pad 16 may be integrated with or substantially a part of the bag 10 wherein the back pad 16 may reside reversibly or irreversibly within a pocket or sleeve of the back end 13 of the bag 10.

FIG. 5 illustrates a front perspective view of the air cannon of FIG. 1 with the face plate 14 removed. The ring 21 may include a first outer portion 22a and a second inner portion 22b. The first portion 22a may surround, encircle, and/or receive the second portion 22b. For example, the second portion 22b may clip in and/or be adhered to the first portion 22a; alternatively, the second portion 22b may be held within the first portion 22a by a tension or friction fit. In some embodiments, the first and second portions 22a, 22b are integral and formed as one unitary piece.

The ring 21 of the handle assembly 18 defines an opening 31 that is in fluid communication with both the interior of the bag 10 and the outlet 15 of the face plate 14 (not illustrated in FIG. 5). The size and shape of the opening 31 may correspond to a size and shape of the bag 10. For example, as illustrated, the opening 31 is circular, or substantially circular, and corresponds to the circular configuration of the bag 10. In some embodiments, a circumference of the opening 31 is determined by a circumference of the second portion 22b or the ring 21 itself.

FIG. 6 illustrates a back perspective view of the handle assembly 18 for the air cannon 100 of FIG. 1. Specifically, as illustrated, the handle assembly 18 includes the ring 21 attached to the first portion 20a of the handle body 20. As described with respect to FIG. 5, the ring 21 includes the first half 22a and the second half 22b, which fit together to form the ring 21 and define the opening 31. The ring 21 has an outer surface 23b, which may correspond to an outer surface of the first portion 22a. Disposed on or extending from the outer surface 23b may be one or more protrusions 30, which may facilitate attachment of the air cannon 100 to a backpack, beach bag, bag, purse, etc. to easily transport the air cannon 100. Additionally, the protrusions 30 may provide for attachment of a cord, robe, yarn or the like between two protrusions 30 to hold the bag 10 of the air cannon 100 in a collapsed, or closed, configuration. The ring 21 also has an inner surface 23a, which may correspond to an inner surface of the first portion 22a and an inner surface of the second portion 22b.

In some embodiments, the second portion 22b includes one or more (e.g., a plurality of) fastening mechanisms for engaging and securing the bag 10 and the coil 12 within the ring 21. As illustrated, the one or more fastening mechanisms include one or more clips 24. The one or more clips 24 may include four, five, six, eight or more clips 24 as appropriate to tightly secure the bag 10 and/or the coil 12 to the ring 21. The front end coil ring 11a may slide within the clips 24. The number of clips 24 utilized to secure the bag 10 and/or the coil 12, and more specifically the front coil ring 11a, may correspond to a size and shape of the clips 24. In some embodiments, the fit between the first and second portions 22a, 22b of the ring 21 has enough flex to just barely separate the portions 22a, 22b in order for a user to insert the bag 10 and/or the coil 12 between them, but is tight enough that the two portions 22a, 22b cannot be fully separated from each other. In other embodiments, the bag 10 and/or the coil 12, or front coil ring 11a, are attached and secured between the portions 22a, 22b, and the portions 22a, 22b cannot be separated.

FIG. 7 illustrates a close-up view of a connection between a bag 10 and a portion of a handle assembly 18 for the air cannon 100 of FIG. 1. In some embodiments, the first end 11 of the bag 10 is irreversibly (i.e., permanently), or reversibly, received by the interior of the ring 21. For example, the first end 11 of the bag 10 may be permanently, or reversibly, received between the first portion 22a and the second portion 22b of the ring 21. A ring channel or void 25 may be defined between the first portion 22a and the second portion 22b, where the ring channel 25 extends around the entire circumference of the first and second portions 22a, 22b. As clearly visible in FIG. 7, the coil 12 and the first end 11 of the bag 10 are received within the ring channel 25. In some embodiments, the clips 24 may include a notch, or barb, or shoulder, or other projection to prevent the coil 12, or front coil ring 11a, and/or the bag 10 from slipping out of the ring channel 25.

In some embodiments, a fit between the first portion 22a, the clips 24, and the second portion 22b is tight enough to prevent the coil 12 and/or the bag 10 from slipping out of or being dislodged from the ring channel 25. A friction of the material of the bag 10 may also contribute to preventing the coil 12 and/or the bag 10 from slipping out of or being dislodged from the ring channel 25. In some embodiments, the fit between the first portion 22a, the clips 24, and the second portion 22b is substantially irreversible such that the bag 10 and/or the coil 12 cannot be removed from the ring 21. An adhesive or additional attachment mechanism may be utilized to further secure the bag 10 and/or the coil 12 between the first portion 22a and the second portion 22b.

Alternatively, the clips 24 may allow for the removal of the bag 10 from the ring 21 such that the bag 10 may be replaced with a new bag 10 in the event of damage to the original bag 10.

The face plate 14 may be attached, adhered to, or otherwise interface with the ring 21 on a front or first side of the ring 21. The face plate 14 may be molded as part of the ring 21 (as further described with respect to FIG. 9, herein). The face plate 14 may correspond to the opening 31 size wherein the face plate 14 may fit complementary within or on the ring 21. The back or second side of the ring 21 may correspond to the ring channel 25 defined between the first and second portions 22a, 22b of the ring 21; the back side of the ring 21 is opposite the first side of the ring 21. In some embodiments, the face plate 14 attaches to or otherwise interfaces with the first portion 22a of the ring. The face plate 14 may be positioned flush with an edge of the ring 21 or may extend outward, opposite the bag.

FIGS. 8A-8B illustrate various measurements, in centimeters, for the air cannon 100 of FIG. 1. Specifically, FIG. 8A illustrates a width of the air cannon 100, which substantially corresponds to a width or diameter of the ring 21 portion of the handle assembly 18. The width of the air cannon 100 may range from approximately 155 mm to 175 mm, such as 160, 163, 166, 169, 170, 173 mm, or a width within a range defined by any two of the foregoing values. A length of the air cannon or blaster 100 may range from approximately 280 mm to 320 mm, such as 285, 290, 295, 298, 300, 305, 310 mm, or a length within a range defined by any two of the foregoing values. Even a much larger air cannon of dimensions of 500 mm wide and 1,000 mm long is contemplated. A thickness of the air cannon or blaster 100, as shown in FIG. 8B, in a closed configuration may allow it to collapse in a range from approximately 25 mm to 50 cm, such as 30, 34, 38, 40, 45 mm, or a thickness within a range defined by any two of the foregoing values. While these values may reflect a relative easy handheld version of the device, it will be appreciated that much larger and much smaller variations are contemplated insomuch that the sizes may include a width of the air cannon, from a front perspective, with a diameter of a meter or down to 100 mm.

FIG. 9 illustrates a front perspective of another embodiment of an air cannon or air blaster 200 according to the present disclosure. As before, the air blaster 200 includes the same or similar features as the previous embodiment with the bag 10 and the handle assembly 18. The handle assembly 18 includes the ring 21 and the handle body 20 as well as the face plate 14. The air blaster 100 also includes the coil 12, which, in this embodiment, has been secured within pockets or bag channel(s) 17 of the bag 10. As illustrated, the pockets 17 are disposed around an outer surface or outer circumference of the bag 10 coiling around the bag 10 like a spring; however, the pockets 17 may be disposed around an inner surface or inner circumference of the bag 10. Also as illustrated, the pockets 17 are spiraled around the bag 10 in a sort of corkscrew orientation; however, other configurations or shapes of the pockets 17 are contemplated herein.

The air blaster 200 in this instance includes each of the previous pieces of the pervious embodiment, the face plate 14 with the air outlet 15, the ring 21, and the handle body 20 formed as one piece of the handle assembly 18 are integrated into a unitary member. In some embodiments, such as illustrated, the face plate 14 is continuous and integral with the ring 21 and the handle body 20. That is, the face plate 14, the ring 21, and the handle body 20 are formed as one piece, or single unitary piece. Alternatively, the face plate 14 may be continuous and integral with the ring 21, and the handle body 20 is separately attached to the face plate 14/ring 21 assembly. Though not illustrated, the air blaster 200 also includes the back pad 16, upon which a user may exert a force in order to collapse the bag 10 and expel air out of the outlet 15. In this embodiment the handle body 20, ring 21, and face plate 14 may be manufacture as a single injection-molded piece utilizing a rigid polymer; however, other materials are contemplated herein such as metals, alloys, woods, carbon-fiber and the like.

As before, the bag 10 of the air cannon or blaster 200 is either permanently or reversibly secured to the interior of the ring 21 (see FIG. 7) as previously described herein; however in this instance the ring 21 itself solely comprises the clips 24 rather than an integration between two portions of the ring 21. The ring 21 may comprise an inner wall and an outer wall. The inner wall of the ring 21 may be the wall that engages the bag 10 and coil 12. In this instance the clips 24 of the ring 21 may be positioned on the inner wall of the ring and engage the first end 11 of the bag 10, with the first coil ring 11a, is irreversibly (i.e., permanently), or reversibly, received by the interior of the ring 21. For example, the first end 11 of the bag 10 may be permanently, or reversibly, received within the ring channel 25 that may be defined between the clip 24 and the ring 21 where the ring channel 25 extends around the entire circumference of the inner wall, or interior, of the ring 21. In some embodiments, the clips 24 may include a notch, or barb, or shoulder, or other projection to prevent the coil 12, or front coil ring 11a, and/or the bag 10 from slipping out of the ring channel 25.

Alternatively, the bag 10, with the coil 12, may reside within the ring 21, without clips 24, through a frictional or substantially frictional fit that may require substantial force to remove the bag 10 from the ring 21. Further, the ring channel 25 may extend within the inner wall, or interior, of the ring 21 without any clips wherein the ring channel 25 is configured to received the front coil ring 11a such that the front coil ring 11a flexes into the channel providing a reversible, albeit strongly frictional, fit. It will be appreciated that a lip or other means within the ring channel 25 are contemplated to make the bag 10, with the coil 12, fit more secure within the ring 21.

Similarly, the back pad 16 may be either irreversibly secured to the back or second end 13 of the bag 10 (see FIG. 2), or the back pad may be reversibly fixed to the back end 13 of the bag 10.

Referring to FIG. 10 the air cannon 200 is illustrated with different sizes to showcase the ability to utilize the design described herein.

The method of manufacture, or assembly, for the air cannon 100 may be as described substantially herein with multiple pieces fixed to each other, particularly the face plate 14 to the ring 21 and to the handle 20, to produce a functional air cannon 100. Alternatively, the handle 20, ring 21, and face plate 14 may be formed of a single unitary piece with attachment to the bag 10. The bag 10 is contemplated to integrally include the coil 12 and the back pad 16 with a simple fastening mechanism to the handle body 20 through means described herein.

While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be understood that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, although various aspects of the claimed subject matter have been described herein, such aspects need not be utilized in combination. It should also be noted that some of the embodiments disclosed herein may have been disclosed in relation to a particular air blaster (e.g., an air cannon); however, other fluids (e.g., water, gas, etc.) are also contemplated.

The terms “a,” “an,” “the,” and similar referents used in the context of describing the embodiments of the present disclosure (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein is intended merely to better illuminate the embodiments of the present disclosure and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the present disclosure. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member may be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. It is anticipated that one or more members of a group may be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

Although this disclosure provides many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of any of the claims that follow, but merely as providing illustrations of some embodiments of elements and features of the disclosed subject matter. Other embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, and of their elements and features, may be devised which do not depart from the spirit or scope of any of the claims. Features from different embodiments may be employed in combination. Accordingly, the scope of each claim is limited only by its plain language and the legal equivalents thereto.