A toy launch apparatus which includes single motor synchronized quick start/advanced start flywheel apparatus employing a drive mechanism for advancing rotation of projectile-propelling flywheels and driving a projectile-feeding advance mechanism for automatic and sequenced projectile-launching operation, with movement of the pusher mechanism to rapidly fire darts from the toy apparatus. The system apparatus and methods employing the single-motor-driven mechanism facilitate advanced starting projectile-propelling flywheels and driving a projectile-feeding mechanism in a novel fashion for automatic and sequenced projectile-launching operation with reduced mechanism mass and cost.

Projectile loading systems for toy launchers that discharge soft spherical, but tacky, projectiles, the loading systems including a projectile hopper for storing the projectiles, a chute at the bottom of the hopper, the chute having a central groove for lining the projectiles in a single file, an agitator in the hopper for disturbing the tacky projectiles in the hopper to separate them, and a projectile transfer structure for carrying a projectile, one at a time, from the chute to a breech or from a feed track during respective priming cycles.

A toy projectile launcher for launching projectiles, e.g, toy foam darts, from a detachable hopper. An agitating member inside the hopper enables the orderly descent of the projectiles within the hopper. A hopper cover has a collapsible ceiling with nested members and a ceiling plate to maintain the projectiles toward the bottom of the hopper. First and second catches coupled to the ceiling plate respectively engage openings in hopper walls to prevent the ceiling plate from collapsing into the cover when the hopper cover is closed. Where there are multiple vertically-spaced-apart openings in the hopper walls, the first and second catches may disengage from respective first openings, and then engage lower, second openings in the hopper walls, as the number of projectiles in the hopper drops and the ceiling plate descends in the hopper. A rotating gear advances projectiles from the firing chamber to flywheels for launch.

A toy projectile launcher for launching projectiles, e.g, toy foam darts, from a detachable hopper. An agitating member inside the hopper enables the orderly descent of the projectiles within the hopper. A hopper cover has a collapsible ceiling with nested members and a ceiling plate to maintain the projectiles toward the bottom of the hopper. First and second catches coupled to the ceiling plate respectively engage openings in hopper walls to prevent the ceiling plate from collapsing into the cover when the hopper cover is closed. Where there are multiple vertically-spaced-apart openings in the hopper walls, the first and second catches may disengage from respective first openings, and then engage lower, second openings in the hopper walls, as the number of projectiles in the hopper drops and the ceiling plate descends in the hopper. A rotating gear advances projectiles from the firing chamber to flywheels for launch.

Provided herein is a string shooting device having a string capable of generating lift when propelled from the string shooting device and a guide to readily attach and detach the string from the string shooting device. A string shooting device described herein includes: a body; a housing attached to the body; a pair of wheels, where at least one of the pair of wheels is a driven wheel; and a string, where the string includes a surface texture configured to increase air friction in response to the string being propelled through the air by the pair of wheels. The string of an example embodiment defines an axis along which the string extends, and where the string includes a plurality of fibers extending away from the axis.

Provided herein is a string shooting device having a string capable of generating lift when propelled from the string shooting device and a guide to readily attach and detach the string from the string shooting device. A string shooting device described herein includes: a body; a housing attached to the body; a pair of wheels, where at least one of the pair of wheels is a driven wheel; and a string, where the string includes a surface texture configured to increase air friction in response to the string being propelled through the air by the pair of wheels. The string of an example embodiment defines an axis along which the string extends, and where the string includes a plurality of fibers extending away from the axis.

Apparatus and methods of toy projectile storage, feeding and launch structures having feeding and launching functionality in a single motor combination with a carriage structure including a launch channel being supporting along with a magazine. A propelling mechanism is includes flywheels in communication with the launch channel for propelling projectiles from the magazine. A transmission gear assembly powered with the single motor to sequence and activate the feeding mechanism and the propelling mechanism for activation. Additionally stationary, mobile, dart and projectiles launcher or hand-held structures for propelling darts, balls or other projectiles. The flywheels include an elastomeric expanding flywheel structure mechanism with a flywheel hub and an expanding elastomeric tire allowing the expanding elastomeric tire to move inward and outward along a peripheral circumference.

Apparatus and methods of toy projectile storage, feeding and launch structures having feeding and launching functionality in a single motor combination with a carriage structure including a launch channel being supporting along with a magazine. A propelling mechanism is includes flywheels in communication with the launch channel for propelling projectiles from the magazine. A transmission gear assembly powered with the single motor to sequence and activate the feeding mechanism and the propelling mechanism for activation. Additionally stationary, mobile, dart and projectiles launcher or hand-held structures for propelling darts, balls or other projectiles. The flywheels include an elastomeric expanding flywheel structure mechanism with a flywheel hub and an expanding elastomeric tire allowing the expanding elastomeric tire to move inward and outward along a peripheral circumference.

A toy projectile launcher for launching projectiles, e.g, toy foam darts, from a hopper. One or more agitating members inside the hopper to enable the projectiles to drop into a firing chamber under the hopper. A hopper cover has a collapsible ceiling with nested members and a ceiling plate to maintain the projectiles toward the bottom of the hopper. A catch coupled to the ceiling plate engages an opening in a hopper wall to prevent the ceiling from collapsing when the hopper cover is closed. Where there are multiple vertically spaced-apart openings in the hopper wall, the catch may disengage from a first opening, and then engage a lower, second opening in the hopper wall, as the number of projectiles in the hopper drops and the ceiling plate descends in the hopper. A rotating track and a push rod advance projectiles from the firing chamber to flywheels for launch.

A toy projectile launcher for launching projectiles, e.g, toy foam darts, from a hopper. One or more agitating members inside the hopper to enable the projectiles to drop into a firing chamber under the hopper. A hopper cover has a collapsible ceiling with nested members and a ceiling plate to maintain the projectiles toward the bottom of the hopper. A catch coupled to the ceiling plate engages an opening in a hopper wall to prevent the ceiling from collapsing when the hopper cover is closed. Where there are multiple vertically spaced-apart openings in the hopper wall, the catch may disengage from a first opening, and then engage a lower, second opening in the hopper wall, as the number of projectiles in the hopper drops and the ceiling plate descends in the hopper. A rotating track and a push rod advance projectiles from the firing chamber to flywheels for launch.