PROJECTILE HOPPER REFILLABLE BY REMOVABLE MAGAZINE

Abstract

A projectile launcher (101) comprising a projectile hopper (401) that it refillable from a by a removable magazine (202). The projectile hopper comprising a non-return flap (403) that transitions to an open position (602) when the projectile launcher is transitioned to a rotated position (601), allowing projectiles (503) to flow from the magazine (202) to the projectile hopper (401), wherein the non-return flap (403) transitions to a closed position (702) when the projectile launcher (101) is transitioned to a neutral position (501), restricting the projectiles (701) within the hopper from flowing back to the magazine.

Claims

1-9. (canceled)

10. A projectile launcher comprising: a firing mechanism; a hopper positioned above the firing mechanism when the projectile launcher is in an neutral firing orientation, the hopper comprising a funneling surface; a magazine positioned below the firing mechanism when the projectile launcher is in the neutral firing orientation, wherein an interior volume of the magazine is fluidly connected to an interior volume of the hopper; intermediate guiding features separating the magazine and the hopper, the intermediate guiding features are configured to assist a plurality of projectiles flowing from the magazine to the hopper; a funneling surface formed in the hopper and configured to assist movement of the plurality of projectiles from the hopper to the firing mechanism; and a non-return flap positioned between the interior volume of the hopper and the interior volume of the magazine, the non-return flap movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the non-return flap moves to the open position when the projectile launcher is moved from the neutral position to an inverted position and the non-return flap moves to the closed position when the projectile launcher is moved to the neutral position.

11. The projectile launcher of claim 10, wherein when the non-return flap is in the open position, the plurality of projectiles contained in the magazine transfer to the interior volume of the hopper.

12. The projectile launcher of claim 10, wherein the non-return flap is hinged at a first end thereof, wherein when the projectile launcher is in the neutral position, the non-return flap is moved to the closed position by gravity and when the projectile launcher is in the inverted position, the non-return flap is moved to the open position by gravity.

13. The projectile launcher of claim 10, wherein the hopper is non-removable.

14. The projectile launcher of claim 10, wherein the magazine is removable.

15. The projectile launcher of claim 10, wherein inverted position is at least 90 offset from the neutral position.

16. The projectile launcher of claim 10, wherein the plurality of projectiles are substantially spherical.

17. The projectile launcher of claim 16, wherein the plurality of projectiles are gel pellets, paint balls, plastic pellets, or foam balls.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide further understanding of the invention are incorporated and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0016] In the drawings:

[0017] FIG. 1 displays a three-quarter perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention: A Projectile Launcher that comprises a projectile hopper that may be refillable by a removable magazine.

[0018] FIG. 2 displays a side view of the embodiment.

[0019] FIG. 3 displays a three-quarter perspective view of the embodiment with the magazine removed from the Projectile Launcher.

[0020] FIG. 4 displays a cross-sectional side view of the embodiment with the magazine removed from the Projectile Launcher.

[0021] FIG. 5 displays a cross-sectional side view of the embodiment with the Projectile Launcher in a neutral position with an empty projectile hopper and an inserted magazine that comprises a plurality of projectiles.

[0022] FIG. 6 displays a cross-sectional side view of the embodiment with the Projectile Launcher in a rotated position, wherein the non-return flap is open and projectiles from the magazine are flowing to the projectile hopper.

[0023] FIG. 7 displays a cross-sectional side view of the embodiment with the Projectile Launcher in a neutral position with the projectile hopper comprising a plurality of projectiles, and an empty magazine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] As used hereinbefore or after, when referring to a projectile hopper of a projectile launcher, hopper or projectile hopper refers to a reservoir attached to or contained within said projectile launcher, wherein said projectile hopper is purposed to contain a plurality of projectiles and feed them into a firing mechanism.

[0025] As used hereinbefore or after, when referring to a projectile launcher, projectile launcher, toy projectile launcher, or non-lethal projectile launcher refers to a projectile launcher designed as a toy, wherein said projectile launcher fires non-lethal projectiles at a non-lethal velocity, wherein non-lethal refers to it being non-lethal toward humans. This includes projectile launchers such as gel projectile launchers, foam projectile launchers, water blasters, airsoft guns, and paintball guns.

[0026] The invention as disclosed in its current form comprises of: A projectile launcher comprising a removable magazine and projectile hopper, wherein the projectile hopper comprises a non-return flap. When the projectile launcher is rotated from a neutral position to a rotated position, a plurality of projectiles may flow from the magazine to a hopper. When the projectile launcher is rotated back to the neutral position, the projectiles are restricted from returning to the magazine by the non-return flap.

[0027] Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 4, a projectile launcher 101 is shown with 3 primary axes, an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis. The projectile launcher 101 comprises an outer shell 201 and a magazine 202, wherein the outer shell 201 houses a projectile hopper 401 and a firing mechanism 407. The firing mechanism in this embodiment may be readied by a manual lever 204 and fired by pulling a trigger 203. The projectile hopper 401 comprises an interior volume 402 with a non-return flap 403 hingedly connected to the hopper at a pivoting end 404. The magazine 202 is removable 301 and comprises an internal volume 406 that is accessible by a top opening 302. Additionally, the projectile hopper 401 comprises a hole 405 in which projectiles may be funneled toward to enter the firing mechanism 407.

[0028] Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 7, the projectile launcher 101 is shown in a neutral position 501, wherein the magazine 202 is inserted into the projectile launcher and comprises a plurality of projectiles 503 in the interior volume 406 of the magazine. In this neutral position 501 the non-return flap 403 is in a closed position 502 and it is settled against a supporting edge 504 by its self-weight due to gravity. Upon the projectile launcher 101 being rotated from the neutral position 501 about its X-axis, it may transition to the rotated position 601 wherein the non-return flap transitions to an open position 602, due to its self-weight due to gravity. In this rotated position, the plurality of projectiles 503 flow from the interior volume 406 of the magazine to the interior volume 402 of the projectile hopper. In this embodiment, the magazine 202 comprises an inclined angle 605 such that the flow of the projectiles 503 are aided. As the projectiles flow between the magazine 202 and the projectile hopper 401, they are assisted by guiding features 603, 604 so that the magazine 202 and the projectile hopper 401 to not need to interface directly. Once the plurality of projectiles 503 have all flowed past the non-return flap, the projectile launcher 101 may be counter-rotated about its X-axis from the rotated position 601 to the neutral position 501, wherein the non-return flap 403 returns to a closed position 702 due to self-weight due to gravity and supported by the supporting edge 504. With the non-return flap 403 in the closed position 702, the projectiles 701 in the projectile hopper 401 are restricted from falling back to within the magazine 202 which is now empty 704. While in the neutral position 501, the projectiles 701 within the projectile hopper 401 are funneled by a funneling surface 703 toward the hole 405 and subsequently the firing mechanism 407.

[0029] Once the magazine 201 has been emptied due to the projectiles being transferred to the projectile hopper, the magazine may be removed and refilled, or replaced with a second magazine, allowing quick reloading of the projectile launcher, rather than having to reload the hopper directly with projectiles.

[0030] It should be understood that the form of the firing mechanism 407 is not integral to the scope of this invention, wherein the firing mechanism may embody any form in which it may receive a projectile from a hopper. Furthermore, it should be understood that the method of actuation of said firing mechanism does not affect the invention as claimed, in which the present embodiment aims to serve purely as added context within a typical toy projectile launcher, consequently, the firing mechanism as displayed is shaded to represent a generic firing mechanism.

[0031] In alternative embodiments it may be preferable that the firing chamber is actuated by an electromechanical means, wherein a motor is used to prime a firing mechanism, or to propel the projectiles directly. Such electromechanical firing mechanisms should be known to those familiar with the scope of toy projectile launchers.

[0032] In the present embodiment as shown, the guiding features 603, 604 are depicted to be a part of the outer shell 201, however it should be understood that such guiding features for the projectiles 503 to flow into the projectile hopper 401 could vary in how they are integrated into the structure. Such options could include being a part of then projectile hopper moulding itself, wherein the non-return flap is inset from guiding features that interface near an inserted magazine. Alternatively, the magazine could extend up to the non-return flap, bypassing a need for intermediate guiding features. Furthermore, such guiding features may be slanted toward the rear of the projectile launcher such that the required angle of rotation of the projectile launcher would be less than 90, wherein the flow of the projectiles are biased toward the projectile hopper.

[0033] In alternative modes of operation, it may be feasible to rotate the projectile launcher 201 about its Z-axis, wherein upon being rotated greater than 90 about the Z-axis, gravitational force will cause the non-return flap to open, and the projectiles to flow into the projectile hopper.

[0034] In the present embodiment, the projectiles are depicted as spherical balls; it is preferable that the projectiles are substantially spherical or a shape that does not comprise directional bias as it rolls on a surface, such as a cylinder or ovoid. This is such that flow of the plurality of projectiles may be unobstructed as they flow from the magazine to the projectile hopper.

[0035] Additionally, in the present embodiment, it is preferable that the projectiles are gel pellets, however, in alternative embodiments, it may be preferable that the projectiles are an alternative projectile such as, but not limited to, foam balls, plastic pellets, BB pellets, or paint balls.

[0036] Furthermore, in alternative embodiments, it may be feasible to modify the projectile hopper, wherein it may be able to contain a fluid, such as water, such that it may be refillable by water from the removable magazine.

[0037] The invention has been described with examples relevant to its current form, however, potential embodiments will include any form that is within the scope of the appended claims. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variation can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.