US3286392A

US3286392A - Toy rocket and launching assembly

Info

Publication number: US3286392A
Application number: US275663A
Authority: US
Inventors: Francis J Fortunato
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1963-04-25
Filing date: 1963-04-25
Publication date: 1966-11-22
Anticipated expiration: 1983-11-22

Description

Nov. 22, 1966 F. J. FORTUNATO TOY ROCKET AND LAUNCHING ASSEMBLY Filed April 25, 1963 NTOR arfwmz/a BY M 3. SW ATTORNEY United States Patent ()fiice 3,286,392 Patented Nov. 22, 1966 3,286,392 TOY ROCKET AND L'AUNCHING ASSEMBLY Francis J. Fortunato, 1643 Race-Sb, Philadelphia, Pa.

Filed Apr. 25, 1963, Ser. No. 275,663 1 7 Claims. (Cl. 46-74) 1 This invention relates to toys and more particularly to the type of toy designed to stimulate actual weapons and rockets presently in use. v

Prior art devices incorporating.self propelled features had the common deficiency. of being possibly harmful. to those playing inasmuch as the propelled portion could possibly be injurious to eyesand, other parts of the body. In addition, the very nature of the art wherein a member was designed to fly through the air resulted-in excessive breakage and short toy life.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a toy rocket that is absolutely harmless to its users.

It is another object of this invention to provide a toy rocket of unique light weight construction.

It is another object of this invention to provide a toy rocket incorporating resilient featuresinsuring long life.

It is another object of my invention to provide a toy rocket that is'simple in operation, inexpensive in manufacture, and trouble-free uponuse. I

Other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention will be had by referring to the following description and claims of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which: I v v FIG. 1 is an elevation view, partly in section showing rocket and launcher. t

FIG. 2 is a partial elevation view, partly in section, showing rocket after it has left launcher. 7 FIG. 3 is a partial elevation view, partly broken away, showing operation of my invention. 1

FIG; 4 is a cross section taken along line 44 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a view of a modified rocket and launcher, partly in cross section. 1

FIG. 6 is a partial top plan view of the modification shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a view of another modified rocket and launcher, partly in cross section.

FIG. 8 is a cross section taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

Although specific terms are used in the following description for the sake of clarity, these terms are intended to refer only to the particular structure of my invention selected for illustration in the drawings and are not intended to define or limit the scope of the invention.

In FIG. 1, I show an elongated, hollow cylindrical toy rocket body 10 constructed of plastic, cardboard, aluminum or similar material light enough in weight to readily fly through the air and at the same time strong and rigid enough for the duty without undue deformation or breakage. Missile end 11 is open to receive balloon 12, shaped to simulate an actual nose cone. Diametrically opposed to holes 13, 14 drilled in body 10 near launcher end 15 provide places of attachment for rubber band 16. The rubber band should be of suitable size and resiliency to propel rocket assembly 17 through the air when stretched to maximum length 18 by launcher push rod 19. Ends 22, 23 of rubber band 16 should be knotted, stapled or otherwise secured at attaching points 20, 21 to prevent band 16 from tearing loose upon operation.

Launcher assembly 24 comprises a handle 25, a barrel 26 and push rod 19. If desired, handle and push rod may be constructed of a single length of wooden, plastic or metal rod extending through and securely fastened to barrel portion 24. The barrel should be cylindrical with outer diameter 27 corresponding to or larger than outer diameter 28. Rocket end 29 of barrel 24 is closed to provide a shoulder'30 to. receivelauncher end 15 of rocket upon operation in order to insure a positive limitation of relative motion of rocket towards launcher. Diameter 31 of push rod-19 mustbe smaller than inside diameter 32 of rocket body 10 in order to readily fit within body 10 without binding.

' Balloon 12 projects forwardly from missile end 11 of rocket body 10 and may be secured by external .

cellophane tape strips

33, 34 or other similar, light, inexpensive means joining balloon to rocket body 10. It is contemplated that the toy will be sold disassembled and that balloon 12 will be inflated and attached by the user after purchase. The balloon is maintained inflated by closure 35 in any well known manner with closure 35 inserted into end 11 of rocket in the interest both to prevent accidental deflation due to closure damage and to the finished appearance of the toy.

Rocket end 35 of push rod 19 terminates in shallow, diametrical groove 36 of suflicient dimensions to receive and hold rubber band 16 upon operation of the toy.

. In FIGS. 5 and 6, I show a modified form of my invention wherein I provide a modified missile assembly 38 constructed similar. to that hereinabovev described except that the rubber band has been omitted- Modified launcher assembly 37 includes'handle 39, hollow cylindrical barrel 40 and propulsion. assembly 41. Pr-opulsion assembly furnishes launching .lugs 42, 43 projecting perpendicularly through dual, opposite, longitudinal slots 44, 45 extending intermediate the top 46 and bottom 47 of barrel 40. t Launching lugs 42, 43 are urged through slots 44, 45 towards top 46 by means of a compression spring, rubber band or other resilient means 51 suitably secured at top 74 and bottom for positive operation. Modified missile 38 is constructed, of such diameter to fit over barrel 46 of modified launcher 37 without binding so as to permit missile bottom48 to engage lugs 42, 43 in their unstressed position'49 at top position 50 of slots 44, 45. When missile 38 is urged downwardly over barrel 40 against action of resilient means 51, lugs 42, 43 are depressed downwardly in slots 44, 45 to stressed position 52 at bottom position 53 of the slots.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, I show another modified form of my invention wherein I provide a modified missile 38, similar to that hereinbefore described and shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Modified launcher 54 comprises a handle 55, push rod 56 forming a longitudinal extension of handle and launch ring 57 slidably arranged on push rod 56 leaving clearance 71. Rubber band 58 depends from top 59 of push rod and is secured thereto by suitable retaining ring 60 pinned or otherwise immovably fixed in position. Ends 61, 62 of rubber band 58 are knotted 63, 64 to diametrically opposed sides of launch ring 57 in recesses 45, 66 so as not to interfere with slidable engagement of launch ring 57 and push rod 58. Launch ring motion is limited at top by retaining ring 60 which has external diameter 67 greater than internal diameter 68 of centrally positioned, circular opening 69 of launch ring 57. Launch ring motion at bottom is limited by shoulder 70 designed of sufiicient diameter to positively prevent passage of launch ring 57.

In operation, the launcher assembly 24 is grasped in one hand (not shown) and the missile body 10 in the other hand 72. Rubber band 16 is engaged upon groove 36 of push rod 19 and rocket body is urged over barrel 26 until end of rocket 29 bottoms against shoulder 30 and rubber band 16 is stretched to maximum length 18. The toy rocket is then in ready position and may be fired simply by aiming, releasing hand 72 and allowing rocket assembly to travel forward urged by the energy contained in stretched rubber band 16. If desired, a plurality of similar missiles may be kept close at hand for rapid firing using the same launching assembly as fast as the hands can manipulate the toy.

In order to operate the modification shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the modified launch-er 37 is grasped in one hand and the modified missile 38 by the other hand 72. Bottom 47 of barrel 40 is rested upon launching lugs 42, 43 and then rocket body is urged downwardly over barrel 40 forcing lugs downwardly in slots 44, 45 thereby depressing spring means 51 until lugs strike against bottom 53 of slots 44, 45. The toy rocket is then in ready position and may be fired similarly to that already described.

In order to operate the modification shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the modified launcher 54 is grasped in one hand (not shown) and the modified missile 38 by the other hand 72. Bottom 47 of barrel 40 is rested upon launch ring 57 and rocket body is urged over push rod 56 until end of rocket 29 forces launch ring downwardly to bottom against shoulder 70. Rubber band 58 is stretched to maximum length in this position and toy rocket is ready for firing in the usual way. Upon release of the modified missile 38, launch ring will propel missile forwardly until launch ring reaches the forward limit of its travel and is restrained by retaining ring 60.

It should be understood that any of the modifications of my invention herein described may be readily fitted with'a trigger mechanism in any of several well known manners should adevice of more complexity be desired and still be within the scope of my invention. Further, launcher assembly 24 may be provided with a tripod (not shown) in any well known manner to hold launcher assembly in a vertical position simulating that of full size launchers. It is contemplated that conventional Christmas tree stands could be utilized for this purpose. If desired, conical inserts 76, 77 may be secured to interior of rocket bodies having central opening to receive launcher, in order to reduce looseness and to insure greater accuracy in operation.

Cap holders 78, 79 may be provided on underside of top 46 to secure common caps in any well known manner. Striking points 80, 81 extending upwardly from propulsion assembly 41 fire caps (not shown) upon operation of propulsion assembly when drawn upwardly by resilient means 51. An access panel (not shown) should be provided in barrel 40 in vicinity of cap holders 78, 79 to permit access to launcher interior for placement of cap prior to firing. It is thus seen that simulated noise producers can be added to act simultaneously with the missile launching operation. It is further contemplated that by adding two or more devices in series in accordance with the instant invention, a two or three stage simulated rocket may be readily assembled.

Although I have described my invention with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be restored to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is: 1

1. In a toy rocket, the combination of a missile assembly and a launching assembly propelling said missile assembly; said missile assembly including a light, hollow body portion having a lightweight, resilient projectile means end and a launch end, and, resilient means secured intermediate said ends of said body portion; said launching assembly including a handle portion and push rod extending from said handle having a free end, said push rod having cross section area permitting insertion within said hollow body portion and having suflicient length to engage upon and stretch said resilient means; said launch assembly being telescoped within said missile assembly immediately prior to launching.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said 1ight-weight resilient means comprise an inflated balloon.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said light-weight resilient means comprise an inflated balloon, said balloon being shaped to resemble an actual nose 'cone and said balloon secured to said body portion by a plurality of strips of cellophane tape.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said resilient means include a length 'of rubber band, said rubber band having an--initial, unstressed position and a final, elongated position immediately prior to launching.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said free end of push rod terminates in a shallow, diametrical groove, said groove engaging said resilient means.

6. The invention of claim 1 wherein said'launching assembly furnishes a shoulder to limit the telescoping motion of said launching assembly within said missile assembly.

7. A toy missile comprising a lightweight, hollow, cylindrical, simulated rocket body, said body having an open forward end and an'open rearward end; an extremely lightweight, resilient, simulated nose cone secured to said forward end; and a rubber band stretching across the interior of said rocket body intermediate its ends, said rubber band being secured to diametrically opposed portions of the rocket body nearer the said rearward end.

FOREIGN PATENTS 552,598 12/1956 Italy.

RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner. W. R, BROWNE, Assistant Examiner,

Claims

1. IN A TOY ROCKET, THE COMBINATION OF A MISSILE ASSEMBLY AND A LAUNCHING ASSEMBLY PROPELLING SAID MISSILE ASSEMBLY; SAID MISSILE ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A LIGHT, HOLLOW BODY PORTION HAVING A LIGHTWEIGHT, RESILIENT MEANS SECURED MEANS END AND A LAUNCH END, AND, RESILIENT MEANS SECURED INTERMEDIATE SAID ENDS OF SAID BODY PORTION; SAID LAUNCHING ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A HANDLE PORTION AND PUSH ROD EXTENDING FROM SAID HANDLE HAVING A FREE END, SAID PUSH ROD HAVING CROSS SECTION AREA PERMITTING INSERTION WITHIN SAID HOLLOW BODY PORTION AND HAVING SUFFICIENT LENGTH TO ENGAGE UPON AND STRETCH SAID RESILIENT MEANS; SAID LAUNCH ASSEMBLY BEING TELESCOPED WITHIN SAID MISSILE ASSEMBLY IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO LAUNCHING.