Focusing method and apparatus for light emitting device

• US 20030228913A1
• Filed: 03/26/2003
• Published: 12/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Jasman Asia Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Jasman Asia Ltd.
• Inventors: Lampl, John
• Application Number:
  US10/396,703
• Publication Number:
  US 20030228913A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/51
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/02 Shooting or hurling games throwing-implements for sports or recreational use A63B65/00; throwing or projecting toys per se A63H33/18; gun simulators F41A33/00, e.g. light- or radiation-emitting guns F41A33/02; practice apparatus for gun-aiming F41G3/26, e.g. using a light-emitting device F41G3/2616; targets, target ranges, bullet catchers F41J, photo-electric hit-detector systems F41J5/02
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 33/02 Light- or radiation-emitting guns ; Light- or radiation-sensitive guns; Cartridges carrying light emitting sources, e.g. laser
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 5/02 Photo-electric hit-detector systems comprising a light-emitting device for simulating the firing of a gun F41G3/2622; detecting by optical means G01V8/10
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 5/22 the indicating means being a dispensing device
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 5/26 exploding or disintegrating when hit F41J9/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 7/04 disappearing or moving when hit exploding targets F41J5/26; exploding clay-pigeon targets F41J9/165

Abstract

A light emitting apparatus including an emitter configured to emit electromagnetic radiation of a predetermined spectrum including visible light and infrared light, and a plurality of focusing chambers, each focusing chamber including an aperture, wherein light from the emitter passes successively through at least a first of the chambers and an aperture of the first chamber, and through a second of the chambers and an aperture of the second chamber before exiting the apparatus.

Claims

1. A light emitting apparatus comprising:

an emitter configured to emit electromagnetic radiation of a predetermined spectrum including visible light and infrared light; and

a plurality of focusing chambers, each focusing chamber including an aperture, wherein light from the emitter passes successively through at least a first of the chambers and an aperture of the first chamber, and through a second of the chambers and an aperture of the second chamber before exiting the apparatus.

2. A light emitting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the emitter is configured to emit infrared light.

3. A light emitting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a pistol having a trigger connected to the light emitter.

4. A light emitting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second focusing chamber comprises a barrel of the pistol.

5. A light emitting apparatus according to claim 3, further including a speaker connected to the trigger.

6. A light emitting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a ratio of a length of a first of the chambers to a length of a second of the chambers comprises about 1:

4.

7. A light emitting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apertures of the chambers are circular.

8. A target shooting set including a light emitting apparatus according to claim 3, and further comprising a target stand including a light receiving module.

9. A target shooting set according to claim 8, wherein the target stand further comprises an extendable member operatively connected to the light receiving module such that the extendable member is released upon a beam of light from the toy pistol being received by the light receiving module.

10. A target shooting set according to claim 8, further comprising a target for placement over the extendable member of the target stand.

11. A target shooting set according to claim 10, wherein the target comprises a replica of one of a bottle and a can.

12. A target shooting set according to claim 10, wherein the target comprises at least two separable pieces.

13. A target shooting set according to claim 8, wherein the target stand further comprises at least one of a speaker and a light connected to the light receiving module.

14. A target shooting set according to claim 9, wherein the target stand further comprises a spring normally biasing the extendable member out of the target stand and the target stand further includes a latching mechanism for maintaining the extendable member against the spring and within the target stand, and wherein the latching mechanism is operatively connected to the light receiving module so that, upon a beam of light from the toy pistol being received by the light receiving module, the latching mechanism releases the extendable member.

15. A target shooting set according to claim 14, wherein the latching mechanism of the target stand comprises:

a motor having a rotatable shaft and operatively connected to the light receiving module so that, upon a beam of light from the toy pistol being received by the light receiving module, the shaft of the motor is rotated; and

a latch member normally maintaining the extendable member against the spring and within the target stand and connected to the shaft of the motor so that, upon the shaft being rotated, the latch member releases the extendable member.

16. A target shooting set according to claim 15, wherein the target stand comprises at least two of the extendable members, one of the light receiving modules is associated with each extendable member, the latching mechanism operatively connects the two light receiving modules to the respective extendable members, and the light receiving modules cause the shaft of the motor to rotate in opposite directions.

17. A method of focusing a beam of light comprising:

aligning an emitter, configured to emit electromagnetic radiation of a predetermined spectrum, with a plurality of focusing chambers;

providing each focusing chamber with an aperture; and

directing light from the emitter successively through the apertures of the focusing chambers.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein one of the focusing chambers is positioned in another of the focusing chambers.

19. A method according to claim 17, wherein the emitter is configured to emit visible light.

20. A method according to claim 17, wherein the emitter is configured to emit infrared light.

21. A target stand comprising:

at least two extendable members;

springs normally biasing each of the extendable members out of the target stand;

a latching mechanism for maintaining the extendable members against the springs and within the target stand; and

at least one light receiving module associated with each extendable member and adapted to provide an electronic signal to the latching mechanism upon receiving a beam of electromagnetic radiation of a predetermined spectrum so that, upon a beam of electromagnetic radiation being received by the light receiving module, the latching mechanism releases the extendable member associated with the light receiving module.

22. A target stand according to claim 21, wherein the latching mechanism of the target stand comprises:

a reversible motor having a rotatable shaft and operatively connected to the light receiving modules so that, upon a beam of electromagnetic radiation being received by one of the light receiving modules, the shaft of the motor is rotated in one of two direction; and

latch members normally maintaining the extendable members against the springs and within the target stand and connected to the shaft of the motor so that, upon the shaft being rotated, one of the latch members releases one of the extendable members.