Magnus Effect Cylindrical Projectile and Launcher
First Claim
1. A toy projectile and launcher system, comprising:
- a tubular projectile having an exterior surface that is symmetrically disposed about an imaginary longitudinal axis;
a launcher having a holding trough for receiving and holding said tubular projectile thereon;
a spring loaded element, supported by said launcher, that is selectively moved between a cocked position and a released position, wherein said spring loaded element contacts said tubular projectile in said holding trough as said spring loaded element moves from said cocked position to said released position, and wherein contact with said spring loaded element causes said tubular projectile to launch into flight in a direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis while imparting a spinning rotation in said tubular projectile about said longitudinal axis that remains while in flight.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A toy projectile and launcher system. The projectile is tubular in shape and lightweight. The projectile has an exterior surface that is symmetrically disposed about an imaginary longitudinal axis. The launcher has a holding trough that receives and holds the tubular projectile. Within the launcher is a spring loaded element. The spring loaded element selectively moves between a cocked position and a released position. The spring loaded element contacts the projectile in the holding trough as the spring loaded element moves from its cocked position to its released position. Contact with the spring loaded element causes the tubular projectile to launch into flight in a direction perpendicular to its longitudinal axis. Simultaneously, contact with the spring loaded element imparts a spinning rotation to the projectile, wherein the projectile spins about its longitudinal axis in flight. The spinning creates a Magnus effect on the projectile.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A toy projectile and launcher system, comprising:
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a tubular projectile having an exterior surface that is symmetrically disposed about an imaginary longitudinal axis; a launcher having a holding trough for receiving and holding said tubular projectile thereon; a spring loaded element, supported by said launcher, that is selectively moved between a cocked position and a released position, wherein said spring loaded element contacts said tubular projectile in said holding trough as said spring loaded element moves from said cocked position to said released position, and wherein contact with said spring loaded element causes said tubular projectile to launch into flight in a direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis while imparting a spinning rotation in said tubular projectile about said longitudinal axis that remains while in flight. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A toy projectile and launcher system, comprising:
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a tubular projectile having an exterior surface that is symmetrically disposed about an imaginary longitudinal axis; a launcher having a base, wherein said tubular projectile is selectively positionable on said base; a hammer coupled to said base at a pivot connection, wherein said hammer can rotate between a cocked position and a released position about said pivot connection; a spring for biasing said hammer in said released position; a trigger catch for retaining said hammer in said cocked position when moved to said cocked position against said spring; and a release for activating said trigger catch; wherein said hammer strikes said exterior surface of said tubular projectile at a tangent when moving from said cocked position to said released position, therein launching said tubular projectile into flight in a direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis and imparting a spinning rotation in said tubular projectile about said longitudinal axis. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. A toy projectile and launcher system, comprising:
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a tubular projectile having an exterior surface that is symmetrically disposed about an imaginary longitudinal axis; a launcher having a spring loaded head that moves from a cocked position to a released position, wherein said head contacts said cylindrical projectile at a tangent when moving between said cocked position and said released position and imparts both a forward velocity in a direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis and a rotational velocity that rotates said cylindrical projectile about said longitudinal axis. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 16)
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15. (canceled)
Specification