Toy dart

• US 6,048,250 A
• Filed: 03/03/1999
• Issued: 04/11/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert H. Hudson
• Original Assignee: Robert H. Hudson
• Inventors: Hudson, Robert H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hafer, Robert A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Carlson, Jeffrey D.
• Application Number:
  US09/261,850
• Time in Patent Office: 405 Days
• Field of Search: 446/4, 446/24, 446/34, 446/176, 446/180, 446/188, 446/193, 446/196, 446/197, 446/198, 446/213, 446/397, 446/398, 446/399, 446/400, 446/401, 446/402, 473/569, 473/578, 473/581
• US Class Current: 446/196
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 27/004 Means for launching objects from aircraft, e.g. pilot, missiles
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 27/005 Rockets; Missiles
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/18 Throwing or slinging toys, e.g. flying disc toys discs used in athletics A63B65/10as part of a game A63F9/02; sling weapons F41B3/00; spring toy guns F41B7/08

Abstract

A toy dart includes a cylindrical wall having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first open end at one end of the cylindrical wall, and second open end at the other end of the cylindrical wall. At least two fins are attached to the outer surface of the cylindrical wall. In addition, a resilient, bulbous head portion is mounted on the cylindrical wall at the second open end thereof, the head portion defining a chamber adapted to contain fluid and having an opening formed therein so that the chamber communicates with an interior of the cylindrical wall. The toy dart is constructed and arranged for aerodynamic flight when thrown, and upon the bulbous head impacting a hard surface, the bulbous head portion deforms for moving fluid contained therein into the interior of the cylindrical wall. Other embodiments of the toy dart are further contemplated.

Claims

1. A toy dart comprising:

a cylindrical wall having an inner surface defining a chamber, an outer surface, a first open end at one end of the cylindrical wall, and second open end at the other end of the cylindrical wall;

at least two fins attached to the outer surface of the cylindrical wall;

a cap releasably attached to the cylindrical wall so as to cover the first open end thereof; and

means for increasing the air pressure within the chamber of the cylindrical wall for forcing the cap off of the cylindrical wall;

said means for increasing the air pressure within the chamber comprising a sliding member having a piston slidably movable within the chamber of the cylindrical wall between a first position in which the piston is adjacent the second open end of the cylindrical wall and a second position in which the piston is adjacent the first open end of the cylindrical wall, a shaft fixedly attached to the piston at one end thereof, the shaft extending through the second open end of the cylindrical wall, and an impact head fixedly attached to the shaft at the other end of the shaft, the impact head being located outside the chamber of the cylindrical wall, the arrangement being such that upon the impact head impacting a hard surface, the piston slides to its second position and increases the air pressure for forcing the cap off of the cylindrical wall thereby creating a loud noise;

the piston having a resilient foam protrusion capable of receiving smoke simulating powder which, when the piston is in its second position, extends through the first open end allowing the air blast to extract from it the simulated smoke powder.

2. A toy dart as set forth in claim 1, said means for increasing the air pressure within the chamber comprising a bellows-like head portion attached to the cylindrical wall at its second open end thereof.

3. A toy dart as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a tether having one end thereof connected to one of the fins, a second end thereof connected to the cap.

4. A toy dart as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a tether having one end thereof connected the cylindrical wall, a second end thereof connected to the cap.