Rocket Launcher Toy

Abstract

An air pressure powered toy rocket launcher is herein disclosed. The launcher is comprised of a flexible plastic vessel attached to an assembly of rigid plastic tubes. A vertical section of the tube assembly has an open end. When water is poured into the open end, a closed cell foam plastic rocket, having a center bore, can be fitted over the vertical tube. With the launcher containing a measured amount of water and the rocket in place, a child jumps onto the flexible vessel to both fire the rocket and send a plume of water high into the air. The invention provides a satisfying visual experience while showering water down upon nearby spectators.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates generally to projectile launching toys and more particularly to launched toy rockets, which can be used safely by children. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART [0002] Toy rockets have been a familiar means of providing hours of visual entertainment, for children and adults alike for many years. However, several designs involving diverse mechanisms have revealed a need to provide children with a rocket launching system, which is safer and easier to use, but does not diminish the satisfaction of the toy by limiting the extent of the visual experience. U.S. Pat. No. 4,076,006 discloses a simple rocket launching toy, where the need for safety has been seriously compromised. The invention includes a rocket body comprised of soft open cell foam, such as urethane sponge material. A hard plastic tube insert is required to provide both mass to the rocket and an air tight seal between the rocket body and the launch mechanism. If the foam mat...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] The foregoing and other objects of this invention are accomplished, by providing a rocket launching toy comprising a very simple construction, thereby eliminating the need for any moving parts. A lightweight rocket, constructed from one to two pound per cubic foot extruded closed cell polyethylene plastic foam, provides a safe rocket, which can be propelled to impressive heights using little energy. Because of the flexible and lightweight character of the projectile, there is no danger posed to on looking children as the rocket returns to the ground. The foam rocket body has an axial bore of approximately five inches in depth and a cone shaped tip to reduce aerodynamic friction. At least two flat wings are attached to the rear of the rocket body for the purpose of controlling the flight path.

[0012] The rocket launching apparatus comprises a bladder, rotationally molded from soft durometer PVC or blow molded from EVA plastic, which functions as a pressure generating bellows when jumped upon by the user. This vessel has a domed top surface for trapping air above a measured amount of water and a shape which gradually tapers towards a single outlet, in order to more effectively channel fluid to the outlet. A hard plastic tube is permanently attached to the vessel outlet and runs horizontally for a distance adequate to provide safe physical separation between the user and the launch vehicle. A curved elbow section joins the horizontal tube with a vertical section of equivalent internal diameter. The vertical tube is clear and has a length slightly greater than the bore depth in the rocket. The outside diameter of the vertical tube is approximately equal to the bore diameter in the rocket body, so as to achieve an adequately snug friction fit, when the rocket is fully mounted over the vertical tube. A measured amount of water is introduced into the launching apparatus through an open end of the vertical tube section. When the proper amount of water is loaded into the launcher, the liquid level within the bladder will be slightly above the height of the horizontal tube. The final step of launch preparation involves mounting the rocket. This is accomplished by fully inserting the vertical tube of the launcher into the bore in the rocket body. To launch the rocket, a single person jumps onto the bladder so that one or both feet make contact with the apex of the vessel. This results in a compression of air trapped above the water in the bladder and within the vertical tube of the launch apparatus. Compressed air within the vertical tube quickly launches the rocket while the compressed air in the bladder together with elastic expansion of the vessel plastic, provide stored energy to aid in expelling the water from the launcher in a tall vertical plume.

Problems solved by technology

This results in a compression of air trapped above the water in the bladder and within the vertical tube of the launch apparatus.

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