Inflatable Launchable Toy with Elastic Launcher

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hand-launched toys are inherently unsafe and have design and size limitations, restricting them to small, dart-shaped designs that fail to meet safety standards and cannot be easily scaled up for larger or more detailed embodiments.

Innovation Solution

An inflatable launchable toy system comprising an outer fabric layer with an internal inflatable bladder and a foam nose cone, allowing for larger designs while ensuring safety through reduced impact force and shock absorption, and a launching strap system for efficient force application without compromising the toy's integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing solid shaft construction toys are used, then they can be launched with elastic launchers, but they are inherently unsafe and have design and size limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoiddesign and size flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state of the toy from solid to inflatable, transforming it from a rigid projectile to a soft, compressible object. This parameter change enables the toy to be both safe (reducing impact force) and versatile (allowing various sizes and designs while maintaining flight capability)

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite construction combining an inflatable bladder with an outer fabric layer and foam nose cone. This composite structure provides both safety (soft inflatable interior) and structural integrity (durable outer shell), resolving the contradiction between safety and design flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Volume of moving object

If toy size is increased to create larger embodiments, then more detailed characters and larger leading edges are achieved, but impact force increases making the toy less safe

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetoy sizeVSAvoidimpact force

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By changing the toy from solid to inflatable construction, the patent enables large volume while maintaining safety. The inflatable bladder allows the toy to be large for detailed characters and leading edges, but remains soft and safe upon impact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of large size (increased impact force) into a benefit by using inflatable construction. The large volume provides detailed characters and meets leading-edge requirements, while the inflatable nature reduces impact force to safe levels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Force

If launching strap system is used with inflatable toy, then incredible force can be applied without harming device integrity, but the device must withstand significant stress during launch

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelaunching forceVSAvoiddevice integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an outer fabric layer that provides structural strength to withstand launching forces while containing the inflatable bladder. This flexible shell construction allows incredible launching force to be applied without compromising device integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The inflatable design meets safety standards by reducing impact force and allowing for larger, more detailed toy embodiments that can be safely hand-thrown or launched, while the launching strap system enables effective propulsion without damaging the toy.

Implementation Method 1

the inflatable bladder inside the fabric outer layer absorbs shock and softens the impact of the device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShock absorption: Damping

Implementation Method 2

pulling the inflatable launchable toy away from the launcher to strain the launching elastic

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11752443B1Inflatable launchable toy system

Publication Date: 2023.09.12 SNIDER ANDREW C

AI summary

An inflatable launchable toy system comprising a launcher and an inflatable launchable toy configured to detachably couple to the launcher. The launcher having a launcher handle and a launching elastic. The inflatable launchable toy comprises an outer fabric layer that is substantially airtight. A fabric seam joins edges of the airtight fabric layer. A launching hook is attached to the fabric seam. The outer fabric layer when inflated gives an intended shape to the inflatable launchable toy. The inflatable launchable toy configured to detachably couple to the launching elastic through the launching hook.