Toy Projectile Launcher Dual Elastic Loop Safety Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Toy bow and arrow systems pose a safety hazard when children overdraw the bow, leading to potential breakage of the string or bow, which can result in injury from flying debris.
Innovation Solution
A toy projectile launching system with two spring-loaded arm elements and elastic loops that engage the projectile, distributing the launching force and preventing the elastic loops from whipping back towards the user upon breakage, as the hooks on the projectile engage both loops, reducing the likelihood of simultaneous failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a toy bow uses a static bow structure with an elastic string, then the likelihood of the bow breaking is reduced, but the broken elastic string may still whip toward the user causing injury
Solution Approach 1:
The single elastic string is segmented into two separate elastic loops, each attached to a different arm element. This segmentation ensures that if one loop breaks, the other remains intact to control the projectile, and the broken loop cannot whip toward the user's face as in single-string designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The projectile acts as an intermediary between the user and the elastic loops. The hooks on the projectile engage with both elastic loops, creating a mechanical connection that prevents the loops from directly contacting the user's face during breakage, thereby reducing injury risk.
2Force
If a toy bow uses a flexible bow with non-elastic string, then the launching force is provided by bow arm flexing, but the bow may break if drawn beyond its limit causing flying debris
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical flexing system of the bow arms is replaced with an elastic string system that provides the launching force. The elastic loops stretch and retract to launch the projectile, eliminating the need for flexible bow arms and their associated breakage risks.
3Force
If an elastic string is stretched into a fully drawn state, then the launching force is maximized, but the elastic string may break near its mounting point whipping toward the user
Solution Approach 1:
The single elastic string is divided into two separate elastic loops, each attached to a different arm element. This segmentation ensures that if one loop breaks under maximum tension, the other loop remains intact and the broken loop's geometry prevents it from whipping toward the user's face.
Solution Approach 2:
The two elastic loops are positioned asymmetrically on opposite sides of the launcher, with their looped sections extending into the open area. This asymmetric positioning ensures that breakage of one loop does not cause the other to whip toward the user, as each loop operates independently in its own spatial zone.
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 system effectively prevents injuries by distributing the launching force and ensuring that broken elastic loops do not whip back, making it safer for children to use, as the hooks on the projectile engage both loops, making simultaneous breakage highly improbable.
Implementation Method 1
A first elastic loop is anchored to the first arm element. The first elastic loop has a looped section that extends into the open area. A second elastic loop is anchored to the second arm element.
Data Source
AI summary
A toy projectile launching system that launches a toy projectile. The launcher has a handle. The handle is offset between two supports. A first arm element is coupled to the first support. A first elastic loop is anchored to the first arm element. The first elastic loop has a looped section that extends into an open area. A second arm element is coupled to the second support. A second elastic loop is anchored to the second arm element. The second elastic loop has a looped section that extends into the open area. The looped sections of the first elastic loop and the second elastic loop are spaced to receive and engage opposing hook elements on the toy projectile when the toy projectile is manually drawn through the open area.