WO2014054944A1

WO2014054944A1 - Toy crossbow and bolt safety assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2014054944A1
Application number: PCT/NL2013/050697
Authority: WO
Inventors: Adar Golad
Original assignee: Adar Golad
Priority date: 2012-10-02
Filing date: 2013-10-01
Publication date: 2014-04-10

Abstract

The invention relates to a toy crossbow comprising: • a stock (22), • a bow (40) attached to said stock, • bow string (2) attached to different ends of said bow, • a holding mechanism, for holding said bow string in a stretched position, • and a trigger mechanism (100) comprising a trigger and adapted for actuating said holding mechanism for releasing said bow string.

Description

Toy crossbow and bolt safety assembly

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a toy crossbow and a toy crossbow and bolt safety assembly, e.g. for use as a toy by children. It is generally known that cross-bows with functioning bow strings, even toy cross-bows, can be dangerous to children and adults alike. US patent 6,076,513 describes a relatively safe bow-type toy for launching a foam projectile. The known toy is shaped as a crossbow provided with bow strings which are however decorative and are not used for launching the projectile. The known bow- type toy instead is provided with a pneumatic plunger for launching the foam projectile. Though this toy is relatively safe in use when shooting foam projectiles, it does not provide the thrill of using a tensioned string for launching a projectile.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a toy crossbow for launching a bolt using a bow string as well as a toy crossbow and bolt assembly, provided with a number of safety measures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To this end, according to a first aspect the present invention provides a toy crossbow for launching a bolt, comprising: a stock; a bow attached to said stock; a bow string attached to different ends of said bow, wherein said bow string is moveable from a stretched position to a released position; a holding mechanism, for holding said bow string in the stretched position; a trigger mechanism comprising a trigger and adapted for actuating said holding mechanism for releasing said bow string; a guide surface for guiding said bolt along a substantially straight path during movement of the bow string from the stretched position to the released position; and a first string guide and a second string guide comprising facing sides for retaining a portion of said bow string there between during movement of said bowstring from a stretched position to a released position and vice versa, wherein said facing sides of said first and second string guide are arranged spaced apart from said guide surface for guiding said bolt. As the guide surface for guiding the bolt is spaced apart from the facing sides of the first and second string guides it becomes substantially more difficult launch objects which are not shaped to cooperate with the guide surface as such objects will typically not be engaged by the bow string when placed on the guide surface. In an embodiment the holding mechanism comprises a latch or latch mechanism for holding the bow string in the stretched position.

In an embodiment said guide surface is provided with an longitudinal through opening for allowing a portion of the bolt to extend there through and into at least a portion of the space between the facing sides of the first and second string guides when said bolt is supported by said guide surface. Thus, when the bow string moves from the stretched position to the released position it can engage the portion of the bolt, while the rest of the bolt is substantially supported and guided by the guide surface. As a result, only objects having portions that fit through the longitudinal through opening may be engaged by the bow string when placed on the guide surface. Preferably, when a bolt is placed on the guide surface, the portion of the bolt that extends through the longitudinal through opening is a part of a tail section of said bolt, whereas other parts of the bolt, e.g. other parts of the tail section of the bolt and the front end of the bolt, are supported by the guide surface and do not projected through the longitudinal through opening.

In an embodiment, said facing sides of said first string guide and second string guide define a path for said portion of the bow string to follow during movement from the stretched position to the released position, wherein the path comprises a first substantially straight portion which transitions into a second portion which is non- parallel to said first portion and which extends away from said guide surface towards an end of the said path proximate to said bow. The bow string thus engages the bolt when it is moved along the first portion from the stretched position to the released position, but does not engage the bolt any more when the bow string is in the released position at the end of the second portion of the path. As a result, when the bow string is in the released position and a person tries to move the bolt over the guide surface in the reverse direction, then the bolt will not engage the bow string and the bow string will remain in the released position. Stretching of the bow string by moving an projectile along the guide surface in the reverse direction is thus substantially prevented. Preferably, the second portion is at an angle between 10 to 40 degrees to said first portion.

In an embodiment said facing sides of said first and/or second string guide, along said first substantially straight portion, extend substantially parallel to longitudinal direction of said guide surface. The bolt may thus be accelerated by the bow string at least along this first straight portion.

In an embodiment said facing sides of said first string guide and said second string guide are spaced apart from each other by a distance greater than a diameter of said string. Preferably, this distance is less than three times the diameter of said string. In an embodiment the first string guide and the second string guide extend substantially parallel to each other along said first and/or second portion.

In an embodiment the toy crossbow further comprises a connecting section connecting said first string guide to said second string guide and arranged for preventing said bow string from moving out from between said first and second string guides. Moreover, the connecting section is thus arranged for blocking any part of a projectile which is still engaged by the bow string when the bow string is in the released position.

In an embodiment said guide surface for said bolt is a first guide surface, said toy crossbow further comprising one or more further guide surfaces for said bolt, arranged spaced apart from said first guide surface for substantially restraining movement of said bolt along a direction other than parallel to the first guide surface during movement of the bow string from the stretched position to the released position. Thus, during movement of the bow string from the stretched position to the released position, movement of the bolt is substantially restricted to movement along the longitudinal direction of the guide surface .

In an embodiment said first and/or one or more further guide surfaces comprise an through opening in the shape of said bolt, for positioning said bolt at a predetermined position and/or orientation relative to said guide surfaces for said bolt.

In an embodiment said through opening is arranged for at least partially passing said bolt there through in a direction at an angle, preferably transverse, to the longitudinal direction of the guide surface. The bolt may thus be placed in a predetermined position on the guide surface by moving the bolt in a direction which is non- parallel to the longitudinal direction of the guide surface, and objects which do not fit through the through opening are prevented from being placed on the guide surface in this manner.

In an embodiment said toy crossbow further comprises a first blocking mechanism for blocking movement of said bow string from said stretched position to said released position independent of said trigger mechanism, wherein said first blocking mechanism is adapted for unblocking when said bolt is positioned at a predetermined position and/or orientation relative to said guide surface.

In an embodiment said first blocking mechanism comprises a latch arranged to be depressed by a tail portion of said bolt for unblocking said first blocking mechanism when said bolt is positioned in said predetermined position and/or orientation. Preferably the latch is biased, e.g. by a spring, toward a position in which it is not depressed, such that the latch is in a blocking position in which it blocks movement of the bow string past the latch from the stretched position to the released position.

In an embodiment said trigger mechanism comprises a second blocking mechanism for blocking movement of said holding mechanism and/or said trigger, wherein said second blocking mechanism is adapted for unblocking when said bolt is positioned at a predetermined position and/or orientation relative to said guide surface.

In an embodiment said second blocking mechanism comprises a latch arranged to be depressed by a tail portion of said bolt for unblocking said first blocking mechanism when said bolt is positioned in said predetermined position and/or orientation. Preferably, the latches of the first and second blocking mechanism are arranged to be depressed by different parts of a tail portion of a bolt, which different part preferably are at an angle to each other, such as neighboring flights of a bolt .

In an embodiment the bow string, when said bow string is in the stretched position, spans a plane which is non-parallel to the longitudinal direction of said guide surface. Thus when the bow string is moved to the released position it is moved away from the guide surface.

According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a toy crossbow assembly comprising a toy crossbow as described herein, and a bolt for use therewith.

In an embodiment for use with a toy crossbow which is provided with a through opening as described above, the bolt has a shape corresponding to said through opening .

According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a toy crossbow comprising: a stock; a bow attached to said stock; a bow string attached to different ends of said bow; a latch, for holding said bow string in a stretched position; and a trigger mechanism comprising a trigger and adapted for releasing said latch, wherein said toy crossbow comprises a first string guide and a second string guide for retaining a portion of said bow string there between during movement of said bowstring from a stretched position to a released position and vice versa, wherein the first string guide and the second string guide define a path for said bow string to follow during movement from said stretched position to said released position, wherein said path comprises a first substantially straight portion stretching substantially from said latch and transitioning into a second portion non-parallel to said first portion and stretching towards an end of the first and second string guides proximate to said bow.

In an embodiment said toy crossbow comprises one or more guide surfaces for defining a substantially straight path for said bolt during movement of said bow string from the stretched position to the released position, wherein said second portion is substantially at an angle to said straight path for said bolt.

The various aspects and features described and shown in the specification can be applied, individually, wherever possible. These individual aspects, in particular the aspects and features described in the attached dependent claims, can be made subject of divisional patent applications .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figures 1A-1D show a toy crossbow according to the present invention, with the bow and bow string in a stretched position,

Figure 2A show a side view of the same crossbow with the bow and bow string in a released position,

Figure 2B shows a partial cut away detail of the same crossbow, with its blocking mechanisms in an unblocked position and with the bow string in the stretched position,

Figure 2C shows a top view of the same crossbow, with the bow and bow string in a released position,

Figures 3A and 3B show an embodiment of a bolt for use in a toy crossbow assembly according to the present invention . DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figures 1A-1D respectively show an isometric view, a side view, a partially cut-away detailed view, and a top view, of a toy crossbow 1 according to the present invention. Figure 1A shows the toy crossbow 1 comprising a stock 20 which is connected to a trigger mechanism 30. The toy crossbow further comprises a resiliently elastic bow 40, which is attached at its center 41 to distal end 21 of the stock 20. A bow string or rope 2 is attached to both ends 42a, 42b of the bow 40, and scope 3 together with front sight 4 facilitates targeting.

In figures 1A-1D the bow string 2 is shown in a stretched or tensioned state in which it stores kinetic energy for firing a bolt. As can be seen in figure 1C, the trigger mechanism 30 may be operated using trigger 31, which is arranged for, when pressed, releasing the bow string from holding mechanism 28,35 by lifting a lifting element 35 so that the bow string 2 is moved past corner section or recessed section 28 of the stock 20 and is no longer held in the stretched position thereby. When the trigger is not pressed it is biased towards the position shown and the holding mechanism 28,35 is arranged for holding the bow string 2 in the stretched position.

The stock 20 is provided with a guide surface 80 for guiding a bolt, e.g. a bolt shown in figs. 3A and 3B, along a substantially straight path during movement of the bow string 2 from the stretched position to the released position. The guide surface 80 has a distal end 81 proximate to distal end 21 of the stock, and an opposite distal end 82 proximate to distal end 22 of the stock 20. The guide surface 80, which has a substantially semi- circular cross-section, supports the bolt during movement from distal end 81 to distal end 82. In particular, the guide surface 80 is arranged for supporting a forward end and a tail section of the bolt. The guide surface 80 comprises an longitudinal through opening 81 for receiving therein a portion of a tail section or flight of a bolt, e.g. as shown in fig. 3A.

The bow string 2 is enclosed between first and second string guides 60, 70 such that a portion of the bow string 2 is always retained between these string guides and remains spaced apart from the guide surface 80 for the bolt. Contact between the bow string 2 and the bolt is possible thanks to a longitudinal through opening 81 through which a portion of the tail section of the bolt may extend. When the bow string 2 moves from the stretched position to the released position it can thus engage the portion of the tail section of the bolt which extends through the longitudinal through opening 81. The facing sides of string guides 60,70 are arranged substantially parallel to each other at a distance which is only slightly larger than the diameter of the bow string 2 which is held there between. In the embodiment shown, the distance dl between the facing sides of string guides 60 and 70 is substantially equal to 1.1 times the diameter of the bow string 2.

Figure 1C shows a cut-away detail of a first and second blocking mechanisms of the crossbow 1 which provide additional safety, as they would typically be arranged when no suitable bolt is in place on the guide surface 80.

Firstly, in the configuration shown in which no suitable bolt is placed on the guide surface 80, the bow string 2 is blocked from moving to the released position by a first blocking mechanism comprising a latch 120, which latch 120 is biased by string 126 to the position shown, in which the latch 120 abuts the guide surface 80.

Secondly, in the configuration shown, the trigger 31 is blocked from being pressed by blocking portion 103 of elastically deformable element 100. In particular, portion 33 of the trigger 31 is blocked from moving by said blocking portion 103. Thus the elastically deformable element 100 forms a second blocking mechanism for blocking the trigger 31 from being pressed.

When both the first and second blocking mechanisms are unblocked, the bow string may be moved from the stretched position to the released position. As can be seen, the bow string 2 is arranged on top of lifting element 35, which is arranged in a recessed portion of stock 20 such that the bow string 2 abuts corner section 28 of the stock. The corner section 28 and the lifting element 35 together form a holding mechanism for holding the bow string in the stretched position. When trigger 31 is pressed, spring 36 extends and the trigger rotates around pivot point 32 which in turn causes lifting element 35 to rotate relative to the trigger 31 around pivot point 34 and lift the bow string 2 up relative to the corner section 28 along direction Y. When the lifting element is lifted, the bow string 2 is no longer restrained by corner section 28 of the stock 20 and its stored kinetic energy can be used to launch a projectile.

As can be seen in figure 2A, a slot 50 is formed between the facing sides of the first and second string guides 60, 70, and defines a path for part the bow string 2 to follow when it moves from a stretched position to a released position. The slot 50 extends substantially from a point where the bow string 2 is held by the corner section 28, towards connection section 51 which connects the first string guide to the second string guide. The slot 50 surrounds the bow string 2 on at least two sides such that the bowstring cannot be taken out of the slot when the bowstring is attached to both ends 42a, 42b of the bow 40. The two sides comprise a first and second string guide 60,70 adapted for holding the bow string between facing sided thereof, and for guiding movement of part of the bow string. The first and second string guide 60,70 extend substantially parallel to each other and comprise first portions 61,71 defining a substantially straight path for the bow string 2 to follow, which first portions transition into second portions 62,72 closer to the point of attachment of the bow 40 to the stock 20, which second portions define a path for the bow string to follow that extends at an angle away from the guide surface 80. Because the second portions 62,72 are sloped at an angle relative to the first portions 61,71, the bow string 2 is pushed away from of the path of the bolt, such that the bow string can no longer be grasped or picked up by a bolt when a child tries to insert a bolt in the opening of the crossbow from which a bolt is launched. This safety measure at least partially reduces the possibility of stretching the bow string by inserting an object, such as a pen, or even such as a bolt for use with the crossbow, and then pushing the object towards the holding mechanism 28,35.

The facing sides of the first and second string guide are spaced apart a distance which is slightly larger than the diameter of the bow string 2, but preferably less than 2 times the diameter of the bowstring, more preferably less than 1,2 times the diameter of the bowstring.

Figure 2B shows a cut-away detail of first and second blocking mechanisms of the crossbow 1, as they would be arranged when a suitable bolt has been placed in a pre^¬ determined position and orientation on the guide surface.

In this orientation and position, a tail section of the bolt (not shown) would push against portion 104 of deformable element 100, causing the deformable element to deform such that blocking portion 103 no longer abuts against portion 33 of the trigger. As a consequence, trigger 31 may be pressed causing lifting element 34 to lift such that the bow string 2 can move from the stretched position to the released position while engaging a portion of the bolt.

Moreover, in this orientation and position of the bolt, another tail section thereof would push against a latch 120, causing it to move away from the guide surface 80 as shown, such that the bow string 2 is no longer blocked by latch 120.

Figures ID and 2C show a top view of the toy crossbow according to the invention, in which the bow string 2 is shown respectively in the stretched and released position. The toy crossbow is provided with further guide surfaces 91,92 which are arranged a distance d2 apart from each other over a substantial portion of their lengths. The further guide surfaces 91,92 are arranged spaced apart from the guide surface 80 such that a bolt, in particular portions of the tail section thereof, may be placed between the guide surface 80 and further guide surfaces 91,92. Thus, during movement of the bow string 2 from the stretched position to the released position, movement of the bolt is substantially restricted to movement along the longitudinal direction of the guide surface 80.

For facilitating placement of the bolt in a pre^¬ determined orientation and position on the guide surface 80, the guide surfaces 91,92 are provided with a through opening 93, 94 in the shape of the tail section of a bolt. When a bolt with a corresponding shape, e.g. a bolt as shown in figures 3A and 3B, is inserted in the through opening 93, 94 it acts as a key for unblocking one or more safety measures of the crossbow, e.g. for unblocking one or more blocking mechanisms adapted for blocking movement of the bow string and/or the trigger.

Figures 3A and 3B shows an isometric view and a side view respectively of a bolt 300 for use with a toy crossbow according to the present invention. Figure 3B shows that the bolt 300 has a shape corresponding to the through opening 93, 94 in the top side of the further guide surfaces 91,92 shown in figures ID and 2C. The bolt 300 comprises a tail section 330 provided with four axially extending flights 331,332,333,334. The forward end 310 of the bolt 300 comprises a soft suction cup 311, so that the bolt may attach to a smooth surface when fired. In alternative embodiments the forward end 310 of the bolt 300 may be provided with a soft foam body.

Figure 3B provides information about the dimensions of the bolt. The tail section 330 of the bolt has a width Wl, which is substantially larger than the distance d2 between the further guide surfaces 91,92. Thus when the bolt is inserted by moving it transverse to longitudinal direction of the guide surface 80, the bolt can only be placed on said guide surface passing it through through opening 93,94. The forward end 310 and middle section 320 have respective widths wl and w2 which substantially smaller than distance d2.

It is to be understood that the above description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. In particular the features and safety measures shown herein may also be applied in regular crossbows, e.g. crossbows for competition purposes. From the above discussion, many variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art that would yet be encompassed by the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

C L A I M S

1. Toy crossbow for launching a bolt, comprising: a stock,

a bow attached to said stock,

bow string attached to different ends of said bow, wherein said bow string is moveable from a stretched position to a released position,

a holding mechanism, for holding said bow string in the stretched position,

and a trigger mechanism comprising a trigger and adapted for actuating said holding mechanism for releasing said bow string,

a guide surface for guiding said bolt along a substantially straight path during movement of the bow string from the stretched position to the released posi- tion,

a first string guide and a second string guide comprising facing sides for retaining a portion of said bow string there between during movement of said bowstring from a stretched position to a released position and vice versa, characterized in that said facing sides of said first and second string guide are arranged spaced apart from said guide surface for guiding said bolt.

2. Toy crossbow according to claim 1, wherein said guide surface is provided with an longitudinal through opening for allowing a portion of the bolt to extend there through and into at least a portion of the space between the facing sides of the first and second string guides when said bolt is supported by said guide surface.

3. Toy crossbow according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said facing sides of the first string guide and the second string guide define a path for said portion of said bow string to follow during movement from said stretched position to said released position, and wherein said path comprises a first substantially straight portion which transitions into a second portion which is non-parallel to said first portion and which ex^¬ tends away from said guide surface towards an end of the said path proximate to said bow.

4. Toy crossbow according to claim 3, wherein said facing sides of first and second string guide, along said first substantially straight portion, extend substan^¬ tially parallel to the longitudinal direction of said guide surface.

5. Toy crossbow according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein said facing sides of the first string guide and the second string guide extend substantially parallel to each other along said first and/or second portion.

6. Toy crossbow according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said facing sides of first string guide and said second string guide are spaced apart from each other by a distance greater than a diameter of said bow string, and preferably less than three times a diameter of said bow string.

7. Toy crossbow according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a connecting section connecting said first string guide to said second string guide and arranged for preventing said bow string from moving out from between said first and second string guides.

8. Toy crossbow according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said guide surface for said bolt is a first guide surface, said toy crossbow further comprising one or more further guide surfaces for said bolt, arranged spaced apart from said first guide surface for substantial^¬ ly restraining movement of said bolt along a direction other than parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first guide surface during movement of the bow string from the stretched position to the released position.

9. Toy crossbow according to claim 8, wherein said first and/or one or more further guide surfaces com^¬ prise a through opening in the shape of said bolt, for po- sitioning said bolt at a predetermined position and/or orientation relative to said guide surfaces for said bolt.

10. Toy crossbow according to claim 9, wherein said through opening is arranged for at least partially passing said bolt there through in a direction at an angle, preferably transverse, to a the longitudinal direction of the guide surface.

11. Toy crossbow according any one of the preced^¬ ing claims, further comprising a first blocking mechanism for blocking movement of said bow string from said stretched position to said released position independent of said trigger mechanism, wherein said first blocking mechanism is adapted for unblocking when said bolt is positioned at a predetermined position and/or orientation relative to said guide surface.

12. Toy crossbow according to claim 11, wherein said first blocking mechanism comprises a latch arranged to be depressed by a tail portion of said bolt for unblocking said first blocking mechanism when said bolt is positioned in said predetermined position and/or orientation.

13. Toy crossbow according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said trigger mechanism comprises a second blocking mechanism for blocking movement of said first latch and/or said trigger, wherein said second block- ing mechanism is adapted for unblocking when said bolt is positioned at a predetermined position and/or orientation relative to said guide surface.

14. Toy assembly according to claim 13, wherein said second blocking mechanism comprises a latch arranged to be depressed by a tail portion of said bolt for unblock^¬ ing said first blocking mechanism when said bolt is posi^¬ tioned in said predetermined position and/or orientation.

15. Toy crossbow according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, when said bow string is in the stretched position, it spans a plane which is non-parallel to the longitudinal direction of said guide surface.

16. Toy crossbow comprising: a stock;

a bow attached to said stock;

a bow string attached to different ends of said bow;

a latch, for holding said bow string in a stretched position; and

a trigger mechanism comprising a trigger and adapted for releasing said latch,

wherein said toy crossbow comprises a first string guide and a second string guide for retaining a portion of said bow string there between during movement of said bowstring from a stretched position to a released po^¬ sition and vice versa,

wherein the first string guide and the second string guide define a path for said bow string to follow during movement from said stretched position to said re^¬ leased position,

wherein said path comprises a first substantially straight portion stretching substantially from said latch and transitioning into a second portion non-parallel to said first portion and stretching towards an end of the first and second string guides proximate to said bow.

17. Toy crossbow assembly comprising a toy cross^¬ bow according to any one of the preceding claims, and a bolt with a shape corresponding to said opening.

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