Patent Grant
9688458
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to hand held guns, applicators and syringes for craft materials, and more particularly, the invention relates to novel hand held craft applicator apparatus employing a simple yet unique coupling for pivoting a plunger rod between an unaligned position for fun and quick filling and refilling of a modeling compound and an aligned position for easy extruding of the modeling compound. The portable craft applicator apparatuses also employ simple yet unique storage cavities at a plunger handle and/or a housing handle for storing a plunger rod pivoted to a folded position and resting intermediate the plunger handle and housing handle for quick and easy transport of the folded apparatuses.
2. Background of the Invention
There are several known hand held syringes for dispensing fluids as well as some known hand held extrusion devices for extruding other flowable materials. Some of the known syringes include two handles cooperating to actuate a plunger or piston and other extruding devices employ a trigger or single handle to compress a fluid cartridge or push flowable materials through a tube. None of the known devices however, employ a simple yet unique coupling for pivoting a plunger rod between two positions, first aligning the plunger rod with a housing receptacle for traversing the rod within the receptacle and extruding a modeling compound, and second pivoting the plunger rod to an unaligned position with the receptacle for fun and quick refilling. Additionally, none of the known devices employ storage cavities at a plunger handle or housing handle for at least partially containing a plunger rod pivoted to a folded position and resting intermediate the plunger handle and housing handle for quick and easy transport of the folded device.
Known syringe devices employing two handles that cooperate to actuate a plunger or piston are exemplified and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,395,326 issued Mar. 7, 1995 to Haber et al, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,078,690 issued Jan. 7, 1992 to Ryan. Haber teaches a hand held pressure assisted syringe employing a stationary handle and a moving handle aligned to mix stored pharmaceutical and actuate the syringe. Upon initial compression of the two handle grip, a diluent discharges to a jell mix chamber and a handle actuated piston in the jell mix chamber forces discharge of the mixed pharmaceuticals. Ryan teaches a hand held high pressure syringe for injecting viscous dye into a catheter. A pistol grip shape employs two handle members guided into alignment with respect to each other for actuation of the piston and injection of the dye.
Other known syringe or extruder devices employing two handles that cooperate to actuate a plunger to aspirate or eject material into the syringe are exemplified and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,594,073 issued Jun. 10, 1986 to Stine, and U.S. Pat. No. 1,880,354 issued Jul. 30, 1931 to Mueller. Stine teaches an aspiration syringe holder with a trigger in sliding engagement with syringe to move a piston rearwardly for aspiration. A linkage attached to the trigger engages the piston of the syringe for transmitting a rearward motion of the trigger to the piston moving the piston rearwardly with respect to the syringe. Similarly, Mueller teaches two trigger members moving relative to each other but to express material from a cartridge. Mueller also teaches of employing a spring or compressing plunger, held under compression by a releasable element, to compress a cartridge and expel contained fluid when the trigger releases the releasable element. Additionally, Mueller teaches a hand lever pivotably connected at one end to a plunger and at another end to a hand grip. The hand lever actuates the plunger which is contained within a chamber and slidably engages a cartridge exerting pressure on the cartridge when the hand lever is actuated toward the hand grip. Neither the hand lever nor the hand grip includes a storage cavity for containing a non-actuating plunger and rather the plunger in Mueller remains contained within the chamber whether in an actuating or non-actuating position.
A known plunger control device employed as a retrofit attachment for an existing syringe, is exemplified and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,118,556 B2 issued Oct. 10, 2006 to Nerney. A slide is slideably mounted on the barrel of a syringe whereas movement of the slide results in a simultaneous and corresponding movement of the plunger. The slide is controlled by a user to advance or retract a plunger of the syringe.
Other known hand held extrusion devices in toys for dispensing and expelling flowable material are exemplified and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,297,980 issued Mar. 29, 1994 to Barthold, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,427,528 issued Jun. 27, 1995 to Anderson et al. Barthold teaches a suctioning and pumping toy employing a hollow body, nozzle, plunger and a toy article coupled to the nozzle. The toy article and nozzle cooperate to pass a malleable play material through the toy and nozzle to give the appearance of expelling and ingesting material by the toy article. Anderson teaches an activity toy for allowing a user to create art works with moldable materials extruded from a common toy extruder. Art work is captured between two plates for display.
Significantly, known syringe and extruder devices do not employ a simple yet unique coupling for pivoting a plunger rod between an unaligned position for fun and quick filling and refilling of a modeling compound and an aligned position for easy extruding of the modeling compound. Additionally, known devices do not employ storage cavities for partially containing the plunger rod in a folded position for quick and easy transport of the device. It would be desirable to provide a plunger handle and coupled plunger rod which easily swings between an aligned position and an unaligned position. The plunger handle traverses the plunger rod within a receptacle for extruding a contained modeling compound when the rod is aligned with the receptacle. The plunger handle swings the plunger rod to a position unaligned with the receptacle for easy and quick refilling of the receptacle with modeling compound. Additionally, it would be desirable to provide a storage cavity in one or more of the plunger handle and/or housing handle partially containing the plunger rod intermediate the plunger handle and housing handle for easy storage and transport.
The present invention addresses shortcomings of the prior art to provide a craft gun which simply yet uniquely pivots a plunger rod for easy extruding and quick refilling of a modeling compound in a receptacle. The craft gun also uniquely stores a pivoting plunger rod intermediate a plunger and housing handle for easy transport and storage of the craft gun. The hand held craft gun is simple to use and easy to store and transport yet provides a large variety of extruding options for a user.
In one embodiment of the invention, a hand held craft gun for extruding modeling compound includes a housing assembly including a housing handle housing assembly and a receptacle defined within the housing assembly, a plunger rod, a plunger handle for supporting the plunger rod, and a coupling at the plunger handle for pivoting the plunger rod between a position unaligned with the receptacle for filling and refilling a modeling compound at the receptacle and a position aligned with the receptacle for extruding the modeling compound.
In another embodiment of the invention, the coupling further includes a shaft disposed at the housing assembly, adjacent the receptacle, extending away from the housing handle and an aperture defined in the plunger handle through which the shaft penetrates, one of the shaft or handle aperture deviates slightly in size to create an interference fit between the mating shaft and handle aperture such that the plunger handle securely pivots the shaft aligning the plunger rod with the receptacle, and the plunger handle traverses the shaft traversing the plunger rod back and forth within the receptacle for extruding the modeling compound.
In another embodiment of the invention, the coupling further includes a cylindrical apparatus having a cross sectional axis configured to mate with the shaft for back and forth traversing of the cylindrical apparatus along the shaft, and wherein the aperture defined in the plunger handle for at least partially containing the cylindrical apparatus, and pivoting the plunger handle with respect to the cylindrical apparatus and traversing the plunger handle along the shaft.
In another embodiment of the invention, the aperture of the plunger handle further includes a curved surface comprising a curved rib along at least a part of the surface and wherein the cylindrical apparatus further includes an outer surface having a curved groove for mating with the curved rib to hold the cylindrical apparatus within the aperture during use. In still another embodiment of the invention, the cylindrical apparatus further includes at least one longitudinal separation along a length of the apparatus and further includes one or more living hinges along a length of the apparatus opposite at least one separation for easy assembling of the cylindrical apparatus onto the shaft. In still yet another embodiment, the unaligned plunger rod rests intermediate the plunger handle and housing handle keeping the plunger handle spaced a distance apart for the housing handle.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, at least one removable cartridge is received into the receptacle of the housing for containing the volume of modeling compound, the cartridge includes a cross section larger than a cross sectional thickness of the plunger rod. In another embodiment, the cartridge further includes a first end and a second end, and further includes a flange at the first end defining an inlet and a cartridge plunger disposed at, and plugging, the inlet, the second end further includes a narrowed outlet.
In still yet another embodiment of the invention, the second end of the cartridge includes a threaded surface and further includes a threaded extrusion tip screwed onto the second end for shaping the extruding modeling compound. In another embodiment, two or more extrusion tips having a variety of extruding shapes each interchangeable on the second end of the cartridge are further included, and in yet another embodiment, one or more art boards each containing a pattern on which the modeling compound is applied as desired by a user is further included.
In another embodiment of the invention, a hand held craft gun for extruding modeling compound includes a housing assembly including a housing handle on the housing and a shaft disposed at the housing assembly, adjacent the receptacle, and extending away from the housing handle, a receptacle defined within the housing assembly, a plunger rod, a plunger handle for supporting the plunger rod, and a pivoting and traversing coupling disposed on the shaft for supporting the plunger handle, for pivoting the plunger rod between a position unaligned with the receptacle and a position aligned with the receptacle, and for traversing the plunger rod back and forth within the receptacle when the plunger rod is aligned with the receptacle for extruding the modeling compound.
In another embodiment of the invention, a rail on the shaft is further included and the pivoting and traversing coupling includes a cylindrical apparatus having a cross sectional axis configured to mate with the rail for back and forth traversing of the rail. In another embodiment, an aperture defined in the plunger handle for at least partially containing the cylindrical apparatus and pivoting the plunger handle with respect to the cylindrical apparatus, is further included. The aperture further includes an angular surface comprising an angular rib along at least a part of the surface and the cylindrical apparatus further includes an outer surface having a radial groove for mating with the angular rib to hold the cylindrical apparatus within the aperture during use.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, the cylindrical apparatus further includes at least one longitudinal separation along a length of the apparatus and further includes one or more living hinges along a length of the apparatus opposite at least one separation for easy assembling of the cylindrical apparatus onto the rail of the shaft. In another embodiment, a removable cartridge received into the receptacle of the housing for containing the volume of modeling compound is further included. The cartridge includes a first end and a second end, and further includes a flange at the first end defining an opening and a cartridge plunger disposed at, and plugging, the opening, the second end further includes a narrowed outlet.
In another embodiment of the invention, a method for repeatedly loading and extruding a modeling compound from a hand held craft gun includes the steps of providing a housing assembly including a housing handle and a shaft disposed at the housing assembly, the shaft is extending away from the housing handle, defining a receptacle within the housing assembly, the receptacle having a first end and second end, providing a plunger handle including a plunger rod supported on the plunger handle, and coupling the plunger handle for pivoting and traversing in mechanical engagement with the shaft. Loading a modeling compound into the receptacle at the first end, swinging the plunger rod at the shaft to a position aligned with the receptacle, traversing the plunger rod within the receptacle toward the second end and extruding the modeling compound, then traversing the plunger rod in the reverse direction and out of the receptacle, swinging the plunger rod to a position unaligned with the receptacle, reloading modeling compound into the receptacle, and repeatedly swinging the plunger rod between positions aligned and unaligned with the receptacle for repeatedly extruding modeling compound from the receptacle and repeatedly reloading modeling compound into the receptacle.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, a removable cartridge containing the volume of modeling compound is further included and the method further includes the step of inserting the cartridge into the receptacle. In another embodiment, two or more removable cartridges each including a different colored modeling compound are further included and the method further includes the steps of interchanging the two or more removable cartridges within the receptacle as different colored modeling compounds are desired by a user.
In still yet another embodiment of the invention, the cartridge further includes a narrowed outlet at an end of the cartridge and a threaded portion at the narrowed outlet, and further including a threaded extrusion tip screwed onto the threaded portion of the narrowed outlet for shaping the extruding modeling compound. In another embodiment, two or more extrusion tips having a variety of extruding shapes are further included and the method further includes the steps of interchanging the two or more extrusion tips as different extruding shapes are desired by a user.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a portable craft gun for extruding modeling compound and folding for easy transport includes a housing assembly, a receptacle defined within the housing assembly, a housing handle on the housing assembly having a first end and a second end, the housing handle extending at the first end from the receptacle, and a first storage cavity extending along a length of the housing handle between the first end and the second end of the housing handle. The craft gun further includes a plunger rod, a plunger handle for supporting the plunger rod, the plunger handle having a first end and a second end, a second storage cavity extending along a length of the plunger handle between the first end and the second end of the plunger handle, a first coupling securing the plunger rod to the first end of the plunger handle for pivoting the plunger rod between a first extended position aligning the plunger rod with the receptacle and a second folded position resting the plunger rod intermediate the plunger handle and the housing handle, the plunger rod in the second folded position is partially contained within both first and second storage cavities keeping the plunger handle spaced apart from the housing handle and a second coupling mechanically connecting the second end of the plunger handle to the second end of housing handle for pivoting the plunger handle between a first extruding position aligning the plunger rod in the extended position within the receptacle for extruding a modeling compound, and to a second storage position pivoting the plunger handle to a position adjacent the housing handle for storing the plunger rod in the folded position and partially within first and second storage cavities for easy transport.
In another embodiment, one or more of the first and second storage cavities includes an inner surface and further comprises one or more ridge elements affixed to the inner surface for abutting against the plunger rod in the folded position keeping the plunger rod spaced apart from the inner surface and the plunger handle spaced a distance apart from the housing handle when the plunger handle is in the storage position.
In another embodiment, the inner surface of the first storage cavity further comprises two or more ridge elements affixed to the inner surface, the two or more ridge elements rising to different heights from the inner surface of the first storage cavity. In yet another embodiment, the inner surface of the second storage cavity further comprises two or more ridge elements affixed to the inner surface, the two or more ridge elements rising to different heights from the inner surface of the second storage cavity.
In another embodiment, the second coupling further comprises a curved C-shaped element affixed to the second end of the plunger handle linking with and pivoting on a rod element affixed to the second end of the housing handle. In another embodiment, at least one removable cartridge received into the receptacle of the housing for containing a volume of modeling compound is further included, the cartridge including a cross section larger than a cross sectional thickness of the plunger rod.
In yet another embodiment, the cartridge includes a first end and a second end, and further includes a flange at the first end defining an opening and a cartridge plunger disposed at, and plugging, the opening, the second end further includes a narrowed outlet. In still yet another embodiment, the cartridge plunger includes an inside surface contacting the modeling compound and an outside recessed surfaced for capturing the plunger rod, and further comprising two or more self-centering ridges at the outside recessed surface of the cartridge plunger for centering the plunger rod on the cartridge plunger for easy and efficient extruding to the modeling compound, and in still yet another embodiment, two or more extrusion tips having a variety of extruding shapes each interchangeable on the second end of the cartridge is further included.
In another embodiment, one or more view holes in the housing assembly at the receptacle is further included. The one or more view holes are aligned along a length of the receptacle for viewing the volume of modeling compound contained within the cartridge inserted into the receptacle.
In another embodiment of the invention, a method for folding a hand held craft gun upon itself for easy transport includes the steps of providing a housing assembly including a housing handle, the housing handle having a first end and a second end, defining a first storage cavity along a length of the housing handle between the first end and the second end of the housing handle, providing a plunger handle coupled to the housing handle and supporting a plunger rod, the plunger handle having a first end and a second end, defining a second storage cavity along a length of the plunger handle between the first end and the second end of the plunger handle, and providing a first coupling securing the plunger rod to the plunger handle for pivoting the plunger rod between a first extended position and a second folded position. The further step of pivoting the plunger rod to the second folded position contains the plunger rod partially within the second storage cavity for easy transport of the portable craft gun.
In another embodiment of the invention, the method further includes the steps of providing a second coupling mechanically connecting the plunger handle to the housing handle for pivoting the plunger handle between a first extruding position and a second storage position, and pivoting the plunger handle to the second storage position disposing the plunger handle adjacent the housing handle partially containing the plunger rod within both the first and second storage cavities resting the plunger rod intermediate the plunger handle and the housing handle for folding the craft gun upon itself for easy transport.
In yet another embodiment, one or more of the first and second storage cavities further includes an inner surface and the method further includes one or more ridge elements affixed to the inner surface for abutting against the plunger rod in the folded position keeping the plunger rod spaced apart from the inner surface and the plunger handle spaced apart from the housing handle when the plunger handle is in the storage position.
For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the inventions, the accompanying drawings and description illustrates a preferred embodiment thereof, from which the inventions, structure, construction and operation, and many related advantages may be readily understood and appreciated.
The following description is provided to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the described embodiments set forth in the best modes contemplated for carrying out the invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Any and all such modifications, equivalents, and alternatives are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
A craft gun 10, as shown in
The housing assembly 12, as seen in
In the present described embodiment, the housing assembly 12 is a single piece, manufactured from a heavy duty molded plastic material which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture into any desired shape and can easily include fun and interesting colors and patterns. Molded plastic is strong and rigid enough to maintain its shape and integrity after many years of use and can also be clear and see through allowing a child user to delight in watching the extruding of a moldable compound from the receptacle.
The housing handle 22 and shaft 26 are molded from the same heavy duty plastic material as the housing assembly, as described above. In the present described embodiment, the housing handle 22 is assembled from two separate handle halves (split along line A) coupled together, as seen in
Likewise, the plunger handle 14 and supported plunger rod 16 are also molded from the same heavy duty plastic material as the housing assembly. In the present described embodiment, the plunger handle 14 is assembled from two separate handle halves (split along line B) coupled together, as seen in
The coupling 18, at the plunger handle 14 pivots the plunger rod between a position unaligned with the receptacle for filling and refilling a modeling compound, as seen in
In the present described embodiment, the coupling 18, as seen in
A user easily pivots the plunger handle 14 out of alignment with the housing handle 22, as seen in
A stop element 27 is disposed at the shaft 26 and is employed to prevent the handle 14 from disengaging from the shaft 26 during use, as seen in
In the present described embodiment, the coupling 18 includes the aperture 28 defined in the plunger handle 14 through which the shaft 26 penetrates, as seen in
The interference fit is achieved by shaping one of the mating shaft or aperture to slightly deviate in size from a normal dimension, such that one of the shaft or aperture slightly interferes with the space that the other would otherwise occupy. The tightness of the (combined shaft and aperture) coupling 18 is controlled by the amount of interference that exists between the two mating elements and can be achieved, for example, by increasing the cross sectional thickness of the shaft 26, or adding an elongated rib element along an outer surface of the shaft, or any other similar means by which the shaft 26 cross sectional thickness can be increased. Alternatively, the cross section of the aperture 28 can be narrowed to create the interference fit between the shaft and aperture (coupling 18) with the narrowed aperture interfering with the space that the shaft would have otherwise occupied.
In the present described embodiment, the coupling 18 further includes a cylindrical apparatus 30, as seen in
In the present described embodiment, the cylindrical apparatus 30 wraps around the shaft 26 and is held captive within the handle aperture 28. The cylindrical apparatus 30 includes a channel or central axis 36 through the length of the apparatus 30 to accommodate the size and shape of the shaft 26 on which the apparatus 30 is mounted. The handle 14 further includes a lip 15 that curves over at least a portion of the cylindrical apparatus 30 when contained within the aperture 28 to further assist in holding the apparatus 30 secure within the handle aperture 28, as seen in
The cylindrical apparatus 30 mounts the plunger handle 14 onto the shaft 26, as seen in
In the present described embodiment, a rail 38, as seen in
In the present described embodiment, the cylindrical apparatus 30 can be separated into two parts or two halves, as seen in
In the present described embodiment, at least one removable cartridge 44 is received into the receptacle 24 of the housing 12 for containing the volume of modeling compound 20, as seen in
The cartridge 44 can include a variety of shapes and sizes capable of being received into the receptacle of the housing 12, and the cartridge can be manufactured from a variety of materials such as plastic, etc. and even clear materials such as a clear plastic, so that a child user may view colored modeling compound contained in and extruded from the cartridge. The cartridge 44 also includes a first end 44a and a second end 44b, as seen in
The cartridge 44 further includes a cartridge plunger 50 disposed at, and plugging, the inlet 48, as seen in exploded view
Additionally, the cartridge 44 includes a narrowed outlet 52 at the second end 44b, and the second end further includes a threaded surface 44c, as seen in
Two or more removable cartridges are further included, and in the present described embodiment, multiple cartridges can be prefilled with an assortment of colored modeling compounds and sold individually or together or even with a bigger craft or extrusion kit. Multiple prefilled cartridges provide a significant advantage to the user, especially a child user, who can avoid the need to clean cartridges between refilling with different colored modeling compounds, making it easier to change colors during use.
In use, the prefilled removable cartridges 44 can be easily and quickly interchanged at the housing receptacle 24 enhancing the creative experience for a user who can extrude multiply varieties and/or colors of modeling compound quickly and easily during a single art project. Further, a pivoting stand 58, as seen in
In the present described invention, two or more extrusion tips 54, having a variety of extruding shapes each interchangeable on the second end 44b of the cartridge 44 are further included, as seen in
In the present described embodiment, the craft gun 10 can be combined with a larger craft kit 60 to enhance the enjoyment of creating artistic crafts. The craft kit 60 contains one or more art boards 62 each containing a pattern on which the modeling compound is applied as desired by the user. The craft kit 60 can also function as an easel for further ease in applying modeling compound to the art boards.
In a presently described preferred embodiment, a portable craft gun 200, as seen in
The housing assembly 212, as seen in
In the presently described embodiment, the housing assembly 212 is a single piece, manufactured from a heavy duty molded plastic material which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture into any desired shape and can easily include fun and interesting colors and patterns. Molded plastic is strong and rigid enough to maintain its shape and integrity after many years of use and can also be clear and see through allowing a child user to delight in watching the extruding of moldable compound from the receptacle.
The housing handle 210 is disposed on the housing assembly and extending from the receptacle 224. The housing handle includes a first end 210a and a second end 210b and is also molded from the same heavy duty plastic material as the housing assembly, as described above. In the present described embodiment, the housing handle 210 is molded and integral with the housing assembly 212. Alternatively, it is also contemplated that the housing handle 210 can be affixed to the housing assembly and/or include alternative materials such as wood or metal.
A trigger-like loop 226 is disposed at a first end of the housing handle and is also integral with the housing handle 210 and the housing assembly 212. The trigger-like loop has a central opening 227, allowing the user's finger to pass through the loop's opening and wrap around the housing handle 210 providing the user with a firm hold on the craft gun. Additionally, a raised grip element 228 is positioned at the housing handle adjacent the loop 226 to further assists the user in securely gripping the craft gun while extruding the moldable compound, as seen in
A first storage cavity 230 is disposed at the housing handle 210 and extends along a length of the housing handle, as seen in
The plunger handle 214 supports the plunger rod 216, as seen in
In the present described embodiment, the plunger rod 216 is generally tubular in shape and hollow inside with a first end 216a and a second end 216b. The plunger rod has a cross sectional thickness that tapers from the first end to the second end, with a thicker cross section at the first end 216a than the cross sectional thickness of the second end 216b, as seen in
A second storage cavity 232 extends along a length of the plunger handle 214 between the first end and the second end of the plunger handle, as seen in
A first coupling 220 secures the plunger rod 216 to the first end of the plunger handle 214 for pivoting the plunger rod between a first extended position, as seen in
In the present described embodiment, the first coupling 220 includes two pins 234 secured to the plunger and inserted into two apertures 236 at the first end 214a of the plunger handle, as seen in
A second coupling 222 mechanically connects the second end 214b of the plunger handle 214 to the second end 210b of the housing handle 210 for pivoting the plunger handle between a first extruding position, as seen in
In the present described embodiment, the second coupling 222 includes a curved C-shaped element 238 affixed to the second end of the plunger handle 214 linking with and pivoting on a rod element 240 affixed to the second end of the housing handle. The C-shaped element 238 is integral with the plunger handle and manufactured from the same heavy duty plastic material, and the rod element 240 is integral with the housing handle and also manufactured from the same heavy duty plastic material. The C-shaped element snaps onto the rod element forming a secure yet pivoting connection between the plunger handle and the housing handle. The C-shaped element can also include a semicircular ridge along an inside circumference which mates with and rides along a semicircular groove cut into an outside surface of the rod element, further providing a secure yet pivotable connection between the plunger handle and the housing handle.
In use, as seen in
In the present described embodiment, one or more of the first and second storage cavities, 230 and 232 respectively, includes an inner surface and further includes one or more ridge elements 233 affixed to the inner surface for abutting against the plunger rod in the folded position, keeping the plunger rod spaced apart from the inner surface, and the plunger handle spaced apart from the housing handle when the plunger handle is in the storage position, as seen in
The ridge elements 233 prevent the first and second storage cavities from capturing the entire plunger rod within one or both of the first and second storage cavities. The ridge elements 233 also prevent the plunger handle from contacting the housing handle when the plunger rod is in the folded position and the plunger handle is in the storage position, as seen in
In the present described embodiment, an inner surface 230a of the first storage cavity 230 includes two or more ridge elements 233 affixed to the inner surface, as seen in
Additionally, two or more ridge elements disposed at the inside surface of the first storage cavity rise to different heights from the inner surface of the first storage cavity providing for differing degrees of containment of the folded plunger rod into the first storage cavity at the differing heights of the ridge elements. A short ridge element 235, rising to a lesser height than the ridge elements 233 from the inner surface 230a of the first storage cavity, is further included at the inner surface 230a of the first storage cavity for allowing the second end 216b of the plunger rod to partially fold into the first storage cavity to a greater degree than the first end 216a of the plunger rod which abuts up against the taller ridge elements 233. The shorter ridge element 235 is integral with and molded within the first storage cavity and manufactured from the same heavy duty plastic material.
In a present described embodiment, an inner surface 232a of the second storage cavity 232 includes two or more ridge elements 233 affixed to the inner surface, as seen in
Additionally, two or more ridge elements disposed at the inside surface of the second storage cavity rise to different heights from the inner surface of the second storage cavity providing for differing degrees of containment of the folded plunger rod into the second storage cavity at the differing heights of the ridge elements. A short ridge element 235, rising to a lesser height than the ridge elements 233 from the inner surface 232a of the second storage cavity allows the first end 216a of the plunger rod to partially fold enter into the second storage cavity while preventing the second end 216b of the plunger rod, which abuts up against the taller ridge elements 233, from entering the second storage cavity, as seen in
In the present described embodiment, at least one removable cartridge 240 is received into the receptacle 224 of the housing 212 for containing the volume of modeling compound 218, as seen in
The cartridge 240 can include a variety of shapes and sizes capable of being received into the receptacle of the housing 212, and the cartridge can be manufactured from a variety of materials such as plastic, etc. and even clear materials such as a clear plastic, so that the child user may view colored modeling compounds contained in and extruded from the cartridge. The cartridge also includes a first end 240a and a second end 240b, as seen in
The cartridge 240 further includes a cartridge plunger 246 disposed at, and plugging, the opening/inlet 244, as seen in
The cartridge plunger 246 includes an inside surface 246a contacting the modeling compound 218 and an outside recessed surface 246b for capturing the plunger rod, as seen in
Additionally, the cartridge 240 includes a narrowed outlet 250 at the second end 240b, and the second end further includes a threaded surface 252, as seen in
Two or more removable cartridges are further included, and in the present described embodiment, multiple cartridges can be prefilled with an assortment of colored modeling compounds and sold individually or together or even with a bigger craft or extrusion kit. Multiple prefilled cartridges provide a significant advantage to the user, especially the child user, who can avoid the need to clean cartridges between refilling with different colored modeling compounds, making it easier to change colors during use. In use, the prefilled removable cartridges 240 can be easily and quickly interchanged at the housing receptacle 224 enhancing the creative experience for a user who can extrude multiple varieties and/or colors of modeling compound quickly and easily during a single art project.
In the present described invention, two or more extrusion tips 252, having a variety of extruding shapes each interchangeable on the second end 240b of the cartridge 240 are further included, as seen in
Additionally, in the present described embodiment, one or more view holes 254 are included in the housing assembly 212 at the receptacle and are aligned along a length of the receptacle 224 for viewing the volume of modeling compound 218 contained within the cartridge inserted into the receptacle, as seen in
A method for folding a hand held craft gun upon itself for easy transport includes the steps of providing a housing assembly including a housing handle, the housing handle having a first end and a second end, defining a first storage cavity along a length of the housing handle between the first end and the second end of the housing handle, providing a plunger handle coupled to the housing handle and supporting a plunger rod, the plunger handle having a first end and a second end, and defining a second storage cavity along a length of the plunger handle between the first end and the second end of the plunger handle. Further providing a first coupling securing the plunger rod to the plunger handle for pivoting the plunger rod between a first extended position and a second folded position and pivoting the plunger rod to the second folded position containing the plunger rod partially within the second storage cavity provides for easy transport of the craft gun.
The method further includes providing the steps of providing a second coupling mechanically connecting the plunger handle to the housing handle for pivoting the plunger handle between a first extruding position and a second storage position, and pivoting the plunger handle to the second storage position disposing the plunger handle adjacent the housing handle partially containing the plunger rod within both the first and second storage cavities resting the plunger rod intermediate the plunger handle and the housing handle for folding the craft gun upon itself for easy transport. Additionally, the one or more of the first and second storage cavities includes an inner surface and one or more ridge elements are affixed to the inner surface for abutting against the plunger rod in the folded position keeping the plunger rod spaced apart from the inner surface and the plunger handle spaced apart from the housing handle when the plunger handle is in the storage position.
From the foregoing, it can be seen that there has been provided a unique craft gun that is simple to use yet provides a large variety of extruding options for a user by employing a simple yet unique coupling for pivoting a plunger rod between an unaligned position for fun and quick filling of a modeling compound and an aligned position for easy extruding, and employing simple yet unique storage cavities at a plunger handle and/or a housing handle for storing a plunger rod pivoted to a folded position and resting intermediate the plunger handle and housing handle for quick and easy transport of the folded craft gun. While a particular embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. The actual scope of the invention is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 945474 | Parnham | Jan 1910 | A |
| 1880354 | Mueller | Oct 1932 | A |
| 2074401 | Kauzal | Mar 1937 | A |
| 3606085 | Spilman | Sep 1971 | A |
| 3819091 | Hollender | Jun 1974 | A |
| 4033346 | Phillips | Jul 1977 | A |
| 4198756 | Dragan | Apr 1980 | A |
| 4295828 | Rudler | Oct 1981 | A |
| 4457712 | Dragan | Jul 1984 | A |
| 4594073 | Stine | Jun 1986 | A |
| 4737151 | Clement et al. | Apr 1988 | A |
| 4744494 | Seager | May 1988 | A |
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