HOBBY PROJECTILE

Abstract

A hobby projectile may include, but is not limited to: a body portion having an at least partially foam material construction; and a plurality of at least one of magnetic particles or magnetic fibers operably coupled to the body portion. The body portion may include a substantially spherical body portion or a disc-shaped body portion. The magnetizable particles or magnetizable fibers may include ferrite particles and/or ferrite fibers.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a hobby or toy projectile such as a dart, disc or ball. More particularly, this invention relates to a toy projectile, such as a toy dart, having a metal object embedded in the tip or shaft of the toy dart. Even more particularly, the invention also relates to a toy dart having a magnetic or magnetizable tip. Still more particularly, the invention relates to a toy projectile, such as a dart with a magnetic or magnetizable coating, which is dipped or sprayed onto the tip and/or shaft of the toy dart. Yet more particularly, the invention relates to a toy projectile which has magnetic or magnetizable particles or fibers embedded therein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Toy projectiles, such as darts, discs or balls, have become very popular, especially with children. The toy projectiles are thrown or shot at targets or other persons. In many cases, there will be many toy projectiles scattered on the ground or floor which makes it difficult for them to be picked up especially when they are located beneath furniture or the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Toy projectiles, such as darts, discs or balls, have become very popular, especially with children. The toy projectiles are thrown or shot at targets or other persons. In many cases, there will be many toy projectiles scattered on the ground or floor which makes it difficult for them to be picked up especially when they are located beneath furniture or the like.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

A toy projectile, such as a dart, disc or ball, has a magnetic or magnetizable material associated therewith to enable the toy projectiles to be easily gathered up or picked up by a telescopic wand. In one embodiment of the toy dart, the tip thereof has a metal inner end. In another embodiment, the tip of the toy dart has magnetic or magnetizable particles or fibers embedded therein. In another embodiment, the shaft of the toy dart has magnetic or magnetizable particles or fibers embedded therein. In another embodiment, the tip of the toy dart is coated with a magnetic or magnetizable material. In another embodiment, the shaft of the toy dart is coated with a magnetic or magnetizable material. In another embodiment, the tip and the shaft of the toy dart are coated with a magnetic or magnetizable material.

Other toy projectiles, such as balls or discs have magnets or magnetizable materials associated therewith in a similar fashion as described hereinabove. A telescopic wand, having a metal or magnetizable head thereon, is utilized to pick up or gather up the spent toy projectiles.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide toy projectiles with metal, magnets or magnetizable material to enable them to be picked up by a metal or magnetic wand.

A further object of the invention is to provide toy projectiles with magnets or magnetizable material which does not affect the flight of the toy projectiles.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide toy projectiles of the type described which are safe to use.

Still another object of the invention is to provide toy projectiles of the type described which are economical of manufacture and refined in appearance.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device of this invention being used to pick up toy or hobby projectiles of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a view which illustrates different toy projectiles;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the toy dart of this invention with the broken lines depicting the inner end of the dart tip and the central bore of the dart tip;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the toy dart of FIG. 3 as seen on lines 4-4 of Fig.

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view of a further embodiment of the toy dart wherein the inner end of the tip of the dart is comprised of metal.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a further embodiment of a toy dart wherein the tip thereof has magnetic or magnetizable particles or fibers embedded therein;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a further embodiment of a toy dart wherein the shaft of the dart has magnetic or magnetizable particles or fibers embedded in the shaft thereof;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a toy dart wherein the tip thereof is coated with a magnetic or magnetizable material;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a further fifth embodiment of a toy dart wherein the shaft thereof is coated with a magnetic or magnetizable material; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a toy dart wherein the entire dart is coated with a magnetic or magnetizable material.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense in that the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.

FIG. 2 illustrates different types of toy projectiles or darts which are shot from a toy pistol or toy rifle. The numeral 10 refers to a suction dart-type projectile (e.g., similar to Nerf® N-Strike Elite® Suction Series darts manufactured by Hasbro®, Inc.) while the numeral 12 refers to a dart-type projectile having a rounded tip surface 48 (e.g., similar to Nerf® Mega™ darts manufactured by Hasbro, Inc.) or an at least partially planar tip surface 50 (e.g., similar to Air Warrior® darts manufactured by Buzz Bee Toys, Inc.).

The numeral 14 refers to a ball-type projectile (e.g., similar to Nerf® Rival® balls manufactured by Hasbro®, Inc.). The ball-type projectile 14 may be substantially spherical in shape (e.g., having a generally spherical body with an exterior surface that may be smooth or include one or more indentations 56 configured to enhance projectile flight characteristics) and be constructed at least partially of a foam material (e.g., a polyurethane foam). In one embodiment, at least a portion of the ball-type projectile 14 may be at least partially coated with a magnetic or magnetizable material. For example, the ball-type projectile 14 may be at least partially coated with a magnetic or magnetizable paint. In another embodiment, ball-type projectile 14 may include the magnetic or magnetizable particles or fibers embedded therein. For example, the foam material of the ball-type projectile 14 may have magnetic or magnetizable particles or fibers embedded within (e.g., fully enveloped by) the foam material.

The numeral 16 refers to a disc-type projectile (e.g., similar to Nerf® Vortex® discs manufactured by Hasbro®, Inc.). The disc-type projectile 16 may be constructed at least partially of a foam material (e.g., a polyethylene foam). For example, the disc may include an elastomeric and/or semi-rigid central disc 52 (e.g., high-density polyethylene) which is at least partially surrounded by the foam material 54 (e.g., by a ring of foam material). In one embodiment, the disc-type projectile 16 may be at least partially coated with a magnetic or magnetizable material. For example, the disc-type projectile 16 may be at least partially coated with a magnetic or magnetizable paint. In another embodiment, disc-type projectile 16 may include the magnetic or magnetizable particles or fibers embedded therein. For example, the foam material of the disc-type projectile 16 may have magnetic or magnetizable particles or fibers (e.g., ferrite particles or fibers) embedded within (e.g., fully enveloped by) the foam material.

A standard dart-type projectile (e.g., similar to Nerf® N-Strike® or N-Strike Elite® darts manufactured by Hasbro, Inc.) is designated with the numeral 18. The standard dart 18 includes a tubular body portion 20 having a rearward end 22 and a forward end 24. Body portion 20 may be constructed of a foam material (e.g. a polyethylene foam). Dart 18 includes an elastomeric tip 26, having an at least partially planar tip surface 50, which is held in place by a shank portion 28 which is normally comprised of an elastomeric or plastic material. The tubular body portion 20 may include tube wall 44 defining an exposed recess 46 at the rearward end 22 of the tubular body portion 20. For example, the exposed recess 46 may be a cylindrical recess extending at least partially through the tubular body portion along a principal axis defined by the dart 18 (e.g., along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3).

FIG. 5 illustrates a first embodiment of the dart 18. In dart 18, the shank portion 28A is comprised of a magnetic or magnetizable material. Shank portion 28A could be comprised of a metal material.

FIG. 6 illustrates a second embodiment of the dart and is referred to as dart 18B. The tip 26B of dart 18B has magnetic or magnetizable particles 30 embedded therein. FIG. 7 illustrates a third embodiment of the dart 18 and which is referred to by the reference numeral 18C. The tube wall 44 of tubular body portion 20C of dart 18C has magnetic or magnetizable particles 32 embedded therein.

FIG. 8 refers to a fourth embodiment of the dart 18 and which is referred to with the numeral 18D. The tip 26 is coated with a magnetic paint 34. The magnetic paint 34 may be sprayed onto tip 26. The tip 26 could be coated with paint or by dipping the dart 18 into magnetic paint 34.

FIG. 9 illustrates a fifth embodiment of the dart 18 and which is referred to with the reference numeral 18E. The tubular body portion 20 is coated with magnetic paint 34.

FIG. 10 illustrates a sixth embodiment of dart 18 and which is referred to by the reference numeral 20F. The tubular body portion 20 and the tip 26 are coated with magnetic paint 34.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device for picking up or gathering the projectiles after they have been fired from a pistol or rifle. The device of FIG. 1 is referred to generally by the reference numeral 36. Device 36 includes a telescopic handle 28 having an upper end 38 and a lower end 40. The lower end 40 of device 36 is attached to a disc-like member 42 which is comprised of a metal or magnetic material. The device 36 may be moved along a floor or the like where the spent toy projectiles are laying. The design of the member 42 permits it to be moved below furniture or the like. When the member 42 is brought into contact with the toy projectiles such as projectile 18, the toy projectile will magnetically be attached to the member 42 to provide a very convenient way to gather up the spent toy projectiles. The toy projectiles may be easily detached from the member 42. Although only projectiles 18 are shown in FIG. 1, the other projectiles will also be magnetically attached to the member 42 since they have magnets or magnetic material therein. Thus, it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.

Although the invention has been described in language that is specific to certain structures and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures and/or steps described. Rather, the specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.

Claims

1. A hobby projectile including: a body portion having an at least partially foam material construction; anda plurality of at least one of magnetic particles or magnetic fibers operably coupled to the body portion.

2. The hobby projectile of claim 1 wherein the body portion includes: a substantially spherical body portion.

3. The hobby projectile of claim 2, wherein the plurality of at least one of magnetic particles or magnetic fibers are at least partially embedded within the foam material construction of the spherical body portion.

4. The hobby projectile of claim 2, wherein the plurality of at least one of magnetic particles or magnetic fibers are fully enveloped within the foam material construction of the spherical body portion.

5. The hobby projectile of claim 2, wherein the plurality of at least one of magnetic particles or magnetic fibers includes: a plurality of at least one of magnetizable particles or magnetizable fibers.

6. The hobby projectile of claim 5, wherein the plurality of at least one of magnetizable particles or magnetizable fibers includes: a plurality of at least one of ferrite particles or ferrite fibers.

7. The hobby projectile of claim 1 wherein the body portion having an at least partially foam material construction includes: a disc-shaped body portion.

8. The hobby projectile of claim 7, wherein the plurality of at least one of magnetic particles or magnetic fibers includes: a plurality of at least one of magnetizable particles or magnetizable fibers.

9. The hobby projectile of claim 10, wherein the plurality of at least one of magnetizable particles or magnetizable fibers includes: a plurality of at least one of ferrite particles or ferrite fibers.

10. The hobby projectile of claim 7, wherein the disc-shaped body portion includes: a central disc portion formed at least partially of an elastomeric material; andan exterior ring portion, including the foam material construction, disposed at least partially around the central disc portion.

11. The hobby projectile of claim 12, wherein the central disc portion includes the plurality of at least one of magnetic particles or magnetic fibers.

12. The hobby projectile of claim 13, wherein at least a portion of the central disc portion is coated with the plurality of at least one of magnetic particles or magnetic fibers.

13. The hobby projectile of claim 13, wherein the plurality of at least one of magnetic particles or magnetic fibers are at least partially embedded within the disc-shaped body portion.

14. The hobby projectile of claim 13, wherein the plurality of at least one of magnetic particles or magnetic fibers are fully enveloped within the disc-shaped body portion.

15. The hobby projectile of claim 12, wherein the exterior ring portion includes the plurality of at least one of magnetic particles or magnetic fibers.

16. The hobby projectile of claim 17, wherein at least a portion of the exterior ring portion is coated with the plurality of at least one of magnetic particles or magnetic fibers.

17. The hobby projectile of claim 17, wherein the plurality of at least one of magnetic particles or magnetic fibers are at least partially embedded within the exterior ring portion.

18. The hobby projectile of claim 17, wherein the plurality of at least one of magnetic particles or magnetic fibers are fully enveloped within the exterior ring portion.

19. A system for capturing hobby projectiles comprising: a hobby projectile including: a body portion having an at least partially foam material construction; anda plurality of at least one of magnetic particles or magnetic fibers operably coupled to the body portion, anda wand including at least one magnet.