Patent Grant
11674774
Example embodiments relate generally to a string shooting device, and more particularly, to a string shooting device having a string capable of generating lift when propelled from the string shooting device and a guide to readily attach and detach the string from the string shooting device.
Propelling a flexible member such as a rope, string, or chain, is challenging as the inherent flexibility of such a member tends to allow a distal portion to succumb to gravity resulting in a short distance traveled by the member before dropping. To propel a flexible member further, increased air friction and greater speed is used in an effort to extend an arc of the flexible member, resulting in the flexible member traveling a greater distance before succumbing to gravity. Alternately or additionally, an exit angle from the apparatus propelling the flexible member can be changed to optimize the arc of the flexible member as it is propelled against gravity.
Propelling a flexible member beyond merely an arc is challenging and requires balancing physical characteristics of the flexible member and the limitations of the apparatus propelling the flexible member.
The present disclosure relates generally to a string shooting device, and more particularly, to a string shooting device having a string capable of generating lift when propelled from the string shooting device and a guide to readily attach and detach the string from the string shooting device.
Embodiments provided herein include a string shooting device including: a body; a housing attached to the body; a pair of wheels, where at least one of the pair of wheels is a driven wheel; and a string, where the string includes a surface texture configured to increase air friction in response to the string being propelled through the air by the pair of wheels. The string of an example embodiment defines an axis along which the string extends, and where the string includes a plurality of fibers extending away from the axis. The plurality of fibers of an example embodiment extending away from the axis generate a turbulent air boundary layer around the string in response to the string being propelled through the air by the pair of wheels. The string of an example embodiment is a looped string, where the looped string, at a distal portion furthest from the body, generates lift from the turbulent air boundary layer in the string direction opposed to the gravity vector.
According to certain embodiments, the housing covers, at least partially, the pair of wheels, and the housing define a loading slot through which the string is loaded or removed from between the pair of wheels. The loading slot of an example embodiment includes rounded edges. The loading slot of an example embodiment is defined at one edge by a loading tab, where the loading tab includes a tip that is thinner than a body of the loading tab, where the loading tab functions to guide the string from the loading slot to the intake aperture. The housing of an example embodiments includes a guide slot, where the guide slot extends around a portion of a circumference of at least one of the pair of wheels. The guide slot of an example embodiment extends around at least half of the circumference of the at least one of the pair of wheels.
Embodiments provided herein include a method for propelling a looped string through air including: receiving a looped string into a housing between a pair of wheels, where at least one of the pair of wheels is a driven wheel; driving the at least one driven wheel; propelling the looped string from the at least one driven wheel; and generating, from the string propelled by the at least one driven wheel, lift at an end of the looped string distal from the housing. Receiving the looped string into the housing between the pair of wheels includes, in some embodiments, receiving the looped string through a guide slot of the housing between the pair of wheels. Receiving the looped string through a guide slot of the housing between the pair of wheels includes, in some embodiments, receiving the looped string through the guide slot of the housing, across a first wheel of the pair of wheels guided by a loading tab, and between the pair of wheels. Propelling the looped string from the at least one driven wheel includes, in some embodiments, receiving the looped string through an intake aperture of the housing; guiding the looped string between the pair of wheels; and propelling the looped string through an exit aperture of the housing.
Embodiments provided herein include a string shooting device including: a body; a housing attached to the body and defining a loading slot; and a pair of wheels, wherein at least one of the pair of wheels is a driven wheel, where the loading slot is disposed at least partially over at least one of the pair of wheels. The string shooting device of some embodiments includes a looped string, where the looped string includes a surface texture configured to increase air friction in response to the looped string being propelled through the air by the pair of wheels. The surface texture of the looped string includes, in some embodiments, a plurality of fibers extending away from an axis along which the looped string extends to generate a turbulent air boundary layer around the looped string in response to the looped string being propelled through the air by the pair of wheels. According to some embodiments, the housing further defines an intake aperture and an exit aperture, wherein the intake aperture is axially aligned with the exit aperture and a gap between the pair of wheels. According to certain embodiments, the loading slot is defined at one edge by a loading tab, wherein the loading tab comprises a tip that is thinner than a body of the loading tab, where the loading tab functions to guide the string from the loading slot to the intake aperture. According to some embodiments, the housing includes a guiding slot, where the guiding slot extends around a portion of a circumference of at least one of the pair of wheels.
Having thus described embodiments of the disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale. The following drawings are illustrative of particular embodiments of the present disclosure and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, the drawings are intended for use in conjunction with the explanations provided herein. Example embodiments of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings.
Some embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the invention are shown. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Indeed, various embodiments of the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements.
As used herein, the term “or” is used in both the alternative and conjunctive sense, unless otherwise indicated. The term “along,” and similarly utilized terms, means near or on, but not necessarily requiring directly on an edge or other referenced location. The terms “approximately,” “generally,” and “substantially” refer to within manufacturing and/or engineering design tolerances for the corresponding materials and/or elements unless otherwise indicated. Thus, use of any such aforementioned terms, or similarly interchangeable terms, should not be taken to limit the spirit and scope of embodiments of the present invention.
The figures are not drawn to scale and are provided merely to illustrate some example embodiments of the inventions described herein. The figures do not limit the scope of the present disclosure or the appended claims. Several aspects of the example embodiments are described below with reference to example applications for illustration. It should be understood that numerous specific details, relationships, and methods are set forth to provide a full understanding of the example embodiments. One having ordinary skill in the relevant art, however, will readily recognize that the example embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details or with other methods. In other instances, well-known structures and/or operations are not shown in detail to avoid obscuring the example embodiments.
Embodiments of the present disclosure are designed to be used in toys or gadgets that propel a continuous loop of string around a mechanically driven drive wheel at a fast rate. These toys or gadgets are referred to herein as string shooters. Embodiments of the present disclosure employ the use of a string that has high surface area derived from threads, fibers or texture which radiate out from the surface of the string. When viewed closely the string could be described as “fuzzy”.
Embodiments of the present disclosure include a string with radiating fibers or texture that when accelerated through the air, increases the air friction by expanding the turbulent air boundary layer around the string. Embodiments increase the air friction and when the string runs as a continuous loop, the string creates lift along the length of the string that is propelled outward toward the distal end of the loop. The distal end of the loop, as described herein, is the end of the looped string furthest from the drive wheel of the string shooter. Embodiments of the present disclosure generate a lift force for a rapidly moving looped string by expanding a boundary layer of turbulent air around the string. This expansion of the boundary layer is achieved by threads radiating out from an axis along which the string extends creating friction with the air or “drag” as the string moves through the air.
Embodiments of the present disclosure also have an additional feature of increasing the additive drag that accumulates along an entire length of the string loop from the point where the outgoing portion of the string leaves a drive wheel of the string shooter, along the length of the string loop to the incoming portion of the string returns to the drive wheel. This increased drag effect enhances the differences between the incoming and outgoing portions of the string loop as it relates to the drive wheel.
This friction accumulation and tension differentiation create an outgoing portion of the string from the drive wheel that is under low tension. The combination of low tension along with the lift described above create a unique effect such that the string appears to float in the air. The string under these conditions becomes highly susceptible to motions from the user. For instance, movement of the string shooter by a user can introduce waves into the floating string.
While the illustrated embodiments of
Another feature of embodiments described herein includes a drag introduced on the looped string 1 that alters the tension of the string along its length while the string is traveling through the air. The tension due to drag is cumulative and the greatest at the incoming string 8 and the least at the outgoing string 9. The varying tension creates a unique effect that becomes observable to the user as the bottom or incoming string 8 that is under high tension behaves differently than the outgoing string 9 that is under low tension. The bottom, incoming string 8 is taut while the top, outgoing string is more loose and slackened. The loose or slackened top outgoing string 9 is more influenced by movements of the string shooter by the user. The user's movements can be manifested as waves in the string corresponding to the user's movement of the body 5.
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an unexpected result not found in any string driving devices previously developed. Embodiments of the string shooter described herein, together with the string of example embodiments, give the impression that the string is floating, weightless in the air. Embodiments dynamically change the path of a moving string due to the enhanced turbulence of the boundary layer, which provides a lifting effect on the string as it is driven away from the drive wheel to lift a distal end of the looped string to counter a weight of the string. Further, embodiments of the string described herein create a gradation of string tension along a path of the string. As the force of the combined air friction of the looped string approaches the tension of the string at the drive wheel, the string driven away from the device becomes slackened and more highly responsive to motion of the body.
Strings that are generally smooth have very little friction and therefore exhibit little or no lifting effect, and thus do not display the floating or weightless effect of example embodiments described herein. Further, smooth strings do not provide a sufficient tension delta between the outgoing portion of the string relative to the incoming portion of the string. Therefore, the low tension effects on the top portion of the string, when the body 5 is moved by the user, are less apparent if at all.
Embodiments of the present disclosure are configured to be hand-held devices, where a user holds the body 5 and turns on the motor 4 to drive the looped string 1 with the drive wheel 3. The rotational force of the drive wheel 3 drives the looped string 1 through frictional engagement. As the looped string 1 moves through the air, the radiating threads 2 create drag as they extend the boundary layer of turbulent air around the string. This aerodynamic friction created by each radiating thread becomes additive drag on the looped string. As the string begins to move downward (in the negative X direction of
String moving in the vertical direction aligned to a positive X vector also has string drag effects. However, those effects are at the proximal end 6 of the string is supported by the drive wheel 3. The direction of the drag of a moving string would drive the proximal end 6 of the string downward; however, since the string is being supported by the drive wheel 3, the device and ultimately the user holding the device, counters the slight increase in downforce. Therefore, effects of aerodynamic forces at the proximal end 6 of the looped string 1 are substantially negated.
Horizontal direction component vectors of the string in either Y direction generally balance each other as each Y direction of the string is connected to the drive wheel 3 at the incoming string 8 portion and the outgoing string 9 portion. The floating effect at the distal end 7 of the looped string 1 is primarily caused by the negative X direction component of the string as this drives the vertical lift component in the positive X direction against gravity when using embodiments of the string described herein.
Embodiments of the present disclosure employ a looped string with radiating threads extending from the looped string to expand the turbulent boundary layer as illustrated in
The lifting force at the distal end 7 of the looped string 1 changes the shape of the looping string as well as its apparent effects to a viewer. With sufficient friction provided by the radiating threads 2 of embodiments described herein, the distal end of the looped string overcomes the force of gravity on the distal end and gives the appearance of the string hovering in air. Further, a looped string that is monochromatic or has no apparent visual distinctions along its length can give the appearance of the string being static—not moving at all along the axis of the string while simultaneously appearing static or floating in the air. This visual effect defies conventional logic and produces a stunning visual effect.
As noted above, embodiments described herein include a string with radial threads or fibers to create the dynamic effects on the shape of the looped string, particularly at the distal end 7 as it creates lift. The induced drag also alters tension on the string along its length while the string is traveling through the air. The varying tension creates a unique effect that becomes observable to the user as the bottom or incoming string 8 that is under high tension behaves differently relative to the top or outgoing string 9 portion that is under low tension. The incoming string 8 is taut while the outgoing string 9 is more loose and slackened. The loose and slackened string is much more influenced by movements of the body 5 by the user. The user's movements can be manifested as waves in the string corresponding to the user's movement of the body.
The lift at the distal end 7 of the looped string reduces tension on the outgoing string 9 as the distal end of the string is rising, such that string being propelled out of the device is carried, at least in part, by the lift of the distal end 7. Conversely, the incoming string 8 being drawn into the device is being pulled in a relatively higher tension. The relatively lower tension on the outgoing string 9 and the relatively higher tension on the incoming string 8 cause the two different portions of string to behave differently, particularly in response to movement of the housing 5. The lower tension outgoing string 9 responds to movement at a slower pace, and waves induced in the outgoing string propagate in a more pronounced manner than waves on the incoming string 8. The higher tension on the incoming string 8 pulls the string and reduces the effects of waves and motion on the incoming string.
As noted above, the outgoing string 9 is lifted by virtue of the lift of the distal end 7 imparted by the surface texture of the string. The string exiting the device is driven or propelled by a drive wheel; however, as the string is relatively light weight, the inertia of the string is relatively low. The string of example embodiments moves at a high speed (e.g., around 30-40 miles per hour) while having both high drag or air resistance, and a relatively low weight. So while momentum does factor in to the unique shape and behavior of the looped string of example embodiments, the momentum alone cannot produce the lift and floating effect of example embodiments. Thus, the outgoing string 9 does not rely exclusively on momentum to “float” in the air, and a device that uses only the weight of the string to propel the string from such a device cannot achieve the floating effect of the outgoing string. Conversely, a device relying upon momentum of the string to propel the string outwardly behaves differently than embodiments described herein, as the outgoing string of such a device would not be under a substantially lower tension than the incoming string. Thus, a string lacking the surface texture described herein and/or being relatively heavier would behave very differently. Embodiments described herein employ a string with a sufficient surface texture to provide lift to the string and to overcome a weight of the string. The string of example embodiments therefore has a balance between the surface texture and lift created therefrom, and a weight of the string.
Embodiments of the present disclosure create a string configured to operate as described above through abrading a surface of a substantially smooth string over a rough surface, such as a sanding drum, to tear or wear small fibers from a core of the string. Abrading techniques can include sandpaper held by and around the string as the string is pulled through the sandpaper. A string can optionally be pulled over a sharp edge that breaks or tears small fibers from the main core, but does not completely cut the string. Many abrading techniques can be employed and an exhaustive list of those techniques is not provided herein. Use of a highly braided string can also provide sufficient drag that can lift the string when propelled at rapid rates.
Looped strings with radiating threads can be manufactured without abrading with loose fibers that extend beyond the surface to create radiating threads. Radiating threads do not need to be uniform and may not be actual fibers. For example, a monofilament looped string can be sprayed with a heavy texture that extends from the surface which serves to create a large boundary layer and functions as the threads described above.
Looped strings of example embodiments can be made from synthetic fibers, such as nylon or polyester. Strings can be made from natural fibers such as cotton or wool. Many different materials can be used beyond those described herein. Looped strings can be manufactured with multiple string types interwoven together. For example, one material with long strands forming the bulk of the string and another material interwoven with short fibers that radiate out from the string. The length and thickness of the radiating threads or fibers need not be uniform.
The premise behind the general function of the string shooter of example embodiments is described above; however, embodiments include additional features that improve and enhance the functionality. Ease of use together with reliability of the devices described herein are important for customer and user satisfaction. To that end, embodiments include features to improve loading of a looped string into the device and to enhance stability of the looped string while operating the device. The loading mechanism described herein functions as a guide to guide the looped string into the device and into engagement with the drive wheel.
Embodiments of devices described herein include a device body 5 with a housing 100 that covers a pair of wheels, where the pair of wheels includes a first wheel and a second wheel. At least one of the pair of wheels is a drive wheel, while the other of the pair of wheels can be driven or be an idling guide wheel. The housing 100 allows the looped string to be loaded through an oblique loading slot 101 that has specific tolerances based on the size of the looped string that is compatible with the device. This loading slot 101 guides the looped string to fit into a gap between the pair of wheels. The slot of an example embodiment includes a curved shape to provide an easy way to load the looped string to a correct position within the string shooting device, while resisting accidental removal of the looped string through the slot.
As shown in
According to embodiments described herein, a user is able to insert the looped string into the loading slot 101 and slide it across a top of a first wheel 118 to fit between the pair of wheels. While embodiments described herein reference a drive wheel and a guide wheel, either or both wheels can be driven and such embodiments would not depart from the description herein. The loading feature is configured to facilitate the quick and easy swapping of looped strings while also securely holding the looped string between the wheels when the device is operating.
The housing 100 features an integrated guiding slot 108 which, when in operation, allows the returning part of the looped string to approach the drive wheel and fit into a groove found in one or both of the drive wheel and the guide wheel. The guiding slot and the wheels are configured such that when the device is in operation, the looped string is propelled by the wheels in a relatively low friction state. The guiding slot and the wheels are designed to maintain the looped string propelled by the drive wheel, while seldom making contact with the looped string. The guiding slot generally will touch the looped string when gestures are made by a user of the device that causes movement of the looped string relative to the housing 100 in a direction orthogonal to an axis along which the string extends. Such movement causes the looped string to move relative to the wheels, while the guide slot urges the string back to the operational position between the drive wheel and the guide wheel. Edges of the guiding slot 108 are curved to minimize friction between the edges and the looped string when contact is made.
The loading slot 101 of the housing 100 further includes an exit aperture 103 from which the propelled looped string exits the device. A looped string is loaded into the loading slot 101 and dragged across the top of the first wheel 118 to be received between the two wheels of the device. The housing 100 includes a guiding tab 105 on the left wheel cover 106 and a loading tab 102 on the right wheel cover 107. Both the loading tab 102 and the guiding tab 105 have no sharp edges that can abrade the looped string. Further, as shown in
As shown, load slot 101 extends across a top of a first wheel 118, which may be a drive wheel or an idler/guide wheel. This slot does not align with the path of the looped string during operation of the string shooter as the offset between the load slot 101 and an operational position of the looped string helps preclude the looped string from inadvertently becoming detached from the device. The housing 100 further provides covering for the wheels including a left wheel cover 106 and a right wheel cover 107. These covers improve the safety of the string shooter device by limiting contact between a user and the wheels within the housing 100. The loading slot 101 connects with the exit aperture 103 on a front and intersects with the guiding slot 108 on a back side of the left wheel housing of the illustrated embodiment.
The loading slot 101 features a loading slot curvature 114 which precludes the looped string from getting back fed into the wheel housing while the string shooter is in operation. The angle of the oblique loading slot is specifically configured to provide ease of loading of the looped string while avoiding tangling and loss of performance of the propelled string during operation. The angle of a line extending at a center of the oblique loading slot 101 and a line that connects the center of the exit aperture 103 and the intake aperture 104 is around 137 degrees with a tolerance of around 10%. The loading tab 102 on the right side of the loading slot 101 features a loading tab curvature 117 which renders the loading tab relatively thinner proximate the loading slot 101 and relatively wider at the intake aperture 104. The loading tab profile 112 is shown narrower closer to the loading slot 101 and wider closer to the intake aperture 104. The intake aperture aligns with the grooves 120 within the drive wheel and the guide wheel. The edges of the loading tab 102 are curved as is the intake aperture 104 to reduce friction between the looped string and the housing 100. Any sharp edges can abrade the looped string and weaken the string which can lead to breakage.
The loading slot 101 of example embodiments provided herein provides a mechanism by which a user can load and unload a looped string from the device quickly and easily. This allows a user to use different looped strings (e.g., different lengths, different colors, etc.) or to replace damaged strings without having to cut and re-attach the string ends together. Looped strings that do not require severing of the loop inherently have an improved structural integrity and thus can have longer life. Further, attaching string ends together produces an anomaly in the weight of the string at the point of attachment which adversely affects performance of a string through a string shooting device as described herein. The loading slot 101 allows a user to thread a looped string through the loading slot 101, across a top of the first wheel 118, and into the gap between the wheels. The loading tab curvature 117 helps guide the looped string across the top of the first wheel 118 and into the gap between the wheels. The angle of the loading slot 101 and the shape of the loading tab curvature 117 also preclude the looped string from inadvertently exiting the device. The portion of the loading slot closest to the intake aperture 104 is further away from the gap where the looped string travels during use of the string shooter such that incoming string does not risk being caught within the loading slot 101, which could dislodge the looped string from the gap. Thus, the loading slot 101 described herein is uniquely suited to ease of loading and unloading, while maintaining the looped string between the wheels during operation.
The illustrated embodiments described herein provide a device that is capable of propelling a looped string in an efficient and effective manner. Embodiments provide a mechanism through which the looped string can be loaded and unloaded easily, while securely retaining the looped string within the device during operation. Further, the configuration of the housing 100 as described above enables tangle-free or tangle-reduced operation of the device without requiring additional features to guide the looped string into the propelling wheels of the device. The looped string of example embodiments described herein further generates lift as it is propelled through the air as described above, providing unique and distinct operation of the looped string as it is propelled by devices described herein.
Many modifications and other embodiments of the present disclosure set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated, in light of the present disclosure, that different combinations of elements and/or functions can be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as can be set forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/280,810, filed on Nov. 18, 2021, and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/374,614, filed on Sep. 6, 2022, the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
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