US20030087581A1

US20030087581A1 - Toy rocket with safety ring

Info

Publication number: US20030087581A1
Application number: US09/985,523
Authority: US
Inventors: Fred Ramirez
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-11-05
Filing date: 2001-11-05
Publication date: 2003-05-08

Abstract

The toy rocket has a safety ring attached to the top end of the rocket. During flight, it is the top end that leads the toy rocket and is the section most likely to strike a bystander. The safety ring has a width precluding the toy from striking a bystander in the eye. The safety ring has a diameter so that it strikes a person on the cheek and brow preventing the tip of the rocket from entering a person's eye socket. In practice, the safety ring has a diameter of about 2½ inches but can be varied to any size to insure that the rocket is not able to strike a person in the eye.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to toy rockets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Toy rockets often are launched by the sudden application of air pressure within a hollow body. The air pressure is generated by electrical or mechanical means to force air into the hollow body. The air pressure then causes the toy rocket to take flight.

Without safety precautions being taken, the flight of the toy rocket can cause injuries. If bystanders are not paying attention, they can come into the flight path of the toy rocket and be struck by the rocket. Usually, the application of air pressure does not create enough speed to cause serious injury. One problem, however, occurs if the rocket strikes the bystander in the eye. The eye is particularly susceptible to injury by projectiles, even when moving at a relatively slow speed. If struck with the top of the rocket, the force of the rocket is concentrated on a relatively small area. This force can cause serious and possibly permanent damage to an eye.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The safety ring has a flexible connection to the top of the rocket allowing for deflection of the ring if the rocket strikes a person with a glancing blow. The ability of the safety ring to flex relative to the rocket further enhances the safety of the rocket. Besides allowing movement of the safety ring relative to the rocket, the flexible connection acts as a shock absorber in the event of a direct impact. Also, the size of the safety ring spreads the force from impact of the rocket with a person over a greater area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of the rocket of the invention; and [0006]
FIG. 2 is a top view of the rocket of the invention.[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, the side view of the rocket can be seen. The rocket has a [0008] main body 11. Proximate the bottom end of the rocket, a collar 12 encircles the rocket body and support fins 14. The fins help control the path of the rocket while in flight. At the top end of the rocket, a support tip 21 is attached. The support tip is made of vinyl or other flexible material. Extending upwardly and integrally with the support tip is a hollow shaft 25.
A [0009] central hub 31 is permanently attached to the hollow shaft 25 by any conventional means such as a piece of adhesive or sonic welding. In this manner, the safety ring is attached to the rocket.
The flexibility by the support tip serves several functions. It allows relative movement between the safety ring and rocket body. This flexibility allows the safety ring to move in the event of a glancing impact with a bystander. Also, in the event of a direct impact, the flexibility of the support tip acts as a shock absorber. Also, the fact that the [0010] shaft 25 is hollow serves an important safety function. Because the hub 31 is permanently attached to the hollow shaft 25, any person wishing to remove the safety ring would need to cut the hollow shaft 25, creating a hole in the top of the rocket. This hole would render the rocket virtually inoperable. As fluid pressure was directed into the rocket in order to provide impetus for the rocket to take flight, the air would escape through the hole created from the removal of the safety ring and prevent any transfer of force between the pressurized fluid stream and the rocket.
Turning now to FIG. 2, a top view of the safety ring can be seen when it is connected to the rocket. The [0011] safety ring 37 is connected to the central hub 31, by a single spoke 34. Spoke 34 has sufficient rigidity to support the safety ring to the center hub. The diameter of the safety ring precludes entry into the eye-socket. The safety ring will is large enough to contact the cheek and brow of a bystander and prevent the rocket from reaching the eye. The diameter of the safety ring also allows for greater displacement of kinetic energy released upon impact and lessens the severity of any injury caused by any such accidental impact.
While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, variations and modifications would by apparent to ordinary skill, in the art. The invention encompasses such variations and modifications without departing from the spirit of the invention. [0012]

Claims

I claim:

1. A toy rocket, comprising:

a rocket body having a top end and a bottom end, and an axial length,

a safety device attached to said rocket body top end.

2. The toy rocket of claim 1, further comprising a flexible support tip on said rocket body top end, said support tip connected to said safety device.

3. The toy rocket of claim 2, wherein said support tip has an upwardly extending hollow shaft, said hollow shaft connected to said safety device.

4. The toy rocket of claim 3, wherein said safety device comprises a central hub, a safety ring and a spoke connecting said safety ring to said central hub, said hollow shaft attached to said central hub.

5. The toy rocket of claim 1, wherein said safety device comprises a central hub, a safety ring and a spoke connecting said safety ring to said central hub.

6. A top rocket, comprising:

a rocket body having a top end and a bottom end, and an axial length,

means for preventing contact of the rocket with a person's eye attached to said rocket body top end.

7. The toy rocket of claim 6, wherein said means for preventing contact of the rocket with a person's eye comprises a central hub, a safety ring and a spoke connecting said safety ring with said central hub.

8. The toy rocket of claim 6, further comprising a flexible support tip on said rocket body top end, said support tip connected to said means for preventing contact of the rocket with a person's eye.

9. The toy rocket of claim 8, wherein said support tip has an upwardly extending hollow shaft, said hollow shaft connected to said means for preventing contact of the rocket with a person's eye.

10. The toy rocket of claim 9, wherein said means for preventing contact of the rocket with a person's eye comprises a central hub, a safety ring and a spoke connecting said safety ring to said central hub, said hollow shaft attached to said central hub.