US3648395A

US3648395A - Electric cap gun and light therefor

Info

Publication number: US3648395A
Application number: US8890A
Authority: US
Inventors: Albert Nathanson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-02-05
Filing date: 1970-02-05
Publication date: 1972-03-14
Anticipated expiration: 1989-03-14

Abstract

A combination electric light and electrically dischargable toy percussion cap gun unit embodying a round base, with a center hole in which is pressure fitted a miniature electric bulb, over which is a transparent plastic tube mounted on a cork supported by an arch. Passing through the cork are two conductors joined by a metallic heating element at their upper ends. The heating element is in contact with a percussion cap, of the kind commonly used in toy cap guns, affixed to the underside of a cork inserted into the upper opening of the tube, from which cork projects a Ushaped conductor which when properly positioned against the two conductors at the bottom of the tube closes the electric circuit, causing a short circuit thru the metallic element, the heat of which detonates the percussion cap and blows the top cork outwardly. Discharge of the cork and its U-shaped conductor off the upper opening of the tube breaks the electrical contact at the lower end of the tube and shunts the electric current to another conductor mounted against the contact side of the base of the bulb, which together with a contact at the lower terminal contact point of the bulb ignites the bulb. This conductor extends from the contact side of the bulb across the bottom surface of the base of the unit to a connection with a ringshaped conductor affixed to the rim of the base. One of the two conductors inside the tube extends horizontally from the bottom of the lower cork, while the other conductor passes through the hole in the base, around and in contact with the lower terminal contact point of the bulb, outward to the rim of the base and upward to end in a loop just above the top surface of the base, insulated at its intersection with the ring-shaped conductor. Another U-shaped conductor, the upper end of which is in close proximity with the horizontal section of one of the conductors inside the tube, also passes through the hole in the base, then at a right angle outward to the rim of the base and upward to end in a loop just above the top surface of the base, but in contact with the ring-shaped conductor at its intersection with it.

Description

United States Patent Nathanson [541 ELECTRIC CAP GUN AND LIGHT THEREFOR Albert Nathanson, 75-60 199th Street, Flushing, NY. U366 22 Filed: Feb. 5, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 8,890

[72] Inventor:

Primary ExaminerBenjamin A. Borchelt Assistant Examiner-C. T. Jordan Attorney-Carl Miller [57] ABSTRACT A combination electric light and electrically dischargable toy percussion cap gun unit embodying a round base, with a center hole in which is pressure fitted a miniature electric bulb, over which is a transparent plastic tube mounted on a cork supported by an arch. Passing through the cork are two conductors joined by a metallic heating element at their upper Mar. 14, 1972 ends. The heating element is in contact with a percussion cap, of the kind commonly used in toy cap guns, affixed to the underside of a cork inserted into the upper opening of the tube, from which cork projects a U-shaped conductor which when properly positioned against the two conductors at the bottom of the tube closes the electric circuit, causing a short circuit thru the metallic element, the heat of which detonates the percussion cap and blows the top cork outwardly. Discharge of the cork and its U-shaped conductor off the upper opening of the tube breaks the electrical contact at the lower end of the tube and shunts the electric current to another conductor mounted against the contact side of the base of the bulb, which together with a contact at the lower terminal contact point of the bulb ignites the bulb. This conductor extends from the contact side of the bulb across the bottom surface of the base of the unit to a connection with a ring-shaped conductor affixed to the rim of the base. One of the two conductors inside the tube extends horizontally from the bottom of the lower cork, while the other conductor passes through the hole in the base, around and in contact with the lower terminal contact point of the bulb, outward to the rim of the base and upward to end in a loop just above the top surface of the base, insulated at its intersection with the ring-shaped conductor. Another U-shaped conductor, the upper end of which is in close proximity with the horizontal section of one of the conductors inside the tube, also passes through the hole in the base, then at a right angle outward to the rim of the base and upward to end in a loop just above the top surface of the base, but in contact with the ring-shaped conductor at its intersection with it.

2 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures ELECTRIC CAP GUN AND LIGHT THEREFOR This invention relates in general to toys and in particular to a new and useful electrically actuated device comprised of a toy cap gun and light for use in games, amusement and display devices.

The primary object of this invention is to provide an electrically activated toy cap gun and light discharging a ball-shaped cork out of an airtight transparent plastic tube, simultaneously lighting the bulb.

Another object is to set up the electrical circuit of the unit so that after discharge of the cork ball from the tube the light bulb set in the base becomes lit and remains lit until the cork ball is reinserted in the tube.

A third object is to set up the electrical circuit of the unit in such a manner that the firing circuit becomes deactivated after the cork ball is discharged.

A fourth object is to provide two conductors ending in loops outside the base of the unit so that it may be placed in an inclined position on two metallic strips connected to the source of electric supply and fired while stationary or propelled along the metallic strips.

Another novel object is to have the terminal base point of the light bulb and its encircling conductor protrude slightly below the level of a ringed conductor at the rim of the base so that when it is in a vertical position it will tilt and make electrical contact at only one point of the ringed conductor thus avoiding a short circuit if the ringed conductor lay flat against both polarities of the source of electric supply.

Further objects of the invention will appear as the description continues. To the accomplishment of the above and related objects my invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only and that change may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.

FIG. I is an exploded perspective view of the device showing all the parts. 7

FIG. 2 is an elevational view in cross section of the device.

FIG. 3 is a view of the underside of the base.

FIG. 4 is an electrical circuit of the invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1, illustrated from top to bottom is ball cork 10, with hairpin-shaped conductor 11 extending from the base of the ball cork outward and downward, the ball cork being pressure fit into the top opening of tube 12, tube 12 in turn being firmly inserted onto another cork 13.

Passing upward thru cork 13 is a conductor 14, the lower end of which extends at a right angle horizontally from the base of cork 13. Conductor 15 runs parallel to conductor 14 and passes downward thru cork 13, thru the center hole of base 17, then at a right angle passing and in contact with the lower terminal contact of bulb 18 to the lower rim of base 17 and then upward ending in a hook just above the upper rim of base 17.

Cork 13 is mounted on support 19, which is itself mounted on base 17, both of which are epoxy glued in place.

A U-shaped conductor 20 passes thru the center hole of base 17, one vertical arm ending above the horizontal section of conductor 14, its lower end extending across the bottom of base 17 and then at a right angle upward ending in a hook just above the upper rim of base 17.

Circular conductor 21 is mounted with epoxy glue on the under side of base 17 and makes contact with

conductors

20 and 22, but is insulated from conductor 15 at the point of intersection. Conductor 22, as illustrated in FIG. 2, is in contact with the side of the base of bulb 18, and then at a right angle passes on the underside of base 17 to end in a point of contact with circular conductor 21.

The upper ends of

conductors

14 and 15, are folded back to provide slits into which is inserted metallic heating element 23.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view in cross section showing the contact with both

conductors

14 and 20, so that electric current will flow from a point on circular conductor 21 which touches the source of electric supply thru conductor 20 through conductor 11 to conductor 15. Since conductor 14 is in contact with the opposite polarity of electric supply at its lower end where it touches the lower terminal contact of bulb 16, a short circuit is created thru metallic heating element 23,

the resultant heat of which fires off cap 24 pasted on the bottom of ball cork 10, and discharges the ball cork 10 into space.

Breaking the connection between

conductors

14 and 20 shunts the electric current to

conductor

22 and 15 at which time the bulb becomes lit, the short circuit thru heating element 23 having been corrected.

FIG. 3, which is a view of the underside of the base indicates the relative positions of

conductors

15, 20, 21 and 22, and specifically shows how conductor 15 extends across and in contact with the bottom terminal contact of bulb 18.

The device may also be fired in a tilted position while resting on the hooks of conductors l5 and 20, which are in contact with horizontal metallic strips 25 connected to the source of electric supply, or while being propelled along such metallic strips by a spring wound or battery powered wheeled toy vehicle.

The simultaneous popping sound of the cork blown out of the tube, the emission of some smoke, and the lighting of the electric bulb creates the effect of an explosion in miniature.

While certain novel features of my invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An electrically actuated novel cap gun and electric light unit designed to discharge a ball-shaped cork out of an airtight, transparent plastic tube and simultaneously lighting an electric bulb when the unit is electrically contacted to electrically charged metallic strips, comprising:

a. a transparent plastic tube sealed at each end by tightfitting corks,

b. the cork fitting into the upper end of the tube having inserted in it a right-angled hairpin shaped conductor extending downward,

c. the cork fitting into the bottom of the plastic tube having two conductors passing through it connected at their upper ends by a metallic heating element,

. the upper ends of said conductors shaped to provide a slit to receive the metallic heating element and keep it in position to make contact with a cap pasted on the bottom of the top cork,

e. one of the two conductors extending downward through a circular opening in the base of the unit, then at a right angle against the bottom terminal contact of a bulb inserted in the opening in the base and extending acro the bottom of the base, then at another right angle upward at the rim of the base to end in a hook a short distance above the upper rim of the base,

the second of the two conductors passing through the cork and then horizontally outwards from the bottom of the cork in close proximity to a third conductor extending vertically upwards on the outside of the plastic tube,

g. the third conductor, U-shaped, then passing through the circular hole in the base, and at the point of contact with a ring-shaped conductor attached to the rim of the base upward to end in a hook a short distance above the upper rim of the base and another conductor extending from a point of contact with the base of the bulb to a point of contact at the ringshaped conductor.

2. The electrically actuated cap gun and electric light of device in firing position with hairpin-shaped conductor 11 in claim 1, including:

Ill. a miniature electric light bulb pressure fitting into the cirtzuiar opening in the base to become illuminated simultaneously with the breaking of the short circuit through the metallic heating element at the upper ends of the two ronductors inside the plastic tube when the cap is fired 5 Mid the ball-shaped cork discharged from the tube.

in t s z will]

Claims

1. An electrically actuated novel cap gun and electric light unit designed to discharge a ball-shaped cork out of an airtight, transparent plastic tube and simultaneously lighting an electric bulb when the unit is electrically contacted to electrically charged metallic strips, comprising: a. a transparent plastic tube sealed at each end by tightfitting corks, b. the cork fitting into the upper end of the tube having inserted in it a right-angled hairpin shaped conductor extending downward, c. the cork fitting into the bottom of the plastic tube having two conductors passing through it connected at their upper ends by a metallic heating element, d. the upper ends of said conductors shaped to provide a slit to receive the metallic heating element and keep it in position to make contact with a cap pasted on the bottom of the top cork, e. one of the two conductors extending downward through a circular opening in the base of the unit, then at a right angle against the bottom terminal contact of a bulb inserted in the opening in the base and extending across the bottom of the base, then at another right angle upward at the rim of the base to end in a hook a short distance above the upper rim of the base, f. the second of the two conductors passing through the cork and then horizontally outwards from the bottom of the cork in close proximity to a third conductor extending vertically upwards on the outside of the plastic tube, g. the third conductor, U-shaped, then passing through the circular hole in the base, and at the point of contact with a ring-shaped conductor attached to the rim of the base upward to end in a hook a short distance above the upper rim of the base and h. another conductor extending from a point of contact with the base of the bulb to a point of contact at the ring-shaped conductor.

2. The electrically actuated cap gun and electric light of claim 1, including: a. a miniature electric light bulb pressure fitting into the circular opening in the base to become illuminated simultaneously with the breaking of the short circuit through the metallic heating element at the upper ends of the two conductors inside the plastic tube when the cap is fired and the ball-shaped cork discharged from the tube.