US 20140196707A1
(19) United States
(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2014/0196707 A1
Binkley et al.
(54)
(43) Pub. Date:
MULTIPLE TOY ROCKET LAUNCHING
SYSTEM
Publication Classi?cation
(51)
(71) ApplicantszJesse Binkley, Seattle, WA (US); Dennis
Binkley, Seattle, WA (US)
Jul. 17, 2014
Int. Cl.
A63H 27/14
(52) US, Cl,
(2006.01)
CPC .................................... .. A63H27/14 (2013.01)
(72)
InventorSI Jesse Binkley, Seattle, WA (US); Dennis
Binkley, Seattle, WA (U S)
(73) Assignee: Geospace International, Seattle, WA
(US)
(21) Appl. No.: 13/740,002
USPC ............................................. .. 124/59; 124/56
(57)
ABSTRACT
The system includes a foot-generated air pump, a launch hose
Which extends from the air pump and a plurality of tube
launchers in ?uid communication With the launch hose,
extending outwardly therefrom. Individual toy foam rockets
are adapted to ?t in a ?uid-tight relationship With the launch
(22)
Filed:
Jan. 11, 2013
tubes.
Patent Application Publication
Jul. 17, 2014
US 2014/0196707 A1
Jul. 17, 2014
US 2014/0196707 A1
[0001]
launch tubes is 45° in both directions from the vertical. Fur
MULTIPLE TOY ROCKET LAUNCHING
SYSTEM
ther, anchoring elements 32 and 34 anchor the portion of the
TECHNICAL FIELD
launch hose containing the launch tubes to the surface so as to
maintain a stable launch for the rockets.
This invention relates generally to air launched toy
rockets and more speci?cally concerns a launching system
for one or more such toy rockets.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0007]
Rockets 34, 36 and 38 are adapted to be positioned
on the launch tubes 26, 28 and 30. The rockets may be of
various con?gurations. In the embodiment shown, the rockets
are foam, approximately 8-10 inches high and have ?ns at the
rear end therefor for ?ight stabilization.
[0008] In operation, the rockets are positioned on the
Air pressure launch mechanisms for toys, including
launch tubes in an airtight relationship while permitting the
toy rockets, are well known. One example of a hand-held
hand held pump toys are somewhat limited in the range of toy
rockets to be launched off the launch tube by a burst of air
pressure from the pump 18.
[0009] Prior to operation, air bladder 22 is full of air. The
user then will then press hard and quickly on the air bladder,
rocket ?ight which they can produce. Further, although some
systems have an arrangement which includes multiple rock
typically by jumping directly on the airbladder. This will very
quickly depress the air bladder, forcing a burst of air through
ets, they can only launch one rocket at a time. Hence, it would
be desirable to have a toy rocket air launch system which
the launch hose and then through one or more of the launch
tubes. The air pressure is su?icient to force the rockets off of
produces longer/higher ?ights, and is able to launch more
their launch tubes, and will typically result in the rockets
?ying up to 300 feet, thereby achieving one of the desired
[0002]
system is shown in US. Pat. No. 6,568,985 owned by the
assignee of the present invention. However, such existing
than one rocket at a time.
features of the launch system. One, two or all three rockets
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003]
Accordingly, the launch system for air toys com
prises: an air pump; a ?exible launch hose which extends
from the air pump; at least one launch tube in ?uid commu
nication with the launch hose, adapted to receive an air toy;
and at least one air toy, adapted to ?t on the launch tube,
wherein in operation, pressure on the air pump results in a
burst of air moving through the length of the launch hose and
into the launch tube, forcing the air toy off of the launch tube
and into the air.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an air launch system
showing rockets positioned thereon prior to launch.
[0005]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a portion of the
air launching system of FIG. 1, without rockets in position.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE
INVENTION
[0006]
FIG. 1 shows the launching system generally at 10
with a plurality of rockets 12, 14 and 16. The launch system
includes an air pump 18 which is conventional in style and
operation. It includes a ?at pad 20 forpositioning the pump on
a surface and an air bladder 22 which ?lls with air following
each operation by means of a one-way inlet valve 23. Extend
ing from the airbladder 22 is a ?exible plastic launch hose 24.
The launch hose can be of various lengths but in the embodi
ment shown is approximately 3-4 feet in length, with an
internal diameter of approximately 1/2 inch. Positioned near
the distal end of launch hose 24 is a plurality of hollow launch
tubes 26, 28 and 30. The launch tubes are a rigid plastic and
typically include a base ring. In the embodiment shown, the
launch tubes are approximately 12 inches high. The interior
of the hollow launch tubes connect with the interior of the
launch hose 24 so that there is a ?uid connection between
launch hose 24 and the launch tubes. In the embodiment
shown there are three launch tubes, but this number could
vary. The launch tubes 26, 28 and 30 are each swivelable
about the launch hose so the rockets can be launched at
various angles. In the embodiment shown, the angle of the
can be launched at one time. The rockets will then be retrieved
by the user. When the user releases pressure from the air
bladder, the air bladder will in?ate to normal pressure. The
system is ready for its next launch.
[0010] Hence an air launching system for toy rockets has
been disclosed. The system includes the capability of launch
ing one or more rockets at the same time while producing an
extended length and/or height of ?ight.
[0011] Although a preferred embodiment of the invention
has been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it should be
understood that various changes, modi?cations and substitu
tions may be incorporated in the embodiment without depart
ing from the spirit of the invention, which is de?ned by the
claims which follow.
What is claimed is:
1. A launch system for air toys, comprising:
an air pump;
a ?exible launch hose which extends from the air pump;
at least one launch tube in ?uid communication with the
launch hose, adapted to receive an air toy; and
at least one air toy, adapted to ?t on the launch tube,
wherein in operation, pressure on the air pump results in
a burst of air moving through the length of the launch
hose and into the launch tube, forcing the air toy off of
the launch tube and into the air.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the air pump is foot
operated.
3. The system of claim 1, including a plurality of launch
tubes in ?uid communication with the launch hose and a
plurality of air toys ?table thereon.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the launch tubes are in
the vicinity of the distal end of the launch hose.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the launch tube or tubes
are swivelable about the launch hose so as to provide different
angles for launching air toys.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the launch tubes have an
angle of rotation of approximately 45° to both sides of verti
cal.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the air toys are foam
rockets.