WO1999039798A1

WO1999039798A1 - Toy sight for a toy weapon simulating projection of a laser sighting dot

Info

Publication number: WO1999039798A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/002028
Authority: WO
Inventors: Frank Landi; Richard E. Albrecht
Original assignee: Toymax Inc.
Priority date: 1998-02-07
Filing date: 1999-01-29
Publication date: 1999-08-12
Also published as: HK1015618A2; AU2350399A

Abstract

The invention disclosed herewith provides a toy sighting device (10) which can be used with toy weapons and simulates projection of a sighting figure on a target. In the preferred embodiments, the simulated sighting figure is an image of a red dot (22) resembling the laser sighting dots frequently seen on TV and in the movies. The sighting device disclosed herein achieves this simulation simply and inexpensively. Light from a light source (32) is projected and focused in an image of a red dot which is visible in the sighting device and is superimposed on whatever is viewed throught the sighting device. The red dot may be selectively projected and coordinated with operation of whatever toy weapon or toy device the sighting device is associated.

Description

TOY SIGHT FOR A TOY WEAPON SIMULATING PROJECTION OF A LASER SIGHTING DOT

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention disclosed herein relates to a toy sighting device for a toy weapon which simulates projection of a red laser sighting dot onto a target viewed through the sighting device .

Toy makers frequently seek to incorporate into toys features and functions found in the real things that the toys emulate, or in things appearing in the entertainment media which appear real to children. This imparts a hugh play value into the toys because children can relate these features and functions in their toys with what they perceive as the real world, rather than the child having to imagine these features and functions.

Toy weapons and toys for shooting games are no exception. Children are exposed to the latest in high tech weaponry from television (including news programs reporting on war, etc.), movies and magazines. Currently popular are toy shooting games which project and detect light. Toymax Inc. of Plainview, New York currently markets a very popular line of portable toys for shooting games under the "Laser Challenge" mark. These toys range from basic stand alone toy guns and targets to player sets which link guns and targets and provide a host of features and functions which add realism (real or perceived) and interest to the toy shooting games.

The Toymax line of Laser Challenge toys may be viewed at their Internet site (www.laserchallenge.com). The following U.S. patent applications, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference, disclose portable toys for shooting games: Application No.: 08/795,895, filed February 5, 1997, entitled "Interactive Light-Operated Toy Shooting Game"; Application No. 09/015,863, filed January 29, 1998, titled "Player Programmable, Interactive Toy for a Shooting

Game"; and Application No. 09/019,747, filed February 6, 1998, entitled "Computer Programmable, Interactive Toy For A Shooting Game". Toymax 's Laser Challenge toy is generally described in Application No. 08/795,895, its Laser Challenge Pro toy is generally described Application No. 09/015,863, and its newest Laser Challenge toy, Extreme Laser System ("ELS"), which is being introduced at Toy Fair 1998, is generally described in Application No. 09/019,747.

One feature which would lend realism to toy weapons is the red laser sighting dot of high tech weapons which is so frequently seen on TV and in the movies. The invention disclosed herein provides simulation of the red laser sighting dot.

The following U.S. patents disclose toy sighting and optical devices for toy guns which include optics and image generation: 3,026,640, 3,397,484, 3,441,270 and 4,294,445. However, these patents do not disclose or suggest simulation of a sighting figure.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention disclosed herein to simulate in toy weaponry projection of an optical sighting figure, such as a red laser dot, onto a target.

It is another object of the invention to provide such simulation inexpensively and simply.

The invention disclosed herein provides a toy sighting device which can be used with toy weapons that simulates projection of a sighting figure on a target. The sighting devices disclosed herein achieve this simulation simply and inexpensively. Light from a light source is projected and focused in an image of the sighting figure which is visible in the sighting device and is superimposed on whatever is viewed through the sighting device. The sighting image may be selectively projected and coordinated with operation of whatever toy weapon or toy device the sighting device is associated. In the preferred embodiments, the simulated sighting figure is an image of red dot resembling the red laser sighting dots frequently seen on TV and in the movies . A toy sight in accordance with the invention for a toy weapon that simulates laser projection of a small sighting dot (or other figure) onto a target, comprises an enclosure having spaced openings between which, or adjacent one of them, is positioned a partially light transmitting and partially light reflecting element, and onto which an image of the dot is projected. The openings and the light transmitting and reflecting element are positioned along an optical axis extending from a central region of a first opening to a central region of a second opening through a central region of the light transmitting and reflecting element. An optical system projects and focuses the desired image on the light transmitting and reflecting element from light emitted by the light source.

The optical is system positioned and configured to project light from the light source to the central region of the light transmitting and reflecting element focused into an image of a dot (or other figure) of a size substantially smaller than the size of the light transmitting and reflecting element, which is visible through the first opening. The light transmitting and reflecting element is positioned in the enclosure to reflect the dot image to a central region of the first opening while permitting light to pass through the light transmitting and reflecting element from the second opening to the first opening. As mentioned, in the preferred embodiments, the sighting figure is the image of a red dot and the light transmitting and reflecting element is a plate, which can be essentially of transparent glass or plastic positioned in the sight (e.g., at an angle with the optical axis) to transmit and reflect light to the first opening. Either the optical system or the light source may project red light. In the preferred embodiments, a red LED is used as the light source.

In one embodiment, the light source is an unlensed LED and the optical system comprises a corner cube, a lens, and a baffle having a small opening positioned on an optical axis extending from the LED to the lens. The corner cube includes two mirrored surfaces and the plate instead of a third mirrored surface. The corner cube is configured and positioned to focus light from the lens onto the plate in the shape of the dot image .

In another embodiment, the LED is a lensed LED, and the optical system includes a lens which focuses and projects light from the LED in the form of a dot onto the plate.

In both embodiments, the components of the optical system and the light source are spaced from the enclosure optical axis and substantially are not visible through the first opening. An opening to the enclosure is provided aligned with the optical axis from the light source to the enclosure to allow the projected image to enter the enclosure.

The light source may be energized from a battery through a switch that preferably is associated with the weapon. For example, the switch may be coupled to the trigger of the weapon so as to close at a mid point of the trigger squeeze and open when the trigger is released.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is illustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawings which are meant to be exemplary and not limiting, in which like numerals in the different figures refer to like or corresponding parts, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a futuristic gun including a sight which simulates projection of a red laser sighting dot in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is an illustration of a target viewed through the sight depicted in Fig. 1 with a red laser dot superimposed on the target in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section view taken through the sight depicted in Fig. 1 showing a first embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section view taken through the sight depicted in Fig. 1 showing a second embodiment of the invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The gun depicted in Fig. 1 may be any toy gun, but in the preferred embodiment is a toy gun 10 which projects infrared ("IR") light and is used in toy shooting games of the type described above. Mounted to the top of the gun 10 is a sight 12 which incorporates the invention. The sight 12 defines an enclosure 13 having an optical axis 14 and a first opening 16 and a second opening 18. The sight 12 is effective to project an image of a red dot onto a partially light transmitting and partially light reflecting glass or plastic plate 20 (Figs. 3 and 4) which covers the second opening 18. The first opening 16 may be uncovered or covered by a light transmitting glass or plastic plate.

Referring to Fig. 2, one looking through the sight 12, in a manner to sight on a target, sees whatever is aligned with the optical axis 14 of the sight, e.g., an opposing player 20, with the image of a red dot 22 generated by the sight 12 superimposed on the opposing player. As illustrated, the opposing player 20 is wearing a target 24 which detects light projected from gun 10 and registers such detections as hits, as described in the referenced patent applications. The gun 12 may be aimed to position the image of the red dot 22 on the opposing player's target 24, which imparts more realism and play value to the use of the gun 10.

The weapon 10 shown in Fig. 1 includes a second sight 28. That sight may simply provide an optical path therethrough without any optical elements, or may include optical elements which provide another optical feature, e.g., cross hairs.

Alternatively, the sight may be eliminated. Also, the sight 12 may be positioned elsewhere on the gun 10. In alternate embodiments, the sight 12 may be configured to resemble a telescopic sight, e.g, a cylindrical tube, which may also include transparent optical elements functioning as or simulating lenses.

The dot image 22 may be generated in any suitable manner. Figs 3 and 4 depict two embodiments which generate and position an image of a red dot 22 as described above simply and inexpensively. Referring to Fig. 3, the sight 12 includes the enclosure 13 which has the optical axis 14, the first opening 16 and the second opening 18 closed by a plate 20. The sight 12 includes a light source 32 and an optical system 34 for projecting and focusing light from the light source 32 into the image of the dot 22 on the plate 20.

The optical system 34 includes a light baffle 36 having a small opening 37 aligned with an optical axis 40, a lens 42 and a corner cube 44 having reflective surfaces 45 and 46 and the plate 20 meeting at the corner of the corner cube 44. Corner cube reflectors are well known in the art . In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, light source 32 is an unlensed red LED. The optical system 34 projects and focuses light from the light source 32 into the image of a small red dot 22 which is reflected from the plate 20 back to the opening 16 along the optical axis 14 of the enclosure. As discussed above, one looking through the opening 16 sees the image of the red dot 22 superimposed on whatever is viewed thought the sight.

The light source 32, the baffle 36, the lens 42 and the mirrored surfaces 45 and 46 are positioned below the enclosure 13 shielded by a baffle 48 which has a hole 49 therein located on the optical axis 40. The opening is sized and the optical system components are positioned so as to be substantially or entirely not visible from opening 16. Specific optical details of the corner cube 44, the lens 42, the baffle opening 37 and the spacing of the components will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. Referring to Fig. 4, the light source 32a is a lensed red LED. Therefore, the baffle 36 used in the embodiment depicted in Fig. 3 is not needed, nor is the corner cube 44. The optical system 34a in the embodiment depicted in Fig. 4 has a lens 42a which projects and focuses light from the light source 32a into a red dot 22 on a plate 20a which is similar to plate 20 bit is not configured as one surface of a corner cube. The lens 42a and the light source 32a are positioned below a baffle 48 having a hole 49 positioned on the optical axis 40a. Again optical details of the lens 42a and its spacing will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. The light sources 32, 32a may each be energized from a battery which is coupled to the respective light source through a switch. Referring to Fig. 3, a switch 60 couples a battery 56 to the light source 32. To impart further realism, the switch may be a microswitch having a spring loaded button 62 which is coupled to a trigger 62 (Fig. 1) so as to be actuated by movement of the trigger to its mid position and released when the trigger is released. Such switches are well known in the art .

In an alternative embodiment, a light source already existing in a toy weapon may be used to project light to the optical system which focuses the light into the desired image and projects it to the sight.

While the invention has been described and illustrated in connection with preferred embodiments, many variations and modifications, as will be evident to those skilled in the art, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, optical systems and light sources other than those specifically described may be employed to generate and project a dot or other sighting figure into a sight device so that the figure appears superimposed on whatever is viewed through the sight. The invention as set forth in the appended claims is thus not limited to the precise details of construction set forth above as such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A toy sight for a toy weapon that simulates laser projection of a small sighting dot onto a target, comprising: an enclosure having spaced openings, the enclosure being adapted to be attached to or being attached to the weapon; a partially light transmitting and partially light reflecting element in or adjacent the enclosure aligned with the openings, the openings and the light transmitting and reflecting element being positioned along an enclosure optical axis extending from a central region of a first opening to a central region of a second opening through a central region of the light transmitting and reflecting element ; a light source; an optical system positioned and configured to project light from the light source to the central region of the light transmitting and reflecting element focused into an image of a dot of a size substantially smaller than the size of the light transmitting and reflecting element visible through the first opening; the light source and the optical system being spaced from the enclosure optical axis and substantially not being visible through the first opening; the light transmitting and reflecting element being positioned in the enclosure to reflect the dot image to a central region of the first opening while permitting light to pass through the light transmitting and reflecting element from the second opening to the first opening.

2. The toy sight of claim 1 wherein either the light source or the optical system projects red light so that the dot image is red.

3. The toy sight of claim 2 wherein the light source is a red LED and the optical system includes a lens focusing light from the LED into an image of the dot which is projected onto the light transmitting and reflecting element.

4. The toy sight of claim 3 wherein the LED is a lensed LED .

5. The toy sight of claim 4 wherein the LED is an unlensed LED and the optical system comprises a light baffle with an opening positioned on an optical axis extending from the LED to the lens .

6. The toy sight of claim 1 wherein the light transmitting and reflecting element is a plate.

7. The toy sight of claim 6 wherein the plate is positioned at an angle with the optical axis in the enclosure.

8. The toy sight of claim 7 wherein the optical system includes two mirrored surfaces which with the plate form a corner cube, the corner cube being configured and positioned to focus light from the lens onto the plate in the shape of the dot image, the mirrored surfaces being spaced from the enclosure optical axis and substantially not being visible through the first opening.

9. The toy sight of claim 1 comprising a switch, the switch being mounted to be responsive to movement of a trigger of the weapon, the switch coupling power to the light source to energize the light source.

10. A toy sight for a toy weapon that simulates laser projection of a small red sighting dot onto a target, comprising: an enclosure having spaced openings, the enclosure being adapted to be attached to or being attached to the weapon; a partially light transmitting and partially light reflecting element in or adjacent the enclosure aligned with the openings, the openings and the light transmitting and reflecting element being positioned along an enclosure optical axis extending from a central region of a first opening to a central region of a second opening through a central region of the light transmitting and reflecting element; a light source which emits red light; an optical system positioned and configured to project light from the light source to the central region of the light transmitting and reflecting element focused into an image of a red dot of a size substantially smaller than the size of the light transmitting and reflecting element visible through the first opening; the light source and the optical system being spaced from the enclosure optical axis and substantially not being visible through the first opening; the light transmitting and reflecting element being positioned in the enclosure to reflect the red dot image to a central region of the first opening while permitting light to pass through the light transmitting and reflecting element from the second opening to the first opening.

11. The toy sight of claim 10 wherein the light source is a red LED and the optical system includes a lens focusing light from the LED into the image of the dot which is projected onto the light transmitting and reflecting element.

12. The toy sight of claim 11 wherein the LED is a lensed LED.

13. The toy sight of claim 11 wherein the LED is an unlensed LED and the optical system comprises a light baffle with an opening positioned on an optical axis extending from the LED to the lens .

14. The toy sight of claim 10 wherein the light transmitting and reflecting element is a plate.

15. The toy sight of claim 14 wherein the plate is positioned at an angle with the optical axis in the enclosure .

16. The toy sight of claim 14 wherein the optical system includes two mirrored surfaces which with the plate form a corner cube, the corner cube being configured and positioned to focus light from the lens onto the plate in the shape of the dot image, the mirrored surfaces being spaced from the enclosure optical axis and substantially not being visible through the first opening.

17. A toy sight for a toy weapon that simulates laser projection of a small sighting dot onto a target, comprising: an enclosure having spaced openings, the enclosure being adapted to be attached to or being attached to the weapon; a partially light transmitting and partially light reflecting plate in or adjacent the enclosure aligned with the openings, the openings and the plate being positioned along an enclosure optical axis extending from a central region of a first opening to a central region of a second opening through a central region of the plate; a light source; an optical system including a lens positioned and configured to project light from the light source to the central region of the plate focused into an image of a dot of a size substantially smaller than the size of the plate visible through the first opening; the light source and the lens being spaced from the enclosure optical axis and substantially not being visible through the first opening; the plate being positioned in the enclosure to reflect the dot image to a central region of the first opening while permitting light to pass through the plate from the second opening to the first opening.

18. The toy sight of claim 17 wherein either the light source or the optical system projects red light so that the dot image is red.

19. The toy sight of claim 18 wherein the light source is a red LED and the lens focuses light from the LED into an image of the dot which is projected onto the light transmitting and reflecting element.

20. The toy sight of claim 19 wherein the LED is a lensed LED.

21. The toy sight of claim 19 wherein the LED is an unlensed LED and the optical system comprises a light baffle with an opening positioned on an optical axis extending from the LED to the lens .

22. The toy sight of claim 17 wherein the plate is positioned at an angle with the optical axis in the enclosure.

23. The toy sight of claim 17 wherein the optical system includes two mirrored surfaces which with the plate form a corner cube, the corner cube being configured and positioned to focus light from the lens onto the plate in the shape of the dot image, the mirrored surfaces being spaced from the enclosure optical axis and substantially not being visible through the first opening.