Novelty device

Abstract

A novelty device for launching projectiles includes a housing defining a storage chamber and a launch channel. The launch channel is open proximate an upper end of the housing. A plurality of projectiles are disposed in the storage channel. A projectile staging arrangement is operative for moving a select one of the plurality of projectiles from the storage chamber to the launch channel. An ejector arrangement is associated with the launch channel and operative for launching a staged projectile disposed within the launch channel at one of a plurality of launch velocities.

1 . A novelty device for launching projectiles, the novelty device comprising:
 a housing defining a storage chamber and a launch channel, the launch channel being open proximate an upper end of the housing;   a plurality of projectiles disposed in the storage channel;   a projectile staging arrangement for moving a select one of the plurality of projectiles from the storage chamber to the launch channel; and
 an ejector arrangement associated with the launch channel and operative for launching a staged projectile disposed within the launch channel at one of a plurality of launch velocities. 
   
   
   
       2 . The novelty device for launching projectiles of  claim 1 , wherein the ejector arrangement includes a first biasing member. 
   
   
       3 . The novelty device for launching projectiles of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of launch velocities is a plurality of predetermined launch velocities. 
   
   
       4 . The novelty device for launching projectiles of  claim 2 , wherein the first biasing member of the ejector arrangement is disposed between a support member and a launch platform, the first biasing member being downwardly compressible. 
   
   
       5 . The novelty device for launching projectiles of  claim 4 , wherein the support member is vertically adjustable to adjust an amount of compression of the first biasing member. 
   
   
       6 . The novelty device for launching projectiles of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of launch velocities is a plurality of predetermined launch velocities and further comprising a mode selection arrangement for selecting between the plurality of predetermined launch velocities. 
   
   
       7 . The novelty device for launching projectiles of  claim 6 , wherein the mode selection arrangement includes a selection device translatable to compress the first biasing member to various degrees. 
   
   
       8 . The novelty device for launching projectiles of  claim 2 , further comprising an actuation member movably mounted to the housing and operative for releasing tension from the first biasing member to launch one of the projectiles from the launch channel. 
   
   
       9 . The novelty device for launching projectiles of  claim 8 , wherein the actuation member is coupled to the launch platform through an intermediate member. 
   
   
       10 . The novelty device for launching projectiles of  claim 8 , wherein the first biasing member of the ejector arrangement is disposed between a support member and a launch platform the intermediate member is ratcheted to receive the platform at a plurality of predetermined positions. 
   
   
       11 . The novelty device for launching projectiles of  claim 1 , wherein the projectile staging arrangement includes a staging member mounted to the housing for movement about a pivot axis, the staging member including a first arm and a second arm, the first arm engageable by a user to rotate the staging member from a first position to a second position, the second arm for engaging and moving a displaceable member operative for moving an uppermost of the projectiles toward the launch channel. 
   
   
       12 . The novelty device for launching projectiles of  claim 7 , wherein the selection device extends from the housing. 
   
   
       13 . The novelty device for launching projectiles of  claim 12 , wherein launch platform is carried at an upper end of the first biasing member and the selection device extends from the launch platform. 
   
   
       14 . The novelty device for launching projectiles of  claim 1 , further comprising a projectile cartridge for storing the plurality of projectiles, the projectile cartridge disposed in the channel. 
   
   
       15 . The novelty device for launching projectiles of  claim 1 , wherein the projectile cartridge including a second biasing member for upwardly biasing the plurality of projectiles. 
   
   
       16 . A novelty device for launching projectiles, the novelty device comprising:
 a housing defining a storage chamber and a launch channel;   a plurality of projectiles disposed in the storage channel;   a projectile staging arrangement for moving a select one of the plurality of projectiles from the storage chamber to the launch channel;   an ejector arrangement associated with the launch channel and operative for launching a staged projectile disposed within the launch channel, the ejector arrangement including a first biasing member in the form of a compressible spring for launching one of the projectiles staged in the launch channel;   an actuation member movably mounted to the housing and operative for releasing tension from the first biasing member to launch one of the projectiles from the launch channel.   
   
   
       17 . The novelty device for launching projectiles of  claim 16 , wherein the actuation member is rotatable from a first position to an intermediate position to compress the first biasing member and further rotatable from the intermediate position to a second position to release tension from the first biasing member. 
   
   
       18 . The novelty device for launching projectiles of  claim 16 , wherein the launch channel is open proximate an upper end of the housing. 
   
   
       19 . The novelty device for launching projectiles of  claim 16 , wherein the projectile staging arrangement includes a staging member mounted to the housing for movement about a pivot axis, the staging member including a first arm and a second arm, the first arm engageable by a user to rotate the staging member from a first position to a second position, the second arm for engaging and moving a displaceable member operative for moving an uppermost of the projectiles toward the launch channel. 
   
   
       20 . A novelty device for launching projectiles, the novelty device comprising:
 a housing defining a channel;   a projectile cartridge for storing the projectiles, the projectile cartridge disposed in the channel, the projectile cartridge including a first biasing member;   a projectile staging member mounted to the housing for movement about a pivot axis, the staging member including a first arm and a second arm, the first arm engageable by a user to rotate the staging member from a first position to a second position, the second arm for engaging and moving a displaceable member operative for moving an uppermost of the projectiles toward an ejector arrangement;   the ejector arrangement including a second biasing member disposed between a support member and a launch platform, the second biasing member being downwardly compressible, the support member being vertically adjustable to adjust an amount of compression of the second biasing member;   a mode selection arrangement for selecting between a plurality of predetermined launch velocities, the mode selection arrangement including a selection device translatable within a channel, the selection device operable to selectively compress the second biasing member to a plurality of various degrees; and   an actuation member movably mounted to the housing and operative for releasing tension from the second biasing member to launch one of the projectiles, the actuation member coupled to the launch platform through an intermediate member, the intermediate member ratcheted to receive the platform at a plurality of predetermined positions.