Toy projectile launcher and projectile thereof

Abstract

A toy projectile launcher includes a body having a magazine for storing at least one cylindrical projectile. The body has an elongate barrel in communication with the magazine. The barrel is shaped for travel of the projectile from the magazine to an exit end. The barrel has an intermediate opening between the magazine and the exit end. A drive wheel is powered by a motor to spin about an axis of rotation. The drive wheel can be coupled to the body by a drive wheel biasing member. The drive wheel intrudes into the barrel though the intermediate opening to contact and propel the projectile down the barrel. The drive wheel can include a resilient part. The axis of rotation of the drive wheel can deviate from being perpendicular to the length of the barrel by a predetermined angle selected to impart spin to the projectile.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A toy projectile comprising:
 a hollow part;   a weight disposed inside the hollow part at a fore end of the hollow cylindrical part; and   a resilient fore cap at the fore end of the hollow part.   
     
     
         2 . The toy projectile of  claim 1 , wherein the hollow part comprises an extruded tube. 
     
     
         3 . The toy projectile of  claim 1 , further comprising an aft cap at an aft end of the hollow part. 
     
     
         4 . The toy projectile of  claim 3 , further comprising a stem that connects the aft cap to the weight, wherein the fore cap is connected to the weight. 
     
     
         5 . The toy projectile of  claim 4 , wherein the fore cap, weight, stem, and aft cap are portions of a single piece of material. 
     
     
         6 . The toy projectile of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient fore cap is made of foam. 
     
     
         7 . The toy projectile of  claim 1 , wherein the hollow part is generally cylindrical. 
     
     
         8 . A method of making a toy projectile, the method comprising:
 cutting a section from an extruded tube;   fitting a weight into a fore end of the section of tube; and   plugging the fore end of the section of tube with a resilient fore cap.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising plugging an aft end of the section of tube with an aft cap. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising cutting the resilient fore cap from foam stock.