Projectiles launch accessibility to users with upper limb prostheses using assistive handling technology and methods

Abstract

Apparatus, tools, and methods intended as assistive apparatus for toy projectile launching from a launcher having an outer housing with a rearward stock portion, a grip/handle portion forward of the stock portion, an opening for a projectile magazine and a forward muzzle portion. A projectile magazine connects to the outer housing through the opening. An energy source mounted in the outer housing for launching a dart, with a power/rev trigger mounted to the outer housing for activating the energy source, and a launch trigger for causing dart launching. A bracket mounts to the grip, with a clamp/clamping mechanism for securing the bracket to the grip. First panel and second panel mechanisms mount to the bracket to trigger activating, launch, and magazine release structures.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A toy projectile launcher, comprising:
 an outer housing having a forward portion and a rearward portion, with an exit opening in said forward portion;   a forward grip extending from said forward portion of said outer housing;   a rearward grip extending from said rearward portion of said outer housing;   launching apparatus disposed within said outer housing, said launching apparatus being engageable with a projectile;   an energy source;   a power trigger disposed on said outer housing and in communication with said energy source;   a launch trigger disposed on said outer housing and in communication with said launching apparatus;   a first panel mechanically linked to said power trigger such that movement of said first panel causes continuous actuation of said power trigger to supply continuous energy to said launching apparatus; and   a second panel mechanically linked to said launch trigger such that movement of said second panel causes actuation of said launch trigger.   
     
     
         2 . The toy projectile launcher of  claim 1 , comprising a bracket secured to said forward grip, said first panel extending from said bracket such that it is rotatable relative thereto to cause said continuous actuation of said power trigger to supply continuous energy to said launching apparatus. 
     
     
         3 . The toy projectile launcher of  claim 1 , comprising a bracket secured to said forward grip, said second panel extending from said bracket such that it is rotatable relative thereto to cause said actuation of said launch trigger and thereby cause said energized launching apparatus to transfer energy to the projectile. 
     
     
         4 . The toy projectile launcher of  claim 1 , comprising a bracket secured to said forward grip, said first panel extending from said bracket such that it is rotatable relative thereto to cause said continuous actuation of said power trigger to supply continuous energy to said launching apparatus and said second panel extending from said bracket such that it is rotatable relative thereto to cause said actuation of said launch trigger and thereby cause said energized launching apparatus to transfer energy to the projectile. 
     
     
         5 . The toy projectile launcher of  claim 1 , comprising a clamp for adjustably securing said bracket on said forward grip. 
     
     
         6 . The toy projectile launcher of  claim 1 , wherein said outer housing includes a magazine interface portion, said magazine interface portion configured for interfacing with a magazine. 
     
     
         7 . The toy projectile launcher of  claim 6 , comprising a magazine containing a plurality of projectiles, said magazine interfacing with said magazine interface portion of said outer housing. 
     
     
         8 . The toy projectile launcher of  claim 7 , comprising a magazine ejection mechanism mounted to said housing, said magazine ejection mechanism being movable relative to said housing to release said magazine from interfacing therewith. 
     
     
         9 . The toy projectile launcher of  claim 1 , wherein said second panel mechanically linked to said launch trigger such that movement of said second panel causes actuation of said launch trigger and thereby causes said energized launching apparatus to transfer energy to the projectile to impart velocity to the projectile relative to said housing to launch the projectile through said exit opening and out of said housing. 
     
     
         10 . An assistive apparatus for a toy projectile launcher having an outer housing with forward and rearward portions, an exit opening in said forward portion, a forward grip extending from said forward portion and a rearward grip extending from said rearward portion, launching apparatus disposed within said housing, said launching apparatus being engageable with a projectile, an energy source, a power trigger disposed on said housing and in communication with said energy source, and a launch trigger disposed on said housing and in communication with said launching apparatus, said assistive apparatus comprising:
 a first panel mechanically linked to said power trigger such that movement of said first panel causes continuous actuation of said power trigger to supply continuous energy to said launching apparatus; and   a second panel mechanically linked to said launch trigger such that movement of said second panel causes actuation of said launch trigger and thereby causes said energized launching apparatus to transfer energy to the projectile so as to impart velocity to the projectile relative to said housing to launch the projectile through said exit opening and out of said housing.   
     
     
         11 . The assistive apparatus for a toy projectile launcher of  claim 10 , comprising a bracket secured to said forward grip, said first panel extending from said bracket such that it is rotatable relative thereto to cause said continuous actuation of said power trigger to supply continuous energy to said launching apparatus. 
     
     
         12 . The assistive apparatus for a toy projectile launcher of  claim 10 , comprising a bracket secured to said forward grip, said second panel extending from said bracket such that it is rotatable relative thereto to cause said actuation of said launch trigger and thereby cause said energized launching apparatus to transfer energy to the projectile. 
     
     
         13 . The assistive apparatus of  claim 10 , comprising a bracket secured to said forward grip, said first panel extending from said bracket such that it is rotatable relative thereto to cause said continuous actuation of said power trigger to supply continuous energy to said launching apparatus and said second panel extending from said bracket such that it is rotatable relative thereto to cause said actuation of said launch trigger and thereby cause said energized launching apparatus to transfer energy to the projectile. 
     
     
         14 . The assistive apparatus of  claim 11 , comprising a clamp for adjustably securing said bracket on said forward grip. 
     
     
         15 . The assistive apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said outer housing includes a magazine interface portion, said magazine interface portion configured for interfacing with a magazine. 
     
     
         16 . The assistive apparatus of  claim 15 , comprising a magazine containing a plurality of projectiles, said magazine interfacing with said magazine interface portion of said outer housing. 
     
     
         17 . The assistive apparatus of  claim 16 , comprising a magazine ejection mechanism mounted to said housing, said magazine ejection mechanism being movable relative to said housing to release said magazine from interfacing therewith. 
     
     
         18 . A method of using a toy projectile launcher having an outer housing with forward and rearward portions, an exit opening in said forward portion, a forward grip extending from said forward portion and a rearward grip extending from said rearward portion, launching apparatus disposed within said housing, the launching apparatus being engageable with a projectile, an energy source, a power trigger disposed on said housing and in communication with said energy source, a launch trigger disposed on said housing and in communication with said launching apparatus, a first panel mechanically linked to said power trigger, and a second panel mechanically linked to said launch trigger, said method comprising the following steps:
 moving said first panel to cause continuous actuation of said power trigger to supply continuous energy to said launching apparatus; and   moving said second panel to cause actuation of said launch trigger and thereby causes said energized launching apparatus to transfer energy to the projectile to impart velocity to the projectile relative to said housing to launch the projectile through said exit opening and out of said housing.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , providing the toy projectile launcher with a bracket and an adjustable clamp for securing said bracket to said forward grip, said bracket for supporting said first panel and said second panel thereon, and said method includes the additional step of adjusting said clamp to secure said bracket to said forward grip. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , providing the toy projectile launcher with a magazine interface portion, said magazine interface portion configured for interfacing with a magazine, a magazine for containing a plurality of projectiles, said magazine interfacing with said magazine interface portion of said outer housing, and a magazine ejection mechanism mounted to said housing, said magazine ejection mechanism being movable relative to said housing to release said magazine from interfacing therewith, said method including the additional step of moving said magazine ejection mechanism relative to said housing to release said magazine from interfacing with said housing.