Foam Darts

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to an improved foam dart that operates with improved accuracy. The shaft of the foam dart is shaped with indentions that direct airflow around the dart to improve its accuracy. The dart tip is also connected through a rigid neck portion that further improves the accuracy of the dart during use. An alternative embodiment allows the user to place a pop cap within the dart tip that will explode to cause a loud bang when the dart contacts a hard object at the end of its flight. Side vents direct exhaust gases away from the target to improve safety.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15 / 678,311, filed Aug. 16, 2017, which in turn claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 62 / 376,110, filed Aug. 17, 2016; 62 / 407,129, filed Oct. 12, 2016; and 62 / 482,508, filed Apr. 6, 2017; each of which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention generally relates to foam darts and, more particularly, to improved foam darts that provide increased accuracy and more dynamic response.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Toy darts for use in spring activated, or air activated, toy guns have been enjoyed for many years. To insure safety, the body of the darts is typically a foam cylinder with suction cups on the forward end, thereby allowing for the dart to stick to a target. In some embodiments, these darts use a soft, bullet-shaped tip. Though enjoyable, the poor accuracy of toy darts has thwarted wider acceptance. W...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]There are two primary components to the dart with one being the shell and the other being the tip. The shell and tip will be described separately with the understanding that the choice of the combination of shell and tip is not limited as any tip described can be used with any shell described. Furthermore, the various tips described herein may be used with conventional shells thereby improving the performance of conventional shells, and the shells described herein may be used with conventional tips thereby providing an improvement.

[0009]In one embodiment described herein, the improved foam dart may be made more dynamic for the user by comprising a tip operably affixed to a rigid neck that is disposed within a foam shaft, wherein said tip contains a firing pin designed to accept and fire a pop cap. This embodiment cars have a smooth shaft or it can be an improved accuracy model comprising a multiplicity of air directing indentions disposed upon said foam shaft that cause said improved foam dart to travel with more accuracy. Those indentions are also preferably flute shaped or ring shaped. This embodiment can also have a series of vent holes to safely exhaust gases from the tiring of a pop cap.

Problems solved by technology

Though enjoyable, the poor accuracy of toy darts has thwarted wider acceptance.

Toy darts also suffer from the lack of dynamic response, wherein successful hits make no sound and often fall to complete suction in the case of suction cup tipped darts.

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