US12710246 - Toy launch apparatus with momentum feature and concentric piston
An air launch apparatus includes a frame, a grip, and a plurality of sidewalls and also includes a hollow substantially cylindrical barrel having a central longitudinal axis. The air launch apparatus further includes a piston disposed substantially concentric with the barrel. The piston is configured to move longitudinally along the outer surface of the barrel in directions parallel to the longitudinal axis. The air launch apparatus also includes a nut that is configured to engage the piston as a front block carrying the nut is drawn rearward toward a user, and to hold the piston stationary relative to the front block while so engaged. A plunger, fixedly connected to the piston, is configured to move with the piston. Movement of the piston and plunger, forward during cocking draws air into a volume within an air chamber of the air launch apparatus.
