I’ve done a lot of searching over the past week, finding various fun bits of news and posting in Nerf groups. But I should probably write up summaries of what I’ve found this week, so they’re all in one spot!
Hasbro has an interesting patent for “jump starting” flywheel blasters. Worker (the third party mod parts and occasional blaster company) teased a new flywheel blaster, but also filed a design patent for it. And that new Adventure Force soaker from Dart Zone? It’s a newly patented system, as well! Let’s dive in!
Accelerating Your Flywheeler!
US Patent 10,876,809 B covers various implementations of a quick-start mechanism for flywheel blasters. Many pictures show a modified Rapidstrike; however, don’t get too excited just yet. I would assume Hasbro engineers just used one as a testbed for demonstrating the idea. One using LOTS of gears.
Of course, the end goal for many of these things is saving money, as reducing the number of motors makes for lower costs in manufacturing. The patent, however, does recognize that things like rev triggers are important for gameplay and wanting instant firing, not just faster firing. So
Worker Makes a Blaster To Match the Magazine
I’m sure it won’t be long until they reveal the actual product. We will continue waiting…
Dart Zone Soaker is Patented
Earlier, I reviewed the Adventure Force Water Strike Hydro Burst and looked at its unique priming and firing mechanism. Apparently, it’s unique to the point that it’s being patented. No news yet, however, if it’ll be used in dart blasters as well!