Firing-type confetti cannon device

Abstract

A confetti cannon device comprises a compressed air cartridge receiving compressed air. A cap unit includes a cap airtightly and removably coupled with the compressed air cartridge. The cap unit further includes a movable firing pin configured to be airtightly coupled with and movable relative to the compressed air cartridge and the cap. The firing pin is movable between a standby position and a push position. A safety unit is mounted outside of the cap unit and may be set in either of an unfired state and a firing state. The safety unit remains in the unfired state when the firing pin is in the standby position. When the firing pin is in the push position, the safety unit is switched to the firing state, the cap disengages from the compressed air cartridge, permitting the compressed air in the compressed air cartridge to eject confetti into the air.

1 . A confetti cannon device comprising:
 a compressed air cartridge having an interior space receiving compressed air;   a cap unit including a cap airtightly and removably coupled with the compressed air cartridge, wherein the cap unit further includes a movable firing pin configured to be airtightly coupled with and movable relative to the compressed air cartridge and the cap, and wherein the firing pin is movable between a standby position and a push position; and   a safety unit mounted outside of the cap unit, wherein the safety unit is configured to be set in either of an unfired state and a firing state,   wherein the safety unit remains in the unfired state when the firing pin is in the standby position,   wherein when the firing pin is in the push position, the safety unit is switched to the firing state, the cap disengages from the compressed air cartridge, permitting the compressed air in the compressed air cartridge to eject confetti into air.   
     
     
         2 . The confetti cannon device as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a safety member mounted outside of the safety unit, wherein the safety member is movable between a safety position and a non-safety position, wherein when the safety member is in the safety position, the safety unit remains in the unfired state, and the firing pin remains in the standby position, and wherein when the safety member is in the non-safety position, the firing pin is movable to the push position, and the safety unit is permitted to enter the firing state. 
     
     
         3 . The confetti cannon device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the safety unit further includes a pressing member pivotably mounted above the cap and an outer coupling member which is pivotable, wherein when the safety member is in the safety position, the pressing member is not pivotable to prevent pivotal movement of the outer coupling member, wherein when the safety member is in the non-safety position, the pressing member is pivotable, wherein when the firing pin is in the standby position, the outer coupling member remains unmoved, wherein when the firing pin moves from the standby position to the push position, the outer coupling member is pivoted by the firing pin to push the pressing member to pivot, the safety unit is switched to the firing state, and the cap is pushed by the compressed air in the compressed air cartridge to thereby disengage from the compressed air cartridge. 
     
     
         4 . The confetti cannon device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the safety unit further includes an inner coupling member which is pivotable, wherein the inner coupling member includes a through-hole,
 wherein when the firing pin is in the standby position, the firing pin does not extend through the through-hole of the inner coupling member, the inner coupling member is located between the cap and the outer coupling member, and the inner coupling member is coupled with the pressing member such that the inner coupling member is unable to push the pressing member to pivot,   wherein pivotal movement of the inner coupling member is prevented by the pressing member when the pressing member is not pivotable, and the inner coupling member abuts against the cap to prevent the cap from disengaging from the firing pin,   wherein when the firing pin is in the push position, the firing pin extends through the through-hole of the inner coupling member to push the outer coupling member to pivot, pivotal movement of the outer coupling member causes pivotal movement of the pressing member to disengage the pressing member from the inner coupling member, the cap is pushed by the compressed air to actuate the inner coupling member to pivot, thereby completely disengaging the cap from the compressed air cartridge.   
     
     
         5 . The confetti cannon device as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the safety unit further includes a pivotal seat coupled with the compressed air cartridge, wherein the pivotal seat includes a first pivotal portion, a second pivotal portion, and a third pivotal portion, wherein the second pivotal portion is adjacent to the third pivotal portion and is located between the first pivotal portion and the third pivotal portion, wherein the inner coupling member includes a distal end warping away from the compressed air cartridge, wherein the inner coupling member is pivotably coupled with the first pivotal portion, wherein the outer coupling member further includes two outer pivotal portions having a gap therebetween, wherein the outer coupling member further includes an inner end located between the two outer pivotal portions and contiguous to the gap, wherein the two outer pivotal portions are pivotably coupled with the third pivotal portion, wherein the pressing member further includes a first limiting portion and a second limiting portion contiguous to the first limiting portion, wherein the pressing member is pivotably coupled with the second pivotal portion and is located in the gap, wherein the distal end of the inner coupling member and the second limiting portion are coupled such that the inner coupling member is unable to push the pressing member to pivot,
 wherein when the safety unit is in the unfired state, the limiting portion remains above the inner end of the outer coupling member,   wherein when the safety member is in the non-safety position and the firing pin moves toward the push position, the inner end of the outer coupling member presses against the first limiting portion to pivot the pressing member.   
     
     
         6 . The confetti cannon device as claimed in  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a filling sleeve including a filling chamber configured for receiving the confetti; and   a connecting member coupled with the filling sleeve, wherein the connecting member includes an upper compartment, a channel formed in an outer periphery of the connecting member, and a notch intercommunicating with the channel and the upper compartment, wherein the pressing member is aligned with the notch, wherein the safety member includes a stopping portion formed on an inner periphery of the safety member, wherein the safety member is slidably coupled with the connecting member, wherein the stopping portion is received in the channel,   wherein when the safety member is in the safety position, the stopping portion is located in the notch and contiguous to the pressing member, thereby preventing pivotal movement of the pressing member,   wherein when the safety member is in the non-safety position, the stopping portion is located in the channel and spaced from the notch and the pressing member, thereby permitting pivotal movement of the pressing member,   wherein when the safety unit is in the firing state, a portion of the pressing member is located in the notch.   
     
     
         7 . The confetti cannon device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cap unit further includes a guiding tube having a hole extending therethrough in an axial direction of the guiding tube, wherein the compressed air cartridge includes a neck and a bottom end spaced from the neck, wherein the cap is airtightly and removably coupled with the neck, wherein the cap includes an engaging hole, wherein an outer surface of an end of the guiding tube is airtightly coupled with the engaging hole, wherein another end of the guiding tube extends through and is airtightly coupled with the bottom end of the compressed air cartridge, wherein the hole of the guiding tube is spaced from the interior space of the compressed air cartridge, wherein the firing pin includes a first end and a second end, wherein the firing pin is slidably coupled with the hole of the guiding tube, wherein the first end and the second end of the firing pin are located outside of the guiding tube, wherein the first end of the firing pin extends beyond the bottom end of the compressed air cartridge, and wherein when the firing pin is in the push position, the second end of the firing pin switches the safety unit to the firing state. 
     
     
         8 . The confetti cannon device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the safety unit further includes a pressing member mounted above the cap and switchable between a pivotable state permitting pivotal movement and a non-pivotable state not permitting pivotal movement, wherein the pressing member further includes an outer coupling member, wherein the pressing member includes a first limiting portion located above the outer coupling member, wherein when the pressing member is in the non-pivotable state, the first limiting portion prevents pivotal movement of the outer coupling member, which, in turn, prevents the firing pin from moving to the push position, wherein when the firing pin is in the standby position, the second end of the firing pin is spaced from the outer coupling member, wherein when the pressing member is in the pivotable state and the firing pin is in the push position, the second end of the firing pin pushes the outer coupling member to pivot, and an inner end of the outer coupling member presses against the first limiting portion to pivot the pressing member, thereby switching the safety unit to the firing state. 
     
     
         9 . The confetti cannon device as claimed in  claim 8 , further comprising a safety member movably mounted outside of the safety unit, wherein the safety member is movable between a safety position and a non-safety position, wherein when the safety member is in the safety position, the safety member prevents the pressing member from pivoting, such that the outer coupling member is not pivotable, and the cap is prevented from disengaging from the compressed air cartridge, and wherein when the safety member is in the non-safety position, the pressing member is pivotable. 
     
     
         10 . The confetti cannon device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the safety unit further includes an inner coupling member which is pivotable, wherein the inner coupling member includes a through-hole, wherein when the firing pin is in the standby position, the inner coupling member is located between the cap and the outer coupling member and presses against the cap, wherein the outer coupling member includes an inner end coupled with a second limiting portion of the pressing member, wherein pivotal movement of the inner coupling member is prevented by the pressing member in the non-pivotable state, and the inner coupling member prevents the cap from disengaging from the firing pin, wherein when the firing pin is in the standby position, the firing pin does not extend through the through-hole of the inner coupling member, wherein when the pressing member is in the pivotable state and the firing pin is in the push position, the second end of the firing pin extends through the through-hole of the inner coupling member to push the outer coupling member to pivot, the inner coupling member disengages from the pressing member to permit pivotal movement of the inner coupling member, and the cap pushes the inner coupling member away and disengages from the neck. 
     
     
         11 . The confetti cannon device as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a connecting member receiving the compressed air cartridge, the cap unit, and the safety unit;   a safety member mounted outside of the connecting member and movable along an axial direction of the connecting member between a safety position and a non-safety position; and   a base portion including a coupling tube detachably coupled with the connecting member, wherein the safety member is in the safety position before the connecting member is coupled with the coupling tube, the firing pin remains in the standby position, the safety unit remains in the unfired state, wherein when the connecting member is coupled with the coupling tube, the safety member is pushed by the coupling tube to the non-safety position, permitting movement of the firing pin to the push position, and the safety unit is switchable to the firing state.   
     
     
         12 . The confetti cannon device as claimed in  claim 11 , further comprising an actuator securely mounted in the coupling tube, wherein the actuator includes a movable member facing the firing pin, wherein when the actuator is energized, the movable member displaces to push the firing pin to move from the standby position to the push position. 
     
     
         13 . The confetti cannon device as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the base portion further includes a housing and a longitudinal collar securely mounted on the housing, wherein the base portion further includes a rotary table pivotably coupled to the longitudinal collar, wherein the coupling tube is pivotably coupled with the rotary table, wherein the rotary table and the connecting member  86  are jointly pivotable about a longitudinal axis of the longitudinal collar, and wherein the coupling tube is pivotable about a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         14 . The confetti cannon device as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the base portion further includes a longitudinal disc coupled with the rotary table to permit joint pivotal movement of the longitudinal disc and the rotary table, wherein the longitudinal disc is received in the housing, wherein the base portion further includes an arm securely mounted in the housing, wherein the arm includes a first engaging end securely connected to the housing, a second engaging end, and a threading connection portion between the first engaging end and the second engaging end, wherein a longitudinal retaining element is securely mounted to the second engaging end and faces the longitudinal disc, wherein the base portion further includes a longitudinal knob in threading connection with the threading connection portion, wherein rotation of the longitudinal knob causes movement of the longitudinal retaining element toward or away from the longitudinal disc, and wherein a contact pressure between the longitudinal retaining element and the longitudinal disc is in direct proportion to resistance to pivotal movement of the rotary table about the longitudinal collar. 
     
     
         15 . The confetti cannon device as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the longitudinal disc has semi-circular cross sections, wherein the housing includes a limiting rod which cooperates with the longitudinal disc to limit a rotational angle of the rotary table to be smaller than 360 degrees. 
     
     
         16 . The confetti cannon device as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the rotary table further includes a connecting portion and two extension portions securely mounted to two ends of the connecting portion, wherein each of the two extension portions includes an inner cover having a fixing portion, wherein the rotary table further includes two transverse receiving rings each of which is securely mounted to a respective inner cover and is rotatably coupled with a bearing, wherein each bearing includes an inner end located on an inner side of the respective inner cover and coupled with a longitudinal disc to permit joint pivotal movement of the bearing and the respective longitudinal disc, wherein the coupling tube is coupled with the bearings to permit joint pivotal movement of the coupling tube and the bearings, wherein the rotary table further includes two longitudinal knobs in threading connection with the fixing portions, wherein each of the two longitudinal knobs is coupled with a longitudinal retaining element, wherein each of the two longitudinal knobs is pivotable to move a respective longitudinal retaining element toward the respective longitudinal disc, and wherein a pressing force imparted to each of the two longitudinal discs by the respective longitudinal retaining element is in direct proportion to resistance to pivotal movement of the coupling tube about the transverse axis. 
     
     
         17 . The confetti cannon device as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a base portion including a coupling tube;   a connecting member receiving the compressed air cartridge, the cap unit, and the safety unit, wherein the connecting member includes a coupling portion; and   a safety member mounted outside of the connecting member and movable between a safety position and a non-safety position, wherein the safety member includes a coupling portion,   wherein the safety member remains in the safety position before the connecting member is coupled with the coupling tube,   wherein when the connecting member is coupled with the coupling tube, an end of the coupling tube pushes the safety member to move from the safety position to the non-safety position,   wherein when the safety member is in the safety position, the firing pin is prevented from moving to the push position, and the safety unit remains in the unfired state,   wherein only when the safety member is in the non-safety position, the firing pin is permitted to move to the push position, and the safety unit is switchable to the firing state.   
     
     
         18 . The confetti cannon device as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the coupling portion includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion protrudes outward from an outer periphery of the safety member, wherein the second portion protrudes outward from an inner periphery of the safety member,
 wherein when the safety member is in the safety position, the second portion of the coupling portion is coupled with the coupling portion of the connecting member to retain the safety member in the safety position,   wherein when the connecting member is coupled with the coupling tube, an end of the coupling tube presses against the first portion, such that the coupling portion deforms elastically, the second portion disengages from the coupling portion of the connecting member, and the safety member is pushed to move from the safety position to the non-safety position.   
     
     
         19 . The confetti cannon device as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the safety unit further includes a pivotal seat coupled with the compressed air cartridge, wherein the pivotal seat includes a first pivotal portion, a second pivotal portion, and a third pivotal portion, wherein the second pivotal portion is adjacent to the third pivotal portion,
 wherein the safety unit includes an outer coupling member and an inner coupling member, wherein the inner coupling member includes a distal end warping away from the compressed air cartridge, wherein the inner coupling member is pivotably coupled with the first pivotal portion, wherein the outer coupling member includes two outer pivotal portions having a gap therebetween, wherein the outer coupling member further includes an inner end located between the two outer pivotal portions and contiguous to the gap, wherein the two outer pivotal portions are pivotably coupled with the third pivotal portion,   wherein the pressing member further includes a first limiting portion and a second limiting portion contiguous to the first limiting portion, wherein the pressing member is pivotably coupled with the second pivotal portion and is located in the gap, wherein the distal end of the inner coupling member and the second limiting portion are coupled such that the inner coupling member is unable to push the pressing member to pivot, wherein the safety member further includes a stopping portion, wherein the connecting member further includes a notch,   wherein when the safety member is in the safety position, the stopping portion is located in the notch and contiguous to the pressing member, thereby preventing pivotal movement of the pressing member,   wherein when the safety member is in the non-safety position, the stopping portion moves out of the notch and is spaced from the pressing member, thereby permitting pivotal movement of the pressing member and permitting the safety unit to switch to the firing state.   
     
     
         20 . The confetti cannon device as claimed in  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a stopper which is annular and includes a coupling block on an inner periphery of the stopper, wherein the connecting member includes a first connecting end, a second connecting end, and an intermediate portion between the first connecting end and the second connecting end, wherein the connecting member further includes a coupling groove formed in the first connecting end, wherein the safety member is slidably coupled with the intermediate portion, wherein the stopper is mounted around the first connecting end and is contiguous to the intermediate portion, wherein the coupling block of the stopper is coupled with the coupling groove to retain the stopper in place relative to the connecting member along an axial direction of the connecting member, wherein when the safety member is in the safety position, the safety member is spaced from the stopper along the axial direction of the connecting member, wherein when the safety member is in the non-safety position, the safety member abuts against the stopper, and wherein the coupling tube is coupled with the second connecting end of the connecting member; and   a filling sleeve including a filling chamber configured for receiving the confetti, wherein an end of the filling sleeve is coupled with the first connecting end of the connecting member and abuts against the stopper.