Nerf gun redesign
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'''Usability:''' | '''Usability:''' | ||
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1. More intuitive to use, operation should not require instructions | 1. More intuitive to use, operation should not require instructions | ||
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2. Add indicator to let user know when gun is ready to fire | 2. Add indicator to let user know when gun is ready to fire | ||
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3. Make easier to disassemble for repair/adjustment | 3. Make easier to disassemble for repair/adjustment | ||
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4. Make easier to assemble during manufacture/during reassembly post-repair | 4. Make easier to assemble during manufacture/during reassembly post-repair | ||
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5. Make gun more robust | 5. Make gun more robust | ||
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6. Secure internal components | 6. Secure internal components | ||
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7. Function as a crossbow | 7. Function as a crossbow | ||
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8. Create quiver to carry bow and “arrows” | 8. Create quiver to carry bow and “arrows” | ||
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9. Function as a bow & arrow | 9. Function as a bow & arrow | ||
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10. Function as a shotgun | 10. Function as a shotgun | ||
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11. Modify firing mechanism to pull back to cock rather than pushing forward to cock | 11. Modify firing mechanism to pull back to cock rather than pushing forward to cock | ||
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12. Modify ergonomics so that gun is easier to hold/maneuver | 12. Modify ergonomics so that gun is easier to hold/maneuver | ||
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13. Add grip tape to grips | 13. Add grip tape to grips | ||
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14. Make easier to store | 14. Make easier to store | ||
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15. Make bow arms collapsible | 15. Make bow arms collapsible | ||
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16. Make gun more compact | 16. Make gun more compact | ||
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17. Make gun mountable | 17. Make gun mountable | ||
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18. Add a strap to sling gun over shoulder or back | 18. Add a strap to sling gun over shoulder or back | ||
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19. Make gun soft so it can be used to hit opponents (melee weapon) | 19. Make gun soft so it can be used to hit opponents (melee weapon) | ||
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20. Make gun customizable with modular parts that can be added to the gun | 20. Make gun customizable with modular parts that can be added to the gun | ||
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+ | '''Environmental Impact:''' | ||
21. Bio-degradable ammunition | 21. Bio-degradable ammunition | ||
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22. Use “green” plastic | 22. Use “green” plastic | ||
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23. Mark gun and packaging as recyclable | 23. Mark gun and packaging as recyclable | ||
'''Aesthetics:''' | '''Aesthetics:''' | ||
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24. Give gun a better name | 24. Give gun a better name | ||
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25. Make casing clear so that operation of internal mechanisms can be viewed | 25. Make casing clear so that operation of internal mechanisms can be viewed | ||
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26. Make internal parts that are visible more aesthetically pleasing | 26. Make internal parts that are visible more aesthetically pleasing | ||
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27. Reduce noise made when firing gun | 27. Reduce noise made when firing gun | ||
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28. Make noise made by firing gun more interesting | 28. Make noise made by firing gun more interesting | ||
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29. Change barrel lock design so that they do not stick out of sides of gun | 29. Change barrel lock design so that they do not stick out of sides of gun | ||
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30. Make decorative feature more clearly decorative so that they aren’t confused with functional parts | 30. Make decorative feature more clearly decorative so that they aren’t confused with functional parts | ||
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31. Re-design front handle so that it does not look like it contains the trigger | 31. Re-design front handle so that it does not look like it contains the trigger | ||
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32. Change color scheme so that gun is more concealable (camouflage, “invisible”, etc.) | 32. Change color scheme so that gun is more concealable (camouflage, “invisible”, etc.) | ||
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33. Change color scheme to appeal to target audience | 33. Change color scheme to appeal to target audience | ||
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34. Make themed guns (ie Halo) | 34. Make themed guns (ie Halo) | ||
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35. Make guns that interact with user by talking | 35. Make guns that interact with user by talking | ||
'''Ammunition:''' | '''Ammunition:''' | ||
36. More rugged ammunition | 36. More rugged ammunition | ||
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37. Heavier ammunition to increase accuracy | 37. Heavier ammunition to increase accuracy | ||
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38. Re-design fins on dart | 38. Re-design fins on dart | ||
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39. More aerodynamic ammunition | 39. More aerodynamic ammunition | ||
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40. Add suction tip to dart | 40. Add suction tip to dart | ||
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41. Make ammunition that sticks to people | 41. Make ammunition that sticks to people | ||
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42. Smaller ammunition | 42. Smaller ammunition | ||
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43. Use ball ammunition | 43. Use ball ammunition | ||
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44. Bouncing ammunition | 44. Bouncing ammunition | ||
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45. Skipping ammunition | 45. Skipping ammunition | ||
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46. Ammunition with erratic flight behavior | 46. Ammunition with erratic flight behavior | ||
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47. Whistle-tip ammunition | 47. Whistle-tip ammunition | ||
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48. Beeping ammunition | 48. Beeping ammunition | ||
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49. Ammunition that plays a song | 49. Ammunition that plays a song | ||
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50. Washable paint-tipped ammunition | 50. Washable paint-tipped ammunition | ||
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51. Ammunition with colored LED tip | 51. Ammunition with colored LED tip | ||
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52. Projectile net | 52. Projectile net | ||
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53. Tethered ammunition (with break-away tether) | 53. Tethered ammunition (with break-away tether) | ||
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54. Put metal in ammunition for use with metal detector to locate darts | 54. Put metal in ammunition for use with metal detector to locate darts | ||
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55. Magnetic darts | 55. Magnetic darts | ||
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56. Heat-seeking ammunition | 56. Heat-seeking ammunition | ||
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57. Homing ammunition | 57. Homing ammunition | ||
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58. Embed RFID in ammunition for tracking | 58. Embed RFID in ammunition for tracking | ||
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59. “Smart” ammunition, know if it hit someone | 59. “Smart” ammunition, know if it hit someone | ||
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60. Add streamers to end of dart | 60. Add streamers to end of dart | ||
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61. Customizable ammunition (color, size, etc) | 61. Customizable ammunition (color, size, etc) | ||
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62. Message in a bottle ammunition (ammunition can be used to store & deliver small objects, messages, etc) | 62. Message in a bottle ammunition (ammunition can be used to store & deliver small objects, messages, etc) | ||
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63. Self-propelled ammunition | 63. Self-propelled ammunition | ||
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64. Spreading ammunition (shotgun style) | 64. Spreading ammunition (shotgun style) | ||
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65. Exploding ammunition | 65. Exploding ammunition | ||
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66. Water friendly ammunition | 66. Water friendly ammunition | ||
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67. Water balloon ammunition | 67. Water balloon ammunition | ||
'''Ammunition Use:''' | '''Ammunition Use:''' | ||
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68. Make reloading faster | 68. Make reloading faster | ||
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69. Magazine feed for ammunition | 69. Magazine feed for ammunition | ||
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70. Belt feed for ammunition | 70. Belt feed for ammunition | ||
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71. Motorized loading mechanism | 71. Motorized loading mechanism | ||
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72. Automatic reloading | 72. Automatic reloading | ||
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73. Add ammunition storage | 73. Add ammunition storage | ||
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74. Re-design ammunition storage so it is less likely to damage the ammunition | 74. Re-design ammunition storage so it is less likely to damage the ammunition | ||
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75. Use a universal nozzle that can shoot many types of ammunition | 75. Use a universal nozzle that can shoot many types of ammunition | ||
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76. Make gun able to shoot multiple round | 76. Make gun able to shoot multiple round | ||
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77. Load ammunition from rear instead of from front | 77. Load ammunition from rear instead of from front | ||
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78. Make single action cocking mechanism | 78. Make single action cocking mechanism | ||
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79. Ammunition vacuum | 79. Ammunition vacuum | ||
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80. Ammunition-retrieving claw | 80. Ammunition-retrieving claw | ||
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81. Ammunition-retrieving robot | 81. Ammunition-retrieving robot | ||
'''Fire Power:''' | '''Fire Power:''' | ||
82. Make gun shoot further | 82. Make gun shoot further | ||
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83. Add a stiffer spring | 83. Add a stiffer spring | ||
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84. Add a better air seal | 84. Add a better air seal | ||
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85. Make gun able to fire multiple shots simultaneously | 85. Make gun able to fire multiple shots simultaneously | ||
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86. Add variable pressure system to control shot distance | 86. Add variable pressure system to control shot distance | ||
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87. Add different power levels to control shot distance | 87. Add different power levels to control shot distance | ||
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88. Design separate attachments to improve gun performance | 88. Design separate attachments to improve gun performance | ||
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89. Compressed air firing mechanism | 89. Compressed air firing mechanism | ||
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90. Motorized firing mechanism | 90. Motorized firing mechanism | ||
'''Accuracy:''' | '''Accuracy:''' | ||
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91. Design better aiming mechanism | 91. Design better aiming mechanism | ||
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92. Remove plastic lens | 92. Remove plastic lens | ||
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93. Replace plastic lens with magnifying lens | 93. Replace plastic lens with magnifying lens | ||
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94. Add laser sight | 94. Add laser sight | ||
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95. Flashlights mounted on gun | 95. Flashlights mounted on gun | ||
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96. Night vision sight | 96. Night vision sight | ||
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97. Mount mirrors on gun to see behind user & around corners | 97. Mount mirrors on gun to see behind user & around corners | ||
'''Warfare/Game play:''' | '''Warfare/Game play:''' | ||
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98. Nerf game rule book | 98. Nerf game rule book | ||
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99. Nerf game variations card | 99. Nerf game variations card | ||
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100. Nerf arcade game | 100. Nerf arcade game | ||
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101. Nerf video game | 101. Nerf video game | ||
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102. Nerf mines | 102. Nerf mines | ||
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103. Nerf mortars | 103. Nerf mortars | ||
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104. Nerf grenades | 104. Nerf grenades | ||
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105. Body armor | 105. Body armor | ||
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106. Riot gear | 106. Riot gear | ||
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107. Shield that darts stick to so users can block, capture, and user opponents ammunition | 107. Shield that darts stick to so users can block, capture, and user opponents ammunition | ||
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108. Shield that attaches to side of Nerf gun | 108. Shield that attaches to side of Nerf gun | ||
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109. Nerf spy equipment | 109. Nerf spy equipment | ||
Revision as of 10:59, 2 October 2009
Contents |
Executive Summary
Market Research
Because Nerf guns are so established in the marketplace, there are many groups and communities with products similar to Nerf's. In order to conduct our market research, we first defined the specific areas of the market we wanted to look at. These include: Nerf weapons, off-brand Nerf weapons, online Nerf modification communities, patents pertaining to toys, and youtube videos of children with their modified weapons.
Nerf Weapons: There is an incredible amount and variety of nerf weapons available. Just looking at the guns that shoot darts, there already exists a gun for just about every purpose. There are small guns, large guns, guns with massive ammo clips, battery powered guns, two in one guns, guns with electronic games/scorekeeping, and guns with interchangable parts. See this page for all the guns listed on Nerf's website. Because of the shear number of Nerf guns that already exist, it is clear that they have filled their own niche very well. A better product might be able to distinguish itself by appealing to a different age group, or by having a very unique design (or combination of designs).
User Study
Redesign
Nerf Gun Product Improvement Ideas
Below are a list of ideas brainstormed for way to improve performance of the NERF gun. The ideas are categorized by the specific area of performance that they would improve.
Usability:
1. More intuitive to use, operation should not require instructions
2. Add indicator to let user know when gun is ready to fire
3. Make easier to disassemble for repair/adjustment
4. Make easier to assemble during manufacture/during reassembly post-repair
5. Make gun more robust
6. Secure internal components
7. Function as a crossbow
8. Create quiver to carry bow and “arrows”
9. Function as a bow & arrow
10. Function as a shotgun
11. Modify firing mechanism to pull back to cock rather than pushing forward to cock
12. Modify ergonomics so that gun is easier to hold/maneuver
13. Add grip tape to grips
14. Make easier to store
15. Make bow arms collapsible
16. Make gun more compact
17. Make gun mountable
18. Add a strap to sling gun over shoulder or back
19. Make gun soft so it can be used to hit opponents (melee weapon)
20. Make gun customizable with modular parts that can be added to the gun
Environmental Impact:
21. Bio-degradable ammunition
22. Use “green” plastic
23. Mark gun and packaging as recyclable
Aesthetics:
24. Give gun a better name
25. Make casing clear so that operation of internal mechanisms can be viewed
26. Make internal parts that are visible more aesthetically pleasing
27. Reduce noise made when firing gun
28. Make noise made by firing gun more interesting
29. Change barrel lock design so that they do not stick out of sides of gun
30. Make decorative feature more clearly decorative so that they aren’t confused with functional parts
31. Re-design front handle so that it does not look like it contains the trigger
32. Change color scheme so that gun is more concealable (camouflage, “invisible”, etc.)
33. Change color scheme to appeal to target audience
34. Make themed guns (ie Halo)
35. Make guns that interact with user by talking
Ammunition: 36. More rugged ammunition
37. Heavier ammunition to increase accuracy
38. Re-design fins on dart
39. More aerodynamic ammunition
40. Add suction tip to dart
41. Make ammunition that sticks to people
42. Smaller ammunition
43. Use ball ammunition
44. Bouncing ammunition
45. Skipping ammunition
46. Ammunition with erratic flight behavior
47. Whistle-tip ammunition
48. Beeping ammunition
49. Ammunition that plays a song
50. Washable paint-tipped ammunition
51. Ammunition with colored LED tip
52. Projectile net
53. Tethered ammunition (with break-away tether)
54. Put metal in ammunition for use with metal detector to locate darts
55. Magnetic darts
56. Heat-seeking ammunition
57. Homing ammunition
58. Embed RFID in ammunition for tracking
59. “Smart” ammunition, know if it hit someone
60. Add streamers to end of dart
61. Customizable ammunition (color, size, etc)
62. Message in a bottle ammunition (ammunition can be used to store & deliver small objects, messages, etc)
63. Self-propelled ammunition
64. Spreading ammunition (shotgun style)
65. Exploding ammunition
66. Water friendly ammunition
67. Water balloon ammunition
Ammunition Use:
68. Make reloading faster
69. Magazine feed for ammunition
70. Belt feed for ammunition
71. Motorized loading mechanism
72. Automatic reloading
73. Add ammunition storage
74. Re-design ammunition storage so it is less likely to damage the ammunition
75. Use a universal nozzle that can shoot many types of ammunition
76. Make gun able to shoot multiple round
77. Load ammunition from rear instead of from front
78. Make single action cocking mechanism
79. Ammunition vacuum
80. Ammunition-retrieving claw
81. Ammunition-retrieving robot
Fire Power: 82. Make gun shoot further
83. Add a stiffer spring
84. Add a better air seal
85. Make gun able to fire multiple shots simultaneously
86. Add variable pressure system to control shot distance
87. Add different power levels to control shot distance
88. Design separate attachments to improve gun performance
89. Compressed air firing mechanism
90. Motorized firing mechanism
Accuracy:
91. Design better aiming mechanism
92. Remove plastic lens
93. Replace plastic lens with magnifying lens
94. Add laser sight
95. Flashlights mounted on gun
96. Night vision sight
97. Mount mirrors on gun to see behind user & around corners
Warfare/Game play:
98. Nerf game rule book
99. Nerf game variations card
100. Nerf arcade game
101. Nerf video game
102. Nerf mines
103. Nerf mortars
104. Nerf grenades
105. Body armor
106. Riot gear
107. Shield that darts stick to so users can block, capture, and user opponents ammunition
108. Shield that attaches to side of Nerf gun
109. Nerf spy equipment
<our 5 new ideas>
Plasma Double Shot:
This weapon was designed to be simple, effective, and fun. In order to use this two barreled gun, the user simply places the green foam balls (~1.5" diameter) in the either of holes at the top of the gun, and gravity then lets them sink into the ready position (one ball per barrel). From there, the user pulls back on the bar on the bottom of the gun, which compresses two large springs. When the user pulls the trigger, both springs are released simultaneously, and hit both of the loaded green balls.
One of the key differences with this weapon, is that is uses green foam balls instead of the usual foam darts. This was specifically chosen to allow the gun to be loaded by gravity, rather than user action. One of the downsides of a foam ball rather than a dart is the increased profile which suffers from air resistance. To compensate for this, the gun was designed to contain a very large springs which directly contacts the balls, minimizing energy losses and ensuring a powerful shot. The gun is also very easy to use, with the user only needing to put foam balls into the hole at the top (which will be able to hold at least 6 per barrel), then pulling back the bar, and then hitting the trigger. There are no other motions necessary.
Aesthetically, the gun is appealing due to it's minimalist nature. There are no extra parts, no sharp edges, and the color scheme can be something simple to go along with that. This is on thing that should be able to set it apart from other guns, especially Nerf's guns.
The top picture (below) is a side view of the gun with most of the interns drawn out. The cavity the balls fall through, the spring, and the handles are all visible. Other things that are not drawing in this view include the trigger mechanism (which works the same way as the Big Bad Bow) and the fasteners. The bottom picture is a simple front view, illustrating both barrels, and the general shape of the gun.
Needler:
As an inspiration for this weapon, users were asked what could be done to make Nerf guns more fun to play with as part of a game. Many users commented that they thought Nerf guns would be more fun if they were more like weapons from the Halo video game series. The design and function of weapons in Halo were investigated to determine how these principles could be applied to improving the design and function of the Nerf gun. It was found that several of the Covenant (ie bad guy) weapons resembled toys and would be a good source for visual design inspiration. The needler gun, a purple and blue gun that fires pink spikes, was chosen as the basis for the design. The ornamental design of the needler gun was modified for the Nerf gun to create a more ergonomic design that users less material. The ammunition was designed with a geometric design (resembling the shape of the spikes fired by the needler) on top of a traditional cylindrical shape so that the ammunition would be easier to load and fire. In Halo, the needler feeds spikes that stick vertically into the the top surface of the gun through the weapon to fire them through the front. To simulate this ammunition loading design, ammunition is stored in several clips of 4 darts that fit into the top surface of the gun. A clip is then removed from the top of the gun and loaded into the front of the gun to prepare for firing. The gun would then be able to fire either all 4 darts and the same time, or each of the 4 darts in succession. The internals of the gun would be designed to significantly increase firing distance over a traditional Nerf gun to further increase user satisfaction with the product
Side
Top
Bottom
Ammunition