TOY VEHICLE LAUNCHER

Abstract

A toy vehicle launcher comprising a housing, a guide track connected to the housing, and a slidable member movably engaged with the guide track. The housing includes a lever mechanism, wherein actuation of the lever mechanism causes the slidable member to move along the length of the guide track in a forward direction. A plurality of projections are pivotally mounted to the slidable member and protrude upwardly from the guide track. The plurality of projections are configured to allow a toy vehicle to pass over the one or more projections only when the toy vehicle travels along the guide track in the forward direction.

Claims

1. A toy vehicle launcher, comprising: a housing including a lever mechanism; a straight, inclined guide track positioned beside the housing; a slidable member movably engaged with the inclined guide track and operatively coupled to the lever mechanism, wherein actuation of the lever mechanism causes the slidable member to move along a length of the inclined guide track in a forward direction, up an incline defined by the inclined guide track; and a plurality of projections pivotally mounted to the slidable member and protruding upwardly from the inclined guide track, the plurality of projections configured to allow a toy vehicle to pass over the plurality of projections when the toy vehicle travels along the inclined guide track in the forward direction; wherein actuation of the lever mechanism causes the plurality of projections to move with the slidable member and propel a toy vehicle engaged by one of the plurality of projections in the forward direction.

2. The toy vehicle launcher of claim 1, wherein the plurality of projections comprises three projections positioned in a line parallel to the length of the inclined guide track.

3. The toy vehicle launcher of claim 1, wherein each projection of the plurality of projections pivots between an upright position and a depressed position, and is biased to its upright position.

4. The toy vehicle launcher of claim 3, wherein each projection of the plurality of projections has a front surface and a back surface, the back surface of a particular projection of the one or more projections being angled with respect to the inclined guide track when the particular projection is in the upright position and the back surface being coplanar with the inclined guide track when the particular projection is in the depressed position, and wherein the front surface of each projection of the plurality of projections is configured to engage a rear end of the toy vehicle.

5. (canceled)

6. The toy vehicle launcher of claim 1, wherein actuation of the lever mechanism causes the slidable member to move from a rearward position to a forward position, and the slidable member is biased to the rearward position.

7. The toy vehicle launcher of claim 1, wherein the slidable member moves underneath a surface of the inclined guide track when a toy vehicle travels on the surface of the inclined guide track.

8. The toy vehicle launcher of claim 7, wherein the surface of the inclined guide track has an elongate opening and the plurality of projections protrude through the elongate opening.

9. The toy vehicle launcher of claim 1, wherein the lever mechanism comprises a lever and the lever mechanism is actuated by applying a downward force on the lever.

10. A toy vehicle launcher, comprising: a housing including a lever mechanism; an inclined guide track connected to the housing; a slidable member movably engaged with the inclined guide track, wherein actuation of the lever mechanism causes the slidable member to move along a length of the inclined guide track in a forward direction, up an incline defined by the inclined guide track; and one or more projections pivotally mounted to the slidable member and protruding upwardly from the inclined guide track, the one or more projections configured to allow a toy vehicle to pass over the one or more projections only when the toy vehicle travels along the inclined guide track in the forward direction.

11. The toy vehicle launcher of claim 10, wherein the one or more projections comprise three projections positioned in a line parallel to the length of the inclined guide track.

12. The toy vehicle launcher of claim 10, wherein the one or more projections each pivot between an upright position and a depressed position, and are biased to their upright positions.

13. The toy vehicle launcher of claim 12, wherein the one or more projections each have a front surface and a back surface, the back surface being angled with respect to the inclined guide track when its projection is in the upright position and the back surface being coplanar with the inclined guide track when its projection is in the depressed position, and wherein the front surface of each of the one or more projections is configured to engage a rear end of the toy vehicle.

14. (canceled)

15. The toy vehicle launcher of claim 10, wherein actuation of the lever mechanism causes the slidable member to move from a rearward position to a forward position, and the slidable member is biased to the rearward position.

16. The toy vehicle launcher of claim 10, wherein the slidable member moves underneath a surface of the inclined guide track when a toy vehicle travels on the surface of the inclined guide track.

17. The toy vehicle launcher of claim 16, wherein the surface of the inclined guide track has an elongate opening and the one or more projections protrude through the elongate opening.

18. The toy vehicle launcher of claim 10, wherein the lever mechanism comprises a lever and the lever mechanism is actuated by applying a downward force on the lever.

19. A toy vehicle launcher, comprising: a housing including a lever mechanism; a straight, inclined guide track positioned beside the housing, the inclined guide track having a track surface for a toy vehicle to travel along and an elongate opening positioned in a center of the track surface; a slidable member movably positioned underneath the track surface and operatively coupled to the lever mechanism, wherein actuation of the lever mechanism causes the slidable member to move in a straight line in a forward direction along a length of the inclined guide track, up an incline defined by the inclined guide track; and three or more projections pivotally mounted to the slidable member and protruding upwardly through the elongate opening of the inclined guide track, the three or more projections configured to allow a toy vehicle to pass over the three or more projections when the toy vehicle travels along the inclined guide track in the forward direction; wherein actuation of the lever mechanism causes the three or more projections to move with the slidable member up the incline defined by the inclined guide track and propel a toy vehicle engaged by one of the three or more projections in the forward direction up the incline defined by the inclined guide track.

20. The toy vehicle launcher of claim 19, wherein: the three or more projections each pivot between an upright position and a depressed position; the three or more projections each have a front surface and a back surface; the front surface of each of the three or more projections is configured to engage a rear end of the toy vehicle; and the back surface of each of the three or more projections being angled with respect to the inclined guide track when its projection is in the upright position and the back surface being coplanar with the inclined guide track when its projection is in the depressed position.

21. The toy vehicle launcher of claim 1, further comprising: an inlet track positioned proximate to a forward end of the inclined guide track, forwardly of the plurality of projections, such that a toy vehicle bypasses, at least initially, the plurality of projections when entering the inclined guide track via the inlet track.

22. The toy vehicle launcher of claim 10, further comprising: an inlet track positioned proximate to a forward end of the inclined guide track, forwardly of the one or more projections, such that a toy vehicle bypasses, at least initially, the plurality of projections when entering the inclined guide track via the inlet track.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout:

[0010] FIGS. 1A and 1B provide perspective views of a toy vehicle launcher, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

[0011] FIG. 2 provides a section view along the line 2-2 from the toy vehicle launcher shown in FIG. 1A.

[0012] FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of the toy vehicle launcher shown in FIGS. 1A-1B with a portion of the housing removed.

[0013] FIG. 4 provides a perspective view of toy vehicle launcher shown in FIGS. 1A-1B with a portion of the housing and the guide track removed.

[0014] FIGS. 5A and 5B provide top perspective views of a toy vehicle launcher launching a stationary toy vehicle, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5A shows the toy vehicle launcher loaded with a toy vehicle. FIG. 5B shows the toy vehicle launcher launching the toy vehicle.

[0015] FIGS. 6A and 6B provide top views of a toy vehicle launcher propelling/boosting a toy vehicle traveling through the toy vehicle launcher, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6A shows the toy vehicle launcher receiving a moving toy vehicle. FIG. 6B shows the toy vehicle launcher propelling/boosting the moving toy vehicle.

[0016] FIG. 7 provides a perspective view of a toy vehicle launcher as part of a toy vehicle playlet, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] A toy vehicle launcher is provided that can easily receive and propel both stationary and moving toy vehicles. The toy vehicle launcher has a guide track and a lever mechanism that causes a slidable member to move along a portion of the guide track. The slidable member includes a plurality of projections that are used for propelling a toy vehicle placed on or traveling along the guide track. The plurality of projections are pivotally mounted onto the slidable member and allow toy vehicles to pass over the projections unidirectionally. The configuration of the projections allows the toy vehicle launcher to repeatedly receive and propel incoming toy vehicles, such as a toy vehicle performing continuous laps around a closed track.

[0018] Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a toy vehicle launcher according to an exemplary embodiment is shown. The toy vehicle launcher 100 includes a housing 102 for a lever mechanism 104 and a guide track 106 connected to one side of the housing 102. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the guide track 106 includes a straight track portion 107. In other embodiments, the guide track 106 includes a curved track portion. In the depicted embodiment, the guide track 106 has a flat base 108 and an angled track surface 110, but in other embodiments, the track surface 110 need not be angled as shown (and may be flat or angled at a different angle). An elongate opening 112 is positioned in the center of the track surface 110. The track surface 110 also includes walls 114, 116 that help define the path of travel for a toy vehicle moving along the guide track 106. Typically, the walls 114, 116 define a track surface 110 with a width of slightly more than that of a single toy vehicle. The ends 118, 120 of the guide track 106 allow for end-to-end connection or coupling with other track segments or components. For example, the ends 118, 120 may be coupled to other track segments or components using tongue-and-groove friction fit or snap-together nesting tabs.

[0019] The guide track 106 further includes an inlet track 122 that allows an additional track section or component to be coupled to the toy vehicle launcher 100. The inlet track 122 is positioned proximate to the front of the toy vehicle launcher 100 such that a toy vehicle entering the guide track 106 via the inlet track 122 bypasses the area of toy vehicle propulsion on the guide track 106. In other embodiments, the inlet track is positioned proximate to the center or rear of the toy vehicle launcher 100 such that a toy vehicle entering the guide track 106 via the inlet track is within or enters the area of toy vehicle propulsion on the guide track 106.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1B, the housing 102 of the toy vehicle launcher 100 includes a lap counter 124. The lap counter 124 may be manually operated to keep track of the number of times a toy vehicle has successfully performed a lap around a track. Other counters, gauges or meters may also be used, for example to indicate the velocity at which a toy vehicle is launched, the force exerted when operating the lever mechanism, the number of times the lever mechanism has been actuated or the number of times a toy vehicle has been successfully propelled by the toy vehicle launcher 100. Such counters, gauges or meters may be manually operated or automatically adjusted mechanically or electronically.

[0021] FIGS. 2-4 illustrate the internal components of the toy vehicle launcher 100. In the depicted embodiment, a slidable member 126 is configured to move inside and/or underneath the guide track 106 (i.e., underneath the track surface 110). However, in some embodiments, the slidable member 126 is on top of or coplanar with the track surface 110. A portion 200 of the slidable member 126 is straight and configured to move in a linear direction along the guide track 106. In other embodiments, the guide track 106 includes a curved track portion and a portion of the slidable member 126 is shaped accordingly such that is it able to move along the curvature of the guide track 106. The slidable member 126 includes three projections 128, 130, 132 arranged in a line parallel to the length of the guide track 106. Other embodiments of the invention include toy vehicle launchers having a different number of projections, such as one, two, or more than three projections.

[0022] The projections 128, 130, 132 are each pivotally mounted to the slidable member 126 and each pivot individually between an upright position A and a depressed position B (see, e.g., FIG. 2). Each of the projections 128, 130, 132 protrude through the elongate opening 112 on the guide track 106 when in its upright position A. By comparison, each of the projections 128, 130, 132 is substantially recessed within the guide track 106 (e.g., beneath or coplanar with track surface 110) when in its depressed position B. Note that for illustrative purposes, FIGS. 2-4 depict the projection 128 in its upright position A and depict the projections 130, 132 in their recessed positions B.

[0023] Typically, biasing members such as torsion springs 202, 204, 206 bias each projection 128, 130, 132 to its upright position A. The elongate opening 112 allows each of the projections 128, 130, 132 to pivot downwards to their respective depressed position B as well as travel forward and back with the slidable member 126 along the guide track 106. Additionally, each of projections 128, 130, 132 may have a limited range of rotation, such as a range spanning approximately 30 degrees, a range spanning approximately 45 degrees, a range spanning approximately 90 degrees, or any other range less than or equal to approximately 90 degrees. This range or rotation may be achieved with stops, biasing members, part geometries or any combination thereof. This limited range of rotation may ensure that a back surface of each projection 128, 130, 132 is positioned at an angle with respect to the track guide 110 when the projection 128, 130, 132 is an upright position, as is explained in further detail below.

[0024] Each projection 128, 130, 132 has a respective front surface 208, 210, 212 and back surface 214, 216, 218. In the upright position A, the front surfaces 208, 210, 212 are positioned to engage or contact the rear of a toy vehicle and are flat and substantially perpendicular or normal to the track surface 110 of the guide track 106. In other embodiments, the front surfaces 208, 210, 212 have a different shape or contour that better conforms to the rear of a toy vehicle. In the upright position A, the back surfaces 214, 216, 218 are positioned to engage or contact the front of a toy vehicle and are angled with respect to the track surface 110 of the guide track 106.

[0025] In at least one embodiment, when a toy vehicle traveling in a forward direction C along the guide track 106 contacts the back surface 214, 216 or 218 of a projection 128, 130 or 132 in the upright position A, the toy vehicle causes the contacted projection to pivot to its depressed position B. In the depressed position B, the contacted projection is sufficiently recessed so that it does not obstruct the movement of the toy vehicle as the toy vehicle continues to travel over the projection. In one instance, the front surface is underneath the track surface 110 and the back surface is substantially coplanar with the track surface 110 while the contacted projection is in the depressed position B. Finally, when the toy vehicle has moved past the contacted projection, the contacted projection returns to its upright position A.

[0026] Put generally, the projections 128, 130, 132 are configured to allow unidirectional movement of a toy vehicle through the toy vehicle launcher 100. That is, the projections 128, 130, 132 are configured to allow a toy vehicle to travel through the toy vehicle launcher 100 in a first direction (e.g., a forward direction) and to prevent a toy vehicle from traveling through the toy vehicle launcher in a second direction that is opposite the first direction (e.g., a reverse or backwards direction). In the depicted embodiment, this is achieved by providing back surfaces 214, 216, 218 of projections 128, 130, 132 that are angled to allow a toy vehicle to depress the projections 128, 130, and/or 132 as it contacts the projections 128, 130, and/or 132 while traveling in a forward direction C along the guide track 106 (i.e., so that the vehicle pushes the projections 128, 130, 132 to depressed positions B). Additionally, the front surfaces 208, 210, 212 of projections 128, 130, 132 are oriented to contact a toy vehicle and the combination of front surfaces 208, 210, and 212 and the limited rotation of projections 128, 130, and 132 prevent a toy vehicle from traveling in a reverse direction D along the guide track 106.

[0027] The housing 102 houses a lever mechanism 104 for moving the sliding member 126 (see, e.g., FIGS. 3 and 4). The lever mechanism 104 includes a lever 220 attached to the housing 102 at a fulcrum 222, which provides a pivot point about which the lever 220 rotates. The fulcrum 222 is a peg or post that interfaces with a hole or recess in the lever 220. In other embodiments, the fulcrum is a hole or recess that interfaces with a peg or post in the lever 220 or any other arrangement of components that allow rotation. The degree of rotation available to the lever 220 may be limited by the housing 102 (e.g., dimensions or shape of the housing, size or length of openings in the housing) or other elements such as nubs or posts within the housing 102.

[0028] A first end 224 of the lever 220 extends beyond the perimeter of the housing 102. A second end 226 of the lever 220 is operatively coupled to the sliding member 126. The lever 220 rotates between a loading position (see, e.g., FIG. 4 or 5A) and a launching position (see, e.g., FIG. 5B) when a force in the downward direction E is applied. A biasing element 228 (See FIG. 3), for instance a torsion spring, biases the lever 220 to the loading position. Thus, when the external force acting upon the lever 220 is removed, the biasing element 228 returns the lever 220 to the loading position. In some embodiments, there is no biasing element coupled to the lever 220 and a user manually moves the lever 220 from the launching position back to the loading position.

[0029] The lever mechanism 104 translates rotational movement of the lever 220 into a substantially lateral movement of the slidable member 126 and the projections 128, 130, 132 along the guide track 106. That is, when a user pushes down on the lever 220, the lever 220 transitions from the loading position to the launching position and the second end 226 of the lever 220 moves the sliding member 126 from a rearward position (see, e.g., FIG. 4) to a forward position (see, e.g., FIG. 5B) along the length of the guide track 106 in the forward direction C. The rearward position may be adjacent or proximate a rear end of the elongate opening 112 and the forward position may be adjacent or proximate a forward end of the elongate opening 112.

[0030] The amount that the sliding member 126 moves may be limited by the movement of the lever 220, the dimensions or shape of the guide track 106, the length of the elongate opening 112 on the guide track 106, and/or an element such as rubber stop 230 within the guide track 106. When the lever 220 is released, the biasing element 228 causes the lever 220 to return to the loading position and the second end 226 of the lever 220 moves the sliding member 126 back to the rearward position. In the depicted embodiment, gravity also facilitates the movement of the slidable member 126 back to the rearward position because the slidable member 126 moves along an inclined track surface. In some embodiments, a biasing element such as a spring or elastic band further biases the slidable member 126 to the rearward position.

[0031] When the force applied by a user in the downward direction E to the first end 224 of the lever 220 is converted into a force in the forward direction C, the projections 128, 130, 132 can transfer this forward motion to a toy vehicle to propel the toy vehicle. Thus, the greater the force applied to the lever 220 (in direction E) results in the greater the velocity at which the toy vehicle is launched or propelled (in direction C). Furthermore, the toy vehicle launcher 100 allows for a toy vehicle to be launched or propelled from a stationary position or while the toy vehicle is in motion along the guide track 106.

[0032] FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate a toy vehicle launcher 300 launching a stationary toy vehicle 302. As shown in FIG. 5A, a user first loads the toy vehicle 302 onto the toy vehicle launcher 300 by placing the toy vehicle 302 against a first projection 304 on a guide track 310. Because the projections 304, 306, 308 are able to individually pivot to a depressed position, the user may also place the toy vehicle 302 against the second projection 306 or third projection 308 if desired. The lever 312 of the toy vehicle launcher 300 begins in the loading position F due to the biasing force of a biasing element. When a user pushes down on the lever 312 (see FIG. 5B), the lever 312 rotates to the launching position G and causes the slidable member 314 and projections 304, 306, 308 to move together towards a front end of the guide track 310. As the projection 304 moves forward, the projection 304 engages with the toy vehicle 302 and propels the toy vehicle 302 forward (e.g., onto a connected track section 316) in the forward direction C. When the lever 312 is released, the lever 312 moves back to the loading position F and the slidable member 314 moves back towards the rear end of the guide track 310. Meanwhile, the biasing of projections 304, 306, 308 causes any of the projections 304, 306, 308 that had been depressed by the toy vehicle 302 return to their upright positions. Thus, the toy vehicle launcher 300 is automatically reset for the next launching of a toy vehicle.

[0033] FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate the toy vehicle launcher 300 boosting a toy vehicle 318 traveling along the guide track 310. Instead of loading the toy vehicle launcher 300 by placing the toy vehicle 318 against a projection, the toy vehicle 318 enters the toy vehicle launcher 300 via the rear end of the guide track 310 traveling in direction C (see FIG. 6A). The pivotally mounted projections 304, 306, 308 allow the toy vehicle to pass over the projections while moving in the forward direction C (toy vehicle 318 is on top of projection 306 in FIGS. 6A and 6B). Actuation of the toy vehicle launcher 300 may be timed such that when a user pushes the lever 312 to the launching position G, the slidable member 314 moves toward the front end of the guide track 310 and one of the projections 304, 306, 308 engages with the rear end of the moving toy vehicle 318. As shown in FIG. 5B, the third projection 308 has engaged with the rear end of the moving toy vehicle 318 and provides an additional boost to the toy vehicle 318 as it continues towards the connected track section 316 in the forward direction C. When the lever 312 is released, the lever 312 moves back to the loading position F and the slidable member 314 moves back towards the rear end of the guide track 310. The toy vehicle launcher 300 is thus reset to propel or boost another incoming toy vehicle. Proper timing is required to successfully boost a toy vehicle traveling along the guide track 310. If a user actuates the toy vehicle launcher 300 too early or too late, the projections 304, 306, 308 would move forward without engaging and propelling the toy vehicle.

[0034] FIG. 7 illustrates a toy vehicle launcher 300 as part of a toy vehicle playset 400 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The toy vehicle launcher 300 is connected with track sections 402 to form a closed track 404. Track supports 406 elevate and angle portions of the closed track 404 at various heights. Embodiments of the invention also include toy vehicle playlets having other track or raceway layouts and orientations, such as a flat figure-8 layout. Furthermore, the toy vehicle playset 400 may be a stand-alone product or be part of a larger playset that includes, for example, additional toy vehicle tracks, loops, stunt devices or other accessories.

[0035] One or more toy vehicles may be initially launched by the toy vehicle launcher 300. When the toy vehicle travels around the closed track 404 and completes a lap, the toy vehicle re-enters the toy vehicle launcher 300. The toy vehicle launcher 300 may then be actuated again to provide an additional boost to the toy vehicle. With recurring successful boosts, the toy vehicle is able to continuously perform multiple laps around the closed track 404. In the instance where the toy vehicle is not successfully boosted, the toy vehicle may consequently not have sufficient forward momentum to complete a full lap around the closed track 404.

[0036] Thus, a gameplay element is provided that requires a user to accurately time the actuation of the toy vehicle launcher 300 in order to successfully boost a moving toy vehicle. The user may try to see how many complete laps a toy vehicle can successfully travel around the closed track 404. The number of completed laps may be recorded with a lap counter (see, e.g., lap counter 124 in FIG. 1B). By increasing the number of projections on the toy vehicle launcher 300, the probability of one of the projections engaging with a toy vehicle moving along the guide track increases. In other words, it is easier for a user to accurately time the boosting of a toy vehicle with a toy vehicle launcher having three or more projections than it is with a toy vehicle launcher having only one or two projections.

[0037] Although the disclosed embodiments are illustrated and described herein as embodied in one or more specific examples, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the present embodiments and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.

[0038] Moreover, it is to be understood that terms such as left, right, top, bottom, front, rear, side, height, length, width, upper, lower, interior, exterior, inner, outer and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points or portions of reference and do not limit the present embodiments to any particular orientation or configuration. Further, the term exemplary may be used herein to describe an example or illustration. Any embodiment described herein as exemplary is not to be construed as a preferred or advantageous embodiment, but rather as one example or illustration of a possible embodiment.

[0039] Finally, various features from one of the embodiments may be incorporated into another of the embodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the following claims.