TOY LAUNCHING APPARATUS

Abstract

A toy apparatus includes: a base portion; a receptacle including a first open end, a second open end, and a sidewall that extends between the first open end and the second open end; a platform configured to move relative to the base portion between a first position and a second position, the first position under the second open end of the receptacle; and a launcher coupled to the platform, the launcher configured to move the platform between the first position and the second position.

Claims

1. A toy apparatus comprising: a base portion; a receptacle comprising a first open end, a second open end, and a sidewall that extends between the first open end and the second open end; a platform configured to move relative to the base portion between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position is under the second open end of the receptacle; and a launcher coupled to the platform, the launcher configured to move the platform between the first position and the second position.

2. The toy apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cutting assembly, the cutting assembly comprising: a cutting surface and a cutting interface, wherein the cutting surface moves in a space between the second open end of the receptacle and the platform in response to manipulation of the cutting interface.

3. The toy apparatus of claim 2, wherein the cutting assembly comprises cutting blades mounted on a pivot point assembly.

4. The toy apparatus of claim 2, wherein the platform is mounted to the base portion and slides relative to the base portion between the first position and the second position; the cutting assembly is mounted to the base portion, and the cutting surface slides relative to the base portion in response to manipulation of the cutting interface.

5. The toy apparatus of claim 4, wherein the base portion comprises a slot in a planar surface; the platform is on a first side of the planar surface; the launcher is on a second side of the planar surface; and the apparatus further comprises a mechanical interface that passes through the slot and attaches the launcher to the platform.

6. The toy apparatus of claim 5, wherein the mechanical interface comprises a post.

7. The toy apparatus of claim 4, wherein the launcher is in an initial state when the platform is in the first position, the launcher is in a launching state when the platform is in the second position, and the launcher has a smaller extent along a first direction in the initial state than in the launched state.

8. The toy apparatus of claim 7, wherein the launcher comprises a plurality of rigid mechanical links configured to rotate relative to each other.

9. The toy apparatus of claim 8, wherein the launcher is coupled to a launching interface comprising: a first handle attached to a first one of the rigid mechanical links at a first pivot point; and a second handle attached to a second one of the rigid mechanical links at a second pivot point.

10. The toy apparatus of claim 9, wherein moving the first handle and the second handle toward each other slides the platform relative to the base portion toward the second position.

11. The toy apparatus of claim 10, wherein placing the first handle and the second handle in contact with each other causes a post that is attached to the launcher and the platform to collide with an end wall.

12. The toy apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receptacle is configured to receive one of a moldable material and a pre-formed slice of material.

13. (canceled)

14. The toy apparatus of claim 12, wherein the receptacle is configured to receive a pre-formed slice of material, and the pre-formed slice of material is a pre-formed disk of material.

15-16. (canceled)

17. A toy set comprising: a moldable material; and a launching apparatus comprising: a base portion; a platform mounted to the base portion, the platform configured to receive the moldable material; a cutting surface configured to move in a space above the platform and to cut through the moldable material such that a slice of the moldable material is on the platform; and a launcher coupled to the platform, the launcher configured to move the platform between an initial position and a launched position.

18. The toy set of claim 17, wherein moving the launcher into the launched position ejects the slice of the moldable material.

19. The toy set of claim 17, wherein the launcher comprises rigid mechanical links configured to rotate relative to each other.

20. The toy set of claim 19, further comprising a launching interface, the launching interface comprising a first handle coupled to a first one of the rigid mechanical links and a second handle coupled to a second one of the rigid mechanical links, and wherein moving the first handle and the second handle toward each other moves the platform toward the launched position.

21. The toy set of claim 17, wherein the cutting surface comprises two blades.

22. A method comprising: positioning a platform mounted in a base portion in an initial position by sliding the platform along a track in the base portion; placing a piece of material onto the platform; moving the platform along the track toward an end wall of the track; and releasing the piece of material from the platform by colliding the platform with the end wall of the track.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein placing a piece of material onto the platform comprises: providing a moldable material to the platform; and preparing a slice of the moldable material by moving a cutting surface above the platform and through the moldable material that is on the platform such that a slice of the moldable material is placed on the platform.

24-32. (canceled)

Description

DRAWING DESCRIPTION

[0025] FIGS. 1A and 1B are side views of a toy apparatus.

[0026] FIGS. 2A-2D relate to another example toy apparatus.

[0027] FIG. 3A is an exterior perspective view of another example toy apparatus.

[0028] FIG. 3B is a perspective partial interior view of the toy apparatus of FIG. 3A.

[0029] FIG. 3C is a side partial interior view of the toy apparatus of FIG. 3A.

[0030] FIG. 3D is a perspective view of part of the interior of the toy apparatus of FIG. 3A.

[0031] FIG. 3E is a front view of part of the interior of the toy apparatus of FIG. 3A.

[0032] FIG. 3F is a perspective view of part of the interior of the toy apparatus of FIG. 3A.

[0033] FIG. 3G is a perspective view of a platform in the toy apparatus of FIG. 3A.

[0034] FIG. 3H is a perspective bottom view of the platform of FIG. 3G.

[0035] FIG. 3I is a bottom view of the platform of FIG. 3G with a return spring.

[0036] FIG. 3J is a bottom view of the interior of the toy apparatus of FIG. 3A.

[0037] FIG. 4A is an exterior perspective view of another example toy apparatus.

[0038] FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a base portion in the interior the toy apparatus of FIG. 4A.

[0039] FIG. 4C is a top view of the interior of the toy apparatus of FIG. 4A with an upper portion of the base portion removed.

[0040] FIG. 4D is a perspective view of the interior of the toy apparatus of FIG. 4A with the upper portion of the base portion removed.

[0041] FIG. 4E is a top view of the interior of the toy apparatus of FIG. 4A with an upper portion of the base portion removed.

[0042] FIG. 4F is a perspective view of the base portion in the interior of the toy apparatus of FIG. 4A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] FIGS. 1A and 1B are side views of a toy apparatus 100. The toy apparatus 100 includes a base portion 110 and a platform 120 that moves relative to the base portion 110 between a first position 123 (FIG. 1A) and a second position 122 (FIG. 1B) in response to activation of a launcher 150. The platform 120 holds a piece 105 of material. The moving platform 120 stops suddenly at the second position 122, generating a collision force that ejects the piece 105 of material from the platform 120. The toy apparatus 100 relies on the collision force to launch the piece 105 of material, and the launcher 150 can be implemented without springs or other mechanisms that store potential energy. This design promotes safety and simplicity of design.

[0044] The piece 105 of material may be made of any type of material capable of holding a shape. The material may be a material that is moldable by the user of the toy apparatus 100 or a material that is pre-formed into the piece 105. Examples of materials that are moldable by the user of the toy apparatus 100 include, without limitation, putty, clay, a viscous gel capable of holding a shape, and/or a dough substance (for example, PLAY-DOH, available from Hasbro, Inc. of Pawtucket, Rhode Island). The moldable material may be a non-homogenous material that includes a base moldable material and one or more additives or secondary materials substantially adhered to the base moldable material. Examples of additives or secondary materials include, for example, sand, pellets, glitter, other moldable materials, and/or plastic design elements. Examples of material that can be pre-formed into the piece 105 include, without limitation, rigid or semi-rigid plastic, hardened gels, metals, and ceramics. Moreover, the pre-formed piece 105 may be made of a material that could be by the end-user.

[0045] The piece 105 may have any shape. For example, the piece 105 may be a disk of material. The disk may be circular, elliptical, or an irregular shape that may or may not have rounded edges. The piece 105 may be a square or a rectangular disk-like object. In some implementations, the piece 105 is a ball or a sphere of material. The piece 105 may be shaped in a manner similar to a pizza pie or other food item.

[0046] FIGS. 2A-2D relate to another example toy apparatus 200. FIG. 2A is a side cross-sectional view of the toy apparatus 200, and FIG. 2B is a top view of the top apparatus 200. FIGS. 2C and 2D are bottom views of the toy apparatus.

[0047] The toy apparatus 200 includes a base portion 210 and a platform 220 that is slidably mounted to the base portion 210. The cutting apparatus 240 and the platform 220 move independently of each other. The platform 220 has a bottom side 221 and a top side 228 that supports a piece 205. The toy apparatus 200 also includes a cutting apparatus 240 that is slidably mounted to the base portion 210. The cutting apparatus 240 includes a cutting edge 246 that can cut through a moldable material but is safe to touch. For example, the cutting edge 246 may be a beveled edge or a straight edge that can cut through a moldable material but does not cut a human user of the toy apparatus 200. The cutting apparatus 240 is above (displaced in the Z direction) the platform 220, and the cutting apparatus 240 and the platform 220 are separated from each other in the Z direction. The cutting apparatus 240 may be used to form the piece 205 on the top side 228 of the platform or the piece 205 may be pre-formed and placed on the top side 228.

[0048] The base portion 210 includes a launcher cover 218 and rails 214a and 214b. The rails 214a and 214b are walls or sides that extend in the Z direction. The rails 214a and 214b include respective slots 215a (not shown) and 215b and respective tracks 216a and 216b. The platform 220 is mounted to the base portion 210 at the slots 215a and 215b. For example, the platform 220 may include flanges or tabs that extend in the +/Y directions and into the slots 215a and 215b. The flanges can slide in the slots 215a and 215b, allowing the platform 220 to slide relative to the base portion 210 in the +/X directions.

[0049] The top portion of each rail 214a, 214b includes a respective track 216a, 216b. The cutting apparatus 240 is slidably mounted to the tracks 216a and 216b. Each track 216a and 216b may be a protrusion that extends in the Z direction and receives a corresponding slot on an underside 242 of the cutting apparatus 240. In some implementations, each track 216a and 216b is a recess that extends into the respective rail 214a, 214b in the Z direction and receives a corresponding protrusion on the underside 242 of the cutting apparatus 240.

[0050] Other implementations are possible. For example, the cutting apparatus 240 may include bearings on the underside 242 instead of slots or a protrusion. In these implementations, the bearings allow the cutting apparatus 240 to move in the +/X directions relative to the base portion 210.

[0051] The toy apparatus 200 also includes a launcher 250 that is coupled to the platform 220. The launcher 250 includes a launching interface 252 that, when activated, controls a mechanical launching mechanism 245 (FIGS. 2C and 2D) to move the platform 220 in the X direction. Referring also to FIGS. 2C and 2D, which are bottom views of the toy apparatus 200, the mechanical launching mechanism 254 has a retracted state (FIG. 2C) and an expanded state (FIG. 2D). The mechanical launching mechanism 254 is below the launching cover 218 and are not visible in FIG. 2B. The mechanical launching mechanism 254 is coupled to the launching interface 252 and to a coupling element 256. The coupling element 256 is attached to the platform 220. In the example shown, the coupling element 256 is attached to a platform post 220 that extends from the bottom side 221 of the platform 220 and through an opening 212 in the launch cover 218.

[0052] The launching interface 252 is any type of manual interface. For example, the launching interface 252 may be a knob, a paddle, or a button. The launching interface 252 may include more than one manual interface. For example, the launching interface 252 may include two paddles that are moved toward each other to manually activate the mechanical launching mechanism 254.

[0053] The mechanical launching mechanism 254 is any type of mechanical device or apparatus that expands and contracts. The mechanical launching mechanism 254 may be a mechanism that does not store potential energy or is not primarily intended to store potential energy. For example, the mechanical launching mechanism 254 may include one or more mechanical links that are configured to rotate relative to each other (to fold and unfold) in response to activation of the launching interface 252. Although the mechanical launching mechanism 254 may be implemented as a mechanism that does not store potential energy, in some implementations, the mechanical launching mechanism 254 includes elements that store potential energy, such as springs or elastic components.

[0054] The coupling element 256 is any device or apparatus that can attach the mechanical launching mechanism 254 to the platform 220. For example, the coupling element 256 may be a mechanical link that is attached to the platform post 222 and the mechanical launching mechanism 254.

[0055] The operation of the toy apparatus 200 is discussed next with reference to FIGS. 2A-2D. FIG. 2C is a bottom view of the toy apparatus 200 when the platform 220 is in a first position. When the platform 220 is in the first position, the launching interface 252 the mechanical launching mechanism 254 is folded, retracted, relaxed, or otherwise not expanded.

[0056] The piece 205 of material is placed on a top side 228 of the platform 220. The piece 205 may be a pre-formed disk of material that the user places on the top side 228, or the piece 205 may be formed with the cutting apparatus 240. To form the piece 205 with the cutting apparatus 240, the user places a bulk segment of material that can be cut with the cutting apparatus 240 on the top side 228 of the platform 220. The user then moves the cutting apparatus 240 in the X direction until the cutting surface 246 passes all the way through the material, thereby separating the piece 205 from the rest of the original material. The user removes the material that did not become part of the piece 205. In some implementations, the toy apparatus 200 includes a receptacle that holds and positions the material prior to cutting and retains the portion of the moldable material that does not become part of the piece 205.

[0057] Activating the launch interface 252 causes the mechanical launching mechanism 254 to expand, pushing the platform 220 in the X direction to a second position. FIG. 2D is a bottom view of the toy apparatus with the platform in the second position. The second position is the end of the range of motion of the platform 220. In the example shown, the platform 220 is in the second position when the post 222 reaches an end 213 of the cover opening 212. The end of the range of motion of the platform 220 may be determined by other elements and/or different elements. For example, the range of motion of the platform 220 may be determined by the slots 215a and 215b. When the platform 220 moves into the second position, it stops suddenly because the platform 220 encounters a physical barrier. For example, the platform post 222 encounters the end 213 of the cover opening 212 and/or the platform 220 encounters the end of the slots 215a and 215b. The sudden stopping of the platform 220 generates a force that releases the piece 205 from the top side 228 of the platform 220, thereby launching the piece 205. In this way, the piece 205 is launched even though the launcher 254 expands without relying on a mechanism that intentionally stores potential energy. For example, the launcher 254 does not necessarily include a spring or elastic element that expands to push the platform 220 in the X direction.

[0058] After launching the piece 205, the user may reset the toy apparatus 200 by pushing the platform 220 in the X direction until the platform 220 reaches the first position shown in FIG. 2C. In some implementations, the launching interface 252 is configured to return the platform 220 to the first position. In some implementations, the toy apparatus 200 includes a lever or other device that the user activates to return the platform 220 to the first position. Moreover, the toy apparatus 200 may include a return spring or other elastic component that returns the platform 220 to the first position without user action. In these implementations, the spring or other elastic component counteracts the motion of the platform 220 caused by the expansion of the launching mechanism 254 such that the return spring does not increase the force used to launch the piece 205 from the platform 220 and the return spring is not considered part of the mechanical launching mechanism 254.

[0059] FIGS. 3A-3J relate to another toy apparatus 300. FIG. 3A is an exterior perspective view of a housing 390 and a base plate 391 of the toy apparatus 300. The toy apparatus 300 includes a launcher 350 that launches a piece of material (such as the piece 105 or the piece 205) though a launching opening 360 in the housing 390. The toy apparatus 300 also includes a cutting apparatus 340 and a material holder 380. The material holder 380 includes a removable cover 381. The removable cover 381 is shown as closed in FIG. 3A. When closed, the removable cover 381 covers an opening into the interior of the toy apparatus 300. Referring also to FIG. 3B, which is a perspective partial interior view of the toy apparatus 300, and to FIG. 3C, which is a side partial interior view of the toy apparatus 300, the material holder 380 includes a receptacle 382 that is below the opening covered by the closed removable cover 381. When the removable cover 381 is opened, moldable material or a pre-formed piece of material can be loaded into the receptacle 382 through the opened cover 381. The receptacle 382 is a cylinder that extends from a first open end 383 to a second open end 384. The receptacle 382 positioned over a material receiving section 324 of a platform 320. The launching opening 360 is defined by a base portion 310, which includes a top portion 361 and a bottom portion 362. In the example shown, the top portion 361 is adjacent to the receptacle 382.

[0060] Referring also to FIG. 3D, which is a perspective view of part of the interior of the toy apparatus 300 with the top portion 361 hidden, the top portion 361 also covers a cutting base 344 that includes a cutting surface 346. The cutting surface 346 has an edge that can cut through moldable material. Referring also to FIG. 3E, which is a front view of part of the interior of the toy apparatus 300 with the top portion 361 hidden, the cutting base 344 is coupled to the lever 345 by a rotational connection assembly 347, and the cutting base 344 is attached to tracks 316a and 318b. The rotational connection assembly 347 allows the lever 345 to rotate relative to the base portion 310.

[0061] FIGS. 3D shows the lever 345 in an initial position. With the lever 345 in the initial position, the cutting base 344 is not positioned over the material receiving section 324 and the second end 384 of the receptacle is open to the material receiving section 324. When the lever 345 is rotated in the clockwise direction (into the page in FIG. 3E), the cutting base 344 slides along the tracks 316a and 316b in the X direction and moves through a space between the material receiving section 324 of the platform 320 and the end 384 such that the cutting base 344 covers the material receiving section 324. In other words, when the lever 345 is rotated in the clockwise direction, the cutting base 344 blocks the open end 384 of the receptacle. When the lever 345 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction (out of the page in FIG. 3E), the cutting base 344 slides along the tracks 316a and 316b in the X direction and moves out of the space between the material receiving section 324 of the platform 320 and the end 384 of the receptacle 382.

[0062] Referring also to FIG. 3F, which is a perspective view of part of the interior of the toy apparatus 300 with the top portion 361 and the cutting base 344 hidden, the platform 320 is slidably mounted in the bottom portion 362. The bottom portion 362 includes an opening 312. Referring also to FIG. 3G, which is a perspective view of the platform 320, and FIG. 3H, which is a perspective bottom view of the platform 320, the platform 320 includes a post 322 that extends form an underside 321 of the platform 320. The underside 321 is opposite to the material receiving section 324. Referring again to FIG. 3F, the platform 320 is mounted in the bottom portion 362 with the post 322 passing through the opening 312.

[0063] The platform 320 also includes a return mechanism attachment point 326. FIG. 3I is a bottom view of the platform 320 with a return spring 327 attached to the return mechanism attachment point 326 and to the lower portion 362. The toy apparatus 300 may be implemented without the return spring 327.

[0064] Referring also to FIG. 3J, which is a bottom view of the interior of the toy apparatus 300, the launcher 350 includes launching interfaces 352a and 352b, a mechanical launching mechanism 354, and a connection element 356. The launching interfaces 352a and 352b are mechanically coupled to the mechanical launching mechanism 354 via respective arms 358a and 358b. The arms 358a and 358b may be relatively long (for example, about 4 inches) to provide additional leverage and comfort for the user and to make it easier for a child to activate the launcher 350. The mechanical launching mechanism 354 includes a plurality of mechanical links arranged in a crossed or scissor-like manner and coupled to each other at pivot points 357 (only one of which is labeled). The links are substantially rigid and generally do not store potential energy. For example, the links may be made of metal or plastic.

[0065] The mechanical links rotate relative to each other at the pivot points 357. The pivot points 357 may be, for example, rivets or pins. The mechanical launching mechanism 354 is coupled to the post 322 of the platform 320 with the connection element 356. In the example shown, the coupling element 356 is an opening in each of the links closest to the post 322 and the post 322 is passes through the openings in the links to couple the platform 320 to the launcher 350. FIG. 3J shows the launcher 350 in an initial launch position. When the launcher 350 is in the initial launch position, the mechanical launching mechanism 354 is folded, retracted, or non-extended, and the launching interfaces 352a and 352b are separated along the Y axis. The platform 220 is in a first position under the end 384 of the receptacle 382.

[0066] The operation of the toy apparatus 300 is discussed next. If the launcher 350 is not in the initial launch position, the user places the launcher 350 in the initial launch position. The removable cover 381 (FIG. 3A) is removed and a moldable material is inserted into the receptacle 382 through the first end 383. If the lever 345 is in the initial position (such as shown in FIG. 3D), the cutting base 344 is not between the material receiving section 324 and the end 384 of the receptacle 382. Thus, moldable material that is inserted into the receptacle 382 rests on the material receiving section 324. If the lever 345 is not in the initial position, the cutting base 344 completely or partially blocks moldable material from flowing from the end 384 of the receptacle to the material receiving section 324. Thus, if the lever 345 is not in the initial position, the user rotates the lever 345 into the initial position so that the moldable material can reach the material receiving section 324.

[0067] After the moldable material is on the material receiving section 324, the user forms the piece by rotating the lever 345 in the clockwise direction (where clockwise is the clockwise direction looking into the page in FIG. 3C). Rotating the lever 345 in the clockwise direction causes the cutting base 344 to slide in the X direction and into the space between the material receiving section 324 and the second open end 384, pushing the cutting surface 346 through the moldable material that rests on the material receiving section 324. Passing the cutting surface 346 through the moldable material separates the portion of the moldable material that rests on the material receiving section 324 from the moldable material above the cutting base 344, thereby forming the piece. The piece is the portion that rests on the material receiving section 324. The cutting base 344 blocks the end 384 of the receptacle 382 such that the moldable material that is not part of the piece is retained in the receptacle 382.

[0068] To launch the piece, the user activates the launcher 350 by squeezing the launching interfaces 352a and 352b toward each other. Squeezing the launching interfaces 352a and 352b toward each other causes the links in the mechanical launching mechanism 354 to extend in the X direction such that the mechanical launching mechanism 354 is expanded. The post 322 moves in the X direction with the expanding mechanism 354 and the platform 320 slides in the X direction. The platform 320 continues to move in the X direction until it reaches the end of its range of motion. The range of motion of the platform 320 may be defined by more than one element. For example, the platform 320 may reach the end of its range of motion when the post 322 collides with an end 313 of the opening 312, when the launching interfaces 352a and 352b make contact with each other, and/or when the platform 320 hits a flange 364 on the portion 362. The platform 320 stops suddenly when it reaches the end of its range of motion, and the force of the sudden stop ejects the piece from the material receiving section 324 and through the launching opening 360. In this way, the piece is launched from the toy apparatus 300 in response to activating the launching interfaces 352a and 352b.

[0069] The return spring 327 is expanded when the launching mechanism 354 expands. When the user releases the launching interfaces 352a and 352b, the return spring 327 returns to its equilibrium state, causing the platform 320 to slide in the X direction back to the first position (under the end 384 of the receptacle 382. If the toy apparatus 300 does not include the return spring 327, the user can return the platform 320 to the first position by moving the launching interfaces 352a and 352b away from each other. The user may repeat this play pattern to form and launch another piece.

[0070] FIGS. 4A-4F relate to another example toy apparatus 400. The toy apparatus 400 is similar to the toy apparatus 300 (FIGS. 3A to 3I), except the toy apparatus 400 includes a cutting apparatus 440 instead of the cutting apparatus 340 (FIG. 3D). As discussed below, the cutting apparatus 440 uses a different approach to cutting the moldable material.

[0071] FIG. 4A is a perspective exterior view of the toy apparatus 400. The toy apparatus 400 includes a housing 490 with a launching opening 460 and a material holder 480. The toy apparatus 400 includes a launcher 450 that includes launching interfaces 452a and 452b. The launcher 450 includes the same components as the launcher 350, which is discussed above, and the launcher 450 is operated in the same manner as the launcher 350. For example, the launcher 450 launches or expels a piece of moldable material (such as the piece 105 or the piece 205) though the launching opening 460. The cutting apparatus 440 includes a lever 445 that is rotatably mounted to the housing 490.

[0072] Similar to the toy apparatus 300, the material holder 480 includes a removable cover 481. When closed, the removable cover 481 covers an opening into the interior of the housing 390. Referring also to FIG. 4B, which is a perspective view of an interior base portion 410 of the toy apparatus 400, when the removable cover 481 is opened, moldable material or a pre-formed piece of moldable material can be loaded into a receptacle 482 through the opened cover 481. As in the toy apparatus 300, the receptacle 482 is a cylinder that extends from a first open end 483 to a second open end (not shown).

[0073] The interior base portion 410 includes an upper portion 461 and a lower portion 462. In the example shown, the receptacle 482 extends from the upper portion 461 in the Z direction. The lever 445 is attached to the base portion 410 with a rotation connection assembly 447. The rotation connection assembly 447 includes a pivot connection point, axle, or pin that allows the lever 445 to rotate in the X-Z plane relative to the base portion 410. Additionally, the lever 445 includes a recess portion 445a that receives a protruding portion of a bracket 470. The bracket 470 is able to slide or otherwise translate in the X and X directions relative to the lower portion 462. Because the lever 445 and the bracket 470 are mechanically connected, when the lever 445 rotates in the X-Z plane, the bracket 470 is translated in the X or X direction, depending on the direction of rotation of the lever 445.

[0074] FIG. 4C is a top view of the interior of the toy apparatus 400 with the upper portion 461 of the base portion 410 removed to show additional details of the cutting apparatus 440. In addition to the lever 445 and the bracket 470, the cutting apparatus 440 includes a pivot assembly 441 that extends in the Z direction from the lower portion 462, a cutting blade 448, and the cutting blade 449. One end of each cutting blade 448, 449 is mounted on the pivot point assembly 441. FIG. 4C shows the cutting blades 448 and 449 when the cutting apparatus 440 is in an opened position. Each cutting blade 448, 449 includes a respective crescent-shaped cutting surface 446a, 446b. When the cutting apparatus 440 is in the opened position, the cutting surfaces 446a, 446b define an open space over a materials receiving section 424.

[0075] The bracket 470 has two diagonal slots 472 and 473 that are at an angle relative to the X direction and arranged on opposite sides of the pivot point assembly 441. The slots 472 and 473 are at the same angle relative to the X direction, but the slot 472 is at a negative angle relative to the X direction and the slot 473 is at a positive angle relative to the X direction. For example, the slot 472 may be 45 relative to the X direction and the slot 473 may be 45 relative to the X direction. The slot 472 accommodates a peg 448a attached to the cutting blade 448, and the slot 473 accommodates a peg 449a attached to the cutting blade 449.

[0076] FIG. 4D is a perspective view of the cutting apparatus 440 and the lower portion 462. FIG. 4E is a top view of cutting apparatus 440 and the lower portion 462. FIGS. 4D and 4E show the cutting apparatus 440 in the opened or initial position. Referring to FIG. 4D, the cutting blades 448 and 449 are mounted on the pivot point assembly 441 and are arranged in different planes that are parallel to each other. Referring also to FIG. 4F, the pivot assembly 441 includes a portion 491 that is coupled to the cutting blade 448, a portion 492 that is coupled to the cutting blade 449, and portions 441a and 441b that facilitate rotation of the portions 491 and 492.

[0077] In operation, the cutting apparatus 440 is activated by rotating the lever 445 clockwise from its initial position (FIG. 4C). As the lever 445 is rotated clockwise, the bracket 470 is translated in the X direction, which causes each peg 448a and 449b to move in its respective slot 472 and 473. As noted above, the peg 448a is attached to the cutting blade 448, and the peg 449a is attached to the cutting blade 449. Thus, when the bracket 470 moves in the X direction, each peg 448a, 449b slides toward the other end of its respective slot 472, 473, thereby causing the blades 448 and 449 to rotate inward about the pivot point assembly 441. Because the blade 448 is displaced in the Z direction relative to the blade 449, as the blades 448, 449 rotate inward, they overlap or cross each other above the materials receiving section 424. Moreover, moldable material that is between the cutting blades 448 and 449 will interact with the cutting surfaces 446a and 446b. The moving cutting surfaces 446a and 446b sever a piece of the moldable material from the larger moldable material. Thus, after the moldable material is placed in the material receiving section 424, a user may cut the moldable material by rotating the lever 445 in the clockwise direction. The piece of the moldable material may be then launched out of the launching opening 460 via the operation of the launcher 450. The launcher 450 is operated in the same manner as the launcher 350.

[0078] These and other implementations are within the scope of the claims. For example, the toy apparatus 200 may be implemented in other ways. In the example shown in FIGS. 2A-2D, the mechanical launching mechanism 254 and the coupling element 256 are below the launcher cover 218 and are not visible in the top view of the toy apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 2B. However, the toy apparatus 200 may be implemented without the launcher cover 218 such that all or portions of the mechanical launching mechanism 254 and the coupling element 256 are visible from the top of the toy apparatus 200.

[0079] Other implementations of the toy apparatus 300 and the toy apparatus 400 are possible. For example, a pre-formed piece may be loaded onto the material receiving section 324 (or the section 424) and launched. This implementation is similar to the above, except the lever 345 (or the lever 445) remains in the initial position throughout the play pattern. Moreover, the toy apparatus 300 and the toy apparatus 400 may be implemented in other ways. For example, the exterior housing 390 and the base plate 391 may be omitted. The exterior housing 390 may have a different configuration. For example, other play items may be attached to the exterior housing 390 and used separately from the launching play pattern. For example, the exterior housing 390 may include molds or extruders that can be used to, for example, form decorative items to add to the launched piece. Similar implementations of the toy apparatus 400 are possible.