Patent Application
20130263836
(1) Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a toy launcher and, more particularly, to a toy launcher for launching an item concealed therein.
(2) Description of Related Art
Toy launchers have long been known in the art. Toy launchers are typically used to launcher a variety of projectiles. By way of example, toy launchers are often provided in the form of toy guns that shoot soft pellets or disks. Alternatively, other launchers have been devised that launch vehicles, such as 1:64 scale die-cast cars.
While launchers of the prior art are operable for launching pellets and vehicles, nothing heretofore devised conceals and launches a figurine.
Thus, a continuing need exists for a figurine launcher that is operable for both concealing and launching a figurine stored therein.
The present invention relates to figurine launcher. The figurine launcher includes at least two semi-spherically shaped shell components that collectively form a spherically-shaped housing. The shell components are hingedly attached with one another to move between an open position and a closed position. An open mechanism is attached with at least one of the shell components and is adapted to allow a user to selectively separate the shell components when in the closed position. A launch positioning mechanism is attached with at least one of the shell components. The launch positioning mechanism is adapted to engage with a figurine and conceal the figurine within the housing when the shell components are in a closed position. Alternatively, when the shell components are in an open position, the launch positioning mechanism is adapted to move the figurine into a launch position. When in the launch position, the user can compress the shell components to force the figurine from the launcher.
In another aspect, the launch positioning mechanism includes a spring-loaded launch platform that is hingedly connected with a launch platform arm. The launch platform arm is spring-loaded and hingedly connected with the bottom shell component to lift the launch platform from the bottom shell component.
In yet another aspect, a launch platform lock is attached with the bottom shell component for locking the launch platform.
Additionally, a catch release is attached with the top shell component: The catch release is adapted to release the launch platform lock from the launch platform.
In yet another aspect, a figurine is included. The figurine has a base with a Back edge. The back edge slants downwardly such that when the figurine is positioned within the launch position, compression of the shell components towards one another forces the figurine from the launcher.
Finally, as can be appreciated by one in the art, the present invention also comprises a method for forming and using the invention described herein.
The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed descriptions of the various aspects of the invention in conjunction with reference to the following drawings, where:
The present invention relates to a toy launcher and, more particularly, to a toy launcher for launching an item concealed therein. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and to incorporate it in the context of particular applications. Various modifications, as well as a variety of uses in different applications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to a wide range of embodiments. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments presented, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent With the principles and novel features disclosed herein.
In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without necessarily being limited to these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.
The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with this specification and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. All the features disclosed in this specification, (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is only one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
Furthermore, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Section 112, Paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of” or “act of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6.
Please note, if used, the labels left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise and counter clockwise have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions between various portions of an object.
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The launcher 100 includes at least two shell components (a top shell component 102 and a bottom shell component 104) that collectively form a housing. The shell components 102 and 104 are connected with one another to allow for selective opening of the launcher 100. As a non-limiting example, the shell components 102 and 104 are hingedly attached with one another. Further, the shell components 102 and 104 are formed in any suitable shape such that collectively, they form the housing, a non-limiting example of which includes being semi-spherically shaped such that the housing is spherically shaped.
Additionally, the launcher 100 includes an open mechanism 106 to allow a user to selectively open the launcher 100. The open mechanism 106 is any suitable mechanism or device that allows for selective locking and opening of the launcher 100, a non-limiting example of which includes a button and latch.
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As can be appreciated, there are variations by which the launcher 100 can be formed to allow a figurine 108 to be concealed therein and, upon opening of the launcher 100, lifted out and positioned for launching. For example and as shown in
A catch release 306 can also be included. The catch release 306 is any suitable mechanism or device that is operable for releasing the launch platform lock 304 from the launch platform 202. For example, the catch release 306 is a protrusion or tab that is affixed with the top shell component 102. In this aspect, when the top shell component 104 is lowered onto the bottom shell component 104, the catch release 306 engages with the launch platform lock 304 to release it from the launch platform 202. However, because the shell components 102 and 104 are in the closed position, a hold tab 308 can be used to hold the launch platform 202 in place with respect to the launch base 302. When the open mechanism 106 is activated and the shell components 102 and 104 separate, the launch platform 202 is operable for swinging up and out of the bottom shell component 104 to position the figurine 108 in the launch position.
With respect to the figurine 108, it should be understood that the figurine 108 can be formed such that the base 204 with its slanted back edge 208 are an integrally formed component of the figurine 108. For example, although
