The present invention relates to a toy vehicle launcher, and in particular, to a reconfigurable toy vehicle launcher that can retain toy vehicles and launch the toy vehicles in rapid succession.
Often, when children play and interact with toy vehicles, children push the toy vehicles manually. For example, children may “launch” toy vehicles by pushing and releasing toy vehicles, causing the vehicle to travel across a support surface. Alternatively, children may launch a toy vehicle with a toy vehicle launcher. However, typically toy vehicle launchers require a child to load and launch one toy vehicle before loading and launching another toy vehicle. Consequently, a child must load a vehicle each time the child wants to launch a vehicle.
In view of at least these issues, U.S. Pat. No. 9,731,210 to Berrigan Lennon, filed Apr. 20, 2012, and entitled “Toy Vehicle Launcher,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein, introduced a toy vehicle launcher designed to hold and sequentially launch a plurality of vehicles. Thus, this toy vehicle launcher resolves issues associated with launchers that require constant reloading. However, this toy vehicle launcher does not provide a toy, such as a toy vehicle, in and of itself. Thus, the toy vehicle launcher may have limited play value if a user does not possess launchable toy vehicles. That is, the launcher is not reconfigurable into a play configuration (e.g., a configuration where the launcher resembles a toy vehicle suitable for play on its own). Moreover, this toy vehicle launcher is also not reconfigurable into a storage configuration that allows the launcher to safely transport launchable toy vehicles without risk of launching the launchable toy vehicles. Consequently, reconfigurable toy vehicle launchers that can launch toy vehicles in rapid succession in one configuration and provide play or storage value in another configuration are desired.
The present disclosure is directed to a reconfigurable toy vehicle launcher. In one embodiment, a toy vehicle launcher includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes at least a portion of a launching mechanism. The second portion includes a compartment configured to receive a set of launchable toy vehicles and is reconfigurable with respect to the first portion. In particular, the second portion is reconfigurable between a first position in which the launching mechanism can sequentially launch the set of launchable toy vehicles and a second position in which the first portion closes the compartment.
In at least some of these embodiments, the first portion and the second portion resemble a toy vehicle when the second portion is disposed in the second position. This may ensure that the toy vehicle launcher provides play value it at least some configurations. For example, the first portion may be a tractor unit, the second portion may be a semi-trailer, and the toy may resemble a tractor-trailer when the semi-trailer is in the second position so that the reconfigurable toy vehicle launcher has play value as a tractor-trailer. Additionally or alternatively, the toy vehicle launcher may be inoperable when the second portion is in the second position. This may prevent a child from accidentally launching a toy vehicle when the second portion is in the second position (e.g., when a child is playing with the toy vehicle launcher in a toy configuration and/or transporting launching vehicle toy vehicles within the toy vehicle launcher).
Additionally, in some embodiments of the toy vehicle launcher described above, the launching mechanism includes an actuator and a kicker. In response to a sequential actuation of the actuator, the kicker extends into a launching area defined by at least the second portion when the second portion is in the first position. Extension of the kicker into the launching area launches a particular toy vehicle of the set of launchable toy vehicles that is disposed in the launching area. In some of these embodiments, the launching mechanism also includes an engagement member and the second portion includes a set of arms. In these embodiments, the engagement member actuates the set of arms in response to the sequential actuation of the actuator to cause the arms to prevent toy vehicles of the set of launchable toy vehicles disposed above the particular toy vehicle from falling downwards into the launching area during the sequential actuation. Still further, in some embodiments, the launching mechanism includes a retainer panel configured to retain the particular toy vehicle in the launching area until the actuator is actuated. These features, or combinations thereof, may ensure that the launching mechanism can effectively launch toy vehicles in response to sequential actuations.
Still further, in some embodiments of the toy vehicle launcher described above, the first portion includes a depressible portion and, when the second portion is in the first position, sequential depressions of the depressible portion cause the launching mechanism to sequentially launch the set of launchable toy vehicles along the first portion and away from the toy vehicle launcher. This may allow a child to easily sequentially launch vehicles by smacking or slapping a top of the first portion. That is, this feature may enable they toy vehicle launcher to function as a “slam launcher.”
Moreover, in some embodiments, when the second portion is in the first position the set of launchable toy vehicles are stacked vertically within the second portion. Additionally or alternatively, the second portion may be a magazine that can be loaded with the set of launchable toy vehicles. Consequently, a child may be able to repeatedly prepare vehicles for sequential launching in a quick and easy manner.
According to another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a toy including a first toy vehicle and one or more second toy vehicles. The first toy vehicle includes a first portion with an actuator and a second portion that is reconfigurable with respect to the first portion between a first configuration and a second configuration. The one or more second toy vehicles are sized to fit within the second portion. When the second portion is in the first configuration the one or more second toy vehicles can be sequentially launched from the second portion in response to sequential actuations of the actuator. When the second portion is in the second configuration the one or more second toy vehicles are stored within the second portion. Thus, the toy can be used for play as a toy vehicle launcher or as a toy vehicle itself.
According to yet another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a toy vehicle launcher including a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a first part of a launching mechanism. The second portion includes a second part of the launching mechanism and a compartment configured to receive a set of launchable toy vehicles. The second portion is also reconfigurable with respect to the first portion, between a first position and a second position. When the second portion is in the first position, the first part of the launching mechanism is aligned with the second part of the launching mechanism so that the launching mechanism can sequentially launch the set of launchable toy vehicles away from the toy. When the second portion is in the second position, the first part of the launching mechanism is separated from the second part of the launching mechanism. In at least some of these embodiments, the first portion and second portion provide a toy or a storage solution when the second portion is in the second position. Additionally or alternatively, the launching mechanism may be inoperable when the second portion is in the second position.
Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elements throughout this disclosure.
A reconfigurable toy vehicle launcher is presented herein. Generally, the reconfigurable toy vehicle launcher is reconfigurable between a launcher configuration and a play/storage configuration. That is, the toy vehicle launcher presented herein may be reconfigurable between a first configuration that allows a child to sequentially launch a set of launchable toy vehicles in rapid succession and a second configuration that provides play and/or storage value. Although the Figures generally depict an embodiment in which a toy vehicle launcher is reconfigurable into a toy configuration in which the toy vehicle launcher resembles a tractor-trailer, this is merely one example and, in other embodiments, the toy vehicle launcher might be reconfigurable into a train, a plane, a figurine, or any other type of toy. Additionally or alternatively, the toy vehicle launcher may be reconfigurable into a carrying case or other such storage solution.
The reconfigurable toy vehicle launcher may provide storage value in the second configuration at least because launchable toy vehicles cannot be launched when the reconfigurable toy vehicle launcher is disposed in the second configuration. That is, the reconfigurable toy vehicle launcher may be reconfigurable into a storage configuration that allows a child to transport the toy vehicle launcher without accidentally launching vehicles. Moreover, in embodiments where the second configuration is a toy configuration, such as the tractor-trailer configuration illustrated in the Figures, the reconfigurable toy vehicle launcher also provides play value in its second configuration at least because a child may play with the reconfigurable toy vehicle launcher as a toy without any launchable toy vehicles. Alternatively, although not illustrated, in at least some embodiments, the second configuration may be a storage configuration (as opposed to a toy configuration) that provides storage value without providing play value. For example, the reconfigurable toy vehicle launcher may be reconfigurable into a carrying case or another such storage solution.
Regardless of the specific arrangement of the second configuration (e.g., regardless of whether the second configuration is a toy configuration or storage configuration), when the reconfigurable toy vehicle launcher provided herein is disposed in the first configuration (e.g., the launcher configuration), the reconfigurable toy vehicle launcher can sequentially launch a set of launchable toy vehicles (e.g., die cast vehicles) in rapid succession. That is, the toy vehicle launcher can launch a plurality of vehicles, one-by-one, in response to successive actuations.
As is explained in further detail below, to achieve the aforementioned features, a portion of the reconfigurable toy vehicle launcher provided herein is designed as a cartridge or magazine that feeds toy vehicles, one-by-one, into a launching area when the reconfigurable toy vehicle launcher is disposed in the launcher configuration. Once vehicles are disposed in the launching area, a launching mechanism impacts the toy vehicles to propel the toy vehicles away from the launcher. In at least some embodiments, a first portion of the reconfigurable toy vehicle launcher includes a launching mechanism that launches cars in a launching area defined, at least at part, by a magazine or cartridge portion (a second portion). Additionally or alternatively, the first portion and the second portion may cooperate to define a launching mechanism. Either way, the launching mechanism may only sequentially launch a set of launchable toy vehicles away from the toy when the first and second portions are properly aligned in the launcher configuration.
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In the depicted embodiment, the cab 110 includes a front portion 112 and a rear portion 116. The cab 110 also includes sidewalls 114, a base 130, and a top 140 that extend between the front portion 112 and the rear portion 116. At least a portion of a launching mechanism 115 is disposed at or on the rear portion 116. A trailer 150 also extends rearward from the rear portion 116 of the cab 110, from a front end 152 to a rear end 154. The trailer 150 includes a rear flap 175 that is pivotally coupled to the rear end 154 and includes a floor 156 that extends from the front end 152 to the rear end 154. The floor 156 is laterally bounded by sidewalls 170.
Still referring to
The second portion 200 also defines an interior compartment 250 sized to receive a plurality of the launchable toy vehicles 30. In the depicted embodiment, the bottom 230 is an open bottom and the second portion 200 also includes an inner guide 232 that extends through the interior compartment 250. The interior guide 232 is sized prevent toy vehicles 30 from exiting the interior compartment 250 via the bottom 230. However, in other embodiments, the second portion need not include an inner guide 232. For example, the bottom 230 may cooperate with the top 220 and the sidewalls 236 to form a closed or partially closed perimeter around the interior compartment 250.
In the depicted embodiment, the front end 202 and the back end 212 each define an opening that provide access to the interior compartment 250: opening 203 and opening 214, respectively (see, e.g.,
In
In the depicted embodiment, the front end 202 of the trailer 200 serves as a base that supports the second portion 200 in the upright/magazine position P1 and that cooperates with the first portion 100 to define the launching area 206 from which launchable toy vehicles 30 can be launched. When launchable toy vehicles 30 are launched from the launching area 206, the launchable toy vehicles 30 travel along the floor 156 of trailer 150 (moving towards the rear end 154) and exit the launcher 10 via the rear flap 175, which may provide a ramp from the floor 156 to a support surface on which the launcher 10 is resting. The rear flap 175 may be manually moved into a ramp position aligned with the floor 156 prior to a launch or the force of a toy vehicle 30 impacting the rear flap 175 subsequent to a launch may cause the flap 175 to pivot downwards into such a position. The back end 212 of the trailer 200 serves as a top or loading end when the trailer 200 is in the magazine position P1.
By comparison, in
Moreover, in the depicted second configuration C2, the front end 202 of the second portion 200 is adjacent and approximately parallel to the rear end 116 of the first portion 100 so that the two portions are abutting or nearly abutting and prevent toy vehicles 30 from exiting the trailer 200 via the front end 202. Put another way, the second portion is repositioned so that the first portion closes the front end 202 of the first portion, insofar as the term “close” means that the first portion prevents toy vehicles from exiting the front end 202 and does not necessarily require that the front end abuts and/or seals the front end 202. Meanwhile, although not shown, the flap 175 can pivot upwards to selectively close the rear end 212 of the trailer 200 when the trailer 200 is in the trailer position P2. Thus, the first portion 100 and second portion can cooperate to define a closed storage area for toy vehicles within the interior compartment 250 of the trailer 200. That is, the toy configuration C2 shown in the Figures may provide storage space for launchable toy vehicles 30 and, thus, may provide both storage value and play value to a child.
Additionally, although the front end 202 of trailer 200 is positioned relatively close to the launching mechanism 115 when the trailer 200 is in the trailer position, the first portion 100 and second portion do not form or define a launching area in the second configuration 200. Consequently, the reconfigurable toy vehicle launcher 10 is unable to launch the launchable toy vehicles 30 when disposed in the second configuration C2. That is, if the launching mechanism 115 is actuated (e.g., accidentally actuated) while the reconfigurable toy vehicle launcher 10 is in the second configuration C2, the reconfigurable toy vehicle launcher 10 will not launch any of the launchable toy vehicles 30 disposed within the interior compartment 250 of the second portion 200. Thus, if a child is using the reconfigurable toy vehicle launcher 10 to transport or store launchable toy vehicles 30 while the reconfigurable toy vehicle launcher 10 is in the second configuration C2, the child cannot accidentally launch the launchable toy vehicles 30 from the reconfigurable toy vehicle launcher 10.
Now referring to
In particular, the second portion includes a first set of male connectors 205 (see
Now referring to only
More specifically, in the depicted embodiment, the top 140 of the cab 110 is depressible towards the base 130 of the cab 110 and, thus serves as an actuator 142. That is, the top 140 is a depressible portion that serves as actuator 142. Thus, a child can actuate the actuator 142 by pressing or hitting any portion of the top 140 of cab 110 (and, thus, actuator 142 may be referred to as a slam actuator or some variation thereof). However, in other embodiments, a portion of top 140 or any other portion of the first portion 100 may be depressible or otherwise actuatable to server as the actuator 142.
Additionally, the first portion includes an actuator 142, a kicker 120, a wedge 125 (also referred to as an engagement member 125), and a retaining panel 160 that are mechanically coupled to actuator 142 and, thus, directly actuated by an actuation of the actuator 142. The kicker 120 extends from an opening included in the rear surface 116 of the cab, between two supports 118 that help define the launching area 206 when the reconfigurable toy vehicle launcher 10 is in the launcher configuration C1. The wedge/engagement member 125 is connected to the top 140 via an L-shaped bracket 126. Meanwhile, the second portion includes arms 222 that are actuated by movements of the wedge 125 (which is described in further detail below).
Now turning to
Turning to the specific actuations of the specific components, but now with reference to
As can be seen in
Next, and still referring to
Third, and still referring to
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In the depicted embodiment, a bottom (e.g., the face on top in
Still referring to
First, the first end 202 of the second portion 200 includes supports 204 that extend beyond the first end 202. The supports 204 cooperate with the supports 118 to position the retaining member 234 at a height “H” above a support surface, such as the floor 156 of the trailer 150, that is high enough to allow one, but not more, of the toy vehicles 30 to travel beneath the retaining member 234. Put another way, in the depicted embodiment, the supports 204 cooperate with the supports 118 to create a launching area 206 (however, in other embodiments, the second portion 200 may define the launching area 206 on its own). When a toy vehicle 30 is disposed in the launching area 206 (e.g., once a vehicle passes through the opening 203 disposed at the front end 202 of the second portion 200), the kicker 120 may be able to impact a rear end of the toy vehicle 30 and propel the toy vehicle 30 forwardly, under the retaining member 234.
Second, and now referring to only
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Since the arms 222 are pivotally mounted on axles 225, driving the actuatable ends 226 of the arms 222 away from each other causes the engagement ends 223 of the arms 222 to rotate towards each other, as can be seen in
Still referring to
More specifically, the retainer panel 160 opens the launching area 206 by pivoting towards and onto/into the floor 156, the kicker 120 extends into the first toy vehicle 30A to propel the first vehicle 30A out of the launching area (over the retainer panel 160, floor 156, and ramp 175), and the wedge 125 actuates the arms 220, causing the arms 220 to clamp onto the second vehicle 30B and prevent the second vehicle 30B from impeding the launch of the first vehicle 30A. In at least some embodiments, the arms 222 are aligned with the retainer panel 234 and the retainer panel 234 prevents the clamping force generated by the arms 222 from driving the car out of the second portion 200 through the bottom 230.
Once a user releases the actuator 142 (e.g., releases pressure on the top 240), the biasing of various components will reset the launching mechanism 115 (and biasing in the arms 222 may reset the arms 222 if the arms 222 are considered to be distinct from the launching mechanism 1115). This will clear the launching area 206 (since the kicker 120 will retract) and release the second vehicle 30B so that the second vehicle 30B can fall into the launching area 206. The retainer panel 160 will prevent the second vehicle 30B from exiting the launching area 206 until a user re-actuates the actuator 142. Once a user re-actuates the actuator 142, the launching mechanism 115 sequentially launches the second vehicle 30B (which can be nearly immediately after the first vehicle 30A). This process may be repeated for any number of cars that are disposed in the second portion 200 (e.g., for the capacity of the “magazine” 200).
Once a user has finished sequentially launching launchable toy vehicles 30, the user may collect the toy vehicles 30 and reload the vehicles into the second portion 200 (with the second portion 200 attached or detached from the first portion 100). The user can then re-launch the toy vehicles 30 or reposition the second portion 200 into the second position P2 to configure the reconfigurable toy vehicle launcher 10 in a toy or storage configuration (e.g., the second configuration C2). Advantageously, once the user configures the reconfigurable toy vehicle launcher 10 in the second configuration C2 the user will not be able to accidentally launch toy vehicles 30. Thus, the user can transport the toy vehicles without worrying about accidentally hitting the actuator 142. Alternatively, if the user cannot or does not collect the launchable toy vehicles 30, the user can configure the reconfigurable toy vehicle launcher 10 in the second configuration C2 and play with the reconfigurable toy vehicle launcher 10 as a toy 40. Thus, the reconfigurable toy vehicle launcher 10 will not lack play value if the launchable toy vehicles 30 are lost or otherwise irretrievable.
Although the disclosed inventions 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 inventions. For example, in some embodiments, various structural features of the launching mechanism included in U.S. Pat. No. 9,731,210 (discussed in the Background section above) may be included or incorporated into the launching mechanism provided herein. In addition, various features from one of the embodiments may be incorporated into another of the embodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the invention be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the disclosure.
Additionally, it is to be understood that terms such as “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “end,” “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 invention to any particular orientation or configuration. Further, terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., merely identify one of a number of portions, components and/or points of reference as disclosed herein, and do not limit the present invention to any particular configuration or orientation.