The present disclosure relates generally to toys, and more particularly to toys incorporating a carrying case, a toy vehicle, and a source of motive power for the toy vehicle.
Toy vehicles with a source of motive power are particularly enjoyable by children. Toy vehicles with carrying cases enable children to easily transport toy vehicles. When carrying cases are integral to toys, provide the source of motive power, or provide separate additional sources of enjoyment, children may be particularly enthusiastic.
Examples of toys incorporating these types of features include U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,343,969; 5,370,571; 4,959,035; 4,946,413; 4,690,654; and 4,108,437, the entire disclosures of which are herein incorporated y reference for all purposes.
A toy projectile launching device comprising a projectile and a carrying case for housing the projectile is provided. The carrying-case includes a base member, a cover member configured to pivot relative to the base member about an axis of rotation between a range of open positions and a closed position in which the cover member engages the base member, and a launching unit operatively coupled to the base member at an end region generally distal the axis of rotation. The launching unit is configured to engage the projectile, pivotally bias the projectile from a stowed position to a launch position, and launch the projectile.
In some embodiments, the launching unit is configured to automatically pivot the projectile from the stowed position to the launch position and launch the projectile when the cover member is pivoted from the closed position to within the range of open positions.
In some embodiments the base member and the cover member comprise a storage portion. In such embodiments, the carrying case may further include a handle portion configured to be gripped by a user and a central portion operatively connecting the handle portion, the base member, and the cover member. The central portion may be configured to provide an axis of rotation for relative rotation between the handle portion and the storage portion when the cover member is in the closed position, between the base member and the cover member, between the base member and the handle portion, and between the cover member and the handle portion.
A toy projectile launching device is shown in
In the depicted embodiment, projectile 22 is in the form of a toy motorcycle with a body 32 and wheels 34, and a corresponding action
Carrying-case 24 is configured to house projectile 22 in stowed position 26 and includes a base member 38 and a cover member 40. Base member 38 and cover member 40 may be described as comprising a storage portion 42. Base member 38 may (but is not required to) include walls 44, 46 generally defining a cavity 48. Cover member 40 is configured to pivot relative to base member about an axis of rotation 50, between a range of open positions 52 and a closed position in which the cover member engages base member 38. In some embodiments, cover member 40 may be configured to be opened in response to simple user manipulation of the cover member. In other embodiments, cover member 40 may be biased to the range of open positions and may be selectively secured to the base member, such that user manipulation is only required to initially release the cover member from the base member, and then cover member 40 automatically opens, for example in response to a biasing mechanism. Furthermore, carrying-case 24 may include a release mechanism, whereby user manipulation of the release mechanism causes the cover member to disengage from the base member thereby allowing the biasing mechanism to rotate the cover member to the range of open positions.
Carrying-case 24 further includes a launching unit 56 operatively coupled to base member 38 at an end region 58 generally distal axis of rotation 50. Launching unit 56 is configured to engage projectile 22, pivotally bias projectile 22 from stowed position 26 to launch position 30, and launch projectile 22. In some embodiments, launching unit 56 may be (but is not required to be) further configured to automatically pivot projectile 22 from stowed position 26 to launch position 30 and automatically launch projectile 22 when cover member 40 is pivoted from the closed position to within range of open positions 52, for example by user manipulation of the cover member (i.e., cover member 40 may be configured to be engaged by a user). In other words, launching unit 56 may be further configured to automatically pivot the projectile from the stowed position to the launch position and launch the projectile in response to a user engaging the cover member and operatively positioning the cover member from the closed position to a position within the range of open positions. As depicted in the embodiment of
In other embodiments, launching unit 56 may be configured to pivot the projectile from the stowed position to the launch position only upon further user manipulation. For example, the carrying-case may include a release mechanism configured to be selectively engaged by a user, such that upon engagement, the launching unit then pivots the projectile from the stowed position to the launch position. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the launching unit may not be configured to automatically launch the projectile upon pivoting it from the stowed position to the launch position, and may instead also require additional user manipulation. For example, the carrying-case may further include a launch mechanism configured to be selectively engaged by a user, such that upon engagement, the launching unit then launches the projectile.
Carrying-case 24 may further include a central portion 62 operatively connecting base member 38 to cover member 40 and configured to provide axis of rotation 50. As such, in some embodiments central portion 62 may include an inner central portion 64 fixedly coupled to base member 38 and at least one hub 66 fixedly coupled to cover member 40 and having a central axis 68 generally coaxial to axis of rotation 50. Thus, hub, or hubs, 66 may be configured to rotate relative to inner central portion 64. Other embodiments may be configured differently yet still be configured such that cover member 40 and base member 38 may rotate, or pivot, relative to each other. For example, cover member 40 may be fixedly coupled to an inner central portion, while base member 38 may be fixedly coupled to a hub. Additionally or alternatively, cover member 40 may include any suitable structure configured to provide axis of rotation 50, about which cover member 40 and base member 38 rotate, or pivot, relative to each other.
In some embodiments, as depicted in
Referring now to
In some embodiments, where there is relative rotation between handle portion 70 and storage portion 42, carrying case 24 may be biased to the extended condition and handle portion 70 and storage portion 42 may be configured to be selectively engaged to the collapsed condition. Thus, device 20 may include a mechanism configured to be selectively engaged by a user, such that upon engagement, device 20 automatically pivots from the collapsed condition to the extended condition.
Not all embodiments of device 20 require relative rotation between all of the discussed components however. For example, handle portion 70 may be fixedly coupled to base member 38 such that they do not rotate, or pivot, relative to each other, while cover member 40 and base member 38 do rotate, or pivot, relative to each other about axis of rotation 50.
Finally, handle portion 70 may include similar structure as discussed in reference to storage portion 42. For example, handle portion 70 may also include a base member and a cover member and may be configured to house a second projectile in a stowed position, etc. Carrying-case may include the required structure to automatically pivot and launch the second projectile from the handle portion as is fully described herein in reference to the storage portion including the launching unit, etc.
An exploded view including central portion 62 of an embodiment of device 20 is shown in detail in
As illustrated, the at least a first hub 66 discussed above may take the form of a pair of external hubs including a first external hub 98 and a second external hub 100. Also, the at least a second hub 80 may take the form of a pair of internal hubs including a first internal hub 102 and a second internal hub 104. First internal hub 102 includes a guide stop extending from an inside face 108 in the form of a generally cylindrical protrusion (not depicted, but similar to a guide stop 106 extending from an inside face 109 of second internal hub 104 shown for illustration purposes), and corresponding to guide channel 94. That is, the guide stop of first internal hub 102 has a diameter and height generally corresponding to a width and depth of guide channel 94. Thus, when storage portion 42 and/or base member 38 (and thus inner central portion 64) is pivoted relative to handle portion 70, the guide stop of internal hub 102 slides within guide channel 94. Guide channel 94 may be dimensioned length-wise (or radial-wise about axis of rotation 50) so as to generally define a maximum extent of relative rotation between the base member and the handle portion.
Though guide stop 106 is shown in
Additionally or alternatively, similar guide channel and guide stop structures may be present between one or both of internal hubs 102, 104 and external hubs 98, 100, thereby defining maximum extent of relative rotation between cover member 40 and handle portion 70.
Though guide channel 94 and the guide stop of first internal hub 102 are presented and described as being part of first side portion 88 and first internal hub 102, respectively, guide channel 94 and the guide stop of internal hub 102 may be situated oppositely and configured to perform the same function. That is, a guide channel may be present on the inside surface of an internal hub, while a guide stop may be present on a side portion of the inner central portion.
Also, as shown in
Also, as shown in
Turning now to
Pivot spring 128 may take the form of a torsion spring; however, pivot spring 128 may be any suitable biasing structure configured to generally bias propulsion arm 122, and thus projectile 22, to launch position 130. In the depicted embodiment, pivot spring 128 includes first and second wire ends 134, 136 that are bent to generally bisect cross-sections of the spring, as shown in
Mounting mechanism 124 may take any form suitable for mounting propulsion arm assembly 122 to base member 38. For example, as depicted in
Again, propulsion arm assembly 122 may take any suitable form configured to engage and provide motive power to the projectile. Referring to
Pivot spring housing 156 may be generally hollow and cylindrical in shape with a longitudinal axis 168 generally corresponding to pivot axis 126. Pivot spring housing 156 may be configured to house pivot spring 128 and include a first end 170, a second end 172, and a plug, or wall, 174 interposed between first and second ends 170, 172 such that pivot spring housing 156 is not completely hollow. Pivot spring housing 156 may have an inner diameter 176 generally corresponding to, and slightly larger than, an outer diameter 178 of cylindrical protrusions 144, 146, such that pivot spring housing 156 (and thus propulsion arm assembly 122) may generally rotate, or pivot, about protrusions 144, 146. Wall 174 may include a channel 180 on a first end side 182 of the wall, configured to engage second wire end 136. As such, pivot spring 128 may be retained between wall 174 and first mount 140, such that pivot spring 128 generally biases propulsion arm assembly to launch position 130. Similar to channel 150 of first mount 140, channel 180 may be defined by a pair of rectangular protrusions 184 extending from first end side 182 of wall 174; however, any suitable structure for engaging pivot spring may be used.
Launching unit 56 may be assembled with pivot spring 128 in a neutral condition when propulsion arm assembly 122 is in launch position 130. Alternatively, launching unit 56 may be assembled with pivot spring 128 in a pre-loaded condition when propulsion arm assembly 122 is in launch position 130, such that pivot spring 128 provides a greater biasing force than if pivot spring 128 is not assembled in a pre-loaded condition. However launching unit 56 is assembled, pivot spring 128 is configured to provide enough biasing force to pivot propulsion arm assembly 122 from a stowed position to launch position 130 (and thus projectile 22 from stowed position 26 to launch position 30), and functionally and effectively launch the projectile.
As shown in
Propulsion spring housing 158 may be fixedly attached to pivot spring housing 156, and may be generally hollow and cylindrical in shape with a longitudinal axis 190 generally perpendicular to longitudinal axis 168 of pivot spring housing 156. Propulsion spring housing 158 may include a first open end 192 configured to receive and engage the projectile, and a second closed end 194 configured to engage second end 188 of propulsion spring 160. Open first end 192 may (but is not required to) include an inwardly directed lip 196 with one or more guide channels, or notches, 198 configured to generally engage and maintain alignment of the projectile when the projectile is engaged with the propulsion arm assembly. In such embodiments, the projectile includes corresponding structure configured for engagement with notches 198, as will be discussed in more detail below.
As discussed, propulsion arm assembly 122 may further include propulsion spring release housing 162, propulsion spring release member 164, and propulsion spring release spring 166. Propulsion spring release housing 162 may be fixedly coupled to propulsion spring housing 158, and may be generally cylindrical in shape with a longitudinal axis 200 generally perpendicular to longitudinal axis 190 of propulsion spring housing 158, and generally coaxial to a longitudinal axis 202 of launch trigger member 132 when propulsion arm assembly 122 is in launch position 130. Propulsion spring release housing 162 may include a first portion 204 generally opposite launch trigger member 132 when propulsion arm assembly is in launch position 130, and a second portion 206 generally adjacent launch trigger member 132 when propulsion arm assembly 122 is in launch position 130. First portion 204 may include an inwardly extending lip 208 on a first end 210, generally providing an engagement surface 212 for propulsion spring release spring 166. Second portion 206 may be generally open at a second end 214 and configured to allow engagement between launch trigger member 132 and propulsion spring release member 164 when propulsion arm assembly 122 is in launch position 130.
Now referring to
Propulsion spring release spring 166 is retained between first engagement surface 224 of propulsion spring release member 164 and engagement surface 212 of propulsion spring release housing 162. Propulsion spring release spring 166 is depicted as a helical coil spring; however, it may be any suitable resilient structure configured to provide a force against propulsion spring release member 164 in a direction defined generally away from first portion 204 and toward second portion 206 of propulsion spring release housing 162.
As discussed, launching unit 56 may include launch trigger member 132 coupled to base member 38 and configured to engage engagement surface 220 of propulsion spring release member 164 when the propulsion arm assembly is in launch position 130, thus causing the projectile to disengage from the propulsion arm assembly and launch. In the depicted embodiment, trigger member 132 is generally conical in shape and includes an end surface 228 configured to engage engagement surface 220; however, trigger member 132 may be any suitable structure configured to functionally disengage projectile 22 from propulsion arm assembly 122 when the projectile is pivoted into the launch position.
Turning now to
During operation of device 20, when a user inserts rod 230 into propulsion spring housing 158, an end 236 of rod 230 generally passes through third portion 222, forcing propulsion spring release member 164 to compress propulsion spring release spring 166. End 236 also engages propulsion spring 160 causing it to compress. Once end 236 passes through third portion 222, propulsion spring release spring 166 forces propulsion spring release member 164 to slide generally away from lip 196, thus causing third portion 222 to engage barb 234, thereby effectively coupling projectile 22 to propulsion arm assembly 122. Subsequently, during further operation of device 20, as will be discussed in more detail below, when propulsion arm assembly 122 is caused to rotate, or pivot, projectile 22 from stowed position 26 to launch position 30, engagement surface 220 of propulsion spring release member 164 is caused to engage launch trigger member 132. Such engagement functionally forces propulsion spring release member 164 to compress propulsion spring release spring 166, disengage barb 234 from third portion 222, and effectively allow propulsion spring 160 to force rod 230 out of propulsion spring housing 158, and thus launch projectile 22 away from launching unit 56 and carrying-case 24.
Some embodiments of device 20 also include a projectile release mechanism 238, shown in detail in
Projectile release mechanism 238 may include an axle sleeve 240, a projectile release member 242, a passage 243 extending though peripheral portion 92 of inner central portion 64, and a spring 244 configured to bias projectile release member 242 toward the projectile when it is in the stowed position. Axle sleeve 240 may be operatively connected to axle 84 (and thus the cover member), thus having a longitudinal axis 246 generally coaxial to axis of rotation 50. Axle sleeve 240 may include a lateral rib 248 generally parallel to longitudinal axis 246.
Projectile release member 242 may be biased to a projectile engagement position and may include an axle sleeve rib engagement end 252 configured to engage lateral rib 248, and a projectile engagement end 254 configured to engage the projectile when the projectile is in the stowed position. Correspondingly, projectile 22 may include an engagement portion 256 configured to engage projectile engagement end 254 when the projectile is in the stowed position, as depicted in
Therefore, when the cover member is pivoted from the closed position to a position within the range of open positions, axle sleeve 240 rotates, causing lateral rib 248 to engage axle sleeve rib engagement end 252 of projectile release member 242, thereby further causing projectile engagement end 254 of projectile release member 242 to disengage from the projectile, as generally indicated by the arrows in
Now that embodiments of device 20 have been described in detail in relation to the various components, it should be understood that device 20 may be used by a user to effectively play with, transport, and launch a toy projectile. A sequence of events for use of the depicted embodiments of device 20 may be as follows:
It is believed that the disclosure set forth herein encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Similarly, where the claims recite “a” or “a first” element of the equivalent thereof, such claims should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.
It is believed that the following claims particularly point out certain combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties that may be claimed through amendment of the present claims or presentation of new claims in this or a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to a different invention or directed to the same invention, whether different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of the inventions of the present disclosure.
This application is based upon and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to the following U.S. provisional applications, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes: Ser. No. 60/688,136, entitled “Miniature Toy and Case for Same,” filed on Jun. 6, 2005; and Ser. No. 60/719,863, entitled “Toy Case and Launching Device,” filed on Sep. 23, 2005.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60688136 | Jun 2005 | US | |
60719863 | Sep 2005 | US |