Toy for rotating and launching an object

• US 20060046610A1
• Filed: 07/14/2005
• Published: 03/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jakks Pacific, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Jakks Pacific, Inc.
• Inventors: Laurienzo, Dominic, Bui, C.P.
• Granted Patent: US 7,500,898 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 446/435
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 17/008 Launching devices for motorless toy vehicles start mechanisms for trackways A63H18/026; for toy aircraft A63H27/14
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 27/14 Starting or launching devices for toy aircraft; Arrangements on toy aircraft for starting or launching for launching objects from an aircraft A63H27/004
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 29/24 Details or accessories for drive mechanisms, e.g. means for winding-up or starting toy engines

Abstract

A toy comprises a housing connected with a launcher to rotate and launch an object. The launcher comprises a driving element to form a drive connection with a receiving element on the object. The launcher is connected with a launcher rotating system, which imparts a rotary movement to the launcher. When the launcher ceases to accelerate the object, the receiving element disengages from the drive connection and launches the object. In one aspect, the launcher rotating system is a gear train capable of being rotated by a gear rack pulled by a user. The launcher is configured to release the object in only one direction, and a stopper prevents the launcher rotating system from rotating the object in an undesirable direction. The toy is also configured to launch multiple objects simultaneously or load multiple objects to launch in sequence.

Claims

1. A toy for rotating and launching an object, comprising:

a housing;

a launcher extending from the housing, the launcher configured to impart a rotary motion to an object, wherein the launcher comprises a driving element configured to engage a receiving element, the receiving element attached with an object to form a drive connection, such that when the driving element engages the receiving element, the object is rotationally accelerated in one direction, and wherein once the driving element ceases to accelerate the receiving element, the receiving element disengages from the driving element and releases the object from the drive connection; and

a launcher rotating system mounted inside the housing and connected with the launcher, the launcher rotating system configured to impart a rotary motion to the launcher.

2. The toy as set forth in claim 1, wherein the driving element comprises two substantially helical tabs extending in a parallel configuration from the shaft about an axis, the axis running substantially parallel to and substantially centered in the shaft, and wherein the receiving element of the object is similarly configured with two substantially helical tabs extending outward in parallel configuration about an axis, the axis running perpendicular to the rotational motion of the object, and wherein the two substantially helical tabs of each of the driving element and receiving element has an edge that runs parallel to the axis of the respective driving element and receiving element, such that the edge of the driving element rests flush against the edge of the receiving element, forming a drive connection which allows the rotation of the driving element to rotate the receiving element.

3. The launcher of claim 2, wherein the edge of the driving element and the edge of the receiving element are formed as matching and interlocking shapes, such that when the edge of the driving element is matched with the edge of the receiving element, an interlocking drive connection is formed.

4. The launcher of claim 3, wherein the edge of the driving element and the edge of the receiving element are formed as a hook shapes, such that when the edge of the driving element is matched up with the edge of the receiving element, an interlocking drive connection is formed.

5. The toy as set forth in claim 1, wherein the launcher rotating system comprises a series of interconnected gears and axles, the gears and axles capable of rotating the launcher.

6. The toy as set forth in claim 5, wherein the series of interconnected gears and axles comprises an output axle connected with the launcher, the output axle coupled with an output gear, the output gear drivingly connected with an input gear on an input axle, the input axle connected with an input pinion, the input pinion in drivingly connected with a gear rack, said gear rack movably mounted in a guideway in the housing, said gear rack capable of moving to rotate the input pinion and thereby rotate the launcher rotating system.

7. The toy as set forth in claim 5, wherein the radius of the gears is selected to provide a desired input-to-output gear ratio.

8. The toy as set forth in claim 1, wherein the launcher rotating system comprises a motor configured to rotate the launcher.

9. The toy as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a stopper configured to selectively engage the gear rack and permit the gear rack to rotate the launcher rotating system in only one direction.

10. The toy as set forth in claim 9, wherein the stopper is rotationally mounted to the launcher rotating system.

11. The toy as set forth in claim 10, wherein the stopper consists of a set of teeth configured to interact with the gear rack and stop the movement of the gear rack.

12. The toy as set forth in claim 9, wherein the stopper is rotationally connected with the housing such that the stopper engages the gear rack when the housing is in an undesirable orientation.

13. The toy as set forth in claim 12, wherein the stopper is rotationally connected with the housing, such that the undesirable orientation occurs when the object would be launched in the direction of a user.

14. The toy as set forth in claim 1, wherein the toy further includes an object, the object being rotationally connected with the receiving element to be rotationally accelerated by the driving element.

15. The toy as set forth in claim 14, wherein the object is a wheel, and wherein the receiving element is rotationally connected with the hub of the wheel such that when the receiving element forms a drive connection with the driving element, the movement of the gear rack causes the wheel to rotate.

16. The toy as set forth in claim 15, wherein the wheel further comprises a detachably attachable toy brake rotor, and wherein the toy brake rotor comprises an inner ring and an outer ring.

17. The toy as set forth in claim 16, wherein the toy brake rotor is detachably attached with the receiving element of the wheel.

18. The toy as set forth in claim 17, wherein the toy brake rotor is connected with the receiving element by a pair of protrusions that frictionally fit within a corresponding pair of grooves that extend in parallel with the axis along the outer wall of the receiving element to permit the pair of protrusions to move parallel to the axis within the grooves and lock therein.

19. The toy as set forth in claim 18, wherein the toy brake rotor further comprises a toy brake caliper formed on the outer ring of the toy brake rotor.

20. The toy as set forth in claim 16, wherein the wheel is transparent, and wherein the toy brake rotor further comprises a light and a power source.

21. The toy as set forth in claim 20, wherein the light is a light emitting diode (“

LED”

).

22. The toy as set forth in claim 20, the power source comprising two button cell batteries.

23. The toy as set forth in claim 20, wherein the power source is configured to be activated by the rotational movement of the wheel.

24. The toy as set forth in claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a handle to permit a user to easily grip the housing.

25. The toy as set forth in claim 24, wherein the driving element comprises two substantially helical tabs extending in a parallel configuration from the launcher about an axis, the axis running substantially parallel to and substantially centered in the launcher, and wherein the receiving element of the object is similarly configured with two substantially helical tabs extending outward in parallel configuration about an axis, the axis running perpendicular to the rotational motion of the object, and wherein the two substantially helical tabs of each of the driving element and receiving element has an edge that runs parallel to the axis of the respective driving element and receiving element, such that the edge of the driving element rests flush against the edge of the receiving element, forming a drive connection which allows the rotation of the driving element to rotate the receiving element.

26. The launcher of claim 25, wherein the edge of the driving element and the edge of the receiving element are formed as matching and interlocking shapes, such that when the edge of the driving element is matched with the edge of the receiving element, an interlocking drive connection is formed.

27. The launcher of claim 26, wherein the edge of the driving element and the edge of the receiving element are formed as a hook shapes, such that when the edge of the driving element is matched up with the edge of the receiving element, an interlocking drive connection is formed.

28. The toy as set forth in claim 27, wherein the launcher rotating system comprises a series of interconnected gears and axles, the gears and axles capable of rotating the launcher.

29. The toy as set forth in claim 28, wherein the series of interconnected gears and axles comprises an output axle connected with the launcher, the output axle coupled with an output gear, the output gear drivingly connected with an input gear on an input axle, the input axle connected with an input pinion, the input pinion in drivingly connected with a gear rack, said gear rack movably mounted in a guideway in the housing, said gear rack capable of moving to rotate the input pinion and thereby rotate the launcher rotating system.

30. The toy as set forth in claim 29, wherein the radius of the gears is selected to provide a desired input-to-output gear ratio.

31. The toy as set forth in claim 24, wherein the launcher rotating system comprises a motor configured to rotate the launcher.

32. The toy as set forth in claim 30, further comprising a stopper configured to selectively engage the gear rack and permit the gear rack to rotate the launcher rotating system in only one direction.

33. The toy as set forth in claim 32, wherein the stopper is rotationally mounted to the launcher rotating system.

34. The toy as set forth in claim 33, wherein the stopper consists of a set of teeth configured to interact with the gear rack and stop the movement of the gear rack.

35. The toy as set forth in claim 33, wherein the stopper is rotationally connected with the housing such that the stopper engages the gear rack when the housing is in an undesirable orientation.

36. The toy as set forth in claim 35, wherein the undesirable orientation occurs when the object would be launched in the direction of a user.

37. The toy as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a first launcher and a second launcher extending from the housing such that two objects can be rotated and launched.

38. The toy as set forth in claim 37, wherein the driving element of the first launcher and the driving element of the second launcher comprise two substantially helical tabs extending in a parallel configuration from the launcher about an axis, the axis running substantially parallel to and substantially centered in the launcher, and wherein the receiving element of the object is similarly configured with two substantially helical tabs extending outward in parallel configuration about an axis, the axis running perpendicular to the rotational motion of the object, and wherein the two substantially helical tabs of each of the driving element and receiving element has an edge that runs parallel to the axis of the respective driving element and receiving element, such that the edge of the driving element rests flush against the edge of the receiving element, forming a drive connection which allows the rotation of the driving element to rotate the receiving element.

39. The launcher of claim 38, wherein the edge of the driving element and the edge of the receiving element are formed as matching and interlocking shapes, such that when the edge of the driving element is matched with the edge of the receiving element, an interlocking drive connection is formed.

40. The launcher of claim 39, wherein the edge of the driving element and the edge of the receiving element are formed as a hook shapes, such that when the edge of the driving element is matched up with the edge of the receiving element, an interlocking drive connection is formed.

41. The toy as set forth in claim 40, wherein the launcher rotating system comprises a series of interconnected gears and axles, the gears and axles capable of rotating the first and second launchers.

42. The toy as set forth in claim 41, wherein the series of interconnected gears and axles comprises an output axle with a first end and a second end, the first end connected with the first launcher and the second end connected with the second launcher, the output axle drivingly connected with an output gear, the output gear drivingly connected with an input gear on an input axle, the input axle connected with an input pinion, the input pinion drivingly connected with a gear rack, said gear rack movably mounted in a guideway in the housing, said gear rack capable of moving to rotate the input pinion and thereby rotate the launcher rotating system.

43. The toy as set forth in claim 42, wherein the gear rack also rotates a measurement gear, said measurement gear rotationally connected with a measurement shaft, said measurement shaft having a rotation and rotationally connected with a gauge for measuring the rotational velocity of the measurement shaft.

44. The toy as set forth in claim 43, wherein the gauge measures the rotation of the measurement shaft in revolutions per minute (“

RPMs”

).

45. The toy as set forth in claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a detachably attachable clip for loading a plurality of objects in sequence, and wherein the clip is formed such that the objects are sequentially loaded into the launcher rotating system, such that as one object is rotated and launched, another object is loaded for into the launcher rotating system.

46. The toy as set forth in claim 45, wherein the clip comprises a central groove to hold each object on the clip.

47. The toy as set forth in claim 45, wherein the toy further includes an object, the object being rotationally connected with the receiving element to be rotationally accelerated by the driving element.

48. The toy as set forth in claim 47, wherein the receiving element of the object is detachably attached with a receiving element adaptor;

said receiving element adaptor configured with a disc portion, a gear portion, and a driving element portion, the disc portion, gear portion, and driving element portion connected by a central shaft;

the disc portion configured to load into the central groove of the clip, the gear portion configured to interact with the launcher rotating system, and the driving element portion configured with a driving element to connect with the receiving element of the object and form a drive connection.

49. The toy as set forth in claim 48, wherein the gear portion is connected with the driving element portion such that when the gear portion is rotated by the launcher rotating system, the driving element portion is simultaneously rotated.

50. The toy as set forth in claim 49, wherein the launcher rotating system comprises an axle with an output portion and an input portion, the output portion comprising an output gear to interact with the gear portion of the receiving element adaptor, and wherein the input portion of the axle comprises an input pinion to interact with a gear rack.

51. The toy as set forth in claim 50, wherein the gear rack is movably mounted in a guideway in the housing, the gear rack capable of moving to rotate the input pinion.

52. The toy as set forth in claim 51, wherein the housing further comprises an object loading system configured to activate a load lever to release the receiving element adaptor from the clip and load the receiving element adaptor into a driving connection with the launcher rotating system.

53. The toy as set forth in claim 52, wherein the object loading system is activated by the gear rack.

54. The toy as set forth in claim 53, wherein the object loading system is further configured to activate a release lever to release the receiving element adaptor from the launcher rotating system after the object has been released from the drive connection of the driving element and receiving element.

55. The toy as set forth in claim 54, wherein the housing further comprises a guide configured to receive the disc portion of the receiving element adaptor after the receiving element adaptor has been released from the launcher rotating system, and wherein the guide directs the element adaptor to a desired location.

56. The toy as set forth in claim 55, wherein the housing is formed in a race car shape, the race car shape substantially enclosing the launcher rotating system and gear rack, and wherein the housing comprises a pathway to allow the object to exit the housing once the object has been released from the receiving element adaptor.

57. A toy for rotating and launching an object, comprising:

a housing;

a launcher extending from the housing, the launcher configured to impart a rotary motion to an object, wherein the launcher comprises a driving element configured to engage a receiving element, the receiving element attached with an object to form a drive connection, such that when the driving element engages the receiving element, the object is rotationally accelerated in one direction, and wherein once the driving element ceases to accelerate the receiving element, the receiving element disengages from the driving element and releases the object from the drive connection;

a launcher rotating system mounted inside the housing and connected with the launcher, the launcher rotating system configured to impart a rotary motion to the launcher; and

a stopper configured to selectively engage the launcher rotating system and permit the launcher to rotate in only one direction.

58. The toy as set forth in claim 57, wherein the stopper is rotationally mounted to the launcher rotating system.

59. The toy as set forth in claim 58, wherein the launcher rotating system comprises a series of interconnected gears and axles, the gears and axles capable of rotating the launcher.

60. The toy as set forth in claim 59, wherein the series of interconnected gears and axles comprises an output axle connected with the launcher, the output axle coupled with an output gear, the output gear drivingly connected with an input gear on an input axle, the input axle connected with an input pinion, the input pinion in drivingly connected with a gear rack, said gear rack movably mounted in a guideway in the housing, said gear rack capable of moving to rotate the input pinion and thereby rotate the launcher rotating system.

61. The toy as set forth in claim 60, wherein the stopper is rotationally mounted to the output axle of the launcher rotating system.

62. The toy as set forth in claim 61, wherein the stopper comprises a set of teeth configured to interact with the gear rack and prevent the movement of the gear rack.

63. The toy as set forth in claim 57, wherein the stopper engages the gear rack when the housing is in an undesirable orientation.

64. The toy as set forth in claim 58, wherein the undesirable orientation occurs when the object would be launched in the direction of a user.

65. A method for making a toy for rotating and launching an object, the method comprising acts of:

forming a housing;

forming a launcher extending from the housing, the launcher configured to impart a rotary motion to an object, wherein the launcher comprises a driving element configured to engage a receiving element, the receiving element attached with an object to form a drive connection, such that when the driving element engages the receiving element, the object is rotationally accelerated in one direction, and wherein once the driving element ceases to accelerate the receiving element, the receiving element disengages from the driving element and releases the object from the drive connection; and

mounting a launcher rotating system inside the housing and connecting the launcher rotating system with the launcher, the launcher rotating system configured to impart a rotary motion to the launcher.

66. The method as set forth in claim 65, further comprising the act of forming the driving element of two substantially helical tabs extending in a parallel configuration from the shaft about an axis, the axis running substantially parallel to and substantially centered in the shaft, and wherein the receiving element of the object is similarly configured with two substantially helical tabs extending outward in parallel configuration about an axis, the axis running perpendicular to the rotational motion of the object, and wherein the two substantially helical tabs of each of the driving element and receiving element has an edge that runs parallel to the axis of the respective driving element and receiving element, such that the edge of the driving element rests flush against the edge of the receiving element, forming a drive connection which allows the rotation of the driving element to rotate the receiving element.

67. The method as set forth in claim 65, further comprising the act of forming the edge of the driving element and the edge of the receiving element as matching and interlocking shapes, such that when the edge of the driving element is matched with the edge of the receiving element, an interlocking drive connection is formed.

68. The method as set forth in claim 65, further comprising the act of forming the edge of the driving element and the edge of the receiving element as hook shapes, such that when the edge of the driving element is matched up with the edge of the receiving element, an interlocking drive connection is formed.