Versatile toy capable of activating electronics and launching components thereof

• US 8,057,309 B1
• Filed: 12/18/2008
• Issued: 11/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hasbro Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hasbro Inc.
• Inventors: Jablonski, Brian C., Brown, Robert L., Mead, Raymond Aaron, Weiler, Douglas C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Suhol; Dmitry
• Assistant Examiner(s): RADA, ALEX P
• Application Number:
  US12/338,910
• Time in Patent Office: 1,062 Days
• Field of Search: D14/418, D14/428, 124/1, 124/6, 124/78, 446/168, 446/473, 446/47, 463/47, 463/48, 273/148.R, 273/148.B
• US Class Current: 463/48
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/213 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells A63F13/219, A63F13/655 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/837 Shooting of targets
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/98 Accessories, i.e. detachable arrangements optional for the use of the video game device, e.g. grip supports of game controllers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1062 being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8076 Shooting
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/00 Games not otherwise provided for aspects of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions showing representations related to the game A63F13/00 ; miscellaneous sporting games A63B67/00

Abstract

A toy capable of interchangeably activating an electronic controller and a projectile launching component through the same trigger mechanism providing for a fun and interesting toy with a variety of play modes. A holder assembly including a receiving compartment is capable of accepting the electronic controller and the projectile launching component. The electronic controller includes at least one human user interface input button for controlling an electronic game, and the projectile launching component includes a mechanical actuator for launching a projectile. The trigger mechanism is in mechanical communication with the holder assembly for engagement with the human user interface input button for controlling the electronic game and the mechanical actuator for launching the projectile.

Claims

1. A toy capable of interchangeably activating an electronic controller and a projectile launching component, comprising:

an electronic controller including at least one human user interface input button for controlling an electronic game;

a projectile launching component including a mechanical actuator for launching a projectile;

a holder assembly including a receiving compartment for alternately inserting the electronic controller and the projectile launching component;

a trigger element in mechanical communication with the holder assembly; and

a linkage assembly in mechanical communication with the trigger element for engagement with the human user interface input button for controlling the electronic game and the mechanical actuator for launching the projectile.

2. The toy according to claim 1, wherein the linkage assembly further comprises a first actuating mechanism for engagement with the human user interface input button and a second actuating mechanism for engagement with the mechanical actuator.

3. The toy according to claim 1, wherein the trigger element is operable to actuate two different actuating mechanisms.

4. The toy according to claim 3, wherein the trigger element is spring biased.

5. The toy according to claim 2, wherein the first actuating mechanism includes a first protuberance projecting from an elongated member coupled to the trigger element and the second actuating mechanism includes a second protuberance projecting from the elongated member.

6. The toy according to claim 5, wherein the first actuating mechanism further comprises a pivoting button coupled to the holder assembly and in mechanical communication with the first protuberance for engagement with the human user interface input button.

7. The toy according to claim 1, wherein the electronic controller comprises a wireless handheld device which is separately operable when removed from the toy.

8. The toy according to claim 7, wherein the electronic controller includes accelerometers and infrared detection technology to detect movement of the controller by a game console in three dimensions enhancing game play for a user.

9. The toy according to claim 8, further comprising a pivoting lock assembly in mechanical communication with the holder assembly and operable to retain the electronic controller in the receiving compartment when the lock assembly is in a locked position and to release the electronic controller from the receiving compartment when the lock assembly is pivoted to an unlocked position.

10. The toy according to claim 1, wherein the projectile launching component further comprises a spring driven piston operable for launching the projectile.

11. A method for interchangeably activating an electronic controller and a projectile launching component, comprising the steps of:

providing a holder assembly including a trigger element and a receiving compartment;

providing an electronic controller including at least one human user interface input button for controlling an electronic game and a projectile launching component including a mechanical actuator for launching a projectile;

alternately inserting the electronic controller and the projectile launching component into the receiving compartment;

providing a linkage assembly coupled to the holder assembly and operable to mechanically communicate with the trigger element; and

activating the trigger element to actuate the human user interface input button of the electronic controller for controlling an electronic game and the mechanical actuator of the projectile launching component for launching a projectile.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the linkage assembly further provides a first actuating mechanism for engagement with the human user interface input button and a second actuating mechanism for engagement with the mechanical actuator.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the trigger element is operable to actuate two different actuating mechanisms.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the first actuating mechanism further provides a first protuberance projecting from an elongated member coupled to the trigger element and the second actuating mechanism includes a second protuberance projecting from the elongated member.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the first actuating mechanism further provides a pivoting button coupled to the holder assembly and in mechanical communication with the first protuberance for engagement with the human user interface input button.

16. The method according to claim 11, further including the steps of providing a pivoting lock assembly in mechanical communication with the holder assembly and retaining the electronic controller in the receiving compartment by pivoting the lock assembly to a locked position and releasing the electronic controller from the receiving compartment by pivoting the lock assembly to an unlocked position.

17. A toy capable of interchangeably activating an electronic controller and a projectile launching component, comprising:

an electronic controller including at least one human user interface input button for controlling an electronic game;

a projectile launching component including a mechanical actuator for launching a projectile;

a holder assembly including a receiving compartment for alternately inserting the electronic controller and the projectile launching component;

a trigger mechanism including a trigger element and a linkage assembly in mechanical communication with the holder assembly, the linkage assembly including a first actuating mechanism for engagement with the human user interface input button and a second actuating mechanism for engagement with the mechanical actuator; and

the trigger mechanism is operable to actuate first and second actuating mechanisms for controlling the electronic game and launching the projectile.

18. The toy according to claim 17, wherein the first actuating mechanism includes a first protuberance projecting from an elongated member coupled to the trigger element and the second actuating mechanism includes a second protuberance projecting from the elongated member.

19. The toy according to claim 18, wherein the first actuating mechanism further comprises a pivoting button coupled to the holder assembly and in mechanical communication with the first protuberance for engagement with the human user interface input button.

20. The toy according to claim 19, wherein the projectile launching component further includes a spring driven piston operable for launching the projectile.