Launching device for a flying toy

• US 7,713,105 B2
• Filed: 01/04/2008
• Issued: 05/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Inventors: Barthold, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim; Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): STANCZAK, MATTHEW BRIAN
• Application Number:
  US11/969,797
• Publication Number:
  US 20090075554A1
• Time in Patent Office: 858 Days
• Field of Search: 446/308, 446/61, 446/62, 446/60, 446/63, 446/64, 446/65, 124/16
• US Class Current: 446/308
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 27/008 Propelled by flapping of wings driving mechanisms with extensible rubber bands for toys in general A63H29/18
• 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

Abstract

The present invention relates to a launching device for a flying toy. The launching device facilitates the transition of the flying toy from a resting state to a flying state. The launching device may include elements for holding one or more parts of the flying toy in a retracted position while the flying toy is in a resting state and for releasing the parts when the flying toy launches into a flying state. According to the invention, the launching device includes a launch-assist mechanism that provides a force to facilitate the launch of the flying toy.

Claims

1. A launching device for launching a flying toy, comprising:

a locator device providing gravity support to said flying toy when said flying toy is in a resting position;

a holding element comprising a pair of tabs for directly holding a wing of said flying toy in a retracted position when said flying toy is in said resting position; and

a launch-assist mechanism for providing a launching force to propel said flying toy from said resting position into a flying position, wherein said launch-assist mechanism comprises a lever and a spring, wherein said lever is pulled back to load said spring, and wherein said spring is used to create said launching force.

2. The launching device of claim 1, further comprising:

electronic components for creating sound, said sound being of a type associated with said flying toy; and

a speaker for projecting said sound from said launching device.

3. The launching device of claim 1, further comprising a button for triggering said launch-assist mechanism to provide said launching force.

4. The launching device of claim 3, wherein said launching force removes said wing from said holding element, allowing said wing to expand from said retracted position without additional input.

5. The launching device of claim 1, further comprising a light source for creating light, wherein said light is output from said flying toy.

6. The launching device of claim 1, further comprising electrical contacts and an electrical power source for completing an electrical circuit in said flying toy;

wherein a light source located on said flying toy is energized by said electrical power source.

7. The launching device of claim 1, further comprising;

an electronic power source;

an electronic feature coupled to said electronic power source; and

a sensor coupled to said electronic power source, said sensor sensing if said flying toy is properly placed on said locator device;

wherein said electronic feature is enabled when said sensor senses that said flying toy is properly placed on said locator device.

8. A launching device for launching a flying toy, said flying toy including a retractable wing, comprising:

a locator device providing gravity support to said flying toy when said flying toy is in a resting position;

a launch-assist mechanism for providing a launching force to propel said flying toy from said resting position into a flying position, wherein said launch-assist mechanism comprises a lever and a spring, wherein said lever is pulled back to load said spring, and wherein said spring is used to create said launching force;

a user input for triggering said launch-assist mechanism; and

a holding element comprising a pair of tabs for directly holding said wing in a retracted position, wherein said launching force removes said wing from said holding element without additional user input when said user input triggers said launch-assist mechanism.

9. The launching device of claim 8, further comprising;

an electronic power source;

an electronic feature coupled to said electronic power source; and

a sensor coupled to said electronic power source, said sensor sensing if said flying toy is properly placed on said locator device;

wherein said electronic feature is enabled when said sensor senses that said flying toy is properly placed on said locator device.

10. The launching device of claim 8, further comprising a light source for creating light, wherein said light is output from said flying toy.