Patent Publication Number: US-8118637-B2

Title: Toy

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of the following U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/189,301 filed Aug. 17, 2008 the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Embodiments according to the present invention are related to a toy, and more particularly to a toy for launching objects. 
     Toys for launching objects are popular with children, and keep them whether during solo play or play with others. However, many such toys are similar in that an object is loaded into the toy, and whether by actuating a trigger or some other actuation, the object is released or otherwise projected from the toy. 
     Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a toy for launching objects that also provides additional entertainment and stimulation to the user. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, a toy capable of moving between a first orientation and a second orientation includes a housing having a first end portion with a first handle, and a second end portion with a second handle. At least one of the first and second handles is rotatable within a respective handle opening defined by the housing. To move the toy from the first orientation to the second orientation, the at least one of the first and second handles is rotated by a user within its handle opening, such that the housing is rotated between its first orientation and second orientation. The toy may be rotatable approximately 180 degrees between its first orientation and second orientation. The first handle may include a first trigger member for actuating a first object launcher, just as the second handle may include a second trigger member for actuation a second object launcher. 
     In another embodiment, a toy is capable of launching a first object and a second object and further capable of moving between a first orientation and a second orientation. The toy includes a housing having a first end portion with a first handle adapted to be grasped a user&#39;s first hand and a second end portion with a second handle adapted to be grasped by a user&#39;s second hand. Each of the first and second handles are rotatable within a respective handle opening defined by the housing. To move the toy from the first orientation to the second orientation, the user rotates the handles within their handle openings such that the housing is rotated between its first orientation and second orientation relative to the handles, while the handles maintain a similar orientation in both the first and second orientations. 
     Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed invention. For a better understanding of the invention with advantages and features, refer to the description and to the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention, in accordance with preferred and various embodiments, together with further objects and advantages thereof, is more particularly described in the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of the toy according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the toy of  FIG. 1 , with the launching objects shown; 
         FIG. 3   a  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the toy, showing a user grasping the toy in the first orientation and showing first objects being launched from the first end; 
         FIG. 3   b  is a perspective view of the toy of  FIG. 3   a , showing the user grasping the toy in the second orientation and showing second objects being launched from the second end; 
         FIG. 4   a  is a side elevational view of the toy of  FIG. 2  in the first orientation, showing first objects being launched therefrom, 
         FIG. 4   b  is a side elevational view of the toy of  FIG. 2  in the second orientation in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 5   a - 5   d  illustrate the internal mechanisms of a toy constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     The detailed description explains various embodiments of the present invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the Figures, a toy  10  constructed in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment is illustrated. As will be discussed herein, the toy has various embodiments or combinations wherein embodiments according to the present invention can be implemented. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3   a - 3   b , toy  10  includes housing  12  having a first end portion  14  with an associated movable first handle  16 . The first handle  16  includes a first activation member, shown as trigger  18 , for actuating a launching mechanism for launching at least one first projectile  20  from an opening  22  in an outer surface  24  of first end  14 . First handle  16  is rotatably movable within first handle opening  26  of first end  14  of housing. In one embodiment, the housing  12  further includes a second end portion  28  with an associated movable second handle  30  and a second trigger  34  for launching at least one second projectile  36  from an opening  38  in the outer surface  40  of second end  28 . Second handle  30  is rotatably movable within second handle opening  32  of second end portion  28 . 
     First and second projectiles  20 ,  36  may be of different type and size, for example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , first projectile  20  is shown as a generally flat disc-shaped object  21 , while second projectile  36  is shown as an elongated projectile, for example a dart  37 , which may be formed or foam or plastic or other common play material. In the alternative, first and second projectiles  20 ,  36  may be of the same or similar type and size, depending on the desired effect and/or play pattern of toy  10 . Again, the projectiles shown are illustrative, and may take any numerous forms and shapes, including but not limited to spherical objects, cubes, etc. In the embodiment shown, the user loads the projectiles by inserting discs  21  into at least opening  22  of first end  14  via which the projectiles are launched (see  FIG. 3   a ). With regard to the second end  28 , darts  37  are loaded into at least one receiving chamber  38  of second end  28  of housing  12  (see  FIG. 3   b ). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3   a - 3   b , the user  40  can hold toy  10  in one of two orientations. For purposes of illustration only, the first orientation is shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3   a , while the second orientation is shown in  FIG. 3   b . Of course it is fully contemplated herein that the toy  10  is movable between the first and second orientations, and such nomenclature is exemplary. In the first orientation, the second end  28  is disposed proximate user  40 , while first end  14  is distal the user. In this orientation, as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3   a , the user may actuate first trigger  18  so that projectiles  20  are launched from a first launch opening  22  of first end  14  away from the user  40 . In this first orientation of toy  10 , preferably the second trigger  34  is not operable, such that second projectiles  36  are not launchable in the direction of user. 
       FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b ,  4   a  and  4   b  illustrate the movement and transformation of toy  10  from the first orientation of  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3   a  in which the first trigger  18  is actuatable and objects  20  are capable of being launched, to the second orientation of  FIG. 3   b  in which the second trigger  34  is actuatable and objects  36  are capable of being launched from a second launch opening  38 . As shown in  FIG. 3   a  the user  40  holds first handle  16  with one hand and second handle  30  with his other hand. For the sake of illustration only,  FIG. 3   a  shows first handle  16  being manipulated by the user&#39;s left hand  46 , while the second handle is manipulated by the user&#39;s right hand  48 . Handles  16  and  30  are rotatable within their respective handle openings  26  and  32 , illustrated in this embodiment as a generally circular first handle opening  26  and a generally circular second handle opening  32 , each defined within their respective portions of housing  12 . The handles are rotatably or pivotally attached to housing  12 , such the each end of the respective handles is mounted in a rotatable manner to the housing portion defining openings  26  and  32 . Such method of attachment may include the handle having end portions  17 ,  31  (see  FIG. 1 ) that move and rotate within a groove or a track of the housing portion, allowing the user to provide rotation thereto. Of course, other ways known in the art may be utilized to provide rotation to the handles. 
     As such, the user holds the respective handles as shown in  FIG. 3   a  and rotates the handles within their respective handle openings in the direction as shown by arrows  50  and  52  in  FIG. 4   b . This causes the housing  12  itself to rotate approximately 180 degrees relative to the handles, resulting in achieving the second orientation of toy  10  illustrated in  FIGS. 3   b  and  4   b . In this second orientation, first end  14  is disposed proximate user  40 , while the second end is distal user  40 . 
     Note that during the transformation of toy  10  from the first orientation to the second orientation, the user&#39;s hands maintain their grip on handles  16 ,  30 , and also the user&#39;s hands and the handles  16 ,  30  rotate such that they remain in generally the same position in each orientation (see  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b ). For example, compare  FIGS. 4   a  (toy in first orientation) and  4   b  (toy in second orientation), wherein it is illustrated that each handle in each Figure is orientated at a similar angle with the trigger  18 ,  34  facing forward, despite the toy  10  having been rotated. 
     Thus, in the second orientation, as shown in  FIGS. 3   b  and  4   b , the second trigger  34  is actuatable such that the user may activate the second trigger  34  so that projectiles are launched from the second end away from the user  40 . In this second orientation of toy  10 , it is contemplated that the first trigger  18  is not operable, such that first projectiles are not capable of being launched in the direction of user. 
     It is fully contemplated that toy  10  may have any number of first and second launch openings, without deviating from the teachings here. For example, note that the toy  10  of  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  is generally similar in design and operation to toy  10 , except that  FIG. 3   a  shows a plurality of first launch openings  22 ′ (six are shown in  FIG. 3   a ) for shooting a plurality of first objects  20 , and a single second launch opening  38  for shooting second objects  36 . On the other hand,  FIGS. 1 and 2  show a single first launch opening  22  and a plurality of second launch openings  38 . Moreover, in the event of a plurality of first launching openings, the toy  10  may be configured such that actuating the trigger may launch all first objects simultaneously, or in the alternative, each launch opening can be activated in sequence by launching a first object, then moving the toy  10  from the first to the second orientation, and back to the first orientation, such that another one of the first launch openings can be made operable. Likewise with a plurality of second launch openings. Notwithstanding the number of launcher openings, for most purposes herein, a reference to the toys of  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  may be deemed to apply to toys  10  shown in the other Figures and vice versa. 
     The handles  16 ,  30  may freely spin within their respective openings  26 ,  32 , or the housing  12  may include a slight detent, such that each handle may need to overcome its respective detent with a sufficient force in order to begin rotation of the handles and movement between the first and second orientations. It is also contemplated that while the toy is shown moving approximately 180 degrees between the first and second orientations, the movement may be in any range necessary to achieve the objectives herein, and consistent with the teachings herein. 
     According to move from the second orientation to the first orientation, the user manipulates the toy  10  in the same manner as described above. It is noted that the actuation members  18 ,  34 , shown as triggers on their respective handles, may also be located on the housing or any other area that the user may effective actuate them. 
     In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, it is also contemplated that the movement of the toy between the first orientation and the second orientation may be achieved by the user  40  having one hand grasping a handle (for example, user&#39;s hand  46  grasping handle  16  of  FIG. 4   a ), while the user&#39;s other hand  48  may be positioned on the housing  12  itself in a manner to provide the necessary force to housing  12  to cause the rotate the handle within its opening. Thus in this embodiment, both handles would not need to rotate within their respective openings. 
     It is fully contemplated that the toy  10  may be manipulated by the user by grasping either handle with either hand as disclose here. However, in one embodiment, the toy  10  may include a portion attached to the housing, such as member  62  of  FIG. 1 , which covers a portion of second handle opening  32  on one side of housing  12 , such that the user must grasp that handle from the opposite side of housing  12 . Thus, depending on the placement of such member, the toy may be implemented for a right-handed user or left-handed user. 
     Accordingly, the toy  10  herein is capable of providing a fun and stimulating type of launching toy experience for the user, by allowing the user to manipulate the toy, and also allowing the user to launch various types of objects from both ends of the toy. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5   a - 5   d  and in accordance with one non-limiting alternative exemplary embodiment, a mechanism  70  for transforming the toy from the first orientation to the second orientation is illustrated. It being understood that the toy in  FIGS. 5   a - 5   b  is in the first configuration illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3   a  and  4   a  wherein projectiles are capable of being shot from opening  22  at the first end portion. As previously discussed, the first handle portion and the second handle potion are each rotatably received within openings in the housing such that rotation of one handle rotates the other handle through mechanism  70 , which includes a gear train  72  comprising a plurality of gears  74 ,  76  and  78 , wherein gear  74  engages a geared or toothed periphery  80  of handle portion  16  as well as gear  76  and gear  78  engages a geared or toothed periphery  82  of handle portion  30  as well as gear  76  such that rotation of handles  16  and  30  effect or cause rotation of the gear train  72  in the directions of arrows  84 . Of course, it is understood that rotation may be effected in a direction opposite to arrows  84 . However and in one non-limiting embodiment, the triggers and respective handles only rotate in one direction to ensure proper performance of the mechanisms and eliminate the possibility of entanglement of the handles due to the same rotating in opposite directions. Also, gear train  70  helps with rotation of the entire toy from the first orientation to the second orientation such that adding rotation to one handle will rotate the other handle and both handles must be rotated in order to be able to play with the toy and engage the launcher that is pointing away from the user. 
     In addition and in the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 5   a - 5   d  when moving the toy from the first configuration illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3   a  and  4   a  to the second configuration illustrated in  FIGS. 3   b  and  4   b , rotation of handle portion  30  and geared outer periphery  82  a first gear train  86  comprising gears  88  and  90  rotates in the direction of arrows  92  such that a plunger for shooting projectiles  37  is compressed against a spring  94  in the direction of arrow  93  to a cocked position and thus actuation of trigger  34  when the toy is in the second configuration will released the cocked plunger and shoot projectiles  37  from the second end of the toy. Accordingly, the manipulation of the toy from the first configuration to the second configuration cocks or activates the plunger for shooting of projectiles  37 . In addition, a second gear train  96  is also provided wherein a first gear  98  engages geared outer periphery  82  and a second gear  100  while a third gear  102  engages the second gear  100  and a gear  104  such that moving of the toy from the first configuration illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3   a  and  4   a  to the second configuration illustrated in  FIGS. 3   b  and  4   b , rotation of handle portion  30  and geared outer periphery  82  causes gears  98 ,  100 ,  102  and  104  in the direction of arrows  106  which in turn rotates a barrel assembly  108  in the direction of arrow  110  ( FIG. 5   c ) such that a projectile is moved into alignment with the plunger being cocked by gear train  86 . 
     In other words, rotation of handle  30  in the direction of arrow  84  actuates gear trains  86  and  96  wherein gear train  86  cocks or activates a plunger mechanism or a second object launcher and gear train  96  rotates a projectile into alignment with the cocked plunger mechanism such that a larger projectile can be shot from the toy when it is moved from the first configuration illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3   a  and  4   a  to the second configuration illustrated in  FIGS. 3   b  and  4   b.    
     When the toy is moved from the second configuration illustrated in  FIGS. 3   b  and  4   b  to the first configuration illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3   a  and  4   a  handle  16  is positioned so that trigger  18  can actuate a mechanism or a first object launcher  111  for launching projectiles from opening  22  in the first end portion  14 . In one embodiment and when the toy is in this position actuation of trigger  18  will cause launcher  111  to launch projectiles from opening  22 . Also illustrated is a spring biased member to ensure each one of a plurality of disks loaded into chamber  112  are engaged or launched by mechanism  111  when trigger  18  is actuated when the toy is in the first orientation. In addition, the first trigger member is inoperable when the toy is in the second orientation and the second trigger member is inoperable when the toy is in the first orientation. 
     Although one particular mechanism  70  is illustrated in  FIGS. 5   a - 5   d  the same is merely provided as one means for transforming the toy from the first orientation to the second orientation and vice versa and exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not intended to be limited to the specific configurations illustrated herein. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the present application.