Patent Publication Number: US-8974264-B2

Title: Figurine launcher

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     (1) Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates to a toy launcher and, more particularly, to a toy launcher for launching an item concealed therein. 
     (2) Description of Related Art 
     Toy launchers have long been known in the art. Toy launchers are typically used to launcher a variety of projectiles. By way of example, toy launchers are often provided in the form of toy guns that shoot soft pellets or disks. Alternatively, other launchers have been devised that launch vehicles, such as 1:64 scale die-cast cars. 
     While launchers of the prior art are operable for launching pellets and vehicles, nothing heretofore devised conceals and launches a figurine. 
     Thus, a continuing need exists for a figurine launcher that is operable for both concealing and launching a figurine stored therein. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to figurine launcher. The figurine launcher includes at least two semi-spherically shaped shell components that collectively form a spherically-shaped housing. The shell components are hingedly attached with one another to move between an open position and a closed position. An open mechanism is attached with at least one of the shell components and is adapted to allow a user to selectively separate the shell components when in the closed position. A launch positioning mechanism is attached with at least one of the shell components. The launch positioning mechanism is adapted to engage with a figurine and conceal the figurine within the housing when the shell components are in a closed position. Alternatively, when the shell components are in an open position, the launch positioning mechanism is adapted to move the figurine into a launch position. When in the launch position, the user can compress the shell components to force the figurine from the launcher. 
     In another aspect, the launch positioning mechanism includes a spring-loaded launch platform that is hingedly connected with a launch platform arm. The launch platform arm is spring-loaded and hingedly connected with the bottom shell component to lift the launch platform from the bottom shell component. 
     In yet another aspect, a launch platform lock is attached with the bottom shell component for locking the launch platform. 
     Additionally, a catch release is attached with the top shell component. The catch release is adapted to release the launch platform lock from the launch platform. 
     In yet another aspect, a figurine is included. The figurine has a base with a back edge. The back edge slants downwardly such that when the figurine is positioned within the launch position, compression of the shell components towards one another forces the figurine from the launcher. 
     Finally, as can be appreciated by one in the art, the present invention also comprises a method for forming and using the invention described herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed descriptions of the various aspects of the invention in conjunction with reference to the following drawings, where: 
         FIG. 1A  is an illustration depicting a figurine launcher in a closed position; 
         FIG. 1B  is an illustration depicting the figurine launcher in an open position to expose and position the figurine for launching; 
         FIG. 1C  is an illustration depicting the figurine launcher as launching the figurine; 
         FIG. 2A  is a cross-sectional, side-view illustration of the figurine launcher, depicting the figurine launcher in a closed position; 
         FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional, side-view illustration of the figurine launcher, depicting the figurine launcher as being opened to position the figurine for launching; 
         FIG. 2C  is a cross-sectional, side-view illustration of the figurine launcher, depicting the figurine launcher as closing down upon a figurine to launch the figurine; 
         FIG. 2D  is a cross-sectional, side-view illustration of the figurine launcher, depicting the figurine as being launched from the figurine launcher; and 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded-view illustration, depicting various components of the figurine launcher. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention relates to a toy launcher and, more particularly, to a toy launcher for launching an item concealed therein. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and to incorporate it in the context of particular applications. Various modifications, as well as a variety of uses in different applications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to a wide range of embodiments. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments presented, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. 
     In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without necessarily being limited to these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention. 
     The reader&#39;s attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with this specification and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. All the features disclosed in this specification, (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is only one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. 
     Furthermore, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Section 112, Paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of” or “act of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6. 
     Please note, if used, the labels left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise and counter clockwise have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions between various portions of an object. 
     (1) Description 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the present invention relates to a launcher  100  for launching an item concealed therein. It should be understood that although the present invention is described as a figurine launcher, the invention is not intended to be limited thereto as it can be utilized to launch any suitably concealable item, non-limiting examples of which include figurines, vehicles, ships, etc. 
     The launcher  100  includes at least two shell components (a top shell component  102  and a bottom shell component  104 ) that collectively form a housing. The shell components  102  and  104  are connected with one another to allow for selective opening of the launcher  100 . As a non-limiting example, the shell components  102  and  104  are hingedly attached with one another. Further, the shell components  102  and  104  are formed in any suitable shape such that collectively, they form the housing, a non-limiting example of which includes being semi-spherically shaped such that the housing is spherically shaped. 
     Additionally, the launcher  100  includes an open mechanism  106  to allow a user to selectively open the launcher  100 . The open mechanism  106  is any suitable mechanism or device that allows for selective locking and opening of the launcher  100 , a non-limiting example of which includes a button and latch. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1B , once the open mechanism  106  is actuated, the launcher  100  opens with the two shell components  102  and  104  separating. In doing so, the figurine  108  is lifted up and into a launch position. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1C , once in the launch position, the two shell components  102  and  104  can be compressed together to squeeze the figurine  108  and thereby, force the figurine from the launcher  100 . 
     For further understanding,  FIGS. 2A through 2D  provide cross-sectional, side-view illustrations of the launcher  100  in operation. More specifically,  FIG. 2A  illustrates the launcher  100  in a closed position, with the figurine  108  concealed therein. As shown in  FIG. 2B , actuation of the open mechanism  106  causes the two shell components  102  and  104  to separate, allowing a launch positioning mechanism  200  to position the figurine  108  in an appropriate position for launching. For example, the launch positioning mechanism  200 , when activated, lifts a launch platform  202  up and out of the shell component  104  to position the figurine  108  at a launch position. The launch positioning mechanism  200  is described in further detail below. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2C , once in the launch position, a user can compress the shell components  102  and  104  towards one another (e.g., by pushing down on the top shell component  102 ). In compressing the shell components  102  and  104  towards one another, the lid (i.e., shell component  102 ) is squeezed against a base  204  of the figurine  108  and effectively pinches the base  204  against the launch platform  202 . In this case, the figurine  108  includes a base  204  with a back edge  208  and a roll component  206 . The back edge  208  of the base  204  is formed to slant downwardly. Thus, in pinching the back edge  208  of the base  204  between the shell component  102  and the platform  202 , the figurine  108  and its corresponding base  204  are squeezed/forced from the launcher  100 . The roll component  206  is any suitable mechanism or device that assists the figurine LOS in rolling smoothly and effectively across a surface, non-limiting examples of which include wheels and a roller ball. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2D , after the shell components  102  and  104  are compressed towards one another (i.e., the top shell component  102  is forced towards the launch platform  202 ), the figurine  108  is launched from the launcher  100  and allowed to effectively roll away with assistance from the roll component  206 . 
     As can be appreciated, there are variations by which the launcher  100  can be formed to allow a figurine  108  to be concealed therein and, upon opening of the launcher  100 , lifted out and positioned for launching. For example and as shown in  FIG. 3 , the launcher  100  can be formed to include a variety of components. As shown, the shell components  102  and  104  form the housing of the launcher  100 . Concealed therein is the launch positioning mechanism (depicted as element  200  in  FIG. 2B ). Referring to  FIG. 3 , the launch positioning mechanism is any suitable mechanism or device that is operable for engaging with the figurine  108  and holding the figurine  108  while the launcher  100  is in the closed position and, when opened, lifting the figurine  108  from the shell component  104  and into a launching position. As a non-limiting example, the launching platform  200  is a spring-loaded launch platform  202  that is pivotally connected with a launch platform arm  300 . The launch platform arm  300  is pivotally connected with the shell component  104 , either directly or indirectly. In this example, the launch platform arm  300  is spring loaded and pivotally connected with a launch base  302  that is housed within the shell component  104 . Thus, through the launch platform arm  300 , the launch platform  202  can pivot into the launch base  302  and, alternatively, up and away from the launch base  302  to position the figurine  108  in the launch position. A launch platform lock  304  can also be included to lock the launch platform  202  with the launch base  302  or otherwise within the housing. For example, the launch platform lock  304  is attached with the launch base  302  and is operable for clipping onto and engaging with the launch platform  202  when it is pressed into the launch base  302 . 
     A catch release  306  can also be included. The catch release  306  is any suitable mechanism or device that is operable for releasing the launch platform lock  304  from the launch platform  202 . For example, the catch release  306  is a protrusion or tab that is affixed with the top shell component  102 . In this aspect, when the top shell component  104  is lowered onto the bottom shell component  104 , the catch release  306  engages with the launch platform lock  304  to release it from the launch platform  202 . However, because the shell components  102  and  104  are in the closed position, a hold tab  308  can be used to hold the launch platform  202  in place with respect to the launch base  302 . When the open mechanism  106  is activated and the shell components  102  and  104  separate, the launch platform  202  is operable for swinging up and out of the bottom shell component  104  to position the figurine  108  in the launch position. 
     With respect to the figurine  108 , it should be understood that the figurine  108  can be formed such that the base  204  with its slanted back edge  208  are an integrally formed component of the figurine  108 . For example, although  FIG. 3  illustrates the figurine  108  and base  204  as separately formed and attached components, the present invention is not intended to be limited thereto as the components can be integrally formed as a single piece. Further, the roller component  206  (and its corresponding roller casing  310  while desirable, is not a required component of the figurine  108 .