Patent Publication Number: US-9844735-B2

Title: Single pull toy vehicle loader and launcher

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation application and claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §120, of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/576,328, filed Dec. 19, 2014, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to launching of toy vehicles, and more particularly to a toy vehicle loader and launcher that both loads and launches a toy vehicle with a single pull of an actuator. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Toy vehicle playsets and track sets are popular among children of varied ages, and a variety of track configurations have previously been provided that include various features to add to the excitement a child experiences while playing with the toy. For instance, toy vehicle playsets and track sets have been provided having toy vehicle loading devices that sequentially load toy vehicles into a launch position, and others that include track portions that are moveable and that may change position with respect to other portions of the track during play, and that may change the position of a toy vehicle at differing locations along the track. 
     While some prior art configurations provide such auto-loading features, they typically require that multiple toy vehicles be provided and be pre-positioned in some aligned, stacked, or other feeding configuration that will allow the inventory of toy vehicles to be sequentially moved into a launch position as each toy vehicle is launched. It would be advantageous to provide a track set configuration in which a toy vehicle completing travel through the track set ends up automatically in alignment with a loading device, ready to be directed to a launcher when the launcher is engaged to again launch a toy vehicle through the track set. 
     While some of the prior art references rely upon a gravity feed construction to sequentially feed toy vehicles into a launch position as another toy vehicle is launched, others have used moveable platforms to carry one toy vehicle at a time from its storage location to a launcher. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,254,030 to Ostendorff et al. describes a rotatable turntable that moves first into alignment with a toy vehicle loader, receives a toy vehicle, and thereafter rotates into alignment with a launcher as a user manually controls a handle. The Ostendorff et al. mechanism again requires pre-loading multiple toy vehicles into the loader, and relies upon a rather complex turntable movement that must travel back and forth between multiple loaders to continuously load and launch toy vehicles. It would be advantageous to provide a track set in which a toy vehicle travelling through the set automatically returns to a loader, and that may be repeatedly returned to a launch position and automatically launched through a single, more simplistic and controlled operating movement than provided for in the prior art. 
     Thus, while certain prior configurations have provided changeable configurations of various toy vehicle track set elements during play, there remains an ongoing general need to provide toy vehicle track set features capable of maintaining the interest of a child and increasing the excitement and amusement they experience when playing with a toy vehicle track set. It would therefore be advantageous to provide a toy vehicle track set with unique toy vehicle paths and positioning mechanisms to further enhance the excitement and amusement offered to a child as they engage in such play. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Disclosed is a loading and launching device for toy vehicles that may be actuated with a single pull of an actuator to both load and launch a toy vehicle, such as onto a toy vehicle track set. In accordance with certain aspects of an embodiment of the invention, the loading and launching device receives a toy vehicle traveling through a track set, automatically aligns the toy vehicle with a loading mechanism, and through a single, repeatable, simplistic and controlled operating movement loads the toy vehicle into a launch position and launches the vehicle from that launch position. 
     In accordance with further aspects of an embodiment of the invention, the loading and launching device includes a horizontal toy vehicle loader and a toy vehicle launcher that are preferably coupled to one another, such as by way of a mechanical coupling. The launcher includes a handle and a launch rod, and is spring-biased on the underside of the launcher toward a forward end of the loading and launching device. Thus, as a child pulls the launcher rearward, potential energy is stored in a spring member below the launcher, and is converted to kinetic energy when the launcher is released so as to propel the launcher forward, and in turn propel a toy vehicle positioned in front of the launcher forward and preferably onto a toy track set. 
     The horizontal toy vehicle loader is positioned adjacent the launcher, and includes a pusher positioned for movement in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of movement of the launcher. Because the loader and launcher are coupled to one another, as the launcher moves rearward, the loader moves from a vehicle receiving and loading position (in which the loading and launching device may receive a toy vehicle returning from the track set) to a launch position in which a toy vehicle is positioned directly in front of the launcher. When the launcher is released, it thus contacts and launches the toy vehicle. The loader may optionally be spring-biased to its toy vehicle receiving and loading position, or may alternatively be coupled to the launcher to return to such position as the launcher moves to its forward-most position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The numerous advantages of the present invention may be better understood by those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a toy vehicle track set including a toy vehicle loader and launcher in accordance with certain aspects of an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a close-up perspective view of the toy vehicle loader and launcher of  FIG. 1  in a first configuration. 
         FIG. 3  is a close-up perspective view of the toy vehicle loader and launcher of  FIG. 1  in a second configuration. 
         FIG. 3 a    is a close-up perspective view of the toy vehicle loader and launcher of  FIG. 1  in a third configuration. 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of a toy vehicle loader and launcher in accordance with further aspects of an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of the toy vehicle loader and launcher of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom, rear perspective view of the toy vehicle loader and launcher of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the toy vehicle loader and launcher of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom view of the toy vehicle launcher of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 9  is atop view of the toy vehicle launcher of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 10  is a side perspective view of the toy vehicle loader and launcher of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 11  is a bottom, close-up view of an actuator plate for use with the toy vehicle loader and launcher of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded view of the toy vehicle loader and launcher of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIGS. 13 a , 13 b , and 13 c    are bottom perspective views of the toy vehicle loader and launcher of  FIG. 4  in varied positions. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following description is of a particular embodiment of the invention, set out to enable one to practice an implementation of the invention, and is not intended to limit the preferred embodiment, but to serve as a particular example thereof. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the conception and specific embodiments disclosed as a basis for modifying or designing other methods and systems for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent assemblies do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a toy vehicle track set  100  including a toy vehicle loader and launcher  150  is shown in  FIG. 1 . Toy vehicle track set  100  also preferably includes a track loop portion  110  that attaches to toy vehicle loader and launcher  150 , such that a toy vehicle launched from a launcher  160  of toy vehicle loader and launcher  150  travels into and around the loop portion  110 , and returns from loop portion  110  to a toy vehicle loader  170  on toy vehicle loader and launcher  150 . As discussed in greater detail below, toy launcher  160  is configured to be moved from a launch position (i.e., the position of the launcher immediately after it has launched a toy vehicle into track loop portion  110 , as shown in  FIG. 1 ) to a toy vehicle loading position, in which the toy vehicle is positioned in front of the launcher for subsequent launch into track loop portion  110  (as shown in  FIG. 3 ). Likewise, toy vehicle loader  170  is configured to horizontally push a toy vehicle  180  that has traveled through track loop portion  110  and returned to toy vehicle loader  170  into a launch position in front of launcher  160 .  FIG. 2  shows toy vehicle  180  at an intermediate position as it is being pushed by vehicle loader  170  into alignment with launcher  160 . Moreover, launcher  160  and loader  170  are coupled to one another, such as through a mechanical coupling, such that movement of the launcher  160  from the launch position to the load position moves the loader so as to push toy vehicle  180  from loader  170  to its launch position in front of launcher  160 . Thereafter, the user may cause launcher  160  to launch toy vehicle  180  forward and again into track loop portion  110 . 
     Toy vehicle loader and launcher  150  includes a base  200  holding launcher  160  and loader  170 . As shown in the partial sectional views of  FIGS. 4 and 5 , base  200  may include a handle  202  which may be gripped by a user when manipulating launcher  160 , a launcher base section (shown generally at  220 ), and a loader base section (shown generally at  240 ) extending outward to a side of launcher base section  220 . Launcher base section  220  has an elongate launcher slot  222  extending through base  200  and aligned with an entrance portion  112  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ) of track loop portion  110 . Elongate launcher slot  222  is configured to receive launcher  160  as further detailed below, and extends rearward along launcher base section  220  a sufficient distance so as to allow rearward positioning of launcher  160  in a launch position and placement of a toy vehicle in its launch position in front of launcher  160 . Likewise, loader base section  240  has one or more loader slots  242  extending through base  200  and aligned at an angle to launcher slot  222 , and preferably at approximate 90 degrees to launcher slot  222 . 
     A front edge of base  200  may have a front track connector configured to attach base  200  to entrance portion  112  of loop portion  110 . Likewise, a back edge of loader base section  240  may have a rear track connector configured to attach base  200  to an exit portion  114  of loop portion  110 . Each of the front track connector and the rear track connector may comprise, by way of non-limiting example, tabs configured for connection to slots on the underside of extruded plastic track sections of standard configuration known to those skilled in the art. 
     Referring to the bottom view of base  200  of  FIG. 6  (with actuator plate  190  removed for clarity), launcher base section  220  of base  200  has side walls  224  extending parallel to launcher slot  222  and preferably extending along the full length of launcher slot  222 . As will be discussed in greater detail below, a launcher bracket  166  is configured to ride in launcher slot  222  while carrying a launch rod  162  between the toy vehicle launch and load positions described above. Side walls  224  are spaced apart a sufficient distance so as to allow launcher bracket  166  to slide unimpaired through launcher slot  22  while helping to keep the outer edges of launcher bracket  166  aligned and within a gap defined between side walls  224 . The front end of launcher slot  222  may optionally have a cushion member  250 , such as a foam pad or a spring biased plate, mounted thereon that may protect the front edge of launcher slot  222  from damage from repeated impacts of launch rod  162  as it springs forward to launch a toy vehicle. 
     As shown in the bottom view of base  200  of  FIG. 7 , launcher base section  220  of base  200  also has a launcher spring anchor  244  extending downward from the bottom side of launcher base section  220  in front of launcher slot  222  and preferably centrally aligned with launcher slot  222 . Launcher spring anchor  244  is configured to receive a first end of a launcher spring  163 , here (by way of non-limiting example) a rubber band, that is used to propel launch rod  162 . 
     Likewise, and with continued reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , loader base section  240  of base  20  has a loader spring anchor  246  extending downward from the bottom side of loader base section  240  adjacent an outer side edge of loader base section  240 . Loader spring anchor  246  is configured to receive a first end of a loader spring  191  that is used to reset an actuator plate  190  of loader  170  to its vehicle receiving position (shown in  FIG. 7 ). Loader base section  240  also has a downwardly extending extension rod guide  252  that extends parallel to launcher slot  222  and is generally aligned with an edge of launcher slot  222  that is closest to loader base section  240 . Extension rod guide  252  provides a guide surface that helps to guide an extension rod  168  of launcher  160  as launcher  160  moves from the load position to the launch position. 
     Loader base section  240  also preferably includes a guide post  254  extending downward from the bottom of base  200 . Guide post  254  is preferably positioned adjacent a front end of base  200 , and is positioned to slide within a guide slot  194  on actuator plate  190  to assist in guiding actuator plate  190  as it moves from its vehicle receiving position to the vehicle loading position, advice versa. 
     Next, and with reference to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , launcher  160  includes launch rod  162  (shown in a top view in  FIG. 8  and in a bottom view in  FIG. 9 ), handle  164 , and launcher bracket  166 . Launch rod  162  comprises an elongate rod that extends generally parallel to the entrance portion  112  of the track set  100  to which it connects. Launch rod  162  may have a tapered tip  163  with a toy vehicle engaging hub  165  positioned at the free end of launch rod  162 . A handle  164  is provided at the opposite end of launch rod  162  from toy vehicle engaging hub  165 , and is configured for grasping preferably by one or two fingers of the user to pull launch rod  162  rearward on base  200  from its launch position ( FIGS. 1 and 4 ) to the loading position ( FIGS. 3 and 10 ). Handle  164  may optionally also have finger engagement wings  167  extending outward to either side of handle  164  as an alternative engagement mechanism allowing a user to grab and manipulate launcher  160 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4 through 10 , handle  164  is affixed to launch rod  162 . However, and with reference to  FIGS. 1 through 3   a , handle  164  may alternatively be releasably attached to launch rod  162 , having a connecting hook  169  (shown in  FIG. 3 a   ) attached to and extending forward from the underside of handle  164 , and engaging a catch surface (not shown) on the underside of launch rod  162 . In this configuration, connecting hook  169  may initially engage the catch on the underside of launch rod  162 , with the launch rod in the launch position ( FIG. 1 ). A user may then pull back on handle  164 , in turn pulling launch rod  162  back from the launch position to the load position ( FIG. 3 ), and upon reaching an intended point toward the rear of launcher slot  222 , be pushed out of contact with the catch on the bottom of launch rod  162  (such as by a catch release on the underside of base  200 , not shown), releasing launch rod  162  from handle  164  and allowing launch rod  162  to spring forward, launching a toy vehicle  180  into entrance portion  112  of track set  100 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 6 through 9 , launcher bracket  166  is positioned below base  200  and is affixed to launch rod  162  with a threaded member, such as a screw, bolt, or similarly configured connecting member extending from bracket  166 , through launcher slot  222  and into the bottom of launch rod  162 . The top surface of launcher bracket  166 , and the bottom surface of launch rod  162  (or other portion of launcher  160  at which launcher bracket  166  attaches), are each wider than the width of launcher slot  222 , such that the bracket and handle/launch rod assemblies may slide along launcher slot  222  without separating therefrom. Launcher bracket  166  includes preferably two rearward facing spring mounting hubs  161 , each of which is positioned on opposite sides of a centerline of launcher slot  222 . In order to launch toy vehicles  180  forward and onto track set  100 , a launcher spring  163  ( FIG. 7 ) is attached to each of spring mounting hubs  161  and launcher spring anchor  244 , biasing the launch rod from the rearward, toy vehicle loading position ( FIGS. 3 and 10 ) to the forward, toy vehicle launch position ( FIGS. 1 and 4 ), such that when the pulling force exerted by the user on handle  164  is released, launch rod  162  will spring forward to launch a toy vehicle  180  onto track set  100 . 
     With further reference to  FIGS. 6 through 9  and the close-up view of actuator plate  190  of  FIG. 11 , launcher bracket  166  also includes extension rod  168  extending forward from launcher bracket  166  and toward the front end of base  200  and in a direction that is parallel to launcher slot  222 , and thus to the direction of travel of launch rod  162  and handle  164 . The forward end of extension rod  168  has a downwardly extending actuator plate engagement pin  172  that engages a guide ridge  192  that extends upward from a top side of actuator plate  190 . 
     As shown in the exploded view of  FIG. 12 , loader  170  comprises actuator plate  190  and pusher  182 . Actuator plate  190  is provided upwardly extending attachment hubs  196 , each of which is configured to receive a downwardly extending connector pin  183  on pusher  182 . Threaded connectors  184 , such as screws, bolts or the like, extend upward through attachment hubs  196  on actuator plate  190 , through loader slots  242  on loader section  240  of base  200 , and into connector pins  183  on pusher  182 . In this configuration, attachment hubs  196  are positioned within loader slots  242  and are configured to slide within loader slots  242 , thus limiting the possible travel of actuator plate  190 , and thus of pusher  182 , to a horizontal movement that is generally perpendicular to the direction of movement of launch rod  162 . Moreover (and as mentioned briefly above), actuator plate guide post  254  may also be provided on the underside of base  200  and may slide within guide slot  194  of actuator plate  190  to further assist in maintain the intended alignment of pusher  182  as it moves from the vehicle receiving position to the vehicle launch position. 
     As best shown in  FIG. 11 , through the mechanical interaction of extension rod  168  with actuator plate  190 , rearward movement of launch rod  162  causes actuator plate, and thus pusher  182 , to move in a sideways direction (generally perpendicular to the direction of travel of launch rod  162 ) from the toy vehicle receiving position ( FIGS. 11 and 13   a ) to the toy vehicle loading position ( FIG. 13 c   ). More particularly, as launch rod  162  is moved rearward, actuator plate engagement pin  172  on extension rod  168  likewise moves rearward, pushing against guide ridge  192  on the top face of actuator plate  190 . As actuator plate engagement pin  172  pushes against guide ridge  192 , it causes actuator plate  190  to move sideways, its movement being restricted to such a single, sideways direction by at least attachment hubs  196  interacting with loader slots  242 .  FIGS. 13 a  through 13 c    show the movement of extension rod  168  and actuator plate  190  from the launch position ( FIG. 13 a   ) to the load position ( FIG. 13 c   ). Specifically,  FIG. 13 a    reflects the configuration in which launch rod  162  is at its forward most position (immediately after having launched a toy vehicle onto track set  100 ), and actuator plate  190  is positioned so that attachment hubs  196 , and thus pusher  182 , are closest to the outer edge of base  200  (in the toy vehicle receiving position of  FIGS. 1 and 4 ). Likewise,  FIG. 13 b    reflects the configuration in which launch rod  162  is pulled partially rearward through launcher slot  222 , the movement of which (through interaction of actuator plate engagement pin  172  with guide ridge  192 ) causes actuator plate  190 , and thus pusher  182 , to move toward the path of launch rod  162 , in turn pushing a toy vehicle toward the launch position. Finally,  FIG. 13 c    reflects the configuration in which launch rod  162  is pulled fully rearward through launcher slot  222 , which in turn positions actuator plate  190 , and thus pusher  182 , fully in the launch position with a toy vehicle now positioned immediately in front of launch rod  162  and ready for launch onto track set  100 . 
     From this position, when a user releases handle  164 , launcher spring  163  quickly pushes launch rod  162  forward, in turn launching a toy vehicle positioned in front of launch rod  162  onto track set  100 . Likewise, as launch rod  162  is pulled forward, loader spring  191  pulls actuator plate  190 , and thus pusher  182 , back to the launch position of  FIG. 13 a    and allows the toy vehicle to return to loader base section  240  in preparation for another launch. 
     Having now fully set forth the preferred embodiments and certain modifications of the concept underlying the present invention, various other embodiments as well as certain variations and modifications of the embodiments herein shown and described will obviously occur to those skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with said underlying concept. It should be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically set forth herein.