Patent Publication Number: US-2013231027-A1

Title: Action toy and playset

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent application No. 61/528,274, filed Aug. 29, 2011, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
     This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/451,999 filed Apr. 20, 2012, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/477,868, filed Apr. 21, 2011, the contents each of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Play sets and toy figures are popular toys which are known to provide entertainment and excitement to a user. To bring increased entertainment and excitement to toy figures and play sets it is desirable to provide a toy figure and/or play set that provide a variety of configurations not previously presented. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     In one exemplary embodiment a toy figure is provided, the toy figure having: a main body portion; and a pair of leg members extending from the main body portion, wherein each of the pair of leg members has an enlarged rounded feature at a distal end and wherein the enlarged rounded feature is provided with a mass sufficient to self right the toy figure into a vertical orientation regardless of the initial orientation of the toy figure. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, a toy figure and an apparatus for launching the toy figure is provided, the toy having: a main body portion; and a pair of leg members extending from the main body portion, wherein each of the pair of leg members has an enlarged rounded feature at a distal end and wherein the enlarged rounded feature is provided with a mass sufficient to self right the toy figure into a vertical orientation regardless of the initial orientation of the toy figure. 
     In yet another embodiment, a combination of a toy figure and an apparatus for launching the toy figure from the apparatus is provided, the toy figure having: a main body portion; a pair of leg members extending from the main body portion, wherein each of the pair of leg members has an enlarged rounded feature at a distal end and wherein the enlarged rounded feature is provided with a mass for self-righting the toy figure into a vertical orientation regardless of the initial orientation of the toy figure; and wherein the apparatus is a vehicle having a deployable launching mechanism configured to receive the toy figure therein. 
     In still yet another embodiment, a toy figure is provided. The toy figure having a main body portion; a pair of leg members extending from the main body portion, wherein each of the pair of leg members has an enlarged rounded feature at a distal end and wherein the enlarged rounded feature is provided with a mass for self-righting the toy figure into a vertical orientation regardless of the initial orientation of the toy figure; and a pair of appendages extending from the main body portion, wherein the pair of appendages are formed from a flexible resilient material such that the pair of appendages can be moved from a first position to a second position and wherein the resilient characteristics of the flexible resilient material causes the pair of appendages to return to the first position from the second position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and/or other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein: 
         FIGS. 1A-1D  are perspective views of a toy figure in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates movement of the toy figure in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 3A-3D  are additional views of the toy figure; 
         FIGS. 4A-4C  are views illustrating an alternative exemplary embodiment; 
         FIGS. 5A-7  are views illustrating still various alternative embodiments; 
         FIGS. 8A-8D  are views illustrating yet another alternative embodiment; 
         FIGS. 9A-9M  are views illustrating still yet another alternative embodiment; 
         FIGS. 10A-10C  are views illustrating yet another alternative embodiment; 
         FIGS. 11A-11E  are views illustrating yet another alternative embodiment; 
         FIGS. 12A-12E  are views illustrating yet another alternative embodiment; 
         FIGS. 13A-13F  are views illustrating yet another alternative embodiment; 
         FIGS. 14A-15B  are views illustrating still other alternative embodiments; 
         FIGS. 16A-16B  are views illustrating yet another alternative embodiment; 
         FIGS. 17A-17K  are views illustrating yet another alternative embodiment; 
         FIGS. 18A-18G  are views illustrating yet another alternative embodiment; and 
         FIGS. 19A-19F  illustrate still other various alternative embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the attached FIGS. various exemplary embodiments of a toy figure and toy configured for use with the toy figure are illustrated.  FIGS. 1A-3D  illustrate one exemplary embodiment of a toy  figure 10 . Toy  figure 10  has a main body portion  12  and a pair of appendages or leg members  14  each of which has an enlarged rounded foot or features  16  that are weighted or provided with a mass to self right the  figure 10  regardless of the initial orientation of the  figure 10 . Each foot or feature  16  will have a curved surface  18  to achieve the self righting feature of the toy  figure 10 . Accordingly and by having the majority of the weight of the  figure 10  located at its lower portions (e.g., legs and/or feet or features  16 ) the toy  figure 10  will self right itself regardless of the initial position of the toy  figure 10 . 
     In one embodiment, the portion of the toy  figure 10  resembling the rounded foot or features  16  is constructed out of a denser material than the material used for the rest of the toy  figure 10  such that the majority of the weight of the  figure 10  is located in the foot portion  16  of the toy  figure 10  in order to provide the self righting feature in combination with the rounded surfaces of the foot or features  16 . 
     In addition, the toy  figure 10  will further comprise a pair of appendages or arms  20  that extend from the main body portion  12 . In one embodiment the arms or appendages  20  are configured to have a distal end resembling a hand  22 . In one embodiment, the hand is configured to releasably grasp an implement  24  such as the axe or radio illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  which are contemplated for use with a toy  figure 10  resembling a fireman. 
     Of course, the aforementioned features are merely provided as examples and the various embodiments of the present invention contemplate numerous alternatives. In one embodiment, the toy  figure 10  can be constructed out of easily molded materials such as plastic wherein the necessary weights or materials for the self righting feature can be inserted into the mold and/or denser materials may be used in appropriate locations of the mold. Still further, the arms or appendages or portions thereof can be formed from a flexible resilient material that allows the same to be deflected from a first position to second position and returned on its own to the first position or original configuration. Non-limiting suitable examples include but are not limited to polymers, rubber (nature and synthetic), elastomers, combinations thereof, or any equivalent material capable of being moved from a first position to a second position and then returns back to the first position due to the inherent resilient characteristics of the material. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1C and 1D , the toy  figure 10  is shown rocking backwards ( FIG. 1C ) and forwards ( FIG. 1D ) thus when a force is applied to the toy  figure 10  the enlarged foot portions or features  16  and the concentration of the majority of the weight of the toy  figure 10  being located at a lower portion of the same will cause the toy  figure 10  to reciprocate back and forth until it ultimately is at rest and is in the vertical orientation such as the orientation illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . For example and as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the toy  figure 10  is shown traveling along a trajectory  26  wherein the toy  figure 10  performs a series of rotations in the air until it contacts a surface  28  and the weight of the toy  figure 10  in conjunction with the curved surfaces  18  of the enlarged foot portion or feature  16  causes the toy  figure 10  to ultimately rest in a vertical orientation. 
     In addition, a waist portion of the toy  figure 10  can be formed from a flexible resilient material (as mentioned above) that allows one portion of the toy figure to be deflected from a first position to second position and returned on its own to the first position or original configuration. This portion may be in addition to or in lieu of the flexible appendages or appendages formed from flexible resilient materials. 
       FIGS. 3A-3D  illustrate various (front, back and side) views of the toy  figure 10 . In an alternative embodiment, the upper appendages or arms  20  are rotatably or pivotally secured to the main body portion  12  via a shaft  21  or any other equivalent means (e.g., ball and socket, etc.) for rotatably or movably mounting the upper appendages or arms to the main body portion  12 . Here, the upper appendages or arms  20  are configured and positioned and perhaps weighted such that as the toy  figure 10  reciprocates back and forth in the directions of arrows  30 , the upper appendages or arms  20  are free to rotate with respect to the main body portion  12 . Accordingly and as the toy  figure 10  and main body portion  12  move in the directions of arrows  30 , the arms or appendages  20  remain in substantially the same position with respect to a horizon or the surface the toy  figure 10  is resting on or rocking back and forth on. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the main body portion  12  is pivotally or movably secured to the lower appendages or leg members  14  and the upper appendages or arms  20  are fixedly secured to the main body portion  12  such that as the toy  figure 10  moves back and forth in the directions of arrows  30 , the main body portion  12  via the weight of the upper appendages or arms  20  is maintained in a substantially vertical orientation with respect to the horizon as the toy  figure 10  reciprocates back and forth in a directions of arrows  30 . 
     For example and referring now to  FIGS. 4A-4C , toy  figure 10  is illustrated with an articulated torso or main body portion  12  wherein the appendages or arms  20  are weighted such that the weighted arms will keep the torso or main body portion  12  of the  figure 10  upright, generally upright or perpendicular to a horizon the lower portion of the  figure 10  is resting on, as the lower appendages or leg members  14  of the  figure 10  wobbles back and forth. Alternatively, only the arms  20  themselves will remain upright, generally upright or perpendicular to the horizon the lower appendages or leg members  14  of the  figure 10  is resting on. In addition and in any of the aforementioned embodiments, the toy  figure 10  may further comprise a head portion  32  that is attached to the torso or main body portion  12  by a spring  34  or other equivalent member thereby creating a “bobble head” effect. In any of the aforementioned embodiments, it is also contemplated that the toy  figure 10  may comprise a single weighted rounded foot or feature as an alternative to the pair of weighted rounded feet or features. 
     Still further and in another alternative embodiment and in conjunction with any of the aforementioned toy  figure 10  embodiments, the same may be used with an apparatus  50  (e.g., toy vehicle, car, truck, airplane, etc.), wherein the toy  figure 10  is launched from the apparatus  50  and upon hitting a surface the toy  figure 10  reorients itself until it is situated upright. 
     For example and as illustrated in  FIGS. 5A-5C , the apparatus  50  is an airplane and the toy  figure 10  is ejected from the airplane by a spring biased mechanism. As illustrated, the toy  figure 10  can travel through the air, rotate and land on a surface  28  in any orientation even headfirst and still reorient itself until it becomes upright. 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate another alternative embodiment wherein apparatus  50  is a land-based vehicle for example, a fire truck, tank or any type of vehicle or other type of toy wherein the toy  figure 10  is releasably retained by a launching mechanism  52  that is actuated upon movement of a button or lever  54 . Upon actuation of the lever  54 , the toy  figure 10  is launched from the apparatus  50  and travels through the air and lands on a surface  28  wherein the toy  figure 10  will reorient itself regardless of the position it was in upon first impact with the surface. In this illustrated embodiment, the toy  figure 10  is releasably retained at a forward end of the apparatus  50  of course, numerous alternative locations are contemplated to be within the scope of the various embodiments of the present invention. 
     Still further and referring now to  FIG. 7 , yet another apparatus  50  is illustrated. Here the toy vehicle or any other configuration is provided with a launching mechanism resembling a cannon  52  and the toy  figure 10  is launched therefrom upon actuation of a button or lever  54  of a spring biased or equivalent launching mechanism. Once again, the launching mechanism is released upon actuation of button or lever  54  such that the toy  figure 10  is launched from the cannon  52 . As mentioned herein, the launching mechanism may comprise any type of mechanism (e.g., spring biased, pneumatic, mechanical, etc.) wherein potential launching energy is stored and subsequently released to launch the toy figure upon actuation of a trigger, actuator, etc. that is coupled to the launching mechanism. In other words, actuation of the trigger coupled to the launching mechanism releases or converts the potential energy into kinetic energy for launching of the toy  figure 10  from the apparatus  50 . 
     In still another alternative embodiment, the apparatus may be provided with a plurality of toy figures that can be sequentially launched from by the launching mechanism wherein the plurality of toy figures after being launched from the apparatus will self right themselves on a surface. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8A-8D , another apparatus  50  for use with toy  figure 10  is illustrated. In this embodiment apparatus  50  is configured to resemble a spaceship and has a grabbing mechanism  70  that can be deployed from an opening  72  in a housing  74  of apparatus  50 . Grabbing mechanism  70  is capable of movement from a stowed position ( FIGS. 8A-8B ) to a deployed position ( FIG. 8C ) and an intermediary grasping position ( FIG. 8E ), wherein the toy  figure 10  is captured between a pair of claw members of the grabbing mechanism  70 . Grabbing mechanism  70  is actuated between the various positions using a lever  76  that is slidably mounted to a portion of the housing  74  and coupled to the grabbing mechanism via a linkage or other item coupling the lever  76  to the grabbing mechanism  70 . Accordingly and as the grabbing mechanism  70  is manipulated through the various positions the pair of claw members will open and close thus allowing the same to capture and release toy  figure 10 . In one exemplary embodiment, the lever  76  is configured to resemble a landing gear of the spaceship. Of course, numerous other configurations are considered to be within the scope of exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 9A-9J , another alternative configuration of apparatus  50  is illustrated. Here apparatus  50  is configured to resemble a land vehicle or a truck. In this embodiment, the apparatus  50  has a first launching mechanism  80  that is located at a forward portion of the vehicle. In this embodiment, a forward portion  82  of the vehicle is pivotally mounted to a main body portion  84  for movement between a first closed position and a second open position. The forward portion  82  is retained in the first closed position by a feature  86  that frictionally engages a feature  88  of a tray  90  that is slidably mounted within a cavity  92  of the vehicle proximate to forward portion  82 . As illustrated, tray  90  has a plurality of features or recesses  94  configured to receive the rounded foot portions of the toy figures  10 . This will allow the toy figures  10  to be stored within cavity  92  and rest upon slidable tray  90 . 
     In one embodiment, tray  90  is capable of movement between a first forward position illustrated in at least  FIG. 9D , wherein feature  88  is positioned to engage feature  86  when the forward portion  82  is pivoted into the closed position illustrated in at least  FIG. 9A  and a second rearward position illustrated in at least  FIG. 9C  wherein the tray and feature  88  are pulled away from feature  86  and forward portion  82  such that the same is now free to pivot forward into the second open position due to gravity. 
     In accordance with one embodiment, tray  90  is spring biased into the first forward position by a biasing member or spring  96 . In order to slide tray  90  back from the first forward position to the second rearward position, a slidable member  98  located at a rear portion of the vehicle is pulled by a user&#39;s hand. Slidable member  98  is coupled to tray  90  and movement of the tray to the second rear position from the first forward position by the slidable member will cause biasing member  96  to be compressed such that once the user releases the slidable member  98  the same will be drawn back into the vehicle due to the release of compressed spring or biasing member  96  and tray  90  will move forward towards the first forward position and stop abruptly once it has reached the first forward position. This abrupt stopping of tray  90  will cause toy figures  10  to be launched therefrom. 
     In other words, movement of the slidable member  98  away from the vehicle will disengage forward portion  82  and allow it to drop forward and the subsequent release of slidable member  98  will allow member  98  and tray  92  to spring forward due to the biasing force of spring  96 , such that toy figures  10  are launched from the vehicle. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 9E-G  another launching mechanism is illustrated. Here a catapult mechanism  100  is provided on a top surface of the vehicle. The catapult mechanism comprises an arm member  102  with a platform pivotally mounted to the vehicle. The platform has recesses or features configured to receive the rounded foot features of a toy figure therein. The arm member  102  and its associated platform are spring biased into a deployed position by a spring or other equivalent member, from an un-deployed position when a release button or catch  104  is depressed by a user thereby releasing the spring biasing force of the spring biasing the arm member  102  into the deployed position.  FIGS. 9E and 9F  illustrate the catapult mechanism in the un-deployed position while  FIG. 9G  illustrates it in the deployed position. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 9H-1  another feature of the apparatus  50  of this embodiment is illustrated. Here another vehicle  110  configured to receive toy  figure 10  therein is illustrated. Here vehicle  110  is releasably retained to a portion of apparatus  50  through a catch member  112  secured to a portion of a member  114  that is pivotally secured to vehicle  110  and is capable of movement between a first position wherein catch member  112  engages a portion of the vehicle or apparatus  50  and a second position wherein catch member  112  no longer engages the portion of the vehicle or apparatus  50 . When member  114  is pivoted to the second position, vehicle  110  is launched from vehicle or apparatus  50  by a member  116  that is capable of movement between a first position and a second position. Member  116  is spring biased into the first position by spring located on vehicle  110  and member  116  is moved to the second position wherein the spring located within the vehicle  110  is compressed such that movement of the member  114  to the second position allows member  116  to be spring biased to the first position and launch vehicle  110  from vehicle or apparatus  50 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, member  114  is pivoted into the second position when toy  figure 10  slides into vehicle  110  from an inclined surface  118  located proximate to vehicle  110  when it is secured to apparatus or vehicle  50 . 
     The vehicle or apparatus  50  illustrated in  FIGS. 9A-9M  has various other features including a projectile launching mechanism  120  that is pivotally secured to the vehicle about an axis  122  and has a platform with features configured to receive the rounded foot portions of a toy  figure 10  therein such that as the vehicle or apparatus  50  is moved along a surface the launcher mechanism  120  will pivot about axis  122  to provide enhanced play features or simulate movement of the vehicle. Still further, the vehicle or apparatus  50  illustrated in  FIGS. 9A-9M  also has additional features or recesses located along surfaces of the vehicle which are configured to receive the rounded foot features of toy figures  10  such that they can be placed in numerous locations on the vehicle. In addition, this vehicle will also have inclined surfaces configured to cause the toy figures  10  to slide from an elevated position to another position which may or may not be on the vehicle  50 . Still further, this vehicle will have deployable door members which provide access to cavities or receiving areas located within the vehicle. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 10A-10C  yet another apparatus or vehicle  50  configured for use with toy figures  10  is illustrated. Similar to the previous embodiment, the vehicle resembles a land-based vehicle. In this embodiment, the vehicle is configured to resemble a fire truck. 
     Similar to the previous embodiment, the vehicle will have a first launching mechanism  80  that is located at a forward portion of the vehicle wherein a forward portion  82  of the vehicle is pivotally mounted to a main body portion  84  for movement between a first closed position and a second open position and the forward portion  82  is retained in the first closed position by a feature that is released by a slidable tray mounted within a cavity of the vehicle and is spring biased to a forward position such that upon release of a slidable member  98  tray will move forward and launch toy figures from the forward portion of the vehicle. 
     In this embodiment however and when the slidable member is retracted away from the main body portion  84  of the vehicle  50 , a pair of platforms  130  coupled to the slidable member pivot outwardly away from the main body portion  84  of the vehicle  50 . This pivotal movement is illustrated in  FIGS. 10A-10C . Platforms  130  have recesses  132  configured to receive the rounded foot portions of toy figures  10  therein. In addition, and similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS.  9 A- 9 M, a catapult mechanism  100  is provided on a top surface of the vehicle.  FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate the catapult mechanism in a first un-deployed position while  FIG. 10C  illustrates the catapult mechanism in a deployed position wherein toy  figure 10  is launched from a platform  111  of the catapult in the direction of arrow  113  when a release button  104  coupled to the catapult mechanism of the vehicle is actuated. In addition and similar to the previous embodiment, this vehicle or apparatus is also configured to have a projectile launching mechanism that is pivotally secured to the vehicle about an axis and has a platform with features configured to receive the rounded foot portions of a toy figure therein such that as the vehicle or apparatus is moved along a surface the launcher mechanism will pivot about the axis to provide enhanced play features or simulate movement of the vehicle. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 11A-11E  yet another apparatus or vehicle  50  configured for use with toy figures  10  is illustrated. Similar to the previous embodiment, the vehicle has a launch mechanism  80  configured to launch toy figures from a forward portion of the vehicle in a similar fashion to those illustrated in the embodiments of  FIGS. 9A-10C . For example, a tray  90  having features or recesses configured to receive the rounded foot portions of the toy figures  10  is capable of movement between a first forward position illustrated in at least  FIG. 11D  to a second rearward position illustrated in at least  FIG. 11E  and wherein movement of the tray from the forward position, releases the closed forward portion  82  and compresses a spring such that a biasing force is provided to move the tray forward and cause toy figures  10  to be launched therefrom. In this embodiment, the catapult mechanism  100  is a platform  111  pivotally secured to the vehicle and is pivoted from a first un-deployed position ( FIGS. 11A and 11B ) to a second deployed position ( FIG. 11C ) when a slidable member  98  is extracted or pulled away from the vehicle to compress the spring of the launching mechanism  82 . 
     In addition and similar to the previous embodiments, this vehicle or apparatus is also configured to have a projectile launching mechanism that is pivotally secured to the vehicle about an axis and has a platform with features configured to receive the rounded foot portions of a toy figure therein such that as the vehicle or apparatus is moved along a surface the launcher mechanism will pivot about the axis to provide enhanced play features or simulate movement of the vehicle. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 12A-12E  yet another apparatus or vehicle  50  configured for use with toy figures  10  is illustrated. Similar to the previous embodiment, the vehicle resembles a land-based vehicle. 
     In this embodiment, a forward portion  82 ′ of the vehicle is configured to resemble a shovel or scooper portion pivotally mounted to a main body portion for movement between a first position ( FIGS. 12A and 12D ) and a second position ( FIG. 12B ) such that as the forward portion  82 ′ moves to be second position toy figures  10  captured therein will be deposited in a receiving area of a catapult mechanism  100 ′ that is configured to resemble a bucket. Movement of the forward portion  82 ′ is achieved by retracting a slidable member  98  coupled to the forward portion  82 ′ from the main body portion of the vehicle. In addition and similar to the previous embodiment, the slidable member  98  will be spring biased into the un-extracted position and upon release of the extracted slidable member  98  the bucket of the catapult mechanism will be pivoted into the deployed position illustrated in  FIG. 12C  such that toy figures  10  received therein will be launched from the vehicle. In addition and referring now to  FIG. 12  forward portion  82 ′ comprises a pair of members  83  pivotally secured to each other for movement between an open position and a closed position in order to assist forward portion  82 ′ in grabbing the toy figures  10  which will be deposited into the bucket of the catapult mechanism when forward portion  82 ′ is pivoted to the second position. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 13A-13E , yet another apparatus or vehicle  50  configured for use with toy figures  10  is illustrated. Here the apparatus is configured to resemble a hovercraft. In this embodiment and similar to the previous embodiments, a launching mechanism  80  comprising a forward portion  82  and a slidable tray  90  is also provided. In addition however, a pair of surface members  130 ′ pivotally secured to the vehicle  50  for movement between a first un-deployed position and a second deployed position are also provided. In this embodiment, the pair of surface members  130 ′ are inclined upwardly when slidable member  98  is extracted from the vehicle since they are also coupled to the slidable member  98 . Accordingly, toy figures resting thereon slide forward and off the surface members  130 ′, as illustrated in  FIGS. 13B-13C . When slidable member  98  is released the spring biasing force causes the launching mechanism  80  to launch toy figures from a slidable tray  90  located at the forward portion of the vehicle. 
       FIGS. 14A-15B  illustrate alternative vehicles  50  utilizing a launching mechanism  150  comprising a pivotally mounted platform or platforms  152  which are pivoted from a first position  FIG. 14A ,  15 A to a second position  FIG. 14B ,  15 B through actuation of an actuation button  154  wherein toy figures  10  located in recesses of the pivotally mounted platforms will be launched in a catapult-like fashion. The actuation button  154  is coupled to the launching mechanism  150  in order to provide the desired movement of the launching mechanism  150  when the actuation button  154  is depressed. 
       FIGS. 16A-16B  illustrate still yet another alternative vehicle  50  utilizing a grabbing mechanism  170  comprising a pair of pivotally mounted members  172  which are pivoted from a first position  FIG. 16A  to a second position  FIG. 16B , such that a toy  figure 10  can be grasped therein. In the illustrated embodiment, the pair of pivotally mounted members  172  are actuated by a pair of pivotally mounted wing members  174  of vehicle  50 , which in this embodiment is configured to resemble a flying vehicle. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 17A-17K  yet another apparatus or vehicle  200  configured for use with toy figures  10  is illustrated. In this embodiment, vehicle  200  is configured to resemble a spaceship. As illustrated in the figures vehicle  200  has a pair of arm members  202  pivotally secured to vehicle  200 . Each of the arm members  202  is pivotally secured to the vehicle  200  at one end and has a platform  204  at the opposing end. Platform  204  is configured to retain toy  figure 10  thereon and each platform  204  is rotatably or movably secured to arm member  202  such that as the vehicle  200  and/or arm member  202  moves about, platforms  204  may rotate into a desired orientation based upon the weighted toy  figure 10  located thereon. 
     As illustrated, each arm member is configured for movement between a first stowed position, wherein each platform and toy  figure 10  located thereon are received within a cavity of the vehicle  200 , which is enclosed by a door member  206  pivotally secured to the vehicle, and a second deployed position wherein each platform and toy  figure 10  located thereon extend away from the vehicle  200 . In one embodiment, the pair of arm members  202  are spring biased in the deployed position and are retained in the stowed position by a catch that is released when a user depresses an actuation button  208  located on the surface of the toy vehicle  200 . In one non-limiting embodiment, the actuation button  208  is coupled to the catch via a linkage or any other equivalent means. 
     In addition, toy vehicle  200  has a pair of pivotally mounted landing gear  210  such that the toy vehicle  200  can be placed on a surface  212  in an upright fashion ( FIGS. 17G-17K ). Also shown is that toy vehicle  200  has a plurality of cavities  214  each of which is enclosed by a pivotally mounted door  216  that is released through actuation of a release button  218  located on a surface of the vehicle  200 . Accordingly and when the vehicle is in the upright configuration and release button  218  is actuated, pivotally mounted doors  216  are opened and toy figures  10  received within cavities  214  can fall away from the vehicle onto the surface  212 , and ultimately retain an upright configuration as mentioned above, which provides enhanced toy play in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 18A-18G , yet another apparatus or vehicle  300  configured for use with toy figures  10  is illustrated. In this embodiment, vehicle  300  is configured to resemble a helicopter. Wherein a first actuation button or trigger  302  is depressed to open a door  304  coupled thereto and such that a toy  figure 10  can be deployed from the vehicle  300  and is attached thereto by a cable or string  306 . When the toy  figure 10  is deployed, a user may wind up the cable or string  306  by rotating the helicopter blades  308  such that string  306  is wound onto a spool coupled to the helicopter blades  308 , which are rotatably secured to the vehicle  300 . In addition and when a second trigger  310  comprising a portion of a tail fin of the helicopter is actuated, a trap door  312  of the vehicle  300  is released and toy  figure 10  may be dropped from vehicle  300 . In this embodiment, the toy  figure 10  is not secured to the vehicle  300  and is simply dropped from a cavity within the vehicle  300  that is accessed through an opening  314  located on an upper surface of the vehicle  300 , and a floor portion thereof consists of trap door  312  such that when trigger  310  is actuated toy figures  10  that are previously pass-through opening  314  into the cavity, will drop through trap door  312 . 
     In addition and similar to previous embodiments a launching mechanism  120  pivotally secured to the vehicle is provided. Similar to the previous embodiments, launching mechanism  120  will have a platform configured to receive a toy figure thereon such that movement of the vehicle  300  will cause pivotal movement of launching mechanism  120  due to the weight of the toy figure on the platform of mechanism  120 . In this embodiment, the platform of the launching mechanism is located within vehicle  300  and is accessible through a forward portion  382  that is pivotally secured to vehicle  300  such that access to the interior of the vehicle and the platform associated with launching mechanism  120  is possible. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 19A-19F , yet another apparatus or vehicle  300  configured for use with toy figures  10  is illustrated. In this embodiment, vehicle  300  is configured to resemble a helicopter. Wherein a first actuation button or trigger  302  is depressed to open a door  304  such that a toy  figure 10  can be deployed from the vehicle  300 . However and in this embodiment, the toy figure being launched from door  304  is not is attached thereto. 
     In this embodiment and when a second trigger  310  is actuated a trap door  312  of the vehicle is released and toy  figure 10  is capable of being dropped from vehicle  300 . In this embodiment, the toy figure that is dropped through the trap door is secured to the vehicle by a cable or string  306 , which can be wound back up by rotating the helicopter blades  308  rotatably secured to the vehicle  300 . Similar to the previous embodiment, a pivotally mounted launching mechanism  120  having a platform configured to receive a toy  figure 10  is provided. 
     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.