Patent ID: 7594843

Claim:
A toy for rotating and launching an object, comprising: a housing; a launcher extending from the housing, the launcher configured to impart a rotary motion to an object, wherein the launcher comprises a driving element configured to engage a receiving element, the receiving element attached with an object to form a drive connection, such that when the driving element engages the receiving element, the object is rotationally accelerated in one direction, and wherein once the driving element ceases to accelerate the receiving element, the receiving element disengages from the driving element and releases the object from the drive connection; a launcher rotating system mounted inside the housing and connected with the launcher, the launcher rotating system configured to impart a rotary motion to the launcher; an interactive device connected with the housing, the interactive device being configured to provide an output in response to a user imparting a rotary motion to the object wherein the launcher rotating system comprises a series of interconnected gears and axles, the gears and axles capable of rotating the launcher; wherein the series of interconnected gears and axles comprises an output axle connected with the launcher, the output axle coupled with an output gear, the output gear drivingly connected with an input gear on an input axle, the input axle connected with an input pinion, the input pinion in drivingly connected with a gear rack, said gear rack movably mounted in a guideway in the housing, said gear rack capable of moving to rotate the input pinion and thereby rotate the launcher rotating system; and a stopper mechanism formed with teeth to interlock with the gear rack to prevent the gear rack from moving, wherein the stopper mechanism is rotationally attached with the input axle of the launcher rotating system.