Patent ID: 8517790

Claim:
A transforming vehicle and launch system, the system comprising: a vehicle with a sliding front segment, a sliding rear segment, two sliding side segments, a receiving cavity and multiple configurations including a first configuration and a second configuration; a launch mechanism with a rotating launch shaft in communication with a power drive system and a release button, the power drive system including an energy generation and energy storage means; a means to transform the vehicle between the multiple configurations including the first configuration and the second configuration; wherein, sliding the front segment and rear segment toward one another pushes the two side segments outward and directs a central shaft downward to extend below a plane of the vehicle's base housing and locks in position to define the second configuration; the receiving cavity further being shaped to facilitate receipt of the launch shaft and a transfer of energy from the power drive system to the vehicle when the launch shaft rotates; and wherein, energy generated and stored in the power drive system is transferred to the second configuration via the rotation of the launch shaft when the release button is triggered such that the vehicle separates from the launch shaft and spins on the central shaft.