TOY

Abstract

A toy having: a main body portion, the main body portion defining a receiving area; a member configured to be received within the receiving area; a mechanism for releasably securing the member in the receiving area, wherein the mechanism has a pair of arm members each having a protrusion for releasably engaging a detent on the member.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/710,163 filed Oct. 5, 2012, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto.

BACKGROUND

Various embodiments of the present invention relate to a toy figure and an apparatus and/or method for launching the toy figure.

Toys or toy figures are desired by children and adults. Toys or toy figures that can slid, roll, move or otherwise traverse across a play surface provide an enhanced feature that is further desired by the user whether they be an adult or child. Still further, a unique feature that allows the toy or toy figure or combination thereof to move across the play surface in a distinctive manner may further enhance the user's experience.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a toy or toy figure or configured to traverse along a play surface as well as a method and/or apparatus for launching the same.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In one embodiment, the invention relates to a toy that has a main body portion, the main body portion defining a receiving area; a member configured to be received within the receiving area; a mechanism for releasably securing the member in the receiving area, wherein the mechanism has a pair of arm members each having a protrusion for releasably engaging a detent on the member.

In another exemplary embodiment, the invention relates to a combination of a toy and a figure. The toy has a main body portion defining a receiving area; a mechanism for releasably securing the figure in the receiving area, wherein the mechanism has a pair of arm members each having a protrusion for releasably engaging a detent on the figure and wherein the figure further comprises a weighted bottom portion and a pair of members rotatably secured to the action figure so that the figure can move upon a surface.

In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method for releasably retaining a figure in a toy. The method includes the steps of: biasing a pair of arm members into a first position, wherein each of the pair of arm members have a protrusion configured to be received within a detent of the figure when it is received within a receiving area of the toy; biasing a plunger into a first position; moving the plunger to a second position via actuation of an actuation member, wherein the plunger pushes the figure out of the receiving area when it is in the second position; and wherein the figure has a weighted bottom with a pair of members rotatably mounted to the weighted bottom of the figure so that the figure can move along a surface when it is pushed out of the receiving area.

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:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toy in a first configuration;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a toy of FIG. 1 in a second configuration;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the toy of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the toy of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are front view of the toy of FIG. 1 in the first and second positions; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a component or figure used with the toy of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a toy 10 is capable of transitioning from a first configuration 12 (see at least FIG. 1 and FIG. 5A) to a second configuration 14 (see at least FIG. 2 and FIG. 5B). In one embodiment, the toy 10 resembles an airplane or other flying vehicle. However, in other embodiments, the toy 10 may have different configurations.

The toy 10 has a main body portion 16. The main body portion 16 is configured to have a receiving area 18. Receiving area 18 is configured to releasably receive a member 20 in the receiving area. The toy 10 includes a mechanism 22 that releasably secures the member 20 in the receiving area 18.

In one non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the mechanism 22 (illustrated by the dashed lines in the attached figures) includes a pair of arm members 24 (see FIGS. 5A and 5B). Each arm member 24 is pivotally mounted to the main body portion 16 proximate to receiving area 18 and is configured for movement. The arm members 24 are movable between a first position (see at least FIG. 5A) in which a portion 26 of each arm member 24 is positioned within receiving area 18 and a second position (see at least FIG. 5B) in which the portion 26 of each arm member 24 is retracted or moved away from receiving area 18 through actuation of mechanism 22.

In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, portions 26 are used to retain member 20 within receiving area 18. Portion 26 is a protrusion configured to be received within a corresponding detent or recessed area 28 (see FIG. 6) located on either side of member 20.

Accordingly, as mechanism 22 is actuated, each arm member 24 moves from its first position in which protrusions 26 are received within detents or receiving areas 28 to the second position in which each protrusion is removed from detents or receiving areas 28. At this point, the member 20 is free to be removed or launched from receiving area 18.

The mechanism 22 also includes a plunger 30 that can move between a first position (see at least FIG. 5A) in which the plunger 30 is retracted from receiving area 18 and a second position (see at least FIG. 5B) in which the plunger 30 extends into the receiving area 18 through actuation of mechanism 22. The plunger is biased into its first position by a biasing member, such as spring 32. As the plunger 30 moves from the first position to the second position, the plunger 30 contacts member 20 and forces the member 20 out of receiving area 18. Simultaneously, the arm members 24 are moved from their first position to their second position. Similar to plunger 30, the arm members 24 are biased into their first position by biasing members, such as a pair of springs 34.

Movement of plunger 30 and the arm members 24 from their respective first positions to their respective second positions is achieved through movement of an actuation member 36 that is movably mounted to toy 10. Actuation member 36 is coupled to plunger 30 and the pair of arm members 24 via linkage members and/or cam members located within the main body portion 16 of toy 10. As illustrated in at least FIGS. 1 and 2, actuation member 36 is capable of movement from a first position (FIG. 1) to a second position (FIG. 2). Actuation member 36 is spring biased into the first position by a spring 38 received within main body portion 16.

Accordingly, as actuation member 36 is moved downwardly in the direction of arrow 40 in FIG. 1, plunger 30 moves into receiving area 18 while the protrusions 26 of the arm members 24 are retracted from area 18 as well as areas 28 of member 20. The movement of plunger 30 downward causes member 20 to be forced out of receiving area 18 in the direction of arrow 42 (see FIG. 2).

In addition, the main body portion 16 has a canopy 44 pivotally mounted thereto and configured for movement between a first position (see FIG. 1) in which the receiving area 18 and member 20 are covered by canopy 44 and a second position (see at least FIGS. 2, 4, 5A, 5B) in which the canopy 44 is moved upwardly in the direction of arrow 46 as member 20 is forced out of receiving area 18 via plunger 30.

In accordance with one embodiment, member 20 is configured to resemble a figure or character. Member 20 may be referred to as an action figure alternatively herein. Member 20 has a weighted bottom portion 48 such that the member 20 maintains a generally upright configuration when member 20 rests upon a surface 50. Member 20 is configured to roll along surface 50 via a pair of rotating members 52 secured to member or FIG. 20. The rotating members 52 are hemispheres or substantially hemispherical and are rotatably mounted to the weighted bottom portion 48 of member 20. Accordingly, the rotating members 52 allow member 22 roll upon surface 50 when a force is impacted thereon such as, a force applied by plunger 30 as the plunger 30 moves from the first position to the second position.

In addition and since member 20 has a weighted bottom portion 48, which in one non-limiting configuration has a curved surface, member 20 is capable of oscillating or wobbling as it travels or rolls along surface 50. Thereafter, the weighted bottom portion 48 causes member 20 to rest in an upright position.

Afterwards, a user can grasp member 20 and reinsert the member 20 back into receiving area 18 so that protrusions 28 engage recesses 28 on member 20. Then, the user can once again launch the member 20 from the receiving area 18 of the toy 10.

Receiving area 18 is open to surface 50 when the toy 10 is resting upon the surface 50. As such, the rotating members 52 are already resting on surface 50 or are in close proximity thereto such that when actuation button 36 is depressed, member 20 moves along surface 50.

In accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, member 20 can resemble a character from a story, book, movie, etc. and the toy 10 can be configured to resemble a vehicle related to the aforementioned story, book, movie, etc. For example and as illustrated in the attached FIGS. the toy 10 resembles a flying spacecraft and member 20 resembles a character from a movie. Of course, numerous other variations are contemplated to be within the scope of various embodiments of the present invention.

As used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another, and the terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item. In addition, it is noted that the terms “bottom” and “top” are used herein, unless otherwise noted, merely for convenience of description, and are not limited to any one position or spatial orientation.

The modifier “about” used in connection with a quantity is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., includes the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity).

In the preceding detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. However, those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details, that the present invention is not limited to the depicted embodiments, and that the present invention may be practiced in a variety of alternative embodiments. Moreover, repeated usage of the phrase “in an embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may. Lastly, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like, as used in the present application, are intended to be synonymous unless otherwise indicated.

Claims

1. A toy, comprising:

a main body portion having a receiving area;

a member configured to be received within the receiving area, the member having a first side, a second side, a first detent on the first side, and a second detent on the second side; and

a mechanism that releasably secures the member in the receiving area, wherein the mechanism has a pair of arm members, each arm member having a protrusion for releasably engaging one of the detents on the member.

2. The toy as recited in claim 1, wherein the member is a figure having a weighted bottom with a pair of hemispherical portions rotatably mounted to the weighted bottom.

3. The toy as recited in claim 1, wherein the receiving area is located at a forward end of the main body portion, and the receiving area is open to the forward end and a bottom of the main body portion.

4. The toy as recited in claim 3, wherein the arm members are spring biased into first positions in which its protrusion is located within the receiving area.

5. The toy as recited in claim 4, wherein the mechanism includes a plunger that moves between a first position and a second position, the plunger pushing the member out of the receiving area when the plunger is in its second position.

6. The toy as in claim 5, wherein the mechanism includes an actuation member movably mounted to the main body portion, the actuation member being coupled to the arm members and the plunger such that movement of the actuation member in a first direction causes the arm members to move from their first positions to their second positions and cause the plunger to move from its first position to its second position.

7. The toy as recited in claim 6, wherein the main body portion includes a canopy pivotally mounted thereto, and the canopy is configured to cover the receiving area when the member is received therein.

8. The toy as recited in claim 1, wherein the mechanism further comprises a plunger configured to move between a first position and a second position, wherein the plunger pushes the member out of the receiving area when the plunger is in the second position.

9. The toy as recited in claim 1, wherein the mechanism further comprises an actuation member movably mounted to the main body portion, the actuation member being coupled to the pair of arm members such that movement of the actuation member in a first direction will cause the pair of arm members to move from the first position to the second position.

10. The toy as recited in claim 1, wherein the main body portion further comprises a canopy pivotally mounted thereto, wherein the canopy is configured to cover the receiving area when the member is received therein.

11. The toy as recited in claim 1, wherein the pair of arm members are spring biased into the first position.

12. The toy as recited in claim 11, wherein the mechanism further comprises a plunger configured for movement between a first position and a second position, wherein the plunger is spring biased into the first position and the plunger moves the member out of the receiving area when it is in the second position.

13. The toy as recited in claim 12, wherein the member is a figure having a weighted bottom with a pair of hemispherical portions rotatably mounted to the weighted bottom, wherein the pair of members are configured to allow the figure to move upon a surface and each of the pair of members further comprise the detent configured for releasably engaging the protrusion.

14. The toy as in claim 13, wherein the receiving area is located at a forward end of the main body portion and the receiving area is open to the forward end and a bottom of the main body portion.

15. The toy as in claim 1, wherein the member is a figure having a weighted bottom with a pair of curved members rotatably mounted to the weighted bottom, wherein the pair of members are configured to allow the figure to move upon a surface and each of the pair of members further comprise the detent configured for releasably engaging the protrusion.

16. In combination, a toy and a figure configured for use with the toy, the toy comprising:

a main body portion defining a receiving area;

a mechanism for releasably securing the figure in the receiving area with a pair of arm members each having a protrusion for releasably engaging a detent on the figure;

a plunger for pushing the figure out of the receiving area; and

an actuator for moving the pair of arm members and the plunger so that the figure can be pushed out of the receiving area; and

wherein the figure has a weighted bottom with a pair of members rotatably mounted to the weighted bottom of the figure so that the figure can move along a surface when it is pushed out of the receiving area.

17. The combination as in claim 16, wherein the weighted bottom and the pair of members of the figure are configured to have a curved surface so that the figure can also wobble upon the surface.

18. The combination as in claim 16, wherein the pair of arm members and the plunger are spring biased into a first position.

19. The combination as in claim 16, wherein the toy further comprises a canopy pivotally mounted to the main body portion proximate to the receiving area.

20. A method for releasably retaining a figure in a toy, comprising:

biasing a pair of arm members into a first position, wherein each of the pair of arm members have a protrusion configured to be received within a detent of the figure when it is received within a receiving area of the toy;

biasing a plunger into a first position;

moving the plunger to a second position via actuation of an actuation member, wherein the plunger pushes the figure out of the receiving area when it is in the second position; and

wherein the figure has a weighted bottom with a pair of members rotatably mounted to the weighted bottom of the figure so that the figure can slide upon a surface when it is pushed out of the receiving area.