Abstract: Disclosed is a launcher for a toy vehicle having a biased carriage that holds a toy vehicle as a drive wheel on the toy vehicle is being energized, and that propels the energized toy vehicle forward and onto a toy racetrack when the biased carriage is released. A launcher housing includes a carriage capture and release assembly that remains in an armed, ready position until a toy vehicle is positioned on the carriage, a pull cord is inserted through the launcher housing and into engagement with the drive wheel on the toy vehicle, and the pull cord is thereafter withdrawn from the toy vehicle and the housing. After the pull cord is fully withdrawn, the carriage capture and release assembly releases the carriage, allowing a biasing member to propel the carriage forward so as to launch the energized toy vehicle. The launcher may be combined with a toy racetrack having various stunt features through which a toy vehicle may travel after its launch.

Abstract: Disclosed is a launcher for a toy vehicle having a biased carriage that holds a toy vehicle as a drive wheel on the toy vehicle is being energized, and that propels the energized toy vehicle forward and onto a toy racetrack when the biased carriage is released. A launcher housing includes a carriage capture and release assembly that remains in an armed, ready position until a toy vehicle is positioned on the carriage, a pull cord is inserted through the launcher housing and into engagement with the drive wheel on the toy vehicle, and the pull cord is thereafter withdrawn from the toy vehicle and the housing. After the pull cord is fully withdrawn, the carriage capture and release assembly releases the carriage, allowing a biasing member to propel the carriage forward so as to launch the energized toy vehicle. The launcher may be combined with a toy racetrack having various stunt features through which a toy vehicle may travel after its launch.

Abstract: A toy track set is provided. The toy track set having: a vehicle path defined by a track and a gap disposed between a first end and a second end of the track; a catapult mechanism disposed within the vehicle path adjacent the first end, the catapult mechanism comprising: a platform member and a switch operably coupled to move the platform member from the second position to the first position. A catapult member having a first arm and a second arm rotationally coupled to the track, the first arm movable between a third position and a fourth position. A release mechanism is disposed adjacent the first end, the release mechanism having a trigger operably coupled to retain the catapult member in the third position.

Abstract: A toy track set is provided. The toy track set having: a vehicle path defined by a track and a gap disposed between a first end and a second end of the track; a catapult mechanism disposed within the vehicle path adjacent the first end, the catapult mechanism comprising: a platform member and a switch operably coupled to move the platform member from the second position to the first position. A catapult member having a first arm and a second arm rotationally coupled to the track, the first arm movable between a third position and a fourth position. A release mechanism is disposed adjacent the first end, the release mechanism having a trigger operably coupled to retain the catapult member in the third position.