| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 446429000 | DISCRETE LAUNCHER, ACCELERATOR, OR RETARDER FOR TOY VEHICLE | 43 |
| 20080242193 | Toy Vehicle Booster and Track Set - A booster for accelerating toy vehicles. The booster includes a rotation source and first and second wheels operatively coupled to the rotation source. Each wheel includes a thin-walled member configured to engage toy vehicles passing between the wheels as the rotation source rotates the wheels in opposite directions. The thin walled member is characterized by an S-shape that allows the relative distance between the wheels to change, thereby accommodating differently sized vehicles. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080248715 | Toy launcher and method - A recreational toy launching assembly and method for launching a toy are provided. The launching assembly includes a wing member slidably disposed along a structure which is employed for launching a toy. The wing member is coupled to an elastic member that is engaged to the structure. The method for launching a toy includes sliding a wing member in an initial direction along a structural portion of a launching assembly which is coupled to a toy; and releasing the wing member, causing the wing member to travel in a direction opposed to or opposite the initial direction and the toy to launch in the initial direction. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080268743 | TOY TRACK SET AND RELAY SEGMENTS - A relay segment for a toy track set is provided, the relay segment having a trigger moveably secured to the relay segment proximate to a first vehicle track segment pivotally mounted to the relay segment for adjustable movement with respect to the relay segment, the trigger being capable of movement between a first position and a second position; and a launching element for launching a vehicle from the relay segment when the trigger is moved from the first position to the second position. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20090075556 | VEHICLE LAUNCHER ASSEMBLY - This invention sets forth a vehicle launcher assembly comprising an inner vehicle carried within an outer vehicle. The outer vehicle has movable panel components which allow an inner vehicle to be released from the outer vehicle when the panel components are opened. Operation of the toy assembly involves one actuation step to open the panels of the outer vehicle, and second actuation step to launch the inner vehicle. In one embodiment, the outer vehicle is in the form of a car and the inner vehicle is in the form of a motorcycle. The vehicle launcher assembly may also include projectile launchers. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090117821 | COMBINED TOY MODEL CATCHER/LAUNCHER - A combined toy model catcher/launcher includes a catching chute and a launching chute. An internal drive wheel is selectively rotated by a switch controlled by a user. When a toy model is received in the catching chute, it is put into tangential contact with an engaging surface of the drive wheel and is accelerated through a semi-circular shaped track around the drive wheel and ejected out the launching chute. Two or more catcher/launchers can be used in a free form environment without requiring tracks or other guide means to receive the toy model in the catching chute. An adjustable implementation allows for a change in angular directions between the catching and launching performed by the single device | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090253349 | Toy vehicle launching apparatus - Disclosed is a toy vehicle accelerating apparatus of a traveling toy, the toy vehicle accelerating apparatus including: a vehicle body including a tunnel-like passage piercing the vehicle body in a front-back direction to allow a toy vehicle to pass through the passage; a drive roller, at least a part of which projects to the passage to press the toy vehicle passing through the passage; a roller driving section to give a rotative force for accelerating the toy vehicle to the drive roller; and a power source for the roller driving section, wherein the toy vehicle accelerating apparatus accelerates the toy vehicle entering the passage from one side thereof with the drive roller to discharge the toy vehicle from the other side of the passage. | 10-08-2009 |
| 20100112896 | Corner Booster For Toy Vehicle Track Set - A corner booster for accelerating toy vehicles includes an entrance to which a toy vehicle enters the booster, and an exit from which the toy vehicle exits the booster. The entrance and exit are orientated so that the toy vehicle turns when traveling from the entrance to the exit. The corner booster further includes a booster member for applying a force to the toy vehicle. The force applied by the booster member increases the speed of the toy vehicle as the toy vehicle travels from the entrance to the exit. The corner booster includes a cocking mechanism that cocks the booster member with preloaded mechanical energy. The preloaded mechanical energy is used to move the booster member to apply the boosting force to the toy vehicle. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100159800 | TOY TRACK SET AND RELAY SEGMENTS - A relay for a toy is disclosed herein, the relay having: a first actuator configured to launch a first object into air; a second actuator; a release mechanism moveably secured to the second actuator for movement between a first position and a second position wherein movement of the release mechanism from either the first position towards the second position or the second position towards the first position by the first object causes the second actuator to propel a second object away from the second actuator. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100273394 | TOY TRACK SET AND RELAY SEGMENTS - A relay segment for a toy track set is provided, the relay segment having a trigger moveably secured to the relay segment proximate to a first vehicle track segment pivotally mounted to the relay segment for adjustable movement with respect to the relay segment, the trigger being capable of movement between a first position and a second position; and a launching element for launching a vehicle from the relay segment when the trigger is moved from the first position to the second position. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100291833 | TOY TRACK SET AND RELAY SEGMENTS - A relay for a toy is disclosed herein, the relay having: a first relay segment having an upper portion rotatably secured to a lower portion for movement between a first position and a second position with respect to the lower portion; a trigger coupled to the first relay segment, the trigger being configured for movement from a first position to a second position; a mechanism for retaining the upper portion in the second position after it has been rotated to the second position from the first position, the upper portion being spring biased towards the first position, wherein the mechanism releases the upper portion to allow for rotation movement of the upper portion to the first position from the second position, when the trigger is moved from the first position to the second position; a projectile launcher for launching a projectile into air after the release mechanism releases the upper portion and the upper portion is rotated to the first position from the second position; and a second relay segment, the second relay segment having a release mechanism for launching a portion of the second relay segment in the air as well as launching an object from the relay when the second relay segment is impacted by the projectile. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100304639 | TOY PLAYSET WITH A LAUNCHER AND A MATERIAL DISPENSER - In some examples, a toy vehicle playset for a toy vehicle is provided with a track assembly including a vehicle launcher operatively connected to a track. The track defines a travel path, and there is a dispensing assembly including a release mechanism positioned adjacent a portion of the track. A trigger assembly is operably connected to the vehicle launcher and the release mechanism so that activation of the trigger assembly may simultaneously activate the vehicle launcher and the release mechanism. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100311306 | Start switch for gravity-driven cars - This invention relates to gravity-driven car racing, specifically an improved electrical timing start switch for race tracks such as used in the popular Pinewood Derby race. The present invention eliminates the imprecise coupling between the mechanical release of start posts and the subsequent generation of an electrical timer start signal by a separate micro switch-based contact. The micro switch is eliminated and the start post trigger release mechanism itself is insulated and wired as a normally closed contact that will essentially immediately start the race timer when activated. The difference in the time the start posts begin to move and the time the trigger “switch” activates the timer is then reduced to an extremely short and precise time. This time is that for mechanical movement propagation from the trigger release point to the start posts, only about 20 millionths of a second for a one lane track. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100323582 | SMALL VEHICLE ENERGIZED ON HANDHELD LAUNCHER - A toy vehicle assembly that includes a toy vehicle coupled to a hand-held launcher. The launcher includes a manually rotated platform that is rotated by a user. Rotation of the platform causes a mechanism within the toy vehicle to store energy. The user can place the toy vehicle adjacent to a surface and release the vehicle from the launcher. The stored energy then propels the vehicle. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100330873 | TOY VEHICLE LAUNCHER - Described is a cartridge-loaded toy vehicle launcher track set capable of launching multiple toy vehicles across a variety of tracks. The launcher includes a cartridge for holding a plurality of toy vehicles. A launching mechanism is affixed with a launching body of the launcher for receiving a toy vehicle from the cartridge and launching the toy vehicle from the launching body. Additionally, a track connector is connected with the launching body such that a toy vehicle can be launched from the housing and onto the toy vehicle track when the track is connected with the track connector. In one aspect, a string spool is connected with the launching body such that a toy vehicle can be launched from the housing and onto a string when the string is pulled taut in front of the housing. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20110086574 | VIRTUAL LOOP PERFORMANCE TRACK FOR TOY VEHICLES - A toy vehicle track set is provided. The track set, designed to be used with non-motorized toy vehicle, enables a toy vehicle to travel in a vertical loop without a loop track segment. The track set includes base with an entrance ramp and an exit ramp that enables a toy vehicle to enter and exit a vehicle carrier located at the end of a pendulum arm. The pendulum arm rotates in a vertical loop as a result of the kinetic energy of the toy vehicle and the spring energy of a coil spring located in an axle that couples the pendulum arm to a pillar. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110092132 | TOY TRACK SET AND RELAY SEGMENTS - A relay segment for a toy track set, the relay segment having: an incoming track segment pivotally mounted to the relay segment for adjustable movement with respect to the relay segment in a first plane; a trigger movably mounted to the relay segment for movement between a first position and a second position, the trigger being located proximate to the incoming track segment such that a portion of the trigger is positioned above the incoming track segment, wherein the portion moves away from the incoming track segment as the trigger is moved from the first position to the second position; and a launching element for launching a vehicle away from the relay segment when the trigger is moved from the first position to the second position. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110124265 | TOY TRACK SET AND RELAY SEGMENTS - Disclosed herein is a relay for a toy track set, the relay having: a first actuator; a second actuator; an object movably secured to the relay for movement from a first elevated position to a second lower position; a first trigger moveably secured to the first actuator for movement between a first position and a second position wherein movement of the trigger from the first position towards the second position causes the actuator to release the object from the first elevated position such that the object travels towards the second lower position; and a second trigger coupled the second actuator wherein movement of the second trigger launches an object from the second actuator, wherein the second trigger is moved when the object is at the second lower position. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110212667 | Toy Vehicle Booster and Track Set - A booster for accelerating toy vehicles. The booster includes a rotation source and first and second wheels operatively coupled to the rotation source. Each wheel includes a thin-walled member configured to engage toy vehicles passing between the wheels as the rotation source rotates the wheels in opposite directions. The thin walled member is characterized by an S-shape that allows the relative distance between the wheels to change, thereby accommodating differently sized vehicles. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110263179 | TOY VEHICLE AND METHOD OF LAUNCHING - A toy vehicle configured to travel along a surface, the toy vehicle having: a main body portion; a plurality of wheels rotatably secured to the main body portion; a lower body portion having an elongated channel passing therethrough, the elongated channel having an open end at at least a forward end of the toy vehicle; an elastic member secured to an outer periphery of the lower portion such that the elastic member is disposed across the open end of the elongated channel; and a tab member pivotally secured to the toy vehicle, the tab member extending from a rear portion of the toy vehicle. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110269369 | TOY TRACK SET AND RELAY SEGMENTS - Disclosed herein is a relay for a toy track set, the relay having: a first actuator; a second actuator; an object coupling the first actuator to the second actuator, the object being releasably received on the first actuator and the object has a mechanism configured to retract a cord into the object, the cord being secured to the second actuator at one end and the mechanism at the other end; a trigger moveably secured to the first actuator for movement between a first position and a second position wherein movement of the trigger from the first position towards the second position actuates the mechanism of the object and the object moves towards the second actuator as the mechanism of the object retracts the cord into the object; and a trigger moveably secured to the second actuator for movement between a first position and a second position wherein movement of the trigger from the first position towards the second position launches an object from the second actuator, wherein the trigger secured to the second actuator moves towards the second position when the object is drawn towards the second actuator by retraction of the cord into the object by the mechanism. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110269370 | TRACK SET FOR TOY VEHICLES - A track set for toy vehicles is provided, the track set having: a platform defining a receiving area; a first track member being pivotally secured to the platform for movement about at a first axis, and a second track member being pivotally secured to the platform for movement about the first axis, the first and second track members each having a launcher for launching a toy vehicle towards the receiving area, the first track member defining a first movable path towards the receiving area and the second track member defining a second movable path towards to the receiving area; and an actuator configured to simultaneously activate the launcher of each of the first and second track members to propel at least one toy vehicle along at least one of the first and second movable paths toward the receiving area. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110294395 | TOY VEHICLE TRACK SET - In one exemplary embodiment, a toy track set for at least one toy vehicle is provided, the toy track set having: a track path; and a surface rotatably mounted to a base, wherein a portion of the surface comprises a portion of the track path and wherein as the surface rotates on the base the portion of the surface comprising the portion of the track path varies. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20120115393 | TOY PLAYSET - A play set configured for use with an item removably secured to a base item having a plurality of wheels and a ferromagnetic material disposed therein is disclosed herein, the play set having: a plurality of launchers each being configured to launch the item and the base item along one of a plurality of track segments, wherein each of the track segments terminate at a central area; and at least one magnet disposed in the central area, wherein the base item is attracted to the at least one magnet when it reaches the central area after traversing along one of the plurality of track segments. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120270472 | SMALL VEHICLE ENERGIZED ON HANDHELD LAUNCHER - A toy vehicle assembly that includes a toy vehicle coupled to a hand-held launcher. The launcher includes a manually rotated platform that is rotated by a user. Rotation of the platform causes a mechanism within the toy vehicle to store energy. The user can place the toy vehicle adjacent to a surface and release the vehicle from the launcher. The stored energy then propels the vehicle. | 10-25-2012 |
| 20130040533 | MINIATURE VEHICLE AND SET - In an aspect, the invention is directed to a set that includes a miniature vehicle that drives one or more wheels with an on-board motor that draws power from an on-board power source. A switch is provided to control the transmission of power from the power source to the motor. A first drive-related magnetically-responsive member is movable between first and second positions to control whether the switch is off or on. A second drive-related magnetically-responsive member is positionable to interact with the first drive-related magnetically responsive member to move the first drive-related magnetically-responsive member to the second position so as to close the switch. | 02-14-2013 |
| 20130040534 | CO2 MODEL CAR LAUNCHER - A CO2 gas-propelled model car launcher permits two or more model vehicles to be launched substantially simultaneously. Launching of the vehicles is achieved by moving a trigger plate sidewise which disengages a disc and thereby releases a firing pin whose forward movement punctures the CO2 cartridge. A height adjustment feature permits the launcher to accommodate model cars of different sizes. Multiple launchers may be ganged together and their trigger plates rigidly connected in such a way that sidewise movement of one trigger plate launches all of the model vehicles. | 02-14-2013 |
| 20130078887 | Toy Vehicle Playset and Color Changing Toy Vehicle - A toy vehicle playset has a color changing device or mechanism that can be used to activate a color change on a toy vehicle. In one embodiment, the playset includes a chamber configured to receive the toy vehicle. In another embodiment, the playset includes a launching mechanism that propels the toy vehicle along a track member and into a chamber. | 03-28-2013 |
| 20130109271 | Toy Track Set | 05-02-2013 |
| 20130225040 | Toy Vehicle Launching Ramp and Landing Ramp - A toy vehicle launching ramp and landing ramp is a toy vehicle track set that includes a launching ramp or track portion and a landing or receiving ramp or track portion. The toy vehicle track set also includes a booster or launcher which can propel or launch a toy vehicle onto the launching ramp, into the air, and onto the landing ramp. Further the set includes at least one elongate member with distance indicia, such that a user can measure the distance between the launcher and launching ramp, the launching ramp and receiving ramp, or some combination thereof. The toy vehicle track set enhances the play value of toy vehicle track sets by providing reliable and measurable jumps. | 08-29-2013 |
| 20130280987 | Toy Vehicle Launcher - A toy vehicle launcher is disclosed. The launcher includes a cavity configured for receiving a plurality of toy vehicles. Furthermore, the launcher includes a launching mechanism that launches a single toy vehicle while loading the next vehicle into the launching position in a single action. Additionally, the launching mechanism includes an actuator for triggering the launching of the toy vehicles. Moreover, the launcher is configured for easy access to the storage of the plurality of toy vehicles in the cavity. | 10-24-2013 |
| 20140057526 | TRANSFORMABLE TOY AND LAUNCHER - A toy set is provided including a reconfigurable toy capable of transitioning between a first configuration and a second configuration. The toy set also includes a launch mechanism having an activation means and a toy receiver. A propulsion mechanism transfers movement of the activation means to the reconfigurable toy to propel the reconfigurable toy in a second configuration from the launch mechanism along a propulsion axis. | 02-27-2014 |
| 20140248820 | ATTACHMENT FOR A TOY - The invention provides a toy with attachments, such as pieces of armour as described in the preferred embodiments, which can be removed from the toy by striking with a projectile or otherwise actuating a detachment mechanism. A biasing means such as a spring or other resilient member causes the attachments to be forced away from the toy when released, to simulate an explosion, and may act to enhance attachment to the toy prior to actuation. | 09-04-2014 |
| 20140256219 | ANGLED TOY VEHICLE LAUNCHER - A toy vehicle launch apparatus is described. The launch apparatus comprises a base, a vehicle tray, an actuator, a launch member, and a release controller. The vehicle tray is coupled to the base such that it is rotatable along a longitudinal axis relative to the base. The actuator, launch member, and release controller are coupled such that the launch member is configured to move between a ready position and a released position along a surface of the vehicle tray. The apparatus may also include a vehicle disposed on a surface of the vehicle tray and positioned in a launch position adjacent to the launch member. A combination toy vehicle transporter and launch apparatus and a method of launching a vehicle are also disclosed. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140315471 | MODEL MOTOR VEHICLE HIGHWAY SYSTEM - An elongated flexible open coil spring with spaced apart coils adapted to engage a guide pin on a slot car is placed in the slot of a model slot car track. Cars are positioned with their depending pins engaging the open coil spring to be carried around the track by a powered car held by and moving the open coil spring along the slot. | 10-23-2014 |
| 20140329436 | TOY VEHICLE, LAUNCHING APPARATUS THEREFOR AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME - A toy vehicle is disclosed that is configured to be driven by a pull cord that is inserted through the axle of a drive wheel of the toy vehicle, such that the drive wheel of the toy vehicle is energized through movement of the driving pull cord in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the direction of intended travel of the toy vehicle. This configuration allows a user to launch multiple toy vehicles arranged in a side-by-side arrangement using a single pull cord, and moreover by pulling such single pull cord through a single pull stroke. This configuration also allows the simultaneous launching of multiple toy vehicles aligned in a single row when multiple pull cords are provided an engage a single actuator to withdraw all such pull cords in a single pulling stroke. Launchers for use with such a toy vehicle, and methods of using the same, are also disclosed. | 11-06-2014 |
| 20150038048 | TOY PROJECTILE LAUNCHING SYSTEM - A toy projectile launching system including at least one launchable toy projectile, including at least one RFID tag, and a toy projectile launching apparatus, including a housing, a projectile launching mechanism, a projectile receptacle, and an RFID writer adapted to write tag data to the at least one RFID tag, wherein the toy projectile is adapted to be loaded into the projectile receptacle and launched by the projectile launching mechanism. | 02-05-2015 |
| 20150140895 | TRANSFERABLE POWER UNIT SYSTEM FOR TOYS - A power unit for a toy or a system of toys that can removable receive the power unit. The power unit comprises a drive gear that can provide rotational power to one or more driven components of a toy with which the power unit is associated. The drive gear can comprise multiple drive portions. The toys can comprise a wide variety of toy types. | 05-21-2015 |
| 20150343319 | TOY VEHICLE LAUNCHER AND TOY TRACK FOR USE THEREWITH - 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. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20160175724 | SINGLE PULL TOY VEHICLE LOADER AND LAUNCHER | 06-23-2016 |
| 20190143231 | Toy Vehicle Launcher | 05-16-2019 |
| 446430000 | Including helical spring or elastomeric strip | 3 |
| 20110244756 | Toy Projectile and Launch Device - A launch device, soft-body toy projectile, and system are provided, wherein balanced launch force tension is isolated from the body through the launch device. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20120264350 | Booster Mechanism for Toy Vehicle Track Set - A booster mechanism that can be wound or loaded for successive boosts of toy vehicles is disclosed. The booster mechanism includes multiple spaced apart booster arms that engage toy vehicles that activate the booster mechanism. | 10-18-2012 |
| 20160038844 | TOY LAUNCHER - Disclosed herein is a toy launcher including a base having a slot and a housing movably coupled to move along the slot. The housing has a latch pivotally coupled to the housing and the latch has a first portion and a second portion. The weight of the first portion of the latch is greater than the weight of the second portion of the latch. The second portion of the latch engages with a toy and the first portion of the latch corresponds to a rear portion of the toy. A first engagement element is coupled to the base near a first end of the base and a second engagement element is coupled to the housing and movable along the slot. The second engagement element is configured to couple with the first engagement element to retain the housing in a fixed position against a force of a biasing member. A release mechanism is coupled to the base. The release mechanism is configured to disengage the first engagement element from the second engagement element so that the biasing member moves the housing and the latch away from the first engagement element and the latch pushes the toy to launch the toy from the base. | 02-11-2016 |
