GB2133711A

GB2133711A - Exploding toy e.g. a target ship

Info

Publication number: GB2133711A
Application number: GB08301102A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roy Edward Semark
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-01-15
Filing date: 1983-01-15
Publication date: 1984-08-01
Also published as: GB8301102D0

Abstract

A toy comprising an assembly of separate pieces arranged together with resilient means 5,6, such as a compressible coil spring, within the assembly which can be deformed and released to cause the assembly to explode into its separate pieces. Thus, the toy may be repeatedly assembled, destroyed and reassembled. Preferably, the destruction of the toy is brought about by another "attacking" toy which releases the deforming force applied to the resilient means. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Exploding toy The present invention relates to toys and in particularto a multi-component toy which can be repeatedly assembled, destroyed and re-assembled.

The invention is especially applicable to "military" toys such as ships, aircraft, tanks or spacecraft which comprise, for example, five to fifteen pieces which are readily separable after assembly.

Thus, the present invention provides a toy comprising an assembly of separate constituent pieces arranged together and resilient means enclosed partly or wholly within the assembly which may be deformed and released to cause the assembly to explode into its constituent pieces.

The invention also provides a method of exploding a toy comprising an assembly of separate constituent pieces arranged together in which resilient means are partly or wholly enclosed within the assembly and deforming and releasing the means to cause the assembly to explode into its constituent pieces.

Further, the invention provide a toy consisting of a kit of two co-operating parts, a first part comprising an assembly of separate constituent pieces arranged together and resilient means enclosed partly or wholly within the assembly which may be deformed and released to cause the assembly to explode into its constituent pieces, and a second part comprising actuating means to cause the resilient means of the first part to be released after deformation.

In order that the constituent pieces of the toy may be readily exploded by the resilient means they must be loosely and not tightly assembled together.

The resilient means must clearly be capable of regaining its original shape or position very quickly following the removal of a restraining force, and preferably such means comprise a compressible coil spring which may be secured in its compressed state for subsequent instant release. Alternatively, a semirigid elastomeric material may be similarly employed, e.g. derived from natural or synthetic rubber.

Desirably, the resilient means is enclosed wholly within the assembly of constituent pieces and is not visible once the toy has been assembled. Depending upon the manner in which the toy is assembled the resilient means may act directly on the constituent pieces or preferably indirectly via a unitary mounting for the pieces.

The resilient means should be sufficiently resilient to provide the necessary motive force on its release after deformation to destroy the toy, i.e. to cause the assembled pieces of the toy "to fly apart", while at the same time being easily deformable so that a child may, for example, compress the resilient means to the extent necessary.

Advantageously, a longitudinal coil spring similar to that used in a conventional "mouse trap" may be employed, which, as in the case of such a trap, is torsionally compressed by the rotation of lever means which is then secured "against" the potential energy of the spring. Such lever means may be released by a trigger mechanism operable externally of the toy either directly, for example, by the hand, or preferably indirectly, by another "attacking" toy.

Once released the lever means under the influence of the spring may be employed directly or indirectly to explode the pieces of the assembled toy.

When another toy is employed to co-operate with and to actuate the spring retaining trigger it may typically take the form of a spring projected "missile". For example, a cylindrically-shaped "missile" may be loaded into the barrel of a gun where it compresses resilient means such as a spring and is located by a detent mechanism. When released, the missile, if correct contact is made with the trigger mechanism of the assembled toy, will actuate the "exploding" mechanism of the toy causing its destruction.

The invention may be further described, by way of example only, by reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a toy naval destroyer partly cut away to show the resilient means and trigger mechanism; and Figure 2 is a plan view of the destroyer of Figure 1 with the superstructure removed to reveal the same resilient means and trigger mechanism.

Referring to the Figures, a conventional war ship superstructure 1 comprising a number of easily separable constituent (pin located) pieces is mounted on a unitary deck 2, which in turn is similarly mounted on a base 3. Resilient means 4 in the form of a compressible "mouse trap" coil spring 5 and U-shaped lever 6 are mounted in a central part of the base in combination with lever retaining trigger means 7. Such means comprise a rotatable, cylindrical spindle 8 from which projects an Lshaped pin 9 for locating the lever 6 after its "rotation against" and torsional compression of the coil spring 5. The "height" of the lever 6 is arranged so that 6 is arranged so that upon rotation (through 180 ) from its starting position to its operable position and vice versa, it will describe an arc passing outside of the base 3 in which it is mounted.

The spindle 8 is also movable in an axial direction (as indicated by arrows) so that the pin 9 can readily be engaged with the lever 6 (shown in dotted outline) and disengaged, therefrom.

An exposed button head 10 at one end of the spindle 8 projects from the side of the ship (i.e.

externally of the ship) when the lever 6 is in the operable position, so that a slight push on the head 10 towards the ship will cause the pin 9 to instantly release the lever 6 allowing it to rotate to its starting position.

Thus, when released from its operable position (shown in dotted outline) with the deck 2 in position, the lever 6 will strike the lower side of the deck throwing it and anything mounted on it, away from the base, effectively exploding and destroying the ship, which may then be reassembled and the spring reset as described.

As already suggested, the head 10 may be manually operated, but preferably it is actuated by a "missile", e.g. a torpedo or shell, fired from an attacking toy such as a submarine in the case of a torpedo, or a gun when used against a tank. In such instances the "missile" may readily be fired by a compressed longitudinal coil spring retained until released by a conventional detent mechanism.

The toy may be simply and cheaply manufactured from plastic, wooden and metal parts and its method of construction and operation has been found to be sufficiently robust to provide a reliable and long lasting toy.

It will be appreciated that a number of the mechanical functions described above may, alternatively, be executed by corresponding electrical/ electronic means.

The parts of the toy may also be especially shaped and/or coloured for educational purposes

Claims

1. A toy comprising an assembly of separate constituent pieces arranged together and resilient means enclosed partly or wholly within the assembly which may be deformed and released to cause the assembly to explode into its constituent pieces.

2. Atoy according to Claim 1 in which the resilient means comprises a compressible coil spring.

3. A toy according to Claim 2 in which the spring is torsionally compressible.

4. Atoy according to Claim 1 in which the resilient means comprises an elastomeric material.

5. A toy according to any one of the preceding claims in which the resilient means is enclosed wholly within the assembly of pieces.

6. A toy according to any one of the preceding claims in which the resilient means acts indirectly on the assembly of pieces.

7. A toy according to any one of the preceding claims in which the resilient means after deformation is released by a mechanism operable externally of the toy.

8. A method of exploding a toy comprising an assembly of separate constituent pieces arranged together in which resilient means are partly or wholly enclosed within the assembly and deforming and releasing the means to cause the assembly to explode, into its constituent pieces.

9. A toy consisting of a kit of two co-operating parts, a first part comprising an assembly of separate constituent pieces arranged together and resilient means enclosed partly or wholly within the assembly which may be deformed and released to cause the assembly to explode into its constituent pieces, and a second part comprising actuating means to cause the resilient means of the first part to be released after deformation.

10. A toy substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

11. A method of exploding a toy substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A toy consisting of a kit of two co-operating parts substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.