GB2599138A

GB2599138A - Two phase launcher mechanism

Info

Publication number: GB2599138A
Application number: GB2015232.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Moroso Marco; Arnold Chad
Original assignee: HTI Toys UK Ltd
Current assignee: HTI Toys UK Ltd
Priority date: 2020-09-25
Filing date: 2020-09-25
Publication date: 2022-03-30
Also published as: GB2599238B; GB2599238A; GB202113564D0; GB2599241B; GB202113753D0; GB202015232D0; GB2599241A

Abstract

The invention relates a two phase toy vehicle launcher configured that during the first phase the launcher is activated and during the second phase the launcher is reset. Both the first and second phases may be operated by the user pressing a single button (44, figure 32); the first phase being operated the first time button (44) is pressed and the second phase being operated the second time button (44) is pressed. The launcher may include a magazine having a plurality of receptacles 32, each receptacle 32 being adapted to house a single toy vehicle.

Description

TWO PHASE LAUNCHER MECHANISM

This invention relates a two phase launcher mechanism and a toy vehicle launcher incorporating the same

Background of the Invention

Toy vehicles are often provided with display or carry cases which have clear sides which are adapted to house and store the toy vehicle whilst allowing the toy vehicle within the display case to be viewed. Display and cases also exist where one can display a plurality of toy vehicles within a single display or carry case wherein dividers are provided to create separate compartments, each compartment being adapted to typically house and store a single toy vehicle whilst allowing the toy vehicle within the compartment of the display or carry case to be viewed.

Some toy vehicles are adapted to be launched across a surface or a specially designed track, such toy vehicles can include the type of toy vehicle where one or more ball bearings are provided on the underside thereof which are adapted to contact the surface to allow for movement of the toy vehicle across the surface wherein the one or more ball bearings act as wheels. In the case of these toy vehicles a separate launcher pad is required.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a two phase launcher mechanism configured that during the first phase the launcher is activated and during the second phase the launcher is reset.

Preferably the first and second phases are configured to be operated by a user via the same mechanism.

Preferably the first and second phases are configured to be operated by a user via a single button.

Preferably the first phase is operated the first time the single button is pressed, preferably the second phase is operated the second time the single button is pressed. Preferably after the single button is pressed the second time the operations are reset such that if it pressed a third time the first phase is operated and so on.

Preferably the launcher mechanism comprises an elongate shaft that extends from the button to a launch pad.

Preferably the elongate shaft is configured to move when the button is pressed. Preferably the elongate shaft is configured to move from a first position to a second position when the button is pressed the first time. Preferably the elongate shaft is configured to move from the second position to the first position when the button is released the first time.

Preferably the elongate shaft is configured to move from a first position to a second position when the button is pressed the second time. Preferably the elongate shaft is configured to move from the second position to the first position when the button is released the second time.

Preferably the elongate shaft is provided with a spring.

Preferably the launch pad comprises a front plate connected to a sprung rear support.

Preferably the front plate is connected to the sprung rear support by two cylinders.

Preferably the elongate shaft is provided with a protrusion.

Preferably the launch mechanism further comprises an arm provided adjacent the protrusion.

Preferably the arm is arranged to pivot.

Preferably the arm is provided with a protrusion.

Preferably the launch mechanism further comprises latch.

Preferably the latch is pivotally connected to the arm.

Preferably the latch is pivotally connected to the arm by means of a slot in the arm.

Preferably the latch is arranged to retain the sprung rear support of the launch pad in a charged position.

Preferably when the elongate shaft is arranged to move the protrusion provided on the elongate shaft is arranged to contact the protrusion located on the arm.

Preferably the arm is arranged to pivot when the protrusion provided on the elongate shaft contacts the protrusion located on the arm.

Preferably latch is arranged to pivot when the arm pivots.

Preferably the latch is arrange to release the sprung rear support of the launch pad during the first phase.

Preferably the latch is arrange to release the sprung rear support of the launch pad when the button is pressed the first time.

Preferably when the latch pivots the latch is arranged to release the sprung rear support of the launch pad Preferably elongate shaft is provided with two prongs.

Preferably the two prongs are provided with angled edges.

Preferably the sprung rear support is provide with angled edges.

Preferably the angled edges of the sprung rear support match the angled edges of the two prongs.

Preferably the angled edges of the two prongs are configured to meet the angled edges of the sprung rear support when the elongate shaft is moved from the first position to the second position during the second phase.

Preferably the angled edges of the two prongs are configured to engage the angled edges of the sprung rear support when the elongate shaft is moved from the first position to the second position when the button is pressed the second time.

Preferably when the angled edges of the two prongs engage the angled edges of the sprung rear support the sprung rear support is configured to be reset to the charged position.

Preferably when the angled edges of the two prongs engage the angled edges of the sprung rear support the sprung rear support, the sprung rear support is pushed back and reset into the charged position.

Preferably when the angled edges of the two prongs engage the angled edges of the sprung rear support the sprung rear support is configured to be reset to the charged position and the latch is configured to reengage the sprung rear support.

Preferably when the angled edges of the two prongs engage the angled edges of the sprung rear support the sprung rear support, the sprung rear support is pushed back and reset into the charged position and the latch is pivots back to reengage the sprung rear 20 support.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a toy vehicle launcher comprising a two phase launcher mechanism configured that during the first phase the launcher is activated and during the second phase the launcher is reset.

Preferably the elongate shaft is configured to move when the button is pressed. Preferably the elongate shaft is configured to move from a first position to a second position when the button is pressed the first time. Preferably the elongate shaft is configured to move from the second position to the first position when the button is released the first time. Preferably the elongate shaft is configured to move from a first position to a second position when the button is pressed the second time. Preferably the elongate shaft is configured to move from the second position to the first position when the button is released the second time.

Preferably the elongate shaft is provided with a spring.

Preferably the elongate shaft is provided with a protrusion.

Preferably the arm is arranged to pivot.

Preferably the arm is provided with a protrusion.

Preferably the launch mechanism further comprises latch.

Preferably the latch is pivotally connected to the arm.

Preferably latch is arranged to pivot when the arm pivots.

Preferably the two prongs are provided with angled edges.

Preferably the sprung rear support is provide with angled edges.

Preferably the toy vehicle combined launcher comprises a housing, and a magazine, the magazine comprising a plurality of receptacles, each receptacle being adapted to house a single toy vehicle.

Optionally the housing is provided with a plurality of display compartments, each adapted to house a single toy vehicle.

Preferably the housing is provided with an opening.

Preferably the opening is provided adjacent the launch pad.

Preferably the opening is provided with a hatch.

Preferably the hatch is adapted to function as a ramp when it is in the open position and a cover when it is in the closed position.

Preferably the hatch is provided with a ramp extender adapted to increase the length of the ramp when the hatch is in the open position Preferably the hatch is provided with ramp supports adapted to support the hatch as a ramp when the hatch is in the open position.

Preferably the magazine further comprises a retaining ring.

Preferably the plurality of receptacles are connected together by means of hinges to form a chain of receptacles Preferably the outer surface of the retaining ring is provided with grooves.

Preferably the hinges of the chain of receptacles are adapted to engage with the grooves provided on the outer surface of the retaining ring.

Preferably the hinges of the chain of receptacles are adapted to engage with the grooves provided on the outer surface of the retaining ring to retain the chain of receptacles in position about the retraining ring.

Preferably the final receptacle in the chain is hingedly connected to the retaining ring.

Preferably the retaining ring is provided with a spigot configured to extend from the inside of the housing to the outside of the housing through an aperture in the housing.

Preferably the spigot is connected to a knob provided on the outside of the housing.

Preferably when the knob is turned, the spigot and the retaining ring are also configured to be turned.

Preferably the internal surface of the retaining ring is provided with a plurality of ridges.

Preferably the launch mechanism further comprises a pawl.

Preferably the plurality of ridges are arranged to meet with the pawl.

Preferably the pawl is configured to allow rotation of the retaining ring in a first direction, but not in the opposite direction.

Preferably the pawl and ridges cooperate to provide a ratchet mechanism.

Preferably the pawl is connected to a bracket.

Preferably the bracket is provided with two elongate slots and two fixing means, with heads wider than the width of the elongate slots configured to extend through the slots to retain the bracket and to allow movement of the bracket about the fixing means within the length of the elongate slots.

Preferably the bracket is held in a biased sprung first position with a spring wherein the pawl is arranged to meet the plurality of ridges.

Preferably the bracket is further provided with a lip extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the bracket.

Preferably a protrusion is provided at the top of the elongate shaft adjacent the bracket.

Preferably during the second phase of the launcher mechanism when the button is depressed the protrusion provided at the top of the elongate shaft adjacent the bracket is arranged to meet with the lip of the bracket.

Preferably when the protrusion provided at the top of the elongate shaft adjacent the bracket meets with the lip of the bracket the bracket is configured to a second position, by movement of the bracket about the screws in the length of the elongate slots.

Preferably when the bracket moves to the second position the pawl is configured to no longer meet the plurality of ridges.

Preferably when the pawl is configured to no longer meet the plurality of ridges the pawl is configured to move from the side of one of the plurality of ridges where movement is prevented in the opposite direction to the side of one of the plurality of ridges where movement is allowed in the opposite direction.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

Figure 1 illustrates a front view of a toy cay launcher; Figure 2 illustrates a rear view of a toy car launcher; Figure 3 illustrates a side view of a toy car launcher; Figure 4 illustrates a side view of a toy car launcher; Figure 5 illustrates a front view of a toy car launcher; Figure 6 illustrates a view of the hatch; Figure 7 illustrates a view of the hatch with the ramp extended; Figure 8 illustrates a top view of the magazine; Figure 9 illustrates a view of the magazine in the rear portion of the housing; Figure 10 illustrates a bottom view of the magazine; Figure 11 illustrates a view of the magazine in the rear portion of the housing with the receptacles partially outside the housing; Figure 12 illustrates a view of the magazine in the rear portion of the housing with the receptacles fully outside the housing; Figure 13 illustrates a side view of the magazine in the rear portion of the housing illustrating the grooves; Figure 14 illustrates a view of the magazine in the rear portion of the housing illustrating hinges in the grooves; Figure 15 illustrates a view of the magazine in the rear portion of the housing illustrating hinges in the grooves; Figure 16 illustrates a top view of the receptacles; Figure 17 illustrates a bottom view of the receptacles; Figure 18 illustrates the top of the launch mechanism; Figure 19 illustrates the top of the launch mechanism; Figure 20 illustrates the top of the launch mechanism; Figure 21 illustrates the top of the launch mechanism; Figure 22 illustrates the button before the first phase; Figure 23 illustrates the button before the second phase; Figure 24 illustrates the inside front portion of the housing and the back of the display compartments; Figure 25 illustrates the inside front portion of the housing and the back of the display compartments; Figure 26 illustrates the top of the launch mechanism with the magazine in situ; Figure 27 illustrates the top of the launch mechanism with the magazine in situ; Figure 28 illustrates the top of the launch mechanism with the magazine in situ; Figure 29 illustrates the top of the launch mechanism with the magazine in situ; Figure 30 illustrates an isolated image of a side view the button, elongate shaft and launcher pad components of launch mechanism; Figure 31 illustrates an isolated image of a side perspective view the button, elongate shaft and launcher pad components of launch mechanism; Figure 32 illustrates an isolated image of a rear perspective view the button, elongate shaft and launcher pad components of launch mechanism; Figure 33 illustrates an isolated image of a front perspective view the button, elongate shaft and launcher pad components of launch mechanism; Figure 34 illustrates a view of the launch mechanism in situ in the housing; Figure 35 illustrates a view of the launch mechanism in situ in the housing; Figure 36 illustrates a view of the launch mechanism in situ in the housing; Figure 37 illustrates a view of the launch mechanism in situ in the housing; Figures 38 and 39 illustrate the retaining plate; Figure 40 illustrates a view of receptacles fully loaded; and Figure 41 illustrates a view of receptacles fully unloaded.

Detailed Description

A toy vehicle combined launcher, display and case 10 has a generally circular / cylindrical / squat cylindrical housing 12 having a front portion 12a and a rear portion 12b, a handle 14 and a stand 20. In the embodiment illustrated a front portion 14a of the handle 14 is formed integrally with the front portion 12a of the housing 12 and a rear portion 14b of the handle 14 is formed integrally with the rear portion 12b of the housing. In alternatives embodiments the handle 14 may be provide on only the front portion 12a or rear portion 12b of the housing 12 and may not be provided integrally and may be formed separately. In a further alternative a handle may not be provided. In the embodiment illustrated a front portion 20a of the stand 20 is formed integrally with the front portion 12a of the housing 12 and a rear portion 20b of the stand 20 is formed integrally with the rear portion 12b of the housing. In alternatives embodiments the stand 20 may be provide on only the front portion 12a or rear portion 12b of the housing 12 and may not be provided integrally and may be formed separately. In a further alternative a stand may not be provided. The stand 20 if provided is provided at the bottom of the housing and the handle 14 if provided is provided at the top of the housing. In the embodiment illustrated the front portion 12a of the housing 12 and the rear portion 12b of the housing 12 are formed separately and are adapted to be connected together. The front portion 12a of the housing 12 and the rear portion 12b of the housing 12 may be detachably or non-detachably connected together. In the embodiment illustrated the front portion 12a of the housing 12 and the rear portion 12b of the housing 12 are detachably connected together with screws although an alternative fixing means may be provided.

The front portion 12a of the housing 12 is optionally provided with a plurality of compartments 16, each adapted to house a single toy vehicle. In the embodiment illustrated the plurality of compartments 16 are recessed into the front portion 12a of the housing 12 and are provided with an openable transparent cover 18 which in the embodiment illustrated is provided in two portions 18a 18b, but which could in an alternative be provided in a single part. This feature is shown in more detail in Figure 5. The rear of the plurality of compartments 16 is shown in Figures 24 and 25.

The front portion 12a of the housing 12 is further provided with an opening 22 at the bottom thereof. The opening 22 is provided with a hatch 24, the hatch 24 is adapted to function as a ramp when it is in the open position and a cover when it is in the closed position. The hatch 24 in the embodiment illustrated is provided with a ramp extender 24a adapted to increase the length of the ramp when the hatch 24 is in the open position. In the embodiment illustrated the hatch 24 is provided with ramp supports 26a, 26b adapted to support the hatch 24 as a ramp when the hatch 24 is in the open position. In the embodiment illustrated the hatch 24 is hingedly connected to the bottom of the opening 22. This feature is shown in more detail in Figures 6 and 7.

The rear portion 12b of the housing 12 is optionally provided with a support 29 to provide additional stability to the toy vehicle combined launcher, display and carry case 10 in combination with the stand 20 if provided. The support 29 also acts to house the launch pad 48 described in more detail below.

A magazine 28 is provided inside the housing 12 which has a retaining ring 30 and a plurality of receptacles 32. The plurality of receptacles 32 are connected together by means of hinges 34 to form a chain of receptacles 32, the hinges 34 are adapted to engage with grooves 36 provided on the outer surface of the retaining ring 30 to retain the plurality of receptacles 32 in position around the retaining ring 30 between the outer surface of the retaining ring 30 and the inner surface of the housing 12. The final receptacle 32a in the chain is hingedly connected to the retaining ring 30. The magazine 28 can be seen in more detail in Figures Band 10 in isolation and in Figures 9, 11, 12, 13 and 14 in situ in the rear portion of the housing 12b and the receptacles 32 can be seen in more detail in Figures 16 and 17.

The retaining ring 30 is provided with a spigot 38 configured to extend from the inside of the housing 12 to the outside of the housing 12 through an aperture 42 in the rear portion 12b of the housing 12. The spigot 38 is connected to a knob 40 provided outside of the rear portion 12b of the housing 12, such that when the knob 40 is turned, the spigot 38 and the retaining ring 30 are also turned.

The internal surface of the retaining ring 30 is provided with a plurality of ridges 52, the plurality of ridges are arranged to meet with a pawl 50. The pawl 50 allows the rotation of the retaining ring 30 in a first direction, but not in the opposite direction. The pawl 50 and ridges 52 therefore cooperate to provide a ratchet mechanism. The pawl 50 is connected to a bracket 54 provided with two elongate slots 56, 58. Screws 60, 62, or another suitable fixing means, with heads wider than the width of the elongate slots 56, 58 extend through the slots to retain the bracket 54 and to allow movement of the bracket 54 about the screws 60, 62 within the length of the elongate slots 56, 58. The bracket 54 is held in a biased sprung first position with spring 160 wherein the pawl 50 is arranged to meet the plurality of ridges 52. The bracket 54 is further provided with a lip 64 extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the bracket 54.

The toy vehicle combined launcher, display and case 10 is provided with a two phase launcher mechanism operated by the user from a button 44 provided outside of the rear portion 12b of the housing 12. The button is 44 is configured such that when it is depressed by the user the first time (Figure 22) it operates the first phase of the launcher mechanism, and when the button 44 is depressed the second time (Figure 23) it operates the second phase of the launcher mechanism and effectively resets the launcher mechanism so that when the button 44 is pressed again it operates the first phase of the launcher mechanism and so on.

The first phase of the launcher mechanism comprises the movement of an elongate shaft 46 which extends from the button 44 at the top of the housing 12 and is connected to the button 44, and which extends the full height of the housing 12 to a launch pad 48 at the bottom of the housing 12. The elongate shaft 46 is connected to the inside of the housing adjacent the button 44 with a spring 150 such that once the button 44 is released the elongate shaft 46 moves back to its rest position. The bottom of the elongate shaft 46 is provided with two prongs arranged to reset the launch pad 48. The launch pad 48 comprises a front plate 70 connected to two cylinders 72, 74 which in turn are connected to a sprung rear support 76. The elongate shaft 46 is provided with a protrusion 78. Adjacent the protrusion is provided an arm 80 pivotally connected to a support 82 which is in turn connected to the rear portion 12b of the housing 12. The arm 80 is provided with a protrusion 84. Pivotally connected to the arm 80 by means of a slot 88 in the arm 80 is a latch 86. The latch 86 is arranged to retain the sprung rear support 76 of the launch pad 48 in a charged position.

When the button 44 is depressed during the first phase of operation of the launcher mechanism, the elongate shaft 46 moves down resulting in the protrusion 78 provided on the elongate shaft 46 coming into contact with the protrusion 84 located on arm 80. This causes arm 80 to pivot, which in turn reduces the pressure on latch 86 causing latch 86 to pivot and cease to retain the sprung rear support 76 of the launch pad 48, which releases the launch pad 48 from the charged position resulting in the front plate 70 moving forwards with speed. A launch pad housing 88 is provided to retain the elements of the launch pad 48.

When the button 44 is depressed during the second phase of operation of the launcher mechanism, the elongate shaft 46 again moves down resulting in the protrusion 78 provided on the elongate shaft 46 coming into contact with the protrusion 84 located on arm 80. This causes arm 80 to pivot, which in turn reduces the pressure on latch 86. At the same time the two prongs 66, 68 of the elongate shaft 46 move down and the angled edges 66a, 68a thereof meet with the mirrored angled edges 76a, 76b provided on the sprung rear support 76 and act to push the sprung rear support 76 back into position and for the latch 86 to pivot back into the position to reengage and retain the sprung rear support 76.

In addition during the second phase of the launcher mechanism when the button 44 is depressed a protrusion 64 provided at the top of the elongate shaft 46 adjacent the bracket 54 is arranged to meet with the lip 62 of the bracket 54 and move the bracket 54 to a second position, by moving the bracket 54 about the screws 60, 62 in the length of the elongate slots 56, 58. In the second positon the pawl 50 no longer meets the plurality of ridges 52 resulting in the pawl 50 moving from the side of one of the plurality of ridges 52 where movement is prevented in the opposite direction to the side of one of the plurality of ridges 52 where movement is allowed in the opposite direction, i.e. briefly releasing the ratchet mechanism. This allows the user then to turn the knob 40 in the opposite direction resulting in movement of the magazine which installs the next receptacle 32 in position in front of the front plate 70 of the launch pad 48.

In use in order to load the receptacles of the magazine with toy vehicles the chain of receptacles is first fully extended from the magazine as seen in Figure 41, a toy vehicles is then loaded into each of the receptacles and then the knob 40 is turned to load the chain of receptacles into the housing as seen in Figure 40. The button 44 is then pressed to initiate the first phase of the launch mechanism which results in the activation of the launch pad, and the launching of a toy vehicle from the receptacle located in front of the launch pad out through the opening 22. The button 44 is the pressed a second time to initiate the second phase of the launch mechanism which results in the resetting of the launch pad for the next toy vehicle and a brief release of the ratchet mechanism to allow the knob 40 to be turned to install the next receptacle and as such next toy vehicle in front of the launch pad ready to be launched out through the opening 22.

Retaining plate 90 illustrated in Figures 38 and 39 helps to retain the receptacles in position.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A two phase launcher mechanism configured that during the first phase the launcher is activated and during the second phase the launcher is reset.
2. A two phase launcher mechanism as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the first and second phases are configured to be operated by a user via a single button.
3. A two phase launcher mechanism as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the first phase is operated the first time the single button is pressed, preferably the second phase is operated the second time the single button is pressed.
4. A two phase launcher mechanism as claimed Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the launcher mechanism comprises an elongate shaft that extends from the button to a launch pad.
5. A two phase launcher mechanism as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the elongate shaft is configured to move when the button is pressed, preferably the elongate shaft is configured to move from a first position to a second position when the button is pressed the first time, preferably the elongate shaft is configured to move from the second position to the first position when the button is released the first time, preferably the elongate shaft is configured to move from a first position to a second position when the button is pressed the second time and preferably the elongate shaft is configured to move from the second position to the first position when the button is released the second time.
6. A two phase launcher mechanism as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5 wherein the launch pad comprises a front plate connected to a sprung rear support, preferably the front plate is connected to the sprung rear support by two cylinders.
7. A two phase launcher mechanism as claimed in any of claims 4 to 6 wherein the elongate shaft is provided with a protrusion and preferably the launch mechanism further comprises an arm provided adjacent the protrusion, preferably the arm is arranged to pivot and preferably the arm is provided with a protrusion.
8. A two phase launcher mechanism as claimed in Claim 7 wherein the launch mechanism further comprises latch, preferably the latch is arranged to retain the sprung rear support of the launch pad in a charged position, preferably the latch is arrange to release the sprung rear support of the launch pad during the first phase, preferably the latch is arrange to release the sprung rear support of the launch pad when the button is pressed the first time.
9. A two phase launcher mechanism as claimed in any of claims 4 to 8 wherein the elongate shaft is provided with two prongs, preferably the two prongs are provided with angled edges, preferably the sprung rear support is provide with angled edges, preferably the angled edges of the sprung rear support match the angled edges of the two prongs.
10. A two phase launcher mechanism as claimed in Claim 9 wherein the angled edges of the two prongs are configured to meet the angled edges of the sprung rear support when the elongate shaft is moved from the first position to the second position during the second phase, preferably the angled edges of the two prongs are configured to engage the angled edges of the sprung rear support when the elongate shaft is moved from the first position to the second position when the button is pressed the second time, preferably when the angled edges of the two prongs engage the angled edges of the sprung rear support the sprung rear support is configured to be reset to the charged position and preferably the latch is configured to reengage the sprung rear support.
11. A toy vehicle launcher comprising a two phase launcher mechanism configured that during the first phase the launcher is activated and during the second phase the launcher is reset as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10.
12. A toy vehicle launcher as claimed in claim 11 comprising a housing, and a magazine, the magazine comprising a plurality of receptacles, each receptacle being adapted to house a single toy vehicle.
13. A toy vehicle launcher as claimed in claim 12 wherein the housing is provided with an opening, preferably the opening is provided adjacent the launch pad.
14. A toy vehicle launcher as claimed in claim 12 wherein the opening is provided with a hatch, preferably the hatch is adapted to function as a ramp when it is in the open position and a cover when it is in the closed position, preferably the hatch is provided with a ramp extender adapted to increase the length of the ramp when the hatch is in the open position, preferably the hatch is provided with ramp supports adapted to support the hatch as a ramp when the hatch is in the open position.
15. A toy vehicle launcher as claimed in any of claims 12 to 14 wherein the magazine further comprises a retaining ring, preferably the outer surface of the retaining ring is provided with grooves.
16. A toy vehicle launcher as claimed in any of claims 12 to 15 wherein the plurality of receptacles are connected together by means of hinges to form a chain of receptacles, preferably the final receptacle in the chain is hingedly connected to the retaining ring.
17. A toy vehicle launcher as claimed in claim 15 and claim 16 wherein the hinges of the chain of receptacles are adapted to engage with the grooves provided on the outer surface of the retaining ring, preferably the hinges of the chain of receptacles are adapted to engage with the grooves provided on the outer surface of the retaining ring to retain the chain of receptacles in position about the retraining ring.
18. A toy vehicle launcher as claimed in any of claims 15 to 17 wherein the retaining ring is provided with a spigot configured to extend from the inside of the housing to the outside of the housing through an aperture in the housing, preferably the spigot is connected to a knob provided on the outside of the housing, preferably when the knob is turned, the spigot and the retaining ring are also configured to be turned.
19. A toy vehicle launcher as claimed in any of claims 15 to 18 wherein the internal surface of the retaining ring is provided with a plurality of ridges, preferably the launch mechanism further comprises a pawl, preferably the plurality of ridges are arranged to meet with the pawl, preferably the pawl is configured to allow rotation of the retaining ring in a first direction, but not in the opposite direction, preferably the pawl and ridges cooperate to provide a ratchet mechanism.
20. A toy vehicle launcher as claimed in Claim 19 wherein the pawl is connected to a bracket, preferably the bracket is provided with two elongate slots and two fixing means, with heads wider than the width of the elongate slots configured to extend through the slots to retain the bracket and to allow movement of the bracket about the fixing means within the length of the elongate slots, preferably the bracket is held in a biased sprung first position with a spring wherein the pawl is arranged to meet the plurality of ridges.
21. A toy vehicle launcher as claimed in Claim 20 wherein the bracket is further provided with a lip extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the bracket, preferably a protrusion is provided at the top of the elongate shaft adjacent the bracket.
22. A toy vehicle launcher as claimed in Claim 21 wherein during the second phase of the launcher mechanism when the button is depressed the protrusion provided at the top of the elongate shaft adjacent the bracket is arranged to meet with the lip of the bracket, preferably when the protrusion provided at the top of the elongate shaft adjacent the bracket meets with the lip of the bracket the bracket is configured to a second position, by movement of the bracket about the screws in the length of the elongate slots.
23. A toy vehicle launcher as claimed in Claim 22 wherein when the bracket moves to the second position the pawl is configured to no longer meet the plurality of ridges, preferably when the pawl is configured to no longer meet the plurality of ridges the pawl is configured to move from the side of one of the plurality of ridges where movement is prevented in the opposite direction to the side of one of the plurality of ridges where movement is allowed in the opposite direction.