WO1993014848A1

WO1993014848A1 - Adaptable toy launcher

Info

Publication number: WO1993014848A1
Application number: PCT/US1992/006742
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gary M. Saffer; Robert V. Pugh; Ahmed Asbaghi
Original assignee: Mattel, Inc.
Priority date: 1992-01-29
Filing date: 1992-08-13
Publication date: 1993-08-05
Also published as: AU2447892A

Abstract

As shown, the toy vehicle launcher (10) includes a hollow base unit (11) and a collapsible bellows (12) combined to form a pressurization air chamber. The base unit (11) includes a launch tube (33) extending therefrom which provides an air passage for the expulsion of pressurized air from the interior housing. The launched tube (33) defines a noncircular cross section which in its preferred form is rectangular to properly align a to-be-launched vehicle (25) with respect to the launcher (10). A pair of safety ribs (36, 37) are supported within the launch tube to preclude the insertion of hazardous objects into the launch tube by the child user. In an alternate embodiment, an angled adapter (70) is provided which is received upon the launch tube (33) and terminates in an upwardly angled launch portion (73).

Description

ADAPTABLE TOY LAUNCHER

SPECIFICATION

Cross Reference to Related Patent Application

This application discloses apparatus described and claimed in a copending relating application, serial number (Attorney Docket 13329) , entitled IMPROVED SURFACE SKIMMING TOY which was filed January 29, 1992 in the name of Peter C. Hill, Gary M. Saffer, Robert V. Pugh and Ahmed Asbaghi and which is assigned to the assignee of the present application and which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to surface traveling and airborne toys and toy vehicles and particularly to launchers used therewith.

Background of the Invention

Toy playsets which provide motion and which travel rapidly either across the ground or play surface or which glide through the air have, for many years, been exciting and interesting to children of a wide age group. One of the more exciting species of such motion toys includes those in which a toy vehicle or flying vehicle are launched or catapulted into motion by some sort of launching device. The designs of such toy launchers have shown great variety and have ranged from the relatively complex to exceedingly simple. In most toy launchers, an energy source such as a drawn spring or heavy weight in motion or a stream of pressurized air are applied to the motionless vehicle or toy to transfer the energy therefrom to the toy and launch it into motion.

Because of the excitement and interest such toy launchers provide for the consumer, practitioners in the art have endeavored to provide evermore exciting and improved toy launchers. For example, U.S. Patent 4,605,230 issued to Halford, et al. sets forth a TOY VEHICLE GAME WITH LAUNCHER AND RETURN MEANS in which a pair of intersecting crossed tracks include rebound apparatus at one end thereof and individual toy vehicle launchers at the remaining ends. The toy vehicle launchers include a movable piston within a cylinder arranged in a generally horizontal plane and having a toy vehicle impact member at the extreme end thereof. A collapsible spring loaded cylinder is vertically oriented and in communication with the cylinder of the piston. The child operates the launcher by rapidly forcing the cylinder downwardly to compress the air therein and thereby inject compressed air into the piston cylinder hurdling the piston outwardly and driving the toy vehicle away from the launcher down the track. This launcher is also set forth in U.S. Patent 4,513,967 also issued to Halford, et al. and entitled TOY VEHICLE GAME WITH LAUNCHER AND RETURN MEANS.

U.S. Patent 4,925,188 issued to McKay, et al. sets forth a TOY RACETRACK AND LAP COUNTER in which a pair of generally parallel multiply curved continuous tracks are supported upon a play surface. The playset includes a pair of air impulse stations positioned over the track which are operative in response to collapsible bellows to produce pressurized air directed at the toy vehicle passing beneath the air impulse station and provide acceleration of the toy vehicle. U.S. Patent 4,897,065 issued to Fertig, et al. sets forth a TOY VEHICLE AND HANDHELD PNEUMATIC LAUNCHER which includes a piston and an elongated hollow cylinder having a flange adjacent one end of the cylinder and supporting grips for a child to manipulate the piston into the cylinder. At the remaining end of the cylinder, a launch tube is horizontally disposed and receives a closed end cup member at its open end which in turn supports a launchable glider toy or the like. The launcher is operated by the child's rapid insertion of the piston into the cylinder pressurizing the air therein and directing a stream of pressurized air at the closed end cup member. The force against the cup member drives the glider or other toy away, from the launcher.

U.S. Patent 4,889,513 issued to Paddock sets forth a TOY RACE CAR LAUNCHER having a launcher body, a car support track on the launcher body and a car disabling mechanism on the car support track for positioning the car in a rest position at the to-be-launched position. An air bellows is configured for foot operation and is coupled to an expandable member within the launcher and is operable in response to a sudden collapsing of the drive bellows to produce an expansion of the expandable bellows and launch the toy vehicle in a catapult-like manner.

U.S. Patent 4,438,587 issued to Marino sets forth a BLOWGUN TOY CAR LAUNCHER in which a base member supports an angled hollow blow pipe having an upwardly facing open end and a lower end coupled to a horizontally disposed extending smaller diameter open ended pipe. A toy vehicle includes a closed end cylindrical bore which is received upon the horizontally disposed pipe and supported above the play surface thereby. The toy is operated by the user blowing a puff of compressed air into the blowpipe open end which in turn pressurizes the air within the toy vehicle closed end bore driving the toy vehicle from the launcher and onto and across the play surface.

U.S. Patent 4,429,677 issued to Moore sets forth a DISK LAUNCHING SYSTEM FOR GAMES which includes a hollow housing having an air reservoir therein. A hose with one end connected to the reservoir and the other end connected to a mouthpiece is provided for blowing air into the reservoir. A disk launching chamber and disk launching ramp within the chamber are configured to receive a disk in a to-be-launched position within the housing. An air valve mechanism is provided for directing a quantity of the pressurized air against the disk and for launching the disk.

U.S. Patent 4,329,808 issued to Rich, et al. sets forth a PAPER AIRPLANE MAKING AND LAUNCHING DEVICE in which a tubular member holds a paper tubular fuselage above a paper wing supported by a plate and below a folding dye from which a fuselage presser depends. The dye and presser cooperate to fold the paper into an aerodynamic configuration and form a launchable paper airplane. A collapsible air bellows is coupled to the launching tube and, when depressed, produces a compressed air burst within the tube which in turn launches the paper airplane.

U.S. Patent 4,223,472 issued to Fekete, et al. sets forth a TOY VEHICLE LAUNCHING DEVICE having a main tubular member in fluid communication with an air pump, an air storage tank and a projectile launching housing rotatably coupled to the main tubular member. A valve member is manually operable within the main tubular member and permits a burst of pressurized air to be directed to the main tubular member and launch a simulated rocket vehicle. U.S. Patent 4,038,776 issued to Filipeli sets forth a ROCKET TOY in which a generally tubular rocket member having outwardly disposed fins and parachute mechanism therein is launched by a launcher having a pair of telescoping pipe members operable to create a pressurized area therein which launches the rocket vehicle. •

U.S. Patent 3,936,053 issued to Gόldfarb, et al. sets forth a TOY VEHICLE TARGET GAME having a launching apparatus comprising a vertically disposed cylinder having a movable piston and rod therein. The^' output end of the piston cylinder is coupled to an air launching nozzle which produces a stream of launching air against the toy vehicle when the piston is driven into the cylinder.

U.S. Patent 3,789,540 issued to Convertine, et al. sets forth a COMPRESSED AIR PROPELLED TOY VEHICLE AND LAUNCHING SYSTEM having an air cylinder vertically disposed and supporting a movable piston and rod therein. The cylinder output end is coupled to a discharged nozzle which is directed against a toy vehicle at the launch station to launch the vehicle.

U.S. Patent 3,739,764 issued to Allport sets forth an INFLATABLE PNEUMATIC PROPULSION DEVICE in which a rocket launching tube is supported at a desired angle and is coupled to a launch valve. A balloon is coupled to the input side of the launch valve and to an air pump which is used to inflate the balloon and provide a source of compressed air which is controlled by the launch valve and used to launch a simulated rocket.

U.S. Patent 3,469,340 issued to Breneman, et al. sets forth a PNEUMATIC TOY VEHICLE PROPULSION SYSTEM in which a hand-operated bellows pump is operable within a closed tubular system to provide a circulating air stream within the closed system causing toy vehicles within the closed system to be move thereabout.

U.S. Patent 3,046,694 issued to Holderer sets forth a JET PROPELLED TOY ARRANGEMENT in which a quantity of liquid is placed within a simulated.rocket vehicle and an effervescing tablet is added thereto. The effervescent action of the tablet produces a pressurized gas quantity within the inner chamber when reacting with the water. A valve mechanism is provided for extracting the water and leaving the pressurized gas within the chamber which is used to launched the rocket vehicle.

U.S. Patent 3,481,067 issued to Cooper sets forth a* PNEUMATIC REMOTE CONTROL ASSEMBLY in which a compressed air system is used to control the track switching mechanism of a race car set.

British Patent 2,130,903 issued to Chung, et al. sets forth a LAUNCHER FOR TOY VEHICLE in which a launcher includes a spring-loaded plunger, a latch and a toy vehicle. The latch maintains the plunger in a cocked position and means are provided for releasing the latch. A blowpipe is coupled to an air turbine within the vehicle and used to direct a stream of air against the turbine to energize an inertial motor within the toy vehicle prior to launch.

The foregoing described prior art devices have provided some increased amusement and play value in toy vehicle launchers of various types. However, as can be seen, such launchers are often complex, expensive and, in some cases, have proven to be somewhat dangerous is misused by child users. It is generally inevitable that given the curiosity and need for exploration which young children inherently possess that toy vehicle launchers are used experimentally by children in launching other objects such as pencils, pens, marbles and the like in a manner which is neither intended nor recommended by the manufacturer and which can provide a substantial safety hazard for the child.

There exists, therefore, a continuing need for evermore improved exciting and safer toy vehicle and toy launchers.

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved toy vehicle launcher. It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide an improved toy vehicle launcher which is relatively simple and inexpensive to operate and assemble. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved toy vehicle launcher which maintains the full excitement of vehicle launch while providing an increased measure of safety against unintended and misuse by the child user.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided for use in launching a toy object, a launcher comprises: a housing; an air pressure producing member; and a launch tube for receiving a to-be-launched toy object, the launch tube defining an interior passage in communication with the air pressure producing member having a noncircular cross-section.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements and in which:

Figure 1 sets forth a perspective view of the present invention launcher with a to-be-launched vehicle;

Figure 2 sets forth a partial section view of the launcher of Figure 1;

Figure 3 sets forth a perspective assembly view of the present invention toy vehicle launcher;

Figure 4 sets forth a section view of the present invention toy vehicle launcher taken along section lines 4-4 in Figure 2;

Figure 5 sets forth a side elevation view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention toy vehicle launcher and vehicle therefor; and

Figure 6 sets forth a section view of the present invention toy vehicle launcher taken along section lines 6-6 in Figure 5.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Figure 1 sets forth a perspective view of a toy vehicle launcher constructed in accordance with the present invention and generally referenced by numeral 10. Launcher 10 includes a base member 11 defining a rearwardly extending grip portion 13 and a launch end 14. A collapsible air bellows 12 is operatively coupled to base 11 and, by means set forth below, produces an air stream outwardly from launch end 14 when bellows 12 is collapsed downwardly in the direction of arrow 26. Also shown in Figure 1 is an elongated toy vehicle track 20 having a planar travel surface 21 extending therein and a pair of upwardly extending side rails 22 and 23. A toy vehicle 25 in its preferred form is fabricated in accordance with the toy vehicle set forth in the above-identified related application. As is set forth in the above-related application, vehicle 25 defines a generally flat undersurface and is fabricated of a lightweight material which permits vehicle 25 to move rapidly across a flat surface such as travel surface 21 due to the ground effect air beneath the toy vehicle flat surface in a nearly frictionless travel.

In operation with.toy vehicle 25 positioned in the manner shown in Figure l and air bellows 12 in its expanded position also shown in Figure 1, the child user thermally grasps base 11 preferably using grip 13 with one hand while applying the other hand to the upper surface of bellows 12 to rapidly collapse bellows 12 in the direction of arrow 26. By means set forth below in greater detail, the collapse of bellows 12 produces a burst of compressed air which is exerted against toy vehicle 25 and which launches vehicle 25 in the direction of arrow 27. To provide an increased measure of safety of operation, base 11 of toy vehicle launcher 10 provides a grip portion 13 which extends rearwardly by a substantial distance. The size of grip 13 is intended to provide a convenient portion which is removed from the anticipated path of the child user's other hand on bellows 26. Thus, injury which might occur due to the child user slamming one hand against the other during the launch operation is avoided by the offset of grip 13.

Figure 2 sets forth a partial section view of the present invention toy vehicle launcher. Launcher 10 includes a base member 11 defining a rearwardly extending grip portion 13 and a launch end 14. Base 11 includes an upper housing 30 which forms grip portion 13 an which forms a circular aperture 31 surrounded by a rim portion 32. Housing 30 further defines a forwardly extending launch tube 33 which in accordance with an important aspect of the present invention shown in Figure 4 defines a generally noncircular rectangular cross-section. Launch tube 33 defines an air passage 35 extending through launch tube 33. Launch tube 33 further defines an open end 34 and a pair of upwardly extending and downwardly extending vertically disposed interior ribs 36 and 37 respectively. Upper housing 30 further defines an interior chamber 45 in communication with aperture 31 and air passage 35 of launch tube 33.

Base member 11 further includes a lower housing member 40 having a generally planar base plate 41 which is received within and which sealingly engages upper housing 30 to form an air-tight chamber within air chamber 45 but for aperture 31 and air passage 35. Lower housing 40 and upper housing 30 may be joined using any number of fabrication techniques. However, it has been found advantageous to employ a sonic welding of the junction of lower housing 40 and upper housing 30 to provide a reliable air-tight seal therebetween. Lower housing 40 further supports a plurality of gripping feet such as feet 46 and 47 which preferably are formed of a resilient nonskid material such as rubber or plastic.

Lower housing 40 further defines an upwardly extending generally cylindrical riser portion 42. It should be noted that riser portion 42 is coextensive and continuously joined to lower housing 40 and thus the air¬ tight character of chamber 45 is maintained. Riser portion 42 defines a generally cylindrical outer sidewall 43 and a vertically extending air channel 44 (better seen in Figure 3) . Air channel 44 is in communication with air chamber 45 and air passage 35. Toy vehicle launcher 10 further includes a collapsible air bellows 12 which, in its preferred form, is fabricated of a molded plastic material having a somewhat resilient characteristic. Air bellows 12 includes a multiply folded bellows portion 51 and closed end impact surface 50. Air bellows 12 further defines a tapered extension portion 53 which in turn defines an outwardly extending lip 54 and an inwardly extending generally circular seal edge 55.

The assembly of upper housing 30, lower housing 40 and air bellows 12 is set forth below in conjunction with Figure 3 in greater detail. However, suffice it to here that extension 53 of air bellows 12 is received within and extends through aperture 31 of upper housing 30. Further, it should be noted that outwardly extending lip 54 extends beneath rim 32 of upper housing 30 and captivates air bellows 12 in the attachment shown to upper housing 30 at rim 32. In addition, it should be noted that riser 42 is received within sealing edge 55 of extension 53 providing a sealing engagement between air bellows 12 and sidewall 43 of riser 42 which but for air channel 44 would completely seal the interior pressure chamber 52 of air bellows 12. Thus, interior pressure chamber 52 of air bellows 12 is completely sealed but for air channel 44 which provides communication between air chamber 52 and air chamber 45 and air passage 35.

Toy vehicle 25, which as mentioned above in its preferred form, comprises a surface skimming toy vehicle which travels across surface 21 of track 20 in a ground effect passage includes an outer housing 60 defining a generally planar skimming surface 61 and an interior passage 63. Passage 63 defines a closed end 64 and an open end 65. As is better seen in Figure 4, passage 63 of vehicle 25 defines a cross-section generally corresponding to the outer surface of launch tube 33 but somewhat larger to permit passage 63 to receive launch tube 33 through open end -65. For maximum launching efficiency, it is desirable to fabricate vehicle 25 ^'and launch tube 33 such that end portion 34 of launch tube 33 is relatively close to or abuts closed end 64 of passage 63. Furthermore, the surface skimming character of toy vehicle 25 is optimized for the launcher shown in Figure 2 by spacing launch tube 33 a sufficient distance from track surface 21 to provide a gap 66 between the lower skimming surface 61 of vehicle 25 and track surface 20. In addition, the noncircular rectangular cross-sections of launch tube 33 and passage 63 (seen in Figure 4) assure the proper horizontal disposition of vehicle 25 and thus properly orient skimming surface 61 with respect to track surface 21 for maximum skimming efficiency.

In operation and with bellows 12 in the raised position shown and with toy vehicle 25 assembled to launcher 10 as shown, both launcher 10 and toy vehicle 25 are in the prelaunch condition. The launch of vehicle 25 is accomplished by the child user gripping base portion 11 (preferably by grip portion 13) and applying a downward hand force in the direction of arrow 26 against impact surface 50. Under the force of impact against surface 50, folding portion 51 of air bellows 12 rapidly collapses in accordion-like fashion which in turn reduces the volume within pressure chamber 52 of air bellows 12 which causes a corresponding air pressure increase within air chamber 45 and air channel 44. This increased air pressure is coupled to air passage 35 of launch tube 33 causing a air flow in the direction indicated by arrows 28. This air pressure flow is directed against closed end 64 of air passage 63 producing a launching force which launches vehicle 25 in the direction of arrow 27. Once vehicle 25 has been launched, the resilience of folding portion 51 reconfigures air bellows 12 to the raised position shown in Figure 2 and launcher 10 is ready to receive an additional vehicle for launch. It should be noted that the structure of launcher 10 is extremely simple and accomplishes its launching capability without the use of movable parts beyond the collapse of bellows 12 and without the use of expensive and complex air valves or similar structures.

Figure 3 sets forth a perspective assembly view of launcher 10. As can be seen, launcher 10 is assembled from three basic parts which are air bellows 12, upper housing 30 and lower housing 40. It will be further apparent that launcher 10 is free of complex interactive mechanical components such as valves and springs and is exceedingly cost effective in its construction and assembly. Specifically, air bellows 12 is preferably formed of a molded plastic somewhat resilient material and includes a planar impact end 50, a folding portion 51 comprising a plurality of folding pleats, and a lower extension 53. Extension 53 is generally inwardly tapered and terminates in an outwardly extending lip 54 and an inwardly facing seal edge 55 (the latter seen in Figure 2) . As is described above, air bellows 12 is hollowed and thus defines an interior pressure chamber 52 (seen in Figure 2) .

Upper housing 30 is preferably formed of molded plastic material and defines a grip portion 13 and an interior air chamber 45. Upper housing 30 further defines a generally circular aperture 31 and an encircling rim 32. An elongated generally rectangular launch tube 33 is integrally formed with upper housing 30 and defines an air passage 35 which is in communication with air chamber 45. Launch tube 33 further defines a pair of vertical ribs 36 and 37 extending inwardly from end portion 34 to the interior of launch tube 33. Lower housing 40 is also preferably formed of a molded plastic material and defines a generally planar baseplate 41 having an outer edge 48 and defining an upwardly extending generally cylindrical riser 42. Riser 42 defines an external sidewall 43 and an air chamber 44. Sidewall 43 and the surfaces surrounding air channel 44 of riser 42 are continuous with baseplate 41 and thus the sealing attachment of lower housing 40 to upper housing 30 provides an air-tight seal for air chamber 45 with the exception of aperture 31 and air passage 35.

The assembly of launcher 10 is preferably carried forward by initially inserted extension 53 of air bellows 12 through aperture 31 until lip 54 thereof is snap- fitted beneath rim 32. Next, lower housing 40 is positioned in alignment with upper housing 30 and riser 42 is forced into air bellows 12 such that seal edge 55 (seen in Figure 2) engages and encircles sidewall 43 of riser 42. Thereafter, lower housing 40 is forced upwardly into upper housing 30 until baseplate portion 41 is received within recess 39 of upper housing 30. It should be noted that outer edge 48 of lower housing 40 and recess 39 of upper housing 30 are configured to provide a close fit therebetween whereby a sonic welding or other process such as adhesive attachment may secure lower housing 40 in an air-tight attachment to upper housing 30. The completed assembly is described above in Figures 1 and 2. Thus, launcher 10 is assembled using three basic parts and has been found to be extremely cost effective and efficient in launching toy vehicles. It should be noted that in accordance with an important aspect of the present invention, the rectangular shape of launch tube 33 has been selected to provide an angular indexing for toy vehicles positioned upon launch tube 33 as well as a substantial increase in the safety of launcher 10. It has been found that the majority of objects such as the caps for felt tip pens and markers and the like which children might be able to fit upon more conventional circular cross-section launchers, do not sealingly assemble to the rectangular shape of launch . tube 33. Thus, children's efforts to launch unsafe objects is greatly thwarted by the rectangular shape of launch tube 33. To provide further safety, air passage 35 includes a pair of vertically extending ribs 36 and 37. Ribs 36 and 37 are provided to further frustrate efforts of child users in placing other objects such as pencils, pens, markers and the like within air passage 35 and achieving a hazardous launch thereof. The combination of the rectangular cross-section of air passage 35 and the presence of ribs 36 and 37 renders it virtually impossible for a child user to insert an object into air passage 35 in any kind of sealing engagement which would efficiently launch such an object with any velocity at all. Indeed, the majority of objects being circular in cross-section such as pens, pencils, marbles and the like, virtually cannot be launched by launcher 10 due to the shape and structure of launch tube 33. Thus, while providing reliable angular orientation of the to- be-launched toy vehicle, launch tube 33 also provides a great margin of safety in the operation of launcher 10.

Figure 4 sets forth a section view of the present invention toy launcher taken along section lines 4-4 in Figure 2. Launch tube 33 of launcher 10 defines a rectangular cross-section having an interior air passage 35. A pair of vertical ribs 36 and 37 extend upwardly and downwardly respectively within the interior of launch tube 33. A toy vehicle 25 defines an outer housing 60 and an interior closed end passage 63. As a practical matter, passage 63 within toy vehicle 25 and launch tube 33 are preferably selected to provide a relatively close fit therebetween in which the surrounding air gap is minimized. Thus, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the clearance between launch tube 33 and passage 63 of toy vehicle 25 has been exaggerated in Figure 4 for purposes of illustration of the manner in which toy vehicle 25 is supported and oriented by the rectangular shape and position of launch tube 33. Thus, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from examination of Figure 4 that the generally horizontal orientation of toy vehicle 25 is maintained and assured by the rectangular shapes of launch tube 33 and passage 63. That is to say, toy vehicle 25 is virtually automatically aligned in a position such that skimming surface 61 thereof is generally horizontal. In addition, the height of launch tube 33 upon upper housing 30 (seen in Figure 2) is selected to provide an air gap 66 between skimming surface 61 of toy vehicle 25 and the underlying play surface which in this case is surface 21 of track 20. It should be further noted that while Figures 1, 2 and 4 set forth an embodiment of the present invention in which toy vehicle 25 is launched upon a track, launcher 10 and a vehicle such as vehicle 25 may be operated upon virtually any extended play surface and no track is essential or necessary to the operation of launcher 10.

Figure 4 sets forth an alternate embodiment of the present invention in which launch tube 33 is fabricated upon launcher 10 in an identical manner to the above- described embodiment. The difference in the embodiment of Figure 4A is the use of an internal vehicle tube 38 which is configured in correspondence to passage 35 of launch tube 33 and thus is receivable therein. It should be noted that vehicle tube 38 conforms generally to the interior of passage 35 including ribs 36 and 37. Thus, vehicle tube 38 which may be coupled to virtually any type of launchable vehicle is in contrast to the embodiment of Figure 4 received within passage 35. The remainder of operation of the embodiment of Figure 4A is identical to that set forth above for Figures 1 through 4. Figure 5 sets forth an alternate embodiment of the present invention in which toy vehicle launcher 10 is constructed in the identical manner to that set forth above in Figures 1 through 3 but is further adapted with an angled launch adapter generally referenced by numeral 70. Thus, launcher 10 is identical to the structure set forth above and, as described therein, includes an extending launch tube 33 having the cross sectional shape shown in Figures 1 through 4. An angled launch adapter 70 includes a receiver portion 71, a bend portion 72 and an angled portion 73. Adapter 70 defines an interior air passage 75 extending from end 74 to end 77 thereof. Adapter 70 is assembled to launch tube 33 by passing end 77 and receiver portion 71 over launch tube 33. In its preferred form, the portion of air passage 75 within receiver portion 71 is configured in accordance with the outer surface of launch tube 33 and thus received thereon in a relatively secure sliding fit in which the rectangular shapes of launch tube 33 and air passage 75 properly orient adapter 70. The angle of bend 72 is a matter of design choice and is selected to provide the proper launch angle for angled portion 73. Angled portion 73 defines a generally rectangular cross section having an elongated indexing rib 76 extending along the underside thereof. Air passage 75 terminates in an open end 74 which provides a direct air passage coupling between passage 35 (seen in Figure 4) of launch tube 33 and air passage 75 for the air produced by bellows 12 in the above-described operation.

A gliding toy vehicle generally referenced by numeral 80 includes a generally hollow body 81 defining an interior passage 82 and an end portion 87. Body 81 further supports a plurality of fins 84, 85 and 86 (the latter seen in Figure 6) . Vehicle 80 further includes a nose portion 88 which in its preferred form is formed of a soft resilient material such as soft rubber or foam plastic. Nose 88 defines an interior chamber 89 and an end portion 90. End portion 90 is received within interior passage 82 of body 81 and provides an air-tight seal for end 87 of passage 82. Thus, in accordance with an important aspect of the present invention, vehicle 80 is fabricated such that the presence of safety nose 88 upon vehicle 80 is necessary to provide the closed end of interior passage 82 and thus vehicle 80 may be launched without safety nose 88 in place. As is better seen in Figure 6, interior passage 82 is shaped to be received upon angled portion 73 of launcher adapter 70 such that indexing rib 76 assures the proper alignment between vehicle 80 and angled portion 73 to provide the desired launch of vehicle 80. In addition, the use of indexing rib 76 and the corresponding shape of interior passage 82 precludes the child user from placing a non-gliding vehicle such as vehicle 25 upon angled portion 73 and launch it into the air. This adds to a margin of safety for the present invention because the manufacture may assure that only those vehicles having a soft safety nose such as nose 88 may be launched in a non-horizontal orientation.

Returning to Figure 5, vehicle 80 and launcher 10 are shown in the prelaunch condition. Thereafter, the application of a collapsing force against bellows 12 provides the above-described pressurized air stream which is coupled by launch tube 33 to interior passage 82 of vehicle 80 through air passage 75 of adapter 70. The closed end provided by nose 88 facilitates the rapid building of air pressure within interior passage 82 which in turn results in launching gliding vehicle 80.

Figure 6 sets forth a section view of the embodiment of Figure 5 taken along section lines 6-6 in Figure 5. Angled portion 73 of adapter 70 defines a downwardly extending indexing rib 76. Angled portion 73 also includes a pair of downwardly extending rib portions 78 and 79 within the interior of air- passage 75. Thus, adapter 70 is provided with a similar safety feature to that described above for launch tube 33 when used alone.

Vehicle 80 defines a body 81 having a generally rectangular interior passage 82 which is sized and configured to be received upon angled portion 73 of adapter 70. Thus, body 81 also defines a groove 91 positioned within interior passage 82 to receive rib 76 thereof. Body 81 further includes a plurality of outwardly extending fins 84, 85 and 86.

What has been shown is a simple to manufacture, low cost and effective toy vehicle launcher which provides an enhanced safety factor to protect against hazardous use of the launcher by children. The launcher provides for both horizontal and vertical launch of toy vehicles with appropriate safety interlocking elements thereof which preclude the airborne launch of hazardous vehicles.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

THAT WHICH IS CLAIMED IS:

1. For use in launching a toy object, a launcher comprising:

a housing;

an air pressure producing member; and

a launch tube for receiving a to-be-launched toy object, said launch tube defining an interior passage in communication with said air pressure producing member having a noncircular cross-section.

2. A launcher as set forth in Claim 1 wherein said launch tube defines a generally rectangular cross- section.

3. A launcher as set forth in Claim 2 wherein said launch tube further defines an appendage member within said interior passage.

4. A launcher as set forth in Claim 3 wherein said appendage member includes an elongated rib extending at least partially through said interior passage.

5. A launcher as set forth in Claim 4 further including a second elongated rib within said passage.

6. A launcher as set forth in Claim 5 wherein said launch tube further includes an exterior rib extending at least partially along said launch tube.

7. A launcher as set forth in Claim 1 further including an angle adapter having a first portion configured to be received by said launch tube and a second portion joined thereto at an angle and having an air passage extending through said first and second portions, said second portion defining a noncircular cross-section.

8. A launcher as set forth in Claim 7 wherein said second portion of said angled adapter includes a pair of interior appendage members within said air passage.

9. A launcher as set forth in Claim 8 wherein said second portion of said angled adapter is generally rectangular.

10. A launcher as set forth in Claim 7 further including a gliding-type toy object having:

a hollow body defining a first end defining an end portion configured to be received by said second portion of said angled adapter and a second end, said body defining a continuous air chamber between said first and second end; and

a safety bumper formed of a resilient material and coupled to said second end of said hollow body to provide closure of said air chamber at said second end.

11. A launcher as set forth in Claim 10 wherein said second portion of said angled adapter includes a projecting member on its outer surface and wherein said first end of said hollow body defines a recess for receiving said projecting member.

12. A launcher as set forth in Claim 11 wherein said projecting member is a rib and wherein said recess is a groove.

13. A launcher as set forth in Claim 1 wherein said housing includes; an upper portion supporting said launch tube and defining an upwardly facing aperture and surrounding rim; and

a lower portion secured to said upper portion..

14. A launcher as set forth in Claim 13 wherein said lower portion defines an upwardly extending generally cylindrical riser aligned with said aperture and having a channel formed therein and wherein said air pressure producing member includes:

a collapsible bellows having a closed end, a plurality of folds and an open end received upon said riser.

15. A launcher as set forth in Claim 14 wherein said open end includes an outwardly extending lip having a greater diameter than said rim and an inwardly extending seal edge engaging said wall of said riser.