Gravity launcher and clamp for trackset

Abstract

A toy vehicle launcher and supporting clamp are used in providing a gravity driven toy vehicle trackset. The clamp utilizes a ratcheting attachment member which facilitates the rapid sizing or adjustment for size for attachment to a table edge or the like. The launcher and clamp further provides a toy vehicle launcher having a trigger release for gravity driven launch of a toy vehicle down a coupled track segment. The angle of the toy vehicle launcher is adjustable to facilitate changes in launch angle and thereby changes in the amount of energy imparted to the toy vehicle.

1 . A gravity launcher and clamp for trackset comprising: 
 a launcher station for receiving a to-be-launched toy vehicle defining a launch path;    a fixed jaw having a gripping surface;    a movable foot aligned with said gripping surface;    a frame supporting said fixed jaw;    a ratchet mechanism secured to said frame;    a threaded adjustment shaft movable within said ratchet mechanism supporting said foot for movement toward or away from said fixed jaw; and    a pivot support coupling said frame to said launch station facilitating variation of the launch angle for said launch station.    
   
   
       2 . The gravity launcher and clamp set forth in  claim 1  wherein said pivot limits pivotal movement to a single axis generally orthogonal to said launch path.  
   
   
       3 . The gravity launcher and clamp set forth in  claim 2  wherein said pivot includes a pivot lever coupled to said launch station used for said launch angle adjustment.  
   
   
       4 . The gravity launcher and clamp set forth in  claim 3  wherein said launcher station includes a trigger launch.