Hand-launchable fluid-boosted toy vehicle

Abstract

A toy vehicle is provided for launching comprising a body with a chamber. The chamber has an opening. The chamber releasably holds a power source (e.g., fluid) under pressure. A covering mechanism is disposed adjacent the chamber, and is biased to a first position to cover the opening. The covering mechanism is movable to a second position for allowing the power source (e.g., fluid) to be propelled through the opening. The toy vehicle has an actuator disposed adjacent the covering mechanism operable for movement between a starting position and an actuating position. In the starting position, the actuator allows the covering mechanism to remain in the first position. In the actuating position, the actuator moves the covering mechanism to the second position. The toy vehicle has a delay mechanism operatively coupled to the actuator configured to move the actuator to the actuating position after a delay or an interval.

1 . A toy vehicle for launching, the toy vehicle comprising: 
 a body with a chamber having an opening;    a covering mechanism disposed adjacent the chamber, the covering mechanism biased to a first position to cover the opening, wherein the chamber releasably holds fluid under pressure, and further wherein the covering mechanism is movable to a second position for allowing fluid to be propelled from the chamber through the opening;    an actuator disposed adjacent the covering mechanism, the actuator operable for translational movement between a starting position and an actuating position, the actuator in the starting position allowing the covering mechanism to remain in the first position, and further wherein the actuator is translationally operable to the actuating position to move the covering mechanism to the second position; and    a delay mechanism operatively coupled to the actuator, the delay mechanism configured to move the actuator to the actuating position after a delay.    
   
   
       2 . The toy vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the covering mechanism includes a plug disposed adjacent the chamber for covering the opening, and a lever disposed adjacent the plug, the lever biased towards a first position for holding the plug to cover the opening and movable to a second position for releasing the plug to allow fluid to be propelled from the chamber through the opening.  
   
   
       3 . The toy vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the covering mechanism further includes a fluid inlet valve.  
   
   
       4 . The toy vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is operable for translational movement under a biasing force.  
   
   
       5 . The toy vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is configured to be held in the starting position and released at a predetermined time.  
   
   
       6 . The toy vehicle of  claim 1 , further comprising a holder, wherein the holder holds the actuator in the starting position.  
   
   
       7 . The toy vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the delay mechanism is configured to move the covering mechanism to the second position after the toy vehicle is launched.  
   
   
       8 . The toy vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the delay mechanism is configured to move the covering mechanism to the second position while the toy vehicle is moving.  
   
   
       9 . The toy vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the delay mechanism is configured to move the covering mechanism to the second position while the toy vehicle is in flight.  
   
   
       10 . The toy vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the delay mechanism includes a dampener to control the translational movement of the actuator.  
   
   
       11 . The toy vehicle of  claim 10 , wherein the dampener controls the translational movement of the actuator at a substantially constant rate.  
   
   
       12 . The toy vehicle of  claim 10 , wherein the dampener includes a pinion operatively coupled to a rack on the actuator.  
   
   
       13 . The toy vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the chamber includes a first compartment in fluid communication with the opening, and a second compartment in fluid communication with the first compartment at an aperture.  
   
   
       14 . The toy vehicle of  claim 13 , wherein the aperture is positioned higher than the opening when the launchable body is positioned for launching.  
   
   
       15 . The toy vehicle of  claim 13 , wherein the second compartment is configured to hold substantially gas under pressure and the first compartment is configured to hold substantially liquid under pressure, and further wherein the first compartment and the second compartment are configured to allow substantially all of the liquid to be propelled from the chamber through the opening before substantially all of the gas is propelled through the opening.  
   
   
       16 . The toy vehicle of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a first holding member mounted to the body; and    an elastomeric band for engaging the holding member so the band can be stretched to a predetermined position and released causing the projectile toy to launch.    
   
   
       17 . The toy vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the toy vehicle is a toy car.  
   
   
       18 . The toy vehicle of  claim 1 , further comprising at least two fins mounted to the body, the fins arranged for flying.  
   
   
       19 . The toy vehicle of  claim 1 , further comprising a hollow tube in communication with the chamber, wherein the hollow tube is configured to release the pressurized fluid after the actuator moves to the actuating position.  
   
   
       20 . The toy vehicle of  claim 19 , further comprising a launchable member operatively connected to the hollow tube, the launchable member being released from the launchable body after the release of the pressurized fluid through the hollow tube.  
   
   
       21 . A toy vehicle for launching, the toy vehicle comprising: 
 a body with a chamber having an opening;    a plug disposed adjacent the chamber for covering the opening;    a lever disposed adjacent the plug, the lever biased towards a first position for holding the plug to cover the opening, wherein the chamber releasably holds fluid under pressure, and further wherein the lever is movable to a second position for releasing the plug to allow fluid to be propelled from the chamber through the opening; and    an actuator disposed adjacent the covering mechanism, the actuator operable for movement between a starting position and an actuating position, the actuator in the starting position allowing the covering mechanism to remain in the first position, and further wherein the actuator is operable to the actuating position to move the covering mechanism to the second position; and    a delay mechanism operatively coupled to the actuator, the delay mechanism configured to move the actuator to the actuating position after a delay.    
   
   
       22 . The toy vehicle of  claim 21 , wherein the actuator is operable for movement under a biasing force.  
   
   
       23 . The toy vehicle of  claim 21 , wherein the actuator is operable for translational movement.  
   
   
       24 . The toy vehicle of  claim 21 , wherein the actuator is configured to be held in the starting position and released at a predetermined time.  
   
   
       25 . The toy vehicle of  claim 21 , further comprising a holder, wherein the holder holds the actuator in the starting position.  
   
   
       26 . The toy vehicle of  claim 21 , wherein the delay mechanism is configured to move the covering mechanism to the second position after the toy vehicle is launched.  
   
   
       27 . The toy vehicle of  claim 21 , wherein the delay mechanism is configured to move the covering mechanism to the second position while the toy vehicle is moving.  
   
   
       28 . The toy vehicle of  claim 21 , wherein the delay mechanism is configured to move the covering mechanism to the second position while the toy vehicle is in flight.  
   
   
       29 . The toy vehicle of  claim 21 , wherein the delay mechanism includes a dampener to control the movement of the actuator.  
   
   
       30 . The toy vehicle of  claim 29 , wherein the dampener controls the movement of the actuator at a substantially constant rate.  
   
   
       31 . The toy vehicle of  claim 29 , wherein the dampener includes a pinion operatively coupled to a rack on the actuator.  
   
   
       32 . The toy vehicle of  claim 21 , further comprising: 
 a first holding member mounted to the body; and    an elastomeric band for engaging the holding member so the band can be stretched to a predetermined position and released causing the projectile toy to launch.    
   
   
       33 . The toy vehicle of  claim 21 , wherein the toy vehicle is a toy car.  
   
   
       34 . The toy vehicle of  claim 21 , further comprising at least two fins mounted to the body, the fins arranged for flying.  
   
   
       35 . The toy vehicle of  claim 21 , further comprising a hollow tube in communication with the chamber, wherein the hollow tube is configured to release the pressurized fluid after the actuator moves to the actuating position.  
   
   
       36 . The toy vehicle of  claim 35 , further comprising a launchable member operatively connected to the hollow tube, the launchable member being released from the launchable body after the release of the pressurized fluid through the hollow tube.  
   
   
       37 . A projectile toy comprising: 
 a body with a chamber having a front portion and an opening;    a first holding member connected near the front portion;    an elastomeric band for engaging the first holding member so the band can be stretched to a predetermined position and released causing the projectile toy to launch;    a covering mechanism disposed adjacent the chamber, the covering mechanism biased to a first position to cover the opening, wherein the chamber releasably holds fluid under pressure, and further wherein the covering mechanism is movable to a second position for allowing fluid to be propelled from the chamber through the opening, and further wherein the covering mechanism has a fluid inlet valve;    an actuator disposed adjacent the covering mechanism, the actuator operable for movement between a starting position and an actuating position, the actuator in the starting position allowing the covering mechanism to remain in the first position, and further wherein the actuator is operable to the actuating position to move the covering mechanism to the second position;    a delay mechanism operatively coupled to the actuator, the delay mechanism configured to move the actuator to the actuating position after a delay; and    a launcher disposed adjacent the chamber, the launcher having a pump and a launch mechanism, wherein the pump couples to the fluid inlet valve for pressurizing the chamber, and further wherein the launch mechanism is operable from a first holding position for holding the actuator in the starting position and movable to a second releasing position to release the chamber for launch by the elastomeric band.    
   
   
       38 . The toy vehicle of  claim 37 , wherein the covering mechanism includes a plug disposed adjacent the chamber for covering the opening, and a lever disposed adjacent the plug, the lever biased towards a first position for holding the plug to cover the opening and movable to a second position for releasing the plug to allow fluid to be propelled from the chamber through the opening.  
   
   
       39 . The toy vehicle of  claim 37 , wherein the actuator is operable for movement under a biasing force.  
   
   
       40 . The toy vehicle of  claim 37 , wherein the actuator is operable for translational movement.  
   
   
       41 . The toy vehicle of  claim 37  wherein the actuator has at least two starting positions.  
   
   
       42 . The toy vehicle of  claim 37 , wherein the actuator is configured to be held in the starting position and released at a predetermined time.  
   
   
       43 . The projectile toy of  claim 42 , wherein the launch mechanism includes a holder for holding the actuator in the starting position.  
   
   
       44 . The toy vehicle of  claim 37 , wherein the delay mechanism is configured to move the covering mechanism to the second position after the toy vehicle is launched.  
   
   
       45 . The toy vehicle of  claim 37 , wherein the delay mechanism is configured to move the covering mechanism to the second position while the toy vehicle is moving.  
   
   
       46 . The toy vehicle of  claim 37 , wherein the delay mechanism is configured to move the covering mechanism to the second position while the toy vehicle is in flight.  
   
   
       47 . The toy vehicle of  claim 37 , wherein the delay mechanism includes a dampener to control the movement of the actuator.  
   
   
       48 . The toy vehicle of  claim 47 , wherein the dampener controls the movement of the actuator at a substantially constant rate.  
   
   
       49 . The toy vehicle of  claim 47 , wherein the dampener includes a pinion operatively coupled to a rack on the actuator.  
   
   
       50 . The projectile toy of  claim 37 , wherein the launch mechanism includes a trigger biased to hold the chamber and movable to a position for releasing the chamber for launch by the elastomeric band.  
   
   
       51 . The toy vehicle of  claim 37 , wherein the chamber includes a first compartment in fluid communication with the opening, and a second compartment in fluid communication with the first compartment at an aperture.  
   
   
       52 . The toy vehicle of  claim 51 , wherein the aperture is positioned higher than the opening relative to the opening when the launchable body is positioned for launching.  
   
   
       53 . The toy vehicle of  claim 51 , wherein the second compartment is configured to hold substantially gas under pressure and the first compartment is configured to hold substantially liquid under pressure, and further wherein the first compartment and the second compartment are configured to allow substantially all of the liquid to be propelled from the chamber through the opening before substantially all of the gas is propelled through the opening.  
   
   
       54 . The toy vehicle of  claim 37 , wherein the toy vehicle is a toy car.  
   
   
       55 . The toy vehicle of  claim 37 , further comprising at least two fins mounted to the body, the fins arranged for flying.  
   
   
       56 . The toy vehicle of  claim 37 , further comprising a hollow tube in communication with the chamber, wherein the hollow tube is configured to release the pressurized fluid after the actuator moves to the actuating position.  
   
   
       57 . The toy vehicle of  claim 56 , further comprising a launchable member operatively connected to the hollow tube, the launchable member being released from the launchable body after the release of the pressurized fluid through the hollow tube.  
   
   
       58 . A wheeled toy vehicle operable for movement on a surface, the toy vehicle comprising: 
 a body with a chamber having an opening;    a covering mechanism disposed adjacent the chamber, the covering mechanism biased to a first position to cover the opening, wherein the chamber releasably holds fluid under pressure, and further wherein the covering mechanism is movable to a second position for allowing fluid to be propelled from the chamber through the opening; and    an actuator disposed adjacent the covering mechanism, the actuator operable for movement in response to movement of the vehicle between a starting position and an actuating position, the actuator in the starting position allowing the covering mechanism to remain in the first position, and further wherein the actuator is operable to the actuating position to move the covering mechanism to the second position.    
   
   
       59 . The toy vehicle of  claim 58 , further comprising a delay mechanism operatively coupled to the actuator, the delay mechanism configured to move the actuator in response to movement of the vehicle to move the actuator to the actuating position after an interval.  
   
   
       60 . The toy vehicle of  claim 59 , wherein the delay mechanism is a worm and the actuator is a worm wheel.  
   
   
       61 . The toy vehicle of  claim 59 , wherein the interval for movement occurs after the launchable body is launched.  
   
   
       62 . The toy vehicle of  claim 59 , wherein the interval for movement occurs while the launchable body is moving.  
   
   
       63 . The toy vehicle of  claim 58 , further comprising at least one wheel operatively coupled to the actuator so that the actuator moves as the at least one wheel rotates.  
   
   
       64 . The toy vehicle of  claim 63 , wherein the actuator is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis as the at least one wheel rotatably moves about a horizontal axis.  
   
   
       65 . The toy vehicle of  claim 63 , wherein the actuator is configured to move only when the at least one wheel rotates in one direction.  
   
   
       66 . The toy vehicle of  claim 63 , wherein the actuator is biased towards a setting position and movable to an operable position, the actuator in the setting position allowing the actuator to move to the starting position, and the actuator in the operable position operable for movement in response to movement of the vehicle between the starting position and the actuating position.  
   
   
       67 . The toy vehicle of  claim 66 , wherein the actuator in the setting position is biased towards the starting position.  
   
   
       68 . The toy vehicle of  claim 58 , wherein the chamber includes a first compartment in fluid communication with the opening, and a second compartment in fluid communication with the first compartment at an aperture.  
   
   
       69 . The toy vehicle of  claim 68 , wherein the aperture is positioned higher than the opening relative to the opening when the launchable body is positioned for launching.  
   
   
       70 . The toy vehicle of  claim 68 , wherein the second compartment is configured to hold substantially gas under pressure and the first compartment is configured to hold substantially liquid under pressure, and further wherein the first compartment and the second compartment are configured to allow substantially all of the liquid to be propelled from the chamber through the opening before substantially all of the gas is propelled through the opening.  
   
   
       71 . The toy vehicle of  claim 58 , wherein the covering mechanism further includes a fluid inlet valve.  
   
   
       72 . The toy vehicle of  claim 58 , wherein the toy vehicle is a toy car.  
   
   
       73 . The toy vehicle of  claim 58 , wherein the actuator has at least two starting positions.  
   
   
       74 . A wheeled toy vehicle operable for movement on a surface, comprising: 
 at least one wheel mounted to the vehicle, wherein the at least one wheel is rotatable on the surface to move the toy vehicle; and    an actuator operatively coupled to the at least one wheel, the actuator biased towards a setting position and movable to an operable position, the actuator in the setting position releasing from the at least one wheel to allow the actuator to move to a starting position, and the actuator in the operable position operable for movement in response to movement of the vehicle between the starting position and an actuating position    
   
   
       75 . The toy vehicle of  claim 74 , wherein the actuator in the setting position is biased towards the starting position.  
   
   
       76 . The toy vehicle of  claim 74 , wherein the actuator in the operable position is operably coupled to the at least one wheel, the actuator movable as the at least one wheel rotates.  
   
   
       77 . The toy vehicle of  claim 76 , wherein the actuator is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis as the at least one wheel rotatably moves about a horizontal axis.  
   
   
       78 . The toy vehicle of  claim 76 , wherein the actuator is configured to move only when the at least one wheel rotates in one direction.  
   
   
       79 . The toy vehicle of  claim 74 , further comprising: 
 a body with a chamber having an opening; and    a covering mechanism disposed adjacent the chamber and the actuator, the covering mechanism biased to a covering position to cover the opening, wherein the chamber releasably holds fluid under pressure, and further wherein the actuator in the engaging position moves the covering mechanism to a releasing position for releasing the covering mechanism to allow fluid to be propelled from the chamber through the opening.    
   
   
       80 . The toy vehicle of  claim 74 , wherein the actuator has at least two starting positions.  
   
   
       81 . A toy vehicle for launching, the toy vehicle comprising: 
 a power source;    a covering mechanism disposed adjacent the chamber, the covering mechanism having a first position to releasably hold the power source, and further wherein the covering mechanism is movable to a second position for releasing the power source;    an actuator disposed adjacent the body, the actuator operable for movement operable for movement under a biasing force between a starting position and an actuating position, the actuator in the starting position allowing the covering mechanism to remain in the first position, and further wherein the actuator is operable to the actuating position to move the covering mechanism to the second position; and    a dampener operatively coupled to the actuator, the dampener configured to control the movement of the actuator between a starting position and the actuating position under a delay.    
   
   
       82 . The toy vehicle of  claim 81 , wherein the power source is pressurized fluid.  
   
   
       83 . The toy vehicle of  claim 81 , wherein the dampener controls the movement of the actuator at a substantially constant rate.  
   
   
       84 . The toy vehicle of  claim 81 , wherein the dampener includes a pinion operatively coupled to a rack on the actuator.  
   
   
       85 . The toy vehicle of  claim 81 , wherein the dampener is configured to move the covering mechanism to the second position after the toy vehicle is launched.  
   
   
       86 . The toy vehicle of  claim 81 , wherein the dampener is configured to move the covering mechanism to the second position while the toy vehicle is moving.  
   
   
       87 . The toy vehicle of  claim 81 , wherein the dampener is configured to move the covering mechanism to the second position while the toy vehicle is in flight.  
   
   
       88 . The toy vehicle of  claim 81 , wherein the actuator is configured to be held in the starting position and released at a predetermined time.  
   
   
       89 . The toy vehicle of  claim 81 , further comprising a holder, wherein the holder holds the actuator in the starting position.  
   
   
       90 . The toy vehicle of  claim 81 , further comprising: 
 a first holding member mounted to the body; and    an elastomeric band for engaging the holding member so the band can be stretched to a predetermined position and released causing the projectile toy to launch.    
   
   
       91 . The toy vehicle of  claim 81 , wherein the covering mechanism further includes a fluid inlet valve.  
   
   
       92 . The toy vehicle of  claim 81 , wherein the toy vehicle is a toy car.  
   
   
       93 . The toy vehicle of  claim 81 , further comprising at least two fins mounted to the body, the fins arranged for flying.  
   
   
       94 . The toy vehicle of  claim 81 , further comprising a hollow tube in communication with the chamber, wherein the hollow tube is configured to release the pressurized fluid after the actuator moves to the actuating position.  
   
   
       95 . The toy vehicle of  claim 81 , further comprising a launchable member operatively connected to the hollow tube, the launchable member being released from the launchable body after the release of the pressurized fluid through the hollow tube.