Small vehicle energized on handheld launcher

Abstract

A toy vehicle assembly that includes a toy vehicle coupled to a hand-held launcher. The launcher includes a manually rotated platform that is rotated by a user. Rotation of the platform causes a mechanism within the toy vehicle to store energy. The user can place the toy vehicle adjacent to a surface and release the vehicle from the launcher. The stored energy then propels the vehicle.

1 . A toy vehicle assembly, comprising: 
 a hand-held launcher that includes a manually rotated platform; and,    a toy vehicle that is coupled to said hand-held launcher, said toy vehicle includes an energy storage mechanism that stores energy when said platform is rotated.    
   
   
       2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said hand-held launcher includes a release mechanism that restrains and releases said toy vehicle.  
   
   
       3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said release mechanism includes a safety switch that is activated by contact with a surface.  
   
   
       4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said hand-held launcher includes a light source.  
   
   
       5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said energy storage mechanism includes a toy flywheel.  
   
   
       6 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said hand-held launcher includes a pivot mechanism that allows said toy vehicle to be pivoted between a vertical position and a horizontal position.  
   
   
       7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said hand-held launcher includes a sound generator.  
   
   
       8 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein said hand-held launcher includes a safety switch coupled to said light source.  
   
   
       9 . A toy vehicle assembly, comprising: 
 a hand-held launcher that includes a manually rotated platform; and,    a toy vehicle that is coupled to said hand-held launcher, said toy vehicle includes energy storage means for propelling said toy vehicle.    
   
   
       10 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said hand-held launcher includes a release mechanism that restrains and releases said toy vehicle.  
   
   
       11 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein said release mechanism includes a safety switch that is activated by contact with a surface.  
   
   
       12 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said toy vehicle includes a light source.  
   
   
       13 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said energy storage means includes a toy flywheel.  
   
   
       14 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said hand-held launcher includes a pivot mechanism that allows said toy vehicle to be pivoted between a vertical position and a horizontal position.  
   
   
       15 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said hand-held launcher includes a sound generator.  
   
   
       16 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said hand-held launcher includes a light source.  
   
   
       17 . A method for launching a toy vehicle, comprising: 
 manipulating a hand-held launcher to rotate a toy vehicle so that the toy vehicle stores energy;    placing the toy vehicle adjacent to a surface; and,    releasing the toy vehicle from the hand-held launcher.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising generating a light source from the hand-held launcher.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising emitting a sound from the hand-held launcher.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the toy vehicle is rotated in a vertical position and released in a horizontal position.