Toy launcher and method

Abstract

A recreational toy launching assembly and method for launching a toy are provided. The launching assembly includes a wing member slidably disposed along a structure which is employed for launching a toy. The wing member is coupled to an elastic member that is engaged to the structure. The method for launching a toy includes sliding a wing member in an initial direction along a structural portion of a launching assembly which is coupled to a toy; and releasing the wing member, causing the wing member to travel in a direction opposed to or opposite the initial direction and the toy to launch in the initial direction.

1 . A method for launching a toy comprising:
 (a) sliding a wing member in a direction along a structural portion of a launching assembly which is coupled to a toy; and   (b) releasing the wing member, causing the wing member to travel in a direction opposite the direction in step (a), and causing the toy to launch in the direction in step (a).   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said wing member travels along a slot in the toy. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said wing member travels along a slot in a tubular member. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said tubular member is disposed within said toy, and said wing member travels along the slot in the toy and the slot in the tubular member. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  additionally comprising contacting the wing member after said releasing step to prevent said wing member from immediately traveling in the direction opposite to the direction in step (a). 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 2  additionally comprising contacting the wing member after said releasing step to prevent said wing member from immediately traveling in the direction opposite to the direction in step (a). 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 3  additionally comprising contacting the wing member after said releasing step to prevent said wing member from immediately traveling in the direction opposite to the direction in step (a). 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 2  additionally comprising collapsing an elastic member that is coupled to the toy and to the wing member. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 3  additionally comprising collapsing an elastic member that is coupled to the tubular member and to the wing member. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said toy is disposed in a liquid. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1  additionally comprising bending the wing member against a structural portion of the toy. 
   
   
       12 . A toy assembly comprising a launching assembly including a wing member slidably disposed along a structural portion of the toy assembly, and having an elastic member. 
   
   
       13 . The toy assembly of  claim 12  wherein said structural portion of the toy assembly comprises a slot. 
   
   
       14 . The toy assembly of  claim 12  wherein said toy assembly comprises a toy having said elastic member coupled thereto. 
   
   
       15 . The toy assembly of  claim 12  wherein said toy assembly comprises a tubular member having said elastic member coupled to said wing member and to an end of the tubular member. 
   
   
       16 . The toy assembly of  claim 12  wherein said toy assembly comprises a toy, a slot disposed in said toy, a tubular member disposed in said toy, and a slot disposed in said tubular member, said slot in said toy and said slot in said tubular member are aligned with each other. 
   
   
       17 . A toy launching assembly comprising a wing member slidably disposed along a structure and coupled to an elastic member which is engaged to the structure. 
   
   
       18 . The toy launching assembly of  claim 17  wherein said structure comprises a tubular member having a slot where through said wing member extends. 
   
   
       19 . The toy launching assembly of  claim 17  wherein said structure comprises a toy having a slot where through said wing member extends