Combined toy model catcher/launcher

Abstract

A combined toy model catcher/launcher includes a catching chute and a launching chute. An internal drive wheel is selectively rotated by a switch controlled by a user. When a toy model is received in the catching chute, it is put into tangential contact with an engaging surface of the drive wheel and is accelerated through a semi-circular shaped track around the drive wheel and ejected out the launching chute. Two or more catcher/launchers can be used in a free form environment without requiring tracks or other guide means to receive the toy model in the catching chute. An adjustable implementation allows for a change in angular directions between the catching and launching performed by the single device

1 . A combined toy model catcher/launcher comprising:
 a catching chute for receiving a toy model traveling in a first direction;   a drive mechanism in communication with the catching chute for receiving the toy model and applying accelerating forces to the same;   a launching chute in communication with said drive mechanism and configured to enable the toy model to be ejected from the launching chute in a second direction that is different than the first direction; and   a control mechanism connected to the drive mechanism for selectively activating said drive mechanism.   
   
   
       2 . The catcher/launcher of  claim 1 , wherein the drive mechanism comprises:
 a drive wheel having a drive gear centered about a rotation axis and a circumferential toy model engaging surface;   a motor having at least one gear in communication with the drive gear and being in electrical communication with said control mechanism.   
   
   
       3 . The catcher/launcher of  claim 2 , further comprising a body having internal sides defining an internal semi-circular track, the semi-circular track being in communication on one side with the catching chute and in communication on the other side with the launching chute, said drive mechanism being configured to tangentially impart acceleration forces the toy model as it moves around the semi-circular internal track. 
   
   
       4 . The catcher/launcher of  claim 2 , further comprising a battery in electrical communication with said control mechanism and said motor. 
   
   
       5 . The catcher/launcher of  claim 1 , wherein said control mechanism comprises:
 a handle fixedly connected to a body forming the catching chute and the launching chute; and   a trigger disposed on said handle and configured so as to selectively activate the drive mechanism.   
   
   
       6 . The catcher/launcher of  claim 1 , wherein the first direction and the second direction are opposite directions. 
   
   
       7 . The catcher/launcher of  claim 1 , wherein the second direction is in a range of 180-0 degrees with respect to the first direction. 
   
   
       8 . A combined toy model catcher/launcher comprising:
 a catching chute for receiving a toy model traveling in a first direction;   a launching chute for launching the received toy model in a second direction different than said first direction; and   drive means for accelerating a speed of the received toy model as it travels between the catching chute and the launching chute.   
   
   
       9 . The catcher/launcher according to  claim 8 , further comprising control means connected to a body forming said catching chute and said launching chute and housing said drive means, said control means providing selective activation of said drive means. 
   
   
       10 . The catcher/launcher according to  claim 8 , wherein said second direction is 180 degrees different than said first direction. 
   
   
       11 . The catcher/launcher according to  claim 8 , wherein said second direction is in a range of 180-0 degrees with respect to said first direction. 
   
   
       12 . The catcher/launcher of  claim 9 , wherein said control means comprises:
 a handle fixedly connected to the body; and   a trigger disposed on said handle and configured so as to selectively activate said drive means.   
   
   
       13 . The catcher/launcher of  claim 8 , wherein said drive means comprises:
 a drive wheel having a drive gear centered about a rotation axis and a circumferential toy model engaging surface; and   a motor having at least one gear in communication with the drive gear and being in electrical communication with said control mechanism.