Swivel loop vehicle launcher

Abstract

A toy-vehicle launcher is disclosed that includes a track member having a loop track section, a launching mechanism, and a base pivotably coupled to and laterally extending from a bottom portion of the loop track section. The launching mechanism includes a vehicle receptacle coupled to a first end of the track member, a trigger coupled to the vehicle receptacle, and a shuttle biased to move in a first direction along the vehicle receptacle from a loading position to a launching position. The trigger actuates to release the shuttle from the loading position. In addition, the track member and launching mechanism can be pivoted about the base by application of a lateral force on the trigger.

1 . A toy-vehicle launcher comprising:
 a track member having a track section, a first end, and a second end;   a launching mechanism comprising:
 a vehicle receptacle coupled to the first end of the track member; 
 a shuttle biased to move in a first direction along the vehicle receptacle from a loading position to a launching position; and 
 a trigger coupled to the vehicle receptacle, wherein the trigger actuates to release the shuttle from the loading position; and 
   a base pivotally coupled to and laterally extending from a bottom portion of the track section, the base positioned proximate to the first end of the track member;   wherein the track member and launching mechanism can be pivoted about the base by application of a lateral force on the trigger.   
     
     
         2 . The toy-vehicle launcher of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a grip. 
     
     
         3 . The toy-vehicle launcher of  claim 2 , wherein the grip has a bottom end that tapers to a top edge. 
     
     
         4 . The toy-vehicle launcher of  claim 3 , wherein the top edge of the grip extends laterally a shorter distance than the bottom end of the grip. 
     
     
         5 . The toy-vehicle launcher of  claim 2 , wherein the grip comprises at least two faces. 
     
     
         6 . The toy-vehicle launcher of  claim 5 , wherein the at least two faces comprise a plurality of ridges. 
     
     
         7 . The toy-vehicle launcher of  claim 2 , wherein the grip extends vertically from a laterally extending portion of the base. 
     
     
         8 . The toy-vehicle launcher of  claim 2 , wherein:
 a pivot extends downwardly from the bottom portion of the track section; and   the base comprises an aperture to which a lower portion of the pivot is coupled.   
     
     
         9 . The toy-vehicle launcher of  claim 2 , wherein the launching mechanism further comprises a biasing member having:
 a first end coupled to the vehicle receptacle; and   a second end coupled to the shuttle.   
     
     
         10 . The toy-vehicle launcher of  claim 9 , wherein the biasing member is an elastic band. 
     
     
         11 . The toy-vehicle launcher of  claim 9 , wherein the launching mechanism further comprises a first engagement element coupled to the vehicle receptacle. 
     
     
         12 . The toy-vehicle launcher of  claim 11 , wherein the shuttle comprises a second engagement element configured to engage the first engagement element so as to retain the shuttle in the loading position against a force of the biasing member. 
     
     
         13 . The toy-vehicle launcher of  claim 12 , wherein the first engagement element is contoured with one or more ridges. 
     
     
         14 . The toy-vehicle launcher of  claim 13 , wherein the second engagement element comprises a flange. 
     
     
         15 . The toy-vehicle launcher of  claim 14 , wherein actuating the trigger releases the first engagement element from the second engagement element so as to allow the force of the biasing member to move the shuttle in the first direction along the vehicle receptacle from the loading position to the launching position. 
     
     
         16 . The toy-vehicle launcher of  claim 1 , wherein the track section comprises a loop track section. 
     
     
         17 . A toy-vehicle launcher comprising:
 a track member having a loop track section, a first end, and a second end;   a launching mechanism comprising:
 a vehicle receptacle coupled to the first end of the track member; 
 a shuttle biased to move in a first direction along the vehicle receptacle from a loading position to a launching position; and 
 a trigger coupled to the vehicle receptacle, wherein the trigger actuates to release the shuttle from the loading position; and 
   a base pivotally coupled to and laterally extending from at least two bottom portions of the loop track section;   wherein the track member and launching mechanism can be pivoted about the base by application of a lateral force on the launching mechanism.   
     
     
         18 . The toy-vehicle launcher of  claim 17 , wherein the base comprises a grip. 
     
     
         19 . The toy-vehicle launcher of  claim 18 , wherein the grip extends vertically from a laterally extending portion of the base. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The toy-vehicle launcher of  claim 17 , wherein the loop track section comprises a pivot positioned between the at least two bottom portions of the loop track section, the pivot coupling with an aperture in the base.