Interactive Toy with Interchangeable Parts, Launching Mechanism, Related Systems, Kits and Methods of Manufacture

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/569,279, filed Mar. 25, 2024 titled INTERACTIVE TOY WITH INTERCHANGEABLE PARTS, LAUNCHING MECHANISM, RELATED SYSTEMS, KITS AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE, which is hereby incorporated by reference DESCRIPTION

The invention is an improvement over collectible plastic figural toys currently and previously found in the marketplace, incorporating additional play features and functions into the toy, such as: 1) a built-in mechanism that launches, or pops, the upper (which is typically a head) from the midsection; 2) a pre-packaged target for the launched upper; 3) a removable base that resembles sneakers, fashion focused/iconic shoes, shoe accessories, and/or other bases that can be interchanged, or swapped, between similar like toys, thereby creating design combinations based upon the individuals' design and style preference(s).

Throughout history people have found ways to amuse themselves and pass time by playing with and collecting toys and games. Popular toys have included figurines, dolls and other models of useful objects made to scale for various purposes. Some of the more iconic toys of the 20th and 21st centuries have included inventions branded by various companies as Bobbleheads, Mr. Potato Head, Barbie, Gi-joe, Lego and various other comic book action figures, celebrity figurines, and other persons and creatures. Some of these toys come in playsets and lend themselves to various games and form of play and collectability. However, the uses of the prior art above are limited and the opportunities for cross-branding, marketing, and selling are also limited. It has long been desired to have toys and amusement devices with lower costs of manufacturing, lower costs of shipping and simpler assembly that also have greater ability for branding and cross marketing and new and improved methods of play, collectability, and creativity.

The invention provides a collectable figural toy incorporating various features such as collectability, swapping, launching, and targeting within a unique construct that is easily adaptable for joint and cross marketing and has low-cost for manufacturing and shipping. An embodiment of one of the inventions disclosed herein generally consists of a figural toy comprised of at least three distinct parts: 1) an upper; 2) a midsection; and, 3) a base, of which the parts are capable of being connected together. While there are multiple methods of connecting the parts together, generally the preferred means of connection is using one or more built-in mechanisms located within the upper and midsection, and a male/female connector located within the midsection and base. The exterior of the figural toy is designed to be easily overlayed with artwork that is closely associated with popular sports, and/or sports figures, as well as/or other design figures and elements, that pertain to popular culture. The invention is designed to “age up” and “age down” appropriately to appeal to many audiences and cultures. Some embodiments of the invention include targets decorated to align with the artwork decorating the respective figurine and provide further aspects of gamification and collectability. The preferred embodiments are ergonomic, durable, easy to assemble, easy to disassemble and enable the swapping of parts and the launching and relaunching of at least one part, which is generally the upper.

This toy is an improvement of the traditional collectible figural toy found in the marketplace because, amongst other things, the toy combines additional aspects such a target and launch play features, along with the collectability of figural toys by incorporating a built-in mechanism designed to launch, or pop, the upper towards a target, and also incorporating the ability to swap, and exchange, the upper, midsection and base (sneaker/shoe) with other collectables.

In some embodiments the upper is substantially the same size, weight as a regulation ping-pong ball, beer pong ball or pickle-ball. Thus, in some preferred embodiments the upper is a substantially spherical polymer ball with a diameter of approximately 1.57″ (40 mm) and a circumference of 4.94″ (125.6 mm) and a mass of approximately 0.095 oz (2.7 g). Whereas, in other embodiments the upper posses a diameter that is between 2.874 inches (7.30 cm) to 2.972 inches (7.55 cm) and/or a circumference that is between 9.029 inches (22.93 cm) and 9.337 inches (23.72 cm) and weighs between approximately 0.78 to 0.935 ounces (22.1 to 26.5 grams). The upper may be solid or perforated with a range of holes. For example, for use in pickleball, according to current regulations, the upper should have between 26 to 40 holes. The inventions' light weight embodiment enables it to be shipped and transported at low cost. Furthermore, the product in its standard form enables it to be manufactured, shipped, and assembled at a low cost a sold in various points of sale such as fast-food drive throughs, sporting events, universities, schools, movie theaters, festivals, concerts, conventions, retail stores and through the internet. Also, existing methods for making and distributing ping pong balls and pickle-balls may be used in the manufacturing and distribution of the parts of the invention.

In other embodiments the optimal size is an upper with a diameter of 2.5″ (63.5 mm), a total assembled product height of 5.0″ (127 mm), a width of 3.00″ (76.2 mm) and a depth of the base of 2.00″ (50.8 mm). These measurements also offer unique advantages for game play and tend to be easier to hold and handle by a greater variety of users.

Reverting to the figures,is front view of the invention showing the upper, midsection, and base.is a left-side view of the invention showing the upper, midsection, baseand launch button.is a rear view of the invention again showing the upper, midsection, baseand button.is a right-side view of the invention showing the upper, midsection, baseand launch button. While looking from the top-down,shows that the upperand baseare the most visible parts in the top view of the invention. While looking bottom up,shows that the upper, midsection, baseand launch buttonin the exemplary embodiment are all visible from the outside of the invention. Notably, in the preferred embodiments the upperis spherical enabling it to be easily adapted for various forms of play (e.g. ping pong, beer bong, pickle-ball, etc.). The ergonomic bodyis substantially egg shaped and substantially hollow making it easy and comfortable to hold, and lightweight. The standard form and contour of the upper, midsection and base make it easy to wrap or affix designs. Also enabled is a device that is easy to manufacture, assemble and control for most people regardless of their age, ability and dexterity.

Looking through a transparent embodiment of the invention,shows a front interior of the invention.are an exploded and transparent view of the invention.is a transparent upperof the invention and visible therein are the internal compression springand its stopper. The stopperkeeps the compression springwithin the upperwhen the upperis detached from the midsectionshown in.

is a front exploded interior view of the midsectionof the invention. Within the midsection are the compression springsand hook levers. The midsectionis shown detached from the basein. In the depicted embodiment the baseresembles a pair of sneakers or shoes.is a front view of the base of the invention.

is a right-side exploded interior view of the upperof the invention. It shows the upperdetached from the midsection, which is depicted in. Also, shown is the launch button.is a right-side view of the baseof the invention detached from the midsection depicted in.

is a rear exploded interior view of the upperof the invention. The compression springand its stoppercan be seen. Since the upperofis detached from the midsectiondepicted inthe compression springis in a relaxed state and not compressed. When the upperis joined with the midsectionthe launching guidepresses upon the stopperand compression springcausing the compression springto compress.

is a rear exploded interior view of the midsection of the invention. Shown are the launching guide, hook leversand the compression springs.shows the midsectiondetached from the upperofand the baseof. Combiningshows a left-side exploded interior view of the invention.

is a top interior view of the invention. Shown are the compression springsfor the latching system, the compression springand stopperfor the launching mechanism and the launch buttonwhich releases the latching mechanism and causes the compression springand stopperfor the launching mechanism to act upon the upperto detach and launch from the midsectionas shown in.

is bottom interior view of the invention showing the launch buttonwhich when depressed causes the compression springsto compress and the hook leversshown into disengage from the uppershown ifcausing the upperto launch from the midsectiondepicted in.

is a disassembled view of the invention. Shown are the front upper, spring channel, hook lever interface, the launch guide interface, rear upper, stopper, and compression springwhich when combined form the upper shown inand other figures which are included in the disclosure. Also, shown are the front midsection, the hook lever pivots, compression spring stops, midsection pin, launch button stop, rear midsection, launch button, hook levers, launch guideand compression springs, which when combined form the midsection shown inand other figures which are included in the disclosure. The hook lever pivotshold the hook leversin place and enable the hook leversto pivot when then launch buttonis pressed/depressed and the compression springsare accordingly decompressed or compressed. The hook leversin the depicted embodiment have cylindrical or prong type connections for the compression springs, which when assembled sit between the hook leversand the hook lever stops. The launch button stopprevents the launch buttonfrom being too far depressed. When the launch buttonis pressed in it causes the hooking portions of the hook leversto disengage from their respective hook lever interfacescausing the force of the pre-locked compression springand stopperto push upon the launch guideforcing the upperto detach from the midsectionand move along the channel created by the launch guide interface. When the front upperand rear upperare assembled the compression springis housed within the spring channel. Further shown is base top, midsection pin interface, and base bottom, which when combined form the base shown inand other figures which are included in the disclosure. The midsection pin interfacemay be reversed and located within the midsectionand a prong or connecting means in lieu of the midsection pinplaced within the base.

is a transparent front view of the invention showing the interior mechanisms engaged to hold the upperin place.

is a transparent front view of the invention showing the interior mechanisms disengaged to enable the upper to be removed. This is caused by pressing the launch buttonwhich wedges between the hook leverscausing the hook levers to release or disengage from the upperthereby activating the launch mechanism contained therein.is a transparent front view of the invention showing the interior mechanisms while the upper is removed and the interior mechanisms disengaged.is a transparent front view of the invention showing the interior mechanisms while the upper is removed and the interior mechanisms engaged so that the upper will reattach upon connection as the upper is pressed down in step one.is a rear view of the invention with the upper, midsection and base detached as the launch buttonis pressed in step.is a front view of the invention with the upper, midsection and base detached.

The invention is comprised of a few very simple parts making it easy to assemble at the factory and later by subsequent user.

A user assembles the midsectionand baseof the device by taking the lower post of the midsectionand inserting it into the baseby a tight or compression fitting. Other means of attaching the baseto the midsection, may be use and include but are not limited to adhesives, various male female connectors, hook an loops, magnetic connectors, electromagnetic connectors, screws, pins, suction devices and other means and methods of fastening now know or later discovered in the art.

Generally, the front upper and rear upper, front midsection and rear midsection and the base top and base bottom are assembled by sonic welding. However, adhesives and other processes may be used including, but not limited to 3d printing and other means known and to be discovered in the art.

Generally, the device is used as illustrated inby inserting the midsectionlaunch guide into the upper and pressing down the upper causing the uppercompression springto be compressed (pre-loaded). Then, the midsectionhook leverslock the upperto the midsection.

Once the hook levers locked the upperto the midsection, a user presses the launch buttonfor launching the upperfrom the midsection.

The launching mechanism may be replaced with a compressed air cylinder, electromagnetic assembly, pump, motor, magnetized materials, or other launching mechanisms. The launching mechanism may also be relocated from the upper to the midsection, depending on the launching means used, e.g. compressed air, electromagnetic assembly, etc.

The latching mechanism may be replaced with electromagnetic assembly, magnetized materials, compressors and/or other devices.

The launch buttonmay be replaced with a digital button or an antenna associated with a wireless communication device, wherein the button, switch or device communicates with a controller or directly with a device that releases the latch and any kinetic stored energy. An advantage to the low-cost spring system is that the system self-charges (pre-loads) when the upperis pressed down onto the midsection. However, this could be reversed with the springand stopperrelocated into the midsectionand the launch guide placed in the upper. Also, the launch buttonmay be located in representative arms of the figurine or placed in the base.

Taking into account all material, manufacturing, and initial shipping costs the preferred and most basic embodiments described herein are able to be produced domestically or internationally for profitable retail sales at a manufactured suggested retail price point of $14.95 USD or less.

The assembled device is preferred to be delivered to consumers in kits. Some exemplary kits include targets to direct the upper when it is launched. These targets may include scaled replicas of basketball hoops and cups used for games like beer pong.

While elements, embodiments and applications of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood, that the invention is not limited thereto since modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings.

Furthermore, elements of the present invention as described in the embodiments above can be incorporated into toys, amusement devices and collectables in other suitable combinations or arrangements, for example, to suit particular applications.

The examples used herein are only some embodiments of the invention. Thus, it is seen that the objects of the present invention are efficiently obtained, although modifications and changes to the invention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, which modifications are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. It is also understood that the foregoing description is illustrative of the present invention and should not be considered as limiting. Therefore, other embodiments of the present invention are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.