Toy for rotating and launching an object and spraying water proximate the object

Abstract

A toy comprises a housing connected with a launcher to rotate and launch an object. The launcher comprises a driving element to form a drive connection with a receiving element on the object. The launcher is connected with a launcher rotating system, which imparts a rotary movement to the launcher. When the launcher ceases to accelerate the object, the receiving element disengages from the drive connection and launches the object. In one aspect, the launcher rotating system is a gear train capable of being rotated by a gear rack pulled by a user. The toy also includes a water spray mechanism to spray water proximate the object to give the appearance of the object spraying the water.

1 . A toy for rotating and launching an object, comprising: 
 a housing;    a launcher extending from the housing, the launcher configured to impart a rotary motion to an object, wherein the launcher comprises a driving element configured to engage a receiving element, the receiving element attached with an object to form a drive connection, such that when the driving element engages the receiving element, the object is rotationally accelerated in one direction, and wherein once the driving element ceases to accelerate the receiving element, the receiving element disengages from the driving element and releases the object from the drive connection;    a launcher rotating system mounted inside the housing and connected with the launcher, the launcher rotating system configured to impart a rotary motion to the launcher; and    a water spray mechanism operable for spraying water proximate the object.    
   
   
       2 . The toy as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the driving element comprises two substantially helical tabs extending in a parallel configuration from the shaft about an axis, the axis running substantially parallel to and substantially centered in the shaft, and wherein the receiving element of the object is similarly configured with two substantially helical tabs extending outward in parallel configuration about an axis, the axis running perpendicular to the rotational motion of the object, and wherein the two substantially helical tabs of each of the driving element and receiving element has an edge that runs parallel to the axis of the respective driving element and receiving element, such that the edge of the driving element rests flush against the edge of the receiving element, forming a drive connection which allows the rotation of the driving element to rotate the receiving element.  
   
   
       3 . The launcher of  claim 2 , wherein the edge of the driving element and the edge of the receiving element are formed as matching and interlocking shapes, such that when the edge of the driving element is matched with the edge of the receiving element, an interlocking drive connection is formed.  
   
   
       4 . The launcher of  claim 3 , wherein the edge of the driving element and the edge of the receiving element are formed as a hook shapes, such that when the edge of the driving element is matched up with the edge of the receiving element, an interlocking drive connection is formed.  
   
   
       5 . The toy as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the launcher rotating system comprises a series of interconnected gears and axles, the gears and axles capable of rotating the launcher.  
   
   
       6 . The toy as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the series of interconnected gears and axles comprises an output axle connected with the launcher, the output axle coupled with an output gear, the output gear drivingly connected with an input gear on an input axle, the input axle connected with an input pinion, the input pinion in drivingly connected with a gear rack, said gear rack movably mounted in a guideway in the housing, said gear rack capable of moving to rotate the input pinion and thereby rotate the launcher rotating system.  
   
   
       7 . The toy as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the radius of the gears is selected to provide a desired input-to-output gear ratio.  
   
   
       8 . The toy as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the water spray mechanism includes a water tank, a pump for pressurizing the tank, and an outlet proximate the launcher.  
   
   
       9 . The toy as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the wherein the water spray mechanism is formed to spray water proximate the object such that when the object is rotating, the object spins through the water to deflect the water.  
   
   
       10 . The toy as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the wherein the water spray mechanism is formed to spray water proximate the object to give the appearance of the object spraying the water while the object remains dry.  
   
   
       11 . The toy as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the water spray mechanism includes a water tank, a pump for pressurizing the tank, and an outlet proximate the launcher.  
   
   
       12 . The toy as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the wherein the water spray mechanism is formed to spray water proximate the object such that when the object is rotating, the object spins through the water to deflect the water.  
   
   
       13 . The toy as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the wherein the water spray mechanism is formed to spray water proximate the object to give the appearance of the object spraying the water while the object remains dry.