Toy for rotating and aerially launching an object

Abstract

A toy comprises a housing connected with a launcher to rotate and aerially launch a propeller in a launch direction. A direction controller is included to control the launch direction. The launcher is connected with a launcher rotating system, which imparts a rotary movement to the launcher. After accelerating the object, the object is aerially launched from the launcher. The toy is also configured to aerially launch multiple objects simultaneously.

1 . A toy for rotating and aerially launching an object, comprising: 
 a housing;    a direction controller attached with the housing for controlling a launching direction of the launcher;    a first launcher operably connected with the direction controller and pivotally connected with the housing, the first launcher configured to impart a rotary motion to an object, wherein the first 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, after which the object is aerially launched from the first launcher in the launching direction; and    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.    
   
   
       2 . The toy as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a second launcher operably connected with the direction controller and extending from the housing, the second launcher configured to impart a rotary motion to an object, wherein the second 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, after which an object is aerially launched from both the first launcher and the second launcher.  
   
   
       3 . The toy as set forth in  claim 2 , further comprising a direction linkage directionally connecting the first and second launchers and further comprising a controller linkage connected with the direction controller and the direction linkage, such that using the direction controller causes the controller linkage to move the direction linkage and thereby simultaneously turn both the first and second launcher.  
   
   
       4 . The toy as set forth in  claim 3 , 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.  
   
   
       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 object.  
   
   
       6 . The toy as set forth in  claim 5 , further comprising an object for aerially launching from the launcher, wherein the object is propeller formed to provide a lifting force upon rotation.  
   
   
       7 . The toy as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a direction linkage directionally connecting the first and second launchers and further comprising a controller linkage connected with the direction controller and the direction linkage, such that using the direction controller causes the controller linkage to move the direction linkage and thereby simultaneously turn both the first and second launcher.  
   
   
       8 . 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.  
   
   
       9 . The toy as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the launcher rotating system comprises a series of interconnected gears and axles, the gears and axles capable of rotating the object.  
   
   
       10 . The toy as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising an object for aerially launching from the launcher, wherein the object is propeller formed to provide a lifting force upon rotation.  
   
   
       11 . A method for forming a toy for rotating and aerially launching an object, the method comprising acts of: 
 forming a housing;    attaching a direction controller with the housing for controlling a launching direction of the launcher;    operably connecting a first launcher with the direction controller and pivotally connected with the housing, the first launcher configured to impart a rotary motion to an object, wherein the first 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, after which the object is aerially launched from the first launcher in the launching direction; and    mounting a launcher rotating system inside the housing and connected with the launcher, the launcher rotating system configured to impart a rotary motion to the launcher.