Integrated carrying case and toy object launcher

Abstract

An integrated carrying case and toy object launcher is described. The integrated carrying case comprises a carrying case portion and a launcher. The carrying case portion includes an openable container having a lid and a plurality of compartments. Each compartment is formed to hold at least one toy object. The launcher is connected with and extends from the carrying case portion. The launcher is formed to attach with a toy object and operably connect with a gear rack. The launcher is also formed to impart a rotary motion to the object, such that withdrawal of an operably connected gear rack causes the object to rotate and launch from the launcher.

1 . An integrated carrying case and toy object launcher, comprising: 
 a carrying case portion formed to hold at least one toy object; and    a launcher connected with and extending from the carrying case portion, the launcher being formed to attach with a toy object and operably connect with a gear rack, and being configured to impart a rotary motion to the object, such that withdrawal of an operably connected gear rack causes the object to rotate and launch from the launcher.    
   
   
       2 . An integrated carrying case and toy object launcher as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the carrying case portion includes an openable container having a lid, and wherein the openable container includes a plurality of compartments, with each compartment being formed to hold at least one toy object.  
   
   
       3 . An integrated carrying case and toy object launcher as set forth in  claim 2 , further comprising a flexible tab connected with the lid for holding toy objects in place when the toy objects are positioned within the openable container.  
   
   
       4 . An integrated carrying case and toy object launcher as set forth in  claim 3 , further comprising a cap for connecting with and covering a portion of the launcher.  
   
   
       5 . An integrated carrying case and toy object launcher as set forth in  claim 4 , further comprising an object for connecting with and being launched from the launcher.  
   
   
       6 . An integrated carrying case and toy object launcher as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the object is formed in a shape selected from a group consisting of a disk, a wheel, and a ball.  
   
   
       7 . An integrated carrying case and toy object launcher as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the launcher comprises a driving element configured to engage a receiving element that is attached with the 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.  
   
   
       8 . An integrated carrying case and toy object launcher as set forth in  claim 7 , further comprising a launcher-rotating system mounted inside the carrying case portion and connected with the launcher, the launcher-rotating system configured to impart a rotary motion to the launcher.  
   
   
       9 . An integrated carrying case and toy object launcher as set forth in  claim 8 , 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.  
   
   
       10 . An integrated carrying case and toy object launcher as set forth in  claim 9 , 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.  
   
   
       11 . An integrated carrying case and toy object launcher as set forth in  claim 9 , 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.  
   
   
       12 . An integrated carrying case and toy object launcher as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising an object for connecting with and being launched from the launcher.  
   
   
       13 . An integrated carrying case and toy object launcher as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the object is formed in a shape selected from a group consisting of a disk, a wheel, and a ball.  
   
   
       14 . An integrated carrying case and toy object launcher as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the launcher comprises a driving element configured to engage a receiving element that is attached with the 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.  
   
   
       15 . An integrated carrying case and toy object launcher as set forth in  claim 14 , 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.  
   
   
       16 . An integrated carrying case and toy object launcher as set forth in  claim 14 , 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.  
   
   
       17 . An integrated carrying case and toy object launcher as set forth in  claim 14 , 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.  
   
   
       18 . An integrated carrying case and toy object launcher as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a launcher-rotating system mounted inside the carrying case portion and connected with the launcher, the launcher-rotating system configured to impart a rotary motion to the launcher.  
   
   
       19 . An integrated carrying case and toy object launcher as set forth in  claim 2 , further comprising a flexible tab connected with the lid for holding toy objects in place when the toy objects are positioned within the openable container.  
   
   
       20 . An integrated carrying case and toy object launcher as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a cap for connecting with and covering a portion of the launcher.  
   
   
       21 . A method for forming an integrated carrying case and toy object launcher, comprising acts of: 
 forming a carrying case portion to hold at least one toy object;    forming and connecting a launcher connected with the carrying case portion, the launcher being formed to attach with a toy object and operably connect with a gear rack, and being configured to impart a rotary motion to the object, such that withdrawal of an operably connected gear rack causes the object to rotate and launch from the launcher; and    wherein in forming the carrying case portion, the carrying case portion is formed to include an openable container having a lid and a plurality of compartments, with each compartment being formed to hold at least one toy object.