Toy vehicle and launch platform

Abstract

A toy vehicle system. The toy vehicle system includes a vehicle having a least one wheel. The vehicle is configured to generate at least one play effect via an effect apparatus of the vehicle responsive to spinning of the at least one wheel. The toy vehicle system includes a launch platform including a wheel spinning mechanism and a launch mechanism. The launch mechanism is configured to propel the vehicle from the launch platform in response to a launch event, and the wheel spinning mechanism configured to spin the at least one wheel of the vehicle prior to the launch event, thereby causing the vehicle to generate the play effect prior to being propelled from the launch platform.

1 . A toy vehicle system, comprising:
 a vehicle having a least one wheel, the vehicle configured to generate at least one play effect via an effect apparatus of the vehicle responsive to spinning of the at least one wheel; and   a launch platform including a wheel spinning mechanism and a launch mechanism, the launch mechanism configured to propel the vehicle from the launch platform in response to a launch event, and the wheel spinning mechanism configured to spin the at least one wheel of the vehicle prior to the launch event, thereby causing the vehicle to generate the play effect prior to being propelled from the launch platform.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle being propelled from the launch platform via the launch mechanism causes spinning of the at least one wheel thereby causing the vehicle to generate the play effect during travel of the vehicle away from the launch platform. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the toy vehicle includes a light and the at least one play effect includes illuminating the light. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the toy vehicle includes a sound generator, and the at least one play effect includes generating sounds with the sound generator. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the toy vehicle includes at least one moveable piston, and the at least one play effect includes reciprocating the piston. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the effect apparatus is electrically powered. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the effect apparatus is cam actuated. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the launch mechanism includes a spring and the vehicle is propelled via spring force generated from release of the spring. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the launch platform further includes a ramp portion configured to position the vehicle at an angle with a rear portion of the vehicle above a front portion of the vehicle. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the launch mechanism is configured to retain the vehicle on the ramp portion prior to the launch event. 
   
   
       11 . A launch platform for a toy vehicle having at least one wheel, the launch platform comprising:
 an inclined ramp surface for supporting the toy vehicle;   a stop to selectively restrict movement of the toy vehicle down the inclined ramp surface;   a roller assembly to spin the at least one wheel of the toy vehicle while the toy vehicle remains stationary on the inclined ramp surface;   a launch arm to selectively exert a launching force to the toy vehicle;   a launch trigger to activate the launch arm to exert a launching force to the toy vehicle, the launch trigger also releasing the stop to allow the toy vehicle to move down the inclined ramp surface.   
   
   
       12 . The launch platform of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a spin trigger to activate the roller assembly to spin the at least one wheel of the toy vehicle.   
   
   
       13 . The launch platform of  claim 12 , wherein the spin trigger includes a lever in operative communication with a gear set to spin the roller assembly, the gear set being wound in response to the lever traveling in a first direction, and the gear set unwinding and spinning the roller assembly in response to the lever traveling in a second direction. 
   
   
       14 . The launch platform of  claim 11 , further comprising a launch safety having a first orientation and a second orientation, in the first orientation the launch safety inhibiting the launch arm from exerting a launching force to the toy vehicle, and in the second orientation the launch safety allowing the launch arm to exert a launching force to the toy vehicle. 
   
   
       15 . The launch platform of  claim 14 , wherein the launch safety is located on the underside of the launch platform, wherein, in the first orientation, the launch safety protrudes from the underside of the launch platform, and wherein, in the second orientation, the launch safety is retracted from the underside of the launch platform. 
   
   
       16 . The launch platform of  claim 11 , wherein the launch arm is spring biased and activation of the launch arm by the launch trigger exerts spring force to the toy vehicle. 
   
   
       17 . The launch platform of  claim 11 , wherein the stop is configured to retract below the inclined ramp surface in response to activation of the launch trigger. 
   
   
       18 . A toy vehicle system, comprising:
 a toy vehicle having at least one wheel and an engine with a plurality of pistons, the vehicle configured to reciprocate the plurality of pistons and generate light from the engine and the at least one wheel responsive to spinning of the at least one wheel; and   a launch platform including an inclined ramp surface for supporting the toy vehicle, a stop to selectively restrict movement of the toy vehicle down the inclined ramp surface, a roller assembly to spin the at least one wheel of the toy vehicle while the toy vehicle remains stationary on the inclined ramp surface, a spin trigger to activate the roller assembly to spin the at least one wheel of the toy vehicle, a launch arm to selectively exert a launching force to the toy vehicle, a launch trigger to activate the launch arm to exert a launching force to the toy vehicle, the launch trigger also releasing the stop to allow the toy vehicle to move down the inclined ramp surface.   
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the toy vehicle is further configured to generate sound in response to spinning of the at least one wheel. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the plurality of pistons reciprocate via cam actuation.