Attachment for a toy

Abstract

The invention provides a toy with attachments, such as pieces of armour as described in the preferred embodiments, which can be removed from the toy by striking with a projectile or otherwise actuating a detachment mechanism. A biasing means such as a spring or other resilient member causes the attachments to be forced away from the toy when released, to simulate an explosion, and may act to enhance attachment to the toy prior to actuation.

1 . An attachment for a toy, the attachment comprising: an attaching means for removably attaching the attachment to a surface of the toy; and a biasing means for biasing the attachment away from the surface of the toy; the attachment further comprising an actuation means configured to detach the attaching means from the surface of the toy when actuated, whereupon the biasing means propels the attachment away from the toy. 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The attachment according to  claim 1 , wherein the attaching means comprises one or more clips on the attachment corresponding to one or more clip receiving portions on the surface of the toy or comprises one or more clip receiving portions on the attachment corresponding to one or more clips on the surface of the toy. 
     
     
         4 . The attachment according to  claim 2 , wherein the one or more clip receiving portions comprise one or more apertures. 
     
     
         5 . The attachment according to  claim 2 , wherein the one or more clip receiving portions comprise one or more posts. 
     
     
         6 . The attachment according to  claim 3 , wherein the one or more clips and the one or more clip receiving portions are shaped so as to provide an interference fit. 
     
     
         7 . The attachment according to  claim 3 , comprising a plurality of clips having converging engaging surfaces. 
     
     
         8 . The attachment according to  claim 7 , wherein the relative angles of the engaging surfaces are selected to provide a predetermined connection strength. 
     
     
         9 . The attachment according to  claim 1 , wherein the attaching means comprises one or more projections corresponding to one or more apertures, such as push-fit plugs. 
     
     
         10 . The attachment according to  claim 1 , wherein the attaching means is integrally formed with the attachment. 
     
     
         11 . The attachment according to  claim 1 , wherein the attaching means is configured to provide a predetermined attachment strength corresponding to a desired difficulty to detach the attachment. 
     
     
         12 . The attachment according to  claim 1 , wherein the biasing means comprises a spring member. 
     
     
         13 . The attachment according to  claim 12 , wherein the spring member is integrally formed with the attachment. 
     
     
         14 . The attachment according to  claim 12 , wherein the spring member extends away from the attachment and is configured to be compressed between the attachment and the surface of the toy. 
     
     
         15 . The attachment according to  claim 1 , wherein the biasing means is shaped so as to control a direction in which the attachment is propelled away from the toy. 
     
     
         16 . The attachment according to  claim 1 , wherein the biasing means is configured so as to provide a predetermined propulsion strength when the attachment is detached from the toy. 
     
     
         17 . The attachment according to  claim 1 , wherein the biasing means is further configured to urge the attaching means towards the surface of the toy when attached to the toy. 
     
     
         18 . The attachment according to  claim 17 , wherein the biasing means urges the attaching means towards the surface of the toy about a pivot point formed between the attachment and the toy. 
     
     
         19 . The attachment according to  claim 1 , wherein the biasing means is configured to hold a portion of the attachment spaced from the surface of the toy to provide the actuation means. 
     
     
         20 . The attachment according to  claim 19 , wherein the biasing means and/or the attaching means are configured such that displacement of said portion of the attachment towards the surface of the toy detaches the attaching means from the toy. 
     
     
         21 . The attachment according to  claim 1 , wherein the distance between the biasing means and the attaching means is selected so as to provide a predetermined resistance to detachment of the attaching means. 
     
     
         22 . The attachment according to  claim 1 , wherein the attachment comprises an armour portion. 
     
     
         23 . A toy comprising one or more attachments according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . The toy according to  claim 23 , wherein the attachments comprise a plurality of shapes and/or sizes of attachment. 
     
     
         26 . The toy according to  claim 23 , wherein the attachments are disposed at various locations on the surface of the toy. 
     
     
         27 . The toy according to  claim 23 , wherein the attachments are configured to be removable by different predetermined actuation forces. 
     
     
         28 . The toy according to  claim 23 , wherein one or more attachments are configured to receive at least one other attachment. 
     
     
         29 . The toy according to  claim 23 , wherein the toy comprises a projectile launcher. 
     
     
         30 . The toy according to  claim 23 , wherein the toy comprises a remote control configured to control locomotion of the toy and/or firing of the projectile launcher. 
     
     
         31 . The toy according to  claim 23 , wherein the toy comprises one or more sensors configured to determine when an attachment has been removed. 
     
     
         32 . The toy according to  claim 31 , wherein the toy is configured to emit an audible signal responsive to a determination that an attachment has been removed. 
     
     
         33 . The toy according to  claim 31 , wherein the toy is configured to be disabled when a predetermined number of attachments have been removed. 
     
     
         34 . A kit of parts comprising a toy and one or more attachments according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         35 . A toy set comprising a plurality of toys according to  claim 23 .