Toy system for sending and reading secret messages

Abstract

A toy system for sending and reading hidden secret messages including a toy dart or arrow launcher using a dart/arrow with a surface for preprinted or written messages, a pen if the message is to be written, and a decoder structure. In one embodiment, the dart surface includes a red and white camouflage pattern and the message is in light blue ink. A red filter placed over an opening in the dart launcher is used for reading messages from the outer surfaces of the darts before the darts are launched. A separate decoder may be provided to an intended recipient of secret messages. Other embodiments to read messages use a red flashlight, or invisible ink to write a message and ultraviolet light to decode, or heat sensitive ink to write a message and a heat-generating structure, including a recipient's hand, to read the message.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A toy system for sending and reading a secret message comprising:
 a toy projectile, said toy projectile being a foam projectile having an elongated cylindrical shape formed of foam and including an outer surface; and   a camouflaged pattern on the outer surface.   
     
     
         2 . The toy system of  claim 1 , including:
 a message reading structure for viewing a camouflaged message on the cylindrical outer surface of the foam projectile.   
     
     
         3 . The toy system of  claim 2 , including:
 a toy launch apparatus for discharging the foam projectile; and   a message reading apparatus separate from the toy launch apparatus with said message reading structure to enable a camouflaged message on the foam projectile surface to be viewed.   
     
     
         4 . The toy system of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the camouflaged pattern includes mottled red and white pattern; and   a message in the mottled red and white pattern is colored light blue.   
     
     
         5 . The toy system of  claim 4 , including:
 a second message reading structure connected to the toy launch apparatus.   
     
     
         6 . The toy system of  claim 5 , including:
 a pen for placing the light blue secret message on the foam projectile.   
     
     
         7 . A toy system for sending and reading a secret message comprising:
 a toy launch apparatus for discharging a projectile;   a projectile dischargeable by the toy launch apparatus, the projectile having an outer surface; and   a secret message placed on the outer surface.   
     
     
         8 . The toy system of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the secret message is preprinted on the outer surface of the projectile.   
     
     
         9 . The toy system of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the outer surface of the projectile is a mottled red and white pattern; and   the secret message is colored light blue.   
     
     
         10 . The toy system of  claim 7 , including:
 a first reading structure mounted to the toy launch apparatus to enable viewing of the secret message carried by the projectile.   
     
     
         11 . The toy system of  claim 7 , including:
 a second reading structure separate from the toy launch apparatus for viewing the secret message carried by the projectile.   
     
     
         12 . The toy system of  claim 7 , including:
 a pen for placing the secret message on the outer surface of the projectile.   
     
     
         13 . The toy system of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the second reading structure separate from the toy launch apparatus for viewing the secret message is a decoder having a filter.   
     
     
         14 . The toy system of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the second reading structure separate from the toy launch apparatus for viewing the secret message is a light source.   
     
     
         15 . The toy system of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the second reading structure separate from the toy launch apparatus for viewing the secret message is a heat source.   
     
     
         16 . The toy system of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the second reading structure separate from the toy launch apparatus for viewing the secret message is a liquid.   
     
     
         17 . The toy system of  claim 7 , including:
 a first reading structure mounted to the toy launch apparatus to enable viewing of the secret message carried by the projectile after the projectile is loaded in the toy launch apparatus;   a second reading structure separate from the toy launch apparatus for viewing the secret message carried by the projectile;   the projectile dischargeable from the toy launch apparatus is a foam dart;   the surface of the foam dart is a mottled red and white pattern; and   the secret message is light blue in color.   
     
     
         18 . A method for forming a toy system of sending and reading secret messages comprising the steps of:
 placing a camouflaged pattern on an outer surface of a cylindrically shaped foam dart to enable a secret message to be hidden on the outer surface; and   arranging the foam dart to have a central opening and to be dischargeable from a toy launch apparatus.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , including the step of;
 forming an apparatus for reading the secret message with a filter material, the apparatus for reading being separate from the toy launch apparatus.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , including the step of:
 providing a pen to print the secret message on the outer surface of the foam dart.