Interactive toy with interchangeable parts, launching mechanism, related systems, kits and methods of manufacture

Abstract

A figural toy and methods of making and using the same. The toy has interchangeable and collectable upper, midsection, and base parts and a launching mechanism that causes the upper to detach a launch from the midsection. The ergonomic toy is designed so that it is configurable to easily represent a variety of figures and be used in a variety of games. It is designed to be easily wrapped and/or decorated to enhance its collectability and appeal to a wide market.

1 . An amusement device comprising:
 an upper;   a midsection;   a base; and,   a launching mechanism adapted to launch the upper from the midsection.   
     
     
         2 . The amusement device of  claim 1  wherein the midsection further comprises:
 one or more hook levers; 
 one or more hook lever compression springs; and, 
 one or more launch buttons. 
 
     
     
         3 . The amusement device of  claim 2  wherein the upper houses the launching mechanism. 
     
     
         4 . The amusement device of  claim 3  wherein the launch mechanism comprises a launch compression spring. 
     
     
         5 . The amusement device of  claim 4  wherein the upper is a substantially spherical polymer ball with a diameter of approximately 40 mm. 
     
     
         6 . The amusement device of  claim 4  wherein the upper is substantially spherical and has a diameter of approximately 63.5 mm. 
     
     
         7 . An amusement kit comprising:
 an upper;   a midsection;   a base; and,   a launching mechanism adapted to launch the upper from the midsection.   
     
     
         8 . The amusement kit of  claim 6  further comprising a target. 
     
     
         9 . The amusement kit of  claim 7  wherein the target resembles a basketball hoop. 
     
     
         10 . The amusement kit of  claim 7  wherein the target is a cup. 
     
     
         11 . A method of manufacturing an amusement system comprising:
 sonic welding a front upper to a rear upper to form an assembled upper, wherein said assembled upper houses a launching mechanism;   sonic welding a front midsection to a rear midsection to form an assembled;   midsection wherein said assembled midsection houses a latching mechanism; and, sonic welding a base top to a base bottom to form an assembled base;   said assembled base, assembled midsection, and assembled upper adapted to be connected and held in the hand of a user.   
     
     
         12 . The method of manufacturing an amusement system of  claim 9  further comprising:
 inserting hook levers into pivots housed within the assembled midsection.