Play set for launching an action figurine

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9604126-B2
Application number	US-201414549710-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 21, 2014
Priority date	Nov 21, 2013
Publication date	Mar 28, 2017
Grant date	Mar 28, 2017

Abstract

A toy ring is disclosed herein. The toy ring having: a platform; a plurality of posts positioned about the platform, the plurality of posts including at least one launching post configured for movement between a first position and a second position, wherein movement from the first position to the second position is in a first direction away from the platform; an elastic member secured to each one of the plurality of posts, wherein the biasing member provides a biasing force to the launching post in a second direction opposite to the first direction when the launching post is in the second position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A toy ring, comprising:
a platform;
a plurality of posts positioned about the platform, the plurality of posts including at least one launching post configured for movement between a first position and a second position, wherein movement from the first position to the second position is in a first direction away from the platform;
a single elastic member, wherein a different portion of the single elastic member is secured to each one of the plurality of posts; and
a biasing member distinct from the elastic member for providing a biasing force to the launching post in a second direction opposite to the first direction when the launching post is in the second position.

2. The toy ring as in claim 1 , wherein the biasing member is a spring that secures a lower portion of the launching post to the platform.

3. The toy ring as in claim 2 , wherein the spring is located between the lower portion of the launching post and the platform.

4. The toy ring as in claim 2 , wherein the spring is encapsulated with a flexible member.

5. The toy ring as in claim 1 , wherein the launching post is configured to removably support an action figurine.

6. The toy ring as in claim 1 , wherein the elastic member also provides a biasing force to the launching post in the second direction when the launching post is in the second position.

7. The toy ring as in claim 1 , further comprising one or more additional elastic members, the single elastic member and the one or more additional elastic members provide a biasing force to the launching post in the second direction when the launching post is in the second position.

8. The toy ring as in claim 7 , further comprising a turnbuckle coupled to each one of the plurality of posts, wherein each turnbuckle is configured to receive and retain a different portion of the single elastic member and a different portion of the one or more additional elastic members.

9. The toy ring as in claim 1 , wherein the launching post is pivotally mounted to the platform at one end.

10. The toy ring as in claim 1 , wherein the platform is configured to define a limit of travel for the one of the plurality of posts in the second direction.

11. The toy ring as in claim 1 , wherein the toy ring is configured to resemble a wrestling ring.

12. A toy ring, comprising:
a platform;
a plurality of posts positioned about the platform, the plurality of posts including at least one launching post pivotally mounted to the platform at a first end and configured for movement between a first position and a second position, where a second end of the launching post, opposite the first end, moves in a first direction away from the platform when the launching post is moved from the first position to the second position; and
a single elastic member, wherein a different portion of the single elastic member is secured to each one of the plurality of posts, wherein the single elastic member provides a biasing force to the launching post in a second direction opposite to the first direction when the launching post is in the second position.

13. The toy ring as in claim 12 , wherein the second end of the launching post is configured to removably support an action figurine.

14. The toy ring as in claim 12 , wherein the second end of the launching post is configured to removably receive an action point configured to removably support an action figurine.

15. The toy ring as in claim 12 , wherein the launching post is pivotally mounted to the platform via a hinge assembly having a movable member pivotally mounted to a stationary base, wherein the movable member is configured to receive a portion of the launching post therein.

16. The toy ring as in claim 15 , wherein the movable member further comprises a guiding member that extends from a cylindrical portion and wherein the cylindrical portion is configured to pivot about an axis and receive a portion of the launching post therein, wherein the guiding member is configured to be movably received within an opening in a base supporting the platform, wherein the guiding member and the opening are configured such that when the launching post is in the first position, the guiding member is substantially received within the opening and when the launching post is moved to the second position, a portion of the guiding member extends out of opening while another portion of the guiding member remains in the opening.

17. The toy ring as in claim 12 , further comprising one or more additional elastic members, the single elastic member and the one or more additional elastic members provide the biasing force to the launching post in the second direction when the launching post is in the second position, and wherein each one of the plurality of posts has a turnbuckle coupled to each one of the plurality of posts, wherein each turnbuckle is configured to receive and retain a different portion of the single elastic member and a different portion of the one or more additional elastic members.

18. The toy ring as in claim 12 , further comprising a guiding member that defines a limit of travel for the launching post in the second direction.

19. The toy ring as in claim 12 , wherein the launching post further comprises a guiding member configured to be slidably received within an opening of the platform as the launching post is moved between the first position and the second position.

20. In combination a toy wrestling ring and at least one action figurine, wherein the toy wrestling ring has:
a platform;
a plurality of posts positioned about the platform, the plurality of posts including at least one launching post pivotally mounted to the platform at a first end and configured for movement between a first position and a second position, where a second end of the launching post, opposite the first end, moves in a first direction away from the platform when the launching post is moved from the first position to the second position;
an elastic member secured to each one of the plurality of posts, wherein the elastic member provides a biasing force to the launching post in a second direction when the launching post is in the second position, the second direction being opposite to the first direction; and
an action figurine configured to be removably secured to the second end of the launching post, such that movement of the launching post from the second position to the first position with the action figurine located on the second end of the launching post propels the action figurine into or over an area of the ring surrounded by the plurality of posts and the elastic member.

21. The combination of claim 20 , wherein the launching post further comprises a guiding member configured to be slidably received within an opening of the platform as the launching post is moved between the first position and the second position.

Assignees

• Mattel Inc

Inventors

• Kadile Michael A

Classifications

• A63C19/005 Primary

  Boxing rings · CPC title

• A63H3/52

  Dolls' houses, furniture or other equipment {(simulating liquid flow A63H33/3022)}; Dolls' clothing or footwear · CPC title

• A63H13/06

  imitating boxing or fighting · CPC title