The invention to which this application relates is a toy article and a method of use thereof in association with a board or grid system.

Logic games and brainteasers are provided in many different forms, from puzzles in books and online games to physical board games. For younger players, it can be a challenge to maintain interest in such games and so the games generally need to be designed to become more interactive and retain the attention of the younger players. It is also desirable to provide such a game in a physical format in order to reduce “screen time” playing on or otherwise using electronic mobile devices or computers.

A challenge therefore is to provide a physical game which employs elements of logical thinking and brain teasers etc., while being able to maintain the attention of those playing the game for extended period of time.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide an improved toy article which serves to address the above-mentioned problems.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a toy article and board apparatus combination which serves to address the above-mentioned problems.

It is yet a further aim of the present invention to provide a method of using and moving a toy article about a board apparatus which serves to address the above-mentioned problems. According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a toy article for use with a board or grid system, said article including: a base portion; and a body portion detachably attachable to said base portion; said body portion comprising a housing member and a launcher member, said launcher member movable with respect to the housing member between first and second positions; said first position being such that said launcher member locates substantially within the housing member and said second position being such that said launcher member at least partially extends from said housing member; and wherein movement from the first to the second position causes detachment of said body portion from said base portion, in use.

Typically, biasing means are provided to bias the launcher member from the first position to the second position.

In one embodiment, said biasing means are provided as a spring member. Typically, said spring member is a compression spring member.

Typically, said launcher member is retained in said first position against the biasing force of said biasing means.

In one embodiment, retaining means are provided. Typically, said retaining means are provided to retain the launcher member in the first position. Further typically, said retaining means are movable between an engaged position, wherein the retaining means engages and retains the launcher member in the first position, and a disengaged position, wherein the retaining means disengages the launcher member, permitting it to move or be moved to the second position. Typically, said biasing means are arranged to move the launcher member from the first position to the second position when the retaining means are in the disengaged position.

In one embodiment, when in the first position, said biasing means are retained in a first position against the biasing force thereof. Typically, said biasing means first position is a compressed position.

Thus, as the retaining means are moved to the disengaged position and the biasing means are permitted to extend from the compressed position, this extension serves to impart a sudden force on the launcher member, creating a “snap” or “spring” effect as it moves from the first to the second position. This creates a force and momentum which propels the body portion from the base portion.

In one embodiment, actuation means are provided, associated with said retaining means. Typically, said actuation means are movable to move the retaining means from the engaged position to the disengaged position.

Typically, said retaining means are biased to the engaged position via the provision of further biasing means. Preferably, said further biasing means are provided as one or more spring members.

In one embodiment, the actuation means comprise a formation which is arranged to protrude outwardly from the body portion when the retaining means are in the engaged position. Typically, said formation protrudes outwardly from the housing of the body portion. Preferably, the formation of said actuation means are provided to be urged inwardly of the body portion, which causes the retaining means to move to the disengaged position, thereby releasing the launcher member and enabling the biasing means to move the launcher member from the first to the second position, in use.

Typically, said actuation means are formed integrally with the retaining means.

In one embodiment, said housing member comprises first and at least second engaging parts, which when combined, form the housing member. Typically, said first part is a lower part, and comprises front, side and rear walls and a top face.

In one embodiment, the launcher member includes a launcher body and a shaft portion extending therefrom. Typically, said shaft portion is formed to be tubular and/or hollow.

Preferably, in the first position, the launcher body locates within the first part of the housing member, and the shaft portion extends through an aperture in a top face of said first part. Typically, in the second position, the launcher body moves outwardly through an open bottom end of the first part of the housing member.

Typically, said housing member second part is an upper part and comprises a head portion, and a shaft portion extending therefrom.

Preferably, the shaft portion of the housing member second part has an outer profile and dimensions to match an inner profile and dimensions of the shaft portion of the launcher member. Typically, the shaft portion of the housing member second part extends into the shaft portion of the launcher member. In one embodiment, attachment means are provided on the housing member first and second parts to connect the same together.

In one embodiment, the housing member first part includes raised side and rear wall portions with respect to the top face thereof. Typically, attachment means of the housing member first part are located on one or both of the raised side wall portions thereof, and connect with complementary attachment means provided on a head portion of the housing member second part.

In one embodiment, the retaining means are provided to rest on a top face of the housing member first part, in a recess formed by raised side and rear wall portions thereof. Typically, said actuation means protrude through an open front end of the top face. Further typically, further biasing means are provided associated with the retaining means, and located between a rear end of the retaining means and a raised rear wall portion of the housing member first part.

Typically, the biasing means are located around and along the shaft portion of the housing member second part. Typically, a first end of said biasing means abuts the head portion of the housing member second part, and a second, opposing end of the biasing means abuts a periphery of a distal end of the shaft portion of the launcher member.

Thus, as the retaining means is moved from the engaged to the disengaged position, in use, the shaft portion of the launcher member is free to move or be moved, permitting the biasing means to extend from a compressed position, with a first end abutting the fixed/ stationary head portion of the housing member second part and the second opposing end abutting the end of the shaft portion of the launcher member, causing movement of the launcher member from the first position to the second position, in use. Typically, relative movement between the shaft portion of the launcher member and the shaft portion of the housing member second part is telescopic relative movement.

In one embodiment, the shaft portion of the housing member second part includes one or more ribs or formations formed on an outer wall thereof. Typically, said one or more ribs or formations are formed to be elongate along at least a part of the longitudinal axis of the shaft portion.

In one embodiment, the shaft portion of the launcher member includes one or more complementary recesses, formed in the inner walls thereof, to receive the one or more ribs or formations formed on the shaft portion of the housing member second part. Typically, said one or more recesses are formed to be elongate along at least part of the longitudinal of the shaft portion.

The provision of complementary formations and recesses on the respective outer and inner walls of the shaft portions serves to prevent relative rotational movement of the parts when they are located with one another.

In one embodiment, one or more formations are provided on and/or around an outer wall of the shaft portion of the launcher member, protruding radially outward therefrom. Typically, said one or more formations are formed to extend along at least part of the length of the shaft portion. Preferably, said formations are formed to extend to a distal end of the shaft portion. Preferably, a second end of the biasing means abuts the one or more formations about the periphery of the shaft portion at the distal end thereof. In one embodiment, the retaining means comprise a ring member which locates around the shaft of the launcher member. Typically, said retaining means is linearly movable in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the shaft portion, between engaged and disengaged positions. Preferably, said retaining means is movable across a top face of the housing member first part.

In one embodiment, the ring member forming the retaining means comprises a front portion with which the actuation means connects and/ or is formed; a rear portion which abuts the further biasing means; and side portions. Typically, said side portions include formations or indentations protruding inwardly of the ring member.

In one embodiment, when the retaining means is in the engaged position, the ring member locates in a forward position on a top face of the housing member first part, biased into position by the further biasing means. Typically, when the retaining means is in the engaged position, said formations or indentations contact and/or engage a lower end of one or more ribs or formations formed on the shaft portion of the launcher member, thereby retaining the launcher member in the first position.

In one embodiment, when the retaining means is in the disengaged position, the ring member locates in a rearward position on a top face of the housing member first part, against the biasing force of the further biasing means. Typically, when the retaining means is in the disengaged position, said formations or indentations are moved to disengage the lower end of one or more ribs or formations formed on the shaft portion of the launcher member, thereby releasing the launcher member and enabling movement of the same from the first position to the second position under biasing force of first biasing means, in use. In one embodiment, the base portion comprises at least an upper part and a lower part. Typically, the body portion detachably attaches to the upper part of the base portion and rests thereon when the launcher member is in the first position.

In one embodiment, the lower part of the base portion includes one or more feet members extending therefrom. Typically, said one or more feet members are arranged to locate and move in track or guide means formed on a board apparatus with which the toy article locates and/or is associated.

In one embodiment, a board apparatus is provided associated with the toy article and on which the toy article is placed, in use. Typically, movement of the launcher member from the first position to the second position serves to propel the body portion of the toy article from the base portion and from the board apparatus, in use.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toy article and board apparatus combination, said combination including: a toy article as defined above; a board apparatus, said board apparatus including a plurality of track and/or guide means along which the toy article may move, in use, wherein one or more feet members of the toy article, extending from a lower part of the base portion thereof, engage with the track and/ or guide means and are movable therealong, enabling movement of the toy article about the board apparatus, in use.

In one embodiment, the track and/ or guide means are arranged as a grid system or in a grid formation. Typically, one or more objects and/or obstacles are provided to be located in various positions on the board apparatus so as to influence and/ or inhibit movement of the toy article about the board apparatus, in use.

In one embodiment, one or more of said objects and/ or obstacles are arranged to engage actuation means associated with the toy article. Typically, said engagement of the actuation means serves to enable movement of the launcher member of the body portion of the toy article to move from a first position to a second position, detaching and propelling the body portion from the base portion and board apparatus, in use.

In one embodiment, said board apparatus comprises a top, planar surface on which the track and/ or guide means are located, and along which the toy article is movable. Typically, the board apparatus further includes side walls raised with respect to the surface, about a periphery of the board apparatus. Preferably, said side walls are provided to prevent the toy article from travelling off of the board surface, in use.

In one embodiment, the board apparatus rests on a base member. Typically, an underside of the board rests on the base member.

In one embodiment, said base member is provided to have smaller dimensions than that of the board apparatus.

Typically, said base member acts as a fulcrum about which the board apparatus is tiltable, in use.

Preferably, tilting action of the board apparatus enables movement of the toy article along the track and/ or guide means and around the top surface of the board apparatus, in use. In one embodiment, the board apparatus is biased to a level or neutral resting position. Typically, “level” or “neutral” means a substantially horizontal planar position.

In a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of moving a toy article along and/or around a board apparatus, said method including the steps of: placing a toy article as described above on to track and/ or guide means of a board apparatus as described above; moving the toy article along the track and/ or guide means in at least a first direction until it contacts a side wall or object or obstacle placed on the board apparatus; and moving the toy article in second or further directions until the toy article contacts a side wall or object or obstacle placed on the board apparatus.

Typically, the toy article is moved by tilting the top surface of the board apparatus in a chosen direction and angle to move the toy article along the track and/ or guide means in said first direction until it contacts a side wall or object or obstacle placed on the board apparatus. Further typically, the method includes returning the top surface to a level or neutral position, and tilting a second time to move the toy article in a second direction until the toy article contacts a side wall or object or obstacle placed on the board apparatus.

Typically, the top surface of the board apparatus may be tilted to move the toy article until it contacts an object or obstacle which engages actuation means provided on the toy article, which in turn releases retaining means of the toy article and enables movement of the launcher member of the body portion of the toy article to move from the first position to the second position, propelling the body portion from the base portion and board apparatus. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a toy article in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a toy article in exploded form, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 3a-c illustrate perspective views of a launcher member and first and second parts of a housing member, in combination all forming a body portion of a toy article in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 illustrates a view of a retaining means and actuation means for a toy article in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

Figures 5a-c illustrate the movement of a toy article around a board apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring now to the figures and there is shown in Figure 1 an example of a toy article 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention provided in a resting state. Figure 2 illustrates the toy article 1 in an exploded view, showing each of its component parts. The toy 1 broadly comprises a body portion 3 and a base portion 5, the body 3 being detachably attachable to the base 5. That is to say, in a rest state in a first position, the body 3 rests on the base 5. In a second, “activated” position, the body 3 becomes separated from the base 5. The body 3 comprises a number of components, primarily a launcher 7 and housing member 9. The launcher 7 is movable with respect to the housing 9 between a first and second positions; the first position being such that the launcher 7 locates substantially within the body of the housing 9, enabling the body 3 as a whole to rest on the base; and the second position being such that the launcher 7 extends to a certain degree out from a bottom end of the housing 9, such movement serving to generate a propelling force and detach the body 3 from the base 5.

The housing 9 of the body 3 comprises at least two components: a first, lower part 11 and a second, upper part 13. The launcher 7, and lower and upper parts 11 , 13 of the housing 9 are shown in closer detail in Figures 3a-c. The launcher 7 has a lower, body portion 15 and an elongate shaft portion 17 extending therefrom. The shaft 17 is substantially tubular and includes a channel 19 extending therethrough. The lower part 11 of the housing 7 comprises front 21 , rear 23 and side 25 walls and a top face 27. A lower end of the part 11 is left open enabling the launcher 7 to at least partially extend therefrom as it moves from the first position to the second position. In the first position, the launcher 7 rests within the cavity of the housing lower part 11 , and the top face 27 of the part 11 includes an aperture 29 formed therein, allowing the shaft 17 of the launcher 7 to extend therethrough. As the launcher 7 moves from the first position to the second position, at least the launcher body 15 extends out from the lower end of the housing lower part 11 with the shaft 17 moving in a linear fashion at least partially through the aperture 29. The housing upper part 13 has a head portion 31 and an elongate shaft portion 33 extending therefrom. The shaft 33 of the housing upper part 13 is formed having an external profile and dimensions to match the inner profile and dimensions of the shaft 17 of the launcher 7. The shaft 33 of the housing upper part 13 is received in the channel 19 of the shaft 17 of the launcher 7. The shaft 33 includes one or more ribs or formations 35 provided on and along the length of an exterior wall thereof, which complement similarly numbered and shaped recesses 37 formed in the inner walls of the of the launcher shaft 17, in the channel 19. The provision of such complementary ribs/formations 35 and recesses 37 on the respective shafts 17, 33 serves to prevent relative rotational movement of the launcher 7 and housing upper part 13 when they are located with one another.

The lower 11 and upper 13 parts of the housing 9 are attached together via the provision of complementary attachment means 39, 39’, ensuring the lower 11 and upper 13 parts of the housing remain fixed relatively to one another, and the launcher 7 is linearly movable with respect to the housing 9 along the axis of the respective shafts 17, 33, such movement between the two shafts 17, 33 being essentially telescopic in nature. The housing lower part 11 further includes additional side walls 41 and a rear wall 43, which are raised with respect to the top face 27 of the part 11. In preferred embodiments, the attachment means 39, 39’ are formed on the raised side walls 41 of the lower part 11 and at corresponding positions on the head portion 31 of the housing upper part 13.

In order to move the launcher 7 from the first position to the second position and subsequently propel the body 3 from the base 5 of the toy 1 , biasing means in the form of a spring 45 is provided. The spring 45 locates around and along the shaft 33 of the housing upper part 13, with a first end 47 abutting the underside 51 of the head portion 31, and a second, opposing end 49 of the spring 45 abutting the periphery of a distal end 53 of the shaft 17 of the launcher 7. In the first position, therefore, the launcher 7 is located within the body of the housing lower part 11 and its shaft 17 extends through the aperture 29 towards the head 31 of the housing upper part 13, with its shaft 33 extending into the channel 19 of the launcher shaft 17. The spring 45 is thus compressed between the relatively closely positioned head 31 of the housing upper part 13 and the end 53 of the launcher shaft 17.

The launcher 7 is maintained in this first position against the biasing force of the compressed spring 45 by retaining means provided in the form of the ring member 55, shown in detail in Figure 4. The ring member 55 is movable between engaged and disengaged positions with respect to the launcher 7, wherein in the engaged position, the launcher 7 is retained in its first position, and in the disengaged position, the launcher 7 is released, allowing the compressed spring 45 to expand, urging the launcher shaft 17 to move along the shaft 33 of the housing upper part 13 away from the head portion 31, thereby causing the base 15 of the launcher 7 to extend through the open, lower end of the housing lower part 11. The snap or spring action of this movement consequently causes the whole body portion 3 of the toy 1 to be propelled from its resting position on the base 5, ensuring separation of the two portions 3,5. The ring member 55 is provided to rest on the top face 27 of the housing lower part 11 , surrounded by the raised side walls 41 and raised rear wall 43, and is linearly movable, in a sliding fashion, forwards and backwards with respect to the raised rear wall 43. The front end of the housing lower part 11 above the top face 27 remains open, allowing actuation means in the form of a nose 57, attached to a front end of the ring member 55 to protrude outwardly from the housing lower part 11. In the illustrated embodiments, the actuation means which move the retaining means from the engaged position to the disengaged position is provided as a nose 57 formed integrally with the ring member 55, however, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the actuation means and retaining means need not be integrally formed with one another. For example, the actuation means may be provided to contact and move the retaining means in some manner, in some embodiments. The ring member 55 is biased to the engaged position via the provision of one or more further spring members 59, which rest between the raised rear wall 43 and a rear end of the ring member 55. In the engaged position, the spring members 59 are in an extended position, the ring 55 is in a forward position on the top face 27 and the nose 57 protrudes outwardly from the housing 9. As the nose 57 is depressed inwardly of the housing 9 against the biasing force of the springs 59, the ring is moved in a rearward direction along the top face 27, disengaging with the launcher shaft 17 and allowing release of the launcher 7. In order for the ring member 55 to engage the launcher shaft 17, one or more formations/details 61 are formed on the outer wall of the shaft 17 extending radially outwardly therefrom. The formations 61 extend partway along the length of the shaft 17, with upper ends 63 terminating at the distal end 53 of the shaft 17 and lower ends 65 terminating partway down the length. The ring member 55 includes indentations 67 extending inwardly of the ring 55 and which, when the ring member is positioned on the top face 27 of the housing lower part 11 in the engaged position, locate between the aperture 29 and the lower end 65 of the formations 61. Such engagement serves to maintain the launcher shaft 17 and thus the launcher 7 in the first position, against the biasing force of the spring 45. As the nose 57 is depressed and the ring 55 is moved rearwardly against the biasing force of the springs 59, the indentations 67 therefore also move and disengage the lower ends 65 of the formations 61 , allowing them to pass through the ring member 55 and thus through the aperture 29 in the top face 27 of the housing upper part 11 , enabling movement of the launcher 7 to the second position. Resetting the launcher 7 into the first position is straight forward as the upper end 63 of the formations 61 provided on the shaft 17 are provided to be angled, meaning that as the shaft 17 is fed upwardly, the ends 63 engage the indentations 67 of the ring 55, urging the ring 55 rearwards. As the lower ends 65 of the formations 61 pass through the ring, the indentations 67 and thus ring 55 are free to be moved by the biasing force of the springs 59 in a forward direction back to the engaged position.

The shaft 17 may have further formations 69 on its exterior walls or an uneven profile, provided both to accommodate the recesses 37 which are formed into its interior walls and also to prevent any relative rotation between itself and the housing lower part 11.

The base portion 5 of the toy 1 comprises an upper part 71 and a lower part 73. In some embodiments, an intermediate part 75 may be provided to link the two parts. The body portion 3 of the toy 1 resides, in the first position, on the upper part 71 of the base 5 and is separable therefrom on movement to the second position. The lower part 73 of the base 5 includes a number of feet 77. The feet 77 are provided to be located within guides or tracks 83 of a board apparatus 81 on which the toy 1 may be positioned. The board 81 , shown in Figures 5a-c, is provided having a grid system formed across its top surface, the grid being defined by tracks, guides or rails 83 along which the feet 77 of the toy 1 may move. Side walls 85 locate around the periphery of the board 81 to retain the toy 1 on the board 81, and further obstacles or other objects 87 may also be provided in locations around the board 81 to interact with the toy 1 , influencing and/or inhibiting movement thereof. While some objects/ obstacles 87 may be provided to inhibit and/or influence the movement and/or direction of the toy 1 on the board 81 , other specific objects 87’ are provided to engage the actuation means 57 of the toy 1 as it moves within proximity. For example, in Figure 5c as the toy 1 has been moved towards the stationary object 87’, it has features thereon which extend to engage the actuation means 57 of the toy 1, which serves to move the retaining means to the disengaged position, allowing expansion of the spring 45 to urge the launcher 7 to the second position in a spring action, consequently propelling the body portion 3 from the base 5 and from the board 81.

The board 81 itself has an underside which rests on a base member (not shown). The base is formed to have dimensions smaller than that of the board 81, and acts as a pivot or fulcrum about which the board 81 is tiltable, and may be tilted by a user to influence movement of the toy 1 about the grid system 83 on the top surface of the board 81. A user 89 thus may be given a set of instructions to move the toy 1 from a starting position on the board 81, to move it in forwards, backwards and side-to-side directions about the tracks 83 to a designated object 87’ which may propel it from the board 81 , while also having to encounter and/or avoid a number of the other objects/obstacles 87 provided on the board. After each tilt and move by a user 89 the board 81 may be biased back to a level or neutral resting position, in a substantially horizontal plane to prevent the toy from continuing movement inadvertently.