Transforming and spinning toy vehicle and game

A transforming vehicle and launching system, the system comprising:

• a vehicle including a front segment, a rear segment and multiple configurations including a first configuration and a second configuration;
• a launch mechanism with a rotating launch shaft in communication with a power drive system and a release button, the power drive system including an energy generation means and energy storage means;
• a means to transform the vehicle between the first configuration and second configuration defined by the utilization of a sliding movement of the front segment and rear segment in combination with a central shaft to direct transformation from the first configuration to the second configuration;
• the front segment further including a front tab, tapered edges and a front channel with a front pin positioned therein such that the front channel guides lateral sliding movement of the front segment;
• the rear segment further including a rear tab and rear channel with a rear pin positioned therein such that the rear channel guides lateral sliding movement of the rear segment;
• the central shaft including a tapered flange extending therefrom such that when the tapered flange contacts the tapered edges, the tapered edges direct the shaft downward to extend below the plane of the base housing;
• the vehicle further including:
• a base housing with two side pins, a front column, a rear column and an aperture to receive the central shaft;
• an upper housing including a cavity shaped to receive the launch shaft and to facilitate the transfer of energy from the launch shaft to the vehicle when the launch shaft rotates, the front pin fixed to the front column and the rear pin fixed to the rear column;
• two side segments, each side segment including a side channel to receive the respective side pin to guide lateral movement of the side segments;
• a link positioned between the lower housing and the front segment and rear segment, the link including two hook extensions and at least one trigger extension, a link spring secured to one of the hook extensions and the base housing, an aperture to accept the central shaft such that the central shaft facilitates pivotal movement of the link;
• wherein, as the front segment and rear segment move toward the shaft, the side segments are pushed outward and the link pivots as the link spring extends and the hook extensions move around and then grip the front tab and rear tab with the shaft extending below the base housing to define the second configuration;
• and
• wherein, energy generated and stored in the power drive system is transferred to the second configuration via the rotation of the launch shaft when the release is triggered such that the vehicle separates from the launch shaft and spins on the central shaft.

A method of playing a game comprising:

• providing a plurality of vehicles, each vehicle having a capability to transform between at least a first configuration and a second configuration, each vehicle having a cavity to receive a launch shaft;
• providing a plurality of launch mechanisms, each launch mechanism having a power drive system including an energy generation means and energy storing means, the launch mechanism further including the launch shaft to transfer energy from the power drive system to the vehicle when a release button is pressed;
• each player, of a plurality of players selecting a vehicle and launch mechanism;
• directing each player to transform their vehicle from the first configuration to the second configuration;
• directing the players to take turns drawing a card with directions;
• directing the players to power up their respective launch mechanism and inserting the launch shaft into the cavity;
• directing players to simultaneously press their respective release buttons to transfer energy from the power drive system to the vehicles such that the vehicles separate from the launch mechanisms and spin on a central shaft toward one another and collide;
• awarding points to a player based on the result of the collision;
• and
• winning the game by obtaining a predetermined number of points.