Pneumatically actuated stunt device

Abstract

A toy vehicle trackset includes a trackway and a plurality of pneumatically actuated stunt devices within the travel path of the trackway. A source of compressed air is applied to one or more of the stunt devices to act upon a toy vehicle traveling the travel path.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to toy vehicle tracksets and particularly to those employing movable actuated stunt devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Practitioners in the toy art have attempted to improve the amusement value of toy vehicle tracksets by adding a variety of so-called stunt devices. Many stunt devices include an actuated or articulated element which moves to alter the travel path of a toy vehicle within a trackset. A recent trend in toy tracksets has been the provision of user operated stunt devices allowing further interaction and amusement for the user. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,789,540 issued to Covertine et al. sets forth a COMPRESSED AIR PROPELLED TOY VEHICLE AND LAUNCHING SYSTEM in which a toy vehicle is propelled by a compressed air operated turbine motor. The motor is connected through a gear train to the driving wheels of the toy vehicle. A launching structure having an air pump together with an air hose for connecting the air pump to the vehicle motor and a launching system operative to hold the vehicle in place is utilized. The vehicle is held in place by the launching system as the air pump is directed to the turbine motor to spin the turbine motor after which the vehicle is released and travels from the launcher.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,469,340 issued to Breneman et al. sets forth a PNEUMATIC TOY VEHICLE PROPULSION SYSTEM having a continuous sealed tube track within which a propulsion unit is supported. The propulsion unit is coupled to the interior of the track by a pair of one way valves. An air bellows is operated by the user to impart pressurized air into the track tube behind a toy vehicle. The toy vehicle responds to the pressure at its rear within the tube and is accelerated around the tube loop.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,438,587 issued to Marino sets forth a BLOWGUN TOY CAR LAUNCHER having a toy vehicle launcher supporting a forwardly directed launch tube. The launch tube is coupled to a support housing and to an upwardly angled blowgun tube. A toy vehicle is configured to operatively couple the launch tube. The user blows into the blowgun tube to compress the air within the blowgun tube and the launch tube causing the toy vehicle to be launched.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,174,587 issued to Morin et al. sets forth an AIR TURBINE OPERATED VEHICLE ACCELERATOR TOY operative in use in a toy vehicle trackset having unpowered freely rolling toy vehicles. The accelerator includes a base supported within the roadway having a pair of rotating rollers mounted in a spaced apart relationship on each side of a toy vehicle path through the base unit. A air turbine is operatively coupled to the rollers such that air directed into the air turbine provides energy for rotating the rollers. An air pump is further supported by the base unit and is operated by the user to provide a supply of compressed air to drive the turbine and rotate the accelerating rollers.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,070,024 issued to Hamano sets forth a CONTINUOUS RACETRACK HAVING VEHICLE ACCELERATING DEVICE consisting of a trackway provided with separate paths along which toy vehicles race. A propulsion system includes pluralities of resilient spokes associated with each of the paths. Each of the pluralities of spokes are mounted for rotation such that the ends of the spokes extend into the toy vehicle paths. A mechanism for moving each of the pluralities of resilient spokes closer to the surface of the trackway is controlled by a remote control signal. The remote control signal is generated by an air bellows.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,032,100 issued to Goldfarb sets forth a TOY VEHICLE AND LAUNCHER USING CONTRACTIVE POWER OF LIQUID EXPANDED CHAMBER TO PROPEL VEHICLE which combines a toy vehicle and a toy vehicle launcher. The toy vehicle includes a rubber bladder or chamber member which is expanded by water or other liquid under pressure while the vehicle is held in communication with the launcher. The launcher may include a reservoir and pump to provide the water under pressure for the toy vehicle. When the chamber member is sufficiently expanded the toy vehicle is released under the initial thrust of a drive spring. The expanded chamber member contracts to expel the water through a rear outlet nozzle and propel the vehicle forward.

British Patent 2,113,560 sets forth a TOY VEHICLE LAUNCHER which utilizes an inertial motor driven toy vehicle. The launch apparatus includes a movable roadway segment supporting the toy vehicle in the launcher which is moved rapidly back and forth to impart energy to the inertial motor of the toy vehicle. A restraining latch is released once the toy vehicle has been sufficiently energized to leave the launcher.

In a further pneumatic art generally related to the present invention, a plurality of devices have been provided which utilize compressed air as the launching force for a projectile such as a toy rocket or glider. One type of such pneumatically operated toy vehicle launcher is provided by toys which employ an air pump to provide a source of compressed air which is applied to a launching tube. The launching tube typically supports a rocket or other projectile to which the compressed air within the tube is applied. Examples of such pneumatically launched toy apparatus are set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,557 issued to Brown; U.S. Pat. No. 4,223,472 issued to Fekete et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6321,737 issued to Johnson et al; U.S. Pat. No. 4,897,165 issued to Fertig et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 3,739,764 issued to Allport; U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,046,966 and 5,415,153 issued to Johnson et al.

In still other types of pneumatically launched toys, a source of compressed air is provided by a flexible bulb or bellows which is rapidly compacted or squeezed by the user. Examples of such devices are set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,411,249 issued to Fogarty et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,159,705 issued to Jacoby and U.S. Pat. No. 4,076,006 issued to Breslow et al.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,538,453 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,653,216 both issued to Johnson set forth an AIR PRESSURE TOY ROCKET LAUNCHER and TOY ROCKET LAUNCHER respectively in which a launch tube supports a closed end hollow rocket projectile. The launch tube is coupled to a source of compressed air such as a pump while a control mechanism within the launch tube controls the flow of pressurized air from the launched tube into the projectile.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,381,778 issued to D'Andrade et al. sets forth a PRESSURIZED TOY ROCKET WITH RAPID ACTION RELEASE MECHANISM in which a launch tube receives a rocket projectile. A pump is coupled to the launch tube and to a pressure reservoir. The pressure reservoir provides an additional burst of compressed air during launch.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,881,706 issued to Carson sets forth a TOY ROCKET LAUNCHER which utilizes a conventional plastic beverage bottle such as a 2 Liter beverage bottle for a pneumatic pressure reservoir.

Japanese Patent 5-305186 sets forth several pneumatically operated toy devices.

While the foregoing described prior art devices have to some extent improved the art and in some instances enjoyed commercial success, there remains nonetheless a continuing need in the art for pneumatic apparatus which may be utilized within a toy vehicle trackset to provide further interest, amusement and user participation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved toy vehicle trackset. It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide pneumatically operated stunt devices within a toy vehicle trackset.

The present invention utilizes a toy vehicle trackset having one or more pneumatically actuated stunt devices within the toy vehicle trackway. A pump actuator is operatively coupled to the stunt devices by one or more flexible hollow tubes. The actuator for the pneumatic stunt devices includes a compressed air reservoir having an integrally formed manually operable air pump therein. Compressed air within the reservoir is selectively coupled to one or more of the stunt devices through the flexible tubes using one or more manually operated stunt actuators. The stunt actuators comprise air valves which allow selective transfer of compressed air within the reservoir of the pump unit to the pneumatically activated stunt devices.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a toy vehicle trackset pneumatically actuated stunt device comprising: a toy vehicle trackway; a toy vehicle movable on the trackway; a pneumatically operative stunt device coupled to the trackway such that the toy vehicle traveling the trackway encounters the stunt device; and a source of compressed air coupled to the stunt device, the source of compressed air being operated by a user to actuate the stunt device so as to act upon the toy vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements and in which:

FIG. 1 sets forth perspective view of an exemplary toy vehicle trackset;

FIG. 2 sets forth a perspective view of a further example of a toy vehicle trackset;

FIG. 3 sets forth a perspective view of a bellow actuated stunt device constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 sets forth a perspective view of an alternative bellows actuated stunt device constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 sets forth a perspective view of a still further alternate bellows actuated stunt device constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 sets forth a perspective view of an air pump unit constructed in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 7 sets forth a section view of the air pump unit shown in FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

By way of overview, the present invention bellows actuated stunt device utilizes a support frame upon which a toy vehicle track is joined. A stunt device including one or more moveable components for altering the travel path of a toy vehicle traversing the coupled track is actuated by an air unit such as an expandable air cylinder and piston combination. The air unit is further coupled to an elongated flexible hollow tube which in turn is coupled to a collapsible air bellows. The user is able to actuate the stunt unit by compressing the air bellows. Examples are shown of different types of air driven units constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1 sets forth a perspective view of a toy vehicle trackset constructed in accordance with the present invention and generally referenced by numeral 10. Toy vehicle 10 includes a scaffold-type support generally referenced by numeral 11. Support 11 includes a number of base elements such as base 12 which utilizes a plurality of support rods such as rod 13. Trackset 10 further includes an intersection 30 supported by scaffold support 11. Intersection 30 includes an outer ring 31 pivotally supported upon support 11 and an inner ring 32. Inner ring 32 is small enough in diameter to fit within the interior of outer ring 31. Inner ring 32 is pivotally secured to outer ring 31. As a result, both outer ring 31 and inner ring 32 are pivotable both with respect to each other and with respect to support 11. Outer ring 32 is coupled to a pair of track portions formed by track loop 22 and track ramp 23. Similarly, inner ring 32 is coupled to one end of track loop 22 and to track segment 21. Because the end portion of track loop 22 are spaced from ramp 23 and track segment 21 respectively, a gap or “jump” is formed across outer ring 31 and inner ring 32. The angle between the jump paths thus formed within intersection 30 is determined by the pivotal positions of outer ring 31 and inner ring 32.

Trackset 10 further includes a booster 15 fabricated in accordance with conventional fabrication techniques which accelerates a toy vehicle passing downwardly upon ramp 23. Trackset 10 further includes a flexible multiple apertured panel 16 which in turn is supported by an adjustable support 17. The remainder of trackset 10 is coupled by a track segment 19 coupled to panel 16 and forming a U-Shaped portion together with a straight track segment 20. Track segment 20 is coupled to track segment 21.

Track segment 21, loop portion 22 and ramp 23 are fabricated to provide a trackway which is highly flexible in use and readily adjustable to a variety of curves, loops and twists. Thus, for example, ramp 23 is formed of a track segment 18 comprising an elongated frame 33 supporting a plurality of guide rail posts such as posts 34 and 35. Posts 34 and 35 are supported along each side of frame 33. A pair of flexible generally rod-like rails such as rails 36 and 37 are secured within posts 34 and 35 as well as the remaining posts along frame 33. The utilization of frame 33 together with supporting posts such as posts 34 and 35 are flexible guide rails such s guide rails 36 and 37 provides a track structure which facilitates bending the resulting track into a variety of curves, loops, twists and the like which are maintained in shape due to the secure attachment of guide rails 36 and 37 on each side of the track frame. In the preferred fabrication of the track segments, the fit and attachment of the guide rails utilizes an extremely tight snap-fit attachment for secure holding of guide rails. Conversely, the positioning of the guide rails after the track frame has been shaped as desired allows the snapped in guide rails to maintain the curvature or twist or other shaping of the track segment.

FIG. 2 sets forth a perspective view of a toy vehicle trackset constructed in accordance with the present invention and generally referenced by numeral 40. Trackset 40 differs from trackset 10 in its utilization in a different arrangement of components and a different combination of components but functions basically the same. Accordingly, trackset 40 includes a loop segment 41 supported by a support structure 42 together with a loop segment 44. Loop segment 44 is coupled between a curved panel 43 having a support 45 and a booster 15. Booster 15 is fabricated in accordance with conventional fabrication techniques and is used to accelerate a toy vehicle passing through the booster stage. An intersection 30 fabricated in the manner described above in FIG. 1, is positioned with an outer ring 31 and an inner ring 32 in a flat or coplanar relationship. Thus, outer ring 31 is coupled to track loop 41 and booster 15 while inner ring 32 is coupled to the remaining end of loop 41 and curved panel 43.

Loop portion 41 and loop portion 44 of trackset 40 are fabricated in the above-described manner in which a track frame supports a plurality of posts which in turn are secured to a pair of flexible guide rails. It will be noted by examination of FIGS. 1 and 2 that this track structure provides substantial flexibility and variability in shaping the contours of the trackset.

In the horizontal configuration of intersection 30 shown in FIG. 2, the jump portions formed by the respective track segments are generally coplanar and generally horizontal. This allows intersection 30 to provide a more conventional toy vehicle intersecting jump.

FIG. 3 sets forth a perspective view of a draw bridge embodiment of the present invention generally referenced by numeral 80. Draw bridge stunt device 80 includes a track portion 85 coupled to a bridge support 83. An expandable air cylinder 88 is coupled between frame 83 and a movable draw bridge 84. As cylinder 88 expands, draw bridge 84 is moved to the raised position in FIG. 3. Expandable cylinder 88 is coupled to a bellows 81 by a flexible tube 82.

In operation, as a toy vehicle speeds down track segment 85 toward stunt device 80, the user attempts to time the compression of bellows 81 by pressing downwardly on bellows 81 in the direction indicated by arrow 87. The resulting air compression as bellows 81 is compressed is coupled by tube 82 to air cylinder 88. Air cylinder 88 expands drawing bridge element 84 to the raised position shown in FIG. 3. Thereafter, toy vehicle 86 having encountered raised bridge 84 is launched in the manner shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 sets forth a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention stunt device generally referenced by numeral 90. Stunt device 90 includes a supporting frame 91 having an air cylinder 92 supported thereon. A track segment 93 is also coupled to stunt device 90. A movable rotating table 94 is coupled to an expandable air cylinder 92. A flexible hollow tube 95 is coupled to bellows 81 (seen in FIG. 3). As a toy vehicle travels down track segment 93, it moves onto turntable disk 94. Concurrently, the user attempts to actuate expandable cylinder 92 causing turntable 94 to spin and produce the illustrated spinout of the toy vehicle.

FIG. 5 sets forth a perspective view of a still alternate embodiment of the present invention stunt device generally referenced by numeral 100. Stunt device 100 includes a frame 101 supporting an expandable air cylinder 103 which is coupled to a bellows (not shown) by a hollow tube 102. A launch ramp 104 is actuated by cylinder 103 to cause a toy vehicle traversing the launch ramp to be thrown into the air.

FIG. 6 sets forth a perspective view of an air pump unit constructed in accordance with the present invention and generally referenced by numeral 110. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that air pump unit 110 may be utilized in place of the hand compressible air bellows such as air bellows 81 set forth above. Accordingly, air pump unit 110 includes a compressed air reservoir 111 supporting a manually operated pneumatic pump 112. A plurality of stunt actuators 113, 114 and 115 comprise manually activated air valves which are operable by the user. Stunt actuators 113, 114 and 115 are coupled to a plurality of pneumatic stunt devices (such as the stunt device set forth above in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5) by a plurality of flexible hollow tubes 82, 95 and 102. Thus, actuators 113, 114 and 115 individually actuate the stunt device (seen in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5).

In operation, the user produces a stored reservoir of compressed air within reservoir 111 by operating manual pump 112. Once a quantity of air has been compressed within reservoir 111, the user of any one or combination of stunt actuators 113, 114 and 115 produces actuation of pneumatic stunt devices within the host trackset.

FIG. 7 sets forth a section view of air pump unit 110. Air pump unit 110 includes a reservoir 111 within which a conventional manually operated air pump mechanism 112 is supported. Pump 112 is fabricated in accordance with conventional fabrication techniques and includes a pump valve 119 and piston 125 for producing compressed air within reservoir 111. Pump valve 119 further includes a check ball 127 which prevents compressed air return into pump 112 during the return (upward) strock of piston 125. Seal 126 maintains piston 125 to the interior of cylinder 136. Unit 110 further includes a stunt actuator 114 which is operable by the user to selectively couple compressed air from reservoir 111 to a corresponding flexible hollow tube 117. Thus, stunt actuator 114 is a manually operated air valve having an actuator 122 operating a valve seal 130 to move seal 130 away from valve seal 133 to open stunt actuator valve 114. Springs 131 and 132 urge seal 130 toward valve seal 133. Thus, stunt actuator valve 114 is normally closed and is opened as the user presses stunt actuator button 121. Once the valve is opened, the above-mentioned flow of compressed air within tube 117 is created. Air within tube 117 is coupled in place of air bellows 81 (seen in FIG. 3).

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A toy vehicle trackset pneumatically actuated stunt device comprising: a toy vehicle trackway; a toy vehicle movable on said trackway; a pneumatically operative stunt device coupled to said trackway such that said toy vehicle traveling said trackway encounters said stunt device; and a source of compressed air coupled to said stunt device, said source of compressed air being operated by a user to actuate said stunt device so as to act upon said toy vehicle.

2. The stunt device set forth in claim 1 wherein said source of compressed air includes a manually operated air bellows.

3. The stunt device set forth in claim 1 wherein said source of compressed air includes a pressure reservoir, a pump coupled thereto and an actuator for controlling the flow of compressed air from said pressure reservoir to said stunt device.

4. The stunt device set forth in claim 3 further including a plurality of stunt devices and wherein said source of compressed air further includes a plurality of actuators each coupled to one of said stunt devices.