FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an entertainment device and, more particularly, to an accessory device for use with a toy vehicle, wherein the device includes a sensor to detect the passage of the toy vehicle through the accessory.
BACKGROUND
Children enjoy assembling track configurations for toy vehicles, such as racing cars or trains. By connecting a plurality of individual track sections together, various track configurations may be formed. The individual track sections may range in size and shape, some may be straight, some may feature track switching mechanisms, some may be curved, and some may be shaped as a hill (ascending or descending) for connection to another track section positioned at a higher or lower level, respectively. The track sections, moreover, may be interchangeable. For example, each track section may include a male connector at one end and a female connector at the opposite end, or each track section may include a male connector and a female connector on each end. The male and female connectors allow the track sections to be removably connected to one another in an end-to-end configuration.
Track configurations are often incorporated into a larger system that can be altered as the needs and desires of a child change. Track configurations can range from very simple ovals to complex systems incorporating accessories such as bridges, buildings, tunnels, and storefronts. Other track accessories are also available to lend a greater sense of realism to the overall system, including toy figures, bushes, shrubs, and trees. As a result, children are able to augment a track system with realistic accessories, further having the ability to continuously alter the system. Providing a track accessory that itself is not only realistic, but also is capable of reconfiguration would further the enjoyment of the overall system. Consequently, it would be desirable to provide additional track accessories that are both interchangeable and realistic.
The present invention is generally directed to an accessory for a toy vehicle that may be used in toy track systems, including railway systems. More specifically, this invention is directed to a toy vehicle accessory including multiple vehicle pathways and a sensor that detects the passing of a toy vehicle through the passageways of the accessory.
SUMMARY
Generally, the embodiments of the present invention provide an accessory device or toy and, more particularly, an accessory for toy vehicles including a sensor that detects the presence of a vehicle passing through the accessory and generates output as a result of the detection of the toy vehicle's passage through the accessory.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an accessory device for a toy vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention showing a first housing and a second housing of the accessory configured in a stacked formation.
FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged perspective view of the accessory device for a toy vehicle of FIG. 1 showing only the first housing of the accessory.
FIG. 3 illustrates an enlarged perspective view of the accessory device for a toy vehicle of FIG. 1 showing only the second housing of the accessory.
FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 illustrates an enlarged bottom perspective view of the first housing of the accessory of FIG. 2.
FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an accessory device for a toy vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention showing the first housing and the second housing of the accessory of FIG. 1, reconfigured in a side-by-side configuration.
FIG. 7 illustrates an electronics schematic diagram of an accessory device for a toy vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention.
Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elements throughout this disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In accordance with the present invention, an accessory device for use with a toy vehicle is disclosed. An embodiment of the accessory device of the present invention may comprise a first housing and a second housing attachable to the first housing. The first housing includes a vehicle passageway and a sensor operable to detect the passage of a toy vehicle through the passageway. The first and second housings are capable of vertical (stacked) or lateral (side-by-side) configurations. Another embodiment of the accessory device for use with a toy vehicle in accordance with the present invention may comprise a housing including a plurality of vehicle passageways and sensors, each sensor capable of detecting the passage of the toy vehicle through the passageways.
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an accessory device for a toy vehicle 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown, the toy vehicle accessory device 100 may include a first housing 200 and a second housing 300. The first housing 200 and second housing 300 may be of any shape or size. For example, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the housings may be stylized as portions of a clock tower.
First housing 200 may include at least one passageway configured to permit a toy vehicle to pass entirely through the first housing 200. FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged view in perspective of the first housing 200 according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown, the first housing 200 includes a controller section 400 and a sensor or passageway section 210 disposed under the controller section 400. The controller section 400 may be adapted to house the electronics assembly of the accessory device 100. Specifically, the controller housing 400 may comprise a generally hollow structure, including a first outer wall 405, a second outer wall 410, a third outer wall 415, and a fourth outer wall 420. The outer walls 405, 410, 415, and 420 are configured such that the first wall 405 and the third wall 415 are parallel to each other, and the second wall 410 and the fourth wall 420 are also parallel to each other.
The outer walls 405, 410, 415, 420 of the controller housing 400 extend upward from sensor section 210 and include a cover 425. The cover 425 may be of any shape and size. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the cover 425 is stylized as a slanted roof structure. The cover 425 includes an actuator 430 disposed proximate its center. As discussed in detail below, the actuator 430 is coupled to a microprocessor which is capable of producing sensory stimulating electronic output such as lights and sounds. The actuator 430 may comprise, but is not limited to, a pressure sensitive switch, a magnetic switch, and any other well-known type of electronic switch. By way of example, the actuator 430 shown in FIG. 2 is a spring-loaded, depressible, mechanical switch. By way of further example, as shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the actuator 430 is stylized as a chimney, and is axially depressible in the direction of arrow P into the cover 425 by exerting a downward force thereon.
The controller section 400 may further include an animated or moveable member 440. The structure of the animated member 440 is not limited to that which is shown in FIG. 2. The animated member 440 may be motorized, manually operated, or both. By way of example, and as shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the animated member 440 may be shaped like a platform or disk capable of manual rotation about the longitudinal axis of the controller section 400, as depicted by arrow R. The diameter of the disk-shaped animated member 440 is larger than the distance between the longitudinal axis of the controller section 400 and the centers of each of outer walls 405, 410, 415, 420; and therefore, portions of the disk-shaped animated member 440 extend through an aperture 435 positioned along the base of each outer wall 405, 410, 415, 420. As shown, one portion A of the disk-shaped animated member 440 protrudes from the aperture 435 located in the fourth outer wall 420, while another portion B of the disk-shaped animated member 440 protrudes through the aperture 435 located in the third outer wall 415. Two more portions of the disk-shaped animated member 440 extend beyond the apertures contained in the first 405 and second 410 outer walls (not shown). Because the disk-shaped animated member 440 extends through the apertures 435, a user can easily manipulate or rotate the animated member 440. The animated member 440, furthermore, may be coupled to a switch (not shown) that is engaged when the animated member 440 is rotated in either direction. The degree of rotation of the animated member 440 capable of engaging the rotational switch is not limited, and includes values ranging from about 11 to 360°. By way of example, rotating the animated member 440 90° may engage the switch. By way of further example, and in referring to FIG. 2, rotating the animated member 440 such that portion A, originally in the aperture 435 located in the fourth outer wall 420 until it is positioned within the aperture 435 located in the third outer wall 415, may engage the switch. When the rotational switch is engaged, it communicates with the microprocessor housed in the controller section 400, which, in turn, produces the desired electronic sensory output (discussed in more detail below).
The sensor section 210 is disposed below the controller section 400 and may be formed as a generally hollow structure containing at least one sensing device. As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor section 210 is generally rectangular in shape, including a first outermost wall 230, a second outermost wall 235, a third outermost wall 240, and a fourth outermost wall 245. The walls are configured such that the first outermost wall 230 directly opposes the third outermost wall 240, and that the second outermost wall 235 directly opposes the fourth outermost wall 245. The sensor section 210 may further include one or more portions that define one or more vehicle passageways. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the sensor section 210 includes an upper portion 220 and a lower portion 250.
The upper portion 220 of the sensor section 210 is configured to define a first passageway 265 to permit a toy vehicle to pass entirely through the first housing 200. Specifically, the upper portion 210 is configured such that the opposed second and fourth outermost walls 235, 245 include openings 267 adapted to permit the passage of a toy vehicle through the first housing 200.
The lower portion 250 of the sensor section 210 is disposed below the upper portion 220 of the sensor section 210. The outermost walls 230, 235, 240, and 245 of the lower portion 250 may further define a second passageway 275 running parallel to the first passageway 265 and configured to permit a toy vehicle to pass entirely through the first housing 200. Specifically, the opposed second and fourth outermost walls 235, 245 include openings 277 adapted to permit the passage of a toy vehicle through the first housing 200. The lower portion 250 of the sensor section 210 may further include a third passageway 285 that is perpendicular to and intersects the second passageway 275. The opposed first and third outermost walls 230, 240 include openings 287 adapted to permit the passage of a toy vehicle entirely through the first housing 200. With this configuration, two transverse (intersecting) travel passageways are created within the lower portion 250 of the sensor section 210.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the upper and lower portions 220, 250 of the sensor section 210 may be separated by a platform 270. The platform 270 includes a generally planar surface. With this configuration, the platform 270 serves not only as the floor of the upper portion 220 of the sensor section 210, but also as the ceiling of the lower portion 250 of the sensor section 210. The sensor section 210 may further include one or more platform extensions 272 protruding transversely from the second outer and fourth outer walls 235, 245. The extensions 272 are oriented in the same plane as the platform 270 to provide a continuous travel surface for the toy vehicle from the platform 270 to the extension 272. One or more buttresses 255 may be used to provide support for the extensions 272.
Removable sections of vehicle track T may be placed into any one or more of the first 265, second 275, and third 285 passageways. By way of example, a sectional track T for a toy railway system may be utilized. An example of such a removable sectional track T for a toy railway system is disclosed in the commonly assigned, co-pending, U.S. application Ser. No. 10/285,698 (entitled “Toy Track and Method of Assembling and Disassembling the Same”), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
In accordance with the present invention, and as shown in FIG. 2, at least one of the passageways 265, 275, 285 of the sensor section 210 includes a sensing device 500 adapted to detect the presence of a toy vehicle passing through the first housing 200. The sensing device 500 may be, but is not limited to, an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor, and/or a mechanical sensor. The sensing device 500 utilized in the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIGS. 1-7 is an optical sensor.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the accessory device 100 for a toy vehicle of FIG. 1 showing only the second housing 300. The second housing 300 comprises a generally hollow structure having a substantially rectangular configuration including a first outer wall 310, a second outer wall 315, a third outer wall 320 and a fourth outer wall 325. The second housing 300 is configured such that the first outer wall 310 is parallel to the third outer wall 320, and the second outer wall 315 is parallel to the fourth outer wall 325. An upper platform 330 is disposed above and supported by the outer walls 310, 315, 320, 325. The size and shape of the upper platform 330 is not limited, and includes sizes coextensive with the outermost walls 310, 315, 320, 325, as well as sizes extending beyond the walls (as shown). When the upper platform 330 extends beyond the outer walls 310, 315, 320, 325 a series of buttresses 340 extending from an outermost wall to the underside of the upper platform 330 may be used to provide additional support. The upper platform 330 may support one or more track portions or segments 380. As shown in FIG. 3, the upper platform 330 supports two intersecting track segments 380. The track segments 380 may be oriented such that when the first housing 200 is attached to the second housing 300 as illustrated in FIG. 1, the track segments 380 define the second and third passageways 275, 285 of FIG. 2. The track segments 380 may be permanently attached to the upper platform 330 (as shown in FIG. 3) or they may be removable segments as described above.
The second housing 300 is further configured to permit a toy vehicle to pass entirely through the housing 300. Specifically, the second outer wall 315 and the fourth outer wall 325 include openings 357 that define a fourth passageway 355 configured to permit a toy vehicle to pass through through the second housing 300. As with the first, second, and third passageways 265, 275, 285, sections of vehicle track T may be placed into the fourth passageway 355. The second housing 300 may also include a sensing device (not shown) similar to those describe herein and may be configured to detect the passage of a toy vehicle through the second housing 300 and along the fourth passageway 355.
The upper platform 330 also includes one or more posts or tabs 360 located on its upper surface. The tabs 360 help to attach the first housing 200 to the second housing 300 in the stacked configuration as shown in FIG. 1 and as described in greater detail below with respect to FIG. 5.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1, of the accessory device 100 for a toy vehicle according to the embodiment of the invention. As shown, each of the lower portion 250 and the upper portion 220 of the sensor section 210 includes an optical sensor to detect the passage of a toy vehicle through the first housing 200. Each optical sensor 500 includes a light emitting portion 510 and a light receiving portion 520, both of which define a “sensor pair.” The type of optical sensor pair is not limited herein and any type of optical sensor capable of detecting the passage of a toy vehicle through the first housing 200 may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention. By way of example, the light emitting portion 510 may include any suitable light emitting component (e.g., light emitting diodes (LEDs), infrared emitting diodes, and laser diodes). A particularly preferred light emitting element is an ultra-bright orange LED. In addition, the type of light receiving portion 520 is not limited, so long as it is capable of sensing variations in the intensity or transmission of the signal from the corresponding light emitting element. By way of example, the light receiving portion 520 may include light receiving components such as phototransistors, photoconductive cells (CdS), and infrared receivers. A particularly preferred light receiving portion 520 is a photoconductive (CdS) cell available under the trade name KE-15930 and produced by Waitrony Co. Ltd (Hong Kong—www.waitrony.com).
The position of the light emitting portions 510 and the light receiving portions 520 within the sensor section 210 is not limited, so long as it is operable to enable a vehicle traveling through one of the passageways in the first housing 200 to activate the sensor 500 (i.e., to interrupt the light beam traveling from one of the light emitting portions 510 to the associated one of the light receiving portions 520). As shown in FIG. 4, each of the light emitting portions 510 is positioned along the same horizontal plane as its associated light receiving portion 520. Each of light emitting portions 510 and the light receiving portions 520 is positioned within a corner portion of one of the passageways, where two adjacent outer walls meet. Each of the light emitting portions 510, moreover, is placed directly across from its associated light receiving portion 520. The sensor pairs 510, 520, furthermore, may be positioned proximate the longitudinal center of the passageways (i.e., proximate the longitudinal center of each portion 220, 250 of the sensor section 210). Electrical wiring, illustrated as 530, is connected to each of the light emitting portions 510 and the light receiving portions 520. The wiring 530 extends from each sensor pair 510, 520 to a microprocessor 540 contained within the controller housing 400. With this configuration, when a toy vehicle travels through one of the passageways in the first housing 200, it crosses the beam of light generated by the light emitting portion 510, interrupting the beam to the light receiving portions 520. This interruption generates a signal to the microprocessor 540, which, in turn, generates a predetermined electronic sensory output.
As discussed above with respect to FIG. 2, the actuator 430 is axially depressible in the direction of arrow P into the cover 425 when a downward force is applied. Depression of the spring-loaded actuator 430 activates a mechanical switch 710 which then communicates a signal to the microprocessor 540 to perform a specified function (as described in greater detail below).
FIG. 5 illustrates an enlarged bottom perspective view of the first housing 200 of the accessory 100 of FIG. 2. The first housing 200 and the second housing 300 may be configured for removable attachment with one another. The first housing 200 and the second housing 300 may include a structure operable to permit the first housing 200 to be mounted on top of the second housing 300. Specifically, the first housing 200 includes one or more recesses 550 located along the underside (bottom) of the outer walls 230, 235, 240, 245 of the first housing 200. The recesses 550 may be aligned with and are adapted to frictionally engage one or more of the tabs 360 located on the upper platform 330 of the second housing 300 (see FIG. 3). This structure allows the first housing 200 to be removeably, but stably, stacked on top of and secured to the second housing 300 as illustrated in FIG. 1. Note that the number, size, or shape of the recesses 550 may be varied, so long as the tab 360 and recess 550 pair functions to removably secure the first housing 200 to the second housing 300. By way of example, the recess 550 may include a circular or polygonal (e.g., hexagonal, etc.) shape. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 3, the first housing 200 includes four recesses 550 adapted to receive four cylindrical tabs 360 located on the upper platform 330 of the second housing 300.
With the above-described structure, the accessory device 100 is capable of multiple configurations. Specifically, the accessory device 100 may be assembled in a vertical or stacked configuration, wherein the first housing 200 is mounted on top of the second housing 300 by means of the tab/recess structure 360, 550 described above and shown in FIG. 1. In addition, the accessory device 100 may be assembled in a lateral or side-by-side configuration, wherein the first housing 200 is positioned adjacent to the second housing 300. FIG. 6 illustrates the lateral or side-by-side configuration of the accessory device 100. As shown in FIG. 6, the upper platform 330 of the second housing 300 abuts the platform extension 272 of the first housing 200 to provide a continuous travel surface along the platform extension 272 and the upper platform 330. Furthermore, in this lateral or side-by-side configuration, the fourth passageway 355 of second housing 300 may be aligned with either the second passageway 275 (as shown) or the third passageway 285 of the first housing 200. As with each individual passageway, sections of vehicle track T may be placed into any one or more of these combined passageways.
As discussed above, the accessory device 100 may include one or more electronic components. FIG. 7 illustrates an electronics schematic diagram of an accessory device for a toy vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the electronics assembly 700 includes two optical sensors. Specifically, the electronics assembly 700 includes two LED emitters (light emitting portions) 705, 715 and corresponding photoconductive receivers (light receiving portions) 725, 735 (e.g., where one light emitting portion and one light receiving portion makes up a first “sensor pair” for the upper portion 220 of the sensor section 210 and a second “sensor pair” is designated for the lower portion 250 of the sensor section 210).
The electronics assembly 700 further includes three switches, each switch being associated with a particular feature of the accessory 100. For instance, a first switch 710 (SW1) may be associated with the depressible chimney actuator 430. When engaged, the first switch 710 communicates with the microprocessor 540, and switch-specific sensory output (sounds and/or lights) is generated. A second switch 720 (SW2) may be associated with the animated member 440. When the second switch 720 is engaged (i.e., when the animated member 440 is rotated), the second switch 720 communicates with the microprocessor 540, which, in turn, generates switch-specific sensory output (e.g., sounds and/or lights). The second switch 720 may also include one or more secondary or sub-switches (not shown) that serve as positional designations, communicating the exact rotational position of the animated member 440 to the microprocessor 540. That is, microprocessor 540 is configured to determine the rotational position of the animated member 440 (i.e., if the animated member 440 is rotated 0°, 90°, 180°, or 270°), generating a position-specific output. A third switch 730 (SW3) may be used to control the connection of a power source 770 to the electronics assembly 700 (turning it on and off). The power source 770 may include, for example, three “AAA” batteries. The electronics assembly 700 may further include a speaker 760 coupled to both the microprocessor 540 and the power source 770.
As noted above, each of the speaker 760, the power source 770, the light emitters 705, 715, the light receivers 725, 735, and the switches 710, 720, 730 are operatively coupled (connected) to the microprocessor 540. The type of microprocessor is not limited, and includes microcontrollers, microprocessors, and other integrated circuits. Microprocessor 540 recognizes and controls signals generated by the light emitters, the light receivers, and the various switches. In addition, it generates and controls operational output. The microprocessor 540 continually monitors the electronic status of the light emitters 705, 715, the light receivers 725, 735, and the switches 710, 720, 730, generating and altering the sensory output (e.g., sounds and/or lights) accordingly.
In operation, when the third switch 730 is engaged, power is sent from the power source 770 to the microprocessor 540. When the first switch 710 (the chimney switch—SW1) is engaged, the microprocessor 540 receives a signal from the first switch 710 and generates appropriate output (via the speaker 760), such as a bell chime, and activates the light emitters 705, 715 and the light receivers 725, 735. Once powered and active, if the second switch 720 is engaged (i.e., if the animated member 440 is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise a sufficient distance), the microprocessor 540 identifies not only the signal from second switch 720, but also the animated member's 440 rotational position, and generates switch-specific and position-specific sensory output (sounds and/or lights). The sensory output may include, for example, one of four different song melodies, one melody for each rotational position. Furthermore, if the animated member 440 is again rotated during song play, the microprocessor 540 will recognize the new position of the second switch 720 and alter the output by changing the melody.
The microprocessor 540 may also control the pattern of output created when the sensor 500 detects a toy vehicle passing through one of the passageways. In addition, the microprocessor 540 may generate a specific output pattern due to sensor 500 activation. Briefly, the microprocessor 540 is configured to count the number of times a sensor has been activated, and to generate a cyclical pattern sensory output. For example, the first time the sensor 500 is activated (i.e., the first time a toy vehicle traveling through one of the passageways interrupts a light beam from the light emitters 705, 715 (see 510 in FIG. 4) to one of the light receivers 725, 735 (see 520 in FIG. 4)), a first output is produced (e.g., a series of identical bell chimes) via the speaker 760. The microprocessor 540 tracks this information, and the second time the sensor 500 is activated, a second output is produced (e.g., a series of varying bell chimes). Accordingly, the third time the sensor 500 is activated, the microprocessor 540 generates a third output (e.g., a song). If any sensor activation produces song output, as discussed above, the microprocessor 540 reads the position of the animated member 440 and generates a predetermined melody based on the rotational position of the second switch 720. Alternatively, the microprocessor 540 may generate output independent of the position of the animated member 440. This three-output pattern may then repeat itself. That is, the microprocessor 540 may generate additional output for additional sensor activations, or may cycle the pattern, beginning again at the first output.
As illustrated, if more than one sensor 500 is present in the sensor housing 210, the microprocessor 540 may generate the same output pattern regardless of which sensor 500 is activated. For example, when the sensor section 210 includes one sensor 500 disposed in the upper portion 220 and one sensor disposed in the lower portion 250 (as shown in FIG. 2), the microprocessor 540 may track sensor activation collectively. Consequently, when a toy vehicle travels through the upper portion 220 and through the first passageway 265, the sensor 500 in the upper portion 220 is activated and a first output is generated. If a toy vehicle then travels through the lower portion 250 and, consequently, through either the second or third passageways 275 or 285, the sensor 500 of the lower portion 250 is activated and a second output is generated. In the alternative, the microprocessor 540 may track sensor activation individually, generating an independent output pattern for each sensor 500 located within the sensor section 210.
While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. For example, the accessory device 100 can be of any size and shape. The accessory device 100 need not be stylized as portions of a clock tower, and can be stylized as other man-made structures including but not limited to office buildings, airport hangers, residential structures, etc. The accessory device 100 may also be stylized as natural formations such as caves, mountains, etc. The accessory device 100 may include any number of housings that may or may not interconnect. The housings may be connected by mounting one on top of another, or in side-by-side arrangement. Each of the housings may comprise any number of sections and may include any number of passageways. Each housing or passageway may include any number of sensors to detect the toy vehicle's passage through the passageway. As illustrated above with respect to the second and third passageways 275 and 285, a single sensor may be used to generate a signal along multiple passageways. The sensor, moreover, may comprise any suitable sensor capable of detecting the toy vehicle passing through a housing or along a passageway, including a vehicle traveling on a track. The toy vehicle may be of any size or shape capable of passing entirely through the housing of the accessory. The toy vehicle may be motorized or manually operated. The toy vehicle may be stylized as a train, or any other type of vehicle including, but not limited to, cars, buses, airplanes, helicopters, construction equipment, rescue vehicles, motorcycles, etc. The electronic sensory output generating device may produce lights and/or sound, including music, speech and sound effects. The output pattern is not limited and includes any pattern of music, lights, and/or sound effects. The electronics assembly may include additional switches to provide additional electronic sensory output activation. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention that come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
Patent Application
20060084361
