Patent Application
20140051326
Play sets for toy vehicles are popular and provide entertainment and excitement to a user. These play sets typically include an extruded track configured to guide a toy vehicle, such as a 1/64 scale die-cast metal toy vehicle, through a course. The track configurations include closed-loop continuous track arrangements and open-end arrangements. Toy vehicles placed on these track sets may be propelled across the configuration by hand or by an external propulsion means.
To bring increased entertainment and excitement to play sets, track configurations may include features such as intersecting tracks, loop segments, and other types of track configurations.
Accordingly, a play set for toy vehicles that can propel toy vehicles in a unique manner is desired.
In one embodiment, a play set is provided, the play set having: a planar surface; a plurality of targets located proximate to one end of the planar surface; a feeding mechanism located proximate to another end of the planar surface, the feeding mechanism being configured to launch objects at the plurality of targets and being pivotally mounted to the play set; and a return chute configured to receive objects from the end of the planar surface and return them to the feeding mechanism, the return chute having an articulating member configured to be repositioned as the feeding mechanism is moved with respect to the play set.
In another exemplary embodiment, a feeding mechanism for a play set is provided, the feeding mechanism having: an input path; an output path; an accelerating mechanism configured to receive an object from the input path and propel the object through the output path; an advancing member configured to receive an object from the input path and move it towards the accelerating mechanism; and a trigger for actuating the advancing member.
In another embodiment a system is provided, the system having: a track circuit, having a planar surface, a launching mechanism for launching a plurality of objects onto the planar surface and a return chute configured for receiving the plurality of objects from the planar surface and directing the received plurality of objects into the launching mechanism; a plurality of targets located proximate to the planar surface; a controller for randomly illuminating the plurality of targets and operatively coupled to the plurality of targets to determine whether one of the plurality of targets has been hit by one of the plurality of objects; and a feeding mechanism being configured to feed objects received from the return chute into the launching mechanism, wherein the launching mechanism is pivotally mounted to the track circuit.
In still another embodiment, a method of playing a game is provided, the method including the steps of: launching a plurality of objects from a feeding mechanism at a plurality of targets; returning the plurality of objects to an input end of the feeding mechanism after they have been launched at the plurality of targets; and selectively advancing one of the plurality of objects to an accelerating mechanism of the feeding mechanism after it has been received at the input end by actuating a trigger.
These and/or other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:
The feeding mechanism 20 is configured to launch the objects 12 at the plurality of targets 16. In one exemplary embodiment, the feeding mechanism 20 is pivotally mounted to the play set 10, such that movement in the direction of arrows 24 is possible. The play set 10 also has a return chute 26 configured to receive objects 12 from the planar surface 14 and return them to the feeding mechanism 20. In one embodiment, the return chute 26 has an articulating member 28 pivotally mounted to the feeding mechanism 20 at one end and an outlet chute 30 at another end. Outlet chute 30 is configured to receive objects 12 after they have passed end 18 of planar surface 14. Chute 30 receives objects 12 that pass end 18 and travel through a path 32 illustrated by the dashed lines in
The pivotal mounting of the articulating member 28 allows the feeding mechanism 20 to move in the directions of arrows 24. For example, as illustrated in
In one embodiment, the feeding mechanism 20 has a pair of handles 42 for moving or pivoting the feeding mechanism in the direction of arrows 24. Return chute 26 also has an opening 44 that allows a user to insert an object or toy car 12 into chute 26 (see at least
In a similar fashion and as illustrated in at least
During game play a user starts the game wherein an accelerating mechanism or motorized booster 52 of the feeding mechanism 20 is activated. In one embodiment, the mechanism or motorized booster 52 is configured to provide a propelling force to the vehicles or objects 12 as they enter a portion of the feeding mechanism 20. The mechanism or booster 52 of the feeding mechanism 20 is located proximate to an outlet 54 of the feeding mechanism 20. Feeding mechanism 20 also has an inlet 55 configured to receive cars or objects 12 from the return chute 26.
As is known in the related arts, the motorized booster or mechanism 52 is configured to accelerate the toy vehicles 12 along surface 14 of the play set. In one non-limiting embodiment, the booster is powered by a motor 56 that is coupled to one or more booster wheels 58 that are each arranged proximate to the outlet path 54 such that an incoming vehicle 12 is propelled out of the feeding mechanism 20 via outlet path 54. The booster wheels 58 may be made of rubber (PVC), foam, or other materials known in the art. In one embodiment, a single wheel may be employed or two oppositely disposed wheels are employed. The motor 56, which may be a 6-volt electric motor or other equivalent device, rotates the booster wheels at high speeds such that vehicles or objects when introduced into the rotating booster wheels contact the rotating wheels and are propelled forward by the booster 52.
The feeding mechanism 20 is further configured to have a paddle or advancing member 70 with two distal ends. The paddle or advancing member 70 is rotatably mounted to the feeding mechanism 20 for movement in the direction of arrow 71. As illustrated in at least
Movement of paddle 70 is achieved by actuation of a trigger 72 located on one of the handles 42. In one embodiment, actuation of trigger 72 causes paddle 70 to be coupled to the motor 56 or one of the rotating booster wheels 58 such that the rotational force of the same can be imparted to paddle or advancing member 70 and thus cause the rotational movement of the paddle. As illustrated in
In one embodiment and in order to couple the paddle 70 to the motor 56 or the booster wheels 58, a shaft 74 is pivotally mounted to a base of the feeding mechanism 20. Shaft 74 is configured for movement in the direction of arrows 76, wherein a gear 78 of the shaft 74 will make intermittent contact with a worm 80 driven by motor 56 either directly or indirectly. Once gear 78 makes contact with worm 80, shaft 74 is rotated and a gear 82 coupled to shaft 74 rotates a gear 84 coupled to paddle 70. Movement of shaft 74 in the direction of arrows 76 is facilitated by movement of a linkage 86 coupled to trigger 72. As illustrated, a portion of the shaft 74 is located between a pair of features 75 such that movement of linkage 86 causes movement of shaft 74. Thus, actuation of trigger 72 causes gear 78 to contact worm or gear 80 and paddle 70 is rotated. A spring 88 causes linkage 86 and trigger 72 to be moved back to a first position, illustrated in
Still further and referring to at least
In one embodiment, the play set 10 is configured to have a controller or microcontroller 90 configured to selectively illuminate lights or LEDs or any other equivalent lighting device 91 associated with each one of the plurality of targets 16 located at the end 18 of the planar surface 14. The controller 90 is also operatively coupled to the targets 16 such that actuation of each of the targets 16 is recorded as a hit in the controller 90. In one embodiment, the hits or scores are only recorded when the targets 16 are hit when one of the associated lights are illuminated. Still further and in one embodiment, the hits or scores are recorded on a display or displays 92. In addition, the controller 90 also has a timer mechanism configured to run for a predetermined time period indicating a game period. In one embodiment, the time period may be provided on one of the displays 92. Once the time period has run, the controller 90 will end the game and no more scores or hits will be recorded.
In some alternative embodiments, once a certain time period has run, the controller 90 activates the release of a deployable ramp 98. The release of the deployable ramp 98 may make available an alternative scoring option when an object 12 travels up the deployable ramp 98. The timer mechanism may then continue to run until a full game period has elapsed, whereupon the controller 90 no longer records any additional scoring, and the display 92 provides the user with a final score. In other embodiments, once the object 12 travels up the deployable ramp 98 and activates the alternative scoring option, the game ends and the display 92 provides the user with a final score.
As illustrated, the plurality of targets 16 are spaced from each other to provide areas in which the objects 12 may miss the targets. Also shown in the attached FIGS. is that surface 14 and play set 10 is inclined so that gravity forces pull the objects 12 though path 32, chute 30 and chute 26 while the booster 52 of the feeding mechanism 20 launches them up the inclined surface.
In one non-limiting alternative embodiment and referring to at least
Still referring to
Accordingly, upper track segment 112 provides an additional feature to the play set 110. Similar to the previous embodiments, the upper track segment directs the objects or toy vehicles 12 into the return path 32, which returns the objects or toy vehicles 12 to the return chute 30. As mentioned above, the return path 32 is located below surface 14.
Referring now to
In one embodiment, the play set 10 further comprises a resilient stopper mechanism 132 located behind targets 16 and edge 18. Stopper mechanism 132 is configured to stop the objects or cars 12 as they travel past edge 18. In the embodiments where cars 12 are used, the stopper mechanism 132 stops or catches the car/cars 12 and keeps them in a proper orientation until it has been stopped and no longer moves forward. Thereafter and due to the inclination of the play set 10, gravity forces will pull the cars or objects 12 back down towards return chute 30. Sequential movement of the objects or cars 12 is illustrated in at least
In one non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the stopper mechanism 132 is a foam wedge secured to an upper plate 134. In order to direct the objects or toy vehicles 12 to opening 128 and ultimately chute 30, the internal plate 124 has a wall member 136, which is configured or angled to direct the objects or toy vehicles 12 to opening 128. Accordingly, return path 32 is defined by internal plate 124, wall member 136 and a portion of side wall 130, each of which are configured to direct the vehicles to return chute 30.
In one non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the return plate 124 is pivotally mounted to the play set 10 about a pivot axis 139 for movement in the direction of arrows 138 between a first position wherein plate 124 defines return path 32 and a second position wherein external user access to return path 32 is provided. Access to return path 32 may be necessary to remove objects or toy vehicles 12 that may become jammed or stuck before they reach return chute 30. These positions are at least shown in
In the preceding detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. However, those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details, that the present invention is not limited to the depicted embodiments, and that the present invention may be practiced in a variety of alternative embodiments. Moreover, repeated usage of the phrase “in an embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may. Lastly, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like, as used in the present application, are intended to be synonymous unless otherwise indicated. This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/683,959 filed Aug. 16, 2012, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61683959 | Aug 2012 | US |
