This disclosure relate generally to toy vehicle tracks and toy vehicle playsets and more particularly to toy vehicle tracks that provide for the launching of more than one vehicle.
Toy vehicle track sets are a source of amusement and activity for children and adults alike. Utilizing one or more track sections arranged to form a path, toy vehicles are driven about the track set. In order to increase play value of the track sets, various track amusement features have been added to the track sets, including loops, jumps, turns, launchers and the like.
Some toy vehicle track sets may include several basic elements. For example, the track itself which is typically formed to define some sort of travel path and is fabricated having sidewalls or other structures which confine a toy vehicle to the track. Another element of some toy vehicle track sets is the toy vehicle which varies from free wheeling unpowered vehicles to toy vehicles which have some source of loco-motion or power.
Some toy vehicle track sets may include a vehicle launcher. In toy vehicle playsets utilizing free wheeling toy vehicles, a gravity launcher may be used. In some toy vehicle playsets, a spring loaded toy vehicle launchers may be for free wheeling toy vehicles. Launchers may be provided which may be described as “hold and release” launchers in which the vehicle is restrained as the system is readied (e.g., the toy vehicle is placed and held in a gravitational pull state or in a spring loaded force state) after which the toy vehicle is released to traverse the track.
Some known launchers do not allow for controlled vertical launch. Other known toy vehicle track sets do not include the controlled release of more than one toy vehicle. Thus, there is a need for a track set that includes a vehicle launcher that allows for a controlled multiple vehicle launch.
One embodiment includes a toy vehicle track system. The toy vehicle track system includes a first track section, a second track section, a third track section, a trigger configured to initiate a launch of a first toy vehicle and a second toy vehicle, and a toy vehicle launcher operatively coupled to the trigger and configured to launch the first toy vehicle onto the first track section and configured to launch the second toy vehicle onto the second track section upon operation of the trigger. The third track section is configured to receive the first toy vehicle from the first track section and configured to receive the second toy vehicle from the second track section such that the first toy vehicle and the second toy vehicle simultaneously travel on the third track section.
Another embodiment includes a toy vehicle launcher. The toy vehicle launcher includes a first launch member configured to launch a first toy vehicle, a second launch member configured to launch a second toy vehicle, and a switch operably coupled to the first launch member and the second launch member, the switch configured to select a launch order for the first toy vehicle and the second toy vehicle.
Still another embodiment includes a method of operating a toy vehicle launcher. The method includes inserting a first toy vehicle on the first launch member, inserting a second toy vehicle on the second launch member, selecting a launch order associated with the first toy vehicle and the second toy vehicle, and triggering a launch of the first toy vehicle and the second toy vehicle by the toy vehicle launcher.
Example embodiments will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are represented by like reference numerals, which are given by way of illustration only and thus are not limiting of the example embodiments and wherein:
While example embodiments may include various modifications and alternative forms, embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit example embodiments to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, example embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the claims. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description of the figures.
The toy vehicle launcher 205 includes a latch mechanism 225, a trigger 230, a switch 235, a timing mechanism 240, launch members 245, 250, a retainer 255 and arms 260-1, 260-2, 260-3, 260-4, 260-5. The retainer 255 may be configured to hold (or help hold) the launch member 250 in a pre-launch (or ready to launch) position. The latch mechanism 225 may be configured to position the arms 260-1, 260-2, 260-3, 260-4, 260-5 such that the launch members 245, 250 hold (or help hold) the first toy vehicle 265-1 and the second toy vehicle 265-2 in a pre-launch (or ready to launch) position. The latch mechanism 225 may be further configured to hold (or help hold) the arms 260-1, 260-2, 260-3, 260-4, 260-5 in the aforementioned position. The trigger 230 may be configured to initiate movement of the arms 260-1, 260-2, 260-3, 260-4, 260-5 such that the launch members 245, 250 release the first toy vehicle 265-1 onto the first track section 210 and release the second toy vehicle 265-2 onto the second track section 215. The first toy vehicle 265-1 and the second toy vehicle 265-2 may be sequentially (e.g., one after the other) launched onto the first track section 210 and the second track section 215 respectively.
The timing mechanism 240 may be configured to delay a release of at least one of the first toy vehicle 265-1 and the second toy vehicle 265-2. For example, the timing mechanism 240 may be configured to cause the second toy vehicle 265-2 to be launched after the first toy vehicle 265-1. Alternatively, the timing mechanism 240 may be configured to cause the second toy vehicle 265-2 to be launched before the first toy vehicle 265-1. The switch 235 may be configured to select a launch order for the first toy vehicle 265-1 and the second toy vehicle 265-2. For example, timing mechanism 240 may include at least two time settings. For example, a first time setting of the at least two time settings may cause the second toy vehicle 265-2 to be launched after the first toy vehicle 265-1 and a second time setting of at least two time settings may cause the second toy vehicle 265-2 to be launched before the first toy vehicle 265-1. The switch 235 may be configured to alternately select one of the first time setting and the second time setting.
Although
Further, the stands 370, 380-1, 380-2, 380-3 may be utilized for other functions. For example, as shown in
The toy vehicle launcher 305 includes a latch mechanism 325, a trigger 330, a switch 335, and launch members 345, 350. The toy vehicle launcher 305 may also include a timing mechanism (e.g., timing mechanism 240) and arms (e.g., arms 260-1, 260-2, 260-3, 260-4, 260-5) not shown. The latch mechanism 325, the trigger 330, and the launch members 345, 350 may be configured to operate together to launch toy vehicles 365-1, 365-2 onto track sections 310, 315, 320. The switch 335 may be configured to select a launch order for the first toy vehicle 365-1 and the second toy vehicle 365-2.
In some implementations, triggering a launch causes a first arm to drop. The drop may be gravity assisted. The drop may be resisted by a cam, a gear and/or friction. As the first arm drops, a first launch member may also drop (e.g., gravity assisted) and release or launch a first toy vehicle at some position of the first arm as the first arm drops. In addition, the first arm may come in contact with a second arm (e.g., as an element of a timing mechanism) that displaces at some rate of speed. At some position in the displacement of the second arm, an end of the second arm may come in contact with a third arm causing the third arm to move or rotate. As the third arm moves or rotates a second launch member may release or launch a second toy vehicle. The second toy vehicle may be released after the first toy vehicle or before the first vehicle based on the displacement of the second arm. The displacement may be based on when and/or where (on the second arm) the first arm comes in contact with the second arm.
The launch member 345 may be configured to move or slide over a length defined by a slot 415. In
As the launch member 345 moves from the first position to the second position, the first section 410-1 and the second section 410-2 may separate. When the launch member 345 is in the second position (or substantially in the second position), the first section 410-1 and the second section 410-2 may be separated such that the first toy vehicle 365-1 releases onto the track section 310. As described in more detail below, the first toy vehicle 365-1 may to extend into or be received by the slot 405. As the launch member 345 moves from the first position to the second position, the first section 410-1 and the second section 410-2 may separate causing the slot 405 to get bigger. As a result, the first toy vehicle 365-1 drops from the launch member 345 onto track section 310.
In some implementations, the bottom of the slot 415 (e.g., corresponding to the second position of the launch member 345) is wider than top of the slot 415 (e.g., corresponding to the first position of the launch member 345). Accordingly, in this implementation, a weight of the first toy vehicle 365-1 causes the first section 410-1 and the second section 410-2 to separate which releases the first toy vehicle 365-1. In another implementation, the slot may have a guide (not shown) configured to separate the first section 410-1 and the second section 410-2 when the launch member 345 is in the second position and configured to close the first section 410-1 and the second section 410-2 when the launch member 345 is in the first position. In addition, the separation of the first section 410-1 and the second section 410-2 may be mechanically (such as via a spring) assisted. In still another implementation, the first section 410-1 and the second section 410-2 may move from the first position of the launch member 345 to the second position of the launch member 345 at a different rate of speed causing the first section 410-1 and the second section 410-2 to separate. The rate of speed may be set by a cam (not shown).
The latch mechanism 325 may be configured to position the launch member 345 in the first position. For example, the latch mechanism 325 may slide to the top of slot 420 in order to place the toy vehicle launcher 305 in the pre-launch (or ready to launch) position. The latch mechanism 325 may be further configured to hold (or help hold) the launch member 345 in the first position. For example, the latch mechanism 325 may be configured to move or slide over a length defined by a slot 420. A user may place the latch mechanism 325 as shown in
In some implementations, an arm (not shown) on the inside of the toy vehicle launcher 305 is coupled to the latch mechanism 325 and the launch member 345. The arm may also be coupled to arm 515 described below. The arm may be released from the pre-launch (or ready to launch) position by trigger 330. The arm may fall due to gravity assisted by the weight of the first toy vehicle 265-1. The rate of descent of the arm may be reduced by a friction force (e.g., positioning the arm in contact with a fixed surface. The rate of descent of the arm may be reduced using gears configured to control the rate of decent and/or by an offset weight (e.g., a pulley system).
Accordingly, the timing mechanism 340 may include two time settings defined by the first portion 505 and the second portion 510. During a toy vehicle launch sequence the launch member 345 moves from the first position to the second position and the arm 515 moves in the ‘X’ direction and comes in contact with one of the first portion 505 and the second portion 510. Further, the movable arm 520 has a curved or cam surface and arm 515 includes a projection that contacts the curved surface to force the movable arm 520 in the ‘Z’ direction. As a result, the movable arm 520 of the timing mechanism 340 is displaced in direction ‘Z’ (e.g., into the toy vehicle launcher 305). At some point in time during this sequence, the launch member 350 releases the second toy vehicle 365-2 onto the track 315.
In order to set the point in time that the second toy vehicle 365-2 is released onto the track section 315, the first portion 505 and the second portion 510 each have a corresponding time rate for displacing (displacement rate) the movable arm 520. For example, the first portion 505 is taller or larger than the second portion 510. Accordingly, the when the first portion 505 is disposed below the arm 515 the first portion 505 will come in contact with the arm 515 quicker than the second portion 510 would come in contact with the arm 515 when the second portion 505 is disposed below the arm 515. As a result, when the first portion 505 is selected (e.g., by switch 335) the second toy vehicle 365-2 is released onto track section 315 earlier than if the second portion 510 is selected.
In addition, each of the first portion 505 and the second portion 510 may have a slope or angle relative to the arm 515. The slope or angle may determine the displacement rate. For example, a small slope or angle may displace the timing mechanism 340 faster than a large slope or angle. In other words, a slope or angle of 35 degrees may displace the timing mechanism 340 faster than a slope or angle of 55 degrees. In some implementations, there may be some friction between surfaces 525-1, 525-2 and the movable arm 520. The friction may cause the movable arm 520 to be slowly (or relatively slowly) displaced in the in the ‘X’ direction (e.g., the displacement rate). Because the movable arm 520 may be slowly displaced, the first toy vehicle 365-1 and the second toy vehicle 365-2 may not launch instantly (or relatively instantly) after pressing the trigger 330. Regardless of the displacement rate of the movable arm 520, the first toy vehicle 365-1 and the second toy vehicle 365-2 will launch in the set order.
The switch 335 may be configured to select a launch order for the first toy vehicle 365-1 and the second toy vehicle 365-2. For example, as discussed above, timing mechanism 340 may include at least two time settings based on the size and/or slope or angle associated with the first portion 505 and the second portion 510. The switch 235 may be configured to alternately select one of the first portion 505 and the second portion 510 to set the displacement rate of the timing mechanism 340. The switch 335 is configured to slide in direction ‘Z’ (or, alternatively, opposite to direction ‘Z’) to select a displacement rate based on the first portion 505. In other words, the switch 335 may slide to cause the arm 515 to contact the first portion 505 as the arm 515 moves in direction ‘X” during a toy vehicle launch sequence. The switch 335 is configured to slide opposite to direction ‘Z’ (or, alternatively, in direction ‘Z’) to select a displacement rate based on the second portion 510. The switch 335 is configured to move the first portion 505 and the second portion 510 in the ‘Y’ direction (or opposite of the ‘Y’ direction) in order to position one of the first portion 505 and the second portion 510 under the arm 515.
Alternatively, the switch 335 may be pushed in direction ‘Y’ to select a displacement rate based on the first portion 505. In other words, the switch 335 may be pushed in to cause the arm 515 to contact the first portion 505 as the arm moves in direction ‘X” during a toy vehicle launch sequence. Alternatively, the switch 335 may be pulled opposite to direction ‘Y’ to select a displacement rate based on the second portion 510. In other words, the switch 335 may be pulled out to cause the arm 515 to contact the second portion 510 as the arm moves in direction ‘X” during a toy vehicle launch sequence.
In one example implementation, if the switch 335 is pushed in (in direction ‘Y’), the first toy vehicle 365-1 launches before the second toy vehicle 365-2. Further, if the switch 335 is pulled out (opposite of direction ‘Y’), the first toy vehicle 365-1 launches after the second toy vehicle 365-2. In another example implementation, if the switch 335 is pushed in (in direction ‘Y’), the first toy vehicle 365-1 launches after the second toy vehicle 365-2. Further, if the switch 335 is pulled out (opposite of direction ‘Y’), the first toy vehicle 365-1 launches before the second toy vehicle 365-2.
The arm 605 may pivot on a pivot point 610. If the arm 605 is in a first position, the arm 605 may be configured to apply a force to the retainer 355. For example, if a first end 615 of the arm 605 is fully (or substantially fully) rotated in the ‘A’ direction, a second end 620 of the arm 605 may fully (or substantially fully) moved or rotated in the ‘B’ direction. When the second end 620 of the arm 605 is fully (or substantially fully) rotated in the ‘B’ direction, the second end 620 may be in contact with a projection of the retainer 355. As a result, a force is applied by the second end 620 to the retainer 355 such that the launch member 350 (e.g., gate) is positioned in the pre-launch (or ready) position. Further, the pivot point 610 has an associated biasing member 625. The biasing member 625 may be configured to cause the arm 605 to favor or default to the second position. For example, the biasing member 625 may include a spring configured to push the arm 605 to the second position.
If the first end 615 of the arm 605 is moved or rotated in the ‘B’ direction from a first position to a second position, the second end 620 of the arm 605 may fully (or substantially fully) rotated in the ‘A’ direction. When the second end 620 of the arm 605 is moved or rotated in the ‘A’ direction from the second position to the first position, the second end 620 may not be in contact with a surface of the retainer 355. As a result, no force is applied (in other words the force is removed) by the second end 620 to the retainer 355 such that the launch member 350 (e.g., gate) is positioned in the release position and the toy vehicle 365-2 may travel over the launch member 350 (e.g., gate) and onto track section 315.
In other words, the end portion 820 is large enough to be retained by the launch member 345 when the first section 410-1 and the second section 410-2 are in contact with each other. However, as discussed above, the first section 410-1 and the second section 410-2 separate as the launch member 345 drops and the end portion 820 is small enough to release from the launch member when the first section 410-1 and the second section 410-2 separate (or substantially separate). The end portion 820 may be shaped as a sphere, a box, and the like.
In step S1010 a first toy vehicle is inserted on the first launch member. For example, the first toy vehicle 265-1, 365-1 may include the projection member 810 described above with regard to
In step S1015 a second toy vehicle is inserted on the second launch member. For example, the second toy vehicle 265-2 may be positioned against launch member 250, 350. The latch mechanism 225, 325 may be positioned such that launch member 250, 350 as a gate may prevent the second toy vehicle 265-2 from travelling onto track sections 215, 315.
In step S1020 a launch order associated with the first toy vehicle and the second toy vehicle is selected. For example, switch 235, 335 may be positioned to select the launch order. For example, as discussed above, in one example implementation, if the switch 235, 335 is pushed in, the first toy vehicle 365-1 launches before the second toy vehicle 365-2. Further, if the switch 335 is pulled out, the first toy vehicle 365-1 launches after the second toy vehicle 365-2. In another example implementation, if the switch 335 is pushed in, the first toy vehicle 365-1 launches after the second toy vehicle 365-2. Further, if the switch 335 is pulled out, the first toy vehicle 365-1 launches before the second toy vehicle 365-2.
In step S1025 a launch of the first toy vehicle and the second toy vehicle by the toy vehicle launcher is triggered. For example, trigger 230, 330 may be pushed to trigger the launch. Triggering the launch may cause the launch member 245, 345 to launch or release the first toy vehicle 265-1, 365-1 and launch member 250, 350 to launch or release the second toy vehicle 265-2, 365-2. The first toy vehicle 265-1, 365-1 and the second toy vehicle 265-2, 365-2 may launch onto and travel on the track section 210, 310 and the track section 215, 315 respectively. The first toy vehicle 265-1, 365-1 and the second toy vehicle 265-2, 365-2 may continue to eventually simultaneously (or substantially simultaneously) travel on the track section 220, 320.
Specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of describing example embodiments. Example embodiments, however, be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to only the embodiments set forth herein.
It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example embodiments.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
Lastly, it should also be noted that whilst the accompanying claims set out particular combinations of features described herein, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the particular combinations hereafter claimed, but instead extends to encompass any combination of features or embodiments herein disclosed irrespective of whether or not that particular combination has been specifically enumerated in the accompanying claims at this time.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e)(1), to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/886,494, filed on Oct. 3, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61886494 | Oct 2013 | US |