Patent Application
20120064797
The present invention relates to a track assembly for toy vehicles, and in particular, a track assembly including a rotatable track section.
Various play sets including a track along which unpowered toy vehicles move are known. For example, some conventional play sets include a track disposed along a single horizontal plane. Such conventional track play sets have long been a source of entertainment for children.
There is a need for a vehicle track play set having different features and a unique track configuration, thereby enhancing a child's enjoyment and play experience. Further, there is a need for a unique and different vehicle track play set suitable for very small children.
The present invention relates to a track assembly for toy vehicles. The track assembly includes a first track section, a second track section and a third track section coupled to the first track section and to the second track section. The third track section includes a concave portion rotatable about an axis relative to the first and second track sections.
In one embodiment, the third track section includes an outer portion extending around a periphery of the concave portion. The concave portion is rotatable relative to the outer portion.
In one embodiment, the first track section includes a first end coupled to the third track section and an opposite second end lying on a first plane. The second track section includes a first end coupled to the third track section and an opposite second end lying on a second plane spaced from the first plane. In one implementation, the second end of the first track section is higher than the first end of the first track section, and the second end of the second track section is lower than the first end of the second track section. The concave portion is intermediate the first plane and the second plane.
In one embodiment, the track assembly includes a drive mechanism coupled to the concave portion and an actuator connected to the drive mechanism. In one implementation, the actuator is manipulatable by a user to activate the drive mechanism. In other implementations, the actuator is disposed along the first track section and actuatable by a toy vehicle as the toy vehicle proceeds along the first track section. The concave portion is rotated by a drive mechanism upon activation of the actuator.
In one embodiment, the toy vehicle usable with the track assembly includes a rolling element configured to engage and move along the first track section, the second track section, and the third track section.
The present invention is also directed to a track assembly for toy vehicles including a base, a concave track section coupled to the base, and an outer track section coupled to the base. The concave track section is rotatable about an axis relative to the base. The concave track section has a perimeter. An outer track section extends around at least a portion of the perimeter of the concave track section. In one implementation, the concave track section and the outer track section are concentric. The outer track section has an inlet through which a toy vehicle can travel and an outlet through which a toy vehicle can travel.
In one embodiment, the track assembly further includes an entry ramp coupled to the outer track section, and an exit ramp coupled to the outer track section. The entry ramp is in communication with the inlet of the outer track section. The exit ramp is in communication with the outlet of the outer track section. The outer track section is located between the entry ramp and the exit ramp.
In one embodiment, the base includes a lower portion engageable with a support surface. In one implementation, the axis about which the concave track section rotates is substantially perpendicular to the support surface.
The present invention is also directed to a vehicle track playset including a track assembly and a toy vehicle configured to engage and move along the track assembly. The track assembly includes an entry ramp, a track section coupled to the entry ramp, and an exit ramp. The track section has a central portion that is rotatable about an axis and relative to the entry ramp. The toy vehicle moves from the entry ramp to the track section, spins around a portion of the central portion as the central portion rotates, and exits the track section onto the exit ramp.
In one embodiment, the central portion of the track section has a generally concave configuration.
Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elements throughout this disclosure.
It is to be understood that terms such as “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” “height,” “length,” “width,” “upper,” “lower,” “interior,” “exterior,” “inner,” “outer” and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points or portions of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration. Further, terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., merely identify one of a number of portions, components and/or points of reference as disclosed herein, and do not limit the present invention to any particular configuration or orientation.
An outer track section 30 is coupled to the base 10, and extends around at least a portion of the perimeter 22 of the concave track section 20. In one embodiment, the outer track section 30 and the concave track section 20 are substantially concentric. The outer track section 30 includes an inlet 32 through which a toy vehicle V1 can travel and an outlet 34 through which the toy vehicle V1 can travel.
In one embodiment, a drive mechanism 40 is coupled to the concave track section 20. Activation of the drive mechanism 40 causes the concave track section 20 to rotate about axis A1 and relative to the base 10. The drive mechanism 40 is activated upon actuation of an actuator 42, which is operatively coupled to the drive mechanism 40. For example, the actuator 42 may be configured as a button or switch manipulatable by a user to activate the drive mechanism 40.
Alternatively or in addition, the track assembly T1 includes a switch 44 located along a portion of the outer track section 30, such as between the inlet 32 and the concave track section 20. The switch 44 is operatively coupled to the drive mechanism 40, such that the drive mechanism 40 is activated upon actuation of the switch 44. The switch 44 is actuatable by the toy vehicle V1 as the toy vehicle V1 proceeds along the inlet 32 toward the concave track section 20, thereby causing the concave track section 20 to rotate about its axis A1.
The third track section 130 includes an outer portion 132 and a concave portion 134. The outer portion 132 extends around a periphery 136 of the concave portion 134. The concave portion 134 is rotatable about an axis A2 relative to the first and second track sections 100, 120, and relative to the outer portion 132.
In one embodiment, the first track section 100 includes a first end 102 coupled to the third track section 130 and an opposite second end 104 lying on a first plane P1. The second track section 120 includes a first end 122 coupled to the third track section 130 and an opposite second end 124 lying on a second plane P2 spaced from the first plane P1. The second end 104 of the first track section 100 is higher than the first end 102 of the first track section 100, relative to a support surface S. The second end 124 of the second track section 120 is lower than the first end 122 of the second track section 120, relative to the support surface S. In one embodiment, the concave portion 134 is intermediate the first plane P1 and the second plane P2.
Similar to track assembly T1, in one embodiment the track assembly T2 includes a drive mechanism 140 coupled to the concave portion 134. Activation of the drive mechanism 140 causes the concave portion 134 to rotate about axis A2 relative to the first and second track sections 100, 120 and the outer portion 132. The drive mechanism 140 is activated upon actuation of an operatively associated actuator 142 and/or to a switch 144 (shown in phantom) disposed along the first track section 100. The switch 144 is actuatable by a toy vehicle V1 as the toy vehicle V1 proceeds along the first track section 100. The toy vehicle V1 is configured to engage and move along the first track section 100, the second track section 120, and the third track section 130. Thus, the concave portion 134 is rotated by the drive mechanism 140 upon activation of the actuator 142 and/or the switch 144.
A toy vehicle V2 is configured to engage and move along the track assembly 200. In operation, the toy vehicle V2 moves from the entry ramp 210 to the track section 220, then spins around a portion of the central portion 224 as the central portion 224 rotates, until the vehicle V2 is propelled outwardly toward the periphery 226 of the central portion 224 and exits the track section 220 onto the exit ramp 230. For example, the vehicle V2 may spin around the central portion 224 in a spiraling motion outwardly from the rotational axis A3 and toward the periphery 226.
In one embodiment, the vehicle track playset T3 includes a drive mechanism 240 coupled to the central portion 224. The drive mechanism 240 is activatable via actuation of an operatively associated actuator 242 and/or an operatively associated switch 244, such as described above. Thus, the drive mechanism 240 causes the central portion 224 to rotate about axis A3 relative to the entry ramp 210 and the exit ramp 230 upon activation of the actuator 242 and/or the switch 244.
The central portion 224 includes an upper surface 228 upon which the toy vehicle V2 is movable. In one embodiment, the upper surface 228 has a substantially planar configuration and lines on a plane P3. In other embodiments, the central portion 224 has a generally concave configuration. The entry ramp 210 includes a first end 212 coupled to the track section 220 and an opposite second end 214 lying on a plane P4. The exit ramp 230 includes a first end 232 coupled to the track section 220 and an opposite second end 234 lying on another plane P5 spaced from the plane P4 on which the second end 214 of the entry ramp 210 lies. In one embodiment, the plane P3 on which the central portion 224 lies is intermediate the plane P4 and the plane P5.
Referring again to
In one embodiment, one or more auxiliary entertainment mechanisms are coupled to the sidewall portion 404. For example, a bead bar 406 may be coupled to the sidewall portion 404. The bead bar 406 extends between and is connected to outwardly extending, spaced struts 408, 410 connected to or defined by the sidewall 404. One or more beads 412 are slidably and rotatably disposed on the bead bar 406. Alternatively or in addition, other sensory output, such as lights, sound effects and/or music, is triggered via switches or push buttons on the base 400.
The concave track section 500 includes an outer portion 502 and a central portion 504. The outer portion 502 extends around a perimeter 506 of the central portion 504. A side rail 508 extends upwardly from and around a portion of a periphery 510 of the outer portion 502. The side rail 508 includes an end portion 512 and an opposite end portion 514. Another side rail 516 extends upwardly from and around another portion of the periphery 510 of the outer portion 502. The side rail 516 includes an end portion 518 and an opposite end portion 520.
The end portion 512 of side rail 508 is spaced from the end portion 518 of side rail 516, and together define an inlet 522. The entry ramp 600 is coupled to the inlet 522 of the outer portion 502 of the concave track section 500. The toy vehicles 800 may access the concave track section 500 from the entry ramp 600 through the inlet 522. The end portion 514 of side rail 508 is spaced from the end portion 520 of side rail 516 and together define an outlet 524. The exit ramp 700 is coupled to the outlet 524 of the outer portion 502. The toy vehicles 800 may exit the concave track section 500 through the outlet 524 and onto the exit ramp 700.
The central portion 504 of the concave track section 500 is rotatable about an axis A4 and relative to the outer portion 502, and relative to the entry ramp 600 and the exit ramp 700. The outer portion 502 and the central portion 504 have a generally bowl-shaped or concave configuration. In one embodiment, the outer portion 502 and the central portion 504 are concentric.
The central portion 504 is coupled to a drive mechanism (not shown), such as described above and as shown in
The entry ramp 600 includes an end portion 602 coupled to the outer portion 502 of the concave track section 500 and aligned with the inlet 522, and an opposite distal end portion 604. The entry ramp 600 further includes an upper surface 606 along which the toy vehicle(s) 800 is movable, and an undersurface 608. In one embodiment, side rails 610, 612 extend upwardly from opposing side edges of the upper surface 606 and between the distal end portion 604 of the entry ramp 600 and the corresponding end portions 512, 518 defining the inlet 522. The side rails 610, 612 guide the toy vehicles 800 along the upper surface 606 of the entry ramp 600 and toward the inlet 522.
In one embodiment, a switch 614 is disposed along the entry ramp 600. The switch 614 is operatively coupled to the drive mechanism. The switch 614 is activatable by the toy vehicle 800 as it moves along the entry ramp 600. In one embodiment, the switch 614 is disposed along the upper surface 606 of the entry ramp 600 and proximate to the inlet 522. As the toy vehicle 800 passes over the switch 614, the switch 614 is actuated, thereby activating the drive mechanism and causing the central portion 504 to rotate. A control circuit (not shown) may control the drive mechanism upon receiving a signal from the switch 614 indicating that it has been actuated. In one embodiment, the central portion 504 is caused to rotate upon actuation of the switch 614. In another embodiment, the central portion 504 is caused to rotate after a short delay (e.g. one or two seconds) following actuation of the switch 614. The short delay permits the toy vehicle 800 to proceed toward the center (defined by the rotational axis A4) of the central portion 504 before rotation of the central portion 504 commences.
In one embodiment, the distal end portion 604 of the entry ramp 600 is coupled to a brace 616 configured for supporting the distal end portion 604 above the support surface S. The brace 616 includes an upper end 618 coupled to the undersurface 608 and proximate to the distal end portion 604, a central portion 620, and a lower portion 622 configured for engaging the support surface S. The lower portion 622 may be coupled to the base 400 for additional stability.
In one embodiment, additional auxiliary entertainment mechanisms are coupled to or defined by the central portion 620 of the brace 616. For example, the central portion 620 may include a barrel shaped member 624 rotatably coupled thereto and/or a wheel shaped member 626 rotatably coupled thereto. Alternatively or in addition, other sensory output, such as spinning plates, lights, bells, mirrors, etc. may be coupled to the brace 616.
The brace 616 extends upwardly from the support surface S so that the entry ramp 600 declines or slopes downwardly toward the concave track section 500. Accordingly, the end portion 602 of the entry ramp 600 that is coupled to the concave track section 500 lies on a plane that is spaced from the plane on which the distal end portion 604 lies.
The exit ramp 700 includes an end portion 702 coupled to the outer portion 502 of the concave track section 500 and aligned with the outlet 524, and an opposite distal end portion 704. The exit ramp 700 includes an upper surface 706 along which the toy vehicles 800 are movable, and a bottom surface 708 configured for engaging the support surface S. In one embodiment, sides 710, 712 extend upwardly from opposing side edges of the upper surface 706 and between the distal end portion 704 of the exit ramp 700 and the corresponding end portions 514, 520 defining the outlet 524. The sides 710, 712 guide the toy vehicle(s) 800 from the outlet 524 upon exiting the concave track section 500 and along the upper surface 706 toward the distal end portion 704.
In one embodiment, the upper surface 706 of the exit ramp 700 declines or slopes downwardly from the concave track section 500. Accordingly, the end portion 702 of the exit ramp 700 lies on a plane that is spaced from the plane on which the distal end portion 704 lies. The central portion 504 of the concave track section 500 lies on a plane that is between the plane on which the distal end portion 604 of the entry ramp 600 lies and the plane on which the distal end portion 704 of the exit ramp 700 lies (such as described above and as shown in
The exit ramp 700 may include additional auxiliary entertainment mechanisms coupled thereto. For example, a rod 714 may be coupled to and extend between the sides 710, 712 proximate to the distal end portion 704 of the exit ramp 700. A plate shaped member 716 configured to resemble a flag (e.g. a finish line flag) is coupled to the rod 714, and rotatable (such as when a toy vehicle 800 passes underneath the rod 714 and exits the exit ramp 700) relative to the sides 710, 712.
In operation, the user may place the toy vehicle 800 on the upper surface 606 of the entry ramp 600 proximate to the distal end portion 604 thereof. The toy vehicle 800 then slides or rolls down the entry ramp 600, through the inlet 522 and onto the concave track section 500. As the toy vehicle 800 proceeds along the entry ramp 600, it triggers the switch 614, which in turn causes the central portion 504 to rotate for a predetermined period of time (e.g. 15-20 seconds) about its axis A4. Thus, as or shortly after the toy vehicle 800 moves onto the concave track section 500, the central portion 504 is caused to rotate. In turn, the toy vehicle 800 is spun around the central portion 504 and spiraled outwardly toward the perimeter 506 of the central portion 504 via centrifugal force. The centrifugal force propels the toy vehicle 800 off of the central portion 504 and onto the outer portion 502 and toward the side rails 508, 516, and then out the outlet 524 and onto the exit ramp 700. The toy vehicle 800 then slides or rolls down the exit ramp 700 and exits the track assembly 300.
Referring to
In some embodiments the track assembly 300 includes additional auxiliary entertainment mechanisms coupled thereto. Referring again to
Alternatively or in addition, sensory output may be triggered when the on/off switch 525 is turned on, and/or when the lever 414 or switch 614 is actuated, and/or the plate shaped member 716 is rotated. For example, audio output such as music or sound effects may be triggered and output via an associated speaker grill 416 provided on the base 400. Additional switches actuated by the user and/or by the toy vehicle may also be provided for triggering sensory output, such as the rotation or movement of an auxiliary entertainment mechanism (e.g., the barrel shaped member 624 and/or the wheel shaped member 626). Further, activation of one or more of the switches noted above may cause one or more lights, such as lights 306 disposed on the outer portion 502, to illuminate or flash. Alternatively or in addition, the movement of an auxiliary entertainment mechanism(s), the rotation of the central portion 504 may cause addition lights to illuminate or flash and/or music or sound effects to be generated. Thus, the specific auxiliary entertainment mechanisms and/or sensory output mechanisms disposed on or coupled to the track assembly 300 may vary.
Although the disclosed inventions are illustrated and described herein as embodied in one or more specific examples, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the inventions and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. In addition, various features from one of the embodiments may be incorporated into another of the embodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the following claims.
