Expanding track set

A toy vehicle track set is provided including a track segment. The track set having: a movable character located proximate to the track segment, wherein the character includes a torso, a first appendage, and a second appendage, each of the appendages is positioned adjacent the track segment, at least one of the pair of appendages being movably secured thereto and configured to intermittently block portions of the track segment such that a toy vehicle travelling thereon is captured by the character depending on the location of the appendages.

BACKGROUND

Various embodiments of the present invention are related to toys, in particular, a track set for toy vehicles to travel on.

Toy vehicle track sets have been popular for many years and generally include one or more track segments arranged to form a path around which one or more toy vehicles can travel. Toy vehicles which may be used on such track sets may be either self-powered vehicles or may receive power from an external source.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide toy track set with features that provide unique paths for the toy vehicles of the toy track to travel on.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In one embodiment, a toy vehicle track set is provided including at least one track segment. A movable character is associated with the at least one track segment. The character includes a pair of appendages positioned adjacent the track segment. At least one of the pair of appendages is movably secured thereto and is configured to intermittently block portions of the track segment. A toy vehicle travelling on the track segment is periodically captured by the character depending on the location of the appendages.

In another embodiment, a toy vehicle track set is provided. The toy vehicle track set having: a track segment; and a movable character located proximate to the track segment, wherein the character includes a torso, a first appendage, and a second appendage, each of the appendages is positioned adjacent the track segment, at least one of the pair of appendages being movably secured thereto and configured to intermittently block portions of the track segment such that a toy vehicle travelling thereon is captured by the character depending on the location of the appendages.

In yet another embodiment, a toy vehicle track set is provided. The toy vehicle track set having: a track segment; and a transforming character located proximate to the track segment, the transforming character including a torso, a first arm coupled to the torso, a second arm coupled to the torso, a first panel coupled to the torso, and a second panel coupled to the torso, the first arm being movably coupled to the torso and positionable proximate to a toy vehicle path defined by the track segment, wherein a toy vehicle traveling on the toy vehicle path can engage the first arm.

In still yet another embodiment, a toy vehicle track set is provided. The toy vehicle track set having: a track segment for a toy vehicle, the track segment including a contact member; and a transforming character located proximate to the track segment, the transforming character including a torso, a pair of appendages coupled to the torso, and a pair of body portions movably coupled to the torso, wherein subsequent actuations of the contact member by the toy vehicle causes the body portions to move relative to the torso away from each other.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now toFIGS. 1-4, a track set20configured for use on a substantially planar playing surface16includes a plurality of track segments, for example a first track segment30, a second track segment50, and a third track segment80. The plurality of track segments provides at least one path of travel for a toy, such as a toy vehicle18.

A launcher40is connected to a first end32of the first track segment30. The launcher40includes a generally planar base42having a substantially enlongated slot44within which a movable striker46is supported. The striker46is configured to slide between a first position (FIG. 1) adjacent a first end45of the slot44and a second position adjacent the opposite end47of the slot44. An upwardly extending handle48is pivotally mounted adjacent the first end41of the launcher40. The handle48is coupled to the striker46such that when the handle48is pivoted away from the first track segment30, the striker46slides within the slot44from the first position to the second position. A biasing means (not shown), such as a spring for example, biases the striker46to the first position. When the handle48is released from a pivoted position, the biasing force of the biasing means causes the striker46to move within the slot44from the second position to the first position. This movement of the striker46is transferred to a toy vehicle18when it is positioned adjacent the second end43of the launcher40, thereby launching the toy vehicle18along the first track segment30. In one embodiment, the first track segment30is substantially straight.

A first end52of the second track segment50is connected to the second end34of the first track segment30. The second track segment50includes a first generally straight portion54connected to a second substantially straight portion60by a first generally curved portion56. In one embodiment, the first curved portion56is generally U-shaped such that the first linear portion54and the second linear portion60are substantially parallel. A second generally curved portion62is connected to a second end61of the second linear portion60. In one embodiment, the second curved portion62curves from the second linear portion60toward the first track segment30. The second track segment50is arranged at an angle relative to the first track segment30and the planar playing surface16such that a first support67and a second support68retain the first and second linear portions54,60respectively in a position above the planar playing surface16. Additionally, a third support (not shown) is configured to retain the second, unconnected end64of the second curved portion62in an elevated position relative to the first track segment30.

A ramp70having an unconnected end72extends at an angle adjacent the first end52of the second track segment50towards the center of the opening66formed by the second track segment50. In one embodiment, a stop gate76protrudes from the surface74of the ramp70. The stop gate76is configured to move between a first protruding position, shown inFIGS. 1-3, and a second retracted position (seeFIG. 4) wherein the stop gate76is flush with the surface74of the ramp70. When in the first position, the stop gate76is arranged to divert a toy vehicle18in a direction away from the unconnected end72of the ramp70. When in the second, retracted position, the stop gate76does not interfere with the travel of a toy vehicle18along the ramp70. Mounted about the first end52of the second track segment50is a diverter78. The diverter78is configured to pivot back and forth between a first position and a second position. When the diverter78is in a first position (seeFIG. 1), toy vehicles18travel from the first track segment30to the first linear portion54of the second track segment50along a first path of travel. When the diverter78is rotated to the second position (seeFIG. 4), the diverter78blocks the path to the first linear portion54, such that toy vehicle18travels toward the unconnected end72of the ramp70along a second, alternate path of travel.

A first end82of the third track segment80is arranged adjacent a portion of the first track segment30, and opposite the second end64of the second track segment50such that a path of travel exists from the second track segment50to the third track segment80. In one embodiment, the first end82of the third track segment80is also supported in a position above the planar playing surface16. Connected to the second end84of the third track segment80is a platform86upon which the toy vehicle18is configured to stop. In one embodiment, the platform86is connected to the launcher40and first end32of the first track segment30. Mounted adjacent the second end84of the third track segment80and the platform86is a lever88. The lever88extends into the path of travel of a toy vehicle18onto the platform86and is configured to cause a toy vehicle18to spin to a stop on the platform86.

In one embodiment, a character100is positioned within the central opening66formed by the second track segment50(seeFIG. 2). Referring now toFIGS. 5-8, the character100is described in more detail. The character100may include a first pair of appendages102, such as arms104,106for example, and a second pair of appendages108, such as legs110,112for example, coupled to a torso114. It should be appreciated that in some embodiments, the arms104,106and legs110,112may include additional features such as simulated hands or feet (not shown). The character100includes a mechanism (not shown) that increments or indexes in response to impacts to one of the appendages by a toy vehicle18that engages or passes by one of the appendages. In one embodiment, the torso114is configured to expand vertically and horizontally in multiple stages in response to each interaction of a toy vehicle18with one of the appendages. The torso114of the character100includes a first body panel or body portion116and a second symmetrical body panel or body portion118. When the character100is in the first stage, as shown inFIG. 5, the first and second body panels116,118are directly adjacent one another as well as the legs110,112of the character100.

In response to a toy vehicle18passing or impacting the character100, the torso114of the character100lengthens a first predetermined amount, such that the body panels116,118are no longer positioned directly adjacent the legs110,112(FIG. 6). In this second stage, the pair of body panels116,118are also horizontally spaced apart such that a gap120exists between the first body panel116and the second body panel118. The gap120is located between the edges of the panels116,118. After a second interaction with a toy vehicle18(FIG. 7), the character100transforms to a third stage wherein the torso114of the character100lengthens a second predetermined amount and gap120between the first and second body panels116,118increases. When the character100transforms to a fourth stage after a third interaction with a toy vehicle18, as shown inFIG. 8, the torso114of the character100lengthens a third predetermined amount to a fully lengthened position and the body panels116,118translate to a fully open position. As the torso114of the character100transforms with each interaction with the toy vehicle18, the body panels116,118separate to reveal a spring-loaded actuator130(seeFIG. 3) underneath. In one embodiment, the torso114of the character100is configured to separate from the remaining portion of the character100when a toy vehicle18applies a force to the spring-loaded actuator130. By reconnecting the separated torso114with the remaining portion of the character100, the torso114is returned to its first stage.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1-4, the character100is positioned within the central opening66of the second track segment50such that the torso114of the character100is adjacent the second track segment50. In one embodiment, a portion of the character100may provide support for the first and second linear portions54,60of the second track segment50. A pair of appendages102, such as the first arm104and second arm106for example, cross and are movably secured to the second track segment50. In one embodiment, the first arm104is positioned adjacent the first linear portion54and a second arm106is positioned adjacent the second linear portion60of the second track segment50. The first arm104is rotatable between a first position and a second position to intermittently block a portion of the path of travel along the second track segment50. In the first position, the first arm104is arranged parallel to the first linear portion54(FIG. 1). Upon impact from a toy vehicle18, the first arm104rotates to a second position, perpendicular to the second track segment50and out of the path of travel of a toy vehicle18(FIG. 2). In one embodiment, the first arm104is removably attached to the torso114, such that when the torso114separates from the remainder of the character100, the arm104remains coupled to the second track segment50.

As shown inFIG. 4, a contact member140, such as a lever for example, extends from a surface of the second track segment50adjacent one of the appendages, for example arm106. In one embodiment, the contact member140is pivotable between a first position generally perpendicular to the second track segment50and a second position generally parallel to the second track segment50. The contact member140is coupled to the mechanism of the character100that indexes with interactions with a toy vehicle18through a linkage142. Rotation of the contact member140from the first position to the second position causes the indexing mechanism (which in one embodiment includes one or more gears) of character100to transform the torso114to the next consecutive stage. In one embodiment, a second biasing member (not shown), such as a torsion spring for example, biases the contact member140back to a first position.

Referring again toFIGS. 1-4, to use the toy track set20, a toy vehicle18is initially positioned adjacent the striker46of the launcher40. Actuation and release of the handle48causes the toy vehicle18to travel from the first track segment30to the second track segment50. If the diverter78is in the second position, the toy vehicle18is forced along the alternative path of travel onto the ramp70. The stop gate76, arranged in a first position, causes the toy vehicle18to veer away from the unconnected end72so that the toy vehicle18does not crash into the torso of the character100. If the diverter78is in the first position, the toy vehicle18will travel along the first linear portion54of the second track segment50and will be “captured” by the first arm104of the character100mounted thereto. Capture of the toy vehicle18causes the first arm104to rotate to a second position out of interference (seeFIG. 3) with the path of travel along the second track segment50. If another toy vehicle18is then launched along the second track segment50, the toy vehicle18will engage the contact member140positioned adjacent the character's second arm106. Rotation of the contact member140causes the character100to transform from a first stage to a second stage, such that the torso114of the character100expands. The second curved portion62of the second track segment50is positioned at a downward angle such the toy vehicle18will transfer across the gap65between the second track segment50and the third track segment80and stop on the platform86connected thereto.

Repeatedly launching a toy vehicle18along the second track segment50will cause the torso114of the character100to transform to its third stage and then its fourth stage. The mechanism used to account for interactions of a toy vehicle with the character100is also coupled to the stop gate76of the ramp70. Once a predetermined amount of interactions occur such that the torso114of the character100is in the fourth stage, the mechanism retracts the stop gate76. If a toy vehicle18is then launched when the diverter78is in the second position shown inFIG. 4, the toy vehicle18will follow the alternate path of travel onto the ramp70. The unconnected end72of the ramp70is positioned adjacent the torso114of the character100. Because the stop gate76is in a retracted position, the toy vehicle18launched from the ramp70will directly impact the torso114, and therefore the spring-loaded actuator130, of the character100. The impact on the spring-loaded actuator130causes the torso114to separate from the remainder of the character100, thereby representing the destruction of the character100. In one embodiment, the actuation of spring-loaded actuator130causes the character100to be propelled outside of the area of the second track segment50.

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.