Abstract:
A toy track system configured to provide an infinite number of track layouts with varying levels. The toy track system includes track pieces, vertically-oriented support pieces configured to connect to the track pieces and provide the varying elevations of the track, and platforms configured to connect to the track pieces and provide support for destinations positioned adjacent to and/or over the track pieces.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a non-provisional application of and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/249,229, filed on Oct. 6, 2009, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Children have enjoyed playing with toys, such as dolls, action figures, etc., including vehicles such as toy train sets for many years. Toy train sets come in many different forms, such as model railroad sets, remote controlled sets, and wooden sets. 
         [0003]    Existing toy train sets include tracks and support pieces that form configurations that remain on a single level. Some toy train sets can be built to form configurations on two levels, i.e., some tracks positioned over and above other tracks that are supported by a support surface. Any track layouts having configurations of more than two levels can be unstable, unuseable, and non-entertaining due to the track collapsing. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Toy train sets include a plurality of track pieces that connect together to form many different types of track configurations. The connection mechanisms incorporated with or on the track pieces of the present invention allow for unique configurations and many different play scenarios. The connection mechanisms also allow for a combination of different materials such as wood and plastic to be used for the track pieces. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIGS. 1-7  illustrate track pieces in a toy track system according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0006]      FIGS. 8-10  illustrate support pieces in a toy track system according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 11  illustrates the modularity of the toy track system. 
           [0008]      FIGS. 12-13  illustrate a top view of a plurality of track layouts formed with the toy track system. 
           [0009]      FIGS. 14-19  illustrate a plurality of views of a plurality of track layouts formed with the toy track system. 
           [0010]      FIGS. 20-28  illustrate track pieces in a toy track system according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 29  illustrates several views of a vehicle traversing a track piece of the toy track system. 
           [0012]      FIGS. 30-32  illustrate several views of a track layout formed with the toy track system. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 33-34  illustrate several views of a platform of the toy track system. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 35-37  illustrate several views of a support piece of the toy track system. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 38-39  illustrate several views of a track layout formed with the toy track system. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 40-43  illustrate several destinations/playsets useable with the toy track system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0018]    Although directional references, such as upper, lower, downward, upward, rearward, bottom, front, rear, etc., may be made herein in describing the drawings, these references are made relative to the drawings (as normally viewed) for convenience. These directions are not intended to be taken literally or limit the present invention in any form. In addition, terms such as “first,” “second,” and “third” are used herein for purposes of description and are not intended to indicate or imply relative importance or significance. 
         [0019]    The invention relates to a toy train system having a track system configured to support one or more destinations or playsets and upon which one or more vehicles traverse. The track system includes a plurality of different track pieces  10  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-7 ,  20 - 21 , and  23 - 29 . The different track pieces  10  can be assembled into any configuration that the imagination allows. The track pieces  10  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-7 ,  20 - 21 , and  23 - 29  are straight, curved, hilly (e.g., having a peak and a trough), T-shaped, cross-shaped, and inclined. The track pieces  10  can have other suitable shapes, which are also possible and contemplated by the invention. The track pieces  10  can be assembled into many different configurations as desirable by the user.  FIGS. 12-19 ,  22 ,  30 - 33 , and  38 - 39  illustrate just a few of the different configurations possible with the track pieces  10 . 
         [0020]    The track pieces  10  are configured to be removably coupled together to define a track  14 . The track  14  forms a surface for a vehicle  18 , such as a train (see  FIG. 29 ) to traverse (e.g., roll, slide, glide, etc.). The track  14  can have a starting point and an ending point. The starting point and ending point may be coupled together or they may be at different locations along the track. 
         [0021]    The track system also includes a plurality of support pieces  22  as illustrated in  FIGS. 8-10 ,  22 , and  35 - 37 . The support pieces  22  are configured to couple to and support the track pieces  10  in its many different configurations. The support pieces  22  can be coupled together and/or to the track pieces  10  to support the track pieces  10  at different elevations. 
         [0022]    The track system also includes a plurality of platforms  26  as illustrated in  FIGS. 33-34  and  38  configured to couple to and support various accessories associated with the toy train system. For example, the platforms  26  allow destinations, such as buildings and other playset features to be coupled to and/or positioned adjacent to and/or over the track  14 . 
         [0023]    The track pieces  10  and the platforms  26  are geometrically dimensioned such that assembly of a particular track layout is modular.  FIG. 11  illustrates this concept. The modularity of the track pieces  10  and the platforms  26  allows a user to easily build a sturdy and multi-level track layout. 
         [0024]    Some of the track pieces  10  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-7  and  20 - 21  include a base  30  having a first end  34  and a second end  38 . The first end  34  includes a male connector  42 , and the second end  38  includes a female connector  46 . One or more sidewalls  50  extend upward from the base  30  and can extend the length between the first end  34  and the second end  38 . The base  30 , the first end  34 , the second end  38 , and the sidewalls  50  define a recess  54 . The recess  54  can include one or more posts  58  extending upward from the base  30 . The recess  54  is configured to receive a track surface  62 , but is not required. The track surface  62  can comprise a material different than the material of the base  30 . In one construction, the track surface comprises a wood material. Other suitable materials are also contemplated by the invention. The track surface  62  can include one or more apertures  66  configured to receive the one or more posts  58 . The track surface  62  is contoured to form a pair of channels  70  where the wheels of the vehicle traverse. The first end  34  and the second end  38  similarly include a pair of channels  74  aligned with the channels  70  to provide a continuous path for the vehicle. Some of the track pieces  10  also include a plurality of male connection points  78  extending from the sidewalls  50 . These male connection points  78  are configured to receive a corresponding female connector of a platform  26 , support piece  22 , or a destination/playset. 
         [0025]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , some of the track pieces  10  can include an extended sidewall  82  to further support a vehicle traversing a hill, or traversing around a corner or bend and to prevent the vehicle from falling off the track. 
         [0026]    Some of the support pieces  22  illustrated in  FIGS. 8-10  include a first post  86 , a second post  90 , and an elevated platform  94  connected to the first post  86  and the second post  90 . The first post  86  and the second post  90  include a first end  98  having a female connector  102  configured to receive the male connection points  78 . The first post  86  and the second post  90  include a second end  106  having a male connector  110  configured to receive the female connector  102  of another support piece  22 . This configuration allows multiple support pieces  22  to be connected together and stacked to create a multi-level track layout. 
         [0027]    The platform  26  illustrated in  FIGS. 33-34  and  38  include a bottom surface  114  and a top surface  118 . The bottom surface  114  includes a plurality of female connectors  122  configured to couple to the male connection points  78 . The platform  26  is fully supported by the track piece  10  to which it is connected and cantilevers from the side of the track piece  10 . The platform  26  can support a destination/playset. 
         [0028]    For example, a collapsing bridge is a destination or playset that can be connected to the track pieces  10  with or without the platform  26 . The collapsing bridge is illustrated in  FIG. 40  and is the first stop for the Cargo Car. The Cargo car passes through the open roof tunnel and can load cargo by the roof opening. After crossing the bridge, the car passes under the closed roof tunnel. There is a spring-trigger mechanism that the Cargo Car activates. This causes the bridge to collapse and the cargo car rolls down to the next stop. Note: the destination also has an Arming Slider Button. If this button is in the Non-Armed position, Engines and Cargo Car can pass thru for normal train play. The Flip Gate is for manual play—not mechanically linked. The Action Chugger (AC) has a special Activator Magnet to repair destinations. For the Collapsing Bridge, AC magnetically links to a metal insert in the bridge arch and lifts it back into place. 
         [0029]    As another example, the electric station is a destination or playset that can be connected to the track pieces  10  with or without the platform  26 . The electric station is illustrated in  FIG. 41  and is the second stop for the Cargo Car. The Cargo car passes the lift gate. A rigid PP “cable” links the two towers. There is a springtrigger mechanism at the base of the lift gate that the Cargo Car activates. This causes the cable tower to unwind Counter-Clockwise (CCW) minimum 4 revolutions free-spinning. Note: the Electric Station also has an Arming Slider Button. If this button is in the Non-Armed position, Engines and Cargo Car can pass by for normal train play. The Flip Gate is for manual play—not mechanically linked. The AC pushes on the cable to spring load the tower and reattach the cable. One (1) Revolution Clockwise resets the spring action. The cable aligns with the tower by a slight detent. This spring loads the cable for the next damage cycle. This mechanism is clutched out so the child cannot over-wind the cable by hand. The Electric Station also has a nozzle with a string tether for manual play. 
         [0030]    As another example, the toll booth is a destination or playset that can be connected to the track pieces  10  with or without the platform  26 . The toll booth is illustrated in  FIG. 42  and is the third stop for the Cargo Car. There is a springtrigger mechanism at the base of the lift gate that the Cargo Car activates. This causes the road to pivot open horizontally approx. 30° as if cracked. The cargo car then rolls off the track. Note: the Toll Booth also has an Arming Slider Button. If this button is in the Non-Armed position, Engines and Cargo Car can pass by for normal train play. The Flip Gate is for manual play—not mechanically linked. The AC uses the Activator Magnet to pivot the road closed. 
         [0031]    As another example, the control tower is a destination or playset that can be connected to the track pieces  10  with or without the platform  26 . The control tower is illustrated in  FIG. 43  and is the fourth stop for the Cargo Car. This is the payoff for running the Cargo Car thru first through third stops. Pressing the Release Trigger at the top causes the Pivot Arm to unwind Counter-Clockwise four revolutions, with AC “flying” down by gravity. This also triggers Lights &amp; Sounds SFX. The AC has standard magnet pins on both ends. AC attaches to the end of the arm by linking to an attachment bracket (like a forklift) under his open wings. When plugged in from the back AC makes a perfect landing on the middle of the curved track and rolls away from the attachment bracket. The user lifts the arm straight up into the armed mode. A ratchet mechanism allows this reset. 
         [0032]    The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of the invention. Modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of this invention. 
         [0033]    Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.