Abstract:
Disclosed is a convertible toy vehicle playset convertible from a first configuration to a second, altered configuration upon a predefined interaction with a toy vehicle. A convertible track segment includes a rotating platform mounted above a base and a trigger located on the rotating platform that may be engaged by a toy vehicle. The trigger is configured to cause the convertible track segment to undergo a transformation from a section of a toy track set to an alternative structure, such as a display trophy with the toy vehicle positioned atop the trophy, which transformation occurs only when the rotating platform is within a specific, predetermined rotational angle range with respect to the base.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to convertible toy vehicle playsets, and more particularly to a convertible toy vehicle track set segment convertible from a first configuration to a second, altered configuration upon a predefined interaction with a toy vehicle. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Toy vehicle playsets and track sets are popular among children of varied ages, and a variety of track configurations have previously been provided that include various features to add to the excitement a child experiences while playing with the toy. For instance, toy vehicle playsets and track sets have been provided having portions of the track that are moveable and that may change position with respect to other portions of the track during play. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,585,166 to Stephens discloses a collapsible toy automobile race course that acts as a spring and may assume a relaxed collapsed position in one condition, and an extended taut position in another condition. Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 4,867,723 to Asbach discloses a toy simulated exploding shack that is actuated by a toy car running through the doors of the shack, which in turn causes various panels of the shack to move, ultimately simulating an explosion of the shack. Further, U.S. Pat. No. 6,402,583 discloses a toy vehicle parking facility having a rotatable and vertically moveable turntable that carries a toy vehicle to a designated floor to either move the toy vehicle to a parking spot or away from the parking spot and down a ramp to exit the toy parking facility. Still further, U.S. Pat. No. 8,162,716 to Nuttall discloses a toy vehicle track set having a moveable, spiral track portion that may be raised and lowered to different elevations during play. 
         [0003]    While the foregoing configurations do provide changeable configurations of various toy vehicle track set elements during play, there remains an ongoing need to provide toy vehicle track set features capable of maintaining the interest of a child and increasing the excitement and amusement they experience when playing with a toy racetrack. It would therefore be advantageous to provide a toy vehicle track set with varying play patterns that modify the track set configuration so as to further enhance the excitement and amusement offered to a child as they engage in such play. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Disclosed is a convertible toy vehicle playset convertible from a first configuration to a second, altered configuration upon a predefined interaction with a toy vehicle. A convertible track segment includes a rotating platform mounted above a base and a trigger located on the rotating platform that may be engaged by a toy vehicle. The trigger is configured to cause the convertible track segment to undergo a transformation only when the rotating platform is within a specific, predetermined rotational angle range with respect to the base. 
         [0005]    More particularly, and with regard to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the base has a plurality of retractable supports that are operatively attached to the trigger, which retractable supports releasably hold a portion of a toy vehicle track set in an elevated position. An outer track portion is also provided that extends partially around the platform and that, in one configuration, aligns with the portion of the track set in the elevated position. When the rotating platform is within the specific, predetermined rotational angle range, and a toy vehicle engages the trigger on the rotating platform, the convertible track segment undergoes a transformation in which the outer track portion pivots downward with respect to the base and the portion of the toy vehicle track set drops downward with respect to the base, such that the base and the rotating platform transform into the shape of an alternative structure, such as a toy vehicle play stand, and more particularly a display trophy with the toy vehicle resting atop the trophy. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The numerous advantages of the present invention may be better understood by those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a convertible toy vehicle playset in a first configuration in accordance with certain aspects of an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the convertible toy vehicle playset of  FIG. 1  in a second, transformed configuration. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3 a    is a front view of a convertible track segment in accordance with certain aspects of an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3 b    is a side view of the convertible track segment of  FIG. 3   a.    
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the convertible track segment of  FIG. 3 a    in a second, transformed configuration. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the convertible track segment of  FIG. 3   a.    
           [0013]      FIG. 6 a    is a front view of a tower for use with the convertible track segment of  FIG. 3   a.    
           [0014]      FIG. 6 b    is a side view of the tower of  FIG. 6   a.    
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a bottom perspective view of a base for use with the convertible track segment of  FIG. 3   a.    
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a bottom, close-up view of a portion of the base of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a bottom, close-up view of another portion of the base of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a back view of the convertible track segment of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a side view of the convertible track segment of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a rotating platform for use with the convertible track segment of  FIG. 3   a.    
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is a bottom view of the rotating platform of  FIG. 12 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  is a top view of a base for supporting the rotating platform of  FIG. 12 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  is a bottom view of the base of  FIG. 14 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 16  is a close-up bottom view of a first portion of the base of  FIG. 14 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 17  is a close-up bottom view of the first portion of the base of  FIG. 16  in an altered position. 
           [0026]      FIG. 18  is a close-up bottom view of a second portion of the base of  FIG. 14 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 19  is a close-up bottom view of the second portion of the base of  FIG. 18 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 20  is a close-up view of a third portion of the base of  FIG. 14 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0029]    The following description is of a particular embodiment of the invention, set out to enable one to practice an implementation of the invention, and is not intended to limit the preferred embodiment, but to serve as a particular example thereof. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the conception and specific embodiments disclosed as a basis for modifying or designing other methods and systems for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent assemblies do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form. 
         [0030]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, and with particular reference to  FIG. 1 , a convertible track segment (shown generally at  100 ) is provided and is attached to a toy vehicle track set (shown generally at  200 ). A toy vehicle  300  traverses toy vehicle track set  200  through a path that directs it toward convertible track segment  100 . In an embodiment of the invention, toy vehicle  300  may travel through a first path  202  toward convertible track segment  100 , which directs toy vehicle  300  around an outer track portion  102  of convertible track segment  100  and back to toy vehicle track set  200 . As toy vehicle  300  travels around outer track portion  102  of convertible track segment  100 , it strikes arm  104  of rotating platform  106 , in turn causing rotating platform  106  to spin. Likewise, toy vehicle  300  may traverse toy vehicle track set  200  through a second path  204  toward convertible track segment  100 , which directs toy vehicle  300  directly toward rotating platform  106 . If rotating platform  106  has been spun into a predetermined angular orientation, toy vehicle  300  travels from second path  204  into a recess  108  on rotating platform  106 , where toy vehicle  300  comes to a stop. As toy vehicle  300  enters recess  108 , toy vehicle  300  engages a trigger that activates a transformation of convertible track segment  100 , as long as toy vehicle  300  is in the predetermined angular orientation. More particularly and with reference to  FIG. 2 , toy racetrack  200  detaches from convertible track segment  100  and outer track portion  102  pivots downward, transforming convertible track segment  100  into the shape of a display trophy as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0031]    A diverter  206  may optionally be provided, and manually adjusted by a user to select the path through which they wish for toy vehicle  300  to travel. Thus, when rotating platform  106  has achieved the predetermined angular orientation, the user may adjust diverter  206  to direct toy vehicle  300  through second path  204  and into recess  108  on rotating platform  106 , and initiate the transformation of convertible track segment  100  into the display trophy of  FIG. 2 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 3 a    provides a front view, and  FIG. 3 b    a side view, of convertible track segment  100 , showing convertible track segment  100  in its initial position in which it may be joined to toy vehicle track set  200 . In this position, outer track portion  102  is situated at a slightly upward angle. Rotating platform  106  is freely, rotatably affixed to base  120 , which base  120  is likewise pivotably mounted to tower  110  and releasably held in the upward angle shown in  FIGS. 3 a  and 3 b   . Outer track portion  102  is likewise pivotably mounted to base  120 , and is releasably held in the upward angle shown in  FIGS. 3 a  and 3 b    so that outer track portion  102  is generally in the same plane as recess  108 . As shown in the front view of convertible track segment  100  of  FIG. 4 , after a toy vehicle  300  has engaged the trigger in recess  108  (and as will be discussed in greater detail below), convertible track segment  100  converts to the shape of a display trophy, with base  120  pivoting with respect to tower  110  so as to horizontally orient recess  108 , and with outer track portion  102  pivoting downward with respect to base  120  so as to vertically orient outer track portion  102  behind tower  110 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 5  provides an exploded view of convertible track segment  100 , including tower  110 , base  120 , rotating platform  106 , outer track portion  102 , pivot pin  112 , and coil spring  114 , each of which will now be discussed in greater detail. 
         [0034]    As shown in the front view of  FIG. 6 a    and the side view of  FIG. 6 b   , base  110  includes base hinge mounts  111   a ,  111   b , which are aligned with one another and configured to receive a pivot pin  112 , which pivot pin  112  also pivotably mounts base  120  and outer track portion  102 , as discussed in greater detail below. A connection tab  113  may be provided at the bottom of base  110  and may be used for connection of convertible track segment  100  to racetrack  200 . A spring receiver  115  may be provided at an upper edge of base  110 , and is configured to receive a first end of coil spring  114 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , a second spring receiver  121  is located on the bottom of base  120 , and is configured to receive an upper end of spring  114 , such that coil spring  114  exerts an upward spring bias on the bottom of base  120 . As shown in the side view of  FIG. 6 b    of tower  110 , an engagement hook  117  is pivotably mounted to a side of tower  110  and is biased by spring  118  in a counter-clockwise direction (as viewed in  FIG. 6 b   ) toward a stop surface  119 . As shown in the bottom detail view of  FIG. 8 , engagement hook  117  releasably holds retaining hook  122  on the bottom side of base  120 , holding base  120  in the upwardly angled position until the trigger in recess  108  is activated, moving retaining hook  122  away from engagement hook  117  (in the direction of arrow  122   a ) and allowing base  110  to pivot to the horizontal position. When a user resets base  120  to its upwardly angled position, retaining hook  122  re-engages engagement hook  117  so as to hold base  120  in its upwardly angled position. 
         [0035]    Base  120  is also provided a plurality of outwardly spring-biased retractable supports that extend through the sidewall  126  of base  120 . Specifically, a first retractable support  123  is positioned on a first side of the sidewall  126  of base  120 , forward of outer track portion  102 . Likewise, a second retractable support  124  is positioned on a second side of sidewall  126  of base  120 , generally opposite from first retractable support  123 , and again forward of outer track portion  102 . With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , first retractable support  123  and second retractable support  124  are configured to hold a first end portion  201  of toy vehicle track set  200  that intersects with convertible track segment  100 . Thus, when first retractable support  123  and second retractable support  124  are in their extended positions (shown in  FIGS. 3 a  and 3 b   ), first end portion  201  of toy vehicle track set  200  sits flush and aligned with convertible track segment  100  to allow smooth transition for toy vehicle  300  as it moves from track set  200  to convertible track segment  100 , and vice versa. When toy vehicle  300  engages the trigger in recess  108  on rotating platform  106  (when rotating platform  106  is in the predetermined angular orientation), first retractable support  123  and second retractable support  124  are both drawn into base  120 , allowing first end portion  201  of toy racetrack  200  to drop down, away from rotating platform  106  and toward the play surface as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0036]    Similarly, third retractable support  125  (shown in detail in  FIG. 9 ) is positioned on the back side of the sidewall  126  of base  120 , and is configured to support the underside of outer track portion  102 , and more particularly a flange  130  that extends downward from the underside of outer track portion  102 , so as to hold outer track portion  102  in a position in which outer track portion  102  is generally in the same plane as recess  108  of rotating platform  106 . When toy vehicle  300  engages the trigger in recess  108  on rotating platform  106  (when rotating platform  106  is in the predetermined angular orientation), third retractable support  125  is drawn into base  120 , allowing outer track portion  102  to pivot downward about pivot pin  112  with respect to base  120  and into the vertical orientation behind tower  110  shown in  FIG. 4 .  FIGS. 10 and 11  likewise show rear and side views, respectively, of convertible track segment  100  with outer track portion  102  pivoted to such downward position with respect to base  120 . 
         [0037]    Each of first, second, and third retractable supports  123 ,  124 , and  125  preferably have an outer wall that forms an angled engagement face extending outward from the bottom to the top of each retractable support, such that as each of the first end portion  201  of toy vehicle track set  200  and outer track portion  102  are raised to the position shown in  FIG. 1 , each retractable support is gradually pushed inward until the supported portions of the first end portion  201  of track set  200  and outer track portion  102  have cleared their respective retractable support, at which point each retractable support extends outward (as a result of an outward spring bias) to its supporting position. 
         [0038]      FIG. 12  is a top perspective view, and  FIG. 13  a bottom view, of rotating platform  106 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , recess  108  has sidewalls  109   a  and  109   b  that are slightly angled inward toward one another at the back end of recess  108  so as to guide a toy vehicle  300  toward trigger  130 . Trigger  130  is in the form of a paddle that may be pushed by the front of a toy vehicle  300  when it reaches the back end of recess  108 , and that (as shown in the bottom view of rotating platform  106  of  FIG. 13 ) is affixed to an actuating arm  132  that is moveably mounted to the underside  134  of rotating platform  106 . Actuating arm  132  has a plurality of oblong openings  135  through which posts  136 , such as threaded connectors, may be placed and joined to the underside  134  of rotating platform  106  so as to allow actuating arm  132  to move radially (in the direction of arrow  137 ) on the underside  134  of rotating platform  106 . Actuating arm  132  preferably has a curved outer edge  133 , the purpose of which will be described below. 
         [0039]    A spring member  138  is joined to a first spring support  139  affixed to actuating arm  132 , and to a second spring support  140  affixed to the underside  134  of rotating platform  106 , and biases actuating arm (and thus trigger  130 ) towards the interior of rotating platform  106 . A roller bearing  141  is positioned on a bearing hub  142  that is centrally located on underside  134  of rotating platform  106 , which rotatably supports rotating platform  106  on base  120 , as discussed in greater detail below. 
         [0040]    Rotating platform  106  may be weighted, such as with one or more weights  143  positioned on the underside  134  of rotating platform  106 , so as to aid in keeping rotating platform  106  balanced as it rotates on base  120 . Rotating platform  106  also preferably has a downwardly extending outer rim  144  configured to fit within the upper edge of base  120 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 14  shows a top side  150  of base  120 . The outer wall of base  120  forms an upwardly extending outer rim  151 , sized with respect to downwardly extending outer rim  144  of rotating platform  106  so that downwardly extending outer rim  144  fits within upwardly extending outer rim  151  of base  120 . A roller bearing receiver  152  is centrally located on top side  150  of base  120 , and is sized to receive roller bearing  141  therein so as to rotatably mount rotating platform  106  to base  120 . A plurality of guide rollers  153  may also be affixed to top side  150  of base  120 , which extend upward from top side  150  to engage and support underside  134  of rotating platform  106  as it spins on base  120 . 
         [0042]    Base  120  also has a cam  154  extending upward through top side  150  of base  120 , which cam is spring-biased towards the interior of base  120  and is radially moveable in the direction of arrow  155  when pushed radially outward by actuating arm  132  of rotating platform  106 . Cam  154  has a curved inner face  156 , which curved inner face  156  has a curve contour that is complementary to curved outer edge  133  of actuating arm  132 . 
         [0043]    Cam  154  is also mechanically connected to first, second and third retractable supports  123 ,  124 , and  125  through a paddle bar (discussed below), such that movement of cam  154  radially outward (in the direction of arrow  155 ) causes such retractable supports to retract into body  120 , and movement of cam  154  radially inward in the opposite direction causes such retractable supports to extend outward from body  120 . 
         [0044]    The curved length of curved outer edge  133  of actuating arm  132  on rotating platform  106  and of curved inner face  156  of cam  154  define the predetermined angular orientation of rotating platform  106  with respect to base  120  that causes the transformation of convertible track segment  100 . More particularly, if curved outer edge  133  of actuating arm  132  is at least partially aligned with curved inner face  156  of cam  154  when trigger  130  is activated, movement of trigger  130  moves cam  154  radially outward, retracting the retractable supports  123 ,  124 , and  125 , and in turn dropping the toy racetrack  200  away from base  120  and rotating platform  106 , and allowing outer track portion  102  to pivot downward with respect to base  120 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 15  is a bottom view of base  120  and shows a paddle bar assembly (shown generally at  160 ) that provides a mechanical linkage between cam  154  and first, second, and third retractable supports  123 ,  124 , and  125 . Paddle bar assembly  160  includes a carrier arm  161  that is joined to cam  154 . Carrier arm  161  has a plurality of oblong openings  162  through which posts  163 , such as threaded connectors, are placed and joined to the underside  164  of base  120  so as to allow carrier arm  161  to move laterally (in the direction of arrow  165 ) on the underside  164  of base  120 . 
         [0046]    A first extension arm  166  carries first retractable support  123 . As shown in the close-up view of  FIG. 16 , first extension arm  166  has oblong openings  167  through which posts  168 , such as threaded connectors, are placed and joined to the underside  164  of base  120  so as to allow first extension arm  166  to move laterally (in the direction of arrow  169 ) to deploy and retract first retractable support  123 . A rocker arm  170  is pivotably mounted to the underside  164  of base  120 , and has a first finger  171  that engages a space  172  in carrier arm  161 , and a second finger  173  that engages a space  174  in first extension arm  166 . With this configuration, as cam  154  is pushed radially outwardly, carrier arm  161  moves to the left in the direction of arrow  165  (as viewed in  FIG. 16 ), moving first finger  171  to the left to pivot rocker arm  170 . Pivoting of rocker arm  170  causes second finger  173  of rocker arm  170  to move to the right in the direction of arrow  169  (as viewed in  FIG. 16 ), in turn acting against a wall of space  174  in first extension arm  166  to pull first extension arm  166  to the right, thus retracting first retractable support  123  into body  120  as shown in  FIG. 17 . A first extension arm spring  175  is attached at one end to a first spring carrier  176  on first extension arm  166 , and at a second end to a second spring carrier  177  affixed to the underside  174  of base  120 . Extension arm spring  175  biases first extension arm  166  to an extended position in which first retractable support  123  extends outward through the sidewall  126  of base  120 . 
         [0047]    Similarly, a second extension arm  178  carries second retractable support  124 . As shown in the close-up view of  FIG. 18 , second extension arm  178  has oblong openings  179  through which posts  180 , such as threaded connectors, are placed and joined to the underside  164  of base  120  so as to allow second extension arm  178  to move laterally (in the direction of arrow  181 ) so as to deploy and retract second retractable support  124 . An engagement finger  182  is fixed to carrier arm  161 , and is aligned with a reaction surface  183  on second extension arm  178 . With this configuration, as cam  154  is pushed radially outwardly, carrier arm  161  moves to the left in the direction of arrow  165  (as viewed in  FIG. 16 ), moving engagement finger  182  on carrier arm  161  to the left. This movement of engagement finger  182  causes reaction surface  183  on second extension arm  178  to pull second extension arm  178  to the left, thus retracting second retractable support  124  into body  120 , as shown in  FIG. 19 . A second extension arm spring  184  is attached at one end to a first spring carrier  185  on second extension arm  178 , and at a second end to a second spring carrier  186  affixed to the underside  164  of base  120 . Second extension arm spring  184  biases second extension arm  178  to an extended position in which second retractable support  124  extends outward through the sidewall  126  of base  120 . 
         [0048]    As best shown in  FIG. 18 , carrier arm  161  also carries retaining hook  122 , which as explained above, holds base  120  in an upwardly angled position until the trigger in recess  108  is activated (in turn ultimately moving carrier arm  161 ), moving retaining hook  122  away from engagement hook  117  and allowing base  110  to pivot to the horizontal position. 
         [0049]    Still further, a third extension arm  187  carries third retractable support  125 . As shown in the close-up view of  FIG. 20 , third extension arm  187  has oblong openings  188  through which posts  189 , such as threaded connectors, are placed and joined to the underside  164  of base  120  so as to allow third extension arm  187  to move laterally (in the direction of arrow  181 , which is generally perpendicular to the directions travelled by first extension arm  166  and second extension arm  178 ) so as to deploy and retract third retractable support  125 . An interior end of third extension arm  187  has an angled cam surface  190  that engages an opening  191  along the edge of carrier arm  161 . With this configuration, as cam  154  is pushed radially outwardly, carrier arm  161  moves to the right in the direction of arrow  165  (as viewed in  FIG. 20 ), moving opening  191  on carrier arm  161  to the right. This movement of opening  191  causes the edge of opening  191  to engage angled cam surface  190  to pull third extension arm  187  toward carrier arm  161 , thus retracting third retractable support  125  into body  120 . A third extension arm spring  192  is attached at one end to a first spring carrier  193  on third extension arm  187 , and at a second end to a second spring carrier  194  affixed to the underside  164  of base  120 . Third extension arm spring  192  biases third extension arm  187  to an extended position in which third retractable support  125  extends outward through the sidewall  126  of base  120 . 
         [0050]    In use, a child launches toy vehicle  300  around track set  200 , with diverter  206  positioned so as to cause toy vehicle  300  to travel through first path  202 , around outer track portion  102 , and back to track set  200 . As toy vehicle  300  traverses outer track portion  102 , it impacts arm  104  and, in turn, causes rotating platform  106  to spin. The child may continue such play until recess  108  aligns with second path  204 , which coincides with platform  106  having achieved the predetermined rotational angle with respect to base  120  that allows trigger  130  to activate the transformation of convertible track segment  100 . At this point, the child may move diverter  206  so as to direct toy vehicle through second path  204  and launch toy vehicle  300  so that it proceeds to recess  108  on platform  106 . As toy vehicle rolls into recess  108 , it strikes trigger  130 , in turn causing convertible track segment  100  to transform from the track segment of  FIG. 1  to the display trophy of  FIG. 2 , with toy vehicle  300  displayed at the top of the trophy. 
         [0051]    Having now fully set forth the preferred embodiments and certain modifications of the concept underlying the present invention, various other embodiments as well as certain variations and modifications of the embodiments herein shown and described will obviously occur to those skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with said underlying concept. It should be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically set forth herein.