Abstract:
A toy vehicle track set and target game includes a track section and a target assembly configured such that the track section aims at or passes through the target assembly. The target assembly includes a rotatable arm with at least two targets disposed at opposing ends. Each target may be removably or movably coupled to the rotatable arm and permanently coupled to a resilient member, such that each target may intersect at least a portion of the track section. A resilient member may be removably coupled to each of the at least two targets and configured to release if the target is impacted or displaced. Upon release or reconfiguration of a target, the rotatable arm&#39;s center of gravity may move and, thus, change the frequency, orientation, or velocity or the rotating arm&#39;s rotation.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to and is based on U.S. Patent Application No. 61/480,478, filed Apr. 29, 2011, entitled “Toy Vehicle Track Set and Target Game,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates generally to toy vehicle track sets, and more specifically to tabletop track sets in which toy vehicles are incorporated and directed towards striking one or more moving targets found on the track set to accomplish a goal. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Toy vehicle track sets have long been 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 stationary and moving targets. Incorporating targets into track sets has added a competitive or goal orientated element to the play pattern to vehicle track sets, and has allowed children to practice their hand-eye coordination. Examples of toy vehicle track sets with and without targets are found in U.S. Pat. Nos.: 7,857,679; 7,794,301; 7,628,674; 6,913,508; 4,513,967; 3,713,654; and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0049160, the entire disclosures of which are all incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
         [0004]    However, the majority of existing track sets which include targets require similar timing and positioning skills to strike and displace the included targets. Track sets incorporating movable targets also generally require the motion of each moving target to generally remain consistent as it travels about the track. The consistent nature of existing target track sets provides a less challenging play pattern and may lead to a loss of interest in the track set over a short period of time. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a toy vehicle track set with multiple detachable targets configured to alter the motion of the target assembly when one or more of the targets are struck and displaced. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    In one embodiment of the invention, a toy vehicle track set is provided comprising a track segment and a target assembly. The target assembly comprises a rotating arm configured to rotate about an axis substantially parallel to the track segment, and at least two targets removably attached to the rotating arm, such that the targets intersect at least a portion of the pathway of the vehicle driving along the track segment. The rotating arm is further configured to alter the center of mass of the arm when one or more targets are removed from the arm. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, the removal of one or more targets from the arm alters the center of mass of the arm, causing the period of movement of the arm to change. In another embodiment, the removal of one or more targets from the arm alters the center of mass of the arm, causing the orientation of movement of the arm to change. In another embodiment, the removal of one or more targets from the arm alters the center of mass of the arm, causing the velocity of movement of the arm to change. In yet another embodiment, the removal of one or more targets from the arm alters the center of mass of the arm, causing a combination of the period of movement, orientation of movement, and/or velocity of movement of the arm to change. 
         [0008]    In yet another embodiment, the track set is at least partially glow-in-the-dark to enhance play value and entertainment value of the track set. A glow-in-the-dark effect may be produced by chemiluminescence, phosphorescence, radioluminescence, derivatives thereof and/or combinations thereof. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment, the track set further comprises a passageway for accepting the track segment. The passageway may be devised through the target assembly. In further embodiments, the passageway may be adjacent to a portion of track segment to be intersected by the targets. 
         [0010]    In other embodiments, the track set may comprise a projectile for displacing a target. In further embodiments, the track set comprises a projectile launcher for launching the projectile intended to displace the target. In one embodiment, the projectile launcher may be adjustable in all axes and/or in force. 
         [0011]    In yet another embodiment, the track set comprises a resilient member for attaching a target to a rotating arm. In some embodiments, the resilient member is permanently coupled to a target in at least one location. The resilient member may further be removably coupled to the rotating arm in at least one location, such that the resilient member experiences tension when coupled to the rotating arm and the target is coupled to the rotating arm. The resilient member may be comprised of any fastening means know to one of skill in the art, including, but not limited to, a peg, a pin, a clip, a button, a snap, a tie, thread, hook and loop, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof. 
         [0012]    In still another embodiment, the target assembly may comprise a rotating arm configured to rotate about an axis substantially parallel to the track segment; and at least two targets, wherein each of the at least two targets is configurable between an extended configuration and a non-extended configuration such that the targets intersect at least a portion of the track segment when in an extended configuration. The rotating arm is further configured in manner such that the center of mass may change if a target is moved from an extended configuration to a non extended configuration. 
         [0013]    In another embodiment, the track set may comprise a pinwheel coupled to the rotating arm to facilitate rotation about the axis substantially parallel to the track segment. The track set may also comprise a support structure, wherein the pinwheel extends through the support structure, rotatably coupling the rotating arm to the support structure in an elevated position. 
         [0014]    Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be understood more readily after consideration of the Detailed Description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  provides a front perspective view of a toy vehicle track set in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  provides a rear perspective view of a toy vehicle track set in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  provides a rear perspective view of a toy vehicle track set in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  provides a front perspective view of a toy vehicle track set in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    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, positions and/or points of reference as disclosed herein, and do not limit the present invention to any particular configuration or orientation. 
         [0020]      FIGS. 1 through 4  provide perspective views of a toy vehicle track set  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The track set  10  may include a track section and a target, wherein the track section may be aimed at, travel through, or integral with the target. The track set  10  may include targets which may be removably coupled to a rotating arm in order to create an interesting target with varied target movements and increased play value. The toy set may be designed with any desirable color scheme, theme or design, such as designed to be partially glow-in-the-dark. 
         [0021]    In  FIG. 1 , a toy vehicle track set  10  is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The track set  10  comprises a track segment  12  and a target assembly  14 . The target assembly  14  may be configured about track segment  12 , and in some instances may encompass track segment  12 . For example, in the present embodiment track segment  12  may pass through the target assembly  14  at passageway  18 . Thus, as a vehicle travels down track segment  12  it may encounter or travel through target assembly  14 . 
         [0022]    Now referring to  FIG. 2 , in the present embodiment, the target assembly  14  may include a support structure  15  and a target member  19  that includes a pivoting arm or support member  20 . Support structure  15  may be of any desirable shape and size and may include various indicia in order to increase the play value of toy vehicle track set  10 . For example, support structure  15  may be shaped as a house and include indicia to make it resemble a haunted house. Support structure  15  may also include passageway  18  and opening  21 , which may each be any desirable shape and size and may be disposed at any desirable location on support structure  15 . As mentioned, passageway  18  may allow a toy vehicle to pass through support structure  15 . Additionally, both passageway  18  and opening  21  may include indicia that may, for example, incorporate passageway  18  and opening  21  into any theme included on support structure  15 . In the present embodiment, passageway  18  may be shaped as the mouth of a ghost while opening  21  is shaped as a window of the house. 
         [0023]    Still referring to  FIG. 2 , pivoting arm  20  may be rotatably coupled to support structure  15  and may include at least two targets or target portions  16  attached at opposing ends. Pivoting arm  20  may be mounted on the rear surface of support structure  15 , but may also include a pinwheel or actuator  22 , may extend or may have an axle  23  extending through support structure  15  and protrude from the front surface of support structure  15 . In some embodiments, pinwheel or actuator  22  may be mounted about pivot point C, as seen in  FIG. 3 , and may serve to rotatably couple pivoting arm  20  to support structure  15 . Thus, rotating pinwheel  22  may rotate arm  20  and attached targets  16  about point C. However, in an alternative embodiment, the pivoting arm  20  may be rotated by manually spinning the arm  20  and accompanying at least two targets  16 . 
         [0024]    In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 3 , the at least two targets  16  may be oriented opposite one another on the arm  20 , so as to balance arm  20  and allow for continuous rotation of the arm  20 . In other words, when the at least two targets  16  are attached, pivoting arm  20  may be configured with a center of mass at about point C, which may be located in the center of pivoting arm  20 . In such an embodiment, each of the at least two targets  16  may be configured to partially intersect a portion of track segment  12 , allowing a projectile  24  (see  FIG. 4 ) to contact and displace the at least two targets  16 . 
         [0025]    Each of the at least two targets  16  may be displaced because each of the at least two targets  16  may be removably attached to the rotating arm  20  through resilient member  26 . For example, in the present embodiment, each of the at least two targets  16  may include at least two openings  28  which may receive, or be coupled to, a resilient member  26  while arm  20  may include at least two prongs  30  which may be removably coupled to resilient member  26 . The resilient member  26  may be configured to provide linear tension between arm  20  and target  16  when stretched between one of the at least two prongs and the at least two openings  28 . Thus, resilient member  26  may provide linear tension in an axis parallel to and towards the center of arm  20 . The resilient member  26  is an exemplary embodiment of a detachable fastener for removably attaching a target to an arm. In other embodiments, various other fastening means may be incorporated, including, but not limited to, a peg, a pin, a clip, a button, a snap, a tie, thread, hook and loop, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof. 
         [0026]    Now referring to  FIG. 4 , track  12  may be configured in an extended configuration, such that a projectile  24  strikes target  16  in an axis substantially perpendicular to arm  20 . When a projectile  24  strikes one of the at least two targets  16  in this manner, the force of the projectile  24  may overwhelm the force of the resilient member  26 , causing a target  16  to move into a non-extended configuration, in which target  16  may be displaced or uncoupled from the rotating arm  20 . This displacement or uncoupling may decouple resilient member  26  from prongs  30 , releasing the tension in resilient member  26  and may cause resilient member  26  to pull or shoot the struck target  16 , in accordance with methods known in the art, towards prongs  30  and, eventually, away from track  10 . The pulling or shooting may, for example, be a movement similar to that experienced by a rubber band when released from a stretched position. 
         [0027]    In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4 , each of the at least two targets  16  is configured to independently detach from the arm  20  when stricken by a projectile  24  (see  FIG. 4 ). The target assembly  14  is further configured such that detaching one of the at least two targets  16  from the arm  20  alters the center of mass of the rotating arm  20 . The altered center of mass of the rotating arm  20  modifies movement of the arm  20  and attached target(s), providing a second movement that must be stricken and displaced by the end user. More specifically, once one of the at least two targets  16  has been displaced, the center of mass of the arm  20  may shift towards the remaining target  16 , advancing arm  20  towards a pendulum type motion. 
         [0028]    In other configurations, the two or more targets  16  may be removably coupled to arm  20  at various positions to alter the center of mass of the arm  20 , encouraging a variety of movements. In still other embodiments, the two or more targets  16  may be movably coupled to rotatable arm  20 , such that each target may move between an extended configuration in which a target  16  may intersect or selectively engage at least part of track section  12  or the path or pathway of a projectile, and a non-extended configuration which does not intersect track section  12 . The selectively engagement of the target  16  includes the target obstructing, blocking, or otherwise impeding movement of the projectile along its path. Changes in the center of mass of the rotating arm  20  may lead to altered period of movement, orientation of movement, and/or velocity of movement in the rotating arm  20 . Target assembly  14  is configured to provide a variety of movements dependent upon the location of the center of mass of the rotating arm  20 . As the rotating arm  20  contains at least two targets  16  removably attached to the arm  20 , the number and orientation of targets  14  attached to the arm  20  alters center of mass, thus changing arm  20  movement. The variety of movements provides a plentitude of target play configurations. 
         [0029]    The track set  10 , track segment  12 , target assembly  14 , rotating arm  20 , and at least two targets  16  may be fabricated from any suitable material, or combination of materials, such as plastic, foamed plastic, wood, cardboard, pressed paper, metal, supple natural or synthetic materials including, but not limited to, cotton, elastomers, polyester, plastic, rubber, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof. Suitable plastics may include high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polystyrene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), or the like. Suitable foamed plastics may include expanded or extruded polystyrene, expanded or extruded polypropylene, EVA foam, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof. 
         [0030]    The resilient member  26  is defined herein as a bias member which expands (and recovers) in an at least a generally linear direction, including, but not limited to, a spring, a resilient plastic, or a rubber. The resilient member  26  may be fabricated from any suitable material, or combinations of materials, such as supple natural or synthetic materials including, but not limited to, plastic, metal, elastomers, polyester, rubber, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof. 
         [0031]    It is believed that the disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Similarly, where any description recites “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof, such disclosure should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. 
         [0032]    While the invention has been described in detail and with references to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. For example, the majority of the elements can be formed of molded plastic. However, in alternative embodiments, the elements can be formed of a material other than plastic provided that the material has sufficient strength for the component&#39;s intended function.