Patent Publication Number: US-9421473-B2

Title: Wall mounted toy track set

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/709,426, filed Oct. 4, 2012, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Various embodiments of the present invention are related to toys. In particular, various embodiments of the present invention are related to a track set for toy vehicles. 
     Toy vehicle track sets have been popular for many years and generally include one or more track sections arranged to form a path around which one or more toy vehicles can travel. Some toy vehicles that may be used on such track sets are self-powered vehicles, and some 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 a first track portion and a second track portion. The second track portion is distal from the first track portion. The first track portion and the second track portion define a gap therebetween. The toy vehicle track set also includes a pair of separately rotating arms. The rotating arms cooperate to transfer a toy vehicle across the gap from the first track portion to the second track portion. When the toy vehicle is released at the second track portion, the toy vehicle may traverse along a path of the track set from the second track portion to the first track portion. 
     In another embodiment, a toy vehicle track set is provided. The toy vehicle track set having: a first track portion; a second track portion elevated vertically from the first track portion; a pair of arm members rotatably mounted to a support, wherein each arm member has a claw member configured to releasably receive and retain a toy vehicle therein, wherein the pair of arm members and each claw member associated therewith are configured to transfer a toy vehicle therebetween as the pair of arm members each rotate about an axis. 
     In yet another embodiment, a toy vehicle track set is provided. The toy vehicle track set having: a lower track portion; a first toy vehicle feed mechanism configured to release a toy vehicle from the lower track portion upon actuation of an actuator of the first toy vehicle feed mechanism; an upper track portion having an upper end and a first lower end; a second toy vehicle feed mechanism configured to release a toy vehicle from the upper track portion upon actuation of an actuator of the second toy vehicle feed mechanism; a first arm member rotatably secured to the toy vehicle track set, the first arm member having a claw member configured to move from an open position to a closed position in order to receive the toy vehicle from the first toy vehicle feed mechanism; a second arm member rotatably secured to the toy vehicle track set, the second arm member having a claw member configured to move from an open position to a closed position in order to receive the toy vehicle from the claw member of the first arm member, wherein the second arm member transfers the toy vehicle to the upper end of the upper track portion after it has received the toy vehicle from the claw member of the first arm member; and wherein the actuator of the first toy vehicle feed mechanism is actuated through rotational movement of the first arm member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and/or other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a toy vehicle track set according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a toy vehicle track set according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a toy vehicle feed system according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a switch of a toy vehicle track set according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a second arm of a toy vehicle track set according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a first arm of a toy vehicle track set according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the first arm and the second arm of the toy vehicle track set in a vertically aligned position; and 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the first arm as it actuates a toy feed mechanism of the toy vehicle track set. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the FIGS., a track set  20  in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. In some embodiments, the track set  20  is mounted to a wall  16  via one or more wall mounts  10 . Each wall mount  10  has a planar member  14  that is secured to a wall  16  via removable double-sided adhesive tape or other equivalent material. One non-limiting example of such adhesive tape it is commercially available from 3M and sold under the trademark COMMAND STRIP. In some embodiments, the wall mount  10  may be that described in commonly owned U.S. patent Ser. No. 13/220,364, filed on Aug. 29, 2011, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos. 61/377,743, filed on Aug. 27, 2010, and 61/480,793, filed on Apr. 29, 2011, the contents each of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto in their entirety. It should be appreciated that while embodiments of this invention illustrate the track set  20  mounted to a wall  16 , the claimed invention should not be so limited, in other embodiments the track set  20  may include support stands that allow the track set  20  to be a free standing track set that rests on a play surface, which may be a horizontal play surface. In yet other embodiments, portions of the track set  20  may be mounted to a wall  16  while other portions of the track set  20  may include support stands for resting on a playing surface (e.g., horizontal or otherwise). 
     The track set  20  includes multiple track portions, for example a lower track portion  30  and an upper track portion  70 . The track portions  30 ,  70  provide at least one path of travel for a toy, such as a toy vehicle  18  for example. The lower track portion  30  and the upper track portion  70  are disconnected from one another and may be separated by both a vertical distance and a horizontal distance. In some embodiments, each track portion  30 ,  70  is oriented such that a gravitational force causes the toy vehicle  18  to move along the path of travel of the track set  20 . 
     The lower track portion  30  includes a first track segment  32  having a generally curved section  38  adjacent a first end  34  and a generally straight section  40  extending from the curved section  38  to a second end  36 . In some embodiments, a start platform  42  is connected to a portion of the first track segment  32 , such that the start platform  42  provides an entrance for the toy vehicle  18  into the path of travel of the track set  20 . 
     A toy vehicle feed system  44  is connected to the first track segment  32  for releasably retaining a toy vehicle  18 . In some embodiments, the toy vehicle feed system  44  is connected to the straight section  40  adjacent the second end  36 . Alternatively, the toy vehicle feed system  44  may be mounted to the curved section  38  of the first track segment  32 . The toy vehicle feed system  44  includes a gate  46  pivotally coupled to the first track segment  32  for movement between a blocking position (e.g., where toy vehicles  18  are retained by gate  46 ) and a release position (e.g., where toy vehicles  18  can travel underneath gate  46 ) such that the gate  46  is configured to rotate out of the path of travel along the track set  20 , in the direction indicated by arrow A as it moves from the blocking position to the release position. The gate  46  includes an activation device or component  48 , such as a lever for example, such that when the activation device  48  is actuated or moved, the gate  46  moves from the blocking position to the release position. In the illustrated embodiment, the gate  46  may rotate away from the start platform  22 . Application of a force to the activation device  48  causes the activation device  48 , and therefore the gate  46  coupled thereto by any suitable means such as a linkage or direct physical connection, to rotate relative to the first track segment  32 . When the gate  46  pivots out of the path of travel of the track set  20 , the feed system  44  releases a toy vehicle  18 , which then moves to the second end  36  of the first track segment  32  as a result of gravity. In some embodiments, when the applied force is removed from the activation device  48 , gravity causes the gate  46  to rotate back to a position that blocks that path of travel along the track set  20 . In other embodiments, a biasing force, such as from a spring, may move the gate  46  back to the blocking position. 
     The lower track portion  30  of the track set  20  also includes a second track segment  50  connected to the first track segment  32 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a first end  52  of the second track segment  50  connects to the first end  34  of the first track segment  32 . In some embodiments, the second track segment  50  may be formed integrally with the first track segment  32 . In other embodiments, the first end  52  of the second track segment  50  may connect to a central portion of the first track segment  32  (see  FIG. 2 ), such as the curved section  38  for example. 
     A first end  58  of a third track segment  56  is positioned adjacent the curved section  38  of the first track segment  32 . In some embodiments, the first end  58  of the third track segment  56  is connected to the first end  34  of the first track segment  32  (see  FIG. 2 ). In other embodiments, the first end  58  of the third track segment  56  is spaced a distance above a portion of the first track segment  32  such that a toy vehicle  18  may travel along the first track segment  32  and underneath the third track segment  56  without interference (see  FIG. 1 ). A second end  60  of the third track segment  56  may be flared compared to the remainder of the third track segment  56 . A connector  62  supports the second end  54  of the second track segment  50  and the second end  60  of the third track segment  56 . The connector  62  may extend to the first track segment  32  as well. In some embodiments, the connector  62  retains the third track segment  56  and the second track segment  50  in a generally parallel and vertically aligned position separated by a distance to prevent interference with the path of travel of a toy vehicle  18 . 
     The upper track portion  70  includes a fourth track segment  72  having a generally straight section  78  adjacent a first end  74  and a generally curved section  80  adjacent a second end  76 . In some embodiments, the straight section  78  includes an unconnected end  75  configured to couple the track set  20  to other track set(s) (not shown). A guide or diverter  77  pivotable between a first position and a second position is mounted between the unconnected end  75  and the curved section  80  of the fourth track segment. When the guide is in a first position (see  FIG. 4 ), toy vehicles  18  travel from the straight section  78  to the curved section  80 . When the guide  77  is rotated to the second position, the guide  77  blocks the path to the curved portion  80 , such that toy vehicle  18  travels to the unconnected end  75  and to a coupled track set. 
     Both a first end  84  of a vertically aligned fifth track segment  82  and a first end  90  of a vertically aligned sixth track segment  88  are coupled to the second end  76  of the fourth track segment  72 . A gate  100  for selectively controlling the path of travel of a toy vehicle  18  is positioned adjacent the second end  76  of the fourth track segment  72 . The gate  100 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , includes a generally flat piece of track  102  coupled to a lever  106 . The lever  106  and the piece of track  102  are pivotable about a pin between an open position and a closed position. When the gate  100  is in a closed position, a free end  104  of the piece of track  102  is in contact or flush with the curved section  80  of the fourth track segment  72 , such that a toy vehicle  18  travels to the connected fifth track segment  82 . In some embodiments, the second end  86  of the fifth track segment  82  is curved in a direction away from the sixth track segment  88 . When the gate  100  is in an open position, the free end  104  of the piece of track  102  is rotated away from the curved section  80  of the fourth track segment  72 , thereby allowing a toy vehicle  18  to travel to the connected sixth track segment  88 . A toy vehicle feed system  110 , similar to the toy vehicle feed system  44  may be mounted adjacent the second end  92  of the sixth track segment  88 . A portion of the toy vehicle feed system  110  is configured to rotate in the direction indicated by arrow D to selectively release a toy vehicle  18 . In some embodiments, the activation device  112  of the toy vehicle feed system  110  is a lever extending beyond the second end  93  of the sixth track segment  88 . 
     A generally vertical support  120  extends between the lower track portion  30  and the upper track portion  70  of the track set  20 . In some embodiments, the second end  36  of the first track segment  32  is mounted to a first end  122  of the support  120  and the first end  74  of the fourth track segment  72  is mounted to the second end  124  of the support  120 . 
     A first arm  130  is rotatably or movably mounted to the support  120  with a first shaft  137  and a second, similar arm  160  is rotatably or movably mounted to the support  120  with a second shaft  166 . When the first arm  130  and the second arm  160  are arranged substantially vertically, a first end  132  of the first arm  130  can be positioned adjacent the second end  36  of the first track segment  32  and a first end  162  of the second arm  160  can be located adjacent the first end  74  of the fourth track segment  72 . It is also understood the first and the second arm  130 ,  160  can also be arranged vertically or in any other position angular or otherwise without the first end  132  of the first arm  130  being adjacent the second end  36  of the first track segment  32  and the first end  162  of the second arm  160  being located adjacent the first end  74  of the fourth track segment  72  as the first arm  130  rotates about the first shaft  137  and the second arm  160  rotates about the second shaft  166 . 
     The first arm  130  and the second arm  160  are configured to rotate about the first shaft  137  and the second shaft  166  respectively. In some embodiments, the first arm  130  is configured to rotate relative to the support  120  in the direction indicated by arrow B, and the second arm  160  is configured to rotate in an opposite direction, indicated by arrow C. In some embodiments, the support  120  includes a casing  126  that encloses a drive mechanism  128 , such as a motor  127  coupled to a gear train  129 , for rotating the first arm  130  and the second arm  160  simultaneously. In other words, a motor when activated applies a rotational force to a first one of a plurality of gears of the gear train  129  such that at least one of the gears of the gear train  129  causes the first arm  130  and the second arm  160  to rotated by the motor and in opposite directions. The gear train  129  may also keep the first arm  130  and the second arm  160  rotating in a fixed coordination with each other. In embodiments where the support  120  houses a drive mechanism  128 , the support  120  acts as a central, motorized spine of the track set  20 . 
     The pair of separately rotatable arms  130 ,  160  are configured to move a toy vehicle  18  from a first position on the lower track portion  30  to a second position on the upper track portion  70 . In some embodiments, the pair of arms move a toy vehicle  18  from a first position at the second end  36  of the first track segment  32  to a second position at the first end  74  of the fourth track segment  72 . Connected to a first end  132 ,  162  of both the first arm  130  and the second arm  160  is a claw member  136 ,  136 ′ configured to releasably connect with a toy vehicle  18 . In some embodiments, a claw member  136  is also connected to the second end  134 ,  164  of at least one of the first arm  130  and the second arm  160 . Alternatively, a hazard  135 , such as a gear portion, may be connected to the second end  134 ,  164  of the either first arm  130  and/or the second arm  160  (see  FIG. 1 ). The hazard  135  may be configured to feign interference with the toy vehicle  18  as it travels from the upper portion track  70  to the lower track portion  30  of the track set  20 . The first arm  130  and the second arm  160  are mounted to the support  120  such that the claw member  136  mounted to the first end  132  of the first arm  130  is in substantially meshing engagement with the claw member  136 ′ mounted to the first end  162  of the second arm  160  when the first arm  130  and the second arm  160  are vertically aligned and the first ends  132 ,  162  are adjacent one another. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 5 , each claw member  136 ,  136 ′ includes a base  138 ,  138 ′ and a plurality of claw arms  140 ,  140 ′ pivotally mounted to the base  138 ,  138 ′ for movement between an open position and a closed position. A generally hollow cylindrical mount  142 ,  142 ′ connects the base  138 ,  138 ′ of the claw member  136 ,  136 ′ to a housing  144 ,  144 ′ of the arm  130 ,  160 . 
     In some embodiments, a protrusion  146  extends from the base  138  of the first arm  130 . The protrusion  146  is configured to engage or contact the activation device  48  of the toy vehicle feed mechanism  44  mounted to the first track segment  32  as the first arm  130  rotates in the direction of arrow B. Contact of the actuation member  48  with protrusion  146  causes downward movement of actuation member  48  in the direction of arrow  49 , which in turn causes gate  46  to move in the direction of arrow A and thus release a toy vehicle  18  therefrom. Accordingly, the rotational movement of first arm  130  in the direction of arrow B provides an automatic or sequential release of toy vehicles  18  from vehicle feed mechanism  44  as protrusion  146  actuation member  48  each time the first arm  130  rotates completely about its shaft  137 . 
     In some non-limiting embodiments, a slidable member  148 ,  148 ′ is movably mounted in the cylindrical mount  142 ,  142 ′ such that translational or linear movement of the slidable member  148 ,  148 ′ with respect to arm  130 ,  160  is possible. The movement of the slidable member  148 ,  148 ′ facilitates the capture and release of the toy vehicles  18  by the claw members  136  and  136 ′. The slidable movement of member  148 ,  148 ′ with respect to arm  130 ,  160  causes the claw members  136  and  136 ′ to move between open (e.g., toy vehicle  18  release or receive) and closed positions (e.g., toy vehicle  18  capture or holding during rotational movement of arm  130 ,  160 ). 
     A cam surface  150 ,  150 ′ located on the shaft  137 ,  166  that supports the arm  130 ,  160  causes or facilitates the movement of slidable member  148 ,  148 ′. As the arm  130 ,  160  rotates about the shaft  137 ,  160 , a distal end  147 ,  147 ′ of the slidable member  148 ,  148 ′ makes intermittent contact with the cam surface  150 ,  150 ′ due to its cam profile. The intermittent contact causes slidable member  148 ,  148 ′ to move within the cylindrical mount  142 ,  142 ′. In some embodiments, a spring member  145 ,  145 ′ located within cylindrical mount  142 ,  142 ′ provides a biasing force to slidable member  148 ,  148 ′. 
     A contact member  149 ,  149 ′ is secured to slidable member  148 ,  148 ′. The contact member  149 ,  149 ′ protrudes through slotted openings of cylindrical mount  142 ,  142 ′ such that as slidable member  148 ,  148 ′ moves within cylindrical mount  142 ,  142 ′ contact member  149 ,  149 ′ moves within the slotted openings of the cylindrical mount  142 ,  142 ′. The contact member  149 ,  149 ′ is configured to contact at least one of the claw arms  140 ,  140 ′ such that as the slidable member  148 ,  148 ′ moves within cylindrical mount  142 ,  142 ′ the contact member  149 ,  149 ′ contacts at least one of the claw arms  140 ,  140 ′. The contact with the contact member  149 ,  149 ′ transitions the claw members  136 ,  136 ′ between the open and closed positions as the end  147 ,  147 ′ of the slidable member  148 ,  148 ′ makes contact with cam surface  150 ,  150 ′. 
     In some non-limiting embodiments, the contact member  149 ,  149 ′ extends from opposite sides of the cylindrical mount  142 ,  142 ′. As the contact member  149 ,  149 ′ moves within the cylindrical mount  142 ,  142 ′, the claw arms  140 ,  140 ′ on opposite sides of cylindrical mount  142 ,  142 ′ are contacted by contact member  149 ,  149 ′ and are thus moved between the open and closed positions. 
     As illustrated in the FIGS. the claw arms  140 ,  140 ′ are pivotally mounted to the base  138 ,  138 ′ and extend above and below the base  138 ,  138 ′ of the claw member  136 ,  136 ′ so that one end of the claw arms  140 ,  140 ′ can grasp a toy vehicle while an opposite end can be manipulated by contact member  149 ,  149 ′ as the slidable member  148 ,  148 ′ moves within cylindrical mount  142 ,  142 ′. 
     In some non-limiting embodiments, the claw arms  140 ,  140 ′ are spring biased into the closed position by at least one elastic member or rubber band  151 ,  151 ′. In some embodiments, the at least one elastic member or rubber band  151 ,  151 ′ is coupled to a hook  143 ,  143 ′ on the cylindrical mount  142 ,  142 ′ at one end and coupled to a portion of the claw arms  140 ,  140 ′ at the other end. 
     As the arms  130 ,  160  rotate about their respective shafts  137 , the cam surface  150 ,  150 ′ intermittingly applies a force to the distal end  147 ,  147 ′ of the slidable member  148 ,  148 ′. This force overcomes the biasing force of the spring  145 ,  145 ′ and causes the contact member  149 ,  149 ′ to move the claw members  140 ,  140 ′ from their closed position to their open position by overcoming the biasing force of the elastic member  151 ,  151 ′. This action is facilitated by the pivotal movement or securement of the claw members  140 ,  140 ′ to the base member  138 ,  138 ′. The movement of the slidable member  148 ,  148 ′ by the cam surface  150 ,  150 ′ compresses spring  145 ,  145 ′ and force the claw members  140 ,  140 ′ into the open position. When the distal end  147 ,  147 ′ of the slidable member  148 ,  148 ′ loses contact with the cam surface  150 ,  150 ′, the slidable member  148 ,  148 ′ is moved back towards the cam surface  150 ,  150 ′ or the shaft  137 ,  166  due to the biasing force of compresses spring  145 ,  145 ′, and the contact member  149 ,  149 ′ no longer maintains the claw members  140 ,  140 ′ in the open position. Under these conditions, the elastic member  151 ,  151 ′ rotates the claw arm  140 ,  140 ′ to its closed position. 
     As the arm  130 ,  160  rotates further about the cam surface  150 ,  150 ′ the cam force is removed, and the biasing spring biases the claw arms  140  back to a closed position. In some non-limiting embodiments, the claw arms  140  of claw member  136 ′ connected to the second arm  160  may have a higher spring-loaded grip than the claw arms  140  of claw member  136  of the first arm  130  (via a higher constant associated with the respective elastic members  151 ,  151 ′). The higher spring-loaded grip may allow the claw arms  140 ′ of the second arm  160  to grab or snatch a toy vehicle  18  from the claw arms  140  of the first arm  130  when the claw member  136  of the first arm  130  is aligned or adjacent with the claw member  136 ′ of the second arm  160 . 
     Still further cam  150 ,  150 ′ can be configured such that the claw arms  140  and  140 ′ of claw members  136  and  136 ′ are positioned into respective open positions when they are aligned with each other such that a toy vehicle  18  can be transferred from claw member  136  to claw member  136 ′. 
     As the first arm or first arm member  130  rotates about its axis a toy vehicle  18  is captured by claw member  136 . Once captured, the first arm member  130  continues to rotate in the direction of arrow B until the toy vehicle  18  is inverted (e.g., 180 degrees of rotation of the first arm member  130 ). At this point, the claw member  136 ′ of the second arm or second arm member  160  is adjacent to the claw member  136  of the first arm member  130  such that the inverted toy vehicle  18  can be transferred therebetween. At this point, the second arm member  160  rotates in an opposite direction (illustrated by arrow C) for approximately 180 degrees of rotation such that the inverted toy vehicle  18  is now upright (inverted once again) and ready to be released onto the first end  74  of the fourth track segment  72 . Accordingly, the toy vehicle  18  is captured, inverted (via the rotation of the first arm member  130  in a first direction), transferred (between claw member  136  and claw member  136 ′), inverted once again (via rotation of the second arm member  160  in a second direction opposite to the first direction), and released onto an upper track portion. 
     Although the first arm member  130  and the second arm member  160  are illustrated as rotating in opposite directions it is, of course, understood that various embodiments of the present invention contemplates that the rotational directions of the first arm member  130  and a second arm member  160  may be the same direction or alternatively completely opposite to those illustrated in the attached drawings. 
     A seventh track segment  170  is mounted between the first end  132  and the second end  134  of the first arm  130  via a base  176  secured thereto. Accordingly, base  176  and the seventh track segment  170  is rotationally or pivotally mounted to support  120  such that seventh track segment  170  rotates as the first arm  130  rotates. 
     The seventh track segment  170  is generally arced or has a concave shape to retain a toy vehicle  18  while the first arm rotates  130 . As the first arm  130  rotates about its shaft  137 , a second end  174  of the seventh track segment  170  is momentarily positioned adjacent the second end  92  of the sixth track segment  88 . Further rotation of the first arm  130  temporarily positions the first end  172  of the seventh track segment  170  next to the second end  54  of the second track segment  50 , such that the seventh track segment  170  provides a path between the sixth track segment  88  of the upper track portion  70  and the second track segment  50  of the lower track portion  30  of the track set  20 . 
     In some embodiments, a lever  178  extends outwardly from the seventh track segment  170 , or alternatively base  176  or first arm member  130 , and is configured to engage the activation device  112  of the toy vehicle feed system  110  mounted to the sixth track segment  88 . As the first arm  130  rotates, lever  178  contacts an end of the arm member of the activation device  112 . The arm member may be pivotally mounted to the sixth track segment  88  and may cause the gate member  115  to move upwardly in the direction of arrow D, for example, from a blocking position to an unblocking position (similar to feed system  44 ). The movement to the unblocked position releases the toy vehicles  18  from the sixth track segment  88  onto the seventh track segment  170 . 
     In some embodiments, a pair of track segments  170  are secured to base  176  in a facing spaced arrangement such that a track segment  170  is located to receive toy vehicles  18  for each one hundred and eighty degrees of rotation of the lower arm member  130 . As such, the base  176  is configured to have a pair of levers  178  configured and positioned to engage actuation device  112  as the base  176  and lower arm  130  rotates about axis  137 . 
     When power is applied to the driving mechanism  128 , the first arm  130 , and the second arm  160  rotate about their respective shafts  137 ,  166 . A toy vehicle  18  released from the start platform  42  travels, as a result of gravity, along a portion of the first track segment  32  until reaching the toy vehicle feed system  44 . As the claw member  136  mounted to the first end  132  of the first arm  130  approaches the second end  36  of the first track segment  32 , the protrusion  146  engages the activation device  48 , thereby releasing the toy vehicle  18  from the feed system  44 . 
     The released toy vehicle  18  from the feed system  44  reaches the second end  36  of the first track segment  32  at approximately the same time as the claw member  136  mounted to the first end  132  of the first arm member  130 . As the first end  132  of the first arm  130  rotates towards the second end  36  of the first track segment  32 , the cam surface  150  of the shaft  137  causes the claw arms  140  of the claw member  136  to pivot open to receive the toy vehicle  18 . As the first end  132  of the first arm  130  rotates away from the first track segment  32 , the cam surface  150  force is minimized and the claw arms  140  are biased back to a closed position to grab the toy vehicle  18  and carry it upwardly and away from the first track segment  32  in the direction of arrow B. 
     As the first arm  130  and the second arm  160  continue to rotate in their respective directions they rotate or move to a position where the claw member  136  mounted to the first end  132  of the first arm  130  and the claw member  136 ′ mounted to the first end  162  of the second arm  160  are adjacent one another. The cam surfaces  150 ,  150 ′ of both shafts  137 ,  166  once again cause the claw arms  140 ,  140 ′ of both claw members  136 ,  136 ′ to pivot open to allow transference of the toy vehicle  18  from the claw member  136  of the first arm  130  to the claw member  136 ′ of the second arm  160 . 
     In some embodiments, the cam surface  150 ′ is configured such that the claw arms  140 ′ of the claw member  136 ′ mounted to the second arm  160  are configured to pivot closed when in or slightly after being in meshing engagement (adjacent to) with the claw arms  140  of the claw member  136  of the first arm  130 , thereby allowing the claw member  136 ′ of the second arm  160  to grab the toy vehicle  18  from the claw member  136  of the first arm  130 . In other words, when the claw member  136  of the first arm  130  is adjacent to the claw member  136 ′ of the second arm  160  the cam surface  150 ′ is configured to first open and then close claw arms  140 ′ of the claw member  136 ′. While the claw arms  140 ′ of the claw member  136 ′ open and close, the cam surface  150  is configured to maintain the claw arms  140  of the claw member  136  in the open position when the claw member  136 ′ is adjacent to the claw member  136  such that toy vehicle  18  transference can occur as the arms  130  and  160  rotate in their respective directions, which in one embodiment is opposite to each other. 
     After vehicle transference, further rotation of the second arm  160  positions the claw member  136 ′ containing the toy vehicle  18  adjacent the first end  74  of the fourth track segment  72 . When adjacent the fourth track segment  72 , the claw arms  140 ′ of the claw member  136 ′ are in an open position (contact of member  148 ′ with cam surface  150 ′) such that the toy vehicle  18  moves from the claw member  136 ′ onto the fourth track segment  72 . 
     Alternatively or in conjunction with the opening of claw arms  140 ′ a tongue member  175  is located at the first end  74  of the fourth track segment  72  such that as the claw member  136 ′ rotates in the direction of arrow C the tongue member  175  is configured and positioned such that it slides under the toy vehicle  18  and dislodge it from base member  138 ′ and claw arms  140 ′ as well as providing a path for the toy vehicle  18  to travel on to as the claw member  136 ′ rotates in the direction of arrow C and away from the first end  74  of the fourth track segment  72 . 
     Once released from the claw member  136 ′ onto the first end  74  of the fourth track segment  72  the toy vehicle  18  travels downwardly along the fourth track segment  72 . If the gate  100  is in a closed position, the toy vehicle  18  travels to the fifth track segment  82 . The fifth track segment  82  is positioned at a downward angle such the toy vehicle  18  traverses the gap between the upper track portion  70  and the lower track portion  30 , specifically from the fifth track segment  82  to the third track segment  56  by jumping across the gap. 
     Upon successful traversal of the gap between the fifth track segment  82  and the third track segment  56  the toy vehicle  18  then travels from the third track segment  56  back to the adjacent first track segment  32 , where it stops at the toy vehicle feed system  44 , when the gate  46  is in the blocking position. 
     When the gate  100  is in the open position, the toy vehicle  18  instead travels down the sixth track segment  88  where it is stopped by the gate  115  of the toy vehicle feed system  110 . As the first arm  130  rotates about its shaft  137 , the lever  178  protruding from the seventh track segment  170  engages the activation device  112  of the toy vehicle feed system  110  (as illustrated in  FIG. 8 ) such that the toy vehicle  18  is released from the feed system  110 . The toy vehicle  18  is then received on the seventh track segment  170  which has been rotated into a receiving position as the first arm  130  rotates about shaft  137 . Rotation of the first arm  130  causes the toy vehicle  18  to move from the second end  174  to the first end  172  of the seventh track segment  170 . When the first end  172  of the seventh track segment  170  is adjacent the second end  54  of the second track segment  50 , gravity causes the toy vehicle  18  to move to the second track segment  50 . As illustrated, the convex shape of track segment  170  helps facilitate this transference of the toy vehicle  18  as arm  130  rotates in the direction of arrow B. 
     Once transferred, the toy vehicle  18  travels from the second track segment  50  back to the first track segment  32  where it is stopped once again by the toy vehicle feed system  44 . 
     Accordingly, a toy track set  20  having a central motorized spine for rotating two arms ( 130 ,  160 ) is provided. Each arm has gripper claws  140 ,  140 ′ on one end. The gripper claws  140 ,  140 ′ are configured for movement between an open and closed position via a cam surface  150 ,  150 ′ that works in conjunction with the rotating arms  130 ,  160  in order to grip and release toy vehicles  18  in order to raise them from the bottom of the toy track set  20  to the top of the toy track set  20 . Alternatively, the rotating arms  130 ,  160  are configured to vertically raise the toy vehicles  18  from a lower position to a higher position such that gravity can them be used to have them traverse back down to the lower position for subsequent vertical movement. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the rotating arms  130 ,  160  may be configured to grip and release toy vehicles  18  in order to lower them from the top or elevated position of the toy track set  20  to a bottom or lower position of the toy track set  20 . 
     In various embodiments, the toy vehicles  18  can traverse downwardly (e.g., gravity driven) through at least three possible user-determined paths. For example, one path directs the toy vehicles around a U-turn, then jumping across a gap directly through the path of the rotating arms, which regularly or intermittently block the jump path or gap and provide an element of peril. 
     A user operated gate on one of the track segment allows the user to select another path that directs the toy vehicles around the same U-turn, then directs them down to a lower track having an automatic stop gate, which is lifted and dropped regularly in sync with one of the rotating arms. 
     This gate when lifted by movement of the rotating arm allows a retained toy vehicle to be released onto one of two arced segments that rotate along with rotating arm. As such, the vehicles released by the rotating arm get a motorized ride across a gap and then deposited on the other side. There are two possible paths from the gap, one via the aforementioned vehicle jump and the other via the aforementioned rotating arced track segment. Both of these paths lead into another U-turn, which feeds the toy vehicles a feeder lane that directs the toy vehicles towards one of the claw members of one of the rotating arms for pickup. This feeder lane also has an automated or automatic gate that is lifted as one of the rotating arms rotates about it axis. Similar to the other gate actuation of the same allows a toy vehicle to traverse into the appropriately positioned claw member as the arm rotates about its axis. 
     Another or third path simply lets the cars exit the track set at the top to enter another track set adjacent to this track set. 
     A lower arm of the two rotating arms is configured to reliably grab the way vehicle off the feeder track segment, and then rotate it approximately one hundred and eighty degrees to vertically raise the toy vehicle and hand it off to an upper rotating arm. The upper rotating arm is configured to reliably grab the toy vehicle, which is now inverted due to it being rotated one hundred and eighty degrees. At this point, wherein the claw members of the upper and lower arms are now adjacent to each other the claw member of the lower arm will release the toy vehicle into the claw member of the upper arm, which then rotates it approximately one hundred and eighty degrees so it is still further upward. At this point the claw member will release the captured toy vehicle onto an upper track segment. Also by virtue of rotating another one hundred and eighty degrees the toy vehicle is now operate and ready to roll onto the upper track segment. 
     In one non-limiting embodiment each claw member has a plurality or three finger grippers or claw arms rotatably or pivotally mounted thereto. Still further and in one non-limiting embodiment, the claw arms are positioned or staggered with respect to each other such that the claw arms of the upper and lower claw members interleave or mesh with each other when they are adjacent to each other and the toy vehicle is being transferred therebetween. In one embodiment, the grippers or claw arms have rubber fingertips for grip, and they are spring-loaded in the closed position so they snap shut to grab the car when the cam member dictates. 
     In one non-limiting embodiment, the upper grippers or claw arms of the upper claw member have a higher spring-loaded grip, so that they will pull the car away from the lower grippers if there is overlap on a narrow toy vehicle being transferred therebetween. 
     In one embodiment, the track section feeding the toy vehicles into the rotating track segment is fully automatic in that the stop gate of the associated feeder mechanism automatically opens and closes to allow a waiting toy vehicle to ride the rotating track across the gap. In order to ensure that the toy vehicle traverses the gap the opening and closing of the gate is operated by the lower rotating arm which is connected to the rotating track segment and thus can be configured for proper synchronization. 
     The toy vehicle feeder mechanism for the claw member of their lower rotating arm is also configured to be actuated or synchronized with the rotating arm member such that the feeder mechanism or feed system is configured to allow a plurality of toy vehicles to be queued up and dispense exactly one toy vehicle at the right time to be picked up by the lower rotating claw member, and not let other waiting toy vehicles to get mixed or lost from the track set when multiple toy vehicles are queued up in other ones are entering the rear of the queue after recirculating through the toy track set. 
     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.