Patent Publication Number: US-7914361-B1

Title: Entertainment apparatus and methods propelling toy vehicles about multiple tracks

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to toys and more particularly to a toy capable of moving multiple objects back and forth about one or more tracks providing a variety of play modes while mechanically driven by a single motor and simple belt sub-system. The invention also relates to methods for playing the variety of action modes of the toy of the present invention. 
     2. Background of the Invention 
     There are a few known toys which include rotating discs for moving about a variety of objects. There are two or more discs included in the known toys and each disc rotates in the opposite direction of an adjacent disc so as to propel an object forward from the first disc to the last disc. 
     There are known toys which include rotating discs of different sizes and pockets defined on each disc for receiving a rolling object, such as a ball or marble. A user can have some control over the travel of a plurality of balls as they move continuously along the pockets defining predetermined paths and transfer from one disc to another where the paths interconnect. 
     The discs rotate in opposite directions and with enough centrifugal force such that the balls tend to move out of the pockets when a stop gate located between two adjacent discs is opened by the user. Each disc includes gear teeth around the periphery and the discs are rotated by a motor engaging a cog wheel for rotating the first disc of the gear train. Each adjacent disc is then rotated in an opposite direction to propel the plurality of balls forward. 
     There are also known toys which include turntables coupled together for rotation in opposite directions transferring a vehicle forward along a predetermined path which ends at a stationary track aligned with the predetermined path. The turntable systems is coupled to a cam and follower and driven for rotation by an engaged motor. The motor couples to the first turntable and through a connecting rod the first turntable causes the second turntable to rotate in an opposite direction. 
     Significantly, known toys which include rotating discs for moving about a variety of objects do not include discs rotating in the same direction or a plurality of discs each driven for rotation through engagement with a motor rather that another disc. Additionally, known toys do not include discs which move multiple objects back and forth about one or more tracks mechanically driven by a single motor and simple belt sub-system. It would be desirable to provide a plurality of adjacent discs rotating simultaneously in the same direction and defining one or more tracks for playing a variety of action modes. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention addresses shortcomings of the prior art to provide a toy apparatus including a plurality of discs rotating simultaneously in the same direction and capable of moving one or more objects about in a variety of play modes. A plurality of adjacent discs mechanically driven by a single motor and simple belt sub-system are disposed in the same horizontal plane and rotate in the same direction for moving multiple objects back and forth about one or more tracks providing a variety of play modes. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the toy apparatus includes a motor and a plurality of adjacent discs mechanically engaged with the motor for rotating the discs simultaneously in the same direction. The plurality of discs are disposed in the same horizontal plane, and in a further embodiment, the apparatus further includes an object to alternately engage each of the plurality of discs. 
     In another embodiment, the apparatus further includes at least one transition area adjacent the plurality of discs and disposed in the same horizontal plane, and in another embodiment, the plurality of discs include first and second discs each mounted on a vertical axis and being the same size. The first disc defines a first track and the second disc defines a second track both capable of alternately engaging the object, and in another embodiment, first and second tracks include a textured surface. 
     In another embodiment, the object further includes a plurality of wheels coupled to the object for rolling along at least a part of the first and second tracks and providing lateral movement to the wheels for easier passage over the transition area. In still another embodiment, a third track is defined on one of the first or second discs, such that the third track engages the object separately from the first and second tracks. 
     In a further embodiment, the plurality of discs define a first track and further include another object spaced apart from the first object moving independently about the first track, and in yet another embodiment, a further included stationary object is propelled to move about the first track by the first object. 
     In another embodiment, a method of playing with a toy apparatus includes providing a motor and a plurality of discs disposed in the same horizontal plane mechanically engaged with the motor. Rotating the plurality of discs in the same direction and providing an object moving alternately about the plurality of discs. In another embodiment the method further provides a belt drive sub-system mechanically engaged between the motor and the plurality of discs. 
     In another embodiment, the method further provides at least one transition area disposed between the plurality discs and in the same horizontal plane facilitating the action of the object about the plurality of discs. In another embodiment, the method further provides another object stationary on the transition area propelled by the first object, and in still another embodiment, the method further provides a plurality of wheels coupled to each of the first and second objects and providing lateral movement to the wheels for easier passage over the transition area. 
     In still another embodiment, a textured surface is further provided on the transition area for initially holding the second object stationary at the transition area and secondarily holding the first object stationary at the transition area after the first object has propelled the second object onto the plurality of discs. In a further embodiment, a textured surface is provided on at least a part of the first track. 
     In a further embodiment, the method further provides a second track wholly contained on one of the plurality of discs, and in another embodiment, another object moving about the second track independent of the first object is further provided. In still another embodiment, the method further provides a textured surface on at least a part of the second track facilitating the action of the second object about the second track. 
     Briefly summarized, the present invention relates to a toy apparatus including a plurality of adjacent discs disposed in the same horizontal plane, rotating in the same direction and mechanically driven by a single motor and simple belt sub-system. The toy apparatus of the present invention is capable of propelling one or more objects back and forth about a plurality of tracks providing a variety of play modes where the objects are capable of both moving independently of each other and also interacting with each other. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the inventions, the accompanying drawings and description illustrate a preferred embodiment thereof, from which the inventions, structure, construction and operation, and many related advantages may be readily understood and appreciated. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a toy apparatus of the present invention illustrating a plurality of discs; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the apparatus illustrating an object on the track; 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of the apparatus illustrating a ramp and storage chambers, and  FIG. 3B  illustrates a winner&#39;s circle platform; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a handle for transporting the apparatus; 
         FIG. 5A  illustrates object X traveling about a first track,  FIG. 5B  illustrates object Y spaced apart from object X and traveling independently about the first track,  FIG. 5C  illustrates stationary object Y at a transition area being propelled by object X, and FIG.  5 D illustrates object Z traveling about a third track completely independent of object X traveling about the first track. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a motor and belt sub-system for engagement with the plurality of discs; and 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram showing the electrical circuitry of the apparatus. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following description is provided to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the described embodiments set forth in the best modes contemplated for carrying out the inventions. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Any and all such modifications, equivalents, and alternatives are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     A toy apparatus  10 , as seen in  FIG. 1 , generally includes a plurality of discs  12 , disposed within the same horizontal plane capable of rotating in the same direction and defining one or more tracks for an object to move about providing a variety of play modes. In the present described embodiment, a motor mechanically engages the plurality of adjacent discs  12 , disposed in the same horizontal plane, for rotating the discs simultaneously in the same direction. 
     An object  14  alternately engages each of the plurality of discs  12 , and at least one transition area  16 , as seen in  FIG. 1 , is disposed between the plurality of discs  12  within the same horizontal plane for facilitating the action of the object  14  about the plurality of discs. The plurality of discs  12 , as seen in  FIG. 1 , includes a round first disc  18  adjacent a round second disc  20  each the same diameter and each mounted on a vertical axis coupled to a base  22 . It is also contemplated that more that two discs may be included and likewise, that the two or more discs may also vary in diameter. 
     First disc  18  defines a first track  24  and adjacent second disc  20  defines a second track  26 . First track  24  includes a textured surface  24   a  and similarly, second track  26  includes a textured surface  26   a , as seen in  FIG. 1 , such that both textured surfaces  24   a  and  26   a  facilitate the action of the object  14  about at least one of the first and second tracks. Likewise, transition area  16  includes a textured surface  16   a  for facilitating the action of the object  14  about the first and second tracks. 
     In the present described embodiment, the object  14 , as seen in  FIG. 1 , is shaped to look like an animated race car including a plurality of wheels  28  coupled to the object  14  for rolling along at least a part of one of the first and second tracks  24  and  26 , respectively. The plurality of wheels  28  includes two sets of adjacent wheels loosely coupled to the object  14  through adjacent axels providing lateral movement to the wheels for easier travel about the first and second tracks  24  and  26  and easier passage over the transition area  16 . The object  14  can include any number of alternative shapes such as a bus, truck, or airplane including any number of wheels, sized to travel along at least part of at least one of the first and second tracks. 
     Additionally, object  14  includes a weight contained therein for helping to maintain the object  14  on the track as it travels about between the plurality of discs and over the transition area. The weighted object  14  also better maintains an upright position, as seen in  FIG. 2 , with the plurality of wheels  28  ridding along the track. 
     In the present described embodiment, a ramp  30 , as seen in  FIG. 2 , is coupled to the base  22  and provides a platform from which the object  14  can be transported to the first and second tracks. The ramp  30  includes a textured surface  30   a  to provide surface friction or resistance to help prevent the plurality of wheels  28  from slipping on the ramp  30 . As the object  14  travels down the ramp  30 , the rotating first track  24  will capture the object and propel it forward in the rotating direction. Additionally, a ramp bumper  32 , as seen in  FIG. 2 , can be hit or whacked sending the object down the ramp  30  and onto the first track  24  at an increased speed, further adding to the excitement of the toy  10 . 
     Also, in the present described embodiment, a winner&#39;s circle platform  32  is coupled to the base  22 , as seen in  FIG. 2 , concentric with the first disc  18 . The platform  32  adds interest and further variety to the toy  10 , and allows a user to perch the object  14  atop the platform  32 . Additionally, the base of the platform  32  and the base of the ramp  30  each include a storage chamber  34  and attached sliding door  36 , capable of wholly containing the object  14  for storage and transporting of the apparatus  10 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 3 , the storage chamber  34  beneath the platform  32  is shown with the sliding door  36  closed, and the storage chamber  34  beneath the ramp  30  is shown with the sliding door  36  open and containing the object  14 . To further aid in the transporting of the apparatus, a handle  38 , as seen in  FIG. 4 , is coupled to the base  22 , or as in the present described embodiment, the handle  38  is integral with the base  22 . 
     A third track  40 , as seen in  FIGS. 1-3 , is defined on one of the first disc  18  or second disc  20  for engaging the object  14  separately from the first and second tracks  24  and  26 , respectively. In the present described embodiment, a short wall  42  spans the outside perimeter of the third track  40 , and a concentric ridge  43  spans the majority of the outside perimeter of the storage chamber  34  beneath the ramp  30 , as seen in  FIG. 3 . The wall  42  and concentric ridge  44  can work together to wholly contain the object  14  on the third track  40  independent of the first or second tracks. The third track  40  further includes a textured surface  40   a , as seen in  FIG. 3 , to facilitate the action of the object  14  about the third track. 
     The first, second, third, and transitional textured surfaces  24   a ,  26   a ,  40   a , and  16   a  respectively, are shown as hatch marks as seen in  FIGS. 1-3 . Textured surfaces  24   a ,  26   a ,  40   a , and  16   a  may include the same or different raised surface, or any combination thereof, with a regular pattern or an irregular configuration. Textured surfaces  24   a ,  26   a ,  40   a , and  16   a  facilitate the actions of the one or more objects  14  traveling about these surfaces, by providing surface friction or resistance helping prevent the plurality of wheels  28  from slipping on these surfaces. 
     The plurality of discs  12  are better able to propel the object  14  about the one or more tracks because the textured surfaces  24   a ,  26   a ,  40   a , and  16   a  will somewhat grip the plurality of wheels  28  and propel the object  14  along. This is especially apparent as the object  14  passes over the transition area  16  when traveling from the first track  24  to the second track  26 . The transition area  16  does not spin and cannot propel forward the object  14  passing over the area  16  and instead, the spinning second track  24  pulls the object  14 , with the help of textured surface  24   a , onto the second track  24 . Similarly, the textured surfaces  24   a ,  26   a , and  40   a  may also permit the object  14 , to ride stationary along at least a part of each of tracks  24 ,  26  and  40 , by somewhat gripping the plurality of wheels  28  and momentarily stopping their rotation. 
     The plurality of discs  12  also define a first track  44 , as seen in  FIGS. 5A-D , and as described above, the discs  12  are mounted on base  22  such that a wall  46  of the base  22  extends above the discs  12  defining the outer perimeter of first track  44 . Likewise, a ridge  48 , incorporating a part of the short wall  42  defining the third track  40 , forms the inner perimeter of the first track  44 , as seen in  FIGS. 5A-D . A break  50  in the inner perimeter of first track  44  allows the object  14  traveling down the ramp  30  to enter the first track  44 . 
     One or more objects  14  are capable of propelling back and forth about the first track  44 , as the plurality of discs  12  are rotating, providing a variety of play modes where the objects  14  are capable of both moving independently of each other and also interacting with each other. A seen in  FIG. 5A , object X travels about the first track  44  by itself and can be launched onto track  44  from ramp  30 , as seen in  FIG. 2 , or placed by a user at any point on track  44 , as seen in  FIG. 5A . For an alternative play mode, another object Y, as seen in  FIG. 5B , is added spaced apart from the first object X and travels about track  44  independent of object X. 
     For yet another alternative play mode, as seen in  FIG. 5C , another object Y is stationary at transition area  16  of track  44  and propelled by first object X to travel about track  44 . The textured surface  16   a  of the transition area  16  helps keep object Y stationary until object X contacts object Y propelling it along track  44 . Additionally, the textured surface  16   a  helps keep object X stationary at the transition area  16  after object X propels object Y forward, and object X may remain at area  16  until object Y travels along track  44  and comes around to contact object X propelling it onto track  44 . This cycle may be repeated over and over one or more times. 
     Additionally, as seen in  FIG. 5D , object Z can be included to travel along third track  40 , as described above, at the same time object X travels about first track  44  with both objects Z and X completely independent of one another. The various play modes as described above, may be alternately combined together in any number of ways as desired by the user, to provide additional play modes. 
     The plurality of discs  12  are rotated in the same direction either clockwise or counter-clockwise. In the present described embodiment, first disc  18  and second disc  20 , as seen in  FIG. 6  mechanically engage motor  52  driving the rotation of discs  18  and  20  through a belt drive sub-system  54 . The discs  18  and  20  are mounted on base  22 , as described above, engaging the belt drive sub-system  54  also mounted on base  22 . Belt  56  and belt  58  mechanically engage a lip  60  of discs  18  and  20 , respectively, and also mechanically engage a shaft driven by the motor  52 . As the shaft is rotated, belts  56  and  58  rotate discs  18  and  20 , respectively, in the same direction. Similarly, the belt drive sub-system  54  will rotate discs  18  and  20  at the same speed. 
     The belt drive sub-system provides the benefit of rotating a plurality of discs off one motor and one shaft. Additionally, the belt drive sub-system helps to avoid breakage of the drive system by allowing the belts to slip on the shaft if a mechanical force is applied to one or both of the rotating discs momentarily stopping or slowing their rotation, such as if a user leans or presses on the rotating discs. 
     To further add fun and excitement to the one or more objects rotating about the one or more tracks, racing sounds and fast paced music play from a speaker  64 , as seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , as the plurality of discs  12  are rotated. Additionally, a momentary button  62 , as seen in  FIGS. 1-3A  and  FIGS. 5A-5D , activates the rotating of the plurality of discs  12  and the racing sounds and music with a press of the button  62 . The momentary button  62  is large and easy enough for a small child to activate over and over and plays for about ten seconds at a time. The apparatus  10  is battery operated including a port for loading batteries into the base  22 , and can also include an on/off switch to prevent accidental activation of the rotating discs, and associated track sounds and music. 
     The schematic diagram of the electrical circuitry of the apparatus  10 , as seen in  FIG. 7 , provides an information processor such as a microprocessor or similar controller which is operable using the momentary button  62  turning on power to the motor  52  and providing various operations, sound, common music and/or speech audio output to a speaker  64 . As described above the momentary button  62  activates the rotation of the plurality of discs and corresponding racing sounds and music and times out after ten seconds. 
     A method of playing with a toy apparatus includes providing a motor and a plurality of discs disposed in the same horizontal plane mechanically engaging the motor. Rotating the plurality of discs in the same direction and providing an object moving alternately about the plurality of discs. Further providing at least one transition area disposed between the plurality of discs in the same horizontal plane provides an area where another stationary object can be propelled by the first object. 
     Further providing a plurality of wheels coupled to each of the first and second objects for rolling along at least a part of the plurality of discs and providing a textured surface on the transition area for initially holding the second object stationary and secondarily holding the first object stationary at the transition area after the first object propels the second object onto the plurality of discs. Further providing lateral movement to the plurality of wheels eases the objects passage over the transition area. 
     The plurality of discs further provide a first track and a textured surface provided on at least a part of the first track facilitating the action of one or more objects about the first track, including rolling one or more objects along at least part of the first track. A second object is further provided and spaced apart from the first object moving about the first track independently of the first object. 
     The method further provides a second track wholly contained on one of the plurality of discs, and another object moving about the second track independent of the first object. A textured surface on at least a part of the second track is provided facilitating the action of the second object about the second track. The method of playing with a toy apparatus of the present described inventions allows one or more objects to propel back and forth about the first and/or second track, providing a variety of play modes where the objects are capable of both moving independently of each other and also interacting with each other. 
     From the foregoing, it can be seen that there has been provided a unique entertainment apparatus for moving multiple objects about one or more tracks providing a variety of play modes while mechanically driven by a single motor and simple belt sub-system. While a particular embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. The actual scope of the invention is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.