Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/US7628673B2/en
Timestamp: 2019-04-26 06:09:07+00:00

Document:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/691,465 filed on Jun. 16, 2005, Mexican Application No. 2005/011765, filed Nov. 1, 2005 of the same title, and Canadian Application No. 2,525,024, filed Nov. 1, 2005 of the same title, which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
a vehicle-operation changing assembly mounted adjacent to the track and manually operable for selectively changing the given operation of the toy vehicle while the toy vehicle is supported in an operation-changing position, the vehicle-operation changing assembly including a fixed frame and a rigid movable frame, the movable frame being movable vertically relative to the fixed frame between a first position in which a contact surface of the movable frame is spaced from the operation-changing element and a vehicle-support surface aligned with the track supports directly the wheels of the toy vehicle that are drivingly coupled to the drive mechanism while the toy vehicle is in the operation-changing position, and a second position disposed below the first position in which the contact surface engages the operation-changing element, the vehicle-support surface is spaced below the wheels of the toy vehicle leaving unsupported the wheels of the toy vehicle drivingly coupled to the drive mechanism, and the body of the vehicle between the wheels is supported on and in contact with the fixed frame.
2. The play set of claim 1, in which the drive mechanism is configured to drive the vehicle selectively in at least first and second speeds, the operation-changing mechanism being a switch mechanism included in the drive mechanism and having a speed switch element movable for switching the speed of the vehicle; the operation-changing position is a speed-changing position, and the contact surface of the movable frame engages the switch element of the vehicle when the movable frame is moved from the first position toward the second position while the vehicle is supported in the speed-changing position.
3. The play set of claim 2, in which the switch element is configured to pivot relative to the vehicle body during switching of the vehicle speed, and the movable frame is operable for pivoting the switch element.
4. The play set of claim 2, in which all of the wheels of the toy vehicle are free of contact with any support surface when the movable frame is in the second position.
5. The play set of claim 2, in which the switch element forms a top surface of the vehicle and is movable vertically for switching the speed of the vehicle, and the fixed and movable frames straddle the track, forming a passageway containing the travel path, the fixed frame including a pedestal for supporting the toy vehicle body while the toy vehicle is in the speed-changing position and the movable frame is in the second position, and the speed changer member is biased toward the first position.
6. The play set of claim 3, in which the movable frame includes a handle extending above the fixed frame, the contact surface of the movable frame is disposed above the vehicle when the vehicle is in the speed-changing position, and the handle is movable downwardly for pressing the contact surface of the movable frame against the switch element.
7. The play set of claim 2, further comprising a vehicle junction assembly including a junction in the travel path providing a plurality of alternate path portions, and a path-switching mechanism having a track element moveable between a first travel-path portion and a second travel-path portion, and a release element moveable from a first position, in which the track element is retained along the first travel-path portion, to a second position in which the track element is allowed to move toward the second travel-path portion, the path-switching mechanism being actuatable by a vehicle traveling less that a first vehicle speed to move the release element from the first position toward the second position.
8. The play set of claim 7, in which the toy vehicle is configured to actuate the path-switching mechanism.
9. The play set of claim 8, in which the track assembly further includes a support assembly for supporting the track above a work surface, and the track element includes a trapdoor disposed in the track, the first position is a closed position in which the trapdoor is aligned with and forms a part of the track and fully supports a toy vehicle positioned on the trap door when the release element is in the first position, and the second position is an open position in which the trapdoor is removed from the closed position, and the path-switching mechanism is adapted to be actuated by the toy vehicle as the toy vehicle travels along the trapdoor.
10. The play set of claim 9, further comprising a vehicle trap assembly having a cover defining a chamber, the cover being movable between open and closed positions and disposed below the trapdoor for receiving a vehicle passing through the opening in the track when the trapdoor is in the open position.
Canadian Intellectual Property Office, Office Action for Canadian patent application No. 2,525,022 (which has the same inventors as U.S. Appl. No. 11/333,987), dated Nov. 27, 2008, three pages total. Applications concurrently disclose CA 2,396,567 (national phase of WO 2001/51155) cited in this Office action.
Canadian Intellectual Property Office, Office Action for Canadian patent application No. 2,525,024 (which has the same inventors as the '987 application) dated Nov. 26, 2008, 2 pages.
Canadian Intellectual Property Office, Office Action for Canadian patent application No. 2,525,039 (which has the same inventors as the '987 application) dated Dec. 7, 2007, 3 pages.
Canadian Office Action mailed Dec. 7, 2007 for Canadian application No. 2,525,039.
Division of Patents of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property, Office Action for Mexican patent application No. PA/a/2005/011690 (which corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 11/334,180 having the same inventors as the present '987 application), dated Apr. 15, 2009, 7 pages total. The disclosure includes the Spanish-language Office action plus a partial English-language translation prepared by our Mexican Agent.
Division of Patents of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property, Office Action for Mexican patent application No. PA/a/2005/011764 (has the same inventors as U.S. Appl. No. 11/333,987), dated Aug. 26, 2008, seven pages total. The disclosure includes the Spanish-language Office action plus a partial English-language translation prepared by our Mexican agent.
Division of Patents of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property, Office Action for Mexican patent application No. PA/a/2005/011765 (having the same inventors as the present '987 application), dated Apr. 23, 2009, 5 pages total. The disclosure includes the Spanish-language Office Action plus a partial English-language translation prepared by our Mexican agent.
Division of Patents of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property, Office Action for Mexican patent application No. PA/a/2005/011765 (having the same inventors as the present '987 application), dated May 22, 2009, 5 pages total. The disclosure includes the Spanish-language Office Action plus a partial English-language translation prepared by our Mexican agent.
Moon Adventure toy play set, sold by Guangdong Auldey Toy Industry Ltd of Guangdong, China, package shows a 2004 copyright notice, 6 sheets total, comprising: (A) photographs of the package for the toy playset (2 sheets) and (B) photographs of the toy playset (4 sheets).
Rev-Ups Skyway Stunt Set, 12 sheets total, comprising: (A) Fall 2004 Mattel Toy Sell Sheets, cover page and p. 39 showing Rev-Ups Skyway Stunt Set (2 sheets); (B) Photographs showing product packaging (2 sheets); and photographs showing the product (8 sheets). The Rev-Ups Skyway Stunt Set was publicly disclosed in the Toy Sell Sheets in the fall of 2004.
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Issue Notification for U.S. Appl. No. 11/334,180 mailing date Mar. 25, 2009, 1 page. The '180 application has the same inventors as the present '987 application.
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 11/333,988, mailing date Mar. 30, 2009, 10 pages. The '988 application has the same inventors as the present '987 application.
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 11/333,988, mailing date Dec. 19, 2008, 12 pages. The '988 application has the same inventors as the present '987 application.
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Office action for U.S. Appl. No. 11/333,988, mailing date Jul. 1, 2008, 30 pages. The '998 application has the same inventors as the present '897 application. The '988 OA includes a full copy and English abstract of JP6081504A cited above and separately disclosed.
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Office action for U.S. Appl. No. 11/334,180, mailing date Apr. 9, 2008, 12 pages. The '180 application has the same inventors as the present '987 application.

References: Application No. 60
 Application No. 2005
 Application No. 2
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