HK1142842B

HK1142842B - Toy track set and relay segments

Info

Publication number: HK1142842B
Application number: HK10109322.8A
Authority: HK
Inventors: Stacy Lynn O'connor; Michael W. Nuttall
Original assignee: 美泰有限公司
Priority date: 2007-04-27
Filing date: 2008-04-28
Publication date: 2012-09-28

Description

Toy track set and relay segment

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims the benefits of U.S. provisional patent applications filed on 27/4/2007 and having application serial No. 60/926,583 and application serial No. 60/966,029 filed on 24/8/2007, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Background

Toy vehicle track sets have been popular for many years and typically include one or more track sections arranged to form a path about which one or more toy vehicles can travel. Toy vehicles that may be used on such track sets may be self-powered vehicles or may receive power from an external power source. To increase the entertainment value of the track set, a variety of track entertainment features have been added to the track set. For example, track sets such as stunt devices or elements including loops, jumps, bump crossings, and the like have been incorporated into such track sets to increase the entertainment value of the track set.

However, for many track sets, the cars run on a closed loop track and move around the same track feature one turn after another. Although such track sets may have one or more stunt arrangements, vehicles within the track set may repeatedly perform the same stunt as the vehicles travel along the track. Thus, even in a track set with more than one stunt arrangement, the movement of the vehicle is generally consistent for each vehicle as it travels along a particular portion of the track. This repeatability of vehicle travel may result in a short period of lost interest in the track set.

Some track sets have incorporated switching mechanisms to enable a user to direct the vehicle to a selected path of travel. However, such systems typically require manual operation of the track and/or manual activation of a switch to reroute one or more vehicles traveling on the track. The play possibilities may be limited because the travel along the selected path may also become repetitive after a short period of time.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a toy track set with interchangeable elements to provide multiple configurations.

Disclosure of Invention

In one embodiment, a relay for a toy track set is provided, the relay having a trigger adjacent a first vehicle track segment movably secured to the relay, the first vehicle track segment pivotally mounted to the relay for adjustable movement relative to the relay, the trigger movable between a first position and a second position; and a launching element for launching a vehicle from the relay segment when the trigger is moved from the first position to the second position.

In another representative embodiment, an interchangeable toy track set is provided having a plurality of interchangeable relay segments, each of which may be coupled to one another to form a plurality of variations of the toy track set, the plurality of interchangeable relay segments each comprising: a trigger adjacent a first vehicle track segment movably secured to the relay segment, the first vehicle track segment pivotally mounted to the relay segment for movement relative to the relay segment, the trigger movable between a first position and a second position; and a launching element for launching a vehicle from the relay segment when the trigger is moved from the first position to the second position.

In yet another representative embodiment, a method for actuating a plurality of relay segments of a toy track set is provided, the method comprising: a trigger to actuate one relay segment of the plurality of interchangeable relay segments, the one relay segment coupled to at least one other relay segment of a plurality of interchangeable relay segments, wherein actuation of the trigger causes a toy vehicle to be launched toward another relay segment of the plurality of interchangeable relay segments, the plurality of interchangeable relay segments each comprising: a trigger movably secured to the relay segment adjacent to a first vehicle track segment, the first vehicle track segment coupled to the relay segment, the trigger movable between a first position and a second position; and a launching element for launching a vehicle from the relay segment when the trigger is moved from the first position to the second position, wherein the toy vehicle launched toward the another one of the plurality of interchangeable relay segments causes the trigger of the another one of the plurality of interchangeable relay segments to move from the first position to the second position.

Drawings

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary toy vehicle track set including a plurality of relay segments in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 1a and 1b further illustrate a segment of a representative toy vehicle track set;

FIG. 1c illustrates an internal view of an exemplary relay segment;

2-11 illustrate exemplary relay segments;

FIG. 12 illustrates another exemplary toy vehicle track set including a plurality of relay segments;

FIGS. 13-17 illustrate still other relay segments according to representative embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 18 illustrates yet another exemplary toy vehicle track set including a plurality of relay segments;

FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate still other relay segments according to representative embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 21 illustrates yet another toy vehicle track set according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 22-23 illustrate yet another representative relay segment.

Detailed Description

According to representative embodiments of the present invention, customizable track sets are provided. In one embodiment, the track set includes a plurality of interchangeable relay segments, each of which may be coupled to one another to form a customized, deployable track set. The relay segment can include one or more stunt elements and can be selectively positioned at the beginning, middle, or end of the track set. Each relay segment may be configured to enable a toy vehicle to negotiate an obstacle and/or perform a stunt and launch the toy vehicle down the track toward another relay segment, which may then launch a second vehicle to be released and negotiate yet another obstacle and/or perform yet another stunt.

An exemplary track set 100 having three relay segments 110, 112, and 114 is shown in fig. 1. As will be discussed in more detail below, each relay segment may be selectively positioned at the beginning, middle, or end of the track. The user can customize the track by positioning the relay section in a desired portion of the track. In one embodiment, a plurality of relay segments may be connected together in series with a plurality of track segments to produce a series of relay events (events). The series of items, which may include a variety of stunt elements, can be rearranged in a variety of serial and/or parallel paths to provide a variety of play modes. In this way, the user can experience different track games and excitement sensations again and again.

In this first example, each relay segment 110, 112, and 114 may include an incoming vehicle trigger that may directly or indirectly cause another outgoing vehicle to start. An outbound car from one segment may become an inbound car for the next segment. One or more starters may be provided to accelerate the toy vehicle along the track. Thus, the starter may be configured to engage and cause a toy vehicle to travel along the track. It should be appreciated that although a starter is described herein, the vehicle may be manually propelled along the track without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Although any suitable trigger may be used, in the illustrated embodiment, a variety of automatically and manually triggered release trigger elements are shown. The vehicle may be positioned in a starting position such that a starting element may slidably engage the vehicle to propel the vehicle along the track. The activation element may be biased to the activated position, for example by a spring, an elastic band, or any other suitable biasing mechanism, such that release of the activator will release its stored potential energy.

In one example, the relay segment can include a trigger, such as a conical shaped trigger (shown at 120 in FIG. 1) or a sloped trigger (shown at 120a in FIG. 1 a) that need not be conical shaped. As an example, the conical shaped trigger 120 may have a cone angle of about 45 degrees, which is vertically activated by contact with an incoming vehicle moving horizontally. It should be appreciated that the taper angle may be any suitable angle that allows an incoming vehicle to actuate the trigger. Thus, by way of non-limiting example, the taper angle may be any angle from 5 degrees to 90 degrees.

Further, although this example shows a conical trigger, it may alternatively be planar and inclined (e.g., about 45 degrees) relative to the incoming track. As a further example and as shown in fig. 1a, the trigger 120a may have a flat, inclined plane 122a (formed by a plurality of ridges), which plane 122a is contacted by the cars on the track. Further, while an angle of about 45 degrees is shown, any suitable angle (e.g., 5-90 degrees) may be applied to cause the vehicle to activate the trigger.

In some relay segments, activation of a trigger activated by a first vehicle initiates stunts and release of a second vehicle on the track set. By way of example and referring again to fig. 1, in the illustrated configuration, the track game can begin with a stunt element or relay segment 114. For example, the manual release or activation of the manual actuator 102 may propel or launch the vehicle 122 along the track 130 toward the second track segment 110. In an exemplary embodiment, the relay segments may enable the direction of travel of the vehicle to be variably changed (between incoming and outgoing vehicles), thus further providing a variable configuration for more different track games.

It should be noted that track 130 includes a directional indicator, such as a molded-in arrow, or cut-out (cut out), which may indicate vehicle direction and/or an assembly indication of the toy track device. For example, the direction indicator can help facilitate easy assembly of a deployable track set, can provide a particular direction of travel for a vehicle used to initiate stunts, or enable a pathway to clear an obstacle. Although the directional indicator is shown as a row of cut-out arrows, it should be appreciated that the directional indicator may have any size and/or shape to indicate an assembly direction and/or a vehicle travel direction. Further, while multiple arrows are shown, a single arrow or other cut-out may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. Further, in some embodiments, the direction indicator may be positioned in the center of the track so as not to obstruct the wheels. It should further be appreciated that although shown as cut-outs, the direction indicators may be surface indicators, raised molded pieces, and the like.

Referring back to fig. 1, the vehicle 122 traveling along the track 130 in the direction of the direction indicator may contact or engage a second relay segment, for example, relay segment 110. For example, the relay segment 110 can be a stunt element, such as a crane element 125. Upon contact or activation of the trigger 120 by the cart 122, a crane stunt project can be initiated. In the crane stunt project, a second vehicle, for example, vehicle 124, may be released from the crane element or claw 126 of the crane 125. Fig. 1b further illustrates another embodiment of a crane relay segment.

As shown in fig. 1b, the crane relay segment 125a can include two triggers to perform a crane-based stunt. The first trigger may be a switch, such as a conical or other shaped start switch 120 at the end of the incoming track. The first vehicle may engage the first trigger and begin releasing the second vehicle held within the lift claw. The vehicle released from the gripper 126a may drop and activate a second trigger 128a to begin launching a third vehicle onto the exit track. Further, in some embodiments, the second trigger may also release a spring-loaded platform to knock down (knock off) a stack of vehicles. The jaws of the crane, when fully closed, may hold the cart in a position ready to be released. FIG. 1c further illustrates the structure of an exemplary crane relay segment 125 a.

Fig. 1c shows a mechanism 127 for performing the validation of two trigger items. In one embodiment, the upper portion 129 of the hoist is moved downward in the direction of arrow 131, with a plurality of gears 133 being rotated and potential energy being stored in a coiled spring mechanism as the gears are rotated, and a pawl or catch (catch) mechanism engages the gears to prevent this spring mechanism from driving the gears back, wherein the pawl or catch mechanism is released from the engaged position when the conical surface 121 of trigger 120 is engaged, thereby causing it to pivot about pivot point 135 relative to the lower portion 137 of the hoist. Once the kinetic energy of the spring mechanism is released, the gear train causes the upper portion of the crane to move upwardly in the direction opposite to arrow 131, which also causes snap ring (clasps) 139 to release a pair of jaw members 141 from their gripping position shown in fig. 1c to the open position shown in fig. 1, in which the car 124 is dropped, and the second trigger 128a is again actuated, releasing the stored potential energy to cause other stunts to occur, such as the ejection of the toy vehicle shown in fig. 1. Snap ring 139 may be any suitable device, including a hook of one of the jaw members configured to engage a member of the other jaw member to hold the jaw members in the position shown in FIG. 1c, and thus allow the cars held within the jaw members to open to the position shown in FIG. 1 when the upper portion of the crane is moved upward so that they are now over trigger 128 a.

Referring again to fig. 1, after the relay segment 110 is activated and the vehicle 124 is released onto the target 128, the launching element 132 may be activated and the partition 134 opened. Specifically, the launching element 132 may launch the vehicle 140 along the track 142 while opening the partition 134 to throw the vehicles 136 and 138. The vehicle 140 can be propelled toward a third relay segment, such as relay segment 112.

The vehicle 140 may activate a trigger within the relay segment 112. The relay segment 112 may actuate the launching member 150 to launch the third vehicle 146 toward the relay segment 114. In some embodiments, the track item may be terminated at trigger 148. However, in other projects, another relay segment, stunt element, or obstruction may be added to the track so that the track does not terminate at trigger 148.

It should be appreciated that each relay segment can be selectively positioned within the track chain. As an example, the relay segment 110 can be at the beginning, middle, or end of the track. Likewise, the relay segments 112 and 114 may be positioned at the beginning, middle, or end of the track. The user can customize the track by positioning the relay segments in a desired order.

It should be appreciated that the track play of the various relay segments can be initiated directly or indirectly through the initiation of a trigger. As an example of indirect activation, the relay segment can include a stunt element performed by the first or second vehicle. Further, the stunt element may be performed by a third vehicle. Still further, the stunt element may include multiple simultaneous, parallel, and/or sequential stunts performed by multiple carts, wherein the stunts may be performed simultaneously, sequentially, one triggered next, in parallel, or a combination thereof. In yet another embodiment, the initiating element and/or the trigger may also include a stunt element executed by one of the first and second, or other, vehicles. Although the initiation of the stunt element by car triggering is described, alternatively, the track game may be initiated by any relay segment or manual initiation of the stunt element. Although fig. 1 shows a variety of exemplary relay segments with and without multi-stage stunts, a variety of variations of relay elements are possible.

Although a single linear track is shown, it should be understood that virtually any number of different track designs may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, a parallel track configuration may be used, as well as a combination of series/parallel track configurations. Further, instead of dropping and/or looping as shown, various tricks may be performed, such as skipping gaps (void), crossing obstacles, and so forth.

Fig. 2 illustrates an exemplary relay segment 200 having a see-saw stunt element 200 to provide indirect actuation via automatic and/or manual trigger actuation. Specifically, FIG. 2 shows an incoming track portion 210 connected to a conical trigger 212, which conical trigger 212 can also be actuated by a manual button 214. In this example, when the trigger or its conical surface 212 is in a downward position, the trigger holds the ramp 220 in a spring-loaded position such that contact by an incoming vehicle on the track 210 causes the trigger to move vertically, releasing the catch, which then releases the spring-loaded movement of the ramp 220. For example, the cart may be preloaded at the end 222 and held in place by the stop 224. Then, when released, the ramp 220 may be rotated about the pivot 226, as shown, to start the vehicle stored at 222. The vehicle may then exit the relay segment through exit track section 230. According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the urging force provided by the spring-biased or resilient member pulls the upper end of the ramp downward in the direction of arrow 217, thus causing the ramp 220 to pivot about pivot 226. The ramp is held in the position shown with the biasing member 227 stretched, the retention 7 being assisted by a catch that will contact a complementary member of the trigger that is moved out of its retaining position when the conical portion or the manual portion of the trigger is moved thereby releasing the stored potential energy of the resilient member.

Although not shown in this example, the exit track portion 230 may be coupled to additional track portions that may lead to additional relay segments, for example. Also, incoming track portion 210 may be adjustable (e.g., rotatably or pivotally mounted to the relay segment for movement in the direction of arrow 211) to enable incoming vehicles to enter the relay segment from multiple angles. Further, incoming track section 210 may be connected to a track segment that may be mounted at a higher elevation so that gravity may "start" the incoming vehicle. Likewise, exit track portion 230 may also be adjustable.

Fig. 3-3B illustrate a representative direct acting relay segment 300. In particular, fig. 3 shows the incoming track portion 310 connected to the segment adjacent to a conical trigger 312, which conical trigger 312 may also be activated by a manual button 314. In this example, the trigger locks the trigger in the loaded position when the trigger is moved to the start position and the trigger is in the position shown in FIG. 3. The trigger releases the stored energy of the trigger when the contact portion of the trigger is moved upwardly to release a catch that holds the trigger in the starting position. In one exemplary embodiment, contact of an incoming vehicle on track 310 with the conical surface of the trigger causes the trigger to move vertically, releasing a catch that is holding the trigger in the start position. As shown in FIG. 3, a spring-loaded trigger or tab 320 slides between a triggered position (shown by solid lines in FIG. 3) and a triggered position (shown by dashed lines in FIG. 3). Thus, and the toy vehicle in starter 322 is pushed out of the relay segment as the starter slides from the starting position to the started position. For example, the vehicle may be preloaded in the starter 322 until activated. The vehicle may then exit the relay segment through exit track section 330.

In this example, the trigger is pivotally mounted to the start stunt element by pin 311 for movement in the direction shown by arrow 313 between a first position and a second position, wherein the trigger moves from the first position (shown) to the second position (not shown) when the vehicle moves into the region 315 between the contact surface of the conical trigger 312 and the incoming track segment 310, thereby forcing the conical trigger upward and away from the track segment 310.

Furthermore, to provide for manual actuation of the trigger (i.e., a series of trigger items can be initiated by starting the first car from a relay segment or multiple users starting the cars from separate relay segments alone or any combination thereof), a manual switch 314 is also secured to the trigger such that a force applied in the direction of arrow 317 causes the trigger to pivot about pivot pin 311 and move the contact surface of the conical portion away from the track segment 310 and thus release the trigger from its starting position.

Referring now to fig. 3a-3b, the bottom portion of the trigger 322 is shown. Here, the bottom portion 321 of the trigger 320 slides within the trigger slot 323 to effect movement from the activated position to the activated position. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, catch 325 secures and retains a portion of bottom portion 321 when bottom portion 321 is slid into the activated position. To provide a biasing force for urging the trigger from the activated position to the activated position, a biasing element 327 is secured to the trigger and base portion 321. According to a representative embodiment of the present invention, the biasing element is a resilient member. Of course, it should be understood that any biasing element can be used, non-limiting examples of which include springs, resilient members, and the like. Further, it should also be understood that any suitable structure may be provided for the catch member and the base portion. In the exemplary embodiment, and when the trigger or the conical portion of the trigger is moved away from the track segment 310, a catch 325, which is secured to the trigger and moves away from its holding position shown in fig. 3b in any suitable manner, allows the resilient member to slide the trigger from the starting position to the started position, thus pushing the toy vehicle out of the trigger 322. Of course, it should be understood that the movement of the trigger and the release of the biasing member described above are provided as examples, and that representative embodiments of the present invention are not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments described above. Similarly, representative embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the starter described above. Other releasable spring-biased toy starters or other types of toy starters can be found, for example, in U.S. patent nos. US4,108,437 and US6,435,929 and U.S. patent publication No. US2007/0293122, as well as those known to those skilled in the relevant art.

It should be noted that the outgoing track portion of each of the relay segments, such as outgoing track portion 330, may be coupled to additional track portions that may lead to additional relay segments. The relay segments may be interchanged so that the track can be customized. Also, an incoming track portion of the relay segment, such as incoming track portion 310, may be adjustable relative to an outgoing track portion 330 (e.g., rotatably or pivotally mounted to the relay segment for movement in the direction of arrow 309) to enable incoming vehicles to enter the relay segment from multiple angles and/or outgoing vehicles to exit the relay segment at multiple angles. It will be appreciated that the outgoing track portion of each relay segment can be coupled to the movable incoming track portion of another relay segment by a coupling track portion that is releasably secured to the respective track portion by a releasable engagement mechanism, such as a tongue and groove arrangement. Thus, the use of multiple angles and orientations through the movable incoming track segment can be provided by the vehicle track set with multiple relay segments installed therein.

Fig. 4 illustrates an exemplary indirectly acting relay segment 400, the relay segment 400 having a gravity-initiated mid-fall stunt path. Specifically, fig. 4 shows an incoming track section 410 connected to a conical trigger 412, which conical trigger 412 can also be actuated by a manual button 414. In this example, the trigger may be spring loaded in a downward position such that contact by an incoming vehicle on track 410 causes the trigger to move vertically and push a vehicle positioned at end portion 418 to initiate the drop stunt. As the vehicle moves down ramp 440, it falls through gap 441 and may intermittently contact other track portions (e.g., 444, 446, 448) before falling on track 450. If the vehicle successfully lands on track 450, gravity moves the vehicle to be started and it exits the relay segment through exit track portion 430.

Fig. 5 illustrates an exemplary indirect-acting relay segment 500, the relay segment 500 having a gravity-initiated zig-zag ramp stunt. Specifically, fig. 5 shows an incoming track section 510 connected to a conical trigger 512. In this example, the trigger may be spring loaded in a downward position such that contact by an incoming vehicle on track 510 causes the trigger to move vertically and, for example, by rotation of platform 542, to push a vehicle positioned at end portion 518 to begin moving down ramp 540. As the vehicle moves down ramp 540, if successful, it is launched and exits the relay segment through exit track portion 530.

Fig. 6 illustrates an exemplary relay segment 600, which relay segment 600 can be selectively positioned along the track. By way of example, the relay segment can include a track receiver 602 such that the track 604 is positioned within a groove 603 of the relay segment 600, as opposed to a sliding male/female connector. A trigger or actuator 605 may be included to implement the trick. For example, in the embodiment shown, actuation of the rod (by contact with a traveling toy vehicle on the track) may cause the top of the silo to fire upward to simulate an explosion.

Fig. 7 illustrates an exemplary indirectly acting relay segment 700, the relay segment 700 having a gravity-initiated hammer-actuated stunt. Specifically, fig. 7 shows an incoming track portion 710 connected to a conical trigger 712, which conical trigger 712 can also be actuated by a manual button 714. In this example, the trigger may be spring loaded in a downward position such that contact by an incoming vehicle on track 710 causes the trigger to move vertically and initiate rotation of hammer case 716 about axis 718. The vehicle may be preloaded and positioned within the hammer case 716 (which is open at end 740, not shown) such that when swung down and stopped in a horizontal position, momentum is imparted to the vehicle, which starts from the exit track portion 730 and/or starts down along the exit track portion 730, which may act as a stop to stop rotation of the hammer case 716.

Although not shown in this example, the exit track portion 730 may be coupled to additional track portions that may lead to additional relay segments, for example. Also, the incoming track portion 710 may be adjustable (e.g., rotatable) relative to the outgoing track portion 730 to enable incoming vehicles to enter the relay segment from multiple angles and/or outgoing vehicles to exit the relay segment from multiple angles.

Fig. 8 shows two relay segments 800, including basketball basket stunts 802 and ramp stunt/starter stunts 804. The relay segments may be positioned on the track in any order. In particular, basketball stunt 802 includes a spring-loaded platform 810 on which a vehicle may be preloaded 810. When the manual button 814 is actuated, the spring-loaded platform 810 rotates about the axle 816 and it may actuate the second trigger 840 if the vehicle passes through the basket 818.

Another basketball basket stunt 800a is shown in figure 8 a. The relay segment may be configured such that an incoming vehicle is thrown upwardly toward a basket (e.g., by a spring-loaded plate), and if the vehicle lands in the basket, a second actuator is triggered to launch a second vehicle in the same or a different direction than the direction of travel of the first, incoming vehicle.

Similarly, a ramp stunt/starter stunt 804, which can be triggered so as to be preloaded at the top 842 of the ramp 850, and a vehicle held by the catch 844 (by movement of the catch 844) is released to launch the vehicle out of the exit track portion 830 and/or down the exit track portion 830, can initiate or terminate rotation of another device, such as the hammer cartridge 716.

Fig. 9 illustrates an exemplary indirectly acting relay segment 900, the relay segment 900 having a gravity-initiated rotational hill start stunt. Specifically, fig. 9 shows an incoming track portion 910 connected to a conical trigger 912, which conical trigger 912 can also be actuated by a manual button 914. In this example, the trigger may be spring loaded in a downward position such that contact by an incoming vehicle on track 910 causes the trigger to move vertically and begin rotation of rotating ramp 916 about axis 918. The vehicle may be preloaded at tip 940 and positioned within rotational ramp 916 such that when swung down and stopped in a downward position, the vehicle is launched down exit track portion 930. In this example, exit track section 930 is angled to further increase the exit velocity of the exiting vehicle.

Although not shown in this example, the exit track portion 930 may be coupled to additional track portions that may lead to additional relay segments, for example. Also in this or other examples, the incoming track section may be connected to other relays/stunts via yet another track section. Also, incoming track portion 910 may be adjustable (e.g., rotatable) relative to outgoing track portion 930 such that incoming vehicles can enter the relay segment from multiple angles and/or outgoing vehicles can exit the relay segment from multiple angles.

Fig. 10 illustrates an exemplary indirectly initiated relay segment 1000, the relay segment 1000 having a loop and a start trick. Specifically, fig. 10 shows an incoming track section 1010 connected to a conical trigger 1012, which conical trigger 1012 can also be actuated by a manual button 1014. In this example, the trigger may be spring loaded in a downward position such that contact by an incoming vehicle on track 1010 causes the trigger to move vertically and release a catch holding spring loaded actuating arm 1016 (note that in fig. 10, spring loaded actuating arm 116 is shown in a fully released state, but it is positioned vertically/downward in its preloaded state) such that it can rotate about axis 1018 and actuate a vehicle preloaded in place, generally indicated at 1040. When activated, the preloaded vehicle travels through loop track stunt 1042 and is activated out of exit track section 1030. Arrow 1044 indicates the direction of movement of the vehicles passing through the loop track stunt 1042. Fig. 10a shows the conical trigger 1012 in a first position, while fig. 10b shows the conical trigger in a second position as it is moved upwardly by the vehicle, and when the trigger is moved from the first position to the second position, the trigger releases a launching element for launching the vehicle from the relay segment, according to a representative embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 11 illustrates yet another track set example, wherein movement of a single vehicle may begin multiple vehicles with multiple relay segments positioned in a parallel configuration. Specifically, as shown in fig. 11, the track set 1100 is shown with a first relay segment 1102, the first relay segment 1102 including two start vehicle stunts. Specifically, the first relay segment 1102 includes an incoming track portion 1110 coupled to a conical trigger 1112, which conical trigger 1112 can also be actuated by a manual button 1114. In this example, the trigger may be spring loaded in a downward position such that contact by an incoming vehicle on the track 1110 causes it to move vertically and release a catch that holds the first and second preloaded vehicles 1120 and 1122 substantially simultaneously. Alternatively, the carts may be released sequentially. For example, the release of one vehicle may be delayed relative to the release of another vehicle.

With continued reference to fig. 11, relay segment 1102 includes first and second ramps 1101, 1103 that lead in different (e.g., opposite) directions such that vehicles 1120 and 1122 can be launched by gravity into first and second exit track portions, respectively. Further, the track set 1100 can include two directly activated relay segments, such as relay segment 300, and final flag portions 1134 and 1136. As shown in fig. 11, the segment 300 may be positioned to connect to the exit track portions 1130 and 1132 and the final flag portions 1134 and 1136 through various track segments. Further, as noted herein, the vehicles may be preloaded into two relay segments 300 (e.g., 1140 and 1142), which can be separately activated by actuation of the vehicles 1130 and 1132. In this way a series/parallel racetrack structure can be formed.

Fig. 12 further illustrates a relay segment configured as a double tower stunt element 1200. As an example, in the dual tower stunt element, a single input trigger item may cause two vehicles propelled by gravity moving in opposite directions to be released simultaneously. It should be appreciated that a manual trigger can be included in each of the relay segments, including the double tower stunt elements, such that the relay segment can be the first stunt in the series. Also, in some large relay segments, there may be two or more manual triggers, for example on the front and back sides of the element. For example, as shown, there is a front side manual start switch in the double tower stunt element. In some embodiments, there can be a similar activation switch on the back side of the stunt element.

Fig. 12 shows yet another custom track set. As with the previous embodiments, the track set can include a plurality of interchangeable relays that can be connected together to form a customized deployable track set, wherein the relays can include one or more stunt elements and can be selectively positioned at the beginning, middle, or end of the track. In some embodiments, the relay segment may be configured to enable a first toy vehicle to trigger a second toy vehicle to overcome an obstacle or perform a stunt. Further, in some embodiments, the relay segment egress vehicle may be released to travel on a subsequent relay segment.

It should be appreciated that the track set described herein may be used with toy vehicles. By way of example, the toy vehicle may be a 1: 64 scale model, however other sizes of toy vehicles may be used. A representative range may be a 1: 50 ratio or less, although it is understood that ratios greater than or less than 1: 50 are also within the scope of representative embodiments of the present invention.

In fig. 12, a toy vehicle track set 100a having a plurality of relay segments 110a, 112a, 114a, 116a, 118a, and 120a is shown. As will be discussed in more detail below, each relay segment may be selectively positioned at the beginning, middle, or end of the track. The user can customize the track by positioning the relay section on a desired portion of the track. In one embodiment, a plurality of relay segments may be connected together in series with a plurality of track segments to produce a series of relay projects. The series of items, which may include a variety of stunt elements, can be rearranged in a variety of series and/or parallel paths to provide a variety of play modes. In this way, the user can experience different track games and excitement again and again.

In this example, each relay segment 110a, 112a, and 114a may include a vehicle entry trigger that may directly or indirectly cause another incoming vehicle to start, also referred to herein as a relay segment outgoing vehicle. By way of example, each relay segment may include an incoming track, such as incoming track 122a, for incoming vehicles and an outgoing track, such as outgoing track 124a, for outgoing vehicles. The outgoing track of one relay segment may be interchangeably coupled with the incoming track of a second relay segment such that an outgoing vehicle from one relay segment may become an incoming vehicle for the next relay segment.

One or more starters may be provided to accelerate the toy vehicle along the track. Also, the starter may be configured to engage and propel a toy vehicle along the track. It should be appreciated that although a starter is described herein, the vehicle may be manually propelled along the track without the use of a starter, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Although any suitable trigger may be used, in the illustrated embodiment, a variety of automatically and manually triggered release trigger elements are shown. The vehicle may be positioned in a starting position such that a starting element may slidably engage the vehicle to propel the vehicle along the track. The activation element may be biased to the activated position, for example by a spring or any other suitable biasing mechanism, such that release of the activator will release its stored potential energy.

In one example, the relay segment may include a vehicle entry trigger. The trigger may be configured to enable an incoming vehicle to initiate a stunt and release of an outgoing vehicle from the relay segment. The trigger may be positioned such that a vehicle traveling along the track activates the trigger.

As an example, the car trigger may be a conical shaped trigger (shown at 126a in FIG. 12) or other shaped trigger. By way of example, the conical shaped trigger 126a may have a cone angle of about 45 degrees, which conical shaped trigger 126a may be vertically actuated by contact with a horizontally moving incoming vehicle. It should be appreciated that the taper angle may be any suitable angle that allows an incoming vehicle to actuate the trigger. Thus, by way of non-limiting example, the taper angle is any angle from 5 degrees to 90 degrees.

Further, although this example shows a conical trigger, it may alternatively be planar and inclined with respect to the incoming track (e.g., about 45 degrees). As a further example, an exemplary trigger may have a flat, inclined plane (formed by a plurality of ridges) configured to be contacted by a car on a track. Also, although the trigger may have an angle of about 45 degrees in one example, any suitable angle (e.g., 5-90 degrees) may be used to cause the vehicle to actuate the trigger. Further, the trigger may be engaged under or along a side of the track such that the vehicle activates the trigger by travel on or through a portion of the track.

In some relay segments, a trigger initiated by a first vehicle initiates a stunt and release of a second oncoming vehicle on the track set. In some embodiments, a manual trigger may also be included, either alone or in combination with the vehicle trigger. The manual trigger can be configured to be actuated to initiate a stunt and/or release an oncoming vehicle from the relay segment. The incoming vehicle may travel to a second relay segment.

It should be appreciated that the track game for each relay segment can be initiated directly or indirectly through the initiation of a trigger. As an example of indirect activation, the relay segment may include a stunt element performed by the first or second vehicle. Further, the stunt element may be performed by a third vehicle. Still further, the stunt element may include a plurality of simultaneous, parallel, and/or sequential stunts performed by a plurality of vehicles, wherein the stunts may be performed simultaneously, sequentially one after the other, in parallel, or a combination thereof. In yet another embodiment, the initiating element and/or the trigger may also include a stunt element executed by one of the first and second, or other, vehicles. Although described as being activated by a vehicle-triggered stunt element, the track play may alternatively be initiated by any relay segment or manual activation of the stunt element.

By way of example and referring again to fig. 12, in the illustrated configuration, the track game can begin with a stunt element or relay segment 110 a. For example, activation of the manual release or manual trigger 102a may push or launch a toy vehicle (not shown) along exit track 124a toward second relay segment 112 a. In an exemplary embodiment, the relay segments may enable the direction of travel of the vehicle to be variably changed (between incoming and outgoing vehicles), thus further providing a variable configuration for more different track games.

It should be noted that the track attachment portion, as shown for example at 130a, can be inserted between the relay members to extend the distance between the first and second relay members. In this way, in addition to the selective positioning of each relay segment, the track attachment portions can be selectively positioned to enable customization of the tracks, as each incoming track portion to which they can be releasably secured is rotatably mounted to the relay segment.

One or more portions of the track set, such as the incoming and outgoing tracks of the relay segment and/or the track coupling segment, may include directional indicators, such as molded-in arrows, or cutouts, as indicated at 132, which may indicate vehicle direction and/or assembly indication of the toy track set. For example, the direction indicators can help facilitate assembly of a deployed track set, can provide a particular direction of travel for a vehicle used to initiate stunts, or enable obstacle surmounting. Although the directional indicator is shown as a row of cut-out arrows, it should be appreciated that the directional indicator may have any size and/or shape to indicate an assembly direction and/or a vehicle travel direction. Further, while multiple arrows are shown, a single arrow or other cutout may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. Further, in some embodiments, the direction indicator may be positioned in the center of the track so as not to obstruct the wheels. It should further be appreciated that although shown as cut-outs, the direction indicators may be surface indicators, raised molded pieces, and the like. In representative embodiments, the arrow is integrally molded with the track and/or relay segment.

For example, a vehicle released from the relay segment 110a and traveling along the track 130a in the direction of the direction indicator may contact or engage a second relay segment, e.g., relay segment 112 a. As will be described in more detail below, each relay segment can initiate a trick. Stunts may include one or more of looping, jumping down, colliding, simulating an explosion, vehicle collision, vehicle dropping, vehicle lifting, vehicle obstruction, vehicle rotation, and other vehicle obstructions, and any combination thereof. In some embodiments, stunt vehicles may be preloaded in order to release when the relay segment trigger is activated (e.g., by an incoming vehicle activation of a vehicle trigger or a manual activation of a trigger).

For example, relay segment 110a can be a stunt element, such as a falling and pivoting ramp element 138 a. When trigger 140a contacts or is actuated, a falling and pivoting ramp stunt program can begin. Stunt vehicles (not shown) may be pre-positioned on the platform 142 a. In the descending and pivoting ramp stunt program, platform 142a may be pivotally connected to arm 144a, and arm 144a may be pivotally connected to the relay segment by pivot 146 a. The arm 144a may swing from a first generally vertically extending position (shown) to a second generally horizontally extending position when activated by an incoming vehicle. Further, the platform 142a can be rotated so that the platform rotates to substantially enable the stunt car to be released downwardly along the exit track 148 a. Likewise, the pre-positioned vehicle may be released down exit track 148a toward the next relay segment, such as relay segment 114 a.

Additional details of an exemplary falling and pivoting ramp member 112a are shown in FIG. 2. As shown, the incoming track 150a may enable an incoming vehicle to contact or activate the trigger 140 a. Although shown as a conically shaped trigger, it should be appreciated that the trigger may be any suitable, manual and/or vehicle-activated switch. The incoming vehicle may be stopped at the trigger 140 a.

Actuation of trigger 140a may release arm 144a from the first position. The first position, as shown, is a generally vertical position where the platform 142a is in a plane generally parallel to the ground surface. When the arm 144a is released from the first position, the arm 144a pivots or swings about the pivot point or hinge 146a such that the arm drops, as indicated by arrow 152 a. Further, in some embodiments, the platform 142a may be rotatably connected to the arm 144a such that it may rotate, as indicated by arrow 154 a.

The release of the arm 144a and the rotation of the platform 142a causes the arm and platform to move to a vertical release position indicated by the dashed lines in fig. 13. As shown at 156a, the arm may be substantially parallel to the ground surface such that the platform 142a is substantially aligned with the exit track 148 a. Further, at 158a, the platform has been rotated so that the front portion 160a with the opening for vehicle release is aligned with the exit platform 148 a.

In one embodiment, the platform 142a includes a forward portion 160a and a rearward portion 162 a. The rear portion may include a stop wall 164a to prevent the preloaded vehicle from prematurely releasing from the platform. Additional cart engagement features, such as detents, may further retain the preloaded cart in the platform during the stunt. As discussed above, when the platform is rotated, the front portion 160a is aligned with the exit track 148 a. The angle of the platform in the release position allows the vehicle to disengage from the engagement member and travel down exit track 148a toward the subsequent relay segment.

In some embodiments, a locking member may be provided to lock the arm in the first and second positions. A release structure may further be provided to enable a user to release the arms from the first and second positions. Further, although the falling and pivoting ramp elements are not shown in detail, the relay segments may be configured to fold into a compact configuration to reduce package size and ease of storage. Other examples of relay segment folding are described in more detail below.

Referring back to fig. 12, after the relay segment 112a is activated and the preloaded vehicle is released from the platform 142a onto the exit track 148a, the preloaded vehicle is now an incoming vehicle for the next relay segment, e.g., relay segment 114 a. Thus, while in this embodiment it is described that activation of the relay segment 112a results in a subsequent release of the vehicle to activate the relay segment 114a, other configurations are possible and desirable. Thus, it should be appreciated that each relay segment can be selectively positioned in the track chain. By way of example, the relay segment 110a may be at the beginning, middle, or end of the track. Similarly, the relay segments 112a, 114a, 116a, 118a, 120a can be positioned at the beginning, middle, or end of the track. The user may be able to customize the track by positioning the relay segments in a desired order or combination.

The relay segment 114a is an example of a directly initiated relay segment. An incoming vehicle may activate trigger 200a, which trigger 200a may cause the preloaded vehicle to release from trigger 202 a. The preloaded vehicle may exit relay segment 114a along exit track 204a toward relay segment 116 a.

The directly actuated relay segment 114a is similar to the relay segment shown in fig. 3 in that actuating the stunt element 300, including the incoming track 310 pivotally mounted thereto adjacent to a conical trigger 312, can also actuate the conical trigger 312 via a manual button 314. In this example, the trigger is pivotally mounted to the start stunt element by pin 311 for movement in the direction shown by arrow 313 between a first position and a second position, wherein the trigger is moved from the first position (shown) to the second position (not shown) when the vehicle moves into the area 315 between the conical trigger 312 and the incoming track segment 310.

Movement of the conical trigger 312 also releases the stored potential energy to move a trigger member in a manner similar to that described in fig. 3-3c, wherein contact of an incoming vehicle on the track 310 causes the trigger to move vertically, releasing a catch, which then releases a spring-loaded trigger tab 320 in a trigger 322. For example, the vehicle may be preloaded within the starter 322 until activated. The vehicle may then exit the relay segment through exit track section 330.

It should be noted that the outgoing track portion of each relay segment, such as outgoing track portion 330, can be coupled to additional track portions that can lead to additional relay segments. The relay segments may be interchanged so that the track can be customized. Moreover, an incoming track portion of the relay segment, such as incoming track portion 310, may be adjustable (e.g., rotatable) relative to an outgoing track portion 330 to enable incoming vehicles to enter the relay segment from multiple angles and/or outgoing vehicles to exit the relay segment from multiple angles.

Referring back to fig. 12, the outgoing vehicle from relay segment 114a is the incoming vehicle for relay segment 116 a. The incoming vehicle travels along incoming track 163a to activate trigger 164a of relay segment 116 a. Relay segment 116a can be a trick element, such as a switch trick element or a switch. The incoming vehicle initiates the stunt, after which the preloaded stunt vehicle performs the stunt and exits the stunt at 166a toward a subsequent stunt 118 a.

In particular and as shown in fig. 14, stunt element 161 is configured to provide a multi-loop stunt for a preloaded vehicle. As shown, the incoming track 163a is adjacent to the conical trigger 164a, pivotally mounted to the stunt element. It should be appreciated that although shown as a conical trigger, the trigger can be any suitable shape so that a vehicle traveling on track 163a can initiate the stunt. Further, in some embodiments, a manual trigger may also be provided. In this example, the trigger is spring loaded in a downward position such that contact by an incoming vehicle on track 163a causes the trigger 164a to move vertically and release a catch, which then releases the preloaded vehicle down ramp 168a into the commuter ring 170 a.

As shown, a preloaded vehicle may be positioned at the top of ramp 168a and held in a starting position by a stop 172 a. When trigger 163a is actuated, stop 172a is released and the preloaded stunt vehicle launches down the ramp to direction changer 174a and then through booster 176 a. Booster 176a may be any device that imparts additional acceleration to the toy vehicle. For example, booster 176a may be a motorized wheel that further launches the vehicle into ring 170 a. A switch 175a may be used to turn on the booster motor.

The guide key 178a guides the cart to other rings. For example, in the embodiment shown, the guide key 178a has a path defining portion 180a and a contact switch 182a, the path defining portion 180a providing a rail edge defining a path for a vehicle, the key defining a first path 184a first upon contact of the contact switch 182a with the vehicle and a second path 186a upon contact with the vehicle as the vehicle travels along the defined path. The guide key is switched so that the vehicle optionally travels along the first path and then along the second path once the vehicle has walked around the loop.

In some embodiments, a timer may be used to record the travel time of the vehicle within the loop 170 a. For example, the vehicle may continue to travel within the loop for a predetermined time, such as 5 seconds or any other given time. After a predetermined time, the vehicle is ejected from the ring. In other embodiments, the cart may perform a predetermined number of rings before being ejected from the rings.

The ejection of the vehicle from the loop 170a may occur after a predetermined item, a predetermined time, or, in some embodiments, when activated by a user. The vehicle can be discharged from the swap stunt element 161 a. For example, in some embodiments, completion of a predetermined item or time may activate the guidance indicator platform such that it bulges upward to define a vehicle discharge path.

As shown in fig. 15, a cavity 190a is provided below the guide indicator 178 a. In some embodiments, after the loop portion of the stunt is completed, the guide indicator can be moved to allow the vehicle to travel along a vehicle discharge path to exit track 166 a. In other embodiments, the loop portion completing the stunt can trigger a preloaded stunt vehicle positioned within cavity 190a to be launched out along exit track 166 a.

In such an embodiment, the vehicles traveling along the loop can be ejected from the loop such that the vehicles fall from the exchange stunt element. For example, a guidance indicator may block the path of travel and cause the vehicle to strike the end of the guidance indicator and be forced out of the track. In some embodiments, additional switches or changers may be provided within the booster to abruptly change the travel path of the vehicle, causing the vehicle to be expelled from the loop.

Returning to fig. 12, an outbound vehicle released from relay segment 116a along outbound track 166a may travel to relay segment 118 a. The outgoing vehicle of relay segment 116a is the incoming vehicle of relay segment 118 a. Relay segment 118a can be a stunt element, such as a tower stunt element. The incoming vehicle initiates the stunt, after which the preloaded stunt vehicle exits the stunt element at 340a toward a subsequent relay segment.

Fig. 16 shows an exemplary tower stunt element 300a in more detail. As shown, tower stunt element 300a is configured to provide multi-car stunts. As shown, the incoming track 302a is connected to a conical trigger 304a, which conical trigger 304a can also be actuated by one or more manual buttons or actuators. Activation of trigger 304a results in the initiation of a tower stunt, including the release of a plurality of preloaded vehicles from the tower. For example, the trigger may be spring loaded in a downward position such that contact by an incoming vehicle on track 302a causes the trigger to move vertically and release a catch, which then initiates a first portion of a multi-stage vehicle stunt.

As an example, a first stunt vehicle may be preloaded into actuating chamber 306a, wherein chamber 306a includes an actuating structure, such as a spring-loaded actuating slide 307a, that slides forward when actuated, such as by trigger 304 a. Movement is imparted to the preloaded stunt vehicle such that the stunt vehicle launches toward a target, such as bulls-eye 308 a. Although shown as a bulls eye, any design configuration may be used for the target.

In addition, additional stunt vehicles may be preloaded into release cassettes 314a and 316a on side towers 310a and 312a, respectively. Striking the target, e.g., bulls eye 308a, may initiate a second stunt stage. In the second stunt stage, side towers 310a, 312a can be released such that the towers 310a, 312a fall outwardly about hinges 318a and 320a, as indicated by arrows 322a and 324a, respectively. The release cartridge is rotatably connected to the tower such that the release cartridge rotates from a storage position to a release position when the second stunt stage is initiated. The storage location may be any suitable location where a vehicle does not fall from the release magazine. Thus, in some embodiments, the storage position may be a position in which the release magazine is parallel to the ground surface. In other embodiments, the release cassette may be tilted such that the cart is retained within the storage cassette.

Activation of the second stunt stage effects rotation of the release cartridges 314a, 316a about pivot points 326a, 328a, as indicated by arrows 330a, 332 a. In the release position, the release cassette is tilted such that the preloaded stunt vehicle falls from the cassette. Further, towers 310a and 312a fall outward such that the preloaded vehicle and the towers fall onto the ground surface.

A third trick phase can be initiated after completion of the second trick phase. For example, rotation of the tower from the base can activate a switch to initiate a third stunt stage. In the third stunt stage, release box 334a may be preloaded with another stunt vehicle. The release cassette may be in a first position facing the incoming track 302a and the trigger 304 a. The release cartridge may be rotatably connected to the top of the tower for rotation about a pivot point 336 a. When the third stunt stage is initiated, the release cartridge can be rotated from the first position to a release position in which the preloaded vehicle is released down exit track 340 a. Also, in the release position, the release cartridge is rotated 180 degrees so that it faces the exit track 340 a. It should be noted that a structural detent mechanism may be used to hold the vehicle in the first position. The detent mechanism may include a structure, such as a top surface of the tower, that prevents the vehicle from releasing when in the first position. In other embodiments, a moveable door or structure may be provided that prevents movement of the vehicle when in the first position, but allows release of the preloaded vehicle when in the release position.

Also, the tower stunt element can be considered a multi-stage stunt element. In this multi-stage trick element, the completion of each stage initiates a further stage. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, activation of the multi-stage stunt element results in activation of a first stage in which a first preloaded vehicle strikes a target; completion of the target impact initiates a second phase in which the two preloaded cars are released and the two towers fall outwardly toward the ground surface; completion of the tower fall initiates a third phase in which a fourth preloaded vehicle is launched down exit track 340 a. This car is the departure car for the tower stunt element and becomes the departure car for the subsequent stunt.

Referring back to fig. 12, the vehicle released from the relay segment 118a traveling along the exit track 340a may further engage the relay segment element 120 a. In one embodiment, the relay segment element 120a is a single vehicle stunt element, wherein the incoming vehicle is an outgoing vehicle. By way of example, relay segment element 120a can be a blast stunt element 350 a. Likewise, the vehicle may actuate a trigger, such as an overhead vehicle trigger 352a, while being held on the track. The trigger may initiate a simulated explosion, for example, as in the top of the silo shown in figure 12. After the trigger 352a is actuated, the vehicle may continue to travel along the relay segment 118a and exit the relay segment 118 a. Additional stunt elements may be added to the ends of the track or the track may be terminated.

An exemplary explosion stunt element 350a is shown in more detail in fig. 17. It should be noted that the explosion stunt element is a crossover element, as opposed to a connecting element. The connecting elements are interconnected by connecting one track segment to another track segment. The track segments are releasably locked together to form a continuous track. Typically, the connecting element comprises a sliding male/female connector. Instead, as an overlapping element, element 350a includes a track bed 354a, the track bed 354a configured to be positioned such that the track travels therethrough. By way of example and as shown in fig. 17, the track bed may include a track receiver 356a such that portions of the track, such as a track connection portion, may be slid into the receiver 356a and held by a retainer 358 a.

A vehicle traveling along the track can actuate trigger or lever 352a to effect stunts. Although shown as an overhead trigger, the trigger may be in any suitable location that does not substantially impede travel of the cart. In other embodiments, the trigger and/or additional structure may stop travel of the vehicle after the trigger is activated. In the embodiment shown, actuation of the rod (by contact with a toy vehicle traveling on the track) may cause the top of silo 360a to fire upward to simulate an explosion. Although in the illustrated embodiment the silo is exploded in one piece, in other embodiments, portions of the explosive element may be separated. The stunt element further includes a manual trigger element 362a, the manual element 362a being connected to 352a such that movement of the manual element 362a causes the catch to release the spring to actuate the top portion 361a away from the stunt element 350 to simulate an explosion.

Although fig. 12 illustrates various exemplary relay segments with and without multi-stage stunts, various variations of relay segments are possible. Further, while a single track is shown, it should be understood that virtually any number of different track designs may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, a parallel track configuration may be used, as well as a combination of series/parallel track configurations. Further, various tricks may be performed in addition to the drops and/or loops shown, such as skipping gaps, crossing obstacles, and so forth.

Fig. 18 provides another exemplary track set 1000 a. The track set 1000a includes a plurality of relay segments 1100a, 1200a, and 1300 a. Further, exemplary track set 1000a shows track attachment 1050 a. As discussed with respect to fig. 12, each relay segment can be selectively positioned at the beginning, middle, or end of the track. The user may customize the track by positioning the relay portion at a desired portion of the track. In one embodiment, a plurality of relay segments may be connected together in series with a plurality of track segments to produce a series of relay projects. The series of items, which may include a variety of stunt elements, can be rearranged in a variety of series and/or parallel paths to provide a variety of play modes. Also, the track attachment may be selectively positioned at any location along the track.

As an exemplary rail attachment, the throw attachment 1050a enables a user to selectively lift the rail 1002a to improve vehicle travel along the rail. Such an accessory can adjust the track so that the speed of the vehicle can be increased. Other attachments may be used to increase or decrease speed, adjust angles or tracks, or otherwise alter vehicle paths. Also, the ejection accessory may be connected to one or more track segments that may be mounted at a higher elevation so that gravity may "start" the incoming vehicle.

The track 1002 may be connected to a pivot plate 1064. In some embodiments, the rails 1002, such as rail connection portions, can be snapped onto the pivot plate 1064. In other embodiments, the track may slide onto the pivot plate 1064 or be otherwise connected to the plate 1064. Further, although described in this example as a pivot plate, it should be appreciated that the pivot plate may be any suitable structure capable of supporting and connecting the rails. The use of the ejection accessory may enable the track to be positioned so as to form a steep angle for the vehicle to travel. A vehicle released from the top of the track will increase in speed such that the vehicle has sufficient speed to actuate the plurality of triggers of the relay segment. Further, increased vehicle speed increases the play value of the track set.

A vehicle released on track 1002a may travel to relay segment 1100 a. Relay segment 1100a can be a stunt element, such as a spiral drop stunt element. The incoming track 1102a can enable an incoming vehicle to activate a trigger to initiate a spiral fall stunt program. Completing the stunt may result in the release of two vehicles from the two exit tracks 1104a, 1106 a. Both cars are now travelling on the track set. Alternative paths or parallel paths may be defined for such vehicles. As will be described in greater detail below, in the illustrated embodiment, the exemplary track set has been configured such that a first vehicle travels to relay segments 1200a and 1300a and a second vehicle travels to relay segments 1202a and 1302 a.

Fig. 19 shows an exemplary spiral drop stunt element 1110 a. As shown, the spiral drop stunt element is configured to provide spiral drop of two preloaded carts. As shown, the incoming track 1102a is connected to a car trigger, such as a conical trigger 1103 a. It should be appreciated that other trigger configurations are possible, including other vehicle trigger configurations, as well as manual trigger configurations, such as manual trigger 1105 a. In this example, the car trigger 1103a may be spring loaded in a downward position such that contact by an incoming car on track 1102a causes the trigger to move vertically from a starting position and through the bar linkage release traveler 1108a such that the traveler spirals down the bar 1112a to release the preloaded car onto exit tracks 1104a and 1106 a.

Two preloaded carts may be positioned on brackets 1114a and 1116 a. The carriage extends outward and is an integral part of the traveler 1108 a. When the trigger 1103a is actuated, the traveler 1108a can be released from the starting position so that the traveler rotates downward about the rod 1112a, as indicated by arrow 1117 a. Gravity pulls the traveler downward, which causes the traveler to rotate as the traveler advances down the rod, as the rod includes a helical coil structure. A stop plate 1118a stops the traveler in a release position where the two brackets 1114a and 1116a are aligned with the exit tracks 1104a and 1106a, respectively. The preloaded vehicles can be released onto the exit track as outgoing vehicles from the spiral fall stunt element 1110 a.

It should be noted that each of the relay segments may be configured to fold to enable storage and/or reduce packaging size. Also, many of the components of each relay segment are articulated to enable the components to fold and the structure to fold inward. Further, in some embodiments, the relay segment is configured such that at least the top surface and the bottom surface are substantially planar. The substantially planar surface enables the relay segments to be more easily packaged or stacked for storage. When such a structure needs to be disassembled for storage or packaging, the folding allows for easy storage without added difficulty and frustration.

As discussed above, the spiral drop stunt element 1110a is configured as relay segment 1100a in fig. 18. After the relay segment 1100a is initiated, the two preloaded vehicles are released on exit tracks 1104a and 1106a, respectively. Additional relay segments may be inserted to improve the play game. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, a directly actuated relay segment is shown within the exemplary track set, such as the start stunt element shown and discussed in fig. 3. However, it will be appreciated that any other stunt element may be selectively connected to exit tracks 1104a and/or 1106 a.

Referring back now to fig. 18, the outbound vehicles from relay segments 1200a, 1202a may be inbound vehicles for relay segments 1300a, 1302a, respectively. By way of example, relay segments 1300a, 1302a can be any trick element. As shown, both relay segments 1300a, 1302a are throw stunt elements.

Fig. 20 shows a representative throw stunt element 1310 a. As shown, launch stunt element 1310a is configured to launch a preloaded stunt vehicle. As shown, incoming track 1304a allows vehicle 1312a to contact trigger 1308a and then exit on outgoing track 1306 a. Throw stunt element 1310a may be a stunt element in which the incoming vehicle is an outgoing vehicle. Likewise, the vehicle may actuate a trigger, such as an overhead vehicle trigger 1308a, while being held on the track. The trigger may initiate ejection of the preloaded vehicle 1314a from the cradle 1316 a. After the trigger 1308a is actuated, the vehicle may continue to exit relay segment 1310a along and exit track 1306 a.

Similar to the explosion stunt element described above, the ejection stunt element is a overlapping element. Likewise, the launch stunt element 1310a includes a track bed 1316a, the track bed 1316a configured to receive a portion of the track, such as a track connection portion. The track may be slid into the track bed.

Support 1316a is configured to hold the preloaded vehicle prior to initiation of the launch stunt element. The vehicle may be supported by an extension and configured to be rotatably coupled to the carriage such that activation of the trigger 1308a causes the carriage to rotate such that the toy vehicle held therein is thrown or thrown from the track area.

Referring now to FIG. 21, another representative track set 2000 is shown. Track set 2000 includes relay segments 2100 and 2200. As discussed with respect to fig. 12 and 18, each relay segment may be selectively positioned at the beginning, middle, or end of the track. The user can customize the track by positioning the relay section within a desired portion of the track. In one embodiment, a plurality of relay segments may be connected together in series with a plurality of track segments to produce a series of relay projects. The series of items, which may include a variety of stunt elements, can be rearranged in a variety of serial and/or parallel paths to provide a variety of play modes.

Within the illustrated track arrangement 2000, an incoming vehicle travels along an incoming track 2102 to actuate a trigger 2104 of the relay segment 2100. Relay segment 2100 can be a stunt element, such as a gravity-activated zig-zag ramp stunt element. Thus, the incoming vehicle begins the stunt, after which the preloaded stunt vehicle exits stunt 2100 at 2106 toward subsequent stunt 2200.

In particular, fig. 21 illustrates an exemplary gravity-activated zig-zag ramp stunt element 2110. As shown, the zigzag ramp stunt element 2110 is configured to provide a zigzag track path 2108 for the preloaded stunt vehicle. As shown, incoming track 2102 is connected to conical trigger 2104. It should be appreciated that other trigger configurations are possible, including other vehicle trigger configurations, as well as manual trigger configurations. In this example, the trigger can be spring loaded in a downward position such that contact by an incoming vehicle on track 2102 causes the trigger to move vertically and release vehicle stop 2111 (e.g., via lever linkage 2113) such that the stored preloaded stunt vehicle is released downward at 2112 along zigzag track path 2108.

The zig-zag ramp stunt element 2110 includes support posts 2114, the support posts 2114 maintaining the beginning of the zig-zag track path at a relatively high vertical position. Gravity allows the car to move down the path. Although not required, in some embodiments, a spring-loaded starter may be provided to further accelerate the vehicle along the zig-zag track path.

In some embodiments, a variety of structures or designs may be used to indicate to a user the location for placing the preloaded vehicle. For example, different textures, coloring, or designs can be used to indicate that the vehicle should be loaded for activation in the stunt element.

In some embodiments, the zig-zag track may include a sloped portion that slows a vehicle as it travels down the path. The fence 2116 may prevent the vehicle from falling off the track. Further, a cutout 2118 can be provided in the track to further interfere with the vehicle movement, adding a excitement point to the stunt element. In some embodiments, the cut-out and track shape may enhance the exciting effect by slowing the vehicle down such that an additional desired effect is created.

It should be appreciated that other trick elements may include speed control elements. These speed control elements include retarders and accelerators. Retarders, such as built-in time-delay releases, controlled dropping, speed, etc., may enhance play value by increasing the desired effect of the item. Further, the accelerator, including the ramp incline, may add play value, for example, by keeping the vehicle moving through the track set.

In accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention and referring to fig. 21, an outbound vehicle from relay segment 2100 travels to relay segment 2200. The outbound vehicle is now the incoming vehicle for relay segment 2200 and travels along incoming track 2202 to activate trigger 2204 of relay segment 2200. Relay segment 2200 can be a stunt element, such as a shock drop stunt element. In this way, the incoming vehicle begins the stunt such that the preloaded stunt vehicle exits stunt 2200 at 2206 toward a subsequent relay element (not shown) or end.

Fig. 22 shows a rotary hill start stunt 2230 as an example of an indirectly initiated relay segment with a gravity initiated rotary hill start stunt. Specifically, incoming track 2232 is movably mounted to the relay segment adjacent to conical trigger 2234, which conical trigger 2234 can also be actuated by manual button 2236. In this example, the trigger when in the downward position locks the actuatable spring-loaded member in an unreleased or loaded position such that contact by an incoming vehicle on track 2232 causes the trigger to move vertically and begin rotation of rotary ramp 2238 about axis 2240. The vehicles may be preloaded at end 2242 and positioned within rotary ramp 2238 such that when swung down and stopped in a downward position, the vehicles are launched down exit track section 2244.

Referring now to fig. 23, yet another relay segment is shown. Here, the relay segment is a free-fall stunt element 3110. As shown, free-fall stunt element 3110 is configured to provide free-fall stunts for preloaded vehicles. As shown, the incoming track 3102 is connected to a conical trigger 3104, which can also be actuated by a manual button 3108. In this example, the trigger can be configured to release the spring-loaded stunt element such that contact by an incoming vehicle on track 3102 causes the trigger to move vertically and release a catch, which then releases basket 3111 such that the preloaded stunt vehicle is free-falling to target 3112.

The basket 3111 may be hingedly connected to arm 3114 as indicated at pivot point 3116. A cart may be preloaded within the basket. Activation of trigger 3104 causes the basket to swing downward, as indicated by arrow 3117, causing the vehicle to fall out of the basket and down toward the ground. Fig. 23 shows the basket 3111 in a pre-trigger configuration, in which the basket is substantially perpendicular to the arms.

In some embodiments, the preloaded stunt vehicle is configured to drop onto target 3112. The target may be an integral part of a platform or other structure. Upon impact with the target, the third vehicle may be released. As an example, a second preloaded vehicle may be positioned in cavity 3118. Cavity 3118 may include a launch structure, such as a spring-loaded launch slide 3120, that slides forward when activated, causing the second preloaded stunt vehicle to be accelerated toward exit track 3106. This second preloaded vehicle becomes the outbound vehicle for relay segment 3100.

Claims

1. A relay for a toy track set, the relay comprising:

a trigger adjacent a first vehicle track segment movably secured to the relay segment, the first vehicle track segment pivotally mounted to the relay segment for adjustable movement relative to the relay segment, the trigger movable between a first position and a second position; and

a launching element to launch a toy vehicle from the relay segment when the trigger is moved from the first position to the second position, wherein the trigger further includes an inclined surface positioned above the first vehicle track segment, and the first position positions the inclined surface a first distance from the first vehicle track segment, and the second position positions the inclined surface a second distance from the first vehicle track segment, the second distance being greater than the first distance.

2. The relay as in claim 1, wherein the inclined surface is formed by a frustoconical member.

3. The relay as in claim 1, wherein the first distance is less than a height of a toy vehicle traveling on the first vehicle track segment, wherein the toy vehicle is a 1: 50 scale model or less.

4. The relay as in claim 1, wherein the trigger further comprises a manual release for moving the trigger from the first position to the second position.

5. The relay as in claim 1, further comprising a second vehicle track segment for defining a travel path of the toy vehicle launched by the launching element, the first and second vehicle track segments each having a directional indicator integrally molded therein, wherein the directional indicator of the first vehicle track segment indicates the travel path toward the trigger and the directional indicator of the second vehicle track segment indicates the travel path away from the relay.

6. The relay as in claim 5, wherein each of the direction indicators is an arrow cut on the first and second vehicle track segments.

7. A relay for a toy track set, the relay comprising:

a launching element for launching a toy vehicle from the relay segment when the trigger is moved from the first position to the second position, wherein the launching element is a spring biased member that is held in a retracted position by the trigger when the trigger is in the first position, the spring biased member being released from the retracted position and the spring biased member launching the toy vehicle along a second vehicle track segment when the trigger is moved to the second position, the first and second vehicle track segments each having a directional indicator integrally molded therein, wherein the directional indicator of the first vehicle track segment indicates a path of travel toward the trigger and the directional indicator of the second vehicle track segment indicates a path of travel away from the relay segment.

8. The relay as in claim 7, wherein each of the direction indicators is an arrow cut on the first and second vehicle track segments.

9. The relay segment as in claim 7, wherein the trigger further comprises an inclined surface positioned above the first vehicle track segment, and the first position positions the inclined surface a first distance from the first vehicle track segment and the second position positions the inclined surface a second distance from the first vehicle track segment, the second distance being greater than the first distance.

10. The relay as in claim 9, wherein the inclined surface is formed by a frustoconical member and each of the direction indicators is an arrow cut out of the first and second vehicle track segments.

11. The relay as in claim 9, wherein the first distance is less than a height of a toy vehicle traveling on the first vehicle track segment, wherein the toy vehicle is a 1: 50 scale model or less.

12. The relay as in claim 11, wherein movement of the trigger between the first position and the second position is in a first plane and movement of the toy vehicle on the first vehicle track segment is in a second plane, wherein the first plane and the second plane are not parallel to each other.

13. The relay segment as in claim 1, wherein the launching element simultaneously launches the toy vehicle and another vehicle from the relay segment when the trigger is moved from the first position to the second position.

14. The relay as in claim 1, wherein the launching element further comprises a plurality of mechanisms, each of the mechanisms being sequentially launched after a first mechanism of the plurality of mechanisms is launched, the first mechanism being launched when the trigger is moved from the first position to the second position and a last mechanism of the plurality of mechanisms launching the toy vehicle from the relay.

15. An interchangeable toy track set comprising:

a plurality of interchangeable relay segments, each of the relay segments being connectable to one another to form a plurality of variations of the toy track set, the plurality of interchangeable relay segments each comprising:

a trigger adjacent a first vehicle track segment movably secured to the relay segment, the first vehicle track segment pivotally mounted to the relay segment for movement relative to the relay segment, the trigger movable between a first position and a second position; and

16. The interchangeable toy track set as in claim 15, wherein the inclined surface is formed by a frustoconical member and the first distance is less than a height of a toy vehicle traveling on the first vehicle track segment, wherein the toy vehicle is a 1: 50 scale model or less.

17. The interchangeable toy track set as in claim 15, wherein the trigger further comprises a manual release for moving the trigger from the first position to the second position.

18. The interchangeable toy track set as in claim 15, wherein at least one of the plurality of interchangeable relay segments further comprises a second vehicle track segment for defining a travel path of the toy vehicle launched by the launching element, and wherein the second vehicle track segment is configured to be releasably secured to the first vehicle track segment of another one of the plurality of interchangeable relay segments such that the travel path of the toy vehicle launched by the launching element contacts the trigger of the another one of the plurality of interchangeable relay segments to move the trigger from the first position to the second position.

19. The interchangeable toy track set as in claim 18, wherein the first vehicle track segment and the second vehicle track segment each have a directional indicator integrally molded therein, wherein the directional indicator of the first vehicle track segment indicates a path of travel toward the trigger and the directional indicator of the second vehicle track segment indicates a path of travel away from the relay segment.

20. The interchangeable toy track set as in claim 19, wherein each of the directional indicators is an arrow cut out of the first vehicle track segment and the second vehicle track segment.

21. The interchangeable toy track set as in claim 15, wherein the launching element of at least one of the plurality of interchangeable relay segments is a spring biased member that is held in a retracted position when the trigger is in the first position, the spring biased member being released from the retracted position when the trigger is moved to the second position and the spring biased member launches the toy vehicle along a second vehicle track segment, the first vehicle track segment and the second vehicle track segment each having a directional indicator integrally molded therein, wherein the directional indicator of the first vehicle track segment indicates a path of travel toward the trigger and the directional indicator of the second vehicle track segment indicates a path of travel away from the relay segment.

22. The interchangeable toy track set as in claim 21, wherein each of the directional indicators is an arrow cut out of the first vehicle track segment and the second vehicle track segment.

23. The interchangeable toy track set as in claim 15, wherein the actuating element of at least one of the plurality of interchangeable relay segments further comprises a plurality of mechanisms, each of the plurality of mechanisms being sequentially actuated after actuation of a first mechanism of the plurality of mechanisms, the first mechanism being actuated when the trigger is moved from the first position to the second position and a last mechanism of the plurality of mechanisms actuating the toy vehicle from the relay segment, the first distance of the at least one of the plurality of interchangeable relay segments being less than a height of a toy vehicle traveling on the first vehicle track segment, wherein the toy vehicle is a 1: 50 scale model or less and movement of the trigger of the at least one of the plurality of interchangeable relay segments between the first position and the second position is in a first plane, and movement of the toy vehicle on the first vehicle track segment is in a second plane, wherein the first plane and the second plane are not parallel to each other.

24. The interchangeable toy track set as in claim 15, wherein the plurality of interchangeable relay segments are each configured to be positioned at a beginning, middle, or end of the toy track set.

25. An interchangeable toy track set comprising:

a launching element for launching a toy vehicle from the relay segments when the trigger is moved from the first position to the second position, wherein at least one of the plurality of interchangeable relay segments further comprises a second vehicle track segment for defining a travel path of the toy vehicle launched by the launching element, and wherein the second vehicle track segment is configured to be releasably secured to the first vehicle track segment of another one of the plurality of interchangeable relay segments such that the travel path of the toy vehicle launched by the launching element contacts the trigger of the another one of the plurality of interchangeable relay segments to move the trigger from the first position to the second position, and the interchangeable toy track arrangement further comprises an activation device having a trigger mechanism, the trigger mechanism is disposed over a groove member for receiving a portion of the second vehicle track segment therein, the trigger mechanism configured to move between a first trigger position and a second trigger position, wherein movement of the trigger mechanism from the first trigger position to the second trigger position causes the activation device to activate.

26. The interchangeable toy track set as in claim 25, wherein the first vehicle track segment and the second vehicle track segment each have a directional indicator integrally molded therein, wherein the directional indicator of the first vehicle track segment indicates a path of travel toward the trigger and the directional indicator of the second vehicle track segment indicates a path of travel away from the relay.

27. A method for actuating a plurality of interchangeable relay segments of a toy track set, the method comprising:

a trigger to actuate one relay segment of the plurality of interchangeable relay segments, the one relay segment coupled to at least one other relay segment of the plurality of interchangeable relay segments, wherein actuation of the trigger causes a toy vehicle to be launched toward another relay segment of the plurality of interchangeable relay segments, the plurality of interchangeable relay segments each comprising: a trigger and a launching element, the trigger being adjacent to a first vehicle track segment movably secured to the relay segment, the first vehicle track segment being coupled to the relay segment, the trigger being movable between a first position and a second position; the launching element is to launch a toy vehicle from the relay segment when the trigger is moved from the first position to the second position, wherein the trigger to initiate the another one of the plurality of interchangeable relay segments to move from the first position to the second position toward the toy vehicle where the another one of the plurality of interchangeable relay segments is launched.