US20180229136A1 - Diverter for Toy Vehicle Track - Google Patents
Diverter for Toy Vehicle Track Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20180229136A1 US20180229136A1 US15/895,108 US201815895108A US2018229136A1 US 20180229136 A1 US20180229136 A1 US 20180229136A1 US 201815895108 A US201815895108 A US 201815895108A US 2018229136 A1 US2018229136 A1 US 2018229136A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- track
- diverter
- toy vehicle
- wall
- slot
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
- A63H18/00—Highways or trackways for toys; Propulsion by special interaction between vehicle and track
- A63H18/02—Construction or arrangement of the trackway
- A63H18/026—Start-finish mechanisms; Stop arrangements; Traffic lights; Barriers, or the like
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
- A63H18/00—Highways or trackways for toys; Propulsion by special interaction between vehicle and track
- A63H18/02—Construction or arrangement of the trackway
- A63H18/023—Track control means, e.g. switches
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
- A63H18/00—Highways or trackways for toys; Propulsion by special interaction between vehicle and track
- A63H18/08—Highways or trackways for toys; Propulsion by special interaction between vehicle and track with mechanical means for guiding or steering
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a track diverter for a toy vehicle track. More specifically, the invention relates to a track diverter that, when deployed, extends upward through the surface of a toy vehicle track to divert a toy vehicle along another path.
- toy vehicle track playsets include multiple different tracks, and users may direct or propel toy vehicles over or through the multiple different tracks.
- the user may decide which track the toy vehicle will travel by manually guiding (i.e., pushing the car down one or another) the toy vehicle along a toy vehicle track.
- the user may launch toy vehicles along the track via a launcher.
- the toy vehicle track playsets include a diverter that can be used to dictate which track of the toy vehicle track playset the user wishes the toy vehicle to travel without requiring the user to physically touch the toy vehicle.
- these conventional toy vehicle track diverters are often disposed on or along the toy vehicle tracks such that they are always present within the pathways of at least one of the toy vehicle tracks to prevent a toy vehicle from traveling along that specific track.
- the diverter switches between tracks, where the diverter either blocks a first track to guide a toy vehicle along the second track, or blocks the second track to guide the toy vehicle along the first track.
- a toy vehicle track playset with a track diverter that is capable of diverting a toy vehicle along a chosen track path by being deployed upward through the surface of a toy vehicle track. Moreover, it would be desirable for a track diverter that does not require one of the pathways to be blocked at any given time.
- the toy vehicle playset includes a first track, a second track, a slot, and a diverter mechanism.
- the first track includes a first end and a second end, while the second track includes a third end and a fourth end.
- the first end of the first track is disposed adjacent to the third end of the second track.
- the slot is disposed between the first end of the first track and the third end of the second track.
- the diverter mechanism is operatively coupled to the first and second tracks.
- the diverter mechanism further includes a diverter wall that includes a top edge and a first surface.
- the diverter wall is reconfigurable between a stowed position and a deployed position, where the diverter wall slides through the slot when reconfiguring between the positions. In the stowed position, the top edge of the diverter wall is disposed within the slot and the first surface is unexposed. In the deployed position, the top edge of the diverter wall is disposed above the slot and the first surface is exposed.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a first embodiment of a toy vehicle track playset according to the present invention.
- FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of the first curved portion of the embodiment of the toy vehicle track playset illustrated in FIG. 1 , the track diverter oriented in a stowed position.
- FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective view of the first curved portion of the embodiment of the toy vehicle track playset illustrated in FIG. 1 , the track diverter oriented in a stowed position.
- FIG. 2C illustrates a perspective view of the first curved portion of the embodiment of the toy vehicle track playset illustrated in FIG. 1 , the track diverter oriented in a deployed position.
- FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a second embodiment of a toy vehicle track playset according to the present invention.
- FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the first curved portion of the embodiment of the toy vehicle track playset illustrated in FIG. 3 , the track diverter oriented in a deployed position.
- FIG. 5A illustrates a side view of the lever of the diverter mechanism of the embodiment of the toy vehicle track playset illustrated in FIG. 3 , the lever oriented in the deployed position.
- FIG. 5B illustrates a bottom view of the diverter mechanism of the embodiment of the toy vehicle track playset illustrated in FIG. 3 , the diverter mechanism oriented in the deployed position.
- FIG. 6A illustrates a side view of the lever of the diverter mechanism of the embodiment of the toy vehicle track playset illustrated in FIG. 3 , the lever oriented in the stowed position.
- FIG. 6B illustrates a bottom view of the diverter mechanism of the embodiment of the toy vehicle track playset illustrated in FIG. 3 , the diverter mechanism oriented in the stowed position.
- the present invention disclosed herein is track diverter for a toy vehicle track that, when deployed, extends upwardly through the surface of the track.
- the track diverter may be utilized with toy vehicle tracks or with toy vehicle track playsets to prevent a toy vehicle from traveling down one track while guiding a toy vehicle to travel along a second track.
- the track diverter is biased into the stowed position, where the track diverter does not extend upwardly through the surface of the track.
- the track diverter is biased into the deployed position, where the track divert extends upwardly through the surface of the track.
- the track diverter may be manually repositioned between the stowed position and the deployed position via actuation of a lever that is operatively coupled to the track diverter.
- the toy vehicle track playset 10 includes a first curved track portion 110 , a second curved track portion 160 , a first straight track portion 210 , a second straight track portion 220 , and an entry track portion 230 .
- the first curved track portion 110 , the second curved track portion 160 , the first straight track portion 210 , and the second straight track portion 220 are coupled to one another to form a continuous track loop 100 , where the entry track portion 230 can be used to launch a toy vehicle onto the continuous track loop 100 .
- the first curved track portion 110 is a substantially U-shaped track with a first end 112 and a second end 114 .
- the first curved track portion 110 further includes an inner wall 116 and an outer wall 118 .
- the first curved track portion 110 also includes an inner track segment 120 and an outer track segment 130 disposed between the inner and outer walls 116 , 118 .
- the inner and outer track segments 120 , 130 are disposed adjacent to one another and are divided or separated by a divider or median wall 140 .
- the inner track segment 120 includes a first end 122 and a second end 124 , where the first end 122 of the inner track segment 120 is disposed proximate to the first end 112 of the first curved track portion 110 and the second end 124 of the inner track segment 120 is disposed proximate to the second end 114 of the first curved track portion 110 .
- the inner track segment 120 further includes a track surface 126 configured to support a toy vehicle traveling along the pathway of the inner track segment 120 .
- the outer track segment 130 also includes a first end 132 and a second end 134 .
- the first end 132 of the outer track segment 130 is disposed proximate to the first end 112 of the first curved track portion 110 and the first end 122 of the inner track segment 120
- the second end 134 of the outer track segment 130 is disposed proximate to the second end 114 of the first curved track portion 110 and the second end 124 of the inner track segment 120
- the outer track segment 130 further includes a track surface 136 configured to support a toy vehicle traveling along the pathway of the outer track segment 136 .
- the track surface 136 of the outer track segment 130 is angled with respect to the track surface 126 of the inner track segment 120 .
- the outer track segment 130 is banked or inclined with respect to the inner track segment 120 .
- the median wall 140 is configured to separate the outer track segment 130 from the inner track segment 120 .
- the median wall 140 prevents a toy vehicle traveling along the inner track segment 120 from transferring onto the outer track segment 130 , and also prevents a toy vehicle traveling along the outer track segment 130 from transferring onto the inner track segment 120 .
- the median wall 140 includes a first end 142 and a second end 144 .
- the first end 142 of the median wall 140 is spaced from the first ends 122 , 132 of the inner and outer track segments 120 , 130 , respectively, while the second end 144 of the median wall 140 is disposed proximate to the second ends 124 , 134 of the inner and outer track segments 120 , 130 , respectively.
- the second end 144 of the median wall 140 is disposed proximate to the second ends 124 , 134 of the inner and outer track segments 120 , 130 , respectively, where the second ends 124 , 134 of the inner and outer track segments 120 , 130 merge or intersect with one another.
- the first end 142 of the median wall 140 is spaced from the first ends 122 , 132 of the inner and outer track segments 120 , 130 , respectively, where the first ends 122 , 132 of the inner and outer track segments 120 , 130 merge or intersect with one another at a location spaced from the first end 142 of the median wall 140 .
- the median wall 140 is shorter in length than the inner and outer track segments 120 , 130 .
- a slot 146 that is formed in the track surface.
- the slot 146 is aligned with the median wall 140 and is disposed on the first curved track portion 110 at the intersection or merger of the first end 122 of the inner track segment 120 and the first end 132 of the outer track segment 130 .
- the slot 146 extends from the first end 142 of the median wall 140 to the outer wall 118 (see FIG. 2A ) of the first curved track portion 110 .
- the slot 146 splits the first end 122 of the inner track segment 120 from the first end 132 of the outer track segment 130 .
- the slot 146 may be disposed in the track surface 126 of the inner track segment 120 , the track surface 136 of the outer track segment 130 , or both the track surfaces 126 , 136 of the inner and outer track segments 120 , 130 , respectively.
- the first curved track portion 110 is raised off of a support surface via a series of pillars. While FIG. 1 only illustrates a first pillar 150 and a second pillar 152 , additional pillars may be utilized by the toy vehicle track set 10 to raise the first curved track portion 110 from the support surface. Thus, the pillars 150 , 152 raise the track surfaces 126 , 136 of the inner and outer track segments 120 , 130 , respectively, from the support surface.
- FIG. 1 further illustrates a second curved track portion 160 .
- the second curved track portion 160 is a substantially U-shaped track with a first end 162 and a second end 164 .
- the second curved track portion 160 only includes one pathway between the first and second ends 162 , 164 of the second curved track portion 160 .
- the booster mechanism 170 includes a base 172 , a central hub 174 centrally disposed on the base 172 and configured to rotate about a vertical axis A that extends coaxially through the hub 174 and the base 172 .
- the booster mechanism 170 further includes a first arm 180 and a second arm 190 that are coupled to the hub 174 in offset positions such that the first arm 180 and the second arm 190 are oriented opposite of one another (i.e., the first arm 180 extends in a first direction from the hub 174 and the second arm 190 extends in a second opposite direction from the hub 174 ).
- the first arm 180 includes a proximal end 182 and a distal end 184 .
- the distal end 182 is coupled to the central hub 174 , and a contact member 186 is disposed on the distal end 186 .
- the second arm 190 also includes a proximal end 192 and a distal end 194 , where the distal end 192 of the second arm 190 is coupled to the central hub and where a contact member 196 is disposed on the distal end 192 of the second arm 190 .
- the arms 180 , 190 also rotate about axis A because the proximal ends 182 , 192 of the arms 180 , 190 , respectively, are coupled to the central hub 174 .
- Each of the arms 180 , 190 is of a length that contact members 186 , 196 of the arms 180 , 190 , respectively, are guided along the second curved track portion 160 between the first and second ends 162 , 164 when the central hub 174 rotates about axis A.
- the contact members 186 , 196 are configured to contact and propel along the second curved track portion 160 any toy vehicles that are disposed on the second curved track portion 160 as the arms 180 , 190 rotate about axis A.
- the second curved track portion 160 includes a swing gate 200 that includes a first end 202 and a second end 204 .
- the swing gate 200 is disposed on the second curved track portion 160 proximate to the second end 164 of the second curved track portion 160 .
- the swing gate 200 is configured to rotate about a substantially vertical axis B that extends through the second end 204 of the swing gate 200 .
- the swing gate 200 is repositionable or movable between a first position where the swing gate 200 is aligned with, and forms a portion of, the outer wall of the second curved track portion 160 and a second position where the first end 202 of the swing gate 200 is in contact with the inner wall of the second curved track portion 160 .
- first curved track portion 110 and the second curved track portion 160 are coupled to one another via the first and second straight track portions 210 , 220 .
- the first straight track portion 210 includes a first end 212 and a second end 214
- the second straight track portion 220 also includes a first end 222 and a second end 224 .
- the first end 212 of the first straight track portion 210 is coupled to the second end 164 of the second curved track portion 160
- the second end 214 of the first straight track portion 210 is coupled to the first end 112 of the first curved track portion 110 .
- first end 222 of the second straight track portion 220 is coupled to the second end 114 of the first curved track portion 110
- the second end 224 of the second straight track portion 220 is coupled to the first end 162 of the second curved track portion 160 .
- FIG. 1 further illustrates that the toy vehicle track playset 10 also includes an entry track 230 that is coupled to the second curved track portion 160 proximate to the second end 164 of the second curved track portion 160 and the swing gate 200 of the second curved track portion 160 .
- the entry track 230 is substantially linear with a first end 232 and a second end 234 , where the first end 232 of the entry track 230 is coupled to the second curved track portion 160 at the swing gate 200 .
- the entry track 230 also includes a launcher 236 coupled to the second end 234 of the entry track 230 , where the launcher 236 is configured to launch a toy vehicle from the entry track 230 , through the swing gate 200 , and onto the continuous loop formed by the first and second curved track portions 110 , 160 and the first and second straight track portions 210 , 220 .
- the diverter mechanism 300 includes a diverter wall 310 and a lever 330 . While not illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, and 2C , a linkage arm 340 may operatively couple the diverter wall 310 with the lever 330 such that movement of the lever 330 causes the diverter wall to change positions. As illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C , the diverter wall 310 is repositionable between a stowed position C and a deployed position D, where the diverter wall 310 slides through the slot 146 of the first curved track portion 110 between positions. FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate the diverter wall 310 in the stowed position C, while FIG. 2C illustrate the diverter wall 310 in the deployed position D.
- the diverter wall 310 includes a first end 312 , an opposite second end 314 , a top edge 316 , and a contact surface 320 .
- the first end 312 of the diverter wall 310 is disposed proximate to the outer wall 118 of the first curved track portion 110
- the second end 314 of the diverter wall 310 is disposed proximate to the first end 142 of the median wall 140 .
- the top edge 316 and the contact surface 320 span between the first end 312 of the diverter wall 310 to the second end 314 of the diverter wall 310 .
- the top edge 316 of the diverter wall 310 is disposed in the slot 146 and aligned with the track surface 126 of the inner track segment 120 and the track surface 136 of the outer track segment 130 . Furthermore, when the diverter wall 310 is in the stowed position C, the contact surface 320 of the diverter wall 310 is hidden and disposed below the track surfaces 126 , 136 of the inner and outer track segments 120 , 130 , respectively. Thus, as best illustrated in FIG.
- the diverter wall 310 may be biased into the stowed position C, where the lever 330 is disposed adjacent to, or in abutment with the outer wall 118 of the first curved track portion 110 .
- the diverter wall 310 may be biased to the stowed position C via any conventional means, including, but not limited to, gravity being imparted onto the diverter wall 310 , a resilient member, etc.
- the diverter wall 310 may be repositioned from the stowed position C to the deployed position D by actuation of the lever 330 , where the lever 330 is moved away from the outer wall 118 of the first curved track portion 110 .
- the diverter wall 310 is extended upward or raised through the slot 146 such that the top edge 316 is disposed above the track surfaces 126 , 136 of the inner and outer track segments 120 , 130 (i.e., the top edge 136 is no longer aligned with the track surfaces 126 , 136 of the inner and outer track segments 120 , 130 ).
- the contact surface 320 of the diverter wall 310 is exposed.
- the diverter wall 310 When the diverter wall 310 is positioned in the deployed position D, the diverter wall 310 separates the first end 132 of the outer track segment 130 from the first end 122 of the inner track segment 122 and the first end 112 of the first curved track portion 110 . Because the diverter wall 310 in the deployed position D is aligned with the median wall 140 (i.e., the second end 314 of the diverter wall 310 is disposed adjacent to the first end 142 of the median wall 140 ), and because the first end 312 of the diverter wall 310 is disposed proximate to the outer wall 118 of the first curved track portion 110 , the diverter wall 310 in the deployed position D prevents toy vehicles traveling onto the first curved track portion 110 from entering the outer track segment 130 .
- FIGS. 3, 4, 5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B illustrated is a second embodiment of the toy vehicle track playset 1000 .
- the second embodiment of the toy vehicle playset 1000 is substantially similar to that of toy vehicle playset 10 , where the toy vehicle playset 1000 includes a first curved track portion 1110 , a second curved track portion 1160 , a first straight track portion 1210 , a second straight track portion 1220 , and an entry track 1230 , where the first curved track portion 1110 , second curved track portion 1160 , first straight track portion 1210 , and second straight track portion 1220 form a continuous loop track 1100 around which a toy vehicle 1500 is capable of traveling along.
- the diverter mechanism 1300 of the second toy vehicle track playset 1000 differs from that of the diverter mechanism 300 of the first embodiment of the toy vehicle track playset 10 .
- the diverter mechanism 1300 is disposed on the first curved portion 1110 of the toy vehicle track playset 1000 .
- the first curved track portion 1110 is a substantially U-shaped track with a first end 1112 and a second end 1114 .
- the first curved track portion 1110 further includes an inner wall 1116 and an outer wall 1118 .
- the first curved track portion 1110 also includes an inner track segment 1120 and an outer track segment 1130 disposed between the inner and outer walls 1116 , 1118 .
- the inner and outer track segments 1120 , 1130 are disposed adjacent to one another and are divided or separated by a median wall 1140 .
- the inner track segment 1120 includes a first end 1122 and a second end 1124 , where the first end 1122 of the inner track segment 1120 is disposed proximate to the first end 1112 of the first curved track portion 1110 and the second end 1124 of the inner track segment 1120 is disposed proximate to the second end 1114 of the first curved track portion 1110 .
- the inner track segment 1120 further includes a track surface 1126 configured to support a toy vehicle 1500 traveling over and along the inner track segment 1120 .
- the outer track segment 1130 also includes a first end 1132 and a second end 1134 .
- the first end 1132 of the outer track segment 1130 is disposed proximate to the first end 1112 of the first curved track portion 1110 and the first end 1122 of the inner track segment 1120
- the second end 1134 of the outer track segment 1130 is disposed proximate to the second end 1114 of the first curved track portion 1110 and the second end 1124 of the inner track segment 1120
- the outer track segment 1130 further includes a track surface 1136 configured to support a toy vehicle traveling over and along the outer track segment 1130 .
- the track surface 1136 of the outer track segment 1130 is angled with respect to the track surface 1126 of the inner track segment 1120 .
- the outer track segment 1130 is banked or inclined with respect to the inner track segment 1120 .
- the first curved track portion 1110 of the second embodiment of the toy vehicle track playset 1000 includes a median wall 1140 that separates a portion of the outer track segment 1130 from the inner track segment 1140 , like that of the median wall 140 of the first embodiment of the toy vehicle track playset 10 .
- the median wall 1140 includes a first end 1142 and a second end 1144 .
- the first end 1142 of the median wall 1140 is spaced from the first ends 1122 , 1132 of the inner and outer track segments 1120 , 1130 , respectively, while the second end 1144 of the median wall 1140 is disposed proximate to the second ends 1124 , 1134 of the inner and outer track segment 1120 , 1130 , respectively.
- the second end 1144 of the median wall 1140 is disposed proximate to the second ends 1124 , 1134 of the inner and outer track segments 1120 , 1130 , respectively, where the second ends 1124 , 1134 of the inner and outer track segments 1120 , 1130 merge or intersect with one another.
- the first end 1142 of the median wall 1140 is spaced from the first ends 1122 , 1132 of the inner and outer track segments 1120 , 1130 , respectively, where the first ends 1122 , 1132 of the inner and outer track segments 1120 , 1130 merge or intersect with one another at a location spaced from the first end 1142 of the median wall 1140 .
- the median wall 1140 is shorter in length than the inner and outer track segments 1120 , 1130 .
- a slot 1146 extending from the first end 1142 of the median wall 1140 is a slot 1146 .
- the slot 1146 is aligned with the median wall 1140 and is disposed on the first curved track portion 1110 at the intersection or merger of the first end 1122 of the inner track segment 1120 and the first end 1132 of the outer track segment 1130 .
- the slot 1146 extends from the first end 1142 of the median wall 1140 to the outer wall 1118 of the first curved track portion 1110 .
- the slot 1146 splits the first end 1122 of the inner track segment 1120 from the first end 1132 of the outer track segment 1130 .
- the slot 1146 may be disposed in the track surface 1126 of the inner track segment 1120 , the track surface 1136 of the outer track segment 1130 , or both the track surfaces 1126 , 1136 of the inner and outer track segments 1120 , 1130 , respectively.
- the first curved track portion 1110 of the second toy vehicle track set 1000 includes a platform 1350 that extends outwardly from inner wall 1116 of the first curved track portion 1110 .
- the platform 1350 is disposed more proximate to the first end 1112 of the first curved track portion 1110 than the second end 1114 of the first curved track portion 1110 .
- the diverter mechanism 1300 is movably coupled to the first curved track portion 1110 via the platform 1350 .
- the diverter mechanism 1300 is disposed on the first curved track portion 1110 proximate to the first end 1112 of the first curved track portion 1110 and the platform 1350 .
- the diverter mechanism 1300 includes a diverter wall 1310 , a lever 1330 , and a linkage arm 1340 .
- the diverter wall 1310 is repositionable between a deployed position G, illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5A , and 5 B, and a stowed position H, illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B .
- the second embodiment of the diverter wall 1310 is biased to the deployed position G.
- the diverter wall 1310 slides through the slot 1146 of the first curved track portion 1110 .
- the diverter wall 1310 includes a first end 1312 , an opposite second end 1314 , and a top edge 1316 , as illustrated in FIG. 4 .
- FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B further illustrate that the diverter wall 1310 also includes a bottom 1318 .
- the second embodiment of the diverter wall 1310 further includes a contact surface 1320 like that of the first embodiment of the diverter wall 310 .
- the first end 1312 of the diverter wall 1310 is disposed proximate to the outer wall 1118 of the first curved track portion 1110
- the second end 1314 of the diverter wall 1310 is disposed proximate to the first end 1142 of the median wall 1140 .
- the top edge 1316 , the bottom 1318 , and the contact surface 1320 span between the first end 1312 of the diverter wall 1310 and the second end 1314 of the diverter wall 1310 .
- the linkage arm 1340 of the diverter mechanism 1300 couples the lever 1330 to the diverter wall 1310 , while also movably coupling the lever 1330 and the diverter wall 1310 to the bottom side of the first curved track portion 1110 .
- the linkage arm 1340 is elongated with a proximal end 1342 and a distal end 1344 .
- the proximal end 1342 of the linkage arm 1340 is coupled to the bottom surface 1318 of the diverter wall 1310 at a location disposed equidistant from the first and second ends 1312 , 1314 of the diverter wall 1310 .
- the lever 1330 is also coupled to the proximal end 1342 of the linkage arm 1340 , such that the lever 1330 extends outwardly from the proximal end 1342 of the linkage arm 1340 .
- FIGS. 5B and 6B further illustrated that the distal end 1344 of the linkage arm 1340 is rotatably coupled to the bottom side of the platform 1350 of the first curved track portion 1110 .
- the distal end 1344 of the linkage arm 1340 is coupled to the platform 1350 such that the linkage arm 1340 extends across the bottom surface of the first curved track portion 1110 , and the lever 1330 extends through the elongated opening 1332 disposed on the first support pillar 1150 of the first curved track portion 1110 .
- the linkage arm 1340 is of a length that positions the diverter wall 1310 in the slot 1146 of the first curved track portion 1110 .
- the distal end 1344 of the linkage arm 1340 is rotatably coupled to the bottom surface of the platform 1350 via a rotational shaft 1348 that extends through both the distal end 1344 of the linkage arm 1340 and the platform 1350 .
- the rotational shaft 1348 further extends through a resilient member or biasing spring 1346 that is at least partially coupled to the proximal end 1344 of the linkage arm 1340 and at least partially coupled to the bottom surface of the platform 1350 , such that the biasing spring 1346 at least partially wraps around rotational shaft 1348 .
- the biasing spring 1346 is configured to bias the linkage arm 1340 , and thus, the diverter wall 1310 and the lever 1330 to the deployed position G, as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, 5A, and 5B .
- the linkage arm 1340 rotates about axis J that extends coaxially through the rotational shaft 1348 .
- the diverter mechanism 1340 is biased to the deployed position G, where the diverter wall 1310 extends upwardly through the slot 1146 in the first curved track portion 1110 .
- the top edge 1316 is raised above the slot 1146 and the track surfaces 1126 , 1136 of the inner and outer track segments 1120 , 1130 , respectively.
- the diverter wall 1310 in the deployed position G is aligned with the median wall 1140 (i.e., the second end 1314 of the diverter wall 1310 is disposed adjacent to the first end 1142 of the median wall 1140 ), and because the first end 1312 of the diverter wall 1310 is disposed proximate to the outer wall 1118 of the first curved track portion 1110 , the diverter wall 1310 in the deployed position G prevents toy vehicles traveling onto the first end 1112 of the first curved track portion 1110 from entering the outer track segment 1130 .
- the diverter wall 1310 separates the first end 1132 of the outer track segment 1130 from the first end 1122 of the inner track segment 1122 and the first end 1112 of the first curved track portion 1110 . It then follows that when the diverter wall 1310 is in the deployed position G, the toy vehicle 1500 would contact the contact surface 1320 of the diverter wall 1310 and be directed onto the inner track segment 1120 of the first curved track portion 1110 . In other words, the toy vehicle track playset 1000 is biased to cause the toy vehicle 1500 to travel through the first curved track portion 1110 via the inner track segment 1120 .
- the bottom 1318 of the diverter wall 1310 is disposed adjacent to the slot 1146 and adjacent to the bottom surface of the first curved track portion 1110 .
- the linkage arm 1340 is also disposed adjacent to the bottom surface of the first curved track portion 1110 .
- the linkage arm 1340 and the bottom 1318 of the diverter wall 1310 may be at least partially disposed within the bottom surface of the first curved track portion 1110 .
- the lever 1330 is disposed near the top end 1334 of the elongated opening 1332 disposed in the first support pillar 1150 .
- a user may press or move the lever 1330 of the diverter mechanism 1300 from the position illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B to the position illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B .
- the lever 1330 may be repositioned from being disposed proximate to the top end 1334 of the elongated opening 1332 to being disposed proximate to the bottom end 1336 of the elongated opening 1332 disposed in the first support pillar 1150 .
- actuation of the lever 1330 i.e., moving the lever 1330 from the position illustrated in FIG. 5A to the position illustrated in FIG.
- the bottom edge 1318 of the diverter wall 1310 is moved downwardly away from the bottom surface of the first curved track portion 1110 and the slot 1146 .
- Downward movement of the lever 1330 simultaneously causes the linkage arm 1340 to rotate about the axis J such that the proximal end 1342 rotates away from the bottom surface of the first curved track portion 1110 .
- the diverter wall 1310 is lowered through the slot 1146 such that the top edge 1316 of the diverter wall 1310 is disposed within the slot 1146 and aligned with the track surface 1126 of the inner track segment 1120 and the track surface 1136 of the outer track segment 1130 .
- lowering the lever 1330 from a location disposed proximate to the top end 1334 of the elongated opening 1332 to be disposed proximate to the bottom end 1336 of the elongated opening 1332 repositions the diverter mechanism 1300 , and thus, the diverter wall 1310 , from the deployed position G to the stowed position H.
- the contact surface 1320 of the diverter wall 1310 is hidden and disposed below the track surfaces 1126 , 1136 of the inner and outer track segments 1120 , 1130 , respectively.
- a toy vehicle 1500 traveling onto the first end 1112 of the first curved track portion 1110 from the first straight track portion 1210 would travel past the first end 1122 of the inner track segment 1120 , over the slot 1146 and the top edge 1316 of the diverter wall 1310 , and onto the outer track segment 1130 .
- positioning the diverter wall 1310 into the stowed position H causes the toy vehicle 1500 to travel through the first curved track portion 1110 via the outer track segment 1130 .
- the toy vehicle track playset 1000 requires a user to actively cause the toy vehicle 1500 to travel through the first curved track portion 1110 via the outer track segment 1130 .
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Abstract
A toy vehicle playset includes a first track, a second track, a slot, and a diverter mechanism. The first track includes a first end and a second end. The second track includes a third end and a fourth end. The slot is disposed between the first end of the first track and the third end of the second track, where the first end is adjacent to the third end. The diverter mechanism is operatively coupled to the tracks and includes a diverter wall with a top edge and a first surface. The diverter wall is reconfigurable between a stowed position and a deployed position by sliding through the slot. In the stowed position, the top edge of the diverter wall is disposed within the slot and the first surface is unexposed. In the deployed position, the top edge is disposed above the slot and the first surface is exposed.
Description
- This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/459,201, filed Feb. 15, 2017, entitled “Diverter for Toy Vehicle Track,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.
- The present invention relates to a track diverter for a toy vehicle track. More specifically, the invention relates to a track diverter that, when deployed, extends upward through the surface of a toy vehicle track to divert a toy vehicle along another path.
- A common way for children to play with toy vehicles is with a toy vehicle track playset. Often, toy vehicle track playsets include multiple different tracks, and users may direct or propel toy vehicles over or through the multiple different tracks. With some play patterns, the user may decide which track the toy vehicle will travel by manually guiding (i.e., pushing the car down one or another) the toy vehicle along a toy vehicle track. With other play patterns, the user may launch toy vehicles along the track via a launcher. With these play patterns, the toy vehicle track playsets include a diverter that can be used to dictate which track of the toy vehicle track playset the user wishes the toy vehicle to travel without requiring the user to physically touch the toy vehicle. However, these conventional toy vehicle track diverters are often disposed on or along the toy vehicle tracks such that they are always present within the pathways of at least one of the toy vehicle tracks to prevent a toy vehicle from traveling along that specific track. In some cases, the diverter switches between tracks, where the diverter either blocks a first track to guide a toy vehicle along the second track, or blocks the second track to guide the toy vehicle along the first track. These types of track diverters, however, are often cumbersome and unaesthetic to the toy vehicle track playset.
- Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a toy vehicle track playset with a track diverter that is capable of diverting a toy vehicle along a chosen track path by being deployed upward through the surface of a toy vehicle track. Moreover, it would be desirable for a track diverter that does not require one of the pathways to be blocked at any given time.
- An improved toy vehicle playset is disclosed herein. The toy vehicle playset includes a first track, a second track, a slot, and a diverter mechanism. The first track includes a first end and a second end, while the second track includes a third end and a fourth end. The first end of the first track is disposed adjacent to the third end of the second track. The slot is disposed between the first end of the first track and the third end of the second track. The diverter mechanism is operatively coupled to the first and second tracks. The diverter mechanism further includes a diverter wall that includes a top edge and a first surface. The diverter wall is reconfigurable between a stowed position and a deployed position, where the diverter wall slides through the slot when reconfiguring between the positions. In the stowed position, the top edge of the diverter wall is disposed within the slot and the first surface is unexposed. In the deployed position, the top edge of the diverter wall is disposed above the slot and the first surface is exposed.
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FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a first embodiment of a toy vehicle track playset according to the present invention. -
FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of the first curved portion of the embodiment of the toy vehicle track playset illustrated inFIG. 1 , the track diverter oriented in a stowed position. -
FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective view of the first curved portion of the embodiment of the toy vehicle track playset illustrated inFIG. 1 , the track diverter oriented in a stowed position. -
FIG. 2C illustrates a perspective view of the first curved portion of the embodiment of the toy vehicle track playset illustrated inFIG. 1 , the track diverter oriented in a deployed position. -
FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a second embodiment of a toy vehicle track playset according to the present invention. -
FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the first curved portion of the embodiment of the toy vehicle track playset illustrated inFIG. 3 , the track diverter oriented in a deployed position. -
FIG. 5A illustrates a side view of the lever of the diverter mechanism of the embodiment of the toy vehicle track playset illustrated inFIG. 3 , the lever oriented in the deployed position. -
FIG. 5B illustrates a bottom view of the diverter mechanism of the embodiment of the toy vehicle track playset illustrated inFIG. 3 , the diverter mechanism oriented in the deployed position. -
FIG. 6A illustrates a side view of the lever of the diverter mechanism of the embodiment of the toy vehicle track playset illustrated inFIG. 3 , the lever oriented in the stowed position. -
FIG. 6B illustrates a bottom view of the diverter mechanism of the embodiment of the toy vehicle track playset illustrated inFIG. 3 , the diverter mechanism oriented in the stowed position. - Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elements throughout this disclosure.
- The present invention disclosed herein is track diverter for a toy vehicle track that, when deployed, extends upwardly through the surface of the track. The track diverter may be utilized with toy vehicle tracks or with toy vehicle track playsets to prevent a toy vehicle from traveling down one track while guiding a toy vehicle to travel along a second track. In one embodiment, the track diverter is biased into the stowed position, where the track diverter does not extend upwardly through the surface of the track. In another embodiment, the track diverter is biased into the deployed position, where the track divert extends upwardly through the surface of the track. The track diverter may be manually repositioned between the stowed position and the deployed position via actuation of a lever that is operatively coupled to the track diverter.
- Illustrated in
FIG. 1 is an embodiment of a toyvehicle track playset 10 in accordance with the present invention. The toyvehicle track playset 10 includes a firstcurved track portion 110, a secondcurved track portion 160, a firststraight track portion 210, a secondstraight track portion 220, and anentry track portion 230. The firstcurved track portion 110, the secondcurved track portion 160, the firststraight track portion 210, and the secondstraight track portion 220 are coupled to one another to form acontinuous track loop 100, where theentry track portion 230 can be used to launch a toy vehicle onto thecontinuous track loop 100. - As illustrated in
FIG. 1 , the firstcurved track portion 110 is a substantially U-shaped track with afirst end 112 and asecond end 114. The firstcurved track portion 110 further includes aninner wall 116 and anouter wall 118. The firstcurved track portion 110 also includes aninner track segment 120 and anouter track segment 130 disposed between the inner andouter walls outer track segments median wall 140. Theinner track segment 120 includes afirst end 122 and asecond end 124, where thefirst end 122 of theinner track segment 120 is disposed proximate to thefirst end 112 of the firstcurved track portion 110 and thesecond end 124 of theinner track segment 120 is disposed proximate to thesecond end 114 of the firstcurved track portion 110. Theinner track segment 120 further includes atrack surface 126 configured to support a toy vehicle traveling along the pathway of theinner track segment 120. Theouter track segment 130 also includes afirst end 132 and asecond end 134. Similar to theinner track segment 120, thefirst end 132 of theouter track segment 130 is disposed proximate to thefirst end 112 of the firstcurved track portion 110 and thefirst end 122 of theinner track segment 120, while thesecond end 134 of theouter track segment 130 is disposed proximate to thesecond end 114 of the firstcurved track portion 110 and thesecond end 124 of theinner track segment 120. Theouter track segment 130 further includes atrack surface 136 configured to support a toy vehicle traveling along the pathway of theouter track segment 136. Moreover, as illustrated, thetrack surface 136 of theouter track segment 130 is angled with respect to thetrack surface 126 of theinner track segment 120. Thus, in the embodiment illustrated, theouter track segment 130 is banked or inclined with respect to theinner track segment 120. - As previously explained, the
median wall 140 is configured to separate theouter track segment 130 from theinner track segment 120. In other words, themedian wall 140 prevents a toy vehicle traveling along theinner track segment 120 from transferring onto theouter track segment 130, and also prevents a toy vehicle traveling along theouter track segment 130 from transferring onto theinner track segment 120. Themedian wall 140 includes afirst end 142 and asecond end 144. Thefirst end 142 of themedian wall 140 is spaced from the first ends 122, 132 of the inner andouter track segments second end 144 of themedian wall 140 is disposed proximate to the second ends 124, 134 of the inner andouter track segments second end 144 of themedian wall 140 is disposed proximate to the second ends 124, 134 of the inner andouter track segments outer track segments first end 142 of themedian wall 140 is spaced from the first ends 122, 132 of the inner andouter track segments outer track segments first end 142 of themedian wall 140. Thus, themedian wall 140 is shorter in length than the inner andouter track segments - As further illustrated, extending from the
first end 142 of themedian wall 140 is aslot 146 that is formed in the track surface. Theslot 146 is aligned with themedian wall 140 and is disposed on the firstcurved track portion 110 at the intersection or merger of thefirst end 122 of theinner track segment 120 and thefirst end 132 of theouter track segment 130. Moreover, theslot 146 extends from thefirst end 142 of themedian wall 140 to the outer wall 118 (seeFIG. 2A ) of the firstcurved track portion 110. Thus, theslot 146 splits thefirst end 122 of theinner track segment 120 from thefirst end 132 of theouter track segment 130. Theslot 146 may be disposed in thetrack surface 126 of theinner track segment 120, thetrack surface 136 of theouter track segment 130, or both the track surfaces 126, 136 of the inner andouter track segments - Continuing with
FIG. 1 , the firstcurved track portion 110 is raised off of a support surface via a series of pillars. WhileFIG. 1 only illustrates afirst pillar 150 and asecond pillar 152, additional pillars may be utilized by the toy vehicle track set 10 to raise the firstcurved track portion 110 from the support surface. Thus, thepillars outer track segments -
FIG. 1 further illustrates a secondcurved track portion 160. Similar to the firstcurved track portion 110, the secondcurved track portion 160 is a substantially U-shaped track with afirst end 162 and asecond end 164. However, unlike the firstcurved track portion 110, the secondcurved track portion 160 only includes one pathway between the first and second ends 162, 164 of the secondcurved track portion 160. - Coupled to the inner curvature of the second
curved track portion 160 is abooster mechanism 170. Thebooster mechanism 170 includes abase 172, acentral hub 174 centrally disposed on thebase 172 and configured to rotate about a vertical axis A that extends coaxially through thehub 174 and thebase 172. Thebooster mechanism 170 further includes afirst arm 180 and asecond arm 190 that are coupled to thehub 174 in offset positions such that thefirst arm 180 and thesecond arm 190 are oriented opposite of one another (i.e., thefirst arm 180 extends in a first direction from thehub 174 and thesecond arm 190 extends in a second opposite direction from the hub 174). Thefirst arm 180 includes aproximal end 182 and adistal end 184. Thedistal end 182 is coupled to thecentral hub 174, and acontact member 186 is disposed on thedistal end 186. Similarly, thesecond arm 190 also includes aproximal end 192 and adistal end 194, where thedistal end 192 of thesecond arm 190 is coupled to the central hub and where acontact member 196 is disposed on thedistal end 192 of thesecond arm 190. - As the
central hub 174 rotates with respect to the base 172 about axis A, thearms arms central hub 174. Each of thearms contact members arms curved track portion 160 between the first and second ends 162, 164 when thecentral hub 174 rotates about axis A. Thecontact members curved track portion 160 any toy vehicles that are disposed on the secondcurved track portion 160 as thearms - As further illustrated in
FIG. 1 , the secondcurved track portion 160 includes aswing gate 200 that includes afirst end 202 and asecond end 204. Theswing gate 200 is disposed on the secondcurved track portion 160 proximate to thesecond end 164 of the secondcurved track portion 160. Theswing gate 200 is configured to rotate about a substantially vertical axis B that extends through thesecond end 204 of theswing gate 200. Theswing gate 200 is repositionable or movable between a first position where theswing gate 200 is aligned with, and forms a portion of, the outer wall of the secondcurved track portion 160 and a second position where thefirst end 202 of theswing gate 200 is in contact with the inner wall of the secondcurved track portion 160. - Continuing with
FIG. 1 , the firstcurved track portion 110 and the secondcurved track portion 160 are coupled to one another via the first and secondstraight track portions straight track portion 210 includes afirst end 212 and asecond end 214, while the secondstraight track portion 220 also includes afirst end 222 and asecond end 224. As illustrated, thefirst end 212 of the firststraight track portion 210 is coupled to thesecond end 164 of the secondcurved track portion 160, while thesecond end 214 of the firststraight track portion 210 is coupled to thefirst end 112 of the firstcurved track portion 110. Moreover, thefirst end 222 of the secondstraight track portion 220 is coupled to thesecond end 114 of the firstcurved track portion 110, while thesecond end 224 of the secondstraight track portion 220 is coupled to thefirst end 162 of the secondcurved track portion 160. Thus, the coupling of the firstcurved track portion 110 with the secondcurved track portion 160 via the first and secondstraight track portions continuous loop track 100 for the toyvehicle track playset 10. -
FIG. 1 further illustrates that the toyvehicle track playset 10 also includes anentry track 230 that is coupled to the secondcurved track portion 160 proximate to thesecond end 164 of the secondcurved track portion 160 and theswing gate 200 of the secondcurved track portion 160. Theentry track 230 is substantially linear with afirst end 232 and asecond end 234, where thefirst end 232 of theentry track 230 is coupled to the secondcurved track portion 160 at theswing gate 200. Theentry track 230 also includes alauncher 236 coupled to thesecond end 234 of theentry track 230, where thelauncher 236 is configured to launch a toy vehicle from theentry track 230, through theswing gate 200, and onto the continuous loop formed by the first and secondcurved track portions straight track portions - Illustrated in
FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, and 2C is adiverter mechanism 300. Thediverter mechanism 300 includes adiverter wall 310 and alever 330. While not illustrated inFIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, and 2C , a linkage arm 340 may operatively couple thediverter wall 310 with thelever 330 such that movement of thelever 330 causes the diverter wall to change positions. As illustrated inFIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C , thediverter wall 310 is repositionable between a stowed position C and a deployed position D, where thediverter wall 310 slides through theslot 146 of the firstcurved track portion 110 between positions.FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate thediverter wall 310 in the stowed position C, whileFIG. 2C illustrate thediverter wall 310 in the deployed position D. - As best illustrated in
FIG. 2C , thediverter wall 310 includes afirst end 312, an oppositesecond end 314, atop edge 316, and acontact surface 320. Thefirst end 312 of thediverter wall 310 is disposed proximate to theouter wall 118 of the firstcurved track portion 110, while thesecond end 314 of thediverter wall 310 is disposed proximate to thefirst end 142 of themedian wall 140. Thetop edge 316 and thecontact surface 320 span between thefirst end 312 of thediverter wall 310 to thesecond end 314 of thediverter wall 310. - As illustrated in
FIGS. 2A and 2B , when thediverter wall 310 is in the stowed position C, thetop edge 316 of thediverter wall 310 is disposed in theslot 146 and aligned with thetrack surface 126 of theinner track segment 120 and thetrack surface 136 of theouter track segment 130. Furthermore, when thediverter wall 310 is in the stowed position C, thecontact surface 320 of thediverter wall 310 is hidden and disposed below the track surfaces 126, 136 of the inner andouter track segments FIG. 2B , when thediverter wall 310 is in the stowed position C, a toy vehicle traveling onto thefirst end 112 of the firstcurved track portion 110 from the firststraight track portion 210 would follow the path E around the firstcurved track portion 110. In other words, when thediverter wall 310 is in the stowed position C, the toy vehicle would travel past thefirst end 122 of theinner track segment 120, over theslot 146 and thetop edge 316 of thediverter wall 310, and onto theouter track segment 130. It then follows that positioning thediverter wall 310 into the stowed position C causes a toy vehicle to travel through the firstcurved track portion 110 via theouter track segment 130. - Moreover, the embodiment of the
diverter mechanism 300 illustrated inFIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, and 2C , thediverter wall 310 may be biased into the stowed position C, where thelever 330 is disposed adjacent to, or in abutment with theouter wall 118 of the firstcurved track portion 110. Thediverter wall 310 may be biased to the stowed position C via any conventional means, including, but not limited to, gravity being imparted onto thediverter wall 310, a resilient member, etc. However, thediverter wall 310 may be repositioned from the stowed position C to the deployed position D by actuation of thelever 330, where thelever 330 is moved away from theouter wall 118 of the firstcurved track portion 110. As thelever 330 of thediverter mechanism 300 is moved away from theouter wall 118 of the firstcurved track portion 110, thediverter wall 310 is extended upward or raised through theslot 146 such that thetop edge 316 is disposed above the track surfaces 126, 136 of the inner andouter track segments 120, 130 (i.e., thetop edge 136 is no longer aligned with the track surfaces 126, 136 of the inner andouter track segments 120, 130). Moreover, as thelever 330 of thediverter mechanism 300 is moved away from theouter wall 118 of the firstcurved track portion 110, thecontact surface 320 of thediverter wall 310 is exposed. - When the
diverter wall 310 is positioned in the deployed position D, thediverter wall 310 separates thefirst end 132 of theouter track segment 130 from thefirst end 122 of theinner track segment 122 and thefirst end 112 of the firstcurved track portion 110. Because thediverter wall 310 in the deployed position D is aligned with the median wall 140 (i.e., thesecond end 314 of thediverter wall 310 is disposed adjacent to thefirst end 142 of the median wall 140), and because thefirst end 312 of thediverter wall 310 is disposed proximate to theouter wall 118 of the firstcurved track portion 110, thediverter wall 310 in the deployed position D prevents toy vehicles traveling onto the firstcurved track portion 110 from entering theouter track segment 130. Thus, as best illustrated inFIG. 2C , when thediverter wall 310 is in the deployed position D, a toy vehicle traveling onto thefirst end 112 of the firstcurved track portion 110 from the firststraight track portion 210 would follow the path F around the firstcurved track portion 110. In other words, when thediverter wall 310 is in the deployed position D, the toy vehicle would contact thecontact surface 320 of thediverter wall 310 and be directed onto theinner track segment 120. Positioning thediverter wall 310 into the deployed position D causes a toy vehicle to travel through the firstcurved track portion 110 via theinner track segment 120. - Turning to
FIGS. 3, 4, 5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B , illustrated is a second embodiment of the toyvehicle track playset 1000. The second embodiment of thetoy vehicle playset 1000 is substantially similar to that oftoy vehicle playset 10, where thetoy vehicle playset 1000 includes a firstcurved track portion 1110, a secondcurved track portion 1160, a firststraight track portion 1210, a secondstraight track portion 1220, and anentry track 1230, where the firstcurved track portion 1110, secondcurved track portion 1160, firststraight track portion 1210, and secondstraight track portion 1220 form acontinuous loop track 1100 around which atoy vehicle 1500 is capable of traveling along. While the second embodiment of the toyvehicle track playset 1000 is substantially similar to that of the first embodiment of the toyvehicle track playset 10, thediverter mechanism 1300 of the second toyvehicle track playset 1000 differs from that of thediverter mechanism 300 of the first embodiment of the toyvehicle track playset 10. - As best illustrated in
FIGS. 3 and 4 , thediverter mechanism 1300 is disposed on the firstcurved portion 1110 of the toyvehicle track playset 1000. Similar to the first embodiment, the firstcurved track portion 1110 is a substantially U-shaped track with afirst end 1112 and asecond end 1114. The firstcurved track portion 1110 further includes aninner wall 1116 and anouter wall 1118. The firstcurved track portion 1110 also includes aninner track segment 1120 and anouter track segment 1130 disposed between the inner andouter walls outer track segments median wall 1140. Theinner track segment 1120 includes afirst end 1122 and asecond end 1124, where thefirst end 1122 of theinner track segment 1120 is disposed proximate to thefirst end 1112 of the firstcurved track portion 1110 and thesecond end 1124 of theinner track segment 1120 is disposed proximate to thesecond end 1114 of the firstcurved track portion 1110. Theinner track segment 1120 further includes atrack surface 1126 configured to support atoy vehicle 1500 traveling over and along theinner track segment 1120. Theouter track segment 1130 also includes afirst end 1132 and asecond end 1134. Similar to theinner track segment 1120, thefirst end 1132 of theouter track segment 1130 is disposed proximate to thefirst end 1112 of the firstcurved track portion 1110 and thefirst end 1122 of theinner track segment 1120, while thesecond end 1134 of theouter track segment 1130 is disposed proximate to thesecond end 1114 of the firstcurved track portion 1110 and thesecond end 1124 of theinner track segment 1120. Theouter track segment 1130 further includes atrack surface 1136 configured to support a toy vehicle traveling over and along theouter track segment 1130. Moreover, similar to theouter track segment 130 of the first embodiment of the toyvehicle track playset 10, thetrack surface 1136 of theouter track segment 1130 is angled with respect to thetrack surface 1126 of theinner track segment 1120. Thus, theouter track segment 1130 is banked or inclined with respect to theinner track segment 1120. - In addition, the first
curved track portion 1110 of the second embodiment of the toyvehicle track playset 1000 includes amedian wall 1140 that separates a portion of theouter track segment 1130 from theinner track segment 1140, like that of themedian wall 140 of the first embodiment of the toyvehicle track playset 10. Themedian wall 1140 includes afirst end 1142 and asecond end 1144. Thefirst end 1142 of themedian wall 1140 is spaced from the first ends 1122, 1132 of the inner andouter track segments second end 1144 of themedian wall 1140 is disposed proximate to the second ends 1124, 1134 of the inner andouter track segment second end 1144 of themedian wall 1140 is disposed proximate to the second ends 1124, 1134 of the inner andouter track segments outer track segments first end 1142 of themedian wall 1140 is spaced from the first ends 1122, 1132 of the inner andouter track segments outer track segments first end 1142 of themedian wall 1140. Thus, themedian wall 1140 is shorter in length than the inner andouter track segments - As further illustrated, and similar to that of the first
curved track portion 110 of the first embodiment of the toyvehicle track playset 10, extending from thefirst end 1142 of themedian wall 1140 is aslot 1146. Theslot 1146 is aligned with themedian wall 1140 and is disposed on the firstcurved track portion 1110 at the intersection or merger of thefirst end 1122 of theinner track segment 1120 and thefirst end 1132 of theouter track segment 1130. Theslot 1146 extends from thefirst end 1142 of themedian wall 1140 to theouter wall 1118 of the firstcurved track portion 1110. Thus, theslot 1146 splits thefirst end 1122 of theinner track segment 1120 from thefirst end 1132 of theouter track segment 1130. Theslot 1146 may be disposed in thetrack surface 1126 of theinner track segment 1120, thetrack surface 1136 of theouter track segment 1130, or both the track surfaces 1126, 1136 of the inner andouter track segments - However, unlike the first embodiment of the toy vehicle track set 10, the first
curved track portion 1110 of the second toyvehicle track set 1000 includes aplatform 1350 that extends outwardly frominner wall 1116 of the firstcurved track portion 1110. Theplatform 1350 is disposed more proximate to thefirst end 1112 of the firstcurved track portion 1110 than thesecond end 1114 of the firstcurved track portion 1110. As explained in further detail below, thediverter mechanism 1300 is movably coupled to the firstcurved track portion 1110 via theplatform 1350. - As illustrated in
FIGS. 3 and 4 , thediverter mechanism 1300 is disposed on the firstcurved track portion 1110 proximate to thefirst end 1112 of the firstcurved track portion 1110 and theplatform 1350. As illustrated inFIGS. 4, 5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B , thediverter mechanism 1300 includes adiverter wall 1310, alever 1330, and alinkage arm 1340. Thediverter wall 1310 is repositionable between a deployed position G, illustrated inFIGS. 4, 5A , and 5B, and a stowed position H, illustrated inFIGS. 6A and 6B . Unlike the first embodiment of thediverter wall 310, which is biased to the stowed position C, the second embodiment of thediverter wall 1310 is biased to the deployed position G. When repositioning between the deployed position G and the stowed position H, thediverter wall 1310 slides through theslot 1146 of the firstcurved track portion 1110. - The
diverter wall 1310 includes afirst end 1312, an oppositesecond end 1314, and atop edge 1316, as illustrated inFIG. 4 .FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B further illustrate that thediverter wall 1310 also includes a bottom 1318. Furthermore, while not illustrated, the second embodiment of thediverter wall 1310 further includes a contact surface 1320 like that of the first embodiment of thediverter wall 310. Thefirst end 1312 of thediverter wall 1310 is disposed proximate to theouter wall 1118 of the firstcurved track portion 1110, while thesecond end 1314 of thediverter wall 1310 is disposed proximate to thefirst end 1142 of themedian wall 1140. Thetop edge 1316, the bottom 1318, and the contact surface 1320 span between thefirst end 1312 of thediverter wall 1310 and thesecond end 1314 of thediverter wall 1310. - As best illustrated in
FIGS. 5B, and 6B , thelinkage arm 1340 of thediverter mechanism 1300 couples thelever 1330 to thediverter wall 1310, while also movably coupling thelever 1330 and thediverter wall 1310 to the bottom side of the firstcurved track portion 1110. Thelinkage arm 1340 is elongated with aproximal end 1342 and adistal end 1344. Theproximal end 1342 of thelinkage arm 1340 is coupled to thebottom surface 1318 of thediverter wall 1310 at a location disposed equidistant from the first andsecond ends diverter wall 1310. Moreover, thelever 1330 is also coupled to theproximal end 1342 of thelinkage arm 1340, such that thelever 1330 extends outwardly from theproximal end 1342 of thelinkage arm 1340. -
FIGS. 5B and 6B further illustrated that thedistal end 1344 of thelinkage arm 1340 is rotatably coupled to the bottom side of theplatform 1350 of the firstcurved track portion 1110. Thedistal end 1344 of thelinkage arm 1340 is coupled to theplatform 1350 such that thelinkage arm 1340 extends across the bottom surface of the firstcurved track portion 1110, and thelever 1330 extends through theelongated opening 1332 disposed on thefirst support pillar 1150 of the firstcurved track portion 1110. Moreover, thelinkage arm 1340 is of a length that positions thediverter wall 1310 in theslot 1146 of the firstcurved track portion 1110. - As illustrated in
FIGS. 5B and 6B , thedistal end 1344 of thelinkage arm 1340 is rotatably coupled to the bottom surface of theplatform 1350 via arotational shaft 1348 that extends through both thedistal end 1344 of thelinkage arm 1340 and theplatform 1350. As further illustrated inFIGS. 5B and 6B , therotational shaft 1348 further extends through a resilient member or biasingspring 1346 that is at least partially coupled to theproximal end 1344 of thelinkage arm 1340 and at least partially coupled to the bottom surface of theplatform 1350, such that thebiasing spring 1346 at least partially wraps aroundrotational shaft 1348. Thebiasing spring 1346 is configured to bias thelinkage arm 1340, and thus, thediverter wall 1310 and thelever 1330 to the deployed position G, as illustrated inFIGS. 3, 4, 5A, and 5B . When repositioning between the deployed position G and the stowed position H, thelinkage arm 1340 rotates about axis J that extends coaxially through therotational shaft 1348. - As previously explained, and as illustrated in
FIGS. 3, 4, 5A, and 5B , thediverter mechanism 1340 is biased to the deployed position G, where thediverter wall 1310 extends upwardly through theslot 1146 in the firstcurved track portion 1110. As best illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4 , when thediverter wall 1310 is in the deployed position G, thetop edge 1316 is raised above theslot 1146 and the track surfaces 1126, 1136 of the inner andouter track segments diverter wall 1310 in the deployed position G is aligned with the median wall 1140 (i.e., thesecond end 1314 of thediverter wall 1310 is disposed adjacent to thefirst end 1142 of the median wall 1140), and because thefirst end 1312 of thediverter wall 1310 is disposed proximate to theouter wall 1118 of the firstcurved track portion 1110, thediverter wall 1310 in the deployed position G prevents toy vehicles traveling onto thefirst end 1112 of the firstcurved track portion 1110 from entering theouter track segment 1130. Thus, as best illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4 , thediverter wall 1310 separates thefirst end 1132 of theouter track segment 1130 from thefirst end 1122 of theinner track segment 1122 and thefirst end 1112 of the firstcurved track portion 1110. It then follows that when thediverter wall 1310 is in the deployed position G, thetoy vehicle 1500 would contact the contact surface 1320 of thediverter wall 1310 and be directed onto theinner track segment 1120 of the firstcurved track portion 1110. In other words, the toyvehicle track playset 1000 is biased to cause thetoy vehicle 1500 to travel through the firstcurved track portion 1110 via theinner track segment 1120. - As further illustrated in
FIGS. 5A and 5B , when thediverter mechanism 1300 is in the deployed position G, thebottom 1318 of thediverter wall 1310 is disposed adjacent to theslot 1146 and adjacent to the bottom surface of the firstcurved track portion 1110. Thelinkage arm 1340 is also disposed adjacent to the bottom surface of the firstcurved track portion 1110. In the embodiment illustrated, thelinkage arm 1340 and thebottom 1318 of thediverter wall 1310 may be at least partially disposed within the bottom surface of the firstcurved track portion 1110. Moreover, in the deployed position G, thelever 1330 is disposed near thetop end 1334 of theelongated opening 1332 disposed in thefirst support pillar 1150. - To reposition the
diverter mechanism 1300, and thus, thediverter wall 1310, from the deployed position G to the stowed position H, a user may press or move thelever 1330 of thediverter mechanism 1300 from the position illustrated inFIGS. 5A and 5B to the position illustrated inFIGS. 6A and 6B . Thus, thelever 1330 may be repositioned from being disposed proximate to thetop end 1334 of theelongated opening 1332 to being disposed proximate to thebottom end 1336 of theelongated opening 1332 disposed in thefirst support pillar 1150. By actuation of the lever 1330 (i.e., moving thelever 1330 from the position illustrated inFIG. 5A to the position illustrated inFIG. 6A ), thebottom edge 1318 of thediverter wall 1310 is moved downwardly away from the bottom surface of the firstcurved track portion 1110 and theslot 1146. Downward movement of thelever 1330 simultaneously causes thelinkage arm 1340 to rotate about the axis J such that theproximal end 1342 rotates away from the bottom surface of the firstcurved track portion 1110. It then follows that, as thelever 1330 is moved to be disposed proximate thebottom end 1336 of theelongated opening 1332 of thefirst support pillar 1150, thediverter wall 1310 is lowered through theslot 1146 such that thetop edge 1316 of thediverter wall 1310 is disposed within theslot 1146 and aligned with thetrack surface 1126 of theinner track segment 1120 and thetrack surface 1136 of theouter track segment 1130. Therefore, lowering thelever 1330 from a location disposed proximate to thetop end 1334 of theelongated opening 1332 to be disposed proximate to thebottom end 1336 of theelongated opening 1332 repositions thediverter mechanism 1300, and thus, thediverter wall 1310, from the deployed position G to the stowed position H. - When the
diverter wall 1310 is in the stowed position H, the contact surface 1320 of thediverter wall 1310 is hidden and disposed below the track surfaces 1126, 1136 of the inner andouter track segments toy vehicle 1500 traveling onto thefirst end 1112 of the firstcurved track portion 1110 from the firststraight track portion 1210 would travel past thefirst end 1122 of theinner track segment 1120, over theslot 1146 and thetop edge 1316 of thediverter wall 1310, and onto theouter track segment 1130. In other words, positioning thediverter wall 1310 into the stowed position H causes thetoy vehicle 1500 to travel through the firstcurved track portion 1110 via theouter track segment 1130. Moreover, the toyvehicle track playset 1000 requires a user to actively cause thetoy vehicle 1500 to travel through the firstcurved track portion 1110 via theouter track segment 1130. - It is to be understood that terms such as “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” “height,” “length,” “width,” “upper,” “lower,” “interior,” “exterior,” “inner,” “outer” and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points or portions of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration. Further, the term “exemplary” is used herein to describe an example or illustration. Any embodiment described herein as exemplary is not to be construed as a preferred or advantageous embodiment, but rather as one example or illustration of a possible embodiment of the invention.
- Although the disclosed inventions are illustrated and described herein as embodied in one or more specific examples, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the inventions and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. In addition, various features from one of the embodiments may be incorporated into another of the embodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the following claims.
Claims (20)
1. A toy vehicle playset, comprising:
a first track with a first end and a second end;
a second track with a third end and fourth end, the third end of the second track being disposed adjacent to the first end of the first track;
a slot disposed between the first end of the first track and the third end of the second track; and
a diverter mechanism operatively coupled to the first track and the second track, the diverter mechanism comprising:
a diverter wall having a top edge and a first surface, the diverter wall being reconfigurable between a stowed position and a deployed position where the diverter wall slides through the slot when repositioning between the stowed position and the deployed position, wherein the top edge is disposed within the slot and the first surface is unexposed when the diverter wall is in the stowed position, and the top edge is disposed above the slot and the first surface is exposed when the diverter wall is in the deployed position.
2. The toy vehicle playset of claim 1 , wherein the diverter mechanism further comprises a lever.
3. The toy vehicle playset of claim 2 , wherein actuation of the lever reconfigures the diverter wall between the stowed position and the deployed position.
4. The toy vehicle playset of claim 2 , wherein the diverter mechanism further comprises a linkage arm coupling the diverter wall to the lever.
5. The toy vehicle playset of claim 1 , wherein the diverter wall is biased to the stowed position.
6. The toy vehicle playset of claim 1 , wherein the diverter wall is biased to the deployed position.
7. The toy vehicle playset of claim 1 , wherein the diverter wall in the deployed position directs a toy vehicle along the first track.
8. The toy vehicle playset of claim 7 , wherein the diverter wall in the stowed position directs a toy vehicle along the second track.
9. A toy vehicle playset, comprising:
a first track section having a first end and a second end;
a second track section having a third end and a fourth end, the third end of the second track section being disposed adjacent to the first end of the first track section;
a slot disposed between the first end of the first track section and the third end of the second track section; and
a diverter mechanism disposed proximate to the first track section and the second track section, the diverter mechanism comprising:
a diverter wall being repositionable between a stowed position and a deployed position, the diverter wall sliding through the slot when the diverter wall moves between the stowed position and the deployed position, the diverter wall being disposed within the slot in the stowed position, and a portion of the diverter wall extends above a surface of the first track section when the diverter wall is in the deployed position.
10. The toy vehicle playset of claim 9 , wherein the diverter mechanism further comprises a lever.
11. The toy vehicle playset of claim 10 , wherein actuation of the lever reconfigures the diverter wall between the stowed position and the deployed position.
12. The toy vehicle playset of claim 10 , wherein the diverter mechanism further comprises a linkage arm coupling the diverter wall to the lever.
13. The toy vehicle playset of claim 9 , wherein the diverter wall is biased to the stowed position.
14. The toy vehicle playset of claim 9 , wherein the diverter wall is biased to the deployed position.
15. The toy vehicle playset of claim 9 , wherein the diverter wall in the deployed position directs a toy vehicle along the first track section.
16. The toy vehicle playset of claim 15 , wherein the diverter wall in the stowed position directs a toy vehicle along the second track section.
17. The toy vehicle playset of claim 9 , wherein the diverter wall has a top edge and a first surface, the diverter wall sliding through the slot when the diverter wall moves between the stowed position and the deployed position.
18. The toy vehicle playset of claim 17 , wherein the top edge is disposed within the slot and the first surface is unexposed when the diverter wall is in the stowed position, and the top edge is disposed above the slot and the first surface is exposed when the diverter wall is in the deployed position.
19. A toy vehicle playset, comprising:
a track for a toy vehicle, the track having a first track section and a second track section adjacent to the first track section, the first track section having a first end and the second track section having a second end, the track including a slot between the first end of the first track section and the second end of the second track section; and
a diverter mechanism operatively coupled to the track, the diverter mechanism being located between the first end of the first track section and the second end of the second track section, the diverter mechanism including a wall having a top edge and being movable through a slot in the track between a stowed position and a deployed position, wherein the top edge is disposed within the slot when the wall is in the stowed position, and the top edge is disposed above the slot when the wall is in the deployed position.
20. The toy vehicle playset of claim 19 , wherein the diverter mechanism includes a lever that is moved to cause the wall to move between the stowed position and the deployed position.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US15/895,108 US20180229136A1 (en) | 2017-02-15 | 2018-02-13 | Diverter for Toy Vehicle Track |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201762459201P | 2017-02-15 | 2017-02-15 | |
US15/895,108 US20180229136A1 (en) | 2017-02-15 | 2018-02-13 | Diverter for Toy Vehicle Track |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20180229136A1 true US20180229136A1 (en) | 2018-08-16 |
Family
ID=63105981
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US15/895,108 Abandoned US20180229136A1 (en) | 2017-02-15 | 2018-02-13 | Diverter for Toy Vehicle Track |
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US (1) | US20180229136A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10188959B2 (en) * | 2016-10-18 | 2019-01-29 | Mattel, Inc. | Toy track sets |
USD961691S1 (en) | 2019-06-04 | 2022-08-23 | Mattel, Inc. | Toy vehicle track loop |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1671971A (en) * | 1927-05-06 | 1928-06-05 | Cooper John | Toy electric-railroad switch |
US3775897A (en) * | 1972-08-17 | 1973-12-04 | Mattel Inc | Intersection deflector for toy vehicle tracks |
US4249733A (en) * | 1979-03-05 | 1981-02-10 | Hasbro Industries, Inc. | Toy Raceway |
-
2018
- 2018-02-13 US US15/895,108 patent/US20180229136A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1671971A (en) * | 1927-05-06 | 1928-06-05 | Cooper John | Toy electric-railroad switch |
US3775897A (en) * | 1972-08-17 | 1973-12-04 | Mattel Inc | Intersection deflector for toy vehicle tracks |
US4249733A (en) * | 1979-03-05 | 1981-02-10 | Hasbro Industries, Inc. | Toy Raceway |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10188959B2 (en) * | 2016-10-18 | 2019-01-29 | Mattel, Inc. | Toy track sets |
USD961691S1 (en) | 2019-06-04 | 2022-08-23 | Mattel, Inc. | Toy vehicle track loop |
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