Abstract: A toy vehicle track system of the present application includes electrical connections between the track pieces that allow a central hub, referred to herein as a “portal piece,” to communicate with any track pieces included in the track system. In order to ensure that the portal piece can quickly and accurately identify track configurations that are built, the toy vehicle track system implements a communications protocol that supports communications between any two pieces of track. Based on these communications, the portal piece can determine an orientation, a track type, and a position of any track pieces attached, whether directly or indirectly, to the portal piece. The portal piece can then transmit this information to an electronic device executing an application associated with the track system to allow for digital play on a digital version of the track configuration (among other digital play modes).

Abstract: A toy vehicle track system of the present application includes electrical connections between the track pieces that allow a central hub, referred to herein as a “portal piece,” to communicate with any track pieces included in the track system. In order to ensure that the portal piece can quickly and accurately identify track configurations that are built, the toy vehicle track system implements a communications protocol that supports communications between any two pieces of track. Based on these communications, the portal piece can determine an orientation, a track type, and a position of any track pieces attached, whether directly or indirectly, to the portal piece. The portal piece can then transmit this information to an electronic device executing an application associated with the track system to allow for digital play on a digital version of the track configuration (among other digital play modes).

Abstract: A toy vehicle track system of the present application includes electrical connections between the track pieces that allow a central hub, referred to herein as a “portal piece,” to communicate with any track pieces included in the track system. In order to ensure that the portal piece can quickly and accurately identify track configurations that are built, the toy vehicle track system implements a communications protocol that supports communications between any two pieces of track. Based on these communications, the portal piece can determine an orientation, a track type, and a position of any track pieces attached, whether directly or indirectly, to the portal piece. The portal piece can then transmit this information to an electronic device executing an application associated with the track system to allow for digital play on a digital version of the track configuration (among other digital play modes).

Abstract: A toy vehicle booster includes a launcher that can be actuated via repeated user actuations of an actuator. The force of each actuation is mechanically transferred to a booster assembly to cause rotation of the booster assembly and repeated actuations of the actuator continuously increase the rotational speed of the booster assembly. The toy vehicle booster also includes a feedback portion configured to provide feedback based on a rotational speed of the booster assembly and/or a speed at which the booster assembly will boost a toy vehicle. In at least some instances, the feedback is based on the detected rotational speed of booster wheels. The detected rotational speed may also be transmitted to an electronic device to provide additional feedback at the electronic device.

Abstract: A toy vehicle track system of the present application includes electrical connections between the track pieces that allow a central hub, referred to herein as a “portal piece,” to communicate with any track pieces included in the track system. In order to ensure that the portal piece can quickly and accurately identify track configurations that are built, the toy vehicle track system implements a communications protocol that supports communications between any two pieces of track. Based on these communications, the portal piece can determine an orientation, a track type, and a position of any track pieces attached, whether directly or indirectly, to the portal piece. The portal piece can then transmit this information to an electronic device executing an application associated with the track system to allow for digital play on a digital version of the track configuration (among other digital play modes).

Abstract: A toy building component is disclosed. The toy building component includes a first body portion formed from soft, flexible material and a second body portion formed from a hard, resilient material that is coupled to the first body portion. One of the first body portion and the second body portion comprises a mounting component that extends from the other of the first body portion and the second body portion, and the other of the first body portion and the second body portion forms a protective casing around the toy building component. The different materials have different properties, and in some embodiments, different colors. The portions may be co-molded together to form the building component.

Abstract: Toy play systems are disclosed. A toy play system may include a first toy play set having a first base. The first base may include opposed upper and lower sides, the upper side may include at least one play feature and the lower side may include a plurality of protrusions. The toy play system may further include a base connector which may have at least two coupling structures. At least a first coupling structure of the at least two coupling structures may frictionally engage a protrusion of the plurality of protrusions. At least a second coupling structure of the at least two coupling structures may frictionally engage a second toy play set.

Abstract: Toy play systems are disclosed. A toy play system may include a first toy play set having a first base. The first base may include opposed upper and lower sides, the upper side may include at least one play feature and the lower side may include a plurality of protrusions. The toy play system may further include a base connector which may have at least two coupling structures. At least a first coupling structure of the at least two coupling structures may frictionally engage a protrusion of the plurality of protrusions. At least a second coupling structure of the at least two coupling structures may frictionally engage a second toy play set.

Abstract: The building components of the present invention provide building components which are compatible with high-stress and/or high-impact devices or mechanisms due to at least their composition or their configuration. Consequently, the building components of the present invention provide a more robust building component. In some embodiments, the building components of the present invention are be die-cast, metal building components manufactured from any desirable metal, such as zinc. Alternatively or additionally, the building components may include a configuration that provides for at least one offset coupling configuration such that building components may be coupled together in a structurally secure configuration. Thus, in some embodiments, the building components of the present invention provide a building component for constructing toy vehicles that is compatible with wheeled boosters typically provided for die cast toy vehicles.

Abstract: A building or support structure with several mounting components is disclosed. The support structure has a base that is flexible, which allows the base to be positioned into a variety of different configurations. The mounting components of the base allow different objects, such as building components or figurines, to be coupled thereto. A toy building component includes a main body, projecting portions or posts, and receptacles or receiving areas. Projecting portions extend from one side and receptacles are located in another side of the main body. In one embodiment, the building component includes a first portion of a first material and a second portion of a second material. The different materials have different properties, and in some embodiments, different colors. The portions may be co-molded together to form the building component.

Abstract: A toy vehicle having front and rear road wheels is provided with a mechanism to elevate the toy vehicle from an initial orientation supported on all of the road wheels into a wheelie orientation supported on the rear road wheels and to return the vehicle to the initial orientation supported on all of the road wheels. The mechanism includes: a crank; a spring loaded wheelie bar; and a slide plate driven by the crank so as to release the wheelie bar beneath the vehicle to elevate the vehicle from the initial orientation into the wheelie orientation and to thereafter extend a tongue member from a rear end of the vehicle to return the vehicle back to the initial orientation.

Abstract: A toy having a rotating feature is provided. The toy includes a motor mount and a motor. The motor mount includes a post and a housing. The housing includes a base and at least one first arm extending from the base, the at least one first arm having a flange on an end opposite the base, the flange being rotationally coupled to the post. The motor mount further includes a biasing member coupled to the housing and arranged to rotate the housing in a first direction. The motor is coupled to the housing.

Abstract: A light diffusion mechanism is disclosed. The light diffusion mechanism includes a container that defines a receptacle or chamber in which light from a light source, such as an LED, can be reflected. The light source is located proximate to the chamber so that its emitted light enters the chamber. The light diffusion mechanism includes a cover with a light emitting portion which is aligned with the container of the base. Light from the light source passes through the light emitting portion of the cover which diffuses the light. The light emitting portion includes one or more textured surfaces through which light passes. In one embodiment, a textured surface includes several grooves formed therein that define ridges.

Abstract: A booster for accelerating toy vehicles. The booster includes a rotation source and first and second wheels operatively coupled to the rotation source. Each wheel includes a thin-walled member configured to engage toy vehicles passing between the wheels as the rotation source rotates the wheels in opposite directions. The thin walled member is characterized by an S-shape that allows the relative distance between the wheels to change, thereby accommodating differently sized vehicles.

Abstract: A booster for accelerating toy vehicles. The booster includes a rotation source and first and second wheels operatively coupled to the rotation source. Each wheel includes a thin-walled member configured to engage toy vehicles passing between the wheels as the rotation source rotates the wheels in opposite directions. The thin walled member is characterized by an S-shape that allows the relative distance between the wheels to change, thereby accommodating differently sized vehicles.

Abstract: A booster for accelerating toy vehicles. The booster includes a rotation source and first and second wheels operatively coupled to the rotation source. Each wheel includes a thin-walled member configured to engage toy vehicles passing between the wheels as the rotation source rotates the wheels in opposite directions. The thin walled member is characterized by an S-shape that allows the relative distance between the wheels to change, thereby accommodating differently sized vehicles.

Abstract: A booster for accelerating toy vehicles. The booster includes a rotation source and first and second wheels operatively coupled to the rotation source. Each wheel includes a thin-walled member configured to engage toy vehicles passing between the wheels as the rotation source rotates the wheels in opposite directions. The thin walled member is characterized by an S-shape that allows the relative distance between the wheels to change, thereby accommodating differently sized vehicles.