Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a toy vehicle body and a pair of wheel supports located on opposite sides of the toy vehicle body. In one embodiment, each of the wheel supports includes a pair of wheels rotatably mounted to the wheel support. The toy vehicle has a drive system that includes a pair of motors, each of which is operable to move one of the wheel supports and the wheels coupled to the wheel support. Each wheel support is movable between a retracted position in which the wheel support extends along a side of the toy vehicle body, and an extended position in which the wheel support extends downwardly from the toy vehicle body with a front end of the wheel support being spaced apart from the toy vehicle body.

Abstract: A toy vehicle launcher is movable to a plurality of launching locations disposed along one or more pathways of a toy vehicle track set. The toy vehicle launcher is configured to impart a launching force to a toy vehicle when the toy vehicle launcher is disposed in one of the plurality of launching locations, and the toy vehicle launcher is configured to prevent the launching force from being imparted to the toy vehicle while the toy vehicle launcher is moving between the plurality of launching locations. Additionally or alternatively, the toy vehicle launcher may be configured to impart different launching forces of different magnitudes to the toy vehicle at different locations of the plurality of launching locations.

Abstract: A toy figurine and/or toy figurine packaging is coated with a dissolvable layer. When the toy figurine is coated, the toy figurine is entirely coated so that its overall appearance, including its skin complexion and/or facial features, is substantially hidden or obscured. Then, when the figurine is submerged in a fluid, the dissolvable layer dissolves to reveal the figurine's appearance that had been hidden underneath the dissolvable layer. When the toy figurine packaging is coated, the toy figurine packaging hides the identity of a toy figurine enclosed therein until fluid is introduced to the packaging.

Abstract: An infant positioner and an entertainment component that is useable with the infant positioner in different positions. The entertainment component can be placed in at least a first position and a second position different from the first position. The entertainment component is coupled to a support structure of the infant positioner while the entertainment component is in the first position as well as in the second position.

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 carrier is presented herein. The toy vehicle carrier includes a head, a main body coupled to the head, a base coupled to the main body, and an appendage coupled to the base. The head is configured to capture a toy vehicle in a closed configuration of the head and expel the toy vehicle in an open configuration of the head. The main body is configured to rotate relative to the base to transition the toy vehicle carrier between a first configuration and a second configuration. The toy vehicle carrier also includes a wheel coupled to the base. The wheel includes a protrusion and is configured to rotate about an axis to cause the protrusion to movably engage a camming surface of the appendage to cause the appendage to rotate relative to the base.

Abstract: A ride-on vehicle for children comprising a main body that includes one or more built-in toy vehicle tracks that allow a toy vehicle to travel on the main body. A wheel assembly comprising a plurality of wheels is coupled to the main body. A drive assembly is operatively coupled to the wheel assembly and is configured to drive two or more wheels of the wheel assembly. A steering assembly is also operatively coupled to the wheel assembly and is configured to steer the vehicle based on a received user input.

Abstract: A securement assembly for a toy includes a support having an insert with a plurality of tabs cooperatively defining a space, the insert being configured to extend into a receptacle of the toy. The securement assembly also includes a stand with an extension configured to extend into the space cooperatively defined by the plurality of tabs so that, in an assembled configuration of the securement assembly, the extension abuts the plurality of tabs to move the plurality of tabs away from one another and into engagement with a wall of the toy defining the receptacle.

Abstract: Improved techniques for identifying objects, such as toy objects, are presented herein. In particular, a play system (e.g., game, doll playset, track set, etc.) includes a probed surface for use in obtaining electrical tomography measurements when toy objects are placed on the probed surface. The play system is configured to analyze the electrical tomography measurements to determine an identity of the toy object placed on the probed surface.

Abstract: A toy playset is presented herein. The toy playset includes a base section, a track section configured to receive a toy vehicle, and a biasing member coupled to the base section and to the track section. The biasing member is configured to bias the base section and the track section away from one another, and the biasing member is configured to flex to enable the base section and the track section to move relative to one another.

Abstract: A toy playset comprising a multi-compartment housing and a toy contained within the multi-compartment housing. The multi-compartment housing has a main compartment, a first locked compartment, and a second locked compartment. The main compartment contains the toy and a first key that is assigned to unlock the first locked compartment. The first locked compartment contains a second key that is assigned to unlock the second locked compartment.

Abstract: A toy figurine comprising a figurine body with an identity selected from a set of identities and a removable plush costume covering the figurine body and obscuring the identity of the figurine body. The plush costume includes one or more separately removable portions and removing one or more of the separately removable portions reveals the identity of the figurine body.

Abstract: A system including one or more communication devices that can be used by children to play games, send messages, and talk with each other. The communication devices contain all of the needed circuitry and do not rely upon a separate communication network or system, thereby simplifying communications between the devices.

Abstract: A sound-generating toy comprising a plush toy component having a flexible body and a container for housing the plush toy component. The container is defined by a top portion, a base portion, and a side wall connecting the top portion and the base portion. The top portion includes an opening and the base portion includes a sound-emitting mechanism. Removing the plush toy component from the container through the opening on the top portion causes air to enter the container through the sound-emitting mechanism which thereby generates a sound effect. Additionally, inserting the plush toy component into the container through the opening on the top portion causes air to exit the container through the sound-emitting mechanism which thereby generates a second sound effect.

Abstract: An infant support structure may have multiple deployed configurations or orientations and a collapsed configuration or orientation. The infant support structure may include a support frame having a platform, a seat portion, and legs coupled to the platform. The infant support structure may also include a flexible material coupled to a support member that is engageable with each of the legs. In one deployed configuration or orientation, an infant can be placed in the seat portion. In another deployed configuration or orientation, an infant can be placed in a receptacle or play area formed by the flexible material. To facilitate transportation and storage, the infant support structure can be manipulated to a collapsed configuration.

Abstract: A toy figurine and/or toy figurine packaging is coated with a dissolvable layer. When the toy figurine is coated, the toy figurine is entirely coated so that its overall appearance, including its skin complexion and/or facial features, is substantially hidden or obscured. Then, when the figurine is submerged in a fluid, the dissolvable layer dissolves to reveal the figurine's appearance that had been hidden underneath the dissolvable layer. When the toy figurine packaging is coated, the toy figurine packaging hides the identity of a toy figurine enclosed therein until fluid is introduced to the packaging.

Abstract: An actuation assembly for a toy includes a first actuation component, a second actuation component, a first lever arm, a second lever arm, and a sequencer. The sequencer is configured to be rotated a first amount in response to actuations of the first actuation component and configured to be rotated a second amount in response to selective actuations of the second actuation component. Rotations of the first amount can actuate the first lever arm, while rotations of the second amount can actuate the first lever arm and the second lever arm. The actuation assembly may be included in a toy vehicle track set that includes a trackway along which toy vehicles can drive.