Abstract: A track set is provided. The track set includes a first track segment and a carriage. The first track segment has a first pivot and is rotatable about the first pivot from a first position to a second position. The carriage is rotationally coupled to an end of the first track segment by a second pivot. The carriage is configured to rotate about the second pivot as the first track segment rotates from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A launching device for grasping and launching an action figure is provided, the launching device having: a base member; an arm member pivotally secured to the base member for movement between a first position and a second position; a pair of grasping members rotatably secured to the arm member, wherein the pair of arm members are configured to releasably grasp a portion of the action figure; a drivetrain coupled to the pair of grasping members wherein the drivetrain is configured to rotate the pair of grasping members about an axis of the arm member as the arm member moves between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: Elevator-type systems for a toy vehicle and toy vehicle track sets are disclosed. The elevator-type system may include a carriage configured to receive a toy vehicle, the carriage is configured to move between a first position and a second position. The elevator-type system may additionally include a tension rope having a first end and a second end, the first end is attached to the carriage. The elevator-type system may further include a counterweight attached to the second end. The weight of the counterweight may be greater than the weight of the carriage to bias the carriage toward the first position. The weight of the counterweight may be less than the weight of both the carriage and a toy vehicle received in the carriage to allow the carriage to move toward the second position when the toy vehicle is received in the carriage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a launcher for a toy vehicle having a biased carriage that holds a toy vehicle as a drive wheel on the toy vehicle is being energized, and that propels the energized toy vehicle forward and onto a toy racetrack when the biased carriage is released. A launcher housing includes a carriage capture and release assembly that remains in an armed, ready position until a toy vehicle is positioned on the carriage, a pull cord is inserted through the launcher housing and into engagement with the drive wheel on the toy vehicle, and the pull cord is thereafter withdrawn from the toy vehicle and the housing. After the pull cord is fully withdrawn, the carriage capture and release assembly releases the carriage, allowing a biasing member to propel the carriage forward so as to launch the energized toy vehicle. The launcher may be combined with a toy racetrack having various stunt features through which a toy vehicle may travel after its launch.

Abstract: A toy vehicle track set is provided including a first track portion and a second track portion. The second track portion is distal from the first track portion. The first track portion and the second track portion define a gap therebetween. The toy vehicle track set also includes a pair of separately rotating arms. The rotating arms cooperate to transfer a toy vehicle across the gap from the first track portion to the second track portion. When the toy vehicle is released at the second track portion, the toy vehicle may traverse along a path of the track set from the second track portion to the first track portion.

Abstract: A toy playset with a colorimeter and method of calibration is provided. The colorimeter may include the combination of a microcontroller with multiple switchable output ports, a light source connected to three of the output ports, and a photo transistor for sensing reflected light. The colorimeter may include four different resistors, each of the resistors connected to a corresponding additional one of the output ports, with the four different resistors connected in parallel to the photo transistor. The colorimeter may be programmed to cycle through the resistors and select a calibration based on a low predefined voltage target for reflection from a black surface and a higher predefined voltage target for reflection from a white surface. The light source is a RGB light source having a tri-band wavelength light.

Abstract: A children's entertainment structure or play gym includes a first support member, a second support member, an arched member coupled to the top of the first support member and the top of the second support member, and a mat reconfigurable between the first and second support members and beneath the arched member. Moreover, each of the support members has an upper opening and an internal passageway that is in connection with the upper opening that extends through at least a portion of the support member. The upper opening and the passageway are sized and configured to receive and transport balls to the bottom of the support members. The arched member includes a channel that is also configured to receive balls, while allowing them to roll towards the upper openings on the support members.

Abstract: A toy vehicle track set is provided including a track segment. The track set having: a track segment for a toy vehicle; a contact member mounted adjacent to the track segment and configured to be actuated by a toy vehicle on the track segment; and a character adjacent to the track segment, the character including a first portion and at least a second portion movably coupled to the first portion, wherein the at least a second portion moves relative to the first portion in response to actuation of the contact member by a toy vehicle.

Abstract: A timer mechanism for a game is disclosed herein. The timer mechanism including: an end portion; an object secured to the end portion by a retractable member capable of being extracted from the object and retracted into the object by a winding mechanism; and an indicator mechanism located at the end portion for indicating when the object has come into proximity with the end portion and has contacted a portion of the indicator mechanism through retraction of the retractable member into the object by the winding mechanism.

Abstract: A loading and launching device for toy vehicles is disclosed that is actuated with a single pull of an actuator to both load and launch a toy vehicle, such as onto a toy vehicle track set. The device includes a horizontal toy vehicle loader and a toy vehicle launcher that are coupled to one another, such that as the launcher moves rearward, the loader moves from a vehicle receiving and loading position (in which the loading and launching device may receive a toy vehicle returning from the toy track set) to a launch position that pushes a toy vehicle into position directly in front of the launcher. When the launcher is released, it contacts and launches the toy vehicle.

Abstract: Smart Phones that support voice activated commands for managing e-mails are disclosed and enabled. This new Smart Phone may include a touch sensitive screen, a graphical user interface, an e-mail application, an Internet browsing application, and applications for playing audio/video content. The Smart Phone includes an operating system and support for installation of new applications. The Smart Phone may further support part of a wireless protocol within IEEE 802.11. In one example, a user of the Smart Phone may reply to an e-mail by using voice commands or by selecting an icon over the touch sensitive screen. The user may scroll down or up an email using the touch sensitive screen interface. In other examples, the user may further issue voice commands to synchronize, stream, transmit, play, print, display, or mirror at least part of digital content from the Smart Phone to one or more output devices over air.

Abstract: In the present disclosure, disclosed herein, is a toy vehicle. The toy vehicle may include a front portion including a first arm, a second arm, and a first support member coupled to the first arm and the second arm; and a rear portion including a third arm, a fourth arm, and a second support member coupled to the third arm and the fourth arm. The toy vehicle may also include a plurality of wheels in which a first wheel of the plurality of wheels is coupled to the front portion and a second wheel of the plurality of wheels is coupled to the rear portion. An adjustment mechanism includes an actuator and a receiver. The actuator is engaged with the receiver and is rotatable relative thereto. The receiver is movable between a first position in which the receiver is spaced apart from the first support member and the second support member, and a second position in which the receiver contacts the first support member and the second support member.

Abstract: A toy vehicle is provided. The toy vehicle having: a vehicle chassis defining a first interior region; a leg movably secured to the vehicle chassis for movement from a first position to a second position, wherein the leg and a wheel rotatably secured to the leg is extended away from the chassis when the leg is moved to the second position; a spring for providing a biasing force to retain the leg into the first position; and an actuation unit received within the first interior region of the chassis and operably coupled to the movable leg member and a body portion movably secured to the chassis, the actuation unit being configured to overcome the biasing force of the spring and move the leg to the second position when the body portion is moved with respect to the chassis.

Abstract: A foldable infant positioner with a softgoods seat is a seating apparatus that includes a softgoods seat and a hardgoods foldable support structure. The support structure includes a seat support that is movably coupled to a ground engaging section so that the support structure can move between a deployed configuration and a stored configuration. The seat may be removably secured to the seat support by folding a top portion of the seat over and around the seat support and then coupling the seat thereto. The seat may also have a front flap which extends beneath the seat and prevents an infant's feet from directly contacting the support surface when an infant is disposed in the seat, in an upright seated position, thus preventing the infant from pushing down on the front flap and tipping the infant positioner over.

Abstract: A control system for a child swing that comprises a drive mechanism that includes a motor configured to impart torque to the at least one swing arm so that a child seat moves in an arcuate path. A phase control subsystem generates a motor drive signal configured to maintain a desired lead angle between a phase of the drive mechanism and a phase of the swing arm. An amplitude control subsystem configured to steer the phase control subsystem based on a correlation of an actual height of the child seat to a selected height of the child seat.