Abstract: A toy vehicle track system includes a lifting apparatus, a releasing apparatus, and a stunt apparatus. The lifting apparatus includes a drive wheel rotatable to pull a carrier line attached to a carrier including a vehicle holder that is positioned for holding a toy vehicle. The release apparatus includes a stop structure attached to the track that engages the carrier to actuate calipers of the vehicle holder to release the vehicle. The stunt apparatus includes a plurality of stunt track segments attached to a rotary indexer. The rotary indexer allows the stunt track segments to be rotated about an axis that is substantially parallel to a travel direction defined by the toy track to align each of the stunt track segments individually with the toy track to form a continuous travel path.

Abstract: A carrier vehicle for collecting objects from a surface is provided herein. The carrier vehicle has a vehicle body with at least one opening formed for receiving at least one object. The vehicle body also has a storage region for holding the at least one object; and a collector assembly that guides the at least one object into the storage region. The collector assembly has a rotatable input member with a plurality of object guide members connected thereto for rotating therewith. Each object guide member is resilient and laterally flexible such that as the object guide members rotate with the input member and the at least one object enters into the opening, at least some of the plurality of object guide members laterally deform around the at least one object and capture the at least one object for guiding the at least one object towards the storage region.

Abstract: A launching apparatus for toy vehicles is provided herein. The launching apparatus is structured for sequentially launching a plurality of the toy vehicles, and includes a holding section that supports the plurality of toy vehicles in a sequential line, where at least part of the holding section is formed as an inverted support region that is structured to hold at least some of the plurality of vehicles in an at least partially upside-down orientation. The launching apparatus also includes a launching section that is connected to the holding section; and a release element that movable between a blocking position where the release element retains the plurality of toy vehicles on the holding section, and a launching position where the release element permits a toy vehicle of the plurality of toy vehicles to be released onto the launching section from the holding section, under the influence of gravity.

Abstract: A toy vehicle track system includes a lifting apparatus, a releasing apparatus, and a stunt apparatus. The lifting apparatus includes a drive wheel rotatable to pull a carrier line attached to a carrier including a vehicle holder that is positioned for holding a toy vehicle. 5 The release apparatus includes a stop structure attached to the track that engages the carrier to actuate calipers of the vehicle holder to release the vehicle. The stunt apparatus includes a plurality of stunt track segments attached to a rotary indexer. The rotary indexer allows the stunt track segments to be rotated about an axis that is substantially parallel to a travel direction defined by the toy track to align each of the stunt track segments 10 individually with the toy track to form a continuous travel path.

Abstract: A play system includes a toy vehicle and a playset for use therewith. A toy vehicle includes a chassis having a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface including structure configured to define a pair of substantially parallel grooves across the bottom surface of the chassis, and a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to the chassis and configured to roll the chassis on a surface in a predetermined rolling direction. A playset includes a first track section adapted to engage the grooves on the bottom surface of the toy vehicle for slidable movement thereon, a second track section adapted to engage the plurality of wheels of the toy vehicle for rolling movement thereon, and a connecting portion to couple the track portions.

Abstract: A play set configured for use with an item removably secured to a base item having a plurality of wheels and a ferromagnetic material disposed therein is disclosed herein, the play set having: a plurality of launchers each being configured to launch the item and the base item along one of a plurality of track segments, wherein each of the track segments terminate at a central area; and at least one magnet disposed in the central area, wherein the base item is attracted to the at least one magnet when it reaches the central area after traversing along one of the plurality of track segments.

Abstract: A play system includes a toy vehicle and a playset for use therewith. A toy vehicle includes a chassis having a bottom surface that is at least partially magnetic and a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to the chassis. A playset includes a base, a launch ramp mounted to the base and having an upper end and a lower end that includes an upwardly-inclined section terminating in a jump lip, and a magnetic element selectively positionable within a predefined range of positions relative to the jump lip.

Abstract: A play set configured for use with an item removably secured to a base item having a plurality of wheels and a ferromagnetic material disposed therein is disclosed herein, the play set having: a plurality of launchers each being configured to launch the item and the base item along one of a plurality of track segments, wherein each of the track segments terminate at a central area; and at least one magnet disposed in the central area, wherein the base item is attracted to the at least one magnet when it reaches the central area after traversing along one of the plurality of track segments.

Abstract: A play system includes a toy vehicle and a playset for use therewith. A toy vehicle includes a chassis having a bottom surface that is at least partially magnetic and a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to the chassis. A playset includes a base, a launch ramp mounted to the base and having an upper end and a lower end that includes an upwardly-inclined section terminating in a jump lip, and a magnetic element selectively positionable within a predefined range of positions relative to the jump lip.

Abstract: A play system includes a toy vehicle and a playset for use therewith. A toy vehicle includes a chassis having a bottom surface that is at least partially magnetic and a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to the chassis. A playset includes a base, a launch ramp mounted to the base and having an upper end and a lower end that includes an upwardly-inclined section terminating in a jump lip, and a magnetic element selectively positionable within a predefined range of positions relative to the jump lip.

Abstract: A modular, reconfigurable playset or system is disclosed. The system includes several modules or accessories with which wheeled objects, such as miniature skateboards, can be used. At least some of the modules or accessories include a coupling portion that is configured to be engaged with a coupling portion of a different module or accessory. In one embodiment, the modules or accessories are moved laterally toward each other to engage the coupling portions of the modules together.

Abstract: A hand-driven toy is disclosed herein. The hand-driven toy includes a snowboard having an upper surface and a lower surface; a pair of bindings fixedly secured to the upper surface each of the pair of bindings defining a boot cavity; and a pair of boot members each being configured to be releasably secured to the boot cavity of one of pair of bindings, and each of the pair of boot members having a finger opening.

Abstract: A play system includes a toy vehicle and a playset for use therewith. A toy vehicle includes a chassis having a bottom surface that is at least partially magnetic and a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to the chassis. A playset includes a base, a launch ramp mounted to the base and having an upper end and a lower end that includes an upwardly-inclined section terminating in a jump lip, and a magnetic element selectively positionable within a predefined range of positions relative to the jump lip.

Abstract: A play system includes a toy vehicle and a playset for use therewith. A toy vehicle includes a chassis having a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface including structure configured to define a pair of substantially parallel grooves across the bottom surface of the chassis, and a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to the chassis and configured to roll the chassis on a surface in a predetermined rolling direction. A playset includes a first track section adapted to engage the grooves on the bottom surface of the toy vehicle for slidable movement thereon, a second track section adapted to engage the plurality of wheels of the toy vehicle for rolling movement thereon, and a connecting portion to couple the track portions.

Abstract: A toy motorcycle comprises a frame; a front wheel spinably coupled to the frame; a rear wheel spinably coupled to the frame; and a motorcycle rider sized for riding the toy motorcycle, wherein the motorcycle rider includes a torso, and a head that is disproportionately large relative to the torso, the head being connected to the torso via a flexible neck joint.

Abstract: Playsets including a partially enclosed circuit and one or more movable members. The partially enclosed circuit may have a plurality of openings that define pathways through the partially enclosed circuit for a toy vehicle to traverse. The movable members may include a redirecting railing and one or more generally vertical handles that are adapted to be grasped to move the movable member on a play surface to redirect the toy vehicle that has exited the partially enclosed circuit to re-enter the circuit. Some embodiments may include inclined and/or cantilevered ramps that may be adapted to release the toy vehicle at a position above the play surface. Some embodiments may include lap counters that are adapted to count a number of times that the toy vehicle has struck a target or gate.

Abstract: A. track structure utilizes a somewhat flexible track frame having a roadway portion for supporting a rolling toy vehicle. The frame further includes a plurality of outwardly extending opposed pairs of platforms on each side of the roadway. A plurality of guide post supports are secured to the platforms and define notches for receiving a snap-fitted guide rail. A pair of generally cylindrical elongated somewhat flexible and resilient guide rails are snap-fitted to the guide rails supports on each side of the frame to form trackway walls. The cooperation of the guide rails and their supports facilitates the shape retention of the track segments.

Abstract: A toy vehicle trackset includes a trackway and a plurality of pneumatically actuated stunt devices within the travel path of the trackway. A source of compressed air is applied to one or more of the stunt devices to act upon a toy vehicle traveling the travel path.

Abstract: A toy vehicle trackset including a closed trackway, a toy vehicle and a booster for accelerating the toy vehicle traveling the trackway. Within the trackway, a portion of the toy vehicle travel path includes a flexible multi-apertured panel held by a support structure.

Abstract: A spiral stunt device includes a supporting frame having an upper cross member which in turn defines a helical thread. A traveler engages the helical thread of the upper support and further supports a pendulum segment. The pendulum segment extends downwardly and terminates in a toy vehicle receiver or “caddy”. A first track segment is directed toward one side of the spiral stunt device which a second track segment is directed toward an offset portion of the stunt device. As a toy vehicle enters the stunt device with substantial energy, it is captivated by the toy vehicle receiver. As the energy of the captivated toy vehicle is transferred to the receiver and its pendulum support, the receiver together with the toy vehicle and the pendulum support are caused to rotate about the horizontal member advancing the traveler on the helical threads. The resulting lateral movement of the traveler upon the helical thread aligns the toy vehicle receiver with the offset track segment.