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 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 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 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: An improved toy system is disclosed herein. In one aspect, the toy system includes a toy vehicle that can be uniquely identified. The toy vehicle includes a wireless tag that contains identifying information that is unique to the toy vehicle. In another aspect, the system includes a toy vehicle reader that can identify a toy vehicle that is proximate to the reader. The toy vehicle reader can wirelessly communicate with the tag, and in particular with a chip on the tag, on the proximate toy vehicle. In one embodiment, the toy vehicle reader utilizes Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to read the tags on vehicles.

Abstract: An improved toy system is disclosed herein. In one aspect, the toy system includes a toy vehicle that can be uniquely identified. The toy vehicle includes a wireless tag that contains identifying information that is unique to the toy vehicle. In another aspect, the system includes a toy vehicle reader that can identify a toy vehicle that is proximate to the reader. The toy vehicle reader can wirelessly communicate with the tag, and in particular with a chip on the tag, on the proximate toy vehicle. In one embodiment, the toy vehicle reader utilizes Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to read the tags on vehicles.

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: 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: 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: 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.