Abstract: A method and apparatus for offering a promotional award to a visitor to an electronic commerce site. The electronic commerce apparatus comprises a connection to a distributed communication network, at least one promotional awards storage area for a visitor, including a customer identifier storage and an award amount storage, and an awards rule storage, wherein the visitor is granted a promotional award upon visiting the electronic commerce site, with the promotional award amount being controlled by an awards rule contained in the awards rule storage. The method comprises the steps of detecting a site visit by a visitor, granting a promotional award to the visitor, and adding the promotional award to a pre-existing promotional award, if the site visit is not a first site visit by the visitor, wherein the visitor is motivated to make multiple site visits and a purchase as a result of the promotional award.

Abstract: A toy vehicle track segment is disclosed. The toy vehicle track segment has a first end, a second end, an upper surface, and a plurality of nodes. The upper surface has a pair of parallel recessed rails extending from the first end to the second end. Each rail has an inner wall joined to an outer wall by a base surface. The plurality of nodes are located within at least one of the pair of rails. The nodes are provided for improving traction of a toy vehicle as it traverses along the upper surface. The nodes are located on the base surface and extend along a first direction transverse to the length of the upper surface.

Abstract: A children's playboard of the type comprising a backing having a front surface of a cloth material for adhering figurines thereto and a back surface is disclosed. The children's playboard has a support structure. The support structure is fixedly attached to the playboard and has a pair of spaced bracing members and a pair of connection plates. Each bracing member has a first leg that is detachably joined to one of the pair of connection plates along a hinge. The bracing members are extendable at an angle from the playboard. The bracing members have a second leg and a third leg that are joined at an apex portion. The second leg having a greater length than the third leg. The apex is located between the second and third legs and provides support for the bracing members against a base surface wherein the backing member can be supported in at least two different angles to the base surface.

Abstract: A children's playboard of the type comprising a backing having a front surface of a cloth material for adhering figurines thereto and a back surface is disclosed. The children's playboard has a support structure. The support structure is fixedly attached to the playboard and has a pair of spaced bracing members and a pair of connection plates. Each bracing member has a first leg that is detachably joined to one of the pair of connection plates along a hinge. The bracing members are extendable at an angle from the playboard. The bracing members have a second leg and a third leg that are joined at an apex portion. The second leg having a greater length than the third leg. The apex is located between the second and third legs and provides support for the bracing members against a base surface wherein the backing member can be supported in at least two different angles to the base surface.

Abstract: A toy vehicle track segment is disclosed. The toy vehicle track segment has a first end, a second end, an upper surface, and a plurality of nodes. The upper surface has a pair of parallel recessed rails extending from the first end to the second end. Each rail has an inner wall joined to an outer wall by a base surface. The plurality of nodes are located within at least one of the pair of rails. The nodes are provided for improving traction of a toy vehicle as it traverses along the upper surface. The nodes are located on the base surface and extend along a first direction transverse to the length of the upper surface.