MARBLE TRACK AMUSEMENT DEVICE

Abstract

An entertainment device including a track for rolling marbles. The track may be configured onto at least one vertical or horizontal planar support surface, such as walls, tables, doors, floors, and vertically or horizontally oriented rod-like structures, such as the branches of a tree. In one embodiment, the three-dimensional track configurations may include at least one interconnected substantially vertical and substantially horizontal support surface.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part patent application of copending application Ser. No. 12/683,909, filed Jan. 7, 2010, entitled “MARBLE TRACK AMUSEMENT DEVICE”, which claimed one or more inventions which were disclosed in Provisional Application No. 61/204,896, filed Jan. 31, 2009, entitled “WALL COASTER” and Provisional Application No. 61/277,241, filed Sep. 23, 2009, entitled “WALL COASTER”. The benefit under 35 USC §119(e) of the United States provisional applications is hereby claimed, and the aforementioned applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an entertainment device including a track for rolling marbles. It may be set up on either one or more two-dimensional or three-dimensional surfaces, or combinations thereof, where the path the marble traverses may include open-air trajectories.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A conventional marble track toy, known as Blocks and Marbles™ is manufactured by Tedco, Inc. (Hagerstown, Ind.) and a similar product, called Amaze-N-Marbles™, was once manufactured by T-N-T International, Inc (Waco, Tex.) D/B/A “Toy-N-Things”. The design of these toys includes cubes which have an internal marble channel with right-angle turns through it, and rectangular blocks which have an exposed trough for the marble to roll along. The cubes are constructed having one section of the channel oriented vertically, with an opening at the top of the cube widened to facilitate capture of a falling marble. The marble track is constructed by stacking the cubes and rectangular blocks such that a marble dropped into the interior channel of a cube near the top of the track, or rolled along a trough in a rectangular block near the top of the track, will pass through a sequence of interior channels and troughs as it descends along the track.

A disadvantage of this construction is that cubes and rectangular blocks from the construction set are used to support other cubes and rectangular blocks that form the marble track, thereby limiting the overall length and height of the marble track. Another disadvantage of this design is that the positions of the cubes and rectangular blocks are limited to points on a three-dimensional grid to provide the necessary alignment of the pieces of the construction set.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,876 discloses a marble track consisting of track segments having a variety of geometries, including curved track segments, track segments for launching the marble into mid-air trajectories, and track segments for catching the marble from mid-air trajectories. Each track segment includes a cylindrical stacking element which may be removably inserted into the cylindrical stacking segment of another track segment, thereby limiting the heights of the track segments to multiples of the cumulative heights of the cylindrical stacking elements.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,171,090 discloses a marble track that contains a pair of flexible elongated rods that are supported on a horizontal surface by support poles. The support poles are inserted into holes in a base plate which are located at positions on a two-dimensional grid. Although the heights at which the flexible elongated rods are attached to the support poles can be adjusted, this track does not permit mid-air trajectories of the marble.

Swedish Patent No. 47513 discloses a marble track consisting of track dowels and cubic blocks having channels therethrough. The channels through the cubic blocks have widened mouths into which the ends of the track dowels rest. Since the track dowels are of fixed lengths, the cubic blocks must essentially be separated by the lengths of the track dowels. This marble track does not include any components which can launch the marble into a mid-air trajectory.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,252,616 discloses a marble track consisting of chutes which are supported on a horizontal surface by pins. These pins are inserted through bores in support rods which are, in turn, mounted in base blocks. The bores are spaced at regular intervals along the support rods and the bottoms of the chutes have downward projections to prevent the chutes from sliding off the pins. This design limits the number of orientations of the chutes as well as the height of the track.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,620 discloses a marble track consisting of chutes, bumpers and pivoting systems that allow the marble to travel through the air from one chute to the next. This patent discloses that the track is mounted on a vertical surface. This patent also discloses the use of magnets to adhere the chutes and other components to vertical paramagnetic or ferromagnetic surfaces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A marble track amusement device includes track elements which are removably attachable to both vertical and horizontal planar support surfaces. The device is not limited in height by the number or size of the components. It contains elements that provide for mid-air trajectories of the marbles which are not limited in height by the number or size of these elements. The marble track amusement device is not limited to arrangements on three-dimensional, two-dimensional, or even one-dimensional grids. The three-dimensional orientations of the components are infinitely adjustable.

The track elements are not required to support and/or stabilize each other and, in preferred embodiments, the structural track elements do not directly contact each other. They only function to control the path of the marble, thereby substantially increasing the variety of track geometries and facilitating the ease of assembly, disassembly and replacement of track segments.

The track can be configured to accommodate variable mid-air trajectories. This requires highly precise positioning of the individual track elements. The marble track amusement device preferably includes any combination of chutes, re-directors, stairs, catapults, loops, funnels, ¼ circles, ½ circles, ¾ circles, full circles, rail systems, alternating elements, peg elements, and other kinetic pivoting components, all of which may be removably attached to a substantially planar support surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment showing marble track elements including chutes, re-directors, tubes, stairs and funnels on a substantially vertical planar mounting surface.

FIG. 2A shows a funnel structural element in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2B shows a side view of the funnel of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C shows an isometric view of the funnel of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2D shows a top down view of the funnel of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A shows a half circle structural element in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3B shows a view into the flat side of the half circle structural element of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C shows the half circle structural element of FIG. 3A placed to face an oncoming marble.

FIG. 3D shows the half circle structural element of FIG. 3A used at the end of a marble run.

FIG. 3E shows the half circle structural element of FIG. 3A with the opening placed against the planar support surface.

FIG. 4A shows a ¾ circle structural element in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4B shows a view of the side of the ¾ circle structural element of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C shows an angled bottom view of the ¾ circle structural element of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5 shows a full circle structural element.

FIG. 6A shows a ¼ circle structural element.

FIG. 6B shows another view of a ¼ circle structural element.

FIG. 7A shows a perspective view of a rail system structural element.

FIG. 7B shows a top view of the rail system structural element of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8A shows a front view of a multiple peg structural element.

FIG. 8B shows a side view of the multiple peg structural element of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9A shows a front view of an alternating structural element.

FIG. 9B shows a front view of another embodiment of an alternating structural element.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of an embodiment showing marble track elements on both a substantially vertical planar mounting surface and a substantially horizontal mounting surface.

FIG. 11 shows a first chute structural element on a vertical support surface and a second chute structural element on L brackets.

FIG. 12A shows some of the structural elements of the device creating a path for a marble.

FIG. 12B shows a side view of a chute structural element shown in FIG. 12A on L-brackets.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1, a marble track 100 includes elements such as a first downward sloping chute 120a (generically identified by numeral 120), shown as sloping to the left side of the figure, a second downward sloping chute 120b, shown as sloping to the right side of the figure, a re-director 130 to change the direction of a marble in mid-course, a tube 140, stairs 150 and a funnel 160. All of track elements 120, 130, 140, 150 and 160 are reversibly secured to at least one planar support surface 180 using attachment or mounting elements including, but not limited to, clamps, magnets (for mounting to paramagnetic or ferromagnetic support surfaces), re-usable putty (commonly referred to as “poster putty”), suction cups, or hook and loop fasteners (e.g.—Velcro® fasteners). While the planar support surface 180 in FIG. 1 is a vertical planar support surface, as discussed in further detail below, some or all of the structural elements may alternatively be reversibly secured to a substantially horizontal planar support surface 180. In preferred embodiments, the mounting elements are nonmagnetic. In a more preferred embodiment, the attachment element is re-usable putty. Since the attachment between the structural elements and the planar surface is reversible, the structural elements can be easily rearranged to create different paths along which a marble can travel.

Further, the marble track 100 may be mounted onto multiple alternating horizontal and vertical planar support surfaces 180. Exemplary support surfaces 180 include, but are not limited to, refrigerator doors and walls, doors, table tops (or a combination of a table top and adjoining legs), chair legs, floors, windows and vertically or horizontally oriented rod-like structures, including tree limbs, such as those found on a Christmas tree. Depending upon the types of surfaces upon which the structural elements are going to be placed, the user can utilize more than one type of mounting or attachment element. For example, if a first vertical surfaces is a window, a table top is a first horizontal surface, and a Christmas tree branch is a second horizontal surface, one could use putty or suction cups for the window, putty for the table top and clamps for the Christmas tree branch.

The embodiments of the present invention enable the structural elements to be reversibly attached to two or more different types of surfaces to provide a path for a marble to travel. For example, the highest structural elements could begin on a window, with additional structural elements on a table top, and other structural elements on lower Christmas tree limbs and a trunk of a Christmas tree. The structural elements in this example could be placed such that the marble travels through the structural elements on the window, through the structural elements on the table top, through structural elements on one or more of the lower Christmas tree limbs and finally through the structural elements on the Christmas tree trunk.

While none of the structural elements in FIG. 1 are in direct contact with each other, the position of each structural element directs the marble to the next structural element. Since the structural elements can be configured in any manner to create almost infinite variations, in other embodiments, two or more of the structural elements may be in direct contact with each other.

While the structural elements are preferably reversibly affixed to the planar support surfaces using an attachment element, in other embodiments, one or more of the structural elements may be hung from a surface, such as a ceiling or another support surface, by string, bands, or another material that allow the structural elements to be placed to create a path for one or more marbles.

Each chute element 120 has a specially designed rim or ridge 121 on each end to assist with attachment to the supporting surface. The ridge 121 is an integral part of the chute element 120 and preferably extends along the entire length of each chute element 120. The attachment element, for example re-usable putty, is preferably applied above the ridge 121. The ridge 121 pushes against the planar support surface 180 when the chute element 120 is affixed to the planar support surface, to retain the shape of the chute element 120 and keep the chute portion of the chute element 120 from pushing against the planar support surface 180.

Each re-director 130 has at least one integral tab 131 that provides a surface area which the attachment element uses to adhere the re-director 130 to the support surface 180. Each of the stair elements 150 has at least one integral tab 151 that similarly assists with adherence to the support surface 180. The re-director 130 acts to move the marble quickly in a direction that is opposite from the direction that the marble was originally traveling (e.g. a 90 degree change in direction, from substantially horizontal to substantially vertical, in FIG. 1). The stairs 150 direct the marble downward by permitting the marble to bounce from each individual stair to the next. The marble track 100 of FIG. 1 also includes a funnel 160. The funnel, which has at least one tab 163 is meant to catch the marble from a mid air trajectory or sudden drop from the stairs 150 and channel the marble to a smaller opening. In embodiments where re-usable putty is used, the re-usable putty is applied directly to the tabs. The ridge 121 and the tabs 131, 141, 151, and 163, are preferably formed as an integral piece of each structural element. For example, the ridges 121 are preferably protrusions extruded from the main portion of each chute element 120 and the tabs 131, 141, 151, and 163 are manufactured as part of the other structural elements.

Since track elements 120, 130, 140, 150 and 160 may be mounted on almost any surface, the positions to which these track elements can be set are essentially infinitely variable. Configuring a marble track with open-air trajectories generally requires trial-and-error positioning of the track elements 120, 130, 140, 150 and 160 to insure that the marble 170 will be properly “caught” by each track element 120, 130, 140, 150 and 160 in succession along the track. For example, when the marble 170 is put in a left downward sloping chute 120a, the marble will roll from left to right as the left side of the chute is lower than the right. The marble 170 will travel over the rim 121 of the chute 120a and be caught by a second chute 120b, shown in FIG. 1 as sloping from right to left. Once the marble 170 leaves the chute 120b it will hit the re-director 130 and quickly be directed into the tube 140. If the re-director 130 is not positioned at precisely the correct location, the marble 170 will either fail to enter the re-director 130 completely or it will not enter the tube 140 as it exits the re-director 130. Once the marble 170 hits the stairs 150 it will move down the stairs 150. The tube 140 and the stairs 150 must be positioned precisely with respect to one another in order to enable the marble 170 to move down each successive step of stairs 150 without falling to the ground. The marble 170 moves from the stairs 170 to the funnel 160. The funnel 160 corrects for any imprecision in trajectory accuracy since there is a much wider opening at the top 162 of the funnel 160 than at the bottom 161.

The infinite adjustability of the positions of the chutes 120, the re-director 130, the tube 140, the stairs 150 and the funnel 160 allows the user the satisfaction of fine-tuning the orientation of the track 100 so that the marble 170 consistently completes the track. This also allows the user to construct extremely challenging marble tracks having diverse mid-air trajectories requiring precise positioning. Further, since the structural elements 120, 130, 140, 150 and 160 can be positioned to direct the marble 170 along a significant variety of paths and trajectories, the vertical and horizontal positioning of these elements is not restricted to locations on only a one-dimensional or two-dimensional grid. Also, since the track elements are attached directly to the support surface, rather than being in contact with each other, the course the marble takes is only dependent on the track geometries and the positioning of each of the structural elements. There is thus a substantial increase in the variety of track designs. This flexibility also makes the marble track amusement device easy to assemble, disassemble and replace or adjust portions of the track.

FIGS. 2A through 2D show a funnel structural element 200 that can be used in a marble track amusement device like the device 100 shown in FIG. 1. The funnel structural element 200 preferably includes tabs 201 which can be used to secure the funnel structural element 200 to a planar surface. For example, in one preferred embodiment, re-usable putty can be added to the tabs 201 to secure the funnel structural element 200 to a wall or other substantially vertical or horizontal planar support surface. The funnel structural element 200 includes a wide top opening 202 and a narrow bottom opening 203. The funnel structural element 200 is preferably used to catch a marble from the wide top opening 202 and move it down towards the narrow bottom opening 203 to allow the marble to be transferred to another structural element in the track device (for example, any of the elements shown in FIG. 1 or 3-12). The open portion 204 extending between the wide top opening 202 and the narrow bottom opening 203 of the funnel structural element 200 is preferably placed against a planar support surface such that the edges 212 that form the open portion 204 contact the planar support surface in many embodiments. Since the funnel structural element 200 has a relatively large top opening 202 in which the marble can enter, it will allow the user to create long trajectories from one part of the funnel structural element 200, thereby lowering the possibility for the marble to miss and fall to the ground or otherwise out of the marble track device.

While the funnel structural element 200 may be of any dimensions to work with the other structural elements in the device, in one preferred embodiment, the funnel structural element 200 is approximately 3.5 inches wide at the top opening 202 and is approximately 3 inches long from the top opening 202 to the bottom opening 203. The bottom opening 203 can be of any dimension capable of permitting the exit of the marble.

FIGS. 3A through 3E show a half circle structural element 300 for the marble track device. Although this element is termed a “half circle” structural element, the element does not have to be an exact half circle. The half circle structural element 300 preferably includes tabs 301 which can be used to secure the half circle structural element 300 to a substantially vertical or substantially horizontal planar surface. For example, in one preferred embodiment, re-usable putty can be added to the tabs 301 to secure the half circle structural element 300 to a wall or other substantially vertical or substantially horizontal planar support surface. The half circle structural element 300 has an opening 302 that extends a length of the element from a top 308 of the half circle to the bottom 307 of the half circle. The half circle structural element has a solid substantially semicircular shaped portion 311 and a solid curved surface 310. Opposite the solid substantially half circle shaped portion is open 309. A curved edge 312 defines the opening 309 and abuts the planar support surface in many embodiments.

The half circle structural element 300 has many uses. When the opening 302 is placed facing an oncoming marble 170 (as shown in FIG. 3C) received from a chute 120, it is used to redirect the marble 170 back in the opposite direction. Varying the angle of the opening 302 of the half circle and where the marble 170 enters the half circle dramatically alters how the marble 170 exits the half circle. For example, if the half circle is placed dead ahead of the oncoming marble 170, usually the marble 170 will bounce straight ahead and fall into the track below. If the half circle is placed so that the marble 170 enters at the bottom 307 of the half circle, then it usually moves from the bottom 307 to the top 308 and exits the top 308 of the half circle back on the track from where it came. Conversely, the marble may enter at the top 308 of the half circle, and exit at the bottom 307 (as shown in FIG. 3C), illustrating the diversity of the elements of the device.

The half circle structural element 300 may also be used as an “end” piece to hold the marbles 170 when they reach the end of the run, as shown in FIG. 3D. In this configuration, the opening 302 of the half circle structural element is positioned parallel to the ground. In another embodiment, the open semi-circular portion 309 may be placed facing the ground, with the opening 302 abutting the planar support surface, as shown in FIG. 3E. In this embodiment, the flat solid semicircular element 311 is used to bounce the marble 170 to another structural element. In another embodiment, the opening 302 faces the ground and the open semi circular portion 309 abuts the support surface (and is preferably affixed to the support surface using the tabs 301). This allows the marble 170 to hit a solid curved surface 310 of the half circle structural element 300 and bounce to another structural element. When multiple ½ circle structural elements 300 are used, the marbles ricochet off the solid curved surface 310 of each ½ circle structural element 300. The effect is somewhat like the bumpers of a pinball machine.

FIGS. 4A through 4C show a ¾ circle structural element 400 for the marble track device. Although this element is termed a “¾ circle” structural element, the closed or circular portion of the ¾ circle structural element may vary from between a ½ circle to anything less than a fully closed circle that has a hole large enough to allow movement of a marble through the interior of the curved portion. The 3/4 circle structural element 400 preferably includes a plurality of tabs 401 which can be used to secure the ¾ circle structural element 400 to a substantially vertical or substantially horizontal planar surface. The 3/4 circle structural element includes an opening 402 along a curved edge of the flat side of the 3/4 circle. Similar to the ½ circle structural element, the ¾ circle structural element also includes a semicircular flat solid portion 411 opposite an open flat face 407 and a solid curved surface 409 with an edge 412 that defines the open flat face 407 and is placed against the planar support surface during use in many embodiments. The ¾ circle structural element 400 re-directs the marble 170 at various angles.

In some embodiments, the marble 170 enters the bottom 404 of an angled ¾ circle and exits the top 405. In other embodiments, a marble 170 enters the top 405 of an angled ¾ circle and exits the bottom 404. Changing the orientation of the opening 402 changes the trajectory of the exiting marble. Multiple ¾ circle structural elements 400 can create a looping system. To create a looping system, a first ¾ circle structural element is placed to accept a marble at the top 405 of the ¾ circle structural element. A second ¾ circle structural element is placed with the opening 402 of the second ¾ circle structural element facing the opening 402 of the first ¾ circle structural element, but located slightly below and offset from the bottom 404 of the first ¾ circle structural element so that it catches the marble exiting the bottom 404 of the first ¾ circle structural element. Additional ¾ circle structural elements can be placed so that a series of ¾ circle structural elements guide the marble along a looping path. In another embodiment, the looping system can be created with the marble entering each of the ¾ circle structural elements from the bottom 404 and exiting the top 405, or alternatively, the marble can enter some of the ¾ circle structural elements from the bottom 404 and others from the top 405. Similar looping systems can be created with the ½ circle structural elements 300 discussed above.

The ¾ circle structural elements 400 can also be used in the various ways discussed with respect to the ½ circle structural element 300. When the opening 402 is placed facing an oncoming marble 170 (similar to what is shown in FIG. 3C) received from a chute 120, it is used to redirect the marble 170 in the opposite direction. Varying the angle of the opening 402 of the ¾ circle and where the marble 170 enters the ¾ dramatically alters how the marble 170 exits the ¾ circle. For example, if the ¾ circle is placed dead ahead of the oncoming marble 170, usually the marble 170 will bounce straight ahead and fall into the track below.

The ¾ circle structural element 400 may also be used as an “end” piece to hold the marbles 170 when they reach the end of the run (similar to what is shown in FIG. 3D). In this configuration, the opening 402 of the ¾ circle structural element 400 is positioned facing upwards and parallel to the ground. In another embodiment, the opening 402 may be placed parallel to and facing the ground, affixed to the substantially vertical or substantially horizontal planar support surface with the open flat face 407. In this embodiment, the marble hits a solid curved surface 409, which bounces the marble 170 to another structural element. When multiple ¾ circle structural elements 400 are used, the marbles ricochet off the solid curved surface 409 of each ¾ circle structural element 400. The effect is somewhat like the bumpers of a pinball machine. In another embodiment, the open flat face 407 may be placed parallel and facing the ground with the opening 402 facing the planar support surface. This allows the marble 170 to hit the semicircular flat solid portion 411 of the ¾ circle structural element 400 and bounce to another structural element.

The half circle structural element and/or the ¾ circle structural element (as well as all of the other structural elements described herein) may be of any dimensions that can create an effective path for a marble. In one example, the half circle structural element and the ¾ circle structural element are approximately 2.5 inches in diameter and approximately one inch deep.

FIG. 5 shows a full circle structural element 500. The full circle structural element 500 preferably includes two opposing solid circular sides 507 (only one is shown in the figure) and a curved portion 508 between the two circular sides 507. The full circle structural element preferably includes a plurality of tabs 501 which can be used to secure the full circle structural element 500 to a substantially vertical or substantially horizontal planar surface. Alternatively, one of the solid circular sides 507 may be affixed directly to the planar surface, for example with re-usable putty or another attachment element. The full circle structural element 500 is preferably hollow, to create a path for a marble 170 to pass through an interior of the full circle structural element 500.

In order for marbles 170 to travel into or through the full circle structural element 500, the full circle structural element 500 preferably includes at least one hole 502 in the upper portion of the curved portion 508 and at least one hole 502 at the bottom of the curved portion 508 of the full circle structural element 500. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, multiple holes 502 may be present, with two holes on an upper portion of the full circle structural element 500 and another hole 502 in a bottom portion. Tubes or chutes are preferably placed in close proximity to the full circle structural element 500 in order to guide the marble into the holes 502. One or more marbles 170 preferably travels into one of the holes 502 in the upper portion of the full circle structural element 500, through the full circle structural element 500, and out the hole 502 at the bottom. Since the full circle structural element 500 in FIG. 5 shows two holes 502 on the upper portion, there are preferably two marbles that enter the full circle structural element 500 in this example.

In other embodiments, the full circle structural element 500 can be placed such that the marble 170 hits a curved portion 508 of the full circle structural element 500 such that the full circle structural element 500 acts like a bumper. In yet other embodiments, the full circle structural element 500 can be angled such that a marble 170 enters the full circle structural element 500 at the end of the track. In this embodiment, none of the holes are aligned for the marble to exit the full circle structural element.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show a ¼ circle structural element 600. Although the term used for this structural element is a “¼ circle”, any circumference for the circle that is less than approximately a ½ circle but still capable of creating a path for the marble is encompassed by this structural element. The ¼ circle structural element 600 preferably has a plurality of tabs 601 which can be used to secure the ¼ circle structural element 600 to a substantially vertical or substantially horizontal planar surface. The ¼ circle structural element 600 has an opening 602 to receive the marble 170, a flat ¼ circular shaped solid portion 611, a curved solid portion 610, and an open flat face 605 defined by an edge 612 of the curved solid portion 610 that is preferably placed against the planar support surface in many embodiments.

The ¼ circle structural element 600 changes the trajectory of the marble when the marble enters the ¼ circle structural element 600 at one end 603, travels along the ¼ circle structural element 600, and exits the other end 604 of the ¼ circle structural element 600. The ¼ circle structural element could also be oriented so that the marble enters at end 604 and exits at end 603. Because the ¼ circle structural element 600 has a relatively short track length, the trajectory change is smaller than for many of the other structural elements. In some embodiments, the ¼ circle structural element 600 acts as a re-director, changing the trajectory of the marble approximately 90 degrees, similar to the re-director 130 shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show another type of a chute element, which is a rail system structural element 700. In preferred embodiments, the rail system structural element 700 can be affixed directly to a planar support surface, for example by using re-usable putty to adhere the brackets 705 to the planar support surface. Alternatively, other attachment elements may be used. The rail system structural element 700 includes two guiding rods or rails 702 that guide a marble 170 from a first end 703 of the rail system structural element 700 to a second end 704 of the rail system structural element 700. In order to aid movement of the marble 170, there is preferably an incline from the first end 703 to the second end 704 of the rail system structural element 700. Brackets 705 include a first portion 706 that receive ends of the two rods or rails 702 and a second portion 707 that attaches to a substantially vertical support surface via an attachment element (such as putty) or allows the structural element 700 to sit on a substantially horizontal support surface.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show a multiple peg structural element 800. The peg structural element 800 includes a number of pegs 802 projecting from a planar board 803. In other embodiments, the board could be curved, have an incline, multiple hill-type portions, or another surface topography. A marble 170 enters the peg structural element 800 at a first end 804 of the board 803 and bounces from peg 802 to peg 802 until it exits the peg structural element 800 at a second end 805 of the board 800. The number of pegs 802 and the length and width of the board 803 may vary. Although the multiple peg structural element 800 is preferably placed on a substantially vertical support surface (such that the board 803 is substantially vertical), in other embodiments, the peg structural element 800 could be placed on a substantially horizontal support surface if the marble has sufficient force to traverse the peg element 800 and travel to the next structural element. In yet other embodiments, the peg structural element 800 could be placed on a slightly inclined planar surface. In preferred embodiments, the back of the board 803 is preferably reversibly directly affixed to the support surface, for example by using re-usable putty. In other embodiments, tabs (not shown) could be used to affix the back of the board 803 to the support surface.

FIGS. 9A and 9B show an alternating structural element 900. The alternating structural element 900 includes a three pronged body 902 pivotally 903 attached to a support section 904. This element 900 is preferably used in a track device where marbles 170 are coming from two different directions. The three pronged body 902 can alternate between two positions to direct alternating marbles 170 in different directions. As a marble from on side hits the three pronged body 902, it pivots the three pronged body 902 to allow the next marble 170 to travel on the other side of the three pronged body 902.

The three pronged body 902 is preferably connected to a support section 904, as shown in FIG. 9B, that can be directly reversibly affixed to a substantially planar surface for example with re-usable putty. In other embodiments, the support section 904 may include tabs used to reversibly affix the alternating structural element 900 to the substantially planar surface. In other embodiments, the alternating structural element 900 includes only the three pronged body 902 with the pivot 903 (as shown in FIG. 9A), which can be directly reversibly pivotally mounted to the substantially planar surface, or can include one or more tabs that enable the alternating structural element 900 to be reversibly affixed to the substantially planar surface. FIG. 9A shows a first marble 170a that travels 908 down a first chute 120a into the alternating structural element 900, where it is directed in the opposite direction 909. As shown in FIG. 9B, a second marble 170b travels 910 down a second chute 120b, and is directed in the opposite direction 911 by the alternating structural element 900.

FIG. 11 shows a first chute structural element 120a mounted on a vertical support surface 1100 and a second chute structural element 120b mounted on a horizontal portion 1104 of the L-brackets 1103. The horizontal portion 1104 of the L-brackets 1103 is used to support the chute 120b. A vertical portion 1105 of the L-brackets is preferably reversibly affixed to the vertical support surface 1100. The horizontal portion 1104 of the brackets 1103 is preferably reversibly affixed to the chute element 120b or alternatively, the chute 120b balances on the horizontal portion 1104 and no attachment element is required. In one preferred embodiment, the attachment element is re-usable putty. Alternatively, the bracket 1103 can sit on a horizontal support surface and either be reversibly affixed to the horizontal support surface or balance on the horizontal support surface without an attachment element. The brackets 1103 may be used with any of the structural elements described herein on horizontal or vertical support surfaces.

Although FIGS. 1-9 and 11 discuss specific structural elements, the devices of the present invention may use any combination of any type of structural element capable of carrying a marble farther along its path either vertically or horizontally.

FIGS. 12A and 12B show a marble track device 1200 with multiple structural elements 120, 200, 300, 400, and 500, reversibly mounted to a vertical support surface 1202. Some of the chutes 120 are supported by L-shaped brackets 1203, which are connected to the vertical support surface 1202. The horizontal portion 1204 of the L-shaped brackets 1203 shown in FIG. 12A lie in the same direction as the chute element 120 the brackets 1203 are supporting; the horizontal portion 1204 therefore provides support along the chute's entire length. In this configuration, either or both the horizontal portion 1204 and vertical portion 1205 of the L-shaped brackets 1203 can be reversibly affixed to the vertical support surface 1202. In an alternative embodiment, the horizontal portion 1204 lies perpendicular to the length of the chute 120, as shown in FIG. 12B. In this configuration, only the vertical portion 1205 of the L-shaped brackets 1203 is reversibly affixed to the vertical support surface 1202. In other embodiments, the horizontal portion 1204 of the L-shaped brackets 1203 can be placed at any angle between 0 and 90 degrees in relation to the orientation of the chute 120 in a length direction.

The elements 120, 200, 300, 400 and 500 are preferably reversibly affixed to the vertical support surface 1202. The chute elements 120 supported by L-shaped brackets 1203 are reversibly affixed to the horizontal portion of the L-shaped bracket, and the vertical portion of the L-shaped bracket, which contacts the vertical support surface 1202, is reversibly affixed to the vertical support surface 1202.

In some embodiments of the marble track amusement device, some of the structural elements are attached to a substantially vertical support surface, such as a conventional wall, while other structural elements are attached to a substantially horizontal support surface, such as a table. This allows the marble 170 to travel on both vertical and horizontal planes. In a variation on this embodiment, an “L” bracket (see e.g. the L-brackets 1103, 1203 or a re-director (see. e.g. re-director 130 in FIG. 1) can be affixed to either the vertical or horizontal support surface to allow the marble to travel in one plane, divert to the other plane, and then optionally travel back to elements along the original plane.

An example of these embodiments is shown in FIG. 10. The marble track amusement device 1000 includes chutes 120 on a substantially vertical support surface 1002, such as a wall, and chutes 120 on a substantially horizontal support surface 1003, such as a table top. Although chutes 120 are the only elements shown in this figure, any of the structural elements discussed herein could be placed on a horizontal support surface as long as their placement helped create a path for a marble 170. While the chutes 120 on the table 1003 are directly reversibly mounted to the table 1003 in this figure (for example, using the rims 121 discussed above), L-shaped brackets 1103, 1203 like those shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 could alternatively be used with the chutes on the horizontal surface to elevate them and change their placement. Different height L-brackets 1103, 1203 could also be used to create an incline for the chutes 120 and to support other structural elements discussed herein.

The L-shaped brackets discussed with respect to FIGS. 11 and 12 and the re-directors 130 shown in FIG. 1 could be used to divert the marble from plane to plane. The diversion from plane to plane can continue as many times as the user wishes.

In other embodiments, all of the structural elements are attached to one or more substantially vertical planar support surfaces. In still other embodiments, all of the structural elements are attached to a substantially horizontal planar support surface.

The overall length and width of the track is only limited by the dimensions of the support surfaces and the strength of the elements that attach the track element to those surfaces. Similarly, the dimensions of the track portion of each structural element are limited only by the size of the marbles to be used in a particular device. In fact, structural elements may be manufactured to accept marbles of various sizes. In addition, a track element may take the form of a trampoline, a water wheel-type mechanism or a catapult which can launch the marble 170 onto or into another structural element. Also, since the various track elements can be mounted on planar surfaces with a 360° freedom of orientation they can serve multiple functions. For instance, the bottom of a chute can function as a bumper, or two chutes mounted side by side can allow two marbles to race.

The structural elements of the marble track may be constructed of any material, including, but not limited to, plastic or metal materials. Each element may be made of a pliable elastomeric material, or a rigid substrate may be coated with an elastomeric material to cushion the impact of the marble with a specific track element, thereby decreasing the likelihood that the marble will bounce off the track. The elements can be constructed of the same or different materials as each other. The cross-section of a track element may be altered to better trap a falling marble. The marble track device may include mechanical or electromechanical elements for raising the marble to the top of the track once it has reached the bottom of the track. It may also include electrical or mechanical elements for generating sounds or noises when triggered by contact between the marble and selected structural elements.

The structural elements of the marble track may be manufactured in any color. In preferred embodiments, at least one of the structural elements is manufactured in translucent colors so that the user can see the marble move through the structural elements. Any or all of the structural elements may be manufactured in translucent colors.

Accordingly, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention herein described are merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Reference herein to details of the illustrated embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the claims, which themselves recite those features regarded as essential to the invention.

Claims

1. A marble track amusement device comprising:

a plurality of structural elements, wherein the structural elements create a path along which at least one marble travels; and

re-usable putty that reversibly attaches each structural element to at least a first substantially planar support surface.

2. The marble track amusement device of claim 1 wherein the first planar support surface is selected from the group consisting of:

a) a substantially horizontal planar support surface; and

b) a substantially vertical planar support surface.

3. The marble track amusement device of claim 1, further comprising a second planar support surface.

4. The marble track amusement device of claim 3 wherein the first planar support surface is substantially vertical and the second planar support surface is substantially horizontal.

5. The marble track amusement device of claim 1 wherein at least one of the structural elements includes at least one tab integral to the structural element that enables the attachment of the structural element to the at least one planar support surface.

6. The marble track amusement device of claim 1, wherein at least two of the structural elements are not in direct contact with each other.

7. The marble track amusement device of claim 1, wherein none of the structural elements are in direct contact with each other.

8. The marble track amusement device of claim 1, wherein the structural elements are selected from the group consisting of ¼ circles, ½ circles, ¾ circles, full circles, funnels, rail systems, peg systems, and alternating structures.

9. The marble track amusement device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the structural elements comprises edges that contact the first substantially planar support surface such that the substantially planar support surface creates a solid side of the structural element that is open when the edges do not contact the substantially planar support surface.

10. A marble track amusement device comprising a plurality of structural elements that create a path along which at least one marble travels, wherein at least one of the structural elements is reversibly mounted to at least one substantially horizontal planar support surface, and at least one of the structural elements is reversibly mounted to at least one substantially vertical surface.

11. The marble track amusement device of claim 10, wherein at least two of the structural elements are not in direct contact with each other.

12. The marble track amusement device of claim 10, wherein none of the structural elements are in direct contact with each other.

13. The marble track amusement device of claim 10, further comprising at least one attachment element that reversibly attaches each structural element to the planar support surfaces.

14. The marble track amusement device of claim 13, wherein the attachment elements are selected from the group consisting of clamps, magnets, suction cups, hook and loop fasteners, and re-usable putty.

15. The marble track amusement device of claim 10, wherein at least one of the structural elements comprises a re-director, wherein the re-director diverts the marble in a manner selected from the group consisting of: a) from the substantially horizontal planar support surface to the substantially vertical planar support surface; and b) from the substantially vertical planar support surface to the substantially horizontal planar support surface.

16. The marble track amusement device of claim 15, wherein the re-director comprises a substantially L-shaped bracket.

17. The marble track amusement device of claim 10, wherein at least one of the structural elements is reversibly attached to both the at least one substantially horizontal planar support surface and the at least one substantially vertical planar support surface.

18. The marble track amusement device of claim 17, wherein the structural elements are selected from the group consisting of ¼ circles, ½ circles, ¾ circles, full circles, funnels, rail systems, peg systems, and alternating structures.

19. A marble track amusement device comprising:

a plurality of structural elements that create a path along which at least one marble travels; and

at least one L-shaped bracket that reversibly connects at least one structural element to at least one substantially planar support surface.

20. The marble track amusement device of claim 19, wherein the L-shaped bracket changes an orientation of the structural element approximately 90 degrees.