MINIATURE VEHICLE AND SET

Abstract

In an aspect, the invention is directed to a set that includes a miniature vehicle that drives one or more wheels with an on-board motor that draws power from an on-board power source. A switch is provided to control the transmission of power from the power source to the motor. A first drive-related magnetically-responsive member is movable between first and second positions to control whether the switch is off or on. A second drive-related magnetically-responsive member is positionable to interact with the first drive-related magnetically responsive member to move the first drive-related magnetically-responsive member to the second position so as to close the switch.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to miniature electrically powered vehicles and sets including guideways on which the vehicles travel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently available play sets with electrically powered miniature vehicles suffer from several problems. Some playsets incorporate a track that has embedded conductive members. The vehicle contains brushes or conductive members that engage conductive members on the track and draws power from a power source through this engagement. While the vehicles are typically capable of reaching high speeds, the tracks for such systems can be expensive. In some playsets, the vehicle has an on-board power source, in the form of a battery. One problem with this is that, in order to obtain strong acceleration and high speeds, one or more relatively expensive batteries may be needed and these batteries can be drained relatively quickly of their charge. Additionally, play patterns with some prior art vehicles and track systems can be relatively limited, even in situations where the track is reconfigurable.

It would be beneficial to provide a vehicle and a set including a vehicle that overcomes some or all of the above problems at least to some degree.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the invention is directed to a set that includes a miniature vehicle that drives one or more wheels with an on-board motor that draws power from an on-board power source. A switch is provided to control the transmission of power from the power source to the motor. A first drive-related magnetically-responsive member is movable between first and second positions to control whether the switch is off or on. A second drive-related magnetically-responsive member is positionable to interact with the first drive-related magnetically responsive member to move the first drive-related magnetically-responsive member to the second position so as to close the switch.

In a particular embodiment of the first aspect, the miniature vehicle includes a chassis, a plurality of wheels rotatable with respect to the chassis and a motor. The plurality of wheels includes at least one driven wheel that is drivable by the motor. The vehicle further includes a power source connectable to provide power to the motor, a switch operatively connected to control power transmission from the power source to the motor, and a first drive-related magnetically-responsive member that is positionable in a first position wherein the first drive-related magnetically-responsive member opens the switch to disconnect the motor from the power source, and a second position wherein the first drive-related magnetically-responsive member closes the switch to connect the motor to the power source. The second drive-related magnetically responsive member is positionable to interact with the first drive-related magnetically responsive member to move the first drive-related magnetically-responsive member to the second position when the first drive-related magnetically-responsive member is sufficiently close to the second drive-related magnetically-responsive member, thereby closing the switch and causing the motor to drive the at least one driven wheel.

In an embodiment the second drive-related magnetically-responsive member is part of a guideway on which the vehicle can drive.

In a second aspect, the invention is directed to a miniature vehicle that includes a motor that drives one or more wheels, a battery, and a voltage boosting circuit that is controllable to increase the voltage from the battery voltage for driving the motor.

In a particular embodiment, the miniature vehicle includes a chassis, a plurality of wheels rotatable with respect to the chassis and a motor, wherein the plurality of wheels includes at least one driven wheel that is drivable by the motor, a battery, a voltage boosting circuit that stores charge from the battery at a higher voltage than the battery voltage and that is selectively connectable to the motor and a switch that is selectively closeable to operatively connect the voltage boosting circuit to the motor.

In a third aspect, the invention is directed to set including a miniature vehicle that includes a steering linkage that is movable to steer the vehicle left or right via one or more first steering-related magnetically-responsive members. A second steering-related magnetically-responsive member is positionable to interact with the one or more first steering-related magnetically-responsive members to move the steering linkage so as to steer the vehicle in a selected direction.

In a fourth aspect, the invention is directed to a packaging for a miniature vehicle for use with a guideway including a base and a pair of guide walls. The packaging includes a blister member, and a backing member connected to the blister member. The backing member forms a section in the base of the guideway. The backing member may optionally contain a second drive-related magnetically-responsive member in embodiments where it can interact with a vehicle that has a drive-related switch that is operable via a first drive-related magnetically-responsive member. In other embodiments, the backing member may optionally contain a second steering-related magnetically-responsive member in embodiments in which it can interact with a steering linkage on the vehicle which is movable via one or more first steering-related magnetically-responsive members.

In a fifth aspect, the invention is directed to a miniature vehicle that is driven by a motor, and that includes a plurality of removable performance-altering members, each of which are removably connectable to a base portion of the vehicle to alter the operation of the motor. In a particular embodiment, the motor is operated for a first non-zero period of time when a first performance-altering member is connected to the base portion, and the motor is operated for a second non-zero period of time when a second performance-altering member is connected to a base portion of the vehicle. A voltage-controlled switch (e.g. a MOSFET) may be provided to control current flow through the motor. A main voltage source is selectively connected to the voltage-controlled switch to control the state of the switch. Each performance-altering member may include a secondary voltage source. When the performance-altering member is connected to the base portion of the vehicle, the secondary voltage source is positioned to control the voltage-controlled switch to keep the voltage-connected switch closed for a selected period of time after disconnection of the main voltage source from the voltage-controlled switch. Preferably, the secondary voltage source is a capacitor that is chargeable by the main voltage source.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a set including a miniature vehicle, a guideway, and other associated components which are used for controlling the operation of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2a is a magnified perspective view the vehicle shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2b is a magnified perspective view the vehicle shown in FIG. 1 without its body shell;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a circuit used in the operation of the vehicle shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a magnified perspective view of a switch provided in the vehicle shown in FIG. 1 in an open position;

FIGS. 5a and 5b are magnified elevation views of the switch shown in FIG. 4 in open and closed positions respectively;

FIG. 6 is a magnified sectional view of a portion of the guideway shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7a is a magnified perspective view of a steering linkage from the vehicle shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7a is a magnified plan view of the steering linkage shown in FIG. 7a;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a packaging that can be used for the vehicle 12;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a backing member from the packaging shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a variant of the vehicle shown in FIG. 1, with a plurality of interchangeable body shells;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the underside of one of the body shells being lowered onto a base portion of the vehicle;

FIG. 12 is a magnified view of a capacitor that is included in the body shell shown in FIG. 11; and

FIG. 13 is a modification of the circuit shown in FIG. 3, to include the capacitor shown in FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made to FIG. 1, which shows a set 10 including a miniature vehicle 12, a guideway 14, and other associated components which are used for controlling the operation of the vehicle 12, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2a shows the vehicle 12 with its body shell 19 on. FIG. 2b shows the vehicle 12 without its body shell 19 to better show the components underneath. Referring to FIG. 2b, the miniature vehicle 12 includes a chassis 20, a plurality of wheels 22 (shown individually as 22a, 22b, 22c and 22d) which are rotatable with respect to the chassis and a motor 30 that drives two of the wheels 22. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2b, the driven wheels are the rear wheels 22a and 22b. The rear wheels 22a and 22b are fixedly mounted to a rear axle 26. The motor 30 drives the rear axle 26 via a geartrain 27. It will be understood that, in other embodiments, any single wheel 22 or any combination of wheels 22 may be driven by the motor 30.

The vehicle 12 further includes a power source 28, which provides power for driving the motor 30. The power source 28 is described in greater detail further below. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a switch 32 is positioned to selectively operatively connect the power source 28 to the motor 30 to control power transmission from the power source 28 to the motor 30. Referring to FIG. 4 specifically, the switch 32 includes a first contact 34, a second contact 36 that is mounted on a switch pivot member 38 and a switch biasing member 40. The switch 32 is positionable in an open position (shown in FIG. 5a) in which the first contact 34 is spaced from the second contact 36, so that the motor 30 is disconnected from the power source 28, and a closed position (shown in FIG. 5b) in which the first and second contacts 34 and 36 are engaged with each other to connect the motor 30 to the power source 28. The switch pivot member 38 is pivotally connected at a first end 42 to the chassis 20 for rotation in a vertical plane. A first drive-related magnetically-responsive member 44 is positioned on the switch pivot arm 42, and is movable with the switch pivot arm 42 between a first, upward position (FIG. 5a) in which the contacts 34 and 36 are spaced from each other and the switch 32 is therefore open, and a second, lower position (FIG. 5b) in which the contacts 34 and 36 are engaged with each other and the switch 32 is therefore closed.

The switch biasing member 40, which in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 4, 5a and 5b, is a compression spring, extends between the chassis 20 and the switch pivot arm 42 and urges the switch pivot arm 42 towards its upward position, and therefore biases the switch 32 to its open position.

Referring to FIG. 5b, a second drive-related magnetically responsive member 46 is positionable to interact with the first drive-related magnetically responsive member 44 to move the first drive-related magnetically-responsive member 44 to the second (i.e. lower) position when the first drive-related magnetically-responsive member 44 is sufficiently close to the second drive-related magnetically-responsive member 46, thereby closing the switch 32 and causing the motor 30 to drive the driven wheels 22a and 22b.

In the embodiment shown, the first drive-related magnetically-responsive member 44 is a magnet, and the second drive-related magnetically-responsive member 46 is a metallic member that contains a ferrous metal, such as steel. It is alternatively possible, however, for both the first and second drive-related magnetically-responsive members 44 and 46 to magnets, or for the first drive-related magnetically-responsive member 44 to be a metallic member such as steel and for the second drive-related magnetically-responsive member 46 to be a magnet.

Referring to FIG. 1, the second drive-related magnetically-responsive member 46 may be provided in the guideway 14. The guideway 14 may have any suitable structure. In the embodiment shown the guideway 14 includes a base 50 and a pair of guide walls 52, shown individually at 52a and 52b. The guideway 14 may be made modular, so that it can be configured in a variety of user-selectable configurations to help maintain a level of novelty for the user. As shown in FIG. 1, the guide walls 52 may be provided in sections 54, including straight guide wall sections 54a, inside curve guide wall sections 54b and outside curve guide wall sections 54c. The base 50 may be made up of different base sections 55, including connectors 56 and non-connecting base sections 58. Connector 56 are provided to bridge between adjacent guide wall sections 54 and may be provided in whatever shapes are needed to bridge between different combinations of guide wall sections 54 to provide whatever layout is desired by the user. The connectors 56 are made suitably stiff to provide a level of rigidity or strength to the guideway 14. The connectors 56 may for example by made from a polymeric material. FIG. 6 illustrates an example of the type of connection that is formed between the connector 56 and the guide wall section 54. The connection includes a friction fit between a longitudinal feature 57a on the connector 56 and a mating longitudinal feature on the guide wall section 54. The friction fit prevents the inadvertent separation between adjacent guide wall sections 54. The longitudinal features 57a and 57b prevent the lateral withdrawal of the connector 56 from the guide wall 54 or at least prevent the inadvertent withdrawal of it.

Referring to FIG. 1, the non-connecting base sections 58 may be made relatively weaker if desired as a cost saving measure. The non-connecting base sections 58 may be made for example from laminated cardboard. One or more of the base sections 55 may be provided with the second drive-related magnetically-responsive member 46. Such sections are shown at 60 and may be referred to as accelerator sections because the presence of the second drive-related magnetically-responsive member 46 in such sections causes the vehicle 12 to accelerate as it passes over them. In some accelerator sections 60, the second drive-related magnetically-responsive member 46 may be provided along substantially the entire length of the accelerator section 60 (as shown along accelerator section identified at 60a), so that the vehicle 12 is accelerated relatively greatly by the motor 30. By contrast, in some accelerator sections shown at 60b, the second drive-related magnetically-responsive member 46 may be provided along less than the entire length of the accelerator section 60b, so that the vehicle 12 is accelerated by the motor 30 by a relatively lesser amount. Any selected length of second drive-related magnetically-responsive member 46 may be provided in an accelerator section 55b so as to provide any selected amount of acceleration to the vehicle 12. Some accelerator sections shown at 60c may have a plurality of shorter second drive-related magnetically-responsive members 46 which are separated by gaps shown at 62, so that the overall effect is a more gradual acceleration of the vehicle 12.

It will be noted that the first and second drive-related magnetically-responsive members 44 and 46 may be positioned at a suitable distance from each at their closest distance from each other so as to keep relatively low any magnetic drag that may occur therebetween as the vehicle 12 passes over the accelerator sections 60. Control of the amount of magnetic drag that occurs can be achieved by a number of measures, such as by positioning the first drive-related magnetically-responsive member 44 at a selected height in the vehicle 12.

In an alternative embodiment, the second drive-related magnetically-responsive member 46 may be provided on a simple card that may simply be laid on a floor without a guideway. The vehicle 12 can then be place on the card containing the second drive-related magnetically-responsive member 46 and can be accelerated to some speed after which it leaves the card and rolls along the floor.

Reference is made to FIGS. 7a and 7b, which show the vehicle 12 with the body shell 19, a chassis element (shown at 64 in FIG. 4), and front wheel 22d removed to better show the components of an optional steering linkage 66 for the vehicle 12. The steering linkage 66 may have any suitable structure. In the embodiment shown, the steering linkage 66 includes a sway bar 68 that is pivotable mounted to the chassis 20 for rotation about axis 70, a steering rod 72, a steering linkage biasing member 74, and left and right first steering-related magnetically-responsive members 76 (shown individually at 76a and 76b). The terms ‘left’ and ‘right’ in this context are taken from the perspective of an imaginary driver of the vehicle 12. Pivoting movement of the sway bar in a first direction shown by arrow 78 causes steering pin 80 to rotate clockwise in the view shown in FIG. 7a, which drives the steering rod 72 towards the left, thereby rotating the stub shafts 82a and 82b in a first, counterclockwise direction about their vertical rotation axes to steer the vehicle towards the left. Similarly, pivoting movement of the sway bar in a second direction shown by arrow 84 causes steering pin 80 to rotate counterclockwise in the view shown in FIG. 7a, which drives the steering rod 72 towards the right (shown in FIG. 7b), thereby rotating the stub shafts 82a and 82b in a second, clockwise direction about their vertical rotation axes (which is opposite the first direction) to steer the vehicle towards the right. It will be noted that the wheels 22c and 22d are both rotatably mounted to the stub shafts 82a and 82b.

The steering linkage biasing member 74 may be, for example, a compression spring connected at one end to the chassis (FIG. 4), and at the other end to the sway bar 68. In the rest position, the biasing member 74 is compressed equally on both its left and right sides by the sway bar 68 which occurs when the wheels 22a and 22b are directed straight forward. When one side of the sway bar 68 is pivoted downwards, the opposite side of the sway bar 68 compresses the associated side of the biasing member 74. When the force is removed that pivoted the sway bar 68 downwards, the biasing member 74 urges the sway bar 68 back to the rest position.

Pivoting of the first and second sides of the sway 68 downwardly may take place by the interaction of the left and right first steering-related magnetically-responsive members 76a and 76b with a second steering-related magnetically-responsive member 86 that is positioned on a left side or a right side of the guideway 14. As an example, referring to FIG. 1, a second steering-related magnetically-responsive member 86 may be provided in a steering base section shown at 88 and is positioned to interact with the left first steering-related magnetically-responsive member 76a to cause the sway bar 68 (FIGS. 7a and 7b) to pivot in the first direction (i.e. downwards on the left side of the vehicle 12), which steers the vehicle 12 towards the left. Another steering base section 90 could be positioned to interact with the right first steering-related magnetically-responsive member 76b to cause the sway bar 68 to pivot in the second direction (i.e. downwards on the right side of the vehicle 12), which steers the vehicle 12 towards the right (when the vehicle 12 is travelling in the opposite direction along the guideway 14). After the magnetic interaction is stopped or is otherwise sufficiently diminished, the steering linkage biasing member 74 urges the sway 68 back to the equilibrium position where both sides of the biasing member 74 are compressed equally.

In an alternative embodiment, the second steering-related magnetically-responsive member 86 may be positioned in a card that is insertable on its edge into or is otherwise selectively connectable in a vertical orientation to the guide wall 52 on one side or the other of the vehicle 12. The second steering-related magnetically-responsive member 86 would interact with the left or right (whichever it is nearest) first steering-related magnetically-responsive member 76 to steer the vehicle 12 in a selected direction. In such an embodiment, the first and second steering-related magnetically-responsive members may be oriented to face laterally instead of facing downwardly, and may be connected directly to left and right ends of a steering rod, for example so that a sway bar would not be needed.

The steering linkage 66 may also provide braking capability for the vehicle 12. For example, a second steering-related magnetically-responsive member 86 may be provided on a guideway section (i.e. a base section or a guide wall section) in which case the guideway section may be referred to as a braking guideway section 92. The second steering-related magnetically-responsive member 86 causes the vehicle 12 to steer into one of the guide walls 52a or 52b thereby decelerating the vehicle 12 (optionally until the vehicle 12 stops). The deceleration of the vehicle 12 is carried out by frictional engagement between the vehicle 12 and the guide wall 52a. The first and second steering-related magnetically-responsive members 76 and 86 are positioned suitably closely to each other, so as to provide a selected amount of magnetic drag therebetween so that some braking force is provided by the magnetic drag. As an example, a ‘pit lane’ shown at 94 is provided on the guideway 14 shown in FIG. 1. After the vehicle 12 has been steered into the pit lane 94, a braking base section 92 is provided which steers the vehicle 12 into the guide wall 52a.

The first and second steering-related magnetically-responsive members 76 and 86 may be a magnet and a ferrous metallic member respectively, in similar fashion to the first and second drive-related magnetically-responsive members 44 and 46.

Referring to FIG. 2b, the power source 28 may include a battery 96 and a boost converter 98, provided on a printed circuit board 100. The battery 96 may be any suitable type of battery, such as a 1.5V AAA cell. Referring to FIG. 3, the boost circuit 98 includes an inductor 102, a flyback diode 104, a MOSFET 106, a capacitor 108, and a controller 110 that detects the voltage in the capacitor 108 and that controls the switching of the MOSFET 106 so that the battery 96 charges the capacitor 102 up to a selected voltage, (eg. 2.5V) and then stops charging it further.

When the drive-related switch 32 is open, current is prevented from flowing through the motor 30 because the MOSFET shown at 111 prevents current flow between its source and drain. When the drive-related switch 32 is closed (e.g. because the vehicle 12 is passing over a second drive-related magnetically-responsive member 46), the MOSFET 111 changes state to permit current flow through the motor 30, so that the motor 30 accelerates the vehicle 12.

It will be understood that the boost converter 98 shown here is one example of a voltage boosting circuit that could be used to boost the voltage from the battery 96 for driving the motor 30. Any other suitable voltage boosting circuit may instead be used for this purpose, such as, for example, a buck-boost converter.

As shown in FIG. 3, the vehicle 12 may further include an on-off switch 114 which is used as a master switch for the vehicle 12.

Also as shown in FIG. 3, the circuit includes a motor run-on generator which is provided in the form of a run-on capacitor 150 and run-on resistor 152. When the vehicle 12 passes over a second drive-related magnetically-responsive member 46, the switch 32 is closed, which, as mentioned above, causes the MOSFET 111 to connect the motor 30 to ground, which in turn permits operation of the motor 30, and which also causes the capacitor 150 to be charged to a certain state of charge. When the vehicle 12 passes the end of the second drive-related magnetically-responsive member 46, the switch 32 opens, but there is sufficient voltage in capacitor 150 so that the MOSFET 111 continues to connect the motor 30 to ground, so that the motor 30 continues to run. Eventually, after a period of time that is in part determined by the capacitance of capacitor 150, the voltage drops off sufficiently that the MOSFET 111 changes state to now disconnect the motor 30 from ground which stops the motor 30. Thus, for some period after the vehicle 12 has already passed the end of the second drive-related magnetically-responsive member 46, the motor 30 continues to run.

Reference is made to FIG. 10, which shows an optional arrangement, wherein the body shell 19 of the vehicle is removable and is replaceable by another body shell. For example, one body shell 19a may be configured to appear like a racecar, while another body shell 19b may be configured to appear like a family sedan. Each body shell 19 may be configured to provide the vehicle with a certain level of performance that may be related to the type of vehicle body represented by the body shell 19. For example, the body shell 19a may be configured to provide the vehicle 12 with increased performance as compared to the body shell 19b. To achieve this performance change, the body shell 19a may have a small circuit board 154 (FIG. 11) mounted thereto, on which is mounted a performance modification capacitor 156 (FIG. 12). The board 154 is mounted to the body shell 19a via two screws 158 and 160 (FIG. 11) which act as conductors that are in electrical communication with the capacitor 156 via electrical traces 162 and 164 (FIG. 12). The body shell 19a itself is made from a non-conductive material, such as a suitable polymeric material. The heads of the screws 158 and 160 are received in apertures 166 and 168 (FIG. 10) in a base portion shown at 169 of the vehicle 12 and connect to electrical conduits 170 and 172, which are the electrical conduits leading to the motor run-on capacitor 150 (FIG. 13). As a result, the capacitor 156 is electrically connected in parallel with the capacitor 150. Consequently, during use, when the vehicle 12 passes over a second drive-related magnetically-responsive member 46, the additional capacitor 156 will also be charged and when the vehicle 12 passes the end of the member 46, both capacitors 150 and 156 will discharge, however, this will result in a longer period of providing the MOSFET 111 with a sufficient gate voltage to keep the motor 30 in operation than if the capacitor 156 were not present. Thus, the vehicle 12 accelerates for a longer period than it would without the capacitor 156. To the user this provides a more racecar-like performance from the vehicle 12. By contrast, when the sedan body shell 19b is mounted to the base portion 169, it may have a smaller capacitor than the capacitor 156 provided in the body shell 19a, or it may have no capacitor at all, either of which would result in a shorter motor run-on period than the motor run-on period associated with the capacitor 156 in body shell 19a. This provides a more sedan-like performance. Other types of vehicles may be represented by other different body shells 19 (e.g. a bus, a jet engine-powered vehicle, etc). Each body shell 19 provides the vehicle 12 with a motor run-on period that provides vehicle performance that would be associated with the particular vehicle represented by that body shell 19. It should be mentioned that FIG. 13 only shows a relevant portion of the circuit shown in FIG. 3, to illustrate electrically the connection of the additional capacitor 156 when the body shell 19a is mounted to the base portion 169 of the vehicle 12.

In the exemplary embodiment, the capacitor 150 is provided, which provides the vehicle 12 with some amount of motor run-on after the vehicle 12 has passed the end of a member 46. It will be understood however that it is possible for the capacitor 150 to be omitted, in which case any motor run-on would be provided solely by capacitors in the individual body shells 19. It will also be understood that it is optionally possible for the capability of motor run-on to be omitted from the vehicle 12. In such a case the capacitor 150 and the resistor 152 are not needed, nor the circuit boards 154 with the capacitors 156 thereon. A plurality of body shells 19 could still optionally be provided if desired to at least change the appearance of the vehicle 12.

It will be noted that a slightly different embodiment of the chassis 20 appears in FIGS. 10 and 11, as compared to the chassis 20 shown in FIG. 2b.

The body shells 19 and capacitors 156 may together be referred to as performance-altering members, each of which are removably connectable to the base portion 169 of the vehicle 12. The first performance-altering member (which includes the body shell 19a) electrically controls the motor 30 to operate a first way in response to a given input (e.g. a given amount of time travelling over a member 46). The second performance-altering member (which includes the body shell 19b) electrically controls the motor 30 to operate a second way in response to a given input (e.g. the aforementioned given amount of time travelling over a member 46). In the embodiment described above, when the first performance-altering member is connected to the base portion 169, the motor operates for a first period of time in response to a given input, and when the second performance-altering member is connected to the base portion, the motor operates for a second period of time in response to a given input.

As described above, the base portion 169 includes a voltage-controlled switch (in this case, MOSFET 111) which controls current flow through the motor 30. A main voltage source (in this case, power source 28) is selectively connectable to the voltage-controlled switch to control the state of the voltage-controlled switch. As described above, in the preferred embodiment, each performance-altering member includes a secondary voltage source (in this case, the capacitor 156), which, when connected to the base portion 169 of the vehicle 12, controls the voltage-controlled switch to keep the voltage-controlled switch closed for a selected period of time after disconnection of the main voltage source from the voltage-controlled switch.

As described above, the capacitor 156 is chargeable by the main voltage source when the main voltage source is connected to the voltage-controlled switch.

As described above, the first body shell 19a represents a first type of vehicle (in this case a racecar) having a first level of performance, and the second body shell 19b that represents a second type of vehicle (in this case a sedan) having a second level of performance.

Reference is made to FIGS. 8 and 9, which shows an optional packaging 120 for the vehicle 12. The packaging 120 includes a blister member 122 and a backing member 124 which are joined by an adhesive. The blister member 122 may be transparent so as to show the vehicle 12 inside. The backing member 124 may make up one or more base sections 60 for the guideway 14. As shown in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 9, the backing member 124 may be divided into three elements 126 that can be used with the guideway 14. A first element, shown at 126a, may be a base section 60 that contains a second drive-related magnetically-responsive member 46 along substantially its entire length. A second element 126b may be a base section 60 that contains three spaced drive-related magnetically-responsive members 46. A third element 126c may be a base section 60 that contains two spaced drive-related magnetically-responsive members 46. A hook 128 that is formed in the second element 126 may be positioned so that the wheels 22 of the vehicle 12 straddle it and are thus not disturbed by it when the vehicle 12 passes over it. The exterior face shown at 130 of the backing member 124 is the face that will face upwards when incorporated into the guideway 14 so that any adhesive that remains on it after removal of the blister element or any tearing of its surface that occurs is on the side that faces downwards during use.

In an alternative embodiment, the backing member 124 may include a second steering-related magnetically-responsive member 86 instead of or in addition to including a second drive-related magnetically-responsive member 46.

By providing the vehicle with the voltage boosting circuit 98, the vehicle 12 can be provided with sudden bursts of acceleration, which are greater than can be achieved by driving the motor with the battery 96 alone. By providing a guideway with accelerator sections 60 and some sections that are non-accelerative, the battery power on the vehicle 12 can be extended relative to a set where the vehicle is always being driven by the battery, without loss of enjoyment of the play experience. By providing reconfigurability to the guideway the accelerator sections can be positioned where desired so as to accelerate the vehicle by selected amounts prior to certain features, such as a jump or a loop-the-loop section (shown at 99 in FIG. 1). By providing cards for steering which can be laid down on the fly on the guideway during operation of the vehicle 12, an inexpensive means for remotely controlling the steering and braking of the vehicle can be provided.

While the above description constitutes a plurality of embodiments of the present invention, it will be appreciated that the present invention is susceptible to further modification and change without departing from the fair meaning of the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A set, comprising:

a miniature vehicle including a chassis, a plurality of wheels rotatable with respect to the chassis, a motor, wherein the plurality of wheels includes at least one driven wheel that is drivable by the motor, a power source connectable to provide power to the motor, a switch operatively connected to control power transmission from the power source to the motor, and a first drive-related magnetically-responsive member that is positionable in a first position wherein the first drive-related magnetically-responsive member opens the switch to disconnect the motor from the power source, and a second position wherein the first drive-related magnetically-responsive member closes the switch to connect the motor to the power source; and

a second drive-related magnetically responsive member that is positionable to interact with the first drive-related magnetically responsive member to move the first drive-related magnetically-responsive member to the second position when the first drive-related magnetically-responsive member is sufficiently close to the second drive-related magnetically-responsive member, thereby closing the switch and causing the motor to drive the at least one driven wheel.

2. A set as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a guideway that includes a base and a pair of guide walls positioned to guide the vehicle.

3. A set as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second drive-related magnetically responsive member is positioned in the guideway.

4. A set as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second drive-related magnetically-responsive member is positioned in the base of the guideway.

5. A set as claimed in claim 4, wherein the guideway is made up of a plurality of connectible sections, wherein one of the connectible sections is an accelerator section which has the second drive-related magnetically-responsive member thereon.

6. A set as claimed in claim 5, wherein the accelerator section is selectively positionable at any one of a plurality of positions along the length of the guideway.

7. A set as claimed in claim 6, wherein the accelerator section is one of a plurality of accelerator sections which are selectively positionable at a plurality of positions along the length of the guideway.

8. A set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first drive-related magnetically-responsive member is a magnet and the second drive-related magnetically-responsive member is a ferrous metal.

9. A set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first drive-related magnetically-responsive member is biased towards the first position.

10. A set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of wheels includes at least one steerable wheel, wherein the vehicle further includes a steering linkage connected to the at least one steerable wheel, wherein the steering linkage has a first steering-related magnetically-responsive member thereon and is positionable in a first position to steer the vehicle generally straight forward, in a second position to steer the vehicle towards the left and a third position to steer the vehicle towards the right, wherein the steering linkage is biased towards the first position,

and wherein the set further includes a second steering-related magnetically-responsive member that is positionable to interact with the first steering-related magnetically responsive member to cause movement of the steering linkage to one of the second or third positions when the first steering-related magnetically-responsive member is sufficiently close to the second steering-related magnetically-responsive member.

11. A set as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first steering-related magnetically-responsive member is a left first steering-related magnetically-responsive member and is movable when sufficiently close to the second steering-related magnetically-responsive member to cause movement of the steering linkage to the second position, and wherein the steering linkage further has a right first steering-related magnetically-responsive member thereon that is movable when sufficiently close to the second steering-related magnetically-responsive member to cause movement of the steering linkage to the third position.

12. A set as claimed in claim 11, wherein the second steering-related magnetically-responsive member is removably connectable to a selected one of the guide walls.

13. A set as claimed in claim 11, wherein the second steering-related magnetically-responsive member is removably connectable to a selected one of the guide walls at any one of a plurality of positions along the length of the guideway.

14. A set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second steering-related magnetically-responsive member is positioned in the base of the guideway.

15. A set as claimed in claim 14, wherein the guideway is made up of a plurality of connectible sections, wherein one of the connectible sections is a steering section which has the second steering-related magnetically-responsive member thereon.

16. A set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power source includes a battery.

17. A set as claimed in claim 16, wherein the power source further includes a voltage boosting circuit that stores charge from the battery at a higher voltage than the battery voltage and that drives the motor when the switch closes.

18. A set as claimed in claim 17, wherein the voltage boosting circuit is a boost converter.

19. A miniature vehicle, comprising:

a chassis;

a plurality of wheels rotatable with respect to the chassis;

a motor, wherein the plurality of wheels includes at least one driven wheel that is drivable by the motor;

a battery;

a voltage boosting circuit that stores charge from the battery at a higher voltage than the battery voltage and that is selectively connectable to the motor; and

a switch that is selectively closeable to operatively connect the voltage boosting circuit to the motor.

20. A miniature vehicle as claimed in claim 19, wherein the voltage boosting circuit is a boost converter.

21. A set, comprising:

a miniature vehicle, including a chassis, a plurality of wheels rotatable with respect to the chassis, a motor, wherein the plurality of wheels includes at least one driven wheel that is drivable by the motor, a battery, a voltage boosting circuit that stores charge from the battery at a higher voltage than the battery voltage and that is selectively connectable to provide power to the motor, a switch that is selectively closeable to operatively connect the voltage boosting circuit to the motor; and

a switch controller that is external to the vehicle and that controls the position of the switch.

22. A set as claimed in claim 21, wherein the vehicle includes a first drive-related magnetically-responsive member that is positionable in a first position wherein the first drive-related magnetically-responsive member opens the switch to disconnect the voltage boosting circuit from the motor, and a second position wherein the first drive-related magnetically-responsive member closes the switch to connect the voltage boosting circuit to the motor,

and wherein the switch controller includes a second drive-related magnetically responsive member that is positionable to interact with the first drive-related magnetically responsive member to move the first drive-related magnetically-responsive member to the second position when the first drive-related magnetically-responsive member is sufficiently close to the second drive-related magnetically-responsive member, thereby closing the switch and causing the motor to drive the at least one driven wheel.

23. A packaging for a miniature vehicle for use with a guideway including a base and a pair of guide walls, comprising:

a blister member; and

a backing member connected to the blister member, wherein the backing member forms a section in the base of the guideway.

24. A miniature vehicle that includes a base portion that is driven by a motor; and

a plurality of performance-altering members, each of which are removably connectable to the base portion of the vehicle, including a first performance-altering member that, when connected to the base portion, electrically controls the motor to operate a first way in response to a given input, and including a second performance-altering member that, when connected to the base portion, electrically controls the motor to operate a second way in response to the given input.

25. A miniature vehicle as claimed in claim 24, wherein when the first performance-altering member is connected to the base portion, the motor operates for a first period of time in response to a given input, and when the second performance-altering member is connected to the base portion, the motor operates for a second period of time in response to a given input.

26. A miniature vehicle as claimed in claim 25, wherein when the base portion includes a voltage-controlled switch to control current flow through the motor, and wherein a main voltage source is selectively connectable to the voltage-controlled switch to control the state of the voltage-controlled switch, wherein each performance-altering member includes a secondary voltage source, which, when connected to the base portion of the vehicle, controls the voltage-controlled switch to keep the voltage-controlled switch closed for a selected period of time after disconnection of the main voltage source from the voltage-controlled switch.

27. A miniature vehicle as claimed in claim 26, wherein the secondary voltage source is a capacitor.

28. A miniature vehicle as claimed in claim 27, wherein the capacitor is chargeable by the main voltage source when the main voltage source is connected to the voltage-controlled switch.

29. A miniature vehicle as claimed in claim 24, wherein the first performance-altering member includes a first body shell that represents a first type of vehicle having a first level of performance, and the second performance-altering member includes a second body shell that represents a second type of vehicle having a second level of performance.

30. A miniature vehicle as claimed in claim 29, wherein the first body shell represents a racecar and the second body shell represents a sedan.