Diverter for Toy Vehicle Track

Abstract

A toy vehicle playset includes a first track, a second track, a slot, and a diverter mechanism. The first track includes a first end and a second end. The second track includes a third end and a fourth end. The slot is disposed between the first end of the first track and the third end of the second track, where the first end is adjacent to the third end. The diverter mechanism is operatively coupled to the tracks and includes a diverter wall with a top edge and a first surface. The diverter wall is reconfigurable between a stowed position and a deployed position by sliding through the slot. In the stowed position, the top edge of the diverter wall is disposed within the slot and the first surface is unexposed. In the deployed position, the top edge is disposed above the slot and the first surface is exposed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/459,201, filed Feb. 15, 2017, entitled “Diverter for Toy Vehicle Track,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a track diverter for a toy vehicle track. More specifically, the invention relates to a track diverter that, when deployed, extends upward through the surface of a toy vehicle track to divert a toy vehicle along another path.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A common way for children to play with toy vehicles is with a toy vehicle track playset. Often, toy vehicle track playsets include multiple different tracks, and users may direct or propel toy vehicles over or through the multiple different tracks. With some play patterns, the user may decide which track the toy vehicle will travel by manually guiding (i.e., pushing the car down one or another) the toy vehicle along a toy vehicle track. With other play patterns, the user may launch toy vehicles along the track via a launcher. With these play patterns, the toy vehicle track playsets include a diverter that can be used to dictate which track of the toy vehicle track playset the user wishes the toy vehicle to travel without requiring the user to physically touch the toy vehicle. However, these conventional toy vehicle track diverters are often disposed on or along the toy vehicle tracks such that they are always present within the pathways of at least one of the toy vehicle tracks to prevent a toy vehicle from traveling along that specific track. In some cases, the diverter switches between tracks, where the diverter either blocks a first track to guide a toy vehicle along the second track, or blocks the second track to guide the toy vehicle along the first track. These types of track diverters, however, are often cumbersome and unaesthetic to the toy vehicle track playset.

Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a toy vehicle track playset with a track diverter that is capable of diverting a toy vehicle along a chosen track path by being deployed upward through the surface of a toy vehicle track. Moreover, it would be desirable for a track diverter that does not require one of the pathways to be blocked at any given time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An improved toy vehicle playset is disclosed herein. The toy vehicle playset includes a first track, a second track, a slot, and a diverter mechanism. The first track includes a first end and a second end, while the second track includes a third end and a fourth end. The first end of the first track is disposed adjacent to the third end of the second track. The slot is disposed between the first end of the first track and the third end of the second track. The diverter mechanism is operatively coupled to the first and second tracks. The diverter mechanism further includes a diverter wall that includes a top edge and a first surface. The diverter wall is reconfigurable between a stowed position and a deployed position, where the diverter wall slides through the slot when reconfiguring between the positions. In the stowed position, the top edge of the diverter wall is disposed within the slot and the first surface is unexposed. In the deployed position, the top edge of the diverter wall is disposed above the slot and the first surface is exposed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a first embodiment of a toy vehicle track playset according to the present invention.

FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of the first curved portion of the embodiment of the toy vehicle track playset illustrated in FIG. 1, the track diverter oriented in a stowed position.

FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective view of the first curved portion of the embodiment of the toy vehicle track playset illustrated in FIG. 1, the track diverter oriented in a stowed position.

FIG. 2C illustrates a perspective view of the first curved portion of the embodiment of the toy vehicle track playset illustrated in FIG. 1, the track diverter oriented in a deployed position.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a second embodiment of a toy vehicle track playset according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the first curved portion of the embodiment of the toy vehicle track playset illustrated in FIG. 3, the track diverter oriented in a deployed position.

FIG. 5A illustrates a side view of the lever of the diverter mechanism of the embodiment of the toy vehicle track playset illustrated in FIG. 3, the lever oriented in the deployed position.

FIG. 5B illustrates a bottom view of the diverter mechanism of the embodiment of the toy vehicle track playset illustrated in FIG. 3, the diverter mechanism oriented in the deployed position.

FIG. 6A illustrates a side view of the lever of the diverter mechanism of the embodiment of the toy vehicle track playset illustrated in FIG. 3, the lever oriented in the stowed position.

FIG. 6B illustrates a bottom view of the diverter mechanism of the embodiment of the toy vehicle track playset illustrated in FIG. 3, the diverter mechanism oriented in the stowed position.

Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elements throughout this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention disclosed herein is track diverter for a toy vehicle track that, when deployed, extends upwardly through the surface of the track. The track diverter may be utilized with toy vehicle tracks or with toy vehicle track playsets to prevent a toy vehicle from traveling down one track while guiding a toy vehicle to travel along a second track. In one embodiment, the track diverter is biased into the stowed position, where the track diverter does not extend upwardly through the surface of the track. In another embodiment, the track diverter is biased into the deployed position, where the track divert extends upwardly through the surface of the track. The track diverter may be manually repositioned between the stowed position and the deployed position via actuation of a lever that is operatively coupled to the track diverter.

Illustrated in FIG. 1 is an embodiment of a toy vehicle track playset 10 in accordance with the present invention. The toy vehicle track playset 10 includes a first curved track portion 110, a second curved track portion 160, a first straight track portion 210, a second straight track portion 220, and an entry track portion 230. The first curved track portion 110, the second curved track portion 160, the first straight track portion 210, and the second straight track portion 220 are coupled to one another to form a continuous track loop 100, where the entry track portion 230 can be used to launch a toy vehicle onto the continuous track loop 100.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the first curved track portion 110 is a substantially U-shaped track with a first end 112 and a second end 114. The first curved track portion 110 further includes an inner wall 116 and an outer wall 118. The first curved track portion 110 also includes an inner track segment 120 and an outer track segment 130 disposed between the inner and outer walls 116, 118. The inner and outer track segments 120, 130 are disposed adjacent to one another and are divided or separated by a divider or median wall 140. The inner track segment 120 includes a first end 122 and a second end 124, where the first end 122 of the inner track segment 120 is disposed proximate to the first end 112 of the first curved track portion 110 and the second end 124 of the inner track segment 120 is disposed proximate to the second end 114 of the first curved track portion 110. The inner track segment 120 further includes a track surface 126 configured to support a toy vehicle traveling along the pathway of the inner track segment 120. The outer track segment 130 also includes a first end 132 and a second end 134. Similar to the inner track segment 120, the first end 132 of the outer track segment 130 is disposed proximate to the first end 112 of the first curved track portion 110 and the first end 122 of the inner track segment 120, while the second end 134 of the outer track segment 130 is disposed proximate to the second end 114 of the first curved track portion 110 and the second end 124 of the inner track segment 120. The outer track segment 130 further includes a track surface 136 configured to support a toy vehicle traveling along the pathway of the outer track segment 136. Moreover, as illustrated, the track surface 136 of the outer track segment 130 is angled with respect to the track surface 126 of the inner track segment 120. Thus, in the embodiment illustrated, the outer track segment 130 is banked or inclined with respect to the inner track segment 120.

As previously explained, the median wall 140 is configured to separate the outer track segment 130 from the inner track segment 120. In other words, the median wall 140 prevents a toy vehicle traveling along the inner track segment 120 from transferring onto the outer track segment 130, and also prevents a toy vehicle traveling along the outer track segment 130 from transferring onto the inner track segment 120. The median wall 140 includes a first end 142 and a second end 144. The first end 142 of the median wall 140 is spaced from the first ends 122, 132 of the inner and outer track segments 120, 130, respectively, while the second end 144 of the median wall 140 is disposed proximate to the second ends 124, 134 of the inner and outer track segments 120, 130, respectively. The second end 144 of the median wall 140 is disposed proximate to the second ends 124, 134 of the inner and outer track segments 120, 130, respectively, where the second ends 124, 134 of the inner and outer track segments 120, 130 merge or intersect with one another. Moreover, the first end 142 of the median wall 140 is spaced from the first ends 122, 132 of the inner and outer track segments 120, 130, respectively, where the first ends 122, 132 of the inner and outer track segments 120, 130 merge or intersect with one another at a location spaced from the first end 142 of the median wall 140. Thus, the median wall 140 is shorter in length than the inner and outer track segments 120, 130.

As further illustrated, extending from the first end 142 of the median wall 140 is a slot 146 that is formed in the track surface. The slot 146 is aligned with the median wall 140 and is disposed on the first curved track portion 110 at the intersection or merger of the first end 122 of the inner track segment 120 and the first end 132 of the outer track segment 130. Moreover, the slot 146 extends from the first end 142 of the median wall 140 to the outer wall 118 (see FIG. 2A) of the first curved track portion 110. Thus, the slot 146 splits the first end 122 of the inner track segment 120 from the first end 132 of the outer track segment 130. The slot 146 may be disposed in the track surface 126 of the inner track segment 120, the track surface 136 of the outer track segment 130, or both the track surfaces 126, 136 of the inner and outer track segments 120, 130, respectively.

Continuing with FIG. 1, the first curved track portion 110 is raised off of a support surface via a series of pillars. While FIG. 1 only illustrates a first pillar 150 and a second pillar 152, additional pillars may be utilized by the toy vehicle track set 10 to raise the first curved track portion 110 from the support surface. Thus, the pillars 150, 152 raise the track surfaces 126, 136 of the inner and outer track segments 120, 130, respectively, from the support surface.

FIG. 1 further illustrates a second curved track portion 160. Similar to the first curved track portion 110, the second curved track portion 160 is a substantially U-shaped track with a first end 162 and a second end 164. However, unlike the first curved track portion 110, the second curved track portion 160 only includes one pathway between the first and second ends 162, 164 of the second curved track portion 160.

Coupled to the inner curvature of the second curved track portion 160 is a booster mechanism 170. The booster mechanism 170 includes a base 172, a central hub 174 centrally disposed on the base 172 and configured to rotate about a vertical axis A that extends coaxially through the hub 174 and the base 172. The booster mechanism 170 further includes a first arm 180 and a second arm 190 that are coupled to the hub 174 in offset positions such that the first arm 180 and the second arm 190 are oriented opposite of one another (i.e., the first arm 180 extends in a first direction from the hub 174 and the second arm 190 extends in a second opposite direction from the hub 174). The first arm 180 includes a proximal end 182 and a distal end 184. The distal end 182 is coupled to the central hub 174, and a contact member 186 is disposed on the distal end 186. Similarly, the second arm 190 also includes a proximal end 192 and a distal end 194, where the distal end 192 of the second arm 190 is coupled to the central hub and where a contact member 196 is disposed on the distal end 192 of the second arm 190.

As the central hub 174 rotates with respect to the base 172 about axis A, the arms 180, 190 also rotate about axis A because the proximal ends 182, 192 of the arms 180, 190, respectively, are coupled to the central hub 174. Each of the arms 180, 190 is of a length that contact members 186, 196 of the arms 180, 190, respectively, are guided along the second curved track portion 160 between the first and second ends 162, 164 when the central hub 174 rotates about axis A. The contact members 186, 196 are configured to contact and propel along the second curved track portion 160 any toy vehicles that are disposed on the second curved track portion 160 as the arms 180, 190 rotate about axis A.

As further illustrated in FIG. 1, the second curved track portion 160 includes a swing gate 200 that includes a first end 202 and a second end 204. The swing gate 200 is disposed on the second curved track portion 160 proximate to the second end 164 of the second curved track portion 160. The swing gate 200 is configured to rotate about a substantially vertical axis B that extends through the second end 204 of the swing gate 200. The swing gate 200 is repositionable or movable between a first position where the swing gate 200 is aligned with, and forms a portion of, the outer wall of the second curved track portion 160 and a second position where the first end 202 of the swing gate 200 is in contact with the inner wall of the second curved track portion 160.

Continuing with FIG. 1, the first curved track portion 110 and the second curved track portion 160 are coupled to one another via the first and second straight track portions 210, 220. The first straight track portion 210 includes a first end 212 and a second end 214, while the second straight track portion 220 also includes a first end 222 and a second end 224. As illustrated, the first end 212 of the first straight track portion 210 is coupled to the second end 164 of the second curved track portion 160, while the second end 214 of the first straight track portion 210 is coupled to the first end 112 of the first curved track portion 110. Moreover, the first end 222 of the second straight track portion 220 is coupled to the second end 114 of the first curved track portion 110, while the second end 224 of the second straight track portion 220 is coupled to the first end 162 of the second curved track portion 160. Thus, the coupling of the first curved track portion 110 with the second curved track portion 160 via the first and second straight track portions 210, 220 create a continuous loop track 100 for the toy vehicle track playset 10.

FIG. 1 further illustrates that the toy vehicle track playset 10 also includes an entry track 230 that is coupled to the second curved track portion 160 proximate to the second end 164 of the second curved track portion 160 and the swing gate 200 of the second curved track portion 160. The entry track 230 is substantially linear with a first end 232 and a second end 234, where the first end 232 of the entry track 230 is coupled to the second curved track portion 160 at the swing gate 200. The entry track 230 also includes a launcher 236 coupled to the second end 234 of the entry track 230, where the launcher 236 is configured to launch a toy vehicle from the entry track 230, through the swing gate 200, and onto the continuous loop formed by the first and second curved track portions 110, 160 and the first and second straight track portions 210, 220.

Illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, and 2C is a diverter mechanism 300. The diverter mechanism 300 includes a diverter wall 310 and a lever 330. While not illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, and 2C, a linkage arm 340 may operatively couple the diverter wall 310 with the lever 330 such that movement of the lever 330 causes the diverter wall to change positions. As illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, the diverter wall 310 is repositionable between a stowed position C and a deployed position D, where the diverter wall 310 slides through the slot 146 of the first curved track portion 110 between positions. FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate the diverter wall 310 in the stowed position C, while FIG. 2C illustrate the diverter wall 310 in the deployed position D.

As best illustrated in FIG. 2C, the diverter wall 310 includes a first end 312, an opposite second end 314, a top edge 316, and a contact surface 320. The first end 312 of the diverter wall 310 is disposed proximate to the outer wall 118 of the first curved track portion 110, while the second end 314 of the diverter wall 310 is disposed proximate to the first end 142 of the median wall 140. The top edge 316 and the contact surface 320 span between the first end 312 of the diverter wall 310 to the second end 314 of the diverter wall 310.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, when the diverter wall 310 is in the stowed position C, the top edge 316 of the diverter wall 310 is disposed in the slot 146 and aligned with the track surface 126 of the inner track segment 120 and the track surface 136 of the outer track segment 130. Furthermore, when the diverter wall 310 is in the stowed position C, the contact surface 320 of the diverter wall 310 is hidden and disposed below the track surfaces 126, 136 of the inner and outer track segments 120, 130, respectively. Thus, as best illustrated in FIG. 2B, when the diverter wall 310 is in the stowed position C, a toy vehicle traveling onto the first end 112 of the first curved track portion 110 from the first straight track portion 210 would follow the path E around the first curved track portion 110. In other words, when the diverter wall 310 is in the stowed position C, the toy vehicle would travel past the first end 122 of the inner track segment 120, over the slot 146 and the top edge 316 of the diverter wall 310, and onto the outer track segment 130. It then follows that positioning the diverter wall 310 into the stowed position C causes a toy vehicle to travel through the first curved track portion 110 via the outer track segment 130.

Moreover, the embodiment of the diverter mechanism 300 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, and 2C, the diverter wall 310 may be biased into the stowed position C, where the lever 330 is disposed adjacent to, or in abutment with the outer wall 118 of the first curved track portion 110. The diverter wall 310 may be biased to the stowed position C via any conventional means, including, but not limited to, gravity being imparted onto the diverter wall 310, a resilient member, etc. However, the diverter wall 310 may be repositioned from the stowed position C to the deployed position D by actuation of the lever 330, where the lever 330 is moved away from the outer wall 118 of the first curved track portion 110. As the lever 330 of the diverter mechanism 300 is moved away from the outer wall 118 of the first curved track portion 110, the diverter wall 310 is extended upward or raised through the slot 146 such that the top edge 316 is disposed above the track surfaces 126, 136 of the inner and outer track segments 120, 130 (i.e., the top edge 136 is no longer aligned with the track surfaces 126, 136 of the inner and outer track segments 120, 130). Moreover, as the lever 330 of the diverter mechanism 300 is moved away from the outer wall 118 of the first curved track portion 110, the contact surface 320 of the diverter wall 310 is exposed.

When the diverter wall 310 is positioned in the deployed position D, the diverter wall 310 separates the first end 132 of the outer track segment 130 from the first end 122 of the inner track segment 122 and the first end 112 of the first curved track portion 110. Because the diverter wall 310 in the deployed position D is aligned with the median wall 140 (i.e., the second end 314 of the diverter wall 310 is disposed adjacent to the first end 142 of the median wall 140), and because the first end 312 of the diverter wall 310 is disposed proximate to the outer wall 118 of the first curved track portion 110, the diverter wall 310 in the deployed position D prevents toy vehicles traveling onto the first curved track portion 110 from entering the outer track segment 130. Thus, as best illustrated in FIG. 2C, when the diverter wall 310 is in the deployed position D, a toy vehicle traveling onto the first end 112 of the first curved track portion 110 from the first straight track portion 210 would follow the path F around the first curved track portion 110. In other words, when the diverter wall 310 is in the deployed position D, the toy vehicle would contact the contact surface 320 of the diverter wall 310 and be directed onto the inner track segment 120. Positioning the diverter wall 310 into the deployed position D causes a toy vehicle to travel through the first curved track portion 110 via the inner track segment 120.

Turning to FIGS. 3, 4, 5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B, illustrated is a second embodiment of the toy vehicle track playset 1000. The second embodiment of the toy vehicle playset 1000 is substantially similar to that of toy vehicle playset 10, where the toy vehicle playset 1000 includes a first curved track portion 1110, a second curved track portion 1160, a first straight track portion 1210, a second straight track portion 1220, and an entry track 1230, where the first curved track portion 1110, second curved track portion 1160, first straight track portion 1210, and second straight track portion 1220 form a continuous loop track 1100 around which a toy vehicle 1500 is capable of traveling along. While the second embodiment of the toy vehicle track playset 1000 is substantially similar to that of the first embodiment of the toy vehicle track playset 10, the diverter mechanism 1300 of the second toy vehicle track playset 1000 differs from that of the diverter mechanism 300 of the first embodiment of the toy vehicle track playset 10.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the diverter mechanism 1300 is disposed on the first curved portion 1110 of the toy vehicle track playset 1000. Similar to the first embodiment, the first curved track portion 1110 is a substantially U-shaped track with a first end 1112 and a second end 1114. The first curved track portion 1110 further includes an inner wall 1116 and an outer wall 1118. The first curved track portion 1110 also includes an inner track segment 1120 and an outer track segment 1130 disposed between the inner and outer walls 1116, 1118. The inner and outer track segments 1120, 1130 are disposed adjacent to one another and are divided or separated by a median wall 1140. The inner track segment 1120 includes a first end 1122 and a second end 1124, where the first end 1122 of the inner track segment 1120 is disposed proximate to the first end 1112 of the first curved track portion 1110 and the second end 1124 of the inner track segment 1120 is disposed proximate to the second end 1114 of the first curved track portion 1110. The inner track segment 1120 further includes a track surface 1126 configured to support a toy vehicle 1500 traveling over and along the inner track segment 1120. The outer track segment 1130 also includes a first end 1132 and a second end 1134. Similar to the inner track segment 1120, the first end 1132 of the outer track segment 1130 is disposed proximate to the first end 1112 of the first curved track portion 1110 and the first end 1122 of the inner track segment 1120, while the second end 1134 of the outer track segment 1130 is disposed proximate to the second end 1114 of the first curved track portion 1110 and the second end 1124 of the inner track segment 1120. The outer track segment 1130 further includes a track surface 1136 configured to support a toy vehicle traveling over and along the outer track segment 1130. Moreover, similar to the outer track segment 130 of the first embodiment of the toy vehicle track playset 10, the track surface 1136 of the outer track segment 1130 is angled with respect to the track surface 1126 of the inner track segment 1120. Thus, the outer track segment 1130 is banked or inclined with respect to the inner track segment 1120.

In addition, the first curved track portion 1110 of the second embodiment of the toy vehicle track playset 1000 includes a median wall 1140 that separates a portion of the outer track segment 1130 from the inner track segment 1140, like that of the median wall 140 of the first embodiment of the toy vehicle track playset 10. The median wall 1140 includes a first end 1142 and a second end 1144. The first end 1142 of the median wall 1140 is spaced from the first ends 1122, 1132 of the inner and outer track segments 1120, 1130, respectively, while the second end 1144 of the median wall 1140 is disposed proximate to the second ends 1124, 1134 of the inner and outer track segment 1120, 1130, respectively. The second end 1144 of the median wall 1140 is disposed proximate to the second ends 1124, 1134 of the inner and outer track segments 1120, 1130, respectively, where the second ends 1124, 1134 of the inner and outer track segments 1120, 1130 merge or intersect with one another. Moreover, the first end 1142 of the median wall 1140 is spaced from the first ends 1122, 1132 of the inner and outer track segments 1120, 1130, respectively, where the first ends 1122, 1132 of the inner and outer track segments 1120, 1130 merge or intersect with one another at a location spaced from the first end 1142 of the median wall 1140. Thus, the median wall 1140 is shorter in length than the inner and outer track segments 1120, 1130.

As further illustrated, and similar to that of the first curved track portion 110 of the first embodiment of the toy vehicle track playset 10, extending from the first end 1142 of the median wall 1140 is a slot 1146. The slot 1146 is aligned with the median wall 1140 and is disposed on the first curved track portion 1110 at the intersection or merger of the first end 1122 of the inner track segment 1120 and the first end 1132 of the outer track segment 1130. The slot 1146 extends from the first end 1142 of the median wall 1140 to the outer wall 1118 of the first curved track portion 1110. Thus, the slot 1146 splits the first end 1122 of the inner track segment 1120 from the first end 1132 of the outer track segment 1130. The slot 1146 may be disposed in the track surface 1126 of the inner track segment 1120, the track surface 1136 of the outer track segment 1130, or both the track surfaces 1126, 1136 of the inner and outer track segments 1120, 1130, respectively.

However, unlike the first embodiment of the toy vehicle track set 10, the first curved track portion 1110 of the second toy vehicle track set 1000 includes a platform 1350 that extends outwardly from inner wall 1116 of the first curved track portion 1110. The platform 1350 is disposed more proximate to the first end 1112 of the first curved track portion 1110 than the second end 1114 of the first curved track portion 1110. As explained in further detail below, the diverter mechanism 1300 is movably coupled to the first curved track portion 1110 via the platform 1350.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the diverter mechanism 1300 is disposed on the first curved track portion 1110 proximate to the first end 1112 of the first curved track portion 1110 and the platform 1350. As illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B, the diverter mechanism 1300 includes a diverter wall 1310, a lever 1330, and a linkage arm 1340. The diverter wall 1310 is repositionable between a deployed position G, illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5A, and 5B, and a stowed position H, illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B. Unlike the first embodiment of the diverter wall 310, which is biased to the stowed position C, the second embodiment of the diverter wall 1310 is biased to the deployed position G. When repositioning between the deployed position G and the stowed position H, the diverter wall 1310 slides through the slot 1146 of the first curved track portion 1110.

The diverter wall 1310 includes a first end 1312, an opposite second end 1314, and a top edge 1316, as illustrated in FIG. 4. FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B further illustrate that the diverter wall 1310 also includes a bottom 1318. Furthermore, while not illustrated, the second embodiment of the diverter wall 1310 further includes a contact surface 1320 like that of the first embodiment of the diverter wall 310. The first end 1312 of the diverter wall 1310 is disposed proximate to the outer wall 1118 of the first curved track portion 1110, while the second end 1314 of the diverter wall 1310 is disposed proximate to the first end 1142 of the median wall 1140. The top edge 1316, the bottom 1318, and the contact surface 1320 span between the first end 1312 of the diverter wall 1310 and the second end 1314 of the diverter wall 1310.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 5B, and 6B, the linkage arm 1340 of the diverter mechanism 1300 couples the lever 1330 to the diverter wall 1310, while also movably coupling the lever 1330 and the diverter wall 1310 to the bottom side of the first curved track portion 1110. The linkage arm 1340 is elongated with a proximal end 1342 and a distal end 1344. The proximal end 1342 of the linkage arm 1340 is coupled to the bottom surface 1318 of the diverter wall 1310 at a location disposed equidistant from the first and second ends 1312, 1314 of the diverter wall 1310. Moreover, the lever 1330 is also coupled to the proximal end 1342 of the linkage arm 1340, such that the lever 1330 extends outwardly from the proximal end 1342 of the linkage arm 1340.

FIGS. 5B and 6B further illustrated that the distal end 1344 of the linkage arm 1340 is rotatably coupled to the bottom side of the platform 1350 of the first curved track portion 1110. The distal end 1344 of the linkage arm 1340 is coupled to the platform 1350 such that the linkage arm 1340 extends across the bottom surface of the first curved track portion 1110, and the lever 1330 extends through the elongated opening 1332 disposed on the first support pillar 1150 of the first curved track portion 1110. Moreover, the linkage arm 1340 is of a length that positions the diverter wall 1310 in the slot 1146 of the first curved track portion 1110.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5B and 6B, the distal end 1344 of the linkage arm 1340 is rotatably coupled to the bottom surface of the platform 1350 via a rotational shaft 1348 that extends through both the distal end 1344 of the linkage arm 1340 and the platform 1350. As further illustrated in FIGS. 5B and 6B, the rotational shaft 1348 further extends through a resilient member or biasing spring 1346 that is at least partially coupled to the proximal end 1344 of the linkage arm 1340 and at least partially coupled to the bottom surface of the platform 1350, such that the biasing spring 1346 at least partially wraps around rotational shaft 1348. The biasing spring 1346 is configured to bias the linkage arm 1340, and thus, the diverter wall 1310 and the lever 1330 to the deployed position G, as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, 5A, and 5B. When repositioning between the deployed position G and the stowed position H, the linkage arm 1340 rotates about axis J that extends coaxially through the rotational shaft 1348.

As previously explained, and as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, 5A, and 5B, the diverter mechanism 1340 is biased to the deployed position G, where the diverter wall 1310 extends upwardly through the slot 1146 in the first curved track portion 1110. As best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the diverter wall 1310 is in the deployed position G, the top edge 1316 is raised above the slot 1146 and the track surfaces 1126, 1136 of the inner and outer track segments 1120, 1130, respectively. Furthermore, because the diverter wall 1310 in the deployed position G is aligned with the median wall 1140 (i.e., the second end 1314 of the diverter wall 1310 is disposed adjacent to the first end 1142 of the median wall 1140), and because the first end 1312 of the diverter wall 1310 is disposed proximate to the outer wall 1118 of the first curved track portion 1110, the diverter wall 1310 in the deployed position G prevents toy vehicles traveling onto the first end 1112 of the first curved track portion 1110 from entering the outer track segment 1130. Thus, as best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the diverter wall 1310 separates the first end 1132 of the outer track segment 1130 from the first end 1122 of the inner track segment 1122 and the first end 1112 of the first curved track portion 1110. It then follows that when the diverter wall 1310 is in the deployed position G, the toy vehicle 1500 would contact the contact surface 1320 of the diverter wall 1310 and be directed onto the inner track segment 1120 of the first curved track portion 1110. In other words, the toy vehicle track playset 1000 is biased to cause the toy vehicle 1500 to travel through the first curved track portion 1110 via the inner track segment 1120.

As further illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, when the diverter mechanism 1300 is in the deployed position G, the bottom 1318 of the diverter wall 1310 is disposed adjacent to the slot 1146 and adjacent to the bottom surface of the first curved track portion 1110. The linkage arm 1340 is also disposed adjacent to the bottom surface of the first curved track portion 1110. In the embodiment illustrated, the linkage arm 1340 and the bottom 1318 of the diverter wall 1310 may be at least partially disposed within the bottom surface of the first curved track portion 1110. Moreover, in the deployed position G, the lever 1330 is disposed near the top end 1334 of the elongated opening 1332 disposed in the first support pillar 1150.

To reposition the diverter mechanism 1300, and thus, the diverter wall 1310, from the deployed position G to the stowed position H, a user may press or move the lever 1330 of the diverter mechanism 1300 from the position illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B to the position illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B. Thus, the lever 1330 may be repositioned from being disposed proximate to the top end 1334 of the elongated opening 1332 to being disposed proximate to the bottom end 1336 of the elongated opening 1332 disposed in the first support pillar 1150. By actuation of the lever 1330 (i.e., moving the lever 1330 from the position illustrated in FIG. 5A to the position illustrated in FIG. 6A), the bottom edge 1318 of the diverter wall 1310 is moved downwardly away from the bottom surface of the first curved track portion 1110 and the slot 1146. Downward movement of the lever 1330 simultaneously causes the linkage arm 1340 to rotate about the axis J such that the proximal end 1342 rotates away from the bottom surface of the first curved track portion 1110. It then follows that, as the lever 1330 is moved to be disposed proximate the bottom end 1336 of the elongated opening 1332 of the first support pillar 1150, the diverter wall 1310 is lowered through the slot 1146 such that the top edge 1316 of the diverter wall 1310 is disposed within the slot 1146 and aligned with the track surface 1126 of the inner track segment 1120 and the track surface 1136 of the outer track segment 1130. Therefore, lowering the lever 1330 from a location disposed proximate to the top end 1334 of the elongated opening 1332 to be disposed proximate to the bottom end 1336 of the elongated opening 1332 repositions the diverter mechanism 1300, and thus, the diverter wall 1310, from the deployed position G to the stowed position H.

When the diverter wall 1310 is in the stowed position H, the contact surface 1320 of the diverter wall 1310 is hidden and disposed below the track surfaces 1126, 1136 of the inner and outer track segments 1120, 1130, respectively. Thus, a toy vehicle 1500 traveling onto the first end 1112 of the first curved track portion 1110 from the first straight track portion 1210 would travel past the first end 1122 of the inner track segment 1120, over the slot 1146 and the top edge 1316 of the diverter wall 1310, and onto the outer track segment 1130. In other words, positioning the diverter wall 1310 into the stowed position H causes the toy vehicle 1500 to travel through the first curved track portion 1110 via the outer track segment 1130. Moreover, the toy vehicle track playset 1000 requires a user to actively cause the toy vehicle 1500 to travel through the first curved track portion 1110 via the outer track segment 1130.

It is to be understood that terms such as “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” “height,” “length,” “width,” “upper,” “lower,” “interior,” “exterior,” “inner,” “outer” and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points or portions of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration. Further, the term “exemplary” is used herein to describe an example or illustration. Any embodiment described herein as exemplary is not to be construed as a preferred or advantageous embodiment, but rather as one example or illustration of a possible embodiment of the invention.

Although the disclosed inventions are illustrated and described herein as embodied in one or more specific examples, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the inventions and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. In addition, various features from one of the embodiments may be incorporated into another of the embodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A toy vehicle playset, comprising:

a first track with a first end and a second end;

a second track with a third end and fourth end, the third end of the second track being disposed adjacent to the first end of the first track;

a slot disposed between the first end of the first track and the third end of the second track; and

a diverter mechanism operatively coupled to the first track and the second track, the diverter mechanism comprising: a diverter wall having a top edge and a first surface, the diverter wall being reconfigurable between a stowed position and a deployed position where the diverter wall slides through the slot when repositioning between the stowed position and the deployed position, wherein the top edge is disposed within the slot and the first surface is unexposed when the diverter wall is in the stowed position, and the top edge is disposed above the slot and the first surface is exposed when the diverter wall is in the deployed position.

2. The toy vehicle playset of claim 1, wherein the diverter mechanism further comprises a lever.

3. The toy vehicle playset of claim 2, wherein actuation of the lever reconfigures the diverter wall between the stowed position and the deployed position.

4. The toy vehicle playset of claim 2, wherein the diverter mechanism further comprises a linkage arm coupling the diverter wall to the lever.

5. The toy vehicle playset of claim 1, wherein the diverter wall is biased to the stowed position.

6. The toy vehicle playset of claim 1, wherein the diverter wall is biased to the deployed position.

7. The toy vehicle playset of claim 1, wherein the diverter wall in the deployed position directs a toy vehicle along the first track.

8. The toy vehicle playset of claim 7, wherein the diverter wall in the stowed position directs a toy vehicle along the second track.

9. A toy vehicle playset, comprising:

a first track section having a first end and a second end;

a second track section having a third end and a fourth end, the third end of the second track section being disposed adjacent to the first end of the first track section;

a slot disposed between the first end of the first track section and the third end of the second track section; and

a diverter mechanism disposed proximate to the first track section and the second track section, the diverter mechanism comprising: a diverter wall being repositionable between a stowed position and a deployed position, the diverter wall sliding through the slot when the diverter wall moves between the stowed position and the deployed position, the diverter wall being disposed within the slot in the stowed position, and a portion of the diverter wall extends above a surface of the first track section when the diverter wall is in the deployed position.

10. The toy vehicle playset of claim 9, wherein the diverter mechanism further comprises a lever.

11. The toy vehicle playset of claim 10, wherein actuation of the lever reconfigures the diverter wall between the stowed position and the deployed position.

12. The toy vehicle playset of claim 10, wherein the diverter mechanism further comprises a linkage arm coupling the diverter wall to the lever.

13. The toy vehicle playset of claim 9, wherein the diverter wall is biased to the stowed position.

14. The toy vehicle playset of claim 9, wherein the diverter wall is biased to the deployed position.

15. The toy vehicle playset of claim 9, wherein the diverter wall in the deployed position directs a toy vehicle along the first track section.

16. The toy vehicle playset of claim 15, wherein the diverter wall in the stowed position directs a toy vehicle along the second track section.

17. The toy vehicle playset of claim 9, wherein the diverter wall has a top edge and a first surface, the diverter wall sliding through the slot when the diverter wall moves between the stowed position and the deployed position.

18. The toy vehicle playset of claim 17, wherein the top edge is disposed within the slot and the first surface is unexposed when the diverter wall is in the stowed position, and the top edge is disposed above the slot and the first surface is exposed when the diverter wall is in the deployed position.

19. A toy vehicle playset, comprising:

a track for a toy vehicle, the track having a first track section and a second track section adjacent to the first track section, the first track section having a first end and the second track section having a second end, the track including a slot between the first end of the first track section and the second end of the second track section; and

a diverter mechanism operatively coupled to the track, the diverter mechanism being located between the first end of the first track section and the second end of the second track section, the diverter mechanism including a wall having a top edge and being movable through a slot in the track between a stowed position and a deployed position, wherein the top edge is disposed within the slot when the wall is in the stowed position, and the top edge is disposed above the slot when the wall is in the deployed position.

20. The toy vehicle playset of claim 19, wherein the diverter mechanism includes a lever that is moved to cause the wall to move between the stowed position and the deployed position.