CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/459,491, filed Feb. 15, 2017, entitled “Toy Vehicle Playset with Flipping Mechanism,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a toy vehicle playset. More specifically, the invention relates to a toy vehicle playset that launches toy vehicles from a ramp in two different manners, where the manner in which the toy vehicle is launched from the ramp is selectable by a user.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Children often utilize a toy vehicle play set when playing with toy vehicles. Toy vehicle playsets typically include a combination of structures and tracks, and users can create play patterns with the toy vehicle playsets by having their toy vehicles interact with the structures and tracks of the playsets. Furthermore, many toy vehicle playsets include a type of toy vehicle launcher that is capable of launching toy vehicles across, around, and/or from the toy vehicle playset. However, the toy vehicle launchers of the toy vehicle playsets only launch toy vehicles in a single manner (i.e., the path taken by the toy vehicle is the same each launch). This creates a limited play pattern for the toy vehicle playset.
It would be desirable to provide a toy vehicle playset that is capable of launching a toy vehicle in a plurality of manners to increase the number of play patterns for the toy vehicle playset. It would further be desirable to provide a toy vehicle playset where the manner in which a toy vehicle is launched, or the manner in which the toy vehicle travels over the playset, is selectable by the user of the toy vehicle playset.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An improved toy vehicle playset is disclosed herein. The new and improved toy vehicle playset includes a track portion, a repositionable lever, an actuator, and a repositionable engagement member. The repositionable lever is disposed adjacent to the track portion, where the repositionable lever is repositionable between a first position and a second position. The actuator and the engagement member are disposed on the track portion, with the engagement member being disposed proximate to the actuator. The engagement member is operatively coupled to the repositionable lever and the actuator. When the repositionable lever is in the first position, the engagement member remains unengaged with a toy vehicle as the toy vehicle travels over the track portion and engages the actuator. However, when the repositionable lever is in the second position, engagement of the actuator by the toy vehicle traveling over the track portion causes the engagement member to engage the toy vehicle and cause it to flip from the track portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a toy vehicle playset according to the present invention.
FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of the embodiment of the toy vehicle playset illustrated in FIG. 1, the lever of the toy vehicle playset being placed in the first position.
FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective view of the embodiment of the toy vehicle playset illustrated in FIG. 1 and a toy vehicle being launched from the ramp when the lever is in the first position.
FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of the embodiment of the toy vehicle playset illustrated in FIG. 1, the lever of the toy vehicle playset being placed in the second position.
FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of the embodiment of the toy vehicle playset illustrated in FIG. 1 and a toy vehicle being launched from the ramp of the playset when the lever is in the second position.
FIG. 4A illustrates a top view of the ramp of the embodiment of the toy vehicle playset illustrated in FIG. 1, where the lever is placed in the first position and the actuator is in the unactuated position.
FIG. 4B illustrates a top view of the ramp of the embodiment of the toy vehicle playset illustrated in FIG. 1, where the lever is placed in the first position and the actuator is in the actuated position.
FIG. 5A illustrates a top view of the ramp of the embodiment of the toy vehicle playset illustrated in FIG. 1, where the lever is placed in the second position and the actuator is in the unactuated position.
FIG. 5B illustrates a top view of the ramp of the embodiment of the toy vehicle playset illustrated in FIG. 1, where the lever is placed in the second position, the actuator is in the actuated position, and the engagement member is in the deployed position.
FIG. 5C illustrates a side view of the first side of the engagement member of the ramp of the embodiment of the toy vehicle playset illustrated in FIG. 1 when the engagement member is in the deployed position.
FIG. 5D illustrates a side view of the second side of the engagement member of the ramp of the embodiment of the toy vehicle playset illustrated in FIG. 1 when the engagement member is in the deployed position.
FIG. 6A illustrates a bottom view of the ramp of the embodiment of the toy vehicle playset illustrated in FIG. 1 when the lever is in the first position and the actuator is in the unactuated position.
FIG. 6B illustrates a bottom view of the ramp of the embodiment of the toy vehicle playset illustrated in FIG. 6A when the lever is in the first position and the actuator is in the actuated position.
FIG. 6C illustrates a bottom view of the ramp of the embodiment of the toy vehicle playset illustrated in FIG. 6A when the lever is in the second position and the actuator is in the unactuated position.
FIG. 6D illustrates a bottom view of the ramp of the embodiment of the toy vehicle playset illustrated in FIG. 6A when the lever is in the second position and the actuator is in the actuated position.
FIG. 7A illustrates a bottom view of the actuator and pivotable portion of the embodiment of the toy vehicle playset illustrated in FIG. 1 when the actuator is in the unactuated position.
FIG. 7B illustrates a bottom view of the actuator and pivotable portion of the embodiment of the toy vehicle playset illustrated in FIG. 7A when the actuator is in the actuated 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 toy vehicle playset with a toy vehicle launcher that is configured to launch a toy vehicle from a ramp in a plurality of manners. The toy vehicle playset may include a toy vehicle launcher coupled to a base with a ramp. The base of the toy vehicle playset includes a repositionable lever, an actuator, and an engagement member. The lever is disposed on the side of the ramp. The actuator and the engagement member are disposed on the top surface of the ramp, over which a toy vehicle is configured to travel. A mechanism is mechanically and operatively coupled to each of the lever, the actuator, and the engagement member such that positioning of the lever and actuation of the actuator dictate the movement and positioning of the engagement member. With the lever in a first position, as a toy vehicle travels over the ramp and engages the actuator, the engagement member is not released from its loaded or stowed positions. Thus, when the toy vehicle is launched from the toy vehicle launcher and the lever is in the first position, the toy vehicle is configured to fly off of the ramp without performing any rotations or flips. However, when the lever is in a second position, as a toy vehicle travels over the ramp and engages the actuator, the engagement member is released to impact or strike the bottom of the toy vehicle. Thus, when the toy vehicle is launched from the toy vehicle launcher and the lever is in the second position, the toy vehicle is configured to fly off of the ramp while performing forward rotations or flips.
Turning to FIG. 1, illustrated is an embodiment of a toy vehicle playset 10 in accordance with the present invention. The toy vehicle playset includes a base 100 with a collapsible structure 600, a track 700, and a launcher 800 coupled to the base 100. As illustrated, the base 100 of the toy vehicle playset 10 includes a front end 102, a rear end 104 opposite the front end 102, a first side 106 spanning from the front end 102 to the rear end 104, and an opposite second side 108 also spanning from the front end 102 to the rear end 104. The collapsible structure 600 is coupled to the rear end 104 of the base 100, while the track 700 is coupled to the front end 102 of the base 100. The launcher 800 is indirectly coupled to the front end 102 of the base 100 via the track 700.
The collapsible structure 600 includes a platform 610 with a top surface 612, a front side 614, a rear side 616 opposite the front side 614, a first side 618, and a second side 619 opposite the first side 618. The front side 614 of the platform 610 of the collapsible structure 600 is coupled to the rear end 104 of the base 100 of the toy vehicle playset 10. The collapsible structure 600 further includes a first pillar 620 and a second pillar 630 spaced from the first pillar 620. The first pillar 620 is removably coupled to the top surface 612 of the platform 610 proximate to the first side 618 of the platform 610. The second pillar 630 is coupled to the top surface 612 of the platform 610 proximate to the second side 619 of the platform 610. Coupled to the first and second pillars 620, 630 is an elevated structure 640, where the first and second pillars 620, 630 support the elevated structure 640 above the top surface 612 of the platform 610. The top surface 612 of the platform 610, first pillar 620, second pillar 630, and elevated structure 640 collectively define an opening 650.
Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the track 700 includes a first track portion 710 and a second track portion 720. The first track portion 710 is elongated with a first end 712 and a second end 714. Similarly, the second track portion 720 is also elongated and includes a first end 722 and a second end 724. The second end 714 of the first track portion 710 and the second end 724 of the second track portion 720 are coupled to the front end 102 of the base 100 such that the first and second track portions 710, 720 are adjacent or abutting one another.
FIG. 1 further illustrates that the launcher 800 is coupled to the first ends 712, 722 of the first and second track portions 710, 720, respectively. The launcher 800 includes a platform 810 and a launching mechanism 820. In the embodiment illustrated, the platform 810 includes a front end 812 and a rear end 814. The front end 812 of the platform 810 of the launcher 800 is coupled to the first ends 712, 722 of the first and second track portions 710, 720, respectively. The launching mechanism 820 is disposed on the platform 810 proximate to the rear end 814 of the platform 820. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the launching mechanism 820 includes a handle 822 and an impactor 824. For the embodiment illustrated, when a user pushes down, or strikes, the handle 822 of the launching mechanism 820, the handle 822 rotates about axis Z and pushes the impactor 824 towards the front end 812 of the platform 810. Any toy vehicle 900, which are illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B, disposed on the platform 810 of the launcher 800 between the front end 812 and the impactor 824 at the time the handle 822 is struck by the user is propelled forward across the track 700 by the force of the impactor 824 striking the toy vehicle 900.
Continuing with FIG. 1, the base 100 of the toy vehicle playset 10 includes a track segment or ramp portion 120 and a receptacle portion 130. The ramp portion 120 is disposed proximate to the front end 102 of the base 100, while the receptacle portion 130 is disposed proximate to the rear end 104 of the base 100. The ramp portion 120 is an angled surface that increases in height as the ramp portion 120 extends from the front end 102 towards the rear end 104. The receptacle portion 130 is lower in height than the ramp portion 120, especially the end of the ramp portion 120 that is disposed proximate to the receptacle portion 130. As further illustrated, the receptacle portion 130 may be shaped like a container or basin.
The base 100 of the toy vehicle playset 10 further includes an actuator 200, a lever 300, and an engagement member 400. The actuator 200 and the engagement member 400 are aligned with one another on the ramp portion 120 of the base 100. The lever 300 is disposed on the first side 106 of the base 100 proximate to the ramp portion 120.
Turning to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, the lever 300 of the base 100 is repositionable between a first position A and a second position B. FIG. 2A illustrates a toy vehicle 900 being placed on the launcher 800 of the playset 10 and the lever 300 being placed in the first position A. As illustrated in FIG. 2B, when the lever 300 is in the first position A, the toy vehicle 900 is disposed on the launcher 800, and a user strikes the handle 822 of the launcher 800, the toy vehicle 900 travels from the launcher 800, across the track 700, and is propelled up the ramp portion 120 of the base 100. As the toy vehicle 900 traverses up the ramp portion 120, the toy vehicle 900 comes into contact with, or engages, the actuator 200 prior to being launched from the end of the ramp portion 120. Because the lever 300 is in the first position A, the engagement member 400 does not release when the toy vehicle 900 engages the actuator 200, and thus, does not alter the path in which the toy vehicle 900 travels from the ramp portion 120. Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, as the toy vehicle 900 is launched from the end of the ramp portion 120, the toy vehicle travels across and over the receptacle portion 130, and then through the opening 650 in the collapsible structure 600.
FIG. 3A, however, illustrates a toy vehicle 900 being placed on the launcher 800 of the playset 10 and the lever 300 being placed in the second position B. When compared to the first position A, the lever 300 in the second position B is angled towards the rear end 104 of the base 100, while the lever 300 in the first position A extends substantially vertically from the first side 106 of the base 100. As illustrated in FIG. 3B, when the lever 300 is in the second position B, the toy vehicle 900 is disposed on the launcher 800, and a user strikes the handle 822 of the launcher 800, the toy vehicle 900 travels from the launcher 800, across the track 700, and is propelled up the ramp portion 120 of the base 100. As the toy vehicle 900 traverses up the ramp portion 120, the toy vehicle 900 comes into contact with, or engages, the actuator 200 prior to being launched from the end of the ramp portion 120. However, when the toy vehicle 900 engages the actuator 200 with lever 300 in the second position B, the engagement member 400 is instantaneously released to impact the bottom surface of the toy vehicle 900. This causes the toy vehicle 900 to be launched from the end of the ramp portion 120 with a flipping motion, where the toy vehicle 900 is flipping end over end. The impact of the engagement member 400 with the toy vehicle 900 may further cause the toy vehicle 900 to launch higher into the air when compared to that of when the toy vehicle 900 launches from the ramp portion without being impacted by the engagement member 400. As illustrated in FIG. 3B, when the toy vehicle 900 is launched from the ramp portion 120 with the lever 400 in the second position B, the toy vehicle 900 flips into the elevated structure 640 of the collapsible structure 600. This causes the collapsible structure 600 to be knocked off of the platform 610.
The interaction and mechanisms between the actuator 200, the lever 300, and the engagement member 400 are further detailed below.
Turning to FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D illustrated is a top view of the base 100, and more specifically, the ramp portion 120 of the base 100. As further illustrated, the ramp portion 120 includes a top surface 122 that is an inclined slope with a first end 124 and a second end 126. The first end, or low end, 124 of the sloped top surface 122 is disposed proximate to the front end 102 of the base 100. The second end, or high end, 126 of the slope top surface 122 is disposed more proximate to the rear end 104 of the base 100 than the first end 124. As previously explained, the lever 300 is disposed on the first side 106 of the base 100 proximate to the ramp portion 120. In addition, the actuator 200 and the engagement member 400 are centrally disposed on the top surface 122 of the ramp portion 120. In the embodiment illustrated, the actuator 200 and the engagement member 400 are aligned longitudinally along the top surface 122 of the ramp portion 120.
As best illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the lever 300 includes a handle portion 310, a support or pillar portion 320, and a base portion 330. The base portion 330 of the lever 300 is at least partially disposed within the first side 106 of the base 100 such that the base portion 330 at least partially extends through the base 100. Extending substantially upward from the base portion 330 of the lever 300 is the pillar portion 320. Furthermore, disposed on the top of the pillar portion 320 is the handle portion 310. As previously explained, the lever 300 is repositionable between a first position A and a second position B. The lever 300 is disposed in the first position A in FIGS. 4A and 4B, while FIGS. 5A and 5B depict the lever 300 in the second position B. The positioning of the lever 300 dictates whether or not the engagement member 400 is released when the actuator 200 is engaged.
The actuator 200, as best illustrated in FIGS. 4B and 5B, includes a first end 210 and a second end 220 opposite the first end 210. The second end 220 of the actuator is disposed within the sloped top surface 122 of the ramp portion 120 proximate to the second end 126 of the sloped top surface 122. The actuator 200 is repositionable between an unactuated position C and an actuated position D. When in the unactuated position C, the actuator 200 is oriented to be substantially transverse or perpendicular to the sloped top surface 122 of the ramp portion 120. Thus, in the unactuated position C, the first end 210 of the actuator 200 is disposed above the top surface 122 of the ramp portion 120. FIGS. 4A and 5A illustrated the actuator 200 in the unactuated position C. In the actuated position D, however, the actuator 200 is rotated about the second end 220 of the actuator 200 such that the actuator 200 is substantially aligned in the same plane as the top surface 122 of the ramp portion 120 such that the first end 210 of the actuator 200 extends from the second end 126 of the top surface 122 of the ramp portion 120. FIGS. 4B and 5B illustrated the actuator in the actuated position D. A toy vehicle 900 that travels over the top surface 122 of the ramp portion 120 from the first end 124 of the ramp 120 to the second end 126 of the ramp 120 is configured to engage the first end 210 of the actuator 200 and reposition the actuator 200 from the unactuated position C to the actuated position D. More specifically, the first end 210 of the actuator 200, when disposed in the unactuated position C, is oriented such that the front end and/or bottom of the toy vehicle 900 contacts or engages the first end 210 of the actuator 200 as the toy vehicle 900 travels over the top surface 122 of the ramp portion 120 towards the second end 126 of the ramp portion 120. As the toy vehicle 900 continues to travel toward the second end 126 of the ramp portion 120 and off of the ramp portion 120, the toy vehicle 900 forces the actuator 200 to rotate from the unactuated position C to the actuated position D.
The engagement member 400, as best disposed in FIGS. 5B, 5C, and 5D, includes a proximal end 410 and a distal end 440 that is opposite of the proximal end 410. As best illustrated in FIGS. 5C and 5D, the engagement member 400 also includes a first side 412 and an opposite second side 414. Disposed on, and extending from, the first side 412 is a first tab 416, while disposed on, and extending from, the second side 414 is a second tab 418. The first and second tabs 416, 418 are disposed on the first and second sides 412, 414, respectively, at locations proximate to the proximal end 410 of the engagement member 400. Furthermore, as illustrated, a rotational shaft 430 is disposed through the proximal end 410 of the engagement member 400, where the engagement member 400 is capable of rotation about the rotational shaft 430, or, in other words, the axis Y that extends coaxially through the rotational shaft 430.
The engagement member 400 is repositionable between a loaded position E and a launched position F, where the engagement member 400 rotates about axis Y to be repositioned between the loaded position E and the launched position F. As best illustrated in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 5A, the engagement member 400 is disposed in the loaded position E. Furthermore, as best illustrated in FIGS. 5B, 5C, and 5D, the engagement member 400 is disposed in the launched position F. The engagement member 400 is disposed on the top surface 122 of the ramp portion 120 such that, regardless of which position the engagement member 400 is in, the proximal end 410 of the engagement member 400 is disposed within the top surface 122 of the ramp portion 120 at a location proximate to the first end 124 of the top surface 122 of the ramp 120. Moreover, when in the loaded position E, the engagement member 400 is substantially aligned in the same plane as the top surface 122 of the ramp portion 120 with the distal end 440 of the engagement member 400 being disposed proximate to the second end 220 of the actuator 200. However, when the engagement member 400 is in the launched position F, the engagement member 400 is oriented to extend upwardly from the top surface 122 of the ramp portion 120 such that the distal end 440 of the engagement member 400 is oriented above the top surface 122 of the ramp portion 120.
As previously explained, the positioning of the lever 300 dictates whether or not actuation of the actuator 200 (i.e., movement of the actuator between the unactuated position C and the actuated position D) causes the engagement member 400 to change positions. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the lever 300 is disposed in the first position A, while the actuator 200 is oriented in the unactuated position C and the engagement member 400 is in the loaded position E. As best illustrated in FIG. 4B, when the actuator 200 is moved from the unactuated position C to the actuated position D (i.e., by a toy vehicle 900 engaging the actuator 200 as it travels along the top surface 122 of the ramp 120) while the lever is in the first position A, the engagement member 400 is not repositioned to the launched position F from the loaded position E. However, when the lever 300 is repositioned to the second position B, as illustrated in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D, and the actuator 200 is repositioned from the unactuated position C to the actuated position D (i.e., by a toy vehicle 900 engaging the actuator 200 as it travels along the top surface 122 of the ramp 120), the engagement member 400 repositions from the loaded position E to the launched position F (as illustrated in FIGS. 5B, 5C, and 5D).
Turning to FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D, illustrated is the bottom surface 128 of the ramp portion 120 of the base 100 of the toy vehicle playset 10. Disposed on the bottom surface 128 of the ramp portion 120 is a mechanism 500 that is operatively coupled to the actuator 200, lever 300, and engagement member 400. As best illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the second end 220 of the actuator 200 is disposed through the top surface 122 and bottom surface 128 of the ramp portion 120. Furthermore, as illustrated 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D, the base portion 330 of the lever 300 and the proximal end 410 of the engagement member 400 are disposed through the top surface 122 and the bottom surface 128 of the ramp portion 120. Thus, the mechanism 500 is operatively coupled to the second end 220 of the actuator 200, the base portion 330 of the lever 300, and the proximal end 410 of the engagement member 400.
FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D illustrate that the mechanism 500 includes a first or slidable portion 510 and a second or pivotable portion 530. As further described herein, the slidable portion 510 operatively couples the base portion 330 of the lever 300 to the proximal end 410 of the engagement member 400, while the pivotable portion 530 operatively couples the second end 220 of the actuator 200 to the proximal end 410 of the engagement member 400.
As previously explained, the base portion 330 of the lever 300 extends through the top surface 122 of the ramp portion 120 such that the base portion 330 extends beyond the bottom surface 128 of the ramp portion 120. The base portion 330 of the lever 300 includes an extension arm 332. The extension arm 332 extends perpendicularly from the base portion 330 of the lever 300 such that the extension arm 330 extends across the bottom surface 128 of the ramp portion 120 (i.e., the extension arm 330 extends from the base portion 330 of the lever 300 in a direction parallel to the bottom surface 128 of the ramp portion 120).
Moreover, the proximal end 410 of the engagement member 400 extends through the top surface 122 of the ramp portion 120 such that the proximal end 410 extends beyond the bottom surface 128 of the ramp portion 120. As previously explained, a rotational shaft 430 extends through the proximal end 410 of the engagement member 400 and is disposed against the bottom surface 128 of the ramp portion 120. As further illustrated in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D, the rotational shaft 430 further extends through a biasing spring or resilient member 420 that is at least partially coupled to the proximal end 410 of the engagement member 400 and at least partially coupled to the bottom surface 128 of the ramp portion 120 proximate to the first end 124, such that the biasing spring 420 at least partially wraps around rotational shaft 430. The biasing spring 420 is configured to bias the engagement member 400 to the launched position F, as illustrated in FIGS. 5B, 5C, 5D, and 6D. In addition, when repositioning between the loaded position E and the launched position F, the engagement member 400 rotates about axis Y that is extends coaxially through the rotational shaft 430.
As best illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the second end 220 of the actuator 200 extends through the top surface 122 of the ramp portion 120 such that the second end 220 extends beyond the bottom surface 128 of the ramp portion 120. A rotational shaft 240 extends through the second end 220 of the actuator 200 and is disposed against the bottom surface 128 of the ramp portion 120. As further illustrated in FIG. 7B, the rotational shaft 240 further extends through a biasing spring or resilient member 230 that is at least partially coupled to the second end 220 of the actuator 200 and at least partially coupled to the bottom surface 128 of the ramp portion 120 proximate to the second end 126, such that the biasing spring 230 at least partially wraps around rotational shaft 240. The biasing spring 230 is configured to bias the actuator 200 to the unactuated position C, as illustrated in FIGS. 4A, 5A, 7A. When repositioning between the unactuated position C and the actuated position D, the actuator 200 rotates about axis X that is extends coaxially through the rotational shaft 240. In addition, the second end 220 of the actuator 200 includes a projection 222 that extends substantially downward from the second end 220 of the actuator 200.
The slidable portion 510 of the mechanism 500 is in the form a substantially planar plate with a first end 512 and a second end 514 opposite the first end 512. The first end 512 of the slidable portion 510 is disposed proximate to the base portion 330 of the lever 300, while the second end 514 of the slidable portion 510 is disposed proximate to the proximal end 410 of the engagement member 400. The first end 512 includes a receptor 520 configured to receive the extension arm 332 of the lever 300. In the embodiment illustrated, the receptor 520 is defined as a groove or slot disposed between two walls that is sized to receive the extension arm 332 of the lever 300. The second end 514 of the slidable portion 510 is substantially rectangular in shape and includes a tab 522 that extends from a sidewall of the second end 514 of the slidable portion 510. Similar to the extension arm 332 of the lever 300, the tab 522 of the second end 514 of the slidable portion 510 extends perpendicularly from the second end 514 of the slidable portion 510 such that the tab 522 extends across the bottom surface 128 of the ramp portion 120 and towards the proximal end 410 of the engagement member 400. In some embodiments, the tab 522 may be capable of at least partially sliding within the second end 514 of the slidable portion 510, where the tab 522 is biased to a position that extends perpendicularly from the second end 514 of the slidable portion 510 toward the proximal end 410 of the engagement member 400.
The slidable portion 510 further includes a first track 516 and a second track 518 that both extend along the slidable portion 510 from the first end 512 of the slidable portion 510 to the second end 514 of the slidable portion 510. The first and second tracks 516, 518 may be elongated slots that are parallel to one another. Disposed within the first track 516 is a first pillar 524, while disposed within the second track 518 is a second pillar 528 and a third pillar 529. The first track 516 further includes a tab 526 that is disposed on the sidewall of the first track 516 such that the tab 526 extends into the first track 516. Moreover, the second and third pillars 528, 529 are spaced apart from one another in the second track 518, where the second pillar 528 has a flange that expands beyond the width of the second track 518. Thus, the second pillar 528 retains the slidable portion 510 against the bottom surface 128 of the ramp portion 120.
The slidable portion 510 of the mechanism 500 is configured to slide or translate along direction or plane I between a first position G and a second position H. The slidable portion 510 slides along plane I between the first position G and the second position H based on the movement or positioning of the lever 300. Moreover, the spacing of the second pillar 528 and the third pillar 529 from one another within the second track 518 causes the slidable portion 510 to linearly slide along plane I in response to the movement or positioning of the lever 300 rather than pivoting or tilting in other directions. FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate the positioning of the slidable portion 510 of the mechanism 500 when the lever 300 is in the first position A, while FIGS. 6C and 6D illustrate the positioning of the slidable portion 510 of the mechanism 500 when the lever 300 is in the second position B. In FIGS. 6A and 6B, the slidable portion 510 of the mechanism is in the first position G, where the tab 526 of the first track 516 is disposed on a first side of the first pillar 524. Moreover, the tab 522 of the second end 514 of the slidable portion 510 is disposed proximate to, and engaged with, the first tab 416 of proximal end 410 of the engagement member 400. As the lever 300 is rotated from the first position A to the second position B, the extension arm 332 pushes against the receptor 520 to slide or translate the slidable portion 510 along plane I until the tab 524 of the first track 516 is disposed on the opposite side of the first pillar 526 and the tab 522 of the second end 514 of the slidable portion 510 disengages from the tab 416 of the proximal end 410 of the engagement member, as illustrated in FIGS. 6C and 6D. Conversely, as the lever 300 is rotated from the second position B to the first position A, the extension arm 332 pushes against the receptor 520 to slide or translate the slidable portion 510 along plane I until the tab 524 of the first track 516 is returned to the first side of the first pillar 526, as illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, and the tab 522 of the second end 514 of the slidable portion 510 reengages the tab 416 of the proximal end 410 of the engagement member, as illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B.
The pivotable portion 530 of the mechanism 500 is in the form a linkage arm with a first end 532 and a second end 534 opposite the first end 532. The first end 532 of the pivotable portion 530 is disposed proximate to the second end 220 of the actuator 200, while the second end 534 of the pivotable portion 530 is disposed proximate to the proximal end 410 of the engagement member 400. As best illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the first end 532 is angled and in abutment with the projection 222 that extends from the second end 220 of the actuator 200. The second end 534 of the pivotable portion 530 includes a tab 536 that extends from the second end 534 of the pivotal portion 530 toward the proximal end 410 of the engagement member 400. More specifically, the tab 536 of the second end 534 of the pivotable portion 530 extends perpendicularly from the second end 534 of the pivotable portion 530 such that the tab 536 extends across the bottom surface 128 of the ramp portion 120 and towards the proximal end 410 of the engagement member 400.
The pivotable portion 530 is pivotally coupled to the bottom surface 128 of the ramp portion 120 at a pivot point 538 that is disposed between the first end 532 and the second end 534 of the pivotable portion 530. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D, the pivot point 538 of the pivotable portion 530 is located more proximate to the second end 534 of the pivotable portion 530 than the first end 532 of the pivotable portion 532. The pivotable portion 530 of the mechanism 500 pivots about an axis J that is located and extends through the pivot point 538. The axis J extends through the pivot point 538, and is perpendicular to the pivotable portion 530. In other words, the axis J is a normal to the pivotable portion 530.
As further illustrated in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D, the pivotable portion 530 includes a flange 542 that extends from the side of the pivotable portion 530 at a location between the first end 532 and the second end 534. More specifically, the flange 542 extends from the side of the pivotable portion 530 at a location that is more proximate to the first end 532 than the pivot point 538. Extending downwardly from the bottom surface 128 of the ramp portion 120 at a location proximate to the pivotable portion 530 is a pillar 540. A spring or resilient member 544 is coupled to the pillar 540 and the flange 542 such that the spring 544 extends across the pivotable portion 530 between the flange 542 and the pillar 540.
The pivotable portion 530 of the mechanism 500 is configured to pivot about axis J between an aligned position K and an offset position L. The pivotable portion 530 pivots between the aligned position K and the offset position L based on the positioning of the actuator 200. Moreover, the spring 544 biases the pivotable portion 530 to the aligned position K. FIGS. 6A and 6C illustrate the positioning of the pivotable portion 530 of the mechanism 500 when the actuator 200 is in the unactuated position C, while FIGS. 6B and 6D illustrate the positioning of the pivotable portion 530 of the mechanism 500 when the actuator is in the actuated position D. In FIGS. 6A and 6C, the pivotable portion 530 of the mechanism 500 is in the aligned position K, where the tab 536 of the second end 534 of the pivotable portion 530 is disposed proximate to, and engaged with, the second tab 418 of proximal end 410 of the engagement member 400.
As best illustrated in FIG. 7A, when the actuator 200 is in the unactuated position C, the projection 222 is in contact or abutment with the angled first end 532 of the pivotable portion 530. However, when the actuator 200 is repositioned to the actuated position D, as illustrated in FIG. 7B, the projection 222 is rotated about axis X towards the pivotable portion 530. Because the first end 532 of the pivotable portion 530 is angled, as the projection 222 is rotated about axis X (i.e., when the actuator 200 is rotated to the actuated position D), the projection is forced against the angled first end 532 of the pivotable portion 530 causing the first end 532 of the pivotable portion 530 to translate to the side of the projection 222 of the actuator 200. Thus, when the actuator 200 is rotated about axis X to the actuated position D, the projection 222 forces the pivotable portion 530 to rotate about axis J to the unaligned position L, as illustrated in FIGS. 6B and 6D. In FIGS. 6B and 6D, when pivotable portion 530 of the mechanism 500 is repositioned to the unaligned position L, the tab 536 of the second end 534 of the pivotable portion 530 is disengaged with the second tab 418 of proximal end 410 of the engagement member 400. Conversely, as the actuator 200 is rotated from the actuated position D to the unactuated position C, the projection 222 of the actuator 200 no longer forces the first end 532 of the pivotable portion 530 to the side, where the spring 544 biases or returns the pivotable portion 530 to the aligned position K, and where the tab 536 of the second end 534 of the pivotable portion 530 reengages the tab 418 of the proximal end 410 of the engagement member 400 when the engagement member 400 is in the loaded position E, as illustrated in FIG. 6A. If the pivotable portion 530 is returned to the aligned position K when the engagement member 400 is in the launched position F, as illustrated in FIG. 6D, the tab 536 of the second end 534 of the pivotable portion 530 is unable to reengage the tab 418 of the proximal end 410 of the engagement member 400 because, in the launched position F, the tab 418 of the engagement member 400 is disposed above the top surface 122 of the ramp portion 120.
As previously explained, during operation of the playset 10, when the lever 300 is in the first position A, and the actuator 200 is engaged by a toy vehicle 900 traveling along the ramp portion 120 (i.e., the traveling toy vehicle 900 rotates the actuator 200 from the unactuated position C to the actuated position D), the engagement member 400 remains in the loaded position E. This occurs because, as illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, when the lever 300 is in the first position A, the tab 522 on the second end 514 of the slidable portion 510 is engaged with the tab 416 of the proximal end 410 of the engagement member 400. Thus, while rotation of actuator 200 from the unactuated position C to the actuated position D disengages the tab 536 of the second end 534 of the pivotable portion 530 from the tab 418 of the proximal end 410 of the engagement member 400, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, the tab 522 on the second end 514 of the slidable portion 510 remains in contact with the tab 416 of the proximal end 410 of the engagement member 400, which retains the engagement member 400 in the loaded position E. However, when the lever 300 is in the second position B, and the actuator 200 is engaged by a toy vehicle 900 traveling along the ramp portion 120 (i.e., the traveling toy vehicle 900 rotates the actuator 200 from the unactuated position C to the actuated position D), the engagement member 400 is released from the loaded position E to the launched position F. This occurs because, as illustrated in FIGS. 6C and 6D, when the lever 300 is in the second position B, the tab 522 on the second end 514 of the slidable portion 510 is disengaged with the tab 416 of the proximal end 410 of the engagement member 400. Thus, rotation of actuator 200 from the unactuated position C to the actuated position D disengages the tab 536 of the second end 534 of the pivotable portion 530 from the tab 418 of the proximal end 410 of the engagement member 400, releasing the engagement member 400 to rotate about axis Y to the launched position F, as illustrated in FIG. 6D. The spring 420 that biases the engagement member 400 to the launched position F has enough force to rotate the engagement member 400 to the launched position F while the toy vehicle 900 is still disposed on the top surface 122 of the ramp portion 120 such that the engagement member 400 contacts or strikes the bottom surface of the toy vehicle 900 to cause the toy vehicle 900 to flip as it continues to travel past the second end 126 of the ramp portion 120.
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. For example, the inner core 60 could also be formed from an elastic material, just with a lower degree of elasticity than the outer sheath 52. Also, the handle portion 42 could include an internal retraction mechanism to draw the ends end 62 to end 64 of the core 60 back to its rest position after launching. 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.
