MARBLE ROCKER MODULES
A rocker module can be uses with a plurality of physically interconnectable marble run modules. The rocker module includes a tubular frame and a marble guide. The tubular frame has a first and second connection bosses configured to connect to corresponding connectors of other marble run modules. The first connection boss includes a receiving tube configured to receive a marble into an interior of the tubular frame. The marble guide is pivotally connected to the tubular frame, and extends through the interior of the tubular frame. The marble guide has at least one marble exit, and is configured in a first rotation position to receive a marble advancing through the receiving tube in the interior of the tubular frame, and is configured to rotate toward a second rotational position responsive to receiving the marble such that the received marble advances through the marble guide toward the marble exit.
The present invention is related to building toys, and more specifically, kits for designing and building marble run tracks.
BACKGROUNDMarble run toys known in the art have interconnecting track sections that may be arranged by a user in any of a plurality of designs. Once constructed, the track can define a downhill track through the various sections or modules. The interchangeable nature of the various module designs allow for the construction of many different marble run layouts.
In popular marble run kits, the vertical receiving tube 14 of each module is generally designed to directly physically connect to an exit tube 16 of an upstream module, thus allowing the marble to transition from module to module. In
Like many construction toys, the marble run kits currently available allow for creative play by enabling the user to construct the marble run (or multiple runs) in a multitude of configurations. Unlike many construction toys, however, the marble run kits have the added advantage providing an animated feedback of the player's design via movement of the marble. Accordingly, marble run kits have enjoyed pervasive success.
In most commercially available kits, the modules themselves are largely static, such that the marble or marbles on the track are the only moving pieces.
It would be desirable to create a toy kit that builds on the advantages of the marble run kits with additional action or movement while preserving the appealing aspects of the original design.
SUMMARYThe embodiments described herein provide a rocker module that is connectable to a convention marble run module, and which has a marble guide that is capable of receiving a marble in a first position and then pivoting to a second position as the marble traverses and exits the marble guide.
A first embodiment is a rocker module for use with a plurality of physically interconnectable marble run modules, wherein each module is configured to retain a marble and guide the travel of the marble through the module on at least a first surface. The rocker module includes a tubular frame and a marble guide. The tubular frame has a first connection boss configured to connect to a first corresponding connector on at least one of the physically interconnectable marble run modules, and a second connection boss configured to connected to a second corresponding connector on the at least one of the physically interconnectable marble run modules. The first connection boss is further configured to connect to a second connection boss of another module that is identical to the second connection boss of the first rocker module. The first connection boss includes a receiving tube configured to receive a marble into an interior of the tubular frame. The marble guide is pivotally connected to the tubular frame, and extends through the interior of the tubular frame. The marble guide has at least one marble exit, and is configured in a first rotation position to receive a marble advancing through the receiving tube in the interior of the tubular frame, and is configured to rotate toward a second rotational position responsive to receiving the marble such that the received marble advances through the marble guide toward the marble exit.
The above-described features and advantages, as well as others, will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.
The ramp module 52 has the general connection structures of the modules 11A, 11B and 11C of
The vertical spacing modules 54 have the general structure of the vertical tubes 18 of
Each of the wide-rim modules 56a, 56b may suitably be an open top module that includes a corresponding wide rim receiving dish or bowl 72a, 72b and a corresponding vertical exit tube 74a, 74b. Each bowl 72a, 72b is configured to convey a marble falling therein, to the corresponding exit tube 74a, 74b. In this embodiment, each exit tube 74a, 74b is hollow and has a corresponding open bottom 76a, 76b through which the marble may exit the module 56a, 56b. Each open bottom 76a, 76b may suitably configured to connect to any vertical receiving tube 16 of
The rocker module 100 is likewise configured for use with a plurality of physically interconnectable marble run modules, such as those in
With reference to
The tubular frame 102 also includes a second connection boss 108 configured to connected to a second corresponding connector on the at least one of the physically interconnectable marble run modules. The second connection boss 108, for example, is also configured to receive and connect via friction fit the first connection boss 202 of another identically structured rocker module. In some embodiments, it is preferable for playability for the tubular frame 102 to have the same general axial length, as well as the same top and bottom connection structures, as the vertical spacing tubes 54 and/or the vertical tubes 11 of
In this embodiment, the tubular 102 is formed from a top section 102a and a bottom section 102b that snap together, as will be discussed further below in connection with
The marble guide 104 is pivotally connected to the tubular frame 102, and extends through the interior 204 of the tubular frame 102. The marble guide 104 can rotate between a first rotational position A and a second rotational position B, shown in phantom in
The marble guide 104 has a first track 106, a second track 107, a first marble exit 110 and a second marble exit 112. The marble guide 104 is configured in the first rotation position A to receive a marble advancing through the receiving tube 114 in the interior 204 of the tubular frame 102, and to rotate toward the second rotational position B responsive to receiving the marble. As a consequence of the rotation, the received marble advances through the marble guide 104 (on the first marble track 106) toward and out of the first marble exit 110. As will be discussed below, the rocker module 100 is configured that when the connection boss 108 is connected to and supported from below by one or more vertical spacing tubes 54a, 54b disposed in normal vertical axial orientation, the marble guide 104 preferably can selectively remain in either the first rotational position A or the second rotational position B, absent external force.
The marble guide 104 is still further configured in the second rotation position B to receive a marble advancing through the receiving tube 114 in the interior of the tubular frame 102, and to rotate toward the first rotational position A responsive to receiving the marble. As a result of the rotation, the received marble advances through the marble guide 104 (on the second marble track 107) toward and out of the second marble exit 112.
It will be appreciated that the exemplary marble run 50 of
In the marble run 50, the top of a first vertical spacing module 54a is coupled to the exit tube 66 of the ramp module 52, so that a marble traveling across the marble channel 60 exits through the exit tube 66, and into the first vertical spacing module 54a. The bottom of the first vertical spacing module 54a is connected to the vertical receiving tube 114 of the tubular frame 102, such that a marble exiting the bottom of the vertical spacing module 54a will enter the interior of the tubular frame 102.
The rocker module 100 is supported from below by a stack of vertical spacing modules 54b, 54c, and so forth. To this end, the connection boss 108 of the rocker module 100 is coupled to the top of the vertical spacing module 54b. The bottom of the vertical spacing module 54b is coupled to the top of the vertical spacing module 54c, and so forth.
The wide-rim module 56a is disposed in a position generally below the marble guide 104 such that a marble rolling on the first marble track 106 out of the first marble exit 110 in the second rotational position B will fall into the bowl 72a. To this end, the wide-rim module 56a in this embodiment is disposed such that at least a portion of the bowl 72a is disposed directly below marble exit 110 at least when the marble guide 104 is in the second rotational position B. The other wide-rim module 56b is similarly disposed in a position generally below the marble guide 104 such that a marble rolling on the second marble track 106 and out of the marble exit 112 in the first rotational position A will fall into the bowl 72b. To this end, the wide-rim module 56b in this embodiment is disposed such that at least a portion of the bowl 72b is disposed directly below marble exit 112 at least when the marble guide 104 is in the first rotational position A. The open bottoms 76a, 76b may suitably be coupled to vertical receiving tubes of any of a plurality of other suitable marble run modules, such as any of those shown in
In use of the portion of the marble run 50 shown in
Thereafter, absent external force, the marble guide 104 remains in the second rotational position B. A subsequent marble can then roll down the marble channel 60 of the ramp module 52, and pass through the exit tube 66 and first vertical spacing module 54a into the vertical receiving tube 114 of the rocker module 100. In such a case, one or more features of the marble guide 104, not shown in
Additional detail regarding the structure of the rocker module 100 is provided below in connection with
With reference to
In addition to the axial pins 302, 304 and marble tracks 106, 107, the marble guide includes a central baffle 306 disposed between the first and second marble tracks 106, 107. The central baffle 306 generally is configured to direct a marble received from the receiving tube 114 to one or the other of the marble tracks 106, 107, depending on the rotational position of the marble guide 104. To this end, the baffle 306 includes a first inclined wall 308 extending downward and outward from directly above the pivot axis AX toward the first marble track 106, and a second inclined wall 309 extending downward and outward from directly above the pivot axis AX toward the second marble track 107. In this embodiment that inclined walls 308, 309 intersect, wherein the line of intersection L is parallel to the pivot axis A and is equidistant from the first marble exit 110 and the second marble exit 112.
The first marble track 106 extends from the central baffle 306, and more specifically the first inclined wall 308, to the first marble exit 110. The first marble track 106 in this embodiment is a channel that includes an elongate bottom surface 310 and side walls 312 that extend upward from either side to form an elongate u-shaped channel. As visible in
Similarly, the second marble track 107 extends from the central baffle 306, and more specifically the second inclined wall 309, to the second marble exit 112. The second marble track 107 is otherwise identical in structure to the first marble track.
Each of the first and second marble tracks 106, 107 act as a counterweight to the other. Preferably, the first and second marble tracks 106, 107 are balanced such they provide equal and opposite rotational force about the pivot axis AX. Referring to
Conversely, when the rocker module 100 it in the second rotational position B, the second inclined wall 309 is exposed to the opening 202a, such that when a marble falls through the opening 202a into the receiving tube 114, it strikes the second inclined wall 309. The second inclined wall 309 directs the marble to the second marble track 107. Because the marble adds weight to the second marble track 107, the marble guide 104 starts to rotate back toward the first rotational position A (see
As discussed above, the tubular frame 102 of the rocker module 100 is formed from a top section 102a and a bottom section 102b that snap together.
The top platform 352 is disk-shaped structure with the top opening 202a defined therethrough. As shown in
Referring again to
Referring to
The bottom platform 372 is disk-shaped structure with the bottom opening 208 that forms the connection boss 108 (see e.g.
Referring again to
To assemble the rocker module 100, the marble guide 104 is inserted onto the bottom section 102b such that the first axial pin 302 is received at least in part by the discontinuity 390, and the second axial pin 304 is received into the corresponding discontinuity of the side wall 376. The upper section 102a and lower section 102b are then arranged such that the connectors 358, 360, 378 and 380 are rotationally aligned, and then the connectors 358, 360 are inserted axially through the openings 394. The arms 358a, 360a flex inward slightly, due to interaction of the chamfered edge 358d (and corresponding edge on the connector 360) and the crossbar 392 (and corresponding crossbar on the connector 380). When the catch surface 358c clears the crossbar 392, then the connector 358 snaps into place with the catch surface 358c engaging the top surface of the crossbar 392. The connector 360 connects to the connector 380 in the same way.
In the connected position, as shown in
In another embodiment of the rocker module, a marble may only exit in one direction, instead of alternating between two directions, as per the rocker module 100.
With reference to
The marble guide 404 has a first track 406, a second track 407 and a first marble exit 410. The marble guide 404 is configured in the first rotation position A to receive a marble advancing through the receiving tube 114 in the interior 204 of the tubular frame 102, and is configured to rotate toward the second rotational position B responsive to receiving the marble such that the received marble advances through the marble guide 404 (on the first marble track 406) toward and out of the first marble exit 410. As will be discussed below, the rocker module 100′ is configured that when the connection boss 108 is connected to and supported from below by one or more vertical spacing tubes 54a, 54b disposed in normal vertical axial orientation, the marble guide 404 preferably returns to the first rotational position A after the marble exists the first marble exit 410, absent external force.
The marble guide 404 is also further configured in the first rotational position A to receive a marble onto the second track 407, roll down to the first track 406, and rotate to the second rotational position B. During and after rotation of the marble guide 404 to the second rotational position B, the marble continues to travel toward and out of the first marble exit 410.
Similar to the marble guide 104, the marble guide 404 is pivotally connected to the tubular frame 102 via a first axial pin 502 and a second axial pin 504. The first axial pin 502 is received into the corresponding opening 206 in the tubular frame 102, and the second axial pin 504 is received into a corresponding opening in the tubular frame 102, not visible in
In addition to the axial pins 502, 504 and marble tracks 406, 407, the marble guide 404 includes one or more bottom fins 506 disposed at least below the second marble track 407. The bottom fins 506 provide the dual purpose of adding to the weight to the side of the marble guide 404 of the second marble track 407, and providing a stop to the rotational motion of the marble guide 404 at the first rotational position A.
Because of the additional weight, the marble guide 404 has more weight (or moment arm force) on the side of the pivot axis AX′ of the second marble track 407. The additional weight makes the marble guide 404 rotate to and maintain position in the first rotational position A any time a marble (or other force) is not present on the first marble track 406. The bottom fins 506 are configured to contact and rest on the bottom 386 of the opening 205 (see
The first marble track 406 in this embodiment is a channel that includes an elongate bottom surface 510 and side walls 512 that extend upward from either side to form an elongate u-shaped channel. The marble track 406 extends in a slightly curved manner from approximately the pivot axis AX′ to the first marble exit 410. Similar to the first marble track 106 of
The second marble track 407 extends in the opposite direction from the first marble track 406 proximate the pivot axis AX′, and towards an open end 412. The second marble track 407 is largely similar in structure to the first marble track 406, and includes a bottom surface 510′ that is continuously formed with the bottom surface 510 and side walls 512′ that are continuously formed with the side walls 512. The bottom fins 506 extend downward from the side walls 512, 512′, with most of their mass disposed under the side walls 512′ of the second marble track 407. In this embodiment, the fins 506 are roughly triangular shaped with just a small portion extending under the first marble track 406.
It will be appreciated that the shape of the fins 506 can vary (as well as location), so long as the marble guide 404 has sufficient mass on the side of the second marble track 407 to cause rotation and rest at the first rotational position A in the absence of outside force, and preferably such that the fins 506 fix the first rotational position A where the second marble track 407 provides a downhill path to the first marble track 406.
It will be appreciated that when the rocker module 100′ it in the first rotational position A, there is a slight incline at the intersection of the first and second marble tracks 406, 407 downward in the direction toward the marble exit 410. Thus, when a marble falls through the opening 202a into the receiving tube 114, it strikes the inclined intersection, which in turn directs the marble to the first marble track 406. Because the marble adds weight to the first marble track 406, the balance shifts to the side of the pivot axis AX′ of the first marble track 406. As a result the marble guide 404 starts to rotate toward the second rotational position B. The momentum of the marble carries the marble through the marble track 406 to and out of the marble exit 410. After the marble exits, the loss of the marble weight on the first marble track 406 causes the balance to shift back to the side of the pivot axis AX′ of the second marble track 107. As a consequence, the marble guide 404 rotates back to the first rotational position A.
Thus, the rocker module 100′ provides a different rocking marble guide that allows for two entrances, either through the opening 202a, or anywhere on the second marble track 407, and rocking action to deliver a marble out of the marble exit 410. By contrast the rocker module 100 is designed to receive a marble through the opening 202a, and use rocking action to deliver a marble alternately out of the first marble exit 110, and the second marble exit 112. It will be appreciated that one or more of either or both rocker modules 100 and 100′ may be provided in a marble run kit that includes other modules, such as the other modules shown in
It will be appreciated that the above-described embodiments are merely illustrative, and that those of ordinary skill in the art may readily devise their own implementations and modifications that incorporate the principles of the present invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof.
Claims
1. A rocker module for use with a plurality of physically interconnectable marble run modules, each module configured to retain a marble and guide the travel of the marble through the module on at least a first surface, the rocker module comprising:
- a tubular frame having a first connection boss configured to connect to a first corresponding connector on at least one of the physically interconnectable marble run modules, and a second connection boss configured to connected to a second corresponding connector on the at least one of the physically interconnectable marble run modules, wherein the first connection boss is further configured to connect to a second connection boss of a different marble run module that is identical to the second connection boss of the first rocker module, wherein the first connection boss forms at least part of a receiving tube configured to receive a marble into an interior of the tubular frame;
- a marble guide pivotally connected to the tubular frame, and extending through the interior of the tubular frame, the marble guide having at least one marble exit, the marble guide configured in a first rotation position to receive a marble advancing through the receiving tube in the interior of the tubular frame, and rotate toward a second rotational position responsive to receiving the marble such that the received marble advances through the marble guide toward the marble exit.
2. The rocker module of claim 1, the marble guide includes a first axial pin and a second axial pin received into corresponding openings in the tubular frame to pivotally connect the marble guide to the tubular frame.
3. The rocker module of claim 2, wherein the tubular frame comprises an upper frame including the first connection boss, and the lower frame including the second connection boss, wherein the corresponding openings in the tubular frame are bordered by portions of the lower frame and the upper frame.
4. The rocker module of claim 3, wherein the lower frame includes a concave seat configured to receive the first axial pin, and the upper frame includes a lower edge configured to trap the first axial pin within the concave seat.
5. The rocker module of claim 4, wherein the upper frame includes a latching member configured to latch a corresponding latching member of the lower frame, and wherein the latching member of the upper frame includes the lower edge.
6. The rocker module of claim 1, wherein the marble guide includes at least a first marble channel extending in a first direction away from the interior of the tubular frame toward the marble exit.
7. The rocker module of claim 6, wherein the channel includes a bottom surface and opposite side walls.
8. The rocker module of claim 7, wherein the bottom surface includes a concavity configured to guide the marble.
9. The rocker module of claim 6, wherein the marble guide includes a counterweight extension that extends away from the pivot in a second direction, wherein the counterweight extension is configured to cause the marble guide to rotate from the second position to the first position, and/or remain in the first position, when a marble is not present on the marble guide.
10. The rocker module of claim 9, wherein the counterweight includes a second marble channel.
11. The rocker module of claim 1, wherein the marble guide includes a first marble track and a second marble track
12. The rocker module of claim 11, wherein the marble guide, and a baffle disposed between the first and second marble tracks configured to direct a marble to the first marble track when the marble guide is in the first rotational position, and to direct the marble to the second marble track when the marble guide is in the second rotational position.
13. The rocker module of claim 12, wherein the baffle is further disposed at least in part in the interior below the first connection boss.
14. The rocker module of claim 13, wherein the first marble track includes a bottom surface and opposite side walls.
15. The rocker module of claim 14, wherein the bottom surface includes a concavity configured to guide the marble.
16. The rocker module of claim 11, wherein the first marble track and second marble track form a single continuous marble track.
17. The rocker module of claim 16, wherein the marble guide is further configured to rotate from the second rotational position to the first rotational position in the absence of the marble.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 20, 2022
Publication Date: Apr 25, 2024
Inventors: Jeffrey David Forgrave (Indianapolis, IN), Chong Piu Wong (Kowloon Bay)
Application Number: 17/970,995