Abstract: The ride vehicle system includes a ride vehicle having a ride vehicle base configured to interface with a ride track and move along the ride track. The ride vehicle also has a movable arm having a base end and a free end. The moveable arm moves along one or more motion-controlled axes. The movable arm is mounted to the ride vehicle at the base end. A ride seat is attached to the free end of the movable arm. A coupling device couples a first portion of the movable arm to the ride vehicle base, the ride seat to a second portion of the movable arm, the ride seat to the ride vehicle base, or some combination thereof.

Abstract: A method for determining an alternative trajectory for an autonomously-driven transportation vehicle wherein an alternative trajectory for the transportation vehicle is calculated by a control device in response to an obstacle being detected by a transportation vehicle sensor device, which trajectory replaces at least one portion of an original trajectory of the transportation vehicle so the trajectory has a minimum total disturbance of at least one disturbance summand, consisting of a respective weighting factor and one disturbance value.

Abstract: A toy track system includes a tube section having first and second ends and a length extending between the first and second ends. The tube section includes first and second halves. When joined together, the first and second halves define an interior volume through which a toy car can move. A connection module has a longitudinal coupling structure extending along the length of the connection module for engaging the first end of the tube section, holding the first and second halves together and preventing separation between the first and second halves from each other, wherein the tube section includes a bend along the length of the tube section so that the first and second ends of the tube section point towards different directions and the tube section has an arched periphery.

Abstract: A toy track system configured to provide an infinite number of track layouts with varying levels. The toy track system includes track pieces, vertically-oriented support pieces configured to connect to the track pieces and provide the varying elevations of the track, and platforms configured to connect to the track pieces and provide support for destinations positioned adjacent to and/or over the track pieces.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a toy track for traversal of at least one toy vehicle. It includes a track segment having a flipper disposed therein, the flipper being attached to the track segment at a pivot point and capable of movement thereabout. A vibration damper post having a stanchion portion and a resilient portion for supporting the track segment is also included.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a toy play set for use with a toy vehicle comprising a platform attached to a support structure. In some examples, the play set may include a base and a support structure pivotally attached to the base with the support structure adapted to pivot relative to the base. In other examples, the toy play set may include a platform pivotally attached to the support structure and adapted to rotate in a toy vehicle's direction of travel. In still other examples, the toy play set may include first and second elongate tracks and means for carrying a toy vehicle from the first elongate track to the second elongate track. One disclosed embodiment includes first and second elongate tracks, a base, a support structure pivotally attached to the base, a platform pivotally attached to the support structure wherein the platform and support structure pivot at perpendicular axes that are parallel to the ground, and a vehicle receiving apparatus attached to the second elongate track.

Abstract: A collision course including at least two vertically stacked looping track sections, each looping track section starts at a beginning area that connects to an upwardly extending curved section that peaks at an apex and then travels along a downwardly extending curved section. In order to stack the looping track sections vertically each looping track section is unsymmetrical. The downwardly extending curved sections feed into the beginning areas of the succeeding looping track section, and the downwardly extending curved section of the last (or third) looping track section feeds into the beginning area of the first looping track section. Each looping track section further intersects with another looping track section to define junctions. Gaps formed in each intersecting track section permit a vehicle to travel through the intersection unobstructively.

Abstract: An amusement ride, such as a roller coaster, installed in an amusement park and the like, is adapted to allow a vehicle to travel on a track. The amusement ride has an arrangement such that the track has different track portions, and the vehicle having a passenger car and a detachable car carrier. The vehicle is adapted to be supported on the car carrier during traveling on one of the track portions, and detached from the car carrier for traveling onto another one of the track portions. During a ride, passengers on the vehicle may be seized with fear that the vehicle is out of control, thus increasing the thrill of the ride.

Abstract: A jumping ramp for a motorized toy vehicle including a jumping surface having an area along which the toy vehicle can travel, a frame pivotally connected to the jumping surface at one end thereof, and an arm connected to the frame and to the jumping surface for fixing the jumping surface at a desired angle with respect to the frame. A spring is connected to the frame and supports the jumping surface. The jumping surface includes a flat surface and a support structure connected to a bottom of the flat surface. The support structure is pivotally connected to the frame. First and second side rails extend upwardly from opposite sides of the flat surface and are pivotable at these sides so as to be foldable between a perpendicular position above the flat surface and an inwardly folded position at a bottom of the flat surface. A handle is rotatably connected to the frame so as to facilitate the storage and transport of the jumping ramp.

Abstract: The present invention relates to amusement rides, such as roller coasters, installed in amusement parks and the like, which are adapted to allow a vehicle to travel on a track. The ride of the invention has an arrangement such that the track has a missing portion where the vehicle is adapted to transfer from the track on one side of the missing portion to the track on the other side. According to the invention, during the movement of the vehicle across the missing portion, passengers may be seized with the fear that the vehicle is off the track and out of control, thus increasing the thrill of the ride.

Abstract: The present invention relates to amusement rides, such as roller coasters, installed in amusement parks and the like, which are adapted to allow a vehicle to travel on a track. The ride of the invention has an arrangement such that the track has a missing portion where the vehicle is adapted to transfer from the track on one side of the missing portion to the track on the other side. According to the invention, during the movement of the vehicle across the missing portion, passengers may be seized with the fear that the vehicle is off the track and out of control, thus increasing the thrill of the ride.

Abstract: A slot track raceway has two side-by-side slots for enabling two racing cars to run around a closed loop track. A lap counter individually associated with each closed loop is set to a selected number of laps for establishing the length of a race. Each completion of a lap causes the associated lap counter to count down. When the lap counter counts down to zero, a spring biased hinged track section snaps into alignment with an upwardly inclined ramp so that the car winning the race flies off the track, thus escaping or leaping from the track.

Abstract: An interrupted inverted jump loop for an electric toy vehicle track, including a first generally arcuate slotted track for launching an electric toy vehicle into the air to carry out an upside-down free-flying jump and a second generally arcuate slotted track spaced from and suitably aligned with the first slotted track for catching the electric toy vehicle after it is traversed through the air. A portion of the first slotted track is electrically powerless for allowing the electric toy vehicle to freely launch towards the second slotted track.

Abstract: A track apparatus for a toy racing car includes a car-entry track portion, a car-exit track portion, and a pivotal arm pivotally mounted between the two track portions to carry a car from one portion to the other. The pivotal arm has a stand connected to a distal end thereof which has a retractable stop. When a car travelling with sufficient momentum hits the stop, the pivotal arm is caused to pivot from one position to another, whereby the car is delivered from the car-entry track portion to the car-exit track portion. Upon reaching the second position, the stop is automatically retracted to release the car.

Abstract: A track apparatus for a toy racing car includes a car-entry track portion, a car-exit track portion, and a pivotal arm pivotally mounted between the two track portions to carry a car from one portion to the other. The pivotal arm has a stand connected to a distal end thereof which has a retractable stop. When a car travelling with sufficient momentum hits the stop, the pivotal arm is caused to pivot from one position to another, whereby the car is delivered from the car-entry track portion to the car-exit track portion. Upon reaching the second position, the stop is automatically retracted to release the car.

Abstract: A track arrangement for toy vehicles with arcuately curved jump-off and jump-on ramps between which a toy vehicle can carry out a free-flying jump. The ramp tracks each have an arc between 90.degree. and 180.degree., and the ramps are offset transversely to the track elongation by at least one track width. The ramps are oriented so that the tracks of the jump-on ramp is located on an extension of the trajectory of the toy vehicle, which is determined by the jump-off ramp.

Abstract: A track intersection for use with a plurality of other track sections to form a trackway for passage of toy vehicles thereon, the intersection having a curved trackway section having generally parallel opposed sidewalls of height generally equal to the height of the toy vehicle. The intersection is provided with an elevated roadway portion at the height of the sidewalls, the elevated roadway portion having first and second trackways, the first trackway being generally tangential to the exit end of the curve to permit a toy vehicle to enter the first trackway and leave the intersection through the exit end of the curve. The second trackway generally intersects the first trackway to permit a toy vehicle to leap the curve on the elevated roadway portion.