TOY VEHICLE TRACKSET HAVING MULTI-PATH BARREL

SPECIFICATION

Cross-Reference to Related Application

[0001] This invention claims the benefit of and priority under 35 U.S.C.

119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/734,508 entitled TOY VEHICLE TRACKSET HAVING MULTI-PATH BARREL filed November 7, 2005 in the name of Eric Ostendorff, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates generally to toy vehicles and particularly to tracksets used therewith.

Background of the Invention

[0003] Toy vehicle tracksets have provided a variety of stunts and high speed activities to improve the attractiveness of toy vehicles to consumers. Recently developed boosters or accelerators have further increased the stunt capability of toy vehicle tracksets as they continuously accelerate toy vehicles about a closed loop path. As a result, extended periods of play activity and multiple branching of paths and so on are facilitated in a continuous extended period of play.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides a toy vehicle trackset having a closed loop within which a cylindrical barrel is supported. A loop at the forward end of the barrel allows multiple entrance paths to the barrel whereby the vehicle

may be switched between different angles of entrance to the barrel resulting in different exit angles. The toy vehicle trackset further includes a second alternate path over the barrel which is attained only by proper entrance and exit angles by the toy vehicle. The system utilizes a capacitively powered continuously coupled rechargeable toy vehicle of the type well known in the art and marketed by Mattel, Inc. under the trademark XV Racer. A capacitive vehicle booster is situated on the toy vehicle path.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0005] The features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements and in which:

[0006] Figure 1 sets forth a perspective view of the present invention toy vehicle trackset;

[0007] Figure 2 sets forth a perspective view of the barrel portion of the present invention toy vehicle trackset; and

[0008] Figure 3 sets forth a perspective view of the charging station for the capacitor powered rechargeable toy vehicles utilized in the present invention toy vehicle trackset.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment

[0009] By way of overview, the present invention toy vehicle trackset includes a closed loop trackway having a generally cylindrical barrel through

which the trackway passes. In addition to the direct travel path through the barrel, the trackset includes an alternate track path above and around the barrel. The travel through the barrel by the toy vehicle is controlled by the angle at which the toy vehicle enters the barrel. The travel of the toy vehicle upon the track loop is determined by the toy vehicle recharging unit situated upon the trackset. The angle of entrance to the barrel by a toy vehicle is determined by a movable scoop or gate which captures the toy vehicle and diverts to the path over and around the barrel.

[0010] More specifically and with simultaneous reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, a toy vehicle trackset constructed in accordance with the present invention is generally referenced by numeral 10. Toy vehicle trackset 10 includes a closed track loop 11 having a cylindrical barrel 30 positioned thereon. A straight through path 43 continues track loop 11 through the lower portion of barrel 30. A booster 20 is positioned upon track loop 11 ahead of barrel 30. Booster 20 is operative to capture and accelerate a capacitor powered toy vehicle (not shown) and thereafter launch it along path 43 through barrel 30.

[0011] Barrel 30 further includes a track loop 41 which extends upwardly from one side of barrel 30 and downwardly to the other side of barrel 30. At the entrance to barrel 30, a movable gate 42 is supported. Gate 42 is manually operable and is utilized in capturing a toy vehicle traversing the end portion of barrel 30. Trackset 10 further includes a flag unit 40 supported upon the upper portion of alternate loop 41. Flag unit 40 is triggered each time a toy vehicle traverses alternate loop 41. Booster 20 includes a battery supporting base 22 and an upwardly extending curved wall 23. A charger 21 comprises an elongated hollow tube pivotally supported upon base 22. Charger 21 defines an entrance 25 and an exit 27. In the horizontal position shown in Figure 3, charger 21 is horizontal and is operative to charge a captive capacitor powered toy vehicle within charger 21 (not shown).

[0012] In operation, booster 20 remains in its horizontal position to allow toy vehicles to pass beneath charger 21. When the user desires to capture and charge a toy vehicle traversing track loop 11, the user pivots charger 21 downwardly in the direction indicated by arrow 24. This places entrance opening 25 of charger 21 upon track loop 11 resulting in the capture of a toy vehicle traveling in the direction indicated by arrow 15. Once the capacitor powered toy vehicle (not shown) has been captured within charger 21 j the user pivots charger 21 to the horizontal position shown. It will be noted that the horizontal position of charger 21 places exit opening 27 thereof against curved wall 23. Thus, wall 23 blocks exit opening 27 and maintains the toy vehicle within charger 21. Once the toy vehicle has been charged, the user pivots charger 21 downwardly in the direction indicated by arrow 26 which opens exit opening 27 allowing the toy vehicle to move down trackway 11 in the direction indicated by arrow 16.

[0013] Cylindrical barrel 30 allows straight line passage of a toy vehicle through barrel 30 along path 43. Alternatively, a toy vehicle returning to barrel 30 along trackway 11 in the direction indicated by arrow 17 enters barrel 30 at an angle which causes it to travel a helical path shown in dashed-line as path 19. As the toy vehicle approaches the end of barrel 30, the user has the option to allow the toy vehicle to travel outwardly along track loop 11 in the direction indicated by arrow 14 or, alternatively, can capture the toy vehicle using gate 42. Gate 42 is a pivotally supported scoop which changes the travel path of the toy vehicle and directs it upwardly through alternate loop 41.

[0014] What has been shown is a novel toy vehicle trackset having a multi- path barrel within the travel path which in turn utilizes an alternate over the top loop to add play value. A novel pivotable toy vehicle capture booster is operable by the user to capture and charge a capacitor powered toy vehicle.

[0015] While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader

aspects. Therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.