U.S. patent application number 11/041032 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-01 for bellows actuated stunt device for toy vehicle trackset.
Invention is credited to Andrews, Mike, Finizza, Michael, Mayer, Mark, Pohlman, Joe K., Sheltman, David A., Tam, Nelson.
Application Number | 20050191940 11/041032 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34889709 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050191940 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sheltman, David A. ; et
al. |
September 1, 2005 |
Bellows actuated stunt device for toy vehicle trackset
Abstract
A plurality of stunt devices are used within a toy vehicle
trackset. Each of the devices includes a movable portion within the
toy vehicle travel path. Each movable portion is moved by a
pneumatic actuator. A manually operated air bellows is coupled to
each pneumatic actuator by a hollow tube. When a particular air
bellows is compressed, the corresponding actuator moves the movable
portion diverting the toy vehicle on the stunt device.
Inventors: |
Sheltman, David A.; (Irvine,
CA) ; Pohlman, Joe K.; (Westchester, CA) ;
Finizza, Michael; (Los Angeles, CA) ; Mayer,
Mark; (Woodland Hills, CA) ; Andrews, Mike;
(Los Angeles, CA) ; Tam, Nelson; (Torrance,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROY A. EKSTRAND
MATTEL INC.
MI 1220
333 CONTINENTAL BLVD.
EL SEGUNDO
CA
90245
US
|
Family ID: |
34889709 |
Appl. No.: |
11/041032 |
Filed: |
January 21, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60538852 |
Jan 23, 2004 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/437 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 18/028 20130101;
A63H 18/023 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/437 |
International
Class: |
A63H 017/00 |
Claims
That which is claimed is:
1. A pneumatic stunt device for use in combination with a toy
vehicle and toy vehicle trackset, said pneumatic stunt device
comprising: a support frame; a movable stunt element having a toy
vehicle receiving portion movable between a first position and a
second position; a pneumatic actuator coupled to said support frame
and said movable stunt element; and a collapsible air bellows
coupled to said pneumatic actuator, said air bellows, when
compressed, causing said pneumatic actuator to move said movable
stunt element from said first position to said second position such
that a toy vehicle on said toy vehicle receiving portion is thrown
into the air.
2. The pneumatic stunt device set forth in claim 1 wherein said
movable stunt element includes a pivotally supported launch ramp
having a generally horizontal first position and an upwardly
inclined second position.
3. The pneumatic stunt device set forth in claim 1 wherein said
movable stunt element includes a generally horizontal turntable
pivotable between said first and second positions.
4. The pneumatic stunt device set forth in claim 1 wherein said
movable stunt element includes a bridge having first section having
one end pivotally secured to said support frame and a remaining end
and a second section pivotally coupled to said remaining end, said
bridge being generally horizontal in its relaxed state and forming
an inverted V when said pneumatic actuator is operated.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority of Provisional Application
60/598,852 entitled BELLOWS ACTUATED STUNT DEVICE FOR TOY VEHICLE
TRACKSET filed Jan. 23, 2004 on behalf of the applicants of the
present invention.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to toy vehicle tracksets
and particularly to actuated stunt mechanisms utilized therein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Practitioners in the art have for many years attempted to
improve the amusement value of toy vehicle tracksets by adding a
variety of so-called stunt devices. Stunt devices have included
such apparatus as loops, jumps, collision intersections and the
like. The objective is to provide activity which improves the basic
operation and amusement value of the toy vehicle trackset. One of
the more recent trends in such toy vehicle tracksets is the
inclusion of stunt devices which are actuated or operated under the
control of the user. This participation further enhances the
entertainment value of the trackset. For example, U.S. Pat. No.
6,322,417 issued to Bass sets forth an AIR-DRIVEN HOPPING TOY
having a toy frame supported by a pair of pivotable legs and an
extendable air cylinder. The extendible air cylinder is coupled to
a compressible air bellows. Actuation of the air bellows forces
extension of the air cylinder driving the toy and its supporting
frame forwardly in an upwardly directed leap. A toy figure is
supported upon the frame and appears to be the "pilot" of the
hopping toy.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 3,858,875 issued to Nemeth et al. sets forth a
GAP JUMPING TOY VEHICLE GAME which includes a vehicle track and a
toy vehicle adapted to move along the track. A vertical jump
defined by a pair of ramps is positioned within the track. The
ramps are independent of one another and are aligned in space
relationship to each other to define a gap therebetween. At least
one of the ramps is movable with respect to the track and the other
ramp to permit adjustment of the gap distance to be jumped.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,383,688 issued to Prehaodka sets forth an
OBSTACLE FOR TOY VEHICLE including a pivotable vane positioned
between two lanes of a multiple lane trackset. The vain is actuated
by a toy vehicle to obstruct one of the lanes after the toy vehicle
has passed. As a result, pursuing vehicles may encounter an
obstructed lane and must be diverted to other lanes to avoid
colliding with the obstacle.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,513,966 issued to Mucaro et al. sets forth a
VEHICLE JUMP FOR A TOY VEHICLE GAME having a track intersection
within which a plurality of upwardly directed ramps are positioned.
Toy vehicles traversing the intersection may collide or avoid
colliding with other toy vehicles depending upon the timing between
toy vehicles.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,519,789 issued to Halford et al. sets forth
a COMBINED JUMP MEANS AND TOY VEHICLE WITH SIMULATED STUNT HOOP in
which a toy vehicle track defines a launch ramp and a receiving
ramp spaced by a predetermined distance. Between the launch ramp
and receiving ramp, a simulated flaming stunt hoop is suspended.
The objective is to drive the toy vehicle so as to jump from the
launch ramp to the receiving ramp while passing untouched through
the simulated flaming stunt loop.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,685 issued to Yoneda et al. sets forth a
TRACK APPARATUS FOR A TOY RACING CAR having a car entry track
portion, a car exit car portion and a pivotal arm mounted between
the two track portions. The pivotal arm is operative to carry a car
from one portion to the other.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,715,843 issued to Ostendorffet al. and U.S.
Pat. No. 3,621,602 issued to Barcus et al. set forth further
examples of jumping stunt toy vehicle trackset apparatus.
[0010] In addition to stunt sets, several types of toy vehicle
launchers have been provided by practitioners in the art. For
example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,254,030 issued to Ostendorff et al. sets
forth a RAPID ACTION TOY VEHICLE LAUNCHER having a base supporting
a launch station which is coupled to a track portion. A pair of
feed ramps are positioned on each side of the launch station and
secured to the base. The launch mechanism within the launch station
alternates in receiving a toy vehicle from each of the feed ramps
and thereafter launching it onto the trackway. The mechanism is
operative in a rapid manner to provide a rapid launch action.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 4,475,303 issued to Ribas et al. sets forth a
PAD FOR LAUNCHING TOY VEHICLES ONTO A TRACK having a plate provided
with an annular runway on which vehicles are placed. The launcher
further includes a turnstile having arms which separate the toy
vehicles and provide a stop for them. As the turnstile rotates,
successive toy vehicles are launched onto the track.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 2,546,917 issued to Bergen and U.S. Pat. No.
4,267,661 issued to Hanson set forth further examples of turnstile
type launching devices.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 3,908,989 issued to Meyer sets forth a SKILL
GAME UTILIZING TRACKS AND VEHICLES in which a continuously
operating self-propelled playing piece is utilized in a three
dimensional obstacle course having simulated hazards thereon. A
travel path is defined which must be successfully traversed or
completed by the playing piece from a starting point to a
completion point. A substantial number of prior art tracksets have
been provided which utilize a bridge within a track set constructed
to lift and carry a toy vehicle upwardly and forwardly to traverse
the bridge span. Examples of such bridge lifting toys are found in
U.S. Pat. No. 3,613,306 issued to Toshikatsu; U.S. Pat. No.
3,589,064 issued to Takayuki and U.S. Pat. No. 4,221,076 issued to
Ozawa. Similar climbing vehicle toy tracksets are shown in U.S.
Pat. No. 4,068,402 issued to Tanaka and U.S. Pat. No. 4,254,576
issued to Matsumoto et al.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 4,185,409 issued to Cheng and U.S. Pat. No.
3,359,920 issued to Iammatteo set forth examples of toy vehicle
track apparatus which utilize a "teeter-tatter" or "see-saw" track
segment supported in a pivotal fashion upon a fixed base.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 4,979,926 issued to Bisceglia; U.S. Pat. No.
4,109,412 issued to Saito; U.S. Pat. No. 4,661,080 issued to
Goldstein et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 1,661,429 issued to Jade set
forth examples of toy vehicle tracksets having a stunt device which
includes a movable bridge.
[0016] While the foregoing described prior art devices have to some
extent improved the art and have in some instances have enjoyed
commercial success, there remains nonetheless a continuing need in
the art for ever more interesting and amusing toy vehicle trackset
stunt devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention
to provide an improved toy vehicle trackset. It is a more
particular object of the present invention to provide an improved
toy vehicle trackset having pneumatically actuated stunt
devices.
[0018] The present invention provides a toy vehicle trackset having
articulated or movable stunt elements which are moved by pneumatic
actuating devices. Typical pneumatic actuating devices include an
expandable cylinder and piston combination having a piston rod
coupled to the movable device. In the present invention, a simple
compressible air bellows is utilized as an air source and is
coupled to the pneumatically activated devices by a flexible hollow
tube. As a result, the user is able to activate a chosen stunt
device by simply compressing the bellows coupled thereto. As the
user compresses the bellows, the stunt device is actuated.
[0019] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided
a pneumatic stunt device for use in combination with a toy vehicle
and toy vehicle trackset, the pneumatic stunt device comprising: a
support frame; a movable stunt element having a toy vehicle
receiving portion movable between a first position and a second
position; a pneumatic actuator coupled to the support frame and the
movable stunt element; and a collapsible air bellows coupled to the
pneumatic actuator, the air bellows, when compressed, causing the
pneumatic actuator to move the movable stunt element from the first
position to the second position such that a toy vehicle on the toy
vehicle receiving portion is thrown into the air.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] 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:
[0021] FIG. 1 sets forth a perspective view of an exemplary toy
vehicle trackset;
[0022] FIG. 2 sets forth a perspective view of a further example of
a toy vehicle trackset;
[0023] FIG. 3 sets forth a perspective view of a bellows actuated
stunt device constructed in accordance with the present
invention;
[0024] FIG. 4 sets forth a perspective view of an alternative
bellows actuated stunt device constructed in accordance with the
present invention; and
[0025] FIG. 5 sets forth a perspective view of a still further
alternate bellows actuated stunt device constructed in accordance
with the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0026] By way of overview, the present invention bellows actuated
stunt device utilizes a support frame upon which a toy vehicle
track is joined. A stunt device including one or more movable
components for altering the travel path of a toy vehicle traversing
the coupled track is actuated by an air unit such s an expandable
air cylinder and piston combination. The air unit is further
coupled to an elongated flexible hollow tube which in turn is
coupled to a collapsible air bellows. The user is able to actuate
the stunt unit by compressing the air bellows. Examples are shown
of different types of air driven units constructed in accordance
with the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 1 sets forth a perspective view of a toy vehicle
trackset constructed in accordance with the present invention and
generally referenced by numeral 10. Toy vehicle 10 includes a
scaffold-type support generally referenced by numeral 11. Support
11 includes a number of base elements such as base 12 which
utilizes a plurality of support rods such as rod 13. Trackset 10
further includes an intersection 30 supported by scaffold support
11. Intersection 30 includes an outer ring 31 pivotally supported
upon support 11 and an inner ring 32. Inner ring 32 is small enough
in diameter to fit within the interior of outer ring 31. Inner ring
32 is pivotally secured to outer ring 31. As a result, both outer
ring 31 and inner ring 32 are pivotable both with respect to each
other and with respect to support 11. Outer ring 32 is coupled to a
pair of track portions formed by track loop 22 and track ramp 23.
Similarly, inner ring 32 is coupled to one end of track loop 22 and
to track segment 21. Because the end portion of track loop 22 are
spaced from ramp 23 and track segment 21 respectively, a gap or
"jump" is formed across outer ring 31 and inner ring 32. The angle
between the jump paths thus formed within intersection 30 is
determined by the pivotal positions of outer ring 31 and inner ring
32.
[0028] Trackset 10 further includes a booster 15 fabricated in
accordance with conventional fabrication techniques which
accelerates a toy vehicle passing downwardly upon ramp 23. Trackset
10 further includes a flexible multiple apertured panel 16 which in
turn is supported by an adjustable support 17. The remainder of
trackset 10 is coupled by a track segment 19 coupled to panel 16
and forming a U-Shaped portion together with a straight track
segment 20. Track segment 20 is coupled to track segment 21.
[0029] Track segment 21, loop portion 22 and ramp 23 are fabricated
to provide a trackway which is highly flexible in use and readily
adjustable to a variety of curves, loops and twists. Thus, for
example, ramp 23 is formed of a track segment 18 comprising an
elongated frame 33 supporting a plurality of guide rail posts such
as posts 34 and 35. Posts 34 and 35 are supported along each side
of frame 33. A pair of flexible generally rod-like rails such as
rails 36 and 37 are secured within posts 34 and 35 as well as the
remaining posts along frame 33. The utilization of frame 33
together with supporting posts such as posts 34 and 35 are flexible
guide rails such s guide rails 36 and 37 provides a track structure
which facilitates bending the resulting track into a variety of
curves, loops, twists and the like which are maintained in shape
due to the secure attachment of guide rails 36 and 37 on each side
of the track frame. In the preferred fabrication of the track
segments, the fit and attachment of the guide rails utilizes an
extremely tight snap-fit attachment for secure holding of guide
rails. Conversely, the positioning of the guide rails after the
track frame has been shaped as desired allows the snapped in guide
rails to maintain the curvature or twist or other shaping of the
track segment.
[0030] FIG. 2 sets forth a perspective view of a toy vehicle
trackset constructed in accordance with the present invention and
generally referenced by numeral 40. Trackset 40 differs from
trackset 10 in its utilization in a different arrangement of
components and a different combination of components but functions
basically the same. Accordingly, trackset 40 includes a loop
segment 41 supported by a support structure 42 together with a loop
segment 44. Loop segment 44 is coupled between a curved panel 43
having a support 45 and a booster 15. Booster 15 is fabricated in
accordance with conventional fabrication techniques and is used to
accelerate a toy vehicle passing through the booster stage. An
intersection 30 fabricated in the manner described above in FIG. 1,
is positioned with an outer ring 31 and an inner ring 32 in a flat
or coplanar relationship. Thus, outer ring 31 is coupled to track
loop 41 and booster 15 while inner ring 32 is coupled to the
remaining end of loop 41 and curved panel 43.
[0031] Loop portion 41 and loop portion 44 of trackset 40 are
fabricated in the above-described manner in which a track frame
supports a plurality of posts which in turn are secured to a pair
of flexible guide rails. It will be noted by examination of FIGS. 1
and 2 that this track structure provides substantial flexibility
and variability in shaping the contours of the trackset.
[0032] In the horizontal configuration of intersection 30 shown in
FIG. 2, the jump portions formed by the respective track segments
are generally coplanar and generally horizontal. This allows
intersection 30 to provide a more conventional toy vehicle
intersecting jump.
[0033] FIG. 3 sets forth a perspective view of a draw bridge
embodiment of the present invention generally referenced by numeral
80. Draw bridge stunt device 80 includes a track portion 85 coupled
to a bridge support 83. An expandable air cylinder 88 is coupled
between frame 83 and a movable draw bridge 84. As cylinder 88
expands, draw bridge 84 is moved to the raised position in FIG. 3.
Expandable cylinder 88 is coupled to a bellows 81 by a flexible
tube 82.
[0034] In operation, as a toy vehicle speeds down track segment 85
toward stunt device 80, the user attempts to time the compression
of bellows 81 by pressing downwardly on bellows 81 in the direction
indicated by arrow 87. The resulting air compression as bellows 81
is compressed is coupled by tube 82 to air cylinder 88. Air
cylinder 88 expands drawing bridge element 84 to the raised
position shown in FIG. 3. Thereafter, toy vehicle 86 having
encountered raised bridge 84 is launched in the manner shown in
FIG. 3.
[0035] FIG. 4 sets forth a perspective view of an alternate
embodiment of the present invention stunt device generally
referenced by numeral 90. Stunt device 90 includes a supporting
frame 91 having an air cylinder 92 supported thereon. A track
segment 93 is also coupled to stunt device 90. A movable rotating
table 94 is coupled to an expandable air cylinder 92. A flexible
hollow tube 95 is coupled to bellows 81 (seen in FIG. 3). As a toy
vehicle travels down track segment 93, it moves onto turntable disk
94. Concurrently, the user attempts to actuate expandable cylinder
92 causing turntable 94 to spin and produce the illustrated spinout
of the toy vehicle.
[0036] FIG. 5 sets forth a perspective view of a still alternate
embodiment of the present invention stunt device generally
referenced by numeral 100. Stunt device 100 includes a frame 101
supporting an expandable air cylinder 103 which is coupled to a
bellows (not shown) by a hollow tube 102. A launch ramp 104 is
actuated by cylinder 103 to cause a toy vehicle traversing the
launch ramp to be thrown into the air.
[0037] 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.
* * * * *