U.S. patent application number 13/343592 was filed with the patent office on 2012-08-16 for container for self propelled toy vehicle.
Invention is credited to Cracky Choi, Thomas Louis Di Fazio, Jeffrey Paris, David Eugene Reinhardt, Nicholas Screnci.
Application Number | 20120208431 13/343592 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46457953 |
Filed Date | 2012-08-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120208431 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Screnci; Nicholas ; et
al. |
August 16, 2012 |
CONTAINER FOR SELF PROPELLED TOY VEHICLE
Abstract
A structure for a self propelled toy vehicle is provided, the
structure having: an enclosure with an inlet opening and an outlet
opening; a first door pivotally mounted to the enclosure proximate
to the inlet opening; a second door pivotally mounted to the
enclosure proximate to the outlet opening; a first mechanism for
retaining the self propelled toy vehicle in the enclosure; a second
mechanism for releaseably engaging the second door in order to
retain the second door in a closed position; and an actuation
button located on the housing, the actuation button being coupled
to the first mechanism and the second mechanism wherein movement of
the actuation button will cause the first mechanism to release the
self propelled toy vehicle and cause the second mechanism to
release the second door such that the first door and the second
door may move to an open position.
Inventors: |
Screnci; Nicholas; (New
Providence, NJ) ; Paris; Jeffrey; (Kew Gardens,
NY) ; Di Fazio; Thomas Louis; (Brooklyn, NY) ;
Reinhardt; David Eugene; (Cloverdale, CA) ; Choi;
Cracky; (Kowloon, HK) |
Family ID: |
46457953 |
Appl. No.: |
13/343592 |
Filed: |
January 4, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61429669 |
Jan 4, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
446/476 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 17/44 20130101;
A63H 17/26 20130101; A63H 18/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/476 |
International
Class: |
A63H 3/52 20060101
A63H003/52 |
Claims
1. A structure for a self propelled toy vehicle, comprising: an
enclosure having an inlet opening and an outlet opening, the inlet
opening being aligned with the outlet opening; a first door
pivotally mounted to the enclosure proximate to the inlet opening
for movement between an open position and a closed position; a
second door pivotally mounted to the enclosure proximate to the
outlet opening for movement between an open position and a closed
position; a first mechanism for retaining the self propelled toy
vehicle in the enclosure after the self propelled toy vehicle has
entered the enclosure through the inlet opening; a second mechanism
for releaseably engaging a feature of the second door in order to
retain the second door in the closed position; and an actuation
button located on a surface of the housing, the actuation button
being coupled to the first mechanism and the second mechanism
wherein movement of the actuation button will cause the first
mechanism to release the self propelled toy vehicle as well as
cause the second mechanism to release the feature of the second
door and an apply an opening force to the first door such that the
first door and the second door may move to the open position.
2. The structure as in claim 1, wherein the second mechanism is
configured to manipulate an on/off switch of the self propelled
vehicle when the actuation button is moved.
3. The structure as in claim 1, wherein the second mechanism is
configured to manipulate an on/off switch of the self propelled
vehicle when the first door is moved between the open and closed
position.
4. The structure as in claim 1, wherein the first mechanism is
configured for movement between a first position and a second
position and the first mechanism engages a portion of the self
propelled toy vehicle when it is in the enclosure and when the
first mechanism is in the first position and the first mechanism
does not engage the self propelled toy vehicle when it is in the
second position and wherein movement of the actuation button causes
the first mechanism to move from the first position to the second
position, wherein the first door provides a ramp into the enclosure
when it is in the open position and wherein the second door
provides a ramp out of the enclosure when it is in the open
position.
5. The structure as in claim 1, wherein the actuation button is
located in a recess on a bottom surface of the structure such that
a protruding feature is required to actuate the actuation button
when the structure is placed upon a surface.
6. The structure as in claim 1, further comprising a loop extending
from an upper surface of the structure and wherein the structure
further comprises a slide switch for moving a blocking portion of
the first mechanism between a blocking position and a non-blocking
position.
7. A structure for a self propelled toy vehicle, comprising: an
enclosure having an inlet opening and an outlet opening, the inlet
opening being aligned with the outlet opening; a first mechanism
for retaining the self propelled toy vehicle in the enclosure after
the self propelled toy vehicle has entered the enclosure through
the inlet opening; and a second mechanism for actuating an on/off
switch of the self propelled toy vehicle when it is received in the
enclosure, wherein the second mechanism actuates the on/off switch
of the self propelled toy vehicle when at least one door pivotally
secured to the enclosure is opened or closed.
8. The structure as in claim 7, wherein the first mechanism is
configured for movement between a first position and a second
position, wherein the first mechanism engages a portion of the self
propelled toy vehicle when it is in the enclosure and when the
first mechanism is in the first position and wherein the first
mechanism does not engage the self propelled toy vehicle when it is
in the second position.
9. The structure as in claim 8, wherein the first mechanism is
moved between the first position and the second position when the
at least one door pivotally secured to the enclosure is opened or
closed.
10. The structure as in claim 7, wherein the at least one door is
opened by an actuation button disposed on a lower surface of the
enclosure, wherein the first door provides a ramp into the
enclosure when it is in the open position and wherein the second
door provides a ramp out of the enclosure when it is in the open
position.
11. The structure as in claim 7, wherein the at least one door
pivotally secured to the enclosure provides a ramp into the inlet
opening for the self propelled toy vehicle when the at least one
door is in an open position.
12. A track set for use with a self propelled toy vehicle, the
track set comprising: a track segment defining a path; a structure
configured to be removably positioned in a portion of the path, the
structure comprising: an enclosure having an inlet opening and an
outlet opening, the inlet opening aligned with the outlet opening
and the inlet opening being configured to receive the self
propelled toy vehicle from the track segment and the outlet opening
is configured to direct the self propelled toy vehicle onto the
track segment; a first door pivotally mounted to the enclosure
proximate to the inlet opening for movement between an open
position and a closed position; a second door pivotally mounted to
the enclosure proximate to the outlet opening for movement between
an open position and a closed position; a first mechanism for
retaining the self propelled toy vehicle in the enclosure after the
self propelled toy vehicle has entered the enclosure through the
inlet opening; a second mechanism for releaseably engaging a
feature of the second door in order to retain the second door in
the closed position; and an actuation button located on a surface
of the housing, the actuation button being coupled to the first
mechanism and the second mechanism wherein movement of the
actuation button will cause the first mechanism to release the self
propelled toy vehicle as well as cause the second mechanism to
release the feature of the second door and an apply an opening
force to the first door such that the first door and the second
door may move to the open position.
13. The track set as in claim 12, wherein the second mechanism is
configured to manipulate an on/off switch of the self propelled
vehicle when the actuation button is moved.
14. The track set as in claim 12, wherein the second mechanism is
configured to manipulate an on/off switch of the self propelled
vehicle when the first door is moved between the open and closed
position.
15. The track set as in claim 12, wherein the first mechanism is
configured for movement between a first position and a second
position and the first mechanism engages a portion of the self
propelled toy vehicle when it is in the enclosure and when the
first mechanism is in the first position and the first mechanism
does not engage the self propelled toy vehicle when it is in the
second position and wherein movement of the actuation button causes
the first mechanism to move from the first position to the second
position, wherein the first door provides a ramp into the enclosure
when it is in the open position and wherein the second door
provides a ramp out of the enclosure when it is in the open
position.
16. The track set as in claim 12, wherein the actuation button is
located in a recess on a bottom surface of the structure such that
a protruding feature is required to actuate the actuation button
when the structure is placed upon a surface.
17. The track set as in claim 12, further comprising a crane
configured to engage a loop extending from an upper surface of the
structure.
18. The track set as in claim 17, wherein the track segment is
configured to resemble a railroad track and the self propelled toy
vehicle is a train.
19. A method for receiving, retaining and subsequently releasing a
self propelled toy vehicle, the method comprising: locating an
enclosure in a path of the self propelled toy vehicle, the
enclosure having an inlet opening and an outlet opening, the inlet
opening being aligned with the outlet opening; a first door
pivotally mounted to the enclosure proximate to the inlet opening
for movement between an open position and a closed position,
wherein the first door provides a ramp into the enclosure when it
is in the open position; a second door pivotally mounted to the
enclosure proximate to the outlet opening for movement between an
open position and a closed position, wherein the second door
provides a ramp out of the enclosure when it is in the open
position; retaining the self propelled toy vehicle in the enclosure
after the self propelled toy vehicle has entered the enclosure
through the inlet opening with a first mechanism; releaseably
engaging a feature of the second door in order to retain the second
door in the closed position with a second mechanism; and releasing
the self propelled toy vehicle from the structure by moving an
actuation button located on a surface of the housing, the actuation
button being coupled to the first mechanism and the second
mechanism wherein movement of the actuation button will cause the
first mechanism to release the self propelled toy vehicle as well
as cause the second mechanism to release the feature of the second
door and an apply an opening force to the first door such that the
first door and the second door may move to the open position.
20. The method as in claim 19, wherein the path is defined by a
railroad track and the self propelled toy vehicle is a train and
the structure further comprises a loop extending from an upper
surface of the structure and the method further comprises removing
the train from the railroad tack by lifting the enclosure with the
crane when the train is retained in the enclosure.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/429,669 filed Jan. 4, 2011, the
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate
generally to a self opening container for use with a self propelled
toy vehicle.
[0003] Toy train sets or toy vehicle track sets have been popular
for many years and generally include one or more track sections
arranged to form a path around which one or more toy vehicles can
travel. Toy vehicles which may be used on such track sets are
either self-powered vehicles or may receive power from an external
source.
[0004] However, with many track sets, the vehicles run on a closed
loop track moving through the same track features lap after lap
thus, the motion of the vehicle generally remains consistent for
each vehicle as it travels along a specific section of the track.
This repetitive nature of vehicle travel may result in loss of
interest in the track set over a short period of time.
[0005] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide toy track set with
interchangeable elements to provide enhanced play.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In one embodiment a structure for a self propelled toy
vehicle is provided, the structure having: an enclosure having an
inlet opening and an outlet opening, the inlet opening being
aligned with the outlet opening; a first door pivotally mounted to
the enclosure proximate to the inlet opening for movement between
an open position and a closed position; a second door pivotally
mounted to the enclosure proximate to the outlet opening for
movement between an open position and a closed position; a first
mechanism for retaining the self propelled toy vehicle in the
enclosure after the self propelled toy vehicle has entered the
enclosure through the inlet opening; a second mechanism for
releaseably engaging a feature of the second door in order to
retain the second door in the closed position; and an actuation
button located on a surface of the housing, the actuation button
being coupled to the first mechanism and the second mechanism
wherein movement of the actuation button will cause the first
mechanism to release the self propelled toy vehicle as well as
cause the second mechanism to release the feature of the second
door and an apply an opening force to the first door such that the
first door and the second door may move to the open position.
[0007] In another exemplary embodiment, a structure for a self
propelled toy vehicle is provided. The structure having: an
enclosure having an inlet opening and an outlet opening, the inlet
opening being aligned with the outlet opening; a first mechanism
for retaining the self propelled toy vehicle in the enclosure after
the self propelled toy vehicle has entered the enclosure through
the inlet opening; and a second mechanism for actuating an on/off
switch of the self propelled toy vehicle when it is received in the
enclosure, wherein the second mechanism actuates the on/off switch
of the self propelled toy vehicle when at least one door pivotally
secured to the enclosure is opened or closed.
[0008] In still another exemplary embodiment, a track set for use
with a self propelled toy vehicle is provided, the track set
having: a track segment defining a path; a structure configured to
be removably positioned in a portion of the path, the structure
having: an enclosure having an inlet opening and an outlet opening,
the inlet opening aligned with the outlet opening and the inlet
opening being configured to receive the self propelled toy vehicle
from the track segment and the outlet opening is configured to
direct the self propelled toy vehicle onto the track segment; a
first door pivotally mounted to the enclosure proximate to the
inlet opening for movement between an open position and a closed
position; a second door pivotally mounted to the enclosure
proximate to the outlet opening for movement between an open
position and a closed position; a first mechanism for retaining the
self propelled toy vehicle in the enclosure after the self
propelled toy vehicle has entered the enclosure through the inlet
opening; a second mechanism for releaseably engaging a feature of
the second door in order to retain the second door in the closed
position; and an actuation button located on a surface of the
housing, the actuation button being coupled to the first mechanism
and the second mechanism wherein movement of the actuation button
will cause the first mechanism to release the self propelled toy
vehicle as well as cause the second mechanism to release the
feature of the second door and an apply an opening force to the
first door such that the first door and the second door may move to
the open position.
[0009] In yet another exemplary embodiment, a method for receiving,
retaining and subsequently releasing a self propelled toy vehicle
is provided, the method including the steps of: locating an
enclosure in a path of the self propelled toy vehicle, the
enclosure having an inlet opening and an outlet opening, the inlet
opening being aligned with the outlet opening; a first door
pivotally mounted to the enclosure proximate to the inlet opening
for movement between an open position and a closed position,
wherein the first door provides a ramp into the enclosure when it
is in the open position; a second door pivotally mounted to the
enclosure proximate to the outlet opening for movement between an
open position and a closed position, wherein the second door
provides a ramp out of the enclosure when it is in the open
position; retaining the self propelled toy vehicle in the enclosure
after the self propelled toy vehicle has entered the enclosure
through the inlet opening with a first mechanism; releaseably
engaging a feature of the second door in order to retain the second
door in the closed position with a second mechanism; and releasing
the self propelled toy vehicle from the structure by moving an
actuation button located on a surface of the housing, the actuation
button being coupled to the first mechanism and the second
mechanism wherein movement of the actuation button will cause the
first mechanism to release the self propelled toy vehicle as well
as cause the second mechanism to release the feature of the second
door and an apply an opening force to the first door such that the
first door and the second door may move to the open position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Other advantages of exemplary embodiments of the present
invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better
understood by reference to the following detailed description when
considered in connection with the accompanying drawings
wherein:
[0011] FIGS. 1A-C are side views of a self opening structure in
accordance with one embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the self opening
structure illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C;
[0013] FIGS. 3A-3B are side views of the self opening structure in
accordance with one embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a receiving member for
the self opening structure;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a track set employing a self
opening structure in accordance with one embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the self opening structure in
accordance with one embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a partially assembled self
opening structure in accordance with one embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a side view of a partially assembled self opening
structure in accordance with one embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the self opening structure in
accordance with one embodiment;
[0020] FIGS. 10A-10F are views illustrating a self opening
structure in accordance with another exemplary embodiment;
[0021] FIGS. 11A-13E are views illustrating a self-opening
structure in accordance with yet another alternative exemplary
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0022] In one embodiment, a self opening crate, container or
structure for use with a self propelled toy vehicle such as a
motorized toy train is disclosed herein. Of course, other types of
toy vehicles (self propelled or otherwise) are contemplated to be
used with various embodiments of the present invention. The crate
will have at least one door that automatically opens when the crate
is placed upon a track or a surface that engages an actuation
button of the crate. In one implementation, a special receiving
piece is provided and is located proximate to a track set such that
upon actuation of the button the self propelled vehicle can leave
the crate and travel onto a track set. In one implementation, doors
on both sides of the crate open up such that if the crate is left
in a strategic location the self propelled vehicle will travel back
into the crate.
[0023] In operation, the crate or container is configured to
receive and release a self propelled toy vehicle such as a battery
operated train. When the crate is in a "receive mode" at least one
of the doors of the crate are open and an inlet opening of the
crate is aligned with a track segment or a path the toy vehicle is
travelling on. The crate will have a first mechanism for stopping
the toy vehicle in the crate. Thereafter, a user closes the doors
of the crate and a second mechanism retains the doors or at least
one of the doors in a closed position. The crate can then be
removed from the track set with the toy vehicle therein. Once the
crate is returned to the track set a release button is actuated and
the first mechanism releases the toy vehicle while the second
mechanism releases the doors so that they can pivot open and allow
the toy vehicle to exit the container and travel back onto the toy
track set. Still further another embodiment is provided wherein the
toy vehicle 12 can be recaptured by the crate 10 or simply pass
therethrough.
[0024] In an alternative embodiment, the container will further
comprise a movable lever coupled to either the first mechanism or
the second mechanism or both wherein the movable lever is
configured to move an on/off switch of the toy vehicle when it is
in the container. In one embodiment movement of the moveable lever
is caused by movement of the actuation button and the closing of at
least one of the doors of the crate.
[0025] In this embodiment, the train is initially held in the crate
by the first mechanism while the engine is still running
Thereafter, a user closes the doors and the first mechanism moves
to a second non-blocking position and a movable lever moves an
on/off switch of the train into an "off" position and the wheels of
the train stop moving. Alternatively, the toy train is simply held
in position while running via a movable member that holds the toy
vehicle in place until the movable member is moved out of the
blocking position.
[0026] Accordingly and when the train is in the crate and the doors
are closed it is repositionable by a user or other mechanism, such
as a crane, that can raise and lower the crate onto the track set.
When the crate is placed upon a supporting surface or track a
button or buttons on the bottom surface of the crate are depressed
and the doors of the crate open up and the movable lever inside the
crate is actuated to move the on/off switch of the battery operated
train into the "on" position such that upon landing of the crate on
a surface, the doors open up and the train is turned on and drives
out of the crate onto the track set. Alternatively and in the
embodiment without the moveable lever for actuating or moving an
on/off switch of the toy vehicle the blocking member simply is
moved from the blocking position and the toy vehicle travels out of
the crate since as it is already running.
[0027] In still another embodiment, the crate or container will be
provided with a slide switch that manipulates movement of the
blocking member such that it can be moved between a blocking
position for capture of the toy vehicle and a non-blocking position
wherein the toy vehicle can travel out of the crate or container
regardless of the position of the doors of the crate. In other
words and in this example, the slide switch can reposition the
blocking member such that the toy vehicle can be captured when
travelling into the crate or simple travel through the crate when
the blocking member is in the non-blocking position and the doors
of the crate are opened.
[0028] Referring now to the attached FIGS. non-limiting exemplary
embodiments of the present invention are illustrated. Here a
structure 10 for a self propelled toy vehicle 12 is provided. In
one implementation, the structure has a main housing portion 14
that defines an enclosure having an inlet opening 16 and an outlet
opening 18. In one configuration and so that the vehicle can drive
into and out of the enclosure, the inlet opening is aligned with
the outlet opening.
[0029] The structure has a first door 20 pivotally mounted to the
housing proximate to the inlet opening for movement between an open
position (See at least FIGS. 1A, 1B) and a closed position (See at
least FIG. 1C). In addition, a second door 22 is also pivotally
mounted to the housing proximate to the outlet opening for movement
between an open position (See at least FIGS. 1A, 1B) and a closed
position (See at least FIG. 1C).
[0030] The structure will also have a first mechanism 24 for
retaining the self propelled toy vehicle in the enclosure after the
self propelled toy vehicle has entered the enclosure through the
inlet opening and the first mechanism is in a first position or
first blocking position. A second mechanism 26 for releaseably
engaging a feature 28 of the second door in order to retain the
second door in the closed position is also provided. In addition,
the second mechanism 26 can also be configured to retain and
release the first door in addition to the second door. In various
embodiments, the second mechanism may perform other functions such
as opening a door of the housing by application of an opening force
and manipulating an on/off switch 27 of the toy vehicle.
[0031] In one embodiment and in order to actuate the first
mechanism and the second mechanism, an actuation button 30 is
located on a surface 32 of the housing. In one embodiment, the
actuation button 30 is coupled to the first mechanism 24 and the
second mechanism 26 such that movement of the actuation button 30
will cause the first mechanism 24 to release the self propelled toy
vehicle 12 as well as cause the second mechanism 26 to release the
feature 28 of the second door 22.
[0032] In one embodiment, a receiving member 34 is provided. Here
the receiving member 34 is configured to have a protrusion 36 that
engages the actuation button 30 when the enclosure 10 is placed
upon the receiving member 34. In the illustrated embodiment, the
receiving member has a plurality of wall members 38 configured to
align with the periphery of the enclosure such that as it is
lowered onto the receiving member 34 the protrusion 36 will engage
the actuation button 30 and cause the desired movement of the first
mechanism 24 and the second mechanism 26.
[0033] In one exemplary embodiment, the receiving member 34 is
located within a path 40 of a track 42 of track set 44. In this
embodiment, the self propelled toy vehicle 12 is a toy train
configured to travel on track 42, which is configured as a railroad
track. As illustrated, the receiving member 34 is positioned
between two track segments of the track such that when the
structure or crate 10 is positioned on the receiving member 34 the
first door 20 is in the open position and the toy vehicle or train
will travel into the crate 10 through the inlet opening 16 and if
the first mechanism 24 is in the first position it will engage a
portion of the train such that it will be retained in the crate.
Thereafter, a user can close the doors 20, 22 of the crate and the
same can be removed from the receiving member 34 by a user's hands
or other mechanism such as a crane 46 (illustrated schematically in
FIG. 5).
[0034] In order to allow for the crate or housing 10 to be engaged
by the crane 46 the housing has a loop 48 extending from an upper
surface of the structure. Accordingly, the toy vehicle can be
captured from the track set 44 and removed to another location by
the crane 46. Thereafter, the crane 46 can be used to return the
crate 10 to the receiving member 34 such that upon receipt of the
crate 10 on the receiving member 34 the doors 20, 22 of the crate
10 will open and the toy vehicle or train 12 will drive out of the
crate 10 onto the track. Alternatively, multiple receiving members
may be employed and such that the crate can be deposited in
numerous locations to release the toy vehicle 12.
[0035] Once the vehicle 12 drives onto the track several play
options are available for example, the crate can be left in the
path such that the toy vehicle 12 can once again be captured by the
crate or housing 10. Alternatively, the housing or crate 10 can
configured to simply allow the toy vehicle 12 to travel through the
crate 10 without being captured. Still further, the housing or
crate 10 can be removed from the path once the toy vehicle 12
leaves the crate 10 and the toy vehicle 12 can continue to travel
along the path of the track set. In another implementation, the
crate 10 can be repositioned to receive the toy vehicle 12 and
capture it such that a user can then position the crate 10 on the
receiving member 34 and the crate will open and the toy vehicle
will be able to travel onto the track from the crate 10.
Accordingly, numerous methods of capture and release of a toy
vehicle can be accomplished with exemplary embodiments of the
present invention.
[0036] Referring now to FIGS. 6-8 portions of the structure or
crate 10 are illustrated. As illustrated, the housing portion has a
first housing member 50, a second housing member 52, a top portion
54 and a bottom portion 56. The bottom portion 56 has an opening 58
for receiving actuation button 30 therein. Actuation button 30 is
configured to engage a portion of the first mechanism. More
particularly, button 30 is configured to move a member 60 of the
first mechanism that is pivotally mounted to the housing. In one
embodiment, the button 30 is biased into a first position by a
spring 62 such that a portion 64 of the first mechanism coupled to
or linked to member 60 is located within the housing in a blocking
position when the button is not depressed. Accordingly, the toy
vehicle will be stopped in the housing when the first mechanism is
in the first position. Thereafter, movement of actuation button
will cause the first mechanism to move from the first position to a
second position, which causes the portion 64 of the first mechanism
24 to no longer be in the blocking position and thus, the toy
vehicle 12 can then leave the housing 10. In other words, portion
64 is retracted into an opening of the housing when the first
mechanism is moved from the first position to the second position
such that portion 64 is no longer in a blocking configuration with
respect to the incoming toy vehicle.
[0037] In still another embodiment and as an alternative feature to
the aforementioned embodiment, the crate or housing 10 further
comprises a slide switch 45 positioned on an exterior of the
housing or any other suitable location that is movably mounted to
the crate and coupled to at least portion 64 of the first mechanism
24. In this embodiment, the slide switch 45 is capable of moving
portion 64 between the blocking and unblocking position regardless
of the position of actuation button 30. In other words, slide
switch 45 is capable of moving portion 64 into a blocking position
even though crate 10 is placed upon receiving member 34 and
protrusion 36 is engaging actuation button 30 thus and in this
configuration the toy vehicle 12 can be captured or recaptured by
the crate when it is on the receiving member 34 and button 30 is
depressed and slide switch 45 has moved the portion 64 into the
blocking configuration. For example and in one non-limiting
embodiment, slide switch 45 is configured to decouple member 60 and
thus portion 64 from actuation button 30 such that spring 62 will
move portion 64 into the blocking position regardless of the
position of actuation button 30. Of course, numerous other means of
achieving the desired movement of portion 64 with slide switch 45
are considered to be within the scope of exemplary embodiments of
the present invention.
[0038] Alternatively, the slide switch 45 is positioned to not
engage or move portion 64 and thus portion 64 is in the unblocking
position when the crate 10 is positioned on the receiving member 34
and actuation button 30 is engaged by protrusion 36. In this
configuration, the toy vehicle 12 will simply travel through the
crate 10 since portion 64 is in the unblocking position. In yet
another alternative, the crate 10 can be simply rotated (e.g., 180
degrees) on receiving member 34 such that actuation button 30 is
not aligned with and thus not engaged by protrusion 36 when placed
on the receiving member 34 and thus portion 64 would be in the
blocking position. Still further, the crate 10 can be simply placed
upon the surface that does not have receiving member 34 and thus
actuation button is not engaged by protrusion 36 and portion 64
would be in the blocking position. It being understood that
numerous embodiments of the present invention can be configured
with or without slide switch 45 such that the desired position of
portion 64 can be provided such that the toy vehicle 12 is
captured, released, recaptured, etc.
[0039] As illustrated, the second mechanism 26 has a pair of
linking members 70 and a linking member 72. Linking members 70 are
mounted for movement in the direction of arrows 74 while linking
member 72 is mounted for movement in the direction of arrows 76. In
one embodiment, the movement of the pair of linking members 70 and
linking member 72 is caused by the closing of at least the first
door 20 or movement of the actuation button 30. As illustrated,
each linking member 70 is biased downward by a spring 78 while
linking member 72 is biased away from the inlet opening by a spring
80 such that a distal end 82 applies an opening force to the first
door 20 when the biasing force is released so that the first door
20 moves to the open position when the second mechanism 26 is
actuated.
[0040] In an alternative embodiment, the second mechanism 26
further comprises an arm member 84 configured to manipulate an
on/off switch 27 of the self-propelled vehicle when the linking
member 72 and/or the actuation button is/are moved.
[0041] In this embodiment, movement of at least one of the pair of
linking members 70 causes the same to be engaged and disengaged
with feature 28 of the second door. For example and when the
actuation button 30 is pushed into the housing, member 60 moves at
least one of the pair of linking members 70 upward and feature 28
is no longer engaged such that movement of the toy vehicle towards
the outlet opening 18 will cause the door to be pivoted open by the
toy vehicle 12. Alternatively, each of the doors 20, 22 may be
propelled open by a spring biased linking member that is released
by actuation of button 30.
[0042] Therefore, at least one door is opened by movement of the
actuation button 30 which causes the linking member 72 to open the
first door. At this moment, the toy vehicle 12 is also released and
the toy vehicle 12 moves the second door to the open position. As
illustrated, the first door 20 provides a ramp into the enclosure
10 when it is in the open position and the second door 22 provides
a ramp out of the enclosure 10 when it is in the open position.
Although, specific configurations of the first mechanism 24 and the
second mechanism 26 are illustrated it is of course understood that
numerous other means for linking components of the first mechanism
24 and the second mechanism 26 are considered to be within the
scope of exemplary embodiments of the present invention and would
be within the knowledge of those skilled in the related arts.
[0043] Referring now to FIGS. 10A-10F an alternative embodiment is
illustrated, here three buttons are located on a bottom surface of
the crate namely: (1) a stopper release button 90, which when
depressed (e.g., contacts a surface underneath the crate), the
movable engine stopper 64 inside the crate will go down thus
allowing the engine 12 to leave the crate 10 when it is turned on
(e.g., the engine stopper 64 when positioned up stops the train 12
in the crate 12); (2) a front door release button 92, which when
depressed (e.g., contacts a surface underneath the crate), a front
door lock (inside the slot of the crate frame) will be released and
the front door will fall down; and (3) a back door release button
94, which when depressed (e.g., contacts a surface underneath the
crate), the back door lock (inside the slot of the crate frame)
will be released and a push lever will eject out to push the back
door down. The back door push lever will also activate the "turn-on
lever" inside the crate wall. The turn-on lever will then sweep an
on/off knob of the toy vehicle to turn it on to allow the train to
drive out of the crate. As illustrated, a slide lever 96 is also
positioned on a side of the crate. The slide lever 96 being
configured to move the turn-on lever, which sweeps the on/off
switch of the vehicle. Alternatively, the slide lever 96 can be
removed and is actuated by the actuation button 30. In still
another alternative embodiment, the on/off lever can be located on
a special track piece located proximate to the crate, which is
coupled to the mechanisms for turning the vehicle on and off. In
yet another embodiment, the on/off mechanism is completely removed
and the first mechanism is configured to merely stop the toy
vehicle in place while its wheels are spinning and thereafter
release it when the actuation button is pressed and the portion of
the mechanism engaging the toy vehicle is lowered such that the
same can travel out of the crate.
[0044] Referring now to FIGS. 11A-13E still another alternative
embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Here the crate
or container 10 has a slide switch 45 directly coupled to a movable
portion 64 of a first mechanism 24 that is capable of movement
between a first blocking position illustrated in at least FIG. 11B
when the slide switch 45 is in the capture position illustrated in
at least FIG. 11A and FIGS. 13A-13D and a second non-blocking
position illustrated in at least FIG. 11D when the slide switch 45
is in the release position illustrated in at least FIG. 11C and
FIGS. 12A-12B and the movable portion 64 is in a non-blocking
position such that as the toy vehicle or train 12 travels into the
crate or container 10 it will not be captured by the crate and
simply pass therethrough (see for example FIGS. 12A-12B
illustrating the toy vehicle 12 traveling through the crate
10).
[0045] When the slide switch 45 is in the first blocking position,
the movable portion 64 is also in the blocking position and thus
the toy vehicle or train 12 when traveling into the crate 10 will
be captured or stopped by movable portion 64 since it is elevated
above a surface 21 of the crate or container 10. In one embodiment,
movable portion or member 64 is configured to cause the toy train
to be slightly elevated from surface 21 such that the wheels or
other driving mechanism of the toy vehicle will spin or
intermittently contact surface 21 while the toy train runs inside
crate 10. In other words, an elevated platform is provided that the
toy vehicle drives up onto. Alternatively, movable portion 64
simply blocks the path of the toy vehicle while it is running
inside the crate 10. As illustrated in FIGS. 13A-13C, the toy
vehicle 10 will be captured in the crate or container 10 and
thereafter the first and second doors 20, 22 can be pivoted to the
closed position and the crane 46 can lift the crate or container 10
as illustrated in at least FIG. 13D.
[0046] Thereafter and in order to release the toy vehicle 12, the
crate or container 10 is placed upon a receiving member 34 which
comprises a portion of track 42 of the track set 44. In this
embodiment, actuation button 30 depends away from a lower surface
of the crate or container 10 and once depressed when the crate or
container 10 contacts a surface or receiving member 34 actuation
button 30 is depressed and the first mechanism 24 and the second
mechanism 26 are actuated thus causing the doors 20 and 22 to be
released into the open position and movable member 64 is relocated
to the non-blocking position such that the toy vehicle or train 12
can travel out of the crate or container 10. In other words,
actuation button 30 is coupled or linked to the first mechanism 24,
the second mechanism 26 as well as components thereof (e.g.,
portion 64, slide switch 45, etc.) such that movement of button 30
causes desired movement of components of the mechanisms of the
crate 10. In this embodiment and when the toy vehicle 12 is
captured, movable member or portion 64 prevents the self-propelled
toy vehicle or train 12 from traveling out of the crate until
movable member or portion 64 is repositioned into the non-blocking
position.
[0047] Accordingly and in this embodiment, the crate or container
10 is configured to have a first position of the first mechanism 24
wherein the movable member 64 is in the blocking position such that
an incoming self-propelled toy vehicle 12 will be retained within
the crate 10. Thereafter and once the crate 10 is lifted and then
placed on a surface such that actuation button 30 is manipulated,
the first mechanism 24 and movable member 64 are repositioned such
that the toy vehicle 12 can travel out of the crate 10. In addition
and during this movement, the second mechanism 26 also releases the
pivotally mounted doors 20 and 22. Alternatively, the pivotally
mounted doors may be simply pushed open by the self-propelled toy
vehicle 12. In addition and in this embodiment, the crate or
container 10 via slide switch 45 can provide at least two different
operational modes, one in which the toy vehicle 12 simply travels
through the crate or container 10 since the movable member 64 is in
the non-blocking position or a recapture mode wherein the toy
vehicle or train 12 is captured via movable member 64 that is in a
blocking position.
[0048] Slide switch 45 is linked or coupled to movable member 64 as
well as actuation button 30. In one non-limiting embodiment and as
illustrated in at least FIGS. 11A and 11B when the slide switch 45
is moved to the left movable member 64 is in the blocking position.
Thereafter actuation or depression of actuation button 30 causes
movable member 64 to be positioned in the non-blocking position and
slide switch 45 is moved to the right (see at least FIGS. 11C and
11D). In this embodiment, this is typically caused by the crate or
container 10 being placed upon a surface wherein actuation button
30 is depressed. However and in this embodiment with the crate
still upon the surface and actuation button 30 is being depressed,
a user can manipulate the slide switch 45 to the left and thus
reposition movable member 64 into the blocking position even though
actuation button 30 is depressed. In this configuration, the toy
train or vehicle 12 will be recaptured once it reenters into the
crate or container 10. Alternatively, a user may leave the slide
switch 45 positioned to the right and allow the toy train or
vehicle 12 to travel through the crate or container 10 since
movable member 64 is no longer in the blocking position. Although
left and right positions are mentioned above with respect to slide
switch 45 it is, of course, understood that other positions are
considered to be within the scope of exemplary embodiments of the
present invention. Accordingly, this embodiment allows a user via
slide switch 45 to vary the position of the movable member 64 as
well as the first mechanism 24 while the crate or container is
resting upon a surface and actuation button 30 is depressed. As
mentioned above, further actuation of button 30 will cause the
slide switch 45, movable member 64 and the first mechanism 24 to
transition from a first position wherein the toy vehicle 12 is
captured to a second position wherein the toy vehicle 12 is
released.
[0049] Various embodiments of the present invention provide a crate
configured to allow a train to drive into the crate and catch on a
portion of a mechanism or assembly in the bottom of the crate so
that it will keep running but not drive out the other side of the
crate. Then the sides of the crate are manually closed, which in
one alternative embodiment causes the train to be turned off.
Thereafter, the crate can be picked up by a crane or other
equivalent member that picks up the crate and places it on a
special track piece which will cause the doors to open, turn the
train on, if necessary, and release it from the crate to drive onto
the track. If the crate is kept on the track the toy train drives
around the track set until it reaches the crate and it will again
drive into the crate and be either re-captured or allowed to pass
therethrough depending on the configuration of the crate or
container 10. While numerous embodiments have been disclosed herein
it is understood that features of the various embodiments may be
combined in anyone of numerous variations in accordance with
exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
[0050] While the invention has been described with reference to one
or more exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those
skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents
may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the
scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made
to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the
invention without departing from the essential scope thereof.
Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the
particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for
carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include
all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended
claims.
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