U.S. patent application number 13/907655 was filed with the patent office on 2013-12-05 for race course play set for floating toy vehicles.
The applicant listed for this patent is Mattel, Inc.. Invention is credited to Chris Down, Pete Hill, Keith A Hippely.
Application Number | 20130324003 13/907655 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49579623 |
Filed Date | 2013-12-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130324003 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hippely; Keith A ; et
al. |
December 5, 2013 |
RACE COURSE PLAY SET FOR FLOATING TOY VEHICLES
Abstract
Playsets for use on a water surface, including a toy vehicle
configured to travel along the water surface and a buoyant race
course, where the race course includes a guide that defines the
race course on the water surface, a start platform that supports
the toy vehicle, a start gate that releases the toy vehicle from
the start platform onto the water surface at the start of the race
course, and a finish gate that marks the end of the race
course.
Inventors: |
Hippely; Keith A; (Manhattan
Beach, CA) ; Hill; Pete; (Playa Del Rey, CA) ;
Down; Chris; (Torrance, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Mattel, Inc. |
El Segundo |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49579623 |
Appl. No.: |
13/907655 |
Filed: |
May 31, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61654726 |
Jun 1, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
446/153 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 23/10 20130101;
A63H 18/026 20130101; A63H 18/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/153 |
International
Class: |
A63H 23/10 20060101
A63H023/10 |
Claims
1. A playset for use by a user on a water surface, comprising: a
toy vehicle configured to travel along the water surface; and a
buoyant race course set including: a guide defining a race course
on the water surface; a start platform adapted to support the toy
vehicle; a start gate adapted to release the toy vehicle from the
start platform onto the water surface at a start of the race
course; and a finish gate marking an end of the race course.
2. The playset of claim 1, wherein the toy vehicle is buoyant and
configured to propel itself along the water surface.
3. The playset of claim 2, wherein the toy vehicle includes an
energy storage device adapted to store energy; and a propulsion
element that is adapted to convert the stored energy to motion of
the toy vehicle.
4. The playset of claim 3, wherein the energy storage device is
adapted to store mechanical energy.
5. The playset of claim 4, wherein the energy storage device is a
pullback motor, and the mechanical energy is stored in a component
of the pullback motor that is a spring.
6. The playset of claim 3, wherein the propulsion element is
configured to propel the toy vehicle on the surface of the water
and includes a propeller or a paddle.
7. The playset of claim 1, wherein the start platform includes a
ramp sloping down to the surface of the water.
8. The playset of claim 1, wherein the start gate includes a
barrier having a closed configuration that prevents the toy vehicle
from leaving the start platform, and an open configuration that
permits the toy vehicle to leave the start platform.
9. The playset of claim 8, wherein the barrier is pivotably coupled
to the start platform at a lower edge of the inclined ramp, and is
configured to be selectively transitioned between the closed
configuration and the open configuration.
10. The playset of claim 1, wherein the guide includes two edge
boundaries configured to float on the water surface.
11. The playset of claim 10, wherein the edge boundaries can be
flexed to define a nonlinear race course.
12. The playset of claim 11, wherein each edge boundary includes an
elongate tube, the tube including corrugations that permit the tube
to be flexed and/or extended.
13. The playset of claim 11, wherein each edge boundary includes a
flexible foam tube.
14. The playset of claim 10, wherein each edge boundary is coupled
to the start platform at a first end, and coupled to the finish
gate at a second end.
15. The playset of claim 1, wherein the finish gate includes an
archway defining the finish line of the race course.
16. A race course playset, comprising: a first buoyant toy car and
a second buoyant toy car, each buoyant toy car configured to propel
itself along a water surface; and a buoyant race course including:
an inclined start platform defining a start of the buoyant race
course; a start gate coupled to the start platform that is
configured to be selectively transitioned between a closed
configuration that retains the buoyant toy cars on the start
platform and an open configuration that release the buoyant toy
cars at the start of the race course; an arched finish gate that
defines the end of the buoyant race course; and a first side
boundary and a second side boundary that are each coupled at a
first end to the start platform and coupled at a second end to the
arched finish gate, where the first side boundary and second side
boundary are configured to flexibly define the race course.
17. The race course playset of claim 16, wherein the first and
second side boundaries each include a flexible and buoyant tube
member.
18. A playset for use on a water surface, comprising: a buoyant
start platform with a start gate for a toy vehicle; a buoyant
finish gate for a toy vehicle race course; a first flexible and
buoyant tube member interconnecting the buoyant start platform to
the buoyant finish gate; and a second flexible and buoyant tube
member interconnecting the buoyant start platform to the buoyant
finish gate; wherein the first tube member and the second tube
member collectively define side boundaries of a flexible and
buoyant toy vehicle race course.
19. The playset of claim 18, wherein the start platform includes a
ramp sloping down to the surface of the water.
20. The playset of claim 18, wherein the start gate includes a
barrier having a closed configuration that prevents a toy vehicle
from leaving the start platform, and an open configuration that
permits the toy vehicle to leave the start platform.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a nonprovisional patent application claiming the
benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) of the filing of the
provisional application Ser. No. 61/654,726 titled RACE COURSE PLAY
SET FOR FLOATING TOY VEHICLES, filed Jun. 1, 2012, which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present disclosure relates to toy vehicle playsets, and
more particularly to playsets including a floating race course for
self-propelled floating toy vehicles.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0003] A natural aspect of playing with toy vehicles is racing such
vehicles against one other. Racing play can be substantially
enhanced through the use of playsets that include a defined race
course within which the toy vehicles may race. Such playsets may
additionally provide an appropriate environment for the race by
virtue of their design, their decoration, or by incorporating
appropriate race course features.
[0004] At the same time, playsets that facilitate imaginative play
while bathing may increase a young child's enjoyment of the bath,
and thereby decrease their resistance to bathing, to the relief of
a parent or caregiver. One way of enhancing bath time play is to
provide a buoyant race course for toy vehicles suitable for use in
the bath tub.
[0005] Examples of toy vehicle playsets and toy vehicles and
accessories may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. US2,565,359,
US3,271,896, US3,447,258, US4,652,248, US4,715,602, US5,078,642,
and US5,651,736; and in U.S. Patent Publication US20110244755. The
complete disclosures of the above patents and patent applications
are herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.
SUMMARY
[0006] In one embodiment, the present invention includes a playset
for use on a water surface, the playset including a toy vehicle
configured to travel along the water surface, and a buoyant race
course. The disclosed race course in turn includes a floating guide
that defines a race course on the water surface, a start platform
that is adapted to support the toy vehicle, a start gate that is
adapted to release the toy vehicle from the start platform onto the
water surface at the start of the race course, and a finish gate
that marks the end of the race course.
[0007] In another embodiment, the present invention includes a race
course playset, the playset including a first and a second buoyant
toy cars, where each car is configured to propel itself along a
water surface, and a buoyant race course. The race course in turn
includes an inclined start platform that defines the start of the
race course, a start gate that is coupled to the start platform and
that is configured to be selectively transitioned between a closed
configuration that retains the toy cars on the start platform and
an open configuration that releases the toy cars at the start of
the race course, an arched finish gate that defines the end of the
race course, and first and second side boundaries that are coupled
at a first end to the start platform and coupled at a second end to
the arched finish gate, where the side boundaries flexibly define
the race course.
[0008] The advantages of selected embodiments of the present
invention will be more readily understood after considering the
drawings and the Detailed Description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 depicts a playset according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary toy vehicle for the playset of
FIG. 1 shown in exploded view.
[0011] FIG. 3 depicts the playset of FIG. 1 in an extended
configuration and defining a race course on a water surface.
[0012] FIG. 4 depicts the playset of FIG. 3, including a toy
vehicle in a starting position on a start platform.
[0013] FIG. 5 depicts the playset of FIG. 4, with the start gate in
its open configuration, and the toy vehicle leaving the start
platform.
[0014] FIG. 6 depicts the playset of FIG. 5, with the toy vehicle
negotiating the defined race course on the water surface.
[0015] FIG. 7 depicts the playset of FIG. 6, with the toy vehicle
passing beneath the finish gate of the race course.
[0016] FIG. 8 depicts an alternative exemplary embodiment of a
playset of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Selected playsets of the present invention can be used to
create a race course on the surface of a body of water, for example
for use by a child sitting in a bathtub filled with water, during
bath time. The toy vehicles of the playset are both buoyant and
self-propelled, and are retained within the race course by floating
guides that define sides of the course. FIG. 1 depicts a playset 10
according to the present invention. The disclosed playsets include
at least one toy vehicle 12 and a buoyant race course set 14 that
are capable of defining an elongated pathway on water.
[0018] Preferably, toy vehicle 12 is buoyant, and readily floats
upon or near the surface of even a modest volume of water, such as
is easily contained within a bathtub. Although toy vehicle 12 is
depicted as a car, it should be appreciated that the vehicle may
alternatively be configured to represent a boat, a submarine, a
plane, an animal, or a humanoid character, among others. In one
embodiment, the playset of the invention includes two such toy
vehicles 12. More particularly, each toy vehicle 12 may be a 1:55
scale toy vehicle.
[0019] In addition to being buoyant, toy vehicle 12 may also be
configured to be self-propelled. In one embodiment, buoyant toy
vehicle 12 may be configured to travel on the surface of water, and
may incorporate a screw-type propeller, a paddle member, or other
suitable propulsion mechanism. Alternatively, or in addition, the
buoyant toy vehicle may be self-propelled with respect to travel on
solid surfaces, and may incorporate wheels, tracks, legs, or other
suitable propulsion mechanism. Preferably, the buoyant toy vehicle
12 is self-propelled with respect to both land travel and water
travel. For example, buoyant toy vehicle 12 includes a plurality of
wheels that roll on land and also are adapted to include paddle
members, thereby being configured to travel both on land and on the
surface of water.
[0020] In order to power the propulsion mechanism, the buoyant toy
vehicle 12 includes an energy storage device and a propulsion
element that is adapted to convert the energy stored by the energy
storage device into motion of the buoyant toy vehicle. The energy
storage device may be configured to store electrical energy, such
as a battery, or it may be configured to store mechanical energy.
In one embodiment, buoyant toy vehicle 12 includes an energy
storage device that is a pullback motor, and a propulsion mechanism
that is a mechanical motor. The energy stored in the pullback motor
is mechanical energy that is stored by a spring member when the
buoyant toy vehicle is "pulled back" with a reverse rotation of the
drive wheels. Upon release, the stored mechanical energy is
converted by the motor into forward rotation of the drive wheels,
and therefore into forward motion.
[0021] An exemplary buoyant toy vehicle 12 that is a toy car is
depicted in FIG. 2 in an exploded view, including an upper car
chassis 15 and a lower chassis 16 that when combined enclose a
propulsion element that is a pullback motor 17 coupled to rear
drive wheels 18. As shown in FIG. 2, drive wheels 18 may
incorporate paddle features 19, thereby enabling buoyant toy
vehicle 12 to be self-propelled on dry surfaces as well as while
floating. Front wheels 20 may be coupled to a front axle 21, and
may be configured to rotate freely.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, the race course set 14 may be placed
onto a water surface to define a race course 22 for the buoyant toy
vehicle 12 to travel along. Race course set 22 may include a start
platform 24 that is adapted to support at least one buoyant toy
vehicle 12. Start platform 24 preferably includes a start gate 26
adapted to release buoyant toy vehicle 12 from the start platform
24 and onto the water surface within the race course 22 defined by
the race course set 14. More specifically, one or more guides 28
can be flexed to define the sides or edges of the race course 22.
For example, the buoyant guides 28 may include two edge boundaries
configured to float on the water surface, defining edge boundaries
that can be flexed to define a nonlinear race course or
straightened to define a linear race course. This nonlinear race
course may extend from start platform 24 to a finish gate 30 that
marks the end of the defined race course 22.
[0023] In one embodiment of the invention, start platform 24 may
take the form of a ramp or inclined plane. Where the start platform
is a ramp, a running surface of the ramp preferably slopes down
toward the beginning of the water-portion of race course 22. The
start platform 24 may itself be buoyant and self-supporting, or the
start platform 24 may be supported on the water surface by virtue
of the inherent buoyancy of other components of the race course set
14.
[0024] As mentioned previously, at the base of start platform 24
may be a start gate 26. Start gate 26 typically is a barrier or
partial barrier that is coupled to the start platform 24 such that
start gate 26 has an open configuration and a closed configuration.
In the closed configuration (as depicted in FIG. 1), start gate 26
physically prevents buoyant toy vehicle 12 from leaving the start
platform 24, while in the open configuration (as depicted in FIG.
3), start gate 26 may permit the buoyant toy vehicle 12 to leave
start platform 24 and enter race course 22. In one embodiment,
start gate 26 is mounted on a shaft, so that start gate 26 is
pivotably coupled to start platform 24, and the start gate may be
selectively transitioned between the closed configuration and the
open configuration. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, start
gate 26 may include a handle or tab 32 that may be turned to
transition start gate 20 between its open and closed configuration.
Typically, start gate 20 is configured so that some resistance
occurs when the start gate is being transitioned, for example by
means of frictional resistance, or via a detent in the pivotable
coupling.
[0025] Race course set 14 may include one or more buoyant guides 28
that are adapted to float upon the surface of the water and define
the side boundaries of the race course 22. Typically, race course
set 14 may include two race course guides 28, each guide serving to
define a side of the race course 22. Guides 28 may have any
suitable shape or configuration for defining the side boundaries of
the race course 22. In one embodiment of the invention, each guide
28 may be tubular, or incorporate one or more tube members.
[0026] Guides 28 are typically buoyant, sufficiently flexible that
they may be shaped into a simple or reverse curve, and sufficiently
resilient that once curved, the guides substantially retain their
shape during play. Each guide 28 may be coupled at a first end to
start gate 26, and at a second end to finish gate 30, each guide 28
thereby interconnecting the buoyant start platform to the buoyant
finish. In one embodiment of the invention, race course set 14
includes a first guide and a second guide that are flexible and
buoyant tube members.
[0027] In one embodiment of the invention, race course guides 28
may include flexible foam tubes, which may be hollow or incorporate
solid foam. The foam tubes may be inherently resilient, or may
incorporate stiffening components such as wires, armatures, or the
like. Where guides 28 include foam tubes, the guides are typically
inherently buoyant.
[0028] In another embodiment of the invention, guides 28 include
buoyant tubing that may incorporate multiple wall corrugations,
such as POPOID tubing, where the wall corrugations permit the
tubing to be extended and/or flexed, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.
Where the guides 28 incorporate corrugated tubing, the guides may
remain buoyant because the ends of the guides are sealed against
water entering the tubing. However, in order to permit the tubing
to be extended and compressed, some means of equalizing the
internal air pressure of the guide with the atmosphere must be
provided. In one embodiment of the invention, each guide 28
includes corrugated tubing that incorporates an air vent positioned
above the water line on that guide.
[0029] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, race car set
14 is buoyant by means of a start platform 24 and finish gate 30
that may incorporate one or more flotation means, and race course
guides 28 are not necessarily required to be additionally buoyant.
In this embodiment, race course guides 28 may include flexible
non-tubular elements such as railings or panels, for example
extruded polypropylene rails. In yet another alternative
embodiment, the race course set 14 is not necessarily buoyant, and
set 14 is configured to be retained at the water's surface by
attachment to a vertical surface, such as the side of a bath tub.
For example, race course set 14 may be removably attached to a bath
tub by means of multiple suction cups.
[0030] Race course set 14 may incorporate one or more decorative
elements that may be permanently attached, or removably coupled to
one or more components of the race course set 14. For example, as
shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, selected decorative elements include a
simulated fuel supply 34 for buoyant toy vehicles 12, and simulated
palm trees 36. The decorative elements for race course set 14, when
present, may be selected to complement the design of buoyant toy
vehicle 12, such as providing an appropriate environment for a
buoyant toy vehicle that is configured to appear as a particular
character.
[0031] In yet another alternate embodiment, the start platform 24
may be extended in order to provide a solid surface for an initial
portion of race course 22. After being released by start gate 26,
buoyant toy vehicle 12 may traverse the solid surface before
reaching the water portion of the race course 22. In this
embodiment, buoyant toy vehicle 12 may be configured to be
self-propelled on hard surfaces as well on a water surface.
Alternatively, or in addition, a terminal portion of race course 22
may include a solid surface, for example to permit buoyant toy
vehicle 12 to climb up and out of the water upon reaching the end
of race course 22. The terminal solid surface may be incorporated
with or coupled to the finish gate 30. In this embodiment, buoyant
toy vehicle 12 may be designed to resemble an amphibious vehicle,
and the race course set 14 may be decorated to complement the
concept of an amphibious vehicle traversing both land and water.
For example, buoyant toy vehicle 12 may be configured to resemble
an amphibious military landing craft, and race course set 14 may be
configured to resemble an amphibious landing site.
[0032] The race course sets of the present invention lend
themselves to a variety of different types of bath time play for
younger children. In one embodiment of the invention, a user may
use the race course set in combination with a buoyant toy vehicle
that includes a pullback spring motor and drive wheels that
incorporate paddle features. In such an embodiment, the user might
wind the buoyant toy vehicle by pulling it backward, energizing the
pullback spring motor, and thereby energizing the drive wheels of
the buoyant toy vehicle. The user may then place the energized
buoyant toy vehicle in a starting position on a start platform,
where the start gate is in its closed configuration. Using an
attached tab or handle, the user may transition the start gate into
its open configuration, whereupon the energized drive wheels of the
buoyant toy vehicle may propel the buoyant toy vehicle off of the
start platform and into the water. As the drive wheels rotate in
the water, the paddle features of the drive wheels may propel the
buoyant toy vehicle along the defined race course. Where the
buoyant toy vehicle encounters one of the boundary guides 28
defining the race course, the contact may redirect the buoyant toy
vehicle further along the race course, leading the buoyant toy
vehicle toward the finish gate 30, even where the race course
defines a curve (for example as shown in FIG. 3). Alternatively, or
in addition, the user may employ two buoyant toy vehicles and
engage in competitive races between the vehicles (also as shown in
FIG. 3). The first vehicle to race from the start gate 26 to the
finish gate 30 typically is the winner.
[0033] FIGS. 4-7 depict a sequence of events representing an
exemplary type of play incorporating a playset according to the
present invention. At FIG. 4 a user is shown with a previously
energized buoyant toy vehicle in a starting position on a start
platform. At FIG. 5, the user has transitioned the start gate into
its open configuration, and the drive wheels of the buoyant toy
vehicle have begun to propel the buoyant toy vehicle from the start
platform and into the water. At FIG. 6, the rotation of the drive
wheels in the water propel the buoyant toy vehicle along the race
course defined by two race course guides, while at FIG. 7, the
buoyant toy vehicle passes beneath a finish gate, ending the
race.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 8, an alternative arrangement of a playset
according to the present invention is illustrated.
[0035] The various components of the race course playset disclosed
herein may be fabricated from any suitable material, or combination
of materials, such as plastic, foamed plastic, wood, cardboard,
pressed paper, metal, or the like. A suitable material may be
selected to provide a desirable combination of weight, buoyancy,
strength, durability, cost, manufacturability, appearance, safety,
and the like. More particularly, the materials used to fabricate
the components of the race course set may include one or more
plastics. Suitable plastics may include high-density polyethylene
(HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polystyrene, acrylonitrile
butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate
(PET), polypropylene, or the like. Suitable foamed plastics may
include expanded or extruded polystyrene, or the like.
[0036] Inventions embodied in various combinations and
subcombinations of features, functions, elements, and/or properties
may be claimed through a later related application, whether they
are directed to a different invention or directed to the same
invention, whether different, broader, narrower or equal in scope
to the original invention, are also regarded as included within the
subject matter of the inventions of the present disclosure.
[0037] It is believed that the disclosure set forth above
encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility.
While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred
form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated
herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous
variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions
includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations
of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties
disclosed herein. Similarly, where the disclosure recites "a" or "a
first" element or the equivalent thereof, such recitation should be
understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements,
neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.
[0038] Although the presently disclosed invention has been shown
and described with reference to the foregoing operational
principles and preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those
skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be
made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
The present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives,
modifications and variances that fall within the scope of the
appended claims.
* * * * *