U.S. patent application number 16/529871 was filed with the patent office on 2021-02-04 for toy vehicle track accessory.
The applicant listed for this patent is Mattel, Inc.. Invention is credited to Kevin CAO.
Application Number | 20210031118 16/529871 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004273019 |
Filed Date | 2021-02-04 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210031118 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CAO; Kevin |
February 4, 2021 |
TOY VEHICLE TRACK ACCESSORY
Abstract
A toy vehicle track accessory comprising a main body having a
first pathway, a second pathway, and a third pathway that
bifurcates into the first and second pathways. A first track
connector is pivotably coupled to the first pathway and is
pivotable in a direction coplanar with the main body. A second
track connector is pivotably coupled to the second pathway and is
pivotable in a direction coplanar with the main body. A third track
connector is pivotably coupled to the third pathway and is
pivotable in a direction coplanar with the main body.
Inventors: |
CAO; Kevin; (Reseda,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Mattel, Inc. |
El Segundo |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004273019 |
Appl. No.: |
16/529871 |
Filed: |
August 2, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 18/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63H 18/02 20060101
A63H018/02 |
Claims
1. A toy vehicle track accessory comprising: a main body defining a
first pathway and a second pathway that converge into a third
pathway, the first pathway having a first end with a first angular
portion, the second pathway having a second end with a second
angular portion, the third pathway having a third end with a third
angular portion, wherein each of the first, second, and third
angular portions have a convex edge with an interior angle of less
than 180 degrees; a first track connector pivotably coupled to the
first end, the first track connector pivotable in a direction
coplanar with the main body and further including a protrusion
configured to engage the first angular portion; a second track
connector pivotably coupled to the second end, the second track
connector pivotable in a direction coplanar with the main body and
further including a protrusion configured to engage the second
angular portion; and a third track connector pivotably coupled to
the third end, the third track connector pivotable in a direction
coplanar with the main body and further including a protrusion
configured to engage the third angular portion.
2. The toy vehicle track accessory of claim 1, wherein the interior
angles of the first, second, and third angular portions are the
same.
3. The toy vehicle track accessory of claim 1, wherein: the
interior angles of the first and second angular portions are the
same; and the interior angle of the third angular portion is
different from the interior angles of the first and second angular
portions.
4. The toy vehicle track accessory of claim 1, wherein: the main
body, first track connector, second track connector, and third
track connector each include a pair of opposing track walls; and
the track walls of the main body include widened sections sized to
accommodate the track walls of the first, second, and third track
connectors.
5. The toy vehicle track accessory of claim 1, wherein: the first
pathway includes a first arcuate opening, the second pathway
includes a second arcuate opening, and the third pathway includes a
third arcuate opening; and the first track connector includes a
projection that travels lengthwise along the first arcuate opening
when the first track connector is pivoted, the second track
connector includes a second projection that travels lengthwise
along the second arcuate opening when the second track connector is
pivoted, and the third track connector includes a third projection
that travels lengthwise along the third arcuate opening when the
third track connector is pivoted.
6. The toy vehicle track accessory of claim 1, wherein: the first
pathway includes a pair of first arcuate openings, the second
pathway includes a pair of second arcuate openings, and the third
pathway includes a pair of third arcuate openings; and the first
track connector includes a pair of first projections that travel
lengthwise along the first arcuate openings when the first track
connector is pivoted, the second track connector includes a pair of
second projections that travel lengthwise along the second arcuate
openings when the second track connector is pivoted, and the third
track connector includes a pair of third projections that travel
lengthwise along the third arcuate openings when the third track
connector is pivoted.
7. A toy vehicle track accessory comprising: a main body including
a first track wall on a first edge of the main body, a second track
wall on a second edge of the main body opposite the first edge, and
a divider between the first and second track walls, wherein the
first track wall, second track wall, and divider collectively
define a first pathway and a second pathway that converge into a
third pathway; a pivotable first track connector extending from the
first pathway, the first track connector including a semicircular
portion positioned between the first track wall and divider; a
pivotable second track connector extending from the second pathway,
the second track connector including a semicircular portion
positioned between the divider and the second track wall; and a
pivotable third track connector extending from the third pathway,
the third track connector including a semicircular portion
positioned between the first track wall and the second track
wall.
8. The toy vehicle track accessory of claim 7, wherein: the first
pathway includes a first arcuate opening, the second pathway
includes a second arcuate opening, and the third pathway includes a
third arcuate opening; and the semicircular portion of the first
track connector includes a projection that travels lengthwise along
the first arcuate opening when the first track connector is
pivoted, the semicircular portion of the second track connector
includes a second projection that travels lengthwise along the
second arcuate opening when the second track connector is pivoted,
and the semicircular portion of the third track connector includes
a third projection that travels lengthwise along the third arcuate
opening when the third track connector is pivoted.
9. The toy vehicle track accessory of claim 7, wherein: the first
pathway includes a pair of first arcuate openings, the second
pathway includes a pair of second arcuate openings, and the third
pathway includes a pair of third arcuate openings; and the
semicircular portion of the first track connector includes a pair
of first projections that travel lengthwise along the first arcuate
openings when the first track connector is pivoted, the
semicircular portion of the second track connector includes a pair
of second projections that travel lengthwise along the second
arcuate openings when the second track connector is pivoted, and
the semicircular portion of the third track connector includes a
pair of third projections that travel lengthwise along the third
arcuate openings when the third track connector is pivoted.
10. The toy vehicle track accessory of claim 7, wherein: the first
track connector, second track connector, and third track connector
each include a pair of opposing connector track walls; and the
first and second track walls of the main body include widened
sections sized to accommodate the connector track walls of the
first, second, and third track connectors.
11. The toy vehicle track accessory of claim 7, wherein the main
body includes semicircular indentations sized to receive the
semicircular portions of the first, second, and third track
connectors.
12. The toy vehicle track accessory of claim 7, wherein: the main
body includes a first angular portion between the first track wall
and divider, a second angular portion between the divider and
second track wall, and a third angular portion between the first
track wall and second track wall; and each of the first, second,
and third angular portions have a convex edge with an interior
angle of less than 180 degrees.
13. The toy vehicle track accessory of claim 12, wherein: the first
track connector includes a straight protrusion configured to abut
the first angular portion; the second track connector includes a
straight protrusion configured to abut the second angular portion;
and the third track connector includes a straight protrusion
configured to abut the third angular portion.
14. The toy vehicle track accessory of claim 12, wherein the
interior angles of the first, second, and third angular portions
are the same.
15. The toy vehicle track accessory of claim 12, wherein: the
interior angles of the first and second angular portions are the
same; and the interior angle of the third angular portion is
different from the first and second angular portions.
16. A toy vehicle track accessory comprising: a main body
comprising a first pathway, a second pathway, and a third pathway,
wherein the third pathway bifurcates into the first and second
pathways; a first track connector pivotably coupled to the first
pathway, the first track connector pivotable in a direction
coplanar with the main body; a second track connector pivotably
coupled to the second pathway, the second track connector pivotable
in a direction coplanar with the main body; and a third track
connector pivotably coupled to the third pathway, the third track
connector pivotable in a direction coplanar with the main body.
17. The toy vehicle track accessory of claim 16, wherein: the first
pathway includes a first angular portion, the second pathway
includes a second angular portion, and the third pathway includes a
third angular portion, wherein each of the first, second, and third
angular portions have a convex edge with an interior angle of less
than 180 degrees; the first track connector includes a straight
protrusion configured to abut the first angular portion, a center
of the straight protrusion aligned proximate a vertex of the convex
edge of the first angular portion; the second track connector
includes a straight protrusion configured to abut the second
angular portion, a center of the straight protrusion aligned
proximate the vertex of the convex edge of the second angular
portion; and the third track connector includes a straight
protrusion configured to abut the third angular portion, a center
of the straight protrusion aligned proximate the vertex of the
convex edge of the third angular portion.
18. The toy vehicle track accessory of claim 16, wherein: the first
pathway includes a pair of first arcuate openings, the second
pathway includes a pair of second arcuate openings, and the third
pathway includes a pair of third arcuate openings; and the first
track connector includes a pair of first projections that travel
lengthwise along the first arcuate openings when the first track
connector is pivoted, the second track connector includes a pair of
second projections that travel lengthwise along the second arcuate
openings when the second track connector is pivoted, and the third
track connector includes a pair of third projections that travel
lengthwise along the third arcuate openings when the third track
connector is pivoted.
19. The toy vehicle track accessory of claim 16, wherein: the main
body, first track connector, second track connector, and third
track connector each include a pair of opposing track walls; and
the track walls of the main body include widened sections sized to
accommodate the track walls of the first, second, and third track
connectors.
20. The toy vehicle track accessory of claim 16, wherein: the
first, second, and third track connectors each include a
semicircular portion; and the main body includes semicircular
indentations sized to receive the semicircular portions of the
first, second, and third track connectors.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to tracks for toy vehicles,
and in particular, to a track accessory for use with other track
segments and toy vehicle track sets.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Toy vehicles with wheels that roll and spin freely with
minimal friction have long been a source of entertainment for
children of all ages. A variety of tracks and raceways have further
been developed for use with such toy vehicles. The tracks and
raceways may be a simple straight track or include variations such
as curves, loops, and ramps. Additionally, track sets have been
developed which allow a child to assemble individual track segments
in different layouts and sequences to create different raceways.
While a variety of shapes and geometries for individual track
segments may be found in the art, there remains an opportunity to
enhance a child's play experience by providing new and unique track
segments and accessories that can be used when creating toy vehicle
raceways.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A track accessory that allows for the converging or
diverging of track set pathways for toy vehicles is disclosed
herein. In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present
invention, the toy vehicle track accessory comprises a main body
that defines a first toy vehicle pathway, a second toy vehicle
pathway, and a third toy vehicle pathway. Depending on the
direction in which a toy vehicle travels through the track
accessory, the first and second pathways converge into the third
pathway or in other instances, the third pathway bifurcates into
the first and second pathways. A first track connector, a second
track connector, and a third track connector are pivotably coupled
to the first, second, and third pathways, respectively. The first,
second, and third track connectors are each pivotable in a
direction coplanar with the main body.
[0004] The first pathway has a first end with a first angular
portion, the second pathway has a second end with a second angular
portion, and the third pathway has a third end with a third angular
portion. The first track connector includes a protrusion that is
configured to engage the first angular portion. The center of the
protrusion of the first track connector is aligned proximate the
vertex of the first angular portion. The second track connector
includes a protrusion configured to engage the second angular
portion. The center of the protrusion of the second track connector
is aligned proximate the vertex of the second angular portion. The
third track connector includes a protrusion configured to engage
the third angular portion. The center of the protrusion of the
third track connector is aligned proximate the vertex of the third
angular portion.
[0005] Each of the first, second, and third angular portions has a
convex edge with an interior angle of less than 180 degrees. In one
instance, the interior angles of the first, second, and third
angular portions are the same. In another instance, the interior
angles of the first and second angular portions are the same, but
the interior angle of the third angular portion is different from
the interior angles of the first and second angular portions. In
yet another instance, the interior angles of the first, second, and
third angular portions are all different.
[0006] In one or more embodiments, the first pathway includes a
first arcuate opening, the second pathway includes a second arcuate
opening, and the third pathway includes a third arcuate opening.
The first track connector includes a projection that travels
lengthwise along the first arcuate opening when the first track
connector is pivoted. The second track connector includes a second
projection that travels lengthwise along the second arcuate opening
when the second track connector is pivoted. The third track
connector includes a third projection that travels lengthwise along
the third arcuate opening when the third track connector is
pivoted.
[0007] In other embodiments, the first pathway includes a pair of
first arcuate openings, the second pathway includes a pair of
second arcuate openings, and the third pathway includes a pair of
third arcuate openings. The first track connector includes a pair
of first projections that travel lengthwise along the first arcuate
openings when the first track connector is pivoted. The second
track connector includes a pair of second projections that travel
lengthwise along the second arcuate openings when the second track
connector is pivoted. The third track connector includes a pair of
third projections that travel lengthwise along the third arcuate
openings when the third track connector is pivoted.
[0008] The main body, first track connector, second track
connector, and third track connector may each include a pair of
opposing track walls. In certain instances, the track walls of the
main body include widened sections sized to accommodate the track
walls of the first, second, and third track connectors. In one or
more embodiments, the first, second, and third track connectors
each include a semicircular portion. The main body includes
semicircular indentations sized to receive the semicircular
portions of the first, second, and third track connectors.
[0009] In accordance with other embodiments of the present
invention, the toy vehicle track accessory comprises a main body
including a first track wall on a first edge of the main body, a
second track wall on a second edge of the main body opposite the
first edge, and a divider between the first and second track walls.
The first track wall, second track wall, and divider collectively
define a first pathway and a second pathway that converge into a
third pathway. A pivotable first track connector extends from the
first pathway. The first track connector includes a semicircular
portion positioned between the first track wall and divider. A
pivotable second track connector extends from the second pathway.
The second track connector includes a semicircular portion
positioned between the divider and the second track wall. A
pivotable third track connector extends from the third pathway. The
third track connector includes a semicircular portion positioned
between the first track wall and the second track wall.
[0010] Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention
will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by
way of example, the principles of the invention. It is to be
understood, however, that the detailed description, drawings, and
examples provided, while disclosing some embodiments, are given by
way of illustration and not limitation. Many changes and
modifications within the scope of the present invention may be made
without departing from the spirit thereof, and the present
invention includes all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Referring now to the drawings in which like reference
numbers represent corresponding parts throughout:
[0012] FIG. 1 provides a top view of a toy vehicle track accessory,
in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 provides a bottom view of the toy vehicle track
accessory shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with an illustrative
embodiment of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 3 provides a close-up view of a portion of the toy
vehicle accessory shown in FIG. 1 where a track connector is
pivoted, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the
invention.
[0015] FIG. 4 provides a side perspective view of the toy vehicle
accessory shown in FIG. 1 where the track connectors are pivoted in
different directions, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment
of the invention.
[0016] FIG. 5 provides a top view of the toy vehicle track
accessory shown in FIG. 1 where the track connectors are pivoted
left, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the
invention.
[0017] FIG. 6 provides a bottom view of the toy vehicle track
accessory shown in FIG. 5, in accordance with an illustrative
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] A track accessory for toy vehicles is described that
facilitates the converging or diverging of toy vehicle pathways
from different track segments and accessories. The track accessory
includes a plurality of pivotable track connectors that allow the
different track segments and accessories to be coupled or connected
to the track accessory at various angles or orientations.
[0019] Referring now to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of the toy
vehicle track accessory is shown. The track accessory 100 is shown
having three pathways that toy vehicles can travel along,
specifically a first pathway A, second pathway B, and third pathway
C. Depending on the orientation of the track accessory 100 when it
is connected as part of a track set or raceway and the direction in
which the toy vehicles travel through the track accessory 100 (as
represented by the double arrows), the track accessory 100
facilitates the converging or diverging of toy vehicles traveling
through the track accessory 100. In one instance, one or more toy
vehicles enter the track accessory 100 via pathway A and/or pathway
B. Pathway A and pathway B converge into pathway C, through which
the toy vehicles exit the track accessory 100. In another instance,
one or more toy vehicles enter the track accessory 100 via pathway
C, which then bifurcates into pathway A and pathway B. The toy
vehicles are randomly split between pathway A and pathway B as they
exit the track accessory 100.
[0020] Though track accessory 100 is shown as having two pathways
that converge into one pathway (or one pathway that bifurcates into
two pathways), other embodiments of the track accessory may include
any number of converging/diverging inlet and outlet pathways. For
example, the track accessory may have three pathways that merge
into one pathway or two pathways that split into four pathways.
Furthermore, in the illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 1,
pathways A and B are each of a width that only allows for a single
toy vehicle to travel along the pathway (i.e., single toy vehicle
lane). In other embodiments, pathways A and/or B may have a width
that allows for more than one toy vehicle lane such that multiple
toy vehicles can travel along the same pathway concurrently.
[0021] The track accessory 100 has a planar track surface with
vertical side walls that help retain toy vehicles within the
pathways while toy vehicles travel through the track accessory 100.
In FIG. 1, pathway A is lined in part by walls 102, 104, 110,
pathway B is lined in part by walls 106, 108, 112, and pathway C is
lined in part by walls 110, 112, 114, 116. The track accessory 100
also includes a divider 118 that protrudes from the track surface.
Similar to the side walls 102-116, the divider 118 also helps
retain toy vehicles within pathways A and B, as well as facilitates
the converging or diverging of toy vehicles while the toy vehicles
travel through the track accessory 100.
[0022] The track accessory 100 has a main body 120 with three
pivotable track connectors 122, 124, 126 coupled to the main body
120. Each pivotable track connector 122, 124, 126 has a coupling
portion 128, 130, 132. The coupling portion of the track connector
may be any structure suitable for facilitating selective end-to-end
connection or coupling of the track accessory 100 to another track
segment or a component of a track set. For instance, the track
connector may be configured to receive a tongue-and-groove
friction-fit connector and/or a snap-together nesting tab. With the
pivotable track connectors 122, 124, 126, the track accessory 100
can be coupled with other track segments in different orders and
arrangements, which gives a child the freedom to creatively
construct different raceway layouts.
[0023] Referring now to FIG. 2 in combination with FIG. 3, the
underside or bottom of pathways A, B, and C includes respective
angular portions 202, 204, 206. Each angular portion 202, 204, 206
includes a convex edge 201 (see FIG. 3 for a representative edge)
extending between two sidewalls to define corner angles .theta.1
(see FIG. 3 for a representative angle) at each edge of the angular
portions 202, 204, 206. Approximately halfway between the two
corners angles .theta.1, the interior side of the convex edge 201
defines an interior angle .theta.2 (see FIG. 3 for a representative
angle) of less than 180 degrees. For instance, in the depicted
embodiment, the angular portion 202 has an interior angle .theta.2
of approximately 160 degrees. Furthermore, the interior angles
.theta.2 of the angular portions 202 and 204 may be the same and
the interior angle .theta.2 of angular portion 206 may be different
from the interior angle .theta.2 of angular portions 202, 204. For
example, in the illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the
interior angles .theta.2 of angular portions 202 and 204 are the
same and the interior angle .theta.2 of the third angular portion
206 is different. In other embodiments, the interior angles
.theta.2 of angular portions 202, 204, 206 are all the same. In yet
other embodiments, the interior angles .theta.2 of angular portions
202, 204, 206 are all different.
[0024] Each track connector 122, 124, 126 includes a straight
protrusion 208, 210, 212 that is configured to abut a respective
angular portion 202, 204 or 206 when the track connector is pivoted
to specific positions (see, e.g., FIGS. 3 and 4). The center of
each of straight protrusions 208, 210, 212 is aligned proximate the
vertex of its respective angular portion 202, 204, 206 prior to
pivoting the track connectors 122, 124, 126, insofar as the vertex
is the top or apex of the convex edge 201 defining the interior
angle .theta.2. For example, a midpoint or center of the straight
protrusions 208, 210, 212 may abut or be closely spaced (e.g.,
greater than 0 mm, but less than 20 mm) from a midpoint of the
convex edge 201 of the angular portion 202, 204, 206 prior to
pivoting the track connectors 122, 124, 126. Alternatively, a line
bisecting the straight protrusions 208, 210, 212 at (i.e.,
extending perpendicularly from the midpoint or center) may align
with a midpoint of the convex edge 201 of the angular portion 202,
204, 206 prior to pivoting the track connectors 122, 124, 126.
Consequently, the angular portions 202, 204, 206 each restrict the
range of movement of their respective track connector 122, 124,
126.
[0025] As an example, in FIG. 3, the track connector 122 has been
pivoted such that a right half of the straight protrusion 208 abuts
a right side of the angular portion 202 (insofar as "side" is used
to described the portion of the angular portion between the vertex
and the sidewall) and is prevented from being further pivoted
towards the right. When the track connector 122 is pivoted to the
left in direction G, the other half of the straight protrusion 208
eventually abuts the left side of the angular portion 202 and the
track connector 122 is prevented from pivoting any further in
direction G. Thus, an angular portion with a smaller interior angle
.theta.2 allows the track connector to have a wider range of
movement in comparison to an angular portion with a larger interior
angle .theta.2.
[0026] The track connectors 122, 124, 126 are configured to pivot
in directions that are coplanar with the main body 120. That is,
each track connector 122, 124, 126 may rotate or pivot about an
axis that is perpendicular to a travel direction of vehicles along
the track accessory 100 and/or a support surface on which the track
accessory 100 is resting. For example, in FIG. 2, track connectors
122, 124, 126 pivot respectively in directions D, E, F. The track
connectors 122, 124, 126 may be individually pivoted and adjusted
to different positions relative to the main body 120. FIG. 5 shows
track connectors 122, 124, 126 all pivoted towards the left.
Because the interior angle .theta.2 of the angular portion 206
underneath pathway C is smaller than the interior angles .theta.2
of the angular portions 202, 204 underneath pathways A and B, track
connector 126 is able to pivot more (e.g., angularly further) than
track connectors 122, 124. Overall, the track connectors 122, 124,
126 allow for greater variability in the positioning of track
segments and accessories that are coupled to the track accessory
100. For example, in a raceway layout assembled using various
conventional track segments and accessories, the ends of the track
segments and accessories are often oriented in positions that
prevent the ends from being aligned with and connected to certain
track segments (e.g., preventing a closed loop from being formed).
Since the track connectors 122, 124, 126 can pivot, the track
accessory 100 can accommodate variances in the angles at which
other track segments and accessories are able to connect with the
track accessory 100. This allows the track accessory 100 to be
easily combined with other track segments and accessories in a
variety of raceway layouts.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 5, the track walls 110, 112 along the main
body 120 include widened sections 302, 304, 306, 308 sized to
accommodate portions of track walls 102, 108, 114, and 116. The
divider 118 also has indented sections 310, 312 to accommodate
portions of track walls 104, 106. The widened sections of track
walls 110, 112 and the indented sections of the divider 118 allow
the track connectors 122, 124, 126 to pivot while still helping
retain toy vehicles within pathways A, B, and C while the toy
vehicles travel through the track accessory 100.
[0028] In the illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the track
connectors 122, 124, 126 each include a semicircular portion 314,
316, 318. The main body 120 includes semicircular indentations
sized to receive the respective semicircular portions 314, 316,
318. The semicircular portions 314, 316, 318 allow the track
connectors 122, 124, 126 to be pivoted to any position and still
provide a substantially smooth planar surface as a toy vehicle
travels from a track connector 122, 124, 126 to the main body 120
or vice versa.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 6, in at least some embodiments, the track
accessory 100 may include pairs of arcuate openings 402a, 402b,
404a, 404b, 406a, 406b along each pathway A, B, C on the main body
120. Track connectors 122, 124, 126 each have a pair of projections
408a, 408b, 410a, 410b, 412a, 412b positioned to engage with a
respective pair of arcuate openings 402a, 402b, 404a, 404b, 406a,
406b. In this illustrative embodiment, the pair of projections are
positioned on the underside of the semicircular portions 314, 316,
318, which further cover the arcuate openings on the main body 120.
Each projection travels lengthwise along its respective arcuate
opening while the track connector is pivoted. For instance, track
connector 122 has a pair of projections 410a, 410b that engage with
and travel along arcuate openings 404a, 404b.
[0030] In certain embodiments, for example as shown in FIG. 6, the
main body 120 further comprises additional openings 600 that allow
the track accessory 100 to have a lighter weight and require less
material to produce/manufacture when compared to a track accessory
without the additional openings 600. The openings 600 are
specifically positioned to create a zig-zag pattern of material
which allows the track accessory 100 to retain sufficient rigidity
to support multiple toy vehicles traveling on the track accessory
100 at high speeds. Furthermore, wheel surfaces 602, 604, 606 on
the upper or top side of the main body 120 partially cover portions
of the openings 600 so that the wheels of the toy vehicles can
smoothly roll across the openings.
[0031] Although the disclosed embodiments are illustrated and
described herein as embodied in one or more specific examples, it
is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown,
since various modifications and structural changes may be made
therein without departing from the scope of the present embodiments
and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
[0032] Moreover, it is to be understood that terms such as "left,"
"right," "top," "bottom," "front," "rear," "side," "height,"
"length," "width," "upper," "lower," "interior," "exterior,"
"inner," "outer" and the like as may be used herein, merely
describe points or portions of reference and do not limit the
present embodiments to any particular orientation or configuration.
Further, the term "exemplary" may be used herein to describe an
example or illustration. Any embodiment described herein as
exemplary is not to be construed as a preferred or advantageous
embodiment, but rather as one example or illustration of a possible
embodiment.
[0033] Finally, various features from one of the embodiments may be
incorporated into another of the embodiments. Accordingly, it is
appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a
manner consistent with the scope of the disclosure as set forth in
the following claims.
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