U.S. patent number 3,858,875 [Application Number 05/431,184] was granted by the patent office on 1975-01-07 for gap jumping toy vehicle game.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Ideal Toy Corporation. Invention is credited to Henry Nemeth, Edward Snyder, III.
United States Patent |
3,858,875 |
Nemeth , et al. |
January 7, 1975 |
GAP JUMPING TOY VEHICLE GAME
Abstract
The toy vehicle game includes a vehicle track and a toy vehicle
adapted to move along the track and across a vehicle jump defined
by a pair of ramps associated with the track. The ramps are
independent of one another and longitudinally aligned in spaced
relation to each other to define a gap therebetween. At least one
of the ramps is movable with respect to the track and the other of
the ramps in order to permit adjustment of the size of the gap or
jump, thereby to vary the degree of difficulty of the jump. In
addition, an uncontrolled obstacle is associated with the track for
randomly engaging and slowing down a vehicle on the track to
further affect the ability of the vehicle to traverse the vehicle
jump.
Inventors: |
Nemeth; Henry (Massapequa, Long
Island, NY), Snyder, III; Edward (Dix Hills, NY) |
Assignee: |
Ideal Toy Corporation (Hollis,
NY)
|
Family
ID: |
23710826 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/431,184 |
Filed: |
January 7, 1974 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/460; 446/465;
104/54 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H
18/02 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63H
18/00 (20060101); A63H 18/02 (20060101); A63h
018/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;273/1R,1E,86R,86B,86C,86D ;46/1K,202 ;104/54 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Other References
German Printed Application, H19208XI/77f, Hausser, 12/56..
|
Primary Examiner: Oechsle; Anton O.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Rabkin; Richard M.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A toy vehicle game comprising a vehicle track, a toy vehicle
adapted to move along said track and a pair of ramp assemblies
associated with said track and having independent longitudinally
aligned ramps respectively mounted therein and located in spaced
relation to each other, thereby to define a gap between said ramp
assemblies; at least one of said ramp assemblies being movable with
respect to said track and the other of said ramp assemblies to
permit adjustment of the size of said gap, and at least one of said
ramps being movably mounted on its associated ramp assembly for
selective movement between a horizontal position above said track
and an inclined position wherein one end of said ramp is adjacent
said track thereby to direct a vehicle on the track onto said one
ramp across said gap towards the other of said ramp assemblies.
2. The game as defined in claim 1 wherein said ramp assemblies
respectively comprise a launching ramp assembly and a landing ramp
assembly, each including a base, with the ramp of each ramp
assembly being pivotally mounted on its associated base for
movement between a horizontal position above the track and an
inclined position wherein one end of the ramp is adjacent the
track.
3. The game as defined in claim 2 wherein said ramps are normally
biased into their horizontal positions to permit a vehicle on said
track to pass along the track below the ramps.
4. The game as defined in claim 3 wherein the base of each of said
ramp assemblies includes support means for supporting said ramps in
their horizontal positions, said support means being located to one
side of the pivotal mounting of their associated ramps whereby said
ramps can pivot to their inclined positions in only one direction
and said ramp assemblies being positioned with respect to said
track with their associated support means opposite one another,
whereby during the play of the game said ramps pivot to their
inclined positions in opposite directions with said launching ramp
directing the vehicle upwardly from the track towards said gap and
said landing ramp directing the vehicle from the gap downwardly
toward the track.
5. The game as defined in claim 4 including resilient means for
normally biasing the ramp of said launching ramp assembly into its
horizontal position whereby the ramp of said launching ramp
assembly is selectively operable by manual depression against the
bias of said resilient means to direct a vehicle from said track
upwardly and across said gap.
6. The game as defined in claim 5 wherein the ramp of said landing
ramp assembly has a predetermined configuration selected to
normally maintain the ramp in its horizontal position supported on
its associated support means until a vehicle jumping said gap and
landing on the ramp of said landing ramp assembly moves to the side
of the pivot of the ramp which is opposite the support means
therefore whereby the weight of the vehicle on the ramp causes the
ramp to pivot to its inclined position to direct the vehicle back
onto said track.
7. The game as defined in claim 1 wherein said track defines a
closed continuous loop whereby a vehicle on said track makes a
plurality of successive passes through said ramp means.
8. The game as defined in claim 7 including uncontrolled obstacle
means associated with said track in the path of travel of a vehicle
thereon for randomly slowing down a vehicle on said track.
9. The game as defined in claim 8 wherein said obstacle means
includes a blade rotatably mounted for movement in a vertical plane
extending in the direction of travel of a vehicle on said track and
dimensioned to extend into said path of travel during a portion of
its rotation whereby a vehicle moving through said obstacle means
engages said blade and is slowed down while the blade is caused to
rotate by such engagement and is thereby randomly returned to said
path of travel for random engagement with a vehicle passing along
said track.
10. The game as defined in claim 8 wherein said vehicle is
sef-propelled and includes means for storing a predetermined
quantity of energy and delivering said energy to the vehicle to
cause said vehicle to traverse said track for a maximum number of
unobstructed laps whereby the vehicle will make a plurality of
jumps of said gap and the number of such jumps will be affected by
the energy in said storing means which is dissipated by said
obstacle means in randomly slowing down the vehicle.
11. A toy vehicle game comprising a closed continuous vehicle
track, a toy vehicle adapted to move along said track, means
associated with said track for defining a selectively operable
vehicle jump and uncontrolled obstacle means associated with said
track in the path of travel of a vehicle thereon for randomly
engaging and slowing down a vehicle moving along said track whereby
the speed of said vehicle is randomly varied by said obstacle menas
to affect the ability of the vehicle to traverse said vehicle
jump.
12. The game as defined in claim 11 wherein said obstacle means
includes a blade rotatably mounted for movement in a vertical plane
extending in the direction of travel of a vehicle on said track and
dimensioned to extend into said path of travel during a portion of
its rotation whereby a vehicle moving through said obstacle means
engages said blade and is slowed down while the blade is caused to
rotate by such engagement and is thereby randomly returned to said
path of travel for random engagement with a vehicle passing along
said track.
13. The game as defined in cliam 12 wherein said obstacle means
comprises a vertically extending support associated with said track
and a wheel rotatably mounted on said support for rotation in said
vertical plane, said blade being mounted on said wheel whereby
engagement of said blade with a vehicle moving at sufficient speed
to overcome the inertia of the blade and wheel will cause said
wheel to rotate.
14. The toy vehicle as defined in claim 12 wherein said selectively
operable jump means includes a pair of longitudinally aligned
movably mounted ramps positioned in spaced relation to each other
and being selectively movable from horizontal positions above said
track to oppositely inclined positions wherein adjacent ends of the
ramps are above the track and the other ends of the ramps are on
the track for guiding a vehicle on the track up one of the ramps,
across the space therebetween and towards the other of the
ramps.
15. The toy vehicle as defined in claim 14 wherein at least one of
said ramps is selectively movable along said track in the direction
of travel of a vehicle thereon whereby the space between said ramps
is adjustable.
16. A toy vehicle game comprising a closed continuous vehicle
track, a toy vehicle adapted to move along said track, and means
associated with said track for defining a selectively operable
vehicle jump including a pair of independent longitudinally aligned
ramps located in spaced relation to each other to define a jump gap
therebetween, with at least one of said ramps being movable with
respect to said track and the other of said ramps to permit
selective adjustment of the size of said jump gap; and uncontrolled
obstacle means associated with said track for randomly engaging and
slowing down a vehicle moving along said track whereby the speed of
said vehicle is randomly varied by said obstacle means to affect
the ability of the vehicle to traverse said jump gap.
17. The game as defined in claim 16 wherein said vehicle jump means
comprises a pair of independent ramp bases, said ramps being
respectively pivotally mounted on said bases and defining
respectively a vehicle launching ramp and a vehicle landing ramp,
said ramps being normally biased into horizontal positions above
said track to permit a vehicle on the track to pass therebelow.
18. The game as defined in claim 17 wherein the base of each of
said ramp bases includes support means for supporting said ramps in
their horizontal positions, said support means being located to one
side of the pivotal mounting of their associated ramps whereby said
ramps can pivot to their inclined positions in only one direction
and said ramp bases being positioned with respect to said track
with their associated support means opposite one another whereby
during the play of the game said ramps pivot to their inclined
positions in opposite directions with said launching ramp directing
the vehicle upwardly from the track towards said gap and said
landing ramp directing the vehicle from the gap downwardly toward
the track.
19. The game as defined in claim 18 including resilient means for
normally biasing said launching ramp into its horizontal position
whereby said launching ramp is selectively operable by manual
depression against the bias of said resilient means to direct a
vehicle from said track upwardly and across said gap.
20. The game as defined in claim 19 wherein said landing ramp has a
predetermined configuration selected to normally maintain the ramp
in its horizontal position supported on its associated support
means until a vehicle jumping said gap and landing on said landing
ramp moves to the side of the pivot of the ramp which is opposite
the support means therefore, whereby the weight of the vehicle on
the ramp causes the ramp to pivot to its inclined position to
direct the vehicle back onto said track.
21. The toy vehicle as defined in claim 20 wherein at least one of
said ramps is selectively movable along said track in the direction
of travel of a vehicle thereon where the space between said ramps
is adjustable.
22. The game as defined in claim 17 wherein said obstacle means
comprises a vertically extending support associated with said
track, an inertial element rotatably mounted on said support for
rotation in a vertical plane extending in the direction of travel
of a vehicle on said track and a vehicle engaging blade mounted on
said inertia element for rotation therewith and extending into the
path of travel of a vehicle on the track during at least a portion
of its rotation, whereby a vehicle moving through said obstacle
means and engaging said blade with sufficient speed to overcome the
inertia of said blade and inertia element will be slowed down and
will simultaneously cause the blade and inertia element to rotate
and thereby randomly position the blade in the path of travel of
the vehicle for further random engagements therewith.
23. The game as defined in claim 22 wherein said vehicle is
self-propelled and includes means for storing a predetermined
quantity of energy and delivering said energy to the vehicle to
cause said vehicle to traverse said track for a maximum number of
unobstructed laps whereby the vehicle can make a plurality of jumps
of said gap and the number of such jumps will be affected by the
energy in said storing means which is dissipated by said obstacle
means in randomly slowing down the vehicle.
Description
The present invention relates to a toy vehicle game, and more
particularly, to a vehicle jump game wherein a toy vehicle is made
to jump a gap between a pair of ramps.
The present invention provides a novel and challenging toy vehicle
game in which a vehicle is directed along a continuous loop track
through a pair of ramp assemblies in order to jump a gap formed
therebetween. The ramp assemblies respectively provide launching
and landing ramps which are normally maintained in a horizontal
position above the track to permit a vehicle on the track to pass
below the ramps without jumping the gap therebetween. The launching
ramp is selectively movable from its horizontal position to an
inclined position to direct a vehicle from the track up the ramp
and across the gap between it and the landing ramp, so that the
competitor or player of the game can selectively cause the vehicle
on the track to jump the gap between the ramps or to bypass the
ramps. The determination is made in accordance with the speed of
the vehicle as determined by the player observing the game. Thus,
if the player feels the vehicle is traveling at sufficient speed to
jump the gap, he selectively operates the launching ramp to lower
the same into position to permit the vehicle to be directed to jump
the gap. If the vehicle does have sufficient speed and makes the
jump properly, it lands on the landing ramp, and as it moves along
the ramp, its weight causes the ramp to pivot downwardly so as to
permit the vehicle to return to the race track.
In order to vary the game and to increase the degree of difficulty
involved in having the toy vehicle properly make the jump, the game
is provided with an obstacle that can randomly slow down a vehicle
traveling along the race track. Thus, if the vehicle is engaged by
the randomly moving obstacle it is slowed down and, depending upon
its initial speed, may not have enough speed after passing the
obstacle to make the jump. Thus, the competitor must make a
decision before the vehicle reaches the launching ramp whether the
vehicle has sufficient speed to make the jump or whether he should
permit the vehicle to pass below the launching ramp. Since the
vehicle is of the type which will accelerate after it has been
slowed down, the player must carefully watch the speed of the
vehicle as it approaches the ramp to determine if its speed has
increased sufficiently to make the jump.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a
toy vehicle race game which is relatively simple in construction
and which will permit a player to selectively cause a vehicle to
jump a gap between a pair of ramps therein.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a toy
vehicle race game which is relatively simple in construction and
durable in use.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle
jump game which is relatively economical to manufacture and yet
which provides an interesting and challenging game.
The above, and other objects, features and advantages of this
invention, will be apparent in the following detailed description
thereof when read in connection with the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toy vehicle game constructed in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the obstacle
used in the toy game of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view taken along the line 3--3 of FIG.
1 and showing the configuration of the ramps of the invention as a
vehicle makes a jump; and
FIG. 4 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 3 showinjthe
configuration of the ramps when a vehicle passes therebelow.
Referring now to the drawing in detail, and initially to FIG. 1
thereof, it will be seen that the toy vehicle game 10 of the
present invention includes a continuous track 12 which provides an
unobstructed path of travel for a self-propelled vehicle 14. In its
movement along track 12, vehicle 14 passes through a pair of ramp
assemblies 16, 18 and is selectively permitted to pass on track 12
directly through the assemblies or to pass onto assembly 16 to jump
a gap 20 between the ramp assemblies 16, 18 as described
hereinafter. After passing the ramp assemblies vehicle 14 continues
along track 12 and passes through a random slow down or obstacle
device 22, which will slow down vehicle 14 or permit it to pass
freely therethrough depending upon the position of the slow down
device as described hereinafter.
In addition, the game is provided with a start and finish station
24 from which the movement of the vehicle 14 is initiated and at
which the vehicle will stop at the end of the game if the player
has properly directed the vehicle during the course of the
game.
Vehicle 14 preferably is a vehicle of the type described in U.S.
Pat. application Ser. No. 126,818, filed Mar. 22, 1971 by Julius
Cooper, et al., the disclosure of which application is incorporated
herein by reference. Thus, vehicle 14 is provided with a spring
drive that produces a substantially constant output torque. The
gear train in the vehicle is selected to couple the spring drive to
the wheels of the vehicle and to provide a low starting torque for
constant acceleration over a long period of time. Accordingly, when
the vehicle is slowed down in the obstacle or slow down device 22,
it thereafter will accelerate as it continues to move along the
track 12.
Vehicle 14 is energized through a wind up mechanism 26 which is of
the type described in the above-identified application of Cooper,
et al. As described therein, the vehicle is placed on the wind up
mechanism 26, with the rear wheels thereof in the wells 28 and
lever 30 is reciprocated manually to rotate the clutch element 32
which in turn transfers the winding power to the spring of the
vehicle in order to wind up the vehicle's spring motor. After the
vehicle's spring motor is fully wound, the player holds the vehicle
by the rear wheels and places the same on track 12 at starting
station 24.
Starting station 24 comprises a track section 34 on which a
starting gate 36 is mounted in any convenient manner. The starting
gate includes a starting flag 38 pivotally mounted therein for
movement between a vertical position (shown in dotted lines in FIG.
1) and a closed or horizontal position (shown in solid lines).
Initially, flag 38 is in its vertical position, with its lower end
portion or staff 40 xtending into the path of travel of the
vehicle. The flag is biased by a spring element 42 or the like
which simply can comprise a rubberband operatively engaged between
the srarting gate 36 and flag 38 to hold the latter in its upright
position. In this position, at the start of the game, the vehicle
is placed with its nose against the end of the staff 40 and its
rear wheels are held to prevent their rotation. The player then
depresses the starting flag 30 into its horizontal position and
releases the vehicle. As a result, the vehicle commences along its
path of travel through track 12. It is noted that flag 38 will
remain in its depressed position by a simple releasable latching
arrangement until the latch is manually disengaged or disengaged by
an impact from the vehicle 14.
Preferably, track 12 consists of a plurality of flat straight
sections of track 44 and a pair of banked sections of track 46,
similar to the type of track sections described in said
above-identified application to Cooper et al. The various track
sections are operatively interconnected to form a continuous oval
track defining the path of travel for vehicle 14.
In accordance with the present invention vehicle ramp assemblies
16, 18 are positioned along a straight section of the track to
define the gap 20 across which the vehicle 14 can be selectively
directed by the player. Launching ramp assembly 16, as seen most
clearly in FIGS. 1 and 3, consists of a base 48 which includes two
pairs of towers 50, 52 integrally formed therein. That is, the
towers are integrally formed with a bottom plate 54 that extends
below the adjacent track section 44. In this connection it is noted
that each of the track sections 44 have short leg elements 56 which
hold the track sections spaced slightly above the surface on which
the game is placed. Thus, the base 48 of the launching ramp
assembly can be moved longitudinally along the length of track
section 44 with which it is associated.
The pair of towers or posts 50 in base 48 of launching ramp
assembly 16 provide pivotal mounting support for the launching ramp
58. This ramp preparably is formed of a molded plastic
construction, as is base 48 and track 12. The pivotal mounting can
be provided in any convenient manner, as for example by the
formation of ears or pins 60 in the sides of the ramp which are
engaged within apertures 62 formed in the upper end portions of
posts 50.
Launching ramp 58 is normally biased into its horizontal position
by a resilient element such as an endless rubberband 64, seen most
clearly in FIG. 3. As shown therein, rubberband 64 is captured
between a tab 66 formed in base 48 and a tab 68 formed on the inner
edge of launching ramp 58. Thus, ramp 58 will normally remain in
its horizontal position, shown in solid lines in FIG. 4 and FIG. 1,
until the ramp is manually depressed by a player. To facilitate
this action, a large finger tab 70 is provided on the outer edge of
ramp 58 to enable the player to manually depress the ramp 58
against the bias of rubberband 64. In this manner the player can
selectively cause a vehicle 14 approaching launching ramp assembly
16 to pass under ramp 58, as for example as shown in the left at
FIG. 4, or to pass onto the ramp 58, when it is depressed, so as to
jump the gap 20 between the two ramp assemblies.
Landing ramp assembly 18 is of similar construction to launching
ramp assembly 16. Thus, landing ramp assembly 18 includes a base 48
having two pairs of towers 50, 52 which are integrally formed with
a base element or plate 48 extending beneath the track section 44
with which it is associated. In this manner, the base 48 of landing
ramp assembly 18 can be moved longitudinally along the path of
travel of vehicle 14, to adjust the size of the gap or jump space
20.
Base 48 of landing ramp assembly 18 provides mounting support for
the landing ramp 72. The latter is of somewhat similar construction
to the launching ramp 58, and includes a pair of tabs or pins 60
integrally formed therewith which are received in apertures 62 in
posts 50 to pivotally mount the ramp on base 48. However, landing
ramp 72 is dimensioned so as to be weighted to normally bias the
ramp into its horizontal position, shown in solid lines in FIG. 3.
In this connection, the towers 52, in both the landing and
launching ramp assemblies, are constructed so as to provide support
for their associated ramps in the horizontal position. That is, the
towers 52 are shorter than the towers 50 and have a generally
T-shaped configuration in plan with stem elements 74 which extend
inwardly above the track and provide abutting support for their
associated ramps to prevent downward movement of the ramps towards
the gap 20. However, in both cases the ramps are free to pivot in
the opposite direction, i.e., clockwise for the ramp 58 and
counterclockwise for the ramp 72, as seen in FIG. 1, to permit the
play of the game. As mentioned, when a vehicle is directed by a
player onto launching ramp 58, by depression of the ramp against
the bias of spring 64, the vehicle will move up the ramp and, as a
result of its momentum, will be propelled across the gap 20. If the
vehicle is moving with sufficient speed the vehicle will land on
the inner end 76 of landing ramp 72. The drive on the vehicle
wheels will then cause the vehicle to continue to move along
landing ramp 72, i.e., to the right in FIG. 3, until it passes the
pivot 60 of the landing ramp 72, at which point the weight of the
vehicle overcomes the weighted bias of ramp 72 and causes the ramp
to pivot downwardly, as shown in FIG. 3, so as to deposit the
vehicle on track 12. At that point, the vehicle is free to continue
about track 12 till it returns to the launching and landing ramp
assemblies for another jump.
It is noted that, preferably, track sections 44 adjacent which the
launching and landing ramp assemblies are positioned are inscribed
with, or have applied thereto, indicia representing gap spaces of
predetermined dimensions. Thus, at the beginning of the game the
player can select a predetermined gap space, (for example, the gap
space represented by the indicia 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60) and
position the base of the respective ramp assemblies such that the
forward edge 78 of launching ramp 58 is directly above the leading
line 80 of the lowermost score or minimum gap, and the leading edge
82 of landing ramp 72 is above the rear edge 84 of the selected
score zone, for example, the score zone 60, as shown in FIG. 1.
Thus, in the play of the game the player will be attempting to have
the vehicle 14 make the jumps which are represented by the indicia
60. Of course, either during the game, and preferably between
winding periods for vehicle 14, the landing ramp assembly 18 can be
moved along its associated track section 44 to another position to
vary the size of the gap 20.
In order to increase the degree of difficulty involved in having a
player's vehicle make the jump between the ramp assemblies, the
vehicle slow down or obstacle means 22 is provided along the track
12. This slow down means is adapted to randomly engage vehicle 14
as it passes therethrough and slow the vehicle down to a greater or
lesser extent, thereby effecting the ability of the vehicle to make
the jump when it reaches the ramp assemblies.
The vehicle slow down or obstacle member 22 is illustrated in
greater detail in FIG. 2 wherein it is seen that a pair of towers
or posts 86 are operatively connected by clips 88 or the like to
the side rails 90 of a straight track section 44. Towers 86 provide
a fixed shaft and bearing assembly 90, which may simply be a
male-female related pin and socket assembly which provides
rotatable mounting support for an inertial element 92. This element
has a sleeve 94 which receives the center portion of shaft 90 and
is freely rotatable thereon in a vertical plane which extends along
the path of travel of vehicle 14. While the inertial member 92 can
take any desired configuration, in the illustrative embodiment of
the invention it is provided in the shape of "buzz saw" element in
order to add interest and excitement in the game.
A paddle element or blade 96 is mounted on the inertial element 92
in any convenient manner, so as to extend into the path of travel
of vehicle 14 and provide an obstruction to the passage of the
vehicle. As seen most clearly in FIG. 2, blade 96 can be provided
with a pair of elongated prongs 98 which are adapted to snap into a
slide or track 100 formed in inertial element 92.
In the play of the game inertial element 92 may initially be at
rest, with blade 96 in the position shown in dotted lines in FIG.
2, i.e., extending into the path of travel of vehicle 14 along
track 12. It is noted that obstacle means 22 will achieve this
configuration due to the effects of gravity and the added weight of
the blade 96 on the inertial element 92. In this position, after
the vehicle 14 makes its first pass through the ramp assemblies, it
approaches obstacle 22 and hits blade 96. Since the vehicle is
moving at this point with relatively high speed, the impact of the
vehicle against blade 96 will overcome the inertia of element 02
and cause it to rotate, permitting the vehicle to continue its
movement along track 12. However, due to the impact between the
vehicle and blade 96, the vehicle's speed of movement is
substantially reduced so that its ability to make the jump on its
next approach to the ramp assemblies is effected.
In this connection, it is noted that as an additional feature of
the present invention, since the drive element in vehicle 14 is of
the type which will provide substantially continuous acceleration
of the vehicle, the vehicle will accelerate after engaging the
obstacle means. Thus, as the vehicle re-approaches the ramp
assemblies, the player will have to determine whether the vehicle
has accelerated to a sufficient speed to enable it to make the
jump. If it cannot make the jump, the player simply lets the
vehicle pass below the ramp assemblies which are normally biased
into their configuration shown in FIG. 4, as explained above, so
that the vehicle will have additional time to increase its speed
due to its constant acceleration from its motor, by the time it
again returns to the ramp assemblies. However, before doing so, the
vehicle must again pass through obstacle 22 which is now rotating
so that the vehicle may or may not be engaged by blade 96. If it is
not engaged by the blade 96, because the blade is in a raised
position (for example, the position B shown in FIG. 2), the vehicle
will continue through the obstacle and further accelerate as it
returns to the ramp assemblies. On the other hand, if the vehicle
engages the blade 96 it again will be slowed down. Of course, the
degree to which the vehicle is slowed down depends upon the
position of blade 96 when it engages the vehicle. Thus, for
example, if the vehicle strikes the blade with only a glancing
blow, it will be slowed down only slightly, whereas if it strikes
the blade with a direct blow, as for example, as shown in FIG. 2,
the vehicle will be slowed down to a greater extent. Accordingly,
it is seen that as vehicle 14 continues around the track, either
passing beneath the ramp assemblies or on the ramp assemblies, it
will be randomly engaged in the obstacle means so that its speed
will be randomly effected thereby.
As the motor in vehicle 14 unwinds, and the energy stored therein
is dissipated, the vehicle will slow down and the player must
determine when to stop the vehicle from making further attempts at
jumping the ramp assemblies. When the player determines that the
vehicle can no longer make further jumps of the ramp assemblies he
can stop the play of the game by directing the vehicle 14 into the
stop pit 110 in starting station 24. This stop pit is defined by a
pair of parallely extending side walls 112, 114 in starting station
24 which define a slot or pit outside of the normal path of travel
of the vehicle.
Starting station 24 is constructed to permit the player to divert
the vehicle into stop pit 110 when desired. This is achieved by the
provision of a movable side wall 116 pivotally mounted on track
section 34 at a pivot post 118. Wall 116 is normally biased by a
spring 130 into its dotted line position shown in FIG. 1, but is
held in its solid line position by a lever mechanism 120. The
latter includes a pivot bar 122 having a lever 123 formed on the
inner end thereof and a second lever or flange 121 at its opposite
end which extends upwardly into the wall 116 when lever 123 is in
its upper position, shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1. In this
position, flange 121 is engaged within wall 116 and blocks the
pivotal movement of the wall into its dotted line position. At the
end of the game when the player desires to deflect the vehicle into
the stop pit 110, lever 123 is depressed downwardly into its dotted
line position, causing the integral flange 121 to also be moved
downwardly whereby wall 116 is pulled into its dotted line position
under the action of the rubberband 130. Thus, as the vehicle
approaches the starting section, it is deflected by wall 116 into
the pit 110 and engages against the flag 38. The impact of the
vehicle against the flag 38 disengages the latching arrangement
used on the flag and causes the flag to move into its dotted line
position signalling the end of the game.
To summarize therefore, in the play of the game vehicle 14 is wound
in the wind up mechanism 26 and placed in the starting station 24.
Flag 38 is then depressed from its dotted line position to its
solid line position and the vehicle begins to accelerate under the
influence of the spring wound motor therein. As the vehicle first
approaches the launching ramp assemblies the player determines
whether the vehicle is moving at a sufficient speed to make the
jump over the gap 20, when the player had previously selected by
properly adjusting the landing ramp assembly 18 with respect to the
launching ramp assembly. If the player elects to let the vehicle
pass through the ramp assemblies, he does nothing and the vehicle
passes below the ramps 58, 72, which are normally maintained in
their configuration shown in FIG. 4. On the other hand, if the
player determines that the vehicle has accelerated to a sufficient
speed to permit it to make the previously selected jump, he
depresses the landing ramp 58 to direct the vehicle up the ramp and
over the gap 20. If the vehicle makes the jump properly, it lands
on ramp 72 and moves towards the opposite end thereof, causing the
ramp to pivot downwardly, thereby allowing the vehicle to return to
track 12. After the vehicle leaves ramp 72, the ramp automatically
returns to its horizontal position under the influence of the
weighted configuration thereof. Similarly, ramp 58 returns to its
horizontal position under the influence of the spring 64 when it is
released by the player.
Thereafter, the vehicle continues to move from the ramp assemblies
to the obstacle 22 where it engages the blade 96 and is slowed
down. Although it is contemplated that the play of the game will
start with the obstacle means in the position shown in FIG. 1 with
blade 96 in a blocking position, it also is contemplated that the
player can start the game by manually initiating rotation of
obstacle 22 in order to insure complete random slow down of the
vehicle from the very start of the game.
In any case, if vehicle 14 strikes blade 96, it will be slowed down
due to the force expelled in overcoming the inertia of element 92
and blade 96. After passing obstacle 22 the vehicle will begin to
accelerate, due to the type of spring wound motor therein, and it
will pass through starting station 24 and return to the ramp
assemblies. The player at that point makes the determination as to
whether or not the vehicle has attained sufficient speed to make
the jump. If it has, he depresses ramp 58 and permits the vehicle
to make the jump; if it has not, he permits the vehicle to continue
beneath the ramp assemblies as previously described and return to
the obstacle means. As the vehicle re-approaches the rotating
obstacle means, it may or may not engage blade 96 for a further
slow down. If it does not engage the blade 96, it continues to
accelerate and returns to the ramp assemblies where another jump is
made. If it does engage blade 96 it will be slowed down to a degree
depending upon the type of impact it has made. Thereafter, the
player will again have to determine whether or not the vehicle has
accelerated sufficiently to enable the jump to be made as the
vehicle again approaches the ramp assemblies.
The game continues in this manner until the energy stored in the
vehicle is dissipated. In this connection it is noted that the
spring motor of the vehicle will store only a predetermined amount
of energy which will enable it to make a maximum number of jumps if
unobstructed during its travel over track 12. Thus, the number of
jumps the vehicle can make will be effected by the amount of energy
dissipated in impacts with the obstacle 22.
After the player has determined that the final jump which the
vehicle can possibly make has been made, he then directs the
vehicle into the stop pit 110 by depressing lever 123 to release
wall 116 so that it can move into its dotted line position. The
wall then deflects the vehicle moving along track 12 into the stop
pit. Of course, if the power in the motor has run out before the
stop pit 110 is reached, the vehicle will stop as a result of
friction along the track 12.
It is contemplated that in the play of the game the object of the
game would be to achieve the greatest number of jumps for a
selected gap as a result of one winding of the vehicle. However, if
the vehicle does not return to the stop pit 110 under its own
power, but rather stops on the track because of a loss of power,
the scores or number of jumps previously attained by the vehicle
would not be counted. Thus, a single player can use the game to
test his skill against himself by repetitively trying to attain
greater numbers of jumps with the game or a plurality of players
can compete against one another in attempting to achieve the
greatest number of jumps at a particular spacing for a single
winding of the vehicle.
Accordingly, it is seen that a relatively simple and inexpensively
constructed assembly is provided by the present invention which
forms a competitive and challenging game. The game is relatively
simple to operate, even for young children, and requires no
electrical connections or the like for operation.
Although an illustrative embodiment of the present invention has
been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings,
it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to that
precise embodiment, and that various changes and modifications may
be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing
from the scope or spirit of this invention.
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