Unpowered toy vehicle play set

US6508179B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Mattel, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Robert Annis · Paddy Lane, US
• Daniel Gleason · Brookfield, US
• Trevor J. Hayes · Medford, US
• Robert Butkiewicz · Medford, US
• Julian Payne · Los Angeles, US
• Jeremy S. Robotham · Readington, US
• Francis Ponton · Bellflower, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 8, 2002
• Grant date: Jan 21, 2003
• Expiry date: Feb 8, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A63H18/04
• WIPO field: Furniture, games
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

A play set for use with unpowered (e.g. {fraction (1/64)} scale) toy vehicles having non-steerable, free rotating wheels includes a closed loop track with a conveyor that raises such unpowered toy vehicles from a lower end to an upper, elevated end and a driven, tilting roadway that randomly directs toy vehicles from the upper level to either of two track branches. At least part of each track branch can be opened to release a toy vehicle from the track. A merge track section joins together a lower level end of each of the two track branches and leads to the lower end of the conveyor. The upper end of the conveyor and the tilting roadway are simultaneously supported by a single and driven by a single motor.