Toy tile gate assemblies and toy tube gate assemblies for ball run toy sets

Abstract

A toy gate system for ball run toy sets is disclosed. In one aspect, a tile gate assembly includes a planar tile body having first and second major faces and a passage extending therebetween, a pocket formed in the tile body adjacent the passage, and a gate insert slidably received in the pocket. The gate insert is movable between at least two of a closed, an open, and an intermediate position to selectively obstruct the passage. In another aspect, a tube gate assembly includes a tubular body defining a lumen, a slot through a side wall of the tubular body, and a gate insert movable in the slot between at least two of a closed, an open, and partially open position.

Description

TOY TILE GATE ASSEMBLIES AND TOY TUBE GATE ASSEMBLIES FOR BALL RUN TOY SETS CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.63 / 764,672, filed February 28, 2025, entitled “TOY GATE TILES FOR BALL RUN TOY SETS,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to construction toys and ball run toy sets, and more particularly to gate assemblies for selectively controlling flow of balls or other objects through tiles and tubes of such toy sets.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] Magnetic construction tiles and magnetic ball run toy sets have become popular educational toys. A typical ball run toy set includes interconnecting track sections or tubes and support members that may be arranged by a user in any of a plurality of configurations to define a gravity-driven path along which a ball, marble, or similar object travels. The tiles or support members may include magnets around their perimeters to permit the tiles to magnetically connect to one another in two- or three-dimensional constructions.

[0004] Once a ball is released at a starting point of a conventional ball run toy set, the ball typically travels through the various track sections and tubes to an ending point without any substantial control of the flow of the ball along the path. Existing tiles used to connect tubes are usually pass-through-only components, with no integrated gate or valve. Likewise, tiles with openings do not generally include a mechanism that can be selectively opened and closed to control flow of objects through the tile.

[0005] Accordingly, there exists a need for improved toy components, such as tiles and tubes with integrated gate structures, that allow a user to controllably start, stop, or modulate flow of balls or other objects along a path of a ball run toy set.SUMMARY

[0006] In one aspect, a tile gate assembly is provided. The tile gate assembly includes a generally planar tile body having first and second opposite major faces and a passage or opening extending between the faces. The tile body defines a pocket adjacent the passage. A gate insert is slidably received in the pocket and is movable along a sliding direction between at least two of a closed position in which the gate insert blocks the passage, an open position in which the passage is open, and one or more intermediate positions in which the passage is only partially open. In some implementations, the tile body includes a top wall and a bottom wall that are spaced apart to define the pocket, and magnets are disposed around a perimeter of the tile body for magnetically connecting the tile to other tiles.

[0007] In another aspect, a tube gate assembly is provided. The tube gate assembly includes a tubular body defining a lumen extending between first and second ends. A side wall of the tubular body has a slot extending transversely to the lumen. A gate insert is slidably received in the slot and is movable between at least two of the following positions: a closed position in which a blocking portion of the gate extends across the lumen to obstruct flow through the lumen, an open position in which the blocking portion is retracted from the lumen, and one or more intermediate positions in which the blocking portion only partially obstructs the lumen. In some implementations, the tubular body includes external flanges sized to be received between magnetic tiles or to engage connectors of a ball run track system.

[0008] In yet another aspect, a ball run toy set is provided. The toy set includes a plurality of tiles and tubes that are connectable to form a corridor or path for balls or other objects. At least one of the tiles comprises a tile gate assembly as summarized above, and / or at least one of the tubes comprises a tube gate assembly as summarized above. The at least one gate assembly is positioned along the path such that actuation of its gate insert selectively controls flow of balls through the path.

[0009] In various embodiments, one or more of the following features may be included, alone or in any operative combination:- shoulders or notches formed in the tile body and / or gate insert that prevent complete removal of the gate insert from the pocket;- the gate insert including a pattern of holes or apertures that permit smaller objects to pass while blocking larger objects;- the tile body defining multiple passages and / or multiple gate inserts;- the gate insert being configured to pass entirely through the tile body between opposite sides of the tile body;- the gate insert including cutouts, indentations, or raised ridges to facilitate manual sliding actuation;- magnets embedded in the gate insert that magnetically cooperate with magnets in the tile body to define detent positions of the gate insert corresponding to closed, partially open / closed, and open positions;- tube gate assemblies in which the gate insert is captured between two half-shell portions of a tubular body;- tube and tile gate assemblies having multiple side-by-side gates that subdivide a passage; and- tile gate assemblies having two or more gates stacked atop one another along a thickness direction of the tile to provide multi-level control of a passage.

[0010] In an aspect of the disclosure, a tile gate assembly is provided and comprises a tile body having first and second opposite major faces and a passage extending between the first and second major faces; a pocket formed in the tile body adjacent the passage; and a gate insert slidably received in the pocket and movable along a sliding direction between at least two of the following positions: (a) a closed position in which a blocking portion of the gate insert obstructs the passage; (b) an open position in which the blocking portion does not obstruct the passage; and (c) at least one intermediate position in which the blocking portion only partially obstructs the passage.

[0011] The tile body may comprise a top wall and a bottom wall spaced apart from one another to define the pocket therebetween, and the passage may extend between and through the top wall and the bottom wall.

[0012] The tile body may further include a plurality of magnets disposed around a perimeter of at least one of the top wall or the bottom wall.

[0013] The gate insert may include a handle region accessible outside the tile body.

[0014] The handle region of the gate insert may include a through-hole.

[0015] The blocking portion of the gate insert may include a perforated region having a plurality of apertures formed therein, the plurality of apertures may be configured to permit objects below a threshold size to pass through the passage when the perforated region is aligned with the passage.

[0016] The gate insert may be a first gate insert and a second gate insert may be provided, wherein the first gate insert and the second gate insert are arranged side by side, and not overlying one another, and are configured to cooperatively obstruct the passage.

[0017] The first gate insert and the second gate insert may be independently slidable between respective open, partially closed, and fully closed positions so as to selectively obstruct different lateral portions of the passage.

[0018] The passage may be subdivided into first and second lateral regions, the first gate insert being configured to selectively obstruct the first lateral region and the second gate insert being configured to selectively obstruct the second lateral region.

[0019] The gate insert may be a first gate insert and a second gate insert may be provided, wherein the first gate insert and the second gate insert are arranged stacked atop one another along a thickness direction of the tile body, and wherein the first gate insert and the second gate insert are configured to overlap the passage in different planes.

[0020] The first gate insert and the second gate insert may be independently slidable between respective open, partially closed, and fully closed positions, and wherein the blocking portion of the gate insert may include a perforated region having a plurality of apertures formed therein, the plurality of apertures configured to permit objects below a threshold size to pass through the passage when the perforated region is aligned with the passage.

[0021] According to another aspect, a tube gate assembly is provided and comprises a tubular body defining a lumen extending between a first end and a second end; a slot extending through a side wall of the tubular body and intersecting the lumen; and a gate insert slidably disposed in the slot and movable along a sliding direction between at least two of the following positions: (a) a closed position in which a blocking portion of the gate insert extends across thelumen to obstruct flow through the lumen; (b) an open position in which the blocking portion does not obstruct flow through the lumen; and (c) at least one intermediate position in which the blocking portion only partially obstructs flow through the lumen.

[0022] The tubular body may include a first half-section and a second half-section joined along a longitudinal seam, the gate insert being captured between the first half-section and the second half-section.

[0023] The tubular body may further include a flange adjacent at least one of the first end or the second end, the flange configured to interface with a connector of a tile.

[0024] The gate insert may include a handle region accessible outside the tubular body.

[0025] The first half-section and the second half-section may be copies of one another and may be arranged as mirror images about a plane including a longitudinal axis of the lumen.

[0026] Each of the first half-section and the second half-section may define an open slot portion in a respective side wall, the open slot portions cooperating, when the first halfsection and the second half-section are joined, to form the slot intersecting the lumen.

[0027] The gate insert may include opposed edge regions slidably received in the respective open slot portions of the first half-section and the second half-section so that the gate insert is guided by both of the first half-section and the second half-section during movement between at least two of the open position, the closed position, and the at least one intermediate position.

[0028] The open slot portions may divide the side wall into first and second lateral regions on opposite sides of the slot, wherein movement of the gate insert along the slot selectively may vary obstruction of corresponding lateral regions of the lumen.

[0029] The first half-section and the second half-section may be identical to one another and adapted to be joined in opposite orientations to form the tubular body.

[0030] According to yet another aspect, a ball run toy set is provided and comprises a plurality of construction components configured to form a corridor along which balls may travel; and at least one gate assembly positioned along the corridor, the at least one gate assembly comprising one of: (a) the tile gate assembly described above; and (b) the tube gate assembly described above; wherein actuation of the gate assembly selectively controls flow of balls along the corridor.

[0031] The plurality of construction components may comprise a plurality of magnetic tiles and a plurality of tubes, at least some of the tubes being supported by the magnetic tiles.

[0032] The at least one gate assembly may be configured to selectively release a plurality of balls from a holding region into the corridor.

[0033] The plurality of construction components may further include at least one branch path, and the at least one gate assembly may be positioned to selectively direct balls between the branch path and a main path.

[0034] The at least one gate assembly may include both a tile gate assembly and a tube gate assembly.

[0035] The plurality of construction components may be provided as a kit comprising at least one gate assembly and a plurality of tiles and tubes configured to attach to the at least one gate assembly.

[0036] Additional aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the detailed description and drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] The accompanying drawings illustrate non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary ball run toy set including a tile gate assembly and a tube gate assembly of the present disclosure.

[0039] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tube gate assembly in accordance with the present disclosure illustrating a gate insert in a fully inserted condition.

[0040] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tube gate assembly of FIG. 2 with tiles removed.

[0041] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tube gate assembly of FIG. 3, shown with parts separated.

[0042] FIG. 5 A is an end view of the tube gate assembly of FIGS. 2-4 illustrating the gate insert at a fully open position.

[0043] FIG. 5B is an end view of the tube gate assembly of FIGS. 2-4 illustrating the gate insert at a partially closed position.

[0044] FIG. 5 C is an end view of the tube gate assembly of FIGS. 2-4 illustrating the gate insert at a fully closed position.

[0045] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a tube gate assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the tube gate assembly of FIG. 6 A, shown with parts separated.

[0047] FIG. 6C is a perspective view of a first half of the tube assembly of FIGS. 6A-6B, the second half being a mirror image of the first half.

[0048] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a tube gate assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the tube gate assembly of FIG. 7A as taken through line 7B-7B of FIG. 7A.

[0050] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a tile gate assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, shown with parts separated.

[0051] FIG. 9A is a plan view of the tile gate assembly of FIG. 8 illustrating a gate insert at a fully open position.

[0052] FIG. 9B is a plan view of the tile gate assembly of FIG. 8 illustrating the gate insert at a partially closed position.

[0053] FIG. 9C is a plan view of the tile gate assembly of FIG. 8 illustrating the gate insert at a fully closed position.

[0054] FIG. 10A is a plan view of a tile gate assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, illustrating a first gate insert and a second gate insert adjacent to one another and dividing a passage through the tile of the tile gate assembly, illustrating the first gate insert at a fully closed position and the second gate insert at a fully open position.

[0055] FIG. 10B is a plan view of a tube gate assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, illustrating a first gate insert and a second gate insert adjacent to one another and dividing a passage through the tube of the tube gate assembly, and further illustrating the first gate insert at a fully closed position and the second gate insert at a fully open position.

[0056] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a tile gate assembly according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, illustrating a first gate insert and a second gate insert stacked atop one another, and further illustrating the first gate insert at a partially closed position and the second gate insert at a fully closed position.

[0057] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the tile gate assembly of FIG. 11, with parts separated.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0058] The embodiments described herein relate to gate assemblies that can be integrated into tiles and tubes of a ball run toy set or other construction toy system. A child or other user can actuate a sliding gate insert to selectively close, open, or partially open a passage through which balls or other objects travel, thereby controlling the timing and sequencing of the balls along a path of a ball run.

[0059] As used herein, the term “ball” broadly includes spheres, marbles, beads, capsules, or other discrete objects sized to roll or travel along a track or through a tube. The term “tile” broadly includes generally planar components, such as square, rectangular, triangular, circular, or other polygonal plates, used as structural or connective elements in a construction toy. The term “tube” broadly includes hollow structures such as straight tubes, curved tubes, elbows, Y-branches, funnels, half-pipes, or similar conduits.

[0060] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary ball run toy set 10 in which a series of tiles and tubes define a corridor or path along which balls may travel under gravity. In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of tiles 12 are stacked or arranged to form a tower or support structure, and one or more tubes 14 are coupled between tiles 12 to form a continuous lumen or corridor. A tube gate assembly 100 and a tile gate assembly 200, described in more detail below, are interposed along this path to control flow of the balls. The ball run toy set 10 may include additional components such as Y-shaped split tubes, stepped tubes, S-bend tubes, U-shaped tubes, connection bowls, funnels, ramps, and other construction elements.

[0061] Tiles 12 may be magnetic tiles having embedded magnets around their perimeters so they can magnetically connect to one another to form support towers, walls, or other structures. The tubes 14 may have end flanges (or mating features) sized and shaped to align with openings (or complementary receiving features) in the tiles and may attach to thetiles using friction fits, snap fits, magnetic couplers, bayonet-connection, or other connectors. The tube gate assemblies 100 and tile gate assemblies 200 disclosed herein can be used with such components and may be supplied as part of a kit.

[0062] FIGS. 2-5C illustrate a first embodiment of a tube gate assembly 100 in accordance with the present disclosure. FIG. 2 shows the tube gate assembly 100, with a tube gate insert 116 in a fully inserted condition, and with tiles 12 mounted at opposite ends of the tube gate assembly 100. FIG. 3 shows the tube gate assembly 100 of FIG. 2 with the tiles 12 removed, and FIG. 4 shows the tube gate assembly 100 with parts separated for clarity.

[0063] Referring to FIGS. 2-4, the tube gate assembly 100 includes a tubular body 102 defining a lumen or passage 104 extending between a first end 106 and a second end 108. The tubular body 102 may have a generally cylindrical interior surface and circular cross -section, although other cross-sectional shapes are possible. The tubular body 102 includes a first tubular body half 102a, and a second tubular body half 102b, separable from one another along longitudinal sides thereof.

[0064] Flanges 110 may be provided adjacent the first and second ends 106, 108. The flanges 110 can be configured to interface with the tiles 12 or with other components of a ball run toy set 10, for example by fitting into apertures or recesses in the tiles 12.

[0065] A slot 112 is formed through a side wall 114 of the first tubular body half 102a of the tubular body 102. The slot 112 extends radially toward the lumen 104 and longitudinally along a portion of the tubular body 102. A gate insert 116 is slidably received in the slot 112. The gate insert 116 includes a blocking portion 118 sized to extend across the lumen 104 and a handle portion 120 accessible outside of the tubular body 102. In FIG. 2, the gate insert 116 is shown in a fully inserted condition, with the handle portion 120 extending outwardly from the tubular body 102.

[0066] The gate insert 116 is movable along a sliding direction (as indicated by arrow “A”) substantially orthogonal to a longitudinal axis “X” of the tubular body 102. FIGS. 5A-5C are end views of the tube gate assembly 100 illustrating the gate insert 116 in different positions relative to the lumen 104. In FIG. 5 A, the gate insert 116 is in a fully open position in which the blocking portion 118 of the gate insert 116 does not extend into the lumen 104 and balls can freely pass through the tube gate assembly 100. In FIG. 5B, the gate insert 116 is in a partially closed position in which the blocking portion 118 of the gate insert 116 partiallyintrudes into the lumen 104, such that the effective cross-sectional area of the lumen 104 is reduced and flow of balls through the tube gate assembly 100 is restricted. In FIG. 5C, the gate insert 116 is in a fully closed position in which the blocking portion 118 of the gate insert 116 spans substantially the entire cross-section of the lumen 104 to obstruct flow through the tube gate assembly 100.

[0067] It is contemplated that stop structure may be provided to limit travel of the gate insert 116 along the slot 112. For example, the slot 112 may be bounded by end walls, or the gate insert 116 may include widened portions or shoulders that engage corresponding structure on the tubular body 102. Such structure can prevent the gate insert 116 from being inadvertently pulled completely out of the tubular body 102 and can define end positions corresponding to the fully open and fully closed positions.

[0068] The tubular body 102 and gate insert 116 may be formed from polymeric materials such as ABS, polycarbonate, or other plastics. At least part of the tubular body 102 may be transparent or translucent to allow a user to view balls moving through the lumen 104 and the position of the blocking portion 118. In some embodiments, the gate insert 116 may be formed from an opaque or contrasting colored material to visually highlight the open and closed conditions.

[0069] FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate another embodiment of a tube gate assembly 130. FIG.6A shows the assembled tube gate assembly 130, FIG. 6B shows the tube gate assembly 130 with parts separated, and FIG. 6C shows a first half-section 132 of the tube gate assembly 130, the second half-section 134 being a mirror image of the first half-section 132.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 6B, the tube gate assembly 130 includes a tubular body 102 formed from the first and second half-sections 132, 134 that are joined along a longitudinal seam. When assembled, the half-sections 132, 134 cooperatively define a lumen 136 extending between opposite ends of the tubular body 102 and a slot 138 intersecting the lumen 136. A gate insert 116 is captured between the half-sections 132, 134 in the slot 138 and is slidable along the slot 138 between at least two on an open position, a partially closed position, and a fully closed position. The gate insert 116 may include a blocking portion 118 configured to extend across the lumen 136 and a handle portion 120 accessible outside of the tubular body

[0071] Each half-section 132, 134 of the tube gate assembly 130 can include alignment features, such as posts, sockets, ribs, and / or recesses, that facilitate proper alignment and joining of the half-sections 132, 134 to one another. The half-sections 132, 134 may be joined by snap-fit connectors, adhesive, welding, fasteners, or any other suitable technique. In some embodiments, one or more flanges 110 are provided at the ends of the tubular body 102 to interface with tiles or other components, similar to the flanges of the tube gate assembly 100.

[0072] By forming the tubular body from two half-sections 132, 134, the gate insert 116 can be easily positioned within the slot 138 during assembly and securely captured once the half-sections 132, 134 are joined. This can simplify manufacture and reduce the risk of the gate insert 116 being separated from the tubular body 102 during use. Further, as the halfsections 132, 134 are mirror images or copies on one another, a cost of manufacturing is reduced.

[0073] The gate insert 116 can include a rounded distal edge 117 that is sized, shaped and configured for reception in a complementary rounded radial groove 107 formed in the second tubular body half 102b, opposite the slot 112 formed in the first tubular body half 102a.

[0074] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a further embodiment of a tube gate assembly 160. FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the assembled tube gate assembly 160, and FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the tube gate assembly 160 taken through line 7B-7B of FIG. 7A.

[0075] The tube gate assembly 160 includes a tubular body 162 defining a lumen 164 and a gate insert 116 disposed within a slot 168 in a side wall 162a of the tubular body 162. In this embodiment, additional features such as contoured inner surfaces, flow-directing surfaces, or integrated detent structures may be provided. For example, one or more recesses or protrusions can be formed in the side wall of the tubular body 162 or in the gate insert 116, and corresponding protrusions or recesses can be formed on the opposing component (e.g., in the slot 168), such that the gate insert 116 “clicks” into one or more discrete positions corresponding to open, partially closed, and closed conditions.

[0076] In some embodiments, magnets (not shown) may be embedded in the tubular body 162 and / or gate insert 116 to provide magnetic detent forces. For instance, a magnet (not shown) in the gate insert 116 may align with magnets (not shown) in the tubular body 162 when the gate insert 166 is in an open or closed position, thereby biasing the gate insert 116 to remain in such positions unless manually moved by a user.

[0077] FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of a tile gate assembly 200. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the tile gate assembly 200 with parts separated, including a tile body 202, a sliding gate insert 216, and one or more magnets “M”.

[0078] The tile body 202 includes a first or top wall 208 and a second or bottom wall 210 defining opposite major faces of the tile body 202. The top and bottom walls 208, 210 are joined at or near a perimeter of the tile body 202, and spacing between the top and bottom walls 208, 210 defines an interior pocket 212. A passage 214 is formed in and extends through the tile body 202 between the top and bottom walls 208, 210 and opens on both major faces. The passage 214 may be circular, polygonal, or any other desired shape and may be centrally or non-centrally located within the tile body 202.

[0079] The gate insert 216 is slidably disposed in the pocket 212 via a slot 204 formed in a side wall 202a of the tile body 202. The gate insert 216 is generally planar and defines a handle region 218 and a blocking region 220. The gate insert 216 is movable along a sliding direction (as indicated by arrow “A”) across the passage 214.

[0080] FIGS. 9A-9C are plan views of the tile gate assembly 200 illustrating the gate insert 216 in different positions relative to the passage 214. In FIG. 9A, the gate insert 216 is in a fully open position in which the blocking region 220 of the gate insert 216 does not obstruct the passage 214. In FIG. 9B, the gate insert 216 is in a partially closed position in which the blocking region 220 of the gate insert 216 partially overlaps or occludes the passage 214, reducing the effective cross-sectional area of the passage. In FIG. 9C, the gate insert 216 is in a fully closed position in which the blocking region 220 fully covers the passage 214 to obstruct flow through the tile gate assembly 200.

[0081] The handle region 218 may include a through-hole, a gripping indentation, a ridge, or other raised or recessed feature that can be gripped by a user’s fingers. The handle region 218 may protrude slightly beyond the perimeter of the tile body 202 or may be flush or recessed relative to an outer edge or side wall 204a of the tile body 202.

[0082] The tile body 202 may include shoulders or notches (not shown) adjacent an edge of the pocket 212, and the gate insert 216 may include one or more widened portions or flanges (not shown) that engage such shoulders or notches when the gate insert 216 is pulled outward from the tile body 202. This engagement can prevent complete removal of the gate insert 216 from the tile body 202, thereby avoiding loss of parts.

[0083] Magnets “M” can be positioned around the perimeter of the tile body 202, such as in the top wall 208 and / or the bottom wall 210, to permit magnetic coupling of the tile gate assembly 200 to other tiles. In some embodiments, one or more magnets (not shown) are embedded within the gate insert 216 itself (not shown). These gate insert magnets may interact magnetically with magnets “M” in the tile body 202 to define detent positions corresponding to closed, partially closed, and open positions of the gate insert 216.

[0084] FIG. 10A illustrates a tile gate assembly 230 having a first gate insert 216a and a second gate insert 216b adjacent to one another and dividing a passage 214 through a tile body 202. The passage 214 may be a single elongated opening or two adjoining openings. As shown, the first gate insert 216a is in a fully closed position while the second gate insert 216b is in a fully open position. Each gate insert 216a, 216b may be independently slidable between at least two of an open position, a partially closed position, and a fully closed position. This arrangement allows finer control of flow through the passage 214 by independently opening or closing halves or portions of the passage, whereby respective blocking portions 220a, 220b of the gate inserts 216a, 216b selectively occlude portions of the passage 214.

[0085] FIG. 10B illustrates a tube gate assembly 180 having a first gate insert 116a and a second gate insert 116b adjacent to one another and dividing a passage 114 through a tubular body 186. The first gate insert 116a is shown in a fully closed position while the second gate insert 116b is in a fully open position. Each gate insert 116a, 116b may be independently movable along a respective slot intersecting the lumen or passage 114 of the tubular body 186, whereby respective blocking portions 120a, 120b of the gate inserts 116a, 116b selectively occlude portions of the passage 114. Such an arrangement may permit, for example, selective blocking of half of a tube cross-section at a time, or staged opening of the tube to modulate flow of balls through the tube.

[0086] The passage 114, 214 of the respective tile gate assembly 100 and tube gate assembly 180 is subdivided into first and second lateral regions, wherein the first gate insert 116a, 216a is configured to selectively obstruct the first lateral region and the second gate insert 116b, 216b is configured to selectively obstruct the second lateral region.

[0087] FIG. 11 illustrates a tile gate assembly 250 having a first gate insert 216a and a second gate insert 216b stacked atop one another along a thickness direction of a tile body 202. In the illustrated configuration, the first gate insert 216a is shown in a partially closed positionand the second gate insert 216b is shown in a fully closed position, relative to a passage 214 extending through the tile body 202.

[0088] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the tile gate assembly 250 of FIG. 11, with parts separated. The tile body includes a first or top wall 208 and a second or bottom wall 210 defining opposite major faces of the tile body 202. The top and bottom walls 208, 210 are joined at or near a perimeter of the tile body 202, and spacing between the top and bottom walls 208, 210 defines an interior pocket 212. A passage 214 is formed in and extends through the tile body 202 between the top and bottom walls 208, 210 and opens on both major faces. The passage 214 may be circular, polygonal, or any other desired shape and may be centrally or non-centrally located within the tile body 202.

[0089] Each gate insert 216a, 216b is slidably disposed in the pocket 212 via a slot 204 formed in a side wall 202a of the tile body 202. Each gate insert 216a, 216b is generally planar and defines a respective handle region 218a, 218b and a respective blocking region 220a, 220b. Each gate insert 216a, 216b is movable along a sliding direction (as indicated by arrow “A”) across the passage 214.

[0090] The first gate insert 216a includes a blocking region 220a that is solid or nonperforated. The second gate insert 216b includes a blocking region 220b that is perforated (e.g., includes holes 221) and thus, when the second gate insert 216b is in a fully closed position, only objects having a dimension smaller that a threshold dimension of the perforation formed in the blocking region 220b are permitted to pass through the second gate insert 216b, and thus through the passage 214 of the tile gate assembly 250.

[0091] The gate inserts 216a, 216b may slide in generally parallel planes and may be controlled independently of one another. This arrangement of gate inserts 216a, 216b permits complex control of flow through the passage, for example by partially or fully closing the passage 214 using the first gate insert 216a, or, as described above, with the first gate insert 216a partially or fully open and with the second gate insert 216b fully closed, only objects smaller than the holes 221 of the perforations formed in the blocking region 220b of the second gate insert 216b are permitted to pass through the second gate insert 216b, and thus through the passage 214 of the tile gate assembly 250.

[0092] A ball run toy set 10, as illustrated in FIG. 1, can include one or more of the tile gate assemblies and tube gate assemblies described above. For example, a tower of magnetictiles 12 can be constructed, and a straight tube can extend downward from a starting point at an upper end of the tower. A tube gate assembly, such as tube gate assembly 100, 130, or 160, may be positioned along this tube, followed by a series of curved and straight tubes and a tile gate assembly 200, 230, or 250 located at a lower level. The user can open one gate insert while closing another to direct balls to different branches of the ball run or to temporarily hold balls and then release them.

[0093] The ball run toy set 10 may be sold as a kit that includes at least one tile gate assembly and / or at least one tube gate assembly, along with a collection of tiles and tubes that allow a variety of configurations. In some versions, a gate tile assembly may be provided that does not include magnets, but instead includes mechanical connection features that interface with tube connectors used in a tube-only ball run system. In other versions, tube gate assemblies may connect directly to one another without tiles.

[0094] The tube gate assemblies and the tile gate assemblies of the present disclosure encourage interactive play and experimentation, as children can vary the position of the gate inserts to observe how a flow of balls changes, and can integrate the gate assemblies into their own designs. The structures described herein are not limited to toy environments; in some implementations, scaled versions can be used for educational demonstrations of fluid flow, probability, or physics concepts.

[0095] While several specific embodiments have been described, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The shapes, sizes, and materials of the tiles, tubes, and gate inserts may be varied. Features described in connection with one embodiment may be used in combination with features of another embodiment, unless clearly incompatible.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A tile gate assembly, comprising:a tile body having first and second opposite major faces and a passage extending between the first and second major faces;a pocket formed in the tile body adjacent the passage; anda gate insert slidably received in the pocket and movable along a sliding direction between at least two of the following positions:(a) a closed position in which a blocking portion of the gate insert obstructs the passage;(b) an open position in which the blocking portion does not obstruct the passage; and(c) at least one intermediate position in which the blocking portion only partially obstructs the passage.

2. The tile gate assembly of claim 1, wherein the tile body comprises a top wall and a bottom wall spaced apart from one another to define the pocket therebetween, the passage extending between and through the top wall and the bottom wall.

3. The tile gate assembly of claim 2, wherein the tile body further comprises a plurality of magnets disposed around a perimeter of at least one of the top wall or the bottom wall.

4. The tile gate assembly of claim 1, wherein the gate insert comprises a handle region accessible outside the tile body.

5. The tile gate assembly of claim 4, wherein the handle region of the gate insert includes a through-hole.

6. The tile gate assembly of claim 1, wherein the blocking portion of the gate insert comprises a perforated region having a plurality of apertures formed therein, the plurality of apertures configured to permit objects below a threshold size to pass through the passage when the perforated region is aligned with the passage.

7. The tile gate assembly of claim 1, wherein the gate insert is a first gate insert and further comprising a second gate insert, wherein the first gate insert and the second gate insert are arranged side by side, and not overlying one another, and are configured to cooperatively obstruct the passage.

8. The tile gate assembly of claim 7, wherein the first gate insert and the second gate insert are respectively independently slidable between at least two of the open position, the partially closed position, and the fully closed position so as to selectively obstruct different lateral portions of the passage.

9. The tile gate assembly of claim 7, wherein the passage is subdivided into first and second lateral regions, the first gate insert being configured to selectively obstruct the first lateral region and the second gate insert being configured to selectively obstruct the second lateral region.

10. The tile gate assembly of claim 1, wherein the gate insert is a first gate insert and further comprising a second gate insert, wherein the first gate insert and the second gate insert are arranged stacked atop one another along a thickness direction of the tile body, and wherein the first gate insert and the second gate insert are configured to overlap the passage in different planes.

11. The tile gate assembly of claim 10, wherein the first gate insert and the second gate insert are respectively independently slidable between at least two of the open position, the partially closed position, and the fully closed position, and wherein the blocking portion of the gate insert comprises a perforated region having a plurality of apertures formed therein, the plurality of apertures configured to permit objects below a threshold size to pass through the passage when the perforated region is aligned with the passage.

12. A tube gate assembly, comprising:a tubular body defining a lumen extending between a first end and a second end;a slot extending through a side wall of the tubular body and intersecting the lumen; anda gate insert slidably disposed in the slot and movable along a sliding direction between at least two of the following positions:(a) a closed position in which a blocking portion of the gate insert extends across the lumen to obstruct flow through the lumen;(b) an open position in which the blocking portion does not obstruct flow through the lumen; and(c) at least one intermediate position in which the blocking portion only partially obstructs flow through the lumen.

13. The tube gate assembly of claim 12, wherein the tubular body comprises a first half-section and a second half-section joined along a longitudinal seam, the gate insert being captured between the first half-section and the second half-section.

14. The tube gate assembly of claim 12, wherein the tubular body further comprises a flange adjacent at least one of the first end or the second end, the flange configured to interface with a connector of a tile.

15. The tube gate assembly of claim 12, wherein the gate insert comprises a handle region accessible outside the tubular body.

16. The tube gate assembly of claim 13, wherein the first half-section and the second half-section are copies of one another and are arranged as mirror images about a plane including a longitudinal axis of the lumen.

17. The tube gate assembly of claim 16, wherein each of the first half-section and the second half-section defines an open slot portion in a respective side wall, the open slotportions cooperating, when the first half-section and the second half-section are joined, to form the slot intersecting the lumen.

18. The tube gate assembly of claim 17, wherein the gate insert includes opposed edge regions slidably received in the respective open slot portions of the first half-section and the second half-section so that the gate insert is guided by both of the first half-section and the second half-section during movement between at least two of the open position, the closed position, and the at least one intermediate position.

19. The tube gate assembly of claim 17, wherein the open slot portions divide the side wall into first and second lateral regions on opposite sides of the slot, and wherein movement of the gate insert along the slot selectively varies obstruction of corresponding lateral regions of the lumen.

20. The tube gate assembly of claim 16, wherein the first half-section and the second half-section are identical to one another and adapted to be joined in opposite orientations to form the tubular body.

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