Action Figure Slide Device with Textured Track

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing toy action devices with wheels are not suitable for sliding movements on tracks, as they require a smooth surface, which prevents toys like snowboards or sleds from maintaining an upright position during sliding.

Innovation Solution

A kit comprising a slide device and an action figure coupled to it, along with a tool to create a path in base materials like snow or sand, allowing the slide device and action figure to collectively slide down the path while maintaining an upright position, using a textured track surface for reduced friction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a smooth track surface is used to accommodate wheeled toy vehicles, then the vehicles can roll smoothly, but sliding toy action figures cannot maintain an upright position during sliding movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverolling movement smoothnessVSAvoidupright position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The track surface is designed with different local properties: a smooth portion for wheeled vehicles to roll on, and a textured portion for sliding action figures to maintain upright position. This local differentiation allows each type of toy to interact with the track surface in the most favorable way for its movement mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The track surface is segmented into distinct zones with different surface characteristics. The smooth zone accommodates wheeled vehicles while the textured zone accommodates sliding figures, allowing both types of toys to function optimally on the same track structure without interfering with each other's movement requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If a textured track surface is used to enable sliding action figures to maintain upright position, then sliding stability is improved, but wheeled vehicles cannot roll smoothly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupright position stabilityVSAvoidrolling movement smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The track device is designed to serve multiple functions by incorporating both smooth and textured surface portions, enabling it to accommodate both wheeled vehicles and sliding action figures. This multi-functionality allows a single track structure to support diverse toy types with different movement mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Stability of the object's composition

If a path with non-zero height is formed in base material to accommodate sliding figures, then sliding stability is improved, but the tool complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesliding stabilityVSAvoidpath formation tool complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The path in the base material is formed in advance before the sliding action figures are used. The tool creates the elevated path structure beforehand, which provides stable support for the figures during sliding. This preliminary preparation simplifies the overall system by separating the path formation function from the sliding function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables sliding action figures and devices down paths or tracks in snow or sand while maintaining an upright orientation, overcoming the limitations of smooth surface requirements and enhancing playability.

Implementation Method 1

using a textured track surface for reduced friction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

The action figure and the slide device can collectively slide down at least a portion of the path when disposed on the path

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS9039480B2Action figures with slide devices and methods of use

Publication Date: 2015.05.26 GIGGLICIOUS LLC

AI summary

In some embodiments, a kit includes a slide device and an action figure coupled to the slide device. The kit also includes a tool configured to modify a shape of a base material such that a path that has a non-zero height is defined within the base material. The action figure and the slide device can collectively slide down at least a portion of the path when disposed on the path. The base material can be, for example, snow or sand. In some embodiments, the tool can include tool body having a length dimension, a width dimension and a height dimension. The length dimension can be greater than the width dimension and the height dimension can be greater than at least half a height dimension of the slide device and the action figure collectively. A handle can be coupled to the tool body.