Toy Track Set with Pivotable Segment and Diverter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toy vehicle play sets lack variability in track configurations, leading to repetitive and unexciting experiences for users, as they typically feature fixed track paths without mechanisms for altering the vehicle's trajectory or outcome.
Innovation Solution
A toy track set with a first looped path and a second alternate path featuring a pivotally mounted segment that changes positions, a track diverter for diverting vehicles between paths, and a booster for propelling vehicles along either path, allowing for varied vehicle travel and enhanced play experiences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed track configuration is used, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the entertainment value and play variability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the track configuration changeable through movable components. Specifically, a movable wall or barrier can be repositioned along the track to create different paths and obstacles for the vehicle, transforming a static track into a dynamic play structure that adapts to different play scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The track is divided into segments with movable boundaries. The movable wall creates separable zones within the track, allowing the track to be reconfigured into different patterns (e.g., straight paths, curves, loops) by repositioning these segmented sections, thereby increasing versatility without requiring entirely different track structures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a movable track segment is added to provide varied paths, then play variability increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A movable wall or barrier is introduced that can be repositioned along the track to create different paths and obstacles for the vehicle. This dynamic element allows the same physical track structure to produce multiple varied routes and play scenarios by simply moving the wall to different positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable wall acts as an intermediary element between the fixed track segments. It serves as a temporary divider or guide that can be placed in different locations to redirect the vehicle's path, creating variety without requiring the entire track structure to be complex or reconfigurable.
3Adaptability or versatility
If capture and launch mechanisms are added, then entertainment value increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A movable wall or barrier serves as an intermediary capture mechanism. When positioned correctly, it can intercept the vehicle and redirect it into a launch zone. This simple wall structure performs the complex function of capturing and relaunching the vehicle without requiring sophisticated mechanical capture devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The track structure itself provides the capture and launch functions through its geometric configuration and movable elements. The vehicle is captured by the natural geometry of the track layout and relaunches through gravity or momentum, eliminating the need for separate powered capture and launch mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A toy track set for a toy vehicle is disclosed herein, the toy track set having: a first track path comprising a first looped vehicle path; a second track path comprising an alternate vehicle path, the second track path having a first segment and a second segment, the second segment being separated from the first segment by a gap, the second segment being pivotally mounted to the track set for reciprocal movement between a first position and a second position, wherein a toy vehicle travelling along the second track path from the first segment to the second segment will travel along a first portion of the second segment when the second segment is in the first position and the toy vehicle traverses the gap and wherein the toy vehicle travelling along the second track path from the first segment to the second segment will be captured in a receiving area of the second segment when the second segment is in the second position and the toy vehicle traverses the gap; a track diverter pivotally mounted to the track set for movement between a first position and a second position wherein the toy vehicle travelling along the first track path will remain on the first track path when the track diverter is in the first position and wherein the toy vehicle travelling along the first track path will be diverted to the second track path when the track diverter is in the second position; and a booster for propelling the toy vehicle along either the first track path or the second track path.