Provided is a self-propelled reading device to read cards more reliably. Each of the cards includes a first end part configured to be adjacent to another card in a predetermined direction; a second end part configured to be on the opposite side of the first end part and adjacent to another card different from the first end part; and a surface printed with a pattern in which are coded coordinates indicating a positional relation relative to a reference line extended in the predetermined direction indicative of a region in which a self-propelled device is to travel. Each of the first and the second end parts has a positioning part regulating how the other card adjacent to the end part is to be placed. The positioning parts and the reference line have a predetermined positional relation therebetween.

A toy vehicle playset comprises a stunt loop apparatus. The stunt loop apparatus has a support, a partial loop portion coupled to the support, and an arcuate portion rotatably coupled to the support. The partial loop portion has an opening and the arcuate portion is configured to rotate between an inlet position and an outlet position within the opening. By rotating the arcuate portion from the inlet position to the outlet position, a continuous pathway is formed that allows a toy vehicle to sequentially travel along the arcuate portion in the inlet position, the partial loop portion, and then the arcuate portion in the outlet position.

A toy track of the invention includes a base member, a track member having a track surface portion where a toy vehicle can travel and biased into a deployed state where the track surface portion slopes down to a front relative to the base member, a lid member connected to the base member to be opened and closed and having a locked portion, and a locking member having a releasing projection disposed on the track surface portion of the track member in a stowed state and a locking portion for locking the locked portion to hold the lid member in a closed state. The lid member biases the track member into the stowed state when in the closed state, and the locking member releases locking of the locking portion on the locked portion when the releasing projection is pressed by the toy vehicle entering the track surface portion.

A toy track of the invention includes a base member, a track member having a track surface portion where a toy vehicle can travel and biased into a deployed state where the track surface portion slopes down to a front relative to the base member, a lid member connected to the base member to be opened and closed and having a locked portion, and a locking member having a releasing projection disposed on the track surface portion of the track member in a stowed state and a locking portion for locking the locked portion to hold the lid member in a closed state. The lid member biases the track member into the stowed state when in the closed state, and the locking member releases locking of the locking portion on the locked portion when the releasing projection is pressed by the toy vehicle entering the track surface portion.

A toy vehicle booster is presented herein. The toy vehicle booster includes a booster assembly that is integrated into a lid of a track storage container so that the toy vehicle booster forms a portion of a storage container for a track set. In some instances, the booster assembly includes a first booster and a second booster. The first booster may accelerate toy vehicles along a first pathway and the second booster may accelerate toy vehicles along a second pathway. In at least some of these embodiments, at least the second booster may be reversible so that the second booster can accelerate toy vehicles along the second pathway in a first direction or a second direction opposite the first direction.

A toy vehicle track system of the present application includes electrical connections between the track pieces that allow a central hub, referred to herein as a “portal piece,” to communicate with any track pieces included in the track system. In order to ensure that the portal piece can quickly and accurately identify track configurations that are built, the toy vehicle track system implements a communications protocol that supports communications between any two pieces of track. Based on these communications, the portal piece can determine an orientation, a track type, and a position of any track pieces attached, whether directly or indirectly, to the portal piece. The portal piece can then transmit this information to an electronic device executing an application associated with the track system to allow for digital play on a digital version of the track configuration (among other digital play modes).

A toy vehicle track system of the present application includes electrical connections between the track pieces that allow a central hub, referred to herein as a “portal piece,” to communicate with any track pieces included in the track system. In order to ensure that the portal piece can quickly and accurately identify track configurations that are built, the toy vehicle track system implements a communications protocol that supports communications between any two pieces of track. Based on these communications, the portal piece can determine an orientation, a track type, and a position of any track pieces attached, whether directly or indirectly, to the portal piece. The portal piece can then transmit this information to an electronic device executing an application associated with the track system to allow for digital play on a digital version of the track configuration (among other digital play modes).

A marble run track connection arrangement for use with a plurality of physically interconnectable marble run elements includes a marble track section, a tube, and a connector. The marble track section has first and second connecting posts coupled to or forming a portion of a marble travel path of the marble track section. The tube includes a connecting portion configured to directly physically connect to another tube. The connecting portion passes a marble from or to the other tube. The tube also has a side opening configured to receive a marble therethrough into or out of an interior of the first tube. The tube also includes a track connector extending outward from the tube. The connector is configured to receive the first and second connecting posts and to couple to the track connector such that a path is defined between the marble travel path and the interior of the tube.

A marble run track connection arrangement for use with a plurality of physically interconnectable marble run elements includes a marble track section, a tube, and a connector. The marble track section has first and second connecting posts coupled to or forming a portion of a marble travel path of the marble track section. The tube includes a connecting portion configured to directly physically connect to another tube. The connecting portion passes a marble from or to the other tube. The tube also has a side opening configured to receive a marble therethrough into or out of an interior of the first tube. The tube also includes a track connector extending outward from the tube. The connector is configured to receive the first and second connecting posts and to couple to the track connector such that a path is defined between the marble travel path and the interior of the tube.

A connector block for an interlocking block system and an interlocking track system includes a first portion having an intermatable track segment of the track system and a second portion having a block interface of the block system, with the track segment offset from the block system. The second portion preferably includes at least two block interfaces of different genders with each configured to mate with elements of the other gender. The underside of the block interface defines a horizontal lower plane without protrusions and defines protrusion-receiving receptacles. An upper block interface defines a horizontal upper plane and includes a plurality of protrusions extending beyond the upper plane and configured to be received in the protrusion-receiving receptacles. The interoperable connector block may include a sloped track segment, and is preferably a body formed of a single material. The connector block is preferably intermatable with Duplo® and Brio® modular components.