An animation module is configured for use on a marble run module of a plurality of physically interconnectable marble run modules. The module includes a connector, an actuator, switch contacts, and a motor. The connector connects to a connector tube of a first marble run module of the plurality of physically interconnectable marble run modules. The actuator has a button and a shaft, and is configured to dispose at least a portion of the button below a bottom of the connector. The shaft extends upward from the button. The switch contacts are mounted at least indirectly on the connector and have a closed state and an open state. The motor is operably coupled to the switch contacts to rotate responsive to the switch contacts transitioning between the open state and the closed state.

A track set for a toy vehicle includes a track portion and an actuatable mechanism. The track portion defines a track path between a first end of the track portion and a second end of the track portion. The actuatable mechanism attempts to capture a toy vehicle as the toy vehicle moves along the track path, between the first end and the second end, in response to select triggerings generated by the toy vehicle traversing the track path. The actuatable mechanism removes the toy vehicle from the track portion when the actuatable mechanism captures the toy vehicle. The actuatable mechanism may include a carriage that captures the toy vehicle. The carriage is initially disposed in a rest position that is off-path from the track path and is selectively movable, along a carriage pathway, to an actuated position that is also off-path from the track path.

The present invention relates to a transforming toy and, particularly, to a multi-step transforming toy, wherein the toy transforms in a first step in a process of preparing for a launch and transforms in a second step in a process of lunching a traveling object, and the traveling object, which has passed through the transforming toy, also transforms. Therefore, the toy can arouse a child's interest and launch a predetermined shaped object such as a missile, a fist, or a baby dinosaur.

An improved toy vehicle transfer station playset is disclosed herein. The playset includes a support frame that extends upwardly from a support surface. Coupled to the support frame is a slide rail having a first end and a second end. The first end is disposed higher than the second end with respect to the support surface. A carrier is movably coupled to the slide rail, and is configured to move along the slide rail from a first position proximate the first end to a second position proximate the second end of the slide rail via gravity. The carrier includes a track section for receiving a toy vehicle. The playset also includes a retaining mechanism disposed on the slide rail and configured to retain the carrier in the first position. However, when a toy vehicle is disposed on the track section of the carrier, the retaining mechanism releases the carrier to move along the slide rail to the second 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.

An improved toy vehicle transfer station playset is disclosed herein. The playset includes a support frame that extends upwardly from a support surface. Coupled to the support frame is a slide rail having a first end and a second end. The first end is disposed higher than the second end with respect to the support surface. A carrier is movably coupled to the slide rail, and is configured to move along the slide rail from a first position proximate the first end to a second position proximate the second end of the slide rail via gravity. The carrier includes a track section for receiving a toy vehicle. The playset also includes a retaining mechanism disposed on the slide rail and configured to retain the carrier in the first position. However, when a toy vehicle is disposed on the track section of the carrier, the retaining mechanism releases the carrier to move along the slide rail to the second position.