Abstract
A rolling ball toy set is disclosed. The toy set includes two or more segments. Each segment defines a channel that extends from a first end thereof to a second end thereof that allows a marble to be rolled therein. The segment includes a first connection means at the first end and a second connection means at the second end. The first connection means of the segment is releasably pivotably couplable to the second connection means of another segment to form a track.
Claims
1. A rolling ball toy set comprising: a plurality of segments, each segment defining a channel extending from a first end thereof to a second end thereof for rolling a marble therein, the segment comprising: a first connection means at the first end; and a second connection means at the second end; wherein the first connection means of the segment is releasably pivotably couplable to the second connection means of another segment to form a track.
2. The rolling ball toy set according to claim 1, wherein the first connection means comprises a clip and the second connection means comprises a rod to which the clip is releasably couplable and pivotable thereabout.
3. The rolling ball toy set according to claim 2, wherein the rod comprises a curved rod and the clip is further slidable therealong.
4. The rolling ball toy set according to claim 3, wherein each segment further includes a shoulder portion at the first end thereof adjacent the clip that engages the rod to limit an angle by which the segment is pivotable about the another segment.
5. The rolling ball toy set according to claim 4, wherein the angle is in a range of 10-30 degrees.
6. The rolling ball toy set according to claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of segments further comprises an attachment means for attaching the segment to a surface.
7. The rolling ball toy set according to claim 6, wherein the attachment means comprises a magnet and the rolling ball toy set further comprises a magnetic board having the surface to which the magnet is attachable.
8. The rolling ball toy set according to claim 7, wherein the magnet is one of insert molded into the segment, attached to the segment using an adhesive, and snap fitted to the segment.
9. The rolling ball toy set according to claim 1, wherein the segment comprises two laterally extending sidewalls that define the channel therebetween, and wherein the channel has a generally V-shaped cross section.
10. The rolling ball toy set according to claim 9, wherein the segment further comprises a base from which the two sidewalls extend.
11. The rolling ball toy set according to claim 10, wherein each of the two sidewalls comprise a lower section proximal to the base and an upper section distal from the base, and the two lower sections subtend a first angle therebetween and the two upper sections curve inward toward the channel and subtend a second angle therebetween that is smaller than the first angle.
12. The rolling ball toy set according to claim 11, wherein the lower section of each of the two sidewalls comprises a linear protrusion from an inner surface thereof that runs along a length of the sidewall.
13. The rolling ball toy set according to claim 10, wherein at least one of the plurality of segments comprises an attachment means on an outside surface of one of the sidewalls for attaching the segment to a surface, wherein the outside surface is at least substantially perpendicular to the base.
14. The rolling ball toy set according to claim 13, wherein the attachment means comprises a magnet and the rolling ball toy set further comprises a magnetic base board having the surface to which the magnet is attachable.
15. The rolling ball toy set according to claim 1, further comprises a multiplier unit comprising: a first tubular section having an inlet and an outlet; at least one second tubular section having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet of the second tubular section connected to the first tubular section, a support at the inlet of the second tubular section for supporting a second marble placed thereon such that a first marble falling through the first tubular section will knock the second marble off the support to roll down the second tubular section.
16. The rolling ball toy set according to claim 1, further comprises an alternator unit comprising: an inlet; a back wall; a front wall pivotably coupled to and spaced apart from the back wall to define a space therebetween; and a dividing wall projecting from the front wall into the space that divides the space into a first channel and a second channel; wherein one of the first channel and the second channel faces the inlet to receive a marble and allow the marble to fall therethrough to thereby tilt the front wall to align the other of the first channel and the second channel with the inlet.
17. The rolling ball toy set according to claim 1, further comprises a mouth unit comprising: a bottom half; a top half pivotably coupled to the bottom half; a controller configured to: tilt the top half away from the bottom half to define an opening therebetween for receiving a marble; and tilt the top half back towards the bottom half to rest thereon after detecting the marble is received in the opening.
18. The rolling ball toy set according to claim 17, wherein the bottom half includes an outlet through which the marble exits the mouth unit, and wherein the controller is further configured to tilt the top half away from the bottom half again after tilting the top half back towards the bottom half for receiving another marble.
19. The rolling ball toy set according to claim 1, further comprises a transfer unit comprising: a support; an arm pivotably coupled to the support; a rocker pivotably coupled to a free end of the arm; the rocker having a marble receiving portion; a protrusion protruding from the support; and a controller configured to: tilt the arm away from protrusion for the rocker to receive and retain a marble in the marble receiving portion; and tilt the arm towards the protrusion after detecting the marble is received in the marble receiving portion for the protrusion to tilt the rocker to roll the marble out of the marble receiving portion.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0025] The invention will be better understood with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0026] FIG. 1 is a isometric drawing of a rolling ball toy set according to an embodiment of the invention, the rolling ball toy set including multiple segments connected together to form a straight track;
[0027] FIG. 2 is an isometric drawing of the multiple segments in FIG. 1 configured to form a convex curved track;
[0028] FIG. 3A is an isometric drawing of the multiple segments in FIG. 1 configured to form a concave curved track;
[0029] FIG. 3B is a drawing showing an angle of about 30 by which a segment in FIG. 3A is tiltable upwards with respect to another segment in the vertical plane;
[0030] FIG. 3C is a drawing showing a segment moved in a horizontal plane to the right of another segment to subtend an angle of about 30 therewith;
[0031] FIG. 3D is a drawing showing a segment moved in the horizontal plane to the left of another segment to subtend an angle of about 30 therewith;
[0032] FIG. 4A is an isometric drawing of one of the multiple segments in FIG. 1;
[0033] FIG. 4B is an isometric drawing of the segment in FIG. 4A as seen in the direction of an arrow A in FIG. 4A;
[0034] FIGS. 5A-5C are end views of the segment in FIG. 4B as seen in the direction of an arrow B in FIG. 4B, each view being shown with a ball of a different size;
[0035] FIG. 6A is an isometric drawing of another one of the multiple segments in FIG. 1 that includes an attachment means;
[0036] FIG. 6B is an isometric drawing of the segment in FIG. 6A as seen in the direction of an arrow A in FIG. 6A;
[0037] FIG. 6C is an isometric drawing of the segment in FIG. 6A as seen in the direction of an arrow B in FIG. 6A;
[0038] FIG. 7 is an isometic drawing of a 90 degree ramp;
[0039] FIG. 8 is an isometric drawing of a 180 degree ramp;
[0040] FIG. 9 is an isometric drawing of a track including two segments in FIG. 6A; two 90 degree ramps in FIG. 7 and a 180 degree segment in FIG. 8 connected together to form a track;
[0041] FIGS. 10A and 10B are isometric drawings of a multiplier unit that may be used with the segments;
[0042] FIGS. 11A and 11B are isometric drawings of an alternator unit that may also be used with the segments and other units;
[0043] FIGS. 12A-12C are drawings of a mouth unit that may also be used with the segments and other units;
[0044] FIGS. 13A-13D are drawings of a transfer unit that may also be used with the segments and other units;
[0045] FIGS. 14A and 14B are drawings of a musical unit that may also be used with the segments and other units;
[0046] FIGS. 15A and 15B are isometric drawings of a swing unit that may also be used with the segments and other units;
[0047] FIGS. 16A and 16B are isometric drawings of a vortex ramp unit that may be used with the segments and other units; and
[0048] FIG. 17 is an isometric drawing of a receiving tray; and
[0049] FIG. 18 is a drawing showing a cross section of a base board to which the segments and the units may be mounted to.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0050] Throughout this document, unless otherwise indicated to the contrary, the terms comprising, consisting of, having and the like, are to be construed as non-exhaustive, or in other words, as meaning including, but not limited to.
[0051] Furthermore, throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word include or variations such as includes or including will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.
[0052] The following description refers to elements or nodes or features being coupled together. As used herein, unless expressly stated otherwise, coupled means that one element/node/feature/is directly or indirectly joined to (or directly or indirectly communicates with) another element/node/feature, and does not necessarily connect a direct mechanical connection. Coupled elements/nodes/features are understood to exert mutual influence on one another. Thus, although FIGS. 1-3 and 9 depict exemplary arrangements of elements, additional intervening elements, devices, features, or components may be present in an embodiment of the depicted subject matter.
[0053] In addition, certain terminology may also be used in the following description for the purpose of reference only, and thus are not intended to be limiting. For example, terms such as upper, lower, above, and below refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made in a consistent but arbitrary frame of reference. Such terminology may include the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. Similarly, the terms first, second, and other such numerical terms referring to structures do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context.
[0054] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by a skilled person to which the subject matter herein belongs.
[0055] As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the invention may be embodied in a rolling ball toy set that is easily assembled into different configurations and disassembled. Existing toy sets tend to be less configurable and difficult to assemble and disassemble. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3D, a rolling ball toy set generally includes two or more segments. Each segment defines a channel extending from a first end thereof to a second end thereof for rolling a marble therein. The segment includes a first connection means at the first end and a second connection means at the second end. The first connection means of the segment is releasably pivotably couplable to the second connection means of another segment to form a track.
[0056] Specifically, FIGS. 1-6C show a rolling ball toy set 2 according to one embodiment of the invention. The toy set 2 includes two or more segments 4, 6 that can be connected together to form a chain of segments 4, 6 that defines a track. Each segment 4, 6 may be a first segment 4 that does not include any attachment means or a second segment 6 that includes an attachment means 8. Each of the segments 4, 6 includes a base 10 (FIG. 4A) having a first end 12 and a second end 14. At the first end 12 of the base 10 is a clip 16 serving as a first connection means. The clip 16 is positioned along a longitudinal axis X of the segment 4, 6. The clip 16 is a C-shaped clip 16 having an outwardly facing opening 18. The width of the clip 16 is smaller than the width of the base 10 of the segment 4, 6. The C-shaped clip 16 projects upwards from a platform 20 or shoulder 20 having an upper surface 22 that is slightly lower than a lower inner surface 24 of the C-shaped clip 16. At the second end 14 of the base 10 is a curved rod 26, more specifically, a semi-circular-shaped rod 26 with its two ends fixed to the base 10 of the segment 4, 6. This semi-circular-shaped rod 26 functions as a second connection means. Laterally extending from a first side 28 of the base 10 is a first sidewall 30 and laterally extending from a second side 32 of the base 10 opposite the first side 30 is a second side wall 34. The first sidewall 30 and the second sidewall 34 of each segment 4, 6 define a groove or channel 36 therebetween. The channel 36 in this embodiment has a generally V-shaped cross section. Each sidewall 30, 34 includes a lower section 38 proximal to the base 10 and an upper section 40 distal from the base 10. The lower sections 38 of the first sidewall 30 and the second sidewall 34 subtend a first angle therebetween of about 90 degrees. The two upper sections 40 of the first sidewall 30 and the second sidewall 34 curve inwards towards the channel 36 and subtend a second angle therebetween. The second angle is smaller than the first angle. When viewed from either end 12, 14 of the segment 4, 6, the two sidewalls 30, 34 are shaped like wings of a bird in flight with wing tips pointing upwards. Each sidewall 30, 34 has a linear protrusion 42 protruding from an inner surface of the lower section 38. The linear protrusion 42 extends along the entire length of the sidewall 30, 34. The oppositely facing protrusions 42 of the first sidewall 30 and the second sidewall 34 define guide rails within the channel 36.
[0057] The second segment 6 differs from the first segment 4 in that its first sidewall 30 is thicker than the second sidewall 34. The thicker first sidewall 30 has an outer surface 44 (FIG. 6A) that is at least substantially perpendicular to the base 10 of the second segment 6 (FIG. 6C). Fixedly attached to the outer surface 44 of the second segment 6 is a magnet 8 that functions as the attaching means 8. The magnet 8 may be integrally formed with the second segment 6. For example, the magnet 8 may be insert molded into the second segment 6. Alternatively, the magnet 8 may be attached to the second segment 4 using an adhesive or snap fitted to the second segment 4 so that it is not easily dislodged.
[0058] A number of first segments 4 and second segments 6 may be connected in any order to form one or more tracks. To connect two segments 4, 6 together, the clip 16 of one segment 4, 6 is clipped onto the curved rod 26 of the other segment 4, 6. The height of the opening 18 in the clip 16 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the curved rod 26. When the clip 16 is pushed against the curved rod 26, the two resilient ends of the clip 16 are forced apart to receive the curved rod 26 into a central opening of the clip 16. Once the curved rod 26 is received in the central portion of the clip 16, the two ends of the clip 16 return to their original positions so as to allow the clip 16 to grip onto the curved rod 26. To disconnect two connected segments 4, 6, the two segments 4, 6 are pulled apart to disengage the clip 16 from the curved rod 26. In this manner, each segment 4, 6 may be releasably coupled to another segment 4, 6. As an example shown in FIG. 1, six segments are connected together to form a chain of segments 4, 6. This chain of segments 4, 6 includes four first segments 4 connected together and a second segment 6 connected to each of the two ends of the four first segments 4. The two second segments 6 may be attached to a para magnetic or ferromagnetic surface 7 of a base board 220 mounted on a wall. In FIG. 1, the two second segments are positioned spaced apart such as to form a straight ramp or track. In this case, the track defines a straight channel 36 for a ball to roll along therein. The four first segments 4 hang in a straight line between the two second segments 6.
[0059] Since the clip 16 of a segment 4, 6 is rotatable or tiltable about the curved rod 26 of another segment 4, 6, the segment 4, 6 may be tilted upwards or downwards with respect to the other segment 4, 6. When adjacent segments 4, 6 are tilted downwards with respect to each other, the six segments 4, 6 can be connected together to define a convex channel 36 as shown in FIG. 2. When tilted in this manner, the gap between adjacent segments 4, 6 widens and the marble may slip through the gap to fall out of the track. To prevent this from happening, the angle by which a segment 4, 6 may tilt with respect to an adjacent segment 4, 6 is limited by positioning the platform 20 beneath the clip 16 to engage the curved rod 26 as shown in FIG. 2B. FIG. 2B shows an angle of about 30 by which a segment 4, 6 is tiltable downwards with respect to another segment 4, 6 in a vertical plane. And when adjacent segments 4, 6 are tilted upwards with respect to each other, the six segments are connected together to define a concave channel 36. When tilted in this manner, the gap between adjacent segments 4, 6 narrows to further prevent the marble from slipping therethrough. FIG. 3B shows an angle of about 30 by which a segment 4, 6 is tiltable upwards with respect to another segment 4, 6 in the vertical plane. And since the clip 16 of a segment 4, 6 is slideable along the length of the curved rod 26, there is an added degree of freedom of motion by which the segment may move sideways relative to a connected segment 4, 6. FIG. 3C shows a segment that is moved in a horizontal plane to the right of another segment to subtend an angle of about 30 therewith. FIG. 3D shows a segment that is moved in the horizontal plane to the left of another segment to subtend an angle of about 30 therewith.
[0060] Next, additional play elements/units shown in FIGS. 7-17 that may be used with the segments 4, 6 individually or in any combination will be described next. FIG. 7 shows a 90 degree ramp 50 that can be used in the toy set 2. The 90 degree ramp 50 defines a 90 degree groove or channel 52 that stretches from one end of the ramp 50 to the other end. Located at one end of the 90 degree ramp 50 is a C-shaped clip 16 as described above. Located at the other end of the 90 degree ramp 50 is a curved rod 26 as described above. The 90 degree ramp 50 allows the marble to be guided around a bend to make a 90 degree turn.
[0061] FIG. 8 shows a 180 degree ramp 60 that can also be used in the toy set 2. The 180 degree ramp 60 defines a 180 degree groove or channel 62 that stretches from one end of the ramp 60 to the other end. Located at one end of the 180 degree ramp 60 is a C-shaped clip 16 as described above. Located at the other end of the 180 degree ramp 60 is a curved rod 26 as described above. The 180 degree ramp is thus connectable to a 90 degree ramp 50 or a segment 4, 6. When rolled thereon, the 180 degree ramp is able to redirect the path of the marble to make a U-turn.
[0062] One way of connecting the 90 degree ramp 50 and the 180 degree ramp 60 is shown in FIG. 9. A first 90 degree ramp 50 is connected at one end thereof to a second segment 6 at the end of a track. Connected to the other end of the 90 degree ramp 50 is one end of the 180 degree ramp 60. The other end of the 180 degree ramp 60 is connected to a second 90 degree ramp 50. The second 90 degree ramp 50 is connected to another second segment 6. In this manner, a marble rolling off the second segment 6 may be redirected away from a plane parallel to the base board 220 to negotiate a few bends before being directed back to continue its path on a track in the plane, making the toy set 2 more enjoyable to play with.
[0063] FIGS. 10A and 10B show a multiplier unit 70 that may also be used with the segments 4, 6 and any other play elements. The multiplier unit 70 includes a flared section 71 that defines an inlet 72. Connected to the flared section 71 is a central tubular section 73 having a proximal end 74 adjacent the flared section 71 and a distal end 75 away from the flared section 71. The distal end 75 of the central tubular section defines a first outlet 76 of the multiplier unit 70. Connected to the proximal end 74 of the central tubular section 73 are a pair of lateral tubular sections 78, 80. Each lateral tubular section 78, 80 includes a proximal end 82, 84 and a distal end 86, 88. The proximal end 82, 84 of each lateral tubular section 78, 80 is connected to the proximal end 74 of the central tubular section 73. The distal end 86, 88 of each lateral tubular section 78, 80 defines a second outlet 90, 92 of the multiplier unit 70. Located at the proximal end 82, 84 of each lateral tubular section is an upwardly facing opening 94. Under each of this upwardly facing opening 94 in the lateral tubular section 78, 80 is a marble support (not shown). Fixedly connected to each marble support is a handle 96 that is located outside the lateral tubular section 78, 80. Each handle 96 can be lifted or lowered to thereby raise and lower the connected marble support. The multiplier unit 70 includes magnets 8 that allow it to be attached to the base board 220. During play, each handle 96 may be lifted to raise the marble support to be adjacent the opening 94 for a marble to be placed thereon through the opening 94. The handle 96 may then be lowered to lower the marble support with the marble thereon into the bore of the lateral tubular section 78, 80. In this manner, two marbles may be placed in the multiplier unit 70. When a third marble is dropped into the inlet 72 of the multiplier unit 70, it will knock the two marbles in the multiplier unit 70 off the two marble supports so that they will roll down the two lateral tubular sections 78, 80 to emerge from the second outlets 90 while the third marble falls out of the first outlet 76.
[0064] FIGS. 11A and 11B show an alternator unit 110 that may also be used with the segments and any other play elements. The alternator unit 110 includes a flared section 112 that defines an inlet 114 to the alternator unit 110. Fixedly connected to the flared section 112 is a rear wall portion 116. Pivotably connected to the rear wall portion 116 is a front wall portion 118. The front wall portion 118 has a dividing wall (not shown) that protrudes therefrom towards the rear wall portion 116. This dividing wall divides a space between the front wall 118 and the rear wall 116 into a left channel (not shown) and a right channel (not shown). Each channel has a respective outlet 120, 122. Magnets 8 on the flared section 112 and the rear wall portion 116 allow the alternator unit 110 to be attached to the base board 220. During play, an opening (not shown) to one of the left channel and the right channel is aligned with the inlet 114 to allow a marble received through the inlet 114, into the channel and out of its outlet 120, 122. In the process, the marble causes the front wall 118 to tilt to align the opening of the other channel with the inlet 114 so that the next time a marble is dropped into the inlet 114, it will emerge out of the other outlet 120, 122. In this manner, marbles emerge from the two outlets 120, 122 alternately.
[0065] FIG. 12A-12C show a battery-powered mouth unit 130 that may also be used with the segments 4, 6 and any of the other play elements. The mouth unit 130 includes a top half 132 pivotably connected to a bottom half 134. The top half 132 rests on the bottom half 134 in a mouth-closed position thereof as shown in FIG. 12C. The top half 132 may be tilted to a mouth-open position as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B to define an opening 136 between the top half 132 and the bottom half 134. The mouth unit 130 further includes a drive 138 that is operable to tilt the top half 132 between the mouth-closed and mouth-open positions. The drive 138 may include a cable 140, one end of which is tied to a front portion of the top half 132 and the other to a spindle of a motor 142 that is mounted on the bottom half 134. The motor 142 is operable to reel in and out the cable 140 so that the top half 132 may be tilted between the mouth-closed and mouth-open positions. The mouth unit 130 further includes a sensor and a speaker coupled to a controller (all not shown). When powered on during play, the controller controls the motor 140 to tilt the top half 132 to the mouth-open position. When a marble is dropped into the opening 136 between the top half 132 and the bottom half 134, the controller senses the presence of the marble via the sensor, controls the motor 142 to lower the top half 132 to the mouth-closed position and plays a sound through the speaker. The marble exits the mouth unit 130 via an outlet (not shown) in the bottom half 134. The top half 132 rests on the bottom half 134 momentarily, after which the controller again tilts the top half 132 away from the bottom half 134 to the mouth-open position, ready to receive another marble.
[0066] FIGS. 13A-13D show a transfer unit 150 that may also be used with the segments 4, 6 and any of the other play elements. The transfer unit 150 includes a housing 152 and an arm 154 that is pivotably coupled to the housing 152 such that it can make a 180 degree lateral swivel. The transfer unit 150 further includes two protrusions 156, 158 from a front surface thereof. Each protrusion 156, 158 is moveable between a down position and an up position. The two protrusions 156, 158 are interconnected such that when one protrusion 156, 158 is in its down position, the other protrusion 156, 158 will be in its up position. Pivotably coupled to a free end 160 of the arm 154 is a scoop 162. The scoop 162 has a marble-receiving end 164 and a weighted end 166. The weighted end 166 is heavier than the marble-receiving end 164 even with a marble therein. The scoop 162 is thus allowed to tilt at an angle such that a marble received in the marble-receiving end 164 will not fall out of the scoop 162. The transfer unit 150 further includes a controller, a drive mechanism for swiveling the arm, and a sensor (all not shown). During play, the arm 154 is tilted to a side where the protrusion 156, 158 is in its down position. When a marble drops into the marble-receiving end 164 of the scoop 162, the controller senses the presence of the marble using the sensor and turns the arm 154 towards the side where the protrusion 156, 158 is in its up position. The weighted end 166 will contact the protrusion 156, 158 in the up position and ride up a ramped surface 170 thereof. This will cause the scoop 162 to tilt such that the marble-receiving end 164 will be lowered for the marble to roll out thereof. In this manner, a marble can be transferred from one side of the transfer unit 150 to the other side of the transfer unit 150.
[0067] FIGS. 14A and 14B show a musical unit 180 that includes a mounting portion 182 and a flap 184 that is fixedly attached to the mounting portion 182 to define a channel 186 therebetween. One or more magnets 8 are attached to a back of the mounting portion 182 so that the musical unit 180 can be attached to the base board 220. When a marble falls into the channel 186 hitting the flap 184, the flap 184 will vibrate to produce an audible sound. The size and the thickness of the flap 184 determines the sound that is produced.
[0068] FIGS. 15A and 15B show a swing unit 190 that may also be used with the segments 4, 6 and any other play elements. The swing unit 190 includes a mount 192 having bifurcated arms 194. Pivoted between the bifurcated arms 194 is a rocker 196 whose rotation between the bifurcated arms 194 are limited. The rocker 196 includes a marble receiving portion 198 at each end thereof. Attached to the mount 192 is one or more magnets 8 for attaching the swing unit 190 to the base board 220. During play, the rocker 196 will catch a falling marble in its marble receiving portion 198 momentarily before it rotates due to the weight of the marble to drop the marble off.
[0069] FIGS. 16A and 16B show a vortex ramp unit 200 that may be also be used with the segments 4, 6 and any other play elements. The vortex ramp unit 200 has the shape of a funnel with a large inlet 202. When a marble is dropped into the inlet 202, it spirals down the inner surface 204 towards an outlet 206. The outlet 206 is in a plane orthogonal to that of the inlet 204, and spaced apart from a base board 220 so that the marble may exit the vortex ramp unit 200.
[0070] FIG. 17 shows a receiving tray 210 having the shape of a soap dish that may also be used with the segments 4, 6 and any other play elements for catching a falling marble.
[0071] The segments and play elements may be of any suitable material, including but not limited to, nylon, ABS, bioplastic and polypropylene.
[0072] During play, the user mounts the base board 220 onto any inclined surface, such as a vertically-oriented wall. The user may then build one or more tracks using the segments 4, 6 on the base board 220. The tracks may be of different lengths. The user may also include any number of play elements in a path of the marble to increase the joy and satisfaction of playing with the toy set 2. The user may also include mid-air trajectories in the path of the marble to make the task of building tracks on which a marble may complete its path more challenging.
[0073] FIG. 18 shows a cross-section of an embodiment of the base board 220. The base board 220 includes a board backing 222 and a ferrous sheet 224 of any suitable ferrous material over the board backing 222. The board backing 222 may be of any suitable material, including but not limited to, a high-density card board, plywood, acrylic sheet, etc. The board backing 222 may be of any suitable thickness, such as 1-3 mm. The ferrous sheet 224 and the board backing 222 are wrapped all round with an outer protective layer using for example a 0.05-0.2 mm thick film that is preferably water resistant and easy to clean. The outer protective layer may be of a single sheet or separate sheets 226A, 226B. FIG. 18 shows a first outer protective sheet 226A that goes over the ferrous sheet 224 and the sides of the ferrous sheet 224 and board backing 222, and a second outer protective sheet 226B over an exposed surface of the board backing 222 to completely cover the ferrous sheet 224 and the board backing 222 so as to seal them. Attached to the second outer protective sheet 226B are one or more pieces of adhesive tapes 228, such as double sided tapes 228. The adhesives on the two sides of each tape 228 have different bond strengths. The adhesive on the side attached to the second outer protective sheet 226B has a higher bond strength. The adhesive on the side facing away from the second outer protective sheet 226B has a lower bond strength and is used to stick the base board 220 to a surface, such as a wall. With such tapes 228, the base board 220 may be peeled from the surface with the tapes 228 still intact on the base board 220. The base board 220 may be of any shape and size. Several base boards 220 may be joined to create a larger play surface.
[0074] Advantageously, with the small segments 4, 6 as basic building blocks for building tracks, the possibilities of building tracks of different configurations are endless. The user may thus not get easily bored with the toy set 2 since he can come up with a new track configuration each time he plays with the set 2. Since each segment 4, 6 is tiltable and slidable with respect to another segment 4, 6, positioning of the segments and play elements is not restricted to locations on only a one-dimensional or two-dimensional grid. The clip and curved rod allow the segments 4, 6 to be easily assembled and disassembled. And a magnet 8 in some segments 4, 6, allow them to be easily attached to a surface and have their position easily adjusted thereon. The magnet 8 is also fixedly attached to the segments and is therefore less likely to be dislodged, making it safer for children.
[0075] Furthermore, the V-shaped channel 36 of each segment 4, 6 is able to accommodate marbles of different sizes without requiring any adjustment or modification. Each segment 4, 6 can comfortably accommodate marbles as small as 9 mm in diameter and as large as 40 mm in diameter. With the specific design of the sidewalls 30, 34, rolling of the marble in the channel 36 is also more stable without the marble flying off the track easily.
[0076] Although the present invention is described as implemented in the above described embodiment, it is not to be construed to be limited as such. It is to be appreciated that modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0077] For example, although the rolling toy set 2 is described to be mounted on a base board, the toy set 2 maybe be mounted to any paramagnetic or ferromagnetic surface, such as but not limited to refrigerator doors, whiteboards, etc.
[0078] As another example, the attaching means 8 on the second segment 6 may be other than a magnet 8. The attaching means may include but not limited to putty, double-sided tape, glue, Velcro, etc.
[0079] As yet a further example, instead of a curved rod 26 as a connection means on a segment 4, 6, a straight rod may be used instead. For that matter, the connection means is not to be construed to be limited to the described clip and rod design. Any suitable joint type that allows a segment to be pivotable about another segment may be used. Such a joint includes but is not limited to a ball and socket joint.
[0080] As yet another example, the channel 36 is described to be of an open top V-shaped cross section with a flat base 10. It should be appreciated that the base 10 may be done away with and channels 36 of other cross-sectional shapes, such as U-shaped, circular, square, etc. may also be used. In other words, the channel of a segment 4, 6 may also be enclosed, in which case the segment 4, 6 may preferably be of a translucent or transparent material.
[0081] It should be further appreciated by the person skilled in the art that one or more of the above modifications or improvements, not being mutually exclusive, may be further combined to form yet further embodiments of the present invention.
