MARBLE TRACK PIECE WITH MULTIPIECE RELEASE GATE

Abstract

A multi-lane release gate marble run module is for use with interconnectable marble run modules. The release gate marble run module includes marble travel tracks, at least one frame, and a gate arm. Each marble track includes a concave travel surface and an exit tube, the exit tube connectable to another marble run module. The marble travel tracks include travel surfaces. The gate arm is rotatably coupled to the at least one frame, and includes a first gate and a second gate at a first end thereof. The gate arm is rotatable from a first gate position in which the first gate and the second gate block marble travel in respective tracks, and a second gate position in which the first gate and second gate allow marble travel in the respective tracks.

Claims

1. A multi-lane release gate marble run module for use with a plurality of physically interconnectable marble run modules, each of the interconnectable marble run modules configured to retain a marble and guide the travel of the marble on at least a first surface, the release gate marble run module comprising: a plurality of marble travel tracks, each of the plurality of marble tracks including a concave travel surface and an exit tube, the exit tube configured to directly physically connect to a vertical receiving tube of one of the plurality of interconnectable marble run modules, the plurality of marble travel tracks including at least a first marble track and a second travel track; at least one frame coupled to at least one of the plurality the marble travel tracks; a gate arm rotatably coupled to the at least one frame, the gate arm including a first gate and a second gate at a first end thereof, and wherein the gate arm is rotatable from a first gate position in which the first gate blocks marble travel in the first marble track, and the second gate blocks marble travel in the second marble track, and a second gate position in which the first gate allows the marble travel in the first marble track, and the second gate allows the marble travel in the second marble track.

2. The release gate marble run module of claim 1, wherein the first marble track, the second marble track and the frame are rigidly coupled to each other.

3. The release gate marble run module of claim 2, wherein the first marble track, the second marble track and the frame are integrally formed of the same material.

4. The release gate marble run module of claim 1, wherein each exit tube is further configured to connect to a vertical receiving tube or an exit tube of a further one of the plurality of interconnectable marble run modules while connected to the vertical receiving tube of the one of the plurality of interconnectable marble run modules.

5. The release gate marble run module of claim 1, wherein the at least one frame comprises a first hub spaced apart from a second hub, and wherein the gate arm includes a first connector rotatably connected to the first hub, and a second connector rotatably connected to the second hub.

6. The release gate marble run module of claim 5, wherein: the first hub is connected to a first side of the concave travel path of the first marble track; the second hub is connected to a first side of the concave travel path of the second marble track; a second side of the concave travel path of the first marble track and a second side of the concave travel path are disposed between the first side of the concave travel path of the first marble track and the first side of the concave travel path of the second marble track.

7. The release gate marble run module of claim 6, wherein: the concave travel path of the first marble track is coupled to a first exit tube at a first marble position; the concave travel path of the second marble track is coupled to a second exit tube at a second marble position; the first hub is connected to the concave travel path of the first marble track at a third marble position; the second hub is connected to the concave travel path of the second marble track at a fourth marble position; the first gate in the first gate position is disposed between the first marble position and the third marble position, and the second gate in the first gate position is disposed between the second marble position and the fourth marble position.

8. The release gate marble run module of claim 7, wherein: the concave travel path of the first marble track has a fifth marble position that is further from the first marble position than the third marble position; and the concave travel path of the second marble track has a sixth marble position that is further from the second marble position than the fourth marble position.

9. The release gate marble run module of claim 8, wherein: a first distance between the first marble position and the second marble position is greater than a second distance between the third marble position and the fourth marble position.

10. The release gate marble run module of claim 9, wherein: a third distance between the fifth marble position and the sixth marble position is greater than a second distance between the third marble position and the fourth marble position.

11. The release gate marble run module of claim 10, wherein: the third marble position and the first marble position have a marble travel distance therebetween, and the fourth marble position and the second marble position have a same marble travel distance.

12. The release gate marble run module of claim 10, herein the first marble track further comprises a vertical receiving tube disposed proximate to the fifth marble position and configured to be connected to an exit tube of another one of the plurality of interconnectable marble run modules.

13. The release gate marble run module of claim 8, herein the first marble track further comprises a vertical receiving tube disposed proximate to the fifth marble position and configured to be connected to an exit tube of another one of the plurality of interconnectable marble run modules.

14. The release gate marble run module of claim 7, wherein: the third marble position and the first marble position have a marble travel distance therebetween, and the fourth marble position and the second marble position have a same marble travel distance.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary marble run formed from at least part of a prior art marble run kit;

[0012] FIG. 2 shows a first perspective view of an exemplary marble track module that may be employed in a marble run kit that also includes one or more modules shown in FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 3 shows a second perspective view of the marble track module of FIG. 2;

[0014] FIG. 4 shows a top plan view of the module of FIG. 2; and

[0015] FIG. 5 shows a side plan view of the module of FIG. 2 with a gate arm in a first position, and with the gate arm in phantom in a second position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] An exemplary embodiment of the invention is a marble run kit that includes a plurality of physically interconnectable marble run modules. Each module is configured to retain a marble and guide the travel of the marble through the module on at least a first surface. One or more of the marble modules is a multi-marble release gate that allows for simultaneous release of a plurality marbles on corresponding marble travel paths.

[0017] In particular, FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a first embodiment of a multi-lane release gate marble run module (gate module) 200 that may be used in a marble run kit according to the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a front perspective view of the gate module 200, and FIG. 3 shows a rear perspective view of the gate module 200. In addition, FIG. 4 shows a bottom plan view of the gate module, and FIG. 5 shows a side plane view of the gate module 200 in a first or closed position, and in phantom in a second or open position.

[0018] With general reference to FIGS. 2 through 5, the multi-lane release gate marble run module 200 is configured for use with a plurality of physically interconnectable marble run modules such as one or more of the modules 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E, 11F and 18 of FIG. 1. The gate module 200 includes a plurality of marble travel tracks 202, 204, first and second frames 206 and 208, and a gate arm 210. In this embodiment, the marble travel tracks 202, 204 and frames 206, 208 are integrally formed, for example, by injection molding. Whether or not integrally formed, the marble tracks 202, 204 preferably are or can be rigidly coupled to each other. The gate arm 210 is rotatably connected, at least indirectly, to the marble travel tracks 202, 204.

[0019] The first marble track 202 includes a concave travel path or surface 220, a vertical receiving tube 222, and an exit tube 224. The concave travel surface 220 is a channel that may be U-shaped, V-shaped, or otherwise similarly shaped to guide the travel of a marble thereon between the vertical receiving tube 222 and the exit tube 224. It will be appreciated, thus, that concave used in this context means defining a channel that retains a marble on both sides of the channel. In some embodiments, it is possible for the concave travel path or surface 220 to be covered, for example, defining a tubular structure. However, in this embodiment, all or part of the concave travel surface has an open top so that the marble may be observed by the user.

[0020] The exit tube 224 configured to directly physically connect to a vertical receiving tube of one of the plurality of interconnectable marble run modules of FIG. 1, such as, for example, the vertical receiving tube 14 of the marble travel track module 11A of FIG. 1. As is visible in FIG. 4, the exit tube 224 has an open bottom so that a marble entering from the travel surface 220 can pass down to the receiving tube of the marble module coupled thereto. Conversely, the vertical receiving tube 222 is configured to directly physically connect to a vertical receiving tube of one of the plurality of interconnectable marble run modules of FIG. 1, such as, for example, the vertical receiving tube 16 of the marble travel track module 11A of FIG. 1. So connected, the vertical receiving tube 222 can receive a marble from the connected module and advance the marble to the travel surface 220.

[0021] Similarly, the second marble track 204 includes a concave travel path or surface 240, a vertical receiving tube 242, and an exit tube 244. The concave travel surface 240 is also a channel that may be U-shaped, V-shaped, or otherwise similarly shaped to contain and guide the travel of a marble thereon between the vertical receiving tube 242 and the exit tube 244. The exit tube 244 may have the same structure and function as the exit tube 224, and the vertical receiving tube 242 may have the same structure and function as the vertical receiving tube 222.

[0022] In this embodiment, the first frame 206 is fixedly coupled to (e.g. molded with) the first marble track 202, and the second frame 208 is fixedly coupled to the second marble track 204. While various fixedly coupled structures in this embodiment are molded as a single integral piece, it will be appreciated that parts can be assembled in other ways, such as snap together construction, for example, by the user. Referring to the embodiment of FIGS. 2 to 5, the gate arm 210 is rotatably coupled to the first frame 206 and the second frame 208. However, it will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the gate arm 210 may be configured to be rotatably connect to a single frame having an alternative design.

[0023] In the embodiment of FIGS. 2 through 5, the gate arm 210 includes a first gate 260 (see FIG. 5) and a second gate 262 at a first end thereof. In this embodiment, the gate arm 210 includes first and second rotating arms 264a, 264b, a yoke 266 extending between the arms 264a, 264b, and axles 268a, 268b. The rotating arm 264a is rotatably connected at a first end to the first frame 206 by the axle 268a, and the rotating arm 264b is rotatably connected at a first end to the second frame 208 via axle 268b. To this end, each of the first frame 206 and second frame 208 includes a respective hub 270a, 270b, which rotatably connects to the respective axles 268a, 268b.

[0024] The yoke 266 is connected at or proximate to the second end of each of the arms 264a, 264b, and extends horizontally therebetween. The first gate 260 and the second gate 262 extend downward from the yoke 266, as will be discussed below. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, a single rotatable arm (or more arms) can be used instead of two arms 264a, 264b. It will further be appreciated that the axles 268a, 268b and hubs 270a, 270b of the frames 206, 208 can take other forms of rotatable connections known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The yoke 266 also preferably includes at least one upward extension 267 that forms a gripping tab or handle to allow the user to pull and rotate the gate arm.

[0025] In particular, as shown in FIG. 5, the gate arm 210 is rotatable between a first gate position (shown in solid) and a second gate position (shown in phantom). In the first gate position, the first gate 260 blocks marble travel in the first marble track 202, and the second gate 262 blocks marble travel in the second marble track 204. In the second gate position, the first gate 260 is positioned to allow marble travel in the first marble track 202, and the second gate 262 is positioned to allow marble travel in the second marble track 204. To this end, the gates 260, 262 extend downward from the yoke 266 such that they are aligned with respective travel surface 220, 240. The gates 260, 262 are configured as a protruding plate, rod or other structure that, in the first gate position, extends at least partially down into the channel formed by the travel surfaces 220, 240 sufficiently to prevent a marble (or other round object) from passing.

[0026] It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the travel surfaces 220, 240 may be shallow enough that the yoke 266 alone can prevent marble travel in the tracks 202, 204 when in the first or closed position (thereby forming an alternative version of first and second gates). However, it will be appreciated that marble tracks 202, 204 advantageously have depth to help retain the marble during play, and thus require separate downward protruding gates 260, 262.

[0027] In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 2 through 5, the marble tracks 202, 204 are disposed next to each other. The concave travel path or surface 220 of the marble track 202 has an outer side or first side 220a, and an inner side or second side 220b. (See FIG. 4). The travel surface 220 defines a path of a marble between the two sides 220a, 220b. Similarly, the concave travel path or surface 240 of the marble track 204 has an outer side or first side 240a, and an inner side or second side 240b, and defines a path of a marble between the two sides 240a, 240b. The inner sides 220b and 240b are connected by a bridge member 272. The first frame 206 and corresponding hub 270a are connected to the first side 220a of the concave travel surface 220, and the second frame 208 and corresponding hub 270b are connected to the first side 240a of the concave travel surface 240 of the second marble track 204. In this embodiment, the second side 220b of the concave travel path 220 of the first marble track 202 and the second side 240b of the concave travel path 240 of the second marble track 204 are disposed between the first side 220a of the concave travel path 220 and the first side 240a of the concave travel path 240.

[0028] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 5, the concave travel path 220 of the first marble track 204 is coupled to a first exit tube 224 at a marble exit or first marble position 302, and the concave travel path 240 of the second marble track 204 is likewise coupled to a second exit tube 244 at another marble exit or second marble position 304. It will be appreciated that marble position means the position of a marble disposed at a particular location on a marble track. The first hub 270a is connected to the concave travel path 220 of the first marble track 202 at an intermediate or third marble position 306, and the second hub 270b is connected to the concave travel path 240 of the second marble track 204 at another intermediate or fourth marble position 308. The first gate 260 in the first gate position (closed position) is disposed between the first marble position 302 and the third marble position 306, and the second gate 262 in the first gate position is disposed between the second marble position 304 and the fourth marble position 308.

[0029] The concave travel path 220 of the first marble track 202 also has a start or fifth marble position 310 that is further from the first marble position 302 than the third marble position 306. Similarly, the concave travel path 240 of the second marble track 204 has a start or sixth marble position 312 that is further from the second marble position 304 than the fourth marble position 308. When the tubes 222, 224, 242, 244 are disposed axially vertically, as is the normal use case, the first marble position 302 is lower than the fifth marble position 310, and the second marble position 304 is lower than the six marble position 312. Accordingly, marbles can travel using gravity, downstream from fifth and sixth marble positions 310, 312, respectively, toward the first and second marble positions 302, 304, respectively. Downstream and upstream as used herein refer to the travel path of a marble with gravity (downstream) or against gravity (upstream).

[0030] In general, when the gate arm 210 is in the closed position or first gate position, a marble may be dropped at any point of the travel paths 220, 240 upstream of the gates 260, 262, and roll down to the gates 260, 262, where they are retained. When both marbles are in position at the gates 260, 262, the user may lift the gate member 210 (e.g., by grabbing the protrusion 267 in this embodiment). The user rotates the gate arm 210 into any of a plurality of second gate positions of the gate member 210 that release the marbles past the gates and toward the respective exit tubes 224, 244. In practice, it is expected that the user has connected marble run modules defining one or more marble runs to each of the exit tubes 224, 244. Thus, when the marbles are released by lifting the gate member 210 (see FIG. 5), the marbles travel through the exit tubes, and simultaneously enter the respective connected marble runs, thereby starting a race.

[0031] By way of example, each of the exit tubes 224, 244 may be coupled to a separate version of the marble run 10 of FIG. 1. To this end, each of the exit tubes 224, 244 may be coupled to the vertical receiving tube 14 of the module 11A of a corresponding version of the marble run 10. Thus, when the marbles are simultaneously released, they race each other through the respective modules 11A, 11B, 11C, 18, 11D, and 11E of their respective runs 10. It will be appreciated that the run connected to the exit tubes 224, 244 may take any suitable form within the limits of the user's imagination. The two connected runs need not be identical. In addition, it is noted that portion of a marble run may be attached upstream of the gate module 200 via the vertical receiving tubes 222, 224.

[0032] In this embodiment, the release gate marble run module 200 has additional features to facilitate ease of use. In particular, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the exit tubes 224, 244 are spaced apart to facilitate ease of connection to different marble run modules. The vertical receiving tubes 222, 242 are preferably also spaced apart for ease multi-person play. In this embodiment, the marble travel paths 220, 240 have a serpentine path, such that they curve inward toward each other at the second and fourth marble positions 306, 308. In particular, in this embodiment, a first distance between the first marble position 302 and the second marble position 304 is greater than a second distance between the third marble position 306 and the fourth marble position 308. Moreover, a third distance between the fifth marble position 310 and the sixth marble position 312 is greater than the distance between the third marble position 306 and the fourth marble position 308.

[0033] The resulting inward bowing path allows for the advantages of the spaced apart exit tubes 224, 244 and vertical receiving tubes 222, 242 while narrowing near the middle to allow a sturdy connection between the tracks 202, 204 with reduced material use. The use of the serpentine path also allows for the gate arm 210 to be rotatably coupled on the outsides of the two marble tracks 202, 204, which aids in ease of assembly.

[0034] In this embodiment, the marble tracks 202, 204 are largely symmetrical. Even if not symmetrical, however, in at least some embodiments, the third marble position 306 and the first marble position 302 have a marble travel distance therebetween, and the fourth marble position 308 and the second marble position 304 have a same marble travel distance. Thus, even if not entirely symmetrical, the downstream marble travel distances from the area of the frames 206, 208 is the same. Advantageously, the marble travel distance from the stopped marble position at each of the gates 260, 262 to the corresponding exit tubes 224, 244 is substantially identical.

[0035] It will be appreciated that the above-described embodiments are merely exemplary, and that those of ordinary skill in the art may readily devise their own modifications and implementations that incorporate the principles of the present invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof.