Toy vehicle rotational element for rotating a toy vehicle

Abstract

Described is a toy vehicle track set and, more particularly, a rotational element for use with a track set that is operable for rotating a toy vehicle. The rotational element includes an anchor for attaching the rotational element with a surface. A flip box is operatively connected with the anchor, and the flip box is formed to receive a toy vehicle and rotate the toy vehicle. A track connector connects a toy vehicle track with the rotational element, such that the toy vehicle engages the track and is propelled from the flip box along the track. The flip box is spring-loaded, and entrance of the toy vehicle into the flip box causes a spring element to be released and the flip box to rotate the toy vehicle and return the toy vehicle back onto the track. In a desired aspect, the track is a string.

1 . A toy vehicle rotational element for rotating a toy vehicle, comprising:
 an anchor for attaching the rotational element with a surface;   a flip box, wherein the flip box is formed to receive a toy vehicle and rotate the toy vehicle; and   a track connector for connecting a track with the rotational element, such that the toy vehicle engages the track and is propelled from the flip box along the track.   
     
     
         2 . The toy vehicle rotational element as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the flip box is formed to be spring-loaded, such that rotation of the flip box induces extension of a spring element connected with the flip box, and wherein entrance of the toy vehicle into the flip box causes the spring element to be released and the flip box to rotate. 
     
     
         3 . The toy vehicle rotational element as set forth in  claim 2 , further comprising a flip box housing connecting the flip box with the anchor. 
     
     
         4 . The toy vehicle rotational element as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the flip box comprises at least one cut-out therein to provide clearance for a flywheel of the toy vehicle to engage the track. 
     
     
         5 . The toy vehicle rotational element as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the track connector is attached with the flip box housing. 
     
     
         6 . The toy vehicle rotational element as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the track is a string. 
     
     
         7 . The toy vehicle rotational element as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the flip box comprises at least one cut-out therein to provide clearance for a flywheel of the toy vehicle to engage the track. 
     
     
         8 . The toy vehicle rotational element as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the track is a string. 
     
     
         9 . The toy vehicle rotational element as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a flip box housing connecting the flip box with the anchor. 
     
     
         10 . The toy vehicle rotational element as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the track connector is attached with the flip box housing. 
     
     
         11 . A method for forming a toy vehicle rotational element for rotating a toy vehicle, comprising acts of:
 forming an anchor for attaching the rotational element with a surface;   forming a flip box, wherein the flip box is formed to receive a toy vehicle and rotate the toy vehicle; and   forming a track connector for connecting a track with the rotational element, such that the toy vehicle engages the track and is propelled from the flip box along the track.   
     
     
         12 . The method for forming the toy vehicle rotational element as set forth in  claim 11 , further comprising an act of forming the flip box to be spring-loaded, such that rotation of the flip box induces extension of a spring element connected with the flip box, and wherein entrance of the toy vehicle into the flip box causes the spring element to be released and the flip box to rotate. 
     
     
         13 . The method for forming the toy vehicle rotational element as set forth in  claim 12 , further comprising an act of forming a flip box housing connecting the flip box with the anchor. 
     
     
         14 . The method for forming the toy vehicle rotational element as set forth in  claim 13 , further comprising an act of forming the flip box to have at least one cut-out therein to provide clearance for a flywheel of the toy vehicle to engage the track. 
     
     
         15 . The method for forming the toy vehicle rotational element as set forth in  claim 14 , further comprising an act of attaching the track connector with the flip box housing. 
     
     
         16 . The method for forming the toy vehicle rotational element as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the track is a string. 
     
     
         17 . The method for forming the toy vehicle rotational element as set forth in  claim 11 , further comprising an act of forming the flip box to have at least one cut-out therein to provide clearance for a flywheel of the toy vehicle to engage the track. 
     
     
         18 . The method for forming the toy vehicle rotational element as set forth in  claim 11 , further comprising an act of forming a flip box housing connecting the flip box with the anchor. 
     
     
         19 . The method for forming the toy vehicle rotational element as set forth in  claim 11 , further comprising an act of attaching the track connector with the flip box housing. 
     
     
         20 . The method for forming the toy vehicle rotational element as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the track is a string.