Virtual loop performance track for toy vehicles

Abstract

A toy vehicle track set is provided. The track set, designed to be used with non-motorized toy vehicle, enables a toy vehicle to travel in a vertical loop without a loop track segment. The track set includes base with an entrance ramp and an exit ramp that enables a toy vehicle to enter and exit a vehicle carrier located at the end of a pendulum arm. The pendulum arm rotates in a vertical loop as a result of the kinetic energy of the toy vehicle and the spring energy of a coil spring located in an axle that couples the pendulum arm to a pillar.

1 . A toy vehicle track set comprising:
 a track segment having a first end and a second end;   a base coupled to the first end of the track segment, the base having an entrance ramp and an exit ramp;   a pillar having a first end and a second end; the first end of the pillar coupled to the base;   an arm rotatably coupled to the second end of the pillar by an arm axle near a proximal end of said arm, such that the arm is free to rotate in a vertical loop; and   a toy vehicle cage coupled to the platform at a distal end of the arm.   
     
     
         2 . The track set of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a launcher coupled to the second end of the track segment.   
     
     
         3 . The track set of  claim 1 , wherein the toy vehicle cage comprises:
 a generally hollow member having a portion of a sidewall removed and a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the hollow member is open; and   a gate having a tension tab coupled to the second end of the hollow member.   
     
     
         4 . The track set of  claim 1 , wherein the arm axle comprises:
 a hollow cylindrical structure having a spiral grove along an outer surface and a first end and a second end wherein the first end is configured to accept a pin;   a fitting coupled to the first end;   a spring cap coupled to the second end; and   a coil spring contained within the hollow cylindrical structure by the pin at a first end and the spring cap at a second end.   
     
     
         5 . The base of  claim 1 , wherein the exit ramp is offset from the entrance ramp. 
     
     
         6 . The toy track set of  claim 3 , wherein the launcher comprises:
 a block positioned along the same side and at a far end of the entrance ramp;   an arm lock coupled to the block with an axle and configured to mate with the gate on the toy vehicle cage and retain the toy vehicle cage in a start position; and   a torsion spring coupled to the arm lock to control the opening and closing of the arm lock.   
     
     
         7 . The toy track set of  claim 6 , wherein the exit ramp further comprises a release latch mechanism configured to open the gate of the toy vehicle cage. 
     
     
         8 . The toy track set of  claim 7 , further comprising a target positioned in proximity to the base and designed to stop or catch and contain a toy vehicle exiting the toy vehicle cage. 
     
     
         9 . A toy vehicle track set base comprising:
 a substantially level undersurface;   an upper surface defining two ramps;   a first ramp having an arm lock to secure a spring-loaded rotatable arm;   a second ramp having a release mechanism to cause a gate on a toy vehicle cage located at the distal end of the spring loaded rotatable arm to open; and   a foundation frame laterally coupled to the upper surface, the foundation frame configured to support a pillar having the spring loaded rotatable arm with a toy vehicle cage coupled at the distal end of the pillar.   
     
     
         10 . The base of  claim 9  wherein the second ramp having a curved cross section extends the length of the base. 
     
     
         11 . A toy vehicle stunt loop comprising:
 a base;   a pillar coupled to the base;   a rotatable arm coupled to the pillar, wherein the rotatable arm is configured with a spring-loaded mechanism; and   a toy vehicle cage assembly coupled to a distal end of the rotatable arm.   
     
     
         12 . The rotatable arm of  claim 11  further comprising:
 a platform located at the distal end of the pillar arm. 
 
     
     
         13 . The toy vehicle cage assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the toy vehicle cage comprises:
 an elongated hollow structure having a first end and a second end;   the first end of the hollow structure being open and configured to receive a toy vehicle; and   the second end of the elongated hollow structure configured with a gate having a tension tab.   
     
     
         14 . The toy vehicle cage of  claim 13 , wherein the hollow structure is rectangular in shape. 
     
     
         15 . The toy vehicle cage of  claim 13 , wherein the elongated hollow structure has solid sidewalls. 
     
     
         16 . The toy vehicle cage of  claim 13 , wherein the sidewalls of the elongated hollow structure have openings. 
     
     
         17 . The toy vehicle cage of  claim 13 , wherein a portion of the elongated hollow structure is removed and elongated hollow structure is couple to a platform located at the distal end of the pillar arm such that the platform restores the removed portion of the elongated hollow structure. 
     
     
         18 . The base of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 an arm lock located at one end to mate with the tension tab on the gate of the toy vehicle cage, the arm lock configured to hold the spring loaded rotatable arm with the vehicle cage assembly in a start position;   a release mechanism located at another end configured to mate with the tension tab on the gate, the release mechanism configured to stop the rotatable arm and open the gate on the toy vehicle cage assembly.   
     
     
         19 . A method of play for a toy vehicle track set comprising:
 loading a spring-loaded arm and cage assembly;   propelling a toy vehicle toward the arm and cage assembly such that the toy vehicle enters the cage;   releasing an arm lock such that the spring loaded arm and cage assembly rotate in a loop   engaging a catch mechanism to stop the rotation of the loaded arm and cage assembly; and   releasing the toy vehicle from the cage.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising
 releasing the toy vehicle from the cage onto an upwardly projecting ramp;   launching the toy vehicle in an airborne projectile path; and   providing a target to which the launched toy vehicle is directed.