Ramp Structure for Toy Vehicles

Abstract

A ramp structure for toy vehicles includes an upper track section angled downward toward a first opening, a middle track section disposed beneath the upper track section and angled downward toward a second opening, and a lower track section disposed beneath the middle track section and angled downward toward an exit. The middle track section includes a first engagement plate engageable by a first end of a toy vehicle traveling in a first direction from the upper track section. The lower track section includes a second engagement plate engageable by a second end of the toy vehicle traveling in a second direction, the second end and the second direction being opposite to the first end and the first direction, respectively. The lower ramp section is angled so that the toy vehicle can travel in the first direction to the exit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A ramp structure for toy vehicles, comprising:
 an upper track section having a first ramp portion angled downward toward a first opening;   a middle track section having a second ramp portion angled downward toward a second opening, the second ramp portion including a first engagement plate that is engaged by a first end of a toy vehicle traveling in a first direction from the upper track section, the first opening being located above and spaced apart from the first engagement plate; and   a lower track section having a third ramp portion angled downward toward an exit, the third ramp portion including a second engagement plate that is engaged by a second end of the toy vehicle traveling in a second direction, the second end and second direction being opposite to the first end and the first direction, respectively, the second opening being located above and spaced apart from the second engagement plate, the third ramp portion being angled so that the toy vehicle can travel in the first direction to the exit.   
     
     
         2 . The ramp structure of  claim 1 , wherein the toy vehicle has a front portion and a rear portion, and first direction is a forward direction and the second direction is a backward direction relative to the toy vehicle. 
     
     
         3 . The ramp structure of  claim 1 , wherein the upper, middle and lower track sections define a travel path along which the toy vehicle can travel, further comprising a switch disposed along the travel path and actuatable by the toy vehicle as the toy vehicle moves along the travel path, a sensory output being triggered upon actuation of the switch. 
     
     
         4 . The ramp structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a first support member and a second support member, the first engagement plate coupled to the first support member and the second engagement plate coupled to the second support member. 
     
     
         5 . The ramp structure of  claim 1 , wherein the first ramp portion is substantially parallel to the third ramp portion. 
     
     
         6 . The ramp structure of  claim 1 , wherein the second ramp portion has a first length, and the third ramp portion has a second length greater than the first length. 
     
     
         7 . The ramp structure of  claim 1 , wherein the toy vehicle includes a rolling element configured to engage and move along the first, second and third ramp portions. 
     
     
         8 . A toy assembly, comprising:
 a toy vehicle having a front portion and a rear portion; and   a ramp structure including:
 an upper ramp angled downward toward a first opening, the toy vehicle being received on and movable along the upper ramp toward the first opening in a first direction; 
 a first engagement plate disposed beneath the first opening, the front portion of the toy vehicle engaging the first engagement plate after the toy vehicle moves through the first opening; 
 a central ramp proximate to the first engagement plate and disposed beneath the upper ramp, the central ramp being angled downward toward a second opening, the toy vehicle movable along the central ramp toward the second opening in a second direction opposite to the first direction; 
 a second engagement plate disposed beneath the second opening, the rear portion of the toy vehicle engaging the second engagement plate after the toy vehicle moves through the second opening; and 
 a lower ramp proximate to the second engagement plate and disposed beneath the central ramp, the toy vehicle movable along the lower ramp from the second engagement plate in a first direction. 
   
     
     
         9 . The toy assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first direction is a forward direction and the second direction is a backward direction. 
     
     
         10 . The toy assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the toy vehicle includes a rolling element configured to engage and move along the ramp structure. 
     
     
         11 . The toy assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the ramp structure defines a travel path along which the toy vehicle can travel, further comprising a switch disposed along the travel path and actuatable by the toy vehicle as the toy vehicle moves along the travel path, a sensory output being triggered upon actuation of the switch. 
     
     
         12 . The toy assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the upper ramp portion is substantially parallel to the lower ramp. 
     
     
         13 . The toy assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the central ramp has a first length, and the lower ramp has a second length greater than the first length. 
     
     
         14 . The toy assembly of  claim 8 , further comprising a base configured for engaging a support surface, a first support portion extending upwardly from the base, and a second support portion extending upwardly from the base, wherein the upper, central and lower ramps are disposed in between the first support portion and the second support portion. 
     
     
         15 . A track assembly, comprising:
 a toy vehicle having a front portion and a rear portion; and   a ramp structure including:
 a first ramp portion angled downward toward a first opening, the toy vehicle being received on and movable along the first ramp portion toward the first opening in a first direction; 
 an engagement plate disposed beneath the first opening, the front portion of the toy vehicle engaging the engagement plate after the toy vehicle moves through the first opening; 
 a second ramp portion proximate to the engagement plate and disposed beneath the first ramp portion, the second ramp portion being angled downward toward an exit, the toy vehicle movable along the second ramp portion toward the exit in a second direction opposite to the first direction. 
   
     
     
         16 . The track assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the first direction is a forward direction and the second direction is a backward direction relative to the toy vehicle. 
     
     
         17 . The track assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the toy vehicle includes a rolling element configured to engage and move along the ramp structure. 
     
     
         18 . The track assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the rolling element is intermediate the front portion and the rear portion of the toy vehicle. 
     
     
         19 . The track assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the ramp structure defines a travel path along which the toy vehicle can travel, further comprising a switch disposed along the travel path and actuatable by the toy vehicle as the toy vehicle moves along the travel path, a sensory output being triggered upon actuation of the switch. 
     
     
         20 . The track assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the first ramp portion has a first length, and the second ramp portion has a second length greater than the first length.