Toy Vehicle Track Set and Target Game

Abstract

A toy vehicle track set and target game includes a track section and a target assembly configured such that the track section aims at or passes through the target assembly. The target assembly includes a rotatable arm with at least two targets disposed at opposing ends. Each target may be removably or movably coupled to the rotatable arm and permanently coupled to a resilient member, such that each target may intersect at least a portion of the track section. A resilient member may be removably coupled to each of the at least two targets and configured to release if the target is impacted or displaced. Upon release or reconfiguration of a target, the rotatable arm's center of gravity may move and, thus, change the frequency, orientation, or velocity or the rotating arm's rotation.

1 . A toy track set, comprising:
 a track segment; and   a target assembly, comprising:
 a rotating arm configured to rotate about an axis substantially parallel to the track segment; and 
 at least two targets, each of the targets being removably attached to the rotating arm such that the targets intersect at least a portion of the pathway of a projectile traveling along the track segment, wherein the center of mass of the rotating arm changes following the removal of one of the targets from the arm. 
   
     
     
         2 . The toy track set of  claim 1 , wherein the change in center of mass alters the period of movement of the rotating arm. 
     
     
         3 . The toy track set of  claim 1 , wherein the change in center of mass alters the orientation of movement of the rotating arm. 
     
     
         4 . The toy track set of  claim 1 , wherein the change in center of mass alters the velocity of movement of the rotating arm. 
     
     
         5 . The toy track set of  claim 1 , wherein the target assembly includes a passageway configured to accept the track segment. 
     
     
         6 . The toy track set of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a projectile for displacing one of the targets.   
     
     
         7 . The toy track set of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a resilient member for removably attaching one of the targets to the rotating arm.   
     
     
         8 . The toy track set of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a projectile launcher attached to the track set, wherein the projectile launcher is adjustable.   
     
     
         9 . A toy track set, comprising:
 a track segment; and   a target assembly, comprising:
 a rotating arm configured to rotate about an axis substantially parallel to the track segment; and 
 at least two targets, wherein each of the at least two targets is configurable between an extended configuration and a non-extended configuration such that the targets intersect at least a portion of the track segment when in an extended configuration, wherein the center of mass of the rotating arm changes if one of the targets is moved from an extended configuration to a non-extended configuration. 
   
     
     
         10 . The toy track set of  claim 11 , wherein the change in center of mass alters the period of movement of the rotating arm. 
     
     
         11 . The toy track set of  claim 11 , wherein the change in center of mass alters the orientation of movement of the rotating arm. 
     
     
         12 . The toy track set of  claim 11 , wherein the change in center of mass alters the velocity of movement of the rotating arm. 
     
     
         13 . The toy track set of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 an actuator coupled to the rotating arm to facilitate rotation of the rotating arm about the axis.   
     
     
         14 . The toy track set of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a support structure, wherein the actuator includes an axle extending through the support structure and rotatably coupling the rotating arm to the support structure in an elevated position.   
     
     
         15 . The toy track set of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a resilient member for removably attaching one of the targets to the rotating arm.   
     
     
         16 . A toy track set, comprising:
 a track segment; and   a target assembly, comprising:
 a structure having a passageway, the track segment and the passageway defining a path for a projectile; and 
 a target member rotatably mounted to the structure, the target member comprising:
 a support member; 
 a first target portion movably coupled to the support member; and 
 a second target portion movably coupled to the support member, 
 the first and second target portions selectively engaging at least a portion of the path of the projectile, and each of the target portions being movable relative to the support member when engaged by the projectile. 
 
   
     
     
         17 . The toy track set of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 an actuator, wherein the actuator includes an axle extending through the structure and coupling the actuator to the target member.   
     
     
         18 . The toy track set of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a first resilient member coupled to the first target portion; and   a second resilient member coupled to the second target portion.   
     
     
         19 . The toy track set of  claim 18 , wherein the first and second resilient members are permanently coupled to the first and second target portions, respectively, in at least one location. 
     
     
         20 . The toy track set of  claim 19 , wherein the first and second resilient members are removably coupled to the target member in a configuration which tensions the resilient members.