Playset with Dynamic Transfer

Abstract

The present invention is directed toward an interactive playset with a slide/ramp including an entrance area at the top of the slide and an exit area at the bottom of the slide. The playset further includes a dynamic transfer system that transfers the accessory from the slide exit back to the slide entrance. The dynamic transfer system includes a plurality of stepped platforms, each platform having a piston that is selectively engaged to drive the accessory from a lower platform to an upper platform.

1 . An interactive playset comprising:
 an accessory figure; and   a base including:
 a play surface having a first area and a second area, the first area being disposed at a lower height than the second area, 
 a dynamic transfer system operable to propel the accessory figure from the first area to the second area. 
   
     
     
         2 . The interactive playset of  claim 1 , wherein the dynamic transfer system comprises a biasing member and a piston driven by the biasing member from a loaded piston position to an expelled piston position. 
     
     
         3 . The interactive playset of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the base includes:
 a first platform area including a first piston, the first platform area being disposed at a first vertical height, 
 a second platform area including a second piston, the second platform area being disposed at a second vertical height, the second vertical height being greater than the first vertical height, and 
 a third platform area including a third piston, the third platform area being disposed at a third vertical height, the third vertical height being greater than each of the first and second vertical heights; 
   the first piston is configured to engage the accessory figure to drive the accessory figure from the first platform area to the second platform area; and   the second piston is configured to engage the accessory figure to drive the accessory figure from the second platform area to the third platform area.   
     
     
         4 . The interactive playset of  claim 3 , wherein the playset further includes a slide having a slide entrance area and a slide exit area. 
     
     
         5 . The interactive playset of  claim 4 , wherein the accessory figure is configured for rolling movement down the slide. 
     
     
         6 . The interactive playset of  claim 5 , wherein the accessory figure rolls down the slide by flipping end over end as it rolls. 
     
     
         7 . The interactive playset of  claim 4 , wherein the third piston is configured to engage the accessory figure to drive the accessory figure from the third platform area to the slide entrance area. 
     
     
         8 . The interactive playset of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a platform including a receptacle suspended from the platform;   a biasing member and a piston member disposed within the receptacle;   a catch member suspended from the piston member,   wherein the catch member is engaged to axially drive the piston member axially within the receptacle.   
     
     
         9 . The interactive playset of  claim 8  further including a drive mechanism in communication with the piston, the drive mechanism including:
 a motor; 
 a camshaft driven by the motor; and 
 a cam extending radially from the camshaft, 
 wherein the cam engages the catch member to drive the piston member axially within the receptacle. 
 
     
     
         10 . An interactive playset comprising:
 a base including:
 a play surface having a first area and a second area, the first area being disposed at a lower height than the second area; 
 a ramp extending between the second area and the first area, the ramp configured to receive an accessory figure thereon; and 
 a dynamic transfer system operable to propel the accessory figure from the first area to the second area. 
   
     
     
         11 . The interactive playset of  claim 10 , wherein they dynamic transfer system comprises a piston driven by a transfer mechanism from a loaded piston position to an expelled piston position. 
     
     
         12 . The interactive playset of  claim 11 , wherein the transfer mechanism comprises a biasing member which drives the piston from the loaded piston position to the expelled piston position. 
     
     
         13 . The interactive playset of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the base includes:
 a first platform area including a first piston, the first platform area being disposed at a first vertical height, 
 a second platform area including a second piston, the second platform area being disposed at a second vertical height, the second vertical height being greater than the first vertical height, and 
 a third platform area including a third piston, the third platform area being disposed at a third vertical height, the third vertical height being greater than each of the first and second vertical heights; 
   the first piston is configured to engage the accessory figure to drive the accessory figure from the first platform area to the second platform area; and   the second piston is configured to engage the accessory figure to drive the accessory figure from the second platform area to the third platform area.   
     
     
         14 . The interactive playset of  claim 13 , wherein the ramp further includes a ramp entrance area and a ramp exit area. 
     
     
         15 . The interactive playset of  claim 14 , wherein the accessory figure is configured for rolling movement down the ramp. 
     
     
         16 . The interactive playset of  claim 15 , wherein the accessory figure rolls down the ramp by flipping end over end as it rolls. 
     
     
         17 . The interactive playset of  claim 14 , wherein the third piston is configured to engage the accessory figure to drive the accessory figure from the third platform area to the ramp entrance area. 
     
     
         18 . The interactive playset of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a platform including a receptacle;   a biasing member and a piston member disposed within the receptacle;   a catch member coupled to the piston member,   wherein the catch member is engaged to axially drive the piston member axially within the receptacle.   
     
     
         19 . The interactive playset of  claim 18  further including a drive mechanism in communication with the piston member, the drive mechanism including:
 a motor; 
 a camshaft driven by the motor; and 
 a cam extending radially from the camshaft, 
 wherein the cam engages the catch member to drive the piston member axially within the receptacle.