Toy vehicle play set

Abstract

A play set is provided, the play set having: a planar surface; a plurality of targets located proximate to one end of the planar surface; a feeding mechanism located proximate to another end of the planar surface, the feeding mechanism being configured to launch objects at the plurality of targets and being pivotally mounted to the play set; and a return chute configured to receive objects from the end of the planar surface and return them to the feeding mechanism, the return chute having an articulating member configured to be repositioned as the feeding mechanism is moved with respect to the play set.

1 . A play set, comprising:
 a planar surface;   a plurality of targets located proximate to one end of the planar surface;   a feeding mechanism located proximate to another end of the planar surface, the feeding mechanism being configured to launch objects at the plurality of targets and being pivotally mounted to the play set; and   a return chute configured to receive objects from the one end of the planar surface and return them to the feeding mechanism, the return chute having an articulating member configured to be repositioned as the feeding mechanism is moved with respect to the play set.   
     
     
         2 . The play set as in  claim 1 , wherein the articulating member is pivotally mounted to an inlet path of the feeding mechanism at one end and a portion of the play set at another end. 
     
     
         3 . The play set as in  claim 1 , wherein the feeding mechanism further comprises: an input path; an output path; an accelerating mechanism configured to receive an object from the input path and propel the object through the output path; an advancing member configured to receive an object from the input path and move it towards the accelerating mechanism; and a trigger for actuating the advancing member. 
     
     
         4 . The play set as in  claim 3 , wherein the articulating member is pivotally mounted to an inlet path of the feeding mechanism at one end and a portion of the play set at another end. 
     
     
         5 . The play set as in  claim 1 , wherein the planar surface and the return chute are inclined. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The play set as in  claim 4 , wherein the planar surface and the return chute are inclined. 
     
     
         9 . The play set as in  claim 1 , wherein the return chute has an access opening configured to allow objects to be inserted therein. 
     
     
         10 . The play set as in  claim 1 , wherein the objects are toy vehicles. 
     
     
         11 . The play set as in  claim 1 , further comprising: an upper level elevated from the planar surface; and a deployable ramp configured to provide a path from the planar surface to the upper level. 
     
     
         12 . The play set as in  claim 11 , wherein the articulating member is pivotally mounted to an inlet path of the feeding mechanism at one end and a portion of the play set at another end and wherein the feeding mechanism further comprises: an input path; an output path; an accelerating mechanism configured to receive an object from the input path and propel the object through the output path; an advancing member configured to receive an object from the input path and move it towards the accelerating mechanism; and a trigger for actuating the advancing member. 
     
     
         13 . The play set as in  claim 12 , wherein the advancing member is a paddle rotatably mounted to the feeding mechanism. 
     
     
         14 . A feeding mechanism for a play set, comprising:
 an input path;   an output path;   an accelerating mechanism configured to receive an object from the input path and propel the object through the output path;   an advancing member configured to receive an object from the input path and move it towards the accelerating mechanism; and   a trigger for actuating the advancing member.   
     
     
         15 . The feeding mechanism as in  claim 13 , wherein the accelerating mechanism is a booster having at least one wheel rotated by a motor. 
     
     
         16 . The feeding mechanism as in  claim 14 , wherein the object is a toy vehicle. 
     
     
         17 . The feeding mechanism as in  claim 14 , wherein actuation of the trigger couples the advancing mechanism to the motor. 
     
     
         18 . The feeding mechanism as in  claim 14 , wherein the advancing mechanism is a paddle rotatably mounted to the feeding mechanism. 
     
     
         19 . A system, comprising:
 a track circuit, having a planar surface, a launching mechanism for launching a plurality of objects onto the planar surface and a return chute configured for receiving the plurality of objects from the planar surface and directing the received plurality of objects into the launching mechanism;   a plurality of targets located proximate to the planar surface;   a controller for randomly illuminating the plurality of targets and operatively coupled to the plurality of targets to determine whether one of the plurality of targets has been hit by one of the plurality of objects; and   a feeding mechanism being configured to feed objects received from the return chute into the launching mechanism, wherein the launching mechanism is pivotally mounted to the track circuit.   
     
     
         20 . A method of playing a game, comprising:
 launching a plurality of objects from a feeding mechanism at a plurality of targets located proximate to an end of a planar surface;   returning the plurality of objects to an input end of the feeding mechanism after they have been launched at the plurality of targets; and   selectively advancing one of the plurality of objects to an accelerating mechanism of the feeding mechanism after it has been received at the input end by actuating a trigger.   
     
     
         21 . The method as in  claim 20 , further comprising the steps of:
 randomly illuminating at least one of a plurality of targets; and   determining if one of the plurality of targets was hit by one of the plurality of objects when it was illuminated.   
     
     
         22 . The method as in  claim 20 , further comprising the steps of:
 recording a score if one of the plurality of targets was hit by one of the plurality of objects when it was illuminated; and   recording a final score of hit targets after a predetermined period of time.