Rolling ball toy set

Abstract

A rolling ball toy set is disclosed. The toy set includes two or more segments. Each segment defines a channel that extends from a first end thereof to a second end thereof that allows a marble to be rolled therein. The segment includes a first connection means at the first end and a second connection means at the second end. The first connection means of the segment is releasably pivotably couplable to the second connection means of another segment to form a track.

1 . A rolling ball toy set comprising:
 a plurality of segments, each segment defining a channel extending from a first end thereof to a second end thereof for rolling a marble therein, the segment comprising:
 a first connection means at the first end; and 
 a second connection means at the second end; 
   wherein the first connection means of the segment is releasably pivotably couplable to the second connection means of another segment to form a track.   
     
     
         2 . The rolling ball toy set according to  claim 1 , wherein the first connection means comprises a clip and the second connection means comprises a rod to which the clip is releasably couplable and pivotable thereabout. 
     
     
         3 . The rolling ball toy set according to  claim 2 , wherein the rod comprises a curved rod and the clip is further slidable therealong. 
     
     
         4 . The rolling ball toy set according to  claim 3 , wherein each segment further includes a shoulder portion at the first end thereof adjacent the clip that engages the rod to limit an angle by which the segment is pivotable about the another segment. 
     
     
         5 . The rolling ball toy set according to  claim 4 , wherein the angle is in a range of 10-30 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . The rolling ball toy set according to  claim 1 , wherein one of the plurality of segments further comprises an attachment means for attaching the segment to a surface. 
     
     
         7 . The rolling ball toy set according to  claim 6 , wherein the attachment means comprises a magnet and the rolling ball toy set further comprises a magnetic board having the surface to which the magnet is attachable. 
     
     
         8 . The rolling ball toy set according to  claim 7 , wherein the magnet is one of insert molded into the segment, attached to the segment using an adhesive, and snap fitted to the segment. 
     
     
         9 . The rolling ball toy set according to  claim 1 , wherein the segment comprises two laterally extending sidewalls that define the channel therebetween, and wherein the channel has a generally V-shaped cross section. 
     
     
         10 . The rolling ball toy set according to  claim 9 , wherein the segment further comprises a base from which the two sidewalls extend. 
     
     
         11 . The rolling ball toy set according to  claim 10 , wherein each of the two sidewalls comprise a lower section proximal to the base and an upper section distal from the base, and the two lower sections subtend a first angle therebetween and the two upper sections curve inward toward the channel and subtend a second angle therebetween that is smaller than the first angle. 
     
     
         12 . The rolling ball toy set according to  claim 11 , wherein the lower section of each of the two sidewalls comprises a linear protrusion from an inner surface thereof that runs along a length of the sidewall. 
     
     
         13 . The rolling ball toy set according to  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the plurality of segments comprises an attachment means on an outside surface of one of the sidewalls for attaching the segment to a surface, wherein the outside surface is at least substantially perpendicular to the base. 
     
     
         14 . The rolling ball toy set according to  claim 13 , wherein the attachment means comprises a magnet and the rolling ball toy set further comprises a magnetic base board having the surface to which the magnet is attachable. 
     
     
         15 . The rolling ball toy set according to  claim 1 , further comprises a multiplier unit comprising:
 a first tubular section having an inlet and an outlet;   at least one second tubular section having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet of the second tubular section connected to the first tubular section,   a support at the inlet of the second tubular section for supporting a second marble placed thereon such that a first marble falling through the first tubular section will knock the second marble off the support to roll down the second tubular section.   
     
     
         16 . The rolling ball toy set according to  claim 1 , further comprises an alternator unit comprising:
 an inlet;   a back wall;   a front wall pivotably coupled to and spaced apart from the back wall to define a space therebetween; and   a dividing wall projecting from the front wall into the space that divides the space into a first channel and a second channel;   wherein one of the first channel and the second channel faces the inlet to receive a marble and allow the marble to fall therethrough to thereby tilt the front wall to align the other of the first channel and the second channel with the inlet.   
     
     
         17 . The rolling ball toy set according to  claim 1 , further comprises a mouth unit comprising:
 a bottom half;   a top half pivotably coupled to the bottom half;   a controller configured to:
 tilt the top half away from the bottom half to define an opening therebetween for receiving a marble; and 
 tilt the top half back towards the bottom half to rest thereon after detecting the marble is received in the opening. 
   
     
     
         18 . The rolling ball toy set according to  claim 17 , wherein the bottom half includes an outlet through which the marble exits the mouth unit, and wherein the controller is further configured to tilt the top half away from the bottom half again after tilting the top half back towards the bottom half for receiving another marble. 
     
     
         19 . The rolling ball toy set according to  claim 1 , further comprises a transfer unit comprising:
 a support;   an arm pivotably coupled to the support;   a rocker pivotably coupled to a free end of the arm; the rocker having a marble receiving portion;   a protrusion protruding from the support; and   a controller configured to:
 tilt the arm away from protrusion for the rocker to receive and retain a marble in the marble receiving portion; and 
 tilt the arm towards the protrusion after detecting the marble is received in the marble receiving portion for the protrusion to tilt the rocker to roll the marble out of the marble receiving portion.