RAMP FOR A TOY VEHICLE

• US 20110021110A1
• Filed: 07/23/2010
• Published: 01/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Inventors: Moran, Steven, Hippely, Keith
• Application Number:
  US12/842,749
• Publication Number:
  US 20110021110A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 446/444
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 18/021 Flexible tracks; Fluid-pressure-actuated tracks
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 18/028 Looping; Jumping; Tilt-track sections

Abstract

A ramp for toy vehicles is provided comprising a base including a plurality of interaction sites and a ramp member joined to the base. The ramp member may include a flexible first driving surface. The ramp may further include a first support arm attached to the ramp member, the first support arm having a tip that is positionable at one of the plurality of interaction sites.

Claims

1. A ramp for a toy vehicle, comprising:

a base including a plurality of interaction sites;

a ramp member joined to the base, the ramp member including a flexible first driving surface; and

a first support arm attached to the ramp member, the first support arm having a tip that is positionable at one of the plurality of interaction sites.

2. The ramp of claim 1, wherein the plurality of interaction sites includes at least two interaction sites along a length of the base.

3. The ramp of claim 1, wherein the plurality of interaction sites includes at least two interaction sites along a width of the base.

4. The ramp of claim 1, wherein first support arm is attached to the ramp member such that the tip is approximately centered between a first side edge and a second side edge of the first driving surface.

5. The ramp of claim 4, wherein the first support arm has a width that spans the majority of the flexible first driving surface between the first side edge and the second side edge.

6. The ramp of claim 5, wherein the first support arm has a triangular shape.

7. The ramp of claim 1, wherein the plurality of interaction sites are defined by a plurality of circular depressions on a top surface of the base and the tip includes a ball.

8. The ramp of claim 1, wherein the ramp member includes a support seat spanning a width of the first driving surface and the first support arm is hingedly attached to the support seat.

9. The ramp of claim 1, wherein the ramp member includes a second driving surface attached to an upper end of the first driving surface.

10. The ramp of claim 9, wherein the ramp member includes a substantially rigid extension extending from the upper end of the first driving surface, the rigid extension including a plurality of interaction sites, and a second support arm hingedly attached to the second driving surface, the second support arm having a tip that is positionable at one of the plurality of interaction sites.

11. The ramp of claim 1, wherein the base, the first support arm and the ramp member are collapsible into a substantially planar configuration.

12. A ramp for a toy vehicle, comprising:

a base;

a ramp member joined to the base, the ramp member including a flexible driving surface having a first side edge and a second side edge; and

a support arm joined to the ramp member, the support arm having a distal free end that is centered between the first and second side edges of the driving surface;

wherein the free end is positionable on the base such that the degree of curvature of the first side edge is different than the degree of curvature of the second side edge.

13. The ramp of claim 12, wherein the base includes a top surface defining a plurality of interaction sites upon which the free end is positionable.

14. The ramp of claim 12, wherein the support arm has a width that spans the majority of the flexible driving surface between the first side edge and the second side edge.

15. The ramp of claim 12, wherein the base, the support arm and the ramp member are collapsible into a substantially planar configuration.

16. A ramp for a toy vehicle, comprising:

a base including a top surface defining a plurality of depressions;

a flexible sheet joined to the base, the flexible sheet having a first side edge and a second side edge;

a support seat attached to the sheet to operatively support the first and second side edge; and

a support arm hingedly attached to the support seat, the support arm having a narrow distal tip;

wherein the tip is positionable in any one of the plurality of depressions such that at least one of the degree of curvature and the degree of torsion of the flexible sheet is variable.

17. The ramp of claim 16, wherein the plurality of depressions includes one or more apertures in the base.

18. The ramp of claim 16, wherein the tip includes a ball.

19. The ramp of claim 16, wherein the distal tip extends from the center of the sheet between a first sheet side edge and a second sheet side edge.

20. The ramp of claim 16, wherein the base, the sheet, the support seat and the support arm are collapsible into a substantially planar configuration.