Stunt device for toy vehicle trackset

Abstract

A spiral stunt device includes a supporting frame having an upper cross member which in turn defines a helical thread. A traveler engages the helical thread of the upper support and further supports a pendulum segment. The pendulum segment extends downwardly and terminates in a toy vehicle receiver or “caddy”. A first track segment is directed toward one side of the spiral stunt device which a second track segment is directed toward an offset portion of the stunt device. As a toy vehicle enters the stunt device with substantial energy, it is captivated by the toy vehicle receiver. As the energy of the captivated toy vehicle is transferred to the receiver and its pendulum support, the receiver together with the toy vehicle and the pendulum support are caused to rotate about the horizontal member advancing the traveler on the helical threads. The resulting lateral movement of the traveler upon the helical thread aligns the toy vehicle receiver with the offset track segment. Thereafter, the toy vehicle departs the receiver and travels down the offset track segment.

1 . A spiral stunt device for use in combination with a toy vehicle and a toy vehicle trackset, said spiral stunt device comprising: 
 an entry ramp for receiving a moving toy vehicle;    an exit ramp;    a support structure;    a pendulum pivotally supported by said support structure; and    a toy vehicle caddy secured to and carried by said pendulum, said toy vehicle caddy having means for receiving and carrying a toy vehicle,    said pendulum absorbing the kinetic energy of a moving toy vehicle as it moves from said entrance ramp to said toy vehicle caddy and in response thereto rotating about said support structure to align said toy vehicle caddy with said exit ramp and transfer said toy vehicle onto said exit ramp.    
   
   
       2 . The spiral stunt device set forth in  claim 1  wherein said entrance ramp and said exit ramp are offset a predetermined distance and wherein said pendulum moves said distance as it revolves about said support structure.  
   
   
       3 . The spiral stunt device set forth in  claim 2  wherein said pendulum and said support structure includes a spiral mechanism operative to advance said pendulum along said support structure said distance upon one or more revolutions of said pendulum.  
   
   
       4 . The spiral stunt device set forth in  claim 3  wherein said toy vehicle caddy includes a trigger release operative to restrain a toy vehicle landing on said toy vehicle caddy and to release a restrained toy vehicle when said toy vehicle caddy impacts said exit ramp.  
   
   
       5 . The spiral stunt device set forth in  claim 4  wherein said entry ramp and said exit ramp are secured to said support structure.