Toy object and slot track system

Abstract

A toy object and slot track system includes a plurality of track segments each having a retaining slot provided thereon and defining a slotted track surface. The track segments include straight, curved and twisted track segments connectable to form straight and curved tracks with slotted track surfaces facing upwards and/or downwards and twisted tracks, and concave/convex track segments connectable to form loop-shaped tracks with concave/convex slotted track surfaces facing inwards and/or outwards. The system includes at least one toy object having first and second protruding pins for slidable engagement along the retaining slot. At least one of the first and second protruding pins has a free end portion retainable within the retaining slot such that the toy object can move along the tracks without falling off under gravitational pulling force.

1 . A toy object and slot track system comprising: 
 (a) a plurality of track segments each having a retaining or non-retaining slot provided thereon and defining a slotted track surface;    (b) said plurality of track segments comprising straight and curved track segments connectable to form straight and curved tracks with slotted track surfaces facing upwards and/or downwards, and concave/convex track segments connectable to form at least one loop-shaped track with concave/convex slotted track surfaces facing inwards and/or outwards; and    (c) at least one toy object having first and second protruding pins receivable in and slidable along said retaining or non-retaining slot, at least one of said first and second protruding pins having a free end portion retainable within said retaining slot.    
   
   
       2 . A toy object and slot track system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said at least one loop-shaped track is a spiral track, barrel-shaped track, figure-8 shaped track, U-shaped track, or route-reversing loop track.  
   
   
       3 . A toy object and slot track system as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a route diverging/converging track segment.  
   
   
       4 . A toy object and slot track system as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a track segment with a twisted track surface.  
   
   
       5 . A toy object and slot track system as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising an upwardly or downwardly inclining U-shaped track.  
   
   
       6 . A toy object and slot track system as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising track segments arranged in a back-to-back relationship with slotted track surfaces facing opposite directions.  
   
   
       7 . A toy object and slot track system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each track segment has two continuous retaining slots provided on one surface thereof.  
   
   
       8 . A toy object and slot track system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each track segment has at least one continuous retaining slot provided on one surface thereof, and at least one continuous retaining slot provided on the other surface thereof opposite to said one surface.  
   
   
       9 . A toy object and slot track system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said toy object further comprises a motor and a magnet operatively coupled to a pair of conductive rails extending along said retaining slot.  
   
   
       10 . A toy object and slot track system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said first and second protruding pins extend from an underside of said toy object.  
   
   
       11 . A toy object and slot track system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said first and second protruding pins extend from lateral sides of said toy object respectively.  
   
   
       12 . A toy object and slot track system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each of said first and second protruding pins has a free end portion retainable within said retaining slot.  
   
   
       13 . A toy object and slot track system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said retaining slot and said free end portion are generally T-shaped.  
   
   
       14 . A toy object and route-reversing track system comprising: 
 (a) a first track segment having a first retaining slot provided on an upper surface thereof and a second retaining slot provided on a lower surface thereof,    (b) a second track segment having a third retaining slot provided on a concave surface thereof, said second track segment being pivotable between a first position where one end of said third retaining slot is in registration with said first retaining slot and a second position where the other end of said third retaining slot is in registration with said second retaining slot; and    (c) a toy object having first and second protruding pins receivable in and slidable along said first, second, and third retaining slots, at least one of said first and second protruding pins having a free end portion retainable within said first, second, and third retaining slots.    
   
   
       15 . A toy object and route-reversing track system as claimed in  claim 14  further comprising a weight for biasing said second pivotable track segment in said first position.  
   
   
       16 . A toy object and route-reversing track system as claimed in  claim 15  wherein said weight takes the form of a container containing a plurality of objects adapted for weight adjustment.  
   
   
       17 . A toy object and route-reversing track system as claimed in  claim 14  further comprising a funnel-shaped slot provided at said one end of said third retaining slot, a pair of electrical contacts provided at said other end of said third retaining slot, and a pair of conductive rails electrically coupled to said pair of electrical contacts and extending along said third retaining slot except for said funnel-shaped slot, wherein said pair of electrical contacts is electrically coupled to a pair of conductive rails provided along said first retaining slot when said second track segment is in said second position.  
   
   
       18 . A toy object and route-reversing track system as claimed in  claim 14  wherein each of said first and second protruding pins has a free end portion retainable within said retaining slots.  
   
   
       19 . A toy object and route-reversing track system as claimed in  claim 14  wherein said retaining slot and said free end portion are generally T-shaped.  
   
   
       20 . A toy object and route-reversing track system as claimed in  claim 14  wherein said first track segment is supported at a distance above a floor by means of a stand, and said second track segment is pivotable about a pivot pin coupled to said stand.  
   
   
       21 . A toy object and route-reversing track system comprising: 
 (a) a first track segment having a first retaining slot provided on a surface facing upward;    (b) a second track segment having a second retaining slot provided on a surface facing downward, said first and second track segments being connected together;    (c) a third track segment having a third retaining slot provided on a concave surface thereof, said third track segment being pivotable between a first position where one end of said third retaining slot is in registration with said first retaining slot and a second position where the other end of said third retaining slot is in registration with said second retaining slot; and    (d) a toy object having first and second protruding pins receivable in and slidable along said first, second, and third retaining slots, at least one of said first and second protruding pins having a free end portion retainable within said first, second, and third retaining slots.    
   
   
       22 . A slot track system for a toy object comprising: a plurality of track segments each having a retaining or non-retaining slot provided thereon and defining a slotted track surface; said plurality of track segments comprising straight and curved track segments connectable to form straight and curved tracks with slotted track surfaces facing upwards and/or downwards, and concave/convex track segments connectable to form at least one loop-shaped track with concave/convex slotted track surfaces facing inwards and/or outwards; and said plurality of track segments being configured to allow at least one toy object moving along said straight and curved tracks and said at least one loop-shaped track.  
   
   
       23 . A slot track system of  claim 22 , wherein said at least one loop-shaped track is a spiral track, barrel-shaped track, figure-8 shaped track, U-shaped track, or route-reversing loop track.  
   
   
       24 . A slot track system of  claim 22 , further comprising a route diverging/converging track segment.  
   
   
       25 . A slot track system of  claim 22 , further comprising a track segment with a twisted track surface.  
   
   
       26 . A slot track system of  claim 22 , further comprising an upwardly or downwardly inclining U-shaped track.  
   
   
       27 . A slot track system of  claim 22 , further comprising track segments arranged in a back-to-back relationship with slotted track surfaces facing opposite directions.