Toy roller coaster assembly

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention provides a toy roller coaster assembly having magnetically attachable track sections and an integrated audiovisual system. The assembly can include a magnetic lift, a magnetic bridge, and a magnetic U-turn. A controller can control the frequency by which a magnetic lift delivers balls to an uppermost track section and can produce audio and/or visual effects in response to signals from sensors that detect passing balls. Joint members of the assembly can magnetically connect the track sections to each other and to a plurality of vertical supports, to provide a variety of configurations. The controller can generate voice and music samples, sound effects, graphic displays, animation sequences, and video clips in conjunction with the motion of the balls through the circuit of the roller coaster assembly.

1 . A toy roller coaster assembly comprising: 
 a ball;    a plurality of track sections including an upper track section and a lower track section; and    a lift track assembly comprising 
 a lower end proximate the lower track section,  
 an upper end proximate the upper track section, and  
 a rotating belt configured to magnetically carry the ball from the lower track section to the upper track section.  
   
   
   
       2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the ball is ferromagnetic, wherein the belt contains a plurality of magnets longitudinally spaced apart along the belt, and wherein a magnet of the magnets carries the ball.  
   
   
       3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the lift track assembly further comprises a housing cover over the belt, wherein the magnet holds the ball to the cover and the ball rolls over the cover and up the lift track assembly.  
   
   
       4 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the lift track assembly further comprises at least one pulley around which the belt rotates, wherein the at least one pulley defines a recess in its outer surface over which the belt travels, wherein the belt has an interior face and an exterior face, wherein the plurality of magnets is disposed on the interior face of the belt, and wherein the magnets pass through the recess as the belt passes over the at least one pulley.  
   
   
       5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the lift track assembly comprises a straight vertical member standing on a horizontal surface, and wherein the lift track assembly carries the ball in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal surface.  
   
   
       6 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the ball is one of ferromagnetic and magnetic, 
 wherein the assembly further comprises a ball spacer pivotably connected to the lower track section,    wherein the ball spacer has a projecting member that is biased to remain removed from the ball path of the lower track section in a first pivot position and is adapted to project into the ball path of the lower track section in a second pivot position, and    wherein the ball spacer contains a magnet that pivots the ball spacer to the second pivot position when the ball passes the ball spacer, such that the projecting member is in the ball path between the ball and a successive ball.    
   
   
       7 . The assembly of  claim 6 , further comprising an arch connected over the lower track section, the arch adapted to contact and slow the ball traveling on the lower track section before the ball reaches the ball spacer.  
   
   
       8 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each track section of the plurality of track sections comprises a pair of spaced apart rods and at least one magnet disposed at each end of the each track section, for joining the plurality of track sections.  
   
   
       9 . The assembly of  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 a vertical support;    a joint member adjustably attached to the vertical support, the joint member containing a magnet and having a first face and a second face opposite the first face,    wherein a first track section of the plurality of track sections magnetically adheres to the first face,    wherein a second track section of the plurality of track sections magnetically adheres to the second face,    wherein the magnet of the first track section, the magnet of the joint member, and the magnet of the second track section alternate in polarity.    
   
   
       10 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the joint member has a projection, and wherein the vertical support has a plurality of incremental projections on any of which the projection of the joint member can be placed to set an elevation of the joint member.  
   
   
       11 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the rods can be bent into different positions.  
   
   
       12 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a track section of the plurality of track sections comprises: 
 an entry track portion;    an exit track portion; and    a magnetic rod section suspended over and connecting the entry track section to the exit track portion,    wherein the ball is one of magnetic and ferromagnetic, and    wherein the ball rolls over the entry track portion, magnetically suspends from and rolls along the magnetic rod, and drops off of the magnetic rod and onto the exit track portion.    
   
   
       13 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the ball is one of magnetic and ferromagnetic, and wherein a track section of the plurality of track sections comprises: 
 an entry track portion;    an exit track portion longitudinally spaced apart a distance from the entry track portion;    a first bracket attached to the entry track portion;    a second bracket attached to the exit track portion; and    a magnetic rod having a first end connected to the first bracket and a second end connected to the second bracket, the rod suspended over and spanning the distance between the entry track portion and the exit track portion.    
   
   
       14 . The assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the entry and exit track portions each have an open end disposed under the rod, wherein the open end curves away from the rod.  
   
   
       15 . The assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the magnetic rod comprises a ferromagnetic rod in magnetic communication with a magnet disposed in at least one of a housing of the first bracket and a housing of the second bracket.  
   
   
       16 . The assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the entry track portion and the exit track portion each comprise a pair of spaced apart rods, and wherein the first and second brackets center the rod over the spaced apart rods, longitudinally in between the spaced apart rods.  
   
   
       17 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the ball is one of magnetic and ferromagnetic, and wherein a track section of the plurality of track sections comprises: 
 a U-shaped track section having an outer surface over which the ball rolls, the outer surface transitioning from a horizontal position, to a vertical position, and to an upside down horizontal position; and    a magnet disposed inside the U-shaped track section, wherein the magnet holds the ball to the outer surface in the vertical position such that the ball rolls around the U-shaped track and drops from the U-shaped track section to a lower track section of the plurality of track sections.    
   
   
       18 . The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the U-shaped track section comprises a pair of spaced apart U-shaped rods and a housing connecting the rods, wherein the magnet is disposed inside the housing.  
   
   
       19 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a plurality of balls;    a sensor proximate to a track section of the plurality of track sections, wherein the sensor detects passage of a ball of the plurality of balls and sends a signal; and    a controller in communication with the sensor, wherein the controller receives the signal and, in response, produces one of an audio effect and a visual effect.    
   
   
       20 . The assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the controller controls the speed at which the belt rotates.  
   
   
       21 . The assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the controller is adapted to receive and play digital media content from an external source.  
   
   
       22 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a trampoline track section of the plurality of track sections comprises an entry track portion and exit track portion connected by a trampoline portion, wherein the trampoline track section is configured such that the ball rolls over the entry track portion, drops off of the entry track portion, bounces on the trampoline portion, lands on the exit track portion, and continues on rolling on the exit track section.  
   
   
       23 . A toy roller coaster assembly comprising: 
 a ferromagnetic ball;    a plurality of track sections including a lowermost track section and an uppermost track section;    a lift track assembly having a bottom end proximate the lowermost track section and a top end proximate the uppermost track section, the lift track assembly comprising 
 at least one pulley,  
 a magnetic belt rotating around the at least one pulley,  
 a housing cover covering the belt,  
 wherein the magnetic belt attracts the ball, holds the ball against the cover, and pulls the ball up along the cover such that the ball rolls along the cover from the lowermost track section to the uppermost track section;  
   a vertical support; and    a joint member adjustably attached to the vertical support, the joint member having a first face and a second face and a first magnet disposed between the first face and the second face,    wherein a first track section of the plurality of track sections comprises a pair of spaced apart rods having a second magnet at an end of the first track section,    wherein a second track section of the plurality of track sections comprises a pair of spaced apart rods having a third magnet at an end of the second track section,    wherein the first magnet and the second magnet hold the first track section to the first face of the joint member,    wherein the first magnet and the third magnet hold the second track section to the second face of the joint member,    wherein the second magnet, the first magnet, and the third magnet alternate in polarity, and    wherein the first track section, the joint member, and the second track section provide continuous surfaces over which the ball rolls.    
   
   
       24 . A toy roller coaster assembly comprising: 
 a plurality of ferromagnetic balls;    a plurality of track sections including a lowermost track section and an uppermost track section;    a lift track assembly having a bottom end proximate the lowermost track section and a top end proximate the uppermost track section, the lift track assembly comprising 
 at least one pulley,  
 a magnetic belt that magnetically carries the balls from the lowermost track section to the uppermost track section;  
   a first sensor that detects passage of a ball at a first location on the toy roller coaster assembly and, in response, sends a first signal;    a second sensor that detects passage of a ball at a second location on the toy roller coaster assembly and, in response, sends a second signal;    a controller in communication with the lift track assembly, the first sensor, and the second sensor, 
 wherein the controller comprises an output device, wherein the output device provides one of audio output and visual output,  
 wherein the controller controls the speed of the belt,  
 wherein, in response to the first signal, the controller generates a first effect, wherein the first effect is one of an audio effect and a visual effect, and  
 wherein, in response to the second signal, the controller generates a second effect different from the first effect, wherein the second effect is one of an audio effect and a visual effect.