Marble track piece with multipiece release gate

Abstract

A multi-lane release gate marble run module is for use with interconnectable marble run modules. The release gate marble run module includes marble travel tracks, at least one frame, and a gate arm. Each marble track includes a concave travel surface and an exit tube, the exit tube connectable to another marble run module. The marble travel tracks include travel surfaces. The gate arm is rotatably coupled to the at least one frame, and includes a first gate and a second gate at a first end thereof. The gate arm is rotatable from a first gate position in which the first gate and the second gate block marble travel in respective tracks, and a second gate position in which the first gate and second gate allow marble travel in the respective tracks.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A multi-lane release gate marble run module for use with a plurality of physically interconnectable marble run modules, each of the interconnectable marble run modules configured to retain a marble and guide the travel of the marble on at least a first surface, the release gate marble run module comprising:
 a plurality of marble travel tracks, each of the plurality of marble tracks including a concave travel surface and an exit tube, the exit tube configured to directly physically connect to a vertical receiving tube of one of the plurality of interconnectable marble run modules, the plurality of marble travel tracks including at least a first marble track and a second travel track;   at least one frame coupled to at least one of the plurality the marble travel tracks;   a gate arm rotatably coupled to the at least one frame, the gate arm including a first gate and a second gate at a first end thereof, and wherein the gate arm is rotatable from a first gate position in which the first gate blocks marble travel in the first marble track, and the second gate blocks marble travel in the second marble track, and a second gate position in which the first gate allows the marble travel in the first marble track, and the second gate allows the marble travel in the second marble track.   
     
     
         2 . The release gate marble run module of  claim 1 , wherein the first marble track, the second marble track and the frame are rigidly coupled to each other. 
     
     
         3 . The release gate marble run module of  claim 2 , wherein the first marble track, the second marble track and the frame are integrally formed of the same material. 
     
     
         4 . The release gate marble run module of  claim 1 , wherein each exit tube is further configured to connect to a vertical receiving tube or an exit tube of a further one of the plurality of interconnectable marble run modules while connected to the vertical receiving tube of the one of the plurality of interconnectable marble run modules. 
     
     
         5 . The release gate marble run module of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one frame comprises a first hub spaced apart from a second hub, and wherein the gate arm includes a first connector rotatably connected to the first hub, and a second connector rotatably connected to the second hub. 
     
     
         6 . The release gate marble run module of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the first hub is connected to a first side of the concave travel path of the first marble track;   the second hub is connected to a first side of the concave travel path of the second marble track;   a second side of the concave travel path of the first marble track and a second side of the concave travel path are disposed between the first side of the concave travel path of the first marble track and the first side of the concave travel path of the second marble track.   
     
     
         7 . The release gate marble run module of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the concave travel path of the first marble track is coupled to a first exit tube at a first marble position;   the concave travel path of the second marble track is coupled to a second exit tube at a second marble position;   the first hub is connected to the concave travel path of the first marble track at a third marble position;   the second hub is connected to the concave travel path of the second marble track at a fourth marble position;   the first gate in the first gate position is disposed between the first marble position and the third marble position, and the second gate in the first gate position is disposed between the second marble position and the fourth marble position.   
     
     
         8 . The release gate marble run module of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the concave travel path of the first marble track has a fifth marble position that is further from the first marble position than the third marble position; and   the concave travel path of the second marble track has a sixth marble position that is further from the second marble position than the fourth marble position.   
     
     
         9 . The release gate marble run module of  claim 8 , wherein:
 a first distance between the first marble position and the second marble position is greater than a second distance between the third marble position and the fourth marble position.   
     
     
         10 . The release gate marble run module of  claim 9 , wherein:
 a third distance between the fifth marble position and the sixth marble position is greater than a second distance between the third marble position and the fourth marble position.   
     
     
         11 . The release gate marble run module of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the third marble position and the first marble position have a marble travel distance therebetween, and the fourth marble position and the second marble position have a same marble travel distance.   
     
     
         12 . The release gate marble run module of  claim 10 , herein the first marble track further comprises a vertical receiving tube disposed proximate to the fifth marble position and configured to be connected to an exit tube of another one of the plurality of interconnectable marble run modules. 
     
     
         13 . The release gate marble run module of  claim 8 , herein the first marble track further comprises a vertical receiving tube disposed proximate to the fifth marble position and configured to be connected to an exit tube of another one of the plurality of interconnectable marble run modules. 
     
     
         14 . The release gate marble run module of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the third marble position and the first marble position have a marble travel distance therebetween, and the fourth marble position and the second marble position have a same marble travel distance.