Toy construction set
A toy construction set includes an elongated path segment having side surfaces and an upper surface extending between the side surfaces and an elevated path segment support having two spaced-apart legs with inner surfaces facing each other. A shelf extends from the inner surfaces, and the legs define a space of sufficient width above the shelf to receive the elongated path segment. The shelf is configured to support the received elongated path segment in a locally elevated position with the elevated path segment support standing on its legs on a horizontal support surface ( 128 ).
1 . A toy construction set comprising:
an elongated path segment having side surfaces and an upper surface extending between the side surfaces, the elongated path segment having orthogonal overall dimensions of length, width and thickness, with the length being greater than the width, which is greater than the thickness, the width being a distance between the side surfaces;
an elevated path segment support having two spaced-apart legs with inner surfaces facing each other, and a shelf extending from the inner surfaces, the legs defining a space therebetween of sufficient width above the shelf to receive the elongated path segment therein, the shelf being configured to support the received elongated path segment in a locally elevated position with the elevated path segment support standing on its legs on a horizontal support surface,
wherein the elevated path segment support further comprises a ridge extending outwardly from the inner surface of each leg in a region of each leg below the shelf; and
a second elevated path segment support, wherein the elevated path segment support is a first elevated path segment support, and wherein the ridge of the first elevated path segment support is configured to connect with a groove of the second elevated path segment support such that the first elevated path segment support is stackable with the second elevated path segment support,
wherein each leg of the elevated path segment support has an outer surface that is concave,
wherein the outer surface of each leg defines a groove,
and
wherein the inner surfaces of the legs are convex in a region of each leg above the shelf, and
wherein the inner surfaces of the legs are arranged with respect to the width of the elongated path segment such that rotating the elevated path segment support with respect to the elongated path segment with the elongated path segment received between the inner surfaces of the legs will cause the inner surfaces of the legs to bear against the side surfaces of the elongated path segment to brace the elongated path segment against the elevated path segment support within 30 degrees of elevated path segment support rotation from an orientation perpendicular to the elongated path segment.
2 . The toy construction set of claim 1 , wherein the elevated path segment support has a handle connecting the legs.
3 . The toy construction set of claim 2 , wherein the handle has a rounded, inverted U-shape.
4 . The toy construction set of claim 1 , wherein the elevated path segment support further comprises a wing extending outwardly from the inner surface of each leg in the region of each leg above the shelf.
5 . The toy construction set of claim 1 , further comprising a winding path segment configured to releasably couple to the elongated path segment via a connector.
6 . The toy construction set of claim 5 , further comprising one or more container attachments having a base defining an opening therethrough, the one or more container attachments configured to releasably couple to an end of the elongated path segment or an end of the winding path segment.
7 . The toy construction set of claim 5 , further comprising a curved path attachment configured to releasably couple to an end of the elongated path segment or an end of the winding path segment.
8 . The toy construction set of claim 1 , further comprising a toy configured to contact and travel on the upper surface of the elongated path segment.
9 . The toy construction set of claim 8 , wherein the toy is one or more of a ball, a marble, a toy vehicle, a disk, a toy wheel, or a ring.
10 . A method of assembling a toy construction set, the method comprising:
stacking a first elevated path segment support onto a second elevated path segment support, each of the first and second elevated path segment supports having two spaced-apart legs with inner surfaces facing each other, and a shelf extending from the inner surfaces, wherein the stacking comprises connecting two first grooves, each of the grooves defined by an outer surface of each leg of the first elevated path segment support, to two second ridges extending outwardly from the inner surface of each leg of the second elevated path segment support;
inserting an elongated path segment above the shelf of the first or second elevated path segment supports, in a space of sufficient width defined between the legs such that a portion of the elongated path segment rests on the shelf; and
rotating the first or second elevated path segment support that is supporting the elongated path segment with respect to the elongated path segment, thereby securing the elongated path segment.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the elongated path segment has side surfaces and an upper surface extending between the side surfaces.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the elongated path segment has orthogonal overall dimensions of length, width and thickness, with the length being greater than the width, which is greater than the thickness, the width being a distance between the side surfaces.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein securing the elongated path segment comprises receiving the elongated path segment between the inner surfaces of the legs, thereby causing the inner surfaces of the legs to bear against the side surfaces of the elongated path segment to brace the elongated path segment against the elevated path segment support.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the elongated path segment braces the elongated path segment against the elevated path segment support within 30 degrees of elevated path segment support rotation from an orientation perpendicular to the elevated path segment support.
15 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the second ridges extending outwardly from the inner surface of each leg in a region of each leg below the shelf.
16 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising releasably coupling one or more of a winding path segment, a container attachment, or a curved path attachment to an end of the elongated path segment.