FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to building toys, and more specifically, kits for designing and building marble run tracks.

BACKGROUND

Marble run toys known in the art have interconnecting track sections that may be arranged by a user in any of a plurality of designs. Once constructed, the track can define a downhill track through the various sections or modules. The interchangeable nature of the various module designs allow for the construction of many different marble run layouts.

FIG. 1shows an exemplary marble run layout10formed of a plurality of interconnecting modules11A,11B,11C,11D,11E,11F and18. The modules may take many forms, such as modules11A,11B and11C, which include channels12that laterally direct a marble from a vertical receiving tube14to an exit tube16. The channels12may define circuitous routes, such as those modules11B and11C. Other modules comprise vertical tubes18that can be used as part of the track, or merely as vertical support structures for other modules. Still other modules11D can include a wide platform20with spikes22to direct the ball in an unpredictable path from the vertical receiving tube24and the exit tube26. Other modules11E can include a bowl structure. Modules having additional or alternative features are also known.

In popular marble run kits, the vertical receiving tube14of each module is generally designed to directly physically connect to an exit tube16of an upstream module, thus allowing the marble to transition downstream from module to module. InFIG. 1, most of the receiving tubes14are disposed within part of the exit tube16of an upstream module, and therefore is not in view. The modules may have other tubes or structures28under the vertical receiving tube14to allow that portion of the module to be supported from below, for example, by vertical tube modules18. Similarly, the modules may have a bypass tube30disposed vertically above the exit tube16that may provide support as well as an alternative marble input.

Like many construction toys, the marble run kits currently available allow for creative play by enabling the user to construct the marble run (or multiple runs) in a multitude of configurations. Unlike many construction toys, however, the marble run kits have the added advantage providing an animated feedback of the player's design via movement of the marble. Accordingly, marble run kits have enjoyed pervasive success.

It would be advantageous to create a toy kit that builds on the advantages of the marble run kits while preserving the appealing aspects of the original design.

SUMMARY

At least one embodiment described herein contemplates a marble run kit wherein one or more marble run modules have controllable actuators that can alter the course of a marble within the run. Such an embodiment allows for the user not only to design the marble run, but affect its operation. In some embodiments, the control is remote, for example, using wireless infrared or Bluetooth transmission.

A first embodiment of the invention is a method of operating a marble run includes providing first input through a user interface to a wireless device. The method further includes using the wireless device to transmit a first wireless control signal to a wireless receiver disposed on a marble run responsive at least in part to receiving the first input. The marble run includes a plurality of physically interconnectable marble run modules, each module configured to retain a marble and guide the travel of the marble through the module on at least a first surface. The plurality of marble run modules includes at least a first controllable module. The method further includes using the first controllable module to alter a travel path of a marble through the first controllable module responsive to the wireless receiver receiving the first wireless control signal.

The above-described features and advantages, as well as others, will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

