Title: Toy-vehicle track section
Abstract: A two sided reversible toy-vehicle track section for guiding a toy-vehicle. A plurality of substantially identical track sections having a single groove pattern on both sides are connectable in various ways to form straight tracks, right-hand directed tracks, and left-hand directed tracks. The track sections are preferably fabricated of wood.
Patent Number: 6,935,574 Issued on 08/30/2005 to Cheng
| Inventors:
|
Cheng; Chor Kit (New Territories, HK)
|
| Assignee:
|
Turbo Tec Company Limited (Kowloon, HK)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
704589 |
| Filed:
|
November 12, 2003 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
238/10B; 238/10; 238/10 |
| Intern'l Class: |
E01B 023/00 |
| Field of Search: |
238/10 R,10.A,10.B,10.C,10.E,10.F
|
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
| 1800956 | Apr., 1931 | Peterson, Jr.
| |
| 3025626 | Mar., 1962 | Schumacher.
| |
| 3414194 | Dec., 1968 | Seitzinger et al.
| |
| 3579904 | May., 1971 | Genin.
| |
| 3690031 | Sep., 1972 | Shinoda.
| |
| 3750945 | Aug., 1973 | Warr.
| |
| 4346889 | Aug., 1982 | Barlow et al.
| |
| 4504243 | Mar., 1985 | Barlow et al.
| |
| 4544094 | Oct., 1985 | Scholey.
| |
| 4941611 | Jul., 1990 | Arsenault.
| |
| 4953786 | Sep., 1990 | Arsenault.
| |
| 5160091 | Nov., 1992 | Hesse.
| |
| 5454513 | Oct., 1995 | Wilson.
| |
| 5579997 | Dec., 1996 | Jackson et al.
| |
| 6382519 | May., 2002 | Choi.
| |
| 6398121 | Jun., 2002 | Morgan.
| |
| 6427926 | Aug., 2002 | Lai.
| |
| 6648237 | Nov., 2003 | Rothkopf et al.
| |
Primary Examiner: Le; Mark T.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Armstrong, Kratz, Quintos, Hanson & Brooks, LLP
Claims
1. A reversible track section for guiding a toy-vehicle, comprising
a body having a first face, a second face and a peripheral edge extending between
said faces,
a single track pattern formed on both the first face and the second face, and
a male connector and a complimentary female connector formed on said peripheral
edge, wherein
said reversible track section is configured such that when a set of track sections
consisting a plurality of reversible track sections, each of which is the same
as said reversible track section, is connected in selected arrangements, the set
of track sections by themselves defines a straight track, a right-hand directed
track, and a left-hand directed track, the directions of said tracks being in reference
to a direction of travel on the track from the male connector toward the female
connector of the each track section.
2. The track section of claim 1, wherein
the single track pattern is two linear grooves formed parallel to each other.
3. The track section of claim 2, wherein
the peripheral edge includes two side portions and two end portions, said side
portions being parallel to said two linear grooves.
4. The track section of claim 3, wherein
said male connector is formed in one end portion of the peripheral edge, and
said female connector is formed in the other end portion of the peripheral edge.
5. The track section of claim 1, wherein said male connector is of a tongue shape
or a dovetail shape.
6. The track section of claim 1, wherein a plurality of said track sections
when connected end-to-end so as to alternate in an upward facing first face to
an upward facing second face sequence, form a straight track;
when connected end-to-end so as to have all first faces facing upward, form a
right-hand directed track; and
when connected end-to-end so as to have all second faces facing upward, form
a left-hand directed track.
7. The track section of claim 1, wherein said body is fabricated from wood.
8. A reversible track section for guiding a toy-vehicle, comprising
a body having a first face, a second face and a peripheral edge extending between
said faces,
a single track pattern formed on both the first face and the second face, and
a male connector and a complimentary female connector formed on said peripheral
edge, wherein
said track section is configured such that a plurality of the same, when connected
in selected arrangements, form a straight track, a right-hand directed track, and
a left-hand directed track, the directions of said tracks being in reference to
a direction of travel on the track from the male connector toward the female connector
of the each track section;
the single track pattern is two linear grooves formed parallel to each other;
the peripheral edge includes two side portions and two end portions, said side
portions being parallel to said two linear grooves;
said male connector is formed in one end portion of the peripheral edge, and
said female connector is formed in an opposed other end portion of the peripheral
edge; and
said side portions and said end portions of the peripheral edge define an equilateral trapezoid.
9. A reversible track section for guiding a toy-vehicle, comprising
a body having a first face, a second face and a peripheral edge extending between
said faces, said peripheral edge defining an equilateral trapezoid,
a single track pattern formed of two parallel linear grooves on both the first
face and the second face, and
a male connector and a complimentary female connector formed on non-parallel
edges of said peripheral edge, wherein
said track section is configured such that a plurality of the same, when connected
in selected arrangements, form a straight track, a right-hand directed track, and
a left-hand directed track, the directions of said tracks being in reference to
a direction of travel on the track from the male connector toward the female connector
of the each track section.
10. A method of fabricating a reversible track section for guiding a toy-vehicle, comprising
providing a body having a first face, a second face and a peripheral edge extending
between said faces,
forming a single track pattern on both the first face and the second face, and
forming a male connector and a complimentary female connector on said peripheral edge,
configuring said reversible track section such that when a set of track sections
consisting a plurality of reversible track sections, each of which is the same
as said reversible track section, is connected in selected arrangements, the set
of track sections by themselves defines a straight track, a right-hand directed
track, and a left-hand directed track, the directions of said tracks being in reference
to a direction of travel on the track from the male connector toward the female
connector of the each track section.
11. The method of fabricating the track section of claim 10, wherein
the single track pattern is formed as two linear grooves formed parallel to each other.
12. The method of fabricating the track section of claim 11, wherein
the peripheral edge is formed to include two side portions and two end portions,
said side portions being parallel to said two linear grooves.
13. The method of fabricating the track section of claim 12, wherein
said male connector is formed in one end portion of the peripheral edge, and
said female connector is formed in the other end portion of the peripheral edge.
14. The method of fabricating the track section of claim 10, wherein said male
connector is formed as a tongue shape or a dovetail shape.
15. The method of fabricating the track section of claim 10, wherein a plurality
of said track sections
when connected end-to-end so as to alternate in an upward facing first face to
an upward facing second face sequence, form a straight track;
when connected end-to-end so as to have all first faces facing upward, form a
right-hand directed track; and
when connected end-to-end so as to have all second faces facing upward, form
a left-hand directed track.
16. The method of fabricating the track section of claim 10, wherein said body
is fabricated from wood.
17. A method of fabricating a reversible track section for guiding a toy-vehicle, comprising
providing a body having a first face, a second face and a peripheral edge extending
between said faces;
forming a single track pattern on both the first face and the second face; and
forming a male connector and a complimentary female connector on said peripheral
edge; wherein
said track section is configured such that a plurality of the same, when connected
in selected arrangements, form a straight track, a right-hand directed track, and
a left-hand directed track, the directions of said tracks being in reference to
a direction of travel on the track from the male connector toward the female connector
of the each track section;
the single track pattern is formed as two linear grooves formed parallel to each other;
the peripheral edge is formed to include two side portions and two end portions,
said side portions being parallel to said two linear grooves;
said male connector is formed in one end portion of the peripheral edge, and
said female connector is formed in an opposed other end portion of the peripheral
edge; and
said side portions and said end portions of the peripheral edge define an equilateral trapezoid.
18. A method of fabricating a reversible track section for guiding a toy-vehicle, comprising
providing a body having a first face, a second face and a peripheral edge extending
between said faces, said peripheral edge defining an equilateral trapezoid,
forming a single track pattern of two parallel linear grooves on both the first
face and the second face, and
forming a male connector and a complimentary female connector on non-parallel
edges of said peripheral edge, wherein
said track section is configured such that a plurality of the same, when connected
in selected arrangements, form a straight track, a right-hand directed track, and
a left-hand directed track, the directions of said tracks being in reference to
a direction of travel on the track from the male connector toward the female connector
of the each track section.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to track sections for use in forming track patterns for
a toy-vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Tracks for toy-vehicles such as trains, cars, and the like formed by assembling
a plurality of track sections are known. The track sections are commonly fabricated
of wood, metal or plastic, and are commonly linked together to form a track pattern
by interlocking a projection on one track section with a recess on another track
section. Track sections are known having interlocking means to link a plurality
of track sections together in an end to end fashion to form a track pattern, as
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,544,094 to Scholey. Also known are track sections
having interlocking means on multiple sides of a square or oblong track section
to form track patterns of a more complex arrangement, as disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 3,414,194 to Seitzinger et al. Often track sections have one track pattern
section on one face and a different track pattern section on the other face, and
the track pattern sections vary from track section to track section in order that
a large number of track patterns can be assembled by varying the different track
sections, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,941,611 to Arsenault.
Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, in one prior-art track section having one
projection 1 and one recess 2 for end to end assembly, it is known
to have a straight section 3 and a curve section 4, the curve section
having a first face 5 and a second face 6 (hidden) so that a direction
of curvature can be selected by having the appropriate face facing upward in a
track pattern. In such a set, a track pattern of a circle, or parallel straight
sections having semi-circular ends, for example, can be assembled with use of the
two basic track section shapes. Such a set typically includes a "crossover" piece
in order that a "figure 8" type track pattern can also be assembled.
In the end to end type track sections as described above, in particular those
fabricated of wood, a significant amount of wood is wasted when the curved section
is fabricated, as rectangularly shaped pieces of wood are typically used and a
board width wider than the actual width of the track section is required to obtain
the curve section. Also, two configurations of basic track sections (not considering
a cross-over piece) are needed to assemble the track patterns described above.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a single configuration for
a basic track section which can be combined with like basic track sections to assemble
a straight track, a left-hand directed track, and a right-hand directed track,
for use in forming track patterns.
It is another object of the present invention to fabricate such a single configuration
basic track section in a manner which does not waste the material used for fabrication.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A two sided reversible track section is provided for forming a track for guiding
a toy-vehicle. The track section is a body having a first face, a second face and
a peripheral edge extending between the faces. A single track pattern is formed
on both the first and second faces, and a male connector and a complimentary female
connector are formed on the peripheral edge. Each track section is configured such
that a plurality of the same, when connected in selected arrangements, form a straight
track, a right-hand directed track, and a left-hand directed track. The directions
of the tracks are in reference to a direction of travel from the male connector
toward the female connector of each track section.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will become more readily apparent from the following description
of preferred embodiments, shown, by way of example only, in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a top view of a track section of the invention having tongue type connectors;
FIG. 2 is a top view of a track section of the invention having dovetail type connectors;
FIG. 3 is a top view of a plurality of the track sections of the invention arranged
to form a straight track;
FIG. 4 is a top view of a plurality of the track sections of the invention arranged
to form a right-hand directed track;
FIG. 5 is a top view of a plurality of the track sections of the invention arranged
to form a left-hand directed track;
FIG. 6A is an end view of the track section of the invention from the end having
a male dovetail connector;
FIG. 6B is an end view of the track section of the invention from the end having
a female dovetail connector;
FIGS. 7A and 7B are generally circular track patterns formed from a plurality
of track sections of the invention;
FIGS. 8A and 8B are track patterns, formed from a plurality of track sections
of the invention, having two parallel straight portions and generally semi-circular
end portions;
FIG. 9 is a "figure-8" track pattern, formed from a plurality of track sections
of the invention and a "cross-over" track section; and
FIGS. 10A and 10B are a straight and curve section respectively, of prior-art
track sections.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to FIG. 1, the two sided reversible toy-vehicle track section
7 of the invention is a body having a first face
8, a second face
9 (hidden) and a peripheral edge
10 extending between the faces.
The term reversible refers to the fact that both faces have guide grooves to form
a track pattern, and either face can be directed upward when assembling a track
pattern. The preferred material of the body is wood, however any material, including
plastic and metal is available for practice of the invention.
In first face
8 of the track section
7, grooves
11A and
12A
are provided. The grooves are selected to have a spacing and a groove width corresponding
to the wheel spacing and wheel width of the toy-vehicle to be used on the track,
when assembled. The grooves
11A and
12A are arranged to be parallel
to side portions
13 and
14 of the peripheral edge
10 of the
track section. The grooves
11A and
12A in the first face
8
are substantially identical to grooves
11B and
12B (hidden in FIG.
1: See FIG. 6A) in second face
9 of track section
7. The track section
has end portions
15 and
16 of the peripheral edge
10, which
together with the side portions
13 and
14 of the peripheral edge,
define an equilateral trapezoid. That is, side portions
13 and
14
are parallel to each other, and end portions
15 and
16 are non-parallel
to each other and are directed at an angle θ from side portion
13.
Formed on end portion
15 is a male connector
17, and formed on the
opposed other end portion
16 is a complimentary female connector aperture
18. In the embodiment of FIG. 1 a "tongue" shaped connector is provided.
FIG. 2 shows a track section
19 of the invention having features identical
to the track section of FIG. 1, with the exception of the connectors. In FIG. 2,
the male connector
20 has a "dovetail" shape and the complimentary female
connector aperture
21 is of a complementary shape. Although a tongue shaped
and a dovetail shaped connectors are shown, connectors of any shape which would
connect the sections together are available in practice of the invention.
A track section of the invention is configured so that when a plurality of the
track sections (for example track section
19 of FIG. 2) are connected end-to-end,
with end portions
15 and
16 in contact with each other, straight
tracks, right-hand directed tracks, and left-hand directed tracks can be formed.
FIGS. 3,
4, and
5 respectively, depict such tracks. In FIGS. 3,
4,
and
5 track sections having the dovetail type connector are depicted, however
the track section embodiment
7 of FIG. 1 can be assembled in the same manner.
When the track sections are connected end-to-end, grooves of adjacent track sections
communicate with each other.
FIG. 3 depicts a straight track
22 formed by a plurality of track sections
19 connected end-to-end with faces
8 and
9 alternating in
placement along the length of the track. Such placement provides a straight track.
Groove
11A communicates with an adjacent groove
11B, etc; and groove
12A communicates with an adjacent groove
12B, etc.
FIG. 4 depicts a right-hand directed track
23 formed by a plurality of
track sections
19 connected end-to-end with only faces
8 in an upward
direction along the length of the track. Such placement provides a right-hand directed
track. Groove
11A communicates with an adjacent groove
11A, etc;
and groove
12A communicates with an adjacent groove
12A, etc.
FIG. 5 depicts a left-hand directed track
24 formed by a plurality of
track sections
19 connected end-to-end with only faces
9 in an upward
direction along the length of the track. Such placement provides a left-hand directed
track. Groove
11B communicates with an adjacent groove
11B, etc.;
and groove
12B communicates with an adjacent groove
12B, etc. The
directions of the tracks, referred to above, correspond to a resulting direction
of travel of the toy-vehicle when moving from the male connector toward the female
connector of each of the track sections forming the track. For example, in FIG.
4 such direction of movement, indicated by directional arrow A, results in a right-hand
directed track; in FIG. 5 such direction of movement, indicated by directional
arrow B, results in a left-hand directed track.
FIGS. 6A and 6B are end views of track section
19 of the invention,
as shown previously in FIG. 2. FIG. 6A is a view from the end having male connector
20. FIG. 6B is a view from the end having female connector
21. In
FIGS. 6A and 6B, the grooves
11A and
12A of face
8 are shown,
as well as the substantially identically configured grooves
11B and
12B
of face
9.
FIGS. 7A and 7B,
8A and
8B, and
9 show various track patterns
possible with use of the present invention. FIG. 7A is a generally circular track
pattern
25A wherein all of the track sections
19 have face
8
facing upward to form a generally circular track for guiding the toy-vehicle. FIG.
7B is also a generally circular track pattern
25B wherein all of the track
sections
19 have face
9 facing upward.
FIG. 8A is a track pattern
26A having two parallel straight portions
with generally semi-circular ends, which can be formed by inserting two straight
track patterns into the generally circular pattern of FIG. 7A. In the straight
portions, the track sections
19 have alternating faces (
8,
9)
in the upward facing direction, along the length of the track. The generally semi-circular
ends have only faces
8 facing upward. FIG. 8B is a track
26B which
also has two parallel straight portions with generally semicircular ends. In the
straight portions, the track sections
19 have alternating faces (
8,
9) in the upward facing direction, along the length of the track. The generally
semi-circular ends have only faces
9 facing upward.
FIG. 9 is a "figure 8" track pattern
27 which requires a "cross-over"
track section C, having grooves communicating with the grooves of the track sections,
in addition to the plurality of track sections of the invention. The straight and
generally circular portions are assembled as described above.
The track is described as being "generally circular" because the track sections,
when joined together with all of the track sections having the same face in an
upward direction, does not form a true circle. Due to the size of the track sections
and the size of the angles θ of the trapezoid shape, the track patterns appear
to have a circular shape.
In the preferred embodiment the angle θ, shown in FIG. 1, is between about
83-87 degrees. The distance between groove centerlines and the width of the grooves
is determined by the toy-vehicle to be used with the assembled track.
The present invention has the advantages of being able to form both the straight
portions and the left and right directed portions of a track from a plurality of
the same track sections. Also, because of the smaller size of each track section,
in relation to track sections of the prior art, when wood is used as the material
of construction, the amount of wood used to form track sections of a selected length
is less than that used for forming a similar length track sections of the prior-art,
and there is no curved portions in each track section.
While specific materials, shapes, etc. have been set forth for purposes of
describing embodiments of the invention, various modifications can be resorted
to, in light of the above teachings, without departing from Applicant's novel contributions;
therefore in determining the scope of the present invention, reference shall be
made to the appended claims:
*
