Flexible track for a toy vehicle

A track for a toy vehicle and such vehicle are provided. Each track segment has an upper layer and a spaced apart lower layer. A pivot pin is vertically disposed on a forwardly projecting tongue attached to one of the upper and lower layers, and a rearwardly disposed crossbar is adapted to receive the pivot pin of an adjacent segment. By repeating this pivotably angled structure with a number of segments, the curvature of the track can be altered to the taste and specifications of the user. A pair of flanges project from the top side and form a channel. A toy vehicle engageable with the track includes a retaining knob on its base that is forcibly disposable in the channel. When the retaining knob is forcibly disposed in the channel, the vehicle is retained on the track substantially regardless of angle of inclination or curvature of the track.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a flexible toy track. More specifically, the present invention relates to a flexible track for a toy vehicle having interlinking components, providing an angle to each track segment with respect to its adjacent track segments so as to selectively curve the track in three dimensions (e.g., up and down as well as left and right).

2. Description of Related Art

For many years, toy trains have been popular, especially among children. Frequently, toy trains are constructed to run along a toy train track. A number of different types of children's toy train tracks have been suggested in the past. These train tracks typically have sections of wood, plastic, or metal which are straight or curved and which can be interconnected by the child to form a circuitous toy train track along which a toy train can be rolled without interruption on the track. In one conventional arrangement, a first track section having a tongue at one end is connected by mating the tongue to a receiving slot or groove in a second track section, and this arrangement repeats for the length of the train track. This arrangement generally does not allow for significant flexibility in the construction of a closed loop train track. One problem arises in that the standard curved track has a fixed radius of curvature; it is difficult to create an interesting and closed loop when one has a finite number of choices of curved sections from which to choose. Other structures for interconnecting train tracks that have been used in the past have generally been found to be overly complicated or do not provide a mechanism for retaining the train track segments in a selected position of curvature.

Additionally, there has not been provided a mechanism for allowing a toy train track to curve upwards off the surface the track is disposed on or downward therefrom. Train tracks in real life are not limited to a flat two-dimensional configuration; rather, they can conform to the topography of land and/or be supported above portions of land on trestles. Tracks in real life thus include inclines and declines.

There is a need for a toy train track that is simple in construction and allows for flexibility in the connection between adjoining train track sections so as to allow the user playing with the track to arrange it in different curvatures as desired while maintaining continuity of the track sections and allowing the track to vary in height. It is also desired to provide a toy train track and corresponding vehicle that will allow the vehicle to travel upside-down on the track like a modern roller coaster.

One prior design that has proven effective for allowing for selectable two-dimensional curvature of a toy vehicle track is the predecessor to the instant invention, which is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,631,850 to Wa (the instant inventor) and which is assigned to the instant assignee, the entire teachings of which are fully incorporated by reference herein and from which priority is claimed herein. Yet even the prior Wa patent does not teach a train track that can leave the surface of a flat plane upon which the track is disposed and be bent into loops, twists, and other similar shapes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a track for a toy vehicle that allows for flexibility in the curvature and connection between adjoining train tracks.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a track for a toy vehicle that may be manipulated by the user to form different curvatures.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple mechanism for maintaining a track segment in a curved position relative to adjacent track segments, while maintaining contiguity of the track sections so that a train can pass thereover without derailment.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a track for a toy vehicle that can curve off of the surface the track is disposed upon.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a track for a toy vehicle that can loop and twist without causing the vehicle to be thrown from the track.

The above and other objects are fulfilled by the invention, which is a track for a toy vehicle and optionally the corresponding vehicle. The inventive track, capable of being curved into a wide variety of curves, includes a plurality of connectable segments. Each of the segments includes an upper layer having a top side for supporting a toy vehicle and a bottom side and a lower layer spaced apart from the upper layer. A pivot pin is vertically disposed on a forwardly projecting tongue attached to one of the upper and lower layers. A rearwardly disposed crossbar is provided to receive the pivot pin of a rearwardly adjacent segment. Forwardly projecting prongs engage the bottom side of a forwardly adjacent segment. Friction between the prongs and the bottom side of the forwardly adjacent segment deters free relative motion between adjacent of the segments. The prongs have a flat upper surface for engaging the bottom side of the upper layer of the adjacent segment. Preferably, a notch is formed in a forward edge of the crossbar adapted to receive the pivot pin of an adjacent of the segments.

The joint formed by the pivot pin and the crossbar is made in a manner to allow for bending between two segments in a curvature off of the plane of the track. An upper tongue portion projects from the upper layer, and a lower tongue portion projects from the lower layer aligned opposite the upper tongue portion. The pivot pin projects from one of the upper tongue portion and lower tongue portion and wherein the crossbar is adapted to be secured between the upper tongue portion and lower tongue portion. Projections are formed on the other of the upper tongue portion and lower tongue portion opposite and on either side of the pivot pin.

The inventive track also includes a pair of raised flanges projecting upward from the top side spaced apart to form a channel, which is disposed over the tongue portion of the segments. The flanges include a substantially vertical portion projecting from the top side of the track and a substantially horizontal portion projecting over the channel. The flanges are preferably made of a resilient material such as plastic. When a retaining knob from a toy vehicle is forcibly disposed into the channel, the flanges are pushed apart to allow the retaining knob into the channel and snap back to secure the retaining knob in the channel.

The segments are made longitudinally thicker in the center than they are at their sides, which allows them the room to pivot with respect to one another and thus create a track with selective curvature. Also, the rearward portion of each segment includes a cutout forward of the crossbar adapted to receive a tongue from a rearward adjacent segment. Because the cutout is provided, the tongue can pivot up and down as well as from side to side, thus allowing the track to curve upwards or downwards as well as left and right.

The track also includes side supports projecting from the sides of at least one of the segments, wherein the track is supportable above a planar surface at the side supports.

The invention also includes a toy vehicle for use with a track as described above. The inventive toy vehicle includes a base and wheels adapted to contact the top side of the track to allow the vehicle to roll on the track. A retaining knob projects from an underside of the base and is forcibly disposable in the channel. When the retaining knob is forcibly disposed in the channel, the vehicle is retained on the track substantially regardless of angle of inclination or curvature of the track.

The invention also includes a combination track and toy vehicle which may be sold/provided as a set. The track has a plurality of segments, and each segment includes: an upper layer having a top side for supporting a toy vehicle and a bottom side and a lower layer spaced apart from the upper layer. A pivot pin is vertically disposed on a forwardly projecting tongue attached to one of the upper and lower layers, and a rearwardly disposed crossbar is adapted to receive the pivot pin of a rearwardly adjacent segment. A pair of raised flanges project upward from the top side spaced apart to form a channel. A toy vehicle engageable with the track includes a base and wheels adapted to contact the top side of the track to allow the vehicle to roll on the track. A retaining knob projects from an underside of the base and is forcibly disposable in the channel. When the retaining knob is forcibly disposed in the channel, the vehicle is retained on the track substantially regardless of angle of inclination or curvature of the track. The flanges are preferably made of a resilient material. When the retaining knob is forcibly disposed into the channel, the flanges are pushed apart to allow the retaining knob into the channel and snap back to secure the retaining knob in the channel.

The prongs of one segment are engageable with the underside of the top layer of the next so as to prevent the segments from freely flopping around with respect to each other. That is, a certain amount of force is required to overcome the friction between adjacent segments. By repeating this pivotably angled structure among a number of segments, the curvature of the track can be altered to the taste and specifications of the user. The angle between two segments (and, by extension, the curvature of the overall track) is thus “set” and only adjustable with the application of force; that is, the various segments of the inventive track do not flop around freely and loosely but rather retain their relative positions unless positioned differently by the user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND THE DRAWINGS

Description will now be given of the invention with reference to the attachedFIGS. 1–12B. It should be noted that these drawings are exemplary in nature and in no way serve to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims appearing herein below.

FIG. 1depicts an overall length of track10which includes a number of segments12. The segment12is the basic building block of the invention. A length of track10is made up of segments12which are secured together in a manner which will be described below.

Segment12is shown in greater detail inFIGS. 2–5. Segment12has a small main body13, which is preferably solid, and segment12preferably includes an upper layer22having a top side22A and a bottom side22B and a lower layer24. Top side22A forms the surface upon which a toy vehicle will be supported. Lower layer24is spaced apart from upper layer22and thus forms a cavity25which can receive portions of adjacent segments12. Upper and lower layers22and24are thicker longitudinally at their center than at their edges (see, e.g,FIG. 4), which enable adjacent segments to be angled with respect to each other, as explained below.

Projecting from a forward position of segment12are prongs26and guides28. Prongs26are substantially flat and help deter free and loose movement between adjacent segments as will be described below. Guides28impart stiffness to the track, particularly in upwardly or downwardly curved portions of the track.

One segment12is secured to an adjacent segment12via tongue30. Tongue30projects forwardly from segment12and is shown to be semicircular in profile. As best illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3, tongue30includes an upper tongue portion32extending from upper layer22and a lower tongue portion34extending from lower layer24. Pivot pin36hangs from an underside of upper tongue portion32. Lower tongue portion34is preferably only a U-shaped rim (seeFIG. 6) through which pivot pin36is visible from an underside view. By not making lower tongue portion34solid, the pivot joint is made more flexible. Lower tongue portion34is thicker (in the vertical direction) on its ends than in its center and includes projections38which rise up to approach upper tongue portion32.

The rear portion of segment12is provided with a crossbar40preferably having a notch42cut therein. One segment12is attached to the next in the following manner. Crossbar40is pushed between upper tongue portion32and lower tongue portion34. Pivot pin36rides along the upper surface of the adjacent segment's crossbar40until it snaps behind crossbar40, preferably into notch42. It is preferred that tongue portions32and34be made from a resilient material so that when the crossbar is inserted therein, the tongue portions are pushed apart, and when pivot pin36encounters notch42(or at least the forward edge of crossbar40), the tongue portions snap back into their initial shapes. Side wedges43are also provided, and they pass into cavity25of a rearwardly adjacent segment12and help align the track even as it is curved. The provision of pivot pin36and notch42, along with the trapezoidal shape of each side of segment12, enables each segment to rotate about its pivot pin36in the left-right direction of arrow A (seeFIG. 4). Each segment12is capable of a few degrees of relative lateral angular motion with respect to its neighbor, perhaps 10–15°. However, in the aggregate, a number of track segments can each be rotated in the same direction so as to provide a curve to the track. For example, in one embodiment, only 16 segments are required to turn the path of the track up to 180°. Since the first segment cannot be rotated relative to itself, there are 15 segment interfaces, each capable of 12° of relative rotation.

While it is desirable to make the inventive track flexible in its configuration, it is also desirable not to have the various segments loosely flopping around but rather to have the track retain its shape once set up by the user. To this end, prongs26provide for some stability for the configuration of the track. Specifically, prongs26of one segment12frictionally engage the bottom side22B of upper layer22of a forwardly adjacent segment12and thereby prevent the free and uncontrolled relative rotational movement of one segment with respect to the next. With this mechanism, the track curvature will be substantially stable unless and until the user actively rotates one or more segments12with respect to their neighbors.

Main body13includes a cutout44disposed just in front of notch42of crossbar40. Cutout44is shaped to conform to the profile of tongue30so that upper tongue portion32and lower tongue portion34of a given segment do not abut any other structure on top of or beneath tongue30. As a result, each segment12can flex upwards and downwards with respect to an adjacent segment12in the direction of arrow B ofFIG. 5. Again, each segment12is capable of only a few degrees of relative vertical angular motion with respect to its neighbor, however, in the aggregate, a number of track segments can each be rotated in the same direction so as to provide a curve to the track. Since there is no limit to the overall extent of curvature of the track, loops can be created, as well as twists (via torsional flexion of the track) and other gravity-defying shapes.

If the track can twist and turn, a mechanism must be provided to retain the vehicle on the track so that it does not fall off when upside-down under the track or hanging sideways next to the track. To this end, projecting from top side22A of each segment12are two flanges50, each having a substantially vertical section52and a substantially horizontal section54. Flanges50define a channel56therebetween. Flanges50are preferably made from a resilient material and are designed to be pushed apart when a portion of the vehicle is pressed downward into channel56.

A vehicle98in accordance with the invention is shown in perspective inFIG. 7and in sectional schematic inFIG. 8. The vehicle includes an ornamental top portion100which, in this embodiment, is a train car. Disposed below the ornamental portion on its underside is a base102from which wheels104may be disposed. The vehicle98is supported on track10by wheels104. An additional wheel or wheels106may be provided which propel vehicle98along track10. That is, an on-board battery (not shown) causes wheel106to rotate and push off of track10, thereby propelling the vehicle along the track. Propulsion wheel(s)106may be disposed on the side or sides of base102or in the center of base102and thus adapted to ride along channel56.

Retaining knob110is provided in a substantially central portion of base102, and it is designed to be snapped or otherwise forcibly disposed in channel56. The width of retaining knob110is greater than the clearance between the opposing horizontal flange portions54of flanges50. Thus, when the retaining knob110is pushed against resilient flanges50, flanges50are pushed apart, and knob110is admitted into channel56. Flanges50snap back and secure retaining knob110beneath horizontal flange portions54as shown inFIG. 8. Retaining knob110should have a necked-down portion which enables the horizontal flange portions54to return to their normal positions above retaining knob110.

An embodiment of a combination toy track and vehicle set is shown inFIG. 9. Track10′ is shown as having several sections11which are fixed in curvature but have a few segments12at one or both ends. Track10′ is supported in the air by columns120which attach at a top end to a trestle-like crossbeam125and at a bottom end to a planar surface130. Columns are provided of differing heights so that the track10′ will rise and fall relative to surface130. Crossbeams125attach to the track at pegs60(seeFIGS. 2–4) which enable the track to be lifted from surface130. Accessories200can be attached to crossbeams125for decorative purposes.

A track in accordance with the invention may be entirely comprised of segments12as they are all interchangeable. Not all segments12need be provided with pegs60for attachment to crossbeams125and/or accessories200. Indeed, not all segments need be identical. For example, as shown inFIGS. 10 and 11, specialized terminal segments may be provided which allow for rapid and easy connection and disconnection of sections of track.FIG. 10depicts a male end segment212. Instead of a tongue30as described above, male end segment212includes a pin214which is securable in a cavity216via its pins218. Female end segment312is provided with a modified cutout314which accommodates pin214. Modified crossbar316catches behind the head of pin214at point220.

The invention is not limited to the above description. For example, it is described above that the middle segments are completely separate but attachable to both the male and female segments to form a track. However, it is also contemplated that the inventive track come pre-assembled in a variety of sections each having a plurality of segments already attached to one another.

Also, the invention is described and shown using the terms “forward” and “rearward.” However, it is understood that “forward” and “rearward” are relative terms simply meaning opposite ends of a given segment. What is important is that a tongue of one segment matingly engage with the crossbar of an adjacent segment. For example, all middle segments need not be identical; some middle segments may be provided with tongues on both ends interleaved or alternating with middle segments having mating crossbars on both ends.

Having described this invention with regard to specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the description is not meant as a limitation since further variations or modifications may be apparent or may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. It is intended that the present application cover such variations and modifications, and the scope of the invention is defined by the claims appearing herein below.