Track set with rotating intersection for toy trains

A track set as set forth for use with a toy train or the like includes a pair of mirror image C-shaped track portions coupled to a circular base. A circular platform is rotatably supported upon the base and includes a plurality of track segments supported thereon. The track segments include orthogonally intersecting straight track portions as well as offset arcuate curved portions symmetrically arranged upon the platform. The base further defines an upwardly extending annular rim which defines a plurality of notches equally spaced thereupon. A platform lock includes a pivotable handle receivable within the notches to securely position the platform at a selected rotational position and thereby align selected track segments of the platform with the C-shaped track portions. The travel path of the track set may be configured to provide a figure-eight, a peanut-shape, and a pair of separate distinct circular travel paths.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates generally to toy vehicle track sets and particularly 
to those using toy train vehicles and the like. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Toy train sets have become popular with children of a great variety of ages 
and experience levels. Such train sets have included simple unpowered 
trains manipulated by the child user as well as gravity-powered train sets 
in which an elevating launching platform is coupled to an angled track 
portion to provide acceleration of the train set. Directly powered train 
sets have included those using a locomotive having a wind-up motor drive 
as well as electrically powered locomotives such as battery power or 
electric current applied to the train track. The character of such train 
sets has varied from fanciful cartoon-like structures to sophisticated 
extremely realistic train models. The track sets utilized by such train 
sets have enjoyed equal variety ranging from simple single loop 
configurations to multiply looped complex track sets with interconnecting 
switches to provide multiple travel paths. 
In attempting to meet the needs of consumers, practitioners in the art have 
provided a virtually endless variety of toy train track sets. For example, 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,590,679 issued to Law sets forth a XYLOPHONE TYPE TOY in 
which a musical toy railroad includes a track composed of sound emitting 
bodies. The toy vehicle moving along the track strikes the sound emitting 
bodies and produces a musical tune. 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,087,001 issued to Bolli, et al. sets forth an ACTUATING 
DEVICE IN A TOY TRACK ASSEMBLY in which a switch point for a toy cog 
railway having smooth tracks utilizes a centrally disposed gear rod 
comprising a shifting device with a curved and straight gear rod piece for 
providing driving direction. The shifting device which supports the gear 
rod pieces is laterally displaceable with respect to the track direction 
and a tonguelike actuating element is disposed within a longitudinal slot. 
Each actuating element is coupled to a rotating mounted disk by way of 
pivoted levers which in turn are coupled to the shifting device. The 
vehicle which travels on the switch point actuates the switch in the 
protruded or extending position. 
German Patent 2,237,640 sets forth an ELECTRIC MODEL TRACK using a two 
track two conductor method in conjunction with simplified switches. The 
track layout may includes loops, figures of eight and asymmetric 
junctions. The electrical current is supplied through the track rails or 
overhead cables or a combination of both. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,369,943 issued to Hussein sets forth a MODEL TRAIN CROSSING 
GATE having a detector circuit which employs two pairs of magnetically 
operated relays positioned on either side of a gate crossing along a set 
of tracks. In addition, a single magnetically operated relay is located at 
the grade crossing and is oriented orthogonally to the pair of relays. The 
locomotive of the model railroad is equipped with a first magnet for 
operating the pairs of relays and at least one car has a second magnet for 
operating the relay at the grade crossing. The control circuit responds to 
the relays to operate the gate and crossing lights. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,148,152 issued to Barlow, et al. sets forth a CONSTRUCTION 
TOY WITH REVERSIBLE TRACK HAVING SOUND PRODUCING MEANS in which a 
construction toy includes a base portion having a grid defined thereon by 
a plurality of substantially vertical grooves for use in combination with 
accessory articles. The grooves defined on the grid are arranged to 
intersect at right angles each pair of which defines a track section. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,680,777 issued to Arai sets forth a VARIABLE TRACK FOR A 
TOY VEHICLE having a plurality of pliable bed sections and a pair of 
pliable rails. The rails are removably attached to the bed sections in 
parallel spaced apart relationship to form the course of travel for the 
toy vehicle. The track may be shaped as desired. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,589,063 issued to Genin sets forth a MOTORIZED SHUTTLE 
TRAIN having a track layout which includes a turntable adapted to link any 
one of a group of sidings to a steep track section leading to the top of 
an elevator tower. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,564,236 issued to Ernst sets forth a SWITCH, ESPECIALLY 
DOUBLE CROSS SWITCH FOR ELECTRIC TOY AND MODEL RAILROAD INSTALLATIONS for 
use in model railroads having conductive tracks carrying operating current 
for the locomotive. Conductive plates are provided which extend closely to 
the central portion of the switch and which within the switch form 
electrical current conductive surfaces for contact with the wheel rims of 
rail vehicles passing over the switch. 
U.S. Pat. No. 1,911,242 issued to Rosenthal sets forth a MOUNT FOR TOY 
RAILWAY UNITS having a planar support bed and wheeled structure supporting 
the bed for receiving and supporting a railway track. A similar structure 
is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 1,911,241 also issued to Rosenthal. 
U.S. Pat. No. 1,885,366 issued to Martini sets forth a RAILROAD TRACK 
SWITCH in which a pair of track sidings are coupled to a pivotally 
supported rail switch along each rail. The switch is pivotable between 
alternate positions to switch an oncoming train to alternate track 
sidings. 
U.S. Pat. No. 1,840,914 issued to Ottenstein sets forth a TRACK FOR TOY 
VEHICLES having linearly arranged intersecting track segments. 
U.S. Pat. No. 1,736,487 issued to Cooper sets forth a TOY RAILROAD TRACK 
having an intersecting switch defining a general X-shape operative between 
parallel sidings. The X-shaped track intersection includes movable switch 
elements which transfer a train vehicle between track segments. 
U.S. Pat. No. 434,692 issued to Williams sets forth a STREET RAILWAY SWITCH 
for use on intersecting track segments includes a pivotally supported 
circular track switch having alternate paths defined therein which is 
rotatable between first and second positions to switch a train vehicle. 
U.S. Pat. No. 413,593 also issued to Williams shows a similar structure. 
In a related art, toy vehicle race tracks have shown similar track-like 
structures. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,941,611 issued to Arsenault sets 
forth a TOY ROADWAY TILE in which a plurality of tiles having track or 
roadway portions defined therein are interlockably coupled to form track 
patterns. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,726,515 issued to Bolli, et al. sets forth a TRACK SYSTEM 
FOR TOY VEHICLES while U.S. Pat. No. 4,513,966 issued to Mucaro, et al. 
sets forth a VEHICLE JUMP FOR A TOY VEHICLE GAME. U.S. Pat. No. 3,775,897 
issued to Soulakis, sets forth an INTERSECTION DEFLECTOR FOR TOY VEHICLE 
TRACKS while U.S. Pat. No. 3,618,947 issued to Cooper sets forth an START 
FINISH MECHANISM FOR RACING GAME. 
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,377,958 issued to Bax, et al.; 3,313,242 issued to Voce; 
3,206,122 issued to Frisbie, et al.; 3,205,833 issued to Fitzpatrick; 
3,117,755 issued to Kretzmer, Jr.; and 2,866,418 issued to Petrick, Sr. 
set forth a variety of toy vehicle raceways or roadbeds having multiple 
track portions and transition elements between the track portions. 
While the foregoing described prior art devices have enjoyed certain levels 
of success and consumer acceptance, there remains nonetheless a continuing 
need in the art for evermore improved track sets for use with toy trains 
and the like. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an 
improved track set for use with toy trains and the like. It is a more 
particular object of the present invention to provide an improved track 
set for use with toy trains and the like which provides a simple, easy to 
use, rotating track intersection easily operable by younger children. 
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a toy vehicle 
track set comprises: a base; a track intersection having a platform 
rotatably supported by the base and having a pair of intersecting 
generally straight track segments and a pair of curved track segments each 
intersecting a common one of the straight track segments on opposite sides 
of the intersection of the straight track segments; a pair of loop track 
segments supported on each side of the track intersection each having open 
ends; and lock means for securing the platform at a plurality of 
rotational positions, the platform being rotatable to a first position in 
which the straight track segments couple the loop track segments to form a 
figure-eight path, a second position in which the pair of curved segments 
couple the loop track segments to form a peanut-shaped path and a third 
position in which the pair of curved track segments couple the loop track 
segments to form two separate closed loop paths.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
FIG. 1 sets forth a top plan view of a track set constructed in accordance 
with the present invention and generally referenced by numeral 10. In the 
configuration set forth in FIG. 1, track set 10 defines a figure-eight 
shaped travel path. By way of comparison, FIG. 2 sets forth a 
configuration of track set 10 which provides a "peanut"-shaped travel path 
while FIG. 3 provides a pair of isolated circular loop travel paths. 
Returning to FIG. 1, track set 10 includes a generally C-shaped loop 
portion 11 having a circular curved track 13 formed of concentric raised 
rails 14 and 15. Loop portion 11 defines a pair of end portions 12 and 16. 
Track set 10 further includes a virtually mirror image loop portion 20 also 
defining a generally C-shape and having a pair of concentric spaced apart 
raised rails 24 and 25 forming a curved track 23. Loop portion 20 defines 
end portions 22 and 26. 
Track set 10 includes a rotating track intersection 30 having a generally 
circular base 31 having a raised annular rim 29 which in turn defines a 
plurality of equally spaced notches 32 through 39 extending therethrough. 
Rim 29 further supports a quartet of track couplers 40, 41, 42 and 43 
equally spaced about rim 29 at ninety degree angular positions. Coupler 40 
meets end 16 of loop portion 11 while coupler 41 meets end 12 of loop 
portion 11. Similarly, coupler 42 meets end 22 of loop portion 20 while 
coupler 43 meets end 26 of loop portion 20. Ends 12 and 16 of loop portion 
11 and ends 22 and 26 of loop portion 20 are secured to couplers 40 
through 43 respectively by conventional attachment means (not shown). 
Track intersection 30 further includes a circular platform 50 rotatably 
supported within rim 29. The rotational support of platform 50 is set 
forth below in FIG. 5 in greater detail. However, suffice it to note here 
that platform 50 is rotatable with respect to base 31 and loop portions 11 
and 20 of track 10. Platform 50 defines a pair of orthogonally 
intersecting straight track segments 51 and 61 each passing through the 
center of platform 50. Straight track segment 51 defines opposed end 
portions 52 and 53 and a pair of parallel raised rails 54 and 55. 
Similarly, straight track segment 61 defines end portions 62 and 63 and a 
pair of raised parallel rails 64 and 65. Rails 54 and 55 of straight track 
segment 51 and rails 64 and 65 of straight track segment 61 define 
interruptions or gaps 100, 101, 102 and 103 therein at the respective 
intersection of rails 54, 55, 64 and 65 at the center of platform 50. This 
facilitates the passage of a toy train riding upon either straight segment 
across the intersecting straight segment. 
Platform 50 further supports a curved track segment 70 having end portions 
71 and 72 and a pair of concentric raised rails 73 and 74. Rails 73 and 74 
of curved segment 70 intersect rails 64 and 65 of straight track segment 
61. Rails 73 and 74 and rails 64 and 65 define a plurality of 
interruptions or gaps 104, 105, 106 and 107 at their intersecting points 
to facilitate the passage of a toy train vehicle through the intersection 
of curved segment 70 and straight segment 61 in either direction. 
Platform 50 further includes a curved segment 80 having end portions 81 and 
82 and a pair of concentric raised rails 83 and 84. Rails 83 and 84 of 
curved segment 80 and rails 64 and 65 of straight segment 61 define a 
plurality of interruptions or gaps therein 110, 111, 112 and 113 at the 
intersections of rails 83 and 84 and rails 64 and 65 to facilitate the 
travel of a toy train vehicle upon either track segment through the track 
segment intersection. 
Rotating intersection 30 further includes a pivot lock 90 having an 
elongated lock arm 93 pivotally secured to platform 50 at a pivot 92 at 
its interior end and extending outwardly from platform 50 and terminating 
in a handle 91. The structure of platform lock 90 is set forth below in 
FIG. 4 in greater detail. However, suffice it to note here that platform 
lock 90 may be raised to a release position which facilitates or permits 
the rotation of platform 50 upon base 31 or, alternatively, may be lowered 
to a locking position within a selected one of notches 32 through 39 
formed in rim 29 to secure or lock platform 50 at a selected rotational 
position. In the position shown in FIG. 1, platform 50 is rotatably 
positioned to align straight track segments 51 and 61 with loop portions 
11 and 20 to form a figure-eight travel path. To secure platform 50 in 
this position, lock arm 93 is received within notch 38 of rim 29. As a 
result, the rotational position of platform 50 is secured. To configure 
track set 10 in an alternative position such as the peanut-shape travel 
path shown in FIG. 2, the user simply raises handle 91 and lock arm 93 to 
remove lock arm 93 from notch 38 and thereafter rotates platform 50 in the 
clockwise direction until ends 71 and 72 of curved segment 70 are aligned 
with ends 62 and 26 of loop portions 11 and 12 respectively. This rotation 
also aligns platform lock 90 with notch 37 formed in rim 29. Once the 
rotation of platform 50 is complete, the user simply lowers handle 91 and 
lock arm 93 to insert lock arm 93 into notch 37 and secure platform 50 in 
the configuration of FIG. 2. Similarly, the dual circle or dual loop 
configuration of FIG. 3 is obtained by lifting handle 91 and lock arm 93 
and rotating platform 50 until platform lock 90 is aligned with notch 35 
in rim 29. 
It will also be noted by those skilled in the art that the symmetry of loop 
portions 11 and 20 and track segments 51, 61, 70 and 80 upon platform 50 
provides a redundant trio of track configurations at the remaining three 
rotational positions of platform 50. Thus, the figure-eight configuration 
of FIG. 1 is obtained at three additional rotational positions of platform 
50 which align platform lock 90 with notches 36, 34 and 32 respectively. 
Similarly, the peanut-shape track configuration of FIG. 2 may be obtained 
by rotating platform 50 to align platform lock with notch 37 as described 
above and additionally to align platform lock 90 with notch 33. Similarly, 
the dual loop or dual circle configuration of FIG. 3 is obtained by 
aligning platform lock 90 with either notch 39 or notch 35 in rim 29. 
Thus, in accordance with an important aspect of the present invention, 
track 10 may be configured in a variety of travel path configurations by 
simply moving rotatable platform 50 to the desired position and locking 
platform 50 in place using platform lock 90 and the corresponding notch 
within rim 29. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that loop 
portions 11 and 12 of the present invention track set may be configured in 
alternative shape without departing from the spirit and scope of the 
present invention and while nonetheless providing their cooperative 
interaction with rotating track intersection 30. The present invention 
track set is easily operated by young children and provides excellent 
spatial relationship training for young children in observing the 
different track pathway configurations which are obtained by rotating 
platform 50 through its angular positions. In addition, the redundant 
positioning of the rotating platform of the present invention track set 
facilitates additional variations in which the track segments have a 
directional characteristic rather than the bidirectional characteristic 
shown in FIGS. 1 through 3. It should be further noted that while the 
preferred embodiment of the present invention track set set forth herein 
is that forming a track set for use by toy trains and the like, the 
invention may be utilized equally well in other types of track toys such 
as toy vehicle roadways or raceways in which the raised rail carrying 
portions for the toy train used in the embodiment shown are replaced by 
other roadway or raceway structures such as recessed track segments, slot 
cars, or the like. 
FIG. 2 sets forth the present invention track set configured in a 
peanut-shape travel pathway. As described above, track set 10 includes a 
pair of loop portions 11 and 20 having end portions 12 and 16 and end 
portions 22 and 26 respectively. Loop portion 12 includes concentric 
raised rails 14 and 15 while loop portion 20 includes concentric raised 
rails 24 and 25. Track intersection 30 includes a circular base 31 
defining a raised annular rim 29 having notches 32 through 39 equally 
spaced therein. Rim 29 further defines track couplers 40 through 43 
equally spaced about rim 29. Intersection 30 includes a rotatably 
supported platform 50 having orthogonally intersecting straight track 
segments 51 and 61 and curved track segments 70 and 80. Track segment 50 
defines end portions 52 and 53 and includes a pair of raised parallel 
rails 54 and 55. Similarly, track segment 61 includes end portions 62 and 
63 and a pair of raised parallel rails 64 and 65. Curved segment 70 
includes end portions 71 and 72 and concentric raised rails 73 and 74. 
Similarly, curved segment 80 includes end portions 81 and 82 and raised 
concentric rails 83 and 84. Platform 50 further supports a platform lock 
90 having a lock arm 93 pivotally secured to platform 50 at a pivot 92 and 
a handle 91 at its outer end. 
In the position shown in FIG. 2, platform 50 is rotated to align platform 
lock 90 with notch 37 of rim 29 and is received therein to secure the 
position of platform 50. This rotational position of platform 50 aligns 
ends 81 and 82 of curved segment 80 with couplers 42 and 41 respectively. 
Concurrently, ends 71 and 72 of curved segment 70 are aligned with 
couplers 40 and 43 respectively to provide the peanut-shaped travel path 
shown in FIG. 2. Thus, a toy train traveling upon track 10 traverses a 
travel path around loop portion 20 through curved segment 70 and 
thereafter around loop portion 11 and curved segment 80 to return to loop 
portion 20 in a closed travel path. As mentioned above, the symmetry of 
the track segments provides a reciprocal or mirror image position of 
platform 50 which also produces the travel path configuration of FIG. 2 in 
which curved segment 70 extends between couplers 41 and 42 while curved 
segment 80 extends between coupler 40 and 43. In this case, platform lock 
90 is received within notch 34 of rim 29. 
FIG. 3 sets forth the present invention track set configured in a dual 
closed loop travel pathway. As described above, track set 10 includes a 
pair of loop portions 11 and 20 having end portions 12 and 16 and end 
portions 22 and 26 respectively. Loop portion 12 includes concentric 
raised rails 14 and 15 while loop portion 20 includes concentric raised 
rails 24 and 25. Track intersection 30 includes a circular base 31 
defining a raised annular rim 29 having notches 32 through 39 equally 
spaced therein. Rim 29 further defines track couplers 40 through 43 
equally spaced about rim 29. Intersection 30 includes a rotatably 
supported platform 50 having orthogonally intersecting straight track 
segments 51 and 61 and curved track segments 70 and 80. Track segment 50 
defines end portions 52 and 53 and includes a pair of raised parallel 
rails 54 and 55. Similarly, track segment 61 includes end portions 62 and 
63 and a pair of raised parallel rails 64 and 65. Curved segment 70 
includes end portions 71 and 72 and concentric raised rails 73 and 74. 
Similarly, curved segment 80 includes end portions 81 and 82 and raised 
concentric rails 83 and 84. Platform 50 further supports a platform lock 
90 having a lock arm 93 pivotally secured to platform 50 at a pivot 92 and 
a handle 91 at its outer end. 
In the configuration of FIG. 3, platform 50 is rotated to align curved 
segment 80 with loop portion 11 and to align curved segment 70 with loop 
portion 20. More specifically, end portions 81 and 82 of curved segment 80 
are aligned with couplers 41 and 40 respectively while end portions 71 and 
72 are aligned with couplers 43 and 42 respectively. The resulting travel 
path in the configuration shown in FIG. 3 provides separate loop travel 
paths, the first formed by loop portion 11 and curved segment 80 and the 
second formed by loop portion 20 and curved segment 70. As is mentioned 
above, the symmetry of the various track segments of track 10 produce a 
redundant or mirror image configuration to that shown in FIG. 3 in which 
curved segment 80 extends between couplers 42 and 43 while curved segment 
70 extends between couplers 40 and 41. In this position, platform lock 90 
is received within notch 39 of rim 29. 
In accordance with a further advantage of the present invention, the 
configuration of track 10 may be switched between configurations during 
the time that a toy train traveling upon track set 10 is moving upon 
either loop portion 11 or loop portion 20. Thus, the child user is able to 
participate in an additional amusing facet of the present invention by 
changing the travel path and direction of the toy train utilizing the 
rotation of platform 50 between the various track configurations. The 
switching of track configurations is maintained in an extremely simple 
fashion to facilitate use by the child user requiring simply the raising 
of platform lock handle 91 and rotation of platform 50 followed by the 
lowering of handle 91. The detent action provided by the cooperation of 
platform lock 90 and the notches formed within rim 29 of base 31 provide 
easy location of the platform and secure position interlock to avoid 
derailing of the toy train traveling upon the track set. 
FIG. 4 sets forth a partial section view of track set 10 taken along 
section lines 4--4 in FIG. 1. As described above, base 31 supports 
platform 50 and defines an upwardly extending annular rim 29. Rim 29 
defines a plurality of notches including a notch 38. Platform 50 defines 
an upwardly extending post 97 having a channel 98 defined therein. A 
platform lock 90 includes an elongated lock arm 93 having an end 99 
received within channel 98 and defining an aperture 85 therethrough. A 
cylindrical pin 96 extends through aperture 95 to provide pivotal 
attachment of end 99 of lock arm 93 to post 97. Lock arm 93 supports a 
cylindrical handle 91 at its outer end and defines a downwardly extending 
tab 94 at its approximate center. Tab 94 is generally aligned with rim 29 
and thus is receivable within an underlying notch such as notch 38 shown 
in FIG. 4. 
In operation, with handle 91 and lock arm 93 positioned as shown in 
solid-line representation in FIG. 4, platform 50 is securely locked in 
position. Platform lock 90 is released by pivoting handle 91 and lock arm 
93 upwardly in the direction indicated by arrow 108 to the dashed-line 
position shown. The upward pivotal motion of handle 91 and lock arm 93 
removes tab 94 from the underlying notch of rim 29 and permits platform 50 
to be rotated with respect to base 31. When the desired rotational 
position is reached, handle 91 and lock arm 93 are pivoted downwardly in 
the direction indicated by arrow 109 to insert tab 94 into the underlying 
notch of rim 29. The pivotal attachment of lock arm 93 at its interior end 
permits the use of gravitational force upon lock arm 93 and handle 91 to 
secure or maintain platform lock 90 in the locked position. 
FIG. 5 sets forth a section view of track set 10 taken along section lines 
5--5 in FIG. 1. As described above, track set 10 includes a base 31 upon 
which a platform 50 is rotatably supported. Platform 50 supports a track 
segment 51 having a pair of raised rails 54 and 55 (the latter seen in 
FIG. 1). Base 31 further includes an upwardly extending annular rim 29 
having a plurality of notches such as notches 32, 33 and 34 formed 
therein. Base 31 further includes a coupler 41 aligned with track segment 
51 and supported by base 31. Base 31 includes a center boss 56 having a 
cylindrical bore 57 formed therein. Boss 56 and bore 57 are generally 
centered upon base 31 with respect to annular rim 29. Platform 50 is 
generally circular in shape and supports track segment 51 and includes a 
downwardly extending center post 58 at its center. Center post 58 is 
received within bore 57 of boss 56 to provide pivotal attachment of 
platform 50 to base 31 and facilitate its rotation as described above. An 
exemplary toy train 17 constructed in accordance with conventional 
fabrication techniques is shown traveling upon track segment 51 and 
traversing track intersection 30. 
What has been shown is a novel track set having a rotating intersection for 
toy trains or the like in which a plurality of track configurations are 
provided by the simple rotational positioning of a platform disposed 
within the track intersection. In the example shown, a pair of C-shaped 
track segments are coupled to a circular base within which the rotatable 
platform is positioned. The rotational position of the platform determines 
the travel path configuration for the track set and facilitates a 
figure-eight, a peanut-shape, and a pair of distinct circular loops at 
different rotational positions of the platform. The locking mechanism of 
the platform is easily handled by young children and provides a secure 
positional lock which assures proper positioning of the platform with 
respect to the loop track portions. 
While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and 
described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and 
modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its 
broader aspects. Therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all 
such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of 
the invention.