Toy vehicle adapted for running on rails and a toy construction system

A toy vehicle configured for running on rails, the toy vehicle comprises a chassis comprising a first end and a second end, two side faces extending in the longitudinal direction of the toy vehicle and a top portion, the toy vehicle comprising at least two axles, said at least two axles comprising a wheel wherein the chassis comprises oblong recesses positioned on the inner surface of the chassis, the oblong recesses adapted to obtain a protrusion of a wheel or an end portion of the at least two axles, the chassis comprising two or more axle support arms adapted to support the at least two axles, the two or more axle support arms being adapted to avoid disengagement between an oblong recess and the protrusion of a wheel or an end portion of the at least two axles, respectively.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Stage of International Application No. PCT/EP2017/084058, filed on 21 Dec. 2017 and published on 28 Jun. 2018, as WO 2018/115263 A1, which claims the benefit of priority to Danish Patent Application No. DK PA201671031, filed on 22 Dec. 2016. The content of each of the above referenced patent applications is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for any purpose whatsoever.

The present invention relates to a toy vehicle configured for running on rails, the toy vehicle comprises a chassis comprising a first end and a second end, two side faces extending in the longitudinal direction of the toy vehicle and a top portion, the toy vehicle comprises at least two axels, said at least two axels comprising a wheel.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a toy construction system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various toy vehicles for running on rails are well known.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,118,320 discloses a roller coaster or gravity motive toy. The toy has a tortuous elevated track layout and toy vehicle, system, including adjustable support stanchions for the track attached thereto by a universal joint. The vehicle includes rollers movably supporting the vehicle on the track with pivotal roller guide and lateral securement elements to detachably couple the vehicle to the track.

EP 0 269 098 discloses a wheel bearing, in particular for toy vehicles, which are usually subjected to strong overloads, is characterized in that, in the vicinity of each end, the wheel axle has both a bearing face with a relatively small radius of curvature and a bearing face with a relatively large radius of curvature substantially corresponding to the radius of the axle. The bearings with the small radius of curvature are elastically resilient, the bearing faces with the relatively small radius of curvature being provided in bearing plates which are connected with a vehicle portion via elastic connecting members. When the toy vehicle is overloaded, the axle is supported in the large bearings so that the small bearings, having a very small friction under normal operating conditions, are not damaged.

In many cases, it is desirable to provide a toy vehicle having a simple construction, which may be manufactured at low costs and still runs at high speed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a high speed toy vehicle which may be manufactured at low production costs.

This is achieved in that the chassis comprises oblong recesses positioned on the inner surface of the chassis, the oblong recesses adapted to obtain a protrusion of a wheel or an end portion of the at least two axles, the chassis comprises two or more axle support arms adapted to support the at least two axles, the two or more axle support arms are adapted to avoid disengagement between an oblong recess and the protrusion of a wheel or an end portion of the at least two axles, respectively.

Hereby is achieved a low friction wheel bearing and a toy vehicle which runs at high speed. Furthermore, the toy vehicle may be manufactured by injection molding.

In an embodiment, the axel support arms extend from the chassis downwards leaving a gap between the extremities of the two axel support arms, the gab being smaller than the thickness of the axel.

In an embodiment, wherein the two or more axle support arms extend from the chassis in a distance larger than the size of the two or more axles, the axle support arms are adapted to provide a void allowing movement of the two or more axles within that void of the axle support arms, the axle support arms are adapted such that the wheels are slidable within the oblong recesses, without unintended detachment of the axle and wheels.

Hereby is achieved that the axle support arms only add friction to the axles when it is necessary to keep the wheels in place and to avoid detachment; thus, a high speed toy vehicle is obtained.

In an embodiment, the two or more axle support arms are positioned in pairs along the extension of the two or more axles.

In an embodiment, the two or more axle support arms are positioned centrally on an axle between two wheels.

In an embodiment, the oblong recess is positioned at the rim of the side faces of the chassis, the oblong recess extends longitudinally in a direction perpendicular to both the extension of the axles and the longitudinal direction of the toy vehicle.

In an embodiment, the chassis comprises at least two flexible flanges, the two flexible flanges are positioned opposite each other on both sides of the chassis on each side faces, each flexible flange comprising a snap protrusion at the extremity of the flanges, the snap protrusions extend towards each other in a direction parallel to the extension of said at least two axels, the at least two flexible flanges being flexible in a direction away from each other in the direction transverse the longitudinal direction of the toy vehicle, such that the snap protrusions are adapted to slide past an outer surface of a set of rails.

Hereby is achieved that the toy vehicle is snapped onto the rails by means of a snap projection that only touches the tracks when the car tends to leave the track e.g. during turns or loops.

In an embodiment, the wheels are affixed to the at least two axels, such that the at least two axels and wheels rotate as one cohesive unit.

In an embodiment, the axels and wheels form one cohesive unit manufactured by injection molding or 3D printing.

Hereby reduced production costs are achieved.

In an embodiment, the first end and second end comprise complementary coupling organs, the first coupling organ comprising two flexible arms extending towards each other, and the second organ comprises a loop, the first coupling organ and the second coupling organ extend in a direction transversely each other, the first coupling organ being adapted for grapping the second coupling organ.

Hereby is provided a visible distinction between the front and back of a series of toy vehicles, as the first, and second end of the toy vehicle differs and thereby makes assembly of several toy vehicles on the rails easier for especially younger users. Furthermore, the principle of a snap connector with a rod and an open snap ring to connecting toy vehicles allow the rod to move freely in all directions when assembled.

In an embodiment, the chassis comprises coupling members, which are adapted for detachably interconnecting the toy vehicle with one or more toy construction elements comprising couplings members.

In another aspect of the invention, the toy construction system comprising rail track construction elements and toy construction elements, said rail track construction elements and toy construction elements comprise coupling members for detachably interconnecting the elements, the rail track construction elements comprises parallel extending rails, the distance between the rails is smaller than the distance between the flexible flanges in a direction transversely to the longitudinal direction of the toy vehicle, said toy vehicle adapted for snap onto said rail track construction elements.

Hereby, increased variability of interaction between a natural three-dimensional structure and the virtual world is achieved. For example, a user may construct a large variety of spatial structures each defining a different pattern of touch points, thus allowing a user to construct a variety of spatial structures that may each be recognized by a processing device having a touch screen.

Each toy construction member comprises coupling members for detachably interconnecting the toy construction members to create spatial structures. Hence, toy construction members that have been interconnected with each other by means of the coupling members can again be disconnected from each other such that they can be interconnected again with each other or with other toy construction members, e.g. so as to form a different spatial structure.

It should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising/comprised” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. Likewise, it should be clear that the embodiments above are presented as separate embodiments, but could be combined as desired by the person skilled in the art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE FIGURES

The present invention relates to a toy vehicle configured for running on rails.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a toy construction system.

In that context it may be convenient to define that the term “longitudinal direction” of the toy vehicle in the current specification and appended figures is meant to refer to the direction which runs along the length of the toy vehicle, from a first end to a second end, such that when the toy vehicle moves along the rails, the toy vehicle moves in the “longitudinal direction”.

FIG. 1illustrates a bottom view of a toy vehicle1adapted for running on rails.

The toy vehicle1comprises a chassis10comprising a first end3, a second end4, and two side faces5,6extending in the longitudinal direction of the toy vehicle1. The first end3and the second end4are connected by the two side faces5,6. The chassis10comprises a top portion7comprising coupling members30. Together the first end3, second end4, the side faces5,6and the top portion7define a block-shaped chassis10.

The toy vehicle1comprises two axels11. The two axels11each comprise two wheels15. The chassis10comprises two flexible flanges17. The two flexible flanges17are positioned opposite each other on both sides of the chassis10on each side faces5,6.

Each flexible flange17comprises a protrusion, snap protrusion18at the extremity of the flexible flanges17. The protrusion18extends towards each other in a direction parallel to the extension of said at least two axels11.

Each of the two side faces5,6comprise an outer planar surface extending in the longitudinal direction of the toy vehicle1. The outer planar surfaces of the two side faces5,6extend in two planar surfaces which are parallel. The flexible flanges17extend in the same plane as the side faces5,6of the chassis10. One flexible flange17and the first side face5are positioned in a common plane, and another flexible flange17and the second side face6lie in a common plane. The two flexible flanges17extend in two parallel planes.

The wheels15comprise a cone-shaped protrusion19extending coaxially with the axles11. The protrusions19are positioned centrally on the outer portions of the wheels15and they protrude away from the central part of the axle11.

The chassis10comprises pairs of oblong recesses31. The oblong recesses31are positioned on the inner surface of the oppositely positioned side faces5,6. The oblong recess31is adapted to obtain the cone-shaped protrusion19of the wheels15.

The wheels15are affixed to the two axels11, such that the axels11and wheels15rotate as one cohesive unit within the oblong recesses31.

Preferably, one axle and two wheels form one cohesive unit. The unit may be injection molded which reduces production costs.

The two flexible flanges17are positioned in the longitudinal direction centrally between the two axels11on each side faces5,6.

The toy vehicle1comprises two axels11each axel comprising two wheels15. Each wheel15comprises a centrally positioned cone-shaped protrusion/portion19which is adapted for abutting an oblong recess31on the inner surface of the side face5,6of the toy vehicle.

The chassis10comprises axle support arms9. The axle support arms9comprises a gap which allows for passage of the axle11through the axle support arms9, when mounting the wheels15and axels11to the toy vehicle1. The gap between the support axle arms9is smaller than the thickness of the axles11, the axle support arms9being adapted to block the axles11for unintentional separation from the toy vehicle1.

The axle support arms9encircles the two axels11, leaving room for movement of the axels toward and away from the chassis10, such that the cone-shaped portions19of the wheels are slidable within the oblong recesses31, without unintended detachment of the axle and wheels.

The toy vehicle shown inFIG. 1comprises coupling members30positioned on the top portion7. The toy vehicle comprises complementary shaped coupling organs13,14positioned at the first end3and the second end4, respectively, of the toy vehicle.

FIG. 2illustrates a side view of the toy vehicle having a construction similar to the toy vehicle illustrated inFIG. 1. The toy vehicle is snapped onto a rail21and the supportive rail web22.

The toy vehicle1comprises the first coupling organ13at the first end3and the second coupling organ14at the second end4. The first coupling organ13is adapted to be coupled to a second coupling organ14of another toy vehicle, to form a series of toy vehicles, like a train comprising successive wagons coupled together.

The first end3, comprising the first coupling organ13, and the second end4, comprising the second coupling organ14, may represent the front and back portions, respectively, referring to the direction in which the toy vehicle moves on the rails, thus providing a visible distinction between the front and back of a series of toy vehicles, as the first and second end of the toy vehicle differs and thereby makes assembly of several toy vehicles on the rails easier.

The toy vehicle1comprises a side face5comprising a flexible flange17extending downwards passing the outer surface of the rail21. The flexible flange17comprises a snap protrusion18positioned at the extremity of the flexible flange17below the rail21. The snap protrusion18protrudes towards the longitudinal center line of the toy vehicle, towards the rail web22.

The flexible flange17is positioned centrally between the two wheels15.

InFIG. 2the snap protrusion18, the wheel15(partly) and the oblong recess31in the side face6are illustrated by dotted lines as these features are within the chassis10.

The top portion of the toy vehicle1comprises coupling members30in the form of studs.

FIGS. 1 and 2illustrate the first coupling organ13comprising two flexible arms extending towards each other, and the second organ14which comprises a loop. The second coupling organ14may be in form of a vertical hitch. The first coupling organ13extends horizontally and the second coupling organ14extends vertically. The first coupling organ13and the second coupling organ14extend in a direction transversely to each other. The first coupling organ13is adapted for grapping the second coupling organ14.

The principle of connecting a toy vehicle by a snap connector with a rod and an open snap ring allows the rod to move freely in all direction, when two toy vehicles are assembled.

Thus, the first and second coupling organs13,14allow great mobility when two toy vehicles are coupled together as the two toy vehicles may move in great angles relative to each other in the longitudinal direction e.g. during turns.

FIG. 3illustrates a view of the second end4of the toy vehicle illustrated inFIG. 2.

The chassis comprises two flexible flanges17. The two flexible flanges17are positioned opposite each other on both sides of the chassis10on each side faces5,6.

The flexible flanges17extend downwards passing the outer surface of the rail21.

The flexible flange17comprises a snap protrusion18positioned at the extremity of the flexible flange17. The toy vehicle1is snapped onto the rails21and the snap protrusion18is positioned below the rail21.

The snap protrusion18protrudes towards the longitudinal center line of the toy vehicle, towards the rail web22. The wheels15rest on the rails21.

The innermost side face of the wheels15comprises a rim16, such that the wheels15are formed like a train wheel. The wheels15, the flexible flange17and the snap protrusion18together encircle the rails21to avoid unintentional derailment.

The toy vehicle1comprises a side face5comprising a flexible flange17extending downwards passing the outer surface of the rail21. The flexible flange17comprises a snap protrusion18positioned at the extremity of the flexible flange17below the rail21. The two snap protrusions18protrude in a direction towards each other, towards the rail web22, underneath the rails21.

Generally, the snap protrusion18is positioned at a distance from the wheels15. The distance is bigger than the height of the rails21, such that the snap protrusion18is adapted to touch the rails21when the wheels are lifted off from the rails. Hereby, the snap protrusion only provides a holding force to avoid derailment. The friction between the rail and the flexible flange is minimized during running of the toy vehicle and a high speed toy vehicle is provided.

The rail track element20comprises a set of parallel rails21supported by rail webs22. The rail webs22are connected to a platform29comprising a first type of coupling members30and a second type of complementary coupling members33. The different types of coupling members may be in the form of coupling studs and complementary coupling members, such as a coupling stud and stud-receiving recesses.

InFIG. 3the two flexible flanges17are flexible in a direction away from each other in a direction transverse the longitudinal direction of the toy vehicle1, such that the snap protrusions18are adapted to slide past on the outer surface of the rails21and snap the toy vehicle1onto the rails21. As the toy vehicle1is snapped onto the rails21, the protrusions18extend underneath the rails21towards the rail web22.

The wheels are shaped like a train wheel comprising an inner flange16adapted to engage the inner surface of the rails21.

In the transverse direction the distance between two wheels15is smaller than the distance between the two oppositely positioned flexible flanges17. In the transverse direction the distance between the parallel rails21is smaller than the distance between the flexible flanges17. Thereby, the wheels15, the flexible flanges17and snap protrusions18are adapted to partly encircle the rails.

Derailment is avoided as the wheels15together with the flexible flange17and the snap protrusion18partly encircle the rails.

The coupling organs13,14are illustrated as protrusions having different shapes in order to recognize the different functions. For example, the coupling member illustrates a front which may engage corresponding coupling organs of another toy vehicle.

FIG. 4illustrates a schematic view of the mount for an axle and two wheels.

The chassis10comprises oblong recesses31on the inner surfaces of the side faces5,6.

The oblong recesses31are positioned opposite each other on the side faces5,6.

The longitudinal direction of the oblong recesses31extends in a direction perpendicular to both the extension of the axles and the longitudinal direction of the toy vehicle, and the oblong recesses31are positioned at the rim of the side faces5,6. The oblong recesses31are open at one end by the rim of the side faces5,6and the oblong recesses31are shaped like a half-cone cup at the other end.

Centrally, in the transverse direction of the chassis10, the chassis10comprises a pair of axle support arms9. The axle support arms9extend downwards leaving a gap between the extremities of the two axle support arms9.

The gab is smaller than the thickness of the axle11. Hereby, the axle support arms9are adapted to partly encircle the axle11, configured to avoid unintended detachment and to allow a user to deconstruct by pressing the axle though the gab of the axle support arms9. The gap is illustrated atFIG. 1andFIG. 4.

The axle support arms9extend front the chassis10in a distance larger than the thickness of the axle11.

The axle support arms9form a void adapted for loosely accommodating an axle11. The void is larger than the thickness of the axle11. The void in the center and the oblong recesses31on each side provide space for the axle11and wheels15to move up, down or tilt, respectively. The possible positions of the axle11(and the wheels15) are illustrated by dotted lines inFIG. 4.

In for example running mode of the toy vehicle, the axle and wheels rest mostly in the half-cone-shaped portions of the oblong recesses31. In curves the toy vehicle may tilt due to high speed, such that the axle and wheels are supported by one oblong recess31and the centrally positioned axle support arms9. In loops the axle and wheel may be supported primary by the centrally positioned axle support arms9.

The axle support arms9secure unintentional detachment of the axle and wheels relative to the chassis, but the axle support arms9allow sliding movement of the wheels within the oblong recesses31.

The axle support arms9only add friction to the axles11, when it is necessary to keep the wheels in place and to avoid detachment; thus, a high speed toy vehicle is obtained.

FIG. 5illustrates a perspective view of a toy vehicle. The toy vehicle comprises a chassis10comprising two oppositely positioned, side faces5,6. The side face6comprises a flexible flange17. The chassis10comprises two oppositely positioned ends, the first and second ends3,4, respectively.

The chassis10comprises a top portion7comprising a first type of coupling members30. The toy vehicle1comprises a lowered top part34, adapted to accommodate e.g. one or more toy construction elements40, e.g. a mini figure. Hereby the center of gravity is lowered and thus the tendency to tilt the toy vehicle on the rails21is minimized, and friction between the flexible flange17and a rail21is minimized, thus higher speed is obtained and increased variability of play.

The toy vehicle1comprises through holes32in the top portion7and in the top part34.

FIG. 6illustrates in a perspective view of an axle11shaft comprising a pair of wheels15, two rail track construction elements20and a toy construction element40.

The wheels15are affixed to the axel11, such that the axel11and wheels15rotate as one cohesive unit. The wheels comprise a flange16, such that the wheels15are shaped as train wheels.

Preferably, the axle11and wheels15may be manufactured as one cohesive unit by injection molding or 3D printing. Hereby reduced production costs are achieved.

The rail track construction element20illustrated inFIG. 6comprises a parallel set of rails21supported by a set of rail web22. The distance between the parallel rails21is smaller than the distance between the two oppositely positioned flexible flanges17in a direction transversely to the longitudinal direction of the toy vehicle1. Hereby, the toy vehicle1is adapted for snap onto the rail track construction elements20.

The rail web22is connected to two platforms29. The two platforms are positioned in each end of the rail track construction element20. The platforms29are adapted for coupling rail track construction elements20together by toy construction elements40comprising coupling members30and complementary coupling members33.

The rail track construction element20can be coupled to another rail track construction element to form a continuously rail track.

The toy construction element40illustrated inFIG. 6comprises first type of coupling members30and complementary shaped second type of coupling members33. The different types of coupling members may be in the form of coupling studs and complementary coupling members such as a coupling stud and stud-receiving recesses.

A toy construction system comprising toy construction elements40, which comprises coupling members30,33, allows a user to create a large set of distinct spatial structures.

The toy construction system comprises at least one toy vehicle1and a plurality of rail track construction elements20and a plurality of toy construction elements40.

Generally, the toy vehicle1, the rail track construction element20and the toy construction elements40are provided with a first type of coupling member30and a second type of coupling members33, such as coupling studs and stud-receiving recesses or other pairs of complementary coupling members configured to engage each other so as to form a physical connection.

Generally, in some embodiments, a toy construction element40may define a plurality of faces, e.g. a top face, a bottom face and a number of side faces. In some embodiments a given face may include one or more coupling members30,33.

When the coupling members are removably interconnectable, the user may deconstruct previously built spatial structures and re-use the toy construction elements to build new spatial structures. For example, the toy construction elements may be interconnected/coupled to each other by traction/friction or by an interlocking connection.

A spatial structure comprises a plurality of toy construction elements directly or indirectly connected with each other by means of coupling members. The toy construction elements are interconnectable so as to form a coherent spatial structure.

The toy construction system is a three dimensional system wherein the user is able to create spatial structures in three dimensions.