Abstract:
A race track including a first racing lane, a second racing lane, a first starting mechanism, a second starting mechanism and a linking mechanism. The first starting mechanism is operably mounted to the first racing lane. The second starting mechanism is operably mounted to the second racing lane. The linking mechanism is capable of selectively attaching to the first starting mechanism and the second starting mechanism. The first starting mechanism and the second starting mechanism are independently operable unless the linking mechanism is attached to the first starting mechanism and the second starting mechanism which causes the first starting mechanism and the second starting mechanism to move in unison.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/311,303, which was filed on Mar. 6, 2010, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates generally to race tracks on which toy cars are used. More particularly, the invention relates to starting gates for race tracks on which toy cars are used. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     For some time toy cars have been raced against each other to see which toy car is the fastest. In certain settings, the toy cars are placed on adjacent tracks, which enable the toy cars to simultaneously race against each other. 
     One such organized toy car racing competition is called the pinewood derby, which is typically participated in by youth such as through Cub Scouts or church groups. Person participating in these races design and then build their own cars that are thereafter used in the racing competition. 
     Each of the toy cars must weigh no more than five ounces and have several other characteristics that are set forth in the pinewood derby rules. The race cars are each formed by carving a block of wood into a desired shape and then the wheels are attached thereto. In some instances, weights may be added to the race car to get the weight as close as possible to five ounces. 
     The track used in conjunction with the pinewood derby races generally has between 2 and 8 lanes. The race track generally has a length of between about 32 feet and 50 feet. In some cases, the tracks are formed by cutting sheets of plywood into one foot wide strips and then attaching lath strips to guide the toy race cars. The race tracks have also been made from metallic and plastic materials, which enhance the durability of the race track. 
     One end of the race track is supported in an elevated position such that the race track slopes downwardly from a start end to a finish end so that gravity causes the race cars to move along the track. A starting gate located at the start end of the race track is moveable between a closed position for maintaining the race cars at the start end of the race track and an open position for allowing the race cars to travel toward the finish end of the race track. An electronic timer may also be located at the finish end of the race track to accurately determine the winner of a particular race. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An embodiment of the invention is directed to a convertible starting gate for a race track that is used in conjunction with toy race cars. The convertible starting gate allows multiple lanes on the race track to either be controlled as a single unit or controlled individually. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of embodiments and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments and together with the description serve to explain principles of embodiments. Other embodiments and many of the intended advantages of embodiments will be readily appreciated as they become better understood by reference to the following detailed description. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Like reference numerals designate corresponding similar parts. 
         FIG. 1  is an upper perspective view of a racing track on which the convertible split starting gate may be used. 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged upper perspective view of the starting gate. 
         FIG. 3  is a lower perspective view of the starting gate in a first configuration. 
         FIG. 4  is a lower perspective view of the starting gate in a second configuration. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Race tracks are often used in conjunction with toy race cars because the race tracks guide the race cars between a starting location and an ending location. When it is desired to simultaneously race multiple race cars, the race track may be formed with multiple lanes that are oriented in a parallel relationship, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The lanes may each have a base surface over which the race car may roll. The lanes may also include at least one divider that extends above the base surface. The dividers are oriented in a spaced-apart configuration so that a spacing between adjacent dividers is slightly wider than a width of the race car. The dividers thereby direct the race cars in a straight direction along the race track. 
     The race tracks may be fabricated from a variety of materials using the concepts of the invention. Two such materials that are typically used for fabricating the race track are wood and aluminum. While the wood race tracks are generally less expensive, the aluminum race tracks are generally more durable and weigh less. 
     While it is possible for persons to hold the race car and then release the race car when it is desired to start the race, it is customary to utilize a starting mechanism that engages the race car to retain the race car at a starting position until it is time for the race to start. Thereafter, the starting mechanism releases, which allows the race car to begin it movement along the race track. 
     There are two general types of starting mechanisms. A first type of starting mechanism engages all of the race cars at the same time. Releasing of the starting mechanism causes all of the race cars to be released at the same time. This type of starting mechanism removes the response time of the individual persons who are racing their race cars because all of the race cars are released at the same time. 
     A second type of starting mechanism has separate activation mechanisms for each of the lanes on the race track. When a signal is given to start the race, each of the individuals must release the starting mechanism that is associated with their individual race car. This type of starting mechanism thereby causes the response time of the individual persons to play a role in which race car wins the race because the person with the quickest reaction to the start signal will release the starting mechanism first. 
     The starting mechanism  10  is mounted proximate a proximal end of the race track  12  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The placement of the starting mechanism  10  on the race track  12  thereby allows a race car (not shown) to be positioned on the race track  12  behind the starting mechanism  10 . 
     The starting mechanism  10  generally includes a start pin  20  and a start lever  22  that are mounted with respect to the race track  12 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The start lever  22  is operably attached to the start pin  20  such that movement of the start lever  22  causes movement of the start pin  20 . 
     The start pin  20  is formed with a length that is sufficiently long so that the start pin  20  extends at least partially in front of the race car when the race car is in the starting position and the start pin  20  is in a stop orientation. The start pin  20  thereby retains the race car in the starting position. 
     The start pin  20  is movable to a start orientation that permits the race car to begin moving along the race track  12  towards a distal end thereof. When in the start orientation, the start pin  20  may be substantially below an upper surface of the race track base surface  30 . 
     The start lever  22  is utilized to move the start pin  20  between the stop orientation and the start orientation. The start lever  22  may be formed with a length and a width that facilitates a person gripping the start lever  22  with one of the person&#39;s hands. In certain embodiments, the start lever  22  is formed with a length of about 6 inches. 
     When in the stop orientation, the start lever  22  may extend above an upper surface of the race track  12  to remind persons using the race track that the starting mechanism  10  is in the stop orientation. 
     The start pin  20  may be biased to the start orientation. The start lever  22  may be rotated to urge the start pin  20  to the stop orientation. When the force is removed from the start lever  22 , the bias force causes the start pin  20  to rotate to the start orientation. Using this configuration enhances the ability of the convertible start gate to have repeatable starts. 
     A start base  24  may be used to operably attach the start lever  22  to the start pin  20  as well as to operably attach the starting mechanism  10  to the race track  12 . The start base  24  may include at least a first base portion  30  and a second base portion  32  that are pivotally attached to each other. 
     The first base portion  30  may be attached to the race track  12  using a variety of techniques. One such suitable attachment technique is a bolt that engages a lower surface of the race track  12 . An important aspect of attaching the first base portion  30  to the race track  12  is that the first base portion  30  remains substantially stationary with respect to the race track  12 . 
     When the first base portion  30  is attached to the race track  12 , the first base portion  30  should be oriented substantially transverse to an orientation of the race track  12  so that each of the race cars will be substantially aligned with each other when starting the race. 
     The start pin  20  may be operably attached to the second base portion  32 . An end of the start lever  22  may be adjacent to the second base portion  32 . Rotation of the start lever  22  causes the start lever  22  to engage the second base portion to thereby retain the start pin  20  in the stop orientation. 
     It is possible for other connection mechanisms between the start lever  22  and the start pin  20  to be utilized. An example of one such alternative connection mechanism is at least one gear. A person of skill in the art will appreciate that utilizing the at least one gear would enable the start pin  20  to move at a different rate than the start lever  22 . Depending on the configuration of the least one gear, the start pin  20  may move slower or faster than the start lever  22 . 
     The starting mechanism  10  may also include a connection mechanism  40  such as is illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The connection mechanism  40  operably connects the second base portion  32  on adjacent starting mechanisms  10 . The connection mechanism  40  thereby enables the starting mechanisms  10  to be converted from being independently operable such as in a split start configuration to being simultaneously operable. 
     The connection mechanism  40  may engage the second base portion  32  in a variety of ways using the concepts of the invention. One such way is for the connection mechanism  40  to have a U-shaped configuration so that the connection mechanism  40  extends over the second base portions  32  on the adjacent starting mechanism  10 . 
     A fastener  42  may extend through an aperture on the connection mechanism  40  and then engage a surface of the second base portion  32  to thereby retain the connection mechanism  40  in a stationary portion with respect to the second base portion  32 . In certain embodiments, the fastener  42  is a screw. The screw may have an enlarged head that enables the screw to be manually turned without the use of an external mechanism such as a screw driver. Such a manually operable screw may be a thumb screw. 
     It is possible for the connection mechanism  40  to have alternative configurations using the concepts of the invention. One such alternative configuration includes a frictional engagement between the connection mechanism  40  and the second base portion  32 . Similar to the embodiment discussed above, the connection mechanism  40  may have a U-shape. 
     While the figures illustrate the connection mechanism  40  being used in conjunction with a race track  12  having two lanes, it is possible to adapt the concepts for use in conjunction with race tracks having more than two lanes by using multiple connection mechanisms  40  to connection adjacent starting mechanisms  10 . 
     In the preceding detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “leading,” “trailing,” etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the Figure(s) being described. Because components of embodiments can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The preceding detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims. 
     It is contemplated that features disclosed in this application, as well as those described in the above applications incorporated by reference, can be mixed and matched to suit particular circumstances. Various other modifications and changes will be apparent to those of ordinary skill.