Abstract:
A car racing system is disclosed. The car racing system includes an elongated racing surface. User controls interface with the racing surface. A first vehicle traverses the racing surface in one direction and a second vehicle traverses the racing surface in a second direction responsive to input from the user controls.

Description:
FIELD 
   The present invention relates to car racing systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to a drag racing-style slot car racing system. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Toy cars which traverse a simulated racetrack provide enjoyment and competition for persons of all ages. One type of car racing system which has been used for years utilizes “slot cars”. A slot car includes an electric motor which electrically engages a pair of power rails embedded in a track. The power rails are connected to a control mechanism which is used to facilitate flow of electrical power through the power rails and energize the electric motor through the wheels. The track typically includes multiple bends or curves and may further include overpasses and underpasses. 
   SUMMARY 
   The present invention is generally directed to a car racing system. The car racing system includes an elongated racing surface. User controls interface with the racing surface. A first vehicle traverses the racing surface in one direction and a second vehicle traverses the racing surface in a second direction responsive to input from the user controls. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a top view of an illustrative embodiment of the car racing system; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of the car racing system; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view, partially in section, of a motorcycle start panel end of an illustrative embodiment of the car racing system, illustrating a pair of cars and a pair of motorcycles on separate tracks of the car racing system; and 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view, partially in section, of a car start panel end of an illustrative embodiment of the car racing system, illustrating a pair of motorcycles on adjacent tracks, respectively, of the car racing system. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring to the drawings, an illustrative embodiment of the car racing system is generally indicated by reference numeral  1 . The car racing system  1  includes an elongated track  2  having a first panel end  2   a  and a second panel end  2   b . The track  2  may be plastic or other suitable material and has a racing surface  3 . Multiple, adjacent, parallel track slots  4  extend into the racing surface  3  of the track  2 . In an illustrative embodiment of the car racing system  1 , four track slots  4  extend into the racing surface  3 , although this number may vary. Accordingly, the track slots  4  include a pair of inner track slots  4   a  and a pair of outer track slots  4   b.    
   As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , a second vehicle start panel  8  extends from the second panel end  2   b  of the track  2 . A pair of second vehicle start switches  9   a  is provided on the second vehicle start panel  8 , at the ends of respective track slots  4 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 3 , in some embodiments, a pair of second vehicle start switches  9   a  is provided on the second vehicle start panel  8  at the ends of the respective inner track slots  4   a.    
   As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 , a first vehicle start panel  14  extends from the first panel end  2   a  of the track  2 . A pair of second vehicle finish switches  9   b  is provided on the first vehicle start panel  14 , typically at the ends of the respective inner track slots  4   a . First vehicle start switches  18   a  are provided on the first vehicle start panel  14 , at the ends of respective track slots  4 , such as at the ends of the respective outer track slots  4   b , for example. As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  4 , a pair of inner power rails  5   a  is embedded in the racing surface  3  of the track  2 , on respective sides of each inner track slot  4   a . Each pair of inner power rails  5   a  extends between the corresponding second vehicle start switch  9   a  on the second vehicle start panel  8  and second vehicle finish switch  9   b  on the first vehicle start panel  14 . A corresponding pair of outer power rails  5   b  is embedded in the racing surface  3 , on respective sides of each corresponding outer track slot  4   b . Each pair of outer power rails  5   b  extends between each first vehicle start switch  18   a  on the first vehicle start panel  14  and the corresponding first vehicle finish switch  18   b  on the second vehicle start panel  8 . 
   An electrical transformer  15  is provided on one of the second vehicle start panel  8  and the first vehicle start panel  14 . In the illustrative embodiment of the car racing system shown in the drawings, the transformer  15  is provided on the first vehicle start panel  14 . The transformer  15  is electrically connected to each of the second vehicle start switches  9   a  and first vehicle finish switches  18   b  on the second vehicle start panel  8  and to each of the first vehicle start switches  18   a  and second vehicle finish switches  9   b  on the first vehicle start panel  14 . 
   A power cord  16 , which terminates in a plug  17 , extends from the transformer  15 . The plug  17  may be adapted for insertion in a standard household electrical outlet (not shown). A pair of controls  22  includes a pair of control handles  23 , each of which may have a generally L-shaped configuration. A spring-loaded trigger  24  is provided on each control handle  23 . Each control handle  23  is electrically connected to the transformer  15  through a corresponding pair of control wiring  25 . The transformer  15  is electrically connected to each first vehicle start switch  18   a  and each second vehicle finish switch  9   b  on the first vehicle start panel  14 . 
   Through the transformer  15 , the trigger  24  of each control  22  is electrically connected to the corresponding first vehicle start switch  18   a , first vehicle finish switch  18   b  and corresponding second vehicle finish switch  9   b . Normally, each first vehicle start switch  18   a  is in the open position. Depression of the trigger  24  causes the corresponding first vehicle start switch  18   a  to close, thereby establishing electrical communication between the transformer  15  and corresponding pair of outer power rails  5   b . Upon release of the trigger  24 , the first vehicle start switch  18   a  opens, thereby terminating electrical communication between the transformer  15  and corresponding pair of outer power rails  5   b.    
   Each first vehicle finish switch  18   b  is electrically connected to the corresponding adjacent second vehicle start switch  9   a  on the second vehicle start panel  8 . Each first vehicle finish switch  18   b  is normally closed and forms a complete circuit with the corresponding first vehicle start switch  18   a . Upon activation typically in a manner which will be hereinafter described, each first vehicle finish switch  18   b  closes the corresponding adjacent second vehicle start switch  9   a . This electrically energizes the pair of inner power rails  5   a  which extend between each second vehicle start switch  9   a  and corresponding second vehicle finish switch  9   b , as long as the trigger  24  on the corresponding control  22  remains depressed. Normally, each second vehicle finish switch  9   b  remains closed unless and until activated typically in a manner which will be hereinafter described. 
   Each of a pair of first vehicles  30  and a pair of second vehicles  32  is supported by the racing surface  3  of the track  2 . In typical application, each of the pair of first vehicles  30  is a car and each of the pair of second vehicles  32  is a motorcycle. Each of the first vehicles  30  and each of the second vehicles  32  may have a conventional “slot car” design. As shown in  FIG. 3 , each of the pair of first vehicles  30  typically includes a chassis  30   a  which is rendered portable on the racing surface  3  by wheels  30   b . An electric motor  31  (shown in phantom) is provided in the chassis  30   a . The motor  31  drivingly engages at least one of the wheels  30   b . At least one of the wheels  30   b  is electrically conductive and is electrically connected to the motor  31  to power the motor  31 , typically conventional slot car design. Each of the pair of second vehicles  32  typically includes a frame  32   a  which is rendered portable on the racing surface  3  by wheels  32   b . An electric motor  33  (shown in phantom) is provided on the frame  32   a  and drivingly engages at least one of the wheels  32   b.    
   A tab (not shown) extends from the frame  32   a  of each second vehicle  32  and is inserted in the corresponding inner track slot  4   a . In like manner, a tab (not shown) also extends from the chassis  30   a  of each first vehicle  30  and is inserted in the corresponding outer track slot  4   b . When each first vehicle  30  and each second vehicle  32  is so positioned on the racing surface  3 , each wheel  30   b  of the first vehicle  30  contacts a corresponding outer power rail  5   b . In like manner, when each second vehicle  32  is so positioned on the racing surface  3 , each wheel  32   b  of the second vehicle  32  contacts an inner power rail  5   a . Therefore, electrical power is transferred from the outer power rail  5   b  to the motor  31  of each first vehicle  30  through the wheel or wheels  30   b . In like manner, electrical power is transferred from the inner rail  5   a  to the motor  33  of each second vehicle  32  through the wheel or wheels  32   b.    
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , in typical application, the first vehicles  30  are positioned at the respective first vehicle start switches  18   a  on the first vehicle start panel  14 . The second vehicles  32  are positioned at the respective second vehicle start switches  9   a  on the second vehicle start panel  8 . Competing players (not shown) hold the respective controls  22 . Each of the controls  22  controls a corresponding one of the first vehicles  30  and a corresponding one of the second vehicles  32 . Accordingly, upon depression of the trigger  24  of each control  22 , the corresponding first vehicle start switch  18   a  is closed, energizing the outer power rails  5   b . This facilitates traversal of the first vehicle  30  along the racing surface  3  of the track  2 , toward and ultimately against the corresponding first vehicle finish switch  18   b . Therefore, the first vehicle finish switch  18   b  closes the corresponding adjacent second vehicle start switch  9   a , energizing the corresponding pair of inner power rails  5   a . This facilitates traversal of the second vehicle  32  along the racing surface  3 , toward and ultimately against the corresponding second vehicle finish switch  9   b . In response, the second vehicle finish switch  9   b  is opened, terminating flow of electrical power to the inner power rails  5   a . The player who controls the second vehicle  32  which reaches the corresponding second vehicle finish switch  9   b  first is typically the winner. 
   While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above, it will be recognized and understood that various modifications can be made in the invention and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.