Patent Publication Number: US-8986064-B2

Title: Modular track for model vehicles

Description:
FIELD 
     This patent specification relates to a modular track system for model vehicles, and more particularly to connectors for joining individual track sections to form a modular track for model vehicles. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Modular tracks for model vehicle are generally constructed from a plurality of track sections interconnected with one another. Various types of systems for connecting adjacent track sections have been developed. These systems, however, suffer from a number of shortcomings. For example, some of the existing connection systems may be difficult to manipulate and thus are not suitable for children and some adults. Some existing systems are also not able to prevent lateral movement of track section relative to one another. Accordingly, there is still a need for an improved system for connecting adjacent track sections of a modular track. 
     SUMMARY 
     Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a modular track for model vehicles comprising a plurality of interconnected track sections. 
     According to some embodiments, a track for model vehicles of the present disclosure includes a plurality of track sections, each track section including at least one upper and lower surface and at least one end. In some embodiments, a first track section of the plurality of track sections includes a female connector structure and a male connector structure located in a first track section end region, and a second track section of the plurality of track sections includes a male connector structure and a female connector structure located in a second track end region. In some embodiments, the female connector structure of the first track section correspondingly interconnects with the male connector structure of the second track section and the female connector structure of the second track section correspondingly interconnects with the male section of the first track section to interconnect the first track section and the second track section. 
     According to some embodiments, a track for model vehicles includes a plurality of track sections, each track section having at least one male connector structure and at least one female connector structure, the connector structures extending at least partially beyond at least one end of the track section, wherein a male connector structure of a first track section of the plurality of track sections is concentrically engageable with a female connector structure of an adjacent track section of the plurality of track sections; and a female connector structure of the first track section is concentrically engageable with a male connector structure of the adjacent track section to interconnect the first track section and the adjacent track section. 
     In some embodiments, the female connector structure of the first track section includes at least one cavity and the female connector structure of the second track section includes at least one cavity. 
     In some embodiments, the male connector structure of the first track section correspondingly interconnects into the at least one cavity of the female connector structure of the second track section from a direction of a lower surface to an upper surface and the male connector structure of the second track section correspondingly interconnects into the at least one cavity of the female connector structure of the first track section from a direction of a lower surface to an upper surface. 
     In some embodiments, the female and the male connector structures of the first track section extend upwardly from the upper surface of the first track section, and the female and the male connector structures of the second track section extend upwardly from the upper surface of the second track section. 
     In some embodiments, the male connector structure of the first track section is concentrically fitted into the female connector structure of the second track section and the male connector structure of the second track section is concentrically fitted into the female connector structure of the first section. 
     In some embodiments, the connector structures at least partially extend beyond the sides and end of a body of the first and second track sections. 
     In some embodiments, the female connector structures are contiguous with a body of the first and second track sections and the male connector structures are spaced away from the body of the first and second sections. 
     In some embodiments, the male connector structures are disposed on a lower plane than the female connectors. 
     According to some embodiments, a track for model vehicles is provided, the track including a first track section having a first pylon and a second pylon disposed along an end region of the first track section and a second track section having a third pylon and a fourth pylon disposed along an end region of the second track section, the third and the fourth pylons are designed complimentary to the first and second pylon, respectively. In some embodiments, to interconnect the first track section and the second track section, the first pylon receives the third pylon into a cavity underneath the first pylon and the second pylon is inserted into a cavity underneath the fourth pylon. 
     In some embodiments, the third pylon interconnects into the cavity underneath the first pylon from a direction of a lower surface to an upper surface of the first track section and the second pylon interconnects into the cavity underneath the fourth pylon from a direction of a lower surface to an upper surface of the second track section. 
     In some embodiments, the first and second pylons extend upwardly from an upper surface of the first track section and the third and fourth pylons extend upwardly from an upper surface of the second track section. 
     In some embodiments, the third pylon concentrically fits into the first pylon and the second pylon concentrically fits into the fourth pylon. 
     In some embodiments, the pylons at least partially extend beyond the sides of the first and second track sections. 
     In some embodiments, the first pylon and the fourth pylon are contiguous with the first and second track sections and the second pylon and third pylon are spaced away from the first and second sections. 
     In some embodiments, the first pylon is disposed on a higher plane than the second pylon and the fourth pylon is on a higher plane than the third pylon. 
     Further features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present disclosure is further described in the detailed description which follows, in reference to the noted plurality of drawings by way of non-limiting examples of exemplary embodiments. The drawings shown are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the presently disclosed embodiments, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a prospective view of an embodiment track of the present disclosure including a plurality of interconnected track sections. 
         FIG. 2A ,  FIG. 2B ,  FIG. 2C , and  FIG. 2D  illustrate some embodiments of a track section. 
         FIG. 3  is a close up of a section of a toy track of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4A ,  FIG. 4B , and  FIG. 4C  illustrate a non-limiting example of an interconnection between two track sections. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of an interconnection between two track sections. 
     
    
    
     While the above-identified drawings set forth presently disclosed embodiments, other embodiments are also contemplated, as noted in the discussion. This disclosure presents illustrative embodiments by way of representation and not limitation. Numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art which fall within the scope and spirit of the principles of the presently disclosed embodiments. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description provides exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the following description of the exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing one or more exemplary embodiments, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
     Specific details are given in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. For example, systems, processes, and other elements in the invention may be shown as components in block diagram form in order not to obscure the embodiments in unnecessary detail. In other instances, well-known processes, structures, and techniques may be shown without unnecessary detail in order to avoid obscuring the embodiments. Further, like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
     Also, it is noted that individual embodiments may be described as a process which is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a data flow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A process may be terminated when its operations are completed, but could have additional steps not discussed or included in a figure. Furthermore, not all operations in any particularly described process may occur in all embodiments. A process may correspond to a method, a function, a procedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, etc. When a process corresponds to a function, its termination corresponds to a return of the function to the calling function or the main function. 
     Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may be implemented, at least in part, either manually or automatically. Manual or automatic implementations may be executed, or at least assisted, through the use of machines, hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, firmware, middleware or microcode, the program code or code segments to perform the necessary tasks may be stored in a machine readable medium. A processor(s) may perform the necessary tasks. 
     Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a modular track system for model vehicles, such as trains or cars.  FIG. 1  illustrates a non-limiting embodiment of a modular track  10  formed by a plurality of track sections  100  interconnected with one another. The shapes of adjacent track sections may vary as long as a continuous, substantially smooth track is formed to enable model vehicles to travel along the track with minimal interruptions. While  FIG. 1  illustrates a generally oval track, the plurality of track sections  100  may have various shapes to form a continuous track of any desired shape, including, but not limited to, oval, circle, figure eight loops or another shape. 
     In reference to  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B , each track section  100  has a body portion  110  having a first end region  114  and a second end region  116 . The body portion  110  of the track section  110  can be straight, arched or curved. By way of a non-limiting example,  FIG. 2C  illustrates a track section with a straight body portion. In some embodiments, the body portion  110  may include multiple body sections connected at an angle relative to one another. For example, as shown in  FIG. 2D , the body  100  of the track section  100  includes a first body portion  110 A disposed at a right angle relative to a second body portion  110 B. The first body portion  110 A may be have a length similar or different that the length of the second body portion  110 B. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B , the body portion  110  of each track section  100  further includes a first surface  118  and a second surface  120 . The first surface  118  may be planar or may include a ramp for a length of the first surface  118 . In some embodiments, the first surface  118  is made to resemble a thoroughfare, such as for example, a railroad track, a roadway, a canal, or a similar structures for vehicles to move upon. In some embodiments, the first surface  118  may include raised curbs or sidewalls on either side to define the thoroughfare. The first surfaces of adjacent track sections may vary as long as a continuous, substantially smooth track is formed to enable model vehicles to move along the track. 
     The second surface  120  of the body portion  110  may be of any shape or configuration suitable to support the toy track on a supporting surface, such as a floor or a table. In some embodiments, the second surface  120  may also be made to resemble a thoroughfare, preferably different than that of the first surface  118 . In some embodiments, the first surface  118  and the second surface  120  are configured such that the toy track may be used with either one of the surfaces facing upward and the opposite surface actions as supporting surface. For the ease of description, the surface facing upwards so that the vehicles can drive on that surface may be referred to herein as the upper surface, while the surface facing downward may be referred to herein as the lower surface. This naming convention also applies to other features of track sections. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B , each track section  100  also includes a pair of connectors  122 ,  124  situated about the first end  114  of the body portion  110 . The second end  116  of the body portion  110  may also include a pair of connectors  122 ,  124 . In some embodiments, the second end  116  of the body portion  110  may include connectors that are of different type than the connectors  122 ,  124  at the first end  114 . In some embodiments, the second end  116  of the body portion  110  may include no connectors. In some embodiments, the connectors  122 ,  124  are cone shaped. In some embodiments, the connectors  122 ,  124  are pylon-shaped, extending upward from the upper surface of the track section  100 . It should be noted, however, that while the figures illustrate pylon-shaped connectors  122 ,  124 , the connectors  122 ,  124  can be of any other shape. 
     In some embodiments, the connectors  122 ,  124  are situated about the end  114  of the body portion  110 . In some embodiments, the connectors  122 ,  124  are offset a distance from the end  114  of the body portion  110 . The connectors  122 ,  124  may project away from the body portion  110  of the track section  100  to enable adjacent track sections to be connected to form an uninterrupted upper surface. In some embodiments, at least 2 connectors  122 ,  124  extend from the corners of the track section  100 . In some embodiments, the connectors  122 ,  124  may at least partially extend beyond the end of the body portion  110  in the longitudinal direction of the body portion  110 . 
     In some embodiments, the connectors  122 ,  124  at least partially extend radially or sideways beyond the sides of the body portion  110 . To that end, the connectors  122 ,  124  may be set at an angle relative to the body portion  110 . In some embodiments, because the connectors  122 ,  124  at least partially extend beyond the end  114  of the body portion  110 , the connectors  122 ,  124  provide a lateral support for the track section  100 . 
     In some embodiments, the connectors  122 ,  124  can be spaced away from the body portion  110  by a connector bridge  126 , such as the connector  124 . Alternatively, some connectors can be contiguous with the body, such as, for example, the connector  126 . In some embodiments, the connectors  122 ,  124  may be disposed at a different level relative to the top surface of the track section  100  so that one connector is higher than the other connector. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , in some embodiments, adjacent track sections  300 ,  350  are interconnected by mating connectors  302 ,  304  of the first track section  300  with connectors  352 ,  354  of the second track section  350  to create a continuous track  310 . For example, to interconnect the track sections  352  and  354 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , the first track section  300  may be provided with a male connector  304  and a female connector  302 , while the second track section  350  may be provided with a male connector  354  and a female connector  352  designed to mate with the female connector  304  and male connector  302  of the first track section, respectively. To connect adjacent track sections  300 ,  350  together, the connectors  302 ,  304  of the first section  300  and connectors  352 ,  354  of the second track section are complimentary-shaped to enable interconnection of the connectors  302 ,  304  of the first section  300  with connectors  352 ,  354  of the second section  350 . For example, when the first track section  300  and the second track section  350  are positioned in an end-to-end alignment with one another, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the male connector  304  of the first track section  300  and the female connector  352  of the second track section  350  are positioned on one side of the track  310 , while the male connector  354  of the second track section  350  and the female connector  302  of the first track section  300  are on the opposite side of the track  310 . In some embodiments, the female connector  302  of the first track section  300  is configured to correspondingly interconnect with the male connector  354  of the second track section  350  and the female connector  352  of the second track section  350  is configured to correspondingly interconnect with the male connector  304  of the first track section  300 . 
     The female connectors  302 ,  304  and the male connectors  304 ,  354  may be interconnected by a variety of joining techniques, including, but not limited to, snap fit, friction fit, or another type of detachable fit. 
     In some embodiments, the connectors  302 ,  304 ,  352 ,  354  are designed so as to allow repeated engagement and detachment of the track sections  300 ,  350 . 
     In reference to  FIG. 4A , the female connectors  302 ,  352  may be designed as a receptacle that receives and holds the male connectors  304 ,  354 , respectively. In some embodiments, the male connectors  304 ,  354  are designed to concentrically fit in the corresponding female connector  302  or  352 . In some embodiments, the female connectors  302 ,  352  may include a cavity  402 ,  452 , respectively, configured to complimentary receive male connectors  304 ,  354  of the adjacent section, as shown in  FIG. 4C . In some embodiments, the cavities  402 ,  452  are configured to securely receive a corresponding male connector  304 ,  354 . In some embodiments, female connectors  302 ,  352  can be shaped to define a cavity within the female connectors  302 ,  352 . In some embodiments, the cavity  402 ,  452  may be underneath the female connectors  302 ,  352 , as shown, for example, in  FIG. 4A . In some embodiments, the cavities  402 ,  452  are configured to enable a corresponding male connector  304 ,  354  to be securely inserted into the respective cavity  402 ,  452  from underneath the female connectors  302 ,  352 , that is, from a direction of the lower surface to the upper surface of the male connector, as illustrated in  FIG. 4B . In some embodiments, the male connectors  304 ,  354  are connected to the body of the track section with the 126 connector bridge to facilitate insertion of the male connector into the female connector, as shown in  FIG. 4B  and  FIG. 4C . In some embodiments, the cavity  402 ,  452  may have a side opening. In some embodiments, the side opening into the cavities  402 ,  452  may be disposed on the front side of the female connectors  302 ,  352  to enable insertion of the male connectors  304 ,  354  into the female connectors  302 ,  352  as the first track section  300  and the second track section  350  are positioned end to end. 
     By way of a non-limiting example, the female connectors  302 ,  352  and the male connectors  304 ,  354  may be pylon-shaped. The female connector pylons and the male connector pylons may be sized and shaped such that the male connector pylons may be correspondingly interconnect with the female connector pylons. In some embodiments, the female connector pylons define a cavity underneath the female connector pylons designed to correspondingly accept the male connector pylons therein. To interconnect two sections, the male connector pylons of each section are inserted into the cavity of the female connector pylons of the other section from a direction of the lower surface to the upper surface of the track sections. 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 3 , showing two adjacent sections  300  and  350  interconnected. By way of a non-limiting example, the female connector  302  includes a base  502  and a cavity divided into multiple sections  504 ,  506 ,  508  of varying diameter. In some embodiments, the diameters of the sections  504 ,  506 ,  508  decreases from the base  502  up in the direction of a lower surface to an upper surface. The diameter of the section  504  is thus smaller than the diameter of the section  506  and of the section  508 . The diameter of the section  506  is larger than the diameter of the section  504  and smaller than the diameter of the section  508 . 
     In some embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the sections  504 ,  506 ,  508  may be of the same height of different heights. By way of a non-limiting example, the section  508  may have a shorter length than the length of the section  504 , which in turn may have a shorter length than the length of the section  506 . 
     The male connector  354  may also be provided with a base  552  and three sections  554 ,  556 , and  558  of varying diameter complimentary to the base  502  and three sections  504 ,  506 , and  508  of the female connector  302  to interconnect the female connector  302  with the male connector  354 . 
     In some embodiments, the female connector  302  and the male connector  354  may include complimentary shaped locking buttons  510 ,  560  to further stabilize and reinforce the interlocking of the female connector  302  with the male connector  354 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , by way of a non-limiting example, to interconnect the first track section  300  and the second track section  350 , the female connector  302  of the first section  300  and the male connector  354  of the second section  350  are complimentary to one another such that the male connector  354  can be correspondingly received within the cavity defined by the female connector  302  to form a secure connection between the female connector  302  and male connector  354 . Similarly, the male connector  304  of the first section  300  and the female connector  352  of the second section  350  are complimentary to one another such that the male connector  304  can be correspondingly received within the cavity defined by the female connector  352  to form a secure connection between the female connector  352  and male connector  304 . 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the female and male connectors of each section are disposed at different heights. In some embodiments, the male connector of a track section is disposed at a lower plane than the female connector of that track section. In this manner, when two track sections are connected, the upper surfaces of the two track sections are levelled and form a substantially smooth upper surface between the two track sections. 
     In some embodiments, a track for model vehicles of the present disclosure includes a plurality of track sections, each track section including at least one upper and lower surface and at least one end. In some embodiments, a first track section of the plurality of track sections includes a female connector structure and a male connector structure located in a first track section end region and a second track section of the plurality of track sections includes a male connector structure and a female connector structure located in a second track end region. In some embodiments, the female connector structure of the first track section correspondingly interconnects with the male connector structure of the second track section and the female connector structure of the second track section correspondingly interconnects with the male section of the first track section to interconnect the first track section and the second track section. 
     In some embodiments, a track for model vehicles includes a plurality of track sections, each track section having at least one male connector structure and at least one female connector structure, the connector structures extending at least partially beyond at least one end of the track section, wherein a male connector structure of a first track section of the plurality of track sections is concentrically engageable with a female connector structure of an adjacent track section of the plurality of track sections; and a female connector structure of the first track section is concentrically engageable with a male connector structure of the adjacent track section to interconnect the first track section and the adjacent track section. 
     In some embodiments, a track for model vehicles is provided, the track including a first track section having a first pylon and a second pylon disposed along an end region of the first track section and a second track section having a third pylon and a fourth pylon disposed along an end region of the second track section, the third and the fourth pylons are designed complimentary to the first and second pylon, respectively. In some embodiments, to interconnect the first track section and the second track section, the first pylon receives the third pylon into a cavity underneath the first pylon and the second pylon is inserted into a cavity underneath the fourth pylon. 
     The disclosure has been described with reference to particular preferred embodiments, but variations within the spirit and scope of the disclosure will occur to those skilled in the art. It is noted that the foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present disclosure. While the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the words which have been used herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made, within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure in its aspects. Although the present disclosure has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the present disclosure extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. 
     All patents, patent applications, and published references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. While the methods of the present disclosure have been described in connection with the specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification. Furthermore, this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the methods of the present disclosure, including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the methods of the present disclosure pertain, and as fall within the scope of the appended claims.