Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims the filing benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/490,610, filed Jul. 26, 2003, which is included herein by reference. 

   TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The present invention pertains generally to foam race tracks for racing remote control toy vehicles, and more particularly to foam race tracks with foam side borders which both keep the vehicles from exiting the race track and prevent damage to the vehicles. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Foam race tracks for remote control toy vehicles are known in the art. Such race tracks comprise a surface of interlocking polymer foam track sections upon which the remote control vehicles freely travel. In the existing race tracks however, there is no mechanism for keeping the vehicles on the racing surface. As such, the vehicles oftentimes leave the racing surface sometimes inflicting damage to the vehicles. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to a modular race track for remote control toy vehicles. The race track includes a plurality of interlocking polymer foam mats having soft side foam rails. The race track sections include different side rail configurations such as straight rail, inside corner, outside corner, and side bump rail. The sections can be assembled by a user to form a variety of different race track layouts. The race track is set up so that the entire periphery of the race track is guarded by side rails so that the remote control toy vehicles cannot leave the race track. The side rails both prevent the remote control vehicles from leaving the race track, and can also serve to guide the vehicles upon the race track by forming a central barrier. The present invention gives the user a product which won&#39;t damage or scratch most toy plastic vehicles and will keep most small remote control vehicles from exiting the track when in contact with a side border. The different track configuration pieces allow each user to create his or her own custom track layout. The track sets up very easily and can be stored in a very small space. The material of the track can hold up to most weather related exposures. Different track surface textures include an off road bumpy surface, a smooth flat surface, and a roughened friction enhancing surface. It may be appreciated that the track sections of the present invention may be sold separately, or may be sold in a kit which can be configured into one or more race track layouts. 
   In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a method for constructing a race track for remote control toy vehicles includes the steps of:
         (a) providing a plurality of interlockable mats, each mat having a top surface;   (b) providing a corresponding plurality of side rails, a side rail attached to the top surface of each mat and extending upwardly therefrom, each side rail and mat pair forming a race track segment; and,   (c) arranging the race track segments by interlocking the mats to form a race track, the arrangement being made such that the perimeter of the race track is completely bordered by side rails.       

   In accordance with an aspect of the invention:
         in (b), a first configuration race track segment including:
           a mat having three interlockable sides and one straight side;   a straight side rail disposed along the straight side of the mat; and,   the first configuration race track segment positionable along either the perimeter of the race track or in the interior of the race track.   
               

   In accordance with another aspect of the invention:
         in (b), a second configuration race track segment including:
           a mat having three interlockable sides and one straight side;   a convex side rail disposed along the straight side of the mat; and,   the second configuration race track segment positionable along either the perimeter of the race track or in the interior of the race track.   
               

   In accordance with another aspect of the invention:
         in (b), a third configuration race track segment including:
           a mat having two perpendicular interlockable sides and a quarter circle side;   a curved side rail disposed along the quarter circle side of the mat; and,   the third configuration race track segment only positionable along the perimeter of the race track.   
               

   In accordance with another aspect of the invention:
         in (b), a fourth configuration race track segment including:
           a mat having four interlockable sides and four corners;   a quarter circle side rail which is disposed in one of the corners of the mat; and,   the fourth configuration race track segment only positionable in the interior of the race track.   
               

   In accordance with another aspect of the invention:
         in (b), a fifth configuration race track segment including:
           a mat being having four interlockable sides;   a straight side rail disposed along a central axis of the mat; and,   the fifth configuration race track segment only positionable in the interior of the race track.   
               

   In accordance with another aspect of the invention:
         in (b), the side rails removably attached to the mats.       

   In accordance with another aspect of the invention:
         in (a), each mat having at least one hole;   in (b), each side rail having at least one hole; and,   in (b), a connector received by the at least one hole in the mat and the at least one hole in the side rail, the connector removably connecting each side rail to each mat.       

   In accordance with another aspect of the invention:
         in (b), each side rail having a first end and an opposite second end;   in (b), the first end of each side rail interlockable with an adjacent side rail, and the second end of each side rail interlockable with another adjacent side rail;   in (b), interlocking the first end of each side rail with an adjacent side rail; and,   in (b), interlocking the second end of each side rail with another adjacent side rail.       

   In accordance with another aspect of the invention:
         the top surface having a texture, the texture being one of (1) smooth, (2) roughened, and (3) bumpy.       

   In accordance with another aspect of the invention:
         each of the mats having a bottom surface having a texture, the texture being one of (1) smooth, (2) roughened, and (3) bumpy; and,   the texture of the bottom surface being different from the texture of the top surface.       

   Other aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a reduced top plan view of a rack track for remote control toy vehicles in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a top plan view of a first type of mat; 
       FIG. 3  is a top plan view of a second type of mat; 
       FIG. 4  is a top plan view of a third type of mat; 
       FIG. 5  is a top plan view of a fourth type of mat; 
       FIG. 6  is a top plan view of a first configuration race track segment; 
       FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of the first configuration race track segment; 
       FIG. 8  is a top plan view of a second configuration race track segment; 
       FIG. 9  is a side elevation view of the second configuration race track segment; 
       FIG. 10  is a top plan view of a third configuration race track segment; 
       FIG. 11  is a top plan view of a fourth configuration race track segment; 
       FIG. 12  is a top plan view of a fifth type of mat; 
       FIG. 13  is a top plan view of a fifth configuration race track segment; 
       FIG. 14  is an enlarged exploded side elevation view in direction  14 — 14  of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 15  a top plan view of a sixth type of mat; 
       FIG. 16  is an enlarged side elevation view of a mat having two different racing surfaces; and, 
       FIG. 17  is a reduced top plan view of a second rack track configuration. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated a reduced top plan view of a rack track for remote control toy vehicles  500  in accordance with the present invention, generally designated as  20 . Race track  20  includes a plurality of interlocking mats  22 , each mat  22  has a top surface  24 . In an embodiment of the invention mats  22  are approximately 50 cm×50 cm and have a thickness T of about 14 mm (refer to  FIG. 7 ). Also in an embodiment of the invention, mats  22  are fabricated from a polymer foam such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). Mats  22  have borders which have teeth  26  which interlock with adjacent mats (refer to  FIGS. 2–5 ,  12 , and  15 ). In  FIG. 1 , for simplicity the interlocking teeth  26  have been omitted. Top surface  24 , and bottom surface  25  (refer to  FIG. 16 ) can have one of three surface textures (refer also to  FIG. 16  and the discussion pertaining thereto). 
   A side rail  28  (shown by wide dark line) is attached to top surface  24  of each mat  22  and extends upwardly therefrom, each side rail  28  and mat  22  pair forming a race track segment  30  (refer also to  FIGS. 6–11 , and  13 ). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, side rails  28  are removably attached to mats  22 . It is noted that race track segments  30  come in different mat  22  and side rail  28  configurations (refer to  FIGS. 6–11 , and  13 ). In an embodiment of the invention, side rails  28  have a height H of about 3 cm (refer to  FIG. 7 ). 
   Race track segments  30  are arranged so that race track  20  has a perimeter P which is completely bordered by side rails  28 . As such, when a remote control toy vehicle  500  contacts a side rail  28 , because of the side rails height H, the vehicle  500  is deflected away from the side rail  28  and back toward the interior of race track  20 . 
   Now referring to  FIGS. 2–5 , there are illustrated top plan views of first through fourth types of mats  22 . As may be seen from  FIG. 1 , each type of mat is useful for constructing a particular portion of race track  20 .  FIG. 2  is a first type of mat  22  which has three interlockable sides and one straight side. First type of mat  22  is used create the first configuration race track segment  30  shown in  FIG. 6 . First type of mat  22  has two holes  32  which receive connectors  50  (refer to  FIG. 14 ) that attach a side rail  28  to a mat  22 . It is noted that each mat  22  has at least one hole  32  for connecting its associated side rail  28 . 
     FIG. 3  is a second type of mat  22  which has three interlockable sides and one straight side. Second type of mat  22  is used create the second configuration race track segment  30  shown in  FIG. 8 . Second type of mat  22  has three holes  32  which receive connectors  50  (refer to  FIG. 14 ) that attach a convex side rail  28  to a mat  22 . 
     FIG. 4  is a third type of mat  22  which has two interlockable sides and a quarter circle side. Third type of mat  22  is used create the third configuration race track segment  30  shown in  FIG. 10 . Third type of mat  22  has three holes  32  which receive connectors  50  (refer to  FIG. 14 ) that attach a quarter circle side rail  28  to a mat  22 . 
     FIG. 5  is a fourth type of mat  22  which has four interlockable sides. Fourth type of mat  22  is used create the fourth configuration race track segment  30  shown in  FIG. 11 . Fourth type of mat  22  has one hole  32  which receives a connector  50  (refer to  FIG. 14 ) that attaches a quarter circle side rail  28  to a mat  22 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 6 , there is illustrated a top plan view of a first configuration race track segment  30 . Mat  22  is substantially square and has three interlockable sides (sides that selectively interlock with an adjacent race track segment  30 ) and one straight side. Side rail  28  is straight and is disposed along the straight side of mat  22 . Two connectors  50  attach side rail  28  to mat  22 . First configuration race track segment  30  is positionable along either the perimeter P of race track  20  or in the interior I of race track  20 . The interior of race track  20  is defined as any mat  22  which does not define the perimeter P of race track  20 . For example, selected race track segments  30  designated with an I in  FIG. 1  comprise the interior of race track  20 . 
     FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of the first configuration race track segment  30 . Mat  22  has a thickness T, and side rail  28  has a height H. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 8 , there is illustrated a top plan view of a second configuration race track segment  30 . Mat  22  is substantially square and has three interlockable sides and one straight side. Side rail  28  is convex and is disposed along the straight side of mat  22 . Three connectors  50  attach side rail  28  to mat  22 . Second configuration race track segment  30  is positionable along either the perimeter P of race track  20  or in the interior I of race track  20 . Second configuration race track segment  30  serves as a “bumper” for the toy vehicles  500 . 
     FIG. 9  is a side elevation view of the second configuration race track segment  30 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 10 , there is illustrated a top plan view of a third configuration race track segment  30 . Mat  22  has two perpendicular interlockable sides and a quarter circle side. Side rail  28  is curved and disposed along the quarter circle side of mat  22  forming a curved outside corner. Three connectors  50  attach side rail  28  to mat  22 . Third configuration race track segment  30  is only positionable along the perimeter P of race track  20  at a corner of the race track  20 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 11 , there is illustrated a top plan view of a fourth configuration race track segment  30 . Mat  22  is substantially square and has four interlockable sides and four corners. Side rail  28  is a quarter circle (inside corner) and is disposed in one of the corners of mat  22 . One connector  50  attaches side rail  28  to mat  22 . Fourth configuration race track segment  30  is only positionable in the interior I of race track  20 . 
     FIG. 12  is a top plan view of a fifth type of mat  22  which has four interlockable sides. Fifth type of mat  22  is used create the fifth configuration race track segment  30  shown in  FIG. 13 . Fifth type of mat  22  has two holes  32  disposed on a central axis  29  which receive connectors  50  (refer to  FIG. 14 ) that attach a side rail  28  to a mat  22 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 13 , there is illustrated a top plan view of a fifth configuration race track segment  30 . Mat  22  is substantially square and has four interlockable sides and a central axis  29 . Side rail  28  is straight and is disposed along central axis  29  of mat  22 . Two connectors  50  attach side rail  28  to mat  22 . Fifth configuration race track segment  30  is only positionable in the interior I of race track  20  (refer to  FIG. 17 ). 
   It is noted that in  FIGS. 6 ,  8 ,  10 ,  11 , and  13  each side rail  28  has a first end  29  and an opposite second end  31 . Each first end  29  of each side rail  28  is interlockable with an adjacent side rail  28 , and each second end  31  of each side rail  28  is interlockable with another adjacent side rail  28 . In the shown embodiment, first ends  29  have a tooth  33 , and second ends  31  have a tooth-receiving cavity  35 . 
     FIG. 14  is an enlarged exploded side elevation view in direction  14 — 14  of  FIG. 6 . Each mat  22  has at least one hole  32 , and each side rail  28  has at least one corresponding hole  27 . Connector  50  is received by the at least one hole  32  in mat  22  and hole  27  in side rail  28 . Holes  32  and  27  have a first diameter D 1 . Connector  50  includes a first member  51  having a hollow cylindrical body having female threads, the body having an outside second diameter D 2  which is approximately equal to first diameter D 1  of holes  32  and  27 . In an embodiment of the invention, connector  50  is plastic. First member  51  has a closed end having a first flange  53  having a third diameter D 3  which is greater than first diameter D 1 . Connector  50  includes a second member  52  having male threads which selectively engage the female threads of first member  51 . Second member  52  has a second flange  55  having a fourth diameter D 4  which is also greater than first diameter D 1 . Wherein first member  51  may be inserted through holes  32  and  28  of mat  22  and side rail  28  respectively, and the male and female threads engaged and tightened so that first  53  and second  55  flanges abut mat  22  and side rail  28  respectively. 
     FIG. 15  a top plan view of a sixth type of mat  22 . This type of mat  22  has no holes, and can only be used in the interior I of race track  20 . 
     FIG. 16  is an enlarged side elevation view of a mat  22  having two different racing surfaces. Top surface  24  of mat  22  can have one of a three different textures, (1) smooth (shown in the FIG.), (2) roughened, and (3) bumpy. The smooth texture is useful for most toy vehicles. The bumpy texture which is useful for off-road vehicles. The roughened surface is a smooth surface which has been scraped with a blade to roughen the surface and thereby provide better traction for the toy vehicles. 
   Each mat  22  also has a bottom surface  25  having a texture, the bottom texture also being one of (1) smooth, (2) roughened, and (3) bumpy (shown in the FIG.). In an embodiment of the invention, the bottom surface  25  texture is different from the top surface  24  texture. This feature allows one set of mats  22  to be reversed and therefore provide two different racing surfaces. 
     FIG. 17  is a reduced top plan view of a second rack track  20  configuration. 
   In terms of use, a method for constructing a race track  20  for remote control toy vehicles  500 , includes:
         (a) providing a plurality of interlockable mats  22 , each mat  22  having a top surface  24 ;   (b) providing a corresponding plurality of side rails  28 , a side rail  28  attached to the top surface  24  of each mat  22  and extending upwardly therefrom, each side rail  28  and mat  22  pair forming a race track segment  30 ; and,   (c) arranging the race track segments  30  by interlocking the mats  22  to form a race track  20 , the arrangement being made such that the race track  20  has a perimeter P which is completely bordered by side rails  28 .       

   The method further including:
         in (b), a first configuration race track segment  30  including:
           a mat  22  having three interlockable sides and one straight side;   a straight side rail  28  disposed along the straight side of mat  22 ; and,   first configuration race track segment  30  positionable along either the perimeter P of race track  20  or in the interior I of race track  20 .   
               

   The method further including:
         in (b), a second configuration race track segment  30  including:
           a mat  22  having three interlockable sides and one straight side;   a convex side rail  28  disposed along the straight side of mat  22 ; and,   second configuration race track segment  30  positionable along either the perimeter P of race track  22  or in the interior I of race track  20 .   
               

   The method further including:
         in (b), a third configuration race track segment  30  including:
           a mat  22  having two perpendicular interlockable sides and a quarter circle side;   a curved side rail  28  disposed along the quarter circle side of mat  22 ; and,   third configuration race track segment  30  only positionable along the perimeter P of race track  20 .   
               

   The method further including:
         in (b), a fourth configuration race track segment  30  including:
           a mat  22  having four interlockable sides and four corners;   a quarter circle side rail  28  which is disposed in one of the corners of mat  22 ; and,   fourth configuration race track segment  30  only positionable in the interior I of race track  20 .   
               

   The method further including:
         in (b), a fifth configuration race track segment  30  including:
           a mat  22  being having four interlockable sides;   a straight side rail  28  disposed along a central axis  29  of mat  22 ; and,   fifth configuration race track segment  30  only positionable in the interior I of race track  20 .   
               

   The method further including:
         in (b), side rails  28  removably attached to mats  22 .       

   The method further including:
         in (a), each mat  22  having at least one hole  32 ;   in (b), each side rail  28  having at least one hole  33 ; and,   in (b), a connector  50  received by the at least one hole  32  in mat  22  and the at least one hole  33  in side rail  28 , connector  50  removably connecting each side rail  28  to each mat  22 .       

   The method further including:
         in (b), each side rail  28  having a first end  29  and an opposite second end  31 ;   in (b), the first end  29  of each side rail  28  interlockable with an adjacent side rail  28 , and the second end  31  of each side rail  28  interlockable with another adjacent side rail  28 ;   in (b), interlocking the first end  31  of each side rail  28  with an adjacent side rail  28 ; and,   in (b), interlocking the second end  33  of each side rail  28  with another adjacent side rail  28 .       

   The method further including:
         top surface  24  having a texture, the texture being one of (1) smooth, (2) roughened, and (3) bumpy.       

   The method further including:
         each mat  22  having a bottom surface  25  having a texture, the texture being one of (1) smooth, (2) roughened, and (3) bumpy; and,   the texture of the bottom surface  25  being different from the texture of the top surface  24 .       

   The preferred embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations, and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve an equivalent result, all of which are intended to be embraced within the scope of the appended claims.

Technology Category: 1