US3857193A

US3857193A - Toy vehicle and track set

Info

Publication number: US3857193A
Application number: US00310936A
Authority: US
Inventors: A Goldgarb
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-11-30
Filing date: 1972-11-30
Publication date: 1974-12-31
Anticipated expiration: 1991-12-31

Abstract

A toy vehicle and associated track set including a generally flat-surfaced track having a main track portion and at least one intersecting branch track portion, a fixed track guide means at the surface of the track at each intersection of the main track portion with a branch track portion, and a toy vehicle movable along the track. The toy vehicle has movable vehicle guide means which may be programmed by means associated with the track to subsequently engage corresponding track guide means to guide the vehicle from the main track portion onto a selected branch track portion. Means may also be provided at the track to clear programming from the vehicle.

Description

United States Patent [191 Goldgarb Dec. 31, 1974 TOY VEHICLE AND TRACK SET [21] Appl. No.: 310,936

Primary Examiner-Robert Peshock Assistant Examiner-J. Q. Lever Attorney, Agent, or FirmRobert M. Ashen [5 7 ABSTRACT A toy vehicle and associated track set including a generally flat-surfaced track having a main track portion [22] (5|. 46/202, 4611/2441), and at least one intersecting branch track portion, a d A63 fixed track guide means at the surface of the track at 1 0 care /2 D each intersection of the main track portion with a branch track portion, and a toy vehicle movable along [56] References cued the track. The toy vehicle has movable vehicle guide UNITED STATES PATENTS means which may be programmed by means associ- 2,106,424 1/1938 Einfalt 46/202X ated with the track to subsequently engage corre- 2,115,108 4/ 1938 Horn 46/210 sponding track guide means to guide the vehicle from 3,011,288 12/1961 Emfalt 1. 46/202 X th i t k po tion onto a selected branch track E E f portion. Means may also be provided at the track to os e a. 3,481,067 12/1969 Cooper 46/202 clear pmgrammmg from the Y 3,600,851 8/1971 Nielsen 46/244 D 30 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures 47w 51a y 41 I I m: 9 3 s PATENTED I974 3. 857. .1 93

sum 2 or 4 FIG? TOY VEHICLE AND TRACK SET Toy vehicles and track layouts utilized therewith, have long provided both a childrens toy and a hobby. A major area of interest has been in toy trains utilized on simulated railroad tracks. More recent interest has been in the utilization of racing cars and other simulated automobiles on various track layouts. Various tracks are constructed to be electrically conductive so that they can transmit energy to a motor in the vehicle which serves to drive the wheels and propel the vehicle on the tracks. For railroad trains, the utilization of such a metal conductor track does not affect the realism of the layout since the real railroad tracks are metal. For automobiles, on the other hand, the utilization of conductive tracks does affect the appearance of the track utilized so it does not appear as realistic as a normal road or highway. From the inception of the original toys utilizing vehicles and associated tracks, there was a requirement to provide switching at junctions of the track layout. In other words, to make a track layout interesting it generally will comprise more than a single loop, having various loops within loops so that two or more vehicles can simultaneously be utilized or so that one can select the movement of a single vehicle along a complex route. ln order for this to occur, one must have the ability to switch or control the movement of a car when it comes to an intersection of track where the vehicle can go in one of two or more directions. Originally, the switches were mechanically actuated through the use of levers or some other means. The mechanical switch had a disadvantage. On a large layout it was difficult to reach the various locations of the switches to do the switching as the vehicles moved around the track, since the switches were generally controlled at the switch and not from a single remote location or console. On the other hand, electric switches do provide for remote control and give the user the ability to control the movement of a vehicle or vehicles along a complex layout from a central location or console. Electrical switches, however, are expensive and complex, and, thus, not suitable for simple, inexpensive layouts. Thus, it would be desirable to provide a means for controlling the movement of a vehicle along a complex track layout from a center console and without the requirement of mechanically actuated or electrically actuated switching. Such means are particularly important where the vehicle utilized is self propelled and the track is non-conductive so that one would not even have the opportunity to utilize electrical controlled switches.

In addition to controlling the switching of a track layout at intersections, it is also particularly desirable to be able to stop a vehicle at selected positions such as loading docks, terminals and the like that can be located along the track to add a further dimension of realism. In an electrically controlled system, this can be readily accomplished. However, in a system where a non-electrically conductive track is used, the problem becomes more difficult, particularly where it is desirable to both stop, and then allow the vehicle to restart from a stop position along a track at a pre-selected position. It is thus desirous to provide a simple means for stopping a vehicle at a pre-selected position on a track layout and then allowing the vehicle to continue when desired from that position.

Briefly, the herein illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises a novel, self-propelled toy vehicle and associated roadway or track layout on which the vehicle will move and be controlled in its movement. The track has a generally flat surface with slightly raised side walls which serve to guide the self-propelled vehicle there along. To help guide the vehicle along the track and so that it can negotiate turns on the track, the vehicle wheels are essentially the width of the track between the side walls. The vehicle is driven by means of a spring wound or battery actuated motor, so that it is self-propelled.

The vehicle has disposed within it a plurality of actuatable vehicle guide or control means spaced across the width of the vehicle. The vehicle control means includes a downward extending control portion which can be made to drop down to its operative position where it rides on the surface of the track. A console on the track is operable to selectively actuate one or more of the vehiclcontrol means to place it in its downward operative position. At locations along a track layout, the vehicle can move in one or more directions. The track is provided adjacent such locations with a groove or slot in its surface such that the control portion of the vehicle control means can engage the track groove to cause the vehicle to move in a selected direction along the track. For example, if there are four transversely spaced vehicle control means, then there are four possible groove positions spaced transversely of the track. If a control portion corresponding to a particular track control groove in the track is in its downward operative position then the vehicle will be directed, through the engagement of the vehicle control portion with the track control groove, to move on the track in accordance with the groove position along the track. Alternatively, if the vehicle encounters a groove on the track and the corresponding control portion is in its raised inoperative position, then the vehicle will not be affected by the groove and will thus not be guided to move by such groove. The segments of the track containing the grooves can have indicia thereon such as color coding or the like, which will correspond to indicia on the control console for actuating guide means in the vehicle. Thus, the user will be able to easily determine what guide means to actuate to achieve the desired movement of the vehicle at each coded segment along a complex track layout. The set may be further provided with means for stopping the vehicle at desired locations as well as at the control console, and for selectively permitting the vehicle to proceed again. Further means are provided on the vehicle and on the track to cooperatively deprogram the guide or control means on the vehicle after the vehicle has performed a desired function or functions on the track. Such cooperative means also serve to reset or deprogram the programming means on the track so that a new program can be set for the next vehicle or for the next cycle of the present vehicle.

The aforegoing invention provides a simple, readily constructed means for controlling the movement of vehicles along a track which can be readily utilized by children of young ages. Particular details and additional features of the invention will be seen from the following description and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a toy vehicle comprising a preferred form of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the vehicle taken generally along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the vehicle of FIG. 1 taken generally along line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the control means utilized in the vehicle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a partially sectioned side view of control means within a vehicle in relation to a portion of the track;

FIG. 6 is a partially sectioned view taken generally along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of a track layout of a preferred form of the invention;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the track of FIG. 7 at an intersection;

FIG. 9 is a further enlarged section view of a portion of the track showing a groove therein;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the portion of track including a control console;

FIG. 11 is a side sectional view taken generally along line 1ll1 of FIG. 10, showing resetting means;

FIGS. 12a, 12b and 120 are enlarged perspective views of portions of the track and associated control console;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged partial perspective view of one arrangement for stopping and allowing a vehicle to continue;

FIG. 14 is a partial perspective view of another embodiment for stopping and allowing a vehicle to contmue.

Turning now to the figures, there is seen in FIGS. l-6 a toy vehicle 11 of this invention. The vehicle 11 has a body or housing 13 disposed between and supported by wheels 15. In'the version shown, the body 13 supports an enclosure 17 seated there above which can contain a motor or other suitable drive means for the vehicle. It is pointed out that a battery driven electric motor or a spring wound motor can both be successfully utilized to propel the vehicle in a conventional manner and the particular means for locomotion does form a part of this invention. Rather, the herein invention is particularly directed to controlling the movement of such a vehicle along a track. The body 13 for the vehicle has a forward wall 19, side walls 21, and a bottom wall 23. The vehicle may be a train, a car, etc.

The vehicle shown is provided with four transversely spaced guide or control means in the form of elements which are carried within the body 13 of the vehicle. A guide or control element 25 is shown in detail in FIG. 4. Each guide element 25 is generally flat, having a front end 27, a rear end 29, a top surface 31 and a bottom surface 33. The guide element 25 is provided with a spacer hub 35 adjacent the rear of its top surface 31. The hub 35 has a central aperture 37 such that a transverse axle 39 supported between sidewalls 21 of the vehicle body 13 can pass therethrough to support the guide elements 25 within the body. Such an arrangement permits the guide elements 25 to pivotally rotate on axle 39 relative to the vehicle in a manner to be further described. The width of the hubs 35 are such that when all of the guide elements are disposed on the axle 39 within the vehicle body, the total hub width of all of the guide elements is slightly less than the interior width of the vehicle body to prevent any significant side-to-side shifting of a guide element. This is particularly well seen in FIG. 2. Each guide element 25 is further provided at its lower front corner with a downwardly extending control or guide tab or portion 41 hereinafter referred to as the guide tab. Each guide element 25 also has a second downwardly extending tab or portion 43 at the lower rear of the element hereinafter referred to as the actuator tab. The actuator tab 43 is offset from the vertical plane of the guide element by means of an extension 45 integrally formed with the guide element. Thus, the actuator tab 43 lies in a plane parallel to but transversely offset from the plane in which the guide tab 41 is located. In general, this offset permits separate means which engage the guide tab 41 to avoid the actuator tab 43 while means which engage the actuator tab 43 avoid the guide tab 41. The details of such means with regard to the relative disposition of the guide tab 41 and actuator tab 43 will be further explained below in regard to the operation of the vehicle in combination with a track on which it moves.

Each guide element 25 is additionally provided with a generally U-shaped lock spring portion 47 connected to the guide element by one end 49 which is integrally formed with and extends from the upper front corner of the guide element. The opposite end 51 of the lock spring portion 47 is free or unsupported and is in the form of a rounded lock projection. The entire guide element 25 can be of a molded plastic construction, utilizing a material that will provide sufficient resiliency in the U-shaped spring portion 47 so that the lock projection 51 can be repeatedly compressed inwardly toward the opposite end 49. When the guide elements 25 are disposed within the vehicle 11 they are arranged as seen in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, particularly. The bottom wall 23 of the vehicle is provided with an irregular opening 53 through which the

tabs

41 and 43 can extend downwardly. The actuator tabs 43 can extend down through the main rear portion of the opening 53. The opening 53 includes a plurality of forwardly extending slots 55 through which the guide tabs 41 can extend downwardly. The slots 55 serve to maintain proper transverse spacing between the guide tabs 41 and their proper positioning relative to the track.

FIG. 5 shows the guide elements 25 in both a locked raised position and an unlocked lowered position relative to the vehicle 11. In FIG. 5, a first guide element 25 is shown in the locked, raised, inoperative position while a second adjacent guide member 25a is shown in the unlocked, lowered, operative position. In order to achieve a locking of a guide element 25, a locking bar 57 is provided, extending horizontally across the interior of the top of the front wall 19 of the vehicle. The locking bar 57 has a recess 59 formed therein which can engage the rounded lock projection 51 of a lock spring portion 47, releasibly locking the guide element in place. It is important to note that when a guide element 25 is locked relative to the locking bar 57, there is no significant compression on the spring portion 47 so that the spring portion is not subjected to extended periods of stress which would significantly shorten its life. With a guide element 25 locked relative to the locking bar 57, the actuator tab 43 extends downwardly below the lower wall 23 of the vehicle, but remains spaced above the upper surface 61 of the track 63 as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6. The front or guide tab 41 is correspondingly raised above the surface 61 of the track. As the vehicle moves forward on the track as shown by the arrow in FIG. 5, the actuator tab 43 will ride spaced immediately above the track surface 61 as indicated. It will strike an obstruction such as an actuator protrusion 65 extending above the surface 61 of the track, coaligned with a particular actuator tab 43 in the vehicle. The actuator lever 65, upon contacting the actuator tab 43, causes the guide element 25 to rotate about axle 39 so that the lock projection 51 of the spring portion 47 disengages from the recess 59 and allows the guide tab 41 to drop down to the track. This is shown in FIG. 5 where a guide tab 41a of a guide element 25a is riding on a track surface 61 after the spring portion 47 has become disengaged from the locking bar 57. It is pointed out that when the guide element 25 is forced to rotate about the axle 39 there is a slight compression of the lock spring portion 47 such that it will become disengaged from the locking bar. However, the spring portion immediately returns to its preformed shape upon disengagement from the locking bar and assumes a non-stressed position as shown at 470 in FIG. 5 with regard to the guide element 25a. It should be appreciated as further seen from FIG. 5 that the weight distribution of the guide element 25 about the axle 39 is such that when it is in an unlocked position as seen with regard to the guide element 25a, the forward portion of the guide element will drop downwardly so that the guide tab 41a will ride along the surface 61 of the track; at the same time the rear actuator tab 43a is raised up above the track surface.

When a guide tab 41 is riding on the track after an actuator tab 43 has been actuated to release a guide element, the guide tab 41 then can engage a guide or control groove provided in the track in a transversely coaligned position with the guide tab 41. The spacial relationship of the guide elements 25 and the track grooves will be explained in further detail in the following description.

Turning to FIG. 7, there is seen a complete track layout 69 having a plurality of track segments 71 forming an entire closed loop track 63. As particularly seen in FIGS. 3 and 6, the track 63 has a flat top surface 61 with slightly raised side walls 73 which serve to guide the movement of the vehicle about the track since the distance between the outside surfaces of the wheels of the vehicle is slightly less than the width of the track between the side walls 73.

A control console 74 is provided at one portion of the track layout and serves to initially program a vehicle or vehicles for movement about the track in a desired manner. In the particular layout shown, there exist three different loops along which a vehicle can travel starting at the console 74. The first loop begins at a branch from the main track portion 76 formed by curved branch portion 75 and continues past a first station 77 and a second station 79, returning to the control panel 74. The second loop is effected by a branch from the main track portion 76 formed by curved branch portion 81 and continues

past stations

83 and 85, and back to the console 74. The third loop is formed by a continuation of the main track portion 76 through a curved track portion 87 and

past stations

89 and 91 and back to the console 74. As will be explained in detail, the vehicle may be programmed to continue along main track portion 76 (and thence around the third loop) or it may be programmed to divert onto either branch track portion 75 or 81 (and thence around the first or second loop). Briefly, this programming for curves is achieved by operating the console 74 to control the positions of certain of the guide tabs 41 on the vehicle. There is a groove 101 in the track adjacent track branch portion 75 and there is a groove 103 in the track adjacent track branch portion 81. By operating the console 74 to lower into the operative position, the guide tab 41 corresponding in transverse location to groove 101, the user thereby causes that tab 41 to enter the groove 101 and carry the vehicle into track branch portion 75. Similarly, by operating the console 74 to lower the guide tab 41 corresponding in transverse location to groove 103, the user thereby causes that tab 41 to enter groove 103 and carry the vehicle along track branch portion 81. It will be appreciated that each groove or slot in the track provides by its side wall a longitudinal guide surface that extends normal to the track surface 61 for engagement with a guide tab 41. This vertical guide surface may also be provided by a raised rib as well as by a groove or slot.

To further explain the control of a vehicle relative to the

grooves

101 and 103, attention is directed to FIGS. 8 through 12. As seen in FIG. 10, the vehicle will be moving on the track in the direction of the arrows, from right to left. The control console 74 may be provided with an upper wall 102 having a row of apertures in which are disposed a plurality of depressible buttons 105.

Buttons

107 and 109 can be depressed to, respectively, stop the vehicle at the control console and permit it to proceed. As seen in FIG. 12a,

buttons

107 and 109 may be carried on opposite ends of an arm 111 disposed below the console upper wall 102. The arm 111 is rigidly connected to a rotatable horizontal axle 113 which extends below the track 63 and is rigidly connected to an arm 115 also disposed below the track. An upwardly extending projection 117 is provided at the outer end of the arm 115. The projection 117 extends through an aperture 119 in the track. When the stop" button 107 is depressed, the projection 117 is raised above the surface 61 of the track through the aperture 119 so as to abut the forward wall 19 of a vehicle and prevent its forward movement. When the go button 109 is depressed, the projection 117 is lowered below the surface 61 of the track into aperture 119, allowing the vehicle to continue along the track. The stop and go means can be utilized to stop the car at the control console so that it can be reenergized, particularly if the vehicle is powered by a spring-driven motor. Even if an electric motor is utilized, it may be desirable to stop the vehicle at the control console to program its further direction of movement about the track (although the vehicle may be programmed as it passes the console without stopping). It is pointed out that FIG. 12a shows the stop and go means somewhat schematically in that the entire support structure for the button elements is not shown.

Means may be provided at the console to place the vehicle guide means in a neutral state. This is, all of the guide elements 25 can be locked in nonoperative position so that the guide tabs 41 are above the surface of the track and the vehicle would thus be ready to be programmed. This can be readily achieved by providing a plurality of transversely-spaced longitudinally extending ramps 120 in a section of the track preceding the console. The ramps 120 are each transversely aligned with one of the guide tabs 41 of one of the guide elements 25 of the vehicle and they extend above the surface 61 of the track a sufficient distance to engage and push the corresponding guide elements 25 upwardly so that lock projection 51 of the spring lock portion 47 is seated in recess 59 of the locking bar 57.

While a vehicle is stopped at the console, or prior to the vehicle reaching the console if the vehicle is not to be stopped at the console, one can select the desired program for it by utilizing the remaining buttons 105. For a vehicle having four guide members as shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, there would be required four setting buttons, 121, 123, 125 and 127, to program the vehicle. Each setting button is carried at one end of a pivoted lever arm 129 (FIG. 12b) which extends horizontally under the console and track and terminates at its inner end in an upwardly extending actuator protrusion 65. FIG. 1211 shows by way of example, the arm 129 which is pivoted at 147 and carries the setting button 121. Each actuator protrusion 65 is comprised of a flat vertical wall portion 131 which is normal to the surface 61 of the track and underlies the track. An enlarged head portion 133 is integrally formed with the wall portion 131, forming a downwardly facing lip 135. Each arm 129 has a spring 137 located below it in the region of the setting button. Until a setting button is depressed, the actuator protrusion 65 will remain biased by the spring 137 to a position below the surface 61 of the track. As shown, aperture 139 corresponds to button 121 while

apertures

141, 143 and 145 correspond respectively to

buttons

123, 125 and 127. While the corresponding actuator protrusions are positioned generally below the corresponding apertures in the track surface, the protrusions are offset slightly to one side of the apertures (to the left as viewed in FIGS. 12). Thus, for example, when the button 121 is depressed, compressing spring 137, the protrusion end 138 of arm 129 is bent slightly to the right to permit the enlarged head portion 133 to pass through the aperture 139. The head portion 133 has an inclined or camming surface 140 to facilitate the entry of head portion 133 into the aperture. This can be readily achieved when the arm 129 is formed out ofa flexible material such as plastic having a spring-like quality. After the entire head portion 133 is through aperture 139, it will shift back to the left (FIGS. 12), and release of the corresponding button 121 allows the lip 135 of the actuator protrusion 65 back down against the surface 61 of the track adjacent the aperture, to retain the actuator protrusion extended above the track as shown in FIG. 120.

As can be appreciated, each button being depressed will cause a corresponding actuator protrusion 65 to assume a position above the surface 61 of the track. Each actuator protrusion 65 in such a setting position will engage and thereby elevate a corresponding actuator tab 43 of a vehicle as the vehicle moves past it so as to cause the corresponding guide tab 41 to become unlocked and drop down in the previously described manner to the operative position shown in FIG. 5. Because of their transverse offset, the guide tabs 41 avoid engagement with the protrusions 65 as shown in FIG.

In order for the convenient utilization of the console, the

buttons

121, 123, 125 and 127 may be marked to indicate the user the particular guide groove or grooves which the particular button sets the vehicle to respond to. This can be done by color coding, a number or letter system, or word descriptions such as first curve. For example, it can be seen that button 121 will cause the guide tab 41 furthest from the console to become unlocked and drop down onto the track surface. Such a guide tab 41 will engage the slot 101 adjacent track branch portion 75 (See FIG. 7 and 8), to cause the vehicle to proceed into that curved track branch portion along the associated loop. In view of this, there should preferably be a corresponding indicia on the track at track branch portion 75 which will correspond to an indicia on button 121. One of the most preferred manners of accomplishing this is by a color code. Thus, a yellow button 121 will correspond to a yellow section of track at track branch portion 75. Then if the child user presses a yellow button he will know that the vehicle will in turn engage the slot or groove in the yellow piece of track and be directed to move onto the branch portion 75. Likewise, the guide groove 103 (FIG. 7) is disposed in line with the aperture closest to the console. Therefore the track at track branch portion 81 may be colored red to correspond to the red button 127 which controls the protrusion at aperture 145. The remaining portions of the track not having any guide slots thereon could be colored green. Thus, for example, curved portion 87 on the track layout of FIG. 7 would be colored green. As a result, it can be appreciated that where there are several loops in a track as shown in FIG. 7, the user sitting at the console can select the particular loop for the vehicle to follow by the color of the track leading into that loop and pressing a button of a corresponding color on the console.

As seen in FIG. 5, when an actuator tab 43 strikes an actuator protrusion 65 and is thereby raised up, the force of the spring portion 47 is overcome and it is disengaged from the recess 59. The front guide tab 41 is thereby dropped downwardly onto the track surface 61. The bottom surface 23 of the vehicle is provided with four individual clearing bumpers 149. Each bumper 149 is aligned with a corresponding actuator tab 43 and thus with a corresponding actuator protrusion 65. As the vehicle passes the protrusions, the desired guide tabs 41 are set on the vehicle, however, the elevated protrusions remain in that position. In order to clear such elevated protrusions so that the console can be set as desired for the next vehicle, as the first vehicle moves past the protrusions, the bumpers 149 strike aligned elevated protrusions 65. This moves each engaged protrusion slightly forwardly (to the right in FIG. 12), to permit the protrusion to be drawn downwardly through the mating aperture under the action of its spring 137. Thus, the bumpers 149 serve as a means for automatically clearing the console of all raised protrusions which were utilized to pre-program a given vehicle passing through the console area. It should be ap parent that this is but one arrangement to achieve this clearing and in fact other means can be utilized for clearing the track adjacent the console. For example, a mechanism for shifting the position of a section of the track could be used to align the protrusions with their respective apertures.

The front guide tabs 41, when riding on the track surface after a vehicle has been programmed at the console, offer some resistance to movement of the vehicle due to the simple frictional engagement with the surface 61 of the track; whereas when the tab 41 is in a raised locked position, actuator tab 43 is spaced above the surface 61 of the track. Thus, after a given guide tab 41 has engaged a groove or slot, such as 101 as seen in FIG. 8, it may be desired that it be raised upwardly into a locked position if it is no longer needed to perform another guiding function. Thus, the slot 101 in the track can be followed by a raised portion 151 (FIGS. 8 and 9) with a transitional section 153 therebetween.

The raised portion 151 serves a function similar to the raised ramps 120 preceding the console in that the raised portion 151 forces the guide tab 41 to be raised upwardly so that it becomes locked within the vehicle. This drops the rear actuator tab 43 downwardly; however, the actuator tab 43 is transversely offset from the guide tab 41 so that actuator tab 43 will clear the raised portion 151. If the

tabs

41 and 43 were aligned, the raised portion 151 (and raised ramps 120) would serve to engage the actuator tab 43, forcing it upwardly and again dropping the guide tab 41; obviously this would defeat the aforementioned purpose of effectively relocking the guide tab 41. A raised portion 151 need not be associated with each groove in the track, particularly if it is desired for the vehicle to utilize the same guide tab at another location further along the track. Thus, the set can be provided with track guide sections, some having raised portions following grooves while other guide sections of the track would have grooves with no raised portions.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are directed to two different arrangements for providing means for stopping and then allowing a vehicle to restart at stations along the track layout such as

stations

77, 83, 85, 89, 91 shown in FIG. 7.

The first arrangement as seen in FIG. 13, comprises a stop button 155 at the outer end of a pivoted arm 157, that extends underneath the track. At the inner end of the arm 157 there is an upwardly extending projection 159 adapted to protrude upwardly through an opening 161 in the track 63. The arm 157 and projection 159 are constructed and arranged in the same manner as the arm 129 and actuator protrusion 65 (as shown in FIGS. and 12), and are provided witha biasing spring 160 comparable to spring 137. Thus, the projection 159 can be releasibly locked in position elevated above the track surface in the same manner previously described with regard to the protrusions 65 operated by the console. The projection 159 is coaligned with the path of one of the actuator tabs 43 on the vehicle. Thus, when stop button 155 is depressed, the projection 159 is set in the raised position. When the vehicle arrives at the location of projection 159, that projection engages and raises an actuator tab 43 on the vehicle, thereby lowering a corresponding guide tab 41. As the vehicle proceeds, the lowered guide tab 41 will then abut a forwardly located protrusion 165 which serves to stop the vehicle. A depressible go" button 169 is selectively operable to shift the protrusion 165 to one side out of the path of the guide tab 41. In this connection the button 169 is mounted at the top of a member 170 which has a canted lower surface 171. The surface 171 is in engagement with an edge 173 at the outer end of an arm 167 which extends under the track and is pivotally connected thereto at a pivot point 175. The arm 167 has a right angle extension 168, at the outer end of which the protrusion 165 is provided. The protrusion 165 extends upwardly through an aperture 176 through the track. A spring 177 is utilized to bias the outer end of the arm 167 to the right as viewed in FIG. 13, thereby maintaining the button 169 in a raised position and also maintaining the protrusion 165 in a position so as to block the lowered guide tab 41 of the vehicle. Forwardly of the protrusion 165 is a ramp 179 formed on the track to raise the lowered guide tab 41 back into a raised and locked position within the vehicle as the vehicle passes it. The track segment 63 can be colored or otherwise coded to correspond to one of the buttons on the control console 74 which will move the guide tab 41 transversely aligned with the stop protrusion to its operative position. In this manner one can pre-program the vehicle to stop at such a station by depressing a corresponding colored button at the console and not relying on stop button 155 (providing the guide tab 41 has not encountered a ramp and been raised to an inoperative position). Alternatively, of course, the stop button 155 can be utilized and will serve its role of raising the projection 159 to engage an actuator tab 43 to thereby lower a guide tab 41 of the vehicle. As the vehicle passes, the projection 159 will be cleared from the surface of the track by the extensions 149 on the vehicle in the manner previously described with regard to protrusions 65.

Turning to FIG. 14 there is seen a different embodiment of a stopping station wherein a stop button 181 is affixed to the outer end of a pivotal arm 183 mounted on an axle 185 that extends beneath and parallel to the track. The arm 183 is biased by a spring 193, and an actuator protrusion 187 mounted at the outer end of the arm 183 cooperates with an opening 189 in the track in the same manner as

protrusions

65 and 159. Thus, the protrusion 187 once again serves to engage the actuator tab 43 to cause guide tab 41 of a vehicle to be dropped down onto the surface of the track. In this case, the guide tab 41 will fall into an elongated longitudinally extending opening 194 coaligned with the lowered guide tab 41. When the guide tab 41 abuts the front wall 195 'of the opening 194, the vehicle will be stopped. A go button 197 serves to release the guide tab 41 from the opening 194. The button 197 is mounted on the outer end of an arm 199 pivotally mounted on the axle 185. The outer end of the arm 199 has a longitudinally forwardly extending section 200 which terminates in an upwardly extending finger 201. The finger 201 is normally disposed below the track surface 61 due to the action of a spring 203 which biases the go button 197 upwardly. When the go button 197 is depressed, finger 201 moves upwardly through the opening 194 so as to force the guide tab 41 upwardly into its locked position within the vehicle. This allows the vehicle to continue on along the track.

The vehicle may be programmed at the console 74 for this stop or the stop may be achieved by use of the stop button 181. When the button 181 is used, the protrusion 187 is cleared as in the other embodiment, by the projections 149 on the vehicle as the vehicle passes forwardly.

Thus, the illustrated set permits programming of a vehicle at the control console so that the vehicle will either go straight or turn at various intersections. It can also'be so preprogrammed to stop at desired stations.

Further, the vehicle may be de-programmed after it has performed a programmed function or it may not be 1 deprogrammed but rather permitted to perform an additional function by virtue of that original single programming.

The vehicle may be provided with means to clear the programming at the console so that the next vehicle can be differently programmed.

Remote stations along the track may also be used to program a vehicle. Means may also be provided for stopping the vehicle at a station pursuant to it having been programmed to stop at such a station. Means may also be provided to effect continued travel of the vehicle from such a station.

By color coding or other means, the vehicle can be made to follow a desired course along the track, to stop where desired, to continue its travel, etc. The child is thus able to readily correlate what he desires the vehicle to do with the control buttons.

It will be appreciated that the forces holding the protrusion 65 (and comparable projections) in operative raised position are sufficiently greater than the spring of portion 47 force holding a guide elements 25 in its raised inoperative position, so that engagement between protrusion 65 and guide element 25 results in the guide element being moved from its position.

We claim:

1. A toy vehicle and track set comprising in combination:

a track having a main track portion and at least one intersecting branch track portion,

a fixed track guide means at the surface of said track for guiding a vehicle from the main track portion onto said branch track portion, and

a toy vehicle movable along said track and having movable vehicle guide means affixed thereto for being movable independent of said guide means on said track and prior to operation of the vehicle to an inoperative position where it will not engage the fixed track guide means or to an operative position where it will engage the fixed track guide means, whereby said vehicle may be pre-programmed prior to operation to be guided onto said branch track portion.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said track guide means comprises:

a longitudinally extending vertical track guide surface at the intersection of the main track portion and the branch track portion, said guide surface extending from the main track portion into said branch track portion.

3. A toy vehicle and track set comprising in combination:

a track having a main track portion and at least one intersecting branch track portion;

a fixed track guide means at the surface of said track for guiding a vehicle from the main track portion onto said branch track portion; and

a toy vehicle movable along said track having vehicle guide means actuatable from an inoperative to an operative position to engage the corresponding fixed track guide means to guide said vehicle onto said branch track portion, said vehicle guide means comprising at least two separate and individually actuatable guide means spaced across the width of the vehicle, said track guide means further comprising at least two guide surfaces transversely coaligned respectively with said separate vehicle guide means but each positioned at a different intersection of the main track portion with a branch track portion.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said track further comprises programming means selectively operablev to actuate said individual vehicle guide means to operative positions.

5. The combination of claim 3 wherein:

each of said track guide means comprises a slot at the intersection of the main track portion and the branch track portion, said slot extending from the main track portion into said branch track portion.

6. The combination of claim 2 wherein:

said vehicle guide means includes a guide portion which is normally releasibly locked in an inoperative position above the surface of the track and which moves when said guide means is actuated to an operative position extending downwardly from said vehicle so as to engage said track guide surface.

7. The combination of claim 6 further comprising:

vehicle control means for selectively actuating one or more vehicle guide means to cause the corresponding guide portions to move to the downward operative position.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein one of said vehicle guide means comprises:

en element pivotally mounted on said vehicle for rotation about a transverse axis, said element having a downwardly extending actuator portion on the opposite side of said axis from said guide portion.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein:

said actuator portion of said vehicle guide means element is disposed adjacent the track surface when said guide portion is locked in its inoperative position above the track surface.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein:

said element includes a locking portion which is engageable with a portion of said vehicle to lock said element in its inoperative position.

11. The combination of claim 8 wherein:

the actuator portion of said vehicle guide means element is transversely displaced from the guide portion thereof.

12. The combination of claim 1 further comprising means on said track for engaging said'vehicle guide means incident to the travel of the vehicle, to automatically return said vehicle guide means to its inoperative position.

13. The combination of claim 4 wherein said programming means is coded to correspond to said track guide means.

14. A toy vehicle and track system comprising in combination:

a generally flat surfaced track having a main portion and at least one intersecting branch portion, said track having wall means along the sides thereof,

a fixed track guide means formed at the surface of said track for guiding a vehicle between the main track portion and said branch track portion,

and a self-propelled toy vehicle movable on said track, said vehicle having a width about equal to the width of said track between said wall means whereby said vehicle will be confined and directed along said track by said wall means, said vehicle having vehicle guide means, said vehicle guide means being movable independent of said guide means on said track and prior to operation of said vehicle to be positioned for engaging said track guide means whereby said vehicle will engage said track guide means to be guided between said main portion and said branch track portion.

15. The combination of claim 14 wherein:

said fixed guide means comprises a longitudinally extending vertical track guide surface at the intersection of the main track portion and the branch track portion, said guide surfaces extending from the main track portion into said branch track portion.

16. A toy vehicle and track system comprising in combination:

a generally flat surfaced track having a main portion and at least one intersecting branch portion, said track having wall means along the side thereof;

a fixed track guide means formed at the surface of said track for guiding a vehicle from the main track portion onto said branch track portion; and self-propelled toy vehicle movable on said track, said vehicle having a width about equal to the width of said track between said wall means whereby said vehicle will be confined and directed along said track by said wall means, said vehicle having actuatable vehicle guide means for engaging said track guide means to guide said vehicle onto said branch track portion, said actuatable vehicle guide means comprising at least two selectively actuatable individual guide means spaced across the width of the vehicle, said track guide means comprising at least'two guide surfaces coaligned respectively with said individual vehicle guide means but each positioned at a different intersection of the main track portion with a branch track portion.

17. The combination of claim 16 further comprising:

control means having individual actuators corresponding to each of said individual vehicle guide means, whereby each actuator can cause a corresponding vehicle guide means to become actuated.

18. Toy apparatus, comprising, in combination:

a track,

a toy vehicle for movement along the track, having at least two separate vehicle control means on the vehicle movable between operative and nonoperative positions,

at least two track control means at different locations along the track, each for cooperating with one of said vehicle control means, when that vehicle control means is in the operative position, to control the action of the vehicle, and

a control console operatively associated with the track to selectively cause movement of desired vehicle control means to operative positions.

19. The combination of claim 18 wherein said console has controls that are coded to correspond to the control means on the track.

20. The combination of claim 19 wherein said coding is by color.

21. The combination of claim 18, further comprising means on said track for moving said vehicle control means back to their inoperative position after it has controlled the action of the vehicle.

22. The combination of claim 18 further comprising an additional track control means which is positioned to cooperate with one of the separate vehicle control means after that said one separate vehicle control means has previously cooperated with a track control means.

23. The combination of claim 18 wherein at least one of said track control means comprises a stop means for halting the travel of the vehicle.

24. The combination of claim 23 further including means for moving said stop means to the side to permit further travel of said vehicle.

25. A toy vehicle and track set comprising:

a toy track having track control means for longitudinally and transversely spaced apart positions on the track,

a toy vehicle body, including a body a plurality of individual vehicle control means mounted on said body and each including a control portion movable between a raised inoperative position and a lowered operative position, each of said vehicle control means portions being engageable with at least one of said track control means to effect control of the travel of said vehicle when said portion is in its lowered operative position,

said portions being spaced transversely of said vehicle body, whereby they are aligned with said transversely spaced track control means.

26. For use in combination with a toy track having track control means at longitudinally and transversely spaced apart positions on the track, a toy vehicle comprising:

a body,

a plurality of individual vehicle control means mounted on said body and each including a control portion movable between a raised inoperative position and a lowered operative position beneath said body to effect control of the travel of said vehicle, said control portions being spaced transversely of said vehicle body, said individual vehicle control means comprising an element pivotally mounted on a transverse pivot axis on said vehicle body, said element including said control portion, a downwardly extending actuator portion located opposite the pivot axis from the control portion, and a locking portion engageable with said vehicle body.

27. The toy vehicle of claim 26 wherein said locking portion is an elongated resilient spring arm constructed and arranged so that said arm is under no significant tensioning when engaged with the vehicle body.

28. The toy vehicle of claim 27 wherein said element is an integral piece of resilient plastic.

29. The combination of claim 18 wherein said control console includes programming means movable to a contact position where it will engage the vehicle control means of the toy vehicle incident to travel of the vehicle along the track to cause said movement of said vehicle control means.

30. The combination of claim 29 wherein said toy vehicle includes means for engaging said programming means incident to travel of the vehicle along the track to move said programming means from said contact position.

Claims

1. A toy vehicle and track set comprising in combination: a track having a main track portion and at least one intersecting branch track portion, a fixed track guide means at the surface of said track for guiding a vehicle from the main track portion onto said branch track portion, and a toy vehicle movable along said track and having movable vehicle guide means affixed thereto for being movable independent of said guide means on said track and prior to operation of the vehicle to an inoperative position where it will not engage the fixed track guide means or to an operative position where it will engage the fixed track guide means, whereby said vehicle may be pre-programmed prior to operation to be guided onto said branch track portion.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said track guide means comprises: a longitudinally extending vertical track guide surface at the intersection of the main track portion and the branch track portion, said guide surface extending from the main track portion into said branch track portion.

3. A toy vehicle and track set comprising in combination: a track having a main track portion and at least one intersecting branch track portion; a fixed track guide means at the surface of said track for guiding a vehicle from the main track portion onto said branch track portion; and a toy vehicle movable along said track having vehicle guide means actuatable from an inoperative to an operative position to engage the corresponding fixed track guide means to guide said vehicle onto said branch track portion, said vehicle guide means comprising at least two separate and individually actuatable guide means spaced across the width of the vehicle, said track guide means further comprising at least two guide surfaces transversely coaligned respectively with said separate vehicle guide means but each positioned at a different intersection of the main track portion with a branch track portion.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said track further comprises programming means selectively operable to actuate said individual vehicle guide means to operative positions.

5. The combination of claim 3 wherein: each of said track guide means comprises a slot at the intersection of the main track portion and the branch track portion, said slot extending from the main track portion into said branch track portion.

6. The combination of claim 2 wherein: said vehicle guide means includes a guide portion which is normally releasibly locked in an inoperative position above the surface of the track and which moves when said Guide means is actuated to an operative position extending downwardly from said vehicle so as to engage said track guide surface.

7. The combination of claim 6 further comprising: vehicle control means for selectively actuating one or more vehicle guide means to cause the corresponding guide portions to move to the downward operative position.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein one of said vehicle guide means comprises: en element pivotally mounted on said vehicle for rotation about a transverse axis, said element having a downwardly extending actuator portion on the opposite side of said axis from said guide portion.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein: said actuator portion of said vehicle guide means element is disposed adjacent the track surface when said guide portion is locked in its inoperative position above the track surface.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein: said element includes a locking portion which is engageable with a portion of said vehicle to lock said element in its inoperative position.

11. The combination of claim 8 wherein: the actuator portion of said vehicle guide means element is transversely displaced from the guide portion thereof.

12. The combination of claim 1 further comprising means on said track for engaging said vehicle guide means incident to the travel of the vehicle, to automatically return said vehicle guide means to its inoperative position.

14. A toy vehicle and track system comprising in combination: a generally flat surfaced track having a main portion and at least one intersecting branch portion, said track having wall means along the sides thereof, a fixed track guide means formed at the surface of said track for guiding a vehicle between the main track portion and said branch track portion, and a self-propelled toy vehicle movable on said track, said vehicle having a width about equal to the width of said track between said wall means whereby said vehicle will be confined and directed along said track by said wall means, said vehicle having vehicle guide means, said vehicle guide means being movable independent of said guide means on said track and prior to operation of said vehicle to be positioned for engaging said track guide means whereby said vehicle will engage said track guide means to be guided between said main portion and said branch track portion.

15. The combination of claim 14 wherein: said fixed guide means comprises a longitudinally extending vertical track guide surface at the intersection of the main track portion and the branch track portion, said guide surfaces extending from the main track portion into said branch track portion.

16. A toy vehicle and track system comprising in combination: a generally flat surfaced track having a main portion and at least one intersecting branch portion, said track having wall means along the side thereof; a fixed track guide means formed at the surface of said track for guiding a vehicle from the main track portion onto said branch track portion; and a self-propelled toy vehicle movable on said track, said vehicle having a width about equal to the width of said track between said wall means whereby said vehicle will be confined and directed along said track by said wall means, said vehicle having actuatable vehicle guide means for engaging said track guide means to guide said vehicle onto said branch track portion, said actuatable vehicle guide means comprising at least two selectively actuatable individual guide means spaced across the width of the vehicle, said track guide means comprising at least two guide surfaces coaligned respectively with said individual vehicle guide means but each positioned at a different intersection of the main track portion with a branch track portion.

17. The combination of claim 16 further comprising: control means having iNdividual actuators corresponding to each of said individual vehicle guide means, whereby each actuator can cause a corresponding vehicle guide means to become actuated.

18. Toy apparatus, comprising, in combination: a track, a toy vehicle for movement along the track, having at least two separate vehicle control means on the vehicle movable between operative and non-operative positions, at least two track control means at different locations along the track, each for cooperating with one of said vehicle control means, when that vehicle control means is in the operative position, to control the action of the vehicle, and a control console operatively associated with the track to selectively cause movement of desired vehicle control means to operative positions.

20. The combination of claim 19 wherein said coding is by color.

25. A toy vehicle and track set comprising: a toy track having track control means for longitudinally and transversely spaced apart positions on the track, a toy vehicle, including a body a plurality of individual vehicle control means mounted on said body and each including a control portion movable between a raised inoperative position and a lowered operative position, each of said vehicle control means portions being engageable with at least one of said track control means to effect control of the travel of said vehicle when said portion is in its lowered operative position, said portions being spaced transversely of said vehicle body, whereby they are aligned with said transversely spaced track control means.

26. For use in combination with a toy track having track control means at longitudinally and transversely spaced apart positions on the track, a toy vehicle comprising: a body, a plurality of individual vehicle control means mounted on said body and each including a control portion movable between a raised inoperative position and a lowered operative position beneath said body to effect control of the travel of said vehicle, said control portions being spaced transversely of said vehicle body, said individual vehicle control means comprising an element pivotally mounted on a transverse pivot axis on said vehicle body, said element including said control portion, a downwardly extending actuator portion located opposite the pivot axis from the control portion, and a locking portion engageable with said vehicle body.