CA1317761C - Toy vehicle and track assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

In a toy vehicle track with toy vehicles having an electric drive motor disposed on the chassis and with a track formed in particular by segments which can be plugged together, the electric drive motor being supplied with electricity via collectors and conductors placed in the track, uninterrupted operation is ensured over a period of time of optional length when the connection with the mains supply fails or is terminated by providing the segments with conductors extending along the entire track. The toy vehicle have collectors which are in contact with the conductors and a rechargeable power source serving as an electric buffer. The power source and the collectors are simultaneously in permanent connection with the drive motor. If the power supply is cut off from the mains, the internal power source is automatically activated and permits further operation until it becomes discharged. The conductors on the segments are formed either by metal foil or metal foil segments, by electrically conductive pre-formed parts, clampingly clipped to the individual segments, which are either removably clippable to the edge members or on the segments in the area of the track surfaces, or they are irremovably fixed to the segments.

Description

~317~1 The invention relates to a toy vehicle track for toy vehicles having an electric drive motor disposed in the chassis, the track being formed of segments which can be fitted together~

It is known in connection with toy vehicles having an electric drive motor to supply the latter with electricity by means of collectors co-operating with conductors placed on the track. The conductors are permanently connected to an electrical supply source. A disadvantage of this arrangement is that these toy vehicles can only he used as long as the electrical supply source is connected with the mains supply.
This leads to the disadvantage that toy vehicles, which for advertising purposes may move along tracks in display windows, immediately stop running when the electrical supply source is shut off, e.g. when the store closes, for which reason advertising beyond the time of closing of the store is no longer possible, because the vehicles have stopped. It is further known to operate toy vehicles on the track by means of an independent power source, e.g. a battery. However, after a relatively short running time these toy vehicles require the use of fresh power sources. The disadvantage here is that to change the power source the operation must be interrupted. Furthermore, the speed of movement of the toy vehicles is unintentionally slowed because of the decreasing power of the power source.

It is an object of the invention to assure uninterrupted operation over a period of time of optional length on a toy track by connection with the mains supply and, when the connection with the mains supply fails or is terminated, to make further operation possible over a preset period of time.
According to the present invention there is provided a toy vehicle and track assembly, comprising toy vehicles having an electric drive motor disposed in a chassis thereof and a track formed of track segments which can be fitted together, said segments having conductors which are detachably fixed along the track and connectable to a power supply, and the toy vehicles comprising a rechargeable power source acting as -- 1 -- ~

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a buffer and collectors for contacting the conductors, said rechargeable power source and collectors being permanently connected to the vehicle drive motor.

In this way the toy vehicle is supplied with voltage delivered by the mains suppl~ via the conductors over, e.g., the period of time the store is open. This assures an uninterrupted operation of the toy vehicle while, if the power source is detached from the mains supply, the internal power source automatically takes over and makes possible subsequent further operation until the internal power source is exhausted. This makes it possible, for example, to continue operation after closing of the store and cut-off of the supply source from the mains supply during the evening hours which perhaps follow. Furthermore, permanent charging of the internal power source can be achieved with low amperage over long periods of time, thereby avoiding damage of the internal power source which is known to occur during fast charging. Preferably, the power source is deslgned in such a way that it supplies a voltage generally 50% higher than the operational voltage of the chargeable internal power source.

The conductors can be fixed to the segments in any desired manner, for example by adhesion. The conductors may be provided as continuously applied ribbon-like foil or as foil segments of a metallic material in contact with each other.
For practical reasons the metal foil or metal foil sections are made self-adhesive, 50 that after the track has been set up, it is possible to provide it with conductors in a particularly simple way. It is furthermore provided that the metal foils have fixed connectors to which electrical conductors connected with the power source can be connected.
For example, parts formed of sheet metal and disposed in the segments nay be used as connectors. It is also conceivable to employ short foil sections as connectors which are in contact with the conductors. The connectors may also be provided in any other desired manner. The electrical ~ 3 'l 7 7 ~J ~

conductors themselves may be connected to the connectors by soldering, crimping or the like.

In a further embodiment of the invention the conductors are arranged in the driving surfaces and/or on the lateral guide elements of the segments. Depending on the disposition of the conductors, all that is required is the assignment of correspondingly formed collectors. As desired, brushed parts formed of metal or the like and used as wipers may serve as collectors.

Finally, the collectors can be formed parts made of an electrically conductive material which can be clampingly clipped to the segments. The formed parts have spring segments which are in contact with the formed parts oE
neighboring segments in order to provide contirluous conductors on the track. The formed parts can be simply clipped to the guide se~ments and thus can be exchangeable.
Pre~erably the formed parts are fixed by crimping or with the help of clamping elements; however, it is also possible to fixedly connect the formed parts with the segments.

Finally the formed parts can ba fixed on the segmen~s by extrusion from the material of the latter.

To increase the appeal of the game it is furthermore pro~ided that the segments have hollow guide members, downwardly open, on both sides of the driving surface and that, by insertion of connecting elements provided with clamping bodies into the hollow spaces of the guide members, multi-track segments can be fixed side-by-side and that the conductors of the fixedly adjacent segments ~re simultaneously in permanent contact by means of tangs or protrusions made of an electrically conductive material and disposed centrally between the clamping bodies. A particularly simple design of the connecting elements results when the clamping bodies and the tangs are made in one piece of an electrically conductive material. Contact can be made by mere touching of connecting 7 ~ :~

members which are in contact with the conductors or by soldering or crimping of the connecting members with the tangs.

In one aspect, the invention pxovides a toy vehicle track with vehicles with an electric motor arranged in the chassis, and a track layout that supports conductors that are connected to the poles of a power supply unit, power pickups that form a contact between the toy vehicle and the conductors, and a chargeable power source that serves as an electrical buffer, the power source and the power pickups being connected permanently and simultaneously with a motor, wherein the layout comprises a pluralit~ of section elements that can be joined to each other by insertion and that can pivot relative to each other, the conductors are formed from shaped parts of an electrically conductive material that can be clamped onto the individual shaped parts, and the shaped parts of adjacent section elements contact each other by means of contact tabs that are arranged in clamping elements so as to form a continuous power conductor.

In preferred embodiments of this aspect, the invention provides:

The above toy vehicle track, wherein the shaped parts can be slid onto edge sections of the section elements and removed therefrom.

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The above toy vehicle track, wherein the shaped parts can be clamped onto the section elements in the area of the track surface and removed therefrom.

The above toy vehicle track, wherein underneath and on both sides of the track surface, the section elements incorporate open hollow edge sections as conductor bodies wherein layouts can be fixed adjacent to each other as multiple tracks by inserting connectors that are provided with clamping bodies into the hollow spaces of the edge sections;
and wherein in the middle, between clamping bodies the connector elements incorporate a lug or extension that is of an electrically conductive material, that simultaneously and permanently contacts the conductors of the section elements that are fixed in position adjacent to each other.

The immediately above toy vehicle track, wherein the clamping bodies and the lugs or extensions of the connector elements are formed in one piece from an electrically conductive material.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a toy vehicle track with vehicles with an electric motor arranged in the chassis, and a track layout that supports conductors that are connected to the poles of a power supply unit, power pickups that form a contact between a toy vehicle and the conductors, - 4a -r~ ~ ~

and a chargeable power source that serves as an electrical buffer, the power source and the power pickup5 being connected permanently and simultaneously with a drive motor, wherein the layout comprises a plurality of section elements that can be joined to each other by insertion and that can pivot relative to each other, the conductors are formed from shaped parts of an electrically conductive material that are arranged on the individual section elements, and the shaped parts of adjacent section elements contact each other by means of contact tabs so as to form a continuous power conductor, the shaped parts being joined rigidly to the section elements by injection moulding.

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a section of the track;

Fig. 2 is a perspective, enlarged view of a track segment;

Fig. 3 is a schematic top view of a section of the toy track;

Fig. 4 is a schematic top view of a section of toy track according to another embodiment;

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Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of a track in accordance with the embodiment of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of electrical conductors with a support strip;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of conductor sections;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of conductor sections in accordance with Fig. 7 showing portions of track;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a portion of track with a conductor in accordance with a further embodiment;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a connecting element; and Fig. 11 is a partial section of track members with a connecting element.

The track 1 of the toy vehicle track may be formed by a plurality of segments 2 (Fig. 2). The segments 2 have tangs 3 and pincer-like recesses 4 which overlap to provide the connection. Edge elements 5 next to the track surface 8 in both sides are used as lateral guide elements for toy vehicles 6. The track 1 is provided over its ~ntire length with conductors 7 which are formed in the embodiments shown - 4c -~ 3 ~

in the Figs. 1 to 5 by flexible strips made of a metallic material, e.g. preferably a self-adhesive metal foil, placed on the segments 2. The conductors 7 are firmly, but removably connected with the segments 2. The conductors 7 are firmly, but removably connected with the segments 2. The conductors 7 are disposed on the s,egments 2 in the area of the track surface 8 in the embodimlent according to Figs. 1 and 3, while - 4d -7 6 '.~
in the embodiment according to Figs. 4 and 5 the conductors 7 are disposed on the edge elements 5. The conductors 7 are connected via connectors 9 (Fig. 5) and electrical conductors g with a power supply 10 which has in a mains transformer and a rectifier device.

The toy vehicles contain an internal power source 11, e.g. a rechargeable battery. , Additionally, an electrical drive motor 12 is housed in the toy vehicle 6 which exerts a rotary force on the drive wheels ~4 of the toy vehicle 6. The connectors 16, 17 of the drive motor are permanently connected with the terminals 14 and 15 and the internal power source 11. Additionally, the toy vehicle 6 has collectors 18, 19 which interact with the conductors 7. The collectors 18, 19 are permanently connected with the terminals 14 or 15 of the power source 11.

In Fig. 3, the collectors 18, 19 are formed by a brush arrangement, while in Fig. 4 spring wires are used as collectors 18, 19, and extend laterally beyond the toy vehicle and abut against the conductors 7 with initial ~0 tension.

Permanent charging of the power source 11 takes place via the conductors 7, and the collectors 18, 19 from the power supply 10. The charge voltage has been selected slightly higher than the operating voltage of the power source 11. At the same time the collectors 18, 19 provide a colmection of the drive motor 6 with the power supply 10 via electrical conductors 20, 21.

If the power supply is connected with the mains supply, the toy vehicle 6 can be operated as a mains-operated toy vehicle on the track 1. Furthermore, charging of the power source 11, which serves as a buffer, takes place. If the power supply 10 is disconnected from the mains supply, e.g. at the close of business, toy vehicles may be operated on the track 1 by means of the internal power source 11 until it becomes ~3~.7~
discharged. In this manner it becomes possible to continue the operation of the toy vehicle 6 on a track displayed in the display window of a store, e.g. after the closing o~ the stora in the evening, as well as promotional functions, which are important for advertising, during the evening hours.

The conductors 7 in the embodiments according to Figs. 7 to 9 are formed by formed parts 7', which each can b~ pushed onto the edge elements 5 of the segments 2. The formed parts 7' have Z generally U-shaped clip part: 7", on each of which a contact piece 7"' is formed which elastically rests on the clip part 7" of the adjacent segment 2 to form continuous conductors 7. In the embodiment in accordance wikh Fig. 9, the formed parts 7' are disposed on the segments in the area of the track surface 8. The formed parts 7' are pushed onto the segments 2. ~hese formed parts 7' have a shape different from the embodiment shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

In Figs. 10 and 11, a connecting element 22 for segments 2 for the formation of multi-track road segments is shown. The connecting segment 22 has clamping elements 22' which can be clampingly pushed from below into the hollow spaces of open design of the edge elements 5. The connecting element 22 has a protrusion 25 between the clamping elements 22', which consists of an electrically conductive material, e.g. metal, and on which the conductors 7 of the tracks 1 are fastened, which have been combined to form a multi-track (Fig 11). In Fig. 6, the conductors 7 are placed on a support 23 which, together with the conductors, can be fixed on the segments 2.

Claims (6)

1. A toy vehicle track with vehicles with an electric motor arranged in the chassis, and a track layout that supports conductors that are connected to the poles of a power supply unit, power pickups that form a contact between the toy vehicle and the conductors, and a chargeable power source that serves as an electrical buffer, the power source and the power pickups being connected permanently and simultaneously with a motor, wherein the layout comprises a plurality of section elements that can be joined to each other by insertion and that can pivot relative to each other, the conductors are formed from shaped parts of an electrically conductive material that can be clamped onto the individual shaped parts, and the shaped parts of adjacent section elements contact each other by means of contact tabs that are arranged in clamping elements so as to form a continuous power conductor.

2. A toy vehicle track as defined in claim 1, wherein the shaped parts can be slid onto edge sections of the section elements and removed therefrom.

3. A toy vehicle track as defined in claim 1, wherein the shaped parts can be clamped onto the section elements in the area of the track surface and removed therefrom.

4. A toy vehicle track with vehicles with an electric motor arranged in the chassis, and a track layout that supports conductors that are connected to the poles of a power supply unit, power pickups that form a contact between a toy vehicle and the conductors, and a chargeable power source that serves as an electrical buffer, the power source and the power pickups being connected permanently and simultaneously with a drive motor, wherein the layout comprises a plurality of section elements that can be joined to each other by insertion and that can pivot relative to each other, the conductors are formed from shaped parts of an electrically conductive material that are arranged on the individual section elements, and the shaped parts of adjacent section elements contact each other by means of contact tabs so as to form a continuous power conductor, the shaped parts being joined rigidly to the section elements by injection moulding.

5. A toy vehicle track as defined in claim 1, wherein underneath and on both sides of the track surface, the section elements incorporate open hollow edge sections as conductor bodies; wherein layouts can be fixed adjacent to each other as multiple tracks by inserting connectors that are provided with clamping bodies into the hollow spaces of the edge sections; and wherein in the middle, between clamping bodies the connector elements incorporate a lug or extension that is of an electrically conductive material, that simultaneously and permanently contacts the conductors of the section elements that are fixed in position adjacent to each other.

6. A toy vehicle track as defined in claim 5, wherein the clamping bodies and the lugs or extensions of the connector elements are formed in one piece from an electrically conductive material.