EP0234185B1 - Support means for vehicle trackways - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for supporting carriageways for driving toys made of assembled carriageway limbs, the carriageways being formed by a central section that is laterally limited by a prismatic guide body and are arranged at a distance above installation surfaces, with a base plate, a pedestal and one on the free one Attachable, symmetrically designed support arm at the end of the pedestal.

A comparable device is already known from US-A-4,352,329. This is a device for supporting a carriageway, which consists of several, connectable carriageway sections. The device comprises a base plate, a support column which can be plugged on by means of a tongue arranged on the base plate, and a support arm which can likewise be inserted axially into the stand column via a tongue attached to the support arm.

The support arm has on its two sides arranged transversely to the direction of the lane perpendicular to the lane plane projections which fix the lane located on the support arm.

From FR-A-1 348 517 a design of pedestals for supporting carriageways for driving toys is also known, in which the pedestal consists of a plurality of pillar sections which are designed to be pluggable into one another. The uppermost of these pillar sections is connected to a support plateau supporting the road.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for supporting roadways for toy vehicles, which has the structure of an arbitrary, i.e. in particular also with a roadway formed in different planes which intersect or overlap. Furthermore, the road should ensure a high stability of such a road.

• a) die Standsäule mehrere, axial aneinander lösbar befestigte Standsäulenabschnitte aufweist;
• b) jeder Standsäulenabschnitt seitlich angeordnete Lochungen aufweist, wobei jede Lochung zur Aufnahme eines entsprechend ausgebildeten Hakenteiles am jeweils freien Ende des Tragarmes derart ausgebildet ist, daß der Tragarm zwischen zwei Standsäulen einhängbar oder an einer Standsäule freitragend anbringbar ist und
• c) das Aufstecken des Tragarmes auf das freie Ende der Standsäule mittels eines auf die Standsäulenabschnitte aufsteckbaren Hülsenteils am Tragarm vorgenommen ist.

This object is achieved according to the invention in the generic device in that

• a) the stand column has a plurality of stand column sections which are axially detachably fastened to one another;
• b) each pillar section has laterally arranged perforations, each perforation for receiving a correspondingly designed hook part at the respective free end of the support arm is designed such that the support arm can be suspended between two pillars or can be attached to a pillar and
• c) the support arm is attached to the free end of the support column by means of a sleeve part which can be plugged onto the support column sections on the support arm.

The device according to the invention for supporting carriageways offers the advantage that carriageways with a high degree of networking, i.e. with lanes overlapping at different distances from the base plate. This increases the play instinct or the play interest in such toy tracks in a very decisive way.

Relatively few pedestals are required for the construction of these networked roadway structures, since the pedestal can both accommodate the top of the roadway and a roadway can be hung between two pillars or can be attached to a pillar. As a result of the suspended carriageways located between two pedestals, the stability of the carriageway system is substantially improved by the device according to the invention. In addition, there is a high degree of flexibility with regard to the construction of the road system.

The child can build up the road system according to his own ideas thanks to the stand column, which can be dismantled into individual sections and is not bound to any specifications. This also significantly increases interest in the game.

It is understood that the column sections can be designed with any cross-sectional shape as a hollow or solid body. According to a preferred embodiment, the column sections are designed with a square cross-sectional shape and rounded corner areas. It corresponds to the essence of the invention that the column sections can be formed with the same axial lengths or with different axial lengths.

A particularly secure erection of the pedestal can be achieved if the pedestal sections or the pedestal can be detachably plugged with their open sides onto a plug-in attachment fixedly arranged on a base plate. The base plate can preferably be designed with a square cross-sectional shape. However, there is also the option of using the base plate as desired, e.g. to be circular.

According to a further embodiment, the sleeve part is arranged on the underside in the center of the support arms and can be pushed into the circumferential fold of a column section or pushed onto the plug-on attachment of the base plate. The sleeve part allows the symmetrical insertion of the support arms on the free ends of the column sections.

The support arms can also be provided at the free ends with transversely upward-pointing prismatic guide bodies, on which the L-shaped hook parts are arranged, which can be inserted into the perforations and accommodate boundary surfaces of the perforations for supporting the support arms between themselves and the guide bodies.

To fix the roadway link pieces on the support arms, it is finally provided that the support arms have support arms fixed on the upper side and insertable into the guide bodies of the roadway link pieces. A fixation of the road Limbs is also conceivable in such a way that the support arms are provided on the upper side with strip parts which can be resiliently and elastically deflected and which, with a hook-shaped projection, can overlap the guide body of a roadway link piece by being placed on roadway sections. Furthermore, a fixation of the carriageway limbs on the support arms can be achieved by the fact that the brackets on the guide bodies have extensions which extend beyond the guide bodies of a carriageway limb placed on them. The two last-mentioned designs allow slight longitudinal or lateral movements of the road section on the support arm, but make unintentional lifting of the road section from the support arm impossible by bumping against the shoulders or extensions.

It corresponds to the idea of the invention that the base plate, the column sections and the support arms can be formed from an identical or different colored thermoplastic. The use of plastics provides the prerequisite for simple manufacture of the device or its parts, the coloring of the materials giving the user an indication of certain lengths of the column sections.

To further develop the support device, it is provided that the base plate has recesses and lugs in the peripheral surface as plug-in connecting means for further identical base plates. In this way it is possible to fix any number of base plates to one another when forming support combinations in order to create a particularly stable support device. The base plate is expediently hexagonal in cross section and is provided with a recess or an attachment as a connecting means in the diametrically opposite circumferential surface sections. The recesses and the lugs are preferably dovetail-shaped with the same width increasing outwards. There is also the possibility of the recesses and the approaches with other cross-sectional shapes, e.g. T-shaped to equip.

In an embodiment of the device it is provided that the stand column is formed by plug-in stand column sections with a circular cylindrical cross-sectional shape. The column sections can be designed with the same or different axial lengths. Each of the pillar sections has an open and a closed end, the closed ends each being provided with a fold in the region of the peripheral surface, onto which the open end of an adjacent pillar section or a support arm can be attached.

Finally, to increase the stability of the device, a molded part with a central section and a number of radially protruding arms is slipped onto the pedestal or the pedestal sections, the plug-in lugs for supporting column sections on the upper section and on the arms and recesses on the underside for receiving ends of the folds Has support column sections. The center distances of the plug-in lugs from the arms and middle section are chosen to be the same size as the center-to-center distances of the plug-in lugs of base plates which can be plugged together. By means of the molded part, the free ends of the upright pillars attached to the base plates can be fixed to one another at a distance parallel to the axis, resulting in a particularly stable support device.

It has also proven to be advantageous if the column sections at the ends having the fold and the plug-in lugs of the base plate and molded part have a plurality of clamping strips which are offset by the same angular degrees and which can be pressed into contact with the inner peripheral surfaces of the open ends of column sections which are plugged in.

• Fig. 1 eine Vorrichtung mit einem aufgelegten Fahrbahnabschnitt perspektivisch,
• Fig. 2 eine Vorrichtung perspektivisch,
• Fig. 3 eine Grundplatte perspektivisch,
• Fig. 4 einen Tragarm perspektivisch,
• Fig. 5 einen Standsäulenabschnitt perspektivisch,
• Fig. 6 einen Tragarm gemäß anderer Ausführung in Vorderansicht, teilweise im Schnitt,
• Fig. 7 ein Teilstück der Fig. 6 in Draufsicht,
• Fig. 8 einen weiteren Tragarm in Vorderansicht, teilweise im Schnitt,
• Fig. 9 eine Stützvorrichtung in Seitenansicht,
• Fig. 10 eine Grundplatte perspektivisch, vergrößert,
• Fig. 11 einen Formteil perspektivisch, vergrößert,
• Fig. 12 zusammengefügte Grundplatten der Fig. 2 perspektivisch,
• Fig. 13 und 14 Standsäulenabschnitte verschiedener Längen perspektivisch und
• Fig. 15 einen Tragarm mit einem Standsäulenabschnitt in perspektivischer Darstellung.

The invention is illustrated using an exemplary embodiment in the drawing. Here mean:

• 1 is a perspective view of a device with a section of roadway in place,
• 2 a device in perspective,
• 3 a base plate in perspective,
• 4 a support arm in perspective,
• 5 a perspective column section,
• 6 shows a support arm according to another embodiment in front view, partly in section,
• 7 is a portion of FIG. 6 in plan view,
• 8 shows a further support arm in front view, partly in section,
• 9 is a support device in side view,
• 10 a base plate in perspective, enlarged,
• 11 a molded part in perspective, enlarged,
• 12 assembled base plates of FIG. 2 in perspective,
• 13 and 14 stand column sections of different lengths in perspective and
• Fig. 15 shows a support arm with a column section in a perspective view.

1 to 3, 1 denotes a base plate, which serves as a support for a pedestal 2. The standing column 2 is formed by one or more inserted standing column sections 2 ', which have a perforation 3 in each side surface. The pillar sections 2 'are pot-shaped and in the region of their closed end they are provided with a circumferential fold 4 on the outside, which serves to receive the edge surfaces 2 "of the open end of attachable pillar sections 2' stable cohesion of the column sections 2 'is ensured. In the perforations 3, support arms 5 with L-shaped or U-shaped projections 11 formed at the free ends can be plugged in, which pass through the perforations 3 for this purpose and by contacting the boundary surfaces of the perforations gradation for the support arms. 1, roadway sections formed from roadway link pieces 6 can be led away via the support arms 5. The road link sections 6 can either be placed freely or fixed on the support arms 5 by means of plug-in projections 7 arranged on the support arms 5, which engage in the guide bodies 6 'of the road link sections 6. It is possible, as shown in FIG. 6, to provide the support arms 5 with strip parts 8 which can be resiliently and elastically deflected and which grip over the carriageway limbs 6 with lugs 9 for fixing carriageway limbs. The road link sections held in this way remain longitudinally displaceable, but cannot be unintentionally lifted upwards. Lifting requires the strip parts 8 to be bent outwards (right side, FIG. 6). To fix roadway sections 6, it is further provided to provide on the guide bodies 13 of the support arms 5 upward and inward extending extensions 14 (FIG. 8) which grip over the guide bodies 6 'of the roadway link sections 6 and hold them on the support arms 5.

By means of plug sleeves 10 arranged centrally on the underside of the support arms 5, there is the possibility of detachably attaching the support arms 5 symmetrically to stand column sections 2 ′ or a plug-in extension 12 of the base plate 1. 1 and 2, two base plates 1 are equipped with a different number of column sections 2 'to form two column columns 2. The two pillars are connected to each other by a support arm 5, which for this purpose engages with its formations 11 in the perforations 3 of the pillar sections 2 'and is then pushed downwards. Furthermore, the left pillar holds a support arm 5 projecting transversely and both support pillars 2 carry support arms 5 held on their upper ends by means of plug-in sleeves 10 guided.

In FIGS. 9-15, 15 denotes a flat base plate, which according to FIGS. 10 and 12 has a hexagonal cross section and carries a plug-in projection 16 in the center. In the circumferential surface 15 'of the base plate 15, recesses 17 and projections 18 are formed in diametrically opposite circumferential sections, which are dovetail-shaped in the exemplary embodiment. By pushing the lugs 18 into the recesses 17, as shown in FIG. 12, any number of base plates 15 can be connected for erecting a support device combination. A stand column 19, which is formed by stand column sections 19 ′ corresponding to FIGS. 13 and 14, can be plugged onto the plug-in extensions 16 of the base plates 15. The column sections 19 'have the same or different lengths and are designed with a cylindrical cross-sectional shape. They are provided with a closed end that carries a projection 20 into the clamp. afford 21 insert. The column sections 19 'are further provided with perforations 22 for hanging support arms 5 (Fig. 15). Hook parts 11 are formed on the support arms 5 and hold the support arms 5 on the support column sections 19 'by insertion into the perforations 22. In addition, the support arms 5 receive lugs 7 on the upper side which serve as guide means and which fix the road link sections (not shown) on the support arms 5.

It is understood that a single base plate 15 with a column 19 and a support arm 5 can form a support device. For the erection of support combinations, several base plates 15, as can be seen in FIG. 12, are joined together and each base plate 15 holds a stand column 19. A molded part 23 (FIG. 11) can be plugged onto the free ends of the stand columns 19 supported in this way, that in the exemplary embodiment by a central section 23 'and on these engaging support arms 23 ". The central section 23' and the support arms 23" are provided on the top with plug-in lugs 16 for column sections 19 'and on their underside with recesses which receive the closed ends of column sections 19'. By fitting molded parts 23 onto the free ends of the pillars, they are fixed parallel to one another at a distance. The molded part 23 leads to a particularly stable support device or combination of support devices. In addition, the connection of the base plates 15 and the arrangement of the molded part 23 prevent lateral movement of support device parts, for example when driving on supported roadway sections by driving toys.

The molded parts 23 can also be set up on installation surfaces themselves and, in the manner of base plates, allow the plug-in lugs 16 to be used to plug in the column sections 19 '. Additional molded parts 23 can optionally be plugged onto the free ends of the stand column sections 19 'fixed in this way as end members of stand columns or as intermediate members in stand columns.

Claims (24)

1. A device for supporting carriageways for toy vehicles and consisting of carriageway portions which are adapted to be fitted together, the carriageways consisting of a negotiable middle portion which is laterally bounded by prismatic guide members and disposed at a distance above supporting surfaces, with a base plate (1), an upright column (2, 19) and a supporting arm (5) which is of symmetrical construction and which is intended to be fitted onto the free end of the upright column, characterised in that

a) the upright column (2, 19) has a plurality of upright column portions (2', 19') adapted to be separably and axially fixed to one another;

b) each upright column portion (2', 19') has laterally disposed perforations (3, 22), each perforation being so constructed to accommodate a correspondingly constructed hook part (11) on whichever is the free end of the supporting arm (5) that the supporting arm (5) can be suspended between two upright columns (2, 19) or can be freely supportingly mounted on one upright column (2 or 19), and

c) fitment of the supporting arm (5) onto the free end of the upright column (2, 19) is performed by means of a sleeve part (10) provided on the supporting arm (5) and adapted to be mounted on the upright column portions (2', 19').

2. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that the perforations (3) are constructed in the same plane as the upright column portions and in that one perforation is provided in each side face of the upright column portions.

3. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that the upright column portions (2',) are of pot- shaped construction and have externally in the peripheral face of the closed end an encircling rebate (4) for fitment of that marginal surface (2") of an adjacent upright column (2') which comprises the open end.

4. A device according to claim 3, characterised in that the upright column portions (2') have a quadratic cross-sectional form with rounded-off corner zones.

5. A device according to claim 4, characterised in that the upright column portions (2') of one upright column (2) are constructed to identical axial lengths.

6. A device according to claim 4, characterised in that the upright column portions (2') of an upright column (2) are constructed to different axial lengths.

7. A device according to claim 3, characterised in that the upright column portions (2') or the upright column (2) has/have an open end which can be removably fitted onto a projection (12) which is rigidly disposed on a base plate (1).

8. A device according to claim 7, characterised in that the sleeve part (10) is in the centre of the under side on the supporting arms (5') and can be mounted on the encircling rebate (4) of an upright column portion (2') or on the projection (12).

9. A device according to claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the supporting arms (5) have at their free ends transversely upwardly directed prismatic guide members (13) on which the L-shaped hook parts (11) are disposed and which can be fitted into perforations (3), receiving the boundary surfaces of the perforations (3) between themselves and the guide members (13).

10. A device according to claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the carriageway members (6) can be fixed on the supporting arms (5) by means of projections (7) constructed on top of the supporting arms (5) and adapted to be inserted into the guide members (6') of the carriageway portions (6).

11. A device according to claim 9, characterised in that the supporting arms (5) have at the top outwardly resiliently elastically bendable strip parts (8) comprising hook-like projections (9) which releasably engage over the guide members (6') of a carriageway member (6) which is placed on the supporting arms (5).

12. A device according to claim 9, characterised in that the supporting arms (5) have extensions (14) which rigidly engage the guide members (13) and which project from carriageway members (6) which are placed on them at a distance above the guide members (6').

13. A device according to claim 7, characterised in that the base plate, the upright column portions and the supporting arms consist of a uniformly or non-uniformly coloured plastically deformable material.

14. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that the base plate (15) has in its peripheral surface (15') recesses (17) and projections (18) as plug-in connection means for further base plates (15).

15. A device according to claim 14, characterised in that the base plate (15) is of cross- sectionally hexagonal construction and in that a recess (17) or a projection (18) are disposed in the respectively diametrically opposite peripheral surface portions (15') to serve as connection means.

16. A device according to claim 15, characterised in that the recesses (17) and the projections (18) are of dovetailed connection and are of outwardly increasing identical width.

17. A device according to claim 14, characterised in that the upright column (19) consists of plug-in connected upright column portions (19') of circularly cylindrical cross-sectional form.

18. A device according to claim 17, characterised in that the upright column portions (19') are constructed to identical axial lengths.

19. A device according to claim 17, characterised in that the upright column portions (19') are constructed to different axial lengths.

20. A device according to claim 17, characterised in that the upright column (19) or the upright column portions (19') have one open and one closed end and in that the open end of an adjacent upright column portion (19') or of a supporting arm (5) can be fitted onto an encircling rebate (20) in the peripheral surface of the closed end or onto the projection (16).

21. A device according to claim 14, characterised by, adapted for fitment onto the upright column (19) or the upright column portions (19'), a shaped part (23) with a middle portion (23') and a number of radially protruding arms (23") having on the middle portion (23') and the arms (23"), at the top, plug-in projections (16) for upright column portions (19') and at the bottom recesses for that end of the upright column portions (19') which comprises the rebate and in that the distances between centres of the projections (16) of arms (23") and middle portion (23') is of the same size as the distances between centres of the projections (16) of plug-in connected base plates (15).

22. A device according to claim 21, characterised in that a number of plug-in connected base plates (15) each support an upright column (19) or upright column portion (19'), the free ends of which are releasably fixed in a shaped part (23).

23. A device according to claim 20 or 21, characterised in that the projections (16) and those ends of the upright column portions (19') which comprise the rebate all comprise a plurality of clamping strips (21) offset by identical angles and having marginal surfaces on the open ends which press on upright column portions (19') which are fitted therein.

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