EP1525039B1 - Toy vehicle for guided motor-racing circuits - Google Patents

Abstract

A toy vehicle for a guided motor-racing circuit has a guiding groove and conductor rails adjacent thereto. A keel pivotably mounted on the vehicle engages the guiding groove to aid vehicle guidance. A magnetic device magnetically interacts with the conductor rails to provide additional retaining force for holding the toy vehicle on the track. One end of a rocker is pivotably fixed to the vehicle. The magnetic device is positioned on the rocker at a distance from the pivotable connection. If the vehicle moves off course by pivoting along its longitudinal axis about the keel, the rocker pivots in an opposite manner relative to the vehicle, so the magnetic device remains on the circuit adjacent the rails such that even if the toy vehicle moves off course, a magnetic force of attraction remains between the magnetic device and the conductor rails.

Description

The invention relates to a toy vehicle for a track-guided racecourse, which a guide groove and adjacent to these busbars, wherein for tracking a on Toy Toys pivotally arranged keel for engagement is provided in the guide groove on the car racing track, and further wherein a Magnetic device is arranged on the toy vehicle, which by means of magnetic Attraction interacts with the tracks on the racetrack in such a way that an additional holding force the toy vehicle in the track on the car racing track holds, according to the preamble of claim 1.

For track-guided racecourses, the goal in a race is a toy vehicle manually as fast as possible under the control of the driving speed To lead the way. Here, a keel engages in a guide groove and ensures that the toy vehicle follows the course of the racetrack. For this, the keel is one Axis perpendicular to the web plane pivotally mounted on a frame of the toy vehicle arranged. A special attraction lies in the fact that a driver that Driving toy can model drifting by curves of the track drift. in this connection However, it often happens that at too high speed in the curve that Toy vehicle jumps out of the guide and flings off the road. This can lead to unwanted damage to the toy vehicle come. On the other hand, players often find it annoying that especially on large tracks the player or a helper the toy vehicle must record and rest on the lane on the road before the appropriate player can resume the race.

To prevent the jumping out of the toy vehicle from the tracking is For example, it is known from US 4,795,154, a guide pin with a To arrange undercut in the guide, so that the guide pin though longitudinally displaceable in the guide but not pulled out of the guide groove is. However, this is a rotation of the toy vehicle to the guide pin 180 °, ie contrary to the direction of travel, at too high a speed not prevented in a curve. Furthermore, the race lacks part of the tension, because it is certainly desirable to a limited extent that gross driving errors, such as entering a curve at top speed, continue punished by jumping out of the toy vehicle from the tracking should be.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a toy vehicle og. Kind to Providing a model-like drifting by curves of the web at high speed, which prevents jumping out of the lane but not completely excluded.

This task is performed by a toy of the o.g. Type with the in claim 1 characterized features solved. Advantageous embodiments arise from the other claims.

For this purpose, it is provided according to the invention that a rocker with one end is pivotally attached to the toy vehicle and the magnetic device on the Rocker is spaced from the pivotal attachment, wherein the pivotable attachment is designed such that at a drift of the Toy vehicle in the form of a pivoting a longitudinal axis of the toy vehicle around the keel of the toy vehicle as a fulcrum relative to the car racing track Swinging relative to the toy vehicle so opposite pivots that the Magnetic device remains adjacent to the busbars on the racetrack, so that even when drifting a magnetic attraction between the magnetic device and busbars is available.

This has the advantage that the magnetic holding force between the magnetic device and the busbars even when cornering with drifting of the toy vehicle preserves, so that a model-like drifting around curves of the racetrack can be performed at a higher speed without the risk that the toy vehicle hurls out of the track.

Conveniently, the magnetic device is at a free, the pivotable Attachment arranged opposite end of the rocker.

In a particularly advantageous manner, the magnetic device has at least one Permanent magnets on.

For improved adaptation to uneven floors, the rocker is between divided the pivotal attachment and a free end and points there Swivel joint on.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided according to the invention that part of the rocker, which on the pivoting of the Attachment of the rocker on the toy side facing away from the swivel joint is arranged, which carries magnets and on at least one guide rail is guided.

A particularly functionally reliable and space-saving arrangement is achieved by that the at least one guide rail is rectilinear and the pivot joint between the parts of the rocker additionally a cam-cam curve connection such that the two parts of the rocker when pivoting the rocker relative to the toy vehicle additionally one Perform translational / pivotal movement relative to each other.

Characterized in that the at least one guide rail is formed such that at a pivoting of the rocker relative to the toy vehicle from a middle position out, in which the rocker is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis the driving toy is aligned, the magnetic device a translational movement towards the car racing track, there is the magnetic device if the rocker goes away, closer to the busbars, so that gives a greater magnetic attraction. This is the toy vehicle tracking magnetic attraction when drifting in bends larger and straight ahead without drifting, with less holding power anyway is needed, less. This translational movement of the magnetic device is enforced for example by means of the aforementioned guide rail, the guide rail starting from the middle position of the rocker in Direction car racing track is designed sloping.

An additional damping of the pivoting movement of the toy during the Drifting in bends and thus a further improved retention of the toy vehicle in the track when drifting in curves is achieved by a spring means is provided, which on the rocker a restoring force in Direction of a mid-position of the rocker exerts, in which the rocker substantially aligned parallel to a longitudinal axis of the toy vehicle.

Optionally, the pivotal attachment to a guide rod, which the Rocker leads in their pivoting movement.

Due to the fact that the pivotable attachment is designed such that at a Pivoting of the rocker relative to the toy vehicle from a middle position, in which the rocker is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the toy vehicle is aligned out, the magnetic device a translational movement towards the car racing track, there is the magnetic device if the rocker goes away, closer to the busbars, so that a larger magnetic attraction results. This is the driving toy in the Tracking, magnetic attraction when drifting in curves larger and lane when driving straight ahead without drifting, which requires less holding power anyway is becoming less. This translational movement of the rocker, for example enforced by means of the aforementioned guide rod, the guide rod starting from the middle position of the swingarm in the direction of the racing track is formed sloping.

To detect a situation in which the falling out of the toy vehicle from the track is imminent, a contact device is provided which upon reaching a predetermined, in particular maximum, pivoting angle of Rocker relative to the toy vehicle a traction current for a drive motor of the Fahrzeugzeuges influenced, preferably reduced or limited. The contact device has, for example, on both sides with respect to the rocker mechanical contacts on, which mechanically strike at respective end positions of the rocker and trigger a contact to activate the contactor. The mechanical Contacts are arranged on the swingarm or on the toy vehicle.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the rocker is with the keel the toy vehicle rotatably connected. As a result, the pivoting of the Rocker with the pivoting of the keel during a drift movement of the toy vehicle coupled and so automatically ensures that the magnetic device even when cornering with drifting over the busbars remains.

To force a pivoting movement of the rocker such that even at a Drift movement of the toy vehicle, the magnetic device on the busbars remains, the rocker is pivotally mounted independently of the keel and points a in the guide groove of the car racing track guide in the area the magnetic device on. This additional guide of the rocker increases at the same time a restraining force for the toy vehicle in the lane.

Fig. 1

eine erste bevorzugte Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Fahrspielzeuges in einer Ansicht von oben mit abgenommener Karosserie,

Fig. 2

das Fahrspielzeug gemäß Fig. 1 im Längsschnitt,

Fig. 3

das Fahrspielzeug gemäß Fig. 1 in Aufsicht während einer Kurvendurchfahrt mit Drift,

Fig. 4

eine zweite bevorzugte Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Fahrspielzeuges in einer Ansicht von oben mit abgenommener Karosserie,

Fig. 5.

eine dritte bevorzugte Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Fahrspielzeuges in einer Ansicht von hinten mit abgenommener Karosserie,

Fig. 6

eine vierte bevorzugte Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Fahrspielzeuges im Längsschnitt und

Fig. 7

eine fünfte bevorzugte Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Fahrspielzeuges in einer Ansicht von oben mit abgenommener Karosserie.

Fig. 8

eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Fahrspielzeuges in einer Ansicht von oben mit abgenommener Karosserie,

Fig. 9

das Fahrspielzeug gemäß Fig. 8 im Längsschnitt und

Fig. 10.

das Fahrspielzeug gemäß Fig. 8 in einer Ansicht von hinten mit abgenommener Karosserie.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1

A first preferred embodiment of a toy vehicle according to the invention in a top view with the body removed,

Fig. 2

the toy vehicle of FIG. 1 in longitudinal section,

Fig. 3

1 in supervision during a driveway with drift,

Fig. 4

A second preferred embodiment of a toy vehicle according to the invention in a top view with the body removed,

Fig. 5.

a third preferred embodiment of a toy vehicle according to the invention in a rear view with the body removed,

Fig. 6

a fourth preferred embodiment of a toy vehicle according to the invention in longitudinal section and

Fig. 7

a fifth preferred embodiment of a toy vehicle according to the invention in a top view with the body removed.

Fig. 8

A preferred embodiment of a toy vehicle according to the invention in a top view with the body removed,

Fig. 9

the toy vehicle according to FIG. 8 in longitudinal section and

Fig. 10.

the toy vehicle of FIG. 8 in a rear view with the body removed.

Fig. 1 to 3 show a first preferred embodiment of an inventive Toy vehicle 100. For better illustration, the toy vehicle 100 shown without body. The toy vehicle 100 includes a frame 12, a drive motor 14, wheels 16 and a keel 18 adapted to engage a guide groove 20 is formed on a Autorennbahn 22 and not shown Current collector having in electrical contact with busbars 24 next to the guide groove 20 are. The bus bars 24 are made of an electrically conductive and magnetic material. Rotationally connected to the keel 18 a rocker 26 is provided. This rocker 26 is together with the keel 18 pivotally attached to the frame 12. As a result, the rocker 26 pivots with respect to the frame 12 when the keel 18 pivots when cornering with drift. This can be seen in FIG. 3. The term "drift" refers to this a state of the toy vehicle 100, during which a ride through a Curve of the web 22, a longitudinal axis 28 of the toy vehicle 100 in the fulcrum of the keel 18 with respect to the web 22 is pivoted. In other words, close the longitudinal axis 28 and a direction of travel of the toy vehicle 100 a Angle greater than zero, a so-called Drift angle, a. The toy 100 moves not simply through the curve, but slidingly moves through, i. especially the adjacent to the engine 14 arranged rear wheels 16 have in essentially leave the state of static friction and it only exists Sliding friction between the wheels 16 and the track 22.

At a free end 30 of the rocker 26 is a magnetic device in the form of two permanent magnets 32 are arranged. The magnets 32 are arranged in such a way that these are close to the bus bars 24. In this way results a magnetic attraction between the magnetic device 32 and the power rails 24. This magnetic attraction acts as a force, which holds the toy 100 in the lane and thus a spin out of the toy vehicle 100 from the web 22 counteracts.

By the above-mentioned pivotal movement of the rocker 26 together with the keel 18 while drifting through the curve now remain these magnets 32nd close to the bus bars 24, so that the magnetic holding force between the Magnet device 32 and the busbars 24 also exist during the driften remains. This makes it possible, the toy 100 even faster to drift through the curve, without the toy 100 ride out of the Web 22 is thrown. In this first embodiment, the pivoting the rocker 26 coupled to the pivotal movement of the keel 18.

Fig. 4 shows a second preferred embodiment of an inventive Fahrzeugzeuges 200, wherein functionally identical parts with the same reference numerals are provided so that their explanation to the above description of FIG to 3 is referenced. In this second embodiment of the toy vehicle 200 Spiral springs 34 are provided, which arranged on both sides of the rocker 26 are and each with one end to the swingarm 26 and with an opposite End of a stop on the frame 12 of the toy vehicle 200th support. As a result, acts on the rocker 26, a restoring force in the direction Middle position, in which the rocker 24 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 28 of the toy vehicle 200 is aligned. This restoring spring force generates a damping for the pivoting movement of the rocker 26 and thereby also damps the breaking of the toy vehicle 200 from the direction of travel when drifting in a curve. This also results in a braking effect on the toy 200, which is greater, the greater the drift angle becomes. This acts advantageously an ejection of the toy vehicle 200 out of the track 22 against cornering.

Fig. 5 shows a third preferred embodiment of an inventive Fahrzeugzeuges 300, wherein functionally identical parts with the same reference numerals are provided so that their explanation to the above description of FIG to 4 is referenced. In this third embodiment of the toy vehicle 300 the rocker 26 is guided during its pivotal movement along a rod 36. This rod 36 is designed such that it in the middle position of Swing 26 a predetermined maximum distance from a web surface has, in the direction of maximum pivoting of the rocker 26 more and more reduced, i. the rod 36 is sloping towards the web 22 in the pivoting direction educated. This achieves a smaller distance between the magnet device 32 and the busbars 24. This generates at pivoted rocker 26, i.e. during a drift through a curve, a higher magnetic holding force as at mid-position of the rocker 26, i. when driving straight ahead, where less anyway Holding power is desired, as this undesirably accelerates the toy vehicle 300 counteracts.

Fig. 6 shows a fourth preferred embodiment of an inventive Fahrzeugzeuges 400, where functionally identical parts with the same reference numerals are provided so that their explanation to the above description of FIG to 5 is referenced. In this fourth embodiment of the toy vehicle 400, the rocker 26 is pivotally mounted independently of the keel 18 on the frame 12. For generating a pivoting movement of the rocker 26 relative to Frame 12 to hold the magnet device 32 over the bus bars 24, the rocker 26 in the region of the magnetic device 32 a guide keel 38, which engages in addition to the keel 18 in the guide groove 20 (Fig. 3).

Fig. 7 shows a fifth preferred embodiment of an inventive Fahrzeugzeuges 500, where functionally identical parts with the same reference numerals are provided so that their explanation to the above description of FIG to 6 is referenced. In this fifth embodiment of the toy vehicle 500 is at the two end positions of the pivotal movement of the rocker 26 on Frame 12 each have a mechanical contact 40 of an otherwise not shown Contact device arranged. In its final position, the swingarm hits 26 at the respective contact 40 and triggers this. Thereupon influenced the contact means supplied to the motor 14 traction current such that the driving speed is reduced or at least not further increased. This should recognize and mitigate a borderline situation where the toy vehicle is short off the track before hurling.

To adjust the magnetic holding force, the magnets 32 on the rocker 26 slidably disposed in the longitudinal direction and can so on the rocker 26th set at an optimal position for the respective driving style of a user become.

Fig. 8 to 10 show a further preferred embodiment of an inventive Fahrzeugzeuges 600, wherein functionally identical parts with the same reference numerals are provided so that their explanation to the above description 1 to 3 is referenced.

Between the free end 30 and the pivotal attachment of the rocker 26, this is divided into a swing member 46 and a magnetic carriage 48, the over a pivot joint 50 are interconnected. A pivot axis of the Swivel joint 50 is aligned parallel to the pivot axis of the keel 18. Of the Magnetic slide 48 is on two guide rails 52 perpendicular to the direction of travel guided and thus leads a positively driven, with respect to the Fahrzeugzeuges 600 lateral Translational movement off. To implement the pivoting movement of Swing part 46 in the lateral translational movement of the magnetic carriage 48th the pivot joint 50 is equipped with a cam-cam curve connection, the one combined translational / pivotal movement of the magnetic carriage 48 allowed relative to the swing member 46. Here, a cam 54 on the Swing part 46 and a cam curve 56 formed on the magnetic carriage 48, wherein the cam 54 engages the cam curve 56.

By the lateral translational movement of the magnetic carriage 48 relative to Fahrzeugzeug 600, it is possible in a small space requirement for the magnetic swing in the direction of travel, the magnets 32 very far out to the edge of the toy vehicle 600, so that even with large Driftwinketn the magnets 32 can be held over the busbars.

As is apparent from Fig. 10, the guide rails are outwardly, i. from a middle position of the magnetic carriage 48 away, bent in the direction of web 22 formed so that the magnetic carriage 48 with a lateral translation movement upon pivoting of the swing member 46 in addition a translational movement in the direction of the web 22 performs. In this way results from the smaller distance, the higher the magnetic attraction between the magnets 32 and the bus bars on the track 22, the greater the drift angle is, i. the farther the swinging part 46 is pivoted and the magnetic slide 48 in the direction of the edge of the toy vehicle 600 on the guide rails 52 shifts.

On the rear in the direction of travel guide rail 52 is on both sides of the magnetic carriage 48 each provided a return spring, each with a End of the magnetic carriage 48 and with an opposite end support a stop on the frame 12 of the toy 600, so that at each deflection of the magnetic carriage 48 from a central position, in which the Swing part 46 substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 28 of the toy vehicle 600 is aligned, acts on the magnetic carriage 48, a restoring force. This restoring spring force creates a damping for the pivoting movement the swing member 46 and the translational movement of the magnetic carriage 48 and thereby also damps the breaking of the Fahrzeugzeuges 6.00 from the Direction of travel when drifting in a curve. This also results in a braking effect on the toy 600, which is the greater, the greater the drift angle becomes. This acts advantageously an ejection of the toy vehicle 600 from the track 22 against cornering.

Claims (18)

1. Toy vehicle (10, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600) for a motor-racing circuit (22) with guidance by tracks, which circuit (22) has a guiding groove (20) and conductor rails (24) adjacent to said groove (20), there being provided for the guidance by tracks a keel (18), which is pivotably arranged on the toy vehicle (100, 200, 300, 400, 500), for engagement in the guiding groove (20) in the motor-racing circuit (22), and there also being arranged on the toy vehicle (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) a magnetic device (32) which interacts with the conductor rails (24) on the motor-racing circuit (22), by means of magnetic attraction, in such a way that an additional retaining force holds the toy vehicle (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) in the track on the motor-racing circuit (22), characterised in that a swinging member (26) is pivotably fixed to the toy vehicle (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) at one end and the magnetic device (32) is arranged on the swinging member (32), at a distance from the pivotable fixing, the pivotable fixing being so designed that if there is drift by the toy vehicle (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) in the form of pivoting of a longitudinal axis (28) of the toy vehicle (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) relative to the motor-racing circuit (22), about the keel (18) of the toy vehicle (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) as a centre of rotation, the swinging member (26) pivots relative to the toy vehicle (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) in the opposite direction in such a way that the magnetic device remains adjacent to the conductor rails (24) on the motor-racing circuit (22), so that there is a magnetic force of attraction available between the magnetic device (32) and the conductor rails (14) even if drift occurs.
2. Toy vehicle (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) according to claim 1, characterised in that the magnetic device (32) is arranged at a free end of the swinging member (26) opposite from the pivotable fixing.
3. Toy vehicle (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the magnetic device (32) has at least one permanent magnet.
4. Toy vehicle (600) according to at least one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the swinging member (26) is divided between the pivotable fixing and a free end and has a pivot joint at that point.
5. Toy vehicle (600) according to claim 4, characterised in that part (48) of the swinging member (26) which is arranged on the side of the pivot joint (50) remote from the pivotable fixing of the swinging member (26) to the toy vehicle (600) carries the magnets (32) and is guided on at least one guide rail (52).
6. Toy vehicle (600) according to claim 5, characterised in that the at least one guide rail (52) is of a straight form and the pivot joint (50) between the parts (46, 48) of the swinging member (26) has in addition a cam-and-follower connection (54, 56) in such a way that, when the swinging member (26) pivots relative to the toy vehicle (600), the two parts (46, 48) of the swinging member (26) perform, in addition, a translatory/pivoting movement.
7. Toy vehicle (600) according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the at least one guide rail (52) is of a form such that, when the swinging member (26) pivots relative to the toy vehicle (300) from a centre position in which the swinging member (26) is aligned substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis (28) of the toy vehicle (600), the magnetic device (32) performs a translatory movement in the direction of the motor-racing circuit (22).
8. Toy vehicle (600) according to at least one of claims 5 to 7, characterised in that a spring device (34) is provided which exerts a returning force on the part (48) carrying the magnets (32) towards a centre position of the swinging member (26) in which the swinging member (26) is aligned substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the toy vehicle (600).
9. Toy vehicle (200) according to at least one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that a spring device (34) is provided which exerts a returning force on the swinging member (26) towards a centre position of the swinging member (26) in which the swinging member (26) is aligned substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis (28) of the toy vehicle (200).
10. Toy vehicle (300) according to at least one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the pivotable fixing has a guide rod (36) which guides the swinging member (26) in the latter's pivoting movement.
11. Toy vehicle (300) according to at least one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the pivotable fixing is so designed that, if the swinging member (26) pivots relative to the toy vehicle (300) out of a centre position in which the swinging member (26) is aligned substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis (28) of the toy vehicle (300), the magnetic device (32) performs a translatory movement towards the motor-racing circuit (22).
12. Toy vehicle (300) according to claims 10 and 11, characterised in that the guide rod (36) is designed to slope down towards the motor-racing circuit (22) from the centre position of the swinging member (26).
13. Toy vehicle (500) according to at least one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that a contact device (40) is provided which, when the swinging member (26) reaches a predetermined, and in particular maximum, angle of pivot relative to the toy vehicle (500), acts on a traction current to a drive motor (14) of the toy vehicle (50).
14. Toy vehicle (500) according to claim 13, characterised in that the contact device has, on both sides relative to the swinging member (26), mechanical contacts which abut physically at respective end positions of the swinging member (26) and trigger a contact for activating the contact device.
15. Toy vehicle (500) according to claims 13 or 14, characterised in that the mechanical contacts (40) are arranged on the swinging member (26) or on the vehicle (500).
16. Toy vehicle (500) according to at least one of claims 13 to 15, characterised in that the contact device (40) reduces or limits a traction current.
17. Toy vehicle (100, 200, 300, 500) according to at least one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the swinging member (26) is connected to the keel (26) of the toy vehicle (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) to be solid in rotation therewith.
18. Toy vehicle (400) according to at least one of claims 1 to 16, characterised in that the swinging member (26) is mounted to be pivotable independently of the keel (18) and has in the region of the magnetic device a guide keel (38) which engages in the guiding groove (20) of the motor-racing circuit (22).

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