EP1550491A1 - Piste pour vehicule-jouet et vehicule-jouet ameliores - Google Patents

Piste pour vehicule-jouet et vehicule-jouet ameliores Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1550491A1
EP1550491A1 EP04258144A EP04258144A EP1550491A1 EP 1550491 A1 EP1550491 A1 EP 1550491A1 EP 04258144 A EP04258144 A EP 04258144A EP 04258144 A EP04258144 A EP 04258144A EP 1550491 A1 EP1550491 A1 EP 1550491A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
guide channel
toy
guide
junction
channel
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP04258144A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
John J. Sinisi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Design Circle Inc
Original Assignee
Design Circle Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Design Circle Inc filed Critical Design Circle Inc
Publication of EP1550491A1 publication Critical patent/EP1550491A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H18/00—Highways or trackways for toys; Propulsion by special interaction between vehicle and track
    • A63H18/16—Control of vehicle drives by interaction between vehicle and track; Control of track elements by vehicles
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H18/00—Highways or trackways for toys; Propulsion by special interaction between vehicle and track
    • A63H18/02—Construction or arrangement of the trackway
    • A63H18/023—Track control means, e.g. switches

Definitions

  • This invention relates to toys, especially toys comprising toy tracks and toy vehicles. More particularly, this invention relates to toys which are more commonly known as "slot cars" and which comprise toy vehicles with slot selection means and toy tracks with compatible guide slots. More specifically, although of course not solely limited thereto, this invention relates to toy sets comprising toy vehicles and track sets in which a player can cause a toy vehicle to select one of a plurality of guide slots on approaching a junction of guide slots.
  • Toy sets comprising toy vehicles operating on a toy track with pre-defined guide channels are known, for example, in US 5,928,058, US 4,795,154 and US 3,630,524.
  • the toy tracks of such toy vehicle sets usually comprise a plurality of guide channels with a plurality of intersections or guide channel junctions so that a toy vehicle running on the toy track can move from one loop of guide channels into another.
  • the changing of guide channel loops is typically implemented, for example, through mechanical change-over means before a toy vehicle approaches the crossover junctions as in US 3,630,524.
  • guide channel also means guide slots wherever appropriate for the context.
  • a player has to separately and simultaneously control the movement of the toy vehicle and the switching of the guide channel selection mechanisms when a toy vehicle approaches an intersection. This means that a player cannot concentrate on the manoeuvring of the toy vehicle.
  • toy vehicle sets comprising toy tracks and toy vehicles in which a toy vehicle approaching a guide channel junction comprising a plurality of branching guide channels can select one of the available guide channels by manoeuvring the operation of a toy vehicle.
  • a toy vehicle approaching a guide channel junction comprising a plurality of branching guide channels can select one of the available guide channels by manoeuvring the operation of a toy vehicle.
  • a toy set comprising a toy track and a toy vehicle, said toy track comprising guide channels for guiding said toy vehicle to move along predetermined paths on said track and guide channel selection means to facilitate said toy vehicle to select a guide channel from a plurality of guide channels when said toy vehicle approaches a guide channel junction at which junction a diversion guide channel branches out from a primary guide channel, said toy vehicle comprising corresponding guide channel selection means so that, when said toy vehicle approaches said guide channel junction, the guide channel selection means of said toy vehicle and toy track cooperate such that a player can select the guide channel along which said toy vehicle will travel after said guide channel junction by manoeuvring the operation of said toy vehicle.
  • a toy track comprising guide channels for guiding a toy vehicle to move along predetermined paths and ramping means for facilitating the toy vehicle to select a guide channel from a plurality of guide channels when the toy vehicle approaches a guide channel junction, said plurality of guide channels at said guide channel junction comprising a primary guide channel and a diversion guide channel which branches out from said primary guide channel, said ramping means being disposed on said primary guiding channel at a location approaching said guide channel junction, said guide channel junction including a diversion guide channel junction guide wall portion which forms part of said diversion guide channel at said guide channel junction, the height of said diversion guide channel junction guide wall portion being significantly less than the typical height of a guide channel wall of a typical guide channel outside said guide channel junction.
  • the diversion guide channel junction guide wall portion extends obliquely across the width of said primary channel guide at said guide channel junction to form part of said diversion guide channel at said guide channel junction.
  • the diversion guide channel junction guide wall portion extends from one of the channel walls of said primary guide channel to abut one of the channel walls of a diversion guide channel at the end of said guide channel junction.
  • the diversion guide channel junction guide wall portion can, for example, curves convexly away from a channel wall of said primary guide channel at said guide channel junction to form part of said diversion guide channel at said guide channel junction.
  • the portion of said guide channel junction outside the footprint of said diversion guide channel including an elevated platform which is substantially levelled with said diversion guide channel junction guide wall portion.
  • the elevated platform extends between said diversion guide junction guide wall portion and the wall of said primary guide channel of said guide channel junction.
  • said elevated platform gradually slopes away from said diversion guide junction guide wall portion and downwardly away from said guide channel junction.
  • the elevated platform having a generally wedged shape and diverging from the approaching side of said guide channel junction towards the departing side of said guide channel junction and along the primary guiding channel at the guide channel junction.
  • said ramping means being disposed immediately before said elevated platform.
  • the height of the top surface of said ramping means being comparable to that of the top surface of said elevated platform.
  • the top surface of said ramping means being between 1mm to 1.5mm above the bottom of said diversion guide channel at said guide channel junction.
  • the highest portion of the ramping means being 0.5mm above the bottom of the guides channels.
  • said guide channels outside said guide channel junction having a substantially rectangular cross-section.
  • the width of said guide channels outside said guide channel junction being comparable to the height of the walls of said guiding channel.
  • said ramping means including an surface ascending towards said guide channel junction, said ascending surface being adapted for interacting with a retractable channel guiding member of a toy vehicle adapted for use with said toy track so as to facilitate guide channel selection at said guide channel junction.
  • said ascending surface of said ramping device being adapted for gradually reducing the length of said retractable channel guiding member of said toy vehicle while said toy vehicle transiting through said ramping means towards said guide channel junction during normal operation.
  • said ramping means interacts with said channel guiding member of said toy vehicle while said toy vehicle transiting through said ramping means towards said guide channel junction during normal operation so that said channel guiding member of said toy vehicle will move from a first operating position to a second operating position.
  • a toy vehicle comprising a channel guiding member for guiding the motion of said toy vehicle along a guide channel of a toy track, said toy track comprising at least a primary guide channel and at least a diversion guide channel, said diversion guide branches out from said primary guide channel at a guide channel junction of said primary guide channel and said diversion guide channel, said channel guiding member being movable from a first operating position to a second operating position, wherein the spring urge against said channel guiding member being adapted so that, in use, the distance travelled by said vehicle during the time when said channel guiding member moves from said second operating position to said first operating position will substantially determine the channel guide along which said toy vehicle will travel after the channel junction.
  • said channel guiding member being movable from a first operating position to a second operating position by spring urge and/or gravitation.
  • said channel guiding member protruding downwardly from the bottom of said toy vehicle, said channel guiding member being retractable from said first operating position to said second operating position, said first operating position being further away from the bottom of said vehicle than said second operating position.
  • said channel guiding member being retractable under spring urge for about 1 mm to 1.5mm to move from said first operating position to said second operating position.
  • said channel guiding member being retractable under spring bias along a substantially vertical direction when transiting through a ramping means at said guide channel junction when travelling along a guide channel and towards said guide channel junction.
  • said channel guiding member including a shank which is extendable between said first operating position and said second operating position, wherein, in both said first and second operating positions, said shank being clear of the bottom surface of the guide channels except the ramping means and, when in said second position, said shank being in contact with said ramping means.
  • said toy vehicle is travelling outside of said ramping means, said shank being at least 0.5 mm clear of the bottom surface of the guide channels.
  • said toy vehicle including a magnet for holding the toy vehicle close to the surface of said toy track, said toy track being provided with corresponding magnetic material for magnetic coupling with said toy vehicle.
  • said toy track including power supply rails of magnetic material for magnetic coupling with said toy vehicle.
  • guide channel selection means which facilitate lane change through manoeuvring of the motion of a toy vehicle
  • a user can focus on the operation of the toy vehicle. This will enable a player to improve the skill of operation of the toy vehicle and make the game more interesting.
  • a vehicle racing toy comprising first and second electric toy vehicles, first and second controllers respectively for controlling said first and second electric toy vehicles, a toy rack on which said first and second electric toy vehicles operate and a common power supply rail distributed along said toy track for supplying operating power to said electric toy vehicles, wherein said first and second controllers including means to supply to said toy rack characteristic operating power which is respectively characteristic for the operation of said first and said second electric toy vehicles, said characteristic operating power including a speed control signal for controlling the speed of said electric toy vehicle.
  • a toy track for use with a vehicle racing toy of claim 32 including a common power supply rail for supply power to said first and second toy vehicles, said common power supply rail being with a characteristic operating power supply, said characteristic operating power supply being an alternate current power supply of a prescribed frequency with different amplitudes in the positive and the negative cycles.
  • a toy vehicle for use with a toy track which is supplied with a characteristic operating power during normal use, the toy vehicle including a motor and electric power selection means for selecting power supply which is characteristic for the operating of said toy vehicle.
  • said first and second controllers including means for obtaining power from a common alternate current power source, means for extracting said characteristic operating power from said common alternate power supply and means for varying the speed of said electric toy vehicle.
  • said means for varying the speed of said electric toy vehicle including means for interposing said speed control signal on said characteristic operating power.
  • This invention also provides a controller for interposing said speed control signal on said characteristic operating power including a variable power alternating devices such as a rheostat.
  • exemplary toy comprising a toy vehicle 100 and exemplary toy track segments is shown in the Figures.
  • the exemplary toy track segments comprise an exemplary first type of toy track segment 200 and an exemplary second type toy track segment 300 .
  • the exemplary first type of toy track segment 200 comprises guide channels which are arranged as a plurality of primary guide channels 210 which are formed on a base member 220 .
  • the exemplary primary guide channels 210 comprises substantially straight and parallel guide channels so that toy vehicles can race side by side on parallel primary guide channels.
  • a plurality of first type toy track segments can be connected together.
  • the first type 200 of toy track segments may comprise primary guide channels 210 which are non-straight, curved or meandering so that the ensemble of toy track segments can form a closed and end-less racing circuit without loss of generality.
  • the exemplary second type of toy track segment 300 comprises a plurality of guide channels which are formed on a base member 320.
  • the guide channels comprise a plurality of primary guide channels 310 and a plurality of diversion guide channels 330.
  • An exemplary diversion guide channel 330a branches out from a source primary guide channel 310a at a guide channel junction 340 and joins an adjacent, usually but not necessarily, parallel destination primary guide channel 310b .
  • two diversion guide channels 330 are shown.
  • the guide channel junctions 340 from which the diversion guide channels branch out respectively, are approximately at the same longitudinal location on the toy track segment 300 .
  • the exemplary diversion guide channels 330 have substantially the same curvature and both curve away from their respective source primary guide channels 310a , 310b, the two diversion guide channels 330 intersect and cross over at about their respective middle portions.
  • the symmetry of the diversion guide tracks is only shown for convenience as a typical example and is not essential.
  • the junctions at which the diversion guide channels merge with the destination primary guide channels become guide channel junctions at which the respective diversion guide channels will branch out for toy vehicles travelling along the opposite direction.
  • guide channels 210, 310 are provided so that a toy vehicle equipped with appropriate or corresponding channel guiding means will move along a pre-determined path as defined by the guide channels on the toy track.
  • the toy vehicles are maintained along the prescribed paths through cooperative guidance or regulation of the channel guiding means of the toy vehicle by guiding walls of the guide channels.
  • This type of vehicle toys in which the motion path is substantially governed by an elongated and depressed guide channel is commonly known as "slot cars” or “slot vehicles”, although the guide channels can be wider than what is strictly understood as “slots” and the term “slot car” has become a generic term in the trade to mean this type of toy arrangement generally.
  • FIG. 1AA An exemplary cross section of a preferred guide channel comprising a primary guide channel as an example is shown in Fig. 1AA.
  • the guide channel 310b is formed below the top surface 321 of the base member 320 and is defined between first 311 and second 312 guide channel walls.
  • Another exemplary cross section of a preferred guide channel comprising a diversion guide channel as an example is shown in Fig. 1 EE in which the guide channel 330b is formed below the top surface 321 of the base member 320 and is defined between first 331 and second 332 guide channel walls.
  • the guide channels are disposed so that when a toy vehicle having channel guiding means are placed on the toy track with the channel guiding means appropriately aligned with the guide channels, the toy vehicle will travel along the guide channels due to the guiding effects of the channel guiding means.
  • the channel guiding means comprises a channel guiding member 110 which is a downwardly extending channel guiding pin or shank.
  • the channel guiding member 110 protrudes from the bottom of the toy vehicle 100 and extends towards the toy track surface 321 during normal use.
  • the channel guiding member 110 and the guide channels are designed so that, during normal operation, the downwardly protruding pin or shank member will protrude into the hollow portion of the guide channel with its lower end cleared of the bottom surface of the guide channel while moving along the guide channels.
  • the channel guiding member 110 may interact with the sidewalls of the guide channels from time to time.
  • Exposed positive and negative power supply rails 410a,b are disposed on top surface of the toy track adjacent to the guide channels so that an electric motor or other electric driving means in the toy vehicle can obtain its operating power from the power supply rails.
  • the depressed guide channel is intermediate the positive and negative power supply rails so that, when the toy vehicle is properly placed on the toy track, its channel guiding member will align with the guide track and its power contact members (not shown), which protrude from the bottom of the toy vehicle, will be in compressive contact with the power supply rails.
  • the primary guide channels in the first and the second type toy track segments of this example are substantially straight and parallel, it will be appreciated that it is not necessarily so and the primary tracks can be curved, winding or meandering to provide more fun and challenge in the control of the toy vehicles.
  • the term "primary guide channels" is used in an open manner to refer generally to a non-branching portion of a guide channel, as distinguished from a diversion guide channel which branches out from such a primary guide channel, and should not be construed narrowly.
  • the toy track segments are provided with electrical and mechanical coupling means so that adjacent toy track segments, which may comprise a combination of the first and the second exemplary toy track types, can be connected together for electrical and mechanical continuity.
  • electrical plugs 420 and sockets 430 can be integrally formed as part of the power supply rails and mechanical plugs 440 and sockets 450 can integrally moulded with the base member since the base member can be formed by hard plastics by plastic moulding, as are shown in the present example.
  • the guide channel junction 340 comprises a primary guide channel 310a portion and a diversion guide channel 330a portion.
  • the primary guide channel 310a portion extends linearly to form a continuous primary guide channel which extends along a prescribed direction of extension.
  • the diversion guide channel 330a branches out from the source primary guide channel 340 portion and joins the parallelly adjacent destination primary guide channel 310b near the location designated by the line FF.
  • each of the primary guide channel and the diversion guide channel is defined by a respective pair of channel guide walls of substantially equal height outside the effective region of the guide channel junction 340, it will be noted that the two guide channels share a common guide channel portion at the junction region (the region between lines BB and CC of Fig. 1).
  • the diversion guide channel is defined by a guide wall of a normal height and a depressed guide wall which is formed on the bottom of the primary guide channel portion.
  • the primary guide channel at the junction comprises a single guide wall only and the other guide wall is missing so that the depressed guide wall 331a also defines an entrance aperture to the collinear primary guide channel.
  • the depressed diversion guide channel junction guide wall 331a (the "Junction Guide Wall") is significantly or noticeably lower than a typical channel guide wall for purposes to be further described.
  • the Junction Guide Wall 331a defines the beginning of a diversion guide channel 330 and also the entrance aperture to the primary guide channel 310a.
  • This Junction Guide Wall 331a extends obliquely across the width of the source primary channel guide and subsequently joins the guide wall of the diversion guide channel of a normal height at the end of the guide channel junction 340
  • the Junction Guide Wall 331a extends obliquely across the width of the source primary channel guide and joins a junction of the guide walls formed by the near channel guide wall of the source primary guide channel and a guide wall of the diversion guide channel.
  • distal and near channel guide walls of the source primary guide channel refer conveniently to the channel guide walls which are respectively further away and closer to the destination primary guide channel 310b .
  • the near channel guide wall of the source primary guide channel is interrupted and discontinuous at the guide channel junction and at the Junction Guide Wall 331a.
  • a wedge-shaped region is formed intermediate the Junction Guide Wall 331a and the distal channel guide wall of the source primary guide channel.
  • This wedge-shaped region comprises an elevated platform which extends across its lateral or transversal width and is substantially levelled transversally, so that a smooth transition can be provided for a toy vehicle to continue travelling along the source primary guide channel after crossing the guide channel junction in the manner to be explained. It will be appreciated that this wedge-shaped portion is on the bottom of the portion of the source primary channel guide at the guide channel junction 340.
  • junction Guide Wall 331a defines a lateral guide wall of the diversion guide channel at the guide channel junction
  • the wedge-shaped platform slopes gradually downwards towards the bottom of the primary guide channel in a direction away from the guide channel junction to provide smooth transition of the toy vehicle during transit across the guide channel junction.
  • the diversion guide channel is gradually curved away from the source primary guide channel and is convexly curved towards the destination primary guide channel.
  • Cooperative guide channel selection means are provided on the toy track and toy vehicle to facilitate selection of a guide channel from a plurality of guide channels when a toy vehicle approaches a guide channel junction.
  • the guide channel selection means enable a player to select a preferred guide channel along which the toy vehicle will travel after leaving the guide channel junction by manoeuvring the operation of the toy vehicle.
  • the guide channel selection means on the toy track comprises ramping means 500 disposed at the approaching side of the guide channel junction.
  • the ramping means comprises an inclined surface which gradually ascends towards the guide channel junction, as is more particularly shown in Figs. 1A to 1 H and Fig. 2A to 2H.
  • the ramping means comprises a rounded bump with a convex surface protruding from the bottom of the primary guide channel at a location just before the guide channel junction and with its highest surface at a level comparable to the height of the Junction Guide Wall 331 a.
  • This ramping surface is adapted to interact with a retractable channel guiding member of a toy vehicle adapted for use with the toy track so as to facilitate guide channel selection at the guide channel junction.
  • the ascending surface of the ramping device is adapted for gradually reducing the length of a retractable channel guiding member of the toy vehicle while the toy vehicle transits through the ramping means towards the guide channel junction during normal operation.
  • the toy vehicle 100 comprises a vehicle body 120 which may be made of metal, plastics or a combination of both, wheels, a motor to drive the wheels, channel guiding member, power contacts to obtain power from the power supply rails 410a,b on the track and a magnet 130 to maintain a close coupling between the toy vehicle and a corresponding magnetic part on the base member for better track adherence.
  • the channel guiding means comprises a channel guiding member which may be a downwardly extending pin, shaft, piston or shank (for brevity, the term “downwardly extending member” will be used collectively) which has a lateral width lesser than but comparable to that of the guide channel to alleviate excessive deviation form the prescribed paths.
  • the downwardly extending member protrudes from the bottom of the toy vehicle and its protruding length is adapted so that, during normal running on the guide channels, the downwardly extending channel member will protrude into the guide channels adequate for guiding along the guide channel but with its free end cleared of the bottom surface of the guide channels for smooth running or operation.
  • the downwardly extending channel guiding member 110 is under spring bias or spring urge so that it will protrude maximally downwards with maximum extension from the toy vehicle towards the toy track during normal running on the track.
  • the free end of this channel guiding member is free of the bottom of the guide channels.
  • the free end is about 0.5mm above the bottom of the guide channel.
  • the channel guiding member 110 When this spring urged channel guiding member 110 is urged upwards and away from the toy track surface so that its effective protruding length reduced, for example, when encountering the elevated surface of the ramping means mentioned above, the channel guiding member will be under spring urge to return to its extended position.
  • the channel guiding member is movable under spring urge from a first (maximum extension) operating position to a second (reduced protrusion) operating position.
  • a combination of a helical spring 140 and a weight 150 is used to urge the channel guiding member 110 to return to the first operating position.
  • the specific distance travelled by the vehicle during the time in which the channel guiding member 110 moves from the second operating position to the first operating position, which is substantially toy vehicle speed dependent, is utilised to substantially determine the channel guide along which the toy vehicle will travel after the guide channel junction.
  • a spring or a weight alone can be used in the channel guiding means to return the channel guiding member 110 to the first operating position, although in the latter case gravitational force (instead of spring urge) will be the returning force.
  • the channel guiding means also serves as a channel selection means and the channel guiding member 110 also serves as a guide channel selection member in this preferred embodiment.
  • the toy vehicle on the exemplary toy track will be described in more detail below with reference to two typical operating modes.
  • the first operating mode as shown the first set of Figures, namely, Figs. 1, 1A to 1 H and 1AA to 1 HH
  • the toy vehicle is travelling at a first speed at the guide channel junction and will travel along the diversion guide channel 330a to the destination primary guide channel as indicated by the arrows after the guide channel junction.
  • the second operating mode as shown the second set of Figures, namely, Figs. 2, 2A to 2H and 2AA to 2HH
  • the toy vehicle is travelling at a second, higher, speed at the guide channel junction and will travel along the primary guide channel 310a as indicated by the arrows after the guide channel junction.
  • the first and second speed is respectively below and above a predetermined threshold speed.
  • an exemplary toy vehicle 100 is moving on a primary guide channel towards a guide channel junction 340.
  • the guide channel selection means of the toy vehicle will encounter the ramping means 500 disposed immediately before the guide channel junctions.
  • This ramping means includes an ascending and arcuate surface which exposes above the bottom of the source primary guided track. The protruding surface is adapted so that when the channel guiding of the vehicle move across the ramping surface, the channel guiding member 110 of the toy vehicle 100 will move from the first operating position of Fig. 1A to the second operating position of Fig. 1 B.
  • the channel guiding member 110 of the toy vehicle After the channel guiding member 110 of the toy vehicle is clear of the ascending surface of the ramping means 500, it will be returned by spring bias to the first operating position as shown in Figs. 1 C to 1 H. As the toy vehicle travels at this first speed which is below a threshold speed, the channel guiding member will have returned to the first operating position by the time the channel guiding member encounters the Junction Guide Wall 331a. As a result, the subsequent motion of the toy vehicle 100 will be guided by the Junction Guide Wall 331a and the toy vehicle will move along the diversion guide channel 330a to join the adjacent destination primary guide channel 310b as shown in Figs. 1D to 1H.
  • the channel guiding member 110 of the toy vehicle will be moved from the first operating position to the second operating position when the toy vehicle encounters the ramping means 500. After the toy vehicle has departed from the ramping means, it will move forward according to its moment of inertia. At this second speed, which is above the prescribed threshold speed, it is designed and calculated that the channel guiding member 110 of the toy vehicle will not yet return to the second operating position when it is at the location of the Junction Guide Wall 331a .
  • the channel guiding member 110 of the toy vehicle will return to its second operating position after it has passed or cleared the Junction Guide Wall 331a .
  • the channel guiding member 110 of the toy vehicle 100 does not return to the second operating position until the Junction Guide Wall 331a has been passed, the channel guiding member 110 of the toy vehicle will be cleared of the Junction Guide Wall 331a and its motion will be guided subsequently by the guide walls of the primary guide channel after the guide channel junction.
  • the toy vehicle will continue to move linearly along the primary guide junction without being diverted into the diversion guide channel.
  • a threshold speed at which the toy vehicle will bypass the Junction Guide Wall 331a can be calculated or determined.
  • the actual and exact distance between the clearance of the ramping means by the channel selection member 110 and the beginning of the Junction Guide Wall 331a will depend slightly on the exact path or velocity of the toy vehicle immediately before encountering the ramping means, upon reaching the prescribed threshold speed and encountering the ramping means, whether the toy vehicle will continue to move along the primary guide channel or to be diverted will depend also on the skill of the player controlling the toy vehicle since the performance of the toy vehicle will be somewhat affected if a user cannot maintain the toy vehicle to move along a straight path prior to encountering the ramping means.
  • the primary guide channel after the guide channel junction is substantially tangential to the curvature of the diversion guide channel and is substantially in accordance with the motion of inertia of the toy vehicle prior to encountering the Junction Guide Wall 331a .
  • the primary guide channel can have any appropriate curvature after the guide channel junction without loss of generality.
  • the channel selection means or the channel guiding member 110 of the toy vehicle includes a guiding member which is pivotable between the first and the second operating position, for example, by spring bias, by gravitation, by combination of spring bias and gravitation, by hydraulic or other appropriate means, so as to effect the change or non-change of the motion path of the toy vehicle by pivotal motion of the channel guiding means 110 .
  • the exemplary vehicle toy sets of Figs. 4 & 5 comprise a toy track system assembled from a plurality of exemplary toy track segments or module such as that described above, first and second toy vehicles, first 510 and second controllers 520 respectively for controlling the first 100a and the second 100b toy vehicles, and a power supply 600 .
  • the toy track system comprises a common power supply rail 410 which extends along the length of the toy track system for supplying operating power to the toy vehicles.
  • the common power supply rail 410 typically, but not essentially, comprises positive and negative power rails 410a & 410b .
  • the toy vehicles are electrical power driven and are adapted to obtain their operating power supply from the toy track system while moving along the track system.
  • the first and the second controllers are provided with means for individually controlling toy vehicles so that a user can control the operation of the toy vehicles, for example, to control the speed of a toy vehicle.
  • the power supply 600 comprises an AC to AC adapter which converts an alternate current (AC) power of a characteristic voltage and frequency into an AC supply of the same characteristic frequency but with a lower characteristic voltage.
  • AC alternate current
  • the typical AC mains supply in the USA has a characteristic voltage and frequency respectively of 110V root mean square (rms) and 60Hz while that for Europe are respectively 220V rms and 50Hz.
  • the AC to AC adapter down-converts the AC mains power supply to a voltage, for example, to below 20 Vrms, for safe and appropriate operation of the toy vehicles.
  • the first and second controllers are respectively for controlling the first and second toy vehicles and each of the controllers comprises means for generating characteristic control signals for controlling the operation of the toy vehicle.
  • the characteristic control signals are embedded into the power supply before the operating power is fed into the common power supply rails 410 a & b for use by the vehicles.
  • the control signals are in the form of a variable power output which will be transformed into the variable speed of the toy vehicles.
  • the toy vehicles include means for differentiating and extracting the characteristic control signals and operating power.
  • the controller includes means to insert or imposing identity or identifying characteristics to the control signals generated by the control generating means.
  • a unidirectional electronic device which is a diode 511 in the present example
  • the control signal generating means includes a variable resistor or a rheostat 512 to vary the operating power, whereby the speed of the motor of the toy vehicle can be changed and the motion of the vehicles along the tracks can be accordingly controlled as described above.
  • the power supply output, the diode 511 and the rheostat 512 are connected in series so that the control signals will be superimposed onto the operation power to become the characteristic operating power before outputting.
  • This characteristic operating power will then be output to the common power supply rail 410a & b of the tracks and to be selectively picked up by the respective toy vehicles.
  • the toy vehicles are provided with characteristic control signal pick up means which include a unidirectional electronic device (which is also a diode 160 in this embodiment) compatible with the unidirectional electronic device of the controller.
  • a unidirectional electronic device which is also a diode 160 in this embodiment
  • the diode 511 of the toy vehicle is connected in series with the motor 170 of the toy vehicle and consistent with the direction of current flow of the unidirectional device of the controller.
  • a user can control a vehicle through the controller and the operation of the toy vehicle can be controlled by means of the rheostat.
  • This variable power output is then conditioned by the diode so that only the portion of the current consistent with the diode flow will be output.
  • This variable power output is then picked up by the toy vehicle having a corresponding and compatible unidirectional electronic device and, consequently, the speed of that toy vehicle can be controlled by the characteristic control signals embedded in the power supply.
  • the toy vehicles and the controllers can be correspondingly and individually matched through matching arrangement of diodes respectively in the toy vehicles and the controller, even though the toy vehicles share the common power supply rail.
  • the schematic block diagram of Fig. 5 shows a variation of the toy vehicle set of Fig. 4 but with the AC power supply to the controllers isolated from the mains supply by a full-wave bridge rectifier.
  • electronic switching means with appropriate timing control circuitry for generating AC pulses of positive and negative polarity and of a prescribed general pulse frequency are connected to the output of the rectifying bridge.
  • Four electronic switches arranged in the H-topology are connected to the output of a full wave rectifying bridge to provide the AC pulses which constitute the characteristic operating power which can be selectively picked up by the compatible characteristic control signals pick up means of the respective toy vehicles substantially as described above.

Landscapes

  • Toys (AREA)
EP04258144A 2003-12-31 2004-12-24 Piste pour vehicule-jouet et vehicule-jouet ameliores Withdrawn EP1550491A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
HK03109486 2003-12-31
CN200303109486 2003-12-31

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1550491A1 true EP1550491A1 (fr) 2005-07-06

Family

ID=34566845

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP04258144A Withdrawn EP1550491A1 (fr) 2003-12-31 2004-12-24 Piste pour vehicule-jouet et vehicule-jouet ameliores

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1550491A1 (fr)
CN (1) CN1657127A (fr)
CA (1) CA2491378A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102614671A (zh) * 2011-01-28 2012-08-01 永丰朝有限公司 轨道赛车及多轨式组合赛道
US9011196B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2015-04-21 Global Marketing Enterprise (Gme) Ltd. Developmental activity gym for babies

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8758079B2 (en) * 2008-11-18 2014-06-24 Winkler International, S.A. Toy motorcycle for tracks with guiding groove
US9114323B2 (en) * 2013-03-05 2015-08-25 Mattel, Inc. Toy vehicle track set
CN110124330B (zh) * 2019-04-23 2020-09-22 温州轻飞玩具有限公司 一种玩具赛车用赛道

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3377958A (en) * 1965-06-16 1968-04-16 Marx & Co Louis Lane change for raceway toy
US4221077A (en) * 1978-10-10 1980-09-09 Von Winckelmann Emil H Toy racing car
EP0280920A1 (fr) * 1987-03-05 1988-09-07 Kurt Hesse Véhicule-jouet pour pistes à voies multiples
EP0567296A1 (fr) * 1992-04-21 1993-10-27 Cody Kin Mo Ng Appareil pour la course sur piste rainurée

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3377958A (en) * 1965-06-16 1968-04-16 Marx & Co Louis Lane change for raceway toy
US4221077A (en) * 1978-10-10 1980-09-09 Von Winckelmann Emil H Toy racing car
EP0280920A1 (fr) * 1987-03-05 1988-09-07 Kurt Hesse Véhicule-jouet pour pistes à voies multiples
EP0567296A1 (fr) * 1992-04-21 1993-10-27 Cody Kin Mo Ng Appareil pour la course sur piste rainurée

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102614671A (zh) * 2011-01-28 2012-08-01 永丰朝有限公司 轨道赛车及多轨式组合赛道
WO2012100707A1 (fr) * 2011-01-28 2012-08-02 Wing Dynasty Limited Voiture télécommandée pour circuit de course et piste de course combinée comprenant une voie comportant plusieurs rainures
US9011196B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2015-04-21 Global Marketing Enterprise (Gme) Ltd. Developmental activity gym for babies

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN1657127A (zh) 2005-08-24
CA2491378A1 (fr) 2005-06-30

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20060141902A1 (en) Toy track and toy vehicle
US11091320B2 (en) Transport system powered by short block linear synchronous motors
US6044767A (en) Slotless electric track for vehicles
KR101787306B1 (ko) 쇼트블록 리니어 싱크로너스 모터 및 스위칭 메카니즘에 의해 작동되는 향상된 운송 시스템
US8967051B2 (en) Transport system powered by short block linear synchronous motors and switching mechanism
US10703214B2 (en) Short block linear synchronous motors and switching mechanisms
US7350754B2 (en) Block controller
JP6340407B2 (ja) 磁気的に駆動される移動子を有する転換コンベヤ
US20080011184A1 (en) Switching electromagnetic moving system
EP0567296A1 (fr) Appareil pour la course sur piste rainurée
EP1550491A1 (fr) Piste pour vehicule-jouet et vehicule-jouet ameliores
US20100094483A1 (en) Control and motor arrangement for use in model train
KR20150060800A (ko) 숏 블럭 리니어 동기 모터 및 스위칭 메커니즘
US3377958A (en) Lane change for raceway toy
CA2055385A1 (fr) Boucle de saut inversee interrompue
US5075515A (en) Track for a vehicle racing game
US8069793B2 (en) Universally mountable model train
US3467311A (en) Racing game apparatus
US7549612B2 (en) Deviation system for guide means used in a set of toy vehicles
US3837286A (en) System for operating miniature vehicles
JPH0522807A (ja) 磁気浮上式鉄道の軌道分岐装置
GB2200297A (en) Toy car track
US2576994A (en) Toy cable car system
EP0785007A1 (fr) Systèmes de voie pour chemin de fer miniature
US4388036A (en) Toy car and roadbed unit

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL BA HR LV MK YU

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20051103

AKX Designation fees paid

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20060531