EP3241596B1 - Model car race track - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a toy car racing track for guided driving toys, which is composed of several track parts, wherein each track part has at least two end faces, on each of which bears an end face of an adjacent track part, for which connection means are arranged on each end face, in corresponding connecting means on the engaging releasably engage adjacent end face of the adjacent track part, and wherein on each track part at the top guide grooves are provided. Such a car racing track is used for example in the WO 2004/042147 A1 described.

Such as the DE 296 04 885 U1 can be seen, racetracks for electrically powered model cars are usually composed of many track elements, which are connected by located respectively at the abutting edges Verbindungsund guide elements. Basically, these track elements consist of straight or curved plastic plates with a rough surface and two recessed double metal rails for power conduction. The corresponding connecting means consist usually of arranged on the front side pins which are inserted in accordance with the pin shape corresponding formed hollow pockets on the adjacent end face. In the DE 296 04 885 U1 is criticized in such pin-socket connectors that the track elements must be lifted to each other for connection in order to insert the connecting and guiding elements into each other, which becomes more difficult the more track elements are already interlocked. Also, in such a handling of the track elements, the joints are unduly stressed, which can lead to rapid wear of the Verbindungsund guide elements. In the DE 296 04 BB5 U1 Therefore, it is proposed to use on the one side surface and the corresponding track center therebetween a projecting connecting part of two rectangular tabs which sit left and right of the track and terminate in a small area, each having a rectangular opening with two centering in its front area Has notches on the sides. On the opposite side and with the other track in the middle there are recesses from also two also right and left of the track sitting cutouts that match the tabs. Behind the recesses projects at a suitable distance in each case a rectangular pin out of the bottom of the plastic plate, which is chamfered towards the end of the track element. To the right and left of the recesses are two tongues that fit into the notches next to the rectangular tabs. The tongues should serve to hold the track elements firmly and at the same height. The metal rails are recessed in grooves in the surface of the plastic plate having on one side a wedge for retaining a connecting cap between the current-carrying rails and a series of connection points for guiding the rail during sliding-on. The racetrack track elements (with the exception of the metal rails) consist of relatively thin-walled plastic injection molded parts, which disadvantageously have only a low dimensional stability, which on the one hand increases the risk of breakage and on the other hand can lead to electrical contact interruptions in game operation.

In each case intermeshing spigot bushes as connecting means of two track parts ensure correct alignment of these track parts during mating, so that the grooves for guiding the toy vehicles are aligned with each other and form a continuous tracking.

In part, additional fuses against unintentional loosening of mated components in the axial direction have been proposed, for example in the form of U-shaped brackets whose legs are each inserted into one of two adjacent track parts. The insertion and removal of such brackets on the roadway underside is both cumbersome and no secure attachment is given over time, because the brackets can be easily solved by vibration.

In order to improve the attachment of the railway parts, is therefore in the EP 1 948 338 B1 proposed that the fastening device at least a first pocket and at least one matching in the first pocket pin has, which are arranged symmetrically to each other with respect to a center of the end side, so that when mating of two track parts in each case a pin engages in a first pocket and in that the fastening device additionally comprises at least a pair of second pockets, which are arranged symmetrically to the center of the end face, so that when mating two track parts meet two second pockets each other, wherein the respective second pocket has a latching mechanism, so that two track parts by means of a fastener with a corresponding locking mechanism, which is inserted in each one of two clashing second pockets, secured against unintentional loosening can be. Such pockets can also be arranged on the web part longitudinal sides, so that a roadway broadening to, for example, four lanes is possible by correspondingly securing two web parts on the longitudinal sides. However, such a locking connection is susceptible to wear. The problem of too low dimensional stability is still not solved.

Finally, in order to facilitate the assembly of two parts of the track DE 20 2008 005 237 U1 the proposal has been made that at least one end face of each track part at least one magnetic field generating member is arranged such that when joining a first web part and a second web part with their respective end faces at least one magnetic field generating component on the front side of the first web part at least one component that generates a magnetic field hits the end face of the second track part in such a way that the colliding components that generate a magnetic field attract due to a magnetic force resulting from the overlapping magnetic fields. Such a magnetic coupling requires high magnetic field strengths and corresponding expensive magnets. On the other hand, such magnetic couplings prove to be vulnerable to vibrations occurring.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a toy car racing track for any slot cars of different manufacturers, which has a high dimensional stability has and ensures easy to handle as well as vibrations occurring secure connection of two track parts.

1. a) einen Grundkörper, der vorzugsweise aus Holz besteht und Ausnehmungen zur Aufnahme von Befestigungseinrichtungen mit Verbindungsmitteln an den Stirnseiten und weiteren Ausnehmungen auf der Oberseite für Laufschienen mit jeweiliger Führungsnut und Stromleitung,
2. b) Befestigungseinrichtungen, die mittels Reib- und/oder Formschluss oder über Schraubverbindung am Grundkörper fixiert sind und an ihrer Stirnseite Zapfen-Buchsen-Steckverbindungen zur lösbaren Befestigung an einer korrespondierend ausgebildeten Steckverbindung des benachbarten anliegenden Bahnteils besitzen und
3. c) Laufschienen mit (jeweils) einer Nut, in der eine Stromleitung lösbar eingelegt ist.

This object is achieved by the toy racing track according to claim 1. According to the invention, the respective track parts are of modular construction and have the following parts:

1. a) a base body, which preferably consists of wood and recesses for receiving fastening devices with connecting means on the end faces and further recesses on the upper side for rails with respective guide groove and power line,
2. b) fastening devices which are fixed by means of frictional and / or positive connection or by screw on the base body and have on their front side pin-socket connectors for releasable attachment to a correspondingly formed connector of the adjacent adjacent track part and
3. c) rails with (each) a groove in which a power line is detachably inserted.

The base plate made of wood, in particular dimensionally stable MDF wood is unbreakable, which can be ensured by a corresponding thickness. The body also avoids the occurrence of vibration, so that an interruption of electrical contacts is effectively countered. Wood is also easy to work with, for example by means of CNC milling cutters, through which corresponding required recesses can be formed. The main body is preferably painted in color, especially black.

In prepared recesses of the body fastening means are inserted or inserted, which are fixed by means of frictional and / or positive connection and / or preferably via screw on the base body. The fastening devices have on their front side pin-socket connectors for releasable attachment to a correspondingly formed Plug connection of the adjacent adjoining path part. Preferably, such fasteners are made of plastic injection molded parts (with the exception of the hollow metal bushings and metal pins, which are required for power conduction). The recesses for the fastening device are located on the base underside so that they do not affect the appearance on the roadway top of the base plate.

On the base plate top grooves, which are preferably made by milling, arranged in which rails are inserted with a guide groove for the toy vehicles. In these rails, the power line is preferably glued.

The rails, which are preferably made by injection molding of plastic, are more resistant to wear than wood grooved grooves. In addition, the rails can be quickly replaced if necessary, without the track parts must be dismantled. Different rails may have different colors, so that in multi-lane operation, the respective operator (driver) at any time retains orientation over its lane.

Further developments of the invention are described in the subclaims.

The pin-socket connector consists of a hollow pin with a hollow metal bushing and a socket with a centrally disposed therein metal pin. Preferably, the metal pin and the metal bush are formed at one end as a pin with an external thread, which is inserted through a hole in the fastening device and screwed by a nut. This measure ensures that the metal contacts to the power line represent an always secure fixation.

Most toy car racing tracks have only two lanes. To widen the roadway or to create more lanes, it is desirable to two track parts on their longitudinal side with each other connect to. For this purpose, additional connectors are provided, which are insertable into respective recesses of adjacent fasteners and preferably fixed by screws, wherein the recesses and the additional connectors each having mutually corresponding T-profiles. The additional connectors also offer the option of this after insertion with the carrier plate, for. B. to screw a table.

Preferably, the auxiliary connectors are insertable on respective end faces of the fastening devices and can be used both for connecting two web parts to form a web extension and for forming a web widening. In particular according to the present invention, the additional connectors have bores which correspond with corresponding bores on the fastening devices, so that screws can pass through these bores and serve for fastening both the fastening device and the additional plug connection to the base body. The respective T-profile design of the recesses or the additional connector allows a precise insertion of the additional connector into corresponding recesses of the fastening device to a stop, which ensures that the holes for performing a fastening screw are congruent one above the other. The additional connections ensure that adjacent parts of the track can be securely and vibration-proof fixed both in the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the base body has on the upper side two mutually parallel milled grooves for receiving the respective rails and two recesses on the underside for receiving the fastening device. This measure makes it possible that the fastening devices are not visible in a plan view, so that a uniform surface design of the body is possible. In the connection state results for railway parts with a linear lane a (substantially) cuboid body, from which only the connecting means used protrude. Both the rails and the fastening device terminates flush with the main body upper sides or the base body underside.

The Stromleitschienen are preferably made of narrow metal strips, which are inserted into the rails, which also has openings for the passage of power lines, which are electrically connected to the metal pins and metal sockets, for example by soldering or clamping.

As already mentioned, the fastening device, the rails, the connecting means as a connector or additional plastic connector, which is preferably formed as a respective casting or injection molded part.

The main body is preferably made of a machined MDF board, which has a minimum thickness of 19 mm.

The above-described car race track has a high dimensional stability, which makes it easy to produce desired "overhangs" and tipping or bending safe. By screwing the respective components can be a permanently positionally secure positioning of the parts create each other, which are created, inter alia, in conjunction with the metal pins and metal sockets low-resistance, vibration-safe electrical contacts. The Autorennbahnbau with up to eight lanes is possible without any problems.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines aus zwei Segmenten bestehenden Kurvenbahnteils, mit zwei parallelen Laufschienen und drei montierten Befestigungseinrichtungen,

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Kurvenbahnteils mit vier parallelen Laufschienen,

Fig. 3a-e

verschiedene Ansichten eines geraden Bahnteils,

Fig. 4

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines geraden Bahnteils mit zwei montierten Fahrbahnrandstreifen,

Fig. 5a-e

verschiedene Ansichten einer Befestigungseinrichtung,

Fig. 6a-d

verschiedene Ansichten einer Laufschiene,

Fig. 7a-d

verschiedene Ansichten eines Zusatzsteckverbinders und

Fig. 8

eine perspektivische Explosionsansicht eines Teilbahnstücks mit einer Befestigungseinrichtung und einem Zusatzsteckverbinder.

Further details and advantages of the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a two-segment curved track part, with two parallel rails and three mounted fasteners,

Fig. 2

a perspective view of a curved path part with four parallel rails,

Fig. 3a-e

different views of a straight track part,

Fig. 4

a perspective view of a straight track part with two mounted lane edge strips,

Fig. 5a-e

different views of a fastening device,

Fig. 6a-d

different views of a running track,

Fig. 7a-d

different views of an auxiliary connector and

Fig. 8

an exploded perspective view of a partial web piece with a fastening device and an additional connector.

A toy car racing track always forms a closed track, which in the simplest case can consist of rotationally or mirror-symmetrical halves. More elaborate tracks are created racetracks, such. As the Nürburgring and often have several right and left turns and loop guides, the toy autograph track does not necessarily have to lie in one plane. For the assembly of a toy racecourse respective railway parts are needed. Show curved track parts Fig. 1 and 2 , whereas Fig. 3a-e and 4 show straight track parts. In curved track parts, which may consist of one or more segments, the curve curvature and the curve length can be chosen in principle arbitrary. Thus, for example, 15 ° or 30 ° curves can be realized over different curve radii, for example by selecting the inner radius of 200 mm and the outer radius of 400 m in a 30 ° curve and alternatively the inner radius of 400 mm and the outer radius of 600 mm. The same applies to 15 ° curves with an inner radius of 600 mm and an outer radius of 800 mm or an inner radius of 800 mm and an outer radius of 1,000 mm.

The straight track parts 12, the in Fig. 3a-d can have different lengths of, for example, 86 mm, 115 mm, 172 mm and 345 mm. The width of the straight or curved track parts 10, 11, 12 or 13 are uniformly set on a car racing track, z. B. of a measure of 185 mm. The illustrated web parts consist of a base body 10, 11, or 12 (see Fig. 3a ) and uniformly have two rails 14, 15 with a curved course (see Fig. 1 ), in the case of four parallel rails 14, 15, 16 and 17 (see Fig. 2 ) Each track has a different radius of curvature. Running rails 18, 19 for straight track parts are made Fig. 4 or off Fig. 6a-d to recognize. The rails 14 to 19 have uniform guide grooves 20 (see Fig. 6a and 6d ), in which the guide pin of a (not shown) toy cars (slot cars) engages or is guided.

The usual vehicle scales are 1:32 and 1:24. How out Fig. 1 . 2 and 4 To recognize, the respective straight or curved track parts are fastened to each other at the end faces to each other via connecting means, resulting in a closed race track. Fastening devices 21 according to 5a-5e serve both for fastening curved track parts and / or straight track parts to respective adjacent track parts. The lane consisting of two lanes can be divided into four lanes (see Fig. 2 ) are extended by two additional fastening devices are fixed to each other via additional connectors 22, as is apparent from Fig. 1 and 2 can be seen.

The radially outer connector 22 allow a Fahrbahnerweiterung to six or more lanes. Straight or curved track parts can also have edge strips 25, as shown in Fig. 4 is shown as an example. For attachment of such roadway edge strips also serves the additional connector 22. The curved or straight-line Railway parts have a modular structure and uniformly have a basic body made of wood. Such a body 26 for a straight track part is in Fig. 3a-e shown. This main body has on its upper side two parallel grooves 27, in which rails 18, 19 are inserted or inserted. These rails 18, 19, in Fig. 6a-d are shown, have external dimensions that correspond to the dimensions of the groove 27 accurately, so that the rails 18, 19 are fixed in the respective groove 27 via a frictional engagement. As is known in principle in the prior art, in each case two Stromleitschienen are inserted in the rails, which are supplied via soldered or clamped conductor with voltage. For the implementation of such power lines, the running rail 18, 19 in the bottom portion slit-shaped openings 28. On the underside of the base body 26 made of wood recesses 29 are produced in each case in the adjoining the end face area by milling, which in all rectilinear and curved track parts in the body have the same surface topography, which correspond precisely with the surface contour of a fastening device, so that the fastening device 21 can be inserted into each base made of wood on the underside. The bottom of each fastener is substantially flat (apart from holes for screw mounting), so that this underside with each body, z. B. body 26 forms a smooth surface. The fastening device 21 consists of an injection-molded part, which has pins 30 and bushings 31. As in particular in Fig. 2 each pin 30 is formed as a hollow pin, in the middle of which a hollow metal bush 301 is located (see also exploded view in Fig. 8 ). In each socket 31, a metal pin 311 is arranged. The pin 30 and the bushing 31 are dimensioned such that each frictionally engaged with each other, so that via the metal pin 311 and the metal bushing 301, a power connection from track part to track part is made. The metal sleeve 301 and the metal pin 311 are formed on the principle of the generally known as a banana plug electrical connector. The metal bushing 301 and the metal pin 311 are each rear side Extensions with an external thread. For fastening the metal bushes and the metal pins to the fastening device 21, the metal bushing and the metal pin are inserted through holes provided in wall areas and then screwed back by means of a nut.

The fastening device 21 is not limited to the illustrated flat profile, but may have any contoured elevations or recesses corresponding to corresponding recesses and elevations on the underside of the base body 26, so that by the created positive engagement a transversely and longitudinally axial displacement of the fastening device 21st already prevented during assembly. The front side of the fastening device 21 in the installed state is flush with the end face of the main body 26 flush.

In addition and how out Fig. 5c, d and e To recognize, the fastening device also has various holes 32 which are suitable for the implementation of screws, so that by means of such wood screws, the fastening device 21 can be screwed to the base body 26. For this purpose, the base body 26 corresponding blind holes 33 have, which facilitate centering and screwing. Further lying in the region of the grooves 27 holes 34 (see Fig. 3d ) can serve to screw the running rail on the body, if desired. The fastening device 21 has at the two lateral ends of a slot-shaped recess 35, the respective bottom side toward an elongated opening 36 (see Fig. 8 ), so that viewed from the front side, a T- or dovetail-shaped profile results, in which a correspondingly shaped profile of the additional connector 22 can be inserted. The detail in Fig. 7a-d illustrated auxiliary connector has runner-like projections 37, which form a longitudinal body whose width b (see Fig. 7a ) corresponds to the width B of the elongate opening 36 accurately. The wide longitudinal cuboid 38, each with rounded edges, which are bridged over a connection 39, are dimensioned so that fit into the Slot 35 are inserted. As in particular from Fig. 1 can be seen, the additional connector serves as a connecting means of two fastening means 21, which adjacent to the widening of the racetrack from, for example, two to four lanes (see transition Fig. 1 to Fig. 2 ) be used. Fig. 2 shows that the recesses 35, 36 of the juxtaposed fastening devices serve as receptacles for the additional connector 22 with its longitudinal squared lines 38 and the runner-like projections 37. The additional connector 22 is also designed so that its parts, namely the runner-like projections 37 and the longitudinal cuboid 38, in the corresponding openings (slot 35, elongated opening 36) of the voltage applied to the end face fastener 21 fit, so that the additional connector a total of four Fastening means 21 interconnects. To further stabilize this connection, the auxiliary connector has four through holes 40 (see Fig. 4c ), through which screws can be inserted, by means of which the additional connector is screwed to a respective base body.

The additional connector thus serves to ensure that the respective track parts 10, 11, 23, 24 (see Fig. 2 ) are always secured optimally secured to each other, so that even with permanent operation, a positional shift of the web parts to each other and thus a detachment of the connector via pins 30 and bushings 31 is effectively prevented.

The inventive design of the railway parts can create so-called slot car car racing tracks that meet the highest standards in terms of stability and durability. In case of wear of the rails, these can be easily replaced, the exact fit of the rails with the milled groove in the body ensures easy replacement.

To rebuild the car racing track, the rails and fasteners can each remain on the body, as the Plug connection to adjacent fasteners can be easily accomplished by pushing apart. Before sliding apart, only any screws are to be solved, with which the additional connector of different track parts are attached to the body.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10, 11

Basic body for curved track parts

12, 13

Basic body for straight track part

14, 15

Running rails for curved track parts

16, 17

Running rails for curved track parts

18, 19

Running rails for straight track parts

20

guide

21

fastening devices

22

additional connectors

23, 24

curved railway parts

25

Roadway edge strips

26

body

27

groove

28

slit-shaped openings

29

recesses

30

spigot

301

Hollow metallic sleeve

31

sockets

311

metal pin

32, 33, 34

drilling

35

slot

36

elongated opening

37

runner-like approaches

38

longitudinal cuboid

39

connection

40

drilling

Claims (9)

1. Model car race track for lane-guided toy cars which are composed of several track parts (10, 11, 12, 13; 23, 24) wherein each track part has at least two end faces on which an end face of a neighboured track part abuts what for on each end face fastener are arranged which engage removable with corresponding fasteners on the adjacent end face, and wherein on each track part guiding grooves are arranged on the upper surface
   characterized in that
   the track parts (10, 11, 12, 13; 23, 24) are modularly constructed and have following parts:

   - A base body (26) consisting preferably of wood and having recesses for placing fasteners (21) in the end faces and further recesses on the upper surface for guiding rails (14, 15; 16, 17; 18, 19) each with a guiding groove (20) and a power supply line,

   - fasteners (21) which are fixed by frictional- and/or form-fit connection or by a screw fitting on the base bode (26) and which have plug-in connectors (30, 31) for a removal connection on the end face to corresponding plug-in connectors of the adjacent track part,

   - guiding rails (14, 15; 16, 17; 18, 19) with a groove (20) wherein a power supply line can be removable inserted.
2. Model car race track according to claim 1, characterized in that the plug-in connectors (30, 31) each have a hollow pin (30) with a hollow metal bushing (301) and a bushing with a metal pin (311) centrally arranged therein.
3. Model car race track according to claim 2, characterized in that the metal pin (311) and the metal bushing (301) are formed as a pin with an external thread which pin is plugged through a boring in the fastener and which is screwed by a screw nut.
4. Model car race track according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that additional connectors (22) are insertable in corresponding recesses of neighboured fasteners (21) and preferably are fixable by screws whereby the recesses and the additional connectors each have corresponding T- or dove tail-profiles.
5. Model car race track according to claim 4, characterized in that the additional connectors (22) are insertable at respective end faces and usable for the connection of two track parts for building a track elongation as well as for building a track broadening.
6. Model car race track according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the base body (26) has on the upper side two parallel arranged milled grooves (27) each for the support of guiding rails (14, 15; 16, 17; 18, 19) and two recesses (29) at the bottom side for the support of fasteners (21), so that when connected there results a block shaped body from which only the used connectors protrude.
7. Model car race track according to one of the claims 2 to 6, characterized in that power supply lines consisting of small metal strips are glued in the guiding rails and that the guiding rails have recesses for the feed-through of power supply lines which are connected electrically to the metal pins (311) and metal bushings (301).
8. Model car race track according to one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the fasteners (21), the guiding rails (14, 15; 16, 17; 18, 19), the connectors as plug-in connectors (30, 31) or additional connectors consist of plastic material which is formed preferably as a respective moulding part.
9. Model car race track according to one of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the base body (26) made of wood has a minimum thickness of 19 mm.

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