EP3651870B1

EP3651870B1 - Mounted platform assembly

Info

Publication number: EP3651870B1
Application number: EP18742757.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Nicholas Caunter
Original assignee: Halo Trac Ltd
Current assignee: Halo Trac Ltd
Priority date: 2017-07-14
Filing date: 2018-07-12
Publication date: 2023-01-18
Anticipated expiration: 2038-07-12
Also published as: US20200155954A1; WO2019012094A1; GB2564492A; GB201711392D0; GB2564492B; EP3651870A1

Description

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an assembly for mounting a platform above the ground, about the central axis of a tree or post. The mounted platform according to the invention was originally designed for fitment to a Christmas tree to allow a conventional model train to be located on the platform. The train being free to orbit the Christmas tree adding movement to the static tree display. The mounted platform according to the invention also allows addition of add on accessories to expand the product. These add on accessories include; an internal platform extension plate, branch supporting tunnel and track extension. The internal platform extension plate allows scenes to be added within the tree and any problem branches (on a living tree) can be lifted and supported by the tunnel, which saves the problem branch from being removed and adds to the ambiance of the decoration. The track extension allows for an additional track to be added to the platform to further enhance the decoration.

Background Art

There is lots of prior art relating to modular vehicle / track systems suitable for use in conjunction with the mounted platform according to the invention, not least the well-known HORNBY_® oo gauge railway track sets and trains used by the inventor during testing. Some other examples include; US4403733 INTERLEGO A.G. (13.09.1983 ) which describes a track assembly for toy trains, US4568300 MARVIN GLASS & ASSOCIATES (04.02.1986 ) which describes a toy slot car racing set, US5308274 MARCHON INC. (03.05.1994 ) which describes a toy vehicle racing system in which the vehicles travel around a racing track and US5931714 JOHNSON, JEFFERY TODD (03.08.1999 ) which describes a toy vehicle and track arrangement driven by magnets.
The general concept of placing a toy train in a Christmas tree in order to increase the entertainment value is shown generally in the prior art. For example, the utility model CN204996120 describes a circular train track which may be mounted around a Christmas tree or other upright pole. A clamp is secured to the upright pole or tree trunk and a plurality of struts is connected to the clamp at one end and extend radially outwards to a connection with the track at the other end. However, the main problem with the device described in this document, is that it is limited to use with a particular track and train combination and there is no disclosure or even implied description of how to augment this arrangement with any other features. A similar system for arranging a circular monorail above ground level, for example mounted around a Christmas tree, is shown and described in patent application GB 2296198 A . More specifically, this document describes a toy monorail system that supports a shuttle craft chassis with a figurine attached and an electric motor picks up power from wire contacts for propelling the chassis along the monorail track by means of a drive wheel.
The mounted platform assembly of the invention has the advantage that it is much more versatile than the systems shown and described in CN204996120 and GB 22996198 A , because by mounting a platform on the tree or post rather than mounting the track directly, the system proposed by the invention can be used in combination with many different track systems and vehicles. Where necessary, the platform may be modified, for example by addition of a central groove or pair of grooves (often required by many existing vehicles) or to allow addition of magnets, both of which are required in the vehicle systems described in the prior art referenced above. The mounted platform assembly of the invention also allows the user to use the assembly as the basis for a much more decorative system, even adding a second track to the original. Thus, the system of the invention allows the user to add a train, car or other vehicle that can obit within the canopy of a Christmas tree and a tunnel assembly may also be provided to overcome the problem of branches obstructing or interfering with the orbiting vehicle when added to a tree. Finally, the mounted platform assembly of the invention has the advantage that the system can be mounted either way up, i.e. supported from the bottom of (underneath) the platform or suspended from the top of (above) the platform.

Summary of invention

The present invention provides a platform assembly that is built from a centre clamp, which is located around a post or tree trunk. The centre clamp is formed from at least two segments, which are joined together around the post or trunk. Once detachably joined together, the hole in the centre of the clamp has clearance around the post or trunk, so that the clamp can be used on multiple diameters. The centre clamp serves two important functions; to secure the whole platform assembly rigidly on the post or trunk and to allow the adjustment necessary to orientate and maintain horizontal alignment of the platform. In order to achieve this, the clamp includes adjustment means that can be operated to adjust the pitch and roll of the platform to achieve its horizontal position before the clamp is secured to the trunk or post to fix this position. The adjustment of the clamp allows the system to be fitted to a living tree as well as an artificial tree or post. The adjustment means may take many different forms, which will be well-known to the person skilled in the art. For example, the clamp segments may accommodate a number of bolts or fixings that can be adjusted independently.
Generally, one clamp segment accommodates a single bolt or fixing to allow a user to secure the clamp to the post or trunk and the opposite clamp segment accommodates multiple bolts or fixings to allow a user to adjust the pitch and roll of the clamp and thereby the attached platform. The clamp may advantageously have additional components to cradle the trunk or post.
In a more specific example, one side of the clamp has one bolt or fixing centred and in the middle of the clamp segment. On the opposite side of the clamp there are four bolts or fixings angled equally about the centre of the segment, two at the top (upper) part of the segment and two at the bottom (lower) part of the segment. These bolts or fixings allow a user to secure the clamp to the post or trunk with the single bolt, and adjust the pitch and roll of the clamp using the four bolts or fixings. To adjust pitch and roll, the user has to loosen the single bolt or fixing and then adjust either the upper or lower of the four bolts or fixings to obtain the required position before tightening the single bolt or fixing to secure this position.
Preferably the two opposing segments are identical, each having five bolt holes. One bolt hole centred and in the middle of the segment and two bolt holes at the top (upper) part of the segment and two bolt holes at the bottom (lower) part of the segment. This duplication of parts provides both ease of manufacture and cost benefits. Likewise, the platform may be provided by multiple platform segments, again all of the same design, which snap fit together by any of the means common to those skilled in the art.
A plurality of support brackets are mounted on the centre clamp assembly at one end and the support brackets hold the platform at the other end. The minimum number of support brackets required to support the platform is three. However, more support brackets can be used if required, up to a maximum of eight. The number of support brackets largely depends on the size and mass of the platform and associated items mounted thereon.
The support brackets may be curved, to allow the platform assembly to distribute the mass it carries without collapse and also to allow the support brackets to be hidden amongst the branches when mounted into a tree. To allow the platform assembly to distribute the mass it carries without collapse, the support brackets could equally be straight and/or angled, but they would not be hidden as well if mounted into a tree.
Optionally, the centre clamp assembly can be arranged above the platform with the support brackets depending therefrom, allowing the platform to be suspended from above.
The platform can be made of multiple segments and joined together on assembly. It can be shaped, round or oval and round or oval shaped platforms allow for another platform to be added to the original. This allows additional track systems to be added to the platform assembly. The track systems can be a train track, car racing track or the like and each is preferably located using features on the platform or support brackets to keep its desired position and placement. The platform can be sized and manufactured to allow standard track layouts to be used and the current, tested embodiment is round in shape and sized to accept a circular track made from the 1st radius curves from a oo scale model train set. It is envisioned that other diameters may be designed to allow larger radius track to be used and other scales of model such as n scale (smaller than oo) etc.
The platform assembly according to the invention has the major advantage that it can be augmented by accessories that clip onto the platform around its edge. For example, the single tunnel accessory clips to the outside of the platform and snaps in place with a 'snap' feature or locates on a feature around the outer edge of the platform and multiple tunnel accessories can be added to one platform where required. One use for adding the tunnel accessory is to allow branches of a Christmas tree (or similar) to be supported, which would otherwise be obstructing the path of the orbiting vehicle, for example a train or car. The addition of this feature also adds character and charm to the system.
The internal platform extension plate may use one or more support arms that clip radially onto the inside of the platform and once the support arm/s are fitted the platform extension plate can be added. The platform extension plate is located on features of the support arms. Alternatively, the platform extension plate may have one or more integral support arm/s. This accessory allows the addition of scenes and the scenes can be whatever the user desires. Multiple platform extension plates can be added to the main platform to allow a full 360° coverage.
The track extension accessory comprises an additional platform that is larger in diameter than the original platform and sits on the top edge thereof. This accessory allows for the addition of a second track of larger diameter than the first and this allows two systems of trains, cars or other vehicles to run at the same time. The track extension platform has features around its circumference to ensure if a track system is added it locates concentrically to the centre clamp. When this accessory is used, the single tunnel accessory is no longer used and a dual tunnel accessory is used in its place. The dual tunnel accessory is mounted to the track extension platform in the same way as the single tunnel accessory is mounted to the original single platform.
Other accessories may be provided that will be obvious to those skilled in the art and any such accessories can be clipped to the inside or outside edges of the platform/s, as required. Preferably, the radial inside edge of the platform is left largely unubstucted to allow full 360° coverage of muliple internal platform extension plates.

Brief description of drawings

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

Fig. 1a shows a single platform assembly according to the invention supported from a centre clamp assembly;
Fig. 1b is a side view of the single platform assembly shown in Fig. 1a supported from a centre clamp assembly mounted on a pole;
Fig.1c shows a detailed view of a portion of the platform assembly according to the invention with a single tunnel accessory attached;
Fig. 2a shows a double platform assembly according to the invention supported from a centre clamp assembly;
Fig. 2b is a side view of the double platform assembly shown in Fig. 2a supported from a centre clamp assembly mounted on a pole;
Fig. 2c shows a detailed view of a portion of the double platform assembly according to the invention with a double tunnel accessory attached;
Fig. 3 shows another embodiment of the invention with a single platform assembly suspended from a centre clamp assembly;
Fig. 4 shows another embodiment of the invention with a double platform assembly suspended from a centre clamp assembly;
Fig. 5a shows a detailed view of the centre clamp assembly with one of the support brackets disassembled from a centre clamp segment (viewed from the bottom);
Fig. 5b shows a detailed view of the assembled centre clamp and support brackets (viewed from the bottom);
Fig. 5c shows a detailed view of the assembled centre clamp and support brackets (viewed from the top);
Fig. 5d shows a detailed view of the assembled centre clamp mounted on a pole (viewed from the top) with support brackets in place;
Fig. 5e shows a detailed, isometric view of an alternative, assembled centre clamp (viewed from the top), highlighting the axes 1 and 2, but without the support brackets or mounted on a pole or trunk;
Fig. 5f shows a detailed plan view of the alternative, assembled centre clamp shown in Fig. 5e, again, highlighting the axes 1 and 2;
Fig. 6a shows a detailed view of multiple assembled platform segments, support brackets and two support arms with the internal platform extension plate disassembled (viewed from above);
Fig. 6b shows a detailed view of multiple assembled platform segments, a support bracket and two support arms with the internal platform extension plate assembled (viewed from below);
Fig. 7a shows a detailed view of multiple assembled platform segments, a track, a support bracket and an alternative embodiment of a single tunnel attachment disassembled from the platform;
Fig. 7b shows a detailed view of multiple assembled platform segments, a track, a support bracket and an alternative embodiment of a single tunnel attachment assembled on the platform;
Fig. 8a shows an isometric view of the mounted platform assembly of the invention supported from below, incorporating the internal extension plate and a separate, disassembled track (viewed from above);
Fig. 8b shows the same isometric view shown in Fig. 8a, but with the track mounted on the platform (viewed from above);
Fig. 9a shows an isometric view of the mounted platform assembly and extension platform of the invention supported from below on a pole, incorporating the internal extension plate and two separate, disassembled tracks and a dual tunnel accessory (viewed from above);
Fig. 9b shows the same isometric view shown in Fig. 9a, but with the tracks and dual tunnel accessory mounted on the platform (viewed from above).

Referring to figures 1a and 1b, a first embodiment of the invention comprises a centre clamp assembly 2 having a plurality of segments, which can be joined together around a tree trunk or a pole (not shown). The clamp assembly 2 supports four brackets 6 which extend radially outwardly to support a platform 1 on which a moving vehicle (not shown) may move circumferentially around the centre clamp assembly 2. The brackets 6 are adapted to snap fit against the radial inside edge 12 of the platform 1 and a track location feature 65 is also provided at this location. As previously described, an internal platform extension plate 20 is fitted on the internal periphery of the platform 1. Additionally, the platform 1 is provided with a tunnel 30, which has the advantage of keeping any obstructions clear of the track.
Figures 2a and 2b illustrate a second embodiment of the invention, in which the platform 1 is augmented by an extension platform 50 having a larger diameter than the platform 1, allowing two tracks to be run side-by-side. The extension platform 50 also provides a track location feature 65. In this embodiment, the tunnel is replaced by a dual tunnel accessory 40.
The features described above are more clearly illustrated in the detailed figures 1c and 2c respectively. The platform is composed from a plurality of platform segments 15 which snap-fit together and the structure of the radial inside edge 12 of the platform, tunnel 30 and support bracket 6 are illustrated more clearly by the detail of figure 1c. Similarly, the extension platform is composed from a plurality of extension platform segments 55 and the structure of the radial inside edge 12 of the platform 1, dual tunnel accessory 40 and support bracket 6 are illustrated more clearly by the detail of figure 2c.
Figures 3 and 4 illustrate further embodiments of the invention, in which the platform segments 15 and extension platform segments 55 are suspended from the central clamp assembly 2 by the brackets 6. All other features are equivalent to those described above.
Figures 5a - 5d are provided to give more details about the construction of the centre clamp assembly (not referenced). Referring to figure 5a, the centre clamp assembly is composed from two clamp segments 25, which can be assembled around a tree trunk or pole (not shown) before securing together by bolts or similar means. Each bracket 6 is then clipped into the clamp assembly via clip features 7, 7'. Figures 5b - 5d clearly show the bolt holes 3, the central bolt 5 used to secure the platform (not shown) to the tree trunk or pole 70 (shown in figure 5d) and the upper bolts 5u and lower bolts 5_L are used to adjust the pitch and roll of the centre clamp arrangement (not referenced) and thereby the pitch and roll of the platform and roll of the platform arrangement (not shown) as previously described.
Figures 5e and 5f show views of an alternative centre clamp assembly (not referenced), which requires no central bolt and fewer component parts. In this arrangement there are four bolts, two upper bolts 5u and two lower bolts 5_L. Two bolts A & B are arranged at the top of the centre clamp segments 25 lying opposite each other on axis 1 and two bolts C & D are arranged at the bottom of the centre clamp segments 25 lying opposite each other on axis 2, which is perpendicular to the top bolts A & B on axis 1. Initially, all four bolts 5u, 5_L are tightened against a central pole or trunk (not shown) and if adjustment is needed the bolts 5u, 5_L are adjusted in pairs, either top bolts A & B, which rotates the clamp assembly about axis 2 or bottom bolts C & D, which rotates the clamp assembly about axis 1. When adjusting the top pair of bolts A & B, the bottom bolts C & D remain tightened against the central pole or trunk and vice versa. When adjustment is completed, the clamp assembly is level and ready for the brackets (not shown) to be clipped into the clamp assembly via clip features 7.
Figures 6a and 6b show details of the construction of the internal platform extension plate 20. Referring to figure 6a two support arms 10 are clipped to the inside radial edge 12 of a platform segment 15, before the internal platform extension plate 20 is mounted onto the support arms 10. Figure 6b also clearly shows how the platform (not referenced) is composed from a plurality of platform segments 15 fitted together.
Figures 7a and 7b show an alternative embodiment of the single tunnel accessory 30 to that illustrated in figure 1c, particularly highlighting the different way in which the tunnel 30 is locates in a slot (not referenced) around the outer edge 14 of the platform. In this embodiment, the tunnel 30 has a very simple U-shape, which allows in-line moulding.
Finally, figures 8a and 8b show a track 60 being added to the platform 1 against the track location feature 65. Figures 9a and 9b show multiple tracks 60 being added to a platform 1 and an extension platform 50 against track location features 65 where the clamp assembly (not referenced) is mounted on a pole 70.

Claims

A platform assembly for supporting a toy vehicle system to a substantially vertical tree trunk or post (70), having a centre clamp (2) formed from at least two segments (25), which are joined together around the tree trunk or post (70), a plurality of brackets (6) mounted on the centre clamp (2) at one end and supporting a platform (1) at the other end, characterised in that the centre clamp (2) includes adjustment means to allow a user to adjust the pitch and roll of the platform (1) relative to the tree or post (70).
A platform assembly according to claim 1, wherein one clamp segment (25) accommodates a single bolt or fixing (5) and the opposite clamp segment (25) accommodates multiple bolts or fixings (5, 5_U, 5_L).
A platform assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein in each pair of clamp segments (25), one member of an opposing pair has a bolt (5) located in a centre bolt hole (3) and the other member of the pair has four bolts, two upper bolts (5_U) located in bolt holes (3) above the centreline of the clamp segment (25) and two lower bolts (5_L) located in bolt holes (3) below the centreline of the clamp segment (25).
A platform assembly according to claim 1, wherein adjustment is facilitated by two upper bolts (5_U) lying on opposite clamp segments (25) along an axis 1 and two lower bolts (5_L) lying on the opposite clamp segments (25) along an axis 2 perpendicular to axis 1.
A platform assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the brackets (6) are curved radially outwards from the centre clamp assembly (2) to the platform (1) to allow the brackets (6) to be hidden within the branches of the tree (70).
A mounted platform assembly according to any of the preceding claims wherein the brackets (6) snap fit against the radial inside edge (12) of the platform (1) allowing the platform (1) to be supported above or suspended below the centre clamp (2).
A platform assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the platform (1) or brackets (6) has one or more location features (65) to maintain the position and central location of the toy vehicle system (60).
A platform assembly according to any of the preceding claims wherein the platform (1) is formed from a plurality of identical platform segments (15) and the clamp segments (25) are also identical to facilitate ease of manufacture and cost benefits.
A platform assembly according to any of the preceding claims wherein the platform (1) can be augmented by accessories that clip onto the platform around its edge.
A platform assembly according to any of the preceding claims, having an extension platform (50) that is larger in diameter than the platform (1) and sits on the top edge thereof.
A platform assembly according to any of the preceding claims, additionally having one or more tunnel accessories (30, 40) clipped onto the radial outside edge (14) of the platform (1, 50) or a feature around the outer edge of the platform (1, 50) with a snap fit.
A platform assembly according to claim 11, wherein the one or more tunnel accessories (30, 40) have a simple U shape which is a push fit into a groove around the radial outside edge (14) of the one or more platforms (1, 50).
A platform assembly according to any of the preceding claims, additionally having one or more internal platform extension plates (20), located on one or more support arms (10).
A platform assembly according to claim 13, wherein a plurality of internal extension plates (20) provide full 360° coverage around the radial inside edge (12) of the platform (1).