GB2084031A

GB2084031A - Connecting sections of a toy racing track

Info

Publication number: GB2084031A
Application number: GB8031172A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1980-09-26
Filing date: 1980-09-26
Publication date: 1982-04-07
Also published as: GB2084031B

Abstract

The connector comprises two latch members (11, 12) extending in generally opposite radial directions relative to an axis (13) of rotation of the connector, and a plate-shaped member 14 parallel to and being axially offset from the two latch members. Each latch member (11, 12) has a pip (18) projecting towards the plane of the plate-shaped member (14) and is connected to the plate-shaped member by an axially extending part or parts (17) disposed radially inwards of the respective pip. To connect the two track sections together, the latch members (11, 12) are inserted through two aligned apertures in the respective track sections until the plate-shaped member (14) engages a portion of one of the track sections. The connector is then rotated until the pips (18) engage behind respective portions of the other track section so as to hold the two track sections together. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A connector for connecting together two sections of a toy racing track This invention relates to a connector for connecting together two sections of a toy racing track.

The invention provides in one aspect a connector for releasably connecting together two sections of a toy racing track by inserting the connector in aligned apertures of the two track sections and then rotating the connector, comprising two latch members extending in generally opposite radial directions relative to the axis of rotation of the connector, and a plate-shaped member extending parallel to and being axially offset from the two latch members, each latch member having a pip projecting towards the plane of the plate-shaped member and being connected to the plate-shaped member by an axially extending part or parts disposed radially inwards of the respective pip, the arrangement being such that in use the latch members are inserted through the aligned apertures of the two track sections until the plate-shaped member engages a portion of one of the track sections and then the connector is rotated until the pips engage behind respective portions of the other track section so as to hold the two track sections together.

Preferably, the plate-shaped member is provided with a grippable member projecting from the surface thereof remote from the latch members.

Preferably, the connector is a single part plastics moulding.

Preferably, the latch members each comprise an arcuate member and two arms extending radially inwards from the arcuate member, the two arms of each latch member being connected to the plateshaped member by two axially extending parts respectively.

Conveniently, the pips are disposed on respective arcuate members midway or substantially midway between the ends thereof.

Conveniently, the two arcuate members are concentric.

The invention also provides in another aspect an assembly comprising two sections of a toy racing track having alignable non-circular apertures therein and a connector according to the first aspect of the invention, for connecting the two sections together.

The invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure lisa side elevation of one embodiment of connector according to the invention, Figure 2 is a plan view of the connector of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a side elvation of the connector of Figure 1 rotated through 90 , Figure 4 is an underneath plan view of the connector of Figure 1, Figure 5 is a section along line A-A of Figure 4, and Figure 6 is a perspective view of an end portion of a section of track.

Referring to the drawings, the connector 10 shown therein is for releasably connecting together adjacent sections of a toy racing track. Each section (see Figure 6) has a flange 9 which depends from the underside of the track section at an end thereof. Each flange has an aperture 8 therein and the apertures in two flanges to be connected together are preferably of identical shape and dimensions. To connect the sections together the flanges 9 are placed in abutment with each other with the apertures in perfect registration. The connector 10 is then inserted and rotated.

The connector comprises two latch members 11 and 12, which extend in opposite radial directions relative to the axis of rotation 13 of the connector, and a plate-shaped member 14 extending parallel to and being axially offset from the two latch members 11 and 12.

Each latch member comprises an arcuate member 15 and two arms 16 which extend radially inwards from opposite ends respectively of the arcuate member 15. The members 15 are concentric and the two arms 16 of each latch member are connected to the plate-shaped member 14 by two parts 17 which extend axially from the radially inner ends of the two arms 16 respectively.

A part-spherical pip 18 is provided on each member 15 midway between its ends.

Two reinforcing ribs 19 project from the plateshaped member 14 and extend angularly between the two latch members 11 and 12.

The configuration ofthe plate-shaped member 14 when viewed in plan is similar to the outline defined by the latch members 11 and 12 and ribs 19, i.e. it has a central circular portion and two ear portions, but is angularly displaced relative to that outline by 90 and the ears of the member 14 are larger than the outlines of the latch members 11 and 12 for a reason which will become apparent later.

The plate-shaped member 14 has a grippable member 20 projecting from the surface thereof remote from the latch members 11 and 12, so that the connector can be gripped by a users finger and thumb during insertion into and rotation in the aligned apertures of the track sections.

The connector is a single part plastics moulding.

The apertures in the aforesaid flanges of the track sections are configured and dimensioned so as to allow the latch members 11 and 12 to be inserted through them and for the reinforcing ribs 19to project into one or both of them, but so as not allow the member 14 to enter them. Once the latch members 11 and 12 have been inserted through the aligned apertures of the track section rotation of the connector through 90 will lock the track sections together.

The gawp a between the top of the pips and the member 14 is arranged to be less than the combined thickness of the two flanges and by virtue of their construction the latch members act as springs to urge the pips against the associated flange to provide a secure lock even if the thickness of the flanges vary slightly.

The shape of the member 14 may be varied from that shown, e.g. it could be oval, and the latch members 11 and 12 may each be connected to the member 14 by a single axially extending part.

The advantages of the above connector are that it is easy to engage and disengage, is strong and durable and is economic to produce, dispensing with the need for screws or clips.

Claims

1. A connector for releasably connecting together two sections of a toy racing track by inserting the connector in aligned apertures of the two track sections and then rotating the connector, comprising two latch members extending in generally opposite radial directions relative to the axis of rotation of the connector, and a plate-shaped member extending parallel to and being axially offset from the two latch members, each latch member having a pip projecting towards the plane of the plate-shaped member and being connected to the plate-shaped member by an axially extending part or parts disposed radially inwards of the respective pip, the arrangement being such that in use the latch members are inserted through the aligned apertures of the two track sections until the plate-shaped member engages a portion of one of the track sections and then the connector is rotated until the pips engage behind respective portions of the other track section so as to hold the two track sections together.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the plateshaped member is provided with a grippable member projecting from the surface thereof remote from the latch members.

3. The connector of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the connector is a single part plastics moulding.

4. The connector of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the latch members each comprise an arcuate member and two arms extending radially inwards from the arcuate member, the two arms of each latch member being connected to the plateshaped member by two axially extending parts respectively.

5. The connector of claim 4, wherein the pips are disposed on respective arcuate members midway or substantially midway between the ends thereof.

6. The connector of claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the two arcuate members are concentric.

7. The connector of anyone of the preceding claims, wherein each pip is of part-spherical shape.

8. A connector for releasably connecting together two sections of a toy racing track, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1-5 of the accompanying d rawings.

9. An assembly comprising two sections of a toy racing track having alignable non-circular apertures therein and a connector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.