GB2401067A - Track and track connectors for a toy vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

An assembly for guiding a toy vehicle, comprising a plurality of rectilinear track elements 1 and a plurality of element connectors 20, where each track element has three or more edges 3a - 3d, each edge having a shaped recess 8 to receive and retain one end 21 of a connector, so that the connectors retain the track elements with there edges in butted alignment. The track elements may have one or more track defining formations in the form of a pair of equi-spaced grooves 6 allowing the vehicle to be guided along two or more different pathways 4a - e and 5a - e and facilitate alignment of the pathways between abutting track elements. The track elements may be substantially square and made from a semi-rigid foam material where both main faces 2 and (3 figure 2)of each track element may be provided with two or more track defining formations configured differently on each face. A connection piece for use in conjunction with the track elements recesses comprises a flexible main body 22 linking end sections 21 shaped to compliment the recesses in the track elements. The connection piece may be formed from an elastically deformable material where the main body may have a basal flange track element 23.

Description

As 1 bly rO - din toy vehicle T his invention relates to a toy with

educational uses and particular, but not exclusively, to an assembly lor guiding a toy vehicle.

One of the primary aims of the invention is to improve on the established format of track forrlatiorl that is provided by most toy vehicle systems.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an assembly for guiding a toy vehicle, the assembly comprising a plurality of substantially rectilinear track elements and a plurality of element connectors, each track element having three or more edges, and each edge having a shaped recess for receiving and retaining one end ol one connector, such that, in use, the connectors releasably retain the abutting the track elements with the ends of abutting edges in alignment.

Known track elements of this general type each have a jigsaw type combination of "male" and "female" connectors integrally formed with track element. I his limits the number of orientations in which the elements can be connected to other elements, whereas the assembly according, to the invention described above is not limited in this manner.

I'referably each track element is provided with two or more track-defning formations to allow the vehicle to be gtrided along two distinct pathways, and the track-defiling formations being configured and positioned to facilitate alignment ol the pathways bctwoen abutting track elements.

I he invention diners from the established means of creating a toy of this type which uses sections of connecting track pieces each providing a single pathway lor the vehicle. An assembly according to the invention utilises rectilinear track elements which are more robust and easier and quicker to assemble than conventional track elements. I<urtller, the multiple pathways defined on each track element make it simpler to create or change a complicated track layout, allowing the user more "playing time".

Once the track elements are connected together each unique configuration of track elements immediately becomes a robust playing surt:ace that can be moved and stored in its entirety or in sections. AIso an assembly of this type is more robust than the conventional equivalent which is made up of a number of discrete track elements, each providing a single track pathway for a vehicle I'referably botl1 main laces of each track element are provided with two or more track- delinulg formations, the track-defining formation being configured differently on each face. Tile track elements according, to this embodiment of the invention are reversible. AIternatively the other main I:ace of the track element could have information printed on it conveying an appropriate educational or promotional message, such as a storyboard, or it can be provided with a surface that can be written on or drawn on by the user.

I'he track-definblg formations preferably comprise a pair of equi-spaced grooves.

The Individual track elements of the assembly may be formed from wood, but almost any rigid or somi-rigi<1 board material, such as plywood, laminated chipboard or a plastics material, could be used. The use of a semi-rigid or flexible foam material, such as EVA foam, has a number of advantages: each track element is light and easily transportable; the track elements have no hard or sharp edges that might cause injury; the play surface that is creates provides a quieter playing surface than those made of wood. It is also advantageous to manul:acture the track elements from a material that can be re-cycled.

Although the track elements of tile assembly may be square they may be, for example, rectangular, triangular or hexagonal. In a prel'erred embodiment connecting means are associated with each edge of each track element, and the connecting means are positioned and configured to allow any edge of a track element to be connected to any edge of another track element with a pair of parallel edges of the conjoint track elements in alignment.

In a prel'erred embodiment each connection means comprises pairs of shaped-recesses formed in the abutting edges of the track elements and a connector of complementary shape. The recesses are preferably compatible for connection with known track pieces ol' other systems.

In a preferred embodiment, one or more secondary elements are provided, each secondary element having,, an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface having, formations for complementary engay,ement with trackdet'ining formations, such that, in use, the secondary formations overlie some or all of a pathway on a track element.

The upper surfaces of secondary elements may present educational information to the user, and preferably a number of secondary elements are provided with related informational content. For example, one set of secondary elements could relate to a clock t'ace, allowing the user to construct a complete clock t'ace from a number of component parts. Alternatively the upper surface of each secondary element could be provided with, say, a year wheel, allowing', a gear train to be constructed by the user by positioning the secondary elements in a suitable arrany,ement. Any number of alternative uses for the upper surface of' the secondary elements can be t'ound. The combination of the track elements and the secondary element enhances the educational value of the assembly without detracting', from the enjoyment ol' the user.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a connection piece t'or use in association with track elements ol' an assembly for guiding a toy vehicle, the track elements having shaped recesses for receiving the connection piece, and the connection piece comprising,, a main borly with end sections shaped to complement the recesses in the track elements, and central section linking, the end sections.

the aim of this aspect of the invention is to provide a simple and ef'I'ective means of connection between track elements that is safe and easy to use.

connection piece according', to this aspect of the invention has numerous advantages over the most common connection system used in this type ol' product that comprises a recess in one track element with a complementary protrusion integrally formed with the mating, track element, but in particular there are savings both in terms of materials and costs that result from not having to cut down oversize track elements in order to cut away the waste required to form the integral protrusion.

The connection piece may be formed l'rorn a compressible material and configured to fit into the recesses on the track elements only in a compressed i'orm to provide a secure fit between track elements.

In a preferred embodirllenl the main body has a basal flange. 'I'he flange increases the overall size of' the cormection piece to eliminate the chance that a small child could swallow the connection piece, and it improves the functionality of the connection piece by reducing and controlling vertical movement relative to the track elements.

Upward vertical movement of' the connection piece might obstruct the passage of the toy vehicle, and downward vertical movement of the connection piece, for instance on a soi't surface such as a carpet, can allow the upper i:aces of' the track elements to become vertically misaligned and thereby prevent smooth passage of the vehicles across the boundary between track elements. The flange underlies the track elements and thus supports the track elements above the surface supporting the assembly to protect the underside of' each tile from abrasion or damage. 'I'he support of' the track elements on the flange also serves to increase the stability of the assembly. Also, the need to place the track elements on to the connection piece rather than the connection piece in to the recesses reduces the chance that the fingers of the user may become caught. or stuck as the assembly is put together.

l'he end sections of the connection piece may be solid, or they may be hollow. The hollow end sections can be used to accommodate other elements ol' the assembly, such as surface mounted accessories or support struts that might be used to support mutli-layered constructions.

Tlle end sections of the connection piece may be flexibly connected. The flexible connection oi'the end sections allows conjoined track elements to be folded over to overlie one another, back-to-back or face-to-i:acc, whilst they remain connected. 'I'his arrangement facilitates storage and transportation of track element assemblies.

According to the broadest aspect of the present invention, there is provided an assembly for children's cntcrtainmcnt comprising a plurality of substantially rectilinear elements and a plurality ot element connectors, each element having three or more edges, and each edge having a shaped recess for receiving and retaining one cud of one of a connector, such that, in use, the connectors rclcasably retain abutting elemcuts in aligned engagement. Ratller than being used as a track for a toy vehicle, tile elements ol the assembly could be used, say, as construction elements in a building orientated toy.

A clear understanding of the various aspects of the present invention will be gained Irorn the following detailed description, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure I is a plan view of a track element according to the invention; Figure 2 is a cross-section through the line AA ol Figure 1; Figures 3 and 4 show a number of conjoint track elements in different configurations; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a connection piece with a basal flange; 1 igurc 6 is a plan view of the connection piece of Figure 5; I;igures 7a and 7b are views along the lines AA and BE] of Figure 6 respectively, with Figure 7b showing an exploded view of the component parts of the connection piece; l;igure X shows an illustrative view of an alternative embodiment ol the connection piece; l igurcs 9 shows an illustrative views of a connection piece in use; 1* igurc I () shows a side view, partially cut away of an assembly; Figures] 1a, b, c and d show illustrative cross-sectional views of parts of track elements; ligures 12a and 12b shows a plan view of a bespoke track element suitable for incorporating further elements, such as bridges or the like; and Figures 13 and 14 show alternative shapes for track elements and their interaction; Figure 15 and Figure 16 show alternative track element configurations; I;igures 17a to 17h show illustrative views of alternative connector configurations; and I;igures I Ha to I Xg show various pathway configurations that can be adopted.

With reference to Figure I a square tile or panel, generally designated], has a generally uniplanar upper l'ace 2 and 1'or edges 3a to 3d. 'I'he upper face 2 has a multitude ol' tracks or channels 6 (see figure 2), and equi-spaced pairs of tracks 6 define ten or more pathways 4a to be and 5a to be traversing the tile 1 from one edge to the parallel edge. Each pathway has an entry point E and an exit point L2.

Although the entry and exit points 1', 1,2 are shown to be connected by straight tracks G. it will be understood that the tile shown in leisure I simply illustrates the general configuration ol' pathways and entry/exit points, and the tracks could follow any path between the entry and exit points, subject to the constraint of the turning circle of the toy vehicle.

However it is prel'erred that a standard location of the entry and exit point k' 2 etc. relative to the tile edges is adopted to facilitate the alignment of track between adjacent tiles. By equi-distant spacing of the tracks can be used to define a further sub-set of pathways 7.

In theory any number of tracks can be formed on each individual tile, but in practice a practical limit is defined by the width of the tracks as, beyond a certain point, the tracks will merge with on another- and lose coherence. Nevertheless, the assembly provides a track density that is many time greater than known systems. As number of dilierence configurations of track are shown in Figure] 8: Figure 18a shows a general tile with the most commonly used pathways, although it will be appreciated that a single tile will not include all of the possible pathways depicted; igure 1 8b shows a tile with the tracks marked in bold defined on the tile surface, and defining a'long,' switch arrangement; I igure I Xc and I Ed show 'short' and 'return' switch arrangements respectively; I;igures I he and I 8f show 'return' and 'universal' loop arrangements respectively; igure 1 8g shows a '5-splitter' arrangement.

I he lower main face 3 of the tile can also be provided with tracks. The pathways on the dower face 3 have a different configuration to those on the upper lace 2, and the tiles can be reversed. I7ig,ures 3 and 4 show some examples ol assemblies of tiles with different pathways, and with the tiles arranged to define part ol a circuit oi the toy vehicle. T he leli hand tiles show the upper lace 2 and the right hand tiles show the lower face 3 ol each tile.

leach tile edge 3a to 3d has shaped recesses 8 in the region ol the each corner. Each recess has a bulbous inner part 10 of generally circular cross section, and a narrower neck part I I that communicates between the inner section 10 and the edge of the tile hi.

The recesses X are centrally located between the tracks 6 of the outermost pathways 4a, 4e, Sa and be and they are equidistant lrom the corners of the tile. This arrany,emeut allows any edge of any tile to be connected to any edge of any other tile with the outermost edges of the tiles aligned. Other suitable arrangements of recess location, such as a single centrally located recess would be equally efficacious. A connector or toggle for holding the tiles together is described in more detail below.

As can be seen from Figure 4, not all ol' the tiles in the assembly need to be square; the lower tiles shown in Figure 4 are rectangular with a pair of minor edges being half the length of two major edges. One of the minor edges is provided with additional recesses 8' to allow connection of the associated pathways on the tiles with the track pieces ol' other types of track systems. The tiles show in Figures 13 and 14 are triangular and hexagonal. It is generally preferred that the tiles are shaped to allow tessellation.

l igures 12 a and b shows another tile configuration that could be used, say to incorporation bridges or other track features.

The pairs of tracks 6 which form each pathway could be replaced by a single channel 9 (see 1 igure 1 lo), a pair of raised protrusions, simulating railway tracks, or a single protrusion, simulating, say, a road way.

The spaces in between each track can be coloured and graphically enhanced to create scenery or other picture and further enhances the attraction ol'the assembly.

A cormeclor or toggle, generally designated 20 (see l;igures 5 and 6) has opposed end Extortions 21 comected by a central spar or her 22. 'I'he end portions 21 and bar 22 have a cross-sectional shape which complements the shape of the inner part 10 of the recesses X and the neck part 11 respectively. 'I'he bar 22 is approximately twice the length of the neck part I 1 or the recesses, so that the toggle 20 holds connected tiles in close abutment.

Although the cross-sectior1s of the inner part I () of the tiles and end portions 21 ol' the toggles 20 are shown to be circular, it will be understood that the shapes dove-tail together and any shape could be used, provided the shapes are complementary and the maximum width of the inner part of the recess is greater than the maximum width of the neck part 11. Similarly other shapes could be used l'or the neck part 11 and the bar 22.

X

I'oggle 20 preferably has a flange-like panel 23 that provides a circumjacent lip at base of the toggle. The toggle could be a one-piece construction, but it is preferred that a three piece construction is used, with upper and lower panels 24 and 26 and a central body portion 25 (see Figures 7a and 7b). 'I'he three parts of the toggle are formed l'or releasable 'snap-iit' engagement, and the may be supplied to the user ready assembled or in a kit Loran.

A toggle could be provided two lower panels 26, both having flanges. One of the panels 26 can be attached to the toggle body 25 after the toggle is attached to the tiles so that, in use, the flanges sandwich the interiacent part of the tiles and hold the tiles in secure engagement. Alternatively' the toggle can be l'ormed of resilient material and forced into a Push-lit' engagement Wittl the tile recesses. This term of toggle could be ol particular use if the tiles are used as a construction-type toy where the tiles are used as building panels to form, say, a house. 'I'he 'double-flanged' toggle of l'ers a secure connection between the tiles, even when the tiles are vertically orientated. The toggle with two flanges could also be used where a more secure connection is required between tile used in a toy vehicle assembly, and for instance where a semi- perrnanent assembly is created.

Figure 8 depicts an alternative toggle, generally designated 20'. 'the overall shape of the alternative toggle 20' is the same as the toggle 20, and it is made up from a three- piece construction. Ilowever, the toggle 20' has two distinct end pieces, each with a flange 23' connected to an upright cylindrical tube 21'. 'I'he tube 21' has a mouth or slot running along its length for receiving a flexible central membrane 22' of similar overall shape to the main boldly of toggle 20. 'l'he two ends of' the membrane 22', which are themselves hollow cylinders, are each received and retained in the tubes 21' and the membrane serves to hold the end pieces 21',23' in alignment. 'I'he end pieces 21', 23' can be identically configured to reduce manufacturing costs.

The flexibility of' the membrane may be increased by providing a cut-out sections between the two ends of' the membrane, such that the central section of the membrane comprises upper and lower beams or struts (see Figure 2).

The alternative toggle 20' provides an articulated joint between two tiles so that the tiles can be moved into a position with their main faces in confrontation without removal of' the toggle 20'. As a result the alternative toggle 20' allows large assemblies to be stored compactly and transported easily.

Figure 17 depicts further alternative toggle configurations. Figure 17b shows a plan view of an alternative toggle generally designated 20". 'I'he toggle is a one-piece construction formed from a resilient flexible material, such as rubber. ligure 17d shows a side view of' the toggle 20" (the other side view corresponds), and Figures 17a and 17c show central transverse and longitudinal sections. A single circumjacent flange 23" of uniform width surrounds the end portions 21" an central section 22". A cut away section 24 of' the flange 23" defined between the two end portions improves the flexibility of the toggle 20", as does the narrowed waist portion 25 adjacent the cut away section 24.

I'he upper part ol' the central section 22", here designated as 26 is all inverted C- sCction. 'I'he arms 40 ot' the C-section Increase the resistance of' the toggle 20" to lateral and torsional movement. The outer surl:aces of the arms 40 can also serve to form an engagement surface with ornamental inserts.

I'he toggle 20"' of l;igures 17e to 17h has a similar configuration to the toggle 20", but a removable central section is provided and the end sections of the toggle 20"' are separately formed.

I\s shown more clearly in Figure 9, the toggles 20" and 20"' are configured in the region of the interlace between the end sections and the upper part or strut 26 of the central section to assist in folding of the toggle. l:,articularly, the confronting walls of the end portions are narrower in width than the outer walls, and the width of the conl'ronting walls narrows further in the region of the interface. The interface region is shaped such that, in a folded configuration shown in leisure 9, the upper side of the strut 26 lies in close abutment with the adjacent part of' the inner walls of the end portions so that a more compact folded arrangement is achieved. 1]

The hollow end sections 21 of the toggle can be used to mount accessories, such as signal post or the like on the board. The upper panel 24 of the toggle 20 can be removed and the end ot' the accessory inserted. Other accessories could include rods 27 for supporting, one layer of tiles above another. The respective upper and lower panels 26,24 ol' confronting toggles 20 can be removed and the rod 27 inserted.

Abutments 2X hold the tiles I in the correct vertical alignment (leisure 10).

With rel'erence to Figure 11, a number ol' inserts or inlays may be provided. The inlays 3()a to 301'are configured with projections for engagement with the tracks 6 or channel 9, or they are sized to fit within the tracks or channels. The inlays may be coloured, pre-marked or blank for writing on. Inlays like 301'are narrower than the channel 6 and they may he used to create the impression ol' 'rails' for the user. In addition the inlay 30f may be coloured to distinguish between different pathways on the assembly of tiles.

A large variety of different pre-printed inlays can be envisaged to increase the educational benefit ot' the assembly. Ior instance with tiles suitably arranged to provide a circular pathway, prc-printed inlays of corresponding, shape can be provided with the various elements of a clock ['ace. The user can then assemble these element under supcrvlslon.

The tracks (j or channels 9 ot'thc tiles may be formed by milling or otherwise cutting the grooves into the tiles. Cutting the grooves allows t'or greater flexibility of track layout and liar the production of bespoke tiles if required. Alternatively, and where the material allows, the tiles may be preformed or moulded with grooves by processes such as hljection moulding.

ligure 15 shows a novel tile configuration. A raised section 50 is stamped or integrally formed with the tile I to provide a downhill ramp for a vehicle. The raised section can be in the term of a spiral, and the pathway defined by the raised section is contiguous with a pathway on the planar section of the tile with surrounds the raised section.

(he skilled person will understand that modifications to the exemplary embodiments ol'thc invention described above can be made without departing from the scope of the following claims. For example, the lower main face 3 ol'cach tile could he provided with a reusable suri:ace, such as a 'dry-wipe' board, so that when the board is reversed it provides a large area for the user to draw or write on. Alternatively the lower main laces 3 oi'a number of tiles could be pre-printed with a storyboard or a game, such as snakes and ladders.

AIso a track element could be divided transversely info a number ol' distinct parts, with each part being flexibly connected along an axis substantially at a right angle to the transverse division. 'I'his arrangement would allow the tile to be moved between a flat configurali'rl and a configuration where the cross-section is generally S-shaped and thus link different horizontal layers of tiles. colds

Claims (15)

1. An assembly for guiding a toy vehicle, the assembly comprising a

plurality of substantially rectilinear track elements and a plurality of element connectors, each track element having three or more edges, and each edge having a shaped recess for receiving and retaining one end of a connector, such that, in use, the connectors releasably retain the track elements with the ends of abutting edges in alignment.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein each track element is provided with two or more track-defining formations to allow the vehicle to be guided along two or more different pathways, and the track-defining formations being configured and positioned to faciliate alignment of the pathways between abutting track elements.

3. An assembly according to claim 2 wherein both main faces of each track element are provided with two or more track-defining formations, the track-defining formation being configured differently on each face.

4. An assembly according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the track-defining formation comprises a pair of equi-spaced grooves.

5. An assembly according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein tlm track elements are substantially square.

6. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the recesses are positioned and configured to allow any of the edges of a track element to be connected to any edge of another track element with the ends of the connected edges in alignment.

7. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the track elements are formed from a semi-rigid foam material.

8. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shaped- recesses and each end of each connector are of complementary shape.

9. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more secondary elements are provided, each secondary element having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface having formations for complementary I engagement with track-defining formations, such that, in use, the secondary formations overlie some or all of a pathway on a track element.

10. A connection piece for use in conjunction with track elements of an assembly for guiding a toy vehicle, the track elements having shaped recesses for receiving the connection piece, and the connection piece comprising a main body with end sections shaped to complement the recesses in the track elements, and central section linking i flee end sections.

11. A connection piece according to claim 10, wherein the main body is formed from an elastically deformable material.

12. 1L connection piece according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the main body has a basal flange track element.

13. A connection piece according to claim 10, 11 or 12, wherein the end sections of the connection piece are flexibly connected.

14. An assembly for guiding a toy vehicle substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

15. A connection piece for use in association with track elements of an assembly for guiding a toy vehicle, the connection piece being substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 5 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.