GB2410701A

GB2410701A - Toy track system

Info

Publication number: GB2410701A
Application number: GB0402589A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Colin Graham; Simon Coulter
Original assignee: HEAVENS ABOVE
Current assignee: HEAVENS ABOVE
Priority date: 2004-02-05
Filing date: 2004-02-05
Publication date: 2005-08-10
Also published as: GB0402589D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrically powered toy and particularly, but not exclusively, to a toy track system. The invention provides a toy track system (1) comprising a track (10) defining a path to be followed by a vehicle (16); a vehicle (16) mounted to the track (10) for following said path; and means (6,8) for securing said track to the underside of a support structure (4).

Description

241 0701

TOY TRACK SYSTEM

The present invention relates to an electrically powered toy and particularly, but not exclusively, to a toy track system.

A toy track system according to the present invention is provided as defined in claim I of the appended claims. A toy track system comprising further novel and advantageous features is provided as defined in any of the appended dependent claims 2 to 15.

Furthermore, a further aspect of the present invention provides a toy track system as referenced above in combination with a support structure to the underside of which the toy track system is secured. The support structure is preferably the ceiling of a room.

A yet further aspect of the present invention provides an electrically powered toy comprising an electric power cable for receiving electric power transmitted to the toy, wherein the cable comprises a connector for electrically connecting the cable to an electric light bulb power socket. The connector may comprise a screw thread.

A]tematively, the connector may comprise a bayonet type of light bulb connector.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a schematic cross-section view taken across the width of a ceiling mounted track; FIGURE 2 is a schematic perspective view of two infra-red sensors located adjacent a bend in one of the two lanes of the track shown in Figure 1; FIGURE 3 is a schematic plan view of the track lane shown in Figure 2; FIGURE 4 is a side view of a toy aircraft vehicle connected to a track mounted motorised carrier; FIGURE 5 is an end view of the toy vehicle and motorised carrier of Figure 4; and FIGURE 6 is a plan view of the motorised carrier shown in Figures 4 and 5.

A toy track racing system 1 according to the present invention is shown in the accompanying drawings. As will be seen with particular reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that the system comprises a track structure 2 which is suspended from a further structure 4 such as the ceiling of a room. The track structure 2 may be suspended from the support structure 4 by means of a hook and wire system. More specifically, wires may be secured to the track structure 2 and looped about a hook secured to the support structure 4. The number of wires and their spacing along the track structure 2 will depend upon the track layout. The wires may, for example, be spaced at 15 cm intervals along the length of the track structure 2. Associated hooks will be provided in the support structure 4 with the same spacing. The view of Figure I shows two ends of a wire 6 connected to an upper surface of the track structure 2 with the mid- point of the wire 6 being looped over a hook 8 projecting downwardly from a ceiling 4.

Alternative means for connecting the track structure 2 to the support structure 4 will be apparent to a reader skilled in the art. For example, the upper surface of the track structure 2 may be held in abutment with the support structure 4 by means of one or more fasteners (such as screws, nails or bolts) which extend between the support structure 4 and the track structure 2. Although the support structure 4 may be any structure from which the track structure 2 may be suspended, in practice it is envisaged that the support structure 4 will indeed be the ceiling of a room such as a child's bedroom.

The track structure 2 defines a closed loop rectangular track layout (see Figure 3) comprising first and second lanes 10, 1 2. It will be understood however that a track layout having an alternative shape and an alternative number of lanes may be provided. indeed, the track structure 2 is preferably assembled from a plurality of straight and curved lengths of track portions. These track portions may have different lengths so that a number of different shapes of track layout may be constructed from the same track portions. Additional track portions may also be introduced to allow the track layout to be changed. Each track portion has securing means for allowing connection with a neighbouring track portion. The connection means (not shown) ideally comprises a resilient clip mechanism which may be selectively and repeatedly used to connect and disconnect adjacent portions of track.

With reference to Figure], it will be seen that each track lane 10,]2 comprises a generally upwardly facing surface 14 upon which a motorised carrier 16 (a first vehicle component) is supported. The upwardly facing surface 14 is normally orientated horizontally (particularly along straight portions of track), however the surface 14 of each lane 10,12 may be angled (i.e. banked) to the horizontal. Such an angling ofthe upwardly facing surface 14 will allow a vehicle (a second vehicle component) carried by the motorised carrier 16 (see below) to be also banked so as to improve the image presented to the user during operation of the system. A banking of a lane 10,12 may be particularly appropriate at a curved portion of track and will assist in allowing the motorised carrier ] 6 to move along the curved track portion whilst at speed.

Each lane 10,12 comprises an elongate slot] 8 extending through the ful] thickness of the track structure 2 and extending along the full length of the track layout so as to define a closed loop. As will be seen from Figure 5, a rod 20 (a third vehicle component) extends through the slot 18 from one side of the track structure 2 to the other so as to provide a connection between the motorised carrier 16 and a vehicle 22 to be raced by a user. Two or more rods 20 may be used to connect the motorised carrier 16 and vehicle 22. Furthermore, with reference to Figure 1, it will be seen that the upwardly facing surface 14 is provided with elongate metallic electrically conductive strips 24,26 located either side of the slot 18 and running along the length of the slot 18. The conductive strips 24,26 are exposed at the upwardly facing surface 14 of each lane 10,12 so as to be contactable by electrically conductive brushes (not shown) mounted on the motorised carrier 16 associated with each lane 10,12. For the purposes of clarity, it is to be noted that the motorised carrier 16 associated with the second lane 12 of the track structure 2 is not shown in Figure 1. It is by means ofthe electrical contact between the brushes of the motorised carrier 16 and the conductive strips 24,26 that electrical power is supplied to the motorised carrier] 6.

The track structure 2 further includes walls 28,30,32 extending upwardly from the two track lanes 10,12. The walls 28,30,32 extend along the length of the lanes 10,12 so that the carrier vehicles 16 which run on the lanes] 0, l 2 are not visible to the user. The central wall 30 is common to both lanes 10,]2 and separates said lanes 10,12. This central lane 30 does not necessarily need to be continuous. The central lane 30 assists in ensuring rigidity of the track structure 2. Also, with reference to Figure 1, it will be seen that a flat panel member 34 extends between the upper ends ofthe walls 28,30,32 so as to combine with the walls 28,30,32 and the two lanes 10,12 to provide an encapsulated space in which the motorised carriers 16 may operate.

In order to allow the motorised carriers] 6 to be located within the aforementioned encapsulated space, the track structure 2 is manufactured in four discrete components which are secured to one another by means of appropriate fasteners 36 (for example, screws and/or nuts and bolts). The number of discrete components may vary depending on the number of track lanes provided. The discrete components may also be manufactured from a plastics material and provided with resilient clip mechanisms for allowing their repeated connection and disconnection.

Electrical power is supplied to the conductive strips 24,26 of each lane 10,12 from a mains electricity supply via a transformer (not shown) housed in the track structure 2.

The transformer will typically step down voltage from 220 V (AC) to 3 4.5 V (DC).

The particular requirements for the transformer will vary depending on the country in which the system is to be used and will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It will be understood that the voltage supplied to the conductive strips 24,26 will be relatively low and ensure that the system is safe to use.

The track structure 2 also houses one or more receivers and control circuitry for varying the voltage in the conductive strips 24,26 of each lane 10, ] 2. The voltage supply to each lane 10,12 may be independently varied and will be understood to determine the speed with which the carrier 16 of each lane 10,12 moves. A remote control unit is provided for each lane 10,12 for transmitting a signal to a receiver of the track structure 2 and thereby determining the level of voltage in the conductive strips 24,26 of a particular lane 10,12. A remote control unit is provided for each lane 10,12 and preferably communicates its controlling signal by means of a radio or infra-red link. In use of the system, the speed of each carrier 16 will be controlled by a different person by means of a control unit. Each control unit will be battery powered and allow a carrier 16 to be accelerated from standstill in forward and reverse directions.

The track structure 2 may be connected to a mains power supply by means of a standard wall mounted power socket. However, the track structure 2 will ordinarily be mounted to the ceiling of a room and, in view of this, means are provided for allowing electrical connection to a ceiling mounted light socket. Thus, the power cable ofthe track structure 2 will be provided with suitable connection means, for example, a screw or bayonet fitting similar to that found on conventional light bulbs.

Side, end and plan views of the motorised carrier 16 associated with a track lane 10,12 is shown in Figures 4,5 and 6 respectively The motorised carrier 16 comprises a body upon which an electric motor 38, two front wheels 40 and two rear wheels 42 are mounted. The two rear wheels 42 are wider than the two front wheels 40 and are driven by the motor 38. Two electrically conductive brushes (not shown) are also mounted on the vehicle body so as to allow electrical connection ofthe vehicle 16 with the conductive strips 24,26 associated with a track lane. The brushes are themselves electrically connected to the motor 38. The brushes may also be electrically connected to lights (for example, LEDs) mounted to the model vehicle 22 carried by the motorised carrier l 6.

This electrical connection may be made by means of the rod 20 joining the model vehicle 22 and carrier 16. As the model vehicle 22 is made to move faster by the user, lights 44 mounted to the vehicle 22 may be turned on and/off or increased in brightness.

It will be understood that, whilst the pairs of wheels 40,42 allow the carrier] 6 to move along a track lane, this movement is guided by means of the rod 20 locating in the slot] 8. The carrier 16 is thereby able to follow a track lane, even around corners, without colliding with the neighbouring upright walls 28,30,32.

It wild be appreciated that, since the carrier 16 and model vehicle 22 are effectively held captive to a track lane, it will be possible for a user to simply drive the carrier 16 at maximum speed along the full length of the track layout regardless of any intervening bends. There will be no possibility for the vehicle to leave the track due to excessive speed. Thus, in order to introduce an element of skill into controlling the model vehicle 22, the track structure 2 further comprises an electronic penalty system which cuts or reduces power to a carrier 16 in the event that the carrier 16 exceeds a predetermined speed at a particular point along the track layout (usually at a bend in the track). If a carrier is detected as moving too fast, then power may be cut to the carrier l 6 for a period of, for example, l second In this time, the carrier 16 will slow and allow a competitor carrier] 6 in another lane an advantage. A time penalty is thereby created similar to that incurred by a vehicle losing control due to excessive speed.

The penalty system is implemented by monitoring the voltage associated with the relevant conductive strips 24,26. As the speed of the model vehicle 22 increases, the voltage of the associated conductive strips 24, 26 also increases. This allows the speed of the model vehicle 22 to be determined. As shown in Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings, sensors 46 (for example, infra-red sensors) are positioned at speed critical points (for example, bends) of each track lane for determining the position of a model vehicle 22 along the track layout. If a sensor detects the presence of a carrier 16 and the speed of the carrier 16 is in excess of the predetermined speed associated with said sensor, then power to the carrier 16 will be cut or reduced. The extent of the power reduction (in terms of magnitude and length of time) may be dependent upon the magnitude of excess speed. It is envisaged that two sensors will be required for each bend, one for entry to the bend and one for exit from the bend (see Figure 3). Suitable electronic circuitry for implementing the aforementioned penalty system is housed in the track structure 2 and, although details of this electronics are not provided herein, it will be readily apparent to a skilled reader how the system may be reduced to practice.

In use of the track system, it will be understood that only the model vehicles 22 to be raced will be visible. The carrier 16 is hidden. The rod 20 is provided with a connection mechanism 48 which allows a model vehicle 22 to be disconnected from a carrier 16 and replaced with a further model vehicle. Thus, the fighter aircraft shown in Figures 4 and 5 may be replaced by a different type of aircraft, such as a helicopter. In such a case, electric power may be supplied via the rod 20 so as to rotate the rotor blades of the helicopter.

The present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above.

Alternative arrangements and suitable materials will be apparent to a reader skilled in the art.

Claims

CLAlI\IS: 1. A toy track system comprising a track defining a path to be

followed by a vehicle; a vehicle mounted to the track for following said path; and means for securing said track to the underside of a support structure.
2. A toy track system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an electric power cable for transmitting electric power to the vehicle, wherein the cable comprises a connector for electrically connecting the cable to an electric light bulb power socket.
3. A toy track system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said connector comprises a screw thread or bayonet type of light bulb connector.
4. A toy track system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the track comprises a member having a slot extending both through the full thickness of the member and along the length of the track.
5. A toy track system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the vehicle comprises a first component located on one side of said track member, a second component located on a second side of said track member opposite said one side, and a third component extending through said slot from said one side to said second side and connecting the first and second components.
6. A toy track system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the vehicle comprises means for selectively disconnecting the first and second components from one another.
7. A toy track system as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the first component comprises a wheel for engaging the track, and an electric motor coupled to the wheel.
8. A toy track system as claimed in any ofthe preceding claims, further comprising a receiver for receiving a control signal from a remote control unit, and a controller for interpreting a control signal received by the receiver and adjusting a supply of electrical power to the vehicle in response to the interpreted control signal.
9. A toy track system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the receiver comprises a radio or infra-red signal receiver.
10. A toy track system as claimed in claim 8 or 9, further comprising overriding means for reducing the speed of the vehicle if a predetermined speed, at a predetermined point along the track, is exceeded.
1 1. A toy track system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said overriding means reduces the maximum amount of electrical power which can be supplied to the vehicle.
12. A toy track system as claimed in claim 11, wherein said overriding means reduces the maximum amount of electrical power for a predetermined period of time.
13. A toy Pack system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the magnitude of the reduced maximum of electrical power and/or the period of time for which the electrical power is reduced is dependent on the extent to which said predetermined speed is exceeded.
14. A toy track system as claimed in any of claims 10 to] 3, wherein the overriding means comprises one or more sensors for determining the position of the vehicle on the track.
15. A toy track system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the overriding means comprises means for comparing the speed of the vehicle with said predetermined speed when a sensor detects the presence of the vehicle.
16. A toy track system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 15 in combination with a support structure to the underside of which the toy track system is secured.
17. A combination of a toy track system and a support structure as claimed in claim l 6, wherein said support structure is the ceiling of a room.
l 8. An electrically powered toy comprising an electric power cable for receiving electric power transmitted to the toy, wherein the cable comprises a connector for electrically connecting the cable to an electric light bulb power socket.
19. A toy as claimed in claim 18, wherein said connector comprises a screw thread.
20. A toy as claimed in claim 18, wherein said connector comprises a bayonet type of light bulb connector.