JP2001246176A - Running course for toy vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a running course for a toy vehicle, which enable a toy vehicle to pass a vehicle running ahead and to demonstrate movement never seen in conventional flat courses. SOLUTION: This running course for a toy vehicle is equipped with a lane having its cross section vertical to the advancing direction having a curved surface, and a branch part 217 and a junction part 218 midway the lane. The branch part 217 has a projection part 219 with the ridge part gradually swelling up from this side in the advancing direction of a toy vehicle 1. Two branch lanes 223 are formed in right and left of the projection part 219 at the finish point of the branch part 217.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a traveling course that allows two or more toy vehicles to travel overtaking in the same traveling lane.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a competition for the purpose of a competition using a toy running vehicle and a dedicated racing course, a plurality of vehicles do not interfere with each other as shown in FIG. The course layout and the competition may be such that the lanes 101 and 103 of the vehicle are separated from each other, or the vehicle may be started from a position where the following vehicle cannot easily catch up, as shown in FIG. The method was devised.

In recent years, the latter method has become the mainstream, and the course used in this method has a plurality of running lanes apparently arranged as shown in FIG. Lane change part 10 provided in
5 make it a single closed circuit.

[0004] However, in such a course, even if there is a considerable distance between the preceding vehicle and the preceding vehicle at the time of the start, if there is a large speed between the preceding vehicle and the following vehicle, there is a competition rule. Before the vehicle completes the number of laps, the following vehicle may catch up with the preceding vehicle. In this case, in the conventional course, there is only a width that allows one vehicle to pass, so that the following vehicle cannot overtake the preceding vehicle, and this impairs the game.
Therefore, in this case, rules are set so that the preceding vehicle is eliminated before the following vehicle collides with the preceding vehicle, and the preceding vehicle is disqualified.

[0005] In the above case, it is possible to provide an opportunity for a succeeding vehicle to pass the preceding vehicle by increasing the course width so that two vehicles can pass. However, the conventional vehicle lacks straight running stability and is likely to meander or reverse. On a normal course constituted by a flat road surface, as shown in FIG. 29A, overtaking is impossible because all vehicles pass through the outermost part of the course due to centrifugal force as shown in FIG. .

On the conventional course, it is not easy to overtake because the running line with other vehicles does not greatly deviate, and even if the vehicle can run luckily, as shown in FIGS. The unevenness of the front and rear wheels and the side of the vehicle body may be caught on each other, and this may cause the vehicle to turn over on the spot or jam on the course, so that the game cannot be established.

[0007]

As described above,
In conventional toys other than radio control that runs the running course,
As described above, overtaking in the same lane has been practically difficult for reasons due to the running course and the form of the vehicle. However, toy vehicles originally competed in F1
Because it was invented based on the actual race such as
Athletes in toy competitions also potentially hope for the most powerful overtaking in real racing cars, even in toy competitions. Overtaking in the same lane is much more visually interesting compared to passing in parallel on separate lanes separated by walls, and the level of enthusiasm and excitement of the competitor is the former Is much larger.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a toy vehicle traveling course that allows a preceding vehicle to pass and allows the toy vehicle to exhibit a movement that cannot be seen on a conventional flat course. It is in.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, a traveling course for a toy vehicle according to claim 1 of the present application has a traveling lane having a curved section having a cross section perpendicular to the traveling direction. It is characterized by having a branching part and a merging part in the middle.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the branching portion has a protruding portion whose ridge portion gradually rises from the front side in the traveling direction of the toy vehicle,
Two branch lanes are formed on the left and right sides of the protrusion at the end point of the branch.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the branching portion has two or more protruding portions whose ridges gradually rise from the front side in the traveling direction of the toy vehicle, At the end point of the branch, two branch lanes are formed on the left and right of each of the protrusions.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the merging portion has a protruding portion whose ridge portion is gradually lowered from a front side in the traveling direction of the toy vehicle, At the end point, there is no protrusion, and the branch lanes on both sides of the protrusion merge.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the merging portion has two or more protruding portions that gradually lower on the ridge from the front side in the traveling direction of the toy vehicle, There is no protrusion at the end of the junction,
The branch lanes on both sides of each protrusion merge.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the second to fifth aspects, the cross section of the traveling lane is formed in an arc shape, and the ridge portion of the projecting portion has two arc-shaped surfaces. Are formed along the contour of the ridgeline formed when they overlap with each other.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, a course derivative forcibly changing the course of the toy vehicle is formed in the middle of the running lane. It is a feature.

The invention according to claim 8 of the present application is directed to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a path separation for separating the proximity state of a plurality of toy vehicles running along the traveling lane. It is characterized in that a body is formed.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the molded product of the traveling lane on the curve is molded with a mold so that the parting line is inclined. However, there is no non-traffic portion inside the curve, and it is molded integrally with the main lane, and has a protrusion prevention extension having a curved inner surface facing obliquely downward inside the lane. .

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a toy vehicle traveling course 201 according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the traveling course 201 has a plurality of branch paths 205 branching off from the track course 203 to form a closed circuit course as a whole. The whole course is composed of only one traveling lane 207, and a plurality of toy vehicles can travel on this one traveling lane 207 so that they can pass.

In the present embodiment, the cross section perpendicular to the traveling direction of the traveling lane 207 has a perfect circular cross section perpendicular to the traveling direction of the traveling lane as shown in FIGS. 2 (A), 2 (B) and 2 (C). It is configured to be part or all. FIG.
(A) shows an AA cross section in FIG. 1, and a running lane having such a semicircular cross section is applied in a straight course 209. FIG. 2 (B) is a cross-sectional view of FIG.
A section B is shown, the running lane having such a section being applied at curve 211. FIG. 2 (C)
Shows a CC section in FIG. 1, and a running lane having such a section is applied in the tunnel portion 213.

The cross-sectional shape of the traveling lane 207 can take various other shapes. For example, FIG.
(B) and (C) show the traveling lane 7 having a part or all of an ellipse as a cross-sectional shape at positions corresponding to the positions in FIGS. 2 (A), (B) and (C), respectively.
In the case of such a traveling lane, the length and ratio of the major axis and the minor axis of the ellipse can be appropriately changed depending on the size and type of the vehicle traveling on the traveling course 201. Further, such a cross-sectional shape can be applied to a part in one traveling course 201.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C show a combination of a part of a perfect circle and a part of an ellipse at positions corresponding to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, respectively. A running lane 207 having a shaped cross section is shown. Such a cross-sectional shape can be appropriately changed depending on the size and type of a vehicle to be run on the traveling course 201, and can be applied to a part in one traveling course 201.

5 (A), 5 (B), 5 (C) and 5 (D),
A traveling lane 207 having a cross section of a shape combining a straight line with a part of a perfect circle or an ellipse or including a bent portion 215 is shown. Each of the traveling lanes 207 shows a cross section at a position corresponding to FIG. 2B.

In the cross section of the traveling lane 207 shown in FIG. 5A, the right side of the lane (corresponding to the outside of the lane;
(The same applies to (B) to (D)), the bent portions 215 are formed on the upper side and the lower side, respectively. The lower left side of the lane has a rectangular cross section, and the upper left side of the lane is open.
In the cross section of the traveling lane 207 shown in FIG. 5B, the right side of the lane has a semicircular cross section, the lower left side of the lane has a rectangular cross section, and the upper left side of the lane is open. Further FIG.
In the cross section of the traveling lane 207 shown in (C), the upper right side of the lane has an arc shape, and the lower right side of the lane has a plurality of bent portions 2.
15, the lower left side of the lane has a rectangular cross section, and the upper left side of the lane is open.

The driving lane 20 shown in FIG.
7, the upper right side of the lane has two bent portions 215, the lower right side of the lane forms a part of an ellipse, the lower left side of the lane has a rectangular cross section, and the upper left side of the lane is open. In addition to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the traveling lane has another curved shape, such as a cross section having a shape configured by combining arcs having different curvatures, or has another bent shape. Is also good. In the present specification, the “curved surface portion” refers to a curved portion formed by a curve and a curved shape such that a corner portion is formed at a portion where straight lines are connected to each other, or a portion where a straight line and a curve are connected. It is meant to include both provided parts.

Next, the branching portion and the merging portion, which are one of the characteristic structures of the present invention, will be described. FIG. 6 (A) (B)
1 shows, in an enlarged manner, parts constituting a branch portion indicated by reference numeral 217 in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B,
The ridge portion 208 gradually rises from the near side in the traveling direction of the toy vehicle indicated by the arrow in the branch portion 217.
9 at the end of the branch 217
9, two branch lanes 223 are formed on the left and right.

FIG. 7 shows the cross-sectional shape of the projection 219 in various modes in which the ridge 208 gradually rises from the near side in the traveling direction of the toy vehicle. Projection 2 shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 19 denotes a form at the branch portion 217 in FIG.
The shape is formed along the contour of the ridgeline formed when two arc-shaped surfaces overlap each other. That is, the cross section on the front side in the traveling direction of the toy vehicle has a relatively gentle slope, and the slope of the cross section becomes steeper toward the end point 221 of the branch portion 217.

With the protrusion 219 having such a cross section, when the toy vehicle approaches the branch 217, the position (ie, the traveling line), traveling speed, and the like in the lane of the toy vehicle immediately before entering the branch 217. Alternatively, any of the branch lanes 22
Go into 3. In this case, the toy vehicle 1 has the protrusion 219
While being jumped over or over the protrusion 219, and is finally distributed to either the left or right of the protrusion 219. Which branch lane 223 the toy vehicle 1 enters is determined as a result of the contingency due to the above conditions, so that the toy vehicle 1 does not always take the same course in the traveling course 201 as shown in FIG. That's where the fun happens.

The ridge 208 of the protruding portion 219 shown in FIG. 7B rises linearly, that is, linearly from the front side in the traveling direction of the toy vehicle. Even when the toy vehicle approaches the branch portion 217 even with the protrusion 219 having such a cross section, one of the branch lanes 223 is relatively smooth.
You can go into.

Further, the ridge 208 of the protruding portion 219 shown in FIG. 7 (C) rises relatively steeply from the front side in the traveling direction of the toy vehicle, and then has a sectional inclination as it approaches the end point 221 of the branching portion 217. The slope is low. In the projecting portion 219 having such a cross section, when the toy vehicle approaches the branch portion 217, the vehicle suddenly changes its direction and enters one of the branch lanes 223. Note that the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 219 is not limited to the form shown in FIG.
FIG. 6C illustrates an example of the merging section 218. Junction 2
Reference numeral 18 is the same as that obtained by changing the direction of the branch portion 217 described above, and thus a detailed description is omitted here. In addition,
The arrow in FIG. 6C indicates the traveling direction of the toy vehicle.

Next, FIGS. 8A and 8B show an embodiment in which a branch portion 217 is formed so as to form three branch lanes 223. FIG. In the present embodiment, the ridge portion 208 has two protrusions 219 gradually rising from the front side in the traveling direction of the toy vehicle, and three branch lanes 223 are formed by the protrusions 219 at the end point of the branch portion 217. It has become.

The cross-sectional shape of each protruding portion 219 is the same as that shown in FIG.
(B) The protrusion 219 having a cross section as shown in (C) may be used, or another protrusion may be provided. Even in such a three-branch branch portion 217, when the toy vehicle approaches the branch portion 217, it smoothly moves to any of the branch lanes 223 according to the position in the lane of the toy vehicle immediately before entering the branch portion 217. You can go in.

Although the branching portion 217 of the traveling lane 207 has been mainly described above, the members shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 can be used in the opposite direction, or can be used as the merging portion 218 if the toy vehicle 1 runs in the opposite direction. can do.

While the embodiments of the two-branch and three-branch branch portions 217 and the junction portion 218 have been described above, the branch portion 217 and the junction portion 218 having four or more branches may be used. The width of each branch lane 223 in the branch 217 or the junction 218 is basically set so that a toy vehicle traveling in each branch lane 223 can enter with the same probability. Lane 22
3 may be formed slightly wider to make it easier to enter the branch lane 223, or conversely, a specific branch lane 223 may be formed to be slightly narrower to make it difficult to enter the branch lane 223. Further, the shape of the protruding portion 219 can be variously changed so as to make it easy to enter the specific branch lane 223 or to make it difficult to enter the specific branch lane 223.

Next, a structure for changing the movement of the toy vehicle while traveling on the traveling lane 207 will be described.
FIG. 9 shows a course derivative 225 at almost the center of the traveling lane 207.
Shows an embodiment in which is formed. The course derivative 225 shown in FIG. 9 has a ridge line portion 229 that gradually rises while being curved from the front end portion 227, and a travel regulating slope 231 is formed on both sides of the ridge line portion 229.

When the route derivative 225 having such a configuration is formed in the travel lane 207, when the toy vehicle approaches the travel regulation slope 231 of the route derivative 225, the route is forcibly forced as shown by an arrow 233. It will be changed and progress. Therefore, the movement of the running toy vehicle in the left-right direction is added, and the fun of the appearance is amplified.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the course derivative 22 shown in FIG.
5 shows an embodiment in which two parts each including the parts 5 are arranged. Since the course derivatives 225 are continuously arranged in this way, the toy vehicle continuously changes the course in the left-right direction, thereby producing effects such as meandering in the course and running with the body twisting. Can be.

Further, in FIG. 11, a track separation body 235 for separating the approaching state of a plurality of toy vehicles running in parallel is formed at the center of the running lane 207. The path separation body 235 is formed by forming a center ridge 229 and a path separation slope 234 extending on both sides thereof. In the presence of such a path separation body 235, the toy vehicles traveling in parallel turn outward once and then come back to the center along the slope of the traveling lane 207, so that the appearance is also apparent. The fun of is obtained.

Referring now to FIG. 12, the traveling lane 20 on the curve 211 of the toy vehicle traveling course 1 of the present invention will be described.
Embodiment 7 will be described. When making the mold of the parts of the traveling lane 207, if the parting line PL of the mold is made parallel to the bottom of the course (horizontal plane) as in the course shown in FIG. The wall surface 238 of the lane is at an angle of 90 ° or more with respect to the horizontal plane (that is, an angle having a form that covers the upper side of the lane) because it causes trouble.
Can not be.

However, at the curve 211 (in the case of the right curve), the toy vehicle 1 runs above the slope of the running lane 207 by centrifugal force. In particular, when the running speed is high, the vehicle body runs at an angle of 90 ° as shown in FIG. 12 (B), so it is necessary to form a high vertical wall on the course so that the toy vehicle 1 does not jump outside. Occurs. However, if a high vertical wall is formed, a deep rib with no draft is formed on the lane molded product, so not only the size of the mold is increased, but also the mold release is bad, and the running vehicle can be seen. This makes it difficult to play as a toy.

In order to solve this problem, the lane wall surface 238 may be bent at an angle of 90 ° or more so as to cover the upper side of the lane. In this method, it is conceivable to create the additional undercut portion 239 as a separate member as shown in FIG. 2B, but the number of parts increases, and extra costs such as mold making are required. Also, the connection part 241
Therefore, if a step difference occurs in this portion, the behavior of the running toy vehicle is unnaturally disturbed.

Therefore, in the present running course, it is noted that there is a non-traffic portion 243 (see FIG. 12B) where the toy vehicle does not travel, regardless of the magnitude of the centrifugal force. The extension 242 for preventing the molded product from jumping out of the curve was formed by obliquely removing the molded product from the curve 243. This extension 2
Reference numeral 42 denotes a curved inner surface 244 molded integrally with the main lane 237 and facing obliquely downward inside the lane.
Having. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to form a lane in a form in which the toy vehicle is prevented from jumping out of a curve as shown in FIG. Therefore, it is economical, and since unnecessary portions are not formed as in the non-passage portion 243, the amount of material is reduced accordingly.

Here, an example of the toy vehicle 1 suitable for traveling on the toy vehicle traveling course 201 will be described.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the toy vehicle 1 according to the present invention as viewed from above. The toy vehicle 1 has a vehicle body 3 which is long and slender in the front-rear direction and has a smooth curved surface as a whole. A sharply pointed nose 5 is formed at the front end,
A tail 7 which is sharply pointed is formed at the rear end. The side surface of the vehicle body 3 has a smooth curved surface so that there is no portion to be caught when the toy vehicles 1 advance while rubbing the side surfaces with each other when passing.

The nose 5 and the tail 7 collide with the tail 7 of the toy vehicle 1 in which the nose 5 of the following toy vehicle 1 runs ahead when the following toy vehicle 1 overtakes the toy vehicle 1 in front. Later, the nose 5 has a form capable of causing a relative displacement to the right or left of the tail 7. The overtaking operation will be described later in detail.

FIG. 14 is a view of the toy vehicle 1 viewed from the back, FIG. 15 is a view of the toy vehicle 1 viewed from the front, and FIG. 16 is a side view showing the internal structure of the toy vehicle 1. 18 and 19 are perspective views showing the drive system of the toy vehicle 1. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 14, two driving wheels 9 are provided at the rear of the toy vehicle 1, and the driving wheels 9
Is driven via a drive transmission system from a motor 11 located in the front of the motor 11. The motor 11 is driven by a battery 13 located substantially at the center of the interior of the vehicle body 3, and the supply of electricity to the motor 11 can be turned on and off by operating a switch 15.

The motor 11 and the battery 13 are located at the bottom of the vehicle body 3. Since the weight of the motor 11 and the battery 13 accounts for a large proportion of the total weight of the toy vehicle 1, they are located below the vehicle body 3, so that the position of the center of gravity G of the toy vehicle 1 as shown in FIG. Is located at a position lower than the position of the axle 17 of the drive wheel 9. As shown in FIG. 15, the cross section of the toy vehicle 1 has a shape in which the width at the lower side is narrow and the curve widens upward from there. With such a cross-sectional shape and the center of gravity located at a position lower than the position of the axle 17 of the drive wheel 9, even if the toy vehicle 1 rolls over while traveling,
It automatically rises up like a spill, and can immediately return to a running state.

Here, the drive system from the motor 11 to the drive wheels 9 will be described with reference to FIGS. 16, 18 and 19. A pinion gear 12 is provided on an output shaft of the motor 11, and the pinion gear 12 meshes with a first gear 18 provided at one end of a shaft 19. At the other end of the shaft 19, a second gear 21 is provided.
1 meshes with the intermediate gear 23. The intermediate gear 23 meshes with a crown gear 25 fixed to the axle 17 of the drive wheel 9.

In such a drive system, when the motor 11 is driven, the shaft 19 is driven to rotate, and this is transmitted to the crown gear 25 via the second gear 21 and the intermediate gear 23 to drive the drive wheels 9. Has become.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 17, the toy vehicle 1
A sphere 27 is provided in front of the lower surface side of. The sphere 27 is rotatably supported in an arbitrary direction, so that even when a slight force is applied to the nose 5 from the lateral direction, the nose 5 can easily swing right or left. .

In FIG. 17, the sphere 27 is rotatable in any direction, but the sphere 27 is rotatable only in the traveling direction about a rotation axis extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the toy vehicle 1. It may be provided in a fixed state so as not to rotate. Even when the sphere 27 can be rotated only in the traveling direction or when the sphere 27 is fixed, a small force is applied to the nose 5 from the lateral direction because the sphere 27 is in point contact with the traveling path. The nose 5 can easily swing to the left or right only by the simple operation.

The nose 5 can be easily swung right and left as described above, so that even if the succeeding toy vehicle 1 running on the traveling path overtakes the preceding toy vehicle 1 from directly behind, the following toy vehicle 1 After the nose 5 of the vehicle 1 collides with the tail 7 of the preceding toy vehicle 1, the nose 5 of the subsequent toy vehicle 1 swings in the left or right direction to change the course, and passes through the side of the preceding toy vehicle 1. It is possible to overtake.

FIGS. 20 (a) to 20 (a) show another configuration of the supporting member having a small contact portion with the running surface.
The form shown in (c) is mentioned. FIG. 20A shows a case where wheels are applied as a support member. Wheels 31 are pivotally supported on a substrate 29, and the wheels 31 move in the traveling direction of the toy vehicle 1 around an axle (not shown). It is rotatable. As shown in FIG. 20A, the surface 33 of the wheel 31
The cross section obtained by cutting the wheel in a plane including the axle is convexly bulged so as to form an arc shape, so that the wheel 31 can travel while being in point contact with the traveling path. Therefore, even in this example, the nose 5 can easily swing right or left even if a slight force is applied from the lateral direction.

FIG. 20 (b) shows a sled-shaped support member, which is a bar-shaped member 3 having a circular cross section below the substrate 35.
7 are connected horizontally, and a portion 39 that is upwardly curved is formed at the tip of the rod-shaped member 37 (in the traveling direction of the toy vehicle 1). The board 35 may be rotatably connected to the lower surface of the vehicle body 3 or may be connected in a fixed state. With the support member having such a configuration, the lower surface of the rod-shaped member 37 can travel while being in contact with the traveling surface with a line, and when a force is applied from the lateral direction, the contact area is small, so that the nose 5 can be moved to either the left or right. The crab can swing easily.

FIG. 20 (c) shows a modification of FIG. 13 in which only the periphery of the nose 5 is deformed.
Is provided with a rotatable roller 41 which is a rotating member that can rotate and change the direction of the nose 5 at the time of collision. Behind the roller 41, a swinging member 45 that is swingable behind the swinging shaft 43 around a swinging shaft 43 extending perpendicular to the running surface is connected. The moving member 45 is provided with narrow wheels 47 like casters. The roller 41 also has a swing shaft 4
The swing member 45 can swing about the center 3 together with the swing member 45. The roller 41 may be configured not to swing. The roller 41 may be provided with an elastic material such as rubber around the roller 41 so as not to damage the vehicle body at the time of collision.

In the form of FIG. 20C, when the following toy vehicle 1 overtakes the preceding toy vehicle 1 from behind, the roller 41 provided on the nose 5 of the following toy vehicle 1 first.
Collides with the tail 7 of the toy vehicle 1 running ahead. At this time, the roller 41 rotates and swings, and the wheels 47 swing accordingly, so that the nose 5 of the following vehicle is swung to the left or right of the tail 7 of the preceding vehicle, and It is easier to overtake.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 20C, the two features of the rotatable and swingable roller 41 and the swingable wheel 47 are combined, but any one of these features is used. May be provided. That is, even if it has only one of the characteristic structures alone,
When the vehicle collides with the preceding vehicle, the nose 5 can easily change its direction in the left-right direction.

As a modification of the form shown in FIG.
For example, the roller 41 that can swing around the swing shaft 43 may be provided so as to be located at the rear side of the swing shaft 43 and at the side of the vehicle body, not at the front end portion of the vehicle body. With such a configuration, the wheel 47 changes direction in response to the contact of the roller 41 with another vehicle or the like.
The toy vehicle can make a movement that resists external force.

This is because, when a plurality of toy vehicles are running on the same course and the roller 41 of the first vehicle comes into contact with the second vehicle, the first vehicle moves toward the second vehicle. We show movement to approach width. Therefore, the first vehicle is
This gives the impression that the vehicle is attacking, and creates an effect that the vehicles are fighting with each other.

It is also possible to arrange the driving wheels 9 on the front side of the vehicle and to arrange support members such as the sphere 27, the wheels 31, the rods 37 or the wheels 47 on the rear side of the vehicle.
When two toy vehicles having such a structure are traveling in front and rear, when the following vehicle passes the preceding vehicle, when the nose 5 of the following vehicle collides with the tail 7 of the preceding vehicle, Then, the tail 7 of the preceding vehicle is swung, and the course of the preceding vehicle changes, so that the succeeding vehicle can easily pass.
Also, the sphere 27, the wheel 31, the rod-shaped member 37 or the wheel 47
It is also possible to drive the supporting member itself.

The operation of the toy vehicle running on the toy vehicle traveling course of the present invention will be described below. Here, a case will be described in which the vehicle travels on a curved course 55 having a circular cross section as shown in FIG.

When the toy vehicle 1 is traveling on a course 55 having a curved cross section, traveling modes as shown in FIGS. 21 (a) to 21 (c) can be considered. FIG. 21A shows a substantially straight course 55.
The toy vehicle 1 runs on the lowest running surface in this case. FIG. 21B shows a state where the vehicle is traveling on a curve. In this case, the position of the traveling surface on which the vehicle travels is determined according to the direction of the resultant force of the centrifugal force 51 and the gravity 53 acting on the vehicle. FIG. 21 (c) shows a case where the vehicle rolls over due to centrifugal force or contact with another vehicle during traveling, in which case the position of the center of gravity of the vehicle is lower than the position of the axle, and is shown in FIG. Since it has such a cross-sectional shape that it is easy to get up, it can automatically get up like a spill as shown by an arrow.

Next, various modes when the two toy vehicles 1 of the present invention run on the same course 55 and the succeeding vehicle overtakes the preceding vehicle will be described with reference to FIGS.
Each of the courses 55 shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 21, the course 55 has a semicircular cross section so that the athlete of the toy vehicle 1 is more intriguing. In the following description, a vehicle that is a following vehicle before passing is indicated by 1a, and a vehicle that is a preceding vehicle is indicated by 1b.

First, FIGS. 22 and 23 show the following vehicle 1 on a straight road.
The figure shows an aspect when a overtakes the preceding vehicle 1b. In FIG. 22A, both vehicles are traveling at the lowest position on a semicircular course with a cross section. In FIG. 22B, the nose 5 of the following vehicle 1a collides with the tail 7 of the preceding vehicle 1b. At this time, due to the structure of the support member described above, the following vehicle 1a
Nose 5 easily swings in the direction indicated by arrow 57.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 22 (c), the following vehicle 1a changes its course to the left so as to climb the curved surface of the course and runs alongside the preceding vehicle 1b, but tries to return to the lowest portion of the curved surface of the course. The force acts to push the tail 7 side of the leading vehicle 1b rightward as indicated by the arrow 59. Finally, FIG.
As shown in (d), the following vehicle 1a overtakes the preceding vehicle 1b, and both vehicles return to the state of traveling at the lowest position on the semicircular course.

In FIG. 23, unlike the mode shown in FIG.
This shows a mode in which the tail 7 of the preceding vehicle 1b is swung when the following vehicle 1a collides with the preceding vehicle 1b. In this embodiment, the tail 7 of the preceding vehicle 1b swings rightward as shown by an arrow 61 at the time of a collision, and thereafter, the following vehicle 1a as shown in FIG.
Travels substantially straight so as to push the leading vehicle 1b to the right. As shown in FIG. 23 (d), the succeeding vehicle 1a eventually overtakes the preceding vehicle 1b, and thereafter, both vehicles return to the state of traveling at the lowest position on the semicircular course.

Next, FIGS. 24 to 26 show a mode in which the following vehicle 1a passes the preceding vehicle 1b on a curve having a semicircular course in cross section. In FIG. 24A, both vehicles are traveling along the course while receiving a centrifugal force 63 outward. FIG. 24B shows a state where the following vehicle 1a collides with the preceding vehicle 1b, and the nose 5 of the following vehicle 1a is swung inward of the curve. As shown in FIG. 24 (c), the following vehicle 1a is aligned with the preceding vehicle 1b, and
b is pushed outward along the curved surface of the course. Previous car 1b
24d, the traveling distance is extended by the amount of traveling outside the course, and it becomes more disadvantageous. Finally, as shown in FIG. 24 (d), the following vehicle 1a draws a relatively ideal line and the preceding vehicle 1b Can overtake.

FIG. 25 shows a state where the following vehicle 1a collides with the preceding vehicle 1b and the nose 5 of the following vehicle 1a is swung out of the curve. In this case, the following vehicle 1a travels on a course outside the preceding vehicle 1b, so that the traveling distance increases accordingly. Therefore, the following vehicle 1a cannot overtake the succeeding vehicle 1a unless it is running at a considerably faster speed than the preceding vehicle 1b. Therefore, normally, as shown in FIGS. 25 (b) to 25 (d), the nose 5 of the preceding vehicle 1b passes through the curve while partially overlapping the tail 7 of the preceding vehicle 1b, and the next straight line or reverse direction It is possible to overtake at the curve.

FIG. 26 shows a case where the traveling speed of the following vehicle 1a is considerably higher than that of the preceding vehicle 1b. In this case, the centrifugal force 63 acting on the following vehicle 1a is
Is larger than the centrifugal force 63 acting on the vehicle, the following vehicle 1a passes through a higher position in the semicircular course cross section in the curve. Therefore, FIG.
As shown in (d), the traveling lines of the two vehicles are different, and the following vehicle 1a can pass the preceding vehicle 1b without contacting the preceding vehicle 1b.

The following effects are obtained with the toy vehicle. Since the nose and tail of the vehicle body are formed at an acute angle, when the nose of the following vehicle collides with the tail of the preceding vehicle, the nose or tail will swing sideways so that the nose and tail overlap laterally. . As a result, the course of the following vehicle changes and it becomes easier to pass the preceding vehicle.

Further, since at least the side surfaces of the vehicle body have a smooth curved surface, when the following vehicles pass the side of the preceding vehicle, the vehicle bodies do not engage with each other, which does not adversely affect smooth overtaking.

Further, since the center of gravity of the toy vehicle is lower than the axle of the drive wheels, the toy vehicle is unlikely to fall during traveling, and stable traveling is possible.

Further, since the nose of the vehicle body is provided with a rotating member that can rotate and change the direction of the nose in the event of a collision, when the nose of the following vehicle collides with the tail of the preceding vehicle, the following vehicle Is rotated, and the nose of the succeeding vehicle changes its direction in accordance with the rotation, so that the succeeding vehicle can easily overtake the preceding vehicle. Further, due to the presence of the rotating member, when the vehicle collides with the tail of the preceding vehicle, the rotation of the rotating member absorbs the contact resistance at the time of the collision, so that it is possible to prevent the vehicle body from being damaged.

Further, the cross section of the vehicle body is provided with a shape capable of automatically returning to a running state when the toy vehicle rolls over, so that the center of gravity of the toy vehicle is lower than the axle of the drive wheels. In combination with the feature, even if the toy vehicle falls down while running, it can automatically get up to its original state like a spill, and there is no need to interrupt the game.

If any of the support members is a member that can advance while being in point contact with the running surface, when a force is applied from the lateral direction of the support member, the vehicle body portion on which the support member is provided Is easily swung in the lateral direction, and thus the direction of the vehicle body is easily changed. If the support member is provided on the nose side, when the following vehicle collides with the tail of the preceding vehicle,
The nose of the following vehicle swings to the left or right, and the direction of the following vehicle changes easily, making it easier to overtake the preceding vehicle. Conversely, if the support member is provided on the tail side, when the following vehicle collides with the tail of the preceding vehicle, the tail of the preceding vehicle swings to the left or right, and the nose of the following vehicle advances forward. Opening the road makes it easier for the following vehicle to overtake the preceding vehicle.

When one of the support members is a sphere rotatable around a rotation axis, when a force is applied from the lateral direction of the sphere, the bottom of the sphere slides sideways with respect to the running surface, and the above-mentioned state is obtained. The same effect can be obtained.

When one of the support members is a sphere supported so as to be freely rotatable in an arbitrary direction, the sphere rotates in the lateral direction when a force is applied from the lateral direction of the sphere. The same effect can be obtained. Further, the traveling direction of the toy vehicle can be changed by the unevenness of the running surface. For example, by giving unevenness to the traveling course, it becomes possible to generate a movement in the lateral direction with respect to the traveling direction that was not present in the conventional traveling course, so that the movement during traveling can be produced richly .

In the case where any of the support members is a wheel capable of swinging about a swing axis extending perpendicularly to the running surface and behind the swing axis, the wheel may be moved laterally. When a force is applied from the vehicle, the wheels swing and the steering angle changes, so that the traveling direction of the vehicle body changes. In addition, by positioning the wheels behind the pivot axis, when the toy vehicle moves forward, the steering angle can be independently set to be in the straight traveling direction,
When an external force is applied from the lateral direction of the vehicle body, the steering angle automatically comes to escape from the external force.

Although the toy vehicle has been described above, the toy vehicle that can travel on the toy vehicle travel course of the present invention is not intended to be limited to the one described above. If it is a conventionally known toy vehicle that can travel on a traveling lane having a curved surface portion,
Any toy vehicle can be a traveling target on the toy vehicle traveling course of the present invention.

[0080]

According to the present invention, a traveling lane having a curved section in a section perpendicular to the traveling direction is provided, and a branch portion and a merging portion are provided in the middle of the traveling lane. If you want to run on the lane and compete,
By providing a branch or a junction for a specific peripheral circuit, a short-cut or a detour can be set. In this case, the vehicle enters one of the branch lanes due to the position in the lane of the cross-section curved surface of the toy vehicle immediately before entering the branch (that is, the traveling line), the traveling speed, or interference from another vehicle traveling at the same time. . Which branch lane the toy vehicle enters is determined as a result of contingency due to the above conditions, so that the toy vehicle does not necessarily take the same course every time, and there is fun there.

The diverging portion has a protruding portion whose ridge gradually rises from the front side in the traveling direction of the toy vehicle, and two diverging lanes are formed on the left and right sides of the protruding portion at the end point of the diverging portion. Then, the toy vehicle can smoothly enter one of the branch lanes.

The fork has two or more protrusions whose ridges gradually rise from the near side in the traveling direction of the toy vehicle, and two fork lanes are formed on the left and right of each protrusion at the end of the fork. This allows the toy vehicle to branch and travel to any one of the three or more branch lanes, so that various course variations can be designed.

The junction has a projection whose ridge gradually lowers from the front side in the traveling direction of the toy vehicle. The projection disappears at the end point of the junction, and the branch lanes on both sides of each projection are formed. In the configuration of merging, a plurality of toy vehicles can smoothly merge into one traveling lane.

The junction has two or more protruding portions whose ridges gradually become lower from the front side in the traveling direction of the toy vehicle,
The same effect as described above can also be obtained by a configuration in which the protruding portion is eliminated at the end point of the merging portion and the branch lanes on both sides of each protruding portion merge.

If the cross section of the traveling lane is formed in an arc shape, and the ridge of the projection is formed along the contour of the ridge formed when the two arc-shaped surfaces overlap each other, the toy vehicle Can very naturally diverge into a branch lane or merge into one travel lane.

[0086] Further, since the course derivative forcibly changing the course of the toy vehicle is formed in the middle of the traveling lane, the toy vehicle can forcibly change the course in the left-right direction by the course derivative, so that it is interesting. Is amplified.

Further, since a course separating body for separating the proximity state of a plurality of toy vehicles running side by side in the middle of the traveling lane is formed, the toy vehicles running side by side may once turn outward. After the change, the vehicle moves toward the center again along the slope of the traveling lane, so that it is possible to obtain an interesting appearance.

Further, the molded product of the traveling lane on the curve is molded with a mold so that the drawing direction is obliquely inclined, and the molded product of the traveling lane on the curve has a non-passage portion inside the curve. Instead, it is molded integrally with the main lane and provided with a protrusion prevention extension having a curved inner surface facing obliquely downward inside the lane.
A lane in a form in which the toy vehicle is prevented from jumping out of a curve can be formed by using two molds. Therefore, there is an advantage that it is economical and does not form an unnecessary portion unlike the non-passing portion, so that the amount of material is reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one layout of a toy vehicle traveling course of the present invention.

2 (A) is a sectional view of the traveling course of FIG. 1 taken along line AA, FIG. 2 (B) is a sectional view of the traveling course of FIG. 1 taken along line BB, and FIG. 2) is a sectional view of the traveling course of FIG. 1 taken along line CC.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment in which the cross-sectional shape of the lane at the position corresponding to FIGS. 2A to 2C is a part or the whole of the arc of the ellipse.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment in which the cross-sectional shape of the lane at the position corresponding to FIGS. 2A to 2C is a combination of a part of a circle and an arc of an ellipse.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment in which the cross-sectional shape of the lane has a shape combining a bent portion and a circle or an ellipse.

6A is a top view showing lane components branched into two branch lanes by a protruding portion, FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the same, and FIG. 6C is a perspective view showing a merging section. .

FIG. 7A shows a protrusion formed along a contour of a ridgeline formed when two arc-shaped surfaces overlap each other, and FIG. 7B shows a primary portion from the near side in the traveling direction of the toy vehicle. Functionally, ie, linearly rising projections, (C)
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a protruding portion in which a ridge line of a branch portion rises relatively steeply from the front side in the traveling direction of the toy vehicle, and thereafter, the slope of the cross section becomes gentler as approaching the end point of the branch portion.

FIG. 8 is a top view and a perspective view showing lane components branching into three branch lanes.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing lane components on which a course derivative is formed.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which two lane components of FIG. 9 are arranged.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing lane components on which a path separation member is formed.

12A shows a driving lane on a curve on which an additional undercut portion is not formed, FIG. 12B shows a driving lane on a curve on which an additional undercut portion is connected by a connection portion, and FIG. (C) is an explanatory view showing a traveling lane according to the present invention provided with a protrusion preventing extension.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a toy vehicle suitable for traveling on a toy vehicle traveling course of the present invention as viewed from above.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the toy vehicle viewed from below.

FIG. 15 is a front view of the toy vehicle viewed from the front.

FIG. 16 is a perspective side view of the toy vehicle.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view showing a sphere supported so as to be freely rotatable in an arbitrary direction.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a drive system of the toy vehicle.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing in detail a structure around a rear wheel in a drive system of the toy vehicle.

FIG. 20 (a) is a perspective view showing a wheel to which a wheel is applied as a support member, the surface of which bulges in a convex shape and which can travel while being in point contact with a traveling path; and FIG. 20 (b) is a sled. It is a perspective view which shows the support member of a type | mold, and (c) is a perspective view which shows the structure of the nose part provided with the roller which is a rotating member, and the structure which a wheel can rock.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the toy vehicle is running on a course having an arc-shaped cross section.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing one mode when a following vehicle passes a preceding vehicle in a straight course having a circular arc cross section.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing another mode when a following vehicle passes a preceding vehicle on a straight course having an arc-shaped cross section.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing one mode when a following vehicle passes a preceding vehicle on a curved course having a circular cross section.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing another mode when a following vehicle passes a preceding vehicle on a curved course having a circular cross section.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory view showing still another mode when a following vehicle passes a preceding vehicle on a curved course having a circular arc cross section.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing a conventional course in which traveling lanes of vehicles are separated from each other so that a plurality of vehicles do not interfere with each other.

FIG. 28 shows a conventional course in which a plurality of traveling lanes are apparently arranged, but a lane change portion provided on a circuit course forms a single closed circuit. FIG.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram showing a situation in which vehicles are caught and jammed when a following vehicle passes a preceding vehicle on a conventional course.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Toy vehicle 3 Body 5 Nose 7 Tail 9 Driving wheel 11 Motor 12 Pinion gear 13 Battery 15 Switch 17 Axle 18 First gear 19 Shaft 21 Second gear 23 Intermediate gear 25 Crown gear 27 Sphere 29 Substrate 31 Wheel 33 Surface 35 Substrate 37 Rod member 39 Curved portion 41 (Rotating member) Roller 43 Swing shaft 45 Swing member 47 Wheel 51 Centrifugal force 53 Gravity 55 Course 59, 61 Arrow 63 Centrifugal force 201 Toy vehicle traveling course 203 Track course 205 Branch path 207 Running lane 208 Ridge 209 Straight course 211 Curve 213 Tunnel 215 Bend 217 Branch 218 Junction 219 Projection 221 End of branch 223 Branch lane 225 Pathway derivative 227 Tip 229 Ridge 231 Run Line regulation slope 233 Arrow 234 Course separation slope 235 Course separation body 237 Main lane 238 Lane wall 239 Additional undercut portion 241 Connection portion 242 Jump-out prevention extension 243 Non-passage portion 244 Inside curved inner surface of lane facing obliquely downward PL Parting Line

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A traveling course for a toy vehicle, comprising: a traveling lane having a curved section in a cross section perpendicular to the traveling direction, and including a branch portion and a merging portion in the middle of the traveling lane. 2. The diverging portion according to claim 1, wherein the diverging portion has a protruding portion whose ridge portion gradually rises from a front side in a traveling direction of the toy vehicle, and two right and left sides of the protruding portion at an end point of the diverging portion. A traveling course for a toy vehicle, wherein two branch lanes are formed. 3. The diverging portion according to claim 1, wherein the diverging portion has two or more protruding portions whose ridges gradually rise from the near side in the traveling direction of the toy vehicle, and each of the protruding portions is located at an end point of the diverging portion. A traveling course for a toy vehicle, wherein two branch lanes are formed on the left and right of the vehicle. 4. The converging portion according to claim 1, wherein the merging portion has a protruding portion whose ridge portion gradually lowers from the front side in the traveling direction of the toy vehicle, and the protruding portion disappears at an end point of the merging portion, and the protruding portion disappears. A traveling course for a toy vehicle, wherein the branch lanes on both sides of the section merge. 5. The merging section according to claim 1, wherein the merging section has two or more protruding portions whose ridge portions gradually become lower from the front side in the traveling direction of the toy vehicle, and the protruding portion is formed at an end point of the merging portion. A running course for a toy vehicle, wherein the branch lanes on both sides of each protrusion are merged. 6. The running lane according to claim 2, wherein a cross section of the running lane is formed in an arc shape, and a ridge portion of the projecting portion is formed as a ridgeline formed when two arcuate surfaces overlap each other. A running course for a toy vehicle, which is formed along the contour of a toy vehicle. 7. The running course for a toy vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a course derivative for forcibly changing the course of the toy vehicle is formed in the middle of the running lane. 8. The route separating body according to claim 1, wherein a course separating body for separating a close state of a plurality of toy vehicles running in parallel in the running lane is formed. Toy vehicle running course. 9. The molded product of the traveling lane in the curve according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the molded product of the traveling lane in the curve is molded with a mold so that the parting line is inclined. However, there is no non-traffic portion inside the curve, and it is molded integrally with the main lane, and has a protrusion prevention extension having a curved inner surface facing obliquely downward inside the lane, for a toy vehicle. Running course.