JP2007006957A - Track for toy - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a track for a toy capable of suppressing the vertical movement of the toy when travelling as much as possible. <P>SOLUTION: The tracks for the toy are constituted by connecting a plurality of track pieces which have grooves where right and left wheels of the toy pass and are constituted such that at least a part of adjacent track pieces can freely turn each other around the center axis in a width direction within a predetermined angle range in a horizontal plane. The adjacent track pieces are connected each other in adjacent side end portion, the axis are arranged in a connecting portion, and the adjacent track pieces are constituted such that the end portions in the width direction expand and contract according to the mutual turn direction while keeping the mutual connecting state of the adjacent side end portions. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a toy track.

  As a toy track, there is a toy track in which track pieces are rotatably connected to each other to form a toy track including an arbitrary curve. (For example, patent document 1).

In this toy track, track pieces (rail members) are rotatably connected to each other, and guide rail insertion portions are formed on both side portions in the width direction of the respective track pieces, and between the guide rail insertion portions. A curved track can be formed by engaging the end portions of the guide rail blades so as to freely enter and exit.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-172276 (see FIGS. 1 to 4)

  In the curved track formed by the track piece of Patent Document 1, the main body of the track piece is configured in a cross shape, and the distance between the guide portions of adjacent track pieces is increased, so the toy wheel guides when traveling. There is a problem that the vertical movement becomes intense because it repeatedly rides on and off the club.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a toy track that can suppress the vertical movement of the toy during traveling as much as possible.

  The toy track according to claim 1 is configured by connecting a plurality of track pieces in which grooves for passing left and right wheels of the toy are formed, and at least some of the adjacent track pieces are centered on a central axis in the width direction. The toy track is configured to be rotatable within a predetermined angle range within a horizontal plane, and the adjacent track pieces are overlapped with each other at adjacent side ends, and the shaft is provided at the overlap portion. The adjacent track pieces are configured such that the end portions in the width direction expand and contract in accordance with the rotational directions of the adjacent side ends while maintaining the overlapping state.

  The toy track according to claim 2 is characterized in that, in the toy track according to claim 1, the adjacent track pieces are connected at a central portion in the width direction by superposing adjacent end portions. To do.

  A toy track according to a third aspect is the toy track according to the first aspect, wherein the adjacent track pieces are detachably fitted by superposing adjacent end portions. Here, “fitting” means that the connecting portions are assembled to each other by fitting.

  The toy track according to claim 4 is the toy track according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an adjacent side end portion of one of the adjacent track pieces is the other track piece. It is configured to be one step lower than the adjacent side end, and the adjacent side end of the one track piece is superposed on the lower side of the adjacent end of the other track piece.

  The toy track according to claim 5 is the toy track according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each of the track pieces located on both sides of the toy traveling direction road has another toy track. A connection element for connecting to the connection element is formed. In this case, the “connecting element” is, for example, a convex part or a concave part that is fitted or inserted into the concave part or convex part when the connecting element of another toy track is a concave part or convex part.

  The toy track according to claim 6 is the toy track according to claim 5, wherein the track pieces except for the track pieces on both sides have the same shape.

  According to the toy track of claim 1, since the track pieces connected so as to be rotatable rotate while maintaining their overlapping state, the vertical movement of the toy during traveling can be reduced. In addition, the strength of the toy track can be made relatively high.

  According to the toy track of claim 2, since the connecting pieces are connected at the central portion in the width direction by superposing adjacent end portions, the connecting portion is compared with the case where the connecting portions are provided at the end portions in the width direction. Can be made small.

  According to the toy track of claim 3, since the track pieces are detachably fitted by superposing adjacent end portions, the number of the track pieces can be freely selected. The trajectory can be freely configured.

  According to the toy track of claim 4, since the track pieces are superposed on each other, the strength of the toy track can be increased.

  According to the toy track of claim 5, it can be easily connected to other toy tracks.

  According to the track piece of the toy track of claim 6, since the track pieces excluding the track pieces located at both ends have the same shape, a curved track having a certain curvature can be formed.

The toy track according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
1 is a perspective view showing a track piece, FIG. 2A is a plan view of the track piece, FIG. 2B is a bottom view of the track piece, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 2B, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state before connecting the track pieces, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state where the track pieces are connected. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 6, FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the toy track, and FIGS. 9 and 10 are track pieces for connecting the toy track according to the present invention to other toy tracks. It is the perspective view which showed.

  In FIG. 1, the code | symbol 1 has shown the track piece which is a component of the track for toys. As shown in FIG. 2A, the track piece 1 has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. As shown in FIG. 1, grooves 3 and 4 having bottom walls 3 a and 4 a for rolling the left and right wheels of the toy are formed on the upper surface of the track piece 1. That is, the central ridge 2 is formed at the center in the width direction of the upper surface of the track piece 1. Further, side ridges 9 and 10 are formed on both sides of the upper surface of the track piece 1 in the width direction. In the track piece 1, the grooves 3 and 4 are defined by the bottom walls 3 a and 4 a, the central ridge 2, and the side ridges 9 and 10.

Here, the center ridge 2 will be described. The center ridge 2 is a length dimension of the track piece 1 from one end side in the running direction of the toy in the track piece 1 toward the other end side in the running direction of the vehicle. 2/3.
The central ridge 2 bulges in a semicircular shape on one end side in the running direction of the toy in the track piece 1 in plan view. Hereinafter, this bulged portion is referred to as a “bulged portion”.
Further, the central ridge 2 extends linearly along the traveling direction of the vehicle in plan view. And the center part protruding item | line 2 is notched by circular arc shape so that the other end side of the running direction of the toy in the track piece 1 may become concave by planar view. Hereinafter, this notched portion is referred to as a notched portion. Furthermore, as shown in the bottom view of FIG. 2 (B), a circular overlapping portion 5 is formed on the bulging portion side of the central ridge 2, and on the notch portion side of the central ridge 2. As shown in the plan view of FIG. 2A, a circular overlapping portion 6 is formed. When the adjacent track pieces 1 and 1 are connected, as shown in FIG. 7, the overlapping portion 5 of the other track piece 1 is placed on the overlapping portion 6 of the one track piece 1.

  A connecting means is formed in the overlapping portions 5 and 6. That is, one component of the connecting means is formed in the overlapping portion 5. This connecting element is referred to as a “first connecting element”. The overlapping portion 6 is formed with the other connecting element of the connecting means. This connecting element is referred to as a “second connecting element”.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first connecting element includes arc-shaped holes 12 and 12 formed substantially concentrically with the center O1 on both sides in the width direction across the center O1, and the arc-shaped holes 12, It is comprised by step part 12a, 12a formed in the 12 inner walls.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the second connecting element includes upright arcuate pieces 13, 13 that are arc-shaped in plan view and are formed concentrically with the center O 2 on both sides in the width direction across the center O 2. And the outward claws 13a, 13a formed at the upper ends of the upright pieces 13, 13.
As shown in FIG. 7, when the overlapping portion 5 of the other track piece 1 is mounted on the overlapping portion 6 of the one track piece 1, the upright pieces 13 and 13 of the one track piece 1 are connected to the other track. The piece 1 enters the arc-shaped holes 12 and 12, and the claws 13 a and 13 a at the upper ends of the upright pieces 13 and 13 are engaged with the step portions 12 a and 12 a of the arc-shaped holes 12 and 12. At that time, the center O1 of the overlap portion 5 and the center O2 of the overlap portion 6 are matched. The adjacent track pieces 1, 1 can be rotated in the horizontal plane with the matched centers O1, O2 as the rotation center.

Further, the track piece 1 is formed such that the bottom walls 3a, 4a and the side ridges 9, 10 at the notch side end are one step lower than those of the other portions. Then, when connecting the track pieces 1 to each other, as shown in FIG. 7, the bottom walls 3 a, 4 a and the side ridges 9, 10 at the notch side end of one track piece 1 are connected to the other track piece 1. The bottom walls 3a, 4a and the side ridges 9, 10 at the end of the bulge portion side are submerged into the lower side.
Even when the adjacent track pieces 1 and 1 rotate in the horizontal plane around the center of rotation, the bottom walls 3a and 4a and the side ridges 9 of the end portions on the side of the notches of the one track piece 1 are provided. , 10 is configured not to slip out from the bottom walls 3a, 4a and the side ridges 9, 10 at the end of the other track piece 1 on the bulging portion side.
Further, when the adjacent track pieces 1 and 1 are connected, as shown in FIG. 6, the upper surface of the center convex 2, the bottom walls 3 a and 4 a on the bulging portion side of the track piece 1, and the side ridges 9. , 10 is configured to be flush with that of the adjacent track pieces 1, 1.
The track piece 1 is configured such that the inner wall facing the central ridge 2 of the side ridges 9 and 10 is linear along the running direction of the toy, and the side ridges 9 and 10 are on the notch side. Is formed in an arc shape centered on the center O2 of the notch. Further, the raceway piece 1 is configured such that the outer wall of the side ridges 9, 10 on the side of the notch portion is formed in an arc shape centering on the center O 2 of the notch portion, and the center ridge 2 of the side ridge 9, 10. The outer wall of the portion opposite to the center is formed in an arc shape centered on the center O2 of the bulging portion, and the side ridges 9 and 10 on the notch side slide along the inner surface of the outer wall. Yes.

  Further, the track piece 1 has a stopper protrusion 16a formed on the upper surface on the notch portion side, while a recess 12b is formed on the lower surface on the bulge portion side, and the adjacent track pieces 1, 1 are centered on the rotation center. When the stopper projection 16a hits the wall of the recess 12b when rotating in the horizontal plane, the rotation of the track piece 1 is prevented within a predetermined angle range.

  Incidentally, the toy track of the embodiment is a toy track having a wheel with a diameter of 22 mm, 24 mm, 16 mm, or 37 mm, the distance between the two grooves (center distance) is 26.25 mm, and the groove width is 7 .75mm, notch diameter 18.5mm, inner wall curvature radius of notches 9 and 10, 26.25mm, rotation angle 15 degrees (± 7.5 degrees), groove The depth is 3.5 mm and the floor wall has a step of 1.7 mm.

Next, a method for connecting the track pieces 1 configured as described above will be described. Hereinafter, one of adjacent track pieces will be described with reference numeral 1a and the other with reference numeral 1b.
As shown in FIG. 5, one track piece 1b is placed on the floor, and the other track piece 1a is positioned upward. In this case, the overlapping portion 5 of the track piece 1a is positioned on the overlapping portion 6 of the track piece 1b. Next, the track piece 1a is lowered while being kept horizontal, and the overlapping portion 5 of the track piece 1a is strongly pressed against the overlapping portion 6 of the track piece 1b. Then, the standing pieces 13 and 13 of the overlapping portion 6 of the track piece 1b enter the arc-shaped holes 12 and 12 of the overlapping portion 5 of the track piece 1a, and the claws 13a and 13a at the upper ends of the standing pieces 13 and 13 are arc-shaped holes. 12 and 12 are engaged with the step portions 12a and 12a (see FIG. 6). Thus, the track pieces 1a and 1b are detachably fitted to each other. And the center O1 of the superposition | polymerization part 5 and the center O2 of the superposition | polymerization part 6 are made to correspond. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 7, the bottom walls 3a, 4a at the notch portion side end of the track piece 1b and the side ridges 9, 10 are bottom walls 3a, 4a at the bulge portion side end of the track piece 1a. And it is overlaid on the lower side of the side ridges 9,10. Further, the recess 12b of the track piece 1a enters the stopper protrusion 16a of the track piece 1b. Further, the centers O1 and O2 of the overlapping portions 5 and 6 are made to coincide with each other, and the adjacent track pieces 1 and 1 can be rotated in a horizontal plane with the centers O1 and O2 as the rotation centers.

  The toy track according to the present invention is configured by connecting a plurality of the track pieces 1. According to this toy track, a straight track or a curved track (including a meandering track) can be formed. Further, according to this toy track, an endless loop track can be formed by connecting a plurality of the track pieces 1.

Further, the toy track according to the present invention may be configured by providing a connecting track member (track piece) having a connecting element (connecting portion) for fixedly connecting to another toy track at both ends. . For example, in the case where the connecting element (connecting portion) of another toy track has a convex portion or a concave portion, it is fitted or inserted into the convex portion or the concave portion into a connecting track member positioned at both ends of the toy track. A concave or convex portion is provided. Then, the concave or convex portion of the connecting track member of the toy track according to the present invention is fitted or inserted from the vertical direction or the horizontal direction in correspondence with the connecting element (convex portion or concave portion) of the other toy track. I will let you. Many toy tracks already on the market are connected to each other by engaging the toy tracks adjacent to each other. Therefore, in order to be able to be connected to such a toy track, a connecting track member is provided.
In the toy track shown in FIG. 8, the connecting element (connecting portion) of the other toy track has a dovetail-shaped convex portion or concave portion, and the connecting track member 1c or 1d located at both ends of the toy track. Are provided with a dovetail-shaped concave portion 18 and a convex portion 17 which fit into the convex portion or the concave portion. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, the connecting track member 1c has the same shape as the above-described track piece 1 except for one end portion, and one end portion of the other track for toys. One connecting element 17 of the connecting means for connecting to the end portion is formed. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the connecting track member 1d has the same shape as the track piece 1 except for the other end portion, and the other end portion has an end of another toy track. The other connecting element 18 of the connecting means for connecting to the part is formed.
In this case, the toy tracks cannot be rotated with each other between adjacent toy tracks.
According to this toy track, since the connecting track members 1c and 1d are connected to both ends of the series of track pieces 1, it can be easily connected to other toy tracks. Further, since the series of track pieces 1 can be bent freely in the horizontal plane, a linear track can be formed as shown in FIG. 8A, or a meandering track can be formed as shown in FIG. 8B. It can be constructed or a curved trajectory with a constant curvature can be constructed. In addition, a plurality of toy tracks shown in FIG. 8 can be prepared, and the toy tracks can be easily connected to each other.

As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, it cannot be overemphasized that a various deformation | transformation is possible for this invention in the range which is not limited to the said embodiment and does not deviate from the summary.
For example, a shaft may be provided at the center of one of the overlapping portions 5 and 6 and a shaft hole may be provided at the other to fit them together. This creates astringency when turning left and right. The axis in this case may be a square axis.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a track piece which is a part of a toy track according to the present invention. 2A is a plan view showing the track piece of FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is a bottom view of the track piece of FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the track piece of FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the track piece of FIG. It is the perspective view which showed the state before the coupling | bonding of the track piece of FIG. It is the perspective view which showed the state which connected the track piece of FIG. It is CC sectional view taken on the line of the track piece of FIG. It is the top view which showed the track | orbit for toys. It is the perspective view which showed the track | orbit component for connection for connecting the track | orbit for toys which concerns on this invention to the track | orbit for other toys. It is the perspective view which showed the track | orbit component for connection for connecting the track | orbit for toys which concerns on this invention to the track | orbit for other toys.

Explanation of symbols

1, 1a, 1b track piece 1c, 1d connected track component (track piece)
2 Central ridges 3, 4 Track surfaces 3 a, 4 a Bottom walls 9, 10 Side ridges 12 Arc-shaped hole 12 a Step 13 Standing piece 13 a Claw 17 One connection element 18 The other connection element O1, O2 Rotation center

Claims (6)

  A plurality of track pieces in which grooves for passing the left and right wheels of the toy are formed are connected in series, and at least a part of the adjacent track pieces rotate around each other in a predetermined angle range in the horizontal plane around the center axis in the width direction. A toy track configured to be movable, wherein the adjacent track pieces are overlapped with each other at adjacent side ends, and the shaft is provided at the overlapping portion, and the adjacent track pieces are adjacent to each other. A toy track characterized in that the end portions in the width direction extend and contract according to the rotation direction of each other while the end portions maintain a superposed state.   The toy track according to claim 1, wherein the adjacent track pieces are connected at a central portion in the width direction by superposing adjacent end portions.   The toy track according to claim 1, wherein the adjacent track pieces are detachably fitted by superposing adjacent end portions.   The adjacent side end of one of the adjacent track pieces is configured to be one step lower than the adjacent side end of the other track piece, and the adjacent side end of the one track piece is The toy track according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the track is superposed on a lower side of an adjacent side end portion of the other track piece.   5. A connecting element for connecting to a connecting element of another toy track is formed on each of the track pieces located on both sides of the toy traveling direction road. The toy trajectory according to 1.   6. A toy track according to claim 5, wherein the track pieces excluding the track pieces on both sides have the same shape.

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