US20040082258A1

US20040082258A1 - Adapter block apparatus for accomodating toy vehicles

Info

Publication number: US20040082258A1
Application number: US10/655,474
Authority: US
Inventors: Anne Kim
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-09-05
Filing date: 2003-09-04
Publication date: 2004-04-29

Abstract

An adapter block apparatus for enabling conventional toy building blocks such as LEGO®, DUPLO®, Megablock® or other building blocks to form racetrack and train track structures for accommodating toy vehicles such as MatchBox® cars and Thomas The Tank Engine® trains. Adapter track blocks are configured to interconnect on the bottom thereof atop conventional building blocks. The top surface of each adapter track block is configured with either straight or curved surface contours, and with either a flat, horizontal path or a sloped path, to provide a longitudinal, medial path for accommodating travel of toy racing cars and trains.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority based upon Provisional U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/408,740 filed Sep. 5, 2002.[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to building blocks, and, more particularly, relates to an adapter block apparatus configured for being interconnected with conventional toy building blocks and for accommodating toy vehicles such as racing cars and trains.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Contemporary children's building block system are very popular toys. As is well established in the art, building blocks are regularly enjoyed by children for constructing a diversity of structures including buildings, bridges, and even human and animal figures.

Similarly, toy vehicles such as MatchBox® cars and Thomas The Tank Engine® trains are also popular children's toys. MatchBox cars are available in a variety of models and are generally designed to be used on preferably smooth and flat surfaces. Propulsion of the cars is typically achieved by a child's horizontal hand-directed thrust. Of course, it will be appreciated that these cars may also be released upon inclined surfaces to trigger linear movement under the force of gravity.

On the other hand, as with most train sets, Thomas The Tank Engine trains are generally designed to operate on specially configured tracks. In a manner well known in the art, these trains and the like are made to travel on coordinated train tracks by the force of a child's horizontal hand-directed thrust.

Thus, MatchBox toy vehicles and the like, and toy building blocks provide independent sources of merriment for children. Each of these two types of toy is contemplated to be used for the announced purpose. That is, it has been heretofore unknown for MatchBox cars and the like to be used in conjunction with common building blocks.

For instance, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,861,306, Bolli et al. disclose a toy cog wheel railway that seeks to emulate an actual cog railway. According to the teachings of this patent, a high degree of engine stability has been attained on slopes and curves via a combination of a model engine having a pair of guides and a model track having a longitudinally extending cog, which, in turn, has two transversely separated racks of vertically extending cogs symmetrically disposed relative to the drive face.

As another example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,643,040, Hippely et al. disclose an apparatus that is indicative of toy vehicle play sets known in the art. Color-changing toy vehicles are used in conjunction with suitable tracks.

Evidently, the common approach in the art is for a particular toy vehicle to be designed to be either used on flat, smooth surfaces—horizontal and inclined—or on its integrated, i.e., specially constructed, track structure. It would be advantageous if children who enjoy toy vehicles such as MatchBox cars could use them in conjunction with structures that have been custom-assembled using conventional building block systems. Such an arrangement with or adaptation of existing building block systems would enable children and their parents and the like to advantageously emulate a racetrack or train track therewith in order to accommodate children's toy vehicles.

Accordingly, these limitations and disadvantages of the prior art are overcome with the present invention, wherein an apparatus comprising a plurality of adapter building blocks is provided that is particularly useful for enabling children or their parents to build racetrack or train track arrangements by supplementing the normal ensemble of interlocking toy building blocks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a means for combining at least two favorite pastimes for children: playing with toy building blocks and playing with toy racing cars and trains. Embodiments of the present invention enable this synergy to be realized by providing a variety of adapter blocks that are configured for being interconnected with conventional toy building block systems such as LEGO®, DUPLO®, and Megablock® interconnecting blocks or similar interconnecting blocks that allow coupling at angles not limited to 90 degrees. When interconnected with such popular and conventional blocks, embodiments of the present invention are configured for accommodating toy vehicles such as racing cars and trains, wherein sections of race track or train track may be provided for use with such popular toys as Matchbox® cars and Thomas the Tank Engine® trains, respectively.

As will be hereinafter described, the adapter block apparatus of the present invention comprises a dual structure. The base member of this structure comprises the bottom surface which is configured to be compatible with the interconnecting means of conventional building blocks. The contour member of this structure comprises the top surface which is configured to impart racetrack or railroad track surface contour characteristics that emulate an actual race track or railroad track. Thus, as will become clear to those skilled in the art, the present invention contemplates a plurality of adapter block members that impart such surface characteristics as prerequisite track contours, sections of straight track, sections of curved track, sections of curved and banked track, and sections of sloped track.

As will be appreciated by those conversant in the art, a plurality of embodiments of the present invention may be conveniently interconnected with a plurality of conventional building blocks to engender a variety of racetrack or train track open or closed-loop designs. It is accordingly a feature and advantage of the present invention that there is provided a plurality of adapter blocks that readily interconnect with conventional building blocks to form any configuration of racetrack or train track.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a racetrack or train track which can be utilized by standard model cars such as Matchbox® or standard model trains such as Thomas the Tank Engine®.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an adapter block apparatus that enables a racetrack or train track to be emulated by integrating with conventional toy building blocks, including blocks that allow coupling at a diversity of angles.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following specification and accompanying drawings wherein like numerals refer to like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a frontal perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention corresponding to a plurality of interconnected sections of contoured racetrack disposed upon a conventional building block platform. [0017]
FIG. 2 depicts a side view of the preferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 1. [0018]
FIG. 3 depicts a top planar view of the configuration disposed upon conventional building blocks for joining a plurality thereof, and also depicts a portion of the preferred embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, to illustrate joining conventional building blocks with a straight track member embodiment of the present invention. [0019]
FIG. 4A depicts a frontal perspective view of a straight track interface member under the preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0020]
FIG. 4B depicts a top planar view of the straight track interface member depicted in FIG. 4A. [0021]
FIG. 4C depicts a side view of the straight track interface member depicted in FIG. 4A. [0022]
FIG. 5A depicts a side perspective view of an inclined track interface member under the preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0023]
FIG. 5B depicts a side view of the inclined track interface member depicted in FIG. 5A. [0024]
FIG. 6 depicts a side perspective view of another inclined track interface member under the preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0025]
FIG. 7 depicts a top planar view of a curved section of interface track. [0026]
FIG. 8 depicts a top planar view of a section of a racetrack embodiment of the present invention constructed from a combination of curved, straight, and sloped adapter block members.[0027]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, there is depicted a frontal perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention interconnected with popular DUPLO® toy building blocks configured for a racetrack accommodating popular Matchbox® toy cars. More particularly, there is seen [0028] preferred embodiment 10 comprising a portion of a race track configured to accommodate MatchBox racing car 2 atop plurality of interconnected track members 20 and also configured to be inserted upon DUPLO platform 5 and plurality of DUPLO support members depicted.
Still referring to FIG. 1, there is shown plurality of [0029] interconnected track members 20 that are insertedly disposed atop either a DUPLO member or the underlying DUPLO platform. Thus, track member 30 simulates a banked curve structure that is preferably constructed with pair of curb members or confining edge members 32A, B and medial track member 34, disposed therebetween. It should be evident that curb members 32A, B are disposed upon each of the oppositely and outer longitudinally disposed edges of track member 30. In conjunction with medial track member 34, curb member pair 32A, B form a channel or groove for retaining racing car 2 thereon while the racing car moves along medial track member 34.
FIG. 2 depicts a front view of the preferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 1. Now referring collectively to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown [0030] track member 40 which simulates a simple straight transitional structure that is preferably constructed with pair of curb members or confining opposite edge members 42A, B and medial track member 44, disposed therebetween. Track member 50 simulates an inclined structure that is preferably constructed with pair of curb members or confining opposite edge members 52A, B and medial track member 54, disposed therebetween. Track member 60 simulates an inclined structure, similar to inclined structure member 50, that is preferably constructed with pair of curb members or confining opposite edge members 62A, B and medial track member 64, disposed therebetween. Track member 70 also simulates an inclined structure that is preferably constructed with pair of curb members or confining opposite edge members 72A, B and medial track member 74, disposed therebetween. Track member 80 simulates a straight structure that is preferably constructed with pair of curb members or confining opposite edge members 82A, B and medial track member 84, disposed therebetween.
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that, in order for the adapter block apparatus of the present invention to properly function as a track for toy racing cars or toy trains, or the like, the plurality of interconnections between successive track members should preferably be even and smooth. That is, as is well known in the art, the joinder between successive race track or train track members should be situated substantially at the same height on either side of the joinder so that the linear travel of the toy vehicle along the track is not inhibited other than by conventional frictional forces. [0031]
Accordingly, as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, various track members of the preferred embodiment should preferably be selected and assembled to provide sufficient prerequisite downward velocity simultaneously with a plurality of smooth transitions between adjacent track members, regardless of whether such adjacent track members are horizontal and straight or inclined and curved. Thus, [0032] track member 60 may be constructed to constitute a downward transition between inclined track member 70 and inclined track member 50—with this portion of the track being designed to sustain downhill acceleration. Similarly, track member 70 may be constructed to constitute a downward transition between flat track member 80 and inclined track member 60—with this portion of the track being designed to initiate downhill acceleration. It should be evident to those skilled in the art that this succession of motion-related behavior imparts to the racetrack and train track characteristics contemplated by the present invention.
Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the underlying support structure of the racetrack or train track contemplated by the present invention may be readily observed. In particular, plurality of [0033] DUPLO support members 25 should preferably be selected and interconnected in order to arrange the track surface at the intended height and shape. Referring now to FIG. 3, there is depicted a top planar view of the configuration disposed upon conventional building blocks for joining a plurality thereof. Focusing upon conventional building block 520 which is viewed as transparent, there is illustrated the joinder between conventional building blocks known in the art—illustrated by the DUPLO system—and such a conventional building block and its specially-designed compatible platform. More particularly, DUPLO platform 5 is configured with an array of equally spaced-apart coupling studs 500 disposed atop the surface thereof. In a manner well known in the art, DUPLO building blocks are constructed with an array of equally spaced-apart receptacles that are configured to conveniently and snugly receive a portion of corresponding plurality of coupling studs 500 contained on platform 5, thereby securing the respective building blocks thereto.
As an example, referring specifically to FIG. 3, [0034] conventional building block 520 is shown with plurality of substantially cylindrical tube-like members 525A-C used as a means for coupling with either platform 5 or with other compatibly-configured conventional building blocks. Plurality of corresponding short rail members 530A-H keep such block-couplings tight and well-aligned. Also in a manner well known in the art, additional building blocks may, of course, be insertedly disposed atop matching building block surfaces to allow continued vertically-oriented construction of variously configured structures.
Now referring to [0035] adapter block member 40 also depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4A-C, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that building block adapter embodiments of the present invention are designed to be used in conjunction with platform 5 and a plurality of compatible conventional building blocks. Accordingly, as shown specifically in FIG. 4B, adapter block member 40 is configured on its underside surface with a like plurality of substantially cylindrical tube-like members to sustain tight and aligned coupling to platform 5. On its top surface, adapter block embodiment 40 is configured with equally spaced-apart coupling studs 545A-B on top surface 41A and coupling studs 545C-D on top surface 41B that allow continued building atop a plurality of similarly configured block interface members, if so desired.
It will be understood by those conversant in the art that the plurality of adapter block members taught by the present invention function as interfaces with the underlying conventional block building system. For illustration purposes only and not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, embodiments described herein interface with the DUPLO System for building blocks. But, it should be clear that adapter block embodiments of the present invention may be configured to interface with any existing block building system or the like. It will be appreciated that adapter block members taught by the present invention are sized to properly interface with an appropriate pre-existing building system—preferably, in whole-number multiples of the existing conventional building block unit sizes for height, width, and depth. [0036]
Functioning as an alternative interface to the conventional interblock interface, the present invention also contemplates adapter building block member embodiments that share their underside structure in order to properly interconnect or interlock with existing building blocks, or that securely fit around the plurality of existing studs in a converse image of the shape and alignment of such studs. For instance, referring to each of the three interface block members (identified by numeral [0037] 40) depicted in FIG. 3, interface block member 40 is specifically shown in FIGS. 4A-C; coupling studs 545A-B are disposed upon upper surface 41A of interface block member 40, and coupling studs 545C-D are disposed upon upper surface 41B thereof, for enabling continued building atop this interface block member, if desired. It will be appreciated that a useful application of this implementation would be in multi-tiered racetracks and the like in which the lower track levels incorporate support block members for the block members that constitute higher track levels.
FIG. 3 clearly shows how a plurality of interface block members taught by the present invention may be insertably attached to a typical block platform, for which such interface block members have been compatibly configured. Thus, FIG. 3 depicts [0038] interface block member 40′ disposed medically of interface block member 40 and interface block member 40″. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that this contiguous sequence of three interface block members 40, 40′, and 40″ create flat portion of track corresponding to groove members 44, 44′, and 44″ disposed continuously as hereinbefore described. For convenience, these three groove members—in essence, corresponding to the track member depicted as numeral 44—simulate smooth and continuous track member 44.
As hereinbefore described, [0039] medial portion 44, depicted collectively in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4A-C, is configured to provide a groove member functioning as a track contemplated herein, through which a suitably-sized toy vehicle passes. Pair of edge or curb members 42 A, B are constructed to retain the toy vehicle within track member 44. It will be clear that the combination of the curb members and grove members serve to channel and constrain the vehicle upon and within the desired course. Thus, track member 44 is configured to be wide enough to accommodate standard-sized toy vehicles such as Matchbox cars and the like. Accordingly, other toy vehicles having a correspondingly similar wheel base, such as toy trains and the like, may also travel upon embodiments of the track taught by the present invention. It will, of course, be understood by those skilled in the art that vehicles with other wheel bases may be accommodated by an implementation of the present invention which varies the width of the groove as appropriate for, and compatible with, the intended vehicle type.
Referring specifically to FIGS. [0040] 4A-C to elucidate the joinder structures disposed atop the preferred embodiment of the present invention, there are illustrated frontal perspective, top planar, and side views, respectively, of straight short interface block member 40. Optional plurality of coupling stud members 545A-D are fixedly disposed preferably perpendicularly upon top surfaces 41A and B of adapter block member 40. More particularly, stud members 545A and B are projected perpendicularly from top surface 41A which is, in turn, disposed atop edge member 42A. Similarly, stud members 545C and D are projected perpendicularly from top surface 41B which is, in turn, disposed atop edge member 42B. Edge or curve pair 42A and B delimit travel of a toy vehicle through groove member 44. It should be clear to those skilled in the art that this plurality of stud members may be used to build structures atop interface members of the present invention without interfering with the implicated racetrack or train track constructed as elucidated herein.
Referring now to FIGS. [0041] 5A-B, there are illustrated side perspective and side views, respectively, of inclined interface block member 50 of the preferred embodiment, focusing primarily upon its top surface. Optional plurality of coupling stud members 565A-D are fixedly disposed preferably perpendicularly upon inclined top surfaces 51A and B of adapter block member 50. More particularly, stud member 565A is projected preferably perpendicularly from lower portion 57A of inclined surface 51A which is, in turn, disposed atop lower edge member 52A; stud member 565B is projected preferably perpendicularly from higher portion 53A of inclined surface 51A which is, in turn, disposed atop upper edge member 52A. Similarly, stud member 565D is projected preferably perpendicularly from lower portion 67B of inclined surface 51B which is, in turn, disposed atop lower edge member 52B; stud member 565C is projected preferably perpendicularly from higher portion 53B of inclined surface 51B which is, in turn, disposed atop upper edge member 52A. As previously described for adapter block member 40, edge or curve pair 52A and B of adapter block member 50 delimit travel of a toy vehicle (not shown) through groove member 54. It should be clear to those skilled in the art that this plurality of stud members may be used to build structures atop interface members of the present invention without interfering with the movement of a toy vehicle on the racetrack or train track constructed as elucidated herein.
Referring now to FIGS. [0042] 1-3, 4A-C and 5A-B, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that plurality of vertical stud members 545A-D projecting perpendicularly from the substantially horizontal top surface of track member 40 (FIGS. 4A-C) is generally more useful than plurality of oblique stud members 565 A-D projecting perpendicularly from the inclined surface of track member 50 or 60 (FIGS. 5A-B). Since top surfaces 51A-B are sloped, then plurality of stud members 565A-D project preferably perpendicularly from such sloped surfaces, and, hence, will be disposed at an angle relative to the horizontal plane of base building platform 5. It should be evident that a toy vehicle will be caused to travel down sloped groove member 54 of inclined track member 50.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the slope of inclined interface [0043] track block member 60 is configured and arranged so that its top surface is disposed at substantially the same levels as adjacent interface track block members 70 and 50, respectively. That is, similar to adapter track block member 50, adapter track block member 70 on each of its upper end 72A and its lower end 72B, and likewise the associated upper and lower surfaces of groove member 74 should preferably form a continuous path at substantially the same height as adjacent sequence of adapter track block members 60 and 50, disposed on the upper and lower ends of adapter track block 70, respectively.
It is within the teachings of the present invention that the groove member may be configured with a raised longitudinal center portion having an inner edge that substantially forms a congruent rut-like member on each side thereof. It will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that such a track structure having a central portion with an associated pair of “rut” members seeks to emulate the configuration of a conventional train track. [0044]
Now referring specifically to FIG. 2, the relationship between an integral number of conventional building blocks and adapter track blocks of the present invention may be observed. The configuration of racetrack shown is comprised of a sequence of adapter track blocks [0045] 80, 70, 60, 50 and 40, with an underlying support structure of a plurality of conventional building blocks preferably disposed upon a base platform. Now referring specifically to FIGS. 2 and 5A-B, lower side 58 of track adapter block 50 is shown substantially at the same height as a whole number of blocks—namely, 1 block—atop surfaces 52A and B where a plurality of stud members are disposed perpendicular thereto, and with groove member 54 configured sufficiently low to be smoothly coupled with the corresponding groove members disposed atop the surfaces of adjacent adapter track members on each side thereof.
Those skilled in the art will, of course, appreciate that this continuous, smooth transition between adjacent track adapter block members is preferable regardless whether such adjacent track adapter block members are constructed straight or sloped. [0046] Upper side 59 of track adapter block 50 is shown substantially at the same height as a whole number of blocks—namely, two blocks—atop surfaces 52A and B where a plurality of stud members are disposed preferably perpendicular thereto, and with groove member 54 configured sufficiently low to be smoothly coupled with the corresponding groove members disposed atop surfaces of adjacent adapter track members on each side thereof. Hence, the higher side of this inclined adapter block is configured to be at least one building block higher than the lower side. As on the high side of the inclined adapter block, the low side is preferably configured sufficiently lower to be smoothly coupled with the corresponding groove members on each side thereof. Bottom surface 56 of adapter track block 50 is shown configured with a length that corresponds to be an integral number of whole units of the base building block length of the underlying building block system.
FIG. 6 depicts a side perspective view of another inclined adapter [0047] track interface member 70 having a sloped building block structure. Referring collectively to FIGS. 2, 5A-B, and 6, it is readily observed that bottom side 76 of inclined adapter block 70 is twice the length of bottom side 56 of inclined adapter block 50. It will be observed that lower side surface 78 of inclined adapter track member 70 is constructed to be substantially the same size and height as lower side surface 58 of inclined adapter track member 50. Similarly, it will be observed that higher side surface 79 of inclined track member 70 is substantially constructed the same size and height as higher side surface 59 of inclined track member 50. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that this relationship causes track adapter member 70 to not only have a more gradual slope on its top surface than track adapter member 50, but also, of course, to interface with other track adapter block members in the same manner.
It should be evident that the hereinbefore described features of the present invention apply to each adapter block embodiment. Thus, [0048] track adapter member 70 is shown with plurality of stud members 575A-H protruding preferably perpendicularly from top surfaces 73A-B, respectively. As well known in the art, the pair of longitudinal sides of each adapter block member of the present invention is disposed in a perpendicular relationship with its corresponding pair of transverse sides. Transverse side 78, the lower side of the inclined adapter track block member, is configured to be parallel to its opposite transverse side 79, the higher side of inclined adapter track block member. Curb or edge pair members 72A and B delimit the travel of a toy vehicle within groove member 74.
FIG. 7 depicts a top planar view of a 90°-turn adapter block member of an interface track embodiment taught by the present invention. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, for block building systems that allow only right-angle construction, a 90° turn is a practical embodiment of a portion of curved track. It will be appreciated that the configuration of [0049] adapter block member 30 is sufficient to allow a toy vehicle to turn gradually as constrained by track groove member 34 in conjunction with pair of restraining curb members 32A and B, so that the toy vehicle traveling with a certain momentum may be guided to turn with the angular track portion, without needing human intervention.
As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, elevated and sloped [0050] outer banking member 31 may optionally be incorporated into curved adapter block member 30 to achieve conventional banking behavior well known in the art. First and second plurality of stud members 38 and 39, respectively, are available to allow further track building atop interface track block member 30. Such supplemental track building may, of course, be achieved using either standard building blocks or using interface block embodiments of the present invention. It should be evident that side member 36 is configured to be large enough to allow a toy vehicle to freely turn as contemplated hereunder, and side member 36 is configured with a length that has an integral number multiple relationship of the basis block size of the underlying building block.
FIG. 8 depicts a top planar view of a section of a racetrack embodiment of the present invention constructed from a combination of curved, straight, and sloped adapter block members. As clearly shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of upper levels of the sloped block surfaces are supported by standard toy building blocks. It should be obvious that this representative segment of track comprises these standard toy building blocks and an interconnected plurality of adapter interface block members taught by the present invention. The structure and functionality of these representative adapter block members—identified by [0051] numerals 30, 40, 60, and 70, respectively—have hereinbefore been described in detail.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the appended claims. A plethora of lengths, slopes, and curves of track pieces are possible within the scope of the present invention. Similarly, a variety of types of building blocks known in the art may be interfaced with suitable embodiments of the present invention using the same approach as the illustrated embodiment that interfaces with the DUPLO® system hereinbefore described. Similarly, a plethora of wheel bases, track widths, and track structures may also be interfaced with suitable embodiments of the present invention using the same approach as hereinbefore explained in detail with the concomitant illustrations depicted in FIGS. [0052] 1-8, inclusively.
It should be clear that the adapter block structures taught by the present invention enable children to enjoy and extend the applicability of a diversity of toy building block systems in a manner heretofore unknown in the art. Children may play with their favorite MatchBox racing cars and the like, and with their favorite Thomas The Tank Engine trains and the like, in conjunction with their favorite building block toys. Racetracks and train tracks may be creatively custom-designed by children alone and with their parents and the like, by joining a plurality of adapter track blocks with a corresponding plurality of conventional building blocks disposed upon a conventional building block platform to form various sections of contoured racetrack. [0053]
It will be understood that the different types of track interface blocks contemplated by the present invention allow the construction of a variety of tracks of the desired shapes and lengths manifest by the combination of straight, curved and angled track interface blocks used. It will also be understood that embodiments of the apparatus of the present invention may be used to incorporate car tracks and the like into such structures as a parking garage, an airport, and even a shopping mall. Ergo, the present invention enables children to experience the synergy between building creative track-like structures and then playing with their favorite toy vehicles on these tracks. [0054]
Other variations and modifications will, of course, become apparent from a consideration of the structures and techniques hereinbefore described and depicted. Accordingly, it should be clearly understood that the present invention is not intended to be limited by the particular features and structures hereinbefore described and depicted in the accompanying drawings, but that the present invention is to be measured by the scope of the appended claims herein. [0055]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. In a children's conventional block building system consisting of a platform with a first plurality of substantially uniformly spaced-apart receptacle members for receiving a plurality of conventional building block members with each building block member including a first plurality of stud members configured to be insertably and snugly received by a portion of said first plurality of receptacle members, and also including a second plurality of receptacle members for coupling with said first plurality of stud members of adjacent building block members, an adapter block member comprising:

a base member disposed upon the horizontal bottom surface of said adapter block member having a second plurality of stud members affixed thereto, and configured for being coupled to said first plurality of receptacles of said platform and to said second plurality of receptacles of said conventional building block members;

a contour member disposed upon the top surface of said adapter block member and disposed oppositely of said base member, and affixed to each of a pair of parallel spaced-apart longitudinal side members and to each of a pair of parallel spaced-apart transverse side members;

said pair of parallel spaced-apart longitudinal side members disposed medially of said base member and said contour member, and also disposed perpendicularly of said base member;

said pair of parallel spaced-apart transverse side members disposed medially of said base member and said contour member, and disposed perpendicularly of said base member, and also disposed perpendicularly of said pair of parallel spaced-apart longitudinal side members; and

said contour member configured for enabling a plurality of interconnected said adapter block apparatus to impart and simulate track characteristics and behavior to a toy vehicle traveling thereon.

2. The adapter block apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein each stud member of said first plurality of stud members projects substantially perpendicularly from said base member.

3. The adapter block apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said contour member includes a track member comprising a central longitudinal groove member for enabling said toy vehicle to travel linearly therein.

4. The adapter block apparatus recited in claim 3, wherein said contour member further comprises a pair of longitudinal edge members disposed on each side of said track member and disposed perpendicularly thereto, for delimiting and retaining said travel of said toy vehicle Within said track member.

5. The adapter block apparatus recited in claim 4, wherein each of said pair of transverse side members has a different height to simulate a portion of inclined track.

6. The adapter block apparatus recited in claim 4, wherein each of said pair of longitudinal side members has a different height to simulate a portion of banked track.

7. The adapter block apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said contour member comprises a curved track member for enabling said toy vehicle to travel curvalinearly therein.

8. The adapter block apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said contour member comprises a second plurality of stud members to enable said plurality of said adapter block apparatus to be stacked with an adjacent adapter block apparatus, for attaining simulated track portions of varying height.

9. The adapter block apparatus recited in claim 8, wherein said plurality of conventional building blocks may be coupled with said plurality of said adapter block apparatus to impart and simulate said track characteristics and behavior so that said toy vehicle travels on a substantially continuous, flat surface such that said travel of said toy vehicle is inhibited only by the forces of gravity.

10. The adapter block apparatus recited in claim 2, wherein said central longitudinal groove member includes a raised longitudinal central portion having an inner edge that substantially forms a congruent pair of rut-like members on each side thereof.

11. The adapter block apparatus recited in claim 3, wherein said track member and said pair of longitudinal edge members are configured to accommodate said toy vehicle wherein said toy vehicle simulates race car or train behavior while traveling thereon.

12. The adapter block apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the height thereof is configured to constitute a whole-number multiple of the corresponding height of said conventional building block.

13. The adapter block apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the width thereof is configured to constitute a whole-number multiple of the corresponding width of said conventional building block.

14. The adapter block apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the depth thereof is configured to constitute a whole-number multiple of the corresponding depth of said conventional building block.