US20090156093A1 - Running toy system - Google Patents

Running toy system Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20090156093A1
US20090156093A1 US12/285,875 US28587508A US2009156093A1 US 20090156093 A1 US20090156093 A1 US 20090156093A1 US 28587508 A US28587508 A US 28587508A US 2009156093 A1 US2009156093 A1 US 2009156093A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
running
toy
path portion
path
lane changing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US12/285,875
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Kenji Horikoshi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Tomy Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Tomy Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Assigned to TOMY COMPANY, LTD. reassignment TOMY COMPANY, LTD. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: HORIKOSHI, KENJI
Application filed by Tomy Co Ltd filed Critical Tomy Co Ltd
Publication of US20090156093A1 publication Critical patent/US20090156093A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H18/00—Highways or trackways for toys; Propulsion by special interaction between vehicle and track
    • A63H18/08—Highways or trackways for toys; Propulsion by special interaction between vehicle and track with mechanical means for guiding or steering
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H18/00—Highways or trackways for toys; Propulsion by special interaction between vehicle and track
    • A63H18/16—Control of vehicle drives by interaction between vehicle and track; Control of track elements by vehicles

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a running toy system, and in particular to a running toy system having a combination of a running toy and a running path on which the running toy runs, wherein a running direction of the running toy is forcibly changed by the running path.
  • a running toy system wherein a running path on which a plurality of running toys runs has a running path width wherein at least two running toys can run in parallel, running directions of the plurality of running toys are the same, and a nip-and-tuck race is conducted by controlling speeds of the running toys utilizing a remote-control operation is popular.
  • a running toy system where users or players can enjoy a race without the need to utilize the remote-control operation has been proposed (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2007-209560).
  • the system is configured such that the running toys are each provided therein with a memory that stores a respective running pattern and running speeds of the running toys are automatically changed by reading the running patterns stored in the memories, whereby the users or players can enjoy a feeling as if they are conducting a remote-control operation.
  • running toy system when a plurality of running toys is caused to run on the same running path, running speeds of the running toys are automatically changed so that a running state as if a race is conducted is realized but all running directions of the running toys are the same and the running toys simply go around the running path so that users or players may get weary before long.
  • the present invention has been made so as to solve the above problem. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a running toy system which is based upon a novel idea quite different from conventional or heretofore proposed running toys that simply go around a running path and which can, despite running toys each being provided with a function of only running simply, provide users a new type of enjoyment that cannot be obtained in playing using the conventional or heretofore proposed running toys to compete to see which car runs the fastest.
  • a running toy system including: a running toy; a running path on which the running toy runs, the running path including a first running path portion with a running path width allowing running of one running toy, a second running path portion with a wider running path width allowing parallel running of at least two running toys, and a third running path portion whose width increase from one end thereof toward the other end to connect the one end thereof to the first running path portion and the other end thereof to the second running path portion; the running toy including a projecting member adapted to project laterally from a toy main body thereof; and a running lane changing member provided on a running path portion of one or both of the second running path portion and the third running path portion for forcibly changing a running lane of the running toy, wherein when the projecting member of the running toy is engaged with the running lane changing member at a running time of the running toy, the running toy changes a running lane thereof in a direction so that the running toy separates from the running lane changing member
  • the running lane changing member can include an engagement plate which is formed to project in an approximately triangular shape toward the inside of the running path in plan view so as to be engaged with the projecting member.
  • the engagement plate of the running lane changing member can have two engagement faces different in inclination angle to a running direction.
  • the projecting member may be provided so as to be operable to retractably project from a side face of the toy main body, so that a selection about whether the projecting member should be caused to project or to retreat can be made.
  • the second and third running path portions may each be provided thereon with a mounting portion to which the running lane changing member is detachably attached so that the running lane changing member is attached to any of the mounting portions.
  • first running path portion, the second running path portion, and the third running path portion may have bottom plates and side walls provided at both sides of the bottom plates in a standing manner, respectively, a running path width being defined by the side walls at both sides of the bottom plates, and the running path being formed in an endless manner by connecting the first running path portion, the second running portion, and the third running path portion.
  • the running toy can be configured to run simply straight ahead.
  • Whether or not a lane on which the running toy running on the running path runs is changed is determined according to whether or not the projecting member of the running toy is engaged with the running lane changing member, and when the running toys are caused to run in directions opposite to each other, there occurs a case where the running toys can avoid a frontal collision or a case where they cannot avoid a frontal collision.
  • a running toy system based upon a novel idea, which can provide users with a new type of enjoyment that cannot be obtained in a conventional running toy system wherein running toys are caused to run in the same direction to simply compete as to the fastest car thereof, can be provided.
  • the projecting member since whether or not the projecting member is caused to project from a side face of the running toy can be set, when the projecting member is caused to project, a running lane change is performed by the running lane changing member, and when the projecting member is not caused to project, a running lane change is not performed by the running lane changing member, so that whether the running toy is caused to run while conducting a lane change or it is caused to run without conducting a lane change can be set freely.
  • the mounting member for mounting the running lane changing member is provided on the running path having a wide running path width, a position where running lane change should be conducted can be set freely.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a running toy system according to the present invention
  • FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective views showing states of projecting portions provided on a running toy
  • FIGS. 3A and 3B are a plan view showing first, second, and third running path portions, and a plan view showing one example of a running path formed by a combination of the first, second, and third running path portions;
  • FIGS. 4A and 4B , and 4 C and 4 D are perspective views of first and second running lane changing members as viewed from above and perspective views thereof as viewed from beneath;
  • FIGS. 5A and 5B are plan views for explaining a function of the running lane changing member in an advancing direction of the running toy, respectively;
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a manner of use of the running toy system
  • FIG. 7 is a plan view showing one example of a manner of use of the running toy system
  • FIG. 8 is a plan view showing another example of a manner of use of the running toy system.
  • FIG. 9 is a plan view showing still another example of a manner of use of the running toy system.
  • FIG. 10 is a plan view showing still another example of a manner of use of the running toy system.
  • FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a running toy system according to the present invention, wherein the running toy system includes running toys A, a running path B on which the running toys A run, and running lane changing members C which forcibly change a running direction of the running toy A.
  • Each of the running toys A does not include a steering mechanism but includes rotating driving wheels 1 that merely go straight ahead.
  • a driving mechanism for rotating the driving wheels 1 may include a spiral spring, a motor, or the like. Any driving mechanism which causes the running toy to go straight ahead can be adopted.
  • the running toy A includes projecting members 3 provided on a hood.
  • the projecting member 3 can be rotated about a supporting shaft 4 in a horizontal direction and when the projecting member 3 is rotated outwardly until the rotation is blocked by a stopper 5 , a distal end of the projecting member 3 projects from a toy main body 2 outwardly (see FIG. 2B ).
  • the running path B includes a first running path portion B 1 with a running path width allowing running of one running toy, a second running path portion B 2 with a running path width allowing at least two running toys to go by each other, and a third running path portion B 3 whose width increases from one end thereof toward the other end to connect the one end thereof to the first running path portion B 1 and the other end thereof to the second running path portion B 2 .
  • the first running path portion B 1 , the second running path portion B 2 , and the third running path portion B 3 have bottom plates and walls 7 provided on both sides of the bottom plates in a standing manner, respectively, where running path widths are defined by the walls 7 at both sides of the bottom plates.
  • the first running path portion B 1 includes a curved path portion B 1 a formed in a curved manner and a straight path portion B 1 b formed in a straight manner
  • the third running path portion B 3 includes a third running path portion B 3 a whose width increases in a clockwise direction and a third running path portion B 3 b whose width increases in a counterclockwise direction.
  • An endless running path B can be formed by combining the running path portions B 1 to B 3 (see FIG. 3B ).
  • the second running path portion B 2 and the third running path portions B 3 are formed with mounting portions 6 for mounting a running lane changing member C.
  • the mounting portion 6 is protruded in a U-shaped manner from the wall 7 of the running path outwardly, and it is formed with a fitting hole 8 at the center thereof.
  • the height of the mounting portion 6 is set to be lower than the height of the wall 7 of the running path.
  • the running lane changing member C has a base stand 10 and an engagement plate 11 with an approximately triangular shape in a plan view formed on the base stand 10 so as to project therefrom.
  • the running lane changing member C two kinds of running lane changing members, a first running lane changing member C 1 ( FIGS. 4A and 4B ) acting on a running toy A running on the endless running path B in a clockwise direction and a second running lane changing member C 2 ( FIGS. 4C and 4D ) acting on a running toy A running thereon in a counterclockwise direction, are provided.
  • the engagement plate 11 of the first running lane changing member C 1 acting on the running toy A running in the clockwise direction is set such that an engagement face 11 a having a large inclination angle is positioned on the right side and an engagement face 11 b having a small inclination angle is positioned on the left side ( FIGS. 4A and 4B ), while the engagement plate 11 of the second running lane changing member C 2 acting on the running toy A running in the counterclockwise direction is set such that an engagement face 11 a having a large inclination angle is positioned on the left side and an engagement face 11 b having a small inclination angle is positioned on the right side ( FIGS. 4C and 4D ).
  • the running lane changing member C 1 and the running lane changing member C 2 are formed in the same shape by setting the inclination angles of the engagement face 11 a and the engagement 11 b of the engagement plate 11 to be the same.
  • the height of the base stand 10 is the same as that of the wall 7 of the running path, a recessed portion 12 is formed from a bottom face of the base stand 10 in a U shape, and a fitting shaft 13 is formed at the center of the recessed portion 12 so as to project downwardly.
  • a distal end of the engagement plate 11 projects above the wall 7 of the running path to contact the projecting member 3 of the running toy A that is running, as shown in FIG. 5A .
  • the projecting member 3 of the running toy A running in the counterclockwise direction contacts the engagement face 11 b having the small inclination angle but an impact due to the contact is small, so that the running toy A can proceed into the first running path portion B 1 smoothly.
  • the running lane changing member C may be attached so as to act on only the running toy with the projecting member 3 protruded in a state that the projecting member 3 of one running toy (for example, the running toy Ab running in the counterclockwise direction) is rotated inside so as not to project outwardly and the projecting member 3 of the other running toy (for example, the running toy Aa running in the clockwise direction) is caused to project.
  • the projecting member 3 of one running toy for example, the running toy Ab running in the counterclockwise direction
  • the projecting member 3 of the other running toy for example, the running toy Aa running in the clockwise direction
  • the running toy Aa running in the clockwise direction can run on the lane of the running path B positioned on the outer peripheral side and the running toy Ab running in the counterclockwise direction can run on the lane of the running path B positioned on the inner peripheral side so that one running toy can be caused to change its running lane without performing a remote-control operation and the other running toy can be caused to run without changing its running lane, and as shown in FIG.
  • a place where a running lane change should be performed can be changed by changing the mounting position of the running lane changing member C (C 1 ) (for example, the second running path portion B 2 ) and a running state of the running toys A can be changed according to selection of the running lane changing member C or whether or not the projecting member 3 is caused to project, so that a running toy system wherein a player(s) or a user(s) can enjoy novel running toy playing can be provided.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)
US12/285,875 2007-12-17 2008-10-15 Running toy system Abandoned US20090156093A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2007009676U JP3139798U (ja) 2007-12-17 2007-12-17 走行玩具システム
JP2007-9676 2007-12-17

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20090156093A1 true US20090156093A1 (en) 2009-06-18

Family

ID=40474929

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12/285,875 Abandoned US20090156093A1 (en) 2007-12-17 2008-10-15 Running toy system

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US20090156093A1 (ja)
EP (1) EP2075045A1 (ja)
JP (1) JP3139798U (ja)
CN (1) CN201283224Y (ja)
HK (1) HK1117331A2 (ja)
TW (1) TWM352394U (ja)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20140080380A1 (en) * 2012-09-14 2014-03-20 Mattel, Inc. Toy Vehicle and Launcher

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP6193667B2 (ja) * 2013-07-29 2017-09-06 レック株式会社 走行玩具

Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3209491A (en) * 1963-04-15 1965-10-05 Roeper Leo Cylindrical runway toy
US3218757A (en) * 1964-03-24 1965-11-23 Transogram Company Inc Powered wheel vehicle and track assembly
US3438145A (en) * 1967-01-10 1969-04-15 Child Guidance Toys Inc Toy railroad track assembly
US3797404A (en) * 1973-01-31 1974-03-19 Marvin Glass & Associates System for operating miniature vehicles
US4078799A (en) * 1976-12-06 1978-03-14 Ideal Toy Corporation Toy vehicle and toy vehicle game
US4223476A (en) * 1978-10-24 1980-09-23 Tyco Industries, Inc. Blocking toy vehicle
US4227693A (en) * 1978-12-06 1980-10-14 Diker Moe Associates Toy racing track
US4249733A (en) * 1979-03-05 1981-02-10 Hasbro Industries, Inc. Toy Raceway
US4415157A (en) * 1981-09-28 1983-11-15 Ideal Toy Corporation Two-way slotless road racing game
USD280919S (en) * 1982-01-22 1985-10-08 Brio Toy Ab Rail element for a toy railway
US4940443A (en) * 1986-01-27 1990-07-10 Kurt Hesse Race track having lateral edges and bridges for retaining toy vehicles
US5928058A (en) * 1996-06-07 1999-07-27 Francis; Geoffrey V. Slot car and mechanism for guiding same

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1443081A (fr) * 1964-11-23 1966-06-24 Transogram Company Véhicules jouets guidés, à roues et à moteur, et éléments de route ou de piste pour ces véhicules
GB1189250A (en) * 1968-11-11 1970-04-22 Child Guidance Toys Inc Improvements in or relating to Toy Railroads
US7637796B2 (en) * 2005-11-04 2009-12-29 Mattel, Inc. Playset with obstacles and lane switches
JP2007209560A (ja) 2006-02-09 2007-08-23 Tomy Co Ltd 走行玩具システム

Patent Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3209491A (en) * 1963-04-15 1965-10-05 Roeper Leo Cylindrical runway toy
US3218757A (en) * 1964-03-24 1965-11-23 Transogram Company Inc Powered wheel vehicle and track assembly
US3438145A (en) * 1967-01-10 1969-04-15 Child Guidance Toys Inc Toy railroad track assembly
US3797404A (en) * 1973-01-31 1974-03-19 Marvin Glass & Associates System for operating miniature vehicles
US4078799A (en) * 1976-12-06 1978-03-14 Ideal Toy Corporation Toy vehicle and toy vehicle game
US4223476A (en) * 1978-10-24 1980-09-23 Tyco Industries, Inc. Blocking toy vehicle
US4227693A (en) * 1978-12-06 1980-10-14 Diker Moe Associates Toy racing track
US4249733A (en) * 1979-03-05 1981-02-10 Hasbro Industries, Inc. Toy Raceway
US4415157A (en) * 1981-09-28 1983-11-15 Ideal Toy Corporation Two-way slotless road racing game
USD280919S (en) * 1982-01-22 1985-10-08 Brio Toy Ab Rail element for a toy railway
US4940443A (en) * 1986-01-27 1990-07-10 Kurt Hesse Race track having lateral edges and bridges for retaining toy vehicles
US5928058A (en) * 1996-06-07 1999-07-27 Francis; Geoffrey V. Slot car and mechanism for guiding same

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20140080380A1 (en) * 2012-09-14 2014-03-20 Mattel, Inc. Toy Vehicle and Launcher

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2075045A1 (en) 2009-07-01
HK1117331A2 (en) 2009-01-09
JP3139798U (ja) 2008-02-28
TWM352394U (en) 2009-03-11
CN201283224Y (zh) 2009-08-05

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5299969A (en) Loop feature for propelled toy vehicles
US4383688A (en) Obstacle for toy vehicle track
CN207898934U (zh) 球体发射装置
CN102441280A (zh) 玩具车辆
US20090156093A1 (en) Running toy system
JP4659153B2 (ja) コマ玩具用遊戯台
JPH09299560A (ja) 遊技機の釘部品
JP3109118U (ja) コマ玩具
JP3753620B2 (ja) パチンコ機
JP3737961B2 (ja) 玩具対戦システム及び対戦玩具
JP2743056B2 (ja) ゲーム盤
JP2001246176A (ja) 玩具車両用走行コース
JP2005334207A (ja) パチンコ機の入賞装置
JP4159538B2 (ja) 球戻り防止装置を備えた遊技機
JP3987753B2 (ja) 玩具セット
CN102614671A (zh) 轨道赛车及多轨式组合赛道
JP4728377B2 (ja) 遊技機
JP4489499B2 (ja) ボウリングゲーム装置
JP7431298B1 (ja) 軌道走行玩具
JP7478790B2 (ja) ボードゲーム
JP3209603B2 (ja) ゲーム玩具
JP2009247660A (ja) 自動車玩具及び打撃ユニット
US5362050A (en) Movable body jumping mechanism for amusement devices
JPH08196687A (ja) ゲームとその駒及びゲーム盤
CN117771645A (zh) 桌面游戏

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: TOMY COMPANY, LTD., JAPAN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:HORIKOSHI, KENJI;REEL/FRAME:021749/0176

Effective date: 20080807

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION