US20210031118A1 - Toy vehicle track accessory - Google Patents
Toy vehicle track accessory Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20210031118A1 US20210031118A1 US16/529,871 US201916529871A US2021031118A1 US 20210031118 A1 US20210031118 A1 US 20210031118A1 US 201916529871 A US201916529871 A US 201916529871A US 2021031118 A1 US2021031118 A1 US 2021031118A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- track
- pathway
- connector
- track connector
- accessory
- 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
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-
- 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
- A63H18/02—Construction or arrangement of the trackway
-
- 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
- A63H18/02—Construction or arrangement of the trackway
- A63H18/023—Track control means, e.g. switches
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- Toys (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This invention relates generally to tracks for toy vehicles, and in particular, to a track accessory for use with other track segments and toy vehicle track sets.
- Toy vehicles with wheels that roll and spin freely with minimal friction have long been a source of entertainment for children of all ages. A variety of tracks and raceways have further been developed for use with such toy vehicles. The tracks and raceways may be a simple straight track or include variations such as curves, loops, and ramps. Additionally, track sets have been developed which allow a child to assemble individual track segments in different layouts and sequences to create different raceways. While a variety of shapes and geometries for individual track segments may be found in the art, there remains an opportunity to enhance a child's play experience by providing new and unique track segments and accessories that can be used when creating toy vehicle raceways.
- A track accessory that allows for the converging or diverging of track set pathways for toy vehicles is disclosed herein. In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, the toy vehicle track accessory comprises a main body that defines a first toy vehicle pathway, a second toy vehicle pathway, and a third toy vehicle pathway. Depending on the direction in which a toy vehicle travels through the track accessory, the first and second pathways converge into the third pathway or in other instances, the third pathway bifurcates into the first and second pathways. A first track connector, a second track connector, and a third track connector are pivotably coupled to the first, second, and third pathways, respectively. The first, second, and third track connectors are each pivotable in a direction coplanar with the main body.
- The first pathway has a first end with a first angular portion, the second pathway has a second end with a second angular portion, and the third pathway has a third end with a third angular portion. The first track connector includes a protrusion that is configured to engage the first angular portion. The center of the protrusion of the first track connector is aligned proximate the vertex of the first angular portion. The second track connector includes a protrusion configured to engage the second angular portion. The center of the protrusion of the second track connector is aligned proximate the vertex of the second angular portion. The third track connector includes a protrusion configured to engage the third angular portion. The center of the protrusion of the third track connector is aligned proximate the vertex of the third angular portion.
- Each of the first, second, and third angular portions has a convex edge with an interior angle of less than 180 degrees. In one instance, the interior angles of the first, second, and third angular portions are the same. In another instance, the interior angles of the first and second angular portions are the same, but the interior angle of the third angular portion is different from the interior angles of the first and second angular portions. In yet another instance, the interior angles of the first, second, and third angular portions are all different.
- In one or more embodiments, the first pathway includes a first arcuate opening, the second pathway includes a second arcuate opening, and the third pathway includes a third arcuate opening. The first track connector includes a projection that travels lengthwise along the first arcuate opening when the first track connector is pivoted. The second track connector includes a second projection that travels lengthwise along the second arcuate opening when the second track connector is pivoted. The third track connector includes a third projection that travels lengthwise along the third arcuate opening when the third track connector is pivoted.
- In other embodiments, the first pathway includes a pair of first arcuate openings, the second pathway includes a pair of second arcuate openings, and the third pathway includes a pair of third arcuate openings. The first track connector includes a pair of first projections that travel lengthwise along the first arcuate openings when the first track connector is pivoted. The second track connector includes a pair of second projections that travel lengthwise along the second arcuate openings when the second track connector is pivoted. The third track connector includes a pair of third projections that travel lengthwise along the third arcuate openings when the third track connector is pivoted.
- The main body, first track connector, second track connector, and third track connector may each include a pair of opposing track walls. In certain instances, the track walls of the main body include widened sections sized to accommodate the track walls of the first, second, and third track connectors. In one or more embodiments, the first, second, and third track connectors each include a semicircular portion. The main body includes semicircular indentations sized to receive the semicircular portions of the first, second, and third track connectors.
- In accordance with other embodiments of the present invention, the toy vehicle track accessory comprises a main body including a first track wall on a first edge of the main body, a second track wall on a second edge of the main body opposite the first edge, and a divider between the first and second track walls. The first track wall, second track wall, and divider collectively define a first pathway and a second pathway that converge into a third pathway. A pivotable first track connector extends from the first pathway. The first track connector includes a semicircular portion positioned between the first track wall and divider. A pivotable second track connector extends from the second pathway. The second track connector includes a semicircular portion positioned between the divider and the second track wall. A pivotable third track connector extends from the third pathway. The third track connector includes a semicircular portion positioned between the first track wall and the second track wall.
- Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. It is to be understood, however, that the detailed description, drawings, and examples provided, while disclosing some embodiments, are given by way of illustration and not limitation. Many changes and modifications within the scope of the present invention may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, and the present invention includes all such modifications.
- Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout:
-
FIG. 1 provides a top view of a toy vehicle track accessory, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 2 provides a bottom view of the toy vehicle track accessory shown inFIG. 1 , in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 3 provides a close-up view of a portion of the toy vehicle accessory shown inFIG. 1 where a track connector is pivoted, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 4 provides a side perspective view of the toy vehicle accessory shown inFIG. 1 where the track connectors are pivoted in different directions, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 5 provides a top view of the toy vehicle track accessory shown inFIG. 1 where the track connectors are pivoted left, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 6 provides a bottom view of the toy vehicle track accessory shown inFIG. 5 , in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. - A track accessory for toy vehicles is described that facilitates the converging or diverging of toy vehicle pathways from different track segments and accessories. The track accessory includes a plurality of pivotable track connectors that allow the different track segments and accessories to be coupled or connected to the track accessory at various angles or orientations.
- Referring now to
FIG. 1 , an exemplary embodiment of the toy vehicle track accessory is shown. Thetrack accessory 100 is shown having three pathways that toy vehicles can travel along, specifically a first pathway A, second pathway B, and third pathway C. Depending on the orientation of thetrack accessory 100 when it is connected as part of a track set or raceway and the direction in which the toy vehicles travel through the track accessory 100 (as represented by the double arrows), thetrack accessory 100 facilitates the converging or diverging of toy vehicles traveling through thetrack accessory 100. In one instance, one or more toy vehicles enter thetrack accessory 100 via pathway A and/or pathway B. Pathway A and pathway B converge into pathway C, through which the toy vehicles exit thetrack accessory 100. In another instance, one or more toy vehicles enter thetrack accessory 100 via pathway C, which then bifurcates into pathway A and pathway B. The toy vehicles are randomly split between pathway A and pathway B as they exit thetrack accessory 100. - Though
track accessory 100 is shown as having two pathways that converge into one pathway (or one pathway that bifurcates into two pathways), other embodiments of the track accessory may include any number of converging/diverging inlet and outlet pathways. For example, the track accessory may have three pathways that merge into one pathway or two pathways that split into four pathways. Furthermore, in the illustrative embodiment shown inFIG. 1 , pathways A and B are each of a width that only allows for a single toy vehicle to travel along the pathway (i.e., single toy vehicle lane). In other embodiments, pathways A and/or B may have a width that allows for more than one toy vehicle lane such that multiple toy vehicles can travel along the same pathway concurrently. - The
track accessory 100 has a planar track surface with vertical side walls that help retain toy vehicles within the pathways while toy vehicles travel through thetrack accessory 100. InFIG. 1 , pathway A is lined in part bywalls walls walls track accessory 100 also includes adivider 118 that protrudes from the track surface. Similar to the side walls 102-116, thedivider 118 also helps retain toy vehicles within pathways A and B, as well as facilitates the converging or diverging of toy vehicles while the toy vehicles travel through thetrack accessory 100. - The
track accessory 100 has amain body 120 with threepivotable track connectors main body 120. Eachpivotable track connector coupling portion track accessory 100 to another track segment or a component of a track set. For instance, the track connector may be configured to receive a tongue-and-groove friction-fit connector and/or a snap-together nesting tab. With thepivotable track connectors track accessory 100 can be coupled with other track segments in different orders and arrangements, which gives a child the freedom to creatively construct different raceway layouts. - Referring now to
FIG. 2 in combination withFIG. 3 , the underside or bottom of pathways A, B, and C includes respectiveangular portions angular portion FIG. 3 for a representative edge) extending between two sidewalls to define corner angles θ1 (seeFIG. 3 for a representative angle) at each edge of theangular portions convex edge 201 defines an interior angle θ2 (seeFIG. 3 for a representative angle) of less than 180 degrees. For instance, in the depicted embodiment, theangular portion 202 has an interior angle θ2 of approximately 160 degrees. Furthermore, the interior angles θ2 of theangular portions angular portion 206 may be different from the interior angle θ2 ofangular portions FIG. 2 , the interior angles θ2 ofangular portions angular portion 206 is different. In other embodiments, the interior angles θ2 ofangular portions angular portions - Each
track connector straight protrusion angular portion FIGS. 3 and 4 ). The center of each ofstraight protrusions angular portion track connectors convex edge 201 defining the interior angle θ2. For example, a midpoint or center of thestraight protrusions convex edge 201 of theangular portion track connectors straight protrusions convex edge 201 of theangular portion track connectors angular portions respective track connector - As an example, in
FIG. 3 , thetrack connector 122 has been pivoted such that a right half of thestraight protrusion 208 abuts a right side of the angular portion 202 (insofar as “side” is used to described the portion of the angular portion between the vertex and the sidewall) and is prevented from being further pivoted towards the right. When thetrack connector 122 is pivoted to the left in direction G, the other half of thestraight protrusion 208 eventually abuts the left side of theangular portion 202 and thetrack connector 122 is prevented from pivoting any further in direction G. Thus, an angular portion with a smaller interior angle θ2 allows the track connector to have a wider range of movement in comparison to an angular portion with a larger interior angle θ2. - The
track connectors main body 120. That is, eachtrack connector track accessory 100 and/or a support surface on which thetrack accessory 100 is resting. For example, inFIG. 2 ,track connectors track connectors main body 120.FIG. 5 showstrack connectors angular portion 206 underneath pathway C is smaller than the interior angles θ2 of theangular portions track connector 126 is able to pivot more (e.g., angularly further) thantrack connectors track connectors track accessory 100. For example, in a raceway layout assembled using various conventional track segments and accessories, the ends of the track segments and accessories are often oriented in positions that prevent the ends from being aligned with and connected to certain track segments (e.g., preventing a closed loop from being formed). Since thetrack connectors track accessory 100 can accommodate variances in the angles at which other track segments and accessories are able to connect with thetrack accessory 100. This allows thetrack accessory 100 to be easily combined with other track segments and accessories in a variety of raceway layouts. - As shown in
FIG. 5 , thetrack walls main body 120 include widenedsections track walls divider 118 also has indentedsections track walls track walls divider 118 allow thetrack connectors track accessory 100. - In the illustrative embodiment shown in
FIG. 5 , thetrack connectors semicircular portion main body 120 includes semicircular indentations sized to receive the respectivesemicircular portions semicircular portions track connectors track connector main body 120 or vice versa. - As shown in
FIG. 6 , in at least some embodiments, thetrack accessory 100 may include pairs ofarcuate openings main body 120.Track connectors projections arcuate openings semicircular portions main body 120. Each projection travels lengthwise along its respective arcuate opening while the track connector is pivoted. For instance,track connector 122 has a pair ofprojections arcuate openings - In certain embodiments, for example as shown in
FIG. 6 , themain body 120 further comprisesadditional openings 600 that allow thetrack accessory 100 to have a lighter weight and require less material to produce/manufacture when compared to a track accessory without theadditional openings 600. Theopenings 600 are specifically positioned to create a zig-zag pattern of material which allows thetrack accessory 100 to retain sufficient rigidity to support multiple toy vehicles traveling on thetrack accessory 100 at high speeds. Furthermore, wheel surfaces 602, 604, 606 on the upper or top side of themain body 120 partially cover portions of theopenings 600 so that the wheels of the toy vehicles can smoothly roll across the openings. - Although the disclosed embodiments are illustrated and described herein as embodied in one or more specific examples, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the present embodiments and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
- Moreover, it is to be understood that terms such as “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” “height,” “length,” “width,” “upper,” “lower,” “interior,” “exterior,” “inner,” “outer” and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points or portions of reference and do not limit the present embodiments to any particular orientation or configuration. Further, the term “exemplary” may be used herein to describe an example or illustration. Any embodiment described herein as exemplary is not to be construed as a preferred or advantageous embodiment, but rather as one example or illustration of a possible embodiment.
- Finally, various features from one of the embodiments may be incorporated into another of the embodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the following claims.
Claims (20)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US16/529,871 US20210031118A1 (en) | 2019-08-02 | 2019-08-02 | Toy vehicle track accessory |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US16/529,871 US20210031118A1 (en) | 2019-08-02 | 2019-08-02 | Toy vehicle track accessory |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20210031118A1 true US20210031118A1 (en) | 2021-02-04 |
Family
ID=74259052
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US16/529,871 Abandoned US20210031118A1 (en) | 2019-08-02 | 2019-08-02 | Toy vehicle track accessory |
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US (1) | US20210031118A1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
USD915528S1 (en) * | 2019-10-25 | 2021-04-06 | Laltitude Llc | Race track toy set |
USD917631S1 (en) * | 2020-03-23 | 2021-04-27 | Laltitude Llc | Race track toy set |
US20220219096A1 (en) * | 2021-01-12 | 2022-07-14 | Mattel, Inc. | Reconfigurable toy vehicle loop |
USD960257S1 (en) * | 2020-04-29 | 2022-08-09 | Ontel Products Corporation | Toy race track bottleneck segment |
-
2019
- 2019-08-02 US US16/529,871 patent/US20210031118A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
USD915528S1 (en) * | 2019-10-25 | 2021-04-06 | Laltitude Llc | Race track toy set |
USD917631S1 (en) * | 2020-03-23 | 2021-04-27 | Laltitude Llc | Race track toy set |
USD960257S1 (en) * | 2020-04-29 | 2022-08-09 | Ontel Products Corporation | Toy race track bottleneck segment |
US20220219096A1 (en) * | 2021-01-12 | 2022-07-14 | Mattel, Inc. | Reconfigurable toy vehicle loop |
US11504639B2 (en) * | 2021-01-12 | 2022-11-22 | Mattel, Inc. | Reconfigurable toy vehicle loop |
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Owner name: MATTEL, INC., CALIFORNIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CAO, KEVIN;REEL/FRAME:050191/0072 Effective date: 20190812 |
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