US3514895A

US3514895A - Material handling toy and track system

Info

Publication number: US3514895A
Application number: US625809A
Authority: US
Inventors: John W Ryan; Howard F Newman; Lorin P Olson
Original assignee: Mattel Inc
Current assignee: Mattel Inc
Priority date: 1967-03-24
Filing date: 1967-03-24
Publication date: 1970-06-02
Anticipated expiration: 1987-06-02

Description

Jun 1970 J. w. RYAN ET AL 3,514,895

MATERIAL HANDLING TOY AND TRACK SYSTEM Filed March 24, 1967 7 Sheets-Sheet l Valli/W t;

J w we now #0 M980 A MWAVIA/ Jot/1v A d/xan/ Br L I J.W. RYAN ETAL MATERIAL HANDLING TOY AND TRACK SYSTEM June 2, 1970 7 sheets sheet 2 Filed March 24, 1967 Z? Z .0 wwf WWW 5% June 2, 1970 J w RYAN ET AL 3,514,895

MATERIAL HANDLING TOY AND TRACK SYSTEM Filed March 24, 1967 7 Sheets-Sheei 5 350 354 I I/JJA y X I ll b I /77 Whiz r025 z .Ta/M w /IV #0 W420 f Milan/M June 2, 1970 J. w. RYAN ET AL 3,

MATERIAL HANDLING TOY AND TRACK SYSTEM Filed March 24, 1967 I 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Alwwzaa Jam/ m /ww I/Iu/iffi Alia MIA Ant/M 2 0114A QW /QW,

J, w, Y ET AL 3,514,895

MATERIAL HANDLING TOY AND TRACK SYSTEM 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 June 2, 1970 Filed March 24, 1967 June 2, 1970' J. w. RYAN ET AL MATERIAL HANDLING TOY AND TRACK SYSTEM 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed March 24. 1967 #0101420 A A/iw/my/v AW /I R dew June 2, 1970 J w RYAN ET AL MATERIAL HANDLING TOY AND TRACK SYSTEM 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed March 24, 1967 Adm 0W4 0.50

4 Trot/#73 United States Patent 3,514,895 MATERIAL HANDLING TOY AND TRACK SYSTEM John W. Ryan and Howard F. Newman, Los Angeles, and Lorin P. Olson, Torrance, Califi, assignors t o Mattel, Inc., Hawthorne, Califi, a corporation of Cahfornia Filed Mar. 24, 1967, Ser. No. 625,809 Int. Cl. A63h 33/30 US. C]. 4640 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The background of the invention will be set forth in two parts:

Field of the invention The present invention pertains generally to the field of material handling toys and more particularly to such toys in combination with a track system for automatically directing the toys through predetermined material handling operations.

Description of the prior art Material handling toys are known from such United States patents as Einfalt Pat. No. 3,052,059 and Lohr et al. Pat. No. 3,128,977.

The Einfalt patent discloses a train consisting of a self-propelled vehicle and a trailer vehicle which operate on a simulated railroad goods yard including two tracks mounted on a straight base plate. The train runs on one track until it reaches one end of the base plate where the train is reversed and caused to switch over to the other track by a fixed diamond switch. The train proceeds on the other track until it reaches the other end of the base plate where it automatically discharges a load and reverses its direction proceeding again to said one end of the base plate on said other track where the train is again reversed. The train then travels in a reverse direction switching over to said one track and travelling to said other end of said base plate where the load is automatically transferred back to the train.

Although the track system disclosed in this Einfalt patent automatically directs the material handling toy through predetermined material handling operations, the toy, and track system have the disadvantage that a child user soon tires of watching the train merel travel back and forth on a single, straight base plate.

This disadvantage is partially overcome by the material handling toy and track system disclosed in the Lohr et al. patent where the track system includes a closed loop having two sidings provided thereon. The material handling toy may be directed into the sidings for uncoupling and loading operations. However, the system is not completely automatic relying upon the skill of a child-user to manipulate a manually operable lever to actuate a trip element for reversing the train from a main line onto the sidings. This track system has the further disadvantage that the loaded material may not be auto matically unloaded.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the foregoing factors and conditions characteristic of material handling toys and track systems, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a new and useful material handling toy and track system not subject to the disadvantages enumerated above and having means for automatically directing a material handling toy through predetermined material handling operations.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and useful material handling toy and track system which includes a single, pliable track adapted to be contoured into ditferent track patterns. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a toy and track system of the type described which includes an elevated dumping station and Alpine gear means for driving the toy onto the dumping station.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and useful material handling toy and track system which includes an uncoupling station, a dumping station, a switching station and a pickup station.

According to the present invention, a material handling toy is provided in combination with a track system for automatically directing the toy through predetermined material-handling operations. The track system includes a single, pliable track which may be contoured by hand to define a number of dilferent paths for the toy to follow. The toy is guided about these paths by a single, castered wheel.

Means are included for connecting the single track together in a system which automatically directs the toy through an elevated dumping station including rack means engageable by Alpine gear means provided on the toy for giving the toy suificient traction to negotiate the elevated dumping station structure. The track system also includes means for automatically directing the material handling toy under the dumping station where the load is automatically reloaded onto the toy.

If desired, the material handling toy may be used in combination with a trailer which will automatically dump its load when the toy again travels over the dumping station in a reverse direction. In addition, the track system may be provided with an uncoupling station for automatically uncoupling the trailer from the pulling vehicle and for automatically becoming reconnected to the trailer after the pulling vehicle is directed through additional material handling operations by the track system.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to like elements in the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a material handling toy and track system constituting a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the material handling toy shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the pulling-vehicle portion of the toy of FIG. 2 looking in at the bottom thereof and showing the relative positions of certain portions of'the vehicle during material dumping operations;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, partial perspective view of the toy of FIG. 2 showing certain details of construction thereof;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, elevational view, with parts broken away to show internal construction, of a reversing switch for the toy of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view, with parts broken away to show internal construction, of the vehicle shown in FIG. 3;

FIG.;7 is an enlarged perspective view of-an elevated dumping station forming a part of the track system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged, partial elevational view of the dumping station shown in FIG. 7 showing the vehicle of FIG. 3 in position thereon;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 1111 of FIG. 7 schematically showing the relationship of the toy of FIG. 2 therewith;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 schematically further showing the relationship of the toy of FIG. 2 therewith;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view showing certain details of construction of a portion of the dumping station shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged perspective view of a combined reversing and dumping station shown in the track system in FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged perspective view of an uncoupling station shown in the track system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged, partial plan view of the station shown in FIG. 15 with parts broken away to show internal construction; and

FIG. 17 is a plan view of a material handling toy and track system constituting a second embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring again to the drawings, and more particular- 1y to FIG. 1, a material handling toy and track system constituting a first embodiment of the present invention,

generally designated 10, includes a material handling toy 12 and a track system 14. The track system 14 automatically directs the toy 12 through predetermined material handling operations and includes a first track section 16 of the single-track, pliable type having a first end 18 and a second end 20. The end 20 is connected to a first track section 22 provided on a Y-connector 24 which is also provided with a second track section 26 and a third track section 28. A second pliable track section 30 has a first end 32 connected to the second track section 26 and a second end 34 connected to a first track section 36 provided on a crossing connector 38 which is also provided with a second track section 40 lying normal to the track section 36.

The first track section 36 on crossing connector 38 is also connected to a first end 41 of a third pliable track section 42 having a second end 44 connected to a first end 46 of a rigid track section 48 provided on an elevated dumping station 50. The rigid track 48 includes a second end 52 which is connected to a first end 54 of a fourth pliable track 56 having a second end 58 connected to a first rigid track section 60 provided on a second Y-connector 62 having second and third "rigid track sections 64, 66, respectively.

The track system 14 also includes a fifth pliable track section 68 having a first end 70 connected to the third rigid track section 66 on Y-connector 62 and a second end 72 connected to a first rigid track section 74 provided on a second crossing connected 76 which is also provided with a second rigid track section 78 lying normal to the track section 74. The first rigid track section 74 is also connected to a first end 79 of a sixth pliable track section 80 having a second end 82 connected to the second track section on crossing connector 38.

The track system 14 also includes a seventh pliable track section '84 having a first end 86 connected to the track section 40 and a second end 88 connected to a first rigid track section 90 provided on a third crossing connector 92 having a second rigid track section 94 provided thereon. The first rigid track section 90 is also connected to a first end 96 of an eighth pliable track section 98 having a second end 100 connected to the second rigid track section 64 on Y-connector 62. The second rigid track section 94 on cross-connector 92 is connected to a first end 102 of a ninth pliable track section 104 having a second end 106 connected to the second rigid track section on the second crossing connector 76. The second rigid track section 94 is also connected to a first end 108 of a tenth pliable track section 110 having a second end 112 connected to a first rigid track section 114 provided on an uncoupling station 116.

The uncoupling station 116- includes a mechanical switch 118 having a first rigid track section 120 connected to the end 18 of the first pliable track section 16 and a second rigid track section 122 connected to a first end 124 of an eleventh pliable track section 126 having a second end 128 connected to a first rigid track section 130 provided on a reversing station 132. A second rigid track section 134 is also provided on the reversing station 132 and is connected to a first end 136 of a twelfth pliable track section 138 having a second end 140 connected to a second rigid track section 142 provided on the uncoupling station 116. The second rigid track section 78 on crossing connector 76 is also connected to a first end 144 on a thirteenth pliable track section 146 having a second end 148 connected to the third track section 28 provided on Y- connector 24.

Referring now to FIGS. 26, the material handling toy 12 includes a pulling vehicle 150 and a trailing vehicle 152 adapted to be automatically directed by the track system 14 through predetermined material handling operations, as will be hereinafter described in detail.

The pulling vehicle 150 is of the self-propelled type and includes a chassis 154 and a body 156. The chassis 154 includes a frame 158, a pair of

front wheels

160, 162, a pair of

rear wheels

164, 166 and a castered wheel assembly 168. The frame 158 includes a pair of parallel,

spacedapart plates

170, 172 each having a front end 174 and a rear end 176. The frame 158 may be molded from suitable plastic material in a single molding step and also includes a pair of front, depending bifurcated members 178, and a pair of rear, depending

brackets

182, 184.

The

front wheels

160, 162 are rotatably mounted on an axle 186 having a first end 188 rotatably and slidably mounted in the bifurcated member 178 and a second end 190 rotatably and slidably mounted in the bifurcated member 180. The

rear wheels

164, 166 are rotatably mounted on a rear axle 192 having a first end 194 journallcd in a slot 195 provided in bracket 182 and a second end 196 journalled in a slot 197 provided in bracket 184. The

wheels

164, 166 carry Alpine gears 198, 200, respectively, (FIG. 6) for rotation thereby.

The chassis 154 also includes an electric motor 282 mounted between

plates

170, 172 for propelling pulling vehicle 150 through a pair of

output shafts

204, 206 extending over

wheels

164, 166, respectively. The

shafts

204, 206 may be knurled for increasing friction between

shafts

204, 206 and the peripheral portion 208 of an associated

wheel

164, 166. Alternatively, each shaft may carry a member 210 having a high coefiicient-of-friction. Since the Alpine gears 198, 200 are rotated by associated wheel 1'64, 166 which, in turn, are rotated by members 210 engaging the outer periphery 208, the members 210, the

wheels

164, 166 and the

gears

198, 200 constitute a gear-reduction means when vehicle 150 is propelled by running

gears

198, 200 on suitable racks, to be hereinafter described, with

wheels

164, 166 elevated above the surface over which the vehicle 150* travels. Drag on motor 202 is minimized when vehicle 150 negotiates sharp curves by (1) providing a separate output shaft for each wheel, (2) rotatably mounting each wheel on axle 192 and (3) mounting axle 192 in

slots

195, 197. The electric motor 202 is a reversible motor and receives electric current from a dry cell 212 which is mounted in frame 158 between

plates

170 and 172. The dry cell 212 is maintained in position in frame 158 by a cover member 214 which is removably connected to frame 158 by suitable latch means, such as the latch shown at 216 in FIG. 3, and is connected to a reversing switch 218 by a pair of leads 220, 222, as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 5. The reversing switch 218 is connected to motor 202 by a pair of

leads

224, 226 which, in turn, are each connected to a pair of electrical contacts 228, 230- and 232, 234, respectively for selectively reversing the polarity of battery 212 with respect to motor 202 for reversing it. The switch 218 includes a base plate 236 on which a toggle 238 is pivotally mounted by a pin 240. The toggle 238 carries a first electrical contact 242 which extends between the contacts 228 and 23-2 and a second electrical contact 244 which extends between the

contacts

230 and 234. The contact 242 includes an end 246 which is connected to the lead 222 and the contact 244 includes an end 248 which is connected to the lead 220. The toggle 238 is pivoted on pin 240 by a lever and spring assembly 250 including an actuating lever 252, which is mounted on pin 240, and a compression spring 254 having a first end 256 seated in a cavity 257, provided in lever 252, and a second end 258 connected to toggle 238 by a ball element 260. The ball 260 is slidably mounted in a slot 262 provided in toggle 23 8 and is moved to the position shown in FIG. 5 under the influence of spring 254 when lever 252 is swung in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 5, and is moved to the other end 264 of slot 262 when lever 252 is swung in a counterclockwise direction. When ball 20 is moved to its FIG. 5 position, spring 252 creates a couple about pivot pin 240 pivoting toggle 238 in a counterclockwise direction for bringing contact 242 into engagement with contact 232 and contact 244 into engagement with contact 230 to operate motor 202 in one direction. When ball 260 is moved to end 264 of slot 262, toggle 238 is rotated in a clockwise direction bringing contact 242 into engagement with contact 228 and contact 244 into engagement with contact 234 for reversing the direction of rotation of motor 202. The spring 254 consittutes an over-centre device for moving the ball 260 to the ends of slot 262 as soon as lever 252 is moved past a predetermined central position and is held captive in lever 252 by a pair of pins 266, 268. The lever 252 may be moved to an off position, as shown in FIG. 5, by pivoting it further in a clockwise direction after ball 260 has reached its FIG. 5 position so that a pin 270, carried by lever 252, will move contact 244 from engagement with contact 230* to the intermediate position shown in FIG. 5 where contact 244 lies between

contacts

230 and 234.

The Wheel assembly 168 includes a wheel 272 having a peripheral groove 274 adapted to engage the track sections forming track system 14 for guiding the vehicle 150 around the various paths provided by the track system 14. The wheel 272 is rotatably mounted in a fork assembly 276 by an axle 278 and is given rotation about a vertical about a vertical axis by rotatably mounting the fork assembly 276 on frame 158 by suitable pivot means (not shown).

The body 156 includes a simulated truck cab 280 having a simulated front bumper 282, a simulated mud guard 284 and simulated windows 286, all of which may be integrally formed a from a suitable plastic material during a molding operation.

The body 156 also includes a dump box 288 having a front wall 290,

parallel side walls

292, 294, a bottom wall 296 and a swingable tailgate 298. The box 288 is pivotally connected to ends 176 of

plates

170, 172 by a pair of pins, like the one shown at 300 in FIG. 3, engaging depending tabs, like the one shown at 302 in FIG. 3, affixed to bottom wall 296 adjacent tailgate 298. The box 288 may be swung from the position shown in FIG. 2 to the elevated position shown in FIG. 3 by engaging a simulated tool box 304, which is carried by the box 28 8, with a simulated guard rail 306, as shown in FIG. 10, which is provided on the elevated dumping station 50. When so elevated, the box 288 will automatically discharge material, such as a plurality of marbles 308 (FIG. 10) which are directed to a discharge opening 310 provided in a hopper 312 formed in box 288 by a rearwardly and downwardly sloping portion 314 of bottom wall 296 and

parallel hopper walls

316, 318 provided in box 288. The

hopper walls

316, 318 each includes a narrow front portion 320 and a wide rear portion 322 connected together by a transition section 324. The path of travel of the marbles 308 as they leave box 288 is controlled by a pair of

baffie plates

326, 328 provided on tailgate 298. The dump box 288 includes a camming surface 330 formed by a simulated guard plate 332 connected to front wall 290 and extending over cab 280. The tailgate 298 is automatically opened when the box 288 is elevated by a push rod 334 having a first end 336 engaging tailgate 298 and a second end 338 connected to a first end 340 of a rod 342 having a second end 344 seated in a socket 346 provided in bottom wall 296.

The trailing vehicle 152 is of the four-wheeled type having a pair of front wheels, like the one shown at 348 in FIG. 2, and a pair of rear wheels 350, 352 rotatably connected to a trailer body 354 by suitable means (not shown). The trailer body 354 includes a front Wall 356, a bottom wall 358, a pair of

side walls

360, 362 and a swingable tailgate 364. The bottom wall 358 slopes rearwardly and downwardly to a discharge opening 366 formed in body 354 adjacent tailgate 364 by

hopper walls

368, 370 for discharging suitable material, such as marbles 308, from body 354 when tailgate 364 is swung to an open position by an L-shaped arm 372 extending outwardly from tailgate 364. The arm 372 includes a depending finger 374 engageable with a second guard rail 376 (FIG. 12) provided on the elevated dumping station 50 for camming the tailgate 364 to an open position. The body 354 also includes a camming surface 378 formed by a simulated guard plate 380' extending forwardly from front wall 356.

The trailing vehicle 152 may be releasably connected to the pulling vehicle by a tongupe 382 having a first end 384 (FIG. 4') pivotally connected to body 354 by a bushing 386 which is journalled in a pair of

flanges

388, 389 affixed to body 354. The tongue 382 includes a free end 392 which carries a frusto-conical member 394 en gageable between a fixed jaw 396 and a swingable jaw 398 of a trailer hitch 400 afiixed to the end 176 of

plates

170, 172 on frame 158.

The fixed jaw 396 is carried by a beam 402 having a first end 404 afiixed to end 176 of plate (FIG. 3) and a second end 406 (FIG. 4) afiixed to end 176 of plate 172. The fixed jaw 396 includes a pair of

parallel arms

408, 410 each having an end 412 affixed to beam 402 and a free end 414 which is bevelled, as indicated at 416 in FIG. 4. The swingable jaw 398 is carried by a substantially U-shaped member 418 having a bight portion 420 and

parallel arms

422, 424. The

arms

422, 424 each includes a free end 426 which is pivotally connected to frame 158 by a pivot pin 428 engaging a tab 430' carried by frame 158. The swingable jaw 398 includesa bight portion 432 and parallel arms 434, 436 and is biased into engagement with fixed jaw 396 by a spring member 438 having a first end 440 connected to member 418 and a second end 442 connected to beam 402. The underside 444 of swingable jaw 398 is bevelled, as indicated at 446 in FIG. 4, so that the frusto-conical member 394 will spread swingable jaw 398 away from fixed jaw 396 automatically moving to a locked position between jaws 396-, 398 when member 394 is impacted by hitch 400.

The hitch 400 also includes an automatic uncoupling means 450 having an uncoupling lever 452 swingably connected by a pin 453 to a depending tab 454 carried by the free end 422 of member 418. The lever 452 carries a cam 456 at its end above pin 453 and an arcuate finger 458 below pin 453. The cam 456 is adapted to engage a plate 460 when lever 452 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 4, to swing member 418 about its pivot pins 428 for opening swingable jaw 398 to release member 394. However, when lever 452 is swung in a clockwise direction the cam 456 does not engage plate 460 so that the member 418 is not swung. The automatic uncoupling means 450 is adapted to automatically uncouple the trailing vehicle 152 from the pulling vehicle 150 at the uncoupling station 116 by engaging finger 458 with an upstanding peg 462, provided on uncoupling station 116, when the pulling vehicle 150 is travelling in the direction of arrow 464 (FIG. 4). The pulling vehicle 150 may then be reconnected to the trailing vehicle 152 by reversing the direction of travel of the pulling vehicle 150 to engage the hitch 400 with the member 394. Damage to the member 418 at this time is minimized by a plate 466 which is aflixed to beam 402 in an upstanding position in front of member 418.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-13, the elevated dumping station 50 includes a bridge 468 having a first end 470 supported by a first pedestal 472 and a second end 474 supported by a second pedestal 476. The bridge 468 includes a bed 478 having a substantially horizontal intermediate portion 480 and downwardly sloping ends 482, 484 to which first, second and

third sections

486, 488 and 490, respectively, of track 48 are afiixed. The intermediate portion 480 of bed 478 includes a first edge portion 492 to which the simulated guard rail 306 and a first material-handling hopper 494 are affixed and a second edge portion 496 to which the second simulated guard rail 376 and a second material-handling hopper 498 are afilxed. The

hoppers

494 and 498 each includes a depressed floor 500 which slopes downwardly and outwardly to a discharge opening 502 provided therein and an encompassing wall 504 for guiding suitable material, such as the marbles 308, to an associated discharge opening 502. Discharge of material from each

hopper

494, 498 is controlled by a discharge gate 506 swingably connected to an associated wall 504 by a pair of pivot pins 508, 510 and biased to a closed position by a spring 512. Each gate 506 may be swung to an open position for discharging material from an associated

hopper

494, 498 by engaging a depending tab 514 provided thereon with the camming surfaces 330, 378 provided on the pulling vehicle 150 and the trailing vehicle 152, respectively. Marbles 308 are prevented from rolling off end 474 of edge portion 492 by an L-shaped baffie board 516 having a first end 518 afiixed to guard rail 306 and a second end 520 extending into engagement with an upstanding rack means 522 extending across bridge 468 adjacent rigid track 48. A second baffle board 524 extends from the guard rail 376 into engagement with a second rack means 526 extending across bridge 468 adjacent rigid track 48 in parallel, spaced-apart relationship with the first rack means 522. The rack means 522, 526 each includes a plurality of teeth 528 engageable with the Alpine gears 198, 200 on pulling vehicle 150 for elevating the

wheels

164, 166 out of engagement with bed 478 of bridge 468 to reduce the speed of vehicle 150 as it travels across bridge 468 assuring satisfactory dumping operations when simulated tool box 304 rides up on trail 306 to elevate box 288.

The elevated dumping station 50 also includes a first ramp 530 having a first end 532 connected to end 474 of bridge 468 and a second end 534 which carries the first end 46 of rigid track 48 having a section 536 extending along ramp 530 in alignment with section 490 of track 48 on bridge 468. The third and fourth rack means 538, 540 are provided on ramp 530 in alignment with first and second rack means 522, 526, respectively, and include a plurality of teeth 542 engageable by Alpine gears 198, 200 for reducing the gear ratio and improving the traction of vehicle when it climbs ramp 530 to gain access to bridge 468.

The elevated dumping station also includes a second ramp 544 having a first end 546 connected to end 470 of bridge 468 and a second end 548 provided with the second end 52 of track 48 having a section 550 extending across ramp 544 in alignment with section 488. Fifth and sixth rack means 552, 554 extend across ramp 544 in alignment with

rack sections

522, 526, respectively, and include teeth 556 engageable by Alpine gears 198, 200 for reducing the gear ratio and increasing the traction of vehicle 150 as it climbs ramp 544.

When vehicle 150 travels across bridge 468 in the direction of arrow 556, the simulated tool box 304 will engage rail 306, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, elevating box 288 so that marbles 308 will be discharged through opening 310 and directed into hopper 498 by baflle 326 on tailgate 298. The arm 372 on trailing vehicle 152 bypasses rail 306 so that material carried in the trailing vehicle 152 is not dumped. When

vehicles

150, 152 travel across bridge 468 in the direction of arrow 558, on the other hand, tool box 304 bypasses rail 376, as shown in FIG. 11, and arm 372 engages rail 376, as shown in FIG. 12, swinging tailgate 364 to an open position so that material contained in trailer body 354 will be dumped into hopper 494. After dumping their loads, the

vehicles

150, 152 are directed, by the track system 14 in a manner to be hereinafter described, under the

hoppers

494, 498. As the pulling vehicle 150 approaches the tab 514 on a particular hopper, an associated rack means, like the ones shown at 560 and 561, respectively, in FIGS. 1 and 7 in association with the tab 514, engages Alpine gears 198, 200 to reduce the speed of the

vehicles

150, 152 sufliciently that the associated

hoppers

494, 498 will have time to discharge its stored marbles when one of the camming surfaces 330, 378 swings an associated gate 506 to an open position. The camming surface 378 and the tab 514 on hopper 494 are at a higher elevation than the camming surface 330 and the tab 514 and the hopper 498 so that the hopper 498 will be discharged into the pulling vehicle 150 and the hopper 494 will be discharged into the trailing vehicle 152.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 15 and 16, the uncoupling station 116 includes a base plate 562 having a first end 564, a second end 566 and an intermediate portion 568 upon which the rigid track section 114, the mechanical switch 118 and the second rigid track section 142, respectively, are mounted. The track section 114 is mounted between a pair of caging blocks 570', 572 which are mounted on end 564 for caging the rear wheels 350, 352 on trailing vehicle 152 when pulling vehicle 150* pulls trailing vehicle 152 onto plate 562 in the direction of arrow 464 so that uncoupling lever 452 (FIG. 2) will engage peg 462 uncoupling trailing vehicle 152. The track section 114 includes an end 574 which lies adjacent a rigid track section 576 provided on the intermediate portion 568 and having an end 578 lying adjacent an end 580 of track section 142 and adjacent a deflector 582. The deflector 582 directs vehicle 150 onto a rigid track section 584 from

track sections

142 and 576. The track section 584 includes an end 586 lying adjacent a fixed end 588 of a swingable track section 590 swingably mounted on mechanical switch 118 by a pivot pin 592 for directing vehicle 150 from track section 584 to track section 122 when the swingable track section 590 is swung to the broken line positionshown in FIG. 16 by a push rod 594. The push rod 594 includes a first end 596 and a second end 598 and is reciprocally mounted in the base plate 562 by a plurality of U-shaped clips 600. The end 598 carries an upstanding lug 602 positioned adjacent end 564 of base plate 562 for engagement by a first depending tab 604, provided on vehicle 150 (FIG. 3), for pushing rod 594 against swingable track section 590 to swing it to the broken line position shown in FIG. 16 when vehicle 150 enters end 564 travelling in the direction of arrow 464. When push rod 594 reaches the end of its track swinging stroke, the wheel 272 (FIG. 3) of vehicle 150 will ride up on an elevated portion 606 of track section 114 permitting depending tab 604 to clear lug 602. The push rod 594 is returned to the position shown in FIG. 15 by swingable track section 590 when it is swung from the broken line position shown in FIG. 16 to its solid line position by another push rod 608 having a first end 610 engageable with track section 590 and a second end 612 which carries an upstanding lug 614. The push rod 608 is reciprocally mounted on the base plate 562 by a pair of U-shaped clips 616, 618 and is pushed into engagement with track section 590 by a second depending tab 619 provided on vehicle 150 (FIG. 3) when vehicle 150 is directed onto track section 584 after entering track section 142 in the direction of arrow 620. After vehicle 150 has pushed rod 608 sufficiently to swing track section 590 to its FIG. 16 position, actuating lever 252 on reversing switch 218 engages a fixed pin 622 provided on base plate 562 causing the vehicle 150 to reverse its direction of travel and back into engagement with member 394 on tongue 382 for reconnecting the trailing vehicle 152 to vehicle 150. During this backing operation, the speed of vehicle 150 may be retarded by a rack means 624 mounted on base plate 562 for engagement by the Alpine gear 200'. A pair of curved,

guide rails

626, 628 are mounted on base plate 562 for guiding the

rear wheels

164, 166 of vehicle 150 into proper alignment with member 394 on tongue 382. A short track section 629 accommodates wheel assembly 168 at this time. The rack means 624 is carried by a bracket 630 having a lug 632 engageable by actuating lever 252 on reversing switch 218 for again reversing vehicle 150 so it will travel forwardly after picking up the trailing vehicle 152. Since the swingable track section 590 was previously swung to its FIG. 16 position by the push rod 608, vehicle 150 and trailer 152 will leave uncoupling station 116 by following

track sections

629, 584, 590 and 120. The vehicles will then move onto end 18 of track section 16. Proper swinging movements of the track section 590 are assured by an over-centre spring 634.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 14, the reversing station 132 includes a base plate 636 upon which the

rigid track sections

130, 134 are mounted. The track section 130 is aligned with a crossing section 638 and an arcuate section 640 having an end 642 lying adjacent a directing member 644 which directs a vehicle 150 travelling in the direction of arrow 646 on to a short track section 648 aligned with end 642 of arcuate track section 640. The short track section 648 is aligned with a second crossing section 650 and a curved track section 652 having an end 654 aligned with a track section 656 which is mounted on base plate 636 adjacent a stop member 658 adapted to be engaged by actuating lever 252 on reversing switch 218 when vehicle 150 travels on track section 656 in the direction of arrow 646. This reverses vehicle 150 onto a track section 660 having a first end 662 positioned adjacent track sections 652 and 656 and a second end 664 positioned adjacent a short track section 666 aligned with crossing 638 for directing vehicle 150 across crossing 638 and onto a track section 668 aligned with crossing section 638 at right angles to section 130. Thus, the vehicle 150 backs along track section 660 in the direction of arrow 670 and backs into a dumping station 672 including parallel racks 674, 676 which reduce the speed of vehicle 150 while the simulated tool box 304 engages a ramp 678 elevating box 288 dumpingsuitable material contained therein, such as marbles 308, into a storage box 680. At this time, reversing switch 218 on vehicle 150 is actuated by a tab 682 provided on base plate 636 in dumping station 672 causing vehicle 150 to move forwardly in the direction of arrow 684. As vehicle 150 moves forwardly in the direction of arrow 684, track section 666 directs vehicle 150 onto a curved track section 686 which, in turn, directs vehicle 150 onto the second crossing section 650 from whence vehicle 150 travels onto a track section 688. The track section 688 includes an end 690 which is positioned adjacent an end 692 on track section 134 and an end 694 of directing member 644. The end 694 directs vehicle wheel 272 onto end 692 of section 134 from whence vehicle 150 travels onto the twelfth pliable track section 138 in the direction of arrow 696. The vehicle 150- then travels along track section 138 to uncoupling station 116 and picks up trailing vehicle 152. The

vehicles

150 and 152 then leave uncoupling station 116 on the first pliable track section 16 traveling in the direction of arrow 698. During travel in this direction, the box 680 may be removedfrom dumping station 672 and emptied into vehicle 150. The vehicle 150 may then be stopped by moving switch 218 to its off position or, alternatively, the vehicle 150 may be permitted to travel through another cycle of material handling operations. The box 680- is mounted in a recess 700 provided in dumping station 672 behind ramp 678, racks 674, 676 and a guide rail 702. The guide rail 702 has a curved, forward portion 704 which cooperates with a curved portion 706 on rack 674 to guide the rear wheel 166 on vehicle 150 into a proper position in dumping station 672. In like manner, a curved section 708 on ramp 678 and a curved section 710 on rack 676 guide rear wheel 164 into position. Additional guidance is given the

rear wheels

166, 164 by

guide rails

712, 714, respectively, which are provided on base plate 636 forwardly of and approximately centred between associated

curved portions

704, 706 and sections 708, 710', respectively.

Operation of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in connection with FIG. 1. A child-user of the material handling toy and track system 10 may be instructed to place the pulling vehicle 150 and the trailing vehicle 152 on the pliable track section 16 to the left of connector 24, as viewed in FIG. 1, facing in the direction of arrow 698. The trailing vehicle 152 may then be connected to the pulling vehicle 150 which may be energizer by switch 218 to move forwardly onto connector 24 where track section 22 directs wheel 272 of vehicle 150 onto track section 26 which, in turn, directs vehicle 150 onto pliable track section 30. The

vehicles

150, 152 travel along track section 30 in the direction of arrow 698 to crossing connector 38 where track section 36 directs vehicle 150 onto pliable track section 42 which directs the vehicle 150 onto the ramp 530. Vehicle 150 pulls trailing vehicle 152 up ramp 530 and across bridge 468. As vehicle 150 crosses bridge 468, simulated tool box 304 engages simulated guard rail 306 elevating box 288 dumping marbles 308 into hopper 498. The

vehicles

150, 152 then travel down ramp 544 and onto track section 56 travelling in the direction of arrow 716. Section 56 directs vehicles 150', 152 onto connector 62 where track section 60 directs wheel 272 onto track section 66 causing

vehicles

150, 152 to travel onto track section 68 in the direction of arrow 716.

Vehicles

150, 152 then travel across connector 76 onto track section 80' and across connector 38 onto track section 84 following a path defined by arrow 716. Track section 84 directs vehicles 152 across rack means 561 where the speed of Vehicle 150 is reduced while camming surface 330 on vehicle 150 swings gate 506 to an open position discharging marbles 308 from hopper 498 into the vehicle 150 while

vehicles

150, 152 continue travelling toward end 88 of track section 84. The

vehicles

150, 152 are then directed across connector 92 onto flexible track section 98 traveling along a path defined by arrows 716 to connector 62 which directs the

vehicles

150, 152 onto track section 56 travel ling toward elevated dumping station 50.

Vehicles

150, 152 then leave track section 56 and climb ramp 544 onto bridge 468. As

vehicles

150, 152 travel across bridge 468, arm 372 on trailing vehicle 152 engages simulated guard rail 376 swinging tailgate 364 open to discharge marbles 308 into hopper 494.

Vehicles

150, 152 continue travelling across bridge 468 during this dumping operation and proceed down ramp 530 to track section 42 travelling in the direction of arrow 718. The

vehicles

150, 152. then cross connector 38 and move onto track section 30 following a path defined by arrows 720 until the vehicles reach connector 24 where track section 26 directs them onto track section 28 which, in turn, directs them onto track section 146. The

vehicles

150, 152 travel along track section 146 and across connector 76 onto track section 104 following a course defined by arrows 720. The track section 104 leads

vehicles

150, 152 across rack means 560 which reduces the speeds of

vehicles

150, 152 sufficiently that the marbles in hopper 494 will have time to discharge into trailer body 354 when camming surface 378 swings gate 506 to an open position. After leaving rack means 560, the vehicles continue travelling on track section 104 to end 102 where

vehicles

150, 152 cross connector 92 onto track section 110 and travel therealong following a path defined by arrows 722 to the uncoupling station 116 where trailing vehicle 152 is disconnected from vehicle 150 which travels across station 116 to track section 126 along which it travels following a path defined by arrows 724 to reversing station 132.

When vehicle 150 reaches reversing station 132, it is reversed in a manner heretofore described and dumps its load into box 680. The vehicle 150 then moves forwardly out of dumping station 672 and onto track section 138 which it follows in the direction of arrow 726 to uncoupling station 116 where it again becomes coupled to the trailing vehicle 152 and leaves uncoupling station 116 on track 16 ready to repeat the material handling operations.

Referring now to FIG. 17, a material handling toy and track system constituting a second embodiment of the present invention, generally designated a, includes a pliable track member 728 Which has a first end 730 connected to ramp 530 on elevated dumping station 50 and a second end 732 connected to the ramp 544 on the elevated dumping station 50. The track member 728 may then be arranged in a FIG. 8 pattern with one run 734 thereof passing under dumping station 50 and the rack means 560.

In use, the pulling vehicle 150 may be placed on track member 728 facing in the direction of arrow 736 on the right hand side of ramp 530, as viewed in FIG. 17. The vehicle 150 may then be energized so that it runs in the direction of arrow 736 passing over elevated dumping station 50, around a path defined by arrows 738, over rack means 560, under elevated dumping station 50 and back to a point of beginning adjacent the right hand side of dumping station 50. The vehicle 150 will automatically dump its marbles into hopper 498 on elevated dumping station 50 each time vehicle 150 passes thereover and will automatically be reloaded with marbles 308 when vehicle 150 passes under dumping station 50.

While the particular material handling toys and track systems herein shown and described in detail are fully capable of attaining the objects and providing the advantages hereirrbefore stated, it is to be understood that they are merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A material handling toy and track system combination, comprising:

a self-propelled vehicle including means for hauling a material to be handled by said toy and dumping means for automatically dumping said material from said vehicle;

a track system for automatically directing said vehicle on a predetermined course, said track system including a plurality of curved sections defining a closed, endless path; and

material handling means connected to said track system in the path of travel of said vehicle, said material handling means including means for automatically actuating said dumping means on said vehicle, means for directly receiving and holding dumped material, and means for automatically reloading said material onto said vehicle during continued travel of said vehicle on said track system, said material handling means including an elevated dumping station having said actuating means provided thereon and including hopper means for receiving and holding said material dumped from said vehicle, said track system including means for directing said vehicle under said elevated dumping station after said material has been dumped into said hopper means, said reloading means comprising a gate swingably connected to said hopper means for actuation by said vehicle when it travels under said elevated dumping station.

2. A combination as stated in claim 1 including a trailing vehicle connected to said self-propelled vehicle, said trailing vehicle including means for automatically dumping material therefrom, said elevated dumping station in cluding means for automatically actuating said trailer dumping means when said trailing vehicle travels over said elevated dumping station in a direction opposite to that travelled by said self-propelled vehicle When it is caused to dump its material into said hopper means, said elevated dumping station including storage means for receiving material dumped from said trailing vehicle, said track system including means for automatically directing said vehicles under said storage means after said trailer dumping means has been actuated, said reloading means including swinga'ble means connected to said storage means and engageable by said trailing vehicle when it travels under said storage means to release said dumped material from said storage means.

3. A combination as stated in claim 2 including an uncoupling station connected in said track system for uncoupling said trailing vehicle from said self-propelled vehicle without interrupting the travel of said selfpropelled vehicle on said predetermined course.

4. A combination as stated in claim 3 including a re versing station connected in said track system for receiving said self-propelled vehicle after it leaves said uncoupling station and for reversing said self-propelled vehicle into a dumping position, said reversing station including means for actuatng said dumping means on said self-propelled vehicle automatically when said self-propelled vehicle is reversed on said reversing station, said track system including a track section connecting said reversing station to said uncoupling station for directing said self-propelled vehicle back to said uncoupling station after said selfpropellcd vehcle has been reversed and dumped at said reversing station, said uncoupling station including means for automatically coupling said trailing vehicle to said self-propelled vehicle and for directing said coupled vehicles back onto said track system.

5. A combination as stated in claim 4 wherein said sections of said track system comprise single, pliable track sections and wherein said self-propelled vehicle includes a single, castered wheel for following said pliable track sections.

6. A combination as stated in claim 5 wherein said self- 13 propelled vehicle includes Alpine gear means and wherein said material handling means includes rack means engageable by said Alphine gear means for reducing the speed of said self-propelled vehicle during dumping and reloading operations.

7. A combination as stated in claim 6 wherein said means for automatically dumping said material from said self-propelled vehicle comprises a dump box pivotally mounted on said self-propelled vehicle and a simulated tool box carried by said dump box in a position to engage said actuating means on said material handling means for swinging said dump box to a dumping position.

8. A combination as stated in claim 7 wherein said selfpropelled vehicle includes a frame having a pair of rear wheel-supporting brackets depending therefrom, each of said brackets having an elongated slot provided therein, an axle rotatably mounted in said slots, a pair of rear wheels rotatably mounted on said axle, said Alpine gears being aflixed to said rear wheels, and an electric motor mounted in said frame, said motor having an output shaft extending over each of said rear wheels.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,799,119 7/1957 Bonanno 46243 XR 2,882,644 4/ 1959 Bonanno et al. 462l6 XR 2,977,713 4/1961 Alelyunas 46-21 6 XR 3,016,024 1/1962 Silver 46-216 XR 3,117,755 1/1964 Kretzmer 46-216 XR 3,128,977 4/ 1964 Lohr et a1. 46-216 XR F. BARRY SHAY, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.