US3613306A - Toy airplane and trackway - Google Patents

Abstract

THE INVENTION FEATURES A TRACKWAY COMPRISED OF RUNWAY AND TURN-AROUND SECTIONS WHEREIN THE AIRPLANE IS PROPELLED BY ROTATING LANDING GEAR WHEELS, A FLYING AREA IN WHICH ROTATING PINION WHEELS PROJECTING FROM THE WINGS OF THE PLANE MESH WITH AND ADVANCE ALONG A CONTINUOUS RACK AND AN AEROBATICS AREA IN WHICH SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE PLANE ALONG THE CONTINUOUS RACK STATIONARY PINION WHEELS MESH WITH AND ADVANCE ALONG AN ABBREVIATED RACK CAUSING THE PLANE TO SOMERSAULT.

Description

Oct. 19,1971

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ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,613,306 TOY AIRPLANE AND TRACKWAY Toshikatsu Aria, Tokyo, Japan, assignor to Tomy Kogyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan Filed June 4, 1970, Ser. No. 43,496 Int. Cl. A6311 19/24 US. Cl. 46216 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The invention features a trackway comprised of runway and turn-around sections wherein the air lane is propelled by rotating landing gear wheels, a flying area in which rotating pinion wheels projecting from the wings of the plane mesh with and advance along a continuous rack and an aerobatics area in which simultaneously with the advancement of the plane along the continuous rack stationary pinion wheels mesh with and advance along an abbreviated rack causing the plane to somersault.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a toy airplane and trackway wherein taxiing, flying and loop-to-loop aerobatics are assimilated to the enjoyment of the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Within the airplane a battery operated motor operates the non-functional airplane propeller, landing gear wheels for propelling the plane while taxiing and pinion wheels which mesh with a continuous rack to lift and carry the plane through a pre-determined flight pattern, somersaulting occuring in the aerobatics area as additional, stationary pinion wheels mesh with an additional, abbreviated rack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the trackway illustrating the toy airplane moving along the flat runway just prior to engaging the centrally disposed elevated flight rails defining the area wherein flying and aerobatics take place;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the trackway;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of one of the flight rails taken along line 33 of FIG. 2 illustrating the lower continuous rack defining the path of flight of the plane and the upper abbreviated rack defining the area wherein the plane performs aerobatics;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the flight rails taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2 illustrating the airplane at the peak of its rise along the flight rails and in particular the construction and arrangement of dual pinion Wheels formed as the terminal end of one wing and their mating relationship with the continuous and abbreviated racks of the flight rails;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one of the turn-around sections found at the ends of the runway sections of the trackway illustrating in particular the construction and location of the swivel rails formed as an integral part thereof which cooperate with designated portions of the plane permitting same to turn around through 180 while taxiing along the runway;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view illustrating the joining of adjacent runway and turn-around sections;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view illustrating the joining of flight rails to one of two base sections for the purpose of supporting the flight rails in the desired spaced relationship;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 88 of FIG. 2 illustrating a push button assembly permitting the 3,613,306 Patented Oct. 19, 1971 toy plane to be stopped at designated positions along the runway;

FIG. 9 is aside elevation view illustrating the toy plane;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view in section of the toy plane illustrating in particular the mechanism for driving the propeller, pinion wheels and landing gear wheels of the plane;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the toy plane with the top of its casing removed;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of one wing of the plane with the top casing thereof removed illustrating the stationary pinion wheel and the movable pinion wheel mounted on and for rotation with a shaft continuously run by the plane motor;

FIG. 13 is a schematic view illustrating ascent of the toy plane to the aerobatics area as the rotating pinion wheels mesh with the continuous racks within the flight rails;

FIG. 14 is a schematic view illustrating the plane somersaulting within the aerobatics area as the rotating pinion wheels continue to move the plane along the continuous rack while simultaneously the stationary pinion wheel meshes with the abbreviated racks located at the top of each flight rail; and

FIG. 15 is a schematic view illustrating descent of the toy plane.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The airplane is designated generally by reference numeral 10 and includes, as illustrated in FIGS. 9-12, upper and lower casing segments 12 and 14 secured together in conventional manner. A battery operated motor assembly 16, not described in detail herein because of its conventional construction, is suitably mounted with the plane 10. Motor assembly 16 includes manually operated switch 18 for turning the motor on and off. A casing 20 for supporting a battery for energizing the motor assembly 16 is also suitably mounted within the plane 10. In conventional manner, the motor assembly 16 powers propeller 22 and, thru the medium of gears and wheels generally designated by reference numerals 24-28 but not described in detail herein, also powers pinion wheels 30 thru shaft 32 and further powers landing gear wheels 34 thru gears 36. As seen in FIGS. 11 and 12, pinion wheel 38 is fixedly secured to one of the wings 40 of the plane while shaft 32 powering pinion wheels 30 passes therethrough.

The trackway is designated generally by reference numeral 42 and includes, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, a central flying and aerobatics area comprising flight rails 44 locked into spaced position with the use of base sections 46. As seen in FIG. 7, each end of each rail 44 is provided with parallel ribs 48 which are configured to be inserted within a corresponding open housing 50 formed as an integral part of and at each end of each base section 46. Thus, flight rails 44 are snapped in place within base sections 46 in parallel relationship. On the inwardly facing surface of each rail 44, as seen in FIG. 3, are located a first continuous rack 52 extending from one side of each rail 44 to the other defining the flight path of plane 10 and an abbreviated rack 54 located above rack 52 and within the uppermost limits of each rail 44 defining the area within which the plane performs aerobatics, in particular somersaults. As will be apparent, movement of the plane 10 through the flying area defined by rails 44 is accomplished by the rotating pinion wheels 30 meshing with and advancing along continuous racks 52 while somersaults are performed in the aerobatics area by the simultaneous meshing and advancing of stationary pinion wheel 38 and abbreviated rack 54, as seen in FIG. 4, wherein the plane 10 rotates about an axis defined by 3 shaft 32. Supports 56 are formed as an integral part of each rail 44 and positioned below rack 52 so as to stabilize flight by permitting the trailing edges of the Wings 40 to bear thereagainst during flight, as seen in FIGS. 13-15.

Disposed outwardly from each side of the aerobatics area are flat runway sections 58, provided at one end with male flanges 60 and at the other end with female flanges 62, so configured to lock in place with corresponding male and female flanges 64 and 66 formed as an integral part of base sections 46. Thus, runway sections 58 are snapped in place within base sections 46 and extend outwardly therefrom.

Disposed outwardly from runway sections 58 are turnaround sections 68 provided with male and female flanges 70 and 72, respectively, so configured to lock in place with corresponding female and male flanges 62 and 60, respectively, of runway sections 58. Thus, as seen in FIG. 6, turn-around sections 68 are snapped in place within runway sections 58 and extend outwardly therefrom.

Extending through base sections 46, runway sections 58 and selected portions of turn-around sections '68 are rails 74 within which the guide members 76 and 78 of the toy plane 10, as seen in FIG. 1, extend. Also included within and formed as a part of turn-around sections 68 are swivel rails 80 against which the guide members 82, positioned outwardly from the landing gear wheels 34 of the toy plane 10, abut. In this manner, airplane is permitted while taxiing to change direction through 180 within each turn-around section 68. As will be apparent, during movement of plane 10 through the runway sections 58 and the turn-around sections 68 the rotating landing gear wheels 34 contact the surfaces of the sections and propel the plane therealong.

Within each runway section 58 is located a push button assembly 84, as seen in FIG. 8, comprising a pivoted lever 86 terminating at one end in flange 88 and at the other end thereof in button 90. As button 90 is pushed down, flange 88 moves upwardly through an opening 92 within rails 74 obstructing movement of guide member 76 of the plane 10 halting the movement of the plane 10 along the rails 74.

As will be apparent, the present invention provides a variety of amusement features for children. When switch 18 is turned on, the motor assembly 16 immediately powers propeller 22, pinion wheels 30 and landing gear wheels 34. Throughout the runway sections 58 and the turn-around sections 68 the plane 10 is moved by the rotation of landing gear wheels 34 along the surface. As the plane enters the flying area defined by rails 44, the rotating pinion wheels mesh with continuous racks 52. The plane 10 is then airborne, as seen in FIG. 13, and begins somersaulting as stationary pinion wheel 38 meshes with the abbreviated rack 54, as seen in FIG. 14. As the aerobatics are completed, the plane 10 begins its descent, as seen in FIG. 15. Turn-around sections 68 provide excitement as the plane 10 at high speed abruptly, but safely, turns around and heads back into the flight area. Within runway sections 58 the plane 10 may be stopped by pushing button 90.

I claim:

1. An amusement device, comprising:

(a) a trackway, an elevated aerobatics area adjacent said trackway comprising upstanding side portions provided with first continuous racks, at least one of said side portions also being provided with a second rack spaced above and inwardly of at least one portion of one of said first racks; and

(b) a vehicle, means propelling said vehicle along said trackway, means further propelling said vehicle within said aerobatics area comprising first spaced apart pinion wheels mounted on shafts for rotation with respect to said vehicle, said first pinion wheels meshing with said first continuous racks of said upstanding side portions for propelling said vehicle along said first racks, at least one second pinion wheel fixedly mounted to said vehicle concentrically of one of said shafts of said first pinion wheels and spaced inwardly thereof, said second pinion wheel engaging said second rack causing said vehicle to somersault about said shafts of said first pinion wheels and motor means within said vehicle powering said shafts.

2. An amusement device as in claim 1, wherein said means propelling said vehicle along said trackway includes a continuous rail formed within said trackway terminating in the proximity of said aerobatics area and located at a position below said first continuous rack of said aerobatics area, said vehicle including wheels mounted for rotation and engaging said trackway, means operatively connecting said motor means and said wheels propelling said vehicle along said trackway, said vehicle further including means guiding said vehicle along said rail of said trackway.

3. An amusement device as in claim 1, said trackway being provided at one end thereof with a turn-around section including a portion wherein said rails diverge and terminate and a generally curvilinear swivel rail spaced therefrom and located generally in line with said rail means, said vehicle further including second guide means for engaging the inside of said swivel rail as said first guide means leaves the diverging portion of said rail means to turn said vehicle around returning said first guide means to the diverging portion of said rail means permitting said vehicle to travel in the opposite direction.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1967 Ryan et al. 46243 M 2/1957 Frank 46-2l6 X U.S. Clv X.R. 46-216

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