US3854405A - High performance model vehicle racetrack - Google Patents

High performance model vehicle racetrack Download PDF

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Publication number
US3854405A
US3854405A US00368015A US36801573A US3854405A US 3854405 A US3854405 A US 3854405A US 00368015 A US00368015 A US 00368015A US 36801573 A US36801573 A US 36801573A US 3854405 A US3854405 A US 3854405A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
track section
adjacent
guide means
sections
track
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00368015A
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English (en)
Inventor
D Martin
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.)
Aurora Products Canada Ltd
Tomy Kogyo Co Ltd
Aurora Products Corp
Original Assignee
Aurora Products Corp
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
Application filed by Aurora Products Corp filed Critical Aurora Products Corp
Priority to US00368015A priority Critical patent/US3854405A/en
Priority to GB2257374A priority patent/GB1442577A/en
Priority to NL7407391A priority patent/NL7407391A/xx
Priority to DE19742427447 priority patent/DE2427447A1/de
Priority to JP49064145A priority patent/JPS5021838A/ja
Priority to FR7419721A priority patent/FR2232341A1/fr
Priority to CA201,909A priority patent/CA1003215A/en
Priority to BR4741/74A priority patent/BR7404741D0/pt
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3854405A publication Critical patent/US3854405A/en
Assigned to AURORA PRODUCTS CANADA, LTD., A CORP. OF CANADA reassignment AURORA PRODUCTS CANADA, LTD., A CORP. OF CANADA ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: CRESTON INVESTMENTS LIMITED, A CORP. OF BRITIAN
Assigned to CRESTON INVESTMENTS LIMITED reassignment CRESTON INVESTMENTS LIMITED ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: CLARKSON COMPANY LIMITED, THE, RECEIVER AND MANAGER OF AURORA PRODUCTS CANADA LIMITED
Assigned to TOMY KOGYO CO., INC. reassignment TOMY KOGYO CO., INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: CRESTON INVESTMENTS LIMITED
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • A63H18/02—Construction or arrangement of the trackway

Definitions

  • Enlarged guide areas appear at the ends of the guide grooves proximate the ends of the track section.
  • the guide areas are in at least partial alignment with like guide areas of like adjacent track sections thereby permitting relatively smooth guidance of model vehicles from one of said track sections to another of said like adjacent track sections despite misalignment between the guide grooves of said track sections.
  • the present invention relates generally to model racing vehicles, and in particular, to track sections for use therewith.
  • simulated roadbeds include streets, highways and even high speed race courses.
  • the latter have taken the form of track sections which may be assembled to simulate famous race courses with their wellknown turns, or, which may be assembled with various different-shaped sections to form as simple or convoluted a race course as suits the individual.
  • the roadbed surface which is formed includes means for guiding the miniature vehicles as well as means for providing continuous electric power thereto.
  • lt is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved model vehicle track section which is capable of interconnection with like track sections resulting in a continuous roadbed which pemiits high speed movement of model vehicles from one track section to another adjacent track section despite misalignment of the track sections or their constituent parts.
  • Substantial high speed operation of model vehicles guided by track sections can'be facilitated and substantially all of the difficulty which occurs at the interface between two like adjacent track sections due to misalignment of the guide means thereof can be eliminated by the provision of a lead-in to guide or cam the vehicle from the guide means of one track section to the guide means of an adjacent track section despite misalignment therebetween.
  • a track section for interconnection with like adjacent tracksections for guiding model vehicles comprises an elongated body having at least one longitudinally extending guide means for guiding a model vehi- -cle with respect to the track section.
  • Means are provided for removably interconnecting the track section with a like adjacent track section in a manner that the guide means of one of the like adjacent track sections substantially aligns with the guide means of the other of the like adjacent track sections.
  • Lead-in means are constructed and arranged to at least partially align with corresponding lead-in means of a like adjacent track section for smoothly guiding a model vehicle from the guide means of one of the like adjacent track sections to the guide means of the other of the like adjacent track sections.
  • This smooth guidance of a model vehicle from the guide means of one track section to the guide means of a second like adjacent track section is accomplished notwithstanding misalignment of the guide means of the respective like adjacent track sections.
  • the guide means within each track section is widened near the end thereof to form lead-in means in order that registration between the widened areas of the lead-in means is accomplished between like adjacent track sections despite lack of alignment between the guide means main portion, thereby ensuring trouble-free high speed movement of a model vehicle from one track section to the next like adjacent track section.
  • F l0. 1 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a representative form of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top plan view showing an adjacent pair of like track sections connected together in end-to-end relationship;
  • FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of a track section embodying the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of an adjacent pair of like track sections connected together in end-to-end relationship showing misalignment between the guide means thereof.
  • the track section includes a generally flat body 12 which may be formed of insulating material by any conventional method such as by being molded of plastic.
  • the body 12 may be of any shape or configuration including curved with portions thereof at different levels to form all or part of a banked curve or a portion of virtually any desired track configuration.
  • the track section 10 and its body 12 are shown as being of a generally straight, elongated configuration having a substantially flat, elongated top wall 14 which serves as a running surface with upstanding longitudinally extending side walls 16, 18 depending therefrom.
  • End walls 20, 22 depend from the underside of one end of the top wall 14, extend partially thereacross and are set back from the edge of the top wall for a purpose to be described hereinafter.
  • Each of the end walls 20, 22 has a central depending extension 24, 26, the bottom edge of which is coplanar with the bottom edge of the side walls 16, 18 for support of the track section 10 when resting upon a table top or the like (not shown).
  • Two longitudinally extending, upwardly facting guide grooves or channels 28, 30 are formed within the track section 10, have substantially parallel side walls, and extend the length of the track section 10, opening through the top walls 14 thereof and through the end walls 20, 22 respectively.
  • Two narrower pairs of grooves 32, 34, 36, 38 are associated with and equally spaced from each of the grooves 28, 30 on either side thereof.
  • the grooves 32, 34, 36, 38 likewise open through the end walls 20, 22.
  • Elongated conductor strips 40, 42, 44, 46 are inserted within and are coextensive with grooves 32, 34, 36, and 38 and supply positive and negative electrical connection to a source of electricity for powering a model vehicle in a conventional manner.
  • Adjacent conductor strips 40, '42 and 44, 46 have tabs 48, 50 and 52, 54 on the ends thereof which are bent toward one another to provide electrical interconnection between adjacent track sections 10, 100 (see FIG. 2) when said track sections are interconnected in a manner to be described hereinafter.
  • a generally rectangular projection 56 is located at the upper righthand corner of the track section 10 in a manner that its upper surface 58 is coplanar with the top wall 14, its side wall 60 being coplanar with the side wall 18 of the track section.
  • the projection 56 includes a bottom surface 62 which is located above the bottom edge of the side walls 16, 18.
  • a similar projection (not shown) is located at the diagonally opposite end of track section 10 and is similarly aligned and arranged.
  • a hook 64 is located on the laterally inward surface 66 of the projection 56.
  • the lower surface of the hook 64 is coplanar with the bottom surface 62 of the projection 56.
  • a top surface 68 of the hook 64 is located below the top surface 58 of the projection 56. The hook 64 is thus located above the bottom edge of the track section 10 and below the top surface of the track section.
  • the hook 64 includes an upstanding, angled or oblique surface 70 on the inner surface thereof which assumes an obtuse included angle with respect to the laterally inward surface 66. There is a corresponding hook having a correspondingly angled surface on the diagonally opposite end of the track section 10.
  • a recess 72 appears on the same end of the track section 10 as the projection 56 at the laterally opposite side thereof.
  • the recess 72 is bounded by two mutually perpendicular upstanding walls 74, 76 and a third mutually perpendicular laterally extending wall 78 which is parallel to the plane of the top wall 14 of the track section 10.
  • the recess 72 is open on the other sides thereof and is approximately equal in size to the size of the projection 56.
  • the wall 76, parallel to the side walls l6, 18 has an opening 78 therein which is constructed and arranged to receive a hook 64a (see FIG. 2) of a like adjacent track section 10a in a manner to be described hereinafter.
  • a lateral'detent 80 including a tongue 82 and a mouth 84, depends from the end of the top wall 14 and is constructed an arranged so that the tongue and mouth are equally distant from the longitudinal center of the top wall.
  • the tongue 82 is attached to the top wall 14 by a rigid extension 86 which does not extend out beyond the edge of the top wall 14.
  • the tongue 82 has an upper surface 88 which is located below the top wall 14 and has a lower surface 90 which is located above the lower edge of the side walls 16, 18.
  • the mouth 84 has two substantially parallel lips 92, 94 which depend from a rigid downward extension 96 which, in turn, depends from the top wall 14 without extending beyond the end thereof.
  • the interior sides of the lips 92, 94 are spaced apart by an amount approximately equal to the lateral dimension of the tongue 82 in order that a tongue 82a of a like adjacent track section 10a (see FIG. 2) may be firmly held by the mouth 84, thereby normally preventing relative lateral move ment between like track sections which are engaged.
  • Somewhat funnel-shaped guide means 98, 100 appear at the end of each of the grooves 28, 30 respectively.
  • the guide means 98, 100 are fashioned so that the narrow ends 102, 104 of the funnels are approximately the same width and in communication with the the ends of the track section for a purpose to be de scribed hereinafter.
  • a projection 56a of the track section 10a is aligned with the recess 72 of the track section 10.
  • the projection 56 of track section 10 is aligned with the recess 72a of the track section 10a.
  • the hook 64a of the track section 10a is inserted partially within the opening 78 of the track section 10a while the hook 64 of the track section 10 is inserted partially within the opening 78a of the track section 10a.
  • the tongue 82 of the track section 10 resides within the mouth 84a of the track section 10a and the tongue 82a of the track section 10a resides within the mouth 84 of the track section 10.
  • Relative lateral movement between track sections 10 and 10a of an accidental nature is thereby prevented and the oblique faces of the projections 64, 64a have resolved the lateral forces into longitudinal forces to draw the track sections 10, 10a together.
  • the conductor strip end pieces 48, 50, 52, 54 on track section 10 have made contact with their corresponding conductor strip end pieces 54a, 52a, 50a, 48a.
  • the grooves 28, of track section 10 have aligned with corresponding grooves 28a, 30a of track section 10a.
  • the angled nature of the tabs 48, 50, 52, 54 is such that a positive spring effect is created between said end tabs and the adjacent tabs 54a, 52a, 50a, 48a, of the track section 10a, and good electrical connection between the two track sections 10, 10a is thereby ensured.
  • the different angle between adjacent tabs, e.g., 48, 54a of adjacent track sections 10, 10a reduces the possibility of engagement between said adjacent tabs with the damage normally attendant thereto.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates what is the normal and intended alignment between grooves 28, 28a and grooves 30, 300, such alignment will not always occur for a variety of reasons.
  • a certain variation of components is almost certain to occur. Among the reasons for variations would be the result of the normal tolerance which is permitted in the ordinary manufacturing processes.
  • the vehicles being used thereon would be slowed by striking the next adjacent track section in passing from one track section 10 to another like adjacent tract section 10a. In extreme cases, a vehicle may be jarred sufficiently by this interference to be knocked out of the guide groove and off of the track section.
  • the lead-in means 98, 100 of the present invention prevents the aforementioned difficulties with respect to passage from a guide groove 30a in a track section 10a to a guide groove 30 in a track section 10 which is not completely aligned therewith.
  • the lead-in meansv 98, 100 of the present invention do not require perfect alignment between like adjacent track sections 10, 10a.
  • Lead-in means 98, 100 of track section 10 need not be perfectly aligned with a lead-in means 98a, 100a of a like adjacent track section 10a (see FIG. 4).
  • a misalignment between the grooves 30, 30a of the track sections 10, 10a would normally result in a vehicle guide bar carried thereby being dislodged from the track.
  • the lead-in means 98, 98a cause a vehicle guide bar, shown in phantom, to be lead from groove 30 to misaligned groove 30a by the alignment between the laterally enlarged ends of the lead-in means 98, 98a which do align.
  • lead-in means 98, 100 are shown herein having a specific configuration and relationship to the guide grooves 28, 30, it is recognized that any lead-in means configuration which accomplishes the intended purpose is considered to be within the scope of the invention as long as excessive play between like adjacent track sections is not encountered in a model vehicle moving from one of said sections to another.
  • a track section for interconnection with like adjacent track sections for guiding a model vehicle comprising anelongated body having at least two ends and a running surface, at least one longitudinally extending guide means having at least two ends and being recessed within said track section for guiding a model vehicle with respect to said track section, means for removably interconnecting said track section with a like adjacent track section in a manner that the guide means of one of said like adjacent track sections substantially aligns with the guide means of the other said like adjacent track sections, lead-in means being located adjacent a track section end and also being located adjacent an end of said guide means, said lead-in means being constructed and arranged to at least partially align with a corresponding lead-in means of a like adjacent track section for smoothly guiding a model vehicle from the guide means of one of said like adjacent track sections to the guide means of the other of said like adjacent track sections notwithstanding misalignment of said respective guide means.
  • a track section for interconnection with like adjacent track sections for guiding a model vehicle comprising an elongated body having at least two ends and a running surface, at least one longitudinally extending guide means having at least two ends and recessed within said track section for guiding a model vehicle with respect to said track section, means for removably interconnecting said track section with a like adjacent track section in a manner that the guide means of one of said like adjacent track sections substantially aligns with the guide means of the other of said like adjacent track sections, lead-in means being constructed and arranged to at least partially align with a corresponding lead-in means of a like adjacent track section for smoothly guiding a model vehicle from the guide means of one of said like adjacent track sections to the guide means of the other of said like adjacent track sections not-withstanding misalignment of said respective guide means, said lead-in means being generally funnel-shaped and having a wide end and a narrow end, said narrow end being substantially transversely coextensive with said guide means and located adjacent an end thereof, said wide end
  • a track section for aligned, linear interconnection with like adjacent track sections for use in guiding model vehicles said track section comprising an elongated body of insulating material having at least two ends, a top wall, having a running surface, with upstanding side walls depending therefrom, at least one longitudinally extending guide means formed within said track section below said top wall for use in guiding a model vehicle along said track section, a projection from each end of said track section, a laterally extending book being fixed to each of said projections, said hooks facing in laterally opposite directions, a recess in each end of said track section constructed and arranged to receive a corresponding projection of a like adjacent track section, a hook retaining means at each end of said track section spaced from the end thereof for releaseably engaging a corresponding laterally extending hook of a like adjacent track section, and de tent means located on each end of said track section for coacting with corresponding detent means of an interconnected like adjacent track section for normally maintaining said aligned linear relationship between said like adjacent track sections, said guide
  • a track section for model vehicles includes a longitudinally extending groove having substantially parallel side walls opening through saidtop wall, said lead-in means being located adjacent the end of said track section and having side walls which align with said guide means side walls on one end thereof and which diverge outwardly toward the end of said track section on the other end thereof.
  • said guide means including a channel having substantially parallel side walls opening through said top wall, said lead-in means being generally funnelshaped having a wide end and a narrow end, said narrow end being of substantially equal transverse extent with said channel and located adjacent the end thereof, said wide end of said funnel being of greater transverse extent than said channel and located adjacent the end of said track section, corresponding lead-in means of like adjacent track sections being constructed and arranged to define an enlarged guide area proximate the ends thereof.

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  • Toys (AREA)
US00368015A 1973-06-08 1973-06-08 High performance model vehicle racetrack Expired - Lifetime US3854405A (en)

Priority Applications (8)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00368015A US3854405A (en) 1973-06-08 1973-06-08 High performance model vehicle racetrack
GB2257374A GB1442577A (en) 1973-06-08 1974-05-21 High performance model vehicle racetrack sections
NL7407391A NL7407391A (pt) 1973-06-08 1974-05-31
JP49064145A JPS5021838A (pt) 1973-06-08 1974-06-07
FR7419721A FR2232341A1 (pt) 1973-06-08 1974-06-07
CA201,909A CA1003215A (en) 1973-06-08 1974-06-07 High performance model vehicle racetrack
DE19742427447 DE2427447A1 (de) 1973-06-08 1974-06-07 Modellfahrzeug-rennbahn
BR4741/74A BR7404741D0 (pt) 1973-06-08 1974-06-07 Secao de pista aperfeicoada para pista de corrida de veiculos miniatura de alto desempenho

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00368015A US3854405A (en) 1973-06-08 1973-06-08 High performance model vehicle racetrack

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3854405A true US3854405A (en) 1974-12-17

Family

ID=23449533

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00368015A Expired - Lifetime US3854405A (en) 1973-06-08 1973-06-08 High performance model vehicle racetrack

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US3854405A (pt)
JP (1) JPS5021838A (pt)
BR (1) BR7404741D0 (pt)
CA (1) CA1003215A (pt)
DE (1) DE2427447A1 (pt)
FR (1) FR2232341A1 (pt)
GB (1) GB1442577A (pt)
NL (1) NL7407391A (pt)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4091995A (en) * 1976-08-23 1978-05-30 Marvin Glass & Associates Toy vehicle track
US4195776A (en) * 1978-01-23 1980-04-01 Aurora Products Corporation Model vehicle race track

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5415755Y2 (pt) * 1975-05-30 1979-06-23
JPS5274293U (pt) * 1975-12-01 1977-06-03
GB2200297B (en) * 1987-01-02 1990-05-23 Artin Ind Co Ltd Toy car track

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3140825A (en) * 1961-01-12 1964-07-14 Minic Ltd Tracks for electrically driven model vehicles
US3206122A (en) * 1961-07-27 1965-09-14 Gilbert Co A C Toy roadbed

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3140825A (en) * 1961-01-12 1964-07-14 Minic Ltd Tracks for electrically driven model vehicles
US3206122A (en) * 1961-07-27 1965-09-14 Gilbert Co A C Toy roadbed

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4091995A (en) * 1976-08-23 1978-05-30 Marvin Glass & Associates Toy vehicle track
US4195776A (en) * 1978-01-23 1980-04-01 Aurora Products Corporation Model vehicle race track

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS5021838A (pt) 1975-03-08
CA1003215A (en) 1977-01-11
FR2232341A1 (pt) 1975-01-03
NL7407391A (pt) 1974-12-10
BR7404741D0 (pt) 1975-01-28
DE2427447A1 (de) 1975-01-02
GB1442577A (en) 1976-07-14

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Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: AURORA PRODUCTS CANADA, LTD., 6555 NORTHWEST DRIVE

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:CRESTON INVESTMENTS LIMITED, A CORP. OF BRITIAN;REEL/FRAME:003955/0717

Effective date: 19820223

Owner name: AURORA PRODUCTS CANADA, LTD., A CORP. OF CANADA, C

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CRESTON INVESTMENTS LIMITED, A CORP. OF BRITIAN;REEL/FRAME:003955/0717

Effective date: 19820223

AS Assignment

Owner name: CRESTON INVESTMENTS LIMITED, 11/F ALEXANDRA HOUSE,

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:CLARKSON COMPANY LIMITED, THE, RECEIVER AND MANAGER OF AURORA PRODUCTS CANADA LIMITED;REEL/FRAME:004757/0638

Effective date: 19840307

AS Assignment

Owner name: TOMY KOGYO CO., INC., 7-9-10 TATEISHI, KATSUSHIKA-

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:CRESTON INVESTMENTS LIMITED;REEL/FRAME:004770/0265

Effective date: 19870930

Owner name: TOMY KOGYO CO., INC.,JAPAN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CRESTON INVESTMENTS LIMITED;REEL/FRAME:004770/0265

Effective date: 19870930