WO2011054984A1

WO2011054984A1 - Racetrack game for playgrounds

Info

Publication number: WO2011054984A1
Application number: PCT/ES2010/000444
Authority: WO
Inventors: Francisco PEÑALVER MOTAS
Original assignee: Penalver Motas Francisco
Priority date: 2009-11-03
Filing date: 2010-11-02
Publication date: 2011-05-12

Abstract

The invention relates to a game for playgrounds which comprises one or more vehicles (2) that slide along a rail (1) with a characteristic shape that prevents the vehicle (2) from coming off the rail (1) while allowing limited tilting and the adjustment of the force required to achieve sliding. The rail (1) has a narrow section or neck (10) with Teflon slides (6) engaged thereon, or else a guide part enabling the unit to slide. The vehicles (2) are made up of two sides (4) strutted by the handlebar and the seat of the simulated vehicle.

Description

RACE CIRCUIT SET FOR PARKS

CHILDREN

D E S C R I P C I Ó N

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, according to the title of the present specification, to a children's game consisting of a motorcycle circuit for children designed for implantation in playgrounds of playgrounds and related places.

More specifically, it is a game for playgrounds based on the toy known as "corridors" in the form of a motorcycle in a preferred embodiment but can use any other motif (animals, cars, etc.) guided on two or more cylinders parallel through a guide piece that provides stability while allowing lateral swaying and longitudinal sliding.

An improved guide piece specifically configured to carry out the invention is also described, further improving its operation.

FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

This invention will have application within the urban furniture and garden elements manufacturing industry, as well as in the toy industry.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Numerous games currently available for children consist of imitations of vehicles from the world of adults. It is possible to see in many public places rockers with forms of motorcycle, car, truck, etc.

There are also mechanical games in which the imitated vehicle moves through a mechanism, producing balances that simulate the movement. However, it is not known by the holder of the present report the existence of a game consisting of parallel cylinders arranged on the ground on which the vehicles slide, simulating a racing circuit.

The present invention allows competitions of two or more people to be carried out simultaneously, thus being of the liking of a greater spectrum of ages than with respect to the traditional rockers and current roundabouts.

The children's racing circuit does not have moving parts, which eliminates any possible risk of entrapment. In addition, it allows to regulate the sliding resistance that must be overcome to advance the vehicle, so that excessive speeds are avoided and in addition its use involves the realization of a certain healthy and fun physical effort for children.

By sacrificing the advantage of lacking moving parts, it is possible to achieve a better operation of the invention as well as to eliminate the requirement that the rail on which the vehicles slide is a cylinder, thanks to the inclusion of a series of improvements in the part which serves as a guide, so that its application reverts to certain advantages that improve operation and allow a greater range of possibilities for game design. EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

The child racing circuit that is recommended is configured from rails arranged on the ground that will serve to define the circuit as vehicles will travel on them. These rails have a base that rests directly on the ground, and on it a rail of dimensions such that they coincide with the measurements of the vehicle that will go on it. By including a guide piece that improves slippage, any type of section for the rails is allowed.

The vehicles in their exterior aspect do not differ too much from the usual corridors, consisting of a seat for the child and a handlebar so that it can be grabbed, using for this reason any decorative motif to imitate, be they motorcycles, animals, cars etc.

On the inside of the vehicle, Teflon slides are hidden behind the wheels, the outermost part of which will be properly rounded so as to avoid the danger of entrapment. The sliders fit between the base of the rail and the upper cylinder so that it is not possible to separate the vehicle from the rail. Likewise, the groove between the base and the cylinder allows a limited lateral balance that does not imply a risk of overturning.

These teflon slides, or any other material with similar characteristics, are attached to the internal parts of the outer casing of the device by simple screws, which will also be hidden. The use of nuts will allow modifying the tightening of the sliders to the cylinder, thus modulating the resistance that the vehicle will offer to its sliding. The sliders will have two faces, being arranged on an L-shaped angle, thus presenting at each end of the vehicle a horizontal and a vertical support. These Teflon slides can be replaced by an improved guide piece formed from a hollow drawer that is located at the top of the circuit and has several rotating rollers that rest on it. On the sides of the drawer containing the rollers there are two connecting strips that allow the aforementioned drawer to be joined with a pair of lower drawers that rest on the bottom of the circuit, and which consist, in the same way as in the upper drawer, of rotating rollers. The joint action of the upper drawer and lower drawers prevents the vehicle from leaving the circuit, as well as avoiding sharp turns of the vehicle. The upper drawer has on its upper face an adjustment plate and a vehicle support structure, which will be arranged with the seat on the adjustment plate and then the rest of the vehicle attached to the support structure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description that is being made, and in order to facilitate a better understanding of the features of the invention, accompanying reports are attached hereto as part of the same, illustrative and non-limiting drawings, which are then given We proceed to describe:

Fig. 1, in which the device that is recommended is represented, having represented a small straight section that would constitute a part of the circuit.

Fig. 2 in which a side of the vehicle is observed together with the elements that act as sliders.

Fig. 3 showing a section of the rail on which the vehicles will slide. Fig. 4 where a perspective view of the vehicle arranged on the improved sliding device is shown, both being on a small piece of circuit of square section.

Fig. 5 shows an elevation view of the same assembly represented in figure number 4.

Fig. 6, which shows an exploded view of the components that make up the improved sliding device.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In view of the aforementioned figures, and in accordance with the numbering adopted, an example of a preferred embodiment of the invention can be observed therein, which comprises the parts and elements indicated and described in detail below, not intended in Absolute limit the scope of this.

In a preferred embodiment, the child racing circuit that is recommended is configured from a rail (1) on which the vehicles (2) will slide, which although in this example simulate racing bikes and animals, can be carried out with Any type of decorative motif.

This rail (1) is composed of a single piece, although in other embodiments it can be achieved by joining different pieces, which will present as more significant parts the base (11) on which the rail (1) rests, the neck (10) where contact with the sliding areas of the vehicle (2) occurs and which in turn limits its balancing; and finally the circuit (12) proper, this part being entrusted by a part of the fastening of the vehicle (2) to the rail and by another allowing a support area for the feet of the smallest children, so that although not get to the ground can use the game. The vehicle (2) is configured from two symmetrical sides (4) that will be joined by a handlebar bar (3) and a group of bars (9) that will be hidden under the seat (21). These bars (9) are arranged hidden under the seat (21) in order to achieve a smoother sliding of the vehicle, by providing it with a greater number of support points. This group of bars (9) will be attached to the sides (4) by means of a rotating plate, which allows free rolling of the bar on the rail.

The said laterals (4) have holes (8) for the insertion of said bracing elements. This set of parts is anchored to the rail (1) thanks to angular pieces (5) screwed into the bottom of the sides (4) of the vehicle. These angles (5) have both their vertical and horizontal wing of sliding teflon (6 and 7), which will be flexible and resistant parts, so that they serve as a stop to prevent the vehicle (2) from leaving the rail (1) and at the same time allow it to slide. In addition, thanks to the fact that the angles are screwed, the use of nuts can be adjusted by tightening the Teflon sliders (6 and 7) against the neck (10) of the rail (1) so that it is possible to limit the balance of the vehicle as well as the minimum force necessary to move it.

Once assembled and created a closed circuit, the absence of moving parts and the inability to disassemble the elements without the help of tools will protect the device from possible acts of vandalism that could occur in the public environments to which it is intended. If it does not consist of a closed circuit, there is also the possibility of incorporating at the ends of the rails (1) stops that prevent the separation of the vehicle (2) with respect to the rail (1). Likewise, it is convenient for these cases to incorporate brakes on the rails in the extreme zones, said brakes consisting of a simple narrowing of the neck (10) of the rail (1) so that the friction of the Teflon slides increases until the movement of the vehicle is prevented. This narrowing is easily achievable in the rail, only incorporating an addition of material that may well be consisting of a weld or inserted screws.

The implementation of the aforementioned improved guide-piece enables alternative embodiments, as described below. The improved guide piece simplifies the composition of the vehicle, which will have a seat (21) located on said part.

In this new embodiment, the angles (5) that support the slides (6 and 7) are replaced by said guide piece which is formed by an upper drawer (13) that will have a single opening in its lower part, and within which one or more upper rotating rollers (14) are disposed; two lower drawers (15), which will have a single opening in their upper part, and within which one or more lower rotating rollers (16) are arranged. The connection between upper drawer (13) and lower drawers (15) is carried out by means of joining plates (17), which will be parallel to the side faces of the circuit or rail (1). These tie plates (17) have in their lower part a pair of leveling plates (18), consisting of plates with holes that allow adjusting the desired elevation for the lower drawers (15), where they are screwed. This ensures that at all times the necessary pressure of the whole device is exerted on the rail (1) to avoid unwanted movements of the vehicle (2).

As mentioned above, the upper rollers (14) will press on the upper part of the circuit (1), while the lower rollers (16) will press on its lower part. This way it It makes the exit of the vehicle (2) from the circuit impossible, and the sliding is greatly improved.

The adjustment plate (19) that is placed on the support structure (20) serves to make the connection between seat (21) and structure (20), and its replacement will be possible to adjust the height of the seat to the desired one, according to the Age range of children to whom a particular game is intended.

With all of the above, the character of the present invention is considered sufficiently described, not considering it necessary to make the present explanation more extensive.

Claims

1. RACE CIRCUIT GAME FOR CHILDREN'S PARKS, characterized by the fact that it consists of one or more vehicles (2) that are each anchored to a longitudinal rail (1), which forms a circuit on which said vehicles (2) slide.

2. RACING CIRCUIT GAME FOR CHILDREN'S PARKS, according to claim 1, characterized in that the rail (1) on which the vehicle slides (2) has a narrowing or neck

(10) and a cylindrical upper part (12) or rounded.

3. RACING CIRCUIT GAME FOR CHILDREN'S PARKS, according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the vehicles are configured from two sides (4) joined together by bars that act as handlebars (3), sliding bars ( 9) and seat (13), having at its bottom some angular (5) to which they have joined horizontal (6) and vertical (7) sliding paths which adjust to the shape of the neck (10) of the rail and its base (1 1) respectively, leaving a certain clearance.

4. RACE CIRCUIT SET FOR CHILDREN'S PARKS, according to claim 3, characterized in that the angles (5) are joined to the sides (4) by means of screws and nuts.

5. RACE CIRCUIT SET FOR CHILDREN'S PARKS, according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that bars (9) with freedom of rotation that rest on the rail (1) are arranged under the seat.

6. RACING CIRCUIT SET FOR CHILDREN'S PARKS, according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the rail (1) has stops at its end ends when the circuit formed is not closed.

7. RACING CIRCUIT SET FOR CHILDREN'S PARKS, according to claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the rail (1) has an added material in the neck (10) that narrows it, in the most extreme areas of a non-circuit closed.

8. RACING CIRCUIT SET FOR CHILDREN'S PARKS, according to claim 1, characterized in that a vehicle guide element (2) is arranged on the circuit (1) formed by an upper drawer (13) having a single opening in its lower part, and within which one or more upper rotating rollers (14) are arranged; two lower drawers (15), which have a single opening in their upper part, and within which one or more lower rotating rollers (16) are arranged; the upper drawer (13) being connected by a support structure (20) to the vehicle (2) and the seat (21).

9. RACING CIRCUIT SET FOR CHILDREN'S PARKS, according to claims 1 and 8, characterized in that the connection between upper drawer (13) and lower drawers (15) is carried out by means of connecting plates (17).

10. RACE CIRCUIT SET FOR CHILDREN'S PARKS, according to claims 1, 8 and 9, characterized in that the connecting plates (17) will be parallel to the side faces of the circuit (1).

1 1. RACE CIRCUIT SET FOR PARKS

CHILDREN, according to claims 1 and 8 to 10, characterized in that the connecting plates (17) have a pair of leveling plates (18) in their lower part.

12. CIRCUIT SET OF RACES FOR CHILDREN'S PARKS, according to claims 1 and 8 to 1 1, characterized in that the adjustment plate (19) that is placed on the support structure (20) is replaceable with others of different size.