WO2021094936A1

WO2021094936A1 - Modular track for go-kart circuits

Info

Publication number: WO2021094936A1
Application number: PCT/IB2020/060602
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vincenzo Rina; Corrado NEGRI
Original assignee: Artimo S.R.L.
Priority date: 2019-11-11
Filing date: 2020-11-11
Publication date: 2021-05-20
Also published as: IT201900020751A1

Abstract

The modular track (1) for go-kart circuits, comprises at least a plurality of modular elements (2, 3), each defining a relative stretch of the track (1) and provided with at least one relative joining portion (4), and at least one joining element (8) associable in a removable manner with the joining portions (4) of two of the modular elements (2, 3) contiguous with each other, in order to mutually connect them.

Description

MODULAR TRACK FOR GO-KART CIRCUITS

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a modular track for go-kart circuits.

Background Art

The construction of a go-kart circuit implies expensive, often invasive, structural operations, among which there is mainly the construction of an asphalted circuit.

Traditional go-kart circuits, in fact, must comply with special provisions especially regarding the material and the method of construction of the circuit.

In particular, traditional go-kart circuits provide for an asphalt track with a surface of adequate grip, leveled and even.

Asphalted tracks, as a result of their prolonged use over time and/or due to weather conditions, however require frequent and expensive maintenance work, which affects the cost of the final service.

In this regard, there are well-known race tracks where the flooring is coated with special protective resins of the polymeric type that allow reducing the interventions and maintenance costs.

However, a common drawback to both these types of race tracks is the need to define a final preset circuit.

Once made, therefore, the circuits of known type are unchangeable, unless important and onerous structural interventions, thus resulting monotonous and less attractive to customers and, at the same time, involving a significant landscape constraint.

In addition, the construction of the tracks of known type requires high costs and long installation times.

Description of the Invention

The main aim of the present invention is to devise a modular track for go-kart circuits that allows for a wide variety of circuits.

Within this aim, one object of the present invention is to allow the variation of the circuit conformation in a practical and easy manner according to the specific needs of the case. A further object of the present invention is to devise a modular race track that allows reducing the timing and costs related to the implementation thereof. Another object of the present invention is to devise a modular track for go-kart circuits that allows significantly reducing the costs related to the maintenance of the track itself.

Another object of the present invention is to devise a modular track for go-kart circuits that allows overcoming the above mentioned drawbacks of the prior art within a simple, rational, easy, effective to use and affordable solution.

The above mentioned objects are achieved by the present modular track for go- kart circuits with the characteristics of claim 1.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be more evident from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a modular track for go-kart circuits illustrated by way of an indicative, yet non limiting example, in the attached tables of drawings in which:

Figures 1-3 are axonometric views of the components of the modular track for go-kart circuits according to the invention;

Figure 4 is an axonometric view of the modular track for go-kart circuits according to the invention.

Embodiments of the Invention

With particular reference to these figures, reference numeral 1 globally indicates a modular track for go-kart circuits.

The track 1 comprises at least one plurality of modular elements 2,3, each defining a relative stretch of the track 1 and provided with at least one relative joining portion 4.

The modular elements 2,3 are associable with each other, by juxtaposing the one to the other, to define a circuit, the path of which is variable and customizable on the basis of the needs of an individual customer.

Each of the above mentioned modular elements 2,3 comprises at least one upper surface 5 defining the relative stretch of the track 1 and at least one lower surface 6 opposite the upper surface 5 and intended to be positioned on a resting surface P.

In addition, each modular element 2,3 comprises at least one pair of connecting walls 7 connectable to the connecting walls 7 of the adjacent modular elements 2,3.

In more detail, the modular elements 2,3 can be positioned above the resting surface P, arranged with the relative connecting walls 7 in contact with each other.

The union of several modular elements 2,3 according to a customizable circuit, makes the various upper surfaces 5 define the above mentioned track 1.

The track 1 also comprises at least one joining element 8 as sociable in a removable manner with the joining portions 4 of two modular elements 2,3 contiguous with each other, in order to mutually connect them.

The joining element 8 is conveniently made in the form of a body separate from each of the modular elements 2,3.

The joining element 8 allows keeping the modular elements 2,3 firmly joined together and thus prevents the stresses caused by the use of the track 1 from leading to displacements of the modular elements 2,3 themselves.

In particular, the joining element 8 comprises at least two circular portions 11 interposed by at least one straight portion 12.

At the same time, each joining portion 4 comprises a first cavity 9 having a substantially circular conformation and a second cavity 10 having a substantially rectilinear conformation and communicating with the first cavity 9; more in detail, the second cavity 10 faces the respective connecting wall 7.

As shown in Figure 4, the juxtaposition of the modular elements 2,3 makes the respective cavities 9,10 join together by defining an individual cavity inside which the corresponding joining element 8 is inserted by slotting it in.

The circular portions 11 of the joining element 8 are, therefore, adapted to define a slot- in coupling with the first cavities 9 and the straight portion 12 is adapted to define a slot- in coupling with the second cavities 10 for the connection of two separate modular elements 2,3.

Advantageously, the joining portion 4 is defined on the lower surface 6 at the connecting walls 7.

This gives greater resistance to the interaction between the joining portions 4 and the joining element 8, which is not subjected to the stresses caused by the passage of the vehicles intended to run the track 1.

Appropriately, each modular element 2,3 comprises at least one joining portion 4 defined at each of the connecting walls 7.

In addition, each modular element 2,3 comprises a plurality of joining portions 4, defined in the proximity of both connecting walls 7.

In particular, the joining portions 4 are positioned side by side, with the respective second cavities 10 facing the connecting wall 7.

This way, the juxtaposition of two modular elements 2,3 allows the joining portions 4 to be juxtaposed at the same time in order to allow the slot-in coupling to several joining elements 8.

This allows the modular elements 2,3 to be joined firmly together and to form an extremely stress-resistant track 1.

Moreover, the track 1 according to the present invention is also easy to disassemble and allows therefore a quick replacement of the components in case of wear due to a prolonged use of the track itself.

The modular elements 2,3 comprise straight modular elements 2, wherein the upper surface 5 defines a substantially straight stretch of the track 1, and angular modular elements 3, wherein the upper surface 5 defines a curvilinear stretch of the track itself.

The straight modular elements 2 have a substantially rectangular shape, wherein the connecting walls 7 are defined on the long sides.

The angular modular elements 3, on the other hand, have the shape of a circular crown sector, wherein the connecting walls 7 are arranged in a radial pattern. Advantageously, the connecting walls 7 of the angular modular elements 3 are located to define an angle comprised between 20° and 25°.

Preferably, the above mentioned angle has a width of 22.5° so that the combination of several angular modular elements 3 can define a right-angled stretch of track 1. Preferably, the modular elements 2,3 have a substantially sheet shape.

More in detail, each of the modular elements 2,3 consists of two flat, substantially parallel surfaces, the extension of which is predominant with respect to their distance from each other.

The surfaces 5,6 have sizes comprised between 7 and 13 square meters and, at the same time, the thickness of the modular elements 2,3 is comprised between 5 and 15 cm, preferably 10 cm.

Advantageously, the connecting walls 7 of the modular elements 2,3 have a size comprised between 4.5 and 5.5 meters.

The dimensions of the modular elements 2,3 allow an easy transport of the same by releasing themselves from the need to use dedicated means of transport.

In addition, the modular elements 2,3 are made of a polymeric foam material covered with a plastic composite material.

In particular, the polymeric foam material is of the type of polystyrene, polyurethane, or the like and the composite plastic material is of the type of an epoxy resin.

This ensures that the modular elements 2,3 have a significantly reduced size and weight which, therefore, not only helps to make transport to an assembly area extremely easy, but also allows them to be easily assembled and disassembled in the desired circuits afterwards.

In addition, the surfaces 5,6 are specially designed to ensure perfect adhesion of the modular elements 2,3 to the resting surface P and excellent road grip for the vehicles intended to run the track 1.

For this purpose, the surfaces 5,6 may have an uneven finish, e.g., that simulates traditional asphalt, so as to provide an adequate level of friction.

Moreover, the upper surfaces 5 may have customized colors and decorations according to customer’s requirements.

It has in practice been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects and, in particular, the fact is underlined that the present modular track allows making a wide variety of circuits.

In fact, the modular track according to the invention is extremely easy to assemble and the various components may be positioned according to any desired circuit.

At the same time, the components of the modular track according to the invention can be easily disassembled to make up a new circuit; this allows, moreover, changing the conformation of the circuit even during installation, with a consequent greater flexibility of use.

It should be noted that the small size and light weight of the modular elements allows easy transport to the area of use and easy installation.

Finally, the present modular track allows greatly reducing the costs related to the maintenance of the track itself.

Claims

1) Modular track (1) for go-kart circuits, characterized by the fact that it comprises at least a plurality of modular elements (2,3), each defining a relative stretch of said track (1) and provided with at least one relative joining portion (4), and at least one joining element (8) associable in a removable manner with said joining portions (4) of two of said modular elements (2,3) contiguous with each other, in order to mutually connect them.

2) Track (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that each of said modular elements (2,3) comprises: - at least one upper surface (5) defining said relative stretch of the track (1); at least one lower surface (6) opposite said upper surface (5) and intended to be positioned on a resting surface (P); at least one pair of connecting walls (7) connectable to the connecting walls (7) of said adjacent modular elements (2,3). 3) Track (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said joining portion (4) is defined on said lower surface (6) at said connecting walls (7).

4) Track (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said joining portion (4) comprises a first cavity (9) having a substantially circular conformation and a second cavity (10) having a substantially rectilinear conformation and communicating with said first cavity

(9).

5) Track (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said joining element (8) is made in the form of a body separate from each of said modular elements (2,3).

6) Track (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said joining element (8) comprises at least two circular portions (11) interposed by at least one straight portion (12), said circular portions (11) being adapted to define a slot-in coupling with said first cavities (9) and said straight portion (12) being adapted to define a slot- in coupling with said second cavities (10) for the connection of two separate modular elements (2,3). 7) Track (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said modular elements (2,3) have a substantially sheet shape.

8) Track (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said modular elements (2,3) are made of a polymeric foam material covered with a plastic composite material.

9) Track (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said modular elements (2,3) comprise straight modular elements (2), wherein said upper surface (5) defines a straight stretch of said track (1), and angular modular elements (3), wherein said upper surface (5) defines a curvilinear stretch of the track itself.

10) Track (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said angular modular elements (3) have the shape of a circular crown sector, wherein said connecting walls (7) are arranged in a radial pattern.

11) Track (1) according to claim 10, characterized by the fact that said connecting walls (7) are located so at to define an angle comprised between 20° and 25°.

12) Track (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said connecting walls (7) have a size comprised between 4.5 and 5.5 meters.