U.S. patent application number 11/023555 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-29 for toy track and toy vehicle.
This patent application is currently assigned to Design Circle Inc.. Invention is credited to John J. Sinisi.
Application Number | 20060141902 11/023555 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36612368 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060141902 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sinisi; John J. |
June 29, 2006 |
Toy track and toy vehicle
Abstract
A toy track comprising guide channels for guiding a toy vehicle
to move along predetermined paths and ramping means for
facilitating the toy vehicle to select a guide channel from a
plurality of guide channels when the toy vehicle approaches a guide
channel junction, said plurality of guide channels at said guide
channel junction comprising a primary guide channel and a diversion
guide channel which branches out from said primary guide channel,
said ramping means being disposed on said primary guiding channel
at a location approaching said guide channel junction, said guide
channel junction including a diversion guide channel junction guide
wall portion which forms part of said diversion guide channel at
said guide channel junction, the height of said diversion guide
channel junction guide wall portion being significantly less than
the typical height of a guide channel wall of a typical guide
channel outside said guide channel junction.
Inventors: |
Sinisi; John J.;
(Warminister, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BUCHANAN INGERSOLL PC;(INCLUDING BURNS, DOANE, SWECKER & MATHIS)
POST OFFICE BOX 1404
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22313-1404
US
|
Assignee: |
Design Circle Inc.
Warminster
PA
|
Family ID: |
36612368 |
Appl. No.: |
11/023555 |
Filed: |
December 29, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/445 ;
238/10F |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 18/12 20130101;
A63H 18/16 20130101; A63H 18/08 20130101; A63H 17/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/445 ;
238/010.00F |
International
Class: |
A63H 18/08 20060101
A63H018/08 |
Claims
1. A toy track comprising guide channels for guiding a toy vehicle
to move along predetermined paths and ramping means for
facilitating the toy vehicle to select a guide channel from a
plurality of guide channels when the toy vehicle approaches a guide
channel junction, said plurality of guide channels at said guide
channel junction comprising a primary guide channel and a diversion
guide channel which branches out from said primary guide channel,
said ramping means being disposed on said primary guiding channel
at a location approaching said guide channel junction, said guide
channel junction including a diversion guide channel junction guide
wall portion which forms part of said diversion guide channel at
said guide channel junction, the height of said diversion guide
channel junction guide wall portion being significantly less than
the typical height of a guide channel wall of a typical guide
channel outside said guide channel junction.
2. A toy track according to claim 1, wherein said diversion guide
channel junction guide wall portion extends obliquely across the
width of said primary channel guide at said guide channel junction
to form part of said diversion guide channel at said guide channel
junction.
3. A toy track according to claim 2, wherein said diversion guide
channel junction guide wall portion extends from one of the channel
walls of said primary guide channel to abut one of the channel
walls of a diversion guide channel at the end of said guide channel
junction.
4. A toy track according to claim 2, wherein said diversion guide
channel junction guide wall portion curves convexly away from a
channel wall of said primary guide channel at said guide channel
junction to form part of said diversion guide channel at said guide
channel junction.
5. A toy track according to claim 1, wherein the portion of said
guide channel junction outside the footprint of said diversion
guide channel including an elevated platform which is substantially
levelled with said diversion guide channel junction guide wall
portion.
6. A toy track according to claim 5, wherein said elevated platform
extends between said diversion guide junction guide wall portion
and the wall of said primary guide channel of said guide channel
junction.
7. A toy track according to claim 5, wherein said elevated platform
gradually slopes away from said diversion guide junction guide wall
portion and downwardly away from said guide channel junction.
8. A toy track according to claim 5, wherein said elevated platform
having a generally wedged shape and diverging from the approaching
side of said guide channel junction towards the departing side of
said guide channel junction and along the primary guiding channel
at the guide channel junction.
9. A toy track of claim 5, wherein said ramping means being
disposed immediately before said elevated platform.
10. A toy track of claim 5, wherein the height of the top surface
of said ramping means being comparable to that of the top surface
of said elevated platform.
11. A toy track of claim 10, wherein the top surface of said
ramping means being between 1 mm to 1.5 mm above the bottom of said
diversion guide channel at said guide channel junction.
12. A toy track of claim 5, wherein said guide channels outside
said guide channel junction having a substantially rectangular
cross-section.
13. A toy track of claim 12, wherein the width of said guide
channels outside said guide channel junction being comparable to
the height of the walls of said guiding channel.
14. A toy track according to claim 1, wherein said ramping means
including an surface ascending towards said guide channel junction,
said ascending surface being adapted for interacting with a
retractable channel guiding member of a toy vehicle adapted for use
with said toy track so as to facilitate guide channel selection at
said guide channel junction.
15. A toy track according to claim 14, wherein said ascending
surface of said ramping device being adapted for gradually reducing
the length of said retractable channel guiding member of said toy
vehicle while said toy vehicle transiting through said ramping
means towards said guide channel junction during normal
operation.
16. A toy track according to claim 14, wherein said ramping means
interacts with said channel guiding member of said toy vehicle
while said toy vehicle transiting through said ramping means
towards said guide channel junction during normal operation so that
said channel guiding member of said toy vehicle will move from a
first operating position to a second operating position.
17. A toy vehicle comprising a channel guiding member for guiding
the motion of said toy vehicle along a guide channel of a toy
track, said toy track comprising at least a primary guide channel
and at least a diversion guide channel, said diversion guide
branches out from said primary guide channel at a guide channel
junction of said primary guide channel and said diversion guide
channel, said channel guiding member being movable from a first
operating position to a second operating position, wherein the
spring urge against said channel guiding member being adapted so
that, in use, the distance travelled by said vehicle during the
time when said channel guiding member moves from said second
operating position to said first operating position will
substantially determine the channel guide along which said toy
vehicle will travel after the channel junction.
18. A toy vehicle according to claim 17, wherein said channel
guiding member being movable from a first operating position to a
second operating position by spring urge and/or gravitation.
19. A toy vehicle according to claim 17, wherein said channel
guiding member protruding downwardly from the bottom of said toy
vehicle, said channel guiding member being retractable from said
first operating position to said second operating position, said
first operating position being further away from the bottom of said
vehicle than said second operating position.
20. A toy vehicle according to claim 19, wherein said channel
guiding member being retractable under spring urge for about 1 mm
to 1.5 mm to move from said first operating position to said second
operating position.
21. A toy vehicle according to claim 17, wherein channel guiding
member being retractable under spring bias along a substantially
vertical direction when transiting through a ramping means at said
guide channel junction when travelling along a guide channel and
towards said guide channel junction.
22. A toy vehicle according to claim 17, wherein said channel
guiding member including a shank which is extendable between said
first operating position and said second operating position,
wherein, in both said first and second operating positions, said
shank being clear of the bottom surface of the guide channels
except the ramping means and, when in said second position, said
shank being in contact with said ramping means.
23. A toy vehicle according to claim 21, wherein, when said toy
vehicle is travelling outside of said ramping means, said shank
being at least 0.5 mm clear of the bottom surface of the guide
channels.
24. A toy vehicle according to claim 17, wherein said toy vehicle
including a magnet for holding the toy vehicle close to the surface
of said toy track, said toy track being provided with corresponding
magnetic material for magnetic coupling with said toy vehicle.
25. A toy vehicle according to claim 24, wherein said toy track
including power supply rails of magnetic material for magnetic
coupling with said toy vehicle.
26. A toy set comprising a toy track and a toy vehicle, said toy
track comprising guide channels for guiding said toy vehicle to
move along predetermined paths on said track and guide channel
selection means to facilitate said toy vehicle to select a guide
channel from a plurality of guide channels when said toy vehicle
approaches a guide channel junction at which junction a diversion
guide channel branches out from a primary guide channel, said toy
vehicle comprising corresponding guide channel selection means so
that, when said toy vehicle approaches said guide channel junction,
the guide channel selection means of said toy vehicle and toy track
cooperate such that a player can select the guide channel along
which said toy vehicle will travel after said guide channel
junction by manoeuvring the operation of said toy vehicle.
27. A toy set of claim 26, wherein the operation of said toy
vehicle being manoeuvred including the speed of said toy vehicle so
that the guide channel along which said toy vehicle will travel
after said guide channel junction being substantially dependent on
the speed of said toy vehicle approaching said guide channel
junction.
28. A toy set of claim 27, wherein said toy track comprises guide
channels for guiding the toy vehicle to move along predetermined
paths and ramping means for facilitating the toy vehicle to select
a guide channel from a plurality of guide channels when the toy
vehicle approaches a guide channel junction, said plurality of
guide channels at said guide channel junction comprising a primary
guide channel and a diversion guide channel which branches out from
said primary guide channel, said ramping means being disposed on
said primary guiding channel at a location approaching said guide
channel junction, said guide channel junction including a diversion
guide channel junction guide wall portion which forms part of said
diversion guide channel at said guide channel junction, the height
of said diversion guide channel junction guide wall portion being
significantly less than the typical height of a guide channel wall
of a typical guide channel outside said guide channel junction, and
wherein said toy vehicle comprises a channel guiding member for
guiding the motion of said toy vehicle along a guide channel of a
toy track, said channel guiding member being movable from a first
operating position to a second operating position, wherein the
spring urge against said channel guiding member is adapted so that,
in use, the distance travelled by said vehicle during the time when
said channel guiding member moves from said second operating
position to said first operating position will substantially
determine the channel guide along which said toy vehicle will
travel after the channel junction.
29. A toy set of claim 28, wherein said diversion guide channel
junction guide wall portion extends obliquely across the width of
said primary channel guide at said guide channel junction to form
part of said diversion guide channel at said guide channel
junction.
30. A toy set of claim 28, wherein the portion of said guide
channel junction outside the footprint of said diversion guide
channel includes an elevated platform which is substantially level
with said diversion guide channel junction guide wall portion.
31. A toy set of claim 28, wherein said ramping means includes a
surface ascending towards said guide channel junction, said
ascending surface being adapted for interacting with a retractable
channel guiding member of said toy vehicle so as to facilitate
guide channel selection at said guide channel junction.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to toys, especially toys comprising
toy tracks and toy vehicles. More particularly, this invention
relates to toys which are more commonly known as "slot cars" and
which comprise toy vehicles with slot selection means and toy
tracks with compatible guide slots. More specifically, although of
course not solely limited thereto, this invention relates to toy
sets comprising toy vehicles and track sets in which a player can
cause a toy vehicle to select one of a plurality of guide slots on
approaching a junction of guide slots.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Toy sets comprising toy vehicles operating on a toy track
with pre-defined guide channels are known, for example, in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,928,058, U.S. Pat. No. 4,795,154 and U.S. Pat. No.
3,630,524. The toy tracks of such toy vehicle sets usually comprise
a plurality of guide channels with a plurality of intersections or
guide channel junctions so that a toy vehicle running on the toy
track can move from one loop of guide channels into another. The
changing of guide channel loops is typically implemented, for
example, through mechanical change-over means before a toy vehicle
approaches the crossover junctions as in U.S. Pat. No. 3,630,524.
In this specification, the term "guide channel" also means guide
slots wherever appropriate for the context.
[0003] In those known prior art teachings, a player has to
separately and simultaneously control the movement of the toy
vehicle and the switching of the guide channel selection mechanisms
when a toy vehicle approaches an intersection. This means that a
player cannot concentrate on the manoeuvring of the toy vehicle.
Hence, it is highly desirable if there can be provided toy vehicle
sets in which a player can select a guide channel from a plurality
of available guide channels at a guide channel intersection by
controlling the movements of the toy vehicle.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide toy vehicle sets comprising toy tracks and toy vehicles in
which a toy vehicle approaching a guide channel junction comprising
a plurality of branching guide channels can select one of the
available guide channels by manoeuvring the operation of a toy
vehicle. At a minimum, it is an object of this invention to provide
the public with a choice of toy vehicle sets with a novel channel
selection means.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to the invention, there is provided a toy set
comprising a toy track and a toy vehicle, said toy track comprising
guide channels for guiding said toy vehicle to move along
predetermined paths on said track and guide channel selection means
to facilitate said toy vehicle to select a guide channel from a
plurality of guide channels when said toy vehicle approaches a
guide channel junction at which junction a diversion guide channel
branches out from a primary guide channel, said toy vehicle
comprising corresponding guide channel selection means so that,
when said toy vehicle approaches said guide channel junction, the
guide channel selection means of said toy vehicle and toy track
cooperate such that a player can select the guide channel along
which said toy vehicle will travel after said guide channel
junction by manoeuvring the operation of said toy vehicle.
[0006] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided
a toy track comprising guide channels for guiding a toy vehicle to
move along predetermined paths and ramping means for facilitating
the toy vehicle to select a guide channel from a plurality of guide
channels when the toy vehicle approaches a guide channel junction,
said plurality of guide channels at said guide channel junction
comprising a primary guide channel and a diversion guide channel
which branches out from said primary guide channel, said ramping
means being disposed on said primary guiding channel at a location
approaching said guide channel junction, said guide channel
junction including a diversion guide channel junction guide wall
portion which forms part of said diversion guide channel at said
guide channel junction, the height of said diversion guide channel
junction guide wall portion being significantly less than the
typical height of a guide channel wall of a typical guide channel
outside said guide channel junction.
[0007] In one embodiment, the diversion guide channel junction
guide wall portion extends obliquely across the width of said
primary channel guide at said guide channel junction to form part
of said diversion guide channel at said guide channel junction.
[0008] In another form, the diversion guide channel junction guide
wall portion extends from one of the channel walls of said primary
guide channel to abut one of the channel walls of a diversion guide
channel at the end of said guide channel junction.
[0009] The diversion guide channel junction guide wall portion can,
for example, curves convexly away from a channel wall of said
primary guide channel at said guide channel junction to form part
of said diversion guide channel at said guide channel junction.
[0010] Preferably, the portion of said guide channel junction
outside the footprint of said diversion guide channel including an
elevated platform which is substantially levelled with said
diversion guide channel junction guide wall portion.
[0011] Preferably, the elevated platform extends between said
diversion guide junction guide wall portion and the wall of said
primary guide channel of said guide channel junction.
[0012] Preferably, said elevated platform gradually slopes away
from said diversion guide junction guide wall portion and
downwardly away from said guide channel junction.
[0013] As can be seen in the examples, the elevated platform having
a generally wedged shape and diverging from the approaching side of
said guide channel junction towards the departing side of said
guide channel junction and along the primary guiding channel at the
guide channel junction.
[0014] Preferably, said ramping means being disposed immediately
before said elevated platform.
[0015] In the examples, the height of the top surface of said
ramping means being comparable to that of the top surface of said
elevated platform.
[0016] As a specific example, the top surface of said ramping means
being between 1 mm to 1.5 mm above the bottom of said diversion
guide channel at said guide channel junction. The highest portion
of the ramping means being 0.5 mm above the bottom of the guides
channels.
[0017] Preferably, said guide channels outside said guide channel
junction having a substantially rectangular cross-section.
[0018] Preferably, the width of said guide channels outside said
guide channel junction being comparable to the height of the walls
of said guiding channel.
[0019] Preferably, said ramping means including an surface
ascending towards said guide channel junction, said ascending
surface being adapted for interacting with a retractable channel
guiding member of a toy vehicle adapted for use with said toy track
so as to facilitate guide channel selection at said guide channel
junction.
[0020] Preferably, said ascending surface of said ramping device
being adapted for gradually reducing the length of said retractable
channel guiding member of said toy vehicle while said toy vehicle
transiting through said ramping means towards said guide channel
junction during normal operation.
[0021] Preferably, said ramping means interacts with said channel
guiding member of said toy vehicle while said toy vehicle
transiting through said ramping means towards said guide channel
junction during normal operation so that said channel guiding
member of said toy vehicle will move from a first operating
position to a second operating position.
[0022] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a toy vehicle comprising a channel guiding member for
guiding the motion of said toy vehicle along a guide channel of a
toy track, said toy track comprising at least a primary guide
channel and at least a diversion guide channel, said diversion
guide branches out from said primary guide channel at a guide
channel junction of said primary guide channel and said diversion
guide channel, said channel guiding member being movable from a
first operating position to a second operating position, wherein
the spring urge against said channel guiding member being adapted
so that, in use, the distance travelled by said vehicle during the
time when said channel guiding member moves from said second
operating position to said first operating position will
substantially determine the channel guide along which said toy
vehicle will travel after the channel junction.
[0023] Preferably, said channel guiding member being movable from a
first operating position to a second operating position by spring
urge and/or gravitation.
[0024] Preferably, said channel guiding member protruding
downwardly from the bottom of said toy vehicle, said channel
guiding member being retractable from said first operating position
to said second operating position, said first operating position
being further away from the bottom of said vehicle than said second
operating position.
[0025] Preferably, said channel guiding member being retractable
under spring urge for about 1 mm to 1.5 mm to move from said first
operating position to said second operating position.
[0026] Preferably, said channel guiding member being retractable
under spring bias along a substantially vertical direction when
transiting through a ramping means at said guide channel junction
when travelling along a guide channel and towards said guide
channel junction.
[0027] Preferably, said channel guiding member including a shank
which is extendable between said first operating position and said
second operating position, wherein, in both said first and second
operating positions, said shank being clear of the bottom surface
of the guide channels except the ramping means and, when in said
second position, said shank being in contact with said ramping
means.
[0028] Preferably, said toy vehicle is travelling outside of said
ramping means, said shank being at least 0.5 mm clear of the bottom
surface of the guide channels.
[0029] Preferably, said toy vehicle including a magnet for holding
the toy vehicle close to the surface of said toy track, said toy
track being provided with corresponding magnetic material for
magnetic coupling with said toy vehicle.
[0030] Preferably, said toy track including power supply rails of
magnetic material for magnetic coupling with said toy vehicle.
[0031] By providing guide channel selection means which facilitate
lane change through manoeuvring of the motion of a toy vehicle, a
user can focus on the operation of the toy vehicle. This will
enable a player to improve the skill of operation of the toy
vehicle and make the game more interesting.
[0032] According to yet another aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a vehicle racing toy comprising first and second
electric toy vehicles, first and second controllers respectively
for controlling said first and second electric toy vehicles, a toy
rack on which said first and second electric toy vehicles operate
and a common power supply rail distributed along said toy track for
supplying operating power to said electric toy vehicles, wherein
said first and second controllers including means to supply to said
toy rack characteristic operating power which is respectively
characteristic for the operation of said first and said second
electric toy vehicles, said characteristic operating power
including a speed control signal for controlling the speed of said
electric toy vehicle.
[0033] According to yet another further aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a toy track for use with a vehicle
racing toy of claim 32, including a common power supply rail for
supply power to said first and second toy vehicles, said common
power supply rail being with a characteristic operating power
supply, said characteristic operating power supply being an
alternate current power supply of a prescribed frequency with
different amplitudes in the positive and the negative cycles.
[0034] According to a further aspect of this invention, there is
provided a toy vehicle for use with a toy track which is supplied
with a characteristic operating power during normal use, the toy
vehicle including a motor and electric power selection means for
selecting power supply which is characteristic for the operating of
said toy vehicle.
[0035] Preferably, said first and second controllers including
means for obtaining power from a common alternate current power
source, means for extracting said characteristic operating power
from said common alternate power supply and means for varying the
speed of said electric toy vehicle.
[0036] Preferably, said means for varying the speed of said
electric toy vehicle including means for interposing said speed
control signal on said characteristic operating power.
[0037] This invention also provides a controller for interposing
said speed control signal on said characteristic operating power
including a variable power alternating devices such as a
rheostat.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0038] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be
explained in further detail below by way of example and with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0039] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a preferred example of a toy
vehicle of this invention on approaching a guide channel junction
while running on a primary guide channel of a preferred example of
a toy track segment,
[0040] FIGS. 1A to FIG. 1H are partial longitudinal cross-sectional
views showing the sequential movements of the toy vehicle of FIG. 1
along the primary guide channel when moving from location A to
location H of FIG. 1.
[0041] FIGS. 1AA to FIG. 1HH respectively show the transversal
cross-sectional views of the guide channel taken at locations A to
H of FIG. 1 and illustrated with the vehicle at the relevant
positions.
[0042] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a preferred example of a toy
vehicle of FIG. 1, running on a source primary guide channel,
approaching a guide channel junction and then continue to move
along a destination primary guide channel after the guide channel
junction,
[0043] FIGS. 2A to FIG. 2H are partial longitudinal cross-sectional
views showing the progress of the vehicle moving from locations A
to H of FIG. 1 and along a primary guide channel,
[0044] FIGS. 2AA to FIG. 2HH are respectively the transversal
cross-sectional views of the guide channel showing also the centre
portion of the guide channel selection member of the toy vehicle
with the toy vehicle progresses from locations A to H of FIG.
2,
[0045] FIG. 3 shows a partially exploded view of part of a toy
vehicle of the present invention,
[0046] FIG. 4 shows an exemplary block circuit diagram of a vehicle
toy set of the present invention, and
[0047] FIG. 5 shows a variation of the block circuit diagram of
FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0048] An exemplary toy comprising a toy vehicle 100 and exemplary
toy track segments is shown in the Figures. Referring firstly to
FIG. 1, the exemplary toy track segments comprise an exemplary
first type of toy track segment 200 and an exemplary second type
toy track segment 300.
[0049] The exemplary first type of toy track segment 200 comprises
guide channels which are arranged as a plurality of primary guide
channels 210 which are formed on a base member 220. The exemplary
primary guide channels 210 comprises substantially straight and
parallel guide channels so that toy vehicles can race side by side
on parallel primary guide channels. To form a racing track or a
racing circuit of a desirable effective length, a plurality of
first type toy track segments can be connected together. Of course,
the first type 200 of toy track segments may comprise primary guide
channels 210 which are non-straight, curved or meandering so that
the ensemble of toy track segments can form a closed and end-less
racing circuit without loss of generality.
[0050] The exemplary second type of toy track segment 300 comprises
a plurality of guide channels which are formed on a base member
320. The guide channels comprise a plurality of primary guide
channels 310 and a plurality of diversion guide channels 330. An
exemplary diversion guide channel 330a branches out from a source
primary guide channel 310a at a guide channel junction 340 and
joins an adjacent, usually but not necessarily, parallel
destination primary guide channel 310b. In this exemplary toy track
segment, two diversion guide channels 330 are shown. The guide
channel junctions 340 from which the diversion guide channels
branch out respectively, are approximately at the same longitudinal
location on the toy track segment 300.
[0051] As the exemplary diversion guide channels 330 have
substantially the same curvature and both curve away from their
respective source primary guide channels 310a, 310b, the two
diversion guide channels 330 intersect and cross over at about
their respective middle portions. Naturally, the symmetry of the
diversion guide tracks is only shown for convenience as a typical
example and is not essential. Furthermore, it will be noted that
the junctions at which the diversion guide channels merge with the
destination primary guide channels become guide channel junctions
at which the respective diversion guide channels will branch out
for toy vehicles travelling along the opposite direction.
[0052] Generally speaking, guide channels 210, 310 are provided so
that a toy vehicle equipped with appropriate or corresponding
channel guiding means will move along a pre-determined path as
defined by the guide channels on the toy track. Specifically, the
toy vehicles are maintained along the prescribed paths through
cooperative guidance or regulation of the channel guiding means of
the toy vehicle by guiding walls of the guide channels. This type
of vehicle toys in which the motion path is substantially governed
by an elongated and depressed guide channel is commonly known as
"slot cars" or "slot vehicles", although the guide channels can be
wider than what is strictly understood as "slots" and the term
"slot car" has become a generic term in the trade to mean this type
of toy arrangement generally.
[0053] An exemplary cross section of a preferred guide channel
comprising a primary guide channel as an example is shown in FIG.
1AA. The guide channel 310b is formed below the top surface 321 of
the base member 320 and is defined between first 311 and second 312
guide channel walls. Another exemplary cross section of a preferred
guide channel comprising a diversion guide channel as an example is
shown in FIG. 1EE in which the guide channel 330b is formed below
the top surface 321 of the base member 320 and is defined between
first 331 and second 332 guide channel walls. In general, the guide
channels are disposed so that when a toy vehicle having channel
guiding means are placed on the toy track with the channel guiding
means appropriately aligned with the guide channels, the toy
vehicle will travel along the guide channels due to the guiding
effects of the channel guiding means.
[0054] As can be more clearly seen from the cross-sectional views,
the channel guiding means comprises a channel guiding member 110
which is a downwardly extending channel guiding pin or shank. The
channel guiding member 110 protrudes from the bottom of the toy
vehicle 100 and extends towards the toy track surface 321 during
normal use. The channel guiding member 110 and the guide channels
are designed so that, during normal operation, the downwardly
protruding pin or shank member will protrude into the hollow
portion of the guide channel with its lower end cleared of the
bottom surface of the guide channel while moving along the guide
channels. In order to correct and regulate the direction of motion
of the toy vehicles to maintain the prescribed paths, the channel
guiding member 110 may interact with the sidewalls of the guide
channels from time to time.
[0055] Exposed positive and negative power supply rails 410a,b are
disposed on top surface of the toy track adjacent to the guide
channels so that an electric motor or other electric driving means
in the toy vehicle can obtain its operating power from the power
supply rails. The depressed guide channel is intermediate the
positive and negative power supply rails so that, when the toy
vehicle is properly placed on the toy track, its channel guiding
member will align with the guide track and its power contact
members (not shown), which protrude from the bottom of the toy
vehicle, will be in compressive contact with the power supply
rails.
[0056] Although the primary guide channels in the first and the
second type toy track segments of this example are substantially
straight and parallel, it will be appreciated that it is not
necessarily so and the primary tracks can be curved, winding or
meandering to provide more fun and challenge in the control of the
toy vehicles. In this specification, the term "primary guide
channels" is used in an open manner to refer generally to a
non-branching portion of a guide channel, as distinguished from a
diversion guide channel which branches out from such a primary
guide channel, and should not be construed narrowly.
[0057] The toy track segments are provided with electrical and
mechanical coupling means so that adjacent toy track segments,
which may comprise a combination of the first and the second
exemplary toy track types, can be connected together for electrical
and mechanical continuity. For example, electrical plugs 420 and
sockets 430 can be integrally formed as part of the power supply
rails and mechanical plugs 440 and sockets 450 can integrally
moulded with the base member since the base member can be formed by
hard plastics by plastic moulding, as are shown in the present
example.
[0058] Referring next to an exemplary guide channel junction 340 of
FIGS. 1 and 2, the guide channel junction 340 comprises a primary
guide channel 310a portion and a diversion guide channel 330a
portion. The primary guide channel 310a portion extends linearly to
form a continuous primary guide channel which extends along a
prescribed direction of extension. The diversion guide channel 330a
branches out from the source primary guide channel 340 portion and
joins the parallelly adjacent destination primary guide channel
310b near the location designated by the line FF.
[0059] Although each of the primary guide channel and the diversion
guide channel is defined by a respective pair of channel guide
walls of substantially equal height outside the effective region of
the guide channel junction 340, it will be noted that the two guide
channels share a common guide channel portion at the junction
region (the region between lines BB and CC of FIG. 1).
Specifically, the diversion guide channel is defined by a guide
wall of a normal height and a depressed guide wall which is formed
on the bottom of the primary guide channel portion. In addition,
the primary guide channel at the junction comprises a single guide
wall only and the other guide wall is missing so that the depressed
guide wall 331a also defines an entrance aperture to the collinear
primary guide channel. As can be seen more clearly from FIGS. 1CC,
1DD, 2CC and 2DD, the depressed diversion guide channel junction
guide wall 331a (the "Junction Guide Wall") is significantly or
noticeably lower than a typical channel guide wall for purposes to
be further described.
[0060] The Junction Guide Wall 331a defines the beginning of a
diversion guide channel 330 and also the entrance aperture to the
primary guide channel 310a. This Junction Guide Wall 331a extends
obliquely across the width of the source primary channel guide and
subsequently joins the guide wall of the diversion guide channel of
a normal height at the end of the guide channel junction 340 As can
be seen from the Figures, the Junction Guide Wall 331a extends
obliquely across the width of the source primary channel guide and
joins a junction of the guide walls formed by the near channel
guide wall of the source primary guide channel and a guide wall of
the diversion guide channel. It will be noted that the terms
"distal" and "near" channel guide walls of the source primary guide
channel refer conveniently to the channel guide walls which are
respectively further away and closer to the destination primary
guide channel 310b. Also, it will be noted that the near channel
guide wall of the source primary guide channel is interrupted and
discontinuous at the guide channel junction and at the Junction
Guide Wall 331a.
[0061] As a result of this joining, a wedge-shaped region is formed
intermediate the Junction Guide Wall 331a and the distal channel
guide wall of the source primary guide channel. This wedge-shaped
region comprises an elevated platform which extends across its
lateral or transversal width and is substantially levelled
transversally, so that a smooth transition can be provided for a
toy vehicle to continue travelling along the source primary guide
channel after crossing the guide channel junction in the manner to
be explained. It will be appreciated that this wedge-shaped portion
is on the bottom of the portion of the source primary channel guide
at the guide channel junction 340.
[0062] As the Junction Guide Wall 331a defines a lateral guide wall
of the diversion guide channel at the guide channel junction, it
will be appreciated that the initial portions of both the primary
and the diversion guide channels substantially overlap at the
initial or approaching portion of the guide channel junction and
the extent of overlap decreases towards the diverging end of the
guide channel junction until the primary guide channel and the
diversion guide channel are finally separated at the junction of
the guide walls.
[0063] Furthermore, the wedge-shaped platform slopes gradually
downwards towards the bottom of the primary guide channel in a
direction away from the guide channel junction to provide smooth
transition of the toy vehicle during transit across the guide
channel junction.
[0064] To provide smooth transition from the source primary guide
channel to the destination primary guide channel, the diversion
guide channel is gradually curved away from the source primary
guide channel and is convexly curved towards the destination
primary guide channel.
[0065] Cooperative guide channel selection means are provided on
the toy track and toy vehicle to facilitate selection of a guide
channel from a plurality of guide channels when a toy vehicle
approaches a guide channel junction. The guide channel selection
means enable a player to select a preferred guide channel along
which the toy vehicle will travel after leaving the guide channel
junction by manoeuvring the operation of the toy vehicle.
[0066] In this specific example, the guide channel selection means
on the toy track comprises ramping means 500 disposed at the
approaching side of the guide channel junction. The ramping means
comprises an inclined surface which gradually ascends towards the
guide channel junction, as is more particularly shown in FIGS. 1A
to 1H and FIG. 2A to 2H. More specifically, the ramping means
comprises a rounded bump with a convex surface protruding from the
bottom of the primary guide channel at a location just before the
guide channel junction and with its highest surface at a level
comparable to the height of the Junction Guide Wall 331a. This
ramping surface is adapted to interact with a retractable channel
guiding member of a toy vehicle adapted for use with the toy track
so as to facilitate guide channel selection at the guide channel
junction. Specifically, the ascending surface of the ramping device
is adapted for gradually reducing the length of a retractable
channel guiding member of the toy vehicle while the toy vehicle
transits through the ramping means towards the guide channel
junction during normal operation.
[0067] Referring again to the Figures, the toy vehicle 100
comprises a vehicle body 120 which may be made of metal, plastics
or a combination of both, wheels, a motor to drive the wheels,
channel guiding member, power contacts to obtain power from the
power supply rails 410a,b on the track and a magnet 130 to maintain
a close coupling between the toy vehicle and a corresponding
magnetic part on the base member for better track adherence. The
channel guiding means comprises a channel guiding member which may
be a downwardly extending pin, shaft, piston or shank (for brevity,
the term "downwardly extending member" will be used collectively)
which has a lateral width lesser than but comparable to that of the
guide channel to alleviate excessive deviation form the prescribed
paths. The downwardly extending member protrudes from the bottom of
the toy vehicle and its protruding length is adapted so that,
during normal running on the guide channels, the downwardly
extending channel member will protrude into the guide channels
adequate for guiding along the guide channel but with its free end
cleared of the bottom surface of the guide channels for smooth
running or operation.
[0068] In this example, the downwardly extending channel guiding
member 110 is under spring bias or spring urge so that it will
protrude maximally downwards with maximum extension from the toy
vehicle towards the toy track during normal running on the track.
Under this normal operating condition, the free end of this channel
guiding member is free of the bottom of the guide channels. For
example, the free end is about 0.5 mm above the bottom of the guide
channel.
[0069] When this spring urged channel guiding member 110 is urged
upwards and away from the toy track surface so that its effective
protruding length reduced, for example, when encountering the
elevated surface of the ramping means mentioned above, the channel
guiding member will be under spring urge to return to its extended
position. Thus, the channel guiding member is movable under spring
urge from a first (maximum extension) operating position to a
second (reduced protrusion) operating position. By utilising the
characteristic returning time required for the channel guiding
member 110 to return from the second, spring biased position, to
the first (maximum extended) position, a guide channel selection
means can be provided.
[0070] In this specific example and as more particularly shown in
FIG. 3, a combination of a helical spring 140 and a weight 150 is
used to urge the channel guiding member 110 to return to the first
operating position. The specific distance travelled by the vehicle
during the time in which the channel guiding member 110 moves from
the second operating position to the first operating position,
which is substantially toy vehicle speed dependent, is utilised to
substantially determine the channel guide along which the toy
vehicle will travel after the guide channel junction. Of course, it
will be appreciated that a spring or a weight alone can be used in
the channel guiding means to return the channel guiding member 110
to the first operating position, although in the latter case
gravitational force (instead of spring urge) will be the returning
force. Hence, it will be appreciated that the channel guiding means
also serves as a channel selection means and the channel guiding
member 110 also serves as a guide channel selection member in this
preferred embodiment.
[0071] The operation of the toy vehicle on the exemplary toy track
will be described in more detail below with reference to two
typical operating modes. In the first operating mode as shown the
first set of Figures, namely, FIGS. 1, 1A to 1H and 1AA to 1HH, the
toy vehicle is travelling at a first speed at the guide channel
junction and will travel along the diversion guide channel 330a to
the destination primary guide channel as indicated by the arrows
after the guide channel junction. In the second operating mode as
shown the second set of Figures, namely, FIGS. 2, 2A to 2H and 2AA
to 2HH, the toy vehicle is travelling at a second, higher, speed at
the guide channel junction and will travel along the primary guide
channel 310a as indicated by the arrows after the guide channel
junction. The first and second speed is respectively below and
above a predetermined threshold speed.
[0072] Referring to the first set of Figures, i.e., FIGS. 1 to 1HH,
an exemplary toy vehicle 100 is moving on a primary guide channel
towards a guide channel junction 340. Before entering the guide
channel junction 340, the guide channel selection means of the toy
vehicle will encounter the ramping means 500 disposed immediately
before the guide channel junctions. This ramping means includes an
ascending and arcuate surface which exposes above the bottom of the
source primary guided track. The protruding surface is adapted so
that when the channel guiding of the vehicle move across the
ramping surface, the channel guiding member 110 of the toy vehicle
100 will move from the first operating position of FIG. 1A to the
second operating position of FIG. 1B. After the channel guiding
member 110 of the toy vehicle is clear of the ascending surface of
the ramping means 500, it will be returned by spring bias to the
first operating position as shown in FIGS. 1C to 1H. As the toy
vehicle travels at this first speed which is below a threshold
speed, the channel guiding member will have returned to the first
operating position by the time the channel guiding member
encounters the Junction Guide Wall 331a. As a result, the
subsequent motion of the toy vehicle 100 will be guided by the
Junction Guide Wall 331a and the toy vehicle will move along the
diversion guide channel 330a to join the adjacent destination
primary guide channel 310b as shown in FIGS. 1D to 1H.
[0073] Referring next to the second set of Figures in which the toy
vehicle is travelling at a second speed which is above a threshold
speed, it will be noted that the channel guiding member 110 of the
toy vehicle will be moved from the first operating position to the
second operating position when the toy vehicle encounters the
ramping means 500. After the toy vehicle has departed from the
ramping means, it will move forward according to its moment of
inertia. At this second speed, which is above the prescribed
threshold speed, it is designed and calculated that the channel
guiding member 110 of the toy vehicle will not yet return to the
second operating position when it is at the location of the
Junction Guide Wall 331a. In other words, the channel guiding
member 110 of the toy vehicle will return to its second operating
position after it has passed or cleared the Junction Guide Wall
331a. As the channel guiding member 110 of the toy vehicle 100 does
not return to the second operating position until the Junction
Guide Wall 331a has been passed, the channel guiding member 110 of
the toy vehicle will be cleared of the Junction Guide Wall 331a and
its motion will be guided subsequently by the guide walls of the
primary guide channel after the guide channel junction. As a
result, the toy vehicle will continue to move linearly along the
primary guide junction without being diverted into the diversion
guide channel.
[0074] Hence, by calculating the return time of the spring-biased
channel guiding member 110 of the toy vehicle and the
characteristic travelling time between the ramping means and the
beginning of the Junction Guide Wall 331a, a threshold speed at
which the toy vehicle will bypass the Junction Guide Wall 331a can
be calculated or determined.
[0075] Furthermore, as the actual and exact distance between the
clearance of the ramping means by the channel selection member 110
and the beginning of the Junction Guide Wall 331a will depend
slightly on the exact path or velocity of the toy vehicle
immediately before encountering the ramping means, upon reaching
the prescribed threshold speed and encountering the ramping means,
whether the toy vehicle will continue to move along the primary
guide channel or to be diverted will depend also on the skill of
the player controlling the toy vehicle since the performance of the
toy vehicle will be somewhat affected if a user cannot maintain the
toy vehicle to move along a straight path prior to encountering the
ramping means. Furthermore, it will be noted that the primary guide
channel after the guide channel junction is substantially
tangential to the curvature of the diversion guide channel and is
substantially in accordance with the motion of inertia of the toy
vehicle prior to encountering the Junction Guide Wall 331a. Of
course, the primary guide channel can have any appropriate
curvature after the guide channel junction without loss of
generality.
[0076] In another preferred embodiment of a toy vehicle, the
channel selection means or the channel guiding member 110 of the
toy vehicle includes a guiding member which is pivotable between
the first and the second operating position, for example, by spring
bias, by gravitation, by combination of spring bias and
gravitation, by hydraulic or other appropriate means, so as to
effect the change or non-change of the motion path of the toy
vehicle by pivotal motion of the channel guiding means 110.
[0077] The exemplary vehicle toy sets of FIGS. 4 & 5 comprise a
toy track system assembled from a plurality of exemplary toy track
segments or module such as that described above, first and second
toy vehicles, first 510 and second controllers 520 respectively for
controlling the first 100a and the second 100b toy vehicles, and a
power supply 600. The toy track system comprises a common power
supply rail 410 which extends along the length of the toy track
system for supplying operating power to the toy vehicles. The
common power supply rail 410 typically, but not essentially,
comprises positive and negative power rails 410a & 410b. The
toy vehicles are electrical power driven and are adapted to obtain
their operating power supply from the toy track system while moving
along the track system. The first and the second controllers are
provided with means for individually controlling toy vehicles so
that a user can control the operation of the toy vehicles, for
example, to control the speed of a toy vehicle.
[0078] Referring firstly to FIG. 4, the power supply 600 comprises
an AC to AC adapter which converts an alternate current (AC) power
of a characteristic voltage and frequency into an AC supply of the
same characteristic frequency but with a lower characteristic
voltage. For example, the typical AC mains supply in the USA has a
characteristic voltage and frequency respectively of 110V root mean
square (rms) and 60 Hz while that for Europe are respectively 220V
rms and 50 Hz. The AC to AC adapter down-converts the AC mains
power supply to a voltage, for example, to below 20 Vrms, for safe
and appropriate operation of the toy vehicles.
[0079] The first and second controllers are respectively for
controlling the first and second toy vehicles and each of the
controllers comprises means for generating characteristic control
signals for controlling the operation of the toy vehicle. In this
preferred embodiment, the characteristic control signals are
embedded into the power supply before the operating power is fed
into the common power supply rails 410 a & b for use by the
vehicles. In this example, the control signals are in the form of a
variable power output which will be transformed into the variable
speed of the toy vehicles. To retrieve the operation or control
signals characteristic or unique to their operation, the toy
vehicles include means for differentiating and extracting the
characteristic control signals and operating power.
[0080] The controller includes means to insert or imposing identity
or identifying characteristics to the control signals generated by
the control generating means. In these examples, a unidirectional
electronic device (which is a diode 511 in the present example) is
used as an example of such identifying characteristics insertion or
imposing means. Of course, other unidirectional electronic devices,
such as a duly biased Mosfet, can be used. The control signal
generating means includes a variable resistor or a rheostat 512 to
vary the operating power, whereby the speed of the motor of the toy
vehicle can be changed and the motion of the vehicles along the
tracks can be accordingly controlled as described above.
[0081] As can be seen from the circuits, the power supply output,
the diode 511 and the rheostat 512 are connected in series so that
the control signals will be superimposed onto the operation power
to become the characteristic operating power before outputting.
This characteristic operating power will then be output to the
common power supply rail 410a & b of the tracks and to be
selectively picked up by the respective toy vehicles.
[0082] In order to pick up the characteristic operating power which
embeds the control signals, the toy vehicles are provided with
characteristic control signal pick up means which include a
unidirectional electronic device (which is also a diode 160 in this
embodiment) compatible with the unidirectional electronic device of
the controller. As can be seen from FIG. 4, the diode 511 of the
toy vehicle is connected in series with the motor 170 of the toy
vehicle and consistent with the direction of current flow of the
unidirectional device of the controller. By this arrangement, only
the portion of power which can flow across both diodes can be
picked up by the motor of the toy vehicle.
[0083] When a vehicle toy set is set up as shown in FIG. 4, a user
can control a vehicle through the controller and the operation of
the toy vehicle can be controlled by means of the rheostat. This
variable power output is then conditioned by the diode so that only
the portion of the current consistent with the diode flow will be
output. This variable power output is then picked up by the toy
vehicle having a corresponding and compatible unidirectional
electronic device and, consequently, the speed of that toy vehicle
can be controlled by the characteristic control signals embedded in
the power supply. Hence, the toy vehicles and the controllers can
be correspondingly and individually matched through matching
arrangement of diodes respectively in the toy vehicles and the
controller, even though the toy vehicles share the common power
supply rail.
[0084] The schematic block diagram of FIG. 5 shows a variation of
the toy vehicle set of FIG. 4 but with the AC power supply to the
controllers isolated from the mains supply by a full-wave bridge
rectifier. In order to generate the characteristic control signals,
electronic switching means with appropriate timing control
circuitry for generating AC pulses of positive and negative
polarity and of a prescribed general pulse frequency are connected
to the output of the rectifying bridge. Four electronic switches
arranged in the H-topology are connected to the output of a full
wave rectifying bridge to provide the AC pulses which constitute
the characteristic operating power which can be selectively picked
up by the compatible characteristic control signals pick up means
of the respective toy vehicles substantially as described
above.
[0085] While the present invention has been explained by reference
to the preferred embodiments described above, it will be
appreciated that the embodiments are illustrated as examples to
assist understanding of the present invention and are not meant to
be restrictive on the scope and spirit of the present invention.
The scope of this invention should be determined from the general
principles and spirit of the invention as described above. In
particular, variations or modifications which are obvious or
trivial to persons skilled in the art, as well as improvements made
on the basis of the present invention, should be considered as
falling within the scope and boundary of the present invention.
[0086] More specifically, while the present invention has been
explained by reference to a toy vehicle and toy track set in which
the vehicle will maintain a substantially straight or inertia
motion after a guide channel junction if the vehicle is travelling
at a speed above a threshold speed prior to encountering a ramping
means, it should be appreciated that the invention can apply, with
trivial modification, to a toy track and vehicle set so that the
motion of the toy vehicle will be diverted from a path of inertia
or tangential direction if the speed of the vehicle exceeds a
threshold speed when encountering a guide channel selection means
without loss of generality.
* * * * *