U.S. patent application number 17/546923 was filed with the patent office on 2022-06-16 for track device and running body.
The applicant listed for this patent is AGATSUMA CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Shinji TODOKORO.
Application Number | 20220184514 17/546923 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-06-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220184514 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
TODOKORO; Shinji |
June 16, 2022 |
TRACK DEVICE AND RUNNING BODY
Abstract
A track device includes a switching section configured to switch
a running path for guiding a wheel of a running body to running
paths in multiple directions, and a traveling path guide portion
disposed along the running path which follows a different direction
from an inertial direction of the running body.
Inventors: |
TODOKORO; Shinji; (Tokyo,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
AGATSUMA CO., LTD. |
Toyko |
|
JP |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/546923 |
Filed: |
December 9, 2021 |
International
Class: |
A63H 19/24 20060101
A63H019/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 11, 2020 |
JP |
2020-205802 |
Claims
1. A track device comprising: a switching section configured to
switch a running path for guiding a wheel of a running body to
running paths in multiple directions; and a traveling path guide
portion disposed along the running path which follows a different
direction from an inertial direction of the running body.
2. The track device according to claim 1, wherein the traveling
guide portion is formed into a groove shape which is deeper than
the running path.
3. The track device according to claim 1, wherein the traveling
path guide portion is provided inside the running path.
4. The track device according to claim 2, wherein the traveling
path guide portion is provided inside the running path.
5. The track device according to claim 1, wherein an identifier
configured to cause the running body to detect an entry to the
switching section is provided on an entrance side of the switching
section.
6. The track device according to claim 2, wherein an identifier
configured to cause the running body to detect an entry to the
switching section is provided on an entrance side of the switching
section.
7. The track device according to claim 3, wherein an identifier
configured to cause the running body to detect an entry to the
switching section is provided on an entrance side of the switching
section.
8. The track device according to claim 4, wherein an identifier
configured to cause the running body to detect an entry to the
switching section is provided on an entrance side of the switching
section.
9. The track device according to claim 1, comprising further: a
switching track member including the running paths which are
switched in the multiple directions by the switching section,
wherein the switching track member is configured so that a
single-line track member can be coupled to an end thereof where the
switching section is provided and an end thereof where the running
paths terminate.
10. The track device according to claim 2, comprising further: a
switching track member including the running paths which are
switched in the multiple directions by the switching section,
wherein the switching track member is configured so that a
single-line track member can be coupled to an end thereof where the
switching section is provided and an end thereof where the running
paths terminate.
11. The track device according to claim 3, comprising further: a
switching track member including the running paths which are
switched in the multiple directions by the switching section,
wherein the switching track member is configured so that a
single-line track member can be coupled to an end thereof where the
switching section is provided and an end thereof where the running
paths terminate.
12. The track device according to claim 4, comprising further: a
switching track member including the running paths which are
switched in the multiple directions by the switching section,
wherein the switching track member is configured so that a
single-line track member can be coupled to an end thereof where the
switching section is provided and an end thereof where the running
paths terminate.
13. The track device according to claim 5, comprising further: a
switching track member including the running paths which are
switched in the multiple directions by the switching section,
wherein the switching track member is configured so that a
single-line track member can be coupled to an end thereof where the
switching section is provided and an end thereof where the running
paths terminate.
14. The track device according to claim 9, wherein the switching
track member comprises a coupling portion provided at a first end
of the running path and a coupling target portion provided at a
second end of the running path, and wherein the traveling path
guide portion is provided in the coupling portion.
15. The track device according to claim 10, wherein the switching
track member comprises a coupling portion provided at a first end
of the running path and a coupling target portion provided at a
second end of the running path, and wherein the traveling path
guide portion is provided in the coupling portion.
16. The track device according to claim 11, wherein the switching
track member comprises a coupling portion provided at a first end
of the running path and a coupling target portion provided at a
second end of the running path, and wherein the traveling path
guide portion is provided in the coupling portion.
17. The track device according to claim 1, wherein a crossing
section where the running path so switched intersects the running
path in a different direction crosswise is provided between the
switching section and a switching termination section where
switching of the running paths switched by the switching section
terminates.
18. The track device according to claim 2, wherein a crossing
section where the running path so switched intersects the running
path in a different direction crosswise is provided between the
switching section and a switching termination section where
switching of the running paths switched by the switching section
terminates.
19. The track device according to claim 3, wherein a crossing
section where the running path so switched intersects the running
path in a different direction crosswise is provided between the
switching section and a switching termination section where
switching of the running paths switched by the switching section
terminates.
20. A running body comprising: a wheel configured to run on a
running path of a track member while being guided; a traveling path
switching portion configured to be brought into engagement with a
traveling path guide portion disposed along the running path which
follows a different direction from an inertial direction of running
at a switching section where the running path is switched to
running paths in multiple directions; and a control unit configured
to cause the traveling path switching portion to be brought into
engagement with or disengaged from the traveling path guide portion
at the switching section to thereby determine whether or not a
running direction is guided along the traveling path guide portion.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This patent application is based upon and claims the benefit
of priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No.
2020-205802 filed on Dec. 11, 2020, the entire disclosure of which,
including the specification, claims, drawings and abstract, is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a track device and a
running body.
Description of the Related Art
[0003] There have conventionally been proposed track devices for
enabling the switching of a traveling direction of a running body
imitating a vehicle. For example, Japanese Utility Model
Publication No. 51-129893 (JP-B-51-129893U) discloses a switch
device for a toy vehicle track which includes a movable element
which is pivotally supported at a switch point on the track on
which a running body (a toy vehicle) runs so as to rotate between a
first switching position and a second switching position to change
the traveling direction of the running body at the switch point.
The movable element is provided within a guide groove in the track.
A guide projection, which is provided at a lower portion of the
running body, is brought into engagement with the guide groove,
whereby the traveling direction of the running body is guided in
accordance with the switching position where the movable element is
rotated to stay.
[0004] With the switch device disclosed in JP-B-51-129893U,
however, the movable element needs to change its position every
time the traveling direction of the running body is switched over,
which requires a bit of time to operate a switching control.
SUMMARY
[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the
situations described above, and an object thereof is to provide a
track device and a running body with which running body tracks can
easily be changed.
[0006] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a track device including a switching section configured to
switch a running path for guiding a wheel of a running body to
running paths in multiple directions and a traveling path guide
portion disposed along the running path which follows a different
direction from an inertial direction of the running body.
[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a running body including a wheel configured to run on a
running path of a track member while being guided, a traveling path
switching portion configured to be brought into engagement with a
traveling path guide portion disposed along the running path which
follows a different direction from an inertial direction of running
at a switching section where the running path is switched in
multiple directions, and a control unit configured to cause the
traveling path switching portion to be brought into engagement with
or disengaged from the traveling path guide portion at the
switching section to thereby determine whether or not a running
direction is guided along the traveling path guide portion.
[0008] According to the present invention, the track device and the
running body can be provided with which the running body tracks can
easily be changed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 shows an overall plan view of a running toy according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a single-line track member
according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a switching track member according
to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 4A is an end view of the switching track member
according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.
3, as viewed from an end of the switching track member where an
entrance section is provided.
[0013] FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the switching track
member according to the embodiment of the present invention as
taken along a line IVb-IVb of the switching track member shown in
FIG. 3.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a running body according to
the embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the running body according to
the embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a remote controller terminal
according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a control flow chart of the running body according
to the embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] Hereinafter, referring to drawings, an embodiment of the
present invention will be described. A running toy 1 shown in FIG.
1 includes a track device 2 formed by combining multiple track
members (single-line track members 3, a switching track member 4)
and a running body 6 designed to run on the track device 2. In FIG.
1, the single-line track members 3 and the switching track member 4
are combined together so as to form the track device 2 having two
closed tracks of a first track 2A, which constitutes an inner
track, and a second track 2B, which constitutes an outer track.
When the running body 6 enters the switching track member 4, the
switching track member 4 can switch a running direction of the
running body 6 from the first track 2A to the second track 2B or
from the second track 2B to the first track 2A. Alternatively, the
switching track member 4 can allow the running body 6 to continue
running on the first track 24 or the second track 2B without
switching the running direction of the running body 6.
[0019] The single-line track members 3 shown in FIG. 1 include
single-line track members 3A to 3E for straight-line running and
single-line track members 3F to 3H for curvilinear running. The
single-line track members 3A to 3E for straight-line running
include the single-line track members 3A to 3D, which are long, and
the single-line track member 3E, which is shorter than the
single-line track members 3A to 3D. In addition, the single-line
track members 3F to 3H for curvilinear running are each curved at
45 degrees so as to change gradually the running direction (a
traveling direction) of the running body 6 through 45 degrees.
[0020] Identifiers 35 are provided individually on some single-line
track members 3B to 3D, 3G, 3H. In the present embodiment, the
identifier 35 is a bar code (a one dimensional code) in which one
or both of signs 351 and 352 are arranged with respect to the
running direction of the running body 6.
[0021] Next, referring to FIG. 2, the configuration of the
single-line track member 3 will be described by illustrating the
single-line track member 3G for curvilinear running on which the
identifier 35 is provided.
[0022] The single-line track member 3 has a main body portion 30,
which has a flat plate-like shape and is long in the running
direction of the running body 6. End faces 3a1 and 3b1 of both
longitudinal end portions 3a, 3b of the single-line track member 3
are inclined at 45 degrees relative to each other. A coupling
portion 51, which constitutes a projecting portion, is formed on
one end face 3a1 of the main body portion 30. In addition, a
coupled or coupling target portion 52 is provided on the other end
face 3b1 of the main body portion 30, and this coupling target
portion 52 is formed into a recessed portion which is configured to
be brought into fitting engagement with another coupling portion 51
of another single-line track member 3 so that both the single-line
track members 3 are coupled together. As shown in a cross-sectional
view of the single-line track member 3 taken along a line II-II in
FIG. 2, a track surface 3c is provided on one side of the
single-line track member 3, and a flat placement surface 3d is
provided on the other side thereof. The single-line track member 3
has running paths 31 on which pairs of wheels 611, 612, 621, 631
(refer to FIG. 5) of the running body 6 can run and a traveling
path guide portion 32 which is formed deeper than the running paths
31.
[0023] The running paths 31 are individually provided on both
longitudinal sides of the single-line track member 3 in such a
manner as to match a transverse distance defined between each of
the pairs of wheels 611, 612, 621, 631 and are disposed
substantially parallel to each other. The running paths 31 are each
formed into a recessed groove-like shape by a running guide portion
36 which is surrounded by a side wall 33 and an inner wall 34,
which project towards the track surface 3c. As shown in the
cross-sectional view of the single-line track member 3 taken along
the line II-II in FIG. 2, each inner wall 34 is disposed
transversely inwards of the corresponding side wall 33 of the
single-line track member 3. The inner wall 34 is formed lower and
transversely thicker than the side wall 33.
[0024] The traveling path guide portion 32 is provided transversely
inwards of the running path 31 and substantially at a transverse
center of the single-line track member 3. The traveling path guide
portion 32 is formed into a recessed groove-like shape which is
surrounded by the inner walls 34 on both sides thereof. In
addition, the traveling path guide portion 32 is formed deeper and
narrower in width than the running path 31 (refer to the
cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II). The traveling
path guide portion 32 is disposed substantially parallel to the
traveling paths 31, which are formed along both the longitudinal
sides of the main body portion 30.
[0025] The coupling portion 51 has a neck portion 511, which
projects substantially from a transverse (width direction) center
of the main body portion 30 at the end portion 3a, and a widthwise
broadened portion 512, having a substantially circular shape in a
plan view, which is provided at a distal end of the neck portion
511. The neck portion 511 is formed so as to have a width which is
smaller than a transverse distance defined between inner surfaces
311 of both the running paths 31 and is larger than a width of the
traveling path guide portion 32. Portions of the inner walls 34,
which are disposed along both longitudinal sides of the traveling
path guide portion 32, are made to extend to the neck portion 511
and the widthwise broadened portion 512 at the same height. As a
result, the traveling path guide portion 32 is also made to extend
into the coupling potion 51. The traveling path guide portion 32 at
an end portion of the coupling portion 51 is cut out into the same
width as the width of the traveling path guide portion 32 in the
main body portion 30, so that a traveling path guide portion 32 in
a coupling target portion 52 of another single-line track member 3
can be contiguous with the coupling portion 51 when the coupling
target portion 52 is brought into fitting engagement with the
coupling portion 51.
[0026] The coupling target portion 52 has arm portions 523 which
are formed by an opening portion 521, which is formed by cutting
out a substantially transverse (width direction) center portion of
the main body portion 30, and slits 522, which are each provided at
an inner surface 311 side of the running path 31 at the end portion
3b. The arm portions 523 so provided form a bifurcate shape. The
opening portion 521 and the slits 522 are both cut into the main
body portion 30 substantially to the same extent or depth from the
end face 3b1. Projecting portions 523a are formed at distal end
portions (the end face 3b1) of both the arm portions 523 in such a
manner as to project towards each other to narrow a transverse
distance defined between the arm portions 523 more at the distal
end portions than at proximal portions. Respective facing surfaces
of the projecting portions 523a are formed to the same width and
substantially parallel to each other over a full extent thereof in
the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 30.
[0027] A widthwise broadened portion 521a, which is defined between
the proximal portions of the arm portions 523, has a substantially
circular shape in a plan view. The arm portion 523 has the same
thickness as that of the inner wall 34 of the main body portion 30,
and the inner wall 34 is formed in such a manner as to extend to
the arm portion 523. A width of the opening portion 521 of the
coupling target portion 52 is formed larger than the widths of the
neck portion 511 and the widthwise broadened portion 512 of the
coupling portion 51.
[0028] An identifier 35 is provided on the track surface 3c of the
single-line track member 3. In the present embodiment, the
identifier 35 is a one-dimensional bar code in which signs 351, 352
are arranged in the running direction of the running body 6. The
identifier 35 includes a sign 351 of a low reflectance and a sign
352 of a reflectance which is higher than the reflectance of the
sign 351. The running body 6 can read an arrangement of signs 351,
352 using an optical sensor 615, which will be described later, to
thereby detect the type of the identifier 35. For example, as an
input into the optical sensor 615, the sign 351 corresponds to "1",
and the sign 352 corresponds to "0". In the track device 2 shown in
FIG. 1, an identifier 35 is provided on the single-line track
member 3G located on an entrance side of a switching section 441
(refer to FIG. 3) of the switching track member 4. The identifier
35 enables the running body 6 to detect an entry to the switching
section441. With an identifier 35G, a sign 351, a sign 352, a sign
351, and a sign 351 are sequentially arranged in this order. In
this case, the running body 6 can detect an input of "1011" by the
optical sensor 615. The identifier 35G indicates that the running
body 6 is in a position immediately before the switching track
member 4 with respect to the running direction of the running body
6.
[0029] The signs 351, 352 are each provided in such a manner as to
extend continuously over a bottom surface and facing inner surfaces
of the traveling guide portion 32 and upper surfaces of the inner
walls 34 so as to have a substantially rectangular shape in a plan
view in FIG. 2. In the present embodiment, the sign 351 is formed
black and can be provided in an arbitrary method such as affixing
an adhesive tape, painting, disposing a separate member from the
single-line track member 3, or the like. Additionally, the
single-line track member 3 is formed of a white base material, and
a portion of the base material is exposed to provide an area of a
high reflectance as a sign 352.
[0030] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a single-line
track member 3G including an identifier 35G is disposed on each of
the first track 2A, constituting the inner track, and the second
track 2B, constituting the outer track. In addition, an identifier
35H, whose arrangement of signs 351, 352 is opposite to that of the
identifier 35G, is provided on the single-line track member 3H. The
identifier 35H enables the running body 6 to detect that the
running body 6 is in a position immediately before the switching
track member 4 in the case that the running body 6 is caused to run
in a counterclockwise direction on the first track 2A and the
second track 2B in FIG. 1.
[0031] In the track device 2 in FIG. 1, identifiers 35B to 35D are
provided respectively on the single-line track members 3B to 3D for
straight-line running. The identifiers 35B to 35D indicate
positions of stations in the running toy 1, and different
arrangements of signs 351, 351 denote different stations. In the
present embodiment, the identifier 35B ("111") denotes a "station
1", the identifier 35C ("1111") denotes a "station 2", and the
identifier 35D ("11111") denotes a "station 3". As will be
described later, receiving a "stop-at-station command", the running
body 6 can stop in the position of an arbitrary station so
designated.
[0032] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the switching track member 4. The
switching track member 4 has a main body portion 40 of a
substantially rectangular flat plate-like shape which is long in
the running direction of the running body 6. The switching track
member 4 has two entrance portions 401, 402 at one longitudinal end
portion 4a and two exit portions 403, 404 at the other longitudinal
end portion 4b thereof. In the switching track member 4, the
running body 6 can enter from either of the entrance portion 401
and the entrance portion 402 and can exit from either of the exit
portion 403 and the exit portion 404. The switching track member 4
is formed vertically symmetrical as viewed in the plan view of FIG.
3.
[0033] End faces 4a1, 4b1 of both longitudinal end portions 4a, 4b
of the switching track member 4 are formed substantially parallel
to each other. Coupling portions 51, constituting projecting
portions, are formed on one end face 4a1 of the main body portion
40. In addition, coupling target portions 52, each constituting a
recessed portion which is brought into fitting engagement with a
coupling portion 51 of another single-line track member 3 so as to
couple both the track members together, are provided on the other
end face 4b1 of the main body portion 40. The configurations of the
coupling portion 51 and the coupling target portion 52 of the
switching track member 4 are substantially the same as those of the
coupling portion 51 and the coupling target portion 52 of the
single-line track member 3.
[0034] As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, a track surface 4c is provided
on one side of the switching track member 4, and a flat placement
surface 4d is provided on the other side thereof. The switching
track member 4 has running paths 41, on which the pairs of wheels
611, 612, 621, 631 of the running body 6 can run, and traveling
path guide portions 42, which are formed deeper than the running
paths 41.
[0035] The running paths 41 are formed on a running surface 43,
which is a flat surface provided on most portions of the switching
track member 4. The running paths 41 are provided parallel to and
apart from each other so as to define a transverse distance which
is substantially the same as a distance defined between the pairs
of left and right wheels 611, 612, 621, 631 of the running body 6.
In the present embodiment, running paths 41a to 41d are provided in
such a manner as to extend in four directions. The running paths
41a to 41d guide the pairs of wheels 611, 612, 621, 631 of the
running body 6 by side walls 45, side surfaces (or inner surfaces)
of island portions 46, and the like, which project from the running
surface 43. The running paths 41a are formed in such a manner as to
extend from the entrance portion 401 towards the exit portion 403,
and the running paths 41b are formed in such a manner as to extend
from the entrance portion 401 towards the exit portion 404. In
addition, the running paths 41c are formed in such a manner as to
extend from the entrance portion 402 towards the exit portion 403,
and the running paths 41d are formed in such a manner as to extend
from the entrance portion 402 towards the exit portion 404. The
running paths 41a and the running paths 41d are disposed
substantially parallel and straight. The running paths 41b and the
running paths 41c are disposed diagonally so as to intersect each
other crosswise in to an X-shape.
[0036] The switching track member 4 has the side walls 45, which
project towards the track surface 4c, along both longitudinal edge
portions thereof (refer to FIG. 4A). In addition, the switching
track member 4 has multiple island portions 46 which project
towards the track surface 4c and are located transversely inwards
of the side walls 45. The side walls 45 are formed substantially at
the same height as that of the side walls 33 of the single-line
track members 3, so that the side walls 33 of the single-line track
members 3 can extend continuously to the side walls 45 of the
switching track member 4 when the single-line track members 3 are
coupled to the switching track member 4 at the entrance portions
401, 402 or the exit portions 403, 404.
[0037] The island portions 46 include inner island portions 461,
which are disposed individually between the two running paths 41a
and the two running paths 41d, endwise disposed island portions
462, 464, which are provided at an end portion where the entrance
portions 401, 402 are provided, and endwise disposed island portion
463, 465, which are provided at an end portion where the exit
portions 403, 404 are provided. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the
endwise disposed island portions 462, 463 are formed substantially
at the same height as that of the side walls 45. The inner land
portions 461 and the endwise disposed island portions 464, 465 are
formed lower than the side walls 45 (or the endwise disposed land
portions 462, 463) and substantially at the same height as that of
the inner walls 34 of the single-line track member 3 shown in FIG.
2 (also refer to FIGS. 4A and 4B).
[0038] The endwise disposed island portions 462, 463 are disposed
between the running path 41b and the running path 41c and are each
formed into an isosceles triangle with an apex formed by two sides
of equal length being directed inwards of the switching track
member 4 in a plan view. The endwise disposed island portions 464
are adjacent to the corresponding coupling portions 51 and are
disposed between the two running paths 41a and the two running
paths 41d, respectively. In addition, the endwise disposed island
portions 465 are adjacent to the corresponding coupling target
portions 52 and are disposed between the two running paths 41a and
the two running paths 41d, respectively.
[0039] An inner wall 471, whose height is substantially the same as
that of the corresponding endwise disposed island portion 464, is
provided on an opposite side to the endwise disposed island portion
464 with respect to the traveling path guide portion 42 in such a
manner as to be adjacent to the neck portion 511 at each of the
entrance portions 401, 402. In addition, an inner wall 472, whose
height is substantially the same as that of the corresponding
endwise disposed island portion 465, is provided on an opposite
side to the endwise disposed island portion 465 with respect to the
traveling path guide portion 42 in such a manner as to be adjacent
to the opening portion 521 at each of the exit portions 403,
404.
[0040] The traveling path guide portions 42 are each formed into a
recessed groove shape which is recessed deeper than the running
path 41 in the running surface 43 where the running path 41 is
formed. The traveling path guide portion 42 is disposed along the
running paths 41b which extend in a different direction from the
running paths 41a which extend in an inertial direction of the
running body 6 which travels from the entrance portion 401 towards
the exit portion 403. As a result, the traveling path guide portion
42 is provided so as to extend over a full length of the running
paths 41b from the entrance portion 401 to the exit portion 404. In
addition, the traveling path guide portion 42 is disposed along the
running paths 41c which extend in a different direction from the
running paths 41d which extend in the inertial direction of the
running body 6 which travels from the entrance portion 402 towards
the exit portion 404. As a result, the switching track member 4 has
the multiple traveling path guide portions 42 which intersect each
other crosswise into an X-shape along the multiple running paths
41b, 41c, respectively. The traveling path guide portion 42, which
corresponds to the running paths 41b, is provided transversely
inwards of or between the two running paths 41b on which the pairs
of left and right wheels 611, 612, 621, 631 of the running body 6
pass. In addition, the traveling path guide portion 42, which
corresponds to the running paths 41c, is provided transversely
inwards of or between the two running paths 41c on which the pairs
of left and right wheels 611, 612, 621, 631 of the running body 6
pass.
[0041] The running path 41a, which extends from the entrance
portion 401 towards the exit portion 403, includes a switching
section 441, a guide section 442, and a merging portion 443. The
running path 41 which extends from the entrance portion 401 is
switched to the running path 41a and the running path 41b at the
switching section 441. The running path 41a extends in the inertial
direction (in the present embodiment, a straight traveling
direction) of the running body 6 which runs while being guided or
not being guided by the side wall 45 or the endwise disposed land
portion 464 at the switching section 441.
[0042] The guide section 442 guides the running direction of the
running body 6 by the side wall 45 and the inner island portion
461. The running paths 41a and the running paths 41c merge together
at the merging section 443, whereby the running body 6 is guided
from the exit portion 403 to another subsequent single-line track
member 3 which is continuously coupled thereto.
[0043] The running paths 41b, which extend from the entrance
portion 401 towards the exit portion 404, includes a switching
section 441, a guide section 444, a crossing section 445, a guide
section 446, and a merging section 443. A side surface of the inner
island portion 461 is positioned to the side of the running path
41b at the guide section 444, and even in the case that the wheels
611, 612, 621, 631 of the running body 6 are brought into abutment
with the inner island portion 461, the running direction of the
running body 6 can be guided towards the crossing section 445 along
the running paths 41b. The crossing section 445 is disposed between
the switching section 441 and a switching termination section (the
merging section 443 in the present embodiment) where the switching
of the running paths 41b which are switched by the switching
section 441 terminates, and the running paths 41b and the other
running paths 41c intersect each other crosswise at the crossing
section 445. The crossing section 445 is disposed between the
switching section 441 and the switching termination section (the
merging section 443 in the present embodiment) of the running paths
41b switched by the switching section 441. In addition, the running
paths 41b are formed substantially straight-line (a straight
traveling direction) at the crossing section 445. As a result, the
running body 6, which enters from the guide section 444, can run
towards the guide section 446 with or even without a traveling path
switching portion 618b being guided by the traveling path guide
portion 42.
[0044] A side surface of the inner island portion 461 is positioned
to the side of the running path 41b at the guide section 446, and
in the case that the wheels 611, 612, 621, 631 of the running body
6 are brought into abutment with the inner island portion 461, the
running direction of the running body 6 can be guided towards the
merging section 443 along the running paths 41b. The running paths
41b and the running paths 41d merge together at the merging section
443 for the exit portion 404, whereby the running body 6 can be
guided from the exit portion 404 to another subsequent single-line
track member 3 which is coupled thereto.
[0045] The running paths 41d are configured vertically symmetrical
with the running paths 41a as viewed in FIG. 3, and as with the
running paths 41a, the running paths 41d also include a switching
section 441, a guide section 442, and a merging section 443. In
addition, the running paths 41c are configured vertically
symmetrical with the running paths 41b as viewed in FIG. 3, and as
with the running paths 41b, the running paths 41c include a
switching section 441, a guide section 444, a crossing section 445,
a guide section 446, and a merging section 443.
[0046] In addition, the switching track member 4 is configured
laterally symmetrical as viewed in FIG. 3 without the coupling
portions 51 and the coupling target portions 52, whereby the
running body 6 can also enter the switching track member 4 from the
exit portions 403, 404 and exit from the entrance portions 401,
402. In this case, the merging section 443 shown in FIG. 3
functions as the switching section, and the switching section 441
functions as the merging section.
[0047] The switching track member 4 has the coupling portions 51,
which are provided at the one ends of the running paths 41, and the
coupling target portions 52, which are provided at the other ends
of the running paths 41. As with the single-line track member 3,
the traveling path guide portions 42 are caused to extend into the
coupling portions 51. A coupling portion 51 of another single-line
track member 3 can be brought into fitting engagement with the
opening portion 521 of the coupling target portion 52 from a
thickness direction of the switching target member 4. When the
coupling portion 51 and the coupling target portion 52 are coupled
together, the widthwise broadened portion 512 of the coupling
portion 51 is disposed inside the widthwise broadened portion 521a
of the coupling target portion 52. In addition, the projecting
portions 523a of the arm portions 523 are brought into engagement
with the neck portion of the coupling portion 51. As a result, in
such a state that the coupling portion 51 and the coupling target
portion 52 are coupled together, the coupling portion 51 and the
coupling target portion 52 are restricted from moving in the
direction in which the running path 31 (or the running path 41)
extends. As a result, the coupled state of the single-line track
member 3 to the switching track member 4 can be held stably. The
switching track member 4 is configured so that single-line track
members 3 can be coupled to the switching track member 4
individually at the switching section 441, which constitutes an
initiating end where the coupling portion 51 is provided, and the
merging section 443, which constitutes a terminating end of the
running paths 41.
[0048] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the running body 6 which
shows casings of constituent cars in section and shows
schematically internal configurations of the constituent cars. FIG.
6 is a block diagram of the running body 6. The running body 6
includes a leading car 61, a middle car 62, and a trailing car 63
and is configured as a set of three cars. The wheels 611, 621, 631
of the leading car 61, the middle car 62, and the trailing car 63
are supported in such a manner as to rotate freely, and a part of
the wheels, that is, the wheels 612 of the leading car 61 function
as drive wheels. The leading car 61, the middle car 62, and the
trailing car 63 are coupled together by hollow cylindrical coupling
members 64, which are each opened at the front and rear thereof.
Wirings for multiple circuit boards 632, 613, mounted components,
and the like inside the individual cars 61 to 63 are connected by
wirings which pass through hollow portions of the coupling members
64, although not shown. The coupling members 64 are connected to
the corresponding cars 61 to 63 with hinges in such a manner as to
move around a vertical direction as an axis, whereby the coupling
members 64 are coupled to the corresponding cars in such a manner
as to rotate to the left and right with respect to the running
direction of the running body 6.
[0049] The middle car 62 includes power supplies 622 and a power
supply switch 623. In the present embodiment, two primary batteries
are used for the power supplies 622, but secondary batteries may be
used. In addition, in the present embodiment, a slide switch is
used for the power supply switch 623, and an operating portion of
the power supply switch 623 projects from an opening provided in an
upper surface of the middle car 62.
[0050] Multiple circuit boards 632 are disposed in the trailing car
63. The circuit boards 632 include a control unit 632a made up of a
microcomputer or the like (refer to FIG. 6), a regulator, switch
circuits for individual drive units, and the like. The trailing car
63 includes a reception unit 633 for receiving a control directive
from a remote controller terminal 7 (refer to FIG. 7) in the form
of a wireless signal such as infrared signal and a speaker 634 for
outputting voice. A light receiving portion of the reception unit
633 is exposed from an opening provided in an upper surface of the
trailing car 63. The speaker 634 is disposed on an upper surface
side of the trailing car 63, so that voice and sound can be emitted
upwards of the trailing car 63.
[0051] The leading car 61 is equipped with a running drive unit
614, which is a motor for driving the wheels 612, an optical sensor
615, and a switching drive unit 616, which is a motor for
controlling lifting and lowering movements of a slide member 618.
The wirings pulled out from the circuit boards 632 in the trailing
car 63 are connected to the running drive unit 614, the optical
sensor 615, and the switching drive unit 616 byway of the circuit
board 613. The running drive unit 614 rotates a driven gear fixed
to an axle portion of the wheels 612 via multiple gears so as to
control the rotation of the wheels 612. The optical sensor 615 is a
light projecting and receiving sensor employing an arbitrary
wavelength such as an infrared ray or the like. The optical sensor
615 can shine light to a running surface (the single-line track
member 3 or the switching track member 4) which is located below
the leading car 61 and read the intensity of reflected light. In
the present embodiment, the control unit 632a can detect a running
position of the running body 6 by use of a sign pattern (an order
in which the sign 351 and the sign 352 are arranged) of the
identifier 35 shown in FIG. 1 which is read by the optical sensor
615. The optical sensor 615 is positioned substantially middle
between the pairs of left and right wheels 611, 612 as shown in a
bottom view of the leading car 61.
[0052] The slide member 618 is configured so as to be moved up and
down by a pressure member 617, which is connected with the
switching drive unit 616 via multiple gears, and an elastic member
S, which is a compression coil. The slide member 618 has an upper
circular disc-shaped receiving portion 618a and the traveling path
switching portion 618b, which is a cylindrical projection which
extends downwards substantially from a center of a lower surface of
the receiving portion 618a. The slide member 618 is accommodated in
a cylindrical accommodation unit 618c in such a manner as to move
up and down. The elastic member S is disposed between the receiving
portion 618a and a bottom portion of the accommodation unit 618c
and biases the slide member 618 upwards.
[0053] The pressure member 617 has a shaft portion 617a, which is
provided rotatably as a result of meshing engagement with a gear
provided on the switching drive unit 616, and an arm portion 617b
which extends from the shaft portion 617a to the front. The
pressure member 617 is caused to rotate around the shaft portion
617a by the switching drive unit 616 and is caused to be shifted
between a state shown in FIG. 5 in which the pressure member 617
does not press against the slide member 618 and a state in which
the pressure member 617 moves the slide member 618 downwards
against a spring-back force of the elastic member S by use of the
arm portion 617b. In the state in which the slide member 618 is
pressed downwards, the traveling path switching portion 618b
projects outwards from the lower surface of the leading car 61 to
thereby be positioned further downwards than the wheels 611, 612 at
a distal end thereof as indicated by chain lines. As shown in the
bottom view of the leading car 61, the traveling path switching
portion 618b is positioned further forwards than an axle portion of
the front wheels and substantially in a middle position between the
left and right wheels 611 of the leading car 61.
[0054] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 6, the functional units
described above (the reception unit 633, the speaker 634, the
running drive unit 614, the optical sensor 615, and the switching
drive unit 616) are controlled by the control unit 632a. As will be
described by reference to FIG. 8, the control unit 632a causes the
traveling path switching portion 618b to be brought into engagement
with and disengagement from the traveling path guide portion 42 to
thereby determine whether or not the running body 6 is guided along
the traveling path guide portion 42.
[0055] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the remote controller terminal
7. The remote controller terminal 7 includes a control unit 71, a
transmission unit 72, and an input unit 73. The transmission unit
72 transmits a control directive to the reception unit 633 of the
running body 6 in the form of a wireless signal such as an infrared
signal. The input unit 73 has slide switches 731, 732 for
instructing a start and a stop, respectively, a push button 733 for
instructing a switch of the track (the first track 2A or the second
track 2B) of the running body 6, and push buttons 734 to 736 for
designating a stopping station from "station 1" to "station 3".
[0056] The user can remote control a start and a stop of the
running body 6, a switch at the switching track member 4, and the
like by operating the remote controller terminal 7.
[0057] Next, an example of control of the running toy 1 will be
described. FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a control to be
carried out by the control unit 632a of the running body 6. First
of all, the user puts the running body 6 in an arbitrary position
on the track device 2 shown in FIG. 1. Then, when a power supply
switch SW is operated, the running body 6 is caused to be waiting
in a stopped state (Step S01).
[0058] When the control unit 632a of the running body 6 receives a
"start directive signal" from the remote controller terminal 7 in
Step S02, the control unit 632a causes the running drive unit 614,
which is the motor, to be driven to cause the running body 6 to
start running (Step S03). The control unit 632a determines in Step
S04 whether any signal has been received from the remote controller
terminal 7, and if no signal has been received (S04, NO), the
control unit 632a repeats the operation in Step S04 while the
running body 6 keeps running. If control unit 632a receives in Step
S04 a "stop-at-station directive" as a result of depressing any of
the push buttons 734 to 736 of the remote controller terminal 7,
the control unit 632a proceeds to Step S05. If the control unit
632a receives a "switch directive" as a result of depressing the
push button 733, the control unit S632a proceeds to Step S11. If
the control unit 632a receives a "stop directive", the control unit
632a proceeds to Step S14.
[0059] In Step S05, the control unit 632a reproduces a voice
message informing of a station where the running body 6 is going to
stop from "station 1", "station 2", and "station 3" from the
speaker 634. This voice message can include a voice message
notifying of the station where the running body 6 is going to stop
and a piece of music corresponding to the stopping station in
question.
[0060] The control unit 632a determines in Step S06 whether the
station where the running body 6 is going to stop is detected. For
example, if the identifier 35 read by the optical sensor 615 is the
identifier 35B, the control unit 632a determines that the station
where the running body 6 is going to stop is "station 1". If the
identifier 35 read by the optical sensor 615 is the identifier 35C,
the control unit 632a determines that the station where the running
body 6 is going to stop is "station 2". If the identifier 35 read
by the optical sensor 615 is the identifier 35D, the control unit
632a determines that the station where the running body 6 is going
to stop is "station 3". As a result, if the identifier 35 is
detected which denotes the station coinciding with the stopping
station received in Step S04, the control unit 632a proceeds to
Step S07. If no identifier 35 is detected or the station denoted by
the identifier 35 detected does not coincide with the stopping
station received in Step S04, the control unit 632a proceeds to an
operation in Step S08.
[0061] Since the stopping station received coincides with the
station denoted by the identifier 35 detected, the control circuit
632a stops the running body 6 in Step S07. In this way, the control
unit 632a can stop the running body 6 at any of the stations
designated by the remote controller terminal 7.
[0062] In Step S08, the control unit 632a determines that the
stopping station received in Step S04 exists within the track
(within the first track 2A on which the running body 6 is currently
running or the second track 2B). For example, if an elapsing time
that has elapsed since the receipt of the "stop-at-station
directive" in Step S04 is equal to or smaller than a predetermined
threshold value, the control unit 632a temporarily determines that
there is a designated station to stop the running body 6 (S08, YES)
and can return to the operation in Step S06. On the other hand, the
control unit 632a repeats the operations in Step S06 and Step S08
until the designated station is detected while keeping the running
body 6 running, and if the elapsing time exceeds the predetermined
threshold value, the control unit 632a determines that there is no
designated station within the track (within the first track 2A on
which the running body 6 is currently running or the second track
2B) (S08, NO), and then, the control unit 632a proceeds to an
operation in Step S09. Alternatively, if none of the identifiers
35B to 35D which corresponds to the designated station is detected
while the identifier 35G is detected twice while causing the
running body 6 to circulate the first track 2A or the second track
2B shown in FIG. 1 (that is, if the designated station is not
detected while causing the running body 6 to circulate the first
track 2A or the second track 2B once), the control unit 632a may
determine that the designated station does not exist within the
track (within the first track 2A on which the running body 6 is
currently running or the second track 2B) (S08, NO).
[0063] In Step S09, the control unit 632a determines whether the
identifier 35G is detected by the optical sensor 615. If the
identifier 35G is not detected (S09, NO), the control unit 632a
returns to the operation in Step S06 and repeats the operations of
Step S09 and Step S07 until the identifier 35G is detected by the
optical sensor 617. On the other hand, if the identifier 35G is
detected (S09, YES), the control unit 632a proceeds to an operation
in Step S10.
[0064] The traveling path of the running body 6 is switched at the
switching track member 4 in Step S10. If the identifier 35G is
detected, the running body 6 is in a position immediately before
the switching track member 4. In Step S10, the control unit 632a
causes the switching drive unit 616 of the running body 6 to be
driven to lower the slide member 618, causing the traveling path
switching portion 618b to project from the lower surface side of
the running body 6. Then, as indicated by a chain line in FIG. 4B,
the traveling path switching portion 618b is brought into
engagement with the traveling path guide portion 42, whereby the
running direction of the running body 6 is guided towards the
running paths 41b whose directions are different from the inertial
direction of the running body 6 (also refer to FIG. 3). The running
body 6 advances from the exit portion 404 to a subsequent
single-line track member 3 while being guided by the traveling path
guide portion 42, whereby the running body 6 can run on the second
track 2B (refer to FIG. 1). The control unit 632a can cause the
traveling path switching portion 618b to keep projecting for a
predetermined period of time until the traveling path of the
running body 6 is switched completely. For example, the control
unit 632a may cause the traveling path switching portion 618b to
keep projecting while the leading car 61 is running through the
switching section 441 or may cause the traveling path switching
portion 618b to keep projecting from a point in time before the
leading car 61 enters the switching section 441 until a point in
time when the leading car 61 or the trailing car 63 has passed
through the merging section 443 after the traveling path has been
switched completely. Thereafter, the control unit 632a returns to
the operation in Step S06. In addition, if any one of the
identifiers 35B to 35D which denotes the designated station is
detected in Step S06 (S06, YES), the control unit 632a causes the
running body 6 to stop at the designated station (S07), returning
to the waiting operation in Step S01.
[0065] In Step S11, the control unit 632a reproduces an alarming
sound and causes it to be emitted from the speaker 634. In Step
S12, the control unit 632a determines whether the optical sensor
615 detects the identifier 35G. If the optical sensor 615 does not
detect the identifier 35G (S12, NO), the control unit 632a repeats
the operation in Step S2 until the identifier 35G is detected. On
the other hand, if the optical sensor 615 detects the identifier
35G (S12, YES), the control unit 632a proceeds to an operation in
Step S13.
[0066] As with Step S10, in Step S13, the control unit 632a
switches the traveling path of the running body 6 from the first
track 2A to the second track 2B or the second track 2B to the first
track 2A at the switching track member 4. Thereafter, the control
unit 632a returns to the operation in Step S04.
[0067] In addition, in Step S14, the control unit 632a causes the
running drive unit 614 to stop the running body 6.
[0068] Thus, in the present embodiment, the configuration of the
track device 2 has been described which includes the switching
section 441 which switches the running paths 41 for guiding the
pairs of wheels 611, 612, 621, 631 of the running body 6 in the
multiple directions and the traveling guide portions 42 which are
disposed along the running paths 41 whose directions differ from
the inertial direction of the running body 6. The running body 6
can select the running direction without directly operating the
switching track member 4 (or the switching section 441). As a
result, the running toy 1 can be configured in which the tracks of
the running body 6 can easily be changed.
[0069] Thus, while the embodiment of the present invention has been
described heretofore, the present invention is not limited by the
embodiment in anyway and can be carried out while being modified or
altered variously. For example, in the present embodiment, in the
identifier 35, the sign 351 is described as being black and the
sing 352 is described as being white; however, the sing 351 and the
sign 352 can adopt any colors as long as two values ("1" or "0")
can be read by the optical sensor 615.
[0070] In the present embodiment, while the bar code is described
as being used as the identifier 35, another configuration can be
used which includes another one-dimensional code, a non-contact tag
such as RFID, or the like. In the case that a non-contact tag is
used as the identifier 35, a reading unit for reading a non-contact
tag can be disposed in place of the optical sensor 615.
[0071] In the present embodiment, while the running drive unit 614,
the optical sensor 615, the switching drive unit 616, the power
supply switch SW, the power supplies 622, the reception unit 633,
and the speaker 634 are scattered to be provided in the individual
cars 61 to 63, those constituent units may be combined altogether
so as to be provided in any one of the cars 61 to 63.
Alternatively, the constituent units maybe scattered over the cars
61 to 63 in arbitrary different combinations.
[0072] In the present embodiment, while the traveling path guide
portion 32, which has substantially the same width and depth as
those of the traveling guide portion 42, is provided in the
single-line track member 3, a configuration can be adopted in which
the traveling path guide portion 32 is not provided in the
single-line track member 3. In this case, too, the running body 6
can switch its running direction as a result of the traveling path
switching portion 618b being brought into engagement with the
traveling path guide portion 42 at the switching track member
4.
[0073] The direction of the running path 41 which extends in the
inertial direction of the running body 6 in the switching section
441 of the switching track member 4 is not limited to the direction
in which the running path 41 extends straight (the straight
traveling direction), and hence, the running path 41 may extend in
a curvilinear direction in which the wheels 611, 612, 621, 631 of
the running body 6 are guided by the side wall 45 and the like. In
this case, as the running path 41 whose direction differs from the
inertial direction of the running body 6, a curvilinear direction
can be adopted whose curvature is larger (further inwards) than
that of the curvilinear direction which is guided by the wheels
611, 612, 621, 631. The traveling path guide portion 42 can be
provided along the running path 41 which extends in the curvilinear
direction of the larger curvature. As a result, the running body 6
can select the running path 41 in any direction by activating the
traveling path switching portion 618b.
* * * * *