EP3395420B1

EP3395420B1 - Connecting piece for toy track and toy track

Info

Publication number: EP3395420B1
Application number: EP16908064.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Yunzhang LUO
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-07-06
Filing date: 2016-12-27
Publication date: 2020-04-29
Anticipated expiration: 2036-12-27
Also published as: EP3395420A1; KR102089199B1; WO2018006560A1; CN105903208B; RU2713144C1; CN105903208A; EP3395420A4; KR20180095077A; US20190030445A1

Description

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of toys for children, in particular to a toy track and a connecting piece thereof.

Background

Currently, the ability to think independently and the hands-on skill are getting seriously in the process of teaching children to learn for more and more parents and schools. Toy tracks (especially the tracks for various kinds of balls or roller coasters) are suitable toys for children to exercise their hands-on skills and promote brain development. Various types of toy tracks can be assembled by combining flexible tube-like items. The toy tracks may also be used in combination with plug-in building blocks, so they are flexible, and a toy can be played with in a variety of ways. As a result, children's psychology of creativity i.e. designing the route for balls or roller coasters according to their ideas, can be completely satisfying. Compared with simple plug-in building blocks available in the current market, the toy tracks can activate children's creativity and create a strong desire to play.
Most toy tracks available include flexible tube structures and supporting pieces. As shown in FIG. 1, the flexible tube structure includes flexible tube 1, first connector 2, and second connector 3. First connector 2 and second connector 3 are respectively arranged at two ends of flexible tube 1. First connector 2 is provided with plug-in groove 21 and plug-in body 22. Second connector 3 is provided with plug-in groove 31 and plug-in body 32. Plug-in groove 31 is matched with plug-in body 22, and plug-in body 32 is matched with plug-in groove 21. As a result of such design, not only can different flexible tubes can be connected to each other in plug-in manner, but also connector 2 and connector 3 can be connected to each other in a plug-in manner on the basis that plug-in groove 31 is matched with plug-in body 22, and plug-in body 32 is matched with plug-in groove 21 on the same flexible tube. In addition, the flexible tube structures are mostly supported by supporting piece 4 as shown in FIG. 2 when assembled into a track. Main body 41 of supporting piece 4 has a convex type shape in the middle thereof and flat at two sides. Two ends of the main body 41 are respectively provided with semicircular concave holes 42, 43 to clamp flexible tube 1. Plug-in ridge 44 is arranged at the middle of the bottom of supporting piece 4. The flexible tubes 1 can be assembled into a track through supporting piece 4. Plug-in ridge 44 is used to plug the assembled track into the plug-in building blocks. As shown in FIG. 3, sphere 5 (i.e., ball) consists of two hemispherical Pingo type building blocks can roll on the track. However, since the outer diameters of first connector 2 and second connector 3 are different than the outer diameter of flexible tube 1, when first connector 2, second connector 3, and flexible tube 1 are coaxially connected together in a plug type manner, the outer annular surfaces of first connector 2 and second connector 3 and the outer annular surface of flexible tube 1 are on different annular surfaces. As a result, the assembled toy track would affect the sliding of the ball, such that the ball cannot slide smoothly. In addition, since supporting piece 4 is only provided with two semicircular concave holes, and a part of the body located between semicircular concave hole 42 and semicircular concave hole 43 is flat, it can be difficult to meet the requirements of arbitrarily adjusting the position of the tracks and sliding the ball on a winding track.
A Chinese patent document ( CN 205182193U ) discloses a block assembly comprising a prolongation PVC pipe, a first horizontal connector, an axletree, a wheel, a track groups component, a biconcave joint, a biconvex joint, a building blocks and a second horizontal connector.
A Chinese patent document ( CN 205252537U ) discloses a toy track system and a toy vehicle for moving therein.

Summary

In view of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a connecting piece for toy track so as to ensure the smooth sliding of balls or roller coasters on the track.
In order to achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the connecting piece for toy track provided by the present invention includes a flexible tube, a first connector, and a second connector, wherein the first connector and the second connector are respectively connected to two ends of the flexible tube and coaxially arranged with respect to the flexible tube. The first connector is provided with a plug-in groove, the second connector is provided with a plug-in convex part matched with the plug-in groove. The flexible tube has a first annular outer diameter, the first connector has a second annular outer diameter, and the second connector has a third annular outer diameter. The first annular outer diameter, the second annular outer diameter, and the third annular outer diameter are equal to each other, so that the surface of the flexible tube, the surface of the first connector, and the surface of the second connector are on the same annular surface after the plug-in convex part is plugged into the plug-in groove.
According to the above-mentioned connecting piece for toy track, a cross section of the plug-in convex part is circular or polygonal, a cross section of the first connector is annular, and an inner wall of the first connector protrudes inward to form a convex rib to fasten the plug-in convex part.
According to the above-mentioned connecting pieces for toy track, the flexible tube is a hollow flexible tube, the first connector is connected to the hollow flexible tube through a first convex column, and the second connector is connected to the hollow flexible tube through a second convex column.
According to the above-mentioned connecting piece for toy track, a bendable metal wire is arranged inside the flexible tube. One end of the metal wire is connected to the first convex column and the other end is connected to the second convex column.
Further, a toy track provided by the present invention includes a supporting piece and the above-mentioned connecting piece for toy track. A plurality of clamping grooves with intervals are arranged on the supporting piece, and the size of each clamping groove is matched with the first annular outer diameter.
According to the above-mentioned toy track, the supporting piece includes a circular body/elliptical body, and the clamping grooves are arranged on an inner wall of the circular body/elliptical body.
According to the above-mentioned toy track, a plurality of clamping grooves are uniformly distributed on the inner wall of the circular body/elliptical body. According to the above-mentioned toy track, the supporting piece includes an arc-shaped body with an opening, the arc-shaped body is an elastomer, so the arc-shaped body can be opened or closed relative to the opening, and the clamping grooves are arranged on the inner wall of the arc-shaped body.
According to the above-mentioned toy track, a plurality of clamping grooves are uniformly distributed from one end of the arc-shaped body to the other end of the arc-shaped body along the arc-shaped body on the inner wall of the arc-shaped body.
According to the above-mentioned toy track, the outer wall of the arc-shaped body is provided with a plug-in ridge to be connected to a building block in a plug-in type manner.
The present invention has the following advantages. Since the first annular outer diameter, the second annular outer diameter, and the third annular outer diameter of the connecting piece for toy track are equal to each other, the surface of the flexible tube, the surface of the first connector, and the surface of the second connector are on the same annular surface after the plug-in convex part is plugged into the plug-in groove, so that the balls or roller coasters can slide smoothly over the tracks.
Further, a plurality of clamping grooves are arranged on the supporting piece of the toy track, so the requirement of adjusting the position of the track can be satisfied.
Moreover, the supporting piece includes a circular body/elliptical body or an arc-shaped body with an opening, which can meet the requirement of sliding balls or roller coasters on winding tracks compared with a flat body.
Hereinafter, the conception, specific structure, and technical effect of the present invention will be further explained with reference to the drawings for a full understanding of the objectives, characteristics, and effects of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the flexible tube structure of the toy track in the prior art;
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the supporting piece of the toy track in the prior art;
FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the ball sliding on a part of the toy track in the prior art;
FIG. 4 is a structural view of the connecting piece for toy track of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the connecting piece for toy track according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the first connector of the connecting piece for toy track in FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the connecting piece for toy track according to the second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing a way of combination of the connecting piece for toy track of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing another way of combination the connecting piece for toy track of the present invention;
Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the supporting piece of the present invention;
FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing a way to assemble the connecting piece for toy track and the supporting piece of the present invention;
FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing another way to assemble the connecting piece for toy track and the supporting piece of the present invention;
FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing another way to assemble the connecting piece for toy track and the supporting piece of the present invention;
FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing yet another way to assemble the connecting piece for toy track and the supporting piece of the present invention;
FIG. 15 is a view showing a way to combine the toy track with the plug-in building blocks in use according to the present invention.

In the drawings, reference numerals are referred to as follows. 1-flexible tube, 2-first connector, 21- plug-in groove, 22- plug-in body, 23-first convex column, 24-convex rib, 3-second connector, 31- plug-in groove, 32- plug-in body, 33-plug-in convex column, 34-second convex column, 4-supporting piece, 41- main body, 411-opening, 42, 43-semicircular concave hole, 44-plug-in ridge, 45-clamping groove, 5-sphere, 6-metal wire, D1-first annular outer diameter, D2-second annular outer diameter, D3-third annular outer diameter.

Detailed Description

Referring to FIGs. 4-6, the connecting piece for toy track of the present invention includes flexible tube 1, first connector 2, and second connector 3. First connector 2 and second connector 3 are respectively connected to two ends of flexible tube 1 and coaxially arranged with respect to flexible tube 1 (the coaxial arrangement here is not required to be absolutely coaxial, and a deviation of coaxiality is acceptable). First connector 2 is provided with first plug-in groove 21, and second connector 3 is provided with plug-in convex part 33 matched with first plug-in groove 21. Flexible tube 1 has a first annular outer diameter D1, first connector 2 has a second annular outer diameter D2, and second connector 3 has a third annular outer diameter D3. First annular outer diameter D1, second annular outer diameter D2, and third annular outer diameter D3 are equal to each other so that the surface of flexible tube 1, the surface of first connector 2, and the surface of second connector 3 are on the same annular surface after plug-in convex part 33 is plugged into first plug-in groove 21. Based on the design, after first connector 2 and second connector 3 are seamlessly connected together, the assembled track is smooth and flat, so the balls can slide smoothly.
In order to ensure the reliability of the plug-in connection, the cross section of plug-in convex part 33 is square-shaped, the cross section of first connector 2 is annulus-shaped, and the inner wall of first connector 2 protrudes inward to form convex rib 24 to fasten plug-in convex part 33. The cross section of plug-in convex part 33 is not limited to a square shape but may be a circle or other polygonal shape also.
Further referring to FIG. 5, flexible tube 1 is a hollow flexible tube, first connector 2 is connected to hollow flexible tube 1 through first convex column 23, and second connector 3 is connected to hollow flexible tube 1 through second convex column 34.
Referring to FIG. 7, in order to facilitate shaping, bendable metal wire 6 may be provided inside flexible tube 1. One end of metal wire 6 is connected to first convex column 23 and the other end of metal wire 6 is connected to second convex column 34.
In the use of the connecting piece for toy track of the present invention, second connector 3 and first connector 2 on different flexible tubes 1 may be connected to each other to form an extension track (as shown in FIG. 8), or second connector 3 and first connector 2 on the same flexible tube 1 may be connected to each other in a plug-in manner to form an annular track (as shown in FIG. 9).
Referring to FIG. 10, supporting piece 4 of the present invention is provided with a plurality of clamping grooves 45 with intervals. The size of each clamping groove 45 is matched with first annular outer diameter D1. Clamping grooves 45 may be semicircular concave holes. Supporting piece 4 includes an arc-shaped body 41 with opening 411. Arc-shaped body 41 is an elastomer which can be opened or closed relative to opening 411, and a plurality of clamping grooves 45 are arranged on the inner wall of arc-shaped body 41. A plurality of clamping grooves 45 are uniformly distributed from one end of the arc-shaped body to the other end of the arc-shaped body along the arc-shaped body on the inner wall of arc-shaped body 41. The outer wall of arc-shaped body 41 is provided with plug-in ridge 44 which can be plugged into the building blocks. The position of plug-in ridge 44 may be relatively located in the middle of arc-shaped body 41 or other positions.
It should be noted that supporting piece 4 is not limited to the structure shown in FIG. 10, and its main body 41 may be closed. That is to say, the supporting piece includes a circular body/elliptical body, and clamping grooves 45 are provided on the inner wall of the circular body/elliptical body. Moreover, a plurality of clamping grooves 45 are uniformly distributed on the inner wall of the circular body/elliptical body. Referring to FIGs. 11-14; flexible tube 1 can be embedded in any desired clamping groove when being assembled into a track. Therefore, the present invention can satisfy the requirement of adjusting the position of the track based on a plurality of clamping grooves 45 arranged with intervals on supporting piece 4. Further, since supporting piece 4 includes arc-shaped body 41 with an opening, compared with the flat body, the arrangement of the arc-shaped body can meet the requirements of sliding balls or roller coaster on winding tracks.
Referring to FIG. 15, in the use of the present invention, the assembled track can be connected to the plug-in building blocks in a plug-in manner, so various kinds of balls can be rolled along the track. A plurality of connecting pieces for toy track and other matched various kinds of building block components can be arbitrarily connected to each other in a plug-in manner by the supporting piece, so there are several types of combinations possible, and the plug-in connection of the components is convenient and fast.

Claims

A toy track comprising a supporting piece (4) and a connecting piece, wherein the connecting piece comprises a flexible tube (1), a first connector (2), and a second connector (3), wherein the first connector (2) and the second connector (3) are respectively connected to two ends of the flexible tube (1) and coaxially arranged with respect to the flexible tube (1), the first connector (2) is provided with a plug-in groove (21), the second connector (3) is provided with a plug-in convex part (33) matched with the plug-in groove (21), the flexible tube (1) has a first annular outer diameter (D1), the first connector (2) has a second annular outer diameter (D2), the second connector (3) has a third annular outer diameter (D3), the first annular outer diameter (D1), the second annular outer diameter (D2), and the third annular outer diameter (D3) are equal to each other, so that a surface of the flexible tube (1), a surface of the first connector (2), and a surface of the second connector (3) are on a same annular surface after the plug-in convex part (33) is plugged into the plug-in groove (21), and
a plurality of clamping grooves (45) with intervals are arranged on the supporting piece (4), and the size of each of the clamping grooves (45) is matched with the first annular outer diameter (D1),
characterized in that the supporting piece (4) comprises a circular body/elliptical body, and three or more clamping grooves (45) are arranged on an inner wall of the circular body/elliptical body.
The toy track according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of the clamping grooves (45) are uniformly distributed on the inner wall of the circular body/elliptical body.
The toy track according to claim 1, characterized in that the supporting piece (4) comprises an arc-shaped body (41) with an opening (411), the arc-shaped body (41) is an elastomer, so the arc-shaped body (41) is opened or closed relative to the opening (411), and the clamping grooves (45) are arranged on an inner wall of the arc-shaped body (41).
The toy track according to claim 3, characterized in that the plurality of the clamping grooves (45) are uniformly distributed from an end of the arc-shaped body (41) to another end of the arc-shaped body (41) along the arc-shaped body (41) on the inner wall of the arc-shaped body (41).
The toy track according to claim 3, characterized in that an outer wall of the arc-shaped body (41) is provided with a plug-in ridge (44) to be connected to building blocks in a plug-in type manner.
The toy track according to claim 1, characterized in that a cross section of the plug-in convex part (33) is circular or polygonal, a cross section of the first connector (2) is annular, and an inner wall of the first connector (2) protrudes inward to form a convex rib (24) to fasten the plug-in convex part (33).
The toy track according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexible tube (1) is a hollow flexible tube (1), the first connector (2) is connected to the hollow flexible tube (1) through a first convex column (23), and the second connector (3) is connected to the hollow flexible tube (1) through a second convex column (34).
The toy track according to claim 7, characterized in that a bendable metal wire (6) is arranged inside the flexible tube (1), an end of the metal wire (6) is connected to the first convex column (23) and another end of the metal wire (6) is connected to the second convex column (34).