GB2155978A - Portable track - Google Patents

Abstract

A manually portable and temporary track section for use with a camera dolly has two rails 1 and 2 which are interconnected by sleepers 5 formed of flexible sheet material. The sheets 5 are secured to the rails 1 and 2 by strips 6 with the rails parallel and at predetermined spacing from each other. The track section can be compacted for storage or transport by rolling the flexible sheets 5 as a scroll about one or both of the rails. Adjacent track sections can be coupled together by complementary engaging sockets and spigots 7, 8. Adjacent track sections can be locked together by releasably engaging spring loaded components, by toggle mechanisms or by releasably engaging strips 9 and 10 (such as pads of the material sold under the Trade Mark "VELCRO"). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A manually portable and temporary track section TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND ART This invention relates to a manually portable and temporary track section of the type which is intended for use with a dolly. A dolly is well known for use in the television and movie industry as providing a wheeled mounting on which a camera is carried to permit movement of the camera during use in a smooth manner to alleviate vibration or camera wobble. Frequently the dolly is mounted on a temporary track which is laid for the purpose of permitting camera movement between two points in an accurate and smooth manner so that the subject of the camera can be trailed, possibly for many retakes, without deviation.Because of its temporary use, dolly track has to be readily assembled and dismantled into sections suitable for storage or transport between locations or sets and conventionally the track is formed of rigid sections each of which comprises a pair of rails and interconnecting sleepers of aluminium or other metal. These track sections are approximately 2 metres in length and usually a film crew will have with it a track kit of, say, five straight track sections, three curved track sections and a couple of half length sections to permit assembly of various track combinations. A track kit would weigh in the order of 1 50 kilogrammes and this weight together with the bulk renders it most inconvenient for transport and storage.

There are also the disadvantages that assembly of a track from the track sections can take a considerable time (particularly in ensuring that the sections are appropriately wedged to prevent rocking and to provide a stable base on which the dolly can run); each track section is expensive and easily damaged; and it is not unusual for a film set or fittings at a filming location (or the floor surface on which the track is laid) to be damaged during handling of the track. It is an object of the present invention to provide a track section for use with a dolly by which the aforegoing disadvantages of conventional track can be alleviated.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION AND ADVAN TAGES According to the present invention there is provided a manually portable and temporary track section for use with a dolly which comprises two rails and flexible sheet sleeper means connecting said rails together to permit the section to be laid out for use with the rails parallel and at a predetermined spacing from each other and to permit the section to be compacted with the rails substantially parallel for transport or storage.

By the present invention the track section, when not in use, can be collapsed to form a package for transport or storage which package corresponds in length to the rails but has a width considerably less than the width of the laid-out section. This coliapsing or compacting will usually be achieved by rolling-up the section with the flexible sleeper means in the form of a scroli about one of the rails or by doubling over the flexible sleeper means to locate the two rails adjacent to each other and rolling up the sleeper means about both rails.

Also it is possible for the sleeper means to be compacted in concertina fashion as the two rails are displaced towards each other.

The flexible sheet sleeper means is preferably formed by one or more sheets of heavy duty plastics or natural or synthetic rubber material which, when laid flat on a floor surface, finds its own level and is substantially unobtrusive (at least as compared with metal sleepers for conventional dolly tracks).This latter feature has considerable advantages in so far as conventional metal sleepers tend to be bulky and inhibit the free movement of progression of a subject between the rails whilst being tracked; for example, with conventional track an actor has to be wary of the sleepers when walking between the rails, also it might not be practical to move a push chair or other wheeled article between the railsboth of these disadvantages are alleviated by use of flat flexible sheeting for the sleeper means, The rails of the track section are preferably of plastics (conveniently in the form of extrusions) but may be of, for example, a light metal alloy. The rails will be relatively rigid as compared with the flexibility of the sheet sleeper means.However, it is preferred that the rails are capable of slight flexibility over their length so that, together with the flexible sleeper means, the track section can accommodate for minor undulations in a floor surface on which the section is laid. It is intended that the track section when laid will, to a certain extent, find its own level on a floor surface, so that for example, it may flow over a carpet edge or other small protrusion.

The track is intended to be maintained in position by the weight of the dolly which it will carry and to be sufficiently flexible as a whole so that as the dolly moves along the track the rails and flexible sleeper means will seat on to the floor surface without any adverse effect on the camera. With conventional rigid track it is essential that each section is laid to be stable and to avoid "wobble" or rocking during movement of a dolly over it (since even the slightest rocking caused by minor undulations in a floor surface would be perceptible to the camera). Accordingly it is not unusual for each rigid section to be stabilised with wedges.Although the track section of the present invention will accommodate for minor undulations in the surface on which it is laid, the possibility is envisaged (for example when the track is laid over a step or similar protrusion) of having an infill of small carpet pieces or other material to provide localised support beneath the rails.

With the track section laid flat for use, the rails will be secured to the flexible sleeper means to be parallel and spaced from each other at the distance required to accommodate the axle width for the wheels of the dolly which is intended to be mounted on the rails.

Usually the dolly will have spool shaped track wheels which engage with the upper edges of the rails to retain the dolly on the track or alternatively will have track wheels sandwiched between studio wheels which latter serve to retain the track wheels on the rails-in both cases it has been found that if the track is not fully laid out so that the flexible sheeting is not flat or the rails are not parallel, the lateral forces to which the rails are subjected by the dolly wheels is usually sufficient to spread the flexible sleeper means to position the rails as required. Furthermore, the flexibility of the sleeper means may permit the sheet material to be folded or concertinashaped to locate the rails parallel and closer together than that originally intended so that the track section can accommodate a dolly having relatively narrower axle widths.

Preferably the rails comprise flat bottoms which form stable bases on which the rail can sit. The flexible sheet material is conveniently secured to a flat bottom of a rail section or within a slot in a rail section. The securing of the flexible sheet to the rails may be by adhesive. In one embodiment the sheet material is secured by being sandwiched between the flat bottom of each rail section and a flat retaining strip which is attached, conveniently by screws, to the flat bottom of the respective rail section so that each rail section stands on its retaining strip. In another embodiment the ends of the sheet material are received within slots in the rails and retained therein by screws.

Preferably each rail comprises coupling means by which the rail ends of one track section can be coupled in end-to-end relationship with rail ends of an adjacent track section to form a continuous track. The coupling means preferably comprises socket and spigot means whereby each rail has a socket at one end thereof and a complementary spigot at the other end thereof. These sockets and spigots are alternately disposed to mate with spigots and sockets respectively on another track section when the track sections are disposed with their rails in end-to-end and abutting relationship. Each rail may also comprise stabilising means which, when the rails are coupled in end-to-end relationship, engages between the adjacent rail ends to restrain the rails which are coupled together from rotating relative to each other.The stabilising means preferably comprises a, or an auxilliary, socket and spigot means which engage between adjacent rail ends as the track is constructed. Where the coupling means comprises socket and spigot means as discussed above, the stabilising means may be an auxilliary socket and spigot means which is positioned on the respective rail ends adjacent to the coupling means and is similarly disposed so that both socket and spigot means are simultaneously engaged as two rail ends are coupled together; in this arrangement the auxilliary socket and spigot means will restrain the coupled rails from rotating relative to each other about the socket and spigot means of the coupling means.

The track section may comprise locking means for releasably engaging and holding two track sections together when disposed with their rails in end-to-end relationship. The locking means can also serve as a stabilising means. The locking means may comprise a spring loaded component on the track section which snap engages with an adjacent track section as the two Sections are coupled together and can be manually disengaged for dismantling the track. The spring loaded component is conveniently located on the end of a rail so that its snap engagement with an adjacent rail end is effected automatically as the rails are coupled together.In a preferred arrangement the spring loaded component is located on the spigot of the socket and spigot type coupling means or stabilising means as above mentioned so that it engages in an appropriate seating or aperture in the socket as the socket and spigot are mated. The locking means may alternatively, or in, addition comprise straps which are intended to engage between one track section and the adjacent section and is preferably in the form of quick release multiple "hook" and "eye" resilient fastening material (such as that sold under the Trade Mark "VELCRO"). The locking means may also comprise a simple pivoted lever or hook on the track section which can be swung into engagement with an adjacent track section.

Desirably the locking means when engaging between two track sections, is displaceable to draw the track sections together and to hold the rails in their respective end-to-end relationship. This desirable feature is preferably achieved by a toggle mechanism of the track section which engages with an adjacent track section and has a linkage which is manually operable from an open to a closed condition to draw the track sections together and provide a biasing force which holds the rails together.This drawing and holding characteristic has the advantage that, as the rail ends move into abutment with each other, the adjacent rail sections tend to be moved into alignment and the track "squared up". Preferably a toggle mechanism is mounted on each rail and accommodated unobtrusively in a recess in the rail, conveniently in the bottom of the rail to be clear of the dolly wheels. The toggle mechanism will have associated therewith a catch member or component which will bridge the adjacent rails; this catch member or component, when the toggle mechanism is closed, is preferably accommodated as a close fit within the recesses in the adjoining rails so that it restrains one rail from rotating relative to another with which it is in end-to-end relationship (the toggle mechanism can thus serve as a stabilising means).Desirably the means for drawing and holding the track sections together is adjustable to vary the holding force applied to those sections and to provide a means of taking up any looseness which may develop in the rail joint.

Track sections constructed in accordance with the present invention will be considerably more convenient for handling, transport and storage than the conventional rigid section tracks. In particular it is envisaged that for normal usage straight, curved and half length track sections will be assembled from a kit to permit combinations of track structure which meet the usual requirements of a movie or television crew (as previously discussed) and that this kit of track sections may be compacted into a manually portable container such as a carrying bag with a gross weight in the order of 35 kilogrammes.

DRAWINGS Embodiments of manually portable and temporary track sections for use with a dolly will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment showing the section laid-out for use; Figure 2 is an end view of the section in Fig. 1 showing one way in which it can be compacted for storage or transport; Figures 3 to 5 show a stablising means and an alternative form of locking means for modifying the section shown in Fig. 1 in which:: Figure 3 is a side elevation, in part section, of two rail ends coupled together by engaging socket and spigot means for both the coupling means and the stabilising means; Figure 4 is a part section taken on the line IV-IV of Fig. 3 to illustrate a spring loaded locking means on the socket and spigot coupling; Figure 5 is an end view of the spigoted rail end shown in Figs. 3 and 4 to show the spring loaded locking component on the coupling spigot; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a rail section in a laid out condition; Figure 7 is a side elevation, in part section, of one of the rails in the track section of Fig.

6 and particularly shows a locking arrangement in the form of a toggle mechanism by which the rail is intended to be locked firmly in end-to-end relationship with an adjacent rail; Figure 8 is an underside view of two rails locked together in end-to-end relationship by the toggle mechanism shown in Fig. 7, and Figure 9 is an underside view of an end part of the rail in Fig. 7 and illustrates a means whereby the toggle mechanism is adjustable to vary the load with which that mechanism can apply in holding the rails in end-to-end relationship.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The dolly track section has two parallel and spaced plastics rail sections 1 and 2. Each rail section is hollow for lightness and is conveniently extruded to have a flat bottom 3 and a convexly rounded upper edge 4. It is intended that the track wheels of a dolly (not shown) will run on the upper edge 4 and for this purpose the upper edge can be flat if required. The rail sections 1 and 2 are, when the track section is laid-out retained in their parallel relationship and at their maximum intended spacing by longitudinally spaced flat sheets 5 of heavy duty flexible material (such as reinforced synthetic rubber) which form sleepers to connect together the rail sections.

The sheets 5 are secured in face-to-face relationship with the respective flat bottoms 3 of the rail sections by flat retaining strips 6. The strips 6 underlie and are co-extensive with the respective rail sections to sandwich the flexible sheeting 5 between themselves and the flat bottoms 3 and are secured by screws 6a to the rail sections 1 and 2. Consequently the rail sections stand on the strips 6 while the sheets 5 lie unobtrusively on the floor surface.

For the purpose of coupling together the track section with an adjacent track section with the rails in end-to-end relationship, each rail section carries at one end a spigot 7 and at the opposite end a complementary socket 8 which sockets and spigots are alternately disposed as shown in Fig. 1 to mate with complementary sockets and spigots at the ends of the rails of the adjacent track section.

In the present embodiment the sockets and spigots are conveniently carried by plastic plugs 14 secured by adhesive or otherwise within the bore of the tubular extruded plastics rail sections.

For the purpose of temporarily locking together two track sections which are located with their rails in end-to-end relationship (and which may be coupled together through the co-operating sockets and spigots), the track sections carries releasably engageable multiple hook and eye resilient fastening means such as the material sold under the Trade Mark "VELCRO". More particularly, the flexible sheeting 5 at one end of the track section has secured thereto a pad 9 of resiliently "hooked" material and at the other end a strap 10 of resiliently "eyed" material; the hook and eye pads and straps are longitudinally oppositely disposed as shown in Fig. 1 so that two track sections having their rails in end-to-end relationship can be temporarily locked together by resiliently engaging the strap 10 of one section with the pad 9 of the adjacent section.

When the track section is to be transported or stored it may easily be compacted by rolling the sheet material 5 in the form of a scroll about one of the rails (as shown in Fig.

2) so that the rails are maintained substantially parallel but the bulk of the sheet material is accommodated in a tight roll.

The plastics rails are relatively rigid as compared with the flexibility at the sheet sleepers 5 but nevertheless the rails have a limited flexibility over their longitudinal extent so that they can accommodate to minor undulations in the floor surface on which the track is laid and can flow smoothly over such protrusions (such as a carpet edge) whilst the rail sections maintain their upright condition which they present by seating on the flat strips 6. Where the track extends over a somewhat larger protrusion than a carpet edge, such as a step, an appropriate packing or infill material such as carpet pieces can be provided to support the rails adjacent to the protrusion.

It will be noted that the flexible sheets 5 while being relatively unobtrusive and permitting the track section to be readily compacted also have the advantage of permitting the upper edges 4 of the rails to be relatively near to the floor surface on which the track is laid.

This latter facility renders the track less obtrusive than conventional track and has the advantage that the dolly wheels will run closer to the floor surface (so that it is relatively easy to lift the dolly on to the track and possibly avoid the use of ramps which are generally provided for conventional track where the upper edges of the rails are necessarily positioned at a considerable height above the floor surface on which the track is laid due to the presence of the intervening rigid sleepers).

The track section illustrated has straight rails and if of full length will be in the order of two metres. It is to be realised however that the present invention is applicable to track sections with curved rails and also to half length track sections. It is also to be realised that the number and disposition of flexibile sheets which form the sleeper means may be varied as required.

The materials from which the track section is formed (particularly the rails and flexible sleepers) may be available in different colours or readily painted as required to blend in with the surroundings.

In the modification shown in Figs. 3 to 5 a more preferred form of locking means is shown as an alternative to the previously discussed fastening strips 9 and 1 0. In this modification the generally cylindrical spigot 7 has a flat 1 5 within which is formed a longitudinally extending recess 16.Overlying the recess 16 and secured by a screw 1 7 to the flat 1 5 is a longitudinally extending leaf spring 18 carrying a radiXslly extending tapered boss 1 9. Located in the socket 8 and extending through the side wall of its rail section 1 or 2 is an aperture 20 which is substantially complementary in size to the boss 1 9. The spring loaded boss 1 9 and aperture 20 are arranged so that when the spigot 7 is pushed longitudinally into the socket 8, the tapered boss 1 9 abuts the end wall of the socket 8 and is displaced inwardly on the leaf spring 18 into the recess 1 6 to permit insertion of the spigot into the socket.

As the spigot 7 moves into the socket 8, the boss 1 9 slides over the surface of the bore of the socket until it springs into engagement with the aperture 20 to lock the two rails together in end-to-end relationship as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The taper of the boss 1 9 permits it to be disengaged from the aperture 20 when sufficient manual force is applied longitudinally to separate the two rails on dismantling the track.

The modification shown in Figs. 3 to 5 includes stablising means comprising an auxilliary rectangularly sectioned spigot 20 carried at one end of a rail section and a complementary rectangularly sectioned socket 21 carried at the opposite end of the rail section. The spigots and sockets 20 and 21 are similarly disposed to the spigots and sockets 7 and 8 so that, as shown in Fig. 3, the spigots 7 and 20 are located adjacent to each other to extend from a common rail end whereby they will mate simultaneously with their respectively associated sockets 8 and 21. The socket and spigot connection 20, 21 restrains the rails which they couple together from rotating relative to each other about the cylindrical spigot 7. Consequently, the boss 1 9 is not subjected to unnecessary rotational torque and also the coupling of the spigot 20 with the socket 21 ensures that the boss 19 is accurately aligned to engage with the aperture 20.

In the embodiment of Fig. 6 the rails 1 and 2 are extruded in plastics to have the flat bottoms 3 and the convexly rounded upper edges 4. The rails 1 and 2 are, when the track section is laid out, retained in their parallel relationship and at their maximum intended spacing by flat strips 5 of the heavy duty flexible material. The strips 5 are secured to their respective rails by the ends of the strips being received in slots in the rails and retained therein by screws (not shown) or otherwise.

Similarly to the embodiment of Fig. 1, each rail carries at one end a cylindrical spigot 7 and at the opposite end a complementary cylindrical socket 8 which sockets and spigots are alternately disposed to mate with complementary socket and spigots at the ends of the rails of an adjacent track section.

For the propose of temporarily locking together two track sections which are located with their rails in end-to-end relationship, the track section is provided with manually operable linkages comprising two toggle mechanisms 50 located one on each of the rails 1 and 2 at opposite ends thereof and two hookshaped brackets 51 located one at each of the other ends of the respective rails 1 and 2.

The locking means is best seen on the rail 2 shown in Fig. 7, and it will be appreciated that a similar arrangement is provided for the rail 1. The toggle mechanism 50 is mounted within an open ended recess 52 in the bottom 3 of the rail and comprises a lever 53 pivotally mounted by a pin 54 to a frame 55. The frame 55 is secured by screws 56 to the upper face of the recess 52 so that the pivot 54 is disposed towards the open end of the recess and the lever 53 can be pivoted into and out of the recess 52. The lever 53 has opposed side flanges 57 which carry a Ushaped catch 58. The free ends of the legs of the catch 58 are pivotally mounted by a pin 59 to the flanges 57 so that the catch 58 can be pivoted in the same plane as the pivotal movement of the lever 53 and over the pivoted end of that lever.

The end of the rail 2 opposite to the toggle mechanism 50 has an open ended recess 60 in the bottom 3 within which is located the hook-shaped bracket 51 (the latter being secured by screws 61 to the upper face of the recess 60).

Upon assembly of the dolly track, two rail sections as shown in Fig. 6 are laid out and disposed with their rails in end to end relationship. These rails are then displaced to engage the spigots 7 with respectively opposing sockets 8. During this engagement the catch member 58 is positioned clear of the rails and with the lever 53 pivoted to a position out of its recess 52 (as shown in Fig.

2 where the toggle mechanism 50 is in an open condition) the U-shaped catch is positioned over the hook of the bracket 51. The toggle mechanism 50 is now closed by displacing the lever 53 into the recess 52; this action moves the catch 58 into engagement with the hook 51 and draws the two rails into firm end-to-end abutment to maintain the spigot and socket 7 and 8 in engagement.

Preferably the toggle mechanism moves through a dead centre condition to firmly lock the two rails together as shown in Fig. 8. In this latter condition the toggle mechanism 50 is fully accommodated within the recesses 52 and 60 to be clear of the bottoms 3 so that the rails can stand on a flat base.

As the toggle mechanisms 50 are closed to draw the rails 1 and 2 of one section into firm engagement with the rails of an adjacent rail section and then hold the rails in such engagement, the abutment between the end faces of the respectively connected rails during the aforementioned drawing action willserve to move the rails into alignment. It is preferred that the legs of the U-shaped catch 58 are received and accommodated in the recesses 52 and 60 as a relatively close sliding fit between the respectively opposed faces of those recesses as shown in Fig. 8; this has the advantage that the catch member 58, when the toggle mechanism is in its closed condition, will bridge the adjoining rails 2 and serve to restrain those rails from rotating relative to each other about the cooperating socket and spigot connection.

During use of the rail section the frequent engagement and dis-engagement of the toggle mechanism 50 may cause that mechanism to be strained and become somewhat loose in its closed condition. It is therefore preferred that the toggle mechanism is adjustable so that the force which is applied to hold the rails together can be varied as required-pos- sibly to take up the aforementioned looseness.

In the example shown in Figs. 6 to 9 this adjustability feature (which is desirable but not essential) is provided by permitting an adjustment to be made in the distance between the pivot pins 59 and 54. As this latter distance is increased a greater force will be provided (through the catch 58 on the hookshaped bracket 51 as the toggle mechanism is closed) to hold the adjoining rails together.

As shown in Fig. 2 the flanges 57 of the lever 53 are provided with opposed slots 62 which extend longitudinally of the lever 53. The pivot pin 59 is retained in and is displaceable along the slots 62 and has a screw threaded throughbore 63. A screw threaded rod 64 extends through the pin 59 in threaded engagement with the bore 63 (see Fig. 4). One end 65 of the rod 64 extends through a bore 66 in the pivot pin 54. The end 65 is enlarged to be retained in the bore 66 and is received in the bore 66 so that the rod 64 is freely rotatable within the pivot pin 54. The other end of the rod 64 is provided with a screwdriver slot 67 (or other convenient means for rotating the rod). Upon rotation of the rod 64 it will be apparent that the cooperating threads between the rod and pin 59 will drive the pivot pin 59 to increase or decrease the distance between the pivot pins 54 and 59-thereby displacing the catch member 58 to vary the holding force which will be exerted as the toggle mechanism closes as described above.

Claims (43)

1. A manually portable and temporary track section for use with a dolly which comprises two rails and flexible sheet sleeper means connecting said rails together to permit the section to be laid-out for use with the rails parallel and at a predetermined spacing from each other and to permit the section to be compacted with the rails substantially parallel for transport or storage.

2. A track section as claimed in claim 1 in which the sleeper means comprises heavy duty plastics or natural or synthetic rubber material.

3. A track section as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2 in which the rails comprise plastics sections.

4. A track section as claimed in claim 3 in which the rails are hollow and comprise extruded plastics sections.

5. A track section as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the rails have a flexibility over their longitudinal extent which is considerably less than the flexibility of the sheet sleeper means to permit the rails to accommodate for minor undulations in a floor surface on which the section is laid.

6. A track section as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the rails comprise flat bottoms which form stable bases on which the rails can stand.

7. A track section as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the rails comprise flat bottoms to which the sheet sleeper means is secured.

8. A track section as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the rails comprise rail sections and the sheet sleeper means is secured thereto by being sandwiched between said rail sections and retaining strips which are attached to said rail sections.

9. A track section as claimed in claim 8 in which the rail sections have flat bottoms and the sheet sleeper means is sandwiched between said flat bottoms and flat retaining strips which strips form a stable base on which the rails can stand.

10. A track section as claimed in either claim 8 or claim 9 in which the retaining strips are attached to the rail sections by screw means.

11. A track section as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 in which the rails are provided with longitudinally extending slots within which edges of the sheet sleeper means are received and secured.

1 2. A track section as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which each rail comprises coupling means by which the rail ends of the section can be coupled in end-toend relationship with the rail ends of an adjacent track section to form a continuous track.

1 3. A track section as claimed in claim 1 2 in which the coupling means comprises socket and spigot means and each rail has a socket at one end thereof and a complementary spigot at the other end thereof, said socket and spigots being alternately disposed on the two rails.

14. A track section as claimed in claim 1 3 in which the rails comprise tubular rail sections and said sockets and spigots are located in plugs secured in the ends of said tubular rail sections.

1 5. A track section as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and comprising locking means for releasably engaging and holding two track sections together with their respective rails disposed in end-to-end relationship.

1-6. A track section as claimed in claim 15 in which the locking means is located on the sheet sleeper means for engaging between the track sections.

1 7. A track section as claimed in claim 16 in which the locking means comprises a complementarily located pad and strap of quick release multiple "hook" and "eye" resilient fastening material.

18. A track section as claimed in any one of claims 1 5 to 1 7 in which the locking means is located on at least one rail.

1 9. A track section as claimed in claim 18 in which the locking means comprises a spring loaded component on the rail which snap engages with an adjacent similar rail as the two rails are moved into end-to-end relationship.

20. A track section as claimed in claim 1 9 in which the spring loaded component is engageable and disengageable by manual force applied longitudinally of the rails for coupling and dismantling the two rails.

21. A track section as claimed in either claim 1 9 or claim 20 in which the spring loaded component is incorporated in a, or the, socket and spigot means extending between the two rails.

22. A track section as claimed in claim 21 when appendant to claim 1 2 in which the spring loaded component is mounted on the spigot of the coupling means and is arranged to snap engage in a seating in the socket of the coupling means when the two rails are coupled in end-to-end relationship.

23. A track section as claimed in claim 18 in which the locking means is arranged so that, when engaging between two track sections, it is displaceable to draw the track sections together and to hold the respective rails in end-to-end relationship.

24. A track section as claimed in claim 23 in which the locking means comprises a tog gle mechanism having a linkage which is manually operable from an open to a closed condition to draw and hold track sections together.

25. A track section as claimed in claim 24 in which the toggle mechanism is located in a recess in the respective rail to be accommo dated unobtrusively in said recess when in its closed condition.

26. A track section as claimed in claim 25 in which the recess is positioned in the or a flat bottom of the rail.

27. A track section as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 26 in which the toggle mechanism comprises a lever pivotally mounted on the rail and a catch member pivotally mounted on said lever, said catch member being moveable by displacement of the lever to engage a bracket on a rail of an adjacent track section and to draw the track sections together.

28. A track section as claimed in claim 27 in which each rail has a toggle mechanism at one end thereof and a bracket at the other end thereof.

29. A track section as claimed in claim 28 in which each of the bracket and toggle mechanism is located in a recess in its respective rail.

30. A track section as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 29 in which a component associated with the toggle mechanism is arranged to bridge two rails which it holds in end-to-end relationship and to restrain said two rails from rotating relative to each other.

31. A track section as claimed in claim 30 when appendant to claim 27 in which said component comprises the catch member which is closely received in recess means in the rails when the toggle mechanism is in a closed condition to restrain said relative rotation.

32. A track section as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 31 in which the locking means is adjustable to vary the holding force which is applied thereby to the rails in end-toend relationship.

33. A track section as claimed in claim 32 when appendant to claim 27 in which the pivotal mounting of the catch member is adjustable in its distance from the pivotal mounting of the lever to permit a variation in said holding force.

34. A track section as claimed in claim 33 in which the pivotal mounting of the catch member is displaceable on the lever and its distance from the pivotal mounting of the lever is adjustable by rotation of screw means with which it screw engages.

35. A track seciton as claimed in claim 1 2 or in any one of the claims 1 3 to 34 when appendant thereto and comprising stabilising means for restraining the rails which are coupled together in end-to-end relationship from rotating relative to each other.

36. A track section as claimed in claim 35 in which the stabilising means comprises a, or an auxiliary, socket and spigot means interconnecting the two rails which are coupled together.

37. A track section as claimed in claim 36 when appendant to claim 1 3 in which the socket and spigot means of the stabilising means are positioned on the rail adjacent to the socket and spigot means of the coupling means and both said socket and spigot means are similarly disposed to be engaged simultaneously as the rails are coupled together.

38. A track section as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the sleeper means comprises at least two flexible sheets or strips which are spaced longitudinally of the rails.

39. A track section as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and having straight or curved rails.

40. A track section substantially as herein described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying illustrative drawing.

41. A track section as claimed in claim 40 and including the modification substantially as herein described with reference to Figs. 3 to 5 of the accompanying illustrative drawings.

42. A track section substantially as herein described with reference to Figs. 6 to 9 of the accompanying illustrative drawings.

43. A plurality of track sections each as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, each said track section being compacted and the sections being housed as a track kit in a manually portable container.